《The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella)》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1<i></i>¡°Mira, back from the race already?¡± Mrs. Thompson called out as she stood in the doorway of her quaint corner store.<i></i>As the olddy¡¯s voice caught her attention, Mirabe, decked out in sleek ck cycling gear, smoothly applied the brakes to her bike. With a practiced toe-touch to the ground, she removed her helmet, and her long ponytail cascaded down, giving her an air of effortless grace and cool beauty.<i></i>Mrs. Thompson couldn¡¯t help but sigh internally as she watched Mirabe.


    She really was something special. Even riding a bike, she exuded an aura that set her apart from the rest.<i></i>¡°Oh, by the way, it looked like you had visitors at home ¨C they arrived in a car so fancy, it¡¯d make your head spin! My son said it¡¯s worth a fortune, probably more than any car in our whole town¡­¡± Mrs. Thompson exaggerated with her hands as she spoke.<i></i>Mirabe listened thoughtfully, her delicate features betraying no particr emotion.<i></i>Noticing Mirabe¡¯s silence, Mrs. Thompson cautiously looked around before leaning in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially, ¡°Mira, tell me the truth. How did your familye to know such wealthy folks? Or did you¡­ perhaps offend someone?¡±<i></i>Mrs. Thompson remembered that there was also amotion involving a fancy car at Mirabe¡¯s housest year.<i></i>Mirabe¡¯s eyelids twitched slightly, and she couldn¡¯t help but give a wry smile at Mrs. Thompson¡¯s wild spection. To avoid any misunderstanding, she replied softly, ¡°Maybe they¡¯re like, distant cousins or something.¡±<i></i>As soon as she said this, confusion spread across Mrs. Thompson¡¯s face, but before she could probe further, Mirabe had already put her helmet back on and waved goodbye. ¡°I better get going, Mrs. Thompson.¡±<i></i>Mrs. Thompson watched Mirabe ride away, murmuring to herself, ¡°Wasn¡¯t her family known for being hard up?¡±<i></i>Where did these wealthy distant cousinse from?<i></i>***<i></i>As Mirabe approached her house, she could already see the fancy ck sedan parked in the alley outside the gate. It bore the majestic emblem of an eagle in flight, with a stately and dynamic body. It¡¯s a Bentley, no less, worth a pretty penny.


    <i></i>A mysterious smile yed at the corners of Mirabe¡¯s lips as she dismounted her bike and deftly pressed a few clips. In the blink of an eye, the bike folded down into a size that was even morepact than an 11-inchptop.<i></i>With the gate ajar, she easily picked up the folded bike and stepped onto the property. She hadn¡¯t even reached the main house when a series of sharp voices cut through the air.<i></i>¡°Mom, why are you so stubborn? What¡¯s so precious about this old ce that you insist on staying?¡±<i></i>¡°I¡¯ve told you, I bought you a big, beautiful house in the city,plete with a caretaker to look after you. It¡¯s far better than here in every way.¡±<i></i>¡°Just look at this dingy floor, the faded walls, and the leaking roof whenever it rains. Does any of that scream fort¡¯ to you?¡±<i></i>¡°Your health isn¡¯t the best, yet you choose to live in this damp, moldy old house. Others might think we¡¯re poor, or worse, that your children are neglecting you¡­¡±<i></i>Still in the yard, Mirabe paused thoughtfully as the words reached her. But then, she lifted her chin with resolve.Truth be told, since she¡¯d body hopped into this body, she hadn¡¯t really taken a good look at the ce she was living in.<i></i>The house was a quaint two-story cottage with a yard, the kind you¡¯d find out in the countryside. It had red brick walls topped with ck shingles, and the walls were untouched by paint or tiles. In some areas, due to the passage of time, dark, moldy streaks had etched their presence into the surface. All in all, it was the epitome of 1980s architecture¡ªundeniably old and tattered.<i></i>Mirabe touched the tip of her nose and mused that she had lived in these rough conditions for over a year with rtive ease.<i></i>Just then, the shrill voice inside the house ceased. Mandy emerged, dressed in a ckce gown and a violet silk scarf tied around her neck. Her makeup was impable, her hair pinned up with a diamond clip, exuding an aura of a high-societydy. She paused upon seeing Mirabe standing in the yard, taken aback.<i></i>But quickly, Mandy gathered her wits, concealing theplex emotions in her eyes, and asked with indifference, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±<i></i>Mirabe regarded Mandy calmly, her eyes a serene pool, her mind drifting.<i></i>A year ago, she¡¯d jumped in this body for reasons unknown.


    Back then, the original body wasn¡¯t called Mirbe but Mirabelle, a pampered daughter of a newly wealthy family in Ashford.<i></i>A few months ago, she was abruptly informed that this body was not a true Gilbert family child but was switched at birth by a nurse. Her biological parents were just an ordinary working couple, not onlycking in wealth and influence but also burdened with four seemingly unmotivated sons to support¡ªa heavy load by any measure.<i></i>Mandy, her foster mother standing before her, discovered that her biological daughter lived in poverty while she raised a poor family¡¯s child in luxury. Perhaps Mandy felt her dormant maternal instincts stir due to this stark contrast. She saw her biological daughter appear gracious and sweet-spoken, so she quickly brought her back home, renaming her and inviting her to the family with haste as if topensate for any past neglect.<i></i>As for the faux heiress Mirabe, though born into wealth, she was never truly cherished by the Gilbert family. She spent her childhood in a small town, raised by Mandy¡¯s mother, and was rarely visited, even once a year.<i></i>With the real daughter reimed, the counterfeit had to step aside. So, before the Davis family came to reim Mirabe, Mandy told her she didn¡¯t deserve the Gilbert name nor to stay there¡ªa sentiment as clear then as Mandy¡¯s cold demeanor now.<i></i>Mirabe collected her thoughts and nonchntly withdrew her gaze from Mandy.<i></i>Mandy, noticing the shift, furrowed her brows, her anger ring. ¡°What kind of attitude is that?¡± she snapped.<i></i>Hearing the rage in the question, Mirabe raised an eyebrow yfully and replied with a sly smile, ¡°And what, may I ask, is your current title?¡±<i></i>At that, Mandy¡¯s well-maintained face darkened instantly. Clearly, no matter how long you raised someone else¡¯s child, they remained wild and without a shred of manners or propriety.<i></i>At that moment, Mandy¡¯s thoughts turned to her biological daughter, Summer. Raised in a modest household, she exuded elegance and grace, excelled in her studies, and possessed diverse talents. Now scouted to be a star, Summer was seemingly born to bring pride to the Gilbert family. In contrast, Mirabe, the foster daughter, was no match for Summer in any way, save for her looks.<i></i>Mandy took a deep breath, recalling the purpose of her visit. Her eyes hardened as she pondered for a few seconds, then she reined in her anger.¡±Since you¡¯re here, there¡¯s something I want to make clear today, and I hope you can take care of it,¡± Mandy dered with a return to her aristocratic demeanor. Though she spoke of hope, the undercurrent of her words suggested amand rather than a request.<i></i>Mirabe chuckled, and before she could respond, her grandmother, Catherine ¨C who had raised her from childhood ¨C made her presence known. Catherine gently patted Mandy¡¯s arm, signaling her to tone it down before turning her softened gaze to Mirabe. ¡°Mira, you¡¯re back. How did thepetition go?¡±<i></i>With a nonchnt hum, Mirabe replied, ¡°Not too bad, I guess.¡±<i></i>¡°Did you win?¡± asked Catherine, the excitement clear in her voice.<i></i>¡°Yeah, first ce,¡± Mirabe responded casually, without a hint of pride in her eyes, as if clinching the top spot was a walk in the park for her.<i></i>Upon hearing this, Catherine was so delighted that she wiped away a tear. ¡°Good girl.¡±


    <i></i>Mandy frowned, not understanding, and questioned Catherine, ¡°First ce in whatpetition?¡±<i></i>Catherine turned to her with a proud smile and began, ¡°You might not know, but Mira is not only a ster student but also¡­¡±<i></i>Losing interest as Catherine didn¡¯t directly answer her question and instead started praising Mirabe¡¯s academic achievements, Mandy interrupted with impatience. ¡°Okay, I get it. You don¡¯t need to prop her up in front of me. She didn¡¯t even qualify for the county high school with her grades. If it weren¡¯t for the Gilbert family footing the bill, she¡¯d probably be stuck in some party school.¡±<i></i>Pausing, Mandy cast a scornful nce at Mirabe. ¡°A fake stone will never be mistaken for a diamond, no matter what.¡±<i></i>Catherine looked worriedly at Mirabe, fearing the words might have hurt her. ¡°You haven¡¯t been involved in her life for years. You have no idea what Mira is like now¡­¡±<i></i>Mandy sneered dismissively, cutting her off again. ¡°Mom, she¡¯s not my biological daughter nor your real granddaughter. Her name is Davis, and whether she does well or not is none of my concern, and I don¡¯t want to hear it.¡±<i></i>Catherine¡¯s face tensed, harsh and dry words stuck in her throat. After a moment, she managed to mutter, ¡°Mira is my granddaughter!¡±<i></i>Mandy massaged her temples, perplexed by Catherine¡¯s delusion. ¡°She¡¯s been living off the Gilbert family for seventeen years while my daughter suffered. Mom, get a grip. Don¡¯t just recognize anyone as family! You see her as kin, but she might just be using you, trying to swindle some money to send back to her real parents¡­¡±<i></i>¡°You stop!¡± Catherine trembled with rage. ¡°I raised Mira myself.


    I know exactly what kind of person she is, so don¡¯t you dare cast your malicious suspicions on her.¡±<i></i>Mandy¡¯s face turned ashen with anger. ¡°You can¡¯t tell right from wrong. Mom, I think you¡¯re really sick in the head.¡±<i></i>Now in her sixties and with a heart condition, Catherine grew pale and clutched her chest tightly in response to Mandy¡¯s harsh words. Seeing this, Mirabe ced what she was holding on the ground and quickly moved to Catherine¡¯s side. She helped Catherine to a nearby wicker chair and took her wrist in her hand, checking her pulse.<i></i>

 Chapter 2

    Chapter <b>2 </b>


    Truth be told, since she¡¯d body hopped into this body, she hadn¡¯t really taken a good look at the ce she was living in.


    The house was a quaint two¨Cstory cottage with a yard, the kind you¡¯d find out in the countryside. It had red brick walls topped with ck shingles, and the walls were untouched by paint or tiles. In some areas, <b>due </b>to the passage of time. dark, moldy streaks had etched their presence into the surface. All in all, it was the epitome of 1980s


    architecture¨Cundeniably old and tattered.


    Mirabe touched the tip of her nose and mused that she had lived in these rough conditions for over a year with rtive ease.


    Just then, the shrill voice inside the house ceased. Mandy emerged, dressed in a ckce gown and a violet silk scarf tied around her neck. Her makeup was impable, her hair pinned up with a diamond clip, exuding an aura of a high¨Csocietydy. She paused upon seeing Mirabe <b>standing </b>in the yard, taken aback.


    But quickly, Mandy gathered her wits, concealing theplex emotions in her eyes, and asked with indifference, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Mirabe regarded Mandy calmly, her eyes a serene pool, her mind drifting.


    A year ago, she¡¯d jumped <b>in </b>this body for reasons unknown. Back then, the original body wasn¡¯t called Mirbe but Mirabelle, a pampered daughter of a newly wealthy family in Ashford.


    A few months ago, she was abruptly informed that this body was not a true Gilbert family child but was switched at birth by a nurse. Her biological parents were just an ordinary working couple, not onlycking in wealth and influence but also burdened with four seemingly unmotivated sons to support¨Ca heavy load by any measure.


    Mandy, her foster mother standing before her, discovered that her biological daughter lived in poverty while she raised a poor family¡¯s child in luxury. Perhaps Mandy felt her dormant maternal instincts stir due to this stark contrast. She saw her biological daughter appear gracious and sweet¨Cspoken, so she quickly brought her back home, renaming her and inviting her to the family with haste as if topensate for any past neglect.


    As for the faux heiress Mirabe, though born into wealth, she was never truly cherished by the Gilbert family. She spent her childhood in a small town, raised by Mandy¡¯s mother, and <b>was </b>rarely visited, even once a year.


    With the real daughter reimed, the counterfeit had to step aside. So, before the Davis family came to reim Mirabe, Mandy told her she didn¡¯t deserve the Gilbert name nor to stay there¨Ca sentiment as clear then as Mandy¡¯s cold demeanor now.


    Mirabe collected her thoughts and nonchntly withdrew her gaze from Mandy.


    Mandy, noticing the shift, furrowed her brows, her anger ring. ¡°What kind of attitude is that?¡± she snapped.


    Hearing the rage in the question, Mirabe raised an eyebrow yfully and replied with a sly smile, ¡°And what, may I ask, is your current title?¡±


    At that, Mandy¡¯s well¨Cmaintained face darkened instantly. Clearly, no matter how long you raised someone else¡¯s child, they remained wild and without a <b>shred </b>of manners or propriety.


    At <b>that </b>moment, Mandy¡¯s thoughts turned to her biological daughter, Summer. Raised in a modest household, she exuded elegance and grace, excelled in her studies, and possessed diverse talents. Now scouted to be a star, Summer <b>was </b>seemingly born to bring pride to the Gilbert family. In contrast, Mirabe, the foster daughter, was no match for Summer in any way, save for her looks.


    Mandy took a deep breath, recalling the purpose of her visit. Her eyes hardened as she pondered for a few seconds<b>, </b>then she reined in her anger.

 Chapter 3

    ¡°Since you¡¯re here, there¡¯s something I want to make clear today, and I hope you can take care of it.¡± Mandy dered with a return to her aristocratic demeanor. Though she spoke of hope, the undercurrent of her words suggested amand rather than a request.


    Mirabe chuckled, and before she could respond, her grandmother, Catherine who had raised her from childhood- made her presence known. Catherine gently patted Mandy¡¯s arm, signaling her to tone it down before turning her softened gaze to Mirabe. ¡°Mira, you¡¯re back. How did thepetition go?¡°¨C


    With a nonchnt hum, Mirabe replied, ¡°Not too bad, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Did you win?¡± asked Catherine, the excitement clear in her voice.


    ¡°Yeah, first ce,¡± Mirabe responded casually, without a hint of pride in her eyes, as if clinching the top spot was a


    walk in the park for her<b>. </b>


    Upon hearing this, Catherine was so delighted that she <b>wiped </b>away a tear. ¡°Good girl.¡±


    Mandy frowned, not understanding, and questioned Catherine, ¡°First ce in whatpetition?¡±


    Catherine turned to her with a proud smile and began, ¡°You might not know, but Mira is not only a ster student but


    also¡­¡±


    Losing interest as Catherine didn¡¯t directly answer her question and instead started praising Mirabe¡¯s academic achievements, Mandy interrupted with impatience. ¡°Okay, I get it. You don¡¯t need to prop her up in front of me. She didn¡¯t even qualify for the county high school with her grades. If it weren¡¯t for the Gilbert family footing the bill, she¡¯d probably be stuck in some party school.¡±


    Pausing. Mandy cast a scornful nce at Mirabe. ¡°A fake stone will never be mistaken for a diamond, no matter


    what.¡±


    Catherine looked worriedly at Mirabe, fearing the words might have hurt her. ¡°You haven¡¯t been involved in her life for years. You have no idea what Mira is like now¡­<b>¡± </b>


    Mandy sneered dismissively, cutting her off again. ¡°Mom, she¡¯s not my biological daughter nor your real


    granddaughter. Her name is Davis, and whether she does well or not is none of my concern, and I don¡¯t want to hear


    it.¡±


    Catherine¡¯s face tensed, harsh and dry words stuck in her throat. After a moment, she managed to mutter, ¡°Mira is my granddaughter!¡±


    Mandy massaged her temples, perplexed by Catherine¡¯s delusion. ¡°She¡¯s <b>been </b>living off the Gilbert family for seventeen years while my daughter suffered. Mom, get a grip. Don¡¯t just recognize anyone as family! You see her as kin, but she might just be using you, trying to swindle some money to send back to her real parents<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°You stop!¡± Catherine trembled with rage. ¡°I raised Mira myself. I know exactly what kind of person she is, so don¡¯t you. dare cast your malicious suspicions on her.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s face turned ashen with anger. ¡°You can¡¯t tell right from wrong. Mom, I think you¡¯re really sick in the head.¡±


    Now in her sixties and with a heart condition, Catherine grew pale and clutched her chest tightly in response to Mandy¡¯s harsh words. Seeing this, Mirabe ced what she was holding on the ground and quickly moved to Catherine¡¯s side. She helped Catherine to <b>a </b>nearby wicker chair and took her wrist in her hand, checking her pulse.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter <b>4 </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes were tinged with concern, and after a few seconds, her grip loosened as she asked in a slightly grav tone. ¡°Is your chest troubling you again?¡±


    Catherine managed a strained smile as she sped Mirabe¡¯s hand reassuringly, shaking her head gently. ¡°Granny¡¯s fine, dear. It¡¯s just the same old issue. Don¡¯t you worry about me.¡±


    Mandy, standing nearby, was taken aback by Catherine¡¯s sudden distress. Regaining herposure, she instinctively pushed Mirabe aside. ¡°Mom, are you having another one of your episodes? Are you in pain? Should we go to the hospital?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s brow furrowed at being pushed away. She cast a nce at Mandy before turning and walking back into the house.


    As Mandy fumbled for her phone to call an ambnce, she couldn¡¯t help but sneer at Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°Mom, can you believe this? This is the thanks you get for raising her. You¡¯re in agony, and she just walks away¡­. Shaking her head, Mandy started dialing 911.


    Not long after. Mirabe emerged from the house, carrying a mug in her hands. Mandy hung up the call and turned around to see Mirabe helping Catherine drink something. Her brow furrowed, and she snatched the mug. only to find it wasn¡¯t just water. She demanded with a sharp tone, ¡°What are you giving my mother to drink?¡±


    The gaze Mirabe leveled at the snatched mug was suddenly fraught with an icy, foreboding intensity. Her normally pleasant features were wiped clean of any expression. Confronted with this unfamiliar side of Mirabe, Mandy recoiled, her heels clicking backward in retreat. ¡°What¡­ what kind of look is that?¡± Her voice had lost its earlier assertiveness.


    ¡°Mandy, give me the mug. That¡¯s the medicine Mira got especially for me,¡± Catherine, now regaining someposure. said as she patted her chest and reached out a hand.


    Mandy¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Instead of handing back the mug, she flung the remaining contents onto the ground, ¡°Medicine? What can some small¨Ctown girl possibly know about medicine? This is just reckless!¡±


    As Catherine watched the spilled medicine on the floor, she hurried to exin, ¡°Mira¡¯s medicine¡­¡±


    But Mandy cut her off without giving her a chance to speak, ¡°Enough! Calm down. The ambnce will be here shortly. We¡¯ll get you checked out properly at the hospital. You can¡¯t just take any old remedy, you know you could make things worse.¡±


    Shaking her head in exasperation, Mandy turned her attention back to Mirabe, ¡°And you carelessly medicating my mother. If anything were to happen, you wouldn¡¯t be able to fix it. I¡¯ll give you this one pass because we were once family, but you need to leave. Don¡¯t stick around here any longer.¡±


    ¡°Mandy, stop it!¡± Catherine sald, both anxious and angry. She looked at Mirabe, ¡°Mira, this is your home. Don¡¯t listen to her. Please stay¡­¡±


    Mirabe nced at the medicine on the floor. Fortunately, Catherine had already consumed ¡®most of the medicine. Too weary to argue with her former foster mother, Mirabe slowly knelt in front of Catherine. Her eyes, clear and calm. gazed into hers as she spoke deliberately, ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s about time you had some peace andfort.¡±


    Catherine stared at her<b>, </b>a sudden and indescribable panic welling up inside her. Her pale lips trembled, and after a moment, she asked hoarsely, ¡°Mira, did you¡­ did you overhear what we were discussing inside earlier?¡±

 Chapter 5

    Mirabe¡¯sugh was a rare bloom of gentleness on her <b>usually </b>frosty face. She tenderly smoothed the wisps of silver hair at her grandmother¡¯s temples, her voice softening like one might use to coax a child to sleep. ¡°I¡¯ve sorted out all the transfer paperwork. It¡¯s time for me to head out. You¡¯ve got to take good care of yourself. Remember to take your meds on time, okay? Once I¡¯m settled back in the city, I¡¯lle by for <b>a </b>visit. Deal?¡±


    Catherine felt the soothing touch on her cheek and struggled to swallow, her throat parched. After a moment, she grasped Mirabe¡¯s hand in her own. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do as you say, my dear,¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Mirabe said, nodding in satisfaction.


    Mandy, who had been standing by, felt a pang of jealousy. She had talked herself hoarse, trying to persuade her mother toe back to the city with her without sess. Yet here was this brat, uttering just a few words, and her grandmother acquiesced? She had clearly underestimated Mirabe¡¯s ability to charm and cajole!


    Just <b>then</b>, the wail of an ambnce siren announced its arrival outside. Soon after, thanks to Mandy¡¯s insistent demands, the paramedics carried Catherine to the ambnce. Before leaving for the hospital, Mandy did not forget to give Mirabe a few parting shots, warning her to make herself scarce.


    Once Mandy had departed, Mirabe ascended the stairs to her room and pulled out a suitcase from under the bed, already packed and ready. Even without today¡¯s drama courtesy of Mandy, Mirabe would have left soon anyway.


    In the months since she had transformed from Mirabelle to Mirabe, she had stayed not only because she was concerned about Catherine¡¯s health but also because she was in the middle of her junior <b>year </b>of high school. So, she had made a deal with her biological parents. Once the semester ended, she would transfer schools for her senior year. Mirabe drew a letter from an old desk drawer, dusted off the edges with her slender fingers, and slipped it into her backpack.


    Dragging her suitcase, Mirabe had just closed the gate when a car honked nearby. She looked up, squinting at the sleek ck sedan that was making the noise. Despite its modest Volkswagen badge, the car¡¯s lines were cool and slick¨Ca subtle mboyance under its low¨Cprofile exterior.


    A figure emerged from the car, a ck baseball cap on his head. He leaned casually against the door, watching. Mirabe approach.


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, a hint of nonchnce on her elegant face. As she drew near, her lips curled into a half¨Csmile. ¡°Have you been waiting for me?¡±


    The man crossed his arms, his chiseled chin tilting upward as he gave Mirabe a once¨Cover. His gaze finally rested on her suitcase with a teasing tone. ¡°What¡¯s this? Did you get kicked to the curb?¡±


    Mirabe shot him a nce. ¡°Eavesdropping isn¡¯t very gentlemanly, you know.¡±


    James chuckled lightly. ¡°Did you forget our houses are only separated by a half¨Cwall?


    ¡°So what¡¯s your point, neighbor boy? You¡¯re loitering here just to mock <b>your </b>lifesaver?¡± Mirabe quipped, her arms folded, a yful smirk on her <b>lips</b>.


    After nearly a year of knowing her, James had transitioned from grinding his teeth in annoyance to eptance of Mirabe¡¯s refusal to call him by his name, insisting on ¡®neighbor boy¡® instead. Of course, he was also privy to some of the melodrama of Mirabe¡¯s life.


    ¡°What¡¯s your n now?¡± James asked, his eyebrows lifting. Under the brim of his cap, his features were striking. especially those <b>dark </b>eyes. They were like a night sky full of stars.


    He paused, then added, ¡°Of course, if you¡¯re out of options, my door¡¯s open for you¡­ temporarily.¡±


    Mirabe gave him a sidelong look and a silent ¡®tsk¡® in her heart before cing her suitcase squarely in front of him. ¡°How about this? I¡¯ll give you a chance to repay your debt.¡±

 Chapter 6

    James¡® gaze dropped to the deliberately ced suitcase before him, and he could almost hear her unspoken request. A soft chuckle escaped his lips, ¡°So, where do you need me to drop you off?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s delicate brows arched yfully as she snapped her fingers with a swagger that carried a hint of roguish charm. ¡°The train station.¡±


    The small town might not have been much to look at, but it was decently located with its quaint little train station, However, the biological parents of the body she now inhabited lived in Ashford, and there was no direct train. A transfer would be necessary.


    At her words, James gave her a quizzical look. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the favor,¡± Mirabe confirmed with a nod. Noticing theplexity in his expression, she pondered for a moment before adding, ¡°But if you feel like driving me to the train station is too easy a way for you to repay your debt, I¡¯m cool with you dropping me off at the city airport instead. After all, we¡¯re practically neighbors, and it¡¯s not likely we¡¯ll cross paths again.¡±


    The train station was a mere twenty¨Cminute drive, whereas the city airport was a good three to four hours away.


    Beneath the brim of his baseball cap, James¡® expression grew even more intricate, and a rare crack appeared on his usuallyposed face. He contemted whether to share a bit of his background with this naive girl, lest she remain oblivious to the golden opportunity she was about to <b>miss</b><b>. </b>


    Four hourster, at the city airport.


    from the


    Mirabe stepped out of the car and retrieved her luggage trunk. After a moment¡¯s thought, she approached the driver¡¯s side and tapped on the window.


    The ss slid down smoothly <b>as </b>James looked over at Mirabe, one eyebrow raised in quiet inquiry. Mirabe fished out a small, unbranded bottle from her bag. ¡°This is for you. Farewell until we meet again.¡± Without waiting for a response, she tossed the bottle into the car and, spinning on her heel hauled her suitcase away.


    James picked up the bottle that hadnded precisely in the car¡¯s sidepartment. A yful glint shone in his eyes. He watched the retreating figure of Mirabe, his long fingers tracing the edge of the bottle cap, his lips curving into a faint smile.


    So, until we meet again, huh?


    In the hospital, inside the doctor¡¯s office.


    Mandy stared at the doctor in disbelief. ¡°Doctor, are you telling me that my mom¡¯s heart condition has improved significantly?¡±


    Holding a stack of test results, the doctor nodded again. ¡°Yes, the data indicates that she¡¯s in good health. As long as she avoids any major stressors, the chances of her experiencing angina are quite low now.¡±


    Mandy was still dazed. She found it hard to trust the doctor¡¯s words, because her mother had been suffering from angina for decades, and specialists at major hospitals had only offered grim prognoses<b>. </b>


    ¡°By the way, Ms. Mandy, has your mother sought treatment at another facility or taken any new medications recently?¡± the doctor inquired. He had been <b>Catherine¡¯s </b>primary physician for years, attending to her each time she fell ill However, she had barely visited the hospital in the <b>past </b><b>year</b>, and today¡¯s checkup results were certainly a surprise.


    Mandy shook her head in confusion. ¡°No, she¡¯s been at home. I¡¯ve tried to take her to the hospital multiple times, but she refused. She hasn¡¯t undergone any treatments, and as for medication¡­¡± Her voice trailed off as the image of Mirabe giving her mother a cup of brown liquid surfaced in her mind.


    As Mandy fell silent mid¨Csentence, the doctor pressed with a note of concern, ¡°Ms. Mandy?¡±

 Chapter 7

    Mandy snapped back to reality, vigorously shaking her <b>head</b>. ¡°No, my mom hasn¡¯t been taking any other medications.¡± She thought she was going out of her mind. If the doctors were at their wits end, where on earth did that brat get her hands on a cure?


    The doctor, hearing this, quipped with a chuckle, <b>¡°</b><b>Well</b>, that¡¯s quite the miracle, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Mandy managed a weak smile, her mind already set on getting a full check¨Cup for Catherine once they got her back to Ashford.


    By the time Mirabe reached Ashford, it was 10 p.m. She stepped off the ne, and her phone immediately flooded with a barrage of texts and Messenger alerts. Before she could even nce at them, her phone started to ring. It¡¯s an unknown number<b>. </b>


    Her finger hesitated for a moment before she pressed the answer button, and <b>a </b>young, unfamiliar male voice came through. The caller was none other than Emmitt, her blood brother.


    Although Mirabe was a bit surprised that Emmitt would be at the airport, she quickly remembered sending a message to her grandmother, Catherine, before boarding. Without much inquiry, she replied casually. ¡°I¡¯ll be out in five minutes.¡±


    After hanging up, Mirabe slid her phone into her pocket nonchntly and followed the airport signs towards baggage im. She breezed through the exit with her luggage in tow. Her gaze scanned the crowd waiting at the arrivals hall. Her eyes finally locked onto a tall, young man who was busy on the phone.


    Adjusting the strap of her backpack, Mirabe made her way toward him, pulling her suitcase behind her.


    A few months back, when her biological parents hade to im her, they had shown her photos of her four brothers. With her strong memory and the Davis family¡¯s distinct gics, she recognized him almost instantly.


    Emmitt ended his call wondering if his never¨Cbefore¨Cmet sister should have appeared by now, and scrolled through his phone to find a picture of her he¡¯d saved on Messenger. Just as he lifted his head, ready to match the face to the photo, he saw a young girl already standing in front of him.


    She was dressed in a crisp white tracksuit, with a ck backpack slung over her left shoulder and a modestly sized suitcase in her right hand. Her face was bare and radiant, her features strikingly beautiful, and at that moment, her clear, bright eyes were fixed on him without a hint of shyness.


    Emmitt paused, nced down at the photo on his phone, and could vaguely make out the resemnce in their features, but he still asked uncertainly. ¡°Mira?<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe nodded, her responseing out in a drawn¨Cout, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Scratching his head, Emmitt¡¯s handsome face wore an expression of disbelief. ¡°You look¡­ kinda different from your picture.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched slightly. Being quite tall, she easily caught a glimpse of the photo on Emmitt¡¯s phone. The girl in the photo had braids dangling over her chest, and cheeks blushed to an exaggerated bloom,plete with a clich¨¦ peace sign pose ¨C a quintessential country bumpkin look.


    Mirabe felt a twitch at her temple, remembering the old selfie she had carelessly picked out from the phone when Emmitt added her on Messenger and asked for a photo. No wonder Emmitt looked so taken aback by theparison. Clearing her throat, Mirabe replied without batting an eye, ¡°Guess I¡¯m just not photogenic?¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s gaze fell once again upon her overly pretty face, grimacing involuntarily.

 Chapter 8

    With a face like that she could totally y Hollywood¡¯s A¨Clisters, couldn¡¯t she? If she was not camera¨Cready, what about those celebs who lived off their good looks?


    Emmitt suddenly felt that his sister, whom he was meeting for the first time¡­ was a bit weird. What was <b>up </b>with that?


    As he was internally rolling his eyes, Mirabe¡¯s voice came through once more. ¡°But you, you¡¯re different too.¡± Mirabe said with a teasing edge, giving Emmitt a meaningful look.


    Dressed to the nines in a designer suit, his every move exuded an aristocratic charm that shed with the rumors of ackadaisical¡® and ¡®poor boy¡® upbringing.


    A yful glint crossed Mirabe¡¯s eyes. Interesting.


    Emmitt <b>was </b>about to ask Mirabe what she meant by ¡®different when something¨Cor someone¨Ccaught his eye. His lips curved into an indulgent smile, and he waved <b>through </b>the <b>air</b>, ¡°Summer.¡±


    Mirabe tilted her head, following his gaze, and spotted a tall woman in a white sundress approaching at a swift pace. She was wearing sunsses, making it impossible to discern her features at first nce.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯mte, Emmitt. Traffic was a nightmare,¡± panted Summer, her voice still catching her breath.


    ¡°No worries,¡± Emmitt shook his head, noting the <b>beads </b>of sweat forming <b>on </b>her forehead. He pulled out a pack of tissues from his pocket and handed it to her.


    Taking the tissues, Summer gracefully removed her sunsses, hooking them onto her dress¡® neckline, and shed a sweet smile at Emmitt. ¡°Thanks, Emmitt.¡±


    With a gentle pat on her head, Emmitt¡¯s gesture was nothing but affectionate.


    Mirabe watched their interaction with a slowly forming smirk. There was no need to ask outright¨Cshe already figured that Summer was the girl she was switched at birth with at the hospital.


    Summer had since been taken in by the Gilbert family and adopted their surname. She wasn¡¯t strikingly beautiful, but she did exude the refined, gentle demeanor that Mandy, her adoptive mother, had boasted about. The white dress added an graceful touch to her presence.


    Feeling Mirabe¡¯s unabashed scrutiny, Summer finally turned her attention to her as if just realizing she was there. Summer was visibly taken aback.


    Mirabe was stunning, with sparkling eyes like the shimmer of ake and a casually hooked smile that suggested a mix of mischief and cool detachment. She was the epitome of effortless charisma.


    ¡°Right, this is my sister, Mira.¡± Emmitt chimed in, nodding towards Mirabe.


    Summer¡¯s grip tightened on her purse at the words ¡®my sister¡® from Emmitt¡¯s lips, feeling as though something had been taken from her. The smile on her face lost its earlier <b>ease</b>.


    Emmitt, oblivious to Summer¡¯s expression, turned back to Mirabe. ¡°This is<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I know,¡± Mirabe interruptedzily, ncing at her watch. ¡°Shall we grab some grub?¡±


    With that, Emmitt didn¡¯t bother introducing Summer further. Instead, he took Mirabe¡¯s suitcase. ¡°Look at me<b>, </b>all talk. Let¡¯s head to the car. Mom and <b>Dad </b>were worried you might be hungry. They just called to check in.¡±


    Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment, not bothering with pleasantries, and adjusted her backpack strap before following Emmitt out.


    Summer watched them leave, one following the other, feeling ignored in a way she¡¯d never experienced before. Mirabe¡¯s return not only captured Emmitt¡¯s attention but also managed to diminish Summer¡¯s presence without a fuss. She had expected a country bumpkin, but clearly, Mirabe <b>was </b>anything but simple.


    As Summer pondered, her moment of solitude was shattered by a chorus of excited squeals, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself encircled by a group of eager girls.

 Chapter 9

    Chapter <b>9 </b>


    ¡°Is that Summer?¡±


    ¡°OMG, I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m bumping into my idol at the airport in the middle of the night. This is like, the best moment.


    ever!¡±


    ¡°Summer is so gorgeous in real life<b>, </b>and she seems <b>super </b>sweet too.¡±


    ¡°Could we get an autograph, please, Summer?¡±


    The gaggle of teenage girls surrounding Summer were anything but discreet with their booming voices<b>, </b>quickly drawing the attention of other travelers in the airport. Many <b>paused </b>to <b>look </b>in their direction, and both Mirabe and Emmitt turned to watch the scene unfold.


    Summer seemed taken aback at first as if she hadn¡¯t expected to encounter fans here, but then sheposed herself, her lips curving into a shy smile as she greeted them softly, not refusing their requests for photos. However, her gaze kept flickering, almost imperceptibly, towards Mirabe.


    ¡°Summer¡¯s been <b>a </b>natural at dancing <b>and </b>singing since she was a kid,¡± Emmitt began to exin to Mirabe, <b>his </b>eyes on Summer amid the crowd. ¡°She recently joined a girl group, and her agency <b>has </b>high hopes for her. They got her onto one of those talent shows that¡¯s pretty hot online. Those girls are probably her fans<b>.</b>¡±


    Mirabe didn¡¯t seem envious in the slightest, simply responding with a nonchnt ¡°Hmm¡± before feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket. She withdrew it to check the message.


    Y: [Boss, I need help ASAP!!


    Mirabe massaged her temples, visibly annoyed, and shot back a single word. [Scram.]


    Y: [You can¡¯t just leave me hanging, boss.]


    A trace oficy amusement tugged at Mirabe¡¯s lips as <b>her </b>slender fingers tapped a curt reply on the screen: [Sort it out yourself.] After sending the message, she promptly dumped the contact into her block list.


    After typing out a lengthy plea and hitting send, ¡®Y¡® was <b>greeted </b>with a cold: [Message failed to send because the recipient has blocked you.]


    Meanwhile, as Mirabe had been engrossed in her messaging. Summer finished posing with the group of girls and approached. The girls, reluctant to part ways with their idol, trailed behind her, two of them still recording with their phones.


    Mirabe pocketed her phone and looked up just in time to catch the two girls still filming. She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly and smoothly pulled out a ck face mask to slip on.


    Seeing Mirabe suddenly donning the mask, Summer <b>seemed </b><b>puzzled </b>but then appeared to sigh of relief, perhaps remembering something. The Davis family was known for their striking good looks. She didn¡¯t really want her fans capturing Mirabe¡¯s face on camera.


    After a brief pause<b>, </b>Summer spoke softly, ¡°Sorry about that. I didn¡¯t expect to run into fans at the airport and hold things up.¡± Her tone suggested an apology, but the tilt of her chin betrayed a hint of showing off in front of Mirabe.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes were cool and detached as she nced at Summer before looking away, her demeanor nonchnt.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine<b>, </b>let¡¯s go.¡± Emmitt said.


    Emmitt¡¯s car <b>was </b>rather modest<b>, </b><b>a </b>sedan in the mid¨C<b>range </b>price bracket, not a luxury model, but not a beater either. It was clear he wasn¡¯t the sort to idle his days away with nothing to do as rumors suggested.


    After loading the luggage into the trunk, Emmitt nced at his watch, then turned to Summer, who was standing nearby, <b>and </b>asked, ¡°How did you get here. Summer?¡±


    Summer looked at Mirabe, her eyes flicking <b>back </b><b>and </b>forth, before she replied, ¡°The family driver dropped me off.¡±


    Chaptery


    Emmitt was about to say something when Summer stepped forward and looped <b>her </b>arm through his. Her voice tinged with a yful whine. ¡°Emmitt, can I talk to you about something?¡±

 Chapter 10

    Chapter <b>10 </b>


    Emmitt¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he felt his arm being tugged, but he didn¡¯t pull away. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    Summer¡¯s eyes sparkled with a yful cuteness on her meticulously made¨Cup face. ¡°I¡¯ve been filming a show for a while now and haven¡¯t visited Mom and Dad in ages. I feel kinda bad about it. Plus, Mira just got back from the countryside, and she¡¯s probably feeling a bit out of her element. I was thinking of staying at home for a few days. spend some time with the folks, and help Mira get settled in.¡±


    Emmitt mulled over her words for a few seconds before nodding. ¡°Sounds good. We¡¯ll all feel better knowing you¡¯re there to show Mira the ropes<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Summer let out a chirpy ¡°yeah¡± and tilted her head slightly towards Mirabe with a yful jerk of her chin. Then she let go of Emmitt and hopped into the passenger <b>seat</b><b>, </b>assuming the air of someone quite at home.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, a wry smile hidden beneath her mask, but said nothing. She calmly opened the back door of the car and slipped in.


    During the drive home, Summer chattered away to Emmitt about all the behind¨Cthe¨Cscenes action from her time on a reality TV show, ncing in the rearview mirror at Mirabe, who had now removed her mask, seemingly trying to catch a glimpse of envy on her face. But Mirabe seemed to be in her own world, absorbed in her phone, indifferent to the conversation.


    It was a monumental blow to Summer¡¯s sense of superiority. She consoled herself with the thought that maybe this country girl, unfamiliar with the world of showbiz, simply couldn¡¯t grasp the significance of her stories, hence her nonchnt demeanor.


    Switching gears, Summer turned her attention back to Mirabe and asked, ¡°By the way, Mira, <b>we¡¯re </b>the same age, so you must be starting your senior year of high school, right?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s slender fingers paused on her phone screen before she slowly lifted her head. Her face was bathed in the soft glow of the car¡¯s interior lights, softening the sharpness of her features. She responded with a soft ¡°mm¨Chmm.¡±


    Summer¡¯s eyes flickered with intrigue, finding Mirabe¡¯s husky voice andid¨Cback demeanor oddly captivating. Gathering herposure, Summer forced a smile and said. ¡°I heard from my Mom that you¡¯d sorted out your transfer when you left Grandma¡¯s.¡±


    She emphasized the words ¡®Mom¡® and ¡®Grandma¡® just a tad, though it would take a keen <b>ear </b>to notice.


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a half¨Csmile as she nced at Summer. Her breath hitched, and she averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact and losing the casual tone of her voice. ¡°Have you picked out a school yet? Do you need my dad¡¯s help? I remember Mom mentioning your grades weren¡¯t exactly¡­¡±


    ¡°No need, I¡¯ve already chosen a school¡± Mirabe interjected casually, cutting her off.*


    Summer was taken aback, the word ¡°okay¡± sticking in her throat. After a moment, she forced¨Ca stiff smile and asked, ¡°Really? Which school?¡±


    Emmitt, who was driving<b>, </b>nced at the rearview mirror, surprised by the exchange. He wasn¡¯t home often due to work but was aware that his parents had been fretting over which high school to transfer their mistakenly switched daughter to, as she had been raised in a small town. They were concerned about her poor academic performance and were reluctant to send her to <b>an </b>average public school. Yet, if they pulled strings to get her into a prestigious high school, <b>they </b>feared she might struggle to keep up and feel inferior.

 Chapter 11

    Anyway, they hadn¡¯t settled on a school yet.


    Emmitt¡¯s eyes danced with curiosity as he observed his sister¡¯s calm demeanor. Was she serious about having chosen a school?


    Mirabe shiftedzily in her seat, crossing her legs as she spoke with an indifferent tone, ¡°Parkside High School.¡±


    At her words, a bemused expression quickly surfaced on Summer¡¯s face. She turned her head to Mirabe, ¡°Parkside High School? Like, the Parkside High School downtown?¡±


    Mirabe just hummed an affirmation, still nonchnt.


    Summer couldn¡¯t help but feel like she¡¯d just heard the world¡¯s biggest joke. Auburn High School would have been believable, but Parkside High School? That was a stretch. Known as the city¡¯s top¨Ctier high school, nationally ranked in the top five, it was a breeding ground for the cream of the academic crop. The idea seemed ludicrous, considering Mirabe¡¯s past performance required a generous donation to even get her into a decent local school. A snicker flickered in Summer¡¯s eyes as she thought of her sister¡¯s grand delusions.


    ¡°The bar at Parkside High isn¡¯t exactly low,¡± Summer said with a smirk.


    Emmitt, sensing his sister might be getting in over her head and wanting to save her from embarrassment in front of Summer, cleared his throat and interjected, ¡°Let¡¯s discuss the school situation with Mom and Dad back home before making any decisions.¡±


    Knowing that Emmitt was trying to give Mirabe an out, Summer dropped her gaze and decided not to pursue the topic any further. ¡°If you need help, just say the word. My dad knows several principals around town. A quick call and you¡¯re all set.¡±


    Emmitt reached out to tune the car stereo, casually acknowledging her offer with a nonmittal ¡°yeah.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers tapped rhythmically on her thigh as she gazed out of the car window, tooid¨Cback to engage any further. Her eyes took in the cityscape outside¨Cthe hustle and bustle, the dazzling neon lights, and the colorful nightlife that underscored the city¡¯s vibrancy, a far cry from some quaint backwater town.


    Before long, the car pulled into an older residentialplex. It was clear from the surroundings that it <b>had </b>seen better days. The Davis family owned a top¨Cfloor duplex in the building, an advantage of the older, low¨Crise architecture. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were already waiting at the door, exchanging nervous nces as they heard the elevator ding. Their eyes fixed eagerly on the elevator doors.


    Emmitt and Summer emerged first, followed by Mirabe.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, we¡¯ve got Mira back.¡± Summer announced sweetly.


    Delh barely nced at her before focusing all her attention on Mirabe, walking towards her with a mix of excitement <b>and </b>awkwardness.


    Summer¡¯s smile stiffened momentarily as she realized she¡¯d been tantly overlooked. Davis family wasn¡¯t wealthy. but Summer was the cherished youngest daughter, a position now seemingly threatened by Mirabe¡¯s return. Despite her disdain for such favoritism, Summer suppressed her irritation as something else crossed her mind. Delh approached Mirabe, her expression bing distant as she surveyed the girl who bore such a striking resemnce to herself. Her gaze shifted between Mirabe and Summer, emotions flooding her heart.

 Chapter 12

    Chapter <b>12 </b>


    From a young age, Delh always found herself at the center of her friends¡® yful jests whenever she brought her daughter around her besties. They would tease her incessantly, scrutinizing her and her daughter¡¯s faces, joking suggesting that maybe there had been a mix¨Cup at the hospital because the child bore no resemnce to her.


    It wasn¡¯t as though her daughter wasn¡¯t attractive. Quite the contrary. All of Delh¡¯s children had been cherubic in their youth. Yet Summer, whenpared with her older brothers, seemed remarkably in,pounded by the fact that both Delh and her husband were exceptionally good¨Clooking. This only fueled further teasing from her friends.


    As Delh reminisced, there was a painful truth to those yful words. Shaking off her wandering thoughts, she softly called out. ¡°Mira.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s expression remained as impassive as ever,cking the excitement one might expect upon seeing one¡¯s birth parents. She merely nodded a polite <b>greeting</b>.


    Seeing Mirabe¡¯s frosty demeanor, Summer quickly jumped in to exin, ¡°Mom, Mira just got back from the countryside. She might need some time to get used to everything again.¡±


    Delh had encountered Mirabe a few months prior and had sensed her withdrawn nature. So, while she felt a twinge of disappointment that Mirabe didn¡¯t call her ¡®mom,¡® she wasn¡¯t particrly surprised. After all being mistakenly switched at birth and raised by the Gilbert family in a quaint town before returning to her biological family was bound to require an adjustment period. Patience was key.


    Delh couldn¡¯t help but cast aplicated nce at Summer, with a fleeting shadow crossing her face. She quickly masked it with an indifferent smile. ¡°Summer, you¡¯ve been such a dear, going to the airport to fetch Mira. It¡¯s gettingte, and your biological parents must be wondering about you. They¡¯ll be upset if they know you¡¯re here.¡±


    She paused, then turned to her eldest son. ¡°Emmitt, would you mind taking Ms. Summer home?¡±


    The shift from ¡®Summer¡® to ¡®Ms. Summer¡® flushed Summer¡¯s cheeks with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to protest. ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    Delh looked at Summer with a hidden ache but didn¡¯t let it show. Collecting her thoughts, Delh¡¯s smile seemed to grow more distant. She cut Summer off before she could say anything. ¡°From now on, it might be best if you address me as Ms. Delh.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly in surprise.


    Delh carried herself with an air of grace andposure. Although she was in her fifties, she looked no more than in her thirties, with barely a wrinkle to betray her age. Despite her smile, there was an undeniable strength in her demeanor- amanding presence rarely seen in ordinary women.


    Mirabe watched thoughtfully, her gaze introspective.


    Feeling a deep sense of humiliation, Summer bit her lip as her eyes misted over. Her face seemed,to bear the weight of a great injustice. She couldn¡¯t understand how the woman who had once doted on her could suddenly be so cutting, all because her biological daughter had returned. If that was the case, it seemed a cruel hypocrisy. Summer felt deceived.


    The atmosphere grew tense and awkward.


    ¡°Cough, cough,¡± Shawn, who had been silent, cleared his throat and spoke up. ¡°Emmitt, please take Summer home.¡± His words, meant to break the ice, only seemed to heighten the difort.


    Emmitt nodded in agreement, though he didn¡¯t understand why his parents wouldn¡¯t let Summer stay. He didn¡¯t ask any questions- after all, she was now considered the heiress to the illustrious Gilbert family, a status not to be taken lightly, and the Gilberts were known to be a tough crowd.

 Chapter 13

    As Emmitt and Summer stepped into the elevator, Delh¡¯s fa?ade of polite unfamiliarity instantly gave way to a tender watchfulness. She turned to Mirabe with a voice softer than a southern breeze, cooing. ¡°Sweetheart, let¡¯s get you inside¡­


    Before the elevator doors slid shut, Summer caught a glimpse of her foster mother¡¯s abrupt switch in demeanor. Summer¡¯s face turned a shade of unpleasant darkness in the blink of an eye.


    The Davis residence wasn¡¯t exactly a mansion, but their two¨Cstory duplex boasted afortable size. The d¨¦cor was a refined blend of ssical elegance with furniture that gave the impression of heirloom quality. You could tell the homeowners had a discerning eye.


    Mirabe took her time surveying the ce until her gazended on a framed piece of painting on the wall A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, but it was quickly dismissed as she mentally rejected the possibility of it being an original masterpiece. Even though the Davis family didn¡¯t seem to be living hand¨Cto¨Cmouth, they were hardly in the league of owning priceless art. The painting was likely a replica.


    Shawn, who had been ruminating on how to break the ice with his daughter, caught the brief moment of her attention on the artwork. He saw an opportunity and spun it. ¡°Mira, do you have an appreciation for painting?¡± he asked, his face blooming with an easy smile.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched slightly as shezily replied, ¡°Nope, not interested<b>.</b>¡±


    Shawn was momentarily taken aback, and his throat clogged with a barrage of artsy topics that never saw the light of day. After a moment, he managed to utter. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re not, huh¡­¡±


    Seeing him look a bit deted, Mirabe added after a thoughtful pause. ¡°Different strokes for different folks.¡±


    That seemed to restore Shawn¡¯s paternal pride, and he eagerly followed up. ¡°So, what are your interests then?¡±


    Mirabe, recalling her life before this body hop, fell into silence. Then, lifting her head to face Shawn with earnest <b>eyes</b>, she confessed. ¡°Studying.¡±


    The response almost broke Shawn¡¯sposure, his eyebrow twitching violently. How was a girl notorious for skipping sses now iming her passion was studying?


    Shawn observed his seemingly serious daughter and began to wonder if he had been misled during his previous inquiries at the small¨Ctown school.


    ¡°Shawn, are you showing off that old scribble again?¡± Delh¡¯s voice cut through the air as she carried dishes from the kitchen, her eyes casting a yful yet scathing nce at him. With amanding shout, she added, ¡°Come and set the table already!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not showing off.¡± Shawn protested, touching his nose before reluctantly heading toward the kitchen, muttering under his breath, ¡°Why does everything look like junk to you? That plece is actually<b>¡­</b>¡±


    His words trailed off into an unintelligible mumble, so Mirabe didn¡¯t quite catch the rest. However, the term ¡®old scribble¡® used by Delh was loud and clear.


    After dinner, Delh led Mirabe upstairs. The second floor housed four rooms. The one prepared for Mirabe was at the far end of the hallway on the right. As Delh pushed open the door, she exined, ¡°This room used to belong to Leo. He¡¯s got ants in his pants and hardly ever shows up at home, so I decided to give the ce a makeover. Take a look, do you like it?¡±

 Chapter 14

    The lights flicked on to reveal a room awash in a sea of pink: wallpaper, wardrobe, queen¨Csized bed, curtains, and even the writing desk. It was as if everything, barring the floor, had surrendered to the hue. Mirabe blinked. Her eyes felt assaulted by the color.


    Delh stood proudly amidst her creation, the princess room she had meticulously arranged. ¡°This design masterminded by a renowned interior designer. What do you think? Isn¡¯t it girly, dreamy, and cozy?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched subtly. She scanned the room once more, finding little topliment in the style that seemed devoid of aesthetic appeal. A well¨Cknown designer surely wouldn¡¯t tarnish their reputation, she mused. Therefore, it was highly likely that her mother had been duped. After all many shady decorators were notorious for exploiting the designerbel to fleece unsuspecting clients.


    Pondering for a few seconds and determined not to crush her mother¡¯s spirit, Mirabe finally responded with a measured. ¡°If you¡¯re happy with it, that¡¯s what matters.¡±


    As her yawned, her stunning features softened in the warm light, a veil of fatigue barely concealing her weariness.


    Delh touched her nose, sensing an ambiguous undertone to her daughter¡¯s words. But with Mirabe¡¯s drowsiness. she decided not to probe further and simply advised her to rest well before leaving the room.


    Once the door shut, Mirabe pressed her fingers against her temples, surrounded by an unrelenting sea of pink.


    She unpacked her suitcase, retrieved her pajamas, and headed straight for the bathroom. She was, indeed, exhausted. Afterpeting in the city, she rushed back to the county early in the morning and then traveled non¨Cstop to Ashford. Even the most resilient would feel the toll of such a day.


    Meanwhile, back at the Gilbert family home. Summer couldn¡¯t sleep. Tossing and turning, she thought about Mirabe. about the way her foster parents had treated her that evening. Frustrated<b>, </b>she grabbed her phone and started scrolling through Twitter.


    Since joining Superstar Camp, Summer¡¯s sweet voice and cute image had garnered countless fans. With her agency pushing her image through various channels, she became a fixture in the public eye. Thus, hertest airport photos with a few fans naturally made their way onto Twitter¡¯s trending topics.


    The photos were ttering. Her fans had polished them up. Within just a couple of hours<b>, </b>thements had surged to nearly ten thousand¨Ca testament to her skyrocketing poprity despite not having officially debuted.


    The only w was that two of the photos captured Mirabe¡¯s silhouette in the background. While her face <b>was </b>obscured, and the fans had blurred the backdrop, Mirabe¡¯s tall, slender figure and her distinctive aura somehow added a mysterious beauty to the images. It was indistinct yet intriguing.


    Summer frowned, finding the two photos irksome. After a <b>few </b>seconds of contemtion, she began reading thements. Although some fans were curious about the masked person, their inquiries wentrgely unnoticed, swallowed up by the <b>sea </b>ofments.


    Summer exhaled a breath she hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d been holding and continued scrolling through the adtions, which gradually soothed her sour mood. She chided herself for the ridiculous sense of threat she had felt earlier.


    So what if Mirabe, that country bumpkin, is easy on the eyes? She¡¯s still a coarse, vulgar person with no redeeming qualities, just a pretty face. And even if she goes back to the Davis family, what difference does it make? Could she ever outshine Summer?


    With a scoff, Summer turned off her phone.

 Chapter 15

    The next morning. Mirabe woke up bright and early. Her internal clock was as reliable as the Big Ben, sounding off at six a.m., rain or shine. However, due to the change of scenery, she lounged in bed for a few extra minutes before slowly crawling out and shuffling to the bathroom for a leisurely wash¨Cup. After emerging, she plopped down on the floor, legs crossed, and started to sort through her suitcase.


    She hadn¡¯t packed many clothes, just two outfits. The remaining space was taken up by an assortment of ubeled bottles and jars, along with two iron boxes that whispered tales of antiquity.


    Mirabe only took out the clothes, pondered for a moment, picked two bottles <b>from </b>the collection, and then zipped up the suitcase without bothering to reset thebination lock.


    Scanning the room, her gaze finally settled on the wardrobe door. She stood, grabbed her suitcase, and walked over. Swinging open the door, she was surprised to <b>see </b>it filled with brand new clothing that, whilecking tags, seemed of decent quality. As for the style¨CMirabe <b>had </b>no qualms, finding it <b>a </b>vast improvement over the room¡¯s overly girly decor.


    After stuffing her suitcase in a corner, Mirabe changed into activewear and twisted her long hair into a bun before heading out of the room. She had always been one for morning runs and <b>wasn¡¯t </b>about to let a change of location disrupt her routine.


    By 8 a.m.. Delh had breakfast ready and waiting on the table. She nced towards the staircase, then at her husband Shawn, who was engrossed in the newspaper in the living room. ¡°Shawn, should we wake our daughter for breakfast?¡±


    Shawn adjusted his sses on the bridge of his nose and replied, ¡°Let the kid sleep in. She was exhaustedst night and went to bedte. No need to disturb her dreams.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Delh nodded, about to add something when the doorbell rang. She looked puzzled, ¡°Who could that be this early in the morning?¡±


    Shawn put down the paper, thoughtful. ¡°Could it be the ountant?¡±


    Delh shot him a look. ¡°Emmitt, it¡¯s only the 20th. Payday is still a few days away.¡±


    Shawn had an ¡®aha¡® moment, then added<b>, </b>¡°Let <b>the </b>ountant know not toe by the house this month. Our daughter just got back, and I don¡¯t want to startle her.¡±


    Delh thought it over and agreed. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll tell them. Let me check who¡¯s at the door.¡±


    Soon after, Delh opened the inner door to find Mirabe standing outside, leaving her stunned for a few seconds. Snapping out of it, she quickly unlocked the door with a surprised tone, ¡°Mira, what are you doing outside?¡±


    Fresh from her run, Mirabe¡¯s face was flushed with the exhration of exercise<b>, </b>a few strands of hair sticking to her cheeks, and a bead of sweat tracing a path down her face, which she wiped away with a hand<b>. </b>¡°I like to get in a workout in the morning.¡±


    Delh was pleasantly surprised, nodding her head, ¡°A morning run is great, a very good habit.¡±


    But after a brief pause, she hurriedly added, ¡°It¡¯s also fine for a girl to sleep in once in a while, you know. It¡¯s good for the skin.¡±


    ¡°Breakfast is ready. Why <b>don¡¯t </b>you take a quick shower ande down?¡± Delh said as she walked back inside. continuing the conversation.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and I¡¯ve put some new clothes in your closet. I just bought them. See if you like them. If not, we can get more<b>.</b>¡±


    Get more?


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks, her expressionplex. ¡°Mom, are we rich or something?¡±


    <b>12:37 </b>


    Chapter <b>15 </b>


    Delh turned around, her face a picture of astonishment, the words ¡°Or I <b>could </b>have a designere over and tailor¨Cmake them for you¡± suddenly frozen on her lips.

 Chapter 16

    In a heartbeat, Mirabe found hersell wrapped in Delh¡¯s arms. Mirabe blinked, caught off guard by Delh¡¯s embrace. ¡°Oh, my sweet girl, you finally called me Mom!¡± Delh¡¯s voice quivered with excitement, almost on the verge of tears.


    Mirabe sighed. It was as if they were on different wavelengths.


    Ten minutester, after a brisk shower, Mirabe descended the stairs in aid¨Cback, oversized tee paired with distressed jeans. Despite the casual clean look, she exuded a cool vibe<b>. </b>


    ¡°My daughter¡¯s just so gorgeous,¡± Delh mused, resting her chin in her hand as she admired Mirabe walking towards her. Even though she wasn¡¯t wearing the clothes she had bought for her, it didn¡¯t stop her from cheering on her daughter¡¯s beauty.


    Shawn chimed in with a proud nod. ¡°She¡¯s definitely got my good genes.¡±


    Delh gave him a yful roll of her eyes. ¡°Get real, she obviously takes after me.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say, dear.¡± Shawn quickly conceded, the picture of a doting husband.


    As Mirabe drew closer, she overheard their banter, and felt bombarded by their public disy of affection.


    Soon, Mirabe took her seat at the dining table. She had always been a girl of few words, often maintaining her silence during the meal responding to Shawn and Delh¡¯s asional conversation starters with monosybic ¡®yeahs¡® and ¡®uh¨Chuhs<b>.</b>¡®


    Shawn and Delh didn¡¯t interpret their daughter¡¯s reticence as arrogance. Instead, they felt a twinge of guilt. This poor child must¡¯ve been so lonesome, so starved of affection, to develop such a solitary nature.


    Unaware of their thoughts, Mirabe finished her breakfast. Noticing Delh asionally press her temples, she seemed to remember something and quickly went upstairs. She returned in a couple of minutes, holding two small bottles she had retrieved from her suitcase, and handed one to each of her parents.


    ¡°Here, I got these for you.¡± Mirabe said softly, her exquisite face wearing a casual expression.


    Delh examined the small bottle with curiosity as she unscrewed the cap. ¡°What¡¯s this? It¡¯s quite a fancy little thing¨C As soon as the lid was off, <b>a </b>rich herbal scent wafted out. The aroma instantly made Delh feel refreshed as if her spirit had been cleansed. She suffered from chronic migraines that red up now and then. With no cure in sight, she relied on painkillers for relief. This morning, her head had started to hurt, but she didn¡¯t want to show her pain in front of her daughter. This scent miraculously seemed to soothe her migraine in an instant.


    ¡°Mira, what is this?¡± Delh asked, surprised and delighted, inhaling the scent, feeling the urge to bask in it forever. Mirabe saw Delh visibly rx and nonchntly replied, ¡°They¡¯re just herbal fragrance pills¡­ kind of like incense. They help with focus, rxation, and pain relief<b>.</b>¡±


    She paused, then added, ¡°Keep one by your bedside each night. It should help with your migraines.¡±


    Delh was astounded, ¡°How did you know I suffer from migraines!¡±


    Not just Delh, even Shawn looked surprised.


    ¡°I noticed you pressing your temples at breakfast,¡± Mirabe said with clear eyes, offering no further exnation.


    Delh was taken aback, not expecting such attentiveness. But to deduce she had migraines just from that seemed almost magical.

 Chapter 17

    Chapter <b>17 </b>


    Delh was daydreaming about some fantastical scenarios when Mirabe¡¯s voice reached her ears once again. ¡°These fragrance pills are just a supplement, not for long¨Cterm use. If <b>you </b>want aplete cure Mirabe paused, then casually added, ¡°I¡¯ll have to get a friend to send over some more targeted medication when I get the chance.¡±


    Delh¡¯s eyes snapped open in surprise. ¡°Are you saying there¡¯s a cure for my headaches?¡±


    With a cocky raise of her eyebrow, Mirabe <b>said</b>, ¡°Of course.¡± Others might fail, but her? Please, this was child¡¯s y


    to her.


    Delh touched her nose, not quite buying her daughter¡¯s words. After all, even the doctors had imed it was incurable. Her gaze shifted and rested on her husband¡¯s hand. ¡°Is your dad¡¯s bottle <b>also </b>filled with these fragrance pills?¡±


    The very idea of using herbal medicine and storing it in a ceramic jar gave off an <b>vintage </b>vibe that seemed out of ce in the modern world. Delh thought with an inward chuckle.


    Mirabe shook her head, her tone indifferent. ¡°No, it isn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s in my bottle then?¡± Shawn was genuinely curious. His attention had been on his wife earlier, and he hadn¡¯t opened the little ceramic jar.


    A stray lock of hair fell beside Mirabe¡¯s cheek, which shezily tucked behind her ear before replying in a drawl ¡°Well it¡¯s not exactly medicine, but you can think of it as a sort of ¡®Super Tonic Pill. Take one <b>a </b>month for vitality and good health.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s lips twitched as his face flushed a deep red, almost dropping the jar in his embarrassment. It was <b>as </b>if his masculine pride had been dealt a heavy blow.


    ¡°Hahaha.¡± Delh couldn¡¯t hold back herughter upon seeing her husband¡¯s expression. Their daughter was too cute. sending her dad a jar of supplements for libido.


    After a deep internal sigh, Shawn found an exquisitely carved mahogany box and carefully ced the little jar inside. Even if he didn¡¯t need it this was the first gift from his daughter. It had to be treasured. Delh rolled her eyes at the


    scene.


    As Mirabe pondered over Delh¡¯s migraines, she headed upstairs.


    Suddenly remembering something important, Delh quickly called out to <b>her</b>, ¡°Oh, look at me forgetting the big stuff. Almost slipped my mind.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her piercing eyes quietly waiting.


    ¡°It¡¯s about transferring schools,¡± Delh exined. With the school year starting in a few days, they needed to decide on a school within the next day or two.


    ¡°Your father and I have shortlisted a few. I¡¯ll show you the brochures, and <b>you </b>can pick one.¡± Saying this, Delh bent down, opened a drawer in the coffee table, and took out a stack of booklets.


    ¡°Take a


    <b>a </b>look at Anderson Public School. It¡¯s got decent teachers and close enough for you to walk from home.


    ¡°There¡¯s Auburn High School. It may not have the best college eptance rates, but it¡¯s top¨Cnotch for students aiming for art schools.¡±


    ¡°And then there¡¯s Maple Academy, a bit on the pricey side, but it¡¯s the <b>next </b>best thing after Parkside High School. Your dad and I are leaning towards this one.¡±


    Delh pulled out the brochure for Maple Academy and flipped through it, handing it to Mirabe, ¡°Normally, the school requires an entrance exam, but your dad and I pulled some strings. You can get in without having to take <b>the </b>test.¡± Mirabe, who had been waiting to get a word in, nced at the brochure with aplicated look in her eyes. She wasn¡¯t so much reading as she was pondering a question.

 Chapter 18

    Maple Academy was one of those institutions that Mirabe had heard about, one that was undeniably founded on the almighty dor¨Ca private, elite school if there ever was one. With a staff of seasoned professionals and a rigorous academic hierarchy, only two types of students walked its hallowed halls; genuine geniuses and the filthy rich.


    In short, if your pockets were deep enough, you were in.


    50-


    ¡°Have you already greased the school¡¯s palm?¡± Mirabe asked, breaking the silence with a stern look that seemed to pin her parents to their seats.


    Caught off guard by their daughter¡¯s seriousness, the couple exchanged a nce.


    ¡°<b>Yes</b><b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The first was a firm affirmation from Delh; the second was a denial from Shawn. Their failure to present a united Tront led to another silent exchange, this one tinged with mutual disapproval.


    Mirabe watched them with a half¨Csmile that somehow made Delh squirm. Feeling guilty under her daughter¡¯s gaze, Delh nudged her husband with her foot, signaling him toe up with an exnation.


    Taking his wife¡¯s cue. Shawn cleared his throat, straightened up, and with an earnest look on his still¨Chandsome face. said. ¡°If you end up choosing this school your mother and I do indeed have ns to¡­ facilitate your eptance.¡± Hearing this, the seriousness on Mirabe¡¯s face softened. ¡°Good that you haven¡¯t paid yet. I¡¯ve already picked my school.¡±


    Though they were far from destitute, Mirabe saw no need for backdoor dealings.


    ¡°You¡¯ve chosen a school already? Which one?¡± Delh asked eagerly.


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze lowered slightly, her reply concise. ¡°Parkside High School.¡±


    Delh and Shawn were taken aback.


    Parkside High School? Had they misheard<b>? </b>


    Delh coughed, seeking rification. ¡°Sweetie, did you just say<b>¡­ </b>Auburn High School?¡±


    Mirabe set down the school brochure, her head tilting slightly, a smile ying on her lips. ¡°No, Parkside High School¡±


    ¡°But, honey, you¡¯re joking, right? Could you repeat that for me? Which school did you pick?¡± Despite being charmed by her daughter¡¯s nonchnt demeanor, Delh still suspected she was hearing things.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes sparkled with earnestness. ¡°It¡¯s not a joke. Only Parkside High School meets my selection criteria.¡±


    Delh¡¯s expression shifted at her daughter¡¯s words. ¡°I know Parkside is the best, but it¡¯s beyond our reach, sweetie.¡± She was well aware of her daughter¡¯s freshman year grades. They were far from ster.


    ¡°Parkside is full of top students from all over. With your <b>grades</b><b>¡­ </b>even if you get in, it might not be <b>a </b><b>good </b>thing for you,¡± Shawn added, his expression turning grave at his daughter¡¯s ambition.


    Delh <b>nodded </b>in agreement. ¡°Exactly, <b>your </b>father¡¯s right. We don¡¯t expect you to be <b>a </b>top student; we just want you to be happy, even if it means <b>going </b>to an average university.¡±


    After all, they didn¡¯t need a fancy diploma for show. Emmitt, Zach, Nick, and Leo made up a quartet of prestigious university alumni, and that was disy enough.


    So Delh picked <b>up </b>several other school brochures and Intended to hand them to Mirabe. ¡°Take another <b>look </b>at these, Mira. If not, I¡¯ll call Maple Academy right now, and we¡¯ll settle on that one!¡±


    ¡°Maple is fine, darling. Daddy supports you.¡±


    Watching her parents¡® discouraging response at the mention of Parkside High School, Mirabe pressed her temples with a hint of exasperation. ¡°Just give me a moment,¡± she <b>said</b>, standing up to ascend the staircase.

 Chapter 19

    Before long. Mirabe descended the stairs, a letter in hand. Approaching Delh, she extended the envelope. Delh¡¯s eyes fixed on the letter passed from her daughter¡¯s hand. A flicker of confusion crossed her face before she epted it. ¡°What¡¯s this<b>¡­</b>?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an eptance letter for a transfer to Parkside High School¡± Mirabe replied casually.


    As her words settled in the air, Delh, still in a state of disbelief, was struck dumb when she saw the Parkside High School emblem emzoned on the front of the envelope. She stood frozen, the letter unopened in her hands.


    Watching from the side, his expression hardening. Shawn snatched the eptance letter from his wife and quickly scanned it. When he looked up at Mirabe again, his face was a mix of shock and bewilderment. It turned out that when Mirabe had insisted she had chosen her school, she hadn¡¯t meant from the selection they had offered her. She had made her choice on her own. The date on the eptance letter was from the previous month.


    But¡­ weren¡¯t Mirabe¡¯s grades a mess? How could Parkside High School ept her?


    Snapping back to reality. Delh scrutinized the eptance letter thoroughly. Once convinced it was legitimate, she, like her husband, was filled with questions. She turned to Mirabe, about to speak.


    But Mirabe¡¯s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, her eyes darkening at the sight of the unknown number before she raised her head and said to Delh and Shawn, ¡°I¡¯m gonna take this call¡± She then stepped out to the balcony, sliding the door closed behind her.


    Delh watched her daughter¡¯s retreating figure and murmured, ¡°Shawn, why would our girl have an eptance letter from Parkside High School? The seal seems legit, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Shawn narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment before shaking his head. ¡°I doubt it¡¯s a fake.¡±


    ¡°But the standards at Parkside High School¡­ can Mira¡¯s grades even get her through the door? Didn¡¯t Summer mention her previous middle school was the kind you had to pay to get in?¡± Knowing her daughter¡¯s poor academic performance was precisely why Delh doubted the Parkside High School eptance letter.


    Shawn, thoughtful, simply said, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. You gotta have faith in your daughter.¡±


    Delh sighed. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust her. I¡¯m just afraid she¡¯s been duped!¡±


    Shawn looked at her curiously. Delh couldn¡¯t help but express her worry, ¡°Our daughter was raised in a small town, unfamiliar with the harshness of the world. Think about it. Where did this Parkside High School transfer eptancee from?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it from the school? Where else could it be from?¡± Shawn grew even more confused by his wife¡¯s anxiety. Delh scratched her head. ¡°What I mean is, could our daughter have gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd? Remember when we visited her old town and asked her teacher about her? Do you remember the things he said?¡± At that Shawn¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, and he nced toward his daughter, who was now standing on the balcony. talking on the phone. She was casually resting her arm on the railing, fingertips tapping rhythmically. The sliding door muffled her voice, making it impossible to discern her conversation. However, she soon hung up and turned around. Her deep eyes met Shawn¡¯s gaze, and she nonchntly raised an eyebrow as if she knew someone had been watching her.


    A chill ran down Shawn¡¯s spine.

 Chapter 20

    Mirabe breezed back into the living room, not waiting for Delh and Shawn to speak up before asking, ¡°Mom, what¡¯s our full <b>address</b>? A friend of mine wants to send <b>me </b>something.¡±


    As she spoke, her fingers were already poised over her phone, ready to take down the details.


    Delh rattled off the address, and after she finished, she paused, then asked in a hushed tone, ¡°A friend of yours? Someone you met while staying at Summer¡¯s grandma¡¯s ce?¡±


    Mirabe was busy texting and briefly hesitated upon hearing Delh¡¯s question. She nced up, nonchntly grunted an ¡°Mhm,¡± and continued with her texting.


    Sensing Delh¡¯s eagerness to probe further, Shawn gently tugged at her arm and shook his head, silently advising restraint. Their daughter had just returned home. It was perhaps best not to pry too much so soon.


    After sending off her message, Mirabe pocketed her phone and turned her full attention back to Delh. ¡°Did you have a question for me?¡± she inquired.


    Delh hesitated, a faint smile tugging at her <b>lips</b>. She shook her head and <b>said</b>, ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Then her eyes caught sight of the Parkside High School transfer eptance letter, and after a few seconds of contemtion, she spoke up. ¡°I almost forgot. Summer goes to Parkside High, too. I¡¯ll call her and ask her to look out for you a bit. You two might have been mixed up at birth, but she¡¯s got a gentle nature. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get along.¡± Despite Summer¡¯s somewhat unpleasant demeanor the previous night, she had studied in Parkside for a while and would be a good ally for Mirabe in unfamiliar territory.


    Remembering her first encounter with Summer, Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smile as she simply responded with a nomittal ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°Right, Summer¡¯s on that reality show now¡­ What¡¯s it called?¡± Delh pped her forehead, trying to jog her memory.


    ¡°Superstar Camp,¡± Shawn chimed in helpfully.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, Superstar Camp. Have you seen it, Mira? It¡¯s all the rage with the young folks,¡± Delh said, presuming it would be right up her daughter¡¯s alley.


    Mirabe, disinterested, shook her head. ¡°Never watched it.¡±


    Delh, who had been about to suggest voting for Summer on the show, instead changed tack. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t watch. that stuff, huh?¡±


    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s a waste of time.¡± Mirabe repliednguidly, adding after a beat, ¡°Gets in the way of studying.¡±


    Delh¡¯s smile faltered, and she found herself momentarily at a loss for words..


    Changing the subject, Mirabe inquired. ¡°So, do my brothers not live here anymore?¡±


    Delh nodded. ¡°They¡¯ve all got their own lives and moved out some time ago.¡±


    After a brief <b>pause</b>, perhaps sensing potential confusion, Delh added, ¡°Your return was quite sudden. Only Emmitt is here. Zach, Nick and Leo are out of town. They¡¯lle visit once they¡¯re less busy.¡±


    At the mention of them having their own lives, Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched in curiosity. She deliberately asked. ¡°They all have jobs?¡±


    Delh blinked, not quite understanding the intent behind her daughter¡¯s pointed question, but she nodded affirmatively nheless.


    Satisfied with the response, Mirabe didn¡¯t press further. Instead, she said sweetly. ¡°I¡¯m heading back to my room.¡±


    Once in her room, Mirabe¡¯s eyesnded on the brand¨Cnewptop resting atop her desk. She pondered for a few seconds before walking over and booting it up. The desktop was pristine, devoid of any clutter <b>or </b>additional software.


    She opened a web browser and quickly typed out a string of words on the keyboard, hitting the ¡®Enter¡® key with


    purpose.

 Chapter 21

    Chapter <b>21 </b>


    In no time at all, theputer¡¯s main screen popped up with a verification box. Mirabe deftly entered a few words and cleared the verification, and only then did she gain ess to the website¡¯s homepage.


    But before she could even make out the details of the page, the screen dimmed once more. A user login dialog appeared.


    Mirabe watched the screen expressionlessly, typing in her username and password while shaking her head in disbelief. What a piece of work this site was, always with the dramatics. It was going to crash and burn one of these


    days.


    A chime sounded swiftly, and she logged in sessfully, greeted by a bright, bold line of text at the top of the


    homepage,


    [The Mirror. If you can dream it, we can sell it.)


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched violently at the slogan.


    She casually scrolled through, finding nothing particrly fresh or challenging, and was about to close the site in boredom.


    Just then, her ount avatar started shing. Someone was looking for her.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe clicked on the avatar, and a message popped up. A little green dot beneath the sender¡¯s icon indicated they were online.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Holy smokes, kiddo, you¡¯ve finally shown up!


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Where in the world <b>have </b>you been all <b>year</b>? Why haven¡¯t you been online?


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Kiddo, you there? Why the silence?


    Mirabe stared at theputer for a long while before sluggishly typing a symbol


    BaldyBabe??


    The nickname was a random choice she made when registering, <b>and </b>since she couldn¡¯t be bothered toe up with something else, she never changed it. To her annoyance, the site didn¡¯t offer a rename option, so she was stuck with this ridiculous moniker.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Dude, where have you been? It¡¯s been a <b>year </b>without a trace of you.


    Mirabe¡¯s fingertips paused, weighing her response, and after a moment-


    BaldyBabe: Ever had a time¨Ctravel experience, darling?


    Across theputer, Riley was sipping water when he read the message on the screen <b>and </b>nearly spat it out.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Oh <b>man</b>, you haven¡¯t been hacked, have you? You¡¯re asking such a daft question!


    BaldyBabe: ¡­Scram<b>! </b>


    The familiar irate response, the same old Mirabe.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Ha, just kidding.


    BaldyBabe: Logging off.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Wait up, buddy, don¡¯t go. I need to ask about someone.


    BaldyBabe: Who?


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Cian,


    Mirabe¡¯s expression twisted oddly at the name, and she stayed silent, not responding <b>right </b><b>away</b>.


    After <b>a </b>long wait, Riley sent another message: Dude, are you still there?


    ht away


    <b>19-14 </b>


    Chapter <b>21 </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze lowered slightly, her fingers moved, and she replied: <b>Don¡¯t </b>know him. But why are you asking about this guy?


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Just helping a friend. They¡¯re looking to buy some meds from him. Heard he¡¯s quite the enigma. At first. I thought you might know him.


    BaldyBabe: I don¡¯t know him. I¡¯m out.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: Alright then. If it¡¯s cool with you, bro, can you leave me a contact? We¡¯ve known each other for nearly three years.


    BaldyBabe: Not cool. Bye<b>. </b>


    Mirabe promptly shut down herputer.


    Baldu


    Riley watched his friend BaldyBabe¡¯s¡® avatar go dark and scratched his head in frustration. The bald monk was still as aloof and heartless as ever!


    He closed the website and pondered for a few seconds before grabbing his phone from the table and sending out a text


    message.


    Since Mirabe returned to the Davis household, aside from her daily morning jogs, she spent most of her time


    indoors. Delh had tried to coax her out several times, only to be turned down with the excuse that she had to study. This was really making Delh quite vexed.

 Chapter 22

    Chapter <b>22 </b>


    On Sunday, Mirabe¡¯s package arrived. It <b>wasn¡¯t </b>particrlyrge<b>, </b>yet it was surprisingly heavy. Shawn, who had mustered the strength of Hercules and enlisted his wife¡¯s help, finally managed to heave the box from the doorstep into the living room.


    Delh eyed her husband, puffing and panting, and teased, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to take that supplement Mira sent you, hon.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s forehead was a symphony of throbbing veins. Exhausted, he had no desire to speak.


    Mirabe descended the staircase just in time to witness the scene. She headed to the kitchen for a ss of water.


    ¡°Honey, your package is here.¡± Delh called out to her<b>. </b>


    With a nonchnt hum, Mirabe set down her ss and approached.


    ¡°What on earth did your friend send you? It¡¯s so heavy,¡± Delh said, her curiosity piqued.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes lowered slightly <b>as </b>she rolled up her sleeves, answering casually, ¡°Oh, just a bunch of knick¨Cknacks.¡±


    As she spoke, she bent down and effortlessly lifted the box, her slender frame seeming to harbor boundless strength.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading upstairs,¡± she dered, her voice betraying no sign of strain.


    Beside her, Shawn, who had struggled so mightily, <b>was </b>bbergasted. Was his daughter a strongwoman? The box must have weighed at least fifty pounds. How could she lift it with such ease?


    Delh, too, was taken aback. In that instant, her mental image of a delicate and dainty daughter began to crumble.


    Mirabe had always been strong and <b>was </b>unaware of the psychological shadows she cast on her parents by merely lifting a box. After <b>a </b>year in her current body, which <b>had </b>initially felt feeble, she had undergone extensive conditioning and training that had left her in the best shape so far. To her, a box weighing forty or fifty pounds was a trifle.


    After hauling the box to her room, Mirabe spent the entire afternoon tinkering with its contents, scarcely leaving her sanctuary.


    Meanwhile, Delh made several trips to her daughter¡¯s door, contemting a knock but ultimately deciding against it.


    It wasn¡¯t until dinner time that Mirabe emerged<b>, </b><b>a </b>trace of fatigue gracing her delicate features<b>. </b>


    Emmitt was present at dinner as well, which surprised Mirabe. Since picking her up from the airport, he had not once returned home. Whether he was simply too busy or reluctant to ept her as his sister, she didn¡¯t know. And frankly. it didn¡¯t matter to her.


    At the dinner table, Emmitt¡¯s expression was a mix of emotions. ¡°Mirabe, Mom told me you¡¯re transferring to Parkside High School?¡± he asked. She mentioned choosing Parkside High a few days ago, but he thought she was just boasting. Deep down, he had little respect for her, which was why he didn¡¯t bother toe by after dropping Summer off at the Gilbert family. Had it not been for several calls from his mother, he might not have returned even today.


    You could only imagine his shock upon seeing the eptance letter from Parkside High School that his mother <b>had </b>shown him.


    Mirabe was focused on her meal, and only after a considerable dy did she lift her head to meet Emmitt¡¯s gaze with her own clear eyes<b>, </b>replying. ¡°Yeah¡­ I am. I¡¯m going to register tomorrow.¡±


    Meeting his sister¡¯s pure gaze, Emmitt felt as if something was lodged in his throat, and it took him a moment to murmur. ¡°Then¡­ I¡¯ll take you to school tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s no need. I can take the bus. You¡¯ve got your things to do.¡± Mirabe responded, thinking she was being considerate and helpful.


    Hearing this, Emmitt¡¯s difort intensified.

 Chapter 23

    Emmitt felt a pang of shame for his earlier presumptions, so he was all the <b>more </b>insistent on driving her to school.


    Mirabe had finished her meal and was about to agree to his offer when he added, ¡°Summer¡¯s at Parkside High School too. I promised her I¡¯d drive her <b>on </b>the first day of school. You¡¯re not familiar with Parkside, and with Summer there, you¡¯d have¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Mirabe cut him off with a cool, ¡°No need, I can manage on my own,¡± the corner of her mouth twisting in self¨Cmockery.


    With that she stood up, nced at Delh and Shawn, and said, ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m heading upstairs.¡± Without waiting for a response, she walked <b>away</b><b>. </b>


    Soon after, Mirabe¡¯s figure vanished at the stairwell.


    Snapping back to reality, Emmitt frowned slightly, wondering if she was throwing a temper tantrum because he mentioned driving Summer, too. He looked at his parents and said with a heavy voice, ¡°Has she been like this since she got back?¡±


    And here he was, feeling a bit guilty just moments ago.


    Understanding the implication of his question, Delh instinctively defended her daughter, ¡°Mira¡¯s actually got a great personality. But you know she¡¯s just returned, and you haven¡¯te to see her for days. That might be the reason she¡¯s a bit upset.<b>¡± </b>


    Despite feeling somewhat at fault, Emmitt couldn¡¯t help but retort, ¡°Even if she¡¯s upset, that¡¯s no excuse for her attitude. Mom. I know she¡¯s just returned<b>, </b>but don¡¯t spoil her too much.¡±


    Delh didn¡¯t take kindly to her son¡¯s words, pping the table with <b>a </b><b>bit </b>of ferocity, ¡°Hey, why are you so hard on your sister? What did she ever do to you?¡±


    Emmitt quickly stood up, raising his hands in a cating gesture. ¡°Okay, my bad. I shouldn¡¯t havee tonight. I¡¯ll leave you to it.¡± The sound of the front door closing echoed momentster.


    Delh nced at the barely touched dinner, feeling overwhelmed. ¡°Emmitt seemed to get along fine with Mira when he picked her up. Why is he acting up today?¡±


    Shawn reached out, gently patting her shoulder, soothingly saying. ¡°Take it slow. Our daughter just got back. They need time to readjust.¡±


    ¡°I always thought Emmitt was the most level¨Cheaded. He should¡¯ve gotten along best with Mira, but now¡­<b>¡± </b>Delh rubbed her temples, feeling the onset of a headache.


    The other Davis kids, Zach, Nick <b>and </b>Leo, were wild cards and hadn¡¯te home yet. Who knew <b>what </b>kind of conflicts they¡¯d spark next<b>? </b>


    After leaving the neighborhood, Emmitt¡¯s mind was racing <b>as </b>he drove. Eventually, he decided to call Summer and arranged to meet her at a nearby diner.


    Half an hourter.


    ¡°Emmitt, why¡¯re you calling me out thiste<b>? </b>Is something up?¡± Summer asked as she sat down across from him. After gaining a following from Superstar Camp, she became somewhat of a celebrity and had taken to wearing sunsses and a mask in public. Now, in the privacy of the booth, she had removed them.


    Emmitt poured her a ss of water. ¡°No rush, let¡¯s order some <b>food </b>first.¡± He handed her the menu.


    Summer casually ordered a steak, sipped her water, and tentatively asked, ¡°Emmitt, are you here because of Mira¡¯s school situation?<b>¡± </b>


    She had mentioned helping Mirabe with school on the drive home but hadn¡¯t heard a peep from the Davis family since.

 Chapter 24

    Emmitt rested his hands on the tabletop, peering at Summer as the corners <b>of </b>her lips curved into a bittersweet smile. ¡°I guess you could say that.¡±


    Spotting his expression, Summer¡¯s face softened with concern. ¡°Haven¡¯t settled on a school yet? If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll just give my dad a call right now¡­¡± She reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone.


    ¡°No need for calls,¡± Emmitt interjected, ¡°it¡¯s not that we haven¡¯t chosen a school.¡±


    Summer¡¯s hand, poised to dial paused mid¨Cair as she looked at him, puzzled.


    After a slight tug at the corner of his lips and a two¨Csecond silence, Emmitt revealed, ¡°She¡¯s already picked her school. It¡¯s Parkside High School,¡±


    Summer blinked in disbelief as if she hadn¡¯t quite heard him right. It took a moment for it to sink in, then with a voice tinged with incredulity and something else, sheughed, ¡°Emmitt, are you talking about Parkside High School? That¡¯s my school isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Seeing Summer¡¯s astonished look, Emmitt knew she was as skeptical as he¡¯d expected. After a pause, he spoke up. *She¡¯ll be registering at the school tomorrow. Actually, the reason I asked you out sote is to see if you could keep an eye on her for us.¡±


    He paused before adding. ¡°Mira¡¯s been raised <b>in </b>a small, out¨Cof¨Cthe¨C<b>way </b>town and hasn¡¯t seen much of the world. We¡¯re not exactly clear on how her grades are, but they¡¯re definitely not Parkside High material. I have no clue how she got her hands on that transfer eptance letter from Parkside High, but she¡¯s adamant about going. So, Summer, I¡¯m really counting on you.¡±


    Though Emmitt had reservations about Mirabe, she was family, and he intended to help where he could.


    Summer listened intently, her gaze dropping momentarily as she suppressed certain emotions within. It took only a second before she looked back at Emmitt with a sweet smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Emmitt. You didn¡¯t have to ask¨CI¡¯ll take good care of Mira.¡±


    Emmitt had always known Summer to be a sweet girl, and looking at her now, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of regret. If only there hadn¡¯t been that baby mix¨Cup.


    ¡°But Emmitt, you just mentioned you¡¯re unsure where Mira¡¯s transfer letter came from?¡± Summer quickly resumed her questioning with a feigned puzzled look.


    Emmitt nodded, ¡°Yeah, Mom and Dad are clueless too<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Summer fiddled with her phone¡¯s edge, then put on an uncertain expression. ¡°You know, I vaguely rememberst month. I think I overheard my dad on the phone with the principal of Parkside High.¡±


    At this, Emmitt visibly stiffened. Last month? Wasn¡¯t that around the same time as the date on his sister¡¯s admission letter? But then it struck him¨CMirabe hadn¡¯t been raised in the Gilbert family. She¡¯d been left to grow up in <b>a </b>distant town with her grandmother. Considering her rather unprivileged upbringing, would the Gilberts really pull strings to get her into such a prestigious school? He found it hard to believe.


    Keenly observing Emmitt¡¯s shifting expressions, Summer saw his brow furrow and quickly added, ¡°But you know, a school as demanding as Parkside High might be tough to get into, even with my dad¡¯s influence. Maybe I misheard.¡±


    With an innocent shrug and a yful stick of her tongue, she looked every bit the harmless girl next door. ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it, Emmitt. As long as the transfer letter is legit, it doesn¡¯t matter who helped her. We¡¯re all just looking out for Mira.¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s frown deepened at her words.


    Summer nced at Emmitt¡¯s silent brooding, a sly smile tugging at her lips, but she said no more.

 Chapter 25

    Emmitt was in a foul mood, all thanks to the drama with Mirabe. Even chatting with Summer became a half¨Chearted. affair.


    After polishing off a hearty dinner, Emmitt drove Summer back home without much conversation. As they pulled up to the grand entrance of the Gilbert family estate, Summer unfastened her seatbelt and turned to Emmitt. ¡°Hey, Emmitt why don¡¯t youe in for a bit? My dad¡¯s been asking for you and told me to invite you over several times.¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s hand rested on the steering wheel as he cast a nonchnt nce toward the impressive mansion just beyond the car window. He shook his head. ¡°Nah, it¡¯ste, and it doesn¡¯t feel right. Maybe some other time.¡±


    A sh of disappointment flickered in Summer¡¯s eyes, but she maintained a genteel smile. ¡°Alright then, Emmitt. Drive safe. I¡¯ll see myself in.¡±


    She paused as it a thought had just struck her and yfully winked at him. ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t you forget about our date tomorrow, Emmitt.¡±


    Emmitt blinked, momentarily thrown off.


    ¡°You promised to personally take me to school on the first day, remember? Or did you forget?¡± Summer sped her chest, feigning heartbreak.


    Regaining hisposure, Emmitt chuckled and shook his <b>head</b>. ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten.¡±


    Relieved. Summer beamed. ¡°Good, then. You better head home. I¡¯ll hop out now. See you tomorrow!¡±


    With a soft ¡°hm,¡± Emmitt watched Summer push the <b>car </b>door open to step out. But just as she was about to leave. Mirabe crossed his mind, and he called out almost instinctively, ¡°Summer.¡±


    She turned back, her expression one of confusion, ¡°Yeah?¡± Her clear eyes shone with Innocence, and her beautiful face had a soft understanding look to it.


    Emmitt smiled wryly, shaking his head again. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just forgot to ask what time we should head to school. tomorrow.¡±


    you were about to


    Summer let out a relieved sigh, half¨Cjoking, ¡°You scared me for a second there. Emmitt. I thought you bail on me for tomorrow.¡±


    His eyes flickered, denying any such intention. ¡°No, not at all.¡±


    subject.


    ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s make it eight o¡¯clock tomorrow,¡± Summer swiftly changed the subled


    ¡°Sure,¡± Emmitt replied.


    She waved goodbye and bounded out of the car, heading towards the mansion. Emmitt¡¯s gaze lingered on Summer¡¯s retreating figure until she was out of sight. He then slowly <b>retracted</b>.


    Il Mirabe didn¡¯t need him to take her to school, there was no reason for him to decline Summer¡¯s request, especially since she was like a sister to him. With that thought, any lingering guilt in Emmitt¡¯s heart faded away.


    Soon after, he started the car¡¯s engine and turned, leaving the Gilbert family behind.


    As Summer <b>stepped </b>through the door, her mother, Mandy, lounging on the living room sofa, looked up and asked, ¡°Who¡¯s keeping you out sote, honey?¡± Her tone was gentle, devoid of any usation.


    Summer strolled over <b>and </b>began to massage Mandy¡¯s shoulders with practiced ease, ¡°Oh, it was just Emmitt. He needed to talk.¡±


    ¡°Emmitt?¡± Mandy¡¯s brows furrowed at the mention of the name. ¡°That boy from your foster family again?¡±


    Summer <b>knew </b>Mandy looked down on the Davis family and simply hummed in acknowledgment.


    ¡°<b>I </b>


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to keep your distance from the Davis folks?¡± Mandy spoke earnestly, ¡°I know you¡¯ve got a big heart,


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>12:38 </b>


    you get to them.


    but those people, especially those so¨Ccalled brothers of yours, are not the bestpany. The closer y the more they might try to take advantage of you someday.¡±


    Summer¡¯s gaze fell slightly, thinking it was Mandy¡¯s prejudice and short¨Csightedness speaking. Mandy would never understand the true potential of the Davis family.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter <b>26 </b>


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve got it under control, don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s all good,¡± Summer said softly, pausing for a brief moment before continuing. ¡°There¡¯s something kinda bizarre though. Mom, didn¡¯t you tell me that Mirabe¡¯s grades were a total mess<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mandy¡¯s eyes were closed in the bliss of her daughter¡¯s massage. She took her time before responding in a faint voice, ¡°Yeah, what about it?¡±


    Summer¡¯s hands didn¡¯t cease their gentle motions <b>as </b>she prodded cautiously. ¡°It looks like she¡¯s about to enroll at Parkside High School.¡±


    At that, Mandy¡¯s eyelids snapped open, her body turning slightly to cast an incredulous nce at Summer standing behind <b>her</b>. ¡°What did you just <b>say</b>?¡±


    Summer watched the astonishment wash over her mother¡¯s face, a hint of skepticism shing in her eyes. ¡°Emmitt came to me tonight. He mentioned that Mirabe¡¯s going to Parkside High School and asked me to keep an eye on her, you know, on the down¨Clow.¡±


    With a flicker of curiosity, Summer asked, ¡°Mom, did you and Dad pull some strings or something? How else could she get into Parkside High School?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°How could we? With her grades, she¡¯d be lucky to get into any regr high school, let alone Parkside. If your father and I had intervened, wouldn¡¯t that be hurting the Gilbert family¡¯s reputation?¡± Mandy scoffed lightly.


    ¡°So you didn¡¯t help her? How did she get into Parkside High School then¡­?¡± Summer¡¯s face was tinged with curiosity.


    Mandy¡¯s expression darkened, her tone matching her mood, ¡°Are you sure about this?¡±


    Summer nodded confidently. ¡°I¡¯m certain. Emmitt told me himself. He wouldn¡¯t lie to me.¡±


    Mandy sat up straight, <b>silent </b>for a moment, then reached for the smartphone on the coffee table.


    Mirabe was tinkering with a collection of antiquated¨Clooking gadgets when her phone, lying on the bed, began to ring. She paused, nced at it, then continued working on her nearly finished project, ignoring the call. However, the caller was persistent, and the ringing continued without respite.


    Focused on her <b>task</b>, Mirabe remained undisturbed. Soon after, she had carefully bottled the substance extracted from the <b>apparatus </b><b>and </b><b>finally </b>removed her gloves at a leisurely pace.


    The phone was still ringing. This time, Mirabe didn¡¯t ignore it. She walked over to the <b>bed</b>, picked up the phone, <b>and</b><b>, </b>seeing the caller ID, she hesitated for a moment. With a quick swipe, she answered the call, only to be greeted by Mandy¡¯s frantic voice. ¡°I¡¯ve called you countless times. Why haven¡¯t you picked up?¡±


    Mirabe held the phone away from her ear, countering her foster mother¡¯s interrogation with a cool query. ¡°Something <b>up</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    On the other end, Mandy grew more irate ¡°what is that.


    Rubbing her temples, Mirabe had no patience for the nagging. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing important. I¡¯m hanging up.¡±


    Aware that her foster daughter had grown increasingly rebellious and unrecognizable over the past year, <b>Mandy </b>cut to the chase.


    ¡°I have no idea what you pulled to get a spot at Parkside High School, but I¡¯m telling you now, I don¡¯t want you there. Your presence would be <b>the </b>joke of Parkside, a stain on the Gilbert family¡¯s name.


    ¡°Pick any other school in the city, and the Gilbert family can pull some strings to get you in. We¡¯ll even cover the tuition. But on one condition¨Cyou never tell anyone you were once a Gilbert.¡±


    At these words, Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched with amusement, and she remarked rather earnestly. ¡°Is the Gilbert family the richest in the world or something?¡±

 Chapter 27

    Chapter <b>27 </b>


    Mandy¡¯s face turned a shade of red. ¡°Mirabe, have you lost your marbles<b>?</b>¡±


    With azy smirk tugging at her lips, Mirabe stretched out on her bed like a cat in a sunbeam, her striking eyes fixed on the ceiling. Her feathery, light voice floated through the air, ¡°If you¡¯re not the queen of Wall Street, then what gives you the gall to make such a racket here?¡± With a sigh, Mirabe ended the call.


    At the sound of the disconnected line, Mandy shook with rage, hurling her smartphone onto the coffee table with a tter. It bounced and skidded onto the floor.


    Summer, who stood nearby, flinched, a testament to the chilling atmosphere. She quickly bent down to retrieve the fallen device, observing the shattered screen before silently cing it back on the table.


    Then, taking a <b>seat </b>next to the fuming Mandy, Summer reached out <b>and </b>gently patted her back. ¡°Mom, simmer down, okay? No need to stoop to Mirabe¡¯s level. She was raised by Grandma and turned out a bit wild, so her words can be¡­ well rough around the edges. Don¡¯t take it to heart. It¡¯s not worth your health.¡±


    Summer had heard every word since Mandy had put the call on speakerphone<b>. </b>To be honest, even Summer was a bit taken aback by Mirabe¡¯s audacious tone. Her voice sounded perfectly normal, but it <b>carried </b>an undercurrent of arrogance that was hard to ignore.


    Mandy always cared deeply about appearances, and being confronted in such a manner was bound to get under her skin. After Summer murmured some soothing words, Mandy¡¯s expression finally softened. She looked at her obedient and sensible daughter and, with a touch of relief, stroked her hair. ¡°You¡¯re the considerate one.¡±


    Mandy was grateful once more, that the mix¨Cup at the hospital had been corrected. If she¡¯d been stuck with a daughter like Mirabe, it would¡¯ve been the death of her. Taking a deep breath, Mandy recalled the real reason for waiting up that evening. She reached for a petite purse on the table, pulled out a credit card<b>, </b>and handed it to Summer.


    ¡°School¡¯s about to start, and there¡¯s half a million on this card. Take it for now. If it¡¯s not enough, just tell me.¡±


    Summer tried to hand the card back. ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve got enough money. I haven¡¯t even spent what you <b>gave </b>mest time.¡±


    Mandy insisted, pushing the card back into her hands. ¡°The Gilberts can¡¯t look less than anybody else. And with your training and online poprity soaring, you¡¯ve got to keep up appearances.¡±


    Summer nced at the card in her hand, then looked up with a smile. ¡°Thanks, Mom.¡±


    Meanwhile, after ending the call, Mirabe was preparing to shower and get some sleep. She had just grabbed her pajamas from the dresser when a knock sounded at her door. ¡°Mira, are you up?¡± came Delh¡¯s voice from the hallway<b>. </b>


    Mirabe ced her sleepwear down thoughtfully and walked to the door, opening it to find her mother.


    Spotting her daughter¡¯sposed but passive attitude, and keeping in mind Emmitt¡¯s actions from earlier that evening. Delly gently queried, ¡°Are you cross with Emmitt?¡±


    Mirabe looked puzzled. ¡°Huh?¡±


    Delh¡¯s concern seemed to fade <b>as </b>she realized Mirabe apparently hadn¡¯t taken the evening¡¯s events to heart. She breathed a sigh of relief but felt a twinge of difort as she said, ¡°Sometimes, Emmitt can be a bit oblivious and not consider your feelings. Don¡¯t take it personally, okay?¡±


    Now understanding her mother¡¯s concern, Mirabe responded with sinct reassurance, ¡°I know, Mom. I¡¯m not upset.¡±

 Chapter 28

    Her gaze was so sincere that it was impossible to mistake her words for anything but the truth. Such a sensible daughter she had. Delh couldn¡¯t help but silently chew her eldest son out. The boy must¡¯ve been blind to use his sister of having a bad temper


    ¡°Ahem, d you¡¯re not upset. Your dad said he¡¯ll drive you to school tomorrow. You can sleep <b>in </b><b>a </b>bit, Delh said


    hastily.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Then get some rest early. Don¡¯t stay up toote. I¡¯m heading out.¡± Delh advised, then turned to leave.


    ¡°Mom, wait a sec.¡± Mirabe suddenly called her back, then turned and walked into her room.


    In just a moment, Mirabe returned to the doorway, handing Delh a porcin jar. ¡°Take one every three days, and within a month, your migraines should clear up.¡±


    Delh, somewhat stunned, took the jar. ¡°This¡­did thise from a friend of yours?¡± She remembered her daughter mentioning something simr <b>a </b>few <b>days </b>ago, along with a package that had arrived today.


    Mirabe gave a nomittal hum in response.


    Holding the jar for some time. Delh finally smiled and said. ¡°Thank your friend for me. That¡¯s very thoughtful.¡±


    Although thest remedy Mirabe had given her did work wonders, Delh didn¡¯t quite believe in aplete cure for her migraines. Nheless, it was the thought that counted, and she appreciated her daughter¡¯s concern.


    Mirabe could see the skepticism in Delh¡¯s eyes but just smiled without further exnation.


    The next morning dawned crisp and clear.


    Mirabe descended the stairs dressed casually, her long ponytail swishing and a modest canvas backpack slung her shoulder. Though her look was simple, her striking, sculpted features lent her an effortlessly <b>cool </b>air.


    Delh watched her daughter with a sense of pride, thinking that while some people needed clothes to look good. Mirabe made the clothes look good. Whatever Mirabe wore, she wore with style<b>. </b>


    But then-


    ¡°Mira, why aren¡¯t y


    you wearing any of the clothes I bought you? Don¡¯t you like them?¡± Delh asked. Her hands were crossed over her chest, suddenly feeling that the skirts and dresses she¡¯d chosen might not be quite right for her daughter.


    Hearing this, Mirabe quickly exined to prevent another ¡®we can rece them if you don¡¯t like them¡® kind of extravagant offer. ¡°I¡¯m just morefortable in pants, and I¡¯ll be wearing a uniform at school anyway.¡±


    Delh considered this and then conceded, ¡°Alright, my bad. I¡¯ll pick out some pants for you next time.<b>¡± </b>


    over


    A daughter who could pull off sweet, cool, and everything in between? Absolutely needed the right wardrobe!


    Shawn, who had been reading the newspaper, also set it aside and picked up a card he had prepared earlier, walking over to her. ¡°Sweetheart, I didn¡¯t know what to get you, and I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re into. This card is my back¨Cto¨Cschool gift to you¨Cno limits, use it for whatever you need.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s smile twitched as her eyesnded on the offered ck card. Weren¡¯t they supposed to be a struggling household?


    A ck <b>card </b>with no spending limit? This felt bizarrely like the luxury of a hidden, wealthy family.


    Seeing her stunned expression, Shawn remembered she had grown up in a small town. After <b>a </b>few seconds of thought. he insisted on putting the card in her hand, adding. ¡°Keep the card for now. The pin is your birthday. If you¡¯re notfortable using it, no worries¨CI¡¯ll go to the bankter and withdraw some cash for you.¡±


    Mirabe was forcibly handed the card and felt like she was about to be bombarded with cash. What was going on?

 Chapter 29

    After breakfast, with a ck credit card snug in her pocket, Mirabe followed Shawn down the stairs. As they rode the elevator, she casually dropped a question, ¡°Dad, aren¡¯t we supposed to be pretty <b>broke</b><b>?</b>¡±


    Shawn, caught off guard by his daughter¡¯s question and unsure where she might have heard such a thing, sighed as memories of tough times surfaced. ¡°We may not be <b>rolling </b>in <b>dough</b>, sweetheart, but don¡¯t you worry, I won¡¯t let you suffer,¡± he assured her.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, skepticism written all over her face. She couldn¡¯t reconcile the ck card and the <b>easy </b>talk of spending with being poor. That look made Shawn feel oddly guilty, but luckily, the elevator dinged, the doors slid open, and he coughed to cover his difort as he quickly exited.


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curved into a half¨Csmile, following him out with an amused glint in her eyes.


    The Davis residence wasn¡¯t far from Parkside High School just a twenty¨Cminute drive, so Mirabe didn¡¯t need to board.


    Shawn had wanted to walk his daughter into the school¡¯s administration office to check in, but the scramble for parking spaces on the first day of school forced a change of ns. After Mirabe reassured him that she would be fine on her own, he reluctantly drove off.


    Once Shawn¡¯s car was out of sight, Mirabe strolled towards the school <b>gate </b><b>at </b>her own pace. Entry was by card swipe, and as a transfer student without an ID yet, she was stopped by the security guard.


    Mirabe pulled out her transfer notice from her backpack <b>and </b>handed it over. ¡°Will this work?¡±


    The guard took a look, and his expression changed. He called over a colleague before telling her, ¡°You¡¯ll need to wait here while I check this with the administration office.¡± With that, he didn¡¯t wait for a response and walked off with her transfer notice.


    Mirabe watched his retreating back, narrowing her eyes slightly. Was getting into a high school always such a hassle? Annoying as it was, she waited patiently<b>. </b>


    But ten minutes dragged on, and the guard hadn¡¯t returned. Mirabe massaged her temples, resisting the urge to criticize the school¡¯s efficiency.


    ¡°Could you chase up your colleague for me?¡± she <b>asked </b>the other guard politely.


    Good looks often made things smoother, and the guard nodded quickly, pulling out his phone to make a call, but there was no answer. After several attempts, he looked apologetically at Mirabe, ¡°My colleague must¡¯ve left his phone somewhere. No one¡¯s picking up.¡±


    The thought of <b>waiting </b>indefinitely irked Mirabe, and she nced at her watch before asking. ¡°Is there a contact number for the administration office or the principal?¡±


    Scratching his head, the guard looked even more embarrassed. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m new here <b>and </b>don¡¯t really know these details. Maybe you could wait a bit longer. My colleague might be back soon.¡±


    Deciding it was pointless to keep asking, Mirabe chose to wait. Just then, a ck sedan pulled up at the gate, and the guard hurried over, leaving Mirabe behind. The car window rolled down, and whatever was shown to the guard instantly brought a respectful look to his <b>face</b>.


    Mirabe, head bowed, didn¡¯t pay any attention until the sedan honked sharply. She looked up at the sound.

 Chapter 30

    Chapter <b>30 </b>


    The unassuming ck sedan glided smoothly along, its ordinariness almost a cloak of invisibility under the scrutiny of passersby. As the vehicle neared, its rear window slid down halfway, revealing a familiar half¨Cface.


    Mirabe paused mid¨Cstride, catching sight of the partial visage, a flicker of recognition crossing her face.


    James¡® eyebrows quirked in amusement, his mischievous eyes sparkling with mirth as he caught her gaze. ¡°Locked out?¡± he teased, the corner of his mouth lifting in a half¨Csmile.


    Mirabe¡¯s initial surprise quickly dissipated, reced by a resigned shrug that seemed to say, ¡®Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡±


    A soft chuckle escaped James¡® lips before he offered, ¡°Hop in. I¡¯ll get you past the gate.¡±


    Wyatt, who had been dutifully driving without a word, nearly did a double¨Ctake at the sound of his boss¡® words. Was this really the same man who usually exuded an aura of detached frostiness?


    With an arched brow, Mirabe nced at the security guard standing nearby, noting his passive stance. After a brief moment of contemtion, she didn¡¯t decline the unexpected offer. She strode over, pulled open the car door, and slid into the backseat with a graceful <b>ease</b>.


    Meanwhile, Summer, approaching from a distance<b>, </b>caught the interaction and pointed toward the entrance, her voice tinged with surprise. ¡°Emmitt, isn¡¯t that Mira over there?¡±


    Emmitt, somewhat preupied as he escorted Summer to school, snapped to attention at her words. Following her pointed finger, all he saw was the ck sedan making its way into the school grounds, with no sign of Mirabe amidst the crowd. ¡°No, I don¡¯t see her, Summer. Are you sure?¡± he asked, his brow furrowed with confusion.


    Though it was a fleeting glimpse, Summer was quite certain that she had seen Mirabe enter the ck car. Emmitt. however, seemed to have missed it.


    Summer pondered briefly. She withdrew her gaze and murmured, ¡°Maybe I was mistaken. It couldn¡¯t have been Mira getting into a stranger¡¯s car.¡±


    She spoke thest part almost under her breath, too softly for Emmitt to catch properly. ¡°What stranger¡¯s car?¡± he inquired, seeking rity.


    Summer hesitated, then shook her head dismissively. ¡°Never mind.¡± After a brief pause, she added, ¡®Emmitt, I should head in. Thanks for going out of your way to bring me to school today.¡±


    Emmitt responded with a simple wave and a smile, which gradually faded as Summer¡¯s figure disappeared through the school gates. <b>Was </b>his sister in a stranger¡¯s car?


    Inside the car, Mirabe turned her head to look at James with a yful tilt of her head, resting her cheek on her hand. ¡°What a coincidence, neighbor boy.¡±


    The term ¡®neighbor boy¡® made James¡® lips twitch involuntarily, a wry sense of resignation washing over his handsome features. His voice, low and steady, corrected her gently, ¡°James<b>. </b>That¡¯s my name.¡±


    As his words settled, the car experienced a brief jolt. James raised an eyebrow, casting a casual nce at Wyatt, who sat ramrod straight in the driver¡¯s seat, avoiding any and all <b>eye </b>contact with the rearview mirror.


    Unperturbed by the subtle tension in the car, Mirabe maintained her nonchnt demeanor, murmuring. ¡°James¡­ It¡¯s a nice name.¡±


    James shifted in his seat, crossing his legsfortably. His tone was light as he probed, ¡°And the person attached to the name? Am I not appealing?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a few days, and yet your skin seems to have thickened considerably,¡± Mirabe shot back with a sideways. nce.


    A softugh escaped James as his expression turned more serious. ¡°What was going on at the school gate?¡± he inquired.

 Chapter 31

    Chapter <b>31 </b>


    Mirabe had to admit that her knowledge of James was rather thin, even after nearly a year of acquaintance. Their interactions were sparse, and she¡¯d only just learned his name when he offered it up in conversation.


    James cocked his head to the side, his eyebrow arching yfully at Mirabe. ¡°Do I look the part to you?¡±


    She gave him a once¨Cover, a frank shake of her head her only reply. ¡°Not really.¡± No school would dare hire a teacher who gave off such a creepy vibe. It¡¯d be like they didn¡¯t want their students to focus on their studies at all.


    A faint smile yed at the corners of James¡® lips as he admitted, ¡°I¡¯m definitely not a teacher.¡±


    Figures.


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow and nced out the car window, her interest in prying further evidently waning. ¡°Please, Just drop me off here. I can make it the rest of the way on my own.¡±


    Wyatt, who was in the driver¡¯s seat, slowed the car down at her request but didn¡¯te to a stop until he caught James¡® nod in the rearview mirror.


    ¡°Sure thing<b>.</b>¡± James murmured. Only then did Wyatt gently press <b>the </b>brake <b>pedal</b>.


    Mirabe swept a thoughtful gaze forward, muttered <b>a </b>brief thanks, and stepped out of the car.


    It was a few moments before Wyatt quietly started up the car again, stealing another nce at Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure through the window. He leaned in, his voice low with curiosity. ¡°James, is that Mirabe, the same girl you had


    us look into?¡±


    ¡°Mhm,¡± James replied, his voice detached. His usual cool demeanor returned as he casually tapped his long fingers <b>against </b>his knee.


    Wyatt appeared puzzled as he mused. ¡°She¡¯s pretty, sure, but I don¡¯t see what¡¯s so special about her.¡± He couldn¡¯t understand why his boss was so interested in an average high school girl. If the family got wind of it, it¡¯d surely cause


    a <b>stir</b>.


    e was intense. He spoke with a hint of amusement in his voice. ¡°Being attractive is a specialty in its own


    James¡® gaze


    right.¡±


    Wyatt couldn¡¯t help but mutter. ¡°There are plenty of beauties in Riverdale. High societydies, no less, and I haven¡¯t seen you giving them a second nce.¡±


    ¡°Superficial¡± James scoffed softly, his handsome face etched with disdain..


    Wyatt sighed internally. Such double standards¡­


    Shaking his head, Wyatt decided to steer the conversation away from Mirabe, his expression turning serious. ¡°By the way, James, our contacts in the shadows say they can¡¯t <b>find </b>any trace of n. Could it be¡­ that this person doesn¡¯t actually exist?¡±


    After all, even their global informationwork, The Mirror, hade up empty.


    James¡® lips pursed slightly. ¡°Do you think those drugs concocted from ancient secrets are also fake?¡±


    A look of frustration crossed Wyatt¡¯s face. ¡°But we¡¯ve been searching for over <b>a </b>year..


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll search for another year,¡± James <b>replied</b>, his tone light but unmistakably impatient.


    Wyatt nced at the <b>rearview </b>mirror before giving a quiet acknowledgment, dropping the subject.


    After her ride. Mirabe quickly found someone to point her to the guidance counselor¡¯s office. It didn¡¯t take her long to arrive at the doorway. She knocked and waited for a response before casually strolling in.


    The office housed a solitary figure, a teacher In his forties hunched over some paperwork at his desk. Mirabe approached and sinctly exined her presence.


    Morgan, the guidance counselor, set down his pen, a look of surprise on his face. ¡°You¡¯re the Mirabe from Elm Creek who aced the online exam?¡±


    Mirabe adjusted her backpack strap with a nonchnt lift of her brows. ¡°Unless someone¡¯s been taking exams in <b>my </b>name, that¡¯s me.¡±


    Morgan appraised the confident girl before him, thinking how kids from small towns were always so full of themselves. never knowing when to dial it back. He shook his head <b>and </b>said, ¡°Hand over your eptance letter, then.¡±

 Chapter 32

    Chapter <b>32 </b>


    Arab¡¯s eyes fickered with a hint of amusement as she replied, ¡°The security guard just took my eptance letter he front gate. He said he was bringing it to the guidance counselor¡¯s office to check the details. <b>Didn¡¯t </b>you get it,


    Morgan furrowed his brow. ¡°No, I¡¯ve been in the office all morning and haven¡¯t seen any guarde by. But why on earth would you hand over something as important <b>as </b>your transfer notice to a security guard?¡±


    Mob¡¯s Matures darkened slightly, recalling how the guard by the <b>gates </b>had a strange look in his eyes when he


    w her letter. She hadn¡¯t thought much of it at the time, but now it seemed like he had been walling for her, poised to snatch her nothication away<b>. </b>


    be


    I


    Aber a brief pause, Mirabe asked point¨Cnk, ¡°What happens if I don¡¯t have the eptance letter?¡±


    ¡°Wout that letter, you can¡¯t enroll at Parkside High School. If you don¡¯t have It, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to <b>look </b>for another school Morgan replied, stating the school¡¯s policy.


    Not even if the school has a record of it?¡±


    Morgan shook his <b>head </b>


    Aright then, I get it¡± Mirabe said, <b>and </b>without another word, she turned on her <b>heel </b>and left.


    Morgan watched her quick departure, momentarily stunned. By the time he gathered his thoughts, she was already out the door. His mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came out. ¡®Students too proud for their own good,¡± he thought.


    The school is better off without them.¡±


    Minutester. Anthony burst into the room, ¡°Morgan, <b>did </b><b>a </b>girl named Mirabee in to report today?¡± He paused, men added. ¡°She¡¯s a senior transfer student.<b>¡± </b>


    Seeing the urgency in the principal¡¯s demeanor, Morgan didn¡¯t conceal the truth. ¡°She dide, but she just left.¡±


    Anthony rxed slightly, assuming she had already been directed to her ssroom. ¡°As long <b>as </b>she¡¯s reported in, thats fine. Ive got other things to handle, so I¡¯ll be off.¡±


    Confused by Anthony¡¯s hasty entrance and exit. Morgan caught the tail end of his assumption and quickly corrected him. ¡°No. Sir, Mirabe dide but left because she didn¡¯t have her eptance letter.¡±


    At this. Anthony wheeled around. ¡°What did you say? She left? How could you let her go?¡±


    Morgan, unsure why Anthony was so concerned about a transfer student, hesitated but recounted the earlier conversation, including the incident with the security guard. Anthony stamped his foot, frustrated, ¡°Morgan, sometimes you¡¯re too by¨Cthe¨Cbook. Do you have any idea who she is to the principal¡­ Never mind. I need to go find her.¡±


    As Morgan watched Anthony rush off again, the unfinished sentence echoed in his ears.


    What rtion did she have to the principal? Was she a rtive, perhaps? Was this so¨Ccalled transfer student, not a top scorer but rather the principal¡¯s kin?


    The more Morgan thought about it, the more convinced he became that he was right¨Cno wonder the girl was so haughty and Anthony so anxious.


    Morgan¡¯s opinion of Mirabe plummeted<b>. </b>He despised <b>these </b>backdoor enrollees!


    Leaving the guidance counselor¡¯s office, Mirabe didn¡¯t bother heading to the school entrance to confront the security guard. He had deliberately taken her transfer letter. Even if she <b>had </b>found him now, the document might¡¯ve already been destroyed, and he could have denied everything, leaving her with no recourse.


    Hence, Mirabe decided to head straight to the principal¡¯s office<b>. </b>

 Chapter 33

    Chapter <b>33 </b>


    When Mirabe arrived at the principal¡¯s office, she found the door closed, and knocking yielded no response. It seemed no one was inside.


    With a sigh of frustration, Mirabe muttered to herself, ¡°High school sure is a hassle.¡±


    The nostalgia of her carefree days before school suddenly hit her.


    As she turned to leave, a bit downcast, she was intercepted by a female teacher whose face darkened at the sight of her. The teacher¡¯s voice was sharp as she asked, ¡°Youngdy, sses are about to start. Why <b>are </b>you still wandering around here?¡±


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks, batting her eyes innocently. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I¡¯m new here. I just transferred. I¡¯m not sure which ss I¡¯m in, so I thought I¡¯d ask.¡±


    The teacher¡¯s expression softened slightly. ¡°You should head to the guidance counselor¡¯s office, not here. The principal is very busy and doesn¡¯t handle these matters.¡±


    With that, the teacher hurried into the principal¡¯s office without even knocking, just swiping her ID badge to get in.


    A momentter, she emerged, clutching a man folder, and looked surprised to see Mirabe still there. ¡°Why are your still standing around? Didn¡¯t I tell you to go to the guidance counselor¡¯s office?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Mirabe began.


    ¡°Never mind, follow me. I¡¯ll take you there on my way,¡± the teacher said with a shake of her head, striding ahead.


    And so, Mirabe was escorted back to the guidance counselor¡¯s office.


    ¡°Morgan, look up which ss this transfer student is assigned to. She needs to get to ss soon. Don¡¯t keep her waiting.¡± the teacher told the counselor before rushing off without waiting for a response.


    Morgan and Mirabe remained in the office, staring wide¨Ceyed at one another. Morgan was not thrilled to see this student who seemingly had an inside track, but recalling Anthony¡¯s attitude earlier, he managed to suppress his annoyance. He picked up the phone with a stony face and dialed a number.


    Mirabe


    Did Parkside High School teachers specialize in quick attitude changes?


    After Morgan hung up the phone, he sat down and said icily, ¡°Just stand over there and wait.¡± He didn¡¯t even nce at Mirabe.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Anthony hurried back, his gazending firmly on Mirabe as if he had finally exhaled in relief. ¡°Wee to Parkside High School Mirabe,¡± Anthony greeted her warmly.


    Mirabe nodded politely, the picture of good manners, but after a brief pause, she appeared troubled. ¡°A security officer took my eptance letter. Can I still enroll?<b>¡± </b>


    Anthony quickly reassured her, ¡°No problem at all. The eptance letter is just a formality. It won¡¯t affect your enrollment. I¡¯ll have someone inquire with security about it.¡±


    Catching Morgan¡¯s eye. Mirabe sighed and responded obediently, ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±


    Feeling as if Mirabe¡¯s nce had metaphorically pped him, Morgan didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Anthony, oblivious to the tension between Morgan and Mirabe, turned to Morgan and said, ¡°I¡¯m cing Mirabe in your ss. Make sure you take good care of her for me, okay?¡±


    Morgan¡¯s face went through a series of expressions!

 Chapter 34

    Anthony was at his wit¡¯s <b>end</b>. To think that he had to shoehom this haughty new student into Morgan¡¯s Prodigy ss Was he out of his mind?


    The Prodigy ss was the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me of Parkside High School and the senior year was the most critical # word got out that <b>someone </b><b>had </b>pulled strings to get in, there would be an uproar among the pareres


    Faced with this dilemma, Morgan didn¡¯t care about sparing Anthony¡¯s feelings. He fan¨Cout refused on the spot. ¡°Look <b>why </b>don¡¯t you ce Mirabe in another ss? The Prodigy ss is at full capacity, we can¡¯t squeeze in another without affecting the current students.¡± Morgan said with a tone of finality.


    Anthony nced at Mirabe, feeling the awkwardness of the situation. This transfer student was someone the principal had personally <b>persuaded </b>toe over.


    Clearing his throat, Anthony <b>asked </b>Mirabe, ¡°Could you please wait here for a moment?¡± He then shot Morgan a meaningful look and stepped outside the office.


    Morgan, frowning, followed him out.


    ¡°Morgan, you-¡±


    Before Anthony could finish his plea, Morgan cut him off. ¡°Sir, I get what you¡¯re trying to say. The Prodigy ss is tull of top¨Ctier students, the pride and joy of our school. We don¡¯t need someone else dragging us down.¡±


    Anthony paused, taken aback. ¡°No, Morgan, you <b>don¡¯t </b>understand-¡±


    ¡°Enough. Don¡¯t bother. I won¡¯t ept the transfer student.¡±


    Anthony¡¯s patience was wearing thin. ¡°For thest time, are you sure you won¡¯t take her?¡±


    ¡°No <b>way</b>!¡±


    Anthony chuckled out of frustration. ¡°Well, don¡¯te crying to meter!¡±


    Morgan¡¯s brow twitched at the remark, but he scoffed in return, ¡°I won¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Fine then.¡± Anthony took a deep breath, resigning himself to the situation.


    At that moment, Ate, the teacher who had escorted Mirabe to the office, noticed the tension and asked with a hint of suspicion, ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    With his irritation peaking. Anthony turned to Ate. ¡°How about it? I¡¯ve got a transfer student for you. Interested?¡± Ate, caught off¨Cguard by Anthony¡¯s sudden offer, blinked in confusion before collecting her thoughts. ¡°A transter student? Could it be the one you mentioned at the meeting the other day, the one who aced the online exam?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the one!¡± Anthony¡¯s eyes gleamed with determination. Without waiting for Ate¡¯s opinion, he made the decision. ¡°That settles it. Mirabe is now part of your experimental ss. She¡¯s in the office right now. Miss Ate. please take her to your ss.¡±


    Parkside High, like other prestigious schools, had a hierarchy of sses. The Prodigy ss was the elite of the elite, followed by The Advanced ss, and finally, the regr sses, which still boasted above¨Caverage gradespared to other schools¡® top sses.


    The principal had initially intended for Mirabe to join the Prodigy ss. However, with Morgan¡¯s staunch refusal Anthony had no choice but to ce her <b>in </b>The Advanced ss. It wasn¡¯t the best ss but was still better than the regr ones.


    Ate, now saddled with the unexpected responsibility of a new student, was still a bit dazed. She felt a twinge of apprehension when she saw Morgan visibly rx next to her.

 Chapter 35

    Was there something off about the new kid?


    Ate mulled over this as she opened her mouth to say, ¡°Sir, Ills..


    Anthony raised his hand with a flicker of impatience, ¡°I have VIP guests inday, I need to head over there


    With that Anthony <b>was </b>gone.


    Ate watched Anthony¡¯s retreating figure before turning back <b>to </b>Morgan. ¡°Morgan, was the director nning of putting the <b>new </b>kid in your Prodigy <b>ss</b>?¡±


    There was a bit of a rivalry between Morgan and Ate, with one running the Prodigy ss and the other overseeing The Advanced ss. Although there <b>was </b>a clear <b>gap </b>in their performance, Morgan still worried about a dark horse from the experimental group outshining his Prodigy <b>ss</b>,


    Clearing his throat, Morgan replied, ¡°Yes, but I refused. After all, the Prodigy ss Isn¡¯t just for anyone,


    Ate detected a hint of mockery in Morgan¡¯s victorious tone but kept her cool, smiling as she asked, ¡°What do you mean by that, Morgan? Didn¡¯t the new kid ace her entrance exams with perfect scores?¡±


    Morgan merely shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t know, don¡¯t ask me. Whether she had full marks or is top notch, she¡¯s in your ss


    <b>now</b>.¡±


    Ate¡¯s expression shifted as she caught <b>on </b>to the subtext. This ¡®perfect scoring¡® new kid might not be so perfect after all. The perfect scores were likely just a smokescreen. No wonder Morgan looked like he was enjoying someo else¡¯s misfortune.


    There was no turning back now. Taking a deep breath, Ate turned and entered the office.


    Seeing Mirabe, Ate paused. The new kid was the same one she had brought here after collecting some documents from the principal¡¯s office. She <b>had </b>been so preupied at the time that she didn¡¯t realize¡­ the new student would end up in her ss.


    Mixed emotions swirled within Ate. She coughed lightly and said, ¡°Mirabe, you¡¯re in ss 3 now. I¡¯m your homeroom teacher, Ate. Come with me. Let¡¯s get to the ss.¡± Her tone was neither bad nor particrly friendly. Unfortunately, Mirabe, who had been waiting In the office, <b>had </b>overheard the entire conversation outside. Anyone being forced into a ss as the ¡®problematic¡® new kid would feel unwee. Mirabe understood Ate¡¯s lukewarm attitude and simply responded obediently, ¡°Okay.¡±


    Ate couldn¡¯t help but take another look at Mirabe. The girl was pretty, humble, and docile. Humans are visual creatures. Even in a bad mood, beauty could lift the spirits. Ate was no exception.


    She remembered that Mirabe hailed from a small, somewhat remote town. They say kids from the countryside mature faster and are more sensible, which exined Mirabe¡¯s docility.


    Well, for the sake of her obdience, Ate was willing to overlook even the worst grades.


    Before long. Ate led Mirabe Into the ssroom. The normally buzzing room fell silent at Ate¡¯s entrance. Ate was strict and often wore a stern expression, earning her the nickname ¡°The Iron Lady¡± among the students. many of whom feared her.


    Pleased with the discipline of her students, Ate cleared her throat and gestured to Mirabe, announcing. ¡°This is a new student who has transferred from another school. Let¡¯s all make sure to help her settle in.¡±


    She tactfully omitted the fact that Mirabe was from a small town.

 Chapter 36

    Then, Ate asked Mirabe to introduce hersell to the ss.


    Standing before dozens of pairs of eyes, Mirabe was the picture of coolposure, not a hint of panic in her stance, She turned around, grabbed a marker from the tray, and began to scribe her name ¡®Mirabe¡® on the whiteboard in swift, confident strokes,


    Her handwriting was beautiful, a rarity of the perfect script that seemed to carry an air of elegance, reflecting the cool aura that surrounded <b>her</b>,


    ¡°Wow, the new girl is drop¨Cdead gorgeous and has stunning penmanship. Talk about a double whammy.¡±


    ¡°My heart¡¯s racing all of a sudden.¡±


    ¡°With those looks and that vibe, I¡¯ve made up my mind¨Cshe¡¯s my new crush!¡±


    Ate heard the students¡® murmurs and her face darkened in an instant. She let out a pointed cough, and just like that the buzzing ssroom fell silent,


    Quickly, she directed Mirabe to take a seat by the window on the far right, at thest empty desk. After a few <b>words </b>about the importance of diligence in studies, she let the students start on some quiet reading before <b>leaving </b>the ssroom.


    As soon as Ate exited, the room, once silent as church mice, erupted once again with chatter, mostly centered around the neer, Mirabe.


    ¡°Hey, new kid. I¡¯m Jenna. We¡¯re desk buddies now. If you¡¯ve got any questions, Just shoot!¡± Jenna <b>sald </b>with a friendly smile, her cute face and delicate features making her look like a kind¨Chearted pixle.


    Mirabe turned her head to look at Jenna and coolly raised an eyebrow. ¡°Mind if I take a look at your chemistry textbook, cutie?¡±


    Jenna stared at Mirabe, her cheeks blushing a deep crimson at that pet name ¡®cutie.¡® Realizing her own fluster<b>, </b>she quickly covered her face with her hands, thinking. ¡°Oh my gosh, the new girl is such a flirt¨Cmy poor little heart can¡¯t handle it.¡±


    Mirabe, who just wanted to borrow a textbook, was puzzled.


    Finally calming her racing heart, Jenna remembered Mirabe had asked for her book and hurriedly handed over her chemistry textbook. ¡°Here you go.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Mirabe responded with a light smile.


    Once again, Jenna felt her heartstrings tugged<b>, </b>and after a moment, she managed to stammer out a shy. ¡°You¡¯re wee<b>.</b>¡±


    Mirabe offered Jenna another semi¨Csmile <b>and </b>then returned to the textbook in her hands.


    Jenna swallowed hard, thinking how lucky she was to share a desk with someone so beautiful and cool. Yet, seeing how studious the new girl appeared <b>made </b>Jenna feel ashamed of her casual approach to learning. With that thought. Jenna subconsciously reached for a book of her own.


    Rumors traveled fast, and by the end of the morning, nearly the entire senior ss knew about the stunningly attractive girl who had transferred into The Advanced ss Three. Curiosity had led many students to sneak peeks at Mirabe during their breaks. Afterying eyes on her, students returned to their ssrooms, buzzing with talk about the beautiful transfer student. So, before long, word reached Summer in the Prodigy ss.


    Summer, with her above¨Caverage grades and upper¨Cmiddle ranking in the Prodigy ss, was unsettled by the stir Mirabe had caused in just one morning across <b>the </b>senior year.


    Before Mirabe¡¯s arrival, Summer had enjoyed the status of the undisputed campus queen, especially after her surge in poprity from the Superstar Camp.

 Chapter 37

    ¡°Hey, Summer, check out this pic. Summer¡¯s desk¨Cmate and self¨Cappointed sidekick, Madeline<b>, </b>thrust her phone into Summer¡¯s line <b>of </b>sight. The girl on the screen was the talk of the town, Mirabe.


    ¡°This is the new girl in The Advanced ss<b>. </b>Pretty hot, huh?¡± Madeline couldn¡¯t help but add <b>a </b>bit of gossip to her


    observation.


    Summer¡¯s gazended on the phone. Even though it was only a profile shot of Mirabe and the picture was a tad blurry, it was clear that she shone like a lone star in the sky of the ordinary.


    A shadow flickered across Summer¡¯s eyes for a moment. From the first day sheid eyes on Mirabe, she knew that face would turn heads¨Cit was just happening sooner than she¡¯d expected.


    She couldn¡¯t wrap her head around why Mirabe was nothing like she¡¯d anticipated. She was supposed to be shy. insecure, and a bit of a drama queen!


    Summer let her eyes drop, tucking away her questions. Lifting her head, she kept <b>any </b>sign of unhappiness from her face and replied in her usual soft voice, ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s pretty.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Madeline suddenly realized her faux pas. How could she praise another girl in front of their own queen, Summer? Wasn¡¯t <b>that </b>like an insult?


    With that thought, Madeline hastily pocketed her phone, face down on the desk, and chuckled, ¡°I mean,e on, no one¡¯s got anything on you, Summer. You¡¯re the undisputed queen bee of this school Some country bumpkin transfer doesn¡¯t stand a chance.¡±


    Summer¡¯s eyes flickered down, and she gently chided, ¡°Madeline, don¡¯t talk like that. Even if Mirabees from some small town, she¡¯s truly got the looks.¡±


    ¡°Mirabe? You know the new girl?¡± Madeline perked up like she¡¯d stumbled upon a major scoop.


    Summer covered her mouth, seeming annoyed at her slip of the tongue. After a moment, she murmured, ¡°Sort of. She¡¯s, uh, the foster daughter of the Gilbert family.¡±


    Madeline¡¯s <b>eyes </b>widened. ¡°So she¡¯s the one who¡¯s been living it up with your identity all these years?¡± The tale of the school¡¯s beauty with a bizarre background was well¨Cknown around campus.


    ¡°Shh, Madeline, keep it down. It wouldn¡¯t be <b>good </b>if others overheard<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Summer said, irritated<b>. </b>


    Madeline pouted, ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with people knowing the truth. She¡¯s been living the high life as a fake heiress for


    years while you¡¯ve been stuck in some poor household¡­ I take back mypliment!¡±


    Summer¡¯s gaze softened, her lips curving into a sardonic smile, but she quickly patted Madeline on the shoulder and said, ¡°You absolutely can¡¯t tell anyone about this. I mean, Mirabe is Innocent in this, too.¡±


    ¡°Innocent? What about you?¡± Madeline scoffed, dismissing Summer¡¯s earlier plea. ¡°You¡¯re just too kind¨Chearted, Summer. Just don¡¯t let yourself get walked all over and not even realize it!¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t happen. Mirabe¡¯s not like that,¡± Summer continued to defend <b>her</b>.


    ¡°Well if I catch her slipping up, I won¡¯t let her off easy.¡± Madeline said icily.


    Summer just smiled and let the conversation drop.


    Before Mirabe left school in the afternoon, Ate called her into the office toplete her enrollment papers and handed her a temporary student ID. As she gave Mirabe the ID, Ate remembered Anthony¡¯s notice.

 Chapter 38

    ¡°Hey, Mirabe, the director asked me to let you know that they¡¯ve retrieved your eptance letter from the security guard. Poor guy had a stomach upset and left his phone behind, so that¡¯s why the morning was such a mess. Don¡¯t sweat it okay?¡±


    Ate ryed Anthony¡¯s message straight to the point.


    Mirabe pondered for a moment before responding softly, ¡°Got It, Ms. Ate.¡±


    Noticing how well¨Cbehaved Mirabe was, Ate couldn¡¯t help but give her <b>some </b>advice, ¡°I know you¡¯re new around here, and Parkside High School¡¯s teaching methods might <b>be </b>different from what <b>you¡¯re </b>used to back in your hometown. Senior year is crucial so if there¡¯s anything you <b>don¡¯t </b>understand<b>, </b>you must ask your teachers. Alright?¡±


    Mirabe, facing Ate¡¯s <b>¡°</b><b>1</b>¨Cknow¨Cyou¡¯re¨Cstruggling¨Cbut¨Cl¨Cwant¨Cto¨Chelp¡® <b>expression</b>, just <b>curled </b>her lips into a confident smile and gave <b>a </b>yful wink. ¡°Ms. Ate, you could stand to have <b>a </b>little more faith in me.¡±


    Ate was momentarily <b>bemused </b>by Mirabe¡¯s smile, and by the time she snapped back to reality, Mirabe had already walked away.


    This student¡­ maybe she isn¡¯t as hopeless as Morgan made her out to be<b>. </b>


    As soon as Mirabe stepped out of the school gates, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see an unknown number calling. At that moment, a series of car horns sounded nearby. She looked up to see a familiar ck sedan. Raising an eyebrow. Mirabe chose not to answer the call. Instead, she walked slowly toward the car.


    The car <b>window </b>rolled down to reveal the face she had seen that morning. ¡°Need a lift?¡±


    ¡°Are you offering to buy me dinner?¡± Mirabe teased, not moving an inch or asking if he had been waiting for her.


    James satinside the car, a soft smile ying across <b>his </b>lips, softening his usually stem features. ¡°I don¡¯t see why not.¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, Mirabe opened the rear door and said, ¡°Sure, but I have to head home after. Don¡¯t want to worry the folks.¡± Once settled in the car, she quickly texted Delh.


    ¡°ying the good girl now?¡± James started the engine and nced at Mirabe with disbelief, as if the rebellious girl¨Cnext¨Cdoor he remembered was just an illusion.


    Turning to face him, Mirabe¡¯s response was coy, ¡°When have I ever been anything but?¡±


    James chuckled and shook his head, deciding against mentioning her past midnight escapades. Bringing that up might just earn him an usation of snooping.


    Before long, they pulled up in front of a quaint bistro in the city. <b>The </b>ce had a certain charm to it. They entered the private dining <b>room</b>. Mirabells tossed her backpack onto a chair and, without ceremony, grabbed the menu. She quickly picked out a few of her favorites before remembering her host was also waiting to order.


    James added a couple of dishes and then dismissed the waiter, leaving them alone in the room.


    Mirabe fiddled with her phone, casually asking. ¡°How¡¯d you get my number, anyway?¡±


    She was sure she hadn¡¯t given it to him.


    Pouring himself a cup of coffee with deliberate slowness, James watched the steam rise and vanish into the air before answering, ¡°Your grandma asked <b>me </b>to look out for you.¡±


    At this, Mirabe looked up, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity, clearly not expecting such a revtion from him.

 Chapter 39

    <b>Chapter </b>39


    James cradled the coffee mug in his hands, taking a sip with a refined air. ¡°After you left, your grandmother had quite a


    bit to share with me.¡±


    Mirabe thought of Catherine, who rose at the crack of <b>dawn </b>to cook breakfast and silently waited at the doorstep each evening with a warm smile <b>ying </b>at the edges of her lips. ¡°How Is Granny doing?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s managing, I guess. Though she¡¯s not quite as <b>spirited </b>as she used to <b>be</b>. Probably misses you and needs someone to brighten her mood.¡± James spoke gently.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes tell slightly, <b>a </b>momentary silence enveloping her. On the day Mirabe left Elm Creek, she hadn¡¯t


    aited for her grandmother¡¯s return from the hospital because she feared the parting <b>would </b>be too sorrowful.


    Catching her expression, James added. ¡°But your foster mother brought her over here. If you want to see her, you can do so anytime.¡±


    With a soft hum, Mirabe acknowledged the information. She was aware that Mandy had brought her granny over, so it wasn¡¯t a surprise. However<b>, </b>Mirabe looked at James with aplicated gaze and asked, ¡°Howe you know so much?¡±


    Back in Elm Creek, when James <b>lived </b>next door, he rarely mingled with them, and Mirabe didn¡¯t recall her granny mentioning him.


    James arched an eyebrow and deflected, ¡°I also know where your grandmother is staying now.¡±


    At his words, Mirabe¡¯s response was tinged with mock amusement, ¡°With all this knowledge, you wouldn¡¯t happen to be a bodyguard my foster mother hired, would you?¡±


    The smirk on James lips twitched at the idea.


    A bodyguard? Him?


    It took him a moment to coolly reply. ¡°You certainly have an active imagination.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for thepliment,¡± Mirabe replied airily, pausing before adding with a hint of disdain, ¡°But honestly, I can¡¯t imagine my foster mother being generous enough to hire a bodyguard<b>.</b>¡±


    James snorted softly.


    Just then, the waiter arrived with their meals. Once the dishes were served <b>and </b>they were alone again, James seemed to recall something and inquired. ¡°Were you stopped outside Parkside High School this morning because the security took your eptance letter?¡±


    ¡°You know about that too?¡± Mirabe shot him another nce.


    James smiled. ¡°Overheard by chance.¡±


    Mirabe rolled her eyes and speared a piece of steak, murmuring. ¡°<b>You¡¯ve </b>got some sharp ears then.¡±


    Languidly leaning back in his seat, James forwent his utensils and remarked cryptically. ¡°Seems like your <b>school </b>switch isn¡¯t going as smoothly <b>as </b>you¡¯d <b>hoped</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Her hand paused, and the memory of Mandy¡¯s call the previous evening caused <b>a </b>scoff to skim across her lips, ¡°Just a bit of skullduggery.¡±


    ¡°Need a hand?¡± James offered with a hint of mischief.


    Without looking up. Mirabe mumbled through a mouthful ¡°No, thanks.¡±


    After dinner, with the bill settled, James <b>asked</b>. ¡°Want me to drop you off to see your grandmother?¡±


    Mirabe considered it briefly before shaking <b>her </b><b>head</b><b>. </b><b>¡°</b>Not tonight, it¡¯ste. Maybe <b>some </b>other time.¡±


    James didn¡¯t press, simply <b>saying</b><b>. </b>¡°I¡¯ll <b>send </b>you the addresster.¡±


    When Mirabe returned to the Davis household around eight, she immediately sensed an <b>odd </b>tension in the air. Shawn and Delh were sitting in the living room in solemn silence, the TV off, their expressions unusually grave.


    Mirabe was puzzled for a moment, then called out, ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m home<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Delh rose from the couch, approaching Mirabe. There was a strained smile on her face, betraying an underlying concern, ¡°How was your first day back at school? Is everything okay? Will you <b>have </b>any issues getting used to it?¡±


    ¡°It was fine,¡± Mirabe responded casually, pausing before she probed further, ¡°Is there something on your mind your


    wanted to talk about?¡±

 Chapter 40

    Delh cleared her throat, a hint of awkwardness in her voice. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing much, honey. I was just curious about who you <b>had </b>dinner with tonight. Was it a ssmate of yours?¡±


    So that was it.


    Mirabe shook her head. ¡°Nope, not a ssmate.¡±


    ¡°Boy or girl?¡± Delh prodded gently, her curiosity getting the better of her.


    Looking straight into her mother¡¯s eyes with disarming rity, Mirabe responded calmly and patiently. ¡°A guy. He used to be my neighbor. I helped him out a while back<b>, </b>and we bumped into each other <b>today</b>, so he treated me to dinner.¡±


    Meeting her daughter¡¯s honest gaze, Delh felt a twinge of shame for the unsavory suspicions that had flitted through her mind. She touched the tip of her nose self¨Cconsciously, and decided not to pry further, her tone softening as she spoke, 1 see, sweetheart. I¡¯m sorry for being a nag. I just worry about you being outte, you know. It¡¯s not always safe for a young woman.¡±


    Mirabe wasn¡¯t entirely sure what Delh meant, but she had <b>an </b>inkling and replied obediently, ¡°I understand.¡±


    Hearing the obedient tone, Delh felt a new wave of guilt and quickly changed the subject. ¡°You must be tired after <b>a </b>long day of sses. Go on up to your room, take a nice shower, and get some rest.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and I warmed up some milk for you. Be sure to take it up and drink it before bed.¡± Saying this, Delh hurried into the kitchen, fetched the warm milk from the stove, and handed it to Mirabe.


    ¡°Thanks, Mom,¡± Mirabe said, taking the milk and heading upstairs. Delh let out a heavy sigh only after her daughter¡¯s silhouette had disappeared at the top of the stairs.


    Upon returning to the living room and settling beside her husband, Delh confessed with guilt, ¡°I¡¯m just not cut out for this mothering thing, am I? How could I doubt my own daughter¡¯s character?¡±


    Shawn patted her hand reassuringly. ¡°I¡¯ve told you before that we need to trust our girl more and not jump to conclusions at the drop of <b>a </b><b>hat</b>.¡±


    Delh shot him an irritated nce. ¡°It¡¯s all Emmitt¡¯s fault! He called today, stirring the pot about Mira¡¯s friends. It got me all worked up¡­ Never mind, I¡¯m going to give Emmitt a piece of my mind and ask why he¡¯s being so critical of his sister!*


    Seeing his wife fired up. Shawn shook his head in resignation and gently stopped her before she could dial the number. ¡°Emmitt and Mira have had a rocky rtionship since they¡¯ve met. Do you really want to make things worse with an usatory call?¡±


    Delh paused, reconsidering, and tossed her phone aside, her frustration evident. ¡°This is a tough nut to crack.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that serious. Mira¡¯s only been back <b>a </b>few days. They need time to get to know each other. Let¡¯s just take it slow,¡± Shawn offered, the voice of reason contrasting Delh¡¯s anxious musings.


    Delh sighed deeply and slumped back on the couch. After a moment of silence, she perked up again, ¡°I almost forgot! Summer gets along well with Emmitt. Maybe she can help bridge the gap between them.¡±


    Shawn nced at her skeptically. ¡°Aren¡¯t you forgetting that Summer is the very reason Emmitt and Mira had that misunderstanding in the first ce?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I haven¡¯t forgotten.¡± Delh shot back, ¡°but Summer¡¯s got a sweet disposition, and she¡¯s studying <b>at </b>Parkside High, too. If she spends more time with Mira, wouldn¡¯t that naturally smooth things over?¡±


    As a seasoned mother, Delh felt her heart was in a constant state of worry.¡±

 Chapter 41

    Chapter <b>41 </b>


    ¡°I think you should let go of that thought. Remember when Mirabe came home the other day? You spoke to Summer, sounding so distant and formal, and asked her to call you Ms. Delih from now on¡­ Do you really think she didn¡¯t pick up <b>on </b>that?¡± Shawn started to <b>dissect </b>the situation with a level head.


    Delh couldn¡¯t help but let out a wry smile at his words. ¡°The truth is, I was ticked off by the way she w


    <b>was </b>talking, too. She knew Mira had juste back from the countryside, and she made a point of emphasizing that in front of her. If anyone else <b>had </b>heard her, they¡¯d probably look down on Mira. How could I not be a bit harsh? How would Mira feel hearing those words<b>?</b>¡±


    She paused, then continued, ¡°Summer¡¯s been with us since she was a baby, and even though this mix¨Cup happened, I¡¯ve always seen her as my own child. It hurts to see her upset. Do you think I don¡¯t feel it, too?¡±


    Despite her love for both, Delh couldn¡¯t deny that when it came to her biological daughter and the girl she¡¯d mistakenly raised, her blood <b>ties </b>made her more sensitive to her own flesh and blood.


    Delh had raised Summer for seventeen years, and Summer had never suffered a moment¡¯s slight in the Davis family. On the other hand, Delh¡¯s biological daughter had ostensibly grown up in an affluent household, but in reality. she¡¯d been left in a remote town by the callous Gilberts<b>. </b>


    The olddy who had raised Mirabe from infancy truly cherished her. Still, the tough environment and the loneliness of being a left¨Cbehind <b>child </b>must have weighed heavily on Mirabe¡¯s childhood.


    Every time Delh thought about these things, her heart ached. Now that her daughter was back, she only wanted to make up for the seventeen years they had lost.


    Shawn saw his wife slipping into guilt again and couldn¡¯t help but wrap his arms around her shoulders, offeringfort, ¡°Mira¡¯s <b>a </b>sweet girl. Nobody could dislike her. Emmitt feels the same.¡±


    That Saturday, Mirabe decided to visit Catherine with some goodies in tow.


    Catherine lived in a senior residence in the city, set amidst a tranquil neighborhood without schools orrge shopping centers nearby ¨C ideal for the elderly. Mandy could be quite harsh and petty and loved putting on airs, but she was decent to her own mother.


    Before heading <b>over</b><b>, </b>Mirabe had called Catherine, so when she rang the doorbell, it <b>didn¡¯t </b>take long before the door swung open. Catherine¡¯s eyes reddened at the sight of her granddaughter, and she quickly ushered Mirabe inside.


    The house was spacious and well¨Cdecorated, with all sorts of furniture and appliances. Despite this, there <b>was </b><b>a </b>palpable sense of emptiness.


    Mirabe nced around briefly and then turned her attention back to her grandmother, who was fumbling with fruit and sses of water in a fluster, much like a child.


    ¡°Grandma,e on. Let¡¯s just sit down and have <b>a </b>proper chat,¡± she said, guiding Catherine to the couch.


    Catherine¡¯s gaze stayed on Mirabe¡¯s face for a long while before she finally said. ¡°You don¡¯t look like you¡¯ve lost weight. Seems like your birth parents are treating you well.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯ve been good. They wanted to visit you<b>, </b>actually, but I thought it might be an imposition, so I suggested another time,¡± Mirabe replied with a smile.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do that soon. But today, it¡¯ll just be us having a proper catch¨Cup.¡± Catherine¡¯s wrinkled face lit up with joy, though the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion.


    Mirabe reached out to hold her grandmother¡¯s hand, casually checking her pulse under the guise of a gentle touch. ¡°Haven¡¯t been sleeping well?¡± she inquired casually.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ve been resting just fine,¡± Catherine replied hastily, not wanting to cause any worry. But the truth was, ever since she¡¯d moved to this ce, insomnia had gued her night after night.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but simply asked, ¡°Have you been taking your medication on schedule?¡±

 Chapter 42

    Catherine was nockling tervently like a student being scolded by a teacher, ¡®Yes, dent. I¡¯ve been taking my medication on time. I <b>haven¡¯t </b>missed a single dose.¡±


    Mirabe withdrew her hand. ¡°Do you still have that incense I gave you?¡±


    ¡°I do¡­ I light it every evening.¡± Catherine¡¯s voice faltered slightly as she spoke,


    Mirabe looked at her with a sly smile. ¡°If you lit it every night, you wouldn¡¯t be gued with insomnia and palpitations.¡±


    to pack it when I moved.¡±


    At this, Catherine quiltity bowed her head. After a pause, she admitted, ¡°Truth is, I forg


    A shadow flickered in Mirabe¡¯s eyes, but her voice remained airy. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Whenever Catherine saw this expression on her granddaughter, her heart would thump uncontrobly, yet she brazenly responded, ¡°Really, I¡¯m not lying to you.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a half¨Csmile. She didn¡¯t call out Catherine¡¯s obvious evasion, Instead, she stood and moved behind her, her slender <b>tingers </b>resting <b>atop </b>Catherine¡¯s head. ¡°Rx, let me give you a little massage,¡±


    Catherine wanted to refuse, but looking into Mirabe¡¯s calm and indifferent face, she instinctively mped her mouth shut. For some reason<b>, </b>she <b>had </b>grown to fear Mirabe¡¯s earnest demeanor, always feeling like nothing could be hidden from her, It was odd. Catherine <b>was </b>the elder, yet she felt like a kid.


    Half an hourter, Mirabe withdrew her hands and asked softly, ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    Catherine opened her eyes, slightly embarrassed. ¡°Wonderful, I nearly fell asleep.¡± Her gaze fell upon Mirabe¡¯s hands. ¡°You¡¯ve been at it for a while; aren¡¯t you tired?¡±


    Mirabe <b>sipped </b>water from a <b>ss </b><b>on </b>the side table. ¡°Not at all. I¡¯ll bring you some morevender Incenseter.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Catherine beamed. To her, the incense didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was that her granddaughter woulde again.


    Feeling invigorated, Catherine stood up and headed for the kitchen. ¡°I picked up your favorite pork ribs and some <b>trout </b>at the market today. These dishes take a while to cook, so just rx in the living room. Dinner will be ready soon¡­¡±


    Mirabe watched Catherine chatter with a distant gaze, reminiscent of their time in the small town.


    With nothing much to do, Mirabe <b>wandered </b>around the house before leaningzily <b>against </b>the kitchen doorway to watch Catherine cook.


    Soon, the doorbell rang. Busy with the pots, Catherine asked Mirabe to answer the door, suggesting it might be the <b>water </b>delivery.


    However, when Mirabe opened the door, she was not surprised to see who was standing outside.


    ¡°What are you doing here<b>?</b>¡±


    The visitors were none other than Mandy and Summer, with the Gilbert family¡¯s butler in tow, carrying several boxes of gourmet treats. Mandy¡¯s face <b>darkened </b>the moment she saw Mirabe.


    Mirabe simply nced at her and walked back inside, not even bothering to offer a perfunctory greeting.


    ¡°So rude!¡± Mandy sneered coldly.


    Summer hadn¡¯t expected to encounter Mirabe here either. She <b>looked </b>at Mandy¡¯s annoyed expression and said softly. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be upset. Let¡¯s go inside.¡±


    Catherine turned down the stove and <b>stepped </b>out of the kitchen. ¡°Mira, is it the water deliv-¡±


    Her words trailed off as she caught sight of Mandy stepping into the house<b>, </b>her smile instantly freezing.

 Chapter 43

    Chapter <b>43 </b>


    ¡°Why¡¯d you show up today?¡± Catherine grumbled discontentedly, pausing before seemingly noticing Mandy¡¯spanion for the first time. ¡°Oh, Summer¡¯s here too, huh?¡± Her lone wasced with a hint of dismissiveness.


    Summer¡¯s expression stiffened momentarily, but she managed a smile and greeted, ¡°Hey, Grandma,¡±


    ¡°Howe I can¡¯te over? Are Summer and <b>I </b>strangers now and not supposed to be here or something?¡± Mandy was almost amused by her own mother¡¯s Irritation.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you at least give <b>me </b>a call before dropping by?¡± Catherine muttered under her breath. She wouldn¡¯t have invited Mira over today if she¡¯d known Mandy <b>was </b>bringing Summer.


    *Summer went out of her way to pick up some nice things for you, and you¡¯re acting like you don¡¯t even want to see her. Mom, can we not y favorites so tantly?¡±


    Mandy felt like Mirabe utterly bewitched her mother, who showed such coldness to her own flesh and blood. It was like she was beyond saving.


    ¡°You never showed much affection for Mira either!¡± Catherine snapped back with a hint of sarcasm.


    Mandy pinched the bridge of her nose. ¡°Let¡¯s not argue about it. I just hope you can treat us equally, that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Who wants to argue with you? You came in here all usatory, ruining a perfectly good mood,¡± Catherine huffed, disying her stubborn streak.


    Mandy¡¯s face darkened instantly, and Summer, noticing the tension, quickly interjected with a smile, ¡°Mom, didn¡¯t you buy Grandma a beautiful emerald jewelry set? Why don¡¯t you show it to her?¡±


    As she spoke, Summer instructed the butler to bring the box over and looped her arm through Catherine¡¯s, ¡°Don¡¯t be upset, Grandma. Let¡¯s sit down and see if you like the jewelry, okay?¡±


    <i>With </i>Su


    Summer mediating. Catherine¡¯s mood softened enough to allow herself to be led to the sofa.


    However, upon seeing the emerald bracelet Summer presented, Catherine didn¡¯t reach for it, tly rejecting the offer. ¡°At my age, I¡¯m not keen on such trinkets. You girls keep it.¡±


    Summer paused awkwardly as Catherine firmly declined. With no choice but to respect her wishes, Summer reluctantly ced the jewelry back in the box.


    Soon after, Catherine¡¯s gaze fell on Mirabe, who was lounging in an armchair nearby, idly fiddling with her phone. Catherine¡¯s eyes softened unconsciously as she said, ¡°Mira, why don¡¯t you take a look at this jewelry? Do you like it?¡±


    Caught off guard, Mirabe looked up, blinking in confusion.


    Mandy¡¯s temples throbbed as she approached Catherine, exasperated, ¡°Mom, she¡¯s a student. What¡¯s she going to do with emerald jewelry?¡±


    Catherine pursed her lips and retorted. ¡°If she won¡¯t wear it, I could give it to Mira¡¯s birth mother.


    Mandy¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Mom, have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea how much this emerald is worth?¡± Catherine looked at her with a puzzled expression. ¡°Aren¡¯t you giving these to me?¡± The implication was clear. It was a gift for Catherine, so it was normal for her to give it to whoever she wanted.


    ¡°The gift is for you, but it¡¯s not meant to be passed on!¡± Mandy inhaled deeply, struggling to suppress her frustration.


    Catherine opened her mouth to <b>respond</b><b>, </b>but Summer swiftly interjected, ncing at Mirabe. ¡°Grandma, Mom personally chose this jewelry set for you, and it¡¯s quite valuable. It might not be suitable to give away. How about this? I¡¯ll go to the mall right now and pick out a new gift for Mira to take home to her mom, okay?¡±

 Chapter 44

    Although Mandy knew Summer was trying to provide her an out, the thought of dropping more cash on a present for that unsophisticated woman from the Davis family just didn¡¯t sit right with her. So, with a snort of derision, Mandy¡¯s gazended squarely on Mirabe. ¡°Conning an old woman out of her money under the guise of kindness¨Cis that your game?¡± she sneered.


    Mirabe lifted her eyes, her delicate features marked with an air of Indifference. She looked at Mandy, her expression neither angry nor upsel.


    Mandy¡¯s brow furrowed at the sight, and she pressed on. ¡°If you¡¯re after money, you could¡¯ve juste to me. <i>Why </i>keep bothering an old woman? Do you find that amusing<b>?</b>¡±


    Catherine nced at Mirabe, worried she might take offense, and quickly Interjected, ¡°Mandy, how can you say such things?¡±


    Mandy¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Mom, please, this is between us.¡± She then strode over to Mirabe, looking down on her with a mix of contempt and superiority. ¡°Alright then, how much do you want? A hundred grand? Two hundred? Three hundred thousand should keep your familyfortable for <b>years</b>, right?¡±


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, her <b>lips </b>curving into a sly smile. Though she loungedzily in her chair, Mandy¡¯s aggressive stance didn¡¯t faze her. Tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, Mirabe slowly stood up. ¡°Only three hundred thousand? After all that talk, I thought you would offer me thirty million. It seems you¡¯re not that concerned about an old woman being swindled after all.¡± Her voice was light, dripping with disappointment.


    Mandy could onlyugh in disbelief. ¡°Ha, thirty million? You¡¯ve got quite the imagination.¡±


    Mirabe stared at her as if she were a simpleton. ¡°So you don¡¯t have even thirty million to your name. I¡¯d be embarrassed to have said all that earlier if I were you. How awkward.¡±


    Mandy nearly choked on her own outrage. Was this bumpkin suddenly possessed by some sort of defiant spirit? Mirabe couldn¡¯t be bothered to engage with Mandy any further, turning her attention to Catherine with a note of regret in her soft voice, ¡°It seems I won¡¯t be able to spend time with you this weekend after all.¡±


    Catherine understood that Mirabe was about to leave. She wanted to ask her to stay, but after witnessing Mandy¡¯s behavior, how could she have the courage to ask Mirabe to stay?


    Catherine sighed, mustering a weak smile. ¡°Don¡¯t take what Mandy said to heart.¡±


    Mirabe nodded, murmured a nonchnt ¡®hmm,¡® and headed for the door.


    When Mirabe left, Mandy fumed, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t let her in again. Did you see how arrogant she was? She doesn¡¯t respect her elders at all!¡±


    a pot


    Exhausted by her daughter¡¯s rant, Catherine rose silently and retreated to the kitchen. She turned off the simmering of ribs and stared nkly at the prepared vegetables. After a moment, she wiped her eyes and exited the kitchen. Without a word to Mandy or Summer, she went to her room and mmed the door shut.


    Startled by the loud bang. Mandy¡¯s face darkened even further. ¡°What¡¯s Grandma¡¯s problem now? Throwing a tantrum?!¡±


    Summer nced at the closed bedroom door and whispered, ¡°Maybe Grandma just really likes Mirabe.¡± Hearing this only soured Mandy¡¯s mood further. ¡°Mistaking trash for treasure is the epitome of ignorance!¡±

 Chapter 45

    A stepping out of Catherine¡¯s apartment, Mirabe halled a cab straightaway and made her way back to the Davis


    udence. Upon her arrival, she noticed several pairs of shiny men¡¯s dress shoes lined up at the front door. A flicker of curiosity crossed her eyes¨Cwere they having aquests?


    After pondering for a few seconds, she said her freshly drawn keys back into her purse, turned on her heels, and strode kward th Nevator, Lucky for her, the elevator remained on her floor, doors ready to wee her in.


    Descending back to the ground floor, Mirabe settled herself on a public bench. Her striking beauty drew nces


    passersby, including children who couldn¡¯t help but steal a few extra looks.


    Dressed in a hoodie today and tired of the attention<b>, </b>she pulled up the hood over her head and dug out her phone to immerse herself in the digital world. Before long, she no longer felt the weight of onlookers¡® stares.


    She Estlessly yed a few rounds of apetitive game she had downloaded recently¨Ca game that soon proved to back challenge. Closing the app, she seemed to be struck by a thought and swiftly opened her Messenger.


    Her list of friends on Messenger wasn¡¯t extensive. Her fingertips scrolled through, dragging the contact nicknamed ¡°Y out of the cklist, And with that, she sent a message.


    The Pit (Be careful these next few days. Don¡¯t go out causing a stir it It¡¯s not necessary.)


    ¡°Y¡± must have been glued to their phone because they replied almost instantaneously with a barrage of messages.


    Y: [Oh, my dear lord, you finally remember me.]


    <b>Y</b>: [You have no idea <b>what </b>kind of devastating torture I¡¯ve been through recently.]


    Y: [Hungry and cold, kneeling at the chapel every day, feelingpletely drained.]


    I


    Y: [Ancestor, can you find a way to spring me out? I miss the fresh air on the outside.]


    The Pilt: [¨CIf you¡¯ve got the energy toin this much, you¡¯re clearly not that drained.]


    Y: [Please, show me some mercy.l


    The Pilt [Logging off.]


    Y: [Wait, what do you mean by ¡°be careful? Can you be more specific?]


    However, Y¡¯sst message was met with a ring red exmation mark, and the notification (Message <b>failed </b>to send because the recipient has blocked you.)


    Y: [????]


    [Message failed to send because the recipient has blocked you.]


    Y: [Wait!]


    [Message failed to send because the recipient has blocked <b>you</b><b>.</b><b>] </b>


    Mirabe exited Messenger and looked up just in time to <b>see </b><b>a </b>group of burly men in matching ck suits <b>exiting </b>the lobby. The leader held <b>a </b>silver briefcase that gleamed under the light. They looked like they meant business as if they had just finished a debt collection¨Cintimidating enough to make any nearby resident take a wide berth.


    Narrowing her eyes, Mirabe¡¯s gaze casually swept over the men¡¯s shiny <b>shoes</b>, and her expression turned thoughtful for <b>a </b>split second.


    The men didn¡¯t notice Mirabe as they left the building, heading towards the parking garage with a familiarity that suggested they were regrs. Frowning slightly as their figures disappeared, she rose and stepped back into the lobby. She pressed the elevator button and <b>ascended </b>once more.


    When she exited the elevator, the array of ck, shiny shoes that had been at her doorstep were now <b>gone</b><b>. </b>


    With a contained gaze, Mirabe produced her keys and unlocked the door.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter <b>46 </b>


    Mirabe had barely stepped into the living room when Delh, who was busy organizing boxes, looked up and almost jumped out of her skin. The ledger she was holding ttered onto the floor.


    ¡°Mira¡­ what brings you back so soon? Weren¡¯t you supposed to visit Mrs. Catherine?¡± Delh asked, her face a picture of surprise. Quickly, she bent down to retrieve the ledger and tossed it back into the box without a second thought.


    Beside her. Shawn, calctor in one hand and spectacles perched on his nose, set down his device. He nced at his wristwatch before asking with mild confusion, ¡°Honey, you haven¡¯t been gone for more than a few hours. Did you forget something<b>?</b>¡±


    Mirabe cast a nonchnt nce at the box by Delh¡¯s feet and replied casually, ¡°She hadpany, so I came back.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see¡­¡± Delh said, the matter seemingly settled in her mind.


    After a brief pause, she continued without much thought, ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten yet, have you? Your dad and I thought you wouldn¡¯t be back for lunch, so we haven¡¯t prepared anything. Just give me a moment to put these away, and I¡¯ll start on some food.¡±


    As she spoke, Delh quickly tossed a few more ledgers onto the coffee table into the box, and Shawn¡¯s calctor followed suit. ¡°Shawn, can you take this stuff back to the room? I¡¯ll get started on lunch,¡± she instructed.


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Shawn replied, sliding off his sses and hoisting the box as he headed upstairs.


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze lingered on his retreating figure, her thoughts a mystery. She followed Delh into the kitchen, lending a hand with the vegetables. She then asked, as if it were an afterthought. ¡°Did we have any visitors today?¡±


    Delh shook her head. ¡°Nope, why do you ask all of a sudden?¡± she replied, wondering if Mirabe had sensed something amiss.


    ¡°When I came in, I noticed a couple of extra clean pairs of shoes by the shoe cab,¡± Mirabe said, her downcast, her voice betraying nothing unusual.


    Delh paused for a moment beforeughing it off, ¡°I was tidying up the shoe cab this morning and got distracted by your dad. Must¡¯ve forgotten to put them <b>away</b><b>.</b>¡±


    Mirabe simply hummed in acknowledgment, then seemed to remember something else. ¡°Oh, and Mom, I ran into a group of men in ck suits while waiting for the elevator downstairs.¡±


    Delh paused again, about to respond, when her daughter continued. ¡°They looked quite intimidating. Kind of like those debt collectors you hear about, you know? We don¡¯t have any debts, do we?¡± Mirabe¡¯s gaze was serious as she looked at Delh.


    Feeling a strange sense of guilt under her daughter¡¯s scrutiny, Delh quickly shook her head. ¡°No, we don¡¯t <b>owe </b>anyone anything!¡± But after a few seconds, she probed, ¡°Were those men you saw really that¨Cfrightening?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they didn¡¯t seem like good news<b>,</b>¡± Mirabe stated inly.


    Upon hearing this, Delh¡¯s throat tightened around the words. ¡®They¡¯re just from thepany¡¯s finance department, not debt collectors. She swallowed them back down.


    Shawn was right to worry. Thepany¡¯s staff had a daunting image, and even if she told Mirabe those were just finance guys, it might scare her. Worse, her daughter might start suspecting her parents of being involved in uwful business dealings.


    No, she couldn¡¯t let Mirabe know the truth.


    Regaining herposure, Delh said with a steady voice. ¡°It could be that someone in the building took out a loan with steep interest rates. If you run into these types of people again, make sure to steer clear, alright?¡±


    Mirabe turned to look at Delh, her gaze intensifying slightly as a faint shadow cast by her long eyshes fell upon her face. She didn¡¯t press further, simply cing thest of the prepped vegetables into the basket.

 Chapter 47

    Ate dinner, Arabe retreated to her room, leaving Delh and Shawn alone in the living room. Delh lingered at the


    bh, not in any rush to clear the tes and silverware. Instead, she recounted her kitchen conversation with


    thesa kwahy to Shawn.


    tok Awa¡¯s under the impression that we¡¯re up to our eyeballs in debt,¡± Delh sald, propping her elbows on the tabs and furrowing her brow in thought. Though their daughter hadn¡¯t pressed the issue further, Delh¡¯s intuition told ber that Mira bait certainly gotten the wrong end of the stick.


    Shawn nced at her. ¡°Surely it¡¯s not that bad. She just happened to run into the ountant <b>downstairs</b>.¡±


    Delh shook her head. ¡°No, the first thing out of her mouth was whether we had visitors today.¡±


    ¡°You might be reading too much into it. She was probably just making conversation. Besides, Mira Isn¡¯t the type to get worked up over such things¡± Shawn said nonchntly.


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right,¡± Delh sighed, then her eyes lit up as an idea struck her. ¡°What If we gave her another <b>credit </b>card? That way, she wouldn¡¯t think we¡¯re drowning in debt, right?¡±


    At this sugestion, Shawn actually found the idea quite reasonable, but added, ¡°Thest ck card I gave her<b>, </b>she hasn¡¯t touched it once.¡±


    Delh raised an eyebrow. ¡°Simple. I¡¯ll just withdraw some cash and hand it to her.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t work. When I drove her to school on the first day of school, I nned to stop by the ATM for her, but she


    Shawn immediately dismissed the idea with


    said kids these days all use mobile payments. Cash is too


    a shake of <b>his </b>head.


    ¡°Uh¡­ how about a transfer? Oh, right, how could I forget about Messenger!¡± Delh pped her forehead, stood up, and fetched her phone from the living room<b>. </b>


    They had added each other¡¯s contact on Messenger ages <b>ago</b>, and Delh quickly located her <b>daughter</b>. While opening the payment panel she asked, ¡°Shawn, how much do you think I should transfer to Mira? Half <b>a </b>million? Or <b>a </b>full million?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s mouth twitched at the corners, ¡°Let¡¯s keep it low¨Ckey. You¡¯ll give her a shock like <b>that</b><b>.</b>¡±


    After all their family had always upheld the principle of modesty and not unting wealth. Even their foster daughter was unaware of their real financial status, believing they were just an average family. Of course, anyone paying close attention would realize that everything in their home was far from average.


    Delh rolled her eyes at her husband¡¯sment. ¡°And were you this concerned about being low¨Ckey when you handed her the ck card the other day?¡±


    Shawn cleared his throat, pretending not to hear his wife¡¯s pointed question.


    Delh pondered for a moment and then suggested, ¡°How about I just transfer ter thousand? That¡¯s modest enough, right?¡±


    Shawn agreed. ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    Delh quickly typed in the transfer amount of ten thousand and hit confirm, only to be greeted by <b>a </b>bank limit notification.


    ¡°Oh,e on, my card can¡¯t even transfer that much at once?¡± Delh¡¯s face darkened with frustration. What kind of ridiculous restriction <b>was </b>this. thwarting her efforts to clear up her daughter¡¯s misunderstanding?


    Shawn¡¯s eyebrow quirked. ¡°Why not transfer a thousand each day? That way, she¡¯ll get a little spending money daily. Wouldn¡¯t that make her even happier?¡±


    ¡°True, that¡¯s a great idea. And it¡¯s also a chance to strengthen the bond between her and me,¡± Delh <b>nodded</b>. confirming the transfer.


    Upon hearing his wife¡¯s remark about ¡®strengthening the bond¡± with their daughter, Shawn paused for a few seconds

 Chapter 48

    Chapter <b>48 </b>


    Back in her room, Mirabe hefted her suitcase from the closet, fresh from her trip to the county town, when her phone chirped with the tone of a new message. She paid it no mind, leisurely unzipping her luggage to rummage inside for a long box.


    It was filled with incense sticks, each about the length of a finger. The supply was dwindling, but it was enough tost a month or two. Mirabe nced at it, snapped the lid shut, and casually set it atop her desk.


    Her phone pinged again with another message. Only after she stowed her sultcase away did Mirabe reach for her phone, het brow furrowing at the sight of two bank transfer notifications on the screen.


    She unlocked her phone <b>and </b>opened the Messenger app. Both transfers were from her folks downstairs, and neither amount was small¨Ccach had sent a neat sum of ten thousand dors.


    Rubbing her temple, Mirabe was puzzled by her parents¡® sudden and synchronized financial ir. After pondering for a moment she didn¡¯t ept the transfers. Instead, she sent a question mark emoji to both.


    Atmost immediately, <b>her </b>mother replied: [Sweetie, it¡¯s for next week¡¯s allowance. Grab it quick. ¡°Heart emoji* Mom loves you)


    Staring at her mom¡¯s message, Mirabe paused for a few seconds before responding. [I¡¯ve still got money on me.]


    Delh: (Oh<b>, </b>honey, just take it. A girl can never have too much spending money.]


    Delh: (And if you don¡¯t take it, I might just have to spend this money on some new clothes for you!]


    Mirabe nced at her closet, packed with unworn clothes, and her lip twitched. She decisively hit the ept button.


    Meanwhile, her dad¡¯s message popped up.


    Shawny: [Pumpkin, you said cash was inconvenientst time, so your old man went all the way to the bank to get set up with online banking. I just linked it to Messenger. Go ahead and ept it.]


    Mirabe¡¯s expression was a mix of amusement and exasperation as if to say, ¡°Nice try <b>on </b>the modern dad act.¡® She quickly typed out her response.


    The Pilt if I don¡¯t ept, are you just going to find another way to give it to me?]


    Shawny: [Heh, you¡¯re so sharp, kiddo!]


    The Pilt [Fine then.]


    Just like that. Mirabe found herself the unexpected recipient of a substantial windfall. Even more bizarre was that she waspelled to ept the so¨Ccalled ¡®allowance¡® from her parents every subsequent day. They werepletely unavoidable.


    After ending the Messenger exchange with Delh and Shawny, her gaze drifted back to the incense box on her desk. After a moment¡¯s contemtion, she scrolled through <b>her </b>contacts list, found a number<b>, </b>and dialed.


    The call connected quickly, and a cool, deep male voice drifted through. ¡°Kiddo, what¡¯s got you calling out of the blue?¡±


    The word ¡°kiddo¡® made Mirabe¡¯s lips twitch involuntarily, but she had <b>a </b>favor to ask, so she let the nickname slide. ¡°Are you free? I need a favor.¡±


    On the other side of the line, James stopped his subordinate¡¯s report with a wave of his hand, leaning back in his chair with azy air. ¡°Shoot what do you need?¡±


    ¡°I need you to deliver something to my grandma,¡± Mirabe said, cutting straight to the chase.


    James had braced himself for something serious, so he was taken aback by the simplicity of the request.


    When Mirabe heard no immediate reply, she figured he wasn¡¯t keen on the errand. ¡°If you¡¯re busy, forget it.¡± Then she nned to hang up when.

 Chapter 49

    ¡°You know, kiddo, your patience could use a bit of work,¡± James sald with <b>a </b>hint of an exasperated sigh, like a light breeze whispering through the leaves, faint and fleeting.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, her finger hovering over the end call button before she shifted it away, asking again with a bit of grit, ¡°So, are you going to help or what?¡±


    <b>The </b>corner of James¡® mouth lifted in a half¨Csmile. ¡°In a hurry, are we?¡±


    ¡°Not particrly, but it¡¯d be great if you were free <b>today</b>.¡± Mirabe replied after a brief moment <b>of </b>thought.


    ¡°Alright, shoot me your address and I¡¯ll send someone to


    ¡°Okay<b>, </b>I¡¯ll drop you a pin. Thanks<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Pick it up.¡±


    With that, Mirabe hung up and quickly opened her Messenger. Without hesitation, she found James¡® new chat and sent him the location of her apartmentplex.


    James received the pin on Messenger and shot back a quick [OK] Then, he looked up at his crew standing a short distance away, each with a look of shock in their eyes.


    His eyes narrowed as his mild manner on the phone vanished, ¡°That¡¯s enough for today. Dismissed,¡± he said, his voice cold and detached.


    The team jolted to attention, hastily averting their eyes and scurrying out without a word.


    Wyatt was thest to leave, and he was the one who got called back. ¡°Wyatt, I need you to pick something up.<b>¡± </b>


    Wyatt halted, turned around, and looked at his boss. After a few seconds of silence, he <b>asked </b>softly. ¡°For Mirabe?¡±


    James absently twirled his phone in his hand and hummed in affirmation.


    Wyatt¡¯s expression grewplicated. Despite his intense curiosity, he knew better than to pry. He <b>nodded </b>in understanding and made his way out. Just as he was about to step out, James, who¡¯d been loungingzily in his chair, stood up. ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ll go myself.¡±


    Wyatt, taken aback, could only think, ¡°Is this really the boss I know?


    I


    Twenty minutester, the car pulled up outside Mirabe¡¯s apartment building. James sent a quick message to Mirabe via Messenger. Soon after, a slender young woman emerged from the weathered iron gate.


    As the car window slid down James turned to look at Mirabe, his cool demeanor <b>tinged </b>with a touch of curiosity. ¡°It¡¯s the weekend. Why aren¡¯t you dropping this off at your grandma¡¯s yourself?¡±


    Mirabe handed him a wooden box, her beautiful face showing no particr emotion. She simply said, ¡°It¡¯s inconvenient for me.¡±


    James nced at the wooden box before looking back at Mirabe, his lips quirking. ¡°Is it that <b>stepmother </b>of yours giving you trouble again?¡±


    Mirabe gave him a side nce filled withplex emotions. After a moment, she joked, ¡°Anyone would think bugged me with all you know.¡±


    nk you¡¯ve


    James chuckled and shook his head. ¡°The issues with your stepmother¡¯s family aren¡¯t hard to guess.¡±


    Mirabe gave a mock salute. ¡°Then I entrust my package to you. I¡¯ll treat you to dinner another <b>day</b><b>.</b>¡±


    James raised an eyebrow, half in jest. ¡°You trust me just like that?¡±


    Mirabe had already turned to leave, but at his question<b>, </b>she paused and <b>turned </b>back halfway. The breeze caught her hair, brushing it against her cheek. She casually tucked <b>a </b><b>strand </b><b>behind </b><b>her </b>ear, her gaze casuallynding on James¡® face, her smile ambiguous, ¡°It¡¯s nothing of value anyway.<b>¡± </b>


    With those words, she walked <b>away</b>, her posture proud and unbothered.

 Chapter 50

    James watched Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure, a proud little spitfire if he ever saw one. It took a moment before a chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head in bemusement.


    Piloting the car up front, Wyatt nced in the rearview mirror at his boss, who seemed totally unfazed by the apparent snub. He questioned himself yet again. Was this really James? It felt like a switcheroo.


    ¡°Drive,¡± James said, his tonenguid and ice¨Ccold, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.


    Wyatt was stunned. No, his boss was still the same.


    As Wyatt revved the engine, he couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek at the old wooden box in James¡® grasp, his curiosity piqued. ¡°That box looks ancient. What¡¯s in it?¡±


    James lowered his gaze to the box, which seemed to be crafted from mahogany with ornate carvings that suggested its age. Theers were worn smooth, and the color deepened, which indeed made it look quite vintage, like a relic from another time. A particr symbol etched on the box seemed vaguely familiar to James as if he had seen it somewhere before.


    He pondered for a moment and toyed with thetch but ultimately didn¡¯t open the box. Instead, he <b>ced </b>it beside him and turned to look out the window before saying offhandedly. ¡°Curiosity killed the cat, you know.¡±


    Wyatt remained silent. Could Mirabe be someone with extraordinary talents?


    Around half an hourter, they pulled up to Catherine¡¯s apartmentplex.


    ¡°I can take it up for you.¡± Wyatt offered as he killed the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt.


    James nced at the wooden box. ¡°No, I¡¯ll go. Wait for me here.¡±


    Wyatt looked surprised but nodded. ¡°Be careful.¡±


    James arched an eyebrow. ¡°You worry too much.¡±


    With


    the box in hand, he exited the car, leaving Wyatt to rub his nose. Old habits die hard, after all.


    Riding the elevator up. James soon rang Catherine¡¯s doorbell.


    A couple of minutester, the inner door swung open, and as Catherine recognized who stood outside, she hurriedly unlocked the security door. ¡°James, <b>dear</b><b>, </b>you¡¯vee!¡±


    James greeted her with a cordial smile. ¡°Hello, Granny. How are you?¡±


    ¡°Come in,e in,¡± she urged, finding him a clean pair of slippers from the shoe cab. ¡°What brings you by today? No sses?¡±


    Slipping into the slippers, James followed behind her, his volce genteel. ¡°I had the afternoon off and thought I¡¯d swing by to check on you.¡±


    Once in the living room, James looked around before handing over the wooden box. ¡°Granny, this is something Mirabe asked me to bring you.¡±


    Catherine was about to offer James a ss of water when she heard his words. Her hand trembled, the ss slipped and crashed to the <b>floor</b>, <b>shards </b>and water scattering everywhere.


    ¡°Careful, Granny,¡± <b>James </b>quickly <b>sald</b>, putting the box on a side table.


    As he reached out to aid her to the sofa and was about to tend to the broken ss, Catherine¡¯s hand shot out, gripping his arm. Her face had turned pale, and her lips quivered. It took her a moment to stammer out aplete sentence. ¡°Mira does she not wish to visit me anymore<b>?</b>¡±


    James, taken aback by Catherine¡¯s distress, paused.

 Chapter 51

    Grandma Catherine watched as <b>James </b>remained silent, with a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. She spoke again, and her voice trailed off into the quiet room. ¡°Mira brought over a bunch of groceries to see me first thing this morning. Only, she didn¡¯t expect to run into her foster <b>mother</b>¡­ My daughter¡¯s <b>always </b>been harsh, never had a soft spot for Mira. She said some really hurtful things, so the poor child didn¡¯t even stay for a full hour before my daughter drove her away.¡±


    ¡°She must¡¯ve been angry, <b>and </b>that¡¯s why she didn¡¯te herself.¡± Tears welled up in Grandma Catherine¡¯s eyes as she clung to James¡® arm, refusing to let go as if releasing him would mean losing the only listener she had left.


    James observed Catherine, who was sinking into a pit of guilt, and pieced together the events. No wonder Mira had asked him to deliver the package.


    However, Mira, who was wise beyond her years, didn¡¯t seem like someone easily upset.


    When Grandma Catherine¡¯s emotions had settled a bit, James said gently, ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. Mira probably just didn¡¯t want to bump into your daughter again. That¡¯s likely why she asked me to bring these things to you.¡±


    Grandma Catherine paused, ¡°Really?¡±


    James nodded<b>. </b>His inherently cool demeanor and deep eyes exuded a persuasive sincerity.


    The uneasy and pained feelings that <b>had </b>clouded Grandma Catherine¡¯s heart began to dissipate. Her gaze fell upon the wooden box James had ced on the coffee table. She stood up and walked over, picking up the box without much regard for James<b>¡® </b>presence. She pressed thetch on the side, opening it to reveal the contents. A warm smile spread across her face almost instinctively.


    Her granddaughter hadn¡¯t abandoned her<b>; </b>Mira still cared deeply for her wellbeing. Noticing her sleep had been troubled, Mira had sent over soothing incense, even after today¡¯s unpleasant encounter.


    Grandma Catherine dabbed at her eyes, then closed the box and turned back to James, with a hint of embarrassment In her eyes. ¡°I apologize for my earlier state. You must think it unseemly.¡±


    James¡± gaze lingered on the wooden box for a second longer before he met her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s fine,pletely understandable.¡±


    ¡°Mira is indeed a good girl, worrying about my sleep and even going out of her way to buy me soothing incense¡­ s, my daughter isn¡¯t fortunate enough to be her mother.¡±


    With a heavy sigh, Grandma Catherine shuffled to a nearby cab, pulling open a drawer to carefully ce the wooden box inside.


    James listened quietly to her ramblings, and his dark eyes <b>were </b>thoughtful.


    Half an hourter, James left Catherine¡¯s house. Wyatt, seeing the pensive look on his face as he got into the car. couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Something happened?¡±


    James regained hisposure <b>and </b>nced at Wyatt indifferently. ¡°Nothing important.¡±


    Sensing James wasn¡¯t up for talking, Wyatt dropped the subject.


    James¡® gaze was introspective. His fingers were tapping rhythmically on his knee. He took out his phone and texted Mirabe that the delivery was sessful.


    It took a <b>good </b>ten minutes before he received a terse ¡°Thank you¡± reply from her. The reply was absent of any superfluous small talk.


    A slight smile danced on James¡® lips. Anyway, he was ustomed to her aloofness. His slender fingers tapped out a message on his phone screen, [Where did you buy the soothing incense for your grandma? My grandparents back home have been having trouble sleeping too.]

 Chapter 52

    Mirabe was lost in her book, at least until she replied to James¡® message. After that, she just couldn¡¯t get back into it. She gazed at the new message from him on her phone, pondering for a brief moment before tapping out a response: [Oh, just snagged it online. I can shoot you the link to the store if you <b>want</b>.]


    After a second thought. Mirabe opened up eBay, sifted through her favorites, and found the store she was looking for. She copied the link, flipped back to her Messenger app, and pasted it in for James.


    When James received her reply, he dove into the online store she¡¯d mentioned. The shop had a solid five¨Cstar rating, a mishmash of products, not a dedicated Incense retailer by any means. But the sandalwood and agarwood Incense boxes looked strikingly simr to the wooden box that olddy had. The prices were low, just over twenty bucks.


    No exact matches were seen, but it was pretty clear that the calming incense the olddy had likely originated from this online vendor. However, if it was the legendary secret blend everyone whispered about, it wouldn¡¯t be peddled on some random website, nor would it be <b>that </b>cheap.


    James closed the app, and felt a little displeased. In his dark eyes. It was hard to discern if it was disappointment or something else that dimmed their sparkle.


    In the blink of an eye, half a month had whisked by since Mirabe had started at Parkside High School.


    She was a bit of a free spirit, didn¡¯t really mingle with the other students, and didn¡¯t bother with extracurricrs. Her quiet demeanor had teachersbeling her as a paragon of obedience, while her peers saw her as the quintessential ice queen ¨C <b>a </b>total enigma.


    Her academic prowess was a mystery, but her looks? They were beyond reproach.


    Lately, though, rumors had started to swirl that she must¡¯ve pulled some strings to get into Parkside.


    In her own world, oblivious to the petty high school chatter, Mirabe didn¡¯t pay any of it any mind. But Jenna, her desk mate, was fuming when she heard the whispers. She almost went to set things straight before she turned to see Mirabe, who was always with her nose in a book whether in ss or out.


    ¡°I think they¡¯ve got your whole vibe all wrong.¡± Jenna said seriously, propping her chin on her hands as she studied Mirabe.


    Mirabezily closed her textbook and turned her gaze on Jenna. Her eyebrows arched slightly. ¡°Oh?¡±


    That casual look from Mirabe sent a little thrill through Jenna. She swallowed hard, then retorted, ¡°You¡¯re not an ice queen<b>. </b>You¡¯re a total bookworm!¡±


    Flicking the corner of her book with a finger, Mirabe replied cryptically, ¡°The path to wisdom is singr, and it¡¯s paved with study.¡±


    ying with her fingers, Jenna sighed, ¡°I feel like you¡¯re hinting that I¡¯m dumb, but I don¡¯t have proof.¡± Mirabe just smiled and didn¡¯t respond. Her phone on the desk buzzed, lighting up with two notifications for substantial money transfers. A quick nce <b>was </b>all it took for Mirabe to massage her temples in frustration. Again. It had been nearly half a month of daily transfers from that couple, as if they had money to burn. Jenna, who had been watching her, caught sight of those two ringlyrge transfer notifications and couldn¡¯t help but quip. ¡°Another day, another blinding glimpse of wealth.¡±


    Mirabe was speechless<b>. </b>


    That was right. Jenna had discovered a few days ago that her desk mate was getting these big¨Cmoney transfers daily. and she had gone from initial shock to a numb eptance.

 Chapter 53

    Chapter <b>53 </b>


    ¡°Mirabe, spill the beans, girl Does your family own an oil field or something?¡± Jenna¡¯s words dripped with jealousy. With a sly arch of her brow, Mirabe casually picked up her phone, unlocked it with a quick swipe of her thumb, and with Jenna watching, she nonchntly epted a tidy sum of ten grand from Delh and Shawn via Messenger. The sheer audacity of her movements was enough to leave anyone agape.


    Jenna¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Oh my God!¡± Oh, how she wanted to murder her desk¨Cmate not only swipe every penny from her Messenger, but also hog her billionaire parents all to herself!


    ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s downright maddening topare yourself to others.¡± Jenna sighed dramatically, feigning sorrow. ¡°Why can¡¯t I have a pair of filthy¨Crich parents doting on their princess, huh?¡±


    Mirabe turned her head, flicking her bangs away from her forehead with a nonchnt grace. Her eyes sparkled with an enticing glint as she quipped, ¡°You may not have tycoon parents, but there¡¯s still a chance for you to <b>be </b><b>a </b>tycoon mommy to some spoiled child.¡±


    Jenna choked on her ownughter and threw her a thumbs¨Cup. Whoever said her desk¨Cmate was just a pretty face must not have heard her razor¨Csharp wit.


    Mulling over the recent rumors, Jenna shifted closer to Mirabe. Her yful expression from moments before was reced by one of genuine concern. ¡°Speaking of which, there¡¯s some gossip going around about you. Have you heard?¡±


    Mirabe raised an inquisitive eyebrow. ¡°What gossip?¡±


    After pondering for a brief moment, Jenna said, ¡°Rumor has it that your grades are nothing to brag about, that you can¡¯t even match up to the average Joe in ss, and that you got into this school through some backdoor shenanigans.¡±


    Parkside High School wasn¡¯t like the neighboring Maple Academy; it was a ce for the true academic cream of the crop. The school¡¯s rules were strict, and its principal was famously unbending and iron¨Cfisted. The idea of someone sneaking in through the backdoor was practically unheard of at Parkside.


    However, the rumor about Mirabe¡¯s using such means was now the scandalous exception, challenging the integrity of Parkside¡¯s reputation. Rumors are often harmless, but when they attack the honor of an institution, they be a serious matter.


    Considering how Mirabe¡¯s parents seemed to be showering her with money transfers daily, Jenna couldn¡¯t help but suspect that there might be a kernel of truth to the whispers of nepotism.


    Of course, she¡¯d rather not believe such gossip, especially since her desk¨Cmate¡¯s studious dedication was in for all to see.


    Mirabe, catching Jenna¡¯s conflicted gaze, offered a sly smile and countered, ¡°Do you believe it?¡±


    ¡°Me? Of course not,¡± Jenna shook her head. ¡°You¡¯re always buried in books. You¡¯re the quintessential bookworm. Anyone could be used of sneaking in, but you¡¯re the least likely suspect.¡±


    Hearing Jenna¡¯s assessment, Mirabe could only chuckle and shake her head at the girl¡¯s Innocence.


    While Mirabe remained utterly unfazed and unconcerned, Jenna voiced her frustration, ¡°How can you be so calm? Wouldn¡¯t any normal person be upset about being bad¨Cmouthed?¡±


    Mirabe gave her a contemtive look before replying in aid¨Cback tone, ¡°Rumors are squashed by the wise.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s mouth twitched with annoyance. ¡°That¡¯s easy to say, but if this rumor keeps spreading, it could be <b>a </b><b>real </b>headache. If those idiots take it to the principal, that would be a disaster.¡±


    After a pause, Jenna suddenly remembered something. Her eyes lit up as she faced Mirabe. ¡°Actually, I might just have the perfect way to squash this rumor.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrow quirked in interest. ¡°Oh?¡±

 Chapter 54

    Chapter <b>54 </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Last week, the school¡¯s official forum announced a big deal the BrainSpark Nationals. It¡¯s like a whole tieredpetition, starting with city¨Clevel prelims<b>, </b>then moving up to state, and finally the national showdown. The top three contenders get to wave the g at the International stage.¡± Jenna <b>sald </b>while pulling out her phone, quickly logging onto the <b>school¡¯s </b>forum and finding the post. ¡°Here, look at this.¡±


    ¡°The deadline to sign up online is in a couple of days<b>. </b>I think you should throw your hat into the ring. With it being <b>a </b>national event, the cream of the crop will be there. We¡¯re not gonna get ahead of ourselves and talk about taking home the gold or anything, but making it through the city prelims alone would be a serious feather in <b>your </b>cap.¡±


    Mirabe <b>nced </b>at the phone Jenna handed her, gave It a cursory <b>look</b>, and flopped back onto her desk with anguid air. ¡°Well, not interested.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s mouth twitched, and she nudged Mirabe¡¯s arm. ¡°Come on Mira, this could be your ticket to a clean te, <b>a </b>real game¨Cchanger. It¡¯d be a shame to miss out.¡±


    Mirabe yawned and closed her eyes. ¡°Then I¡¯ll miss out.¡± She didn¡¯t need a clean te anyway.


    Jenna sighed silently, looking at Mira, who seemed to care about nothing.


    ¡ª


    During the second period that afternoon, Mirabe was summoned to the office.


    Ate, usually stern, softened her expression as she looked at the seemingly well¨Cbehaved Mirabe. ¡°So, you¡¯re interested in the BrainSpark Nationals?¡±


    Mirabe looked puzzled, with a question mark practically floating above her head.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t normally rmend that someone who¡¯s just transferred schools jump into apetition like this. But since you¡¯ve signed up, I won¡¯t try to stop you. Just make sure you carve out extra time for your studies, okay? This is your senior year, pivotal for your future.¡± Ate said with earnestness.


    Mirabe¡¯s mouth opened to say she hadn¡¯t signed up, but then she remembered Jenna¡¯s persuasive tactics from earlier that morning. After a few seconds of silence, she gave a nomittal ¡°hmm.¡±


    Then, in a quieter tone<b>, </b>she asked, ¡°Ms. Ate, what¡¯s the prize for first ce in thispetition?¡±


    Ate was taken aback as if she¡¯d misheard.


    Seeing Ate¡¯s confused expression, Mirabe understood the situation and her enthusiasm deted. Her voice. became listless, ¡°I should head back to ss.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Ate regained herposure just as Mirabe was about to step out. ¡°There¡¯s no cash prize, but the winner gets a guaranteed spot at Prestige College one of the top three universities in the country. A spot that many would break their backs for, given the limited admission spots each year. A guaranteed admission is worth way more than any cash prize.¡±


    Prestige College, a dream institution for many, represented <b>a </b>future that was beyond measure. But Mirabe<b>, </b>upon hearing her teacher¡¯s words, didn¡¯t seem thrilled. In fact, her shoulders slumped even more. Without looking back, she replied with a dull ¡°got it¡± and left the office.


    Ate watched Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure with a frown. She had a nagging feeling that this new student wasn¡¯t in it for the guaranteed college spot but the cash prize instead. But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, sheughed at herself. Was she crazy? Entertaining such a preposterous Idea for a student who had essentially back¨Cdoored her way into the school? Shouldn¡¯t the focus be on advising her to know her limits?

 Chapter 55

    As the registration deadline for the BrainSpark Nationals approached. Ate gathered the signup sheets from The Advanced ss and handed them over to the vice principal.


    The vice principal, after scanning the list, looked up with a puzzled frown. ¡°Huh, is this it? Only a few kids from your ss are participating?¡±


    Out of the forty students in The Advanced ss, a mere three had signed up.


    Ate chuckled awkwardly and exined. ¡°I <b>guess </b>the kids prefer to focus on their studies rather than spend time on thepetition.¡±


    The vice principal¡¯s gaze lingered on a few names before pausing at Mirabe¡¯s. He seemed surprised. ¡°<b>Isn¡¯t </b>Mirabe the new girl? Why¡¯s she signed up for this? Shouldn¡¯t she be buckling down to catch up with the coursework at Parkside High School?<b>¡± </b>


    Feeling the sting of difort. Ate replied, ¡°Perhaps <b>she¡¯s </b>just looking for a challenge.¡±


    The vice principal seemed aware that Mirabe <b>was </b>a special admission by the principal himself, but he wasn¡¯t privy to her academic performance. However, he had heard a snippet from Morgan a few days prior, who painted her as someone with an egorger than life. With a frown, he grumbled, ¡°Nonsense!¡±


    ¡°The Education Association is taking this BrainSpark Nationals very seriously. If this transfer student excels and makes it to the city preliminaries, it¡¯s good. But if she doesn¡¯t, and other schools get wind that Parkside High School fielded a transfer just to make up the numbers, where¡¯s our pride then?¡±


    Ate, seeing the vice principal¡¯s stern expression, agreed internally but still protested, ¡°Isn¡¯t thepetition open to everyone? It doesn¡¯t seem fair to exclude a transfer student.¡±


    The vice principal choked on his retort, ¡°Regardless, her name has to be removed.¡±


    Ate fell silent for a few seconds before hesitantly saying. ¡°That¡­ doesn¡¯t seem right.¡±


    Running out of patience, the vice principal snapped. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with it.¡±


    Ate dropped her gaze. She knew Mirabe had been brought in through connections, and judging by the vice principal¡¯s attitude, he wasn¡¯t the one who had done it. That left one possibility¡­ the principal himself.


    If Mirabe found out her name had been removed without reason, <b>would </b>she go straight to the principal? And would Ate, as the advisor, end up being scolded first thing? With this in mind, Ate quickly suggested, ¡°How about we consult the principal before deciding?¡±


    At that, the vice principal flung the signup sheet onto the desk in frustration. ¡°Are you saying I can¡¯t even handle this simple matter as the vice principal?¡±


    Caught between respecting the principal and not offending the vice principal was a tricky business indeed!


    Feeling downhearted yet maintaining a cating smile, Ate said, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way, vice principal. It just seems unfair to cancel Mirabe¡¯s participation without cause¡­¡±


    The vice principal huffed dismissively and cut her off, ¡°Enough, you don¡¯t need to bother the principal. The name stays. Let¡¯s leave it at that.¡±


    Ate opened her mouth to protest, but the vice principal cut her off again, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, you can go. I have matters to attend to.¡± With a cold expression, he picked up the discarded signup sheet, strode to his desk, opened the drawer, and tossed it inside.


    There was nothing more she could <b>say</b>, so Ate left the office, feeling awkward and disheartened.


    The vice principal sank into his <b>chair </b>with a sour face. After a moment¡¯s reflection, a sneer curled at the edge of his lips as if he hade to some cunning realization. He was curious to see how this student from some backwater town would embarrass the principal in the end!

 Chapter 56

    abe was cluelest that she had been cklisted as a troublemaker by the vice principal because


    mpetition ramai, and with whispers flying around that she had used her connections toe here, her reputation was taking a hit. The students from both the Prodigy ss and the regr sses were giving her looks that dripped with sdment and disbelief.


    Being a problem student and used of pulling strings was the talk of the town, the stain on the school¡¯s good name. the epitome of embarassmentt


    So, when the Gist of students selected to participate in the BrainSpark Nationals was posted on the school bulletin board and Mirabe¡¯s name popped up, it turned into the juiciest gossip of the semester.


    ¡°Good Lord, where does the new girl get the guts to sign up for BrainSpark Nationals? Isn¡¯t she embarrassed?¡±


    ¡°Does she think she can just charm her way into BrainSpark Nationals too?¡±


    Te bet a nickel she won¡¯t even pass the prelims.¡±


    ¡°My stars, looks like Parkside High is gonna be theughing stock of the nation this time!¡±


    ¡°Seriously, wouldn¡¯t it be better to just sit pretty and not stir the


    <b>e </b><b>pot</b>?¡±


    Jenna was dumbfounded when she saw Mirabe¡¯s name on the list. ¡°Queen Mira, I thought you said you weren¡¯t interested in BrainSpark Nationals? You even turned me down when I asked you to sign up.¡± Jenna puffed her cheeks out in frustration. Her usually round face looked even rounder, like a petnt hamster.


    Ever since Jenna found out about the hefty sums being transferred into Mirabe¡¯s ount every day, she¡¯d taken to calling her ¡°Queen Mira¡± as a nickname, and it had stuck.


    Mirab looked at her with a puzzled expression. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you who signed me up?¡±


    Jenna blinked in confusion. ¡°Nope, not me. I mean, I wanted you topete, but I didn¡¯t put your name there.¡±


    Mirabe frowned. ¡°Then who did?¡± Had she known it wasn¡¯t Jenna who signed her up, she would have t¨Cout refused when Ate called her to the office.


    Scratching her head. Jenna reiterated with an innocent look. ¡°Queen Mira, I swear I didn¡¯t sign you up. You gotta believe me.¡±


    Mirabe nced at her and said coolly, ¡°I know.¡±


    Hearing this. Jenna stuck her tongue out slightly, worried about a misunderstanding, since BrainSpark Nationals was no child¡¯s y. She tilted her head in thought, and Jenna¡¯s inner detective kicked in, ¡°Could it be someone wants to see you make a fool of yourself and did this on purpose<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes lowered slightly, but she remained silent.


    ¡°The BrainSpark Nationals is for super intelligent students, the real braics. If someone signed you up knowing your grades were dismal it¡¯s a surefire way to humiliate you at Parkside High School, and maybe even cut you off at the knees.¡±


    ¡°Queen Mira, think, have you ticked anyone offtely?¡± Jenna folded her arms, getting straight to the point.


    Mirabe¡¯s expression was serene, and her voice was quite serious. ¡°Does being envied for my looks count?¡±


    Jenna¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°Can you please be serious? I can¡¯t help you sort this out if you¡¯re gonna be like this.¡±


    With a light ¡°oh¡°, Mirabe then sprawled back onto her <b>desk </b><b>and </b>closed her <b>eyes</b>.


    Jenna was speechless. Queen Mira was uniquely nonchnt even in the gravest of times.


    With a sigh, Jenna said helplessly. ¡°Maybe you should talk to the She¨CDevil about this? The She¨CDevil was the students¡® secret nickname for Ate, their head teacher.


    Chapter St


    without evening an eveld, Mirabe responded, ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    Jenna was taken aback, then finally asked. ¡°So you¡¯re actually considering going through with thepetition?

 Chapter 57

    Uh huh Mirabe replied nonchntly, making it eat the had erased to wonder who had signed her up for the


    Jenna Bimbed, skeptical. She didn¡¯t doubt Murales had gotten into Parkside High School on her own merits, but she wasn¡¯t quite convinced her friend was top of the ss material


    The tst of students participating in the BrainSpark Tationals was a wher¡¯s who of academic titans, the too ten from each made Mabe¡¯s name on that list was likesndstils in the midst of a pristine forest, no thatter how shiny her Bades, were they would be eclipsed by the brines of these schrly gards.


    Unless, ofise, she could snag a state ranking.


    ¡°Are you up for this, Queen Mira? Thispetition is no joke, and you know how many people are just waiting to make you the butt of their jokes, Huh?¡± Jenna tried to talk her out of it. It was, after all, better to bow out now than to face the humiliation of flunking the prelims


    Perhaps tired of Jenna¡¯s nagging, Mirabe opened her eyes, propped herself up on the edge of the desk with a hand. and leaned in augressively. Her eyes, dark and sparkling with a mischievous glint, met Jenna¡¯s. Her voice was husky. ¡°Don¡¯t ask if someone¡¯s up for it. Just don¡¯t.<b>¡± </b>


    Jenna, faced with Mirabe¡¯s alluring daze at such close quarters, felt her heart racing uncontrobly. Theid¨Cback, almost wicked charm in that usually androgynous voice was unfairly seductive.


    ¡°Holy smokes,¡± she thought, ¡°my heart¡¯s about to burst out of my chest.¡±


    Under Mirabe¡¯s intense gaze, Jenna embarrassingly covered her face with her hands, and then slumped back into her seat. ¡°Oh my gosh, Queen Mira, don¡¯t look at me with those beguiling eyes again. <b>I¡¯m </b>afraid I will fall in love with you!¡±


    With a light chuckle, Mirabe found reprieve from Jenna¡¯s chatter and sprawled <b>out </b>on the desk once more, even going so far as to cover her head with her chemistry textbook.


    Jenna was <b>bbergasted</b>, ¡°You¡¯re gonna scare off all your friends like that, Queen Mira!¡±


    Elsewhere.


    ¡°Summer,


    <ol>


    <li>can you belleve how delusional Mirabe is?¡± Madeline <b>gossiped </b>excitedly to Summer, who was quietly working on homework. </li>


    </ol>


    Summer paused, with a pen in the hand, and finally set it down to look at Madeline with curious eyes. ¡°Hmm?


    ¡°She actually signed up for the BrainSpark <b>Nationals</b>. Madeline said. Her voice was filled with thrill and mockery. ¡°I don¡¯t know where she gets her confidence from. Everyone¡¯sughing at her.¡±


    Summer¡¯s delicate eyebrows raised slightly. She tilted her head and said calmly. ¡°It¡¯s an openpetition. What¡¯s there to <bugh </b><b>about</b>?¡±


    Madeline scoffed lightly. ¡°Oh, you haven¡¯t heard? The rumor is she got into Parkside High School through the back door. With her barely passing grades, It¡¯s hrious that she¡¯d even considerpeting.¡±


    After a brief silence, Summer looked up again, with a probing tone in her voice. ¡°Madeline, you didn¡¯t start the rumor about Mirabe¡¯s getting into Parkside High School through the back door, did you?¡±


    Madeline¡¯s eyes flickered guiltily, but she replied firmly. ¡°Of course not. I would <b>never </b>say that.¡±


    Summer smiled softly. ¡°Good to hear. Mirabe is my friend, after all. Even if she¡¯s not the best student, I don¡¯t want people talking orughing about her.¡±


    Madeline¡¯s eyes betrayed a sense of ¡°I knew it,¡± and she quickly added, ¡°You¡¯re also in thepetition, Summer. <b>Make </b>sure <b>you </b>do well <b>and </b>aim for a state ranking<b>!</b>¡±

 Chapter 58

    Summer brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek. Her eyshes cast a delicate shadow over her serene <b>expression</b>. With a gentle <b>smile</b><b>, </b>she murmured, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    ¡°With your grades, you¡¯ve got this in the bag!¡± Madeline chimed in, never missing an opportunity to sing her praises.


    Summer¡¯s face remained impassive. ¡°Thepetition¡¯s fierce this time. We¡¯re talking about national whiz kids from all corners of the country.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯ve got nothing to worry about,¡± Madeline reassured her, ¡°Parkside High School is top¨Cliur nationally, and it we¡¯re talking about academic gods, you¡¯re the real <b>deal</b>.¡±


    Madeline winked and paused for dramatic effect before adding with a grin. ¡°And look at <b>you</b>, the darling of Superstar Camp. If you snag a state or national ranking now, <b>Just </b>imagine the followers you¡¯ll rake in!¡±


    Summer¡¯s double life as a Parkside High School schr and a budding talent had been well¨Cmarketed by her agency, Half her fanbase were students who idolized her.


    <b>Imagine </b>someone who¡¯s not only gorgeous and kind¨Chearted but can also sing, dance, and ace the BrainSpark Nationals<b>. </b>She was the epitome of a perfect girl in the <b>eyes </b>of many!


    She radiated the youthful positivity, that made her a surefire blueprint for a school¡¯s poster child.


    ¡°Mirabe, thatme girl, she¡¯s going to embarrass hersell without any doubt,¡± Madeline scoffed, already envisioning the scene.


    Summer just smiled at thement, choosing not to add anything more,


    The final bell rang. Mirabe and Jenna hadn¡¯t even left the school grounds when they spotted Summer, d in Sunsses, seemingly waiting for someone nearby.


    Jenna¡¯s gossip radar went oll. As they <b>walked</b>, she whispered to Mirabe, ¡°See the girl at the gate with sunsses?¡± Mirabe nced over. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Summer, our school¡¯s celebrity sweetheart from Superstar Camp. You must¡¯ve seen the show, right? She¡¯s the <b>fan </b>favorite.¡±


    Mirabe turned to Jenna with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Are you <b>one </b>of her <b>fans</b>?¡±


    Jenna shrugged and shook her head, ¡°Not at all. Don¡¯t you think she¡¯s a bit too¡­ <b>fake</b>? Like she¡¯s trying too hard to be something she¡¯s not. You know what I mean?¡±


    Mirabe hummed nomittally but then added after a pause, ¡°I don¡¯t watch TV shows.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Holy cow, where <b>have </b><b>you </b>been <b>living</b>, in the countryside? How can you not watch TV shows?¡± A sly smile yed on Mirabe¡¯s lips as she asked<b>, </b>¡°Does watching TV shows boost your grades?¡±


    Jenna was stumped by the question, unable to muster a response.


    ¡°And don¡¯t knock the countryside. It might just produce <b>a </b>lionhearted champion,¡± Mirabe added with an enigmatic


    tone.


    Jenna <b>touched </b>her nose, feeling suddenly out of sync in the conversation.


    As they passed Summer, Mirabe barely nced her way. She was tall and had a backpack casually slung over one shoulder. Her cool detached demeanor radiated a boldness that could outshine <b>any </b>boy¡¯s bravado.


    From behind her sunsses. Summer¡¯s gaze darkened for just a moment before she called out, ¡°Mirabe, Emmitt¡¯s picking me up today. Let¡¯s walk out together,¡±


    At Summer¡¯s invitation. Jenna¡¯s eyes <b>sparkled </b>with intrigue. The school¡¯s star was talking to Mirabe<b>, </b>and mentioning


    11/2

 Chapter 59

    Mirabe paused mid¨Cstride before turning to look at Summer. There was a cool detachment in her eyes, and her voice <b>was </b>chilly as she declined. ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯ll take the bus.¡± Without <b>waiting </b>for Summer to respond, she withdrew her gaze and walked towards the bus stop with a pace that was neither hurried nor slow.


    Jenna, who <b>had </b>been watching the exchange with the enthusiasm of a spectator at a sports game, Instinctively followed Mirabe. ¡°Queen Mira, wait up for me!¡±


    Summer¡¯s expression stiffened slightly, but her sunsses concealed any sign of difort. She watched as Mirabe¡¯s silhouette grew smaller in the distance, and her grip on her bag tightened ever <b>so </b>slightly.


    ¡°Queen Mira, you know Summer, right?¡± Jenna asked with a certainty that belled her casual demeanor.


    As Mirabe reached the bus stop and waited for the bus<b>, </b>she turned to face an eagerly gossiping Jenna and replied nomittally, ¡°Sort of.¡±


    ¡°Are you guys¡­ rted?¡± Jenna blinked, guessing boldly. But before Mirabe could respond. Jenna¡¯s face fell. ¡°Oh no, oh no, Queen Mira, please tell me you won¡¯t rat me out to Summer for thements I made?¡± In that moment, Jenna felt as if her heart was in a vise. After all, Summer had plenty of die¨Chard <b>fans </b>at Parkside High School who could drown her in their spitfire words if she crossed them.


    Mirabe gave her a half¨Csmiling nce. ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself.¡±


    Mirabe added as she stepped onto her usual bus, pulling out her transit card. ¡°Are you sure you want to keep following me to discuss my sense of humor¡­ or theck thereof?¡±


    Realizing her mistake, Jenna smacked her forehead, which had been clouded by gossip. ¡°Holy cow, how did I end up following you to the bus? My dad¡¯s waiting for me at the school gates.¡±


    After casting a look of mock resentment at Mirabe, she turned and sprinted <b>back </b>the way she came.


    A soft chuckle escaped Mirabe<b>. </b>


    Summer got into Emmitt¡¯s car and after a brief chat, she mentioned. ¡°Emmitt, I¡¯ve signed up for BrainSpark Nationals. The Education Association is really focusing on it this year. If I can make it into the top three <b>nationwide</b>. I¡¯ll get a direct admission offer from Prestige College.¡±


    Emmitt, surprised, turned to her. ¡°Sounds like an interestingpetition. Do your best and aim for a top spot.¡±


    Summer¡¯s gaze lowered as she fiddled with the fluffy keychain on her bag, murmuring an agreement before adding, ¡°I saw that Mira signed up too.¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s grip on the steering wheel tightened briefly as he frowned<b>. </b>¡°With her <b>grades</b>, why bother with thispetition? Isn¡¯t that just a waste of time?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°She might just want a challenge. It¡¯s all good. Just think of it as an extracurricr activity, broadening her horizons.¡± Summer said with a softugh.


    Emmitt, slightly exasperated, just shook his head. It seemed his little sister really wasn¡¯t the type to make things easy for anyone.


    After dinner with Summer, Emmitt dropped her back to the Gilbert family home. It was still early when he left, so he <b>decided </b>to drive back to the Davis household.


    Delh, with a face mask on, was surprised to see her eldest son at the <b>door</b>. <b>¡°</b>Emmitt, what brings you home sote? Everything okay?¡±


    Stepping inside. Emmitt nced around before saying, ¡°I¡¯ve just finished up with some stuff and thought I¡¯d <b>stay </b>at


    home for a few days.¡±


    He paused before asking, ¡°Where¡¯s Mirabe?¡±

 Chapter 60

    Delh eyed her eldest son with a curious blend of suspicion and warning in her voice. ¡°You are just back home and already looking for your sister. What <b>kind </b>of mischief are you plotting now?¡±


    Ever since theirst falling¨Cout, this brat had done nothing but phone her to keep an eye on her daughter. She hadn¡¯t seen him this eager to return in <b>ages</b><b>. </b>


    Emmitt¡¯s lips twitched into a half¨Csmile. ¡°Are you under some kind of misunderstanding? I was just casually asking about my little sis<b>.</b>¡±


    Delh peeled off her facial mask, revealing a damp face tinged with distaste. ¡°Misunderstanding? Don¡¯t you know in your own heart?¡±


    Emmit was speechless.


    ¡°Enough, I¡¯m done talking. I need to pamper my skin. Do whatever you please.¡±


    After saying that, Delh turned and headed for the bedroom. After only a couple of <b>steps</b><b>, </b>she <b>paused</b>, turned back with a stern expression, and added. ¡°And don¡¯t you dare disturb your sister. She¡¯s been working her tall off studying every day.¡±


    After leaving those words hanging in the air, she disappeared into her room, so suddenly, only Emmitt and Shawn, who was engrossed in the TV, remained in the living room.


    Emmitt nced at Shawn, about to speak when Shawn stood up, switched off the TV with the remote, and yawned loudly. His words showed his fatigue, ¡°Woke up way too early this morning. I¡¯m beat. You should hit the <b>hay </b>early, too, Emmitt. Goodnight.¡±


    Without waiting for a response. Shawn quickly retreated to his room as well.


    Emmitt was stunned. Had he really be not weed for his parents after just a few days away?


    Climbing the stairs with a sigh, he nced at Mirabe¡¯s room and lingered for a few seconds before pulling back and heading into his own.


    The next day was Saturday, and with no sses, but Mirabe kept up her routine of an early morning jog.


    After her run, as she ascended the stairs and passed by Emmitt¡¯s door, it swung open. She hesitated for a split second. Emmitt, d in pajamas, looked like he had just woken up. His eyes were still half¨Cclosed. He opened the door to find a sweaty Mirabe, which snapped him to alertness. ¡°You¡¯re¡­?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s initial surprise faded, and her voice was calm as she volunteered, ¡°Just got back from my morning run.¡±


    At her words, Emmitt paused, seemingly taken aback <b>since </b>most people would choose to sleep in on weekends.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading to my room,¡± said Mirabe, nodding politely to Emmitt in a manner that was both courteous and well¨Cmannered.


    Emmitt watched her retreating figure, momentarily lost in thought.


    Twenty minutester, Mirabe sat quietly and obediently at the breakfast table, eating at a leisurely pace. Emmitt sat across from her. His gaze drifted to her now and then. He wanted to speak but unsure <b>what </b>to say, and his expression was awkward.


    Feeling the weight of his stare, Mirabe set down her spoon <b>and </b>lifted her head. Her clear, inquisitive eyes fixed on him. ¡°Do you have something you want to say?¡±


    Emmitt cleared his throat and, recalling the previous night¡¯s conversation with Summer, broached, ¡°I heard you signed up for the BrainSpark Nationals<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°How did you know?¡± Mirabe asked, with a hint of surprise in her voice<b>. </b>


    <b>11:38 </b>


    ¡°Summer mentioned it yesterday.¡± Emmitt didn¡¯t see any reason to hide it and spoke frankly.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and let out an ¡°oh.¡± Well, she had more or less quessed as much,


    ¡°Why do you want to join thatpetition?¡± Emmitt was about to chide her for wasting time in her criticalst year but held back.


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile as she simply retorted, ¡°Did you ask Summer that? What did she tell you?¡±

 Chapter 61

    Emmitt frowned. ¡°Why bring up Summer again? Are you two <b>even </b>on the same level?¡±


    Mirabe tapped her fingers lightly on the table. Her gaze was drifting. ¡°Are you sure you weren¡¯t the one who mentioned her first?¡±


    Emmitt choked, feeling aplete inability tomunicate effectively with her. With patience, he exined. ¡°Summer¡¯s shooting for a chance at Prestige College. And you? Participating in thispetition with your grades seems¡­ somewhat pointless.¡±


    He paused for a second, and then added in a lower tone, ¡°With the time you¡¯re spending on this, you might as well enroll in a tutoring ss. That would be far more beneficial for you right now.¡±


    Despite his disappointment in his sister, he still hoped she would focus her efforts on more realistic goals instead of chasing some impossible dreams.


    Mirabe looked at him with an indifferent smile. ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying, Emmitt, is that I don¡¯t qualify for thepetition, right?¡±


    Her smile momentarily disarmed Emmitt, and he replied without thinking. ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean. It¡¯s just that one shouldn¡¯t bite off more than they can chew.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I get it.¡± Mirabe nodded, turning her gaze away and resuming her meal of thest bits of oatmeal in her bowl


    Emmitt watched his sister, who was seemingly obedient and quiet, but in reality, deliberately cold and distant. His feelings were a tangled mess. If he was talking to Summer, there¡¯d be no such awkwardness. She would, at least. understand his intentions behind every word.


    The atmosphere at the breakfast table grew heavy. After a moment, Emmitt, finding no taste in his bagel set it down and looked back at Mirabe. ¡°I¡¯ll get you a tutor.¡±


    Mirabe looked up. puzzled. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re set on thepetition, I won¡¯t dissuade you. It just so happens I <b>have </b>a friend <b>working </b><b>at </b>the Education Association. Maybe they can provide some guidance,¡± Emmitt said slowly.


    Those in the Education Association, aside from having advanced teaching credentials from top universities, included schrs who had made significant contributions to the country. Guidance from someone within the Association could <b>Save </b>Mirabe a lot of detours<b>. </b>


    ¡°Thanks, but I don¡¯t need it.¡± Mirabe politely declined. She <b>was </b>somewhat baffled. Why was Emmitt so convinced she was struggling to the point where she <b>needed </b>preemptive tutoring from someone in the Education Association?


    Emmitt didn¡¯t expect her to refuse. He thought his thoughtful offer would surely move her, but she was neither touched nor did she hesitate for even a second before declining.


    Emmitt¡¯s expression soured, and he couldn¡¯t help but raise his voice, ¡°Do you realize how much help it would be to have guidance from someone within the Education Association?¡±


    Mirabe met his gaze with an unaffected look and remained silent. Emmitt massaged his <b>forehead</b>. His voice grew stern, ¡°You know¡­¡±


    Suddenly, he remembered that she had always lived in a small town and probably hadn¡¯t even heard of the Education Association. His voice trailed off, and he ended up shaking his head. ¡°Never mind, I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m telling you all this<b>. </b>


    Standing up. Emmitt added onest thing to Mirabe, ¡°Since you¡¯ve refused, let¡¯s pretend I never said anything.¡± He was done worrying about his sister.


    As Mirabe watched Emmitt¡¯s retreating figure, she took out her phone after <b>a </b>while and typed out <b>a </b>text message. [Is the Education Association really that big of a deal?]

 Chapter 62

    In the quaint town of Riverdale, nestled <b>within </b>the confines of a research institute, a man just finished a omeling night of experiments. His hands reached for his <b>phone</b><b>, </b>and a message <b>from </b>¡°The Pill¡± popped up, Jelling his groggy mind <b>wide </b><b>awake</b>.


    Education Association?


    He vaguely recalled it being some sort of organization that a bunch of bored intellectuals with too much time on their hands had built up together, <b>iming </b>to make a difference in the world.


    He didn¡¯t quite understand why the big shot was suddenly inquiring about this, but he swiftly typed out a response, [The Education Association is kinda like a talent incubator, scooping up hotshots for universities, Il you¡¯re asking they¡¯re a big deal.. well they¡¯re alright, I guess. After all, it¡¯s all about making a difference.)


    Mirabe read the message, with a light of realization dawning <b>on </b>her beautiful face before she replied with a leisurely ¡°Thanks<b>¡°</b><b>. </b>


    Well she thought it was something <b>grand</b>, but it turned out to be just a glorified pyramid scheme with a license to


    operate<b>. </b>


    [Do you have kids in school?] the man texted Mirabe. I¡¯ve got a friend in the Association, on the board no less. If you ever need. I could help you!


    Mirabe held her phone, plunged into a profound silence, not replying for a long while.


    [Hello?]


    With a soft sigh, Mirabe finally wrote back: [hanks, but no need.]


    The man felt something off about her reply but then figured, of course, the big shot wouldn¡¯t need it. After all, it was not Like they were a student, right?


    [By the way, there¡¯s a big auctioning up at Riverdale¡¯s underground market. I heard Lunar Lace will be on the block. Weren¡¯t you looking for <b>that</b>? I¡¯ve got an invite. If you fancy it, I can send you my <b>pass</b><b>.</b>)


    Mirabe pondered for a moment before tapping out: [Thank you. Got school. Can¡¯t make it.)


    The man, who had just picked up his cup for a drink, spat out his water in shock.


    School? No time<b>? </b>


    Was he hallucinating? Was the big shot not some ancient geezer?


    Perhaps it was due to the sour exchange with Mirabe that morning. Emmitt, who had nned to stay at home for a while, left within the day, with clear disappointment in his gaze as he looked at his sister.


    ¨C


    Mirabe, unaffected, continued her routine studying in silence. It was the picture of calm and obedience, much to their mother Delh¡¯s chagrin. She really disapproved of her eldest son¡¯s behavior.


    Worried about the growing tension between the siblings, Delh simply ordered Emmitt not toe home for <b>a </b>while to keep the peace.


    In the afternoon, Delhined of a headache and decided to visit her favorite alternative medicine spot for <b>a </b>massage, only to be stopped by Mirabe. ¡°Let me massage your head.¡±


    Delh, massaging her temples, waved her off. ¡°No need, sweetie. I¡¯ll just pop over to the alternative medicine ce. A ¨¹ttle rubdown and a couple of acupuncture needles should do the trick.¡±


    Mirabe frowned slightly, and her <b>tone </b><b>was </b><b>serious</b><b>. </b>¡°You shouldn¡¯t just let anyone massage or use your head with acupuncture for a headache. If they miss the right spot, it could make things worse.¡±


    Delh paused, thenughed it off. ¡°It¡¯s okay, dear. I¡¯ve been going to him for years. He¡¯s skilled, so don¡¯t worry.¡±


    11:34


    Mirabe stayed silent for a moment, then offered, ¡°Why not try my technique? If <b>you </b>still feel bad afterward, you can visit him, deal?¡±


    Delh, interpreting this as her daughter¡¯s concern, agreed and settled into a nearby armchair. She figured she¡¯d just <b>reassure </b>her daughter that the headache had subsided and then sneak off to the masseue when Mirabe wasn¡¯t


    looking.

 Chapter 63

    Mirabe had no inkling of what was tumbling through Delh¡¯s mind. Once Delh settled into her <b>seat</b>, Mirabe gracefully rolled up her sleeves, <b>revealing </b>slender fingers that found their way to Delh¡¯s temples, kneading them with an expertise that was neither too gentle nor too firm.


    Mirabe¡¯s touch was practiced, and any connoisseur in the room would have noticed that she targeted major pressure points on Delh¡¯s head with pinpoint uracy. She even dared to manipte a few spots that many seasoned practitioners of alternative medicine would hesitate to approach.


    Delh was initially just indulging her daughter, not wanting to hurt Mirabe¡¯s feelings by refusing the massage, but she hadn¡¯t expected to feel such relief in just a short while. It <b>was </b>more soothing than her regr sessions at the alternative medicine spa she¡¯d been visiting for over a decade.


    ¡°Mira, have you been taking lessons or something? My headache¡¯s almost gone with just your touch,¡± Delh murmured with closed eyes, with a look of pure bliss on her face.


    Mirabe¡¯s hands continued their dance, her voice even, ¡°I used to do this for Grandma quite often.¡±


    That exined it. Delh didn¡¯t question further, a proud smile ying on her lips. ¡°My daughter¡¯s just amazing. I think you¡¯re even better than those professionals down at the massage parlor.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze dropped, her longshes casting a veil over her eyes, ¡°Have you been keeping up with the remedies! gave youst time?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely, especially those fragrance pills. They smell so good, not at all overpowering. I feel like my sleep quality¡¯s improved a lot these past nights. Even your dad mentioned his insomnia¡¯s been better,¡± Delh recounted cheerfully.


    ¡°And that tincture gave you for internal use, you haven¡¯t touched it, have you?¡± Mirabe¡¯s voice was very calm, and although it was a question, her tone conveyed a sense of certainty. Had Delh taken it, today¡¯s headache might have been averted.


    Guiltily, Delh fidgeted with her dress before confessing in a small voice. ¡°That medicine¡­ it¡¯s just so bitter, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to take it again after the first time.¡±


    Mirabe sighed lightly, ¡°Bitter potions often offer the best healing. You must take it.¡±


    Feeling a pang in her heart at her daughter¡¯s gentle chide, Delh hastened to reassure her, ¡°I promise I¡¯ll take it regrly from now on, no matter how bitter.¡±


    Mirabe withdrew her hands, ¡°How do you feel now?¡±


    Delh opened her eyes, rotating her neck almost instinctively, ¡°It¡¯s like magic ¨C the pain¡¯s gone, and I feel refreshed.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself that no one should be surprised by the efficacy of her touch.


    Turning to face her daughter, Delh¡¯s curiosity piqued, ¡°By the way, I overheard you talking to Emmitt about somepetition this morning. Did you sign up for something?¡±


    Mirabe gave a nod, her expression neutral ¡°Just a dull prizeless event called the BrainSpark Nationals.¡±


    Delh, assuming it was just a trivial extracurricr contest, waved it off, ¡°Well, just give it a go for the experience.¡±


    As Delh spoke<b>, </b>a flicker of irritation crossed her eyes ¨C that Emmitt, making such a fuss over a small contest with his sister this morning.


    After a moment¡¯s pause, Delh looked up again, ¡°Can I find thispetition online?¡± Despite Mirabe¡¯s nonchnce about the event, Delh, as her mother, couldn¡¯t help but show some interest.


    Even though Mirabe didn¡¯t understand why Delh was asking this, after some thought, she replied, ¡°I guess so. Just search for ¡®BrainSpark Nationals.¡°¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Delh said, already pulling out her phone.


    With a nce at <b>her </b>mother, Mirabe excused herself. ¡°I¡¯ll head back to my room then.¡±


    ¡°Sure, go <b>ahead</b>,¡± Delh <b>responded </b>absently, her attention fixed on her phone as she rapidly typed in ¡®Brainpark Nationals¡®.

 Chapter 64

    The screen of Delh¡¯s smartphone was <b>soon </b>flooded with information about the BrainSpark Nationals. With a chuckle, Delh thought to herself that her daughter¡¯spetition seemed quite the buzz, popping up with so many exnations at just one search.


    But her smile slowly solidified into a frown. Hadn¡¯t her daughter described it as a dullpetition with no cash prizet What was all this about city¨Clevel preliminaries, provincialpetitions, national and even international tiers? And with Riverdale¡¯s top high schools coborating with the Education Association no less<b>? </b>How could this be called a dullpetition?


    A guaranteed admission spot to the prestigious Prestige College? It might not be a cash prize, but it certainly held more clout, didn¡¯t it?


    Delh was bewildered, beginning to suspect that thepetition she found online was not the same one her daughter had been talking about. So, she reopened the browser and searched <b>again</b>.


    The BrainSpark Nationals were divided into several tiers<b>, </b>starting with city¨Clevel preliminaries, moving on to province. then national<b>, </b>and finally the top five students nationally would represent the country in the international contest.


    Thispetition wasn¡¯t confined to a single subject, making the difficulty quite substantial. After all, students who specialized in sciences tended to be weaker in the humanities, and vice versa.


    Before the city preliminaries, there was a preliminary exam set by the provincial Education Association. Only those who passed could enter the officialpetition.


    The prelim was scheduled for Wednesday, and all senior students who had registered would be brought to the examination hall by the school.


    With ten sses in the senior year, and aside from the three students from Mirabe¡¯s Advanced ss, nearly every other ss from the Prodigy ss to the regr ss had five to eight candidates each. That was why the vice principal had been so surprised when Ate had submitted the application.


    Wednesday came around quickly.


    The exam was set for the morning, and Mirabe, holding the test number given to her by her homeroom teacher, Ate, headed to the venue.


    Parkside High School had a substantial number of participants, so they were split into two different rooms, with Mirabe assigned to the second. Her two male ssmates from the experimental ss were also in the same room. The boys, less prone to envy than the girls, shyly wished her luck before taking their own seats.


    Unfortunately, Summer was also in the second room. She¡¯s the campus queen, a straight¨CA student and a budding pop star, so naturally drew the gaze of many boys as she entered.


    Most of the participants who signed up for thepetition were <b>boys</b><b>, </b>with the proportion of girls being less than one¨Cthird. Coincidentally, in the second examination room, there were only two girls, Mirabe and Summer.


    Mirabe leaned backzily in her <b>seat</b>, Idly spinning a pencil in her hand. When Summer walked in, Mirabe didn¡¯t even nce up, as if lost in her own tranquil world.


    Summer, on the other hand, maintained the warm, gentle smile that made her the quintessential girl¨Cnext¨Cdoor in the eyes of her male peers ¨C polsed, graceful, and a stark contrast to Mirabe¡¯s persona.


    ¡°Who do you think is prettier, the campus queen or the <b>new </b>girl?¡± one student whispered to another.


    *Tthe campus queen for sure. She¡¯s the epitome of Innocence and kindness, plus she¡¯s so smart,¡± <b>came </b>a reply.


    ¡°I dunno, I find the new girl more striking. Although she appeared aloof, her presencepletely overwhelmed both male and female students,<b>¡± </b>another chimed in.


    ¡°Yeah, now that you mention it, it kinda makes sense<b>.</b>¡±


    Summer, seated in the first row, could hear the murmurs from behind her. Her eyes lowered slightly, seemingly unaffected by the chatter.

 Chapter 65

    The proctor strode into the room, clutching the stack of exam papers. With a brief splel about the rules, the proctor began distributing them among the students.


    Mirabe scanned her test. a frown <b>creasing </b>her brow. She had expected more of a challenge from this <b>supposed </b>crucible of intellect. With a sigh, she began to write, her pen moving at a leisurely pace.


    The test was a sixty¨Cminute sprint, but Mirabe breezed through it in thirty, then slumped onto her desk, bored. If only they allowed early exits uponpletion, she¡¯d have been out the door in a heartbeat.


    Morgan, today¡¯s vignt proctor, had already pegged Mirabe as <b>a </b>peculiar case¨Ca disappointing one at that. He spotted her snoozing mid¨Cexam, a stark contrast to her Industrious <b>peers</b><b>, </b>and shook his head in disdain. ¡°Good grades or not, at least take a solid work ethic,¡± he thought. ¡°Even If you slipped in through pulling strings, <b>you </b>gotta weigh your worth. BrainSpark Nationals is no child¡¯s y.¡±


    hey were


    He couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved that he had resisted taking on such students. nothing but trouble.


    Time ticked away, and soon the sixty minutes were up. Though Mirabe had been the first to finish, she was thest to hand in her paper. Morgan didn¡¯t even nce at her or her test. He simply sealed it in an envelope and exited the


    room.


    After the exam, Mirabe freshened up in the restroom before heading back to the ssroom. As soon as she sat down. Jenna leaned in and asked. ¡°So, how¡¯d it go, Mirabe? I heard the others saying the prelims were tough this time.¡±


    Mirabe lifted hereyeszily and lightly replied. ¡°Tough, you say?¡±


    Jenna was taken aback. ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± Those two who also participated were usually top twenty in the grade. If they found it hard, surely it was a beast of a test.


    Mirabe just hummed nomittally. ¡°Then it must be tough.¡±


    Jenna was stunned. That casual arrogance <b>was </b>pure Mirabe. But was it just bravado?


    Jenna prodded further. ¡°What score are you expecting? Think you¡¯ll pass the prelims<b>?</b>¡±


    With a yful arch of her brow, Mirabe teased, ¡°Doubting me, sweetle?¡±


    Jenna blushed, sensing that Mirabe¡¯s bad¨C<b>girl </b>vibe was only intensifying. ¡°Just remember, you¡¯re the talk of the school¨Cthe one who got in through pulling strings<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe waved off the concern with a flick of her wrist, unfazed.


    Jenna shook her head and dropped the subject. Perhaps Mirabe was a secret genius, after all.


    Prelim results were due the next morning, but before they could be released, Mirabe was summoned to the guidance. counselor¡¯s office.


    In the office of the guidance counselor, several teachers were present at the moment, including Ate, Morgan. Anthony, <b>and </b>the vice principal. The expressions of all of them were serious and solemn, especially the vice principal <b>and </b>Anthony.


    The vice principal addressed her with frost in his voice. ¡°Miss Mirabe, you¡¯re aware of the rumors swirling around school concerning you?¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her demeanor unfazed by his severity. ¡°You mean the <b>buzz </b>about me getting in through pulling strings?¡±


    The vice principal¡¯s frown deepened, clearly taken aback by the new student¡¯s audacious retort.

 Chapter 66

    ecause of this whole mess, the school¡¯s century¨Cold reputation is under scrutiny from all corners of society. and I¡¯ve been inundated withints from parents,¡± the vice¨Cprincipal stated with grave concern, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.


    Originally, out of respect for the principal, he had turned a blind eye. However, he had not anticipated the issue to spread like wildfire across campus. <b>Now</b>, covering it up was no longer an option.


    4 me myself, too¡± Morgan sighed heavily, his face etched with guilt and frustration. ¡°I had a bad feeling when we started enrollment. If I¡¯d known it would blow up like this. I would have never¡­. Ahl


    Ate nced at Mirabe, The girl stood alone among them, seemingly defenseless. Although Mirabe¡¯s method of gaining admission was questionable, after days of observation, Ate could see the girl¡¯s true nature and dedication to her studies weremendable.


    And speaking of being under scrutiny, it was Mirabe who was caught in the eye of the rumor storm, facing daily jabs from her peers.


    After a brief silence, Ate spoke up, ¡°What¡¯s done is done. ming anyone is pointless. We need to focus on how to


    quell these rumors.¡±


    The vice¨Cprincipal snorted dismissively. ¡°Quell the rumors? Other than having her parents take her away and penning an apology letter, there¡¯s nothing we can do.¡±


    Anthony, upon hearing this, interjected anxiously, ¡°No, as I¡¯ve already exined, Mirabe didn¡¯t get in through pulling strings. Why won¡¯t you believe me?¡±


    Since the meeting started to address the rumors around Mirabe, Anthony had been trying to clear the air for her, but to his dismay, the vice¨Cprincipal hadn¡¯t given him the floor and had instead summoned the girl.


    ¡°If Mirabe truly didn¡¯t get in through pulling strings, then why is the rumor mill working overtime? With things havinge this far, are you really going to keep protecting the principal?¡± the vice¨Cprincipal asked, his expression one of deep disappointment directed at Anthony.


    Furrowing his brows, Anthony replied<b>, </b>¡°Protecting the principal? What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always thought the principal was a man of integrity.¡± the vice¨Cprincipal nced at Mirabe with a sneer, ¡°but it seems even he can have his moments of folly.¡± Although the vice¨Cprincipal didn¡¯t explicitly say that Mirabe got in with the help of principal, every single person present could hear the implication.


    Anthony seemed to have finally figured something out, and he almostughed in exasperation, ¡°It¡¯s true the principal isn¡¯t here at Ashford, but slinging mud at him is hardly fair, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    The vice¨Cprincipal¡¯s face stiffened. He had always been irked by the principal¡¯s air of superiority and was eager to take this chance to knock him down a peg. However, he hadn¡¯t expected Anthony to be so blunt.


    ¡°I¡¯m slinging mud? Do you think I¡¯m so bored that I¡¯d joke about the school¡¯s reputation? You think I don¡¯t have to take responsibility as vice¨Cprincipal?¡± the vice¨Cprincipal retorted, clearly agitated.


    The mood had turned awkward. At that moment, Morgan, after pondering for a few seconds, decided to chime in. ¡°Anthony, didn¡¯t you yourself mention on the first day that Mirabe was some rtive of the principal?¡±


    Caught off guard. Anthony looked at Morgan in bewilderment, ¡°When did I ever say Mirabe was the principal¡¯s rtive? Morgan, you can¡¯t just make things up.¡±

 Chapter 67

    It wasn¡¯t long before Anthony pieced out the whole thing. On the first day of school, he had said a few things to Morgan, mentioning <b>that </b>Mirabe was a special recruit by the principal. Later, when he learned that Mirabe had left in a hurry, he was so anxious that he left the conversation unfinished.


    What he had meant to say was, ¡°Mirabe was recruited by the principal after a lot of effort.¡± Could Morgan have misunderstood him because of that?


    Anthony rubbed his temples, a frown creasing his forehead.


    Seeing Anthony¡¯s gesture, Morgan knew Anthony must¡¯ve recalled the incident and couldn¡¯t help but snort dismissively. ¡°With so many people present, how could I possibly lie?¡±


    The vice principal, interpreting Anthony¡¯s silence as guilt, curled his lips into a mocking smile. ¡°Let¡¯s not start using me of slinging mud at the principal I can¡¯t <b>bear </b>this me.¡±


    Anthony opened his mouth to rify, but before he could get a word out, Delh and Shawn burst into the office, their faces etched with urgency, and cut him off.


    ¡°What¡¯s happened to my daughter?¡± Delh¡¯s voice was tinged with panic. Upon seeing Mirabe standing there unharmed. Delh rushed over to squeeze Mirabe¡¯s arm and pat her shoulder, a wave of relief washing over Delh when she confirmed her daughter was alright. She had been terrified by the stern tone of the school¡¯s call, fearing the worst.


    The vice principal cleared his throat and addressed Delh and Shawn with a modicum of politeness. ¡°The situation is such that we at Parkside High School can no longer continue to enroll your child. These admissions through pulling strings cast a long shadow, and we thought it best to discuss this in person before you take your child home.¡±


    Delh and Shawn exchanged bewildered nces as he finished. ¡°What do you mean? Could you please be clearer? What¡¯s this pulling strings?¡± Delh was genuinely confused.


    ¡°My daughter was formally epted by Parkside High, wasn¡¯t she? She even received an eptance letter,¡± Shawn¡¯s frown deepened, his usually friendly demeanor now reced by an imposing sternness.


    Even someone consistently proud like the vice principal was slightly taken aback by Shawn¡¯s demeanor, but what did this husband and wife meant?


    Were they refusing to admit pulling strings, and putting on an act?


    Wasn¡¯t that a bit too revolting? All because they were rted to the principal?


    The vice principalughed bitterly. ¡°Are you seriously suggesting you don¡¯t know how she got in? Do we need the principal toe back and confront you about <b>it</b><b>?</b>¡±


    Delh grew more confused by the second. ¡°Hold on, that¡¯s too harsh. We haven¡¯t done anything underhanded. Why should we confront anyone?¡±


    After a pause, Delh shot back, her voice rising with indignation, ¡°Isn¡¯t Parkside High known for its rigorous standards? Surely you don¡¯t engage in these dirty practices behind closed doors?<b>¡± </b>


    The vice principal at a loss for words after Delh¡¯s blunt retort, nearly keeled over in frustration. Supported by the principal these two were bold to the point of disrespect.


    ¡°This is utterly preposterous<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>


    A sudden thought struck Delh as she watched the vice principal¡¯s expression darken. She remembered her daughter¡¯s past grades in their hometown and the mysterious eptance letter that had arrived out of the blue.


    A sinking feeling hit Delh. The confidence with which she had been ready to challenge the school was rapidly deting, like a balloon pricked by a needle.


    Was her daughter about to face a scandal?

 Chapter 68

    Although Delh¡¯s heart was racing like a freight train, she managed to keep a poker face. She nced at her <b>husband </b>beside her, signaling him to step up and say something and fast.


    Shawn, unlike his wife, wasn¡¯t one to get lost in a maze of wild thoughts. From the moment his daughter presented them with the transfer notice from Parkside High School, he never suspected anything fishy about how she got it. After all, Parkside High School was a top¨Clive national Institution. They wouldn¡¯t just enroll anyone with dismal grades. Even If there was some string¨Cpulling, the school¡¯s reputation would surely be taken into ount.


    Shawn¡¯s expression was icy as he addressed the room, ¡°Let me make this crystal clear: we haven¡¯t pulled any strings. and we don¡¯t rub shoulders with your principal. If you want to push my daughter out, you bettere up with some hard evidence.¡±


    He cast a protective nce at his daughter, standing silently and obediently, then swept his gaze across Vice Principal Morgan and the others, his demeanor growing even more frosty. ¡°And if you can¡¯t produce any proof,¡± he warned. ¡°I¡¯ll take this story of Parkside High School bullying students to the press.<b>¡± </b>


    The thought of his vulnerable little girl facing these intimidating people and their barrage of questions before he arrived <b>was </b>enough to make his blood boll.


    Vice Principal, faced with Shawn¡¯s unwavering stance, suddenly felt a seed of doubt sprouting within him. Had he made some sort of mistake?


    Hearing her husband¡¯s stern words, Delh couldn¡¯t help but cough sharply. ¡°Shawn, cool your jets. Maybe there¡¯s been some kind of misunderstanding?¡±


    Thest thing she wanted was to make a spectacle if it turned out their daughter had actually pulled strings. It wasn¡¯t her own embarrassment she feared, but the potential bruise to her child¡¯s self¨Cesteem.


    Meanwhile, Anthony, who had been busily exchanging messages with the principal during the lull, piped up, eager to smooth things over with a nervous chuckle. ¡°Exactly, Mr. and Mrs. Davis. This is all just one big misunderstanding<b>. </b>My colleague and I must have mimunicated¨Cled you astray¨Cwhich is why this whole mess has erupted<b>.</b>¡±


    Shawn narrowed his eyes at Anthony, saying nothing, letting the silence hang heavy.


    Anthony, unnerved by that piercing gaze, hurriedly continued, ¡°You <b>see</b>, Mirabe was specially recruited by the principal. It was my mistake in not making that clear from the start, which led to this whole confusion.¡± Morgan, however, frowned at this. A special recruitment? Was this just another excuse to cover for the principal? Not wanting to take the me, Morgan cut Anthony off before he could say more. ¡°All right, you say Mirabe was specially recruited. Then what about her academic performance?¡±


    Anthony, irked by Morgan¡¯s interjection, retorted, ¡°What about her academic performance? Haven¡¯t we said time and again that she was admitted with perfect scores<b>?</b>¡±


    Anthony couldn¡¯t fathom why this old stick¨Cin¨Cthe¨Cmud was still arguing when the girl¡¯s parents were demanding answers and even the vice principal had mmed up. Morgan seemed utterly blind to the fact that he was making things more difficult for everyone.


    Morgan nced at Mirabe and let out a scoff, ¡°Are you certain she was admitted with perfect <b>scores</b>? Because if that were true, she wouldn¡¯t have fallen asleep on her desk in the middle of yesterday¡¯spetition preliminaries.¡± He paused for effect, then added with a tone of righteous indignation, ¡°Was there any other student who acted like her in that examination hall? Every one took this test seriously.¡±


    The implication was clear: unless she couldn¡¯t answer the questions, there would be no reason for her to be sleeping through the exam with such a dismissive attitude.

 Chapter 69

    Anthony¡¯s eyes widened with disbelief as Morgan¡¯s words sunk In. ¡°Morgan, seriously? You think Mirabe¡¯s grades suck <b>just </b>because you saw her dozing off during the exam?¡±


    He¡¯d never thought Morgan could be so¡­ stupid.


    Morgan stood by his opinion, unfazed. ¡°Come on, you saw the test. It was brutal<b>. </b>Even Vincent, the top student every year, didn¡¯t finish that quickly. And you think a girl who transferred from a small town can outdo Vincent?¡±


    Anthony rubbed his temples, feeling Morgan¡¯s stubbornness was reaching new levels of absurdity.


    Mirabe, who had been quietly standing by, never uttering a word in her own defense, suddenly looked up. Her delicate features showed no sign of the distress one might expect. Instead, she said in a matter¨Cof¨Cfact tone. ¡°The preliminary results should be out by now, right?¡±


    At her words, Anthony nced at his watch. It was precisely ten o¡¯clock. Without another word, he sidestepped the group and headed to the desk. Firing up theputer, he quickly logged Into the ¡°BrainSpark Nationals¡± results portal and navigated to <b>the </b>Parkside High School section.


    Out of sixty¨Ceight students from Parkside who took the prelims, only twenty¨Cthree passed. And there at the top of the board, to everyone¡¯s shock, was Mirabe¡¯s name.


    Anthony stared at the screen, his eyes not even blinking. Morgan and the Vice Principal, growing impatient with his silence, moved closer to theputer. The sight of the rankings and the scores made them freeze.


    Morgan, regaining hisposure with a grim look, snatched the mouse from Anthony, muttering, ¡°No way. How could she score higher than Vincent. She wasn¡¯t even trying<b>¡­</b>¡±


    But no matter how many times Morgan refreshed the page, the name at the top, with a perfect score of 150, remained


    Mirabe.


    Morgan¡¯s hand shook, and the mouse ttered onto the desk.


    The Vice Principal, whose face was as gloomy as Morgan¡¯s, gave Mirabe aplex look. The Vice Principal <b>had </b>assumed she was a favor admitted by the principal and had been certain her grades were subpar. He was eager to see her embarrass the head of the school in thepetition.


    Ate, Mirabe¡¯s homeroom teacher, noticed the strange expressions all around and hurried over. the score disyed on theputer<b>, </b>she was dumbstruck.


    A perfect score?! She hadn¡¯t misread, had she?


    Wasn¡¯t Mirabe supposed to be struggling? This score was anything but struggling.


    When she saw


    Ate knew the test¡¯s difficulty level was higher than the end¨Cof¨Csemester exams, mixing both humanities and sciences. A perfect score meant this student excelled in both areas. Mirabe was in the humanities <b>ss</b>, but she had aced the science questions too<b>. </b>


    Ate was astounded. There had been well¨Crounded students before, but none quite as exceptional <b>as </b>Mirabe.


    ¡°Morgan, got anything else to say now?¡± Anthony snapped back to reality, his toneced with sarcasm.


    Upon hearing Anthony¡¯s words, Morgan suddenly remembered the first day of school when Anthony had initially intended to ce Mirabe into his Prodigy ss<b>. </b>

 Chapter 70

    Chapter <b>70 </b>


    Morgan¡¯s lips curled into a bitter smile<b>, </b>the first time in his life he <b>tasted </b>the vor of regret.


    If only he hadn¡¯t misunderstood, and rebuffed the director¡¯s kindness, perhaps such a versatile student would have been the crowning achievement of his teaching career.


    But then, Morgan¡¯s gaze lifted once again to Mirabe. She <b>had </b>been quiet from the start, never arguing oring forth to exin hersell, her eyes filled with indifference, as if she was just waiting for this moment, to watch everyone¡¯s embarrassment as they squabbled over her.


    Morgan withdrew his mocking gaze, thinking that even with good grades<b>, </b>he didn¡¯t care for students like her whocked any sense of manner<b>. </b>


    Soon, Morgan approached Mirabe, his voiceced with sarcasm, ¡°Miss Mirabe, you¡¯re quite the character, aren¡¯t you? Silent as the grave. I must say I¡¯m quite impressed.¡± Without waiting for anyone else to speak, he left the office with an expressionless face.


    iving her


    Anthony frowned. This Morgan really was something.


    ¡°What¡¯s this ¡®silent as the grave¡®? The moment she arrived, you all started grilling her, never even giving to exin,¡± Ate muttered under her breath, unable to watch any longer.


    a chance


    When they thought she had poor grades, they suspected her of nepotism, and now, with the gradesid out for all to see, they mocked her for supposedly hiding the truth. Hadn¡¯t they considered that if the preliminary exam scores hadn¡¯te out, Mirabe would still be mired in their loud usations<b>? </b>


    ¡°What¡¯s with that teacher¡¯s attitude? So condescending. Anyone would think my daughter had done something wrong.¡± Shawn said, his face clouded with anger and his tone far from pleasant.


    He had also gone to check his daughter¡¯s results ¨C first ce, with full marks.


    Although he wasn¡¯t sure what the exam was about, the point was his daughter¡¯s performance waspletely unrted to pulling strings or poor grades. So, the misunderstanding was on the teachers, their attitude was poor, and now that the results were out, instead of self¨Creflection, it seemed they thought his daughter was intentionally being maniptive?!


    Anthony nced at the vice principal, whose pride was clearly wounded, and sighed inwardly before stepping forward to y the peacemaker and apologize.


    Twenty minutester, Anthony finally saw Shawn and Delh off, and Mirabe returned to her ssroom.


    The office was left with only Anthony and the vice principal.


    ¡°Anthony, I don¡¯t mean to nitpick, but with such an outstanding transfer student, why didn¡¯t you rify the situation beforehand? This whole thing could¡¯ve been avoided,¡± the vice principal said, still feeling the sting on his pride from the revtion of Mirabe¡¯s scores<b>. </b>


    Anthony¡¯s expression soured, ¡°<b>Didn¡¯t </b>I <b>say </b>it? How many times did I have to repeat myself, and did any of you listen?¡±


    The vice principal looked ufortable, raising his hand to his forehead, ¡°But you didn¡¯t make it clear, and I was listening to Morgan¡­ Never mind, there¡¯s no use talking about it now.¡±


    Then, as if remembering something, the vice principal added offhandedly, ¡°Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, let¡¯s not bother the principal with this. He has his hands full with issues back in Riverdale<b>.</b>¡±


    A mocking smile flickered across Anthony¡¯s lips. Now they were thinking of not telling the principal, but what about earlier?


    ¡°Even if I don¡¯t say anything now, the principal will find out when he returns.¡±


    The vice principal waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Then we¡¯ll talk about it when he¡¯s back. It¡¯s <b>just </b>a misunderstanding. not the end of the world.¡±

 Chapter 71

    The results of the preliminary exams had just been released, and students, even those who hadn¡¯t participated, were whipping out their phones in a frenzy to check the scores. Everyone was curious about Mirabe, the new girl rumored to have pulled strings to get into Parkside High School. They wondered if her score would be an abysmal twenty or 50, However, at the moment when they saw the ranking of the urades, everyone¡¯s eyes almost popped out.


    ¡°Holy smokes, is the new uit some kind of genius? She nailed a perfect score!¡±


    ¡°My eyes must be deceiving me. Wasn¡¯t she the one they said got in through pulling strings?¡±


    ¡°In this day and age, pulling strings gets you perfect scores? What <b>was </b>the point of my honest effort to get in?¡±


    ¡°Could it be cheating? Think about it, someone who got into Parkside High School through connections could easily snag a copy of the exam answers. Plus, she¡¯s an arts student and she aced the science questions too?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s downright spooky.¡±


    The chatter was nonstop, and the consensus was split between shock and skepticism over Mirabe¡¯s score.


    When Mirabe returned to the ssroom, she was met with a barrage ofplicated stares.


    ¡°Hey, Mirabe. When the teacher asked you to go to the office, was it about the results of the preliminary exams?¡± Jenna asked, her face a blend of excitement and gossip.


    Mirabe just arched an eyebrow and hummed nomittally.


    ¡°You¡¯re so secretive, scoring top marks on the prelims.¡± Jenna smacked her lips and added, ¡°For an arts student to ace the science questions, that¡¯s seriously impressive.¡±


    I


    Mirabe offered a smile. ¡°That¡¯s why I told you to hit the books.¡±


    Jenna was momentarily speechless, feeling mocked. But then something clicked in Jenna¡¯s mind, and she leaned over Mirabe¡¯s desk to pull out several books that she often saw Mirabe reading.


    Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.


    Jenna blinked. ¡°You read these every break?¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°What else? Billionaire CEOs in love stories<b>?</b>¡±


    Jenna burst intoughter, feeling truly deted. Jenna had always assumed that Mirabe, being the artsy type, was buried in literature or history during her free time. But who would¡¯ve guessed?


    No wonder on the first day of school, Mirabe had <b>asked </b>to borrow a chemistry textbook¨Cshe¡¯d been double¨Cdipping in arts and sciences all <b>along</b><b>. </b>


    Jenna shook her head. ¡°Mirabe, you¡¯re a freak of nature.¡±


    Mirabe just chuckled.


    ¡°But now, let¡¯s see who would say you got in through pulling strings.¡± Jenna hummed proudly, basking in reflected glory.


    Take that, you jealous bitches!


    Summer hadn¡¯t been at school <b>today </b>because she was recording a TV show and had taken the day off. She hadn¡¯t even had a chance to check her prelim scores<b>. </b>


    However, her agent, aware that Summer had participated in the ¡°BrainSpark Nationals,¡± had <b>kept </b>an eye on the results for her. As soon as the backstage rehearsal was over, the agent handed her his phone with her scores and ranking. ¡°Summer, solid performance in the prelims<b>¨C</b>138. As expected of a top student, you¡¯re amazing,¡± the agent said with a beaming smile.


    <b>11:40 </b>


    In his mind, he was already strategizing how to leverage ¡°BrainSpark Nationals¡± to boost Summer¡¯s poprity.


    It was rare to find someone in the industry with Summer¡¯s background¨Cgood looks and genuine academic prowess. If they yed their cards right to highlight her strengths, she was bound to be a star.


    Summer smiled as she took her agent¡¯s phone.

 Chapter 72

    Summer was brimming with confidence about her test scores. Since stepping out of the examination hall the day before, she felt certain that, despite a few vague answers in the humanities section, everything else was spot on. Passing the preliminary round was, in her mind, a foregone conclusion. Scoring one hundred and thirty¨Ceight and ranking sixth was well within her expectations.


    A smug smile yed on Summer¡¯s lips. She had barely nced at the results on her phone before she almost handed it back to her agent. But then, a thought struck her, and she smoothly withdrew her hand, her <b>fingers </b>delicately swiping up the screen.


    Summer scrolled down to the bottom of the ranking page, but still did not see <b>Mirabe¡¯s </b>name. A frown creased Summer¡¯s brow. Hadn¡¯t Mirabe taken the test? Why wasn¡¯t her name listed? Could it be that Mirabe didn¡¯t pass the preliminaries?


    That thought deepened the smile on Summer¡¯s face<b>. </b>She knew It. With Mirabe¡¯s ability, how could she make the cut? With a soft chuckle, Summer¡¯s fingertip inadvertently tapped <b>the </b>¡®back to top¡® arrow. As she was about to close the


    ebpage, the name Mirabe suddenly jumped out at her<b>. </b>


    First ce, one hundred and filty points, Mirabe.


    The smile on Summer¡¯s lips froze, and her grip on the phone tightened Involuntarily. How was this possible? How could Mirabe have gotten a perfect score? How could Mirabe be at the top of the list?


    ¡°Summer, you look a bit pale. Are you worn out from the rehearsal?¡± her agent asked with concern upon noticing his client¡¯s unusual demeanor.


    Summer¡¯s eyes flickered, and she casually handed the phone back to her agent, her voice gentle. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Maybe I just got too wrapped up in the performance. I¡¯m stilling down from that.¡±


    Her agent patted her shoulder reassuringly, ¡°Take a breather here, and once it¡¯s time for the live recording. I¡¯lle to


    get you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Summer replied graciously.


    As her agent took the phone <b>and </b>started to leave, he paused and turned back to Summer, ¡°Summer, there will be a Q&A segment. I¡¯ll mention yourpetition to the producers. Just y it by ear when you answer, alright?¡±


    Summer blinked, then nodded in agreement.


    Mirabe had sailed through the preliminaries with a perfect score, a feat unmatched in the dozens of schools across Ashford. Her name sat confidently at the top of the official BrainSpark Nationals citywide rankings. Even the student in second ce trailed by nine points¨Ca testament to her solid grasp of both the arts and sciences.


    At the city Education Association headquarters, the buzz was about the extraordinary student from Parkside High School who had aced the test, even cracking John¡¯s notoriously tricky physics problem.


    ¡°This student is quite remarkable,¡± the secretary¨Cgeneralmented, holding up the test paper with admiration before passing it to the chairman.


    The chairman, adLeog his sses, took the paper and cast his eyes downward. Before he even examined the answers, the neat handwriting caught his attention. It was pleasing to the eye.


    ¡°Nice penmanship,¡± the chairman remarked generously. ¡°The handwriting reflects the person. This student must be quite cultivated.¡±


    ¡°Humanities students tend to have a bit more finesse than those in the sciences, I suppose,¡± the secretary¨Cgeneral replied with a chuckle.


    The chairman raised his eyebrows in surprise. ¡°Really? A humanities student solved John¡¯s physics conundrum?¡±

 Chapter 73

    ¡°The person¡¯s got something special about them, that¡¯s what I was saying,¡± the Secretary¨CGeneral <b>mused</b>, his <b>gaze </b>drifting to some distant <b>thought</b>.


    The Chairman took a moment to ponder thement before turning his attention to the stack of exam papers on his desk. He <b>was </b>particrly interested in thest question¨Cthe one John had crafted, aplex physics problem.


    After a while, a look of admiration spread across the Chairman¡¯s face. Leaning back in his chair, he let <b>out </b>an impressed sigh. ¡°Indeed<b>, </b>this student¡¯s not ordinary at all. Look at how elegantly he set up these equations, not a single superfluous step, and the method used is quite original¨Csimpler than the solution John sent us.¡±


    Although the Secretary¨CGeneral wasn¡¯t <b>well</b>¨Cversed in physics, he could tell from the Chairman¡¯s reaction that whoever had solved the problem <b>had </b>an incredible mind. The Secretary¨CGeneral¡¯s expression became slightly restrained and said, ¡°John has been searching for a prot¨¦g¨¦ with an exceptional gift in physics. Should <b>we </b>rmend this Parkside High School student who aced the test?<b>¡± </b>


    The Chairman removed his sses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, giving himself a <b>few </b>seconds before replying. ¡°Let¡¯s not rush things. An initial test like this doesn¡¯t show us much. After all this top scorer is a humanities student. For all we know, this student might have just lucked out on John¡¯s question.¡±


    The Secretary¨CGeneral found it to be reasonable. ¡°Alright then, we¡¯ll wait and see how the student does in the city


    preliminaries.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± the Chairman said with a nod, cing the paper back on the table.


    The Secretary¨CGeneral¡¯s gaze lingered on the exam for a moment longer before he suggested<b>, </b>¡°Should we take a photo of this physics solution and send it to John? I bet he¡¯d be¡­


    But the Chairman raised his hand to interrupt. ¡°John taking the time to contribute a problem to ourpetition was already a huge honor for the Education Association. For him, this type of question is not worth mentioning at <b>all</b>. It¡¯s just another approach. There¡¯s really no need to make a <b>fuss </b>and present it before him as if it¡¯s something extraordinary.¡±


    The Secretary¨CGeneral touched his nose in acknowledgment, ¡°Alright, I get it. I¡¯ll archive the test paper then.¡± With that, he picked up the papers.


    <b>¡°</b>Go on,¡± the Chairman dismissed him.


    However, just as <b>the </b>Secretary¨CGeneral had taken a couple of steps, the Chairman <b>seemed </b>to recall something and called out to his retreating figure. ¡°By the way, how did a student named Summer from Parkside High School do on the test?¡±


    The Secretary¨CGeneral stopped in his tracks. He <b>remembered </b>Summer because his own daughter was a fan of hers. Turning back, he reported. ¡°One hundred thirty¨Ceight points, sixth ce. Not bad at all He paused before adding. ¡°She¡¯s somewhat of a campus celebrity, a science student, and quite talented to score like this.¡±


    The Chairman tapped his fingers lightly on the desktop. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m aware. You can go.<b>¡± </b>


    The Secretary¨CGeneral nced at the Chairman, wondering why he had suddenly inquired about Summer, but he didn¡¯t ask further and simply left.


    Saturday.


    After finishing breakfast, Mirabe was practically dragged to the local supermarket by Delh. They loaded up on groceries and an assortment of snacks<b>. </b>


    Delh turned to her daughter, who wasden with bags and looking utterly defeated, and couldn¡¯t help but let out a chuckle.


    Trying to help carry some bags, she teased. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be such a <b>homebody</b>, sweetie. It¡¯s good to get out and about instead of bing a bookworm.¡±


    11:


    Charter 73


    Mirabe tly refused her mother¡¯s help and deadpanned. ¡°You just need someone to carry your shopping.¡±


    Delh coughed sheepishly, realizing her daughter was strong enough to handle the load, and the dream of having a danly and delicate daughter was just that¨Ca dream.


    ¡°Are we <b>expecting </bpany today?¡± Mirabe asked, ncing at the bag of groceries in her right hand.

 Chapter 74

    Chapter <b>74 </b>


    Delh spoke with a hint of mystery in her voice, ¡°Well, they¡¯re not exactly guests.¡±


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, ¡°Summer?¡±


    Even though Summer had returned to the Gilberts, as far <b>as </b>the Davises were concerned, she probably wouldn¡¯t be considered a guest.


    ¡°Not her.¡± Delh shook her head, a smile ying on her lips, ¡°Why would you jump to Summer all of a sudden?¡±


    Mirabe looked casual, ¡°Just a wild guess.¡±


    With the grocery store <b>bustling </b>with peopleing and going, Mirabe wasn¡¯t too keen to press on with questions, so she simply <b>said</b>. ¡°Let¡¯s head back.¡± With that<b>, </b>she was <b>already </b>walking out, armsden with two hefty bags of groceries.


    Watching her daughter¡¯s slender figure exhibit surprising strength, Delh couldn¡¯t help but muse internally once more: A delicate and frail daughter was simply out of the question.


    Once home. Delh immediately dove Into the kitchen to get busy. Mirabe, lost in thought, nced at her mother and then retreated to her room.


    It wasn¡¯t until past six in the evening that the Davis family doorbell chimed. ¡°Mira, would you mind getting the door?¡± Delh called out from the midst of her culinary endeavors.


    Mirabe hummed a response, pocketed her phone<b>, </b>and got up to answer the door.


    ¡°Ah¡­ did I get the wrong house?¡± The man outside, about to greet Delh, caught sight of Mirabe and paused for a second before quickly swallowing the word.


    Mirabe frowned slightly. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    The man was holding an armful of items, stepped back to double¨Ccheck the house number against the door frame, ¡°No mistake there.¡±


    He then looked back at Mirabe, internally admiring her striking beauty, cleared his throat, and asked uncertainly. ¡°This is the Davis residence, right?¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Mirabe answered with a cool and detached voice, her exquisite face showing little emotion. Even her voice was a delight.


    However, although the girl looked unfamiliar, he couldn¡¯t help but notice <b>a </b>resemnce to his client in her features. His eyes narrowed, and he suddenly remembered something, eximing. ¡°Are you Leo¡¯s biological sister, the one who was switched at birth?¡± He knew Summer, so guessing the identity of the girl before him wasn¡¯t difficult.


    Mirabe stared at him with indifferent eyes and remained silent.


    Pretty, with a lovely voice and a cool demeanor ¨C she didn¡¯t look like someone who had grown up in the countryside. Collins¡¯s surprise flickered briefly before he hurriedly introduced himself, ¡°Hello. I¡¯m your brother Leo¡¯s agent, Collins.¡±


    At the mention of this<b>, </b><b>a </b>flicker of surprise crossed Mirabe¡¯s eyes. So, her mother had been bustling about all day. stubbornly keeping the identity of their visitor a secret- it was Leo?


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze shifted, sizing up Collins. This man who imed to be an agent, so her estranged brother was a performer?


    Feeling scrutinized by Mirabe, Collins reflexively straightened his posture. Although she was just a young girl, she somehow imposed an inexplicable pressure. How odd!


    After she gathered her thoughts, Mirabe¡¯s lips formed a slight smile, and she politely nodded at the person, ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Then, she swung the door <b>wide </b><b>open</b>, inviting him in.


    Collins, snapping out of it, chose not to enter. Instead, he set down the several elegantly wrapped bags at the entrance, smiling. ¡°I won¡¯t intrude. I¡¯m just here to deliver some things on behalf of Leo. I¡¯ll be on my way shortly.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s expression cooled upon hearing this, and with a half¨Csmile, she asked, ¡°He¡¯s noting home tonight?¡±

 Chapter 75

    Collins had been hustling in the entertainment industry for well over a decade, wing his way to the top until he became one of the most sought¨Cafter agents around. His knack for reading a room and picking up on subtle cues was


    second to none.


    At the moment, Leo¡¯s sister <b>was </b>smiling, but to Collins, it felt like there was a chill behind that smile. He was about to nod and say yes, but for some reason, he diverted, ¡°No, something came up at the office. That movie he shot abroad needs some final touches<b>, </b>so he headed straight to thepany afternding.¡±


    He paused before adding, ¡°Leo knew you wereing home. He made a point of asking me to <b>drop </b>off this gift and said he¡¯d swing by as soon as he¡¯s wrapped up at work.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s smile twitched slightly <b>as </b>she replied in a cool tone, ¡°Gol it, thanks.¡±


    Scratching his head, Collins couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°I¡¯m heading back to the office soon. Is there anything you want me to pass on to Leo?¡±


    Mirabe was already turning to enter the house when his question reached her. She nced at the kitchen, then turned her gaze back to him, ¡°Well if it¡¯s not too much trouble, let him know Mom picked up a bunch <b>of </b>his favorite groceries this morning.¡±


    Collins stood dumbfounded for a moment. By the time he found his words. Mirabe had already closed the door behind her. After a moment, the smile faded from his face, reced by a look of worry. He let out a sigh and walked back toward the elevator.


    Delh stepped out of the kitchen, with spat in hand, her cheerful expression faltering when she saw only her daughter, ¡°Who was that ringing the doorbell just now, honey? Wasn¡¯t that your brother?¡±


    ¡°It was his agent,¡± Mirabe replied, cing the paper bags on the side cab.


    Delh¡¯s face fell slightly. ¡°So. Leo¡¯s noting today?¡±


    Mirabe nced at her, ¡°His agent said he had somepany matters to deal with.¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Delh sighed, heading back to the kitchen, muttering with a hint of irritation, ¡°I should have objected when he wanted to get into showbiz. He never gets a break. His sisteres home after so long, and work still keeps him away.¡±


    Mirabe just offered a mysterious smile in response.


    Meanwhile, Collins didn¡¯t head back to the office after leaving the Davis residence. <b>Instead</b>, he drove to an upscale vimunity in the city center. After swiping his card at the gate and entering the vi, he ced his keys on the console table, switched into clean shoes, and went upstairs with a ss of water.¡±


    ¡°I saw your sister at your ce today. <b>She¡¯s </b>quite a looker, very much like you,¡± Collins began as he entered the master bedroom, speaking to the person lying in bed. The figure in the bed didn¡¯t stir, lying as still <b>as </b>if asleep.


    With a sigh, Collins approached the bedside, flicked on themp, and said, ¡°Your sister seemed like she really hoped you¡¯de to see her. She even had me pass <b>on </b>a message before I left.¡±


    At that, the person who had been motionless in the bed suddenly <b>threw </b>back the covers, revealing a face that bore a striking resemnce to Mirabe¡¯s.


    Leo¡¯s hair was a mess, and his handsome face bore the unkempt despondency of neglect. He red at Collins with a dark and fierce gaze, his voice sharp <b>and </b>bitter, ¡°Can <b>you </b>not? Why are <b>you </b>telling <b>me </b>all <b>this</b>? You know exactly what I¡¯m going through right now<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    Leo stopped mid¨Csentence, his lips curling into <b>a </b>mocking sneer, his voice deting, ¡°Just <b>get </b>out, and don¡¯t bothering back.¡±

 Chapter 76

    <b>Chapter </b><b>76 </b>


    Seeing that Leo finally had some reaction, Collins, as if ustomed to his erratic way of speaking, handed over the water in his hand, and said with a somewhat solemn tone. ¡°Leo, when are you gonna stop throwing yourself this pity party?¡±


    Leo stared nkly at the celling, his brooding gaze quickly reced by the stillness of a stagnant pond. After an agonizing silence, he spoke with a bitter edge, ¡°Not being able to get back on stage is like a death sentence to me. I¡¯m practically useless, man. Do you get that?¡±


    Collins opened his mouth, then closed it, unsure of what to say next. He understood all too well the turrnoil eating <i>away </i>


    at Leo.


    Leo was his discovery, a prodigy in music production, singing, and dancing<b>¨C</b><b>a </b>natural¨Cborn superstar destined for the spotlight. But a single ident had shattered his foundation, and for someone as fiercely proud as Leo, it was a devastating blow.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give up, Leo. Medicine¡¯s advanced <b>so </b>much, someone out there¡¯s gotta have the fix you need,¡± Collins said, his throat dry, repeating the same hopeful lines<b>, </b>even though he felt utterly helpless.


    A hollowugh escaped Leo as he closed his eyes, turning his head away from Collins, shutting down any further conversation.


    Collins let out a wry chuckle, setting the ss down on the nightstand with a soft clink. He straightened up, schooling his emotions into neutrality, and headed <b>for </b>the door. Then he paused<b>, </b>recalling something Mirabe from the Davis family had mentioned as he was leaving<b>. </b>Turning slightly, his voice softened, ¡°Your sister wanted me to tell you that your mom hit the supermarket early today, and stocked up on all your favorite grub.¡±


    A few silent seconds passed before Collins seemed to reach a decision. ¡°Leo, I don¡¯t want to cover for you with your folks anymore. I didn¡¯t tell your sister that you weren¡¯ting home tonight either. Whether you go back or not, that¡¯s on you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m out.¡±


    The sound of the door closing echoed from the entrance. The bedroom, at this moment, became very quiet, in a way


    that was eerily unsettling.


    Leo on the bed opened his eyes<b>, </b><b>with </b>aplex expression in his eyes. He clenched his fists, frustration boiling over as he pulled the covers over his head.


    Ten minutester, he threw the covers off with a curse, sitting up abruptly, and after a moment of indecision, he got out of bed.


    Around eight in the evening.


    Delh sat on the couch, ncing between the clock on the wall and the front door, her face betraying her anxious wait.


    Mirabe lounged beside her, idly scrolling through her phone, seemingly detached from the tension in the air.


    ¡°Mira, you hungry? Go ahead and eat,¡± Delh suggested, her voice tinged with motherly concern.


    Mirabe put her phone away, feigning nonchnce. ¡°Maybe Leo¡¯s tied up with something. He might not make it back tonight.¡±


    But Delh shook her head, her smile unwavering. ¡°Your brother might be busy, but he doesn¡¯t break his word. If his agent said he¡¯sing, he¡¯ll be here.<b>¡± </b>


    In truth, if her son were reallying, they wouldn¡¯t need an agent to drop off gifts in his stead.


    Mirabe¡¯s expression remained neutral, tempted to speak her mind, yet choosing to hold her tongue upon seeing the hopeful look stered across Delh¡¯s face.


    <b>12:33 </b>


    A short whileter, the doorbell rang. ¡°That¡¯s gotta be your brother,¡± <i>Delh </i>said confidently, rising to her feet and heading toward the entrance<i>. </i>


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering in her clear eyes.

 Chapter 77

    As Leo stepped into the living room, Delh, his mother, pointed towards Mirabe, who had just risen from the couch, and said, ¡°Leo, this is your little sister, Mira.¡±


    Leo followed his mother¡¯s gaze. The girl was totally gorgeous, <b>with </b>a cute yet striking look about her, her pale cheeks shimmering with a luminescent glow under the lights. She was dressed down in an oversized tee paired withly shorts, perfect for lounging at home. Her legs were long, slender, and perfectly straight¨Csurpassing the beauty of any model or celebrity he had ever encountered.


    Aside from her looks, there was an air about her that seemed casual, yet inexplicably, she exuded a cool, edgy vibe. She wasn¡¯t coy, nor did she exhibit any sign of timidity, and she certainly didn¡¯t possess the fragility often associated with other girls,


    Initially, Leo felt indifferent about the sister he had never met. Even when Collins had spoken highly of her, Leo remained unimpressed. After all, they had grown up in different worlds, and he had little patience for overly delicate girls.


    However, the girl in front of him was unexpectedly intriguing, and the first impression was far from objectionable. The aloofness that usually guarded Leo¡¯s expression eased somewhat.


    4


    While he appraised Mirabe, she boldly returned his scrutiny. Frankly, Leo didn¡¯t quite match the image she had conjured in her mind, His appearance was unmistakably a testament to the Davis family¡¯s renowned good looks, but judging by the way his agent had delivered gifts that afternoon, she had pegged him as exceedingly arrogant.


    Now, observing him, she recognized the arrogance, but it seemed innate rather than directed at anyone in particr. Someone with such a demeanor, she mused, must be genuinely strong, with no need to curry favor with anyone.


    Mirabe found herself surprised, questioning her own earlier assessments. With such an imposing presence and being in showbiz, why hadn¡¯t she seen him featured inmercials before? Could it be that he wasn¡¯t actually that famous?


    As she pondered this, Mirabe withdrew her inquisitive gaze and calmly<b>, </b>yet politely, greeted, ¡°Hi, Leo.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, good to have you back,¡± Leo said<b>, </b>nodding slightly. His tone was casual. He paused for a moment as if realizing something, then added with a hint of regret. ¡°Sorry, things were rushed, and I forgot to bring you a present.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes wandered to a cab not far away<b>, </b>where items from Collins¡¯s delivery rested.


    Before she could respond, Delh chimed <b>in </b>from beside her, ¡°Didn¡¯t your agent bring over a bunch of gifts this afternoon?¡± Delh had already moved to the cab and began to sift through the items.


    At this, Leo¡¯s gaze flickered briefly, and he replied. ¡°Those were Collins¡¯s choices. When I get the chance, I¡¯ll personally pick out something for my little sis<b>.</b>¡±


    Delh was visibly surprised. Leo¡¯s personality was quite peculiar, arrogant, aloof, and seemingly indifferent. Even with Summer, who had grown up with him since childhood<b>, </b>he tended <b>to </b>ignore her. Emmitt had harbored biases against Mira earlier<b>, </b>which made Delh worry about how her other sons, especially Leo<b>, </b>would handle it. However, from the <b>looks </b>of it now, Leo seemed to have had a favorable impression of Mira.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay<b>, </b>you <b>don¡¯t </b>have <b>to </b>go out of your way to get me anything.¡± Mirabe said with a sweetly polite tone.


    Leo¡¯s brow furrowed, seemingly unwilling to ept the refusal. After pondering for <b>a </b>few seconds, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone<b>, </b>and said, ¡°<b>I </b><b>don¡¯t </b><b>know </b>what <b>you </b>like. How about this<b>¨C</b><b>you </b>take some money and buy something you want.¡±

 Chapter 78

    <b>Chapter </b><b>78 </b>


    Leo had added Mirabe <b>on </b>Messenger quite a while ago, <b>but </b>back then<b>, </b>learning <b>that </b>his sister had been raised in the countryside ¨C no offense intended <b>¨C </b>he worried she might be a bit of a pest. So, <b>even </b><b>after </b>connecting<b>, </b>he never struck up a conversation with her.


    With a nickname clearly noted, <b>it </b><b>didn¡¯t </b>take Leo long to find the chat with Mirabe. His fingers tapped several times on the screen as he entered an amount in the money transfer panel.


    ¡°I can only send two hundred grand a day. Take this for now, and I¡¯ll send more tomorrow. Just buy whatever you like, and if it¡¯s not enough, let me know,¡± Leo sald with nonchnt ease.


    The notification sound from her phone signalled another hefty transfer.


    Was this some kind of family gene? It must be, <b>right</b>?!


    Rubbing her temples<b>, </b>Mirabe didn¡¯t even pull out her phone. She was about to decline when Leo¡¯s voice came through once more.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t take it, I¡¯ll think you¡¯re still mad, and you don¡¯t like your new brother.<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe fell silent. Listen to that this family all had the same methodical way of forcefully giving money.


    23


    Still reeling from the forced windfall, Mirabe felt a bit spaced out even while sitting down to dinner. The facade of a poor family life had been skewed, and now, with Leo¡¯s shy moves upon their first meeting<b>, </b>the situation was well beyond the definition of poverty.


    ¡°Mira, what¡¯s on your mind? You seem distracted,¡± Delh asked with concern next to her. <b>It </b>was the first time Delh saw the kid so out of it ever since she sat down at the table.


    Mirabe snapped back to reality and shook her head <b>with </b>aplex expression, ¡°Nothing<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Leo nced over at her, the young girl¡¯s face still a bit dazed. Perhaps due to their blood rtion, he suddenly found this expression, which would seem silly on someone else, quite endearing on his sister.


    ¡°By the way, Leo, why don¡¯t you stay at home a bit longer this time? Work¡¯s important, but so is your health,¡± Shawn chimed in.


    At these words, Leo¡¯s grip on his fork tightened slightly, and his eyes narrowed. His handsome features showed no sign of disturbance, and he responded in an indifferent tone, ¡°Probably not. My schedule¡¯s packed for the year. I have to fly out <i>to </i>Lakewood tomorrow afternoon to shoot a music video. It¡¯s tight.¡± Finishing his exnation, he lowered his head and resumed eating.


    ¡°You insisted on going into music, working yourself to exhaustion. Look how thin you¡¯ve gotten since you¡¯ve been back,¡± Delh said with heartfelt worry.


    Leo swallowed a mouthful of somewhat dry rice and after a few seconds, he looked up with a forced smile, ¡°Losing a bit of weight is good<b>. </b>It¡¯s needed for the showbiz<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Delh shook her head helplessly, ¡°You¡¯re so young. Your health shoulde first.<b>¡± </b>


    A bitter smile touched Leo¡¯s lips as he hummed in acknowledgment, more to appease her than anything else. Mirabe looked up just in time to catch his strained expression. Though he seemed natural, it was clear that the ease was somewhat feigned<b>. </b>


    She pondered for <b>a </b>moment<b>, </b><b>but </b>she didn¡¯t ask further.


    Everyone has their secrets.


    After dinner, Leo only lingered <b>in </b>the living room for half an hour before concocting an excuse that he absolutely had to leave.


    ¡°I can¡¯t shake the feeling that <b>there¡¯s </b>something off about Leo,¡± Delh mused, frowning once Leo had left.


    Men just aren¡¯t as detail¨Coriented <b>as </b>women. Shawn patted <b>his </b>wife¡¯s hand. ¡°He¡¯s probably just exhausted. Didn¡¯t you hear <b>him</b><b>? </b>He just got back from an international flight today.¡±

 Chapter 79

    ¡°But I still feel something¡¯s off,¡± Delh said with a furrowed brow. ¡°In the past, no matter what, he would stay with us for a while when he came back. But did you see earlier? He seemed like he couldn¡¯t wait to get out of this house,¡±


    Mirabe had already returned to her room, which was why Delh continued, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he didn¡¯t seem to reject Mira, I would¡¯ve thought he was avoiding staying here because of her.¡±


    But clearly, that wasn¡¯t the case.


    Shawn pondered for a few seconds before suggesting. ¡°How about we give his agent a call tomorrow<i>?</i><b><i>¡± </i></b>


    Delh nodded in agreement. ¡°That might be a good idea. Otherwise, I¡¯ll just keep worrying,¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink <b>it</b>.¡±


    **


    After Mirabe took a shower, she settled in front of herputer, opened a web browser, and typed in the name Leo. Pages of results popped up instantly, but none seemed to be linked to the Leo that was her brother.


    Mirabe stroked her chin, puzzled. Could it be that this Leo had no real fame to speak of?


    After a moment of thought, her fingers flew across the keyboard, entering a string of web addresses. Soon enough, the page redirected, and after a two¨Cstep verification, she sessfully logged onto The Mirror¡¯s website. She opened her personal friends list and messaged someone with the nickname ¡°Oracle.¡±


    Bald Baby: [You there? Need you to look someone up for me.]


    The Oracle¡¯s status showed online, but there was no immediate reply, possibly busy with something else.


    Mirabe wasn¡¯t in a hurry. She leaned back in her chair, the flickering light from theputer screen reflecting on her face, giving her an air <b>of </b>nonchnce.


    About five or six minutester, Oracle finally replied. Oracle: [Sorry about that, got held up. Who do you need info on? Please let me know.]


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes lowered as her fingertips rested <b>on the </b>keyboard<b>, </b>ready <b>to </b>type<b>, </b>when her phone suddenly rang.


    James? Confusion crossed Mirabe¡¯s face. What was he calling about at this hour?


    After a brief hesitation, she picked up the phone and pressed the answer button.


    A minuteter, ¡°Got <b>it</b><b>. </b><b>I¡¯ll </b>be right there<b>.</b>¡± She ended the call, her expression turning grave.


    She stared at the chat box waiting for her reply on theputer <b>screen</b><b>, </b>her fingers moving swiftly as she typed: [Gotta go, emergency. Talkter.]


    Without waiting for a response, she closed the webpage<b>, </b>stood <b>up</b><b>, </b>grabbed a jacket from the closet, and hurried out.


    Downstairs, Shawn and Delh had already retired to their rooms. Without disturbing them<b>, </b>Mirabe grabbed her keys


    and left the house.


    Twenty minutester, at the hospital.


    As soon as Mirabe stepped out of the cab, she saw James waiting <b>at </b>the entrance. She approached <b>him</b><b>, </b>her voice low with concern, ¡°How¡¯s my grandmother?<b>¡± </b>


    James led her toward the ward as he <b>spoke</b>, ¡°She¡¯s just out of critical <b>condition</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Relief washed over Mirabe, her tense expression softened as she nced at him, ¡°Thanks, I owe you one. Lucky <b>you </b>were there.¡±


    The corners of James¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile, his chiseled features softly illuminated by the light, ¡°<b>It¡¯s </b>nothing.¡±


    They <b>soon </b>arrived at the ward.


    Catherine had been moved from the emergency room to a regr one, where a duty doctor was monitoring her vital signs. Mirabe stood outside, not immediately entering, but quietly watching through the ss window<b>, </b>her gaze intense and contemtive.

 Chapter 80

    <b>Chapter </b><b>80 </b>


    James nced at Mirabe, whose <b>expression </b><b>had </b>clouded over as if she <b>had </b>be <b>someone </b>else entirely<b>. </b><b>After </b>a long moment<b>, </b>he spoke <b>up </b>gently, <b>¡°</b><b>Your </b>grandma¡¯s going to be just <b>fine</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe <b>murmured </b><b>a soft </b>acknowledgment. Her eyelids <b>drooped </b><b>slightly</b><b>, </b>casting <b>faint </b><b>shadows </b><b>beneath </b>her longshes<b>. </b>She <b>sat </b>quietly<b>, </b><b>showing </b>no outward <b>signs </b><b>of </b>distress.


    Soon, the <b>door </b><b>to </b>the hospital room swung open <b>from </b><b>the </b>inside<b>. </b>Mirabe <b>lifted </b><b>her </b><b>head </b><b>and </b><b>walked </b><b>over </b>with <b>calm </b>


    steps.


    The doctor removed his mask, eyeing <b>both </b>Mirabe and James <b>with </b>a mix <b>of </b>seriousness and reproach. ¡°The patient is stable for now, but can¡¯t <b>you </b>youngsters keep your tempers in check? <b>Don¡¯t </b><b>you </b>know <b>she </b>has <b>a </b>weak heart <b>and </b><b>can¡¯t </b>handle the stress<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    A flicker of emotion passed through Mirabe¡¯s eyes before she responded <b>with </b>utmost civility and a willingness to learn from her mistake, ¡°We understand. We¡¯ll be more careful <b>in </b>the future.¡±


    Perhaps persuaded by her polite demeanor and receptiveness, the doctor seemed to lose the urge to lecture further. Instead, he advised, ¡°Go in and keep herpany, but make sure not to upset her again.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Mirabe nodded slightly<b>. </b>Once the doctor and nurses had left, she stepped into the room.


    Catherine had not yet awakened, an oxygen mask covering her face as shey quietly, the monitors beside her showing a steady rhythm of vital signs.


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze briefly touched the medical equipment before she casually pulled a chair over and sat by the bed.


    After watching Catherine in silence for a moment, Mirabe reached out, tucking the nket around her with a gentle touch before nonchntly taking grandma¡¯s hand that rested beside her.


    James took a seat in another chair, his eyes catching only Mirabe¡¯s profile, missing the tender gestures she made. His phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling his attention away. He withdrew it, nced briefly at the message on the screen, and then slid the phone back into his pocket.


    But within a couple of minutes, the phone buzzed again<b>¨C</b><b>this </b>time, a call.


    James frowned, gave Mirabe a quick look, <b>and </b>then stood up to walk <b>out </b>of the <b>room</b><b>. </b>His footsteps were almost silent, barely audible until the door clicked shut behind <b>him</b>. It was only then that Mirabe turned her head toward the door, a thoughtful expression crossing her face for a second before she looked away again.


    Soon after, James returned to the room. Mirabe slowly ced Catherine¡¯s hand back under the covers and looked up at James. ¡°Thanks for tonight. It¡¯s gettingte. You should head back and get some rest. I¡¯ll stay here with her.¡±


    James raised <b>an </b>eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re being awfully polite.<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe leaned back in her chair, her face no longer as tense as when they had first arrived at the hospital but seeming more rxed. <b>¡°</b>Not really, you¡¯ve got things to do<b>, </b>right?<b>¡± </b>


    Her eyes flicked briefly to the phone he hadn¡¯t yet put away.


    James was somewhat surprised by Mirabe¡¯s perceptiveness but he did have matters to attend to. After a brief pause, he exined, ¡°I might be out of Ashford for a few days. If somethinges up<b>, </b>give me a call.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Mirabe waved him off easily, clearly not too concerned.


    Seeing her reaction, James just smiled <b>and </b>said<b>, </b><b>¡°</b>I¡¯m off then.<b>¡± </b>


    Soon, the room was left with only Mirabe and her grandma. After the night nurse made onest check, Mirabe settled down to rest beside the bed.

 Chapter 81

    <b>Chapter </b><b>81 </b>


    After grandma woke up. Mirabe made a return trip to the Davis family. It was a little past eight in the morning, and even though she finished her usual morning jogter than usual, her mother, Delh, suspected nothing. She assumed Mirabe had <b>simply </b>taken a few extraps.


    Without revealing the truth about her overnight absence<b>, </b>Mirabe quickly showered and changed into fresh clothes. She then rummaged through a box she pulled from her wardrobe, selecting a sky¨Cblue porcin bottle from among a dozen jars and vials.


    She tucked <b>the </b>porcin bottle into her bag and <b>didn¡¯t </b>linger. Skipping breakfast, she briefly mentioned Granny¡¯s condition to Delh, who offered to visit Catherine, but Mirabe refused and promptly left the house<b>. </b>


    Twenty minutester, Mirabe was back at the hospital. However, as she approached the door of the hospital room and spotted Mandy, Summer and a boy who looked to be around fifteen inside, her steps faltered.


    ¡°<b>Mom</b>, you fall sick and don¡¯t even tell me. If the nanny hadn¡¯t called today. I¡¯d still be in the dark<b>.</b>¡± Mandy said, pressing on her temples, though she was careful not to speak too harshly considering Catherine¡¯s condition.


    Catherine was propped up in bed, pale and seemingly unweing of the room¡¯s upants. Her demeanor was chilly and detached.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine now. There are doctors and nurses here; you don¡¯t need to take care of me. You should leave,¡± Catherine stated, her thoughts drifting to Mirabe. She worried that if Mira returned and crossed paths with them, her granddaughter would be bullied once again.


    Mandy, hearing Catherine¡¯s words, could barely contain her frustration. ¡°You¡¯re unwell, and the kids came specially to see you. Why must you be so cold?<b>¡± </b>


    Catherine simply gazed out the window, silent.


    Seeing this, Mandy was truly vexed. She couldn¡¯tprehend why Catherine was being so stubborn.


    ¡°Mom, tone it down. Granny can¡¯t handle the stress,¡± Summer interjected, stepping forward and shaking her head at her mother.


    Then, turning to her grandmother, Summer¡¯s eyes softened. She moved a chair closer, sat down by the bed, and gently took Catherine¡¯s hand. ¡°Granny, please don¡¯t be mad at Mom. She¡¯s just really worried about you.¡±


    Catherine¡¯s icy facade thawed slightly under Summer¡¯s loving gaze. ¡°My health is fine. You take your mother and brother and go back home,¡± Catherine said, subtly withdrawing her hand.


    Summer¡¯s fingers curled slightly, her smile remaining tender. <b>¡°</b>Doctors and nurses can¡¯t rece the care of family.¡±


    At the mention of family, Catherine¡¯s heart stirred with emotion. ¡°But <b>I </b><b>don¡¯t </b>need them<b>¡­ </b>I have Mir¡­¡± She caught herself mid¨Csentence, realizing she was about to slip up.


    Mandy, however, had picked up on something. <b>¡°</b>Are you waiting for Mirabe again?¡±


    Catherine looked away. ¡°She¡¯s not gonnae here. You were so mean to herst time!¡±


    Mandy¡¯sughter was edged with irritation. ¡°I was being mean to her? <b>Why </b>do you think I sent her away? Don¡¯t <b>you </b>have any idea?¡± Shaking her head in disbelief, Mandy continued, ¡°Alright<b>, </b>you defend her so much, but now that you¡¯re sick, does she know? Is she here taking care of <b>you</b><b>?</b>¡±


    She pointed at Summer. ¡°No<b>, </b>she¡¯s not. So please, see clearly: it¡¯s Summer who is taking care of you, and it¡¯s Summer who came to visit. Summer¡¯s <b>your </b>real granddaughter.¡±

 Chapter 82

    Chapter <b>82 </b>


    Catherine¡¯s face was ashen, her lips bitten as she struggled to find words. But Summer stood up decisively, giving Mandy¡¯s arm a gentle tug.


    ¡°Mom, ease up a bit, will ya? If Grandma wants Mirabe here to look after her, let¡¯s just give Mirabe a ring. Mirabe might not be her flesh and blood, but the bond they¡¯ve built over the years is the real deal. You don¡¯t need to squabble with Grandma over me. Her health is what¡¯s paramount.¡±


    Summer¡¯s smile had a hint of bitterness<b>, </b>and then she took out her phone from her bag.


    Upon hearing this. Mandy¡¯s anger red even more. Seeing Summer about to make a call to Mirabe, Mandy couldn¡¯t help but snatch the phone away from her.


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of calling her? Why are you so pigheaded, kid? You¡¯ve put yourpany¡¯s big shindig on hold toe take care of your grandmother, and now you want to bring that girl into <b>this</b>? <b>I </b><b>can¡¯t </b>decide if you¡¯re naive or just in foolish.¡± Mandy scolded, her tone a mix of exasperation and disappointment.


    ¡°Mom, it¡¯s alright.¡± Summer reached out to retrieve her phone, but as she looked up, she suddenly froze upon seeing Mirabe standing at the doorway.


    Mandy followed Summer¡¯s gaze to the door and stiffened at the sight of Mirabe, her face quickly darkening. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s presence seemed to catch Catherine off guard as well, her face flushing with anxiety. ¡°Actually, Mira stayed with me through the night,¡± Catherine hurried to exin, hoping to clear any misunderstandings.


    ¡°All night?¡± Mandy snorted with disbelief and cast a doubtful nce at Catherine. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re covering for her again? If she was here all night, why didn¡¯t you mention it earlier?¡±


    Catherine muttered defensively, ¡°Would you have believed me? Would you not have sent Mira away?¡± Catherine had hoped to persuade them to leave before Mirabe returned, but she hadn¡¯t expected her toe back so soon.


    Mandy scoffed at Catherine¡¯s words. ¡°So, in your eyes, I¡¯m that unworthy as a daughter?¡±


    Catherine looked away<b>, </b>unwilling to engage further.


    ¡°Mom.¡± Summer¡¯s timely interjection broke the tension. She shook her head at Mandy, then quickly moved toward the door to wee Mirabe. ¡°Mira,e <b>on </b>in. Grandma¡¯s been waiting for you.¡±


    Mirabe cast a cool nce at Summer. Before Summer¡¯s hand could even graze her, Mirabe sidestepped and made her way into the room without giving Mandy a second look, heading straight to the grandmother¡¯s bedside with an even tone. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to get worked up? Not listening again, are we<b>?</b>¡±


    Catherine looked up at Mirabe¡¯s impassive face, her <b>own </b>expression <b>shrinking</b>. <b>¡°</b><b>I¡¯m </b>not upset. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s smile didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. <b>¡°</b><b>If </b>you were fine, you wouldn¡¯t have had an episodest night.¡±


    Catherine fell silent, looking every bit the chastened child. She wasn¡¯t intimidated by anyone¡¯s anger, except for Mira¡¯s.


    Summer watched the scene unfold, her gaze dropping and fingers tightening. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t seem to earn more than a cursory nce from her grandmother. She really hated Mirabe.


    Meanwhile, Aiden, who had been absorbed in his phone the whole time, finally looked up. His eyes held a <b>hint </b><b>of </b>confusion as he observed Mirabe.


    Was this the same sister he remembered as being foolish, clumsy, and timid<b>? </b>

 Chapter 83

    <b>Chapter 83 </b>


    Aiden was the apple of Mandy¡¯s eye, a bright spark from the get¨Cgo. In the Gilbert household, he was practically raised on a pedestal, which unfortunately meant his temperament was spoiled rotten, leaving him with an air of indifference and the kind of arrogance you¡¯d expect from a trust fund brat.


    His interactions with Mirabe were few and far between. They hadn¡¯t grown up together, only really seeing each other when Mandy would bring Mirabe home to the Gilbert estate for the holidays. Alden, spoiled as he was, took every opportunity to torment Mirabe, setting her up for trouble. It¡¯s fair to say that a fair share of the Gilbert n¡¯s disdain for Mirabe could beid at Aiden¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Hey, scaredy¨Ccat, can¡¯t even say hi when you see me?<b>¡± </b>Aiden pocketed his phone, his tone dripping with conceit as he addressed Mirabe<b>. </b>


    Mirabe <b>didn¡¯t </b>even bother to nce <b>up</b>. She turned her back <b>to </b>him, leisurely picking up a clean ss from the side table and pouring some water. From an angle no one <b>could </b><b>see</b>, she discreetly dropped a pill she got from the Davis family into the cup.


    Aiden, circling around like a hawk, came up beside her. ¡°I¡¯m talking to you. Are you deaf or what?¡±


    Summer, off to the side, watched with a slight sneer, seemingly eager for the drama to unfold.


    Mirabe swirled the cup in her hand, acting as if Aiden was invisible, then turned around and offered the cup to her grandma, ¡°Here, have some water.<b>¡± </b>


    Just as Catherine reached for the cup, Aiden, feeling repeatedly ignored and none too pleased about it, reached out to grab it. ¡°Mirabelle, you¡¯ve gotten pretty bold, have you-<b>¡± </b>


    His words were cut short as a sharp pain shot through his wrist, and a sudden force made him stagger. When he looked up into Mirabe¡¯s cold, unfeeling eyes, Aiden involuntarily shivered.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t your mom teach you any manners<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Mirabe towered over him, her eyes glinting with a frosty edge. Her voice was soft, yet it carried a dangerous undertone.


    Aiden felt a primal fear<b>, </b>as if he were prey cornered by a predator<b>. </b>The pain in his wrist was nothingpared to the chill from Mirabe¡¯s gaze. He stammered, ¡°I¡­ let me go.<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe sneered at his cowardice, ¡°<b>If </b>you can¡¯t handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen. You¡¯re embarrassing yourself.¡± With that, she released him.


    Aiden¡¯s face turned ashen as he clutched his throbbing wrist, wanting to retaliate but too scared to do so.


    Regaining herposure, Sumrner stepped forward to shield him, ¡°Mirabe, how can you be so rough with a kid? Aiden used to be your brother after all.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched yfully as her gaze settled on Summer¡¯s face, a taunting smile on her lips, ¡°Putting on <i>a </i>show of sibling love, are we?<b>¡± </b>


    Summer frowned, ¡°You¡­<b>¡± </b>


    Before she could finish, Aiden pushed her aside. Having already been embarrassed in front of Mirabe, Summer¡¯s intervention was like salt in his wounds. Shooting Mirabe a venomous look, he stormed off. Summer was left standing there, her dignity in tatters.


    Half a minuteter, Aiden, who had stormed out of the room, doubled back to the doorway, ¡°Mom, why are you still here? If someone wants to stick around and take care of grandma, you don¡¯t need to waste your time.¡± With that, he really did leave without looking back.


    Mandy, ever the doting mother, didn¡¯t bother with a reprimand for Mirabe and hurried after her son. Summer was left there, herplexion a mix of anger and embarrassment.

 Chapter 84

    <b>Chapter </b><b>84 </b>


    As Mandy and <b>Aiden </b>left, Summer <b>found </b>herself without any reason to stick <b>around</b>. <b>With </b><b>a </b>forced smile and a mumbled <b>excuse</b><b>, </b>she <b>made </b>her awkward exit.


    Once they had all gone, Catherine turned to Mirabe, rushing to rify, ¡°Mira, the reason I didn¡¯t tell them about you taking care of me in the hospital is because¡­<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe handed her the water and interrupted with a calm voice, ¡°<b>I </b>know. <b>Don¡¯t </b>worry about it. You <b>don¡¯t </b>need to stress.<b>¡± </b>


    Relief washed over Catherine as she took a small <b>sip </b>of her drink. <b>It </b>was her usual tonic<b>. </b>Her eyebrows rose in surprise, ¡°Did you just go get my medicine?<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe nodded slightly, hooking a nearby chair with her foot and slouching down onto it with a casual air. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you been taking the medicine I prepared for you these past days<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Catherine gripped the cup tighter, her gaze shifting away from Mirabe. ¡°I have been taking <b>it</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s half¨Csmile didn¡¯t reach her eyes as she watched Grandma<b>. </b>She didn¡¯t say a word. The silence stretched. Catherine always found it unnerving when her granddaughter wore that smile. All the excuses she had thought up seemed to stick in her throat. Finally, Catherine caved in, murmuring, ¡°It¡¯s not that I intentionally didn¡¯t take your medicine. It¡¯s just that¡­ it disappeared.¡±


    Mirabe tapped her fingers on the armrest, maintaining hernguid demeanor. <b>¡°</b>The Gilbert family took it, didn¡¯t they?¡± It took Catherine a moment to nod, confirming what Mirabe already suspected.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s put the medicine issue aside for now. Let¡¯s talk about what caused your sudden illnessst night,¡± Mirabe said gently, as if discussing something mundane.


    But Grandma knew better. That tone was a sign of Mirabe¡¯s growing irritation. After a pause, Grandma managed a wry smile, ¡°It¡¯s actually because the medicine was gone. Besides me, the only other person at home on a regr basis is my caregiver. So, I called Mandy.¡±


    Mirabe rubbed her temples<b>, </b>sighing with a hint of exasperation, ¡°You could have just called me directly if the medicine was gone.¡±


    Catherine looked down, the bitterness in her eyes hidden.


    Mirabe switched topics, ¡°And what¡¯s the deal with James? Howe he was the one who brought you to the hospitalst night?¡±


    Catherine was momentarily taken aback by Mirabe¡¯s choice of address, then exined, ¡°Maybe I identally dialed his number during the episodest night. Mr. James is a kind man. You must thank him for me.¡±


    Catherine didn¡¯t mention that, in this new city, she felt almost like a stranger. Her daughter was unreliable, and her most beloved granddaughter now had her own family. In this city, James was the only acquaintance she had. Other than him, Catherine couldn¡¯t think of anyone else to call.


    ¡°Mr. James?¡± Mirabe cocked her head, her expression one of confusion as she looked at her grandmother.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t he your tutor?¡± Grandma asked, a bit puzzled.


    Mirabe blinked, not quite sure where the misunderstandingy, but it would do. It would save a lot of exnations, <b>so </b>she simply agreed, ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s <b>my </b>tutor.¡±


    Upon hearing this<b>, </b>Grandma <b>didn¡¯t </b>question it further. She simply sighed in appreciation, ¡°Your tutor has done well, turning your grades from rock bottom to top <b>of </b>the ss. Mira, you must invite him over for dinner sometime. We really should extend our thanks<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe could only nod silently, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

 Chapter 85

    <b>Chapter </b><b>85 </b>


    Far away in Riverdale, James suddenly sneezed. At this moment, his usually handsome features seemed a bit paler, but those <b>eyes </b>remained mysterious.


    ¡°Sir, are you feeling unwell again<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Wyatt asked, concern etched in his gaze.


    James lifted <b>a </b>hand in dismissal. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>The auction <b>doesn¡¯t </b>start until <b>six </b>this evening. Perhaps you should rest at the manor first?¡± Wyatt suggested with


    <b>care</b>.


    ¡°No need. We¡¯ll <b>head </b>straight to the venueter,<b>¡± </b>James replied, his voice crisp<b>. </b>After a brief pause, he turned his head, ¡°Make sure to keep <b>an </b>eye on every individual who enters tonight.<b>¡± </b>


    Wyatt nodded in understanding. ¡°Understood. Should that person appear, <b>we¡¯ll </b>make sure they don¡¯t slip away,¡±


    James nonchntly flicked his cuff, and after a moment¡¯s silence, he murmured, ¡°Let¡¯s hope so.¡±


    ¡°If they need that medicine, they will definitely show up,¡± Wyatt whispered, his expression unreadable in the dim light.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe watched as Catherine finished her medicine and engaged in light conversation with her. Age and frailty soon took their toll, and Catherine drifted off to sleep not long after.


    After tucking the nkets around Catherine, Mirabe quietly exited the room. As she reached the lobby via the elevator, she encountered Mandy, who, it seemed, had been waiting for her deliberately:


    ¡°Come with me. We need to talk,¡± Mandy said.


    The lobby was bustling, so Mandy¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t sharp, but her face was still painted with its customary haughtiness.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched in interest at Mandy¡¯s retreating figure, heading toward the outdoor garden<b>. </b>After a few seconds of thought, Mirabe followed.


    ¡°What exactly did you give Catherine? What kind of medicine was it?¡± Mandy demanded, her eyes cold as she looked at Mirabe as if she were a viin of the worst order.


    With her hands casually in her pockets, Mirabe¡¯s demeanor was nonchnt. ¡°Is there a problem with my medicine?¡±


    Mandy almostughed in irritation at Mirabe¡¯s attitude. ¡°No packaging, no manufacturer¡¯s name, ¡®mystery medicine,¡® really? You¡¯re bold to give such a thing to a woman in her seventies. Are you trying to kill her, Mirabe?¡±


    ¡°Mystery medicine?¡± Mirabe let out a light chuckle,zily raising her eyelids<b>, </b>her eyes a deep shade of intrigue as they met Mandy¡¯s usatory stare. ¡°Do you have any idea how much my medicine is worth?¡± Her speech was slow and deliberate, bordering on mockery.


    Mandy was momentarily taken aback by her tone, and after regathering herposure, replied with a scoff, <b>¡°</b>No matter how expensive <b>your </b>medicine is<b>, </b>it¡¯s still unverified<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    How much could a rural folk remedy be worth? What a joke.


    Pausing, Mandy added, ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve consulted a doctor, and they also advised against such untested rural remedies. They said it could exacerbate cardiac stress, practically amounting to a slow poison. Catherine¡¯s health was stabilizing until your medicine came into the picture. Her sudden illnessst night, how do <b>you </b>exin that, Mirabe? If anything happens to her, you¡¯ll be the one to me<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    A smirk yed on Mirabe¡¯s lips, but she wasn¡¯t angered by the usation. Instead, she posed a wry question<b>, </b>¡°The doctor you consulted, was he perhaps severely myopic and practicing without a license?¡±


    Mandy was at a loss for words<b>. </b>


    With a soft chuckle, Mirabe shook her head, no longer interested in wasting her time on such nonsense. Without another word, she turned and walked away.


    Mandy snapped back to reality, watching Mirabe walk away into the distance, her face turning ashen.

 Chapter 86

    <b>Chapter </b><b>86 </b>


    Mirabe gave a quick report to the nurse <b>on </b>duty at the <b>station </b>and left the hospital <b>in </b>a hurry<b>. </b>Despite her grandmother¡¯s <b>sudden </b>illness<b>, </b>there was a sigh of relief knowing that her grandma was admitted to the hospital in time and had her medication on hand<b>. </b>There was little worry aboutplications.


    However<b>, </b><b>as </b>Mirabe stepped out of the hospital, her eyes inadvertently caught a somewhat familiar figure. She <b>paused </b><b>mid</b><b>¨C</b>stride, her mind quickly cing the person<b>. </b><b>Wasn¡¯t </b>that <b>Collins</b><b>, </b><b>Leo¡¯s </b>agent? She had just seen him yesterday <b>and </b>his image was fairly fresh in her mind.


    She squinted, scanning the <b>crowd </b>once <b>more</b>, but there was no sign of Leo.


    Seeing <b>an </b>agent at the hospital didn¡¯t necessarily mean that Leo would be there as well, especially since Leo had mentioned flying out to <b>a </b>neighboring state to shoot a music video that day. Leo was likely airborne <b>at </b><b>the </b>moment.


    <b>With </b>a shake of her head<b>, </b>Mirabe let go of her curiosity and continued on her way out.


    No sooner had she left<b>, </b><b>a </b>man emerged from a side door near the restrooms, his face half¨C<b>hidden </b>by a ck mask and a baseball cap pulled <b>down </b>low. Collins approached him with a document in hand. ¡°Leo<b>, </b>the hospital director and the others are waiting,¡± he said.


    Leo¡¯s gaze fell on the sheet Collins was holding. He nodded, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Collins knew how much courage it took for Leo toe to the hospital and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°You never know, miracles can happen, right?<b>¡± </b>


    Leo just offered a wry smile in response.


    Soon, they entered the director¡¯s office, where they were met by the director and a top neurologist.


    With a polite nod, Collins handed over the medical report to them. After a brief examination, the director removed his sses, his expression tinged with regret. ¡°The spinal damage is severe. It will take years to recover, if at all¨Cand that¡¯s secondary<b>. </b>The main concern is the damage to the spinal cord nerves. Thatplicates things significantly.¡±


    The neurologist added, ¡°The nerves connect to the entire body. If the spinal nerves are damaged, it could lead to sensory abnormalities or even paralysis. ording to Mr. Davis¡® report<b>, </b>the damage is moderate. Conservative treatment is the only option, and there¡¯s no guarantee of full recovery. Even if there¡¯s a one in a thousand chance of healing, strenuous physical activity will be out of the question.¡±


    Leo¡¯s fists clenched at his sides. Despite having heard simr verdicts before, each one felt like a knife twisting in his gut.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there any more effective treatment?¡± Collins asked, his eyes reddening. Collins had secured this meeting because the hospital was renowned for its neurology department, and he had hoped for more than the same disappointing answers they¡¯d received elsewhere.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,<b>¡± </b>was the simple<b>, </b>disheartening reply.


    Before Collins could say another word, Leo ced a hand on his arm, nodded to <b>the </b>director and the specialist, and said, ¡°I understand<b>. </b>Thank you.¡±


    Without waiting for a response, Leo turned and walked away, his solitary figure a portrait of despair.


    The neurologist, ustomed to such cases yet still touched by the sight, let out <b>a </b>sigh. His eyes inadvertently fell <b>on </b>a magazine lying nearby, sparking a thought. ¡°Wait a second,¡± he called out to Leo.

 Chapter 87

    The expert picked up the magazine and flipped through it quickly<b>, </b>¡°Look, our hospital might not have the means, but there could be someone overseas who can handle your neurological


    Leo had reached the doorway when he heard this and spun around abruptly, <i>¡°</i>Who?¡±


    The neurology expert held up the magazine, pointing at a <b>photo</b>, ¡°This person here<b>, </b>a genius oktor, LIN.¡±


    Leo¡¯s pazended on the magazine¡¯s photo, and in that moment, he froze.


    ¡°This LIN, they won a bunch of medical awards Internationally by the age of neen. Any research paper they put out sends shockwaves through the medicalmunity. They are especially skilled at treating neurological conditions. If they take your case<b>, </b>a full recovery might just be on the cards.¡±


    The reverence on the expert¡¯s face as he spoke was a clear indication of his high regard for LIN.


    Collins lit up with a manic joy, ¡°Could I take this magazine with me?¡±


    The expert wasn¡¯t stingy, handing over the magazine. ¡°However, I¡¯ve heard LIN is notoriously reclusive and doesn¡¯t just see anyone. But you could give it a shot.¡±


    Collins, clutching the magazine like a prized possession, nodded his thanks. At this moment, he couldn¡¯t care less about how temperamental LIN was. The important thing was the potential. for his star¡¯s health to be restored. Even if LIN was difficult to persuade, he would find <b>a </b>way to get them to treat Leo.


    Exiting the hospital and sliding into the car, Collins still cradled the magazine, his <b>usual </b>anxiety and tension finally easing. ¡°Leo, you don¡¯t have to worry about your health anymore. We¡¯ve got hope now. If we can get to this LIN, you¡¯ll be back on stage in no time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll look this LIN up online, see if there¡¯s any information,¡± Collins said, reaching for his phone.


    Leo was still stunned from seeing the photo in the magazine and didn¡¯t quite catch what Collins was saying<b>. </b>


    After a while, Collins, Initially buoyed by hope, looked grave again, ¡°This LIN¡­ his temperament really does seem tricky. Rumor has it, unless it¡¯s a world¨Css medical puzzle, getting him to act is unlikely.¡±


    Collins turned to his client with a raspy voice, ¡°Leo, we<b>¡­</b>¡±


    Leo finally snapped back to the present, cutting Collins off. ¡°He¡¯ll take my case.¡±


    Collins looked puzzled, not understanding where Leo¡¯s sudden confidence came from, ¡°What <b>do </b>


    <b>12:24 </b>


    Chapter 8/


    you mean by that?¡±


    Leo took the magazine, flipped to LIN¡¯s photo, and casually pulled off his ck face mask, holding up the magazine, ¡°Compare the two, see any resemnce?<b>¡± </b>


    Collins was more confused by the action, but still nced back and forth before speaking uncertainly, ¡°You two are both good¨Clooking? Hang on, Leo, this isn¡¯t the time for a beauty contest with some genius doctor<b>.</b>¡±


    Leo¡¯s expression darkened, and he rubbed his forehead in frustration, ¡°Don¡¯t you think he looks. a bit like me?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Collins took a closer look, ¡°Now that you mention it, there is a resemnce.¡± His words trailed off as his face registered shock, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to be¡­¡±


    Seeing that Collins seemed to be grasping the truth, Leo put the magazine down and put his mask back on, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s hit the road.¡±

 Chapter 88

    Mirabe had just returned home from the hospital when Emmitt walked through the door. Days had passed since theirst falling out, and although the anger had subsided in Emmitt¡¯s heart, a certain unease lingered, casting a cool shade over his gaze whenever itnded on his


    sister.


    ¡°Did Leo note home yesterday?¡± Emmitt¡¯s eyes swept the living room, then turned towards Delh, who was bustling in the kitchen.


    ¡°Yeah, he did, but he left right after dinner. Said he had a flight to Lakewood today to shoot a music video or something. Why the sudden interest? You looking for him?¡± Delh eyed him curiously.


    At that, Emmitt hummed nomittally, ¡°No big deal, really. Just haven¡¯t seen him in a while and thought he¡¯d stick around the house to rest up<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°I called <i>you </i>yesterday, but you were busy with work.¡± Delh replied, her voice tinged with


    annoyance.


    Clearing his throat, Emmitt made no reply.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? Lunch will be ready soon. Go and chat with your sister in the living room.¡± Delh instructed, pausing before adding, ¡°And rein in that temper of yours. Mira is your flesh and blood. Don¡¯t always be looking at her through those judgmental sses.¡±


    Emmitt was about to decline the meal, but Delh¡¯s words left him swallowing his protests. Mirabe sat curled up on the couch with a book, her focus undisturbed even as Emmitt took a seat beside her. He watched her, his expression dimming, assuming she was intentionally ignoring him. He didn¡¯t initiate conversation, choosing instead to pick up the remote and flick on the TV.


    The quiet atmosphere was broken by the sounds of the television. Mirabe nced up briefly before returning her attention to the pages before her, seemingly unaffected by the intrusion.


    Emmitt wasn¡¯t truly interested in watching TV. It was more about upholding Delh¡¯s request without losing dignity by speaking first. So, he flipped through channels aimlessly, paying no real attention to what was on.


    But soon, a variety show caught his attention, halting his restless channel surfing. Summer, a dynamic pop singer known for her stage presence and central role in her group, was gracing the screen. Even Emmitt, who seldom watched such programs, couldn¡¯t help but be impressed by his foster sister¡¯s natural charisma. He settled in to watch.


    After the performance, the hosts began interviewing the artists. As the center of her group, Summer was a focal point of their attention.


    ¡°So, our lovely Summer, aside from rehearsals, what do you usually do with your free time?¡± the host inquired<b>. </b>


    On the screen, Summer, with her wless makeup and sweet smile, answered gracefully, ¡°Besides training, I spend most of my time with my nose in a book. After all, as everyone. knows, I¡¯m still a senior in high school.¡±


    ¡°Haha, you¡¯ve seen how hardworking and dedicated Summer is. Has she won over any more. fans out there?¡± The host yfully joked to the camera.


    The audienceughed affectionately at the host¡¯s teasing. After a brief pause, the host continued with a smile. ¡°We¡¯ve heard you participated in the ¡®BrainSpark Nationals¡® and achieved an impressive sixth ce in the preliminarles. Summer<b>, </b>how do you feel about that. and do you have any inspiring words to share with us?¡±

 Chapter 89

    Emmitt¡¯s eyebrows shot up, a look of utter surprise and astonishment painting his features. He was well¨Caware that his foster sister¡¯s grades were nothing short of ster, <b>but </b>to rank sixth in the nation on the preliminary exams? That was something beyond merely ¡®good.¡±


    Prodigy, genius ¨C she truly deserved every academic de.


    On the TV, Summer maintained herposure, answering the host¡¯s questions with a calm and modest demeanor. ¡°Preliminary scores don¡¯t really mean much,¡± she said coolly. ¡°I¡¯m just going to keep pushing forward, aiming to do well in the uing rounds and live up to everyone¡¯s expectations.¡±


    The host, all smiles, smoothly transitioned to interviewing the other team members.


    Emmitt¡¯s attention drifted from the TV, and he fished out his phone to shoot a message to Summer on Messenger. [Congrats on snagging the sixth spot in the nation on those prelims.]


    At that moment, Summer<b>, </b>phone in hand, saw the sudden message from Emmitt and paused briefly before responding: [Thanks, Emmitt. How¡¯d you find out about my score, though?)


    Emmitt chuckled, typing back, [Just saw your interview on TV.]


    Summer¡¯s fingers hesitated on the screen for a moment. [Lol, you actually watch that kind of


    website to check out my score or something.]


    stuff? I thought you went on thepetition


    Finding that a bit surprising, Emmitt asked, [There¡¯s a website for yourpetition?]


    Summer¡¯s gaze narrowed slightly as she replied, [Yeah, but to check personal scores, you need the entry number. Otherwise, just checking the rankings is a pain, considering how many high schools and students are involved nationwide.]


    Emmitt: [Makes sense. When¡¯s your next exam? Don¡¯t forget to let me know your results.]


    Another cute emoji popped up from Summer, [Sure thing! After next week¡¯s round, I¡¯ll text you as soon as I get my scores.]


    Emmitt: [Good luck!]


    By then, Delh was calling for lunch, so Emmitt pocketed his phone, standing up with a cursory nce at the book Mirabe had just closed.


    The cover was littered with French, not a hint of English trantion, and it looked incredibly dense. Even with his decent grasp of French, Emmitt couldn¡¯t decipher the book¡¯s theme or content.


    She had been so engrossed in this French read, without any English glossary, that she hadn¡¯t even been distracted by the television. Wasn¡¯t that a bit too much of a show?


    If she were diving into a regr French textbook, he wouldn¡¯t have thought twice, but this¡­ Well, it certainly screamed sophistication.


    12:24


    Shaking his head, Emmitt couldn¡¯t help but feel disapproved, then he headed to the study to call Shawn for lunch.


    At the table. Delh didn¡¯t <b>fuss </b>over <b>her </b>eldest son, instead, she busied herself with serving her daughter. ¡°Mira, eat up. <b>You¡¯ve </b>been <b>holed </b><b>up </b>with your books so much; you¡¯re looking too thin,¡± Delh said with concern.


    Other kids were out shopping with friends <b>during </b>the holidays, but her daughter was <b>buried </b>in <b>books </b>round the clock. At this rate, Delh feared her child would turn into a real nerd.


    When Emmitt heard Delh¡¯sment about the strain of reading books, he shot her a peculiar nce. Everyone read books rted to high school courses. But what was his sister into?


    This unconditional favoritism Delh showed her daughter wasn¡¯t something he was keen to praise.

 Chapter 90

    Chapter <b>90 </b>


    Emmitt, weary of the exaggerated tales that seemed to flow endlessly from his mother¡¯s lips<b>. </b>casually shifted the conversation. ¡°Didn¡¯t Mirabe join the BrainSpark Nationals? How did the prelims go?¡±


    He paused briefly, ncing at Mirabe, but before she could respond, he continued, ¡°Summer¡¯s been in thatpetition too. Scored pretty well, got a high ranking.¡± He deliberately omitted that Summer had ced sixth, out of consideration for Mirabe¡¯s pride.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly, but she remained silent.


    Delh and Shawn, standing nearby, <b>didn¡¯t </b>seem the slightest bit surprised. Instead-


    ¡°Oh. Summer¡¯s score is decent enough,¡± Delh said nonchntly with a nod<b>. </b>


    Shawn, equallyposed, added, ¡°Summer¡¯s always been a strong student. Her being near the top isn¡¯t surprising.¡±


    But no matter how good Summer was, she wasn¡¯t a match for their daughter. After all, their girl had aced it, clinching the top spot with a perfect score.


    Noticing their tepid reactions, Emmitt looked up. puzzled. Summer had been their cherished foster daughter for over a decade. Even if they


    weren¡¯t thrilled for her, their response seemed off. Could it be because Mirabe had done poorly, and they were being considerate of her feelings?


    Emmitt chuckled at the thought, but before he could dwell on it, Shawn¡¯s voice filled the air again. ¡°Our Mira¡¯s a different story. Fresh from a small¨Ctown high school and hardly settled into the big city¡¯s teaching methods, she went straight for the jackpot¨Ca perfect score. She¡¯s really done the Davis family proud!¡±


    Shawn finished speaking with a smugness so exaggerated, it was as if he wanted to tattoo ¡®World¡¯s Smartest Daughter¡® across his forehead.


    ¡°And rightly so. She¡¯s the national number one.¡± Delh chimed in, her tone shifting to one of unbridled pride, her chin lifted high.


    Emmitt¡¯s face registered shock as he turned to them. ¡°Perfect score? First ce?¡±


    Sensing Emmitt¡¯s disbelief, Delh blinked innocently. ¡°Huh, <b>didn¡¯t </b>I tell you?¡±


    ¡°You might¡¯ve forgotten.¡± Shawn chimed in, feigning seriousness.


    ¡°How could she¡­¡± Emmitt blurted out impulsively, ¡°Her grades were not great, were they?¡±


    Delh¡¯s eyebrows arched as she nced at her eldest son. ¡°Who told you that?¡± She seemed to have erased from her memory the fact that she too had once believed her daughter¡¯s academic performance wascking.


    Emmitt was taken aback.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t believe it, go check the rankings online for yourself,¡± Delh <b>huffed</b><b>, </b>clearly disappointed by Emmitt¡¯s distrust.


    Emmitt¡¯s expression stiffened, his grip on his fork faltering. He didn¡¯t reach for his phone to check the rankings. He knew his parents wouldn¡¯t joke about such matters. Mixed emotions churned within Emmitt as he turned to look at Mirabe, who sat quietly enjoying her meal.


    For so long, he had always thought that his sister had poor academic performance, and he even believed that the eptance letter to Parkside High School was obtained through improper


    means.


    After learning she had entered the BrainSpark Nationals, he prejudged her actions as frivolous. Ironically, he had thought himself kind, even offering to hire her a tutor¨Can offer she had declined, leading him to believe she was reaching beyond her grasp.

 Chapter 91

    Chapter <b>91 </b>


    Emmitt¡¯s lips twisted into a sardonic smile, finding humor in the misunderstandings of the past weeks, while simultaneously feeling exasperated by his sister¡¯s silence despite her academic prowess. ¡°If she had just talked to me more,¡± he thought, ¡°none of this unpleasantness would¡¯ve happened.¡±


    The food tasted nd, partly from wounded pride, partly from not knowing how to face Mirabe. So, when Emmitt¡¯s phone buzzed in his pocket, he seized the excuse of urgent business and left the half¨Ceaten meal behind<b>. </b>


    Delh, puzzled, watched him leave. ¡°Isn¡¯t it the weekend?¡± she mused.


    Shawn raised an eyebrow, his tone cryptic. ¡°He¡¯s Just being stubborn.¡±


    Delh looked at her husband, not quite grasping his meaning. Shawn just smiled and kept his thoughts to himself.


    Once downstairs, Emmitt didn¡¯t start his car immediately but instead pulled out his phone and looked up the BrainSpark Nationals. He found the official website with ease and navigated to the scores section. He didn¡¯t have to search long before Mirabe¡¯s name leaped out at him, sitting at the top of the board, with a full hundred and fifty points.


    His gaze lingered on the screen, fingers hesitant, then scrolled down to see Summer¡¯s name as well. He realized that had he not casually mentioned thepetition, and had his parents not spoken of his sister¡¯s aplishments, he might have continued to undervalue his biological sister over his adopted one¨Ca thought that made him ruffle his hair in frustration before tossing the phone aside and starting the car.


    Well, it was just a preliminary score, nothing to fuss over.


    Monday.


    Mirabe had barely arrived at school when she was summoned to the principal¡¯s office.


    ¡°Mirabe, long time no see,<b>¡± </b>the principal, Mr. Hammond, greeted her with a beaming smile. his demeanor both gentle and polite.


    She nodded politely, ¡°Good morning. What can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve been so swampedtely, even had to travel. I¡¯m afraid that <b>during </b>my absence, some unfounded rumors about you taking shortcuts have been circting around the school,¡± he said, his face darkening with concern before he continued with a hint of regret, ¡°It¡¯s my oversight, really. I failed to rify things with the faculty, leading to this misunderstanding. Rest assured, I will clear your name, Mirabe.¡±


    Mirabe looked surprised but shook her head, ¡°No need. Wise people know better than to


    listen to gossip. Exining too much only breeds more suspicion.¡±


    Mr. Hammond paused<b>, </b>not expecting her indifference, but then realized that for someone of her intellect, dismissing public opinion was natural.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t proving them wrong with skills more satisfying?¡± Mirabe added with a half¨Csmile.


    ¡°You just¡­¡± he chuckled, shaking his head. He moved to the water cooler, poured her a ss of water, and changed the subject. ¡°Anyway, about the uing BrainSpark Nationals, I have high hopes for you.¡±


    Mirabe epted the ss, thoughtful for a moment before raising an eyebrow, ¡°I didn¡¯t sign up topete.¡±


    Mr. Hammond coughed awkwardly, gesturing for her to sit as he exined, ¡°I took the liberty of entering you into thepetition online.¡±

 Chapter 92

    ¡°I personally think thispetition should be a piece of cake for you,¡± Mr. Hammond remarked with a hint of emotion in his voice.


    Meeting Mirabe was a stroke of serendipity. At just 17, she made an online ssh by cracking theplex conundrums posed by several prestigious Riverdale institutions.


    Problems that stumped other students <b>for </b>weeks seemed like child¡¯s y to her. With barely any effort, she¡¯d unraveled them and then some, her insights leaving onlookers in awe.


    She almost caused an educational meltdown at these elite schools, and yet nobody had a clue who was behind it all. It was only when Parkside High School¡¯s online admission quiz blew her cover that he learned the mastermind giving the big institutions a run for their money was a high school student.


    Pure luck yed its part in bringing her to Parkside High School. Had she not been looking to study in Ashford, with Parkside being the top high school around, she might not have given it a second nce. Of course, Mr. Hammond never expected this youngdy to actually choose Parkside.


    When confronted with Mr. Hammond¡¯s unexpected confidence, Mirabe could only respond. ¡°I just want to focus on my studies.¡±


    Mr. Hammond chuckled. ¡°Studying andpeting? They actually go hand in hand<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your reason for putting me in thispetition?¡± asked Mirabeting to the


    chase.


    Mr. Hammond adjusted his sses. ¡°Although Parkside¡¯s college cement rate has been consistent, there¡¯s been a troubling downward trend¡­¡± He paused, his smile tinged with bitterness. ¡°I just don¡¯t want the school¡¯s century¨Cold reputation to falter on my watch.¡±


    Mirabe gave Mr. Hammond an OK sign. ¡°I get it.¡±


    Conversations with the bright were refreshingly straightforward. Mr. Hammond studied Mirabe for a moment before adding, ¡°Thispetition isn¡¯t a walk in the park either. If you stand out, you might even catch the eye of an association or two from Riverdale. It could be great for your future.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback.


    Mr. Hammond smiled. ¡°With your capabilities, you¡¯re underselling yourself at our school. There¡¯s not much else I can help you with.¡±


    Mirabe waved a casual hand, ¡°No need, I¡¯m good as is.¡± She then stood up, ¡°ss is about to start. I should head back to the ssroom.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Mr. Hammond said nothing more, but as Mirabe reached the door, he added, ¡°I haven¡¯t told a soul about that online incident.¡±


    Mirabe paused, smiled over her shoulder<b>, </b>and left. Mr. Hammond¡¯s gaze lingered until she was out of sight. Then, the warmth on his face faded. He walked to his desk and picked up the phone, dialing. Although the girl had expressed no need for rification, that didn¡¯t mean he¡¯d tolerate underhanded schemes during his absence.


    In the blink of an eye, the day for the BrainSpark Nationals city preliminaries arrived. The tests. weren¡¯t held at the schools but were centralized in the city¡¯s Education Center.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t go to school that day but headed straight to the test site. Her parents, Delh and Shawn, were up early, fussing over breakfast, making it heartier and more varied than <b>usual</b><b>. </b>


    After breakfast, they descended in the elevator and peppered Mirabe with reminders to make sure she had everything she needed.


    Watching her parents, who seemed as if they were sending her off to battle, Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but feel amused. ¡°Mom, Dad, it¡¯s just a simple little contest, nothing as serious as you¡¯re making it out to be.¡±

 Chapter 93

    Delh¡¯s eyelids slightly at the mention of ¡°little contest from her daughter¡¯s mouth. It echoed in her mind, contrasting with the nonchnt way Mirabe had described the event just days before as ¡°just some boring contest with no prize money,


    It was a contest that could secure a quaranteed spot at one of the nation¡¯s most prestigious universities, and she called it little?!


    With aplex expression, Delh pondered over her daughter¡¯s flippant attitude. What was she to do with such a cheeky girl?


    Soon enough, Shawn fired up his vintage Santana and took his wife and daughter toward the city¡¯s Education Center.


    Upon arrival, they were greeted by a sea of parents milling around the entrance. To their surprise, there was even a TV crew filming on site.


    ¡°Hey, is yourpetition going to be on TV?¡± Shawn asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity in


    his voice.


    Mirabe nced at the cameras by the door and frowned slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t know<i>.</i>¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t stress about it. Just do your thing.¡± Delh chimed in reassuringly.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Mirabe responded, her voice calm and her demeanor unruffled.


    At that moment, the Gilbert family¡¯s chauffeur dropped off Summer. As soon as she stepped out, the cameraman, immediately swiveled his lens towards her, and a reporter hurried over for


    an interview.


    Shawn and Delh noticed Summer, too, but weren¡¯t surprised. They knew she was also in thepetition. Seeing her surrounded by the TV crew, they refrained from approaching. especially with Mandy by her side. They harbored no fondness for anyone from the Gilbert n.


    Delh couldn¡¯t help but bristle at the thought of Mandy¡¯s past attitude and the fact that she¡¯d abandoned Mirabe in a small town, a clear sign of her archaic preference for sons over daughters.


    With a dark look, Delh turned away, not wanting Mandy to catch a glimpse of Mirabe. She quickly shifted her attention to her daughter, ¡°Honey, you should head inside and find your


    seat.¡±


    Mirabe could sense Delh¡¯s mood but didn¡¯t ask any questions. ¡°I¡¯m going in,¡± she said.


    ¡°Go get ¡®em, sweetie. We¡¯ll be <b>right </b>here waiting for you,¡± Delh encouraged, patting her on the shoulder.


    With a soft acknowledgment, Mirabe hung her student ID around her neck, approached the entrance, and showed her ID to the staff for verification.


    After the TV crew finished their special segment on Summer, they moved on to film other students and parents.


    Still sporting a polite smile though the cameras had turned away, Mandy caught sight of Delh and Shawn. Her brow furrowed as she leaned in and asked in a low voice, ¡°What are your former foster parents doing here?¡±


    Knowing Mandy¡¯s disdain for the Davis family, Summer kept her gaze down and replied softly. ¡°Mirabe is alsopeting.¡±


    Mandy snorted in disbelief. ¡°Her grades are so mediocre, and she¡¯s got the nerve to show up? Is this some kind of joke?¡±


    Reflecting on Mirabe¡¯s preliminary scores, Summer looked ufortable but simply said, ¡°Mom, maybe you haven¡¯t really paid attention to Mirabe before, but she¡¯s¡­ pretty formidable now.¡±


    ¡°Formidable? More so than my daughter?¡± Mandy dismissed Summer¡¯s words outright, not bothering to inquire further about Mirabe. ncing at her watch impatiently, she said, ¡°Enough of this. Go inside and make us proud. Don¡¯t embarrass us.¡±


    With a forced smile, Summer responded half¨Cheartedly and made her way to the entrance.

 Chapter 94

    <b>Chapter </b><b>94 </b>


    The BrainSpark Nationals¡® city¨Clevel preliminarles weren¡¯t a simple affair of filling out a test and waiting for a score. In addition to the written exam, there was a theoretical test and a live divergent thinking challenge, which cranked up the difficulty by several notches.


    The written examsted an hour. After wrapping that up, contestants were ushered next door for the live question¨Cand¨Canswer session under the watchful eye of the clock.


    Mirabe nced over her test paper with a hint of boredom and shook her head<b>. </b>The


    questions were somewhat tougher than the preliminary round, but.. 4


    theycked any real zest


    for a challenge. With <b>a </b>tinge of disappointment, she picked up her pen and began to answer the questions at a leisurely pace.


    Last time, her rapid¨Cfire responses had drawn criticism for seeming flippant about the exam process, so this time, she was determined to embody the serious diligence expected of a student.


    Forty minutester, Mirabe, who had been deliberately slow, was ironically still the first to submit her paper, surprising even the proctor with her speed.


    As she handed in her test, the proctor took a moment to note her name. Mirabe? Wasn¡¯t she the one who scored perfect marks in the preliminarypetition<i>? </i>The proctor held onto the test paper, momentarily lost in thought.


    Mirabe headed straight to the adjacent room for the live Q&A session. The rules were straightforward: three proctors would each draw a random question for the contestant to answer on the spot, all within a ten¨Cminute time limit. It felt almost like a job interview.


    Mirabe internally scoffed at the format, likening it to a dull, uninspired setup born out of some pyramid scheme.


    Soon enough, three questions were drawn: one on history and the other two on science. designed to test cognitive acumen. Unfazed by the challenge, Mirabe tackled the questions in about two minutes, her expression unchanging as if the task was child¡¯s y thanks to her voracious reading habits.


    The proctors were the ones left astonished. After she left, they couldn¡¯t help but express their


    awe.


    ¡°This student might just be the most impressive one I¡¯ve ever encountered,¡± one whispered.


    ¡°She answered in two minutes and drew the toughest questions. This is some monstrous logical reasoning<b>¡­ </b>I think we¡¯re witnessing the birth of a genius.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s more than that. This year¡¯s internationalpetitions will surely have our country¡¯s name shining because of her.¡±


    The entire examination process was being recorded by a TV crew, which had anticipated that


    <b>12:25 </b>


    the school¡¯s celebrity, Summer, would be the first to emerge from the test center. The crew was all set to interview her, banking on her fame for a ratings spike.


    But to everyone¡¯s surprise, it was Mirabe who appeared first. The host paused for a moment, then quickly recovered and approached with her microphone to ask about the exam.


    Mirabe might not have been Summer, but she had high¨Ccaliber beauty and a cool, effortless charisma that was camera¨Cfriendly.


    Casting a nce at the approaching camera, Mirabe lightly massaged her temples, regretting not having lingered inside a little longer.


    ¡°How <b>do </b>you feel about the test questions today? Are you confident about advancing to the next round of the city finals?¡± the host asked, her voice cheerful and warm<b>. </b>


    Mirabe looked at her impassively and answered tersely, ¡°Pretty easy.¡±


    The host, microphone in hand, felt at a loss for words for the first time after such a dismissive yet self¨Cassured response.

 Chapter 95

    <b>Chapter </b>95


    In any typical scenario, a student being interviewed on a television program would exude modesty, answering the host¡¯s queries with <b>a </b>tempered humility. So why was this particr student so audaciously blunt, her impatience almost palpable?


    The surprising part was, the host doesn¡¯t seem to be bothered by it. Indeed, beauty does seem to wield its own form of Justice.


    Snapping back to the moment, the host offered a sheepish grin and chuckled<b>, </b>¡°Ha¨Cha, I suppose you¡¯re quite confident about your performance, then. Well, we¡¯re wishing you all the best and hope you can advance to the next round.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Mirabe breezed past them and headed out.


    Watching her leave, the host muttered, ¡°I wonder which school she¡¯s from. Such a looker ¨C she¡¯d have legions of fans if she ever decided to join showbiz.¡±


    As soon as Mirabe stepped outside, Delh and Shawn, who had been waiting eagerly. spotted her instantly.


    ¡°Sweetheart, all done already? That was quick.¡± Delh remarked, her eyes darting to the entrance to check if other students were exiting too.


    ¡°Yep.¡± came Mirabe¡¯s sinct reply. She knew she could have finished even sooner had she not been trying to maintain the appearance of a studious demeanor.


    ¡°How did it go?¡± Delh asked, her maternal curiosity kicking in despite her confidence in her daughter¡¯s abilities<b>. </b>


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow yfully. ¡°Piece of cake.¡±


    ¡°When do we find out the results?¡± Shawn interjected.


    ¡°Tomorrow morning at ten.¡±


    Shawn nodded,mitting the time to memory. ¡°Let¡¯s head off then. Your mom and I are taking you out for a feast to celebrate.¡± That was the n they¡¯d hatched while waiting outside.


    Mirabe nced at her parents. ¡°But don¡¯t the resultse out tomorrow?¡±


    Delh beamed with pride. ¡°My girl¡¯s a genius. We don¡¯t need the results to know she¡¯s aced


    it.¡±


    Shawn shook his head with a smile. <b>¡°</b>Let¡¯s continue this in the car, shall we?¡±


    Soon, the family was on their way.


    Not far off, Mandy, who had been sitting in her car the whole time, had witnessed everything


    <b>17</b><b>:</b>251


    from Mirabe¡¯s exit to the family¡¯s departure. The sight of Shawn¡¯s old, beat¨Cup Santana only deepened the sneer on her lips. Just as she expected the apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree.


    ¨C


    Checking her watch, Mandy¡¯s face, meticulously made up, betrayed a flicker of impatience. She instructed her chauffeur, ¡°Go see why Summer is taking so long<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Right away, ma¡¯am.¡±


    About ten minutester, Summer finally emerged and got into the car. Mandy¡¯s voice, edged with reproach, hit her immediately, ¡°What took you so long?¡±


    Summer flinched slightly, picking up <b>on </b>Mandy¡¯s impatience. With a soothing voice, she replied, ¡°The questions were quite challenging this time, took me a bit longer. <b>And </b>then there was the TV crew interviewing, which held me up a little<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    At that, the sharpness in Mandy¡¯s face softened, and a scornful smile crept onto her lips. Right, Mirabe only finished so quickly because she couldn¡¯t understand those difficult questions.


    ¡°How do you think you did?¡± Mandy then asked.


    ¡°It was alright. Making it to the city finals shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± Summer said nonchntly, though her confidence in her results was crystal clear.


    ¡°Good, that¡¯s what I expect. A daughter of the Gilbert family must outshine the rest, especially Mirabe!¡± Mandy huffed.


    Summer¡¯s gaze lingered outside the window, her eyes cool and detached, unnoticed by Mandy. She loathed beingpared to Mirabe ¨C it made her feel second¨Crate.


    Chapter <b>96 </b>

 Chapter 96

    In the bustling heart of the city, Shawn arrived at a renowned seafood bistro with his wife and daughter in tow. As they stepped out of the car, Mirabe took in the opulent decor of the establishment, her gaze lingering on the details that screamed expensive taste.


    Shawn went off to park the car, and Delh, after taking a few steps, noticed her daughter hadn¡¯t followed. She turned, a puzzled look on her face. ¡°Mira, what¡¯s holding you back?¡±


    Mirabe blinked, her tone earnest. ¡°I was just wondering how much a meal here costs. We¡¯re not exactly rolling in dough.¡±


    Delh couldn¡¯t help butugh at her daughter¡¯s remark. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about it. Even if we dined here every single night, I could still afford it,¡± she reassured. After all, they owned the ce.


    Still, their daughter had always been under the impression they were strapped for cash, which both Delh and her husband found rather amusing, so they hadn¡¯t bothered to set the record straight.


    Half¨Cjoking, Mirabe replied, ¡°I¡¯ve got this sneaky suspicion you¡¯re keeping things from me.<b>¡± </b>Like, howe they were supposedly poor, but it looked like they were anything but?


    Clearing her throat, Delh deflected, ¡°Nonsense, darling.¡±


    Mirabe gave a drawn¨Cout ¡°Hmm,¡± clearly not convinced.


    The bistro manager, who had been tipped off by the bosses, was waiting at the entrance. He hurried over to greet Delh with the utmost respect, ¡°Madam, wee.¡±


    At the sound of ¡°madam,¡± Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows shot up. Her nce at her mother was heavy with implication as if to say. ¡°Is this what <i>you </i>meant by ¡®nonsense?¡°¡±


    Delh touched her forehead, realizing the charade was up too soon. She cleared her throat and steadied herself, then nodded at the manager before turning to her daughter, ¡°See, isn¡¯t the service here exceptional?¡±


    The manager stood awkwardly to the side. Was the boss¡® wifemending him?


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched as she observed the ever¨Cbowing manager and the grandeur behind him, sensing her experiences of a modest life slipping away. After a moment, she nodded. ¡°Quite good.¡±


    ¡°Carry on with your work. We¡¯ll head up to our booth,¡± Delh instructed the manager, sending him a discreet signal to leave them be.


    Although the manager didn¡¯t quite grasp the underlying dynamics, he was adept at reading the room. He quickly excused himself and made sure the staff knew not to disturb the family¡¯s meal.


    Satisfied with the manager¡¯s response, Delh led her daughter upstairs to their private booth.


    <b>12:25 </b>


    Chapter Up


    The booth was spacious, its interior asvish as the rest of the ce, <b>dripping </b>with


    extravagance.


    ¡°Sweetheart, take a look and order whatever you¡¯d like,¡± Delh said, presenting the menu to Mirabe.


    Mirabe opened the menu, and upon seeing the prices on the first page, she fell silent once again. It felt like she¡¯d stumbled Into the wrong script.


    Just then, Shawn, who had parked the car, returned. Rolling up his shirt sleeves, he mentioned, ¡°Zach just called. He¡¯s going to join us for dinner.¡±


    Delh was surprised, ¡°He¡¯s back in town?¡±


    ¡°Yep, got in yesterday,¡± Shawn confirmed, then turned to his daughter. ¡°Mira, you¡¯ll get to see your brother Zach soon.¡±


    As Mirabe handed him the menu, she casually asked, ¡°What does Zach do for a living?¡±

 Chapter 97

    Her daughter¡¯s insterest about her brother was a rare urrence, and Delh answered calmly and unhurriedly. ¡°He¡¯s awyer, sweetie, the kind who fights for unfortunate people in court.¡±


    At this revtion, Mirabe¡¯s preconception that ¡®all her brothers were just living off their parents¡® was once again toppled.


    ¡°Zach¡¯s been on a business triptely, but you¡¯ll see him in just a bit.¡± Shawn added quickly. concerned Mirabe might think Zach was intentionally noting to see her.


    With a soft hum of acknowledgment, Mirabe¡¯s face maintained its usual well¨Cbehaved.


    appearance.


    About twenty minutester, just as the waiter had delivered a table full of avish seafood. feast, Zach arrived.


    Zach had a reserved appearance, with captivating eyes behind rimless sses perched on a prominent nose, giving him both a schrly and sharp look, quite the elitewyer¡¯s aura.


    As soon as he entered the private dining room, he greeted Delh and Shawn, and then his gazended on Mirabe, showing a sh of surprise upon seeing her.


    The little girl seemed to embody all the best qualities from her parents. She carried herself with a gracious charm and sat there quietly. She exuded sophistication, showing no traces of the anticipated small¨Ctown simplicity. She was drastically and unexpectedly different from the girl in the photo he had received from her on Messenger.


    After a few seconds of contemtion, Zach walked over, pulled out the chair beside Mirabe, sat down, and introduced himself formally, ¡°Mira, I¡¯m your brother, Zach.¡±


    Mirabe met his gaze with clear eyes, her voice steady and calm, ¡°Hi, Zach.¡±


    Hearing her say his name. Zach felt an inexplicable warmth, wondering if their blood bond made the word ¡®Zach¡® sound more endearing than it ever did when Summer called him.


    With that thought, Zach encouraged, ¡°Say my name again.¡±


    Mirabe was puzzled.


    Zach cleared his throat, adjusted his sses on his nose, and swiftly changed the subject. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring a wee gift today, so how about we go pick out a present after dinner?¡±


    Mirabe quickly shook her head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to. I gotta go back to school for sses this afternoon.¡±


    A family that loved to give gifts ¨C what a peculiar habit.


    Then Zach remembered his sister was still a student and didn¡¯t push the issue. He pondered for a moment before taking out his phone, opening an app, and saying<b>. </b>¡°Well, I¡¯ll send you a little something for now. You can pick out a gift when you have more time.¡±


    12:26


    Chapter 9/


    Before Mirabe could even decline, her phone on the table buzzed with a notification. One look at the transfer amount and Mirabe¡¯s eyelids twitched involuntarily did Zach have some misunderstanding about the word ¡®little?¡±


    Was twenty thousand- little? Really?


    ¨C


    Rubbing her temples, Mirabe realized this impulsive transferring money behavior ran in the family.


    Noticing herplex expression, Zach stroked his chin, thinking that perhaps twenty thousand was indeed a bit stingy. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and took out a credit card. ¡°Take this card as well,¡± he said, sliding it across the table. ¡°You can use it to buy whatever you like. The PIN is¡­¡± and with that, heid the card down next to her.


    Mirabe was speechless. That feeling of identally stepping into a high¨Csociety drama was growing ever stronger!


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to use that card too, darling.¡± Shawn interjected, immediately jumping in as he saw his son whip out the credit card, his calm demeanor faltering.

 Chapter 98

    Zach was all chivalry at dinner<b>, </b>meticulously de¨Cshelling seafood for Mirabe as if it were second nature.


    ¡°So, where are you hitting the books these days, Mira?¡± Zach¡¯s voice was gentle as he ced at peeled shrimp into Mirabe¡¯s bowl.


    She nced up at him, her response unruffled, ¡°Parkside High School.¡±


    Zach was genuinely surprised. ¡°That¡¯s ster! I missed getting into Parkside High by a whisker back in my day. Still stings a bit.¡± He let out a sigh that was almost too real.


    Delh chimed in from the side, not missing a beat, ¡°You spent the night before the exams ying video games. You¡¯ve only got yourself to me. No sympathy here.¡±


    Zach cleared his throat to mask a rare moment of embarrassment, muttering, ¡°Everyone¡¯s young and foolish at some point.¡±


    ¡°Ha, you¡¯ve got the most excuses. Look at your sister here, acing the BrainSpark Nationals prelims on her first try. She¡¯s outshining all you boys by a mile.¡± Delh couldn¡¯t help but beam when she mentioned her daughter¡¯s achievements.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Zach could hardly hide his amazement.


    ¡°Of course, why would <b>I </b>lie? Just this morning, Mira finished <b>the </b>city preliminaries. We¡¯ll get the results tomorrow, and you can check them out then<b>,</b>¡± Delh snorted.


    Zach turned to look at Mirabe, feeling a bit defeated. ¡°I knew about thatpetition when I was still in school. It¡¯s held every couple of years, attracting whiz kids and prodigies from across the nation. You scored full marks on your first go¡­¡±


    t


    That was kind of insane, right?!


    Meeting Zach¡¯s bewildered gaze, Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a timid smile, her reply cheeky enough to warrant a smack. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal.¡±


    Zach was in disbelief. Ah! He felt like he¡¯s no longer the smartest kid in the house.


    After dinner, Mirabe prepared to head back to school. Shawn was supposed to drive her, but Zach took over the duty halfway through lunch.


    Throughout the drive, Zach asionally nced at his sister sitting in the passenger seat, internally sighing at the disparity between them. They were from the same parents. How could they be so different?


    Feeling his gaze, Mirabe tilted her head, a yful lock of hair falling over her shoulder, her eyes curious, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Zach?¡±


    He cleared his throat. ¡°I was just thinking. I should pay a visit to the folks who raised my sister


    <b>12:27 </b>


    to be such a standout.¡±


    He had some idea of her background, knowing that she hadn¡¯t grown up with the Gilberts but was raised in the countryside by her grandmother. Suddenly, he found himself quite curious about <b>this </b>olddy.


    Mirabe hadn¡¯t expected him to bring this up. After a brief pause, she replied. ¡°Task Grandma when we have our next meet.¡±


    ¡°Mm,¡± Zach hummed in acknowledgment, letting the conversation fade.


    Soon, they arrived at the school.


    ¡°Zach, I¡¯m gonna head in,¡± Mirabe said as she unbuckled her seat belt.


    Rubbing his forehead, Zach replied softly, ¡°Sure thing.¡±


    Noticing his repetitive gesture throughout the drive, Mirabe inquired, ¡°Are you feeling okay?¡±


    Zach looked up, startled, before shaking his head with a smile. ¡°upational hazard. It drains the mental energy.¡±


    Mirabe hummed thoughtfully, then as she opened the door and was about to step out, she turned back, ¡°When are you nning to swing by home?¡±

 Chapter 99

    Zach gave her a puzzled nce. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some vitamins and energy boosters at home that really work wonders. When are youing back? I¡¯ll have them ready for you,¡± Mirabe exined casually. After all, she had taken a ¡®little¡® wee gift from him. It was only right to offer something in return.


    Truth be told, her remedies were worth a lot more than the ¡®little¡® gift.


    Coming back to his senses, Zach realized his sister meant well and smiled. He was just about to speak when he heard her volce again. ¡°Or just text me your address, <b>and </b>I can mail them to


    55, and I can you, no big deal.¡±


    Seeing the earnest look on his sister¡¯s face, Zach swallowed his initial refusal and said, ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll be staying at home for a while.¡±


    Mirabe snapped her fingers at him. ¡°OK, I¡¯ll give them to you tonight.¡± With that, she <b>hopped </b>out of the car with a cool move.


    Resting his hand on the steering wheel, Zach watched his sister walk away and shook his head with a smile. One had to admit, she was pretty cute, or rather, quite dashing<b>. </b>


    Starting the car, Zach turned around and left the school. As he drove off, he passed the Gilbert family¡¯s car head¨Con.


    Sitting in the car, Summer nced up just in time to catch a glimpse of Zach¡¯s face in the passing vehicle. ¡°Stop the car,¡± she urged the driver.


    The driver mmed on the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road. Summer pushed the car door open, but when she looked back, Zach¡¯s car had already vanished into the distance. Biting her lip in frustration, She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Zach¡¯s number.


    After several rings, Zach finally answered, ¡°Summer? Is there something you need?¡±


    Summer¡¯s gaze still followed the direction Zach had gone, and she spoke gently. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. much. I was just wondering if you were back from your business trip?<b>¡± </b>


    Zach, driving away, paused for a moment before replying without any noticeable change in his tone. ¡°Not yet. The case at thepany is prettyplex. It might take a while longer.¡±


    Hearing this, Summer¡¯s grip on her phone tightened unconsciously, her expression faltering slightly. After a few seconds, she found her voice again. ¡°Ah, is that so? Well, let me know when you¡¯reing back. I¡¯lle to the airport to pick you up.¡±


    Zach responded nomittally, ¡°I¡¯ve got a client right now; we¡¯ll talk when I¡¯m free.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then¡­ you go ahead with your work, Zach.¡±


    After hanging up, Summer stood there for a long time, her eyes getting teary slightly. The cars had only brushed past each other, but she wouldn¡¯t mistake that face or the license te.


    Why did Zach lie about still being on a business trip? Was it because of Mirabe¡¯s return that he was acting so cold towards her?


    That¡¯s right, he wasing from the school. It didn¡¯t take much guessing to know that Mirabe must have said something to him!


    Summer clenched her fists, her sharp nails almost piercing her palms.


    Back in the ssroom, Jenna, who¡¯d been slumped listlessly over her desk, perked up immediately, ¡°Mira, you¡¯re back. How¡¯d the test go<b>?</b>¡±


    Mirabe tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with an air of nonchnce. ¡°Not bad, I guess.¡±


    Jenna clicked her tongue twice. That tone was asking for trouble.


    ¡°You look beat. Rough night?¡± Mirabe nced at her and asked.


    Jenna shook her head and rested her chin on the desk, looking utterly dejected. ¡°Did you hear about the infuriating thing our homeroom teacher announced this morning?¡±

 Chapter 100

    <b>Chapter </b>100


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, a signal for her friend to continue.


    ¡°The monthly ordeal of the Deathly Tests!¡± Jenna exhaled deeply. ¡°Do you know why they call Ate ¡®The She¨CDevil?¡® Because anyone whose average score dips below theirst one gets subjected to the most twisted form of punishment!¡±


    Mirabe looked on, her expression the epitome of nonchnce. ¡°Punishment?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Yeah! Tenps around the track every afternoon after school for ten days straight. If that¡¯s not twisted, I don¡¯t know what is!¡± Jenna shivered at the mere thought.


    A smirk tugged at the corner of Mirabe¡¯s lips. ¡°You call that twisted?¡±


    Jenna¡¯s patience snapped like a twig. ¡°Ten wholeps! You know the size of our school track, it¡¯s massive! Just onep during PE, and I¡¯m already winded!¡±


    Tenps might as well be a death sentence!


    Oh right, she forgot that Mirabe always performed like an Olympic athlete during gym ss as if they weren¡¯t even attending the same school.


    Mirabe stroked her chin, eyeing Jenna from head to toe before shaking her head in mock disapproval. ¡°Dark circles under the eyes, habitualte nights, a body bloated with retained water, and ack of exercise. You¡¯re squandering your youth, sweetheart. That¡¯s a no¨Cgo.¡±


    Jenna snorted, ¡°You sound like one of those slick holistic health gurus right now.¡± While speaking, she fished out apact mirror from her desk and peered into it. ¡°But seriously, are my under¨Ceyes that bad?¡±


    Mirabe remained silent.


    ¡°Looks like my dark circles are pretty bad,¡± Jenna said somberly, setting down the mirror and turning her woeful gaze onto Mirabe¡¯s face, which was wless, radiant skin without a blemish in sight. The stark contrast was a blow to her self¨Cesteem.


    Jenna covered her face. ¡°Ooh, I <b>am </b>wounded. Spare me thefort.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched slightly, her voice as light as a feather. ¡°Just hit the books and survive your Deathly Tests.¡±


    Jenna dropped her hands, ring at Mirabe with indignation. ¡°That¡¯s just mean, a double whammy of insults!¡±


    Mirabe offered a faint smile.


    Jenna was bbergasted. This wasn¡¯t the caring Mirabe she knew!


    That evening, after dinner, Mirabe ascended the stairs and rummaged through her collection


    of jars and bottles. She selected a te¨Cgrey vial and descended back to the living room. ¡°Zach, this is for you. One pill a day. Come back to me when you¡¯ve run out,¡± she said, handing over the porcin bottle to Zach.


    Zach raised an eyebrow and epted the bottle. ¡°Is this that energy¨Cboosting concoction you mentioned at lunch?¡± he inquired, unscrewing the lid.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mirabe nodded. ¡°Trust me, it¡¯ll work wonders for you.¡±


    Zach chuckled, bringing the bottle to his nose for a sniff. A subtle aroma wafted out, not the overpowering scent of herbal remedies but rather a refreshing fragrance that seemed to clear his mind.


    ¡°This medicine¡­¡± Zach lifted his eyes to Mirabe, clearly surprised. ¡°The smell is actuallyforting!¡±


    Of course, Mirabe¡¯s lips curved up in satisfaction. This was a remedy beyond value.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try one now.¡± Zach said eagerly, tipping out a pill the size of a pea. A ss of water was conveniently beside him, and with a gulp, he swallowed the pill. Despite being an herbal pellet, it went down smoothly,cking the harshness of themercial herbal medicines that often left a bitter taste.


    Perhaps the initial soothing scent had primed Zach, and as soon as he took it, he felt the perennial weight on his shoulders lift significantly<b>. </b>


    This medicine was nothing short of miraculous!

 Chapter 101

    <b>Chapter </b><b>101 </b>


    Zach slightly <b>twisted </b>his <b>neck</b>, <b>tipped </b><b>his </b><b>head </b><b>back</b>, and then rose from the <b>couch</b><b>, </b>hips swaying <b>to </b>a rhythm only he could hear¡­


    Just then, Delh <b>and </b>Shawn<b>, </b><b>fresh </b><b>from </b>the kitchen, were met <b>with </b>the sight <b>of </b>their son gyrating like he was having a <b>fit</b><b>. </b>¡°Zach, what <b>on </b>earth are you doing<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Delh asked<b>, </b><b>utterly </b>bewildered.


    Wasn¡¯t <b>Zach </b>always the epitome of <b>decorum</b><b>? </b>What possessed him to indulge in such unseemly antics<b>? </b><b>It </b>was utterly eye¨Cwatering!


    Zach <b>spun </b>around<b>, </b><b>oblivious </b>to <b>his </b>parents¡® expressions<b>, </b>his <b>hips </b>still swiveling as he spoke <b>with a </b>hint of excitement. <b>¡°</b>Mirabe <b>gave </b><b>me </b>this bottle <b>of </b>pills, and man, the moment I took one, I felt like a million bucks<b>! </b>It¡¯s like magic!¡±


    Delh¡¯s <b>mouth </b>twitched<b>. </b>¡°Could <b>you </b>please maintain some decorum?¡±


    ¡°iling about like that<b>¡­ </b><b>is </b>just <b>not </b>dignified,¡± Shawn <b>added </b>with <b>a </b><b>hint </b>of distaste.


    Delh approached and spotted a porcin bottle on the coffee table, simr in shape to the one her daughter had given her, though <b>a </b>different color <b>¨C </b>presumably indicating a different effect.


    ¡°Your sister¡¯s remedies are quite miraculous indeed. My migraine of over a decade has been nearly cured,¡± Delh remarked with <b>a </b>sense of wonder. She¡¯d previously never paid much attention to her daughter¡¯s medication. However, after taking it <b>herself</b><b>, </b><b>she </b>felt as if she had been hit with a stark reality check.


    ¡°Really? <b>How </be I¡¯ve never heard you mention it?¡± Zach hadn¡¯t even spoken when Shawn chimed in with a puzzled question. All he knew was that the fragrance pills from his daughter were incredibly effective.


    Delh settled back into the soft embrace of the sofa. ¡°Well, I was waiting to see if the effects wouldst before I told you<b>.</b>¡±


    Narrowing his eyes, Shawn quietly asked, ¡°Is it really that miraculous?¡± He remembered his daughter had also given him a bottle¡­ albeit with a somewhat ego¨Cbruising name. Still, if it worked, he wasn¡¯t opposed to giving it a try.


    ¡°Have you heard mein about migrainestely?¡± Delh huffed.


    ¡°I suppose not,¡± Shawn admitted, shaking his head.


    ¡°There <b>you </b>go!¡± Delh said, spreading her hands before her gaze returned to Zach. ¡°What¡¯s bothering you, young man? You¡¯re too young for this sort of difort.¡±


    Zach felt something off about his mother¡¯sment but <b>couldn¡¯t </b>quite put his finger on it, so he simply replied, ¡°upational hazard<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Delh just nodded, her concern fading. As long as it didn¡¯t interfere with his dating life.


    ¡°Mira, where did you get these pills?<b>¡± </b>Zach felt more animated than ever and <b>couldn¡¯t </b>help being curious.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes dropped slightly, but she maintained herposure. ¡°<b>I </b><b>know </b>a friend who¡¯s into medicine.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Zach mused for a few seconds, deciding not to <b>pry </b>further. <b>¡°</b>This stuff works fast. It doesn¡¯t have any side effects, does it?¡±


    Despite the skepticism, Mirabe seemed understanding and, after <b>a </b>thoughtful pause, exined with rare patience, ¡°The essence of alternative medicine lies in its ability <b>to </b>strengthen <b>without </b>causing harm. It fortifies the foundation of your body with minimal side effects. But<b>, </b>of course, <b>there¡¯s </b><b>a </b>kernel of truth <b>in </b>the saying that all medicine has its poison.¡±


    Zach wasn¡¯t an expert <b>in </b>these matters <b>and </b><b>couldn¡¯t </b>grasp the essence, but he did understand the bit about minimal side effects. Besides<b>, </b>his sister <b>would </b>never give him something harmful. ¡°I guess I was a bit ignorant,¡± Zach admitted, scratching his head in mild embarrassment<b>. </b>


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow<b>. </b><b>¡°</b>It <b>would </b>be more concerning if you <b>didn¡¯t </b>question it.¡±


    Zach chuckled<b>, </b>feeling his sister was <b>like </b><b>a </b>treasure trove <b>of </b>surprises.


    Meanwhile, Shawn, who <b>had </b>been eavesdropping on their conversation, suddenly found his gaze drawn to <b>a </b><b>cab </b>


    nearby.

 Chapter 102

    <b>Chapter </b><b>102 </b>


    ¡°Shawn, what are you staring <b>at?</b><b>¡± </b>Delh asked, noticing her husband fixated on the cab next to them<b>, </b><b>a </b>curious tinge coloring her voice,


    Shawn<b>, </b>of course<b>, </b>wasn¡¯t about to reveal the true wanderings of his mind. He leisurely shifted his gaze away from the cab, his voice revealing nothing out of the ordinary, ¡°Just wondering if having <b>the </b>cab here is messing with the room¡¯s energy flow,¡±


    Delh felt exasperated <b>at </b>his words, her toneced with sarcasm as she retorted, ¡°Seems to me you¡¯re the one blocking the energy flow standing there.<b>¡± </b>


    Shawn was indeed beside <b>the </b>TV stand, and while he had kept <b>a </b><b>decent </b>shape over the years, <b>a </bck of exercise meant he was a bit on the fuller <b>side</b>. Thankfully, his height <b>meant </b>that even <b>a </b>little <b>extra </b>width <b>didn¡¯t </b>make him look too out of shape.


    Hearing his wife¡¯s Jab, he <b>feigned </b><b>injury </b>and shuffled <b>aside</b>,menting, ¡°Ah, <b>to </b><b>think </b><b>I </b><i>was </i>quite the looker back in my day.¡±


    He turned to his daughter, Mirabe. ¡°Honey<b>, </b>you got any of those diet <b>shakes</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°Dad<b>, </b><b>you </b>just need <b>to </b>exercise. How about joining me for a morning jog?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s head shook vehemently at <b>the </b>suggestion as if she¡¯d proposed something horrendous. ¡°No, no, no, I still feel pretty spry as it is. <b>No </b><b>need </b><b>for </b>morning jogs.<b>¡± </b>After decades without exercise, running was practically a death sentence for him. No way, <b>he¡¯d </b>rather stay a little round.


    ¡°I think Mira¡¯s suggestion isn¡¯t half bad,¡± Delh chimed in, nodding earnestly.


    ¡°Can¡¯t win with you two<b>. </b>I¡¯m off to my room,¡± Shawn grumbled, then turned to open the nearby cab. He pulled out a wooden box, cradling it like treasure as he left.


    Delh watched her husband¡¯s actions with a puzzled murmur, ¡°What¡¯s Shawn up to now?¡±


    Mirabe just smirked enigmatically. The old man was still pretty adorable.


    The next day, at 10 a.m., the BrainSpark Nationals city¨Clevel prelim results were published.


    As soon as the clock struck ten, Jenna eagerly whipped out her phone, tapping <b>into </b>the website while rapidly asking, ¡°Queen Mira, give me your contestant number. <b>I¡¯ll </b>check your score.¡±


    Mirabe tilted her head, tossing out her contestant number in anguid drawl. Jenna entered it and hit search. Perhaps <i>due </i>to the slow update of the website data and the sheer number of inquiries<b>, </b>the page took a while to load. When the score finally popped up, Jenna¡¯s eyes went wide, and to make sure she wasn¡¯t seeing things, she zoomed in on the disy.


    ¡°Holy <i>cow</i><i>, </i>Queen Mira, you¡¯re a genius<b>! </b>Two hundred points!¡± Jenna waspletely bbergasted.


    The written exam was worth 150 points, and the three live questions together were 60 points, making the total possible. score 210. Mirabe had scored a whopping 200!


    What kind of genius was her?


    With only a written test, the prelims made a perfect score somewhat conceivable, and the questions wereparatively easy. But the city¨Cleve! prelims were a different beast altogether, harder with the addition of live questions. Scoring perfect was nearly impossible.


    So, a score of 200 out <b>of </b>210 was even more sensational than Mirabe¡¯s perfect score thest time.


    Unaware of Jenna¡¯s mental gymnastics, Mirabe seemed puzzled at the score, <b>¡°</b>Only <b>two </b>hundred?¡± She had expected a perfect score, after all.


    ¡°Only?¡± Jenna looked at Mirabe, who seemed dissatisfied <b>with </b>her score, and blinked, <b>¡°</b>Queen Mira<b>, </b>you¡¯re really a

 Chapter 103

    <b>Chapter </b><b>103 </b>


    Mirabe, who refused to <b>ept </b>any <b>defeat</b><b>, </b>furrowed her <b>brow </b>in frustration<b>, </b>her eyes darkening slightly, ¡°I had answered all <b>the </b>questions, and I am a <b>hundred </b>percent sure I hadn¡¯t made a single mistake<b>. </b>Where did the ten points go?<b>¡± </b>


    Beside her, Jenna¡¯s expression grew more <bplicated</b>. She couldn¡¯t begin to understand the world of an academic genius like <b>Mira</b>.


    Unable to shed light on Mira¡¯s dilemma, Jenna bowed her head once more, reverting to the BrainSpark Nationals¡® official homepage, where <b>there </b>was <b>a </b><b>link </b>to the national rankings.


    Taking a deep breath <b>to </b>calm her nerves<b>, </b>Jenna¡¯s fingertips danced across the screen, and <b>she </b><b>was </b>swiftly directed to the national leaderboard<b>. </b>


    First ce, Mirabe, 200 points


    Second ce, <b>Vincent</b>, 195 points


    Third ce, Kent<b>, </b><b>193 </b>points


    Jenna didn¡¯t bother to scroll down any further. Her gaze was fixated on Mira¡¯s name at the top of the list. Even though she had anticipated <b>it</b>, the reality still left her stunned. Lifting her head, Jenna extended her smartphone towards Mirabe. ¡°Queen Mira, forget the missing ten points. You¡¯re already the nation¡¯s number one.¡±


    Mirabe merely nced at the screen with a grave expression. ¡°This isn¡¯t about being number one.<b>¡± </b>It was a challenge to her academic integrity.


    Jenna¡¯s lips twitched into an involuntary smile. ¡°Maybe you should ask around about it?¡±


    Mirabe found the suggestion logical. Standing up with a determined look, she said earnestly, ¡°Right, <b>I </b>can¡¯t just ignore these mysteriously lost points just because I came in first.¡± What about her pride?


    Jenna couldn¡¯t help but snort. ¡°No, no, no, Mira, I just blurted that out without thinking. Don¡¯t take it to heart!¡±


    As Mirabe exited the ssroom, Jenna facepalmed, secretly admiring how much cooler Mira seemed.


    **


    Meanwhile, Summer had just taken out her phone<b>, </b>preparing to check her <b>own </b>score from thepetition.


    ¡°Summer, do you know how many points that foster girl of your family got this time?¡± Phone in hand, Madeline couldn¡¯t hide the shock on her face.


    Having learned of Mirabe¡¯s perfect score and national top ranking in the preliminaries, Madeline had been keeping an eye out, so much so that she checked the rankings before even looking at Summer¡¯s results. As soon as she saw the scores, she rushed to find Summer.


    Summer¡¯s <i>hand </i>froze as she held <i>her </i>phone, her expression unchanging as usual. ¡°Oh, how many points did she get?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t believe it if I told you¨Ctwo hundred points!¡± At that moment, Madeline didn¡¯t know what to feel about such a score. Suspecting cheating seemed far¨Cfetched<b>. </b>One could suspect cheating for a perfect score once, but to cheat and achieve such a result again¡­ Wouldn¡¯t that be questioning the fairness <b>of </b>the entirepetition? After all, the exams were not held internally at the school but were overseen <b>by </b>the Education Association itself.


    Summer¡¯s mind buzzed as if something had snapped, and her usually calmplexion began to pale.


    Two hundred points¡­ <b>How </b>could Mirabe possibly score two hundred points?! Something had to be wrong. Summer refused to believe this.


    Summer¡¯s thoughts were a mess. She tried to sort through the information in her head<b>, </b>but it only became more tangled.


    ¡°Summer, are you alright?¡± Madeline finally noticed Summer¡¯s pallor, which made her appear vulnerably pitiable. <b>She </b>


    <b>12:35 </b>


    regretfully smacked her own mouth, feeling annoyed with herself. She had brought up Mirabe in front of Summer, Wasn¡¯t that just rubbing salt <b>in </b>the wound?


    <b>With </b>an awkward smile tugging at her lips, Madeline casually unlocked her phone. ¡°Ah, forget about her, Let me help you check <b>your </b>score.<b>¡± </b>

 Chapter 104

    <b>Chapter </b>104


    Madeline quickly scrolled through the national leaderboard on her phone <b>until </b>she spotted Summer¡¯s score and ranking.


    186 points, ranked 10th in the nation.


    Had she not seen Mirabe¡¯s score, she would¡¯ve thought that was pretty impressive, But now¡­ Madeline touched her nose<b>, </b><b>a </b>forced smile creeping onto her face as she said, ¡°Wow, Summer, you really aced it too, huh?<b>¡± </b>


    Summer¡¯s thoughts, lost in a jumble of emotions, snapped back to the present <b>with </b>Madeline¡¯s voice. She masked the turmoil within and asked calmly, ¡°What did I score?¡±


    ¡°186 points, right at number ten nationwide.¡± Madeline¡¯s voice was noticeably softer when she said it,cking the oomph she had when she mentioned Mirabe¡¯s perfect 200 score.


    Hearing this, Summer¡¯s eyes briefly dipped in response, her tone t, ¡°Okay.¡±


    After her terse reply, she slid her phone back into her desk drawer and pulled <b>out </b>her physics textbook instead, burying her head in it. Her ponytail cascaded onto her shoulder, velling half of her profile from view.


    Madeline watched her, her heart heavy with sympathy, wanting <b>to </b>offer someforting words buting up empty. All of this was because of Mirabe. She stole Summer¡¯s spotlight after seventeen years, and now, she was back to rub salt in the wound with her over¨Cthe¨Ctop achievements. It was Infuriating. Why couldn¡¯t she just stay in the honors program and keep <b>a </b>low profile<b>? </b>


    Madeline was positively seething!


    Meanwhile, Mirabe made a beeline for Ms. Ate¡¯s office.


    ¡°Mirabe, I was just about to call you, and here you are.¡± Ms. Ate¡¯s stern face softened instinctively at the sight of Mirabe.


    Mirabe looked puzzled, ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Congrattions on snagging the top national rank in the city preliminaries again. You¡¯re outstanding!¡± Ms. Ate couldn¡¯t hide her genuine admiration. She recalled how Mr. Morgan, that old stickler, almost misled her and she nearly made the mistake of turning away such a promising student.


    Now that Mirabe had clinched the national top spot again, that stubborn old man must be kicking himself. The thought brought a smug smile to Ms. Ate¡¯s lips.


    Mirabe was silent <i>for </i>a beat before she said, ¡°Ms. Ate, I suspect there¡¯s been a mistake with my BrainSpark Nationals preliminary score.¡±


    Ms. Ate paused, ¡°A mistake? What do you mean<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I don¡¯t think my score should be just 200 points. No, I¡¯m certain it shouldn¡¯t be just 200 <b>points</b>,¡± Mirabe said earnestly, her expression serious.


    Ms. Ate stifled augh. ¡°What do <b>you </b>mean ¡®just¡® 200 points<b>? </b>The total is 210<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>


    She regarded Mirabe with a mix of amusement and perplexity for a moment before asking. ¡°So, what <b>score </b>do you think you should have?¡±


    ¡°Full marks!¡± Mirabe lifted her chin confidently.


    Ms. Ate coughed, taken aback once again. Truth be told, she wanted to believe Mirabe, but she knew thepetition¡¯s rigorous standards, and achieving full marks was nearly impossible.


    ¡°Mirabe, not scoring full marks <b>isn¡¯t </b><b>the </b>end of the world. Don¡¯t <b>be </b>disheartened. You still <b>ranked </b><b>first </b><b>in </b>the nation and have smoothly advanced <b>to </b>the city finals,¡± Ms. Ate consoled with <b>a </b>meaningful tone.


    At that, Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but give a wry smile. ¡°Ms. Ate, it¡¯s not about the full marks. I just want to know


    <b>12:35 </b>


    where those ten <b>points </b>went<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Realizing her misunderstanding, Ms. Ate chuckled and said, ¡°Ah, I see¡­ <b>It </b>just so happens that the folks from the Education Association are in Mr. Hammond¡¯s <b>office </b>right now. I was supposed to inform you to drop by but <b>got </b>sidetracked. Why don¡¯t you head over there now and <b>ask </b>them about the deduction directly?¡±

 Chapter 105

    <b>Chapter </b><b>105 </b>


    Ate paused <b>for </b>a few seconds, sensing Mirabe¡¯s nerves. With a reassuring smile, she added<b>, </b>¡°Just answer whatever they <b>ask </b>you, and don¡¯t be <b>scared</b>, okay<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe shed <b>an </b>¡®OK¡® sign at Ate with a confident twist of her hand.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Mirabe found herself stepping into Mr. Hammond¡¯s office. Aside from Mr. Hammond, two middle<b>¨C</b>aged men were seatedfortably on the couch, likely the representatives from the Education Association Ate <b>had </b>mentioned,


    Mirabe <b>cast </b>a brief nce their way before respectfully nodding to Mr. Hammond. ¡°You wanted to see me, sir?¡± ¡°<b>Mhm</b>,¡± Mr. Hammond responded with a warm smile and a beckoning gesture. <b>¡°</b>Come on over. Let me introduce you. These gentlemen are members of the Education Association. This is Mr. <b>Scott</b>, the secretary¨Cgeneral of the Education Association in our city<b>, </b>and next to him is Mr. Wade, an honorary member of the national Education Association.¡± Mirabe nodded calmly to both men, her face betraying neither fear nor anxiety.


    Scott raised an eyebrow, impressed by the girl¡¯sposure. Clearing his throat, he began, ¡°Mirabe, if I may ask you a question?¡±


    Her dark eyes focused on him, clear and sharp<b>. </b><b>¡°</b>Go ahead<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Scott straightened up a bit before asking, ¡°I¡¯ve noticed that your answers in thest two tests deviated slightly from the school¡¯s curriculum. Did you have a private tutor or something?<b>¡± </b>


    The query sparked curiosity in Mr. Hammond as well, who leaned in slightly, eager for the answer.


    ¡°No.¡± Mirabe replied, her voice even. After a brief pause, she added a question of her own. ¡°Does this have anything to do with the ten points deducted from my recent city prelims<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Scott was taken aback by herck of a private tutor and her keen insight. Nodding at her, he exined. ¡°Your written and oral responses should have been perfect scores. However, the methodology for thest two questions on your written exam was advanced beyond the curriculum. Although correct, we had to dock five points for each, considering a range of principles.¡±


    ¡°Advanced?¡± Mirabe¡¯s <b>brow </b>furrowed in confusion<b>. </b>


    Wade cleared his throat, stepping in to rify, <i>¡°</i>Advanced, in this context, means using methods <i>not </i>typically taught at the high school level. That¡¯s what we call ¡®advanced¡® <b>or </b>¡®beyond the sybus<b>.</b><b>¡® </b>


    ***


    ¡°<i>So </i>even if the answers are correct, it¡¯s still not eptable?¡± Mirabe pressed, <b>puzzled</b>. It seemed she still had much to learn about the academic world.


    <i>Wade </i>hummed affirmatively, then added, ¡°Going beyond the sybus can breach <b>fairness</b>, but since thepetition doesn¡¯t strictly prohibit certain methods, giving you zero for those questions wouldn¡¯t be fair either. So, a.ten¨Cpoint deduction was thepromise.¡±


    Mirabe fell <i>into </i>a thoughtful silence. So, using the simplest method wasn¡¯t always best. She had to stick to theplex, traditional path. She definitely had underestimated the academic sphere.


    After a moment, she spoke up. ¡°So, for future tests, I need to stick to high school¨Clevel knowledge to avoid arbitrary deductions?¡±


    ¡°In theory, yes,¡± Scott said with a grin<b>. </b>


    Mirabe massaged her temples, slightly disheartened. ¡°Alright, I get it.¡± She had outsmarted herself this time. Sometimes, too much cleverness could be a disadvantage.


    Wade, who had been silent, looked up<b>, </b>his gaze holding a mysterious promise<b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>If </b>you make it to the international stage, you won¡¯t have to worry <b>about </b>being ¡®advanced.<b>¡°</b><b>¡± </b>


    Scott shot a surprised look at Wade. Though merely a member in name, Wade wielded considerable influence across Riverdale¡¯s associations, not to mention his position as a biology professor <b>at </b>Prestige College.


    <b>12:35 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>105 </b>


    <b>To </b><b>hold </b><b>such </b>high hopes for a young girl who had only shown a glimpse <i>of </i>potential seemed a bit premature. Yet, there was <b>a </b>sense that Mirabe was not just any student, <b>and </b>perhaps, just perhaps, she was destined <b>for </b><b>a </b>stage far grander than <b>the </b>local schoolpetitions.


    ? )

 Chapter 106

    <b>Chapter </b><b>106 </b>


    Scott wasn¡¯t trying <b>to </b>belittle Mirabe. When the preliminary test scores came in<b>, </b>he thought Mirabe showed promise and was <b>worthy </b>of rmendation. However, after a detailed interrogation, he discovered that she was <b>a </b>recent transfer from <b>a </b><b>small </b>town.


    Perhaps Mirabe¡¯s foundational <b>skills </b>were <b>solid</b><b>, </b>but could the teaching standards of a small town really match those of the big city?


    She answered beyond <b>the </b>sybus in the prelims<b>, </b>showcasing her sharp <b>wit</b><b>, </b><b>but </b><b>there </b>were so many top¨Cnotch students from all over the country <bpeting</b><b>. </b>What made her stand out?


    Having witnessed many underdogs <b>rise </b>to the asion in his years <b>of </b>experience <b>with </b>thepetition, Scott realized that being impressive wasn¡¯t necessarily indicative of internationalpetition potential. So, he held his tongue, offering no furtherment.


    On the other hand<b>, </b>Mirabe found <b>Wade¡¯s </b>remarks somewhat novel, a yful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth <b>as </b>she inquired<b>, </b>¡°Will there be a veritable gathering <b>of </b>maestros at the internationalpetition?¡±


    Wade watched Mirabe, momentarily taken aback, before nodding subconsciously. ¡°That¡¯s a given.¡±


    The normally silent Hammond quietly observed Mirabe, noticing the spark ofpetitiveness on her face, and couldn¡¯t help but stroke his chin thoughtfully. It seemed the internationalpetition stage was about to get lively this year. He was genuinely <b>curious </b>about the true extent of this youngdy¡¯s abilities.


    After a brief exchange with Mirabe, Scott and Wade didn¡¯t press her with further questions, sending her to her ssroom.


    Once she left, Scott set down his cup, turning to Wade, ¡°Wade, you seem rather optimistic about Mirabe.¡±


    Wade offered a smile, simply stating, ¡°She¡¯s promising.¡±


    ¡°But her? In the internationalpetition?¡± Scott was skeptical, especially since she was a humanities student.


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate anyone,¡± Wade said with a prating gaze, then shifted his attention to Mr. Hammond, his tone suggestive, ¡°You seem to have good fortune on your side.¡±


    Mr. Hammond smiled in agreement, nodding nonchntly. ¡°I tend to think <b>so</b>, too.¡±


    Scott¡¯s gaze flitted between the two, his curiosity piqued. Was there really something extraordinary about this student? As he sipped his water, Wade suddenly remembered, ¡°Oh, doesn¡¯t Parkside High School have a campus celebrity who entered thepetition?¡±


    Mr. Hammond raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are you referring to Summer?¡±


    ¡°That might be the name,¡± Wade vaguely recalled. He looked back at Scott. ¡°The Chairman mentioned her to me. How did she fare?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°She did quite well, let me check.¡± Scott pulled out his phone and soon reported, ¡°186 points<b>, </b>ranking tenth.¡±


    Hearing this, Wade¡¯s interest in Summer waned, though he politely remarked, <b>¡°</b>That score isn¡¯t too shabby. There¡¯s hope she might make it to the national finals<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Scott, recalling the Chairman¡¯s instructions, opened his mouth to speak, ¡°Well¡±


    But before he could continue, Mr. Hammond interjected. ¡°Summer¡¯s performance has always been stable, but she seems to be focusing on other pursuits. What really matters is that she¡¯ll learn from this experience.¡± Mr. Hammondmented nonchntly.


    ¡°That¡¯s true. Perhaps pursuing stardom offers a brighter future,¡± Wade chuckled, then turned back to Scott, ¡°You were about to say something, Scott?<b>¡± </b>

 Chapter 107

    <b>Chapter </b><b>107 </b>


    Scott offered <b>a </b>sheepish <b>smile</b>. Judging by Wade¡¯s demeanor<b>, </b>he knew it was no longer prudent to suggest <b>a </b>meeting with Summer. He shook his <b>head </b>and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <ul>


    <li>Wade didn¡¯t press further. He nced at his watch, stood up, and announced<b>, </b>¡°We should be heading <b>out</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b></li>


    </ul>


    <b>Mr. </b>Hammond <b>rose </b><b>from </b>his <b>seat</b><b>. </b>¡°Alright, let¡¯s grab a bite before you head back to Riverdale<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°<b>Sure</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Wade replied<b>, </b><b>raising </b>his hand <b>to </b><b>signal </b>there <b>was </b>no need for a <b>formal </b>farewell. He then left the office.


    Scott <b>nodded </b><b>at Mr. </b>Hammond and followed <b>Wade </b><b>out</b>.


    Back in the ssroom, Mirabe returned to her routine<b>, </b>deliberately ignoring the varying looks from her ssmates that <b>seemed </b>to change with each passing day. The first thing she <b>did </b>was <b>dive </b><b>into </b>her books. <b>After </b>the harsh lesson of losing precious points, she concluded that she hadn¡¯t studied hard enough. It was time for some serious reflection!


    Jenna observed Mira, who now seemed to radiate <b>an </b><b>aura </b><b>of </b>formidablebat power <b>as </b>if <b>one </b>could get hurt just by getting too close. Jenna couldn¡¯t help but touch her nose <b>in </b>wonder. This girl had returned from the teacher¡¯s office transformed<b>, </b>obviously having rified what went wrong on the test, and the blow to her pride was evident.


    Feeling like Mirabe¡¯s supportive friend, Jenna believed that while she couldn¡¯t be much help academically, she could offer constion in times of disappointment. She strategized for a moment before gently poking Mirabe¡¯s arm. ¡°Hey. Queen <b>Mira</b><b>, </b><b>don¡¯t </b>beat yourself up. It¡¯s just a wrong answer on a test. You¡¯re still top nationwide, so it¡¯s really not a big deal<b>.</b>¡±


    Mirabe turned her head, her deep eyesnding on Jenna with a weighty gaze, After a moment, she said somberly, ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand the agony of being penalized for an answer that¡¯s beyond the sybus.¡±


    Jenna, a bit confused, sputtered, ¡°What? What¡¯s this ¡®agony of a beyond¨Cthe¨Csybus answer¡® you speak of?¡±


    After several seconds, Mirabe shook her head and looked away, choosing not to borate further.


    Jenna was left wondering if she had just been subtly insulted for her intelligence. After pondering Mirabe¡¯s words, Jenna¡¯s eyes suddenly widened in realization, ¡°Wait, Queen Mira, you got penalized for that?¡±


    Without looking up, Mirabe confirmed. ¡°Yes<b>, </b>even though my answers were correct, I still lost ten points.¡± She was clearly not pleased.


    Jenna was dumbfounded. So, was her assumption that Mira was devastated because of a wrong answer just her imagination?


    She was so wrong. Mira would never be daunted, not in this lifetime.


    With a heavy sigh, Jenna silently pulled out her textbook. If she <b>didn¡¯t </b>buckle down, she feared she wouldn¡¯t even deserve to be disappointed.


    After thest ss of the afternoon<b>, </b>Mirabe packed her things and left the ssroom. As she descended the stairs of the academic building, fate would have it that she bumped into Summer, marking only the second encounter of the semester. The previous one was by the school gate.


    Mirabe¡¯s expression remained unchanged, merely ncing at Summer before averting her gaze and continuing toward the school exit.


    Summer paused<b>, </b>seemingly surprised <b>to </b>see Mirabe, too. Thepetition results had soured her mood, which was why she left the ssroomter <b>than </b>usual today. Had she known <b>she¡¯d </b>run into Mirabe, she would have left earlier. Though frustrated internally, Summer¡¯s face didn¡¯t betray <i>her </i>feelings, like <b>two </b>strangers indifferent to each other¡¯s presence. She adjusted the strap of her purse and walked <b>towards </b>the school gate<b>, </b>albeit at a slower pace than usual.

 Chapter 108

    <b>Chapter </b><b>108 </b>


    Mirabe had barely stepped off the school grounds when her phone buzzed <b>in </b>her <b>pocket</b><b>. </b>Fishing it <b>out</b>, she saw <b>it </b>was Catherine calling, and without hesitation<b>, </b>she pressed <b>the </b>answer <b>button</b><b>. </b>¡°Hello, Grandma<b>¡­ </b>Alright, I¡¯ll be <b>there </b>soon.¡±


    After hanging up<b>, </b>Mirabe¡¯s gaze hardened slightly before she made her way to the <b>curb</b><b>, </b>ready to hail <b>a </b>taxi to <b>the </b>hospital. But as she stepped <b>toward </b>the street, a sleek ck sedan rolled <b>up </b>and <b>stopped </b>right in front <b>of </b>her. The <b>window </b>slid <b>down</b>, revealing Zach¡¯s handsome, refined face.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, eyeing Zach in the <b>driver¡¯s </b>seat <b>with </b>a <b>hint </b>of surprise. ¡°Zach<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Her <b>gaze </b>briefly flitted across <b>the </b>car¡¯s emblem, her <b>expression </b>unreadable.


    Last time, it was <b>a </b><b>BMW</b>. This time, it was a Mercedes<b>. </b>The <b>rumors </b><b>about </b>her <b>brothers</b>¡®ck of ambition seemed to be overturned <b>once </b><b>again</b><b>. </b>


    Zach, oblivious <b>to </b>his sister¡¯s scrutiny, arched an eyebrow and said, <b>¡°</b>Hop in<b>, </b>I¡¯m your ride home today.¡±


    Mirabe shook her head and replied, ¡°I¡¯m not heading home just yet. I need to swing by the hospital.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>The hospital?¡± Zach¡¯s confusion was evident.


    ¡°Thedy who raised me fell ill the other day and was admitted. I¡¯m going to see her today,¡± Mirabe exined <b>without </b>holding back.


    Upon hearing this<b>, </b>a more serious expression settled on Zach¡¯s face. ¡°Let me drive you there, and I might as well pay a visit to the olddy, too<b>.¡± </b>


    After a brief consideration, Mirabe didn¡¯t object, slid into the passenger seat, and gave him the hospital¡¯s address. Meanwhile, Summer stepped out of the school gates, noticing Mirabe getting into the ck Mercedes. Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and after a few seconds, she briskly made her way to the luxury vehicle the Gilbert family had sent for her. Opening the door, she settled inside.


    ¡°Follow that ck Mercedes,¡± she instructed the driver.


    Twenty minutester, Mirabe and Zach arrived at the hospital.


    Zach felt it was inappropriate to visit empty¨Chanded, so he suggested Mirabe go ahead to the ward while he popped into a nearby store to pick up some things. Since he insisted<b>, </b>Mirabe went on ahead <i>and </i>soon reached the floor where Catherine was staying.


    In the room, beside Catherine, were <b>two </b>other people, Dr. Erik and Dr. Ray.


    As Mirabe pushed the door open, Catherine¡¯s face immediately lit up with joy and excitement. ¡°Mira, you are here.¡±


    Mirabe smiled, her clear eyes filled with a gentle warmth<b>. </b>¡°Yeah.¡±


    She walked over, casually dropping her messenger bag onto a nearby chair, then turned her attention <b>to </b>the doctors. ¡°May I ask what brings you here to see me?¡± Her voice was calm and tinged <b>with </b>curiosity.


    Dr. Erik nced at Dr. Ray before standing up<b>, </b>his demeanor polite<b>. </b><b>¡°</b>Well, <b>during </b><b>our </b>checkup <b>on </b>Catherine, we noticed she¡¯s recovering remarkably fast. After inquiring, <b>we </b>learned that Catherine has been taking some additional medication.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s brows quirked slightly, already anticipating their question.


    ¡°This afternoon, I managed <b>to </b>get a sample of the dissolved medication from Catherine to analyze<b>. </b><b>It </b>seems to have an extraordinary effect on the heart, so I was wondering, Ms. Mirabe, through which channels <b>you </b>acquired it.¡± There was a hint of hope in Dr. Erik¡¯s question.


    Mirabe nced at him while methodically peeling an apple with a <b>fruit </b>knife, responding coolly, <b>¡°</b>I¡¯m afraid <b>that¡¯s </b><b>a </b>personal concoction made by a friend of mine. It¡¯s not for sale.<b>¡± </b>


    Both Dr. Erik and Dr. Ray couldn¡¯t hide the flicker of disappointment in their eyes.

 Chapter 109

    Despite their disappointment, Dr. Erik and Dr. Ray both understood the rarity of the medicine. They knew that even without the form, the precision required in crafting the remedy, especially with the meticulous measurement of each ingredient, was incredibly challenging. Traditional herbal concoctions often demanded a level <i>of </i>care that mass¨Cproduced pharmaceuticals did not require. Hence, drugs produced through such specialized techniques were not only scarce but practically priceless<b>. </b>The concept of ¡°not for sale at any price¡± aptly described their exclusivity.


    Aware that they wouldn¡¯t glean much more from Mirabe, Dr. Erik, and Dr. Ray decided not to impose any further and stood to leave the room.


    Just then, the door swung open, and Mandy stepped in, flustered to see both Dr. Ray and Dr. Erik in the room. Her concern was palpable as she practically ignored Mirabe and asked with an urgent tone, ¡°Has something elsee up with my mom¡¯s health?¡±


    The two doctors were taken aback but quickly regainedposure, Dr. Ray, ever the diplomat, replied, ¡°No, nothing like that.¡±


    At this, Mandy¡¯s anxiety eased, and a bittersweet smile crossed her meticulously made¨Cup face. ¡°I feared the worst, seeing you here, Dr. Ray.¡±


    Dr. Ray adjusted the ID badge pinned to hisb coat and replied with a gentle smile, ¡°We were merely inquiring about a certain medication Catherine has been taking. No other reason.¡±


    Mandy paused, ¡°Medication? What medication?¡±


    No sooner had she spoken than she seemed to remember something, her eyes suddenly fixed on Mirabe. Her polite facade vanished, reced by usation, ¡°Did you give my mother one of those herbal concoctions again?¡±


    Mirabe nced at her with a look of Indifference, clearly not interested in engaging.


    Mandy¡¯s irritation bubbled over as she massaged her temples, ¡°Mirabe, haven¡¯t I warned you not to meddle with my mother¡¯s treatment? After all the hard work she¡¯s done raising you for seventeen years, is this how you repay her?¡±


    ¡°Mandy, what nonsense are you spouting now? It¡¯s not at all what you think. The doctors themselves said Mira¡¯s medicine is excellent!¡±


    Catherine was exasperated by her daughter¡¯s foolishness. Mandy always jumped to conclusions when it came to Mirabe, blinded by her own prejudices, especially after marrying into wealth.


    Mandy scoffed, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to tell you there was an issue with the herbal remedy she¡¯s been giving you, but now you¡¯re still stubbornly making excuses for her. ¡±


    Dr. Ray suddenly looked up, fixing Mandy with a perplexed gaze, and interjected, ¡°Hold on, Ms. Mandy, perhaps there¡¯s been some misunderstanding?¡±


    Caught mid¨Crant, Mandy was taken aback by Dr. Ray¡¯s Interruption. It took a moment for her to regain her voice. ¡°Dr. Ray, what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe¡¯s herbal treatments are not problematic. In fact, without them, your mother might not be in a regr room but in the ICU,¡± Dr. Ray said, his tone now devoid of any earlier courtesy.


    Having witnessed all sorts of human dramas, Dr. Ray had quickly picked up on the tension between Mandy and the young girl beside her, likely due to ack of blood rtion, which exined the sharpness in Mandy¡¯s voice.


    He wasn¡¯t one to meddle in family affairs, but he couldn¡¯t stand by and watch someone being unjustly used without knowing the full story.

 Chapter 110

    <b>Chapter </b><b>110 </b>


    Mandy¡¯s eyes popped wide open, disbelief etching every feature of her face as her speech stumbled over itself in shock. ¡°How¡­ How <b>could </b>that be? Her medicine¡­ I even went to the trouble of showing it to <b>a </b>doctor, and he said that the medication was¡­<b>¡± </b>


    Her words were abruptly cut short by another interjection from Dr. Ray. ¡°Which doctor did you consult? Someone from our hospital? <b>If </b><b>it </b>was one of our doctors, I¡¯d have him escorted out immediately! Or do you think I am just <b>a </b>figurehead without any knowledge of pharmacology?¡± Dr. Ray shook his head<b>, </b>clearly exasperated. Talking to some people <b>didn¡¯t </b>just reveal their emotional intelligence, but itid bare their intellect <b>as </b>well. Some folks seemed sharp<b>, </b>but they left much to be desired in certain areas.


    Mandy¡¯s face flickered between shades of pale and flushed as she battled with


    embarrassment, especially stung by Dr. Ray¡¯sst <b>two </b>sentences, which were a clear jab at


    her.


    Mandy¡¯s mouth opened and closed, as she hesisted to reply. She knew she was in the wrong, lowered her voice, and awkwardly tried to exin, ¡°Dr. Ray, you¡¯ve got it all wrong. I didn¡¯t mean that¡­ It¡¯s just¡­ my foster daughter is clueless about these things. She grew up in the sticks<b>, </b>so how could she possibly source quality medication for my mother?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Dr. Ray¡¯s lips twitched into a smirk, but he held his tongue and strode out of the room. Dr. Erik merely gave Mandy a cryptic smile before following Dr. Ray out.


    A person in possession of such precious medicine couldn¡¯t possibly be a simple country bumpkin. Even if she didn¡¯t know much, acquiring such a drug was no small feat.


    Watching the direction in which Dr. Ray and Dr. Erik departed, Mandy¡¯s expression was a mix of ugly and awkward. She stood there, feeling like a clown, ridiculous and pitiful.


    After a moment of reflection on Dr. Ray¡¯s words, Mandy suddenly turned her re onto Mirabe, her wordsced with spite. ¡°You must be quite pleased, seeing me make a fool of myself in front of Dr. Ray, aren¡¯t you? Satisfied now?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a mysterious<b>, </b>light smile. ¡°Did I ever tell you about the value of my medicine?¡±


    At that, Mandy suddenly remembered the remark Mirabe made a few days ago about the worth of her medicine, <i>and her </i>face soured even more.


    ¡°Is that how you talk about the value of medicine?¡± Mandy let out a self¨Cdeprecating snort. ¡°Do you feel proud now? Like you¡¯ve yed us all for fools?¡±


    ¡°Enough, Mandy,¡± Catherine couldn¡¯t hold back <i>any </i>longer, her voice filled with disappointment. ¡°You misunderstand and then pin the me on Mira. You¡¯re bing more and more


    unreasonable.¡±


    <b>nno</b><b>? </b>Mom, who is your real family, huh?¡±


    She paused, casting another scornful look at Mirabe. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m just an eyesore here, messing up your precious family bonding. Enjoy cultivating this so¨Ccalled kinship.¡± With that, Mandy stormed out of the room.


    Catherine watched the door for a long while before her gaze fell, heavy with bitterness<b>. </b>She then reached out and took Mirabe¡¯s hand. ¡°Sweetheart, I shouldn¡¯t have asked you toe today. I¡¯m sorry you had to go through this.¡±


    Mirabe gently squeezed Catherine¡¯s hand in return. ¡°I¡¯m not bothered by it, Grandma. You don¡¯t need to feel guilty.¡±


    Hearing this only made Catherine feel worse. Her grandchild was just too kind¨Chearted, always sparing her feelings even when Mandy¡¯s misunderstandings and usations werepletely unfounded. No matter the grievance, Mirabe always remained calm andposed.


    With a heavy sigh, Catherine felt a firm decision take root in her heart.

 Chapter 111

    <b>Chapter </b><b>111 </b>


    Mirabe barely registered the look on Catherine¡¯s face as her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw it was Zach calling. Instead of answering immediately, she turned her attention back to Catherine. ¡°Oh, by the way, Grandma, my brother Zach said he¡¯d drop by to see you. He¡¯s downstairs right now.¡±


    At the mention of Zach, Catherine¡¯s worried expression was instantly reced with surprise. Regaining herposure, she quickly said, ¡°Your dear brother, Zach? Well, then, you better hurry down and bring him up.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± Mirabe nodded, chuckling as she noticed Catherine nervously trying to tidy her short hair. ¡°No need to be nervous<b>, </b>Grandma. He¡¯s family.¡±


    Catherine, a bit embarrassed, stopped fussing with her hair. ¡°I just want to make a good first impression, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Mirabe smiled and gently pushed a stray lock from Catherine¡¯s forehead. ¡°You look wonderful just the way you are.¡±


    Soon after, Mirabe went down to fetch Zach. ¡°Grandma, this is my brother Zach,¡± Mirabe said as she helped Zach set down some health supplements he had brought onto the cab, gently introducing him to Catherine.


    13


    Zach¡¯s gaze fell on Catherine. Her face had a sickly pallor, probably from her illness<b>, </b>but her spirit seemed strong, and she had a kind and gentle look about her. No wonder Mirabe was so fond of her. Zachposed himself and nodded politely at Catherine with a smile. ¡°Hello, Catherine. I apologize for the sudden visit. I hope I¡¯m not interrupting your rest.¡±


    Catherine shook her head with a smile. ¡°Not at all. I¡¯m delighted you coulde<b>, </b>Zach. Please, take a seat and make yourselffortable.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Zach replied, taking a seat without further ceremony. ncing at Mirabe, he added, ¡°I must thank you, ma¡¯am, for all the years of care and guidance you¡¯ve given Mirabe. She¡¯s turned out to be quite exceptional.¡±


    Catherine¡¯s cheeks colored with modesty. <b>¡°</b>Oh<b>, </b>she¡¯s always been a remarkable girl, Zach. I can¡¯t take much credit. If anything, she¡¯s had to endure quite a lot with me.¡±


    Mirabe pulled up a chair beside Catherine¡¯s bed, her eyebrows raised with a proud tilt. ¡°I¡¯ll admit I¡¯m exceptional, but let¡¯s not talk about hardships, shall we? After all, have you ever seen someone who¡¯s had a tough time turn out as splendid and smart as me?¡±


    ¡°You and yourck of modesty,¡± Catherine chuckled.


    ¡°Modesty depends on thepany,¡± Mirabe winked at Catherine.


    Catherine shook her head with a smile and instinctively grabbed Mirabe¡¯s hand, holding it warmly.


    As Zach observed the easy and affectionate exchange between his sister and Catherine, he


    12:18


    couldn¡¯t help but contrast it <b>with </b>the atmosphere at home <b>with </b>their own family<b>. </b><b>It </b>was a stark difference that stirred deep thoughts within him.


    No wonder Mirabe had initially refused to leave with their parents when they came to pick her up from Catherine¡¯s house, dying her return for a year.


    Catherine must have been the only family Mirabe had known for over a decade, the orie who actually raised her. To ask Mirabe to abandon that bond so abruptly would be too much for anyone with a conscience.


    Zach¡¯s thoughts drifted to Summer. After the truth <b>about </b>the mix<b>¨C</b>up came to light, Summer left the Davis family without hesitation, swiftly reverting to her birth father¡¯s surname.


    The Davises had never mistreated her, and although Summerter exined that her biological parents had pressured her, her actions still left a chill.


    A wry smile tugged at Zach¡¯s lips. Comparisons could be harsh, illuminating hidden problems one might wish to ignore.

 Chapter 112

    Zach reined in his thoughts and resumed the casual banter with Catherine.


    Perhaps because Zach didn¡¯t appear as dreadful as Mandy had described, and his manners and conversation were quite polite, Catherine¡¯s floodgates of chatter seemed to burst open, and she talked his ear off without stopping. Of course, the bulk of the conversation revolved around Mirabe, with Catherine reliving memories from her granddaughter¡¯s childhood right through to her high school years, growing more animated as she went on.


    Mirabe, the subject of the discussion, watched the two engrossed in conversation¨Cone speaking with passion and the other listening intently¨Cand couldn¡¯t help but press a hand to her forehead in mild frustration before standing up. ¡°I¡¯m going to use the restroom,¡± she announced.


    No sooner had she stepped out than Catherine turned to Zach with a serious look in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll be entrusting Mira to your care from now on. The poor child hasn¡¯t had much parental love growing up, but I can see she¡¯s doing well now with her birth parents,¡± she said. Her voice held a note of bittersweet contentment, and for a moment, a shadow of mncholy crossed her face.


    Zach¡¯s brow furrowed instinctively, sensing something off about Catherine¡¯s words¨Cas if she was saying farewell.


    13


    After a brief pause, he spoke up. ¡°The truth is, Mira loves you very much. Even though she¡¯s back with us now<b>, </b>you¡¯ll always be the dearest family in her heart.¡±


    At his words, a warm glow filled Catherine¡¯s eyes¨CMira was indeed the best granddaughter in the world.


    ¡°You just take <i>care </i>of yourself, ma¡¯am, and don¡¯t overthink things,¡± Zachforted her.


    Catherine smiled, indicating she understood.


    Before long, Mirabe returned. ncing outside at the darkening sky, Catherine began to usher them out. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, Mira. You and Zach should head back. I¡¯ve got doctors and nurses to look after me. There¡¯s no need to keep mepany. You¡¯ve got a heavy workload with your senior year studies<b>. </b>Head home and hit the books.¡±


    Mirabe checked the time. ¡°Should I stay a bit longer?<b>¡± </b>


    Firm in her resolve, Catheriney back down and pulled the covers over herself. ¡°No, no, you go home. I¡¯m tired and need some sleep.¡±


    Mirabe sighed in resignation, approached the bed, and gently tucked in the nket. ¡°Alright then, rest well. I¡¯lle by after school tomorrow.¡±


    Catherine hummed in acknowledgment.


    Mirabe started to leave, then paused and turned back. ¡°Oh, I forgot to mention that I entered anotherpetition. I¡¯ll bring you an international trophy to show for it soon.¡±


    12:18


    Chapte 112


    ¡°Alright, alright, I know you¡¯re capable. Now off you go, stop fussing more than an olddy.¡± Catherine¡¯s muffled voice came from under the covers as she turned away.


    For the first time, the usually confident Mirabe felt unjustly rebuffed. She touched her nose. and quietly exited the room.


    Once the door closed behind her, Catherine, who had been facing away, suddenly turned back, her eyes brimming with tears, a look of profound sadness and reluctance on her face. After a long moment, she sniffled and shakily retrieved her phone from beneath her pillow.


    Meanwhile, Summer had instructed her driver to follow Zach¡¯s car all the way to the hospital. Seeing Zach emerge, her heart sank to new depths.


    She had excused his dismissive behavior the day before by telling herself it was because of Mirabe. But seeing him now, actually apanying Mirabe <i>to </i>visit her grandmother and sharingughs, Summer could no longer maintain herposure.

 Chapter 113

    <b>Chapter </b><b>113 </b>


    Although Zach was the most gentle and even¨Ctempered of the Davis brothers, he was also paradoxically the most elusive and sharp¨Cwitted among them.


    He could sh you the warmest of smiles, but you¡¯d never really know what was ticking inside his head. Even Summer, who had been by his side for over a decade, never quite managed to peel back hisyers.


    When she observed Zach¡¯s interaction with Mirabe, the warmth he disyed was a stark contrast to anything she had ever experienced as his sister. <b>It </b>baffled her¨Chow could their sibling bond of so many years not stand firm against the mere month Mirabe had been back?


    Summer felt a knot of difort settle in her stomach. Stubbornly, she didn¡¯t instruct the driver to leave but sat silently in the car instead. Her gaze lingered out of the car window, fixating on the hospital¡¯s entrance, enduring numb hands and cold seeping into her bones. After some time, she saw Mirabe and Zach exit the hospital together, get into a car, and drive away.


    ¡°Miss, their car has left. Shall we continue to follow?¡± asked the driver, looking back at Summer in the rearview mirror.


    Summer closed her tired eyes, her face drained of emotion. After a moment, she replied in a subdued voice, ¡°No, let¡¯s head home.¡±


    In the car.


    ¡°That international trophy you mentioned earlier what¡¯s that all about?¡± Zach adjusted his sses and turned to his sister with a puzzled look.


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, leaned her headzily against the window, and, with bright eyes, said, ¡°<b>If </b>you ce in the top five at the BrainSpark Nationals, you get to represent the country in the internationalpetition.¡±


    Zach fell into a thoughtful silence. Had his little sister really be so brilliant that she was venturing beyond national borders?


    Regaining hisposure, Zach asked with a mix of emotions, ¡°You¡¯re that confident?¡±


    Mirabe cocked her head to the side. ¡°What¡¯s so tough about it? It¡¯s just solving problems.¡± Mirabe¡¯s nonchnt response left Zach momentarily breathless. After a pause, he managed a sincere, ¡°Well, I hope you will seed. When you win, just let me get a feel of that trophy, will you?¡±


    Mirabe smiled slightly as she hummed in acknowledgment.


    Then, something urred to Zach, and he quickly said, ¡°You know, I checked yourpetition


    12:19


    results today¨Cfirst ce, huh? Tell me what you fancy for dinner, and I will make tonight a celebration for you.¡±


    Mirabe started to shake her head, implying it was unnecessary, when Zach¡¯s phone rang. She closed her mouth again.


    The call came through the car¡¯s Bluetooth system, and after ncing at the caller ID, Zach pressed the button on the steering wheel to answer. ¡°Hey, Emmitt<b>, </b>what¡¯s up<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Emmitt¡¯s voice came through loud and clear, audible to Mirabe as well. She <b>didn¡¯t </b>react much. She just shifted her gaze back to the passing scenery.


    ¡°I heard you¡¯re back from your business <b>trip</b><b>. </b>Where are you at? Fancy grabbing a drink?¡± Emmitt sounded pretty casual.


    Zach nced down the road and responded, ¡°I¡¯m actually about to grab dinner with our sister. Wanna join us? It¡¯d be nice to catch up.¡±


    ¡°With Summer?¡± Emmitt asked almost reflexively.


    Zach furrowed his brows. Was Emmitt still not used to the idea that Summer wasn¡¯t his biological sister? After a short pause, Zach rified, ¡°No, not her.¡±


    Then, ncing at Mirabe, he added in a deeper, deliberate tone, ¡°With Mira.¡±

 Chapter 114

    <b>Chapter </b><b>114 </b>


    On the other end of the line, Emmitt fell silent for a couple of seconds before responding in a subdued tone. ¡°I¡¯ve got some buddies over, and we might have other nster. It¡¯s just a bunch of guys, you know, and bringing Mirabe along might not be the best fit. Let¡¯s take a rain check, alright?¡±


    Zach, still driving, replied nonchntly, ¡°Sure thing, man. Gotta focus on the road. Catch youter.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    After hanging up, Zach refocused on the road, stealing a nce at Mirabe. He didn¡¯t bring up Emmitt but yfully asked, ¡°Mira, decided where you want to grab a bite yet?¡±


    A smile tugged at the corners of Mirabe¡¯s mouth, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just head home. Mom and Dad are probably waiting,¡± she said, shaking her head.


    Zach pondered for a moment but <b>didn¡¯t </b>push the issue. Celebrating didn¡¯t have to be crammed into one day. There was always tomorrow, the day after, or the day after that. In any case, he was determined to make this sibling outing something special. ¡¤


    By the time Summer made it back to the Gilbert family home, it was nearly seven o¡¯clock.


    Mandy had just gotten in herself, a ss of water in her hand. She eyed her daughter curiously, ¡°Why are you home sote today?¡±


    ¡°Got held up at school,¡± Summer replied, her mind clearly elsewhere, careful not to mention her hospital visit.


    Mandy didn¡¯t suspect a thing, sitting down on the couch before something seemed to strike her. ¡°The results from yourpetition were released today, weren¡¯t they?¡±


    Summer had just set her bag down. Hearing Mandy¡¯s question, her eyes dimmed slightly, ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re out. Scored 186. Ranked tenth nationwide.¡±


    Mandy frowned, turning to look at her, ¡°Weren¡¯t you ranked sixthst time? Howe you¡¯re tenth now?¡±


    Summer seemed to have anticipated this question and calmly responded, ¡°The preliminaries and the actualpetition are different beasts. The difficulty ramps up considerably. Plus, there were quite a few of us tied for sixthst time. Out of over a hundred and twenty students nationwide, making it to the top ten is a big deal. There¡¯s a good chance I¡¯ll advance to the national finals.¡±


    Mandy didn¡¯t quite grasp the intricacies of thepetition, but the idea of her daughter cing in the top ten among over a hundred and twenty students did impress her. Her expression


    12:19


    softened considerably. ¡°I didn¡¯t understand and thought you had slipped back. But it¡¯s clear you¡¯re truly outstanding.<b>¡± </b>


    Summer¡¯s gaze dropped, and she remained silent, settling down on a nearby couch, her fingers massaging her temples.


    ¡°By the way, how did Mirabe do?¡± Mandy casually inquired, setting her water ss down.


    Summer¡¯s hand paused, and she reflexively answered, ¡°I¡¯m not sure about her scores. Didn¡¯t really keep track of everyone else.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s thoughts drifted to the embarrassment she had faced <b>at </b>the hospital in front of Dr. Ray because of Mirabe, her eyes growing cold. ¡°Summer, you¡¯re my pride and joy. You have to outshine Mirabe in every way. Do you understand<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Summer felt a twinge of difort at her words. Mirabe had aced the tests twice now<i>. </i>How was she supposed to outshine Mirabe?


    With a self¨Cdeprecating chuckle, Summer said nothing, merely acknowledging with a nomittal ¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡±


    Mandy missed the nuance in Summer¡¯s expression, but after a moment¡¯s thought, she added, ¡°Here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do: I¡¯ll hire a tutor to help you focus on your studies for a while.¡±

 Chapter 115

    Summer pondered for a few seconds after hearing the suggestion. She lifted her gaze towards Mandy and asked, ¡°Mom, doesn¡¯t Dad have some connections at the Education Association?¡±


    Mandy paused, a flicker of recognition crossing her face before she nodded, ¡°Yeah, he and the chairman often meet up for coffee, I mentioned yourpetition to your dad a while back, but I¡¯m not sure if he¡¯s talked about you to anyone.¡±


    After a brief pause, Mandy reached for her smartphone on the coffee table. ¡°Hold on a sec. I¡¯ll give your dad a call and ask.¡±


    Summer smiled sweetly, nodding obediently, her fingers rhythmically tapping on her knees.


    Mandy ended the call shortly and looked up at her daughter, ¡°Your dad said to focus on thepetition. He¡¯s mentioned you to his friend, even boasted about your knack for the sciences, and he¡¯s looking for an opportunity to get you under the wing of a renowned tutor in Riverdale.¡± At the mention of Riverdale, Summer¡¯s eyes lit up with immense surprise. Riverdale was a breeding ground for talent. Securing a foothold there meant not having to worry about the likes of Mirabe or having to rely on the Gilberts.


    With this thought, the gloom that had clouded Summer¡¯s evening dissipated. She let out a silent sigh of relief, stood up, and sat down beside Mandy, affectionately wrapping her arms around her mother¡¯s. ¡°Mom, thank you and Dad for everything. You¡¯re so good to me. I¡¯ll work hard, I promise. I won¡¯t let you down.<b>¡± </b>


    Mandy looked down at her dutiful daughter, the pr opposite of the irksome foster child, and couldn¡¯t help but smile with relief, patting her arm gently. <b>¡°</b>Thank goodness you¡¯re my own flesh and blood.¡±


    Summer rested her head on Mandy¡¯s shoulder and nuzzled in, the shadows in her eyes hidden away, saying nothing more.


    <b>** </b>


    The following day, the senior ss at Parkside High School faced their first monthly exam of the semester. Everyone, except Mirabe, seemed to be carrying the weight of nervousness and fear towards the tests. Right before entering the exam hall, most students were frantically flipping through textbooks, the epitome ofst¨Cminute cramming.


    The school had a dedicated examination hall, and this monthly test seemed exceptionally strict. Each room was fitted with detection devices that weeded out students attempting to smuggle in phones or cheat sheets. It was clear that cheating was off the table.


    Although Mirabe had participated in the BrainSpark Nationals and excelled twice, her newness at the school meant her exam seat was allocated based on the previous term¡¯s grades. For fairness, she was ced in thest exam room. The bottom thirty scorers of the senior year were all herpany in that room.


    12:19


    Chapter


    As Mirabe entered the exam hall, the seated students turned their curious eyes towards her. By now, herpetition achievements weremon knowledge throughout the senior ss. While some still whispered doubts about her merits, they were a minority. Some even spected that the sudden monthly exam was the school¡¯s attempt to quell the rumors of Mirabe¡¯s alleged cheating and preferential treatment by cing her in thest exam room.


    Unaware of these murmurs, Mirabe found her seat at the very end of thest row, isted from the rest, as if deliberately segregated. The distinction was pretty evident.


    fa

 Chapter 116

    <b>Chapter </b><b>116 </b>


    The exam proctor strode into the room, delivering the test papers with an efficiency that spoke of years of experience.


    <b>It </b>was English Literature in the morning<b>. </b>Mirabe stared at her paper with a sense of dread<b>. </b>Of all the subjects<b>, </b>English was her least favorite. The sight of those densely packed words always dragged her back to her childhood, to the days when the old sticklers of her family tormented her. Those dusty tomes of Shakespeare and Chaucer were the stuff of her childhood nightmares.


    Ever since she arrived in this new body, she¡¯d had an innate aversion to English, leading to an unsurprising neglect of the subject.


    With a silent sigh and resistance coursing through her veins, Mirabe picked up her pen and began to write at a snail¡¯s pace. When it was time to hand in her paper, it lookedplete, but as for uracy¡­ that was anyone¡¯s guess.


    The afternoon brought Mathematics, which was much more Mirabe¡¯s speed. Effortless and straightforward, it hardly required a thought. Having learned her lesson from a previous deduction for answering beyond the sybus, she was careful not to repeat the mistake.


    Post¨Cexam, everyone in ss was flipping through textbooks, trying to estimate their scores.


    ¡°Queen Mira, don¡¯t you think today¡¯s math test was brutal?¡± Jenna asked, her face downcast after calcting she¡¯d barely scraped through. But as soon as she¡¯d posed the question, she regretted it. After all, she was speaking to the nationalpetition¡¯s reigning champ¨Cwasn¡¯t this just asking for trouble?


    Mirabe cocked her head, letting out a rare, long sigh, ¡°I found English to be the real difficult


    ¡ü beast.¡±


    Jenna was floored. ¡°Am I hallucinating? Did I just hear you use the word ¡®difficult?¡°¡± Not just the use of the word ¡®difficult,¡® but with an emphasis.


    ¡°I may be top¨Cnotch, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m omnipotent<b>,</b>¡± Mirabe replied with a yful flutter of her eyshes, her tone infuriatingly nonchnt.


    Jenna clutched her chest, feeling the sting of another ego blow. ¡°Isn¡¯t English the easiest, though?¡± Jenna quickly steered the conversation back to safer waters.


    Mirabe shook her head, her frustration evident. ¡°For me, it¡¯s the toughest.¡±


    Sensing her sincere distress, Jenna realized she¡¯d stumbled upon a bombshell. ¡°So, what do you think you scored in English?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I finished all the questions, but whether I pass will be a matter of luck,¡± Mirabe mused, resting her chin on her hand, the image of despondency. She missed the simplicity of the BrainSpark Nationals¨Cit was so straightforwardpared to the hair¨Cpullingplexity of English.


    12:19


    Jenna¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of her head, ¡°Queen Mira, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve got a weak subject!¡±


    Mirabe gave her a sidelong nce. ¡°Doesn¡¯t every normal student have at least one?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but since when are you a normal student?¡± Jenna¡¯s question was a piercing one. With two nationalpetition victories under her belt, Mirabe was anything but average.


    Yawning, Mirabe pulled her English textbook from her desk. ¡°I know you¡¯re just jealous of my brilliance.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s smile twitched, her eyes rolling as she suddenly shed a mischievous grin, her voiceced with schadenfreude. ¡°Imagine if you fail English, what will happen to your ranking this month¡­ Oh, the horror!¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Jenna, you seem to be taking far too much pleasure in this.¡±


    Jenna cleared her throat, quickly masking her glee with a serious fa?ade. ¡°Not at all. I¡¯m just eager to get the exams over with and see the results.¡±


    Mirabe chuckled lightly, a knowing glint in her eyes.


    ¡°Hey, wanna hit the mall after school?¡± Jenna touched her nose, swiftly changing the subject.


    Mirabe shook her head, declining softly, ¡°No, I¡¯ve got some personal matters to attend to.¡±


    2


    Jenna didn¡¯t press further and settled back into her seat.

 Chapter 117

    Just before heading out that morning, Mirabe had told Zach that she nned to spend the day at the hospital keeping Catherinepany, and had politely declined his offer to pick her up from school. So, as soon as the ss was over, Mirabe hailed a cab and made her way to the hospital.


    But the moment she pushed open the door to the hospital room and saw its emptiness, with even the bed sheets neatly folded at the foot of the bed, her expression flickered with concern,


    She was stunned for a moment, and her thoughts raced to Catherine¡¯s reaction the day before. A tight sensation gripped her chest as she pulled out her phone and quickly dialed a number.


    ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off¡­¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Mirabe ended the call, pocketed her phone, and turned to leave the


    room<b>. </b>


    At the nurses¡® station, she approached the on¨Cduty nurse with a calm demeanor. ¡°Excuse me, do you know where I can find Catherine from room 503?¡± There was a steadiness in her voice, betraying no hint of the worry she felt inside.


    The nurse was momentarily taken aback by Mirabe¡¯s stunning beauty, but quickly recovered and flipped through the records beside her. ¡°Oh, Mrs. Catherine was discharged this morning,¡± she replied.


    When Mirabe heared this, her brows furrowed even more. She thanked the nurse and, without any hesitation, strode towards the elevator.


    The nurse watched Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure, shaking her head in admiration. ¡°That girl¡¯s beauty is on another level. She could give Hollywood stars a run for their money,¡± she murmured.


    ¡°What¡¯s caught your eye?¡± asked another nurse who had just returned from the restroom, noticing her colleague¡¯s fixated gaze. Since Mirabe had already disappeared around the corner, the second nurse had missed her.


    The first nurse, still captivated, said, ¡°I just saw this gorgeous girl ¨C like an angel. My heart was racing when she looked at me.¡±


    The other nurse chuckled. ¡°Really, that dramatic?¡± She casually took a sip of water, then added, ¡°Speaking of angelic beauty, Mrs. Catherine¡¯s granddaughter is a knockout. Catherine is the patient who has just been discharged from room 503 this morning. You probably haven¡¯t seen her granddaughter since you work days. I¡¯ve got a photo of her. Let me show you¡­¡±


    As she spoke, the nurse pulled out her phone and disyed a secretly snapped photo. ¡°Look at this. Isn¡¯t she gorgeous? It¡¯s just a side face, but she¡¯s so photogenic.<b>¡± </b>


    The nurse was familiar with Mirabe, finding her truly captivating. Her aura was an intriguing mix of feminine and masculine, and she carried herself with a graceful, polite demeanor that


    12:19


    subtlymanded attention. Whenever Mirabe visited, the nurse made sure to dote on Catherine a bit more than usual, hoping to catch her attention indirectly. And, quite secretly, she often snapped pictures of Mirabe when she wasn¡¯t looking.


    ¡°That¡¯s her, the very girl I just saw,¡± the first nurse confirmed, recognizing Mirabe in the photo.


    The second nurse¡¯s face changed. <b>¡°</b>Where did she go?<b>¡± </b>


    Pointing towards the elevator, the first nurse replied, ¡°Right when you came back, she just got


    <b>in</b><b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Oh no, why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier? Mrs. Catherine left something for me to pass on to her,¡± the second nurse said, pping her forehead in frustration.


    The first nurse touched her nose sheepishly. ¡°You <b>didn¡¯t </b>tell me¡­ But she can¡¯t have gone far. Hurry, you might catch her.<b>¡± </b>


    With a quick nod, the second nurse stowed her phone, grabbed an envelope from the drawer, and hurried towards the elevator.


    fa

 Chapter 118

    As the sun began its descent into the horizon, the bustle of the hospital began to taper off, leaving the halls quieter than they had been all day.


    The nurse descended in the elevator. Her footsteps echoed through the now¨Csparse lobby. She scanned the area, finding no sign of Mirabe. With a sense of urgency, she darted toward the main entrance, but her search there proved just as fruitless. Finally, with her shoulders slumped in defeat, she turned to head back inside.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was already nestled in the backseat of a cab, speeding away towards the apartmentplex where Catherine resided. As the cityscape zipped by in a blur outside the window, her eyes flickered with an intensity. Her usually impassive face now carried a chill that was not typical for one so young.


    She fished out her phone and dialed Catherine¡¯s number once more, only to be greeted by the cold shutdown prompt.


    She should have recognized that something was off with Catherine yesterday. Mirabe pressed her fingers to her temple, and her expression grew even darker.


    Twenty minutester, the cab rolled to a stop at the entrance to theplex. After paying the fare, Mirabe hurried inside. Her pace quickened as she ascended to Catherine¡¯s floor. She pressed the doorbell with a sense of urgency.


    The door swung open to reveal the face of an unfamiliar woman. ¡°Who are you looking for?¡± the middle¨Caged woman asked, eyeing Mirabe with curiosity.


    She was the caregiver Mandy had hired to look after Catherine and hadn¡¯t met Mirabe before. Mirabe¡¯s brows knitted together. ¡°Isn¡¯t Catherine home?¡±


    At <i>once</i>, the caregiver asked, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here for Catherine?¡±


    ¡°Yes, is she <i>here</i>?¡± Mirabe asked, while her patience was wearing thin.


    The caregiver sized up Mirabe again before replying politely, ¡°Catherine fell ill and has been in the hospital for a while now, but¡­ who are you, and what do you need with her?¡±


    Mirabe didn¡¯t answer her question, instead repeating her own. ¡°Is she truly not here?¡± ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t lie to you. Catherine¡¯s been sick and in the hospital. Why don¡¯t you try calling her?¡± the caregiver said, perplexed by the young woman¡¯s intensity.


    Noting that the caregiver seemed to have nothing to hide, Mirabe was left feeling uneasy. Without another word, she turned on her heel and left.


    The caregiver stood there, confused, watching Mirabe¡¯s silhouette vanish into the elevator before murmuring to herself while closing the door, ¡°What an odd encounter<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    Chania 118


    Still puzzled, the caregiver walked to the phone and dialed a number, feeling that something wasn¡¯t quite right.


    Over at the Gilbert family¡¯s vi, Mandy had just picked up the call. ¡°You¡¯re saying a young girl came looking for my mother?¡± she inquired.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. She wouldn¡¯t give her name, but she seemed rather anxious. I¡¯m not sure if something¡¯s wrong,¡± the caregiver ryed the situation in detail.


    Mandy¡¯s brow furrowed as she asked, ¡°Was the girl tall, attractive, and looked like a student?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s her, ma¡¯am.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. ¡°Alright, I understand.¡±


    After hanging up, Mandy crossed her arms and pondered deeply. The description from the caregiver could only match Mirabe, but why would she suddenly show up at the apartment asking for her mother? Didn¡¯t she know that Catherine was still hospitalized?


    Descending the stairs in herfortable home attire, Summer noticed her mother¡¯s unusual demeanor and took a seat beside her, asking softly, ¡°Mom, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Mandy snapped back to reality and chose not to hide the truth. ¡°The caregiver looking after your grandmother called. She said Mirabe stopped by your grandmother¡¯s apartment.¡±

 Chapter 119

    Chapter <b>119 </b>


    When Summer heard the name Mirabe, her eyes instinctively narrowed, and she casually asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t she know Grandma was hospitalized? Why would she go to the apartment? Was she there to pick something up?¡±


    Mandy shook her head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t to pick up anything. The caregiver said she only asked if your grandmother was at home, and when she heard she wasn¡¯t, she left.¡±


    With a puzzled look crossing her face, Summer said, ¡°What could she possibly want then?¡±


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Summer suggested, ¡°Mom, this seems a bit odd. Maybe we should give Grandma a call to see what¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Mandy agreed, thumbing through her contacts to find Catherine¡¯s number and dialed.


    Quickly, Mandy frowned and ended the call. ¡°Her phone is turned off.¡±


    ¡°Turned off? What happened?¡± Summer said. Her concern was apparent.


    Mandy¡¯s eyelid twitched as she stood. ¡°I¡¯ll call the hospital.¡± She walked over to a cab,


    rummaged through it, and pulled out a business card with the doctor¡¯s number. Without hesitation, she dialed.


    ¤´


    ¡°Hello¡­ What? My mother has been discharged?¡± Mandy¡¯s face was a picture of shock.


    Summer, now standing beside Mandy, asked anxiously, ¡°Grandma was discharged? She didn¡¯t tell you?¡±


    Mandy¡¯s mind was buzzing. ¡°No, I was so flustered by our argumentst night, and I didn¡¯t visit the hospital today.¡±


    Summer¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Why would Grandma leave without saying a word? She¡¯s a stranger in town. She doesn¡¯t know anything, and didn¡¯t return to the apartment. Where could she have gone?¡±


    Pressing her temples, Mandy suddenly had a dark thought and said through gritted teeth. ¡°You¡¯re right. Your <i>grandmother </i>knew nothing at all. She wouldn¡¯t know how to discharge herself without help.¡±


    After a brief pause, she added, ¡°It has to be Mirabe who took your grandmother. Besides her, who else?¡±


    Summer lowered her gaze, and then shook her head. ¡°That can¡¯t be right. Didn¡¯t you just say the caregiver mentioned she was looking for Grandma too?¡±


    Mandy scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s all an act, and you believe that?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± Summer tried to interject, only to be cut off by Mandy, ¡°Enough, don¡¯t be so stupid. I don¡¯t want to hear my daughter making excuses for an outsider.¡±


    When Summer heard the name Mirabe, her eyes instinctively narrowed, and she casually asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t she know Grandma was hospitalized? Why would she go to the apartment? Was she there to pick something up?¡±


    Mandy shook her head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t to pick up anything. The caregiver said she only asked if your grandmother was at home, and when she heard she wasn¡¯t, she left.¡±


    With a puzzled look crossing her face, Summer said, ¡°What could she possibly want then?¡±


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Summer suggested, ¡°Mom, this seems a bit odd. Maybe we should give Grandma a call to see what¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Mandy agreed, thumbing through her contacts <i>to </i>find Catherine¡¯s number and dialed.


    Quickly, Mandy frowned and ended the call. ¡°Her phone is turned off<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Turned off? What happened?¡± Summer said. Her concern was apparent.


    Mandy¡¯s eyelid twitched as she stood. ¡°I¡¯ll call the hospital.¡± She walked over to a cab, rummaged through it, and pulled out a business card with the doctor¡¯s number. Without hesitation, she dialed.


    ¡°Hello¡­ What? My mother has been discharged?¡± Mandy¡¯s face was a picture of shock.


    Summer, now standing beside Mandy, asked anxiously, ¡°Grandma was discharged? She didn¡¯t tell you?¡±


    Mandy¡¯s mind was buzzing. ¡°No<b>, </b>I was so flustered by our argumentst night, and I didn¡¯t visit the hospital today.¡±


    Summer¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Why would Grandma leave without saying a word? She¡¯s a stranger in town. She doesn¡¯t know anything, and didn¡¯t return to the apartment. Where could she have gone?¡±


    Pressing her temples, Mandy suddenly had a dark thought and said through gritted teeth, ¡°You¡¯re right. Your grandmother knew nothing at all. She wouldn¡¯t know how to discharge herself without help.¡±


    After a brief pause, she added, ¡°It has to be Mirabe who took your grandmother. Besides her, who else?¡±


    Summer lowered her gaze, and then shook her head. <b>¡°</b>That can¡¯t be right. Didn¡¯t you just say the caregiver mentioned she was looking for Grandma too?¡±


    Mandy scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s all an act, and you believe that?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°But¡­¡± Summer tried to interject, only to be cut off by Mandy, ¡°Enough, don¡¯t be so stupid. I don¡¯t want to hear my daughter making excuses for an outsider.¡±


    With those words, Mandy grabbed her phone, dialed Mirabe¡¯s number with a look of anger.


    After descending the stairs, Mirabe didn¡¯t immediately leave Catherine¡¯s neighborhood. Instead, she found a bench in themunity garden and sat down. Catherine¡¯s phone was still unreachable.


    The caregiver¡¯s reaction didn¡¯t seem fake. Mirabe knew Mandy well, and the odds of her whisking Catherine away were slim. The only thing Mirabe could be certain of was that Catherine left of her own volition.


    Massaging her temples, Mirabe took out her phone, pondering deeply before tapping on an app with an unfamiliar icon, about to log in when an unknown number called.


    Mirabe paused, then quickly answered. ¡°Hello¡­ Sure, I¡¯ll be there in twenty minutes. Thanks.¡±


    After hanging up, she stood up, but her phone rang again. Without hesitation, she dismissed the call. Then, slipping the phone into her pocket, she quickly walked out of the neighborhood.


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 Chapter 120

    Chapter <b>120 </b>


    The person on the other end of the phone was none other than the nurse from the hospital who hadn¡¯t managed to catch up with Mirabe.


    Mirabe halled a cab and made her way back to the hospital. Along the journey, Mandy bombarded her with a relentless stream of calls, but none of which she answered. Eventually. she simply blocked Mandy¡¯s number.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe, I am terribly sorry. I should have called you earlier toe pick up your belongings. I was caught up with something and couldn¡¯t get around to it,¡± the nurse apologized, handing over a letter to Mirabe with a look of regret.


    Mirabe took the letter with a courteous nod. ¡°No problem, thank you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee,<b>¡± </b>the nurse replied with a smile. .


    As Mirabe walked away with the letter, she paused and turned back to address the nurse ¡°Can I ask if my grandmother was discharged on her own?¡±


    The nurse shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that. I was working the night shift. I wasn¡¯t here this morning.¡± She paused and then offered, ¡°Shall I ask one of my colleagues for you?¡±


    A flicker of disappointment crossed Mirabe¡¯s eyes, but she quickly shook her head and declined, ¡°No, that¡¯s alright,¡± before walking away.


    At the hospital¡¯s garden, there were public benches where people could sit and enjoy the greenery. Mirabe found a spot on a bench and opened the letter.


    [Mira, I have gone back to my hometown. You take good care of yourself and don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll take good care of my health. I¡¯m waiting for the day you bring home an international trophy.]


    The content of the letter was brief, and the handwriting was far from beautiful. It bore the slow and rigid strokes of an elderly person. In the corner where the name was signed, there was a dry mark where a tear had once fallen.


    A lump stuck in Mirabe¡¯s throat as she could almost picture Catherine, her grandmother, writing this letter with a heavy heart and trembling hands. The days when they had only each other forpany shed before her eyes like scenes from a movie, bringing back a year of serene memories that stood out in her life.


    Mirabe tilted her head back slightly. Her eyes fluctuated between rity and dimness as the soft glow from a nearby streetlight cast a mix of warmth and solitude upon her face.


    ¡°That¡¯s a rare expression on you.¡± Suddenly, a voiceced with teasing cut through the quiet. Mirabe slowly turned her head, and there he was: James, with his sharp features and lean figure, standing with his arms crossed and an air of nonchnce about him. She had no idea how long he had been there.


    Mirabe¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as she carefully folded the letter and asked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    James raised an eyebrow yfully. ¡°If I were not here, I would miss your rare moment of vulnerability, wouldn¡¯t <b>I</b>?¡±


    Mirabe stood up and moved closer to James. Her piercing eyes locked onto him, and her voice was tinged with an icy detachment. ¡°Having trouble seeing things? Let me get closer so you can have a good look.¡±


    A smile flickered at the corner of James¡® mouth as he beheld the girl standing defiantly before him. Her proud stance was a stark contrast to the quiet figure seated on the bench moments earlier. He raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling, ¡°Okay, my bad. Wrong choice of words.¡±


    Mirabe let out a soft scoff and turned away from him, but a thought suddenly raced through her mind. Abruptly, her gaze returned to James. There was a hint of suspicion in her voice, ¡°Did you help my grandmother with her discharge from the hospital?¡±


    She knew that when Catherine had previous heart trouble, it had been James who had brought her to the hospital. The idea that her grandmother could leave without a trace and that James might have had a hand in it seemed all too probable.

 Chapter 121

    James wasn¡¯t at all surprised when Mirabe spoke her mind, after all, the girl had a sharpness about her that was beyond imagination.


    ¡°You guessed right,¡± he admitted without any attempt to hide it.


    At <b>his </b>words, it felt like a tension within Mirabe finally eased. She wasn¡¯t really worried that Catherine would do anything rash, but she needed to know where she was,


    ¡°Your grandma rang me upst night.¡± James exined sinctly, ¡°Seems she didn¡¯t want you caught in the middle of whatever is brewing between her and the Gilberts, so she asked if 1 could drop her back at her ce.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Mirabe sighed softly. How could she not see Catherine¡¯s intent? After a brief silence, she collected her thoughts and asked, ¡°Where Is she <i>now</i><i>?</i>¡±


    James nced at his watch. ¡°She should be home by now.¡±


    As if sensing that Mirabe needed reassurance, he added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I arranged for someone to escort your grandma. No mishaps.¡±


    Mirabe gave a small nod of thanks, fixing James with a serious look. ¡°Thanks a lot.¡±


    James raised an eyebrow. His tone was nonchnt. ¡°Are we still on formal terms? Come on, my lifesaver.¡±


    Mirabe gave him a sidelong nce and a half¨Csmile. ¡°Also since when did I acquire a tutor?¡±


    With azy shrug. James yed along. ¡°Just a beautiful misunderstanding.¡±


    Mirabe chuckled, pocketing Catherine¡¯s letter and turning to leave the hospital.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep up the misunderstanding then.¡± Her voice trailed away as she waved a goodbye. Her silhouette stretched long under the streetlights. James smiled thoughtfully and followed


    after her.


    Outside the hospital, Mirabe reached for her phone to check the time, only to find it had died. She put it back in her pocket and after a brief pause, she looked up at James. ¡°Did you drive here?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± James looked at her, puzzled.


    ¡°I¡¯m out of battery<b>, </b>and I don¡¯t have cash on me. How about Mr. James ys the good guy and gives me a lift?¡± Mirabe asked without any trace of formality.


    James arched an eyebrow. ¡°I thought you¡¯d invite me for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Expecting a high school kid without a penny to her name to treat you? Tell me, Mr. James, is that really appropriate for a tutor?¡± Mirabe emphasized each word with clear artiction.


    A twitch tugged at James¡® lips. ¡°What if I treat you?¡±


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>12:15 </b>


    Mirabe waved off the offer. ¡°No thanks. My family will worry if they can¡¯t reach me.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s <b>on</b>¡± James said, rubbing his temple without further teasing.


    They quickly got into the car. Inside, James gripped the steering <b>wheel </b>with one hand, is elbow rested on the window frame. His head tilted, his fingers pressing against his temple. Hisplexion was unusually pale, and there was a hint of fatigue around his eyes.


    Mirabe onby nced at him briefly before asking casually, <i>¡°</i>Rough night?¡±


    ¡°Is it that obvious?¡± James¡® voice was low, and he turned to look at her as he spoke.


    Mirabe¡¯s eves narrowed slightly as she pieced together his recent trip to Riverdale and Catherine¡¯s current drama. She suddenly said, almost in disbelief, ¡°You didn¡¯t rush back overnight because of my grandma, did you?¡±


    James continued massaging his temple, deflecting the question lightly. ¡°When the work¡¯s done. naturally it¡¯s time to head back.¡±


    At that, Mirabe fell into a thoughtful silence.

 Chapter 122

    Chapter <b>122 </b>


    After a while, she lifted her gaze to James again and said nonchntly. ¡°You know<i>, </i>the


    soothing incense I got for Granny online the other day really did the trick. You go to my school in a few days, and I¡¯ll give it to you after school.¡±


    Hearing this, James thought back to the eBay shop she had mentioned before, where she found those soothing incense, and chuckled while shaking his head, ¡°No worries, I just need a few good nights¡® rest.¡±


    Mirabe touched the tip of her nose. ¡°Alright then¡­¡± She paused but added, <b>¡°</b>Just hit me you change your mind.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± James replied lightly, not really taking it to heart.


    up if


    Twenty minutester, Mirabe thanked James and quickly walked into the apartmentplex.


    By now, the night had fully settled in. As she ascended the stairs to her apartment, she used her keys to enter, only to find Emmitt, who hadn¡¯t been around for a while, sitting on the sofal with his arms crossed. His face was ashen.


    The air was tinged with tension.


    Narrowing her eyes slightly, Mirabe casually tossed her shoulder bag onto a cab.


    Emmitt¡¯s gaze snapped to her as he rose to his feet. His eyes were dark and piercing. ¡°Can¡¯t you keep out of trouble for just one day?¡±


    ¡°Emmitt, you better cool it and watch your tone,¡± Shawn said and frowned. His voice was heavy.


    Faced with Emmitt¡¯s sudden usation, Mirabe remainedposed, though her eyes.cked warmth. ¡°That¡¯s a strange thing to say. What outrage have Imitted to get you so worked up?¡±


    Emmitt, seeing her cool demeanor, felt his anger rise even further. ¡°What have you done? Where did you take Summer¡¯s granny?¡±


    At that, Mirabe put two and two together, thinking of the countless calls she had received from Mandy, and she had a pretty good idea why he was so furious. Catherine hadn¡¯t returned to the Gilbert family, and since she had also visited the apartment where Catherine lived, the Gilberts naturally assumed she had hidden Catherine away after learning the olddy wasn¡¯t in the hospital.


    After all, she was the most likely suspect.


    When Mirabe didn¡¯t respond, Emmitt took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. ¡°I get that you¡¯re close to Summer¡¯s granny, but you can¡¯t just whisk her away without telling


    <b>12:15 </b>


    Chapter <b>122 </b>


    anyone<b>.</b>¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curved in an amused smirk. ¡°I¡¯m curious, who told you I took Catherine? Was it Summer?¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s brows knitted. ¡°She just made a call¡­


    Before he could finish, Mirabe cut him off, ¡°So she makes one call, and you¡¯re convinced Catherine was taken by me. Now I¡¯m telling you, she wasn¡¯t. How will you judge that?¡±


    Zach raised an eyebrow slightly at his sister¡¯s words. His little sister sure knew how to use the Socratic method.


    Emmitt was briefly taken aback by her question but quickly recovered, ¡°Fine, you say you didn¡¯t take her, <b>so </b>why didn¡¯t you answer calls from the Gilberts? And why was your phone off? Isn¡¯t that obviously making them suspect you?¡±


    Mirabe found this even more amusing. With deliberate calm, she fished out her phone from her pocket, pressed the power button a few times in front of him, and the screen briefly lit up with a low battery warning sign before shutting down again. ¡°See? Dead battery.¡± Her voice was light as she extended the phone toward Emmitt with a <b>hint </b>of sarcasm. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, feel free to check it yourself, maybe?¡±

 Chapter 123

    Chapter <b>123 </b>


    Emmitt¡¯s gaze lingered on the smartphone that Mirabe was offering him, but he didn¡¯t reach out to take it. After a moment, he tilted his head to the side and spoke with a deep voice, ¡°If your really didn¡¯t pick up Catherine, then why did you hang up on the Gilberts?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it normal to hang up on them? That stepmother of hers was never kind to her, so why should she be obliged to answer her calls? Where does this rulee from?¡± Zach Interjected with a nonchnt tone.


    ¡°Yeah, Zach¡¯s got a point. If it were me<b>, </b>I wouldn¡¯t just hang up; I¡¯d have blocked them ages ago.¡± Delh had no fondness for the Gilbert family, and it showed in her voice.


    Emmitt looked at Zach with aplex expression. It was one thing for their parents to spoil Mirabe rotten, but his sharp¨Cwitted younger brother was siding with her too.


    Shaking his head after a pause, Emmitt spoke with a note of disappointment, ¡°You can spoil her all you want, but we need to sort out this issue with Summer¡¯s grandma.¡±


    Continuing, he turned back to Mirabe, ¡°Why don¡¯t we take a trip to the Gilberts? If you didn¡¯t take Catherine, then an exnation is due¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, the smartphone on the coffee table began to ring. He halted mid¨Csentence, and his gaze involuntarily scanned the caller ID on the screen. Seeing it was Summer calling, Emmitt didn¡¯t pursue the conversation further. He walked over, picked up the phone, and pressed the answer button, ¡°Hey, Summer¡­¡±


    ¡°Emmitt, we found Grandma. She went back to her ce in Elm Reek by herself. I¡¯m sorry. It was my mom who misunderstood Mira. It¡¯s also my fault for jumping to conclusions and bothering you when I couldn¡¯t reach Mira. I hope I didn¡¯t cause any misunderstanding¡­¡± Summer¡¯s voice was soft and fragile through the phone, filled with regret and apology as if she was on the brink of tears.


    Holding the phone, Emmitt listened to Summer¡¯s words and thought back to his earlier anger toward Mirabe. His head started buzzing. So, he had wronged her?


    ¡°¡­Emmitt, are you listening?¡± Summer¡¯s voice came through the phone after a long silence, tinged with a touch of vulnerability.


    Emmitt closed his eyes briefly, then replied coolly. ¡°I got it.¡± He said nothing more and hung up.


    Summer, sensing the chill in Emmitt¡¯sst few words, felt an inexplicable annoyance. She held the phone tightly for a long while before finally letting go.


    When Emmitt looked back at Mirabe, his demeanor had lost its initial assertiveness. He opened his mouth to speak, but his throat felt clogged, both dry and ufortable, and he couldn¡¯t utter a word.


    Mirabe¡¯s face showed little emotion as she met hisplex gaze. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve figured out the truth,¡± she said simply.


    <b>12:15 </b>


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs<b>.</b>¡± Mirabe didn¡¯t wait for Emmitt to respond. After a quick nce at her parents and Zach in the hall, she walked toward the staircase at a steady pace.


    ¡°Emmitt, we all know you and Summer have been close since you were kids, but let me remind you of something, you should really understand who your blood rtives are,¡± Zach said coolly. leaving that thought behind as he too ascended the stairs.


    Hearing those words, Emmitt felt a burning sensation on his face, as if all his strength had been sapped in that moment. The phone slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor with a thud.

 Chapter 124

    Shawn stood up, grabbed the cellphone from the floor, and ced it on the coffee table. Without


    a word, he just patted his eldest son on the shoulder and walked away<i>. </i>


    Delh let out a disappointed sigh. ¡°You¡¯re just too hard on Mira. She¡¯s your sister, not a stranger. But you¡¯re always so reluctant to trust her a little more. Take tonight, for instance. If you¡¯d just kept your cool, things wouldn¡¯t have blown up like this.¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s hand, hanging by his side, clenched tighter. His face twisted in a grimace of shame and embarrassment. When he <b>had </b>received Summer¡¯s tearful call earlier that night, he¡¯d rushed to judgment <b>against </b>Mirabe without a second thought. He was convinced in his gut that his sister was nothing but trouble. Even if she did have a close bond with Summer¡¯s grandma, surely whisking her away without a heads¨Cup was not okay, <b>right</b>?


    And now what?


    A self¨Cmocking smile flickered across Emmitt¡¯s lips. After all his bluster <b>and </b>usations, it had all been a big misunderstanding.


    Compared to Summer, Mirabe seemed to do nothing but irk him with her antics. Even when she aced apetition, he only briefly saw her in a new light before once again being disappointed by her aloof and umunicative demeanor.


    Today¡¯s drama felt eerily simr to that past incident. But in the end, he had to admit he was the problem. Even if she had exined, he wouldn¡¯t have believed her.


    She had challenged him, saying, ¡°If I told you I wasn¡¯t the one who took her, how would you judge?¡± But his first instinct had still been disbelief.


    Indeed, what was the point in exining when you knew you wouldn¡¯t be believed? If he was in her shoes, he wouldn¡¯t bother to exin either.


    Emmitt rubbed his face and forced a wry smile.


    ¡ª


    Fresh out of the shower, with her hair still dripping wet, Mirabe grabbed the hairdryer and her charging phone, holding down the power button. In seconds, it came to life, bombarded with a flurry of texts and missed calls, including several from Emmitt and a few from unknown numbers.


    She scrolled through them, turned off the hairdryer, and dialed Catherine. This time, there was no cold, disconnected tone.


    Soon, the call connected.


    Mirabe held the phone without speaking, and on the other end, Catherine also remained silent. The line was filled only with faint breathing. After a long pause, Mirabe softly called out, ¡°Grandma.¡±


    <b>12:15 </b>


    <b>UnaBret </b>1.24.


    ¡°Yes, dear¡­ I¡¯m here.¡± Catherine¡¯s voice came through, apanied by the sound of something being knocked over, which was almost drowning her out.


    Mirabe pressed a hand to her forehead in resignation, then pulled up a chair and sat down. With a sigh, she asked, ¡°Are you set on having me listen to you knock things over?¡±


    As if on cue, the background tter ceased.


    Two secondster, Catherine¡¯s meek voice exined, ¡°Ahem. I was just trying to pour myself a ss of water and wasn¡¯t paying attention.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, and leaned backzily in her chair. The warm light of the room. cast a cozy glow on her face. She drawled, ¡°Yeah, I get it. No need to borate.¡±

 Chapter 125

    Chapter <b>125 </b>


    Catherine had her little tricks to mask her emotions, and Mirabe knew them all too well.


    Mirabe Idly twirled a lock of damp hair that had fallen over her shoulder. Her voice was nonchnt. ¡°Look at you, all gutsy now, sneaking back to your hometown without a peep.¡±


    At that, Catherine chuckled nervously, a hint of fear in her voice. ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t alone. Mr. James arranged for someone to bring me back.¡±


    Mirabe let out a soft snort. ¡°You just met the guy. What if he tricked you? Where would I find another grandma like you?¡±


    Catherine felt a sour lump in her throat, suppressing the difort as she whispered, ¡°I know James is a good man.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t pull a vanishing act on me again, okay? <b>If </b>you want to go somewhere, just tell me. Do you really think I¡¯d stop you?¡±


    After a brief pause, Mirabe¡¯s gaze softened, and her voice was more serious than ever. ¡°With me here, no one will ever force you to stay somewhere you don¡¯t like again.¡±


    She knew Mandy had always wanted to move Catherine to the city, but Catherine was reluctant. If it hadn¡¯t been for Mirabe returning to the Davis family, Catherine probably wouldn¡¯t have agreed to move. It was her own selfishness that made Catherine live unhappily in the city for this time. She wanted to take care of Catherine for the sake of her body¡¯s original owner, but she had overlooked whether the olddy wanted to be taken care of at all.


    Catherine¡¯s voice was choked as she hummed in agreement, ¡°If Mandy gives you trouble again, don¡¯t worry about my feelings. Do what you have to do, and don¡¯t let yourself be wronged.<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe spoke tly. ¡°So, all this heartache of yours is because you overthink everything.¡±


    Fearing the conversation would weigh on her emotions, Catherine hurriedly said, ¡°Alright, alright, it¡¯s gettingte. I¡¯m off to bed<b>.</b>¡± Without waiting for Mirabe to bid her goodnight, she hung up the phone.


    Mirabe listened to the dial tone, chuckled, shook her head, and set the phone down. She picked up the hairdryer and continued drying her hair. Soon, there was a knock at the door.


    Mirabe had just finished drying her hair. She swept it back casually and headed to the door. ¡°Zach?¡±


    Zach stood with his hands behind his back, more schrly without his usual frameless sses. He pressed his lips into a slight smile and asked, ¡°Haven¡¯t had dinner yet, have you?¡±


    Mirabe looked surprised, then nodded.


    Zach stepped aside, tilting his chin toward the stairwell. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll whip up something for you to eat.¡± After a brief pause, he added, ¡°Emmitt¡¯s gone. No need to worry about any awkwardness.¡±


    Without any fuss, Mirabe epted, ¡°Well, thanks, Zach.¡±


    They descended the stairs, one after the other. It was nearly ten o¡¯clock, and Delh and Shawn had already retired to their rooms.


    Rolling up the sleeves of his pajamas, Zach scanned the fridge. Finding only eggs and a tomato, he touched his nose, and then turned to Mirabe with a helpless expression. ¡°Not much to work with. How about some pasta?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯m not picky.¡±


    ¡°OK,¡± Zach nodded and took out the eggs and tomato. ¡°Take a seat in the living room. I¡¯ll have it ready in a jiffy.¡±


    Mirabe hummed softly in response but didn¡¯t leave. Instead<b>, </b>she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, calmly watching the figure in the kitchen skillfully prepare the meal.

 Chapter 126

    Chapter <b>126 </b>


    About ten minutester, Zachdled out the spaghetti onto the tes and brought them to the table. ¡°Give it a taste. Let me know if it¡¯s okay.¡±


    Mirabe picked up a fork and after just one bite, she looked up with a mouthful and mumbled, ¡°Tastes pretty good.¡±


    Zach sat down beside her, arching an eyebrow with pride. ¡°Well, of course. I¡¯ve been cooking since I was eight, you know.¡± That meant he had a good fifteen years of culinary experience under his belt. He was a veritable veteran.


    At his words, Mirabe fell into thought. When she was eight, hadn¡¯t she identally blown up her family¡¯s potionb a few times?


    ¡°By the way, at the hospital yesterday, after you went to the restroom, Catherine asked me to take care of you. Something felt off about it then, and I meant to talk to you, but it totally slipped my mind.¡± Zach smiled apologetically. ¡°I had no idea Catherine nned <b>on </b>leaving. If I had been more attentive yesterday, maybe today¡¯s drama wouldn¡¯t have unfolded.¡±


    Mirabe paused, looking at Zach, who <b>had </b>a hint of guilt on his face. Her voice was calm, ¡°Zach, you shouldn¡¯t me yourself. Even without what happened yesterday, today¡¯s events. would have happened eventually. She never really settled in here. It¡¯s probably for the best that she¡¯s gone back to her roots.¡±


    Zach gave a wry smile and shook his head. ¡°I was supposed to be the oneforting you, but here you are, making me feel better.¡±


    Mirabe just smiled and went back to her spaghetti. When Zach watched his sister, quietly eating, his heart was filled a mix of emotions. Even when facing Emmitt¡¯s questions earlier, she had not shown a hint of panic, and she was asposed as an adult. If Summer had been in her shoes, it would have been a flood of tears and grievance, and that was not even considering the whole thing was a misunderstanding.


    They <b>say </b>the squeaky wheel gets the grease. With Mirabe¡¯s quiet, stubborn nature, it was no wonder she sometimes got the short end of the stick. He sighed silently and shifted the conversation to lighter topics, carefully avoiding any mention of Emmitt.


    The next afternoon, after thest of the exams, Mirabe stepped out of the exam hall to find Summer waiting in the corridor.


    ¡°Can we talk?¡± Summer asked. Her face betrayed no particr emotion, although her voice carried <b>a </b>condescending note.


    Mirabezily lifted her eyelids. Her tone was clearly impatient. ¡°I¡¯m busy.¡±


    Summer¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she turned to follow. ¡°No matter what, you¡¯re part of the Davis family now. You should leave my grandmother¡¯s affairs alone. It¡¯s for the best for you, for the


    12:16


    Gilbert family, and for the Davis family. You don¡¯t want to stir up misunderstandings and unhappiness again because of you, right?<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks, nced at her coldly. ¡°Are you trying to teach me how to live. my life?<b>¡± </b>


    That look took Summer aback, but she quickly regained herposure and said icily, ¡°I¡¯m just telling you not to be too greedy.¡±


    A yful smirk crossed Mirabe¡¯s lips. ¡°That¡¯s a fresh take.¡± She chuckled softly and continued walking without looking back.


    Frowning, Summer watched her go and didn¡¯t pursue further. She suddenly remembered the odd tone in Emmitt¡¯s voice during their call the previous night. After a moment of contemtion, she turned and headed down another staircase.


    Back in the Prodigy ss ssroom, Summer pulled out her phone from her desk and typed out a text message to send to Emmitt.

 Chapter 127

    Chapter <b>127 </b>


    It had been ten minutes since Summer had sent out the message, and yet, there was no reply. Anxiety began to bubble within her. This was something that never happened before. With a sigh, she sent another text, (Emmitt, I¡¯m at our usual spot.]


    On the other end, Emmitt was zoning out with his phone in hand. When he got Summer¡¯s first message, his initial reaction was to reply instantly. But the events of the previous night, coupled with the words his family had said, froze his fingers. He couldn¡¯t type a word.


    He had been taking care of Summer ever since their childhood, and he knew her better than anyone. Even after she rejoined the Gilbert family, he never saw her as a stranger. The thought. of doubting her had never crossed his mind ¨C until now.


    Emmitt massaged his temples and opened Summer¡¯s second message that just came in. After a moment of silence, he finally stood up, grabbed his car keys from the drawer, and left the office.


    At an upscale bistro downtown, within a private room on the second floor.


    Summer <b>had </b>been there since the ss was over, having instructed her driver to drop her off<b>. </b>From five o¡¯clock straight through to six, as the sky darkened outside the window, her heart sank a little more with each passing minute.


    ¡­if


    Emmitt hadn¡¯t responded to any of her messages. She didn¡¯t know if he was simply busy or intentionally ignoring her. It felt like ever since that phone callst night, something had shifted silently between them.


    Clutching her phone, Summer wanted to call Emmitt, but she resisted the urge repeatedly. She kept telling herself to stay calm, not to panic.


    Finally, at nearly seven, the door to the private room creaked open.


    Hearing the sound, Summer stood up so fast that her phone ttered onto the table, which she ignored. Her eyes, slightly reddened, locked onto the bted Emmitt. Her lips trembled, and her voice was choked with emotion. ¡°Emmitt, I thought you weren¡¯t going to show.¡±


    Emmitt met Summer¡¯s restrained, wounded expression and instinctively wanted to exin. Yet, he found himself looking away. His tone was as casual as ever, ¡°Sorry, got held up by a client at the office.<b>¡± </b>


    At his words, Summer¡¯s face turned a shade paler. Her whole frame seemed to sway as if she might copse. She steadied herself on a nearby chair, sniffled, and said in a subdued voice, ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ I can wait for you.¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s hands clenched at his sides before he pulled out a chair and sat down, avoiding her gaze. He nonchntly picked up a menu. ¡°What¡¯s your fancy? Dinner¡¯s on me tonight.¡± He pressed the service bell promptly, summoning the waiter.


    Chapter <b>127 </b>


    ¡°I¡¯m fine with anything.¡± Summer murmured softly.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go with the usual¡± Emmitt said, closing the menu and rattling off a few dishes to the


    waiter.


    As soon as the waiter departed, Summer looked up to Emmitt across the table. Her smile was tinged with bitterness. ¡°Emmitt, are you mad at me aboutst night?¡±


    ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t have jumped to conclusions. When I couldn¡¯t reach Granny, I thought Mira took her. I hardly slept all night, worrying about the misunderstanding it might cause. I apologized to Mira today, but she seemed like she didn¡¯t want to see me¡­ Emmitt, I¡¯m sorry. You can yell at me. It¡¯s all my fault.¡± Her voice broke as she spoke, and her pale face looked all the more pitiable.

 Chapter 128

    Emmitt¡¯s gaze rested on Summer¡¯s face, which was once radiant with vitality, now drawn and lifeless. Her reddened eyes were seemingly brimming with endless regret and remorse. Even her usual meticulous attention to appearance had been cast aside, all for the sake of an apology, an exnation.


    Watching Summer in this state, Emmitt felt a whirlwind of emotions. His lips twitched <b>as </b>if he wanted to say something, but then the image of Mirabe ¨C cool, aloof, and prideful ¨C shed before his eyes. Mirabe didn¡¯t cry or make a fuss. Even when misunderstood, she wouldn¡¯t stoop to justifying herself, stubborn as a mule.


    After a moment, he finally spoke with a softened voice. ¡°What¡¯s done is done. There¡¯s no need to bring it up again. As for the apology¡­¡± Emmitt paused, then simply added, ¡°¡­ it¡¯s not necessary. Mira, she won¡¯t dwell on it.¡±


    Summer¡¯s eyes lowered slightly, and her fingertips nervously twirled on the tabletop. With tentative care, she added, ¡°But is that really okay? After all, I¡¯m the one who caused the misunderstanding¡­ Emmitt, you don¡¯t need to worry about me. As long as it makes Mira happy. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes.¡±


    When Emmitt heared this, his brow furrowed involuntarily, and then he replied firmly, ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±


    Summer¡¯s heart skipped a beat<b>; </b>suddenly she felt unsure of how to interpret his demeanor.


    Soon, the sound of the waiter knocking at the door interrupted them. Summer wanted to probe further, but with the interruption, she simply fell silent. As the server entered, she quickly slipped her sunsses back on. After the dishes were served and the waiter left, Summer took off her sunsses once again.


    She nced at Emmitt across from her, who was now attentively cutting into his steak, and she realized the earlier conversation couldn¡¯t be continued. Thus, she too picked up her knife and fork. Her dining was absent¨Cminded as her thoughts wandered.


    For a while, the private dining room was enveloped in silence, both lost in their own worlds.


    After the meal, as Emmitt went to settle the bill, Summer left the room, again donning her sunsses and a face mask to avoid recognition.


    Stepping out of the restaurant, she looked at Emmitt, about to speak.


    ¡°Do you need a ride home, or¡­?¡± Emmitt asked first.


    ¡°I¡¯ll head home,¡± Summer replied softly.


    Emmitt nodded. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get you back.¡± After saying that, he headed towards the parking lot.


    Summer watched his retreating figure. His presence reminded her of a time when <b>there </b>was no rift between them. Her eyes lowered, and she subdued the flurry of thoughts within. Perhaps


    12:16


    she was overthinking things.


    Twenty minutester, Emmitt dropped Summer off at the gates of the Gilbert family mansion.


    ¡°Emmitt, drive safely, okay? I¡¯m heading in,¡± Summer said gently as she unbuckled her seatbelt. With a quiet acknowledgment, Emmitt watched Summer exit the car. He didn¡¯t immediately start the vehicle but instead gazed through the windshield at the grandeur of the Gilbert family mansion, with its decorative lights casting hazy halos and the three¨Cstory building standing like a miniature castle, a testament to the family¡¯s wealth.


    Suddenly, Emmitt¡¯s lips twisted into a wry smile. There was a trace of bitterness in his eyes. After a while, his hands, still resting on the steering wheel, finally moved, and he turned the car


    around, driving away.


    As soon as Summer entered the house and changed her shoes, she encountered Aiden descending the staircase. She furrowed her brows but didn¡¯t bother with a greeting<b>. </b>


    Colton was lounging on the couch, engrossed in a TV show. Summer approached and called out sweetly, ¡°Dad, I¡¯m home.¡±


    Colton looked up at Summer<b>. </b>His rounded face broke into a smile as he casually inquired, ¡°Mmm, what kept you out sote today?¡±

 Chapter 129

    <b>Chapter </b><b>129 </b>


    Summer opened her mouth to speak, but Aiden cut her off with a dismissive chuckle. ¡°What could she possibly be up to? A date, obviously.¡±


    With a carefree swagger, Aiden strolled into the living room, copsing onto the couch with anguid sprawl.


    ¡°A date? What date?¡± Colton straightened up. His smile vanished in an instant as he squinted at his daughter, his interest clearly aroused.


    Summer¡¯s sh of irritation was quickly masked as she hurried to exin. ¡°No, nothing like that. Just had dinner with a friend. That¡¯s why I got home a bitte.


    Colton had always disapproved of Summer wasting time on frivolities, only showing her affection because of the pride she brought him in public.


    ¡°Pff, must be a boyfriend.¡± Aiden said, with a smirk ying on his lips. Then he raised an eyebrow, adding, ¡°I saw it all from upstairs.¡±


    Summer shot Aiden an icy look. ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that in front of Dad. It¡¯s not any boyfriend. It¡¯s Emmitt from the Davis family where I used to live.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right. You¡¯re not even rted, so who knows?¡± Aiden blurted out without a filter<b>. </b>


    Summer¡¯s face soured, but with Colton present, she couldn¡¯tsh out at Aiden. Instead, she retorted with barely concealed anger, ¡°You¡¯re my brother. Do you have to be so unpleasant?¡±


    Aiden snorted and reclined on the sofa, propping his feet up on the backrest. ¡°Oh, please. I don¡¯t have a sister like you. Remember how you looked down on the Davis family when you first came back? And now, after six months, you treat them like they¡¯re gold. Wow, you change faces faster than a character in a y.<i>¡± </i>


    Summer¡¯s expression stiffened.


    ¡°Enough, Aiden. That¡¯s no way to talk to your sister.¡± Colton nced at his younger son. There was a hint of reprimand in his words, but his tone was far from harsh.


    Aiden pouted but didn¡¯t dare to act up in front of Colton. He kept quiet.


    Colton then turned his gaze back to Summer. His eyes gleamed with a trace of displeasure. ¡°You¡¯ve been quite close with your foster parents and their family?¡±


    Summer clenched the hands by her sides and replied calmly. ¡°Not really. Besides studying. I spend time training at the studio. I only contact them asionally for a meal. That¡¯s all.¡±


    Hearing this, Colton looked away and cleared his throat, ¡°I understand your gratitude to your foster parents for their years of care<b>, </b>but some people are better to keep a distance from. They don¡¯t help you, and they might even lower your status. You understand what I¡¯m saying, Summer?¡±


    12:16


    Summer lowered her gaze slightly, and her expression was contained as she responded softly. ¡°I understand, Dad. I¡¯ll head back to my room then<b>, </b>read a bit, and prepare for the nextpetition.¡±


    Aiden let out another scoff as she spoke.


    Summer heard it but didn¡¯t react.


    Colton, reminded by his daughter¡¯s mention of thepetition, suddenly remembered something. ¡°Oh, right. After school tomorrow, go to the Education Association yourself. Dalton has prepared some review materials for thepetition. Be sure to sweet¨Ctalk him a bit.¡±


    Summer blinked in surprise. ¡°Dalton?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I forgot to tell you. My friend Dalton is the chairman of the Education Association,¡± Colton exined<b>. </b>


    When Summer heared this, her eyes widened, and a look of sheer joy spread across her face. ¡°Thanks, Dad<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>

 Chapter 130

    Colton chuckled, with a twinkle in his eye as he teased, ¡°Don¡¯t let me down now. I¡¯m counting on you to make me proud.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad. I¡¯ll bring home a top spot for you,¡± Summer replied. Her voice was bubbling with high spirits. With the Education Association¡¯spetition materials in her grasp, she¡¯d definitelye up short against that Mirabe! A fiery determination flickered in Summer¡¯s


    eyes.


    ¡°Alright, enough chit¨Cchat. Scoot off to your room and hit the books,¡± Colton said with an impatient wave of his hand before his attention drifted back to the TV screen.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Summer murmured, spinning on her heel and heading for the staircase.


    Once she was out of sight, Aiden, who had been slouched on the couch, propped himself up and frowned at Colton. ¡°Dad<b>, </b>you¡¯re not seriously sending Summer to get the test answers, are you?¡±


    The whole thing about ¡°materials¡± just screamed fishy to him.


    Colton shot him a dismissive nce and said, ¡°This is grown¨Cup business<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Dad, do you even realize what you¡¯re doing? It¡¯s called cheating!¡± Aiden tossed the balled¨Cup throw pillow from the sofa in frustration. Cheating was not the right way!


    He remembered when Summer first came back, her grades were decent but nothing like they were now. Was his dad pulling strings all along?


    Colton¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°What are you talking about? Don¡¯t you review before a test? Don¡¯t you buy study guides?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the same thing,¡± Aiden retorted<b>, </b>half amused<b>, </b>half annoyed.


    Pressing his temples, Colton replied with a hint of resignation. ¡°Let¡¯s drop it. You should head to bed. School¡¯s waiting tomorrow.¡±


    Seeing the conversation go nowhere, Aiden shook his head in disappointment and stormed off to his room. Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling with wide eyes, Aiden just couldn¡¯t wrap his head around it. Why had his parents¡® principles be so unrecognizable since Summer¡¯s return?


    The sister who was raised in the countryside never caused this much trouble<b>, </b>did she?


    As thoughts of Mirabe crossed his mind, Aiden recalled the embarrassment she had caused him at the hospital. With a huff, he sat up abruptly, grabbed his phone, and found her contact details that he had sneakily saved while visiting grandma.


    When he stared at the string of digits, his fingers hovered over the call button, moving back and forth several times before he ruffled his hair <b>and </b>decided to send a text instead.


    [Hey, scaredy¨Ccat. you asleep yet?]


    [Scaredy¨Ccat, I haven¡¯t settled the score forst time at the hospital. Just wait, I¡¯m not going to let you off easy!]


    After sending two texts and waiting without a reply. Aiden tossed his phone onto the pillow in frustration, then buried himself under the covers, gruffly pulling the nket over his head.


    When Mirabe checked her messages the next morning, she couldn¡¯t help but scoff at the pettiness of a little brat. After skimming through the texts, she shook her head, deleted them without a second thought, and got ready for her day.


    While she was getting dressed in her school uniform, Mirabe¡¯s thoughts drifted back to James and his troubled expression. Despite his refusal of her offer for Incense of Calm, she felt. the need to repay the favor owed.


    Crafting the incense wasn¡¯t the tricky part; sourcing quality herbs was the challenge. Usingmon substitutes would certainly halve the effectiveness. After pondering for a moment. Mirabe dressed and stepped out of her room.


    Over breakfast, she casually lifted her gaze to Shawn and inquired, ¡°Dad, is there a ce around here where I can <b>find </b>a good herbal market?¡±

 Chapter 131

    Chapter <b>131 </b>


    Shawn swallowed thest bite of his breakfast sandwich, with a furrow forming in his brow as he mulled over Mirabe¡¯s question. ¡°I do know of a ce that sells herbs in bulk. Is that what you¡¯re looking for?¡±


    Mirabe nodded.


    His curiosity was aroused. Shawn couldn¡¯t help but probe further<b>, </b>¡°What¡¯s got you suddenly interested in a herbal market?¡±


    Sipping her oatmeal with a calm that belied her father¡¯s growing interest, Mirabe answered, ¡°I need to stock up on some herbs. They¡¯re useful.¡±


    Shawn, noting his daughter¡¯s terse response, pondered for a moment before letting the subject drop. ¡°Remember, the credit card I gave you has plenty of funds. Don¡¯t be shy about using it.¡±


    A wry smile flickered across Mirabe¡¯s lips as she acknowledged with a nomittal hum, ¡°I know.¡±


    Watching his daughter, who seemed to have let his advice go in one ear and out the other. Shawn felt a little wistful. Back when Summer was part of the household, she would concoct all sorts of reasons to ask for money. Though financiallyfortable, Shawn and his wife didn¡¯t want to spoil her into entitlement. They had always controlled her allowance and kept the family¡¯s wealth under wraps.


    Ironically, their well¨Cintentioned discretion had been twisted into a narrative of neglect by the Gilbert family¡¯s gossipmongers. It became the excuse Summer used to leave without a second thought, returning to thevish lifestyle of her wealthy biological parents. The irony was not lost on Shawn.


    Now, observing his own daughter, he couldn¡¯t help but notice the stark contrast. Despite a life of hardships, Mirabe, now back home, had yet to splurge or even touch the money they offered her. She lived as though they were still scrimping by, cautious with every penny.


    This duality filled Shawn with both pride and heartache. Their smart and sweet little girl must have endured so much to be who she was now. He and his wife had resolved to fulfill her every wish, topensate for the years of absence and emotional debt.


    Still, the thought of the untouched ck credit card he had given her elicited from Shawn <b>an </b>involuntary sigh.


    Mirabe, catching the unexpected exhtion, nced at her father with a hint of concern. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    In response, Shawn heaved another heavy sigh, gazing back at her with a mncholic yearning. wordlessly embodying the picture of dejection.


    The moment Mirabe set foot on school grounds, she was summoned to the office for what


    10


    <b>12:17 </b>


    felt like the umpteenth time this semester. The ssmate who ryed the message discreetly warned her that Ms. Ate was in a foul mood and advised caution to avoid any potential


    blowups.


    With a thankful smile to her informant, Mirabe made her way to the office. As soon as she entered, she was met with the sight of Ate¡¯s decidedly stormy expression. Touching her nose in confusion, Mirabe wondered if her recentnguage test had gone that poorly.


    Approaching with a posture of obedience, Mirabe greeted her teacher, ¡°Ms. Ate, you wanted to see me?¡±


    Ate, staring at Mirabe, seemed to struggle with aplex mix of emotions before finally speaking up, ¡°Mirabe, do you have any issues with me?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched. She was unsure how to respond.


    ¡°The results from the recent exams are mostly in. Your performance in <b>all </b>subjects is quite remarkable, but yournguage¡¯s score¡­¡±


    Ate paused. Her frustration was palpable as she recalled the moment sheid eyes on Mirabe¡¯s test paper. It filled with elegant handwriting that was a pleasure to the eye, but the total score <b>was</b><b>¡­ </b>a source of profound disappointment.

 Chapter 132

    Chapter <b>132 </b>


    Mirabe could sense Ate¡¯s frustration mounting. With a silent sigh, Mirabe realized that the grim truth of failing <b>was </b>now an undeniable fact.


    Ate took a deep, steadying breath before continuing her rant, ¡°You only got a 92<b>? </b>How could you get just 92?!¡±


    The passing threshold was 92 out of 150 points.


    Ate had every reason to suspect that her student was deliberately challenging her


    literature ss. Why else would Mirabend precisely on the pass mark?


    Actually, those extra couple of points were actually a token of generosity from another teacher, who was charmed by the elegance of Mirabe¡¯s handwriting.


    Upon hearing Ate¡¯s words, Mirabe looked up in surprise. ¡°Huh? I passed? Really?¡±


    Sensing Mirabe¡¯s unexpected delight, as if she found the whole situation rather satisfactory. Ate felt her blood pressure spiking on the spot.


    ¡°Miss Mirabe, if you have any issues with my teaching methods, I¡¯m open to feedback. But thisnguage grade of yours, it¡¯s simply uneptable,¡± Ate gritted out through clenched teeth.


    With all other subjects aced,nguage was the only blight on an otherwise perfect record. Ate felt as if she¡¯d lost dignity.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe exined, ¡°Ms. Ate, you¡¯ve got it all wrong. I don¡¯t have any issues. It¡¯s just that¡­ let¡¯s say, I find some subjects really challenging.¡±


    Mirabe excelled in all her subjects, butnguage, ironically, was her Achilles¡® heel; it seemed like a deliberate affront to Ate.


    Ate simmered before finally saying, ¡°I don¡¯t care about your reasons. Yournguage score must improve. Otherwise, you¡¯ll have toe to my house over the weekend for some one¨Con¨Cone tutoring.¡°.


    The prospect of ruining such a promising student with a poornguage grade was too much for Ate to bear. She resolved to straighten out this skewed talent, even if it meant giving up her weekends.


    The mention of tutoring genuinely shocked Mirabe. Regaining herposure, she fibbed seamlessly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t ept your tutoring. My parents signed me up for extra sses in other subjects over the weekend. My schedule is packed.¡±


    Back home, Delh and Shawn sneezed in unison. ¡°Who¡¯s talking about us now?!¡±


    Ate felt even more thwarted upon hearing Mirabe¡¯s excuse. It was clear to her that Mirabe was favoring every subject butnguage. Was this not a direct criticism of <b>her </b>teaching?


    12:17


    With a weary sigh, Ate spoke with grave concern, ¡°Regardless, you must improve yournguage grades or you¡¯ll struggle on the exam.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I got it, Ms. Ate,¡± Mirabe replied briskly, eager to avoid further discussions about tutoring.


    Ate gave her another look, feeling drained, and then waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Go back to ss,¡±


    Mirabe nodded and was about to leave when she added, ¡°Are the monthly exam results out today?¡±


    Ate had returned to her desk. ¡°No, they¡¯ll be posted next Monday. We haven¡¯t finalized the overall rankings yet.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Mirabe touched her nose thoughtfully, asked no further, and turned to leave the office.


    The incident in the office regarding Mirabe¡¯snguage grades might have been a minor episode, but with her back¨Cto¨Cback national first¨Cce victories at the BrainSpark Nationals, her poprity at school was soaring. Consequently, everyone was keenly interested in her monthly exam performance.


    Even though the overall results were not yet.released, word of her poornguage score spread like wildfire across the senior sses, stirring up a buzz of spection and gossip<b>. </b>

 Chapter 133

    Chapter <b>133 </b>


    ¡°Looks like little Miss Perfect from The Advanced ss is gonna eat humble pie this time. Flunked English. Can ya believe it? I¡¯m starting to think she got in through the back door.¡±


    ¡°Failed English? How on Earth did she snag first ce at the BrainSpark Nationals? Color me


    curious!¡±


    ¡°Maybe she bombed the test because she got stuck in the back of the exam hall, with no brainiacs around to crib off. Seems like we¡¯re finally seeing her true performance.¡±


    ¡°Hit the nail on the head, buddy. She sat in the most unique position. Looks like the teachers knew what they were doing by cing her there<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°I was all geared up to see if Mirabe would top the <b>year </b>again, but with those English marks¡­ No amount of acing other subjects is gonna save her now.¡±


    ¡°You really think she can ace anything after bombing English? Dream on, I¡¯m not buying it.¡±


    Within the chat groups, such discussions were more or less the norm. This held true e even for Mirabe¡¯s own ss. Needless to say, she was part of these groups, but she had silenced all notifications, rendering her oblivious to all this group chatter. Even if she had seen these messages, she wouldn¡¯t have paid much heed.


    After school, Mirabe headed out to explore the herbal market her dad had mentioned that morning. She¡¯d barely left the school gates when a figure suddenly blocked her way.


    ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t our little scaredy¨Ccat. Ignored my textsst night, did ya?¡± Aiden stood there. His chin was lifted arrogantly, nked by threenky teens with smirks mirroring his


    <b>own</b><b>. </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze was fixed on Aiden, and her expression remained icy. Aiden, unnerved by her stare, quickly recovered his bravado. ¡°L..¡±


    ¡°Beat it before I lose my temper,¡± Mirabe cut him off, her voice dripped with impatience.


    The boys surrounding Aiden postured threateningly. ¡°You think you can tell us to beat it?¡±


    ¡°If we weren¡¯t raised to not hit girls, you¡¯d be picking up your teeth off the ground right now for


    that attitude!¡±


    ¡°Mind your words!¡± Aiden, seeing his buddies puff up, crossed his arms with a smirk, enjoying the scene.


    Summer had just stepped out of the school when she spotted Mirabe cornered by a group of guys. From her vantage point, she couldn¡¯t see Aiden¡¯s face and didn¡¯t realize he was part of the group.


    Madeline, walking alongside Summer, caught sight of the scene and couldn¡¯t help but raise an


    <b>12:17 </b>


    eyebrow in anticipation. ¡°Looks like your stepsister¡¯s in a bit of trouble, huh?¡±


    Aiden¡¯s friends <b>had </b>the look of troublemakers. It was obvious that they were not good guys.


    Summer replied with a nonchnt air. ¡°I¡¯m not close to her. Her problems are none of my business<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Wow, Mirabe¡¯s only been back a short while and she¡¯s already got guys from other schools on her case? What do they say ¨C karma¡¯s only a bitch if you are?¡± Madeline chuckled maliciously.


    Summer¡¯s lips twitched, and she turned away. ¡°Let¡¯s go. It¡¯s none of our business.¡±


    Oucher 134

 Chapter 134

    Chapter <b>134 </b>


    Mirabe eyed the posers in front of her with a bored flick of her head. She suddenly stretched out her hand, using one finger beckoning Aiden with a curl. ¡°You,e here.¡±


    Aiden, who was called out, felt a chill. He remembered how his wrist was nearly dislocatedst time at the clinic under her grip. Instinctively, he took a step back.


    ¡°Chicken¡± Mirabe spat out dryly.


    Before Aiden could even grasp what was happening, Mirabe had already briskly walked over and grabbed his ear with a firm twist. ¡°You picked such bad habits so young, huh? Skipping school ganging up on ssmates, bullying the weak? Is this how the Gilbert family raises its kids?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s grip was anything but gentle. Aiden felt like his ear was about to be torn off. His body shivered in pain,pletely robbed of his earlier bravado. ¡°Ouch, ouch, ouch, damn it, let go!¡± Aiden yelped.


    His plea was useless and, in desperation, he barked at his friends. ¡°Get this crazy chick off me. now!¡±


    The other boys were stunned, snapping back to reality. They moved to pull Mirabe¡¯s hand away but halted as they met her stone¨Ccold, serious face, freezing in ce with a sudden unwillingness to intervene.


    Mirabe smirked, pulling Aiden closer by his ear, and then smacked the back of his head hard with her left hand. ¡°Always acting tough, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Aiden¡¯s head buzzed, and he was stunned, Instinctively covering his head with his hands and not daring to fight back.


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a sneer, ¡°Since your parents didn¡¯t teach you how to behave. I guess it falls to me today.¡± After saying that, shended several more unforgiving ps.


    Aiden, never having been hit before, had his ear throbbing and head spinning. His usual cocky rich kid facade crumbled. ¡°Stop, I¡¯m sorry, okay? Isn¡¯t that enough?¡±


    Mirabe halted her assault, narrowing her eyes at him. ¡°What did you do wrong<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Aiden nced at her warily, swallowing his pride, and mumbled, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t havee looking for trouble with you, nor should I have acted tough in front of you.¡±


    If only he had known this timid mouse had turned so fierce, he would never have dared to bother her.


    Mirabe let out a soft snort. Her gaze was filled with disdain. ¡°It seems you¡¯re not just a chicken, but also dumb.¡±


    At her words, Aiden¡¯s temper red, and he tried to lift his head to retort, but, with his ear still in her grasp, he was forced to keep bent over, shouting, ¡°I am not dumb!¡±


    <b>12:17 </b>


    ¡°If you weren¡¯t dumb, would you skip ss with a bunch of losers to throw your weight around?¡±


    ¡°If you weren¡¯t dumb, would you let yourself get hit without throwing a punch back?¡±


    ¡°If you weren¡¯t dumb, could you do nothing besides bullying others like some spoiled brat?¡±


    Aiden¡¯s face turned beet red<b>, </b>but he found no words to counter.


    ¡°You should be d you¡¯re not my brother,¡± Mirabe scoffed, finally releasing his ear. If she had a brother like him, she¡¯d have had him straightened out long ago.


    Shaking her head, Mirabe pulled out a wet wipe from her bag and casually cleaned each of her fingers. Then she turned back to Aiden, who seemed punch¨Cdrunk. Her voice was icy, ¡°Don¡¯t let me see you again, because if I do, it¡¯s going to be a hit every time.¡±


    With that said, Mirabe walked away, leaving Aiden behind to nurse his wounds and his pride.

 Chapter 135

    Aiden snapped back to reality. His gaze was fixed on Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure. He stood. there, dumbstruck a tumult of resentment and anger churning within him.


    He despised the fact that this once¨Ctimid girl he used to bully not only had the audacity to stand up to him but had actually hit him. What infuriated him more was her deration that she was not his sister and didn¡¯t want to see him again.


    The more Aiden thought about it, the more he felt like a knot was tightening in his chest. ¡°Who the hell wants to be your brother? Keep dreaming! You¡¯re off your rocker!¡±


    ¡°Bro, you okay? That chick was nuts. We didn¡¯t step in to help you because we were afraid she¡¯d go even more ballistic on you if we did,¡± one of the boys said as they gathered around Aiden. Their faces were a mix of concern and embarrassment.


    Aiden¡¯s face was a mask of irritation as he regarded his usual gang of truants and troublemakers, who were better at bullying than anything else. Suddenly, the words spoken by Mirabe who had just scolded him for being foolish echoed in his ears.


    A sudden wave of annoyance washed over him. Without a word, he turned on his heel and left.


    The boys exchanged confused nces. Had Aiden really been knocked senseless by the confrontation? As if by unspoken consensus, they all turned to look at the grand and historic entrance of Parkside High School not too far away. They arrived at a collective understanding. Clearly, whatever Parkside High School was doing, it was working. Their students were a force to be reckoned with, and not to be messed with.


    Just as Summer settled into the car, with her purse still in her hand, the driver¡¯s surprised voice reached her. ¡°Miss, isn¡¯t that Mr. Aiden over there?¡±


    At his words, Summer looked up <b>and </b>out the car window, spotting Aiden¡¯s unmistakable face in the distance. What was that fool doing here?


    Her attention was quickly drawn to the boys trailing behind him. Weren¡¯t they the ones who had just been harassing Mirabe?


    Narrowing her eyes, Summer noticed they were all wearing the same school uniform. Were they Aiden¡¯s ssmates? Had Aiden led his gang to trouble Mirabe?


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Summer instructed the driver, ¡°Go and bring Aiden here.¡±


    Shortly after, Aiden entered the car, with one hand over his ear, and his face in a storm of ¡°You saw everything just now<i>?</i>¡±


    of fury.


    Summer raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t answer his question. Instead, she asked, ¡°What brings you to Parkside High School?¡±


    Scratching his head and turning his gaze out the window, Aiden retorted, ¡°None of your


    <b>12:17 </b>


    business!¡±


    Summer seemed unfazed by his attitude, and her tone was steady. ¡°I¡¯m your sister. If I don¡¯t look out for you, who will?¡±


    ¡°Heh, what a joke.¡± Aiden scoffed. Then, turning back to face Summer with a frosty look, he warned. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare tell anyone about today, or you¡¯ll regret it!¡±


    Summer took a deep breath. ¡°Aiden, you¡¯re fifteen. Can you try to act a little more mature?¡± Besides, she didn¡¯t even know he was involved in the incident with Mirabe until now, and frankly, she couldn¡¯t care less.


    ¡°A guy who cheats inpetitions talking to me about maturity is pretty funny. Don¡¯t you think?¡± Aiden sneered, pausing before adding, ¡°Oh right, I almost forgot. You¡¯re on your way to get some answers from someone now, aren¡¯t you?<b>¡± </b>


    At his words, Summer¡¯s expression chilled instantly, and her eyes lost any trace of warmth as she looked at him. ¡°Aiden, you¡¯re really not just ordinarily dense.¡±

 Chapter 136

    Facing Summer¡¯s sneer, Aiden just rolled his eyes and impatiently said to the driver ahead, ¡°Just drive.¡±


    The driver cautiously peered into the rearview mirror and as he started the car, he inquired, ¡°Miss, shall we head to the Education Association first or take Mr. Alden home?¡±


    Summer¡¯s expression remained sour. She nced at her wristwatch and frowned. ¡°<b>Drop </b>me off at the association first, then take him home. I¡¯ll grab an Uber backter.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± the driverplied.


    Summer cast a look at Aiden who sat beside her, stubbornly covering his ears with his hands. and she massaged her temples in irritation before turning to gaze nkly out the window<i>. </i>


    In about twenty minutes, they arrived at the Education Association building. Summer smoothed her hair and adjusted her outfit. A crisp and proper dress had reced her school uniform before she left school.


    After checking her appearance and ensuring nothing was amiss, she donned a face mask and got out of the car.


    Once the driver saw Summer enter the lobby, he restarted the vehicle, preparing to head back. to the Gilbert family residence. Aiden, who had been silent and stone¨Cfaced the entire ride. suddenly looked up at the driver and said, ¡°Never mind, find a spot to park. We¡¯ll wait for her.¡±


    He muttered under his breath, ¡°It¡¯s just grabbing some documents. Won¡¯t take too long<b>.</b>¡±


    Surprise flickered in the driver¡¯s eyes. The siblings were known for not getting along and had just had a row. Under normal circumstances, Aiden¡¯s waiting for Summer would be out of the question.


    Well, kids at that age often rebel, and their fights sometimes are nothing more than a bid for attention. Perhaps that was the case with Aiden tough on the outside, but soft on the inside.


    ¨C


    Soon, the driver found a temporary parking spot nearby and after a moment of thought, he texted Summer to let her know they would be waiting downstairs.¡±


    Fifteen minutester, Summer emerged carrying a paper bag. The driver, keeping an eye on the lobby, quickly drove over to her.


    Summer got in, tossed the paper bag onto the seat, and removed her mask, looking quite pleased as if the trip to the association had dissolved all her earlier displeasure.


    Aiden nced at her. Then his gaze fell on the paper bag. His fingers twitched, reaching for it to see what was inside, but Summer snatched it back promptly. ¡°Don¡¯t touch my stuff,¡± she said coldly.


    Aiden huffed, ¡°Whatever, as if I care. It¡¯s just some crib notes, right?¡±


    <b>12-17 </b>


    Summer shook her head, disappointment evident in her eyes. Not wanting to spoil her mood further, she didn¡¯t bother exining and simply put in her earbuds.


    Meanwhile, after dealing with Aiden, Mirabe headed straight for the herbal market. But she got there a bitte, many of the shops had already closed, and those still open didn¡¯t pay her much mind. After all, she was just a young girl in a school uniform.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t mind, though. She browsed a few stores and realized they only hadmon herbs, nothing of the special or rare varieties she needed.


    She stepped out of another shop, and disappointment was clearly etched on Mirabe¡¯s face.


    <b>20 </b>

 Chapter 137

    Chapter <b>137 </b>


    In a bustling marketce that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, Mirabe felt the stirrings of frustration. How could it be that, amidst this sea ofmerce, she couldn¡¯t find the herbs she desperately needed? It defied logic.


    Rubbing her temples as if to summon patience, she continued her trek deeper into the market¡¯s heart. That was when her gazended on a quaint little shop named Nature¡¯s Apothecary, Its old¨Cworld charm set it apart from the modern storefronts that lined the street, beckoning her with an aura of timelessness.


    With a gentle push, Mirabe entered the shop and was immediately embraced by a subtle fragrance of sandalwood that wafted through the air. It was a refreshing change from the overpowering scents that usually filled the market stalls. This aroma was neither cloying nor harsh; it had a quality distinctly superior to themon incense she was ustomed to.


    She surveyed the interior, taking in the simple yet tasteful disys of carved wooden artifacts that adorned the windows and counters. The back wall was lined with small wooden cubbies. eachbeled with the name of an herb. A beaded curtain led to a back room, suggesting a


    private space beyond<b>. </b>


    As she was about to inquire about the herbs, the curtain was swept aside, and a middle¨Caged man stepped out. He paused at the sight of Mirabe. His eyes registered mild surprise before he quickly closed a wooden door behind him and approached her with a polite tone.


    ¡°I apologize, but the shop is about to close<b>,</b>¡± he said. His voice was tinged with the subtle hint of sending her away.


    Unfazed, Mirabe got straight to the point: ¡°Do you have Greatheart Ginseng, Cureroot, Ember Moss, and Dragonbone Stone in stock?¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes widened with surprise upon hearing her request. These were rare and costly herbs, known for their soothing and restorative properties. They were notmonly used together, as the blending of their effects required precision, and a miscalction could produce significant adverse reactions. Despite their <b>rarity</b>, there were few who sought to purchase them.


    The man, noting Mirabe¡¯s determined demeanor, realized she was a serious buyer. ¡°We have all but the Greatheart Ginseng. How much do you need?<b>¡± </b>


    A bit disappointed but still encouraged, Mirabe responded, ¡°300 grams each of Cureroot and Ember Moss, and 250 grams of Dragonbone Stone.¡±


    The man nodded, ¡°We have those amounts.¡± After punching some numbers into the register, he informed her. ¡°The totales to three hundred and twenty thousand.¡±


    The price seemed fair. Mirabe pulled out her smartphone and asked, ¡°Do you take online bank transfers?¡±


    ¡°Certainly,¡± the man replied, handing her a card with the shop¡¯s bank ount details printed on


    12:18


    <ol>


    <li>it. </li>


    </ol>


    Mirabe nced at the card for no more than a moment beforepleting the transfer in under two minutes. When the man¡¯s phone pinged with the confirmation, he looked up in astonishment. She had memorized the ount number with just a brief look. That was an impressively long string of digits!


    Noticing the shopkeeper¡¯s stunned expression, Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is there a problem?¡±


    Snapping back to reality, the man quickly assured her, ¡°No, no issue. I¡¯ll get your herbs right. away.¡±


    While he busied himself with her order, Mirabe casually inquired, ¡°By the way, do where I might find Indian Old Sandalwood?¡±


    you know


    The man paused mid¨Ctask, as the question caught him off guard. Clearly, this young woman¡¯s knowledge of herbs and her surprising request indicated she was no novice in these matters.

 Chapter 138

    If the initial concoction was meant to fine¨Ctune the body¡¯s functions<b>, </b>then the addition of aged. sandalwood¡¯s soothing qualities would perfectly enhance the characteristics of each ingredient, minimizing any side effects. However, this approach was rather old school. Itsplexity required a pharmacist¡¯s keen judgment and precise blending, and since the recipes and methods had been lost to time, hardly anyone practiced it anymore.


    The man only knew of it because his family had been steeped in the traditions of alternative medicine for generations. It seemed that this youngdy must have a real sage of medicine in her family.


    The manposed himself and spoke with added politeness, ¡°I have a friend who deals in spices. He¡¯s got sandalwood, and his shop isn¡¯t too far from here. Let me give you his card. You might find what you need there.¡±


    Had it not been for the presence of someone in the back room, he would have been tempted to escort the youngdy himself. Competent herbal specialists were hard toe by, let alone those versed in ancient remedies.


    Quickly, the middle¨Caged man packaged the herbs and found the business card, handing both to Mirabe.


    ¡°Thanks a bunch, mister,¡± said Mirabe, taking the items and getting ready to leave.


    As she headed for the door, the man hesitated, and then called out to her, ¡°You know, I don¡¯t have Greatheart Ginseng, but I do have some other gingsengs¡­¡±


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks, turning slightly, and said in a calm voice, ¡°No need. Although the efficacy might not be much different, precision is key in medicine. A slight difference could lead to a huge discrepancy.<b>¡± </b>


    After saying that, she pushed the door open and left.


    The middle¨Caged man stood there, stunned. His mind was a whirl until an older man emerged from the back room, snapping him back to reality. ¡°Ethan, what are you daydreaming about? Lock the front door, will you?¡± the elder chided.


    Ethan replied as he moved to the door, ¡°Sir<b>, </b>there was a youngdy here to buy herbs, and her prescription was quite unique.¡±


    The older man, disinterested, pulled out a worn book from a drawer and asked casually, ¡°Oh? What did she get?<b>¡± </b>


    Ethan recounted the herbs Mirabe had requested and added, ¡°I told her we were out of Greatheart Ginseng. She didn¡¯t want another batch either and then asked about aged sandalwood¡­¡±


    The old man¡¯s expression showed a flicker of surprise, but he nced towards the back room. and cut Ethan off, ¡°Enough, we¡¯ll talkter.¡± Then, he disappeared into the back room with his


    12:18


    belongings<b>. </b>Ethan hummed in acknowledgment, locked the door, and followed him.


    Inside, the scent of sandalwood was more potent than outside, clearly emanating from within these walls.


    James lounged in a mahogany chair, idly toying with the incense utensils on a small table beside him, appearing nonchnt yet somehow too pale.


    ¡°James, with the state you¡¯re in, besides medicating and taking it slow, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ve got no other tricks up my sleeve,¡± the elder who had just walked in spoke to him.


    Standing next to James, Wyatt, with a hint of despondency, inquired. ¡°But the medicine doesn¡¯t seem as effective anymore. Isn¡¯t there another way to stem this?¡±


    The elder gave a wry smile<b>, </b>shaking his head, and then handed over the old book to Wyatt. ¡°This tome is handed down from the previous generation. It holds some potential solutions, but even if I am able to concoct the remedy, there¡¯s no saying how effective it would be or if it might be rejected by James¡® condition¡­¡±

 Chapter 139

    Chapter <b>139 </b>


    After decades of delving into medical theories, if the old man could concoct the remedy, he would have done it by now, instead of sitting there, clutching an ancient tome, clueless on how to proceed.


    The elder sighed before continuing. ¡°You might want to show this book to folks over at the Pharmacists¡® Guild. Maybe they¡¯ll get something out of it.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s eyes settled on the book the old man was offering. Just as he was about to reach for it. James spoke up slowly. ¡°A gentleman does not covet what another cherishes. Since this is a heirloom of your ancestors, it wouldn¡¯t be right for me to borrow it.¡±


    Wyatt felt a mix of frustration and urgency. ¡°But what about the condition you have¡­¡±


    James raised his hand to stop him, calm andposed. ¡°Didn¡¯t Niki say there¡¯s a temporary solution? That will do for now.


    ¡°If only we could find a descendant from the fabled Massolio n, James¡® predicament might easily be resolved.¡± Niki sighed and paused. Then he added, ¡°However<b>¡­ </b>no one from that n has ever surfaced, so their very existence remains a mystery.¡±


    Wyatt, recalling the information he had previously gathered, clenched his fists and said with determination, ¡°No matter what it takes, even if <b>I </b>have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find them.¡±


    Mirabe strolled through the herbal market. Her luck was not too bad, for she managed to find thest ingredient she needed. With her shopping listplete, she pulled out the business card the middle¨Caged man had given her earlier and headed toward the spice shop listed on it.


    The sandalwood she needed was rare and precious, causing prices to skyrocket, and counterfeits were rampant. When Mirabe arrived at the spice shop, the owner tried to pass off inferior goods from another region, thinking she was just a naive youngdy. But once she exposed his ruse, he quickly realized he was dealing with a connoisseur and reluctantly brought out the genuine article. Although the quality of the sandalwood was somewhat disappointing, it would suffice for her purposes. Without wasting words or asking for special packaging, she paid and left.


    Outside, the sky had darkenedpletely. Delh had called twice already, so Mirabe hailed a cab and headed home. When she arrived, it was nearly eight o¡¯clock.


    Delh, seeing her daughter carrying several bags, felt a surge of pride and began to help her, saying, ¡°It¡¯s good for a girl to go out. Maybe shop for some clothes or jewelry¡­¡± However, her words came to an abrupt halt when she inadvertently glimpsed a piece of wood in one of the bags.


    Mirabe, slipping into her house slippers, turned to see her mother¡¯s stunned face and couldn¡¯t help but call out, ¡°Mom?¡±


    <b>12:18 </b>


    Delh looked up, dramatically pulling the bag open, and said with a pained expression, ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you went shopping and brought home a rotten plece of wood.¡±


    Other daughters brought home dresses or Jewelry, or at the very least, some treats. But hers? She brought home a piece of wood?


    Was that normal?


    Mirabe earnestly corrected her, ¡°It¡¯s sandalwood.¡± The expensive kind at that.


    Delh didn¡¯t care what kind of wood it was. All she knew was that her beautiful, cute, and clever daughter¡¯s image waspletely ruined by this wretched log.


    Refusing to believe it, Delh opened the other two bags and immediately her expression grew even more despondent. One lousy piece of wood was bad enough, but the other bags were filled with equally strange items.


    Delh shook her head, convinced she had opened them the wrong way.

 Chapter 140

    Chapter <b>140 </b>


    The sweet and adorable daughter Delh had always imagined seemed to be just that ¨C an imagination.


    With a wistful sigh, Delh ced several shopping bags onto the table and yfully said, ¡°Oh sweetheart, could you maybe be just a tad cuter for your mom?¡± Finishing her sentence, she winked exaggeratedly and shed a silly peace sign at Mirabe.


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze flitted over Delh¡¯s peace sign. Her brow furrowed for a moment, and then she conveniently ignored her mother¡¯s words and asked, ¡°Mom<b>, </b>got anything to eat?¡± Delh gave another sigh, ¡°Of course, I saved some for you. Come and eat before it gets cold.¡± Delh and Shawn had already had their dinner, and Zach was out at a business dinner. expected to returnte. So now, at the dining table, it was just Mirabe, slowly savoring her meal.


    After dinner, Mirabe picked up the shopping bags from the table and had just reached the foot of the stairs when she suddenly turned back to Delh, who was lounging on the sofa watching a TV show. ¡°Mom, do we have any spare rooms or maybe a storage space avable?¡±


    up.¡±


    Delh looked up. ¡°Well, there is a storage room downstairs but it¡¯s pretty cluttered. What do you need it for?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not for storage<b>, </b>really. I need some space to work on crafts, something separate,<b>¡± </b>Mirabe replied in her usual unhurried manner.


    ¡°Oh, I see¡­¡± Delh pondered for a moment and then suggested, ¡°You know, Nick¡¯s room is empty. You could use that room. It¡¯s just next to yours on the left.¡±


    There was a brief silence before Mirabe asked, ¡°Would that be alright?¡±


    Delh chuckled and shook her head. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s fine. Nick¡¯s settled abroad and hardlyes home. It¡¯s just sitting empty.¡±


    Mirabe nodded and ascended the stairs.


    Once she was gone, Delh rubbed her chin in thought and turned to her husband. ¡°Shawn, don¡¯t you think our current house is getting a bit cramped?¡±


    Pausing, she continued, ¡°Look, we don¡¯t even have a private space for our daughter. Sure, Nick¡¯s living overseas, but knowing our girl, she¡¯ll feel ufortable using his room indefinitely.¡±


    Shawn set down the remote control and thought it over, finding Delh¡¯s point valid. ¡°How about we move to Sunnydale Heights? The neighborhood¡¯s nicer, and the houses are bigger. There¡¯s more room, and it¡¯s closer to our daughter¡¯s school. Plus, if she wants to have friends. over, we won¡¯t have to worry about not having enough space for them to stay.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. I havepletely forgotten about the vi in Sunnydale Heights,¡± Delh pped her forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll get in touch with an interior designer tomorrow to see what renovations we need and what furniture we should get. We¡¯ll make it a priority to move in quickly and surprise our girl.¡±


    True to her nature, Delh was all about swift action. After finishing her conversation with Shawn, she grabbed her phone and started scrolling for the designer¡¯s number, promptly making a call to set up a meeting for the next day.


    Having arranged the appointment, Delh put her phone down and was suddenly struck by a tinge of mncholy. She nced around the room and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s hard to leave a ce you¡¯ve lived in for over twenty years<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Shawn raised an eyebrow and patted her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s for our daughter.<b>¡± </b>


    The sentiment of leaving a home <b>of </b>more than two decades quickly faded whenpared to their daughter, who had faced many challenges growing up.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. We might be used to this old house, but our daughter deserves the best,¡± Delh paused, a flicker of regret in her eyes. ¡°I wish we had thought to move before she came back.¡± Perhaps then, there wouldn¡¯t have been any misunderstandings about debts in the family.

 Chapter 141

    Upstairs.


    Chapter <b>141 </b>


    Mirabe, clutching her belongings, twisted the knob and pushed <b>open </b>the door to the neighboring room.


    ¨C


    With a flick of the switch on the wall, the sparse roomyout ¨C one bed, one desk came into view, all cast in modern, minimalist decor and suffused with cool tones. On the wall hung two framed certificates of achievement that caught her eye<b>. </b>


    She set her things down gently on the desk and made her way over to the certificates. Her curiosity was aroused by the recognitions they bore. One was for the prestigious Norsen Prize in Medical Biology, a hallmark of excellence within the medicalmunity of the States, awarded triennially to individuals who exhibited extraordinary talent in the medical field. The other was the Rasko Medical Award, equally renowned on the international stage. Either de on its own was a testament to the significant contributions the recipient had made to medical science.


    Mirabe hadn¡¯t expected that this brother of hers, whom she had never met, was a medical prodigy. She noted the date on the awards ¨C both from five years ago. Nick would have been around twenty at that time?


    Mirabe¡¯s curiosity about this Nick intensified. It was a shame he was abroad. Otherwise, it could have been an opportunity for an engaging exchange.


    Shifting her focus, she drew the curtains closed<b>, </b>turned on the air conditioning, and waited for the room to reach the desired temperature before she began sorting through the heap of herbal ingredients on the desk.


    Creating incense sticks wasn¡¯t particrly challenging, but the tricky in precisely calcting the amount and ratio of powdered sandalwood and medicinal herbs. While not a professional incense <b>maker</b>, Mirabe had a natural affinity for mixing fragrances andpounding medicines. Her ability tobine several potent herbs without causing adverse reactions and her near¨Cobsessive precision in understanding and manipting medicinal properties were nothing short of extraordinary.


    For her, concocting theposition for Incense of Calm was a walk in the park.


    Two hourster, Mirabe set down her tools and gazed at the freshly molded incense sticks on the cutting board, exhaling deeply. All that remained was for the incense to dry outpletely over the next couple of hours, signaling the sess of her endeavor.


    She twisted her stiff neck and nced down at her fingers smeared with incense y before heading to the washroom to clean up.,


    After lingering in the room for another half¨Chour to ensure the incense was problem¨Cfree, Mirabe finally opened the door to leave. No sooner had she pulled the door shut than she saw Zach stumbling at the stairwell.


    173


    12:221


    Quickening her pace, Mirabe moved toward him. Her nose was immediately assaulted by the pungent scent of alcohol. She frowned and hurriedly steadied him.


    Zach, slightly inebriated but conscious, beamed at Mirabe. His grin bloomed like a flower. ¡°Mira, did you wait up just for me to get home<b>?</b>¡±


    At the sound of ¡°Mira,¡± Mirabe¡¯s support ckened<b>, </b>and Zach, caught off guard, bumped into the wall. He hissed in pain, catching himself against the wall to prevent a fall. When he turned his head, his sses were askew, teetering on the brink of tumbling off. ¡°You¡­¡±


    Mirabe adjusted his sses for him. Her expression was unaltered as she said, ¡°Sorry, Zach, I don¡¯t have much strength. I couldn¡¯t hold you.¡±


    Zach, his mind muddled by alcohol, processed the words more slowly than usual. ¡°Oh, oh, no worries. My bad<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>

 Chapter 142

    Zach steadied himself against the wall, slowly straightening <b>up</b>. With a vigorous shake of his head, he turned to Mirabe and let out a goofy chuckle, ¡°Honestly, <b>I </b>am not wasted.¡±


    Mirabe shook her head and, once again, reached out to steady him, replying with a <b>half</b>¨Chearted, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m the one who¡¯s stered.¡±


    ¡°Mira, you didn¡¯t hit the bottle, did you?¡± Zach, sounding like a lovable oaf, leaned in closer as he spoke.


    Taking a deep breath to suppress the urge to smack him, Mirabe pushed his head to the side, grabbed his arm, and dragged him toward his room<b>. </b>It hardly took any effort at all. ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll get you some water,¡± she said, quickly leaving the room after dumping him on the bed.


    In no time, she returned with a ss of tinted water to find Zach had rolled off the bed onto the floor, muttering something iprehensible.


    Pressing her fingers to her temples<b>, </b>she walked over with a grim expression and hoisted him back onto the bed.


    ¡°Drink this,¡± shemanded, bringing the ss to Zach¡¯s lips.


    Zach looked at her with bleary eyes, not touching the water, just grinning like a fool, ¡°Mira¡­<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe, done with subtlety, forcibly fed him the water with practiced ease, not spilling a single drop. After all, those years of medicating household pets weren¡¯t for nothing.


    Soon after drinking, Zach calmed down and promptly fell into a deep sleep. Mirabe sat in the room for half an hour<b>, </b>ensuring he wouldn¡¯t cause any more trouble, before heading back to her


    <b>own</b><b>. </b>


    The next morning was a Saturday. Zach woke up expecting a pounding headache and misery. but surprisingly, he felt nothing amiss. It was as if he hadn¡¯t touched a drop of liquor the night before.


    How bizarre!


    He got out of bed, took a quick shower, changed into fresh clothes, <b>and </b>after making sure he was free of any booze smell, he stepped out of his room and went downstairs.


    Delh had an early appointment with a designer, so the house was quiet except for Shawn <b>and </b>Mirabe, who were having breakfast.


    Zach pulled up a chair, and as he rubbed his sore shoulder<b>, </b>he nced at Mirabe. ¡°You took care of me all night, didn¡¯t you, Mirabe? Thanks for that.¡±


    He only remembered reaching the top of the stairs and his sister supporting him. Everything after was <b>a </b>ckout.


    Chap 142


    Pausing, he asked uneasily, ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t made a scenest night, did 1?<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe lifted her head, a small smile on her lips. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    Zach¡¯s mouth twitched. What did she mean by ¡®think?¡® Did he or did he not?


    ¡°You should drink less, Zach. Otherwise, you¡¯ll always need your little sister to look after you. Look at her, she is so petite, doesn¡¯t it prick your conscience?¡± Shawn chimed in with a displeased look. His daughter hadn¡¯t even taken care of him!


    Zach pushed up his sses, then took another look at Mirabe. She was thin, indeed, but petite? She was nearly five foot seven ¨C was that petite? Was his dad biased about height?


    ¡°What¡¯s with your shoulder? You¡¯ve been rubbing it non¨Cstop,¡± Shawn observed.


    Mirabe¡¯s spoon paused mid¨Cair for a split second.


    ¡°Oh, must¡¯ve bumped it somewherest night when I was drunk. It¡¯s just a bit sore.¡± Zach replied nonchntly.

 Chapter 143

    Chapter <b>143 </b>


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, cocking her head as she looked at him. ¡°Did you ck out?¡±


    Zach paused, his brain clicking into gear. ¡°That¡¯s a loaded question if I ever heard one.¡±


    Her smile was a mix of mirth and mystery. ¡°Nope, just echoing Dad¡¯s wisdom. You really gotta cut back on the booze.¡± With that, she returned her focus to her breakfast, her movements serene and deliberate.


    Scratching his head, Zach couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something had gone downst night that he was clueless about, something that had to do with his aching shoulder.


    After they finished their meal, Mirabe headed upstairs to the room, intent on packing away the incense she had crafted the night before.


    Having the day off from the office, Zach trailed after her. His curiosity was piqued when she entered Nick¡¯s room. He followed suit. Stepping inside, he was greeted by the subtle scent of sandalwood.


    Mirabe was there, precision in her hands as she sliced the incense. She noticed Zach out of the corner of her eye but didn¡¯t shy away from his gaze.


    ¡°What¡¯s this, Mira?¡± Zach picked up a small stick of the incense, lifting it to his nose. ¡°Sandalwood?¡±


    Without missing a beat, she hummed an affirmation.


    His eyes swept over the tools on the table with surprise. ¡°You know how to make incense?<b>¡± </b>Though Zach wasn¡¯t exactly an aficionado of aromatics, he knew a couple of friends who dabbled in the craft enough to be familiar with the basics. The thought that his sister, who had grown up in a quiet town, could be so adept at this craft and exude such a natural elegance while doing it was genuinely astonishing.


    ¡°Learned a thing or two,¡± Mirabe said softly, eyes downcast. In no <b>time</b>, she had finished packaging the incense into a small box.


    Zach stroked his chin thoughtfully. This incense was too well¨Ccrafted to be the work of at novice. After a moment, he asked casually, ¡°Did you pick up these skills while staying with Catherine? Did she arrange a professional teacher for you?¡±


    Mirabe looked up, her eyes reflecting a quiet confidence. ¡°No, I taught myself.¡± She was the only one bold enough to mix special herbs with the sandalwood.


    Zach¡¯s potentialpliment about Catherine¡¯s mentoring skills was cut short by Mirabe¡¯s admission of self¨Cteaching. He was left speechless. Alright then, ever since his sister hade back, he had be the unwitting backdrop to her brilliance.


    Unaware of Zach¡¯s inner turmoil, Mirabe pulled out her phone and tapped open Messenger. She sent a message to James. [You there? The incense I mentionedst time is ready. Should we meet up so I can give it to you?] Despite his earlier refusal, she felt obligated to return the


    <b>13-33 </b>


    favor.


    As her phone chimed with <b>a </b>reply, she nced at the message, then slipped the phone back into her pocket. Turning to Zach, she said. ¡°I¡¯ve got to run an errand.¡± With the box of calming incense in hand, she headed for the door.


    Zach, who had been silently hoping for a sisterly gift of her homemade incense, was taken aback as she walked away with it. He hurried after her, abandoning all pretense of dignity as he asked, ¡°Mira, don¡¯t I get a piece of the incense you made?¡± There was a hint of yful reproach in his voice.


    Mirabe stopped and gave him a thorough once¨Cover. ¡°You¡¯re not sick, so you don¡¯t need it.¡±


    Zach choked on his response. Wasn¡¯t the point that everyone present should get a share?


    Especially when he was her dear brother!

 Chapter 144

    Chapter <b>144 </b>


    Half an hourter, at a downtown coffee shop.


    As Mirabe stepped into the private booth, a faint scent of sandalwood greeted her¨Ca scent. reminiscent of what she had encountered the previous day at a boutique store named Nature¡¯s Apothecary.


    ¡°Hello.¡± James announced,fortably seated before a coffee set, his movements graceful as he brewed coffee. Not far from his hand, a small Incense burner released gentle wisps of


    smoke.


    Mirabe gave a slight hmm, acknowledging Wyatt with a polite nod before making her way over to a mahogany chair, which she pulled out and sat down on with casual ease.


    Wyatt stole a cautious nce at Mirabe. For some reason, every time he saw this youngdy, he felt a chill that seemed beyond her years, an aura of mystery he couldn¡¯t quite


    prate.


    James ced a cup in front of Mirabe, his pale and slender fingers deftly pouring a stream of coffee into the cup. ¡°See how you like the taste.<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe lifted the cup, and the delicate aroma of the tea enveloped her senses. She took a sip. and her eyebrows rose in approval. ¡°Rich fragrance, sweet and lingering on the finish. Nice.¡±


    Setting down the teapot, James¡® features softened with a genteel warmth. He looked rxed yet uncontained as he mentioned, ¡°I heard you entered an internationalpetition?¡±


    At his words, Mirabe seemed to ponder for a moment. Leaning back in her chair, she looked up at James. ¡°Catherine¡¯s been bending your ear again?¡±


    A light smile yed oh James¡® lips, his response enigmatic, ¡°Well, as a tutor, I ought to make some contribution.¡±


    Stroking her chin, Mirabe replied casually, ¡°Ah, no need for contributions. Just keep Catherine in good spirits for me.¡±


    Wyatt, who had been quietly observing, suddenly choked as if something caught him off guard. He was coughing violently, ¡°Cough¡­ cough¡­<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe looked up at him, puzzled. James also nced at Wyatt before he addressed her previousment. ¡°Sure, naturally.¡±


    Just as Wyatt had calmed down from the initial shock of Mirabe¡¯s bold request, he was again stunned by his boss¡® agreeable response. Was it him who was off today, or was it his ears ying tricks on him? Or perhaps James wasn¡¯t the boss he knew?


    ¡°Do you need me to find you a professional tutor?¡± James asked, refilling Mirabe¡¯s cup with more coffee.


    With a light tap of her fingertip on the table, Mirabe declined, ¡°Thank you, but no.¡±


    12:22


    James dropped the subject and took to sipping his coffee.


    Quiet settled in the booth, afortable silence that wasn¡¯t the least bit awkward. After <b>a </b>short while, Mirabe nced at her watch and started to pick up her bag, handing it to James. ¡°This incense should be of some help to you.¡±


    Pausing briefly, she finished her coffee in one gulp and stood up. ¡°Great coffee, thanks for the hospitality. I should get going.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I¡¯ll walk you out.¡±


    ¡°No need to trouble yourself. I¡¯ll just hail a cab,¡± Mirabe declined James¡® offer and, without further ado, made her way to the door.


    James watched her go and, after a brief moment of thought, called out, ¡°Wait.¡±


    Mirabe turned back, ¡°Yes?¡±


    With a smile, James picked up a box of coffee beans from the table and approached her. ¡°Take this with you. When you run out,e back for more.¡±


    Wyatt, witnessing this exchange, was again astounded. Mirabe had gifted just a simple box. of incense, and James reciprocated with a limited edition box of coffee beans<b>¡­ </b>Wyatt¡¯s eyes must be deceiving him again.

 Chapter 145

    Chapter <b>145 </b>


    Oblivious to Wyatt¡¯s expression, Mirabe didn¡¯t stand on ceremony with James, gratefully epting the gift with a simple, ¡°Thanks a bunch.¡± She remembered her dear father was quite a fan of coffee. This would surely make his day.


    Before long, Mirabe had left the private room.


    After she was gone, Wyatt finally spoke up. ¡°James, what¡¯s so special about this girl? She seems like your average high school student to me.¡±


    James¡® gaze was distant, as if his thoughts were far in another world. He nced at Wyatt before settling back into his chair, his voice casual, ¡°A year ago, she saved my life.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s eyes widened with surprise. This was news to him. James had never mentioned it before. Curiosity tinged Wyatt¡¯s voice. ¡°How did <b>a </b>kid like her manage to save you?¡±


    James took a sip from his cup, his handsome face taking on a pensive look. After a moment, he said. ¡°That¡¯s something I¡¯m still trying to figure out myself.¡±


    Wyatt was taken aback.


    James then took out a <b>long </b>wooden box from the paper bag, its craftsmanship rough and simple, a stark contrast to the elegant box he had once given to Catherine. Staring at it, a rare expression of wistfulness crossed James¡® face. For the first time, he felt what it was like to be on the receiving end of favoritism.


    Wyatt was tempted <b>to </b>ask more, but seeing his boss¡® odd expression, he turned his attention to the wooden box in James¡® hands instead. He couldn¡¯t help but notice its poor quality. The corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a huge loss,¡± Wyatt muttered under his breath. That box of coffee beansfrom James could probably fetch a thousand of these cheap boxes, right?


    Wyatt, unable to bear the sight, covered his face, then coughed and said, ¡°Ms. Mirabe sure meant well, but maybe you should stick with the incense Niki gave you. Maybe¡­ I could take this box off your hands?¡±


    The outside packaging looked shoddy, and he dreaded to imagine the quality of the incense inside.


    James gave Wyatt a sidelong nce. ¡°You said it yourself. It¡¯s the thought that counts. Wouldn¡¯t it be inappropriate to just hand it off to you?¡± With that, James lowered his gaze and fiddled with the sp on the box, easily flipping it open.


    Wyatt touched his nose, mumbling. ¡°What¡¯s inappropriate about it? Besides, with the way you are now, you¡¯re hardly the type to use low¨Cgrade incense. It¡¯d be better off with me¡­ it might be good for something.¡± Like getting rid of that odd smell at home?


    As soon as James opened the box, a rich aroma of sandalwood enveloped the room. There was also a subtle medicinal scent that made the air feel instantly soothing.


    <b>12:22 </b>


    James narrowed his eyes, ncing at the incense burner nearby, still wafting smoke. After thinking for a moment, he extinguished the remaining sandalwood and reached for a lighter. He lit one of the sticks Mirabe had given him.


    Soon, the room was filled with a more distinctive sandalwood fragrance. Though rich, it was not at all stifling when inhaled. Instead, it gradually morphed into a light medicinal scent.


    Wyatt caught the scent, and his expression changed. ¡°This smells like¡­ sandalwood, but not quite?¡±


    After a long silence, James¡® soft voice carried through the room. ¡°This is the genuine Incense of Calm.¡±

 Chapter 146

    Wyatt¡¯s eyes flew open in rm, staring at James<b>. </b>¡°The real Incense of Calm? How is that even possible¡­?¡±


    James pinched the incense to extinguish it, handling it with care as he ced it back in the <b>box</b><b>. </b>¡°That¡¯s the scent.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s face transitioned rapidly from shock to a wild tion. ¡°If it truly is the Incense of Calm, then perhaps your condition could see a dramatic improvement.¡±


    James fell silent for a beat, then added, ¡°No, perhaps this one is even more special than the Incense of Calm I¡¯ve used before.¡±


    Wyatt was speechless. The true Incense of Calm was exceedingly rare, practically priceless, and the one in James¡® possession seemed to surpass it in quality. Wyatt swallowed hard. He couldn¡¯t even imagine its value.


    Recalling his earlier assumption that it was a low¨Cgrade incense and his bold request to take some home and use it as an air freshener, Wyatt now felt an urge to bury himself in the ground. Thankfully, James hadn¡¯t been fooled by his charade. Had James actually given it to him, Wyatt feared he would have been branded a sinner for ages.


    Still, Wyatt¡¯s gaze returned to the box of incense, and after a few seconds of contemtion, he proposed. ¡°Perhaps we should have Niki take a look at it?¡±


    It wasn¡¯t that Wyatt doubted the incense, but if it was more special than the Incense of Calm, they needed further confirmation on whether it would be even better for James¡® health.


    At that moment, Wyatt had forgotten the words Mirabe had said when she handed the incense to James. ¡°This should be of some help to you.¡±


    Half an hourter, at Nature¡¯s Apothecary.


    When Niki lit a stick of the Incense of Calm and inhaled its aroma, hisplexion changed. His fingers trembled as he pointed at it. ¡°This indeed is the Incense of Calm. The creator is a genius. They¡¯ve blended several medicinal herbs with the sandalwood base, which has al calming effect, and the medicinal afternotes that can repair bodily functions. They¡¯d have toe up with such a blend with decades of medical experience.


    ¡°Marvelous, truly marvelous!¡± Niki eximed, then looked up at James. ¡°This Incense of Calm must have been tailor¨Cmade, right?¡±


    James looked at Niki with a deep gaze. ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    ¡°Because the mixed herbs are tailored to help with your current health condition. A herb like Cureroot is quite potent. Ingesting it directly might further harm your body, which is why I¡¯ve refrained from prescribing such herbs for internal use.¡±


    Niki shook his head with a wry smile, continuing, ¡°But it¡¯s been ground into a powder and mixed with the sandalwood to be used externally. This way, its medicinal properties will be


    13-33


    maximized. That¡¯s why I said this incense must have been specifically crafted for you.¡±


    James, deep in thought, didn¡¯t reply immediately.


    Niki looked at him, his voice tinged with hope, ¡°James, might you introduce <b>me </b>to the person. who made this incense?¡±


    James snapped out of his reverie, a wry smile on his face as he shook his head. ¡°To be honest, the incense was a gift, and I¡¯m certain the giver isn¡¯t versed in herbal medicine.¡±


    With a hint of disappointment in his eyes, Niki didn¡¯t press the matter further.


    Standing beside Niki, Ethan perked up when he heard the mention of the medicinal. ingredients. He was the one who had sold the herbs to Mirabe. For some reason, he remembered the youngdy who had bought the same herbs the day before. She had event inquired about sandalwood. But then he shook his head dismissively. Coincidences like that just didn¡¯t happen in the real world.


    ¡°Niki,¡± Wyatt interjected, breaking his silence, ¡°what you¡¯re saying is that if Mr. James uses this incense for his treatment, there¡¯s a chance he could recover, right?<b>¡± </b>

 Chapter 147

    Niki shook his head. ¡°This aroma therapy will help, but for stabilization purposes only. It will ensure that the body¡¯s functions remain steady. To fully bounce back to good health, we¡¯re talking about a definitive cure.¡±


    Hearing this. Wyatt felt a tinge of disappointment, but he also realized how fortunate he was to have this remedy.


    ¡°James¡® box of incense should <bst </b>a good six months. I¡¯ll do my darndest to see if I can whip up a permanent fix during this time,¡± Niki added after a pause.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± James stood up, nodding respectfully to Niki before adding, ¡°We¡¯d best not overstay our wee, so we¡¯ll be on our way.¡±


    Before long. James and Wyatt had left Nature¡¯s Apothecary. As they settled into the car. Wyatt couldn¡¯t help but feel his spirits <b>soaring</b>. ¡°Where on Earth did Ms. Mirabe find this incense? It¡¯s a godsend!¡± Wyatt eximed.


    He knew the incense came from Mirabe, but he instinctively doubted she made it herself. After all, even Niki had said it would take decades of experience to craft such a blend.


    Mirabe was just a kid, really. The idea that someone her age could concoct such a thing was just inconceivable. Even Devon, hailed as a prodigy in the Pharmacist¡¯s Guild, only made a name for himself well into his thirties.


    In the back seat, James¡® gaze lingered on the box of incense, reminiscing about thest time Mirabe rmended that quirky little online shop. His eyes softened, and after a moment. he joined in Wyatt¡¯s pondering, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a friend of hers.¡±


    Wyatt nced in the rearview mirror and mused. ¡°Anyone with friends like that has got to be something special themselves.¡± No wonder his boss had taken such an interest in Mirabe ¨C the man always had an eye for the exceptional.


    With a half¨Csmile, James lifted his gaze to Wyatt and teased, ¡°Still think we got the short end of


    the stick?¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s grip on the steering wheel tightened as he recalled his previous grumblings. ncing back at the box of calming incense, he felt quite embarrassed.


    Right, what made him think his boss¡® coffee beans could ever match the value of this box of incense? The coffee paled inparison to the box that housed real Incense of Calm.


    You couldn¡¯t call such a box ordinary, could you?!


    So, with a dead¨Cserious expression, Wyatt suggested, ¡°James, don¡¯t you have a vintage batch of Jamaica Blue Mountain? Maybe we should send that over to Ms. Mirabe?¡±


    James just sighed.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had just gotten home and immediately handed James¡® coffee beans to Shawn.


    Holding the box, Shawn nced at the packaging, and his eyes widened, ¡°Honey, where¡¯d you get this?¡± This kind of coffee beans was not usually too pricey, but its value had driven up this year because of the scant harvest. Shawn was disappointed for missing out on this season¡¯s batch.


    ¡°A friend gave it to me,¡± Mirabe replied casually.


    Shawn lifted the lid and inhaled the scent ¨C it was indeed the coffee he¡¯d been craving. He was so moved he nearly teared up, thus missing her response, ¡°Ah, my girl. You¡¯re the best. Your know exactly what I love and went out of your way to get it for me. You¡¯re such a sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why daughters are the best ¨C cuter than sons and way more thoughtful!¡± Shawn dered with a huff.


    Just then, Zach, who¡¯d just walked downstairs and caught thatst bit, was baffled. Had his standing in the family really plummeted that fast?

 Chapter 148

    The weekend had zipped by in a blur, and before anyone knew it, Monday rolled around with all the subtlety of a freight train.


    At the break of dawn, the school bulletin board was swamped with students eager to see the results ofst week¡¯s exams. The monthly assessment had been notoriously tough. It was a ten on the difficulty scale. The heads¨Cup for the tests came out of nowhere, so scores across the board had taken a nosedive.


    But that was old news. The real buzz was Mirabe from The Advanced ss. Rumors had been swirling about her dismal performance in English, of all things.


    Around the bulletin board, a crowd had gathered thick as thieves, all jostling for a peek at the rankings. But when the top name came into view, a collective gasp cut through the morning air.


    In first ce, with a whopping 692 points, was none other than Mirabe. Trailing by a hair¡¯s breadth in second, was Vincent with 691 points. And not far behind, in third, was Peter, with 683 points.


    ¡°Shut the front door! Who was the joker spreading rumors about Mirabe¡¯s English gradest week? She¡¯s scored top of the ss for crying out loud!¡±


    ¡°Seriously, who¡¯s the sour grape that spread that nonsense? Jealous much?¡±


    ¡°Vincent¡¯s been king of the hill for two years <b>running</b><b>, </b>and now he¡¯s been dethroned by a single point? By a transfer student, no less? That¡¯s some seriouspetition.¡±


    ¡°Between you and me, I heard Mirabe¡¯s English really was in the gutter, and she got a right earful from her teacher. We all saw it go down.¡°,


    ¡°So let me get this straight¡­ she can bomb English and stille out on top? Does that mean she aced everything else?¡±


    ¡°Suddenly, it makes sense why the school put Mirabe in thest exam room. They knew she was special.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if all those folks who said she got in by pulling strings or cheated in thepetitions feel like eating crow right about now.¡±


    ¡­


    Amidst the chatter, Summer stood rooted to the spot, her gaze frozen on the bulletin board. The chill in her eyes could¡¯ve frosted over the Sahara. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides. Again, it was Mirabe! Why did everything have to change the moment she came back?


    ¡°Summer, you okay?¡± Madeline asked, catching a glimpse of Summer¡¯s dark expression after checking her own scores.


    Snapping back to reality, Summer¡¯s eyes softened as she turned to Madeline, feigning nonchnce. ¡°How¡¯d you do on the test?¡±


    Madeline hesitated, convinced she¡¯d just seen a glimpse of something unnerving in Summer¡¯s eyes. ¡°Oh, it was brutal. I only got 615. Dropped out of the top fifty. I¡¯m freaking out about getting kicked out of Prodigy ss.¡±


    Summer offered a half¨Cheartedfort. ¡°That won¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°Fingers crossed!¡± Madeline nced at the name at the top of the list again, wisely choosing not to mention Mirabe in front of Summer. ¡°You¡¯re still doing great, though. You scored 670, That¡¯s nearly twenty points up fromst semester.¡±


    Madeline was at a loss for words. She had been ready to see Mirabe fall t, expecting to relish in her downfall. But the tables had turned.


    Summer¡¯s lips twisted in a fleeting sneer. What did it matter if she¡¯d improved <i>by </i>twenty points? Inparison to Mirabe, it was like she hadn¡¯t moved an inch.

 Chapter 149

    Summer cast onest deste nce at the bulletin board where the test scores were posted. Her lips were sealed in a tight line as she turned on her heel and walked away.


    Madeline watched her friend¡¯s retreating figure, heaving a deep sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world. Even though Summer didn¡¯t voice her disappointment, Madeline knew the sting was there, buried deep. After all, Summer had poured every ounce of her spare time into studying, a heartbreaking and admirable dedication.


    But what could you do¡­ when <b>you </b>were outshone by a country bumpkin foster child?


    Shaking her head as if to clear her mind of this unsettling thought, Madeline hurried to catch up with Summer.


    On the other hand, Mirabe hadn¡¯t bothered to check the test scores on the bulletin board. She knew her score well enough. Ate had called her into the officest week and given her the rundown.


    As for her ranking, <b>she </b>had researched the score trends for Parkside High before she even enrolled<b>, </b>and with hertest scores in mind, she figured she might not have snagged the top spot, but second ce was well within reach. After all, English was her Achilles¡® heel, much


    h to her chagrin.


    Jenna returned from viewing the scores and found Mirabe in a state of Zen¨Clike calm, which did nothing to soothe her own tangled emotions. Ever since she¡¯d heard about Mirabe¡¯s struggles with English, she had been secretly reveling in the potential downfall. Having been on the receiving end of life¡¯s blows too often, she thought fate owed her a bit of schadenfreude. The thought of Mira f?cing her Waterloo was a delicious one indeed.


    But as it turned out, Waterloo was a pipe dream¨Cat least for Mirabe.


    She¡¯s a rock¨Csolid first ce in the grade!


    Perhaps sensing Jenna¡¯s begrudging gaze, Mirabe turned her head and, in a¡¯rare moment of outreach, asked, ¡°Are you done staring? How did you do?¡±


    ¡°You got 692 points. Top of the ss,¡± Jenna said, pointedly not mentioning her own score. After a brief pause, she added with a mix of sarcasm and awe. ¡°And here you were, saying English isn¡¯t your strong suit. You¡¯re just ying with us<b>!</b>¡±


    ¡°If English wasn¡¯t my weak point, I probably wouldn¡¯t have scored 692,¡± Mirabe responded with a casual shrug.


    At that, Jenna¡¯s mouth twitched in a wry expression. It was always the unexpected jabs that hurt the most, but luckily, she was used to it. Shaking her head, Jenna continued, ¡°You know Vincent from the Prodigy ss was the perpetual top scorer before you showed up. He was only one point behind you in this exam.¡±


    <b>12:23 </b>


    JJenna held up a finger for emphasis. ¡°One point, do you get how close that is? He migh overtake you next time, especially with your so¨Ccalled weak subject¡±


    At the mention of the name Vincent, Mirabe recalled apetitor who had ced just behind her in the BrainSpark Nationals, taking second ce both times,


    ¡°Vincent¡¯s quite the proud one. Now that you¡¯ve parachuted in and snatched his top spot, you¡¯re probably his public enemy number one,¡± Jenna mused, resting her chin in her hands before continuing. ¡°But hey, Vincent¡¯s drop dead gorgeous. If he¡¯s got his sights set on you, it might not be such a bad thing.¡±


    Mirabe nced at Jenna, who was practically swooning over the guy, and quipped lightly. ¡°Drooling much?¡±


    Jenna instinctively touched her lips<b>, </b>then realized she¡¯d been teased and shot Mirabe a pouty re, ¡°Queen Mira, you¡¯re getting sneakler by the day.¡±


    Titting her head, Mirabe¡¯s brows arched in amusement. Her carefree gaze was tinged withzy defiance, and her stunning features once again left Jenna swallowing hard.


    Forget Vincent: Mira was the epitome of cool.


    After the test scores were released, any doubts about Mirabe that had been circting around Parkside High dissipated by the end of <i>the </i>morning.


    As for Summer, the exam results left her in a state of irritable unrest throughout the entire day.

 Chapter 150

    It took every ounce of patience for Summer to make it to thest period of study hall. She seized the opportunity to concoct an excuse about needing to return to her artist camp for training. With a slightly hesitant request, she approached Morgan for a leave of absence.


    Morgan, who typically frowned upon students making a habit of ducking out early, was nheless swayed by the noticeable uptick in Summer¡¯s recent test scores and granted her


    the pass<b>. </b>


    Stepping through the school gates, the day¡¯s umted pressure began to dissipate. Summer slipped on her mask and sunsses, blending into the crowd as she paused at the curb. Her fingers danced over her phone, eventuallynding on a familiar number ¨C Zach Davis. She hesitated for a moment before hitting the call button. Zach, who was currently wrapped <b>up </b>in court proceedings, had entrusted his phone to his assistant, a guardian of his privacy. The assistant knew the significance of a call from a personal number and didn¡¯t answer when Summer¡¯s attempts came through.


    After two unanswered calls, Summer didn¡¯t bother trying again. A wry smile yed on her lips, hidden beneath her shades, as her eyes shed with a knowing darkness.


    Had the years ofradery truly fallen short against the weight of blood ties? Had ite to the point where even her calls went ignored? Mirabe really was quite the force to be reckoned with.


    With a cynical chuckle, Summer gged down a taxi and rattled off an address.


    Half an hourter¡­


    ¡°What brings you by out of the blue, Summer? Didn¡¯t you have ss this afternoon?¡± Emmitt dismissed his secretary and poured <b>a </b>ss of water for Summer.


    She epted it with a nod of thanks. Her mask and sunsses now rested on the table as she spoke warmly. ¡°Thest period was just study hall, nothing too pressing. I was hoping to catch lunch with Zach, but he wasn¡¯t picking up. Maybe he¡¯s tied up with something.¡±


    There was a tinge of disappointment in her voice, which didn¡¯t escape Emmitt¡¯s notice. He nced at his watch subtly before replying. ¡°He¡¯s probably busy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been ages since we all got together. Why don¡¯t you give Zach a ringter, Emmitt?¡± Summer suggested softly, taking a sip from her ss.


    Emmitt¡¯s thoughts drifted to something Zach had mentioned a few days ago. After a brief pause, he replied, ¡°He seems swamped these days. Let¡¯s not bother him for now. We can n something when he¡¯s less upied.<b>¡± </b>


    A faint tension gripped Summer¡¯s hand around the ss, but she casually set it down. ¡°Sure, that works too.¡± After a pause, she added, ¡°I just don¡¯t want Zach to get the wrong idea.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Emmitt¡¯s brow furrowed, not quite catching her drift.


    Summer bit her lip, her voice dropping to a whisper, ¡°After the incidentst time, Mira¡¯s been avoiding me. And now Zach isn¡¯t answering my calls¡­ I can¡¯t help but worry he might be


    getting the wrong impression.¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s expression grew more concerned as he listened, taking a while before responding in at measured tone, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. Zach isn¡¯t one to be easily influenced by rumors.<b>¡± </b>


    Summer¡¯s face momentarily stiffened, then rxed, ¡°Well, that¡¯s a relief.¡±


    ¡°Make yourselffortable for a bit. I¡¯ve got some things to wrap up.¡± Emmitt turned back to his desk, immersing himself <b>in </b>his work.


    Silence enveloped the office, leaving Summer sitting there, lost in thought. Watching Emmitt pore over his documents, she felt an unfamiliar awkwardness, a void where conversation used to be. It was as if today marked some peculiar asion, a day where everything and everyone seemed to be shifting, subtly but surely.


    Summer was growing weary of this uneasy sense of losing grip on the world around her.

 Chapter 151

    Chapter <b>151 </b>


    Summer had been sitting for what felt like an eternity, watching <b>Emmitt </b>immersed in his work without a moment¡¯s pause. With a faint sigh, she stood and made her way to his desk. ¡°Emmitt, It looks like you¡¯re swamped. I should be heading home.<b>¡± </b>


    Emmitt¡¯s pen stopped mid¨Csentence as he finally looked up<b>, </b>his apologetic eyes meeting hers. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, today¡¯s just been hectic. How about you hang tight for a bit longer? Once I¡¯m done, we could grab some dinner together?¡±


    A twinkle shed in Summer¡¯s eyes, but she gently shook her head with an understanding smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine, really. Workes first. We can always do dinner another time. I¡¯ll be off then.¡± Without waiting for Emmitt to respond, she turned and headed for the door, leaving behind a silhouette tinged with a hint of forlornness.


    Emmitt watched her leave, then leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples in silent contemtion. He quickly reached for his phone on the desk.


    Zach had just finished his own pile of work when he noticed two missed calls from Summer on his phone. He swiped across the screen, debating whether to return the call, when suddenly, his phone rang again. Seeing Emmitt¡¯s name on the caller ID, he answered without hesitation. ¡°Hey, Emmitt, what¡¯s up?¡±


    Surprised by the quick answer, Emmitt hesitated before saying, ¡°Nothing much. Summer stopped by earlier, asking when we could all catch up for a meal.¡±


    A shadow of indifference crossed Zach¡¯s expression as he pieced together the missed calls. ¡°Dinner¡¯s going to be tough. I¡¯m <b>swamped </btely and can¡¯t seem to find the time.¡±


    1


    After a brief silence, Emmitt prodded, ¡°Zach, is there some kind of misunderstanding between you and Summer?¡±


    Zach paused, puzzled. ¡°Misunderstanding? I¡¯m not sure I follow.¡±


    Emmitt continued, ¡°I might have jumped to some conclusions about Mirabe because of the whole Catherine situation, which could have led to some confusion between Mira and Summer¡­¡±


    Before Emmitt could finish, Zach cut in, ¡°Summer called me twice about half an hour ago. I was in court, and my phone was with my assistant.¡±


    Zach¡¯s tone grew a touch heavier as he added, ¡°Besides, Mirabe has never mentioned Summer in front of me, so there¡¯s no misunderstanding to speak of.¡±


    Zach brushed off Summer as simply being prideful yet harmless, but after today, it seems he might need to reassess his opinion of her. He shook his head<b>, </b>not wanting to let Summer¡¯s actions deepen any rifts within their group. ¡°Look, Emmitt, if there¡¯s nothing else, I need to go. I have a client waiting.¡±


    Sensing Zach¡¯s impatience, Emmitt didn¡¯t press further. ¡°No worries. Go handle your business.¡± After hanging up, Emmitt remained in his chair, deep in thought.


    Once outside, Summer hailed <b>a </b>cab and headed straight back to the Gilbert family estate.


    The moment she stepped through the door, Mandy¡¯s voice, tinged with reprimand, reached her ears. ¡°Where have you been since school let out? The driver called saying he waited at the school gates for ages and couldn¡¯t reach you by phone.¡±


    Summer nced at Mandy with little interest in making excuses. ¡°I stopped by the gym and didn¡¯t notice my phone ringing in my bag.¡±

 Chapter 152

    Chapter <b>152 </b>


    Mandy¡¯s expression softened a touch upon hearing her daughter¡¯s reply. ¡°Next time, give me at heads up, will you<b>? </b>Otherwise, I¡¯ll start to worry.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Summer murmured, drifting into the living room and copsing into the plush embrace of the sofa with a distracted air.


    Mandy nced at Summer, finally registering her daughter¡¯s troubled look, and asked with a frown, ¡°What¡¯s got into you? You look like you¡¯ve lost your spirit.¡±


    Summer hugged a throw pillow to her chest, her legs curled up on the sofa. She didn¡¯t look at her mother as she spoke in a faint voice. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°Is someone at work giving you a hard time?¡± Mandy probed, her brows knitting tighter.


    ¡°No.¡± Summer shook her head., ¡°Everyone¡¯s been really nice to me.¡±


    Unustomed to such a forlorn expression on her daughter¡¯s face, Mandy pressed further, ¡°Then did something happen at school?<b>¡± </b>


    After a pause, as if a particr name came to mind, Mandy¡¯s face darkened instantly. ¡°Is it Mirabe? Has she been bullying you again?¡±


    Summer rested her head on the pillow without a word, her whole demeanor exuding <b>a </b>sense of deep grievance.


    Mandy mmed her water ss down on the marble coffee table with a loud smack, ¡°That brat is nothing but trouble! First, she drove your grandma back to her hometown, and now she¡¯s causing mischief at your school. I really don¡¯t understand what kind of upbringing she had with the Davis family.¡±


    Aiden, who had just descended from the second floor, jumped at the sound of the ss hitting the table.


    Startled, Summer finally looked up, a strained smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be angry. I¡¯m really okay.¡±


    This only fueled Mandy¡¯s ire, ¡°You¡¯re just too kind¨Chearted, letting people walk all over you!¡±


    Mandy reached for her phone, flipping through contacts with a scornfulugh. ¡°My daughter won¡¯t be bullied for nothing. I need to have a word with the Davis family today¡­<b>¡± </b>


    Summer panicked at the sight, quickly putting down the pillow and snatching the phone before Mandy could dial, ¡°Mom, it¡¯s really nothing. Don¡¯t get worked up over someone that¡¯s not worth it.¡±


    Mandy frowned, ¡°Summer, give me the phone back this instant.¡±


    Not daring toply, Summer ced the phone out of reach, sat next to her mother, gently patting her back in a calming gesture, and whispered, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m serious. It¡¯s nothing. Please


    don¡¯t get the wrong idea.¡±


    After a brief pause. Summer changed the subject. ¡°By the way, our monthly exam results came out today. I scored 670, ranked tenth in the grade.¡±


    Distracted by this new topic, Mandy¡¯s anger <b>dissipated </b>slightly, ¡°Your ranking has improved by a few spots since the end of thest semester. Not bad.¡±


    Relieved that her mother had dropped the Idea of calling the Davis family, Summer finally let out a sigh of relief.


    Aiden, who had been eavesdropping from the staircase, snorted at the mention of her score. ¡°From someone who needs to cheat topete in a contest¡­well, who knows how genuine that 670 is.¡±


    Summer, noticing Aiden, replied with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, ¡°Could you maybe try thinking before you speak?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t know what thinking is,¡± Aiden said with a dismissive wave and a roguish grin.


    Summer shook her head in disbelief. ¡°Aiden, you¡¯re really a piece of work¡­¡±


    However, before she could finish, Mandy interrupted, ¡°Enough. Your brother may be thoughtless, but shouldn¡¯t you know better? Why bicker with him?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Summer¡¯s heart sank.

 Chapter 153

    Chapter <b>153 </b>


    Summer knew all too well her ce in the Gilbert household. To the casual observer, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert doted on her, but their affection was merely the result of her newfound fame from the reality show Superstar Camp, which had brought a gleam of pride <i>to </i>their eyes and bragging rights at the country club.


    But whenpared to her younger brother Aiden, it seemed she could do no right. His presence alone was enough to cast her as the perpetual viin, no matter the circumstance.


    Regret had gnawed at her more than once, wondering why she ever returned to the Gilberts¡® posh suburban home when life with the Davises had been free of such indignities.


    However, when she thought of her foster parents, the Davises, her emotions tangled into a knot of resentment. Despite their wealth, they chose to masquerade as a hard¨Cup family, their fa?ade far more repugnant than the Gilberts¡® tant callousness.


    Taking a deep breath, Summer tried to suppress the surge of unpleasant memories wing at her mind.


    Sensing her own bias, Mandy reached out and gently patted Summer¡¯s hand<b>, </b>her voice softening. ¡°<b>Your </b>brother¡¯s got a sharp tongue and a short fuse, but he means no harm. Try to cut him some ck, will you?¡±


    A small forced smile flickered across Summer¡¯s lips as she murmured an indifferent agreement.


    Aiden sauntered over and perched himself nonchntly on the arm of the sofa, feigning boredom. ¡°So, how did that little scaredy¨Ccat do on her exams this time?¡±


    Summer gave him a nk look, not catching on to whom he was referring.


    ¡°Scaredy¨Ccat?¡± echoed Mandy, equally.puzzled.


    Aiden snorted dismissively. ¡°You know, Mirabe, the one who grew up at Grandma¡¯s.¡±


    Mentioning Mirabe sent a fresh chill through Summer¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Why bring her up all of a sudden?¡± Mandy inquired.


    Aiden¡¯s eyes driftedzily. ¡°Just curious. You always say how bad she is at school. I just want to see if it¡¯s true.¡±


    Though Mandy had little interest in the academic woes of their foster daughter, Aiden¡¯sment made her turn to Summer for confirmation.


    Summer was already irked by Mirabe¡¯s top grades that day, and her patience thinned at her brother¡¯s probing. ¡°How would I know her scores? We¡¯re not even in the same ss,¡± she retorted, her tone edged with irritation.


    Sensing her annoyance, Aiden narrowed his eyes suspiciously. ¡°Really? Then why did youe


    Chapter <b>153 </b>


    home looking like the victim of some sort of injustice? It¡¯s as if she¡¯d bullied you.¡±


    Summer instinctively nced at Mandy, whose expression was once again clouding over<b>. </b>Internally, Summer cursed Aiden to high heaven. She had just managed to divert Mandy from the idea of confronting the Davises, and now the idiot was dragging the conversation back. What a world¨Css little brother, indeed!


    Taking a breath to calm herself, Summer softened her voice. ¡°I really don¡¯t know<b>, </b>and why would I care? We¡¯re hardly friends.¡±


    After a pause, she turned the tables, her eyes fixing on Aiden. ¡°But you seem quite interested in her, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Me? Interested? Don¡¯t make stuff up.¡± Aiden blurted out, worried Summer would spill the beans about the time he¡¯d been beaten up at Parkside High School while looking for Mirabe. With that, he stood up and bolted away as fast as he could.


    Summer watched him go with a mocking glint in her eye. Mandy missed the undercurrents between them. The mention of grades reminded her of something else, and she turned back to Summer. ¡°Oh, that reminds <b>me</b><b>, </b>I forgot to ask youst time¨Cdid Mirabe get knocked out of the citypetition?¡±


    Aiden, halfway <b>up </b>the stairs, paused at her words, turning his head back to listen.

 Chapter 154

    Summer was caught off guard when Mandy brought up thepetition again. There was a brief pause before she replied, <b>¡°</b>¡­I think she advanced to the next round.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s brows knitted together in mild disbelief. ¡°Her scores were good enough not to get kicked out?¡±


    After a moment of silence, Summer said, ¡°I actually mentionedst time that her grades weren¡¯t that bad.¡±


    Mandy vaguely remembered the conversation but didn¡¯t dwell on it, quickly moving on. ¡°The next round of the contest must being up<b>, </b>right? Make sure you go over the material your dad¡¯s friend from the Education Association gave you.¡±


    Summer nodded, eyes cast downward. ¡°Yeah, I will. I¡¯m going to head back to my room now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, off you <b>go</b>.¡± Mandy said with a dismissive wave of her hand<b>. </b>


    Delh and Shawn had been swamped with the renovations of their vi, leaving early and returningte. Concerned they couldn¡¯t look after their daughter properly, they hired a part¨Ctime housekeeper, Marian, to prepare meals for Mirabe.


    That day, as Mirabe walked in the door after school, Marian had already finished cooking. Marian was taking off her apron as she said, ¡°Mira, I¡¯ve got to dash because of an emergency at home. Oh, and I picked up a package for you this afternoon. It¡¯s in the storage cab.¡± Pointing towards the cab, Marian didn¡¯t wait for a response before hurrying out.


    Mirabe set her bag down and nced at the storage unit but didn¡¯t rush to check it out.


    The table was set with a homestyle spread¨Can all¨CAmerican meatloaf, buttered green beans, mashed potatoes, and a bowl of chicken noodle soup¨CMirabe pulled out her phone and dialed Zach¡¯s number. Zach, who had beening home for dinner every night, would typically be home by now.


    The call connected quickly, and Zach¡¯s voice came through, ¡°Mirabe, I won¡¯t be home for dinner tonight. Got to head out of town for a few days.¡±


    There was an edge of anxiety in his voice. Mirabe¡¯s brow furrowed as she asked, ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    Zach seemed taken aback by her intuition. His tone darkened slightly as he replied, ¡°Nothing serious. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    As airport announcements echoed in the background, urging passengers to board, Zach hurriedly added, ¡°I¡¯ve got to board now. We¡¯ll catch upter.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s expression tightened. She didn¡¯t press further, simply acknowledging with a, ¡°If you need help with anything, let me know.¡±


    Zach chuckled, not taking her offer too seriously. ¡°Sure.¡±


    The call ended shortly after. The background announcement Mirabe had overheard hinted at a flight to the States. She pondered this for a while before setting down her phone.


    Delh and Shawn came home earlier than usual that evening. Mirabe had just started eating when they walked in, deep in a discussion about the renovations. As they approached their daughter, they both fell silent.


    Mirabe gave them a quizzical look. ¡°You guys joining<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    Delh answered cheerfully. ¡°We grabbed a bite on the way home.¡±


    Shawn echoed, ¡°Yeah<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe just shook her head, slightly bemused.


    Delh tossed her bag onto a nearby cab and scanned the room. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t Zach home yet?¡±


    Zach had beening home on time to keep his sisterpanytely. His absence felt unusual.


    ¡°He had to go on a sudden business trip,¡± Mirabe replied sinctly, omitting the part that she suspected he possibly went abroad.


    ¡°Another business trip, huh¡­¡± Delh murmured, her face showing no surprise, ustomed as she was to his frequent travels.

 Chapter 155

    Shawn gleefully sauntered out of the kitchen with a ss of water in hand. His spirits were visibly lifted by the conversation he overheard. ¡°A man¡¯s gotta focus on his career, right?¡±


    Zach had been wandering around the house for the past few evenings, constantly revolving around Mirabe, which was starting to get on Shawn¡¯s nerves.


    Delh cast her husband a knowing nce, immediately catching onto his thinly veiled enthusiasm. ¡°You got your way,¡± she said with a hint of amusement.


    Shawn simply took a sip of his water, his eyes crinkling with a smile. Even though he had already eaten, he sat down at the dining table, cradling his ss, and quietly watched Mirabe eat her meal.


    Despite being ustomed to her father¡¯s watchful gaze, Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but look up. ¡°Dad?¡±


    Shawn gently nudged the bowl of sd closer to her. ¡°Eat up, kiddo. You study so hard every day. You¡¯re getting all skin and bones.¡±


    A twitch of helplessness flickered at the corner of Mirabe¡¯s lips. Ever since she returned to the Davis household, she felt like she had been fed well enough to start rounding out at the cheeks. How could her dear old dad not see that?


    Delh caught her daughter¡¯s look of yful exasperation, and couldn¡¯t hold back augh. ¡°Oh, Shawn, give it a rest. At this rate, your daughter¡¯s going to stage a protest.¡±


    Shawn looked up, puzzled. ¡°Protest? What protest?¡± After asking, he turned his baffled gaze back to Mirabe. She was always such a good girl.


    Delh shook her head and then rubbed her slightly sore shoulders. ¡°Shawn, let the girl eat. Why don¡¯t youe and give me a shoulder rub?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Shawn stood up and followed <b>his </b>wife to the living room, where he began to knead her shoulders with practiced ease.


    Mirabe observed the couple from the dining room. One looked at the other with tender eyes. while the other¡¯s face was a picture of bliss. The atmosphere was so warm and fuzzy that it practically bubbled with pink hearts. With a silent sigh, Mirabe turned away from the unexpected disy of affection.


    After finishing her meal and tidying up the kitchen, Mirabe stepped out to find Delh had left the living room. Shawn was already preparing his special coffee set, steeping the expensive. blend Mirabe had brought home a few days ago. He beckoned her over. ¡°Come join your old man for a cup or two.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips quirked. Anyone would¡¯ve thought they were about to share a bottle of wine.


    ¡°What have you guys been up totely?¡± she asked casually, settling onto the sofa and taking a cup of coffee.


    Shawn and Delh had already nned a surprise for their daughter. He gave a vague response. ¡°Oh, thepanynded a big ount, so everyone¡¯s pulling extra hours,¡± he deflected.


    ¡°Really?¡± Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her beautiful eyes clearly skeptical. ¡°<b>Feels </b>like you¡¯re keeping something from me.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s hand trembled, nearly spilling his coffee. He coughed and asserted with feigned seriousness, ¡°Honestly, what could we possibly hide from you?¡±


    Mirabe let out a prolonged ¡°Oh,¡± her tone rich with implication.


    ¡°Too clever by half,¡± Shawn thought, quickly averting his gaze and focusing on his coffee.


    Mirabe shook her head, not pressing further. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Setting down<i>. </i>her cup, she fished her phone out and saw a message from James on Messenger. Her fingers flitted across the screen to read it. [Your incense worked wonders. Thanks<b>.</b><b>] </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched yfully as she lounged on the sofa, replying<b>. </b>[Of course, it did. That scent cost a pretty penny, you know!]


    Meanwhile, on the other end, James was looking at the online store that Mirabe sent him. It sold the aromatherapy incense <b>¡°</b>Incense of Calm¡± and was priced at a cool $299.

 Chapter 156

    James scrolled through his phone, his eyes fixed on an ad for the ¡°Incense of Calm¡± priced at $299. A ping diverted his attention to Mirabe¡¯s message on Messenger. [Of course, it¡¯s pricey stuff!]


    He couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of suspicion wash over him. Was this $299 candle really the sought¨Cafter tranquility treasure that was impossible to find in the market nowadays?


    After a moment of contemtion, he typed back to Mirabe. [Is this the same shop where you got the one you sent mest time?]


    Mirabe pondered for a few seconds, her fingers idly stroking her chin before she replied. [Nope, I got it from a different ce.]


    James paused, phone still in hand, then nced at his buddy Wyatt. ¡°Did you ce the order?¡±


    Fresh from the thrill of a sessful transaction, Wyatt couldn¡¯t hide his grin. His phone screen still disyed the purchase confirmation. ¡°Yep, cleared out their entire stock. Didn¡¯t leave a single one behind.¡±


    His face was a picture of smug satisfaction as if to say, ¡®Aren¡¯t I a genius? Come on, give me


    some credit!¡±


    James just pressed his fingers against his temples. Shifting his gaze back to his phone, he typed. [Got a link?]


    A couple of tapster, Mirabe¡¯s curiosity spilled into her message. [Why do you need so


    many?] What she gave him shouldst you for half a year, <i>rights </i>


    James replied. [They¡¯re really good. Want to stock up.]


    ¡°Darling, who are you chatting with? You¡¯ve ignored your coffee,¡± Shawn chimed in, topping up his daughter¡¯s cup, a hint of curiosity in his voice.


    ¡°Just a friend,¡± Mirabe responded while texting, then ncing up at him<b>, </b>she added<b>, </b>¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Cut down on the coffee, or you¡¯ll have trouble sleeping<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m used to it. It won¡¯t affect my sleep,¡± Shawn reassured her, savoring another sip. He¡¯d been running around all day <b>and </b>treasured these quiet evening moments. A day without coffee was more likely to keep him awake.


    Back on her phone, Mirabe warned James. [Burning too much of that stuff can be addictive. I wouldn¡¯t rmend it, James.]


    Staring at the phone, James let the subtle scent of sandalwood Incense swirl around him. His deep eyes clouded with an unreadable emotion before he typed back. [If I didn¡¯t know you were a high school student, I¡¯d mistake you for a doctor.]


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and shot back. [Ever seen a doctor this young<b>?</b><b>] </b>


    James chuckled but didn¡¯t pursue the link anymore. He was already lucky enough to have scored this box of Incense of Calm. After a brief pause, he sent another message. [I¡¯ve got a box of Blue Mountain. Want some?]


    Looking up at her old man, Mirabe queried, ¡°Do you like Blue Mountain?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. ¡°Absolutely.¡±


    ¡°OK.¡± And so, Mirabe replied to James. [I¡¯ll take it.]


    James. [I¡¯ll drop it off at your school gate the day after tomorrow afternoon.]


    Mirabe. [Cool thanks.]


    James. [No problem!]


    With their chat concluded, Mirabe reminded her dad once more to go easy on the coffee before heading upstairs.


    Meanwhile, James set down his phone and, after a few seconds of thought, turned to Wyatt. ¡°Get the Blue Mountain from the old man¡¯s cer shipped here.¡±


    He paused, then added, ¡°I need it the day after tomorrow.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s eyes bulged in disbelief. ¡°But don¡¯t you have several collector¡¯s editions? Why are your eyeing the old man¡¯s prized stash??¡±

 Chapter 157

    James slouched back in his chair, the overhead light casting a warm glow on his chiseled features, making him look even more like a sculpture carved from the finest marble. ¡°Isn¡¯t coffee meant to be drunk?¡± he mused with a faint smirk ying on his lips.


    Wyatt¡¯s mouth twitched at the corners. ¡°But that coffee¡¯s been in the old man¡¯s collection for decades. If we take it and he finds out, won¡¯t he raise hell?*


    James gave Wyatt a sidelong nce, his tone casual as he spoke, ¡°Then let¡¯s make sure he doesn¡¯t find out. He¡¯s kept it for so many years, and what¡¯s a few more?¡±


    Wyatt rubbed his nose and then gave a respectful nod to his boss. Alright, when it came to being cunning, his boss was leagues ahead. He was the one who had much to learn. ¡°I¡¯ll


    arrange for someone to go tonight.¡±


    ¡°Mhm,¡± James hummed in response.


    Fiddling with his phone, Wyatt thought of the dozens of boxes of calming incense he had just ordered. For some reason, a sense of unease settled in his stomach. He looked towards his boss, uncertain, ¡°James, are you sure Ms. Mirabe¡¯s incense is from that store?¡±


    Even Niki had mentioned that the incense James had was worth <b>a </b>fortune. Yet online, a whole box was going for $299. Plus, when the seller realized Wyatt needed a bulk order, they even threw in a buy¨Cone¨Cget¨Cone¨Cfree deal. Thinking about it now, it all seemed too good to be true.


    James lightly tapped a sandalwood stick on the table, his expression unchanging. ¡°Mhm.¡±


    Scratching his head, Wyatt didn¡¯t question further. ¡°The seller said they¡¯ll ship it tomorrow. I asked for express delivery. It should arrive the day after.¡±


    ¡°Arrange it as you see fit,¡± James said airily.


    Wyatt nced at James, sensing something off about his reply, but after mulling it over, he couldn¡¯t pinpoint any issue. Shaking his head, Wyatt figured he was just overthinking things.


    In the States.


    Zach had justnded when he saw Collins waving at him from the arrival gate. Collins was Leo¡¯s manager.


    ¡°Mr. Zach,¡± Collins greeted with a nod, promptly reaching out to help with the luggage. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to have you make this trip.¡±


    *No problem. How¡¯s Leo doing?¡± Zach¡¯walked alongside Collins, his usually light demeanor reced with a rare seriousness.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ not good,¡± Collins said, his voice rough with emotion. He took a deep breath. ¡°Let¡¯s talk


    in the car.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Soon, Zach followed Collins out of the airport and into the car. ¡°What exactly happened?¡± Zach asked, looking at Collins.


    ¡°A few months ago, Leo injured his spine during a performance. We all thought it was nothing serious at the time. But after a while, he got hurt again during a personal training session. That¡¯s when we found out that the previous injury had already damaged his nerves<b>¡­</b>¡±


    Collins wiped his face, continuing. ¡°Nerve damage can typically be repaired, but because we ignored it the first time, his condition worsened. After consulting numerous hospitals, we¡¯ve been given a unanimous conclusion. Leo will never be able to perform on stage again, nor can he engage in any strenuous activities, or the consequences could be dire. Leo was born for the stage. Asking him to give it up is akin to ending his life.¡±


    Zach fell silent, reflecting on his words. He knew his younger brother better than anyone. Leo had always loved singing and dancing since he was a kid. Later on, he defied their family¡¯s objections, venturing into the entertainment industry on his own without any connections. The hardships he endured to reach his current star status were unimaginable.

 Chapter 158

    How did such a fatal mishap befall Leo? Zach¡¯s heart ached, and he couldn¡¯t bear to imagine what his younger brother must¡¯ve looked like at that moment.


    ¡°After the injury, he had given up hope,¡± Zach recalled, ¡°but when he heard that the international medical prodigy, LIN, had a good chance to cure him¡­¡±


    Collins hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when Zach interrupted upon hearing the name LIN, ¡°Wait, did you say LIN?¡±


    Collins nodded, his voice tinged withplexity. ¡°We only recently found out that LIN is actually Nick.¡±


    Zach¡¯s lips curved into a half¨Csmile as he exined, ¡°Leo has always <b>been </b>busy, and with Nick settling abroad, they didn¡¯t keep in touch much, so it¡¯s normal he didn¡¯t know. Frankly, I only learned he goes by LIN after he won an international award.¡±


    At that, Collins couldn¡¯t help but think back to when he first met Leo, ¡°In those early days when Leo joined the scene, he never mentioned his family. I almost mistook him for an orphan with


    no parents.¡±


    Zach chuckled, ¡°That¡¯s why he¡¯s considered the most aloof in our family.¡±


    Leo had fought his way up all on his own.


    ¡°But to his fans, he¡¯s a warm¨Chearted big guy.¡± Collins sighed. ¡°It¡¯s just fate ying cruel


    games¡­¡±


    Zach straightened up. ¡°Did you just mention Nick could treat Leo¡¯s condition?¡±


    ¡°We thought so, but¡­after the examination, LIN said that he probably won¡¯t be able to undergo intense training in the future,¡± Collins said with a wry smile.


    Zach frowned, ¡°So, has he given up on himself?<b>¡± </b>


    Collins hummed softly, acknowledging that Zach truly understood Leo¡¯s temperament. ¡°I told him, if you can¡¯t dance, don¡¯t dance and just sing. But he insists that singing without dance is like a soulless existence. After getting LIN¡¯s verdict, he shut down again and even refused surgery.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t convince him, and I feared his spinal injury would worsen, so I had no choice but to tell you<b>, </b>hoping you could persuade him,¡± Collins said.


    Zach gazed out the car window, his voice deepening<b>, </b>¡°I understand. Leo is my brother, and I don¡¯t want him to give up on himself.¡±


    Hearing Zach¡¯s resolve, Collins felt a weight lift off his chest. Now, Zach might be all they could hope for.


    After about half an hour, the car entered an estate with a sophisticated security system.


    Several checks were required before one could truly enter the estate. This estate was none other than Nick¡¯s private residence. It was Zach¡¯s first visit, and he was fascinated by the advanced equipment and the smart home robots. It was like stepping into a high¨Ctech<b>. </b>wondend.


    ¡°Zach, sorry I was tied up and couldn¡¯t pick you up from the airport myself.¡± Nick had just returned from theb and just saw the message from Collins, learning that Zach had arrived in the States. There was a tinge of regret in his eyes as he looked at Zach. His handsome face was unusually pale, the kind of pallor from ack of sunlight.


    It had been years since Zach had seen his brother. He walked over and put his arm around him. his voice tinged with emotion, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Nick.¡±

 Chapter 159

    Nick always had a thing about personal space. Even though Zach was his own flesh and blood. their embracested barely a second before Zach hastily stepped back, maintaining a respectful distance.


    Zach sighed inwardly, understanding his brother¡¯s temperament all too well. However, no sign of displeasure crossed his features. His gaze swept the high¨Ctech hall, and he said with a lightness in his voice. ¡°Seeing you live the good life makes me happy, Nick.¡±


    Nick¡¯s lips twitched, as if he struggled to muster a smile, but his stoic disposition left his features stiff and rigid. He turned and poured two sses of water¨Cone for himself and one for Collins. ¡°Make yourself at home,¡± he said, handing over the ss.


    Zach took the ss and cut straight to the chase, ¡°Leo¡¯s injury really can¡¯t be healed.pletely?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll recover but can¡¯t do any more strenuous activities, especially performing on stage,¡± Nick replied, his voice detached.


    Zach fell silent, knowing that if his brother<b>, </b>an internationally acimed medical prodigy, said so, there was no other way around it.


    After a moment, Nick nced up towards the second floor, his tone growing even colder, ¡°If he doesn¡¯t want treatment, just persuade him to go back home. I¡¯ve got a couple of doctors who are quite skilled. I¡¯ll refer him to them.¡±


    With that, Nick settled onto the couch. The chandelier above cast a brilliant light on his pale, almost translucent face, entuating his cool, emotionless demeanor.


    Collins, who had been listening<b>, </b>became visibly anxious. After several days of interaction, he hade to recognize Nick¡¯s peculiar temperament, which matched the rumors to a T. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Leo was Nick¡¯s brothers, he doubted Nick would have lifted a finger to


    help.


    ¡°Nick¡­¡± Collins began to speak but stopped as his gaze caught sight of Leo standing at the top of the staircase. He instantly fell silent.


    Zach also noticed Leo and, with a sigh, said, ¡°I¡¯ll go talk to him.¡±


    Nick didn¡¯t respond, simply picking up a magazine to read.


    Zach turned and made his way upstairs.


    Time flew, and soon, it was the eve of the BrainSpark Nationals city finals.


    Summer intended to review her study materials onest time, but they were nowhere to be found in her room despite a thorough search. The documents she¡¯d brought from the Education Association had vanished.


    12:25


    Chapter <b>159 </b>


    Her expression grew stormy. She¡¯d been tied up with training sessions at thepany every afternoon after school and hade home too exhausted to do anything but sleep. There had been no time for revision.


    She was certain she had left the papers under her pillow. Where could they have gone?


    Rubbing her temples, a thought struck her, and she quickly left her room.


    The room next door was Aiden¡¯s. Without knocking, Summer barged in, ¡°Alden, did you take my study materials?¡±


    Aiden, who was in the middle of a gaming session with his friends, had headphones on and didn¡¯t quite catch what Summer said. He nced up briefly when she entered, then refocused


    on his game.


    Summer snatched his phone and yanked off his headphones, her voice filled with usation, ¡°Give me back my study materials.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s brow furrowed in annoyance at the interruption, ¡°What¡¯s your problem? Give me back. my phone right now.¡±

 Chapter 160

    Summer didn¡¯t just withhold Aiden¡¯s phone. She actually took a step back, defiance etched on her face. ¡°Give me back my study notes, or you can kiss your phone goodbye.¡±


    Aiden stared at her<b>, </b>his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. ¡°Study notes? I¡¯m an eighth¨Cgrader. Why on earth would I want your notes? Are you kidding me?¡±


    With a scoff, Summer shot back, ¡°y dumb all you want, Aiden. Who else would swipe mypetition prep if not you? Remember how you suddenly turned all saintly at the Education Association and offered to walk me out? Was it then that you hatched this little plot?¡±


    ¡°usations without evidence? That¡¯s low, even <b>for </b>you,¡± Aiden sneered, clearly irritated. ¡°I told you, I didn¡¯t take anything. And since you¡¯re so high and mighty, why would you even need those notes?¡± He added impatiently, ¡°Now give me back my phone.¡±


    As he advanced to reim his device, Summer, livid, hurled the phone towards the doorway with all her might. It shattered into pieces upon impact.


    Aiden¡¯s face went ashen<b>, </b>his fists clenched in a brief moment of rage, but he managed to rein in the urge to strike back. With a venomous tone, he spat out a single word, ¡°Scram.¡±


    Summer¡¯s confidence faltered under Aiden¡¯s intimidating re. She bit her lip and demanded onest time, ¡°Where are my notes?!¡±


    He watched her coldly, then unexpectedly, his lips curled into a mocking smile. ¡°You want to know where your precious notes are? Apologize to <b>me</b>, and admit you were nning to cheat in thepetition.¡±


    At his words, Summer huffed, ¡°I knew it was you.¡±


    Shrugging nonchntly, Aiden¡¯s rebellious smirk returned.


    Taking a deep breath, Summer faced him, her pride unshaken as she dered, ¡°You just want to see me humiliated, don¡¯t you? Well, I¡¯ll never give you the satisfaction!¡±


    With that, she strode toward the door. Pausing at the door, she tossed a scornful look over her shoulder. ¡°Even without my notes, I¡¯ll excel.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that,¡± Aiden retorted dryly. His gaze then fell on the remnants of his phone, and his expression soured once more.


    ¡°Women,¡± he thought bitterly, ¡°are truly an infuriating species.¡±


    The next day, thepetition was still set at the local Education Center.


    Shawn and Delh took a break from sprucing up their new vi<b>, </b>and decided to apany their daughter, just like they had for the previous round.


    Before leaving, Delh opened the storage cab to grab some things and noticed an


    13-25


    unopened package. Curiously, she picked it up. ¡°Oh, honey, there¡¯s a package here for you,¡± Delh called out to Mirabe<i>, </i>who had just finished putting on her shoes at the entrance.


    Mirabe nced up. Her memory Jogged. She remembered Man had picked it up for her a couple of days ago, but it had slipped her mind. ¡°It¡¯s probably from a friend,¡± Mirabe replied nonchntly.


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Delh said, cing the package back in the cab before taking her own belongings and heading for the door.


    Half an hourter, the family arrived at the Education Center. This round was more intense than thest city¨Clevel preliminaries, and the crowd of students and parents at the entrance was noticeably thinner.


    After watching Mirabe enter the examination hall, Delh and Shawn nned to wait at a nearby caf¨¦. However, they¡¯d barely taken a few steps when someone blocked their path.

 Chapter 161

    Delh eyed the middle¨Caged man blocking their path with a flicker of recognition, but she couldn¡¯t quite ce where she¡¯d seen him before. Puzzled, she inquired, ¡°And you are?¡±


    ¡°Thedy of the house has requested the pleasure of yourpany at the caf¨¦ up ahead,¡± the middle¨Caged man replied, his manner polite yetced with an undercurrent of haughtiness that was unmistakable. He was the Gilbert family¡¯s butler.


    Delh narrowed her eyes slightly. ¡°Thedy of the house?¡±


    The butler nodded, maintaining a tone that was neither servile nor overbearing, ¡°Mrs. Gilbert. Miss Mirabe¡¯s adoptive mother.¡±


    Delh¡¯s expression darkened ever so slightly, ¡°What does she want with us?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not entirely privy to the details, but if you apany me, all shall be revealed,¡± the butler said smoothly, stepping aside but clearly not intending to leave without escorting them.


    Delh frowned, her disdain for Mandy palpable. Mandy¡¯s airs of a high¨Csociety matron grated on Delh, not to mention Mandy¡¯s past mistreatment of Mirabe. Without hesitation, Delh declined, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we¡¯re short on time.¡±


    The butler seemed to have anticipated her refusal and added, ¡°The matter Mrs. Gilbert wishes to discuss pertains to Miss Mirabe.¡±


    At that, Delh swallowed her objections. Shawn ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder.


    and addressed the butler, ¡°Well then, we shall honor her request and see her.¡±


    The butler¡¯s lips pursed slightly <b>as </b>he gestured for them to follow, leading the way.


    Delh nced at her husband, annoyancecing her voice, ¡°I really don¡¯t want to see that


    woman.¡±


    Shawn offered a reassuring smile, ¡°You could wait in the car, and I¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯d like to see what kind of stunt she¡¯s trying to pull now,¡± Delh snorted, catching up


    to the butler.


    Soon, they entered the caf¨¦. The ce wasn¡¯t crowded, and Mandy sat at a window¨Cside table on the right. As Delh and Shawn approached, they overheard Mandy instructing, ¡°John, please inform the manager that we¡¯d like some privacy. No interruptions.¡±


    Her makeup was impable, her voice indifferent as she gave her orders. Delh gave Mandy a once¨Cover, her internal verdict sinct ¨C pretentious.


    ¡°Certainly, madam,¡± the butler bowed slightly and made his way to the manager at the front.


    Once the butler had left, Mandy finally turned her attention to Delh, envy flickering through her eyes.


    Delh had been a beauty in her youth and maintained her appearance meticulously. Her


    hapter 161.


    <b>face </b><b>was </b>virtually unmarred by time, looking no more than in her thirties. Coupled with her poise and elegance, she outshone the typical society matron. Mandy resented Delh deeply. In her mind, Delh was just someone from humble beginnings, pretending to exude


    ss.


    With a forced smile, Mandy gestured to the seats opposite her, ¡°Please, have a seat. Order whatever you like. It¡¯s on the house.¡±


    Delh found Mandy¡¯s feigned hospitality amusing but said nothing. She took a seat without


    ceremony.


    Foregoing coffee, Delh rested her hands on the table and met Mandy¡¯s gaze, cutting straight to the chase, ¡°Let¡¯s dispense with the pleasantries, shall we? I¡¯d appreciate it if you could get to the point.¡±

 Chapter 162

    Chapter <b>162 </b>


    Mandy leisurely sipped her coffee before locking eyes with Delh. ¡°I want you to transfer Mirabe to a different school. Any school other than Parkside High will do. I have


    connections. I can make it happen.¡±


    Delh blinked, taken aback. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m not quite following. Why should my daughter have to transfer?¡±


    ¡°Because she¡¯s affecting Summer,¡± Mandy said bluntly, no mincing words.


    Delh couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°As far as I know, our daughters aren¡¯t even in the same <b>ss</b>. What kind of ¡®effect¡® are we talking about?¡±


    ¡°You should really ask your daughter what she did to Summer,¡± Mandy said, her voice tinged with usation.


    Frowning, Delh was about to retort when Mandy cut in again. ¡°Look, your daughter¡¯s grades. aren¡¯t the best. She¡¯s struggling to keep up at Parkside High. Maybe a fresh start at a different school would be better for her self¨Cesteem.¡±


    Delh stared incredulously at Mandy. Was she seriously suggesting Mirabe, who topped. her ss, had poor grades? It was like a joke.


    Ignoring Delh¡¯s skeptical look, Mandy pulled out a check she had prepared earlier. ¡°Thist should cover it. Keep your daughter away from the Gilbert family from now on.¡±


    Delh nced at the check and then back at Mandy, who looked like she had never seen so much money in her life. Delh nearly chuckled. Five hundred thousand. Was that it? Mirabe¡¯s custom wardrobe alone cost more than that. But the money wasn¡¯t the point.


    ¡°I just want to know how my daughter supposedly bullied Summer,¡± Delh redirected the


    conversation.


    Mandy didn¡¯t really know what Mirabe had done, but she remembered her daughter¡¯s hurt. feelings. Impatiently, she said, ¡°Just ask your daughter.¡±


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t actually know?¡± Delh¡¯s tone was mocking.


    Having dealt with Mandy¡¯s irrationality before, Delh stood up. ¡°Sorry, but my daughter isn¡¯t going anywhere.¡±


    She picked up the check from the table, let it flutter to the ground, and raised an eyebrow defiantly. ¡°This little amount wouldn¡¯t even cover my daughter¡¯s expenses<b>. </b>With that, she grasped her husband¡¯s hand and walked out with an air of arrogance.


    Mandy¡¯s face <b>turned </b>a shade of thunderous purple, especially after Delh¡¯s dismissive check¨Ctossing gesture. She was so furious that she nearly threw her coffee. ¡°Ignorant, foolish, pretentious!¡± Mandy seethed under her breath.


    The butler beside her quickly scooped up the check from the floor. ¡°Madam, please, calm


    down. They¡¯re just a couple who¡¯ve never been anywhere. They¡¯re not worth your time.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s gaze drifted to the window, where she caught sight of Delh and Shawn getting into their old Santana. She scoffed disdainfully. ¡°You¡¯re right. Why bother with people who¡¯ve never seen the world?¡± Mandy sneered and turned away as if one more nce would sully.


    her.

 Chapter 163

    Back in the car, Delh¡¯s haughty expression had fallen away, reced by irritation. ¡°I¡¯m so annoyed What¡¯s up with the Gilbert family? They juste up and demand Mirabe switch schools as if they own the ce!¡±


    Shawn turned to look at his fuming wife and couldn¡¯t help butugh. The way you tossed that check was super cool.¡±


    Delh shot him a <b>re</b>, her voice tinged with exasperation. ¡°Is the check toss really the point? They¡¯re using Mira of bullying Summer, Mira is so sweet¨Cnatured. How could she possibly bully anyone? This is just absurd!¡±


    Through the time they¡¯d spent together, Delh hade to understand her daughter¡¯s temperament pretty well. Even when Emmitt misunderstood her, she couldn¡¯t be bothered to engage, her indifference being such that she <b>was </b>more likely to be bullied than to bully


    others.


    Shawn was silent for a couple of seconds before he spoke, ¡°I think Summer must have said something at home; otherwise, the Gilberts wouldn¡¯t havee after us today.¡±


    Delh frowned, ¡°But to say our girl bullied Summer, I just don¡¯t believe it.¡±


    Shawn crossed his arms, ¡°Why don¡¯t we just ask Mira when she gets out of her examter? That¡¯ll clear things up.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Delh sighed, her thoughts drifting back to Mandy¡¯s expression when she whipped out that check. Turning to her husband, she said with a tinge of frustration, ¡°Shawn, do you think we¡¯ve been too low¨Cprofile?¡±


    Shawn stroked his chin, eyeing the Santana emblem on the steering wheel, and for the first time, he found himself agreeing with his wife, ¡°I think so, too.¡±


    Being smacked with a check in public? That was just unbelievable.


    An hourter, thepetition ended.


    Mirabe handed in her paper and walked out of the exam room with her usual nonchnt grace. Unlike the other students who looked stressed post¨Cexam, her ease suggested the test had been predictably simple for her.


    After a quick stop in the restroom, Mirabe emerged to see a tall, lean young man standing against a wall in the hallway. He was looking down, allowing only his profile to be seen.


    Mirabe barely nced at him before looking away, but as she passed by, he finally raised his head and called out to her in a cool voice. ¡°Mirabe.¡±


    Her stride paused, and she turned, getting a clear view of the boy¡¯s handsome, expressionless face. With a slightly raised eyebrow, she asked, ¡°And you are?¡±


    The boy wasn¡¯t upset by herck of recognition. He smiled slightly, his deep eyes lighting with a fierce resolve ¡°You¡¯re strong. A worthy opponent for me¡±


    ¡°But I won¡¯t lose to you in thispetition again,¡± he said confidently, then formed and wathed


    away.


    Watching his retreating figure, Mirabe was momentarily dumbfounded, touching her one Had she just been challenged?


    After a brief dy in the restroom, Mirabe exited the main doors to find most of the other students and parents had already left. She was one of thest to depart


    Delh and Shawn, who had been waiting, hurried over to her, ¡°Mira, why are you out sote today? Were the questions difficult?¡± Delh asked with concern, recalling that her daughter was usually among the first to finish.

 Chapter 164

    Chapter <b>164 </b>


    Mirabe gave Delh a gentle shake of her head, her voice soft, ¡°No biggie, just got held up in the restroom for a bit.¡±


    2 = 5


    Upon hearing this, Delh reached out to take her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s hit the road. Hop in the car.¡±


    Mirabe felt the warmth from Delh¡¯s hand. A moment of stillness took her, and her fingers curled slightly. In the end, she did not pull away, allowing Delh to lead her.


    Once in the car, Delh, as usual, inquired about the day¡¯s exams. Then, ncing at her husband driving in front, she cleared her throat and asked, ¡°Mira, honey, how are you finding Parkside High? Anything you¡¯re not used to? Anyone giving you a hard time?¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Delh. ¡°What¡¯s with the sudden concern?¡±


    Delh chuckled sheepishly, ¡°Well, we¡¯ve been swampedtely, and we kinda dropped the ball on checking in with you about the new school. Just thought I¡¯d ask<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all good. No bullies,¡± Mirabe replied with aid¨Cback tone.


    ¡°How about Summer? You guys mingling much at school?¡± Delh asked casually, pretending not to dwell on it.


    ¡°We¡¯re not in the same ss. We haven¡¯t really talked,¡± Mirabe said, keeping to herself the fact that Summer had approached her once. It didn¡¯t seem necessary to bring it up.


    Delh didn¡¯t strike Mirabe as someone who would bring someone up out of the blue, and her gaze seemed a bit elusive, clearly harboring something. After a few seconds of thought, Mirabe said, ¡°Mom, if you¡¯ve got something on your mind, you can just ask.¡±


    Delh met her daughter¡¯s clear, bright eyes and suddenly felt a pang of regret. How could she let the Gilbert family¡¯s words sway her? Questioning her own daughter about whether she had been causing trouble at school, especially to Summer, would be hurtful. It would. only show her daughter ack of trust.


    Shaking her head, Delh smiled, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just asking.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Seeing that Delh wasn¡¯t going to borate, Mirabe didn¡¯t press further.


    The next afternoon, right as school let out, Mirabe¡¯s phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from James.


    She remembered that he was supposed to drop off some coffee beans today, and quickly typed three words with a smile. [Give me five.]


    She packed up her textbooks, slung her backpack over her shoulder<b>, </b>and strode out of the ssroom.


    In the driver¡¯s seat, Wyatt kept ncing at the exquisitely wrapped canister of coffee beans


    Chapter 16-4


    on the backseat, contemting one more attempt to convince James, ¡°Sir, maybe we should just give the old man¡¯s coffee back, huh?¡±


    James, legs casually crossed, nced at Wyatt. ¡°Since when did you get so chicken?¡±


    Wyatt scratched his head, realizing to himself that it wouldn¡¯t be James to get in trouble for sneaking the coffee beans out. If the old man found out, Wyatt would catch the worst of it.


    Soon enough, Mirabe appeared at the school gate. She took five minutes to get from the exit to the car. James tapped his watch. His expression collected as he handed Mirabe the coffee without hesitation or regret. Wyatt watched, inwardly eximing that it was easy to be generous with what was not yours.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t bother to open the box. She just pursed her lips and smiled at James, ¡°Thanks a bunch.¡±


    James¡® eyebrows lifted slightly, his voice smooth, ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re looking much better,¡± Mirabe added, giving James a casual once¨Cover.

 Chapter 165

    <b>Chapter </b><b>165 </b>


    James leaned casually against the door of his sleek ck car. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal his wrists. His eyes, with a yful glint, rested on Mirabe. His lips curved into a half¨Csmile as he spoke teasingly, ¡°Because your incense works wonders.¡±


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow. Her face lit up with a blend of brilliance and brazen pride. ¡°Of course it does.¡±


    Just then, Wyatt, who had been fiddling with the GPS, chimed in without missing a beat. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, you¡¯re acquainted with that boutique owner, aren¡¯t you? I ced an order the other day, and the chap threw in a buy¨Cone¨Cget¨Cone¨Cfree deal for me.¡±


    Caught off¨Cguard, Mirabe turned to Wyatt, her voiceced with curiosity, ¡°Which boutique


    owner?¡±


    James facepalmed.


    As Wyatt started the engine, he borated, ¡°The one from that perfume shop you rmended to James<b>.</b>¡±


    After a brief moment of puzzlement, Mirabe¡¯s face lit up with realization. ¡°We don¡¯t know


    each other.¡±


    ¡°Huh, really? I thought there was some connection, hence the discount, Wyatt mused absent¨Cmindedly.


    Narrowing her eyes slightly, Mirabe recalled James¡® message on Messenger. With an airy tone, she asked, ¡°So, how much did you buy?¡±


    Scratching his head, Wyatt confessed, ¡°About two hundred boxes or so. He practically emptied his stock for me.¡±


    Hearing this, Mirabe turned her gaze towards James, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    James, who usually exuded <b>an </b>air ofposure, now seemed slightly flustered. Clearing his throat, he deftly changed the subject. ¡°Mirabe, what are you in the mood for tonight? Something fancy?¡±


    With a rxed smile, Mirabe leaned back in her seat, resting her hands behind her head. ¡°Anythingvish will do.¡±


    Observing herid¨Cback demeanor, James joked, ¡°You¡¯re not afraid I might trade you for a fancy dinner?¡±


    With her eyes already half¨Cclosed, Mirabe¡¯s response came with a touch of arrogance, ¡°Only if you think you can.¡±


    James chuckled, shook his head, and directed Wyatt to a specific location<b>. </b>As Mirabe seemed to doze off, James let the silence settle in the car, and even Wyatt instinctively turned off the music.


    About thirty minutester, they pulled up in front of a quaint restaurant nestled in a serene spot. James turned to wake Mirabe but found her eyes open, devoid of any trace of sleepiness. He raised an eyebrow, ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±


    With a nonchnt ¡°Mhm,¡± Mirabe pushed the car door open and stepped out.


    The rustic entrance, nked by a country¨Cstyle brook and bridge d¨¦cor, exuded a rxed and refined charm. Mirabe followed James into the restaurant. The exterior had seemed modest, but inside, it opened up into an unexpectedly charming space, rich with an air of elegance.


    ¡°This ce isn¡¯t half bad,¡± Mirabe observed, ncing around the empty establishment. ¡°Just a shame there¡¯s no customers around<b>.¡± </b>


    James looked back at her, exining, ¡°The owner has closed it to the public today.¡±


    She raised an eyebrow, ¡°Is the owner friend of yours?¡±


    ¡°Something like that,¡± James replied nonchntly.


    At that moment, a middle¨Caged man emerged from the back. Upon seeing James, his demeanor instantly shifted to one of considerable respect. ¡°Hello, Sir.¡±


    The honorific didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Mirabe, whose eyes lingered on the man, catching the subtle deference in his gaze.


    The moment the man had received the call, he knew James would be bringing a friend. But seeing that the guest was a youngdy, he had visibly paused, taken aback.

 Chapter 166

    The middle aged man only gave Mirabe a cursory nce before his gaze shifted back to James, greeting him with a warm smile. ¡°Knox was thrilled to hear about your visit. He¡¯s actually whipping up something special in the kitchen as we speak. He asked me to let you know he¡¯s perfecting a new health tonic recipe. It might take a little extra time, though, so your patience would be greatly appreciated.¡±


    James, upon hearing this<b>, </b>nced at Mirabe.


    Mirabe, standing nearby, caught James¡® inquisitive look and casually waved her hand. I¡¯m


    particrly hungry. A little wait won¡¯t hurt.¡±


    not


    The middle¨Caged man was a bit taken aback by James¡® manner towards the youngdy by his side, but he didn¡¯t dare to pry further, Instead, he offered attentively, ¡°I¡¯ll bring over some appetizers to tide you over in the meantime.¡±


    ¡°Much obliged,¡± James responded with a slight nod.


    private


    ¡°My pleasure.¡± With <b>that</b>, the middle¨Caged man ushered James and Mirabe into a priv dining room before excusing himself.


    ¡°This ce is known for its food therapy. The clientele is quite exclusive, and they rarely serve walk¨Cins, James exined to Mirabe as they settled into their seats.


    ¡°Food therapy?¡± Mirabe¡¯s interest was piqued. ¡°You don¡¯t find many who can whip those up these days¡±


    James was slightly surprised to hear such ament from Mirabe. ¡°You seem quite familiar with food therapy?¡±


    Mirabe shrugged, ¡°Not really, just read a bit about them in books. Nheless, such culinary arts are mostly from ancient royal courts, lost in time. Even if some recipes have been passed down, they¡¯re rarely authentic.¡±


    She paused, ¡°Of course, if it¡¯s a recipe handed down through generations from a family of health tonic connoisseurs, that¡¯s a different story.¡± She inadvertently let slip a little more than she intended.


    James just pursed his lips and smiled at her enthusiasm.


    Soon, the middle¨Caged man returned, carrying two delicate tes of pastries and cing them on the table.


    Mirabe eyed the pastries, raising an eyebrow at one of the tes. ¡°Is this Almond Thyme Cake?¡±


    The man looked at Mirabe with surprise and nodded. ¡°Indeed, it is. Thebination of almond and fresh thyme is great for nourishing the body and mitigating dryness, especially around this time of year.¡±


    in


    Mirabe pinched a piece, tasted it, and a hint of surprise crossed her face. ¡°The cake melts


    your mouth. The almond and fresh thyme blend is sweet without a hint of bitterness. Impressive<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Hearing her praise, the man gestured to the other te. ¡°Can you guess what this pastry is?¡±


    Instead of answering immediately, Mirabe took a piece and bit into it. Then she replied, ¡°This is Kudzu Coconut Cake, but it¡¯s a pity that the kudzu root and coconut powder weren¡¯t dried enough. Itcks the intended texture and benefits.¡± After just one bite, Mirabe set the rest back on the te. Her expression was tinged with disappointment.


    At <b>this</b>, the man¡¯s expression was beyond surprised. Such discerning taste surely belonged to a connoisseur.


    ¡°Do you have some expertise in food therapy?¡± he asked.


    Mirabe shook her head nonchntly. ¡°Not really. A rtive used to make them, and I¡¯ve had a few tries.¡± She was practically coerced into sampling.


    The man didn¡¯t press further and soon left the private room, taking with him the te of Kudzu Coconut Cake that Mirabe hadn¡¯t favored.


    As the middle¨Caged man reached the entrance, he bumped into Wyatt, who had just parked his car and returned. Seeing the pastries in his hand, Wyatt grabbed a piece and popped it into his mouth. ¡°Not bad at all,¡± Wyattmented with approval.


    The man simply gave him a silent stare before turning away and walking off.


    Wyatt was puzzled. Something about that look felt oddly unsettling.

 Chapter 167

    Chapter <b>167 </b>


    The middle¨Caged man carried the pastries back to the kitchen, casually rying Mirabe¡¯s critique to Knox, who was bustling around the stove. Knox¡¯s head snapped up, his expression stern ¡°So even a non¨Cprofessional can taste ws in the pastry. You should really reflect on this and ensure you don¡¯t embarrass us again.¡± With that, Knox returned his focus to the ingredients before him.


    The man wiped the sweat from his brow, muttering to himself, ¡°Understood.¡± He had merely intended to point out that the youngdy seemed quite discerning, but instead, he had received a scolding.


    Back in the private dining room.


    Mirabe had taken out a test from her bag and started working on it homework assigned by her math teacher earlier that day. James sat beside her, sipping his coffee in silence,


    careful not to disturb her concentration.


    Wyatt stood behind Mirabe, his gaze asionally drifting to her paper. He couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of the math problems, but watching her swiftly and effortlesslyplete one after another reminded him of his high school days when he¡¯d breeze through exams with wild guesses.


    Wyatt stroked his chin, thinking how some things never change, no matter the era ¨C the same cavalier attitude towards schoolwork<b>. </b>


    But he had to admit, Ms. Mirabe¡¯s handwriting was something to behold. Even when filling out random answers, she maintained a meticulous script ¨C a sign of a calm andposed


    mind.


    As Mirabe wrote down thest of the equations and set her pen aside, the curtain to the private room was drawn aside. The middle¨Caged man who had greeted them before now entered with a tray in hand, and a faint, herbal aroma began to fill the room.


    Mirabe looked up, her eyes reflecting surprise. The scent seemed familiar¡­ wasn¡¯t it crab simmered with <b>a </b>delicate blend of several valuable medicinal herbs?


    The man ced a dish of creamy bisque in front of her, then set down two fine porcin bowls for Mirabe and James. ¡°This <b>is </b>Knox¡¯stest creation, the ¡®Elixir Crab Bisque. It¡¯s prepared to strengthen the spleen and whet the appetite and is perfect for when you¡¯re feeling a bit under the weather.¡±


    James stood, took the bowl in front of Mirabe; anddled some bisque into it. ¡°Give it a


    try.¡±


    Wyatt watched his boss serving someone else with a sense of surreal pleasure. If others saw. this, their jaws would surely hit the floor.


    Mirabe, oblivious to Wyatt¡¯s thoughts and not one to stand on ceremony with James, took a spoonful of the bisque and tasted it. Her eyes lit up. ¡°This is quite good. The herbal taste


    <b>10:45 </b>


    isn¡¯t overpowering, and the vors are bnced. The chef has a skilled hand. It¡¯s evident that a master crafted this dish.¡±


    James, who wasn¡¯t well¨Cversed in food therapy, raised an eyebrow and then helped himself to a bowl, remarking, ¡°It¡¯s rare to get a taste of Knox¡¯s personal culinary work. We¡¯re quite fortunate today.¡±


    After finishing her serving and savoring the taste for a moment, Mirabe couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°If only you added some barley, it would be perfection.¡±


    James might not have understood the reference to the traditional ingredients, but the middle¨Caged man, with a bit of knowledge about herbs, frowned slightly at her suggestion. When the youngdy hadmented on the pastries, he assumed she had some basic understanding, especially since the pastries weren¡¯t Knox¡¯s work. But this ¡®Elixir Crab Bisque¡® was the result of months of Knox¡¯s meticulous research and was, as far as he was concerned, already perfect. To think this youngdy still found itcking was quite surprising<b>. </b>

 Chapter 168

    Chapter <b>168 </b>


    The Mendozas have been renowned culinary herbalists for generations, with their craft honed within the royal kitchens. Their mastery of medicinal cuisine was unparalleled in the. industry. So, facing critique from someone with a deep understanding of pharmacology was one thing, but from a teenager who looked barely out of high school?


    The middle¨Caged man¡¯s expression soured. This youngdy was James¡® guest, but her tone seemed a tad too showy, perhaps even snide.


    He opened his mouth to retort when suddenly, Knox burst through the door, his face etched with a mix of shock and bewilderment. ¡°What¡¯s the thought behind adding barley to the mix<b>?</b>¡± Knox¡¯s gaze locked onto Mirabe, a flicker of excitement barely concealed in his voice.


    Mirabe turned to regard Knox, who¡¯d just entered, noting the apron tied around his waist and the white arm gaiters that suggested he was, indeed, the chef James had mentioned. Blinking, she shifted her gaze to the steaming bowl of soup on the table, her voice light, ¡°Barley can help bnce the other herbs with the thermal properties of the crab. Barley might seem mundanepared to precious ingredients in the soup, but the art of herbal formtion is about synergy. Even the mostmon herb can unveil its true potential with the rightbination.¡±


    As her words settled, Knox staggered, nearly losing hisposure. If not for his hands braced against the table, he might have made quite the scene. The middle¨Caged man rushed to Knox¡¯s side, offering support, then turned back to Mirabe, unable to hide his irritation despite James¡® presence. ¡°What do you know about herbal pairing, youngdy?¡±


    Taking a deep breath, the man could barely contain his frustration. ¡°Do you have any ideal how many years Knox has dedicated to studying pharmacology? The Mendoza family¡¯s expertise in medicinal cuisine is legendary, and not once has anyone dared to question Knox¡¯s methods!¡±


    Mirabe cast him a cool nce. ¡°If an expert in alternative medicine stood before you and made the same observations, would you then consider my words to have merit?¡±


    Stumped by the retort, the middle¨Caged man stiffened. After a couple of seconds, he muttered, ¡°You¡¯re just being unreasonable.¡±


    Sensing the conversation might devolve into an argument, Wyatt quickly interjected, ¡°Ms. Mirabe was merely sharing her thoughts, no offense intended. Let¡¯s not take it to heart.¡±


    The middle¨Caged man huffed, ¡°If you don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, it¡¯s better to say nothing at all.¡±


    James frowned, his gaze,cooling significantly as he spoke up, ¡°Does youth preclude one from having an opinion?¡±


    The man hadn¡¯t expected James to defend Mirabe, and hisplexion alternated between flush and pale. After a moment, considering James¡® stature, he averted his gaze


    and mumbled an apology. ¡°Sorry for being too blunt.¡± His words carried the tone of an apology, but his demeanor suggested otherwise.


    James turned to Mirabe, whose expression remained indifferent¨Cit was impossible to tell if she was upset. However, the pleasant atmosphere had been thoroughly disrupted.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he murmured to her.


    Mirabe heard James¡® apology, looked up, and shrugged nonchntly. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Opinions vary, and not everyone is open to them.¡±


    As Knox still seemed dazed, James stood up.

 Chapter 169

    Chapter <b>169 </b>


    The middle¨Caged man caught the expressionless look on James¡® striking face as he stood up and shuddered with realization. He had been too rash, too confrontational for a moment. Crossing a young girl might slide, but crossing James¡­ The middle¨Caged man couldn¡¯t help but shiver, regretting why he had gotten into a petty argument with Mirabe in the first ce


    Before James could even speak, the man nced at Mirabe and quickly followed her lead, saying, ¡°The youngdy is right. It¡¯s all a matter of personal opinion and personal taste. I apologize for my earlier tactless remarks, James. Please, don¡¯t be upset.¡±


    Mirabe sighed inwardly, noticing the man¡¯s overly cautious demeanor. It was all because she had been too slick with her words. Then, she reached for the soup spoon and brought James¡® bowl closer, adding another spoonful, saying casually, ¡°Have some more soup.¡± With that, she handed the bowl over to him.


    James¡® gaze fell on Mirabe¡¯s face, and her pretty, almond¨Cshaped eyes yfully blinked. Her casual demeanor somehow diffused the awkward atmosphere.


    In the end, James epted the soup she offered. Mirabe raised her eyebrows in


    satisfaction.


    Wyatt, standing


    at the side, discreetly stepped back. He thought that Mirabe really had the magic touch the tension had dissipated just like that.


    The middle¨Caged man felt his heart rx as James took the soup. He was grateful that their exchange hadn¡¯t resulted in a blow¨Cup.


    At that moment, Knox, who had been supported by the middle¨Caged man, seemed to finally snap out of his daze from Mirabe¡¯s words. He stared at her with intense excitement in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve studied pharmacology for sixty years, yet I¡¯ve been stuck in a blind spot and convinced that only culinary dishes prepared with rare medicinal ingredients could be considered true food therapy¡­ How old¨Cfashioned I¡¯ve been,¡± Knox said, his face flushing with embarrassment. ¡°Youngdy, thank you for your enlightening words.¡± Then, he pushed the middle¨Caged man¡¯s hand away and bowed deeply to Mirabe.


    The middle¨Caged man was shoved aside and stood petrified. His face was etched with shock as he watched Knox.


    Knox was actually thanking a girl barely in herte teens. Hadn¡¯t he been rendered speechless by her just a moment ago? Now, it seemed as if he had an epiphany. He appeared not only unangered but delighted.


    Mirabe herself was taken aback by Knox¡¯s sudden show of gratitude. After pausing for a second, she stood up and said calmly, ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. I merely spoke my mind. It wasn¡¯t anything profound<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Knox nced at the bowl of soup on the table and chuckled bitterly. ¡°I¡¯ve always felt that my new dish was missing something. I tried every fancy ingredient fit for consumption, but I


    10:45


    never thought of something asmon as barley. You¡¯re right. The true essence of pairing ingredients in medicinal cuisine is the harmony of their properties. I¡¯ve been too narrow¨Cminded.¡±


    After speaking, Knox turned to the middle¨Caged man, his eyes showing a hint of disappointment and sighed, ¡°You should offer a sincere apology to this youngdy. You¡¯ve been studying under me for years, yet you couldn¡¯t see through the simplest issues.¡±


    The middle¨Caged man, though not a direct apprentice of Knox, was talented in creating. medicinal dishes. Being scolded by Knox and told to apologize to a young girl based on an offhandment made him feel deeply frustrated. He thought Knox was making a mountain out of a molehill. Even if it was for James¡® sake, was there really a need to make such a fuss?

 Chapter 170

    <b>Chapter </b><b>170 </b>


    The middle¨Caged man¡¯s ego was slightly bruised; nevertheless, he hastily apologized to Mirabe.


    <b>Knox </b>observed his reluctant demeanor and waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Why don¡¯t you have someone bring out the rest of the dishes?¡±


    Just as the man was looking for an excuse to slip away and salvage some dignity, Knox¡¯smand gave him a quick out. ¡°Right away.¡±


    Once he was gone, Knox turned to Mirabe and James, looking somewhat sheepish. ¡°My associate is a bit uncultured. I apologize for the scene he caused.¡±


    Mirabe offered a gracious smile and <b>sat </b>back down. Knox pulled out the chair next to her and settled in. ¡°So, youngdy, how do you have such knowledge of herbal remedies?¡±


    With Knox¡¯s question hanging in the air, James also turned his attention to her, his gaze subtly inquisitive, making it impossible for Mirabe to ignore. She nced at Knox, her expression unfazed. ¡°I¡¯ve read a bit about health and wellness. Just the basics<b>, </b>really. Nothing professional.¡±


    Knox chuckled at her modesty. ¡°If you just read a bit and are now able to spot the issues in al meal, that suggests a real talent in this field.¡±


    After a pause, as if struck by a sudden thought, Knox proposed, ¡°Would you be interested in learning how to prepare these dishes with me?¡±


    Wyatt, sitting nearby, looked up in surprise at Knox¡¯s offer.


    The Mendoza family had been esteemed court culinary herbalists for generations. They were revered for serving kings, a testament to their lofty status.


    Even in modern times, the Mendoza family was a household name in Ashford, and now Knox was a prominent member of the Pharmacists¡® Guild with vast connections. To be taken under the Mendoza family¡¯s wing could elevate one¡¯s experiences to a whole new level.


    Moreover, Knox was known for his exacting standards. Aside from supporting two apprentices in his youth, it had been decades since he took on a new pupil. Those who caught his eye were few and far between. Indeed, James¡® instincts were extraordinary


    ¡°I have no interest,¡± Mirabe tly refused Knox¡¯s offer without hesitation. She had finally settled into a normal life; why would she torment herself with new challenges?


    Wyatt coughed lightly, giving her a gentle nudge. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, the Mendoza family has a century¨Cold legacy in medicinal cuisine. Bing Knox¡¯s apprentice could pave the way for an illustrious future.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s expression remained unchanged, as if the legacy of the Mendoza family was no different to her than any ordinary household. ¡°Tempting as it sounds, I¡¯m truly not interested.¡±


    10 46


    Chapter <b>170 </b>


    ¡°Very well¡­¡± Knox sounded genuinely disappointed. After a brief pause, he offered at concession, ¡°Should you change your mind, you¡¯re wee toe to me anytime.¡± It was a golden offer that would stun onlookers, considering Knox and Mirabe had just met.


    Before Mirabe could respond, James, who had been silent at the head of the table, spoke up, ¡°In that case, on behalf of this youngdy, I extend our gratitude to you for your generous


    offer.¡±


    Knox, catching the subtle implications in James¡® words, revealed a flicker of surprise. While curious about the nature of Mirabe and James¡® rtionship, he refrained from prying further<b>, </b>simply offering a smile. ¡°You¡¯re too polite, James. Your friends are always wee among the Mendoza family.¡±


    Mirabe tilted her head, casting a nce at James, her fingers tapping thoughtfully on the table, lost in contemtion.

 Chapter 171

    <b>Chapter </b><b>171 </b>


    In no time at all, the kitchen staff brought out several more dishes. Mirabe, cool <b>as </b><b>a </b>cucumber, folded the test papers she hadn¡¯t yet managed to stash in her bag and put them. away neatly.


    It was then that Knox noticed Mirabe¡¯s attire, the Parkside High School uniform, and he couldn¡¯t help but express his surprise, ¡°You¡¯re a student at Parkside High?¡±


    Mirabe hummed in affirmation.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe¡¯s a senior, so she doesn¡¯t have the time to be a student anywhere else,¡± Wyatt chimed in by way of exnation.


    Knox¡¯s expression cleared with understanding. ¡°Well, that makes sense. Senior year is a real crossroads in life. It¡¯s right to focus all your energy on your studies.¡±


    After a brief pause, Knox continued, ¡°Got a grandson in his senior year at Parkside High myself. Tried to get him interested in these healing meals, but he couldn¡¯t care less.¡±


    ¡°Young folks tend to be restless,¡± Wyatt said with a chuckle.


    ¡°That they do,¡± Knox sighed, his gaze sweeping over the array of dishes before standing up and addressing James in a polite tone, ¡°Well, I won¡¯t intrude on your meal any further.¡±


    James gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Shortly after, Knox exited the private dining


    room.


    A whileter, Wyatt turned his attention to Mirabe and said, ¡°Ms. Mirabe, do you realize what a golden opportunity you just passed up?¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, staring at Wyatt, but remained silent.


    ¡°Let me put it this way,¡± Wyatt began, ¡°the Mendoza family holds considerable sway throughout Ashford. If you apprenticed with Knox, you and your family would be set for life. here. Knox isn¡¯t just any cook. He¡¯s a member of the Pharmacists¡® Guild¡­¡± Wyatt trailed off as he remembered Mirabe¡¯s small¨Ctown upbringing. Talking guilds might be over her head. He kept the rest of his thoughts about the Pharmacists¡® Guild to himself and summarized, ¡°In short, being connected with the Mendoza family is all pros and no cons.¡±


    He paused, then added, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have to worry about college applications either.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± was all Mirabe said, shrugging nonchntly before bowing her head to continue with her meal.


    Wyatt, who had been hoping to see some sign of regret from Mirabe, was left speechless. Had he not made himself clear enough? Why was Ms. Mirabe showing absolutely no reaction?


    James cast a nce at Wyatt. ¡°Eat your food.¡±


    Wyatt touched his nose. He felt like the only one making a fuss, while the other two couldn¡¯t


    be less concerned.


    After they finished eating, the group left Knox¡¯s restaurant. But as they stepped out, a waiter hurried after them, handing Mirabe a token. ¡°This is from Mr. Knox.¡±


    Mirabe epted it, opening the box to reveal a custom¨Cmade token. Upon catching a glimpse, James showed a flicker of surprise on hisposed face, then spoke slowly, ¡°Keep it. That token coulde in handy.¡±


    With a half¨Cjoking smile, Mirabe asked, ¡°Does it get me discounts on food?¡±


    The corner of James¡® mouth twitched, but he didn¡¯t bother to borate, ¡°If that¡¯s how you


    want to see it, sure.¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Mirabe said, pocketing the medallion before thanking the waiter, ¡°Please convey my thanks to Knox.¡±


    Wyatt had just pulled up the car and was about to open the door for James when he overheard their nonchnt exchange. He was left utterly baffled.


    A medallion gifted to Mirabe had turned into a discount card. Had they lost their minds?!

 Chapter 172

    Chapter <b>172 </b>


    Back in the kitchen.


    ¡°Why did you give that young girl one of your tokens, Knox?¡± A hint of jealousy tinged the middle¨Caged man¡¯s words as he cast aplex nce toward Knox. He had been with Knox for over a decade and had never seen him take such an interest in someone, especially since Mirabe had turned down his offer to take her under his wing.


    Knox was busy perfecting the dish that Mirabe had critiqued earlier. Without looking up from his task, he responded, ¡°It¡¯s always good to make a new <b>friend</b>.¡±


    ¡°But surely you didn¡¯t need to give her¡­¡±


    The middle¨Caged man¡¯s sentence was cut short by Knox¡¯s interjection, ¡°You have a narrow way of thinking. You don¡¯t know how to read people.¡±


    Knox paused, shaking his head slightly, then added, ¡°Do you really think the Shepherd family¡¯s son is someone without knowledge?¡±


    Despite the youngdy¡¯s ims of ignorance regarding medicine, Knox was no fool. If he couldn¡¯t discern her modesty, would all his years of experience mean nothing?


    The middle¨Caged man fell silent, conceding. There might¡¯ve been some truth to Knox¡¯s words. However, he still found it hard to believe a girl of seventeen or eighteen could know


    much.


    With a dismissive curl of his lip, he chose not to pursue the matter further. After all¡­ Knox was indeed getting on in years.


    **


    Soon after, Wyatt drove Mirabe back to her neighborhood. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she ran into Delh and Shawn, who had just returned from their new house.


    Mirabe hadn¡¯t quite shut the car door when she saw them and instinctively halted. ¡°Dad,


    Mom?¡±


    Delh and Shawn hadn¡¯t driven today. They asked their chauffeur to drop them off at the fruit stand outside theirplex, and they were still holding a bag of fruit. They were momentarily taken aback when Mirabe emerged from a sleek ck sedan.


    7


    Delh, snapping back to reality, nced at the ck sedan. Unfortunately, with the sky darkening and the street lights offering little illumination, she couldn¡¯t make out the driver¡¯s face, only that it was <b>a </b>man.


    ¡°Coming back from dinner with a friend?¡± Delh asked, a touch of suspicion in her voice.


    Mirabe hummed in affirmation, not bothering to introduce James, instead, she thanked the person inside the car and closed the door, cutting off her parents¡® line of sight.


    Inside the car, Wyatt, dreading the idea of Ms. Mirabe¡¯s parents meeting James, breathed a


    sigh of relief when he saw her close the door. He quickly started the engine and left the <b>area</b>. He didn¡¯t think James had anything to hide; he just didn¡¯t see the need for introductions.


    As Delh and Shawn watched the car speed away, Delh finally spoke <b>up</b><b>, </b>¡°Why didn¡¯t you invite your friend up for a visit?¡±


    Mirabe was calm under the street lights, her delicate face casting a hazy beauty. She walked over and took the fruit from Delh¡¯s hands, ¡°It¡¯ste. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate.¡±


    Delh touched her nose, lowering her voice to ask, ¡°Was it a man?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mirabe replied, her gaze clear and direct. Something struck her, and she added, ¡°He was my tutor back in the day!¡±


    Delh was even more surprised, ¡°Your tutor?¡±


    Mirabe nodded, maintaining herposure, ¡°When I lived with Catherine, my grades weren¡¯t great. He really helped me improve.¡±


    Delh remembered what Mirabe¡¯s school teacher had to say about her poor performancest year and quickly said, ¡°Oh, why didn¡¯t you tell us sooner? Your grades have improved so much now, we really should thank him properly!¡±


    Shawn, who had been quiet, looked on with an odd expression.

 Chapter 173

    Chapter <b>173 </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s tutor had a nondescript car with an exceptionally unique license te. This made Shawn rub his chin thoughtfully. Could Mirabe¡¯s tutor have a more intriguing background than he¡¯d first imagined? And besides, wasn¡¯t her tutor supposedly from her hometown? What was he doing here in the city?


    Delh turned around and saw Shawn deep in thought. She yfully tapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Shawn?¡±


    Snapped out of his reverie, Shawn looked into Mirabe¡¯s <b>face</b>, about to delve into the details about this mysterious tutor. Yet, he hesitated, fearing his daughter might misinterpret his concern. He instead changed the subject. ¡°Your mom¡¯s right. We should definitely invite your tutor over for dinner sometime.¡±


    Mirabe waved her hand dismissively with a nomittal ¡°Hmm,¡± then, clutching the bag of fruit, she headed into the apartmentplex.


    Soon, the three of them were ascending the stairs, one after the other. Once inside, Mirabe handed the box of coffee beans James had given her to her father. ¡°This is for you.¡±


    The coffee was exquisitely packaged in a paper wrap. Holding the package, Shawn began to unwrap it while asking, ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Coffee beans,¡± Mirabe responded tersely before moving to the fridge to stow away the fruit.


    Remembering how, just a few days ago, his daughter had inquired if he wanted some new coffee beans, Shawn¡¯s eyebrows shot up, and a smile spread across his face. The wrapping was now fully off. ¡°Ah, my dear girl. You¡¯re so thoughtful, always buying me¡­¡± He stopped short before he could finish saying ¡®coffee beans.¡¯ His voice seemed to hit a pause button.


    Shawn had a penchant for coffee, a collector¡¯s interest even, and he could tell at a nce that the beans in his hand was a collector¡¯s item. The special seal on the outer box alone was worth a pretty penny, not to mention the ancient, yellowing seal stamp on it, indicating the rarity of the coffee beans inside.


    Swallowing hard, Shawn suddenly felt apprehensive about opening the box.


    Walking out of the kitchen, Mirabe noticed her dad holding the box with a peculiar expression and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°<b>Dad</b>, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Looking up at his daughter, he pointed at the box. ¡°This coffee¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± Mirabe stepped closer, her gaze falling on the coffee in his hands. ¡°Is there something wrong with it?¡±


    Shawn noticed her nonchnce; it was as if it were just an ordinary box of coffee beans. He touched his nose and asked in a hushed tone, ¡°Where did you get this<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t bought. It was a gift from a friend.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s thoughts immediately went to the tutor who had dropped Mirabe off earlier. He drove a car with a special license te. ¡°Did your tutor give it to you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Mirabe didn¡¯t hide it and nodded. After a brief pause, she added, ¡°The beans I gave youst time were also from him.¡±


    Shawn was bbergasted. ¡°Hold on, sweetheart, wasn¡¯t he just your former tutor? Why would he give you such expensive coffee?¡±


    It was one thing for a student to give a teacher some gifts, but for a teacher to give it to a student¡­ that was unfathomable.


    Mirabe paused. She didn¡¯t know much about coffee or its price. When James had asked, she had merely thought of her father¡¯s fondness for coffee.


    Mirabe realized this and simply <b>said</b>, ¡°I had given him a box of handmade sandalwood, Maybe he found it quite useful.¡± After all, her gifts were priceless in their own way.


    Hearing his daughter¡¯s response, Shawn¡¯s lips twitched. Even the finest sandalwood could hardly


    <ppare to the value of this box of coffee. He couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that his daughter¡¯s tutor had ulterior motives.

 Chapter 174

    Mirabe effortlessly tuned out her father¡¯splex gaze, her mind wandering instead to the package that had been collecting dust in the cab for days. With a casual stride, she approached the cab, opened it, and retrieved the parcel. Ripping it open, she half¨Cexpected to find some sort of herbs or traditional remedy. To her surprise, it was a study guide


    She had only ever shared her address with one person.


    Flipping through the study guide with a look of disdain, Mirabe scoffed. Such basic material¨Cwhat was that guy thinking? Was she the type to need such rudimentary aid?


    With a shake of her head that conveyed her speechlessness, she stuffed the guide back into the delivery bag, ready to doom it to the trash, but just before the toss, she caught sight of the shippingbel. Her hand paused.


    Although there was no return address, there was a note from the courier indicating it was a local delivery. Mirabe¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Wasn¡¯t this from him?


    After a brief moment of contemtion, she decided not to discard the study guide. Instead, she ripped off the shippingbel and headed upstairs. She booted up herputer in her room, her fingers dancing across the keyboard. In no time, using the tracking number from thebel, she pinpointed the sender¡¯s location.


    Aiden Gilbert?


    She leanes back in her chair, the flickering glow of the screen ying across her face, casting alternating shadows and light. She had only nced briefly at the study guide¡¯s content, but it seemed relevant to the uingpetition. So¡­ why would that little goof send herpetition material?


    Was he trying to stir the pot?


    Arms crossed, a yful smirk touched Mirabe¡¯s lips. She quickly shut down herputer and slipped the study guide into the bag she carried daily.


    The next day..


    At the Gilbert family residence!


    Summer stood at the threshold, ready to head to school. She pulled open a drawer in the hall cab to grab her keys, inadvertently dragging out a piece of paper that fell to the floor. Her hand paused, keys in grip, as she bent down to pick up the paper, intending to stuff it back into the drawer. It was a courier slip, and upon seeing the address, she froze.


    The address was all too familiar, but the recipient¡¯s name took her by surprise. It was Mirabe.


    Chapter


    Holding the courier slip, Summer¡¯s grip tightened, recalling Aiden¡¯s arrogant demeanor from a few days ago. She couldn¡¯t help but let out a sardonic chuckle. It was typical of her darling brother to send her study guide to the person she loathed the most.


    Taking a deep breath to quell the rising anger within, Summer pocketed the slip and left the house.


    When Mirabe arrived at school, she had the misfortune of running into Summer, who seemed to have daggers in her eyes, as if Mirabe had stolen something precious from her. It was bizarre, but Mirabe didn¡¯t care.


    The Prodigy ss and The Advanced ss were housed within the same building but on different floors. The two girls crossed paths at the school gates and quickly went their separate ways. It was as if the other didn¡¯t exist.


    Having topped the monthly exams, Mirabe was now the shining star of the ss, and many ssmates sought to converse with her. Yet, her cool demeanor deterred most.


    persistent student approached her with a math paper, seeking help with a problem, but¡­ they, too, were defeated by her formidable logic and clear exnations. The method was simple, but those who couldn¡¯t grasp it walked away dejected, feeling like their intelligence was on a different wavelength.


    Today, Jenna hadn¡¯t shown up to school, which Mirabe found odd. During lunch, she her friend a call.

 Chapter 175

    gave


    Mirabe had tried to reach Jenna earlier, but there was no answer. Maybe Jenna was busy, or perhaps she had left her phone behind. Mirabe didn¡¯t call again but sent Jenna a text instead. It wasn¡¯t until the second period in the afternoon that Jenna finally replied. (Sorry for seeing thiste. My dad¡¯s been in a car crash<b>, </b><b>and </b>I¡¯ve been taking care of him.]


    After reading the message, Mirabe waited until <b>break </b>time and stepped out of the ssroom to call Jenna again. This time, Jenna picked up quickly. Through the phone, Jenna¡¯s voice came, choked with sobs, ¡°Mira, the doctors say my dad¡¯s really bad off. He might¡­ he might end up in aa¡­¡±


    Holding her phone, Mirabe listened to Jenna¡¯s cries until she had poured out her fears. Mirabe asked, ¡°Which hospital is your dad at?¡±


    Jenna¡¯s voice was on the edge of breaking as she gave the details. Just then, the bell rang for ss. Mirabe was brief, ¡°Don¡¯t be too down, <b>Jenna</b>. Your dad¡¯s going to pull through. I¡¯lle by after school. Got to go. ss is starting.¡± She hung up and returned to the ssroom with a thoughtful look.


    Jenna put away her phone and managed a wry smile, looking over at her mother, who had been standing outside the ICU, rooted to the spot. She desperately wished for her dad¡¯s recovery, but the doctor¡¯s words had shattered all hope for her and her mother.


    After school, Mirabe hailed a cab straight to the hospital. She found Jenna sitting outside the hospital room, looking pale and drained, her eyes red and swollen. It seemed that Jenna¡¯s gaze only focused when Mirabe appeared. ¡°Mira, you came.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Mirabe reached out instinctively to pat Jenna¡¯s head, then asked, ¡°So, tell me what¡¯s going on with your dad.¡±


    Jenna looked into Mirabe¡¯s bright eyes, finding somefort in them. While clutching Mirabe¡¯s hand, she started to recount what the doctors had said about her father¡¯s


    condition.


    Mirabe listened, her expression easing somewhat. The situation didn¡¯t seem as dire as she had feared<b>. </b>


    That was when Ka, Jenna¡¯s mother, approached. Upon seeing her daughter talking to at tall, slender girl about her husband¡¯s injuries, she swallowed her sadness and interrupted, ¡°Jenna, maybe ease up a bit. Don¡¯t make your friend upset, too.¡±


    Then, turning to Mirabe, Ka paused, recognizing the girl her daughter often raved about at home, the one she called Queen Mira. Her husband had even jokingly suggested inviting Mira over sometime. The thought of her husband made Ka¡¯s throat tighten, but she managed a polite smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jenna is just too upset. Thank you foring to see her <b>dad</b><b>.</b>¡±


    10


    After a brief pause, she added, ¡°We can¡¯t really visit him in the ICU right now, but I appreciate you making the trip.¡±


    Mirabe nodded in understanding. I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll get better.¡±


    Ka felt tears welling up again. She didn¡¯t want to break down in front of the kids, so she simply said. ¡°You two chat. I¡¯ll leave you be,¡±


    With that, she walked away, her steps heavy with concern.

 Chapter 176

    <b>Chapter </b><b>176 </b>


    Mirabe withdrew her gaze and settled down beside Jenna. She was never one to mince words or spin fancy phrases forfort, so she said simply, ¡°Your dad will wake up.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s lips twisted into a bitter smile. ¡°I hope for a miracle.¡±


    Mirabe patted her shoulder with earnest assurance, ¡°Believe me, miracles do happen.¡±


    Looking into Mirabe¡¯s eyes, Jenna felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but even though you¡¯re not a doctor, your words are weirdlyforting.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow with a hint of a smile, Mirabe replied, ¡°Jenna, that gut feeling of yours is spot on.¡±


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe continued, ¡°Your dad¡¯s condition¡­ is like when the body takes a huge hit and goes into this sort of hibernation mode to heal. Once he¡¯s patched up inside and out, we¡¯ll find some way to jolt his nerves awake. It¡¯s just a matter of time.¡±


    Jenna was momentarily stunned. She didn¡¯t quite grasp the whole ¡®hibernation¡® concept, but the promise of awakening was like a beacon in the dark, igniting hope within her.


    However, her hope dimmed as quickly as it had appeared. Even Dr. Ray had said the chances were slim. And Mira¡­ she wasn¡¯t a doctor, was she? Perhaps thoseforting words were just that emptyfort.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Jenna managed to say. It was all she could find words for.


    Mirabe, sensing Jenna¡¯s mood, didn¡¯t press further. After spending a little more time at the hospital, she stood to leave. Before exiting, she turned to Jenna, ¡°When your dad moves out of the ICU and into a regr room, I¡¯lle visit him then<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Assuming it was just a polite show of concern between ssmates, Jenna didn¡¯t object and absentmindedly murmured her agreement before escorting Mirabe out.


    As soon as Mirabe stepped out of the hospital, she hailed a cab for home. As she settled in the backseat, boredom set in, and her thoughts turned to Zach. She fished out her phone and shot him a message on Messenger, [Zach, you done with work? When are you flying back?]


    Zach was just boarding his flight, about to switch off his phone, when he got his sister¡¯s message. He quickly replied, [ have ayover in Lakewood. Shouldnd around nine tonight. You picking me up, Mira?]


    Mirabe ruthlessly shot down the idea, [Nah, gotta hit the books tonight.]


    Zach felt a pang of hurt. Was his sister¡¯s homework really more important than him? With a sigh, he texted back, [Alright, just wait for us at home then.]


    The word ¡®us¡® caught Mirabe¡¯s attention, and she probed, [Not flying solo?]


    Zach responded, [Nope, Leo¡¯s with me.]


    10


    Chapter


    Mirabe pondered for a mere two seconds before firing back, [OK,nding at nine, right? I¡¯ll be at the arrivals gate.]


    Zach was taken aback by the sudden turnaround in her response and nced at the figure next to him, half¨Chidden under a baseball cap and a face mask. Zach couldn¡¯t help but feel <b>a </b>twinge of jealousy. So, was the sudden change of heart because Leo wasing as well?


    Feeling an inexplicable chill, Leo looked at Zach quizzically, ¡°Zach?¡±


    Zach just huffed and turned away.


    Leo was left puzzled.


    H

 Chapter 177

    <b>Chapter </b><b>177 </b>


    Just past nine o¡¯clock, the ne finally touched down at Ashford Airport.


    Jetgged from the long haul flight back from the States, with ayover in Lakewood, Zach felt like he had run a marathon. The hours up in the sky had taken their toll, and he was drained. But the thought of his sister waiting for him injected him with a second wind. As soon as he disembarked, he was off like a shot, his suitcase wheels barely touching the ground, leaving Leo and Collins trailing behind..


    Collins watched Zach¡¯s figure speed away and muttered under his breath, impressed by his stamina. He urged Leo to pick up the pace before chasing after Zach, calling out, ¡°Hey Zach, hold up, man!¡±


    Instead of slowing down, Zach quickened his step. Collins was bbergasted, then turned to Leo and whispered, ¡°Is it just me, or is Zach acting a bit off?¡±


    Leo looked ahead at Zach, his expression a mix of concern and amusement. Weird was an understatement. The entire flight had felt like a rollercoaster,plete with unexpected chills that seemed to emanate from Zach. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s just homesick,¡± Leo finally said after a thoughtful pause.


    Collins, keeping his eyes on the fast¨Cmoving Zach, had to agree. After all, no one knows you better than your own brother.


    But soon, the homesick Zach slowed down and waited for the two to catch up. Then he asked, ¡°Hey Leo, you guys are using the VIP exit at the airport, right?¡± He cleverly didn¡¯t mention that Mirabe would be there to pick him up.


    Leo, about to exin that there were no fans aware of their itinerary and that they could just use the regr exit, was cut off by Zach¡¯s hasty suggestion.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just meet up at home then. It¡¯ll save us the hassle of waiting around and bumping into your fans, Zach said, adjusting his sses, feigning concern for Leo¡¯s convenience.


    Collins chuckled and joined in, ¡°Why don¡¯t you just use the VIP exit with us, Zach?¡±


    Zach choked on <b>his </b>response, realizing his oversight. That wasn¡¯t an option. Mirabe was waiting at the arrivals gate, but Zach didn¡¯t want Leo tagging along.


    He cleared his throat and waved dismissively at Collins, ¡°No worries, it¡¯s not necessary.


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all, man. The VIP exit is twice as fast as the regr <b>one</b>,¡± Collins interjected. Zach was internally screaming. Was Collins a professional at ruining ns<b>? </b>


    He paused, and then Collins added, ¡°Besides, thepany car is already waiting in the parking lot.¡±


    The resentment behind Zach¡¯s lenses was almost palpable. Why hadn¡¯t he just sprinted away from them earlier? Why did he have to shoot himself in the foot?


    Chapter <b>177 </b>


    Taking a deep breath, Zach, trying to keep his cool, insisted, ¡°It¡¯s okay. My driver is right outside waiting.¡±


    His ¡°driver,¡± standing inconspicuously at the arrivals gate, was none other than Mirabe, who was surely raising an eyebrow at this point.


    Hearing this, Collins¡® expression showed a sh of understanding, and he didn¡¯t press the issue. After a brief moment, he turned to Leo, ¡°Why don¡¯t you just ride back with Zach then? Fans won¡¯t recognize you in that disguise, and you can slip through the regr exit unnoticed.¡±


    Zach was internally facepalming. Seriously? Was that an option now?

 Chapter 178

    Chapter <b>178 </b>


    After delivering that line, Collins could swear he felt a chill in the air<b>, </b>a vibe that spelled trouble. He nced up instinctively at Zach, only to be met with an innocuous smile as gentle as amb¡¯s. Shaking off the strange feeling, Collins chalked it <b>up </b>to jetg. His senses must¡¯ve been ying tricks on him after such a long flight.


    Zach, on the other hand, let out a silent sigh. His scheme to put one over on his little brother had gone awry. Disheartened, he made his way towards the exit of the arrival hall. The way he walked, you¡¯d think he was attending a funeral.


    Soon enough, the trio made it out of the terminal. The crowd at the pickup area was sizeable, so Collins, ever the vignt manager, positioned himself right beside Leo, ready to shield him from any recognizing nces.


    As they emerged, Zach had entertained the notion of letting the cat out of the bag about his youngest brother, but seeing the throng of people waiting outside, he found himself instinctively taking a protective position on the nk, keeping curious eyes at bay.


    Mirabe stood at the back of the crowd, half¨Cconcealed by a ck mask. Spotting Zach and Leo, she waved casually over the heads of the bystanders.


    Having not spent more than a few hours with Mirabe, Leo didn¡¯t recognize her immediately, especially with the mask in ce. It wasn¡¯t until he saw Zach stride over and stand before her that Leo¡¯s eyes widened in recognition.


    ¡°Have you been waiting long?¡± Zach asked Mirabe, his voice unexpectedly tender, a stark contrast to his typical brusqueness with his brothers.


    ¡°Not really,¡± Mirabe replied, her lips curving into a small smile. She then turned her attention to Leo, decked out in his incognito get¨Cup, and greeted him with a nod, ¡°Hey, Leo.¡±


    Leo¡¯s bright eyes, peering out from under his baseball cap, still held a trace of surprise. Snapping out of it, he acknowledged her with a soft ¡°hm¡± before instinctively looking to Zach for an exnation.


    Zach, anticipating the awkward moment, had already shifted his gaze away, feigning indifference.


    ¡°Oh, hey, aren¡¯t you Mirabe? Remember me?¡± Collins broke the ice with a warm greeting, recognizing her despite the mask.


    Mirabe nodded politely, ¡°Hello, Mr. Collins.¡±


    Surprised, Collins¡® face lit up. ¡°You remembered my name. You¡¯ve got a good memory.¡± He recalled barely interacting with her for five minutes during his brief visit to the Davis household.


    Mirabe just smiled, unbothered.


    Catching Collins¡® exaggerated reaction from the corner of his eye, Zach rolled his own.


    1047


    Mirabe was a brainiac, and remembering a name was child¡¯s y for her.


    Clearing his throat, Zach interjected, ¡°Let¡¯s get moving. The airport¡¯s crowded. We can talk at home.¡± With that, he took the lead, striding towards the main entrance.


    But as he reached the doors, he saw the stream of cars pulling away, leaving a gaping void in thene where their ride should have been. It dawned on him that no driver was waiting for


    them.


    Zach was dumbstruck. Turning back, he was met with Leo and Collins, both staring at him as if to say, ¡°Where¡¯s the car?<b>¡± </b>


    The embarrassment was palpable.


    Collins was the first to regain hisposure. He fished out his phone and said, ¡°I¡¯ll have my assistant bring the car around.¡±


    Zach massaged his temples. Today had to be the most colossal screw¨Cup of his life.


    Once Collins finished his call and returned, he nced between a flustered Zach and theposed Mirabe. He couldn¡¯t help but recall Zach¡¯s earlier refusal to use the VIP exit and


    his eager attempts to ditch them. A smirk twitched at the corner of Collins¡® lips.


    It seemed Collins had stumbled upon a revtion.

 Chapter 179

    Before long, Leo¡¯s minivan rolled up to the curb Spacious enough for a small crowd, it easily amodated everyone.


    Mirabe hopped in first while Zach and Collins stowed the luggage at the back. Leo hesitated for a moment before climbing aboard, sliding into the seat right beside Mirabe.


    Zach, returning from the trunk, caught sight of Mirabe, with Leo now upying the prime spot next to her. He shot Leo a sidelong <b>nce</b>.


    Jeez, what a sneaky guy!


    A bewildered Leo, on the <b>receiving </b>end of an unexpected re, thought, ¡°What the¡­?¡±


    Collins had witnessed the whole exchange. He shook his head and settled into the


    passenger seat.


    The vehicle soon left the airport, cruising towards the Davis family¡¯s suburban enve. Once inside, Leo removed his mask. He was known for his cool demeanor and wasn¡¯t much of a talker. His previous encounter with Mirabe <b>had </b>been brief, just a dinner, but his first impression wasn¡¯t too shabby!


    Now, his hands rested on his knees, fingers idly caressing the fabric of his jeans. His peripheral vision asionally caught Mirabe¡¯s presence. He wanted to strike up a conversation but couldn¡¯t quite find the words.


    Zach, meanwhile, wasn¡¯t in the mood for chit¨Cchat either. Having been abroad for days, he had a backlog ofpany matters to sort through and was busy texting his assistant.


    Mirabe felt Leo¡¯s stealthy nces and let her eyelids droop slightly before casually turning to look at him. She noticed his pallor, which hinted at a certain unwellness, a touch of sickness perhaps?


    Her brow furrowed as her gaze identally swept over his hand resting on his knee. The faded needle marks were still discernible.


    After pondering for a few seconds, Mirabe asked nonchntly, ¡°Have you been shooting overseastely?¡±


    Leo turned to Mirabe, unsure how she knew about his travels¨CZach had probably


    mentioned it.


    Regainingposure, Leo pressed his lips into a stiff smile that softened his usually distant expression. He nodded and replied, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t look too well,¡± Mirabe observed with aposed facade. ¡°Are you sick?¡±


    At her words, Leo¡¯s fingers involuntarily clenched, and his expression froze for a moment. That¡¯s when Zach chimed in from the backseat, ¡°He¡¯s just worn out from a long flight, that¡¯s


    all.¡±


    Leo rxed his hand. He didn¡¯t want the family to know about his health issues.


    ¡°Oh, then make sure you rest up when we get home. Healthes first,¡± Mirabe said, dropping her gaze, seemingly convinced.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m aware. Leo¡¯s voice was dry as he responded, and then he turned to gaze out the window, where the streetlights flickered and danced on the ss.


    After a good fifty minutes, they finally arrived at the entrance of theirplex. Collins and the assistant took off after unloading the luggage.


    Just as Leo reached for his suitcase, Mirabe¡¯s hand brushed his wrist in a seemingly


    ¡®idental¡® gesture, ¡°Let me help with that, Leo.¡±


    Leo paused, taken aback. Mirabe quickly let go and grabbed the suitcase handle, taking it from him without further ado. The whole interactionsted but a few seconds.

 Chapter 180

    Leo snapped back to reality and chuckled as he saw Mirabe striding ahead with his suitcase. ¡°Thanks, Mirabe, but I could¡¯ve handled it myself.¡±


    Mirabe didn¡¯t reply and just continued on, pulling his luggage determinedly. Sensing her insistence, Leo eventually gave up trying to help.


    Zach, who had been entirely overlooked behind them, now stood with hands on hips, watching the two disappear into the distance. He nced at <b>his </b>own suitcase by his feet and felt utterly neglected.


    Wasn¡¯t he also family? Didn¡¯t he have luggage too?!


    Zach stood there for what felt like an eternity. As the figures of his siblings faded, neither of them looked back to notice him being left behind. Finally, he huffed and dragged his suitcase toward the apartmentplex alone.


    Ungrateful siblings!


    Delh and Shawn only knew about Leo and Zach¡¯s return through Mirabe, so they stayed home waiting.


    As the front door opened, Delh reached out to help with the luggage and asked, ¡°Leo, your must be exhausted, huh?¡±


    Leo shook his head and nodded a greeting. ¡°Hey, Dad. Mom.¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t eaten yet? I saved you and your sister some dinner,¡± Delh offered with concern.


    Just reaching the doorway, Zach thought, ¡°You and your sister?¡± Was he invisible?


    After a night of repeated blows to his ego, Zach began to question his very presence in the family. Fortunately, he wasn¡¯t entirely neglected. Shawn chimed in, ¡°Zach, why are your zoning out in the doorway?¡± He gave Zach a puzzled look that clearly questioned his mental sharpness at such a young age.


    Zach just sighed internally. Maybe it was time to find a new ce to call home.


    Delh was preupied with Leo¡¯s gaunt face, feeling a pang of maternal heartache that pulled her attention away from Zach. She ushered Leo into the living room for a closer look and said, ¡°You look pale. You haven¡¯t been resting properly, have you?¡±


    She had been worried since hisst visit, and after discussing it with Collins, who assured her there was nothing to worry about, Delh hadn¡¯t probed further.


    Leo¡¯s eyes drooped slightly as he replied, ¡°It¡¯s just jetg. I¡¯ll be fine tomorrow<i>.</i>¡±


    Mirabe, who had been observing quietly, remembered checking Leo¡¯s pulse earlier, and her expression tightened slightly. Her brother might¡¯ve been physically weakened, but there was


    something else in his pulse that troubled her.


    After a moment, Mirabe excused herself, ¡°I¡¯m heading to my room. Still got some


    homework to finish.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay,¡± Delh nodded but quickly added, ¡°Did you have dinner yet, sweetheart?¡±


    Mirabe affirmed with a nod, ¡°I did.¡± With that, she gave a slight bow and headed upstairs.


    Delh turned back to Leo,menting, ¡°Your sister is so into her studies. It¡¯s all books and homework with her, like a little nerd. She doesn¡¯t have any fun.¡±


    Leo, looking towards the second floor, felt a little surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected Mirabe to be such a bookworm. But then again, maybe growing up in a small town had fueled her fervent pursuit of knowledge. At that moment, his appreciation for his studious little sister soared.


    Mirabe, nowbeled as diligent and hardworking, returned to her room and sat down at her desk, booting up herputer.

 Chapter 181

    Mirabe¡¯sputer desktop was a model of minimalism, sporting a scant collection of apps. She clicked on an icon resembling a dewdrop, and immediately, a login box sprang up.


    Entering a string of credentials, she hit the enter key, and a chat interface popped up, looking not much different from the usual messaging tools,


    No sooner had she logged in than a little leaf icon at the corner of the page began to flicker rapidly someone was looking for her.


    Casting a brief nce at the notification, Mirabe opened the settings and switched to ¡®Do Not Disturb¡® mode without hesitation.


    She skimmed through the messages from people, who were concerned about why she had been off the radar for over a year, but she didn¡¯t bother replying to any of them.


    Instead, she went straight to a group chat in her list. The group wasn¡¯trge, just about two dozen members, and about half of them were <b>online</b><b>, </b>engaged in lively conversation.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t bother scrolling through the chat history; her fingers danced across the keys as she typed.


    The Pill: Anyone here dealt with Sce Sterntely?


    The group¡¯s members were from all corners of the globe, their identities shrouded in mystery. dealing in goods that ordinary people wouldn¡¯te across.


    The lively chatter came to an abrupt halt at the sudden appearance of ¡°<b>The </b>Pill.¡± It was as if they had all been struck mute, and the chat fell silent for a long moment.


    Watching the screen, which seemed to have frozen in time, Mirabe blinked in <b>surprise</b>. Over al year had passed, and was she already forgotten?


    After a brief pause, her fingers tapped out another message.


    The Pill: Hello?


    As the question mark hit the chat, the stunned crowd seemed to shap out of their trance.


    Sky¡¯s the Limit: Holy smokes, Pill dude, you¡¯ve finally resurfaced!


    Get Rich or Die Trying: Thought I was seeing things. But nope, it¡¯s for <b>real</b>.


    No Stealing My Meds: A VIP entrance for the big boss, nothing less for


    you


    lot.


    Admission Fee: One Billion: Good thing I didn¡¯t hit the sack yet, or I¡¯d be kicking myself forever!


    Mirabe watched as the <b>group </b>wentpletely off¨Ctopic and rubbed her temple in mild frustration.


    Chapter <b>181 </b>


    The Pill: So, can anyone answer my first question?


    No Stealing My Meds: I don¡¯t have Sce Stem. I have only ever heard of it in whispers.


    Get Rich or Die Trying: I¡¯m just a humble rat poison salesman. Sce Stem? That¡¯s way out of my league.


    Sky¡¯s the Limit: The number of chemists who can whip up a batch of Sce Stem must be few and far between these days, let alone sell it.


    Mirabe closed the chat without further ado since the group had no leads on Sce Stem. A short whileter, her avatar lit up with a private message. It was from ¡°No Stealing My Meds,¡± an old acquaintance with whom she¡¯d always had a decent rapport.


    No Stealing My Meds: Pill, you were asking about Sce Stem. Is something up?


    The Pill: Just found traces of it in a friend, unexpected.


    No Stealing My Meds: Few can make that stuff. Tell you what, I¡¯ll ask around. I¡¯ve got some pals in the Guild.


    The Pill: Thanks, much appreciated!


    No Stealing My Meds: No sweat. Can I get your contact deets?


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Mirabe sent over her Messenger handle. Soon enough, her Messenger pinged with a new contact request, which she promptly epted. Then, as if by unspoken agreement, neither delved into idle chatter.


    Mirabe shut down herputer, stood up, and approached her wardrobe, retrieving a suitcase she had brought to the Davis household.

 Chapter 182

    Mirabe flicked through the assorted bottles and jars in the chest with a rare hint of solemnity gracing her usually impassive features.


    Sce Stem was a neurotoxin, not aggressively potent, but insidious enough to slowly ravage every nerve in a human body.


    For most, the poison would remain dormant without causing noticeable harm unless the body suffered a nerve¨Crted injury. However, once triggered, it would spread like vines, stealthily assaulting the neurons until the victim was left a shell of their former self.


    The clinical signs were intermittent mental agitation, a distinct purplish hue at the temples, and, as the poison advanced, rapid weight loss apanied by subtle reddish blotches on the skin. Its insidiousnessy in its affinity for nerves, eluding detection by standard blood tests.


    Mirabe was baffled as to how Leo had contracted Sce Stem. Judging by his current state. the toxin was proliferating into a more advanced stage. Without intervention, the outlook was grim.


    The concoctions at her disposal were merely suppressants, not antidotes. Crafting a cure <b>was </b>aplex task, exacerbated by the absence of proper alchemical equipment. It was a headache, to say the least.


    Massaging her temple, she eventually selected a vial that could offer temporary control and exited the room.


    Downstairs.


    Shawn, about to retire to his room, halted at the sight of his daughter descending the stairs. ¡°Mira, you¡¯re still up?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡± Mirabe nced around the living room. ¡°Has Leo gone to bed?¡±


    Nodding. Shawn replied. ¡°He just flew in and said he was beat. He¡¯s probably resting.¡±


    ¡°Then you should get some sleep too, Dad,¡± Mirabe suggested before turning to head back. upstairs<b>. </b>


    The entire back¨Cand¨Cforth took less than a minute.


    Watching his daughter¡¯s retreating figure, Shawn stroked his chin, feeling a twinge of discontent. Zach was enough trouble; now, Leo was back. Was a simple, cozy family life of three too much to hope for?


    The following morning<b>. </b>


    Approaching the stairwell, Mirabe peered down to see Leo in the living room. She paused. retreating to her room before reemerging with the vial she had picked the previous evening.


    11:34


    Descending, she approached him with a polite greeting. ¡°Morning, Leo.¡±


    ¡°Good morning. Mirabe,¡± Leo nodded slightly.


    Hisplexion had improved after a night¡¯s rest, but the shadow at his temples persisted. Mirabe discreetly took note, confirming her diagnosis fromst night. After a brief pause<b>. </b>she handed him the vial. ¡°Here, for you.¡±


    Leo¡¯s eyes lingered on the vial, epting it after a moment of hesitation. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    Before Mirabe could reply, Shawn emerged from the washroom and nonchntly offered ant exnation, ¡°Vitality Boost Pills.¡±


    Leo raised his eyebrows.


    ¡°Your sister¡¯s been handing these out as wee¨Cback presents. I swear, I¡¯ve felt more robust than evertely,¡± Shawn boasted, throwing a punch in the air to demonstrate. He identally knocked over a wooden figurine, and his face fell.


    Mirabe¡¯s mouth twitched, and she averted her gaze.

 Chapter 183

    After a moment, Shawn picked up the wooden figurine from the floor with a smile and ced it back on the corner table, casually hiding his slightly trembling hands behind his back. He capped the moment with an addendum, ¡°Anyway, your sister¡¯s remedy is really effective!¡±


    Leo looked on, dumbfounded. He had never seen his father act so goofy before. However, his attention quickly returned to the porcin bottle in his hands..


    What were these so¨Ccalled ¡°Vitality Boost Pills¡°? Were they some kind of libido supplement like his dad thought?


    Sure, he had injured his spine, but his libido¡­ Leo suddenly felt a hit to his pride.


    Sensing his thoughts, Mirabe pressed her temples and said, ¡°<b>The </b><b>one </b>you¡¯re holding is different from Dad¡¯s.¡±


    Leo¡¯s expression then eased slightly.


    Mirabe cleared her throat and spoke more formally. ¡°This is Crimson Sage. It specifically targets toxins that umte in the body and repairs physical functions. It will be beneficial for your current condition.¡± She left out the more detailed benefits, knowing that bombarding him with too much jargon wouldn¡¯t make sense to him.


    Shawn, hearing this, narrowed his eyes, always feeling there was something offbeat about Mirabe. She always spouted terms he¡¯d never heard before. She sounded like one of those scams he¡¯d heard about on the news that conned people into buying fake medicines.


    Leo wasn¡¯t as internally dramatic as his dad. He was just surprised by his sister¡¯sstment about the remedy being useful for his ¡®current physical state.¡±


    He looked at Mirabe in astonishment, and as their eyes met, there seemed to be a knowing depth in her clear gaze. Did she know about his injury?


    Leo paused, about to say something, but Mirabe winked at him, her tone unusually serious. ¡°Leo, trust me, you need to take this, one pill every three days, don¡¯t forget.¡±


    After a pause, Leo murmured a soft acknowledgment, ¡°Yeah, I got it.¡±


    Mirabe turned and walked towards the dining room. She was not entirely sure he had taken her words to heart, but she didn¡¯t push further.


    With a hint of bitterness, Leo slipped the porcin bottle into his pocket. His sister meant well, but no remedy could bring back the dreams he had for the stage, now lost to his ailing body.


    Soon after breakfast, Mirabe got ready for school. Leo offered to drive her, but Shawn declined on her behalf, using the excuse, ¡®Don¡¯t be a bother to your sister.¡®


    So, Shawn ended up taking Mirabe to school, his worry about his daughter getting snatched


    Chapter <b>183 </b>


    away overnight soothed. Humming a tune, he walked towards the parking lot, content. Mirabe followed, puzzled by his cheerful mood.


    When they reached the car, covered by a tarp, Shawn pointed at it mysteriously and said, ¡°Darling, do the honors.¡±


    Mirabe nced at it, then back at him. ¡°Got a new car?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the old one was getting too run¨Cdown. With my quarterly bonus from work, I decided to upgrade.¡± Shawn said, nodding emphatically. He didn¡¯t mention it was also a reaction to the Gilbert family¡¯s intimidating disy of wealth.


    ¡°Come on, unveil it, and see what you think,¡± he urged with a grin.


    Touching her nose, Mirabe reached out and pulled off the cover.

 Chapter 184

    As the tarp slowly peeled back, the bold Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament of a Rolls¨CRoyce caught Mirabe¡¯s gaze, causing her hands to freeze mid¨Cair and her expression to shift subtly.


    It¡¯s a Rolls¨CRoyce.


    Mirabe looked up, her face a mask of utter bewilderment. ¡°Dad,¡± she quipped, ¡°did your quarterly bonuse with a pot of gold or something?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s face was the picture of nonchnce as he replied, ¡°It¡¯s decent.¡± Noticing his daughter¡¯s stunned look, he cleared his throat and added, ¡°Actually, this car isn¡¯t that expensive, just¡­ around a million or so.¡±


    He remembered thest time thepany ountants had visited their home; Mirabe nearly mistook the poor man for a debt collector. If he told her the car was worth ten million, it might just give her a heart attack. It was best to let it slide.


    After all, his daughter was a bit of a bookworm. Her world revolved around studies and little else ¨C cars were certainly not her forte.


    Mirabe sighed as she firmly pulled the rest of the tarp off the car. Instantly, the sleek and sophisticated yet utterly cool lines of a Rolls¨CRoyce Phantom stood before her, its noble presence undeniable.


    Heh, a million¨Cdor Rolls¨CRoyce Phantom. Who was her dad trying to kid?


    ¡°Are you sure this car ¡®only¡® cost a million?¡± she enunciated deliberately, biting down particrly hard on the word ¡®only.¡®


    With the im already out there, Shawn couldn¡¯t very well retract his statement. He coughed. slightly, maintaining hisposure with an effort he¡¯d never mustered before. ¡°Yes, my dear, don¡¯t be fooled by its shy looks; it¡¯s really not that pricey!¡±


    Mirabe was at a loss<b>. </b>Oh, she couldn¡¯t believe this.


    Shawn, avoiding his daughter¡¯s piercing gaze, nced at his watch and hurriedly said, ¡°We¡¯re running out of time. Get in, and I¡¯ll drive you to school.¡±


    With that, he quickly fetched the keys, unlocked the car, and settled himself in the driver¡¯s seat, his guilt almost palpable.


    With a light, almost mocking chuckle, Mirabe decided not to press further and got into the


    car.


    Twenty minutester, Shawn dropped his daughter off at school. Since the vehicle was. anything but subtle, Mirabe opted to hop out a good distance from the main entrance.


    The Gilbert family¡¯s car arrived around the same time, and their driver, catching sight of the Rolls¨CRoyce executing a U¨Cturn ahead, couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°A genuine imported


    Chapter <b>184 </b>


    Rolls¨CRoyce. Whoever¡¯s behind that wheel must be someone of note.


    Summer, engrossed in her smartphone, only looked up after the driver¡¯s words, but by then the Rolls¨CRoyce had already driven off, leaving her with nothing to see. However, Mirabe, strolling casually toward the school, was very much within view.


    Soon, the Gilberts¡® car overtook Mirabe.


    The memory of Aiden sending Summer¡¯s file to Mirabe soured her mood considerably. She peered out the window and then instructed the driver to pull over.


    As Mirabe approached, Summer rolled down the window and called out just as she passed by. ¡°Mirabe.¡±


    Mirabe halted at the sound of her name, ncing over with an air of cool disinterest. Her striking features set in azy, challenging arch of her brow.


    A flicker of envy passed through Summer¡¯s eyes as her fingers tightened and then rxed on her knees, herposure swiftly returning.


    ¡°Here¡¯s a piece of advice,¡± Summer said tly. ¡°Withdraw from thepetition while you can, before the resultse out.¡±

 Chapter 185

    Mirabe nced at Summer with a smirk ying on her lips. A gentle breeze teased a strand of her hair across her face, which she casually blew aside. Her voice wasnguid with a hint of arrogance. ¡°And who the hell do you think you are tomand me like that?¡±


    Her voice, a little husky, carried a natural haughtiness that somehow made even her coarsest words sound stylishly rebellious.


    Summer¡¯s usuallyposed expression froze momentarily before a sardonic smile curled her lips. ¡°Do you really think acing a few tests makes you something special?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s brows arched with insouciance. Deep down, she¡¯d always wondered why the bonal fide Gilbert family heiress was so persistent in seeking attention from her. Was this what it meant to return to a life of privilege, basking in parental adoration, with nothing better to do than y pretentious games?


    Shaking her head in mild amusement, Mirabe withdrew her gaze, too indifferent to continue the conversation, and turned to continue her way toward the school gates.


    Watching Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure, Summer¡¯s face darkened with disdain. She absolutely despised that superior air Mirabe wore like a second skin as if she were some kind of aristocrat. It wasughable, really, considering Mirabe had grown up in some backwater town. Did she truly see herself as such a big deal?


    Summer rolled up the car window with an annoyed flick of her wrist and instructed the driver to leave.


    Inside the ssroom,Mirabe noticed Jenna, who had made it to ss that day. After taking her seat, she gently tapped Jenna on the shoulder.


    Jenna had been in a daze since arriving at school, a stark contrast to her usual eagerness to greet Mirabe. Startled by the tap, Jenna finally snapped out of it.


    ¡°Queen Mira, you¡¯re here,¡± Jenna murmured, her voice drained.


    Mirabe studied Jenna¡¯s haggard face, noting her dark circles, and asked. ¡°Were you up all night?¡±


    Laying her head on the desk, Jenna half¨Cclosed her eyes and said hoarsely, ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep. Just thinking about my dad makes me so upset.¡±


    ¡°Take care of yourself, Jenna. You don¡¯t want to end up sick when your dad wakes up. That¡¯d only make everyone worry, not to mention your mom needs you,¡± Mirabe spoke softly.


    It wasn¡¯t that Mirabe was unwilling to help; it just wasn¡¯t the right time. Jenna¡¯s dad had just undergone major surgery, and his body was still healing. If Mirabe intervened with her acupuncture now, it might¡¯ve done more harm than good.


    Sniffling. Jenna tried to perk up. ¡°Yeah, I know.¡±


    Mirabe smiled and pulled out a notebook from her desk. She turned to the math notes she had organized the day before and ced them on Jenna¡¯s desk.


    Jenna¡¯s eyes warmed at the sight of the neatly penned pages, which broke downplex equations and highlighted key points for the exams. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered.


    With a yful lift of her eyebrow, Mirabe coffeesed, ¡°I can¡¯t have my friend falling behind, can I? What would that say about me as the top student in our grade?¡±


    Jenna hummed in acknowledgment, clutching the notebook without further words. Time was of the essence in their senior year, and anyone who devoted their own study time to help a friend the essence in their senior year, and anyone w


    was a true ally.


    During the third period of the morning. French ss was underway. The French teacher walked in, distributed a set of test papers, and then unexpectedly called Mirabe to the office.


    Being summoned by thenguage arts teacher had be routine for Mirabe, but being called away by the French teacher, especially mid¨Clesson, was bewildering indeed.

 Chapter 186

    Miss Sinir, the young and vivacious French teacher at Parkside High School, was under thirty and a graduate of the prestigious University of Chicago¡¯s Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. Hermand of French grammar was renowned, and her teaching ratings were the envy of the entirenguage department.


    She studied Mirabe, and her usual sharp edge softened somewhat. ¡°Mirabe, there¡¯s no need to be so tense,¡± she began, her tone more cordial than usual. ¡°I¡¯ve called you to my office to discuss something important with you.¡±


    Mirabe blinked, quickly defending herself with earnest sincerity. ¡°I¡¯m not nervous, Miss Sinir.¡±


    Her teacher couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the response, clearing her throat before continuing. ¡°Well, the thing is, the State Department of Education is organizing a French¨Cspeakingpetition. Each high school can nominate five students, and given your ster performance in French, you¡¯re a natural choice to-¡±


    As soon as Mirabe heard the word petition,¡® she felt the all¨Ctoo¨Cfamiliar shiver of dread. She didn¡¯t wait for Miss Sinir to finish, interrupting, ¡°I appreciate that, Miss Sinir. My French may look good on paper, but my spoken skills are a different story.¡±


    The very thought of anotherpetition so soon after the BrainSpark Nationals debacle was too much for Mirabe. Moreover, without any prize money on the line, her interest was less than zero.


    Miss Sinir was taken aback. ¡°Really? I would¡¯ve thought your spoken French was quite proficient. This morning, Mr. Hammond specifically asked me to put your name forward. But I thought it best to get your opinion first.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched in frustration¨Cwas she being set up by Mr. Hammond again? Taking a deep breath, she managed a tight¨Clipped smile. ¡°Miss Sinir, there might be some misunderstanding about my speaking abilities. Good grades don¡¯t necessarily trante to good conversational skills. And as a specialist, you must know that these aren¡¯t one and the


    same.¡±


    Miss Sinir nodded in agreement. ¡°You have a point.¡±


    ¡°So, let¡¯s give this opportunity to someone else. I¡¯d hate to embarrass Parkside High and give Mr. Hammond a reason to expel me.¡± Mirabe said with earnest gravity.


    As she approached the office door, she nearly bumped into Mr. Hammond, who was about to step inside. He had overheard the tail end of herment. That was downright impertinent¨Cwas he seen as someone who jumped to conclusions without reason?


    Noticing Mr. Hammond at the door, Miss Sinir¡¯s demeanor instantly shifted to one of respect. ¡°Mr. Hammond, hello.¡±


    With her back to the door, Mirabe quickly straightened up and turned around, greeting him


    with a nod and a confident voice. ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Hammond.¡±


    Despite being caught red¨Chanded for the earlier quip, Mirabe showed no sign of difort.


    Mr. Hammond gave Mirabe a long look before stepping into the room. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you interested in thepetition?¡± <i>He </i>


    missed the earlier part of the conversation between Mirabe and Miss Sinir.


    Scratching her head nonchntly, Mirabe replied, ¡°My spoken French isn¡¯t <b>up </b>to par.¡±


    ¡°Not even for a schrship of a hundred thousand dors?¡± Mr. Hammond raised an eyebrow.


    Mirabe was stunned. That was a tempting offer.


    Clearing her throat, she turned back to Miss Sinir, ¡°Actually, I think my speaking skills are pretty decent. Maybe¡­ I should sign up.¡±


    Miss Sinir was at a loss for words. Mirabe¡¯s story had changed rather quickly.


    ¡°That settles it then,¡± dered Mr. Hammond, not bothering to look at the stunned French. teacher. His attention was focused on Mirabe. ¡°Come with me to my office.¡± With that, he turned and walked out.


    Mirabe nodded politely to Miss Sinir and followed behind Mr. Hammond.


    It took a moment for Miss Sinir to collect herself before she finally exhaled deeply. She had never seen such a genial principal, nor had she ever encountered a student who could remain soposed in the face of authority.


    That was impressive!

 Chapter 187

    In Mr. Hammond¡¯s office.


    ¡°Take a seat on the couch, Mirabe,¡± Mr. Hammond said, pouring her a ss of water before settling into the chair opposite her. ¡°I called you here to discuss the possibility of you switching sses.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Switching sses? Why would I want to do that?¡±


    ¡°I believe you have a real knack for the sciences. Staying in a humanities ss might not do your talents justice,¡± Mr. Hammond said earnestly.


    He had nned to ce her in the science ss from the beginning of the term, but the whole Riverdale incident had dyed him. By the time he returned, Mirabe had already been slotted into the humanities ss.


    Mirabe chuckled and shook her head at the mention of changing sses. ¡°No need. It doesn¡¯t make much difference to me whether I¡¯m in humanities or sciences.¡± After all, she had already self¨Cstudied all nine subjects <b>required </b>for the senior year.


    Mr. Hammond, reading brimming confidence from Mirabe¡¯s face, touched his nose thoughtfully and ventured, ¡°Do you not want to switch because of Morgan?¡±


    Prodigy ss 1 was a science ss<b>, </b>and Morgan was the teacher who had been so reluctant to ept Mirabe at the start of the year.


    ¡°Him? No,¡± Mirabe replied indifferently, almost forgetting the man existed unless mentioned.


    After a brief pause, she added with a teasing tone. ¡°If you keep pushing for me to switch sses, you might find yourself in a duel with Miss Ate.¡±


    Mr. Hammond chuckled, clearly seeing that Mirabe truly didn¡¯t mind either ss. He sighed and said, ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t force you, but do you remember Professor Wade? He visited recently and is from the Education Association.¡±


    Mirabe nodded. Her memory was sharp; she certainly remembered, especially since Mr. Hammond had made a point of introducing him at the time. Professor Wade is an honorary member of the Education Association, no less.


    ¡°To be honest with you, Wade is a professor in the biology department at Prestige College and was quite impressed with you. He even reviewed your exams and mentioned that you strongly grasp biological research.¡±


    Mr. Hammond recalled how Wade had called him just the day before to inquire about Mirabe, adding, ¡°He just couldn¡¯t understand why you were ced in a humanities ss.¡±


    That was the main reason behind Mr. Hammond¡¯s sudden urge to move her to the science ss. Mirabe immediately got it.


    ¡°Though, to be fair, given your academic prowess, you don¡¯t see much of a difference between


    11:34


    humanities and sciences.¡± Mr. Hammond didn¡¯t dwell on the matter. ¡°Professor Wade is on the lookout for a prot¨¦g¨¦, and he sees potential in you. You should seize this opportunity because you¡¯re destined for more than just this ce. Riverdale is aplex web, and not having connections can be disadvantageous.¡±


    Specialized talent, in particr, was rare, and if it couldn¡¯t be recruited, it was often destroyed. so that no one could have it exclusively. Once certain bnces of power were disrupted, the consequences were more than just turmoil.


    Listening to Mr. Hammond¡¯s veiled advice, Mirabe understood his underlying message. She watched him with a stoic expression and simply said, ¡°I appreciate your support and guidance.¡± It was clear that the Prestige College biology professor¡¯s interest in her was due to Mr. Hammond¡¯s influence. A fewpetitions and exams hardly delved into real research territory. While she didn¡¯t need it, she acknowledged the favor Mr. Hammond had extended to


    her.


    Mr. Hammond waved a dismissive hand. ¡°If you really want to thank me, just bring home a title from this year¡¯s internationalpetition.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t specifically asking for gold, silver, or bronze ¨C just a ce on the podium. Mirabe¡¯s. eyes sparkled with amusement. Mr. Hammond obviously underestimated her, but she didn¡¯t boast. Instead, she humbly replied, ¡°That will be a piece of cake.¡±


    1

 Chapter 188

    Mr. Hammond watched Mirabe, who wore a veil of modesty on her face that was betrayed by the confidence in her voice. He shook his head, picked up his mug, and took a sip of his chilled


    iced coffee.


    An afterthought struck him, and he added. ¡°The city finals results won¡¯t be out for another couple of days, but I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re a shoo¨Cin. Next up is the nationals. I checked the schedule: they¡¯re likely next weekend. Prestige College is spearheading the event in coboration with the Education Association, so the nationalpetition will be right here in Riverdale. The prelims and finals will take ce over two days, with results announced on the spot. You¡¯d better start getting ready.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes sparkled at the mention of Riverdale, but then she rose from her seat.


    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll head back to ss now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, go hit the books,¡± Mr. Hammond waved her off, then added as an afterthought. ¡°And don¡¯t forget about the French oral exam. I have no doubt your spoken skills are up to par.¡±


    Mirabe paused mid¨Cstride and nced at Mr. Hammond, who was grinning knowingly. She felt a mix of emotions and wanted to ask how he could be so sure, but decided to let it slide.


    A $100,000 schrship was at stake. Her father, that gold¨Cgobbling dragon, had just splurged on a new luxury car worth millions. Surely, Mirabe should celebrate his new acquisition with a gift, right?


    Mirabe thought of the new car andmented her shattered dream of experiencing poverty. s, it seemed she was the one who had picked up the wrong script in the y of life.


    Leo had nned to recuperate at home for a while, but for some unknown reason, the higher¨Cups got wind of his injury, and he was summoned to thepany.


    Inside Collins¡® office, the atmosphere was tense<b>. </b>


    Collins¡® face was a stormy shade of grey. ¡°Who the hell leaked the news about your injury? <b>I </b>had everything locked down tight!¡±


    As an artist with a physical injury, even with his voice intact, he could no longer deliver the thrilling stage performances of the past. This clearly meant a full stop to his career prospects. No agency would continue to back


    an artist who couldn¡¯t generate greater profits, even if Leo


    was at the pinnacle of his career.


    Leo sat in the chair, his face pale, a hint of sickness in his eyes. His gaze was icy as he fixed it on the desk, and after a while, he spoke, ¡°Just tell them the truth. There¡¯s no point in hiding it.¡±


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Collins¡® voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°If you admit to being injured, how will you ever sing again?¡± The executives had already approached Collins, and he had vehemently denied any issues with Leo, insisting Leo was merely exhausted and would be


    11:35


    taking a break from allmercial engagements for a short while.


    Leo lifted his head to meet Collins¡® gaze, a self¨Cdeprecating sneer on his lips. ¡°Do you really think I can keep singing?¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you?¡± Collins shot back. ¡°You¡¯re in good health right now. You just can¡¯t dance, your voice is unaffected, and your songwriting andposition talent is unmatched.¡±


    Leo turned away.


    Collins, frustrated, mmed his fist on the desk. ¡°Can¡¯t you let go of your pride at a time like this? Do you really want to be reced by someone else from thepany?¡±


    A knock on the office door interrupted them.


    Collins wanted to continue, but the knock signaled a pause in the conversation. Heposed himself and walked to the door, and before opening it, he turned back to Leo.


    ¡°Leo, I want you to keep quiet during this meeting. I¡¯ll handle everything with thepany,¡± he said firmly.


    With that, he opened the door.

 Chapter 189

    Collins expected the knock at his office door to herald the arrival of some high¨Cranking executive, so he was surprised to see it was just a fellow agent.


    But not the friendliest one.


    Narrowing his eyes, Collins¡® voice came out distant and cool, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Cory, the embodiment of smug superiority, nced at Collins, sauntered past him into the office, and casually said after a brief pause, ¡°Oh, right. Close the door, will you? We need to


    chat.¡±


    The flippant request floated over from behind Collins, causing a slight furrow in his brow. Nevertheless, he shut the door quickly, pivoted, and returned to his desk.


    Cory sprawled out on the couch like he owned the ce, leaning back in a rxed pose. His gazended on Leo, who had managed topose himself and adopt his usual icy demeanor by the time Collins had opened the door. Now, under Cory¡¯s scrutiny, Leo couldn¡¯t help but scowl.


    ¡°Such a shame,¡± Cory tsked, shaking his head with a hint of mock pity. ¡°A bright future potentially dashed to pieces. Yet you two seem¡­ oddly calm.¡± ¨C


    With a leg nonchntly crossed over the other, Cory¡¯s overt confidence didn¡¯t falter as he spoke, clearly unafraid of ruffling feathers.


    Collins approached, his expression unreadable. ¡°Spit it out, Cory. No need to beat around the bush.¡±


    ¡°Everyone at thepany knows about Leo¡¯s injury. He can¡¯t perform on stage anymore. I just came to show some concern, buddy. Why the hostility?¡± Cory¡¯s smile was carefree.


    Cory and Collins were thepany¡¯s top agents. Cory had always been in Collins¡® shadow, especially with Leo being Collins¡® ace. Now that Leo was sidelined, Cory was curious to see how Collins would fare without his star.


    Of course, Collins knew Cory was here to kick them while they were down, so he didn¡¯t take the bait. Flicking his finger nonchntly, he drawled, ¡°Seems my boy Leo¡¯s just too hot to handle. Envy¡¯s an ugly beast, eh? Starts all kinds of rumors.¡±


    Suddenly, Cory stood, the sarcasm on his face dissolving quickly. ¡°Let¡¯s cut the crap, Collins. We both know the score with Leo¡¯s injury. Out of professional courtesy, I could help you keep the lid on your little secret.¡±


    Collins¡® lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze steady on Cory, aware that the real proposition was about to be unveiled.


    ¡°Just have Leo step down as the lead of the Neon Paradox, and I¡¯ll squash all the rumors for you,¡± Cory said slowly as if proposing a simple business deal.


    Collins¡® eyes narrowed, his expression darkening in an instant. ¡°Are you dreaming?¡±


    Cory shrugged. ¡°Given your client¡¯s current predicament, it¡¯s better to step down gracefully than be stripped of the position by thepany. At least you can maintain some dignity, right?¡±


    He paused. ¡°Think it over. Give me a call when you¡¯ve made up your mind. Opportunities like this don¡¯t wait around.¡± With those flippant words, Cory didn¡¯t wait for a reply, striding confidently towards the exit. As he left, he even had the courtesy to close the door behind him.


    Collins, steam practically billowing from his ears in anger, couldn¡¯t contain his temper any longer. ¡°That backstabbing jerk! How dare he even suggest you give up the lead of the Neon Paradox?¡±

 Chapter 190

    e even


    Who exactly is Neon Paradox? They were the hottest, most popr band. They were internationally recognized as one of the most influential rock groups around!


    Their unique rock vibe had captivated countless youths, and their albums over the past couple. of years had been nothing short of blockbuster hits. Every record was sold out with pre¨Corders. before it even hit the shelves. It <b>was </b>fair to say their clout in the domestic music scene was downright frightening.


    As Neon Paradox¡¯s leader, Leo wasn¡¯t only revered for his natural leadership abilities. His creative genius and impable stage presence were the heart and soul of the band. With a personal fanbase nudging the hundred million mark, Leo was a bona fide superstar.


    So, when some shameless opportunist tried to make a move during a moment of weakness, it was no wonder Collins was ticked off. Even if their star, Leo, could never perform on stage again, it wouldn¡¯t be the turn for some lowlife to trash his legacy.


    ¡°He wants me to hand over the lead to Jay,¡± Leo said with crisp rity in his eyes as he looked


    at Collins.


    Jay is an artist Cory groomed and a Phenomenal Band member. He wasn¡¯t the lead singer. He and Leo¡¯s rtionship had been rtively calm over the past few years, but as Leo¡¯s fanbase andmercial deals grew, so did Jay¡¯s envy. With Leo¡¯s recent injury, Jay saw his chance to


    stir trouble.


    ¡°Jay¡¯s got some talent, sure, but he¡¯s too arrogant, too full of himself. Anything he creates is all sh, no substance,¡± Collins remarked with undisguised disdain.


    Originally, Jay was meant to be Collins¡® prot¨¦g¨¦, but he had turned him down.


    Leo pursed his lips but said nothing more.


    Collins nced at Leo and sighed softly, then as if remembering something, he added, ¡°By the way, a friend of mine suggested you could try alternative medicine for your condition.¡±


    Leo listened without a visible change in emotion. If even Nick, the genius, said Leo couldn¡¯t perform anymore, what good would alternative medicine do? Shaking his head, Leo replied nonchntly, ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±


    Collins patted Leo¡¯s shoulder, reassuringly stating, ¡°As long as there¡¯s a glimmer of hope, I won¡¯t give up. You head back home and get some rest. I¡¯ll handle things at thepany and smooth everything over.¡±


    Leo was signed with Lamont Entertainment, not quite the industry titan, but definitely a powerhouse capable of making waves in the business. Rich in resources, they had propelled many artists to stardom. This made a contract with Lamont Entertainment highly coveted but difficult to secure due to its high standards.


    Having worked at Lamont Entertainment for nearly a decade, evolving from a rookie assistant


    11:05


    to a top agent, Collins¡® capabilities were unquestionable. If he said he could handle it, he could. Looking earnestly at Collins, Leo said, ¡°Thanks, Collins.¡±


    Collins waved it off, ¡°No thanks needed. Just focus on getting better.¡± He paused, then added ¡°You might want to stay away from your private vi for a while. Cory¡¯s no good; better to y it safe.¡±


    Leo hummed in agreement, then stood up. As he reached into his pocket for his face mask, he also pulled out the bottle of medicine Mirabe had given him that morning. He paused, momentarily distracted, having forgotten to leave it at home amidst the day¡¯s disruptions.


    With his sharp eyes, Collins noticed the bottle and asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s that fancy¨Clooking bottle you got there.¡±


    Holding the porcin bottle, a warmth spread across Leo¡¯s features, ¡°It¡¯s a wee gift from my sister.¡±

 Chapter 191

    Collins rubbed his nose <b>and </b>offered a sheepish grin. ¡°Quite the unique wee gift. What¡¯s in there? Sand or <b>some </b>quirky trinket?¡±


    Young girls <b>had </b>a penchant for creative stuff. Collins had lost count of how many such gifts he had received on behalf of others.


    Leo shot him a nce. ¡°My sister wouldn¡¯t give something that¡¯s just run¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cmill.¡±


    ¡°What is it, then?¡± Collins¡® curiosity was piqued.


    Recalling the serious expression on his sister¡¯s face that morning when she handed him the medicine, Leo didn¡¯t keep it a secret, ¡°Medicine.¡±


    ¡°Medicine?¡± Collins¡® face took on a thoughtful expression. ¡°What kind of medicine?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called Vitality something pill. Supposed to detoxify and repair the body, something akin to a wellness supplement, I guess,¡± Leo exined.


    At that, Collins found the name rather exotic. ¡°Sounds like an herbal remedy. Mind if I take a look?¡±


    Leo handed over the small bottle<b>. </b>


    Collins opened it and took a whiff. Indeed, there was a distinct herbal scent, rich yet with an underlying freshness, nothing like th


    overpowering herbal concoctions one might find at the drugstore.


    ¡°This medicine smells pretty good,¡± Collins remarked, pouring a pea¨Csized pill into his palm, ¡°Have you tried it yet?¡±


    Leo shook his head with a wry smile. ¡°In my current state, what difference does it make whether I take it or not?¡± After all, his condition seemed like a foregone conclusion.


    ¡°You can¡¯t think like that. Tell you what, I¡¯ll take this pill andter ask my buddy who¡¯s into alternative therapies if it¡¯s safe to use.¡±


    Capping the bottle, Collins handed it back to Leo, then walked over to his desk. He pulled out a couple of tissues to wrap the pill and stashed it in his drawer.


    Looking up, Collins said in a teasing tone. ¡°Your sister sure isn¡¯t like the other girls.¡± Who else would dare give medicine as a gift? That was practically wishing someone to get sick.


    Leo¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he thought of his sister¡¯s sweet demeanor. ¡°My sister is definitely one of a kind.¡±


    Collins rolled his eyes, slightly annoyed by Leo¡¯s constant ¡®my sister¡® talk. ¡°You seemed pretty nonchnt when she first came back. What¡¯s with the change of heart?¡±


    But then again, Mirabe was truly a stunner. If she were to step into the showbiz, she could easily be the envy of female celebrities across the web.


    11:35


    The thought alone got Collins¡® blood pumping, and he added with a smirk, ¡°Maybe ask your sis it she¡¯s interested in joining us in the entertainment industry. With her looks¡­¡±


    ¡°My sister isn¡¯t interested,¡± Leo cut him off coldly, donned his mask, and strode out of the office. The sound of the heavy door closing left Collins blinking in confusion. ¡°What¡¯s with the mood?¡±


    After leaving thepany, Leo headed to his private vi to pack some essentials, then drove. back to the Davis family estate. When he tried his key in the lock, he found, to his surprise, that it wouldn¡¯t turn. Puzzled, he rang the doorbell and waited. No one came. He finally resorted to calling Delh.


    Delh hadn¡¯t kept her phone on her, so the call went unanswered. Thus, Leo turned to dial his father.


    The phone was swiftly picked up, and as Leo¡¯s gaze settled on the security door, he asked, ¡°Dad, why doesn¡¯t the old key work anymore? Did we change the locks?¡±

 Chapter 192

    On the other end of the phone, Shawn was stepping outside a cozy cafe where he had been catching up with some old buddies. ¡°Oh, we changed the locks at the house a while back. Why do you ask? Are you heading back home for something?¡±


    What? Wasn¡¯t that his home, too?


    Leo furrowed his brow in confusion. He was always a bit of a straightforward thinker, and though he sensed something odd, he didn¡¯t dwell on it, simply stating, ¡°I¡¯m thinking of moving back in for a while.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s mood soured instantly. ¡°Don¡¯t you have your own ce? The house isn¡¯t exactly a mansion. Where are we going to fit everyone?¡±


    Holding the phone, Leo¡¯s face wore a look of bewilderment. Their duplex might not have been a sprawling estate, but at over 400 square meters, it was hardly small.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m not gonna talk about this now. I¡¯m busy, gotta go.¡± Shawn quickly ended the call without giving his youngest son another chance to speak.


    Back in the day, his children weren¡¯t interested in staying at home, but now, they are all interested in moving back.


    That was unfortunate, cuz Shawn wasn¡¯t interested in having them back anymore.


    With a huff, Shawn¡¯s face regained its smile as he returned to the private room.


    When the phone call abruptly ended, Leo stood there, lost in thought for the longest time. Why did it seem like his dad wasn¡¯t exactly thrilled about himing home?


    Scratching his head, be nced at the luggage beside him, feeling as if his family had cast him aside for the first time<b>. </b>


    So, when Mirabe got home from school and found Leo squatting by the front door, looking utterly forlorn and abandoned, she almost wondered if she had walked up to the wrong floor.


    ¡°Leo¡­ why aren¡¯t you inside?¡± Mirabe asked, regaining herposure.


    Hearing his sister¡¯s voice, Leo looked up, pushing the brim of his cap back and attempting to stand, only to realize his legs had stiffened from squatting so long. He leaned on the door frame, struggling to get up.


    Mirabe went over to help him up, massaging his stiff muscles, figuring he must¡¯ve been squatting there for a couple of hours.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have the keys,¡± Leo admitted sheepishly, his ear turning a shade redder as he identally kicked his luggage bag.


    ¡°Uh¡­ isn¡¯t Marian home?¡± Mirabe asked, puzzled. Usually, their housekeeper Marian would have already been preparing dinner.


    Leo paused, then shook his head. ¡°I rang the doorbell, but no one¡¯s home.¡±


    After a few seconds of thought, Mirabe suggested, ¡°Maybe Marian took the day off.¡±


    With that, she pulled out her keys and swiftly unlocked the front door. Then she turned her attention to Leo¡¯s luggage bag, effortlessly picked it up, and headed inside..


    Leo watched his sister lift his heavy luggage with ease and went into deep thought.


    Leo followed her in and shut the door behind him, his hands feeling oddly empty.


    ¡°Your room is the first one on the left upstairs, right?¡± Mirabe called over her shoulder as she climbed the stairs with his belongings.


    Leo met his sister¡¯s gaze and instinctively replied with a hum. Mirabe shed an ¡®OK¡® sign at him mid¨Cair.


    Realizing what was happening. Leo opened his mouth to tell her he could manage his own luggage, but before the words could escape, Mirabe was already briskly ascending the


    stairs.


    Leo stood there, puzzled. How awkward was it for a grown man to let his slight sister carry his bags?

 Chapter 193

    After stowing her and Leo¡¯s bag away, Mirabe descended the stairs to find Leo still rooted in the same spot. His normally cool demeanor seemed oddly endearingpared to Zach¡¯s polished appearance. Somehow, Leo came off as much more charming.


    Feeling his sister¡¯s gaze, Leo turned to look at her, but by then, she had already redirected her attention elsewhere. However, the hint of a satisfied smirk at the corner of her mouth didn¡¯t escape his notice.


    Blinking, Leo felt that curious, indescribable sensation creep up inside him once more.


    Unaware of his scrutiny, Mirabe headed to the kitchen and flung open the refrigerator. With Marian off for the day and Leo not exactly looking like the culinary type, it seemed the task of preparing dinner would fall to her.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket at that moment. Juggling vegetables in one hand, Mirabe fished out her phone with the other and saw it was the old man calling<b>. </b>She hit the speakerphone button. ¡°Dad.¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart, have you made it home yet?¡± Shawn¡¯s cheery voice came through.


    ¡°Yeah, just got in,¡± Mirabe replied, closing the fridge door and then inquired, ¡°Are you and Moming home for dinner tonight?¡±


    ¡°No, darling, your mother and I have a gathering to attend and won¡¯t be back early. Also, I gave Marian the day off. Don¡¯t worry about dinner. I¡¯ve ordered something special for you. It should be arriving soon, so keep an eye out for the delivery, will you?¡±


    Leo, who had been pouring himself a ss of water nearby, froze at the sound of his father¡¯s voice on speakerphone. The phrase ¡®I gave Marian the day off¡® kept echoing in his head. ¡°Ah, got it,¡± Mirabe responded, already returning the untouched vegetables to the fridge.


    ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll let you be. Just be careful at home on your own,¡± Shawn paused, adding another line as an afterthought, ¡°Don¡¯t open the door for anyone, you hear? It¡¯s not safe, especially at night.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s face twisted with confusion. Her dad was acting a bit off today; he never usually made those kinds of remarks. ncing over at Leo standing just outside the kitchen, she responded dutifully, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad, Leo¡¯s here, too.¡±


    Shawn, who was about to hang up, suddenly turned a shade of green at the mention of Leo, his disdaining through loud and clear, ¡°Why is he still there?¡±


    If Leo had thought the earlier disdain was just his imagination, there was no denying it now. With his water ss in hand, Leo felt like retreating into a shell.


    Watching a clearly bewildered Leo, Mirabe pondered momentarily before speaking up. ¡°Dad, I¡¯m on speakerphone.¡±


    Shawn, who had been about to say. ¡®Get him out of our house,¡® choked on his words. Silence reigned on the line for a long stretch. Finally, Shawn¡¯s voice hurried through. ¡°Ah, gotta go, your mom and I are heading out to dinner.¡± And with that, he hung up promptly.


    Mirabe cocked an eyebrow, devoid of any guilt for the mischief she¡¯d caused, and pocketed her phone. Stepping out of the kitchen, she announced nonchntly, ¡°Dad ordered us takeout. so no need to cook tonight.¡±


    Leo stared at his sister, looking utterly bewildered. After a long pause, he forced a stiff smile. ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s¡­ great.¡±


    Mirabe pursed her lips<b>, </b>suppressing a giggle. How could anyone have such an adorable brother?

 Chapter 194

    The sound of the doorbell shattered the awkward silence.


    ¡°It must be the delivery Dad ordered. I¡¯ll get it. Mirabe said as she walked to the door.


    When she opened the door, instead of the typical delivery guy in a cap and T¨Cshirt, she found herself face¨Cto¨Cface with a middle¨Caged man dressed in a sharp suit, exuding an aura of sophistication. He held two elegant boxes in his hands.


    Resting her hand on the doorframe, Mirabe asked with a hint of confusion, ¡°And you are?¡±


    With a courteous smile stered on his face, the man handed over the two boxes. This is your delivery, ma¡¯am. Bon app¨¦tit.¡±


    The boss had been clear. ¡°Keep it low¨Ckey and don¡¯t startle my daughter.


    It took Mirabe a couple of seconds to process before she reached out to take the boxes. curiosity getting the better of her. ¡°You¡¯re really here with a delivery?¡±


    The man¡¯s expression froze for a split second before he nodded. ¡°Yes, indeed.¡±


    Delivery guys sure were fancy these days, huh? Mirabe didn¡¯t press further, thanked the man. and closed the door.


    She ced the two ornate boxes on the table in the dining <b>room</b>. Each box had three tiers containing four dishes and two servings of rice ¨C a veritable feast that was more than enough


    for two.


    As they ate, something urred to Mirabe, prompting her to look up at Leo, who was quietly enjoying his meal across from her. ¡°By the way, Leo, are you an actor?¡±


    Leo paused mid¨Cbite and shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯m a singer<b>.¡± </b>


    A singer? Could that be why she couldn¡¯t find any of his records when she looked him up?


    While intrigued, Mirabe didn¡¯t want to pry into potentially sensitive matters. However, thinking about the poison that afflicted him, she couldn¡¯t resist teasing. ¡°With looks like yours, Leo, I bet you¡¯ve got a few green¨Ceyed monsters at yourbel.¡±


    Leo¡¯s lips twitched at her words, and he nced at his sister with aplicated expression. It seemed necessary to rify, ¡°Actually, I thrive because of my talent.¡±


    Mirabe nodded absentmindedly, going along with his im. ¡°Sure, the entertainment industry can be cutthroat. Just watch your back, okay?¡± With that, she returned to her meal.


    Leo felt a pang of mncholy; it was the first time he considered that being attractive might not have been all it was cracked up to be.


    After dinner, Mirabe offered to wash the dishes, but Leo was insistent on doing them himself. ¡°Ladies should take care of their hands. Leave it, I¡¯ve got this,¡± he stated seriously before snatching the dishes from her hands and heading into the kitchen.


    11:35


    Mirabe let him be and decided to prepare some fruit in the living room. She had barely taken a few steps when a series of ngs and crashes echoed from the kitchen.


    She pressed her fingers to her forehead, knowing all too well what that meant.


    A job that should¡¯ve taken mere minutes ended up being a twenty¨Cminute ordeal for Leo, and ultimately, Mirabe had to step in to finish up.


    Settling down on the living room sofa, Mirabe brought over a te of freshly cut fruit and ced it on the coffee table. Chomping on a slice of apple, she took a few bites before turning to study Leo¡¯s face. After a brief pause, she inquired, ¡°Leo, did you not take the medicine I gave you this morning?¡±


    Though it sounded like a question, the certainty in her voice was clear. Leo watched his sister. noticing her expression growing stern as she spoke,pelling him to sit up straight instinctively.

 Chapter 195

    ¡°I¡­¡± Leo began, the words almost tumbling out before he caught Mirabe¡¯s all¨Cknowing gaze, and suddenly, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to finish. After an awkward pause, he finally managed to say, ¡°¡­forgot.¡±


    Mirabe polished off thest slice of her apple, said nothing, and simply stood <b>up</b>.


    Leo watched his sister abruptly walk away, and for some reason, a sense of dread washed over him, reminiscent of the feeling he got when he was caught by a teacher with unfinished homework as a kid.


    ¡°Weird,¡± he thought, ¡°why would I even think that?¡±


    Before long. Mirabe returned with a ss of water, her expression unreadable as she handed


    it to Leo.


    Sitting up straight, Leo almost robotically took the ss, his hands moving faster than his thoughts. Without needing any prompts, he fished out a bottle of pills from his pocket. ¡°I¡¯ll take them right now.¡± He didn¡¯t even bother to ponder the possible side effects of the medication; he just popped a pill into his mouth without hesitation.


    Watching him swallow the medicine, Mirabe¡¯s stern expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm, ¡°If you want to get better, you need to take the medicine I give you on time.¡±


    Leo nodded subconsciously, his usual air of cool detachment and standoffishness dissolving in front of Mirabe as if their roles had been reversed <b>¨C </b>she the protective older sister, and he the obliging younger brother.


    Leo was baffled. After a moment, he snapped back to reality and hesitantly began, ¡°You know about my health problem¡­¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s phone buzzed in her pocket, and she casually pulled it out while absentmindedly replying, ¡°Mhm.¡±


    At her nonchnt acknowledgment, Leo¡¯s expression flickered with confusion. Aside from Zach and Nick, even Emmitt didn¡¯t know about his condition. How could Mirabe be aware of it?


    And surely¡­ Zach and Nick wouldn¡¯t have told her.


    Mirabe ignored the surprise in Leo¡¯s eyes andfortably settled back on the couch to text. not saying another word.


    Leo had so many questions, but seeing her engrossed in her messaging, he finally mped his mouth shut and sat there, his mind elsewhere.


    The message was from a recent contact on Messenger named ¡°No Stealing My Meds.¡±


    No Stealing My Meds: The Pharmacist¡¯s Guild did have apounder make a batch of Sce Stem recently, but I heard that it wasn¡¯t sold. It¡¯s still with the Guild.


    Mirabe crossed her legs on the couch, leaning backzily. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she read the message. Her fingertips tapped swiftly as she typed a response.


    The Pill: Are you sure?


    No Stealing My Meds: Positive. The Guild has a lot of rare ingredients, so any high¨Clevel meds concocted there are cataloged and not allowed for private sale or removal.


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers traced the edge of her phone, pondering for a few seconds before replying.


    The Pill: Do you know the name of thepounder who made the Sce Stem?


    No Stealing My Meds: Not sure about that. I can ask around if you want.


    Seeing this, Mirabe quickly replied.


    The Pill: No need, it¡¯s not important.


    No Stealing My Meds: Ok. Hey, are you stillpounding?


    The Pill: No, no time.


    No Stealing My Meds: Alright, let me know when you start again.


    The Pill: I can¡¯t for now. Senior year is hectic.


    No Stealing My Meds: ¡­


    1

 Chapter 196

    Mirabe wrapped up her chat with ¡°No Stealing <i>My </i>Meds¡± and nced at the clock on the wall. It was gettingte, and she remembered her untouched school¨Cassigned essays. The thought nudged her from thefy couch. ¡°Leo, I¡¯m heading up to do my homework. Don¡¯t stay up toote, okay?¡±


    With that, she took the stairs two at a time, heading to her <b>room</b>.


    Leo watched his sister¡¯s retreating figure, his mind foggy from the evening¡¯s distractions, snapping to attention at her mention of ¡®homework.¡± Mirabe was just a high school senior, yet when she put on her serious face, shemanded the room with more presence than he ever did, looking every bit the part of an adult.


    When she had insisted he take his medication earlier. he could hardly believe his timidpliance.


    He¡¯s totally whipped.


    The day had finally arrived. The BrainSpark Nationals city finals results would be announced.


    Typically, after the city finals, the next round would be at the state level. However, Ashford, being a charter city, posed a unique challenge with its higher difficulty level inpetitions, allowing those who advanced to skip straight to the nationals.


    Despite holding more challenging city finals, the threshold for advancing was higher than in other regions to ensure fairness. This meant that many hopefuls would be cut from thepetition once the scores were released.


    -?-


    At ten o¡¯clock sharp, the official website posted the names and scores of students who made the cut. There was no need to enter an exam number. One nce at the online ranking was enough to reveal who had advanced and who had been eliminated.


    In the Prodigy ss¡­


    Summer took out her phone with a shaky hand and opened thepetition¡¯s official site, feeling nervous for the first time at the prospect of checking her results.


    The questions in thispetition were notoriously difficult, and to add to her anxiety, Aiden had swiped the study materials she had obtained from the Education Association before she had a chance to review them. This left her feeling less than confident about several major problems on the test.


    ¡°Summer, how did it go? What score did you get?¡± Madeline asked, still fumbling with her own phone, not ready to face the results.


    Summer¡¯s expression wasposed, her voice a gentle calm. ¡°I¡¯m just checking now.


    Her fingertips tapped the screen as she spoke, opening the homepage where the advancing


    11:36


    scores were prominently disyed. Her heart tightened at that moment.


    First ce, Mirabe, 150 points.


    Second ce, Vincent. 148 points.


    Third ce, Sawyer<b>, </b>140 points.


    Fifteenth ce, Will, Tommy, Summer, 120 points.


    Out of a perfect score of 150, the cutoff was 120 points.


    When Summer saw her name at the bottom of the ranking, her hand trembled. She had barely made it¡­ one point less, and she would have missed the nationals altogether.


    And Mirabe, yet again with a perfect score, was at the top.


    Summer¡¯s gaze darkened. Even Vincent hadn¡¯t achieved a perfect score. How could Mirabe, who was rumored to have bought her way through high school back in her hometown, outperform Vincent? It simply didn¡¯t add up.


    ¡°Summer, congrattions on making it to the nationals,¡± Madeline said, her voice carrying congrattions butcking the usual exuberance.


    After being outshone by Mirabe time and again, Summer¡¯s qualification for the nationals. even with her best effort, seemed ratherckluster byparison.


    Summer could sense the shift in Madeline¡¯s attitude and felt an increasing irritation. She opened her mouth to respond when her phone vibrated incessantly. ncing down at the screen, she saw messages from her agent and her girl group members.

 Chapter 197

    Summer tapped on the Messenger app with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Her screen lit up with a barrage of congrattory messages that should¡¯ve warmed her heart, but today, they felt like just another reminder of the facade she had to maintain.


    Craig: [Congrats, Summer! National finals? You¡¯re not just a Parkside High School Prodigy ss student. You¡¯re a star<b>.</b>]


    Allison: [Hats off to Queen Summer for making it through to the next round<b>.</b>]


    Jenny: [I¡¯ve got champagne on ice. Let¡¯s celebrate your victory tonight.]


    Lily<b>: </b><b>[</b><b>I¡¯ll </b>swing by and pick you up.]


    As she scrolled through the well¨Cwishes, Summer¡¯s grip on her phone tightened. Inhaling. deeply, she began replying to each message, her fingers dancing over the touchscreen with practiced ease. No matter what, she had to keep up her image at thepany.


    After responding to her squad sisters, she finally shot a message back to her <i>manager </i>Craig.


    Summer¡¯s manager had always had high hopes for her. As soon as herpetition results. were out, he¡¯d been on the ball, lining up PR moves to hype her up online.


    [Craig): Oh, and post a Tweetter with a screenshot of your nationalpetition ranking. I¡¯ve got the PR ounts ready to give you a boost.


    Summer got the drift immediately and shot back a quick ¡®OK.¡®


    [Craig]: I¡¯m in talks with a reality show director about a spot on ¡®Country Comfort.¡® It¡¯s


    broadcast live. If you get on it, your poprity could skyrocket.


    Summer¡¯s eyes widened, a flicker of excitement betraying her cool exterior. [The one produced by Walker?]


    [Craig]: How¡¯d you know? It¡¯s still in the nning stages. Even I only heard about it because I know someone who knows Walker.


    With fingers flying, Summer replied, [My brother mentioned it to me.]


    [Craig]: The one who sings?


    [Summer]: Yeah.


    Craig stroked his chin thoughtfully. If her brother was in the music scene, that could exin it. [Well, if I can¡¯t snag this opportunity for you, see if your bro can get you on the show.]


    Walker was a titan in the reality show world, a Midas touch for talent, and a notorious perfectionist. Craig knew about Walker¡¯s new project but didn¡¯t have much hope of swaying the producer to pick Summer. So, he had been leveraging herpetition sess to solidify her public persona, hoping to increase her chances with a little heat and poprity.


    Meanwhile, Summer¡¯s thoughts turned to Leo, and her expression clouded withplexity. Leo was notoriously aloof, even to his closest friends, and they weren¡¯t exactly tight¨Cespecially since she had managed to rub him the wrong way in the past.


    ountry Comfort¡® was bound to be a hit, and Summer knew she had to be a part of it, no matter


    what.


    Quickly, she messaged Craig back with a decisive. (I understand.)


    After ending the chat, Summer felt a sense of calm washing over her. She nced at herpetition scores on her phone, and a self¨Cdeprecating smile curled her <b>lips</b>. It was just a small contest, yet it had her all worked up. She really shouldn¡¯t be so easily flustered.

 Chapter 198

    Taking a deep breath, Summer¡¯s mood lifted like the break of dawn, the sullen shadows on her face retreating. She screenshotted herpetition results with a decisive click and crafted a tweet she promptly sent to the Twitterverse.


    After posting, she stashed her phone in a desk drawer and mulled things over for a few seconds. before turning to Madeline, who was engrossed in her own phone.


    Though it was just a minorpetition, Summer had no desire to endure the smugness <b>of </b>certain people any longer.


    Mirabe once again scored a perfect score and clinched first ce in thepetition. To most students, this was no longer surprising: after all, she was in a league of her own, a legend among mere mortals who could do little more than look up to her with a mix of awe and envy.


    As thest ss of the afternoon ended, Mirabe nned to join Jenna and visit Jake at the hospital to check on his condition.


    Stepping out of the ssroom, Mirabe looked up and spotted a familiar silhouette leaning nonchntly against the railing. It was a clear¨Ccut profile she recognized. shing through her memory, she recalled the boy who had bizarrely thrown down the gauntlet in the restroom after the city¨Clevelpetition.


    ¡°That¡¯s Vincent from the Prodigy ss,¡± Jenna whispered from beside her. Instinct told her that Vincent, the former top dog of their grade, now hanging outside the honors ssroom, was most likely here for ¡®Queen Mira.¡±


    When kings sh, sparks fly. Jenna¡¯s eyes gleamed with anticipation. Mirabe arched an eyebrow and nced at Jenna. ¡°So your doom and gloom prediction actually came true?¡±


    Caught off¨Cguard and feeling med, Jenna could only gasp in surprise. She had only casually mentioned that someone might see Mirabe as a rival!


    Mirabe casually adjusted her backpack strap and coolly looked away, continuing forward as ifpletely unaware of the impending confrontation.


    Jenna gave a silent thumbs¨Cup from behind. That was ¡®Queen Mira,¡® unshakeable even in the face of a formidable foe. She was treating him like he was thin air.


    As Mirabe approached, the previouslynguid Vincent moved, stepping into the center of the hallway and effectively blocking her path.


    The eighteen¨Cyear¨Cold boy had the arrogance <b>of </b>youth, especially as one of the school¡¯s prodigies, his pride almost palpable.


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks, crossed her arms, and slowly lifted her head to meet Vincent¡¯s gaze, not a hint of disturbance in her expression.


    11:36


    The rest of the ss trickled out, and upon seeing the standoff between the two top performers. of the grade, they all paused.


    ¡°OMG, is this going to turn into a fight?¡±


    ¡°It sure looks like it. Ever since Mirabe transferred into Parkside High School, she¡¯s been taking all the top spots that used to belong to our genius.¡±


    ¡°If I were him. I¡¯d hold a grudge against anyone who stole my thunder and plot my revenge.¡±


    ¡°With both of their auras so charged, I can¡¯t help but get excited. I wonder who would win.¡±


    ¡°Idiot, when gods wage war, it¡¯s the mortals who suffer. Better stand back.¡±


    And so, the onlookers discreetly stepped back, including Jenna, who, like a mouse, inched towards a safer spot, afraid of coteral damage.


    For a moment, an eerie silence hung in the air.


    The students, eager for a spectacle, dared not even breathe too loudly as they awaited the showdown between the two titans.

 Chapter 199

    Mirabe arched an eyebrow at Vincent, her voice tinged with defiance, ¡°Looking for a fight?¡±


    Vincent frowned.


    With a casual twist of her wrist. Mirabe said. ¡°But¡­ fighting is banned on school grounds. Didn¡¯t you know?¡±


    Her words sounded in enough, but on closer inspection, they carried a brazen undertone. Sure, no fighting was allowed in school, but nothing stopped a tussle off campus.


    Vincent caught the hint, and his gaze didn¡¯t miss the gesture of her twisting wrist. His frown deepened. ¡°Who said anything about fighting? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be ady? All you talk about is brawling.<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe remained unfazed.


    The crowd of onlookers gawked at the standoff. The atmosphere seemed a bit off.


    Then, Vincent pulled out a folded piece of paper from his backpack and forcefully ced it in Mirabe¡¯s hands, his voice firm. ¡°I want an answer by tomorrow.¡± With that, he turned on his heel and left, not giving Mirabe any chance to refuse.


    The scene had shifted so rapidly that all the students who had been anticipating a showdown were left with their jaws hanging.


    ¡°What the heck,¡± they thought, ¡°we brought out the popcorn for this?¡±


    Was he passing a love note???


    Mirabe came back to her senses and<b>, </b>ignoring the stares of her ssmates, nced at the paper now in her hands. It was folded, but she could make out bits of the content from her angle. A smirk twitched at the corners of her mouth.


    After Vincent had walked away, Jenna approached cautiously, her eyes fixed on the note in Mirabe¡¯s hand, barely containing her urge to snatch it and read it herself. ¡°Queen Mira, what did Vincent give you?¡±


    The surrounding students perked up their ears at her words, eager to know.


    Mirabe nonchntly slipped the paper into her jacket pocket and said indifferently. ¡°Something you wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±


    Jenna touched the tip of her nose. ¡°You won¡¯t even show me, so how do you know I wouldn¡¯t understand it?¡±


    Mirabe turned to Jenna, her smile sly, ¡°Trust me, Jenna. You¡¯d question your sanity¡­¡± As she spoke, she reached out and yfully tousled Jenna¡¯s hair.


    Jenna was baffled. She felt utterly affronted!


    11:37


    T


    Shaking her head with augh, Mirabe withdrew her hand and walked on.


    About twenty minutester, Mirabe and Jenna arrived at the hospital.


    This was Jenna¡¯s regr visiting time, and Ka wasn¡¯t around today. After donning sterile gowns, they entered the hospital room.


    Seeing her father lying quietly on the bed, Jenna¡¯s eyes reddened. She sat by his side, her voice quivering. ¡°Dad¡¯s out of immediate danger, but if he doesn¡¯t wake up soon, the chances of him ever waking up are slim¡­


    Mirabe hade today to assess Jake¡¯s condition more closely. While Jenna was caught up in her worries, Mirabe reached out to check his pulse. His pulse was weak but not concerning.


    Retracting her hand, Mirabe pondered for a few seconds, then patted Jenna on the shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay. In a couple of days, your dad will wake up. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Jenna gave a wry smile and shook her head, dismissing Mirabe¡¯s assurance.


    Without pressing further, Mirabe stayed a few more minutes and then exited the room, leaving Jenna to be with her father. She took the elevator down to the ground floor of the inpatient building and started walking out of the hospital; she was surprised to run into a familiar face in the lobby..


    +

 Chapter 200

    ¡°Mirabe, what brings you to the hospital?¡±


    Collins was in for a routine prescription pickup and to check on a pal, but bumping into Mirabe was a curveball. Hospitals aren¡¯t exactly social hubs like malls, so he gave her the once¨Cover before asking with genuine concern, ¡°Are you feeling okay, Mirabe?¡±


    Mirabe nodded politely at Collins. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just visiting a ssmate¡¯s family member who¡¯s under the weather.¡±


    ¡°Gotcha,¡± Collins said with a grin. ¡°Heading home now?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°Perfect timing¨CI¡¯m about to take off, too. Mind if I give you a lift?¡± Collins offered warmly. Such a lovely youngdy shouldn¡¯t wander home alone¨Cit was not safe.


    ¡°No need to trouble yourself. I¡¯ll just hail a cab,¡± Mirabe declined, her expression cool and detached, practically screaming ¡®Back off. We¡¯re not tight.¡®


    At that, Collins touched his nose, amused by the resemnce in the sibling¡¯s frosty facades.


    He was about to speak again when his doctor buddy came hustling over, urgency written all over his face. ¡°Collins, hold up, there¡¯s something about your medication¡­¡±


    But the moment he caught sight of Mirabe, he mmed up, switching gears. ¡°Ah, sorry, am I interrupting?¡±


    Collins snapped back to reality. ¡°Not at all.¡± But considering the pills were a gift from Mirabe¡­ Collins cleared his throat and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s talk in your office.<b>¡± </b>


    The doctor nodded. ¡°Sure thing.¡±


    However, instead of leading Collins to his own office, the doctor headed for Dr. Ray¡¯s office. Though puzzled, Collins didn¡¯t question it.


    Inside Dr. Ray¡¯s office, there was also a silver¨Chaired elder, who stood up from the sofa ast Collins entered. His eyes were locked on Collins, and in his hand, he held one of the ¡®Vitality¡® pills.


    ¡°Where did you get this medication?¡± asked the elder, none other than Niki, who had previously appraised scents for James. He and Dr. Ray were old friends and had run into Collins while discussing some business.


    Collins¡® gazended on the pill in Niki¡¯s hand, pausing before he replied, ¡°A friend gave it to me.¡±


    At that, Niki¡¯s excitement intensified. ¡°Does your friend have a background in pharmacology? Could you introduce us?¡±


    Watching this unfold, Dr. Ray was taken aback by Niki¡¯s fervor¨Cit was a side of his longtime


    11:38


    friend he¡¯d rarely seen. His attention shifted back to the tiny pill nestled in Niki¡¯s hand.


    What was so special about this pill?


    Collins couldn¡¯t fathom why the old man was so worked up, but it was clear he knew something about the medication Mirabe had provided.


    ¡°My friend isn¡¯t a pharmacologist. But what exactly does this pill do? Is it safe for someone with spinal nerve damage? Will there be any side effects?¡± Collins rattled off his questions, his main concern evident.


    At the mention of side effects, Niki¡¯s gaze at Collins shifted. Had his own protege spoken so ignorantly, he might have been tempted to reach for a stick to set him straight.


    Such precious medicine was in the hands of a clueless buffoon!

 Chapter 201

    Niki took a deep breath, mentally steeling himself not to squabble with someone who clearlycked understanding. ¡°Tell me, is the person meant to take this pill, by any chance, suffering from a recent poisoning?¡±


    Poisoning? What on earth?


    Collins¡® face clouded over with confusion, and then he shook his head. ¡°No, my buddy just has some nerve damage.¡±


    Niki furrowed his brow in response. ¡°That doesn¡¯t add up. This Crimson Sage is specifically. designed to prevent toxins from spreading throughout the body, and it even offers temporary protection for nerves against toxin damage. If your friend isn¡¯t poisoned, why would he need. this medication?¡±


    Collins scratched his head in bewilderment. All he wanted to know was whether this medicine. was safe to take, and now they were discussing poison. This conversation was veering intol realms of fantasy!


    Besides, with modern medicine being so advanced, if Leo had been poisoned, the doctors would have detected it during a routine checkup long ago.


    Just then, Collins¡® doctor friend chimed in, ¡°Ahem, Collins, this gentleman is the Niki I mentioned before. He¡¯s highly skilled in alternative medicine. I dare say you won¡¯t find another practitioner in all of Ashford with his level of expertise.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Collins was genuinely taken aback, and his expression involuntarily shifted to one of respect. He nodded earnestly at Niki and said, ¡°My apologies for earlier, Niki.¡±


    After a brief pause, Collins addressed the earlier question more seriously. ¡°My injured friend¡¯s sister gave him this medicine. I didn¡¯t know if it was safe, so I thought it best to consult an expert. Moreover, my friend has been thoroughly checked at the hospital, and other than the spinal nerve damage, there are no other issues.¡±


    Turning to Dr. Ray, Collins continued, ¡°If I recall correctly, Dr. Ray, you reviewed my friend¡¯sb


    ¡°esults.¡±


    Dr. Ray indeed remembered and nodded in confirmation. ¡°Correct, the patient¡¯s issue was strictly with the spinal nerves.¡±


    Niki fell silent for two seconds before speaking again, ¡°Let¡¯s put it this way: this Crimson Sage pill is ssified as S+ grade by the Pharmacist Guild. Only a handful of pharmacists can concoct it, and it¡¯s so rare that it¡¯s priceless.¡±


    Not being an insider, Collins didn¡¯t grasp the rarity of an S+ grade medication from the Pharmacist Guild, but Dr. Ray did. His reaction to Niki¡¯s statement was one of sheer astonishment.


    The Guild¡¯s medications were categorized into four tiers ¨C A, B, C, and D, with A being the most


    precious, B and C following suit, and D representingmon, albeit high¨Cquality, drugs not typically essible to the general public.


    An S¨Cgrade medication indicated a special ss of ancient forme, and the pharmacists capable of creating them were few and far between, their status almost transcending that of other herbalists. Wherever they went, respect was a given.


    An S¨Cgrade drug was already extraordinary, but S+ was simply beyond imagination. No wonder Niki had been so agitated upon receiving the pill.


    Collins was dumbfounded, with the phrase ¡°priceless¡± echoing in his mind. He might not know about the Pharmacist Guild, but the concept of ¡°priceless¡± was clear to him. It was akin to how Leo¡¯s albums would sell out as soon as they hit the shelves, leaving even the wealthy unable to snag a copy. So, Collins touched the tip of his nose and ventured, ¡°Is this medicine¡­ that valuable?¡±


    liki nced at him, his look stillced with palpable disdain. ¡°You couldn¡¯t match the value of this pill even if there were a thousand of you.¡±


    Collins was taken aback. ¡°That¡¯s a bit harsh, don¡¯t you think?¡±

 Chapter 202

    ¡°You just said your buddy took a hit to the spine, right? Well, that¡¯s spot on. This Crimson Sage stuff not only puts the brakes on toxins but also patches up nerve damage. Sounds like just the ticket for his condition.¡±


    Niki¡¯s words came swiftly, a soothing balm to anxious ears. Collins, hearing this, felt a wave of relief wash over him.


    ¡°Still, I¡¯d strongly suggest your friend gets a thorough blood <b>workup </b>done. Some of those sneaky toxins don¡¯t show their ugly heads right off the bat,¡± Niki mentioned casually.


    A remedy as rare and targeted as this wasn¡¯t something you¡¯d dole out to just any Tom, Dick, or Harry with a boo¨Cboo, now was it? Some things you could just sniff out.


    Collins¡® expression grew earnest, and after a moment¡¯s contemtion, he offered Niki a respectful nod. ¡°Could I possibly trouble you to take a look at my friend another day? Rest


    can handle the fee, no matter the cost.¡±


    assured, we


    Even though Nick was a whiz with nerves, he hadn¡¯t spotted any extra issues. Niki¡¯s words carried a weight that demanded attention. After all, alternative medicine was yed by a different set of rules than conventional medicine. What if Niki could work some magic on


    Leo?


    Niki gave Collins a measured look before his gaze drifted back to the pill, neatly sealed in its transparent stic sanctuary, his mind wheeling with thoughts, ¡°I don¡¯t see an issue with taking a look, but I do have a small favor to ask in return.¡±


    Collins was quick on the uptake and didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Much obliged, Niki. I¡¯ll ask my friend¡¯s sister about the origins of this remedy right away.¡±


    With a polite nod, Niki¡¯s eyes sparkled with a hint of anticipation.


    Without Mirabe¡¯s contact details. Collins had no choice but to ring up Leo. The call connected swiftly, and Collins ryed the situation in a nutshell.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask her,¡± was Leo¡¯s terse reply from the other end.


    Collins ended the call, his mind wandering back to the earlier hospital encounter with Mirabe. If only he¡¯d brought her along¡­


    By the time Leo reached out to Mirabe, she was already ensconced in the back of a cab. With earbuds in ce, she pressed the answer button. ¡°Hey, Leo.¡±


    ¡°So, I was wondering where you got that medicine you gave me. It seems to be working wonders.¡±


    Leo kept mum about Collins¡® call. No need to stir the pot ¨C if Mirabe got wind of Collins taking her remedy to a doctor, it might ruffle her feathers.


    Gazing thoughtfully out the window, Mirabe pieced things together quickly against the backdrop of her earlier run¨Cin with Leo¡¯s agent, ¡°A friend shared it with me, but his remedies aren¡¯t usually up for sale.¡±


    Leo, caught off¨Cguard by her response, didn¡¯t press further. ¡°Ah, okay. When are you getting home?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°About fifteen minutes,¡± came Mirabe¡¯s reply.


    ¡°Alright, stay safe.¡±


    After hanging up, Leo wasted no time rying his sister¡¯s words to Collins, unfiltered and precise.


    Niki fell silent upon hearing this, his expression a mix of regret and understanding. After a moment, he handed the precious Crimson Sage back to Collins. The exchange was tinged with reluctance, even a touch of heartache, which made Collins hesitate to reach out. Yet, thinking of the medicine¡¯s supposed rarity and potential benefit for Leo, any thought of offering it back to Niki was quickly squashed.


    After a brief inner battle, Collins¡® decision crystallized within a heartbeat, and without further ado, he pocketed the pill. A revered alternative medicine guru like Niki surely wouldn¡¯t miss one little capsule anyway.

 Chapter 203

    When Collins left. Niki made a point of asking for his contact details.


    After Collins had departed. Dr. Ray fixed Niki with a serious gaze. ¡°Niki,¡± he began, using Niki¡¯s nickname. ¡°you don¡¯t think that medicine came from the Pharmacist¡¯s Guild, do you?¡±


    Niki settled back down on the couch, lifting a teacup from the coffee table and sipping it thoughtfully before replying, ¡°No, it didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Even Devon, with all his skills, couldn¡¯t produce a medicine of <b>this </b>S+ grade. I¡¯ve only evere across it once before, through an acquaintance, who, unfortunately, had also won it in an online auction. After that, it just vanished from the market for a year or two.¡± Niki¡¯s gaze drifted off into the distance.


    Ancient remedies were not easily concocted, and even when they were, it was rare to achieve an S grade!


    Dr. Ray¡¯s face registered shock again. Devon was a senior pharmacist within the Guild, a genius among geniuses. If he couldn¡¯t even produce this kind of medicine¡­ Then, how incredibly gifted must this mysterious medicine maker be? No wonder Niki had asked for Collins¡® contact information.


    ¡°It seemed like the Pharmacist¡¯s Guild was full of hidden geniuses, but I never imagined the real experts to be out there in the world,¡± Dr. Ray mused after a long pause.


    Niki stroked his salt¨Cand¨Cpepper beard, his tone enigmatic as he observed. ¡°There are always higher skies above us and people beyond our reach. The Guild, whenpared to some of these reclusive families, doesn¡¯t really count for much.¡±


    At this, Dr. Ray fell into a deep silence, realizing there were levels to this world he simply couldn¡¯t fathom.


    After dinner, Mirabe retreated to her room. Fresh from the shower, she took out her phone. and shot a video call to Catherine via Messenger. Within moments, Catherine¡¯s familiar face. popped up on the screen. Mirabe talked while drying her hair. ¡°You look much better.¡±


    Holding the phone, Catherine beamed like a child seeking praise, ¡°I¡¯ve been taking your medicine on time.¡±


    ¡°Good, and the Gilberts haven¡¯t tried to coax you back home


    casually.


    have they?¡± Mirabe asked


    ¡°No, I¡¯m doing well here at home. Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± Catherine replied with a pause, then suddenly added, ¡°By the way, Mira, some neighbors mentioned that someone¡¯s been asking. around for a miracle healer.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s hand paused mid¨Cstroke through her hair, and her eyes narrowed slightly.


    ¡°You mentioned before that your mentor practices alternative medicine. Could they be looking for him?¡± Catherine inquired further.


    ¡°I doubt it.¡± Mirabe responded coolly, not betraying any emotion.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good to hear. Also, I¡¯ve <b>taken </b>the liberty of tidying up some things for you in the cottage,¡± Catherine added.


    At this, Mirabe pursed her lips and nodded slightly.


    Twenty minutester, after ending the video call with Catherine, Mirabe sat pensively for a while. Then, standing up, she retrieved a piece of paper from the jacket hanging over a chair the one Vincent had given her.


    Unfolding the paper, she looked at the physics problem with a sense of mncholy. Eventually, she picked up a pen and began to work on the solution.


    Summer had just returned to the Gilberts after a get¨Ctogether with her girl group. The atmosphere at home was tense; her parents, Colton and Mandy, along with her brother Aiden. were not in the best of moods ¨C the air was thick with gloom.


    Summer furrowed her brow and caught a glimpse of Aiden¡¯s smug expression. Summer could guess why the family mood was so heavy. Composing herself, she walked over and greeted t hem as usual.


    ¡°Hey, Mom, Dad.¡±


    Mandy looked at her and couldn¡¯t help but confront her, ¡°What happened with yourpetition results this term? They were terrible.¡±

 Chapter 204

    Sure enough.


    Summer¡¯s lips twitched slightly before she mustered a patient tone. ¡°I think it¡¯s quite lucky for me to have made it to the nationalpetition with my grades.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Colton¡¯s brow furrowed deeply. ¡°Didn¡¯t you get revision material from the teacher¡¯s association? And what¡¯s the deal with Mirabe? Top score, first ce? You can¡¯t even beat her?¡±


    Summer knew Colton would react this way and let out a light chuckle. ¡°True. I had the study guides, but my dear brother sneakily passed them on to her.¡±


    Aiden immediately jumped up in denial, ¡°You¡¯re ming me for your poor performance? As if have nothing better to do than to hand over your materials to her. You¡¯re making a scene over nothing!¡±


    Without arguing. Summer calmly pulled out a delivery receipt from her bag. ¡°You sent this. didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°What is this?¡± Mandy stood up, took the delivery receipt, and saw her son¡¯s name as the sender and Mirabe as the recipient. She immediately turned her gaze to Aiden.


    Upon seeing the receipt. Aiden couldn¡¯t help but show a guilty expression, but he still stubbornly denied, ¡°I never sent anything!¡±


    Summer watched Aiden with disappointment and shook her head, ¡°Aiden, I know you don¡¯t want to acknowledge me as your sister, but there was really no need to send my study materials to Mirabe. Where do you think you¡¯re cing the pride of our parents and the Gilbert family?¡±


    Mentioning the matter of family pride, Colton¡¯s face darkened even more than before. He snatched the delivery receipt from Mandy¡¯s hand, nced over it, and turned to Aiden. ¡°Your little brat!¡±


    He had always wondered how his adopted daughter, who hadn¡¯t even made it to the county¡¯s top high school, could possibly score full marks ande first in thepetition. Now, it all made sense.


    Normally brash and unruly, Aiden still felt intimidated by the <i>sight </i>


    dared not utter another word.


    of Colton¡¯s furious scowl and


    Rubbing his forehead, Colton roared in a low voice, ¡°Do you have any idea how many strings I had to pull to get your sister this opportunity? How could you do this? Is your brain made of pudding?¡±


    Fearing her husband mightsh out at their child, Mandy quickly stepped in front of Aiden. ¡°Aiden just wasn¡¯t thinking straight¡­¡±


    ¡°It was all set for Summer to find a mentor in Riverdale during the nationals, but now, with thisst¨Cce result, how could she possibly face them?¡± Colton was too angry for words.


    10:07


    Any influential family in Riverdale was leagues beyond the Gilbert family. If they could forge a connection, the Gilberts¡® status in Ashford could rise exponentially. That was why Colton had been scheming to pave the way for Summer.


    Mandy¡¯s expression fell, her mind buzzing,pletely at a loss for words.


    Observing her parents, who were only concerned with their own interests and reputation, Summer spoke indifferently. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll head back to my room.¡±


    Colton nced at her but, in the end, said nothing more.


    The next day.


    Mirabe had barely settled into the ssroom when Vincent appeared at the back door of The Advanced ss. Since Mirabe sat in thest row, he didn¡¯t bother with formalities and strode in from the back door. ¡°Got the answers worked out?¡±


    Mirabe nced at him emotionlessly, pulled out a book from her backpack, and said, ¡°Don¡¯te to me with science problems next time. I¡¯m a humanities student now.¡±


    With that, she impatiently extracted a sheet of paper with the solved equations from the book.

 Chapter 205

    Vincent¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly as his gaze fell upon the piece of paper he had just received. Initially nonchnt, his expression shifted dramatically upon seeing the solution to the physics problem written on it.


    The problem he had posed was a notorious one fromst year¡¯s International Physics Olympiad, a challenge so daunting that it was conquered by only a single student across the globe. It was infamous for its borderline diabolicalplexity.


    The equations and stepsid out in this paper were even more concise than those of the proimed genius from the previous year, with apletely <b>original </b>approach to boot. Even though he had studied this problem in depth, Vincent still found it <b>hard </b>to believe there was another way to solve it. If this solution were to be posted online, it could probably send waves of despair through the ranks of otherwise brilliant students.


    As some of his ssmates noticed the once¨Creigning academic titan of their <b>grade </b>approaching the current top dog, they couldn¡¯t help but gather around, eager to catch a glimpse of the paper that had so visibly affected Vincent¡¯s demeanor.


    When the crowdid eyes on the inscrutable equations scattered across the page, the liberal. arts majors in The Advanced ss were left utterly dumbfounded. Love letters were out of the question. The world of the academically gifted was a realm forever beyond the grasp of the struggling students.


    With aplicated look, Vincent turned to Mirabe, who seemed utterly oblivious to themotion, nonchntly pulling out a book in French and beginning to read. After a moment of hesitation, Vincent finally spoke up, ¡°With science grades like yours, why would you stick around in a liberal arts ss?¡±


    Without even ncing up, Mirabe answered in a breezy tone. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make a difference which ss I¡¯m in.¡±


    Once, such brazen confidence was Vincent¡¯s trademark. Hearing it from someone else was irritatingly intriguing.


    Vincent <b>didn¡¯t </b>linger much longer in The Advanced ss. After he left, the ssroom buzzed back to life.


    ¡°Did Vincent just imply that Queen Mira¡¯s science grades are even better? Am I hearing this right?¡±


    ¡°No need to overthink. It¡¯s just the in truth.¡±


    ¡°Ah, today¡¯s another day that challenges my intellect.¡±


    Having left The Advanced ss behind, Vincent had made it some distance towards the Prodigy ss when he abruptly stopped, turned on his heel, and headed towards the physics


    10:08


    teacher¡¯s office.


    Deep in lesson preparation, the physics teacher looked up in surprise at Vincent¡¯s entrance. Vincent ced the paper with the equations on the teacher¡¯s desk. ¡°Take a look at this, would you?¡±


    The teacher set down his pen and, upon ncing at the problem, instinctively remarked, ¡°Int this the problem fromst year¡¯s Olympiad that stumped countless students?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    As the teacher continued to peruse the solution, his expression quickly turned to one of utter astonishment. Looking up after a moment, he asked with excitement, ¡°Did youe up with this solution?¡±


    Vincent shook his head, ¡°Not me.¡± He paused before adding. ¡°It was Mirabe from The Advanced ss.¡±


    ¡°The Mirabe who topped this month¡¯s exams?¡± the teacher asked, hand trembling.


    ¡°That¡¯s the one fromst year.¡± Vincent couldn¡¯t hide his admiration. ¡°I spent a week and couldn¡¯t crack it. She did it in one evening.¡±


    The teacher¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, ¡°One evening?¡±


    For a problem of such difficulty, even a seasoned physicist like himself would need a day or two to solve it¨Clet alone a student in one evening¡­.


    The physics teacher felt a buzzing in his head, at a loss for words. The revtion was simply too much to process.

 Chapter 206

    It might have been just another physics problem, but when a student from the liberal arts ss cracked it, people were more than just impressed.


    This wasn¡¯t any ordinary problem, though. It was concocted by a team of physics professors from some of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions. Theplexity and depth of the problem were beyond what any standard textbook could offer.


    And that¡¯s why thest year¡¯s prodigy, the only one to solve it before graduation, was immediately courted by these top¨Cnotch universities.


    Here was Mirabe, a student steeped in the humanities, whose solution was even more elegant and straightforward thanst year¡¯s wunderkind. Her talent was not just extraordinary: it was nothing short of a physics marvel.


    But what on earth was a physics genius like her doing in a liberal arts ss?


    The physics teacher felt a pang of regret as he picked up the paper and stood up. He gave Vincent a wave. ¡°You should head back to ss.¡±


    Vincent blinked, watching the physics teacher, who had already breezed out of the office, and thought, ¡®Could you maybe leave that paper with me before you dash off?¡®


    The physics teacher hustled over to Mr. Hammond¡¯s office, bursting in with urgency, ¡°Mr. Hammond, there¡¯s a matter of great importance I need to discuss with¡­ Oh, Morgan, you¡¯re here too?¡±


    Morgan was mid¨Cconversation with Mr. Hammond and stopped upon the physics teacher¡¯s entrance, turning to him with a pause, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m discussing a situation with Mr. Hammond.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll wait outside then until you¡¯re finished,¡± said the physics teacher, suddenly noticing Morgan¡¯s perturbed expression. Trying to be discreet, he hid the paper behind his back, ready to step out again.


    Morgan stopped him, ¡°No need for privacy. It¡¯s not a secret. Stay.¡±


    Taking the cue, the physics teacher nced at Mr. Hammond, who motioned towards a chair. He sat down, and as he did, his eyes returned to the problem on the paper in his hands.


    Morgan turned back to Mr. Hammond. ¡°Mr. Hammond, I really think we should thoroughly investigate the misconduct allegations against Mirabe during thepetition. This is not just any school exam. If word gets out, it could tarnish the reputation of Parkside High School.¡± The physics teacher, overhearing Mirabe¡¯s name, couldn¡¯t help but look up, his interest piqued. Cheating in apetition? What was this about?


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s gaze on Morgan was icy from the moment he started talking about Mirabe.


    Chapter <b>206 </b>


    Thest mess with nepotism, initiated by Morgan, nearly cost him a brilliant student. And now this talk ofpetition misconduct? He couldn¡¯t fathom Morgan¡¯s angle. Mirabe¡¯s academic performance and capabilities were evident¨Ctoppingpetitions and leading her grade. What was there to question? What was Morgan thinking?


    Mr. Hammond took a deep breath, ¡°Morgan, let me ask you, are you convinced that there¡¯s a problem with Mirabe¡¯s character? Are her studies questionable?¡±


    Morgan pursed his lips. ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean. I received a report, and as a teacher, it¡¯s my duty to bring it to you.¡±


    Mr. Hammond scoffed, ¡°Duty? How can you speak of responsibility when you don¡¯t even have a shred of trust in your own student?¡±


    ¡°These are notparable situations. I understand that Mirabe is a student you recruited. but you can¡¯t let that be the reason for your bias, can you?¡± Morgan countered stubbornly.

 Chapter 207

    Mr. Hammond scoffed at Morgan¡¯s insistence, his voice dripping with skepticism. ¡°Alright then, you im there¡¯s a student tip¨Coff? Show me the proof.¡±


    Seemingly prepared for this challenge. Morgan calmly responded, ¡°Due to privacy concerns, all I can disclose is that Mirabe definitely had prior ess to thepetition questions.¡±


    At the mention of thepetition material, Mr. Hammond¡¯s gaze on Morgan shifted, now tinged with a hint of intrigue. He opened his mouth to Interject, but Morgan continued unabated.


    ¡°I must admit my doubts about Miss Mirabe,¡± Morgan stated firmly. ¡°How could a humanities major possibly outperform Vincent in our Prodigy ss in science and math?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed thepetition questions myself. The majority areplex, science¨Cbased problems. Without having studied specific preparatory materials in advance, I find it hard to believe that a humanities student could answer them all correctly,¡± Morgan dered with confidence. After all, he had been nurturing minds for two decades, encountering a myriad of students. He¡¯d met all¨Crounders in both arts and sciences before. Lacking the ability to sniff out a hint of deceit would mean he¡¯d spent those years in vain.


    The physics teacher, who had been listening intently to Morgan¡¯s words, suddenly disyed a


    peculiar expression. He nced at the stack of papers he was holding, pondered for a moment.


    and then decided it was time to chime in. Standing up, he approached Morgan and handed him a sheet of paper, clearing his throat, ¡°Ahem, Morgan, take a look at this.¡±


    Caught up in a crucial discussion with Mr. Hammond, Morgan was slightly irked by the interruption, yet he patiently epted the paper. ¡°What is this¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes locked onto the contents of the paper.


    Morgan, a math teacher with a firm grasp of physics, was stunned by the solutions outlined on the sheet. After a prolonged silence, Morgan looked up at the physics teacher, ¡°Who solved this problem?¡±


    ¡°It was Vincent who brought this to me just now,¡± the physics teacher replied, his tone casual.


    Mr. Hammond, unable to resist, leaned in to examine the paper, filled with equations and symbols that made sense to him only as a physics problem, but beyond that, he was lost. Though he did not know the physics teacher¡¯s intention in bringing up the problem at that moment. Mr. Hammond chose not to interrupt.


    Upon hearing Vincent¡¯s name, Morgan¡¯s face lit up with surprise and delight, ¡°Vincent solved this? Even the student recruited by the Ivy League powerhousesst year couldn¡¯t produce such an elegant and clever solution, right?¡±


    A wave of excitement surged within Morgan, but before he could finish his thought, the physics teacher interjected. ¡°This problem wasn¡¯t solved by him.¡±


    Morgan paused, his gaze fixed on the physics teacher, and after a moment, he regained his


    The physics teacher carefully smoothed out the creases on the sheet before slowly revealing two words: ¡°Mirabe Davis<b>.</b>¡±


    Morgan¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, his first instinct to shake his head. ¡°Impossible! That¡¯s a question fromst year¡¯s Physics Olympiad. How could she possibly solve it? You must be joking?!¡±


    He could believe anyone else might have solved it, but Mirabe¡­ that was something he refused to ept.

 Chapter 208

    The physics teacher¡¯s gaze lingered on Morgan with an increasingly peculiar curiosity. He simply inquired. ¡°Why can¡¯t Mirabe crack it, Morgan? Are you perhaps harboring a bit of a <b>s</b>?¡±


    Morgan choked on his words, blindsided by the counter¨Cquestion. After a few seconds of silence, he managed to stammer out, ¡°You¡¯re the one deep into physics. You know the level of difficulty we¡¯re talking about here. She¡¯s from the humanities..


    Although Mr. Hammond couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of the physics problem, he was well aware that an Olympiad question was no walk in the park. He had heard Morgan harp on about ¡®Mirabe being a humanities student¡® one time too many, couldn¡¯t hold back any longer, and chimed in. ¡°Morgan, you seem to have forgotten something. Initially, I wanted to ce her in your Prodigy ss.¡±


    e own


    His implication was clear. She was meant to be a science student all along. Morgan¡¯s doing led to the twist of fate, whichnded her in the humanities ss.


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s reminder hit Morgan like a ton of bricks, almost making him stagger. He had always refused to entertain, let alone admit, the fact that he had personally pushed Mirabe out of the Prodigy ss. Every time Mirabe topped the charts with remarkable grades, he would deliberately turn a blind eye, stop his ears, and shun any twinge of regret. But as Mr. Hammond brought it up, it struck him like thunder, shattering his self¨Cdeception.


    Unaware of this backstory, the physics teacher piped up upon Mr. Hammond¡¯s revtion, ¡°So Mirabe is originally a science student? No wonder she¡¯s so good at physics. I was wondering. why such a promising student was in the humanities. I¡¯ve been meaning to suggest we transfer her to the science ss, Mr. Hammond.¡±


    Noting the physics teacher¡¯s astuteness, Mr. Hammond nced at Morgan again, smirking. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite the eye for talent.¡±


    Morgan¡¯s face paled even further.


    ¡°With all this distraction, I almost forgot what we were talking about. Morgan, you mentioned thepetition materials, correct?¡± As Mr. Hammond spoke, he made his way to his desk. pulled open a drawer, and retrieved a book. He tossed it casually onto the desk, ¡°Is this what you were looking for?¡±


    Morgan¡¯s eyes fell upon the book. After a few seconds of silence, he picked it up and began to leaf through it tentatively.


    Leaning against the desk, Mr. Hammond¡¯s gaze was indifferent. ¡°Mirabe gave me that material a few days ago. She said someone had couriered it to her ce by mistake and passed it on to me since she had no use for it. I thought I¡¯d make a few copies for the students to review.¡±


    Flipping through a few more pages, Morgan found various types of questions and answers.


    10.08


    including those from previouspetitions¨Call documented within. Looking up, he began, ¡°This¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right,¡± Mr. Hammond interjected, as if recalling something after a brief pause. ¡°Mirabe also mentioned she found some of the solutions in there a bit too cumbersome and old¨Cfashioned. She was concerned that some might exploit the materials, so she said her approach would be slightly different¡­¡±


    He paused as if pondering for a moment, then added softly. ¡°Since we¡¯re investigating. I¡¯ll stop by the Education Association at noon, pull up Mirabe¡¯s exam paper, and make a copy for all the teachers to review andpare.¡±


    At the close of Mr. Hammond¡¯s words, Morgan¡¯splexion turned a ghastly shade. Dropping the materials on <b>the </b>desk, <b>he </b>seemed to dete as if all the life had been drained from him in


    that instant.


    The physics teacher nced at Morgan, shook his head with a mixture of pity and


    astonishment, then casually picked up the book, thumbing through it before clicking his tongue in disappointment.

 Chapter 209

    ¡°ording to our star student Mirabe¡¯s approach, these answers are quite borate. For a whiz kid like her, I bet it¡¯s a walk in the park,¡± the physics teacher remarked casually as he set the papers down. After all, she was a prodigy who could breeze through problems that stump even International Olympiadpetitors.


    Mr. Hammond turned his gaze toward Morgan, his expression unreadable. ¡°Morgan, are you still insisting that I investigate whether Mirabe has been cheating?¡±


    Morgan stood rooted to the spot, feeling more embarrassed than ever before. The corners of his mouth twitched as he realized that his years of umted professional integrity had just been shattered.


    The silence that filled the room was palpable.


    The physics teacher nced between the two men and then coughed behind his hand, breaking the quiet.


    ¡°By the way. Mr. Hammond, you really should consider my suggestion. Having Mirabe in a humanities ss is a waste of talent. If there¡¯s nothing else we can do, we should at least have her sit in on my physics lectures,¡± he suggested.


    Mr. Hammond didn¡¯t press Morgan further. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t care, but he knew that sometimes, stopping just short of an outright usation could instill a deeper sense of shame¨Ca shame that would haunt a person for life.


    Collecting his thoughts, Mr. Hammond replied to the physics teacher, ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to ask her yourself. I¡¯ve suggested a ss transfer before, but she refused.¡±


    Morgan¡¯s hand trembled slightly.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have a word with her. We can¡¯t let such talent go to waste,¡± the physics teacher said offhandedly. Mr. Hammond offered a wry smile and said no more.


    After lunch, Mirabe returned to the ssroom and sprawledzily across her desk, using a book to shield her eyes from the light.


    Meanwhile, on the school¡¯s forum, an anonymous post surfaced iming Mirabe had cheated in thepetition by getting her hands on the questions in advance. The post even listed her previous grades from the county school, which were far from ster.


    As the forum erupted in spection and gossip,ments poured in.


    [Those grades¡­ they¡¯ve got to be fake, right?]


    [What¡¯s going on this semester? It seems like there¡¯s a new rumor about Queen Mira every other day. Aren¡¯t they tired of getting their faces smacked?]


    Isn¡¯t Mirabe a humanities student? I heard thispetition was heavy on math and science¨Cthink about that.]


    I just started stanning Queen Mira, and now I can¡¯t tell fact from fiction. Can someone rify this mess?)


    The post had already amassed hundreds ofments.


    Jenna, sping her phone, rushed back into the ssroom and saw Mirabe still napping. She couldn¡¯t wait any longer and snatched the book off her face, ¡°Mira, we¡¯ve got a big problem.¡±


    Mirabezily turned her head, still half¨Casleep and visibly annoyed at being disturbed.


    Jenna touched her nose sheepishly and handed the phone to Mirabe. ¡°Someone¡¯s saying you cheated in thepetition and that you had prior ess to the materials, which is why you alwayse in first.¡±


    Mirabe barely nced at Jenna¡¯s phone and yawned, ¡°Boring.¡± She then casually pulled out another book and ced it over her face again.


    Jenna¡¯s lips twitched in frustration. Not daring to disturb Mirabe further, she simply said, ¡°It might be boring, but it¡¯s all over the school forum. If we let them nder you, what will the underssmen think? Whoever posted this clearly wants you out of Parkside High School for good!¡±


    So annoying!


    Mirabe flipped the book off her face and stood up abruptly, storming out of the room.

 Chapter 210

    Jenna jumped as Mirabe rose abruptly from her seat, scrambling to catch up. ¡°Mira, what¡¯s got you storming off like <b>that</b>?¡± she called out.


    Without pausing or looking back, Mirabe¡¯s voice <b>was </b>as cool and detached as ever. Just changing my sleeping quarters.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s temple <b>throbbed</b>. ¡°That¡¯s no simple quest for a new ce to crash. You¡¯re radiating murderous vibes, girl. You¡¯re probably off to chop someone¡¯s head off. Ah, well. Best keep <b>up </b>and see what¡¯s up.¡±


    In no time, Jenna was trailing Mirabe to the Prodigy ss.


    The Prodigy ss wasn¡¯t too crowded at the moment. Summer had just returned to the ssroom with Madeline. They were sitting at their desks, chatting and scrolling through their phones, looking quite pleased with themselves.


    Standing at the doorway, Mirabe spotted Summer in the third row with just one nce. She stepped into the ssroom with an expressionless face and strode toward Summer. ¡°You seem to have an awful lot of free time on your hands, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Oblivious to Mirabe¡¯s entrance, Summer looked up, startled by the icy voice above her head. Her face showed a brief surprise before quickly resuming a casual demeanor. ¡°What are you getting at?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze was sharp, her impatience clear. ¡°Quit ying the fool with me. Sending out info, smearing my name on forums ¨C can¡¯t youe up with something a tad more sophisticated?¡±


    Jenna, who had hesitated at the doorway, couldn¡¯t help but snort at the ¡®quit ying the fool with me.¡®


    Summer¡¯s face darkened as she stood up, her voice equally frosty. ¡°Mind your manners when you talk to me. What docs? What forum smear? I¡¯ve got no clue what you¡¯re on about!¡±


    Mirabe sneered, ¡°You don¡¯t know, or you¡¯re just scared to admit it?¡±


    Summer¡¯s brows knitted tightly in frustration.


    Madeline was caught off guard by Mirabe¡¯s direct approach. She was clearly here because of that forum post. Madeline felt a twinge of guilt¨Cafter all, she was the one who posted it without Summer¡¯s knowledge.


    However, remembering the things Summer had said to her earlier, Madeline¡¯s confidence returned. She stood up, looking disdainfully at Mirabe, ¡°You got caught cheating in apetition and got exposed on the school forum, and now you have the audacity toe here and hassle Summer?¡±


    As her words hung in the air, Summer suddenly turned to Madeline, ¡°What forum post?¡±


    10-09


    Madeline cleared her throat, gave a brief exnation, then whipped out her phone, logged onto the school forum, and showed Summer the post that had garnered a thousandments.


    Summer scrolled through the thread, her heart sinking.


    This idiot.


    She didn¡¯t want Mirabe to steal the spotlight at school but never intended for thepetition. materials situation to blow up. After all, she leaked those documents from the Education Association, and making a mountain out of this molehill served no benefit to her!


    Taking a deep breath, Summer put the phone down and looked steadily at Mirabe. ¡°I didn¡¯t post that thread, and besides, the innocent have nothing to hide. Your <bing </b>here to question me seems rather pointless.¡±


    A smirk briefly yed on Mirabe¡¯s lips as she leaned forward casually, her palms resting on <i>the </i>e


    edge of the desk. Her smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes as she said, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who posted it. What matters is the moment that post went live, you were destined to pay for your foolishness.¡±


    Summer¡¯s brows twisted, a bad feeling suddenly rising within her. Mirabe was too arrogant. It was as if she held all the cards in her hand.

 Chapter 211

    just handed over thepetition materials the Gilbert family sent to Mr. Hammond without saying a word.¡± Mirabe drawled her tone dripping with nonchnce. ¡°But your little stunt DALSL¡±


    Mirabe shook her head, the gesture as dismissive as her tone, and straightened up. She left. me with nothing but a smirk that could chill one¡¯s bones, then sashayed out of the ssroom.


    Summer watched Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure, her eyes suddenly snapping wide open. Sure, anyone could find out the Gilberts had sent the package by poking around the courier service. But did Mirabe give it to Mr. Hammond?


    In the past few days, neither the teachers nor Mr. Hammond hade looking for Summer.


    at meant Mirabe probably hadn¡¯t dropped Summer¡¯s name to Mr. Hammond¡­ but no way did she buy that Mirabe would pass up the chance to smear her.


    Summer¡¯s thoughts were a mess. Despite her gut screaming that Mirabe was ying her, paran was taking root. If Mirabe really hadn¡¯t mentioned Summer¡¯s name to Mr. nammond, this might all blow over. But with the forum fiasco now¡­ Summer grabbed her phone in a hurry and logged onto the forum, only to find the thread locked by the admin. Her head was pounding.


    Summer slumped into her seat, herplexion ashen.


    After Mirabe¡¯s exit, the other students who had overheard their exchange looked at Summer wih puzzled expressions.


    They were not only curious about how Mirabe and Summer seemed to know each other but also intrigued by Mirabe¡¯s parting shot about the materials ¡®sent from the Gilbert family.¡® It reeted of conspiracy!


    Oblivious to the trouble she¡¯d caused, Madeline peeked at Summer cautiously and said, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, Summer. It¡¯s just Mirabe being¡­¡®


    Summer didn¡¯t want to hear Madeline¡¯s voice. Pressing a hand to her temple, Summer snapped, ¡°Would you just zip it and let me have some peace?¡± If not for this¨Cblundering idiot, Summer wouldn¡¯t be in this embarrassing spot.


    Madeline had never seen Summer lose her cool Madeline bit her lip but whispered, audible only to both. ¡°I was the one who posted anonymously on the forum. I just wanted to stand up for


    YOU¡±


    Summer closed her eyes, a sneer curling her lips. Stand up for Summer? Madeline had just thrown Summer into the eye of the storm.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Summer said, her patience wearing thin. ¡°I¡¯ve got it under control.¡±


    Madeline opened her mouth as if to say she¡¯d exined everything to the homeroom teacher, but seeing the grim look on Summer¡¯s face, she thought better of it and stayed silent. Maybe it


    10.09


    was best to wait until Summer was in a better mood to bring it up again.


    On the way back to The Advanced ss from Prodigy ss, Jenna was babbling nonstop beside Mirabe, her mouth running a mile a minute.


    Mirabe suddenly paused and turned to Jenna. ¡°You got your phone on you<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Jenna, mid¨Cramble, hit the brakes and looked at Mirabe, quickly regaining herposure. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got it.¡±


    Mirabe took it from her, asked for the unlock code, and, without any secrecy, logged onto the school forum.


    Jenna assumed Mirabe just wanted to check out thetest gossip and averted her gaze. saying, ¡°It¡¯s all just fence¨Csitters enjoying the drama. Don¡¯t mind thosements.¡± Jenna had read through a couple hundredments herself and saw quite a few taking jabs at Mirabe, which nearly sent her through the roof.


    ¡°Right.¡± Mirabe hummed in response, her gaze fixed on the phone screen. Her fingers moved deftly, and soon after, she handed Jenna back her phone.

 Chapter 212

    Jenna was fiddling with her phone, casually unlocking it as she spoke. ¡®That thread on the forum got pretty heated. I noticed the admins locked it down just a while ago¡­ Huh, why are thements open again?¡±


    Mirabe continued walking ahead with an indifferent gaze.


    In the afternoon. Mirabe was surprised to receive a message from James on Messenger. [Free after school?]


    Mirabe pondered for a few seconds before quickly responding. [Should be.]


    [Knox whipped up a couple of new dishes. He specifically asked me to check if you¡¯re free tonight.]


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers brushed the phone screen. Without much hesitation, she replied. [Yes!] Getting new knowledge and good food? Well, count her in!


    James. [See you at the school gate after ss then.]


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly, and after sending back an affirmative, she pocketed her phone.


    After school as Mirabe stepped out of the school gates, she spotted James¡® unremarkable ck sedan. Wyatt was standing by the car door, <b>and </b>as Mirabe approached, he greeted her proactively. ¡°Good day, Ms. Mirabe.¡± There was a tone of respect in his voice.


    Mirabe nodded slightly in response.


    Swiftly. Wyatt opened the rear door of the car for Mirabe, and after she got in, he closed it behind her..


    James turned to look at Mirabe as she settled in, a gentle smile gracing his chiseled features. ¡°Right on time.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, ncing at him, ¡°One should always be punctual to an appointment.¡±


    James rested his hand on his knee and instructed Wyatt to drive, casually starting a conversation, ¡°How¡¯s yourpetition going?¡± He was referring to the BrainSpark Nationals.


    Mirabe leanedzily against the car window. ¡°It¡¯s alright, just advanced to the nationals.¡±


    ¡°Congrattions.¡±


    Mirabe waved her hand dismissively. ¡°No big deal her voice carrying a touch of pride.


    ¡°Whatpetition?¡± Wyatt, who was driving, asked curiously.


    10:09


    ¡°Just some dull quiz show.¡± Mirabe replied offhandedly.


    At her side. James¡® eyebrows twitched slightly at the response.


    Ever since Mirabe had given James a box of Incense of Calm, Wyatt had been constantly


    thinking about building a good rapport with her. After a pause, he inquired further. ¡°What¡¯s it


    called? Can I find it online?¡±


    Mirabe shared the name with him.


    Wyatt made a mental note, and during a red light, he searched it up on his phone, his expression turning puzzled after a quick skim. Had he been out of school too long, or was he just uninformed? Was Ms. Mirabe really finding apetition that offered a direct admission slot to Prestige College merely ¡®dull?¡®


    ¡°The nationalpetition isn¡¯t in this city, is it?¡± James tapped his knee idly.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s in Riverdale.¡± Mirabe tilted her head, her gaze fixed on James, steady and unwavering, without a hint of difort or awkwardness<b>. </b>


    Noticing Mirabe¡¯s gaze, James¡® usually cool demeanor took on an air of unease. He lowered his eyes slightly before asking, ¡°When is it?¡±


    Mirabe pursed her lips, not finding any reason to withhold the information. ¡°Next Saturday and Sunday.¡±


    James was silent for a few seconds before saying, ¡°Coincidentally, I have to make a trip to Riverdale next week. If you have time, I could show you around.¡±


    Considering Leo¡¯s situation, Mirabe waved her hand. ¡°Might not be possible. I probably won¡¯t have the time.¡±


    ¡°We can touch base when the timees,¡± James didn¡¯t press the issue<b>. </b>


    ¡°Sure.¡± Mirabe turned to look outside at the streets, ¡°Not going to the same ce we atest


    time?¡±


    ¡°No, we¡¯re heading to Knox¡¯s ce,¡± James replied casually.


    Mirabe mused for a few seconds before falling silent.


    Forty minutester, the car finally stopped outside the grand entrance of Mendoza Estate.


    Mendoza Estate was not some opulent vi but rather a residence with a rich, antique charm. Standing outside the gates, Mirabe felt as if she was about to step through a portal to a bygone era.

 Chapter 213

    It was an undeniable testament to a family steeped in food therapy.


    Mirabe averted her gaze and suddenly remembered a concern. She turned to James, who was approaching, and asked in earnest, ¡°I didn¡¯t bring a housewarming gift. Do you think I¡¯ll be shown the door for that?¡±


    James couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the young girl¡¯s question. Shaking his head, he reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the Knox family isn¡¯t that fussy.¡±


    Mirabe touched her nose, about to speak, when she saw Wyatt arriving, bearing two neatly wrapped boxes in his hands. She decided to let the matter drop.


    The Mendoza family¡¯s butler soon greeted them with impable manners and ushered them into the great hall. ¡°Mr. James, Mr. Knox is currently in the kitchen preparing a meal. Please enjoy some tea, and he will join you shortly.¡±


    James nodded politely in acknowledgment. The butler excused himself, leaving them in the grand room.


    Settled in an antique mahogany chair, Mirabe looked around and nodded in approval. ¡°Quite the interesting abode,¡± she remarked.


    James poured a cup of tea for Mirabe, inviting her to drink. ¡°Centuries of tradition run deep in families like the Mendozas. Their ancestors were court chefs specializing in medicinal cuisine. Times have changed, but their prestige in this city remains unshakable.¡±


    Mirabe took a delicate sip of her tea and mused, ¡°Sounds like I may have missed out on a grand opportunity.¡±


    James fixed his eyes on her. With a little cough, ¡®Mirabe waved off her previousment. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Before long. Knox appeared, wearing an apron and carrying a freshly prepared medicinal dish, followed by a spry elderly man. This was none other than Niki.


    Knox set the dish on the table, greeted James, and then gestured towards Mirabe, introducing her to Niki, ¡°This is the talented youngdy I¡¯ve been telling you about.¡±


    Turning to Mirabe, he smiled warmly, ¡°This old man was an apothecary. Just call him Niki.¡±


    Mirabe stood and gave Niki a polite nod. ¡°Hello, Niki. I¡¯m Mirabe.¡±


    Niki stroked his graying beard, returning the nod with a benevolent smile. ¡°Pleasure to meet you.¡±


    After a brief nce at her, Niki turned his attention to James. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve recovered well these past weeks.¡±


    ¡°Yes, partly thanks to the remedies you provided.¡± James responded slowly.


    Niki simply smiled and shook his head.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not stand on ceremony,¡± Knox interjected. ¡°Try my new dish before it cools and loses its vor.¡± His eyes shone with particr brightness as he stared at Mirabe.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t hold back. She picked up a fork and took a bite.


    ¡°Well?¡± Knox asked eagerly, his anticipation clear.


    Beside them, Niki looked at Mirabe with a hint of surprise. It was rare for someone to catch Knox¡¯s eye, especially someone so young. Could she really understand the intricacies of their craft?


    Setting down her fork, Mirabe raised her eyebrows. ¡°You want the truth?¡±


    Knox¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°I hate ttery.¡±


    Mirabe nodded seriously. ¡°Alright, this dish could benefit from a dash of bitter orange seeds and a pinch of musk powder. It would enhance the effects.¡±


    ¡°Bitter orange seeds and musk?¡± Knox stroked his chin, lost in thought.


    Mirabe hummed in agreement, then continued eating at her leisure.


    Niki, having heard her suggestion, focused intently on Mirabe. After a long beat, he stared at her in disbelief.

 Chapter 214

    ¡°Littledy, I can¡¯t help but notice you¡¯ve got a real knack for herbs. Does your family dabble in alternative medicine?¡± Niki asked, his voice tinged with surprise.


    When Knox perfected this recipe, incorporating some herbal remedies into the dish, he had even consulted Niki during the process, so Niki <b>was </b>well aware of every Ingredient and its intended effect, believing the concoction to be nothing short of perfection.


    However, when the young girl suggested adding two more herbs, Knox savored the dish again and discovered a subtle brilliance to her rmendation. It was as if she had seamlessly filled in the gaps he hadn¡¯t noticed. Someone who could point out such easily overlooked details had to be exceptionally skilled in the art of herbal medicine. Moreover, she made her own suggestions after merely tasting the dish.


    Mirabe looked up calmly and replied, ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±


    Niki¡¯s eyes widened with even more astonishment. ¡°But you seem to have a <b>deep </b>understanding of pharmacology.¡±


    With a slight smile and aposed demeanor, Mirabe sald, ¡°I¡¯ve read some medical texts, that¡¯s all. I hope you don¡¯t think I¡¯m trying to show off.¡±


    Niki stroked his long beard, his gaze upon Mirabe betraying his skepticism. Could someone who¡¯d merely nced at a few medical books possess such precise insights? If so, she was a prodigy among prodigies.


    Mirabe remained serene under his scrutiny, the picture of quiet grace.


    Knox, snapping out of his reverie, scooted his stool closer to her, blinking earnestly. ¡°Kid, are you sure you don¡¯t want to consider being my apprentice?¡±


    The corners of Mirabe¡¯s mouth twitched at Knox¡¯s overt attempt to appear endearing. Was this how people were trying to stay hip these days, by acting cutesy at every turn?


    ¡°I really have no interest in cooking,¡± she said with a firmness that belled her gentle expression. ¡°And what are you interested in?¡± Knox probed, his tone suggesting he was ready to cater to her every interest.


    Before Mirabe could reply, Niki chimed in slyly, ¡°How about alternative medicine? Does that pique your interest?¡±


    Knox¡¯s face soured as he turned to re at Niki. ¡°Pssh, you medicine peddler. You think it¡¯s appropriate to have a young girl selling remedies with you?¡±


    Niki lifted his chin with a chuckle. ¡°And you think it¡¯s appropriate to have her in the kitchen, training to be a chef?¡±


    ¡°Get lost! My biggest mistake today was inviting you over.¡± Knox retorted. The nerve of Niki,


    trying to poach Knox¡¯s potential apprentice right in front of him!


    Mirabe watched the two elders on the verge of a quarrel, massaging her temples before speaking up, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, gentlemen, but I have no interest in either cooking or selling medicine. Really, there¡¯s no need for this fuss.¡±


    Knox sighed, then shot Niki another venomous look. All this chaos, thanks to this troublesome old man!


    Niki could only shrug in response.


    Observing the esteemed elders squabble over Mirabe, Wyatt couldn¡¯t help but touch his nose. and regard her with renewed curiosity.


    Based on all the information he¡¯d gathered about her, aside from her melodramatic background. Mirabe was just an ordinary girl who grew up in a small town, relying on her grandmother. Nothing out of the ordinary.


    Yet, here she was, a simple high school student, and these two were vying to take her under their wing. Their eagerness didn¡¯t seem like mere jest. It was all so baffling, like knowing there was a mystery but being unable to see through it.

 Chapter 215

    After supper, James didn¡¯t wait long <b>before </b>he took off with Mirabe. On their offered Niki a lift for good measure.


    way out, they


    Vincent rarely came to the family estate these days and had just arrived home when he <i>saw </i>his grandfather, Knox, seeing off some quests. He lingered in the yard for a while, watching the group depart from a distance. For a fleeting moment, he thought he had caught a glimpse of a familiar figure, but by the time he focused, the person was already getting into a car.


    Before long. Knox approached him, ¡°Kid, what¡¯s gotten into you to drop by today?¡±


    Vincent had already shifted his gaze away, his handsome face as cool as ever. Only when looking at his grandfather, would his eyes soften unconsciously, ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell me that you whipped up a couple of new dishes? I¡¯m just here to y guinea pig for your culinary experiments.¡±


    Normally, this would have touched Knox, but tonight, he just huffed, ¡°Not necessary. Your pte is only good for eating. You never have any constructive feedback.¡±


    As Knox headed inside, he continued, ¡°I¡¯ve been telling you to learn cooking from <b>me</b><b>, </b>but all you do is make excuses about solving puzzles. Are puzzles really that enticing?¡±


    The same went for that girl who had sparked his interest in taking on an apprentice, always talking about needing to study. What was with the youth today? Shouldn¡¯t they be eager to pick up some practical skills?


    Every time Vincent heard Knox¡¯s ramblings, his head ached, so he didn¡¯t take the bait. Instead. changing the subject, ¡°Grandpa, who were those guests just now?¡±


    Knox raised an eyebrow, giving Vincent a sidelong nce, ¡°Why, you know them?¡±


    Vincent¡¯s gaze intensified slightly, ¡°Not really. It¡¯s just rare we have visitors, so I was curious.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nosy. Some people aren¡¯t your business to inquire about,¡± Knox said seriously.


    Vincent acknowledged the point. ¡°Understood.¡±


    Suddenly, Knox patted his shoulder with a hint of mncholy. ¡°One day, the Mendoza legacy will be in your hands. I might not be around much longer, but I¡¯ll set everything up for you. So. for now, enjoy doing what you like.¡±


    ¡°Grandpa,e on. It¡¯s windy out here. Let¡¯s get inside,¡± Vincent said as he steadied Knox, guiding him towards the main house.


    Knox chuckled and let himself be led away.


    In the car, with Niki present, Mirabe kept to herself, leaning against the car door, eyes closed, resting.


    10:10


    When her phone buzzed in her pocket, she opened her eyes and fished it out.


    It was a message from Leo, <b>asking </b>when she¡¯d be home.


    Mirabe nced outside and then at Niki, who <b>was </b>chatting with Wyatt in the front. After al brief moment, she spoke up, ¡°Wyatt, you can drop me off at the next intersection.¡±


    Wyatt instinctively nced at his boss in the rearview mirror. James turned to Mirabe, ¡°Something up?¡±


    Mirabe responded softly. ¡°I¡¯ll just grab a cab home.¡±


    James, ever the gentleman, didn¡¯t pressure her, merely advising<b>, </b>¡°Stay safe.¡±


    Wyatt had already pulled the car to a stop by the curb. Mirabe waved goodbye, opened the door, and stepped out. ¡°I¡¯m off.¡±


    After Mirabe got into a taxi on the roadside, Wyatt didn¡¯t immediately drive away. He watched. until Mirabe was settled in the cab before moving on.


    James raised an eyebrow, noting that Mirabe was bing quite perceptive.


    ¡°That youngdy¡­¡± Niki, sitting in the passenger seat, began slowly.

 Chapter 216

    Wyatt nced at Niki and blurted out. ¡°Last time¡­¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s just an ordinary high school senior.¡± Before Wyatt could reveal that she was the one who had provided the ¡®Incense of Calm, James¡® cool voice wafted from the back seat. Wyatt caught a glimpse of James in the rearview mirror and immediately mped his mouth shut.


    Niki didn¡¯t notice Wyatt¡¯s expression and merelymented, ¡°The girl seems to know her herbs. If she were to study medicine, I reckon she¡¯d have quite the knack for it.¡±


    James¡® gaze was crisp and thoughtful as he stared out the window. After a long pause, he finally spoke. ¡°Perhaps.¡±


    Niki pondered for a moment before hesitantly making a request, ¡°I have a favor to ask.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°It¡¯s rare toe across someone with a good understanding of herbal medicine these days. If it¡¯s not too much trouble, James, could you share the youngdies¡® contact details?¡±


    Niki was a bit embarrassed as he made the request. He had wanted to ask back at the Mendoza residence but was wary of provoking Knox¡¯s ire, so he had held back.


    Wyatt, driving, twitched his lips at the request. Was this some grand scene of talent poaching?


    After a brief silence, James said, ¡°I¡¯ll ask her.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    James took out his phone and sent Mirabe a message on Messenger.


    [Niki would like your contact information.]


    It didn¡¯t take long for Mirabe to respond.


    The Pill: [Sure.]


    James looked up at Niki sitting in front and asked, ¡°Will Messenger do?¡±


    Although Niki was well advanced in years, he kept up with the times. He was quite adept at using Messenger and immediately responded with a delighted hum, ¡°Just ask her to add me. My Messenger ID is the same as my phone number.¡±


    James quickly forwarded Niki¡¯s phone number to Mirabe.


    The Pill: [Added.]


    Niki pulled out his phone, checked for the notification, and swiftly epted the friend request. He even went the extra mile to send a friendly emoji as a greeting.


    On receiving Niki¡¯s emoji, Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. Out of courtesy<b>, </b>she sent back an identical emoji. After exchanging a few casual messages, the conversation ended. As she


    neared the gatedmunity, Mirabe got out of the car just before passing the local pho shop.


    She grabbed two servings of pho and picked up a cake from the bakery next door, cheerfully carrying her purchases as she walked home. Before long, she opened the door and stepped inside.


    ¡°Sweetheart, you¡¯re back,¡± Delh mumbled, her speech muffled by the face mask she wore while lounging on the sofa<b>. </b>


    Shawn was also there, absorbed in the TV show, but when he turned to spot his daughter and the pho and cake in her hands, his eyes lighting up. ¡°Did you bring back a midnight snack for your old man?¡±


    Mirabe set the spicy soup on the dining table, sparing no feelings as she retorted. ¡°Nope. your figure could do withoutte¨Cnight snacks.¡±


    She nced down at Shawn¡¯s round belly.


    That hit a sore spot.


    Looking around the living room and not seeing Leo, Mirabe figured he might be in his room upstairs. She took out her phone and sent him a message on Messenger.


    Leo received the message and soon came downstairs. By then, Mirabe had dished out the two servings of pho, one hot and the other mild<b>. </b>She pushed the mild one towards Leo as he sat down at the table, ¡°Eat up, Leo.¡±


    ¡°Leo, have you not had dinner?¡± Delh peeled off her mask and casually inquired as she stood


    <ol>


    <li>up. </li>


    </ol>

 Chapter 217

    Leo let out a resigned sigh, thinking. ¡°You¡¯re asking so obliviously, Mom. Anyone would think. you¡¯re the evil stepmother from one of those old fairy tales.¡±


    Looking up. Leo was about to speak when Shawn interjected. ¡°Honey, why even ask? He¡¯s grown enough to know when to grab a bite.¡± Shawn shook his head in mild exasperation.


    ¡°I was just making conversation,¡± Delh retorted with a side nce at her husband, patting her face as she briskly headed to her bedroom.


    Leo was left speechless. His heart felt like it had been put through a shredder since moving back home.


    Mirabe nced at Leo, who was with his self¨Cabsorbed, dazed expression, sipped her soup. and then reached for the cake box beside her, cing it in front of him. ¡°The strawberry shortcake from this ce isn¡¯t half bad.¡±


    And just when Leo thought. ¡°Only my sister really gets me.¡± he was left bewildered.


    Strawberry shortcake? What the heck? He was not a girl!


    Meanwhile, Mirabe continued to slurp her soup, seemingly oblivious to Leo¡¯s baffled look.


    With aplicated mix of emotions, Leo picked up his spoon. His hunger stripped him of his usual grace as he speared a meatball and bit into it fiercely, only to stter his shirt with greasy stains.


    Awkward much?


    Mirabe cleared her throat but said nothing as they ate in silence. Then, struck by a thought, Leo looked up at his sister. ¡°Mirabe, that medicine you gave me, was it expensive?¡±


    Collins had told him about the rarity of the medicine, urging him to ask Mirabe where she had gotten it from.


    ¡°It was okay.¡± Mirabe replied nonchntly, finishing her meal. Leaning back contentedly, she added, ¡°I¡¯ll get you another bottle in a few days. You¡¯ll be back on your feet in no time.¡±


    Leo looked startled. His fingers involuntarily tightened on the tabletop as he echoed, ¡°Back¡­ on my feet?¡±


    Mirabe just winked at him before standing up to clear the dishes, cheerily saying over her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Leo. I¡¯ve got your back.¡±


    Watching Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure, Leo felt a fog clouding his thoughts, trying to grasp the implications of her words while another part of his mind urged him not to overthink it.


    After washing up, Mirabe emerged, seeing him deep in thought but chose not to say more. simply remarking. ¡°Leo, I¡¯m heading upstairs.¡±


    Snapping out of his reverie, Leo replied, ¡°Ah, sure.¡±


    Once Mirabe ascended the staircase, Leo stood and walked into the living room, sinking into the couch with a puzzled gaze towards Shawn. ¡°Dad, do you ever feel like Mirabe is¡­ I don¡¯t know, kind of mysterious when she talks?¡±


    ¡°Mysterious?¡± Shawn squinted, then suddenly lobbed a throw pillow at his son. ¡°Can <b>you </b>believe it? Your sister brings you a midnight snack, but you decide she¡¯s being all crazy<i>?</i><i>¡± </i>


    Leo¡¯s mouth twitched. He¡¯d said ¡°mysterious,¡± not ¡°crazy¡± clearly, his dad was just looking for an excuse to tease him.


    Scratching his head, Leo continued. ¡°Didn¡¯t the Gilbert family raise Mirabe in that small county town with her grandmother? Her friends should be limited to ssmates and neighbors. from there, right?¡±


    Shawn nced at him. ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡±


    Leo hesitated before saying, ¡°Well, she gave me this medicine a while back, and I had someone consult an expert about it. They said it¡¯s priceless and extremely valuable.¡±

 Chapter 218

    Shawn¡¯s thoughts drifted back to his wife¡¯s migraines, which seemed to have magically disappeared. He had noticed that she neverined about them anymore.


    Curiosity about where his daughter acquired her remedies did cross his mind, but he respected her privacy. Shawn believed everyone had their secrets and saw no reason to pry. The family. had missed seventeen years of her life, and now that they were finally reunited, simply being together was enough. There was no need for suspicion or doubt.


    Shaking off his reverie, Shawn patted his belly reassuringly and asked with a hint of levity. ¡°You think your sister would do you wrong?¡±


    Leo, caught off guard, instinctively shook his head.


    ¡°See? No need for all these wild thoughts. She¡¯ll share when she¡¯s ready.¡± Shawn had a knack for seeing the bigger picture.


    His mind then wandered to Emmitt, prompting him to add with emphasis, ¡°Thest thing we need in this family is distrust. It can hurt more than any outsider ever could. Leo, I don¡¯t want you holding any prejudices against your sister.¡±


    Leo was taken aback to hear his father speak with such seriousness. Although it was surprising, he listened intently and responded with conviction, ¡°She¡¯s got a sweet temper, and she¡¯s well¨Cbehaved. Why would I have any prejudices? And even if she did have her quirks, she¡¯s still my sister.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my boy!¡± Shawn said approvingly. Pausing, he corrected, ¡°And for the record, your sister doesn¡¯t have any quirks. She¡¯s a lot more dutiful than any of you boys.¡±


    Leo choked back a retort. ¡°I was just making aparison.¡±


    Shawn gave him a sharp look. ¡°Even so, noparisons.¡±


    ¡°By the way.¡± Shawn continued, ¡°why are you so free these days? Hasn¡¯t thepany got work. for you?¡± There was a detectable note of disdain in his voice.


    Leo, now ustomed to his father¡¯s insinuations to get out of the house, replied with thick¨Cskinned ease, ¡°Yeah, they gave me an extended leave.¡±


    Shawn squinted suspiciously. ¡°You¡¯ve been acting oddtely. Is something up?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just felt like taking a break,¡± Leo said, keeping hisposure.


    Satisfied with the answer, Shawn dropped the subject. But his thoughts returned to the


    medicine his daughter had provided Leo, which was said to be priceless and rare. What about his own?


    Rubbing his chin, Shawn stood and retreated to his room, pondering.


    The next day.


    Mirabe had just arrived at school when an unusual Friday announcement called for an all¨Cschool assembly. Typically, assemblies were a Monday affair. The sudden change had the students whispering in confusion.


    Soon, the entire school gathered on the field, with Mr. Hammond taking the stage instead of his usual deputy, which was a rare urrence.


    Mirabe and Jenna stood at the back of their ss<b>. </b>


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a hunch today¡¯s meeting Has something to do with that forum post from yesterday.¡± Jenna murmured to Mirabe.


    Mirabe nced at the stage<b>, </b>thoughtful. ¡°Could be.¡±


    ¡°Were you on the forumst night?¡± Jenna prodded.


    ¡°No,¡± Mirabe replied,zily tracing patterns on the ground with her shoe.


    ¡°You went to see Summer from the Prodigy ss yesterday, right? Then someone posted your conversation in the forum¡¯s chat section. Now, there¡¯s a lot of spection about your rtionship with her.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s love for gossip shone through as she continued, ¡°Summer used to be a Davids, but after the whole baby mix¨Cup saga, she took her birth parents¡®st name. Queen Mira, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re the one she was swapped with?¡±


    The theory was a bit melodramatic, but it wasn¡¯t entirely out of the realm of possibility.

 Chapter 219

    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, finally turning her gaze to Jenna. A sly smile yed on her <b>lips </b>before she resumed her usual coolposure. Her voice was neutral<b>, </b>yet there was a hint of dryness as she said, ¡°Congrattions, you got it right.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ Pff, it¡¯s actually true?¡± Jenna had her suspicions, but hearing it confirmed was a whole other kettle of fish.


    She had bumped into Summer at the school¡¯s front gates some time ago, and had only thought that Mira and Summer might be kin. It never crossed her mind that they could be tied by a baby¨Cswitching scenario.


    Jenna touched the tip of her nose. ¡°So, this Summer chick is all jealous because you¡¯re acing sses, and she decided to set you up, hoping to run <b>you </b>out of Parkside High School¡­ Man, I knew there was something off about her ssic wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing.¡±


    ¨C


    Even after returning to her wealthy biological parents, with no further ties to her foster family. she still plotted against the biological daughter of her foster parents. That envy was just too much.


    ¡°It just goes to show how exceptional I am.¡± Mirabe said with a flick of her hair behind her ear, and a proud statement that caught Jenna off guard.


    Jenna was struck speechless. ¡°You can see it that way?¡±


    Watching Jenna¡¯s dumbfounded reaction, Mirabe lifted a hand and ced it on her shoulder, steering her back to face the front. ¡°Pay attention to Mr. Hammond.¡±


    Mr. Hammond on the stage was not one for unnecessary chatter. He dove straight into the subject at hand, which, unsurprisingly, focused on the forum post using Mirabe of cheating in thepetition.


    With the forum in an uproar, the school administration, despite its intentions, was toote to quell the noise. Moreover, Mr. Hammond, having seen the post the day before, never intended to sweep this matter under the rug.


    To Mr. Hammond, Mirabe wasn¡¯t just any student; she was a talent he had personally recruited. The nder she faced within just over a month at Parkside High School was not only an affront to her but a defiance of the school¡¯s code of conduct.


    As the principal of such a prestigious institution, Mr. Hammond¡¯s decision¨Cmaking skills and authoritative tone were beyond doubt. In a terse twenty¨Cminute speech, he managed to make every student who had participated in the forum discussion feel a cold sweat of shame. Madeline felt as if she was filled with lead ¨C heavy, confused, and her mind was buzzing. She was the one who posted the message, and each of Mr. Hammond¡¯s words seemed to signal a severe punishment for the person behind the rumors. Although the post was anonymous, the fear gripping her was unmistakable. She knew the school¡¯s investigation would lead to her.


    Madeline¡¯s eyes fell on Summer, who stood in front of her, and she couldn¡¯t help but tug at her sleeve.


    Summer, herself agitated, sensed Madeline¡¯s action and turned slightly. Her face was devoid of its usual warmth.


    Madeline was still rattled by Mr. Hammond¡¯s words, and didn¡¯t catch the change in Summer¡¯s expression. ¡°Summer, what should I do? Mr. Hammond is talking about tracking down the person behind the post.¡±


    Summer pinched her fingers together. Her voice was cold, ¡°Didn¡¯t you consider the consequences before posting?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I just wanted to stand up for you,¡± Madeline murmured.


    ¡°Enough. Stop using me as your excuse. Did I ask you to do this?¡± Summer retorted. impatiently.


    The post had kept her up all night. She was fearful that the situation would escte. As the assembly began, her fears were confirmed ¨C this was not going to simply blow over.


    Madeline bit her lip in disbelief. This was the first time she had seen Summer so irritable.

 Chapter 220

    Summer realized herposure had slipped and took a deep breath, trying to smooth out her voice. ¡°You posted anonymously, right? The school shouldn¡¯t be able to trace it back to you.¡± She didn¡¯t really think the school would hire a hacker just to track down the IP address behind a forum post.


    ¡°But Mr. Hammond just said they¡¯re going to crack down hard, and besides¡­¡± Madeline¡¯s voice trailed off. She was too scared to finish her thought.


    Summer frowned, sensing that this fool had done something else she wasn¡¯t aware of. ¡°Besides what?¡±


    Madeline hesitated for a moment before spitting it out with gritted teeth, ¡°If it was just the anonymous post, I wouldn¡¯t be panicking¡­ but I, I went to see our homeroom teacher.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Summer felt her head spin with frustration, at a loss for words to describe her current mood. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Posting anonymously is one thing, but you went to our homeroom teacher?¡±


    Rubbing her temples, Summer looked up, exasperated. ¡°You really have a talent for screwing things up.¡±


    Tears were welling up in Madeline¡¯s eyes. ¡°I was just upset when you mentioned how your foster sister was pressuring your dad to pull strings forpetition materials. I felt bad for you, so I wanted to talk to our homeroom teacher to clear things up.¡±


    Summer recalled casually mentioning thepetition materials to Madeline, hoping she¡¯d spread some rumors to make Mirabe¡¯s life at school a bit harder, but she never imagined she¡¯d have such a blundering ally, who effectively shot herself in the foot.


    ¡°Summer, what should I do? I think they¡¯re going to call me to the office after the meeting.¡± Madeline said. Her face was pale and her voice was trembling with despair.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can do. You created this mess; you¡¯ll have to deal with it yourself,¡± Summer replied with a sneer.


    Staggering backward, Madeline reached out to grab Summer¡¯s arm but saw her already turning away. Her indifferent demeanor clearly signaled her intent to wash her hands of the matter. The sight pierced Madeline¡¯s heart. If it hadn¡¯t been for Summer sharing her grievances with her, would she have impulsively sought justice on her behalf?


    But now, Summer was putting all the me on her.


    Madeline felt a tightness in her chest.


    With her back turned, Summer¡¯s eyes were cold and detached. She quickly pulled out her phone from her pocket and sent a text message<b>. </b>


    [Dad, because my brother sent the materials to Mirabe, sheined to Mr. Hammond about <b>me</b>, and I might get punished by the school Dad, I can¡¯t afford to have this stain on my


    10


    school record. Do you have any way to help?]


    After the school meeting, as expected, Madeline was summoned to the office by Morgan, with Mr. Hammond present.


    Faced with Mr. Hammond¡¯s authoritative demeanor and Morgan¡¯s stern interrogation, Madeline wanted to deny everything, but she couldn¡¯t hold back and ended up confessing to everything.


    It was Madeline¡¯s adamant assertions that had led Morgan to address the issue with Mr. Hammond the day before. Now, as Madeline revealed the reason behind her actions, it <i>was </i>almost like she was causing Morgan to embarrass himself in front of Mr. Hammond all over again.


    In all his years of teaching, Morgan had never encountered such a narrow¨Cminded student.


    ¡°Go on, send Summer in,¡± Morgan said, no longer wanting to look at Madeline. His voice was tinged with exhaustion.


    Madeline nced at Morgan and then at Mr. Hammond. Her eyes were red and brimming with tears of regret. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Hammond. I never meant for things to get this out of hand. Please, I¡¯m begging you. Don¡¯t expel me from school.¡±

 Chapter 221

    Chapter <b>221 </b>


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s face was impassive. His features were set in an expression that conveyed no sympathy for Madeline¡¯s pleas. ¡°Everyone has to pay for their mistakes,¡± he intoned. His voice was devoid of warmth. ¡°You should have thought about the consequences when you decided to act.¡±


    Madeline¡¯s face was ashen, and she dissolved into tears once more..


    Anthony, standing to the side, could only shake his head in a mix of frustration and resignation. ¡°Hindsight is 20/20, as they say. You¡¯d best head back to ss. As for your punishment, we¡¯ll discuss it thoroughly before making a decision.¡±


    Before long. Madeline shuffled out of the office. Her figure was a portrait of dejection<b>. </b>


    Watching her retreating back, Anthony sighed, ¡°If only she¡¯d put as much effort <b>into </b>her studies as she did into causing trouble and smearing her ssmate.<b>¡± </b>


    Mr. Hammond remained sileht. His demeanor was unreadable<b>. </b>


    It wasn¡¯t long before Summer arrived at the office.


    On her way there, her mind had raced through various excuses, and despite her inner turmoil, it was the message from Colton that finally steadied her nerves. So when she stepped into the office, her face wasposed, and she nodded politely at Mr. Hammond and the other teachers, as if she wasn¡¯t at the heart of the storm.


    Mr. Hammond caught one glimpse of Summer and immediately noticed the depth of herposure; in such a situation, her calm was indeed remarkable.


    ¡°Why did you incite Madeline to target Mirabe online?¡± This time, it was Mr. Hammond who broke the silence, not Morgan.


    Summer faced Mr. Hammond. His authoritative presencemanded her respect. She clenched her hands at her sides before responding coolly, ¡°I must admit, I¡¯m at fault here. Mirabe is a foster child of the Gilbert family. She asked my dad to pull some strings at the education association to get her hands on some review material, which he then sent to her.¡±


    ¡°I simply didn¡¯t agree with this unfair advantage over other students and mentioned it to Madeline in passing<b>. </b>I had no idea she would take it upon herself to defend my honor and post it on the forum.¡± A wistful smile touched Summer¡¯s lips as she bowed deeply to Mr. Hammond and the other teachers. ¡°I¡¯m sorry<b>. </b>Please be lenient with Madeline. This whole issue started because of me, and I¡¯m willing to take full responsibility for my indiscretion.¡±


    Her apology seemed incredibly sincere<b>. </b>


    Those who made it into the Prodigy ss were undeniably brilliant, and Summer¡¯s rapid academic improvement over the past six months had not gone unnoticed by Morgan. Seeing her take responsibility touched him somewhat. Thus, Morgan looked to Mr. Hammond, and despite the blow to his own pride, he spoke up for Summer<b>. </b>


    ¡°Though Summer may have erred, the me cannot wholly rest on her shoulders. She did mention that Mirabe was once a foster child of the Gilberts. Although thepetition material was voluntarily turned in by Mirabe, that doesn¡¯t prove anything. Moreover¡­¡±


    Morgan paused, <b>turning </b>back to Summer. ¡°You said it was Mirabe who asked your father to obtain thepetition material, correct?¡±


    Summer met his gaze steadily, without hesitation, and nodded. ¡°To rify everything, I called my father. He should be arriving at the school soon. He can exin everything<b>.</b>¡±


    Morgan had been left in an embarrassing position the previous day because of thepetition material Mr. Hammond had presented. Now, hearing Summer¡¯s words, a flicker of hope sparked within him. That burning desire to know that he hadn¡¯t wrongfully used a student surged within him.

 Chapter 222

    Mr. Hammond¡¯s gaze flickered with a hint of something different upon hearing Summer¡¯s exnation. His mouth curled into a <b>half</b>¨Csmile before he turned and walked to the window, standing with his hands sped behind his back.


    ¡°I¡¯m rather curious to know what your father would have to say about all this,¡± he remarked with a detached tone.


    Summer watched Mr. Hammond¡¯s silhouette against the window, with a flicker of unease stirring in her heart. Yet, recalling her father¡¯s reassuring text message, she allowed herself to


    rx.


    Morgan considered for a moment before suggesting. ¡°Should we invite Miss Mirabe to join us? To rity things face¨Cto¨Cface?¡±


    To have her witness how her foster family ndered her?


    Mr. Hammond didn¡¯t turn around. His gaze was fixed outside, and his voice was resolute. <b>¡°</b>No need.¡±


    Relief loosened Summer¡¯s tense grip upon hearing his words<b>. </b>


    It wasn¡¯t long before Colton arrived at the school, stepping into the office with a genial smile on his broad, square¨Cjawed face. ¡°Apologies for the dy. Got caught in a bit of a traffic snarl.¡±


    Summer opened her mouth to speak, but Colton shot her a nce, signaling her to bide her time. He was no stranger to Mr. Hammond, so he addressed him directly. His voice wasden with regret. ¡°Mr. Hammond, I¡¯m truly sorry for themotion caused by my foster daughter at the school. The truth of the matter is¡­¡±


    Colton¡¯s version echoed Summer¡¯s, but his words <b>carried </b>an air of authenticity, especially when he touched upon Mirabe¡¯s academic performance, emphasizing her struggles. ¡°To be frank, my foster daughter¡¯s grades were at the bottom of the barrel back in our hometown. But now, she insists on joining this nationalpetition. I as a father made the grave mistake of helping her cheat,¡± Colton said, shaking his head in feigned remorse.


    Mr. Hammond studied Colton, with a barely perceptible sneer ying at the corners of his mouth. Just as Colton was gearing up to add more, Mr. Hammond interjected. ¡°Are you suggesting Miss Mirabe is a poor student?¡±


    Caught off guard, Colton nodded, ¡°Indeed, I won¡¯t lie ¨C she barely got epted into the county high school after a lot of¡­ effort on our part.¡±


    The implication of ¡°effort¡± was clear to any discerning ear it hinted at mary influence.


    Morgan, initially hoping to validate his fair treatment of students through Colton¡¯s words, found. himself frowning deeper with each passing moment. Cheating in apetition was one thing. but bragging about bribing one¡¯s way into high school was quite another.


    Summer, observing the peculiar expressions on both Mr. Hammond and Morgan¡¯s faces,


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>12:11 </b>


    immediately realized her father had misspoken. She hadn¡¯t mentioned to him Mirabe¡¯s repeated academic triumphs.


    About to speak up, Summer was cut off by Mr. Hammond¡¯s voice, ¡°How fortunate then, for I too put considerable effort into recruiting Miss Mirabe into Parkside High School.¡±


    Colton¡¯s face was a picture of bewilderment. ¡°But, but how can that be? You¡¯re not joking. Mr. Hammond? My foster daughter¡¯s grades¡­¡±


    Parkside High School was no ordinary institution ¨C a prestigious school ranked within the top five nationally, with an admission of only the elite among elites. Now Mr. Hammond was iming he personally went to great lengths to enroll his foster daughter there? The notion seemed fantastical utterly nonsensical to Colton, and he felt his world spin. He might not have paid much attention to her academics, but he knew the extent of her capabilities.


    Mr. Hammond¡¯sughter held a tinge of derision. His authoritative demeanor was now tinged with sarcasm. ¡°Are you implying, Mr. Colton, that I, the principal of Parkside High School,ck the basic ability to judge talent?¡±

 Chapter 223

    Chapter <b>223 </b>


    Colton¡¯s body jolted, and he unconsciously pinched his hand, offering a strained smile. ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong, sir. I didn¡¯t mean it that way.¡±


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s eyes held little warmth as he reached for a stack of exam papers and a report card on his desk, handing them to Colton. ¡°Do me a favor, Mr. Colton, and take a look. Does this look like poor performance to you?¡±


    Colton¡¯s gazended on the papers Mr. Hammond passed to him, hesitating for only a second before taking them.


    The papers were the monthly exams for various subjects, along with the perfect score set Mirabe hadpleted online before entering Parkside High School. They were all printed


    out.


    The report card summarized cumtive scores for each term, and the name topping the list for several terms was unmistakably Mirabe.


    Colton stared at the bright red perfect scores and rankings on the papers. His face was etched with disbelief. He flipped through them again and again as if to ensure he wasn¡¯t seeing things. ¡°Do you really think someone with these grades needs to cheat with some shoddy review materials?¡± Mr. Hammond¡¯s lips curled with a touch of sarcasm.


    ¡°This¡­this can¡¯t be right. Her grades weren¡¯t like this,¡± Colton muttered, shaking his head in denial. Even if his foster daughter had improved, it was unthinkable for her to skyrocket to the top of the ss<b>. </b>


    Sensing his skepticism, Mr. Hammond picked up another set of photocopied papers from his desk. ¡°Here, take a look at these as well.¡± They were the photocopies of the current term¡¯s


    . </b>


    ¡°Mr. Colton might not quite understand them, but no matter, you can have your friends at the Education Associationpare them. See if the way Mirabe answered the questions matches the methods in yourpetition materials.¡±


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s voice was calm, but his presence wasmanding. Even his most understated remarks carried a sharp edge.


    Colton had nned to push all the me onto his


    foster daughter upon arriving at the school. After all, the Gilbert family had raised her for seventeen years. A little hardship could be considered repayment for their kindness, and he could alwayspensate herter with


    money.


    Compared to his own daughter¡¯s future, he naturally didn¡¯t want her to have any blemishes. Looking at the papers in his hand<b>, </b>Colton felt uneasy. He truly hadn¡¯t expected his foster daughter¡¯s academic performance to improve so dramatically, nor did she seem to have


    Chapter <b>223 </b>


    gained Mr. Hammond¡¯s favor¡­


    ¡°Still nning to put all the me on Miss Mirabe?¡± Mr. Hammond sneered, not in the mood to smooth things over. Mirabe was his recruit, so he would not tolerate any further attempts to tarnish her reputation.


    Colton was now in a tough spot. He had made the usation, so retracting it would be tantamount to pping his own face.


    Pressing his temples, Colton looked towards Mr. Hammond and was about to speak when Mr. Hammond¡¯s phone rang from his pocket. It caused him to abruptly close his mouth.


    Mr. Hammond pulled out his phone, nced at the caller ID, and after a moment of hesitation, walked over to the window to answer. It was a call from the head office of the Education Association.


    Two minutester,¡± Alright, I understand<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    After hanging up, Mr. Hammond¡¯s gaze grew darker. He turned back to Colton and said firmly. ¡°The matter of the leakedpetition materials ends here.¡±


    Colton exhaled a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He had called an old friend, the chairman of the Education Association, beforeing. It seemed that the call was likely from his friend.


    Mr. Hammond watched Colton visibly rx, and his lips twisted coldly. ¡°However, Summer¡¯s nationalpetition eligibility is hereby revoked.¡±

 Chapter 224

    As Mr. Hammond finished speaking, Summer¡¯s eyes snapped <b>open </b>in disbelief, as if she couldn¡¯t fathom such a development<b>. </b>


    Colton was also stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality, frowning as he said, ¡°On what grounds are you cancelling my daughter¡¯s nationalpetition eligibility? She hasn¡¯t done anything wrong<b>!</b>¡±


    Mr. Hammond let out a cold chuckle, ¡°Why her eligibility is being cancelled is something we all understand very well. If I were to pursue the matter of the leakedpetition materials, do you really think your daughter would get off with just a cancetion?¡±


    Putting aside the fact that Summer, as an up¨Canding starlet in the entertainment industry, couldn¡¯t afford a scandal, the issue of the Education Association leaking confidentialpetition materials, if made public, could force even the national education authorities to step in and take action.


    Colton suddenly felt a cold sweat drench his back.


    ¡°<b>I </b>ept the punishment.¡± Before Colton could speak, Summer, who had been standing by, spoke up. Though she was ufortable with the situation, this oue was the best under the circumstances. Even if she continued in the nationalpetition<b>, </b>she would be just making up the numbers, so why should she waste more time on <b>it</b>?


    Colton nced at his daughter and ultimately said nothing more.


    Morgan, standing to the side, let out a self¨Cdeprecatingugh. He would probably never be able to hold his head high in front of Mr. Hammond again.


    After leaving the office, Summer walked Colton out of the school.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you ever mentioned Mirabe¡¯s grades to me all this time?¡± Colton asked heavily as they walked.


    Summer pinched her hand and replied softly, ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with her.<b>¡± </b>


    Colton stopped in his tracks and turned around with an expressionless face. ¡°Do you really take me for <b>a </b>fool?¡±


    With things having escted to this point<b>, </b>it would be foolish not to see the underlying reasons if he hadn¡¯t lived these years in vain.


    Summer met Colton¡¯s dark eyes, and her face instantly paled. ¡°¡­<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Being so impatient, you¡¯ll hardly make it big.¡± Colton said coldly, dropping the words as he left. She¡¯d hardly make it big?


    Summer watched her father¡¯s retreating figure, with a slight twist on her lips. If it hadn¡¯t been for Alden secretly sending the materials to Mirabe, would today¡¯s events even happen?


    Around noon, Mirabe paid a visit to Mr. Hammond¡¯s office.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to keep up this guilty facade?¡± Mirabe sat in the chair, somewhat amused as she looked at Mr. Hammond. He had been in this state for a solid five minutes.


    Mr. Hammond coughed and finally spoke, ¡°It was I who brought you Into Parkside High School, and yet it has led to you being ndered and doubted time and again.¡±


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow. Her hand casually rested on the arm of the chair. ¡°Excellence always breeds jealousy. There¡¯s no need for you to me yourself.¡±


    Mr. Hammond heared this, and his lips twitched. He fell silent for a moment and then sighed lightly. ¡°I haven¡¯t realized you had some history with the Gilbert family.¡± He didn¡¯t mention the more delicate matter of the Gilbert family¡¯s adopted daughter.


    Mirabe pursed her lips. Her demeanor was nonchnt. She simply said, ¡°Myst name is Davids now.¡±


    With that statement, she distanced herself from any rtion to the Gilbert family.


    ¡°No matter what, you¡¯ve been wronged in this affair,¡± Mr. Hammond said with a wry smile.


    The Gilberts had risen from new money to the helm of Gilbert Enterprises, securing their ce among the city¡¯s elite families. Their connections were obviously strong, which was why thepetition material incident had been so easily glossed over.


    Although Mr. Hammond wanted to defend Mirabe, getting on thw wrong side of the education association wasn¡¯t beneficial for her. After all, the Davis family was just an ordinary household, without the means or power to fight against those wealthy dynasties.


    He didn¡¯t want to see such a promising talent get suppressed and ruined by those in higher ces. After weighing his options,promise was the only choice, even if it was reluctant.

 Chapter 225

    Chapter <b>225 </b>


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s face suddenly took on a serious cast as a thought struck him. ¡°If you ever run into trouble you can¡¯t handle, feel free toe see me. I¡¯ve got a fair number of friends around


    here.¡±


    Had anyone familiar with Mr. Hammond been present, they would have been astounded.


    Mr. Hammond was a native of Riverdale, and with the Hammond family name behind him. The Hammonds might not have been the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me, but they were still blue¨Cbloods through and through. Truth be told, the Gilberts didn¡¯t hold a candle to the Hammonds. His offer was tantamount to bringing Mirabe under the wing of the Hammonds themselves.


    Mirabe offered a smile, although she didn¡¯t need his help. She replied with a sweet. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Hammond. I appreciate it.¡±


    Mr. Hammond felt a tinge of sentimentality, and thinking of Summer, he couldn¡¯t help but add some advice, ¡°Sometimes, being too naive isn¡¯t good. It¡¯s important to keep your guard up<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe looked up at Mr. Hammond and, seeing his earnest expression, she touched her nose. thinking. ¡°Well, looks like my goody¨Ctwo¨Cshoes act is quite convincing<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°With the nationalsing up next week, make sure you¡¯re ready. We¡¯re all counting on you to shine at the internationalpetition,¡± Mr. Hammond reminded her.


    Should Mirabe score well internationally, it would catapult her career to new heights, and she wouldn¡¯t have to entertain any more nder orpromise from her foster father. In a world where power and strength reigned supreme, only by standing tall could one avoid being wronged at every turn.


    Oblivious to Mr. Hammond¡¯s thoughts, Mirabe threw up an ¡°OK¡± sign. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll bring home that international trophy for you.¡±


    After a pause, she added, ¡°But I won¡¯t actually be able to hand it over to you.¡± It was, after all, meant for her dear Catherine<b>. </b>


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s lips twitched. He knew she had apetitive streak, and not wanting to dampen her spirits, he simply warned, ¡°The internationalpetition is a different ballgame. It¡¯s filled with top contenders.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows shot up, and her voice wasced with pride, ¡°That¡¯s what makes it exciting.¡±


    Just then, a knock came at the door, and Mirabe stood. ¡°You must be busy. I¡¯ll head back to ss.¡±


    Mr. Hammond rose as well. ¡°Alright then.¡±


    Mirabe reached the door and pulled it open to find Anthony, with two familiar faces in tow. Mirabe was rather surprised at the sight of them.


    100


    <b>12:11 </b>


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe.¡± Wyatt greeted her, with a touch of respect in his voice.


    James looked at Mirabe. His expression was thoughtful. ¡°Did we interrupt your conversation with Mr. Hammond?¡±


    Stepping out of the office. Mirabe replied casually, ¡°Not at all, we were just wrapping up.¡±


    James hummed softly. His usually stoic face softened slightly.


    Anthony, taken aback, whispered, ¡°You two know each other?¡±


    Wyatt nodded, ¡°Ms. Mirabe is a friend of our¡­ James¡°.¡±


    Mr. Hammond<b>, </b>overhearing this, was visibly stunned. His student knew James of the Shepherd. family? And Wyatt¡¯s demeanor towards her was quite respectful<b>, </b>which was <b>truly </b>a puzzling revtion.


    Mirabe nodded to James and Wyatt, not lingering to chat, and with a quick ¡°I¡¯ll be off then,¡± to the still shell¨Cshocked Mr. Hammond, she made her exit.


    ¡°Alright¡­ alright,¡± Mr. Hammond managed. His head still spun as he ushered James into his office with newfound reverence.

 Chapter 226

    Mr. Hammond pulled out his prized coffee from the cab and brewed it before settling into his armchair, looking towards James. ¡°How long are you nning to stick around these parts, James?¡±


    James lifted the teacup, blew gently on the surface, and took a sip. ¡°No immediate ns to head back.¡±


    At that, Mr. Hammond couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Donald gave me a ring just the other day.¡±


    The mention of Donald made Wyatt, who <b>stood </b>behind James, visibly squirm with guilt.


    ¡°He¡¯s got too much time on his hands,¡± James said nonchntly, reclining on the couch with an air of effortless nobility.


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s lips twitched. In all of Riverdale, probably only James could make such a remark about Donald. He recalled his earlier conversation with Mirabe<b>, </b>and the curiosity got the better of him. ¡°You seem to be quite familiar with our school¡¯s student, Mirabe.¡±


    James nodded lightly. ¡°Yeah, I spent some time living next door to her ce.¡±


    Next door?


    Mr. Hammond stroked his chin, perplexed. Wasn¡¯t Mirabe just an ordinary student? How on earth did she end up living next to someone like James?


    ¡°Did shee to see you about something?¡± Inquired James, pretending not to notice his confusion.


    That reminded Mr. Hammond of the unpleasant encounter with the Gilbert family that morning. and he casually brought up how Mirabe was ndered for cheating in thepetition.


    After hearing the story, James remained cool and detached, merely tilting his head with a hint of amusement. ¡°So the education association enjoys a bit of backstage maniption these days?¡±


    Sipping his tea, Mr. Hammond sighed cynically. ¡°There are plenty in the association who look for shortcuts. It¡¯s be the norm.¡±


    After a pause, he changed the subject, ¡°I¡¯ll be heading back to Riverdale next week. Got anything you want me to deliver to Donald?¡±


    James¡® gaze seemed distant, almost nonchnt. ¡°No need. I¡¯ll be making a trip back myself next week.


    This surprised Mr. Hammond.


    ¡°The historical museum is releasing a 17th Century emerald pendant for exhibition,¡± James said softly.


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Donald¡¯s actually putting that emerald pendant on


    <b>12:11 </b>


    disy? Is he trying to cause a stir in the industry?¡±


    The pendant from the Shepherd family was nearly wless. Many had eyed it covetously, but none who tried to acquire it met with good ends.


    ¡°So your trip back is to personally oversee the antiques in the exhibition hall?¡± Mr. Hammond quickly grasped the situation.


    The biennial exhibition featured rare artifacts from all around, hosted by the Shepherd family. No one else had the clout to ensure the highest security.


    Despite the stringent security, there were always loopholes. Mr. Hammond seemed to recall an incident from two years ago and guessed Donald¡¯s intention for disying the Western Zhou Dynasty Jade. ¡°Are you nning to draw them out with the pendant as bait?<b>¡± </b>


    James¡® eyes were half¨Cclosed. His gaze was intense and cool. ¡°Nobody can meddle on Shepherd family turf and escape unscathed.¡±


    Mr. Hammond felt a shiver run down his spine. Despite being older by a few decades, he couldn¡¯t withstand the chilling aura emanating from James.


    Steadying his nerves, he shifted the conversation, ¡°When are you heading back to the capital?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡®Next Friday,¡± replied James. His eyes were now free of the cold glint, and his demeanor was ?eemingly harmless ¨C as if the earlier menace were but an illusion.

 Chapter 227

    Chapter <b>227 </b>


    Mr. Hammond couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°As it happens, I¡¯m a Friday regr too.¡±


    James nced his way. ¡°How about I get Wyatt to swing by and pick you <b>up</b>?¡±


    Waving his hand, Mr. Hammond demurred, ¡°No need to trouble yourselves. I¡¯ve got a few students to shepherd as well.¡±


    James arched an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, they¡¯repeting?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but how¡¯d you know?¡± Mr. Hammond was genuinely surprised.


    James smiled. ¡°Heard a little birdie mention it a couple of days ago.¡±


    So that was it.


    Without pressing further, Mr. Hammond shifted the conversation to other matters.


    After leaving Mr. Hammond¡¯s office, Mirabe made a beeline for the ssroom. As for why James had been there, she didn¡¯t bother to specte.


    ¡°Mr. Hammond summoned you again? What did he want?¡± Jenna leaned in with curiosity as soon as Mirabe settled into her seat.


    Fishing out a copy of a French anthology from her desk, Mirabe flipped it open and without looking up, replied, ¡°Nationals next week. He just wanted to remind me to hit the books.¡±


    Jenna rested her chin on her hand. ¡°That¡¯s it? Nothing else?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Mirabe didn¡¯t even nce up.


    Blinking, Jenna¡¯s gazended on the French tome that her friend was pondering. She tried to make sense of a <b>line </b>and instantly felt her head spin. Despite her confidence in her French, she couldn¡¯t decipher a single word.


    ¡°But if you¡¯re supposed to be studying, why are you digging into this book<b>?</b>¡± Jenna asked. puzzled.


    Mirabe turned another page, and her voice was even. ¡°Oh, I signed up for a French speaking contest too.¡±


    Jenna touched her nose. ¡°A French speaking contest? Howe you decided to join that?¡±


    She was well aware of thepetition. Their French teacher had brought it up in ss, but at the time no one had volunteered.


    This wasn¡¯t just any French speaking contest. It wasn¡¯t about rote memorization of French passages. It involved grammar, fluidity, and you couldn¡¯t bring any notes onstage. It was akin to impromptu speaking. Actually, it was even harder than that, since you had to trante French thoughts into English on the fly.


    15:11


    ¡°The winner gets a hundred thousand in schrship money.¡± Mirabe stated seriously. Who could turn down money?


    Jenna remembered the days when Mirabe was daily ¡°blessed¡± with someone¡¯s generous transfers. Her emotions were mixed. After a while, she managed to ask, ¡°Excuse me, but are you in need of money?¡±


    Hearing this, Mirabe paused. Her hand rested on the French text. She turned to Jenna, nodding solemnly. ¡°Does anyone ever think they have too much money?¡±


    Jenna¡¯s eyebrow twitched. Damn it, how could such a soul¨Csearching question leave her speechless?


    Mirabe smiled slightly. Just <b>as </b>she was about to turn back, she suddenly faced Jenna again. ¡°By the way, do you follow any celebrities?¡±


    ¡°Uh?¡± The subject changed so quickly, so Jenna was momentarily taken aback. Then she nodded, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m a fan. Why do you ask all of a sudden?¡±


    She remembered Mirabe previously mentioning she wasn¡¯t interested in celebrities.


    Mirabe paused thoughtfully for a moment before asking. ¡°Ever heard of a singer named Leo?¡± ¡°Leo? A singer?¡± Jenna shook her head. ¡°Nope, doesn¡¯t ring a bell.¡±


    ¡°Alright, just curious,¡± Mirabe said, with <b>a </b>tinge of disappointment in her voice as she turned back to her book.


    After a moment¡¯s contemtion, it was clear to her that her Leo was indeed not one of the famous ones.


    Jenna watched Queen Mira return to her reading, puzzled. Mirabe didn¡¯te across as someone who¡¯d idly pry into others¡® business, so who exactly was this Leo character?

 Chapter 228

    Jenna scratched her head and pulled out her phone, opening the browser. ¡°Queen Mira, that Leo you just mentioned, which ¡®Leo¡® is it?¡±


    ¡°L¨CE¨CO.¡± Mirabe replied without looking up.


    Jenna typed the name ¡°Leo¡± into the search bar, but none of the results matched the singer Queen Mira was talking about. So, she put down her phone and said, ¡°Is this Leo someone you know personally? I couldn¡¯t find him online just now.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, probably not very famous,¡± Mirabe responded offhandedly.


    Hearing this, Jenna remarked, ¡°You know, there are a lot of cover artists out there with amazing voices. They might not be well¨Cknown, but their talent is on par with the pros.¡±


    She assumed Mirabe was talking about an undiscovered cover artist.


    Meanwhile, the aforementioned cover artist Leo, whocked fame, suddenly sneezed.


    ¡°Caught a cold from all thatfy home¨Crest, huh?¡± Collins nced at Leo while holding some paperwork.


    Toofy? Leo rubbed his itchy nose, feeling a mix of emotions. The constant nagging at home from his parents was hardlyforting.


    ¡°Here¡¯s a contract for a reality show live broadcast. Take a look.¡± Collins handed the paperwork


    to Leo.


    After a pause, he added, ¡°I think this show is perfect for you. It could dispel thepany¡¯s concerns about your health and give you a break <b>from </b>touring<b>.</b>¡±


    Leo¡¯s expression darkened<b>, </b>and without much interest, he tossed the contract onto the coffee table. ¡°You know I never do these kinds of reality shows.¡±


    Seeing Leo¡¯s stubborn attitude, Collins massaged his temples in frustration. ¡°Do you even know who¡¯s directing this show?¡±


    Leo looked away, uninterested.


    ¡°It¡¯s the industry¡¯s reality show genius, Walker. Every show he produces is a hit. People are moring to get on his shows, and he¡¯s personally inviting you. But you¡¯re telling me you¡¯re not interested?¡±


    At this point, Collins was itching to crack open his artist¡¯s head to see what was <b>going </b>on inside.


    ¡°With my current condition, even if I join, it would be a half¨Chearted effort,¡± Leo said, obviously annoyed.


    <b>12:12 </b>


    ¡°your condition? Aside from avoiding intense physical activity, you¡¯re perfectly fine. You¡¯ve been resting at home for days, and your face has even gotten chubby,¡± Collins retorted, dismissing Leo¡¯s objections.


    Touching his face self¨Cconsciously, Leo fell silent.


    ¡°Either way, you have to take this gig. No discussion,¡± Collins said firmly, making the decision.


    Leo might not be aware of Walker¡¯s reputation as a top¨Ctier producer, but Collins was, and he was not going to let Leo¡¯s temperament get in the way this time.


    Leo looked up at Collins. ¡°Is it a m?st?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve never forced you to join these kinds of shows before, but this time it¡¯s different. Your


    need to listen to me.¡±


    After a moment¡¯s silence. Leo finally signed the contract.


    Relieved. Collins quickly secured the document, fearing Leo might change his mind. ¡°By the way, the show requires you to bring a family member as your partner, but if there¡¯s no one suitable, a friend will do. I remember your friend Summer gained some poprity after that Celebrity Boot Camp. You could bring her along.¡±


    t made sense to choose someone from the entertainment industry for such shows, to boost.


    ewership and create buzz. So, when Collins brought the reality show contract, he had already. considered who would be the best choice for Leo.

 Chapter 229

    Leo¡¯s brow furrowed instinctively at Collins¡® mention of Summer. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he replied, ¡°No need.¡±


    Collins paused, his expression turning to one of confusion as he took in Leo¡¯s sudden sour mood. ¡°Uh, you¡¯re not nning to bring Summer along?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not close with her.¡± Leo said, his voice a mix of cool detachment.


    Collins couldn¡¯t help but think it odd. Summer had grown up with Leo, but they weren¡¯t close. Who was he kidding?


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Collins decided not to push the topic and switched gears. ¡°So, who are you thinking of bringing? Someone from the band? Or maybe an artist from thepany?¡±


    Leo suddenly looked at Collins with an expression that bordered on incredulous. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say it had to be a family member?¡± he asked. Mirabe was also his sister.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡± Collins nodded, his eyes suddenly widening as a thought struck him. ¡°You¡¯re not thinking of inviting Zach, are you?!¡±


    ¡°Zach¡¯s a well¨Cknownwyer in the industry. Sure, he¡¯s not as high¨Cprofile as those in showbiz. but he does pop up in magazines from time to time. Teaming up with Zach¡­ that could be ant interesting choice.¡±


    Collins crossed his arms, his analysis sound. But then his gaze shifted, skeptical. ¡°But considering how much Zach seems to dislike you, I doubt he¡¯d join a variety show.¡±


    Leo¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Who said anything about inviting Zach?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ you are bringing Emmitt?¡± Collins blinked, thinking that possibility even less likely.


    ¡°My sister,¡± Leo paused, then rified. ¡°My actual sister.¡±


    At that, Collins pped his forehead in realization. ¡°Right, of course! How could I forget about your little sis? If you bring her to the show, man, she¡¯ll be a dazzling highlight.¡±


    The siblings¡® good looks alone would crush thepetition. The more Collins thought about it.


    the more excited he became.


    Leo shot him a look. ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself. She¡¯s a high school senior; she might not have the time.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. The show¡¯s still in the nning stages<b>. </b>Since it will be live, I¡¯m guessing it will be on weekends. It won¡¯t interfere with her studies.¡±


    ¡°She might not want to join.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s easy. Just give me her number, and I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Collins was already pulling out his phone as he spoke<b>. </b>


    <b>12:12 </b>


    Leo watched his manager¡¯s movements but didn¡¯t bother to look up his sister¡¯s contact info. After pursing his lips thoughtfully, he <b>finally </b>spoke, ¡°Never <b>mind</b><b>, </b><b>I¡¯ll </b>talk to her myself.¡±


    Collins pocketed his phone without further insistence. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s settled then. If there¡¯s a snag¡­¡±


    Leo cut him off before he could finish, ¡°I¡¯m her brother. I can handle it.¡±


    Confident in his client¡¯s determination, Collins said no more and soon left the Davis family home with the contract in hand.


    Leaning back on the sofa, Leo pondered for a moment before grabbing his phone and opening Messenger. He sent a message to his sister. [Hey, sis<b>, </b>can you do me a little favor?]


    Mirabe wasn¡¯t in ss yet and replied promptly. [What¡¯s up?]


    Leo sat up, his fingers flying across the screen as he typed out a message, only to delete it. feeling it wasn¡¯t quite right. Heposed and erased several drafts before settling on one to send<b>. </b>


    Mirabe saw the ¡®typing¡­¡® indicator persisting for minutes on end and finally sent back a question mark in confusion.

 Chapter 230

    Chapter <b>230 </b>


    Mirabe propped her chin in her hand, waiting with the patience of a saint until finally, her phone pinged with Leo¡¯s reply.


    Leo: [Suddenly remembered I have nothing urgent to say.]


    That was it? After all that typing?


    Mirabe sent back a question mark.


    Leo: [Aren¡¯t you about to head to ss? I won¡¯t keep you any longer.]


    Mirabe put her phone away but couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Leo was being unusually dodgy today.


    After school, Mirabe hadn¡¯t even reached the gates when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out. It was Leo calling.


    She quickly hit the answer button, ¡°¡­I¡¯ll be out in two minutes.¡±


    ¡°Is someone from your family picking you up today?¡± Jenna asked casually as they walked together.


    Mirabetta tucked her phone back into her coat pocket. ¡°Yeah, my brother.¡±


    At that, Jenna nced at Mirabe¡¯s breathtaking profile and couldn¡¯t help but stroke her chin. ¡°Then he must be quite the looker, too!¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, giving her a sidelong nce. ¡°Naturally.¡± With that, she continued forward.


    Jenna blinked<b>, </b>suddenly feeling slighted. Was she being teased for not having a brother?


    Hurrying to catch up. Jenna was curious to see what Mirabe¡¯s brother looked like.


    Soon, they stepped out of the school. Jenna scanned the area, and when her eyesnded on a figure wrapped up tight from head to toe at the curb, she couldn¡¯t help but tsk. ¡°People these days really have some bizarre fashion sense.¡±


    Mirabe looked over, her lips twitching slightly.


    ¡°Queen Mira, where¡¯s your bro?¡± Jenna prodded.


    With a resigned tilt of her chin, Mirabe¡¯s gazended on Jenna¡¯s so¨Ccalled ¡®bizarre¡® figure. Following Mirabe¡¯s gaze, Jenna¡¯s mouth dropped open like she was catching flies. It took her a moment to stutter out, ¡°No way¡­ that¡¯s your brother?¡±


    How could Mira, the epitome of finesse have such an entric <b>brother</b>? Something seemed


    Mirabe cleared her throat. Leo wasn¡¯t famous, but she couldn¡¯t let his high¨Cprofile disguise be mocked. She approached Leo and casually threw back at Jenna, ¡°Yep, that¡¯s my bro.¡±


    Jenna was gobsmacked. Awkward. Driven by curiosity, she followed.


    ¡°Leo.¡± Mirabe called softly as she neared.


    Leo, absorbed in his phone, looked up instinctively at the sound of his sister¡¯s voice. ¡°You were quick.¡±


    His face was shielded with the essential sunsses and mask. After speaking, he adjusted the sunsses on his nose.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Mirabe nodded.


    Then Leo¡¯s attention shifted to Jenna, pausing briefly before asking politely. ¡°Is this your ssmate?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my friend, Jenna,¡± Mirabe introduced sinctly<b>. </b>


    Given that his sister was introducing a ssmate, Leo figured she must¡¯ve been a good friend. He took off his sunsses, revealing deep, alluring eyes that sparkled like stars, and nodded slightly at Jenna. ¡°Hello.¡±


    Leo had that cool aura about him that made an impression even when only his eyes and forehead were visible.


    Jenna nearly gaped, but regaining herposure, she nodded shyly and spoke in a hushed voice, ¡°Hi, hi there!¡±


    Goodness, this was no entric; he was downright enchanting. No wonder he was so covered


    <ol>


    <li>up. </li>


    </ol>


    But somehow, Mira¡¯s brother looked familiar to Jenna. Had she seen him somewhere before? She scratched her head<b>, </b>trying to ce him, but the memory eluded her.

 Chapter 231

    Just then, Mirabe turned her head to Jenna and casually said, ¡°You¡¯re headed to the hospital, right? Need a lift?¡±


    Jenna snapped back to reality, shaking her head with a dismissive wave. ¡°No, it¡¯s alright, don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    Mirabe didn¡¯t press the issue. Soon enough, she and Leo got into the car.


    Jenna stood there, lost in thought, as she watched the car disappear in the distance, still <b>trying </b>to pinpoint where she had seen Mira¡¯s brother before.


    Inside the car, Mirabe sat in the passenger seat, turning to look at Leo, who was behind the wheel. ¡°Leo, what was it you wanted to tell me over lunch?¡± she inquired.


    Leo¡¯s grip on the steering wheel tightened subconsciously before he forced a nonchnt shake of his head. ¡°Oh, it was nothing. Just a small thing.¡± Weird, he always got this inexplicable. surge of nerves around his sister. What was up with that?


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, seeing right through him. ¡°You seem tense: It doesn¡¯t seem like just a small thing to me.¡±


    At her words, Leo straightened up, denying, ¡°Tense? No, not at all.¡±


    Mirabe simply smiled, saying nothing.


    Leo cleared his throat, about to spill the beans about the variety show, when his phone rang. ncing at the caller ID, he grabbed the Bluetooth headset beside him and put it on.


    ¡°Hey, Emmitt¡­ You¡¯re over at my ce? Alright, I¡¯ll be there soon.¡±


    While he talked on the phone, Mirabe turned her gaze to the window, her eyes taking on a distant haze.


    After Leo hung up, he looked at Mirabe and suggested, ¡°Emmitt needs me for something. He¡¯s waiting at my ce. Let¡¯s swing by: you¡¯ve never seen where I live anyway.¡± He was clueless about the misunderstanding between Emmitt and Mirabe.


    Mirabe¡¯s expression remained neutral, her fingers idly tapping on her thigh. She didn¡¯t object and just hummed in agreement.


    Traffic was a bit heavy, and it took nearly fifty minutes to get back to Leo¡¯s ce.


    Emmitt didn¡¯t have a key, so he waited outside the vi in his car. When he saw Leo¡¯s car pull. up with the figure of Mirabe in the passenger <b>seat</b>, his hand stalled on the car door.


    Ever since thest mix¨Cup over Catherine, he hadn¡¯t set foot in the Davis family home and had


    12:12


    yet to apologize to her. He was too proud to lower his guard and unsure of how to face her.


    Now, seeing her with Leo, Emmitt felt a tangle of emotions. After sitting quietly for a moment. he finally stepped out of the car.


    On the other side, Leo swiped his card, and the vi¡¯s gates swung open. He then drove the car into the garage.


    Mirabe got out and looked at the modern minimalist two¨Cstory vi before her, an eyebrow raised in surprise. Was Leo really just an obscure singer? It hardly seemed likely.


    At that moment, Emmitt walked in. Noticing someone behind her, Mirabe¡¯s delicate face showed little change as she turned and greeted him with a cool. ¡°Emmitt.¡±


    Emmitt, detecting the chill in her voice, paused before responding with a muted hum. Feeling awkward, he nced at her briefly before shifting his gaze away. The air was briefly thick with difort.


    That was when Leo, having parked the car, joined them. He sensed the odd atmosphere but didn¡¯t dwell on it. He nodded to Emmitt with a slight purse of the lips. ¡°Got caught <b>in </b>some traffic. Have you been waiting long. Emmitt?¡±

 Chapter 232

    <b>Chapter </b><b>232 </b>


    Emmitt shook his head dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside,¡± Leo said, striding over to the door. He lifted his hand and pressed his thumb against the scanner. With a click, the door swung open.


    Mirabe followed him in, and after a moment¡¯s hesitation, Emmitt stepped over the doorway into the house.


    Once they were settled in the living room, Leo fetched two bottles of water from the fridge, eyeing his siblings, who had taken their seats on opposite ends of the couch. Emmitt was staring nkly at the coffee table while Mirabe was nonchntly flipping through her phone, one leg crossed over the other<b>. </b>


    These two¡­ from the moment they met up<b>, </b>something seemed off. They were siblings, but they might as well have been strangers sitting in the same room.


    Leo furrowed his brow in confusion, ced the water bottles on the coffee table in front of each of them, and took a seat. He cleared his throat and broke the silence, ¡°Emmitt, you mentioned on the phone that you needed to talk to me?¡±


    Emmitt looked up, nced at Mirabe, then turned his attention to Leo. After a brief silence, he said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing major. Just checking if you¡¯ve signed up for a reality TV show live stream.¡±


    Leo¡¯s brow creased instinctively. Collins had just handed him the contract earlier that day. How did Emmitt know about it? And why would Emmitt be the one to ask about it on someone¡¯s behalf?


    *Did Summer send you to ask?¡± Leo¡¯s thoughts immediately went to her. Though he couldn¡¯t fathom how Summer knew about his new gig, it wasn¡¯t a stretch to imagine, given Emmitt¡¯s


    fondness for her.


    Hearing Summer¡¯s name<b>, </b>Mirabe didn¡¯t look up from her phone, her face expressionless<b>. </b>


    Emmitt nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, she wants me to bring her along?¡± Leo¡¯s lips curled into a wry smile, a hint of


    frost creeping into his voice.


    After a pause, without waiting for Emmitt to respond, Leo continued, ¡°Tell her it¡¯s not


    happening. The show¡¯s concept is about family participation, and she¡¯s not my sister.¡± His tone left no room for argument, his stance unequivocal.


    At Leo¡¯s words, Mirabe¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed thoughtfully. A reality show? Were they featuring family members?


    Emmitt, taken aback by Leo¡¯s strong reaction, swallowed the retort that had been on the tip of his tongue, settling instead for a simple, ¡°I got it.¡±


    Leo was slightly surprised by Emmitt¡¯sck of protest, which was uncharacteristic of him when


    <b>12:12 </b>


    it came to Summer. He decided not to dwell on the issue and asked casually, ¡°Had too much worktely, Emmitt?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s manageable.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve moved back home for now. You can juste over if you need to talk. It¡¯ll save you from waiting like today,¡± Leo said in a softer tone,


    At that, Emmitt¡¯s fingers twitched slightly, but his expression remained neutral as he responded. with a nomittal hum,


    Leo nced at Mirabe, noting the strange tension between her and Emmitt. Hoping to lighten the mood, he forced a topic, ¡°Mirabe, when¡¯s your nationalpetition again?¡±


    Caught off guard while gaming, Mirabe paused her fingers on the screen and, without looking up, replied, ¡°Next Saturday and Sunday.¡±


    Nationals?


    Emmitt¡¯s expression flickered with surprise, and he instinctively looked up at Mirabe. His sister had made it to nationals?

 Chapter 233

    Chapter <b>233 </b>


    Leo stroked his chin before turning to Emmitt,pletely missing the mixed expression on his face. He said with a hint of pride, ¡°Emmitt, you might not be in the loop, but Mira entered a nationalpetition. I checked her scores, and she¡¯s topped the charts every time. The schrship to Prestige College is pretty much in the bag for her.¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s gaze lowered, the words ¡®topped the charts every time¡® echoing in his mind. After a moment, he seemed to snap back to reality and responded, ¡°Is that so? Well, congrats to you then.¡± His voice was noticeably distant..


    Mirabe had been lounging around, absorbed in her phone, and either hadn¡¯t heard or simply chose not to respond<b>. </b>


    A heavy silence <b>filled </b>the air for a beat.


    Feeling uneasy, Emmitt stood up abruptly and announced, ¡°I just remembered I¡¯ve got something to take care of. Gotta run.¡±


    Before leaving, he nced once more at Mirabe, who hadn¡¯t looked up once. He opened his mouth as if to say something but then chose silence and headed for the door.


    Leo watched Emmitt¡¯s hasty retreat with a puzzled frown, then stood up to follow. ¡°Let me walk you out, Emmitt.¡±


    They reached the wrought¨Ciron gate at the entrance, and Leo couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Emmitt, is there something going on between you and Mirabe? Some kind of beef?¡±


    Emmitt paused, his lips pressing into a thin line as he recalled all the misunderstandings. A shadow of sadness crossed his eyes. It was more than just a disagreement. He shook his head and said simply, ¡°I¡¯m out of here.¡±


    After his car had disappeared down the street, Leo scratched his head, closed the gate, and went back inside to confront his sister, though he hesitated to speak.


    Feeling his gaze, Mirabe put down her phone, arched an eyebrow<b>, </b>and said, ¡°Some questions. don¡¯t have answers<b>, </b>and it¡¯s better not to ask.¡±


    Leo¡¯s mouth twitched at the corners.


    Switching gears, Mirabe struck a thoughtful pose. She said rather seriously, ¡°However if your want to discuss issues like you trying to rope me into joining you on some reality TV show, we can talk about it.¡±


    Leo blinked in surprise, not expecting his sister to have read him so easily on the matter he¡¯d been mulling over since <b>lunch</b><b>. </b>


    After a long pause, he cleared his throat and awkwardly settled onto the couch, asking, ¡°So¡­ would you be willing to do it?¡±


    He tried to look serious, but his voice was a mix of pleading and caution. If any of Leo¡¯s


    <b>12:12 </b>


    showbiz peers could see him now, their jaws would hit the floor.


    Atzabe picked up a bottle of water from the coffee table, took a few sips, and then asked, ¡°What kind of reality show requires you to bring a family member?¡±


    Leo scratched his head. ¡°All I know <i>is </i>it¡¯s called ¡®Country Comfort.¡® It¡¯s still in the nning phase, so I¡¯m not too clear on the details<b>.</b>¡±


    At the mention of the show¡¯s name, Mirabe¡¯s expression turned curious.


    Country Comfort, rural life¡­ of everyone in the Davis family<b>, </b>she was the one with experience in the countryside. So was Leo¡¯s silence at lunch and his unfinished messages all about how to ask for her help without bruising her ego?


    Well message received.


    ¡°I can give Collins a call. He probably knows more.¡± Leo added after a moment¡¯s thought.


    Mirabe waved him off. ¡°No need.¡±


    Leo paused, puzzled. Was she indicating she didn¡¯t want to join him in the reality show?

 Chapter 234

    Chapter <b>234 </b>


    As Leo thought back to the moment he had assured his agent, with a solemn swear, that he could handle the situation, he felt a sudden pinch in his cheeks. His mind raced with a myriad of thoughts, and when he looked back at Mirabe, his eyes were filled with a subtle sorrow.


    Standing up, Mirabe pretended not to notice Leo¡¯s dazed expression. ¡°Leo, where¡¯s the bathroom?¡± she asked.


    Leo pointed weakly down the hall to the right, his voicecking its usual strength. ¡°End of the corridor, then take a left.¡±


    With a twinkle in her eye, Mirabe had barely stepped out before she turned back and inquired. ¡°When does your reality show start filming?¡±


    Leo, head bowed, was still contemting how to persuade her. He heard her voice again and looked up. ¡°Ah¡­ not for a while yet.¡±


    ¡°Oh, let me know when it does. I want to be there.<b>¡± </b>Mirabe said before heading towards the bathroom.


    ¡°Sure¡­¡± Leo nodded absently, and it took a moment before he snapped back to reality. What had Mirabe just said? Did she just agree to join him on the show<b>?! </b>


    ted, Leo pulled out his phone,unched Messenger, and fired off three quick messages to


    Collins<b>. </b>


    [My sister agreed to do the show.]


    [Who said I couldn¡¯t pull it off?]


    [She¡¯s my sister<b>, </b>of course I can!]


    Collins, phone in hand, raised an eyebrow at the messages from his client. The first one made sense, but the next two seemed oddly defensive. ¡°Why would he keep asking?¡± he wondered.


    Scratching his head, Collins typed back: [Great.]


    Pausing, he sent another: [Send me your sister¡¯s Messenger. I need to talk about the details with her.]


    Leo squinted at the screen, replying<b>: </b>[No need, I¡¯ll talk to her myself.]


    Collins: [You? What do you know? What can you say?]


    Collins: [Just don¡¯t slow us down, okay? Send her contact over.]


    Collins wanted to dismiss him yet still demanded his sister¡¯s contact information. The nerve! With a sneer, Leo exited the chat.


    When Mirabe returned from the bathroom, Leo said earnestly, ¡°If anyone adds you on Messenger or asks for your number, just ignore them. People can be devious¨Cyou don¡¯t want


    <b>12:12 </b>


    Chapter <b>234 </b>


    to get scammed<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Clearing his throat. Leo stood up, grabbed his jacket, and said, ¡°Come on. I¡¯ll take you out to


    eat.¡±


    Mirabe watched his retreating figure, deep in thought. Did all those who seemed cool and aloof on the outside have such goofy insides<b>? </b>


    Leo headed to the garage to get his car. Mirabe slowly walked out of the vi, taking in the neighborhood with its thoughtfully designed greenery. The detached homes provided a quiet and serene environment¨Ca rare find in the city and certainly not cheap.


    Waiting by the roadside, Mirabe suddenly heard a faint click. Narrowing her eyes, she nced to her left, where something seemed to flicker around the corner of the vi¡¯s wall.


    She looked back to see Leo still inside, then walked toward the corner with soft, stealthy steps,


    almost silent.


    The man hiding there was reviewing photos on his camera with a satisfied smirk. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± At that moment, a cool voice reached him.

 Chapter 235

    Chapter <b>235 </b>


    The man clutching his camera froze as he heard the volce, lifting his gaze to meet Mirabe¡¯s piercing eyes. His hands trembled, nearly dropping the camera onto the ground. He quickly straightened up, suppressing his panic, and capped the lens of his camera. ¡°Nothing¡¯s up.¡± he mumbled.


    Mirabe pursed her lips, her face expressionless. ¡°Were you just taking pictures on the sly?¡±


    The man looked at Mirabe¡¯s overly pretty face, which seemed too young to instill such an odd. sense of profound fear in him. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get the words out, the camera was suddenly, lightly, in Mirabe¡¯s hands.


    Flipping through it, she scoffed. ¡°With these skills, you call this sneaking pictures?¡±


    The photos inside were all of her and Leo, taken from a distance and a bit blurry due to the covert nature of the shots. However, the angles were good, making them look quite the couple.


    The man didn¡¯t have time to wonder how his camera had slipped into her hands so quickly and blurted out, ¡°Give it back.¡± He reached out to snatch it back.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, giving him a chilly nce. The man¡¯s hand hung in mid¨Cair. frozen.


    A minuteter, Mirabe dusted off her hands, lookingpletely at ease as she stepped out from around the corner of the fence.


    Leo¡¯s car was already pulling out. He didn¡¯t see Mirabe at the front. He was about to take out his phone when he saw Mirabe¡¯s reflection in the rearview mirror and put it back.


    Mirabe opened the passenger side door and got in. Leo nced at his sister with a hint of confusion, asking. ¡°What were you doing over there?¡±


    While buckling her seatbelt, Mirabe replied without batting an eyelid, ¡°Oh, there was a dog. Just went to calm it down.¡±


    Hearing this, Leo subconsciously nced at the rearview mirror again. Where was the dog?


    But he didn¡¯t dwell on it, started the car, and casually mentioned, ¡°Must be someone¡¯s pet that got loose from the neighborhood<b>.</b>¡±


    Mirabe leaned back, rxed in her seat, and hummed a response.


    As the car drove out of the neighborhood and onto the street, Mirabe rolled down the window, rested her hand casually on the frame, and with a flick of her finger, something silently dropped and disappeared under the tires of passing vehicles<b>. </b>


    After having dinner out, the siblings didn¡¯t linger and went straight home. As they entered, they were greeted by Zach¡¯s jealous tone, ¡°You two remember this ce? Do you even know what


    12:12


    Chapter


    time it is?¡±


    Leo and Mirabe exchanged puzzled looks and then simultaneously checked the wall clock. It was eight, not midnight, right?


    Scratching his head, Leo walked over and sat across from Zach on the sofa. Noting the odd look in his eyes, he softly called out, ¡°Zach?¡±


    Zach turned his head away haughtily, his gaze falling on Mirabe, silent.


    Mirabe was silent, and after a moment, she also called out, ¡°Zach?¡±


    ¡°Mhm,¡± Zach responded warmly, surprisingly gently.


    Leo was shocked. Was this what they called double standards? Mirabe called, and Zach responded; Leo called him, and it was like he was invisible.


    Pretending not to notice their expressions, Mirabe scanned the room and asked, ¡°Are Mom and Dad not back yet?¡±


    ¡°They went out for a walk.¡±


    Mirabe touched her nose, caught off guard by the unexpected dose of sentimentality. It was no wonder they came back to find Zach with a face full of abandonment issues.


    ¡°Ahem, well then, Zach, I¡¯m heading upstairs<b>,</b>¡± Mirabe began to retreat to her room.


    Suddenly, Zach grabbed her shoulder with a loud voice. ¡°You know, my shoulder¡¯s been killing me these past few days.¡±


    At his words, Mirabe¡¯s footsteps faltered.

 Chapter 236

    Zach caught a glimpse of Mirabe pausing mid¨Cstep, a sly twinkle in his eye revealing his sessful ploy. Then, rubbing his shoulders, he continued to whine and groan about his difort.


    Beside him, Leo stood up proactively, offering with empathy, ¡°Hey Zach, want me to give you a shoulder rub?¡±


    Zach¡¯s face darkened in an instant, and he shot Leo a sharp re.


    Leo smirked.


    ¡°Mom told me that you¡¯ve got some killer massage skills.¡± Zach said, deliberately turning to look at Mirabe with a suggestive gleam in his eye.


    Mirabe¡¯s mouth twitched in resignation, shaking her head and walking over to him.


    ¡°Is your shoulder hurt?¡± she asked.


    Zach nodded.


    ¡°Want a rub?¡± Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    Again, the fervent nodding from Zach.


    ¡°Alright then.¡± Mirabe lifted her hand to his shoulder and squeezed. Instantly, Zach felt tears welling up from the pain. ¡°Ouch¡­ easy, easy!¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s hands didn¡¯t stop: her tone was stern and serious as she said, ¡°Your muscles are tight. That¡¯s a sign of strain, Zach. You¡¯ve gotta take care of this.¡±


    It was too much for Zach; his shoulders cringed under the pain, and he quickly started to backtrack. ¡°I think I¡¯m good. Maybe you don¡¯t need to-¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not,¡± Mirabe interrupted with conviction, pressing down harder, not giving him any chance to escape.


    Zach was on the verge of tears. Why did he have to shoot himself in the foot?


    Leo, watching Zach turn pale as if in excruciating agony, instinctively shifted away, a bit frightened by the scene.


    After about fifteen minutes, Mirabe finally let Zach off the hook. The moment he was released from her clutches, Zach felt like he hade back to life. He turned to Mirabe, fear still evident in his eyes. Mirabe seemed so delicate, yet her strength was formidable.


    Mirabe ignored the ¡®you¡¯re terrifying¡® look in Zach¡¯s eyes. ¡°How¡¯s it feel now? Still hurt?¡± ¡°No pain, no pain at all,¡± Zach shook his head frantically, certain that if he expressed any difort, she¡¯d be on him again in <b>a </b>heartbeat.


    Witnessing Zach¡¯s quick surrender, Leo shielded his eyes with a hand.


    12:13


    LIIDITY 230


    Mirabe raised her eyebrows slightly, tossing out casually, ¡°Oh, by the way, Zach, I also do acupuncture.¡±


    Zach seemed terrified. His sense of personal safety felt threatened once more!


    ¡°Ahem, right, you¡¯ve got homework, right? I won¡¯t keep you,¡± Zach waved her off. It was aplete turnaround from his earlier maniptive antics.


    ¡°Sure, just call me if it hurts again.¡± Mirabe said before leaving.


    Zach thought to himself. ¡°There¡¯s no way it¡¯s going to hurt again. Not in this lifetime<b>.</b>¡±


    Only when she hadpletely disappeared from sight did Zach let out a heavy sigh, copsing on the couch as if drained. But soon, he realized his shoulder felt surprisingly light. He moved it around, the stiffness gone, no more soreness.


    Zach let out a curious sound, then sat up straight, pressing on his shoulder, feeling no difort at all. He had exaggerated a bit earlier, but the pain had been real. His sister¡¯s technique was truly something!


    Leo, witnessing the emotional rollercoaster on Zach¡¯s face, couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°You good, Zach?¡±


    Feeling relieved, Zach shot him a nce and replied, ¡°Never better.¡±


    Leo was speechless. That was not the impression Zach was giving a moment ago.

 Chapter 237

    Leo mulled over the evening¡¯s events, his expression turning serious as he turned to Zach and said, ¡°Zach, I¡¯ve got to ask you something.¡±


    Sensing the gravity in Leo¡¯s voice, Zach dropped his usual carefree demeanor and replied, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?<b>¡± </b>


    After hesitating for a few seconds, Leo ventured, ¡°Is there bad blood between Emmitt and Mirabe?¡±


    He had been wallowing in self¨Cpity due to some health issues, and he hadn¡¯t paid much attention when his sister came back home, leaving Zach as the one more in the know.


    ¡°Why do you bring this up? Did Emmitt swing by?¡± Zach countered instead of answering directly.


    Leo nodded, then shared with Zach the gist of what had transpired that evening.


    Zach¡¯s brow furrowed as he digested the story. ¡°Why the heck is Emmitt still hanging out with Summer? Didn¡¯t he learn anything from thest time?¡±


    ¡°Emmitt definitely has some misunderstandings and biases against Mira; so try to keep her out of it when you see Emmitt, will ya? Mirabe hasn¡¯t been back home for long, and we don¡¯t want her getting the wrong idea about this family.¡± Zach said with a far¨Coff look and a voice that seemed to drift with the wind.


    Leo watched him, a wry smile forming on his lips. ¡°I got it, Zach.¡±


    Of everyone in the family, Zach was the most perceptive and clear¨Csighted.


    The next day dawned.


    Mirabe rose early, opened the suitcase she had brought with her, and pulled out a bottle of medicine, followed by an old¨Cfashioned iron box. The box had a tricky lock, which she deftly manipted until, with a click, the lid sprang open.


    She took out the silver needles wrapped in sheepskin, quickly inspected them, rolled them back up, and ced them along with the bottle of medicine into the messenger bag she used for school.


    After breakfast, Shawn was driving her to school.


    Shawn¡¯s brand¨Cnew car was a bit too shy. He respected Mirabe¡¯s tactful suggestions and had reluctantly resurrected his old Santana from the junkyard. As a result, the once cherished new car was now relegated to the dusty corners of the underground garage.


    Each day, as Mirabe headed off to school, she would cast a silent nce at the neglected vehicle, itching to ask her dad to at least maintain the new car. Yet, seeing his apparent


    disdain for it, she held her tongue.


    After school, Mirabe once again used the pretext of visiting to apany Jenna to the hospital.


    Jake, still in aa, showed stable vital signs after the treatment and was out of immediate danger<b>. </b>


    Ka was at the hospital that day and was delighted to see Mirabe visiting again. She made Mirabe feel wee, offering het drinks and cutting up fruit with maternal warmth. With Jenna there to take over, Ka soon left for home. Jenna had a younger brother in elementary school she needed to take care of.


    Only Mirabe and Jenna remained in the hospital room.


    Mirabe, a day student specially admitted by Mr. Hammond, didn¡¯t have to worry about her grades and had requested to skip evening study hall.


    Jenna had taken leave from evening sses and was looking after Jake. However, as a senior, her study schedule was intense, and she was always swamped with papers to write and questions to practice. Before long, Jenna pulled out her work and began tackling it head¨Con, all while chatting away.


    Mirabe sat there, fingers resting on the armchair, contemting how to administer acupuncture to Jake without drawing attention.

 Chapter 238

    Jenna¡¯s phone burst into a jingle that cut through the silence of the room.


    She set her pen aside and fished the device out of her pocket. The caller ID showed it was Bethany Bethany. With a swift tap, she answered, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be right down.¡±


    After hanging up, Jenna turned to Mirabe, ¡°Mira, I need to step out for a sec to pick up my cousin. Be right back.¡±


    Mirabe gave a small nod, her features barely shifting. ¡°Sure<b>.</b>¡±


    Jenria, clutching her phone, rushed out while Mirabe watched her disappear around the corner towards the elevator before turning to close the door behind her.


    Approaching the hospital bed, Mirabe pulled out a set of silver needles she had tucked away in her bag earlier that morning. Unrolling the leather cloth, she took the longest one and leaned over, carefully inserting it into a critical point atop Jake¡¯s head.


    If any practitioner of alternative medicine had been present, they would have been taken aback by the precision of Mirabe¡¯s needle cements. Each point she targeted was delicate, where the slightest mishandling could result in immediate death. Yet, she wielded the needles with an ease that bordered on the reckless, reminiscent of a quack rather than a skilled healer.


    Just as she finished with the head, the monitors beside the bed flickered with new activity, a clear sigh of brain wave fluctuations. Mirabe barely nced at it before continuing her work. She swiftly selected two shorter needles, inserting them into the acupoints on Jake¡¯s wrist.. Suddenly, Jake¡¯s fingers twitched almost imperceptibly. Mirabe noted the movement silently, her mind counting the seconds. Two minutester<b>, </b>she began to remove the needles.


    Meanwhile, Jenna had returned with Bethany and her folks, their footsteps echoing off the hospital walls as they approached the sixth floor.


    Leading the way. Jenna reached the door to the hospital room, her hand gently turning the knob. The door swung open to reveal Mirabe, still seated calmly. Jenna quickly introduced her to her family in a hushed tone. ¡°This is my friend. She came to visit Dad.<b>¡± </b>


    Bethany¡¯s eyes sparkled upon seeing Mirabe. Her thoughts were easily summed up. ¡°Pretty cooldy.¡±


    Mirabe rose, her smile courteous as she nodded in greeting. Her beauty and manners. disarmed any potential unease. Picking up her shoulder bag<b>, </b>Mirabe addressed Jenna, ¡°I should head out.¡±


    Jenna considered her family and didn¡¯t insist on keeping Mirabe any longer. ¡°Let me walk you out.¡±


    Mirabe simply nodded, epting the offer. As they stepped out, she pulled a small bottle from her pocket and handed it to Jenna, ¡°Give one to your dad when he wakes up, and then one


    12:13


    more each day after that.¡±


    Jenna paused, not quite grasping the meaning of her words but instinctively taking the bottle.


    ¡°See you next week.¡± Mirabe waved goodbye and walked away.


    Jenna watched her leave before finally bringing her attention back to the small porcin bottle in her hand. Curious, she unscrewed the lid and sniffed¨Ctraditional herbs.


    At that moment, Bethany burst out of the room, a wild joy on her face. ¡°Jenna, Uncle Jake¡¯s awake!


    Jenna spun around, her eyes wide in disbelief. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°I said, your dad¡¯s awake!


    Tears welled up in Jenna¡¯s eyes as she hastily secured the cap on the bottle and tucked it away. She stumbled into the room to see the miracle for herself.

 Chapter 239

    Chapter <b>239 </b>


    After leaving the hospital, Mirabe hailed a cab and headed straight home.


    Aside from Marian, who was busy in the kitchen, the house was still home to just one other person ¨C Leo, who had begun to ept his new role as a couch potato.


    Every day after school, Mirabe had a little ritual of popping by the bakery downstairs to pick up a slice of strawberry cheesecake, and today was no exception. She walked through the door and handed the sweet treat to Leo.


    Looking down at the strawberry cheesecake in his hands, Leo gave his sister a look that was hard to decipher. ¡°My agent says I¡¯ve been packing on the pounds.<b>¡± </b>


    Without missing a beat, Mirabe slung her shoulder bag onto a nearby cab, nced at him. and said offhandedly. ¡°A little extra fluff makes you cuter.¡±


    Leo looked baffled. Since when did gaining weight equate to cuteness<b>? </b>


    Mirabe realized she might have chosen her words poorly but was not inclined to correct herself. She plopped down on the couch. A Messenger notification pinged, and she fished the device out of her pocket.


    It was a message from Niki, whom she had recently added as a contact.


    Niki: Youngdy, take a peek at the proportions in this recipe. Do you see anything amiss? {image}]


    Mirabe opened the image to find amon cold and flu remedy but didn¡¯t overlook that one ingredient¡¯s dosage had been deliberately increased by a few grams.


    After pondering for a couple of seconds<b>, </b>she replied. [Is this some kind of special concoction?]


    On the other side, Niki received her message and instinctively stroked his long white beard. He was puzzled ¨C given the youngdy¡¯s knowledge of herbs, she should¡¯ve been able to deduce the purpose of the mix. After a moment, he typed slowly.


    Niki: [It¡¯s for themon cold.]


    Niki: [Look at the amounts again, more carefully.]


    Meanwhile, Leo, who was fiddling with his phone, sat down next to Mirabe and asked, ¡°Hey. sis, do you like music?¡±


    As she replied to Niki, Mirabe looked up briefly and answered, ¡°Ah, I listen to it now and then.¡±


    Leo touched his nose, somewhat disappointed. No wonder his sister always seemed oblivious to his career<b>. </b>With that in mind, he brought up one of his tracks and hit y. ¡°What do you think? Is it good?¡± He cranked the volume to the max as if concerned she wouldn¡¯t hear it properly.


    The sudden st of sound startled Mirabe, nearly causing her to send an unfinished message. She massaged her temples and said with a hint of exasperation, ¡°Leo, my ears work just fine.¡±


    Leo persisted, ¡°But is the song good?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°It¡¯s great, really great,¡± her tone dripping with nonchnce.


    Leo, sensing her attention was elsewhere, turned off the music with a sulky motion and leaned in to see whom she was chatting with so intently.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t bother hiding her Streen. Without looking up, she said, ¡°Some old¨Cschool alternative medicine practitioner.<b>¡± </b>


    Leo nced over the chat. It was full of iprehensible jargon<b>, </b>and he quickly lost interest, retracting his gaze.


    After sending thest message, Mirabe put her phone down and finally turned to Leo, a beat toote, asking. ¡°Why¡¯d you stop the music?¡±


    ¡°As if you don¡¯t know why,¡± he thought, but Leo didn¡¯t dare voice his thoughts aloud. He was about to share histest recording when Marian¡¯s voice carried over, interrupting him.


    ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready.¡±


    Instantly, Leo switched off his phone.


    Mirabe stood up. ¡°Come on, Leo. Let¡¯s eat.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t resist ruffling his thick, curly locks as she passed by ¨C they were as soft as wool, just as she¡¯d imagined. Satisfied, Mirabe smiled to herself.


    Leo, baffled by his sister¡¯s behavior, simply followed her to the dining table.

 Chapter 240

    At the hospital.


    After re¨Cexamining Jake, the doctor turned to Jenna with a sense of wonder in his voice, ¡°It¡¯s nothing short of a miracle that your dad woke up.¡±


    The clinic had run every test in the book and had all but written off any chance of the patient regaining consciousness. It was aplete and utter shock when he did¨Cand so swiftly at


    that.


    The doctor gave Jenna a few instructions before hurrying out of the room. This medical marvel was too astonishing not to report to the chief, Dr. Ray, and his team.


    Once the doctor left. Jenna seemed toe back to life. She went to her father, who was now off the venttor, sat down by his bed, and gently took his hand. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re finally awake.¡±


    Jake had juste around and was still weak. His lips moved as if to speak, but he didn¡¯t have the strength. In the end, he simply squeezed his daughter¡¯s hand in return.


    Jenna wiped away a tear. Now that the initial shock <b>had </b>passed, she remembered what Mirabe had said to her in the days leading up to and even right before she had just left.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your dad will wake up in a couple of days.¡±


    ¡°Once your dad wakes up, give him one of these pills and then one every other day from then


    on.¡±


    Her words always carried the same message. ¡°your dad will wake up.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s hand slid into her pocket, feeling the pill bottle. She recalled Mirabe¡¯s confident expression as she left, as if she was certain Jake was about to wake up. But how could Mirabe be so sure when even Dr. Ray from the hospital said the chances were slim to none? Jenna¡¯s mind was a whirl of confusion<b>, </b>unsure whether to take out the medicine. After all, with her dad¡¯s condition being so delicate, medication wasn¡¯t something to be taken lightly.


    Torn. Jenna pulled out her phone and sent a message to Mirabe.


    [Mira, my dad¡¯s awake.]


    Mirabe was in the middle of dinner when she received Jenna¡¯s message on Messenger. It was expected. After pondering for a moment, she replied. <b>[</b>The medicinees from a reputable alternative healer. It¡¯s safe to use, no harm.]


    Jenna¡¯s expression wasplex as she read the response. Mira¡¯s reply seemed devoid of surprise as if she had anticipated Jenna¡¯s concern. Her fingers paused on the screen for a long time before replying. [Okay, I¡¯ll give it to my dad now.]


    Mirabe nced at the message and didn¡¯t respond again.


    Jenna took a deep breath as if making <b>a </b>monumental decision, stood up to pour a ss of


    <b>12:13 </b>


    water, and returned to the bedside. She took out the pill bottle, shook out one pill, and whispered, ¡°Dad, I¡¯m going to give you your medicine.<b>¡± </b>


    She certainly didn¡¯t believe Mira was the type to carelessly advise someone to take drugs. So. she was willing to try.


    Not long after taking the medicine, Jake fell asleep again. As his breathing maintained steady and had no signs of distress, Jenna¡¯s anxious heart gradually calmed down. Remembering she hadn¡¯t yet shared the good news with her mother, Jenna walked over to the window and made a call.


    After hanging up, Jenna turned around to see Bethany sitting with headphones on, lost in music, and walked over. She took one earpiece out, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. You don¡¯t have to stay here with me. You should head home.¡±


    Bethany¡¯s phone was ying a track by Neon Paradox. Hearing Jenna¡¯s words, she quickly paused the song and looked up. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t have school tomorrow since it¡¯s the weekend. I¡¯ll stay with you.¡±


    She paused for a moment, ¡°Want to listen? My idol¡¯s voice is super healing<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>she said, waving her phone screen in front of Jenna<b>. </b>

 Chapter 241

    Jenna shook her head. ¡°No thanks, I¡¯m up to my ears in essays to write.<b>¡± </b>


    Bethany, sensing the brush¨Coff, didn¡¯t press further. She grabbed her phone, resting it on her knees, and slipped her earphones back in.


    Jenna offered a wry smile, her gaze inadvertently catching a glimpse of Bethany¡¯s screen. She took a couple of steps, ready to plop down beside her and dive into her own pile of work, when suddenly her steps faltered. Her eyes darted back to Bethany¡¯s screen<b>. </b>


    Noticing Jenna¡¯s puzzled look, Bethany blurted out in surprise. ¡°Jenna<b>?</b>¡±


    Still baffled, Jenna stared at the phone, lost in thought. A minuteter<b>, </b>she fished out her phone. from her pocket and swiftly sent a message to Mirabe on Messenger. [Queen Mira<b>, </b>your brother¡­ he¡¯s a singer?]


    Mirabe, who had just finished dinner and was about to head upstairs, paused when she received Jenna¡¯s message. She replied, [Uh<b>, </b>sort of an amateur singer, I guess? Or a cover artist? I never really asked him in detail.]


    Jenna¡¯s lips twitched at the response before she, driven by a pressing curiosity, shamelessly typed, [Can I see a pic of your brother, pretty please?]


    Mirabe stroked her chin, then nced towards Leo, lounging in the living room devouring a slice of strawberry cheesecake, and replied, [Let me ask if he¡¯s cool with it.]


    Jenna responded eagerly, [Yes, please!]


    Mirabe turned back to the living room, ¡°Hey Leo, can I snap a pic for you?¡±


    Leo, who had just popped a strawberry in his mouth and smeared cream on his lips, was momentarily shocked by the request. Mumbling through his mouthful, he said, ¡°Let me strike a pose first.¡± He wasn¡¯t fond of photos, but for his sister, it somehow didn¡¯t seem so bad.


    ¡°No need, got it already.¡± Mirabe said, snapping a quick photo while he was mid¨Csentence.


    Leo, who hadn¡¯t even decided on a pose, was left bewildered.


    The photo showed Leo in his casual house clothes, sitting on the couch with an unguarded expression of surprise. A strawberry was trapped between his teeth, his eyes wide with shock. and his curly locks in a tousled state. He looked both dazed and adorable.


    Mirabe thought the picture was perfect and hit send.


    Regaining hisposure, Leo had <b>a </b>sinking feeling, ¡°You didn¡¯t¡­¡±


    Mirabe met his gaze, ¡°Yeah. Remember my ssmate you met <b>the </b>other day? She wanted your photo.¡±


    Leo was at a loss. It wasn¡¯t for his sister¡¯s personal album?


    More importantly¡­ he nced down at his casual attire, eyed the strawberry cheesecake on the coffee table, wiped the cream from the corner of his mouth, and recalled his just¨Ccaptured expression.


    Suddenly, Leo felt his cool image crumble. Dropping his fork, he stood up without even bothering with his shoes. ¡°Tell me you didn¡¯t send it yet?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s response was devoid of mercy, ¡°Already did.¡±


    Leo could see his carefully curated aloof persona fall to pieces.


    Meanwhile, Jenna, upon receiving the photo, was utterly stunned. <b>It </b>took her a good while to collect herself before she sent a couple of messages back to Mirabe with a mix of emotions. Jenna: [Honey, do you have some kind of misconception about amateur singers<b>?</b><b>] </b>


    Jenna: [Or some bias against cover artists?<b>] </b>


    The Pill: [?]


    Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart<b>, </b>Jenna continued to message. [Seriously, is that really your actual brother?]

 Chapter 242

    Chapter <b>242 </b>


    Mirabe absentmindedly touched her nose before looking up at Leo, who seemed on the verge of a breakdown. Despite his goofy appearance, she couldn¡¯t help but think-


    [You¡¯d think it¡¯d show in the face.] she texted back.


    Among the Davis siblings, Mirabe and Leo looked the most alike. Put <b>them </b>side by side, and no one would doubt they were blood¨Crted.


    Jenna couldn¡¯t help but scoff at the message. <b>[</b>If he really was your brother, wouldn¡¯t you know he¡¯s the chart¨Ctopping pop sensation Juztin?]


    Juztin?


    A chart¨Ctopping pop sensation<b>? </b>


    Sounds like a big deal, doesn¡¯t it?


    Clutching her phone, Mirabe froze for a solid two minutes before snapping back to reality. She tilted her head and called out to Leo, ¡°Juztin.¡±


    At his sister¡¯s sudden shout. Leo shivered, reflexively responding. ¡°Mira?¡±


    The corner of Mirabe¡¯s mouth twitched as she averted her gaze, looking down to text Jenna. [Just checking if you¡¯re a fan of my brother.]


    Jenna: [¡ª]


    The Pill: [So, how much for a snapshot of this pop idol?]


    Jenna<b>: </b>[???] Was this girl for real? Who even asked that?


    Mirabe closed Messenger and opened a web browser, typing ¡°Juztin¡± into the search bar. Instantly, a plethora of news articles and photos of Juztin, a.k.a. her brother Leo, popped up. No wonder she found nothing under the name Leo before¨Che was using a stage name.


    Standing right before her, Leo caught a glimpse of her browsing his ipfo and puffed out his chest, a sense of pride bubbling up as if to say, ¡°Your bro is kind of a big deal.¡±


    Mirabe quickly pocketed her phone and looked up at Leo, who stood ramrod straight, eagerly awaiting some kind of praise. She let out a resigned sigh and said. ¡°Put on your shoes. The floor¡¯s cold.¡±


    Leo was left gobsmacked.


    This was not the reaction he had expected<b>! </b>


    Time flew, and the first day of the BrainSpark Nationals arrived.


    The national preliminaries were set for Saturday, while the finals would unfold over the


    weekend. So, on Friday afternoon, a select group of Parkside High students were shepherded. to the airport.


    Their flight was at 3:30 PM, and they arrived at the airport by 2:00 PM. After the security check, everyone settled in the waiting area.


    Mirabe sat alone in a corner, earphones in, as she¡¯d recently be a fan of listening to music. She had always been a bit of a loner.


    The Advanced ss had started with a small group, and only two had advanced to this stage¨CMirabe and a shy boy who felt an inexplicable pressure whenever he tried to talk to her, enough to dissuade him from trying.


    But Vincent was not so easily discouraged.


    ¡°Are you reading a French book?¡± Vincent took a seat next to Mirabe, noticing the untranted book resting on herp.


    Surprise flickered in his eyes.


    The volume on Mirabe¡¯s earphones wasn¡¯t loud, and she heard him clearly, removing one earbud to look at him. ¡°Signed up for the French oralpetition.¡±


    Vincent raised an eyebrow, puzzled, ¡°Why would you bother with such a dull contest?¡± Weren¡¯t physics and chemistry more enticing?


    ¡°Dull? It¡¯s fine, I guess. There¡¯s a hundred grand prize money.¡± Mirabe replied earnestly.

 Chapter 243

    ¡°So, you¡¯re in it for the prize money?¡± Vincent asked, his expression a mix of surprise and instantprehension.


    Mirabe nodded, her gaze drifting back to the pages of her book.


    Vincent couldn¡¯t help but nce at her book. He prided himself on his French skills, but the text before him might as well have been written in code.


    He felt a slight sting to his ego.


    Leaning back, he muttered with a wistful air, ¡°This time, I won¡¯t lose the nationalpetition to


    you.¡±


    Without even lifting her head from the page she was turning. Mirabe replied with a breezy, ¡°Oh, then best of luck to you.¡±


    Those who usually threw down that gauntlet ended up eating their words. She could only offer encouragement.


    Time flew by, and soon, the airport staff began announcing it was time to board.


    Mirabe was one of thest to stand up, leisurely packing her book and pulling the small, wheeled suitcase her mom had prepared for her towards the gate, where she handed her ID and boarding pass to the attendant with a swipe.


    Her seat was by the window, and as soon as she was on the ne, she powered off her phone. pulled her hoodie over her head, and nestled into her seat to rest.


    Two and a half hourster, the ne touched down at Riverdale Airport. It was just past six, and the sky hadn¡¯tpletely darkened yet.


    After dening, everyone gathered at the exit as the preliminary rounds were set to start the next day. The airport was filled with students and participants from all over the country.


    Thepetition was at Prestige College, and most schools had booked hotels nearby. Parkside High School was no exception.


    Elsewhere, Wyatt, who had just emerged from the VIP corridor, spotted Mirabe amidst a group of students while he was on a call. He did a double¨Ctake, making sure he wasn¡¯t mistaken. He had overheard Mr. Hammond mentioning that he would bring students to Riverdale for apetition but hadn¡¯t expected to bump into them.


    After ending his call, Wyatt approached James, nodding towards Mirabe, ¡°Sir, look over there, that¡¯s Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    James lifted his gaze, his cool eyesnding on a girl who seemed tomand attention wherever she stood, even in her casual pose.


    It was as if she sensed she was being watched; she suddenly looked up, her eyes finding him


    with precision.


    Their gazes met in mid¨Cair, and a subtle smile yed on James¡® lips. What a sharp kid.


    Wyatt hesitated before asking in a low voice. ¡°Should we go over and say hello?¡±


    After a brief nce from Mirabe that quickly withdrew, James shook his head. ¡°No need, let¡¯s


    go.¡±


    With that, he turned away, his usual icy demeanor settling back over his features as he walked


    off.


    Meanwhile, Anthony gathered all his students once they were ounted for and led them toward the airport parking lot. Mr. Hammond had already arranged for their transportation.


    Coming from the esteemed Hammond family of Riverdale, Mr. Hammond had ensured a driver from the family estate was there to meet them, parked in a privatene within the airport.


    Aside from the Hammond family vehicle, there were several ck limousines with government tes. A few men stood in a disciplined line, their expressions stern, exuding an aura that warned strangers to keep their distance. It was as if they were there to pick up someone of great importance.

 Chapter 244

    Chapter <b>244 </b>


    As Anthony ushered his group of students by, the leader of the sleek ck sedans had already ignited the engine, and the men standing beside the vehicle were beginning to file in.


    A curious student, eyeing the procession of cars, noticed something unique about their license tes <b>and </b>blurted out, ¡°Check out the tes on those cars!¡±


    The student¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t loud, but it was enough to make one of the men, who was about to get in his car, turn around with a piercing re that seemed to carry the weight of death itself. The student shivered involuntarily and huddled closer to his ssmates forfort.


    Mirabe, trailing at the back of the pack,zily lifted her gaze to take in the scene before quickly, and without emotion, turned her attention away.


    Standing in the Hammond family¡¯s section, the driver bowed respectfully to the stern man, keeping his silence until thest car had driven away. He wiped the sweat from their brows and, without exining to the students, opened the door to the minibus and ushered everyone inside.


    barve


    Once on the bus, the frightened student seemed to snap reality, his face still showing traces of shock as he murmured to a ssmate, ¡°That guy was terrifying<b>, </b>like one of those cold¨Cblooded hitmen you see on TV.¡±


    ¡°I feel you. His gaze was like it could crush anything.<b>¡± </b>


    Most of the students who hade to Riverdale for thepetition were from ordinary walks of life, sheltered from the more sinister and bloody aspects of the world, living their lives pure and carefree.


    Mirabe looked out the bus window, her expression detached, her eyes lost in the distance.


    Beside her sat Vincent, who overheard the front row students¡® conversation and couldn¡¯t help but nce at Mirabe. From the moment she boarded the bus, her face showed no signs of fear or panic like the other students. Herposure was as if she had merely encountered an everyday person dealing with everyday matters.


    Vincent¡¯s family was well¨Cknown in Radiant Ridge, and though he had seen his fair share of high¨Cstakes situations, the sight of those men had stirred a subconscious dread within him. albeit not enough to make him lose hisposure like the others.


    But Mirabe, she seemed like someone who had been exposed to far grander scenes.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you scared at all?¡± Vincent asked her quietly.


    Mirabe turned to look at him, her answer serious, ¡°Of course I am.¡±


    Vincent was puzzled. Was she scared? She didn¡¯t look it.


    Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she pulled it out to read a message.


    James: [Where¡¯s the hotel your school¡¯s booked?]


    Mirabe didn¡¯t bother to hide it and typed back: [Near Prestige College.)


    James: [Studying tonight, or do you want to check out the town? Riverdale¡¯s nightscape is pretty decent.]


    The Pill: If I go out, Mr. Hammond will probably break my legs, ¡®seriousface.jpg<b>.</b><b>¡°</b><b>) </b>


    James let out a light chuckle on the other side of the phone, his usually stern face rxing into


    azy smile that seemed to spread a good mood throughout the car.


    Curtis, who was driving, caught sight of his boss¡® smile in the rearview mirror and almost dropped his jaw in shock.


    What was going on? He had never seen the boss with such an expression. Downright spooky!


    Sitting in the passenger seat, Wyatt seemed ustomed to his boss¡® asional departure from his usual stern demeanor.


    Wyatt didn¡¯t notice Curtis¡® reaction and looked back to casually suggest, ¡°James, maybe we should invite Ms. Mirabe for dinnerter?¡±

 Chapter 245

    Chapter <b>245 </b>


    James?


    Curtis¡® eyes bulged in disbelief, taking a quick nce at Wyatt. Had grown so bold as to address the boss in such a casual way?


    But then¡­ ¡°Ms. Mirabe?¡± Who was that?


    It was only then that Wyatt turned to Curtis. ¡°Oh, the box of Incense of Calm that the boss has was a gift from Ms. Mirabe<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Curtis, of course, knew about the boss¡® unexpected acquisition of a top¨Cquality box of Incense of Calm that had been helping him rx. To return the favor, Curtis had been coerced into sneaking into Donald¡¯s private collection to steal a box of prized coffee beans, a deed that ensured he dared not show his face around Donald since.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe, who is she?¡± asked Curtis, his curiosity piqued.


    Authentic Incense of Calm was rare in the market. The precise blend of herbs required the incense maker to have a deep knowledge of their properties, not to mention that the dosage directly affected the effectiveness of the incense.


    ¡°Just a high school senior,¡± replied Wyatt, his voice as nonchnt as his expression.


    Curtis¡® grip on the steering wheel tightened. He was sure his ears were ying tricks on him. A high school senior?


    Not someone from a reclusive and influential family?


    Curtis turned his head to look at Wyatt again and opened his mouth to say something, but then. Wyatt continued speaking. ¡°Ms. Mirabe¡¯s academic record is ster. She¡¯s been in apetition where she¡¯s scored top marks repeatedly.¡± Wyatt said, almost with a tinge of admiration that one struggling student might have for a top achiever. He had seen her rankings and scores online.


    Curtis was speechless. Great, first it was his ears, and now his eyes were deceiving him too.


    Wyatt noticed Curtis¡® shocked expression and said quite seriously, ¡°Curtis, focus on driving, will ya? You¡¯re giving everyone the jitters<b>.</b>¡±


    Curtis kept quiet. He¡¯s not thw one bbing on the side.


    Fifty minutester<b>, </b>the bud pulled up in front of the hotel entrance.


    Mirabe stepped out, luggage in hand, and not long after, Anthony handed her a key card.


    Two people per room. Among the several students who advanced in thepetition, there were only three girls; the other two were ssmates and naturally roomed together, leaving Mirabe with a single.


    They took the elevator to the sixteenth floor and went to their respective rooms. The four¨Cstar hotel¡¯s standard room was clean and tidy overall. Mirabe closed the door behind her, took a quick look around, and tossed her luggage into the nearby wardrobe.


    After a quick trip to the restroom, she returned to her phone, incessantly pinging with new messages. She checked it to find Anthony had created a temporary group chat, informing. everyone to meet for dinner at the buffet on the second floor in five minutes.


    Mirabe replied with a ¡°Got it¡± and promptly muted the group chat notifications. She rested for a few minutes before heading out the door. She then joined the other students who were headed there as well and rode the elevator down to the second floor.


    At the entrance of the restaurant, Mr. Hammond and Anthony were deep in conversation. Seeing Mirabe approach, Mr. Hammond¡¯s stern expression softened slightly. ¡°First time in Riverdale, isn¡¯t it? Is everything to your liking? No issues with adjusting, like, say, the change of environment?¡± Mr. Hammond inquired with concern.


    Mirabe nodded politely at Mr. Hammond. ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you for asking.¡±


    Mr. Hammond smiled and added a word of advice, ¡°Get some rest early tonight. You¡¯ll want to be at your best for the preliminary round tomorrow morning.¡±


    Mirabe nodded obediently, acknowledging with a quiet ¡°Mm¨Chmm<b>.</b>¡±


    Satisfied, Mr. Hammond didn¡¯t press further and gestured for her to head on to dinner.


    Once Mirabe had moved away, Anthony leaned in and asked in a low voice, ¡°Mr. Hammond, what do you reckon the odds are of Mirabe taking first ce again this time<b>?</b>¡±

 Chapter 246

    Mr. Hammond stared after Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure for a long moment before he turned to Anthony, one eyebrow arched in a leisurely fashion as he uttered a few words with absolute certainty. ¡°One hundred percent.


    Anthony blinked, a bit stunned. One hundred percent¡­ Was Mr. Hammond really that sure?


    ¡°But Vincent was only two points behind her in thest round.¡±


    Mr. Hammond just smiled. ¡°Those two points might seem small, but they¡¯re not so easily overtaken.¡±


    The person who had nearly sent the entire education system of several top universities into meltdown wasn¡¯t someone who could be surpassed so simply. The breadth of knowledge Mirabe possessed had long outstripped the current curriculum.


    Vincent was undeniably a top student, but next to Mirabe, he was destined for second ce. It was a stroke of luck that they had recruited Mirabe. If she¡¯d gone to another school. Mr. Hammond might truly be pulling his hair out by now.


    Refocusing. Mr. Hammond pped Anthony on the shoulder. ¡°First or second doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is that our very own Parkside High School students hold both the top spots.


    Whoever takes the lead is all the same to us.¡±


    ¡°True enough.¡± Anthony replied with a chuckle.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some errands this evening<b>, </b>so the kids are in your hands. Let¡¯s try to keep them at the hotel tonight unless there¡¯s a good reason <b>not </b>to,¡± Mr. Hammond advised, ncing at his watch.


    Anthony nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got this.¡±


    Mr. Hammond soon departed.


    After selecting her meal, Mirabe found a quiet corner to sit down.


    While eating, she pulled out her phone and opened her contacts to a name saved as ¡®Adler.¡± sending a message, [Hey, wanna meet up?]


    Adler was dining when he received the message, and at a nce, his hand twitched so violently he nearly dropped his phone into his bowl of soup.


    Ever since she had inquired about the Education Association, there had been no contact from her, and he hadn¡¯t dared to initiate any. Now, the big shot herself was suggesting a meet¨Cup? This was utterly shocking. He had tried to arrange a face¨Cto¨Cface several times, only to be relentlessly rebuffed.


    Suppressing his inner turmoil, Adler typed back hastily. [Are you in Riverdale right now?]


    Mirabe was somewhat surprised at the quick response, replying with a simple. [Yep.]


    Seeing her reply, Adler didn¡¯t even bother to finish his meal. He stood up and headed for the door, texting as he went. [Name the ce, I¡¯ll be right there.)


    Mirabe paused mid¨Ctyping when Vincent approached with a tray and sat directly across from her. She raised an eyebrow but said nothing.


    Vincent gave her a neutral look. ¡°Anthony asked me to tell you, don¡¯t leave the hotel tonight. unless it¡¯s necessary.¡± With that, he started on his meal.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Mirabe responded<b>, </b>then finished messaging Adler. (Sorry, I can¡¯t do it now. I have apetition tomorrow and need to review tonight. How about we meet after the event tomorrow?]


    Adler, about to twist the doorknob and step out, froze solid as he read her message.


    Competition?


    Review?


    Could this big shot actually be a student?


    He remembered thest time she¡¯d mentioned something about studying¡­ Suddenly, Adler felt utterly perplexed, as if something in his mind had shattered.


    It took him a while to snap out of his daze, his fingers trembling as he typed. [You¡¯re¡­ still a student?]

 Chapter 247

    Chapter <b>247 </b>


    Adler was still reeling from the revtion when his phone vibrated with a <b>new </b>message. [Hmm, senior year of high school.]


    He had no idea how he managed to digest the bombshell. The big shot he was talking to was still a student. All he knew was that he was in for a sleepless night.


    If she had been a doctoral student, he might have found it somewhat logical, but a high school. senior¡­ that was downright unsettling.


    Oblivious to the effect her words had on Adler, Mirabe pondered for a moment before texting him again. [Could you get me a few ingredients?<b>] </b>


    Despite the boss being a student, Adler responded with courtesy. [Name them.]


    Mirabe sent a list of ingredients and their required quantities.


    Adler was taken aback by the request. (You¡¯re making an antidote?]


    Mirabe didn¡¯t hide her intentions, [Yep.]


    [Most of the ingredients you can get easily, but¡­ Hellebore might be a bit tricky to find.] Adler typed back quickly.


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers glided across the screen of her phone. She was well aware of the rarity of Hellebore. After a brief contemtion, she replied, [Leave that one to me. Send me an address where you can receive deliveries, and I¡¯ll have it shipped to you.]


    [Sure thing.] replied Adler<b>. </b>


    Soon after, Mirabe asked Adler for his bank details and, within minutes, transferred a sum of


    money to him.


    Ending the chat with Adler, Mirabe put away her phone and looked across the table at Vincent, who was still engrossed in his meal. She stood up. ¡°I¡¯m heading to my room to rest.¡±


    Vincent looked up and simply acknowledged with a ¡°Sure<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Before long. Mirabe was back in her room. The room had everything, including aputer. She sat at the desk and pressed the power button on the tower. The hotel¡¯sputer wasn¡¯t top¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cline but sufficed for inte browsing.


    After booting up and connecting to the inte, Mirabe quickly navigated to a website, passed through a couple of security checks, and finallynded on the homepage of ¡°The Mirror.¡±


    ¡°The Mirror¡± was an elite online marketce where one could find the unfindable¨Cfrom goods. and information to even contract killers. However, bing a member was an uphill task, with very few spots open annually, not to mention the strict hierarchy. The tiers determined the ess one had to different purchasing privileges.


    Mirabe skimmed the homepage without spotting anything intriguing. She then essed the exclusive section of the website and promptly posted an ad for Hellebore.


    She had a premium ount, so the minute she posted, ¡°The Mirror¡¯s¡± admins featured her ad prominently on the main page, even providing aplimentary ¡°shoutout¡± service. The shoutout meant that every member online would receive a notification about Mirabe¡¯s post, essentially giving her ad a forced promotion.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at this modern touch, noting the site had kept up with the <b>times </b>during her absence.


    The number of online members was substantial, given that evenings were prime rxation time. It didn¡¯t take long for someone to contact Mirabe directly. The person who messaged her was a novice member.


    ¡°The Mirror¡± excelled at user privacy. Transactions were usually straightforward: agree on a price, and the deal was done. The site¡¯s discreet couriers would deliver the items, ensuring no address leaks.

 Chapter 248

    Mirabe needed a dose of the rare and pricey herb called ¡°Hellebore,¡± Negotiating the price was a breeze itsell, and soon, she transferred the funds without a hitch.


    No sooner had the transaction beenpleted than the website¡¯s admin slid into her DMS.


    CloudAdmin: [Hey there, dear Baby. Could you drop me your delivery address, please?)


    Mirabe¡¯s username was ¡°BaldBaby.¡±


    Resting her fingers on the keyboard, Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the admin¡¯s choice of words. She typed out Adler¡¯s address and hit send.


    CloudAdmin: (Got it, dear Baby. Your package will be with you by 10 a.m. tomorrow, sharp!]


    BaldBaby: [¡­Okay, but can I ask if there¡¯s a way to file aint about the site¡¯s services?


    CloudAdmin: [Excuse me?]


    BaldBaby: [The whole ¡®dear Baby¡® thing¡­?]


    CloudAdmin: [..]


    One minuteter-


    CloudAdmin: [Dear BaldBaby, our site doesn¡¯t currently offer aint feature. Wishing you a pleasant night, farewell.]


    A smirk twitched at the corner of Mirabe¡¯s lips as she closed the chat window. Her avatar blinked with a new message<b>, </b>and she hesitated for a moment before checking it.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: [Just saw your trade post, buying botanicals for someone<b>?</b>]


    BaldBaby: [Yeah.]


    CoolAutumnBreeze: [Cool, bro. Mind if I ask you something personal?<b>] </b>


    From ¡°dear Baby¡± to ¡°bro,¡± Mirabe leaned back in her chair, exasperated. It seemed her online persona was beyond salvage.


    After a brief pause, she typed: [Shoot.]


    CoolAutumnBreeze: [You from Riverdale?]


    BaldBaby: [Nope.]


    At the other end, Hartlee scratched his head in surprise. After a couple of seconds, he typed back: [Thought you took on an A¨Ctier challenge once.]


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers danced lightly over the keyboard but didn¡¯t respond.


    Seeing no reply, Hartleesent another message: [Heads up, Riverdale¡¯s tight on security these days, especially during the antiquities exhibit.]


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched slightly as she replied: [Oh, I¡¯m not exactly free to roam anyway.]


    Hartlee¡¯s lips twitched. Did the old baldie mean he would go if he had time?


    CoolAutumnBreeze: [Just looking out for an old friend. Take care, and don¡¯t bite the dust.]


    Mirabe, who hadn¡¯t been particrly interested before, suddenly felt a spark of curiosity: [When¡¯s the exhibit?]


    CoolAutumnBreeze: [?]


    As Mirabe waited for a response, she sent her own question mark. But before she could hit send-


    The other user logged off<b>. </b>


    She shrugged and closed the website, quickly picking up her phone to check the group chat before setting it back down. Rising from her seat, she opened her suitcase, grabbed some fresh clothes, and headed into the bathroom.


    The next morning, Mirabe was up bright and early. After a quick wash¨Cup, she headed straight to the second¨Cfloor dining area for breakfast.


    The ce was nearly empty. Besides herself, Vincent was the only other contestant up at this hour.


    When they bumped into each other, Vincent raised his eyebrows in surprise. As he went to load up his te with breakfast fare, he asked, ¡°You¡¯re up early, too. Nervous about today¡¯spetition?¡±


    Mirabe nced at Vincent, <b>noting </b>his dark circles and tiredplexion. It was clear he hadn¡¯t slept much. Not wanting to burst his bubble, she replied nonchntly. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just used to waking up early.¡±

 Chapter 249

    Vincent¡¯s hand paused as he held his te, an Inexplicable feeling of being challenged rising within him. He nced over at Mirabe, but seeing her expression unchanged, he dismissed the thought.


    Maybe he was just being oversensitive?


    ¡°By the way.¡± Vincent casually mentioned, ¡°after the prelims today, If you¡¯re free this afternoon, how about we take a stroll around Prestige College? My cousin is studying there and could give <b>us </b>a tour.¡±


    D


    Mirabe was bncing two tes of breakfast. ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯ve got ns this afternoon,¡± she declined.


    Vincent didn¡¯t press the issue.


    Students began to trickle into the dining hall, and after finishing her meal, Mirabe didn¡¯t return to her room. Instead, she went straight down to the lobby to walt.


    Thepetition was set to start at nine o¡¯clock, and the hotel was only a brisk one¨Chundred¨Cand¨Cfifty¨Cmeter walk from Prestige College¨Ca matter of minutes..


    Anthony led the students, reminding them of several essential points along the way. He especially warned them not to wander around Prestige College once they arrived. Prestige College wasn¡¯t just any university; there were areas strictly off¨Climits to students<b>, </b>enforced by the college¡¯s stringent rules.


    As the top¨Cranked institution in the nation, Prestige College was the embodiment of thousands of students¡® aspiratiohs. Merely standing outside its gates, gazing upon the inspirational motto. emzoned on the entrance, could stir a fiery passion in the heart, its century¨Cold legacymanding immense respect.


    Mirabe looked up at the imposing gates of Prestige College, unsure of what others were feeling, but she was quite moved.


    Indeed, the atmosphere of study seemed to be truly found within the walls of an educational institution. She had never felt this before, but now that she had experienced it, it was as though her love for learning had intensified.


    Soon, all the students began to file orderly into Prestige College, where staff were ready to greet and check them in. The regtions were strict: each student had to register and wear an ID badge for thepetition¨Cno badge, no entry. The numbers on the badges were not only for identification but also served as their seat assignments in the exam hall, randomly assigned regardless of previous scores.


    Mirabe¡¯s number was eleven, while Vincent¡¯s was forty¨Csomething, so they were not in the same room. As two of the most promising candidates in the nationalpetition from the


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>12:32 </b>


    same school, it was natural they¡¯d be separated.


    Before long, all the students from various regions across the country were escorted by Prestige. College staff to the exam hall in the West Academic Building<b>. </b>


    Before entering the exam hall, students had to surrender all electronic devices like mobile phones. The entrance was even equipped with infrared detectors, making cheating virtually impossible.


    Mirabe found her seat at the end of the third row. As she looked around, she realized she was the only girl among a dozen or sopetitors.


    Shortly after, the invigtors entered with the exam papers and began distributing them. Mirabe skimmed the test, immediately checking the moreplex problems at the end. The big questions were evenly split between chemistry and physics, each appearing intricate and challenging<b>. </b>


    Her eyebrows lifted slightly, a serious glint in her eyes. The previous rounds had been child¡¯s y, but finally, the examiners had decided to pose questions that packed a punch. ¡°This is what a real exam should feel like,¡± she thought to herself.


    Luckily for her, this thought remained unspoken. If the examiners and her fellowpetitors knew what she was thinking, it would surely attract a horde of ill will.


    The supervising teacher soon announced the start of the exam.

 Chapter 250

    Mirabe poised her pen above the exam sheet and confidently scrawled her name at the top. With a deep breath, she dove into the questions.


    The first section was a hodgepodge of arts and sciences, a veritable smorgasbord of disciplines that tested rote memory, analytical prowess, and depth of understanding. Even deciphering the questions posed a challenge for those students with a less¨Cthan¨Cster breadth of knowledge.


    This prelims round was a marathon, not a sprint, clocking in at a hefty three hours.


    As the first hour ticked by, while most of her peers were still wrestling withprehension and multiple¨Cchoice questions, Mirabe was already tackling the hefty essays at the end.


    The invigtor, a seasoned professor, paced the ssroom with the slow gait of a watchful guardian, asionally ncing over the students¡® progress.


    The presence of a single girl in the <b>sea </b>of anxious faces was a spectacle that he couldn¡¯t ignore. Mirabe¡¯s calm, collected demeanor starkly contrasted with her peers¡® furrowed brows and nervous ticks. Drawn to herposed aura, he found himself circling back to her


    desk more often than not.


    His surprise was palpable when he noticed Mirabe had already progressed to the final questions. He checked his watch in disbelief¨Chad she really breezed through the initial sections in just an hour?


    Impressed and slightly incredulous, the invigtor couldn¡¯t help but recall the conversations had among the professors during the exam¡¯s construction. They had voiced concerns that the allotted time might be insufficient due to the difficulty of the questions. The consensus was that even the faculty might struggle toplete the test in under two hours.


    Casually, he nced at the name on the answer sheet beside her.


    Mirabe.


    As one of thepetition¡¯s organizers, he was familiar with the name. Her track record was impressive: top scores in the initial rounds, city prelims, and city finals¨Cdominating her peers. with perfect scores, save for one instance where the answers to the questions had exceeded the curriculum.


    Such results had made her the subject of keen interest among thepetition¡¯s faculty. If she maintained her performance through the national prelims and finals, she stood a chance at ranking internationally.


    g¨¡z¨¥ un


    The thought alone sent a ripple of excitement through the invigtor<b>, </b>his her shining with admiration. Yet, not wishing to disturb her concentration, he lingered but a moment before resuming his pacing.


    With another <b>hour </b>gone, Mirabeid down <b>her </b><b>pen</b>. The final questions had posed a


    <b>12:32 </b>


    challenge, indeed. Since she needed to answer them with the knowledge within the hight. school curriculum, the circuitous paths to their solutions had demanded a good half hour of her time.


    An hour remained on the clock, but she was done. She handed in her paper, leaving the exam. room while others gawked in disbelief. Her early submission sent shockwaves through the ranks. This was a cutthroatpetition, where only the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me advanced to the nationals, and her audacity heaped pressure on those who had only just started on thetter sections<b>. </b>


    Stepping out of the exam hall, Mirabe retraced her path down the academic building. Perhaps it was the quiet of a Saturday morning or maybe the school¡¯s deliberate scheduling, but she encountered not a single soul from Prestige College on her way out.


    Adjacent to the academic building were the administrative offices and a lounge area where teachers from various provinces and cities waited for their students to emerge from the battleground.


    The administrative door was ajar, and next to it, arge ss window offered a clear view of the building¡¯s exit.


    Anthony was deep in conversation with a colleague from another school when something caught his eye.


    ¡°Huh, someone¡¯s turned in their exam early?¡± he remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

 Chapter 251

    Hearing the other teacher¡¯s remark, Anthony lifted his head and followed the line of sight to look outside. He was taken aback for a moment.


    ¡°The questions in this year¡¯spetition are even more insane than before. Turning in papers almost an hour early is ridiculous¡­ Did that student just give up?¡± Another teacher, holding today¡¯spetition test in his hand, said skeptically. He found it hard to believe that any student could finish all the problems in under two hours.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not necessarily the case; maybe she has solved all of them already<i>?</i>¡± The teacher who made thisment seemed to speak with a tone of doubt, yet the sarcastic smile on his face betrayed his true thoughts.


    Anthony¡¯s attention was entirely fixated on Mirabe, who had <b>turned </b>in her paper early, but he still listened to what the other teachers from different schools were saying.


    Turning back to look at the speakers, the surprise he had shown upon seeing Mirabe had faded, reced by a cool and indifferent expression, ¡°Oh, I have absolute faith that our Parkside High School¡¯s student, Mirabe, haspleted all the problems.¡±


    The teachers, confronted with Anthony¡¯s sudden shift from polite amusement to cool detachment, were at first taken aback, then flushed with embarrassment. After all, the students who made it to the nationalpetition were the cream of the crop, and the schools they represented were some of the finest in the city. The pride carried by their teachers was palpable, and no one wanted to appear inferior before their rivals.


    Parkside High School was a prestigious institution, ranking among the top five in the nation for over a century. And then there was Mirabe, consistently topping the charts. From any angle, she was the perfect retort to the overly confident teachers<b>. </b>


    Anthony¡¯s lips twitched in a faint smirk, but he said nothing more and picked up the paper bag containing his students¡® cell phones before exiting the office.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was pondering where to find Anthony to get her phone when she saw him approaching<b>. </b>


    ¡°Mirabe, you turned in your paper early?¡± Anthony asked as he neared her.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mirabe nodded.


    Clearing his throat, Anthony asked in a low voice, ¡°Thepetition was tough this time¡­ Did you really finish it all so quickly?¡± He knew it was a redundant question but still couldn¡¯t help asking.


    ¡°It was okay<b>, </b>not too difficult,¡± Mirabe said with a confident lift of her eyebrows.


    Not too difficult? Her bold tone carried an implicit message: The problems were not challenging at all.


    Anthony¡¯s expression grewplex. Just yesterday, he was discussing with Mr. Hammond the


    12:32


    odds of her taking first ce again, and now it seemed¡­ he had underestimated Mirabe.


    Disregarding Anthony¡¯s conflicted look, Mirabe quickly added, ¡°Sir, I have something to take care of. May I leave early?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Anthony, always responsible for his students¡® safety, thought for a moment and pulled out his phone, ¡°I¡¯ll check with Mr. Hammond.¡±


    However, It wasn¡¯t necessary to report such a minor issue to Mr. Hammond, and since Mirabe was a talent he valued, Anthony felt it was right to inform him.


    At that time, Mr. Hammond was at the Biological Research Institute. When his phone rang during a conversation, he saw it was from Anthony, nodded to the person next to him, stood up, and moved to the window to answer the call.


    ¡°¡­Be turned in her paper early? Just tell her to be safe and let her go.¡± Mr. Hammond said calmly before hanging up.


    Half a minuteter, it suddenly dawned on him.


    Had she turned in her paper early<b>??? </b>

 Chapter 252

    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the buzz?¡± Wade leaned back in his chair, curiosity piqued by Mr. Hammond¡¯s mention of someone turning in their test early.


    Mr. Hammond snapped out of his daze and chuckled at Wade, shaking his head. ¡°It¡¯s that student from our school, Mirabe. Anthony says she¡¯s already handed in her test.¡±


    Wade raised an eyebrow in surprise, then nced at his watch. ¡°This test isn¡¯t a walk in the park. She finished in just over two hours?¡±


    Stowing his phone away. Mr. Hammond settled back into his seat, his tone nonchnt. ¡°Yeah, can you believe it? Is the girl a prodigy or what?¡±


    Wade shot him a look. Wasn¡¯t this just in old bragging?


    ¡°How about we invite the youngdy over to my department after the finals tomorrow?¡± Wade stroked his chin thoughtfully. He had been keeping tabs on Mirabe and was well aware of her academic standing. So the idea of her turning in her test early due to difficulty never crossed his mind.


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s pride was palpable as he lifted his chin. ¡°I¡¯ll have to ask her first. Once her final scores are out, I bet several departments from Prestige College will be vying for her.¡±


    He paused, then continued, ¡°Besides, her grasp of physics is exceptional. Remember the problem fromst year¡¯s Physics Olympiad that only one student could solve? She cracked it in one night¨Cand with a simpler method.¡±


    Unsaid was the implication. ¡°Your biology department shouldn¡¯t poach a physics prodigy.¡±


    Wade¡¯s face registered shock again. ¡°She really solved that physics problem in one night?¡± Finding solutions to Olympiad problems online was a pipe dream.


    ¡°Of course. Why would I lie to you? I¡¯ll get the physics teacher to send you the problem on Monday,¡± Mr. Hammond said, leisurely sipping his tea.


    Wade couldn¡¯t help but retort, ¡°Look at you, all smug<b>.</b>¡±


    After a brief pause, he added, ¡°The biology department is just as prestigious. We¡¯ve been friends for years; you have to convince her toe by tomorrow.¡±


    How could he not seize such a talented individual? She might just take an interest in his department.


    Mr. Hammond waved him off. ¡°We¡¯ll see, we¡¯ll see.¡± Indeed, having a sought¨Cafter student was a delight.


    Upon receiving permission, Mirabe retrieved her phone from Anthony and stepped out of Prestige College. She sent a text to Adler. [Are you free right now?]


    <b>12:32 </b>


    Adler must have been anticipating her message, for his reply came swiftly. [I am. Where are you? I¡¯lle pick you up.]


    Mirabe nced back at the Prestige College sign, pondered for a moment, and texted back, [How far are you from Prestige College?]


    [Not too far. Meet me at the main entrance of Prestige College. I¡¯ll be there in about twenty minutes.]


    Mirabe responded with an affirmative.


    Pulling the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, Mirabe made her way to the roadside.


    Twenty minutester.


    Adler pulled up in his Jeep outside the gates of Prestige College, turned off the engine, and got out. With mixed emotions ofplexity and excitement, he approached the entrance.


    The big shot was a senior in high school, so couldn¡¯t be more than seventeen or eighteen. All he had to do was scan for someone that age, and he¡¯d be spot on.


    #

 Chapter 253

    The Prestige College entrance was unusually quiet, with hardly a soul in sight. Adler approached, his eyes scanning the vicinity for his expected contact, but to no avail. Frustrated, he raked his fingers through his hair.


    He pulled out his cell phone, ready to make a call, when suddenly someone tapped his shoulder. Spinning around. Adler found himself staring at a strikingly beautiful young girl. He was momentarily taken aback.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Adler couldn¡¯t quite reconcile the person before him with the powerful figure he was expecting to meet.


    ¡°Adler.¡± Mirabe¡¯s voice was calm as she urately pronounced the name of the man before her, who looked to be in his thirties.


    Adler¡¯s eyes widened, almost dropping his phone, his voice quivering. ¡°<b>You</b>¨Cyou¨Cyou¡­ are The Pill?TM


    The world was too fantastical; Adler was convinced he was missing something.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at his stunned expression. ¡°Is it that surprising?¡±


    Adler nodded instinctively. It wasn¡¯t just a surprise; it was a shock!


    Mirabe nced at her watch and suggested, ¡°Shall we grab a bite to eat first?¡±


    Adler snapped out of his daze. ¡°Oh, sure, my car is over there¡­¡± He trailed off as Mirabe strode towards where he had parked. So, had the big shot seen him from the get¨Cgo?


    Adlerbed his hair back with his fingers, hurried to catch up, and gantly opened the car


    door for her.


    Twenty minutester, in a private dining room of an exclusive bistro.


    After ordering, they waited for the waiter to leave. Mirabe turned to Adler. ¡°You got the medicine, right?¡±


    Finally regaining hisposure, Adler coughed and nodded, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s in my car, along with the few items you asked for<b>.</b>¡±


    Mirabe leaned back casually and, without beating around the bush, got to the point, ¡°Could I use yourb?¡±


    Adler was struck by herposed demeanor ¨C it wasn¡¯t something anyone could fake.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to do somepounding?¡± Adler wasn¡¯t well¨Cacquainted with Mirabe, but he could guess as much from the ingredients she requested.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Mirabe didn¡¯t bother to hide it.


    The main reason she had arranged to meet Adler was to use hisb.


    ¡°Sure, no problem.¡± Adler agreed readily.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Mirabe expressed her gratitude politely.


    Adler smiled, ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Besides, you¡¯ve helped me out a lot in the past.¡±


    As memories of the past surfaced, Adler¡¯s smile froze slightly. Was the big shot only fifteen or sixteen years old when they first interacted? Some questions were better left unasked. Tool much thinking could be disheartening.


    Mirabe took a sip of her tea nonchntly and inquired, ¡°How¡¯s your research on the RO virusing along?¡±


    Clearly, she was the knowledgeable big shot he remembered¨Cno doubt about it.


    Adler gave a wry smile and shook his head. ¡°A year in, and almost no progress.¡± He paused,


    then tentatively added, ¡°Maybe once you¡¯re done, could you take a look at my research data?¡±


    Mirabe shook her head, a hint of regret in her expression. ¡°I haven¡¯t worked with the sophisticated equipment you use. I¡¯m afraid I might not be much help.¡±


    Adler was astonished. ¡°No, really?¡±


    She hadn¡¯t worked withb equipment? Then, where had all those previous research nse from???

 Chapter 254

    The door to the private dining room swung open, and the waiter bustled in with tes of food, effectively cutting off Adler¡¯s burgeoning sense of astonishment.


    As soon as the waiter left, Adler jumped right back in. ¡°So, what about before¡­?¡±


    Mirabe casually reached for her fork, speared a piece of meat, and replied nonchntly, ¡°Oh, all that? Just my own wild guesses, and none of it is actually tested in practice.¡±


    Adler was floored.


    Wild guesses, untested, yet they pinpointed the solution to a problem that had stumped their research institute for years¡­ Suddenly, he felt a twinge of regret. Why exactly had he thought meeting this big shot was a good idea? It was a blow to his pride, to say the least.


    Adler decided to switch gears. ¡°You¡¯re not from Riverdale, are you?¡±


    Mirabe <b>gave </b>a distracted grunt of acknowledgment, not even bothering to look up. Adler had no choice but to quell his curiosity and focus on his meal.


    After a quiet dinner, Adler led Mirabe to his private residence ¨C the address he had previously given her for the courier delivery. His personalb was set up in the basement of his vi, decked out with a wide array of equipment.


    Mirabe took a sweeping nce at the instruments and felt her resolve to learn strengthen. She turned to Adler with a sigh, ¡°I might need more than just yourb.¡±


    Adler blinked in surprise. ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to borrow you as well,¡± Mirabe said bluntly.


    Adler was stunned. A¡¯big shot¡¯s words were always dramatic.


    Clearing his throat, Adler responded, ¡°Feel free tomandeer my assistance, though my knowledge in pharmacology is quite basic. I¡¯m not too sure about the specifics of thepounds and dosages¡­¡±


    ¡°No worries. I¡¯ve got that covered. You just handle the equipment.¡± Mirabe interrupted, cing her collection of ingredients aside. ¡°Do you have paper and a pen?¡±


    ¡°On it,¡± Adler said, moving to a desk to retrieve a stack of paper and a pencil from a drawer and handing them to Mirabe.


    She pulled up a chair, sat down, and immediately began to jot down data analysis forms and the required quantities for each substance. Her steps were meticulous, and she wrote without hesitation, as if the information flowed from her mind with absolute familiarity.


    The art of ancient potion¨Cmaking and modern pharmaceuticals were worlds apart. Creating a concoction with the same efficacy as the old ways was a true challenge, one that tested the depth of one¡¯s knowledge.


    Chapter <b>254 </b>


    Adler watched Mirabe scribble form after form, and the more he watched, the more indescribable his expression became. As a researcher himself, he understood the precision. and attention to detail in her work. If she hadn¡¯t mentioned herck of experience with precision instruments, he wouldn¡¯t have been so taken aback. Her clear thought process. seemed to surpass even the senior researchers at the institute!


    With aplicated look, Adler nced at Mirabe. She was just a teenage girl, yet her. intellect was astounding. It was humbling.


    Half an hourter, Mirabe finally set the pencil down and massaged her sore wrist. In this moment, she sorely missed her n¡¯s alchemy chamber, where none of <b>these </bplex calctions were necessary.


    Standing up, she handed the densely written sheets to Adler. ¡°Take a look.¡±


    Adler took the papers, and couldn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Would you consider taking on an apprentice?¡±


    Mirabe just gave him a look.

 Chapter 255

    Adler cleared his throat and didn¡¯t say another word. He lowered his gaze and sifted through the figures on the three sheets of paper once more. Minutester, he said, ¡°This form looks solid. I can whip it up for you right now.¡±


    He paused, then asked, ¡°You really don¡¯t know how to use any of these gadgets?¡±


    ¡°Not a clue.¡± Mirabe admitted. Then she added with a hint of mystery. ¡°But who knows about the future?¡±


    Adler rubbed his nose and set the papers aside, then walked over to a cab and pulled out two pairs ofb gloves. He handed one pair to Mirabe, saying, ¡°I can walk you through using these machines while I mix up the concoction.¡±


    Mirabe slipped on the gloves and declined with a detached tone. ¡°No need. Just focus on the mixing.¡±


    Adler took her words to meah that she was worried he¡¯d get distracted and botch the mix. wasting precious ingredients. So, without further ado, he grabbed a medicine box and stationed himself in front of the extraction apparatus.


    ¨C


    Whether you¡¯re brewing potions the old¨Cfashioned way or using high¨Ctech gear, there¡¯s one constant: precision. The form and measurements have to be down to the milligram. A smidgen too much or too little, and you might as well toss it in the trash it¡¯s a bust. It meant Adler had to beser¨Cfocused, especially since he rarely concocted elixirs and now had a big shot looking over his shoulder. The pressure was enough to fray anyone¡¯s nerves.


    Despite the big shot iming ignorance about the equipment<b>, </b>Adler couldn¡¯t shake the weight of expectation.


    Potion¨Cmaking isn¡¯t a quick business, and extraction and purification are especially time¨Cconsuming. Byte afternoon, they¡¯d onlypleted a third of the process.


    When six o¡¯clock rolled around and Adler was clearly running on fumes, Mirabe stepped in.


    ¡°You take a break. I¡¯ll handle the rest.¡±


    She¡¯d been shadowing him all afternoon and had gotten the hang of the machinery. Taking over


    wouldn¡¯t be too difficult.


    Adler watched Mirabe, hesitant. ¡°Better not. I¡¯ll keep at it. These ingredients are pretty


    rare¡­¡±


    But before he could finish, Mirabe had already taken over his post. She operated the machinery with practiced ease, filtering and precipitating with a rhythm that was only slightly slower than expected, which betrayed no signs of being a novice.


    a


    Adler mmed up<b>, </b>mentally face¨Cpalming. Of course, she was a quick study ¨C she was the big shot, after all.


    She probably didn¡¯t want to hurt his pride by showing him up from the get¨Cgo. He felt like he¡¯d


    12:32


    been reduced to a mere automaton.


    Two hourster, Mirabe removed the final product from the apparatus, took off her mask, and her cheeks seemed almost translucent under theb lights. She held the vial to her nose for at


    sniff.


    ¡°How is it?¡± Adler asked eagerly.


    Pouring the liquid into a prepped ss bottle with a tinge of dissatisfaction in her voice, Mirabe remarked, ¡°It¡¯ll do, I guess<b>.</b>¡±


    Though the potion wasn¡¯t as potent as those brewed by ancient methods, it was more than capable of neutralizing the poison in her Leo¡¯s system. She screwed on the lid and tucked the bottle into her jacket pocket.


    Adler¡¯s face was a mix of emotions when he heard Mirabe¡¯s lukewarm ¡°It¡¯ll do.¡± He¡¯d been part of the process for merely a third of it; the rest was all the big shot who imed to have never touched research equipment before. And she¡¯d halved the time it usually took. Newbie? Yeah, right ¨C nobody would buy that..


    Not to mention, on her first try, with zero screw¨Cups, she still seemed less than thrilled.


    He couldn¡¯t bear to think about it any longer ¨C the more he did, the closer he edged toward an existential crisis.

 Chapter 256

    Emerging from the basement back to the ground floor of theb, Adler clutched the data sheet. Mirabe hadposed that afternoon as if it was a rare treasure. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he summoned the courage to ask, ¡°Uh, would it be okay if I made a copy of this data sheet?¡±


    He wasn¡¯t certain which specific antidote Mirabe had been working on, but judging by the ingredients she used, it was clear that it was something special. That was why the idea of keeping a copy of the data had crossed his mind. After all, this data sheet was valuable ¨C it might prove beneficial for their ongoing research.


    Mirabe nced at the papers in his hand and casually responded, ¡°No need for that. You just keep it. I don¡¯t have much use for it anymore.¡±


    Adler¡¯s face lit up with surprise at her words and, as if afraid Mirabe might change her mind, he quickly stashed the papers into a nearby storage locker. ¡°Thanks a lot,¡± he said gratefully.


    He had half¨Cexpected her to refuse. Being a researcher himself, he knew that suchprehensive work couldn¡¯t be achieved without months or even years of research. No one would willingly hand over the fruits of theirbor for nothing.


    ¡°It¡¯s no problem,¡± Mirabe said, pressing her lips together in a thin smile.


    It wasn¡¯t a matter of being overly generous in sharing a form; it was more that it wouldn¡¯t be of much use to him. Just gathering theponents was a challenge, let alone actually producing the remedy. Besides, for her, this was just a basic antidote form ¨C it was no big deal to do a good turn for someone.


    Checking the time on his wristwatch, Adler realized it was almost 8 pm. He had been so engrossed in work he had forgotten about dinner. ¡°I¡¯m used to working solo and sometimes lose track of time. You must be famished by now. Let¡¯s go grab a bite to<b>¡­</b>¡±


    Before he could finish, Mirabe waved her hand to cut him off. ¡°No worries. I should be going. Thanks for today.¡±


    Although disappointed that his time with the big shot was so brief, Adler wasn¡¯t the type to overstep. Without pressing further, he picked up his car keys. ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll drive you. It¡¯ste, and it¡¯s not safe for a youngdy to head back alone<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe didn¡¯t let Adler take her back to her hotel; instead, she gave him a different address. Adler didn¡¯t think much of it, assuming she lived there.


    The destination Mirabe had Adler drop her off at was actually an old town¡¯s bustling night market. Once Adler¡¯s car vanished into the streets, Mirabe leisurely strolled into the night market.


    The market was essible only to bicycles and electric scooters. Cars were unable to enter.


    <b>12:33 </b>


    The shops on both sides boasted a uniform, rustic charm that evoked a sense of nostalgia.


    At this


    hour, the night market was at its liveliest, with crowds milling about. Mirabe pulled a face mask from her pocket and donned it. Her eyes asionally scanned her surroundings with a bright, fragmented glint.


    She walked deep into the market and finally settled at a low table outside a noodle shop, which was adjacent to an antique store.


    The noodle shop owner<b>, </b>a man in his sixties with a warm smile, maintained a small but spotless establishment. With no other customers around, he approached Mirabe to take her order.


    Mirabe slid the mask off her face. ¡°I¡¯ll have arge bowl of spicy minced pork noodles, oh, and add some of that secret chili sauce of yours.¡±


    The owner paused, giving Mirabe a curious look. Only regrs craved his homemade chili sauce, but this youngdy seemed to be a first¨Ctime visitor.


    Faced with the owner¡¯s puzzled gaze, Mirabe simply smiled.

 Chapter 257

    On the other side of town. Anthony was glued to hisputer screen, awaiting the release of the exam scores. The clock struck eight, and he immediately punched in Mirabe¡¯s ID and hit enter.


    His heart was racing, and his fingers were tightly gripping the mouse. As the page loaded and the scores appeared, Anthony was floored. He had expected Mirabe to do well, but another perfect score? That was beyond stimting.


    He remembered visiting Vincent earlier that day, post¨Cexam, to inquire about the test. Vincent hadn¡¯t seemed at ease.


    ¡°Man, today¡¯s paper was brutal, especially thatst physics question. I only managed to work through a bit of it, and I¡¯m not even sure I got it right,¡± Vincent had confessed.


    Before Mirabe transferred to Parkside High School, Vincent had been the uncontested top student, consistently delivering ster performances. If even he was uncertain, the exam must have been a beast.


    Anthony felt dazed. He stood up, sshed some cold water on his face in the restroom, and came back to double¨Ccheck the results. They were still the same: a perfect 200 out of 200.


    Prodigies had appeared in pastpetitions, but repeat perfect scores were unheard of. This meant something significant: this year, their nation wouldn¡¯t be left off the leaderboard as in previous years.


    Grabbing his phone, Anthony didn¡¯t care that it waste evening; he called Mr. Hammond. Mr. Hammond was about to check Mirabe¡¯s scores himself, but Anthony¡¯s call made that


    unnecessary.


    He was just as stunned, managing to keep his voice steady. ¡°Have you checked Vincent¡¯s score?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Oh, right!¡± Anthony pped his forehead and switched his phone to speaker mode. ¡°Got so carried away I almost forgot. Let me see¡­ here it is, 186. That¡¯s not low at all. I reckon he¡¯s probably in second ce.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s about what I expected,¡± Mr. Hammond said calmly.


    Anthony, letting go of the mouse<b>, </b>reflected aloud, ¡°In past years, our school always got outshone by the folks from the neighboring state schools. This year, we finally get our moment in the sun.¡±


    Parkside High School was among the top five nationwide, and the other four schools were no slouches either. In previous years, no matter whatpetition they participated in, they¡¯d been overshadowed by those schools. But this year, if Mirabe could snag a spot in the internationalpetition, Parkside High School would rise with the tide and climb beyond fifth ce.


    Chapter <b>257 </b>


    Glory has always belonged to the victors.


    In the meantime, after the noodle shop owner went to prepare the food, Mirabe took the opportunity to browse the adjacent antique store.


    Her timing was impable. As she returned to the noodle shop, the owner was just serving up a hearty bowl of noodles and cing it in front of her. The old man smiled and said, ¡°Enjoy yourself. If you need anything, just tell me.¡± Mirabe nodded politely and then focused on the noodles.


    The rich bone broth coupled with the thin noodles, topped with a spicy minced pork and a sprinkling of diced scallions, made for an appetizing sight. The decorative vine patterns on the rim of the bowl added to the enticement.


    The aroma of the pork and chili wafted up, and Mirabe¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight. It was just as she remembered, and in a rare moment, she took a photo with her phone.

 Chapter 258

    Mirabe uploaded the snapshot to her social feed and within moments<b>, </b>she was diving into. her meal with the gusto of someone who truly appreciated good diner food.


    The diner owner scooted a chair nearby and sat down, silently observing her with a mix of curiosity and delight. His weathered, wrinkled face couldn¡¯t help but break into a smile.


    The girl was a vision of loveliness, and her every move exuded a grace that seemed oddly out of ce in the humble eatery, yet somehow it didn¡¯t sh with the surroundings.


    The owner felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu as he watched her, even though he was certain this was her first time at his establishment.


    Mirabe, oblivious to the diner owner¡¯s gaze, paused mid¨Cmeal as a thought struck her. She reached for her phone and opened up James¡® Messenger to send him a message. [Up for ate¨Cnight bite?]


    Just yesterday at the airport, he had suggested they check out Riverdale¡¯s night scene. together, but she had declined. She was unsure how long Leo¡¯s medicine would take. Now that the antidote issue was resolved, it was the perfect time to return the gesture of hospitality James had shown her <b>on </b>multiple asions.


    Two minutester, James¡® reply popped up. [Sure, you at the hotel? Send me your location, and I¡¯lle over<b>.</b><b>] </b>


    James had not noticed her updated social feed.


    Mirabe sent the night market¡¯s location first and then typed back. [I¡¯m out and about. Heard lots of buzz about this night market online and thought it was quite a vibe. Wanna join?]


    James, on the other end, opened the location she¡¯d sent. Seeing it was in the old town district. he fell silent. After half a minute, he replied. [Okay, should be there in twenty.]


    [Great, see you.]


    James stood up and pulled up the location again, handing his phone to Wyatt, who was lounging nearby. ¡°Head over to this spot.¡±


    Wyatt stood, took the phone, and zoomed in on the screen. His brow furrowed slightly. ¡°James, isn¡¯t this the old town? What¡¯s taking you there at this hour?¡±


    Rubbing his temples, Curtis nced at the phone and remarked, ¡°Isn¡¯t that a night market?¡±


    Wyatt had been away from Riverdale for a few years, and wasn¡¯t entirely familiar with all its spots. At Curtis¡® words, he turned and asked, ¡°Night market?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s popr with the younger crowd and tourists, especially lively at night,¡± Curtis exined briefly. The implication was clear ¨C it was a crowded ce.


    Wyatt touched his nose, puzzled as to why his boss would suddenly want to go there, but then


    Out 258


    something clicked, and he sprang to his feet, eager. ¡°Ah, James, I¡¯ll get the car now.¡±


    It must be because of Ms. Mirabe<b>. </b>


    Seeing Wyatt¡¯s reaction, Curtis grabbed his arm. There was a trace of concern in his voice, ¡°You know¡­ that¡¯s a night market. Crowded!¡±


    Was their boss someone who¡¯d frequent such ces?


    Wyatt nced at his boss, who was already dressed for the outing, and waved Curtis off. ¡°It¡¯s just a night market, no big deal.¡±


    Curtis couldn¡¯t fathom Wyatt¡¯s enthusiasm but, seeing their boss¡® determination, he too rose and followed. ¡°I know that ce well. I¡¯ll go.¡±


    Wyatt, hearing this, pretended not to notice the challenge to his role as the driver and hurried


    off.

 Chapter 259

    Curtis had barely stepped out of the vi when he fished out his cell phone to call his crew, nning to arrange for a few more guys to tail them discreetly.


    ¡°No need to have anyone follow,¡± came James¡® cool, detached voice, which interrupted Curtis¡® ns. Caught off guard, Curtis had no choice but to <b>hang </b>up. Whatever, they were in Riverdale. their turf, so security wasn¡¯t really an issue.


    ¡°Yo, Curtis, you can head back. I got James¡® back,¡± Wyatt said with a look that screamed ¡°you¡¯re not needed here¡°.


    Curtis¡® mouth twitched. He had no desire to deal with this blockhead. ¡°You think you know


    Riverdale better than me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got GPS.¡± Wyatt replied, waving his smartphone for emphasis.


    Clearing his throat, Wyatt added, ¡°Ms. Mirabe is just a regr high school girl, man. Your tough¨Cguy look might scare her off.¡±


    At that, Curtis¡® face darkened. He had that rugged, intimidating sort of look, with a buzz cut and a long scar trailing from his ear down to the nape of his neck, which added a touch of menace to his appearance.


    ¡°So, boss is hitting the night market to meet this Ms. Mirabe?¡± Curtis finally caught on to the


    situation.


    A young girl, asking a man out to a night markette at night? Sounded like someone not exactly high society. Curtis¡® curiosity about Mirabe faded considerably.


    ¡°Yeah, man, girls like her dig the night market scene,¡± Wyatt replied nonchntly.


    1


    Curtis had aplicated expression. ¡°Does she even know who James really is?¡±


    Wyatt nced at James, who was now ahead of them, and scratched his head. ¡°Doubt it.¡±


    Curtis rxed a bit at that and said, ¡°Alright, you go ahead, but make damn sure the boss stays


    safe.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Wyatt responded with a wave, hurrying to the garage to fetch the car.


    Watching Wyatt¡¯s departing figure, Curtis shook his head, bored, and turned back to the vi.


    Twenty minutester, they pulled up at the entrance to the bustling night market.


    The ce was crowded, so parking was a nightmare. James looked out at the throngs of people and immediately felt a wave of difort hit him.


    He couldn¡¯t imagine what <b>had </b>brought him <b>here</b><b>. </b>


    Wyatt parked the car temporarily along the curb, overwhelmed by the crowd. He turned to


    <b>1/2 </b>


    12:33


    James. ¡°Maybe we should give Ms. Mirabe a call?¡±


    James was silent for a moment, as if making a decision. His voice was deep when he finally spoke. ¡°No need, just find somewhere to park.¡± After saying that, he grabbed a baseball cap and a face mask, put them on, and stepped out of the car. His tall, striking figure, exuding an air of refinement, waspletely out of ce in the night market, with its rich, earthy aromas.


    Wyatt held his face in his hands, thankful that Curtis wasn¡¯t here. If he¡¯d seen James like this, he probably would have never let his boss out of the car.


    After getting out, James called Mirabe and walked about twenty meters into the market. before meeting her.


    Mirabe spotted James immediately in the crowd. Even with a cap and mask, his <b>aura </b>of unapproachability was unmistakable. Well, she really shouldn¡¯t have asked him toe to a ce like this. It just didn¡¯t suit him.


    Clearing her throat, she approached him. ¡°Fancy a bite? The ce I just tried has some killer noodles.¡±


    She paused, scanning the throngs of people around them, and then added, <b>¡°</b>It¡¯s less crowded.


    further in.<b>¡± </b>


    At her words, James responded with a nomittal hum, almost without thinking.

 Chapter 260

    Not long after, Mirabe led James back to the same diner where she had grabbed a bite earlier. The ce was still pretty much deserted.


    The owner, seeing the youngdy return with apanion, grinned and said. ¡°Hey there, girly. is this your boyfriend?¡±


    At that moment. James still had his face mask on, so the diner¡¯s owner couldn¡¯t get a clear look at him, but he could tell that the man had a good vibe. He was sitting there with the youngdy. and they seemed like a good match, which was why he blurted out such ament.


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow. ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve got it wrong. We¡¯re just friends.¡±


    James slowly removed his mask, revealing a strikingly handsome face. They were seated outside the diner, where the light wasn¡¯t particrly bright, but it only added a moody charm to his looks.


    The owner nced back and forth between their faces and chuckled before asking. ¡°Having another round of noodles?¡±


    Mirabe turned to James. Her eyes were bright and clear. She said with a heartyugh, ¡°What¡¯s your vor, James? My treat today.¡± A bowl of noodles wasn¡¯t going to break the bank. for her.


    James¡® lips twitched slightly. He thought of the photo he¡¯d seen on social media in the car, and said. ¡°The one you posted on your feed.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Mirabe said, turning to the owner. ¡°We¡¯ll have the samerge bowl of noodles with minced pork, but hold the chili kes this time.¡±


    ¡°Coming right up!¡±


    1


    As the owner walked away, James turned to Mirabe with a mischievous raise of his eyebrow. ¡°How did you know I don¡¯t do spicy?¡±


    Mirabe blinked yfully. ¡°Just a guess.¡±


    She nced at James, who was sitting ramrod straight. His hands not even grazed the tabletop. Mirabe sighed. ¡°You know, this ce is pretty clean.¡±


    ¡°Uh¨Chuh,¡± James humored her with a nod, sitting even straighter.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t press the point and instead asked, ¡°No Wyatt?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s parking the car,¡± James replied coolly<b>. </b>


    Mirabe touched her nose, not bothering to continue the conversation. Soon enough, the owner brought over the steaming bowl of noodles.


    James looked at the heaping portion in front of <b>him</b>, and his brow involuntarily furrowed.


    Mirabe had already grabbed a fork and a spoon, wiped them down with a napkin, and handed them to him. Leaning in close, she whispered, ¡°Sometimes, it¡¯s good to go with the flow. Being too fussy can spoil the experience of good food.¡±


    Her husky voice carried azy allure, and as James turned to look at her, her beautiful eyes. seemed particrly enchanting, almost bewitching.


    James paused for a second, then cracked a smile, epting the fork and spoon. ¡°This is quite a lot. How about you help me out with half?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°The night is long, no rush. Take your time,¡± Mirabe said firmly, sitting up straight and declining.


    James let out a softugh.


    Twenty minutester, after paying the bill, Mirabe and James left the diner, both instinctively putting their masks back on as they stepped out.


    They didn¡¯t linger, and soon they were out of the night market, waiting at the main street for Wyatt to pick them up in his car.


    ¡°How did you find your way to this night market?¡± James asked Mirabe, giving her a sidelong nce.


    Mirabe, busy replying toments <b>on </b>her Messenger feed, didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°Saw some good reviews about the street food here online.¡±


    She was a bit miffed at the moment. Why did a simple food post turn into something else in the eyes of her two brothers?


    Theirments went like this:


    Zach said, (Mirabe, don¡¯t venture out of the hotel after 6 PM.]


    Leo <b>said</b><b>, </b>[The world¡¯s a dangerous ce, with too many bad guys. Bbe careful, and don¡¯t go wandering off alone.)

 Chapter 261

    Mirabe sighed silently to herself before sending a unified response to both Zach and Leo. [Gol it, you big bables.)


    When Zach and Leo received this reply, they both felt like they had been somewhat insulted.


    Mirabe pocketed her phone and was about to look up when a motorcycle suddenly sped towards them from a distance. Her brows furrowed slightly as she prepared to pull James to safety, but he had already taken the initiative, yanking her aside just in time.


    The screech of tires tore through the air as they struggled to regain their bnce, and the force. from James sent Mirabe stumbling a couple of steps further. Lifting her gaze, she saw the motorcycle on its <b>side</b>, and its wheel was still spinning. The rider, apparently eager to avoid me, scrambled up, muttered a quick apology, and sped off as quickly as they had arrived.


    The whole incident, from the crash to the rider¡¯s departure,sted less than three minutes. Mirabe narrowed her eyes; this didn¡¯t seem like an ident.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± James asked. The concern was evident in his voice. He had been steadying her by the shoulder, but as he spoke, he slowly let go, creating a little distance between them.


    Mirabe, unfazed, noticed the scrape marks on James¡® pant leg. The fabric wasn¡¯t torn, but the impact had been anything but gentle.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to need to get that leg checked out,¡± she started to say, but was interrupted by the sound of an approaching car.


    Wyatt, who had witnessed the near¨Cmiss with the motorcycle, felt a tightness in his chest. He parked the car hastily and approached with urgency. ¡°Sir¡­ James, are you hurt? It¡¯s my fault for parking too far away. I was dyed in traffic.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s eyes were fixed on James¡® leg, and his face was etched with guilt. He should¡¯ve stayed closer to James<b>. </b>


    Although James was pale, his demeanor remained calm. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he said dismissively, ignoring Wyatt¡¯s concern.


    Instead, he turned to Mirabe. ¡°Let¡¯s get you back to the hotel.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s eyes widened, and his expression turned stern. ¡°No, we should have it checked first.¡±


    James frowned at the objection.


    Mirabe paused for a few seconds before speaking up. ¡°You really should get it checked. The force of that crash wasn¡¯t trivial. There might not be any visible wounds, but it could have caused bone damage.¡±


    Wyatt, relieved that Mirabe agreed, nodded vigorously. ¡°Ms. Mirabe is right.¡±


    He hesitated, fearing James might insist on his original n, then said to Mirabe, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.


    Ms. Mirabe. I¡¯ll arrange for someone to take you back to the hotel.¡±


    James gave Wyatt a cold look, which made Wyatt avert his gaze. He knew it was a sign of his displeasure. Despite that, he couldn¡¯t risk James¡® safety.


    Turning away, Wyatt made a quick call to one of his men, giving low instructions.


    Soon after, a sleek ck sedan pulled up. Mirabe was momentarily taken aback but quickly collected her thoughts and stepped into the car. Before she did, she said to Wyatt, ¡°Let me know if there¡¯s any problem.¡±


    Wyatt assumed Mirabe was simply concerned about James¡® health and wanted to be updated on the medical examination. He nodded to her without giving it much thought.

 Chapter 262

    When Mirabe got back to the hotel, it was already half¨Cpast nine, and Anthony had called her twice during the drive.


    The first call was to share the thrilling news that she¡¯d aced the preliminaries and had secured a spot in the final round.


    The second was a gentle reminder for her to stay safe: not to <b>linger </b>outside toote and to head back to the hotel early to rest up and be on top form for tomorrow¡¯s showdown.


    Mirabe reassured him time and again that she was fine, and it was only after her repeated. assurances that Anthony finally stopped calling.


    After returning to her room, Mirabe picked out some fresh clothes and took a quick, refreshing shower. Once she was done, she copsed onto the bed. Her eyes fixated on the ceiling, and the evening¡¯s harrowing near¨Cmiss reyed in her mind.


    She had noticed the motorcycle earlier. At first, it seemed to be barreling straight towards her. but as it drew closer, particrly when James pulled her to safety, she saw the rider swerve slightly. So¡­ if her hunch was right, the real target of the motorcycle might actually have been James, and the rider was someone with some serious skills ¨C a fact they tried to disguise, but which she had spotted instantly.


    Mirabe rolled over, draping her leg over the top of the covers, feeling exhausted yet restless. Even if she had been the intended target, she was confident in her ability to dodge the threat.


    On the other side of town, as Wyatt was heading back from the night market, he called Curtis, instructing him to have a doctor waiting at the mansion.


    Upon learning that his boss had been sideswiped by a motorcycle, Curtis immediately whipped out hisptop to pull up surveince footage from several streets around the night market. It didn¡¯t take long for him to discover that the footage from the crucial time had been tampered with, and the traces had been expertly erased.


    Curtis let out a cold smile, and his fingers danced across the keyboard. The ck interfaces. popped up on the screen, disying rapidly changing data. Within a minute, the wiped. surveince data was restored. Zooming in on the footage, Curtis scrutinized how the motorcyclist had charged towards James<b>. </b>However, due to the angle of the cameras, Curtis could only see the motorcycle heading straight for the girl next to his boss, not realizing that the actual objective was James.


    With each rey, every time he saw the bike, seemingly targeting Mirabe, only for his boss to get hit while protecting her, Curtis¡® face grew darker. At that moment, his opinion of Mirabe couldn¡¯t have sunk any lower. If it hadn¡¯t been for her, James might not have <b>been </b>injured. If she hadn¡¯t invited him outte at night, would any of this have happened?


    Taking a deep breath, Curtis quickly captured a screenshot of the motorcyclist and sent it to his


    <b>10:40 </b>


    men.


    Regardless of why this person targeted a young woman and went to great lengths to erase the footage, the fact remained that their boss had been hit. He wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to act so brazenly in Riverdale.


    A short whileter, James and Wyatt arrived back at the mansion where several family physicians had hurried over. After a round of examinations, each one of them let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Thank goodness it¡¯s just a few scrapes and bruises,¡± Wyatt said, wiping his forehead. His were filled with relief and a tinge of fear.


    James shot Wyatt a frosty nce. Feeling the chill from that look, Wyatt shrank back slightly.


    ¡°Look, James, let me exin¡­ At that moment, I was just worried that the incident might trigger your old injury, so I chose not to consider dropping Ms. Mirabe off at the hotel first. After all, that motorcycle had a clear objective.¡±

 Chapter 263

    James rose to his feet. His face was an unreadable mask as he ascended the staircase, Wyatt watched his boss disappear, with panic setting in. He slumped against the armrest of the couch, muttering, ¡°This is it. I¡¯m done for. I feel like I¡¯m about to be exiled to the frontier.¡±


    Curtis noticed Wyatt¡¯s look of despair and frowned, especially after hearing him earlier. emphasize that ¡°James. Ignoring his own wounds, Insisted on escorting Ms. Mirabe back to her hotel first.


    H


    ¡°The surveince footage from the night market was tampered with, but I¡¯ve managed to restore it. From the angle, it¡¯s clear the target wasn¡¯t the boss. It was Ms. Mirabe,¡± Curtis stated icily.


    Wyatt¡¯s head snapped up in surprise. ¡°No way, Ms. Mirabe¡¯s just a regr student. Why would anyone target her? Besides, this is her first time in Riverdale.¡±


    Unconvinced batt¡¯s disbelief, Curtis opened the surveince video on hisptop and ¡®slowed it down. ¡°Take a look.¡±


    After the section showing the collision was yed, Curtis added, ¡°The assant¡¯s objective was crystal clear: Ms. Mirabe. And judging by his moves, he¡¯s had some training. He tried to cover his tracks, but he left plenty of slip¨Cups.¡±


    Wyatt scratched his head, still struggling to digest the revtion. ¡°I just can¡¯t see it being Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    Curtis felt like smacking some sense into Wyatt, who seemed bewitched by that girl. Taking a deep breath to calm his irritation, Curtis asked patiently. ¡°You think it¡¯s impossible, yet the evidence suggests otherwise. How much do you really know about Ms. Mirabe?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Wyatt started to respond.


    But Curtis cut him off, pressing on, ¡°Okay, so you say she¡¯s just a regr student. But why. would a so¨Ccalled regr student be targeted by someone with dubious intentions? Have your really thought about that?¡±


    Wyatt touched his nose and murmured, ¡°That¡¯s because she¡¯s with the boss<b>.</b>¡±


    ¡°Are you letting a single box of incense cloud your judgment of her?¡± Curtis shook his head, exasperated.


    Sure, the Incense <b>of </b>Calm was priceless, but considering James¡® stature, was he really someone to be swayed by such a trifle?


    ¡°It¡¯s not about blind trust. Besides, I checked her background. She¡¯s just a girl raised by her grandma in the countryside, innocent and unblemished except for a melodramatic family history,¡± Wyatt insisted, speaking from his gut feelings.


    Sometimes he found Mirabe mysterious, like where she got the incense or how she suddenly turned her poor academic record around and became the talk of the school. But none of that


    seemed to point to her being problematic.


    ¡°Forget it, I might as well be talking to a wall. Just¡­ try to be more vignt.¡± Curtis advised and closed hisptop, standing up to leave.


    Wyatt touched his nose again, perplexed. Curtis had seemed to take a liking to Ms. Mirabe, so why the sudden suspicion because of tonight¡¯s events? Even Niki and Knox, who were shrewd old foxes, wanted to take her as a student. She couldn¡¯t be someone with ulterior


    motives.


    Plus, Mr. Hammond from Parkside High School had nothing but praise for her. She¡¯s a top student, and she mighte from a humble background, but to the average Joe, she was a rising star with limitless potential.


    Shaking his head, Wyatt decided not to dwell on Curtis¡® thoughts. Instead, he pulled out his phone and sent Mirabe a text.

 Chapter 264

    Wyatt had snagged Mirabe¡¯s number a while back when he had to dig up some info on her. Thanks to the whole Incense of Calm sco, he had made sure to save it in his contacts,


    [Ms. Mirabe, James is just a bit scratched up, nothing serious. You can rx.)


    After sending the text, he waited for a moment for a reply, but when none came, he pocketed his phone, yawned, and strolled outside the vi.


    The next day dawned.


    Mirabe was up with therks, but it was still early, and she didn¡¯t feel like getting out of bed just yet. Snuggled in herforter, she reached under her pillow for her phone, tapped it to life, and saw the message from Wyatt fromst night.


    Good to know all was well. She replied with a brief ¡°Got It¡± to Wyatt.


    With the phone in her hand, Mirabe scrolled through her Messenger group chats. Then something seemed to jog her memory, and she exited Messenger to open her browser. She typed in ¡°Riverdale Antiques Exhibition¡°.


    Instantly, a myriad of search results popped up, with the chatter mostly centered around the emerald pendant featured at the exhibition.


    ¡°Emerald pendant?¡± Mirabe pondered. Her finger caressed the phone screen.


    She recalled a reminder from Cool Autumn Breeze.


    With Riverdale being so tight on security, and yet all this info spilling out over the, especially about the pendant, it felt like a breadcrumb trail left on purpose.


    A yful smirk crossed Mirabe¡¯s lips as she checked the exhibition dates. It was a two¨Cday affair, having started yesterday, and her flight back to Ashford was at seven tonight. Since she was here, skipping out on a little recon felt like a missed opportunity. And she hadn¡¯t yetid eyes on the emerald pendant.


    Thinking it over, Mirabe sprang out of bed with newfound energy and fired up herptop.


    A flurry of keystrokester, and her screen went dark ¨C a canvas of ck against which strings. of cryptic characters danced swiftly.


    Thirty seconds in, and instead of darkness, her screen now showed multiple live feeds. One mini¨Cscreen was unmistakably marked with ¡°National Antiquities Museum.¡±


    Her gaze never strayed from the screen, and her fingers tapped a rhythm on the keyboard. Two minutester, she killed the program and wiped her browsing history clean.


    Stretching, Mirabe stood, headed to the bathroom for a quick freshen up, pocketed her phone, and left her room.


    10:40


    In the second¨Cfloor dining area, Mirabe had just picked out her breakfast when her eyes caught Vincent sitting by the window. He had sheets of paper in front of him and was deeply engrossed in writing something.


    For a moment, Mirabe considered her approach. Then, with the te in her hand, she made her way over and sat opposite him. It was only then she saw he was working on thest physics problem from yesterday¡¯s prelims. Without interrupting his train of thought, she began nibbling on her breakfast sandwich.


    Five minutester, Vincent seemed to realize someone was across from him. He looked up to find Mirabe leisurely enjoying her meal and did a double¨Ctake.


    Noticing the dark circles under his eyes and the distinct redness in them, Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°You didn¡¯t pull an all¨Cnighter, did you?¡± The boy looked like he¡¯d been cramming books non¨Cstop.


    Vincent¡¯s voice was rough, and he reached for his water ss, taking a long drink before replying hoarsely. ¡°No, just woke up really early.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows twitched involuntarily. Well, you don¡¯t look ¡®early riser¡® fresh to me.

 Chapter 265

    Vincent didn¡¯t write anymore. He gathered the papers from his desk with a sigh, finally admitting defeat with a voice tinged with resignation. ¡°You¡¯re really good, you know.¡±


    He had once thought he could beat her, only to find she was ying in an entirely different league. A wry smile flickered across Vincent¡¯s lips. No wonder she never seemed to take his challenges seriously.


    That was the difference.


    Mirabe cleared her throat. ¡°You know, you¡¯re actually quite amazing.¡±


    Hearing her. Vincent just nced at her and said. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken if you think I¡¯m looking forfort. I¡¯m just stating the facts.¡±


    Mirabe took a sip of her soup. Her voice was muffled. ¡°Yes, I am better than you. Does that sound less likefort to you?¡± She had pegged him as a typical straight¨Cshooter from the


    start.


    Vincent pursed his lips, saying nothing, observing Mirabe quietly for a while before he finally spoke up. ¡°Even though I admit you¡¯re better, I¡¯m not giving up on the idea of surpassing you.¡±


    Mirabe nodded, offering encouragement, ¡°Keep at it!¡±


    After finishing her soup, Mirabe wiped her mouth with a napkin and nced at the papers on the table, asking. ¡°Still haven¡¯t cracked it?<b>¡± </b>


    Vincent didn¡¯t respond.


    Mirabe nodded knowingly, picked up the paper, and immediately spotted the error in the equations at a nce. Taking up the pen, she said, ¡°Your approach using the Navier¨CStokes equations isn¡¯t wrong, but it unnecessarilyplicates things. This step here is superfluous¡­¡±


    Five minutester, Mirabe put down her pen and slid her corrected equations across the table to Vincent. The errors she had pinpointed echoed in Vincent¡¯s ears, and as his eyes settled on the paper, the equations seemed toe to life, suddenly rifying in his mind. A problem that had seemed insurmountable was now simple, thanks to her insight.


    By the time Vincent looked up. Mirabe had already left her seat. He picked up the paper with the equations, his previous frustration from a fruitless night of study washed away. Sometimes, all it takes is one piece of the puzzle to see the whole picture.


    Mirabe was more than just strong.


    Nine o¡¯clock sharp.


    The twenty¨Cthree students who had advanced to the national finals from across the country


    were already seated in the examination hall. All the advancing students were gathered in the same room, and this time Mirabe was seated in the front row. Her position was a testament to <i>her </i>top score from the day before. Her solitary figure in the front row seemed to already be ensconced on the champion¡¯s throne, eliciting awe from all her peers.


    This was a real¨Clife demonstration of overwhelming strength.


    Soon, the proctor walked in with the examinations, distributed them, and signaled the start.


    Three hours on the clock.


    The finals were bound to be a step up in difficulty from the prelims, mirroring the challenges of the previous year¡¯s internationalpetitions. Even Mirabe looked serious when she received her paper, indicating the difficulty of the challenge ahead.


    During those three hours, the only sound in the examination hall was the rustling of papers as pencils flew across them.


    Unlike the day before, Mirabe didn¡¯t turn in her paper early.

 Chapter 266

    The three¨Chour exam felt like an eternity for the teachers who were keeping watch, yet for the students, whose pencils scratched furiously across their papers, the time slipped away like sand through their fingers.


    As the final bell tolled, signaling the end of this domesticpetition, it drew a temporary close to the intense phase of academic rivalry. Regardless of whether they clinched a spot in the top five, these twenty¨Csome students had all but secured their future at Prestige College. It was a testament to their strength and growth.


    They had hit the books day and night in preparation, and yet, the conclusion brought with it a hollow feeling. Stepping out of the exam room, many were moved to tears by the weight of the moment.


    Mirabe had just descended the stairs when she spotted Mr. Hammond and Anthony waving. at her from a distance. She hesitated for a beat before making her way over to them.


    ¡°Mirabe, how did you feel this time?¡± Mr. Hammond¡¯s voice betrayed a hint of anxiety as he posed the question.


    Anthony swallowed hard, anticipating her response.


    Mirabe, noticing their anxious expressions, couldn¡¯t help but quirk a half¨Csmile. ¡°I guess it went okay,¡± she replied with a modest shrug.


    At this, Mr. Hammond and Anthony exchanged a silent nce, and then in unison they demanded, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®guess¡°?¡±


    Touching her nose self¨Cconsciously, Mirabe murmured, ¡°Not entirely sure if I aced it?¡±


    Uncertainty implied possibility, and with that-


    Mr. Hammond and Anthony was stunned. They should¡¯ve known better than to ask this big shot how she felt about the exam.


    Vincent, descending the stairs himself, couldn¡¯t escape the fate of being summoned by Mr. Hammond and Anthony¡¯s eager gestures.


    Clearing his throat and pushing down the heartache Mirabe¡¯s words had induced, Mr. Hammond turned to Vincent with a benign smile. ¡°Vincent, how did you feel this time?¡±


    The script was the same.


    After a brief silence, Vincent nced at Mirabe before replying, ¡°I think it went fairly well.¡± His answer, mirroring Mirabe¡¯s, prompted Mr. Hammond and Anthony to immediately adopt a stern demeanor. ¡°Speak inly!¡± Their responses were frustratingly cryptic.


    Feeling unnerved by their intense expressions, Vincent rified, ¡°I mean¡­ second ce should be safe, right?¡±


    10:40


    Mr. Hammond and Anthony were silent. Here it was again. These students must have rehearsed their nonchnce together.


    Unaware of their inner turmoil, Vincent turned to Mirabe. ¡°I solved thest problem using the method you showed me this morning.¡±


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, gave it some thought, and then nodded. ¡°That should work. Many ways lead to Rome. The equations change, but the solutions are often variations on a theme.¡±


    ¡°Right, then I¡¯m pretty confident about securing second ce.¡± Vincent said, nodding seriously. Mr. Hammond and Anthony exchanged another nce. Their ¡°sorry to intrude¡± sentiment grew stronger by the minute.


    ncing at his watch, Vincent asked Mirabe, ¡°<i>My </i>cousin invited me to check out Prestige College. Fancy joining us? I¡¯ve heard the cafeteria there serves food that¡¯s legendary.<i>¡± </i>


    Mirabe was about to decline when she heard Vincent mention the renowned cuisine of Prestige College¡¯s cafeteria. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded. ¡°Your cousin is too kind.¡±

 Chapter 267

    Vincent was genuinely surprised when Mirabe epted his invitation, especially since she had coldly turned him down just the day before. After a brief pause, he suggested. ¡°It¡¯s about lunchtime. How about we head over <b>now</b>?¡±


    ¡°<b>Sure</b><b>.</b>¡± Mirabe nodded in agreement.


    They both gave a quick nod to Mr. Hammond and Anthony and made their exit.


    It wasn¡¯t until the pair had gone that Mr. Hammond and Anthony snapped out of their daze. ¡°When did Vincent get so chummy with Mirabe?¡± Anthony stroked his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Just the other day. I heard some kids saying Vincent challenged her right outside her ssroom.¡±


    Anthony paused for a moment, and then his eyes suddenly widened as a thought struck him. ¡°You don¡¯t think they¡¯re secretly dating, do you?¡±


    Campus tales of foes turning into lovers weren¡¯t umon, after all. That would be quite the


    scandal.


    Mr. Hammond listened as Anthony¡¯s spections grew wilder and couldn¡¯t help but grimace, fixing his gaze on Anthony¡¯s shiny dome, ¡°Ever wonder how you¨Cgot that bald spot?¡±


    Anthony instinctively rubbed his bald head, feeling unfairly targeted. How did a simple chat turn into a curse on his receding hairline?


    ¡°Look, Vincent¡¯s eyes were clearly filled with admiration. You get it? Admiration!¡± Mr. Hammond shook his head in disgust and walked away<b>. </b>


    After walking a considerable distance, Mr. Hammond suddenly paused, feeling like he had forgotten something. Shrugging it off, he squinted his eyes and decided not to dwell on it. heading towards the main gates of Prestige College.


    The cafeteria at Prestige College was spacious, with an inviting atmosphere, a wide array of dishes, and vors that could rival any downtown diner.


    Mirabe had thought the canteen back at Parkside High School was top¨Cnotch, but sitting in Prestige College¡¯s dining hall and sampling their fare was an eye¨Copener.


    Vincent¡¯s cousin<b>, </b>Matthew, was a sophomore in the Physics Department, known for his academic prowess. He was good¨Clooking, with delicate features and a pair of ck¨Cframed sses perched on his nose, and exuded a warm and friendly vibe. He too had been following thepetition and looked at Mirabe with evident respect.


    After lunch, Matthew took Mirabe <b>and </b>Vincent on a tour around the Prestige College campus, sharing bits of the institution¡¯s history along the way.


    Since the sprawling campus had several distinct areas, Matthew led them straight to his own


    104


    department, the Physics Research Institute.


    ¡°By the way, Freshman Mirabe, what major do you n to pursue?¡± Knowing she was bound to be a student at Prestige College, Matthew casually addressed her as a freshman.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Mirabe replied, ¡°I¡¯m leaning towards Biology, but Physics and Chemistry are also on the table.¡±


    Vincent was taken aback by her answer. With her clear strengths in Physics and Chemistry, it was unexpected that she would opt for Biology.


    Matthew adjusted his sses and suggested, ¡°Actually, the Physics Department isn¡¯t a bad choice either. It¡¯s not as monotonous as the Biology Department with its constant experiments. and data analysis.¡±


    The Physics Department students were a rare breed in Prestige College, partly because their professors were notoriously selective. But Matthew feltpelled to recruit such a talented prospect into his department, especially when she was such an attractive girl.


    Pausing briefly before Mirabe could respond, Matthew continued, ¡°Come on, let me take you guys to theb and show you around.¡±


    Mirabe nced at her watch and nodded, following Matthew¡¯s lead.


    Theb was on the third floor of the institute. Arriving at the elevator, Matthew shed his ID card hanging <i>from </i>his neck, and with a soft ding, the doors slid open.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 268

    Once inside the elevator, Matthew swiped his card again and hit the button for the third floor. ¡°It¡¯s a pity today¡¯s the weekend. If it were Monday, you could have witnessed a physics. experiment in action.¡±


    As he spoke, the elevator dinged at their floor.


    Matthew stepped out first, pointing out various areas designated for different experiments and which ces were off¨Climits, treating Mirabe and his cousin as if they were already part of the physics department¡¯s future.


    Matthew led them down the corridor, and then they stopped at the third ssroom. At the door, Matthew swiped his card again, and the ss doors swung open automatically.


    ¡°This is where we have ourb sses.¡± Matthew said, standing at the doorway and gesturing. at the equipment inside. He didn¡¯t invite them in for a tour.


    .After about ten minutes of peeking into theb areas, the trio headed downstairs<b>. </b>


    While they walked, Matthew continued his pitch, encouraging Mirabe to choose their physics. department. Midway through, they saw a group of professors from various departments at Prestige College heading their way.


    Immediately, Matthew pulled the two to the side. His demeanor instantly became reverent. ¡°Listen up,¡± he whispered with a hint of awe in his voice, ¡°those are the big shots of Prestige. College, the top¨Ctier professors. When they walk by, keep your heads down and stay quiet.¡± Even though there wasn¡¯t an explicit rule against bringing high school students to thebs, it wasn¡¯t exactly smiled upon by the faculty.


    Mirabe obediently positioned herself behind Matthew and bowed her head.


    As the Prestige College professors approached, a palpable aura of authority wafted over. Matthew¡¯s palms were sweaty as he tensely greeted them, ¡°Good day, Professors!¡±


    The head of the physics department nced over at Matthew¡¯s group. Since Mirabe and Vincent both had their heads down, their faces weren¡¯t clear, and they were presumed to be students. The professor gave a casual wave of the hand and continued on to the research building.


    However, one of the professors trailing behind paused right in front of Matthew. Matthew¡¯s body tensed, and he


    autiously looked up to see Professor Wade from the biology department staring intently at Mirabe, who was behind him. Instinctively, he wanted to step in front of her to shield her. Professor Wade¡¯s halt caused the other professors to stop and turn their heads in curiosity.


    With sweat beading on his forehead, Matthew was frozen in ce, stammering. ¡°Professor Wade¡­ this is my cousin and his friend. They¡¯re here for apetition, and I¡­ I just brought them to¡­ to take a look¡­¡± Matthew was so nervous he barely knew what he was saying.


    Vincent, seeing his cousin¡¯s anxiety, realized the gravity of the professors¡® status and felt at pang of guilt. He shouldn¡¯t have let Matthew bring them here. If Matthew got into trouble for this, it would be on him.


    While Vincent and Matthew were visibly tense, Mirabe seemed unfazed by the professors¡® presence. She had been keeping her head down all this time, but then she noticed the persistent gaze of Professor Wade. After a moment of contemtion, she slowly lifted her head to meet his eyes.

 Chapter 269

    Mirabe¡¯s mind worked swiftly as she connected the dots between the man standing before her and the professor she had encountered a while back in Mr. Hammond¡¯s office. Wade was distinguished honorary member of the National Education Association and a seasoned professor of biology at Prestige College.


    With a subtleposure, Mirabe nodded gracefully at him. ¡°Professor Wade, good to see


    you.¡±


    Wade met Mirabe¡¯s calm gaze and gave a nod. A rare trace of warmth softened his usually stern features. ¡°Ah, I thought you looked familiar. It¡¯s Mirabe, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    <b>a </b>


    As Professor Wade¡¯s gentle words filled the air, Matthew¡¯s expression shifted from apprehension to surprise. He had braced himself for a rebuke, never expecting Professor Wade to be acquainted with the girl.


    And now, seeing the professor¡¯s demeanor, which could only be described as amiable, was a shock. Some of his peers were double¨Cmajoring with the biology department, and they often likened attending Professor Wade¡¯s lectures to an expedition to the Arctic ¨C frigid and severe.


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. She nced at Matthew, who stood before her, then said sweetly, ¡°I just finished an exam and bumped into Matthew from the physics department. Curiosity got the better of me, so I tagged along for a look around.¡±


    At her words, Wade let out a drawn¨Cout ¡°Oh,¡± then added, ¡°No harm in that, scouting the ce early.¡± He paused, then with a hint of frustration, added, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you swing by my biology institute?¡±


    Was it that old rascal Hammond ying his games again?


    Mirabe paused, momentarily taken aback. She was just an ordinary high school senior yet to sit her finals. Could she really just wander into the biology department at Prestige College?


    Wade quipped with a hint of mischief, ¡°Didn¡¯t Mr. Hammond tell you anything?¡±


    Mirabe recalled that after her exam, Mr. Hammond had only asked about her performance and said nothing more. She shook her head in response.


    Wade, feeling somewhat snubbed, huffed quietly. So, Hammond had steered her towards the physics department instead of his own? It seemed their decades¨Clong camaraderie had reached its limits.


    Meanwhile, Mr. Hammond, who was just about to head to his hotel after a satisfying meal, suddenly sneezed violently. He rubbed his nose, suspecting someone was speaking ill of him.


    ¡°Hey, you two aren¡¯t my physics students, are you?¡± The physics professor, who had walked some distance away, noticed Wade chatting with the students and circled back. His gazended on Mirabe and Vincent as he inquired.


    Already dealing with one professor, and now with his own from the physics departmenting


    10


    10:41


    back into the picture. Matthew felt like breaking down in tears. Trembling, he exined. ¡°Profe ¨C Professor, they¡¯re high school seniors here for the BrainSpark Nationals. We¡¯re from the same city, so I¡­ I brought them here to look around¡­¡±


    The physics professor¡¯s expression eased upon hearing this. There was no anger, just a pivot toward Wade. His curiosity was apparent as he asked, ¡°Wade, you know these students too?¡±


    Wade cleared his throat and affirmed with a subtle nod. ¡°They¡¯re from Hammond¡¯s school. Parkside High School.¡±


    Surprised, the physics professor gave Mirabe and Vincent another nce and casually asked, ¡°How did you do in yesterday¡¯spetition?¡±


    The finals had just ended, and the results were not yet announced.


    Before Mirabe and Vincent could respond, Wade interjected sharply. ¡°Parkside High School has always produced top¨Cnotch students. I¡¯m sure their performance is nothing short of excellent.¡±


    Pausing for a moment, Wade waved his hand dismissively at his colleague and said, ¡°Alright, enough with the questions. Let the kids go.¡±

 Chapter 270

    Wade had snatched the physics professor away before he could even finish his question. leaving the other two department heads without a chance to speak. They all departed together. leaving a palpable void in their wake.


    As soon as they were gone, Matthew let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling as though his energy had been sapped by the encounter.


    ¡°Those profs are like the academic elite, the creme de cr¨¨me. Damn it. I swear, I¡¯m scared stiff every time I see them,¡± Matthew muttered under his breath.


    Mirabe watched him silently, with an amused glint in her eye. It seemed that no matter the age, the instinctive fear of teachers was universal


    Vincent, although not as outwardly dramatic as his cousin, had also felt the imposing aura of the professors. Out of the corner of his eye, he stole a nce at Mirabe. Her calm and collected demeanor during her exchange with the professor was a stark contrast to their own unease.


    Such resilience under pressure!


    ¡°But Mirabe, you know Professor Wade?¡± Matthew asked. His curiosity was aroused.


    After a brief pause, Mirabe replied, ¡°Not really. We¡¯ve met briefly before.¡±


    Matthew rubbed his nose thoughtfully, doubting the simplicity of this ¡°brief meeting.¡± The warm manner in which Professor Wade had just addressed her seemed to suggest a more


    significant acquaintance.


    ¡°Matthew, I think we should head back to the hotel Vincent interjected. ¡°It might get awkward if we bump into more of your department¡¯s faculty.¡±


    Matthew scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Mirabe said, offering Matthew a polite nod of gratitude.


    No sooner had Mirabe and Vincent stepped out of Prestige College than Mr. Hammond, who had suddenly remembered something important he¡¯d forgotten, phoned Mirabe.


    Holding her phone, Mirabe looked back at the imposing gates of Prestige College. ¡°We¡¯ve just left Prestige College.¡±


    Mr. Hammond was on his way out of the hotel when he said. ¡°Stay there by Prestige College. I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    Wade had asked him to introduce the youngdy to his biology department, but that hadpletely slipped his mind.


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks, puzzled. ¡°Is there something you needed?¡±


    10


    Chapter <b>270 </b>


    Vincent halted behind her, waiting for the answer.


    ¡°I mentioned Professor Wade to you before, right? I was going to introduce you to him.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯ve actually just met Professor Wade at the college,¡± Mirabe said honestly.


    Mr. Hammond, about to cross the street, paused at her words. ¡°You¡¯ve already met?¡±


    ¡°Yep,¡± Mirabe affirmed, recalling that Professor Wade and the other professors seemed to have pressing matters to discuss. She added, ¡°Professor Wade seemed quite busy.¡± In other words, there was no need to disturb him.


    After some thought, Mr. Hammond responded, ¡°Alright, if Wade¡¯s tied up, I won¡¯t drag you over there. He seemed to have a good impression of you anyway.¡± Soon after, Mr. Hammond ended the call.


    And for a good while after, Mr. Hammond¡¯s calls would only reach Wade¡¯s blocklist.


    Mirabe pocketed her phone. Then she and Vincent made their way back to the hotel. Thepetition had ended, the final scores wouldn¡¯t be out until three <b>in </b>the afternoon, and their flight wasn¡¯t until seven in the evening, so several ssmates were chatting in their group about going out together to explore. Anthony reminded everyone to stay safe and then let them. go on their way.


    Back in her room, Mirabe sat resting in a chair, pondering for a moment before reaching for her phone to shoot a message to James on Messenger.

 Chapter 271

    Your leg alright now?)


    Mirabe sent the text and waited a couple of minutes, but with no reply, she put her phone. down and went about her business.


    She rummaged through her closet and pulled out a set of workout gear, ncing down to adjust the watch on her wrist before unzipping her backpack to check its contents. Shortly after, she stepped out of her room, ready for the day ahead.


    Meanwhile, James had just finished giving Instructions to his crew and was lounging on the couch, rubbing his temples in apparent fatigue.


    Wyatt, noticing James¡® weariness, asked in a low, concerned voice. ¡°Is everything okay with you? Feeling under the weather?¡±


    James took a moment to rest his eyes before responding. ¡°I¡¯m fine<b>.</b>¡±


    Wyatt hesitated. His gaze fell on James¡® calf before he thought better of it and held his tongue, fearing he might end up reassigned to some godforsaken outpost.


    James picked up his phone from the coffee table and, while browsing through his messages, casually inquired, ¡°How¡¯s everything at the gallery?¡±


    Wyatt sat up straighter. His demeanor automatically turned more solemn. ¡°All¡¯s quiet on the front. Curtis has already checked in there. With him on watch, nothing will slip by.¡±


    James offered a nomittal hum as he opened Messenger to reply to Mirabe. [Leg¡¯s fine. Yourpetition wrapped up?]


    By this time, Mirabe was already in a cab headed to the antique exhibition, with her phone in her hand. [Yeah, just waiting on the final standings.]


    James texted, [Let me know when the results are out.]


    The Pill replied, [Will do.]


    James asked. [When¡¯s your flight back?]


    The Pill said, [Tonight at seven.]


    James paused briefly, then simply texted back, [Safe travels home.]


    James ended the chat, and his expression lightened slightly. There was a faint pallor on his otherwise wless face that was nearly imperceptible unless you looked closely. He said to Wyatt. ¡°Get the car ready.¡±


    Scratching his head, Wyatt asked, ¡°You heading to the gallery?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± James replied casually, standing up from the sofa. As he rose, a sharp pain shot


    through his call, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, almost as if it had been an


    illusion.


    James¡® brow furrowed slightly.


    Wyatt, noticing the subtle change in James¡® expression, couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Something wrong?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± James shook his head and strode towards the door, with Wyatt following closely behind.


    The hotel where Mirabe was staying was a good forty¨Cminute drive from the exhibition hall. After settling the cab fare, she looked up at the historic building not far away. Under the brim of her baseball cap, her lips curved into a smile as she slung her backpack over her shoulder and sauntered towards the exhibition hall.


    The exhibition wasn¡¯t entirely open to the public. One needed a special pass from the organizers to get in, and those who had it were far from ordinary.


    The main entrance was surveilled by infrared cameras positioned at strategic angles, and four stern¨Cfaced security guards in ck uniforms stood watch. Their expressions were as unreadable as if they were emotionless machines.


    On the other side, in the gallery¡¯s security room.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s cool today, boss.¡±


    Having just finished a round of surveince in the exhibition hall, Curtis walked back into the control room, pulled off his leather gloves, and tossed them onto the table. He hooked a chair with his foot, sat down, and turned his attention to therge screens in front of him. The multiple feeds monitored every corner of the exhibition hall. After a brief nce, he turned to his subordinate and said, ¡°Pass me theptop.¡±


    The man, hearing the order, quickly grabbed the ckptop from a desk and ced it respectfully in front of Curtis.

 Chapter 272

    Curtis¡® fingers danced rapidly across theputer keyboard. His eyes scanned the relentless. cascade ofmands on the screen. After a minute, his eyebrows knitted together in concern. ¡°Was there any funny business at the exhibit hall around 6:30 this morning?¡± he asked. His voice was deep and serious.


    His associate, stationed nearby, shook his head promptly. ¡°Nope, we just did a sweep of the exhibit hall. Everything¡¯s as it should be.¡± He paused, then added with a hint of curiosity. ¡°Curtis, you spotted something off?¡±


    Curtis gaze was locked on theputer screen. After a moment, he finally said, ¡°Someone has breached our surveince system.¡±


    The associate blinked in surprise. ¡°But didn¡¯t you code a top¨Cnotch security program? We didn¡¯t get any alerts this morning¡­¡±


    Regarded as the seventh best hacker globally, Curtis had established programs and firewalls that were nearly imprable ¨C unless you were one of the top five on that list.


    Just then, the door to the control room swung open. Curtis looked up to see his boss entering and immediately stood, nodding respectfully. ¡°Boss.¡±


    James strode in. His eyes shifted to the surveince footage as he asked in a cool tone. ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing unusual in the exhibit hall, but the surveince system was hacked this morning.¡± Curtis reported gravely.


    James narrowed his eyes. ¡°Any leads on who it might be?¡±


    ¡°Just found out. I¡¯m on it.¡± Curtis replied and resumed his seat at theptop.


    His fingers flew over the keys, tracing the digital footprints of the intruder, but after several minutes, he shook his head in frustration. ¡°I can only trace the hacker¡¯s IP to somewhere in Riverdale. Pinpointing the exact location is a no¨Cgo.¡±


    -Even You


    can¡¯t track them down? Sounds like this hacker¡¯s skills might top yours.¡± Wyattmented from the sidelines. His voice was heavy with implication.


    Curtis leaned back in his chair. His eyes were deep and focused on the screen. ¡°True. They¡¯re slick. They dodged the firewall, and covered their tracks. If I hadn¡¯t scrutinized themand log. I might¡¯ve missed it.¡±


    He paused, then added, ¡°Feels like they left this tiny loophole on purpose, as if waiting for us to find it.¡± Otherwise, a hacker, who was skilled enough to infiltrate so silently and erase their traces, wouldn¡¯t have left such an oversight.


    ¡°It¡¯s a tant provocation,¡± muttered Wyatt.


    Curtis nced at him, with a wry smirk touching his lips, but he remained silent. A system


    breach was one thing, but should anyone dare to step into the exhibit hall andy hands on the items within, they¡¯d face a web of traps and surveince.


    Wyatt dragged a chair over and ced it silently behind his boss, not daring to break the concentration with further chatter.


    James stood with his hands sped behind him. His gaze never left the surveince feed. The usual coldness on his face was reced with an air of lethal seriousness.


    Seeing this, Curtis gestured discreetly to the subordinate. The message was clear, and the mant exited swiftly.


    Closing hisptop, Curtis lifted his head, joining his boss in scrutinizing the vast array of surveince Images. Every corner, every person that appeared, was under their watchful eye. The absence of anomalles was, paradoxically, the anomaly. If someone had chosen this moment to hack the system, it meant the unseen enemy had begun to make their move.


    A cold smile yed on Curtis¡® lips, and his rugged face took on an even edgier look. He stood up decisively. ¡°I¡¯ll head to the scene and keep an eye out.¡±


    Without another word, he strode out of the control room, ready to face whatever


    wasing.

 Chapter 273

    Mirabe strolled leisurely into the exhibition hall, taking her time as she wandered through the disys. Of course, due to the museum¡¯s strict policies, all the artifacts and treasures were secured behind special counters, safely ensconced under ss made of a unique material. Visitors were <b>only </b>allowed to admire the pieces from a distance of one meter.


    The exhibition spanned two floors. On the ground level, artifacts dating from the 15th century to thete 19th century were showcased, and their value was beyond any conceivable estimate.


    After <b>perusing </b>the first floor without finding what she hade to see, Mirabe made her way to the second floor. The second¨Cfloor collection was even more illustrious, with items so precious they could easily be deemed world¨Css treasures. The security here was tighter. than downstairs, with surveince that left no corner unchecked.


    Standing at the foot of the stairs, Mirabe casually adjusted the brim of her baseball cap as if by ident, then sidestepped towards a wall niche. She then slipped out a pair of seemingly ordinary sses and put them on. Instantly, her vision was filled with a dense grid of infrared beams surrounding the rare exhibits. To trigger one would sound the rm, and some of these. security measures were even potentially lethal. The designated pathways, set a meter from the disys, were the only safe zones.


    Mirabe smirked, tilting her cap even further, and took a quick nce around the second¨Cfloor gallery. Less than a minuteter, she removed the sses and tucked them away.


    At the center <b>of </b>the exhibition<b>, </b>under the most advanced security apparatus,y an emrald. pendant adorned with an intricate pattern. Its splendor was enhanced by the focused lighting of the disy case. The emerald was practically wless. Its lifelike carvings were a testament to the craftsmanship of that era. Mirabe¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration. ¡°Truly a stunning piece,¡± she murmured.


    The second¨Cfloor gallery had other visitors apart from Mirabe, including a small group of onlookers and two people who stood with their arms crossed, seemingly engrossed in a conversation about the emerald ¨C all in unknownnguage.


    Meanwhile, Curtis emerged from the control room backstage and entered the first¨Cfloor exhibition through an internal passage. His sharp gaze swept over the visitors. Detecting nothing amiss, he slowly made <b>his </b>way upstairs.


    His glossy dress shoes made a soft ck against the stairs. He was d in a dark suit, and his aura was undeniably foreboding. Soon, he reached the top of the staircase and stood poised at thending.


    Through his earpiece, his team reported no unusual activity. His gaze first settled on the pendant disy at the center of the hall before shifting to the crowd who was admiring it.


    Mirabe nced at her wristwatch and, seeing the time, decided to head to the restroom. She had only taken a few steps when she felt a piercing gaze sweep over her. Voices from downstairs suggested a security check was underway.


    10:4


    With a subtle narrowing of her eyes, she continued forward nonchntly. The intense scrutinysted but a moment before moving away. She pressed her lips together, with a faint trace of concern flickering across her face.


    Before she reached the corridor leading to the restrooms, the bright lights of the exhibition hall. suddenly went out. Darkness enveloped her, and panic ensued as startled cries echoed throughout the space.


    In the enveloping ckness, Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a sly grin. She remained still, once again donning her night vision sses. Her gaze, now unobstructed by darkness, focused precisely on the central disy case housing the emerald pendant. The two peoplewho had been near the case were now nowhere to be seen.

 Chapter 274

    Chapter <b>274 </b>


    In the gallery¡¯s video surveince <b>backroom</b>, James was lounging in his chair. His gaze rested casually on the array of screens before him. Though darkness had enveloped the exhibit hall below, the monitors told a different story, painting a picture that was far from pitch ck.


    Wyatt stood by James¡® side. His eyes too were fixed on the surveince feed.


    Downstairs, the main exhibit hall was in utter chaos, while the upper level was even more crowded. The sudden ckout <b>had </b>triggered a panicked stampede among the visitors, who, stumbling in the dark, were more likely to trip the infrared beams.


    Tripping those beams would set off the gallery¡¯s intricate traps, potentially harming many. Considering the guests were a mix of national and international elites and tycoons, an incident in the gallery could lead to a public rtions nightmare.


    Wyatt, with a face ashen as storm clouds, said, ¡°Boss, we might have to shut down all the security mechanisms.¡±


    Damn it, those bastards actually dared to pull this off, using human lives to force them into disabling the gallery¡¯s security system.


    James¡® fingers were idly drumming on the armrest of his chair. His expression was as serene as a summer sky. After several seconds, he uttered a nonchnt ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Wyatt ryed a fewmands into his headset. Instantly, the entire array of the gallery¡¯s lethal security devices, including the infrared sensors, was deactivated.


    ¡°Lock down all the exits,¡± James said coolly.


    Wyattplied.


    ¡°Seal off the stairways between the first and second floors.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Activate the corridor infrared rm.¡±


    ¡°Turn on the signal jammer.¡±


    ¡°Start up the¡­¡±


    Eachmand flowed from James in a calm, measured sequence, showing no sign of perturbation despite the disarray below.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was blending into the crowd. Her head never once tilted upward to nce at the ceiling since she had entered the gallery. She was aware of the countless cameras hidden and visible overhead. Despite the darkness shrouding the gallery, she knew the backroom screens would be as clear as daylight.


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze narrowed slightly as she noted the infrared beams around the artifacts had been turned off. It meant anyone could now approach these treasures without the risk of


    10:43


    triggering the traps. Although the items could be safely taken, whether one could leave the gallery alive was apletely different matter.


    Soon, the two people who had vanished from sight reappeared as if they had been waiting for this moment. Their goal was clear: to snatch the jade centerpiece of the exhibit.


    Amidst the crowd, Mirabe watched their actions and shook her head. She wondered which underground ring had sent such inept thieves ¨C it was almost unbearable to watch.


    They were bold enough to bet on the gallery¡¯s security being disabled with the lives of many. but how could they fail to see that the entire gallery was already a spider¡¯s web?


    Did they really think the emerald pendant was just sitting there for the taking?


    Just as the two people began to cut a small section of the ss casing with a precision cutter, Curtis, who had already locked onto the pair like a predator, silently instructed his men to close in on them.


    Mirabe nced at Curtis. His scar running from his ear to the back of his head was unforgettable. She touched her nose thoughtfully, then turned her attention back to the oblivious foreign thieves, unable to bear the sight any longer.


    She fiddled with the watch on her wrist.

 Chapter 275

    As her fingers danced across the buttons next to her wristwatch, the camera overhead seemed to fritz out, and the monitor room¡¯s feed remained frozen on the scene where Curtis had just approached the two people. It was as if the image was stuck in time.


    Now was her moment. Mirabe made her move.


    In the security hub.


    ¡°Uh, the second floor¡¯s feed¡¯s got the jitters.¡± Wyatt, who was vigntly watching every corner, quickly noticed that the entire feed from the second¨Cfloor gallery had be static.


    ¡°Signal interference.¡± James spat out coldly, as a familiar scenario unfolded before him.


    He rose from his chair. His gaze swept over the second¨Cfloor gallery screen before locking onto a figure in the crowd. It was a person wearing a baseball cap, never once lifting his head. He pointed amanding finger. ¡°Check out that guy¡¯s ID.¡±


    There was something about the cap¨Cwearer that set off his instincts, despite the person¡¯s. seemingly normal appearance.


    After giving the order, James strode out with an air of deadly seriousness. Wyatt nced in the direction his boss had left, then quickly instructed his team to spring into action. He too


    stepped out of the security room.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe silently counted the seconds. At the precise moment the ss case. housing the emerald was cut open, she closed in on the two people, reaching in first and effortlessly lifting the artifact out. Her speed was so swift that those two barely registered what had happened.


    Mirabe nced down at the artifact, admiring its beauty, but as her fingers touched its base, she frowned. Had she really spent a good fifty bucks on cab fare for this fake trinket?


    Mirabe¡¯s expression darkened in an instant, and she stuffed the object back into the case. Whoever wanted it could take it.


    When the people came to their senses and saw the emerald back in its ce, fear shed across their eyes.


    Suddenly, Mirabe felt the air thicken with a new, potent sense of danger. She lifted her gaze but couldn¡¯t spot the source of this malice. Taking a step back, she sidestepped Curtis¡® advance and quickly headed towards the restroom corridor.


    Under her watchful eye, the corridor entrance wasced with a densework of infrared beams. Anyone approaching would be immediately detected, especially with two guards stationed there.


    ncing back, Mirabe noticed the esctors to both the first and second floors had been


    shut down.


    Her signal jammer would be cracked in a minute, tops<b>. </b>By her calctions<b>, </b>she had about ten seconds before the security feeds were back online, which meant she had to get out in less


    than that.


    Mirabe sifted through the building¡¯s escape routes in her mind and then set her sights on the nearby fire rm. With the security personnel distracted, she stealthily approached and smashed her hand down on the rm.


    Instantly, the shrill sound of the building¡¯s rm system filled the air, amplifying the fear already lurking in the hearts of the visitors shrouded in darkness.


    In the gloom, the lone, illuminated emergency exit sign seemed like a beacon to everyone there. In an instant, the basic human instinct for survival kicked in. Without a moment to ponder what had transpired, everyone rushed towards the exit indicated by the sign.


    Even the most sophisticated of technologies could not contain the primal survival instinct of a crowd in panic. Thus, the sealed passages were forced open.

 Chapter 276

    Mirabe adjusted her cap firmly on her head. Just a second before the jammer ceased its buzzing, she took down the two guards stationed at the corridor entrance with swift grace, leaving them sprawled on the floor. With no one left to stand in her way, she blended seamlessly into the crowd and strolled out of the gallery without a hitch.


    As she departed, a chilling sense of danger grazed her, but she didn¡¯t bother to look back.


    After a brief ckout, the gallery¡¯s lights flickered back to life, and the normality was restored as if by magic. The shrill of the rm had been silenced in less than a minute.


    The chaos that had erupted was swiftly managed by the security team<b>, </b>and order was reinstated. Aside from those who had exited through the emergency passageways, and a small cut on the ss case that once secured the emerald, it was as if nothing had transpired.


    Those visitors who hadn¡¯t yet left were cordially escorted to the VIP lounge. When Wyatt ascended to the second¨Cfloor gallery to report, he was met with a re from his boss that could curdle milk. He didn¡¯t dare say more than necessary.


    James stood before the now¨Cvulnerable ss case. His eyes were fixated on the emerald inside. After a few seconds, he tilted his head slightly. ¡°Let everyone go.¡±


    Wyatt blinked in surprise. ¡°But we haven¡¯t finished screening everyone¡­¡±


    ¡°No need. The person we¡¯re looking for has already left,¡± James said tly.


    At that moment, Curtis, who had finished interrogating two suspects, approached. ¡°Boss, those two have spilled the beans. The person who took the emerald and then returned it isn¡¯t one of their crew.¡±


    Curtis hadn¡¯t been wearing night vision goggles, but he was aware of someone approaching him at the time. He hadn¡¯t expected the intruder¡¯s speed and agility, which allowed them toplete the task and trigger the rm in under twenty seconds.


    ¨C


    Wyatt recalled the individual in a baseball cap that his boss had ordered to be checked out in the surveince room. He asked his team through the earpiece about any updates. Seconds.ter, Wyatt ryed, ¡°The person you asked about, James, he¡¯s got no records. It¡¯s as if he¡¯s appeared out of thin air.¡±


    ¡°Who is it?¡± Curtis turned to Wyatt.


    Wyatt pulled out his phone, showing Curtis the snapshot taken from the surveince feed. ¡°This one.¡±


    Despite the clear image, the individual¡¯s head was covered with the cap, never once lifted, which concealed not only the face but even the gender from the cameras.


    Because of the extensive surveince coverage in the gallery, there were no personnel


    stationed inside. After making inquiries, it was clear that no one, not even the guards at the main entrance or the two who had been knocked out, had noticed the person in the baseball cap. This was a clear indication that the individual was a pro with exceptional skills in avoiding. detection.


    Curtis zoomed in on the photo. The cap was nondescript, and although he had seen the cap in the surveince room before, he hadn¡¯t paid close attention to the person beneath it.


    ¡°Could this be the same person who stole the Flying Apsara two years ago?¡± Curtis mused with a grave tone.


    Wyatt looked up, surprised. ¡°I doubt it. If it were them, they would¡¯ve swiped the piece without any fanfare, right?¡±


    This level ofmotion didn¡¯t match the thief¡¯s known style.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s anyone¡¯s guess.¡± Curtis paused, and then added, ¡°But there¡¯s one thing that puzzles me. If he had the emerald in his possession, why return it?¡±


    ¡°Do you think he realized it was a fake?¡± Wyatt stroked his chin, arriving at the only usible conclusion.


    Curtis shot Wyatt a look, replying, ¡°Impossible. Even a specialist can¡¯t identify authenticity instantaneously, let alone under those circumstances.¡±

 Chapter 277

    ¡°Well, this is a real head¨Cscratcher,¡± Wyatt muttered under his breath, turning his attention to James who had been unusually quiet. ¡°Sir, what¡¯s your take on today¡¯s fiasco?<b>¡± </b>


    James was the only one who had had any contact with the person who had managed to snatch the device, albeit briefly. And although the perpetrator had slipped through their fingers before they could properly nab him, Wyatt always trusted his boss¡® judgment.


    James¡® gaze was detached. His eyes were not quite focusing on anything in particr. After a moment he finally spoke, ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    At his words, both Wyatt and Curtis fell into a contemtive silence. If even James wasn¡¯t sure, then they had to consider that today¡¯s slippery foe was on par with the one who had stolen the device thest time.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep digging,¡± Curtis said in a low tone.


    James¡® gaze drifted off, signaling the end of the conversation.


    After Mirabe left the exhibition hall, she didn¡¯t head straight back to her hotel. Instead, she instructed her driver to take a leisurely detour around the city before finally returning to her amodation.


    Her phone had been switched off the entire time, and she only powered it back on once she was safely in her room. The moment her phone came to life, it was bombarded with a barrage of messages and alerts from Messenger, not to mention several missed call notifications.


    The calls were from Mr. Hammond, and they were all made within thest half hour. Ignoring the texts and Messenger for the moment, Mirabe quickly dialed Mr. Hammond back.


    It was already past three in the afternoon, and the results of the finalpetition should have been announced.


    As soon as the call connected, Mr. Hammond picked up immediately; as if he had been waiting for her to get in touch. ¡°Mirabe, your phone¡¯s finally on. I¡¯ve been trying to reach you for ages,¡± Mr. Hammond¡¯s voice sounded urgent.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes dropped slightly as she searched for an excuse, ¡°I went out for a bit, phone died.¡±


    Mr. Hammond was standing near the flower beds at the base of the Prestige College administration building, taking a deep breath before asking. ¡°Did you check your results yet?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± she drawled, ncing at the time. Hearing a hint of something unusual in Mr. Hammond¡¯s voice, she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Uh, Mr. Hammond, are my results¡­?¡±


    Before she could voice her concerns that her performance might have been less than ster, Mr. Hammond cut in, stopping her words.


    On the other end, the principal of Prestige College was calling for Mr. Hammond, who politely nodded in acknowledgment to someone before interjecting. ¡°Ah, you did great, but I can¡¯t talk right now. The principal just asked me to fill out some paperwork for your schrship nomination. I¡¯ll send you a pass shortly. Be sure toe over to the administration building at Prestige College ASAP. Gotta go.¡±


    After saying that, Mr. Hammond hung up before Mirabe could respond.


    Holding her phone, Mirabe soon received a picture message from Mr. Hammond. She checked it and didn¡¯t waste any time, changing back into the outfit she had worn for her exams. that morning, and quickly left her room.


    Minutester, Mirabe arrived at the gates of Prestige College, showing the guard the pass Mr. Hammond had sent her.


    The guard remembered her as the most stunning student from the exams and was quite friendly, allowing her entry without much fuss.


    Being easy on the eyes had its perks, as the guard even helpfully pointed out the way to the administration building. Mirabe thanked him politely and followed the directions to the building.


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s detailed instructions were for an office on the third floor. Reaching the first floor, she eyed the elevator for a second but then decided to take the stairs next to it.

 Chapter 278

    Mirabe ascended the stairs to the third¨Cfloor corridor and surveyed the area ¨C all offices as far as the eye could see. She pulled out her phone and shot a quick message to Mr. Hammond via Messenger<b>. </b>


    It wasn¡¯t long before Mr. Hammond emerged from an office at the very end of the hallway. Spotting Mirabe, he waved her over with a casual flip <b>of </b>his hand.


    With measured strides, Mirabe approached him. ¡°Mr. Hammond,¡± she greeted, nodding slightly.


    Today. Mr. Hammond¡¯s face bore none of its usual stern austerity. Instead, he was practically beaming with a joyous radiance. ¡°Mirabe, you got here pretty quick,¡± he remarked with a hint of cheeriness in his voice.


    He began walking back into his office, with Mirabe following suit. Inside, there were three other teachers. One had been an invigtor for the past few days, another was the physics professor referred to by Matthew at lunch, and the third was someone Mirabe hadn¡¯t met before. Mirabe greeted the three teachers with a polite nod of acknowledgment.


    The unfamiliar man, who turned out to be the head of the records department, held a document in his hand. Upon Mirabe¡¯s entrance, he looked up, with a yful jab at the ready. ¡°Hammond, do all the bright sparks at your school alsoe with such high¨Ccaliber looks?¡±


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s eyebrows arched mischievously. ¡°Absolutely. Our school is all about substance and style ¨C we¡¯ve earned our stripes.¡±


    The head shook his head slightly, then handed Mirabe the document along with a pen. ¡°Youngdy, fill this out for us, will you? There¡¯s a desk by the window ¨C take a seat there.¡±


    Mirabe thanked him, took the documents, and made her way to the indicated desk. She sat down and began to fill out the form with earnest precision. It was simr to an enrollment form but far more detailed<b>, </b>even requiring her to specify her intended major after graduation.


    Meanwhile, the physics professor, who had been sipping water, sidled up to Mr. Hammond and inquired, ¡°Hey, Hammond, I¡¯m curious. With scores like Mirabe¡¯s in physics, why didn¡¯t shepete inst year¡¯s Physics Olympiad?¡±


    The professor¡¯s interest had piqued after seeing the final contest results, especially when he learned that someone had solved his challenging physics problem. He had dug up the student¡¯s test paper for a closer look and was astounded by the sheer talent on disy. The final problem he issued was a high¨Ccaliber physics question, developed based on internationalpetition standards, a brain teaser so sophisticated that even university freshmen might struggle to unravel it promptly. However, this teen prodigy, Mirabe from Parkside High School tamed this beast of a problem. But what¡¯s even more astonishing is that, she tackled it using the solution methods endorsed at an internationalpetition level.


    Mr. Hammond nced at the professor. ¡°Becausest year, she wasn¡¯t a student at our


    10:44


    Parkside High School.¡±


    The professor expressed his regret. ¡°If she hadpeted in the Olympiadst year, she might have ranked well.¡±


    Mr. Hammond paused before sighing. ¡°Yeah, that problem fromst year that only one person solved? That would¡¯ve been a piece of cake for our Mirabe. If she had participated, we¡¯re not just talking about ranking ¨C she could¡¯ve been a contender for the top spot.¡±


    The professor blinked, and then his realization dawned. ¡°Wait, Hammond, are you saying she could¡¯ve solved that physics problem?¡±


    Mr. Hammond straightened up, and his pride was evident. ¡°Oh, that? Piece of cake. A mere trifle.¡±


    He mentally kicked himself for not saving the solution on his phone ¨C it would¡¯ve saved him from having to convince everyone that, yes, it was indeed true.

 Chapter 279

    At that moment. Mirabe hadpleted the application form and stood up, walking towards the Dean of Prestige College. With a polite nod, she handed over the form.


    The Dean of Prestige College had barely extended his hand to receive the form when physics professor swooped in and grabbed it first, prompting a puzzled nce from the dean.


    The physics professor only skimmed the form, but his focus sharpened when he saw the intended major section. His eyebrows shot up in surprise when he <b>noted </b>that the youngdy. had chosen the biology department. He felt his blood pressure surge as if he were experiencing an invisible storm.


    Lifting his gaze to meet Mirabe¡¯s, he questioned with a tinge <b>of </b>agitation, ¡°Your physics grades are ster. Why aren¡¯t you considering physics as your major?¡±


    ¡°I have a bit more interest in biological research.¡± Mirabe replied after a moment¡¯s contemtion.


    ¡°What¡¯s so great about biology? I think you¡¯re cut out for physics. Change it. Don¡¯t waste such a talent,¡± the professor urged, pointing to the relevant section on the form with a look of heartfelt


    distress.


    Mirabe touched the tip of her nose, wondering if it was even possible to bepelled to change her major on the spot. This was the esteemed physics professor that Matthew had spoken of with such respect. Would he take offense if she rejected his advice?


    Seeking an ally, Mirabe turned to Mr. Hammond, who was standing nearby.


    Mr. Hammond, having witnessed the exchange, cleared his throat and deftly retrieved the application form from the professor¡¯s hands. He then handed it back to the Dean of Prestige College, saying, ¡°Choosing a major should really be about the student¡¯s personal interests. Besides, Wade has also expressed interest in having Mirabe join his department. We shouldn¡¯t force her hand.¡±


    Suddenly recalling a recent event, the physics professor blurted out, ¡°That exins why Wade rushed to drag me away at lunch. He was nning this all along!¡± He realized that there had been an intentional effort to keep him in the dark about the youngdy¡¯s impressive scores, to poach her for the biology department.


    Cunning move!


    Mr. Hammond, not quite following, looked at him questioningly. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    The professorughed bitterly and didn¡¯t borate; instead, he muttered, ¡°Such shameless tactics, leading the young astray, tsk!¡±


    He took a deep breath and turned back to Mirabe, speaking earnestly, ¡°Kid, there¡¯s no rush to pick a major. You¡¯ve still got the better part of a year before your finals. Think it over, but don¡¯t squander your gift.¡±


    <ol start="10">


    <li>10<b>. </b></li>


    </ol>


    Mirabe felt a disconnect between the kind¨Clooking professor before her and Matthew¡¯s description of him.


    After a pause, the professor pulled out his phone and said, ¡°You have Messenger, right? Add me. If you ever have questions about physics, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out.¡±


    And so, Mirabe¡¯s phone contacts expanded to include another mentor eager to teach her¨Ca chef, a pharmacist, and now, a physicist.


    Shortly thereafter, the physics professor excused himself due to othermitments. Before he left, he made a point to remind Mirabe to reach out to him online with any questions, to which she could only manage a polite nod and a couple of half¨Chearted ¡°sure¡± responses.


    Once the professor had departed, the Dean of Prestige College filed Mirabe¡¯s paperwork. He retrieved a trophy and a certificate of honor from a cab, both prepared in anticipation of her visit.


    ¡°Congrattions,¡± he said, handing her the awards.


    Mirabe epted the trophy and certificate with a gracious ¡°thank you,¡± her eyes finally settling on the certificate. National Champion, it read, with her score of 200 points printed below.


    A perfect score, once again.


    Alright, it seemed there were still shortcuts to sess.


    Soon after, Mirabe and Mr. Hammond left the hallowed halls of Prestige College.


    As they walked, Mr. Hammond spoke with newfound anticipation in his voice, ¡°Next up is the internationalpetition.¡±

 Chapter 280

    Clutching the trophy in her arms. Mirabe listened silently to Mr. Hammond¡¯s words, not uttering a sound.


    ¡°Internationalpetitions are brimming with talent. Today¡¯s questions would just be a warm¨Cuppared to the ones on the world stage. Our students who¡¯ve gone abroad may <b>have </b>been national champions here but had not even made the top ten there.¡±


    Mr. Hammond shook his head with a wry smile, then nced sideways at Mirabe and added. ¡°Mirabe, among all thepetitors over the years, you¡¯ve consistently scored perfectly. I believe you have a shot at breaking into the top ten.


    Before, he had thought that any international ranking would do, even if it were the twentieth or thirtieth. However, after today¡¯s nationalpetition results, he felt that Mirabe¡¯s abilities far surpassed his expectations.


    He didn¡¯t dare dream of the number one spot internationally, but the top ten¡­ that seemed within the realm of possibility. What if miracles happened?


    Standing at the curb, with the traffic light still red, Mirabe tilted her head towards Mr. Hammond and said quite seriously, ¡°I think you could set a more precise goal¡±


    Mr. Hammond blinked in confusion, not quite understanding her.


    As the light turned green, Mirabe stepped onto the crosswalk and floated out the words. ¡°Like, first ce.¡±


    Mr. Hammond¡¯s eyes widened, stunned by her seemingly preposterous assertion for a good five seconds before he caught up with her stride.


    First ce was such a daunting goal. Watching Mirabe¡¯s slender figure walk ahead, her back straight and exuding an innate air of arrogant confidence, a bubbling excitement ignited within


    him.


    Perhaps¡­ it was worth anticipating.


    After returning to the hotel, Mirabe rested briefly before packing her bags for the seven. o¡¯clock flight back to Ashford. It was already approaching five. They would soon gather to head to the airport.


    While waiting for the flight, Mirabe found time to buy some gifts. The gifts were for her two lovable parents and two funny brothers, whom she loved dearly.


    With gifts purchased and time to spare, Mirabe ced her items at her feet, then pulled out her earphones,unched the music app, and cued up Neon Paradox in her favorites to y on a loop.


    That was when a text message popped up. It was from an anonymous, hidden number.


    (Causing such amotion at the Riverdale Antiquities Exhibition wasn¡¯t your handiwork, was


    it?]


    Mirabe touched her nose and quickly replied: [I was studying. Who¡¯s got the time?]


    Anonymous: [¡­¡­]


    Anonymous: [I guessed not. It¡¯s not your style.]


    Mirabe pursed her lips, no longer interested in engaging with the stranger, and stopped replying. She pocketed her phone, pulled her hoodie over her head, and closed her eyes to rest.


    At half¨Cpast nine, the nended on time at Ashford airport. Mirabe, pulling her luggage, walked out while powering up her phone.


    Several missed calls and a bunch of messages on Messenger awaited her.

 Chapter 281

    The barrage of messages and missed calls were all from the two overgrown brothers. They were currently making their way through the airport.


    Mirabe replied with a quick voice message before striding confidently toward the exit, her suitcase trailing behind her. In no time, she breezed through the checkpoint and immediately spotted Zach¡¯s familiar figure. She quickened her pace, heading straight for him.


    ¡°Zach.¡±


    Without a word, Zach took over the suitcase and therge shopping bag from her grasp, his concern evident in his voice. ¡°You must be tired, huh?¡±


    ¡°Not too bad.¡± Mirabe arched an eyebrow before scanning around the area. ¡°Where¡¯s Leo? Wasn¡¯t he supposed toe with you?¡±


    Zach¡¯s face darkened at the mention of Leo, and he replied, irritationcing his tone. ¡°That .doofus is in the car waiting for you.¡±


    A twitch of amusement yed on Mirabe¡¯s lips she had a hunch Leo had managed to get on Zach¡¯s nerves again.


    ¡°I told him to wait at home, but he insisted oning. Honestly, with his national boyfriend looks, what good could possiblye from him showing up here<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Zach practically growled the words, his mind reying the near¨Ccrushing encounter with Leo¡¯s fans, a surge of irritation tempting him to throw a punch or two.


    National boyfriend looks¡­ Mirabe covertly nced at her brother Zach, finding the description annoyingly urate.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe tried to soothe the tension. ¡°Ease up, Zach. Leo can¡¯t help it if he¡¯s got a fanbase. It¡¯s understandable they¡¯d recognize him.¡±


    That, however, didn¡¯t do much to lift Zach¡¯s spirits. Ever since Leo moved back home, Zach felt like he was bing increasingly invisible.


    A few minutester, they reached the parking lot. As they approached the car, Zach spotted Leo already opening the car door, seemingly ready to hop out. His re was sharp and warning. ¡°Have your fans left, huh?¡±


    Hearing this, Leo instantly withdrew his foot, and as he leaned forward to speak, a suitcase was shoved in, forcing him to scoot over.


    ¡°The trunk¡¯s packed, Leo. Squeeze in a little, will ya?¡± Zach dumped the suitcase and shopping bag onto the back seat with an emotionless face before mming the car door shut.


    Leo was left in a state of bewilderment.


    ¡°Mira, you take the front seat.¡± Zach spoke as he gantly opened the passenger door for


    Mirabe.


    Leo was still a picture of confusion.


    Mirabe quietly took her seat in the passenger side, but not before catching a glimpse of Leo¡¯s baffled expression in the rearview mirror, shaking her head in resignation. Poor Leo was always the one getting picked on.


    By the time they got home, it was already half¨Cpast ten. Their folks had been waiting in the living room, each holding a confetti popper. As soon as Mirabe stepped through the door. they simultaneously triggered the poppers. Instantly, ribbons and a shower of colorful confetti rained down on her head.


    ¡°Congrattions to our schrly superstar for clinching first ce in the finals!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it for the champ.¡±


    The couple beamed with pride, taking turns to embrace their daughter.


    Caught off¨Cguard by her parents¡® exuberant wee, Mirabe stood rooted to the spot, two strands of confetti dangling before her eyes. She nced sideways at the gleeful grins stered on their faces ¨C if they were happy, then so be it. Her lips curled up, almost without her consent.


    Once in the living room, Mirabe began distributing the gifts she had bought at the airport, one for each family member.


    ¡°Why does Zach get a fancy pen, and I get this?¡± Leo¡¯s voice, filled with mock indignation, drifted from across the room.

 Chapter 282

    Clutching the panda plushie that seemed to inte upon liberation from its vacuum seal, Leo¡¯s eyes simmered with a brooding gaze at Mirabe.


    Mirabe cleared her throat with a hint of awkwardness. ¡°The panda is a treasure, you know, sort of mascot. And all your fans call you their lucky charm, Leo. I think it¡¯s <b>fitting</b>.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the same!¡±


    Leo felt his image as the cool older sibling was shattered entirely. He even suspected that his sister had started treating him like a younger brother. No, scratch that, not even a brother<b>, </b>considering the fluffy toy Mirabe gifted him was the kind only little girls adored.


    Zach, observing Leo¡¯s look of utter despair, couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense ofpletion. Indeed, his sister¡¯s knack for knocking people down a peg seemed even more brutal than his own.


    As Mirabe parted her lips to speak, Shawn interjected. ¡°If you don¡¯t want it, can I have it? I¡¯ve been looking for a cute little thing to put on my bedside table,¡± said Shawn, shooting a nce at his youngest son.


    Upon hearing this. Leo, albeit begrudgingly and under intimidating paternal pressure, mumbled a response. ¡°Who said I didn¡¯t want it?¡±


    Leo was at a loss for words. His status in this household seemed to be plummeting by the second.


    Delh, setting her perfume to the side, chimed in, ¡°By the way, darling, did you get any trophies?¡±


    Mirabe nodded, ¡°Yes.¡± With that, she made her way to her suitcase, flipped it open, and pulled out a trophy, a certificate of achievement, and a letter of unconditional eptance from Prestige College.


    The trophy and the certificate were symbols of honor, but it was that letter from Prestige College that truly carried weight.


    As Delh looked at the early eptance letter from Prestige College, her mind inexplic


    wandered back to the time when her daughter first returned home holding her eptance letter from Parkside High School. She remembered the doubt she had felt back then.


    Now, without even having sat her final exams, her daughter had secured a spot at Prestige College. Mulling over this, Delh¡¯s cheeks burned with a mix of pride and embarrassment. Her daughter seemed to be constantly redefining her expectations.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to snap a photo and show off our family genius on social media!¡± Shawn whipped out his smartphone, arranged the trophy, the certificate, and the eptance letter, and snapped photos from various angles. He crafted a coge and posted it to his social media.


    Mirabe, with a weary smile, let him be. She yawned, her face etched with fatigue. ¡°Mom, Dad, Zach, Leo, I¡¯m heading to bed. I¡¯ve got school early in the morning.¡±


    10.44


    ¡°Alright, honey.¡±


    As soon as Shawn posted the coge online, his socialwork was flooded with likes and adoringments


    Summer, meanwhile, was stewing as she scrolled through her Messenger and spotted the images of the trophy, the certificate, and the eptance letter to Prestige College. She clenched her phone so tightly that it nearly snapped.


    Again, Mirabe. Always Mirabe. Her name had practically taken over Summer¡¯s phone for the day. Social media and ss group chats were all about Mirabe¡¯s nationalpetition victory as if that first ce had elevated her to some kind of deity in everyone¡¯s eyes.


    Watching everyone fawn over her, Summer felt a wave of nausea. These people seemed to havepletely forgotten how they used to badmouth Mirabe. The sycophancy was nauseating.


    Tossing her phone aside, Summery in bed, restless and agitated. She couldn¡¯t fathom how someone so unremarkable in a previous life could suddenly transform into an utterly different


    person.

 Chapter 283

    Mirabe was a ssic underachiever, the kind of student who seemed destined to flunk out. yet now she¡¯d pulled aplete 180 and was topping the ss. She was once the soft¨Cspoken kid in school, a ma for bullies, but now shemanded respect and admiration from everyone¡­ Her life¡¯s trajectory was a far cry from the path she had tread in his previous life.


    Could it be that Mirabe had been <b>reborn</b>, too?


    This thought had crossed Summer¡¯s mind more than once, but every time she faced Mirabe¡¯s cool, detached demeanor, she felt like Mirabe was clueless about everything. This made Summer dismiss the idea.


    Yet, everything about Mirabe had changed since she returned to the Davis family from the countryside. In her past life, she would have never <b>set </b>foot in Parkside High School, let alonepete in the BrainSpark Nationals or snag a schrship spot at Prestige College. Now<i>, </i>not only was she attending Parkside High School, but she was excelling in an eerie, abnormal way that made it hard not to suspect something was up.


    If Summer could be reborn, then it was possible for Mirabe as well.


    Summer ran her hands through her hair, feeling a surge of resentment. It seemed so unfair Mirabe was given a second chance at life. Why did she have to be reborn after returning to the Gilbert family?


    The Gilberts were no match for the Davises. If only Summer hadn¡¯t returned to the Gilbert family and Mirabe had remained their daughter, things might have been better.


    Summer closed her eyes, forcing herself not to dwell on what couldn¡¯t be changed. With the memories of her past life, she was determined to carve her own path out of adversity. As for Mirabe, Summer could only hope that her suspicions were unfounded.


    Tonight was bound to be sleepless.


    Emmitt was restless, too, standing on his balcony. His gaze was drifting into the darkness of the neighborhood, as bleak as the depths of his own thoughts.


    He¡¯d seen the post his father shared on social media. That photo seemed to mock his past naivety,ughing at the fact that he had so foolishly misjudged his own sister.


    Staring at the post, he was at a loss for what to think or do next. No matter what actions he took now, he couldn¡¯t undo the hurt his doubts and misunderstandings had caused.


    Especiallytely, he couldn¡¯t shake the image of Mirabe¡¯s cold eves, silently using or perhaps mocking him, making himck the courage to face the Davis family again ¨C because he was the one who had erred.


    His presence would only disturb the tranquil atmosphere at home.


    Rubbing his tired eyes, Emmitt reached into his pocket and pulled out an empty cigarette pack. Noticing the pile of butts at his feet, he tossed the pack onto the balcony with a


    <b>10:45 </b>


    self¨Cdeprecating chuckle before finally heading back inside.


    The next morning, Mirabe got up and went through her morning routine before heading. downstairs.


    In the living room, her eyes fell on a trophy in the ss cab and the certificates jarringly adorning the wall, disrupting the home¡¯s aesthetic.


    Her father was engrossed in the morning paper and noticed her gaze on the trophy. Recalling. the enviousments praising his parenting skills on social media from the night before, pride beamed across his face. Suddenly remembering something, he said, ¡°Mira, your mother and I discussed itst night and decided to throw a celebration party for you. You should invite your ssmates and friends.¡±


    He was eager to showcase his daughter¡¯s achievements to the world.

 Chapter 284

    Mirabe sidled over to the sideboard and poured herself a ss of water. Taking a sip, she finally drawled a rejection. ¡°Let¡¯s not bother with it, shall we?¡±


    Throwing a party equaled spending money. Inviting guests equaled spending money.


    Shawn, who had already made a mental guest list and even picked out the venue, was taken aback when his daughter declined. He looked up at her<b>, </b>perplexed. ¡°Ah, why not?¡±


    Leaning casually against the wall, Mirabe said, ¡°It was just a <b>minor </b>contest, not worth splurging on.¡± In other words, spending money to celebrate apetition without prize money was just a loss.


    Shawn opened his mouth to exin, ¡°Darling, our family isn¡¯t exactly¡­¡± short on cash.


    Mirabe raised her hand mid¨Cair, cutting him off seriously. ¡°Dad, we should keep a low profile.¡±


    The corners of Shawn¡¯s mouth twitched in response. Once upon a time, it was Shawn who preached understatement, but now these words echoed from his daughter¡¯s lips. It was oddly disheartening.


    Mirabe had already turned and made her way to the dining room, leaving Shawn alone on the couch, his emotions tangled like a knotted ne. It felt like having a treasure you wanted to show off, yet you had to keep it hidden away¨Ca real downer.


    When breakfast time came around, Zach and Leo descended the stairs one after the other. Leo headed over, greeted everyone, and then naturally took his usual spot next to his sister.


    Zach, witnessing this, grimaced slightly. Talk about brotherly love! He also sat down for breakfast.


    Mirabe took a sip of milk and then nced at Leo. She noticed hisplexion was fair, and the toxins in his body hadn¡¯t spread. It seemed he had heeded her advice and taken his medicine.


    ¡°Why are you staring, Mira?¡± Leo blinked, his curly hair and groggy expression making him look adorably clueless.


    Suppressing the urge to ruffle his hair, Mirabe lowered her head to nibble on a bagel, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Leo sounded a bit disappointed, having hoped his sister wouldpliment his good looks for the day.


    After Mirabe polished off thest bite of her bagel and wiped her mouth clean with a napkin, she pulled out a small ss vial, no bigger than a shot of cough syrup, from her jacket pocket and ced it by Leo¡¯s hand.


    Leo paused before picking up the bottle. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    <b>10:45 </b>


    Zach, sitting across from them, looked on curiously.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed you¡¯ve been quite heated uptely, so I got you this. cooling detox remedy.¡±


    Leo eyed thebel¨Cless vial, which did not quite resemble the detox concoctions found in


    stores.


    ¡°Mirabe, I¡¯m feeling hot too. Do I get one?¡± chimed in Zach, feeling a tad left out.


    With a twitch of her lips and a half¨Csmile, Mirabe shot him a nce. ¡°I could give you an acupuncture session.¡±


    Zach hastily shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll pass.¡± Mirabe¡¯s smile in these situations was always somewhat terrifying.


    Leo had already unscrewed the cap and sniffed the vial. There was a faint scent of herbs, nothing overbearing.


    Leaning back in her chair, Mirabe rested an arm on the table edge, her posture ck but her presence somehow imposing. Leo nced at her, recalling thest time he neglected to take her prescribed remedy and the stern look she gave him. Cautiously, he asked, ¡°Do I just drink it like this?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mirabe answered softly, her gleaming eyeszy yet piercing.

 Chapter 285

    Leo withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath, tilted his head back, and downed the contents of the ss bottle. He braced himself for a bitter, nasty taste, but surprisingly, the remedy was


    virtually vorless. After he finished, he grabbed a nearby ss of water, took a few sips, and set it down.


    Mirabe watched him until he was done, then visibly rxed. She nced at her watch, stood up, and said sweetly. ¡°I¡¯m off to school now.¡± Her demeanor was a stark contrast to the solemn expression she had while watching Leo take his medicine.


    Shortly after, the sound of the door closing echoed. Leo¡¯s gaze followed her departure, and they couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Zach, do you ever notice how kinda intimidating our sister gets when she¡¯s serious?¡±


    Zach nced up, unimpressed, ¡°Hadn¡¯t noticed.¡± Even if he had, that wasn¡¯t something he was about to admit. What, and risk his pride?


    Just then, Leo straightened his back and rubbed the spot where he had been injured. The area was oddly warm, causing a slight shift in his expression.


    Zach, catching the change in Leo¡¯s demeanor, straightened up and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    Leo tilted his head, pressing on his spine, no longer feeling the usual stabbing pain when applying pressure. ¡°Weird, after taking that stuff Mirabe gave me, my injury feels kind of


    warm.¡±


    Considering Leo¡¯s words, Zach recalled the remedy Mirabe had given him in the past. After taking it, his chronic ailments hadn¡¯t bothered him since, and even his spirits had lifted significantly. With that thought, Zach said earnestly. ¡°You should get checked at the hospital again.¡± Pausing, he added, ¡°Mirabe wouldn¡¯t give you medicine for no reason.¡±


    Leo¡¯s gaze dropped, his fingers curling slightly. Since returning from Nick¡¯s, he had been trying not to dwell on his condition. He might have appeared nonchnt, but only he knew the thoughts that haunted him each night in bed, feeling no different from being crippled.


    A few days ago, Collins had suggested that Leo check out some alternative medicine. However, Leo refused, even though Collins told him Mirabe¡¯s medicine was precious. He just instinctively resisted the idea of more treatments.


    Disappointment had be too familiar, and hope was something Leo rarely allowed himself to feel. But now, with his body¡¯s genuine response, the eptance of his grim reality wavered.


    Maybe, just maybe, it was worth another shot.


    Pushing aside his thoughts, Leo nodded at Zach. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll go today.¡±


    Relieved that Leo wasn¡¯t being as stubborn as usual, Zach suggested, ¡°How about Ie with you?¡±


    ¡°No need, Zach. I¡¯ll have Collins join me. He knows a well¨Crespected alternative healer,¡± Leo


    10:45


    replied.


    ¡°Alright then, but call me if anythinges up,¡± Zach said, not insisting further<b>. </b>


    ¡°Will do.¡± Leo acknowledged, then pocketed the ss bottle that sat on the table.


    When Collins received a call from Leo, asking to schedule a medical appointment, he was taken aback. It wasn¡¯t like Leo to seek help proactively. So, Collins quickly rang up Niki, the healer they had met at the hospital, and set up a time to meet.


    In the afternoon, Collins and Leo arrived at Niki¡¯s alternative medicine clinic, hopeful for


    what was toe.

 Chapter 286

    Niki hadn¡¯t arrived yet, but he¡¯d already given the heads up to the folks at the holistic heating center, so Collins and Leo found themselves ushered into the lounge to wait


    Collins fidgeted in his chair, casting anxious nces toward the door every few seconds. Ever since hisst hospital visit, he¡¯d done his homework on this Niki character. It turned out that the guy was even more of a big deal than his friends had let <b>on</b>.


    A scion of a holistic healing dynasty <b>that </b>stretched back a century, Niki was renowned for his almost supernatural diagnostic skills. There were a few allments he couldn¡¯t unravel. But a master of his standing rarely made house calls anymore, and snagging an appointment him was like finding a four¨Cleaf clover.


    When Collins had reached out to Niki earlier, he wasn¡¯t sure what to expect. However, the healer had agreed to see them without any fuss.


    Collins turned to Leo, reiterating his earlier advice, ¡°Leo, remember to mind your manners, ¡°okay? It¡¯s a real stroke of luck to have a holistic healing guru like him take a look at you.¡±


    Leo¡¯s face was partially obscured by a mask, and he mumbled an indistinct acknowledgment.


    At three on the dot, Niki finally made his entrance. An apprentice beckoned Collins and Leo into Niki¡¯s private consultation room.


    As the door closed behind them, Collins nodded respectfully at Niki before gesturing toward Leo. ¡°Niki, this here¡¯s my buddy.¡±


    He hesitated before adding, ¡°My friend, uh, he can¡¯t really take off his mask¡­¡±


    Niki waved a dismissive hand. ¡°No worries, let¡¯s have a seat first.¡±


    Once Leo was seated at the examination table, Collins set down the stack of papers he¡¯d been carrying. ¡°These are all my buddy¡¯s medical records from overseas.¡±


    Niki slipped on his sses and began perusing the documents. After a few minutes, he set. them aside. Without any preamble, he motioned for Leo to extend his hand. After feeling Leo¡¯s pulse, Niki withdrew his hand, a slight frown on his face. ¡°Your pulse is peculiar. You¡¯ve been poisoned recently, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    Collins paused, then said, ¡°My friend hurt his bones a few months back. The docs said it was. nothing serious, but then they found severe spinal nerve damage. As for poison¡­ well, they didn¡¯t catch that.¡±


    Niki stroked his graying beard, pondering briefly. ¡°Like I told youst time, some poisons don¡¯t show up in the early blood tests.¡±


    Scratching his head, Collins asked, ¡°So, you believe that poisoning caused his condition? If we treat the poison, he¡¯ll make a full recovery?¡±


    Niki peered at Collins skeptically. ¡°The poison has already been treated.¡±


    ¡°Already treated? I¡¯m not following.¡± Collins said, baffled.


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, the poison was neutralized quite recently, right?¡± Niki¡¯s gaze settled on Leo. His tone was questioning, but his words were confident.


    Leo blinked, his mind racing back to the concoction Mirabe had insisted he drink that


    morning.


    Collins, catching on, ventured, ¡°Could it be the medicine he was prescribedst time? He¡¯s been taking it regrly.¡±


    He remembered Niki mentioning that the medicine was meant to detoxify and repair damaged nerves.


    Niki¡¯s expression softened as he recalled Collins¡® earlier ignorance. With a deep breath, he avoided looking at Collins, his voice carrying a hint of gravity. ¡°If he¡¯s been taking the medication consistently, then yes, that would exin it.¡±

 Chapter 287

    Niki paused mid¨Cthought, recalling <b>Leo¡¯s </b>pulse from earlier. ¡°<b>But</b>,¡± he ventured, ¡°you must have taken something else, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    The question was aimed at Leo, who fell silent for a couple of seconds before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a ss bottle and ced it on the table. ¡°Yeah, could you help me out here? I need to know if what was in this was for.¡±


    The bottle was empty, but traces of the substance still clung to the ss. Niki took the bottle<b>, </b>unscrewed the cap, and took a whiff. His eyes widened almost immediately, and he turned to Leo with an excited tone. ¡°Where in the world did you get this?¡±


    Leo had a hunch about what wasing next. After a brief silence, he replied. ¡°A friend gave it to me.¡±


    ¡°Is your friend in the medical field?¡± Niki pressed on.


    ¡°No,¡± Leo said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. The <b>medicine </b>hade from his sister, but if she wasn¡¯t medically inclined, how could she have known he¡¯d <b>been </b>poisoned and given him the antidote? Leo¡¯s mind buzzed with questions, but in Niki¡¯s presence, he forced them down.


    Niki set the bottle aside. ¡°Alright then,¡± he said, dropping the subject. He was disappointed but knew that whoever had concocted this remedy was no amateur in medicine¨Cperhaps far beyond his own expertise<b>. </b>


    Leo¡¯s hands were clenched tight. He fixed his gaze on Niki, full of hope. ¡°I want to ask your something else. If the poison in my body is gone as you said<b>, </b>is my spinal problempletely fixed?¡±


    Collins chimed in with urgency. ¡°Right, because he¡¯s an actor, you know. He¡¯s got to perform and dance¡­all that physical stuff. Is he all okay now?¡±


    Niki took a sip of his herbal tea, and didn¡¯t answer right away. ¡°Seems like you don¡¯t know much about your miracle¨Cworker friend.¡± The implication was clear: such a trivial concern should not even need to be voiced.


    Leo got the hint. Standing up, he nodded respectfully at Niki. ¡°Thanks for your time today.¡±


    Niki waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. I didn¡¯t really help you with anything.¡±


    After a few more questions, Collins and Leo thanked Niki several times before leaving the holistic health clinic.


    Once in the car<b>, </b>Collins started the engine and turned to Leo. ¡°So, that antidote¨Cwhere¡¯d you get it?¡±


    Leo still held the ss bottle, his gaze lowered. ¡°It was from my sister.¡±


    ¡°But wasn¡¯t Zach the only one who knew about your condition? How did your sister¡­?¡± Collins


    10:


    was puzzled.


    Leo looked at his manager with aplex expression. ¡°Don¡¯t ask. I don¡¯t know either.¡±


    He had taken the medicine because of Mirabe¡¯s forceful insistence. How could he admit to being pressured by her without feeling embarrassed?


    Collins shot Leo a disdainful look. ¡°You don¡¯t even understand your sister and call yourself a brother?<b>¡± </b>


    Leo was lost for words.


    ¡°Anyway, you should be grateful you¡¯ve got a sister,¡± Collins remarked thoughtfully.


    At that, Leo couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile. Yeah, his sister was like a lucky charm. Since she¡¯de back, everything seemed to have changed for the better.


    Right then, Leo¡¯s phone buzzed. As he pulled it out and saw who was calling, his eyebrows knitted together immediately.

 Chapter 288

    Collins nced at Leo with a hint of curiosity as his phone continued to buzz insistently on the table. ¡°Who¡¯s trying to reach you?¡±


    Leo tapped the end call button with a noticeably frosty tone. ¡°Just a scammer.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I get those all the time.¡± Collins remarked offhandedly. ¡°Block and forget, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Leo¡¯s gaze lingered on the call log disying the name Summer. His finger hovered over the screen for a few tense seconds before he reluctantly slid the contact into the block list.


    Switching off his phone. Leo shifted the conversation. ¡°So, when¡¯s Walker¡¯s reality show taping?¡±


    ¡°Not sure, the producers haven¡¯t reached out yet. I¡¯m expecting it to be around the end of the month,¡± Collins answered slowly.


    After a brief pause, an ironic snort escaped Collins. ¡°Lucky for you, you¡¯re back in good shape. Vicky¡¯s been hounding me, trying to snag that spot on Country Comfort for Jay.¡±


    Vicky. Jay¡¯s agent, was the same guy who had previously pressured Leo to give up his spot on Neon Paradox.


    ¡°Even if I hadn¡¯t recovered, I wouldn¡¯t have given it up.¡± Leo said coolly, reclining in his seat, his eyes sharp. Besides, this show was special ¨C Leo was going to be on it with his sister.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. Even if we handed the spot over to him, Walker probably wouldn¡¯t bite,¡± Collins quirked a corner of his mouth.


    Leo hummed in response, then turned to look out the car window. They were heading towards thepany, which made him shoot Collins a nce. ¡°Hey, Collins, I¡¯m still on vacation here.¡±


    ve you


    ¡°You¡¯re fit as a fiddle now. What vacation? Your fans are waiting for your new album. Have been writing songs at home? Practicing the piano? And when was thest time you updated your Twitter, over a month ago?¡± Collins rattled off a list of questions without pause.


    Leo responded, unruffled by his manager¡¯s inquisition, ¡°After all these years you¡¯ve had me on the grind, I think I¡¯m entitled to at least another month off, considering regr vacation time.¡± Collins looked at Leo as if he had spoken in tongues. ¡°Since when did you start talking like that? Have I ever stopped you from taking time off?¡±


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll keep resting until the variety show begins shooting,¡± Leo, already ustomed to hiszy days, decided to double down. ¡°Now, take me to Parkside High School. My sister¡¯s getting out soon.¡±


    ¦§


    Collins was shocked. You¡¯d think Mirabe was barely out of toddler years with the way Leo was acting.


    +


    Summer mustered all her courage to call Leo during the break, only to be met with a swift disconnection. She had initially thought he might be busy, but after the final bell rang and she tried again, the call dropped straight to an out¨Cof¨Cservice message. It didn¡¯t take a genius to deduce she had been blocked.


    Pale and disheartened, Summer lost the proud luster that usually graced her features. The night before, a photo on Shawn¡¯s social media had kept her tossing and turning. Today, a call from her agent urging her to secure a spot on the variety show with Leo, had forced her to reach out. Now¡­ she was blocked.


    If it weren¡¯t for Emmitt, who had done some recon on Leo¡¯s current stance for her, she really wouldn¡¯t have wanted to approach Leo personally.


    Taking a deep breath, Summer grabbed her purse from the desk and walked slowly out of the ssroom. She hadn¡¯t gotten far when her phone vibrated in her pocket. Summer stopped in her tracks and quickly pulled it out.

 Chapter 289

    Summer¡¯s eyes shed with unmistakable disappointment as she saw the caller 10 tight up o her phone screen. She had hoped it would be Leo,


    Hesitating for a brief moment, Summer still picked up the call with a gentle voice as she walked towards the school exit, ¡°Craig.¡±


    ¡°Did your brother agree to take you yet?¡± Craig cut straight to the chase,


    Summer¡¯s grip on the phone tightened. ¡°He might be busy. I haven¡¯t gotten through to him yet. Craig frowned upon hearing this and then pressed on. ¡°You¡¯ve got to hustle, you know. I¡¯ve done some digging, and I heard your brother has already signed the contract.¡±


    Summer was well aware that Leo would definitely be participating in the shows her current issue was not being able to reach him. What could she do?


    ¡°Yeah, you know, my brother¡¯s a busy guy. Sometimes it takes ages for him to reply to me.¡± Summer¡¯s gaze dropped slightly, her <b>tone </b>steady and calm.


    But as soon as she said this, a peculiar expression crossed Craig¡¯s face on the other end of the line. After a brief silence, he asked, ¡°Howe I heard your brother got injured and is on a break right now?¡±


    ¡°That can¡¯t be right?¡± Summer replied almost reflexively. She remembered from her past life that Leo had been injured ¨C a big fuss had been made about it, and he had eventually given up singing because of it. As for the exact timeline of the injury, she couldn¡¯t quite recall.


    In her previous life, she had floated through her days, unaware of the specific affairs of the Davis family. Later, when she discovered her biological family was one of the city¡¯s prominent ns, the sudden elevation to a life of luxury had fed her vanity, leading her to abandon the Davis family and return to the Gilberts.


    She looked down on the Davis family and didn¡¯t keep tabs on them after reuniting with the Gilberts, only to find out toote that the Davis family was exceedingly wealthy.


    your


    ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s just hearsay. You¡¯re his sister, so if you say there¡¯s nothing there, then I¡¯ll take


    word for it.¡± The agent¡¯s voice on the phone once again brought Summer out of her reverie. Unaware of the intricacies between the Gilbert and Davis families, Craig only knew of Summer¡¯s affluent background and her superstar brother. Thus, he rarely doubted what Summer said, though it asionally struck him as odd that her superstar brother never seemed to take her under his wing.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try contacting him again,¡± Summer tried to sound as normal as possible.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s leave it at that for now. We¡¯ll talkter.¡± With that, the call ended.


    Summer held her phone, tilting her head back. No matter what, she had to try again. Even if there had been past tensions, surely a decade of living together meant something.


    With this thought, her mood lifted slightly. She slipped her phone into her purse and continued walking out of the school gates.


    In the car.


    Collins¡® gaze remained fixed on the entrance of Parkside High School. ¡°When is Mirabe getting out?¡±


    A wave of students had already emerged, but there was no sign of Mirabe.


    Leo, who was scrolling through Twitter in the backseat, nced at the time, ¡°Should be any minute now.¡± After saying this, he put on a face mask, preparing to get out of the car.


    Seeing this, Collins, from the driver¡¯s seat, called out to him, ¡°Hold on, what are you doing getting out? With the way you¡¯re dressed today, you¡¯re bound to be recognized.¡±


    He paused, ¡°Did you forget the near chaos when you went to pick up your sister from the airportst night?¡± Collins said with a darkened expression.

 Chapter 290

    In the dead of the night, Collins was already tucked in when his phone erupted with a call from a colleague in the marketing department at thepany. Apparently, Leo had made the trending list again.


    And the rumor mill suggested Leo had picked up a girlfriend? Please!


    Collins shook his head in disbelief and said, ¡°Cut it out, will you? Just stay put in the car.¡± With that, Collins stepped out of the vehicle. He stood by the car, hands buried in his pockets, waiting.


    Summer had just exited the school gates and was scanning the area for the Gilbert family¡¯s car. It didn¡¯t take her long to spot Collins by the roadside. At first, she only found him vaguely familiar, but upon closer inspection, her eyes widened in recognition. He was Leo¡¯s manager, Mr. Collins, whom she had met a couple of times before.


    It was obvious he was waiting for someone. For her, maybe? With a flutter of excitement. Summer smoothed down her hair and sauntered over to Collins with aposed pace. As she approached, she greeted him with a smile, ¡°Hello, you¡¯re Leo¡¯s manager<b>, </b>Mr. Collins, right?¡±


    Collins had noticed Summer moving towards him from a distance, but it took a moment before he remembered who she was. Now, recognizing her, he straightened up and nodded politely.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    Summer nced at the car behind him, half¨Cexpecting to see Leo inside, but quickly returned her focus to Collins and asked, ¡°Mr. Collins, is Leo¡­<b>?</b>¡±


    She had barely begun her inquiry when Collins gestured towards the car, ¡°Leo is right in there. Are you looking for him?¡±


    At his words, Summer¡¯s expression flickered momentarily. The implication of ¡®Are you looking for him?¡® suggested that Collins wasn¡¯t there for her. And if he <b>wasn¡¯t </b>there for her, then he must¡¯ve been there for¡­ Mirabe.


    Summer¡¯s thoughts spun as she remembered her number had been blocked. She struggled to maintain herposure. Quickly nodding, she didn¡¯t wait for Collins to say more and tapped on the car window.


    Inside, Leo looked up to see Summer, his expression cold. He pressed the button to lower the window halfway, revealing just his eyes and forehead, before letting go. ¡°What do you want?¡± His voice was as icy as his demeanor.


    Summer¡¯s fingers clenched tightly at her sides, her nails digging into her skin without feeling the pain. She pursed her lips, her already pale and drawn face managing a smile that came across as more pitiful than pleasant.


    ¡°Leo, I tried calling you this afternoon but couldn¡¯t get through. Were you busy?¡± she asked softly<b>. </b>


    Collins was trying not to eavesdrop and couldn¡¯t help but cast a skeptical look at Leo in the car. If he remembered correctly. Leo¡¯s phone had only <b>rung </b>once that afternoon, and Collins had even asked who was calling. Leo had dismissed it as a scam call.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve been busy,¡± Leo replied, clearly unswayed by Summer¡¯s forlorn appearance. He had grown tired of her act of ying the victim at the drop of a hat. He wasn¡¯t in the mood to indulge her.


    Summer¡¯s face grew even paler, stung by his tant disregard for any sentiment. ¡°Leo, are your still upset about the foolish thing I did before?¡± Summer swallowed her pride, pleading. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was young and didn¡¯t think through the consequences.¡±


    Leo¡¯s lips twisted in irritation. ¡°We¡¯re not rted by blood. And as for the past.¡± He gave a disdainful snort. ¡°It¡¯s meaningless.¡±

 Chapter 291

    Leo¡¯s blunt deration that they were not blood¨Crted was a verbal blockade that instantly curtailed Summer¡¯s attempt to broach the subject of the reality show.


    If they had no blood ties, why on earth should he take her to a reality show? With no blood ties, what right did she have to spout nonsense here?


    Summer knew all too well that Leo had always been icy cold. Whenever he encountered someone he disliked, his words would spare them no dignity.


    ¡°Really, Leo? Must you be like this? True, we aren¡¯t rted by blood, but we¡¯ve lived as siblings for over a decade,¡± she protested.


    ¡°So, are you using that to guilt me into taking you to Walker¡¯s reality show<i>?¡± </i>Leo wasn¡¯t one to beat around the bush, and he cut right to the chase. ¡°Didn¡¯t Emmitt already deliver my answer to you? I made myself clear to him, and I doubt he failed to pass it on.¡±


    Summer¡¯s mouth hung open, and her eyes brimmed with tears. ¡°Is it really so hard for you to help me just this once?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but charity isn¡¯t my strong suit,¡± Leo retorted, spotting Mirabe¡¯s figure in the distance. He added. ¡°I¡¯m here to pick up my real sister. It¡¯s best you leave before there¡¯s any misunderstanding.¡±


    That final blow shattered the remnants of Summer¡¯s pride. She inhaled deeply, straightening her posture and masking her subservience with a nk expression. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this,¡± she said, her voiceced with contempt. With a scornfulugh, she turned on her heel and strode


    away.


    Mirabe approached just in time to catch Summer, <b>pausing </b>mid¨Cstep and casting a chilling nce her way. Without a word, they brushed past each other.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe turned to watch Summer¡¯s retreating figure, walking tall and proud. ¡°What¡¯s all this drama about?¡± she inquired with a hint of amusement.


    Collins, who had overheard the entire exchange, pieced together the conflict between Leo and Summer. He remembered suggesting that Leo take Summer to Walker¡¯s show, and how Leo instantly brushed that off. Clearly, there was some bad blood.


    But he couldn¡¯t help thinking, given Summer¡¯s pitiful demeanor, that she might have a ir for acting, perhaps more than for singing.


    Collins touched his nose thoughtfully before summarizing, ¡°She came begging Leo to take her to the reality show, but he t¨Cout rejected her.¡±


    Although Leo was seated in the car, Collins¡® words, said behind his back, were perfectly audible. Leo coughed loudly, ¡°Mira, get in the car.¡± Collins was truly out of line, bringing this up in front of Mirabe. What if it upset her?


    Mirabe¡¯s curiosity receded as she opened the rear car door and slid inside..


    Once seated, Leo¡¯s hand resting on his knee awkwardly squeezed his own flesh as he muttered. ¡°There¡¯s only one sister for me.¡± His demeanor was a stark contrast to the one he had shown Summer moments before.


    Catching a glimpse of Leo¡¯s uncharacteristically domestic behavior in the rearview mirror, Collins nearly dropped his eyes out of their sockets.


    Good heavens, was this the same Juztin known for his cool and aloof persona? If the fans ever caught wind of this side of him, they¡¯d be dropping like flies!


    Mirabe tilted her head towards Leo and simply responded, ¡°Oh.¡±


    At that, Leo ruffled his hair in frustration, insisting. ¡°You¡¯re the only sister I¡¯ve got.¡±


    Observing the scene, Collins silently covered his face. The image was crumbling, and Juztin¡¯s carefully crafted persona wasing undone.

 Chapter 292

    As Leo steered the car onto the open road, he nced sideways at Mirabe. After a pause, he asked. ¡°Mira, do you have some medical skills?¡±


    Mirabe, immersed in her phone and leaning against the car door, didn¡¯t even look up as she murmured. ¡°A little, yeah.¡±


    The response ¡®a little plunged Leo and Collins, who was driving, into a stunned silence. If curing an ailment that had stumped hospital specialists with just a few pills could be considered knowing ¡®a little¡® about medicine, what would the world¡¯s renowned traditional and modern doctors think of themselves?


    Thank goodness this admission was made in front of them. Had it been in front of Niki today. the guy would have probably shown her the door on the spot.


    Too cheeky by half.


    ¡°So, you knew all along about my injury?¡± Leo couldn¡¯t help but seek the truth.


    With an arch of her brow, Mirabe didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Leo rubbed his nose. Feeling the difference between suspecting something and hearing it confirmed was surprisingly jarring.


    Even Nick had confirmed that Leo could never go back to his old self, and now Mirabe had effortlessly solved the problem. It felt almost magical.


    ¡°Did you go to the hospital to get checked out?¡± Mirabe prodded, suspecting that her somewhat foolish brother wouldn¡¯t have brought it up otherwise.


    ¡°Nah, didn¡¯t hit the hospital. Collins knows this sage of alternative medicine. He checked my pulse and gave me the all¨Cclear,¡± Leo replied with candid simplicity.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t seem surprised and ended with a caution, ¡°Just be more careful out there, and don¡¯t let anyone blindside you.¡±


    Collins, fuming as he drove, smacked the steering wheel. ¡°Whoever¡¯s pulling these dirty tricks from the shadows is despicable.¡±


    Leo¡¯s lips curled into a half¨Csmile. ¡°Whoever benefits the most from my misfortune is the prime suspect.¡±


    ¡°No matter what, we can¡¯t just let this slide,¡± Collins muttered darkly.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows danced yfully as she floated a suggestion. ¡°Maybe you could turn the tables on them?¡±


    Collins¡® eyes lit up at the idea. ¡°Not bad. We need to flush out whoever is targeting Leo. They might try the same stunt again.¡±


    Mirabe just smiled and turned her gaze to the passing scenery outside the car window.


    10:50


    falling silent.


    Back at the Gilbert family home, Summer didn¡¯t evene down for dinner, staying locked in her room. She racked her brain for any details from her <b>past </b>life about the Davis family members. Then, pulling out her phone, she scrolled through Messenger and shot a message to her agent. [Craig, do you know anyone over at Lamont Entertainment?]


    Lamont was the agency representing Leo.


    Craig replied promptly. (Yeah, why do you ask, Summer?] He remembered her brother was with Lamont Entertainment, right?


    Summer: [Could you get me a contact there?]


    Without overthinking it¨Cafter all, Summer was his client and under a ten¨Cyear contract¨CCraig sent over the contact of an agent he knew at Lamont Entertainment.


    Before long, Summer had added Craig¡¯s Charisma contact, and after a few more inquiries, she finally got hold of Vicky¡¯s number.


    Staring at the number on her screen, Summer¡¯s eyes darkened as Leo¡¯s cold, distant face shed in her mind. Even when she had cast aside her pride, he remained aloof. If he showed no kindness, why should she show mercy?


    A cynical smile yed on Summer¡¯s lips as her fingers tapped the dial button.

 Chapter 293

    Time flew by, and before you knew it, the day had arrived for Mirabe to strut her stuff at the city¡¯s Frenchpetition.


    The event was getting the full Hollywood treatment. A crew from the Educational TVwork <b>was </b>filming the entire shebang, and nning to spin it into a prime¨Ctime special for their channel.


    The showdown was set in the grand exhibition hall on the second floor of the municipal sports arena. It was <b>transformed </b>into a stage with atmosphere to spare, thanks to the TV folks who¡¯d wrangled a crowd to fill the seats below the tform.


    Mirabe¡¯s game n for joining the contest was straightforward she had her eye on the $100,000 prize. From the moment she left school, headphones were her constantpanion.


    A girl, tagging along for the ride, leaned in conspiratorially and asked, ¡°Queen Mira, are you drilling French phrases in there?¡±


    Mirabe turned, about to set the record straight with a ¡®nope,¡® when the girl interjected, ¡°Mind if I take a listen?¡± After a beat, Mirabe graciously handed over one earbud.


    When the girl popped it in and was met with the pulse of a pop anthem, she was gobsmacked. Eyes wide as saucers, she stared at Mirabe, struggling to process the scene.


    Here they were<b>, </b>minutes from showtime, with everyone else cramming their scripts, and there was Mirabe ¨C not a note in hand, jamming to top forty hits¡­ Seriously? Sure, the song was from her favorite band, and their lead singer¡¯s voice was a killer, but was this really the moment?


    ¡°How¡¯s the tune? The lead¡¯s got killer pipes, right?¡± Mirabe even whipped out her phone, showing off the album cover, pointing out the frontman, ¡°And he¡¯s easy on the eyes, too.¡±


    The girl from another ss had heard tales of Mirabe from the Advanced ss and her ice¨Cqueen rep, but this was a whole other vibe. Sharing her music and fan<b>¨C</b>girling over stars, Mirabe was as down¨Cto¨Cearth as theye.


    Totally rtable!


    ¨C


    The girl was so charmed that she ditched her French script, and the two of them started fangirling hard.


    Returning from the draw, their French teacher nearly fainted at their chatter. He quickly separated them and delivered a motivational speech before handing out the assigned numbers.


    There were nearly fifty contestants, and the performance order was a lottery.


    Mirabe drew number twenty¨Cone<b>, </b>smack <b>in </b>the middle.


    An hourter, it was her turn. As she stepped onto the stage, the spotlight hit her, illuminating


    10:59


    her delicate features and highlighting her naturally poised aura.


    Scanning the audience, Mirabe¡¯s eyes flicked to two sneaky figures tucked in the back corner, causing her eyelids to twitch in irritation.


    Regaining herposure, she nodded politely to the judges, and momentster, fluent French poured from her lips.


    She recited a well¨Cknown piece of poetry sans script ¨C unlike her peers. She stood unshaken, exuding confidence and poise, her pronunciation impable. Among thepetitors, she was a dazzling standout. Barring any surprises, the top prize was as good as hers.


    After a three¨Cminute tour de force, rewarded by thunderous apuse, Mirabe¡¯s first move backstage was to reach for her phone.

 Chapter 294

    Chapter <b>294 </b>


    Mirabe quickly tapped Messenger, her fingers flying across the screen as she shot a text to the contact nicknamed ¡°Delh¡± in her phone¨Cher mom. [Mom, what are you and Dad doing here?]


    Yes, as she had ascended the podium, a quick scan of the audience had revealed two sneakily ducking heads. They weren¡¯t just anybody: they were Delh and Shawn, her parents.


    Despite their attempts to blend in, wearing baseball caps as a disguise, the pair¡¯s shifty antics. were too conspicuous to miss.


    Delh¡¯s phone was on silent, so she didn¡¯t notice her daughter¡¯s message immediately. Only after a few minutes, when checking the time, did she see it.


    Delh: [Ah, sweetie, what are you talking about?]


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched in amusement as she texted back. [I spotted you both, blue cap and ck cap.]


    In the audience below the stage. Delh gave her husband, sitting beside her<b>, </b>a nudge. ¡°Look,


    our girl¡¯s seen us.


    Shawn nced at her phone screen, and after a moment, pride swelled in his chest. ¡°Girl¡¯s got sharp eyes.¡±


    ¡°But where in the world did she get such a fluent French from?¡± Shawn stroked his chin, genuinely surprised. This level of proficiency wasn¡¯t something you¡¯d expect from the small¨Ctown French standards of the town she grew up in.


    ¡°She¡¯s had a tutor, right? Maybe the tutor taught her?¡± Delh mentioned offhandedly.


    Hearing his wife¡¯s suggestion, Shawn nodded, thinking it quite usible. He remembered that box of fine coffee beans¨Cthe tutor¡¯s gift.


    ¡°Let¡¯s ask herter, see if we can take her tutor out for dinner sometime,¡± Shawn said slowly.


    *Sounds good,¡± Delh agreed with a nod.


    An hourter.


    Mirabe descended the stairs, diploma, and prize money in hand. By then, Delh had removed her cap and was taking the diploma from her daughter¡¯s hand. ¡°My girl, you are simply outstanding.¡±


    Mirabe was used to her mom¡¯s spontaneous praise. She handed the check to Shawn, who was standing beside her.


    Holding the check, Shawn looked puzzled at his daughter, ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    Mirabe replied generously. ¡°It¡¯s a gift. A new car for you. Pick one out yourself.¡±


    Shawn was initially taken aback, but as he looked down at the check and then back <b>up </b>at his daughter to express his heartfelt thanks, Mirabe pulled out her phone and stepped aside to take a call. And so, he closed his mouth.


    Wyatt was calling Mirabe.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe, where did you buy that Incense of Calm? Do you have the contact for the seller?¡± Wyatt sounded somewhat urgent.


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just that James¡® chronic issue has red up again, and we¡¯re looking to get a hold of the incense maker for help.¡± Wyatt exined vaguely.


    Mirabe furrowed her brows. She remembered James being in fine shapest time in Riverdale. After a few seconds of thought, she asked, ¡°Are you still in Riverdale?¡±


    ¡°No, we¡¯re back in Ashford,¡± Wyatt replied without thinking.


    ¡°Send me the address,¡± Mirabe said calmly.


    Upon hearing this, Wyatt assumed Mirabe intended to bring the incense maker to them. He quickly agreed and hung up after the exchange.


    Mirabe pocketed her phone after receiving Wyatt¡¯s text with the address. She nced at the details and then tucked the device away. She turned to rejoin her parents and didn¡¯t let them get a word in before she spoke, ¡°Mom, Dad, go home without me. I¡¯ve got something I need to take care of.¡±


    ¨C

 Chapter 295

    Half an hourter, Mirabe arrived at the address Wyatt had sent her. She had barely stepped out of the taxi when Wyatt, who had been waiting by the entrance of the residentialplex, spotted her.


    Striding towards her, he saw the taxi speed away, and noticing that she was alone, a wave of disappointment washed over him. However, he quickly mustered a forced smile and said, ¡°Ms Mirabe, has the person who crafts the incense¡­ not arrived yet?¡±


    Mirabe nced at Wyatt. ¡°No, they haven¡¯t.¡±


    Wyatt took this to mean the person might be runningte. He nodded and said, ¡°<b>Oh</b>¡­ well then, let¡¯s go inside. I¡¯lle back out when they get here.¡±


    With a soft hum of agreement, Mirabe didn¡¯t offer further exnation.


    Wyatt¡¯s car was parked on the curb. He courteously opened the door for Mirabe, waited for her to get in, and then closed it behind her before taking his ce in the driver¡¯s seat. Soon after, with a swipe of a card, the gates to theplex opened, and Wyatt drove through.


    Minutester, Mirabe stepped out of the car and cast a brief, indifferent nce at the vi before following Wyatt inside.


    Inside the spacious vi, several people stood in a tense atmosphere. Mirabe¡¯s gaze swept the room, pausing slightly upon seeing Niki and another person beside him, but she quickly regained herposure.


    James was slouched on the sofa, his face ghostly pale and his lips devoid of any color<b>. </b>Noticing Mirabe¡¯s entrance, he was visibly taken aback. Then his eyes shifted to Wyatt, instantly realizing that Wyatt had brought her.


    James straightened up slightly, but this movement caused a tumult in his chest, leading to at violent cough. Blood tinged the corner of his lips, which he calmly wiped away with a tissue.


    ¡°You¡¯vee,¡± he said, his voice as cool and detached as ever.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes darkened slightly, and she simply responded with an acknowledgment. Her presence drew the looks of several people in the room. Concerned about James¡® injuries.. Niki addressed her with a curt, ¡°Mirabe.¡±


    At the sound of ¡°Mirabe,¡± Curtis instantly remembered Wyatt¡¯s reference to Ms. Mirabe and made the connection. His eyebrows knitted together as his piercing gaze swept over her before he looked away.


    Curtis soon lifted his head again, this time not to look at Mirabe but to address Wyatt with a heavy tone. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were picking up a miracle healer?¡± What use was bringing an ordinary person who knew nothing?


    James¡® chronic illness had red up again. His injury was indirectly caused by Mirabe inviting him to the night market. Thinking this, Curtis¡® expression turned even colder.


    10:59


    Wyatt scratched his head, aware of Curtis¡® prejudice against Mirabe, and chose to ignore his icy demeanor, replying in a muffled voice, ¡°Ms. Mirabe¡¯s miracle healer friend will be here


    shortly.¡±


    Curtis let out a sarcastic snort and nced at Mirabe again. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to see that.¡± Only Wyatt, stubborn as he was, would believe in the arrival of a miracle healer. If such a person truly existed, Mirabe wouldn¡¯t have arrived here alone.


    Mirabe remainedposed in the face of the hostility directed at her, walking steadily forward. Noticing James¡® pallor, her brow furrowed slightly. The recurrence of his chronic condition and his disrupted inner energy were clearly not something that could be brushed off as a minor injury.


    Her eyes caught sight of the Incense of Calm burning gently nearby. Without hesitation, she walked over and snuffed it out.


    Curtis¡® eyes flew open at this action, and he growled in rm, ¡°What are you doing!¡±

 Chapter 296

    The incense was crucial. It was the very thing that was holding off James¡® injuries from worsening, and Mirabe had snuffed it out without a second thought.


    Curtis¡® eyes zed with fury, his already intimidating visage now terrifying in his anger. He strode over, snatched the half¨Cburned incense stick from Mirabe¡¯s grasp, and fished out a lighter, on the verge of reigniting it.


    Mirabe was unshaken by his fearsome appearance, smirking ever so slightly. ¡°If you want him dead sooner, by all means, light it up again.¡± Her voice was soft, almost airy, but carried an undercurrent of sharpness that you couldn¡¯t quite put your finger on.


    Curtis¡® hand paused. He knew he shouldn¡¯t let the uninformed words of Mirabe sway him, but his finger lingered on the lighter, unable to press down.


    Niki overheard the exchange, instinctively nced at Mirabe, and inquired, ¡°Why can¡¯t we light the incense?¡±


    Mirabe took a seat beside James, simply stating, ¡°Your hand.¡±


    James turned, noting that although Mirabe¡¯s expression was as usual, the intensity he saw in her eyes was something he had never witnessed before, a maturity that didn¡¯t match her


    years.


    He extended his hand. Her fingertips rested lightly on his wrist, and as she took his pulse, a veil of solemnity descended over her delicate features. Momentster, she withdrew her hand.


    Her gaze fell on James¡® previously injured leg, then she leaned over, lifting his pant leg for a quick inspection before letting it fall back into ce.


    ¡°Paper. Pen,¡± Mirabemanded sinctly.


    Wyatt, hearing her request, reflexively searched for the items. He returned shortly, handing them to Mirabe with a reverence greater than before. He no longer pondered the origins of her knowledge in scent¨Ccrafting or her physician friend. From the pulse¨Ctaking action, it was clear she had some medical expertise.


    Mirabe quickly drafted a list of ingredients on the paper. Once finished, she handed it to Wyatt, ¡°I need these herbs.¡±


    Pausing, she added, ¡°However, some of them might be hard to find.


    Holding the prescription, Wyatt was resolute, ¡°No matter how hard, I¡¯ll find them.¡± At that moment, he had put all his hopes on Mirabe.


    After a thought, she noted, ¡°Well, there¡¯s no rush. Just have them ready within three days.¡±


    Wyatt, hearing her nonchnce, stole a worried nce at James. His condition seemed anything but non¨Curgent. Though perplexed, Wyatt dared not question further. ¡°I¡¯ll start preparing now,¡± he said.


    As he moved to leave, Curtis grabbed his arm, halting him. Wyatt looked at him, confused by his


    intentions.


    Curtis nced at Mirabe, then at the list of herbs in Wyatt¡¯s hand. His gaze settled on Wyatt¡¯s face, his voice deep and serious. ¡°James condition is no joke.¡±


    Ms. Mirabe appeared capable of medicine, quickly took a pulse, and drafted a prescription. but when even Niki was reluctant to administer treatment easily, how could her casual demeanor inspire trust in her healing abilities?


    Could Wyatt really believe that a girl barely out of her teens possessed remarkable medical skills? Skills that could surpass those of Niki, heir to a century¨Cold legacy of alternative medicine, hailed as a national healer?


    Wyatt met Curtis¡® gaze, fully understanding his concerns, yet he breathed deeply and firmly stated, ¡°I trust Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    Curtis frowned. ¡°You¡­¡±

 Chapter 297

    Before Curtis could get a word out, Niki approached from the side, his voice tinged with an undercurrent of excitement. ¡°Show me that prescription again, will you?¡±


    While Mirabe had been jotting down the list of ingredients, Niki had instinctively moved closer to peer over her shoulder, absorbing each item she listed. Every ingredient she penned down sent a jolt of shock through him, and by the time she had finished, his mind was blown to smithereens. It took him a moment toe back to his senses, and then he couldn¡¯t wait to double¨Ccheck the prescription.


    Wyatt nced at Niki, whose mood had swung from gloomy to positively electric, and without hesitation, Wyatt passed the prescription back to him.


    Niki scrutinized the list of ingredients once <b>more</b><b>, </b>and only after a thorough examination did he finally confirm that the recipe was indeed a long¨Clost ancient remedy. Trembling, he handed the piece of paper back to Wyatt.


    ¡°Niki?¡± Curtis called out, noticing that Niki¡¯s hands were shaking rather severely.


    Niki looked up at Curtis. ¡°The prescription is sound.¡± He spared the technicalities, knowing they were beyond the others.


    At that, disbelief painted Curtis¡® face, ¡°Are you telling me this can treat James?¡±


    ¡°It might not cure himpletely, but it should stop his condition from deteriorating further.¡± Niki exined slowly, pausing to nce at Mirabe with a hint of admiration. ¡°The younger generation really does surpass the older one. Mirabe¡¯s medical knowledge might just exceed my own.¡±


    He remembered how he had once considered taking the young girl as his apprentice and now felt quite embarrassed.


    Hearing this, Wyatt burst out, ¡°I¡¯ll go get the ingredients right now.¡± He clutched the prescription and hurried towards the exit of the vi.


    Niki made his way over to Mirabe.


    Curtis, who remained where he was, had a conflicted expression. He instinctively looked toward Mirabe<b>, </b>reflecting on his earlier behavior and his prejudices against her. Before even meeting her in person, he believed she wasn¡¯t someone fit for polite society and even med her for the rpse of his master¡¯s old ailment. Suddenly, his cheeks felt hot with shame.


    Niki took a seat on the sofa across from Mirabe, and noticing the extinguished Incense of Calm nearby, he asked, puzzled, ¡°Why can¡¯t we burn this incense?¡±


    Her expression was indifferent as she responded, ¡°The incense contains musk, which only exacerbates the turmoil in his blood and energy.¡± After a brief pause, she nced at James. ¡°Hence the coughing up of blood.¡±


    Curtis, who had just approached, overheard this and thought about his previous attitude, his


    face reddening once again.


    ¡°I never considered that,¡± Niki admitted with a wry smile. ¡°It¡¯s fortunate you arrived when you did, or I might have made a grave mistake.¡± He had <b>been </b>the one to instruct the lighting of the


    incense.


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble. The problem isn¡¯t severe,¡± Mirabe replied nonchntly, waving a hand dismissively. She then turned to James with a raised eyebrow, ¡°You didn¡¯t take the medicine I gave youst time, did you?¡± Her question sounded rhetorical,ced with certainty.


    James coughed again, the sickly pallor of his face lending him a fragile beauty. Once he caught his breath, he murmured, ¡°Hmm?¡± The next second, he remembered the medicine she¡¯d given him after dropping her off at the airport.


    ¡°I forgot,¡± he admitted.


    Mirabe¡¯s smile held a trace of amusement, so that¡¯s why very time she saw him, he seemed to be getting worse.


    Ufortable under her gaze, James turned to Curtis andmanded, ¡°Go to the drawer of my bedside table. There¡¯s a ceramic jar in there.¡±


    Curtis nodded respectfully and dashed upstairs, moving as swiftly as his legs could carry him.

 Chapter 298

    Mirabe slouched back against the couch, her gaze lingering thoughtfully as Curtis¡® figure disappeared upstairs. It was only when he was out of sight that she allowed her gaze to drift. away. It seemed that her once unassuming neighbor might have a moreplicated background than she had initially thought.


    Soon enough, Curtis returned with a porcin jar, which he handed to James with a respectful gesture.


    James nced toward Mirabe. With a nonchnt lift of her eyelids, she said, ¡°One a day.¡±


    James didn¡¯t press further. He unscrewed the lid and shook a pill the size of a pea into his


    hand.


    No longer skeptical about the pill¡¯s legitimacy, Curtis poured a ss of water and handed it to his boss. After swallowing the pill, James felt a wave of relief wash over him. Hisplexion. once pallid, now held a healthier hue.


    Observing the apparent effect, Curtis suddenly bowed toward Mirabe. ¡°I apologize for my earlier rudeness, Ms. Mirabe. I hope you can forgive my indiscretion.¡±


    Mirabe nced at Curtis, her eyes inadvertently sweeping over the scar that ran from his temple to the back of his head before she waved her hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    Feeling a twinge of shame, Curtis insisted, ¡°Should you need anything in the future. Ms. Mirabe, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyelid twitched, and she quickly replied, ¡°No need, there isn¡¯t anything.¡±


    Curtis paused, taken aback.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe turned her attention back to James, ¡°Have you been feeling a stabbing pain in your shintely?¡±


    James nodded, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been more noticeable these past few days. I had it checked out, but they didn¡¯t find anything wrong.¡±


    Leaning casually against the armrest, Mirabe seemed aloof as she pondered for a moment before speaking, ¡°The old injury in your body is actually linked to a wound on your shin.¡±


    Niki had also examined James¡® leg without finding any injury, and had checked his pulse. without detecting any anomalies besides the underlying condition. He asked curiously. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Some wounds aren¡¯t visible to the naked eye.¡± Mirabe said with a tight¨Clipped smile, leaving it at that.


    Niki, realizing she wasn¡¯t going to borate, changed the subject, ¡°Do you have a way topletely heal James¡® chronic condition?¡±


    Curtis¡® gaze was fixed intently on Mirabe..


    She shrugged. ¡°Not at the moment.¡±


    Her response clearly disappointed Curtis, but he quickly nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Please do what you can to help James recover. Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    Mirabe simply nced at him, saying nothing more.


    ¡°Mirabe, is the prescription you just mentioned from an old herbalpendium?¡± Niki inquired.


    Touching the tip of her nose, Mirabe replied without batting an eyelid, ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure. I just saw it in a medical text.¡±


    Niki¡¯s expression became oddly puzzled at her response. Last time, at the Mendoza family gathering, when he asked if she practiced medicine, she had imed to have a passing knowledge from books. And now, her answer was strikingly simr. If he hadn¡¯t just seen her prescription, he might have been easily convinced again.


    Mirabe ignored Niki¡¯splicated look, checked the time, and stood up. ¡°I don¡¯t have much else to do here, so I¡¯ll be heading out.¡±


    Pausing, as if remembering something, she turned to Niki, ¡°You have the equipment for concocting remedies, right?¡± After all, Niki was from a family steeped in a century of alternative medicine.


    Niki nodded.


    ¡°Good. Once you¡¯ve got all the herbs together, let me know,¡± Mirabe said before making her


    exit.

 Chapter 299

    Mirabe waved a casual goodbye to James, not waiting for a reply, and strolled out of the luxurious vi.


    Curtis, ever the gentleman, quickly piped up. ¡°I¡¯ll drive you, Miss Mirabe.¡± He followed closely behind her, careful to respect her space.


    Niki watched Mirabe¡¯s retreating form, his gaze lingering long after she had vanished from sight. He then turned to see James, who looked vastly different from just moments ago, and his eyes fell on the bottle in his hand. ¡°Might I have a look at that medicine, James?¡±


    James nodded and handed the bottle over to Niki without hesitation.


    Niki twisted off the cap and took a delicate sniff, his eyes widening in shock. ¡°This is¡­ this can¡¯t be¡­¡±


    In the car, Curtis drove with due diligence, asionally ncing at Mirabe in the rearview mirror, his curiosity evident.


    Who would have thought that this young girl, appearing no older than a high schooler, could impress the esteemed Niki, someone considered a giant in the field of traditional medicine?


    As Curtis¡® mind raced with thoughts of James¡® injuries, he hadn¡¯t taken the time to observe the girl. Now, in the quiet of the car, he noticed that she had never once shown a hint of panic, not even when facing his own fury. Herposure was far from typical for a teenager.


    Who exactly was this girl called Mirabe? Curtis was a bundle of questions.


    Aware of Curtis¡® scrutiny, Mirabe didn¡¯t even bother lifting her eyelids, maintaining her nonchnt demeanor.


    The car ride was silent.


    Out of boredom, Mirabe fished out her phone to y a game. As she yed, a Twitter notification popped up at the top of her screen, causing her fingers to pause mid¨Ctap. After a brief moment of distraction<b>, </b>the game¡¯s screen dimmed, indicating her character¡¯s demise.


    She squinted her eyes and switched over to Twitter, not bothering to wait for the in¨Cgame resurrection.


    The trending topics were all about her brother¡¯s injury. She tapped on one and skimmed through thements with a slight sneer, her eyes growing colder. Soon after, she closed the


    app.


    In the driver¡¯s seat, Curtis felt a vague chill in the air and subconsciously nced at the rearview mirror, but nothing seemed amiss. Strange<b>, </b><b>he </b>thought.


    Twenty minutester, Curtis dropped Mirabe at the entrance to her modest apartment


    11:00


    Meanwhile, Collins was pacing his office, phone in hand, his face clouded with worry as he scrolled through Twitter. ¡°I knew something like this would happen,¡± he muttered.


    The buzz on Twitter revolved around one rming piece of news: ¡°Neon Paradox¡¯s frontman Juztin rumored to be seriously injured, possibly signaling the end for the beloved band.¡±


    Neon Paradox¡¯s enduring fame,rgely thanks to Leo¡¯s explosive performances and unique vocal style, had amassed a legion of fans. At the peak of their sess, rumors of Leo¡¯s injury and disbandment were thest things they needed.


    Collins was particrly frustrated, as he was in the midst of sealing endorsement deals with several luxury brands. Now, with this scandal brewing, those brands might reconsider their offers.


    While Collins was a bundle of nerves, Leo sat on the couch, the picture of serenity. He had cycled through despair and resignation several times since his injury, and now, oddly, he felt a sense of detachment about it all.


    Looking up at Collins, Leo suddenly said, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s for the best if the band did break up.¡±

 Chapter 300

    Collins¡® jaw practically hit the floor at the revtion. ¡°Leo, have you lost your marbles? Weren¡¯t you always the one who-¡±


    Leo pressed his lips together, cutting Collins off mid¨Csentence. ¡°What I stand for doesn¡¯t necessarily reflect the rest of the band, you know. Why do you think there¡¯s a buzz about us breaking up?¡±


    He paused, a coldugh escaping him. ¡°<i>My </i>injury was just the spark.¡±


    Collins fell silent, his mind racing back to Vicky¡¯s recent behavior, a growing suspicion taking root. ¡°You think¡­ could it be Vicky who¡¯s got it in for you? Do you think he poisoned your drink or something?¡± He remembered Vicky¡¯s vastwork of friends. In particr, those fancy club buddies he¡¯d never even heard of that were all hush¨Chush<b>. </b>


    ¡°It¡¯s a possibility. After all, the news of my injury was kept between us. And his reaction? It was like he was dead sure I¡¯d be out of the picture,¡± Leo mused, his voice measured.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on him. Mirabe was just talking about turning the tables, and now it looks like we¡¯ve got our chance. Shame about those luxury brand deals and endorsements we were lining up.¡± Collins heaved a sigh that felt heavy as lead.


    Leo nced at him, not in the mood for chit¨Cchat.


    ¡°What about that Twitter mess? Got a game n for that?¡± Collins broached another topic. ¡°Let them make noise,¡± Leo dismissed, then after a moment¡¯s thought, added, ¡°But Collins, you¡¯d better ring up Walker to rify things.¡±


    At the mention of Walker, Collins nodded. ¡°Slipped my mind. I¡¯m on it.¡±


    He fished out his phone and dialed Walker¡¯s number. The call connected almost instantly. After a brief exchange, Collins hung up and looked towards Leo. ¡°Walker says we¡¯re cool.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Leo exhaled, visibly relieved.


    Collins ced his phone on the table, leaning against its edge. ¡°Too bad about that NDA, huh? Can¡¯t spill the beans about you joining Walker¡¯s show. It would¡¯ve blown this whole injury rumor out of the water.¡±


    Leo raised an eyebrow. ¡°Don¡¯t you think aeback that ps the rumors in the face is much more satisfying?¡± The buzz this controversy could generate would set the stage for an even more dramatic reveal when the show aired.


    Collins gave Leo an unexpectedly admiring look. ¡°Leo, your noggin seems to be working


    overtime these days.¡±


    You used to be oblivious to the world, man. You think your sister¡¯s brainpower is rubbing off on


    you?¡± Collins stroked his chin, considering the possibility seriously.


    11.00


    Leo just red. Screw you, Collins!


    Emmitt scrolled through the online chatter about Leo¡¯s supposed injury. Although skeptical, he couldn¡¯t shake off the concern for his brother and decided to give Leo a call. But after several rings, there was no answer.


    After much deliberation, Emmitt headed over to the Davis family home in the evening. As the doorbell chimed, the family was gathered at the dinner table. Mirabe, nearly done with her meal, rose to answer the door.


    When she pulled it open to reveal Emmitt on the doorstep, she paused in surprise before calling out tly. ¡°Hi Emmitt.¡±


    Emmitt had anticipated this cold reception from his sister. Her chilly tone left a bitter taste, and he managed an awkward acknowledgment before asking. ¡°Leo¡¯s home, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Mirabe¡¯s response was curt as she turned and walked back inside.


    Watching her retreating figure, Emmitt lingered in the doorway, a momentary hesitation slowing his steps before he finally entered the house.

 Chapter 301

    with the


    Mirabe slid back into her seat subtle grace of a cat reiming its favorite sunny


    spot.


    Just as Delh was about to inquire who her daughter had been speaking with, her gaze lifted to see Emmitt entering the room, prompting her to snap her lips shut. She cast a cautious nce at Mirabe¡¯s expression. The siblings were wrapped in a thick fog of


    misunderstanding.


    Clearing her throat, Delh set aside her fork. ¡°Emmitt, you¡¯re back? Have you had dinner?¡±


    As she spoke, Zach and Leo, both hunched over their tes, along with Shawn, turned to look at Emmitt. Their faces mirrored Delh¡¯s reaction, an uncanny mixture of concern and curiosity. Then, almost reflexively, their gazes shifted to Mirabe as if to ensure she was alright.


    Emmitt felt a sting at the sight, the bitterness in his throat intensifying. After a moment, he nodded to Delh. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve eaten.¡±


    The air turned awkward, thick with the unspoken. Delh, for once, found herself at a loss for words. It was Zach who broke the silence, ¡°Emmitt, you¡¯re homete. Got something on your mind?¡±


    ¡°Mmm,¡± Emmitt hummed, striving for a tone of nonchnce. ¡°I saw online that Leo got hurt. Is that true?¡±


    Leo¡¯s hand trembled, nearly dropping his fork.


    Delh, unaware of any such incident, chuckled, ¡°Oh, no. Your brother is fine. Look at him.¡±


    Emmitt¡¯s gaze shifted to Leo, and seeing that he bore no resemnce to the rumors online, he rxed, ¡°Good, that¡¯s good.¡±


    Leo coughed, lifting his head to add, ¡°The inte is full of wild tales. Don¡¯t believe it. It¡¯ll blow


    over soon.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Emmitt replied, dropping the subject.


    Conversations dwindled, and once again, the dining room fell into silence. Emmitt stood still, suddenly feeling like an outsider. He took a deep breath and forced a smile. ¡°You guys enjoy your meal.¡±


    With that, he moved toward the living room, his eyes fleetingly catching the gleam of trophies in a ss cab, his expression distant as he noticed two certificates hanging on the wall. He approached them¨Cone for first ce at the nationalpetition, the other for first ce in a French contest.


    At that moment, Shawn finished his meal, and approached Emmitt, who was lost in thought, staring at the certificates. Remembering he had recorded a video of Mirabe¡¯spetition that day. Shawn pulled out his phone. He unlocked it, opened the few minutes¨Clongpetition


    video, and tapped Emmitt¡¯s arm. ¡°Take a look at this.¡±


    He wanted Emmitt to see his little sister¡¯s excellence in person and dispel misunderstandings through her undeniable talent.


    Emmitt¡¯s eyes lowered to the phone screen. There was Mirabe, standing at the podium in the video, her face alight with confidence, her French crisp and clear,manding the stage with an aura that made it impossible not to recognize her brilliance.


    For a moment, Emmitt was transfixed. He remembered a time when he had scoffed at Mirabe for reading a French book, using her of being pretentious. But what was the reality? The video seemed to mock him, highlighting his ignorance.


    He looked away before the video ended.


    Shawn simply patted his son¡¯s shoulder, saying nothing more. Some lessons had to be learned


    on one¡¯s own.


    The next day, as soon as the school bell signaled freedom, Mirabe¡¯s phone began to buzz insistently. She pulled it out of her pocket, calm and unhurried.

 Chapter 302

    It was Wyatt on the phone.


    Mirabe slung her bag over her shoulder as she answered the call.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe, I¡¯ve got all the herbs you asked for.¡± Wyatt said with a respectful tone.


    ¡°That was quick,¡± Mirabe responded, genuinely surprised.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Wyatt paused before adding with a bit of a sheepish tone, ¡°I¡¯m actually right outside the entrance of Parkside High School. Are you free?¡±


    ¡°Sure, give me a few minutes. I¡¯ll be right out,¡± Mirabe replied briskly.


    Wyatt was clearly delighted, thanking her several times before ending the call.


    Curtis was supposed to be shadowing James, but, for some reason, he¡¯d ended up at Parkside High School with Wyatt. Sitting in the passenger seat, Curtis was mulling over the information he¡¯d gathered about Mirabe in thest couple of days.


    She was just as Wyatt had described ¨C a girl who¡¯d grown up in a small town after a mix¨Cup at birth, nothing more. But when he tried to dig deeper, like where she¡¯d learned her medical skills, he hit a wall. It was as if her abilities were innate.


    This Mirabe was indeed a conundrum.


    As for Mirabe, she had just stepped out of the school building when she ran into Summer again. The phrase ¡°small world¡± shed through Mirabe¡¯s <b>mind </b>upon seeing her.


    ¡°Who are you, really?¡± Summer asked, her gaze piercing as she confronted Mirabe with her first question.


    Mirabe squinted, nonplussed. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°If you were the real Mirabe, you wouldn¡¯t have such good grades, and you wouldn¡¯t be at Parkside High School,¡± Summer probed, trying to find out if Mirabe, like her, was reborn.


    But after <b>Summer </b>spoke, Mirabe didn¡¯t react at all. There was no panic, not even a flicker of guilt. It wasn¡¯t the reaction Summer had anticipated, and her brow furrowed. ¡°Why so silent? Can¡¯t admit it?¡± Summer pressed.


    ¡°Get lost,¡± Mirabe retorted, clearly annoyed, and she didn¡¯t give Summer another moment, walking away without looking back.


    Summer watched Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure with a cold gaze, ultimately deciding not to follow and press further.


    In the car.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe, those herbs¡­¡± Wyatt nced in the rearview mirror while driving.


    11:00


    Mirabe, phone in hand, was busy texting Niki. She heard Wyatt and didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°We need to head to Niki¡¯s home.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Wyatt said, knowing Niki¡¯s address and quickly making a U¨Cturn.


    Niki was asking what tools Mirabe needed, sending her a bunch of pictures to choose


    from.


    Mirabe reviewed the images, finding the equipment quiteprehensive, though she was still picky. But considering it wasn¡¯t her n¡¯s sophisticated alchemyb, she settled for a few that would suffice.


    Niki texted: [Can I assist you while you prepare the medicine?)


    The message seemed almost pitifully eager. Niki had been anxiously awaiting Mirabe¡¯s arrival. He needed to watch her concoct medicine, especially after he had witnessed the effects of the medicine James had taken. His excitement was so palpable that his family almost thought he¡¯d lost his mind.


    Mirabe texted back a simple [yes.]


    Upon receiving her affirmative response, Niki¡¯s face lit up like a blooming flower, and he hurriedly arranged for the preparation of the equipment Mirabe had requested.


    Half an hourter, they arrived at Niki¡¯s residence.


    Wyatt had loaded the herbs into a wooden box in the car before he¡¯d picked up Mirabe from Parkside High School. He stepped out of the car carrying the box, and followed Mirabe into the Reeves family estate with Curtis in tow.

 Chapter 303

    Niki¡¯s apothecary was not small by any means. Mirabe entered, cast a quick nce around, and without further ado, left Niki to his devices, shooing the others out of the room.


    Truth be told, Niki genuinely wanted to assist Mirabe, but it soon became tantly clear that there wouldn¡¯t be much for him to do. He watched the youngdy grind the ingredients with practiced ease and then carefully ce them into the baking oven. Every step was executed with precision. Crafting the medicine was crucial, but the real art was in the precise measure and blend of the ingredients.


    It amazed Niki that he was witnessing such preparation of ancient remedies in his lifetime, and by someone so young ¨C a girl barely in her twenties. She worked with a mastery that suggested she had done this a thousand times over.


    Three hourster, Mirabe carefully retrieved the medicine from the furnace. Twenty pills were produced, not a single one a failure.


    The rich aroma of the concoction filled the apothecary as Niki snapped out of his daze. His eyes settled on the pills resting on the table. He sauntered over, picked one up, and inspected it. Whether one judged by appearance or scent, there was only one word to describe it: perfect. If this were to be evaluated by the Pharmacists¡® Guild, it would fetch an S+ rating, if not higher.


    Niki nced at Mirabe, who now wore a hint of fatigue. An eighteen¨Cyear¨Cold top¨Ctier alchemist ¨C what a concept! If the Guild ever caught wind of this, they¡¯d lose their minds!


    Moreover, she had crafted twenty pills in one go, and in just three hours¡­ Trembling slightly. Niki ced the pills into their special bottle, opened his mouth, and then, breaking the silence of the apothecary, he blurted out. ¡°Mirabe, would you consider taking an apprentice? I know I¡¯m a bit long in the tooth, but I swear, my talents are still sharp.¡±


    Mirabe, who had just taken a sip of water, choked on her drink, spraying it out.


    She coughed a few times and said, ¡°You¡¯re pulling my leg. Niki.¡± Then, as if fearing he might continue in a simr vein, she quickly grabbed the bottle of pills and hurried out the door.


    Lately, it seemed everyone wanted to be her apprentice.


    No sooner had Mirabe stepped outside than Wyatt and Curtis approached her. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, have the medicines been prepared?¡±


    She handed the bottle to Wyatt, ¡°There, that¡¯s all I¡¯ve crafted. It¡¯s not much, so make itst, will you?¡±


    Behind her. Niki, who had just managed to get one leg over the threshold, nearly tripped at her words.


    Were twenty pills not much?!


    Did this little prodigy have any idea that with the same amount of ingredients, a senior alchemist might¡¯ve, at best, produced only five or six pills?


    11:01


    Today felt like the most humbling day of Niki¡¯s life.


    Wyatt opened the bottle and was momentarily startled. While not an alchemist himself, he had a basic understanding due to James¡® health needs and knew that it was nearly impossible for an apothecary to produce so many in one batch.


    Instinctively, Wyatt¡¯s gaze drifted back to Niki. Catching Wyatt¡¯s look, Niki cleared his throat, stepped fully out of the doorway, and pped Wyatt¡¯s hand with a smack before snapping the box shut. ¡°Such a precious medicine shouldn¡¯t be left open to the air. Do you want all the potency to evaporate?¡±

 Chapter 304

    Wyatt froze for a moment, narrowly avoiding getting his hand pinched by the lid of the box, but he shrugged it off like it was nothing.


    Feeling a bit mischievous from the shock he had received, Niki couldn¡¯t resist adding fuel to the fire with a snort, ¡°Do you have any idea how much Mirabe¡¯s pill is worth?¡±


    Wyatt shook his head, suspecting it was way out of his league..


    ¡°At the Pharmacists¡® Guild, this baby would be rated at least 5+,¡± Niki said, stroking his beard.


    S+ grade medicines were raremodities. Not only were they difficult to concoct, but their extraordinary effects on the body made them incredibly valuable. For instance, if someone was on death¡¯s door with some incurable illness, swallowing S+ grade medicine tailored for their condition wouldn¡¯t necessarily cure thempletely, but might just buy them a few extra decades. Pretty impressive, right?


    That was nothingpared to the other effects S+ medicine could have beyond healing.


    Wyatt¡¯s face could no longer be described as surprised; he was outright shellshocked. He had seen S+ grade medicine auctioned off on the ck market, with opening bids starting at a cool five million¨Cand that was just for a single pill!


    ncing down at the box he was holding. Wyatt felt his knees go weak. Niki wasn¡¯t the type to bluff, so that meant¡­ He suddenly found himself swaying on his feet and turned to Curtis, his voice shaky, ¡°Bud, buddy, lend me a hand, will ya? I skipped dinner, and I felt a bit faint all of a sudden.¡±


    Curtis was equally shaken, his hands trembling. It was clear he was just as startled as Wyatt. Niki watched with satisfaction as both Wyatt and Curtis gaped in horror. The setback he¡¯d suffered at Mirabe¡¯s ce seemed to evaporate in an instant.


    There was nothing quite like the thrill of seeing others out of their depth.


    Standing off to the side, Mirabe nced at Niki, thinking how some folks just got more mischievous with age.


    After dropping Mirabe off at the Davis estate, Wyatt drove back to the luxurious vi where James resided. He and Curtis walked in to see James, their expressions as grim as a cloudy day, their strides almost ghostly.


    James, looking much better than he had earlier in the day, raised an eyebrow at them. ¡°You two¡­¡±


    Wyatt nudged Curtis, ¡°C¡¯mon, give him the medicine.<b>¡± </b>


    Worried his own hands might betray him, Wyatt had delegated this moment of glory to Curtis.


    11:01


    Finally snapping back to reality, Curtis unwrapped the medicine, which was bundled inyers of his jacket, and carefully ced it on the coffee table.


    James gave them a look, then casually reached for the bottle. Instantly, both Wyatt and Curtis piped up.


    ¡°Easy there. James.¡±


    ¡°That potion¡¯s worth a fortune!¡±


    James was confused. Was he being upstaged by a bottle of pills? Had they lost their minds?


    Wyatt touched his nose, muttering. ¡°Niki mentioned that Ms. Mirabe¡¯s potion is S+ grade.¡±


    James¡® hand was about to open the lid and paused. That youngdy could concoct S+ grade medicine?


    Though surprised, he kept hisposure, his face the picture of serenity, and opened the bottle.


    Upon seeing at least a dozen or so S+ grade pills inside, James was momentarily speechless. A minuteter, he nonchntly closed the bottle and ced it back on the table. ¡°Did Ms. Mirabe provide any instructions on how to take these?¡±


    He sounded utterly calm.


    ¡°Oh, she just said there weren¡¯t many and to use them sparingly,¡± Wyatt replied respectfully.


    Just a few?


    James was shocked.


    Heh.

 Chapter 305

    ¡°James, what¡¯s your take on a gift for Ms. Mirabe?¡± Wyatt piped up before long, his mind already rifling through the inventory of James¡® valuables. He¡¯d even considered the antiques in the storage room, but ultimately, he felt none of them were quite right.


    Curtis nced at Wyatt, suspecting the man might¡¯ve been ying both sides despite also feeling the question was a good one.


    James¡® mouth twitched, showing no desire to entertain Wyatt¡¯s query. ¡°Got too much time on your hands?¡±


    Wyatt rubbed his nose. ¡°Just curious, is all.¡± He followed it up with an awkward chuckle.


    A thought struck Curtis, and he said out loud, ¡°What about gifting Ms. Mirabe a house?¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s eyes lit up instantly, ¡°That¡¯s a brilliant Idea! Maybe the one next door so that they could be neighbors.¡±


    Wyatt remembered the house next door seemed rarely upied despite some recent renovation activity. Perhaps a generous offer would tempt the owner to sell?


    ¡°I could pop over tomorrow and see if they¡¯re willing to discuss selling.¡± Wyatt said, his enthusiasm palpable at the prospect of having a top¨Cnotch alchemist for a neighbor. ¡°It¡¯s a win¨Cwin!TM


    James listened to their exchange, massaged his temples, and, without a word, picked up his medicine bottle and stood up, heading upstairs.


    Once James was out of sight, Wyatt turned to Curtis, dropping a bombshell, ¡°You know, I think the most practical gift would be giving Ms. Mirabe our boss.¡±


    Curtis was speechless. Wyatt had clearly lost his mind.


    Time flew, and half a month had passed since the nationalpetition. The international contest was finally scheduled for the end of the month.


    The questions in the internationalpetition were expected to be tougher than the national ones, so Mr. Hammond had sourced some practice questions for Mirabe and Vincent to work on. Mirabe spent the half¨Cmonth leading up to thepetition immersed in


    problem¨Csolving.


    Meanwhile, the reality show Leo had signed up for, ¡°Country Comfort,¡± had set its premiere date, nearly shing with Mirabe¡¯spetition schedule. One event was at the end of the month, the other at the beginning of the next, back¨Cto¨Cback.


    The day to depart for the internationalpetition arrived swiftly.


    The internationalpetition was taking ce in Washington. Coincidentally, Mirabe¡¯s


    11:01


    elusive rtive, Nick, lived in that very city.


    In the first two days leading up to herpetition, Mirabe¡¯s family had already instructed Nick to make sure he picked her up from the airport and personally escorted her to the hotel. Mirabe wasn¡¯t keen on troubling him, but Delh insisted, so she agreed.


    Both Mirabe and Nick were sparing with words, so after adding each other on Messenger and confirming flight details, they didn¡¯t chat much.


    Only Mirabe and Vincent were representing Parkside High School in the internationalpetition. This time, Mr. Hammond wasn¡¯t leading the team. Instead, a teacher from Prestige College specializing inpetition projects took charge<b>. </b>


    The five students were to meet at Riverdale Airport. At the time Mirabe and Vincent arrived, the rest of the team was also just about there.


    Their flight to the capital of the States was scheduled for 6 PM, with a fifteen¨Chour flight ahead of them. Due to the time difference, they arrived in the States at around 1 AM.


    Stepping off the ne, Mirabe pulled a jacket from her backpack and wrapped it around herself¨Cthe temperature in the States was a good five or six degrees cooler than back home.

 Chapter 306

    The international roaming on Mirabe¡¯s phone was activated, and as soon as she powered it on, a message from Nick popped up on Messenger.


    LIN: (Landed yet?]


    Zipping up her jacket. Mirabe texted back. [Just did.]


    LIN: [Okay.]


    Mirabe didn¡¯t follow up, slipping her phone into her pocket instead. She began making her way but with the other students participating in thepetition.


    Within minutes, they all passed through the exit. The airport wasn¡¯t crowded at this hour, so as soon as Mirabe stepped out, Nick made his way over.


    ¡°Mi¡­Mirabe.¡± His tone was timid as he called out to her, perhaps due to the unfamiliarity. Mirabe took a moment to size up Nick, who was tall and lean with skin so pale it seemed he might not have seen sunshine in years. She paused before calling out, ¡°Nick.¡±


    Nick gave a faint ¡°hm,¡± his sharp features expressionless. He seemed to be trying for a friendly demeanor, but it only made his facial muscles tenser, nothing close to natural.


    Mirabe touched her nose and nced at her fellow students waiting nearby. She suggested. ¡°Nick, shall we head to the hotel first?¡±


    Nick nodded, ¡°Ride with me.¡± He then led the way.


    Mirabe exined the situation to the teacher leading the group and got the hotel address before breaking away to follow Nick alone.


    In the car, Mirabe sat in the passenger seat, not fiddling with her phone but resting her hands naturally on her knees, with wisps of hair framing her calm,posed face.


    Nick leaned his head against the seat, asionally ncing in the rearview mirror. His biological sister was different from what he had imagined; she wasid¨Cback and serene. exuding azy elegance devoid of the typical girlish airs.


    Nick cleared his throat, breaking the silence, ¡°How many days is yourpetition?¡±


    Mirabe turned her head slightly, replying with ease, ¡°Two days.¡±


    After a brief pause, Nick offered in a softer tone, ¡°If you have time, I¡¯ll have someone show you around.¡±


    Mirabe tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, unaffected by Nick¡¯s choice of words-¡°Have someone show you¡°-instead of offering himself. She replied indifferently. ¡°No need. The school will probably have other arrangements.¡±


    Before her arrival, Zach had briefed her on Nick¡¯s personality. He was reclusive, cool¨Ctempered,


    11:01


    averse to closeness and social interaction, with a tendency for mild aloofness. If it weren¡¯t for the family pressure, Nick might not have shown up at the airport today.


    Noticing Mirabe¡¯s nonchnt expression in the rearview mirror, Nick hesitated before slowly admitting. ¡°I¡¯m notfortable in crowded ces.¡±


    Mirabe hummed in understanding, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Nick. You¡¯re busy. I¡¯ll exin to Mom and Dad


    At that, Nick finally exhaled in relief.


    The silence returned. Mirabe pulled out her phone, lowered her head, and with slender fingers tapping on the screen, she quickly dispatched a message to her parents confirming her safe arrival.


    Nick stole another nce at his sister, silently affixing thebel ¡®empathetic¡® to her in his mind.


    Before long, they arrived at the hotel booked by the school. Mirabe got out of the car and went to fetch her luggage from the trunk. Nick had intended to offer help, but he found his gesture hanging in the air as she effortlessly managed on her own.

 Chapter 307

    Mirabe effortlessly swung her suitcase from the trunk <b>and </b>gently lowered the hatchback a fluid motion that spoke of her independence. She took a deliberate step back, positioning herself a meter away from Nick, and <b>said </b>with a considerate tone. ¡°Nick, you should head back now. It¡¯s gettingte. Thanks for going out of your way today.¡±


    Nick scratched his head¨Ca subconscious gesture¨Cas he observed the <b>space </b>his little sister had ced between them. Usually, he would have found such a distance ufortably close, but for some reason, a vague sense of unease settled in his chest.


    ¡°So, I guess I¡¯ll be off then?¡± Nick¡¯s speech was unhurried, a result of years living abroad that made his English sound drawn out.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mirabe simply nodded, showing no sign of wishing him to stay<i>. </i>


    After a few moments of hesitation, Nick finally started to walk away. He reached for the driver¡¯s side door of his car and nced back at Mirabe as he ducked inside, feeling an urge to make sure she was alright.


    Mirabe offered him a gentle, lip¨Ccurled smile¨Ca beautiful, tender gesture that made Nick¡¯s grip on the car door tighten. ¡°I¡¯m really going, okay?¡±


    ¡°Goodnight, Nick,¡± she called out, even giving a small wave.


    ¡°Night,¡± Nick mumbled, his cheeks unexpectedly warm as he slid into the car.


    The engine purred to life, and as the car moved forward, Nick stole onest nce in the rearview mirror. There stood Mirabe, her figure gradually shrinking with the distance until she disappeared from view. Only then did he direct his attention back to the road. Nick couldn¡¯t help but notice that his sistercked that off¨Cputting aura he found so distasteful in others.


    Once Nick¡¯s car was out of sight, Mirabe wheeled her suitcase into the hotel. The other students had already arrived and retreated to their rooms. She had barely stepped into the lobby when she spotted Vincent at the front desk. Upon seeing her, he walked over and handed her a room key.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Mirabe said, taking the key.


    Vincent pursed his lips slightly. ¡°You¡¯re wee. Give it your all tomorrow.¡±


    Mirabe nced at the room number on the key card and then headed for the elevator. Her voice sounded even¨Ckeeled<b>. </b>¡°You too, Vincent.¡±


    Vincent watched her go, standing still for a couple of seconds before straightening up and following her, his suitcase in tow. ¡°Do you think you could go over a few more equations with me?¡±


    After pressing the elevator button, Mirabe turned to him with a resigned look and pointed to her watch, her tone serious. ¡°Vincent, do you see the time? If you don¡¯t get a good night¡¯s sleep. you¡¯re asking to be eliminated tomorrow.¡±

 Chapter 308

    As the first light of dawn crept across the stateside sky. Zach was rudely awakened from his deep slumber by the persistent buzzing of his phone. With a scowl, he grabbed the device and saw it was his kid brother calling. Taking a deep breath, he reined in his annoyance. ¡°Nick, what¡¯s up?¡±


    Nick was nervously twirling his ss, taking a two¨Csecond pause before finally speaking up. ¡°I ran into Mira today.¡±


    Zach, face buried in his pillow, mumbled in a nasal voice, ¡°Hmm? Spit it out if there¡¯s something. on your mind.¡±


    ¡°You know Mira pretty well, don¡¯t you?¡± Nick asked, dragging out the words.


    Zach¡¯s eyes, which had been closed, snapped open. ¡°Of course. Nobody¡¯s tighter with her than I


    am.¡±


    Nobody was taking his ce in her heart!


    ¡°That¡¯s great. So, do you have any clue what she¡¯s into?¡± Nick had been racking his brain on the couch, thinking hard. It was his first time meeting his biological sister, who turned out to be quite empathetic. It felt wrong not to offer a gift.


    Zach instantly replied, ¡°She¡¯s all about hitting the books!¡±


    Nick let out a puzzled ¡°Ah,¡± as it dawned on him, ¡°A bookworm?¡±


    ¡°Yep. When she¡¯s not buried in a textbook, she¡¯s got nothing else going on. Didn¡¯t shee off as a total nerd when you met her today? She¡¯s not cute at all, right?¡± Zach said, keeping a straight face.


    Nick pondered for a moment. Mira did seem to carry an air of academia, but¡­ not cute? She seemed alright to him.


    ¡°Is there anything else she likes?¡± Nick probed further.


    ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± Zach asserted. After a pause, he remembered Mira¡¯s reluctance to ept cash gifts and slyly added, ¡°Oh, and she loves getting cash gifts.¡±


    So, she was a bit of a money lover. Nick was taken aback but quickly responded, ¡°Okay, got it. Thanks, Zach.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going back to sleep. Don¡¯t bother me again.¡± With that, Zach hung up. He tossed his phone on the nightstand, a mischievous smile ying on his lips. The irritation from being woken up had mysteriously vanished.


    Still holding his phone, Nick sent a message to his assistant, instructing him to gather all the study materials for Mirabe¡¯s senior year of high school. The more, the merrier, as it was urgent.


    After sending the message, he opened Messenger and started a chat with Mirabe. His finger hesitated over the digital cash gift option, then paused. A $200 gift seemed a bit stingy.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, he went for a direct transfer instead, sending a hefty $9,999.


    LIN: [A little something for our meeting.]


    LIN: (Zach mentioned you like cash gifts.)


    So when Mirabe, fresh from the shower and ready for bed, checked her phone, she was once again floored by therge sum.


    Here we go again. This confirmed the family¡¯s odd habit of hefty transfers.


    But when had she ever shown a preference for cash gifts? Mirabe¡¯s expression darkened. Zach was up to his tricks again.


    The next day, a group from Prestige College, led by their teachers, arrived at the Olympic Center building.


    Stepping out of the bus, the students looked up at the towering edifice before them, knowing that only the truly skilled and gifted were allowed topete within its walls. The pressure was palpable even before they entered the arena.


    Given the global nature of the event, with participants from over twenty countries, the area outside the building was already teeming with students from all around the world.

 Chapter 309

    The clock hadn¡¯t struck the hour, so the grand entrance of the skyscraper remained closed momentarily.


    The team¡¯s coach huddled the students together for a final briefing, his expression more grave than ever. This internationalpetition wasn¡¯t just about personal prowess but about national honor on the global stage. As he reiterated the significance of the event, a palpable surge of determination swept through the group.


    Mirabe nced toward the Olympic emblem at the top of the building, her lips curling into a subconscious smile. If one looked closely, they¡¯d see the spark ofbativeness igniting in her eyes. She had tackled more cases of puzzling ailments than anyone else, and now it was time to reap the rewards of her hard work.


    At 9 a.m. sharp, Eastern Time, over a hundred young schrs from around the globe filed into the examination hall in an orderly fashion. There were ten exam rooms in total and Mirabe was assigned to Room 10 alongside Vincent and three others. Their cement in the same room seemed odd at first.


    Settling into her seat, Mirabe twirled her pen thoughtfully. ording to the usual protocol, they shouldn¡¯t have all been in the same room. But soon enough, she overheard two international students conversing nearby, and the mystery unraveled. The assignments were based on the previous year¡¯s national rankings. Those who were at the bottom, or didn¡¯t make the cut at all, were lumped together in thest two rooms.


    In other words, the countries represented in Rooms 9 and 10 hadn¡¯t made the leaderboardst time. If none had ranked before, then it hardly mattered if students from the same nation were grouped together. After all, they weren¡¯t expected to rank this time either.


    Propping her chin on her hand, Mirabe thought, ¡®Is this a slight?¡® The mes ofpetition zed even fiercer within her.


    Before long, a proctor entered with the exam papers, his demeanor icy, as if none of the students were worth his notice.


    Mirabe scanned the questions upon receiving her paper. As expected, the international level was at least twice as challenging as the domesticpetition. She exhaled and began to write. She thrived onplex problems, much like diagnosing a difficult case ¨C too easy, and it was hardly worth her time.


    The exam spanned three grueling hours and was worth a total of two hundred points, with a high cutoff of one hundred sixty for advancement. Last year, nearly three hundredpetitors whittled down to fewer than eighty finalists.


    As the final bell sounded, the proctor sternly instructed everyone to drop their pens and exit. Not a second more was to be spared.


    Exiting the exam room, Mirabe checked the signs and made a quick stop at the restroom


    11:04


    Ch 19


    before descending the stairs.


    The team awaited her, and she was thest to arrive. She approached with a measured pace. noting the crestfallen expressions around her. Even Vincent wore a shadow of gloom. She touched her nose, wondering. ¡®Did they botch it?¡®


    ¡°Mirabe,¡± the coach¡¯s voice was raspy, his spirits clearly dampened. ¡°Do you think¡­ do you feel you stand a chance of making the finals?¡± He had already inquired about the others¡® performance. Although the results were not yet in, besides perhaps Vincent, the rest seemed to have little hope.


    So, he didn¡¯t ask Mirabe for a score prediction but rather if she believed she had a shot at the final round.

 Chapter 310

    As the team coach finished speaking, the group¡¯s eyes instinctively sought Mirabe out. Among them, she was the powerhouse, the beacon of hope most likely to advance. Despite their collective defeat, they all yearned for her to level up and reim the glory that belonged to their nation.


    At this juncture, it was no longer about individual wins or losses but about standing united in honor and disgrace.


    Feeling a bit bemused under their intense gaze, Mirabe cleared her throat and puffed out her chest assertively. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, I¡¯ll win back that glory for us.¡± Her voice resonated with brash confidence, starkly contrasting their prevailing mood of dejection.


    Hearing this, Vincent¡¯s heart, which had been in a vice, suddenly eased. He knew Mirabe wouldn¡¯t be one of those who was eliminated.


    The coach¡¯s dim expression seemed to flicker back to life at Mirabe¡¯s words. His lips quivered slightly before he asked in a low voice, ¡°So, what score are you predicting for yourself this time?¡±


    The coach had his mind set on a target of around one hundred seventy. The notion of a wless score was too daring to entertain, especially in an international contest ¨C a game that yed on an entirely different field than nationalpetitions.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched in a disy of pride, ¡°A perfect score of course!¡±


    ¡°Perfect¡­ score?¡± The coach stammered.


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Mirabe¡¯s confidence in today¡¯s challenges was unshakable. The freedom to approach problems creatively was a true thrill ¨C anything less than a perfect score wouldn¡¯t do her justice.


    The coach stared at Mirabe with aplex expression, feeling as if the exam she described waspletely different from the one he had questioned the other students about.


    Vincent silently observed the teacher and fellow teammates, now equally stunned into silence. The blow of defeat, it seemed, was no longer his to bear alone.


    Thus, when the results were announcedter that afternoon, and the coach saw Mirabe¡¯s perfect score and first¨Cce rank, he was nearly thunderstruck, struggling to regain his


    Out of over three hundredpetitors, there was only one perfect score, and it was hers, a whole ten points ahead of the second¨Cce contestant. This gap signified a prowess that went far beyond a mere ten¨Cpoint difference. In suchpetitions, every five points marked a significant milestone. A ten¨Cpoint lead meant that Mirabe¡¯s chances of securing first ce in the finals were well over sixty percent.


    In previous years, securing even a ranking in the finals was a challenge for them, let alone first


    11.04


    ce.


    The more the coach thought about it, the more his blood pressure seemed to skyrocket from excitement. After a few deep breaths to calm his racing heart, he pulled out his mobile phone and sent Mirabe¡¯s results back home.


    The internationalpetition¡¯s scores were not immediately essible back home, and the teachers following the event eagerly awaited the oue. When Mr. <i>Hammond </i>heard about Mirabe¡¯s triumph of achieving another preliminary round with a perfect score, his shock was on par with the coach¡¯s. He still remembered when he was chatting with Mirabe, <i>he </i>had mentioned that he wasn¡¯t seeking a medal. He said he would be contented with merely earning a ce. Although the current scores were only for the preliminaries, would the final oue be any different?


    Moreover, he was in the middle of a meeting. The other teachers, noticing Mr. Hammond¡¯s stunned reaction to a phone call, were all curious about the news he had received<i>. </i>


    Coming back to his senses, Mr. Hammond scanned the teachers gathered around the conference table, realizing his momentarypse. He regained hisposure, his face returning to its usual sternness as he said in an even tone, ¡°Oh, that was a call from Prestige College.¡±

 Chapter 311

    Chapter <b>311 </b>


    The buzz of anticipation filled the staff room at Parkside High School. Every teacher leaned in<b>, </b>hanging on Mr. Hammond¡¯s next words.


    Clearing his throat, Mr. Hammond decided to cut to the chase, ¡°Folks, two of our students from Parkside High have made it to the finals.¡± He paused, letting the suspense thicken before dropping the bombshell, ¡°And topping the preliminary round with the only perfect score is <b>our </b>very own Mirabe.¡±


    The deration sent a wave of excitement through the room. The International Competition was no ordinary exam. It was a beast of its own. Mirabe wasn¡¯t just talented; she was a phenomenon.


    Sitting among her colleagues, Ate felt her eyes well up with pride. When Mirabe had first joined her Advanced ss, she worried the girl might struggle to keep up. But Mirabe had proven her wrong, time and again, shattering expectations.


    While Ate was visibly moved, Morgan, sitting beside her, kept his gaze down<b>, </b>his right hand trembling slightly on the desktop. First ce in the national round, now a top finish in the international preliminaries, and likely the same in the


    finals¨Cbitterness tinged Morgan¡¯s thoughts. If only he hadn¡¯t let his prejudices cloud his judgment.


    Elsewhere, in a diff¨¦rent kind of silence, a plush vi basked in the evening light.


    ¡°Mirabe¡¯s preliminary scores are in,¡± announced Curtis, bncing aptop on his knee. Its screen disyed the official results of the international contest.


    Wyatt leaned in eagerly, ¡°How¡¯d she do?¡±


    ¡°First ce,¡± Curtis replied, lips tightening, ¡°with a perfect score.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s face went ck with awe. ¡°Man, I used to think I could match her grades.¡±


    Curtis shot him a disdainful look. ¡°In your dreams.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ some people are just on a different level,¡± Wyatt murmured.


    Closing theptop, Curtis shelved the topic as James descended the staircase. Wyatt and Curtis straightened up as he approached. Wyatt cleared his throat and spoke up, ¡°Sir, Mirabe aced it again¨Ca perfect score and first ce. She¡¯s something else.¡±


    <b>10:57 </b>


    Chapter <b>311 </b>


    James shot him a nce. ¡°Don¡¯t you have better things to do?¡± He slouched onto <b>the </b>sofa, exuding an air of nonchnce.


    Wyatt shot up<b>, </b>¡°Oh, right! I¡¯ve got that tea date with the neighbor¨Cgotta talk real estate. Will catch youter, Sir.<b>¡± </b>


    With that, he was gone.


    While seizing the opportunity, Curtis stood up too, ¡°I¡¯ll go check on<b>¡­ </b>things<b>.</b>¡±


    James had been acting a bit strangetely. Every time he and Wyatt talked about Ms. Mirabe, the gaze James would shoot them was enough to send shivers down their spines. It was best to avoid him when possible.


    As soon as they were gone, James fished out his phone and opened Messenger. Swiftly, he typed. [Congrats on first ce.]


    At her hotel, Mirabe raised an eyebrow at the message and replied. [Thanks.]


    After a moment, she sent another. [How have you been feelingtely?]


    Since concocting that remedy for him, she¡¯d been swamped withpetition prep, courtesy of Mr. Hammond, and hadn¡¯t checked in on James¡® health.


    Back in the vi, James¡® fingers hesitated on the screen before he typed. [Not great.]


    Mirabe¡¯s brow furrowed, [What happened?]


    James shifted in his seat, his handsome features rxed. [It¡¯s my chest¡­ feels kind of tight.]

 Chapter 312

    Chapter <b>312 </b>


    Mirabe stroked her chin in thought before texting back, [I¡¯ll take a look when I have some time.]


    James replied, [Thanks, I really appreciate your help.]


    Mirabe shot back a quick emoji, wrapping up their conversation swiftly.


    No sooner had she snapped her phone shut with ns to catch some shut¨Ceye, than it buzzed again. It was a message from Nick on Messenger.


    LIN<b>: </b>[Done with thepetition?]


    Lying on her bed, Mirabe responded with a brief [Yep.]


    LIN: [I¡¯ve got a surprise for you. Swing by my ce? I¡¯ll have my assistant pick you up from the hotel.]


    As Nick sent the message, his eyes nced at the threerge boxes on the floor.


    Last night¡¯s hefty bank transfer from Nick caught her eye. With a flick of her finger across the screen, she sighed and messaged him back, [Alright.]


    Shortly after, Mirabe, clutching her purse, headed downstairs.


    **


    Thirty minutester, Mirabe and Nick¡¯s assistant drove through the gates of a stately European manor.


    Multiple security checkpoints barred the entrance, only allowing ess upon sessful verification. The assistant, well¨Customed to this, swiftly navigated through, and they entered the vi grounds.


    Mirabe eyed the modernized manor with curiosity. As she stepped out, the assistant bid her farewell and drove off.


    Inside the grand foyer, Nick beckoned, ¡°Mira, take a seat.¡± He then headed to the kitchen.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t sit. Instead, she examined the smart systems around the hall with interest. Detecting a stranger, a nearby robot rolled up, issuing a warning beep.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe pressed a metal button atop its head, silencing it instantly.


    <b>Nick </b><b>returning </b>with


    <b>Chapter 312 </b>


    asked skeptically, ¡°You know how to handle robots?¡±


    Mirabe nced at the now¨Cdocile machine, shrugged, and said, ¡°First time seeing one. Just seemed like high¨Ctech, so I poked its head.¡±


    Nick didn¡¯t dwell on it and handed her the drink. As Mirabe took the bottle, ensuring not to touch him and maintaining a distance of about three feet, she thanked him<b>, </b>¡°Thanks, Nick.¡±


    Nick pursed his lips, then pushed the threerge boxes toward her, ¡°Check these out, see if you like them?¡±


    Mirabe had just twisted off the cap and taken a sip when the sight of the threerge boxes made her temples throb with apprehension. Surely they weren¡¯t filled with fluffy toys?


    She set the bottle on the coffee table and cautiously opened the boxes. Stacks of books, workbooks, and sets of test papers stared back at her, her face freezing in


    disbelief.


    Opening the other two, she found even more unique test papers and study materials. Words failed to describe her mood at that moment.


    ¡°Zach mentioned you like studying. I wasn¡¯t sure if these would be useful, but if not, I can have my assistant find something else,¡± Nick said slowly, his tone serious as though he would dispatch his assistant on a new mission if she disapproved.


    At the mention of Zach¡¯s name, Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched into a reluctant smile.

 Chapter 313

    Chapter <b>313 </b>


    The cash transfer fiasco had been bad enough the night before, but now, with the onught of study material, Mirabe was pretty sure her sibling bond with Zach was hanging by a thread. She took a deep breath and managed to force a smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine. This is enough. No need to dig around for more.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Nick let out a sigh of relief, then added, ¡°I¡¯ll mail these back to youter.¡±


    Mirabe averted her gaze, nomittally mumbling an ¡°Mhm¡± as she did.


    Nick moved the boxes to a corner of the room, his pale face looking even more ghostly under the artificial light.


    Mirabe eyed Nick thoughtfully. On the drive over, his assistant mentioned to her that Nick¡¯s ce was a fortress of solitude, only ever breached by his therapist and rarely anyone else. The guy was a total research junkie, often locking himself away in hisb for weeks, even months, withouting up for air.


    Regaining herposure, Mirabe sipped her drink and casually struck up a new topic, ¡°Nick, do you live here all by yourself?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Nick replied. A thought seemed to strike him, and leaning against the wall, he. turned to Mirabe, ¡°How did yourpetition go today?¡±


    ¡°Not bad, just made it to the finals,¡± Mirabe answered with modesty.


    Nick hadn¡¯t followed the event but nodded in appreciation, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s pretty impressive.¡±


    To avoid an awkward silence, Nick pulled out his phone. ¡°What¡¯s the name of thepetition? Can I look it up online?¡±


    Mirabe shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m not really sure. There is news about the domestic ones, but I haven¡¯t checked for international ones.¡±


    Hearing this, Nick put his phone away and nced at the clock on the wall. ¡°I should start on dinner. Any dietary restrictions I should know about?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m simple when ites to food.¡±


    Nick hummed an acknowledgment and headed to the kitchen without another word.


    Mirabe sat down on the couch, feeling a bit bored. She gestured to the nearby smart robot, her hand identally sweeping through its sensor zone, prompting it to trundle over to her.


    10:58


    Chapter 313.


    When it got close, she pressed a few buttons on its chest out of curiosity. Its head disy lit up with a stream of data. Mirabe nced at it, found it dull, and pushed the buttons again, returning the robot to its default state.


    Twenty minutester, Nick was done cooking. Heid out a modest yet artfully presented spread of three dishes and soup on the table, then called Mirabe over to


    eat.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sight of the meal. Nick had some serious culinary chops.


    Nick brought over two sets of cutlery, and after Mirabe asked which set was hers, she grabbed it and sat at the opposite end of the rectangr table. Considering the logistics required to reach for dishes, she just took one dish for herself. ¡°Nick, this portion is fine for me.¡±


    Nick was confused. Was there something a bit off with his sister? Throughout dinner, Nick couldn¡¯t help but nce at Mirabe sitting at the far end of the table. It was certainly an unusual way to share a meal.


    After dinner, with plenty of evening left, Nick didn¡¯t rush Mirabe back to her hotel. Instead, he turned on the TV and settled on the couch.


    Mirabe came out of the bathroom and saw Nick sitting there. Walking over, she very considerately chose the spot farthest from him to sit down.


    Nick silently observed her. Here was this keeping distance thing again.

 Chapter 314

    Chapter <b>314 </b>


    At the crack of dawn, Nick dropped Mirabe off at her hotel.


    In the car, Mirabe leaned back in her seat, her smartphone in hand, lost in thought. Though the heap of study materials she received was disheartening, she couldn¡¯t ignore the generous bonus that came her way. Not sending a thank¨Cyou gift just wasn¡¯t her style.


    After pondering for a moment, Mirabe turned to Nick and said, ¡°Nick, shoot me your addresster<b>, </b>okay? I¡¯ll mail you a box of sandalwood incense when I get back home.¡±


    Those who often relied on therapists for sleep usually struggled to get some rest, and it was apparent in his gaunt appearance. Though not ill, the wear and tear of life could take its toll.


    Nick was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered, responding, ¡°No worries, you don¡¯t have to go through all that trouble.¡±


    ¡°I insist. It¡¯s a wee gift! You can¡¯t say no,¡± Mirabe stated with earnest seriousness.


    Nick couldn¡¯t help but nce at her and, finally relenting, said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll drop my address in your Messengerter.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± Mirabe nodded in satisfaction, pausing before adding, ¡°Everyone who¡¯s used my incense hasn¡¯t had trouble sleeping through the night.¡±


    At the mention of insomnia, a wave of warmth swept through Nick¡¯s heart. It was an issue that had gued him for years, and he wasn¡¯t sure how Mirabe knew. He didn¡¯t refuse her offer even though he knew sandalwood held no magic cure for him.. ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°But do you make these yourself?¡± Nick was curious, as she had referred to them as ¡®my incense.¡®


    Mirabe looked down modestly, ¡°I try to.¡±


    ¡°By the way, when¡¯s your flight?¡± Nick asked in his typically sluggish manner.


    Mirabe twirled her phone in her hand. ¡°I think it¡¯s tomorrow afternoon.<b>¡± </b>


    After a brief silence, Nick offered, ¡°I could take you to the airport.¡±


    Mirabe waved the offer away. ¡°No need. It¡¯s always crowded there. I¡¯ll just head


    over with a ssmate.¡±


    save


    Nick opened his mouth to speak, feeling there was some misunderstanding between them.


    **


    The next day.


    The three students who had been eliminated came to see off Mirabe and Vincent. After yesterday¡¯s results, Mirabe seemed to carry all their hopes.


    The usually pressure¨Cfree Mirabe felt an odd weight on her shoulders as she entered the examination room.


    Three hourster, the test was over, and the scores for the finals would be


    announced in an hour. Thus, after the exam, everyone gathered in the lobby, waiting anxiously.


    Mirabe sat in a corner, seemingly the mostposed of all, chatting on her phone while everyone else was on edge.


    She was having a conversation with Collins, who had recently added her on Messenger. With Walker¡¯s ¡®Country Comfort¡® about to start filming in a few days, Collins had sent her a list of things to be mindful of on Messenger.


    Mirabe took serious note of Collins¡® advice. After all, she couldn¡¯t let her superstar brother down on their uing variety show.


    Just then, someone shouted, ¡°Scores are up!¡±


    The results were disyed on arge LCD screen in the center of the lobby. As the announcement echoed, heads turned in unison towards the screen.


    Mirabe¡¯s grip on her phone tightened, and she, too, slowly lifted her gaze:

 Chapter 315

    Chapter <b>315 </b>


    The LCD screen scrolled leisurely, revealing the ultimate scores of this year¡¯s grandpetition.


    In first ce, Mirabe, with a perfect score of 200.


    Second ce went to<b>¡­ </b>


    Landing in twenty¨Cseventh ce: Vincent, with a score of 173.


    ¡°Booyah, we nailed the top spot! Our country finally took the gold!¡±


    ¡°Mirabe, you¡¯re absolutely ster!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so choked up right now. Tears are welling up.¡±


    The students clustered around Mirabe were suddenly hugging each other, their eyes brimming with tears of joy.


    This wasn¡¯t just a personal victory but a triumph for their nation. This year, their country had finally made it to the leaderboard in the global finals, where national pride overshadowed individual glory.


    Mirabe gazed at her score on the big screen, a modest smile ying at the corners of her mouth, basking in her own glory.


    Vincent turned to face her, his eyes carrying a subtle admiration, and murmured, ¡°Congrattions, Mirabe, on clinching first ce.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°You¡¯re not too shabby yourself,¡± she replied with genuine encouragement.


    Vincent just smiled, saying nothing more.


    Soon enough, the news of Mirabe¡¯s sensational victory with a full score spread like wildfire back home, astounding those who were still reeling from the preliminary


    rounds.


    It had been ages since their nation had stormed into the finals, let alone in first ce with a full score. Thus, the name Mirabe was destined to be recorded in the annals of legends and serve as an inspiration for not just the next but several generations ofpetitors.


    **


    Back at the hotel.


    <b>10:58 </b>


    ip


    <b>Chapter </b><b>315 </b>


    Mirabe carefully packed the gleaming trophy into her suitcase. The sight <b>of </b>it made her lips curve into a smile by reflex. Her grandmom Catherine would be over the <b>moon </b>with this trophy.


    After packing, Mirabe wheeled her suitcase out of her room.


    Before long, the group hailed a taxi and sped off to the airport. With an hour left before their flight, Mirabe stepped away to take a call from Nick in the waiting area. ¡°Nick, I told you, you didn¡¯t need toe see me <b>off</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she said, maintaining a distance.


    Nick chuckled ruefully as he looked at his sister standing afar. ¡°Do we really need to talk this far apart, Mira?¡±


    She touched her nose sheepishly.


    Nick stepped closer, and as he gazed into his little sister¡¯s bright eyes, he felt a tug at his heartstrings. He raised his hand to her head and ruffled her hair gently. ¡°We¡¯re siblings, Mira. There¡¯s no need for distance.¡±


    Mirabe, who was used to being the one doing the patting, was taken aback. She thought Nick didn¡¯t like being close to others? Dame it, she got yed by Zach!


    Meanwhile, Zach, halfway across the world, sneezed unexpectedly and felt a mysterious chill down his spine.


    After chatting to Nick for twenty minutes or so, Mirabe nced at her watch. ¡°Nick, try to visit home when you can,¡± she suggested.


    He paused, then looked down and softly agreed, ¡°Sure.¡± His mind seemed to be


    elsewhere.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t press further. ¡°You should head back now, Nick. I¡¯m about to board.¡±


    ¡°Alright, safe travels. Text me when you get home,¡± Nick said slowly.


    With a nod, Mirabe returned to the departure gate.


    After standing alone for a few moments, Nick sighed softly, his breath fading into the airport hustle. He turned and left, his footsteps echoing faintly behind him.


    **


    By the time Mirabe arrived back in Ashford, it was the early hours of the next


    morning.

 Chapter 316

    Chapter <b>316 </b>


    Mirabe returned home and, due to jetg, crashed for nearly a full day, not waking until 6 p.m. When she finally got up, she freshened up quickly and made her way downstairs.


    As soon as she reached the living room, she noticed Collins lounging on the couch. She nodded in greeting and then headed to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.


    Collins turned to her, a yful smirk on his face. ¡°Mirabe<b>, </b>you¡¯re quite the rockstar, aren¡¯t you? Jetting off and knocking out the internationalpetition.¡±


    Mirabe took a couple of gulps of water before meeting his gaze, her tone nonchnt. ¡°Just doing what I do.¡±


    Collins¡® smile twitched; why did he even bother setting himself up for that ego knock? ¡°By the way, Mira, we¡¯re scheduled for that show the day after tomorrow. You¡¯re good to go, right?¡± Collins had been waiting at the Davis residence for half the day just to bring up the uing gig.


    ¡°Yeah, no sweat,¡± Mirabe replied as she settled into the sofa.


    The show would be starting over the weekend.


    ¡°Great. I mean, I¡¯ve briefed you on what to expect. Just stick close to Leo, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Collins advised.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Mirabe said, curling her legs beneath her on the couch. ¡°So, this show doesn¡¯t have a script or anything?¡±


    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s all improv,¡± Collins said, raising an eyebrow teasingly. ¡°You¡¯re not getting stage fright, are you, brainiac?¡±


    Mirabe shot him azy nce. ¡°I¡¯m just worried if I go full throttle, I might steal everyone else¡¯s thunder.¡±


    Collins threw her a yful punch. Smart and quick¨Cwitted as always.


    He nced at his watch and stood up. ¡°Alright, I should head out. Hit me up on Messenger if anythinges up.¡±


    ¡°Will do,¡± Mirabe said with a subtle pursing of her lips.


    After Collins left, Leo turned to Mirabe. ¡°You saw Nick, right?¡±


    10:58


    ¡°Yeah, I did.¡± Mirabe paused for a moment before asking, ¡°Why does Nick stay abroad all the time? Does he evere home?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°He¡¯s got his work cut out for him overseas. Probably keeps him too busy. He onlyes back home once every few years,¡± Leo replied softly.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Mirabe nodded and let the topic drop.


    **


    The next day, Mirabe made another trip to the herbal market, straight to a shop called Nature¡¯s Apothecary. She needed various herbs for an insomnia remedy and handed the owner a list. Though the list was long, the ingredients weremon, and the owner quickly gathered what she needed.


    Mirabe waited while the herbs were ground into powder, taking the chance to send a message to James. Once she got a reply confirming he was free, she pocketed her phone again.


    Soon, the owner handed over the powdered herbs. Mirabe transferred the payment and picked up her bag to leave. Just as she reached the door, someone came in, nearly bumping into her.


    ¡°Oh! Mirabe, what brings you here?¡± It was Niki, seemingly surprised to see Mirabe.


    She hadn¡¯t expected to run into Niki either and gave him a polite nod, lifting the bag slightly. ¡°Just picking up some herbs.¡±


    Niki¡¯s eyes practically sparkled. ¡°You¡¯re concocting something again? What is it this time? Need an assistant?¡±


    Mirabe just looked at him silently. ¡°I¡¯m not making medicine and don¡¯t need an assistant.¡±


    Letting Niki watch her make James¡® medicinest time was probably the worst decision she had ever made.


    ¡°Oh, I see¡­¡± Niki¡¯s face fell, disappointmentcing his voice. ¡°Well, if you ever do need a hand, you know where to find me, right?¡±


    Niki¡¯s apprentice at the counter, who had just been handling Mirabe¡¯s herbs, dropped his jaw in shock at the exchange.

 Chapter 317

    Chapter <b>317 </b>


    Was it his eyes or his ears that were giving him trouble? Why on earth was his mentor speaking to a youngdy with such earnestness?


    Niki¡¯s apprentice approached with a look of confusion. ¡°Sir, what are you up to<b>¡­</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>With a disdainful nce, Niki retorted, ¡°We¡¯re both human. Why must you be so dim<b>¨C</b>witted?¡±


    The apprentice was at a loss for words.


    Niki dismissed him and, as if struck by a sudden thought, turned his attention back to Mirabe, saying, ¡°Mirabe, you¡¯re not busy, are you?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Mirabe replied, her voice tinged with resignation.


    Dealing with this old man was a headache. Even if she managed to slip away now, he¡¯d surely hound herter on Messenger.


    ¡°Come, take a seat. There¡¯s a book I¡¯d like you to look at for me.¡± Niki, fearing she might make a run for it, grabbed Mirabe¡¯s arm and led her to a nearby chair. He then turned to his apprentice andmanded, ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there. Made Mirabe something to drink!¡±


    Startled by the reprimand, the apprentice quickly went to fetch the water. What had gotten into Niki today? He was usually so genial!


    Niki went behind the counter and, with a key, opened a drawer. He carefully retrieved a yellowed tome and handed it to Mirabe as if presenting a treasure. ¡°Take a look at this book.¡±


    The apprentice, returning with the tea leaves, caught sight of the book in Mirabe¡¯s hands, and his eyes widened in disbelief.


    His mentor was sharing that precious volume with an outsider?! Wasn¡¯t it always treated like a prized possession?


    The apprentice couldn¡¯t help but shift his gaze back to Mirabe. Who exactly was this young woman tomand such respect from his venerable mentor?


    Mirabe only flipped through the first few pages before putting the book down.


    Niki, stroking his beard, asked, ¡°Why did you stop reading?¡±


    With a touch to her forehead, Mirabe spoke with a hint of impatience, ¡°These are


    10:59


    <b>Chapter </b>317


    just iplete forms, hardly worth the read.¡± She had thought to call them rubbish but held back, not wanting to offend him. He was an elderly man, after all. What if he took it badly?


    Upon hearing her words, a realization shed across Niki¡¯s eyes. After a moment, he confessed, ¡°Truth be told, this book has been handed down from the older generations. I¡¯ve spent most of my life trying to decipher the concoctions to no avail.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s expression grewplex. After a brief silence, she said, ¡°An iplete form will only yield a defective remedy¨Cineffective and a waste of ingredients. It might be best to discard it.¡±


    The suggestion hung heavy in the air, leaving Niki momentarily dazed. To hear such advice from a top alchemist was profound. The book had been treasured for generations, only to be deemed worthless¡­ No wonder he¡¯d never managed to grasp the full recipes.


    Sensing the impact of her words, Mirabe chose not to dwell on it any further. She stood up, ¡°I should be going.¡± She left swiftly, carrying her remedy with her.


    It took a while for Niki to collect himself. His gaze fell upon the aged book on the table, and he let out a wry chuckle, ¡°Truly, I¡¯ve grown old.¡± He picked up the book and


    returned it to the drawer.


    The apprentice, still holding the freshly brewed pot of tea, stood frozen as the guest departed. Turning to Niki, he asked, <i>¡°</i>Master, who exactly is this Mirabe?¡±


    Niki looked at him but remained silent.


    ¡°Right, the girl visited us before. I mentioned to you that the ingredients she sought were quite peculiar, for making incense, I think¡­¡± the apprentice mumbled.


    At that. Niki¡¯s eves widened in sudden realization.

 Chapter 318

    When Mirabe stepped out of Nikl¡¯s shop, Nature¡¯s Apothecary, she decided to pick up some spices to round off her shopping spree. Just as she dropped thest packet into her tote, her cell buzzed in her pocket. It was James on the line.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m at the corner. I¡¯ll be out in a sec.¡± Mirabe slipped her phone back into her bag and soon left the bustling farmers¡® market. She spotted the sleek ck sedan waiting at the curb almost immediately. Striding over, she pulled open the back door and gracefully slid into the


    seal.


    Wyatt, the driver, greeted her with increasing deference, ¡°Good afternoon, Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Wyatt,¡± she replied with a polite nod.


    Turning to James, Mirabe noticed he seemed back to his usual self. A yful squint crossed her eyes as she teased, ¡°You mentioned a tightness in your chest yesterday?¡±


    Tightness in the chest? Wyatt nced at them, puzzled. He hadn¡¯t heard James mention anything of the sort.


    James, unflustered, gave a nonchnt hum and even feigned a cough while pressing his chest. ¡°Just give me your hand,¡± Mirabe instructed.


    James extended his arm toward her. Mirabe shifted slightly toward the center seat and expertly ced her fingers on his pulse, her gaze softening.


    James watched Mirabe¡¯s seriousness, a tranquil contrast to her easygoing demeanor. The cool touch on his wrist vanished, and her calm voice followed, ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious.¡±


    He withdrew his hand. ¡°Yeah, I thought it wasn¡¯t much. Sorry for the concern.¡±


    Mirabe settled back into her seat, waving off the matter. ¡°No worries.¡±


    His gaze fell on the paper bag beside her. Feigning casual interest, he asked, ¡°Whipping up some medicine again?¡±


    ¡°Something like that,¡± Mirabe yawned, leaning against the car door. ¡°Wake me up when we get to the diner.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡±


    Wyatt, upfront, instinctively eased off the elerator. To him, Mirabe was now a figure of even greater importance than James. Her title as a top¨Ctier apothecary would have the prominent families of Riverdale vying for her attention.


    Rubbing his nose, he nced in the rearview mirror, marveling at how James had the fortune to be acquainted with someone like Ms. Mirabe.


    Half an hourter, they pulled up to the entrance of the diner. James turned to Mirabe, about


    <b>11:30 </b>


    to wake her, but she was already stirring, <b>her </b>eyes still misty with sleep.


    Rubbing her eyes, her voice raspy, she asked, ¡°We there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Mirabe nced out the window and stepped out of the car. Soon, the trio made their way to a private booth on the second floor.


    After <b>ordering</b>, the waiter left them to their privacy.


    James poured a cup of tea for Mirabe with a deliberate slowness, noting the lingering signs of fatigue on her face. ¡°Rough night?¡±


    Propping her head on the table, she drawled, ¡°It¡¯s okay, just adjusting my sleep schedule.¡±


    ¡®Ms. Mirabe, I¡¯ve been following yourpetitions. You¡¯re incredible,¡± Wyatt couldn¡¯t help but interject, seizing the opportunity to butter her. up


    Mirabe rolled her head toward him. ¡°It was no biggie.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s eyebrows twitched. He thought. ¡®Scoring perfect marks was no biggie? If she ever got serious, she¡¯d obliterate every other high¨Cachiever out there.¡±


    At that moment, Mirabe¡¯s phone rang. She fished it out and stood up, walking to the doorway. before answering. ¡°Hey, Dad¡­¡±


    James¡® eyes followed her briefly before he returned to his cup, sipping the water quietly.


    22

 Chapter 319

    Mirabe stepped outside the private dining room and squinted into the din of the restaurant. ¡°How¡¯d you know I was out grabbing a bite with friends?¡± she asked, her gaze inadvertently sweeping the area for any sign of Shawn.


    Aside from the asional hustle of the restaurant staff, there was no trace of Shawn.


    ¡°Oh, a buddy mentioned they saw you in the restaurant.¡± Shawn¡¯s voice came through the phone, tinged with a hint of guilt.


    One of Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched inquisitively. ¡°Oh, really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Look, you keep enjoying your meal with your friends. I won¡¯t keep you, kiddo,¡± Shawn said, ready to end the call.


    ¡°It¡¯s that tutor friend of <b>mine</b><b>,</b>¡± Mirabe shook her head, slipping in the exnation just before Shawn could hang up.


    ¡°The one who gave you those two boxes of fancy boffee beans?¡± Shawn paused his goodbye.


    Mirabe hummed in confirmation.


    ¡°Good heavens, why didn¡¯t you say so earlier? I¡¯ve been meaning to take your tutor out for a meal to thank him.¡± Shawn eximed, surprised.


    Mirabe nced back at the private room, ¡°No need, Dad. I reckon he¡¯s too busy for that.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! Next time you see him, set something up. We have to show our gratitude property, especially since he¡¯s been helping you with studies and even brought such a fine gift Shawn insisted with earnest seriousness.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about itter. We¡¯re going to eat now,¡± Mirabe mumbled vaguely and quickly hung up the phone.


    Taking someone out to eat just meant spending more money, right? Please, it was best if they didn¡¯t.


    Back in the private dining room, Mirabe had barely settled in het seat when her phone buzzed with a new message on Messenger. She nced at it and pressed her fingers to her temples. feeling the onset of a headache.


    Taking a deep breath, she looked up at James with a serious expression. ¡°My dad wants to take you out for a meal, a little thank you for the tea you gave me. If you¡¯re busy, I can just tell


    him you can¡¯t make it, okay?<i>¡± </i>


    James¡® lips twitched slightly.


    ¡°Cough, cough¡­¡± Wyatt, who had just taken a sip of his drink, nearly choked on it.


    ¡°I¡¯m free tomorrow.¡± James finally replied.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not, I have to go film a show tomorrow


    ¡°A show? What kind of show<i>?</i><i>¡± </i>Wyatt asked, intrigued. James turned to her as wel


    ¡°It¡¯s called ¡®Country Comfort, It¡¯s a live¨Cstreamed show<i>, </i>Mirabells exined, giving it a casual plug.


    Wyatt quickly pulled out his phone and searched for <i>¡°</i>Country Comfort, which brought up a slew of rted content. He skimmed through the summary; a five¨Cstreamed show about families trying out country living.


    ¡°Seems like a pretty novel concept,¡± Wyattmented.


    ¡°If you¡¯re free, you could check it out,¡± Mirabe said nonchntly,


    Wyatt nodded and scrolled down for more details. ¡°But I don¡¯t see your name listed here?


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows went up. ¡°It¡¯ll be there tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, what time does it start?¡± Wyatt inquired.


    ¡°Should be around ten,¡± Mirabe recalled Collins mentioning it to her


    Wyatt made a note of the time and then downloaded an app, where the show would be streamed the next day.


    Soon after, the server brought their meals to the table.


    After a satisfying dinner, Wyatt went to settle the bill. As he handed over his card and the check to the cashier, he noticed the staff member¡¯s demeanor change as they nced at the room number. Standing up, the cashier addressed him with exceptional politeness. ¡°Good evening. sir. Your bill for the private dining room has already been taken care of.¡±

 Chapter 320

    11:33


    Chapter <b>320 </b>


    The cashier just shook her head with a smile. ¡°The bill¡¯s already been taken care of.¡±


    Seeing this, Wyatt didn¡¯t press further<b>. </b>With a puzzled frown, he pocketed his card and headed back to the private dining room.


    Upon his return, Wyatt noticed Mirabe was absent. He asked casually. ¡°Where¡¯s Ms. Mirabe?¡±


    ¡°Bathroom,¡± James replied, barely ncing at Wyatt, his tone disinterested.


    Wyatt paused, a thought crossing his mind. Could Ms. Mirabe have settled the bill? But hadn¡¯t she been in the room the whole time?


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± James inquired, noticing Wyatt¡¯s perplexed expression.


    Scratching his head, Wyatt admitted, ¡°I went to pay, but the cashier said someone had already covered it.¡±


    He hesitated before adding, ¡°Maybe Ms. Mirabe sorted it out.¡±


    James tapped his fingers on the tabletop but didn¡¯t respond.


    Shortly, Mirabe returned to the room. She caught the odd looks from James and Wyatt and asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s with the faces?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Wyatt replied quickly, determined not to admit that he and James had almost freeloaded a meal. That would be too embarrassing to share.


    After lunch, Mirabe parted ways with James and headed straight home. She brought back all the herbs and spices she had purchased and spent the afternoon in her room crafting scents.


    After dinner, she went back upstairs to check on her creations. They were perfectly set and dry. She carefully cut them into pieces and packed them into three boxes. Nick and Catherine would each receive one, while the third one was for home use.


    Mirabe had just ced the spare box in the storage cab downstairs when her eagle¨Ceyed brother, Zach, spotted it. ¡°Did you make more incense?¡± he asked excitedly.


    ¡°Yeah, want one?¡± Mirabe pulled the box back out.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Zach nodded eagerly.


    Opening the box, Mirabe handed him just a single stick. Holding it, Zach nced at the box with at least twenty sticks. ¡°Only one for me?¡±


    Mirabe looked up at Zach and suddenly remembered the three huge boxes of school papers still in transit. Her mood soured instantly. ¡°You think one¡¯s too few? Then you don¡¯t need any.¡±


    Zach quickly hid the incense stick behind his back. ¡°No, I misspoke.¡± Mirabe¡¯s moods could


    <b>1/2 </b>


    flip so quickly all he had wanted was just one more stick,


    With a snap, Mirabe closed the box and, right in front of him, locked it away in the


    before turning to leave,


    Zach watched her ascend the stairs, confused, pushing up his sses without a clue as to how he had managed to upset her.


    The next morning, Mirabe was up bright and early. The studio ¡°Country Comfort was going to be shot wasn¡¯t in Ashford but in a smaller town called Harmony Point within its county. It was a good two¨Chour drive away. The call time was ten in the morning, so they needed to arrive at the set before then.


    Collins was already waiting downstairs. In no time, Mirabe and Leo, each with a small suitcase, took the elevator down. Once their luggage was stowed, they climbed into the car. ready for the journey to Harmony Point.


    On the road, Collins nced in the rearview mirror and couldn¡¯t help butment. ¡°You really nning on staying behind the scenes for the show?¡±


    Mirabe leaned back in her seat, azy ponytail draped over her shoulders, and lifted her eyelids slightly. ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯d join me in showbiz with that face of yours, you¡¯d be a sensation, Collinsmented, not for the first time, But Mirabe seemed entirely disinterested in the limelight.


    Such a waste of a pretty face.

 Chapter 321

    Chapter <b>321 </b>


    Mirabe snagged Leo¡¯s hat from the adjacent seat and plunked it right over her face. Was she the kind of girl who needed her looks to get by? No way!


    ¡°Man, folks like you who treat money like it¡¯s dirt are a rare breed these days,¡± Collins sighed, shaking his head with a mix of admiration and disbelief. He¡¯de to realize something about these siblings¨Ctheir reckless streak was cut from the same cloth.


    Beneath the shadow of the hat, Mirabe¡¯s eyelids fluttered.


    Leo nced at Mirabe, then grabbed a nket from the car and draped it over her shoulders before speaking up. ¡°Better to stay under the radar, right? Mirabe is still grinding through her senior year of high school. With those looks of hers, she¡¯d hit the big time, no sweat. But getting recognized everywhere? That¡¯s a hassle. Plus, disguises are a pain.¡±


    Hearing Leo boast about the inevitable ¡®big time,¡® Collins¡® lips twitched. Was this guy just a walking hype machine for his sister? Collins had seen plenty of braggers, but this level of shamelessness was something else.


    ¡°It¡¯s all good, though. If Walker has no issues with it, then let¡¯s keep her out of the <b>spotlight</b><b>,</b>¡± Collins gave in, figuring a mask might even add a bit of mystery. After all, with a superstar


    even if she wanted to.


    brother¡¯s aura, there was no way she could keep a low profile


    Leo sat up straight, his voice taking on a somber note. ¡°Besides, it¡¯s not like we¡¯re hurting for cash.¡±


    Collins didn¡¯t respond. That statement just begged for a punch.


    Just then, Mirabe flipped the hat off her face, revealing deep, almond¨Cshaped eyes. ¡°No, we


    are.¡±


    Leo was baffled by her statement. Wait, what?


    Harmony Point was a well¨Cknown tourist hub in Ashford, dotted with spots that were Instagram gold.


    After a three¨Chour drive, they finally arrived at the filming location. Before getting out of the car. Mirabe had already slipped on her mask. She and Leo had barely stepped out when they were instantly swarmed by the crew¡¯s cameras.


    Mirabe paused, turning to Leo, ¡°Are wete or something?¡± She lifted her wrist to check the time.


    It¡¯s only half past nine. Wasn¡¯t the live broadcast supposed to start at ten sharp?


    While Mirabe was visibly surprised, Leo¡¯s expression was even more dramatic. After a moment of shock, he managed to muster, ¡°Ah, maybe the crew¡¯s just tweaking the cameras or something.¡± He¡¯d seen this kind of thing during music video shoots.


    11:31


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes skeptically, then nced at the crew¡¯s cameras. ¡°Doesn¡¯t really


    look like that to me.¡±


    This was Leo¡¯s first time on a live reality show, and he instinctively scratched his <b>head</b><b>, </b>¡°Let <b>me </b>check with Collins¡­¡± He turned around, only to find that Collins¨Cand the car¨Chad vanished.


    Leo was shocked.


    Meanwhile, on the streaming tform:


    [OMG, thest mystery guests are Juztin¡­ I¡¯m totally bamboozled.]


    [The surprise hit me like a tornado.]


    [LOL, ¡®tweaking the cameras? Do you not realize we¡¯re already live?]


    [¡®Tweaking the cameras¡® somehow hits my funny bone just right.]


    [Hahaha, the look of utter confusion on Juztin¡¯s face is priceless. It¡¯s confirmed¨Cthe crew has pranked them<b>!</b>]


    [Who¡¯s the girl with the mask? I heard her call our guest, Leo, so is this Juztin¡¯s sister?]


    <b>[</b>Why is the girl wearing a mask? Could it be she¡¯s not exactly a looker?<b>] </b>


    [Did anyone else notice that the girl seems quicker on the uptake than her brother? Just look at their expressions forparison.]

 Chapter 322

    While Leo was still reeling from confusion, the show¡¯s host strolled over with a spring in his step. ¡°Looks like our surprise guest is truly spooked,¡± the host said, sporting a headset and ncing at the live stream¡¯s chat feed.


    Leo gave the host a cool expressionless look. ¡°Wasn¡¯t the call time at ten?¡± His words carried a tinge of grinding teeth.


    Clearing his throat, the host handed him an earpiece and managed to keep a straight face as he said, ¡°Well, you could think of it as us just tweaking the cameras right now.¡±


    Leo was lost for words.


    The host then turned his attention to Mirabe, his eyes twinkling with unmistakable mischief, ¡°Miss, maybe you could take off your mask¡­¡±


    Mirabe shot him down. ¡°Nope.¡±


    The host was visibly choked up by the rejection. He turned to the camera with a look of exaggerated regret, ¡°Even I can¡¯t glimpse thisdy¡¯s face, so folks, don¡¯t get your hopes up.¡±


    The live chat went wild.


    [LOL, I can feel Juztin¡¯s deep despair through the screen.]


    [Host, you¡¯re getting cheeky.]


    [The girl looks super cool and heartless.]


    [Not showing her face on the live stream, are we ying the mystery card?]


    [Probably not a celeb, but who cares, with her brother¡¯s good looks in the frame.]


    [Ah, a big hug to Juztin, all set up by the crew.]


    Once Mirabe and Leo were geared up with their earpieces<b>, </b>they followed the host deeper into the venue.


    The recording location the crew had chosen was picturesque, with a quaint bed & breakfast, a farm, a pasture, and a little vige dotting the way¨Ca perfect reflection of the show¡¯s pastoral life theme.


    Mirabe was pleasantly surprised.


    ¡°You nervous?¡± Leo whispered, his voiceced with concern. After all, they were the focus of multiple cameras.


    Mirabe adjusted her mask, her demeanor unfazed, ¡°Not at all.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± And with that. Leo didn¡¯t press further.


    Soon, the group arrived at a B&B in the vige, where the other three guest teams had been


    <b>1/2 </b>


    11:32


    waiting for about half an hour.


    The live stream had actually started at nine, and the reason Mirabe and Leo thought it was at ten was all part of the crew¡¯s deliberate staging.


    Leo, hyped as the grand mystery guest in the show¡¯s promotions, was meant to make a surprising entrance to drive up the excitement.


    The other three guest teams were Hans, Heather, and Gabriel. Unlike Leo, these three were titans of the film industry. Hans was a veteran actor with years of fame, Heather had snagged the Best Actress award the previous year, and Gabriel was a heartthrob idol, having amassed a legion of fans with a hit fantasy series.


    Leo, a chart¨Ctopping music sensation with a fanbase in the millions, had never appeared on a variety show before, so his arrival took everyone by surprise. They knew the crew had invited a mystery team but had no clue who it might be, and none had checked their phones for the live stream beforehand.


    Heather, snapping out of her shock, eximed, ¡°It¡¯s Juztin, the lead of Neon Paradox! What a surprise!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, looks like Walker¡¯s really gone all out,¡± mused Hans, stroking his chin before stepping forward to greet Leo. Then, noticing Mirabe with her mask, he inquired, ¡°Oh, who¡¯s this?¡±


    Leo nodded politely and introduced her, ¡°My sister.¡± He paused, casting a nce at the camera, ¡°She¡¯s a bit on the shy side.¡±

 Chapter 323

    The implication was clear: her introversion made her wear a mask.


    Hans could read between the lines, but he just chuckled and offered a greeting anyway, ¡°Hey there, miss.¡±


    Mirabe nodded at him. ¡°Hello to you, too.¡± Her voice was a bit husky and low, with an alluring huskiness to it. Even with her mask on, her bright, glistening eyes were captivating.


    Heather had brought along her cousin to the show. Typically, those who were brought to such events had either aspirations to break into showbiz or were already minor celebrities. Heather¡¯s cousin lit up when she saw Leo, moving toward him with graceful poise to say hello. She seemed very approachable and sweet.


    Meanwhile, Heather¡¯s gazended on Mirabe, and with a flicker of curiosity, she asked, ¡°Are you part of the industry too?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± replied Mirabe politely before lowering her gaze, not seeming too enthusiastic to engage further. Noticing this, Heather¡¯s expression softened, and she didn¡¯t probe any further.


    The chat in the live stream was buzzing withments.


    [What¡¯s with Juztin¡¯s sister¡¯s cold attitude? Doesn¡¯t she realize who¡¯s talking to her?]


    [Seems a bit affected to me.)


    [Compared to Juztin¡¯s sister<b>, </b>Heather¡¯s cousin seems pretty outgoing, greeting everyone. proactively.]


    [Are you v


    viewing this through tinted lenses? Didn¡¯t you hear Juztin just say his sister is shy?]


    [Juztin is cool and aloof, so what if his sister is a bit cold? That¡¯s totally normal, right?]


    [Haha, honestly, I dig this kind of quiet, cool¨Ctype chick.)


    At ten o¡¯clock sharp, the host came out with a megaphone in hand. ¡°Let¡¯s kick off today¡¯s live stream with a chicken ughter challenge!¡±


    Then, he led everyone to the backyard, pointing to a pen with chickens all set for the task, ¡°One chicken per team. Whichever team finishes first gets a feast for lunch.¡±


    ¡°And if we¡¯rest?¡± Hans asked under his breath.


    The host turned to him with a sly smile. ¡°The losers get nothing but pickled veggies and <b>in </b>bread, and they have to wash all the dishes for the entire crew.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit harsh,¡± muttered Gabriel beside him.


    ¡°How is that harsh?¡± the host retorted flippantly before opening the wooden pen. ¡°You have ten


    minutes. The countdown starts now. Go!¡±


    As the pen was opened, the chickens scattered in every direction. The whole yard became a


    flurry of feathers and chaos, and everyone quickly got down to business.


    Il can feel the wickedness from the production team.]


    [I¡¯m dying, ten minutes? I bet they won¡¯t even catch a single chicken.]


    [Even though the director¡¯s setup is clich¨¦, it¡¯s still a hrious scene.]


    Leo watched the chickens scatter, then turned to his sister with a wistful sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of all the dishes at lunch.¡±


    [Pfft, is Juztin conceding defeat before even starting the battle?]


    [Such a doting brother.]


    [Looks like Juztin has decided to shoulder it all, hahaha.]


    Mirabe was scrolling through the livements on her phone. Hearing Leo¡¯s voice, she pocketed the device, looked up with her sparkling eyes, raised an eyebrow, and said, ¡°They¡¯re just chickens.¡±


    Leo opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Mirabe had already rolled up her sleeves with a calm determination.

 Chapter 324

    As Mirabe¡¯s words fell, the camera next to her immediately zoomed in on her.


    She was tall and slender, d in casual athletic wear, her nonchnt sleeve¨Crolling exuding a cool charm. Her ponytail cascaded over her shoulders in a carefree tumble, and the ck mask hid most of her face, leaving only her deep eyes to sweep slowly over the camera before retreating.


    That shot sent the live stream¡¯s chat into overdrive.


    [OMG, that girl is fierce. Those eyes are killer!]


    [Did she just diss the idea of ughtering a chicken? I swear I heard disdain.]


    [LOL, Juztin¡¯s getting the cold shoulder.<b>] </b>


    Leo followed his sister, touching his nose self¨Cconsciously,


    ¡°Nope,¡± Mirabe said coolly, not even bothering to look up.


    You ever butcher a chicken?¡±


    The yard wasrge, and the show¡¯s producers had provided only a few chickens. With the other guests chasing around, the whole ce was a chaotic mess.


    Mirabe pointed to two unimed chickens in the corner and tilted her head towards Leo. ¡°Which one do you want?¡±


    Leo¡¯s eyelids twitched. ¡°Uh¡­ either is fine.¡± The main thing was catching one.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Mirabe nodded, her tone as light and breezy as if catching chickens was just a walk in the park for her.


    [Ah, so fake. Just look at Hans and Gabriel over there. They wouldn¡¯t dare talk like that. This is just for show.]


    [Are you a hater or what? Can¡¯t stand people like that.]


    [Go, girl! It¡¯s okay if you can¡¯t catch one. Your brother will help with the dishes.]


    Meanwhile, Wyatt was glued to his phone, watching the live stream of Mirabe and Leo¡¯s channel. He frowned at some of the negativements. ¡°These fans don¡¯t know squat. Ms. Mirabe¡¯s hands are too precious for this. They think a chicken is worth her time?¡±


    Sitting beside him, Curtis twitched his lip in distaste, casting a side nce at Wyatt. This guy was seriously too much, bing Ms. Mirabe¡¯s fanboy.


    ¡°I gotta back her up.¡± Wyatt hit the gift section as he spoke and spammed dozens of virtual. roses, quickly drowning out the negativements.


    Curtis nced at Wyatt¡¯s screen. ¡°A few dozen roses, and you call that support?¡± The rose splurge was not even worth two hundred bucks. So much for being a superfan.


    Wyatt touched his nose sheepishly. ¡°I¡¯m broke.¡±


    11:22


    Curtis. ¡°Yeah right<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    James leaned back on the sofa, his phone resting on his knees. His eyes casually drifted, and his pale fingers tapped lightly on the screen.


    ¡°A hundred rockets? Where did this big spendere from?¡± Wyatt eximed.


    A rocket was worth a fortune in virtual currency and a hundred of them¡­ Wyatt instinctively looked over at James sitting across from him.


    James¡® serene face showed no emotion.


    Maybe Wyatt was overthinking it, so he turned his attention back to his phone.


    The mystery big spender¡¯s rockets eclipsed the roses in an instant. The live stream was abuzz with the sudden influx of gifts, and Leo¡¯s channel¡¯s poprity soared.


    Mirabe was oblivious to themotion online, her gaze sweeping the yard before settling on a basket piled against the wall. She strode over<b>, </b>picked one up with one hand, and headed straight for the chicken she had her eye on.


    Leo followed silently, watching his sister with the basket, not even approaching the chicken. Then, with a graceful arc. she tossed the basket into the air.


    And then¡­ Leo¡¯s expression froze.

 Chapter 325

    Chapter <b>325 </b>


    A minuteter, Mirabe came strutting over, clutching a chicken like it was no big deal.


    Leo snapped back to reality, gazing at the chicken in his sister¡¯s grasp. After a long pause, he finally managed to say. ¡°You¡¯re something else.¡±


    With a nonchnt arch of her eyebrow, Mirabe carried the chicken towards the kitchen, radiating pure confidence.


    Leo didn¡¯t follow. Instead, he pondered for a couple of seconds before lifting his gaze toward the basket Mirabe had flung with such ease. He strolled over to it. Reaching out, he tried to emte his sister¡¯s effortless lift and throw of the basket. However¡­ the moment Leo lifted the basket with one hand, he was taken aback by its weight.


    The basket wasn¡¯t excessively heavy, but¡­ how did Mirabe manage to toss it so lightly? And with just one hand?


    [Pfft, what¡¯s Juztin up to now?]


    [I get the feeling he¡¯s trying out the move his sis just pulled off.]


    [Go on, Juztin, let¡¯s see you chuck that basket as she did<b>.</b><b>] </b>


    Leo nced at the camera and, as if nothing had happened, he used his other hand to hoist the basket up, awkwardly carrying it back to its original spot, his movements a tad clumsy.


    ¡°Everything in its right ce,¡± he muttered, straightening his back and heading towards the kitchen. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s my sister¡¯s first time prepping a chicken.¡±


    [Hahaha, I¡¯m dying. I bet Juztin totally wanted to toss that basket.]


    [¡®Everything in its right ce,¡® did your image just crumble?]


    [What a twist, LOL.]


    The kitchen was spacious, with an old¨Cfashioned wood stove, as no gas was avable in the countryside. By the time Leo entered the kitchen, Mirabe was already kindling a fire under a pot of water.


    He silently observed the chicken already prepared at the side, then squatted down by the stove like his sister had. ¡°Let me do the fire,¡± he offered.


    Mirabe nced up. ¡°You know how?¡±


    That shut Leo up pretty quickly.


    Il can feel Juztin¡¯s introversion through the screen.]


    [Sister: You know how? Juztin: I¡­]


    (Juztin¡¯s ego is taking a hit.]


    11:327


    <b>(</b>It¡¯s amazing. How does his sister know how to do all these chores so well?]


    [Country bumpkin, obviously.]


    Before long, the pot was boiling. Mirabe grabbed a nearby basin, dumped the prepped chicken into it, and thendled the steaming water over the bird.


    At that moment, the other three groups of guests had only just managed to catch their chickens. They fell silent upon seeing Leo¡¯s team already plucking feathers..


    Heather came to her senses and said wistfully, ¡°I wish I had a sister who could do everything.¡±


    Hans nced at Heather and quipped, ¡°Maybe in your dreams.¡±


    [Haha, Hans is so savage.]


    [Heather¡¯s cousin: I may not be all¨Cpowerful, but I¡¯m super cute.]


    [A nanny can do it all.]


    Checking his watch, Hans eximed, ¡°Shoot, we¡¯re gonna end up as dishwashers for the crew today.¡±


    As Hans spoke, Mirabe had already plucked the chicken clean, rinsed it under a tap, and ced it in a clean basin.


    Mission aplished.


    Seeing this, Hans and his partner panicked, hurriedly grabbing knives to start on their chickens ¨C anything to avoiding inst.


    Gabriel and his brother quietly moved to the side, leaving Heather and her cousin standing there, exchanging awkward nces. Her cousin cast a look down at the chicken in her hands, then approached Leo tentatively and, with the utmost politeness, asked. ¡°Juztin, could you lend us a hand, please?¡±

 Chapter 326

    Leo always yed it cool around strangers. He casted a brief nce at his sister, who had just wiped her fingers clean with a napkin, then fell silent for a couple of beats before looking away.


    His gaze shifted to Heather and her cousin. They were in the middle of a live broadcast, which made it harder to decline. Heather seemed nice enough, so he said, ¡°I might not be a pro at carving pumpkins,¡± he said with a shrug, ¡°but I can give it a shot.¡±


    Mirabe shot Leo a look that was rich with disdain. There was a stool nearby. She sauntered over to it, plopped down, and pulled out her smartphone.


    Heather¡¯s cousin, Michelle, caught Leo¡¯s drift¨Cthe chicken was obviously his sister¡¯s handiwork. Michelle lifted her gaze to Mirabe, who showed no intention of lending a hand. With a slight drop of her eyes, Michelle decided not to push it. She nodded at Leo with a soft voice, ¡°Thank you, that would be great.¡±


    At that moment, thements section started to bubble up.


    [Why¡¯s Juztin¡¯s sister like that? She heard Heather¡¯s cousin ask for help, and she just sat there scrolling on her phone. She¡¯s seriouslycking some social cues, right?]


    [It¡¯s such a simple thing to do, and yet she¡¯s making her brother, who¡¯s clueless about it, take over. Not cool of the sister¡­ tsk.]


    [Seems like there¡¯s a bit of tension, but it¡¯s normal for her not to help. After all, her cousin didn¡¯t ask her directly.]


    [Some folks are so weird. Why should the sister have to help? Can¡¯t you see Juztin doesn¡¯t really want her to either?]


    [Right, he¡¯s just being protective of his sister and reluctantly agreed to avoid being rude. Don¡¯t push the me onto her.]


    can¡¯t stand people like Michelle, knowing full well it¡¯s Juztin¡¯s sister¡¯s job but still purposely asking him. What¡¯s the subtext here, hmm?]


    Mirabe sat on the stool, legs casually crossed, and the live streamments scrolling on her phone¡¯s screen. She nced at them without much concern. She shook her head as she watched Leo, who seemed to be making more of a mess than progress, and withdrew her attention.


    Deal with your ownmitments.


    Her screen lit up with a Messenger notification, and Mirabe tapped it.


    Jenna: [Queen Mira, how can you let your brother deal with the chicken? Doesn¡¯t your heart hurt for him?]


    The Pill: [Oh, and was your heart hurting when I was doing it just now?]


    <b>11:33 </b>


    Jenna: [Believe it or not, I¡¯m about to expose you in the live stream!)


    The Pill: (Think before you speak.)


    Jenna retracted a <b>message</b>.


    Jenna: (Listen, that Michelle is annoying. Don¡¯t let her leech off your brother¡¯s poprity.)


    Mirabe looked up, eyeing Michelle, who asionally got close to Leo, and narrowed her eyes. Then, she suddenly stood and approached them.


    Leo, still holding the butcher knife, paused when he noticed his sistering over,


    ¡°Give me the knife,¡± Mirabe said coolly.


    Obediently, Leo handed it to her.


    Michelle was still holding the pumpkin, and when she saw Mirabe, she offered a grateful smile. ¡°Thanks.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Mhm.¡± Mirabe nodded once, taking the knife and making a quick gesture as if she were a chef about to fillet a fine cut, the de glinting in the light. She then turned to Michelle. ¡°Hold it steady.¡±


    Leo was standing by her side and felt an odd twinge in his heart at his sister¡¯s action. It was as if she radiated a silent threat.


    Michelle initially wanted to pass the chicken over to Mirabe directly, but hearing hermand, she braced herself and pressed the chicken down onto the stone countertop, ¡°Is this okay?¡±


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 327

    Chapter <b>327 </b>


    Mirabe nced over. ¡°Oh, sure, no problem.¡±


    Michelle took a deep breath and was about to turn away when she saw Mirabe in front of her, swiftly swinging her arm, a knife in hand. The next second, Michelle felt something warm stter onto her face.


    Michelle¡¯s eyes snapped open.


    Everyone who witnessed the scene froze.


    ¡°Ah, sorry about that,¡± Mirabe said, putting down the knife and fishing a tissue out of her pocket. She only pulled out one and handed it over, ¡°I¡¯ve only done this once before.¡±


    Michelle was wearing a white coat, and now her face, cor, and pants were all sttered with blood. She looked at Mirabe, who seemed apologetic but didn¡¯t genuinely appear to be sorry.


    Michelle¡¯s expression soured slightly, but mindful of the live broadcast, she mustered a forced smile and said with faux generosity, ¡°No, no worries.¡±


    She lowered her gaze, not taking the tissue from Mirabe, and turned to the host to excuse herself to clean up, quickly walking away.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, feeling not the slightest bit embarrassed as she used the tissue to wipe her fingers.


    In the live stream chat,


    [OMG, that was totally on purpose.]


    (You ask my brother to carve a turkey, and you get a face full of ¡®blood,¡® lol. I can totally see the bossdy vibes on Juztin¡¯s little sister.]


    [Jeez, Michelle gets sshed, and you only gave her one tissue? Who does that?]


    [This country bumpkin should be kicked off the show.]


    (This girl is badass, keeping all those fame¨Chungry flies away from her brother.]


    [Some people have no shame trying to cling to the spotlight. I¡¯m d my girl handled it like a pro!]


    Beside them, Heather¡¯s gaze flitted across Mirabe, who was untouched by any blood, her eyes devoid of warmth. She didn¡¯t believe for a second it wasn¡¯t intentional.


    A few minutester, Michelle returned, her clothes changed, and blood wiped clean from her face. It was a good thing she had packed an extra outfit<b>, </b>expecting the rustic setting.


    Because of the dy caused by Michelle¡¯s wardrobe change, the first task of carving had been concluded, leaving Heather and Michelle inst ce.


    Faced with the host¡¯s merciless announcement, Heather sighed to the camera, ¡°s, the crew


    11:<b>331 </b>


    has finally struck against us delicate flowers, so heartless.¡±


    ¡°Heather, It¡¯s all my fault for the dy. I¡¯ll take care of the dishes for lunch,¡± Michelle said, looking genuinely upset.


    Is it just me, or does that sound like a loaded statement?)


    [If it weren¡¯t for Juztin¡¯s sister pulling that stunt, Michelle¡¯s team wouldn¡¯t best, would it?)


    [She didn¡¯t n to help at first, then changed her mind midway¡­ Hah, talk about ying games.<b>] </b>


    [If she did not help, you say Juztin¡¯s sister was clueless; she helped, and now she¡¯s ying. games. Some people just love to nitpick for fun.]


    [Serves you right for involving the wrong person.]


    Controversy always spiked the ratings, and the live stream¡¯s poprity soared once again. Backstage, Walker was very pleased with the oue. If the guests were always harmonious. there¡¯d be no drama to watch. Juztin¡¯s sister seemed rather interesting. Walker pondered for a moment, nning to give her more screen time.


    Come lunchtime, all the guests were seated in the yard around a long table, eagerly anticipating the show¡¯s catering.


    ¡°I wonder whatvish lunch you have in store for us.¡± Sitting next to Mirabe, Hans propped his chin with one hand as he struck up a conversation.


    Engrossed in her phone, Mirabe responded without looking up. ¡°I¡¯ve got a hunch it won¡¯t be thatvish.¡±

 Chapter 328

    Hans furrowed his brow and turned to Mirabe, ¡°Why so?¡±


    ¡°Just a pattern<b>,</b>¡± Mirabe said nonchntly, her delicate features betraying a casual indifference.


    ¡°At least that¡¯s better than us. We¡¯re stuck with the standard issue of pickles and cornbread<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Hansmented with a sigh, then nced over at Mirabe¡¯s phone screen. ¡°Hey, what game are you ying?¡±


    ¡°Chicken Farm.¡±


    Her words brought an immediate pause to the group gathered around the table. A sense of dread, ruled by the morning¡¯s challenges, surged forth. Michelle¡¯s face couldn¡¯t help but stiffen a bit as her fingers curled on herp.


    Heather nced at her cousin and then, with a smile, suddenly asked. ¡°You look quite young, dear. Still in school, I presume? High school?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mirabe answered sinctly, her tone polite.


    Heather hummed in response and casually inquired further, ¡°No weekend tutoring, then?¡± The implication was clear: What was a high school student doing at an event like this instead of studying?


    Finally lifting her head, Mirabe met Heather¡¯s gaze with a smile, ¡°Never needed extra lessons<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    The chat exploded withments.


    [Never needed extra lessons? Does that mean she¡¯s a genius or just beyond help academically?]


    [Love the confidence, so cool]


    [Herees the show¨Coff again.]


    Heather was momentarily dazzled by her smile and felt a twinge of difort, but she maintained her grin. ¡°It sounds like you must be quite the student.¡±


    ¡°More or less,¡± Mirabe brushed off thepliment.


    Leo, sitting silently beside his sister, watched the exchange. He was well ustomed to Mirabe¡¯s habit of downying her abilities.


    ¡°By the way. Juztin.¡± Heather turned her attention to Leo, her toneced with concern, ¡°there were some rumors online about you being injured¡­ that¡¯s not true, is it?¡±


    Bringing up such a topic during the show seemed a bit too deliberate, but given the recent online buzz, it wentrgely unchallenged. Everyone present, as well as the fans watching the live stream, were eager to know the truth.


    <b>11:33 </b>


    Leo pursed his lips, his cool and handsome demeanor unchanged. His hand tapped the table as he spoke. ¡°If I were injured, Walker probably wouldn¡¯t have invited me to join this show<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    Heather¡¯s eyes flickered. Sheughed it off with a. ¡°Of course, what was I thinking? But there¡¯s no truth to the Neon Paradox¡¯s breakup rumors, right?¡±


    The question hit like a bombshell.


    Hans and Gabriel exchanged surprised nces. Asking about the Injury was already a bit. thoughtless, but now this?


    Leo didn¡¯t answer. He just gave Heather a look. The air thickened with awkwardness.


    Heather seemed oblivious to the inappropriateness of her question and added, ¡°Neon Paradox has been around for years. It¡¯d be such a shame if you guys disbanded.¡±


    The silence was taken as confirmation. Immediately, the live chat erupted.


    [No way, if Neon Paradox disbands, what¡¯s left of my years of fandom?)


    [Juztin says he¡¯s not injured but didn¡¯t address the breakup. Looks like he¡¯s going solo for real.] (It¡¯s sad. Once some people get famous, they just kick their former mates to the curb. So cold.<b>] </b>[No wonder he didn¡¯t clear the air before. This is really disappointing.]


    Mirabe nced at the chat, her fingertips grazing her phone. She looked up at Heather, her expression unreadable.

 Chapter 329

    Chapter <b>329 </b>


    Heather seemed oblivious to the sharp look Mirabe was giving her. After a beat, she realized she might have stepped on andmine. ¡°Ah, shoot, I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t know how I got onto that subject.¡±


    Swiftly changing tack, Heather turned to Michelle sitting beside her. ¡°Michelle, which high school did you go to before<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Michelle lifted her head. Her makeup was perfectly applied. ¡°Oh, it was Parkside High School.¡±


    ¡°Parkside High School, top five in the nation, eh? You¡¯re quite the achiever, girl,¡± Hans interjected with a chuckle, smoothly steering away from the ufortable topic Heather had inadvertently brought up.


    Michelle offered a modest smile. Her lips were barely parting. ¡°It was nothing, I suppose. That¡¯s all behind me now.¡±


    After a brief pause, Michelle turned her attention to Mirabe. ¡°Which high school are you attending? If it¡¯s Parkside as well, we might have crossed paths. I was on the student council.¡± Herment carried a hint of a boast. Being on the student council at Parkside High School was a badge of honor, a sign that teachers had recognized you as one of the best and


    brightest.


    Before Mirabe could respond, Leo spoke up in her defense. ¡°Then I¡¯m sure you two have never met.¡±


    Michelle raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? So, Mirabe didn¡¯t attend Parkside?!


    Leo sat up a little straighter. His pride was almost tangible. ¡°No, what I mean is, my sister never bothered with such trivial clubs.¡±


    Michelle¡¯s face stiffened momentarily.


    Leo continued, undeterred, ¡°Though she¡¯s often in the mix when ites topetitions.¡± Competitions were the realm of the truly capable students.


    [Pfft, Michelle¡¯s turning green with envy.]


    [Haha, Leo is so proud of his sister. She doesn¡¯t care for student councils, just acingpetitions.]


    (So is she a Parkside High School student after all?]


    [Anyone from Parkside High School? Recognize your top dog?]


    [I¡¯m from Parkside, but¡­ doesn¡¯t ring a bell.]


    [Probably just a narrative setup, boring.]


    [No way, our girl gotta be a champion.<b><i>] </i></b>


    The chat quickly moved on, and the previousments were lost in a sea of new messages.


    After her small defeat, Michelle withdrew to her phone, disengaging from the conversation.


    That was when the host came in, carrying two nondescript but stylish paper bags, cing them on the table.


    Hans eyed the bags curiously. ¡°Feels like it could be a gourmet meal from a five¨Cstar hotel.¡±


    Gabriel, who rarely chimed in, added, ¡°Too bad it¡¯s not for us.


    Hans shot him a look. ¡°Ouch, bro. That hits where it hurts.¡±


    In full view of everyone, the host slowly pulled out two drinks, a pair of burgers, a side of fries. and an assorted snack tter from the bags.


    Pushing the food towards Mirabe and Leo, the host announced with deadpan seriousness, ¡°Five¨Cstar dining is out of the question, but a KFC Deluxe lunch spread ¨C that, our show can afford.¡±


    Everyone was bbergasted.


    [Pfft, this is the deluxe lunch?]


    [I was ready with forks and knives, and you give me this??]


    [I can¡¯t help butugh.]


    [Mr. Director, how much did KFC slip into your pocket?]


    [My girl¡¯s intuition is spot on!]

 Chapter 330

    Hans nced over at Mirabe with a yful smirk. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you swiped the director¡¯s script when we weren¡¯t looking?¡± Why else <b>would </b>she have made that quip about her gut feeling that things weren¡¯t going to be too fancy when he had asked earlier?


    Caught off¨Cguard, Mirabe blinked in confusion before responding. ¡°I¡¯m broke. I can¡¯t afford to bribe the director.¡±


    Hans let out a snort ofughter<b>. </b>


    [No, she didn¡¯t snag the director¡¯s script behind your backs. She¡¯s been sneakily reading the livements<b>.</b><b>] </b>


    (Suddenly finding her so adorable.]


    Hans cleared his throat and, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, said, ¡°Youngdy, time to dig into yourvish lunch.¡±


    [LOL, Hans is up to no <b>good</b>.]


    [Quick, take off the mask and chow down.]


    Mirabe shot Hans a sidelong look, then stood up, grabbing a burger and a soda. ¡°I think I¡¯d rather go and slip a thank¨Cyou card with a little something to the director.¡±


    Mirabe didn¡¯t wait for a response and started walking out of the yard.


    The cameraman made to follow her but stopped when the director¡¯s voice came through his earpiece, instructing him otherwise.


    As soon as Mirabe stepped out, Collins approached her from where he had been waiting.


    Mirabe turned off her headset. ¡°Collins.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡± Collins asked with a smile, having also tuned into the live stream. He had noticed that Mirabe was truly a gem, especially with her impressive coping skills.


    Mirabe pulled down her mask for a moment to sip her drink <b>and </b>replied, ¡°Not bad.¡± After a brief pause, she inquired, ¡°So, who is Heather exactly?¡±


    She must have some clout to brazenly ask about Leo live on air, and both Hans and Gabriel seemed to treat her with respect. A nobody couldn¡¯t pull that off, right?


    Collins guessed why she was curious and answered, ¡°Rumor has it shees from a pretty influential family<b>, </b>some big n or other. I don¡¯t mingle much with them, so I haven¡¯t paid much attention.¡±


    Mirabe nodded thoughtfully.


    ¡°But you and Leo should probably give her a wide berth,¡± Collins added.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Mirabe responded coolly.


    After her meal, Mirabe put her mask back on and returned to the yard.


    The challenges the production team set in the afternoon proved even more tricky than the morning¡¯s tasks. By the end of the day, everyone was thoroughly wiped out. The live recording wrapped up at five o¡¯clock.


    The first live session was a hit, with the poprity and buzz surpassing the director¡¯s


    expectations, especially regarding the enigmatic Mirabe who quickly became a highlight of the show.


    Following the live stream, several entertainmentworks reached out to Walker.


    After the broadcast ended, Mirabe, Leo, and Collins headed back to Ashford. It was past nine when they arrived home.


    ¡°I swear<b>, </b>my girl is a jack¨Cof¨Call¨Ctrades. You absolutely killed it on the show!¡± Delh gushed. sitting beside Mirabe, massaging her hands while beaming with pride. She had been glued to the live stream all day and even got her coworkers hooked on it. It was the weekend, after all, so no harm done.


    Leo, feeling a tad overlooked, chimed in, ¡°And what about me?¡±


    Before Delh could answer, Shawn jumped in with a disdainful snort. ¡°What did you even do? Besides lounging around and being dead weight, you were practically invisible. If I were you, I¡¯d be too embarrassed to even ask.¡± You could tell someone¡¯s standing in the family just by the tone of voice.


    Leo, feeling the sting of those words, thought to himself, ¡°So, the only real child in this house is my sister, huh? The rest of us must be adopted.¡±


    Heh, suddenly the idea of running away from home didn¡¯t seem so bad.

 Chapter 331

    <b>Chapter </b><b>331 </b>


    Mirabe cast a sidelong nce at the somewhat introverted Leo and cleared her throat. As her gaze swept around the room, she decided to switch topics. ¡°Mom, what happened <b>to </b><b>all </b>the knick¨Cknacks around here?¡± She had noticed as soon as she entered that even the antique paintings her dad always bragged about were missing.


    ¡°We¡¯re moving, sweetle!¡±


    Mirabe paused, taken aback. ¡°Moving?¡±


    Delh nodded affirmatively. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve been in this old house for decades. It¡¯s time for a change.¡±


    Mirabe touched the tip of her nose, pondering for a moment. ¡°So, that¡¯s why you and dad have been out and about recently? House hunting?¡±


    Delh spoke slowly. ¡°We actually bought the house a while back, just spruced it up a bit.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Mirabe leaned back into the sofa with azy stretch. ¡°When¡¯s the big move?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow. It¡¯s a good day.¡±


    ¡°Alright then.¡± After a pause, Mirabe asked, ¡°And my new room¡­ the decor?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, honey. I made sure it¡¯s a carbon copy of your current one. You won¡¯t even feel the difference,¡± Delh said with a smile that practically screamed ¡°Aren¡¯t I thoughtful?¡±


    Mirabe just stared nkly.


    ¡°Once we¡¯re settled in, you can invite your friends over. There¡¯s plenty of room,¡± Delh added offhandedly.


    Mirabe just gave her a silent look. Was the highlight really about having friends over?


    ¡°Speaking of which, what about that tutor dad mentioned the other day? What did he say?¡± Shawn chimed in, recalling the subject.


    ¡°He¡¯s busy,¡± Mirabe replied emotionlessly.


    Shawn¡¯s eyes roved. ¡°Maybe you could pass me his contact info?¡±


    Mirabe massaged her forehead, pretending not to hear, then stood up. ¡°I¡¯m heading to my room. Got school tomorrow.¡± After saying that, she ascended the stairs.


    ¡°What tutor?¡± Leo, who had been quietly listening, asked in confusion.


    Shawn nced at his younger son. His tone was less amiable, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t know him. Why are you asking so many questions?<b>¡± </b>


    Leo sighed. He was definitely the odd one out.


    Chapter <b>331 </b>


    The next day at school.


    <b>¡°</b>Queen Mira, you actually went on a reality show. You¡¯re not nning to break into showbiz, are you<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Jenna pounced on Mirabe with questions as soon as she arrived.


    Mirabe casually met her gaze. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it.¡±


    ¡°For someone academically gifted like you, showbiz would be a waste. Please don¡¯t even consider it,¡± Jenna implored.


    250 2750


    Mirabe propped her chin on her hand. Her lips pursed slightly. ¡°Not interested.¡±


    Jenna, recalling yesterday¡¯s live stream, couldn¡¯t suppress her gossipy nature. ¡°That Michelle was from the previous year at Parkside High School. You weren¡¯t there, and you wouldn¡¯t know, but she¡¯s really obnoxious. She got into the student council in order to get her best friend¡¯s boyfriend.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrow arched in intrigue.


    ¡°And she got kicked out of the council after just two days. To think she¡¯s still unting that is hrious. If she knew what you¡¯ve aplished at Parkside High School, she¡¯d be mortified.¡± Jenna shook her head in disbelief.


    Mirabe put a finger to her lips. ¡°Stay humble.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s mouth twitched, and seeing Mirabe pull out a book to read, she couldn¡¯t help but say with a touch of annoyance, ¡°Babe, you¡¯re basically a shoo¨Cin for Prestige College. Do you really need to push so hard? Can¡¯t you just enjoy some downtime?¡±


    Mirabe gave her a look and then, as if remembering something, said, ¡°I¡¯ve got a surprise for you. I think you¡¯re really gonna like it.¡±

 Chapter 332

    Chapter <b>332 </b>


    Jenna nced at Mirabe with a hint of suspicion. ¡°What kind of surprise?¡±


    ¡°In a few days<b>, </b>you¡¯ll see,¡± Mirabe replied with a cryptic smile.


    Jenna touched the tip of her nose, feeling a flutter of unease. ¡°Why do I have a bad feeling about this?¡± It felt more like a looming scare than a surprise.


    ¡°How¡¯s your dad doing now?¡± Mirabe deftly changed the subject.


    At the mention of her father, Jenna¡¯s face lit up with gratitude. ¡°He¡¯s recovering really well; he was discharged from the hospital a couple of days ago. Mira, your remedy worked wonders. Thank you.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s mom had even consulted an expert about the medicine, who confirmed its exceptional quality and noted that it was not avable on the market, and certainly not at a low cost.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°d to hear that.¡±


    ¡°My mom has been wanting to invite you over for dinner. You¡¯re probably not as busy these days, right? How abouting over tonight?¡± Jenna¡¯s eyes shone with sincere invitation.


    ¡°Tonight¡¯s not good, I¡¯m afraid. My family¡¯s moving today.¡± Mirabe shook her head.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re moving? Where to?¡± Jenna asked. Her curiosity was aroused.


    Mirabe was silent for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure.¡±


    In the afternoon, it was Delh who came to pick up Mirabe, driving the brand new car she¡¯d recently acquired.


    About fifteen minutester, as they approached a familiar¨Clooking gatedmunity, Mirabe felt a pang of recognition. She turned to her mother. ¡°Our new ce is in this neighborhood?¡±


    Delh swiped a card, and the automatic gates swung open. ¡°Yeah, we bought this house a few years ago but haven¡¯t moved in until now.¡±


    As the car wound its way to a stop in front of a spacious vi, Mirabe squinted at the neighboring houses, marveling at the small world they lived in.


    Exiting the car and taking in the grandeur of their new home, Mirabe turned to her mother with a mncholic tone. ¡°Mom, I thought we didn¡¯t have money?¡±


    Delh¡¯s eyebrows twitched as she recalled her daughter¡¯s earlier questions about their financial status, which had led to a yful misunderstanding that they were short on cash, a misconception they hadn¡¯t yet corrected.


    Clearing her throat, Delh responded, ¡°This ce was bought years ago, before the property prices skyrocketed. Honestly¡­ it wasn¡¯t expensive, didn¡¯t cost us much.<b>¡± </b>


    07:31:


    Chapter <b>332 </b>


    Considering thest car her father bought was worth millions and was imed to be a bargain, Mirabe¡¯s expression grew moreplex as she looked <b>at </b>their multi¨Cmillion¨Cdor vi.


    Feeling her daughter¡¯s scrutinizing gaze, Delh feigned ignorance and entered the vi, Mirabe followed, taking in the opulent decor <b>with </b>a sigh. So much for the script of poverty<i>. </i>


    ¡°Do you like the decor, honey?¡± Shawn was arranging his belongings and asked as his daughter walked in.


    Mirabe nodded silently, acknowledging the investments made. Appreciation wasn¡¯t a choice. It was an obligation.


    Delh came back with a set of items. ¡°Here¡¯s themunity ess card, the keys, oh, and the front door¡¯s code is your birthday<i>. </i>Better keep these safe or I¡¯ll forget where I put them again.¡±


    She then returned to her tasks.


    ¡°Sweetie, you might want to check out your room. It¡¯s upstairs <i>on </i>the left, thest andrgest one,¡± Shawn advised as he ced a vase on a console table.


    Seeing her parents busy with settling in, Mirabe figured she wouldn¡¯t be much help and headed upstairs. She reached the end of the hallway and pushed open the door to her room.

 Chapter 333

    Chapter <b>333 </b>


    The door swung open<b>, </b>and a st of pink washed over her. Sure enough, the decor matched the old house to a tee.


    Mirabe pressed a finger to her temple, sighing softly. She slid the ss door to the balcony open and stepped out, taking in the surroundings. Her gaze lingered on the vi next door, pausing <b>for </b>a moment in quiet contemtion. Shaking off the distraction, she pivoted back into the room. Her eyes scanned over the boxes and items carried over from the old family home before she set to work organizing.


    Halfway through, her phone buzzed with a notification from Messenger. It was a message from Nick.


    [Mirabe, I¡¯ve shipped the review materials to you. They should arrive within a week. Keep an eye out for them, okay?]


    A wry smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. The overwhelming pink of the room had already jabbed at her heart, and now here was Nick, jabbing at her with a few boxes of study material. She quickly typed out a response: [Nick, we just moved today. Did you send the package to the old address?]


    Nick¡¯s surprise showed in his text. [Yes, why the sudden move?]


    Mirabe settled into a nearby chair. (My parents wanted a change of scenery.]


    After a brief pause, she continued: [It¡¯s fine, though. When the courier calls, I¡¯ll ask them to redirect it here.]


    [Alright, send me your new address just in case.]


    She fetched the homeowner¡¯s card her mother had given her earlier, texted him the new address, and added: [By the way, the incense you asked for was sent the day before yesterday. It should arrive soon.]


    [Thanks, Mira.]


    Then, the conversation ended. Nick set his phone aside, leaned back on the couch, and stared at the ceiling, feeling the emptiness of the sprawling house around him.


    Having tidied her room, Mirabe headed downstairs.


    Shawn was at the door, deep in conversation. She nced his way briefly before turning toward the dining room. The table wasden with about a dozen dishes, which were obviously delivered from some restaurant.


    Delh was setting the cutlery. ¡°Mira, could you check when Zach and Leo areing home? On moving day of all days, they should be back early.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Mirabe fished out her phone and called both brothers. After a short while, she <b>hung </b><b>up</b>. ¡°Leo¡¯s almost at the gate, and Zach just left work. He¡¯ll be another half hour.¡±


    *If you¡¯re hungry, darling, go ahead and eat. Don¡¯t wait for them.¡± Delh said.


    ¡°Tm okay,¡± Mirabe replied, shaking her head. She poured herself a ss of <b>warm </b>water and leanedzily against the wall Her gaze drifted back to Shawn as he finished his conversation and walked back inside.


    ¡°Another real estate hound?¡± Delh eyed her husband as he approached.


    Shawn gave a helpless shrug. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve turned them down multiple times, but they still persist.¡±


    Delh¡¯s mouth twitched in bemusement. ¡°Could they be a little off? Why did they have to buy our house?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s beyond me. They¡¯re willing to pay double. Wouldn¡¯t it be smarter to buy a new development?¡± Shawn shook his head, clearly not short of money to need such a deal


    ¡°Shawn, be careful next time. Don¡¯t let them in again. We don¡¯t want to get scammed,¡± Delh


    warned with a furrowed brow and serious tone.


    ¡°Yeah, I got it.¡± Shawn waved dismissively.


    Mirabe remained quietly to the side, listening without chiming in.

 Chapter 334

    <b>Chapter </b><b>334 </b>


    Shawn nced over at his daughter, Mirabe, who was lost in thought, and <b>couldn¡¯t </b>help but call out, ¡°Sweetie?¡±


    With a start, Mirabe looked up and absentmindedly agreed, ¡°You¡¯re right<i>, </i>Mom. From now on, we should keep the door closed to anyone who doesn¡¯t seem too sharp.<b>¡± </b>


    Four faces of his sons immediately shed across Shawn¡¯s mind.


    Before long, Leo strolled back into the living room, and immediately sensed his dad¡¯s quirky gaze upon him. Touching the tip of his nose, Leo scanned the room. ¡°Zach not back yet?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± grumbled Shawn, turning away before settling down next to his daughter. He turned to her. ¡°Last night I burned one of those incense sticks you keep in the cab. Slept like a baby.¡±


    Putting her phone down, Mirabe said, ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re good for that.¡±


    ¡°Where did you get them?¡± Shawn asked. His curiosity was aroused.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyelids lifted slightly. ¡°I made them myself.¡±


    Shawn was about to mention ¡°a friend who suffers from insomnia has a birthdaying up, and I¡¯d gift a couple of boxes¡°, but the words died on his lips at her revtion.


    Seeing him falter, Mirabe prompted, ¡°Just spit it out, Dad.¡±


    Shawn beamed. ¡°I was just thinking, my daughter is the best, always has the knack for everything.¡±


    Just as Leo walked over, clutching a bottle of water from the fridge, he overheard his dadying it on thick. He couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes. Enough already, he thought. ¡°Does Dad have topare us every single day?¡±


    Soon after, Zach returned, and with him came Emmitt. Mirabe, engrossed in her phone, only looked up after a while to acknowledge him with a nod. Her voice was cool, detached but not unfriendly, with a distant politeness.


    After the greeting, she was back to her phone. Her fingers tapped away as if she was deep in a chat.


    Emmitt nced her way, contemting joining her, but seeing her engrossed in her phone and not to be disturbed, he thought better of it.


    Dinner was tense as usual. Mirabe ate while asionally checking her phone, evidently busy with her messages.


    Next to her, Leo craned his neck to sneak a peek but couldn¡¯t catch the content of the texts, just the contact¡¯s name.


    ¡°Who¡¯re you texting?¡± Leo whispered.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>334 </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Just <b>a </b>friend from online,¡± Mirabe mumbled through a mouthful of food.


    Her voice wasn¡¯t loud, but the word ¡°online<b>¡± </b>caught the attention of everyone at the table<b>. </b>


    Emmitt looked up at her<b>. </b>


    ¡°Friend¡­ from online?¡± Leo set down his fork.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Mirabe didn¡¯t notice the collective gaze and added, ¡°Someone selling stuff<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re not getting scammed, are you?¡± Leo asked, genuinely concerned. After all, it was unusual to text about online purchases. Mirabe was smart, but a reminder couldn¡¯t hurt.


    Mirabe nced at him and after a brief pause, assured, ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Just be careful. Lots of clever scammers out there,¡± Leo advised earnestly.


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched in a restrained smile, and then she nodded nonchntly. If the person she was texting heard that, Leo might just find himself in hot water.


    Turning to her mother, Mirabe then said, ¡°Mom, in a couple of days, someone wille to install a new system. Could you let them in, please?¡±

 Chapter 335

    Chapter <b>335 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>335 </b>


    Delh paused for a moment. ¡°What system?¡±


    ¡°The surveince system, like security system,¡± Mirabe rified.


    <b>¡°</b><b>Oh</b>, right.¡± Delh nodded subconsciously, but quickly caught up with the conversation. ¡°Ah, we¡¯ve already got a top¨Cnotch security system installed at home.¡±


    Mirabe took a sip of her soup, which had cooled to just the right temperature, and then added, ¡°No harm in having it double¨Cchecked.¡±


    Delh didn¡¯t refuse the offer further. She figured they could just have the technician do a quick walk¨Cthrough<b>, </b>considering their home was already equipped with thetest in surveince tech.


    After dinner, Mirabe ascended the staircase. Emmitt, who had been lost in thought throughout the meal, soon followed suit to the second floor.


    Mirabe had just settled down at her desk when a knock at the door broke her concentration. She raised an eyebrow and stood to answer it. Pulling open the door, she found Emmitt standing there. His handsome face wore aplex expression as he hesitated, ¡°¡­¡±


    She cut him off with a cool gaze. ¡°No need for apologies. I¡¯m not bothered by it.¡±


    At her words, Emmitt felt a lump in his throat. His hand involuntarily clenched. He would have preferred a confrontation or even an usation from his sister. Indifference like hers was something one would expect from a stranger, not family.


    Her gaze was like a sharp knife, severing the ties between them. To her, he was just Emmitt, a brother by blood, and nothing more.


    After a painful silence, Emmitt managed, ¡°Sorry, I had preconceptions. Whether you forgive me or not, I¡¯ll ept it. Like you said, it¡¯s not something you need to dwell on.¡±


    Mirabe simply hummed in response, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. ncing at her wristwatch, she added, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I have homework to do.¡±


    Emmitt, realizing the conversation was over, muttered another apology and walked away.


    Mirabe watched his retreating figure impassively before shutting her door. Returning to her desk, she booted up herptop and opened a document filled with code. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, entering a string of symbols that turned the screen ck. After a few moments, characters began to dance across the disy. asionally, she would pause to tweak the code.


    Three hourster, she encrypted the modified SOC system driver file, shut down herptop, and rebooted in safe mode.


    Within moments, a red exmation mark shed on the screen. ¡°Intrusion failed<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>she mused. Her lips curled into a smirk.


    After a few seconds of thought, she opened anothermand prompt and tried <b>a </b>different approach. Minutester, she forcefully sent out the newly encrypted file. Once the transfer wasplete, she erased her tracks and powered down theptop.


    Rising from her chair, she grabbed a pair of pajamas from the wardrobe and headed for the bathroom. Shortly after, her phone on the desk began to buzz with iing messages incessantly.

 Chapter 336

    <b>Chapter </b><b>336 </b>


    Mirabe <b>stepped </b>out <b>of </b>the shower and reached for her phone. Her lips twitched involuntarily at the barrage of messages that had piled up.


    <b>Unknown </b>sender<b>: </b>[Hey, kiddo, can you give it a rest? Shouldn¡¯t you be doing your homework instead of <b>haunting </b>me at this hour?]


    Unknown sender: [You cracked my brand¨Cnew firewall? Can¡¯t we have a little mutual respect here<b>?</b><b>] </b>


    Unknown sender: [Sending me your system files is one thing, but encrypting them? What gives?<b>) </b>


    Unknown sender: [You think I can¡¯t hack it?]


    These messages had all been sent about ten minutes earlier. No sooner had Mirabe finished reading them than another one popped up.


    Unknown sender: [Damn it, send me the password, now.]


    Leaning against the table, Mirabe took her sweet time before replying: [Oh, ready to admit defeat?]


    Unknown sender: [I¡¯m owned, boss. Send me your address, and I¡¯ll have someone over tomorrow to set up your system.]


    She promptly sent the address of her new ce.


    After a minute, the unknown sender replied: [Wait¡­ you¡¯re sending me to a private residence, right?]


    Mirabe replied: [Yeah, what¡¯d you expect, the Pentagon?]


    The man on the other end couldn¡¯t help but curse as he read her message.


    Mirabe added: [Password¡¯s 23333. Don¡¯t forget your promise, kiddo. Bye, I¡¯m off to do my homework.]


    Feeling quite pleased with herself, Mirabe put down her phone and walked over to her dresser. She picked up the hairdryer and started working on her hair. Once done, she climbed into bed, drifting off to a dreamless sleep.


    The next day, Mirabe went to school for sses.


    In the early afternoon, the Davis family¡¯s doorbell rang. Delh and Shawn had just finished lunch and were getting ready for a little siesta when the chime echoed through the house. Shawn nced at the monitor by the door and saw two unfamiliar men standing at the gate. He pondered for a moment before heading outside.


    <b>Chapter </b>336


    ¡°Can I help <b>you</b>?¡± Shawn asked through the iron gate without unlocking it.


    ¡°Hello, is this the Davis residence<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>The lead man, middle¨Caged and exceedingly polite, <b>nodded </b>in greeting, holding a sleek ck case in his hand.


    ¡°Yes, it is,¡± Shawn replied.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to install your new security system,¡± the man said, presenting his credentials. ¡°Is now a good time?¡±


    Shawn suddenly remembered his daughter mentioning that someone would being by to install a system. Could these be the guys? His gaze scrutinized the presented ID, noting thepany name beside a diamond¨Clike logo.


    It looked unfamiliar. Probably some no¨Cname firm.


    Shawn¡¯s gaze shifted quickly as he opened the door. They parked outside the vi, with one of them cradling a ck case as they walked inside. Shawn nced at the vehicle they had left outside, an utterly ordinary Volkswagen, before securing the gate behind them.


    Back inside, Shawn attentively watched as the pair confidently cracked open the case, revealing apactptop and a variety of technical equipment and cables. Shawn didn¡¯t fully grasp what all the tools and devices were for, but considering his home was already set up with surveince, he remarked, ¡°We¡¯ve actually got a surveince system already installed. If you could just check for any potential vulnerabilities, that would be great.¡±


    After all, these guys had been personally sought out by his daughter. It wouldn¡¯t seem right to abruptly send them on their way. The technicians merely chuckled in response to hisment, carrying on with their work without saying a word.


    Shawn, choosing not to interrupt any further, stood by observing, his curiosity piqued as he watched theirputer screen.

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    Chapter <b>337 </b>


    On theputer screen, strings of data zipped by. The tech guy¡¯s fingers were flying over the keyboard with lightning speed. Next to him<b>, </b>a sleek, ck case housed a device that automatically assembled into apact frame. A button on the frame blinked a menacing red, much like those infrared scanners you¡¯d see in a spy flick. It screamed high¨Ctech.


    Shawn<b>, </b>who had been staring for a while, was utterly baffled. He remembered thest time he had <b>a </b>security system installed, and it was nothing like this borate setup.


    Just a simpleputer system and a few cameras ¨C bing, bang<b>, </b>boom, done. What was with all this fancyputer work?


    Shawn rubbed his nose, and his confusion deepened. He left the room and headed to the living room where his wife was. ¡°Hey, honey, I don¡¯t recall the security setup being thisplexst time, do you?¡±


    Delh, who had nced at the setup only briefly and knew jack aboutputers, suggested. ¡°Maybe the guy Mira hired is some sort of specialist for the system?¡±


    ¡°Could be,¡± Shawn muttered, not quite convinced.


    An hourter, the installers had the whole vi¡¯s security and surveince system upgraded and polished off. After giving a quick tutorial on how to use it, they were out the door.


    Shawn, with his phone in his hand, was now staring at an app icon that sparkled like a diamond. Tapping it open, he was greeted with live feeds of their entire house. The app was chock¨Cfull of neat features ¨C a panic button, automatic power shut¨Coff, night vision activation,


    you name it.


    The real kicker was the instant alert on his phone if someone tripped any of the sensors at home. No more sleepless nights worrying about break¨Cins. This setup was light¨Cyears ahead of their old system, which, at the time, was touted as top¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cline.


    Shawn looked up, still a bit dazed, and turned to Delh. ¡°Where on earth did our daughter find


    these tech wizards?¡±


    Delh, who had the same app on her phone, was still figuring it out. ¡°Didn¡¯t she mention some online buddyst night?¡±


    ¡°Even if it¡¯s a buddy from online, howe service is free?¡± Shawn stroked his chin, puzzled. When they left, he¡¯d asked how much they owed, but they just said there was no charge.


    ¡°Maybe Mira paid them online already?¡± Delh suggested, without looking up from her phone.


    That seemed to be the only logical exnation, though Shawn still felt something was off. Scratching his head, he blurted out, ¡°You know, have you ever noticed that Mira¡¯s friends are all¡­ kinda extraordinary?¡±


    Delh finally looked up. ¡°Huh?¡±


    11:31


    Shawnid it out for her, ¡°Okay<b>, </b><b>first</b>, the meds she got <b>for </b>us<b>, </b>she said they were a gift from a friend ¨C Leo checked with experts, and they¡¯re practically priceless<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Second<b>, </b>her tutor gave her two boxes of coffee beans that you can¡¯t find just anywhere. One of them¡¯s a collector¡¯s item<b>, </b>literally impossible to put a price on.


    ¡°Third, today¡¯s tech guys. They might look ordinary, but if you really think about it, they¡¯re anything but.¡±


    Delh gave her husband a sideways nce. ¡°Stop analyzing our daughter and think about yourself for once. Besides, did you even wonder why Mira felt the need to upgrade the security system?<b>¡± </b>


    Shawn mmed up instantly. After a cough to clear his throat, he mumbled, ¡°I better figure out how this app <b>works</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Delh just rolled her eyes.

 Chapter 338

    <b>Chapter </b><b>338 </b>


    <b>At </b>dusk


    As soon as Mirabe arrived home, she noticed the new surveince cameras mounted by the front door and several infrared scanners ced high on the walls. Raising an eyebrow, she swiftly approached the devices. Those guys¡¯s movements were efficient.


    <b>In </b><b>the </b>house, she paused at the smart home system installed in the foyer, tapping the screen with her fingertip.


    Shawn, who had been leading the way, saw his daughter examining the security panel and circled back. ¡°Oh, I forgot to mention. A couple of guys came by this afternoon to upgrade the security system.¡±


    ¡°Mm¨Chmm,¡± Mirabe responded, retracting her hand from the device.


    ¡°This new system has more bells and whistles than the old one I installed, but I¡¯ll be darned if I can figure out half of them,¡± Shawn confessed, with a hint of frustration in his voice. The technicians had only shown him the basics, and after an entire afternoon fiddling with the app. he was still none the wiser.


    Hearing this, Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside. I¡¯ll show you how it works.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Shawn nodded and followed his daughter into the living room. Sitting down, he pulled out his phone,unched the app, and showed her a few features, saying, ¡°See these? I haven¡¯t dared to mess with them.¡±


    Mirabe took the phone and began exining the functions in simple terms. Twenty minutester, she pressed her hand to her forehead, realizing that she might have overestimated her father¡¯s technical savvy.


    Shawn nced at his daughter sheepishly. ¡°Am I just too old¨Cfashioned for this stuff?¡±


    Mirabe sighed inwardly at his careful demeanor. ¡°No, it¡¯s not you. It¡¯s the software ¨C it¡¯s tooplicated,¡± she replied, keeping a straight face.


    Shawn immediately felt vindicated. ¡°Right?! I knew it was tooplicated. Your mother insists I¡¯m just being dense.¡±


    Mirabe silently nodded, letting the matter drop.


    ¡°If I were dense, would I have a brilliant daughter like you?¡± Shawn puffed up with pride.


    Mirabe sighed. Fine, if that was what you wanted to believe.


    Two dayster, the three boxes of review materials Nick had sent arrived<b>. </b>Mirabe got


    Jenna¡¯s home address and forwarded one of the boxes to her ce. It was a local courier


    1131


    Chapter <b>338 </b>


    service, so it would be delivered the same day.


    The Powell family had invited Mirabe over for dinner several times, and feeling it would be rude to refuse again, she apanied Jenna to her home after school that afternoon.


    The Powell residence was a quaint, vintage¨Cstyle cottage ¨C a type of home typically inhabited by the well¨Cestablished local families.


    As soon as Mirabe stepped into Jenna¡¯s home, Jake and Ka grabbed her hands in a show of gratitude, showering her with thanks until Jenna managed to extricate them from her parents¡® ceaseless chatter.


    Jenna led Mirabe to her bedroom, where they were both greeted by arge box. Jenna opened <b>it</b>, and her eyes widened in shock as she discovered a trove of test papers and study materials. She was so stunned she could barely breathe.


    Turning to look at Mirabe, who leaned against the doorframe with a rxed air, Jenna recalled their conversation from a few days prior and the question about her address from yesterday. ¡°Wait¡­ Queen Mira, is this the ¡®surprise¡® you were talking about?¡±


    Mirabe nodded. ¡°I did the math. If you do one test paper per day, you¡¯ll finish just in time for the final exams. No need to thank me.¡±


    Jenna was speechless. One paper a day¡­ That was so cruel!


    After a beat, Mirabe arched an eyebrow and added, ¡°Of course, if you¡¯d like to do two a day, that¡¯s an option as well. I¡¯ve got two more boxes where that came from.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s mouth twitched sharply at the thought.

 Chapter 339

    <b>Chapter </b><b>339 </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Where on earth did you get all these test papers and study materials?¡± Jenna asked incredulously. With Mirabe¡¯s grades<b>, </b>she hardly needed this kind of stuff.


    Mirabe nced at her. ¡°Don¡¯t ask.¡±


    Jenna was speechless.


    Soon after, Ka called them down for dinner. When she found out the box of study materials in her daughter¡¯s room was a gift from Mirabe, her fondness for the girl shot through the roof. After all, it was rare these days to find someone who took such care in selecting study materials for a ssmate.


    When Jenna found out what her mother thought, she nearly passed out. Life was so unfair. Mira had managed to hurt her feelings and yet scored brownie points with her parents.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t stay long at the Powells¡® after dinner, making an excuse to head home early. Upon leaving, Jake handed her a gift which she reluctantly epted after failing to decline.


    The gift was a wooden box. Mirabe didn¡¯t open it at the Powells¡®, and when she got home, she casually ced it on the table, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and went upstairs.


    Past ten, Shawn entered his room and noticed the wooden box on the table. He paused, walked over, and picked it up. The carving on the wooden box was quaint, simr to the carving on the cases Shawn used for his cherished calligraphy and paintings. He opened it, and sure enough, inside was a scroll.


    Shawn carefully unrolled the painting, and his eyes widened in shock. It was a painting by a famous artist Shawn, a connoisseur of art, recognized it as an authentic piece after only a nce, and was instantly thrilled.


    ¡°Shawn, what are you looking at?¡± Delh came over, nced at the painting, then noticed the wooden box on the table. ¡°Did your daughter bring you another gift?¡± She had seen Mirabe


    with the box earlier.


    The excitement was still fresh on Shawn¡¯s face. Hearing his wife, he looked up in surprise.


    ¡°This is from Mira?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Delh nodded.


    Shawn looked dazed. Howe everything his daughter brought home was extraordinary?


    Delh noticed his expression, and then her gaze fell on the painting, which looked quite ancient. ¡°Whose masterpiece is this? An original or a replica?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an original!¡± Shawn took a deep breath and then carefully re¨Crolled the painting and ced


    it back in the box.


    Delh pursed her lips. Well, if Shawn was handling it with such care, it must be truly precious.


    11:311


    Chapter <b>339 </b>


    The next day, Mirabe came downstairs to see Shawn in the living room looking a bit <b>off</b><b>, </b>with dark circles under his eyes ¨C clearly, he hadn¡¯t slept well.


    She approached him. ¡°Dad, did you have a bad night?¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t have a bad night; he didn¡¯t sleep at all,¡± Delh said as she handed a ss of milk to Mirabe.


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°What happened?¡±


    It was only then that she noticed the object in Shawn¡¯s arms ¨C the same one Jake from the Powells had insisted on giving her.


    ¡°Sweetheart, where did you get this from?¡± Shawn asked, cing the wooden box carefully on


    the coffee table.


    ¡°Oh, that was a gift from a friend¡¯s dad. What¡¯s inside? I haven¡¯t opened it yet,¡± Mirabe spoke slowly.


    Shawn¡¯s mouth twitched upon hearing this. There it was again, another gift from someone else¡­

 Chapter 340

    <b>11:31 </b>


    Chapter <b>340 </b>


    ¡°Look at this, it¡¯s a painting.¡± Shawn said as he opened the box and carefully took it out. unfolding it for a better view.


    While Mirabe was knowledgeable about many vintage trinkets, she didn¡¯t have much of an eye for ancient art. ¡°Is there something off about this painting?¡±


    *This artist¡¯s works are mostly collectibles, fetching pretty hefty prices,¡± Shawn exined.


    Mirabe paused, then with an air of nonchnce, she replied, ¡°Oh, well, you better keep it safe. then.¡± After all, her medicine was worth a pretty penny too.


    Shawn took in his daughter¡¯sposed demeanor, as if the painting was no more than just a piece of paper. He opened his mouth to speak, but Mirabe seemed to anticipate his question, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad. It really is a gift from a friende¡¯s father. You can keep it without any concerns.¡± After saying that, she turned and walked towards the kitchen for breakfast.


    Shawn touched his nose, watching her retreat. ¡°This kid¡­¡±


    ¡°Let it be. If someone gifts such an expensive painting, there must be a reason. Besides, your daughter isn¡¯t the type to lose her sense of proportion,¡± Delh chimed in from the side.


    What more could Shawn say? He soon tucked the painting away in the storage room, adding it to his collection of antiques. Worst case scenario, he¡¯d invite the giver for a dinner and return the favor with another antique.


    Elsewhere, Nicky reclined in his chair. His eyes were tightly closed, and his pale face was almost devoid of color. His arms trembled <i>on </i>the armrests, and his body twitched intermittently.


    Sitting in front of him was his therapist, whose forehead was beaded with sweat. ¡°LIN, wake up. Don¡¯t keep falling into these nightmares. You have to fight them.¡±


    After two more minutes, seeing no sign of Nicking to, the therapist reluctantly grabbed a shlight and shone it directly onto his eyelids. In an instant, the trembling figure jolted awake, pushing the therapist aside and stumbling into the bathroom.


    He turned on the faucet, sshing cold water <i>on </i>his face for a full five minutes before he began to feel alive again, with rity returning to his mind. Staring at his gaunt reflection that seemed even more drawn than thest time he¡¯d seen Mirabe, Nick wiped his face and walked out of the bathroom to sit back down, gazing upward. ¡°You can go.¡± He was speaking to the therapist. The therapist sighed, looking at him. ¡°Nick, <i>you </i>can¡¯t keep running from your fears. It¡¯s only going to make you weaker.¡±


    Nick just gave a half¨Chearted smile and closed his eyes again, not saying another word.


    11:31


    <b>With </b><b>a </b>shake of his head, the therapist said, ¡°I¡¯ll be off then. Call me if you need anything?


    Soon after, the sound of the door closing echoed in the room as Nick slowly opened his eyes. The bloodshot eyes indicated too many sleepless nights. His phone on the nearby table vibrated. Nicky there for a few more minutes before he finally sat up and picked it up.


    It was a message from Mirabe. (Nick, I¡¯ve received the documents, and I hope you¡¯ve gotten the incense I sent as well?]


    Nick¡¯s fingers hesitated for a moment. He¡¯d been in theb for the past couple of days and was just back. Any deliveries would likely be in the storage locker at the manor. His gaze sharpened


    <b>as </b>he grabbed his phone and walked out of the room.

 Chapter 341

    <b>Chapter </b><b>341 </b>


    Stepping <b>out </b>of his vi, Nick made his way to the outdoor storage locker and punched in his cell phone number. Instantly, the door swung open. Sure enough, there was a package waiting


    for him<b>. </b>


    He reached in, retrieved the parcel, and after closing the locker, he made his way back inside the vi.


    Fishing out a pocketknife from a drawer, he sliced through the packaging with ease, revealing a wooden box nestled within. The box was filled to the brim with incense sticks. As soon as he opened it, a wave of sandalwood fragrance hit him,ced with the subtle scent of herbs. The aroma was rich but not overpowering, and at the first whiff, Nick felt a wave offort wash over him from his nose to his brain.


    This incense was definitely different from any he had used before.


    Nick snapped a photo with his phone and sent it to Mirabe. [Got it. Thanks, Mirabe.]


    [Remember to use it tonight. It¡¯s for a good sleep,] came her immediate reply.


    Nick texted back a simple ¡°Okay¡± and put the phone down. He slowly pulled out an incense stick, gave it another sniff ¨C yes, quite unique ¨C and then retrieved an incense holder from a nearby cupboard.


    In no time, he was upstairs with the incense stick and holder, making his way to his bedroom. Lighting the incense, he ced it in the holder and soon, a gentle stream of smoke rose, filling the air with a blend of sandalwood and herbal fragrances.


    Nick took a deep breath,y down on his bed, and thought, ¡°Might not work, but it¡¯s worth a shot.¡± After all, this was something Mirabe had sent all the way over.


    Before long, Nick, who had not held out much hope for a peaceful slumber, felt his eyelids grow heavy. He drifted off to sleep amid the fragrant haze, and his mind was free from the usual dark entanglements.


    When Nick awoke, it was already nightfall the next day. He sat up in the darkness, rubbed his head, and flicked on the bedsidemp. His gaze wandered around the room before settling on the spent incense holder on the side table. His focus finally sharpened.


    Had he actually fallen asleep?


    Nick couldn¡¯t quite believe it as he grabbed his phone from under the pillow and saw the time. He was stunned. Had he really slept for a whole day and night?


    Throwing back the covers, he walked to the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows and pulled back the curtains, staring out at the darkened sky for a long while before snapping back to reality.


    No nightmares<b>, </b>no sudden awakenings, just a solid, restful sleep, the kind he hadn¡¯t experienced in years. It must have been his sister¡¯s incense.


    <b>11:32 </b>


    Returning to his room, Nick picked up the box and examined the remaining sticks. Quickly, he typed out a message to Mirabe. [Thanks for the incense, Mira.<b>) </b>


    Mirabe was still in ss when she eventually saw Nick¡¯s message. Clearly, he had tried <b>the </b>incense. After pondering for a moment, she typed back: [Healing the mind takes more than just medicine, Nick. You¡¯re a medical student yourself. <i>My </i>incense won¡¯t help forever.]


    It took a while before she got a reply. LIN: [Yeah, I know.]


    LIN<i>: </i>


    (Is there a special medicinalponent in your incense? Are you into pharmacology?]


    Mirabe leaned back in her chair, modestly replying: (Just a bit. I¡¯ve looked into some alternative medicine literature.]


    LIN: (Thinking of studying medicine in the future?]


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. Studying medicine was out of the question for her. As the bell for the end of ss rang, she replied with a simple ¡°Nope,¡± and put away her phone.

 Chapter 342

    When the final bell rang at Parkside High School, it was Shawn behind the wheel of a shiny new <b>car</b><b>, </b>waiting outside the school. The sleek vehicle was hard to miss, and it wasn¡¯t long before it caught the envious nces of passing students.


    Inside the car, Shawn grew restless. Boredom got the better of him, so he stepped out to pace the sidewalk. His gaze frequently darted toward the school¡¯s main entrance<i>. </i>


    Mirabe had been held up by ast¨Cminute visit to her homeroom teacher¡¯s office, so she was a little behind schedule.


    Meanwhile, Summer, with practice on her schedule, had been one of the first to leave the building. Her personal car was nowhere in sight, so she slipped on her sunsses and sauntered toward the curb. She had barely taken a few steps when she caught sight of Shawn not too far away. Her stride faltered momentarily.


    Ever since Mirabe came back, Summer hadn¡¯t sought out her former foster parents. Their coldness during the airport reunion, when she had brought Mirabe home, left a sour taste in her mouth.


    She had half<b>¨C</b>expected the asional phone call from her foster parents, but silence reigned instead. To them, it seemed she had never existed.


    Inhaling deeply, Summer tried to quell the growing irritation within. Readjusting her sunsses as if nothing was amiss, she pretended not to notice Shawn and continued walking.


    Despite everything, a part of her still hoped her foster father would see her and approach. But that hope lingered and faded, until her assistant¡¯s voice broke through her reverie.


    ¡°Summer, ready to go?¡± The assistant had stepped out of the car to open the door for her.


    Summer¡¯s grip on her designer handbag tightened, a clear sign of her agitation. She nced at her assistant and then back at Shawn, who seemed to be pacing obliviously. The spark of anger within her was hard to ignore.


    ¡°Just a minute. I¡¯m waiting for someone,¡± she told her assistant. Her tone was edged with impatience ¨C a contrast to the gentle image she usually projected. Her assistant gave her a surprised look. Clearly, appearances could be deceiving.


    As the assistant waited patiently to one side, Summer stood her ground. Finally, she saw Mirabe emerge, even catching her eye.


    Summer sneered. Even this country bumpkin had noticed her. She refused to believe Shawn hadn¡¯t seen her. The coldness of <i>her </i>foster parents seemed to surpass that of her own power¨Chungry biological parents.


    Mirabe had by now reached Shawn¡¯s side and called out to him. ¡°You¡¯re a bitte today.¡± Shawnmented casually as he opened the passenger door for his daughter.


    ¡°Just a few minutes teacher wanted a word,¡± Mirabe replied lightly before getting into the


    11:32


    Chapter


    car.


    Shawn walked around to the driver¡¯s side, opened the door, and settled into his seat. As he started the engine and looked up, his eyes finallynded on Summer and her car, ie paIMAA for a moment, taken aback, but quickly averted his gaze, started the <i>car</i>, and drove aVAY:


    Summer watched Shawn¡¯s car disappear into the distance. The sight of the vehicle¡¯s emblem eroded herposure. The facade cracked, and the rawness of rejection she felt was


    Impossible to ignore any longer.

 Chapter 343

    <b>Chapter </b><b>343 </b>


    A Rolls¨CRoyce. They actually switched <b>to </b>a Rolls¨C<b>Royce</b><b>. </b>


    Summer¡¯s thoughts drifted to her upbringing within the Davis household. She lived <b>there </b>for over <b>a </b>decade. Her foster father had always stuck to that old Santana<b>, </b>no matter where he went<b>, </b><b>the </b>same beaten¨Cup car. Despite the family¡¯s wealth, he paraded around with a frugality that bordered on miserly.


    Now, he changed. The moment his biological daughter returned, he couldn¡¯t wait to swap it out for a Rolls¨CRoyce. This was really a double standard.


    Feeling an unprecedented sense of injustice, Summer simmered with resentment. Before the mix¨Cup was discovered, she never got to bask in the luxurious lifestyle deserved by a tycoon¡¯s daughter. Why should everything change with the return of the blood¨Crted child? Was she not their daughter before?


    Biting her lip hard, Summer tried to contain the surge of unfairness, but the image of her father driving that luxury car yed on a loop in her mind. She grew more pitiful with each pass, until tears cascaded down uncontrobly.


    Her assistant, noticing Summer¡¯s sudden outburst, panicked and hastily fumbled for a tissue from her bag. ¡°Summer, what¡¯s wrong? Why are you crying?¡± she asked.


    But as she reached out, Summer swatted her hand away fiercely. ¡°Back off! Just leave me alone, all of you.¡±


    The assistant, taken aback by Summer¡¯s sudden re¨Cup, stood frozen in shock. Watching Summer crouch and sob, she wanted to offerfort but hesitated, recalling the harsh rejection.


    She didn¡¯t understand the cause of Summer¡¯s emotional breakdown, but how different was this from the two¨Cfaced celebrities they often encountered in the industry?


    The assistant only lowered her gaze, she had seen this act before.


    Minutester, Summer stood up, donned her sunsses to hide her eyes, took a deep breath, and murmured an apology to her assistant, ¡°Sorry for that¡­ I lost myposure.¡±


    With a weak smile, the assistant simply shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Let¡¯s get in the car. There are too many onlookers, and it¡¯s not good for your image.¡±


    Without another word, Summer wiped her cheeks and slid into the car. The assistant followed suit, ncing at Summer before suggesting, ¡°Why don¡¯t you just go home and rest today?<i>¡± </i>


    Summer leaned back in her seat, and it took her a while to reply, ¡°No need. I¡¯m fine now.¡±


    The assistant decided to drop the subject.


    Neale, in another vehicle.


    Muabe was engrossed in her phone, ying around, when a message from Niki popped up on Messenger, She pressed at the bridge of her nose, sensing this wouldn¡¯t be pleasant. After a while, she finally opened the message.


    Nikdat. (You know how to make incense, right?)


    Squinting her eyes, Mirabe recalled thest time she concocted a medicine. Niki had been keen to ascist her, and now he was asking about incense¨Cmaking. What sort of mischief was be up to now?


    Her response was swift (No, I don¡¯t


    Nikk (You must. The Incense of Calm for James was your doing.]


    A wry smile tugged at Mirabe¡¯s lips as she typed back emotionlessly: [You¡¯re mistaken. That was purchased online.


    Niki: (impossible. The herbs were bought from me.)


    Mirabe sent back a series of emojis, feeling exasperated. The audacity of some people nowadays!


    She nced out the window<i>, </i>tempted to block him<b>. </b>Her phone buzzed again<b>. </b>


    Niki I know everything.]


    With a sense of resignation, Mirabe stared at the screen. Her fingers slowly crafted a reply: (Knowing too much can be hazardous to your life, old man.)

 Chapter 344

    <b>Chapter </b><b>344 </b>


    Niki chuckled mischievously. (Hey, hey<b>, </b>teach me how to make that incense, and I¡¯ll <b>keep </b>my lips sealed.]


    Mirabe let out a soft snort. Her fingers danced across the keyboard to type [Old man<b>, </b>time to wash up and hit the sack), but before she could hit send, another message from Niki popped


    <ol>


    <li><b>up</b>. </li>


    </ol>


    Niki: [Plus, I¡¯ll give you a whopping 70% discount on any herbs you buy from me<b>.</b><b>] </b>


    Her fingers paused, swiftly erasing the typed message, and she replied with a chirpy tone, (Deal, I¡¯ll teach you the works.]


    Niki, who was gearing up for a hard bargain, was dumbfounded now. She just agreed like that? This wasn¡¯t going ording to n.


    Pocketing her phone, Mirabe nced out of the car window. Catherine¡¯s medicine was running low. It was time to brew a fresh batch and ship it off.


    She thought, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll make a list when I get home.¡±


    Soon enough, the car pulled into her neighborhood. No sooner had Mirabe stepped into her home than the ringtone of her phone broke the silence. It was Wyatt calling. Bncing her phone between her ear and shoulder while slipping off her shoes, she answered.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe, are you at home now?¡± Wyatt asked politely. At that moment, he was standing at the entrance of the Davis family¡¯s old neighborhood, with Curtis seated in the passenger seat.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m at home. What¡¯s up?¡± Mirabe walked into the living room and poured herself a ss of water.


    Wyatt held a square box in his hand. ¡°I¡¯ve got something I need you to take a look at. Can youe downstairs?¡±


    ¡°Right now?¡± Her eyebrows shot up in surprise.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m right outside your building,¡± Wyatt said, gazing out of the car window.


    ¡°We¡¯ve moved, not staying there anymore,¡± Mirabe said, setting her ss on the table.


    Her father Shawn<b>, </b>overhearing the conversation and thinking it might be someone he knew, asked, ¡°Honey, who¡¯s on the phone?¡±


    ¡°Just a friend you haven¡¯t met,¡± Mirabe called back over her shoulder.


    Wyatt caught the tail end of the conversation through the phone and recognized the voice, but he couldn¡¯t ce it. He hesitated before asking, ¡°Ah, well, where are you living now? Could you send me the address<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>344 </b>


    After a brief silence, Mirabe replied, ¡°I¡¯ll send you my location.¡±


    ¡°Alright<b>, </b>I¡¯ll head over in a bit,¡± Wyatt said.


    Post<b>¨C</b>call, Mirabe opened her Messenger and sent him her current location. Secondster, a puzzled question mark popped up in response. Mirabe pursed her lips and chose not to reply.


    Staring at the location on his phone, Wyatt was perplexed. Wasn¡¯t this the same neighborhood where James now resided?


    ¡°What¡¯s got you daydreaming?¡± Curtis, noticing Wyatt¡¯s baffled expression post¨Cchecking the messenger location, couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Wyatt lifted his head and held out his phone for Curtis to see. ¡°Take a look at this.¡± Curtis nced at the screen, and within moments, his expression matched Wyatt¡¯s odd look.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe moved into the same neighborhood as the boss,¡± Wyatt mumbled, starting the car engine.


    A couple of minutester, he sighed, ¡°I was thinking of buying the vi next door. Good thing I didn¡¯t go through with it.<b>¡± </b>


    Curtis gave him a sidelong nce, thinking to himself, ¡°You couldn¡¯t afford it anyway.¡±


    Half an hourter, they came back to the neighborhood. Wyatt shot Mirabe another message, inquiring about her exact location. Soon enough, he got a reply.


    Upon reading the precise address, Wyatt¡¯s mind was boggled once again. Could this be any more serendipitous? The vi he had wanted to buy was actually Mirabe¡¯s new home? So the owner he had been dealing with was none other than Mirabe¡¯s father, Shawn?


    Then, with a mix of emotions, Wyatt turned to Curtis with aplicated look.

 Chapter 345

    Chapter <b>345 </b>


    Curtis couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow at Wyatt¡¯s intense gaze. ¡°What are you staring at me <b>for</b>? What is that address<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    With a somewhat awkward expression, Wyatt shoved the square box into Curtis¡® hands. ¡°I just remembered I¡¯ve got something on tonight. You should go see Ms. Mirabe instead.¡±


    Clearing his throat, Wyatt admitted, ¡°I¡¯m feeling a bit embarrassed.¡±


    With a twitch of his lips, Curtis demanded, ¡°Just let it out.¡±


    Wyatt handed over his phone for Curtis to see. He¡¯d actually contacted Ms. Mirabe¡¯s dad, trying to buy Ms. Mirabe¡¯s new house and then gift it back to her. The thought alone was cringe¨Cworthy. Luckily, her father hadn¡¯t caved and sold the house to him.


    Curtis quietly massaged his temples. This was indeed an extraordinary coincidence.


    Next thing, Curtis took the driver¡¯s seat, and Wyatt slipped into the back, ready to hide out and y it by ear. As long as he didn¡¯t run into Ms. Mirabe¡¯s dad, everything should be smooth sailing.


    Two minutester, Curtis pulled up outside the Davis family¡¯s vi. He had Wyatt text Mirabe. Soon enough, Mirabe stepped out, trailed by a curiously looking Shawn. Spotting them from afar, Wyatt ducked down in the back seat, too embarrassed to get out.


    Curtis shook his head at Wyatt¡¯s antics and, holding the wooden box, opened the car door. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, good to see you,¡± Curtis greeted her with a polite nod.


    Mirabe returned the gesture. ¡°Where¡¯s Wyatt?¡±


    Coughing discreetly, Curtis exined, ¡°He was suddenly called away for an urgent matter.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Mirabe didn¡¯t seem to dwell on it. Her attention was on the box. ¡°What did he want to


    show me?¡±


    ¡°This.¡± Curtis handed over the wooden box with due respect.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes quickly scanned the box. She epted it and opened it to reveal a porcin bottle, pausing briefly before looking back up at Curtis. ¡°What is this?¡±


    Curtis nced at Shawn, who had now drawn closer, and was about to speak when his phone vibrated. Checking the message, he suggested, ¡°Maybe you¡¯d like toe next door for a moment, Ms. Mirabe?¡±


    After a moment¡¯s thought<i>, </i>Mirabe handed back the box and turned to Shawn. ¡°Dad, I need to step next door for a bit. Do you mind heading back first?¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure, go ahead,¡± Shawn said, rubbing his nose and nodding absentmindedly.


    Curtis gave Shawn a courteous nod and then turned to Mirabe. ¡°Please go ahead, I¡¯ll go start


    <b>Chapter </b><b>345 </b>


    the car.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Okay,<b>¡± </b>she agreed and headed toward the neighboring house.


    Shawn watched Curtis intently as he got into the car and drove away. It took a moment for him <b>to </b><b>shift </b><b>his </b>gaze<b>, </b>contemting<b>. </b>Curtis had the air of a bodyguard, the kind you could see in corporate settings.


    Shawn stroked his chin but then realized something was off. They had just moved in two days ago; how did his daughter already know the neighbors? And wasn¡¯t the person who had been eyeing their house from next door?


    Shawn¡¯s eyes suddenly widened with suspicion. Could it be that they had switched tactics, targeting his daughter after failing with him? No wonder the guy was so obsequious ¨C it was a charm offensive.


    rmed, Shawn whipped out his phone and messaged Mirabe. [Darling, don¡¯t let them sweet¨Ctalk you. We¡¯re not selling the house, no matter the price!]

 Chapter 346

    <b>Chapter </b><b>346 </b>


    Mirabe stepped into the living room where James was wrapping up a call on his smartphone. As he caught sight of her, the stern look on his face softened and he said into the phone, ¡°Mhm<b>, </b>gotta go.<b>¡± </b>


    He pocketed his phone and turned to Mirabe. His handsome face exuded a gentle charm. ¡°You¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    With a light nod, Mirabe approached him. Her pretty, almond¨Cshaped eyes were fixed on him, <b>¡°</b>Not bad, you¡¯re looking better.¡±


    James met her gaze, and his one eyebrow arched slightly. ¡°Is this how you treat all your patients?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Mirabe¡¯s eyes flickered with confusion.


    A wistful look crossed James¡® face before he chuckled and shook his head. ¡°Nothing.¡± He gestured towards the couch, inviting her to sit, then strode to the fridge and fetched a bottle of soda. He twisted off the cap and handed it to Mirabe.


    Mirabe took the bottle without a second thought.


    Wyatt and Curtis had just parked the car and walked in when they noticed James¡® actions. They both paused, exchanged a nce, and silently questioned the odd feeling in the air.


    ¡°I never thought we¡¯d end up neighbors again,¡± James said, sinking into the sofa across from Mirabe, with a hint of surprise in his voice.


    Taking a sip of her soda, Mirabe set it down on the coffee table and raised an eyebrow, replying in a drawling tone, ¡°Fate has a funny way of messing with us.¡±


    James¡® lips twitched at her remark.


    Just then, Wyatt and Curtis approached.


    ¡°You finished your work?¡± Mirabe asked Wyatt. Her curiosity was aroused.


    James¡® attention also shifted to Wyatt, who cleared his throat and said, ¡°All taken care of.¡± Thest thing he¡¯d want was for them to catch wind of this situation. It was too embarrassing.


    ¡°Oh, that was quick,¡± Mirabe mused, leaning back against the couch.


    Wyatt handed her a wooden box. ¡°Take a look at the medicine inside.¡±


    Mirabe eyed the box with a sense of foreboding. She opened it and picked up the porcin bottle, immediately noticing the mark on its bottom. Unscrewing the lid, she sniffed briefly before recapping it.


    <b>¡°</b>Will this help James? Can it cure his condition?¡± Wyatt asked eagerly.


    Mirabe¡¯s expression softened as she reced the bottle in the box. ¡°No, it can¡¯t.¡±


    11.00


    Wyatt¡¯s face fell at her words.


    ¡°How did youe by this medicine?¡± she inquired.


    Curtis spoke up. ¡°Acquired through special channels. Rumor has it, this medicine can cure <b>all </b>manner of stubborn illnesses.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s expression grewplex. The medicine was indeed powerful but clearly not the cure for James¡® ailment. After a brief pause, she exined, ¡°It¡¯s undoubtedly a fine medicine, but it depends on the patient.¡±


    Turning to James, she added, ¡°At best, it¡¯ll give you a bit of a boost, but don¡¯t count on it for more than that.¡±


    Curtis stood there, dumbfounded. The medicine was said to originate from the enigmatic family of Massolio, whose members were renowned for their extraordinary healing abilities. There was apparently no mdy they couldn¡¯t cure. Yet, <i>no </i>one knew the whereabouts of the Massolio family, which made any medicine from them incredibly rare and valuable.


    This particr bottle had passed through many hands to reach them, but now, Ms. Mirabe was telling them that it was of no use to James¡­

 Chapter 347

    <b>Chapter </b><b>347 </b>


    Curtis nced at Mirabe. His lips parted as if to pose another question, but before he could, James¡® voice drifted over.


    ¡°We still have you, right?¡± James tilted his head<b>. </b>His gaze rested on Mirabe¡¯s face. There wasn¡¯t a trace of regret on his sharp features, just a hint of yful mischief.


    At James¡® words, Curtis and Wyatt felt a weight lift off their chests. Right, Ms. Mirabe was a top¨Css medicine refiner. Perhaps she could one day concoct a potion to cure James for good?


    The Massolio n was shrouded in mystery, and its very existence was a matter of hearsay. Whether they were real or not, no one knew for sure.


    With a stony expression, Mirabe shot a nce at James, ¡°Why do I get the feeling you¡¯re trying to swindle me?¡± She had prepared countless medicines for him gratis, and now he was trying to stick to her?


    It seemed like everyone she hadtely run into considered her a pushover. Was she really such an essible target for exploitation?


    James¡® eyebrows arched as he let out a soft chuckle, teasingly remarking, ¡°Or perhaps I should let you swindle me?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, our James is free to swindle,¡± Wyatt chimed in eagerly from the side.


    Curtis¡® lips twitched in exasperation. This guy was beyond help.


    ¡°Thanks, I¡¯m one of the good guys,¡± Mirabe quipped dryly, a forced smile on her lips.


    Looking down, she pulled out her phone and noticed a message on Messenger from a few minutes ago, sent by Shawn. She tapped to open it.


    [Darling, don¡¯t let them sweet¨Ctalk you. We¡¯re not selling the house, no matter the price!]


    Confused by Shawn¡¯s message, Mirabe replied with a question mark. It didn¡¯t take long before she received a response.


    [The folks who wanted to buy our cest time, are our neighbors.]


    The corner of Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched as she suddenly looked up at James with a sly smile. ¡°I heard you¡¯re interested in buying my family¡¯s house?¡±


    Well, that was unexpected.


    After a moment, both James and Curtis turned their gazes to Wyatt, and suddenly the spotlight was on him. Covering his face, Wyatt let out a strainedugh, ¡°Uh, Ms. Mirabe, let me exin¡­¡±


    Minutester, after getting the full story, Mirabe fell silent for a few seconds before saying. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not one for a surprise. In the future, if you want to give me something, just send


    <b>11</b><b>:</b><b>101 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>347 </b>


    <b>cash</b>.<b>¡± </b>


    Pausing<b>, </b>she added, ¡°<b>I¡¯ll </b>send you my bank details when I get home. We all know each other here, so no <b>need </b>for formalities<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Wyatt sighed<b>. </b>That was one way <b>to </b>cut through the pleasantries!


    ¶­½ð


    Before long, Mirabe left James¡® ce and returned home, where Shawn eagerly asked, ¡°Mira, what did the neighbors say to you?¡±


    Mirabe, still deep in thought<b>, </b>looked up at Shawn¡¯s question and casually replied, ¡°Nothing much. I¡¯ve persuaded them to drop the idea of going for our house.<b>¡± </b>


    Shawn, skeptical, prodded, ¡°Is that all?¡± He had thought about it after he got home people clearly knew his daughter well, and it wasn¡¯t about buying a house.


    S


    those


    After a moment¡¯s consideration, Mirabe decided not to reveal that the owner of the house next door was the very ¡®tutor¡® Shawn was so desperate to meet. She simply nodded and hummed in agreement.


    In the dining room, Delh was already calling them to dinner. Without another word, Mirabe walked over.


    Shawn watched his daughter¡¯s retreating figure. Her secrets were wrapped in mystery yet again.

 Chapter 348

    Chapter <b>348 </b>


    The next day<i>. </i>Mirabe scribbled a list of herbs<b>, </b>snapped a picture, and sent it to Niki. She figured <b>it </b>was about <b>time </b>she made a stand or else it would look bad.


    When Niki got the picture of the herb list from Mirabe, he nearly keeled over.


    He could give those ordinary herbs away for free, but the items on that list were centuries¨Cold rarities, and she wanted a boatload of them all at once! It was downright inhumane!


    Fuming as he was<b>, </b>Niki eventually sent his apprentice off to gather the herbs. A promise made, even through gritted teeth, was a promise to keep.


    After school, Mirabe nned to head over to Niki¡¯s to brew potions and, incidentally, teach the old chap how to make incense. As soon as she stepped out of the school gates, she spotted James¡® sleek ck car waiting outside.


    Checking her phone, she saw a message from him on Messenger. Without even reading it, she strode over. The rear car window slid down, revealing James¡® handsome face. ¡°Niki sent me to pick you up,¡± he said.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, didn¡¯t say much, and got into the car.


    The car started smoothly, heading towards Niki¡¯s residence. James leaned casually against the door frame,zily ncing at Mirabe. ¡°That livestream show you didst week was pretty cool.¡±


    Mirabe was surprised he had watched it. Despite her rmendations, he didn¡¯t seem like the type to tune into livestreams. She gave him an amused look in response.


    Wyatt, who was driving<b>, </b>caught their eye in the rearview mirror and chimed in, ¡°I watched it too. Even dropped a tip.¡± Making his presence felt was, of course, part of the n.


    James spared him a brief nce.


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna be on that variety show more than once, right?¡± Wyatt asked Mirabe.


    Flicking a strand of hair from her forehead, she replied lightly, ¡°Yeah, there are a few episodes. Just a bit part, really.¡±


    Wyatt chuckled dryly. He recalled thest episode. It hardly seemed like she was just ying a bit part.


    ¡°Thinking of getting into showbiz?¡± James asked nonchntly.


    Mirabe shook her head. ¡°<b>If </b>I wanted to be in showbiz, I wouldn¡¯t wear a mask on the show.¡±


    James smiled but said no more.


    Soon, they arrived at the Reeves estate. Niki was already waiting. As soon as they entered, he dered, ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner first. We can get to work after.¡±


    Nikl¡¯s wife had passed away early, leaving him with two sons. His elder son was working <b>with </b>the Riverdale Pharmacists¡® Guild, and the younger one, Asher, had a knack for medicine and was poised to take over the family practice.


    Asher <b>was </b>puzzled by his father¡¯s polite and enthusiastic treatment of a teenage girl. He assumed Mirabe was just tagging along with James, hence the special treatment. So, Asher didn¡¯t pay much attention to Mirabe.


    Niki didn¡¯t exin too much to his son. After all, Mirabe¡¯s ability to concoct S+ grade potions at such a young age was something of a top¨Ctier secret. Knowledge of her skills bingmon knowledge might do her more harm than good.


    After dinner, Niki led Mirabe to the medicine refining room. He really wanted to observe her technique, but with James still there, it wouldn¡¯t do to leave his guest unattended. So he pulled Asher aside.


    ¡°Pay close attention to her work, Asher. What you learn is up to you,¡± Niki said with a stern look.


    Asher, hearing his father¡¯s words, looked at him in surprise. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re letting an outsider into our refining room, and now I¡¯m supposed to learn from her? Have you lost your mind?¡±

 Chapter 349

    Niki pped him atop the head with a yful yet firm gesture. ¡°Keep those kinds ofments between us, alright? Don¡¯t you dare say such things in front of her. She¡¯s a pharmacist and her skills far surpass your brother¡¯s, You best buckle down and learn from her.¡±


    Asher dodged his father¡¯s hand. The skepticism was etched across his face. ¡°A pharmacist that¡¯s just seventeen or eighteen, and yet better than my brother? That¡­ doesn¡¯t seem likely,<i>* </i>


    After all, his brotherwas already an intermediate pharmacist. To surpass him would mean being at an advanced level?


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing impossible about it. Don¡¯t be prejudiced, boy. Once you see what she¡¯s capable of, you¡¯ll understand.¡± Niki huffed, adding, ¡°Do you seriously think I¡¯d let you assist her if it weren¡¯t for the fact that James is here?¡±


    Asher looked at Niki, thinking his old man had gone soft in the head, as his words were not making any sense.


    ¡°Enough chit¨Cchat. Go on now, and learn. This is a one¨Ctime opportunity.¡± Niki didn¡¯t linger on the subject; after all, some things could only be believed when seen with one¡¯s own eyes.


    Scratching his head, Asher made his way into the room. Niki nced back once before striding off toward the main hall.


    Stepping into the room, Asher initially held a dismissive attitude towards Mirabe. Her youth made it easy to overlook her abilities, but his condescension swiftly shifted as he observed her work.


    ¡°You¡­ the medicine you¡¯re making¡­¡± Asher struggled to find the words as he watched Mirabe in action.


    Distraction was a pharmacist¡¯s worst enemy. Mirabe didn¡¯t nce up or respond; she simply continued her meticulous work.


    The medicine was for Catherine, not asplex as the one she had crafted for James, and thus quicker to produce. In roughly an hour, she was done. Once she had carefully bottled the finished product, Mirabe let out a long, relieved breath.


    Asher was not a pharmacist and didn¡¯t have Niki¡¯s breadth of experience. He was simply astonished by the girl¡¯s precision. He couldn¡¯t fully assess the quality of the finished medicine, but judging by the twenty or so pills she produced in one go, he assumed they were¡­ average, at best.


    After all, he remembered his brother mentioning that an ordinary pharmacist could at most produce two or three pills at a time, while only an advanced pharmacist could manage five or six. So, he could not agree with the idea that this little girl could outshine his brother. His


    <i>1/2 </i>


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    Chapter <b>349 </b>


    brother was now a mid¨Clevel pharmacist with the Pharmacists¡® Guild, which was a distinguished position not easily rivaled by a young girl <b>with </b>less experience.


    After Mirabe packed away her medicines, she turned to the ingredients and sandalwood prepared for teaching Niki incense¨Cmaking and looked at Asher. ¡°Do you know how to make incense?¡± she asked.


    Asher blinked, then shook his head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Mirabe, considering the favor she owed for the discounted medicine, picked up the nearby tools and offered, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll teach you.¡±


    Asher frowned slightly but declined, ¡°No need, really.¡± He had no interest in incense¨Cmaking.


    Sensing his disinterest, Mirabe didn¡¯t insist. After all, she had promised to teach Niki, not him. She put down her tools and left the room.


    Meanwhile, Niki was sipping tea with James. His gaze drifted towards the hall, clearly distracted.


    Upon seeing Mirabe step in, he quickly rose and approached her. ¡°Mirabe, you finished up for today already?¡±


    Mirabe, looking a bit pale from exertion, nodded at Niki.

 Chapter 350

    <b>Chapter </b><b>350 </b>


    Asher strolled in <b>from </b>the outside just in time to catch the anxious look on his old man¡¯s face. <b>With </b><b>a </b>roll of his eyes<b>, </b><b>he </b>turned toward James, who was seated at the head of the table, and poured him a cup <b>of </b>water with polite reverence.


    Niki, preupied with his own excitement, failed to notice his son¡¯s gesture. His gaze was locked <b>on </b>Mirabe as he eagerly inquired, ¡°What sort of concoction did you whip up today? Can <b>I </b>have a peek<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Something for the heart,¡± Mirabe replied without stinginess, handing over the medicine


    bottle to Niki.


    A thoughtful expression crossed James¡® face when he heard her words. His eyebrows lifted subtly.


    Catherine had a heart condition. So, was this medicine crafted for Catherine?


    Niki uncorked the bottle and shook out a pill, bringing it to his nose for a careful sniff. His eyes lit up instantly. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s another ancient remedy.¡±


    Asher, hearing the term ¡°ancient remedy,¡± couldn¡¯t help but show a flicker of surprise.


    She had concocted an ancient remedy?


    While Asher had a decent knack for medicine, he wasn¡¯t as versed in pharmacology as Niki. He had once delved into the Hammond family¡¯s heirloom tome of ancient remedies, but after making no significant discoveries, his interest had waned.


    Soon enough, Niki neatly repackaged the medicine and handed it back to Mirabe, suddenly feeling a wave of nostalgia. It was wonderful how he¡¯de across several ancient remedies recently. They were something he¡¯d never touched before.


    But then a thought struck him¡­ Could the ancient remedies he¡¯d seen in others¡® hands also originate from her?


    Niki shot a peculiar nce at Mirabe.


    Catching the odd look on Niki¡¯s face, Mirabe arched an eyebrow<i>. </i>¡°Niki?¡±


    ¡°Have you by any chance concocted a nerve¨Crepair antidote?¡± he asked.


    Mirabe, unfazed, responded, ¡°No, I only know these fewmon concoctions.¡±


    Niki felt his blood pressure spike. Did she just saymon? A single top¨Ctier concoction from the Pharmacists¡® Guild could have its creator strutting through their halls, but this little prodigy was calling her unique, elusive old world remedies mon¡°? It was a blow to anyone¡¯s ego.


    ¡°By the way, Niki, I might not have enough energy for incense¨Cmaking today. I¡¯ll write down the form for youter. If you follow it to the letter, it should turn out nearly perfect,¡±


    <b>10:55 </b>


    Chander 100


    Mirabe stated calmly.


    At her words, Nikl paused for a moment before his gaze shifted to Asher. He saw his son attempting to cozy up to James. His motive couldn¡¯t be clearer.


    He had gone to great lengths to secure a chance for the girl to mentor his son. With age creeping up on him, Niki had wanted to create opportunities for Asher to learn some real skills, hoping to ensure a longer and more prosperous future for the Reeves family¡­


    Niki shook his head, dismissing the thought <b>as </b>a fool¡¯s hope, ¡°Hever mind, seems like I¡¯m not that fortunate,¡± he said with a wry smile.


    Opportunities, once missed, seldome around again. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to shamelessly ask her for another chance.


    Mirabe just smiled and remained silent.


    Asher, overhearing the conversation, furrowed his brows, but quickly redirected his attention <b>back </b>to James.


    After a brief rest, Mirabe left the Reeves estate with James and Wyatt, Only after they had departed did Niki make his way to the courtyard. His steps were unsteady. Asher followed, babbling non¨Cstop. ¡°Dad, that youngdy sure has a knack for precise formtions.¡± Asher began<b>, </b>pausing before continuing, ¡°But to say she¡¯s more skilled in pharmacology than my brother, well, I can¡¯t agree with that.¡±


    Nikl stopped in his tracks upon hearing his son¡¯s words.

 Chapter 351

    <b>Chapter 351 </b>


    He lifted his gaze to his youngest son, only to see a look of utter cluelessness on the boy¡¯s face. Shaking his head, he let out a sigh, ¡°Ignorance truly is bliss<b>, </b><b>isn¡¯t </b>it?<b>¡± </b>


    Asher¡¯s cheeks flushed with a hint of annoyance at the unexpected scolding. ¡°Well<i>, </i>of course.<b>¡± </b>he retorted. ¡°My brother is a mid¨Clevel pharmacist with the Pharmacists¡® Guild. He can barely churn out three or four pills at a time. Someone cranking out a dozen or more in one go? That screams fishy to me.¡±


    In the world of potion¨Cmaking, a higher yield meant less waste of ingredients<b>. </b>A low yield, on the other hand, indicated profligacy. But perfect yields every single time? That was unheard of. Hearing Asher¡¯s words, Niki shook his head once more. ¡°Naivete!¡± he eximed. Without the patience to exin the intricacies to such a lost cause, Niki strode off towards his own


    quarters.


    Left standing there, Asher scratched his head, looking puzzled at his father¡¯s retreating figure. After a moment¡¯s thought, he pulled out his cellphone and dialed his brother.


    The call connected quickly.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve got a question for you. Is it even possible for a real pharmacist to whip up a batch of twenty pills in one go?¡± Asher¡¯s voice was earnest.


    On the other end of the line, his brother furrowed his brows. ¡°Are you joking? Even asking that isughable!¡±


    Just as Asher had expected, even his brother agreed. So Asher ryed the day¡¯s events to his


    brother in brief.


    ¡°Look, don¡¯t sweat it. Dad¡¯s probably just saying that in front of James. You took him seriously? Forget it. I¡¯m busy, gotta go,¡± his brother dismissed before hanging up.


    Asher pocketed his phone, reflecting on how the Reeves family owed their status to his brother¡¯s standing within the Pharmacists¡® Guild. A mere girl wasn¡¯t worth the fuss.


    In the car.


    ¡°Back at the Reeves residence, I heard you mention incense crafting. Do you know how to make it?¡± James¡® eyebrows lifted slightly, and his voice was light butden with curiosity.


    .


    Mirabe felt a pang of something at his question. She had forgotten that she had previously denied any knowledge of incense crafting to him, even sending him a link to a incense shop online.


    And speaking of incense, Wyatt, who had been eavesdropping from the driver¡¯s seat, suddenly remembered the mountain of incense sticks still piled in his bedroom. They were enough to


    <b>1/2 </b>


    10-55.


    Chapter <b>351 </b>


    <bst </b>three <b>years</b>.


    Wyatt¡¯s feelings becameplicated in a sh. Ms. Mirabe was quite the prankster<b>. </b>


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe responded, ¡°Incense crafting? No, I can¡¯t do that. I just <b>mix </b><b>up </b>some herbal remedies from time to time.¡±


    ¡°Heh,¡± James chuckled softly.


    Mirabe turned her head to gaze out the car window, shifted in her seat, and remarked, ¡°I¡¯m really tired. I need to rest for a bit. Wake me when we get home.¡± After saying that, she pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, leaned back in her seat, and closed her eyes.


    James¡® lips twitched with a wry smile as he nced at her but ultimately decided not to pursue the conversation. After all, what was the point? The kid was hardly going to spill the beans, always ying her cards close to the chest.


    Up front, Wyatt silently turned off the car stereo.


    By the time they reached the gatedmunity, the clock had struck past ten. Crafting potions had taken a toll on Mirabe, so she indeed fell asleep during the ride.


    When the car pulled up outside the Davis family mansion, Mirabe was still sleeping. Wyatt turned to say something, but a raised hand from James silenced him, and he cut the engine.


    Without waking hispanion, James too closed his eyes, and the ck car sat quietly outside the mansion.

 Chapter 352

    <b>Chapter </b><b>352 </b>


    In the vi, Zach had just finished showering and strolled over to the window with the intention <b>of </b>drawing the curtains closed. However, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a ck sedan parked not far from the front door, with its engine off and silent in the night.


    He eyed the vehicle with a hint of suspicion before shrugging it off and pulling the curtains shut.


    Feeling a bit parched, he left his room and headed downstairs to grab a bottle of water from the fridge.


    Shawn was still lounging in the living room, engrossed in thete¨Cnight show flickering on the TV. Zach sauntered over and flopped down on the couch beside him, asking, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you watching TV in your room? It¡¯s gettingte.¡±


    Shawn nced at Zach, with a hint of concern shadowing his features. ¡°Your sister hasn¡¯te home yet.¡±


    Zach¡¯s brow furrowed in surprise. ¡°What? Mira¡¯s not back yet?¡± As far as he was concerned, his sister was a veritable bookworm. Post¨Cdinner, she¡¯d typically vanish into her room to hit the books. Trying to talk her into a shopping spree was like trying to move a mountain.


    She was always home before ten ¨C reliably, predictably. A genuine goody two¨Cshoes.


    ¡°Yeah, I tried calling her, but no answer. No clue what she¡¯s up to,¡± Shawn sighed. A father¡¯s worry etched deeper lines into his face. She¡¯d left a note saying she might bete, but silence had followed.


    Zach patted his pockets, remembering his phone was upstairs. ¡°I¡¯ll go up and grab my phone.¡±


    He thundered back upstairs and quickly dialed Mirabe¡¯s number, only to be greeted by the endless ring of an unanswered call. Frowning, he pulled back the curtains, stepped out onto the balcony, and once again, his gazended on the ck sedan parked outside.


    Who the heck parked in front of their house?


    He nced at the car a few more times, decided not to concern himself with it, and leaned against the balcony railing while shooting a few messages to Mirabe on Messenger.


    Five minutester, still no reply.


    Clutching his phone, Zach contemted setting a new house rule with his parents, a curfew that didn¡¯t allow anyone toe home past eight, especially his sister.


    As he turned back, his eyes casually swept over the driveway. That was when he saw the car¡¯s headlights flick on. He didn¡¯t want to pry, but then the car door opened, and a familiar figure stepped out, apanied by a man whose face was hidden in the shadows. Zach¡¯s eyes went wide.


    Holy crap, that was Mirabe!


    10:55


    Gripping his phone<b>, </b>Zach dashed inside. He pounded down the stairs. His face was pale and


    tense.


    Shawn watched his son make a second frantic trip up <b>and </b>down the stairs. And his expression was strangely rming<b>. </b>¡°Zach, what¡¯s up? Where are you off to in such a hurry?¡±


    Zach, fuming, <b>didn¡¯t </b>even pause. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Shawn was left staring after him. This didn¡¯t <b>look </b>like a boy stepping out for a moment; this looked like someone ready to start a rumble.


    <b>What </b>on earth was riling him up thiste at night? Shawn shook his head and decided to let it


    <ol start="90">


    <li>90<b>. </b></li>


    </ol>


    Zach flung open the front door and bolted out, reaching the entrance just as Mirabe swiped her card, and the door swung open.


    She nearly collided with Zach, taking a moment to register the scene before <i>her</i>. As it dawned on her, she noticed his face, red with anger, and he was still wearing the pristine slippers from indoors. She asked with a frown, ¡°Zach, what¡¯s wrong? Are you going out?¡±


    Zach red at his sister with tight lips, then quickly turned to look behind her. ¡°Where¡¯s the car? And that weird guy?¡±


    Mirabe was taken aback. Her face was a mask of confusion.

 Chapter 353

    <b>Chapter </b><b>353 </b>


    Zach ignored his sister¡¯s confusion and stepped outside the front door, scanning the street left and right, but there was no sign of any ck sedan.


    Puzzled, Mirabe touched her nose and turned to face Zach. ¡°Zach, what car, what weird people are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°I saw everything!¡± Zach huffed, walking back towards her.


    ¡°What did you see?¡± Mirabe paused, then recalling the recent events. She realized what he meant. ¡°Are you talking about the car that dropped me off?¡±


    Zach nodded, ¡°Yeah, and there was a guy!¡± That was the main point.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, he added, ¡°That car must¡¯ve been parked in front of our house for at least ten minutes.¡±


    Well, she didn¡¯t need to guess what Zach had misunderstood. Mirabe spread her hands. Her gaze was clear and direct. ¡°What if I told you it was just a friend? Would you believe me?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I believe what my sister says.¡± But he wouldn¡¯t put the same trust in anyone else. After all, his sister was so pretty, so charming, so innocent ¨C what if some no¨Cgood jerk tried to take advantage of her?


    Mirabe nodded, ¡°Good, let¡¯s go back inside.¡± After saying that, she headed back into the


    house.


    Zach was momentarily stunned. Was that it? No further exnation? He nced outside one more time, then reluctantly closed the door and followed her in.


    Once inside¡­


    ¡°Mira, you are home,¡± Shawn noted, not as suspicious as his son had been.


    ¡°Why are you still up, Dad?¡± Mirabe asked as she poured herself a ss of water.


    ¡°I was waiting for you toe home before I hit the hay.¡± Shawn yawned, and then said, ¡°I¡¯m heading to bed now. You kids should get some sleep too.¡±


    Shawn took a few steps, then turned back to nce at Zach, whose expression seemed a bit sour. Shaking his head, Shawn made his way upstairs.


    Mirabe took a sip of water and felt Zach¡¯s gaze on her like a shadow since she had entered the house. cing down the ss, she rubbed her forehead with a sense of resignation. ¡°Zach, this is only going to hurt our sibling bond.¡±


    Zach perked up, ¡°There¡¯s a way to not hurt our bond.¡±


    Mirabe nced at him, staying silent. It seemed she was saying, ¡°You¡¯re asking for a punch.¡± Somehow, Zach picked up that unsaid sentiment from just that one look from his sister.


    10:55


    Clearing his throat, he approached andid


    w his rules, ¡°From now on, you need to be home by 8 PM. It¡¯s not safe for a girl to be out alone. If you¡¯re going somewhere, you can call me, and I¡¯ll pick you up.¡±


    Mirabe watched him silently. When Zach felt her gaze, his once confident stance wavered<b>, </b>and his eyes shifted. ¡°Just¡­ never ept rides from strange men, okay?¡±


    Mirabe shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m going to my room, Zach.¡±


    Without another word and no desire to hear any more lectures, she turned and headed upstairs. Zach, undeterred, followed close behind. ¡°Miras, you gotta understand, there are too many con artists out there. You¡¯re young. Don¡¯t get taken in by sweet¨Ctalking strangers.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s pace quickened.


    ¡°And another thing I¡¯ve been meaning to tell you<i>. </i>Those boys at school, stay away from them. They¡¯re all bad news¡­¡±


    Zach continued his monologue right up to Mirabe¡¯s bedroom door, which promptly shut in his face, cutting off his protective tirade.


    Zach stood there and felt speechless. Was being a big brother ever easy?

 Chapter 354

    <b>Chapter 354 </b>


    The weekend rolled around once more, ushering in the second live broadcast of the hit show, ¡°<b>Country </b>Comfort,¡± nestled in the picturesque Harmony Point vige.


    Mirabe, <b>as </b>per her usual, was decked out in sporty gear, and toplement her, Leo rocked a matching athletic outfit. The tall and lean siblings stood side by side, oozing coolness with a vibe that screamed ¡®camera¨Cready. Of course, Mirabe¡¯s ck face mask added an aura of mystery<b>, </b>drawing even more attention than her brother.


    By half¨Cpast nine<b>, </b>they arrived at the set, joining the trio fromst week¡¯s episode¨CHans, Gabriel and Heather¨Cwho were all present and ounted for.


    The show was now streaming live. Greetings were exchanged briskly as the host wasted no time revealing the morning¡¯s task. Soon, the crew hauled out four bushel baskets.


    Catching sight of the baskets, Hans quipped, ¡°For some reason, these baskets remind me ofst week when Juztin¡¯s sister was chasing chickens around.¡±


    A wry smile tugged at the corner of Mirabe¡¯s lips, cued by Hans¡® remark.


    The host chuckled at Hans¡® observation. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, Hans. Same baskets, but today they¡¯ve got a different purpose.¡±


    Heather faced the camera and let out an exaggerated sigh, ¡°Looks like we¡¯re in for another day of shenanigans courtesy of the showrunners.¡±


    Gabriel chimed in with two words, ¡°No doubt.¡±


    ¡°Pretending I didn¡¯t hear that,¡± the host yfully snorted and then pulled waterproof overalls from the baskets. ¡°Alrighty, here¡¯s the deal for this morning¡¯s task.¡±


    Hans sauntered over, dead serious. ¡°What are these? Wetsuits?¡±


    [LOL, wetsuits. I can see the host¡¯s face cracking.]


    [Hans¡® banter is legendary.]


    [The host thinks: My life is too hard.]


    Regainingposure, the host shot Hans a re before continuing, ¡°Correct, these are for going into the water<b>, </b>not diving¡­oops, I mean, they¡¯re waterproof overalls. For this morning¡¯s challenge, you will don these overalls and harvest lotus roots from the pond. The first team to fill their basket wins.¡±


    Hans spread his hands. ¡°Alrighty, this task is tougher thanst week¡¯s chicken ordeal. The show really isn¡¯t satisfied until they¡¯ve put us through the wringer, huh?¡±


    The host locked eyes with him silently, then purposefully ced thergest basket in front of Hans. ¡°Congrattions, you yed yourself.¡±


    Hans was stunned<b>. </b>


    10-55


    <b>Chapter </b>354


    [LOL, the host is holding a grundge.]


    [Hans: Why must I always tempt fate with my smart mouth?]


    Before long, the teams were suited up in their waterproof gear, and with a seasoned lotus root farmer leading the way, they trekked to a sprawling lotus pond. On the water¡¯s edge, four small boats awaited, designated for the camera crew.


    Before the challenge officially kicked off, everyone spent a good while learning the art of lotus root harvesting from the farmer, then split off into their respective teams.


    Mirabe twisted her long ponytail into a tidy bun, pulled her mask up, and turned to Leo, ¡°Got the hang of it yet?¡±


    Leo nodded, though even if he hadn¡¯t, he¡¯d im he had. The chicken debacle from thest episode had already provided enough fodder for the fans. He couldn¡¯t afford to be the weak link in this lotus root digging challenge.


    As if she hadn¡¯t seen his nod, Mirabe said in an unruffled tone, ¡°No worries if you haven¡¯t. Just follow me and hold the basket.¡± She had long since epted Leo¡¯s ¡®good at nothing¡® approach to tasks.


    Leo remained silent. A little respect for your brother, maybe?

 Chapter 355

    Chapter <b>355 </b>


    The water in the pond wasn¡¯t particrly deep, but trudging through the muck was another


    story.


    Leo had barely taken two steps before he¡¯d sunk in twice, and it was only with Mirabe¡¯s help that he was pulled free.


    ¡°Stick with me,¡± Mirabemanded, her voice low and steady, gripping Leo¡¯s arm. She sounded like the protective older sibling. It¡¯s like their roles were reversed.


    Leo was feeling pretty downcast.


    Meanwhile, in the live stream chat.


    [LOL, she is such an alpha female. She¡¯s giving strong vibes here.]


    [Did you catch that adorable, confused look on Juztin? Too cute!]


    [Juztin, stand up for yourself, man! You¡¯re supposed to be the big brother, or your persona is going to crash and burn!!]


    [Juztin¡¯s sister: You¡¯re only fit to ride my coattails to victory.]


    [She rocks! Juztin, keep up with her!]


    After ¡®a short walk, Mirabe stopped and said, ¡°This is the spot. Let¡¯s get to work.¡±


    No sooner had she spoken than her hand plunged into the mud, and before you knew it, she¡¯d unearthed a whole lotus root.


    Leo remarked, ¡°Wow, you¡¯re amazing. How did you get it in one go?¡± It looked surprisingly easy. Mirabe just arched her brow, and even behind her mask, her confidence was unmistakable.


    Facing the camera, Leo suddenly turned and dered, ¡°My sister is awesome, and I can do it too, believe in me!¡±


    [Haha, we believe you.]


    [Waiting for the epic fail.]


    [Waiting for the facepalm moment.]


    Leo, imitating his sister, bent over and reached into the muck, following the stem of the lotus leaf down. He tugged firmly, but all he managed to pull out was the stem. Not a hint of lotus root in sight.


    The corner of Leo¡¯s mouth twitched, and he avoided looking at the camera, muttering, ¡°First tries can go wrong. I¡¯ll get it next time.¡±


    Thus, after several attempts that yielded only stems, a local viger finally had to intervene, ¡°Young man, please, have mercy on my crops. I need them to make a living.¡±


    <b>11.11 </b>


    Leo was so embarrassed. Yep, this reality show was full of malice towards <b>him</b><b>. </b>


    [Dude, just carry the basket for your sister, please. If you keep this up, we¡¯re going to unfollow you.]


    [I can feel Juztin¡¯s despair through the screen.]


    [Typical country bumpkin, making farm work look easy.]


    Eventually, Leo gave up and settled for carrying the basket ¨C he¡¯d beenid¨Cback in thest episode, so there was no harm in doing it again.


    Half an hourter, Leo could barely lift the basket. It was filled to the brim.


    Mirabe watched him struggle, almost falling into the pond a few times, and just shook her head in silent judgment. After washing the mud from her hands, she effortlessly took the basket and carried it ashore.


    Leo was speechless. It was as if they weren¡¯t carrying the same basket at all.


    Back on drynd, Mirabe handed over their harvest. She watched at the other groups, who were all still busy digging.


    Aside from Hans¡® group making some progress<i>, </i>Gabriel and Heather, especially Heather¡¯s team, had a pitiful two or three broken roots in their basket.


    With their taskplete, Mirabe and Leo each grabbed a stool and sat by the pond¡¯s edge, watching the others. The scene was so funny, and the live stream viewers nearly died ofughter.

 Chapter 356

    As the other groups wrapped up their tasks, the clock struck midnight, Heather¡¯s team, in a now familiar turn of events, had once again finishedst.


    Today¡¯s punishment foring inst wasn¡¯t dish duty but cooking duty. This left Heather and her cousin Michelle, both of whom had never really cooked, utterly bbergasted. Thankfully, with Hans and Gabriel lending a hand, they managed to cobble together a passable lunch.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe hadn¡¯t lifted a finger to help in the kitchen. Instead, she sat idly in the backyard, having borrowed some paper and a pen from the production crew. Sprawled across the table with a nonchnt air, she began to tackle some questions.


    The questions had been sent to her by the physics professor from Prestige College. They had connected on Messenger during thestpetition, and ever since, he asionally pinged her with challenging problems to mull over.


    Initially, the production team hadn¡¯t nned on focusing the camera too much on Mirabe, but with viewers in the live chat constantly asking what the young girl was up to, the host feltpelled to check in.


    ¡°So, miss, are you working on some problems?¡± As the host spoke, the camera zoomed in for a close¨Cup of the paper<b>, </b>filled with dense equations and forms that were just gibberish at a nce.


    ¡°Whoa, I can¡¯t make heads or tails of this. Are high school problems this tough nowadays?¡± The host craned his neck, trying to make sense of the math, a look of bewilderment on his face.


    The live chat began to buzz with activity.


    [Wow, is she really doing homework now? Talk about a publicity stunt!)


    [LOL, I don¡¯t get it at all. Did I attend a fake high school or something?)


    [Isn¡¯t that a question from this year¡¯s freshman physics course at Prestige College? Didn¡¯t she say she was still in high school in thest episode? Why is she doing college¨Clevel work?]


    [I don¡¯t understand the question, but her handwriting is strangely beautiful.]


    [Yep, that¡¯s a college freshman question, and she¡¯s got it solved perfectly<b>. </b>This is seriously impressive if this wasn¡¯t part of the script.]


    Leo pulled out his phone and nced at the live chat before leaning in to whisper to his sister, ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t this a college¨Clevel problem?¡±


    Without looking up, Mirabe hummed an affirmation.


    Leo touched his nose and sighed internally. He should have gotten used to his sister¡¯s extraordinary intellect by now.


    Mirabe soon finished solving the problem and snapped a photo to send to the physics


    professor.


    Just then, Heather and the rest finally finished preparing lunch and came out with dishes and cutlery in hand. Noticing the crowd around Mirabe, Heather set down her dishes and approached. ¡°What¡¯s going on here, everyone?¡±


    The host looked up at Heather, his voiceced with a hint of awe, ¡°The younger generation is truly outdoing us. She can even solve college¨Clevel physics problems. Impressive.¡±


    Heather looked puzzled for a moment before responding with surprise, ¡°Really now?¡±


    After a brief pause, she added with a smile, ¡°Funny you should mention that. Michelle is actually a freshman in the physics department.¡±


    Michelle, walking out with her own te, caught the tail end of her cousin¡¯sment about being a physics student and shot her a curious nce.


    Mirabe, ever the low¨Ckey genius, ignored Heather¡¯s remarks and was about to crumple up the solved problems to throw them away.


    Heather quickly interjected, ¡°Hey, Michelle is a physics student. Why don¡¯t you show her your work? If there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t understand, she could help you out.¡±


    Turning to her cousin, Heather smiled, ¡°Michelle, I remember your physics grades are pretty good, right?¡±


    In a humble tone, Michelle replied, ¡°Oh, they¡¯re alright, nothing special.¡±


    Heather raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why don¡¯t you help her out and take a look at what she¡¯s solved?¡±

 Chapter 357

    <b>Chapter </b><b>357 </b>


    Michelle paused for a second<b>, </b>then considered that Mirabe was just a high schooler and <b>nodded</b><b>. </b>¡°Sure, that could work.¡±


    Mirabe stopped her fidgeting with the crumpled paper in her hand and lifted her head to stare at the pair. A yful smirk was hidden beneath her mask. ¡°Are you sure you want to see the problems I¡¯ve been working on?¡±


    Heather felt it was a tell¨Ctale sign of covering something up, so she chuckled, ¡°We could all benefit from sharing and learning together, right?¡±


    Leo cast a sideways nce at Heather without a word.


    ¡°Alright then.¡± Mirabe smoothed out the wad of paper she had been toying with.


    Michelle walked over and took the paper from Mirabe, her expression humble. ¡°Even though physics isn¡¯t exactly my strong suit, taking a look at a high school problem shouldn¡¯t be a<b>¡­</b>¡± She didn¡¯t get to finish the sentence; her voice suddenly cut off.


    The viewers in the live stream began to flood the chat with messages as they noticed her


    reaction.


    [What¡¯s happening? Why has Michelle stopped talking?]


    [Look¡¯s like she¡¯s in shock, doesn¡¯t it?]


    [Seems like there¡¯s something profound about that problem on the paper. Did anyone manage to snap a screenshot of it?]


    [A high school problem stumping a college student?]


    [Haha, it feels like there¡¯s a awkward momenting.]


    Seeing her cousin¡¯s odd expression, Heather leaned in and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Michelle?¡±


    Michelle¡¯s grip on the paper faltered for a moment before she regained herposure and said, ¡°This isn¡¯t a high school problem<b>; </b>it¡¯s a university¨Clevel physicstesearch question, quite a tough one. I¡¯m a bit embarrassed to admit I wouldn¡¯t know how to solve this one either. How did youe up with the solution?¡±


    The implication was clear in her words. First, it seemed a bit fishy that a high school student like Mirabe was tackling university¨Clevel problems. Second, if Michelle, who specialized in physics at the university level, couldn¡¯t solve it, but Mirabe could, it suggested that Mirabe must have prepared the solutions in advance and brought them to the show to boast.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing university problems? Aren¡¯t you a high schooler?¡± Heather feigned surprise.


    ¡°Maybe she is just that much of a brainiac. After all, the students at Parkside High School are no slouches,¡± Michelle said with a smile that thinly veiled her sarcasm.


    Heather nodded. ¡°True, there aren¡¯t many simple students around these days.¡±


    11:41


    Hearing this exchange, Leo¡¯s face darkened in an instant, and he was about to stand up when someone grabbed his arm. He turned to look at his sister beside him.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes twinkled with mirth as she nonchntly stood up and walked over to Heather. Standing tall in front of her, her presence wasmanding<b>, </bpletely overshadowing


    Heather¡¯s.


    Heather met Mirabe¡¯s gaze, that innate rity making her involuntarily step back, breaking eye contact after a few seconds.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you a high school student once?¡± Mirabe asked earnestly.


    Heather opened her mouth to reply but was cut off as Mirabe continued. ¡°I guess I¡¯m too blunt sometimes. To use your words, there really aren¡¯t many simple people around<b>, </b>especially those who think before speaking.¡±


    Mirabeughed, then turned to Michelle. ¡°And as for you, you don¡¯t tell me you can¡¯t even understand the Lace equation?¡±

 Chapter 358

    When Mirabe hit Michelle with that retort, you could see Michelle¡¯s face flush a shade of ork that didn¡¯te from her blush palette. Then, in a flesh Mirabe wes waving a sheet of paper in the air like <b>a </b>magic wand, schooling Michelle on the ways of Lace.¡°¡ªand that¡¯s the long and short of it, Michelle. You get all that?<b>¡± </b>Mirabelle¡¯s voice had slowed to a creat reminiscent of a patient teacher exining long division to a room full of wide¨Ceyed third graders.


    The exnation was so clear that even the folks hanging out in the livestream chat felt like they¡¯d been enlightened in the span of a heartbeat


    (Holy smokes, who were those trolls again saying the kid was just stirring the pot for attention? A high schooler schooling a college kid ¨C if that¡¯s not legit, I don¡¯t know what is.)


    [Do Heather and Michelle feel the burn yet?


    (LOL, remember when Juztin¡¯s little sis was about to toss that paper, and some folks just had to kick her while she was down? And now¡ª well tak about a cringy moment


    (Girl, she is ying, live tutorial style. Bye, bye, bye to the scrubs.)


    Michelle and Heather, blissfully unaware of the savagementary flying through the chat, were left speechless until Hans and Gabriel ever the peacemakers, smoothly changed the subject and eased the tension.


    At that moment, Heather and Michelle realized that Mirabe was not to be trifled with. Though fuming inside, they wisely chose not to poke the bear again.


    Come dinner time, Mirabe, true to form, wasn¡¯t joining the rest for a meal Just as she stepped out of the yard, a crew member from the production team approached her with an invitation to dine with them backstage.


    Mirabe pondered for a second and, seeing no harm<b>, </b>followed the staffer to the green room. There, Walker was distributing boxed meals when he spotted Mirabe. He gestured to the table, offering her a box that hadn¡¯t been touched, ¡°Grab a seat. Let¡¯s eat together.¡± The offer came with an unexpected warmth.


    The crew member cast a puzzled nce at Walker, who was known for his cool demeanor and entric ways. Why the sudden change of heart for the youngdy?


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Mirabe replied, acknowledging the gesture with a nod and a polite smile as she removed her mask.


    It was the first time Walker had seen her face clearly ¨C beautiful and poised, the family


    resemnce with Leo unmistakable.


    ¡°You¡¯re wasting a pretty penny not being in show biz,¡± Walkermented after a moment¡¯s


    pause.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched slightly. ¡°You¡¯re not the first to say so<b>.</b>¡±


    11:42


    *Clearly, they¡¯re people of taste,¡± Walker said, nodding solemnly.


    A small smile yed on Mirabe¡¯s lips, but she said no more.


    ¡°Ever think about making an appearance on the show?¡± Walker inquired, looking up at her.


    Mirabe shook her head without much deliberation, ¡°No need. It would be too much of a hassle.¡± She paused, then added, ¡°But you could consider reducing my screen time to the minimum.¡±


    Hearing this, Walker¡¯s expression became a mix of disbelief and intrigue. ¡°Some people would kill for screen time, and you¡¯re turning it down?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not meaningful to me. I¡¯m not part of the scene,¡± Mirabe said with a shrug, her honesty refreshing.


    ¡°What a shame!¡± Walker sighed. She had been a rock¨Csolid presence on the show, sparking conversations left and right, yet had zero interest in the limelight.


    Walker wasn¡¯t one to push. ¡°Alright, I got it,¡± he said, resigning himself to the fact. Maybe he¡¯d just give Juztin a little extra screen time instead.


    Mirabe bowed her head and continued her meal, the picture of tranquility amidst the backstage hustle.

 Chapter 359

    <b>Chapter </b><b>359 </b>


    It wasn¡¯t long before Mirabe had polished off her meal and stood up, nodding at Walker with a smile. ¡°Thanks for the treat today. That takeout was pretty good. It tasted almost like


    something you¡¯d get at a five¨Cstar hotel.¡±


    Walker cleared his throat and said, ¡°d you liked it.¡±


    Mirabe didn¡¯t read too much into his words and soon left.


    Once she was gone, Walker¡¯s assistant couldn¡¯t help but voice his curiosity. ¡°Boss, why are you so polite to that girl?¡± Sure, her brother Juztin was a top¨Ctier celeb, but that didn¡¯t warrant such special treatment, did it?


    Walker gave his assistant a side nce and dropped a hint. ¡°Why <b>do </b>you think our catering has been top¨Cnotch this season?¡±


    The assistant had his ¡®aha¡® moment. Right, those who brought funding to the show were the big shots. They deserved the VIP treatment.


    Back at the live stream set, it seemed that Walker had taken Mirabe¡¯s words from earlier <b>to </b>


    heart. That afternoon, the cameras focused less on her, shining the spotlight more on Leo instead. Mirabe was quite pleased with this arrangement. After all, her brother was the real


    star of the show.


    Meanwhile, as the live show went on, a bombshell dropped elsewhere about Leo. [Neon Paradox¡¯s Juztin used of giarizing Bandmate¡¯s Songs and Lyrics]


    Leo had over a hundred million followers, so the news shook Twitter to its core. Thepany scrambled with marketing strategies, buying trending spots, and trying to downy the news, but it was futile. The scandal only grew more heated.


    After the live show ended, on the ride back to Ashford, Collins didn¡¯t dare tell Leo about the Twitter storm. Driving with a distracted mind, he nearly ran several red lights.


    Mirabe noticed his unease and blurted out, ¡°Collins, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Leo lifted his head, a trace of confusion on his face, and looked towards Collins at the wheel.


    Collins gripped the steering wheel tighter, his face stretched into a forced smile. ¡°Nothing


    much.¡±


    Compared to a physical injury, giarism was a whole different ball game. One misstep could lead to an inte¨Cwide bacsh. While Collins trusted that his artist would never giarize, so many innocent celebrities had been maliciously ndered and never fully cleared their names. Even if cleared, their careers would always remain tainted.


    ¡°You two must be tired after a whole day of streaming. Just rx when we get home.¡± Collins deflected.


    11:42


    you¡¯re acting kind of weld¡± Leo observed, frowning slightly.


    Arabe raised an eyebrow and nced at Collins again.


    ¡°No, not at all. You must be mistaken¡± Collinsughed it off.


    ¡°Realty? I feel like you¡¯re hiding something from me,¡® Leo said skeptically.


    Collins¡® voice sounded more normal. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. If there was something, I would¡¯ve told you by now¡±


    Mirabe pulled out her phone and checked Twitter, Leo¡¯s giarism scandal dominated the trending topics. She nced at his Twitter page and noticed a slight drop in his follower count. She gave Collins a knowing look, understanding he probably wanted to keep Lea in the dark for


    Then, turning to Leo, she said, ¡°You worry too much. And let me borrow your phone for a sec.¡±


    Without hesitation, Leo fished out his phone and handed it to her.

 Chapter 360

    Chapter <b>360 </b>


    Mirabe snatched up her phone, her gaze locked onto the screen with unwavering focus<b>. </b>Her fingers danced lightly across the surface, while Leo, sitting beside her, couldn¡¯t for <b>the </b>life of him figure out what she was up to. His attention drifted <b>to </b>the world outside the car <b>window</b>.


    After a short while, Mirabe handed the phone back to him. Leo took the device, nced <b>at </b>the homepage, and, with a nonchnt shrug, pocketed the phone once more.


    It was past ten when Collins¡® SUV rolled to a gentle stop outside the Davis family¡¯s sprawling estate.


    ¡°Leo, <i>you </i>head inside. I need a word with Collins,¡± Mirabe said, stepping out of the vehicle. Under the cloak of night, her expression was unreadable, her eyes betraying no emotion.


    Leo shot his sister a quizzical look. ¡°Is there something <i>you </i>can¡¯t tell me?¡±


    Mirabe simply arched an eyebrow. ¡°Just do as I say.¡±


    Leo let out a resigned sigh and made his way into the mansion.


    Once he was out of earshot, Mirabe returned to the SUV, opened the passenger door, and settled herself inside. ¡°What¡¯s the deal with this Jay character?¡± she asked without preamble.


    Collins looked taken aback for a moment before responding. ¡°Did you catch something on Twitter?¡±


    Mirabe tapped her fingers gently on her knees. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Collins fell silent, his expression darkening. ¡°Jay¡¯s part of Neon Paradox, too. He and Leo used to be tight, but as Leo¡¯s fanbase grew, so did the rift between them¡­¡±


    ¡°A ssic tale of envy turning ugly,¡± Mirabe thought, summarizing the situation in her mind


    within a minute.


    ¡°Leo would never rip off Jay¡¯s lyrics or music. They¡¯re part of the same band, so some stylistic ovep is natural. And honestly, Jay¡¯s talents don¡¯t hold a candle to Leo¡¯s,¡± Collins scoffed.


    Mirabe nodded, her voice even. ¡°I believe that. But is there any chance Leo¡¯s work could¡¯ve identally ended up in Jay¡¯s hands?¡±


    Collins scratched his head. ¡°Hard to say. They¡¯re in the same band, after all. And we¡¯re talking about new material that¡¯s still in the works.¡±


    ¡°How do we prove that the new tracks are my brother¡¯s original creations?¡± Mirabe pressed.


    Collins grimaced. ¡°We¡¯ll need solid proof from both parties.¡±


    He paused, then continued, ¡°What baffles me is that Jay¡¯s version seems even more polished than your brother¡¯s drafts. From what I¡¯ve heard of Leo¡¯s work so far, it¡¯s nowhere near Jay¡¯s version. The fans areparing the two and starting to lean towards Jay.¡±


    <b>11:42 </b>


    Which <b>meant </b>the situation was turning against Leo.


    Collins <b>had </b>faith in Leo¡¯s talent and knew the <b>man¡¯s </b>pride <b>wouldn¡¯t </b>allow <b>for </b>any imitation <b>or </b>theft. There had to be some trickery at y, but without evidence, Collins <b>was </b>at a loss.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°A knock¨Coff will always be just that.¡±


    Collins let out <b>a </b>heavy sigh. I¡¯ll keep working the social media angles and get the marketing teams on it. We can¡¯t let this blow up any further.¡±


    <b>Mirabe </b>turned to him. ¡°Appreciate your efforts.¡±


    Collins waved it <b>off</b><b>. </b>¡°It¡¯s nothing. And hey, try to keep Leo in the dark for now. When this all dies down, I¡¯ll break it to him.¡±


    ¡°Alright<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Mirabe agreed with a nod. ¡°Call me if anythinges up.¡±


    With that, she stepped out of the SUV. But after a few paces, she spun around and tapped on the window.


    Collins rolled it down, a puzzled look on his face as he met Mirabe¡¯s gaze.


    212

 Chapter 361

    <b>Chapter </b>361


    ¡°Collins<b>, </b>do <b>you </b>have Jay¡¯s number?¡± Mirabe inquired.


    Collins blinked, a bit taken aback, but then nodded, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got it.¡±


    ¡°Then send it to meter. I need it,¡± Mirabe stated.


    ¡°You¡¯re not thinking of calling him, are you?¡± Collins assumed reflexively.


    Mirabe just pursed her lips. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that.¡±


    Collins figured Mirabe wasn¡¯t the type to do such a thing. So he agreed, ¡°I¡¯ll send it to you on Messenger in a bit.¡±


    *Thanks,¡± Mirabe nodded, and then she was off.


    Watching her leave, Collins shook his head, a touch of exasperation in his gesture. Why had he gotten into such a deep conversation with Mirabe? She couldn¡¯t really help with the situation


    anyway.


    Soon after, Collins hopped into his car and drove away.


    Back at the vi, Mirabe washed up quickly and then settled at her desk. She booted up herputer and crafted a small program, sending it to both Jay¡¯s phone and hisputer.


    After finishing her task, she finallyid back in bed to rest.


    The next day, Leo didn¡¯t go into the office. Collins had called him, insisting he take a day off at home. Leo didn¡¯t overthink it.


    With an unfinished new song on his mind, Leo drove back to his own vi. It had a full suite of professional music equipment, with which he had previously crafted his lyrics and melodies. Once there, he locked himself in his music room, determined toplete the songwriting process that day.


    By five in the afternoon, with the lyrics and a rough demo in hand, Leo finally left, intending to swing by the office.


    Halfway there, his sister¡¯s call came through. Slipping on his Bluetooth headset, Leo answered cheerfully. ¡°Hey, Mirabe.¡±


    She could hear the lightheartedness in his voice. Clearly, he was unaware of the online buzz. She asked, ¡°Leo, are you <b>at </b>home? Or somewhere else<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Just heading back to the office, got some stuff to take care of.¡± Leo nced at the lyric files. beside him.


    Mirabe massaged her temple. ¡°Heading back to the office thiste?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I just finished the lyrics for my new song, and I¡¯m taking the demo back to tweak it a bit,¡±


    1141


    Leo replied candidly.


    Mirabe thought for a moment, then asked, ¡°You¡¯ve been writing new music?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, been prepping for over half a year now, Inspiration hit, and I wrapped it up,¡± Leo said, his voice tinged with a hint of emotion. He had almost given up on everything due to health issues before, but now that he had fully recovered, it was time to pick up where he had left off.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m quite curious about your new song. Do I have the honor of hearing it first?¡± Mirabe asked.


    Leo chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re my little sister, so of course, you can be the first. But right now, it¡¯s just a rough cut. How about you wait until I polish the final version?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. A rough cut is still your song,¡± Mirabe stated, unfazed.


    That was the kind of response that really hit home. Immediately, Leo made a U¨Cturn, ¡°Alright, you¡¯ll hear it first, then. I¡¯ll take it to the officeter.¡±


    ¡°Great, juste home, Leo. I¡¯ll wait for you,¡± Mirabe sweetly replied.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be there in about twenty minutes.¡±


    With that. Leo ended the call.


    While waiting for Leo, Mirabe took the opportunity to scroll through Twitter again, listening carefully to Jay¡¯s usation that Leo had stolen his song.


    Though she wasn¡¯t musically inclined, she could appreciate the song¡¯s essence. Having listened to Leo¡¯s music for some time now, the song on Twitter clearly resonated with his style. If anyone was guilty of imitation, Jay seemed the more likely suspect.

 Chapter 362

    Twenty minutes or soter, Leo strolled back into the house, a cassette tape in hand.


    Mirabe nced his way and<i>, </i>noticing his usual casual demeanor, called out, ¡°Les, toks back.¡±


    With a nonchnt hum, Leo lifted the tape for her to see. ¡°Got a new track for you to check out It¡¯s still rough around the edges, though.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Mirabe said, setting aside her smartphone.


    Leo ambled over to the stereo, slid the tape in, and hit y. A raw acape version of a song filled the room. The sound was unpolished, stripped of studio magic, revealing the song¡¯s bare


    essence.


    Mirabe listened intently, recognizing the melody and lyrics as almost identical to the version she had stumbled upon online.


    Standing by the stereo, Leo waited for the song to end before arching an eyebrow at his dice, his face brimming with cocky confidence. ¡°What do you think? I¡¯ve got the chops, don¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good,¡± Mirabe nodded, then after a brief pause, she added, ¡°y it again, Leo.¡±


    His smirk deepening, Leo obliged and pressed y once more. After another listen, Mirabe casually inquired, ¡°Have you yed this song for anyone else yet?¡±


    Leo pulled out the cassette and sank down on the couch beside her. ¡°Nope, just showed an early version <i>to </i>Collins and the guys in the band. You¡¯re the first to hear the finished product


    Mirabe tapped her chin thoughtfully and then asked, ¡°Do you musicians ever run into a situation where you identally create a tune that sounds like someone else¡¯s?¡±


    Leo chuckled and nced at his sister. ¡°Well, that depends. If someone else¡¯s track inspires you, you might end up with a simr melody or vibe. But that¡¯s just imitation on a musical level.¡±


    ¡°What if the lyrics and melody are exactly the same?¡± she tilted her head.


    ¡°That¡¯s even less likely unless it¡¯s a case of internal giarism or theft,¡± Leo replied, then squinted suspiciously at her. ¡°Why do you ask all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°Oh, just curious,¡± Mirabe said with a nonchnt.


    Leo lifted his chin in pride. ¡°The chances of your brother here creating a tune that shes <b>with </b>someone else¡¯s are slim to none. Not to toot my own horn, but in this industry, it¡¯s always others taking cues from me.¡±


    Mirabe reached out and yfully ruffled his curly hair. ¡°Mhm, Leo, you are the best.¡± The look on her face was utterly indulgent.


    Leo was momentarily lost for words. There it was again,


    <b>10 </b>


    1027


    Her gaze slightly narrowed, and Mirabezily crossed her legs. Leo¡¯s song had just been finished today. So, where did Jay get that even more polished version he had?


    It Jay had once gotten his hands on an early version of Leo¡¯s track and tried toplete it himself, there would be differences in the tune. It would be a one¨Cin¨Ca¨Cmillion coincidence even if they somehow ended up exactly the same.


    The origin was indeed a mystery.


    Just then. Mirabe¡¯s phone buzzed at her side. She pulled her thoughts back, picked up the device, and nced at it. She then calmly fished out a pair of headphones and put them on.


    Tapping on an app, she was soon listening to a conversation through her earbuds ¡¤ a woman talking. The man¡¯s voice was unfamiliar, but the woman¡¯s was unmistakably recognizable.


    Mirabe was taken aback, her fingertips lightly grazing the earphones.

 Chapter 363

    Chapter <b>363 </b>


    The familiar voice on the other end was none other than Summer. The length of the audio call wasn¡¯t substantial, just a minute, and it didn¡¯t contain any cryptic messages. <b>But </b>Summer¡¯s phrase, ¡°It¡¯s all good,¡± had an intriguing ring to it.


    What was all good? Something about Leo?


    Mirabe took off her headphones, her expression unreadable, shadowed with thought.


    ¡°Odd, has my Twitter ount been hacked?¡± Leo wondered aloud.


    Beside her, Leo, phone in hand, stared at the message that read, ¡°ount risks detected. You have been forcibly logged out,¡± his face etched with irritation.


    Mirabe shot him a half¨Csmirk. ¡®Leo, did you wander onto some shady websites by any


    chance?¡±


    At her words, Leo¡¯s face darkened instantly. He shot Mirabe a re, retorting, ¡°Are you questioning my integrity?¡±


    He turned back to his phone and tried re¨Centering his username and password, only to find himself still locked out. His frustration grew.


    ¡°Still can¡¯t get in?¡± Mirabe raised an eyebrow<b>. </b>


    ¡°Nope, it just won¡¯t let me in for some reason,¡± Leo said, scratching his head and handing his phone to Mirabe. ¡°Look, it keeps saying my ount¡¯s at risk.¡±


    ¡°These things usually clear up in a few days. It¡¯s nothing. Try logging in againter,¡± Mirabe said nonchntly.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Leo conceded, giving up on his verified ount for the moment. He began typing another set of credentials into the login field. ¡°Can¡¯t ess my main ount, but I¡¯ve got a backup. I¡¯m curious to see what¡¯s going on with my main one, what¡¯s this ¡®risk¡® they¡¯re talking about.¡±


    Mirabe sighed. Hacking one ount was easy, but you could never predict how many backup ounts one might have.


    Leo was about to check his main profile when he saw a trending topic about giarism allegations against him. He frowned and clicked on the trending hashtag.


    [I can¡¯t believe the person I¡¯ve been a fan of for years could do this. Stealing a bandmate¡¯s creation tounch a career is just despicable.]


    [So, is Juztin¡¯s silence due to guilt? Is he too afraid to face our questions?}


    <b>[</b><b>I </b>thought Juztin¡¯s new song teaser sounded fresh, but who knew the truth would be so disappointing?]


    [There must be some misunderstanding. After all, Juztin shared a snippet of a new song and


    10:27


    melody months ago. It¡¯s possible someone is trying to smear him.]


    Jay¡¯s got the full track already. What misunderstanding could there be?)


    Leo stopped browsing and went straight to Jay¡¯s tweet. [Four years of working together, and some truths are too much to bear. If you still care, please stop your thievery.] A link to an audio clip followed.


    Leo, brow furrowed, clicked on the audio. As soon as he heard the melody, his expression darkened. Three minutester, he was scowling.


    The full version of the audio Jay had posted was almost identical to the demo in Leo¡¯s possession, except his was still unpolished, the final touches yet to be made. But the real kicker? He had just finished creating his song an hour ago, while Jay¡¯s post was dated yesterday.


    He was certain he¡¯d never heard Jay¡¯s version before. So, how could these two identical songs exist?

 Chapter 364

    Leo pondered the question his sister had posed to him as soon as he got back, wondering if there was any chance his tune had bumped into another on the charts. Looking up at Mirabe, he inquired with a casual smirk, ¡°You knew about the Twitter fiasco already, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Inevitably, the truth would surface, so there was no point in keeping secrets. Mirabe nodded. ¡°Caught wind of it scrolling through Twitterst night.¡±


    ¡°So, that¡¯s what you and Collins were whispering about yesterday?¡± It all clicked for Leo in an Instant. No wonder they had skirted around him during their conversation.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Mirabe rubbed her chin thoughtfully, then offered her version of a pep talk with earnest conviction, ¡°Leo, don¡¯t let those online trolls get to you. Keep your chin up. The <b>truth </b>wille out sooner orter.¡± Consoling others really wasn¡¯t exactly her strong suit.


    Leo watched his sister with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Setting his phone aside, he shrugged, ¡°I¡¯ve been down this road before, Mirabe. I¡¯ve learned to take it in stride.¡±


    After a brief pause, he continued, ¡°What really throws me for a loop, though, is how Jay¡¯s leaked audio could be an exact match for the tune I just polished off today.¡± Sure, he had shared early drafts with the band, but even if Jay was out to nick his tune, an exact copy was beyond the pale.


    Was it some kind of irvoyance? Or had they just hit that one¨Cin¨Ca¨Cmillion melody match?


    The more Leo mulled it over, the stranger it seemed. Standing up, he grabbed his phone and strode out.


    Mirabe was still processing Leo¡¯s unexpectedposure when she saw him heading for the door. She quickly asked, ¡°Leo, where are you off to?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get some answers from Jay,¡± he called back without turning around.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Mirabe got to her feet and dered, ¡°Count me in.¡±


    Half an hourter, Leo pulled up to Jay¡¯s upscale neighborhood. Standing at Jay¡¯s front door, he felt a twinge of nostalgia. There was a time when the band would regrly huddle up in Jay¡¯s living room, brainstorming tracks and plotting their future. Those days, it seemed, were long


    gone¡­


    A shadow of sadness flitted across his eyes, but he quickly pushed the doorbell. Mirabe stayed back, waiting in the car.


    Soon, the door swung open, revealing not Jay but his assistant.


    ¡°Oh, Juztin? What brings you here?¡± The assistant propped herself against the door frame, clearly taken aback.


    10:28


    Lee locked cast her into the house. ¡°I¡¯m here for Jay.¡±


    The assistant¡¯s eyes darted away. ¡°Jay¡¯s not here right now.¡±


    Leo¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Cut the crap. I know he¡¯s in there. Just let hime out and talk <b>to </b>me.¡±


    Tim sorry, Juzon, but Jay really hasn¡¯te back yet.¡± The assistant paused, then added, ¡°But he did say if you came by about the Twitter thing, all you need to do is post a sincere apology online. After all, we¡¯re all friends here, right?¡±


    At that Leo let cut a scoff. ¡°I¡¯m curious. How does he have the gall to lift my tune, y the victim on Twitter, and then expect me to apologize? Where does that confidencee from?¡±


    The assistant touched her nose awkwardly, her response muffled and unclear, ¡°I¡¯d like to give you the benefit of the doubt, but the evidence¡­ Well, it¡¯s a mess, and it¡¯s got everyone all


    twisted up.¡±


    The insiruation was clear just own up to it, and let¡¯s not make it worse for everyone.


    *Juztin, just head out, will you? Jay¡¯s not here, and honestly, this whole Twitter debacle¡¯s got him feeling pretty low. too.¡± Jay¡¯s assistant sighed again.

 Chapter 365

    <b>Chapter 365 </b>


    Leo¡¯s gaze was icy as he pushed open the door and strode in, well aware that Jay would <b>be </b>inside.


    ¡°Ah,e on, Juztin, don¡¯t be like that¡­¡± With a sigh, the assistant failed to stop him<b>, </b>so he closed the door and followed Leo.


    Entering the living room, sure enough, there was Jay lounging on the couch.


    ¡°Where did you get that track?¡± Leo asked, cutting straight to the chase.


    Jay unfolded his legs and stood up, his androgynous beauty marked by a decidedly nonchnt expression. ¡°The audio is my own creation.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no one else here, so cut the act. We both know <i>you </i>wouldn¡¯t produce music like that,¡± Leo said with a heavy tone.


    Jay chuckled lightly. ¡°So, only you¡¯re allowed to be creative, and the rest of us can¡¯t? Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re a bit of a bully, Juztin?¡±


    Jay detested the way Leo acted. It was as if he was the only one with talent when, in truth, Jay¡¯s gifts were substantial, yet constantly overshadowed.


    Leo stared at Jay, years of knowing each other now reduced to this alienation. With a sarcastic twist of his lips, he said, ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you can create tracks or not. I¡¯m asking you how you got this piece!¡±


    Jay¡¯s lips pressed together, his face just as cold, his stance resolute. ¡°It¡¯s my original work! It¡¯s you who stole my creative vision.¡±


    Leo watched him silently, then, without another word, turned and left.


    Jay watched Leo¡¯s retreating figure, half¨Cexpecting him to say something more, but Leo just left without another word. This wasn¡¯t his usual style.


    Narrowing his eyes, Jay thought about the origin of the melody, then pulled out his phone and dialed Summer¡¯s number, which he had called just an hour before. The phone was answered quickly.


    ¡°Your brother came knocking, asking about the track,¡± Jay said directly.


    Summer, on the other end, seemed to have anticipated this. Her voice was calm and even, ¡°The track is yours. What are you afraid of?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m curious, how exactly did youe by this track?¡± Jay asked.


    When Summer first approached Jay, he had asked the same question. She had said nothing, only that she could help him topple Leo¡¯s rising career. He hadn¡¯t taken it seriously at first, but as Leo¡¯s poprity continued to soar, Jay¡¯s resentment became uncontainable, leading to that fateful tweet yesterday.


    10:28


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about the details. You have the finished track, and even if he wants to defend himself<b>, </b><b>he </b>has no evidence,¡± Summer said steadily,


    After a pause, she added with certainty, ¡°Trust me, there will be no problems.¡±


    Reassured by Summer¡¯s words, Jay¡¯s unease began to fade. <b>¡°</b>I hope you¡¯re right because if not, you won¡¯t escape the fallout either.¡±


    <b>¡°</b><b>I </b>don¡¯t need your reminders. Don¡¯t call if it¡¯s not important.¡± Summer replied coolly.


    ¡°Fine, gotta go,¡± Jay said dismissively and hung up. With Summer¡¯s assurances, Jay found little left to worry about.


    After hanging up, Summer¡¯s gaze turned frosty. Thinking of the scrutiny Leo was about to face, a smirk crept onto her lips.


    So they underestimated her? Scorned her?


    Leo¡¯s own creation undermined him, and Summer was eager to see how he would recover this time. Feeling increasingly pleased, Summer turned to head back to the living room, only to see Aiden standing not far away.

 Chapter 366

    Summer furrowed her brow, unsure if her little brother had overheard her phone conversation. But it didn¡¯t really matter if he did catch any of it. She doubted he understood a thing,


    Shaking off the distraction, she strode toward Aiden and casually asked, ¡°What are you doing standing around here?¡±


    ¡°Who were you just on the phone with?¡± Aiden asked, his eyebrows knitted together as he looked at Summer. He had caught snippets of her conversation¨Csomething about not having evidence and nothing going wrong. It didn¡¯t sound like anything good.


    Summer nced at him dismissively. ¡°Mind your own beeswax, will you?¡± Thest thing she needed was for this blockhead to make her the talk of the town again.


    ¡°Are <i>you </i>cooking up some nasty scheme?¡± Aiden cut to the chase.


    Hearing this, Summer¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Aiden, I¡¯m your sister. Do you really think so low of your own flesh and blood?¡±


    She couldn¡¯t fathom it. In their past lives, they weren¡¯t exactly close, but they had never been at each other¡¯s throats like this.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a sister with such a cunning mind,¡± Aiden scoffed and walked away, leaving Summer with a sour taste in her mouth.


    Meanwhile, Leo left Jay¡¯s ce and sank into his car seat, his mood visibly deted.


    Mirabe, one earbud in, was half listening to the recorded conversation and half watching him. ¡°Leo, did you manage to get anything out of him?¡±


    Leo let out a hefty sigh and a wry smile, ¡°He didn¡¯t budge an inch. He insists he wrote the song himself. I shouldn¡¯t have even bothered.¡±


    But Mirabe, eyebrow cocked, disagreed, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that.¡± If Leo hadn¡¯t shown up at Jay¡¯s doorstep, she wouldn¡¯t have captured such an intriguing conversation.


    Still wrapped up in his thoughts, Leo barely registered Mirabe¡¯sment,menting, ¡°I never would¡¯ve guessed Jay could change so much. We used to be such good friends, open and honest with each other.¡±


    Mirabe removed her earbud, patted Leo on the shoulder, and said nonchntly, ¡°People change, and sometimes, being too kind isn¡¯t doing you any favors.¡±


    Leo¡¯s mouth twitched at the edges. Was that supposed to beforting? It sounded more like a backhandedpliment.


    Mirabe leaned back, rxed, and generously offered, ¡°Come on, Leo. Let¡¯s grab a bite. I¡¯ll


    treat <b>you </b><b>to </b>a feast and perk you up a bit. Get a good night¡¯s sleep, and who knows? Tomorrow


    might bring a pleasant surprise.¡±


    Leo stole a nce at his sister, once again feeling their roles were reversed. Who was the sibling in charge here, anyway? But he had to admit, his spirits lifted a bit.


    Starting the car, Leo pulled out of the neighborhood. Mirabe mulled over for a moment before giving him an address. It was the location of Knox¡¯s food therapy joint.


    Remembering James mentioning that the bistro was by invitation only and often required reservations, Mirabe had sent Knox a message en route.


    Knox was thrilled at the prospect of Mirabe visiting the bistro, offering to personally whip up a couple of specialties for her, which she promptly and firmly declined.


    She¡¯d had her fill of these eager old grandpas, each one either wanting <i>to </i>mentor her or be her prot¨¦g¨¦. It was all a bit too much.


    Twenty minutester, they pulled up outside Knox¡¯s food therapy joint.

 Chapter 367

    Leo parked the car and strolled up to the entrance, caught off guard by the charming exterior of the ce. ¡°This spot¡¯s got quite the vibe,¡± he mused.


    It had an <b>old</b><b>¨C</b>world charm about it. With a name like ¡°Herb & Hearth¨Cit hinted at something


    from a bygone era.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, ¡°They specialize in food therapy here, and it¡¯s actually pretty


    tasty<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Food therapy? That¡¯s a new <i>one </i>for me. Dishes made with herbs and such?¡± Leo asked, a <b>hint </b>of skepticism in his voice.


    ¡°Yeah, all kinds of nourishing dishes. Come on, let¡¯s head inside,¡± Mirabe said, already making her way through the door.


    Leo followed, his gaze sweeping the room while simultaneously keeping an eye out just in case someone recognized him. However, his worries were soon proven unnecessary as they stepped inside. The seating was arranged with privacy screens, and there weren¡¯t too many patrons.


    The waiter who came to greet Mirabe had already been tipped off by a call from Knox. He respectfully ushered them into a private dining room.


    When the waiter presented the menu, Mirabe browsed it, and her expression turned into aical grimace. She dug into her purse and pulled out a VIP card, shing it at the waiter, ¡°I¡¯ve got this discount card. How much does it take off?¡±


    Knox had insisted she take the cardst time. She was d she did. Otherwise, she¡¯d be bleeding cash today¨Cthe prices were astronomical!


    The waiter took a gander at the card and froze, mouth agape, at a loss for words. Someone was actually treating Knox¡¯s token as a mere discount card¡­ What would Knox think if he found out? Besides, with that card in hand, who needed to pay?


    Standing just outside the private dining room, the restaurant manager witnessed Mirabe¡¯s interaction with the waiter and shook his head in disbelief. He couldn¡¯t fathom why Knox had given this youngdy the token¨Cshe clearly seemed out of her element in such an establishment.


    This manager was the same person who had followed Knox thest time, deeming it ridiculous how Knox had treated a girl who had simply rattled off a couple of herb names like royalty. He¡¯d been instructed to personally attend to Mirabe. Still, upon realizing it was the same youngdy from before, his enthusiasm waned, which is why he delegated the task to one of the waiters.


    Now<b>, </b>watching Mirabe¡¯s na?ve demeanor, he felt more convinced of Knox¡¯spse in judgment. Shortly after, he left the vicinity of the private dining room<b>, </b>making his way to the


    kitchen. Knox¡¯s grandson wasing over for a cooking lesson today, and he figured he¡¯d


    1028


    better spend his time teaching him instead.


    The waiter regained hisposure at the table and exined, ¡°This isn¡¯t for discounts. With Knox¡¯s token, you can dine at any of the Mendoza family¡¯s Herb & Hearth establishments without a reservation, and it¡¯s all on the house.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Really? No one mentioned that when they gave it to me<b>.</b>¡±


    The waiter offered an awkward smile, thinking to himself that nobody needed to mention it¨Cshing the card was usually enough.


    Meanwhile, Leo, having overheard his sister¡¯s inquiry about a discount, wanted <i>to </i>bury his face in his hands. Their family wasn¡¯t exactly short on cash for dining out, and why on earth was she asking about discounts?


    Could it be that their parents hadn¡¯t given Mirabe spending money? Was that why she was being so frugal?


    With these thoughts in mind, Leo quietly reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, ready to cover whatever costs were necessary.

 Chapter 368

    <b>Chapter </b>368


    Leo flipped open his wallet and fished out a card, casually cing it in front of his sister. ¡°Here, go wild with this one,¡± he said with an easy grin.


    Mirabe was about to hand Leo the menu when his gesture stopped her cold. She looked up at him, her face a canvas of question marks.


    Clearing his throat, Leo added, ¡°If you¡¯re short on cash, just tell me, okay?¡±


    The eyelids of Mirabe¡¯s mouth twitched fiercely. Did she look like she was out of money? She was just trying to be frugal for crying out loud!


    She pressed her fingers to her temples and sighed, ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡± There was a hint of resignation in her voice. She then proceeded to ignore his generous offer, ordering four dishes and soup before passing the menu back to the waiter.


    Leo watched with a mix of admiration and mncholy as Mirabe declined the card. If this were Summer, she¡¯d have snatched up the opportunity and gone on a shopping spree by now, he mused.


    Mirabe couldn¡¯t read Leo¡¯s mind, but his goofy expression was enough to make her shake her head slightly. How did such a goofy guy be a top¨Ctier celebrity in the entertainment industry? Was he cheating life or what?


    ¡°You can take off the mask, Leo. We¡¯re pretty secluded here, and you won¡¯t get recognized,¡± Mirabe mentioned, noticing the mask still covering his face.


    Snapping back to reality, Leo peeled off the mask and stuffed it into his pocket. His curiosity piqued, and so he asked, ¡°How did you stumble upon this ce? And who¡¯s this Knox the waiter mentioned?¡±


    Mirabe exined nonchntly, ¡°A friend introduced me to it a while back. I got lucky and scored a token from the owner. That¡¯s it.¡±


    Leo touched his nose thoughtfully. Clearly, it wasn¡¯t just about the token. The waiter¡¯s attitude had hinted at something more. But he had to admit, the ce was quiet and private.


    ¡°Try the pastries. They¡¯re not half bad,¡± Mirabe suggested, pointing to a te on the table.


    Leo eyed the sugary confections warily but still took a bite. To his surprise, he admitted, ¡°They¡¯re actually pretty good.¡±


    ¡°Enjoy them,¡± Mirabe said with a faint smile, her lips barely parting.


    Soon after, the waiter brought out the dishes, though the soup was still pending. The presentation was simple yet elegant.


    ¡°The dishes look light,¡± Leomented.


    ¡°The cuisine here is light but nutritious, perfect for someone who uses their voice as much as


    <b>10-28 </b>


    you do,¡± Mirabe exined while serving him a portion.


    Leo watched her attentively, an internal sigh escaping him. ¡°My status as a protective brother is in jeopardy,¡± he thought. He lowered his head and focused on his meal.


    Back in the kitchen, Vincentdled the finished soup into a bowl, ready to serve. The waiter reached for the tray, but Vincent waved him off, ¡°I¡¯ll take it to them.¡±


    Every week, Vincent took a day to learn cooking at the restaurant, always seeking feedback from customers to improve. The ma?tre d¡®, however, frowned at the idea. He knew of Vincent¡¯s culinary pursuits, but this particr soup was for the youngdy in the private room¨CMirabe. Recalling her blunt critique of Knox, he worried she might be too forthright and said, ¡°Mr. Vincent<b>, </b>perhaps skip the soup this time. Let¡¯s focus on the next dish.¡±


    Vincent peeled off his gloves, barely ncing up as he replied, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll return to the kitchen after delivering the soup.¡±

 Chapter 369

    <b>Chapter </b><b>369 </b>


    The steward sighed softly<b>, </b>unable to deter Vincent, and reluctantly followed behind him.


    <b>Soon</b>, Vincent walked into the private dining room with a tray in hand. As he approached the doorway, he caught sight of Mirabe and paused, taken aback by her presence. He hadn¡¯t expected to encounter her here.


    Mirabe also noticed Vincent and appeared equally surprised.


    Vincent stepped closer, setting the soup on the table. ¡°What a coincidence, Mirabe.<b>* </b>


    His gaze then drifted to Leo, feeling a sense of familiarity, yet he couldn¡¯t quite ce where he had seen him before.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. She knew that Vincent shared Knox¡¯sst name, so she asked, ¡°You¡¯re Knox¡¯s grandson?<b>¡± </b>


    Vincent was taken aback. ¡°You know my grandfather?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve met a couple of times,¡± Mirabe nodded in confirmation.


    The steward, who had followed them in, nced discreetly at Mirabe. Knox had given her his personal token, and yet she casually mentioned ¡®meeting a couple of times¡® as if it was nothing.


    Vincent suddenly remembered the familiar figure he had seen at the family estate some time ago and blurted out, ¡°You had dinner with my grandfather recently, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I visited once,¡± Mirabe acknowledged, though she hadn¡¯t seen Vincent then.


    That exined it. Realization crossed Vincent¡¯s face, and he became curious about how she knew his notoriously discerning grandfather.


    Meanwhile, Leo, who had been ignored thus far, looked up, his eyes scanning Vincent with a cool, detached expression. He then turned to his sister. ¡°Are you two ssmates?¡±


    ¡°Yes, same grade, different sses,¡± Mirabe replied briefly.


    At that, Leo narrowed his eyes slightly. Same grade, different sses, yet this guy seemed quite familiar with his sister? His sister was beautiful. Could this boy have ulterior


    motives?


    Vincent then felt the sting of Leo¡¯s unfriendly gaze, leaving him somewhat perplexed.


    ¡°I made this soup myself. Give it a try, and feel free toment on anything that needs improvement. Vincent said, regaining hisposure.


    Mirabe was surprised, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have pegged you for someone who can cook medicinal cuisine.¡± After all, he was so young and didn¡¯t seem like someone who would spend time in the kitchen.


    <b>1116 </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Family traditions must continue,¡± Vincent shrugged nonchntly.


    Fair enough.


    Mirabe took a spoonful of the soup, ready to taste it, when she saw Leo extend <b>his </b>


    empty bowl to her. She nced at him sideways.


    Leo sat up straighter. ¡°Mira, serve me some, please<b>.</b>¡±


    And so, Mirabe set down her bowl anddled soup into his.


    <b>Only </b>then did Leo look satisfied, taking a small sip before turning back to Vincent, ¡°Do you want the honest truth?¡±


    Vincent paused, then nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s mediocre. The medicinal taste is too strong, like swallowing a bowl of herbal tonic. All I taste is medicine,¡± Leo shook <b>his </b>head in critique. His face clearly read: not impressed.


    Mirabe took a sip from her bowl and nced warningly at her brother before addressing Vincent, ¡°Don¡¯t mind him. He doesn¡¯t know what he¡¯s talking about.¡±


    Leo was lost for words. There it was, his sister siding with a stranger.


    Vincent just smiled, showing no sign of being offended by the criticism.


    F


    ¡°The soup is actually quite good, and a little less lotus seed would make it better,¡± Mirabemented.


    She had ordered a simple, nourishing soup, not concerned with the perfect medicinal bnce that Knox might have sought.

 Chapter 370

    <b>Chapter </b><b>370 </b>


    <b>Vincent </b>reflected on the slightly astringent taste of the soup he had sampled earlier. ¡°<b>Indeed</b>, I may have been a bit heavy¨Chanded with the lotus seed<b>. </b>Lesson learned for next- time,¡± Vincent said slowly, his tone even.


    Mirabe nodded, her eyes then scanning the spread of dishes on the table before inquiring, ¡°Did you whip up these dishes as well?¡±


    ¡°How do they taste?¡± Vincent probed further.


    Mirabe gave a thumbs up, her smile bright. ¡°You¡¯ve got a real knack for cooking.¡±


    Though the dishes weremon fare, and the recipes had be standardized, every chef brought their own touch to the vors. Vincent¡¯s offerings, indeed, had a certain appealing zest to them.


    Leo, who had been observing from the side, couldn¡¯t help but smirk dismissively. ¡°Talent in cooking,¡± he thought, ¡°is that really something to boast about?¡± He conveniently forgot how he had enjoyed the meal just moments ago.


    With his usual air of aloofness, Vincent felt a sense of pride at thepliment. In the Mendoza family¡¯s younger generation, he was known to have a particr gift in the culinary arts. So, hearing Mirabe¡¯s praise naturally stoked his ego. After all,


    academically, he had long been outshone by the likes of her. It wasforting to know he excelled in another arena.


    Soon after, Vincent excused himself with a brief, ¡°Enjoy your meal. I won¡¯t intrude any longer,¡± and departed without lingering.


    Once Vincent had left, Leo turned back to Mirabe. ¡°The guy sure carries himself with an


    air of arrogance.¡±


    Mirabe cast a sideways nce at her brother. ¡°What do you expect from the top schr of our school year?¡±


    Leo¡¯s jaw dropped in disbelief. ¡°The top of the ss, and he¡¯s moonlighting as a chef?¡±


    ¡°Every job has its value,¡± Mirabe replied, returning her attention to her soup.


    Leo touched his nose self¨Cconsciously. ¡°Why do you always advocate for him?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not just picking on him?¡± Mirabe shot back, her gaze steady on her brother.


    Leo averted his eyes, feigning innocence. ¡°Me, picking on him? I¡¯m just stating facts.¡±


    Mirabe let the conversation drop, knowing that pushing further would only make Leo more defensive.


    Critique of their grandfather¡¯s newly developed medicinal recipe.


    Vincent paused mid<b>¨C</b>chop, looking up <b>in </b>surprise. <b>¡°</b>You mean she¡¯s been taste¨C<b>testing </b>Grandpa¡¯s creations?<b>¡± </b>


    <b>Nodding</b>, the steward borated on how everyone¡¯s perception of perfection seemed to find its ws once it passed Mirabe¡¯s lips.


    Upon hearing that his grandfather had actually been pleased by her discerning pte, Vincent¡¯s astonishment gave way to understanding. He realized the steward harbored some bias against Mirabe butughed it off, saying, ¡°Well, it seems you still <b>don¡¯t </b>quite grasp Grandpa¡¯s temperament.¡±


    Criticism was one thing, but constructive feedback that led to improvement was what truly caught his grandfather¡¯s eye.


    <b>It </b>dawned on Vincent that Mirabe must¡¯ve possessed some knowledge of pharmacology; otherwise, his grandpa wouldn¡¯t have extended an invitation to their home.


    This realization was a humbling blow. Vincent had thought that despite falling short academically, he wouldn¡¯t face another defeat in a different field. Yet, it was now clear that while being overshadowed was unlikely, recognizing the reality of his limitations was vividly outlined before him.

 Chapter 371

    <b>Chapter </b>371


    After <b>dinner</b>, Mirabe and Leo left Herb & Hearth, and by the time they got home, it was well past ten o¡¯clock.


    Delh and Shawn had already retreated to their rooms, leaving only Zach lounging in the living room. Upon seeing the pair, his eyes lit up with a touch of yful annoyance. ¡°Oh, look who decided to show up!¡± His tone wasced with an unmistakable edge.


    Mirabe cast him a nonchnt nce.


    Zach was taken aback, his inner monologue screaming, ¡®So they waltz inte and act all high and mighty!¡±


    ¡°Zach, we just went out for a bite,¡± Leo interjected, trying to smooth things over.


    Zach let out a sarcastic chuckle. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the food here at home<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Leo fell silent. After spending some time around Zach, he was all too familiar with his brother¡¯s penchant for hidden barbs whenever jealousy struck.


    Changing the subject, Zach¡¯s yful facade dropped, and his expression grew serious. ¡°So, Leo, what¡¯s the deal with the stuff blowing up online?¡±


    Leo¡¯s lips curled into a wry smile as he spoke with casual resignation, ¡°Someone¡¯s trying


    to frame me.¡±


    As Mirabe poured herself a ss of water, she leaned casually against the kitchen counter, her eyes slightly narrowed, taking a leisurely sip.


    Zach¡¯s brows knitted together in concern. ¡°I¡¯ve already set the legal team on drafting a cease and desist. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± He knew his brother better than anyone. usations of Leo stealing songs from his team were absurd.


    ¡°Thanks, Zach,¡± Leo replied, appreciative.


    Zach waved it off and probed further, ¡°How did your music end up in that guy¡¯s hands, anyway? Did one of your assistants get bought out?¡±


    Leo thought of theplete audio in Jay¡¯s possession and the unfinished demo he had justpleted that afternoon. He sighed heavily, ¡°No, my song¡¯s still with me.¡±


    Zach¡¯s confusion deepened. ¡°Then where did that version onlinee from?¡±


    Leo shook his head. ¡°I <b>don¡¯t </b>know. I just finished the song this afternoon, and no one else has been involved. The final product and the audio Jay had yesterday are almost identical, which¡­ surprises me.¡±


    Zach frowned. ¡°A case of parallel creation?¡±


    ¡°Seems like it. Otherwise, I can¡¯t exin why the melodies would be exactly the same,¡± Leo


    11:17


    admitted<b>, </b>though he found <b>it </b>hard to believe despite the evidence,


    In that case, it¡¯s a bit tricky, but no worries, a fake can never be the real thing<b>.</b>¡± Zach said confidently, having never lost a legal battle. Authenticity could be proven with professional analysis and forensic musicology. It would just take some time.


    ¡°I¡¯m certain Jay couldn¡¯t have produced my song, not even if he had my draft. It couldn¡¯t be Identical to mine,¡± Leo stated with conviction.


    ¨¦very artist had a unique style, and it was not something that could be simply copled.


    Zach nodded in agreement. ¡°I believe you.¡±


    Mirabe quietly listened as they talked. After finishing thest sip of water from her ss, she stood up straight and said, ¡°Zach, Leo, you two should get some rest. I¡¯m heading upstairs.¡±


    Soon after, Mirabe returned to her room. She booted up herptop, and her fingers danced across the keyboard. Fifteen minutester, she shut theputer, grabbed a set of pajamas from her wardrobe, and headed into the bathroom.


    In the dead of night, a tweet titled ¡°The Truth You¡¯ve Been Waiting For¡± swept across major social tforms, causing widespread server slowdowns and forcing IT staff to work overtime to restore service. The digitalndscape was abuzz with the drama unfolding in


    real¨Ctime.

 Chapter 372

    Chapter <b>372 </b>


    The Unvarnished Truth is Here] The Tweet came from a blogger with the handle SeriousBusinessIsNoFun, an ount <b>with </b>no tweet history, freshly registered today. Clearly, it was a burner ount.


    The Tweet was blunt in its simplicity, attaching only an audio clip and tagging Jay and Summer directly. The recording contained the exact conversation between Summer and <b>Jay </b>from a previous phone call.


    ¡°Your brother came knocking, asking me how I got the tune.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°The tune was always yours. What are you afraid of?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really curious. How did youe by this tune, exactly?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to know the details. The finished track is in your hands. Even if he wants to defend himself, he¡¯s got no proof.¡±


    The rity of the recording was impable, devoid of any background noise, making Summer and Jay¡¯s voices unmistakably recognizable.


    Once theizens digested the conversation, there was an uproar, especially with the words ¡°your brother¡® shattering everyone¡¯s moralpass.


    [Holy smokes, Summer is Juztin¡¯s sister? His own sister lifted his tunes to give to someone else, then tried to drag him down?]


    [What kind of stunt is this<b>?</b>]


    [Hold up.


    didn¡¯t Juztin bring his sister on the reality show? Was Summer the sister he brought on the show? Doesn¡¯t seem right!]


    [Clearly, there¡¯s a world of difference in their vibes. The sister on the show is cool and assertive, while Summeres off as coy and pretentious. If she really is Juztin¡¯s sister, why do they seem as different as night and day?]


    [I used to think Summer was decent, gentle, kind, and a brainy genius. After hearing this recording, all I can say is, she¡¯s trash!]


    [My guess is that Summer just knows Juztin. He went on a live show without her, taking his current sister instead, so she harbored a grudge, stole Juztin¡¯s new song, and gave it to Jay, aiming for some payback.]


    [Such an evil woman!]


    [Jay¡¯s no better, thieving Juztin¡¯s song and then smearing <b>him</b><b>. </b>Shameless to the core!]


    [Let the inte rain down its disdain on this despicable duo. They¡¯re treating usizens


    11:17


    <b>like </b><b>fools</b><b>.</b>]


    In no time, <b>the </bment section under Summer and Jay¡¯s Twitter handles exploded.


    Jay was still <b>in </b>the studio, crafting his music, his phone on silent, oblivious to the <b>countless </b>calls from his manager and assistant. It wasn¡¯t until the studio door burst open that he looked up, surprised.


    He saw his <b>agent</b>, Vicky, at the door and casually removed his headphones. ¡°Vicky, what <b>brings </b>you here sote<b>?</b>¡±


    After Jay spoke, he noticed Vicky¡¯s grim expression and felt a premonition of doom, asking<b>, </b>¡°Did something happen?¡±


    Vicky advanced, his gaze both icy and heavy.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t checked Twitter?¡±


    Jay paused momentarily, then quickly responded, ¡°No, I¡¯ve been focused on my music, phone on silent.¡±


    ¡°Then go check now,¡± Vicky said, his voice devoid of warmth. He was seething internally. He just heard that phone recording on Twitter, and realized just how naive Jay could be. To steal a song was one thing, but to be caught on a recorded call? Unthinkable.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 373

    <b>Chapter </b><b>373 </b>


    Under Vicky¡¯s icy re, Jay¡¯s hands trembled as he reached for the cellphone resting on <b>the </b>table. He opened Twitter, quickly navigating to his own damning tweet.


    The moment the recording yed, Jay felt like all the strength had been siphoned from his body. The phone slipped from his grasp, ttering onto the table. Only two words shed through his mind. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡±


    Vicky massaged his temples<b>, </b>exasperationcing his tone, ¡°How could you be so naive? Haven¡¯t you learned that there are some things you just don¡¯t discuss over the phone?¡±


    Jay¡¯splexion was ashen. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t think it through.¡±


    ¡°And to think I¡¯ve been backing you all this time. You¡¯ve just torched your own future,¡± Vicky said gravely.


    Hearing this, Jay staggered, and then,ing to his senses, he seized Vicky¡¯s arm in desperation. ¡°I didn¡¯t know it woulde to this. You have to help me figure out what to


    do¡­¡±


    Vicky withdrew his arm. ¡°When you sted that tweet out, did you even think to <b>run </b>it by me? <b>Can¡¯t </b>you differentiate right from wrong on your own<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°It was Juztin¡¯s sister. She led me astray. She promised it would be fine,¡± Jay murmured, trying to deflect the me.


    Vicky scoffed, ¡°Promises? And what exactly did she guarantee for you? She was ying you like a fiddle to get at Leo. You were just a pawn in her game.¡±


    Jay wiped his face, his usually suave features now marred by confusion and panic. If he had known tonight¡¯s disaster was brewing, he never would have risked releasing that


    track.


    Vicky sighed heavily. After all, Jay was his prot¨¦g¨¦. ¡°Jay, you¡¯re too impulsive. Didn¡¯t I tell you that you¡¯d eventually lead Neon Paradox? I advised you to be patient. Why couldn¡¯t you wait?¡±


    Jay opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. Could he admit his envy and dread at watching Leo¡¯s rising fame after the variety show appearance? Could he confess his eagerness to see his rival fall from grace?


    He couldn¡¯t. Voicing such thoughts would only convince his manager of his pettiness.


    Vicky shook his head, rubbing his temples wearily. ¡°Right now, you need to tweet an apology. me it all on Summer.


    He had listened to the recording carefully and seen thements on Twitter. While Jay was getting a severe bacsh from fans, the majority were pointing fingers at Summer. So, it was time to push all the me her way<b>. </b>


    A temporary smudge on his reputation didn¡¯t matter. Time would heal, and the showbiz


    world was no stranger to scandals. This would be fuss died down and


    old news once <i>the </i>


    new gossip emerged. Despite Jay¡¯s rashness, his talent was redeemable, though it was a shame with the groundwork Vicky hadid for him.


    Jay perked up when he realized his manager hadn¡¯t given up on him. ¡°I¡¯ll post the apology right away.¡±


    ¡°Remember,¡± Vicky instructed, ¡°make it clear you were misled and that you¡¯re a victim too.¡±


    Jay nced at Vicky, a cold resolve flickering in his eyes. ¡°Understood.¡± If Summer nned to cross him, he would make sure she wouldn¡¯t get off easily.

 Chapter 374

    <b>Chapter </b>374


    Summer had barely settled into <b>bed </b>when <b>her </b>phone erupted into a symphony of urgent pings and rings. Frowning, she <b>rubbed </b>her sleepy eyes and grabbed her phone from <b>the </b>nightstand. It was her agent, Craig, <b>and </b>she hesitated for a moment before answering. ¡°Craig?<b>¡± </b>


    On the other end, Craig was fuming<b>. </b>¡°Summer<b>, </b>have you lost your mind? Why on earth did you leak your brother¡¯s new song to Jay?¡±


    Jolted awake by his words, Summer stammered, ¡°Craig, what are you talking about? Leak my brother¡¯s new song?¡±


    Pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, Craig spat out, ¡°Just check Twitter. Your conversation with Jay has been recorded and leaked. Tonight, you¡¯re the top trending disaster.¡± Without another word, Craig hung up.


    Craig had thought Summer a clever and savvy artist, but this blunder made him doubt his own judgment. He wondered if she and Juztin were really siblings, cuz no true sibling would sabotage another¡¯s future like this.


    Stunned by the dial tone, Summer took two seconds before frantically opening Twitter. Eight of the top ten trending topics were about her and Jay.


    Clicking on the link titled ¡°The Truth You¡¯ve Been Waiting For,¡± she listened to the clear recording of her conversation with Jay, and her world stopped. Someone had been eavesdropping.


    Panicking, she tried to call Craig back, but he wasn¡¯t picking up. ¡°How could this have been recorded?¡± she muttered to herself. The evening had passed without incident, and even Leo was nowhere to be found, not daring toe out and discuss Jay¡¯s new song.


    In just a few hours, everything had exploded. It had to be Jay. He must have recorded their conversation; no one else could have.


    Summer attempted to call Jay, but her calls wouldn¡¯t go through. She¡¯d been blocked.


    Scrolling through Twitter, she found Jay¡¯s apology tweet. It painted him as the innocent victim, manipted and used by her. He shifted all the me onto Summer.


    Summer bit her lip in disbelief. How could Jay do this to her?


    The direct messages and thements below her tweets were all calling for her to be canceled.


    Summer copsed on her bed, her face drained of color and her hands trembling<b>. </b>She felt choked by the weight of the situation.


    Why had everything gone so wrong?


    After a sleepless night, Summer trudged downstairs, her face haggard. But as she stepped into the living room, she was met with the stern face of Mandy, her mother. Before she could even utter ¡°Mom,¡± a sharp p resounded across her cheek.


    ¡°Look at the mess you¡¯ve made. The inte is stered with your scandal!¡± Mandy. trembled with rage.


    She had woken up to calls from the socialite circle, their voices dripping with mockery as they spoke of her daughter¡¯s public disgrace.


    Summer, hand to her stinging cheek, stared at her mother in disbelief. The inte was against her, her career in tatters, and instead of concern, her mother¡¯s first reaction was to p her as though she¡¯dmitted an unforgivable sin.

 Chapter 375

    <b>Chapter </b><b>375 </b>


    <b>I¡¯ve </b>poured <b>my </b>heart into raising you, and you go and do something that drags the Gilbert family name through the mud. How could you do this to me?¡± Mandy¡¯s face was raging. <b>like </b><b>thunder </b>as she berated her daughter, her voice heavy with disappointment.


    Summer¡¯s lips twitched into a faint, wry smile. ¡°What have I done? I¡¯m a victim here, too, Mom. Can¡¯t you at least try to get the full story before you jump to conclusions?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°You said to someone over the phonest night that everything was under control, and now it <b>turns </b>out you were nning something evil again,¡± Aiden interjected, shaking his head in disbelief as he approached.


    Summer shot Aiden a frosty nce, knowing full well that her mother¡¯s fury had something to do with her meddling brother.


    At that moment, Mandy¡¯s voice carried through the tension. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t figured out what was going on, I wouldn¡¯t have pped you earlier. Your phone conversation with that person is all over the inte now. How do you n to exin that? The Gilbert family¡¯s reputation is in tatters because of you. What¡¯s your excuse?¡±


    Summer pressed her lips together tightly, her hands clenching at her sides. Reputation, reputation¨Cit was always about reputation with her mother. In her mother¡¯s eyes, nothing and no one could ever trump the family¡¯s image.


    ¡°If you¡¯ve already made up your mind about what happened online, why bother asking me at all? What difference does it make?¡± Summer said with a light chuckle, masking the hurt. ¡°What kind of attitude is that?¡± Mandy frowned.


    Summer remained silent, her eyes downcast, the imprint of her mother¡¯s hand vivid on her cheek. Her face, already worn thin from stress, looked even more pitiful under the mark of


    violence.


    Mandy watched her daughter quietly for a moment before relenting. ¡°Enough. Have your agency take care of the mess online. We can¡¯t have the Gilbert family¡¯s name tarnished because of this.¡± With that, Mandy turned and left. She didn¡¯t want to walk into her office and face whispers about having a daughter with such spiteful intentions.


    Summer watched her mother¡¯s retreating figure, the chill in her eyes deepening. She soon pulled her gaze away and fixed it on Aiden. ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡±


    Aiden frowned. ¡°This is your own doing. What does it have to do with me?¡± If she didn¡¯t keep stirring up trouble, there wouldn¡¯t be any scandalous headlines online.


    Summer gave him a nk look and walked towards the mansion¡¯s grand entrance.


    Meanwhile<b>, </b>Leo <b>had </b>just woken up to find several missed calls <b>on </b>his phone, all <b>from </b>Collins. <b>Puzzled</b>, he dialed one back. The call connected quickly.


    <b>¡°</b><b>Collins</b>? Were you trying to reach me about something urgentst night?¡±


    Collins was seated in front of hisputer, his face weary from a night with little sleep but still alert. ¡°Have you checked Twitter in the past couple of days?<b>¡± </b>


    Hearing this, Leo immediately understood what he was referring to. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m aware of what¡¯s going on Twitter,<b>¡± </b>he responded.


    Collins raised an eyebrow. ¡°Ah, so you know already?¡± He had thought Leo might have missed the viral truth bomb on Twitter the night before.


    Leo walked over to the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows and drew the curtains. ¡°Yeah, Zach¡¯s already got people drafting a legal notice.¡±


    ¡°I hope the legal notice is for Jay. The malicious nder, followed by an apology online iming he was misled and trying toe off like a victim¨Cit¡¯s just disgusting.¡± After a pause, Collins snorted. ¡°Does he think his useless apologies were enough?¡±


    ¡°Exactly, that¡¯s why I don¡¯t intend to¨Cwait, Collins, what apology?¡± Leo asked, sounding


    confused.


    What apology? Misled by whom? It seemed like they were not talking about the same


    incident.

 Chapter 376

    <b>Chapter </b><b>376 </b>


    ¡°Jay¡¯s apology?¡± Collins raked his fingers through his disheveled hair. ¡°What did you think? Weren¡¯t you <b>going </b>on about drafting a cease and desist?¡±


    ¡°Uh<b>¡­ </b>Jay¡¯s apology? Why would he need to apologize?¡± Leo¡¯s confusion was growing by the second.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t check Twitterst night, did you?¡± Collins asked, his surprise evident.


    ¡°Nope, <b>hit </b>the hay early,¡± Leo admitted.


    Alright then, Collins thought he had a handle on Leo¡¯s bewildered response. ¡°Jay admitted he got the track from your sister. She went behind your back and gave Jay your song, so she is the real viin trying to trash your rep online.¡±


    After a brief pause, he added, ¡°Don¡¯t get it twisted. I mean your ex¨Csister, Summer.¡±


    At that, Leo instinctively furrowed his brows. ¡°You¡¯re telling me that Summer gave that track to Jay?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Collins leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs with a nonchnt air. ¡°Speaking of which, weren¡¯t you two at each other¡¯s throats? How¡¯d your music end up in her hands<b>?</b>¡±


    fondness for


    ¡°She didn¡¯t steal it,¡± Leo said after a long silence. Even though he had little the Summer of his past, he wasn¡¯t the type to nder someone without reason.


    ¡°No way, man. Go check the top trending post on Twitter. There¡¯s an audio clip, Summer confessed,¡± Collins insisted, thinking Leo was just trying to protect Summer¡¯s dignity.


    Leo¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°I¡¯ll have a look.¡±


    ¡°Good. Swing by the officeter. We still gotta deal with this Jay mess,¡± said Collins.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Leo ended the call quickly, pulled a chair up to his desk, and fired up Twitter. He found the tweet Collins had mentioned.


    After listening to the audio clip, Leo was a mix of stunned and baffled. The track was indeed from Summer; there was no doubt about it.


    So, the question was, how could the polished version she had be identical to the one he had finishedter on? Leo felt goosebumps on his arms and a chill down his spine.


    Shaking his head, Leo quickly¨Cbrowsed the web for more info and checked out Jay¡¯s apology post. His lips curled into a cold sneer.


    If Jay had been upfront about his mistake, Leo might have thought Jay had some decency, but the guy had pushed all the me onto Summer¡­ This eagerness to wash


    11:18


    ¡®hands of gullt <b>was </b>a clear sign of a moralpass that had gone haywire.


    Putting <b>his </b><b>phone </b>away<b>, </b><b>Leo </b>freshened up and went downstairs. In the dining room, the family <b>was </b>having breakfast. Leo joined them, pulling out a chair and sitting down.


    With the <b>Twitter </b>fiasco on his mind, he was absentminded through breakfast, dropping his toast on the table twice<b>. </b>


    Mirabe took a sip of her orange juice and nced at him. ¡°Leo?¡±


    Hearing his sister¡¯s voice, Leo snapped out of his daze and nodded, ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s up, Mirabe<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°You look like you¡¯re on another,¡± she said casually.


    Leo¡¯s grip on his fork tightened, but he looked up at their parents seated across the table. Discussing Summer in front of them didn¡¯t seem right, so he simply shook his head. ¡°Just didn¡¯t sleep well.¡±

 Chapter 377

    <b>Chapter </b><b>377 </b>


    Mirabe cocked an eyebrow but didn¡¯t call him out. After finishing thest sip of her milk, she stood up. ¡°I¡¯m done eating.¡±


    Shawn had also nearly finished his meal. He rose to his <b>feet</b>, ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll drop you off at school¡±


    Soon, they were out the door.


    Having finished her meal, Delh retreated to her room to freshen up and get dressed. At the dining table, only Zach and Leo remained.


    Leo lifted his gaze to his brother Zach and said, ¡°Zach, someone tweeted an audio clipst night that cleared my name.¡±


    Zach hadn¡¯t checked Twitter, so at Leo¡¯s words, he was taken aback. ¡°What audio?¡± he asked, pulling out his smartphone and opening Twitter.


    Hearing Summer¡¯s voice emanating from the recording, Zach¡¯s expression turnedplex. He hadn¡¯t anticipated his former sister would do something like this. Although he had felt uneasy about Summer¡¯s eagerness to leave the Davis family, he had chalked it up to her vanity and the allure of her biological parents¡® wealth. Eventually, he let it go.


    He never imagined she would stoop so low as to use Leo¡¯s reputation and future as weapons for revenge. If this recording had note to light, the matter wouldn¡¯t have settled so easily. Even if he had sessfully defended Leo¡¯s rights then, what about the damage done? This was no longer a matter of being pretentious or willful. It was a question of character.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe she turned out this way,¡± Zach sighed.


    Leo knew exactly who ¡®she¡® was. His face remained impassive. ¡°True colors.¡± The impulse to destroy what one cannot have¨Cwas the very nature of the Summer he knew.


    ¡°So, what are you nning to do?¡± Zach asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Leo set down his half¨Cfinished breakfast sandwich, contemting for a moment. ¡°Everyone must face the consequences of their actions. She should have thought about that before doing what she did.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Zach fell silent, then added, ¡°I think we should let Emmitt listen to the audio clip


    online.¡±


    Leo understood; after all, Emmitt and Summer had been close since childhood. If Summer tried to y the family card with Emmitt again, it would indeed affect everyone¡¯s mood.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stop by Emmitt¡¯s officeter, Leo said slowly.


    ¡°Okay.¡± After a pause, Zach added, ¡°Mom and Dad aren¡¯t really on Twitter, so there¡¯s no


    <b>11:18 </b>


    need to let them <b>in </b>on this. It would <b>be </b>ironic, to say <b>the </b>least, for them to discover that the daughter they had cherished <b>for </b>over a decade had been scheming against their closest kin.


    <b>Leo </b><b>nodded </b>and then bowed his head, saying nothing more. As for why Summer had a plece of music identical to his<b>, </b>he¡¯d address that once he had more rity.


    The school was abuzz with the scandal that had blown up online the night before involving Summer¡¯s attempt to frame Juztin. As the only person in the ss who knew Mirabe was Juztin¡¯s sister, Jenna naturally didn¡¯t let the opportunity to grill Summer


    slide.


    ¡°How did your brother¡¯s music end up in Summer¡¯s hands?¡± Jenna had listened to the recording and felt Summer was being secretive, prompting Jenna to focus on this particr point.


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow and nced at her with a smirk. ¡°Maybe she¡¯s got superpowers?¡±


    Jenna¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°Queen Mira, please take this seriously.¡±

 Chapter 378

    <b>Chapter </b><b>378 </b>


    Mirabe straightened <b>up</b>, her voice steady and firm. ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m brushing you <b>off</b>? <b>Jenna </b>red at her, thinking to herself, ¡°You bet you are, and it¡¯s big time!¡±


    <b>I </b>honestly don¡¯t know,¡± Mirabe said with <b>a </b>shrug, her hands spread wide in a gesture of Innocent cluelessness.


    ¡°But seriously, I always thought Summer was a bit of a phony, but I never guessed she¡¯d be so malicious. To take your brother¡¯s music and hand it over like it was hers, then have the gall to use him of being the thief?¡±


    Jenna clicked her tongue in disapproval. ¡°Thank goodness for that recording that surfaced. Without it, your brother would be up the creek without a paddle, tarnished reputation and all. I wonder which guardian angel pulled that one out of their hat. It¡¯s freaking impressive to dig up a recording like that.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, a smug look crossing her face. ¡°Perhaps that guardian angel is closer than you think.¡±


    Jennaughed it off, not taking her seriously. ¡°Queen Mira, you should be bowing down to that guardian angel. Thanks to them, your brother¡¯s future isn¡¯t going down the drain.¡±


    Mirabe just looked at her silently, choosing not to respond.


    ¡°Summer skipped school today,¡± Jenna continued, ¡°and after this scandal, I bet she¡¯ll be too embarrassed to ever show her face here again. It¡¯s a ssic case of reaping what you sow.¡±


    Mirabe pondered for a moment. Given Summer¡¯s personality, she doubted embarrassment would keep her away from school for long.


    During thest period of self¨Cstudy that afternoon, Mirabe was engrossed in her work when Ms. Ate, called her out of the ssroom. Once outside, Ate got straight to the point. ¡°Mirabe, can I ask you something? Do you have two mothers?¡±


    Mirabe looked puzzled. ¡°Um?¡±


    Ate had met Delh before but was baffled by the arrival of another woman iming to be Mirabe¡¯s mother. So she had asked the woman to wait in her office while she


    checked with Mirabe.


    003 2


    Clearing her throat, Ate continued, ¡°There¡¯s ady here who says she¡¯s your mother, with thest name Gilbert


    Mirabe instantly understood. Her expression remained neutral as she replied, ¡°That¡¯s my former foster mother.¡±


    Ate, noting Mirabe¡¯s cool demeanor, said, ¡°She¡¯s waiting in my office. Do you want


    to see her<b>?</b>¡±


    <b>After </b>a <b>brief </b>moment of thought, Mirabe nodded. She knew Mandy was here about the Summer incident, and even if she refused to meet, Mandy would find another excuse to <be </b>knocking. It was better to deal with it once and for all.


    <b>Soon </b>enough, Mirabe followed Ate to her office. Ate let Mirabe in and then made her way to the next office, reminding her that she coulde and find her if anything was amiss. Mirabe thanked her and stepped into the office.


    Mandy was sitting there, looking posh with her makeup on point, exuding a strong scent of perfume that filled the room. Her gaze upon seeing Mirabe was cool and detached.


    Getting straight to the point, Mirabe asked, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Mandy¡¯s brow furrowed at Mirabe¡¯s disrespectful tone. She stood up, her voice icy. ¡°What, can¡¯t even call me Mom anymore?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile. ¡°Ms. Mandy, have you forgotten? We already showed our true colors at the hospitalst time, didn¡¯t we?¡±


    Mandy was caught off guard by her foster daughter¡¯s boldness, and her expression darkened instantly. ¡°Such an ill¨Cmannered brat!¡±

 Chapter 379

    <b>Chapter </b><b>379 </b>


    Mirabe crossed her arms, standing her ground with a piercing intensity in her eyes. Mandy¡¯s tough exterior seemed to crumble a bit under the weight of her gaze.


    Fidgeting with her clutch, Mandy looked away with feigned disdain<b>, </b>clearing her throat, ¡°I¡¯m not going to mince words with you. That recording about Summer and someone else that¡¯s circting online? It¡¯s a fabrication by someone with an agenda. Go tell your brother that we should put an end to this mess before it gets <b>ugly</b>.¡±


    It was only today that Mandy discovered that a celebrity was among the Davis family¡¯s sons. But from what she saw online, with his shy appearance and pretty¨Cboy vibe, he hardly seemed the serious artist type.


    ¡°Why would I do that?¡± Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a casual smirk.


    Mandy didn¡¯t care much for her foster daughter¡¯s attitude. She smoothed her wavy hair by her temples and spoke with detached calm, ¡°For the sake of your brother¡¯s future, you better think this through.¡± It was a tant threat.


    Mirabe just watched quietly.


    Mandy nced at her and continued, ¡°By the way, your parents are just ordinary employees in the


    online, I could any, right? If your brother just clears things <i>up </i>with a statement


    online, I could arrange for your parents to work at a subsidiary of the Gilbert Corporation. As for their sry, it will certainly be higher than what they¡¯re earning now.¡±


    Mandy remembered how the Davis couple had pretended to be unimpressed when offered a checkst time. Who knew if they were just being greedy, wanting more?


    Mirabe thought about her parents¡® habit of transferring tens of thousands like it was pocket change and the so¨Ccalled unlimited ck card that remained untouched, and asked, ¡°How high of a sry can you offer?¡±


    Mandy¡¯s eyes immediately shed with arrogance. After a few seconds of thought, she said, ¡°Five¡­¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, ¡°Fifty thousand?¡±


    Before Mandy could utter ¡®thousand, she was cut off.


    Rubbing her chin, Mirabe added with apparent disdain, ¡°Fifty thousand isn¡¯t much.¡±


    After all, the old man boasted that his quarterly bonuses could afford a million¨Cdor sports car. Fifty thousand for a sry was indeed not impressive.


    Mandy was almost amused by the audacity. ¡°Fifty thousand? Do you think we¡¯re running a <b>charity</b>?¡± Five thousand a month was already generous for an ordinary employee, yet here <b>was </b>Mirabe expecting fifty thousand?


    you running<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Choked by Mirabe¡¯s words, Mandy took a deep breath and managed, ¡°Consider what <b>I </b>just said carefully. Your brother¡¯s future, your parents¡® jobs<b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe raised her hand. ¡°Sorry, but I don¡¯t respond well to threats.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯re choosing to learn the hard way!¡± Mandy was losing patience.


    Mirabe nodded, her voice light and breezy. ¡°I¡¯m so scared.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°You¡­¡±


    Just <b>then</b>, Ate, who was waiting in the next office, decided to step in. She¡¯d had a hunch that Mirabe¡¯s foster mother was trouble. She stepped to the doorway and overheard thest few exchanges, including her student¡¯s mockingly fearful reply.


    Ate¡¯s face darkened with disapproval. Mirabe was always such a well¨Cbehaved student, a child anyone would cherish and protect. And yet here was her foster mother, threatening her? This was crossing a line.


    Ate entered the office, her expression stern, and interjected, ¡°Ma¡¯am, if there¡¯s nothing. else, please don¡¯t disrupt the child¡¯s education any further.¡±

 Chapter 380

    <b>Mandy¡¯s </b>frown deepened as she was abruptly cut off. She nced at Ate, whose stern expression suggested seriousness. Though Mandy felt a twinge of difort, she <b>knew </b>better than to cause a scene in front of others. Casting a final look at her foster daughter, she held her tongue and quickly exited the office.


    Once alone, Ate¡¯s severity softened. She walked over to Mirabe and gently patted her shoulder, offeringfort, ¡°Mirabe, there¡¯s no need to be scared. This is school, and your foster mother wouldn¡¯t dare do anything to you here.¡±


    Mirabe looked up at Ate, slightly sighing at the sight of Ate¡¯s nurturing demeanor. She nodded obediently. ¡°Yeah, thanks, Ms. Ate.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all. Remember, you can always talk to me if you¡¯re facing any difficulties,¡± Ate said, her maternal instincts surging.


    ¡°If only I had a daughter as lovely as Mirabe toplement my son,¡± she thought, ¡°it would be a dreame true.¡±


    Mirabe simply smiled in response.


    ncing at her watch, Ate noted the time, ¡°School¡¯s almost out. You should head


    back.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Mirabe returned to her ssroom just before the dismissal bell rang. She packed the day¡¯s unfinished assignments into her bag and then strolled out with her friend Jenna, unhurried.


    Stepping out of the academic building, Mirabe checked her phone and saw a message from Delh on Messenger.


    Her mom wasing to pick her up, but traffic dys meant she hadn¡¯t yet arrived at the school. She asked Mirabe to wait by the main entrance.


    After leaving Ate¡¯s office, Mandy made her way to see Morgan.


    *Summer didn¡¯te to school today,¡± Morgan announced without looking up from the papers he was grading at his desk.


    Following the fallout from the previouspetition, Morgan had been stripped of his position as the head of the Prodigy ss and had lost his title as an outstanding teacher. Given this, his demeanor toward Mandy was notably cool.


    <b>Had </b>it not been for the mess created by the Gilbert family, he wouldn¡¯t be theughingstock of the other teachers.


    Mandy sensed Morgan¡¯s <b>chilliness </b>but <b>figured </b><b>he </b><b>was </b>just preupied with work. When he <b>mentioned </b><b>that </b><b>her </b>daughter <b>hadn¡¯t </be to school, she furrowed her brows <b>In </b>concern and asked<b>, </b><b>¡°</b>She didn¡¯t<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Morgan¡¯s </b>lips twisted slightly. ¡°Yeah, and if she doesn¡¯t want toe to school, she might <b>as </b><b>well </b><b>take </b><b>a </b>leave of absence.¡±


    Mandy looked at him, slightly taken aback. ¡°Mr. Morgan, that¡¯s not a very appropriate <b>thing </b>for a teacher to say, is it?¡±


    After all, Summer was among the top performers in her grade. His attitude seemed almost as if he couldn¡¯t wait for her to leave the school.


    Morgan paused, put down his pen, and finally looked up with an expressionless face. ¡°Thanks to your family, I am no longer the head of the Prodigy ss.¡±


    Mandy, who hadn¡¯t paid much attention to the issues surrounding the previouspetition, was momentarily confused, thinking it might have been due to the recording incident from the night before. She tried to exin, ¡°Um¡­ my daughter was a victim, too.¡±


    Morgan internally scoffed at the notion of victimhood. To sabotage someone and then y innocent ¨C was that what was called being a victim?


    Pressing his temples, he found the Gilbert family¡¯s values consistently astonishing. He didn¡¯t want to hear another word from Mandy, and said impatiently, ¡°Sorry, but I¡¯m quite. busy and don¡¯t have time for small talk.¡±


    His intention to dismiss her was palpable.


    The air filled with awkwardness as Mandy noted Morgan returning to his grading. Her


    face stiffened, and without pressing further, she left the office with a cloud of frustration hanging over her.

 Chapter 381

    <b>Chapter </b><b>381 </b>


    Mandy stepped out of <b>the </b>office, her expression clouded over with displeasure. She <b>had </b><b>suffered </b>embarrassment at the hands of two teachers now and regretteding to <b>school </b>that day.


    What a nuisance.


    The family butler, who had been waiting outside, noticed her mood and inquired, ¡°Madam, what seems to be the trouble?<b>¡± </b>


    Mandy nced at the butler, her voiceced with irritation. ¡°It¡¯s just another mess <b>that </b>dimwit created.<b>¡± </b>


    The butler paused, then instinctively asked, ¡°Is it Miss Mira?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even mention her to me; she¡¯s no longer a part of the Gilbert family,¡± Mandy snapped before heading towards the school gates: The butler hurried after her.


    As they exited the main entrance of Parkside High School, Mandy spotted Mirabe waiting by the roadside, obviously expecting someone to pick her up.


    Mandy¡¯s lips curled into a sneer; it was so typical of the less fortunate not to afford a personal chauffeur. Her attention then shifted away as she strode towards her own Bentley parked by the curb.


    The butler, getting there first, opened the passenger door for her. Just as Mandy was about to lower herself into the car, she caught sight of a ck sedan pulling up beside the spot where Mirabe stood.


    <b>She </b>instinctively looked up and was taken aback when she recognized the make of the car a Rolls¨CRoyce.


    How could Mirabe¡¯s biological mother be driving such an expensive car? Weren¡¯t they supposedly so poor that they could only afford to drive an old, beat¨Cup Santana?


    She must¡¯ve been seeing things!


    ¡°Madam?¡± the butler, noticing Mandy¡¯s fixed stare and her dy in getting into the car,


    voiced his confusion.


    Suppressing her shock, Mandy stiffly settled into her seat and buckled her seatbelt, ncing involuntarily at the side mirror. Although she didn¡¯t see everything, it was clear that Mirabe had gotten into the car.


    Mandy felt dazed <b>as </b>if none of this could possibly be real. After all, the Davis family lived in that run¨Cdown neighborhood. They couldn¡¯t afford such a car even if they sold their house. So this must¡¯ve been a stunt, right? Did the Davis family rent the car just to show <b>off </b>at the school?


    If that was the case<b>, </b>how utterly <b>vain</b>!


    As the car in <b>the </b>rearview mirror drove away, Mandy snapped back to reality and sarcastically <b>shook </b>her head, then told the butler, <b>¡°</b>Let¡¯s go.¡±


    <b>The </b><b>butler </b>nced at Mandy and then asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t we waiting <b>for </b>Miss Summer<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    At the mention of Summer, Mandy¡¯s thoughts turned to the unjust treatment she¡¯d received <b>from </b>Morgan, and she replied coldly, ¡°She didn¡¯t even go to school today.¡±


    The butler was taken aback. ¡°Oh? If she¡¯s not at school, where could she be? Should we call and check<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Rubbing her temples from the headache, Mandy said firmly, ¡°No need. She¡¯s a grown woman<b>; </b>she doesn¡¯t need someone watching over her all the time. Just drive, we¡¯re going home.¡±


    With that, the butler said no more and started the engine. Soon, the car left the school behind.


    After an embarrassing audio recording that had leaked online, Summer really did feel too ashamed to go to school and had asked her homeroom teacher for the day off.


    She returned to the talent agency and was met with sneers and derisive nces from the other artists. Their looks conveyed mockery, and her carefully cultivated image of gentleness and kindness was on the brink of copse.

 Chapter 383

    <b>Chapter </b><b>383 </b>


    Craig tapped his nose <b>thoughtfully</b>. What kind <b>of </b>superstar had he signed?


    Summer snapped back to reality<b>, </b>nced at her agent, and then stood up briskly. ¡°I¡¯ll give It a shot. My foster parents were decent to me back in the day.¡±


    Craig, though dubious, was relieved that the situation hadn¡¯t escted to a nightmare scenario. ¡°Alright then, off you go. I¡¯ll wait for your update. And hand over your Twitter login. I¡¯ll have someone draft an apology tweet.¡±


    At the mention of an apology tweet, Summer¡¯s eyelids drooped slightly as she murmured softly, ¡°No need.¡± Apologizing now would be futile, only making her seem more insincere to her followers.


    Craig mulled it over and decided not to push the issue. ¡°Fine, as you wish.¡±


    ¡°I better get going.¡±


    Summer grabbed her mask and sunsses, quickly disguising herself, and swiftly exited the office.


    Craig watched her retreating figure, wondering if she was perhaps the quickest to crash and burn among all the talents he¡¯d managed. Fame was fleeting, and now she was facing a bacsh.


    It was just one of those years, he sighed,


    After leaving the agency, Summer hailed a cab to the quaint neighborhood where the Davis family¡¯s old house was nestled.


    Once there, she stood outside for a long while, watching peoplee and go in the lobby, finally mustering enough courage to step inside.


    She pressed the button for the top floor in the elevator, her heart rising with the ascent, anxious about the reception she might receive. She wondered if her foster parents would be willing to help her or if they¡¯d turn a cold shoulder, especially since she had nearly tarnished Leo¡¯s reputation.


    The elevator dinged, and Summer shuddered as the doors slid open. She felt a sudden urge to flee but, thinking of her future, took a deep breath and stepped out. She approached the Davis door and pressed the doorbell.


    Time ticked by. After five long minutes with no response, she pressed it again. More time passed, but still no answer.


    Summer frowned. Could it be that no one was home? She checked the time, and it was nearly six o¡¯clock. It seemed unlikely that the house would be empty. Her foster parents


    <b>1/2 </b>


    11:20


    wouldn¡¯t have known she wasing, so it couldn¡¯t be a deliberate snub.


    After a few more attempts and no sign of life, Summer concluded that the house was indeed empty.


    She pulled out her phone, found Delh¡¯s number, hesitated for a few seconds, and dialed. The call went through, but no one picked up, leaving her with the cold, mechanical voice of the voicemail service.


    Summer hung <b>up </b>without leaving a message and leaned wearily against the wall, waiting. She waited until her feet went numb, but the Davis family didn¡¯t return, nor did Delh call


    back.


    As time went on, Summer¡¯s spirits plummeted, and those bitter thoughts began to creep back in. Then, the elevator chimed. Instinctively, she looked up.

 Chapter 382

    <b>Chapter </b>382


    In the talent agent¡¯s office, Craig leaned against his desk, eyeing the disheveled Summer sprawled on the couch with a mix of frustration and annoyance.


    He had thought he¡¯d signed a grounded, sensible artist, but in less than a year, she¡¯d cooked up a scandal so big it was enough to give anyone Indigestion.


    One was supposed to have a few good years under their belt before going off the rails, for heaven¡¯s sake. And what did Summer do instead? She tried to stir up trouble with her supposed superstar brother. Oh wait, Juztin wasn¡¯t even her real brother!


    The thought made Craig¡¯s mood sour further. If she wasn¡¯t rted to Juztin, she shouldn¡¯t have led him on, making him believe that they were siblings. No wonder Juztin didn¡¯t bring her along on that reality show. If it wasn¡¯t for this mess, Craig would still be in the dark.


    Appearances really are deceiving!


    If she¡¯d put half this effort into her career, she might¡¯ve had more than two million fans <b>by </b>now. But no, now she became a pariah on the inte.


    Craig rubbed his face, sighing as he broke the silence in the room. ¡°Look, sitting here isn¡¯t doing you any good. I¡¯ve done what I can, but I can¡¯t bury this. Juztin isn¡¯t some run¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cmill pop singer. What were you thinking, taking him on?¡±


    Summer pressed her lips together, her fingers tightly intertwined in herp. If Leo hadn¡¯t been so ruthless, would she have ever made such a rash decision?


    Mirabe was


    st a nobody from the sticks, and Leo had unted her on that reality show, making Summer look like a fool.


    After watching Mirabe get showered with praise episode after episode and seeing Leo¡¯s preferential treatment of her, Summer¡¯s jealousy had grown like a weed.


    Why should a country bumpkin like Mirabe get all the admiration while the Davis family dropped all pretenses of poverty to court her favor?


    If only the Davis family had treated Summer fairly, she wouldn¡¯t have been driven to such desperate actions.


    Summer¡¯s throat felt parched with regret. She knew that her current predicament was due to her own shortsightedness, her impatience, and her inability to stay cool. She wouldn¡¯t. make the same foolish mistake again if she had another chance.


    Craig, unaware of her turmoil, felt obligated to help since she was his client after all. ¡°You might not be Juztin¡¯s real sister, but you¡¯ve spent over a decade with him. Go and plead with him. If he¡¯s willing to let bygones be bygones and gives a rifying statement, you. might just salvage your career. In times like these, you¡¯ve got to y the family card. It¡¯s your only shot, or you can kiss your singing career goodbye.¡±


    11:19


    ¡°My reputation is already so tainted. Is there really a chance for aeback?¡± Summer asked with a bitter chuckle.


    Craig nced at her. ¡°As long as Juztin doesn¡¯t pursue this issue, there¡¯s a chance.¡± That was just how the entertainment industry was. Every day, there was a new scandal, and with time, things got diluted. Who remembered the past when the next big story hit?


    Summer looked up. ¡°You don¡¯t know my brother. He¡¯s cold to the core. Getting him to clear my name is next to impossible.¡±


    Craig lifted the corner of his mouth in a half¨Csmile. ¡°Difficult or not, you¡¯ve got to try. Unless you¡¯re done with the limelight.¡±


    After a brief pause, as if a new thought struck him, Craig added, ¡°Or maybe you should appeal to your adoptive parents? Surely, they¡¯d step in to help, right?¡±


    At that, Summer hesitated, her response lingering in the air. Craig, now curious at her silence, asked, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re on bad terms with them too?¡±

 Chapter 384

    <b>Chapter </b><b>384 </b>


    Summer <b>had </b>thought that the personing out of the house was a member of the Davis <b>family</b>, but much to her surprise, it turned out to be the neighbor from next door. <b>She </b>knew the neighbor, so when she saw the figure emerging, a hint of disappointment <b>flickered </b>in Summer¡¯s eyes.


    The neighbor nced at Summer, not immediately recognizing her, and simply took out her keys to unlock the door. Her hand paused as she stepped inside, preparing to close the door. She took another look at Summer, who clearly seemed to be waiting for someone, and then spoke up, ¡°Are you looking for the Davis family?¡±


    Summer turned around, acknowledging the neighbor with a nod.


    ¡°Hey, are you rted to them? They moved out a while back and don¡¯t live here anymore,¡± the neighbor volunteered the information.


    Summer¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°They don¡¯t live here anymore?¡±


    The neighbor recognized Summer¡¯s voice and eximed, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re Summer, right?¡±


    Summer, who was too flustered to care about anything else, quickly asked, ¡°Marian, your said my folks moved out. Do you know where they went?¡±


    Marian, the neighbor, shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know that.¡±


    There was a brief pause before Marian asked, seemingly offhand, ¡°They moved and didn¡¯t tell you?¡±


    Summer¡¯s grip tightened, and she was grateful for the mask on her face, shielding her embarrassment. Her voice came out hoarse, ¡°They might have just forgotten with the busyness and all.¡±


    Marian had only heard snippets about the Davis family¡¯s mix¨Cup with their daughter and found it odd they wouldn¡¯t inform their once¨Cimed child of their move. ¡°You might want to give your folks a call,¡± Marian suggested.


    After a difficult swallow, Summer mustered a nod and thanked her neighbor.


    Marian soon closed the door, leaving Summer to slump against the wall, sliding down until she was hugging her knees. Marian¡¯s words echoed in her head.


    Her adoptive parents had moved. They had left without a phone call or a message.


    Summer bit her lip, frustration, and resentment toward Delh and Shawn welling up inside her. Even if they didn¡¯t want to share their new address, the least they could do was tell her they were moving, right?


    Did they not consider that their daughter of over a decade might¡¯ve wanted to visit? To move so abruptly, so eager to sever ties <b>¨C </b>didn¡¯t it seem cruel?


    <b>11-201 </b>


    Summer felt like a punchline. Her biological <b>parents</b>¡® affection was tied to the <b>prestige </b><b>she </b>brought them. <b>And </b><b>her </b>adoptive parents? Since Mirabe¡¯s return, it was all about shy cars and fancy houses. Summer felt like she meant nothing.


    She <b>checked </b>her phone again ¨C no calls, no messages. With a self¨Cdeprecating twist of her lips, she pushed herself up and headed towards the elevator.


    After picking up Mirabe from school, Delh didn¡¯t head straight home. Instead, she took her daughter out for dinner.


    Her friends had been eager to meet her daughter, but Delh had been too busy with the renovations of the new house. Now that everyone was gathering, it was the perfect opportunity to bring Mirabe along.


    Summer¡¯s call hade when Delh was busy catching up with her friends. Her phone was buried in her bag, unheard.


    After dinner, Delh declined her friends¡® invitation to go karaoke, opting instead to drive. home with her daughter.


    On their way, Mirabe, who was engrossed in a game sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly received a call from Wyatt.

 Chapter 385

    <b>Chapter </b><b>385 </b>


    After exchanging just a few words, Mirabe ended the call, her expression growing more somber.


    As Delh drove, she nced back at her daughter. ¡°Who¡¯s calling thiste, honey? Anything urgent?¡±


    Mirabe slid her phone back into her pocket and hummed a nomittal ¡°Mm,¡± replying absentmindedly, ¡°Just a friend.¡±


    Seeing her daughter¡¯s distracted demeanor, Delh didn¡¯t pry further. Soon enough, they pulled into their sprawling estate.


    No sooner had Mirabe stepped out of the car than Wyatt, who had been anxiously waiting outside, approached. Worry etched his features as he called out, ¡°Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    With a calm nod, Mirabe acknowledged him before turning to her mother, who was about to drive the car into the garage. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m just popping over next door.¡±


    Wyatt, <b>no </b>longer concerned about being recognized, gave Delh a polite nod.She paused, then cast a nce at her daughter. ¡°Do you want me toe with you?¡±


    Mirabe shook her head and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    Knowing he was the same man keen on buying their property, Delh whispered, with a lingering look at Wyatt, ¡°Call me if you need anything, sweetheart.¡±


    Mirabe softly acknowledged. Quickly, she and Wyatt made their way to the adjacent vi.


    Back at the car, Delh¡¯s gaze shifted from suspicion to her mobile phone resting in a box beside her. Lighting up the screen to check the time, she noticed a missed call from her foster daughter.


    The call hade over an hour ago.


    Frowning slightly, Delh hesitated for a moment before returning the call.


    Meanwhile, in James¡® bedroom.


    Standing by James¡® bedside, Niki looked as <b>if </b>he had just glimpsed hope itself when Mirabe entered. ¡°Mirabe, you finally made it.¡±


    Curtis¡® gaze also fixed intently on Mirabe.


    She nodded and approached the bed where Jamesy. His pallor was ashen, his forehead beaded with sweat. He seemed to be enduring immense pain. Yet his dark eyes held a steady gaze on Mirabe, and despite his difort, he maintained aposed fa?ade.


    ¡°Sorry to call you over sote,¡± James said in a hoarse whisper.


    Mirabe¡¯s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and without a word, she reached out to feel. <b>his </b>pulse. Two minutester, she withdrew her hand.


    <b>An </b>anxious Wyatt immediately asked, ¡°Ms. Mirabe, what¡¯s going on with James?¡±


    Niki, a titleholder in traditional medicine, looked to her. ¡°I¡¯ve just checked James. Could these be symptoms of neuralgia?¡±


    Niki¡¯s expertise was well¨Cfounded, and though he wasn¡¯t a pharmacist, his medical skills were highly advanced.


    Mirabe nodded. ¡°Correct, it¡¯s diffuse neuralgia.<b>¡± </b>


    Neuralgia was a different beast from other bodily pain; it was like needles piercing. through the body, a torment that made life unbearable.


    She looked at James again, admiring his fortitude. To remain so calm under such circumstances was indeed extraordinary.


    ¡°What exactly causes this kind of neuralgia? James has never suffered from this before,¡± Wyatt said gravely.


    With James¡® recent health scare barely behind them, this new affliction was rming. Neuralgia sounded severe, andbined with his previous condition, it was downright life¨Cthreatening.

 Chapter 386

    11.20


    <b>Chapter </b><b>386 </b>


    ¡°There are many causes for neuralgia, but in James¡® case, it¡¯s due to a trauma,¡± Mirabe said in a measured tone.


    Wyatt scratched his head. ¡°But he doesn¡¯t have any visible injuries.¡±


    James had been resting and recuperating, not having lifted a finger for any strenuous activity.


    ¡°Latentplications,¡± Mirabe uttered sinctly. Then, she turned back to face James, pulling back the light nket covering him. Her slender fingers pressed gently against several spots on his chest, ¡°Do these areas hurt more?¡±


    James grunted, not bothering with words or a nod, but his expression said it all. Mirabe. withdrew her hands.


    Watching Mirabe pinpoint the source of the ailment with such precision, Niki couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of admiration. He had previously thought of her merely as an adept apothecary, well¨Cversed in pharmacology, but now it was clear that her medical skills. were also formidable.


    ¡°Acupuncture would be the best treatment for James¡® condition, but when I tried it just now, it only intensified his pain. So I dared not continue with the needles, nor can I force him to take painkillers for fear of triggering some underlying chronic issue,¡± Niki said with a wry smile, his concern evident on his face.


    Mirabe was silent for a moment, then looked at James and said simply, ¡°Hang in there for a bit longer. I¡¯ll be right back with something.¡±


    James¡® lips were a bit too red from him biting them, but he managed a faint smile. Despite his pallor, there was a strangely attractive allure to his appearance. ¡°Alright.¡±


    With a subtle narrowing of her eyes, Mirabe turned and walked away.


    Wyatt, witnessing this, felt the urge to follow her but eventually stayed put, his gaze returning to James. Seeing the smile still ying on James¡® lips, Wyatt felt a pang of difort. Despite the obvious difort, James was still putting on a brave face. Hopefully, Ms. Mirabe would return soon to ease some of the pain.


    Back at her house, after greeting Zach, Leo, and Shawn in the living room, Mirabe prepared to head upstairs.


    ¡°Mira, is mom noting home tonight?¡± Shawn asked, knowing his wife had taken their daughter out to dinner <b>with </b>friends<b>. </b>


    Mirabe had just set foot on the stairs when she heard Shawn¡¯s question and paused. She <b>turned </b>back <b>to </b><b>him</b>, a puzzled look on her face. ¡°Isn¡¯t mom back already?¡±


    Shawn blinked. ¡°No, she <b>isn¡¯t</b>.¡±


    11:20


    <b>*</b>Oh¡­ She just dropped me off. <b>Didn¡¯t </b>shee in?<b>¡± </b>


    After a moment of thought, Shawn pulled out his phone. ¡°I¡¯ll give her a call and check.¡±


    Mirabe nodded<b>, </b>not particrly worried, and without another word, she continued up the stairs. Once in her room, she retrieved a box containing silver needles from her chest<b>, </b><b>and </b>soon<b>, </b>she was hurrying back downstairs.


    ¡°Sis, heading out again?¡± Zach called out to her in surprise.


    ¡°Yeah, got something to take care of. I¡¯ll be back soon,¡± she replied, nodding. Then she looked at Shawn and inquired, ¡°Where did mom go?¡±


    Thinking of his wife¡¯s words over the phone, Shawn simply said, ¡°She went to the supermarket.¡±


    ¡°Alright, then you guys should head to bed early. I¡¯m heading out,¡± Mirabe didn¡¯t further<b>. </b>


    press


    Seeing this, Zach stood up. ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Where do you need to go? Want me to drive you<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°No need. It¡¯s just next door,¡± Mirabe declined with a wave of her hand. She quickly left the house, her steps brisk. Zach hadn¡¯t even fully processed her departure when the sound of the front door closing echoed through the entryway.

 Chapter 387

    <b>Chapter </b><b>387 </b>


    Mirabe made her way next door once again.


    Niki caught sight of her returning with an antiqued¨Clooking iron box cradled in her arms. and couldn¡¯t help his curiosity. ¡°What¡¯s in the box?¡± he inquired, wondering if it was yet another concoction of hers.


    Mirabe set the iron box on a nearby table, her fingers deftly undoing thetch. The <b>box </b>opened with ease, revealing sheepskin¨Cwrapped silver needles. ¡°Acupuncture needles,¡± she responded to Niki¡¯s question.


    She unfurled the sheepskin to disclose an array of silver needles of varying lengths, at least a hundred in total.


    Niki watched in amazement. His family, the Reeves, had a long lineage in alternative healing and did their fair share of acupuncture, but they never crafted such an extensive collection of needles. Once his initial shock subsided, Niki asked, ¡°Are you nning on using these on James?¡±


    Mirabe nodded, her mind busying itself with how to strategically ce the needles to alleviate James¡® nerve pain while also addressing his chronic ailments.


    ¡°I¡¯ve


    just tried acupuncture on James, but it seemed to worsen his pain,¡± said Niki, a hint of concern in his voice.


    ¡°You can¡¯t stick to the conventional methods,¡± Mirabe remarked, her finger gliding across the row of needles.


    ¡°Will you use unconventional methods? What might those be?¡± pondered Niki, stroking his long beard thoughtfully.


    Mirabe picked up a needle and turned to Wyatt. ¡°Strip James down, please.¡±


    James, instinctively clutching at his shirt, blurted, ¡°What the-¡±


    Wyatt, understanding the directive, nodded briskly and moved to the bedside. When he caught the apprehension in James¡® actions, he chuckled slightly. ¡°Boss, Ms. Mirabe is simply preparing you for the session,¡± Wyatt murmured. There was no need to act as if he were about to be defiled.


    James shot him a look. Wyatt pretended not to noticeJames¡® re and proceeded to help James out of his shirt. Turning back to Mirabe, he asked, ¡°Should the trouserse off


    as well?¡±


    James was visibly irritated. That bloody scoundrel.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mirabe replied nonchntly, acting as if there was nothing amiss.


    With a touch of trepidation, Wyatt followed through with Mirabe¡¯s instructions, sweat


    <b>115 </b>


    beading on his forehead. After cing the trousers on a nearby chair, he looked back at Mirabe, who appeared puzzled by his reaction¨Cit was just clothing, after all.


    Quickly. Mirabe selected a needle and turned her attention to James, pausing as her gaze swept over his body. Not bad, she thought. Everything was in rather good proportion


    James, acutely aware of her scrutiny, felt a wave of difort wash over his handsome face and gave a cough to break the tension.


    Mirabe gracefully averted her gaze, adding, ¡°A doctor sees no gender, no need for embarrassment.¡±


    ¡°It might hurt a bit when I insert the needles, but it should be less painful than the nerve pain you¡¯re experiencing. Just bear with it.¡±


    No sooner had she finished speaking than the silver needle in her hand swiftly punctured a major point on his chest. Niki, observing her first cement, was taken aback once more. The spot she targeted was one of the most delicate in the human body, a ce where the slightest misstep could cause unimaginable pain.


    And as she continued with the second, the third needle¡­ with each casual insertion, Niki¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Her technique was unconventional, almost reckless. It was a nerve¨Cwracking sight.


    Before long. Mirabe¡¯s needle cements grew faster, and in no time, James¡® body was adorned with silver needles at every major point.

 Chapter 388

    After inserting the final needle, Mirabe stood up straight and let out a deep breath. Her face was a shade paler than usual, and her smooth forehead was dotted with fine beads.


    of sweat.


    Niki, finallying to his senses from his initial shock, nced at Mirabe and asked, ¡°Is¡­ is that it?¡±


    Mirabe reached for a tissue from the bedside table and gently dabbed the sweat from her brow, saying slowly. ¡°Not yet. Right now, the silver needles have just been ced. I¡¯ll need to probe abd assess the situation before I remove them.¡±


    At this, Niki looked utterly dumbfounded, his face a mixture of incredulity and confusion. He knew about acupuncture, but probing was foreign to him. He wanted to ask but felt too embarrassed. He couldn¡¯t help but feel that his own proudly mastered medical skills were elementarypared to the youngdy¡¯s techniques. The way Mirabe discerned and understood the body¡¯s points seemed more intuitive than his decades of studying alternative medicine. It was a bit hard to swallow.


    Mirabe pulled a chair over to sit by the bed and then took James¡® pulse again, her delicate eyebrows smoothing out. ¡°How are you feeling now?¡±


    Only Mirabe and Niki remained in the room; Wyatt and Curtis had stepped out while she was working with the needles.


    James tried to muster a smile but couldn¡¯t. He quietly watched Mirabe, his eyes intense and still. After a moment, he parted his lips and, with a strong voice, said, ¡°Very well.¡±


    Mirabe nodded, her expression calm as she remarked, ¡°Your voice suggests as much.¡±


    James gave a nonmittal grunt.


    Checking the time, Mirabe turned to Niki. ¡°You can go and rest, Niki. I¡¯ve got this covered.¡±


    Despite his eagerness to learn about probing, Niki heard her suggestion and knew that sticking around wouldn¡¯t be helpful. Reluctantly, he left the room.


    Outside, Wyatt and Curtis immediately queried Niki upon his exit, ¡°How is it going?¡±


    Niki stroked his long beard, his face no longer bearing its earlier tension, and said. coolly, ¡°With Mirabe in there, what¡¯s there to worry about?¡±


    Hearing this, Wyatt and Curtis felt their anxiety lessen.


    ¡°Mirabe¡¯s medical skills might even surpass mine. It might be best for her to manage James¡® treatments from now on. There¡¯s hope for curing old ailments,¡± Niki added with a sense of wonder.


    <b>11:21 </b>


    The times are indeed changing,¡± he thought.


    Wyatt and Curtis exchanged a look of visible shock. They knew Mirabe was a top¨Cnotch alchemist, but they hadn¡¯t imagined her medical prowess could make Niki feel inferior. This <b>was</b>¡­ rming.


    She was only eighteen¨Cwhat a terrifying thought!


    Niki waved to them and then headed toward the staircase. He paused after a few steps, turning back to add, ¡°Oh, and you might want to prepare some energy¨Cboosting chicken soup for Mirabe. She¡¯ll probably be quite drained after tonight¡¯s session.¡±


    Curtis nodded and offered, ¡°Let me walk you out, Niki.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for something to be made for Ms. Mirabe,¡± Wyatt volunteered, taking on the task.


    Soon, Niki left the vi.


    Back in the bedroom, Mirabe continued with her treatment after a short rest.


    The probing method using silver needles wasplex. It was a proud and secret technique of the Massolio family, so unique that it could bring someone back from the brink of death.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>389 </b>

 Chapter 389

    <b>Chapter </b><b>389 </b>


    Mirabe hadn¡¯t employed this technique in ages, yet her movements were as deft as ever<b>. </b>Her eyes sparkled with a touch of excitement as she worked.


    The pain that had been guing James had subsided considerably. As he watched Mirabe, he couldn¡¯t help but feel like an odd specimen under her inquisitive gaze. ¡°Why do I get the feeling you¡¯re practicing on me, kiddo?¡± James squinted his eyes at her.


    Mirabe¡¯s hand, which was deftly handling the needles, paused. She lifted her gaze to meet his, her face unmoved as she responded, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it.¡±


    Without another word, she returned to her task, inserting the final few needles with precision. After a brief two seconds, she pressed gently on the spots and smoothly withdrew them.


    Half an hourter, Mirabe finished removing thest needle. She casually grabbed a thin nket from nearby and draped it over James before copsing into the chair with a sigh of exhaustion. Her face was even paler than when she first started, and her hands rested limply on herp, devoid of strength.


    ¡°That¡¯ll do for today. Give it a few days, and we¡¯ll have another session. You shouldn¡¯t experience today¡¯s symptoms again,¡± she said, catching her breath. ¡°As for your chronic issue, I¡¯ll need to do some more research.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± James replied in his deep, resonant voice. He slowly sat up, letting the nket slip away to reveal his toned torso and his chiseled features, which carried an air of ascetic beauty.


    Catching a glimpse, Mirabe averted her gaze nonchntly and advised, ¡°You¡¯d better lie down and rest some more.¡±


    James raised an eyebrow and methodically began to dress. ¡°I¡¯m feeling much better already.¡± No surprise there, given who was at work.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe simply said, ¡°Good, that¡¯s good.¡± She then stood up, using the chair for support, and turned her back to James as she began to pack away the needles.


    By the time she was done, James had dressed and strolled to her side. His eyes lingered on the slow process of her packing and then drifted to the antique iron box beside her. The box, free of rust, was etched with intricate patterns. As he leaned in for a closer look, Mirabe quickly scooped it up.


    She opened the box, ced the needles inside, then closed it and cradled it in her arms. Looking up at James, she said, ¡°I should get going. Call me if you <b>need </b>anything.¡±


    Noticing the fatigue etched on her lovely face, James¡® lips twitched into a faint smile. ¡°Thank you for tonight.¡±


    11211


    With a casual wave, Mirabe replied, ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Just make sure to transfer the payment.¡± With that, she made her way toward the door.


    James paused for a moment before following suit.


    As Mirabe opened the door<b>, </b>she found Wyatt pacing anxiously. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, I was worried about James and-¡± he began but stopped mid¨Csentence when he saw James standing right behind her. ¡°<b>Boss</b>, you all right?¡±


    James nodded.


    Wyatt sighed in relief, his eyes brimming with gratitude as he turned back to Mirabe. Recalling the chicken soup he had simmering in the kitchen as a gesture of thanks, he blurted out, ¡°Ah, Ms. Mirabe, I¡¯ve prepared some chicken soup for you. I¡¯ll go fetch it right away.¡±


    With that, he hurriedly descended the stairs.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe turned to James and remarked, ¡°Wyatt sure is attentive.¡±


    Hearing this, James merely narrowed his eyes, a knowing look crossing his face.

 Chapter 390

    <b>Chapter </b>390


    Mirabe <b>descended </b><b>the </b><b>stairs</b>. She finished her chicken soup and readied herself to head home.


    <b>Tl </b>walk <b>you</b><b>, </b>James <b>offered</b><b>, </b>standing <b>up</b><b>. </b>


    <b>Just </b><b>as </b><b>Mirabe </b>was <b>about </b><b>to decline</b>, Wyatt interjected<b>, </b>¡°Boss, you should still be recovering Let me <b>escort </b><b>Ms. </b><b>Mirabe </b><b>instead</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    James <b>merely </b>cast <b>a </b>casual <b>nce </b><b>at </b><b>Wyatt</b>. Was this what they called being attentive?


    <b>Feeling </b>an <b>inexplicable </b>dangerous chill, Wyatt shivered.


    Without a word, James <b>slowly </b>made <b>his </b>way to the front door, his upright posture belying any sign of weakness. Wyatt stroked his chint<b>, </b>conceding he may have misspoken.


    Mirabe, casting a nce at James¡® retreating figure, said nothing more and proceeded outside.


    She had told her brother, Zach, she¡¯d be back soon, and now, nearly two hourster, she could only imagine the nagging that awaited her..


    When Mirabe and James stepped outside the mansion, they were greeted by the sight of Zach waiting under the streetlight. Pressing her fingers to her temples, Mirabe had anticipated this.


    James, noticing Zach from a distance, narrowed his eyes slightly before turning to Mirabe. ¡°Is he <b>waiting </b>for <b>you</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe nodded and whispered, ¡°My brother, Zach.¡±


    James¡® expression revealed no surprise. He pondered for a moment before stepping beside Mirabe as they approached Zach.


    As they drew near, Mirabe called out with a hint of exasperation, ¡°Zach.¡±


    Zach hummed in response, his gaze quickly shifting to James.


    The man had a striking appearance and an air of aristocracy. Zach¡¯s eyes narrowed with an instinctive sharpness. ¡°Mira, who¡¯s this<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°He used <b>to </b>be my tutor,¡± Mirabe replied smoothly, without batting an eye.


    The corners of James¡® mouth twitched, and he politely nodded at Zach, choosing to ignore the hostility. ¡°Hello <b>there</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Zach, having heard about this tutor, was taken aback. A tutor in his early twenties? Could that be right<b>? </b>Something <b>didn¡¯t </b>quite add up.


    <b>Casting </b>a suspicious nce at his sister and seeing no sign of <b>deceit</b>, Zach greeted James, ¡°Pleased <b>to </b><b>meet </b><b>you</b><b>, </b>sir!¡±


    Hearing Zach¡¯s respectful address, Mirabe covered her face in silent embarrassment<b>, </b>coughed<b>, </b>and then turned to her brother. ¡°Alright, Zach, it¡¯s gettingte<b>; </b>we should head <b>home</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Zach </b>shot her <b>a </b><b>look</b><b>. </b>Now she remembered <b>it </b>was <bte</b>. However, he <b>didn¡¯t </b>press further<b>, </b><b>simply </b><b>nodding </b><b>politely </b><b>to </b>James before walking <b>home </b>with Mirabe.


    James watched their departing figures with <b>a </b>thoughtful <b>gaze</b><b>, </b><b>then </b><b>turned </b><b>and </b><b>re</b><b>¨C</b><b>entered </b><b>the </b>mansion.


    Zach <b>grew </b>increasingly <b>skeptical </b><b>at </b><b>the </b><b>entrance and </b><b>turned </b><b>to </b>Mirabe<b>, </b>who was <b>keying </b><b>in the </b>gate <b>code</b>. ¡°<b>Mira</b><b>, </b>that guy¡­¡±


    entered the fast digit, Mirabe raised <b>her </b><b>hand </b>to <b>cut </b><b>him </b>off, her <b>expression </b><b>quite </b>serious, Dony


    ?D


    Zach was speechless. <b>Who </b><b>could </b><b>be </b>so <b>audaciously </b>righteous?


    <b>The </b>gate <b>awung open</b>, and <b>Mirabe </b>stepped inside.


    Zach lingered <b>for </b><b>a </b>moment<b>, </b>lost <b>in </b>thought, before following her into the yard. Just then<b>, </b>the re <b>of </b><b>headlights </b><b>approached </b><b>from </b>behind, causing him to pause and turn around.


    Seeing <b>their </b>mother <b>returning</b>, <b>Zach </b>promptly opened the gate to let the car in.

 Chapter 391

    <b>Chapter </b><b>391 </b>


    Delh eased <b>her </b><b>car </b><b>into </b><b>the </b><b>garage </b><b>with </b><b>practiced </b>precision<b>, </b><b>and </b>as she <b>stepped </b><b>out </b><b>into </b><b>the </b>cool evening air<b>, </b><b>she </b><b>noticed </b><b>Zach </b>was still <b>in </b><b>the </b><b>yard</b><b>, </b><b>waiting </b><b>for </b>her. She walked <b>towards </b><b>him </b><b>with </b><b>an </b>unusual expression, <b>¡°</b><b>Why </b><b>aren¡¯t </b><b>you </b><b>inside</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Zach¡¯s </b><b>gaze lingered </b><b>on his </b>mother¡¯s <b>face </b><b>before </b><b>he </b>spoke, <b>¡°</b><b>Mom</b><b>, </b><b>did </b><b>you </b><b>meet </b><b>with Summer </b><b>tonight</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>At the </b><b>mention </b><b>of </b><b>Summer</b>, <b>a </b>shadow <b>crossed </b>Delh¡¯s face, and she took a moment before <b>nodding</b><b>, </b><b>¡°</b><b>Yeah</b><b>, </b>


    <b>she </b><b>had something </b><b>to </b><b>discuss with </b><b>me</b><b>.¡± </b>


    Zach <b>fell </b>silent <b>for </b><b>a </b>beat, ¡°About Leo, right<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>A </b><b>soft </b>hum <b>escaped </b>Delh,ced with a pang <b>of </b>sorrow. ¡°I never imagined she could do something like this<b>, </b><bpletely </b>disregarding years of sibling bonds.¡±


    <b>Had </b>it not been for the call she received from Summer, Delh would have been oblivious to the <b>online </b><b>debacle</b>, and she <b>wouldn¡¯t </b>have fathomed Summer¡¯s personality bing so radical.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably because she feels we have wronged her somehow,¡± Zach said with a calm detachment.


    He vividly remembered the day Summer turned her back on the Davis family, sneering at their modest means, eager to leave what she deemed a life too shabby for her taste.


    Despite being raised with the finest of everything, from clothes to education, she still resented their family¡¯sck <b>of </b>wealth<b>, </b>craving a life of affluence that they couldn¡¯t provide.


    What was more ludicrous was that she might¡¯ve not even remembered the reasons behind Nick¡¯s departure to a foreignnd.


    Zach collected his thoughts and asked, ¡°Mom, she wants you to get Leo to clear things up online, doesn¡¯t she<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Delh¡¯s smile was tinged with bitterness as she nodded. The daughter she had cared for had hurt her own flesh and blood; the irony of it all was not lost on her.


    Zach¡¯s lips twisted wryly. ¡°I thought as much. Everyone has to face the consequences of their actions. You <b>don¡¯t </b>have to put yourself in a difficult position over a sense of kinship that has lost its meaning.¡±


    <b>If </b>Summer had any regard for family ties, she wouldn¡¯t have done what she did. Now that she had crossed <b>that </b>line, why should they respond to her ying the family card? Forgiving her once would only pave the way for a next time.


    <b>With </b><b>a </b>shake of her head, Delh turned and walked towards the house.


    Zach watched her retreat, keenly aware of the struggle and hesitation of a mother for the child she had <b>raised </b><b>for </b>over a decade.


    <b>He </b><b>pulled </b><b>out </b>his phone and sent a text message to Summer.


    The <b>next </b><b>day</b>.


    <b>Summoning </b>all her courage, <b>Summer </b>still went <b>to </b>school. She <b>pretended </b>not to hear the <b>whispers </b><b>of </b><b>her </b>ssmates<b>, </b><b>burying </b>herself <b>in </b>her books all day. Whether she <b>absorbed </b><b>a </b><b>word </b>was <b>another </b><b>matter </b><b>entirely</b>. <b>When </b><b>the </b><b>final </b>bell rang<b>, </b>she packed up and quickly <b>left </b><b>the </b>ssroom. Zach <b>had </b><b>asked </b><b>to </b>meet her.


    <b>Descending </b><b>the </b>school <b>steps</b><b>, </b>Summer <b>ran </b>into Mirabe. Seeing Mirabe <b>suddenly </b><b>made </b><b>the </b>whispers <b>of </b><b>her </b><b>ssmates </b><b>seem </b>insignificant. <b>It </b>was <b>only </b><b>in </b><b>the </b><b>presence </b><b>of </b><b>Mirabe¡¯s </b><b>aloof </b><b>demeanor </b><b>that </b>Summer


    feit the biting <b>sting </b><b>of </b><b>humiliation</b><b>. </b>


    Clenching her fists, Summer <b>called </b>out <b>to </b>her.


    <b>nked </b><b>by </b><b>Jenna</b>, <b>Mirabe </b>gestured for <b>Jenna to </b>go ahead as she walked with Summer <b>toward </b><b>the </b><b>edges </b>of the school <b>field</b><b>, </b>where <b>they could </b>have some privacy.


    Summer <b>faced </b>Mirabe <b>with </b><b>a </b><b>gaunt </b><b>expression </b><b>devoid </b><b>of </b>her usual bravado. ¡°<b>Are </b><b>you </b><b>enjoying </b><b>this</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>Having </b><b>another episode</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Mirabe <b>arched </b>an <b>eyebrow</b><b>, </b><b>clearly </b><b>not </b>understanding why Summer <b>would </b><b>confront </b>her <b>with </b><b>threats </b>or <b>usations </b>time and <b>again</b>.


    <b>With </b><b>a </b><b>twisted smile</b><b>, </b>Summer <b>thought </b>of <b>Delh¡¯s reaction </b>the <b>previous </b>night <b>and </b><b>Zach¡¯s </b><b>invitation </b><b>to </b><b>meet </b><b>today</b><b>, </b>and <b>suddenly</b>, she threw her head back andughed.

 Chapter 392

    <b>Chapter </b><b>392 </b>


    Summer <b>tried </b><b>to </b><b>mask </b><b>the </b><b>worry </b><b>nibbling </b><b>at </b>her <b>edges </b><b>with </b>augh <b>before </b>she <b>spoke</b><b>, </b>¡°So what <b>if I¡¯m </b><b>the </b>butt <b>of </b><b>a </b><b>few </b><b>jokes </b>for now? It¡¯ll <b>all </b>blow <b>over </b><b>soon</b><b>, </b>and your <b>brothers </b><b>won¡¯t </b>hold <b>it </b><b>against </b>me.<b>¡± </b>


    <b>She </b><b>paused</b>, <b>her </b><b>gaze </b>distant<b>, </b><b>then </b><b>added, </b>¡°Even <b>if </b>you¡¯ve <b>returned </b><b>to </b><b>the </b>Davis family<b>, </b><b>don¡¯t </b><b>forget </b>I <b>also </b>spent a good chunk <b>of </b><b>my </b><b>life </b><b>there</b><b>. </b><b>A </b>small <b>slip</b><b>¨C</b><b>up and </b><b>I </b><b>bet </b><b>your </b>folks and your brothers <b>will </b><b>forgive </b><b>me </b><b>all </b><b>the </b><b>same</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Summer </b>felt <b>let down </b>by her <b>foster </b>family <b>the </b>night <b>before </b>and a sting <b>of </b>resentment for their unanswered <b>calls</b>, but Delh <b>eventually </b>showed <b>up</b><b>, </b><b>didn¡¯t </b>she<b>? </b>Delh remained silent<b>, </b>but Zach¡¯ste¨Cnight <b>text</b><b>, </b><b>asking </b>her <b>to </b>meet<b>, </b>spoke volumes. It was <b>an </b>olive branch, and Summer knew it.


    She watched Mirabe, who was idly kicking a pebble at her feet, and suddenly asked, ¡°Where did <b>you </b>get that <b>song </b><b>from</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Summer </b>had been hoping to see a flicker of discontent on Mirabe¡¯s face but was taken aback when the <b>question </b>came. Her sharp expression froze, and after a long moment, she scrutinized Mirabe with narrowed eyes. ¡°You¡¯re telling me you don¡¯t know the origins of my song?¡±


    ¡°Should <b>I</b><b>?</b>¡± Mirabe retorted with a half¨Csmile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes.


    After a brief pause, she continued slowly, ¡°Leo¡¯s tune had barely been penned, and someone had already leaked theplete track online. Doesn¡¯t that strike you as odd?¡±


    As Mirabe¡¯s words hung in the air, shock tightened Summer¡¯s grip on her own arm.


    The <b>secret </b>of Summer¡¯s rebirth was something she dared not reveal, yet Mirabe¡­ Mirabe wouldn¡¯t ask <b>such </b>a question if she had also been reborn. However, her expression seemed to suggest she knew something.


    For a moment, Summer was at a loss as to what Mirabe truly meant.


    After a beat, Summer replied coolly, ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡± She nced at her watch, adding, ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve got to run. Your dear brother, Zach, wants to meet to help me sort out this online mess.¡± With <b>that</b>, she strutted off, leaving Mirabe without a chance to respond, her pride leading the way. Mirabe watched Summer¡¯s retreating figure with an amused curl to her lips. No wonder Summer had <be </b><b>to </b>test her, questioning if she was the real Mirabe.


    Summer left school and hailed a cab on the roadside to meet Zach at the agreed¨Cupon spot. The online <b>scandal </b>had made her life with the Gilbert family rather ufortabletely; Mandy hadn¡¯t even arranged <b>for </b><b>a </b><b>driver </b>to drive her about.


    <b>Twenty </b>minutester, she arrived at a downtown restaurant known for its private dining rooms. Expecting to <b>see </b><b>only </b>Zach, Summer was taken aback to find Leo there too. She hesitated <b>at </b>the door before <b>approaching </b>and sat opposite the brothers<b>, </b>removing her sunsses and face mask. Her voice was low as <b>she </b><b>greeted</b><b>, </b><b>¡°</b>Zach, Leo¡­¡±


    <b>¡°</b><b>Don¡¯t call </b>me Leo,¡± he said, his lips tight, his tone cold.


    <b>The </b><b>color </b>drained from Summer¡¯s face as she clenched her hands on her knees<b>, </b><b>her </b><b>nails </b>digging into <b>her </b>


    <b>skin</b><b>. </b><b>He </b>was <b>so </b><b>detached </b><b>from </b>Summer yet so eager to please his real sister, Mirabe. The disparity <b>filled </b>Summer <b>with </b><b>an </b><b>intense </b>loathing.


    <b>Summer¡¯s eyes </b><b>reddened</b>, and she <b>turned </b><b>her head </b>away.


    Looking at his <b>former </b>sister, Zach felt a stir of emotion, and unlike <b>Leo</b><b>, </b>he wasn¡¯t quite as harsh.


    Adjusting his sses <b>on </b>the bridge of his nose, he broke the silence<b>, </b><b>¡°</b>I¡¯ll cut to the chase. You want <b>Leo </b><b>to </b><b>clear </b>your name publicly<b>¡­ </b>It¡¯s not impossible.¡±


    Summer¡¯s voice was tight with desperation. She asked directly, ¡°What¡¯s your condition?¡±

 Chapter 393

    <b>Chapter </b><b>393 </b>


    Zach¡¯s <b>hand </b><b>knocked against the </b>table¡¯s wooden <b>surface</b><b>, </b><b>his </b><b>fingertips </b><b>intertwined </b><b>as </b><b>he </b><b>paused </b><b>for a </b><b>long </b><b>moment </b><b>before </b><b>slowly </b><b>starting</b><b>, </b><b>¡°</b><b>Actually</b>, the Davis family and the Gilbert <b>family </b><b>don¡¯t </b><b>really </b><b>have </b><b>much </b><b>to do </b><b>with </b><b>each </b><b>other</b><b>. </b><b>And </b><b>since your </b><bst </b>name <b>is </b>actually <b>Gilbert</b><b>, </b><b>maintaining this </b><b>connection </b><b>with </b><b>my </b><b>folks</b><b>¡­ </b><b>doesn¡¯t </b><b>seem to </b><b>have </b><b>any </b><b>real </b><b>significance</b><b>, </b><b>does </b><b>it</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Summer¡¯s </b>eyelids drooped slightly, a look of destion <b>in </b>her <b>eyes</b>. She had seen this <bing</b>. He was <b>cutting </b><b>ties </b><b>with </b><b>her </b><b>for </b>good.


    <b>Taking </b>a deep breath, Summer replied, ¡°It¡¯s not up to me whether we stay connected or not. Even though <b>my </bst name is Gilbert now, my affection for the Davis family over the years still exists. Zach, if you¡¯re using <b>this </b>to weigh against the love of the past decade and a half, doesn¡¯t that seem a bit too callous<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Leo<b>, </b>who had been listening, couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brows at her words.


    ¡°Callous<b>? </b>Did <b>you </b>consider how callous you were to Leo with the stunt you pulled online?¡± Zach hadn¡¯t <b>expected </b>this kind of moral maniption from the Summer he used to know.


    ¡°I just wasn¡¯t thinking straight, and besides, it¡¯s not like it¡¯s caused any real issue now, has it? Do you really have to push me to the brink?¡± Summer¡¯s face was pale and drawn, her expression pitiable.


    ¡°Who¡¯s pushing you? Can you stop ying the victim all the time?¡± Leo had lost all respect for Summer¡¯s act. She had been ying the same role for years, making the whole family feel indebted to her.


    Summer pressed her lips together, saying nothing.


    ¡°I¡¯ve taken a look at your current situation, and if Leo doesn¡¯t press charges, you might still salvage your reputation. But if this goes legal, forget your future prospects. You¡¯ll have a permanent mark on your record,¡± Zach said coolly.


    Taking a sip of water from his ss, Zach added, ¡°Of course, being the heiress to the Gilbert family might not matter to you. After all, inheriting a fortune doesn¡¯t require a clean resume.¡±


    Hearing this, Summer¡¯s gaze returned to Zach¡¯s face. His schrly visage, which seemed so gentle and harmless, was the coldest and most ruthless in reality.


    His words sounded like an offer of choice, but in truth, they were a warning that she had none. If she could have taken over the Gilbert family¡¯s empire, she wouldn¡¯t have entered the entertainment industry in the first ce.


    Ten minutester.


    Zach and Leo exited the private room. Just a few steps down the hallway, Leo suddenly clutched his <b>stomach</b>, then said to Zach, ¡°Hey, Zach, why don¡¯t you head to the car and wait for me? My stomach¡¯s <b>acting </b>up. I¡¯ll just hit the restroom and be right back.¡±


    <b>Without </b>suspicion, Zach nodded, ¡°Sure thing.¡± With that, he made his way toward the exit.


    Once he was at a distance, Leo doubled back into the private room. After the two men left, Summer <b>slumped </b>into her chair, her body limp as if drained of all strength, her gaze unfocused. When Leo reentered, she barely registered his presence.


    ¡°Where did you <b>get </b>that song of mine from?¡± Leo asked, his <b>voice </b>steady even as he looked at Summer, <b>seemingly </b>unaffected by her disheveled state.


    There <b>was </b><b>a </b>long pause before Summer finally came back to herself<b>, </b>turning her head <b>to </b>look <b>at </b><b>Leo</b>, <b>and </b><b>scoffed</b>, ¡°I <b>wrote </b><b>it </b><b>myself</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Leo </b><b>narrowed </b>his eyes<b>. </b>¡°Impossible<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Why <b>couldn¡¯t </b>I <b>have </b><b>done </b><b>it </b><b>if </b><b>you could</b><b>? </b><b>Summer looked away</b><b>, </b><b>her </b><b>pride </b><b>evident</b>.


    After a <b>brief </b>pause<b>, </b>Summer <b>turned </b>back with <b>a </b><b>mocking </b>smile<b>, </b>¡°<b>Don¡¯t </b>tter <b>yourself </b>as <b>some </b><b>kind </b><b>of </b><b>genius</b><b>. </b><b>It¡¯s </b><b>nothing </b>special.

 Chapter 394

    <b>Chapter </b>394


    Leo furrowed <b>his </b>brow in frustration.


    Summer <b>pushed </b>herself <b>up </b>from <b>the </b><b>table</b><b>, </b><b>stood</b>, <b>and </b>grabbed her mask and sunsses <b>from </b>beside her. Without a second nce at <b>Leo</b><b>, </b><b>she </b><b>slipped </b><b>past </b><b>him </b>and <b>walked </b><b>out </b><b>of </b>the private booth.


    <b>Leo </b><b>turned </b><b>and </b>watched her leave<b>, </b>somewhat <b>dazed</b><b>. </b><b>Something </b>about <b>Summer </b>was <b>off </b><b>today</b><b>¨C</b>she was unpredictable<b>, </b><b>and </b><b>it </b>was <b>like </b><b>trying </b><b>to </b><b>read </b><b>smoke</b>.


    Shaking his head<b>, </b>Leo <b>made </b><b>his </b><b>way </b><b>out</b>.


    <b>It </b><b>had only </b>been <b>five </b>days since <b>the </b>infamous song theft incident, and Leo¡¯s rollercoaster <b>of a </b>career <b>had </b><b>plummeted </b><b>with </b><b>a </b>loss of hundreds of thousands of followers<b>, </b>only to surge back with millions of new fans <b>after </b>the <b>truth </b><b>came </b><b>to </b>light.


    The buzz <b>online </b>was all about whether Neon Paradox would disband. After all, a band known for internal disputes <b>that </b>went public was hardly likely to stick it out together.


    At the <b>Lamont </b>Entertainment office, Collins leaned against his desk.


    ¡°Are <b>you </b><b>sure </b>you want to leave the band?¡± Collins asked, eyeing Leo. He wasn¡¯t particrly surprised by his decision<b>. </b>


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Leo replied without hesitation.


    Collins<b>, </b>resting against the desk¡¯s edge, continued, ¡°Well, the higher¨Cups were nning to rece Jay and <b>have </b>scouted a new drummer. They¡¯re hoping you¡¯ll stay on as the leader.¡±


    Lounging on the couch, Leo¡¯s cool expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°No thanks, it wouldn¡¯t mean anything.¡±


    Collins stroked his chin, nodding in understanding. ¡°Alright, I respect your choice. I¡¯ll talk to the execs.¡± ¡°<b>Mm</b>.¡±


    Switching gears, Collins pulled a document from his desk drawer and handed it to Leo. ¡°Got a call from a sports brand manager. They¡¯re interested in having you and your sister shoot amercial.¡±


    <b>Leo</b>, hearing this, didn¡¯t even nce at the document before saying, ¡°Pass on it.¡±


    Collins raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why? They said your sister wouldn¡¯t need to show her face, and they¡¯re offering a <b>pretty </b>penny.¡±


    The siblings had worn a signature sportswear line in thest episode of ¡°Country Comfort,¡± and it had <b>be </b>an instant hit online. Now, the brand was knocking on their door.


    <b>¡°</b><b>My </b>sister <b>won¡¯t </b><b>do </b>it. She¡¯s not interested,¡± Leo said, shaking his head. He knew his sister well¨Cshe would find <b>it </b>too bothersome.


    <b>Collins </b>nced <b>at </b>him. ¡°Maybe I should ask her?¡±


    <b>¡°</b><b>Can¡¯t </b>I <b>do </b>it <b>alone</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b><b>Leo </b>asked<b>, </b>referencing past solo endorsements.


    At that<b>, </b><b>Collins </b>gave Leo aplicated look. <b>¡°</b>Nope, they¡¯re adamant about having both <b>of </b>you.¡±


    <b>After </b><b>a </b><b>pause</b><b>, </b><b>Collins </b><b>added</b>, To be <b>frank</b><b>, </b>there¡¯s <b>been </b><b>a </b>number <b>of </b><b>calls </b><b>from </b>brands wanting <b>to </b><b>feature </b>your sister <b>alone </b><b>in </b><b>their </b><b>ads</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Although </b>it <b>was </b><b>a </b><b>testament </b><b>to </b>his <b>sister¡¯s </b>appeal<b>, </b>Leo felt a <b>sting</b>.


    <b>¡°</b><b>You¡¯re </b><b>not </b><b>the </b><b>problem</b>, but ever <b>since </b><b>you </b><b>joined </b>¡®<b>Country </b><b>Comfort</b>¡® <b>with </b>Walker<b>, </b><b>your </b><b>image </b><b>has </b>taken <b>a </b><b>hit </b>


    Chapter <b>394 </b>


    <b>It¡¯s </b><b>a </b><b>far </b>cry <b>from </b><b>the </b>cool <b>persona </b><b>you¡¯ve </b>cultivated. <b>Standing </b>next <b>to </b>your sister<b>, </b><b>you </b>look <b>more </b><b>like </b><b>the </b>younger <b>sibling</b><b>.</b>¡± <b>Collins </b>chuckled <b>and </b>shook his head yfully.


    <b>Leo </b><b>replied </b><b>with </b><b>a </b><b>frosty </b>re, ¡°I¡¯m requesting a new agent.¡±

 Chapter 395

    <b>Chapter </b><b>395 </b>


    <b>Leo </b><b>left </b><b>Collins</b>¡® <b>office</b><b>, </b><b>his </b><b>mind </b><b>already </b><b>on </b><b>the </b><b>descent down </b>the <b>stairs</b>.


    <b>When </b><b>he reached </b>the elevator<b>, </b><b>as </b>fate would have <b>it</b><b>, </b>he <b>bumped </b><b>into </b><b>Jay¡¯s </b><b>agent</b><b>, </b>Vicky<b>, </b>who was also <b>heading </b><b>down</b>.


    <b>The </bst <b>time they¡¯d </b><b>crossed </b>paths, Vicky had taken the opportunity to kick Leo when he was down<b>, </b>so this <b>time</b><b>, </b><b>Vicky </b>saw Leo and just shot <b>him </b>a cool nce before looking away. He casually pressed the button <b>for </b>the <b>underground </b>parking, level B1, and smoothly pulled <b>a </b>face mask from his pocket, slipping <b>it </b>over his <b>nose </b><b>and </b>mouth.


    Vicky, also <b>bound for </b>the parking garage, often strutted around Collins with a cocky air. Buttely, Jay¡¯s drama had left him red¨Cfaced at the office, avoiding people when he <b>could</b>.


    Leo¡¯s nonchnt demeanor that didn¡¯t even warrant a ¡®hello, made Vicky feel a distinct difort stirring within.


    <b>Thinking </b>back to that tweet Leo had posted defending Summer, Vicky suddenly looked up, his voiceced with a sharp edge, ¡°You did it on purpose, didn¡¯t you? Letting Summer hand over that song to Jay?¡±


    <b>It </b>sounded like a question, but his tone was drenched in certainty. Leo¡¯s gazended on Vicky, but he kept silent.


    As Vicky pieced together recent events in his head, enlightenment dawned, and he chuckled, pping his forehead. ¡°I have to give it to you guys, ying dirty to kick Jay out of the band. I was wondering why you didn¡¯t step


    n as the frontman of Neon Paradox. You had it in for Jay all along, huh?¡±


    Had it not been for Leo¡¯s online show of support for Summer, Vicky might have remained in the dark about the real situation. With these thoughts, Vicky¡¯s face grew dark as storm clouds.


    Leo watched the myriad of emotions cross Vicky¡¯s face. The man¡¯s capacity for conspiracy theories, a true mark of his profession, seemed to dwarf those of any ordinary person.


    He had wanted to rify that he didn¡¯t even care for the position of band leader in Neon Paradox anymore. Still, it appeared that no exnation couldpete with Vicky¡¯s suspicion.


    The elevator soon reached level B1, and with a ¡®ding, the doors opened. Without a word, Leo stepped out and walked away.


    Vicky stood in the elevator, his gaze cold as he watched Leo¡¯s retreating figure. He snapped out of his reverie just before the doors slid shut again.


    Leo had just slipped into his car and was about to start the engine when his phone rang. He pulled it out with ease, his expression showing a flicker of surprise at the caller ID before he answered, ¡°Hey, Emmitt.¡± <b>¡°</b><b>Got </b>some time? Let¡¯s grab a bite,¡± game Emmitt¡¯s voice from the other end.


    Leo considered for a moment before replying, ¡°Sure. Shoot me the address, and I¡¯ll head over.¡±


    <b>Emmitt </b>gave him the details and after a brief pause, added, ¡°How¡¯s Mirabe doingtely?¡±


    <b>Leo </b>was taken aback by the sudden inquiry about Mirabe but quickly responded<b>, </b>¡°She¡¯s doing okay. <b>Buried </b><b>in </b>her books and cramming for her senior year of high school.¡±


    <b>After </b>a pause, he <b>added </b><b>softly</b>, ¡°Should I call Mirabe and see if she wants <b>to </b>join <b>us </b>for dinner<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Emmitt¡¯s gaze </b>dropped, his eyes lingering <b>on </b>the floor for a long moment before he finally said, ¡°No <b>need</b>. <b>Better </b>she stays <b>home </b><b>to </b>study<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Chapter <b>395 </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>Alright </b>then,¡± <b>Leo </b><b>didn¡¯t </b>push <b>the </b>issue<b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>See </b><b>you </b><b>in </b><b>a </b><b>bit</b><b>, </b><b>Emmitt</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>With </b><b>that</b><b>, </b><b>he </b><b>hung </b><b>up and </b><b>started </b>the car.

 Chapter 396

    <b>Chapter </b><b>396 </b>


    Twenty minutes <bter</b><b>, </b><b>fully </b>geared up, Leo strode into the restaurant they¡¯d agreed to meet at.


    Emmitt had arrived just moments before, having only just finished ordering their meal.


    Once the walter <b>had </b>left them in privacy, Leo finally removed his mask, hat, and sses, cing them on the chair beside him.


    ¡°D¨²de, every time we grab a bite, you¡¯re dressed like you¡¯re heading into battle. Doesn¡¯t that get exhausting<b>?</b>¡± Emmitt asked<b>, </b>pouring Leo a ss of iced tea as he spoke.


    Leo took the ss <b>and </b>sipped the refreshing drink. ¡°I¡¯m used to it now. Thanks, Emmitt.¡±


    ¡°<b>I </b><b>caught </b>that reality show you were on, you know, the one that was live¨Cstreamed. You were genuinely funny, man.¡± Emmitt leaned back, a casual smile on his handsome face.


    Leo fiddled awkwardly with his curly hair atop his head. ¡°You watch that kind of fluff?¡±


    ¡°I keep up with all your shows,¡± Emmitt replied, his expression darkening for a moment as if a shadow had crossed his thoughts.


    Catching the shift in mood, Leo nced at Emmitt and said, ¡°Honestly, Mirabe¡¯s got way more camera charm than I do. Most of the new followers I¡¯ve got are there for her. It stings a bit, you know?¡±


    Emmitt gave a nomittal hum. ¡°She is quite something.¡± Whenever he saw his siblings interact on the stream with that look of trusting adoration in their eyes, Emmitt felt a pang of envy followed by a deep sense of regret. He, too, had the chance for that once, but he had destroyed it with his own hands.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± Leo changed the subject, ¡°did you want to talk about something specific today<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Emmitt snapped out of his reverie and nced at a box resting on a nearby chair but decided against picking it up. ¡°Not really, just thought it¡¯s been a while since we had a meal and caught up.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Leo murmured, ncing out the window beside them. ¡°Has Summer reached out to you recently?¡±


    At the mention of Summer, Emmitt¡¯s face clouded over, and after a moment, he looked down, a touch of bitterness in his voice. ¡°Not much contact, no. The sister he once cherished was now a constant reminder of how blind and prejudiced he had been.


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Leo went on. ¡°Zach and I met her a few days back. I cleaned up some mess for her online, and she said she¡¯d cut ties with us, that we¡¯d be strangers from now on.¡± As he spoke, Leo shot Emmitt a sidelong nce.


    ¡°Even though she wronged me, neither Zach nor I wanted to ruin her. But she agreed to our proposal so quickly, as if all those years meant nothing to her,¡± Leo said, his mouth twisting wryly


    Emmitt looked up at his brother, fully aware of the underlying message. In the whole family, Emmitt was the one who always believed Summer, and it was often her offhandments that drove him to push Mirabe further away, to the point of <b>no </b>return. Leo was reminding Emmitt that the family bond he valued so highly meant nothing in the eyes of the sister he¡¯d loved.


    Emmitt¡¯s mouth opened, his voice rough. ¡°I know.¡±


    The conversation fell into silence, with both men lost in their thoughts and eyes downcast until the <b>quiet </b>was broken by the door opening and the waiter returning to serve their <b>food</b>.


    Leo shielded his face with his hand until the waiter left, then dropped it again just as his phone began to ring from his pocket.

 Chapter 397

    <b>Chapter </b>397


    Geo <b>fished </b><b>out </b><b>his </b>phone from his pocket, surprised to see that Nick was calling him. He quickly answered the call.


    <b>¡°</b>Nick, what¡¯s <b>up</b>? <b>You </b>never call out of the blue,¡± Leo said, curious <b>and </b>a bit amused.


    Across the table, Emmitt looked up from his te of a half¨Ceaten burger and fries, his gaze shifting to Leo<b>. </b>


    Nick, <b>gripping </b>his phone, sat hunched over hisptop, his eyes scanning an article on thetest news. ¡°I just caught wind of the buzz online,¡± he mentioned casually.


    Realization dawned on Leo. ¡°Oh, that. It¡¯s all water under the bridge now, Nick. No need to sweat it.¡±


    ¡°Be more careful next time,¡± Nick replied, his tone light. Though his face was still a shade too pale, he looked markedly healthier than before.


    ¡°Yeah, I <b>got </b>it,¡± Leo acknowledged with a nod.


    Something seemed to click in Nick¡¯s mind, prompting him to rise from his chair and push open the balcony door to step outside. ¡°By the way, how are you feeling? Did you get a check¨Cup recently? How¡¯s the recovery going?¡±


    Leo hadn¡¯t shared the details of his health with Emmitt, so he responded vaguely. ¡°I¡¯m back to a hundred percent now.¡±


    Nick paused<b>, </b>not probing further, and simply advised, ¡°Even if you¡¯re feeling better, try to avoid any rough sports for a while.¡±


    Leo tapped his nose, a signature gesture when he was about to reveal something. ¡°What I mean, Nick, is that I¡¯mpletely healed.¡±


    Nick¡¯s grip on the phone tightened. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Standing up, Leo walked over to the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, lowering his voice slightly. ¡°Mirabe hooked me up with this remedy, and after taking it, I <b>was </b>good as new. It¡¯s quite the miracle.¡±


    ¡°A remedy from Mirabe?¡± Nick sounded puzzled


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a long story. I¡¯m grabbing a bite with Emmitt right now. Do you want to say hi to him? Leo nced back at Emmitt, a gentle offer in his tone.


    ¡°No need. You two enjoy your meal. Send Emmitt my regards,¡± Nick said, his voice calm and even.


    Leo touched his nose again and replied, ¡°Will do.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it,¡± Nick said before hanging up.


    Leo pocketed his phone and returned to the <b>table</b>. ¡°That was Nick. He says hello.¡±


    Emmitt, who seemed lost in thought, nodded silently, his appetite waning as he picked at his food with his


    fork.


    After finishing their meal in quiet, they didn¡¯t linger for chitchat. Once they called the waiter over to settle the bill, they left the private dining room.


    As they stepped out of the restaurant, Leo retrieved his car keys and turned to Emmitt. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll head out now, Emmitt.¡±


    Emmitt gave a brief nod, his voice <b>filled </b>with genuine concern. ¡°Take it easy on the road.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡± Leo waved and <b>was </b>about to head to the parking lot when a waiter from the restaurant hurried out


    after them.


    ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve left something behind.¡±


    Leo stopped in his tracks and turned to see the waiter holding a beautifully wrapped box.


    Instinctively, Leo looked at Emmitt.


    Emmitt nced at the box in the waiter¡¯s hands, then quickly averted his eyes, his voice detached. ¡°Your must <b>be </b>mistaken. That¡¯s not ours.¡±


    Without another nce at the waiter, Emmitt told Leo, ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± and strode off toward the parking lot.


    The waiter, puzzled, scratched her head. ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m pretty sure this was on your table¡­¡± The private dining room had been cleaned right before their arrival; it couldn¡¯t belong to anyone else.

 Chapter 398

    Chapter <b>398 </b>


    Mirabe had just finished her dinner, a ssic meatloaf with a side of creamy mashed potatoes, <b>and </b>was <b>about </b>to head upstairs to tackle the stack of homework her teacher had assigned. But a buzz from her phone stopped her in her tracks ¨C a text from Wyatt. After a moment¡¯s thought, she didn¡¯t head upstairs but Instead walked over to her dad, who was lounging in the living room with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. ¡°<b>Dad</b><b>, </b>I¡¯m stepping out for a bit to walk off dinner<b>,</b>¡± she said.


    Her father, Shawn, looked up in mild surprise. His daughter usually retreated to her room after meals, so this sudden desire for a post¨Cdinner stroll was out of character.


    He nced regretfully at his steaming cup, thinking he could¡¯ve joined her for a walk around the neighborhood if he hadn¡¯t made coffee.


    ¡°Sure, sweetie, just be safe,¡± Shawn said with a casual wave.


    ¡°Will do,¡± Mirabe replied before heading out the door.


    As she reached the neighboring vi¡¯s gate, Wyatt was already waiting, eagerly swinging the gate open for her. They walked into the vi, one after the other.


    ¡°Hey, kiddo, have you had dinner?¡± James called out from the dining room as he spotted Mirabe. He raised an eyebrow inquisitively.


    The dining room was brightly lit, casting a glow on his strikingly handsome face, which appeared even more refined and aristocratic under the soft light.


    Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but admire him for a moment before answering, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve eaten.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a shame. I <b>was </b>hoping you¡¯d try the chef¡¯s new recipe,¡± James said, ncing at the sumptuous spread on the table.!


    She shot him a <b>look </b>and said rather bluntly. ¡°Then it doesn¡¯t seem like you were really sincere about inviting me over for dinner.¡±


    James¡® eyebrows arched yfully. ¡°How about I sincerely invite you for dinner tomorrow evening? Would


    that work<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe waved it off as she walked towards the living room. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m swamped<b>.</b>¡±


    A smirk tugged at James¡® lips as he watched her settle onto the couch with easy grace. Shaking his head with amusement, he pulled out a chair and sat down to eat in peaceful silence.


    Once seated, Mirabe pulled out her phone and opened a game, ready to dive into a team battle, but a notification from Messenger popped up. She tapped it open.


    LIN: [Mirabe, Leo said that some medicine you gave him totally fixed him up?]


    Ever the research fanatic, Nick couldn¡¯t shake off the words his brother had mentioned during theirst call. So he decided to get straight to the point <b>and </b>messaged his sister directly.


    Mirabe pondered for a couple of seconds before slowly typing back. [Leo wasn¡¯t that sick to begin with. He just had a hard¨Cto¨Cdetect poisoning.]


    Nick was even more surprised, [Poisoning? I didn¡¯t detect any poison when I examined him before. How could he have been poisoned?]


    After a pause, he typed another message. [Was it a reaction to the medicines?]


    If the toxin from Sce Stem was that easy to detect, it <b>wouldn¡¯t </b><b>be </b>known as a high¨Cgrade poison. Mirabe, of course, wasn¡¯t going to spill the beans <b>and </b>simply replied. [Not really, maybe Leo just had


    some <b>bad </b>luck with a backstabber.]


    Wyatt brought over a ss of water <i>for </i>Mirabe, and she looked up to thank him before diving back into her messaging<b>. </b>


    Wyatt couldn¡¯t help but nce at her phone screen, noticing she was deeply engrossed in her conversation <b>on </b>Messenger. Touching his nose thoughtfully, he walked away.


    Curtis sat with aptop perched on his knees and a headset on, asionally speaking into the mic.


    Wyatt leaned against a nearby cab and asked, ¡°Curtis, do you think you, as aputer hacker, could hack into someone¡¯s phone to see what they¡¯re chatting about?¡±


    Curtis lifted one side of his headset and looked at Wyatt. ¡°What did you say?¡±

 Chapter 399

    <b>Chapter </b><b>399 </b>


    Wyatt shed an awkward smile at Curtis, who hadn¡¯t heard his previous mumble <b>and </b>shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Curtis <b>nced </b><b>at </b>him and put his headphones back on. ¡°Don¡¯t bother me if it¡¯s nothing<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>His </b>voice dripped with annoyance.


    Wyatt craned his neck to peek at Curtis¡®puter screen, which was covered with what looked like gibberish running amok, and asked<b>, </b>¡°What are you hacking into now?¡±


    Curtis¡® noise¨Ccancelling headphones,bined with the sounds already ying in his ears, meant he didn¡¯t hear Wyatt¡¯s question. With Curtis¡® dismissive attitude and iprehensible chaos on the screen, Wyatt pursed his lips and walked back out of the den.


    No sooner had he left than the number seven shed on Curtis¡®puter screen. He sighed at the sight.


    Still in seventh ce.


    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what insane levels the top two hackers on the leaderboard had concocted that seemed imprable. Curtis took off his headphones and closed hisptop, setting it aside on the desk.


    James had finished his dinner and wandered into the living room, where he caught a glimpse of Mirabe curled upzily on the couch, engrossed in her phone. He paused briefly.


    She was swathed in an oversized hoodie, which made her look rather petite. Strands of her long hair fell across her delicate profile, adding to the tranquility of the scene.


    Feeling his gaze, Mirabe looked up, her eyebrows arching in question at the sight of James standing still.


    James¡® eyes narrowed slightly, and he walked over, settling down not far from her. He draped his arm casually over the back of the couch, his posture rxed as he nced at the TV and asked nonchntly. ¡°Wanna watch something?¡±


    Mirabe chuckled, and she tucked her phone into her jacket pocket. Shifting closer to James, she said, ¡°No need for TV, but I do need to check your pulse.¡°,


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    James sat up a little, extending his hand toward her, his voice soft, ¡°Then take a good look¡°>


    Mirabe nced at him and then ced her fingers on his wrist. A few secondster, she withdrew her hand, ¡°You¡¯re just a bit stressed, nothing else.¡±


    Wyatt, who had been listening, asked, ¡°What does that mean exactly?¡±


    It sounded¡­ well, a bit suggestive to him.


    Wyatt nced at his boss¡® lower abdomen. Noticing his gaze, James¡® face darkened instantly.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her response tinged with amusement, ¡°Google it, and you¡¯ll find everything.¡± Hearing this, Wyatt shook his head. It was probably something that would wound James¡® pride; <b>it </b>was best not to look it up. But Wyatt couldn¡¯t help but wonder how James ended up ¡®stressed?¡®


    Pondering and stroking his chin, Wyatt asked again, ¡°So, how do we fix this?¡±


    James massaged his temples. ¡°You could start by being quiet.¡±


    Wyatt immediately mped his mouth shut.


    Mirabe looked sideways at James, noting a faint blush on his ears. Was this man actually <b>capable </b>of


    Chapter <b>199 </b>


    feeling shy?


    As she caught James¡® eye, he covered his mouth and coughed. His features flushed a deeper shade of red, inexplicably enchanting.


    Mirabe averted her gaze, slid her legs off the couch, slipped on her <b>slippers</b>, and stood up.


    After a moment of thought, she said, ¡°I¡¯lle by tomorrow to give you another acupuncture session, but you¡¯ll need to prepare some herbs. I¡¯ll send you a list on Messenger.¡±

 Chapter 400

    <b>Chapter </b><b>400 </b>


    James cleared his throat with a hint of formality. ¡°<b>Alright</b>.¡±


    should be heading out, Mirabe said, giving a casual wave as she stood up.


    James rose to his feet, his movements measured and calm. ¡°Let me walk you out.¡±


    <b>No </b>need<b>, </b>Mirabe replied with a shake of her head, already sidestepping him to make her exit<b>. </b>


    <b>Her </b>slippers betrayed her, catching on the rug and causing her to stagger. Before she could regain her. bnce, <b>a </b>firm grip encircled her arm, steadying her. ¡°Watch your step,¡± came a deep voice from above.


    Lifting her gaze, Mirabe locked eyes with James¡® prating stare. She paused momentarily, then straightened up. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    James let go, the very picture of a gentleman. ¡°No problem at all.¡±


    ¡°Off I go,¡± she dered<b>, </b>this time with noticeably more care. A few stepster, she ran into Curtis, who emerged clutching hisptop. He offered her a polite nod in greeting.


    Mirabe returned the gesture, but as she passed by Curtis, a glimpse of hisptop screen made her hesitate. She turned back to look at hisputer.


    Curtis, sensing her scrutiny, looked up with a quizzical expression. ¡°Ms. Mirabe?¡±


    She pointed at his screen. ¡°Is yourputer frozen?¡±


    The screen was a void of ck, save for the flickering characters. Curtis¡® mouth twitched in a wry smile. Not everyone was a tech wizard, and he didn¡¯t bother to exin. Instead, he just nodded nomittally.


    Mirabe withdrew her gaze, her expression neutral, and continued toward the front door.


    After she had gone, Curtis, with aptop in his arms, joined James in the living room.


    James nced at him. ¡°Still trying to break the record?¡±


    Curtis, eyes on the code running automatically on his screen, grunted in affirmation. ¡°Whoever this ¡®Y¡® is, they¡¯re a coding genius. Their firewall is imprable.¡®


    Leaning back on the couch, James tapped his fingers idly on his knee. ¡°If it were easy to crack, you would¡¯ve taken the top spot by now.¡±


    Curtis looked down, stung by the truth in James¡® words, too embarrassed to admit that after weeks of trying, he <b>was </b>still clueless.


    Wyatt, who had been glued to his phone, suddenly chimed in. ¡°Just got a message. Donald¡¯sing.¡±


    Curtis nearly dropped hisptop, <b>his </b>cheeks twitching. ¡°Who did you say ising?¡±


    ¡°Donald,¡± Wyatt said, his face a picture of doom. ¡°I hope he hasn¡¯t noticed his favorite tea is gone.¡±


    Curtis shivered and turned to his boss. ¡°Boss, I request a transfer to Antarctica. Effective immediately.¡±


    Wyatt¡¯s lips twisted. ¡°That¡¯s harsh.¡±


    James gave Curtis a fleeting look before turning to Wyatt. ¡°When¡¯s he arriving?¡±


    Wyatt shook his head, his voice low. ¡°No exact time. Could be tomorrow, the day after, or next week.¡±


    James leaned back, rubbing his temples in frustration. ¡°Keep an eye out.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Tout or the w, Mirebzeha


    and Zach, who m


    ling but?¡± the inquired, thinking of

 Chapter 401

    one


    Chapter <b>401 </b>


    was carrying <b>a </b><b>paper </b><b>bag</b>, his <b>grip </b>firm yet <b>casual</b>. <b>As </b><b>he </b><b>caught </b>sight <b>of </b><b>his </b>sister, he quickly stashed it Wind his back, cutting off her line of <b>sight</b><b>. </b>¡°<b>Ah</b><b>, </b>I¡¯m not heading <b>out</b><b>, </b>just <b>thinking </b>of taking a stroll <b>around </b>


    block


    Mirabe¡¯s delicate features were etched with suspicion. <b>She </b>nced at the hand he had concealed <b>and </b>


    <b>Ild</b>, ¡°Oh, well, enjoy your <b>walk </b>then.¡± With that, she <b>stepped </b>aside, clearing the path with a considerate and sweet demeanor.


    <b>Zach </b>stood <b>rooted </b>to the spot, torn between going <b>and </b>staying since he never intended to take a walk in the first ce.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Zach?¡±


    ¡°I suddenly don¡¯t feel like walking anymore,¡± he blurted out, pivoting back toward the house.


    Back in the living room, Shawn, noticing Zach¡¯s swift return, set his tea cup aside and <b>asked </b>with a tinge of curiosity. ¡°Weren¡¯t you going to visit the neighbors next door?¡±


    Following Zach, Mirabe paused briefly, her gaze shifting to his retreating figure. Her eyes narrowed,nding on the paper bag in his hand. Was he not out for a walk?


    ??


    Sensing the scrutiny from behind, Zach felt a flicker of guilt and, without turning around, mumbled to Shawn, ¡°It¡¯s gotten toote. I¡¯ll go another day¡±


    ¡°I did mention it was gettingte, but you wouldn¡¯t listen.¡± Shawn shook his head in mild reproof. Zach was speechless. Great, his dad was the master of timing.


    With a half¨Csmile, Mirabe sidled up to Zach, her tall frame exuding none of the frailty her gender might suggest. Shezily slung an arm over his shoulder. ¡®Zach, how about I apany you to the neighbors¡® right now?¡±


    At her touch, Zach nearly jerked away on reflex. Turning to face Mirabe, whose expression seemed harmless enough, he couldn¡¯t shake off an eerie feeling.¡°. Let¡¯s not.¡±


    His reply came off as forced and awkward. Who would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d be intimidated by his sister, who was always so well¨Cbehaved and adorable? It was a story no one would believe.


    Delh, carrying a te of freshly sliced fruit, observed her daughter and son standing close in a seemingly affectionate exchange. She ced the fruit on the coffee table and remarked to her husband, ¡°Zach and our little girl are growing closer by the day.¡±


    2 22 ¡À 25 ~ ? 8 9 5 5e


    Zach, wearing a look of inner turmoil, held his tongue.


    Shawn, who had just prepared two cups of coffee, put one back on the tray. He looked at his daughter with a gentle expression. ¡°Mira,e have some coffee.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Mirabe obediently nodded, withdrawing her arm from Zach¡¯s shoulder to sit down beside Shawn.


    Shawn poured the coffee for himself, Mira and his wife.


    Standing aside and slowly realizing something was amiss, Zach adjusted his sses. Had his father forgotten something? Didn¡¯t Zach need coffee, too?


    Shawn, oblivious to his son¡¯s expectant gaze, remembered something else. He stood and retrieved a square box from a nearby cab,


    ¡°Mira, give this to your ssmate¡¯s dad. The one who gave you that paintingst time,¡± Shawn handed over


    the box.


    <b>11:02 </b>


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 402

    estiled back <b>onto </b>the couch with a sigh and reolled<b>, </b><b>¡°</b><b>Just </b>a pen.¡±


    who <b>cherished </b>collecting masterces from renowned artists generally hailed from <b>cultured </b><b>and </b>schrly families, <b>and </b>gifting something as sophisticated as an item from a writer¡¯s <b>set </b>was the perfect touch.


    Mirabe <b>nodded</b>, not probing further. She drained herst cup of tea and stood <b><i>up </i></b><b>room</b>. Still got two essays to finish.¡±


    ¡°<b>Alright</b>, <b>don¡¯t </b>stay up too <bte</b>,¡± Shawn <b>cautioned</b>.


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m heading to my.


    With a polite nod to the others in the living room, Mirabe quickly gathered her things and retreated to her


    room<b>. </b>


    After a refreshing shower, she sat down at herputer desk, booted up herptop, and entered safe <b>mode </b>to punch in a series ofmands.


    The screen soon turned <b>ck</b>, flickering with lines of code not much different from what she had seen on Curtis¡®puter next door.


    A minuteter, the disy shifted, filling with dense data parameters. After contemting briefly, Mirabe tweaked the firewall settings slightly. With the changes made, she hit the confirm button.


    Theputer was off in no time, and Mirabe pulled out two essays from her bag, burying herself in academia.


    Halfway through the first essay, her phone on the desk buzzed. She paused, nced at the screen, but ignored it, focusing on her writing.


    Only afterpleting the second essay did she leisurely pick up her phone and check the messages.


    Unknown sender: [Kid, can¡¯t sleep without showing off your tech skills, huh?)


    Unknown sender: [How about a little respect for the hard work of all the hackers out there, okay?)


    Mirabe¡¯s brows arched slightly, her slender fingers dancing across the keyboard as she typed back: [Oh, no can do. Even a kid¡¯s gotta level up]


    Unknown sender: [¡­¡­ Friggin¡® unbelievable!]


    Elsewhere, Curtis¡® eyes were aze with excitement as he stared at hisputer screen, fingers flying over the keyboard. After half a month, he was on the verge of cracking the first level of security, a breakthrough that would bump him up in the rankings.


    He took a deep breath and hit the enter key for the final step, but <b>instead </b>of the anticipated sess message, a ring red exmation mark popped up on the screen, freezing his triumphant expression <b>into </b>one of disbelief.


    Failure<b>? </b>


    Curtis rubbed his eyes. Was he seeing things? How could he have failed?


    Wyatt, who was slumped over the back of his chair, yawning and resting his chin on his arms, askedzily, ¡°Curtis, did you crack it yet<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Turning his head toward theputer, with half¨Clidded eyes, he caught sight of the red exmation mark


    11:02:


    ond shifted in his seat, saying, ¡°Another fail<b>, </b>huh?¡±


    Curtis pressed his lips together and sat in silence. The screen quickly reset to the <b>initial </b>interface, but <b>now </b>the difficulty level had changed from A to A+.


    Curtis, with a dark expression, was <b>at </b>a loss for words. Dammit, could someone exin why the difficulty¨C level just spiked out of nowhere?!


    He was so <b>close</b>!


    Wyatt nced at Curtis, touched his nose, and muttered with a hint of skepticism, ¡°Curtis, it seems like your skills are also¡­ kinda not up to par.¡±


    Curtis¡® temple twitched, and he mmed hisptop shut, turning a steely gaze on Wyatt. His tone wasced with threat. <b>¡°</b>You think you¡¯re better? Be my guest!¡±


    Wyatt recoiled slightly. It was just another failed attempt, not the first nor probably thest. Why the rage?

 Chapter 403

    Chapter <b>403 </b>


    The next <b>day</b><b>. </b>


    Mirabe, clutching the box Shawn had given her the night before, arrived at school and ced it directly <b>on </b><b>Jenna¡¯s </b>desk.


    Jenna nced at the wooden box, her bright eyes clouded with confusion. She turned her <b>head </b><b>and </b>fixed <b>her </b>gaze on Mirabe. <b>¡°</b>Queen Mira, what¡¯s this?¡±


    Mirabe set her bag down beside the <b>box </b>and replied in an unhurried tone, ¡°This is my dad¡¯s return gift for your <b>dad</b>. It¡¯s for that painting you gave mest time<b>.</b>¡±


    Jenna touched the tip of her nose, took the box, and upon opening it, found a pen that looked quite ancient. Although she wasn¡¯t much into antiques, she could tell it must be valuable.


    After closing the lid, Jenna pushed the box back, saying earnestly, ¡°No need for a return gift. You take this back.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her pale fingers tapping lightly on the desktop. ¡°Taking it back would mean tossing it in the trash. Are you sure?¡±


    Jenna¡¯s lips twitched when she realized Mirabe wasn¡¯t joking; she reluctantly took the <b>box </b>back, muttering. ¡°Rich people, always so capricious!¡±


    Mirabe just smiled without a word.


    After Jenna put the box away, she seemed to remember something and whispered, ¡°Queen Mira, I have a small favor to ask.¡±


    Mirabe tilted her head toward her. ¡°Ask away.¡±


    Jenna cleared her throat and said, ¡°My cousin is a huge fan of your brother, right? Her birthday ising up, and I have no idea what to get her. Could I possibly get an autograph from your bro?¡±


    ¡°When do you need it?¡± asked Mirabe. She whipped out her phone, shooting a message to Leo.


    Jenna quickly added, ¡°No rush, whenever he has the time is fine by me.¡±


    Leo didn¡¯t reply to the message, and after Mirabe put away her phone, she hummed in acknowledgment.


    ¡°By the way, Queen Mira, do you have a Twitter ount? Jenna asked again.


    Mirabe nced at her. ¡°No, not into it.¡±


    Jenna pped her forehead, almost forgetting that her desk mate was like a cave dweller when it came to social media. ¡°Why don¡¯t you set one up? After your appearance on that live show, so many fans online are begging for your contact info,¡± Jenna suggested.


    ¡°No thanks.¡±


    ¡°If you did, I bet you¡¯d get at least a million followers, easily outshining Summer,¡± Jenna mused<b>, </b>resting her


    <b>chin </b>in her hand.


    At that, Mirabe just gave a half¨Csmile. ¡°Ms. Jenna, if you¡¯ve got time to burn, I¡¯ve got two boxes of exams that need practice.¡±


    At the mention of exams, Jenna mmed up instantly.


    Mirabe was a devil. She was always threatening with exam papers.


    11.02


    Come <b>noon</b><b>, </b>Mirabe received a call from Collins<b>, </b>who was <bing </b>to <b>deliver </b><b>Leo¡¯s autograph</b>. <b>After </b><b>lunch</b>, she made her way to the school¡¯s main entrance to wait. She <b>waited </b>a few minutes before Collins showed


    Been waiting long?¡± Collins handed the paper bag to Mirabe.


    ¡°<b>Not </b>really, thanks for making the trip, Collins, Mirabe said politely, nodding her thanks without pe¨¦ring into the bag.


    Collins scratched <b>his </b><b>head </b>and smiled. ¡°No problem, it was on my way


    He then took a few more nces at Mirabe, who looked so stylish even in in school attire. No wonder sportswear brands wanted her; they had spotted her charm right away.


    Noticing Collins¡® odd look, Mirabe called out, ¡°Collins?¡±


    <b>Collins </b>snapped back to reality, expressing his regret, ¡°It¡¯s a pity you and your brother turned down the sportswear ad deal.¡±


    1

 Chapter 404

    <b>Chapter </b><b>404 </b>


    Mitabe <b>eyed </b><b>Collins </b><b>with </b><b>a </b><b>quizzical </b><b>expression </b>etched <b>on </b>her <b>delicate </b>features<b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>What </b>


    ad?


    <b>Collins </b><b>was </b>taken <b>aback </b><b>by </b>her <b>ignorance </b><b>and </b><b>let </b><b>out </b><b>an </b>¡°Ah<b>¡® </b><b>before exining</b>, <b>¡°</b><b>Didn¡¯t </b><b>your brother </b><b>mention </b><b>it</b><b>? </b><b>A </b><b>sports brand </b><b>wants </b><b>both </b><b>of </b><b>you </b><b>for </b><b>a </bmercial<b>. </b><b>You </b><b>don¡¯t </b><b>even </b><b>have </b><b>to </b><b>show your </b>face<b>, </b><b>and </b>they¡¯re offering <b>a </b>pretty <b>penny for </b>it.¡±


    <b>The </b><b>only </b>thing Mirabe caught was the phrase<b>, </b><b>¡®</b>They¡¯re offering <b>a </b>pretty <b>penny</b><b>.¡¯ </b>After a <b>brief </b>silence<b>, </b>she probed, ¡°How much are we talking<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Collins </b>gestured with his hand, a five.


    Half a mil? Could she just stand in front of a camera, face hidden<b>, </b>and earn half a mil<b>? </b>


    Suddenly, Mirabe realized how lucrative showbiz could be. Snapping back to reality<b>, </b>she remembered Collins¡® earlier words, ¡°So, the ad got turned down<b>?</b>¡±


    Collins nodded, ¡°Your brother said you wouldn¡¯t be interested and it would be too much of a hassle, and he declined.¡± Shaking his head with a sigh, he added, ¡°Five million in ad money, gone. Talk about capricious.¡±


    Five million!


    Mirabe felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. Knife, please? She was ready to sever all ties of kinship right then and there!


    ¡°Mirabe, I¡¯ve gotta head out. I got a flight to catch. You should get back to campus,¡± Collins waved at Mirabe and started to walk away.


    Watching his retreating figure, she was consumed by one thought, Her five million couldn¡¯t just disappear into thin air!


    ¡°Collins, wait,¡± she called out.


    Collins paused and looked back at Mirabe. ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Is there any way to get the ad deal back on the table?¡± Mirabe asked with a dead<b>¨C</b>serious face.


    Collins was momentarily taken aback but quickly got the gist. ¡°You want to take the gig?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely!¡± she nodded firmly.


    <b>¡°</b><b>I¡¯ll </b>talk to the brand and see what I can do. I¡¯ll let you know, okay<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    8 2 F F 3 S


    <b>¡°</b>Thanks, Collins.¡±


    <b>¡°</b><b>No </b>problem. I¡¯m off then<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Sure<b>.¡± </b>


    <b>10:28 </b>


    Mirabe watched Collins disappear before turning on her heel and striding <b>lightly </b>back Into <b>the school</b><b>, </b>her <b>mood </b>significantly brighter than before.


    As she <b>entered </b><b>the campus</b><b>, </b>she <b>hadn¡¯t </b>walked far when an elderly figure, hair silvered with <b>age and </b>leaning on a <b>cane</b><b>, </b>shuffled towards her.


    Mirabe spared the <b>old </b><b>man a </b><b>nce</b><b>, </b>then<b>, </b>as they drew closer, politely stepped aside to <b>let </b><b>him pass </b>first.


    <b>The old </b><b>man¡¯s </b>movements <b>were </b><b>painfully </b><b>slow</b>, and just as he was passing by Mirabe, <b>he suddenly </b>lurched <b>towards </b>her.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes narrowed, and the words ¡®con artist¡® shed through her mind. She thought <b>to </b>of stepping back, but noticing his hunched and hobbling figure, she still reached <b>out </b><b>to </b>steady him.


    ¡°<b>Old </b><b>man</b><b>, </b>just so you know<b>, </b>I¡¯m just a student. I don¡¯t have money,¡± Mirabe stated sternly.


    Her message was clear. She was the wrong target for his scam.


    The <b>old </b>man had been contemting a con, but now<i>¡­ </i>he felt oddlypelled to go through with it. Thus, his cane ttered to the ground, and he let his body lean heavily towards Mirabe. ¡°Ouch, my dear, you¡¯ve bumped into me!¡±


    <b>¡°</b><b>My </b>chest hurts, and I¡¯m feeling dizzy. Oh no, I think my high blood pressure and heart disease have red up because of you..¡±

 Chapter 405

    Chapter <b>405 </b>


    <b>Mirabe¡¯s </b><b>expression </b><b>darkened </b><b>the </b>moment she heard <b>the </b><b>old </b>man¡¯s <b>tant </b>lie.


    <b>Why </b><b>on </b>earth <b>had </b>she reached <b>out </b><b>to </b><b>help him</b><b>? </b>She <b>hadn¡¯t </b>even pocketed <b>the </b><b>five </b>million <b>from </b><b>the ad deal </b>yet, and was <b>this </b><b>already </b><b>shaping </b><b>up </b><b>to </b>be a <b>financial </b>fiasco?


    <b>¡°</b>Sir, this is a <b>school</b><b>, </b><b>and there </b><b>are </b>cameras <b>everywhere</b>. Your scam is <b>pointless</b><b>!</b>¡± Mirabe <b>ground </b><b>out </b><b>through </b>clenched teeth.


    <b>The old </b>man¡¯s eyes widened then narrowed, his voice whining and <b>wheezing</b><b>, </b><b>¡°</b><b>Oh</b>, <b>my </b><b>head </b><b>is </b><b>spinning</b>¡­ I feel <b>so </b>unwell¡­ <b>You </b>can¡¯t <b>just </b>walk away after knocking me <b>over</b><b>¡­</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe was speechless.


    There <b>weren¡¯t </b>many students milling about the campus at this time. Still, <b>the </b>few who were there hesitated to approach, seeing Mirabe holding onto the elderly man who wasining <b>of </b>feeling unwell. Nheless, a responsible student quickly whipped out their phone and dialed for an ambnce.


    <b>Unable </b><b>to </b>free herself without seeming forceful, Mirabe found herself inexplicably roped <b>into </b>the old man¡¯s charade. Before she knew it, she was being tugged into the ambnce alongside him.


    Even when they arrived at the hospital for a check¨Cup, the man wouldn¡¯t let go of her hand, iming he feared she might flee.


    <b>In </b><b>the </b>hospital room, post¨Cexamination.


    Mirabe sat stone¨Cfaced, gazing at the old man who was now making himself <bfortable </b>in the hospital bed, still clutching her clothes.


    <b>¡°</b><b>I </b><b>want </b>some fruit sd; you better go get me some,¡± the old man demanded with no hint <b>of </b>politeness.


    <b>¡°</b><b>I¡¯m </b>broke<b>, </b><b>got </b><b>nothing</b><b>, </b><b>so </b>forget about it!¡± Mirabe replied coldly.


    <b>¡°You </b><b>knocked </b>me down, and you¡¯re still so brash, not a shred of respect <b>for </b><b>the old </b>man huffed, <b>trying </b><b>to </b>provoke her.


    your elders!¡±


    ¡°<b>Sorry</b><b>, </b>but in all my years, I¡¯ve never seen someone as audacious and scammy as you,¡± <b>Mirabe </b>shot back.


    A flicker <b>of </b><b>guilt </b>crossed the <b>old </b>man¡¯s eyes<b>, </b><b>but </b><b>his </b><b>face </b>remained <b>defiant</b><b>. </b>¡°<b>I </b><b>don¡¯t </b><b>care</b><b>. </b><b>You </b><b>hit me</b><b>, </b><b>and </b><b>it¡¯s </b>your job <b>to </b>take <b>care </b><b>of </b><b>me </b><b>now</b>.¡±


    <b>He </b><b>paused</b><b>, </b>then <b>added</b><b>, </b><b>¡°</b><b>Otherwise</b><b>, </b><b>I¡¯ll </b><b>go </b><b>to </b><b>your </b><b>school </b><b>and </b>make <b>a </b>scene <b>every </b><b>day</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>Be </b><b>my </b><b>guest</b>!¡± Mirabe <b>shrugged </b>nonchntly<b>, </b>then <b>stood </b><b>up</b><b>, </b>easily <b>pulling </b><b>her </b><b>clothing </b>


    1028


    <b>from </b><b>his </b><b>grasp</b>.


    <b>The </b><b>old </b><b>man </b><b>sat </b><b>upright </b><b>in </b><b>rm</b><b>, </b><b>pursing </b><b>his </b><b>lips </b><b>and </b>staring at Mirabe, ¡°Trying to make a <b>run for </b><b>it</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Mirabe </b><b>nced </b>back at <b>him </b>emotionlessly <b>and </b><b>said</b>, <b>¡°</b>Yes.¡± After smoothing out her <b>clothes</b>, she added, ¡°Taking <b>you </b><b>to </b><b>the </b>hospital was purely out of goodwill. Don¡¯t think for <b>a </b>moment that you¡¯ve got <b>one </b>over <b>on </b>me.¡±


    <b>She </b><b>pulled </b>out her phone, tapped on the keypad with thest ounce of her patience, and asked, ¡°So<b>, </b>what¡¯s your family¡¯s phone number?¡±


    <b>At </b><b>that</b>, <b>the </b>old man lying in the bed fell silent. He slid down, pulled the nket over <b>himself</b><b>, </b>and turned his back to Mirabe.


    ¡°Just leave me be. Let this lonely old man fade away on his own,¡± he mumbled miserably.


    Mirabe massaged her temples. In the past, she would¡¯ve walked away without a second thought, but now she was somehow letting this man take advantage of her.


    Checking the time, she gave him onest look and said, ¡°Well, you take care. I¡¯ve got sses to attend.¡± With that, she strode out of the room.


    The sound of the door closing echoed through the hall.


    Was she really gone?


    The old man¡¯s eyes shot open, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly threw off the nket and sat up with surprising agility.


    Had Mirabe been there, she would have seen that the old man had none of the frailty he had feigned earlier. His movements were quick and nothing like the slow<i>, </i>shuffling gait he <b>had </b>pretended to have.

 Chapter 406

    <b>Chapter 406 </b>


    Mirabe retraced her steps after <b>nearly </b>reaching <b>the </b>elevator. <b>She </b><b>decided </b><b>to </b><b>stop </b>by <b>the </b>nurse¡¯s station to leave a fewst¨Cminute instructions before finally departing the <b>hospital</b>. <b>By </b>the time she made it back to <b>school</b><b>, </b>the third <b>afternoon </b><b>ss </b>was well underway. <b>During </b>the break, Mirabe handed Jenna the autograph that Collins had brought for her <b>and </b>then slumped onto her desk with exhaustion.


    Jenna<b>, </b>puzzled and not bothering to look at the autographed item, asked, ¡°Queen Mira, how on earth did you manage to bump into an old man on campus today?¡±


    The news of a student colliding with an elderly person and summoning an ambnce had <b>already </b>spread like wildfire through Parkside High School. However, Jenna had never imagined the student involved would be Mirabe.


    Mirabe turned her head, her usually expressive face now void of emotion. ¡°I¡¯m just as mystified as you are about why such an old man would even be at the school!¡± It almost seemed like he was lying in wait to collide with her.


    Jenna touched her nose thoughtfully, ¡°Maybe he is a student¡¯s rtive? But he¡¯s okay, right?<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe shot Jenna a look that clearlymunicated her annoyance. ¡°You should be asking if I¡¯m okay.¡±


    She was the one who had been targeted. She was the one who had been falsely used. She was the actual victim here.


    Jenna coughed softly, aware of the dangerous edge to Mira¡¯s aura, and muttered, ¡°But the whole school is buzzing with the story that you were the one who hit him.¡±


    Mirabe scowled. She knew that these old men were nothing but trouble.


    ¡°If there¡¯s a misunderstanding, we need to get the security footage from the teachers. A collision like this involving an old man is serious. It can lead to all kinds of public bacsh,¡± Jenna added.


    Mirabe was silent for a few seconds before standing up and heading for the ssroom door.


    <b>Jenna</b><b>, </b><b>startled</b>, called after her, ¡°Queen Mira, where are you going?¡±


    Without turning back, Mirabe waved her hand dismissively and said, ¡°To check the <b>surveince</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Minutes <bter</b><b>, </b><b>in </b>the school¡¯s security office.


    ¡°<b>I¡¯m </b>sorry<b>, </b><b>but </b><b>there </b>are no cameras covering that particr area,¡± the security guard


    10-391


    Informed <b>her </b>with regret<b>. </b>


    <b>Security </b>was already aware of the incident between Mirabe and the old man. The


    the ambnce arrived


    administration <b>had </b>reviewed the surveince footage whe


    Mirabe nced over the divided screens of severalputers, confirming that there was no footage of <b>the </b>corridor she had walked through. The collision couldn¡¯t have been more meticulously nned.


    <b>Ate </b>expressed her concern, ¡°Mirabe, did the hospital find anything wrong with the <b>old </b>man<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    She trusted Mirabe, but the incident involved an elderly person and urred in a blind <b>spot </b>without surveince. If the man insisted Mirabe had hit him, it could be difficult to clear her name.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s fine with him,¡± Mirabe replied tersely, She knew medicine. She could precisely tell the old man¡¯s condition herself. Besides, she had only offered assistance and not caused any harm.


    Relieved, Ate said, ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Don¡¯t worry, if the manes looking for trouble,e to us. After all, this happened on school grounds, and we won¡¯t ignore it.¡±


    Mirabe nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Ate smiled, ¡°No need to thank me. It¡¯s part of our job. It¡¯s a shame Mr. Hammond was out this afternoon; otherwise, I would have discussed the situation with him.¡± Ate was aware of Mr. Hammond¡¯s high regard for Mirabe.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. There¡¯s no need to trouble Mr. Hammond,¡± Mirabe said with a slight smile.


    After school, Mirabe went straight home, pushing the unpleasant incident with the shady old man to the back of her mind. She had an appointment to administer acupuncture to James, so after dinner, she made up an excuse and slipped out the door.


    Next door, in James¡® bedroom.


    ¡°You seem a bit off today. Did something happen?¡± James asked, propped against the <b>headboard</b>, watching Mirabe sterilize her silver needles.


    How could she openly discuss being the target of a scam? Mirabe pressed her <b>lips </b>together, remaining silent. Her beautiful face was a mask of cool detachment, practically <b>emzoned </b>with the words ¡®Do Not Disturb, as the silver needles in her hands gleamed <b>ominously under </b>the light.


    <b>James</b>¡® <b>forehead </b>twitched more with each nce at the sharp instruments, and <b>he </b>suggested, ¡°Maybe <b>we </b>could <b>postpone </b>the session <b>till </b><b>tomorrow</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe nced <b>at </b><b>James</b>, <b>her </b>tone allowing no argument. <b>¡°</b><b>Lie </b><b>down</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>James </b><bplied</b><b>, </b>albeit reluctantly<b>. </b>Mirabe was downright intimidating when <b>she </b><b>was </b><b>like </b><b>this</b>.


    <b>James</b>¡® acupuncture <b>session </b>was focused on the trauma and hidden ailments within his body. <b>While </b>she wasn¡¯t particrly interested in the details of his background, the old <b>injuries </b><b>told </b>her he was no ordinary person<b>, </b>especially considering the respect he received from someone like Curtis.


    <b>Just </b>as with <b>the </b>previous session, the needles were inserted and probed, and the entire <b>process </b>took nearly two hours.


    After removing thest needle, Mirabe¡¯s face was visibly pale, and a fine sheen of sweat coated her forehead. After a brief rest, she instructed Wyatt to add the medicinal


    concoction to a prepared bath.


    The final step was a medicinal soakbined with acupuncture, a process that couldn¡¯t be interrupted, which meant that they would be alone in the bathroom.

 Chapter 407

    <b>Chapter </b><b>407 </b>


    Gender, <b>to </b>her, was as inconsequential as the choice between patients¨Cboth simply required her care. Thus, when she <b>found </b>James swaddled <b>in </b>nkets like a newborn babe, <b>with </b><b>only </b>his head peeking <b>out</b><b>, </b>a wry smile tugged mercilessly at the corner of her <b>mouth</b><b>. </b><b>¡°</b>James, what¡¯s this? A <b>healing </b>session or a peep show prevention strategy?¡±


    James raised a quizzical brow, <b>wrapping </b>the nkets even tighter around himself as his <b>lips </b><b>parted </b>just enough to utter, ¡°<b>Decorum</b><b>, </b>deardy<b>, </b>decorum<b>.</b>¡±


    Mirabe <b>rolled </b>her eyes<b>, </b>her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Honestly, you¡¯re as undistinguishable as a boiled chicken to me right now.¡±


    <b>Pausing </b><b>momentarily</b>, she rolled up her sleeves and continued, ¡°Man up, will you? It¡¯s not as <b>if-</b>¡±


    <b>The </b>intensity <b>in </b>James¡® gaze sharpened. He was clearly amused, seeing this as a challenge <b>to </b>his manhood.


    His grip loosened on the nket. Mirabe¡¯s words hung suspended in mid¨Cair as she caught sight <b>of </b>the unveiled form before her¨Ca perfect blend of strength and form, tinged <b>with </b><b>a </b>rosy hue of vitality.


    And the only shred of modesty was¡­ Suddenly, Mirabe could feel her cheeks heating up and instinctively averted her gaze.


    James noted her reaction with a smirk, stepping forward as his voice took on a teasing note, ¡°Oh? Not as if what? Cat got your tongue?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers twitched, but she quickly faced him once more, her gaze boldly returning to James.


    Why the devil should she feel awkward? She was a doctor, and doctors did not y <b>favorites </b>with gender!


    ¡°What should I say? That you¡¯re not well¨Cbuilt?¡± Her voice carried a proud edge.


    <b>The </b><b>corner of </b>James¡® mouth twitched. Mirabe was certainly not your average <b>girl</b><b>¨C</b>next¨Cdoor. He stepped into the bath, muscles rxing beneath the warm embrace of <b>the </b><b>water</b><b>. </b>


    <b>As </b>Mirabe prepared <b>the </b>silver needles, James¡® hands rested on the edge of the tub, his eyes <bzily </b>fixed <b>on her</b>. ¡°How long is this soak supposed tost<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°<b>Half </b>an hour<b>,</b><b>¡± </b><b>Mirabe </b>responded, her lips pursed in focus as she <b>skillfully </b><b>inserted </b><b>a </b><b>needle </b>into a major shoulder point.


    <b>James </b><b>tapped </b>his fingers idly against the wood<b>. </b><b>His </b>handsome <b>face </b>was flushed <b>from </b><b>the </b><b>steam</b><b>, </b><b>and he </b>casually <b>added</b><b>, </b>¡°Your <b>medical </b>skills¡­ surely pique one¡¯s curiosity.¡±


    <b>10:28 </b>


    <b>Mirabe </b>paused<b>, </b>then <b>nced </b><b>sideways </b>at James, enunciating clearly, ¡°No <b>curiosity </b>allowed<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>A </b><b>gentle </b>smile graced his lips as he met her guarded gaze, his voice warm, ¡°I shall not <b>pry</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    With that, Mirabe shifted her attention back to her work, leaning in as her fingertips <b>pressed </b>against his chest, and ced another needle into a vital meridian.


    Her hair, loosely tied in a low ponytail, slipped into the medicinal water without her noticing. James raised an eyebrow and, with a featherlight touch, gathered her stray locks and ced them behind her shoulder. Mirabe was so engrossed in her task that James¡® gesture went entirely unnoticed.


    After half an hour, Mirabe finished and let out a long breath. ¡°Done.¡±


    James¡® eyes


    slid over her paleplexion, his own voice softening, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    She waved her hand dismissively, not one for pleasantries, and said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to transfer the payment.¡±


    James sighes. And just like that, the mood was lost by her mundane reminder of financial obligations.


    Gender, <b>to </b>her, was as inconsequential as the choice between patients¡ªboth simply required her care. Thus, when she found James swaddled in nkets like a newborn babe, <b>with </b>only his head peeking out, a wry smile tugged mercilessly at the corner of her mouth. ¡°James, what¡¯s this? A healing session of a peep show prevention strategy?¡± James raised a quizzical brow, wrapping the nkets even tighter around himself as his lips parted just enough to utter, ¡°Decorum, deardy, decorum.¡±


    Mirabe rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Honestly, you¡¯re as undistinguishable as a boiled chicken to me right now<i>¡± </i>


    Pausing momentarily, she rolled up her sleeves and continued, ¡°Man up, will you? It¡¯s not as if=¡±


    The intensity in James¡® gaze sharpened. He was clearly amused, seeing this as a challenge to his manhood.


    His grip loosened on the nket. Mirabe¡¯s words hung suspended in mid¨Cair as she caught sight of the unveiled form before her¨Ca perfect blend of strength and form, tinged with a rosy hue of vitality.


    And the only shred of modesty was¡­ Suddenly, Mirabe could feel her cheeks heating up and instinctively averted her gaze.


    James noted her reaction with a smirk, stepping forward as his voice took on a teasing note, ¡°Oh? Not as if what? Cat got your tongue?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers twitched, but she quickly faced him once more, her gaze boldly returning to James.


    Why the devil should she feel awkward? She was a doctor, and doctors did not y favorites with gender!


    ¡°What should I say? That you¡¯re not well¨Cbuilt?¡± Her voice carried a proud edge.


    The corner of James¡® mouth twitched. Mirabe was certainly not your average girl¨Cnext¨Cdoor. He stepped into the bath, muscles rxing beneath the warm embrace of the water.


    <b>As </b>Mirabe prepared the silver needles, James¡® hands rested on the edge of the tub, his eyeszily fixed on her. ¡°How long is this soak supposed tost?¡±


    ¡°Half an hour,¡± Mirabe responded, her lips pursed in focus as she skillfully inserted a needle into a major shoulder point.


    James tapped his fingers idly against the wood. His handsome face was flushed from the steam, and he casually added<b>, </b>¡°Your medical skills¡­ surely pique one¡¯s curiosity.¡±


    10:29


    FIN


    <b>Mirabe </b><b>paused</b><b>, </b><b>then nced </b><b>sideways </b>at James, enunciating clearly<b>, </b>¡°No curiosity


    allowed.


    <b>A </b><b>gentle </b>smile graced <b>his </b><b>lips </b><b>as </b>he met her guarded gaze, his voice warm, ¡°I shall not


    <b>pry </b>


    <b>With </b><b>that</b><b>, </b>Mirabe <b>shifted </b>her <b>attention </b><b>back </b>to her work, leaning in as her fingertips <b>pressed </b><b>against </b>his chest<b>, and </b><b>ced </b>another needle into a vital meridian.


    Her hair, loosely tied in <b>a </b>low <b>ponytail</b><b>, </b>slipped into the medicinal water without her <b>noticing</b>. James raised an eyebrow and, with a featherlight touch, gathered her stray locks and ced them behind her shoulder. Mirabe was so engrossed in her task that <b>James</b>¡® gesture went entirely unnoticed.


    After half an hour, Mirabe finished and let out a long breath. ¡°Done.¡±


    James¡® eyes slid over her paleplexion, his own voice softening, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    She waved her hand dismissively, not one for pleasantries, and said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to transfer the payment.¡±


    James sighes. And just like that, the mood was lost by her mundane reminder of financial obligations..

 Chapter 408

    <b>Chapter </b>408


    Mirabe <b>tucked </b><b>away </b><b>her </b><b>silver needles </b><b>and </b><b>strode </b><b>out </b><b>of </b><b>the </b><b>bathroom </b><b>with </b>the grace of


    <b>seasoned professional</b>.


    <b>Wyatt</b>, <b>who </b><b>had </b>been <b>waiting outside, </b><b>anticipated </b>her needs <b>with </b>the care of a doting <b>butler and </b><b>presented </b><b>her </b><b>with </b>a <b>steaming </b><b>bowl </b><b>of </b>chicken <b>soup</b><b>. </b>¡°Ms. Mirabe, thank <b>you</b><b>, </b><b>he </b><b>said with </b><b>a </b><b>dutiful </b><b>nod</b>.


    <b>Raising an </b><b>eyebrow </b>at <b>the </b><b>gesture</b><b>, </b>Mirabe <b>took </b><b>the </b>soup and offered a <b>nod of </b><b>approval</b>. Scratching <b>his </b><b>head </b><b>with </b><b>a </b><b>goofy </b><b>grin</b>, Wyatt inquired, ¡°How¡¯s the boss¡® health now?<b>¡± </b>


    <b>After </b>a <b>sip </b><b>that </b><b>soothed </b>her throat, Mirabe replied, ¡°He should be stable for now. As long <b>as </b><b>nothing </b>extraordinary happens, his chronic issues shouldn¡¯t re up again.¡±


    Wyatt practically glowed with relief. It wasn¡¯t the perfect fix he had hoped for, but it was light<b>¨C</b><b>years </b>ahead of the grim prognoses they¡¯d gotten from other so¨Ccalled miracle workers.


    <b>Just </b>then<b>, </b><b>a </b>freshly dressed James emerged from his room.


    Finishing thest of her soup, Mirabe turned to regard James, and her mind couldn¡¯t <b>help </b><b>but </b>wander to some rather unseemly scenarios. Clearing her throat, she averted her gaze and handed the empty bowl back to Wyatt. ¡°Thanks, I should be getting back now.¡±


    <b>Wyatt </b>bobbed his head. ¡°Of course.¡±


    He almost offered to escort her but then nced at James, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous suggestion. ¡°Sir, why don¡¯t you walk Ms. Mirabe home? It¡¯s quitete, and <b>it </b>wouldn¡¯t be safe for her to go alone, would it?¡±


    Despite the awkwardness of the age difference, which made it seem like an older man <b>preying </b><b>on </b><b>a </b>younger woman, Wyatt believed Mirabe could be a perfect match for


    <b>James</b>.


    Mirabe nearly stumbled upon hearing this. She turned back, eyeing Wyatt with an expressionless face. Their homes were a mere fifty meters apart¨Cwhat could possibly be <b>unsafe</b><b>? </b>


    ¡°Hmm<b>, </b><b>you </b>make <b>a </b>good point,¡± James agreed, looking quite serious. He seemed pleased <b>with </b>Wyatt¡¯s sudden enlightenment.


    <b>Straightening </b>his sleeves, he approached Mirabe. ¡°Come on. I¡¯ll walk you. The night <b>does </b><b>have </b>its dangers.¡±


    <b>Mirabe¡¯s </b><b>inner </b><b>voice called </b>out, ¡°Utter nonsense.¡±


    <b>As </b><b>James </b>headed for the <b>exit</b>, Mirabe rubbed her temple in exasperation<b>, </b>hoping she


    <b>10-29 </b>


    wouldn¡¯t <b>run into </b><b>Zach on </b><b>her </b>way <b>back</b>.


    <b>She </b><b>followed with </b><b>her </b><b>box </b><b>of </b><b>silver </b>needles<b>, </b><b>reaching </b>the staircase just <b>as </b>her <b>phone </b><b>buzzed in her pocket</b>. <b>She </b><b>saw </b><b>an </b><b>unknown </b>number <b>and </b>hesitated <b>before </b><b>answering</b>.


    A <b>gruff </b><b>voice </b><b>came </b><b>through </b>immediately. ¡°You heartless girl. You <b>hit </b>me, and <b>now </b>you <b>won¡¯t </b>even check <b>on </b>me? <b>I </b><b>haven¡¯t </b>eaten all day. Are you trying to starve me to death<b>, </b><b>so </b><b>you </b><b>can </b><b>escape </b><b>the </b>reality <b>of </b>hitting an old man?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s face turned a shade of green as she was about to retort, but her foot slipped, <b>and </b><b>she </b>tumbled towards the ground below. In that instant, her exhausted body couldn¡¯t <b>react in </b><b>time</b>, and one thought crossed her mind. ¡°This is all because of that old <b>scammer</b>.¡±


    James, who was ahead, sensed themotion and swiftly turned. He caught sight of Mirabe falling and, with reflexes honed by urgency, reached out and caught her in his <b>arms</b><b>. </b>¡°You need to be more careful,¡± James chided, his brows knitting together as he steadied her on her feet.


    Mirabe¡¯s face, pale but devoid of panic, seemed to soften under his gaze. Feeling a protective impulse, James kept his hand on her shoulder and asked again, ¡°Are you alright?¡±

 Chapter 409

    <b>Chapter </b><b>409 </b>


    <b>Mirabe felt </b><b>the </b><b>pressure </b><b>on </b><b>her shoulder </b>diminish<b>, </b><b>and she </b>seemed <b>to </b><b>finally </b><b>snap </b><b>back </b><b>to </b>reality<b>. </b><b>Turning </b><b>to </b>look at <b>him</b>, it took <b>her </b><b>a </b>moment <b>before </b><b>she </b>rasped, ¡°<b>Thanks</b><b>, </b>I¡¯m <b>fine</b>.<b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>Be </b>careful. A fall <b>from </b>here isn¡¯t just a simple injury,¡± James warned, ncing <b>down </b><b>before </b><b>adding </b>with <b>a </b>half¨Cjoke, ¡°You don¡¯t look like you¡¯ve got much muscle on you. Need <b>me </b><b>to </b><b>y </b><b>the </b>knight <b>and </b>carry you down<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>James</b>¡® words resonated clearly through the phone, which was still clutched tightly in <b>Mirabe¡¯s </b>hand.


    <b>The </b>old man, mid¨Cbite into his apple, perked up at the conversation, a sudden excitement shing across his face.


    A wry smile twitched at the corners of Mirabe¡¯s mouth as she shrugged off the hand from her shoulder and headed down the stairs. ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡±


    Once downstairs, Mirabe remembered the call was still connected and, with a tone thick with impatience, she held the phone to her ear. ¡°Cut the act. You tick me off, and I won¡¯t spare even the elderly.¡±


    James, walking alongside, overheard and cast a discreet nce at Mirabe. ¡°The kid¡¯s got a short fuse today,¡± James thought.


    ¡°Oh, then you¡¯d bettere visit me. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll just show up at your doorstep. And hey, I haven¡¯t had dinner yet, so sort yourself out,¡± the old man on the other end of the line said nonchntly before hanging up.


    Mirabe sighed. Never had she seen such a brazen freeloader!


    James coughed and casually inquired, ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡±


    Rubbing her temples, Mirabe quickly pocketed her phone. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m heading home, and there¡¯s no need to walk me out.¡±


    <b>With </b>that, she strode toward the vi¡¯s exit, her tall, slender silhouette seemingly radiating a barely¨Cthere aura of threat.


    <b>Curtis</b>, just entering, greeted her, but she only waved back without a trace of expression. Sensing that same menacing vibe, Curtis approached his boss and asked with genuine curiosity, ¡°Is Ms. Mirabe in a bad mood today?¡±


    <b>With </b>his eyes half¨Cclosed, James replied softly, ¡°Seems like something¡¯s up.¡±


    <b>At </b>that, Curtis piped <b>up</b>, ¡°Should I look into it?¡± Mirabe had be their savior<b>, </b><b>so </b>her <b>concerns </b>were now their own<b>, </b>demanding their attention.


    James nced <b>at </b>him <b>and </b>simply said, ¡°No need,¡± before turning to walk <b>into </b><b>the </b><b>living </b>


    10.29


    Toom, where he settled into a couch with an ease that suggested he had all the time in the warld


    ¡°Alright then¡± Curtis followed, ready to deliver his report.


    James lounged back, legs casually crossed, embodying rzed grace. After a moment, The opened his eyes and looked at Curtis. ¡°Where¡¯s my grandfather?<i>¡± </i>


    Scratching his head, Curtis looked embarrassed. ¡°The staff report that Donald has left Riverdale, but where to, I¡¯m not sure. He shook off anyone who was following him.*


    James massaged his temples, clearly irritated. ¡°Alright, I got it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have people monitor the airports, train stations, hotels, and resorts. As soon as they spot Donald, I¡¯ll have him followed,¡± Curtis offered,


    James hummed in acknowledgment, paused, and then added, ¡°Donald¡¯s always been slippery, not one to take the beaten path. It¡¯s no surprise if he¡¯s hard to track. Just make sure the people in Riverdale don¡¯t catch wind that he¡¯s gone rogue.¡±


    Curtis nodded in understanding. ¡°Got it.¡±

 Chapter 410

    <b>Chapter 410 </b>


    After <b>getting </b>home <b>from </b>James¡® <b>ce</b>, Mirabe headed straight to her <b>room</b><b>. </b>After a quick <b>wash</b><b>¨C</b><b>up</b><b>, </b><b>without </b><b>even </b><b>cracking </b>open <b>a </b>book<b>, </b><b>she </b>sprawled out on her bed <b>and </b><b>fell </b><b>into </b><b>a </b>deep sleep.


    <b>Post</b>¨C<b>acupuncture</b>, she always required heaps of sleep to recover. So, she flung <b>the </b>unreasonable demands the scamming old man made over the phone, out of her mind like yesterday¡¯s newspaper. Before hitting the hay, she had even set her phone to Do Not <b>Disturb </b><b>mode</b><b>. </b>


    Therefore, poor Donald waited in the hospital for half a day. He was convinced that Mirabe¡¯s soft heart would bring her to the hospital, armsden with goodies. Instead, he was left watching the clock handspletep afterp¡­ until 11 PM came and went. There was no shadow of Mirabe, not even a buzz from the phone.


    Donald¡¯s mustache practically bristled with indignation. ¡°What kind of girl is she? Not an ounce ofpassion!¡± Fuming, Donald fished out his phone and dialed Mirabe¡¯s


    number.


    The phone rang off the hook until an automated voice signaled the call had gone unanswered. Donald mashed the end call button with a forceful thumb.


    Just then, the silence of the hospital room was broken by a grumbling tummy. Donald looked down, feeling quite sorry for himself, and patted his belly.


    He was so starving.


    But then he thought, ¡°<b>If </b>I¡¯m asleep, I won¡¯t feel hungry.¡± With that, heid back down, pulled the nket over himself, and closed his eyes, trying to sleep.


    Five minutester, as the grumbling grew louder, Donald flung off the covers and sat up, irritated. He nced at the nightstand, where a lone apple remained in the fruit bowl ¨C thest of four the nurse had brought him that afternoon.


    Just looking at thatst apple made his teeth itch with acidity, and he mentally tallied a new grudge against Mirabe.


    <b>It </b>was just a scam, but this girl was proving to be anything but sweet.


    <b>Just </b>like his no¨Cgood, ungrateful son. Cold¨Cblooded and heartless!


    **


    The next day.


    Mirabe woke up, refreshed from a dreamless night, and reached for her phone to check <b>the </b>time<b>, </b><b>only </b><b>to </b>find it unresponsive.


    Pressing and holding the power button<b>, </b>she was greeted with a low battery warning<b>. </b>


    10:29


    before the device shut <b>down </b><b>again</b>. <b>She </b><b>squinted </b><b>in </b><b>confusion</b><b>; justst night</b>, <b>it </b><b>had </b><b>been </b>at eighty percent


    <b>Shrugging </b><b>off </b>the covers<b>, </b><b>she </b>got <b>out </b><b>of </b>bed, <b>plugged </b>her <b>phone </b><b>in </b><b>to </b><b>charge</b><b>, </b><b>and </b><b>donned </b>her school uniform <b>before </b><b>heading </b><b>to </b>the <b>bathroom</b>.


    After freshening up<b>, </b>she <b>didn¡¯t </b><b>bother </b>with <b>the </b>phone again <b>and </b>walked <b>out </b>of her <b>room</b>, making her way downstairs.


    Leo <b>had </b>flown <b>out </b><b>to </b><b>a </b>neighboring state for a <b>music </b>video shoot the day before<b>, </b><b>so </b><b>only </b>her parents <b>and </b>Zach were <b>at </b>the breakfast table. Mirabe greeted the trio and pulled up a chair, digging <b>into </b>her breakfast quietly.


    <b>The </b>three <b>had </b>been chatting before she came down.


    ¡°Zach, no matter what, you have to go on that blind date this Saturday,¡± their mom insisted.


    Mirabe had just taken a sip of her milk when she heard her mom¡¯s words and nearly choked.


    A blind date<b>? </b>


    She nced sideways, taking a quiet look at Zach sitting next to her. Sinceing back, she couldn¡¯t recall Zach ever bringing a female friend home.


    Zach pushed his sses up his nose and looked at Delh with exasperation. ¡°Mom, can we not do this? What century are we living in to still need blind dates?¡±


    Delh chuckled derisively, ¡°And how else are you going to find someone?¡±


    Zach was speechless. His own mother had hit him where it hurt.


    ¡°Even though you¡¯re the most average¨Clooking in our family, and blind dates might notnd <b>you </b>the right match, we¡¯re not giving up on you,¡± Shawn added, solemn and serious.


    Zach, known as the most handsome man in the legal world, was at a loss for words.


    <b>Great</b>, <b>what </b>a tag¨Cteam heart¨Cstabbing duo.

 Chapter 411

    Chapter <b>411 </b>


    Mirabe cast sympathetic nce toward Zach, and she couldn¡¯t help but feel bad for the <b>guy</b><b>. </b>The poor guy. Not only was he girlfriend¨Cless, but he was also on the receiving end of his parents¡® disapproval.


    Zach caught his sister¡¯s eye and Instantly, his expression darkened even more. ¡°What¡¯s with that look, sis? You think this is funny?¡± he grumbled.


    Caught in the crossfire, Mirabe silently withdrew her gaze and said obediently, ¡°Mom and Dad are right. If you don¡¯t date, you¡¯ll never find someone, Zach.¡±


    That was the third time Zach felt like he¡¯d been attacked.


    ¡°See, even your sister agrees with <b>us</b><b>. </b>So it¡¯s settled¨Cyou¡¯re going on that blind date on Saturday. If you don¡¯t show, don¡¯t bothering home,¡± Delh dered with finality.


    Zach just stood there, now absolutely convinced that his parents and sister simply wanted to live as a trio, concocting this blind date excuse to kick him to the curb.


    They were a trio of devils.


    Mirabe polished off herst bite of a breakfast sandwich, wiped her fingers clean with a napkin, then stood up and patted Zach on the shoulder. ¡°Hang in there, Zach. Find yourself a girl, will ya?¡±


    Enough was enough!


    In high spirits, Mirabe grabbed her backpack and soon followed Shawn out the door.


    Halfway to school, it dawned on her that she¡¯d left her phone on the charger. There was no time to go back, so she gave Shawn a heads up, just in case he tried calling herter and couldn¡¯t get through.


    Halfway through French ss that morning, the vice principal Anthony came in and called Mirabe to the office.


    ¡°Mirabe, you had an incident yesterday and hit into an old man. Could you go over the details with me one more time?¡± the vice principal asked in a gentle tone.


    When Anthony had summoned her, Mirabe had guessed it was about that con artist from yesterday. She patiently exined, yet again, that she was the victim of a scam, not the perpetrator of a hit¨Cand¨Crun.


    Anthony¡¯s face creased with worry after hearing her out. ¡°Mirabe, it¡¯s not that I <b>don¡¯t </b>believe you, but the old man has called the school again. He¡¯s threatening to make a fuss with the school board if he doesn¡¯t get his way.¡±


    Mirabe had recently brought some <b>glory </b><b>to </b>the school. This sort of scandal <b>could </b>


    72-401


    tarnish her reputation. A scam like this was tricky¨Cit wasn¡¯t serious enough to cause a stir, but neither was it light enough to ignore. Public opinion was divided, and moral grandstanding could do untold harm.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got no surveince footage of that spot, so this is a bit of a pickle,¡± Anthony said, scratching his thinning hairline.


    Taking a deep breath to calm her rising frustration, Mirabe asked, ¡°Did he say anything else?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s beenining about not being able to reach you, asking whether you n on shirking responsibility,¡± Anthony summarized the old man¡¯s words for her.


    Mirabe listened, her expression unreadable, and simply stated, ¡°I forgot my phone at home today.


    So that exined why her phone had died overnight¨Cit must have been bombarded by calls.


    Rubbing her temples, Mirabe felt a headacheing on. Just as she had


    suspected¨Caside from her grandmother Catherine, other elderly people seemed to bring nothing but trouble.


    Anthony, looking at Mirabe, then suggested, ¡°How about this<b>? </b>I¡¯ll go with you to the hospital right now, and we can try to clear things up.¡±

 Chapter 412

    Mirabe¡¯s gaze softened A slight frown appeared on her face as she pondered for a few seconds before parting her lips to speak in a subdued tone, Thanks for your concern, Principal, but I¡¯ll handle this myself. There¡¯s no need for you <b>to </b>get involved.¡±


    Anthony <b>quickly </b>interjected<b>, </b>¡°No trouble at all, Mirabe. Since this happened on campus, the school stepping in might actually make things a bit smoother.¡±


    Students like <b>her</b>, sensible, academically ster, and not a bother to the school, were a rare find indeed. The idea that she could have collided with someone was something he couldn¡¯t take ¨C not even for a million dors!


    He couldn¡¯t fathom how that old man could stoop so low as to stage an ident with Mirabe. Despicable!


    ¡°No worries, I think the school getting involved might not look so good. I can take care of this issue, you don¡¯t have to fret,¡± Mirabe declined Anthony¡¯s offer graciously.


    She couldn¡¯t quite wrap her head around why that old guy had targeted her, of all people. Did she look like easy prey to him?


    A cold, mocking smile flickered across Mirabe¡¯s mind.


    How naive he was!


    Meanwhile, in the hospital, Donald suddenly sneezed a mighty sneeze. ¡®Figures, staying in the hospital is no good. Too many germs around,¡® he grumbled, his nose wrinkling in


    distaste.


    He took out his phone, scrolled through his call log, and pressed the number he had dialed 99+ <b>times</b>. And this time, the phone that had gone unanswered before, surprisingly, picked up.


    After leaving Anthony¡¯s office, Mirabe returned to her ssroom.


    Anthony had suggested she take half a day off to go to the hospital and sort things out with the old man, but she refused. She had already been scammed out of eight hundred bucks for a hospital check¨Cup, and now he expected her to miss out on her studies.


    As if she¡¯d let that <b>fly</b><b>! </b>


    So, Mirabe calmly waited until noon<b>, </b>had lunch in the cafeteria, borrowed <b>a </b><b>hundred </b>dors from Jenna, and then hailed a cab to the hospital.


    Once at the hospital, the sight of the empty ward and neatly folded nkets on the bed made Mirabe¡¯s expression turn sour. She approached the nurse¡¯s station and inquired politely, ¡°Excuse me<b>, </b><b>do </b>you know where the elderly patient from room 302 went<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Oh, that gentleman was discharged this morning. Didn¡¯t he get in touch with you?¡± The nurse, who had been on duty the previous day, remembered Mirabe for paying extra to have some apples bought for the old man in the room.


    A crease formed between Mirabe¡¯s brows as she thought for a moment before asking. ¡°Did he leave on his own, or did his familye to discharge him?¡±


    ¡°A young couple took care of the paperwork. It looked like they were family,¡± replied the


    <b>nurse </b>


    Hearing this, Mirabe internally scoffed. Of course, they were all about scams. Just yesterday, he was ying the lonely old man card.


    ¡°But you know, I did feel bad for him. No one was with himst night, and he was so hungry he came out looking for food. My colleague even made him a cup of instant noodles, and the poor thing slurped it all up, even the broth. Sigh, kids these days just don¡¯t look after their elders. The nursemented.


    Realizing she might have spoken out of turn, the nurse chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Don¡¯t take it the wrong way. I didn¡¯t mean you. You¡¯re not rted to that old man.¡± She had pegged Mirabe as a Good Samaritan who had just helped an old man to the hospital.


    Mirabe pursed her lips, thanked the nurse, and quickly exited the hospital.


    On her way back to school, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder why that con artist had called the school earlier that morning, threatening trouble, only to suddenly check out.


    Was it a change of heart? Her instincts told her that was unlikely.

 Chapter 413

    <b>Chapter </b>413


    Back at school, sses had yet to begin. It was still the lunch break study period.


    Jenna nced up in surprise as Mirabe breezed back into the room far earlier than expected. ¡°Back so soon? Did you get everything sorted out with that old man?¡±


    Mirabe pulled a book from beneath her desk, flipping it open as she replied, ¡°Not exactly. He¡¯s already been discharged from the hospital.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ so you went there for nothing?¡± Jenna touched the tip of her nose, a gesture of mild awkwardness.


    ¡°Yep,¡± Mirabe confirmed, with a nonchnt nod.


    Suddenly remembering something, Mirabe turned to Jenna. ¡°Can I use your phone to make a call?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Jenna fished out her smartphone, unlocked it, and handed it over to Mirabe.


    With the phone in hand, Mirabe stepped out through the ssroom¡¯s back door. Once out in the corridor<b>, </b>she tapped the screen, pulling up the dial pad to punch in a number. It was the same number that the old man had called from the previous night while she was at James¡® ce.


    The phone rang for ages with no answer.


    After hanging up, Mirabe waited a couple of minutes before trying again. This time, the call connected.


    ¡°Hello¡­ Who¡¯s this?¡±


    Hearing the old man¡¯s voice, Mirabe¡¯s tone was ice¨Ccold. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you. I heard you¡¯re threatening to make a fuss at the Board of Education?¡±


    The line


    went dead silent at her words, and then she heard the tell¨Ctale beep of the call being disconnected. Mirabe stared at the phone screen, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. With a swift tap, she redialed. But the phone barely rang once before the call was again abruptly cut off. Clearly, he did not want to talk to her.


    Frowning, Mirabe knew something was off. That old man had inexplicably targeted her and was up to something. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have called the school again that morning.


    Without attempting another call, she turned and walked back into the ssroom, returning Jenna¡¯s phone.,


    Jenna, noticing her friend¡¯s mood seemed even more somber than before, whispered, ¡°Mira, something wrong<b>?</b>¡±


    Mirabe nced at her and shook her head. <b>¡°</b>It¡¯s nothing.


    Then<b>, </b>she let it go<b>, </b><b>focusing </b>her attention back on the textbook. After all, it was studying that grounded her and fortified her resolve.


    <b>It </b>wasn¡¯t Shawn or Delh who came to pick her up after school. <b>It </b>was Zach.


    ¡°Zach, <b>why </b>are you the one picking me up today?¡± Mirabe asked as she approached the car, her curiosity piqued.


    Zach opened the passenger door for his sister. ¡°Mom and Dad were tied up, and I happened to be passing by, so here I am,¡± he said, raising an eyebrow yfully. ¡°Why? Not happy to see your big bro?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± Mirabe replied, sliding into the seat.


    After Zach closed her door, he circled the car, hopped into the driver¡¯s seat, and started the engine, driving away from the school.


    Midway home, Delh called to ask when they¡¯d arrive. Zach responded briefly with ¡°Soon,¡± then hung up without much chatter.


    ¡°We¡¯ve gotpany at home today,¡± Zach mentioned suddenly, almost as an afterthought.


    ¡°Guests? Rtives?¡± Mirabe inquired, ncing his way.


    ¡°Not sure, could be some friends of Mom and Dad,¡± Zach answered casually.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Mirabe replied, not particrly concerned¨Cit likely had little to do with her.


    Ten minutester, they pulled into their neighborhood. Mirabe got out to key in the gate code, and the iron gate swung open.


    Zach drove into the garage, and as Mirabe entered the house and changed her shoes, she noticed a pair of unfamiliar leather shoes in the shoe cab.

 Chapter 414

    Mirabe retracted her gaze, slipped into her house slippers, and made her way towards the living room.


    Three people were seated on the couch, and as Mirabe approached, she could only apot her mom, Shawn, and another person. The third person¡¯s back was turned to her, obscured by the sofa¡¯s high back, revealing only the top of their head.


    ¡°Hey, Mom, Dad, I¡¯m home,¡± Mirabe called out sweetly, her voice devoid of any curiosity to see the quest¡¯s face. She ced her backpack on a nearby cab and walked over to the water dispenser, pouring herself a ss of water. Just as she took a sip, her mother¡¯s volce floated over.


    ¡°Mira, sweetheart, why don¡¯t youe over and say hello to Grandpa?¡±


    At the mention of ¡°Grandpa,¡± Mirabe nearly choked on her water, coughing violently as her face turned a shade of red. Once her coughing subsided, she set the ss on the dispenser and headed towards the living room.


    That must be her mother¡¯s father, she thought. She had been momentarily confused, thinking they were referring to the grandpa Catherine¡¯s side of the family, who had passed away years ago.


    Lost in thought, Mirabe¡¯s eyes widened in shock when she got a clear view of the person on the sofa. ¡°Holy smokes, it¡¯s <b>that </b>sneaky old man!¡±


    Donald had been facing Delh and Shawn, but as Mirabe neared, he turned his head to look at her. Seeing the girl¡¯s stunned expression, his lips curved into a pleased smile as he greeted her cheerfully, ¡°My dear granddaughter, it¡¯s been too long. I have missed you. terribly.¡±


    Missed my foot! The usually eloquent Mirabe almost let out a swear.


    Seeing her nearly explosive reaction, Donald turned back to Delh and Shawn, his eyes twinkling with mirth. ¡°Look at her. She¡¯s so overjoyed, and she¡¯s speechless.¡±


    Mirabe was dumbfounded.


    ¡°Ha¨Cha, indeed, it¡¯s been quite a while, Shawn agreed, mistaking his daughter¡¯s shock for ecstatic surprise.


    ¡°Yes, terribly missed,¡± Donald suddenly feigned a choke¨Cup, his head drooping as he began to tremble and dabbed at his eyes.


    Mirabe couldn¡¯t believe her eyes. What kind of melodramatic senior citizen was this<b>? </b>One moment he was all smiles, and the next, he was putting on a teaful act.


    Delh quickly handed him a box of tissues, ¡°Oh, Mr. Donald, please don¡¯t get so worked up. Now that you¡¯re here, feel free to stay as long as you like. Mira will keep you


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows knitted together at her mother¡¯s words. That wasn¡¯t her mom¡¯s father?


    Sull pretending to dab his eyes, Donald peeked cautiously at Mirabe and asked in a low voice, ¡°Really? Can I truly stay here?¡±


    ¡°Of course! We¡¯d be delighted to have you,¡± Delh assured him eagerly.


    Donald paused in his act, then nced slyly at Mirabe. ¡°But I¡¯m worried Mira might not want an old guy like me around.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± Delh chuckled. ¡°Mira¡¯s a good girl. She¡¯s probably even happier than we are that you¡¯re staying.¡±


    At that, Donald¡¯s lips twitched. Good girl? Then who was it that he overheard on the phonest night, threatening to beat up an old man?

 Chapter 415

    <b>Chapter </b>415


    Mirabe, tangled in a web of confusing rtions<b>, </b>suddenly blurted <b>out</b>, ¡°Mom, who is this old<b>¡­ </b>Who exactly is he?¡±


    Delh nced up at her daughter. ¡°Sweety, you don¡¯t recognize your Grandpa from back


    home?¡±


    Grandpa from back home? Yeah, right<b>, </b>since when<b>? </b>She was raised by her grandma, and there was no grandpa in the picture.


    Rubbing her temples, Mirabe started, ¡°No, it¡¯s not that-¡±


    But before she could finish, Donald chimed in, ¡°Maybe I should be going. I¡¯m just an old country bumpkin, dirty and all. I understand if Mira doesn¡¯t want me around.¡± With that, he shakily reached for his cane next to him, struggling to stand up as if ready to leave.


    Mirabe was bbergasted. What an actor!


    ¡°Oh, please, it¡¯s not like that at all,¡± Both Delh and Shawn rose to their feet, helping


    Donald back onto the couch.


    Turning to Mirabe, Delh said, ¡°It was not easy for him toe all the way to the city. You could be a bit more hospitable.¡±


    As her words fell, even Shawn, who usually spoiled his daughter, couldn¡¯t help but give Mirabe a look of mild reproach as if to say, how could you treat an elder like this?


    Mirabe, who hadn¡¯t managed two words yet, was left feeling undervalued by her own


    parents.


    The couple thenforted Donald and assured him he was wee to stay, quickly telling Mirabe to keep himpany before they headed to the kitchen.


    Once they were out of earshot, Mirabe took a seat next to Donald, stared him dead in the eye without a trace of emotion, and demanded, ¡°Where did you <b>even </be from?¡±


    Without Delh and Shawn around, Donald dropped his pitiful act. Resting his hands on his cane, he arrogantly replied, ¡°You hit me and thought you could run off? Do you <b>think </b>the world works like that?¡± In other words, there was no way she was getting rid of him that easily.


    Watching Donald¡¯s <b>demeanor </b>switch in an instant, Mirabe felt a pulse throbbing at her temple. ¡°Who hit who? You know exactly what happened¡±


    ¡°Clearly, you hit me. How could a frail old man like myself knock into you?¡± Donald retorted.


    Mirabe, with a steely look, cut straight to the chase. ¡°Fine, how did you


    find my


    house?¡±


    She paused, then rephrased her question, gazing <b>directly </b>at Donald. <b>¡°</b><b>Or </b><b>rather</b>, <b>what¡¯s </b>your purpose for tracking me down? Don¡¯t <b>give </b><b>me </b>that grandpa story. We don¡¯t know each other


    Donald¡¯s gaze wavered slightly, but he stood his ground, ¡°You hit me, so you¡¯re responsible for taking care of me.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s patience had run dry. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you¡¯re after<b>, </b>but you better find an excuse to leave my ce. Otherwise, brace yourself to be thrown out.¡±


    Donald anorted and tilted his chin up even more defiantly, ¡°Go ahead, try throwing out a poor old man like mel¡±


    Mirabe was at her wit¡¯s end.


    Just then, Zach walked back into the living room. He raised an eyebrow upon seeing the old man and looked questioningly at his sister. ¡°Mirabe, who¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m Donald, Mira¡¯s Grandfather back home,¡± Donald switched back to his kindly facade, answering for her.


    Mirabe¡¯s face darkened even more as she thought to herself, ¡°It¡¯s getting really hard not to punch an old man.¡±

 Chapter 416

    <b>Chapter </b>416


    Zach was oblivious to the look on his sister¡¯s face, his thoughts interrupted only by Donald¡¯s remarks, His brain scurried to make sense of the situation,


    Didn¡¯t Catherine raise Mirabe since she was a tot? And wasn¡¯t Catherine a lifelong. bachelorette? Where the heck did this Donald character pop out from?


    Donald, catching the puzzled look on Zach¡¯s face, decided to add with a chuckle, ¡°Back in our old neighborhood, I lived right next door to this kiddo. She used to pop by my ce all the time as a child.¡±


    With that piece of the puzzle, Zach¡¯s confusion began to dissipate. The old man wast Catherine¡¯s next¨Cdoor neighbor and must¡¯ve looked out for sis when she was little. Calling him grandpa, though¡­ was kind of odd, but then again, it was not entirely out of line either. So, Zach nodded politely at the elderly gent. ¡°I appreciate you looking out for my sister when she was younger.¡±


    Mirabe sighed. Great, another sucker bamboozled. This was just too much.


    Donald nced slyly at Mirabe, noting her silent protest, his lips curling with a victorious smirk. He waved a hand at Zach, ¡°Oh, think nothing of it, my boy. It was my pleasure.¡±


    Zach took a seat on the sofa opposite Donald, and the two of them struck up a conversation.


    Mirabe shook her head in silent resignation at the sight of the old con artist and her naive brother hitting it off, then stood up. She barely moved a step before Donald, ever watchful, caught her by the arm.


    Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce.


    Donald cleared his throat. ¡°And where might my dear granddaughter be off to?¡±


    ¡°¡­The restroom,¡± she replied, her tone icy.


    Shaking off his grip, Mirabe made her way out of the living room.


    Donald watched Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure, thinking, ¡°Feisty one, ain¡¯t she?¡±


    After a visit to the bathroom, Mirabe wandered into the kitchen, leaning casually against the doorframe. She


    atched as Shawn, her dad, was bustling around with dinner preparations<b>. </b><b>¡°</b>Hey, Dad, how did Donald end up at our ce?¡±


    Shawn, busy rinsing veggies, didn¡¯t question her choice of words and simply responded, ¡°Didn¡¯t you leave your phone behind when you went off to school? I heard it ringing, and that¡¯s how I found out the old man was at the hospital, alone and out of sorts. So, your mom and I went to pick him up.¡±


    na¡¯she suspected.


    Mirabe pinched the bridge of her nose. ¡°You guys aren¡¯t worried he¡¯s a scam artist?¡±


    Shawn nced at Mirabe, ¡°He told us a lot of stuff about you.¡±


    Mirabe frowned, ¡°You got tricked. I don¡¯t even know him.<b>¡± </b>


    At that, Shawn stopped what he was doing and looked at her seriously, ¡°Now, darling, we shouldn¡¯t be ungrateful. The man did look after you when you were little, even if it was int a small country town. You can¡¯t just pretend not to know him.¡±


    ¡°You heard your father. He¡¯s in his eighties. What could he possibly scam us out of<b>?</b>¡± chimed Delh from beside him.


    Mirabe was shocked.


    Great, conman Donald had not only brainwashed her parents but also roped them into his little scheme.


    Delh dished out some steamed veggies, saying, ¡°Alright, no use standing around here. Go call Donald, dinner¡¯s ready.¡±


    Mirabe touched her nose thoughtfully, then turned to leave the kitchen.


    During dinner, Donald clung to Mirabe like glue, seating himself right beside her with a demeanor so cautious, as if afraid of being rejected. To everyone but Mirabe, it was at heart¨Crending sight. Thus, the three family members went out of their way to cater to


    Donald.


    As for Mirabe, she was silently pped with thebel of ¡®disappointing child¡® in the eyes of her family.

 Chapter 417

    Chapter <b>417 </b>


    Back at home for quite some time, Mirabe was tasting the bitter vor of being ostracized by her father, her mother, and her brother for the first time. She sat at the dinner table, mindlessly pushing food around her te with a fork, asionally casting a sidelong nce at Donald, who sat next to her. She just couldn¡¯t fathom what kind of sweet talker Donald was, to have hoodwinked them all into doubting her word.


    After ackluster dinner, Mirabe was all set to retreat to her room when Delh insisted she stick around to keep Donaldpany. Reluctantly, she stayed put in the living room, not making any effort to strike up a conversation, and instead pulled out her phone for some solitary entertainment.


    Shawn, witnessing his daughter¡¯s aloof disposition, couldn¡¯t help but shake his head in distress. He took a seat beside Donald and struck up a small talk, ¡°Do you enjoy a good cup of coffee?¡±


    As a man who wouldn¡¯t end his meal without a cup of coffee, Shawn was naturally expecting to continue his ritual today.


    At the mention of coffee, Donald¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°That¡¯s one of my few indulgences,¡± he admitted with a nod.


    Encouraged by thismon ground, Shawn stood up and said, ¡°Give me a moment. I¡¯ll fetch the coffee set.¡±


    Donald had been away from home for two days without thefort of his cofee ritual and was feeling rather out of sorts.


    Mirabe, clutching her phone, spared a nce at Shawn and Donald, shook her head in dismay, and turned away from them, diving back into the digital world on her screen.


    Shawn headed to the temperature¨Ccontrolled pantry where his precious coffee collection awaited. His eyes scanned the array of prized leaves before settling on a box of Blue Mountain coffee. He hesitated for a brief <b>moment</b>, then grabbed the coffee and a pot, exiting the pantry with a purpose. Donald was a special guest and deserved the best.


    Soon, Shawn returned to the living room, cradling aplete set of coffeeware along with the coffee. Donald¡¯s gaze fell upon the y pot in Shawn¡¯s hands, betraying a flicker of surprise.


    A vintage coffeepot like this could fetch tens of thousands of dors. Donald tapped his fingers slowly on his knee, lost in thought.


    ¡°What kind of coffee do you usually prefer?<b>¡± </b>Shawn asked while heating <b>the </b>water.


    ¡°I¡¯m not picky.¡± Donald replied with a smile. Despite being well into his eighties, hisplexion was rosy, and his wrinkles weren¡¯t as profound as one might expect, <b>giving </b>him a lively appearance.


    Chapter


    ¡°I¡¯ve recently acquired a box of vintage Blue Mountain. Today¡¯s a fine day to share it Shawn said, reaching for the tin box beside him.


    Hearing this, Donald perked up. ¡°Well, it seems I¡¯m in for a treat today.¡±


    His attention finally settled on the coffee box in Shawn¡¯s hands, recognizing the all¨Ctoo¨Cfamiliar container. Donald was taken aback. Could it be the same as the one he had treasured for many years<b>? </b>


    He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things, but when he looked again, there it was<b>, </b>the distinctive box he knew so well.


    After acquiring a batch of Blue Mountain coffee beans, he had a special airtight container made to preserve it long¨Cterm. He was convinced that his batch was one of a kind with no duplicates out there.


    So¡­ could this coffee be from his storage?


    His mind was racing with confusion as Shawn proceeded to brew the coffee, pouring the first cup


    for Donald. As the rich aroma of the aged Blue Mountain filled the air, Shau invited, ¡°Donald, please, have a taste.¡±


    27:42

 Chapter 418

    Chapter <b>418 </b>


    Donald inhaled deeply, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee hanging in the air like an inviting cloud. His mind was buzzing with anticipation..


    For a connoisseur like him, the scent alone was enough to judge the quality of the coffee beans. And with that unique coffee tin¡­ there was no doubt about it. This brew had to be from his prized collection.


    His gaze settled on the steaming cup of coffee with its caramel crema, and he was utterly baffled. How on earth did his special blend end up


    here?


    With trembling hands, he lifted the cup and took a tentative sip<b>. </b>The full¨Cbodied vor enveloped his taste buds, and although it should have tasted heavenly, it felt as bitter as quinine on his tongue. It was enough to make him want to cry.


    Shawn, oblivious to Donald¡¯s turmoil, savored his own sip and, after a moment of reflection, praised the coffee with closed eyes, ¡°Smooth with a hint of chocte and a touch of nuttiness. This aged blend is truly a delight.¡±


    Hearing Shawn¡¯sments twisted the knife in Donald¡¯s gut. Delightful, indeed. He had gone to such lengths to acquire and age this blend for seven or eight years, and it was too precious for him to even consider drinking himself!


    As Shawn refilled his own cup and noticed Donald¡¯s was empty, he topped it off and casually inquired, ¡°Donald, what do you make of this coffee?¡±


    Donald¡¯s hand shook again as he forced a thin smile. ¡°It¡¯s quite¡­ quite good¡­¡±


    After a few seconds, Donald¡¯s eyesnded on the coffee tin on the table, and he asked, ¡°Where did you pick up this fine blend, if I may ask?¡±


    A paternal smile spread across Shawn¡¯s face as he nced at Mirabe, who was curled up on the couch, scrolling through her phone. ¡°Oh, it wasn¡¯t bought. It was a gift from one of Mira¡¯s friends.¡±


    At that, Donald felt like exploding. The nerve of some people, using his coffee to curry favor.


    He knew it! On hisst visit to Riverdale, that brat hadn¡¯t bothered to stop by the family home. Now, it was clear he had something to hide.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to send you back home with some. It¡¯s not arge batch, but it¡¯s perfect for an asional indulgence,¡± Shawn offered politely.


    Donald, struggling to maintain hisposure, shook his head in refusal. ¡°No, no, a gentleman doesn¡¯t take away someone else¡¯s treasure. I¡¯m already fortunate enough to have had a taste today.¡±


    At the mention of ¡®a gentleman<b>, </b>Mirabe looked up from her phone and cast a dismissive


    nce at Donald. If he were truly a gentleman, he wouldn¡¯t be here causing trouble in her home.


    Donald continued to sip his coffee, the heartache rendering him too distracted to engage in much conversation with Shawn. Finally unable to contain his anger, Donald pulled out <b>his </b>phone, scrolled through his contacts, and tapped out a message with deliberate slowness.


    [You little brat, you¡¯re in for it now!]


    With that, he turned off his phone.


    Next door, James read the message half an hourter.


    ¡°Judging by the content, Donald must have been in a state of extreme rage when he sent this,¡± Wyatt analyzed solemnly, holding James¡® phone.


    After cing the phone down, he asked, ¡°Sir, what have you done today to get under Donald¡¯s skin?¡±


    James cast a brief nce at him, ¡°Did you find him?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ not yet,¡± Wyatt admitted, scratching his head.


    Well, if they hadn¡¯t found him, James couldn¡¯t have done something to upset Donald. B why would Donald suddenly send such a message?


    Wyatt was stumped. He turned to Curtis, who was standing nearby, and after a moment¡¯s thought, suggested, ¡°Curtis, can you trace where Donald sent that message from?¡±

 Chapter 419

    Curtis acknowledged with a simple ¡°Okay<i>¡± </i>before grabbing the nearbyptop and booting it up with swift precision.


    Through the magic of the inte, theputer quickly synced with James¡® phone, and Curtis¡® fingers danced across the keyboard, prompting a satelite map to appear on <b>the </b>


    screen.


    As the red dot on the map blinked, Curtis zoomed in, narrowing the scope undis pinpointed Ashford. But when he tried to get a more exact location, he hit a wall. I as if the signal to Donald¡¯s phone was being jammed


    Curtis furrowed his brow, trying other methods to no avail. It was as if Donald¡¯s phone signal had been swallowed by a ck hole.


    Wyatt, sensing Curtis¡® frustration, peered at theputer screen. Other than the blinking red dot, there was no street information. ¡°What¡¯s the deal here?¡±


    Curtis shook his head. ¡°Can¡¯t get a precise fix¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­ Wasn¡¯t Donald flying solo? He¡¯s not exactly a techie, so howe we can¡¯t pinpoint him?¡± Wyatt¡¯s confusion was palpable.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯ve tried several tricks, but nothing¡¯s working, Curtis replied, his lips pressed in a thin line, his expression solemn.


    Wyatt sat up straight, his voice heavy with concern, ¡°Why¡¯s this happening? He isn¡¯t in trouble, is he? Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t just randomly shoot a message to James.¡±


    Knowing Donald as they did, he wouldn¡¯t leave any digital breadcrumbs if he didn¡¯t want to be found.


    The text was¡­ suspicious, to say the least.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably not that dire. Donald¡¯s general whereabouts are in the city. If there was any fuss, my guys would¡¯ve noticed, Curtis seemed less worried than Wyatt.


    ¡°Fair point. But this hidden location¡­¡± Wyatt eyed Curtis with a hint of skepticism. ¡°Curtis, is your hacker mojo fading? Since that museum heist and the recent firewall fiasco, when have you actually nailed the bad guy?¡± Wyatt shook his head. His admiration for Curtis¡®puter wizardry was waning. He was seriously questioning whether Curtis¡® global ranking as the seventh¨Cbest was just hot air.


    ¡°Curtis, you need to <b>up </b>your game. You can¡¯t rest <b>on </b>yoururels, or you¡¯ll be left in the dust,¡± Wyatt said<b>, </b>patting Curtis¡® shoulder with a mix of concern and mockery.


    Curtis¡® patience was hanging by <b>a </b>thread. He took a deep breath, chose to ignore Wyatt¡¯s jabs, and turned to James. There¡¯s likely <b>a </b>jammer or some <b>kind </b>of signal interference where Donald is, which is why we can¡¯t get a fix.¡±


    Chapter <b>419 </b>


    After a slight pause, Curtis added with a tinge of regret, ¡°Too bad his phone¡¯s off now, or I could¡¯ve tried a different hack.¡±


    Under the bright lights, James¡® handsome face exuded azy charm, his deep¨Cset eyes inscrutable, his rxed posture oozing an air of inherent nobility. He spoke nonchntly, ¡°He¡¯ll show up when he¡¯s had his fun.¡±


    Wyatt, who had a PhD in Donald¡¯s moods, confidently added, ¡°True. Based on Donald¡¯s knack for sudden mood swings, he¡¯ll probably show up on James¡® doorstep within a couple of days.¡±


    Curtis gave Wyatt a sidelong nce. The guy might not be good for much, but when it came to predicting Donald¡¯s temper, he was never off the mark.


    ¡°So, no need to rally the troops. We¡¯ll just wait it out,¡± Wyatt concluded.

 Chapter 420

    <b>Chapter </b><b>420 </b>


    Over here<b>. </b>


    After finishing his cup of coffee, Shawn could tell that Donald wasn¡¯t his usual sprightly self. He chalked it up to the typical ebb of energy thates with age, not nearly as robust as the younger lot. So, without further ado, he signaled for his daughter to escort Donald up to the guest room prepared on the second floor for some rest


    Once they reached the guest room, she walked in first with Donald trailing behind, and as the door shut, she casually flicked the deadbolt into ce. The sound of the lock clicking made Donald spin around, an edgy look in his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s with the deadbolt?¡± he asked, his voice tight with suspicion.


    Mirabe crossed her arms and fixed Donald with a piercing gaze. ¡°Donald, I¡¯m giving your one more chance toe clean,¡± she said, her voice soft butced with a dangerous edge.


    Donald hadn¡¯t expected Mirabe to be so assertive¨Cit starkly contrasted what he had read in her profile. He put the regret over his coffee aside and slowly made his way to a nearby chair, sinking into it before responding, ¡°Come clean about what?¡±


    She hooked a chair with her foot, pulled it closer, and took a seat herself. A sudden patience seemed to wash over her as she said, ¡°For starters, who are you really? And what¡¯s your purpose in seeking me out?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just a lonely old man in need of care. You¡¯re easy on the eyes, and you suit my taste. That¡¯s all,¡± Donald replied, this time not beating around the bush.


    A smirk twitched at the corner of Mirabe¡¯s lips. ¡°You really think I¡¯d buy that?¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s nothing I can do if you don¡¯t believe me. I¡¯m just a harmless old man. If <b>you¡¯re </b>itching to get rough, then be my guest,¡± Donald said, spreading his hands in a gesture <b>of </b>indifference.


    Mirabe looked at the con artist before her without a flicker of emotion, fully aware that he was ying dumb again, yet infuriatingly, she was at a loss for what to do.


    Feeling the intensity of her stare, Donald¡¯s scalp tingled. He knew better than to <b>overy </b>his hand, so he cleared his throat and said, ¡°What¡¯s with all the negativity, youngdy? I¡¯m not going to harm you. I¡¯m just here to stay for a little while.¡±


    ¡°Ha, since when do guests lock themselves in like that?¡± Mirabe chuckled in disbelief.


    A scam artist who had wormed his way into her home? Such a tall tale would hardly be believed if she told anyone.


    With a huff, Donald retorted<b>, </b><b>¡°</b>It¡¯s because of yourck of charity that <b>I </b>had toe to you.¡± The thought <b>of </bst night¡¯s <b>dinner</b><b>¨C</b>reduced <b>to </b><b>a </b><b>microwaved </b>meal<b>¨C</b>still irked him.


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze remained frosty. ¡°Yeah right.¡±


    Donald touched his nose, and then, leaning on his cane, he stood and moved towards the bed. ¡°I mean you no harm. I¡¯ll be gone in a few days. Just think of it as taking care of a homeless old man.¡±


    He sat on the edge of the bed, not even ncing at Mirabe. As he pulled back the covers, he muttered to himself, ¡°Who knows, maybe someday we¡¯ll be family.¡±


    Sure, the girl had a temper, was rough around the edges, andcked a bit ofpassion for the elderly. But she was a looker. Looks are justice, after all. He had a soft spot for pretty faces.


    ¡°Alright, time for bed. It¡¯s not good for seniors to stay upte,¡± Donald said with a yawn, then turned his back to Mirabe and shut his eyes, feigning sleep.


    Mirabe was in disbelief. Indeed, whether in the past or the present, grandpas were the one she despised the most¨Cwithout a doubt. Taking a deep breath, Mirabe stood up and left the room.


    Once the sound of the door closing echoed through the room, Donald, who had been lying on his side pretending to sleep, suddenly opened his eyes, a smug smile ying across his lips as if he had just pulled off a sly trick.

 Chapter 421

    <b>Chapter </b><b>421 </b>


    The next day.


    At school.


    In Mr. Hammond¡¯s office.


    ¡°Mirabe,¡± he began warmly, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he leaned against his desk. ¡°I heard about the incident with that old man from Anthony. I¡¯ve been swamped with the Math Olympiad prep, so I couldn¡¯t check in sooner. But I heard you handled it yourself. How¡¯s the situation now?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers casually lingered on the edge of the desk. After yesterday¡¯s debacle, she felt more at ease. With her on the case, that swindler Donald wouldn¡¯t be making any. waves. Besides, her parents had been acting all sorts of strange, almost as if they knew Donald.


    Collecting her thoughts, Mirabe¡¯s eyes shone with the earnestness of a model student. <b>¡°</b>It¡¯s all taken care of,¡± she replied sinctly.


    Mr. Hammond chuckled at that. ¡°I was about to roll up my sleeves and take a trip to the hospital myself if that man kept causing trouble.¡±


    Her eyebrows arched in mild surprise. ¡°You never suspected that I might have actually hit the man?¡±


    ¡°I trust my students¡® integrity far more,¡± Mr. Hammond dered without a hint of hesitation, chin lifted proudly.


    Touching her nose thoughtfully, Mirabe said, ¡°Thanks for believing in me. If there¡¯s nothing else, may I head back to ss<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Hold up, there¡¯s one more thing,¡± Mr. Hammond interjected, pulling out a registration form from his drawer. ¡°This year¡¯s Math Olympiad¨Cyou¡¯re a star pupil at Parkside High. You simply mustpete.¡±


    He paused, then added with a significant tone, ¡®Thispetition¡¯s pivotal for securing the hosting rights for the next rourid. Parkside High has been on the bench for three years now, and we can¡¯t let Eagle High from Silvermist Shores snatch it from us again.¡±


    Eagle High was in Silvermist Shores and topped the national high school rankings, boasting superior staff and resourcespared to Parkside High. Brimming with academic prodigies and known for its stringent rules and cutthroatpetition, Eagle High¡¯s survival¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cfittest ethos stood in stark contrast to Parkside High¡¯s more nurturing approach.


    Graduates from Eagle High carried a <b>certain </b>tenacity, a refusal to be bested. <b>Last </b><b>time</b>, thanks to the BrainSpark Nationals, Parkside High had <b>leaped </b>from fifth to <b>third </b>in the


    national rankings. Such a climb in the rankings meant the school rode the wave of


    sess, and naturally, other schools were loath to be overshadowed by Parkside Hch The Math Olympiad was no longer just about hosting rights but a banfie of prowess and prestige


    Mirabe nced at the registration form, then back to Mr. Hammond who seemed have pinned all his hopes on her. With a sigh, she said. ¡°You¡¯re not giving me much choice, are you?¡±


    Mr. Hammond cleared his throat awkwardly. ¡°Someone from Eagle High has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging you to a math showdown. Think of it as a casual pop quiz, will you?¡±


    ¡°Someone¡¯s challenged me?¡± Mirabe asked genuinely surprised


    ¡°You¡¯re the first in years to score full marks in an internationalpetion¡± Mr. Hammond replied, his expression a mix of pride and exasperation. What do you think?¡±


    Mirabe nonchntly admitted nooding ¡°Well I know I¡¯m pretty formicacie


    A twitch of feighed annoyance flickered across Mr. Hammond¡¯s face as he pped the form onto the desk. ¡°Just fill it out and get out of here Her cockiness was almost too much to bear.


    As Mirabe picked up a pen and started to write her name, a thought struck her, and she looked up. ¡°By the way, is there a cash prize for winning this Olympiad?¡±


    Mr. Hammond just stared nkly for a moment. No cash prize, and suddenly the star student wasn¡¯t so keen?

 Chapter 422

    Chapter <b>422 </b>


    After signing up for the Math Olympiad, Mirabe left Mr. Hammond¡¯s office with a hefty stack of past math papers he had casually thrust into her hands.


    She already had two boxes brimming with study materials and exam papers at home. Now, with Mr. Hammond¡¯s contribution, Mirabe returned to the ssroom with a look. of dismay etched across her face.


    ¡°What did the teacher call you to the office for this time? Was it about that con artist?¡± Jenna eyed Mirabe with concern.


    Distracted by the heap of papers in her hands, Mirabe didn¡¯t answer Jenna¡¯s question. Instead, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s your top choice for college?¡±


    Jenna let out an ¡°Ah,¡± before responding, ¡°I¡¯m aiming for Radiant Ridge College right here. in our city.¡±


    Radiant Ridge College was the local academic crown jewel with no easy entry requirements, but it certainly couldn¡¯t hold a candle to the likes of Prestige College.


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers caressed the stack of papers she had just hauled back, casting a sidelong nce at Jenna. ¡°Is that the extent of your ambition?¡±


    Rolling her eyes, Jenna retorted, ¡°Not everyone¡¯s a genius freak like you, Mira. I mean, sure, I¡¯d love to get into Prestige College or Apex University, but I¡¯ve got to be realistic. I¡¯m not even sure I can get into Radiant Ridge.¡±


    After pondering for a couple of seconds, Mirabe asked, ¡°Have you heard about the Math Olympiad?¡±


    Jenna nodded. ¡°Yeah, I know about it. It happens every year around this time, right? What


    about it?<b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>If </b>you snag a good ranking, it could really boost your college application,¡± Mirabe said earnestly.


    Results from such nationwidepetitions could be gold on a student¡¯s resume and significantly increase their chances of getting into a prestigious university.


    ¡°Queen Mira, stop kidding around. I¡¯m a total math disaster. I¡¯m lucky if I pass, let alonepete in an Olympiad,¡± Jenna quickly dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand.


    Mirabe gave her a look. ¡°Your math¡¯s not <b>bad</b>; you just don¡¯t focus<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>After all, <b>she </b>couldn¡¯t let these piles of papers go to waste.


    ¡°No, no, no, I¡¯m just an average Joe with no grand aspirations<b>¡­ </b>


    Before she could finish, Mirabe cut her off, ¡°I¡¯ve already <b>signed </b><b>you </b><b>up</b>.


    <b>Jenna¡¯s </b>smile froze, ¡°What?!!!¡±


    <b>Chapter </b>422


    ¡°These are math papers I specially requested from the teachers. Take them and work on them. We¡¯ve <b>got </b><b>a </b>few days before the Olympiad, and you can ask me if there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t understand.<b>¡± </b>Mirabe deposited the entire pile onto Jenna¡¯s desk, which was the very picture of generosity.


    Jenna¡¯s eyesnded on the mountain of exam papers¨Cat least twenty at a nce¨Cand she almost fainted on the spot. Once she had regained herposure, she said, ¡°No, I¡¯m going to get my name off that list right now.¡± Shaking, she clutched the papers and made to leave.


    Mirabe pursed her lips into a sly smile. ¡°I signed you up with Mr. Hammond.¡±


    Jenna staggered, steadied herself, and swung around in shock. ¡°Mira, I seriously suspect you¡¯re out for revenge.¡±


    Mr. Hammond was intimidating! Jenna didn¡¯t have the nerve to confront him about removing her name.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe stated, ¡°I¡¯m doing this for your own good.¡±


    Jenna was bbergasted. Mirabe was the devil in disguise.


    ¡°Besides, with me tutoring you, what¡¯s there to fear from a simple test?¡±


    Jenna let out a weary chuckle, too drained to argue. Resigned, she slumped back into her seat, epting her fate.


    Mirabe spared her a nce, then pulled out her phone and sent a message to Mr. Hammond.


    When Mirabe got home after school, she scanned the

 Chapter 423

    <b>Chapter </b><b>423 </b>


    <b>In </b>the kitchen, Delh was bustling about when Mirabe strolled in and casually <b>asked</b><b>, </b>¡°Mom, did Donald leave?¡±


    Without turning around and without correcting her daughter¡¯s informal address, Delh responded, ¡°He must¡¯ve caught a chillst night. He¡¯s been under the weather all day. He <b>just </b>took some medicine and went back to his room to rest.¡±


    Mirabe frowned upon hearing this. What was this old con artist up to now?


    ¡°I¡¯m going to check on him,¡± Mirabe dered.


    With a wave of her hand, Delh said, ¡°Go ahead.<b>¡± </b>


    Swiftly, Mirabe climbed the stairs. The guest room door was unlocked. She turned the doorknob, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.


    The room was draped in darkness, curtains pulled tight, void of any sliver of light, stale <b>and </b>stuffy. Flicking on the chandelier, Mirabe¡¯s gaze settled on the bed, pausing for a moment before she approached. Therey Donald, eyes closed,plexion not quite right.


    Was he actually sick?


    Donald was not deeply asleep, just lethargic. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open to find Mirabe staring intently at him. With little energy, he murmured, ¡°What, happy to see meid up sick?¡±


    Mirabe shot him a look. ¡°You¡¯ve got enough strength to talk, so you can¡¯t be that bad


    off.¡±


    At that, Donald felt his head spin even more. ¡°You¡¯re heartless.¡±


    ¡°Oh, a heart¡¯s not required for dealing with a professional scammer like you,¡± Mirabe retorted, her voice as cool <b>as </b>ever.


    Donald just pulled the covers over his head. ¡°Get out, will you? Don¡¯t make my illness¨Cor <b>my </b>irritation¨Cworse. I might end up never leaving your ce.¡±


    Shaking her head in disbelief, Mirabe walked over to the window and shoved it open. Fresh air rushed in, dispelling the oppressive atmosphere.


    Donald peeked out from under the nket, and seeing Mirabe hadn¡¯t left, he felt a reluctant sense of relief, though he still grumbled, ¡°Why are you still here?¡±


    Mirabe returned to the bedside and, ignoring hisints<b>, </b>reached out and grasped his wrist<b>, </b>which was resting atop the nket.


    ¡°What are <b>you </b>doing?¡± Donald recoiled at her sudden move<b>, </b>instinctively trying to jerk his hand away<b>, </b>but froze under her piercing gaze, a reluctant submission taking hold <b>of </b>him.


    Silenced, he didn¡¯t dare to move.


    Inside, Donald was frustrated. Mirabe actually intimidated him.


    Mirabe released his wrist <b>and </b>said with a hint of amusement, ¡°Anxiety, chest tightness, overall weakness¡­ textbook case of not adjusting to the new environment well. Donald, where are you from?¡±


    Donald quickly tucked his hand back under the covers. He couldn¡¯t say whether he was feeling uneased about the new environment or not, but¡­ ¡°How did you know I was feeling anxious and weak?¡±


    She nced at him, ¡°I know what I need to know.¡±


    Just a pinch, and she¡¯d assessed his condition. Donald¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You can take a <b>pulse</b>?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a few tricks up my sleeve, especially when ites to throwing punches. Care to test that theory?¡± Mirabe flexed her fist lightly, her tone breezy.


    Donald was speechless. See? That was a clear¨Ccut threat.


    She¡¯s such a cute girl, yet so utterly charmless!


    When Mirabe saw that Donald mmed up, she let out a soft chuckle and didn¡¯t linger turning to leave.


    As she walked away, Donald felt an unexpected twinge of disappointment and called out to her retreating figure, ¡°Hey, you heartless thing, you¡¯re just going to leave me like this?¡±

 Chapter 424

    <b>Chapter </b>424


    Mirabe paused in her tracks, turning her head back to shoot a look at him. ¡°Donald, my family taking you in is charity enough. Don¡¯t push your luck.¡±


    Donald huffed angrily, yanking the nket over his head. Seriously, what kind of person talked like that?!


    He should have never asked.


    Shaking her head, Mirabe decided not to deal with him anymore and quickly left the


    room.


    As she descended the staircase, Delh had already finished preparing dinner andid it out on the dining table. She nced at her daughter and asked, ¡°Did you check on Donald? Is he sleeping now? I made him some chicken soup. If he¡¯s awake, I can take a bowl up to him now.¡±


    Mirabe nodded, pulling out a chair to sit. ¡°No need. I¡¯ll take it up after we eat.¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Delh replied softly, pausing before adding, ¡°Take good care of him, okay?<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe gave her a look upon hearing that.


    After dinner, Mirabe took a bowl of chicken soup and a te of steamed greens upstairs, pushing open the <b>door to </b>enter.


    She ced the items on the nightstand, noting that Donald¡¯s eyes were closed, feigning sleep. She arched an eyebrow. Of course, if one ignored his uneven breathing, they might actually believe he was asleep.


    ¡°Alright, quit faking. Get up and eat something,¡± Mirabe said slowly, breaking the silence. of the room.


    Donald didn¡¯t move on the bed, as if he hadn¡¯t heard a thing.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t say another word and instead pulled up a chair, slouching into itzily as she fished out her phone.


    A message popped up on Messenger. It was from Collins, Leo¡¯s agent.m[Hey Mira, I¡¯ve got the sports brand endorsement deal sorted out.]


    Seeing the message, Mirabe¡¯s eyes lit up. She crossed her legs, looking every bit the rebel, and typed back. [Awesome, Collins. Thanks for the hustle.]


    Collins, who was at a diner with Leo, saw Mirabe¡¯s reply as soon as his phone buzzed on the table. After reading it, he quickly responded. [No problem<b>.</b>]


    He then looked up at Leo, who was busy munching on his meal and sent another message. [By the way, I haven¡¯t mentioned to your brother about snagging the ad deal.]


    Over time, Collins had noticed a particr quirk. Whenever it came to Mirabe doing something like epting an ad deal, Leo was quick to refuse, almost obsessively protective to an abnormal degree.


    Mirabe, squinting slightly, typed back leisurely. [Don¡¯t worry, he doesn¡¯t have the right to refuse.]


    With that response, Collins felt reassured. Even though Leo was overly protective, he was also a bit of a pushover, especially where his sister was concerned, with no real standing as the older brother.


    Leo looked up, noticing Collins chuckling darkly at his phone, and narrowed his eyes. ¡°Collins?¡±


    Clearing his throat, Collins set down the phone and said nonchntly, ¡®Oh, I forgot to tell you, when I dropped off that autograph for your sister the other day, I casually brought up the ad deal, and she was interested.¡±


    Leo¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Didn¡¯t we already turn down that ad deal?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we did, but it seems your sister was quite keen, so I chased it back down,¡® Collins exined calmly.


    Leo shot him a skeptical look. ¡°My sister was interested? You must have nagged her into


    it.¡±


    Collins¡® lips twitched, and then he simply picked up his phone, unlocked it, pulled up his recent Messenger chat with Mirabe, and handed

 Chapter 425

    <b>Chapter </b><b>425 </b>


    Leo grabbed his phone, thumbing through the chat history with a sense of unease. The message <b>[</b><b>Don¡¯t </b>worry<b>, </b>he doesn¡¯t have the right to refuse] sent a chill down his spine. That menacing vibe<b>¡­ </b>No way his sister would talk like that.


    This couldn¡¯t be her messaging on Messenger. His sister was never this aggressive.


    With an involuntary flick of his finger, Leo scrolled up through more messages and realized Collins had been chatting with his sister way too often. Even though their conversations were brief, they rubbed him the wrong way. His sister rarely ever chatted with him on Messenger.


    <b>Leo </b>grimaced, lifted his gaze, and eyed Collins. ¡°You¡¯ve been in touch with my sister a lot, huh?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Collins seemed confused by his question.


    ¡°Never mind.¡± Leo¡¯s eyes returned to the phone screen.


    His fingers tapped swiftly, navigating to his sister¡¯s contact page. He hit a button in the top right corner and, in the pop¨Cup that appeared, checked ¡®Add to block list.¡® A momentter, Leo handed the phone back to Collins, who ced it casually on the nearby table without checking it again.


    Leo picked up his fork and resumed eating. Between bites, he casually asked, ¡°When are we shooting themercial?¡±


    ¡°Next week, we¡¯re set to sign the contract; we¡¯ll schedule the shoot after that,¡± replied Collins.


    ¡°Alright, got it,¡± Leo responded lightly.


    ¡°Once we wrap the music video tomorrow, we¡¯re heading back to Ashford. Your flight¡¯s already booked. Take some rest when you get back, you¡¯ve got an episode of ¡®Country Comfort¡® to shoot the day after tomorrow,¡± Collins added,ying out the next <b>couple </b>of days<b>¡® </b>itinerary.


    ¡°Mhm<b>.</b>¡±


    When Mirabe was messaging Collins, Donald, who had been feigning sleep, couldn¡¯t keep up the act any longer. He opened his eyes, filled with a silent reproach.


    Just a couple more calls for attention. Would that kill her? Seriously.


    Mirabe chose to <b>ignore </b><b>his </b>gaze, her attention locked on her phone, <b>exuding </b><b>a </b>carefree <b>and </b>rebellious air.


    Donald¡¯s stomach growled from a day of scarce eating. Despite being peeved at


    Mirabe¡¯s icy demeanor<b>, </b>he reached for the bowl of soup on the nightstand and started


    to eat


    After finishing the soup, Donald set the bowl down with a huff and called out, ¡°I¡¯m still hungry. Got any more?¡±


    Mirabe nced at Donaldzily, wordlessly stood up, pocketed her phone, and took the bowl to get more soup.


    Donald took a deep breath. Even in his younger days, he¡¯d never been so audacious. Mirabe was really¡­ It was better not to think about it. It only aggravated him more.


    So, Donald pulled out his phone from under the pillow, held down the power button, and as soon as it booted up, he sent a text out. [Blind as a bat!]


    The Message was sent, and he swiftly turned the device off again.


    Next door, James received the baffling text. Had Grandpa Donald lost his mind?!


    After Mirabe returned downstairs, shedled another bowl of steaming soup. As she was about to head back up, a thought struck her, and she turned to walk back to the living


    then room. She pulled out an incense stick and a small burner from the cab, ascended the stairs once more.


    Back in the room, she ced the fresh soup on the nightstand without a word to Donald.


    Donald seemed to have grown ustomed to her silence and continued eating. However, he caught a glimpse of the incense burner and stick in her hand.

 Chapter 426

    <b>Chapter </b><b>426 </b>


    Donald raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued as he inquired, ¡°What¡¯s that incense you¡¯ve got there? Sandalwood or Agarwood?¡±


    ¡°Sandalwood,¡± Mirabe replied without looking up, setting the incense burner on the low coffee table and flicking her lighter to life<b>, </b>igniting the incense.


    As the incense began to burn, a subtle fragrance soon filled the room. On closer whiff, the aromatic afternotes hinted at medicinal herbs, inexplicablyforting to the senses.


    Donald was no stranger to the ritual of burning incense, being a connoisseur of top¨Cshelf aromatics himself. Thus, the scent wafting from Mirabe¡¯s incense took him by surprise. ¡°This incense¡­ seems to have a blend of herbs, doesn¡¯t it?¡± After pausing for a couple of seconds and taking another sniff, his astonishment was evident. ¡°This is some quality stuff you¡¯ve got here.¡±


    With a quirk of her eyebrow, Mirabe cast a nce at Donald sprawled on the bed. ¡°Not too shabby in the recognition department, eh? And here you were, ying the country bumpkin. Hmm?¡±


    Donald quietly sipped his broth again before probing, ¡°Where did you get this incense? It¡¯s the mostforting scent I¡¯ve smelled in years.¡±


    ¡°Got it online, nine bucks, free shipping. Interested?¡± Mirabe tossed off thement casually.


    A twitch tugged at the corner of Donald¡¯s mouth as he set his bowl on the nightstand, his tone less than amused. ¡°Who are you trying to fool? If that incense is really nine bucks, I¡¯ll eat my hat.¡±


    ¡°Your hat isn¡¯t worth much,¡± Mirabe retorted with a dismissive twist of her lips.


    Donald was taken aback. He thought, ¡°Believe it or not. My real identity might just knock your socks off!¡±


    After clearing away the dishes, Mirabe added, ¡°Consider yourself lucky, Donald, that I even bothered to <b>light </b>an incense for you.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t nned on pampering him with such a luxury, but after her mother¡¯s mysterious advice to ¡®take good care of <b>him</b>,<b>¡® </b>she grudginglyplied. Judging from Donald¡¯s praise of her incense, she could deduce he wasn¡¯t your average Joe. As for his real identity, she wasn¡¯t interested in guessing¨Cnor did she have the time to spare.


    ¡°What do you mean, ¡®lucky?¡® It¡¯s just nine bucks, right? Here, I¡¯ll give you ny¨Cnine for a box,¡± Donald retorted<b>, </b>clearly ruffled by her words. Wherever he went, he was ustomed to adtion. <b>Only </b>in the presence of this young girl did his dignity seem to be slipping. <b>away</b>! He resolved to find the perfect moment to turn the tables on her, to show her that


    some people should not be underestimated!


    Mirabe simply gave him a look. Ny<b>¨C</b>nine bucks for her incense? Moments ago, she <b>thought </b>he had a discerning taste<b>, </b><b>but </b>now¡­ well, he was just a penny¨Cpinching old man.


    <b>¡°</b>You should probably <b>just </b>get some sleep,¡± she advised. With that, Mirabe exited with the bowl in hand, deliberately closing the door with a bit more force than necessary.


    Donald touched his chin, perplexed. They were just having a decent conversation, so what¡¯s with this sudden cold shoulder? Youth these days were so fickle, so impatient!


    With a huff<b>, </b>he settled back into bed, pulling the covers up and closing his eyes.


    Adapting to a new environment was one thing, but his preference for his own bed was another; a restless night had left him drained and under the weather. Now, lulled by the soothing scent, his mind quieted, and he drifted off into a peaceful slumber.


    The next day, Donald awoke feeling exceptionally refreshed. Yesterday¡¯s difort was gone without a trace.


    As he got out of bed, he noticed the incense ash in the burner on the coffee table and pondered for a moment. Soon after, he freshened up and, with the aid of his cane, stepped out of the room.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 427

    <b>Chapter 427 </b>


    Donald <b>had </b>just reached the bottom of the stairs when Delh and Shawn approached him with concern, inquiring about his health.


    It was Saturday, a day without sses, so Mirabe was lounging on the sofa, idly scrolling through her phone. Next to her sat Zach, who had also taken the day off from work.


    Casting a nce towards Mirabe, Donald turned to Delh and replied, ¡°I owe it to Mira for that incense stick she lit up for mest night. Feeling loads better today.¡±


    Delh paused, thenughed, ¡°Well, you¡¯ve always been robust. That little concoction of hers is just a hobby of hers, nothing more.¡±


    Donald¡¯s expression twisted slightly. ¡°She made the aromatherapy stick herself?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡± Delh nodded.


    Donald then remembered their,conversation the previous night. He had asked Mirabe where she bought it, and she had quipped, ¡®Online, only nine ny¨Cnine with free shipping<b>.¡± </b>


    He chuckled inwardly. Quite the little fibber, wasn¡¯t she?


    Sensing Donald¡¯s gaze, Mirabe looked up only to find him turning away with a look of distaste.


    Soon after, Delh helped Donald to the dining room for breakfast, calling her daughter and son to join as well. Though there was a guest in the house, the atmosphere was much the same as usual. Both Delh and Shawn wereid¨Cback by nature and didn¡¯t stand <b>on </b>ceremony, except when it came to Donald, whom they treated with unspoken politeness.


    Midway through breakfast, Delh looked up at Zach and said, ¡°Zach, you¡¯ve got that matchmaking event at ten. Don¡¯t forget about it.¡±


    Zach <b>had </b>hoped that with a guest present, his mother might forget about the


    matchmaking ordeal. Yet, here¡¯she was, bringing it up again. Scratching his head, he felt at headacheing on.


    Hearing this<b>, </b>Donald looked at Zach with a hint of surprise. ¡°Zach, a catch like <b>you </b>still hasn¡¯t found a partner?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Themunity center is organizing a big matchmaking event, and I signed him up,¡± Delh sighed, sparing no embarrassment for her son.


    <b>Zach </b>was at a <b>loss</b>. He was consigned to amunity <b>center </b>matchmaking event. How utterly heart¨Cstabbing.


    Mirabe silently bowed her head. Poor Zach, such a tragic figure.


    ¡°Really, there¡¯s no rush. He¡¯s still young.¡± Donald coughed.


    Delh shook her <b>head</b>. ¡°He¡¯s twenty¨Csix. My friend¡¯s kids are already helping out in the


    <b>kitchen</b>.¡±


    Zach couldn¡¯t bear to listen any longer. He stuffed a couple of bites of pastry into his mouth, finished quickly, and stood up. ¡°I¡¯m done. You all enjoy your chat¡±


    As he pulled out his chair, ready to leave, Zach¡¯s eyes flickered, and he turned to Mirabe. ¡°It¡¯s Saturday, and there¡¯s nothing much going on. How about youe with me, Mira?


    Caught off guard, Mirabe paused, about to refuse.


    ¡°Zach, you¡¯re being ridiculous. Who brings their sister to a matchmaking event?¡± Delh scolded, before adding, ¡°Besides, your sister doesn¡¯t like crowded ces. She¡¯ll stay home and keep Donaldpany.¡±


    Hearing this, Mirabe stood up, her pretty face serious. ¡°Mom, Zach¡¯s future is important. We can¡¯t be careless in choosing a partner for him. As his sister, it¡¯s my duty to help screen the candidates.¡±


    Donald, at the side, was stunned. She clearly didn¡¯t want to stay home with an old man like him, and yet she dressed her words up so nobly!

 Chapter 428

    Delh releed her eyebrows in surprise. ¡°Ah, are you going to y wingman for your brother on a blind date?¡±


    Mirabe nodded emphatically, her face the picture of innocence and understanding. ¡°Tve never seen a blind date in action. I¡¯m curious¨CI wanna check it out.¡±


    ¡°If our little girl wants to go, then let her be,¡± Shawn, ever the doting father, was practically putty in his daughter¡¯s hands when it came to her requests.


    ncing at her husband, Delh pondered for a moment before conceding with a wave of her hand. ¡°Alright, off you go.¡±


    Before long, Mirabe and Zach were stepping out of the diner. ¡°Zach, wait up. I¡¯ll change and be right down,¡± Mirabe called out, still dressed in her loungewear.


    Back in her room, Mirabe opened her wardrobe and initially reached for a hoodie and Jeans but then thought better of it. She hung them back and inscoffeed chose a flowing <b>maxi </b>dress and a trench coat.


    The closet, stocked by Delh, was filled with clothes that Mirabe hardly used since she wore a uniform to school. The <b>tags </b>on many of the items were proof enough.


    After changing, Mirabe stood in front of the vanity, forgoing makeup and opting for a casual half¨Cbun. She was ready in no time.


    Descending the stairs, Zach gave his sister a once¨Cover. She was tall and willowy, looking even more statuesque in her simple dress and coat. Her legs <b>were </b>entuated, giving off a cool vibe. His sister <b>was </b>indeed one of a kind.


    Having finished his breakfast, Donald lounged in the living room and couldn¡¯t help but mutter under his breath at the sight of Mirabe, ¡®Dressed to the nines, anyone would think she is the one going on the blind date.¡±


    Shortly after, Mirabe and Zach left the house. Once they were gone, Donald grew restless and turned to Shawn, who was prepping a pot of coffee, ¡°Where¡¯s Zach headed for his date again?¡±


    Shawn, warming the coffeepot and reaching for the coffee beans, casually mentioned the location of Zach¡¯s matchmaking event to Donald. It took a moment for him to realize what he had done. Why was Donald asking?


    Shawn gave Donald a puzzled look just as Donald stood. ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs to grab my phone<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Take your time,¡± Shawn nodded.


    With a wave of his hand, Donald hurried upstairs, leaning on his cane.


    11:06


    <b>Shawn </b>watched <b>Donald </b><b>stride </b>away, <b>disappearing </b><b>around </b>the <b>stairwell </b><b>with </b>a <b>look </b><b>of </b>utter astonishment<b>. </b><b>He </b>could swear <b>his </b>eyes were ying tricks on him.


    Once <b>back </b><b>in </b><b>his </b>room, Donald approached the nightstand, powered up his phone, and quicklyposed a message with an address, sending it off. After shutting down <b>his </b>phone again, Donald sighed, his taskplete.


    Elsewhere, James looked at the text message that had just arrived on his phone. He tried to call back but was met with the shutdown tone. He passed the phone to Curtis without a word.


    Curtis hooked up the phone to hisputer while ncing at the text message. ¡°Why¡¯s Donald sending us another address? Is he telling us he¡¯s at this location now?<b>¡± </b>


    James adjusted his cuffs in silence.


    ¡°Come on, track Donald¡¯s IP, will ya?¡± Wyatt urged from the side.


    Curtis shot him a look and then returned his focus to theputer screen. The red dot on


    the satellite map flickered over the Ashford area, but still, they couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact location.

 Chapter 429

    <b>Chapter </b><b>429 </b>


    Curtis shut his <bptop </b>with a sigh, shaking his head<b>. </b>¡°No dice. I can¡¯t pinpoint the exact <b>location</b>.


    Wyatt nced over, seemingly all too familiar with this type of letdown. <b>He </b>didn¡¯t even bother to roll his eyes at Curtis as he mused, ¡°So, is this address somece Donald wants James to check out, or is <b>he </b>just <b>sitting </b>there waiting for <b>us</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>It¡¯s </b>hard to say. Donald wouldn¡¯t just send an address out of the blue for no good reason¡­ Let me scope out the ce.¡± Curtis reopened hisptop and punched in the coordinates on a satellite map.


    After a brief moment, Curtis slowly announced, ¡°Looks like it¡¯s a seniormunity park.¡±


    Wyatt stroked his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Ah, a park for the elder crowd, huh? Then it¡¯s a pretty <b>safe </b>bet Donald¡¯s there.¡±


    Curtis added, ¡°It¡¯s also not too far from where Ms. Mirabe¡¯s old ce was before she moved.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Oh, right,¡± Wyatt snapped his fingers, recognition dawning. That address is in the same neck of the woods as Mirabe¡¯s old neighborhood.¡±


    Looking up at his boss, Curtis suggested, ¡°How about I head over now and look for Donald? Once I find him, I can bring him back to the vi?¡±


    James narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and then stood up, his features sharp yet serene as he said simply, ¡°I¡¯ll go myself.¡±


    Without further discussion, Curtis nodded. Though Donald had only sent an address, it was likely not just about telling James a location. There had to be more to it.


    Wyatt flipped over the back of the sofa with ease, ready to take action. ¡°I¡¯ll get the car.¡±


    Curtis, who had just stood up, ready to y chauffeur, stood rooted to the spot.


    Wyatt nced back at Curtis with a yful smirk. ¡°Curtis, you just keep cracking away at yourputer skills at home, will ya?¡±


    Curtis, once renowned for his hacking prowess, now reduced to puter skills, could only scowl silently. Damn it!


    In the car.


    Mirabe was texting on her phone and chatting with Jenna through Messenger. Her stack of math papers had managed to hijack Jenna¡¯s entire weekend, leaving no time for her to hang out with friends.


    11:06


    Wake <b>up</b><b>, </b><b>hit </b>the books<b>, </b>Finish lunch and hit the <b>books </b>again. Even <b>in </b><b>her </b><b>dreams</b>, Jenna was <b>haunted </b><b>by </b><b>that </b>pile <b>of </b><b>papers</b>.


    Having justpleted a set<b>, </b><b>Jenna </b>snapped some photos and sent them to Mirabe, seeking validation of <b>her </b>answers and casually inquiring about Mirabe¡¯s <b>current </b>


    activities.


    Mirabelia replied with just two words. [Matchmaking <b>event</b>.] Then she opened Jenna¡¯s photos, zooming in on each one to quickly pinpoint the mistakes Jenna had made


    Jenna, anxiously awaiting a response, was shocked by the words ¡®matchmaking event that appeared on her screen<b>. </b>Her eyes bulged as she quickly typed back, [Hold up, Queen <b>Mira</b>, what¡¯s the deal? You¡¯re on blind dates at eighteen<b>?</b><b>] </b>


    With the pretty ones going on blind dates, what hope was there for someone like herself? Jenna felt like she was losing touch with the times..


    Mirabe sent back the corrected photos and, upon seeing Jenna¡¯s message, pressed her fingers to her temples and replied, [With my brother. He¡¯s going on the blind dates.]


    Jenna breathed out a sigh of relief. [Phew, you had me there. I thought you were the one participating in the dates.]


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched as she slowly typed, [I¡¯ve marked the wrong answers. <b>I¡¯ll </b>exin them at school on Monday. By the way, what do you think of my looks? Do I look like I need a blind date?¡±


    Jenna rolled her eyes.


    Tsk! Such shamelessness<b>! </b>

 Chapter 430

    <b>Chapter </b><b>430 </b>


    After wrapping up her chat <b>on </b>Messenger, Jenna reached for another test paper from the stack on her desk. She had barely filled in a few nks when something struck her. She <b>scampered </b>down the stairs, her feet pounding a rapid beat against the wooden steps.


    <b>Ka </b>was outside, tending to her rose bushes, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow on her face. She jumped a little as her daughter bolted towards her.


    ¡°Mom, how old is my cousin again?¡± Jenna fixed her sparkling eyes on Ka, a hint of urgency in her voice.


    Ka paused, a tad thrown off by the sudden question. ¡°Which cousin, honey? We have a whole n of them.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Dn, Mom.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see, he¡¯s either 24 or 25, I think. I can¡¯t quite remember.¡± Ka set down her watering can, curiosity piqued. ¡°Why the sudden interest in Dn?¡±


    ¡°Twenty¨Cfour or five, huh¡­¡± Jenna muttered under her breath, seemingly content that he wasn¡¯t too old after all. Then she popped another question, ¡°Does he have a girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°Not that I know of.¡± Ka shook her head, her watering can forgotten. ¡°Jenna, what¡¯s all this about? Why are you asking?¡±


    Jenna offered a sheepish grin. ¡°Oh, no reason.¡± She paused for a moment, her eyes darting as if chasing a thought before asking, ¡°What do you think about Mira?¡±


    ¡°You mean Mirabe?¡± Ka¡¯s face softened as she thought of Mirabe. ¡°She¡¯s lovely, smart as a whip, and has a heart of gold. A real catch, that one.¡±


    After her moment of reflection, Ka¡¯s gaze returned to Jenna, her expression nowced with exasperation. ¡°Speaking of, have you finished that box of test papers Mirabe gave you? You know, if you don¡¯t keep up with your studies<b>, </b>you¡¯re no help to me around here.¡±


    Jenna was dumbfounded. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡®Am I even her real daughter<b>?</b>¡±


    Meanwhile, Zach had driven to the address Delh had given him for the blind date. He parked his car with precision and was just about to push open the door when he noticed Mirabe, his sister, hadn¡¯t made a move.


    ¡°Mira, we¡¯re here,¡± he called out.


    Mirabe looked up at him and said, ¡°You go ahead, Zach. I¡¯ll wait here for your triumphant return.¡±


    Zach frowned<b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>What </b>happened to <b>being </b>cautious and <b>having </b><b>my </b><b>back</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    She <b>batted </b>her eyshes Innocently and nced at her watch. ¡°You know, beingte for blind dates can leave a bad impression, Zach.¡±


    He shot her a <b>re</b>. ¡°If I don¡¯t find the one, it¡¯s half your fault. Get out of the car now. If <b>you </b>don¡¯te with me, I¡¯m not going.¡±


    Seeing her brother resort to such tactics, Mirabe sighed, unbuckled her seatbelt, and stepped out of the car. Zach couldn¡¯t help but smirk behind his sses.


    Together, they walked toward the entrance of the neighborhood park. Admission was five bucks a head. After buying their tickets, they followed the path into the park. Thismunity haven had been around for years, a dedicated space for local residents to mingle and unwind. It was well¨Cequipped and often hostedmunity events¨Cits only w being that it looked a bit dated.


    Mirabe surveyed the park and then nced at


    ach, dressed to the nines like the businessman he was, standing out against the backdrop of their modest rendezvous spot. With a sly smile, she teased, ¡°I have a feeling that your blind dates might not go so well today.¡±


    Zach gave her a sideways look. ¡°I have to disagree. I mean, look at me¨CI¡¯m handsome and a hotshot in the business world. I¡¯m the dream guy for countless women.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t about being picked but about him doing the picking. If things didn¡¯t work out, it would simply be because he hadn¡¯t found someone up to his standards.

 Chapter 431

    <b>Chapter </b><b>431 </b>


    Mirabe <b>tucked </b>a stray lock of <b>hair </b>behind <b>her </b>ear. Her eyes, soft and deep like a <b>peach </b><b>orchard </b><b>in </b>bloom, held <b>a </b>teasing glint. ¡°Every woman¡¯s dream guy, you know, <b>doesn¡¯t </b>that <b>only </b>exist <b>in </b>fairytales<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Zach </b>sighed. Ah, the sting of truth knows no bounds.


    <b>Soon </b>enough, they arrived at the designated matchmaking spot in the park. It was an alfresco setting, with rows of <b>pic </b>tables spread out under the open sky. Each table was <b>adorned </b>with an array of candies, pastries, and beverages that gave the ce a rather


    festive look.


    Naturally, it being a grand matchmaking <b>event </b>meant quite a few hopeful bachelors and bachelorettes were milling about.


    ¡°Zach, good luck, buddy. I¡¯ll be over there at the back on one of the park benches waiting for you,¡± Mirabe said, patting Zach on the shoulder with a smile.


    Zach gave her a deadpan look in response.


    DO NO NON SE 2 0 0 + 20


    With a sly smile, Mirabe turned, walked away to a park bench at afortable remove from the matchmaking melee, and sat down.


    Momentster, she could still feel the weight of Zach¡¯s soulful puppy¨Cdog gaze. Deciding to ignore Zach¡¯s looks, Mirabe bowed her head and pulled out her phone to fire up a


    game.


    Meanwhile, Wyatt had just parked his car at the lot outside the park. He gripped the steering wheel as he peered through the windshield towards the park¡¯s grand entrance. ¡°Boss, this is the ce Donald texted us about.¡±


    James squinted outside before promptly opening the car door and stepping out.


    Wyatt followed suit, scanning the surroundings for any signs of suspicion. Finding none, he took out his phone and dialed a number while speaking, ¡°I¡¯m gonna try Donald¡¯s number again.., Yeah, it¡¯s still going to voicemail.¡±


    Pocketing his phone again, Wyatt looked over at James. ¡°Should we head into the park to look for him?¡±


    James responded with a nonchnt hum and started towards the park entrance.


    Wyatt quickly caught up and purchased two tickets, only to be greeted by the ticket seller¡¯s chuckling question. ¡°So, youds here for the singles¡® mixer too?¡±


    Wyatt paused, puzzled. ¡°What singles¡® mixer?¡±


    The ticket seller gave him a look that said, e off it, son.¡± ¡°Oh,e on, if you weren¡¯t


    11:07


    here <b>for </b><b>the </b><b>mixer</b><b>, </b>why <b>else </b><b>would </b><b>you </be <b>to </b>this older folke¡®munity park?<b>¡± </b>


    Wyatt was bbergasted.


    The seller <b>nced </b>at Wyatt, understanding his predicament, but then his gaze shifted <b>to</b>, <b>James</b>, <b>and </b><b>his </b>brow furrowed in confusion. Did such a good¨Clooking young man need to <b>attend </b>a mixer to find a <b>date</b><b>? </b>


    Shaking his head, the ticket seller added, ¡°Better get moving. The event¡¯s already started. Anyter, and all the good catches will be snatched up.¡±


    Wyatt felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth. ¡°No, see, you¡¯ve got it all-¡± He stopped midway, thinking better of it. There was no point in exining.


    Wyatt gave his boss a look, and soon they were inside the park..


    Not far in, Wyatt¡¯s mind began to race. ¡°Boss, from what the old man at the gate said, there¡¯s some dating event happening here. And with Donald suddenly messaging you toe¡­ He wouldn¡¯t be setting you up for this, would he?¡±


    Knowing Donald¡¯s twisted sense of humor, it wasn¡¯t out of the question.


    raf


    As James stopped, Wyatt paused as well, pondering for a few seconds. ¡°How about this? You go back and wait in the car, and I¡¯ll go check it out?¡±


    ¡°No, no, no, we¡¯re not here for that,¡± Wyatt hastened to rify, shaking his head vehemently. He had ns to y matchmaker for James and Ms. Mirabe, and there was no room for misunderstandings.

 Chapter 432

    pursed his lips, a thin smile <b>barely </b>visible as <b>he </b>pulled a sleek, <b>ck </b>face mask pen his pocket and <b>slipped </b>it on <b>with </b>a casual, <b>¡°</b><b>No </b><b>need</b><b>,¡± </b>


    Wyatt, seeing <b>this</b>, <b>decided </b>not to press the issue<b>. </b>The two men, one after the other, continued <b>their </b>stroll along the park¡¯s winding pathways<b>. </b>


    Before long, they came upon a boisterous gathering of men and women, a banner pping gently in the breeze beside them. Emzoned across it in bold letters was <b>¡°</b>Singles <b>Mixer</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>From </b>a distance, Wyatt surveyed the crowd. ¡°Looks like a bunch of young singles. I doubt Donald would be among them.¡±


    With most of his face obscured by the mask and his imposing presence slightly reined in, James wasn¡¯t drawing much attention. He nced over the scene briefly before drawing his gaze away. ¡°Let¡¯s <b>go</b>.<b>¡± </b>


    He turned on his heel, heading back the way they hade.


    ¡°Right,¡± Wyatt murmured in agreement. He could guess Donald¡¯s intentions by now, but to send his grandson to a mixer like this¡­ What on earth was going through Donald¡¯s mind? <b>If </b>the other prominent families in Riverdale caught wind of this, James¡® reputation would be in tatters.


    Shaking his head in resignation, Wyatt took onest look over the crowd. But as his eyes. drifted away, they inadvertently fell upon a solitary figure seated on a public bench. He paused, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.


    That silhouette¡­ wasn¡¯t <b>that </b>Ms. Mirabe?


    ¡°Sir, hold up a sec,¡± Wyatt called out to his charge.


    James had already taken a few steps back but stopped at Wyatt¡¯s call, turning to follow his gaze. His expression showed a hint of surprise.


    ¡°James, isn¡¯t that Ms. Mirabe?¡± Wyatt asked, pointing to ensure his point was clear.


    After a few seconds, Wyatt continued, almost to himself, ¡°That¡¯s definitely her¡­ But what in the world is she doing here? Cough, she couldn¡¯t possibly be here for the mixer, could she?¡±


    As Wyatt finished his thought, James¡® eyes narrowed, his gaze inscrutable behind the mask.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe, slouched against the back of the bench, had been engrossed in her phone, ignoring the several men who had approached her, mistaking her for a participant in the mixer. It wasn¡¯t until someone blocked the sunlight that she pinched the bridge of her nose and looked up. She was about to rify her non¨Cparticipation, only to be startled


    <b>by </b>the identities of the two men before <b>her</b>.


    James<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>she eximed, using his name directly,


    It was the first time James had heard her day his name so inly, and he felt a curious str within him. His lips quirked beneath his mask as he acknowledged her with a soft ¡°Hmm¡± <b>Wyatt </b>also greeted her, ¡°Ma. Mirabe.¡±


    Slipping her phone into her jacket pocket, Mirabe stood and nodded to them, her curiosity evident. ¡°What brings you two here?¡±


    Then, ncing at the mixer nearby, she added, ¡°You¡¯re not here to mingle too, are you?¡± If <b>they </b>were, it would be quite the coincidence.


    James keenly caught the word ¡®too¡® in Mirabe¡¯s question. His eyes narrowed slightly, taking in her attire, which was very different from her <b>usual </b>style.

 Chapter 433

    <b>Chapter </b><b>433 </b>


    Mirabe cast a casual nce at Wyatt, her <b>expression </b>unfazed. ¡°Really, there¡¯s no shame In blind dates<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Wyatt was at a loss for words. The point was, he hadn¡¯t been on a blind date, okay!


    James¡® gaze settled on Mirabe¡¯s face, a yful smirk ying on his lips. ¡°This ce? It doesn¡¯t seem quite your style.¡±


    Mirabe <b>pursed </b>her lips, spreading her hands in resignation. ¡°No choice, couldn¡¯t stay at home. Just had to tag along with my brother Zach for some matchmaking<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    At the mention of Zach, James arched an eyebrow. ¡°Zach is having blind dates?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Mirabe nodded, her gaze drifting to the blind date event nearby. She watched for a few seconds before turning back to James, her tone teasing as she asked, ¡°So, has your family been pressuring you to settle down?¡± She clearly assumed he was there for a blind date, too.


    James adjusted his face mask, his voicezy. ¡°Ever seen anyonee to a matchmaking event wearing one of these?¡±


    Mirabe conceded the point with a nod, then reconsidered. With James¡® looks, he wouldn¡¯t be caught dead at a blind date event, even if his family were pushing him to


    marry.


    ¡°By the way, you¡¯re wee toe over to my ce. It¡¯s quiet there, too. I¡¯ll set you up with fingerprint ess to the gate,¡± James offered, responding to Mirabe¡¯s earlierint about not wanting to be at home.


    Mirabe waved the offer off without much thought. ¡°Thanks, but no thanks.¡±


    On the sidelines, Wyatt, ever the diligent servant, quietly contemted the mention of fingerprint ess. He resolved to arrange it posthaste upon their return. Ms. Mirabe¡¯s reluctance notwithstanding, it was something he feltpelled to implement.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes, light and carefree, shifted back to the present. ¡°So, if you¡¯re not here for a blind date, what brings you to this ce?¡±


    ¡°Looking for someone,¡± James replied nonchntly.


    ¡°Oh? Found them yet?¡± Mirabe asked casually.


    ¡°Not yet.¡± James¡® eyes suddenly took on a mischievous glint as he regarded Mirabe. He had received an address from Donald, but bumping into Mirabe, a seemed less than coincidental.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t pay much mind to James¡® gaze; she didn¡¯t think he¡¯de specifically to find her. After all, they were neighbors, and he wasn¡¯t the type to be bored.


    11:07


    <b>Quess </b><b>you¡¯ll </b><b>have </b>to <b>keep </b><b>looking </b><b>she </b>said.


    Wyatt chimed in. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, have you <b>run </b><b>into </b>any elderly folks here? Maybe in their <b>seventies </b>or eighties?<b>¡± </b>


    <b>Elderly </b>folks?


    Mirabelle thought for a moment and shook her head. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Alright then.¡± Although he expected this answer, disappointment flickered across Wyatt¡¯s <b>face</b>. Donald did have a knack for stirring things <b>up</b>.


    At the mention of the elderly, Mirabe¡¯s thoughts turned to Donald back home, who had a habit of showing up unannounced, and her mood darkened. She quickly added, ¡°Today, the park is filled mostly with young men and women looking for love.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Wyatt nodded and nced at his employer. Clearing his throat as a subtle hint, he said, <b>¡°</b>James, why don¡¯t you chat with Ms. Mirabe for a bit? I¡¯ll take another look around the park.<b>¡± </b>


    With a brief look and a low ¡°Hmm¡± in response, James acknowledged him. Wyatt soon vanished from their sight.


    Mirabe wrapped her trench coat tighter around herself and settled back down on the bench. She looked up at James, standing nearby, and after a moment of thought, pulled out a tissue from her bag to wipe down the seat next to her. She patted the spot clean and said, ¡°It¡¯s clean now.¡±


    James raised an eyebrow at her gesture but didn¡¯t refuse the offer, taking a seat beside her. His presence wasmanding, and even as he leaned casually against the bench, he exuded a subtle sense of dominance.


    Turning her head to look at him, Mirabe was unaffected by his aura. Instead, a yful curiosity danced across her beautiful features. ¡°So, what exactly do you do for a living?¡±


    11.0

 Chapter 434

    <b>Chapter </b><b>434 </b>


    James leaned back casually, his long legs crossed in an effortlessly rebellious pose that seemed to scream ¡®apolled rich kid. His voice carried a tinge of mncholy as he spoke, I¡¯m just a guy with a frall constitution, living off the family fortune without a job to my name.¡±


    Mirabe shot him a nce. Living in a mansion, nked by two beefy bodyguards wherever he went, and he called himself unemployed? What a poser.


    Her phone buzzed In her pocket. Cool as a cucumber, Mirabe fished it out to see it was her mom calling. She quickly answered, ¡°Hey, Mom, how¡¯s it going?¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart, how¡¯s Zach¡¯s blind date event shaping up?¡± her mother inquired eagerly.


    Mirabe lifted her head, scanning the bustling blind date event for Zach, but she couldn¡¯t spot him immediately. She vaguely responded, ¡°Seems like he¡¯s hitting it off, I guess<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Her mom, Delh, rxed at that, chuckling, ¡°Well, that¡¯s a relief. I was worried your brother might pull a no¨Cshow.¡±


    ¡°Nope, he¡¯s there,¡± Mirabe affirmed truthfully.


    ¡°By the way, did you run into a girl wearing a yellow dress, with long hair, and quite the looker? She¡¯s got a cartoon pin on her chest,¡± Delh added after a brief pause.


    Touching the tip of her nose, Mirabe asked, ¡°Is she one of Zach¡¯s dates for today?¡±


    ¡°Yep, a friend¡¯s daughter. I¡¯ll send you her picture on Messenger. If you see her, try to nudge your brother into striking up a conversation,¡± Delh instructed.


    ¡°Alright, Mom,¡± Mirabe agreed.


    After hanging up, she soon received the photo from her mom. The girl in the picture


    looked to be in her early twenties, indeed quite attractive, with a certain refreshing vivacity


    in her eyes.


    Standing up, Mirabe turned to James and said nonchntly, ¡°I¡¯ve got to run an errand. Be right back.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± James replied smoothly, and after a thought, added, ¡°When will you be back?¡±


    Mirabe uttered an ¡°Ah,¡± as she realized the question, and said, ¡°Not sure, actually. Don¡¯t wait up,¡± and with that, she headed towards the event.


    But after a few steps, James called out, ¡°Hold on a sec.¡±


    Mirabe turned around, her eyes filled with curiosity, ¡°Yeah?<b>¡± </b>


    James stood and, with an unhurried gait, approached her, pulling out a matching ck face mask from his pocket, ¡°Thought you might need this.¡±


    11-07


    Her gaze fell upon the mask in his hand, <b>and </b>after <b>a </b>brief pause, her eyebrows lifted, and her eyes sparkled as she offered a grin. Reaching out, her slender fingers brushed his as <b>she </b>took the mask, taking her time to put it on. With a cool wave to James, she said, Thanks.¡±


    And she was off.


    James curled his fingers slightly, watching her retreat with a deep look, a small smile ying on his lips beneath the mask.


    Returning from a walk in the park, Wyatt noticed Mirabe¡¯s absence and asked instinctively, ¡°Ms. Mirabe left?¡±


    James hummed an affirmation.


    Wyatt touched his nose, sensing that his boss seemed to be in a surprisingly good mood after talking with Mirabe. Clearing his throat, Wyatt mentioned, ¡°I took ap around the park, didn¡¯t catch sight of Donald anywhere.¡±


    James¡® eyes narrowed slightly, his tone neutral, ¡°He¡¯s not here.¡±

 Chapter 435

    Chapter <b>435 </b>


    With a firm belief that he couldn¡¯t let his little sister doubt his charm<b>, </b>Zach tried <i>to </i>be the picture of chivalry and politeness to anydy who approached him with interest¨Cas long as they weren¡¯t outright unpleasant to look at. He was almost indiscriminately weing.


    Unbeknownst to Zach, who thought himself a dashing gentleman, his reputation was swiftly morphing into that of a notoriousdies¡® man<b>, </b>and it wasn¡¯t long before he was called out.


    ¡°Hey, that designer outfit you¡¯re rocking, how much does it cost to rent?¡± teased Autumn, her eyes yfully fixed on Zach as she fiddled with her smartphone.


    Zach¡¯s polite smile instantly froze. He nced down at his clothes¨Crented designer wear? Really? Did this woman ever rub elbows with the wealthy?


    A chill crept into Zach¡¯s demeanor. ¡°It¡¯s not rented, thank you.¡±


    Hearing his response, Autumn¡¯s beautiful face was etched with mock surprise. ¡°A guy who can afford a suit that costs thousands wouldn¡¯t be caught dead at a mixer like this. If you¡¯re going to y a part, at least make it believable.¡±


    She paused for a beat, then, without waiting for Zach to reply, continued with a mischievous grin, ¡°I¡¯ve seen plenty of yers, but someone as unapologetic as you? That¡¯s a first. How many mixers have you crashed so far?¡±


    With a click of her tongue, she summed up her impression. Zach had a bookish bad¨Cboy look, and how many hearts had he broken?


    Zach, taken aback by the personal attack, could only wonder in silence. Did designer clothes equate to rental? He was polite to everyone, and now he was a heartbreaker?


    Was this woman often yed by men?


    Zach¡¯s expressionless gaze swept over thedy in question. Aside from a reasonably attractive face, her sense of style¨Corck thereof¨Cleft much to be desired.


    Yeah, with that biting tongue, it¡¯s no wonder her dating life was in shambles.


    Autumn, noticing the silent man before her, simply waved cheerfully and walked


    <b>10.37 </b>


    away.


    After Mirabe donned her <i>face </i>mask, her delicate features were mostly hidden from view. Making her entrance at the mixer, she attracted little attention. Those few who did notice her were simply puzzled by the sight of someone at a dating event wearing a mask.


    Mirabe hadn¡¯t yet located her brother Zach when she narrowly avoided a


    collision.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry! I didn¡¯t see <i>you </i>there,¡± apologized Autumn, who was indulging in some pastries <i>and </i>hadn¡¯t expected to bump into anyone. Herpel pin hade loose and fallen to the ground without her noticing.


    Mirabe had stepped to the side in time to avoid being hit. When she saw Autumn¡¯s face, she felt a flicker of recognition, but she quickly responded, ¡°No worries.¡±


    She bent down to pick up the cartoonishpel pin that had dropped to the floor and handed it to Autumn. ¡°You dropped this.¡±


    Autumn turned her gaze to Mirabe¡¯s hand, realizing she had lost her pin. She set her te of pastries on a nearby table and gratefully epted the pin back, nodding to Mirabe. ¡°Thank you so much.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all,¡± Mirabe replied politely.


    After reattaching her pin, Autumn looked up at Mirabe again, noticing the mask that revealed only her pretty, soft eyes. There was something familiar about her¡­


    Autumn racked her brain but couldn¡¯t ce where she had seen her before. Scratching her head, she finally asked, ¡°So, are you here to find a match too?¡±


    212

 Chapter 436

    Mirabe almost blurted out a denial, but a quick thought shifted her response, and she nodded slightly instead.


    Seeing this, Autumn gestured towards the face mask that cloaked Mirabe¡¯s features and asked with the ease of someone who¡¯d never met a stranger, ¡°Going on a blind date, and you¡¯re wearing a mask? What¡¯s up with that?¡±


    ¡°Just a bit of a cold,¡± Mirabe coughed, her voice hushed and lower than usual.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Autumn showed no sign of doubt. ¡°You sound pretty young. What, are you even twenty yet?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched subtly. ¡°Close enough.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re braving the dating scene at twenty? Let me guess, family pressure?¡± Autumn reached for some nearby treats and offered them to Mirabe. ¡°These pastries are pretty decent today. Give them a try.¡±


    Mirabe cast Autumn a silent nce, saying nothing, and just tugged her mask up a bit higher on her face.


    Autumnughed softly at this and pulled back the offering, smoothly changing the subject, ¡°Spotted anyone you fancy yet?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Mirabe shook her head.


    While munching on a pastry, Autumnmented, ¡°Honestly, the pickings today are slim. The gents here don¡¯t seem to be much to write home about.¡±


    Was that her way of saying she hadn¡¯t seen anyone appeating? Mirabe tilted her head, observing Autumn, and offhandedly remarked; ¡°I thought the guy with sses, in the suit, seemed pretty polished. Didn¡¯t you notice him?¡±


    At Mirabe¡¯s description, Autumn pretty much guessed who she was talking about. Just then, Zach¡¯s figure emerged not too far away, and Autumn pointed him out. ¡°You mean that guy over there, right?¡±


    Following Autumn¡¯s gaze, Mirabe nodded. ¡°Yeah.<b>¡± </b>


    Autumn simply chuckled and shook her head.


    ¡°What, is there something wrong with him?¡± Mirabe¡¯s curiosity tinged her


    <b>10.37 </b>


    hapter 438


    voice.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let his bookish look fool you. He¡¯s the king of yer. See? He doesn¡¯t turn away any woman whoes up to chat. Tell me, can such a guy really be any good?¡± Autumn grimaced.


    A grimace crossed Mirabe¡¯s face as she turned again to look at Zach, observing quietly for three minutes. In those minutes, he smiled and engaged with three different women. It was almost too cringe¨Cworthy to watch.


    Mirabe quietly withdrew her gaze. No wonder he had a reputation as a yer.


    She nced at Autumn. The praises she had for her own brother dissolved on her lips into a simple ¡°¡­can¡¯t argue with that.¡±


    ¡°Right?¡± Autumn raised an eyebrow. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t take a guy like that even if he was gifted to me.¡±


    The conversation about Zach ended there, and Autumn looked back at Mirabe. ¡°Hey, you look kind of familiar. Have we met before?¡±


    Mirabe blinked, certain in her response. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.


    99


    Autumn scratched her head in puzzlement. ¡°But I swear I¡¯ve seen you somewhere.¡±


    While Autumn pondered, Zach¡¯s gaze swept their way. He didn¡¯t pay much attention to Autumn, but he did notice his sister, seemingly out of ce with her mask. He briefly wondered why she would don such a disguise.


    Soon enough, Zach made his way towards Mirabe.


    Seeing this, Mirabe subtly raised her hand to her forehead as a shield and quickly excused herself, ¡°I just remembered something I have to do. I need to head out.¡± Being known as the sister of the king of yers was hardly a badge


    of honor.


    ¡°Oh, sure¡­¡± Autumn came to her senses just in time to see Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure, her expression still one of confusion.


    212

 Chapter 437

    Chapter <b>437 </b>


    Autumn stood frozen in ce, her mind racing as she tried to recall where she had seen that face before. Then it clicked.


    The variety show livestream¨Cyes, the one called ¡°Country Comfort.¡±


    Whipping out her phone, Autumn quicklyunched the video app and scrolled until she found the clip of Mirabe, face half¨Chidden behind a mask. No wonder she looked familiar¨Cit was Juztin¡¯s sister!


    Autumn blinked in disbelief, a bit flustered at her own oversight. How on earth did she not recognize Mirabe the moment sheid eyes on her?


    Stomping her foot in frustration, Autumn berated herself. Why, oh why, did she have to rant about that sleazy yboy with Juztin¡¯s sister? Couldn¡¯t they have talked about literally anything else?


    That darn yboy had ruined her quality time with Juztin¡¯s sister.


    As Autumn caught sight of Zach approaching, she huffed with annoyance and spun on her heel to leave.


    Zach, stopping in his tracks, was puzzled.


    After Mirabe left, she made a quick trip to the restroom. When she emerged, her phone buzzed from within her coat pocket. It was Zach calling. She picked up, exchanged a few words, and then hung up.


    She didn¡¯t return to the speed dating event but headed straight for the park exit. Before leaving, she deliberately lifted her gaze to the spot where she had been sitting earlier. There was no sign of James, so she let her gaze fall away.


    Zach was waiting at the park¡¯s entrance. As Mirabe approached, she noticed his sour expression. Pulling down her mask, she asked with suspicion, ¡°Zach, what¡¯s up with you?¡± He looked perfectly cheerful chatting up that beauty earlier. Zach nced at his sister, wondering how to exin being snubbed in such an embarrassing way. Could he even mention it?


    Taking a deep breath, Zach forced a smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°Oh, did you find anyone interesting?¡± Mirabe asked casually.


    10<b>:</b><b>375 </b>


    apler


    Zach felt a vein throb at his temple. ¡°No.¡± He checked his watch and started walking towards the parking lot. ¡°It¡¯s almost noon. Let¡¯s grab some lunch.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and followed.


    ****


    Half an hourter, their car pulled up outside an upscale downtown restaurant. Mirabe stepped out, waiting for Zach to park. Turning to him, she said in a low voice, ¡°Zach, I forgot my wallet today.¡±


    Zach¡¯s lips twitched in response. ¡°<b>¡­</b>I¡¯ve got it covered.¡± Well, their family owned this restaurant anyway.


    Straightening her posture, Mirabe led the way inside. Upon entering the grand foyer, with its luxurious and costly decor, she couldn¡¯t help but marvel inwardly at the perks of wealth: living in the finest homes, dining on the finest food¨Cnothing that the backwoods could everpete with.


    The maitre d¡® had just seen off a group of distinguished guests when he caught sight of Mirabe. His voice unintentionally hitched, ¡°Wee¡­ to our establishment!<b>¡± </b>


    The excitement was palpable in his voice as he spoke thest words.


    Mirabe gave him a nce, finding something oddly familiar about him. Where had she seen him before? After a moment¡¯s thought, she remembered the delivery guy from a while back¨Cit was him.


    She nced at his name tag, impressed, andmented, ¡°You¡¯ve done pretty well for yourself.¡± Going from delivery guy to restaurant manager in no time¨Cthat took some real skill.


    The manager cleared his throat, replying humbly, ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to the boss¡® support.¡±


    ¡°Keep up the great work!¡± Mirabe encouraged sincerely.


    The manager stood up straighter, his expression firm with resolve. ¡°I will<b>!</b><b>¡± </b>


    <i>2/2 </i>

 Chapter 438

    Zach strolled in, and the restaurant manager tipped his head with a respectful nod. ¡°Would you folks like a private booth or a table in the main dining area?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Private booth, please,¡±


    ¡°The main area.¡±


    The first suggestion came from Zach, while Mirabe voiced the second


    The manager, catching the mismatched preferences, cleared his throat and said. ¡°How about the main dining area? I just remembered that the prate boots aren¡¯t quite ready yet.¡±


    The boss had made it clear: everything should cater to their yours back.


    Zach shot the manager a side¨Ceye. If the private booths weren¡¯t reach Way d¨´ he offer them in the first ce? It was obvious his dad had been wistering sweet nothings to the staff behind the scenes. Didn¡¯t they realize se right through them?


    Ever since Mirabe came back, the sons of the family had been bumped down E notch, even when it came to something as simple as getting a MR DER


    dinner!


    Zach decided he needed to have a very heartfelt chat with his de MOT AND dad. He was their flesh and blood, too. He deserved a interesect


    Pretending not to notice Zach¡¯s re, the manager, al smies, les ne clearly focused on serving Mirabe. ¡°This may please best read slipping up and addressing her by her title.


    He had to catch himself. His boss had warned hem tine and veri low¨Ckey and not to let slip any details of the farm NUSIKSSON IN ONdy. Although he didn¡¯t understand me rationale. De mange bene


    secret thrill of it all. Watching the young git be QAMOUS TO DEAN family¡¯s empire¡­ was actually kind of engegn


    Hearing the manager¡¯s near slip of the word ¡°Move Wa momentarily puzzled. It seemed like every time m


    almost blurt out Madame.


    Weird guy. She touched the tip of her nose and followed behind him.


    As she walked away, two customers who had been turned away at the front desk for not having a reservation were clearly disgruntled. ¡°Those two came in after us and didn¡¯t have a reservation. Why do they get to go in?¡± oneined.


    ¡°Exactly! Why do they get to choose between the main dining area and a private booth, and we don¡¯t? Your restaurant¡¯s staff really have selective vision, don¡¯t they?¡± added the other.


    The receptionist, who had been wearing a ¡®customer is king¡® smile, instantly dropped her grin upon hearing theirints. Why? Because those were the restaurant owner¡¯s daughter and son.


    The receptionist didn¡¯t bother to exin, simply responding with a detached, ¡°Oh, we do have selective vision here. I suggest you find a restaurant that meets your standards.¡±


    The two customers¡® faces turned red with anger, and they stormed off, muttering under their breath.


    Although Mirabe was far off, her sharp ears caught the exchange at the front desk, and she couldn¡¯t help feeling even more baffled by the odd treatment.


    Once seated, the manager personally brought over some lemonade, pouring for both before leaving with a deep bow. The respect was palpable.


    Elbows on the table and chin in her hands, Mirabe turned to Zach, ¡°Zach, don¡¯t you think the service here is a bit too¡­ attentive?¡±


    Zach sipped his lemonade, set down the cup, and replied, ¡°It¡¯s normal, isn¡¯t it? You do know this restaurant is part of our family¡¯s holdings, right?¡±


    Hearing this, Mirabe¡¯s expression froze, ¡°What did you say? Could you repeat that? I must have misheard. Whose restaurant is this?¡±


    Zach¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°This restaurant is part of The Davis family¡¯s portfolio.¡±


    It echoed in her head, ¡®part of The Davis family¡¯s portfolio¡®¡­


    Mirabe thought her ears were ying tricks on her.

 Chapter 439

    <b>Chapter </b>439


    Mirabe had downed a few cups of lemonade, before she could fully grasp the concept that ¡°this restaurant is part of the Davis family¡¯s portfolio.¡±


    ¡°So, our family is, like, filthy rich?¡±


    Zach, gazing upon his sister¡¯s incredulous expression, btedly realized that perhaps their parents hadn¡¯t briefed her on the family¡¯s financial standing. He cleared his throat and ventured, ¡°Well, we¡¯re¡­ moderately well¨Coff, I suppose.¡±


    The script of a poor family narrative was crumbling before Mirabe¡¯s eyes, and with a mix of emotions, she prodded, ¡°Moderately well¨Coff, what does that even mean?¡±


    2


    ¡°We¡¯re probably a tad morefortable than your average publicpany?¡± Zach replied without a hint of trying to conceal the truth. He genuinely didn¡¯t know. His own startup consumed all his time, leaving him little interest in the family¡¯s extensive assets.


    Mirabe shot him a look of mild disdain; his answer was as good as no answer. Zach scratched his nose and looked down, picking up his cup to take a sip. However, promptly, he fished out his smartphone and sent a message on Messenger. [Dad, just how rich are we?]


    Shawn, on the receiving end, sent back a puzzled question mark.


    After pondering a moment, Zach texted back, [Mirabe¡¯s asking.]


    Shawn, clutching his phone and unsure why his daughter was suddenly inquiring, decided to stick with the little white lie he had spun for amusement¡¯s sake, replying, [Just tell her we¡¯re broke.]


    Zach pushed up his sses, typing, [¡­Why do we say that?]


    Shawn replied, [Because we¡¯ve always told her we¡¯re not well¨Coff.]


    Zach¡¯s lips twitched. He had just finished typing [She already knows about the money.], but before he could hit send, another message from Shawn popped up. Shawn: [You better not bring up our wealth in front of your sister, or you¡¯re dead


    10:37


    meat.]


    The threat, palpable even through the screen, mede Zach¡¯s fingers tremble, and he hastily deleted the drafted message, Luckily, he hadn¡¯t sent it or might have been in real trouble.


    Zachposed and sent a new message. (Don¡¯t you know me, Das? Even if Mirabe found out about our wealth, it definitely wouldn¡¯t be from me Pest easy! *smileyface¡°]


    Shawn<b>: </b>[Alright, as long as you¡¯re aware


    Zach: [Crystal clear.]


    Zach pocketed his phone and turned a grave expression toward his siste, Virz what if I told you that all that talk about our family being loaded and owning this restaurant was just me, you know, shooting the breeze? Yourd believe that right?¡±


    Mirabe was silent.


    ¡°Right, I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯d believe it¡® he said, with a hint of self¨Cassurance


    Whether he was trying to convince himself or brainwash Mirab was under but he had already decided to retreat to his own home for a while


    Mirabe just stared at him, questioning his mental state internal.


    Soon after, the restaurant manager brought over their orders, seting the table with meticulous care before reluctantly making his exit


    Zach rubbed his temples as the manager left if it werent for all this fies would he really have slipped up and found himself on the verge of being homeless?


    22

 Chapter 440

    Chapter <b>440 </b>


    Halfway through her meal, Mirabe excused herself to visit the restroom.


    The restaurant was one of the city¡¯s most upscale establishments, where a table was unattainable without a membership or an advanced reservation, even for the wealthy. On this particr evening, the venue was bustling with patrons.


    Emerging from the restroom, Mirabe took a moment to survey the dining area. The ce was packed to the rafters.


    While ordering, she had nced at the menu prices; each dish carried a hefty three¨Cdigit price tag¡­ Her family must¡¯ve been more than justfortably off.


    With a sigh, she retracted her gaze, intending to return to her table. But then, unexpectedly, she bumped into a familiar face.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Mandy asked, her perfectly made¨Cup face etched with a touch of surprise.


    She had managed to snag a reservation at this exclusive spot and invited a few high¨Csocietydies for dinner. Though they were seated in the main dining area,


    was still quite prestigious. Seeing her foster daughter here didn¡¯t add up..


    Mirabe, too, was taken aback by the small world they lived in, where one could encounter a member of the Gilbert family just by going out for dinner. She gave Mandy a brief, indifferent look and said nothing.


    Mandy, noticing Mirabe¡¯s silence, looked around. Mindful of the public setting, she stepped closer and whispered with a sneer, ¡°What, has the Davis family fallen on such hard times that you¡¯ve started working as a waitress here?¡±


    The minimum spend in this restaurant was in the high hundreds, and she didn¡¯t believe for a second that Mirabe could afford such luxury. Mirabe was raised in the countryside, so Mandy doubted the girl even had the nerve to step foot inside. Being a waitress seemed the only logical exnation.


    The restaurant manager, always vignt of his patron¡¯sfort, cast a nce at Mandy speaking with his esteemed guest. Did she just call Mirabe a waitress? He subtly signaled the head waiter and whispered a few instructions.


    Unaware of the manager¡¯s actions, Mirabe looked at Mandy with a wry smile and let out a mncholic sigh. ¡°Yes, indeed. My family truly is destitute.¡±


    10:38


    The manager, who had quietly approached from behind, nearly stumbled upon hearing her words. The Davis family, poor? There must¡¯ve been some


    misunderstanding about the word ¡®poor,¡±


    Mandy felt there was something off about her foster daughter¡¯s demeanor, but she didn¡¯t give it much thought or notice the passing manager. She chuckled lightly. ¡°If you¡¯re poor, don¡¯t pretend to be otherwise. Pretense costs money, too.¡°. She thought back to when she¡¯d generously offered the Davis couple positions in the Gilbert Corporation and how Mirabe had brazenly demanded a high sry. The memory seemed absurd to her now,


    Mirabe nodded earnestly, ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s brows furrowed involuntarily. In her previous encounters with Mirabe, she had always been arrogant and disrespectful, Why the sudden change in attitude?


    Though puzzled, Mandy had no desire for further interaction, not wanting her high¨Csociety friends to witness any embarrassment. She brushed her arms as if to rid herself of some invisible dust from being too close to Mirabe. ¡°Remember your ce. Don¡¯t let on that you know me while you¡¯re here, understand?¡± Mandy warned in a low voice.


    With that, she lifted her chin and walked past Mirabe with a disdainful air, heading towards the restroom. Her departure was as haughty as it gets.

 Chapter 441

    <b>Chapter 441 </b>


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow ever so slightly as she moved forward, only to be startled by the sound of a thud behind her, followed by a rather pitiful yelp. She paused for a moment,nguidly turning her head, but all she could see was the smiling face of the restaurant manager standing behind her, his towering frame blocking everything else from view.


    ¡°Can I do anything for you?¡± the manager asked, his voice a blend of deference and warmth.


    Mirabe touched the tip of her nose, gave him a two¨Csecond nce, and replied, ¡°No, nothing.¡±


    The manager¡¯s smile did not waver. A chorus of grumbling came from behind him, which he seemed to ignorepletely.


    Mirabe tilted her head with a smirk that wasn¡¯t quite a smile, then shifted her gaze away and walked towards her booth.


    Back at the table, Zach had nearly finished his meal and looked up at his sister. ¡°Took you a while in the restroom, huh?¡±


    Mirabe picked up her fork again and started eating as she spoke, ¡°Ran into someone I know.¡±


    ¡°Someone you know? A ssmate?¡± Zach casually wiped his mouth with a napkin.


    She shook her head, offering no further exnation. After all, bringing up the Gilbert family hardly seemed worthwhile.


    Once Mirabe had walked away, the restaurant manager¡¯s smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and he headed back to the front desk to attend to the


    cashier.


    Mandy emerged from the restroom at a snail¡¯s pace, her walk noticeably awkward. She hadn¡¯t expected such bad luck today. She had finally snagged a reservation at this upscale eatery, only to slip and fall in the restroom. Though not many saw, it was still a blow to her dignity. And the spot where she fell still throbbed with pain.


    Mandy took a deep, silent breath, maintaining a poised and polite smile as she


    <b>10:38 </b>


    approached her circle of well¨Cheeled friends.


    Two restaurant staff stood near their seats, engaged in some discussion just as Mandy approached.


    ¡°Mrs. Gilbert, didn¡¯t you say you were a member here<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>one of her high¨Csociety friends asked with a frown.


    Mandy was clueless about what had transpired. She nodded, ¡°Yes, I am<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Then why does the manager tell us our reservation wasn¡¯t sessful and we need to leave?¡±


    At this, Mandy¡¯s brow furrowed. She turned to the restaurant manager standing beside her and protested, ¡°That¡¯s impossible. I have a text confirming our reservation, and when we entered, your staff checked and seated us here.¡± She quickly pulled out her phone and showed the confirmation text.


    The manager nced at it and dismissively dered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but that message is outdated, and your membership doesn¡¯t meet our restaurant¡¯s standards anymore. It¡¯s been canceled.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s head buzzed with disbelief. ¡°How does my membership not meet the standards? Why was it canceled?¡±


    With that attitude toward Mirabe, did she believe she was worthy of the establishment¡¯s membership? Dream on.


    The manager¡¯s lips pressed together, his impatience evident as he said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll need to find another restaurant.¡±


    Mandy trembled with fury at his attitude. She nced at her three friends, whose family backgrounds and husbands¡® status were at least on par with, if not superior to, the Gilbert family. They had finally managed to get together for a meal to bond, and now this scene had unfolded. Where did that leave their pride, and what would they think of her?

 Chapter 442

    <b>Chapter </b>442


    <b>Mandy¡¯s </b>head was throbbing, and she couldn¡¯t fathom how just stepping out of the restroom could lead to such a mess


    <b>She </b>couldn¡¯t let her high society friends get embarrassed over this debacle. Taking a deep breath. Mandy clutched her purse and confronted the restaurant manager with a stern voice, ¡°Is this how you treat your customers? Why on earth would I bring my friends here if we hadn¡¯t secured a reservation?¡±


    She paused for effect, then continued, ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of a restaurant arbitrarily canceling a customer¡¯s membership and then kicking them out. Do you really want me to call and lodge a formalint right now?¡±


    The manager stered on a bureaucratically polite smile, oozing arrogance. ¡°Please, be my guest.¡±


    Mandy¡¯s face turned a shade of steel, herposure slipping as anger took hold. She massaged her temples and was about to unleash a fierce retort, ¡°Do you have any idea who we-¡±


    But she stopped mid¨Csentence when she caught sight of Mirabe sitting by the window. Her jaw dropped. Wasn¡¯t Mirabe supposed to be waitressing? Why was she sitting


    there?


    A flurry of questions swirled in Mandy¡¯s mind. Then, her gaze shifted to the young man sitting across from Mirabe. Although she only saw his profile, he was unmistakably memorable. He was the Davis family¡¯s sharp¨Ctongued second son, awyer. She had encountered his biting wit when Summer had returned to the Gilbert family fold.


    A sneer escaped Mandy¡¯s lips as she pointed toward Mirabe and said, ¡°Oh, the irony. Your establishment would rather cater to posers with empty pockets than to genuine patrons like us. Amusing, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Following the direction of Mandy¡¯s usatory finger, the manager nced over, took a mere two seconds to assess the situation, and then looked back at Mandy with a hint of something else in his gaze.


    Mandy sensed mockery in his eyes. Frowning, she demanded, ¡°What¡¯s with that attitude?¡±


    ¡°You might as well stop wasting time here. Our restaurant will not be serving you <b>in </b><b>the </b>future. <b>That¡¯s </b>final,¡± the manager said dismissively, then nced back towards Mirabe, <b>thinking </b>about presenting the after¨Cdinner fruit. He walked away, leaving Mandy behind.


    Outraged, Mandy <i>no </i>longer cared about appearances. She shouted, ¡°Hold it <b>right </b>there! I demand a proper exnation, or this matter is <b>far </b>from over<b>!</b>¡±


    The manager turned back around, his imposing frame and rugged features casting an


    intimidating aura when devoid of emotion. Mandy flinched under his gaze<b>, </b><b>instinctively </b>


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>10:47 </b>


    <b>stepping </b>back.


    The manager smiled, his eyes once again settling on Mirabe as he spoke in a <b>tone </b>devoid of warmth, ¡°Do you even know who they are<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mandy¡¯s brow furrowed, as she gripped her purse tighter, a sinking feeling that she might not want to hear the answer.


    ¡°That¡¯s the owner¡¯s daughter and son,¡± the manager stated tly, walking away.


    The owner¡¯s daughter and son¡­


    The words echoed in Mandy¡¯s ears, disbelief etched across her face.


    How¡¯s this possible?


    How could a family living in a run¨Cdown neighborhood, driving a beat¨Cup old car, possibly be connected to a restaurant under a global top 100 enterprise?


    The manager must¡¯ve been ying some kind of sick joke.

 Chapter 444

    <b>Chapter </b>444


    <b>Upon </b><b>hearing </b><b>the </b>distinctive <b>tone </b><b>of </b>his <b>customized </b><b>notification </b>chime, James swiftly <b>fished </b><b>his </b><b>phone </b><b>from </b><b>his </b>pocket. A brief look of surprise flitted across his face as <b>he </b><b>read </b><b>the </b><b>text </b><b>from </b>girl next <b>door</b><b>. </b>


    <b>The </b>words from this morning<b>? </b>


    His piercing <b>eyes </b>squinted slightly as his fingertips paused on the screen. After a long moment<b>, </b>a faint smile crossed his chiseled features, and he replied, [Of course<b>, </b>my word is my <b>bond</b><b>.</b><b>] </b>


    Mirabe was referring to his earlier offer, ¡°You cane over to my ce sometime. It¡¯s peaceful. I¡¯ll add your fingerprint to the front gate.¡±


    Mirabe pursed her lips as she read the response and typed back, [Are you home right now?]


    James replied, [Yes, juste over.]


    With that, Mirabe pocketed her phone and made her way next door, decisively choosing the handsome neighbor over the insufferable Donald.


    As Mirabe approached the vi next door, James stepped out to greet her, dressed in light casual wear, his handsome face exuding an air of serene elegance. He reached out to open the gate, eyeing Mirabe with an inquisitive intensity. ¡°So, did Zach¡¯s blind date wrap up?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she nodded, stepping inside.


    James closed the door behind them without a second thought.


    ¡°How¡¯d it go? Anyone catch your eye?¡± he asked in a low voice, walking beside her.


    Mirabe hesitated briefly before admitting, ¡°Nope.¡± Finding a match for the infamous yboy was a lost cause.


    They had just reached the entrance hall when James suddenly took hold of Mirabe¡¯s arm. The warmth of his hand seeped through her clothes, causing her to look up in confusion.


    James quickly released her, a gentleman once more, and pointed to the small,puterized security system on the wall. ¡°For the fingerprint.¡±


    Catching on, Mirabe moved closer to the embedded touchscreen with a look of mild surprise that faded as she remembered the tech¨Csavvy Curtis.


    James had already pulled up the fingerprint entry settings. ¡°Let me show you how,¡± he said, stepping aside to give her space.


    But Mirabe was already ahead of him, deftly navigating the screen andpleting the


    10:48


    <b>process in under </b><b>ten </b><b>seconds</b><b>, </b><b>signaled </b><b>by </b><b>the </b><b>system¡¯s </b><b>confirmation of </b>a <b>sessful </b><b>entry</b>.


    <b>James</b><b>¡® </b><b>hand </b><b>awkwardly lingered </b><b>in </b><b>the </b><b>air</b>. He nced at <b>the screen</b><b>, </b>impressed by <b>her </b><b>proficiency</b>. <b>¡°</b><b>Seems </b>like you¡¯re <b>quite </b>familiar with security systems,¡± he remarked.


    <b>Mirabe </b>curled her fingers slightly, her long<b>, </b>curledshes casting a shadow over her <b>eyes</b>. ¡°We installed one at my ce recently. I picked up a few things from the installer,¡± she exined, then sidestepped toward the nearby shoe cab.


    James didn¡¯t dwell on it, pulling out a pair of new, fluffy pink slippers and cing them before her. <b>¡°</b>Brand new.¡±


    Mirabe eyed the pastel slippers with a touch of resignation and slipped them on. Pink, everywhere she went.


    With her footwear changed, she followed James into the living room, which was conspicuously empty, save for the two of them.


    ¡°Are your guys¡­ I mean, Wyatt and Curtis not around today?¡± Mirabe tactfully swallowed the words ¡®your two muscle¨Cbound bodyguards.¡®

 Chapter 445

    <b>Chapter </b>445


    James <b>aauntered </b>over <b>to </b>the <b>fridge </b>and <b>fetched a bottle </b>of water, <b>effortlessly </b><b>twisting </b><b>off </b>the <b>cap </b>before <b>handing </b><b>it </b>over to Mirabe. <b>¡°</b><b>They¡¯ve </b><b>got </b><b>their </b>own <b>fish to </b><b>fry</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b><b>he </b><b>said, his </b>voice <b>taking </b>on a nonchnt tone whenever he <b>mentioned </b>Wyatt.


    <b>Mirabe </b>let out a soft <b>¡®</b><b>oh</b><b>, </b><b>taking </b>the water and sipping <b>it </b>gingerly.


    James <b>found </b>his spot <b>on </b>the <b>couch</b><b>, </b>slouched back and sank into <b>the </b>cushions <b>with </b>casual ease. ¡°Make yourself at home here,¡± he drawled. ¡°Do whatever you please.¡±


    <b>Casting </b>him a sidelong nce, Mirabe offered a genuinepliment, ¡°You¡¯re quite the generous host, boss.¡±


    A wry twitch flickered at <b>the </b>corner of James¡® mouth before he steered the conversation in another direction. ¡°You don¡¯t strike me as the type to stay out without good reason. Trouble at the homestead?¡±


    Pulling a throw pillow to her chest, Mirabe propped her chin atop it and snuggled deeper into the sofa, her voice distant and soft. ¡°We¡¯ve gotpany at home.¡±


    A smirk yed on James¡® lips. ¡°Seems like this guest of yours is someone of importance.¡± Mirabe waved a dismissive hand, desiring nothing more than tranquility. ¡°Just let me catch some z¡¯s.¡± With that, she closed her eyes, her serene expression betraying no sign of guard.


    James¡® eyes briefly swept over her, his lips curving slightly. He reached for a book on the coffee table, content to let the room settle into a peaceful hush punctuated only by the asional turn of a page.


    At one point, his phone buzzed with a message. He nced at the screen, then muted the device andid it back down, inadvertently missing a call from Donald.


    Time trickled by, and Mirabe, who had only intended to rest her eyes briefly, slipped into a genuine slumber. It was her phone¡¯s insistent buzzing that eventually roused her. Groggily, she fished it out and paused before answering the call, ¡°Hello, Donald¡­¡±


    James, descending the stairs with a nket in hand, drew near just in time to catch the name ¡®Donald¡® as Mirabe spoke into the phone. He paused, taking a few measured steps to stand by the armrest of Mirabe¡¯s couch.


    She wrapped up the call with Donald quickly, hanging up without much conversation.


    As James was about to speak, his gaze inadvertently swept over the phone in her hand, still lit with the recent call¡¯s glow. When he saw the number at the top of her recent calls list, his expression took on a peculiar cast. He set the nket aside, asking casually, <b>¡°</b>Someone looking for you?<b>¡± </b>


    10-49


    Mirabe hummed a confirmation, then stowed her phone away <b>and </b><b>rose </b><b>from </b><b>the </b><b>couch</b>, stretching her armsnguidly. ¡°I¡¯d better head back,<b>¡± </b>she said.


    Leaving so soon? Won¡¯t you stay a bit longer?¡± James¡® voice was gentle, but he made no move to insist.


    Mirabe adjusted her jacket, her demeanorzy, ¡°Nah, I¡¯ve got homework to tackle.¡±


    Realizing that she wasn¡¯t going back on her decision, James didn¡¯t press further. He escorted her to the grand iron gates of the vi, watching until she had disappeared inside her own ce before turning back to the quiet of the living room.


    Reflecting on the glimpse of the number he¡¯d seen on Mirabe¡¯s phone, James¡® eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He picked up his phone from the coffee table, finding several texts and a couple of missed calls, all from his ¡®runaway¡® grandfather, Donald.


    After reading the texts, James refrained from calling back. Instead, his fingers traced the screen as he contemted for a moment, then sent a message in response. [You¡¯re with the Davis family.]


    He chose an assertive tone, leaving no room for doubt.

 Chapter 446

    <b>Chapter 446 </b>


    <b>Over </b>at <b>the house</b><b>, </b><b>Mirabe </b><b>walked </b>in to <b>find </b><b>Donald </b>and Shawn deep <b>in </b><b>a game </b><b>of </b>chess <b>in </b><b>the </b><b>living </b><b>room</b><b>. </b>¡°Hey <b>there</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she greeted politely <b>as </b>she approached them.


    <b>Donald </b>paused<b>, </b>a chess piece in hand, and nced up at Mirabe. ¡°Do you y<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>he


    asked.


    Leaning casually against the armrest of the sofa, Mirabe replied in a nonchnt tone, ¡°Nope<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>¡°</b><b>Oh</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Donald muttered, his interest waning. He returned his focus to the game, his gaze <b>intense </b><b>as </b><b>if </b>nothing else mattered.


    Mirabe shot Donald a sidelong nce. The man was quite the actor, pretending to be so engrossed in the game.


    At that moment, Shawn looked up at his daughter. Then, turning towards the doorway, he asked, ¡°Honey, where¡¯s Zach? You¡¯re all by yourself.¡±


    ¡°Zach¡¯s got to workte these next few days, so he won¡¯t be staying over,¡± Mirabe answered, her voice steady. In her mind, though, she figured Zach was just dodging another matchmaking setup at home, using thisme excuse to stay away.


    Shawn¡¯s face softened at her response, despite a flicker of suspicion that Zach¡¯s sudden overtime was a bit odd. He didn¡¯t dwell on it, though. One less thorn in his side at home was a pleasant thought.


    ¡°Good, good, overtime means extra cash. Saves us from whispers of freeloading. We aren¡¯t exactly rolling in dough here. Can¡¯t afford to keepyabouts,¡± Shawn casually remarked.


    Mirabe raised her eyebrows, her expressionplex. If she hadn¡¯t gone out to lunch with Zach at the restaurant earlier, she might have bought into the nonsense.


    Donald, however, cast a doubtful nce at Shawn. With all the priceless antiques around the house, calling themselves anything short of wealthy was a stretch.


    Just then, Donald¡¯s phone chimed with a couple of text messages. He pulled it from his coat pocket.


    [You¡¯re at the Davis family.]


    [Are youing back on your own, or do I need to send someone to fetch you?]


    Donald made a face before pocketing the phone. A simple call to Mirabe while forgetting to turn off his phone was all it took to get tracked down by his grandson.


    ¡°Donald, <b>your </b>move,¡± Shawn said with a smile, bringing Donald back from his thoughts.


    Donald¡¯s gaze fell back on the chessboard. After a brief pause, he spoke up rather


    <b>1/2 </b>


    10:48


    <b>sheepishly</b><b>, </b><b>¡°</b><b>You </b><b>know what</b><b>, </b><b>Shawn</b><b>, </b><b>I </b><b>think </b><b>I¡¯ll </b><b>call </b><b>it </b><b>a </b><b>day</b><b>. </b><b>My </b><b>grandson¡¯s </b><b>asking </b>for <b>me</b><b>. </b>


    <b>Shawn </b><b>looked </b><b>up </b><b>in </b><b>surprise</b><b>. </b><b>¡°</b><b>Your </b><b>grandson¡¯s wrapped up with </b>his <b>business</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>Clearing </b><b>his </b>throat, Donald nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    <b>Mirabe</b><b>, </b>who was about to head upstairs<b>, </b>overheard the exchange <b>and </b>turned around<b>, </b><b>a </b><b>hint </b><b>of </b>curiosity <b>in </b>her eyes. <b>Just </b>moments ago, the man had been ying the lonely old


    <b>card</b>.


    Unaware of Mirabe¡¯s scrutinizing gaze, Donald reached for his cane and slowly rose to his <b>feet</b>. <b>¡°</b>I¡¯ve imposed on you enough these past days. When I¡¯m back <b>in </b>Riverdale, do <b>drop </b>by for a visit,¡± he said to Shawn.


    Shawn stood up as well, nodding respectfully. ¡°You¡¯re too kind. I¡¯ll be sure to make the trip.¡±


    Riverdale? Mirabe¡¯s eyes lingered on Donald for a moment longer.


    Donald¡¯s phone rang again. He quickly answered with a hint of irritation, ¡°Got it, I¡¯m on my


    way.¡±


    After hanging up, Donald nodded at Shawn and then awkwardly at Mirabe. Without further exnation, he started towards the front door.


    <b>¡°</b>I¡¯ll walk you out,¡± Shawn offered.


    Donald paused, then with a quick change of heart, he replied, ¡°No need. Let Mira do it. I¡¯ve taken quite a liking to the girl.¡±

 Chapter 447

    <b>Chapter </b><b>447 </b>


    <b>Although </b><b>Shawn </b><b>always </b>felt <b>that </b><b>Donald </b>was <b>a </b>bit too much of <b>an </b>odd duck when <b>it </b><b>came </b><b>to Mirabe</b><b>, </b>he figured that given how charming she was, only <b>a </b>rare soul wouldn¡¯t <b>take </b><b>a </b><b>shine </b><b>to </b><b>her</b><b>. </b>


    With that thought, he turned to his daughter and said with a wink, ¡°Well, Mira, why don¡¯t you walk Donald out?¡±


    Mirabe nced at Donald and gave a nomittal grunt. They headed out, one trailing <b>the </b>other. After a few steps, Donald stopped short, as if he remembered something, and stared at Mirabe intently. ¡°Hey, that bargain incense you had for, what, nine ny¨Cnine with free shipping¨Cgot any left?¡±


    Mirabe stared back at Donald, emotionless. ¡°No.¡± He¡¯d already mooched a meal, and now he was angling for her scents? Fat chance.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Donald said<b>, </b>touching his nose and putting on a pitiful, wounded expression as he walked on. ¡°Well, age catches up <i>to </i>ya, you know¡­ My sleep ain¡¯t what it used to be¡­¡±


    Mirabe remained silent. Soon, they reached the yard. Mirabe looked up and saw a figure standing outside the door, hands sped behind him, radiating an aura of proud chilliness.


    What on earth James doing at her doorstep?


    Narrowing her eyes, Mirabe continued forward with Donald. Suddenly, she turned to him and asked, ¡°Donald, don¡¯t tell me that¡¯s your grandson?¡±


    Donald pursed his lips and nodded with a smile. ¡°Yep, that¡¯s my boy.¡±


    ¡°How ¡®bout it, isn¡¯t my grandson a looker? Feel a little flutter in your heart?¡± Donald said, tilting his chin up with evident pride.


    As they reached the gate, Mirabe opened it without a word. James looked up, and his gaze paused for a moment on Mirabe¡¯s expressionless face. He then turned to his grandfather with a half¨Csmile. ¡°Running away from home? Grandpa, you¡¯re really living it up these days.¡±


    Donald coughed, showing a flicker of guilt, but then he remembered his box of coffee beans, and his demeanor swiftly changed. He nted his cane firmly on the ground with a thud. ¡°You cheekyd, you know exactly why I left!¡±


    James¡® handsome features remained cool as he simply gazed at Donald, not uttering a word. A little scared, Donald waved him off. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving.¡±


    James turned to Mirabe with a soft sigh. ¡°I only just found out my grandpa was staying with you. He didn¡¯t cause too much trouble, did he?¡±


    Recalling Donald¡¯s previous antics, Mirabe¡¯s tone was icy. ¡°Of course, he did<b>.</b>¡±


    10-19


    <b>Chapter </b>447


    She paused before adding, ¡°<b>There </b>are hospital bills, emotional distress from <b>being </b><b>falsely </b>used of a hit<b>¨C</b><b>and</b>¨Crun, <b>and </b>the expenses of him freeloading at my ce. How do you <b>propose </b>we settle this<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Donald, who had just stepped out, stumbled upon hearing this. He turned to Mirabe with a look of utter disbelief. She was nothing short of a money¨Chungry fiend!


    Hearing this<b>, </b>James suddenly looked up at his grandfather. ¡°Hospitalized? Hit¨Cand¨C<b>run</b><b>?</b>¡±


    Donald quickly looked away, pretending not to hear a word.


    James massaged his temples, all too familiar with his grandfather¡¯s antics. He pulled out his phone, opened his banking app, and, in full view of Mirabe<b>, </b>transferred ninty thousand bucks.


    Mirabe¡¯s mood instantly brightened. She waved at James, all smiles. ¡°Well, actually, it¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s our duty to help the elderly, isn¡¯t it?¡±

 Chapter 448

    <b>Chapter </b><b>448 </b>


    Mirabe sent off her visitor with a flourish of delight that made Donald question, for <b>the </b>umpteenth time, if he had unwittingly stumbled upon an academy award¨Cwinning actress <b>in </b><b>disguise</b>.


    After returning to the vi with James, Donald still couldn¡¯t wrap his head around the


    events.


    ¡°Spill it. What have you been up to these past two days, and what¡¯s this about a hospital?¡± James asked, his tone even¨Ckeeled as his long fingers deftly rolled up his sleeves.


    Donald sat silently on the couch, his gaze drifting. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything.¡± He made no mention of his little scam fiasco.


    A half¨Csmirk flickered across James¡® face as he nced over. Donald cleared his throat, resting his hands on his cane, and with a huff, demanded, ¡°So, where¡¯s my coffee beans?¡± James had anticipated the tea debacleing to light, so he owned up with a casual admission, ¡°Gave it away.¡±


    Donald felt a pang of betrayal. ¡°You ungrateful brat!¡±


    With an unflinching face, James nodded, ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve praised me with those words before.¡± He had to live up to thebel, after all.


    Donald red at him. James¡® ability to be shamelessly insufferable was somehow reaching new heights.


    Taking a deep breath and letting go of the coffee beans incident, Donald shifted gears, ¡°So, tell me, how are things going with the Davis family¡¯s youngdy?¡±


    James met his grandfather¡¯s gaze with calm indifference, his eyes cool and detached, betraying no emotion, ¡°So, this is why you staged that ident and showed up at the Davis ce?¡± He decided to spare Donald the mention of freeloading for the sake of his dignity.


    Donald diverted his gaze with a mumble, ¡°Can¡¯t I be anxious about you finding a girlfriend?¡±


    James massaged his temples, opting to remain silent.


    ?? ?? ?? ?


    <b>¡°</b>Just look at you, all stoic and indifferent¡­ Sigh, when will I ever see a


    granddaughter¨Cinw?¡± Donaldmented.


    James nced at him and said softly, ¡°Perhaps in your dreams.¡±


    <b>Donald </b>retorted, ¡°<b>You </b>little brat!¡±


    <b>Soon </b>after, the men James had dispatched to search for Donald ¨C Wyatt and <b>Curtis </b>¨C


    <b>10:49 </b>


    finally ambled back to the vi.


    Wyatt, who had been shadowing James, wasn¡¯t too concerned about facing Donald, Curtis, however, as the mastermind behind the coffee beans heist, felt quite uneasy. But much to his relief, aside from Donald¡¯s piercing looks, no fire came his way.


    After studying Donald¡¯s reaction, Curtis¡® curiosity piqued, and he ventured, ¡°Mr. Donald, where have you been shacking up thesest few days?¡±


    Unaware that Donald had emerged from the neighboring Davis residence, Curtis was genuinely baffled by his repeated yet unsessful attempts to pinpoint Donald¡¯s whereabouts.


    As Curtis spoke, Wyatt also sneakily eyed Donald, equally curious. Donald half¨Cclosed his eyes and leveled a look at Curtis. ¡°I fear the truth might be a blow to your ego.¡±


    Curtis¡® mouth twitched, feeling his skills belittled once more.


    ¡°So, where exactly were you? Curtis couldn¡¯t locate you no matter how hard he tried,¡± Wyatt chimed in.


    ¡°Amateur,¡± Donald scoffed. ¡°Your tech game is weak.¡±


    Curtis, frequently stung by such remarks these days, had grown numb to the jabs.


    James cast a nce at Donald and stated tly, ¡°He was next door.¡±


    ¡°Next door?¡± Wyatt scratched his head. The Davis family lived next door, didn¡¯t they? His eyes widened in shock, ¡°No way, Donald was crashing at Ms. Mirabe ce?¡±


    J

 Chapter 449

    <b>Chapter </b><b>449 </b>


    <b>Wyatt </b><b>couldn¡¯t </b><b>help </b><b>but </b><b>feel </b><b>like </b><b>he¡¯d </b><b>stumbled </b><b>into </b><b>a </b><b>fantasy </b><b>novel</b>. <b>With </b>a hint <b>of </b><b>uncertainty</b>, <b>he </b><b>asked</b>, ¡°Donald, <b>were </b><b>you </b><b>really </b><b>staying </b><b>with </b><b>the </b><b>Davis </b><b>family</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>That¡¯s </b><b>why </b><b>I </b><b>keep </b><b>telling </b>you, you¡¯re all so clueless<b>!</b>¡± Donald huffed with a touch of <b>annoyance</b>.


    <b>Rubbing </b><b>his </b><b>nose</b>, Wyatt <b>thought</b><b>, </b><b>¡°</b>Who would¡¯ve <b>guessed </b>you¡¯d <b>sneak </b>off <b>to </b><b>Ms. </b>Mirabe¡¯s <b>ce </b>without making <b>a </b><b>peep</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Curtis, <b>on </b>hearing this,psed into a contemtive silence. If Donald was simply crashing with the neighbors<b>, </b>Curtis wouldn¡¯t give <b>it </b><b>another </b>thought. <b>But </b>the real kicker was that <b>every </b>time he tried to track him down, the signa


    <i>signal </i>wass


    jammed. Donald was noputer whiz, and he <b>didn¡¯t </b>have any tech gurus in his entourage. So, was <b>it </b>possible the Davis household had a signal jammer?


    It struck Curtis as <b>odd </b><b>for </b>an average family to have such a device, one designed to shield from tracking.


    Moreover, if even he <b>couldn¡¯t </b>crack the interference, it meant this was no ordinary jammer.


    Curtis furrowed his brow, about to voice his concerns when he met his boss<b>¡® </b>gaze and promptly mmed up<b>. </b>If he <b>could </b>think of it, surely his boss <b>had </b>as well.


    James¡® intense <b>gaze </b>turned toward Donald. ¡°Shall I drive you back <b>to </b>Riverdale tomorrow<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    The mention of leaving had Donald thumping his cane on the ground with force. ¡°You cheeky brat, I¡¯ve just arrived, and you¡¯re already trying to boot me out?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°You don¡¯t have much to keep you entertained here,¡± James remarked coolly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you fussing over me. I¡¯ve made up my mind to stay put for a month or two. Leaving is out of the question<b>.¡± </b>


    With that, Donald rose to his feet and turned to Wyatt. ¡°Where¡¯s my <b>room</b>? Show me where I can rest<b>.</b>¡±


    After ncing <b>at </b>James for approval, Wyatt hurried over to assist Donald.


    James pinched the bridge of his nose, his silence lingering. What a headache.


    <b>** </b>


    Back in the living room, Mirabe saw Shawn tidying up the chess set. After a moment¡¯s thought, she joined in the cleanup and casually asked, ¡°Dad, were you and Mom putting on an act with Donald yesterday?¡±


    Shawn paused to pick up the chess pieces and looked up at his daughter with a smile. ¡°Not exactly.¡±


    After a brief pause, he continued, ¡°At first, we thought the call from Donald to your phone was from someone back home. He reminded us so much of an old acquaintance, and when you said you didn¡¯t know him, we didn¡¯t want to blow his cover without understanding <b>why </b>he suddenly showed up.¡±


    Mirabe touched her nose. ¡°So, you do know him.¡±


    ¡°Yep,¡± Shawn nodded, his expression turning serious as he thought of the Shepherd family. ¡°If you run into Donald again, try to steer clear, will you?¡± He was worried that Mirabe¡¯s casual references to Donald might ruffle his feathers.


    Dropping thest of the chess pieces into the box, Mirabe didn¡¯t press further, simply replying, ¡°Sure, got it.¡±


    A look of relief washed over Shawn¡¯s face as he watched his obedient daughter. Thinking of how Zach wouldn¡¯t be home anytime soon, his spirits lifted even further, and he suggested, ¡°Since it¡¯s Saturday, how about we go out for dinner and then hit a karaoke bar for a few <b>hours</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    At the mention of karaoke, Mirabe nced at the time on her wristwatch and remembered, ¡°Dad, did you forget about Leo¡¯s flight at three today? He should be almost home by now.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s face fell. Zach was <b>out </b>of the <b>picture</b>, <b>and </b>now Leo wasing back¨Clife sure was full of surprises.

 Chapter 450

    Chapter <b>450 </b>


    After Mirabe finished speaking, she noticed Shawn¡¯s expression was none too pleased. Although puzzled, she didn¡¯t press the matter. She had grown ustomed to his mercl moods.


    Ten minutester, Leo walked through the front door, his agent Collins in tow. When Leo entered the living room and spotted Mirabe and Shawn, he greeted them warmly. ¡°Hey, Dad, Mirabe, I¡¯m back.¡±


    ¡°Hello Leo¡± Mirabe stood up to pour him a ss of water and nodded at Collins, offering him one as well.


    Shawn just grunted a vague acknowledgment before heading upstairs. Watching his father¡¯s retreating figure, Leo felt an unmistakable chill of unwee in the air. Scratching his nose, Leo was baffled. He¡¯d been away for a few days. Shouldn¡¯t Shawn be a bit more cheerful about his return?


    Puzzled, Leo tumed to his sister and asked, ¡°Mirabe, is Dad in a bad mood today<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°No, he seemed pretty okay to me.¡±


    ¡°Huh, guess it was just me then.¡± Leo shook his head and settled into the couch.


    Having finished his water, Collins pulled out a contract from his briefcase. ¡°Mira, here¡¯s that sports brand ad contract. Take a look.¡± He handed the document to Mirabe, who lit up as if she were holding a treasure.


    ¡°I¡¯ve skimmed through it already, and there are no major issues. Just need your signature,¡± Collins added.


    Mirabe quickly flipped through the contract, pausing a full minute to review the section detailing the ad¡¯s payout. Then, without hesitation, she flipped to thest page, grabbed a pen, and signed her name.


    Leo watched, his expression a mix of emotions. ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want to think <b>it </b>over?¡±


    Mirabe shot him a look and said seriously, ¡°What¡¯s there to think about? Five million for a single ad. How can you even question that? Don¡¯t you know how hard it is to earn money these days<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Leo, feeling oddly chastised, had no response. Their family was hardly short on cash, after all.


    Shaking her head, Mirabe imparted, ¡°Leo, we¡¯ve got to make money while we can.¡±


    Collins nearly choked on hisughter at her earnest charade. What a gem of a sister. He suddenly understood why Leo was so fond of


    her.


    Clearing his throat, Collins took the signed contract from Mirabe. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s settled then. I¡¯ll talk to the brand on Monday and try to schedule the shoot <b>for </b>Saturday. It won¡¯t interfere with your studies.¡±


    Mirabe waved her hand dismissively, ¡°No worries. If it¡¯s during the week, I can take a day off.¡± When it came down to a hefty paycheck or school, she could afford to choose the paycheck from time to time.


    Leo watched his sister, bemused at her enthusiasm for wealth.


    ¡°Yep,¡± Mirabe nodded, then quickly added, ¡°The sooner we shoot, the better.¡± The sooner the shoot, the sooner the payday.


    Leo massaged his temples, stunned by his sister¡¯s tant materialism.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m off then. I¡¯ll pick you guys up early tomorrow,¡± Collins said, grabbing his briefcase and heading out.

 Chapter 451

    After Collins left, Leo slumped onto the couch, clutching a throw pillow as he observed his sister sunk deep in thought. After a moment, he sat up straight, abandoning the pillow with a serious demeanor. ¡°Mira,¡± he said earnestly, ¡°you know, our family really isn¡¯t short on cash¡± He <b>had </b>wanted to say this for the longest time but kept getting interrupted.


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched slightly. Alright then. Her curiosity, piqued by Zach earlier, hadn¡¯t been quenched, and now Leo was offering answers on a silver tter.


    This was perfect. She was quite eager to learn what he meant by their family notcking money.


    A puzzled expression crossed Mirabe¡¯s face as she said, ¡°Aren¡¯t we still in debt, though?¡±


    Leo, blissfully unaware he¡¯d been duped, gave her an incredulous look. ¡°Who told you we¡¯re in debt?¡± he asked. Was this why she was so adamant about making money?


    Blinking in surprise, Mirabe replied, ¡°I saw a group of debt collectors at our house not long ago.¡±


    ¡°Debt collectors?¡± Leo¡¯s brow furrowed in thought, then something clicked, and he looked up at Mirabe. ¡°Are you talking about a bunch of guys in matching ck suits, beefy and looking a bit shady?¡±


    edu weren


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched in recognition. His description was spot¨Con. No further details were necessary. She nodded.


    Seeing this, Leo smiled with an ¡°I knew it¡± expression. ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong. Those weren¡¯t debt collectors; they were thepany¡¯s


    ountants.¡±


    ¡°Company ountants?¡± Mirabe echoed, her elegant fingers tapping her chin in confusion.


    ¡°Yeah, the Davis family has tons of assets and, naturally, tons of paperwork to match. So they report to us monthly. That¡¯s who you must¡¯ve seen,¡± Leo affirmed. As for why the ountants looked like they belonged in a mob, he didn¡¯t think it necessary to borate. After all, his sister was still a student. She just needed to focus on her studies, enjoy avish lifestyle, and live better than everyone else!


    When Mirabe heard the words ¡®tons of assets,¡® she fell into a daze. Was this still the ¡®poor family¡® script she thought she had?


    Leo, noticing his sister¡¯s stunned silence, scooted closer, concerning his voice. ¡°Mira, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Mirabe turned to him, aplex look <b>in </b>her eyes that shifted from his face <b>t </b>


    his curly hair. It seemed the days of pretending to be poor were over. Now, she just needed to grab a handful of curls to calm her nerves.


    Thus, a bewildered Leo, whose hair was being ruffled yet again, wondered what was going on in her mind. Where on earth did his sister pick up this odd habit of hair¨Cruffling? That was supposed to be his big brother move!


    **


    The next day was the weekend, and Mirabe and Leo were scheduled to record for the variety show ¡°Country Comfort.¡±


    The previous episode had seen record¨Cbreaking streaming numbers, and with the fallout from Leo¡¯s Twitter hacking incident, ¡°Country Comfort¡± had ridden a wave of poprity. Before the live stream even began, the number of fans waiting exceeded the previous episode by several folds.


    Collins had picked up the siblings early and drove them to the scenic vige at Harmony Point, the show¡¯s usual location. On the way, he took the opportunity to remind Leo about maintaining his public image, especially after the persona slip¨Cups in thest two episodes.


    Though the mishaps hadn¡¯t hurt his poprity, it was still important to remember that Leo was supposed to be the responsible older


    brother.

 Chapter 452

    <b>Chapter </b><b>452 </b>


    When they arrived, it was still early. The crew was busy fine¨Ctuning the camera equipment<b>, </b>and the other three groups of guests were gradually showing up.


    Before stepping out of the car, Mirabe meticulously secured her face mask. Today, her hair was colled into a neat bun, and she wore a ck hoodie paired with denim jeans ¨C a casual look yet tinged with a cool vibe. She was a natural fashionista and easily pulled off any style.


    ¡°Collins, what¡¯s the theme today?¡± Mirabe casually asked Collins. Even though the production crew didn¡¯t provide a script, they must have shared some intel with the guests beforehand, especially considering all the hints Collins had dropped on the drive over.


    Collins shot Mirabe a silent nce. She had never asked about the theme before; how did she guess he had received advance notice from the production? Her perceptiveness was downright scary.


    ¡®Today¡¯s theme revolves around money,¡± Collins divulged reluctantly, knowing too well that as this was a live broadcast, guests knowing too much beforehand could lead to slip¨Cups.


    ¡°Alright,¡± replied Mirabe nonchntly, adjusting her mask without further inquiry.


    Meanwhile, Leo, who¡¯d been thumbing through Twitter on his phone, looked up, his handsome features a picture of confusion. ¡°What are you guys talking about?<b>¡± </b>


    Collins nced at Leo, his eyes brimming with disdain. ¡°Zip it, Leo. You¡¯re not exactly the poster child for ambition.¡±


    The live stream kicked off promptly at ten.


    The chat was flooded with greetings, and Leo, now with headphones on, greeted the viewers with a smile. On the other hand, Mirabe merely poked her head into the frame for a quick hello before retreating to the background, ying the perfect secondary character.


    Soon enough, the host emerged, spouting a slew of ad pitches before delving into the day¡¯s theme. ¡°Today¡¯s task is an easy one.¡±


    ¡°Every time you say it¡¯s easy, it turns out to be anything but,¡± retorted Hans, the guest who loved to banter with the host.


    The host shot Hans a sideways re. ¡°Keep it up, and I¡¯ll make sure you get the short end of the stick.¡±


    Hans, undeterred, addressed the audience directly, ¡°Folks, if I fail today¡¯s task, it¡¯s all because our host¡¯s pulling strings behind the


    scenes.¡±


    The chat erupted withughter, instantly lightening the mood.


    Taking a deep breath, the host ignored Hans¡® jab and snapped his fingers. A crew member approached, holding several envelopes. ¡°This is your budget for grocery shopping. Shortly, a production vehicle will take you to the local farmers¡® market. Whatever you buy with this money is what you¡¯ll have to whip up for lunch.¡±


    With that, the crew members distributed the envelopes to each group.


    1 P F 3 3 9 8 2 2 3 3/9


    Leo, feeling the thickness of the envelope, expressed his surprise. ¡°Feels pretty stuffed.¡± He opened it, and his expression froze upon seeing the contents.


    Noticing his puzzled look, Mirabe inquired, ¡°How much is in there?¡±


    Before Leo could answer, a gasp came from Hans¡® group. ¡°The production team sure knows how to y. This thickness made me think we had a decent sum, and it¡¯s just twenty bucks?¡±


    <b>Twenty </b>single dor bills sure made for a thick stack. Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched in amusement.


    Leo pulled out the cash, counted it, and turned to his sister,pletely baffled, ¡°What can we buy with twenty bucks<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>

 Chapter 453

    <b>Chapter </b><b>453 </b>


    Mirabe nced at her brother with a touch of disdain and took the money into her hands. ¡°Twenty bucks can <b>get </b>you quite <b>a </b>bit.¡±


    Leo faced the camera. ¡°Looks like my sister¡¯s got game. This episode, <b>I get </b>to coast again.¡±


    As his words hit the air, the chat in the livestream went wild, with messages scrolling fast.


    [LOL, talk about winning by lying down. No one beats Juztin.]


    [Juztin: Right now, I feel like a pampered little princess<b>!</b><b>] </b>


    [Pfft, princess confirmed.]


    Leo pulled out his smartphone, scrolling through thements in the chat. His face turned dark. ¡°Can <b>you </b>guys at least pretend to have some respect?¡± What was with this little princess¡® nonsense<b>? </b>


    Before long, the production crew rolled up in a van big enough for eight, and the four groups of guests got in one after another.


    Mirabe took a window seat, with Leo right behind her. Next to him sat Michelle <b>and </b>Heather, who were both <b>a </b>bit frosty, given the embarrassment they suffered in thest episode. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that they were live, they probably wouldn¡¯t even bother with pleasantries, so once they got in the van, the silence was thick.


    It was about a fifteen¨Cminute drive to the town market. With nothing better to do, Mirabe fished out her phone and began scrolling through the livestream¡¯sments.


    That was when she saw rows of neatly arranged usernames, all with eerily simrments.


    Lady¡¯s Lackey <b>#</b>1<b>: </b><b>Go</b>,dy, go!


    Lady¡¯s Lackey #2: Go,dy, go!


    € ¡ê 9 9 9 + C =


    Lady¡¯s Lackey #20: <b>Go</b>,dy, go!


    This army of uniform usernames wasn¡¯t just flooding the chat withments; they were also spamming gifts and creating razzle¨Cdazzle spectacle.


    a


    Mirabe touched her nose, musing to herself that the rich sure had a unique breed of followers, charmingly simple. However, they could have at least tried to vary the usernames a bit.


    lower the


    At her side, Michelle was also glued to her phone, scrolling through the livestream. Upon noticing the identical usernames and the constant gifting, she nudged her cousin Heather. ¡°Look, these guys must be here to cheer you on.¡± Michelle showed her phone to Heather.


    Once they were in the van, Michelle muted her mic so the livestream audience could not hear her words.


    Heather, initially annoyed by the ufortable ride and the bumpy country road that left her head spinning, found her mood lifting at the sight of the gifts and the spam in the chat. ¡°It must be friends showing support,¡± Heather said, her voice loud enough for the others in the van to hear as she tucked a curl behind her ear.


    Heather¡¯s family, the Pledgers, had a reputation. Heather was often called dy¡® wherever she went, so it was likely that these ¡®Lady¡¯s Lackey¡® usernames were her supporters.


    <b>¡°</b>Your friends are so generous. In just a short while, they¡¯ve sent so many gifts, worth quite a bit,¡± Michelle said, with a perfectly envious


    tone<b>. </b>


    ¡°Man<b>, </b>I wish I had friends that loaded!¡± Hans chimed in from the side.


    At that, Heather¡¯s vanity was stroked. She cleared her throat and modestly replied, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing, really. Not worth mentioning.¡±


    After herment, Heather¡¯s gaze inadvertently swept over Mirabe by the window, who was looking down <b>at </b>her phone with the livestream on her screen. Heather¡¯s lips curled with a hint of scorn.


    Mirabe was just a country bumpkin dazzled by a few shiny gifts. She was probably green with envy now.

 Chapter 454

    Chapter <b>454 </b>


    The car pulled up to the bustling market square of the small country town. Although the town wasn¡¯trge, it was teeming with life, with vendors lining both sides of the streets.


    Each group member clutched a meager twenty bucks ¨C barely enough to cover groceries, let alone any extras.


    For Heather, who had never experienced rural life or the chaos of a crowded market, maintaining her usual poise amidst the throng <b>of </b>people was a bit of a stretch. The mere thought of diving into the farmers¡® market to buy produce was suffocating, let alone navigating the crowd.


    In this little countryside locale, celebrities weren¡¯t idolized. Even if someone looked vaguely familiar, focals wouldn¡¯t fuss over them.


    Having spent a good chunk of time in a small town like this with Catherine, Mirabe wasn¡¯t a stranger to the hustle and bustle of the market. ncing at Leo, whose face was etched with curiosity, she just shook her head silently. Indeed, the onlinementers had hit the nail on the head. Leo was a pampered little princess.


    ¡°Just stick with me,¡± Mirabe said, pulling Leo along with a low voice.


    Leo blinked, his delicate features and curly brown hair giving him an endearing and cool look. He stood <b>out </b>in the crowd like a natural spotlight. Setting aside his singing and dancing talents, Leo¡¯s raw appeal needed <b>no </b>embellishment. His all¨Cangle beauty alone was enough to draw the idol halo. Stardom seemed inevitable for him. Leo was well aware of his assets and waspletelypliant with his sister¡¯s instructions.


    The crew had provided funds only for groceries and hadn¡¯t specified where to shop, so upon entering the market, they had to locate the vendors on their own.


    With Leo in tow, Mirabe made a beeline into the heart of the market like a <b>pro</b>. Soon, they¡¯d left Hans, Heather, <b>and </b>Gabriel¡¯s group trailing behind.


    Heather, cautious of getting her clothes dirty from the bustling crowd, moved at a snail¡¯s pace. Hans and Gabriel<b>, </b>being polite<b>, </b>slowed down to wait for her.


    Watching Mirabe and Leo disappear into the crowd, Heather¡¯s lips curled with disdain. ¡°Country bumpkins indeed,¡± she thought.


    *Juztin and his sister seem pretty familiar with the countryside,¡± Michelle remarked gently, ncing at Hans and Gabriel, hinting that the siblings might¡¯ve been from a humble rural background.


    Hans furrowed his brow but responded tly. ¡°This town¡¯s got just one main street. It¡¯s only logical to head straight in to find the vegetable stalls.¡±


    Michelle¡¯s expression stiffened briefly before she regained herposure. ¡°Right, let¡¯s move quickly then,¡± she said. ¡°Sure,¡± Hans replied and stepped ahead, not deliberately slowing down this time, widening the gap between them and Heather¡¯s group.


    In the live stream chat:


    [Does anyone else think Michelle¡¯sments are a bit snide?]


    [Looks like she¡¯s trying to put down Juztin¡¯s sister again. Didn¡¯t she learn from thest episode?]


    ? ¨º ?? ?? ? ? ? = ? ? ? ?? ???


    [She was just making an offhand remark. Why do you guys have to be so harsh?]


    [Pfft, she¡¯s not even fit toce up ourdy¡¯s shoes!]


    Meanwhile, Mirabe and Leo had reached a vegetable stall.


    Leo surveyed the heaps of greens on the ground and, after asking for prices, stood there crunching numbers to figure <b>out </b>what twenty bucks could get them.


    After pondering for a bit, Leo scratched his head and looked at his sister. ¡°Mira, got any idea how we should go about this?¡± Mirabe tilted her head, nced at him, and simply motioned him closer with a crooked finger.

 Chapter 455

    <b>Chapter 455 </b>


    Leo shuffled closer, only to hear his sister¡¯s voice cut through the calm.


    ¡°What <b>do </b>you fancy for lunch?¡± Mirabe asked, cool as a cucumber.


    Leo shot her a look. ¡°We¡¯ve only got twenty bucks.¡±


    Trantion: Dream on if you think we can eat whatever.


    P


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched yfully. ¡°Oh, Your Highness, are you underestimating the power of twenty dors?¡±


    The moment the words ¡®Your Highness¡® hit his ears, Leo¡¯s face turned all shades of green. It was one thing for the viewers to tease him<b>, </b>but his sister joining in? Outrageous! He turned away, lips sealed.


    Mirabe chuckled and softened her voice, a hint of indulgence in her tone. ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bitter to go.¡±


    Leo couldn¡¯t help but face her again. ¡°Why? Aren¡¯t we shopping now?¡±


    ¡°Later, there¡¯ll be fewer people, and the veggies will be at a discount<b>,</b>¡± Mirabe replied, a seasoned pro at this game. She headed toward the bridge up ahead.


    Leo mumbled under his breath, ¡°As expected<b>, </b>my sister knows best.¡±


    Back in the livestream-


    [LOL, Juztin has just totally exposed his cluelessness about life.]


    [Juztin, you¡¯re failing as a big bro. Might as well be


    the little brother at this point.]


    [Overprotective little sis is spoiling her big brother on live TV.]


    [The whole world owes me a sister like that.]


    [Lady boss for the win!]


    When Hans and the rest stumbled upon them, they found the siblingschilling and ying video games, with their cameraman standing beside them, his face a storyboard of exasperation.


    After years in the field and countless shows taped, he¡¯d never encountered such an audacious pair of siblings.


    And to make matters worse, the viewers were spamming ¡®awesome¡® in the chat<b>, </b>praising their gaming skills. Kids these days¡­


    Hans walked over, eyeing the ground near their feet. ¡°Aren¡¯t you two going to the market?¡±


    Leo, engrossed in his game, didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°My sister says the prices drop when there are fewer people around.¡± Hans had noticed from the start that this brother¨Csister duo was all about the sister carrying the show<i>, </i>so he couldn¡¯t help but feel a soft spot for Mirabe. OHearing Leo¡¯s words, Hans also decided to wait and shop alongside them.


    ? ?? ? ??? ? ? ? ? ?? ??? ????? ? ? ?* ????


    Heather approached just in time to catch Leo¡¯sment, and a hint of scorn flickered in her eyes. So, was Juztin¡¯s fancy stage name really just a cover¨Cup for his humble beginnings?


    Her lips twisted slightly. Juztin might not be a movie star, but as a top¨Ccharting musician, he was impossible to ignore. Ever since his debut, he¡¯d been on fire, scandal¨Cfree, with a rock¨Csolid reputation¨Ca breath of fresh air in the industry. To the public¡¯s knowledge, <b>no </b>one knew Juztin¡¯s real name, only his stage moniker. Rumor had it that detectives had tried to <b>dig </b>into his background but came up empty¨Chanded.


    Usually, there were only two possibilities for such a dead end: either he was from a powerful, well¨Cconnected family that didn¡¯t want their privacy invaded, or he came from humble beginnings.


    A poor background wasn¡¯t exactly a selling point in show business, so it wasmon for agencies to conceal such details. It made sense if nothing turned up.


    But judging by the previous episodes, if Heather had to bet<b>, </b>she¡¯d say these siblings were anything but blue¨Cblooded. No <b>one </b>from a wealthy family would be so at home in the countryside.


    She had initially entertained the thought ofworking with Juztin, but after thest couple of episodes¡­ please, he was not worth her


    time.


    Heather¡¯s gaze drifted away<b>, </b>her thoughts already moving on.


    W

 Chapter 456

    <b>Chapter </b><b>456 </b>


    <b>Heather </b><b>didn¡¯t </b><b>bother </b><b>with </b>Leo and Mirabe anymore, <b>quickly </b>teaming up <b>with </b>her cousin to tackle the <b>tasks </b>assigned by the show¡¯s <b>producers</b>.


    <b>Ten </b>minutester, Mirabe pocketed her phone. Still basking <b>in </b>the <b>joy </b><b>of </b>his little sister carrying <b>him </b>to victory in the game, Leo looked up at her and said<b>, </b>¡°When we <b>get </b>back, <b>you </b>gotta coach me some more. I wanna hit that Champion rank.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s temples throbbed, and she rejected him without any hint of <b>emotion</b>, ¡°I <b>don¡¯t </b>have <b>the </b>time.*


    Leo touched his nose<b>, </b>a <b>look </b>of <b>dejection </b>on his face. ¡°Are <b>you </b><b>tired </b>of me?<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe gave him a sidelong nce. It seemed he had sessfully tossed his agent¡¯s reminders to the back of his mind. There went his <b>persona</b>.


    Mirabe scanned the <b>now </b>significantly less crowded marketce and said, ¡°Let¡¯s get to business.¡±


    At her words, Leo immediately straightened up and took the lead. ¡°I got this!¡± After coasting through two episodes, he was determined <b>to </b>nail this simple task of grocery shopping!


    Watching <b>him </b>stride ahead, Mirabe thought, ¡°Well<b>, </b>if the little princess is happy, that¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    Leo meandered around before stopping in <b>front </b>of a stall run by an elderly man who appeared to be in his sixties. The old man didn¡¯t have much produce left, and what was there looked a bit wilted, clearly the leftovers after a day of picky customers.


    Having been under Donald¡¯s thumb recently, Mirabe felt a twinge of empathy at the sight <b>of </b>the elderly vendor.


    <b>Leo</b>, oblivious to <b>his </b>sister¡¯s mood<b>, </b>pointed to a pile of tomatoes and asked, ¡°Hey<b>, </b>sir, how much <b>for </b>these tomatoes?<b>¡± </b>


    The old man took in the young customers<b>, </b>especially Leo, who looked vaguely familiar. He paused before responding, ¡°Two bucks a <b>pound</b><b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Ready to haggle<b>, </b>Leo countered, ¡°How about three bucks for two pounds?¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow<b>, </b>surprised. She hadn¡¯t pegged the little prince as a haggler.


    The old man shook his head.


    <b>¡°</b>Then four bucks for two pounds?<b>¡± </b>Leo suggested.


    There was a moment¡¯s silence as the old man seemed taken aback. Did this young man not attend elementary school?


    Mirabe, already covering her face, resigned herself to the inevitable.


    The livestream audience was in stitches.


    [Buddy, wake up, you¡¯re showing off your IQ.]


    [Old man: Two bucks a pound. Buddy: How about four bucks for two pounds? Old man: ¡­he must be a bit slow!]


    [I can¡¯t. I¡¯m dying ofughter here.]


    [Ah, this¡­ this¡­ truly a festival of joy for the simple¨Cminded.]


    Hans, who had been quietly following the siblings, suddenly patted Mirabe¡¯s shoulder and said with empathy, <b>¡°</b>Hey, you¡¯ve really got your work cut out for you.¡±


    1 1 2 2/25 <


    Mirabe spread her hands in <b>a </b>gesture of helplessness.


    As Hans and his partner walked away to fulfill their own tasks for the show, Leo was still trying to <b>negotiate </b>with the vendor. <b>To </b>prevent any more of her little princess¡¯s intellectual prowess from being revealed, Mirabe pulled him away.


    A confused Leo, still without his groceries, looked at his sister and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up <b>now</b><b>?</b><b><i>¡± </i></b>


    ¡°Your new mission<b>, </b>should you choose to <b>ept </b>it,¡± Mirabe said with a clear gaze and a solemn voice, ¡°is to check the livestreamments on your phone.¡± With that, she walked <b>away</b><b>, </b>leaving Leo with a puzzled expression.


    After a solid moment of <b>confusion</b><b>, </b><b>Leo </b>took <b>out </b>his phone and entered the livestream. Seeing the screen filled with ¡®persona shattered¡®ments, he sank <b>into </b>deep introspection. The intemet crowd sure was hard to please.


    Meanwhile, at the Davis family mansion.


    Delh and Shawn, <b>who </b>had been watching the livestream, simultaneously covered their eyes when they <b>saw </b>their youngest son¡¯s clueless close-up <b>on </b>screen.

 Chapter 457

    <b>Chapter </b>457


    <b>¡°</b>Thank God that knucklehead used a stage name back in the day.<i>¡± </i>Shawn mused with a sigh of relief, ¡°otherwise, w end of it out in public.¡±


    Delh cast a silent nce at her husband, choosing to remain wordless.


    never hear the


    ¡°Our daughter¡¯s the real star, though, isn¡¯t she? Everything she does is done with such grace and care. She¡¯s been her brother¡¯s anget Shawn stroked his chin, his pride lifting his posture as he spoke of his daughter.


    The mention brought a bittersweet expression to Delh¡¯s face. ¡°I can¡¯t even begin to think about all the hardships she must ve endured


    growing up.¡±


    Herposure under such trying circumstances was a testament to the resilience she had built from a young age. Every time Delh read the onlinements mocking her daughter as some country bumpkin, she felt a mix of anger and pain.


    Shawn patted his wife¡¯s shoulder, trying to offerfort. ¡°That¡¯s all water under the bridge now.¡±


    The baby¨Cswitching incident had taken everyone by surprise, but thankfully, their biological daughter had returned to them, and she was nothing short of spectacr.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the livestream,¡± Delh suggested, adjusting her position on the couch and picking up her smartphone.


    Shawn hummed in agreement, but quickly, something seemed to strike him. He looked up at Delh. ¡°Oh, I almost forgot. Someone¡¯s been snooping around about us.¡±


    Delh¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Who would that be? And why are they poking around us?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I overheard some chatter at the office yesterday. No clue who it is,¡± Shawn replied with a shake of his head.


    Delh, struck by a thought, quickly suggested, ¡°Maybe we should have someone keep an eye on Mira for a while.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I was thinking the same. We can¡¯t let what happened to Nick happen again,¡± Shawn said, his tone heavy with concern.


    The mention of Nick brought a tightness to Delh¡¯s chest, and she let out a long sigh, deciding not to dwell on the topic anymore.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had efficiently picked up an assortment of groceries in record time. When Leo went through the bags, he was stunned to find a prime cut of meat among the purchases.


    His sister wasn¡¯t just multi¨Ctalented. She had full marks in life skills, making him feel somewhat inadequate as a brother.


    Soon, all the teams had gathered their groceries and converged in one spot. Out of the four groups, aside from Mirabe¡¯s hefty haul, the others had about half of what she managed to carry.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got some serious skills, Hansplimented Mirabe, giving her a thumbs¨Cup after a quickparison.


    ¡°Mediocre at best,¡± Mirabe replied with a modest lift of her brow. Even masked, her face radiated a mysterious allure.


    Michelle, standing nearby, couldn¡¯t hide her annoyance at Mirabe¡¯s confident air. Keeping a smile stered on her face, she chimed in, ¡°You seem quite adept at this. Do <i>you </i>shop for groceries often?¡± It was <b>a </b>barbed question, insinuating ack of funds for household help.


    Mirabe¡¯s expression remained unchanged, offering Michelle a brief<b>, </b>indifferent nce before turning away.


    Michelle¡¯s face stiffened for a fleeting moment, but she maintained herdylike persona in front of the cameras.


    Before long, the show¡¯s van pulled up, and everyone piled in. Upon returning to the vige by noon, the production team had set up makeshift kitchens for the celebrity guests. These so¨Ccalled kitchens were nothing more than simple wood¨Cfired stoves.


    Leo, who had never cooked before, looked at the humble stove with a frown. ¡°This show¡¯s just out to make life tough for us.¡±


    Mirabe spared <b>a </b>nce at the princess of woes and, without a word, rolled up her sleeves. She began methodically unpacking the groceries, each item finding its ce.


    Seeing this, Leo followed suit, rolling up his sleeves as if preparing for battle.

 Chapter 458

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to help, just take a seat and wait for dinner¡± Mirabe waved off the offer of assistance.


    Leo¡¯s hand hovered in mid air, his tall, lean figure standing still, a look of mncholy on his handsome face. Then he drew back his <b>hand </b>and rolled down his sleeves as if ustomed to rejection. After shing a smile at the camera, he actually walked over to the side and sat down on a little stool, like an obedient kid


    In the live chat room.


    [Haha, the demineering sister is back online]


    Love a sister who¡¯s both awesome and cool]


    (Sorry, but after this show, I¡¯ve jumped ship from being a Juztin fan to his sister¡¯s fan)


    [Any tech wizards here? Need the sister¡¯s contact deets!]


    With nothing else to do, Leo pulled out his phone again, his face darkening as he read thements. Then, leaning into the microphone, he started to sardonically hit back at the viewers.


    ¡°Jumping ship, huh? You¡¯re all a bunch of fickle fans.¡±


    ¡°And those of you dreaming about getting my sister¡¯s contact info, you¡¯re daydreaming, pals,¡±


    The cameraman beside him, shook his head helplessly.


    Was this really the same Juztin known for his aloof persona? It just didn¡¯t add up.


    Half an hourter, Mirabe finished cooking three dishes and a soup, bringing them to the small dining table nearby. Each dish was modest in portion but presented exquisitely, and they smelled delicious like something straight out of a top<i>¨C</i>notch restaurant.


    Leo was utterly astonished, barely believing his own <b>eyes</b><b>, </b>¡°This was made with just twenty bucks?¡± His sister was seriously talented.


    The cameraman, made sure to focus the lens on the small dining table spread.


    <b>[</b>Those dishes look too fancy; it¡¯s like they were made by a Michelin¨Cstar chef.]


    [Comparing her food to what I¡¯m munching right now¡­ my appetite is gone.]


    [Twenty bucks for three courses and a soup. This girl is skill level max!]


    [Props to the young miss!]


    <b>[</b>Thumbs up for the miss.]


    Then the screen was flooded with gifts, all from ounts named ¡®Miss¡® Minions, quickly overshadowing all otherments.


    Mirabe, unaware of the live chat room¡¯s buzz<i>, </i>simply set the cutlery and turned to the cameraman. ¡°We can cut the eating part, right?¡± The cameraman understood Mirabe¡¯s intent ¨C she wanted to stay off¨Ccamera- and also remembered the director¡¯s specific instructions, so he promptly shut off the camera.


    The live feed suddenly lost the siblings¡® feed, leaving only the split¨Cscreen views of the other three groups.


    Next door, Heather had just finished frying up some shoestring fries.


    After being penalized and made to cook on thest episode and the little mishap that followed, she practiced her culinary skills for a few days.


    The fries were a bit uneven and slightly stuck together from a minor scorch, but overall, it was a big improvement fromst time, so Heather was quite pleased with today¡¯s oue.


    She ced the dish on the small dining table, and the cameraman directed the camera toward <b>it</b>.


    ¡°Your cooking skills are improving so <b>fast</b><b>, </b>Michelle praised from the side.


    Heather arched an eyebrow, modestly responding, ¡°It¡¯s a bit burnt<b>, </b>but the vor should be better.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°It¡¯s already great. I can¡¯t even do that,¡± Michelle murmured.


    Heather just smiled.


    Then Michelle took out her phone. ¡°Let¡¯s take a picture for the memories.¡±


    After snapping a few shots, she dived back into the live chat room, eager to see what the viewers were <b>saying</b>.

 Chapter 459

    Michelle clicked into the livestream and was astounded by the sheer number of gifts flooding the screen.


    Dozens of ounts were firing off rockets in rapid session, millions being spent in a disy of extravagant support. The grandeur was undeniable


    Curious, Michelle zeroed in on the usernames of those splurging on gifts, all prefixed with ¡°Miss¡® Minions.¡±


    She nced up at her cousin Heather, who was the beneficiary of thisvish patronage. Her friends¡® generosity was astounding. Though the Pledger family was well¨Cestablished nobility, with millions being a drop in their opulent bucket, Heather¡¯s presence on this reality show had certainly cemented her as a darling of the affluent elite.


    Next to them, Hans had just finished cooking and decided to pop over to see how others were faring. He raised his eyebrows at the two dishes on the table. They weren¡¯t visually stunning, but there was a clear improvement from previous attempts.


    Heather, spotting Hans, couldn¡¯t help but ask with a smile, ¡°Did you wrap up your cooking session already?<i>¡± </i>


    Hans nodded. ¡°Just finished. I thought I¡¯d see what culinary creations everyone else hase up with.¡±


    With a yful eyebrow quirk, Heather casually inquired, ¡°Are the other groups done as well?¡±


    ¡°Haha, I just got here. Haven¡¯t had the chance to check on the siblings yet,¡± Hans chuckled.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m honored you chose to visit <b>us </b>first,¡± Heather joked. Her eyes then drifted to her cousin Michelle, who seemed lost in thought with her phone in hand. ¡°Michelle, you can probably see what the other groups have made on the livestream, right?¡±


    Snapping back to reality, Michelle nodded and then shook her head.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the head nodding and shaking?¡± Heather asked with a hint of confusion. Even Hans turned his gaze towards Michelle.


    Michelle walked up to Heather, reopened her phone screen, and handed it over for her to see.


    ¡°I wanted to check out the other groups¡® dishes too, but right now, the gifts are taking over the screen,¡± Michelle said with a shrug of resignation.


    Heather caught sight of the gift¨Cgivers¡® usernames, that familiar ¡°Miss¡® Minions¡± crowd, and noticed thements below praising the culinary efforts. She nced again at the two dishes on their table, which were indeed far better than the previous episode¡¯s.


    Her lips curled into a knowing smile. She wondered who had arranged this grand gesture of support for her.


    Hans, peering over, caught <b>a </b>glimpse of the gifts streaking across the screen and joked with a hint of envy, ¡°I wonder whose deep¨Cpocketed benefactor that could be. They¡¯re loaded!¡±


    Michelle looked at Hans, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle, and teased, ¡°Hans, do you really need to guess? There are only a few female guests. Who do you think it could be?¡±


    Hans, now paying attention to the usernames, crossed his arms and stroked his chin thoughtfully.


    The sibling duo¡¯s sister didn¡¯t seem the type. Those two appeared modest and unlikely to orchestrate such avish disy in the livestream.


    It stood to reason that the magnate must¡¯ve been from Heather¡¯s group. With Michelle always in Heather¡¯s corner and Heather hailing from a reputedly powerful family, it was clear that the show of support was orchestrated for Heather.


    Once he pieced it all together, Hans turned to Heather and eximed with a sigh, ¡°Heather, would your circle of magnates be missing a leg hanger essory by any chance<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Heather coughed modestly and replied, ¡°You tter me, Hans. It¡¯s just friendsing through to boost the atmosphere, adding a little buzz <b>to </b>the livestream.¡±

 Chapter 460

    <b>Chapter </b>460


    As the mac was on, every word spoken <b>by </b>the group was broadcast live to the audience tuning in.


    When Heather whered those words, it was as if she had announced to the world that these big spenders throwing money at the screen were all there for her. After all, she truly believed they were there to boost her profile. Among the guests, she was the only one deserving <b>of </b>such affuent followers. Mirabe didn¡¯t even cross her mind. As for her own cousin, Heather knew all too well she wasn¡¯t the ma


    for these


    change, the chat room erupted


    Holy smokes, are these whales diehard fans of Heather?]


    falk about going big or going home. I just crunched the numbers, and they¡¯ve dropped at least a couple million in tips.]


    ve heard rumors that Heather hails from some mega¨Crich dynasty, but now it seems those tales are spot on.]


    Umm¡­ am I the only one who feels these whales aren¡¯t from Heather¡¯s camp<b>?</b><b>] </b>


    Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the chat was a monochrome sea of praise for Heather, swiftly washing away the lone voice of


    dissent


    Basking in the glow of adoration from her online audience, Heather felt a rush of superiority that peaked at that moment. The attention the felt Mrabe and Leo stole in previous episodes was now, atst, hers to revel in. Heather was in high spirits.


    Meanwhile, the shadowy big shot orchestrating the digital shower of gifts, known in the chat as ¡°Miss¡® Minion,¡± picked up his phone and was taken aback to see that Heather had be the star of the chat room. He jumped to his feet, startling the dozen others seated around the conference table, nearly causing a cascade of dropped phones.


    ¡°What in the world is this Heather popping out of nowhere?¡± The Davis family¡¯s stem overseer, Grady, in his forties and naturally emanating an intimidating aura, looked even more menacing. One of his subordinates coughed and, pointing at Heather on the stream, said, ¡°It¡¯s her¡±


    Grady¡¯s ability to disregard the rest was unmatched. He¡¯d watched two episodes and still didn¡¯t know the names of the other guests.


    Catching sight of Heather¡¯s face on his subordinate¡¯s phone, Grady¡¯s eyes filled with disdain. So, it was her.


    This woman had tried to outshine Missy in the past episodes, only to be put in her ce. Now<i>, </i>she had the audacity to im that the gifts they sent were meant to prop her up.


    Grady narrowed his eyes andmanded, ¡°Change the nickname, now.¡±


    ¡°Do we really need to? Can¡¯t we just st her in thements? With over twenty ounts, we can keep her face burning,¡± suggested a subordinate, not really wanting to part with the catchy ¡®Miss¡® Minion.


    Grady gave him a sidelong nce, ¡°What era are you living in? Haven¡¯t you heard that we should be civilized and have ss? Insulting people is the lowest form of retaliation.¡±


    His subordinate caught his breath, mulling it over. It did make sense. They were civilized people, after all, and should handle matters in a civilized way.


    ¡°Alright, so what do we change the nickname to?¡± he asked.

 Chapter 461

    Grady¡¯s lips curled into a cheeky grin as he dered. Let¡¯s call it Heather is Shameless Squad


    Those nearby snorted at his words. Wasn¡¯t calling someone shameless basically an insult? Was the bosspletely misunderstanding the concept?


    But then, ¡°Ahern, sure, that works. I¡¯ll change it right now his undering said, already editing has profile to swap out this Ainigus 7 Heather is Shameless Squad 2¡®


    At the long conference table, the rest of the crew followed suit, updating their nicknames to match.


    Pleased, Grady plopped back down into his chair and added, ¡°Now, let¡¯s flood her stream with giffs, make it rain, and then bounce before Miss catches wind of it.¡±


    ¡°Roger that!¡±


    ¡°Got it!*


    And just like that, the chat was dominated by a barrage of rockets from users all bearing the name Heather is Shameless Syd


    Viewers who had just been idolizing Heather as a big spender were now dumbfounded by the sudden change. The wealthy patrons they had assumed were her loyal fans had turned the tables with nicknames that dissed her


    [What¡¯s with these big spenders and the name change? Aren¡¯t they supposed to be Heather¡¯s entourage? What¡¯s going on here¡­]


    [The vibe switched so fast, I¡¯m still trying to catch up with this plot twist.]


    [So, these big spenders¡­ they aren¡¯t really here for Heather?]


    [Heather just said in her stream that these big spenders are from her squad, and now they¡¯ve all changed their names]


    [I knew it didn¡¯t make sense for these big spenders to praise Heather. Just look at the meals she makes; none of them are even remotely appetizing. Now she¡¯s been called out.]


    [Today¡¯s been a surreal day for sure. I¡¯m dying to know who these guys really are.]


    Meanwhile, Heather, blissfully unaware of the mockery unfolding in her stream, continued chatting with Hans.


    Michelle, about to put her phone away to join dinner, paused mid¨Cswipe when she saw the new round of gifts with the trollish usernames. A single troll targeting her cousin Heather was one thing she was a popr figure, after all, and haters came with the territory. But a whole squad with identical, numbered usernames? That was clearly a coordinated effort.


    Stunned, Michelle realized that these people weren¡¯t there to support her cousin. They had only changed their usernames to mock Heather after she had mistakenly acknowledged them as her own wealthy patrons during the livestream.


    Michelle looked up at her cousin, who was stillughing and chatting with Hans, her grip on her phone tightening. She wasn¡¯t sure whether to break the news of the livestream¡¯s turn of events.


    Noticing Michelle¡¯s strange expression, Heather turned and asked, ¡°Why are you staring at me like that?¡±


    Michelle¡¯s eyes flickered and she forced a strained smile, shaking her head, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really.¡±


    Sensing something was off, Heather furrowed her brows, about to probe further, when Hans interjected, ¡°Heather, I¡¯m going to check on the other groups.¡±


    Heather nodded politely, letting her gaze linger on Hans as he walked away. Then, turning back to Michelle, she said, ¡°Hand me your phone, sweetie. I want to see how the others are doing.¡±

 Chapter 462

    <b>Chapter </b><b>462 </b>


    Michelle hesitated, her fingers hovering over the screen of her IPhone.


    Heather caught the flicker of unease on her cousin¡¯s face, and after a brief moment of contemtion, she pulled out her own phone <b>from </b>the depths of her trench coat. She swiftly opened the livestreaming app.


    The reality show ¡®Country Comfort¡® was a hit, and the app¡¯s main page featured it prominently¨Cno need for a search.


    As Heather entered the live room, a barrage of rocket emojis and shy virtual gifts filled the chat. A smirk yed on her lips as she lifted her gaze, ready to thank her viewers in front of the camera, but then, as if a dyed realization hit her, her eyes fell once more.


    These nicknames, these¡­ were they mocking her? Weren¡¯t these people here to support her?


    Heather¡¯s face paled. Her hand trembled, almost dropping the phone as she read one mockingment after another-[Is Heather feeling awkward yet?]


    Just a minute ago, they adored her. How did the chat turn into this?


    Gripping her phone tightly, Heatherposed herself. The camera was still rolling. She took a deep, silent breath and stowed her phone away. As if she hadn¡¯t seen a singlement, Heather maintained her smile. She didn¡¯t bother exining, simply suggesting to Michelle that they start on dinner. After all, she was an acimed actress; keeping cool under pressure was part of the job.


    Michelle nced at her cousin, then quietly took her seat at the small dining table.


    Their enthusiasm had vanished, and they picked at their food listlessly. It was a good thing Hans had left. Their embarrassment would have only deepened.


    Meanwhile, Hans had moved on from Heather and Michelle to join Gabriel¡¯s group. After a quick look around, he headed for the sibling duo, Leo and his sister. The cameraman followed closely behind. From a distance, Hans saw the siblings sitting with their backs to the door, already eating, and without a camera crew in sight.


    Sneakily, Hans looked into the camera with a mischievous grin and whispered into hispel mic, ¡°Folks <b>at </b>home, do you want to see the sister¡¯s face<b>?</b>¡±


    The chat instantly flooded with eager affirmations.


    Stealthily, Hans crept into the small kitchen where Mirabe and her brother were dining. He was about to surprise them when Mirabe turned around.


    Seeing Juztin¡¯s sister still masked, Hans¡® expression turned yfully suspicious. ¡°I have a feeling she knew we wereing,¡± he


    mumbled into the mic.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and waved her phone in the air.


    Realization dawned on Hans. ¡°Ah, the cat¡¯s of the bag,¡± he said. She must have heard his earlier announcement in the livestream.


    Embarrassed but curious, Hans approached and asked, ¡°So, what have you two been up to-¡± He paused, noticing the empty dishes, and couldn¡¯t hide his astonishment. ¡°You¡¯ve finished eating already?¡±


    The pace seemed almost too fast,


    2 8 F 9 € 95


    Leo set down his chopsticks, his handsome face beaming with pride. ¡°My sister is a decathlete of dining.¡±


    Impressed, Hans let out a whistle. ¡°The world owes me a sister like that.¡±


    Leo tilted his chin up, a glint of brotherly pride in his eyes. ¡°My sister¡¯s one of a kind.¡±


    The sibling¨Cbragging contest had begun, and Leo¡¯s eyes shone with pride.

 Chapter 463

    <b>Chapter 463 </b>


    Hans watched Leo gazing at his sister with that unmistakable look of adoration and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, <b>¡°</b>Sibling bonds are <b>really </b>something<b>, </b>aren¡¯t they<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    <b>It </b>was all toomon for people to y up the picture¨Cperfect family on screen for the sake of ratings, but how many <b>of </b>them actually shared this <b>kind </b><b>of </b>rapport behind closed <b>doors</b><b>? </b>


    With a <b>soft </b><b>smile </b>that quickly retreated, Mirabe lowered her head again to nce at the stream ofments flowing on her live chat.


    She had joined the livestream toote to witness the flood of virtual gifts, so now her screen was filled with a barrage ofments from viewers dying to see her face. Of course, she had missed the moment Heather was awkwardly cornered by the audience asking <b>if </b>she was feeling ¡®awkward or something?<b>¡® </b>


    Soon after Hans had left, the curiosity from viewers who wanted a glimpse of the elusive sister spiked once again<b>, </b>expressing their disappointment. There was this thing about people. The more elusive something was, the more it piqued their interest. And <b>so</b>, the inte¡¯s curiosity about Mirabe had soared to new heights.


    Then, as if on cue, the cameraman made a quiet return<b>, </b>camera in hand.


    Mirabe logged out of the livestream and was about to put her phone away when a Messenger notification popped up. She hesitated for a moment before tapping on the message.


    Adler<b>: </b><b>[</b>This is you, isn¡¯t it? [Image]] The image was a screenshot from the livestream.


    Pressing her fingers to her temples, Mirabe replied, [No, you¡¯ve got it wrong.]


    Back at the Riverdale Research Institute, Adler, who was lounging in front of hisputer, alternating between the livestream and his phone, saw Mirabe¡¯s response. He scrutinized the livestream once more and shot back, [Come on, <i>no </i>kidding, I know it¡¯s you.] He snapped another photo from hisputer screen and sent it her way.


    Upon receiving the second photo, Mirabe looked up, only now realizing that the cameraman had returned to the room.


    Touching his nose self¨Cconsciously, Adler sent another message. [You, joining this kind of cheesy show? That¡¯s not your style.] Mirabe typed back with an emotionless face. [You have a problem with that?]


    Adler could almost feel the impatience emanating through the screen as he typed back, [No¡­ I mean¡­]


    Mirabe: ¡°You reached out all of a sudden, got something to say<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Spot<b>¨C</b>on as always, the boss had guessed right.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Adler replied, [We¡¯ll talk after your livestream ends.]


    Seeing this, Mirabe sent a terse [Okay] and put her phone away.


    Adler leaned back in his chair, his eyesnding on a data sheet lying on his desk. After a long moment, he picked it up, pulled open a drawer, and stashed it away.


    The afternoon¡¯s livestream ended amidst a series of contrived challenges <b>set </b>by the production team.


    As everyone parted ways, the other guests exchanged farewells.


    Heather, still reeling from the mocking she¡¯d endured from the audience during the midday livestream, had been visibly out of sorts for the rest of the day. Watching Mirabe and Leo drive away, her expression turned stormy.


    Her assistant<b>, </b>already holding <b>the </b>car door open, inquired softly, ¡°Heather?<b>¡± </b>


    Smoothing her expression, Heather murmured and climbed into the vehicle.


    As the car began to move, Heather turned <b>to </b>her assistant <b>in </b>the front seat. ¡°Those ounts that were trolling me at noon¡­ have you found out who¡¯s behind them?<b>¡± </b>


    The assistant, ever vignt of the livestream¡¯s goings¨Con<b>, </b>replied, ¡°Still no lead, but it feels like some rival fanbase stirring up trouble on purpose<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Heather frowned at this. Initially, she had thought the same, but upon reflection, it didn¡¯t add up.


    If <b>it </b>had been rival fans looking to ruffle feathers, they surely wouldn¡¯t <b>be </b>foolish enough to spend that kind of money.

 Chapter 464

    <b>Chapter </b><b>464 </b>


    Beside her, Michelle was fidgeting with her smartphone, her curiosity having gotten the better <b>of </b>her earlier, prompting her to screenshot the pre¨Cnickname¨Cchange flurry of tips that had hit the chat. <b>Now</b><b>, </b>she scrolled through her gallery<b>, </b>pulled up the images and mused, ¡°I don¡¯t <b>think </b>this is the work of haters.¡±


    The transformation from ¡®Miss¡® Minions¡® for ¡®Heather is Shameless Squad¡® seemed <b>to </b>be a direct response to her cousin dering those high¨Crolling fans as her own. It was after that im that the tide turned.


    Just <b>this </b>morning, that same crowd was spamming messages of encouragement like ¡®Go Miss, you can do it!¡® which definitely meant they were rooting for someone.


    <b>The </b>misunderstanding arose when her dear cousin assumed the ¡®Miss¡® they referred to was her, leading to that awkward <b>scene </b>at noon.


    There were only three women among the guests on the show, so<b>¡­ </b>


    A light bulb went off in Michelle¡¯s head, her eyes widening as she turned to Heather<b>, </b><b>¡°</b>Could it be that these people are from Juztin¡¯s <b>camp</b><b>? </b>Maybe he¡¯s paying them to rally behind his sister, to build up her image<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    She knew herself well enough to admit she <b>didn¡¯t </b>have such devoted fans. Eliminating her cousin from the equation left only <b>Juztin¡¯s </b>


    sister.


    <b>Michelle¡¯s </b>musings echoed the suspicions that Heather had been harboring all afternoon. Despite her belief that Juztin¡¯s background was modest, his star status over the years must haveted him a fortune. Dropping a few million in tips wouldn¡¯t be out of the question for him.


    Then<b>, </b>something else urred to Michelle. She tapped her phone back to life and revisited the livestream.screenshots. She noticed that the broadcast¡¯s split¨Cscreen had only three pairs, and notably absent was the sibling duo.


    ¡°Look at this,¡± Michelle said, showing Heather the phone. ¡°During the tipping frenzy at noon, the act of them wasn¡¯t even on camera. That¡¯s <b>odd</b><b>, </b><b>isn¡¯t </b>it? It¡¯s like¡­ they set you up to be embarrassed on air.¡±


    Heather¡¯s eyes


    fell on the evidence, and the missing piece of the puzzle clicked into ce. There was no need for further scrutiny. The truth was clear.


    The whole charade of tipping extravagantly and then ying ignorant, only to have someone humiliate her in the process¨Cit was quite the strategy.


    Heather¡¯s face turned a steely shade of grey. She¡¯d been in the business long enough to have seen all manner of schemes, but this level. of malice was <b>a </b><b>first </b>for her.


    The assistant driving the car had been eavesdropping on the cousins¡® conversation. After a few seconds of silence, he tried to offer some constion. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that bad¡­ I mean, Heather and Juztin don¡¯t even run in the same circles and have no ovepping interests. There¡¯s no reason to do something like this.¡±


    And besides<b>, </b>in terms of clout, Juztin was clearly a notch above, though the assistant wisely kept thatst thought to himself. He knew Heather all too well ¨C short¨Ctempered, vindictive, and only receptive to praise.


    With a scoff and a roll of her eyes, Michelle pocketed her phone and said lightly, ¡°Who can say? Maybe they¡¯re just looking for an excuse to drag my cousin down. Just another day in showbiz.¡±


    The assistant gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter and returned to his silence.


    Michelle then looked back at Heather and added, ¡°Considering the minor shes we¡¯ve had with those siblings in the past episodes, today¡¯s sick stunt seems like a predictable next step.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help but think the worst of people, especially when it came to Mirabe¡¯s arrogant demeanor<b>, </b>parading around on livestreams as some mysterious high school prodigy. ¡°Never seen anyone so shameless,¡± Michelle thought.


    Heather¡¯s face, usually so carefully made up, was now expressionless. She turned to gaze out the car window, her eyes a turbulent mix of emotions.

 Chapter 465

    Chapter <b>465 </b>


    Michelle fiddled with the hem of her skirt as she sat, her hands resting on her knees. It was as if the silence from Heather had jogged her memory, prompting her to speak up, ¡°I remember, in the first episode, Juztin¡¯s sister mentioned she was studying at Parkside High School. I¡¯ll hit up a buddy of mine who¡¯s an underssman there, and see if he knows her.¡±


    Heather turned to nce at her, puzzled by this sudden interest in Juztin¡¯s sister.


    Pressing her lips together, Michelle¡¯s eyes dropped slightly, and after a brief pause, she said in a soft but steely tone, ¡°If she really goes to Parkside High School¡­ then today¡¯s livestream fiasco isn¡¯t over yet.¡± The lightness in her voice did little to mask the malicecing her words.


    <b>At </b>this, the gloom in Heather¡¯s eyes seemed to dissipate somewhat. Juztin was untouchable, but his sister<b>? </b>That was another story.


    With a subdued ¡®hm, Heather simply advised, ¡°Just keep it low¨Ckey, okay<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I got it,¡± Michelle replied, her voice a gentle whisper.


    The assistant driving in front nced in the rearview mirror, his expression unchanged, as if these dark maneuvers were just part of the job. He sighed internally, already foreseeing the grim fate awaiting the girl Heather had set her sights on. It was a shame, really, to get tangled with the likes of them.


    Meanwhile, in another car.


    Collins was recounting the day¡¯s events from the livestream, ¡°You should¡¯ve seen Heather¡¯s face, man. She was just bragging about her posh fanbase when they all switched their usernames in unison. It was aplete train wreck, happened in less than a minute. <b>I </b>almost diedughing.¡±


    Mirabe, lounging in her seat, perked up at the mention of the on¨Cair humiliation that had unfolded.


    ¡°I¡¯ve disliked that woman since the start of this show,¡± Leo confessed without reserve. Targeting him was one thing, but repeatedly going after his sister was beyond annoying.


    When Collins heard Leo refer to Heather as ¡®that woman, he couldn¡¯t help but grimace, throwing in a reminder, ¡°Heather was crowned Best Actress atst year¡¯s film festival, a rising starlet!<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Please, I¡¯m the chart¨Ctopping heartthrob of the music world, and you don¡¯t see me bragging,¡± Leo scoffed, ncing at the back of


    Collins¡® head.


    ¡°Ha, heartthrob? Did you miss the new tag your fans are pping on you?¡± Collins couldn¡¯t resist a jab, ¡°Our little princess.¡±


    That turned Leo¡¯s face thunderous.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to watch your image before we came? You were supposed to maintain your cool, but no, <b>you </b>went full na?ve sweetheart,¡± Collins shook his head in exasperation.


    Leo mped his mouth shut, choosing silence over argument.


    ¡°No wonder you always turned down these types of show invites. You knew yourself,¡± Collins paused, but didn¡¯t continue with the disdain. ¡°Well, your persona may have crumbled, but your fans¡® love has only grown. Just embrace being the sweet princess from now


    on.¡±


    Leo was speechless. Damn it, talk about a devil for an agent!


    Mirabe just smiled quietly, turning to look out the window as their exchange continued. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw <b>a </b>message.


    Adler: [Hey<b>, </b>can you help me analyze a data report?]


    After pondering for a few seconds, her fingers danced across the screen with a reply. [Sure, send it to my email.<b>] </b>Once the message was sent, she forwarded her personal email address to Adler.


    Back at his end, Adler felt a wave of relief wash over him as he read her response. The nervous tension that had gripped him was suddenly gone.

 Chapter 466

    <b>Chapter </b><b>466 </b>


    Adler fired up hisptop, clicked on the web browser, and logged into his email ount. Swiftly, he sent a pre¨Cprepared encrypted file to Mirabe¡¯s inbox. Next<b>, </b>he shot her a quick message on Messenger. [Sent the file, the password <b>is</b><b>¡­</b><b>] </b>


    Mirabe nced at the email notification on her screen, but didn¡¯t bother to open it right away, instead she typed back. [Is it urgent?]


    Adler replied. [A bit, but no rush. Tackle it when you can.] Knowing that Mirabe was a student, Adler felt a tad guilty for pressing her, but he was in a pinch.


    Upon seeing his response, Mirabe simply said, [Alright.]


    Adler heaved a deep sigh, refrained from further conversation, and sent Mirabe a ¡®bowing in awe¡® emoji before putting down his phone. He hadn¡¯t nned on enlisting Mirabe¡¯s help with the data report, but the antics at the institute were absurd. Without thorough data analysis and experimentation, those clowns were eager to roll out a product.


    If the product was wless, great, but a single deviation in the data could turn their findings into a cmity. As a specialized researcher, he couldn¡¯t risk the one¨Cin<b>¨C</b>a¨Cmillion chance of disaster.


    Meanwhile, after wrapping up the Messenger chat with Adler, Mirabe slipped her phone back into her pocket.


    Collins, who was driving, shifted the conversation to a more serious tone. ¡°Heatheres from a heavy¨Chitting family background. She¡¯s been butting heads with you and your siblingstely, especially after today¡¯s live¨Cstreaming incident. I reckon your sister could get caught up in suspicion, so be extra careful these days. Especially you, Leo, don¡¯t let anyone catch you off guard.¡±


    Leo¡¯s lips twitched in annoyance. ¡°Why should I be on alert if my sister is the one under suspicion?¡±


    ¡°Because she¡¯s kept a low profile, but you haven¡¯t. If Heather sies some paparazzi on you, your sister could get caught in the crossfire.¡±


    Collins had heard about Heather¡¯spetitive nature; many in their circle had fallen prey to her schemes. With a powerful family to back her, it wasn¡¯t strange for her to wield so much influence. Leo¡¯s brothers seemed to be doing well for themselves, but even they paled inparison to a well¨Cestablished dynasty like Heather¡¯s. So, Collins had advised Mirabe to steer clear of Heather, not wanting a reality show to stir up needless trouble for her.


    Upon hearing this, Leo fell silent, all too aware of the industry¡¯s dark underbelly. His reluctance to have his sister more involved was simply to protect her from online scrutiny and criticism.


    After some thought, Leo suggested, ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll move back to my private residence for a while.¡±


    Mirabe nced at her brother, recalling the paparazzi they had encountered near his vi, and remarked, ¡°That might just draw more attention.¡±


    Leo looked at her and touched his nose. ¡°My ce is secluded, and nobody knows it.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, clearly thinking him na?ve, and said calmly, ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, just stay put at home.¡±


    Leo was speechless.


    Collins, observing the sibling dynamic from the front seat, couldn¡¯t help but facepalm. The fans¡® perception was spot on. The ¡®Little Princess Leo¡® moniker was apt. This was hardly the typical oler brother¨Cyounger sister dynamic. It was as if their roles were reversed.


    <b>2/1 </b>

 Chapter 467

    Leo was about to say something more when a nce from Mirabe shut him downpletely. He Instantly chickened out.


    That was just how it went.


    With a silent sigh, Leo resigned himself to the fact that this would be his life now.


    Three hourster, Collins dropped the siblings off at the Davis family¡¯s estate, and soon after, he drove away. Exhausted from the day, they had dinner and then retreated to their respective rooms.


    After freshening up, Mirabe blow¨Cdried her hair and sat down at her desk to boot up herptop.


    She navigated to her email and downloaded the encrypted file Adler had sent her. After entering the password, the file opened ¨C it was a PowerPoint presentation.


    She flicked through the slides with a few clicks of her mouse. The data flew by, and after a quick review, her brow furrowed slightly. It was highly confidential experimental data. Why on earth would Adler share this with her?


    ¨C


    Sure, she had casually helped him a couple of times in the past, but it was just that casual. After all, her assessments of their experimental data were purely spective, without any real hands¨Con experience.


    Mirabe stared at the screen, her fingers still, lost in thought for a while before she closed the file and shut down herptop. Soon after, she stood up, lit a candle to wind down, and then slipped into bed.


    I


    The next day, on the way to school.


    Mirabe sat in the passenger seat, idly spinning her phone in her hand, the data from Adler still on her mind.


    Her gaze asionally drifted out the car window, and after passing a few traffic lights, she suddenly sat up straight. In the side mirror, she noticed a ck sedan that had been tailing them something about it seemed off.


    ¨C


    If they were just heading in the same direction, there was no reason for it to follow so closely, especially since there had been several opportunities to overtake.


    Pondering for a moment, Mirabe looked over at Shawn and mentioned, ¡°Dad, that car behind us seems to be following us.¡±


    Shawn let out a surprised ¡°huh¡± and nced at the rearview mirror. His face darkened upon seeing the tail. These clowns were tailing so closely that they even got his daughter¡¯s attention.


    Shawn turned his focus back to the road and said, ¡°Um¡­ probably heading the same way as us, right? This road leads to the school.¡±


    Mirabe took another look behind and murmured, ¡°Maybe.¡°.


    Shawn didn¡¯t say anything more. Instead, he reached for his phone from the console, slowed down the car, and sent out a text. Soon after, the car behind them sped past and left them far behind.


    Shawn tossed his phone back into the console and pointed at the disappearing tail lights. ¡°See that car, honey? Was that the one?¡±


    Looking up at the sedan, Mirabe nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Ha, you see? You were overthinking it. Just someone on the same route as us,¡± Shawn chuckled, trying to cover up his unease.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t scrutinize Shawn¡¯s expression and simply hummed in agreement, deciding not to dwell on it further. Perhaps she had been overly cautious.


    Before long, they arrived at the school gates. Shawn waited until Mirabe got out of the car and entered the school, watching her until she waspletely out of sight. Only then did he pick up his phone again and made a call.

 Chapter 468

    <b>Chapter </b><b>468 </b>


    <b>Not </b>long after Shawn hung up the phone, a sleek ck sedan pulled up, parking right behind his car. Had Mirabe been there, she would have recognized it as the same car that had been tailing them.


    Grady stepped out and made his way to the driver¡¯s side, tapping on the window. It lowered, and he respectfully greeted, ¡°Mr. Shawn.¡±


    Shawn gave him a slight nod, his voice tinged with mild annoyance. ¡°Grady, your tailing skills need some work<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    At those words, Gredy¡¯s heart sank a bit. He hardly knew how to exin that he had been as discreet as possible in his surveince. He did not understand how he still got spotted by the youngdy. After all, the young miss was just a girl, naive to the ways of the world. If others heard of this, where would he, the chief steward, put his reputation?


    Clearing his throat, Grady replied, ¡°I¡¯ll be more careful next time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve been working hard these days.¡±


    Grady shook his head with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble. Looking after the young miss is my duty.¡±


    Something crossed Shawn¡¯s mind; raising his eyebrows, hemented, ¡°You guys did well yesterday.¡±


    Grady was momentarily taken aback, then realized Mr. Shawn was referring to the incident in the livestream chat. His expression turned cold. ¡°Those nobodies thinking they can ride on the young miss¡® coattails<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Was the Davis family¡¯s darling princess someone to be trifled with?


    Without much further conversation, they both soon left the school grounds.


    ¡± S == ZEFE


    Meanwhile, Mirabe entered her ssroom and took her seat. After a moment¡¯s thought, she pulled a spiral notebook from her desk and began to write.


    It was still study hall, no teachers were around, and the students were left to their own devices.


    ¨C


    Before long, Mirabe¡¯s notebook was filled with a long list of symbols and equations <b>a </bplex array that was neither purely literary nor <b>scientific</b><b>. </b>


    Jenna nced over, intending to strike up a conversation. Still, noticing Mirabe¡¯s deep concentration, she refrained from disturbing her and quietly pulled out a math worksheet to practice.


    When Vincent arrived at the back door of The Advanced ss, Mirabe¡¯s figure was the first thing he saw. He was carrying something in his hands and paused only for a few seconds before stepping inside.


    As Vincent approached, Mirabe was still engrossed in her data analysis and didn¡¯t notice someone standing by her side until a couple of minutes had passed, and she suddenly looked up.


    Seeing Vincent, Mirabe was slightly startled, and her arm was casually draped over her notebook, concealing its contents.


    Vincent¡¯s


    gaze shifted from the notebook, and after a pause, he exined, ¡°I didn¡¯t understand what you were writing.¡±


    It would have been a surprise if he had. Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows lifted as she asked, ¡°What do you need?¡± As she spoke, her eyes inadvertently swept over the item in his hands, and her expression darkened slightly.


    Noticing the swift change in Mirabe¡¯s demeanor, Vincent coughed and handed over the rolled¨Cup papers. ¡°I heard you got a challenge from someone at Eagle High School. I had my cousin fetch some mathpetition problemspiled by a renowned teacher.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need them, thanks,¡± Mirabe responded tly, rejecting the offer.


    Truth be told, she hadn¡¯t yet shaken off the terror of being dominated by the three massive boxes of worksheets Nick had sent.


    Seeing her reaction, Vincent set the papers on her desk and said in an even tone, ¡°Do you remember that guy, Jack?¡±

 Chapter 469

    <b>Chapter </b><b>469 </b>


    Mirabe racked her brain, but no memory of such a person surfaced. With a shake of her head, she replied, ¡°I don¡¯t remember him.¡±


    Vincent¡¯s mouth twitched slightly, his expression turningplex. ¡°Remember the BrainSpark Nationals? The guy who was consistently in third ce? I heard he had some mishap and didn¡¯t make it to the nationals.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying Jack is the one who¡¯s thrown down the gauntlet with me?¡± Mirabe¡¯s mind quickly connected the dots.


    Vincent nodded. ¡°Exactly.¡± He paused, then added, ¡°Jack¡¯s a legend at Eagle High School, a realpetition junkie. He¡¯s been in countless contests, especially a whiz in math.¡±


    Mirabe had indeed snagged the top prize at thest international BrainSpark Nationals, but that was a more general all¨Crounder contest, not a test of a singr skill. Facing Jack, dubbed the ¡®Math Competition King, meant she might not have the upper hand.


    Of course, Vincent¡¯s concerns were based on not fully understanding Mirabe¡¯s past achievements. Although she had aced herst math test with a perfect score, a mathpetition was a different beast from regr school exams in terms of difficulty.


    ¡°So, don¡¯t underestimate him. If he¡¯s openly challenging you, he¡¯se prepared. These practice tests will do you good,¡± Vincent concluded, reinforcing his advice.


    Mirabe nodded, her eyes briefly scanning the papers strewn across the table before she asked, ¡°You¡¯re entering the math league, too, right?¡±


    Caught off¨Cguard by her question, Vincent still nodded in affirmation. ¡°Yes.¡±


    With a p on the table, Mirabe dered, ¡°Good. To show my gratitude for your kindness, Mr. Vincent, I¡¯ve decided to send you a little something. A token to wish you luck in thepetition.¡±¨C


    ¡°Huh?¡± Vincent was taken aback, not quite processing her offer.


    As Mirabe whipped out her phone to text her mother, she asked Vincent, ¡°What¡¯s your address?¡±


    Vincent, increasingly puzzled, asked, ¡°Why do you need my address?¡±


    Jenna, who had been furiously taking notes but also eavesdropping, twisted her head with a curious nce at her ssmate.


    Surely Mirabe wasn¡¯t nning to send him a pile of test papers? Thest time she asked for Jenna¡¯s address, she sent her a box full of them.


    Chewing on her pen cap, Jenna managed to hold back her words, deciding the fear of being overwhelmed by a mountain <b>of </b>study materials shouldn¡¯t be hers to bear alone.


    Mirabe, eyebrows arched, looked at Vincent and countered, ¡°Would it be convenient for you to pick it up at Mr. Knox¡¯s ce?¡± She had been to the Mendoza Estate once with James and roughly remembered the address.


    Despite his suspicions, Vincent eventually divulged his current residence to Mirabe.


    After Mirabe sent the address and instructions to Delh, ensuring the delivery would arrive the same day with local courier services, she pocketed her phone. ¡°All set. You¡¯ll see what I¡¯ve sent when you get home. Don¡¯t thank me too much,¡± Mirabe said, her lips curling into a ¡®good Samaritan¡® smile.


    Witnessing this, Jenna was certain Mira had struck again, dispatching another box of study aides and test papers. Shaking her head, Jenna couldn¡¯t help but send a sympathetic ¡®you poor, unsuspecting soul¡® look Vincent¡¯s way.


    Feeling Jenna¡¯s gaze, Vincent couldn¡¯t shake off a foreboding feeling. Narrowing his eyes, he remembered his grandfather¡¯s errand and pulled out an item from his pocket, cing it on Mirabe¡¯s desk.

 Chapter 470

    <b>Chapter </b><b>470 </b>


    Vincent slid an embossed, gold¨Ctrimmed Invitation across the table, catching Mirabe¡¯s gaze before she picked it up.


    ¡°Grandpa Knox is celebrating his birthday tomorrow, and he¡¯d like you to join us for dinner,¡± Vincent said in a measured tone, revealing the true purpose of his visit to Mirabe.


    Mirabe was slightly


    aback that Knox would include her in his birthday ns, considering their limited interactions. After a brief


    pause, she set the own and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll need to check in with my folks first.¡±


    Her response was neither a yes nor a direct refusal.


    Vincent nodded in understanding, ¡°Of course.¡± After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he added, ¡°My grandpa really hopes <i>you </i>can make it.¡± With that, Vincent didn¡¯t linger any longer and promptly made his exit through the back door.


    Jenna, who had been scribbling notes nearby, leaned in with a curious look towards the gilded card on the table and teased, ¡°So, Queen Mira, you and Vincent are chummy enough that family invites are flying your way?¡±


    Mirabe gave Jenna a sidelong nce. ¡°What¡¯s with the insinuation?¡±


    ¡°Just genuinely curious,¡± Jenna coughed. ¡°Why would his granddad invite you to a birthday bash?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Must be my irresistible charm,¡± Mirabe quipped, a smug expression painting her face.


    Jenna rolled her eyes in silence.


    Mirabe grabbed the pile of test papers from the table and casually flipped through them before handing them over to Jenna. ¡°You might want to give these math challenge problems a shot,¡±


    Jenna was still traumatized by the unfinished assignment shoved on her thest time<b>, </b>and vehemently shook her head. ¡°No way, those are divine gifts from the math gods are meant for you. I can¡¯t indulge in such sacrilege.¡± The mere sight of test papers made her hands tremble.


    ¡°They¡¯re no use to me, but right up your alley,¡± Mirabe said nonchntly<b>, </b>pausing for a beat before adding, ¡°Remember, you¡¯re aiming for Radiant Ridge College. If you¡¯re not busting your hump now, when will you?¡°,


    Jenna rolled her eyes. ¡®Could it be that you¡¯re just offloading these on me because you don¡¯t want to do them yourself?¡®


    Patting Jenna¡¯s shoulder, Mirabe turned her attention back to her own work and picked up her pen<b>, </b>resuming her scribbling on a draft


    paper.


    Jenna gazed at the five fresh sets of math papers on the desk, deted like a punctured balloon, and slumped over the desk in despair. Why did she have to end up with such a sadistic friend?


    With a deep sigh, Jenna picked up her pen again and resigned herself to grinding through the papers. After solving a couple of problems, <b>a </b>thought struck her, <b>and </b>she set the pen down to fish out her phone.


    and she sets


    ¡°Queen Mira, I¡¯ve got someone I think you should meet.¡± Jenna pulled up a hard¨Cwon photo from her album and held the phone up for Mirabe to see.


    Mirabe lifted her gaze, briefly scanning the phone¡¯s screen.


    The photo showed a man¡¯s profile, sharp and likely handsome, dressed in casual ck attire that exuded a sense ofposure and


    restraint.


    Jenna¡¯s voice tinged with excitement. ¡°What do you think? He¡¯s quite a catch, isn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°And<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Mirabe drawled disinterestedly.


    ¡°That¡¯s <b>my </b>cousin<b>, </b>twenty¨Cfour and currently unattached,¡± Jenna batted her eyshes, emphasizing the ¡®currently unattached¡® as if it were <b>a </b>selling point.


    Mirabe gave Jenna a knowing look, cutting through the pretense, ¡°Honey, are you trying to set me up on a date?¡±

 Chapter 471

    <b>Chapter </b><b>471 </b>


    Jenna coughed subtly, trying to make her suggestion sound as casual as possible. ¡°It¡¯s just, you know, about adding each other on social media to <b>get </b>to know one another.¡±


    Mirabe gave her a look that danced between amusement and annoyance.


    <b>¡°</b>My cousin is in IT, a real tech wizard. In college, his team took home the gold in an international codingpetition. I¡¯m telling you, he¡¯s really something¡­<b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe rubbed her temples and, with an upward swipe of her hand, cut Jenna off mid¨Cgush. ¡°Honey, if you¡¯re that obsessed with acing tests, I¡¯ve got an extra box of shcards you can have.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s voice halted abruptly at that. Mirabe was the devil incarnate.


    Finally, peace returned to Mirabe¡¯s ears, and she lowered her gaze, returning to her writing.


    After school, Vincent made his way back to the Mendoza Estate. He ryed to his grandfather, Knox, Mirabe¡¯s exact response to the invitation he had given her earlier that day. Knox stroked his chin thoughtfully and then pulled out his cellphone to make a call.


    Vincent sat quietly to the side, watching his grandfather speak with courteous ease on the phone, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.


    Before long, Knox hung up and turned to his grandson. ¡°Those new recipes I taught you a while back. Have you mastered them yet?¡±


    Vincent met Knox¡¯s gaze and nodded slightly. ¡°Pretty much, yeah.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Good,¡± Knox said. ¡°You¡¯ll be in charge of the main table¡¯s meal tomorrow night.¡±


    Vincent blinked in surprise. ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s such a good idea.¡±


    He understood the gravity of the guestsing over the next evening. It wasn¡¯t a question of his culinary skills, but these high¨Cstakes social gatherings were still a bit out of his league. He¡¯d rather spend that time hitting the books.


    <b>¡°</b>Nonsense, Knox said with gravitas. ¡°It¡¯ll be good for you to meet some influential people¨Cit will do wonders for your future.¡±


    Vincent¡¯s cool, collected expression faltered. ¡°Grandpa, mingling isn¡¯t exactly my forte. Maybe we should pass.¡±


    Knox shot him a look of exasperated affection, his frustration evident. Every time he tried to pave the way for his grandson, Vincent resisted. It was infuriating. Taking a deep breath, Knox shifted the conversation. ¡°You¡¯re tight with Mirabe, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Vincent hesitated, then replied, ¡°We¡¯re alright, yeah.¡±


    Knox¡¯s eyes twinkled with a n. ¡°Mirabe is a gifted kid. I¡¯m considering taking her as my prot¨¦g¨¦. You guys are ssmates. You¡¯re both young¨Cyou can talk to her and convey my intentions.¡±


    After a pause, Knox added, ¡°And you can impress upon her that being mentored by the Mendoza family will mean no one in Ashford would dare cross her.¡± She already had James, but well, more friends meant more connections.


    Vincent¡¯s mouth twitched in mild annoyance, his hand instinctively going to his temple. ¡°Grandpa, I really think you should abandon the idea of taking Mirabe as your apprentice.¡±


    Knox¡¯s brows knitted together. ¡°Why? Do you have any idea how rare it is to find someone with an exceptional pte who also understands pharmacology?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a young girl, and you want her to work as a cook? Do you really think that¡¯s appropriate?¡±


    Knox bristled at that. ¡°Cook? She¡¯d be a culinary herbalist. You know how prestigious that position was in ancient times?¡±


    ¡°But this is the modern era,¡± Vincent couldn¡¯t help but point out.


    <b>Knox </b>mmed his hand down on the nearby table, exasperated. ¡°Are you arguing for the sake of it? You¡¯re always contradicting me!¡±

 Chapter 472

    <b>Chapter </b><b>472 </b>


    <b>Vincent </b>straightened up immediately, his voice carrying a hint of determination. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, I¡¯ll find a chance to talk to Mirabe.¡±


    After a pause, he added, somewhat reluctantly, ¡°But don¡¯t get your hopes up too high. She¡¯s Ivy League¨Cbound, with a future as bright as the Fourth of July. And it¡¯s not just her ¨C I doubt her folks would agree either.¡±


    Anyone who made it into Prestige College was seen as a pir of the nation. His grandpa sure had some wild dreams.


    Knox had been somewhat appeased by the first part of Vincent¡¯s statement, but thetter part nearly made him blow his top ¨C again.


    Vincent cleared his throat and stood up, hastily making an excuse. ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯ve got a mountain of homework to bury myself in tonight, so I better get back. I¡¯lle straight over after school tomorrow. I won¡¯t let you down, and you can count on that.¡±


    Knox couldn¡¯t even bear to look at him. He just waved his hand dismissively<b>, </b>signaling for him to scram.


    Vincent then left the grand hall, instructed the butler to take good care of his grandfather, and left the family estate.


    An hourter, he arrived at his ce downtown, exchanged a brief hello with his folks, and was about to head upstairs when he suddenly remembered the package Mirabe had mentioned sending him that morning. He halted in his tracks.


    ¡°Mom, did we get any packages today?¡± Vincent asked, turning toward his mother.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t home today,¡± Aimee shook her head.


    It was Vincent¡¯s dad, who looked up and chimed in, ¡°Oh, yeah, there was a delivery. What did you order? It¡¯s a big box and heavy as a sack of potatoes.¡±


    Vincent was momentarily taken aback. A big, heavy box? What on earth did Mira send him?


    Following his dad¡¯s gesture toward the storage room, Vincent murmured an acknowledgment and headed in with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The box was right there by the door, unmistakable in its bulk. It was indeed sizable.


    Vincent fetched a pair of scissors and sliced through the tape, and as he peered inside, he froze, unable to process the sight.


    A whole box of study materials and at least a hundred different exam papers stared back at him¡­ Vincent suddenly recalled Mirabe¡¯s fleeting look of annoyance that morning when he handed her his own stack of papers.


    And then her question, ¡°Are you alsopeting in the Math Olympiad?¡± It seemed from that moment on, she had plotted her sweet


    revenge.


    <b>No </b>wonder her friend had given him that odd look. The trap was set right there.


    Vincent¡¯s gaze fell back on the papers inside the box, and he shuddered. He enjoyed a good puzzle, sure, but that didn¡¯t mean he enjoyed being buried in exam papers!


    It was as if he could never look at an exam paper the same way again. Quickly, he sealed the box back up. It was too horrific for words.


    On the other side of town, Mirabe, having stealthily pulled off her little prank, returned home for dinner and remembered Adler¡¯s data. With that in mind, she headed out once more.


    There was a print and copy shop just around the corner from her neighborhood. She strolled over at her leisure. The shop owner was in the middle of his meal, so he told Mirabe to download whatever she needed to print on theputer and then get his attention.


    Mirabe hopped onto the owner¡¯sputer, her fingers dancing over the keyboard. After half a minute, she opened the browser, logged into her email, and downloaded the file once again. She decrypted the file, smoothly converted the PowerPoint presentation into a document, and hit ¡®Print.¡®


    > $ 299 8


    The shop owner, munching away at his counter, nced over and saw that Mirabe was managing fine by herself, so he didn¡¯t bother getting up to check.

 Chapter 473

    <b>Chapter </b><b>473 </b>


    Mirabe meticulously wiped herputer clean of any traces, then stood up and strolled over to the printer. She neatly folded the documents that had been printed out and slid them into her coat pocket without a second thought.


    After settling the bill, she swiftly exited the print shop.


    The early winter dusk had settled in sooner than expected. She had left her home under a bright sky<b>, </b>but now, as she stepped out of the print shop, the outside world was considerably darker, and the streemps of the neighborhood were casting their glow.


    In the hazy light, Mirabe¡¯s figure was swathed in a sleek ck trench coat, her slender legs moving with a graceful, leisurely stride along the sidewalk, hands tucked into her pockets, exuding a casual yet striking charm.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and, fishing it out, she saw it was James calling. She answered promptly.


    ¡°Busy?¡± came James¡® crisp voice.


    Mirabe nced ahead to where the neighborhood¡¯s gate was in sight and replied, ¡°Not particrly.¡±


    James was leaning against the railing on the balcony of his two¨Cstoried vi, his gaze stretching into the distance, his chiseled features softened by gentle warmth. ¡°I just dropped you a message. You didn¡¯t respond, so I thought you might be tied up with something.¡±


    At his words, Mirabe pulled the phone away from her ear to check the screen, and sure enough, there was an unread message from two minutes ago. She opened it, briefly scanned the contents, and after a moment¡¯s pause, she responded, ¡°Had my phone in my pocket, didn¡¯t notice it.¡±


    The sound of a car hom filtered through from the street<b>, </b>audible over the phone.


    ¡°You¡¯re out and about?¡± James asked<b>, </b>a hint of surprise in his tone.


    ¡°Yeah, just taking a walk around the block,¡± Mirabe said truthfully, her voice light. After a brief pause, she inquired, ¡°Did you need me for something?¡±


    James¡® voice came back, casually nonchnt as he leaned on the balcony. ¡°Knox¡¯s birthday dinner is tomorrow. He¡¯s asked you to join.¡± Upon hearing this, Mirabe¡¯s gaze sharpened slightly. Knox had sent his grandson to deliver an invitation, and now James was extending it personally¨Cshe couldn¡¯t very well refuse.


    After a moment of contemtion<b>, </b>she answered, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    James could detect a hint of reluctance in her tone, and raising an eyebrow in amusement, he offered, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about a gift. I¡¯ll sort something out on your behalf.¡±


    Mirabe fell silent at that, her pride smarting a little at the implication. Still, she responded with genuine appreciation, ¡°Thanks, James.


    You¡¯re too kind.¡±


    There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then James said, ¡°<b>I¡¯ll </b>pick you up after school tomorrow.¡±


    As Mirabe stepped into the neighborhood, her pace quickened. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit out of your way?¡±


    ¡°Not at all,¡± James¡® voice was steady as he nced down at the garden beneath his balcony, adding, ¡°It¡¯s on the way.¡±


    Mirabe chuckled at that¨CParkside High School was in theplete opposite direction from Mendoza Estate. ¡°Well, then, I won¡¯t argue. Thanks.<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°See you tomorrow,¡± he said.


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± Mirabe replied, ready to end the call when James added, ¡°Head home early. It¡¯s not safe for a youngdy to be out alone.¡± Mirabe pulled her coat around her, her gaze deepening. Her delicate appearance seemed to invite such protective warnings. It was a bit tiresome, really.


    After hanging up, she slipped her phone back into her pocket and continued towards home at an unhurried pace.


    But after <b>a </b>short distance, Mirabe¡¯s eyes narrowed, a flicker of intrigue crossing her fine features, and she slowed her step ever so slightly.


    Was someone following her?

 Chapter 474

    <b>Chapter </b><b>474 </b>


    Mirabe stuffed her hands into her sweater pockets, asionally ncing down at the pavement as she walked<b>, </b>her silhouette exuding an air of casual rxation that seemed at odds with her somber mood.


    She had slowed her pace from earlier, and after a bit, that unsettling sensation of being followed had vanished. It was an odd urrence that didn¡¯t sit well with her.


    A rare severity shone in Mirabe¡¯s eyes.


    Her phone buzzed again in her pocket. It was Shawn checking in to see why it was taking her so long toe back home. Her response was brief, assuring him she¡¯d return shortly before hanging up.


    She looped around the neighborhood a few more times, and when nothing else out of the ordinary presented itself, Mirabe leisurely strolled back home<b>. </b>


    Upon entering the house, she exchanged a few words with Shawn, who was lounging on the couch engrossed in a TV <i>show</i>. Remembering the earlier incident, she asked nonchntly, ¡°Dad, you haven¡¯t run into any odd characterstely, have you?¡±


    Shawn nced at his daughter and offered her a freshly peeled orange. His brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Odd characters? No, why do you ask all of <b>a </b>sudden?<b>¡± </b>Could it be that Mirabe had spotted Grady¡¯s people again?


    Mirabe epted the orange and methodically peeled a segment, speaking with a slight muffle, ¡°I heard there had been some unsavory characters tailing residents around here. Just keep an eye out, both you and Mom.¡±


    Shawn paused, ¡°Really? That¡¯s happening?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Yeah, heard about it when I went out to get some documents printed,¡± Mirabe lied smoothly.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± Shawn replied, his face betraying no hint of concern. Instead, he seemed relieved. As long as his daughter hadn¡¯t noticed those from thepany.


    Mirabe eyed him suspiciously. His reaction seemed off. Shaking off the thought, she finished her orange and said, ¡°Dad, <b>I¡¯m </b>going to a dinner at my friend¡¯s house tomorrow night, so you don¡¯t need to pick me up in the afternoon.¡±


    Instantly curious, Shawn asked, ¡°Is it the friend who gave you that paintingst time?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and she hummed in affirmation.


    ¡°Go ahead then, but try toe home early,¡± Shawn said, standing up suddenly. ¡°Wait here, I¡¯ll get something for you to bring. Can¡¯t go to dinner empty¨Chanded¡­¡±


    Mirabe quickly stood un bering the antique inkstone Shawn had insisted she take to Jenna¡¯sst time. ¡°No need, Dad. It¡¯s just


    dinner among friends. We don¡¯t do the whole gift¨Cgiving thing. It¡¯s too old¨Cfashioned.¡±


    Shawn stopped and turned back to her, pondering for a moment before agreeing, ¡°Alright then, maybe invite your friend over to ours


    next time.¡±


    be


    ¡°Sure,¡± Mirabe nodded. ¡°I¡¯m heading to my room to read.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t stay up toote. Get some rest,¡± Shawn said with a note of concern.


    Obediently, Mirabe ascended the stairs.


    Once his daughter had vanished onto the second floor, Shawn sat back down, mulling over the ¡®unsavory characters¡® Mirabe had mentioned.


    After a moment, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to Grady. [Grady, arrange for a couple more people to keep an eye on her but stay out of sight. We don¡¯t want to spook her.]


    Back in her room, Mirabe retrieved the documents she had printed from her coat pocket, smoothing out the stack of pages on her desk. She flipped through them briefly before pulling out her notebook from her backpack and sat down, ready to dive into her <b>work</b>.

 Chapter 475

    <b>Chapter </b><b>475 </b>


    <b>Mirabe </b>had been scribbling on her <b>paper </b>for over an hour, her hand cramping slightly as she finally set down her <b>pencil</b>. She <b>pinched </b><b>the </b><b>bridge </b>of her nose, feeling the familiar tension headache starting to form. With a sigh, she gathered the pile of <b>drafts </b>that <b>littered </b><b>her </b><b>desk</b>, tearing them <b>into </b>shreds and tossing them into the waste bin <b>beside </b>her.


    <b>After </b>mulling over her thoughts, she shot off a message to Adler on Messenger. [Your data isn¡¯t cutting it. If you force the cultivation <b>of </b>this <b>viral </b>vector, I¡¯m afraid it might just turn into a disaster


    <b>Once </b>the message was sent, Mirabe put her phone aside and


    questions<b>, </b>she tried to focus on the task at hand.


    <b>After </b>finishing the exam and not seeing a reply from Adlered out a mock exam her teacher had assigned. Diving into <b>the </b>


    she washed up and went to bed.


    didn¡¯t bother checking her phone again. Following her <b>nightly </b><b>routine</b><b>, </b>


    On the other side of town, Adler stumbled out of theb at half¨Cpast three in the morning, his unshaven face shadowed with stubble and his eyes bloodshot. He peeled off hisb coat and trudged upstairs <b>from </b>the basement to the kitchen. Reaching into the fridge, he grabbed a can of ice¨Ccold beer, popped it open, and downed it in gulps. Then<b>, </b>he slumped onto the living room sofa.


    few


    Leaning back, he closed his eyes for a moment, resting. But not long after, he sat up straight, grabbing his phone from the coffee table. Seeing a message from the big boss herself, Adler perked up instantly. Although he had anticipated the feedback, the bluntness of ¡®isn¡¯t cutting it¡® still felt like a punch to the gut. Didn¡¯t she know how many years the institute had toiled to get the core data to this stage? And she just dismissed it as ¡®<b>not </b>cutting it!¡®


    Adler let out a long sigh, his head drooping as he typed ¡®up to <b>snuff</b><b>?</b><b>] </b>


    <b>a </b>


    response. [Boss, any insights? How can we make this data seem a bit more


    Having sent the message, Adler didn¡¯t expect a reply from Mirabe right away, considering thete hour. She was probably resting, after all.


    After pondering <b>on </b>the couch for a while, Adler suddenly stood up, walked <b>to </b>the


    allway, grabbed his car keys, and left the house.


    The next morning<b>, </b>Mirabe woke to find Adler¡¯s message. She nced at it briefly before closing the chat without <b>a </b>reply.


    Since she was going to Knox¡¯s birthday party that evening, she chose a long coat to wear perfectly concealing it.


    At lunch, Vincent came looking for Mirabe.


    ¡°The package was delivered, right?<b>¡± </b>she asked, a yful lilt in her voice.


    r over her Parkside High School uniform,


    Vincent¡¯s face darkened. It took him a moment before he retorted, ¡°You really have <b>a </b>twisted sense of humor.¡± She had sent him one box <b>in </b>return for the five sets of exams he had given her.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe said solemnly, ¡°It¡¯s all about helping each other <b>out</b>, right?<b>¡± </b>


    Vincent scoffed coldly<b>, </b>clearly not appreciating her kind of help. Changing the subject, he said, ¡°You¡¯reing to my grandfather¡¯s dinner tonight, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    He knew his grandfather had called someone named James the previous evening<b>, </b>making a point to invite Mira over.


    Mirabe nodded.


    Vincent looked visibly relieved. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he suggested, ¡°How about we head over together after school<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe nced at him and shook her head. ¡°No need, I¡¯ll be going with a friend.¡±


    Guessing that her ¡®friend¡® was the James his grandfather had called, Vincent didn¡¯t insist. He remembered his grandfather¡¯s instructions fromst night and felt a headacheing on, Looking at Mirabe, he opened his mouth to speak but then thought better of <b>it</b>.

 Chapter 476

    <b>Chapter </b>476


    <b>Mirabe </b>eyed <b>Vincent </b>with a <b>mix </b><b>of </b>amusement and Impatience as he hemmed and hawed before her<b>, </b><b>a </b>far cry from the unppable<b>, </b><b>straight</b>¨Cshooting <b>guy </b>she was used <b>to</b>. <b>¡°</b><b>Spit </b>it out, Vince<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>she <b>urged</b>, cutting through the awkward <b>silence</b>.


    Vincent leaned back <b>against </b>the corridor¡¯s railing, drawing out another minute <b>of </b>silence before he got to the point. ¡°My grandpa<b>¡­ </b>he wants to <b>take </b>you on as an apprentice.¡±


    A twitch tugged at theer of Mirabe¡¯s mouth. That stubborn old Donald hadn¡¯t given up on the idea<b>? </b>


    Clearing his throat, Vincent, <b>now </b>sounding almost sheepish, which was rare for him, added, ¡°You don¡¯t have to feel pressured. Just¡­ give it some thought, okay<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe was silent for a moment before replying, ¡°I got it. I¡¯ll have a chat with your grandpa and set things straight.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll see youter tonight,¡± Vincent said, and with onest lingering nce at her, he was gone.


    Mirabe headed back to ss, barely settling into her seat when her phone buzzed from within her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw it was a message from Adler on Messenger.


    [Hey boss<b>, </b>did you get my messagest night? If not, I can resend it.]


    Adler had been waiting for a response <b>since </b>the morning, plus through the lunch break at Parkside High School, and it was only now, with a bit of chagrin, that he reached out again.


    He then copied and pasted his previous message, [Boss, any insights? How can we make this data seem a bit more ¡®up to snuff<b>?</b><b>]</b><b>, </b>and hit send again.


    Quick as <b>a </b>sh, Mirabe texted back. [No insights.<b>] </b>


    Adler. [Seriously, I could use your help.]


    Mirabe leaned on her desk, her eyes half¨Cclosed as she pondered, then straightened up and typed. [Have you guys cracked the viral vector yet?]


    Adler¡¯s gaze shifted to the sealedb that had been his world for nearly fifteen hours straight, a heavy look in his eyes. He quickly typed back. [Not yet¡­] Though they were close, he didn¡¯t have the heart to say so.


    Mirabe had a hunch. After a brief pause, she rifled through her desk drawer, pulling out a piece of paper with a simplistic list of steps scribbled on it¨Cher work from the previous night.


    She snapped a photo with her phone and sent it to Adler<b>. </b>[You can use this


    When Adler opened the image Mirabe had sent, he zoomed in, and his <b>a </b>reference. No guarantees, though.]


    even take the time to reply before darting off to the break room.


    face transformed from shock to tion so swiftly. He didn¡¯t


    There, with the printer humming to life, he printed the photo and then settled into a chair with pen and paper from the drawer, diving into calctions.


    Half an hourter, Adler dropped his pen, his unkempt appearance mirroring the stunned expression that took a while to fade as he emerged from the depths of the data.


    Three years of grappling with the RO strain had yielded nothing for their research institute. The synthesis of the viral vector was notoriouslyplex.


    When some in the institute proposed radical methods for the experiment, Adler, ever the conscientious scientist, disapproved and sought Mirabe¡¯s help instead.


    Taking a deep breath, Adler couldn¡¯t help but marvel at her brilliance. Despite her youth, Mirabe¡¯s prodigious talent was leagues beyond his own¨Cher insights hadpletely rified what had baffled him for two days. This wasn¡¯t just exceptional<b>; </b>it was downright otherworldly.


    Adler wiped his face, reminding himself thatparing oneself to others could be a frightful thing.


    Shaking off his reverie, he grabbed the papers from the desk and made <b>a </b>beeline for theb, <b>ignoring </b>the curious nces from his colleagues as he punched in the code and made his way inside theb with a newfound determination.

 Chapter 477

    <b>Chapter </b><b>477 </b>


    After school, the bell rang, signaling the end of another day at Parkside High. Mirabe swiftly organized her desk, sliding her <b>coat </b>on as she strolled out of the ssroom.


    Stepping through the school gates, her eyes immediately caught sight of the familiar ck sedan parked curbside. Without hesitation, she approached the vehicle.


    At the front passenger side, the window was rolled down, revealing Wyatt, who leaned out with a grin, greeting Mirabe with a casual, ¡°Hey there.¡±


    he lean and


    Mirabe nodded in response and, as per her usual routine, pulled open the back door and settled into the seat.


    over as


    James was sprawled outfortably, giving Mirabe a once¨Cover as she got situated. His piercing gaze softened <i>for </i>a moment. ¡°Need to change before we head out?¡±


    She nced down at her unbuttoned coat, revealing the Parkside High emblem emzoned on her sweater beneath. Shrugging nonchntly, she replied, ¡°Nah, it¡¯s just dinner, nothing fancy.¡±


    Her free¨Cspirited nature wasn¡¯t one for formalities, especially since Knox¡¯s birthday bash was at the family¡¯s old manor, not some uptight five¨Cstar venue. Dressing up didn¡¯t seem necessary.


    ¡°Alright,¡± James offered a simple acknowledgment. He was dressed in a casual navy ensemble that lent him an air of effortless elegance. Despite theid¨Cback look, he still exuded an aura of distinction, a testament to his blue¨Cblooded upbringing.


    Mirabe found afortable position and casually inquired, ¡°How¡¯s your health beentely?¡±


    James¡® brows quirked yfully, and he extended his arm towards her, his sleeve sliding up to reveal a pale, refined wrist, ¡°Take my pulse, and you¡¯ll know.¡±


    Wyatt, catching a glimpse of his boss¡® actions in the rearview mirror<b>, </b>couldn¡¯t help but mentally scoff at anyone who called his boss unromantic. These subtle flirtations were smooth as silk.


    Mirabe gave James a sidelong nce, stating bluntly, ¡°You look pretty healthy to me. No pulse¨Ctaking needed.¡±


    At that, a flicker of disappointment crossed James¡® eyes as he withdrew his arm, murmuring, ¡°Just the asional irregr heartbeat.¡± The sound of Wyatt choking on his own saliva filled the car. ¡°Cough<b>, </b>cough, cough¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t believe such a flirtatious line had juste from his stoic boss. Surely, his ears were deceiving him.


    With a nce from James, Wyatt felt <b>a </b>chill run down his spine. He shrank back in his seat, keeping any further sounds to himself. Mirabe¡¯s delicate brows furrowed as she turned to James with a smirk. ¡°You don¡¯t have any heart issues.¡±


    ¨C


    That was the verdict pure and simple, from the lips of a straightforward woman. Internally, Wyattmented that his boss¡® love life might be fraught with obstacles.


    James met Mirabe¡¯s clear gaze, her own eyes free of any ulterior motives, as if she mncholy surfaced within him.


    Were merely stating a fact. A twinge of


    James let out a faint sigh in his heart and ambiguously said, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± Mirabe asked with each word emphasized, ¡°Are you questioning my medical skills?¡±


    The conversation seemed to stall, leaving a brief silence in the car. James faced his first true setback, his emotions tangled.


    It looked like getting through to her would be a tall order, at least for the foreseeable future.


    Then, shaking off his somber mood, James changed the subject. ¡°Anyway, my granddad really enjoyed that incense from your ce. Got any left? He¡¯s been having trouble sleeping and keeps going on about how soothing it was

 Chapter 478

    <b>Chapter </b><b>478 </b>


    Beneath thevish gifts, there was bound to be a hidden agenda.


    Mirabe nced at James and responded with an almost emotionless tone, ¡°Yeah, but there¡¯s not much left.¡±


    James could sense the reluctance in her voice. He casually took out his phone, opened his banking app, and transferred twelve thousand bucks to her in two quick taps.


    When Mirabe¡¯s phone chimed twice, she looked at James <b>and </b>fished out her device. Her fingers paused over the notification of the transfer, and she said with mock severity, ¡°Really, what¡¯s this about? It¡¯s


    just sandalwood. I¡¯ve got plenty of that. When we get back, I¡¯ll just hand you a box. No need for all this fuss!¡±


    James¡® eyes flicked to the confirmation of payment on his screen, and he


    After epting the transfer, something else seemed to strike Mirabeled in response.


    right?<b>¡± </b>


    33 3 3 2 3 5 3 2 1 3 1 5 2


    and you mentioned you¡¯ve had <b>some </b>heart palpitations,


    <i>She </i>


    offered generously.


    James just watched her quietly, sensing he might not want to hear what wasing next.


    ¡°I¡¯ll throw in a bottle of heart pills for you, too. Good for all sorts of cardiac emergenc


    James was speechless, and in the <b>driver¡¯s </b>seat, Wyatt almost couldn¡¯t contain hisughter. Ms. Mirabe was surely heaven¨Csent to keep James in line. Her words never followed the expected <b>script</b>.


    Having received a hefty sum, Mirabe turned to gaze out the car window. Her ck coat made her skin even usually sharp features softened with her <b>good </b>mood, <b>adding </b>a touch of serene <b>grace</b>.


    more


    striking, and her


    Half an hourter, they arrived at the Mendoza Estate. Numerous luxury cars were parked outside the estate, yet James¡® vehicle was the most unassuming and discreet among them.


    Stepping out of the car, Mirabe gave a quick nce around before adjusting her coat.


    Soon after, Wyatt came over with gifts in hand, handing one to Mirabe. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, this is a present James picked out, especially


    for you.¡±


    She epted it with a word of thanks.


    At the entrance to the Mendoza Estate, a butler weed the guests. He saw James alight from the car and had already sent someone to inform Mr. Knox. He recognized the young man¡¯s esteemed status as an honored guest of the Mendoza family.


    Before long, Mr. Knox emerged, his face brightening with respect upon seeing James. ¡°James.¡±


    With a slight nod to Mr. Knox, James handed his gift to the butler. ¡°Happy birthday. May you age like fine wine.¡±


    Mr. Knox chuckled appreciatively, ¡°Thank you, thank you.¡±


    He then turned to Mirabe, standing beside James, his eyes lighting up. ¡°Mirabe.¡±


    Mirabe chose to ignore his experimental gaze, and handed over her gift. ¡°Happy birthday, Knox.¡±


    ¡°Ha, if you¡¯d be my apprentice, I¡¯d be even happier,¡± Knox jested.


    Mirabe merely smiled and replied, ¡°Then you might be too happy for your own good.¡±


    Catching the hint of rejection, Knox cleared his throat and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s head inside.¡±


    Taking the lead, he started towards the mansion.


    James watched Knox¡¯s departing figure thoughtfully for a moment before turning to Mirabe. ¡°Seems like <b>Knox </b>really does want to take you on as his apprentice.¡±


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe replied with a touch of pride, ¡°Can¡¯t help it. I¡¯m just too exceptional.¡±


    ustomed to her shameless confidence, James simply gave her a look and <b>remained </b>silent, then proceeded through the grand doors of the Mendoza <b>Estate</b><b>. </b>

 Chapter 479

    Chapter <b>479 </b>


    Knox was <b>ying </b>the gracious host today, inviting a slew of well¨Cknown and respected guests within the Ashford elite. These were old family friends with prominent social standings.


    James and Mirabe were the new faces, the unknowns, never before seen mingling in these circles. So, naturally, as they stepped <b>into </b>the grand hall, they became the center of attention, with curious, probing gazes following the


    every move.


    The crowd would¡¯ve understood if Knox had personally weed a scion from one of the illustrious families, but two young outsiders? That sparked their curiosity.


    However, Knox didn¡¯t spill the beans about James¡® identity. He simply introduced him as a distant rtive, which was enough to quell the guests¡® curiosity and draw their attention back to their own conversations. After all, if it was just some distant kin, there wasn¡¯t much need to fuss or engage in small talk, even though James¡®manding presence hinted at something different, which was enough to make anyone feel a bit of pressure with just a nce.


    Knox had other guests to attend to. He settled James and Mirabe at a specially prepared table before excusing himself.


    The table wasid out with a spread of delicate pastries. James casually reached out, sliding a te of these treats in front of Mirabe, and said, ¡°Looks like dinner won¡¯t be served for a while. Help yourself to some snacks in the meantime.¡±


    Mirabe was a foodie at heart and didn¡¯t stand on ceremony. She pinched a piece of what looked like a sponge cake and popped it into her mouth. It melted instantly, not too sweet, and just to her liking, prompting her to reach for a second, then a third piece.


    Sitting poised with his striking features, James exuded an aura of ¡®keep your distance, but his eyes softened when theynded on the


    girl beside him,


    25 FF ISE & 2 2 2 55 29 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 F F 29


    After indulging in a few bites, Mirabe stopped, her lips dusted with crumbs. She was about to fish a napkin out of her pocket when James, ever attentive, handed her one instead. She looked up <b>at </b>him with gratitude. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    James raised an eyebrow and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. ¡°No problem.¡±


    Niki, a longtime friend of Knox, wouldn¡¯t miss this birthday bash for the world. Having just returned from a quick trip to the restroom, he immediately noticed Mirabe. His eyes lit up, and he made a beeline towards them.


    ¡°Mirabe,¡± he greeted. Niki approached with excitement, greeted James, and took a seat beside Mirabe. ¡°That Incense <b>of </b>Calm recipe you gave me, I followed your instructions and seeded.¡± Of course, he omitted the countless trials and errors it took to achieve


    that modest sess.


    Mirabe lowered her hand and turned to Niki, offering a dry chuckle, as she praised him, ¡°Impressive!¡±


    Niki cleared his throat. ¡°Your recipe was very detailed.¡±


    ¡°That form is quite specific. Not much use for the average person,¡± Mirabe said with a raised eyebrow.


    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Niki chuckled, his thick skin apparent as he added, ¡°Maybe you could teach me another, moremon sleep aid<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Mirabe felt a twitch in her brow and quickly retorted, ¡°<b>I </b>don¡¯t know any others. That¡¯s the only one I can make.¡±


    James cast a sidelong nce at her, his silence speaking volumes.


    Niki stroked his beard, feeling a hint <b>of </b>disappointment. But then, he considered Mirabe a prodigy in alchemy, and making incense might not really be her focus¨Cafter all, it was quite a challenging craft.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>480 </b>

 Chapter 480

    <b>Chapter </b><b>480 </b>


    Niki didn¡¯t press further but shifted the topic with a smile, ¡°By the way, are you into herbs?¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow in confusion at Niki¡¯s query.


    With a chuckle, Niki borated, ¡°I¡¯ve spent thest two years cultivating some Foxglove. Maybe you¡¯d like to take a look at my herbs garden when you have a moment?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s face showed a hint of surprise. She was about to respond when Asher, Niki¡¯s son, had quietly approached and cut in. ¡°<b>Dad</b>, you¡¯re getting mixed up. We don¡¯t have any Foxglove in our garden. Let¡¯s <b>not </b>give anyone a reason tough at us.¡±


    The Reeves and Mendoza families had long been close allies, and since it was Knox¡¯s birthday, Asher naturally joined his father at the Mendoza family¡¯s birthday celebration. He hadn¡¯t expected to run into Mirabe there.


    Asher had a great deal of respect for Mirabe¡¯s potion¨Cmaking skills after watching her work, but that respect hadn¡¯t extended beyond professional admiration. He certainly didn¡¯t share his father¡¯s near obsession with her.


    Seeing his father carelessly mention the secret cultivation of Foxglove, Asher feltpelled to intervene, emphasizing the word ¡®outsiders¡® to make his point.


    Surprised by his younger son¡¯s interruption, Niki furrowed his brow and turned to Asher with a scolding look. ¡°Asher, is that any way to interrupt someone<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Asher nced at Mirabe, but since James was also present, he maintained a polite demeanor, conveniently ignoring his father¡¯s displeasure. ¡°Dad, Foxglove is such a rare herb. How could our family possibly have it?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched yfully as she tapped her fingers idly on the table. James poured her another cup of tea, which she epted and sipped gracefully.


    Asher noted James¡® gesture with a hint of suspicion. Why would someone from the esteemed Shepherd family show such special attention to a young girl? Asher had asked his father about Mirabe before, and Niki told him she was just an ordinary high school student, not from any significant lineage.


    Niki, reading his son¡¯s thoughts, darkened his expression. ¡°It seems you didn¡¯t take in a single word of ourst conversation.¡±


    Asher pursed his lips inwardly, thinking that his father was the one being naive, unaware that there were bigger fish in the sea. No matter how well¨Cversed Mirabe was in herbs, how could a seventeen or eighteen¨Cyear¨Cold girl possibly memorize the properties of thousands of them? It was likely she didn¡¯t even know what Foxglove was.


    Niki, fuming inside, red at Asher before turning back to Mirabe with some embarrassment. ¡°Actually, the Foxglove¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Mirabe set down her cup, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she interrupted, ¡°Mr. Asher is correct. Foxglove is indeed rare, requiring very specific soil and environmental conditions. Aside from the chance of finding it in deep, old forests, trying to cultivate it is¡­ quite difficult.¡±


    Hearing Mirabe¡¯s words, Asher had to suppress augh. Which precious herb didn¡¯t need a specific environment to thrive? Her general statement sounded as if she knew quite a lot about the subject. <ul><li></li></ul>


    He couldn¡¯t help but think she was putting on an act. Shaking his head, Asher remained silent.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>481 </b>

 Chapter 481

    <b>Chapter </b><b>481 </b>


    Sticking to the principle of politeness, Asher didn¡¯t bother to question Mirabe¡¯s words. Instead, he offered a smile and said<b>, </b><b>¡°</b><b>Dad</b>, even Mirabe admits it¡¯s tough. Maybe we shouldn¡¯t brag in front of everyone.¡±


    The fool!


    Niki took a deep breath to suppress the annoyance welling up in his chest, waved his hand dismissively, and said, ¡°Just get out of here. Don¡¯t dampen the mood.¡±


    Asher noticed that his father was indeed getting heated. Having achieved his own goal, he quickly excused himself.


    As Niki watched him leave, he let out a small sigh, no longer in the mood to bring up the Foxglove. ¡°My son doesn¡¯t know any better. <b>I </b>apologize for his behavior.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Mirabe said with a pressed¨Clip smile, not taking it to heart. Then she stood up and excused herself, <b>¡°</b>I¡¯m going to visit the powder room.¡± She soon left the main hall.


    Niki¡¯s gaze returned to the table, his aged face momentarily showing a bittersweet smile as he sighed, ¡°So narrow¨Cminded.¡±


    James nced at Niki, his serene face showing little emotion. ¡°It¡¯s just his nature.¡±


    Niki shook his head. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about him. It¡¯ll only spoil the mood.¡±


    With a deliberate calm, James poured Niki a cup of tea. ¡°Have some tea.¡±


    Niki took the cup, quietly sipped, and then raised his head to look at James again.


    After a thoughtful moment, he said, ¡°It seems, James, that you¡¯ve recovered quite a bit. Has Mirabe given you any more acupuncture treatmentstely?¡±


    James leaned back <b>in </b>his chair, exuding a rxed but impably polite air<b>, </b>and hummed in affirmation.


    A knowing look crossed Niki¡¯s face, and after a pause, he remarked, ¡°Mirabe¡¯s silver needle technique is truly extraordinary. I¡¯ve never seen such a reversal of practice.¡± Although he had only witnessed the initial needle insertion and not the crucial probing phase, the points chosen for the needles were enough to demonstrate her exceptional skill.


    James raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised. ¡°You¡¯ve never seen this method of acupuncture before?¡±


    Niki nodded, ¡°Indeed, her technique is quite unique, almost transcending the existing theories of alternative medicine.¡±


    At this point, Niki¡¯s thoughts drifted to the legendary Massolio family. While little was known about their secrets, it was rumored that


    the family¡¯s pridey in their silver needle technique, a technique capable of pulling people back from death¡¯s door.


    However¡­ these were just stories passed down by the older generations, with no one certain of their veracity. Mirabe¡¯s method, though unique, probably had no connection to that family. After all, whether the Massolio family even existed in this world remained a


    mystery.


    Niki reeled in his wandering thoughts, choosing not to voice his baseless spections. With a smile, he added, ¡°Each generation has its talents. I must admit, I am getting old and must concede.¡±


    James regarded Niki and simply responded, ¡°You¡¯re being too modest.¡±


    Niki shook his head and then stood up. ¡°Just sit tight, James. I¡¯m going to check in on the kitchen. Knox¡¯s grandson is head chef


    today, and I want to see how he¡¯s doing.¡±


    James nodded slightly.


    Soon after, Niki took his leave.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had asked one of the Mendoza family servants for directions to the restroom. On her return to the main hall, she ran into Asher again. He was in conversation with one of Knox¡¯s apprentices.

 Chapter 482

    <b>Chapter </b><b>482 </b>


    Knox¡¯s apprentice was none other than Vicky, the same guy who used to manage the diner downtown. His take on Mirabe wasn¡¯t exactly glowing, but it wasn¡¯t terrible either. You could say he was pretty indifferent.


    When Vicky caught sight of Mirabe, he looked genuinely surprised, as if it hadn¡¯t crossed his mind that Knox would invite her over for dinner. His chat with Asher came to an abrupt halt.


    Asher noticed Vicky¡¯s sudden silence and the direction of his gaze, followed it and saw Mirabe approaching. The smile that had been ying on Asher¡¯s face while he was talking to Vicky suddenly faded, reced by a cool detachment.


    Vicky didn¡¯t pay much mind to the shift in Asher¡¯s expression. He gave Mirabe a <b>curt </b>nod. ¡°Mirabe.¡±


    He had learned at the diner that she and Vincent were ssmates, so addressing her by her first name


    didn¡¯t seem out of line.


    Mirabe returned the nod.


    Asher stayed silent, acting like Mirabe was aplete stranger. He did not even bother with a greeting and deliberately turned his head away. In his view, there was no need for any pretense without his father or any of the Shepherd family around. He didn¡¯t even want to fake it.


    Mirabe¡¯s gaze was cool as she nced over Asher and continued down the hallway to the main hall, but she¡¯d only taken a couple of steps before running into Knox.


    Knox¡¯s face lit up when he saw Mirabe. He strode over quickly, ¡°Mirabe, I was just heading to the kitchen. Why don¡¯t youe with me and take a look?¡±


    Mirabe paused, lips pursed as she eyed the enthusiastic Knox. ¡°I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    ¡°How so? My grandson¡­ your ssmate Vincent is the chef today. Come on, take a look. Maybe you¡¯ll have some useful advice,¡± Knox insisted, ignoring her reluctance.


    After a beat, Knox added, ¡°It¡¯s my birthday today.¡±


    Mirabe pressed her fingertips to her forehead, sensing the onset of Donald¨Clevel annoyance.


    Vicky had stepped forward when he saw his mentor approaching and overheard their conversation. He felt a twinge of jealousy when he saw Knox practically begging a young girl to visit the kitchen. He knew Knox had been considering taking Mirabe on as an apprentice, but this pleading attitude¡­ it was utterly baffling.


    The Mendoza family was a respected name in the city, with generations of court culinary specialists. Their status was dignified, and theymanded respect wherever they went. Traditionally, if they were to take on an apprentice, it would be the other way around. The apprentice would seek them out, begging earnestly, and only after passing rigorous tests could they join the Mendoza family.


    Vicky nced again at Mirabe, who looked extremely reluctant, then quickly averted his eyes, his thoughts swirling. After a couple of seconds, Vicky called out to Knox again.


    Only then did Knox seem to notice Vicky, his expression instinctively turning more serious. ¡°Oh Vicky, you go ahead with your tasks.¡±


    Once he finished speaking, he turned his attention back to Mirabe. ¡°Just think of it as keeping me


    10:36


    Mirabe looked at Knox, relenting. ¡°Alright then.¡±


    Seeing her agreement, Knox¡¯s face immediately broke into a beaming smile. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    He walked ahead, and as he passed Asher, he paused to give him a polite greeting before continuing on. Soon, Knox and Mirabe¡¯s figures had vanished from Asher and Vicky¡¯s view.

 Chapter 483

    Asher watched the pair walk away, his gaze lingering until he shook his head, a dazed smile tugging at theers of his mouth. It was one thing for his old man to have a soft spot for the girl, but Knox, <i>too</i><i>? </i>


    Turning to Vicky, he quirked an eyebrow and asked, ¡°So, are that girl and Knox tight?¡±


    Vicky¡¯s gaze was cool, detached. ¡°My mentor¡¯s thinking of taking her on as an apprentice. His voice was tinged with a frosty edge.


    Asher¡¯s eyes bulged in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re saying Knox wants to take her under his wing?¡±


    Vicky wasn¡¯t keen on dwelling on the subject. He just grunted in acknowledgment, but noticing Asher¡¯s baffled look, he asked, albeit btedly, ¡°You know Mirabe?¡±


    Asher hesitated before nodding, then quickly shook his head. ¡°Not exactly, It¡¯s my dad who knows her.¡± He refrained from mentioning how his father was not Mirabe¡¯s apprentice. It was a bit too much for his pride.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Vicky checked his watch, clearly done with the conversation. ¡°I need to get back to work. We¡¯ll touch base on pharmacology when I¡¯ve got a minute.¡±


    Asher nodded and made his way to the main hall.


    Meanwhile, Knox ushered Mirabe into the kitchen.


    Vincent, d in a crisp white chef¡¯s coat instead of his school uniform, looked every inch the part as he bustled around the stove. He was oblivious to the new arrivals. It wasn¡¯t until he spun around to grab some ingredients that he spotted Mirabe and his grandfather.


    His cheeks tinged pink at the sight of Mirabe. He greeted her before turning to his granddad. ¡°Gramps, Mirabe here¡¯s a guest. Bringing her into the kitchen isn¡¯t quite proper.¡±


    Knox shot him a re. ¡°What¡¯s improper about it? Mirabe¡¯s no stranger.¡±


    Just then, Niki emerged from the main hall and entered the kitchen. He was surprised to see Mirabe. ¡°Oh! Mirabe, my mentor, you¡¯re here too?¡±


    As Mirabe turned to speak, Knox, hearing Niki¡¯s reference, interjected with confusion, ¡°Wait, what did you call her?<b>¡± </b>


    Had he misheard? Calling her his mentor? And since when did Niki act like he knew Mirabe so well?


    Knox eyed Niki suspiciously, feeling like he¡¯d missed out on some inside joke.


    Niki, stroking his graying beard and raising an eyebrow, said simply, ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s my little mentor.¡±


    Knox¡¯s eyes widened, his mind reeling. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    Was Niki calling Mirabe mentor? Shouldn¡¯t it be the other way around?


    ¡°It means exactly what it sounds like,¡± Niki exined. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and grabbed Knox¡¯s wrist. ¡°Let me take your pulse¡­ Your pulse is fine, so why isn¡¯t your brain keeping up?¡±


    Feeling inexplicably attacked, Knox yanked his hand away and aimed a p. ¡°Cut it out!¡±


    Dodging the p, Niki snorted, ¡°Just trying to help since you¡¯re not getting it, you ungrateful old coot.¡±


    Knox shot him a cold nce, then softened as he looked back at Mirabe. ¡°Mirabe, when did you get


    10:36

 Chapter 484

    <b>Chapter 484 </b>


    Mirabe was eyeing the array <b>of </b>healing herbsid out beside her when Knox nudged her, causing her <b>to </b>pause momentarily. Without lifting her gaze<b>, </b>she drawled, ¡°Aren¡¯t we acquainted enough for a casual <b>chat</b>?¡±


    Knox choked on his words<b>, </b>realizing <b>that </b>wasn¡¯t the kind of response he had been fishing for.


    Already by Vincent¡¯s side, Mirabe peered at the simmering stew pot <b>on </b>the stove, with a faint herbal aroma wafting through the air. After a brief two¨Csecond pause<b>, </b>she suggested, ¡°Vincent, why don¡¯t you toss in a bit of Solomon¡¯s <b>Seal</b>?¡±


    Vincent nced at Mirabe. ¡°Solomon¡¯s Seal?¡±


    She nodded affirmatively.


    Vincent went over <b>to </b>a <b>box</b><b>, </b>scooped up a pinch of Solomon¡¯s Seal, and asked, ¡°Is this amount about right?¡±


    Mirabe<b>, </b>with an appraising look, replied, ¡°Pretty close.¡±


    Soon, Vincent had rinsed the Solomon¡¯s Seal and added it to the pot. He didn¡¯t question Mirabe¡¯s advice; it was as if anything she said was gospel to him. The dominating aura she had was too strong.


    Standing aside and watching the two converse with such ease, Knox suddenly felt a glimmer of hope for taking on an apprentice. He stepped back, positioning himself next to Niki, arms crossed, and whispered, ¡°Hey, Niko<b>, </b><b>don¡¯t </b>you think Mirabe would make a fine¡­ culinary herbalist?¡±


    Niki turned his head<b>, </b>giving <i>Knox </i>a sidelong nce. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting now?¡±


    The guy wanted Mirabe, a top¨Cnotch potion master and a brilliant medic to boot, to be a cook. He sure had wild dreams.


    Didn¡¯t Knox hear him addressing Mirabe as his mentor already?


    Feeling scrutinized by Niki¡¯s gaze, Knox was puzzled, ¡°What¡¯s with that look?¡±


    Niki looked away, stroking his beard. ¡°Nothing, just a suggestion. You might want to sleep with your head elevated tonight.¡±


    ¡°Why did you just call Mirabe your mentor?¡± <i>Knox </i>circled back to the conversation at hand.


    Niki shed a knowing smile, ¡°I¡¯m not telling you.¡±


    Knox got agitated. The biggest regret of his life was getting to know this darn old man.


    Niki¡¯s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he walked away to take the call.


    Mirabe and Vincent continued discussing various dishes. As one spoke, the other listened, oblivious to whatever the two elder men were talking about at the door. Before long, Mirabe stopped distracting Vincent from his cooking and stepped out of the kitchen.


    As she crossed the threshold, she was met by Knox¡¯s intive gaze. She looked at him, puzzled.


    Knox nced at Niki, still on the phone, his mind fixated on the ¡®little mentor nickname. After a few seconds of thought, he bluntly asked Mirabe, ¡°That old guy is your apprentice?¡±


    Mirabe, slightly taken aback, realized Knox must¡¯ve been referring to Niki. After a moment of silence,


    10:36


    she simply stated. I don¡¯t take on disciples¡®


    Knox was grobemarked What did she mean by not taking disciples?


    Knox secallowed hard and tentatively inquired, ¡°Does he want to be your apprentice<i>? </i>


    Mirabe recalled how Hiki had asked several times about taking on a disciple and how she hadn¡¯t agreed, leading to he insistence on estling her little mentor


    After a t hesitation and another appraising fook at Knox, che nodded in confirmation to prevent any simr misunderstandings, ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t take disciples¡±


    After a moment, she added, ¡°Nor do I seek a master¡®


    Knox should have been disheartened by herst statement, nor do I seek a master¡® Still, his mind waspletely absorbed by the revtion that Niki wanted to apprentice under Mirabe: This left him utterly dumbfounded


    she simply stated, ¡°I don¡¯t take on disciples.¡±


    Knox was gobsmacked. What did she mean by not taking disciples?


    Knox swallowed hard and tentatively inquired, ¡°Does he want to be your apprentice?¡±


    Mirabe recalled how Niki had asked several times about taking on a disciple and how she hadn¡¯t agreed, leading to his insistence on calling her ¡®little mentor.¡®


    After a brief hesitation and another appraising look at Knox, she nodded in confirmation to prevent any simr misunderstandings, ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t take disciples.¡±


    After a moment, she added, ¡°Nor do I seek a master.¡±


    Knox should have been disheartened by herst statement, ¡®nor do I seek a master. Still, his mind waspletely absorbed by the revtion that ¡®Niki wanted to apprentice under Mirabe. This left <b>him </b>utterly dumbfounded. <ol start="4"><li>4. </li></ol>

 Chapter 485

    Chapter <b>485 </b>


    Who is Niki, you ask? The one they called the Grandmaster of Alternative Healing<b>, </b>a veritable legend in alternative medicine, and heir to a dynasty of healers. The line of would¨Cbe apprentices eager to learn from him could stretch down Main Street! Niki needing a mentor was unheard of!


    Sure, Mirabe seemed well¨Cversed in pharmacology, but¡­ the idea that a celebrated old¨Cschool healer like Niki would seek guidance from her was mind<b>¨C</b><b>boggling</b>.


    Knox watched Mirabe silently before finally asking, ¡°You know a bit about healing arts, don¡¯t you? His tone was matter¨Cof¨Cfact.


    Without blinking, Mirabe replied, ¡°A little¡­ bit.¡±


    ¡°Heh,¡± Knox chuckled emotionlessly. If it were just ¡®a little <b>bit</b>, Niki would probably, at most, want to take her as his apprentice, not immediately hail her as ¡®little mentor. After all, Niki was not the kind of guy to throw around titles as a joke.


    ¡®No wonder when I mentioned that Mirabe would make a fine culinary herbalist, that old¨Ctimer gave me such a strange look. He must have been in on the joke! Knox mused.


    Thinking about it, it was not too far¨Cfetched that a young woman with such deep knowledge of pharmacology would be adept in the healing arts. Some things were better left unexamined. Knox didn¡¯t say another word about apprenticeship, hands sped behind his back as he strolled into the kitchen.


    To think of taking someone as an apprentice when even Niki wants to call her little mentor? It was like something out of a fantasy.


    Mirabe blinked, watching Knox¡¯s retreating figure with a hint of puzzlement, but soon, she redirected her gaze and left the kitchen.


    Niki had just finished a phone call, his expression grave. As Mirabe walked by, he nced at her and opened his mouth as if to say something. Instead, he asked, ¡°Mirabe, are you heading back to the main hall now?¡±


    I


    Giving Niki a closer look, Mirabe noticed a sudden worry in his eyes. She didn¡¯t ask further, just nodded and hummed a soft agreement.


    Knowing there was nothing left for him in the kitchen, Niki pocketed his phone and, with a restored smile, suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s go together.¡±


    Mirabe nodded slightly.


    As they left for the main hall, Knox, now in the kitchen, turned to his bustling grandson. ¡°Vincent, I have something to ask you.¡±


    Surprised by his grandfather¡¯s sudden geniality, Vincent nearly fumbled the spat. ¡°Yes, go ahead.¡±


    Knox cleared his throat and paused before saying, ¡°When I told you to ask Mirabe to consider the apprenticeship yesterday, you¡­


    Before Knox could finish, Vincent, understanding the hint, interjected, ¡°I¡¯ve already spoken to her, Grandpa. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll handle anything you entrust to me promptly.¡±


    Knox, speechless with an unvoiced ¡®I bet you didn¡¯t mention it, thought to himself. Why was it that this kid never showed any initiative with chores but was suddenly so eager now?


    10:06


    Knox shook his head in dismay and walked away.


    One moment, he was all smiles. The next, he turned sour, leaving Vincent perplexed, wondering, ¡°What did I do wrong<b>?</b>¡±


    Back in the hall, Mirabe settled into her previous seat.


    James raised <b>an </b>eyebrow at her. ¡°You <b>were </b>gone a while, huh?¡±


    ¡°I made a trip to the kitchen.¡± She picked up her cup from the table and drained it.


    James nodded, his slender fingers reaching for the jug beside him to refill her cup.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Mirabe said, grateful. The dinner hadn¡¯t started yet, and she took out her phone to check a couple of missed calls and several messages.

 Chapter 486

    <b>Chapter </b><b>486 </b>


    The missed calls and several messages were from the same person ¨C Leo¡¯s agent, Collins


    Mirabe tapped open Messenger,


    Collins: [Mirabe, the schedule for the sports brandmercial shoot is set.


    Collins<b>: </b>[It¡¯s tomorrow.]


    Collins: [Tomorrow at 10 AM. Can you get the day off? If it¡¯s too much hassle, I can swing by your school and sort it out for you.]


    Collins: [You there?]


    Mirabe checked the time stamps. Thest message was sent half an hour after the previous ones. She pondered for a moment. Taking a day off shouldn¡¯t be a problem, so she replied directly via Messenger. [Had my phone on silent, didn¡¯t notice. Tomorrow should be fine.]


    No sooner had she hit send than a little red exmation mark popped up in the chat box, with a line of text underneath. [Message sent, but rejected by the recipient.]


    Mirabe: [?]


    Still, that red exmation mark showed up


    Holding her phone, Mirabe was a bit stunned. She looked up, incredulous, and waved her phone in <b>front </b>of James. ¡°Can you make heads or tails of this for me? Was it what she thought it was? <b>Had </b>she <b>been </b>blocked?


    James nced at Mirabe before his eyes settled on her phone screen, only to see the failed message prompt. His gaze then shifted to the nickname at the top. [Collins


    Was she texting a guy?


    James¡® eyes narrowed slightly, his voice cool and subdued. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s blocked you¡±


    A look of ¡®I thought as much crossed Mirabe¡¯s face. She was used to blocking others, being on the receiving end was a novel experience.


    She took back her phone, clearly miffed. Was she blocked for not replying to a Messenger message right. away? Collins never struck her as the hot¨Cheaded type.


    James raised an eyebrow and casually asked, ¡°A friend of yours?¡± He hadn¡¯t seen the message about themercial shoot at the top.


    While closing Messenger and pulling up Collins¡¯s contact, Mirabe answered, ¡°My brother¡¯s agent.¡± With that, she hit the call button


    James, hearing this, said no more, the sharpness in his expression fading away


    Soon, the call connected.


    ¡°Collins, if you¡¯ve got an issue with me, just spit it out,¡± said Mirabe, her opening line Her voice held a tinge of frustration but eerilycked any real displeasure. She wasn¡¯t about to let a little blocking incident cost her themercial fee. It was just a block, after all. She was easygoing and didn¡¯t hold grudges


    Collins, just picking up the call, nearly dropped his phone at her bafflingly ominous greeting. It took him a


    10.02


    moment to collect his wits. ¡°¡­No, Mira, have you got the wrong end of the stick about something?¡± His panic was palpable as if he¡¯dmitted some unforgivable sin.


    While listening to Collins¡® cautious tone, Mirabe tapped her nose, puzzled for a moment, then exined, ¡°I was out and about, so I had my phone on silent, didn¡¯t see your messages. I just replied to you and found out you rejected my message.


    ¡°What? Rejected? That can¡¯t be right, sis. Why would I reject your messages? Collins was utterly confused, then decisively put the call on speaker and started tapping on his phone screen to open


    Messenger.


    Just as Leo walked out of the music room, he caught Collins¡® words<b>, </b>¡®rejected your message, paused mid¨Cstep, then silently turned back and re¨Centered the music <b>room</b>,

 Chapter 487

    Collins tapped on his conversation with Mirabe, scanning for any irregrities. Finding none, he casually remarked, ¡°My Messenger¡¯s working just fine. Why don¡¯t you send another message to double¨Ccheck?¡±


    Mirabe responded by sending an emoji, which, to her frustration, bounced back, ¡°Looks like I¡¯m on your


    block list.¡±


    The mention of being blocked suddenly reminded her of a certain goofball she had blocked on her own Messenger list.


    ¡°Blocked? Why on earth would I <b>block </b>you¡­¡± Collins began with a chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief as he navigated to his settings and checked the block list. His speech trailed off abruptly when he spotted Mirabe¡¯s <b>nickname </b><b>among </b>the blocked contacts


    Holy smokes, this <b>was </b>some kind of witchcraft! Since when had he ever blocked Mirabe<b>? </b>


    <b>Rubbing </b>his eyes<b>, </b>Collins began to suspect he¡¯d stumbled into the most bizarre mystery of the year. quickly unblocked her.


    ¡°Mirabe, I swear I <b>had </b><b>no </b>idea <b>you </b>were blocked. I would never do such a low¨Cdown thing.¡± Collins exined with utmost <b>seriousness</b>. After all, it was more likely for Leo to end up on that list than Mirabe.


    He


    Mirabe, although baffled, decided not to dwell on the issue. ¡°No biggie. I should be able to get out of tomorrow morning¡¯s <b>shoot</b>. I¡¯ll ask for a personal <b>day</b>¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll swing by and pick you up at nine,¡± Collins said:


    ¡°Cool.¡±


    With the call ended, Collins stared at his phone screen, lost in thought. He couldn¡¯t for the life of him figure out why he had blocked <b>Mirabe</b>.


    Shaking his head to clear it, he looked around the open space that served as both a living and dining room before his gaze drifted toward the studio. A look of confusion crossed his face


    Weird, wasn¡¯t Leo <b>just </b>here when I was on the phone? Where¡¯d he vanish to?


    On the other end, Mirabe sent a text to Ate, asking for a day off


    Given her ster academic record and Ate¡¯s impression of her as a particrly well¨Cbehaved student, Ate didn¡¯t hesitate to approve the request, even without a reason provided in the message.


    With <b>a </b>a slight smile and a lighter heart, Mirabe put away her phone as the Mendoza family¡¯s dinner party got underway


    Considering James¡® status, Knox hadn¡¯t ced Mirabe and James at the main table, but they weren¡¯t seated with other <b>guests </b>either¨Ca gesture of special treatment


    Feeling peckish, Mirabe didn¡¯t stand on ceremony once the food was served. She dove in, focusing on her meal.


    The dinner included a round of toasts, starting with the hosts and followed by the guests at their own


    §â§Ñ§ã§Ö


    10:07


    Asher¡¯s eyes asionally drifted over to Mirabe and James¡® table, and after a while, he approached with a ss of wine in hand, his intention clear as day.


    ¡°Hi Mr. James,¡± Asher said, nodding respectfully with a smile stered across his <b>face</b>.


    James, busy serving Mirabe some food, took his time responding. Finally, he set down the utensils and looked up at Asher. ¡°I¡¯ll pass on the drink, thanks,¡± James said coolly.


    Asher¡¯s hand stiffened around his wine ss, his smile freezing in ce. After <b>a </b>few awkward seconds, his voice came out a bit parched. ¡°Water, then. Wateris fine.¡±


    James took a casual sip from his cup of tea, set it down, and withdrew his gaze. conversation without another word.


    effectively ending the

 Chapter 488

    Asher stood there, awkward as ever, caught between a rock and a hard ce. To drink or not to drink that was the question. His every move seemed to amplify his difort under the indifferent gaze of James. It was obvious to him <b>that </b>James was deliberately ignoring him, acting as if he didn¡¯t even exist.


    After a moment of hesitation, Asher took the plunge and downed his drink. Clearing his <b>throat</b><b>, </b>he ventured, ¡°Mr. James, if you ever find yourself with some free time, you¡¯re wee to drop by the Reeves estate.¡±


    James hardly looked up, offering only a nomittal grunt, his toneced with a hint of impatience that was hard to miss.


    Mirabe, who had been enjoying her meal, nced up at Asher, then gave a mysterious <b>look </b>that swept from him to Asher and back again before she returned to her dinner.


    Asher caught that brief exchange of looks <b>and </b>frowned. In the past, James had always treated him with a courtesy befitting his father¡¯s reputation, but today, things were different. His gaze shifted to Mirabe, suspecting that she might have whispered something in James¡® ear,


    At that moment, Asher¡¯s already nonexistent fondness for Mirabe plummeted into the negatives.


    Then Vincent, having shed his chef¡¯s apron, entered the main hall. His eyes scanned the room before heading straight for Mirabe¡¯s table. Upon spotting Asher, Vincent nodded politely. ¡°Asher<b>.</b>¡±


    That simple acknowledgment broke the awkward silence that had enveloped Asher. With a serene smile, Asher gathered himself. ¡°Vincent, your culinary skills have reallye a long way under your grandfather¡¯s tutge. Impressive, truly.¡±


    Vincent¡¯s lips twitched into a modest smile. ¡°Thank you, Asher. You tter me.¡±


    Then Vincent turned to Mirabe, pulled out the chair beside her without the formalities and sat down. ¡°Mirabe, how do you find the dishes tonight?¡± His eyes were bright and clear, still holding the innocence of a teenager.


    James, sitting nearby, cast a cursory nce at Vincent. A schoolmate, perhaps<b>? </b>


    Mirabe set down her utensils and nodded. ¡°Quite good. A significant improvement over yourst stint at the health food restaurant. You¡¯re ready to fly solo.¡±


    Vincent blushed at the praise, the color creeping onto his cheeks. ¡°There¡¯s still so much to learn.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°You have a talent for this. You should delve into some pharmacology books.¡±


    Vincent perked up at the suggestion, ¡°Any rmendations?¡±


    ¡°Tell you what, I¡¯ll send you a list on Messenger. You can pick them up at the bookstore or check them out from the library,¡± Mirabe offered.


    Vincent sat up straighter. ¡°Sounds good.¡±


    Mirabe smiled and resumed eating.


    Asher, who had lingered and overheard the exchange, was taken aback to find that Mirabe was schoolmates with Knox¡¯s grandson and that there seemed to be a sense of admiration in the young man¡¯s eyes when he looked at her.


    <b>10:07 </b>


    Suddenly, Asher¡¯s view of Mirabe became even moreplicated. She was just a high school student with a knack for pharmacology, wasn¡¯t she? Why did everyone seem to treat her as something special<b>? </b>


    Feeling like a ghost in the room, Asher didn¡¯t want to overstay his wee. He was about to slip away when his father approached with a grave expression.


    ¡°Asher,¡± Niki spoke in a hushed tone, urgency written all over his face. ¡°We¡¯ve got an important patient back at the house. We need to leave now.¡±


    12/2

 Chapter 489

    Asher noted the rare solemnity in his father¡¯s voice and, without further thought, nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Niki then turned to James, addressing him with a respectful nod, ¡°Mr. James, Ms. Mirabe, do drop by the Reeves residence when you have a moment. Got some family matters to attend to, so I¡¯ll be off.¡± With that


    that, Niki didn¡¯t wait for James and Mirabe to respond and hurried away.


    Mirabe watched Niki¡¯s retreating figure for a few seconds before her gaze drifted away. Vincent, who had been sitting beside her, didn¡¯t leave. Instead, he kept the conversation going about the mathpetition, ¡°You know, Mirabe, thatpetition¡­¡±


    He trailed off, then looked up, his handsome face showing a touch of confusion. James seemed to be watching him with a strange intensity.


    Not knowing James well enough to inquire directly, Vincent simply nodded politely when their eyes


    James hardly touched his food, focusing instead on helping Mirabe with hers. He nodded back at Vincent, his movements smooth and practiced as if it was second nature to him.


    met.


    Noticing this, a hint of surprise crossed Vincent¡¯s eyes, and now he found himself curious about the rtionship between Mira <b>and </b>this enigmatic guest.


    Just then, the birthday boy Knox approached, with Vincent¡¯s mother Aimee trailing behind him. Knox took a seat next to James, James, we¡¯ve had quite the turnout today. I hope we haven¡¯t neglected you.¡±


    James¡® lips curved ever so slightly, his handsome face polite. ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Knox.¡±


    Knox chuckled and pointed to Vincent. ¡°This is my good¨Cfor¨Cnothing grandson, Vincent. He prepared today¡¯s meal. How is it? To your <b>liking</b>?¡±


    Cued, Vincent thought, ¡°Heh, so Grandpa tells outsiders I¡¯m good¨Cfor¨Cnothing<i>> </i>


    nce at his grandfather, momentarily questioning their blood rtion.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite good,¡± James responded, his tone neutral.


    Vincent cast a silent


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried to teach the boy how to cook, but he just doesn¡¯t take it. Otherwise, his skills would be even better,¡± Knox said, seemingly critical of his grandson but clearly proud.


    James nodded, picking up his cup for a sip.


    Aimee, witnessing James for the first time, was struck by his appearance and presence, yet her attention was drawn more to Mirabe. The young girl was exceptionally pretty, especially her bright <b>and </b>intelligent eyes, which hinted at her well¨Cmannered nature.


    Women often felt an additional affinity for beauty, and Aimee was no exception. But after a few more nces, she felt a strange familiarity in the child¡¯s features, as if she¡¯d seen her somewhere before, yet <b>she </b>was sure their paths had never crossed,


    Mirabe, sensing Aimee¡¯s gaze, looked up. ¡°Good evening.¡± At over forty, Aimee retained a youthful elegance, her skin well¨Cmaintained, and she could easily pass for someone in her thirties.


    Aimee¡¯s train of thought was interrupted by Mirabe¡¯s voice.

 Chapter 490

    Chapter <b>490 </b>


    Aimee snapped back to reality, shaking off the fleeting sense of familiarity. She shed a warm smile at Mirabe, whose coat had fallen open slightly to reveal the emblem of Parkside High School on her uniform. A flicker of surprise crossed Aimee¡¯s eyes.


    ncing at her son Vincent, who was seated beside the girl, Aimee couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Are you two schoolmates?¡±


    Vincent stood up from his chair, and after a brief pause, he replied, ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re in the same grade but in different sses.¡±


    Aimee was taken aback by this revtion. Her son had always been rather aloof, known for his


    straightforward nature and academic brilliance, which unfortunately resulted in a sparse circle of friends, let alone female ssmates.


    ¡®The girl must be quite the schr, Aimee thought to herself.


    After exchanging a few more words with Mirabe, who seemed rather reserved, Aimee decided not to press further.


    Once dinner was finished, James and Mirabe didn¡¯t linger at the Mendoza household. They bid Knox farewell and departed.


    With the guests gone, Aimee finally found a moment to sit down, massaging her sore shoulders and arms. She turned to her son, who also looked exhausted, and said with a hint of pride, ¡°Vincent, you did really well today.¡±


    Vincent, leaning back with his head against the chair, managed only a feeble wave in response to his mother¡¯s praise.


    Aimee took a sip of water from a ss nearby and casually inquired, ¡°By the way, what¡¯s the name of that girl you sat next to?¡± Although she had chatted with Mirabe, Aimee had not asked for her name.


    Vincent straightened up and looked at his mother, perplexed by the sudden question. ¡°Why do you want to


    know?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being curious?¡± Aimee retorted with a raised eyebrow.


    Vincent touched his nose. ¡°Her name¡¯s Mirabe Davis.¡±


    ¡°Mirabe?¡± Aimee echoed, then probed further, ¡°Which Davis family is your ssmate from?¡±


    Vincent paused, taken aback.


    ¡°I mean, what¡¯s her family background?¡± Aimee rified.


    Guests invited to Knox¡¯s birthday party were usually from well¨Cknown families or influential figures. Aimee assumed Mirabe was the child of one such family, as there were several prominent households with the Davis surname in Radiant Ridge.


    Vincent realized what his mother was asking and replied, ¡°I haven¡¯t paid much attention to that. Not sure.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Aimee responded, dropping the subject.


    After dropping Mirabe off at the Davis family¡¯s gate, Mirabe remembered she had something for


    10:07


    James and said, ¡°Wait for me. I¡¯ll get the incense for you.¡± James wanted to say there was no rush, but Mirabe had already walked away. He held his tongue.


    Minutester, Mirabe reemerged, holding a nondescript stic tube. She passed it through the car window. ¡°Let me know if you need more.¡±


    James quietly looked at her for a moment before responding. ¡°Will do.¡±


    ¡°Bye, sweet dreams,¡± Mirabe said cheerfully, waving at James.


    Once Mirabe¡¯s figure vanished from sight, James turned his gaze back to the stic tube on the seat adorned with a cookie brand¡¯sbel, and his lips twitched. In the past<b>, </b>she might have <b>used </b>a wooden box, which, while not fancy, at least looked proper. Now¡­ it seemed even the pretense <b>was </b>gone.


    Shaking his head, James instructed Wyatt to drive next door.


    Donald hadn¡¯t gone to bed yet. He was in the living room, engaged in a game of chess with Curtis.


    Curtis, who had been thoroughly trounced most of the evening, sprang to his <b>feet </b>as James entered. It was like a man seeing a lifeline.

 Chapter 491

    Chapter <b>491 </b>


    Donald nced at Curtis and ced the ck checker with an assertive thump on the board, a crisp sound ringing through the air.


    Curtis heard the noise, and jolted in his seat, reflexively sitting down with his back ramrod straight, looking every bit the picture of concentration on the game before him.


    Trailing behind James, Wyatt caught the scene and couldn¡¯t help but think to himself, ¡°Thank God I wasn¡¯t the one caught swiping coffee beans back in the day¡±


    James gave the board a cursory look before carefully setting down the stic cylinder he was carrying on the side table next to his armchair.


    Donald caught sight of the cookie design on the container and couldn¡¯t help but curl his lip in disdain. ¡°What¡¯s with the cookie tin? Don¡¯t you know I¡¯ve never had a sweet tooth?¡±


    James settled into the sofa, a serene grace ying across his handsome features under themp¡¯s soft glow. He leaned back casually and said, ¡°It¡¯s not cookies.¡±


    At that, Donald¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°Then what is it?¡±


    Massaging his brow, James closed his eyes and replied in a measured tone, ¡°You could always open it and see for yourself.¡±


    Veering off from his initial move to pick up another checker, Donald reached for the stic container instead.


    The opaque wrapping concealed its contents, leaving Donald to guess what was inside until he unscrewed the lid and found incense sticks. He paused, momentarily taken aback. Looking up, he inquired, ¡°This incense¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Wyatt chimed in with an exnation, ¡°Ms. Mirabe sent that over.¡±


    James, who had paused his temple massaging, opened his eyes to give Wyatt a sharp look. Oblivious to the exchange, Wyatt continued, ¡°Ms. Mirabe heard you¡¯ve been having trouble sleeping and thought this might help.


    Donald cast a skeptical eye on Wyatt. ¡°That youngdy has a good heart?¡± He found it hard to believe.


    Wyatt straightened up, defending Mirabe with conviction, ¡°Ms. Mirabe is as kind¨Chearted as she is beautiful, with a temper to match.¡±


    Curtis<b>, </b>quietly observing, couldn¡¯t help but think how Wyatt seemed to be her number one fan.


    Donald¡¯s eyelids twitched. Sure, she was beautiful but kind¨Chearted? With a good temper? Was the same person who once coldly threatened to chase him away and even boasted about fighting seniors <b>a </b>fake?


    Taking a whiff of the incense, Donald detected the familiar scent of sandalwood mixed with a hint of medicinal herbs, likely the same kind she had used that one night. After sealing the container, Donald rose to his feet, abandoning the game, and headed upstairs with the incense in hand.


    Once Donald had departed, Curtis, who had been sitting up so stiffly, finally allowed himself to rx. He rubbed his stiff knees, his difort unspeakable. Faced with the choice between dealing with Donald <b>and </b>working in Antartica, he¡¯d take thetter any day.


    Wyatt pped Curtis on the shoulder. ¡°Curtis, you¡¯ve had it tough.¡±


    10:07


    Curtis, expressionless, shrugged off the hand, his face all but spelling out the word ¡®Scram.¡±


    Wyatt touched his nose and moved around the armchair to avoid Curtis¡® foul mood, making sure to sit at a


    sate distance.


    Curtis nced at James and remembered something important. ¡°Oh, James, the security system for the Davis family next door should be from DO Group, right?¡±


    ¡°No way! Doesn¡¯t DO¡¯S security only cater to government agencies in major nations? How did the Davis<b>. </b>family get it? Are you sure you¡¯re not mistaken, Curtis?¡± Wyatt eximed in surprise.


    DO was renowned internationally as a top¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cline security systemspany, boasting the most advanced hacking technology and a grip on countless inte infrastructures worldwide. Even the Shepherd family had tried to negotiate a deal with them multiple times, only to be rebuffed.


    The idea of the Davis family using DO¡¯s systems¡­. <b>was </b>almost unthinkable.

 Chapter 492

    Chapter <b>492 </b>


    Curtis swiveled his head to look at Wyatt, a dead serious expression on his face. ¡°There¡¯s no way I¡¯ve mixed up anything here.¡± Despite questioning his life choices recently, his reputation as a top¨Cnotch hacker wasn¡¯t just hot air. How could he misidentify a system?


    Wyatt was even more staggered. After a moment, he muttered incredulously, ¡°Does this mean¡­ DO Group is taking on private gigs now?¡±


    Curtis gave him a withering look. ¡°Use your noggin, man. That¡¯s not even a possibility.¡±


    ¡°If they¡¯re not moonlighting, then why would the Davis family be using DO¡¯s system?¡± Wyatt couldn¡¯t think of any other exnation.


    Curtis fell silent for a beat, then turned back to <b>him</b>. ¡°Have you ever dug into the Davis family¡¯s background?


    Wyatt shook his head. Back when he was investigating Mirabe, he¡¯d only looked into her past. Since she was just a kid switched at birth, he¡¯d focused on the Gilbert family, not the Davises. So, his knowledge about the Davis n was pretty sparse<b>. </b>


    However, he did have a hunch that the Davis family wasn¡¯t some blue¨Cblooded dynasty. After all, they¡¯d lived in that quaint, weathered neighborhood before. Plus, he¡¯d met the Davis couple ¨C easygoing folks. Aside from their striking good looks, they seemed just like any ordinary Joe and Jane.


    Yet, why would such an average family have an international top¨Ctier surveince system? It was a head¨Cscratcher.


    After some thought, Wyatt suggested, ¡°Maybe I should take another crack at looking up the Davis family?¡±


    Curtis was about to agree when James, who had been silent till then, lifted his head and spoke with a cool detachment, ¡°No need.¡±


    Curtis watched James, puzzled.


    James¡® eyes were clear and sharp as he nced at Curtis. ¡°A family with a world¨Css system installed at home ¨C what do you think your snooping will uncover?¡±


    At that, Curtis fell into contemtion.


    Well, probably nothing.


    ¡°Maybe we should just ask Ms. Mirabe directly one of these days,¡± Wyatt proposed, pausing briefly. ¡°She seems approachable enough. She might just spill the beans.¡±


    Curtis looked at Wyatt, resisting the urge toment on his naivety. Ms. Mirabe wouldn¡¯t know the first thing about it. It¡¯d be a shot in the dark.


    Shaking his head, Curtis let the subject drop. If James said no more digging, then that was that.


    The next day.


    After breakfast, Shawn grabbed his car keys, ready for the usual routine of driving his daughter to school,


    but she seemed to be in no rush.


    ¡°Dad, I forgot to tell youst night I took the day off,¡± Mirabe said, noticing the keys in Shawn¡¯s hand


    <b>1/2 </b>


    ¨C


    10:07


    and remembering her schedule.


    Shawn looked surprised. His daughter always prioritized her studies. Why the sudden day off? ¡°Feeling under the weather?¡± he asked instinctively.


    ¡°No, Leo and Inded amercial <b>gig</b>. We¡¯re shooting it today,¡± she exined.


    ¡°Oh, amercial, huh¡­¡± Shawn nodded, and then it dawned on him. ¡°Honey, you¡¯re not nning to follow in Leo¡¯s footsteps and dive into showbiz, are you?¡±


    Dive into showbiz? Mirabe¡¯s face was a mix of amusement and exasperation. Rich folks sure had a different way with words.


    ¡°Showbiz can be a snake pit, sweetie, and you¡¯re too genuine for that scene,¡± Shawn spoke earnestly. Besides, a prospective Prestige College schr stooping to domercials seemed like a waste of talent.


    Realizing her father¡¯s misunderstanding, Mirabe chuckled. ¡°Dad, I¡¯m just riding on Leo¡¯s coattails, grabbing a cameo for some quick cash. I¡¯m not aiming for a spot in the limelight.¡°

 Chapter 493

    Shawn sighed in relief upon hearing the news, yet a nagging thought lingered¨Chis daughter was adamant about not joining showbiz for now, but who was to say she wouldn¡¯t change her mindter? And since when did she start prioritizing amercial shoot over school? It was a clear sign that her brother was slowly reshaping her once steadfast habits.


    Squinting his eyes with suspicion, Shawn couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°<b>Leo </b>is no angel, that¡¯s for sure!¡±


    With that thought, he tossed the car keys back into the drawer and announced, ¡°I¡¯m heading <b>upstairs</b>.¡± Without wasting a moment, he bounded up the stairs, an almost palpable aura of fury trailing behind him.


    Mirabe watched, utterly baffled, as her father ascended. ¡°What on earth is he going up there for?¡± she wondered.


    Upstairs, Leo was still blissfully snoozing, like a teenager who wouldn¡¯t dream of stirring until the <bst </b>minute before heading out. Leo¡¯s door wasn¡¯t locked, so Shawn burst in to find his son buried under the nkets, imitation surging through him.


    Striding over, he yanked the covers back. Early winter mornings were chilly, and the sudden loss of warmth jolted Leo awake. Groggy and disoriented, Leo rolled over, peering up at Shawn with half¨Copen eyes. He managed to snag the <b>nket </b>and pull it back over himself, and mumbled, ¡°Dad, what¡¯s with the nket snatch?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s expression was stone¨Ccold. ¡°Listen here, young man, I don¡¯t want you dragging your sister into the spotlight anymore.¡±


    Leo, now fully awake and sitting up to tousle his bed hair, was confused. ¡°Spotlight? What are you talking


    about<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°Don¡¯t y innocent! It¡¯s one thing for you to chase aftermercials, but to rope in your sister and make her skip ss to join you? Doesn¡¯t that prick your conscience?¡± Shawn was livid, and if he had a stick in hand, it might have very well found its way onto Leo.


    ¡°Dad, just hear me out. I¡¯m actually..


    ¡°Are you telling me you didn¡¯t coax your sister into doing that ad?¡± Shawn cut him off sharply.


    ¡°I¡­ well¡­¡±


    ¡°If I catch you pulling her into another ad or some TV show and messing with her studies, you better watch your legs,¡± Shawn warned coldly before storming out of the room and mming the door with a resounding thud.


    A bewildered Leo stared at the closed door, taking a while to process his father¡¯s harsh words. He was actually the victim here, alright?


    Twenty


    minutester<b>, </b>Leo trudged downstairs, his curls in a chaotic tangle. Seeing his sister sipping tea on the couch next to their dad¨Cespecially their dad, who now looked as gentle and benign as could be, in stark contrast to the menacing figure who had just threatened him upstairs¨CLeo heaved a heavy sigh.


    In this household, a son truly had no standing. It <b>was </b>a bitter pill to swallow.


    Promptly at nine, Collins arrived outside the Davis family mansion. As Leo climbed into the car, Collins


    10:07


    noticed his star looking wilted and asked with concern, ¡°Leo, what¡¯s wrong with you? You look all out of sorts. Feeling under the weather?¡±


    Leo gave him a silent look. His morning had been rough, courtesy of his dear old dad¨Chow could he feel


    anything but?


    ¡°Nah, just didn¡¯t sleep wellst night,¡± he muttered, making up an excuse.


    Seeing this, Collins suggested, ¡°Well, why don¡¯t you catch some more Z¡¯s in the car?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Leo responded with a nod, settling into the seat.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow slightly and gracefully slid into the car beside him.

 Chapter 494

    The location for themercial shoot was not right in the hustling downtown pedestrian mall. Even though it wasn¡¯t the weekend rush of Saturday or Sunday, there was still a healthy stream of shoppers milling about


    Today, Collins had opted to drive the family¡¯s roomy SUV. The makeup artist had alrendy arranged to meet them by the pedestrian mall, and once the car was parked, ale hoisted her makeup kit aboard and beyon working on the siblings


    It was her first timeying eyes on Mirabe¡¯s face, and she couldn¡¯t help but bepletely dazzled by her beauty Shell seen her fair share of stunners, but most had been touched up with a little nip here, a tuck there¨Cbeauty that owed more to the minute of aesthetics than nature.


    But Mirabe¡¯s face was wless to the point of disbelief. It was a rarity, the kind of beauty that made the makeup artist hesitate, fearing that any cosmetics might mar its perfection.


    Since Mirabe wouldn¡¯t be showing her face on camera, the artist only filled in her brows a touch, softening the naturally sharp arch just a bit.


    After she finished prepping Leo, the makeup artist shyly pulled out her phone and sidled up to Mirabe. ¡°Hey, would you mind if we snapped a selfie together?¡± she asked, a blush coloring her voice.


    Mirabe blinked in surprise at the request. Leo, catching wind of the conversation, couldn¡¯t mask a hint of jealousy. ¡°Gina, I thought you were my number one fan?¡± he teased.


    Asking for a selfie with someone else right in front of your idol? That was bold, Even though that someone


    was his sister.


    Gina giggled behind her hand. ¡°Well, Juztin, <b>that </b>was before. I¡¯ve totally switched teams to now.¡±


    Leo was in disbelief. Traitorous fan.


    you


    o your sister


    Gina then turned back to Mirabe, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°So, what do you say? We can take


    It with masks on,¡±


    Mirabe nodded. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Gino quickly opened her phone¡¯s camera app, but as she stood next to Mirabe, ready to capture the moment, she almost wanted to cry.


    Mirabe towered over most girls, and <b>Gina </b>was only five¨Cfoot¨Cthree. In the end, Mirabe <b>had </b>to crouch down slightly to fit into the frame properly.


    After one shot, Gina felt too shy to ask for another, but Mirabe offered, ¡°<b>Want </b>a full¨Cbody shot?¡±


    wor


    The offer was too good to be true, and Gina eagerly nodded her head.


    Mirabe passed Gina¡¯s phone to Leo. ¡°Leo, would you mind taking the picture for <b>us</b><b>?</b>¡±


    Leo rolled his eyes with mock indignation. ¡°Stealing my fans, and now you want me to y photographer? You¡¯ve got some nerve!¡±


    Mirabe <b>raised </b>an eyebrow. ¡°Are you going to take it or not?¡±


    Leo yfully touched his nose before obediently taking the phone and snapping several full¨Cbody shots of


    10:08


    the <b>two</b>.


    When Gina got her phone back and saw the five selfies in her gallery, she looked up at Leo and said with a grin, ¡°Juztin, you know, you¡¯re still one of my favorites.¡±


    Leo nced at her stone¨Cfaced. ¡°Drop the ¡®one of when you say that, thanks.¡±


    Gina justughed.


    Before long. Collins returned from discussing the details with the sports brand representative, carrying two paper bags. As he approached, he handed one to <b>each </b>sibling. ¡°Here are the outfits for today¡¯s shoot. Go ahead and change into them.¡±


    Mirabe took her bag and stepped into <i>the </i>SUV to change. Momentster, she emerged, looking like she was made for the camera. The spring sportswear hung on her tall, slim frame with effortless style¨Cespecially those legs, long and straight, the kind that could carry any look.


    Gina watched, her gaze lingering on Mirabe¡¯s face, and sighed, ¡°If only you didn¡¯t have to wear a mask, it¡¯d be perfect.¡±

 Chapter 495

    Chapter <b>495 </b>


    Collins stood with his arms crossed, a glint of insight In his eyes. ¡°Actually, wearing a monk adds a mysterious allure. Trust me, when this ad hits the screens, it¡¯s gonna blow the roof off <b>sales </b>for the brand.¡± As a top¨Cnotch agent, Collins <b>had </b>a keen eye for potential hits.


    Gina nodded in agreement, ¡°You¡¯re not kidding. Just looking at her in that get¨Cup makes me wanna rush out and snag one for myself.¡± The vibe was just spot¨Con.


    While they were deep in discussion, Leo had finished changing. He stepped out Into a slight chill and felt the briskness through his thin sportswear, so he doubled back to grab his jacket. It was only after zipping up that he felt somewhatfortable.


    Leo approached his sister, huddling within his coat. ¡°Mira, aren¡¯t you cold?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± Mirabe replied, unfazed. Her constitution had grown stronger than the average person¡¯s after over a year of rigorous training, so a bit of cold was nothing to her.


    Leo, however, insisted, ¡°You should probably put on your jacket anyway. Wouldn¡¯t want to catch a cold shooting this¡­ damnedmercial and regret itter.¡±


    Mirabe watched him quietly, a silent sigh in her heart. In the morning, Shawn¡¯s take on showbiz was all fun and games, and now here was her brother calling <b>a </b>five million dor ad ¡®damned¡®¨Cwas it herck of imagination, or did poverty indeed have a ceiling?


    After a moment¡¯s pause, she simply stated, ¡°I¡¯m stronger than I look.¡±


    Leo couldn¡¯t help but feel that there was an unsaid jab in her words. He nced down at his own jacket, suddenly ovee with the urge to shrug it off.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head over. The crew¡¯s waiting for us,¡± Collins interjected<b>, </b>gesturing to the team of seven or eight bodyguards standing by.


    Leo¡¯s poprity skyrocketed after the sess of Country Comfort. Considering the crowds that typically thronged their shooting location, it was necessary to have a strong security detail. The central za of the pedestrian street had been rented out and cordoned off for the shoot, all equipment at the ready.


    The brand¡¯s advertising manager¡¯s eyes sparkled at the sight of Mirabe in her sportswear¨Cit was even better than he¡¯d imagined. He¡¯d been drawn to her when he first saw her in Country Comfort, sporting simr attire. Although she hadn¡¯t shown her face and had minimal screen time in the live show, she somehow radiated a protagonist¡¯s aura.


    That was why the buzz online wasn¡¯t about the top star Juztin, nor the award¨Cwinning actress Heather, and not even the veteran actor Hans, but about Juztin¡¯s sister, Mirabe.


    Thepany hadn¡¯t initially nned on hiring Juztin and <b>his </b>sister, mainly because their endorsement fee exceeded that of average A¨Clist celebrities. Plus, the marketing department had reservations about Mirabe¡¯s faceless approach to advertising. it was risky, potentially a major loss.


    Nevertheless, he felt so strongly that Mirabe was the perfect fit that he¡¯d staked his job on it, vowing to leave thepany if the ad didn¡¯t hit its sales targets.


    The manager, who had been somewhat nervous, now fully trusted his instincts. With his excitement contained, he approached Mirabe and Leo with the script in hand, outlining his creative vision.


    After finishing his pitch, he looked down, a bold idea striking him. He then took the lines originally


    1 1/2


    10:08


    intended for Leo and, instead, handed them to Mirabe.

 Chapter 496

    Mirabe flipped through the script, her eyes scanning the handful of lines she had to deliver. Each sentence was meticulously annotated with the exact tone and expression needed to breathe life into the words on the page. The brief was clear. She was to embody the archetype of a fiercely protective parent.


    ncing sideways at Leo, her brother¡¯s adorably clueless demeanor caught her attention. Yep¡­ he definitely looked like someone who needed to be looked after.


    Oblivious to his sister¡¯s scrutiny, Leo stared nkly at the script. It took him a moment before he looked un, his gazending on the brand representative who was still hovering nearby. ¡°Isn¡¯t there something off about this character concept?¡± he questioned.


    They wanted him toe off as¡­ cute. For someone who naturally exuded an icy cool vibe, the idea of cute¡® seemed utterly foreign


    The manager¡¯s eyes darted with a hint of guilt, but his expression remainedposed as he reassured Leo, ¡°This character was tailored for you based on how you and your sister came across on that live show. It¡¯s well thought out, I assure you.¡± No way was he going to admit that the character swap was ast¨Cminute decision.


    Leo¡¯s face was a mask of skepticism. Tailored? Since when was his persona anything close to ¡®cute? He opened his mouth to argue, but Mirabe, ever the curious one, beat him to it. ¡°What kind of character is


    Without a word, Leo handed her the script. After a quick nce, she looked up at him and patted his shoulder reassuringly. ¡°I don¡¯t see a problem with it.¡± The little princess¡® character suited him to a T.


    Leo was baffled.


    Turning to the brand manager, Mirabe chimed in, ¡°No worries, the ad concept is pretty creative.¡±


    Having quickly learned that the sister was the more assertive of the two, the manager cleared his throat and said, ¡°Well then¡­. if you need a few minutes to prepare, I¡¯ll just go over some minor details with the photographer.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Mirabe responded politely, effectively sidelining her brother.


    ¡°But¡­¡± Leo protested, trying to hold the man back, only to be restrained by Mirabe¡¯s surprisingly firm


    grip.


    ¡°Mirabe, let go. I need some <b>answers</b><b>¡­</b>¡±


    Her hand stayed put as she spoke calmly, ¡°Leo, just chill. It¡¯s only amercial.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about chilling. This feels like a personal insult,¡± Leo fumed, frustration evident in his posture.


    Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but find his indignant, squirrel¨Clike pout amusing. She wanted to ruffle his curly locks but thought better of it, considering the time spent on hair and makeup. Instead, she patted his shoulder again. ¡°The real focus should be the paycheck.¡±


    At the mention of money, Leo¡¯s mood soured even more. His sister was actually valuing the ad revenue over his feelings.


    After another nce at Mirabe¡¯s script, Leo¡¯s will toin drained away. The role reversal wasplete. The brand was asking his sister to step into his shoes. He massaged his temples, foreseeing


    10:08


    hapter 496


    the inevitable copse of his hard¨Cearned persona once themercial aired.


    With a heavy sigh, he caught another glimpse of his sister, whose love for money apparently trumped sibling loyalty. Well, if she was happy, he supposed that was what mattered.


    No matter how much his little sister exploited him, she deserved his support.


    Soon enough, the photography team signaled they were ready, and it was time for the siblings to step in front of the camera.

 Chapter 497

    Mirabe had only ever been on the live show Country Comfort once before, so when she first started shooting themercial, she was understandably a bit rusty. She flubbed her lines twice. But by the third. take, she had fully gotten into the swing of things. She slipped into her role with such ease that it was as if she was born for the camera. On the other hand, Leo, <b>her </b><b>co</b>¨Cstar, seemed to struggle with every take.


    Leo was no stranger to endorsements, having done a fewmercials himself. You¡¯d think, with his experience, he¡¯d outshine his sister, but as the shoot went on, Mirabe set the pace, leading Leo into the rhythm needed to wrap up the shoot.


    The brand manager had been sweating bullets at the start, but as the takes got smoother, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Once they wrapped, he reviewed the footage, particrly taken with Mirabe¡¯s mysterious, cool demeanor that shone through even without showing her face. He couldn¡¯t have been more pleased.


    He was convinced¨Chis insistence on casting her was spot on. Plus, this was just the raw vlog footage. Once they added sound effects in post¨Cproduction, the sales were going to skyrocket.


    The manager was bursting with excitement. He whipped out his phone and instructed the ad department to buckle down and finish the production <b>that </b>very night¨Ceven if it meant working overtime. A good ad dyed by even a day was a significant loss.


    Just after wrapping up, Leo sneezed so hard it seemed to shake his very core. Mirabe nced at him, noticing the pallor of his <b>skin </b>against the cold, and remarked, ¡°Leo, your immune system could use some


    work.¡±


    Before Leo could respond, he <b>was </b>interrupted by another sneeze. Collins came over, draping his coat over Leo¡¯s shoulders, then handed Mirabe her jacket <b>as </b>well.


    As she slipped on her coat, Mirabe asked, ¡°Collins, we¡¯re <b>all </b>done here, right? No more shots needed?¡±


    Collins pondered for a moment before replying. ¡°Well, if this ad does well, I reckon we might need some additional photoshoots.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Will that be a separate charge?


    Collins gave her a silent look.


    ¡°I recall use 12, subsection 3 of <b>the </b>contract states the fee covers thismercial shoot only, <b>not </b><b>any </b>additional photography,¡± she added.


    Collins¡® eyes widened in disbelief. How did she remember <b>that</b>? He recalled how Mirabe had only skimmed the contract when signing it, and he had thought she was merely putting on an act, not really understanding the details.


    Now¡­ Collins touched his nose self¨Cconsciously. ¡°Mira, how do you remember all that?¡±


    ¡°Is it that hard?¡± Mirabe shot back.


    Feeling like his intelligence was being mocked, Collins muttered to himself. ¡°Was it not difficult? She had pinpointed it down to the exact use and subsection!¡±


    Leo, rubbing his nose and sounding a bit nasal, chimed in matter¨Cof¨Cfactly, ¡°Collins, have you forgotten my sister¡¯s a straight¨CA student?¡±


    <b>1/2 </b>


    10.08


    Collins shot him a look. Being a straight¨CA student and having a photographic memory were entirely different things, thank you very much!


    Not in the mood to argue with Leo, Collins turned back to Mirabe and said, ¡°If the brand wants additional photos, well renegotiate the fees.¡±


    ¡°Mhmm, Mirabe nodded, pleased as punch, as if she was already counting the extra cash that would soon be hers


    Leo turned away, unable to watch his sister¡¯s mercenary glee. She was such a money grubber.


    Suddenly, Collins remembered something. He quickly fished Mirabe¡¯s phone out of his bag and handed it to her. ¡°Oh right, Mira, someone tried to call you earlier. I didn¡¯t pick up.¡±


    Mirabe took her phone and checked the missed calls. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her fingertips grazing the phone¡¯s edge. She didn¡¯t call back but instead slipped the phone back into her pocket.

 Chapter 498

    ¡°Collins, we¡¯re all clear, right? Mirabe lifted her gaze to Collins again.


    Collins shook his head and looked around before suggenting. ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the car.¡±


    By now, a crowd had gathered outside the safety barriers, many wielding smartphones, eager to capture the moment. Mirabe nced up briefly, then pulled her face mank a bit higher on her nose.


    Leo¡¯s celebrity status had been cemented from the moment his image, captured by a fan during a casual stroll, was shared within fan circles. Now, with his equally intriguing sister on site, the fans were buzzing, many from the local area converging on the shoot location. Their curiosity wasn¡¯t limited to the superstar they adored. They were equally keen to catch a glimpse of the badass sister who dominated the live


    streams.


    The fans finally got up close to Mirabe. Even with her face partly concealed, she was more awe¨Cinspiring than her digital persona had suggested a revtion that exceeded all expectations.


    Her sporty attire caught everyone¡¯s eye, so much so that people began searching online for the brand. Following a leaked video of the shoot, the sports gear Mirabe wore sold out online and in stores even before the brand¡¯s official ad had been released.


    The power of a top celeb carried weight, and when it came to supporting the sister who had helped her brother rise to the top, the fans were all in.


    Originally there to apany her brother, Mirabe¡¯s poprity surged, catapulting her to Twitter trending fame.


    Meanwhile, as the brand¡¯s staff were packing up the shoot equipment, thepany was flooded with calls about the unexpected spike in online sales, leaving the team stunned.


    Snapping back to reality, the brand manager checked the sales figures on thepany¡¯s system, his heart skipping a beat at the numbers disyed. The campaign had barely wrapped, and the impact was already palpable. He couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine the frenzy once the ad went live.


    Trying to contain his excitement, he shut the sales dashboard and, after a moment¡¯s thought, dialed Collins¡® number.


    After an arduous journey through the crowd<b>, </b>shielded by their bodyguard, the siblings finally settled into the SUV. Mirabe removed her mask, massaging her temples the fervor of fandom was indeed overwhelming. She thanked her lucky stars for opting to remain anonymous in her live streams; otherwise, she might have been driven mad by such relentless enthusiasm.


    Collins followed the siblings while on the phone with the brand manager. He climbed into the driver¡¯s seat and hung up after his brief conversation. Starting the engine, he nced in the rearview mirror and said, ¡°Mira, the brand wants to shoot some more photos with you.¡±


    Mirabe<b>, </b>surprised, arched an eyebrow. ¡°So soon<b>?</b>¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but the photo shoot is¡­¡± Collins was interrupted before he could finish his sentence by Leo¡¯s Interjection.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s not taking any more <b>gigs </b>after this ad, and as for the photos, <b>just </b>decline it,¡± Leo stated firmly.


    10:08


    ¡°Why?¡± Collins asked, puzzled.


    Mirabe turned to look at him, equally confused by Leo¡¯s sudden opposition.

 Chapter 499

    He felt the sting of humiliation at the thought of it. <b>Shawn¡¯s </b>threat to break his legs wasn¡¯t exactly something you¡¯d brag about at the bar.


    Leo¡¯s gaze dropped, unable to meet his sister¡¯s eyes. ¡°Look, for everyone¡¯s¡­ safety, we¡¯re going to have to turn down any ad gigs for you,¡± he said.


    ¡°Huh¡­¡± Collins, though confused, pondered for a moment before suggesting, ¡°We could pass on the other offers, sure, but this photoshoot is one we can¡¯t just shove aside.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s easy,¡± Leo waved dismissively, ¡°I¡¯ll just do a shoot for them, free of charge.¡±


    Collins¡® expression twisted into aplicated grimace. That might have worked once upon a time, but now¡­ After a few seconds of silence, he said, ¡°They made it clear that they only want the photos with her.¡± The subtext was clear ¨C Leo, the star, <b>had </b>lost his shine.


    Leo felt a <b>sudden</b>, overwhelming jab from the world around him.


    Mirabe coughed and tilted her head toward Leo, who seemed to have retreated into his shell again. ¡°So we do this shoot, then no more after that?¡±


    Leo sighed inwardly. ¡°Fine.¡± It was the only way


    Mirabe turned her gaze back to the passing scenery outside the car window and pulled out her phone, She scrolled through her call log and dialed Niki back. The missed call during the photoshoot <b>had </b>been from Niki.


    Leo turned to talk to Mirabe but stopped when he <b>saw </b>her on the phone.


    The call connected quickly. Mirabe¡¯s eyes remained on the view outside as she spoke calmly, ¡°Nikl¡±


    ¡°Mirabe, I need your help urgently. Can you take leave¡­ no, or I cane to your school and get your excused,¡± Niki said without preamble, getting straight to the point. The urgency in Niki¡¯s voice was evident, suggesting the patient¡¯s condition was serious.


    Mirabe pondered for a brief moment before responding. ¡°No need. I didn¡¯t go to school today.¡±


    At that, a look of relief washed over Niki¡¯s somber face as he eagerly said, ¡°Then do you have time now? I can send Asher to pick you up.¡±


    ¡°No, just give me the address. I¡¯lle myself,¡± Mirabe declined.


    ¡°Alright,e straight to my ce,¡± Niki instructed.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Mirabe nced at her wristwatch. ¡°I should make it in half an hour.¡±


    ¡°Good, I¡¯ll wait for you.¡±


    After the call ended, Mirabe looked up at the road ahead and said to Collins, ¡°Could you please drop me off at the next intersection? I need to take care of something.¡±


    ¡°Do you want a ride there?¡± Collins had overheard the phone conversation.


    Mirabe shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll catch a cab.¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Collins didn¡¯t press further.


    Leo looked at his sister and opened his mouth to speak. Mirabe met his gaze head¨Con. ¡°No questions.¡±


    11/2


    Leo could only nod in silence.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get back home on my ownter,¡± she added.


    Soon, Collins pulled over to the curb, and Mirabe got out swiftly.


    As the car pulled away, Leo watched his sister¡¯s figure on the sidewalk through the rearview mirror and let out a mncholic sigh. His sister always had her secrets.


    Meanwhile, at the Reeves residence.


    Niki had just hung up with Mirabe when he turned around to find his son lurking behind him, giving him quite the startle. He red at him. ¡°Sneaking up behind me like that, you trying to give me a heart attack?¡±

 Chapter 500

    Asher furrowed his brow as he nced at his father¡¯s cell phone <b>and </b><b>said</b>, ¡°Dad, were you just on the line


    with that girl?¡±


    He just couldn¡¯t wrap his head around it. That girl was just good at mixing remedies, wasn¡¯t she? So howe, in his dad¡¯s eyes, she had suddenly be a jack¨Cof¨Call¨Ctrades? And now he even wanted to call her over to y doctor? This was just too far¨Cfetched.


    ¡°What girl? Haven¡¯t I told you to address her as your mentor?¡± Niki retorted with exasperation.


    Asher shook his head, bemused. ¡°What do you need her for? Can she really cure all ailments?¡± He believed Mirabe probably knew a thing or two about medicine, but¡­ a teenage girl fixing what even his own father couldn¡¯t? Yeah, right.


    Niki had long noticed his son¡¯s bias against Mirabe. No matter how much he tried to convince him, Asher just wouldn¡¯t buy it. The more he talked, the more impatient the boy got, so he simply said, ¡°Whatever you¡¯re thinking, keep it to yourself in front of Mirabe. Offend her, and you¡¯ll live to regret it.¡±


    Asher scoffed dismissively, not wanting to discuss Mirabe any further, and nced at his watch. ¡°My brother should be getting home soon. I¡¯ll wait for him at the door,¡± When his brother arrived, Asher definitely needed to have a serious talk with him about Donald¡¯s current muddled state to prevent him from being duped.


    Niki¡¯s expression softened considerably, and he waved his hand. ¡°Off you go.¡±


    ¨C


    After dismissing his son, he gestured for the butler to also wait at the entrance, not for his eldest, but for Mirabe.


    Twenty minutester, Mirabe¡¯s taxi pulled up in front of the Reeves family estate. She paid the fare and stepped out of the car.


    The butler, waiting at the entrance, approached her with a smile stered on his face and said politely. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, wee.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Mirabe nodded in acknowledgment.


    The butler, in his fifties, had been groomed by Niki himself and had met all sorts of people. Unlike Asher, he did not look down on others with arrogance or prejudice. He could tell that the young woman. before him must possess some remarkable skills; otherwise, Niki wouldn¡¯t hold her in such high regard. Besides, just looking at her, there was aposed sharpness in her eyes that set her apart from the ordinary, seemingly innocuous but with an inscrutable underlying depth.


    The butlerposed himself, saying, ¡°Mr. Niki is waiting for you inside. Please, follow me.¡±


    ¡°Please lead the way,¡± she replied, her tone courteous yet detached.


    The butler nodded and gestured for Mirabe to walk ahead, treating her with the utmost respect. Leaning against the door, still waiting for his brother, Asher caught sight of the butler¡¯s subservient demeanor, and his lips curled into a sneer. Even the butler had lost his marbles.


    As Mirabe approached, Asher, with his arms crossed, suddenly threw out ament, ¡°Ms. Mirabe, don¡¯t you have sses to attend?¡±


    The remark caused the butler walking behind Mirabe to stiffen slightly and cleared his throat with a


    cough.


    Before Mirabe even stepped foot inside, Asher was already making unweing remarks, which went against the family¡¯s code of hospitality ¨C especially <b>since </b>Ms. Mirabe was a guest invited by Niki himself.


    Mirabe paused for a moment, her cool demeanor unchanged as her gaze met Asher¡¯s. With a calm and collected voice, she replied, ¡°That¡¯s the perks of being top of the ss.¡±


    ¡°Cough, Ms. Mirabe, perhaps we should head inside, the butler interjected, fearing Asher might say something else out of line. He quickly stepped forward to lead the way.

 Chapter 501

    Asher had raised his voice not to <b>dismiss </b>thepany but merely to remind Mirabe of her standing. It wasn¡¯t intended as a harsh eviction, after all. The Reeves family had always ced a high value on proper


    etiquette.


    He straightened up, dropping his arms from their folded position, <b>and </b>without another word, made his way towards the exit.


    The butler, seeing this, wiped the sweat from his brow and turned his attention back to Mirabe, whispering, ¡°Ms. Mirabe, Mr. Asher can be a bit blunt. He didn¡¯t mean any harm¨Cplease, don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    Mirabe stepped through the threshold with a slight arch of her brow, murmuring an acknowledgment.


    Soon after, the butler led Mirabe into the grand living room. Beside Niki sat an unfamiliar middle¨Caged man¨Croughly in his thirties¨Cwith a rugged brow and <b>a </b>serious mien, exuding an unmistakable aura of authority.


    Mirabe cast him a brief nce before turning her attention away.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe, you¡¯ve finally arrived,¡± said Niki, his face lighting up with relief.


    He stood up and turned to introduce her to the stern¨Cfaced man, ¡°This is the medical prodigy I¡¯ve told you about, Miss Mirabe Davis.¡±


    The man¡¯s piercing gazended on Mirabe, his expression stern as if he were sizing up a suspect. Yet, in the face of his scrutiny, Mirabe remained as serene as ever, not betraying a hint of intimidation. This surprised him, though his brows furrowed in doubt, and he turned back to Niki. ¡°Are you certain she¡¯s¡­ suitable?¡±


    He had heard so much about this young friend from Niki that he had begun to harbor some hope. However, seeing her in person, he hadn¡¯t expected Niki¡¯s friend to be so youthful¨Cbarely seventeen or eighteen.


    It wasn¡¯t that he meant to belittle her, but at such an age, and a youngdy no less, how proficient could she be in medicine?


    A tinge of disappointment crossed Johnny¡¯s eyes. Pressing a hand to his forehead, he didn¡¯t wait for Niki to respond before saying. ¡°Didn¡¯t Dane say he was almost home? I think I¡¯ll wait for Dane to treat my husband.¡±


    Niki understood that Johnny¡¯s reluctance stemmed from seeing Mirabe as just a young girl. He had Intentionally hinted at her youth earlier, hoping to prevent this exact situation, but it seemed his efforts


    were in vain.


    ncing at Mirabe, concerned she might just walk out, Niki cleared his throat and said to Johnny. ¡°Trust me, Johnny, Mirabe¡¯s skills in medicine are beyond mine.¡±


    After a pause, Johnny replied, ¡°Let¡¯s wait for Dane.¡±


    The prestige of being a mid¨Clevel apothecary from the Riverdale Pharmacists¡® Guild spoke volumes about Dane¡¯s capabilities. Johnny couldn¡¯t risk his employer¡¯s well¨Cbeing on an unknown girl. It was too much of a gamble.


    Niki approached Mirabe and whispered, ¡°Ms. Mirabe, may we have a word in private?¡±


    Unruffled by Johnny¡¯s barely concealed contempt, Mirabe calmly studied Niki¡¯s worried face and agreed, ¡°Of course.¡±

 Chapter 502

    Stepping outside, Niki looked up at Mirabe, a trace of apology etching his features. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, I¡¯m terribly sorry about earlier¡­


    With a detached gaze, Mirabe interrupted, ¡°No need for apologies; it¡¯s only human nature.¡±


    Hearing this, Niki felt even more ashamed. He let out a sigh before saying. ¡°My patient is a special


    case, and his condition is quite peculiar. Even though my son Dane is a member of the Pharmacists¡® Guild and more skilled than Asher, I fear this illness might be beyond his expertise.¡±


    This was precisely why he had summoned Mirabe before Dane even reached home or assessed the patient himself.


    It wasn¡¯t just because Dane¡¯s medical knowledge paled inparison to Mirabe¡¯s, but also because of the patient¡¯s identity. Should anything go wrong, the Reeves family couldn¡¯t bear the responsibility.


    Mirabe regarded Niki, her eyebrows arching slightly as she spoke, ¡°My services don¡¯te cheap.<b>¡± </b>


    At her words, Niki immediately understood that Mirabe wasn¡¯t dwelling on the past issue. He quickly replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the cost. They will certainly be able to afford it.¡±


    Mirabe nodded. Money talks.


    After a moment of thought, Niki added, ¡°Let me brief you on the patient¡¯s symptoms.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Mirabe acknowledged.


    Just then, Asher entered from outside, followed by Dane, Niki¡¯s eldest son.


    Niki had just begun to describe the symptoms when he caught sight of Dane. His face broke into a smile. As his son approached, he introduced him to Mirabe, ¡°This is Dane, my son.¡±


    Mirabe slowly lifted her head to look at Dane. He appeared to be in his forties, and despite theck of expression on his face, a certain haughtiness was evident in his demeanor. Such men often carried an air of arrogance.


    As Mirabe¡¯s gaze met his, Dane also looked her over. From the moment he stepped through the door, his brother had made a point of mentioning this young woman. Asher scoffed at his father¡¯s folly for treating a teenage girl like an honored guest and expecting her to tend to an important patient.


    Dane withdrew his gaze and turned to his father, nodding slightly. ¡°Dad, I¡¯m back.¡±


    Niki nodded. ¡°Yes, was the journey rough? By the way, this is Ms. Mirabe, another pharmacist.¡±


    After a curt ¡®hello¡® to Mirabe, Dane didn¡¯t bother with further pleasantries, nor did he take the mention of another pharmacist to heart. ncing around the room with a serious expression, he stated, ¡°Let¡¯s go inside and talk.¡± With that, he strode forward, his bearing straight andmanding, exuding the presence of a man who runs his household.


    Asher nced at his father and Mirabe but remained silent, quickly following Dane.


    Niki gestured for Mirabe to follow. Soon, Mirabe returned to the sitting room and took a seat in an armchair, her posture rxed and unreserved.


    Catching Niki¡¯s cue, the butler stood by her side, dutifully pouring coffee with impable manners.


    In contrast, Johnny, upon seeing Dane, seemed invigorated as if spotting a savior, a stark difference from


    his demeanor


    ¡°Dane, I truly appreciate youing all this way Johnny said


    Members of the Pharmacists Guild were held in high esteem, especially a mid¨Clevel pharmacist like Dane. Even someone of Johnny¡¯s stature in the political arena would defer to such expertise

 Chapter 503

    <b>Chapter </b><b>503 </b>


    Dane¡¯s square¨Cjawed face held a polite smile as he took a sip of his coffee, speaking calmly, ¡°Johnny, you¡¯re too kind. I¡¯ve been nning a trip back home myself soon.¡±


    Johnny chuckled, then asked, ¡°How¡¯s Mr. Boyd beentely?¡±


    Mr. Boyd¨Cthe president and chairman of the Pharmacists¡® Guild and the patriarch of the Boyd family, was one of the prominent ns in Riverdale.


    ¡°To be honest, he has been sequestered, deep in the study of ancient remedies. Otherwise, I would have. definitely discussed Mr. Owen¡¯s condition with him beforeing back,¡± Dane said with a tinge of regret.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows raised at the mention of ancient remedies. Mr. Boyd?


    Johnny felt a pang of disappointment, but he knew that even if Mr. Boyd wasn¡¯t <b>in </b>seclusion, it was unlikely they could persuade such a distinguished <b>figure </b>to intervene. After all, Mr. Boyd was known for his passion for ancient remedies, and his medical skills might not necessarily surpass those of Niki. That was precisely why he had brought the gentleman to seek Niki¡¯s help.


    Collecting his thoughts, Johnny said, ¡°No worries. I trust that you will find a way to treat our gentleman.¡±


    Dane wasn¡¯t one to let ttery go to his head. After a brief silence, he replied. The gentleman¡¯s symptoms are quite unusual. All I can say is that I¡¯ll do my best.¡± He had been informed of the illness the day before. Although he hadn¡¯t sought advice from the chairman, he had consulted other senior pharmacists within the guild, most of whom had never encountered such symptoms and couldn¡¯t determine the exact nature of the illness. Deep down, Dane wasn¡¯t confident, but since the Reeves family had been approached for help, they certainly couldn¡¯t turn them away.


    Johnny noticed the fleeting hesitance on Dane¡¯s face and felt a heaviness in his heart, but he quickly stood up <b>and </b>said<b>, </b>¡°Then, without further dy, let¡¯s have Mr. Dane take a look at Mr. Owen.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Dane agreed, eager to assess the situation.


    Mr. Owen was resting in the guest room, and soon, <b>Dane </b>and Johnny left the main hall, one after the other. Mirabe remained in her chair, her slender fingers tapping the armrest, still pondering Dane¡¯s mention of Mr. Boyd.


    As Niki reached the doorway, he realized Mirabe hadn¡¯t followed and turned back to her, ¡°Mirabe<b>?</b>¡± Mirabe snapped back to reality, looked up at Niki, and shook her head before standing up.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and have a look together,¡± Niki suggested.


    With a soft hum, Mirabe followed a few steps behind Niki before casually asking, ¡°Niki, what¡¯s <b>Mr. </b>Boyd¡¯s full name? The man you mentioned earlier?¡±


    Niki was surprised at the sudden <b>interest </b>in Mr. Boyd, and after <b>a </b>moment¡¯s thought, he said, ¡°I can¡¯t quite remember. I¡¯ll <b>ask </b>Der.¡±


    ¡°No need to trouble yourself,¡± Mirabe waved it off, dismissing the importance of the individual.


    Niki made a mental note not to forget to inquireter, and continued walking.


    Asher, walking ahead, overheard their conversation and nced back at Mirabe, wondering if she was


    10:09


    being too presumptuous. Was the Pharmacists¡® Guild a ce where anyone could get involved? How could she brazenly ask about the guild¡¯s president in front of his father as if knowing Mr. Boyd¡¯s name meant they were acquainted?


    Shaking his head in irritation, Asher decided not toment on the less-than¨Cster acting. It seemed his father was the only one who didn¡¯t see a problem.

 Chapter 504

    The group made their way into the quest room.


    Johnny strode over to the bed where a man, still immersed in work, nat propped up against the pillows. With respectful concern in his voice, Johnny said, ¡°Sir, you really need to take it easy¡±


    While speaking. Johnny tidied up the files that were spread over the man¡¯s legs, cing them neatly, face down, on the nightstand


    Owen leaned against the headboard, his cheeks gaunt and hisplexion pallid. His whole frame was skeletal. His face, shoulders, neck, and hands resting atop theforter were rmingly thin.


    Bringing up the rear, Mirabe couldn¡¯t help but startle slightly at the sight of Owen¡¯s emaciated form. He couldn¡¯t have been more than in his thirties, but he bore the withered <b>look </b>of a man in his twilight years.


    On the way here, Niki had briefed her about the man¡¯s peculiar condition. An inexplicable wasting <b>away</b>. with no detectable medical reason¨Cit was as if his vitality had been abruptly drained, propelling him into a state of exhaustion. Well, Owen¡¯s current <b>state </b>seemed scarcely different from outright depletion.


    Owen sensed a scrutinizing gaze and looked up. By then, Mirabe had averted her eyes. He nced at her briefly before addressing Johnny, who was still <b>fussing </b>with the paperwork. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll <b>get </b>through as much as I can while I still have the energy.¡±


    Johnny mustered a smile, plucked the pen from Owen¡¯s fingers, and insisted, ¡°Your health is what¡¯s important. Everything else can wait.¡±


    He paused and then gestured toward Dane, who had approached the bedside. ¡°Mr. Dane is back. There¡¯s hope for your illness now.¡±


    Despite his frailty, Owen exuded themanding presence of a man ustomed to authority. His gaze settled on Dane, and with a polite but weary motion of his dry lips, he murmured, ¡°I appreciate this.¡±


    Dane was well aware of Owen¡¯s stature as the top executive of Ashford, a man beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, soon to be a significant figure in Riverdale. Even a member of the Pharmacists¡® Guild like Dane had to show deference.


    With a subtle nod, Dane replied simply, ¡°No trouble at all.¡±


    He then pulled a chair close to the bed, sat down, and said, ¡°Let me take your pulse first.¡±


    Owen extended his arm. As Dane¡¯s fingers rested on Owen¡¯s wrist, his expression, initiallyposed, grew increasingly grave with each passing second. By the end, his brows were knitted tightly together.


    Johnny, watching Dane intently, felt a sinking feeling in his gut. Niki had worn the same troubled look. when he examined Owen the previous <b>night</b>.


    After a long five minutes, Dane finally withdrew his hand. Johnny immediately asked, ¡°What¡¯s the verdict? Can you help him?¡±


    Asher stood by, his face taut with concern, equally eager for any insight Dane might offer.


    Dane addressed Owen, ¡°Mr. Owen, when did you start to lose weight like this<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°A week ago,¡± Owen replied slowly.


    ¡°He has been shedding nearly twenty pounds a day,¡± Johnny interjected. ¡°We¡¯ve had thorough hospital


    <b>1/2 </b>


    tests done, but they all came back normal. No issues at all.¡±


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Johnny pulled out a medical report and handed it to Dane. ¡°Take a look.¡±


    The report was extensive, spanning over a dozen pages, with every conceivable part of the body. scrutinized. And at the bottom of each page, the conclusion was the same word: normal.

 Chapter 505

    Chapter <b>505 </b>


    Dane took a few minutes to pore over the diagnostic report. Its conclusion mirrored his own initial assessment. Owen¡¯s health condition couldn¡¯t be more normal.


    But that was precisely where the bizarre nature of the situationy. A healthy individual shouldn¡¯t wither away to a skeletal shadow of their former self in just a week¡¯s time. Even with illness, there would be signs, causes, not this baffling clean bill of health.


    Normality in this case was the most abnormal sign of all.


    Dane had been holed up in the Pharmacists¡® Guild for quite some time. His nose was buried in medical tomes, yet this condition was something he had neither heard of nor seen before.


    ¡°Mr. Dane?¡± Johnny looked at him imploringly, repeating his query.


    Handing back the diagnostic sheet to Johnny, Dane replied with a hint of apologetic frustration, ¡°I¡¯m at a loss, Johnny. I can¡¯t pinpoint the problem just yet.¡±


    At Dane¡¯s words, Johnny staggered back a step. The hope he had harbored in Dane now turned into profound disappointment. If even Dane was stumped¡­ was Owen simply to wither away? He <b>was </b>so young, on the cusp of a promising reassignment, but now struck down by this mysterious affliction.


    ¡°Mr. Dane, please, you must find a way to save Mr. Owen,¡± Johnny pleaded. His voice was heavy with


    concem.


    Dane sat pensively for a moment, then turned to Asher. ¡°Asher, rummage through my luggage for a bottle with a blue pattern. Bring it here once you find it.¡±


    Asher nodded dutifully. ¡°On it.¡± He briskly exited the room.


    As he watched Asher disappear through the door, Dane¡¯s gaze briefly swept over Mirabe then swiftly moved away.


    Turning his attention back to Owen, Dane suggested, ¡°I might need to draw a small blood sample from your fingertip.¡±


    It was improbable for someone to transform so drastically without a trace of forewarning. If all the organ. function indicators were normal, it was time to consider the possibility of poisoning.


    Had Dane not been a part of the Pharmacists¡® Guild, he might not have considered poisoning as a cause. But his experiences with the Guild¡¯s master toxin crafters hadpletely overturned his understanding of what was possible. Those once thought fictional poisons were very real, simply beyond the reach of ordinary folk.


    Despite a slight furrow of his brow, Owen nodded, ¡°Alright.¡±


    Just then, Asher returned. ¡°Dane, is this the one?¡± He handed the porcin bottle to Dane, who confirmed with a nod.


    Johnny, catching a glimpse of the bottle in Dane¡¯s hands, quickly inquired, ¡°Is this one of the Pharmacists¡®


    Guild¡¯s miracle cures?¡±


    Dane retrieved a pill from the bottle and exined, ¡°Yes, this is one of our Guild¡¯s ss B medications.¡±


    The Pharmacists¡® Guild had a grading system for their concoctions A, B, C, and D, with A being the highest quality and D the mostmon.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Johnny had heard of the Guild¡¯s exclusive remedies. Hearing that Dane <b>was </b>offering a ss B potion. sparked excitement in him. ¡°Does this mean Mr. Owen could recover, at least temporarily, if he takest


    this<b>?</b>¡±


    Laypeople were lucky toe by ss D. The rarity and value of a ss B potion were evident.


    Respect filled Johnny¡¯s gaze towards Dane. He realized the weight of Dane¡¯s status within the Pharmacists¡® Guild. If Owen¡¯s allment could be cured, he resolved to advise Owen to forge a stronger


    bond with Dane


    Just as Dane was about to respond to Johnny¡¯s eager question, Niki, who had been silent until now<i>, </i>approached.

 Chapter 506

    <b>Chapter </b>506


    Nikl nced at the pill in his eldest son¡¯s hand. His expression was muted, which was a stark contrast to Johnny¡¯s animated reaction upon hearing it was a ss B remedy.


    ¡°What¡¯s this you¡¯ve got?¡± Niki inquired.


    It¡¯s an antidote pill, can cure all sorts of poisons.¡± Dane replied. His face <b>was </b>lighting up with pride. ¡°It¡¯s a new concoction I developed with my mentor. It¡¯s been rated ss B, so my mentor says I¡¯ve got a shot at making Senior Pharmacist this year.¡±


    Niki¡¯s face remained stoic, barely showing a ripple of emotion. He simply patted Dane on the shoulder and said in an even tone. ¡°Well, give it your all.¡±


    ¡°Dane¡¯s gunning for Senior Pharmacist already?¡± Asher blurted out from the side.


    The leap from a mid¨Clevel to a senior pharmacist wasn¡¯t minor. Some folks might spend <b>a </b>lifetime stuck between junior and mid¨Clevel, as the title of a senior pharmacist truly tested one¡¯s innate talent and skill in concoction. Asher couldn¡¯t believe that Dane was on the brink of earning his senior title in his forties. This would surely elevate the Reeves family¡¯s stature in Ashford even further.


    Johnny, overhearing the conversation, was taken aback. He thought Dane¡¯s ss B antidote was impressive enough, but now a jump to senior pharmacist? The Reeves family was on the rise<b>. </b>


    He nced at Owen, hoping to nudge him to offer Dane some praise, but noticed Owen¡¯s indifference. Johnny remembered that Owen only had a keen interest in politics and not much else. Johnny cleared his throat and took it upon himself topliment Dane


    Vanity is amon trait, and Dane was no exception. Though his face showed modesty, his eyes betrayed a hint of pride.


    Niki observed his son, expecting to feel ted, but strangely felt nothing, which resulted in his unusually calm demeanor. He stroked his beard and turned to Mirabe, the top¨Ctier pharmacist in the room. With her presence, the achievement of bing a senior pharmacist didn¡¯t seem too extraordinary, did it?


    Dane was about to hand the pill to Owen when Niki quickly ced a hand on his, causing Dane to look at his father in confusion. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°You think Mr. Owen is showing signs of poisoning?¡± Niki cut to the chase.


    Dane nodded, ¡°Yes, I can¡¯t rule out the possibility.¡± That was why he had Asher fetch his painstakingly crafted antidote pill. If it hadn¡¯t been for Owen¡¯s special status, he wouldn¡¯t have parted with it so readily.


    ¡°it¡¯s not poisoning¡± Niki said, stroking his beard<b>. </b>¡°I considered that this morning and had a blood test done, along with a medicinal scan. There are no toxins.¡±


    Dane¡¯s face showed surprise. ¡°You¡¯ve tested already?¡±


    ¡°Yes, there¡¯s no mistake, Niki stated with authority. He might not be part of the Pharmacists¡® Guild, but the Reeves family had been in the alternative medicine game for centuries. They could certainly identify


    poisoning


    Dane fell silent, pondering. If it wasn¡¯t poisoning, could it be some new, rare disease?


    ¡°So, your antidote pill is probably useless in this case. Without a clear diagnosis, any medication could

 Chapter 507

    As Asher finished speaking. Niki¡¯s expression shifted noticeably. First, he nced at Owen and Johnny, then turned his attention back to his younger son. His eyes were clearly tinged with disappointment. ¡°Have all those years of medical training been for nothing?¡±


    Asher furrowed his brow, catching the implication. Quickly, he retorted, ¡°Dane mentioned before that


    sophisticated poisons can¡¯t be detected by standard <b>tests</b>. Besides, Dane¡¯s <b>antidote </b>is a ss B, we can¡¯t know its effectiveness without trying it out.¡±


    chance


    brief pause, Asher added, ¡°Instead of waiting cluelessly, why not <b>give </b>the patient a fighting


    ¡°You think you¡¯re making sense?¡± Niki trembled with anger. If everyone held that attitude, what was the point of having a doctor?


    Asher pursed his lips, ready to argue, but a stern look from Dane silenced him. Dane hadn¡¯t expected his brother to be so thoughtless. Though Asher¡¯stter statements held merit, the essence of practicing. medicine was responsibility, and one slip could spell disaster.


    Resigning to the moment, Dane ced the detox pill he had taken out <b>back </b>into the bottle. He turned to Johnny and Owen. 7 apologize for the spectacle. My father is right; we can¡¯t administer any medication with an unknown diagnosis.¡±


    ¡°You are too polite, Mr. Dane. Mr. Asher spoke out of concern for our master¡¯s health,¡± Johnny said, noticing the pill being put away, feeling a tinge of regret. He knew better than to take medicine recklessly. But now, even grasping at straws seemed worth the attempt.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do another blood test then,¡± Dane decided after some thought.


    ¡°That sounds reasonable,¡± Johnny agreed, although not fully understanding the sudden connection to poisoning. He didn¡¯t ask further, instead, he looked at Owen and reassured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sir. We will find a


    way<b>.</b>¡±


    Owen remained stoically calm as if he had already epted any oue. His voice was low, ¡°No need. Johnny, go prepare the car.¡±


    Johnny¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°How can you give up?¡±


    Owen lifted his hand. His gaze fell on the withered back of it. The shriveled skin looked grotesque. His fingers tensed for a moment, and then he spoke, ¡°Things are as they are. No use in clinging.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ Johnny started, but sensing Owen¡¯s familiar resolve, he knew the decision was made. Finally, he sighed, ¡°¡­ I¡¯ll go ready the car.¡±


    As Johnny passed Niki, Niki called out to him, ¡°Wait a moment. Is it my friend¡¯s turn now?¡±


    From the moment he entered the room, Niki had been waiting for Dane¡¯s diagnosis, because Johnny insisted on his medical attention. To avoid offending Mirabe, he had been patient until now.


    Johnny, upon hearing Niki¡¯s request, paused for a second, and then as if remembering something crucial, he lifted his gaze to the young girl next to Niki, whose presence he had deliberately ignored


    until now.


    Even Dane hadn¡¯t figured it out, could this young girl do any better?

 Chapter 508

    Johnny nced back at Owen. There was no other choice, anyway. With a casual wave, he said, ¡°Have at it, then, hardly daring to hope for anything remarkable.


    After saying that, he left the room, convinced that looking for miracles in a young girl was a fool¡¯s errand. It was better to follow orders and go prepare the car.


    Asher, standing nearby, muttered under his breath<b>, </b>¡°Dad, c¡¯mon, at least try to save our family some dignity.¡±


    The Reeves family had staked their reputation on this girl, and if she failed to diagnose, it would be yet another embarrassment. Asher was visibly opposed to his father¡¯s actions.


    Niki wouldn¡¯t even dignify Asher with a nce. Instead, he turned to Mirabe and said, ¡°Ms. Mirabe, it¡¯s your turn to take a look.¡±


    Before Mirabe could respond, Asher scoffed, this time to Dane, ¡°Dane, you think Dad¡¯s gone off the deep end?¡±


    Niki shivered with indignation.


    Dane coughed awkwardly and massaged his temples. ¡°Asher, that¡¯s no way to talk. There¡¯s no harm in giving it a shot.¡± His words were diplomatic, butced with clear skepticism, albeit more tactfully phrased than Asher¡¯s blunt outbursts.


    Asher rolled his eyes, not wanting to stick around for more humiliation. With a hastily made excuse, he left


    the room.


    Dane sighed softly, letting him go, and then focused his attention on Mirabe. He gestured politely, stepping back to give her space.


    ¡°Mirabe, don¡¯t feel pressured. Just do what you normally do.¡± Niki had absolute faith in Mirabe¡¯s expertise, but Owen¡¯s condition was bizarre, practically unheard of, which was why he offered those reassuring words.


    Mirabe nodded slightly at Niki, took a few steps forward, and stood by the bedside. Instead of immediately checking Owen¡¯s pulse, she asked, ¡°Your family has seen this illness before, haven¡¯t they?¡± Her tone was inquisitive, but her demeanor suggested certainty.


    Owen, looking into the young girl¡¯s piercing eyes that betrayed a wisdom beyond her years, found it difficult to regard her as just a teenager.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, he replied, ¡°Not that I¡¯m aware of.¡±


    Mirabe responded calmly, ¡°Well, it¡¯s a hereditary illness. Someone in your lineage must have had it.¡±


    She paused, sitting down on a chair by the <b>bed</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>continued, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you¡¯ve had intermittent headaches recently, even mild diarrhea. You often have nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat, right?¡±


    Owen was initially taken aback, but after a few seconds, his pale face registered shock. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he admitted.


    Dane, who had been texting colleagues from the Pharmacists¡® Guild on Messenger, stopped mid¨Ctap, his prepared message unsent. He lifted his head, watched Owen in shock, and finally shifted his gaze to

 Chapter 509

    Mirabe didn¡¯t even nce at Dane¡¯s expression as she reached out, Her fingertips rested on Owen¡¯s wrist, feeling for his pulse. After half a minute, she drew her <b>hand </b>back and gave a small nod. ¡°Although it¡¯s a bitte, there¡¯s still hope for recovery.¡±


    After saying this, she stood up and turned to Nikl, who looked <b>shocked </b>as if he had be stone. ¡°Mind fetching some paper and a pen? I need to write down a prescription¡±


    Owen, still in bed, was just as stunned.


    turned to


    In Niki¡¯s <b>ears</b>, the words ¡°there¡¯s still hope¡± echoed repeatedly, leaving him unresponsive to the present


    moment.


    ¡°Niki?¡± Mirabe raised an eyebrow and called out again.


    Niki¡¯s gaze flickered<b>, </b>and he snapped back to reality. His eyes, filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief, seemed to beg for reassurance. ¡°You mean to say that Mr. Owen <b>can </b>be treated, right?¡±


    Both Owen and Dane instinctively turned their gazes to Mirabe. Owen¡¯s eyes were clouded withplexity. He was hesitant to harbor too much hope, while Dane was curious about the exact nature of Owen¡¯s illness.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Mirabe replied, ¡°You could say that it¡¯s treatable.¡±


    Niki blinked, puzzled. What did she mean by that?


    ¡°Wasting Syndrome is gic. Such inherent conditions, with today¡¯s medical technology, are not something you canpletely cure¡­¡± Mirabe started to exin but then quickly rified<b>, </b>¡°However, I can ensure it won¡¯t recur, which shouldn¡¯t be too difficult.¡±


    ¡°Wasting Syndrome? What¡¯s that? I¡¯ve never heard of it before,¡± Dane interjected before Niki could speak. His impatience was palpable. His brows furrowed together, and his <b>face </b>showed a hint of skepticism as if to say, ¡°Are you making this up?¡±


    Mirabe shot him a nce and said tly, ¡°You haven¡¯t heard of it, but it doesn¡¯t mean it doesn¡¯t exist.¡±


    Dane, taken aback by the young woman¡¯s retort, was about to press further but suddenly burst intoughter, ¡°Are you looking down on our Pharmacists¡® Guild?¡± After a few seconds, he scoffed sarcastically and shook his head. Why was he even bringing up the Pharmacists¡® Guild? The girl probably didn¡¯t even understand what the guild <b>was</b>.


    ¡°Alright, Dane, let¡¯s save it forter,¡± Niki, knowing Dane was rather blunt<b>, </b>quickly interceded.


    At that moment, the butler who had been waiting in the room and had gone to fetch writing materials when he heard the <b>request</b>, walked in with <b>paper </b>and pen, breaking the tense atmosphere. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, here you <b>are</b>.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyelids lifted slightly. She was impressed with the butler¡¯s initiative. She nodded politely, took the paper and pen, and walked over to a side table to begin writing the prescription.


    In no time at all, she handed thepleted list to Niki. ¡°Take the first concoction for three days, and once his bodily functions stabilize, he can start on the second batch of medicine. In about half a month, he should be on the mend.¡±


    Niki scanned the list quickly and noted that neither prescription contained any rare or exotic herbs, but


    10:10


    rather simple tonics for regting the body. He couldn¡¯t hide his surprise. ¡°Just these tonics will do?¡± Nikr asked, bewildered.


    Mirabe nodded affirmatively. ¡°Correct. Wasting Syndrome primarily involves a rapid decline in bodily functions. Tonic to regting the body and nourish the spirit is the right approach.¡±


    Niki stroked his beard thoughtfully and murmured, ¡°Mirabe, are you sure we don¡¯t need to concoct something more¡­plex?¡±


    The thing was, not only had this illness baffled the entire Reeves family, but even hospital equipment had failed to detect it. It just seemed too simple to him that some boiled tonics could do the trick.

 Chapter 510

    <b>Chapter </b>510


    Mirabe cast a casual nce at Niki. Her expression was one of serene confidence. ¡°Why make a mountain out of a molehill when a simple tonic can do the trick?<b>¡± </b>she mused.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t concocting potions a tiresome affair?¡± she added with a slight shake of her head. Her voice was tinged with a hint of exasperation. <b>¡°</b>Only the right remedy can truly heal an ailment.¡±


    Niki choked on his words, feeling a sting in her straightforwardness.


    At that moment, Dane, who had been standing by, snatched the prescription from his father¡¯s grasp. He scrutinized it, and then at sardonic smile spread across his face. ¡°This? This is supposed to save a life?¡± He was seriously beginning to suspect this youngdy was joking around with human lives. Couldn¡¯t she see the severity of the patient¡¯s illness<b>? </b>


    The patient was so gaunt. It wasmon knowledge, even amongypeople, that a weak body should not be over¨Cnourished. The more one tried to nourish such a body, the further it would deteriorate, a piece of wisdom well¨Cdocumented in the annals of medicine.


    Dane, brandishing the slip of paper, turned to Niki. ¡°Dad, please don¡¯t tell me you actually believe this potion will work?¡±


    Niki¡¯s gaze met Dane¡¯s. He understood the doubt that gued his son. If he hadn¡¯t witnessed Mirabe¡¯s healing prowess firsthand, if he hadn¡¯t seen her restore James back to health, he probably would have shared his son¡¯s skepticism. Given the delicate situation with the distinguished Owen, there was no room <b>for </b>error.


    After a brief silence, Niki spoke with a grave sincerity, ¡°Dane, you haven¡¯t seen what Mirabe can do. I trust her¡­¡±


    Dane, hearing the word ¡°trust,¡± lost any desire to continue the conversation and cut him off. ¡°Fine. If you think she¡¯s capable, then we¡¯ll go with her n. I won¡¯t object. But if her actions dy Mr. Owen¡¯s treatment, who will bear the consequences<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe¡¯s lips tightened into a thin line as she faced Dane. Her voice was soft but firm. ¡°I will.¡±


    Niki opened his mouth to speak, but Dane didn¡¯t give him the chance. ¡°Good.¡± He was curious to see how she would take responsibility. A hint of mockery colored Dane¡¯s smile.


    Just then, Johnny, who had momentarily stepped out, returned, immediately sensing the room¡¯s charged atmosphere. Dane passed the prescription to Johnny. ¡°Johnny, this is the remedy Ms. Mirabe has concocted. She ims it will cure Mr. Owen.¡± Johnny, caught off guard, nced at Dane before hesitantly epting the paper. Although unversed in medicine, he recognized some ingredients that were known for their restorative properties. He looked up, baffled. ¡°Some of these are quite strong tonics. Are they really alright to use?<b>¡± </b>Dane¡¯s square¨Cjawed face was a mask of scorn as he nced at Mirabe. His voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°You¡¯ll have to ask Ms. Mirabe about that. She¡¯s the expert here.¡±


    8 2 <b>2 </b>2 2 2 220 22 23 22 23 2


    Johnny furrowed his brow, feeling a twinge <i>of </i>doubt about the prescription in his hands. He turned to Mirabe. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, what exactly is ailing our Mr. Owen<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    As the question hung in the air, Owen, who had been reclining on the bed, snapped his phone shut and looked <b>at </b>Johnny. His voice was raspy. ¡°Johnny, just get the medicine prepared as prescribed.¡±


    Dane¡¯s gaze instinctively shifted to Owen. The disbelief was apparent in his eyes. He had expected someone as rational as Owen not <b>to </b>blindly trust the unfounded verdict of a young girl That was why he had made a point of voicing his concerns so openly.


    Although he had said out loud that the Reeves family world not be held responsible, if something was to go wrong, how could they possibly avoid all me?


    E

 Chapter 511

    <b>Chapter </b><b>511 </b>


    Dane furrowed his brow before finally speaking up, ¡°Mr. Owen, have you really thought this through, opting for Ms. Mirabe¡¯s n<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>Despite Owen¡¯s ashen face, a sharpness lingered in his eyes, undiminished. ¡°Ms. Mirabe is correct. There is indeed a simr hereditary condition in our family history.¡±


    He had just received a definitive reply from the elder at home. How could someone without genuine expertise pinpoint the subtle symptoms he had been experiencing until recently?


    Dane¡¯s face was a canvas of shock once more.


    When Mirabe had brought up hereditary illness, Dane had mentally sifted through all the gic conditions he knew, but none matched Owen¡¯s. Subconsciously, he had assumed she was conjuring up hereditary illness as a smokescreen for her ipetence.


    But Owen was no fool to abandon his principles for a youngdy¡¯s words. If he altered his initial response, it likely meant he had verified it with his family.


    Dane¡¯s gaze drifted to the smartphone in Owen¡¯s hand, a dry lump forming in his throat. He pressed on, ¡°Is it this¡­ Wasting Syndrome<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>¡°I can¡¯t be sure of the name, but it¡¯s indistinguishable from what I¡¯m dealing with now<i>,¡± </i>Owen replied. His eyes darkened.


    The message from his father was clear: without a known cause, those afflicted by this ailment inevitably sumbed. With no significant medical case history, it was understandable that the Reeves family was in the dark.


    Dane needed no further exnation to grasp the gravity of hereditary illness. He looked at Mirabe, wanting <i>to </i>convince himself <b>it </b>was all guesswork, but this was a matter of illness, and some things couldn¡¯t be guessed.


    Dane <b>fell </b>silent.


    Beside them, Johnny, who had only grasped the gist of the conversation, looked on. It seemed that Niki¡¯s young friend had diagnosed a condition different from what Mr. Dane had expected, and Owen epted the treatment n from Niki¡¯s associate.


    Johnny nced down at the prescription in his hand, then addressed Niki, ¡°Just these?¡±


    Catching on, Niki directed the butler, ¡°Take this prescription to the pharmacy and have them prepare the medications in the specified doses.¡±


    The butler nodded dutifully, taking the prescription from Johnny¡¯s hand and leaving the room.


    Once the butler had departed, Mirabe checked the time and turned to Niki. ¡°I should be going.¡±


    Niki looked towards Owen on the bed, and then asked in a low voice, ¡°Is this going to be enough?¡±


    She nodded, ¡°Prepare the medicine as soon as possible and make sure he takes it without dy.¡±


    ¡°<b>Alright</b>.¡± Niki paused before suggesting, ¡°It¡¯s noon already. Why not stay for lunch before you go?¡±


    <b>¡°</b>No need. I have to get back to school,¡± Mirabe declined.


    ¡°Pleas nice


    She then scribbled an ount number on a piece of paper, tore <b>it </b><b>off</b><b>, </b>and approached Johnny. ¡°Please transfer the consultation fee to this card. If there are any issues, <i>you </i>can call me. I¡¯m usually in ss, <b>so </b>it¡¯s best to text me in advance<b>.¡± </b>


    After saying that, she handed the paper to him, spared Owen on the bed no nce, and made her way out. ¡°Mirabe, let me walk you out. Niki quickly followed after her.


    Johnny stared at Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure for a long moment. <b>Only </b>when he looked down at the amount written on the paper in his hand did he snap out of his reverie, taken aback by the figure.¡±

 Chapter 512

    <b>Chapter </b><b>512 </b>


    Five million for a consultation <b>fee</b>. That youngdy¡­ might be ying a bit too rough.


    They <b>didn¡¯t </b>know whether her n could actually cure Owen, and even if it could, the cost was outrageously steep. Although it wasn¡¯t like Owen was short of cash.


    Johnny walked over to the bed, handing Owen the piece of paper that had the ount information and the consultation <b>fee </b>written on <ol><li><b>it</b>. </li></ol>


    Owen nced at it, not quite getting the gist. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Five million for a consultation<b>!</b>¡± Johnny¡¯s voice carried a tinge of theatrical astonishment.


    Dane, who had been lost in thought beside them, looked up <b>at </b>the mention of the figure. Five million for a consultation? That seemed a <b>bit </b>excessive for just a medical check¨Cup!


    How much <b>did </b>his ss B concoctions sell for again?


    She just took a look at Owen and now she wanted five million?


    There was no sign of surprise in Owen¡¯s eyes, only a calm assertion. ¡°The truly skilled alwaysmand high fees. Stay cool.¡±


    Johnny looked at him with aplex expression, thinking to himself, ¡°It¡¯s your money being spent!¡±


    Unable to stick around any longer, Dane nodded towards Owen. ¡°Mr. Owen, take care and rest up. I¡¯ve just gotten back and have a few things to take care of, so I¡¯ll be on my way.¡±


    Owen regarded Dane and after pondering for a moment, he said, ¡°We have been quite the imposition these past few days; perhaps it¡¯s time we headed back.¡±


    At that, Dane straightened up, seemingly ready to agree, but then, as if struck by a thought, he spoke with conviction, ¡°You should stay at the Reeves family estate for the next few days. Even though Ms. Mirabe has said she can handle the consequences, she is after all invited by my father. If you stay here, should any issues arise, we can address them promptly.¡± He was curious to see if that concoction of remedies could truly save a life.


    Johnny considered it and added, ¡°Dane has a point. Even with medication, it¡¯s important to monitor for any side effects, especially since¡­ if the treatment isn¡¯t effective¡­¡± He left the rest unsaid, as the implications were clear to all.


    Owen¡¯s eyes were half¨Cclosed, and after a long pause, he simply responded with an ¡°Okay.¡±


    Seeing this, Dane rxed his grip and soon left the room.


    Once Dane had departed, Johnny fluffed a pillow and slid it behind Owen for support, musing aloud, ¡°The Reeves family has really hit the jackpot with Daneing into his own. He¡¯s on the verge of bing a senior pharmacist.¡±


    Despite being at a loss with Owen¡¯s condition today, Dane¡¯s excellence in other areas was undeniable.


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Owen replied indifferently, gesturing towards a document on the bedside table for Johnny to fetch.


    ¡°You should rest more,¡± Johnny advised, even as heplied and brought over the document. ¡°Sir, you might want to take this opportunity to strengthen your ties with Dane. He¡¯s well¨Cconnected in Riverdale, and that could be useful when you take up your new post there.¡±


    Navigating Riverdale could be treacherous; even the most capable could be easily sidelined without the rightwork ¨C a thorny path in the political wilderness.


    Owen picked up a pen, hesitated, and a shadow flickered across his eyes. To even consider the issue of reassignment, he needed to be well enough to serve. He shook his head and began reviewing the document.


    Two minutester, he looked up at Johnny and instructed, ¡°Check into the background of this Ms. Mirabe who treated me today.¡± Surprised, Johnny replied, ¡°Why the sudden interest <b>in </b>her?¡±


    Owen¡¯s lips were chapped. His gaze was deep and somber. He lowered his head again


    murmuring simply, ¡°Just curious.¡±

 Chapter 513

    After Dane left the guest room, he made his way to the pharmacy. Once inside, he pulled out a chair and settled at the desk, picking up a pen and paper and beginning to write.


    In no time at all, the page was filled with a list of more than a dozen ingredients. If Hiki was there, he would recognize that the list matched exactly the one previously made by Mirabe,


    Dane leaned back in his chair. His gaze was fixed on the paper before him. Each ingredient seemed to promote cirction and gently nourish the body, but when considered together, thebined effect didn¡¯t seem particrly potent. Moreover, each ingredient had its side effects, which, whenbined, appeared to neutralize one another.


    The more Dane studied the form, the more he admired its subtle genius. If he hadn¡¯t had a penchant for studying the properties of remedies, he might not have grasped its intricacies so quickly. That young Mirabe seemned to truly have some skill.


    Just then, Asher walked in to fetch something and was surprised to find his brother Dane, lost in thought at the desk. ¡°Dane, weren¡¯t you with Owen?¡± he asked as he approached.


    His eyes thennded on the prescription in Dane¡¯s hand, and after a quick nce, he inquired, ¡°A tonic prescription? Is this something new you¡¯re working on?¡±


    Snapping back to the present, Dane ced the prescription on the desk. ¡°No, this was prescribed by that youngdy for Owen.¡±


    At this, Asher squinted skeptically and picked up the prescription for another look. ¡°This? With Owen being in such dire straits, she prescribed a mild tonic? Are you sure she¡¯s not exacerbating the illness?<i>¡± </i>


    Dane tapped the tabletop lightly and shook his head. ¡°Although the ingredients seem nourishing, thebination is quite bnced. You probably aren¡¯t familiar with the special properties of a few items on this list¡­¡±


    Asher, knowing his brother could go on about pharmacology for hours, quickly interjected, ¡°Dane, perhaps you shouldn¡¯t dwell on this prescription. Right now<i>, </i>Owen is under the care of the Reeves family. We should be focusing on finding a cure for him.¡±


    He paused before adding, ¡°Dad may be a bit out of sorts, but we can¡¯t afford to be. The priority is to find a treatment.¡± He hadn¡¯t given a second thought to Mirabe¡¯s potential usefulness,


    Interrupted, Dane frowned slightly but didn¡¯t say more. However, after a moment¡¯s thought, he stood up, reiming the prescription


    from his brother¡¯s hand.


    He moved to the counter where the herbs were kept and began to meticulously measure and crush the specified amounts in a mortar, preparing them for processing.


    Asher followed and asked, ¡°Dane, you¡¯re not thinking of making a Pill with these herbs, are you?¡±


    Dane hummed in affirmation.


    Asher touched his nose, wondering if his brother was perhaps a bit too invested? Wasn¡¯t this the prescription written by that young girl<b>? </b>Why was he using it to concoct medicine? He just couldn¡¯t wrap his head around it.


    Since Dane was busy at work, Asher decided not to question further and simply watched him prepare the medicine. He recalled watching Mirabe prepare medicine once, and now observed Dane¡¯s methodology, noticing differences.


    Dane¡¯s process seemed more intricate, with each ter being weighed several times for precision before being ced in the crucible. In contrast, that young girl seemed to have used a more approach, grabbing and tossing the herbs into the mix as she saw fit.


    Comparing the two, Asher couldn¡¯t help but think that his brother Danes, approach to medicine was indeed more professional.

 Chapter 514

    Asher had been watching Dane intently as he finished concocting the medicine. When the furnace was opened, the mold revested four perfectly formed pills, while the rest had turned into a fused lump of ckish dregs.


    The sight brought back memories for Asher of the time he had watched Mirabe produce the same pills, prompting him to ask, ¡°Dene, what <b>if </b>you put like twenty in the kiln, and twentye out all perfect, what would that mean?<i>¡± </i>


    Dane carefully picked the four sessful pills from the mold and ced them in a ceramic bowd to cool. Only then did he look up at Asher and respond, ¡°That¡¯s just not possible. No one can put in a certain number and get the same number out<i>¡± </i>


    With the amount of ingredients he used today, the yield was quite impressive. Any other apothecary might get, at best, two or three pills. Asher scratched his nose thoughtfully. ¡°But what if there really was someone who could? Would it still be considered a failure?¡± He wasn¡¯t an apothecary himself, so he had a limited understanding of the process. His curiosity was piqued because he had seen Mirabe at work before, and now watching Dane, he feltpelled to bring it up


    Dane dumped the unsessful remnants of the concoction into the trash. ¡°I remember you called me once before to ask about this? ¡°Yeah, it was when Dad had that girl over at our ce. He had me shadow her to learn about mixing and brewing, even wanted me to pick up how <b>to </b>make some kind of Incense of Calm,¡± Asher recalled slowly.


    At the mention of ¡°that girl,¡± Dane suddenly remembered something his father had casually mentioned upon his return ¨C that the <i>gir </i>was also an apothecary.


    Asher continued, ¡°I watched her whole process. Honestly, her technique didn¡¯t seem as polished as yours, and the steps she took were too simplistic, almost negligent. But, to everyone¡¯s surprise, she was incredibly precise when it came to measuring out the ingredients.¡±


    Even though Asher wasn¡¯t a fan of Mirabe¡¯s pretentious airs, he was fair in his judgment and couldn¡¯t deny her strengths.


    ¡°Precision in mixing?¡± Dane asked, tilting his head.


    Asher nodded, ¡°Yeah, probably because she¡¯s quite knowledgeable about pharmacology and precise with her measurements. That must be why Dad holds her in such high regard.¡±


    Dane heared this, and his gaze involuntarily returned to the few pills he had just crafted. He picked one up, sniffed it, and examined its hue. It seemed slightly superior to the ones he usually produced.


    The quality of the final product wasn¡¯t determined by how many pills you could make at once but by their effectiveness. And the key to effectiveness was the precisebination of ingredients.


    Today¡¯s attempt was merely experimental, based entirely on the recipe Mirabe had provided, which he initially thought wouldn¡¯t even match a D¨Cgrade ordinary medicine. Now<i>, </i>as he looked at it, it seemed to verge on B¨Cgrade. It was hard for him to believe.


    Seeing Dane engrossed with the pills, Asher called out to break his concentration, ¡°Dane?¡±


    Dane, lost in thought, didn¡¯t look up at Asher and instead inspected the other pills, smelling them repeatedly. His mind was filled with skepticism.


    Although the pills weren¡¯t quite B¨Cgrade, they were significantly beyond C¨Cgrade. He knew there was something exceptionally subtle about this recipe, and it turned out to be a C¨Cgrade form.


    Dane¡¯s expression becameplex for a moment.

 Chapter 515

    <b>Chapter </b>515


    Using a C¨Cgrade recipe for a brewing potion was enough to take your breath away.


    Dane picked up the porcin bottle beside him, filled it with the pills, and then looked up at his brother. ¡°What were you about to say?¡± Asher shook his head. ¡°Nothing much, Dane. That concoction you whipped up from the girl¡¯s recipe, does it have a quality grade?¡± He stretched out his hand, aiming to snatch the bottle from Dane¡¯s grip, but came up short.


    <b>¡°</b>No grade,¡± Dane said tly, then turned and headed out the door with the bottle in hand.


    Asher sheepishly withdrew his hand, watching Dane¡¯s retreating figure before muttering, ¡°If it¡¯s got no grade, why won¡¯t you let me have a look?¡±


    Shaking his head, Asher turned his attention back to the workbench, tidying up the medical tools one by one. After putting everything in order<b>, </b>something suddenly clicked in his mind. He hadpletely forgotten about the matter of the girl concocting twenty pills earlier due to the interruption. Well, it wasn¡¯t anything to fuss over anyway.


    After leaving the Reeves family, Mirabe didn¡¯t head back to school but hailed a cab straight home.


    Stepping out of the cab, she stood before the gates of her vi, about to punch in the security code, when she noticed a tall figure in the garden. He was looking up, seemingly inspecting something. The distinguishing long scar running from the back of his head to his ear was unmistakable.


    Mirabe¡¯s fingers paused on the keypad, and her eyebrows arched slightly. What was this man doing at her home?


    Sensing her gaze, Curtis, who had been standing with his back turned, faced around. The usual sternness on his face was sharpened, but upon catching sight of Mirabe, it softened into surprise. He hadn¡¯t expected to bump into Mirabe at this time.


    With a calm demeanor, Mirabe punched in the code, and the gate swung open. She walked through.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe,¡± Curtis greeted her with <b>a </b>polite nod as she approached.


    Mirabe stopped before him. ¡°What brings you to my ce?¡±


    ¡°Just keeping Mr. Donaldpany,¡± Curtis replied sinctly.


    Mirabe heared the name Donald, and her eyes briefly darted toward the entrance of the vi, then back to Curtis. Her voice was indifferent, ¡°How long has Donald been here?¡±


    The casual way Mirabe addressed Donald caused a twitch in Curtis¡® temple. She was probably the first to be so brazen.


    ¡°Just arrived a short while ago,¡± he replied.


    Mirabe hummed in response, then turned to leave.


    Curtis was puzzled. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, you¡¯ve just arrived and you¡¯re leaving again?¡±


    Mirabe paused her stride. ¡°Yeah.¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, she turned back to ask, ¡°Is James around?¡±


    Used to Mirabe¡¯s direct way of addressing James, Curtis shook his head. ¡°No, he¡¯s not.¡± That was precisely why Donald hade


    over.


    Upon hearing this, Mirabe turned back around, waved her hand in the air<b>, </b>and called out as her voice trailed off, ¡°Then pretend I was


    never here.¡±


    A bewildered Curtis stood there. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Mirabe had left in such a hurry because she knew Donald was at the Davis family house.


    <b>What on </b><b>earth </b>had Donald <b>done </b>to make Mirabe avoid him like the gue?


    <b>1/1 </b>

 Chapter 516

    <b>Chapter </b><b>516 </b>


    Mirabe had barely stepped beyond the manicured hedges of her family¡¯s estate when her cellphone, tucked into the pocket of her


    it was Shawn. denim jacket<b>, </b>began to buzz. She fished it out and nced at the caller ID


    She tapped the green icon and the sound of rustling leaves apanied her father¡¯s voice, ¡°Kiddo, I thought you were home. Where¡¯d you scurry off to?¡±


    Mirabe paused mid¨Cstride, and her brows knitted together in mild confusion. ¡°How did you know I left?¡±


    There was <b>a </b>moment¡¯s hesitation from Shawn before he replied, trying to sound nonchnt, ¡°I just caught a glimpse of you from the balcony.¡±


    Something about his answer <b>didn¡¯t </b>sit right with her, but she decided not to dwell on it. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the library to bury myself in some books,¡± she said.


    ¡°Library<b>, </b><b>huh</b>?¡± Shawn mused, <b>thinking </b>of the Shepherd family¡¯s Donald who was currently in their midst. ¡°Well, be safe out there, pumpkin.¡±


    Mirabe touched the tip of her nose, which was a habit when she felt slightly awkward, and responded with an obedient, ¡°Will do.¡±


    After hanging up, she didn¡¯t give the conversation another thought. She hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of the central library.


    She spent the afternoon surrounded by theforting scent of old books. In her downtime, she snapped photos of several titles on holistic health and wellness, then sent them off to Vincent.


    Vincent, on receiving the message from Queen Mira, was pleasantly surprised. He browsed through the images, remembering their dinner conversation the night before when she had mentioned rmending some books on herbal remedies.


    Cooking and pharmacology weren¡¯t exactly Vincent¡¯s cup of tea. He had only learned about them because of his family¡¯s Hammond heritage. Still, seeing Mirabe¡¯s rmended reading, he silently thanked her and saved the images.


    Next, he opened his Amazon app and promptly ordered the books. After all, if one was to be a renaissance man, why not broaden his horizons with a few more skills? With this newfound perspective, the idea of cooking suddenly seemed less of a chore to Vincent. In fact, he felt an urge to dive in and improve his culinary craft.


    Back in ss, Vincent¡¯s deskmate leaned over with his smartphone in hand and nudged him. ¡°Hey, you know this girl?¡± he whispered, showing an image of a girl wearing a ck face mask.


    Vincent nced at the screen with mild disinterest and then looked away. ¡°Nope, never seen her.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, figured you wouldn¡¯t,¡± his deskmate muttered, pocketing his phone.


    Vincent was just about to nod in agreement when something clicked. He turned sharply back to his deskmate. ¡°Wait a sec.<b>¡± </b>


    His deskmate let out a confused ¡°Huh?¡± just as Vincent reached for his phone.


    Ignoring his deskmate¡¯s puzzled expression, Vincent locked eyes with the image on the screen, zooming in slightly. He hadn¡¯t recognized her at first nce because of the mask, but that unmistakable air of sharpness and pride ¨C it was Mirabe¡¯s signature vibe<b>. </b>


    The deskmate, noticing Vincent¡¯s intense gaze, clear throat awkwardly. ¡°Everything good?¡±


    Vincent¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he handed back the phone Where did you get this picture?¡±

 Chapter 517

    His deskimate said, ¡°It¡¯s from a screenshot shared in our guys¡® dorm group chat. But this gid¡¯s been making wavestely I heard she¡¯s student at our Parkside High School, so I was wondering if you knew her¡±


    Vincent was a sturdy hend, never the sort to squander his time on livestreams or TV, so he had no clue that Mirabe was the talk of the town for appearing on a popr show


    Vincent didn¡¯t answer his question but instead inquired, ¡°Making waves? What do you mean?


    ¡°You know, have you ever watched Country Comfort? She got famous from being on that show, and they say she¡¯s a student at Parkside High School,¡± the deskmate exined briefly.


    ¡°Never seen it.¡± Vincent shook his head, handed his friend¡¯s phone back, and took out his own to do a quick search. Sure enough, a bunch of clips popped up.


    Clicking on one, he fast forwarded through and there she was ¨C Queen Mira herself.


    Queen Mira on a show like that? Vincent was genuinely shocked.


    Noticing his odd expression, his deskmate asked, ¡°Do you recognize her?¡±


    Vincent¡¯s thoughts snapped back, and after a moment¡¯s consideration, he replied, ¡°Don¡¯t know her.¡±


    He figured Mirabe must not want to be recognized by folks at school since she kept her face hidden on the show, so naturally, he couldn¡¯t spill the beans.


    ¡°Oh, for a second I thought you figured out who she was,¡± his deskmate said, not pressing further, well aware that Vincent was all about hitting the books.


    Clearing his throat, the deskmate went on gossiping, ¡°Someone in our dorm¡¯s been hooked on that livestream, digging around trying to confirm if she really is from Parkside High School.¡±


    Although Mirabe was a well-known figure at Parkside High School, she kept a low profile, rarely mingling much. And now, she was regarded as the ace student. Even though plenty had seen Country Comfort, few connected the dots between her and the mysterious girl on the show


    Vincent idly twirled his phone, then finally said, ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like someone from our school.¡±


    ¡°Maybe<i>,¡± </i>his ssmate shrugged.


    Vincent nced at him, dropping his aloof demeanor for once and advised, ¡°You¡¯d be better off spending your time on books and tests instead of gossip.¡±


    Thinking of the stack of review material Mirabe had sent him, he added with a hint of sternness, ¡°I¡¯ll bring some test papers tomorrow. Compile a list of students whose quiz scores droppedst week. We¡¯ve got to patch up the gaps and can¡¯t afford to drag down the Prodigy ss.¡±


    His deskmate watched him expressionlessly for a long moment before finally saying, ¡°Man, you¡¯re a real taskmaster.¡± He himself was on that list of students whose scores had slipped.


    Vincent¡¯s lips twitched into a smile. ¡°Thanks for thepliment.¡±


    After that, Vincent cheerfully turned away, pondering 10 [Hey, your mask¡¯s slipping.]


    eeconds before he opened his phone and shot Mirabe a message.


    On the receiving end, Mirabe was utterly baffled by the cryptic text and replied with a question mark. But after sending it, she got no response from Vincent as if he deliberately chose to stay silent.


    Although Mirabe found it weird, she didn¡¯t press the issue and settled back into the quietest corner of the library to continue reading.


    Around four in the afternoon, her phone buzzed on the table.

 Chapter 518

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    Tiun sem lentes cossion grow more


    <b>Chapter </b><b>518 </b>


    Mirabe nced at her phone and promptly hit the end call button. The library was a sanctuary of silence, with everyone engrossed in their books, maintaining a hushed reverence.


    After hanging up, Mirabe opened her Messenger app and scrolled to James¡® chat. She shot him a quick message. [What¡¯s up?]


    James was in his car when he read her message. His fingers danced across the screen. [Heard from Curtis you were looking for me this afternoon?]


    She hadn¡¯t expected Curtis to pass on her casual inquiry to James. With a shrug, she replied, [Yeah, never mind. It¡¯s nothing.]


    James shifted in his seat, resting an arm on the window frame, and he continued to text. You at home or?]


    [At the Downtown Library.] Mirabe eyed the clock before standing up. She gathered a few psychology books from the table and methodically retumed each to its rightful ce on the shelves.


    ? ? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???E ?? ? ? ?? ???


    The librarian<b>, </b>who had noticed Mirabe for her looks<b>, </b>was genuinely surprised. It was rare to see someone retum a stack of books to their exact locations without a hint of confusion, a feat not even the seasoned librarians could always manage. He watched her with a mix of admiration and disbelief in his eyes. What a memory she had.


    After putting away the books, Mirabe strolled to the esctor. As she descended, she checked her phone again for James¡® reply.


    James: <b>[</b><b>I¡¯m </b>passing by that area. Need a lift?]


    He offered a ride, so Mirabe didn¡¯t hesitate to ept with a simple, [Sure.]


    James: [Should be there in ten.]


    Phone in pocket, she made her way down to the ground floor and slipped into the restroom.


    Ten minutester, <b>in </b>the car.


    <i>¡°</i>So, weren¡¯t you supposed to be at a photoshoot today? What brought you back to the library?¡± James nced over at Mirabe with casual curiosity.


    ¡°Yeah, I had some free time in the afternoon, so I decided to catch up on some reading and help a ssmate with some research,¡± she said<b>, </b>tracingzy circles on the car window.


    James¡® gaze deepened, his voice light and nonchnt. ¡°Research for Knox¡¯s grandson?¡±


    She nodded, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    There seemed to be a hint of something else in his eyes, perhaps a trace of jealousy. Wyatt, driving, sneakily checked the rearview mirror, James wasn¡¯t usually one to gossip.


    Oblivious to any undercurrents, Mirabe casually added, ¡°We were in apetition together once.¡±


    It sounded like a bond forged in fire. Wyatt mentally noted the revolutionary camaraderie, then saw James¡® expression grow more intense. He chimed in, ¡°Yeah, Knox¡¯s grandson is quite the catch. Handsome chap. Popr at your school, I bet?¡±


    James shot Wyatt a t look.


    Mirabe reclined in her seat, replying, ¡°Mayb. I haven¡¯t


    Wyatt wasn¡¯t surprised by her response. After all, she was the epitome of cluelessness,pletely devoid of romantic distractions. Thus, the jealous note in James¡® mood was doomed to linger without sce.


    Clearing his throat, Wyatt deftly changed the subject, ¡°By the way, Ms. Mirabe, what¡¯s the brand of the surveince system you installed at home?

 Chapter 519

    Mirabe¡¯s eyes, which had been shut, fluttered open at W


    yatt¡¯s inquiry. Her mind was brought back to Curtis¡® unexpected appearance at <b>her </b>home earlier in the afternoon, and <b>a </b>flicker of intrigue passed through her clear gaze.


    After pondering for a brief moment, she responded nonchntly, <b>¡°</b>Just got it online, some no¨Cname brand, I don¡¯t quite recall what it was called<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    At her words, Wyatt nearly mistook the elerator for the brake, causing the car to jolt for an instant.


    What was <b>he </b>hearing? Could you just buy DO Group¡¯s not¨Cfor¨Csale surveince systems online?


    Was the world¡¯s foremost cutting¨Cedge techpany a no¨Cname brand<b>? </b>


    Was Ms. Mirabe somehow mistaken about what ¡®no¨Cname¡® meant<b>? </b>


    Wyatt¡¯s expression turned incrediblyplex, and he suddenly felt the urge to pull up every shred of information on the DO Group and school her on it. After a long silence, he spoke up, his voiceced with a hint of irony, ¡°Id love to install one of those ¡®no¨Cname brand security systems at my ce, too.¡±


    Mirabe cast a nce at him and retorted, ¡°Well<b>, </b>you can keep wishing.¡±


    Wyatt was rendered speechless.


    James¡® lips twitched, evidently ustomed to Mirabe¡¯s casual fibs, knowing full well he wouldn¡¯t get a straight answer out of her. He cleared his throat and said to Wyatt, ¡®Just drive.¡±


    Wyatt mped his mouth shut.


    James¡± elbow casually rested on the door frame, and his fingers propped his temple. He turned his head slightly, his gaze sporadicallynding on Mirabe¡¯s face, filled with profound meaning. It seemed the youngdy had quite a few secrets up her sleeve.


    Mirabe ignored the scrutinizing looks from James, tilted her head, and rested back into the seat, closing her eyes to rest. The car fell into a tranquil silence.


    Wyatt shot a nce at the rear¨Cview mirror before refocusing on the road ahead. However, after a couple of traffic light intersections, he sensed that their car might be tailed. Despite the distance and the trailing car¡¯s decent attempt at stealth, it couldn¡¯t escape Wyatt¡¯s vignce.


    Narrowing his eyes, he veered off at the next intersection, not towards their neighborhood but down a side street, elerating as he did.


    This prompted Mirabe to open her eyes. Noticing they were no longer on the main road but had turned onto a one¨Cway street, she raised an eyebrow in question.


    After a series of twists and turns, veering off their intended path and winding through the city¡¯s backstreets, they finally shook off the taill. Wyatt exhaled in relief and turned back toward the neighborhood.


    Damn, which rival family had sent that persistent shadow? It took over twenty minutes to shake them off.


    ncing at the rear¨Cview mirror and seeing Mirabe sitting quietly, ap


    apparently unaware of any oddity, Wyatt felt at ease.


    The Shepherd family was indeed one of Riverdales eget prestigious, and James was naturally under tight surveince by other familles. Given his known health issues, which werenay secret, those wishing to strike from the shadows were legion. Being followed like today was nothing new. <b>If </b><b>it </b>weren¡¯t for the premce of Ms. Mirabe, who had yet to be exposed to the darker side of things<b>, </b>they wouldn¡¯t have just let it slide with a simple evasion.


    With a subtle <b>shift </b>in his gaze, Wyatt slowed the car back to a regr pace. Some minutester, they finally arrived at the neighborhood. Wyatt parked outside the Davis family¡¯s grand estate. Mirabe bid James a quick farewell and promptly exited the vehicle.


    Once Mirabe was safely inside, Wyatt restarted the car

 Chapter 520

    <b>Chapter </b><b>520 </b>


    Wyatt steered his car back to the neighboring vi, the purr of the engine falling silent as he parked. He stepped out, trailing <b>beside </b><b>James</b>. ¡°The guy tailing our <b>car </b>today had some skills. <b>I¡¯m </b>just not sure whose crew sent him.¡±


    James entered the foyer casually slipping off his shoes to rece them with a pair he fetched from the closet. ¡®With the underworld here reshuffling, it¡¯s natural that the other families want a piece of the pie,¡± he mused.


    <b>Wyatt </b>frowned, pondering for a moment before suggesting. ¡°Maybe you should skip the Bishop family¡¯s wake in a couple of days. Curtis and I can handle it.¡±


    The Bishops had vast clout in Ashford¡¯s underbelly and were a key yer in the international syndicate scene. Now, the patriarch had suddenly passed, and there wasn¡¯t <b>a </b>single person among the next generation cut out for leadership.


    Naturally, the Bishops had long been in the crosshairs of various factions, and now they faced a crisis. It was not just about the Bishops themselves; anyone eyeing their empire was a potential target for elimination.


    James nced over at Wyatt, his tone light as a feather. <b>¡°</b>No need.¡± With that, he strode into the main hall.


    Wyatt followed, hesitant. ¡°But¡­¡±


    He was about to add something when he caught sight of Donald sitting in the dining room. His words caught in his throat, quickly reced by a respectful, ¡°Mr. Donald.¡±


    Donald was far enough and hadn¡¯t quite caught their conversation, but noting their serious expressions, he inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the trouble?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Wyatt deflected, eyes briefly meeting the floor.


    The dinner was alreadyid out on the table. James washed his hands and took a seat, pulling out a chair. He nced at Donald and said, ¡°Let¡¯s eat first. Well talk after.¡±


    Donald¡¯s weathered face tensed. ¡°You¡¯re not going to start about sending me back, are you?*


    James, just about to pick up his fork, didn¡¯t pause as he served Donald some food, then murmured in affirmation. ¡°I¡¯ve told you I¡¯m not going back to Riverdale just yet. It¡¯s really not convenient for you here, James replied, a hint of exasperation in his voice.


    That set Donald off, his hand mming down on the table, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Exin to me how exactly I¡¯m inconveniencing you?¡±


    James, face still a mask of calm, took a moment before saying, ¡°Your presence here is seriously hindering my efforts to find a bride.*


    Wyatt, standing off to the side, shot a nce at James, thinking, ¡°Come on, you weren¡¯t exactly on the hunt even when Donald wasn¡¯t


    around.¡±


    Donald¡¯s hand smacked the table again, his frustration evident. ¡°rify that for me. How am I getting in your way?*


    James met Donald¡¯s imitation with a serene fa?ade. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be aware.*


    Donald fell silent.


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll personally drive you back tomorrow<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>The tone was light, but those who knew James understood the decision was set in


    stone<b>. </b>


    Donald pushed back from the table, his meal forgott


    stomped upstairs.


    Curtis, returning from the cer with a bottle of red wine, scened the dining room, puzzled, ¡°Where¡¯s Mr. Donald?¡±


    Wyatt raised his eyebrows subtly at Curtis, then motioned towards James with a slight shrug. Curtis caught on immediately. Did Donald throw a <b>fit </b>again?


    Curtis nced at the wine in his hands, now unsure whether to uncork it or not After all, it was Donald who had asked for it.

 Chapter 521

    <b>Chapter </b><b>521 </b>


    <b>Wyatt </b>coughed, promptly shattering the stillness of the living room. ¡°Really<i>, </i>it¡¯s no big deal if Mr. Benald stays he said, a casual draw in his voice. ¡°I could just have <b>a </b>few extra guys tail him discreetly.¡±


    Curtis turned to him with <b>a </b>raised eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Wyatt then gave him the lowdown on being tailed on the way back to the neighborhood and shared his insights on the current situation. After listening, Curtis paused for a few seconds before saying, ¡°I¡¯m leaning toward sending Mr. Donald home; 188.¡±


    With the situation so murky<b>, </b>having Donald around was just adding to the worry.


    ¡°But knowing Mr. Donald and his temper¡­¡± Wyatt let out a sigh.


    Donald skipped dinner over a little disagreement.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. The old man blows up fast<b>, </b>but he cools down just as quick,¡± Curtis reassured. Then, after a brief pause, he circled back to the matter at hand. ¡°I¡¯ll go check <b>out </b>who was behind that little incident tonight.¡±


    ¡°Right, we need to get to the bottom of this. We can handle ourselves, but God forbid someone starts targeting Ms. Mirabe, Wyatt said, his voice taking on <b>a </b>serious note.


    Ms. Mirabe was <b>a </b><b>top</b>¨C<b>notch </b>alchemist, and the way James looked out for her said volumes about her importance. Not to mention, with Ms. Mirabe around, James¡® chronic condition was thest thing they had to worry about.


    Curtis nced at Wyatt. ¡°I¡¯m on it.¡± With that, he picked up his ss of red wine and headed back to the cer.


    Wyatt watched Curtis disappear before turning back. ¡°James, should we arrange for someone to look after Ms. Mirabe?¡±


    James¡® gaze was distant as if recalling something, and he simply shook his head. ¡°No need.¡±


    Wyatt was visibly taken aback, having not expected James to dismiss the idea so readily. After a moment of surprise, he asked again, uncertain, ¡°But¡­ Ms. Mirabe is just an ordinary person with no means to protect herself. Are you sure we shouldn¡¯t arrange protection?¡±


    James picked up his cutlery and resumed his dinner with refined grace. It was a while before his voice floated back. ¡°No¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Wyatt said, touching the tip of his nose. Though he didn¡¯t grasp the full story, he trusted James¡® judgment and decided not to press further.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had just gotten home to find Shawn looking rather perplexed. He¡¯d been informed his daughter had given ther bodyguards the slip,


    Today, Grady¡¯s men had followed his daughter closely, shadowing her to the library and then watching her climb into a private sedan. Normally, a private car wouldn¡¯t raise eyebrows, but this one had managed to lose the bodyguards tailing it, which was curious, to say


    the least.


    Any average Joe wouldn¡¯t stand a chance of shaking off those guards, yet not only had they been ditched, but it had also be painfully clear that whoever was driving had some serious counter¨Csurveince skills. So, who exactly had his daughter hitched a ride with?


    Shawn kept his suspicions to himself, casually asking you cab it home, sweetheart?¡±


    Mirabe, cing her purse on a side cab and oblivious fo shawn¡¯s scrutinizing look, replied, ¡°Caught a ride with someone.¡±


    ¡°Oh? A friend?¡± he prodded.


    She hummed in affirmation and moved to pour herself a ss of warm water After a couple of sips, she finally noticed Shawn¡¯s oddly inquisitive stare and narrowed her eyes slightly. ¡°Dad?¡±

 Chapter 522

    Chapter <b>522 </b>


    Thest thing Shawn wanted was to scare his daughter with the knowledge that several bodyguards were shadowing her every move. Better to leave some stones unturned.


    Clearing his throat<b>, </b>Shawn steered the conversation in a lighter direction. ¡°How did themercial shoot with Leo go today?¡±


    <b>¡°</b>It went alright,¡± Mirabe replied, cradling her mug with slender, artistically elegant fingers. ¡°We might need to take a few more shots in a couple of days, but that should wrap it up.¡± She was blissfully unaware of the storm brewing on Twitter, where images of her and Leo¡¯s ad shoot had gone viral, topping the trending charts.


    ncing around the room, Mirabe asked, ¡°Leo¡¯s not back yet?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± The mention of Leo brought a hint of disdain to Shawn¡¯s face. His absence was a wee reprieve.


    Mirabe¡¯s phone buzzed discreetly in her pocket. Setting her cup on the nearby table, she checked the message- a bank transfer notification. Her eyebrows arched in mild surprise. Niki¡¯s patient had settled the consultation fee much sooner than she¡¯d anticipated.


    Pocketing the phone, her mood lifted. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s for dinner? Oh, and where¡¯s Mom?¡±


    ¡°Your mother¡¯s out dining with friends. We can order from the¡­ get some delivery.¡± Shawn swallowed thest <i>word</i>, ¡®restaurant, hoping she wouldn¡¯t notice.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why don¡¯t we order from our own restaurant? The food¡¯s quite decent.¡±


    Shawn grunted in agreement, then inadvertently asked, ¡°Which restaurant are you referring to?<b>¡± </b>


    Which restaurant, indeed? It seemed their family¡¯s business ventures extended beyond just one. Mirabe¡¯s smile held a secret.


    Catching her gaze, a jolt of realization shot through Shawn. He¡¯d let something slip. Shawn turned his head away in a feeble attempt to hide his guilt; it wasn¡¯t long before he faced her again, probing, ¡°How did you know about our diners? I was sure I¡¯d kept it under wraps.¡± A leak in the family secret? Inconceivable!


    ¡°Last time Zach had that blind date, we ended up at the exclusive restaurant,¡± Mirabe sold out her brother without hesitation.


    A cold fury settled in Shawn¡¯s eyes. No wonder that little rat had been dodging home.


    Meanwhile, Zach suddenly sneezed in the midst of a business meeting..Rubbing his nose, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that someone was cursing his name.


    <b>** </b>


    Two dayster, at the Reeves estate.


    Early in the morning, Dane came to Owen¡¯s room to check his pulse and assess his condition.


    ¡°Mr. Dane, how is Mr. Owen faring now?¡± Johnny, who had been standing by anxiously, asked as soon as Dane withdrew his hand.


    Dane¡¯s emotions were a tangled mess these past couple of days. He hadn¡¯t expected a simple tonic prescription to actually improve Owen¡¯s health. The pulse was steady now, and the daily wasting had ceased since starting the medication, indicating that the illness was under control.


    Rising from his chair, Dane spoke calmly, ¡°He¡¯s stab


    Johnny¡¯s face lit up with excitement. ¡°So, as long as he continues with your treatment, our master will soon recover?¡±


    The phrase ¡®your treatment¡® made Dane¡¯s eyelids droop ever so slightly.


    <b>1/1 </b>

 Chapter 523

    <b>Chapter </b><b>523 </b>


    After a moment. Dane looked back at Johnny, his expression betraying nothing out <b>of </b>the ordinary. ¡°Well, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should be possible.¡±


    Johnny was thrilled, nearly leaping forward to shake Dane¡¯s hands in gratitude. ¡°I can¡¯t thank you enough. Without your help, who knows when my master¡¯s illness would improve.¡±


    Owen, lying in bed, frowned and cast a nce at Johnny. Dane, however, just chuckled and shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re giving me too much credit, Johnny. I simply made a few tweaks to the prescription Ms. Mirabe had given us. It¡¯s really nothing.¡±


    After taking the decoction on the first day, Owen had shown significant improvement. So<b>, </b>on the second day. Dane decided to have him take some pills, which he had refined based on Ms. Mirabe¡¯s recipe. After all, the medicine he crafted was bound to be more potent than any decoction.


    And, as expected, today¡¯s pulse check confirmed just that.


    Seeing Dane downy his contribution, Johnny took it as an act of modesty and said, ¡°Ms. Mirabe is talented, of course, but the medicine you¡¯ve concocted is also quite remarkable.¡±


    Dane stood a little taller and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll have the second batch of the prescription ready for you soon.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s much appreciated,¡± said Johnny, his politeness increasing by the moment.


    ¡°No need for thanks.¡± With that, Dane didn¡¯t linger any longer and left the guest room.


    Once Dane was gone, Johnny turned back to Owen and was about to speak when Owen¡¯s voice preempted him.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting quite adept at currying favor,¡± Owen said coolly, his gaunt face as stern as ever.


    Johnny knew full well that the prescription was the girl¡¯s doing, yet he had deliberately attributed all the credit to Dane.


    Johnny fell silent for a couple of seconds before he moved to the side, picked up a briefcase from the chair, and pulled out some documents. He then walked back and handed them to Owen. ¡°Ms. Mirabe maye from an ordinary family, but Dane is on the brink of bing a high¨Clevel alchemist. Between the two, I just think it¡¯s more beneficial to cultivate a good rtionship with Dane.¡±


    If Dane had no intention of getting closer to Owen, he wouldn¡¯t have made an excuse for Owen to stay with the Reeves family these past few days, nor would he have gone out of his way <b>to </b>refine the medicine into a higher¨Cgrade product. Dane was clearly seeking a connection, and Owen needed ess to hiswork. Why should Johnny refuse?


    Johnny saw things very clearly. He knew Mirabe deserved the credit, but what of it? The fee for her service had been paid, and if they ever crossed paths again, they would be nothing more than strangers without any connection.


    Owen flipped through the documents, which didn¡¯t contain much detail, just a record of Mirabe¡¯splex familywork¨Cfoster parents, birth parents, several brothers, and their upations. It was all there.


    He quickly set the documents down and looked up at Johnny. ¡°Tell Niki we¡¯re leaving today.¡±


    After a pause, Owen added, ¡°In a while, arrange to send some gifts to the Davis family.¡±


    09:48


    Johnny had no objections; it was a life¨Csaving grace, after all. He acknowledged the instruction.


    As Johnny was about to put the documents back in the briefcase, his eyes caught the name ¡®Colton Gilbert<b>¡® </b>from the Gilbert family, and he paused, feeling a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. He skimmed the background information and suddenly remembered that the Gilbert Corporation was listed in the recent municipal


    tender.


    <b>2/2 </b>

 Chapter 524

    <b>Chapter </b><b>524 </b>


    Johnny had been knee¨Cdeep in municipal tender documentstely, so his memory of thepanies on the bid list was sharp. Strolling over to Owen, he said, ¡°Gilbert Corporation threw their hat in the ring for the bid.¡±


    ¡°Did they?¡± Owen nced at Johnny, his expression as tranquil as a still pond, then looked away and remarked coolly, ¡°Let¡¯s take a closer look at them then.¡±


    Johnny nodded in agreement, ¡°Got it.¡±


    Owen flung back the covers and slowly got out of bed, standing up in his baggy pajamas, which hung loosely over his lean frame. As he dressed, he added, ¡°Don¡¯t roll out the red carpet for them. If they make the grade, they stay.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Johnny responded softly.


    Owen¡¯s rise to his current position at such a young age was due in no small part to his reputation for impartiality, refusing to let nepotism creep in anywhere.


    The fact that he¡¯d even mentioned giving Gilbert Corporation a closer inspection was a rare move. Offering them an opportunity was a nod to Ms. Mirabe¡¯s influence. Whether Gilbert Corporation had the chops to seize it was another matter entirely.


    1


    Mirabe nced at the text from an unknown number on her phone. It was brief, with no name attached, just a simple ¡°Thank you.¡± Resting her forehead in her hand, she didn¡¯t bother to inquire who sent it, dismissing the message like junk mail and deleting it.


    Her friend Jenna, who¡¯d been on the brink of a breakdown from the relentless math drills, lifted her weary head only to catch the sight of Mirabe, the picture of rxation, idly scrolling through her phone.


    Theparison stoked Jenna¡¯s frustration, and she mmed her pen down, exasperated, ¡°Babe, could you please show a little sympathy for thisb rat you¡¯ve trapped!¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Mirabe arched an eyebrow, casting a sideways nce at Jenna, but set her phone aside.


    ¡°Finished with the quizes?¡±


    Jenna just stared back, her hands practically aching at the thought of more math.


    Straightening up, Mirabe reached for Jenna¡¯s paper and, after a few minutes, gave a nod. ¡°Not bad, you¡¯re getting there. Looks like the grind is paying off.¡±


    Jenna¡¯s eyes still carried a hint of grievance. After all the papers she¡¯d gone through, how could it not pay


    off?


    Ignoring Jenna¡¯s puppy¨Cdog eyes, Mirabe continued, ¡°I¡¯ve been assessing your hold on the materialtely, and you should be able to handle the first¨Croundpetition problems just fine. But the second round¡¯s number theory andbinatorics are your Achilles¡® heel¡­¡±


    Ah, the ssic overachiever¨Conce they started talking academics, there was no stopping them.


    Jenna, feeling force¨Cfed with knowledge, interrupted with a defeated tone, ¡°Can I just drop out?¡±


    Mirabe paused, her gaze yful yet piercing. After a nerve¨Cwracking five seconds, Jenna picked up her pen again, pulling out a new test from under the table, <b>¡°</b>I¡¯ll just keep grinding. The grind brings me joy. I


    <b>1/2 </b>


    09:48


    love it.¡±


    Having tackled a couple of fill¨Cin¨Cthe¨Cnks, Jenna suddenly looked up, remembering something. ¡°Hey, Mira, you¡¯re the talk of the town again. Did you know?¡±


    Mirabe looked puzzled.


    ¡°Remember that sportswear ad you did? It¡¯s all over video sites and entertainment tforms. The outfit you wore? Total sellout. You can¡¯t even buy it with a fistful of dors.¡±


    Jenna nibbled on her pen, her words free of exaggeration. After a brief pause, she added, ¡°And ever since you mentioned Parkside High School during your stream, the biggest buzz around campus has been about tracking you down.¡±


    <i>2/2 </i>

 Chapter 525

    <b>Chapter </b><b>525 </b>


    After hearing the news, Mirabe suddenly recalled the cryptic message Vincent had sent her on Facebook Messenger a couple of days ago. [Hey, your mask¡¯s slipping.]


    At the time, she hadn¡¯t quite grasped his meaning. Could this be what he was hinting at? Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Mirabe felt a headacheing on.


    ¡°I think you might be exposed this time,¡± Jenna said with <b>a </b>touch of schadenfreude.


    If the girls in the chat group found out their idol¡¯s sister was the top dog at their own school, the image would be priceless.


    Mirabe gave Jenna a nk stare, no longer in the mood to talk.


    The Math Olympiad was scheduled for thising weekend. Usually, Mirabe would spend her weekends co¨Chosting the ¡®Country Comfort¡® podcast with Leo, but because of the Olympiad, she had to sit


    this one out.


    Come Saturday, she arrived at school bright and early.


    Math Olympiad participants from schools nationwide were taking the test at their own campuses. The contest was divided into two sessions.


    This year, Eagle High School was hosting in coboration with the local Education Association, which meant they were also responsible for crafting the questions.


    Over two hundred juniors from Parkside High were participating and were spread across eight different exam halls. Mirabe¡¯s candidate number was in the hundreds, cing her in Room 5, while Jenna ended up in Room 2.


    Once inside the examination hall, the clock struck eight, and the proctor walked in with the sealed test packets, opening them in front of everyone and distributing the papers.


    To ensure the fairness of the Olympiad, the test papers had been delivered by the Education Association that morning in a sealed state, preventing any prior leaks.


    The first session was eighty minutes long, and upon receiving the paper, Mirabe quickly scanned the types of questions before picking up her pen and diving in.


    Of all the academicpetitions, math was the most highly recognized by colleges and also the toughest. This year¡¯s paper, set by Eagle High, was even more challenging than the previous year¡¯s.


    Back in the teachers¡® lounge, the math department head had justid eyes on the first session¡¯s paper and was visibly surprised. ¡°This year¡¯s test is quite tricky. Thest three extended response questions are clearly beyond the sybus. Eagle High¡­ are they trying to trip up this year¡¯s students?¡±


    ¡°It looks like it, and this is just the first session. The second session must be even tougher,¡± another math teacher said with a grim expression.


    ¡°I¡¯ve done a quick analysis, and given the difficulty of these questions, I doubt many students will be able to finish within eighty minutes,¡± said the department head, setting the paper on the table.


    Mr. Hammond had made it clear that Parkside High couldn¡¯t fall behind Eagle High in this year¡¯s Olympiad. In the lead¨Cup, the math department had worked overtime, poring over potential questions and drilling the


    09:48


    students with practice problems. However, after reviewing the session one test, they realized that aside from three predicted fill¨Cin¨Cthe¨Cnk questions, the rest would be entirely up to the students¡® own


    mastery.


    With little exposure to these question types, solving them would take time; this was why the department head was concerned.


    ¡°Now, all we can do is rely on the students¡® performance. Who could have anticipated such difficult questions? It¡¯s as if they were deliberately set this way,¡± remarked the math teacher with a wry smile.


    After all, this wasn¡¯t just about student exams; it was a contest for the hosting rights of next year¡¯s Olympiad, a showcase of thepeting schools¡® prowess, and a matter of prestige and reputation.


    Parkside High hadn¡¯t got the hosting rights for three yeas. Hopefully, they wouldn¡¯t suffer too embarrassing a defeat.

 Chapter 526

    <b>Chapter </b><b>526 </b>


    The eighty¨Cminute sprint that was the first exam whizzed by in a blur. A twenty¨Cminute breather was all the students had before diving into the deep end with the second exam.


    Mirabe had popped into the restroom for a quick break, and when she came out, she bumped into


    Jenna.


    In contrast to the somber faces of the other students, Jenna was the picture of ease. Spotting Mirabe, her excitement bubbled over. ¡°Queen Mira, you totally rocked it. Half the questions on the exam ¨C you called them!¡±


    Mirabe just arched an eyebrow at her, then casually twisted the faucet to wash her hands. After drying them off, she noticed Jenna still hovering. ¡°Don¡¯t you need the loo?¡±


    Jenna, who¡¯d been mulling over her decent performance in the first exam, snapped to attention and scurried inside. But after a couple of steps, she halted and spun around, calling out, ¡°I¡¯ll be right out. Wait for me so we can head back together, okay?¡±


    Outside in the corridor, Mirabe could overhear snippets of conversation from passing students, all about the difficulty level of the exam. Olympiad questions were notorious for being a notch above the regr school math exams, and this time, some curveballs had been thrown in; they were above the senior level but not quite college material.


    Jenna emerged quickly, all chirpy. ¡°Let¡¯s roll.¡±


    Mirabe gave her a sidelong nce. ¡°Here¡¯s hoping you can keep up that spirit after the second exam.¡±


    Jenna, unfazed, gazed out toward the sports field. ¡°With all the prep you gave me? I¡¯m ready to y.¡±


    Mira had nailed the first exam predictions, and Jenna was banking on a repeat performance for the second. She felt like she¡¯d been possessed by the spirit of a straight¨CA student confidence surging!


    Shaking her head, Mirabe kept silent.


    Side by side, they walked on, neither looking back. So, they didn¡¯t notice Summer stepping out of the restroom behind them. Summer had actually arrived just before Mirabe went in, and upon seeing her, she instinctively closed the door again, staying put. She couldn¡¯t stand the sight of Mirabe, afraid it would stir up the resentment she¡¯d barely managed to tamp down.


    It was Jenna¡¯s enthusiastic ¡°You totally rocked it¡± about the first exam that jarred her once more.


    Summer had always harbored suspicions about Mirabe, who hade back from the countryside. Several probes had left her confused by Mirabe¡¯s attitude, but now¡­ her suspicions red anew.


    Watching Mirabe¡¯s retreating figure, Summer¡¯s gaze darkened.


    Soon, the second exam of the league began. This time, the questions were modeled after the International Math Olympiad, with more expansive knowledge requirements and some content outside the teaching sybus. With a full score of 180 and a duration of 150 minutes, it was a beast.


    Mirabe scanned her exam paper, <b>a </b>rare look of concentration dawning on her face. The math problems were indeed the toughest among the major subjects. These four problem¨Csolving questions were significantly moreplex than the physics and chemistry ones she¡¯d encountered in internationalpetitions.


    <b>09.48 </b>


    But then again¡­ for a mere league, to present a challenge of this international caliber seemed a tad overzealous, didn¡¯t it?


    As Mirabe tackled the questions, her mind wandered back to Mr. Hammond¡¯s emphasis on the league¡¯s significance. This wasn¡¯t just any old exam; it was a battleground for reputation and honor, cloaked in the guise of academicpetition.


    An hour and a halfter, Mirabe penned the final line to thest problem¨Csolving question.

 Chapter 527

    <b>Chapter </b>527


    Mirabe had just capped her pen when the proctor¡¯s cough echoed from above her head. She nced us to find him pacing slowly away, hands sped behind his back, his voice serious and firm as he announced, ¡°One hour left, folks. If you haven¡¯t finished, better hustle. If you¡¯re done, double check your


    work.¡±


    The proctor was none other than the head of the math department. He remembered Mirabe from her stunning victory at thest internationalpetition and was curious to see how she would handle the math in this current league contest. Would she surpass all expectations again, as she hadst time?


    So, as soon as the second round of exams began, he regrly descended from his podium, strolling nonchntly past Mirabe¡¯s desk, impressed and somewhat rmed by her rapid progress. His reminders were meant to spur carefulness in her, but they sent a wave of panic through the rest of the students. They were only halfway through their exams and couldn¡¯t believe someone had already finished Mirabe knew the score. She didn¡¯t hand in her paper early to avoid causing a stir. Instead, she wanted until thest minute to leave the exam room.


    After the second round of the contest, the gloom on the students¡® faces was even thicker than after the first. Eighty percent hadn¡¯t finished their work.


    Mirabe waited for Jenna under a banyan tree by the schoolyard, dressed in a ck hoodie paired with ripped jeans and draped in a khaki coat that elongated her frame. Her hands were stuffed casually in her pockets, her head bowed, toe tapping on the ground¨Ca picture of effortless nonchnce.


    Vincent approached, noting that Mira¡¯s demeanor was asposed as ever. ¡°Waiting for someone?¡± he asked.


    Hearing his voice, Mirabe looked up and hummed an affirmation, then took the initiative to ask, ¡°Howd the test go for you today?¡±


    ¡°The first one was okay, but I¡¯ve never seen the types of problems that were on the second. Probably didn¡¯t do as well as I hoped,¡± Vincent replied slowly. His words suggested disappointment, but his demeanor didn¡¯t reflect any significant distress, indicating he hadn¡¯t done too poorly.


    Mirabe nodded, her voice light. ¡°This time, the questions were off the charts. I reckon everyone¡¯s scores will be on the lower side.¡±


    Vincent cast a sidelong nce at her, not taking her words as constion. ¡°And you? How do you feel about it?<b>¡± </b>


    She shrugged nonchntly, ¡°I¡¯d only bring you down if I told you.¡±


    Vincent¡¯s heart sank. Thanks, I¡¯m already there.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna head out,¡± Vincent said, feeling a little suffocated.


    Mirabe pulled her hand from her pocket and gave him a wave.


    Not long after Vincent had left, Jenna arrived, her face the epitome of post¨Cexamn blues. With a chuckle, Mirabe yfully poked Jenna¡¯s chubby cheek. ¡°Hey, feeling roughed up, huh?¡±


    Jenna tried to dodge the yful assault<b>, </bining, ¡°The second test wasn¡¯t designed for normal people, you know. Four long problems, and I t out didn¡¯t solve two. The other two? Pure guesswork.¡±


    ???


    09:48


    A smirk tugged at Mirabe¡¯s lips. ¡°Tough¡­ really tough.¡±


    Jenna sighed heavily. She wanted to ask Mirabe how she fared, but anticipating the superhuman level of her friend¡¯s performance, she mped her mouth shut. Asking was just inviting more defeat.

 Chapter 528

    Mirabe gave Jenna¡¯s shoulder a hearty pat and dered with a swagger, ¡°Let¡¯s roll. I¡¯m feeling generous today I¡¯m treating you to lunch.¡±


    Jenna followed Mirabe out of the school and into a cab, where Mirabe promptly gave the driver an


    address.


    They arrived at the restaurant, and as Jenna got out of the cab and saw the establishment¡¯s sign, her legs turned to lead. She instinctively reached out to clutch Mirabe¡¯s arm.


    Feeling the tug. Mirabe turned with a quizzical lift of her arched brows. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    Jenna offered a sheepish grin. ¡°Mira, this ce is members¨Conly, and you usually need a reservation. You¡­ do have a reservation, right?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Mirabe tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and amidst Jenna¡¯s look of impending doom, her lips curled into a captivating smile. ¡°I can get in by just showing my face.¡±


    Jenna was bbergasted. That was just¡­ shamelessly bold.


    As Mirabe stepped through the entrance, the restaurant manager, who had been sternly addressing a staff member at the cash register, caught sight of his boss¡® daughter. His serious demeanor softened into a benign, friendly smile, and he approached Mirabe withposed grace. ¡°Ah Miss¡­ you¡¯ve arrived,¡± the manager nodded in greeting.


    Mirabe was about to inquire about a table when the manager spoke up again. ¡°We¡¯ve reserved your usual booth and private room. Would you prefer to dine downstairs or in the upstairs private room?¡±


    Mirabe eyed the manager suspiciously¨Cit almost sounded like he knew she¡¯d be dining there today. She nced at Jenna, probing, ¡°Where would you like to sit?¡±


    Still a bit dazed, Jenna stuttered, ¡°Uh, anywhere¡¯s fine, really. I have no preference.¡±


    After a brief consideration, Mirabe decided, ¡°Let¡¯s take the upstairs room then.¡±


    ¡°Certainly, please follow me,¡± the manager gestured respectfully, leading the way.


    Once settled in the private room, with coffee served and orders ced, the manager excused himself.


    Mirabe gracefully lifted the coffee pot, pouring the steaming liquid into Jenna¡¯s cup, bringing her back to reality. ¡°Mira, this ce¡­¡±


    Mirabe lifted her cup, took a delicate sip, and cut in, ¡°Don¡¯t ask. Just know this face opens doors.¡±


    Jenna could only nod and resign herself to enjoy the free meal quietly. Whyin when you could dine


    on someone else¡¯s dime?


    Being the restaurant owner¡¯s daughter had its perks¨Cthe kitchen served their food with remarkable speed, and in less than twenty minutes, their table was full.


    Jenna took out her phone and snapped pictures of the spread, posting them to her timeline. She had wanted to sneak a picture of Mirabe as well, but as she raised her phone, she was busted before the lens could even focus, leaving her with just a shot of Mirabe¡¯s hand resting on the table.


    As soon as she posted the image, likes andments flooded in. Remarkably, it wasn¡¯t the food that drew the most attention but the artistic shot of Mirabe¡¯s hand¨Cslender and elegantly boned.


    09:48


    Chewing her food, Jenna scrolled through thements, clicking her tongue in admiration. ¡°Big shots like you eclipse even the finest food,¡± she mused.


    Mirabe, who usually abstained from her phone during meals, nced at Jenna and shook her head, choosing not toment.


    After replying to thestment, Jenna was about to close her social app when a notification appeared¨Can alert from her cousin, who had liked her post.


    Not just a like, but he had also left ament. ¡°Nice hand.¡±


    <i>212 </i>

 Chapter 529

    <b>Chapter </b><b>529 </b>


    Although Jenna¡¯s cousin¡¯sment was simr to the others on her video, she was left feeling like a tornado had just ripped through herposure. Her cousin, of all people, was never one to dish outpliments.


    Jenna remembered how she had wanted to introduce Mira to him just the other day. Prompted by the thought, she quickly opened up their chat and shot him a message. [My ssmate is even more of a knockout.]


    No sooner had Jenna hit send than she saw the telltale ¡®typing¡­¡® indicator light up on her cousin¡¯s end. She left her screen on, waiting for his response. However, after two minutes, the ¡®typing¡­¡® vanished, but no message from her cousin followed.


    Bemused, she tossed a quick message his way. [Hi?]


    In return, Jenna was greeted by a ring red exmation mark and a system notification that was anything butforting. [Message sent, but rejected by the recipient.]


    What in the world was happening? Had her cousin just blocked her? Everything seemed fine when she sent the first message!


    Jenna was totally bewildered, clueless as to what had just unfolded.


    Before long, they had finished their meal. As they left the restaurant, the manager asked for Jenna¡¯s number and, on the spot, set her up with a VIP ount, all smiles and politeness throughout.


    Thus, Jenna, somewhat dazed, found herself with a VIP card that was even fancier than a regr membership card. She was practically floating on air as she walked. She had looked up the restaurant online before. You had to spend a hefty sum over the course of a year to earn a membership, let alone an upgraded VIP card.


    Mirabe stood on the curb, waiting for her ride, and had just hung up with her dad. She turned to Jenna. ¡°You gonna make it home okay?¡±


    Jenna looked at Mirabe and shook her head emphatically. ¡°No worries, Mira. You go ahead if you¡¯re busy. I¡¯ll just hail a cab.¡±


    Mirabe pocketed her phone and hummed softly in acknowledgment.


    Half an hourter, at the Davis residence.


    beat before slipping into her house slippers with practiced calm.


    As Mirabe stepped inside, she noticed an unfamiliar pair of shoes at the the tube try to be th


    entrance. She paused for a


    When she walked into the living room, Johnny¡¯s familiar face came into view. Mirabe¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, a chill passing over her face, but she quickly masked her expression. ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯m home.¡±


    Delh and Shawn looked up, acknowledging her with a chorus of hums, and then Shawn spoke up, ¡°Mira, this is Johnny. He¡¯s here to see you.¡±


    Johnny, who had risen to his feet, offered Mirabe a measured smile. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, we meet again.¡±


    09:48


    <b>Her </b>gazended on Johnny, her voice tinged with an unmistakable chill. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Johnny could sense Mirabe¡¯s displeasure and the subtle hostility that seemed to emanate from her, Surprised by the force of presence in an ordinary high schooler, he adjusted his sses and cleared his throat, gesturing towards a collection of elegantly wrapped gifts on the coffee table. ¡°These were personally sent by our boss, as a token of thanks for your help with the¡­¡±


    Mirabe cut him off mid¨Csentence, her brow furrowed. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. You¡¯ve already paid the medical consultation fee. There¡¯s no need for this kind of doorstep gratitude,¡±


    It wasn¡¯t a surprise that he had found her, after all, Niki had hinted at the man¡¯s notable status, and tracking someone down probably wasn¡¯t a difficult task for him. But she didn¡¯t take kindly to being disturbed so abruptly.

 Chapter 530

    <b>Chapter 530 </b>


    For a brief moment<b>, </b>Johnny stiffened, his expression frozen as ice. But his ability to adapt was sharp as a <b>tack</b><b>, </b><b>and </b>faced with Mirabe¡¯s chilly demeanor, he swallowed the pleasantries he¡¯d prepared. ¡°I apologize for the intrusion,¡± he said, his tone stripped of any displeasure and insteadden with sincere contrition.


    Under normal circumstances, had anyone else spoken to him that way, he would¡¯ve told them to hit the road without a second thought. But Mirabe¡­ she was different, someone he couldn¡¯t afford to offend.


    Delh and Shavn, standing by, exchanged a look of surprise. From the moment Johnny had walked through their <b>door</b>, the couple sensed that he was no ordinary visitor. Despite his polite attempts to keep it under wraps, he carried an air of authority. It was clear he was someone of importance.


    And now, this man was apologizing to their daughter¡­ That was odd, indeed.


    Delh seemed poised to speak, but Shawn gently pressed her hand, giving her a look that said, ¡®Not now<i>, </i>and shook his head slightly. She understood and settled back on the couch.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t notice her parents¡® exchange of nces, her own gaze still fixed on Johnny. ¡°If you need anything in the future, <b>you </b>can contact me directly.¡±


    Johnny caught her drift immediately. She probably didn¡¯t appreciate him dropping by and involving her family.


    He let out a silent sigh of relief, grateful that he hadn¡¯t said too much to the Davis family or revealed anything about the healing matters. Given Owen¡¯s delicate situation, the less people knew about his illness, the better.


    ¡°I failed to consider. Please don¡¯t take it to heart, Ms. Mirabe,¡± he apologized once more, the politeness in his voice unwavering. ¡°Sure,¡± Mirabe responded lightly, her tone softened by the presence of her attentive mother nearby. She couldn¡¯t let her guise of the dutiful daughter slip.


    Feeling the slight thaw in her attitude, Johnny allowed himself to rx a fraction. While he could afford to be dismissive with the likes of the Reeves family, he knew that he had to be genuinely courteous with this young girl who held Owen¡¯s health in her hands.


    Mirabe nced <b>at </b>the clock and then addressed Johnny again. ¡°Do you have any other business?¡± Her intent to dismiss him was clear.


    <b>¡°</b>No, I just came to drop these off,¡± Johnny replied, pausing for a beat. He looked at Mirabe. ¡°Would you be avable for another check¨Cup in a couple of days<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe turned out to be surprisingly amodating. ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    Hearing this, Johnny breathed a sigh of relief and then said, ¡°We¡¯ll be in touch then. I won¡¯t keep you any longer. I should be going.¡± After a brief farewell, he nodded respectfully to Shawn and Delh, who were still seated, and quickly made his way out. Shawn, ever the polite host<b>, </b>stood and followed Johnny to the door, seeing him out with a courteous goodbye.


    Once Johnny had left, Delh turned back to her daughter and motioned for Mirabe to join her by patting the couch beside her. Mirabe, with a hand to her forehead, walked over <b>and </b><b>sat </b>down.


    ¡°Sweetheart,¡± Delh began, her curiosity piqued, ¡°who is Mr. Johnny<b>, </b>and why <b>did </b>hee here to thank you?¡±


    He had mentioned his gratitude upon arrival but <b>hadn¡¯t </b>borated on the reasons behind it. Delh had overheard something about <b>a </b><b>¡®</b>consultation fee<b>,</b><b>¡® </b>but the specifics of what that entailed were lost on her.

 Chapter 531

    Mirabe pondered for a moment before replying with casual simplicity, ¡°Just someone who doesn¡¯t matter much. As for the thanks, I suppose it¡¯s because I saved a life


    Delh paused, a hint of surprise in her voice. ¡®Saved a life?¡±


    Yep<b>, </b>Mirabe uttered with a nonchnt nod, not bothering to borate further. She then fished out her smartphone and fired up a live¨Cstreaming app. Today, Princess Leo¡± was flying solo on the stream, and Mirabe wondered if he had managed to avoid any


    trouble.


    Delh wanted to press on, but seeing her daughter engrossed in her phone, exuding a clear air of ¡®drop the subject, she mped her hips shut. Her daughter, usually sopliant and gentle, was a vault of secrets. If Mirabe didn¡¯t wish to share something, it was a closed book,


    Delh decided not to pry further. However, a thought struck her, and she nced at Mirabe, feigning nonchnce as she asked, ¡°By the way, honey, has anyone from the Gilbert family been around to see you again?¡±


    Mirabes gaze remained steadfast on her phone screen, and it took her a few seconds to respond without looking up. ¡°Nope.¡± There was a time when Mandy paid a solitary visit to her school, but that was ages ago and hardly worth mentioning now.


    ¡°Oh, well, if the Gilberts ever doe calling, make sure to let me know, dear.¡± Delh picked up a ss of water from the coffee table and took a sip.


    This time, Mirabe nced askance, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes, ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±


    Delh cleared her throat and said, ¡°No big deal, really. Just don¡¯t want you dealing with bullies again.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes returned to her phone. ¡°They¡¯re not in a position to bully me.¡±


    *Just be sure to talk to me if you run into any trouble, okay? Don¡¯t keep it all bottled up inside,¡± Delh said, her gaze drifting.


    This moming, Grady hade by, reporting that he had traced the recent inquiries into the Davis family. They had suspected their old adversaries and had even arranged for bodyguards to covertly protect their daughter, only to discover it was the Gilbert family- Mirabe¡¯s former foster mother, no less.


    Delh couldn¡¯t fathom why that woman would suddenly take an interest in the Davis family, but it surely wasn¡¯t out of goodwill. Precaution was necessary.


    Time flew, and on Wednesday, Mirabe received a text from Johnny asking her toe by after school for a follow¨Cup check on Owen. She had previously agreed to a second visit, and with no other ns after sses, she texted back a simple [Ok.]


    At five o¡¯clock, as Mirabe stepped out of Parkside High School, a horn honked from a ck sedan parked on the road. A man d in a stark ck suit with a stern demeanor stepped out. He approached Mirabe directly, offering a polite nod. ¡°Ms. Mirabe, Mr. Johnny is waiting for you in the car.¡± Johnny had made it clear to his bodyguard to treat Mirabe with utmost respect. Mirabe gave the man a cursory nce, acknowledging him with a faint hum.


    ?? ??? ?? FF


    The bodyguard gestured invitingly towards the car. Smoothing her shoulder bag, Mirabe walked over without hesitation.


    The ck sedan wasn¡¯t exactly a luxury car, but a closer look revealed modifications especially the windows, which were bulletproof. The bodyguard courteously opened the rear door for her. Mirabe diverted her thoughtful gaze and promptly slid into the backseat. Johnny was seated in the front passenger seat. As soon as she got in, h¨¨ greeted her warmly, ¡°Ms. Mirabe, I appreciate you making the trip.¡±


    Mirabe straightened up and replied with a light affirmation before adding, ¡°I¡¯m not doing this for nothing, you know.¡±

 Chapter 532

    Chapter <b>532 </b>


    Johnny was momentarily stunned when he heard it. Did that mean there would still be a charge??


    Quick on the uptake, he snapped back to reality and blurted out instinctively, ¡°How much for the consultation?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched slightly, seemingly pleased with his quick response. ¡°Depends on the situation,¡± she said simply.


    At her words, Johnny¡¯s mind raced back to the other day when he had talked to the Davis family about asking Mirabe for another consultation and how readily she had agreed. So, it was all about the money, after all.


    Johnny felt a twinge ofplexity in his heart and suddenly asked, ¡°Ms. Mirabe, you don¡¯t catch up with the news much, do you?¡±


    Mirabe was busy scrolling on her phone, replying to messages, when she heard Johnny¡¯s seemingly out¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cblue question. She looked up. ¡°Never watch it.¡±


    That figures.


    A knowing look passed through Johnny¡¯s eyes¨Cas someone who kept up with the news would certainly recognize his boss and wouldn¡¯t bring up the matter of a consultation fee.


    But on second thought, he realized it was probably for the best. If she didn¡¯t recognize the boss, it saved them a lot of hassle and worry that she might leverage the medical visit to make more exorbitant demands.


    Oblivious to Johnny¡¯s thoughts, Mirabe continued her texting, her fingers tapping lightly on the screen. [Currently not brewing any potions.]


    No Stealing My Meds: [Ah, when will you be making more Vitality Pills?]


    No Stealing My Meds¡® was among the few from Mirabe¡¯s online circle with her Messenger contact. He was added precisely because of Leo¡¯s poisoning.


    Mirabe typed back, [Lack the proper equipment, so I can¡¯t brew.]


    In the past, she might have used Niki¡¯sb, but now¡­ well, it was a tad awkward. It seemed like she had to get her own set of alchemy apparatus.


    No Stealing My Meds: [What equipment do you need? <b>I </b>could get it for you.]


    Mirabe¡¯s lips twitched into a half¨Csmile, replying, [No need. I generally have no time.]


    No Stealing My Meds: [Sigh, what are you busy with]


    Too busy to even make money!


    Mirabe nced out the car window and, after a pause, replied, [Busy with next year¡¯s exams.]


    No Stealing My Meds: [That attempt at humor was not funny in the slightest.]


    2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 35 55


    Mirabe didn¡¯t respond further and pocketed her phone.


    After another half¨Chour drive, they finally entered a highly secured residential area. As they passed through the gates, Mirabe purposely nced at the security guards, who all seemed as if they were well¨Ctrained. Inside, the area was under constant surveince, nearly 360¨Cdegree coverage without blind spots.


    Johnny didn¡¯t exin any of this to Mirabe, and the bodyguard driver had taken a few detours before entering themunity as if to shake off any possible tails.


    Eventually, they pulled <b>into </b>the driveway of a vi within themunity<b>, </b>where the bodyguard parked the car, turned off the ignition, and swiftly got out to open the door for Mirabe.


    Stepping out, Mirabe surveyed the yard, noting not just the cameras but also infrared scanners¨Cclear signs <b>of </b>high security. There was hardly any need to investigate, as Owen¡¯s status was practically announced.


    ¡°Ms. Mirabe, please follow me,¡± Johnny said, closing the car door with a focused <b>gaze </b>and leading the way into the vi.


    Mirabe withdrew her assessing gaze and with hands in her coat pockets, followed behind Johnny at an even pace, her demeanor <b>calm</b>, her beautiful face devoid of any trace of intimidation.

 Chapter 533

    <b>Chapter </b><b>533 </b>


    Owen stood <i>by </i>the living room¡¯s floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, wrapped in a sleek ck trench coat that entuated his tall, lean figure. He was on the phone, his usually stern face a mask of seriousness. As Mirabe and Johnny entered the room, Owen nced over his shoulder at them briefly before turning back to continue his conversation.


    Johnny gestured towards the plush sofa. ¡°Please take a seat, Ms. Mirabe,¡± he said softly. ¡°Mr. Owen will be with us shortly.¡±


    Mirabe nodded in acknowledgment and perched herself on the edge of the couch. The vi¡¯s decor was a study in monochrome minimalism, its understated elegance betraying the taste of a discerning designer. Johnny headed to the fridge, fetched a bottle of spring water for Mirabe, and settled himself on a nearby armchair.


    He could tell that Mirabe wasn¡¯t much of a talker, and frankly, what could he possibly have inmon with a high schooler? So he sat in silence, not attempting to make idle chat.


    Before long, Owen finished his call and walked over to them, the severity on his face reced with a touch of cordiality. ¡°My apologies for the wait.¡±


    ¡°No problem at all,¡± Mirabe said, shaking her head. She studied him for a moment. He still looked gaunt<b>, </b>almost skeletal, but there was a newfound vitality in his eyes. ¡°You seem to be on the mend.¡±


    A slight smile curved Owen¡¯s lips. ¡°Thanks to the prescription you wrote,¡± he said graciously.


    Mirabe acknowledged his thanks with a small nod, her demeanor radiating an innate confidence. Her medical expertise was renowned within her n, and her talent was considered unparalleled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s check your pulse,¡± she suggested, motioning towards the chair beside her.


    Owen took a seat next to her and rolled up his sleeve to reveal a wrist where veins stood out starkly against his pale skin. As he reached out, his fingertips trembled ever so slightly. He nced at Mirabe, but her expression remained unfazed as if the sight of his stark veins didn¡¯t unnerve her.


    Mirabe ced her fingers on Owen¡¯s wrist<b>, </b>her touch light and precise. After a moment, she withdrew her hand.


    ¡°How does it look, Ms. Mirabe?¡± Johnny asked, the concern in his voice almost overshadowing Owen¡¯s own.


    Mirabe¡¯s delicate brows furrowed slightly before rxing again. ¡°The recovery is decent,<i>¡± </i>she said. ¡°But you didn¡¯t follow the dosage on my prescription, did you?¡±


    ¡°Actually, we¡¯ve been¡­¡± Johnny started, but his voice trailed off under Mirabe¡¯s prating gaze.


    After a brief pause, he came clean. ¡°Dane modified your prescription and turned it into pills.¡±


    ¡°No wonder,¡± Mirabe thought, her lips pursing slightly.


    Johnny, sensing her displeasure, hurriedly asked, ¡°Is there an issue with Mr. Owen¡¯s treatment, Ms. Mirabe?¡±


    Mirabe tilted her head, staring at Johnny with a directness that seemed to cut through all pretense. ¡°Do you believe that only a potion crafted by an apothecary can be considered medicine, that only such concoctions can heal?¡±


    Her words were simple, yet they made Johnny feel as if he was under a spotlight. ¡°I¡­¡± he stammered.


    ¡°<b>I </b>believe <b>you </b>should not have called me here today,¡± Mirabe said calmly. ¡°You should have sought out Dane instead.¡±


    After all, if the medicine didn¡¯t honor the doctor¡¯s intent, what was the point of the cure?

 Chapter 534

    Chapter <b>534 </b>


    Johnny was on pins and needles the moment he heard Ms. Mirabe¡¯s words, quickly trying to justify himself. ¡°Ma. Mirabe, I was just thinking that Dane¡¯s medicine might work faster than the traditional brew. That¡¯s why I took it.¡±


    Mirabe chuckled and shrugged nonchntly. ¡°That¡¯s why I suggested you consult him in the first ce!


    The same ingredients and dosage can yield different results depending on the method of preparation. It was like the difference between herbal remedies and pharmaceuticals ¨C the former emphasized a gradual approach, while thetter aimed for swift, potent effects. It seemed like this Dane chap might have been so keen to show off his cal prowess that he overlooked the basic principles of medication.


    Johnny was momentarily lost for words, stumped by Mirabe¡¯s retort. When he had medication, he had been confident in Dane¡¯s abilities as a mid¨Clevel pharmacist. He had repeatedly confirmed


    With Dane that from the herbal concoction to The Pill.


    was okay before switching


    Sues. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that she


    Johnny suggested a follow¨Cup with Mirabe to ensure that Owen wouldn¡¯t face further health issues. I would detect the difference just by taking Owen¡¯s pulse.


    Owen, having already rolled down his sleeve, looked towards Mirabe. ¡°I apologize.


    My secretary only wanted to speed up my recovery by trying a different method of medication. But does this change have a significant impact?¡±


    Owen could tell that though Mirabe¡¯s words held an inquisitive tone, she didn¡¯t outright say anything was amiss<b>, </b>which suggested that the medication probably hadn¡¯t caused any serious issues.


    Mirabe didn¡¯t reproach Owen. Her voice was light as air. ¡°Not particrly significant. It just affects the speed of recovery.¡±


    At her words, Johnny stared at her, dumbfounded. If it was affecting the speed of recovery, wasn¡¯t that significant?


    The fact that Owen had been ill was kept under wraps, and he hadn¡¯t shown his face in public for quite a while. Any further dys would undoubtedly stir up a ho¡¯s nest of trouble.


    Johnny was beginning to regret his decision. If he hadn¡¯t given Owen Dane¡¯s medicine, would the situation be better now?


    With a more serious demeanor, Johnny cautiously inquired, ¡°If we resume the original prescription you provided, would that work?¡±


    Mirabe shot him a look. ¡°Do you think treatment is something you can just switch on and off at will<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Johnny didn¡¯t dare to respond, but his respect for Mirabe visibly grew. It was clear from the moment she raised the issue of medication and dosage after taking the pulse that she was a professional with genuine expertise.


    3 5 5 3 5 5 5 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2


    After a few seconds of hesitation, Johnny still asked in a low voice, ¡°So what do we do now?¡± Mirabe tapped her fingers idly on her knee, seemingly indifferent and silent. An eerie quiet fell over the room until Owen spoke up to break it, ¡°What¡¯s your price?¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s tapping stopped, and she tilted her head towards Johnny. ¡°Pen and paper.¡±


    Johnny was taken aback. That was it?


    Snapping back to reality, he rummaged through his briefcase, pulled out <b>a </b>pen and notepad, and handed them to Mirabe.


    Mirabe jotted down a few herbalponents, handed the notepad back to Johnny, and added, ¡°Don¡¯t waste any more money on the wrong things.¡±


    Johnny nced down at the fee listed on the paper ¨C seven figures.


    Mirabe rose from the sofa, her expression neutral as she addressed Owen, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in who you are. To me, we¡¯re just doctor and patient, nothing more, nothing less.¡±

 Chapter 535

    Owen gazed at Mirabe, and in a sh, he deciphered her silent message.


    To the world, she was simply assuring him that his secrets were safe with her, but beneath the surface, she was unmistakably sending him a warning: don¡¯t even think about digging into her past.


    A flicker of intrigue passed through Owen¡¯s eyes. Here was this seemingly average high school girl radiating an aura of strength that belied her ordinary appearance.


    ¡°It¡¯s the quiet ones,¡± he mused, who often possess more talent and skill than those basking in the limelight.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s cell phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out, saw it was a call from Zach, and with a swift flick of her finger, she dismissed the call. Looking up, she said, ¡°The instructions for the meds are all on the sheet. I gotta Jet¡±


    Owen stood up without trying to hold her back. ¡°Sure thing,¡± he said, then turned to Johnny. ¡°Johnny, would you mind escorting Ms. Mirabe out?¡°


    Johnny, careful as ever, folded the prescription neatly and tucked it into his pocket before nodding, ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±


    Mirabe thought about declining the offer, but she remembered the tight security of the gatedmunity and chose not to voice any objections.


    Johnny walked Mirabe to the front gate and instructed the security to ensure she got home safely. Once her ride was out of sight, he made his way back to the vi.


    Owen was back on the couch, lost in thought. Johnny approached, pouring him a ss of warm water, and ventured, ¡°Sir, what¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    Owen took the ss, and after a brief silence, he spoke, ¡°That girl, she¡¯s an enigma.¡±


    Johnny gave him aplex look, then pulled out the prescription from his pocket and handed it to him. ¡®Is the mystery girl really what we should be focusing on right now?¡® he thought.


    Owen nced at the prescription and paused when his eyesnded on the consultation fee. For a long moment, he looked expressionless before his gaze returned to Johnny¡¯s face. ¡°Who switched my meds?¡±


    Whoever did it is footing the bill!¡®


    Johnny, catching on instantly, quickly re¨Cpocketed the paper, pretending as if the conversation never happened. ¡°I¡¯ll go get the meds,¡± he said, bolting out of the room.


    In the car, Mirabe pulled out her phone, popped in her earbuds, and dialed Zach back.


    The call barely connected before Zach¡¯s voice came through, tinged with concern. ¡°Mira, where the heck are you? Dad¡¯s going ballistic, saying you¡¯ve vanished off the face of the earth?¡±


    The word ¡°vanished¡± caught Mirabe off guard. Hadn¡¯t she called Shawn earlier to say she¡¯d be backte?


    ¡°I¡¯m out, heading home now,¡± she replied, cool as a cucumber.


    Zach, on the other side, let out a sigh of relief and casually mentioned, ¡°Dad said you hopped in a car, and then poof, you were gone. Had me worried you¡¯d run into trouble or something.¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s grip on her phone tightened slightly, puzzled. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®poof<b>, </b>gone?¡±


    Realizing his slip, Zach quickly covered up, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed. This was hardly sounding like ¡®nothing.¡¯


    Clearing his throat, Zach didn¡¯t give her a chance to probe further. ¡°How about you send me your location? I¡¯ll swing by, and we can head home together.¡±


    Mirabe nced out the window; the car was now cruising down the main city drag. After a moment¡¯s consideration, she agreed, ¡°Alright.¡±

 Chapter 536

    <b>Chapter </b><b>536 </b>


    Twenty minutester, Zach pulled into the location Mirabe had sent him¨Ca quaint little coffee shop nestled on the corner of a bustling street.


    After parking, Zach¡¯s eyes immediately caught sight of his sister standing by the sidewalk. Her head bowed as she sipped from a steaming cup oftt¨¦. He gave the horn a short toot.


    At the sound, Mirabe looked up. Hertte was only half¨Cfinished as she made her way over. As she approached, the passenger window slid down, and she paused before asking with a hint of jest, ¡°Hey Zach, want att¨¦?¡±


    Zach nced at the coffee shop and noticed a rather long line outside. He shed a smile and began to decline, ¡°No, I-¡±


    Before he could even finish, Mirabe swung open the passenger door, slid into the seat with an elegant twist, and clicked her seatbelt into ce.


    Zach was left with his smile frozen on his face, baffled. Wasn¡¯t she just asking if he wanted att¨¦?


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem like the sweet tooth type, plus we shouldn¡¯t waste money,¡± Mirabe said, making the decision for him as she took another sip of hertt¨¦.


    Zach was left speechless. He shot her a look of wounded betrayal and restarted the car¡¯s engine.


    Every day, she¡¯d bring Leo cakes, and now, she wouldn¡¯t even spare him, her own brother, att¨¦?


    Mirabe pretended not to notice Zach¡¯s look, and after a while, she inquired, ¡°By the way, Zach, what <b>did </b><b>you </b>mean on the phone earlier?¡±


    With his hands firmly on the wheel and eyes on the road, Zach replied, ¡°Dad me about it.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why do I get the feeling that¡¯s not the whole story?¡±


    get through to you on the phone, so he came to ask


    ¡°You must be mistaken,¡± Zach retorted with conviction, clearing his throat before adding you should crash there tonight?¡±


    ¡°Safer than going home right now,¡± he thought.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been over to my ce yet. Maybe


    As Mirabe opened her mouth to reply, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished <b>it </b>out to see Shawn calling.


    Pressing the answer button, she spoke while casting a nce at Zach, who was focused on driving, ¡°¡­Yeah, Zach¡¯s with me. Sure, I¡¯ll tell


    him.¡±


    Although Mirabe didn¡¯t put the call on speaker, Shawn¡¯s voice still carried enough for Zach to catch snippets of the conversation. Once the call ended, Mirabe pocketed her phone and turned to Zach with aposed expression. ¡°Dad wants you toe home tonight.¡±


    Zach¡¯s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, but he kept hisposure. ¡°Oh? Did he say why?¡±


    A AE & OP N G U N Z ? I 5


    She shook her head, ¡°No, he didn¡¯t.¡± After a pause, she added, ¡°But Dad¡¯s been mentioning you quite a bit since you left.¡± Each mention carried a barely concealed undertone of irritation.


    Zach¡¯s suspicions rose. Wasn¡¯t his father the type who¡¯d rather drive his sons out than have them home?


    Nevertheless, he decided to trust his sister¡¯s words. After all, Mirabe was so sweet and kind; she wouldn¡¯t lead him astray.


    So, with no real anxiety, Zach agreed to head back home with Mirabe.


    Half an hourter, Zach, who found himself embroiled in a two¨Chour chewing¨Cout upon arriving home, could only wish to cry.


    So much for a sweet and kind sister¨Cit was all a fa?ade!


    The betrayal was downright heart¨Cwrenching!

 Chapter 537

    Chapter <b>537 </b>


    Friday rolled around faster than a tumbleweed in a Western nick, and it was D¨Cday for the mathpetition results.


    In the midst of a break, around 10:30, Jenna, with her phone clutched in her hands like it was the Holy Grail, nervously tapped into the Ashford Math Contest¡¯s official site. She navigated to the results page, where it prompted her for her contestant ID.


    <b>She </b>clenched her fist tight, took a deep breath like she was about to dive into an ice¨Ccoldke, and then keyed in her digits.


    Boom! The scores popped up on her screen like fireworks.


    First session: 113 points. Second session: 52 points. Total: 165 points. City Rank: 69.


    The relief that washed over Jenna could have filled the Grand Canyon, She¡¯d blown her own expectations out of the water with whopping 113 out of 120 for the first round.


    And that second round, with its devilishly tricky full score of 1807 The fact that she¡¯d even scraped up 52 points was like striking gold, considering she¡¯d guessed <b>her </b>way through the only two questions she managed to solve. Plus, making it into the top 100 city rankings? She screenshot her victory, <b>shaking </b>off her funk from the past few days with the grace of a phoenix rising from the ashes.


    She swiveled around to Mirabe, who was still nose¨Cdeep in a book, her delicate profile radiating the serene beauty of a timeless sculpture. Jenna said, ¡°Queen Mira, the contest results are up.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Mirabe hummed without lifting her eyes, the embodiment of nonchnce. A full two minutes ticked by before she leisurely raised her head and asked, ¡°How¡¯d you do?¡±


    Jenna was left speechless. How long did it take for news to travel down her synapses? And wasn¡¯t she supposed to be all over her own scores like white on rice?


    But then again, this math wunderkind probably didn¡¯t need to check. As Jenna pondered this, the tiny spark of I¡¯ve still got it¡® pride she¡¯d felt flickered out.


    She smacked her lips in self¨Creproach. That¡¯s what you get for showing off, Jenna.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows quirked up at Jenna¡¯s self¨Csmack. ¡°Lost your marbles?¡±


    ¡°Just because you¡¯re a brainiac doesn¡¯t mean you get tond body blows on my ego. Jenna shot back with a re.


    ¡°So, how many points?¡± Mirabe closed her book, covering the words ¡®Psychological Theories<b>¡® </b>with her hand, giving Jenna her full


    attention.


    In the presence of the academic elite, Jenna didn¡¯t have the heart to boast about her 165¨Cpoint triumph, so she simply handed over her phone. ¡°See for yourself.¡±


    Mirabe cast a nce at the screen, then looked back at Jenna with a smirk that danced between amusement and mischief. ¡°Round Two got you 52 points?¡±


    Clearing her throat awkwardly<b>, </b>Jenna snatched her phone back and mumbled, ¡°Those Round Two questions weren¡¯t meant for mere mortals. But look at Round One¨Cpretty high score, huh?¡±/


    She¡¯d canvassed her ssmates, many of whom had tackled the same math gauntlet. Even the first round had been a beast, and by their standards, Jenna felt like she¡¯d really pulled a rabbit out of a hat. All those sleepless nights hitting the books had paid off, at least. ¡°Given your track record, scoring like this is quite the feat, Mirabe conceded after a moment, tossing Jenna a bone of praise.


    Jenna¡¯s response was a mix of gratitude and offense. ¡°Thanks. That¡¯s not apliment. That¡¯s assault with a deadly weapon.¡± Just then, Mirabe¡¯s phone buzzed in her desk drawer, the familiar hum interrupting the moment. She retrieved it with a calmness that could put a Buddhist monk to shame.


    It was a message from Vincent, checking in on her score.


    Jenna, who was expecting Mirabe to be searching for her results, leaned in only to find her casually chatting away on Messenger. Theplexity of Jenna¡¯s feelings was off the charts.


    Was this the great divide between the nerds, and the struggling masses?


    With a quiet sigh of resignation, Jenna opened the results page again and turned to Mirabe. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s your contestant number?¡±

 Chapter 538

    Chapter <b>538 </b>


    Mirabe had barely finished testing Vincent a ¡°Haven¡¯t checked yet when she looked up and rattled off her registration number to <b>Jenna </b>


    Jenna punched in the digits with deliberate care and hit the search button. The webpage took its sweet time to load before revealing the


    First session: 120 points. Second session: 180 points. Total score: 300 points. City rank: 1st.


    Even ustomed to Mirabe¡¯s freakish brilliance, Jenna felt a surreal haze descend upon her as she gazed at the scores.


    The first session was tough, sure, but the second? How on earth did this wiz nall a perfect score?


    Jenna held onto her phone, stunned, before <b>finally </b><b>swiveling </b>her gaze to the eve teetering on the brink of her tongue, but then she mped it shut. Better not to


    Sensing Jenna¡¯s hesitation, Mirabe arched an eyebrow. ¡°Got it?¡±


    Jenna nodded: ¡°Perfect score. Top of the city.¡±


    nosed Mirabe. Her mouth opened, questions


    some questions just served to crush spirits.


    Mirabe showed no sign of surprise; instead, she calmly diverted her attention back to her phone and typed a message to Vincent. [300]


    Vincent replied: [Legend. I bow to you. Now, be a pal and send me the breakdown of thatst beast of a problem on the second session¡¯s test?]


    Vincent closed Messenger, his eyes flicking back to the league score page. His own score read 285¨Csecond ce in the city.


    He wasn¡¯t one to wallow in defeat, not even when chasing the elusive Queen Mira<b>. </b>


    Phone off, Vincent returned to reality just as his desk¨Cmate sauntered back from the restroom. The guy dropped into his seat and looked over ¡°So, what did you rake in on the test?¡±


    Vincent, momentarily lost in thought, shared his score.


    A thumbs¨Cup rocketed his way. ¡°Vincent, you yed it! I sneaked a peek at mine while in the john¨Cjust scraped 200


    Vincent offered a supportive pat on his buddy¡¯s shoulder, but his thoughts took another <b>turn</b>. ¡°You know someone from Eagle High, right?¡±


    ¡°Uh¨Chuh, what about them?¡± The desk¨Cmate seemed poised to inquire about Vincent¡¯s rank but got sidetracked.


    ¡°They threw down the gauntlet with usst week, remember? Could you find out Jack¡¯s score for me?¡±


    While the city and state rankings were out, national standings were still under wraps. Though Mira aced it with a wless score, Vincent¡¯s curiosity about Jack¡¯s performance lingered.


    The desk¨Cmate whipped out his phone. ¡°On it. But Jack¡¯s a math demon; he¡¯s probably clinched the national top spot again.¡± Chatting while texting, he didn¡¯t imply that Vincent couldn¡¯t match Jack¨Cjust that Jack was a known powerhouse with a trophy case to prove it.


    Vincent¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡±


    Before Mira entered the picture, Vincent might¡¯ve agreed. But now, every contender seemed like a small fry.


    His desk¨Cmate tapped out a message on Messenger, then looked up with a quizzical expression. ¡°What do you mean ¡®we¡¯ll <b>see</b>?¡¯ And hey, with your score, you¡¯re a shoo¨Cin for city champ, right?¡±


    The test had been brutal, especially those four monstrosities on the second session that seemed designed for superhumans¨Ceven the math teachers admitted that scoring over a hundred was nothing short of miraculous.

 Chapter 539

    Chapter <b>539 </b>


    Vincent¡¯s expression was aplex tapestry of emotions as he gazed across the table at his ssmate, who sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity.


    Noticing Vincent¡¯s state, a flicker of realization crossed his ssmate¡¯s mind. His eyes widened as he blurted out, ¡°How much did Mirabe from The Advanced ss score?¡±


    ¡°300¡± Vincent drawled slowly.


    Holy smokes, 300? That¡¯s a perfect score! His ssmate¡¯s jaw nearly hit the floor in amazement.


    Though they were aware that Mimbe had snagged first ce in an international contest, it wasn¡¯t a mathpetition, andpared to Eagle High¡¯s legend, Jack, Mirabe was rtively unknown. It made sense that she hadn¡¯t immediatelye to mind.


    ¡°What kind of freak genius is Mirabe from The Advanced ss? She even oui


    his awe once more


    Jack?¡± His ssmate couldn¡¯t help but express


    No wonder Vincent said Jack might not clinch the national top spot this time. How can anyone beat a perfect score?


    Just then, Vincent¡¯s ssmate¡¯s phone buzzed. ¡°My buddy replied. Let¡¯s see if he mentioned <b>Jack¡¯s </b>score<b>¡­</b>¡±


    As Vincent heard this, his eyes locked onto his friend¡¯s phone, a wave of tension flitting across his handsome features, a tension even stronger than when he checked his own scores.


    ¡°My friend says Jack scored 295. Top in their city, his ssmate lifted his head, showing Vincent the screen.


    Vincent¡¯s fingers, which were curled on the table, rxed upon seeing the massage, but a wry smile quickly spread across his face as he massaged his temples. Why the heck was he nervous? No matter how formidable Jack from Eagle High was, could he reallypete with Parkside High¡¯s Queen Mira<b>? </b>


    Besides, perfect scores didn¡¯te easy!


    ¡°You know, I heard from our math teacher that the school that ranks first in the national math league gets to host the next year¡¯spetition,¡± his ssmate remarked, pausing before adding excitedly. ¡°Parkside High has missed out on hosting for three years running. Now that Queen Mira has imed the top spot, it¡¯s our turn to shine¡°¡±


    While Vincent wasn¡¯t as visibly thrilled as his ssmate, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of pride. This was a moment to celebrate the school¡¯s glory.


    ¡°By the way, the guys from Eagle High are snooping around for our scores. Should we spill the beans on Queen Mira¡¯s result?¡± his ssmate nced at his phone¡¯s Messenger, seeking Vincent¡¯s opinion.


    Vincent cocked his head to the side, ¡°Being first isn¡¯t something to hide.¡±


    His ssmate raised an eyebrow. ¡°True that. It¡¯s high time their school sees what we¡¯re made of.¡± With that, he sent off Mimbe¡¯s score to his friend, the tone of the message brash with bravado.


    Unbeknownst to Vincent and his ssmate, their conversation was overheard by Summer, who was pretending to read at the next table. She was secretly listening in, her fingers clenching so tightly they nearly pierced the pages of her book.


    In her past life. Summer had alsopeted in the math league during her senior year and had a vague memory of the problems. She had registered again, hoping to prove herself this time.


    She had been poring <b>over </b>simr problems for <b>days</b>, determined to make a statement at thepetition, When she found out she had scored 263, ranking 15th in the city, she was initially thrilled, thinking it was her time to shine. But then¡­.


    Mirabe had done it again, scored a perfect <b>score</b>, taken first ce, and even secured the hosting rights for the school¡¯s nextpetition.


    Summer¡¯s lips twisted wryly, her efforts at hitting the books suddenly seeming like a cruel joke.

 Chapter 540

    <b>No </b>matter how hard Summer tried, it seemed like all eyes were invariably drawn to Mirabe. It wasn¡¯t just at school, even the Gilbert family seemed to be under het spell.


    Summer¡¯s thoughts drifted to her birth mother, who,tely, had been subtly probing her for information about the Davis family and asionally inquired about Mimbe. It irked her to no end


    She had firmly decided to sever all ties with the Davis family, so her mother¡¯s relentless curiosity was thest thing she needed. Several times, the thought of moving out of the Gilberts had crossed her mind. But the realization that she no longer held the spotlight in the talent agency and that her career prospects were being hindered, stripped her of the courage to leave theforts of the Gilbert home.


    The bell signaling the start of ss rang, and Summer took a deep breath. She really been able to focus on, into her backpack.


    way her physics textbook, which she hadn¡¯t


    The results of the mathpetition were out for barely a moment when Mr. Brown, the head of the math department, couldn¡¯t wait to summon her to his office. ¡°Mirabe, could you walk me through your thought process for these two problems?¡± he asked eagerly


    Mr. Brown, who also taught the Advanced ss, was holding a copy of the second exam paper Mirabe had taken, which was neatly


    filled with her solutions.


    Mirabe cleared her throat and briskly outlined her approach to the problems.


    Mr. Brown had a passion for dissecting mathematical puzzles. He hade across Mirabe¡¯s test paper, which revealed a solving method that seemed quite avant¨Cgarde, eerily resembling the new theoretical framework he had been striving to formte for the past six months.


    After listening to Mirabe¡¯s straightforward exnation, Mr. Brown felt an epiphany wash over him. He looked at her, genuinely curious, and asked, ¡°How long did you study these theories and strategies?¡±


    Mirabe paused. Weren¡¯t these solutions intuitively simpler and more efficient? Did they really require study?


    After a brief thought, she answered modestly, ¡°Around a week or two, I guess. Considering it was a question from her teacher, she felt it was appropriate to respond with humility.


    Mr. Brown fell silent. A week or two? What about the six months he had spent without perfecting his method?


    If it weren¡¯t for Mirabe¡¯s modest demeanor, he might have suspected she was deliberately undermining him.


    Clearing his throat, Mr. Brown walked back to his <b>desk</b>, opened a drawer, and pulled out an A4 <b>sheet </b>with pre¨Cprinted problems on it Handing it to Mirabe, he said, ¡°Take a look at these two problems. Work on them when you have time <b>and </b>bring them back to me.¡±


    After a pause, he added, ¡°Can you do it in a week?¡±


    Mirabe nced at the problems on the sheet <b>and </b>quietly replied, ¡°¡­ I should be able to.¡±


    Pleased with her answer, Mr. Brown nodded, ¡°Alright then, bring it to me by next Friday.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡± Mirabe simply agreed.


    She could have finished them before the end of the school day, but seeing Mr. Brown¡¯s expression that suggested these problems are tough, it may take a long time to solve,¡± she chose to keep any additionalments to herself.


    After reminding Mirabe to remember to do the problems, Mr. Brown didn¡¯t hold her up any longer, allowing her to return to ss


    As Mirabe exited the office, she happened to bump into Morgan, the Prodigy ss math teacher, rounding the corner.

 Chapter 541

    Morgan¡¯s face tweetched with a fleeting difort uponying eyes on Mirabe The thought of how he, due to his own prejudices, had once pushed such a promising stent away to The Advanced ss and crosserprently lost his title as an outstanding teacher¨Cfilled


    Arabe, on the other hand was indifferent towards Morgan. Even in passing, she didn¡¯t bother to greet him, after all, he wasn¡¯t her


    trahe


    She swiftly let the office


    Monge paced for a beat at the door before entering. As he stepped in, M. Brown waved a set of test papers at him. ¡°Morgan, take a


    Mirabeliak approach to the problem¨Csolving section of the second exam. It¡¯s quite ingenious¡°


    At the ention of Mirabe¡¯s name again, Morgan hesitated, his fingers twitchin


    nto the exam papel.


    sciously. He moved closer, his gaze falling


    The first thing he saw wasn¡¯t the listed steps of the solution but the score at the top. She scored 1807 Morgan¡¯s voice trembled


    He hadn¡¯t yet checked the mathpetition results, but having seen the second exam, he was shocked to see a perfect score


    M: Brown nodded. ¡°Mimbe got full marks on both the preliminary and the final exam, the only one in the whole city to do so


    At these words. Morgan¡¯s throat turned dry, and he stared at the exam paper, speechless.


    ¡°I think her methods are quite advanced, very logical. You¡¯re into research, too, right, Morgan? You should make a copy of her exam for yourself¡­


    Once Mr. Brown started on the topic of research, he couldn¡¯t stop praising Mirabe. He hardly noticed Morgan¡¯s difort.


    Unaware of the misunderstanding between Morgan and Mirabe, Mr. Brown <b>spoke </b>without reserve. So, Morgan, with a face full of awkwardness, eventually cut him off and made an excuse to leave.


    Mr. Brown, whose words had unwittingly stabbed Morgan¡¯s pride numerous times, watched his hasty retreat in confusion. It wasn¡¯t until Mr. Hammond came looking for him that his confusion was interrupted.


    ¡°Thepetition results are out. As expected, Mirabe¡¯s bound to be number one nationwide. Brown, you better get the paperwork ready. We¡¯ll be heading over to the Education Association soon to finalize everything.¡± Mr. Hammond burst into the office with a mission, his face beaming with pride.


    Mr. Brown nced at Mr. Hammond, surprised, ¡°<b>Prepare </b>now? Isn¡¯t that a bit hasty?¡±


    Mr. Hammond waved a hand dismissively and sat down before replying, ¡°It¡¯s not haste, it¡¯s reiming Parkside High School¡¯s honor. Securing the host spot for the next mathpetition will change the way parents and students view our school¡¯s caliber<b>.</b>¡±


    Parkside High School had been too quiet for too long. It needed <b>a </b>stir


    Mr. Brown thought for a moment and nodded. ¡°Alright then, I get on it. Once the association finalizes the national rankings, I take our materials over¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Good¡±


    Mr. Brown went to the water cooler and poured a cup for Mr. Hammond. ¡°By the way, how did you manage to recruit Mirabe? It¡¯s unusual for such an exceptional student to be under the radar¡±


    Mr. Hammond, sipping his water, replied with a sly grin, ¡°That¡¯s a secret.¡±

 Chapter 542

    <b>Chapter </b>542


    Mr. Brown grimaced as he saw Mr. Hammond¡¯s reluctance to borate. Left with no choice, he didn¡¯t press further, but he couldn¡¯t help mentioning. ¡°Miss Mirabe is quite the whiz at math. I really think we should nurture her abilities in that area¡­¡±


    Before he could finish his thought, Mr. Hammond, who had Instantly graped the teacher¡¯s implication, Interjected, ¡°Her knack for physics is equally impressive. I doubt it¡¯s any less than her math skills.¡±


    After a brief pause, Mr. Hammond added, ¡°Justst week, Dr. <b>Ray </b>from the physics department at Prestige College expressed interest in bringing Mirabe into their program.¡±


    The math teacher was quite astonished. What more was there to say when even a Prestige College professor was involved? Mr. Brown resigned himself to silence. High achievers like Mirabe were in hot demand, and he certainly wasn¡¯t in a position to be her personal


    mentor.


    ¡°Anything else I can do for you, Mr. Hammond?¡± Mr Brown felt a wave of helplessness wash over him and decided it was time to wrap up the conversation.


    Mr. Hammond gave him a sharp nce and simply said, ¡°No, that¡¯s all.¡± He <b>stood </b>up, hands sped behind his back, and left the room with a spring in his step.


    Sighing to himself, Mr. Brown tucked the exam paper back into his drawer and moved to hisputer. He opened his messenger app and contacted the teachers¡± association to find out what documents were needed for the handover process.


    At the end of the school day, Summer ran into Mirabe on campus. The sight of her nonchnt demeanor was particrly grating today. In the past, Summer might have thrown a barbedment or two her way, but not today. Quickening her pace toward the main entrance, she stepped out of the school to find the Gilbert family¡¯s car parked at the curb and Mandy waiting by the door.


    Summer¡¯s eyes darkened. She nced back at Mirabe, who was still inside the school gates, clenched her fist, and then walked. briskly over to Mandy. As she approached, she positioned herself to block her mother¡¯s view. ¡°Mom, have you been waiting long?¡±


    Mandy¡¯s response was tepid, ¡°Not really, just got here.¡±


    After her brief reply, Mandy shifted to the side and looked <b>back </b>toward the entrance of Parkside High School as if searching for someone. Noticing this, Summer¡¯s hand tightened into a fist again, but she forced a smile and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, Mom.¡±


    *Just a minute,¡± Mandy murmured absentmindedly.


    The smile on Summer¡¯s face became strained. ¡°Mom, who are we waiting for?¡±


    Mandy didn¡¯t answer, her gaze fixed on a point in the distance. When she spotted Mirabe emerging from the school, her expression shifted subtly. Yet, she remained where she was, not making any move to approach.


    Summer could hardly ignore her mother¡¯s look of anticipation. It baffled her, her mother had previously dismissed Mirabe, and now she seemed to want to y the doting parent. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Summer decided to escape the situation. ¡°I¡¯ll get in the car then.¡±


    Without waiting for a response, she pulled open the rear door, slid into the seat, and mmed the door shut with a force that resounded with a loud thud.


    Startled by the sound, Mandy¡¯s frown deepened, and she seemed displeased. She nced back at the car, but the dark tint of the windows cut off any further exchange of looks.


    Mandy then turned her gaze back to Mirabe, who was making her <b>way </b>to a Rolls¨CRoyce parked nearby. She watched until Mirabe was safely inside the vehicle.

 Chapter 543

    Mandy watched the car disappear into the distance before retracting her lingering gaze and turning around. She opened the passenger


    side door and slid into the seat.


    Summer, who had been watching Mandy¡¯s every expression from the driver¡¯s side, clenched her fingers no tightly they nearly pierced her


    sklo,


    The irony of today¡¯s scene was not lost on her. Her so¨Ccalled loving mother hade to pick her up, only to have eyes for Mirabe. To Mandy, it seemed her own flesh and blood meant nothing at all.


    Without the star¨Cstudded halo that brought prestige to the Gilberts, Summer realized she had lost her value in their eyes. That was the harsh reality of being part of the Gilbert family.


    Mandy flicked her fingemail absently and nced in the rearview mirror Coming ¡°Did you get your league scores?¡±


    her sense, she asked without much preamble,


    ¡°Yeah¡± Summer¡¯s voice was distant as she turned her head to gaze out of the window, her emotions now firmly in check.


    ¡°How much did you score?¡± Mandy inquired casually.


    If she hadn¡¯t known Mirabe¡¯s score, Summer might <b>have </b>proudly shared her score of <b>263</b>, but now¡­


    Closing her eyes briefly, Summer managed to suppress her frustration and revealed her score.


    ¡°2637 And your rank?¡± Mandy adjusted her hair and continued her inquiry.


    ¡°Citywide, I came 15th¡±


    d she do?¡±


    Mandy¡¯s face remained unexcited upon hearing the score. After a brief pause, she probed further, ¡°And Mimbe? How did


    Summer had anticipated <b>this </b>question and couldn¡¯t help but let a sarcastic smile flicker across her lips. ¡°We¡¯re not in the same ss. How would I know her score?¡±


    Mandy¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t the rankings be public by now? How could <b>you </b>not know?¡±


    Summer raised a hand to her temple, leaning back in her seat with closed eyes. After a moment, she asked, ¡°Mom<b>, </b>what are you getting at with all these questions about her?¡±


    Mandy was taken aback by the question.


    ¡°Do you really need to hear that <b>your </b>own daughter is not as good as the girl you once fostered to feel satisfied?¡± Summer¡¯s tone was tinged with sharpness. She had clearly reached her breaking point. Any normal person would be infuriated by a mother who continuously inquired about a foster child in the presence of her biological daughter, especially when that foster child had been neglected in the countryside


    Mandy¡¯s expression darkened ¡°Summer, I¡¯m very dissatisfied with your attitude.¡±


    When Summer had first returned to the Gilbert family, she was sweet and empathetic, never showing any sign of defiance. Mandy¡¯s friends had envied her, saying she was fortunate to have such a gentle and obedient daughter. Now, where was that docile girl? All that was left was a sullen, mouthy young woman.


    Summer¡¯s gaze stayed outside the window, devoid of warmth. It probably wasn¡¯t the attitude that Mandy was dissatisfied with. It was Summer herself.


    Summer remained silent, knowing that any further words would only stoke the mes of discontent.


    Before long, they arrived back at the Gilbert family mansion. Summer got out of the car and headed straight inside without another nce at her mother.


    Mandy watched her daughter¡¯s retreating figure and vented to the housekeeper, ¡°<b>Look </b>at that child! She¡¯s growing more rebellious by the day<b>.¡± </b>


    The housekeeper, who had watched Summer,disappear into the mansion, turned back to Mandy with a reassuring smile. ¡°Madam, please don¡¯t be too upset. Miss Summer has been through a lot with the online scandal. Understandably, she¡¯s a bit <b>on </b>edge¡°:

 Chapter 544

    Mandy¡¯s Hips curled into a wry erode ¡°She was acting without a thought for the consequences and embarrassed our family¡­ Never mind, is Colton back yat?


    The huber nodded. ¡°Yes, he is back, and he seems to be in quite a good mood today¡±


    Suppies fickered acres Marily a impably made up face. ¡°In a good mood?¡±


    Lately do to the many¡¯s hectic bidding for a construction project, her husband had been nothing but a bundle of worries. The Gufben tami, nad been pouring their efforts into real estate development, especially since the old downtown area was earmarked for novation They had been preparing tirelessly for the better part of the year, and now the whole venture was at a crucial juncture, warting for the government¡¯s decision


    ¡°Well, perhaps he¡¯s stumbled upon some good fortune,¡± the butler remarked, ther


    wasn¡¯t privy to the inner workings of the Gilbert


    family business. Still, he could easily discem the source of Colton¡¯s high spirits just by observing his demeanor.


    At the mention of good news, Mandy briskly made her way into the vi, with the butler following at a more measured pace.


    in the living room, Colton was lounging on the couch, a broad grin on his face as he chatted on the phone, radiating satisfaction for all


    to see


    Mandy set her bag aside and listened to his conversation while she took a seat beside him. When he finally hung up, she asked, ¡°Darling who were you talking to just now?¡±


    Colton ced his phone on the coffee table and leaned back, legs crossed in a rxed manner. He turned to Mandy, ¡°Just some business associates. Seems like word¡¯s gotten out that Gilbert Corporation is a shoo¨Cin for the bid. Everyone¡¯s been calling up to | inquiretely*


    Hearing this. Mandy¡¯s eyes lit up with joy. ¡°Got the bid? Did Gilbert Corporation¡¯s proposal get through?¡±


    Securing the bid would catapult the Gilbert Corporation into the city¡¯s top ten enterprises and, with it, elevate the Gilbert family¡¯s standing in the local elite circles. The thought was thrilling


    Colton took a sip from the ss of water the butler handed him and said, ¡°While the government hasn¡¯t made a final decision yet, it¡¯s pretty much a done deal.¡±


    Mandy was ted, but something nagged at her, prompting her to <b>ask </b>with <b>a </b>puzzled look, ¡°But didn¡¯t you say just a while ago that ourpany had slim chances? Howe the odds have turned in our favor all of a sudden?¡±


    Summer, having changed into her loungewear, paused upon seeing her parents chatting. She went over to <b>pour </b>herself a ss of water.


    Colton found it just as strange when Mandy brought up the topic. He exined, ¡°When we submitted our bid, people in the know said the selection process was rigorous, and any minor discrepancy would lead to disqualification. Given <b>that </b>Gilbert Corporation is new to real estate, we didn¡¯t have an edge against the seasonedpanies.¡±


    He paused, then continued, ¡°Oddly enough, my contact in the government mentioned that some higher¨Cups were quite intrigued by Gilbert Corporation. They even asked if I knew the City Secretary. If I were acquainted with the City Secretary, ourpany¡¯s growth would be on a whole different level.¡± Colton mused on the thought.


    Mandy¡¯s eyes darted as she processed the information. ¡°You just mentioned the City Secretary<b>? </b>Is he the one interested in Gilbert Corporation?¡±


    ¡°Seems like it¡± Colton nodded. ¡°But I don¡¯t know the man. I¡¯ve never even met him. That¡¯s the puzzling part.¡±

 Chapter 545

    Mandy pondered for a moment before suggesting. ¡°How about we do some digging on this secretary? If they¡¯ve suddenly taken a shine to Gilbert Corporation, it seems only right to show some appreciation, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Cotton tumed to look at Mandy as if weighing the feasibility of her suggestion.


    Their voices weren¡¯t low, and Summer, standing nearby with a cup of water, caught snippets of their conversation.


    Bidding? City Secretory?


    Leaning Sgainst the kitchen counter, Summer¡¯s face momentarilypsed into a <b>daze</b>.


    She remembered that in her past life, the Gilbert family <b>had </b>aimed to break into real estate by bidding on the renovation of the city¡¯s old district. If she recalled correctly, they hadn¡¯t won the contract, had they?


    Moreovec not long after their failed bid, rumors had swirled about turmoil within the city council. News had broken that a high¨Cranking official had fallen seriously ill, which caused the urban renewal project to be shelved. The Gilbert family had poured a significant amount of money into the venture, only toe up empty¨Chanded.


    ¡°What are you daydreaming about standing there?¡± Having just finished his homework, Aiden walked over and was surprised to find Summer lost in thought


    Summer nced at Aiden before straightening up and heading towards the living room without a word. She settled onto the couch with her water cup, her expression giving nothing away as she spoke, ¡°Mom, Dad, did I just hear that our family business is involved in a bid?¡±


    Mandy was in high spirits, and her previous annoyance from the car ride seemed to have dissipated. She hummed in response, ¡°Gilbert Corporation is branching into real estate. If we win this bid, the future¡¯s looking bright for the Gilbert family.¡±


    Summer, fingers idly tracing the rim of her cup, feigned curiosity after a pause, ¡°Is our chance of winning the bid high?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, barring any surprises, we should win,¡± Colton replied with a certainty that suggested victory was all but assured.


    Summer looked at her father, mouth opening as if to say something, but Mandy had already turned back to continue the conversation with Colton. The two of them were so engrossed that Summer found it hard to chime in.


    ¡°Colton, you should take your friend from the council out for a meal and inquire about this City Secretary. I¡¯ll also reach out to an official¡¯s wife I know. We need to nail down this bid,¡± Mandy suggested.


    Colton uncrossed his legs and nodded. ¡°I was thinking the same. This is a pivotal moment for Gilbert Corporation. We can¡¯t let this opportunity slip through our fingers.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll spare no expense to secure this project¡± Mandy said, her eyes alight with an intense desire for power and prestige. After all, no one enjoyed stagnation.


    Summer listened to their conversation, her brow furrowing slightly. She knew it wasn¡¯t her ce to interject, but she couldn¡¯t help herself, ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t think stuffing envelopes with cash is necessary. These city contracts are tricky to win, especially with old district renovations. It¡¯s unlikely to go in favor of the Gilbert family, considering other big yers are involved


    Her sentence was cut short by Colton¡¯s interjection, ¡°You¡¯re just a kid. You don¡¯t understand these things. Don¡¯t voice your opinion.¡±


    Colton¡¯s mood soured, his <b>good </b>spirits dashed by his daughter¡¯s unsolicited advice. He was so imitated that he failed to notice how his daughter knew the city¡¯s tender was for the old district¡¯s renovation.

 Chapter 546

    Chapter 546 stand.¡± After pausing for a few seconds, she couldn¡¯t help but add. ¡°If you trust my judgment, it¡¯s best to drop this bid sooner rat


    Summer met Colton¡¯s gaze and could tell he was displeased. Instantly everting her eyes, she fell silent, offering no furtherment. They were no shortsighted. No wonder the Gilbert family had never made it big in theirst life.


    Mandy nced at Summer with a hint of reproach but tried to keep her temper in check. In a heartfelt tone, she advised, ¡°Summer, in business, we bank on good fortune. Let¡¯s not have any more of that defeatist talk, okay?¡±


    Colton was always a bit superstitious, which exined his imitation upon hearing Summer¡¯s suggestion to back out.


    Summer¡¯s expirds drooped slightly as she murmured a subdued, ¡°I underher thanter¡±


    At her words, Colton¡¯s <b>expression </b>turned to thunder.


    ¡°Goodness, child, you¡¯re bing more clueless by the day¡­¡± Mandy shot Sun


    ook, then turned to soothe Colton.


    Summer¡¯s lips twisted into a wry smile as she <b>stood</b>, clutching her cup. ¡°I¡¯m <b>going </b>to my room to study. With that, she left the living. room and hardly nced at Aiden as she bumped into him on the stairs before ascending.


    Aiden, mouth quirked, was still engrossed in his mobile game. He sauntered into the living room and flopped onto the couch with the nonchnce of a privileged youth. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t you think Summer¡¯s been acting strangetely?¡± She used to strut around like she owned the ce, and now she acted like they <b>had </b>all mistreated her somehow.


    Mandy turned to her younger son, exasperation clear in her <b>voice</b>. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t call her ¡®Summer like that. She¡¯s your sister.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s eyes remained glued to his phone<b>. </b>¡°I¡¯m not too keen on acknowledging a sister with such a calcting mind.¡±


    Shaking her head, Mandy¡¯s thoughts drifted, and then she said, ¡°Your 16th birthday ising up in a few days. Your father and I are nning to throw a big party for you. You can invite some of your close school friends.¡±


    Aiden looked up from his game, which had just ended. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s just a small birthday. Do we really need to <b>make </b>a <b>big </b>deal out of it?¡±


    ¡°Of course we do. <b>You¡¯re </b>the hope of the Gilbert family. Having a good show is a must, Mandy insisted.


    Aiden pondered for a moment, then asked, ¡°Can I invite anyone?¡±


    Mandy eyed him, countering, ¡°Who do you want to invite?¡±


    ¡°That crazy girl,¡± Aiden blurted out.


    Mandy looked puzzled.


    Clearing his throat, Aiden pocketed his phone before rifying, ¡°I mean that one¡­ Mirabe.¡±


    Realization dawned on Mandy. In the past, she would have scolded her son for even considering inviting someone like Mirabe. But remembering the Davis family¡­ she showed no displeasure and nodded in agreement. ¡°Sure, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    Aiden was surprised to find his mother so amenable today and gave her a curious look. He said, ¡°Just not sure if she¡¯lle.¡±


    He remembered waiting outside Parkside High School for that fierce girl who had been more arrogant than him, which made him grumble his teeth in frustration


    He¡¯d overheard his parents long ago say that the Davis family was dirt poor, so he figured he could use his birthday bash to make Mirabe green with envy. She¡¯d see just how well the Gilbert family lived and realize the poverty she came from!

 Chapter 547

    side, Arden was practically buzzing with excitement, a grin apreading across his face at the thought of his uing birthday. It was like he was a kid on Chumstmas Eve, hardly able to wall for the morning to murive.


    Mandy, catching the look on her son¡¯s face, was puzzled as to why he¡¯ll want to invite his foster sister to his birthday bash. But she said, Vibon it by her when I upe bei nost¡±


    Aiden gave a nod, his mind already skipping ahead to Monday when he¡¯d make another trip to Parkside High School. He knew that Mirabe had me the temper. Asking her to retums to the Qilbert family was a gamble ¨C she might not take the bait.


    after, Alden retrated to his room, leaving just Colton and Mandy in the living room, Collon, usually a man of few words, cast a curious nce at his wife. I thought you¡¯ve never been fond of that girl? Her sudden change of heart when Aiden mentioned inviting Kirabe to his party was odd


    Mandy hadn¡¯t mentioned anything to her husband about the Davis family business things were still up in the alt and she was trying to get a clearer picture Cleaning her throat and narrowing her eyes slightly, she replied, ¡°It¡¯s not that I dislike her. She¡¯s been part of our household for over a decade. In spite of everything, I may have some affections.¡±


    Though Cotton sensed Mandy was keeping something from him, he let it be. Why waste thoughts on someone who didn¡¯t matter when there were more pressing matters, like the uing bid for a new contract?


    Across town at the Davis household¡­


    Mirabe amived home to find Delh had just finished cooking dinner and was calling her to wash up.


    She dropped her bag next to Zach¡¯s briefcase and raised an eyebrow. Had Zach dared toe home today?


    After washing up, she entered the dining room to find only her mother and father at the table. As she pulled out a chair, she asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Zach? Didn¡¯t hee home?¡±


    At the mention of Zach, Shawn¡¯s face clouded over with a <b>dark </b>expression. Delh ced <b>a </b>slice of meatloaf on her daughter¡¯s te, her tone calm and steady, ¡°Oh, he¡¯s popped over to the neighbors¡® home¡±


    Mirabe¡¯s eyes widened a fraction. ¡°How long ago did he leave?¡± Mirabe¡¯s voice was soft as she picked up her fork.


    ¡°Just a few minutes before you got home,¡± Delh replied, pausing for a moment before adding, ¡°But he mentioned the neighbor¡­ isn¡¯t that your tutor?¡±


    At this, Shawn looked up, genuinely surprised. ¡°What? The neighbor is your tutor?¡±


    Mirabe pinched the bridge of her nose, exasperated. Great, Zach had dug himself another hole.


    Shawn¡¯s gaze fixed on Mirabe. ¡°Is the person next door really your tutor?¡±


    A forced smile was on her lips. What else could she do but nod? ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Shawn mmed his fork down. ¡°Zach never mentioned such an important detail. He¡¯s really asking for it.¡±


    As he stood up from the table, Mirabe felt a headacheing on, along with a sense of impending doom. ¡°<b>Dad</b>, what are you nning to do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going over there,¡± Shawn announced, pushing <b>his </b>chair back.


    She had a bad feeling about this. ¡°Dad, please don¡¯t make a scene, Mirabe said, putting


    putting down her fork with a serious look.


    Shawn paused. The fatherly concem was apparent. Tve been meaning to meet this tutor of yours¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s busy,¡± Mirabe gestured for her father to sit back down, adding, ¡°And he doesn¡¯t like being disturbed.¡±


    Shawn did sit down, though he still looked at his daughter skeptically. He wasn¡¯t convinced.

 Chapter 548

    Chapter <b>548 </b>


    Delh was far less animated than her husband. ¡°Since Zactin already paying a visit, it wouldn¡¯t look good for you to barge in now. Just


    leave them be.¡±


    <b>Shawn </b>shook his head, saying, ¡°You don¡¯t understand.¡± It wasn¡¯t just a simple matter of seeing a tutor


    Delh shot him a sideways nce. ¡°Let¡¯s eat, and no funny business, alright?*


    Shawn bit his lip and dropped the subject.


    Mirabelle observed Shawn and her mother talking and, for some reason, felt like she was being force¨Cfed some PDA


    Before long, the three of them finished dinner.


    Mirabe thought about heading upstairs but, checking the time, decided to pull message to Zach, [Zach?


    phone and tap open Messenger. She shot a


    At that moment, Zach, <b>who </b>was in the neighboring vi, heard his Messenger notification and took a quick nce at his phone. Without replying, he tucked it back into his pocket.


    He cleared his throat and focused back on James, whose face was so unfairly handsome it was almost criminal. Zach could only think of two words to describe him.


    Pretty boy.


    ¡°So, Mr. James, which school are you gracing with your teaching presence at the moment?¡± Zach asked, sitting with an air of authority on the couch, his legs crossed at the knee.


    James, ever the gentleman, kept <b>a </b>polite smile on his lips. I¡¯m currently on a sabbatical,¡± <b>he </b>replied with a rxed tone.


    ¡°Unemployed, are you?¡± Zach adjusted his sses, appearing mild¨Cmannered, though his words were blunt.


    Wyatt and Curtis, <b>who </b>stood not too far off eavesdropping, exchanged knowing looks.


    This future inw has got some nerve, Wyattmented, touching his nose.


    It was clear Zach¡¯s visit wasn¡¯t just social¨Cit was an inspection. It was as if Zach was worried James might poach his family¡¯s precious diamond. If only snagging the Davis family¡¯s prize was that easy!


    ¡°And how many brothers does Ms. Mirabe have again?¡± Curtis asked Wyatt after a moment¡¯s silence.


    Wyatt coughed discreetly, holding up four fingers, ¡°If each brother is anything like this guy¡­ game <b>over</b>. I reckon James might as well embrace bachelorhood.¡±


    Curtis gave him a sidelong nce. ¡°Shut that doom and gloom trap of yours


    Observing the situation in the living room, Wyatt decided to take out his phone and open Messenger.


    Curtis raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Thinking of messaging Ms. Mirabe?¡±


    Without looking up, Wyatt typed away and replied, ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s about time for Ms. Mirabe to break the ice. Plus, well get to see her reaction¡±


    Curtis figured the i idea made sense and let him be.


    On Mirabe¡¯s end, she hadn¡¯t received a reply from Zach but was surprised when Wyatt¡¯s message popped up. [Ms. Mirabe, need backup.] It read.


    She opened it, her lips twitching, then sent back a question mark.


    Upon receiving it, Wyatt nced once more at Zach¡¯s silhouette in the living room. After a few seconds of thought, he didn¡¯t type a response. Instead, he angled his phone and snapped a side shot of Zach, looking rather defiant as if he was in the midst of causing trouble.


    Wyatt felt the candid shot was perfect and hit <b>send</b>.

 Chapter 549

    Mirabe pressed her fingers to her temples, a headache blossoming at the thought of Zach¡¯stest shenanigans. Trust him to <b>strut </b>into someone else¡¯s house like he owned the ce.


    Slipping her phone <b>into </b>her jeans pocket, she looked up at Shown, who was elbow¨Cdeep in soapy water in the kitchen, and mumbled, ¡°Gonna take a walk.¡± Without waiting for an acknowledgment, she was out the door in a sh.


    When she reached the neighboring vi, her hand lifted instinctively, pressing her thumb against the biometric scanner, and the iron gate swung open.


    No sooner had she stepped into the yard than she bumped into Wyatt, who wasing out to great her and offer to open the gate for her. His eyes darted to the gate in surprise.


    Mirabe simply raised her finger, exining. ¡°Last time I was here, James had m


    added.¡±


    A light of understanding flickered in Wyatt¡¯s eyes as he realized James had been quite expedient in getting her fingerprint. It seemed he had missed his own opportunity to y host.


    Clearing his throat, Wyatt suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s head inside.¡±


    Mirabe nodded, walking into the vi with an easy grace. The slippers prepared for her were right where she remembered, in the cab by the door. She slipped them on without a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    Zach was sitting ramrod straight in the living room, hands resting on his knees, and his chin tilted up defiantly. No matter from which angle you observed, he emanated a sense of indomitable pride.


    Rubbing her forehead, Mirabe approached quietly, stopping just behind Zach¡¯s back.


    <b>¡°</b>Mr. James,¡± Zach started, his tone casual yet firm, ¡°just so you know, my little sister¡¯s grades don¡¯t require any tutoring now. She¡¯s pretty much guaranteed admission to Prestige College. But for your past efforts, we still owe you our thanks.¡±


    Zach¡¯s face was all politeness and smiles, his formal address elevating James¡® status with every utterance. He <b>hadn¡¯t </b>nned on visiting the neighbors today, but on his drive home, he had spotted a familiar car entering the neighborhood. Thanks to his sharp memory, he recognized it as the same car that had parked outside the Davis family home for an extended period one evening, from which his sister had eventually emerged.


    That car had lingered outside their house for at least twenty minutes¨Cif the driver was just a tutor, why would his sister need to stay inside the vehicle for so long? Given the driver¡¯s youth and his sister¡¯s attractiveness, Zach couldn¡¯t rule out any untoward intentions. To prevent any deception, <b>he </b>feltpelled to take immediate action.


    While Zach was speaking, James caught sight of Mirabe¡¯s silent approach, His <b>eyes</b>, which had been bright and alert, now seemed to soften as they rested on Mirabe.


    James demeanor shifted. The cool aura around him receded as his shoulders rxed, and his expression turned almost pitiable, like someone who couldn¡¯t fend off a bully. With a deliberate cough, he addressed Zach, his voice losing its earlier firmness, ¡°Mr. Davis, there¡¯s no need for formalities. I appreciate your concern.¡±


    Something about James¡® tone caught Zach off guard, stirring a sensation that he was the bully here. His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression clouding with confusion.


    Just moments ago, James had been so assertive. What had caused this sudden shift in attitude?

 Chapter 550

    <b>Zach </b>shook off the quirky thoughts swirling in his mind and carried on, ¡°Look, Mr. James, just as long as you get the picture. My sister is young, right in the throes of her teenage years, all doe-eyed and impressionable. She¡¯s easy to lead astray


    From behind, Mirabe was unmistakenly stunned. Did she hear that correctly?


    Right, gotcha,¡± James nced at Mirabe, murmuring an acknowledgment before dropping his <b>gaze</b>, concealing whatever was ying across his features.


    Seeing this. Zach uncrossed his legs, preparing to rise and take his leave, when suddenly he felt a weight on his shoulder. Startled, he slowly lifted his head to meet Mimbe¡¯s smirk.


    Holy moly. When did his sister sneak up on him? And how did he not hear a peep?


    at brings you here?¡±


    It took him a moment to collect himself before he managed an awkward grin. ¡°N


    ¡°If I hadn¡¯te, I wouldn¡¯t know just how much my big brother cares about me, Mirabe said, her <b>voice </b>airy.


    Zach felt a shiver down his spine at her tone, legs going wobbly. He babbled without a clue, ¡°Ha¡­ Mira, looking out for you is my job as your brother


    He totally chickened out, a far cry from the cocksure attitude he had just moments ago.


    Wyatt, pretending to mop nearby, almost tripped over his bucket at the scene. It looked like that was just a facade.


    ¡°Wow, quite the leisure you have, Zach, running over here to dote on me,¡± Mirabe <b>nodded </b>solemnly, her hand kneading his shoulder intermittently.


    The firm but gentle pressure on his shoulder made Zach¡¯s posture wilt. ¡°Ahem, Mira, I just came to thank your tutor. Honest, no funny business.¡±


    With that, Zach turned to James. ¡°Mr. James, as her tutor, you know what I¡¯m <b>talking </b><b>about</b><b>, </b>right?¡±


    However, when Zach looked at James, he was met with the same helpless and pitiful¡® facade, followed by a wistful remark, ¡°Your brother¡¯s right 11l be more mindful in the future.¡±


    Zach couldn¡¯t help but nce back at his Mira, noticing theughter in her eyes growing deeper. His heart skipped a beat, fearing she might¡¯ve misunderstood his reasons for showing up


    Zach, you¡¯re really pushing it.¡± Mirabe shook her head, sighing lightly.


    Zach muttered, ¡°No, listen, Mira, it¡¯s not what you


    think.¡±


    Mirabe finally withdrew her hand and added, ¡°Dad¡¯s been wanting to invite my tutor over for dinner. After your stunt today, what do you think he¡¯d say?¡±


    Hearing this, Zach¡¯s eyelids twitched, as he recalled the mixed doubles scolding he¡¯d just survived. He shuddered at the thought.


    Then, looking up at James, it finally clicked why the ¡®pretty boy¡® <b>had </b>changed his tune so abruptly ¨C he was putting on <b>a </b>show in front of Mirabe.


    Zach was livid. Normally, he was the one pulling the strings, but today, the tables had turned, <b>and </b>he was the one being yed!

 Chapter 551

    <b>Chapter </b><b>551 </b>


    <b>James </b>caught Zach¡¯s almost predatory re and cleared his throat as he stood up, offering a timely exnation, ¡°Your brother <b>didn¡¯t </b><b>mean </b><b>any </b>harm<b>, </b><b>really</b>.<b>¡± </b>


    Zach, forced to maintain a smile despite feeling wronged, was wordless. Jerk.


    Mirabe nced <b>at </b>James with a half¨Csmirk.


    <b>James</b>, his gaze cool andposed<b>, </b>didn¡¯t reply. Instead, he walked over to a nearby cab, pulled open a drawer, and retrieved <b>two </b>books. ¡°Here, these are for you.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her gaze dropping to the books being handed to her, the titles emzoned <b>in </b>French. Tranted, they read: Clinical Psychology.


    She reached out to ept the books, a set of two volumes, untranted French editions. Somewhat surprised<b>, </b>she looked up. ¡°How did you <b>know </b>I¡¯ve been into this subjecttely?¡±


    ¡°I heard you mention itst time,¡± James¡® voice was calm and detached<b>, </b>his tall figure exuding an air of effortless elegance and nobility. Recalling a conversation they had during a car ride from the library, Mirabe hadn¡¯t given it much thought at the time. ¡°These volumes are hard toe by. Thanks.¡±


    James watched her, his lips barely parting. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    Zach, who suddenly felt like he had be invisible on the couch, quickly got up and asked, ¡°What books<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe tilted her head and lifted the books so he could see the covers. Upon seeing the French titles, Zach¡¯s expression instantly crumpled. Damn, they were totally iprehensible.


    Though curious about the books¡® contents, Zach pretended to understand in the presence of James and said dismissively, ¡°Just French stuff<b>, </b>huh? Next time, <b>I¡¯ll </b>bring you a whole pile of these.¡±


    Mirabe simply nced at him. ¡°Zach, I think it¡¯s better if you don¡¯t talk.¡±


    Feeling snubbed by his sister, Zach averted his eyes, and as he hung his head, he caught sight of the slippers on his sister¡¯s feet, then looked at James¡® slippers. They were identical pairs, different colors.


    He then nced at his own feet, and his mind buzzed loudly. After a moment, he looked up <b>at </b>James<b>, </b>his eyes sharpening like knives. This bastard definitely has designs on my sister!¡®


    James, sensing the hostility, looked up, puzzled.


    Zach red fiercely at James before turning to his sister. ¡°Mira, let¡¯s switch shoes.¡±


    Mirabe was stunned,pletely baffled. What was Zach on about now?


    ¡°Come <b>on</b><b>, </b>you wear mine,¡± Zach said seriously as if fearing she wouldn¡¯tply. He took off his shoes and ced them in front <b>of </b>her. If some jerk wanted to take advantage of his Mira, they¡¯d have to get past him first!


    Mirabe couldn¡¯tprehend Zach¡¯s actions. Despite his insistence<b>, </b>Mirabe eventually agreed to swap her slippers.


    <b>Girls</b>¡® shoes were naturally petite and delicate. Watching Zach forcefully squeeze into them with his heels still hanging off the edge, Mirabe massaged her temples. This was just too much to watch.


    Though his feet were ufortable, Zach felt a sense of satisfaction. He finally seemed content, lifting his chin proudly and giving James <b>a </b>defiant look.


    James¡® gaze briefly swept over the pink slippers on Zach¡¯s feet, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

 Chapter 552

    <b>Chapter </b><b>552 </b>


    Zach¡¯s phone buzzed to life, <b>and </b>he fished it <b>out </b><b>of </b>his pocket to see Shawn¡¯s name sh across the screen. Carefully <b>stepping </b><b>aside </b>in <b>his </b>slippers, he pressed the answer buttch <b>and </b>moved to speak privately.


    <b>Watching </b>her brother, Mirabe let out a sigh and turned to James with a helpless expression<b>. </b>¡°Sorry about that.¡±


    <b>James </b><b>cleared </b>his <b>throat</b>, a gentle understanding lighting up his radiant face. ¡°You know, your brother Zach¡­ he¡¯s quite the character<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    *It¡¯s generous <b>of </b>you to speak up for him<b>,</b>¡± Mirabe nced at James before her gaze wandered around, asking casually, ¡°Where¡¯s <b>your </b>grandfather?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s been taken home,¡± James replied softly.


    Mirabe nodded in acknowledgment.


    <b>¡°</b>Niki called me a couple of days ago and mentioned you treated a patient for him,¡± James said<b>, </b>his clear gaze seemingly touching <b>on </b>the topic by chance.


    Mirabe tumed back, leaning on the armrest of the sofa, her beautiful eyes revealing an indifferent glint. <b>¡°</b><b>It </b>wasn¡¯t a charity case.¡±


    Remembering Mirabe¡¯s miserly nature, James raised an eyebrow. After a brief pause, he added, ¡°Niki has organized <b>a </b>luncheon in your honor at Blossom¡¯s Eden for tomorrow noon. Will you be attending?¡±


    At the mention of the luncheon, Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows knitted slightly. She pondered for a moment and was about to respond when Zach, having finished his call<b>, </b>spun around. When he noticed his sister and that jerk were too close forfort<b>, </b>his eyes darkened, and he immediately strode over.


    Zach pulled Mirabe to the side and stepped in front of her defensively. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. We should head home.¡±


    Mirabe facepalmed, holding back her words.


    ?? ????? ?? ? ? ? ??? ???


    James straightened up at this, and without further pressing Mirabe about the luncheon, he nodded politely to Zach. ¡°Of course<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    Zach, noting James¡® sudden return to gentlemanly behavior, internally scoffed, ¡®What <b>a </b>fake!¡®


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to see us out,¡± Zach gestured dismissively to James, then turned to his Mira, ¡°Come on, sis. Let¡¯s go.¡± With that, he took Mirabe by the <b>arm </b>and led her out of the vi<b>, </b>not even allowing for a goodbye.


    Once they were gone, Wyatt, who had been pretending to be a janitor sweeping the floors<b>, </b>stopped his charade and approached, muttering to himself, ¡°Dealing with that brother¨Cinw is no easy task.¡±


    James had been contemting Mirabe¡¯s reaction to Niki¡¯s luncheon. <b>He </b>half¨Csquinted at Wyatt¡¯sment, ¡°Brother-inw?¡±


    Wyatt coughed, ¡°I mean, Ms. Mirabe¡¯s brother, Zach.¡±


    James nced at him faintly without engaging further, simply instructing, ¡°Look into the patient Niki had Ms. Mirabe treat.¡± Wyatt was momentarily surprised, but seeing the serious look on James¡® face<b>, </b>he didn¡¯t ask any questions and simply nodded, getting <b>to </b>work on the task.


    Outside the neighboring <b>vi</b>, Zachunched into big brother mode. <b>¡°</b>Mira, I¡¯m telling you<b>, </b>you should keep your distance from that James guy. He¡¯s up to no good.¡±


    The mere thought of James feigning vulnerability and the idea of a pair of couple¡¯s slippers for Mirabe made his teeth itch with Irritation.


    Mirabe just gave him a nonchnt nce, <b>not </b>bothering to respond, and continued walking home.


    Zach touched his nose<b>, </b><b>feeling </b>somewhat cowed every time he received that look from his sister. All the things he wanted to <b>say </b>seemed <b>to </b>get stuck in his throat. So his attention shifted to the two books Mirabe was carrying <b>in </b>her arms, a silent change of <b>topic</b><b>. </b>

 Chapter 553

    <b>Chapter </b><b>553 </b>


    <b>¡°</b>Mirabe, what in the world did Mr. James give you this time<b>?</b>¡± Zach inquired, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    Mirabe <b>paused </b>mid<b>¨C</b>step, her eyebrows arched in amusement. ¡°So you¡¯re finally admitting your French is <b>a </b>bit rusty<i>?</i>¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Look, I didn¡¯t major in French,¡± Zach retorted, a little defensively.


    With a sly smile, Mirabe nodded. ¡°Ah yes, the ssic excuse of the culturally challenged.<b>¡± </b>


    Zach was rendered speechless by her academic jibe.


    Soon after, they entered their home.


    Shawn, waiting in the living room<b>, </b>narrowed his eyes as the siblings walked in. He turned to Zach and said, ¡°Zach<b>, </be here, let¡¯s have a little heart¨Cto¨Cheart.¡±


    At the mere mention <b>of </b>a ¡®heart¨Cto¨Cheart,¡® Zach shuddered involuntarily. Unsure of what he¡¯d done to irk his old man this time, he instinctivelytched onto his sister¡¯s arm. ¡°Mira, back me up, will ya<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Mirabe stared at him silently for a moment before coldly withdrawing her arm. ¡°Time to man up and face the music.¡±


    Zach felt like crying. Standing up to his dear old dad was not an option if he wanted to walk away on two legs.


    Mirabe cleared her throat and said, ¡°I might have a suggestion for you.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Zach asked, desperate for any lifeline.


    Mirabe casually walked over <b>to </b>the fridge, pulled open the door, and pointed inside. ¡°This<b>.</b><b>¡± </b>


    ¡°What is that-¡± Zach¡¯s voice trailed off as his eyesnded on the massive onion. He was petrified.


    Patting his shoulder with a serious expression, Mirabe offered, ¡°Zach, this is the only thing that can save you now.¡±


    Zach turned to look at his Mira, who had always seemed so understanding and sweet. She was suggesting he cut onions!


    Mirabe pretended not to notice his expression, grabbed a soda from the fridge shelf, twisted the cap off, and took a sip. With raised eyebrows, she teased, ¡°Or shall I carry the onion over for you?¡±


    Zach was speechless. He was seriously contemting running away from home at this point.


    <b>In </b>the living room, Shawn¡¯s voice called out again, prompting Zach to drag his feet over.


    Leaning against the door frame, Mirabe¡¯s lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. She pulled out her phone and shot a message to James on Messenger. [I¡¯ll be there tomorrow.]


    It was an answer to the question that had been interrupted earlier by her brother¡¯s crisis.


    After finishing her drink and bidding her parents goodnight, Mirabe went upstairs, not sparing a nce at Zach¡¯s pitiful look.


    After an hour¨Clong interrogation by Shawnter, <b>a </b>weary Zach was finally released. As he stood to return to his room, he noticed the book Mirabe had left on the sideboard. He hesitated, then walked over, picked up the French tome, and flipped through it. It was all French, not a wordprehensible to him.


    Zach, once again, began to question his own intellect. He and Mirabe had the same parents, yet how could their differences be so stark<b>? </b>


    Shawn, about to pour himself a ss of water, saw his son standing there, lost in thought. Approaching him, he nced at the French book in his hand and asked, ¡°Can you understand any of that?¡±

 Chapter 554

    <b>Chapter </b><b>554 </b>


    Thetest heartache for Zach couldn¡¯t have been more silent as he nced at his old man. His face was <b>a </b>billboard of refusal <b>to </b>entertain any inquiries.


    <b>In </b>a swift pivot, he whipped out his phone, fired up a search engine, and snapped a picture of the book cover with an image search function. He might not understand the text, but he was all about enlisting the help of the mighty online trantor.


    Shawn had returned with a ss of water and was back at Zach¡¯s side. ¡°What <b>in </b>the world is this book about<b>?</b>¡± he asked.


    The trantion popped up on Zach¡¯s phone screen in no time, and when <b>¡®</b><b>Clinical </b>Psychology Discourses¡® was revealed, Zach was stunned for <b>a </b>moment.


    After a brief pause, he looked up at Shawn and murmured, ¡°It¡¯s a psychology book.¡±


    Hearing this, their dad, a man of simple tastes and questions, was perplexed. ¡°Psychology? Why are <b>you </b>reading that?¡±


    Zach put down his phone and exined, ¡°It belongs to Mira.¡±


    Their dad was taken aback. Why on earth would his daughter be reading such a thing? She was a senior in high school. Her nose should be buried in study guides, right?


    Then, something dawned on Zach, and a warm glint shone behind his sses. He added, ¡°It¡¯s because Nick has been in therapy for a while.¡±


    His sister was always quietly doing things for the family without seeking credit. If this were Summer, she probably wouldn¡¯t even think to check if her brother needed psychological treatment. Plus, Summer reading such books would be out of the question.


    Zach felt a mix of emotions.


    Shawn, hearing about Nick, had aplicated look cross his face. Understanding the significance, he became visibly moved. Though Mira reading the book might not directly help Nick, it was a tangible sign of a sister¡¯s concern for her brother.


    Shawn¡¯s eyes unexpectedly got teary. He took a big gulp of water, trying to swallow the lump in his throat. After a moment of silence, he said, ¡°Send Nick a picture of the book.¡±


    Zach looked at his dad in surprise.


    Shawn had already mastered his emotions, snorted, and said, ¡°Let him see how much his little sister cares about him. After all these years away, it¡¯s about time he came home.¡± With that, he casually strolled out with his water ss, his departure marked by a touch of defiance.


    Zach chuckled to himself, then, looking at the book in his hand, decided his dad¡¯s suggestion wasn¡¯t half bad. He took <b>out </b>his phone. again,id out the two books, and snapped photos to send to Nick.


    After sending the pictures and pointing out who was reading them, Zach waited for a reply. Nick must have been busy, as <b>no </b>response came. So Zach pocketed his phone, book in hand, and headed upstairs.


    <b>** </b>


    The next day was Saturday.


    Mirabe carved out some time in the morning to tackle two challenging math problems her teacher had assigned. She then breezed through a couple of practice tests from other subjects. Around eleven, she got a call from James.


    She had already told Shawn and Delh she¡¯d be out at noon, so shortly after hanging up, Mirabe stepped out of the house. James¡® car was parked outside the vi. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and quickly slid into the back seat.

 Chapter 555

    James stepped out into the crisp moming hir, his figure wrapped in a steak, ck wool coat. Hisplexion seemed to glow against the dark fabric, giving him an air of refined, almost aristocratic elegance


    Mirabe slid into the car with a casual grace, allowing herself a few unabashed nces at him before leisurely drawing her gaze away James sat back one leg crossed over the other, his hand resting nonchntly on his knee. When he caught Mirabe¡¯s curious gaze beside him, he tilted his head towards her and asked, ¡°Do you like what you see?¡±


    Wyatt who was already steering the vehicle into motion, cast a discreet nce in the rearview mirror, a silent testament to his growing ustomed to James increasingly shameless antics.


    Propping her elbowzily against the car door, Mirabe¡¯s pale fingers cradled her forehead while her beautiful face bore no hint of shyness. She nodded slightly, offering a sincere assessment, ¡°You look good.¡±


    James arched an eyebrow ¡°Just good?¡±


    Mirabe rubbed her temple thoughtfully, pretending to consider her words carefully. After a moment, she replied, ¡°Very good¨Clooking¡±


    James was rendered speechless.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ Wyatt couldn¡¯t hold back a chuckle. One should never expect anything out of the ordinary from a woman as straightforward as Mirabe. Straight shooters like her had a way of leaving all the gents at a loss for words. Also, she was a renowned medical expert, and her trademark was brevity, never one for beating around the bush.


    Leaning back in her seat, Mirabe¡¯s eyes, clear and distinct as day and night, suddenly sparked with another question, ¡°How old are you,d?


    James¡® lips twitched, but before he could speak, Wyatt chimed in from the front seat. ¡°He¡¯s 24, a lifelong bachelor¨Cno girlfriend to speak of, past or present!¡±


    As James¡® devoted subordinate, Wyatt felt it was his duty to seize every opportunity to market his item¡­.to promote James.


    At Wyatt¡¯s words, James brought a hand to his forehead in exasperation. It appeared that his patience had be too lenient, and that rascal was actually daring to poke fun at him.


    Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows rose. ¡°Are you not interested in women?¡±


    Wyatt was taken aback. Could she really have interpreted it that way? Ms. Mirabe seemed to have a unique misunderstanding about the nature of being single.


    Quickly after, her voice floated through the car again, her lips pursed in a serious expression, ¡°Buddy, if you need help, I can whip up prescription for you.¡± After all, they were neighbors, and she had received plenty of generous gifts from him in the past. She could afford to offer her services free of charge this time.


    James¡® face darkened in an instant. Wyatt cleared his throat sympathetically, casting a nce at the rearview mirror. Indeed, his poor boss, James, was having a rough time.


    <b>Being </b>single for so many years was one thing, but to finally find someone who stirred his heart and then to be subject to such personal jabs¡­


    ¡°¡­I really appreciate it,¡± James finally managed <i>to </i>say, his cool voice tinged with a gritted edge.


    Mirabe waved a hand dismissively. ¡°No worries, we¡¯re neighbors, after all.¡±


    ??? ??? ??? ? ? ?? ?? ? ? ??


    James could only respond with silence.


    With a yful tilt at the corners of her eyes, Mirabe turned to look out the car window, pressing a button to lower it slightly. The cool breeze rushed in, tousling the fine hairs at her temples. The smile hidden in her eyes remained unseen by James.


    Blossom¡¯s Eden was the city¡¯s premier private club, famed for its discretion and the choice of many families for hosting theirvish


    events.


    The traffic was a bit congested, but they arrived without beingte, just a few minutes shy of noon.


    After disembarking, Wyatt went to park the car while Mirabe and James stepped into the club¡¯s grand foyer.


    The lobby manager, in the midst of conversing with another guest, noticed James¡® entrance. He approached with a polite nod and a warm greeting.

 Chapter 556

    <b>Chapter </b><b>556 </b>


    Mirabe trailed behind James, her head bowed. She tapped out a quick reply to a message that had buzzed through her phone as soon as she <b>stepped </b>out of the car.


    Meanwhile, Asher, who had been eagerly awaiting their arrival downstairs, had just returned from a quick trip to the restroom. His eyebrows arched with excitement upon catching sight of James.


    Despite the frosty reception Asher had received from the scion of the Shepherd family during theirst encounter, he hadn¡¯t taken it to heart. He understood that someone with James¡® pedigree might exhibit a mercurial temperament.


    Asher approached with a brisk pace, offering a respectful nod to James. ¡°Mr. James, good to see you¡¯ve arrived,¡± he said with courteous formality.


    James¡® gaze swept <b>over </b>Asher indifferently before he turned to look back at Mirabe. Noticing her preupation with her phone, he stood patiently, waiting for her to finish.


    32 22 35 1 2S F


    A flicker of imitation crossed Asher¡¯s face upon seeing this, but he held his tongue, standing silently beside James.


    Feeling the weight of their stares, Mirabe sent off herst message and looked up. ¡°What¡¯s up? Why the hold¨Cup?¡± Her eyes met James¡®, filled with curiosity.


    *Just waiting on you,¡± James replied, his voice cool and unhurried.


    The lobby manager, who had stepped aside, was momentarily taken aback by the sight of Mirabe¡¯s face.


    Mirabe pursed her lips and pocketed her phone. It was only then that she seemed to notice Asher <b>by </b>James¡® side. She spared him a brief nce before turning her attention back to James. ¡°It¡¯s alright, don¡¯t mind me.<b>¡± </b>


    Asher didn¡¯t bother to exchange pleasantries with Mirabe. Instead, he maintained a polite smile and chimed in, ¡°Shall we head upstairs?¡± He gestured <b>for </b>them to follow.


    James regarded Mirabe, whose delicate features were serene and subtlyposed. ¡°Ladies first<b>,¡± </b>he offered.


    With a half¨Csmile and a raised eyebrow, Mirabe took the lead without further ado.


    Asher felt a momentary twinge of awkwardness, especially since James, a man of high status, was deliberately letting an ordinary girl walk ahead. It seemed to be making a point in front of him.


    Asher, always eager to impress James, had disregarded others, particrly Mirabe, in his efforts to curry favor. He couldn¡¯t fathom James taking a real interest in a girl as in as Mirabe. But now, his opinion started to change. Asherposed himself and turned, following behind James.


    As the group ascended the stairs, the lobby manager shook off his daze, fished out his phone, and fired off a message to the corporat management group: [Pretty sure I just saw the Miss Davis herself.]


    25 255 2 2 2 2 2 2 <b>8 </b><b>2 </b>


    No sooner had the text been sent than the chat exploded with over five hundred members chiming in at once.


    [OMG, green with envy over here!]


    [Sounds like someone¡¯s about to climb the corporatedder!]


    The banter continued, eachment dripping with sarcastic envy. The lobby manager¡¯s lips curled into a smug grin. He pocketed his phone without responding and waved over to the second¨Cfloor supervisor.


    One Mana


    Back in the private room, Niki rose from his conversation with Owen and Johnny on the couch as Mirabe and James entered. ¡°Mirabe<b>, </b>James,¡± he greeted, ¡°you¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    Their entrance was perfectly timed at noon, not a minutete.

 Chapter 557

    James gave a nod and a curt, ¡°Hi, Mr. Niki.¡±


    ¡°<b>Hello</b><b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Mirabe greeted, her voice carrying the cadence of politeness.


    With a nod and a brief smile, Niki took a few steps inside before pointing to Owen and Johnny, who were lounging on the couch <b>and </b>introduced them, ¡°James, meet Owen. And that¡¯s his aide, Johnny.¡±


    Turning to Owen and Johnny, he continued, ¡°Guys, this is James. And you know Mirabe so no need for formalities there.¡±


    Owen, who had been undergoing some restorative care over the past few days, looked less pallid than before. His once gaunt cheeks now had a <b>hint </b>of fullness to them. Though still lean, hismanding presence was unmistakable¨Clike that of a seasoned politician.


    He rose to his feet and approached James with an easy stride, hand outstretched, and a weing smile on his face. ¡°James, pleasure <b>to </b>meet you.¡±


    James, with sharp and discerning eyes reminiscent of a hawk, gave Owen a cursory nce. His chiseled features remained impassive as he merely nodded in acknowledgment, opting not <b>to </b>shake hands<b>. </b>


    Owen, undeterred by theck of physical greeting, casually lowered his hand and turned to Mirabe<b>, </b>his voice tempered with warmth, ¡°Ms. Mirabe<b>.¡± </b>


    Mirabe had a fairly good impression of Owen, mostly because he was known <b>for </b>settling his dues without fuss. After a brief appraisal, she remarked, ¡°Mr. Owen, you seem to be on the mend quite nicely.¡± Her tone was informal, hinting <b>at </b><b>a </bfortable rapport. James¡® eyes flickered with a hint of interest. ¡°Thanks <b>in </b>part to you,¡± Owen replied with a chuckle.


    Despite his recent illness and the slight pallor that clung to his features, Owen¡¯s good looks andposure<b>, </b>coupled with his affable demeanor, could easily give off aid¨Cback vibe were it not <b>for </b>the business at hand.


    Mirabe nodded nonchntly and casually waved her hand. ¡°No big deal.¡±


    Yet, considering today¡¯s unexpected reunion, she quickly added after a brief pause, ¡°<b>I¡¯ll </b>check your pulseter<b>, </b>just <b>to </b>be sure.¡±


    Before Owen could agree, Johnny, who had been edgy the whole time, interjected with panicked urgency, ¡°Ah¡­ no need to trouble yourself, Ms. Mirabe! I reckon Mr. Owen¡¯s all better now. Really, it¡¯s not necessary!¡±


    Owen looked puzzled. Johnny turned to him, his expression stern. ¡°Sir, you must trust Ms. Mirabe¡¯s expertise. She did say if you followed her prescription to the letter, <b>you¡¯d </b>be in the clear!¡±


    A single check¨Cup costing a seven¨Cfigure sum could drain even a substantial fortune!


    Owen pressed his fingers to his temple and murmured, ¡°Would you just zip <b>it</b><b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Johnny slunk away to the side, his lips sealed. No more objections.


    Clearing his throat, Owen turned back to Mirabe. ¡°¡­I apologize for the spectacle.¡± Mirabe¡¯s eyebrows arched as she simply remarked, ¡°Understandable. You¡¯ve learned your lesson and don¡¯t want to waste money unnecessarily.¡±


    Johnny inwardly winced. Thanks for the backhandedpliment!


    2018 2


    Before long, Niki beckoned everyone to take their seats. The meal had been pre¨Carranged, and Niki signaled Asher to inform the club¡¯s staff that they were ready to proceed with dinner. Asher excused himself <b>to </b>convey the message.


    Mirabe sat next to James, typically quiet, mostly listening to Niki and Owen chat. She rarely spoke unless Niki engaged her in conversation, to which she would briefly respond. She kept a low profile.


    As the dinner conversation meandered, Johnny suddenly remembered someone missing<b>, </b>¡°Isn¡¯t Dane around today?¡± He looked at Niki, curious.

 Chapter 558

    <b>Chapter </b><b>558 </b>


    Niki refilled his coffee cup, the rich aroma of freshly brewed java filling the air. ¡°He¡¯s back at the Riverdale Pharmacists¡® Guild,¡± he said. ¡°He¡¯s preparing for the annual promotion assessment.¡±


    Johnny wasn¡¯t surprised. He had heard the guy was gunning for a Senior Pharmacist title thest time they talked.


    With a chuckle, he offered apliment, ¡°Given his talents, climbing the ranks should be a walk in the park.¡±


    Niki shook his head. ¡°The Guild¡¯s got only a spot or two for promotions each year. This time, it¡¯s all in his hands.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just luck, though. Skill¡¯s the real deal,¡± Owen mused, joining in the conversation after a few seconds of thought.


    Seeing Owen toss out a rarepliment, Johnny breathed a little easier. He had been given strict orders to cozy up to <b>the </b>Reeves family¨Cespecially Dane. Unfortunately, Dane had already returned to the capital. While it was a bummer, Johnny nced at the youngdy sitting across from him and suddenly felt Dane¡¯s absence might be a blessing in disguise. Without him, they could avoid the potentially awkward conversation about the medicine swap. After all, Johnny hadn¡¯t mentioned his second request for Mirabe to re¨Cexamine Owen to the Reeves family.


    He refocused on the conversation, nodding <b>in </b>agreement, ¡°Anyone who makes it into the Pharmacists¡®


    Guild is one in a million.¡±


    Hearing this, Mirabe, who had been sitting quietly, perked up. She had some recollection of the Pharmacists¡® Guild<b>. </b>Its standards, as far as she remembered, were pretty average. She scoffed silently


    At that moment, Niki turned to her. ¡°Mirabe, would you be interested in joining the Pharmacists Guild? With your skills in potion making¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Mirabe bluntly cut him off, ¡°I¡¯m not interested.¡± Her fingers danced idly on the tabletop, her entire demeanor nonchnt.


    Johnny looked up at Mirabe, perplexed. How could she refuse so tly? Was she unaware of what the Pharmacists¡® Guild represented?


    And what was that about potion¨Cmaking skills that Niki had hinted at before being interrupted? Could she be a pharmacist? A pharmacist in herte teens<b>? </b>


    The thought shed through Johnny¡¯s mind, but he quickly shook it off. It seemed improbable.


    Niki, seeing Mirabe¡¯s disinterest, felt a twinge of regret. But then he remembered her medical expertise and potion¨Cmaking prowess and figured perhaps the Guild was no <b>big </b>deal after all. Aside from the Guild President<b>, </b>who could hold a candle to her? The others¡­ probably not.


    Whether she joined the Guild or not didn¡¯t really matter. She had the backing of the Shepherd family, and with such protection, even with amon background, she had nothing to fear from the prying eyes of other families.


    Before long, Asher strolled <b>into </b>the room and took a seat beside Niki. He had initially wanted to sit closer to James but thought better of it after the little incident downstairs. Despite his opportunistic


    <b>1/2 </b>


    10:20


    nature, he knew that if it wasn¡¯t for his father¡¯s sake, James might not have bothered to show up today.


    Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Asher settled in quietly, choosing <b>to </b>remain silent.


    Meanwhile, Johnny kept ncing at his watch, his attention elsewhere, as if he had pressing matters to


    attend to.


    Owen noticed his distraction and leaned in, a questioning look in his eyes, ¡°Something up?¡±


    Johnny nced at Mirabe across the table and lowered his voice, ¡°Mind if I step <b>out </b>for a bit?¡±

 Chapter 559

    <b>Chapter </b><b>559 </b>


    Johnny paused for a moment, then added, ¡°Got a meeting with someone here at the club. I¡¯ll be right


    back.¡±


    Owen didn¡¯t press for details. ¡°Sure thing, go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Johnny nodded, stood up, and excused himself from Niki and the others before heading out of the private dining room.


    As he stepped out, he nearly bumped into a parade of waitstaff delivering dishes. This wasn¡¯t just one or two servers; it was a whole squadron, a dozen strong, each pushing a cart filled with tes and bowls, entering the room in a choreographed procession.


    Johnny was momentarily taken aback by the spectacle, almost as if a royal banquet was being served. It wasn¡¯t his first time at Blossom¡¯s Eden, but he¡¯d never witnessed such a disy before.


    Shaking his head to clear the bizarre thought, he quickly resumed his walk down the corridor.


    Ms. Mirabe¡¯s stepfather had called him for a chat. Initially, Johnny had nned to decline, but since Niki had set up this dinner, he eventually decided to make an appearance.


    In another private room, Colton, Mandy, and a political acquaintance of theirs called Travis had been waiting since just after eleven for Johnny to arrive.


    Colton kept ncing at the door, then at his watch, the tension clear in his eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t think Johnny¡¯s going to stand us up, do you?¡±


    Mandy, seated and fidgeting<b>, </b>tried to stay optimistic. ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bit longer. Maybe he¡¯s stuck in traffic?¡°.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, there¡¯s no need to worry. If Johnny promised, to meet, he won¡¯t leave you hanging. He said around half¨Cpast twelve, so he should be here soon,¡± Travis offered, unfazed by the couple¡¯s anxiety.


    Colton chuckled at his friend¡¯sposure. ¡°It¡¯s not worry, it¡¯s just¡­ when we meet, I¡¯m not sure what to say. We don¡¯t really know him or his personality.¡±


    Travis sipped his coffee calmly. ¡°Johnny¡¯s pretty straightforward. Best to just speak your mind.¡±


    ¡°Hope you can put in a good word for us,¡± Mandy said with a grateful smile.


    With a soft hum, Travis added after a pause, ¡°But my word isn¡¯t heavy. I¡¯ve never dealt with Johnny directly.¡±


    Colton quickly reassured him, ¡°Not at all. The fact that you could arrange this meeting with Johnny is impressive.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it shows how much the higher¨Cups value you,¡± Mandy chimed in, supporting her husband¡¯spliment.


    Travis appreciated the ttery but humbly shook his head and chose not to borate further.


    Just then, the door swung open, and Johnny appeared, his presence poised and restrained. Travis was the


    first to rise from his seat, <b>a </b>flicker of nervousness in his eyes despite trying to maintainposure.


    Travis approached and greeted Johnny with a respectful nod, ¡°Mr. Johnny.¡±


    10:20


    5 Chapter 559


    Travis, a man in his forties, had never met Johnny, so when Johnny saw him, he mistook him for


    Mirabe¡¯s stepfather. While not as deferential as he might be to Mirabe, he was polite. ¡°Good to meet you, Mr. Gilbert,¡± Johnny greeted with a nod.


    Travis blinked at being addressed as Mr. Gilbert but quickly recovered, masking his brief embarrassment. ¡°Johnny, I¡¯m Travis. Mr. Gilbert is this gentleman here,¡± he said, gesturing to Colton, who was approaching.

 Chapter 560

    <b>Chapter </b><b>560 </b>


    Johnny¡¯s gaze followed the pointing hand to meet Colton, and he greeted once more, ¡°Mr. Colton, pleasure to meet you.¡±


    Colton hadn¡¯t expected Johnny to be so youthful, barely looking a day over thirty¨Cfive, with a schrly appearance and polite demeanor that suggested he was approachable. He quickly nodded towards Johnny with a hint of eagerness, ¡°Johnny, good to see you. I¡¯ve heard quite a bit about you, and I appreciate you taking the time toe out today.¡°,


    Johnny was a seasoned yer in circles filled with all sorts of characters, from high¨Cranking officials to business magnates, and could usually size someone up in a nce.


    Frankly, Colton¡¯s overtly ingratiating approach rubbed him the wrong way. He had visited the Davis family before; in contrast, the Davises had seemed quitefortable to be around, cultured.


    Clearing his throat, Johnny managed to conceal his disappointment for the sake of Mirabe, his lips parting only to say, ¡°You¡¯re too kind.¡±


    Unaware of Johnny¡¯s inner critique, Colton gestured invitingly and said, ¡°Shall we sit down and talk over lunch?¡± Mandy had already summoned the service staff to prepare the meal as Johnny entered.


    Johnny wasn¡¯t there to dine, so he stood pat, cutting to the chase, ¡°Mr. Colton, if you¡¯ve invited me for a specific reason, please be upfront. I¡¯ve got anothermitment shortly.¡± His refusal to join the meal was


    quite apparent.


    Colton paused at Johnny¡¯s words, turned back, and, recalling Travis¡® earlier advice to be direct<b>, </b>he dove right in, ¡°Actually, the main reason for today¡¯s meeting is to discuss the old town district bid. Gilbert Corporation has prepared a veryprehensive proposal¡­¡± As he spoke, Colton signaled to Mandy with his eyes to bring over the business n.


    Johnny had anticipated the motive behind the invitation and didn¡¯t reach for the n handed to him. Instead, he firmly stated, ¡°Mr. Colton, the bidding for the old town district will follow standard procedures I¡¯m just overseeing the process; I don¡¯t make the final decisions.¡±


    While often an opportunist, Johnny mirrored Owen in his integrity when it came to official matters, never misusing his position for personal gain. He nearly walked away then and there, but he stayed for the sake of Ms. Mirabe, Owen¡¯s savior. Without that connection, he wouldn¡¯t have even agreed to the meeting.


    Colton¡¯s hand, clutching the proposal, hung in the air as he stared at Johnny. He expected Johnny¡¯s eptance of the invitation as an implicit nod to Gilbert Corporation. It was a shock when Johnny declined even to review the proposal on the spot.


    After a moment <b>of </b>rigid silence, Mandy gently nudged Colton¡¯s arm, bringing him back to reality. He turned to her, catching her meaningful nce. She discreetly retrieved a card from her designer purse and pressed it into Colton¡¯s palm, urging him to pass it to Johnny.


    In Mandy¡¯s eyes, Johnny¡¯s direct refusal only pointed to one thing ¨C they hadn¡¯t greased his palm. She believed there was no problem that money couldn¡¯t solve; if there was, it simply meant not enough had been offered.

 Chapter 561

    <b>Chapter </b><b>561 </b>


    As Johnny watched the couple¡¯s transaction unfold before his eyes, his expression darkened in an instant. Travis, who had been keeping a watchful eye on Johnny¡¯s demeanor, felt his heart skip a beat when he saw the sudden shift. Only then did he notice Mandy¡¯s gesture of passing the card.


    Travis nearly fainted at the sight. He never expected Colton to pull such a reckless stunt.


    In the entire city hall, it wasmon knowledge that Johnny and Owen despised under¨Cthe¨Ctable money exchange. The Gilberts¡® actions were tantamount to sabotaging their own chances of prosperity.


    Travis had thought that the Gilberts must have had some connection that warranted Johnny¡¯s special attention. That was the reason he got on board with the Gilberts when Colton approached him.


    Just moments ago, when Colton implied that Johnny might not show up, Travis thought it was just a ploy to inte his own importance, pretending not to know Johnny well.


    Little did he realize¡­ Colton truly didn¡¯t know him. No wonder Johnny mistook him for Colton.


    Travis felt like Colton was going to be the death of him. He frantically tried to signal the couple with his eyes, but they were oblivious.


    Meanwhile, Colton was already extending the card towards Johnny, saying, ¡°<b>Mr. </b>Johnny, this is just a small token of our appreciation from the Gilbert family.¡±


    Travis turned away, unable to bear looking at Johnny, his mind echoing with one thought: It¡¯s over!


    Colton¡¯s act of producing the card doomed not only the Gilbert family¡¯s bidding hopes but also Travis¡® own future prospects, merely for being the intermediary. Even though he hadn¡¯t taken the Gilberts money, Travis would never escape the taint of bribery in Johnny¡¯s eyes.


    Johnny, face void of emotion<b>, </b>stared at Colton and said with a cold huff, ¡°Mr. Gilbert, do you really think I came here for this card?¡±


    Colton¡¯s face fell as he sensed Johnny¡¯s mood turning stormy. The card almost slipped from his grasp as he hurriedly exined, ¡°Mr. Johnny, I didn¡¯t mean it like that¡­¡±


    Johnny raised his hand, cutting him off, ¡°Whatever you meant, I¡¯m not interested. Our conversation ends here. I hope you refrain from such pointless actions in the future.¡±


    After finishing his piece, Johnny turned and headed for the door. As he passed by Travis, he paused and gave him a look that drenched Travis in cold sweat. Johnny was Owen¡¯s right¨Chand man. This time, he was truly finished.


    And there was Colton, still not grasping the gravity of the situation. ¡°Mr. Travis, on my behalf, please exin to Johnny¡­¡±


    Travis watched Johnny disappear through the doorway, his lips curling into a sneer. Turning to Colton, he said with a coldugh, ¡°Exin? Exin what? That you weren¡¯t trying to bribe him?¡±


    Travis¡® eyes swept over the bank card still in Colton¡¯s hand. ¡°Did you really think <i>you </i>could fix things with money? Didn¡¯t you bother to find out what Johnny¡¯s limits are before shing your cash?¡±


    Colton¡¯s face went through several shades of red at Travis¡® words. How could he have the connections to find out Johnny¡¯s limits? All he knew was that some shortcuts required backdoor deals. Otherwise, why


    0010<i>:</i>20


    would Johnny have agreed to meet him?


    Taking a deep breath, Travis dered, ¡°You really did a number on us. You can forget about that contract for Gilbert Corporation.¡±

 Chapter 562

    <b>Chapter </b><b>562 </b>


    Colton stumbled backward, his heart pounding in his chest. Before setting foot in this ce today, he had been daydreaming about Gilbert Corporation¡¯s climb up the localdder, envisioning their breakthrough into the top ten businesses of the city, bing the year¡¯s breakout sess story.


    Why were those dreams shattering now? Why had it all gone wrong?


    Confused and desperate for answefs, Colton reached out and grabbed Travis by the


    arm. <i>¡°</i>Didn¡¯t you guys


    at the city hall say that you were taking a close look at Gilbert Corporation? That we had a strong shot atnding the contract? Why the sudden cold feet?¡±


    As Colton¡¯s grip tightened, Travis winced and pulled away with an irritated jerk of his


    supposed to know why?¡±


    arm. ¡°How am I


    After a pause, a thought seemed to strike Travis, and he stared Colton straight eye. ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me there¡¯s no backroom deal between the Gilbert family and Johnny¡¯s crowd?¡±


    7


    Colton was taken aback. ¡°If I had an in with Johnny, would I even be here talking to you?¡±


    Hadn¡¯t Travis said the city¡¯s top brass would give special consideration to Gilbert Corporation? That they had a great chance of winning the bid? Wasn¡¯t that why Colton hade here, full of hope?


    Travis¡® frown deepened. ¡°But if you¡¯re not chummy with Johnny, why would he mention giving Gilbert Corporation a closer look?¡±


    He had only cozied up to Colton because he¡¯d overheard the higher¨Cups talking about focusing on Gilbert- Corporation for the old town redevelopment bids. At the time, Colton had acted like he and Johnny were strangers, and Travis had assumed he was just ying it cool, keeping his connections under wraps. He¡¯d been an assistant director for years, always just shy of a promotion. So he yed along with Colton, pretending to be clueless. But now, judging by the turn of events¡­ Travis had been the fool all along.


    ¡°I swear, I don¡¯t know Johnny. No one in the Gilbert family or on the board has ever rubbed elbows with him,¡± Colton insisted, bewildered by Travis¡® repeated questioning.


    Travis studied Colton¡¯s bewildered expression. It wasn¡¯t an act. Had everyone been mistaken, leading to


    this farce?


    At that moment, Travis realized that no amount of untangling the situation could save his career. If it


    from hadn¡¯t been for Colton attempting to slip Johnny a business card, Travis could have walked away any misunderstanding. But now, shoulders heavy with regret, he had nothing more to say. He turned and trudged out of the private dining room, his silhouette heavy with defeat.


    the


    Colton watched Travis leave, only then fully grasping the magnitude of their blunder. His fingers loosened, and the bank card slipped from his grasp, fluttering onto the plush carpet.


    Beside him, Mandy¡¯sposure crumbled, the mask of a high¨Csocietydy falling away. She tiptoed over, bent down<b>, </b>and carefully retrieved the card. Her lips parted, ¡°Honey¡­¡±


    Hearing Mandy¡¯s voice, Colton was reminded of whose bright idea it had been to offer the bribe. His face darkened with anger. He spun around, his eyes icy as he thrust the proposal document he¡¯d been clutching into her hands. ¡°Look at the brilliant n you cooked up! Happy now?¡±

 Chapter 563

    <b>Chapter </b><b>563 </b>


    Mandy winced as the corner of the report sliced across her cheek, the sting sharp, but she dared not utter a sound. She merely bore it in silence.


    The door to the private dining room stood ajar, and the waiter, tray in hand, hesitated on the threshold, witnessing the scene unfold. He was caught in a quandary¨Cunsure whether to enter with the entrees or to retreat with discretion. It was awkward, to say the least.


    Pride was Mandy¡¯s Achilles¡® heel, and being seen in such a vulnerable state by the club¡¯s staff felt akin to being stripped bare for all to see.


    When Mandy was humiliated by her husband, she managed to swallow her anger, but her temper red uncontrobly when it came to outsiders. ¡°Who said you coulde in? Don¡¯t you know how to knock?¡± she snapped<b>, </b>conveniently forgetting that just minutes ago, she had pressed the service bell for the meal to be served.


    Trained to perfection, the waiter had seen his share of temperamental patrons. Without a word, he gracefully backed out of the room.


    <b>** </b>


    After leaving Colton¡¯s suite, Johnny made a quick detour to the restroom before returning to the room where Niki had organized the gathering.


    Having spent less than ten minutes with Colton<b>, </b>Johnny¡¯s reentry to the room went almost unnoticed. But his pallor caught Owen¡¯s attention as he settled beside him, prompting a soft inquiry, ¡°Everything okay?¡±


    Johnny<b>, </b>still reeling from the distasteful encounter with Mirabe¡¯s adoptive parents, attempted to mask his agitation but couldn¡¯t quite manage. ¡°Just met with Ms. Mirabe¡¯s foster parents,¡± he confided in a hushed tone meant only for Owen.


    Owen¡¯s eyebrows lifted in surprise, not having expected such news, and he prodded, ¡°Any issues?¡±


    With a heavy sigh, Johnny remarked, ¡°It¡¯s a whole mess. Ms. Mirabe doesn¡¯t seem anything like them.¡±


    Merely from her demeanor, it was clear she did not belong to the Gilberts¡® world. Had there been a mistake in the information?


    Pondering this<b>, </b>Johnny risked another nce at Mirabe across the room, but recalling her previous warning, he quelled his curiosity.


    Reading Johnny¡¯s expression, Owen knew that if his secretary deemed the situation a mess, the people in question must be a piece of work. Clearing his throat, he simply said, ¡°Let¡¯s eat now. We can talkter.¡±


    Johnny nodded, refocusing on the meal before him.


    Mirabe caught Johnny¡¯s fleeting gaze and quickly lowered her eyes back to her te, resuming her meal.


    As dinner wound down, the waitstaff presented an artfully arranged selection of exotic fruits, a luxurious indulgence. Clearing the central turntable of dishes, they ced the fruit tter before Mirabe, then discreetly left the room, casting meaningful nces her way.


    Mirabe lifted her gaze to follow their exit but only caught the backs of the retreating figures.


    The familiarity of the service throughout the meal nagged at her, but she couldn¡¯t quite ce where she


    10.04


    had experienced it before.


    Beside her, James noticed her pensive mood. As he reached for some fruit for her, he casually asked, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    Shaking her head, Mirabe replied, ¡°Nothing.¡±


    Seeing her dismiss the matter, James didn¡¯t pry further and poured himself a cup of coffee.


    At that moment, Owen stood and made his way over. James eyed him, hts face a cool mask of indifference, pondering whether to engage or ignore.

 Chapter 564

    <b>Chapter </b><b>564 </b>


    Owen approached the table, his gaze pausing for a mere moment on James before giving a courteous nod and then sliding into the empty chair next to Mirabe<b>, </b>greeting her with a polite ¡°Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    James was momentarily frozen<b>, </b>his expression a snapshot of bewilderment.


    After finishing thest slice of fruit in her hand, Mirabe turned to Owen<b>, </b>wiped her hands with a napkin, and said thoughtfully, ¡°I¡¯ll take your pulse.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Owen replied with a slight smile, the usual solemnity on his handsome face giving way to a


    more serene expression.


    He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a slender wrist, the veins as distinct as a road map, and ced it on the table, palm up.


    Mirabe¡¯s hand settled on his pulse. For a moment, her face took on the rare focus of a healer. Secondster, she withdrew her fingers and spoke calmly, ¡°You¡¯re recovering well. Continue with the medication ! prescribed for another week, then you can stop.¡±


    ¡°Got it, thanks,¡± Owen said with a nod, aware that his condition had markedly improved. Whether it was a cebo effect or not, he certainly didn¡¯t feel the agitation he had while taking Dane¡¯s pills.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Mirabe said with a casual wave, only to notice James offering her a napkin. She nced at him, her look a silent question.


    James looked effortlesslyposed with a hint of nonchnce in his eyes. He simply said, ¡°For your hands.¡±


    Mirabe still looked puzzled.


    Without another word, James ced the napkin in her hand that had just taken Owen¡¯s pulse. The fleeting cool touch of his fingertips against her palm caused an almost imperceptible shiver through Mirabe¡¯s


    hand.


    She cleared her throat, averted her gaze, and, lowering her head, used the napkin to wipe her fingers a


    concession to his gesture.


    James smiled slightly as he leaned backzily in his chair, stretching an arm across the back of Mirabe¡¯s chair in a clear disy of territorial im. He was not looking at Owen, but the message was


    unmistakable.


    Witnessing this exchange, Owen¡¯s face turned expressionless. It was just a pulse check; was there a need for such dramatics?


    Meanwhile, Asher had been paying close attention to the conversation between Mirabe and Owen. In fact, he had taken Owen¡¯s pulse himself before Mirabe had arrived at the club.


    From the onset of Owen¡¯s illness to his so¨Ccalled recovery, Asher had not detected anything unusual in his pulse. If he hadn¡¯t seen Owen¡¯s physical transformation with his own eyes, he might not believe Owen was


    ever sick.


    Despite his skepticism about the medical skills of <b>a </b>young woman barely out of her teens, Asher had to admit that Owen¡¯s recovery was indeed thanks to her.


    Casting a nce at Mirabe, Asher wondered how she had diagnosed the condition from the pulse. Yet,


    10:21


    **Chapter 564


    although he was curious, he wasn¡¯t about to ask. Unlike his father, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to address a young girl as a mentor. It just felt inappropriate.


    Collecting his thoughts, Asher remembered something and shifted his chair closer to Owen. He then pulled a bottle from his pocket and, seemingly on purpose, handed it to Owen in front of Mirabe.


    Owen looked surprised as he took the bottle from Asher.

 Chapter 565

    <b>Chapter </b><b>565 </b>


    When Owen didn¡¯t reach out to take the porcin bottle, Asher set the bottle down on the table and said, ¡°This is a potion that my brother specifically concocted for you before he left.¡±


    Initially, Asher hadn¡¯t nned to hand over the medicine in front of Mirabe, but Owen¡¯s attitude toward her stirred something ufortable within him.


    Owen was their patient, a part of the Reeves family legacy, and Dane himself painstakingly crafted the subsequent medicines. Even though the diagnosis was Mirabe¡¯s doing and she had written the prescription, she had only taken his pulse and scribbled a recipe. Besides, she had collected her consultation fee and hadn¡¯t followed up, so there was no reason their patient should remember only her kindness. Why was no one considering the Reeves family¡¯s contribution?


    The credit couldn¡¯t all go to her. After all, Dane was on the verge of bing a senior alchemist, and the quality of his potions would naturally rise along with his status, making them quite valuable, to say the least.


    Listening to Asher<b>, </b>Owen¡¯s frown deepened. Mirabe had treated his ailment, and now Asher was putting on this act¡­ It all seemed a bit too calcted.


    Owen nced at Niki, who had a good rtionship with Ms. Mirabe, didn¡¯t he? What was Asher implying about his own father with this gesture?


    Owen politely declined, ¡°No need, I have the medicine prescribed by Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    Asher¡¯s face registered disbelief, apparently not expecting Owen to refuse the potion prepared by Dane. After a brief pause, he regained hisposure and insisted, ¡°Mr. Owen, this is something Dane specially¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Niki stood up, his expression dark and stern as he confronted Asher, ¡°Enough, Asher! What are you ying at?¡±


    Niki trembled with anger, his eyes brimming with disappointment. He had arranged this lunch not just to consider the future prospects of the Reeves family but, more importantly, to mend fences with


    Mirabe.


    His son¡¯s repeated disdain for Mirabe wasn¡¯t lost on him, and he had hoped that after herst intervention, at the very least, Asher would realize the narrowness of his own perspective. But now, not only had Asher failed to see the problem, but Dane¡¯s return had also sparked a rivalry with Mirabe.


    Mirabe had cured Owen¡¯s illness, and here his son was, offering medicine out of the blue. Niki nced at Mirabe, feeling that the evening¡¯s atmosphere, which had finally started to rx, was nowpletely ruined by his own hand. Already prone to hypertension, his head buzzed with tension. He took a deep breath to quell the rising storm within, and he said sternly, ¡°Put that away and stop making a spectacle of yourself.¡±


    Asher knew Niki was truly angered. Although he wanted to say more, his father¡¯s gaze silenced him. He reached to take back the bottle, only to grasp at air.


    Mirabe had already picked it up, and Asher frowned at this.


    Mirabe examined the bottle, uncapped it, and took a whiff of the contents. She quickly reced the cap, and although her face remained expressionless, a deep chill was evident in her eyes. Indeed, it was a potion crafted from the second prescription she had written.

 Chapter 566

    <b>Chapter </b><b>566 </b>


    Mirabe set the bottle back on the table, turned her head with a yful gaze, and smirked at Asher. ¡°Did you use my recipe to brew this potion<b>?</b><b>¡± </b>


    Asher shifted ufortably under her scrutinizing eyes, his fingers twitching but not daring to retrieve the


    bottle.


    He knew, of course, that Dane¡¯s potfon was concocted following Mirabe¡¯s instructions. But what of it? If it worked, that was all that mattered, right?


    Niki, overhearing the exchange, suddenly fixed his eyes on Mirabe¡¯s face. After a brief pause, his attention darted to the bottle on the table.


    He moved quickly, almost clumsily, bumping into his chair in his haste. Johnny, sitting nearby, jumped to his aid, worried that Niki might cause a scene.


    Niki barely noticed Johnny. He grabbed the bottle, unscrewed the cap, and inhaled deeply. He wasn¡¯t an pharmacist, but his knowledge of pharmacology was extensive, and he immediately recognized the ingredients of the pills.


    Niki remembered the recent weeks when Dane had been holed up in the pharmacy, concocting who knows what. He had asked Dane about it<b>, </b>only to receive <b>a </b>vague response about research. Niki hadn¡¯t pressed further. So, it was Mirabe¡¯s master recipe he¡¯d been using all along¡­


    Leaning against the table edge, Niki was, for the first time, at a loss for words. Pure research would have been one thing, but this was theft, in and simple. Suddenly unsteady, Niki fumbled with the bottle, which fell with a tter onto the table and rolled onto the floor.


    Asher stood hastily and moved to Niki¡¯s side. Before he could utter a word, Niki¡¯s hand struck him across the face. ¡°Aplete disgrace,¡± he spat.


    Niki¡¯s voice was hoarse, and he shook his head, disappointment etched across his face. He wondered how the Reeves family hade to harbor such unprincipled individuals.


    Asher stayed silent, knowing better than to provoke further ire. He had only wanted to hand over the potion <b>to </b>Owen in front of Mirabe and be done with it. He hadn¡¯t anticipated Owen¡¯s refusal or Mirabe¡¯s scrutiny.


    The room was steeped in awkwardness.


    Mirabe sighed softly, bent down, and picked up the bottle from the floor, cing it back on the table. ¡°To brew potions is one thing,¡± she mused dryly, ¡°but this¡­ this is amateur hour.¡±


    James nced at Mirabe, sensing her thinly veiled patience. Despite herposed exterior, he knew better. His gaze swept over Asher with a glint of annoyance. The Reeves family, he mused, all seemed tock the makings of leadership, save for Niki.


    Rising gracefully, James casually draped an arm over Mirabe¡¯s shoulder. She turned to him, questioning. ¡°Weren¡¯t we heading to the library?¡± James¡® voice was light, prompting her.


    Mirabe blinked and nodded. ¡°Oh, right. Let¡¯s go then.¡°¨C


    With a soft affirmation, James turned back to Niki. ¡°We¡¯ll be taking our leave, Niki,¡±


    Without another word about the potion, they offered him a graceful exit.


    Niki, struggling to maintain hisposure, couldn¡¯t look them in the eye. ¡°Yeah,¡± he managed to say, his voice strained.


    James collected Mirabe¡¯s coat from the rack and handed it to her. Momentster, they left the room together, side by side.


    Though they said nothing more, Niki knew their rtionship was forever altered.

 Chapter 567

    <b>Chapter </b><b>567 </b>


    The private dining room was winding down to an awkward silence, with only Owen and Johnny left lingering at the tail end of the evening.


    Owen didn¡¯t prolong the inevitable<b>. </b>He rose to his feet, gave a nod to Niki and Asher, and muttered about it being time to head out. With a gesture for Johnny to follow, they were soon out the door.


    Once the outsiders had cleared out, Niki finally caved to his weariness, copsing into a chair with his face a shade of ashen defeat. Asher reached out, intending to lend support to his father, but his hand was brushed aside. ¡°Dad¡­¡±


    Niki, seated and seemingly spent, suddenly let out a soft chuckle. ¡°Oh, Asher, you really shouldn¡¯t have done that today.¡±


    Asher pinched the bridge of his nose, but before he could utter a word, his father continued. ¡°You probably don¡¯t know¡­ that whiz kid Mirabe is an S¨Css pharmacist.¡±


    Niki¡¯s voice was faint, but itnded heavily in Asher¡¯s chest. His face mirrored sheer disbelief. ¡°That can¡¯t be¡­ An S¨Css pharmacist at eighteen?¡±


    Niki¡¯s gaze fell to the carpet, his lips curling into a wry smile. ¡°Nothing is impossible, son. Just because you haven¡¯t seen it doesn¡¯t mean it doesn¡¯t exist.¡±


    He had tried to bring up Mirabe, the alchemic prodigy, several times before. Still, Asher¡¯s prejudice against her youth had made him impatient and dismissive to the point that Niki eventually dropped the subject.


    Now, those conversations seemed devoid of any significance.


    With effort, Niki pushed himself up from the chair, not sparing another nce at Asher. His stooped silhouette edged with a certain destion<b>, </b>slowly exited the private room.


    Asher, watching his father¡¯s retreating figure, felt a sudden dryness in his throat. An S¨Css pharmacist. even the President of the Pharmacists¡® Guild had only reached that rank in the past couple of years, right? The thought of an eighteen¨Cyear¨Cold holding such a title was beyond his wildest dreams.


    Asher clenched his fists, struggling to articte his feelings. His father had no reason to lie about such a matter, especially now. Regret began to seep into Asher¡¯s heart as he considered his earlier antagonism.


    **


    Meanwhile, Mirabe and James stepped out of the private room.


    ¡°I need to hit the restroom. Why don¡¯t you head downstairs and wait for me?¡± Mirabe suggested to James, feeling an urgent call of nature.


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± James replied with a casual nod.


    Mirabe nced around and promptly followed the restroom signage while James descended the stairs leisurely.


    Reaching the lobby, James strolled over to the lounge area and fished out his phone from his coat to message Wyatt. His striking features and powerful presence made him stand out effortlessly, drawing the eyes of those around him.


    Among those in the lounge was Mandy, whose attention was naturally drawn to James. The first time she


    10:21


    nced his way, she sensed a familiarity, and it didn¡¯t take long for her to recall where she had seen him. Just six months prior, in her hometown of Elm Creek, this young man had been living next door to her mother. Their paths had crossed briefly due to an adoption matter. His distinctive face was not easily


    forgotten.


    Mandy hadn¡¯t expected to encounter a hometown face in such a ce. Observing him more closely, she noted an innate elegance and nobility <b>in </b>his demeanor that surpassed many high¨Cborn gents she¡¯d encountered. He didn¡¯t strike her as someone from a rural background.


    With a slight twist of her mouth, Mandy soon diverted her gaze. No matter how refined or seemingly aristocratic, he was still from a small town, which wasn¡¯t particrly remarkable to her.

 Chapter 568

    <b>Chapter </b><b>568 </b>


    Mandy fumbled for her phone in her purse and dialed her chauffeur¡¯s number, her voice teetering on the edge of irritation as she inquired why he hadn¡¯t sn up yet.


    After she hung up, she rummaged through her bag again and pulled out apact mirror. The sight of the ring red welt on her forehead made her restless with annoyance.


    Colton gave her an earful and stormed off in his car, leaving her stranded. So, she had no choice but <b>to </b>call for the family driver. She had been waiting for what felt like an eternity¨Ctwenty minutes, to be exact and he was still nowhere in sight.


    Slipping the mirror back into her purse, Mandy lifted her head, her gaze drifting aimlessly until it locked


    f the building. Then, she caught sight of Johnny and


    onto the spiral staircase connecting the two ferl


    Owen descending the stairs in session.


    She recognized Johnny instantly, and though Owen, leading the way, seemed familiar, she didn¡¯t dwell on it. Her attention was riveted on Johnny.


    her. The thoughts of thepany¡¯s bid that had slipped through their fingers gnawed at was a done deal, so close she could almost taste it, and then it was snatched away by the mere presentation of a


    business card.


    This project was critical for the Gilbert family¡¯s expansion in the city. If the hopes hadn¡¯t been so high, to begin with, maybe she could have stomached the disappointment better. But the city hall had been the one to raise their hopes, and now they were the very ones crushing them. Anyone would struggle to swallow that bitter pill.


    After a few seconds of contemtion, Mandy stood up and approached Johnny once more. Perhaps he would have a change of heart if she pleaded their case?


    Meanwhile, Johnny was oblivious to Mandy¡¯s presence. Noticing James standing not far from the entrance, he leaned toward Owen and whispered, ¡°Shall we go over and greet James?¡±


    Johnny had only a vague understanding of James¡® stature from what Niki had hinted at. In Riverdale, a person of eminent status, especially with the surname Shepherd, wasn¡¯t hard to deduce.


    Owen nced sideways at Johnny with a hint of reluctance. ¡°I¡¯d prefer not to.¡±


    At that, Johnny adjusted his sses, his tone shifting immediately. ¡°You refused towork with Dane, and I let that go. But this man from the Shepherd family holds even more clout. He seems like a real gentleman, approachable. If you refuse this, aren¡¯t you just sabotaging your own future?¡±


    Though Johnny¡¯s title was that of a secretary, he often yed the role of a strategic advisor<b>, </b>especially when it came to navigating theplex waters of rtionships and career prospects.


    Owen remained silent for a moment before finally relenting, deciding not to correct Johnny¡¯s description of ¡®gentlemanly and approachable.¡® With a resigned air, he made his way over to James.


    Johnny breathed a sigh of relief, inwardlymenting the burdens of being a secretary who constantly worried over others.


    As Owen approached, James slipped his phone into his coat pocket. His ck overcoat gave him an air of austerity and restraint, and his chiseled features were marked by a cold aloofness that seemed to warn strangers to keep their distance. Remembering Owen¡¯s refusal to take Asher¡¯s medicine upstairs, James


    10:21


    slightly softened his frosty demeanor.


    ¡°Mr. James¡­¡±


    Owen had expected the same cool indifference and subtle hostility from James that he had encountered upstairs. However, he was taken aback to find James unexpectedly patient and polite after just a few exchanges.


    This sudden shift left Owen feeling almost startled as if something was amiss. He had been bracing for continued indifference, which seemed more fitting.


    ¡°¡­ Once you take up your post in Riverdale, your career is sure to flourish,¡± James said in <b>a </b>tone that was nothing short of courteous.


    Owen stood there, somewhat dazed by the praise, struggling to reconcile this unexpected warmth with the icy reception he had anticipated.


    A

 Chapter 570

    When Johnny spotted Mandy, he froze for a moment, clearly not expecting to run into her right then. Snapping out of it, he frowned slightly, annoyance creeping in.


    Was she waiting around on purpose?


    Thinking about Owen beside him, Johnny shifted subtly, trying to block Owen from view. Thest thing he needed was Mandy getting clingy with Owen-that would be a real mess.


    Owen noticed Johnny''s move and gave him a curious nce, then followed his gaze to Mandy. Since he''d never met her, Owen just gave her a quick look before losing interest.


    "Isn''t that your foster mom?" James remarked offhandedly, his hands tucked into his coat pockets.


    "Hmm?" Mirabe, surprised for a second, looked up, and when she saw Mandy, she mused about how small the world could be. Last time they''d bumped into each other at a downtown restaurant, and now here again. Unbelievable.


    With a slight smirk and an air ofzy elegance on her delicate face, Mirabe replied, "Small world, huh?"


    Johnny, overhearing her, turned to Mirabe with a puzzled expression. "Small world?"


    He didn''t quite get it.


    When Johnny had someone look into Mirabe''s background, he only got a basic overview. Detailed stuff, like their rtionship status, wasn''t on his radar.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and corrected herself, "Oh, my mistake. I meant she''s a stranger."


    Before Johnny could probe further, Mirabe had already turned to James, suggesting, "Let''s go."


    James gave her a nod, "Alright."


    Mirabe then looked back at Johnny and Owen. "Johnny, Mr. Owen, we''ll be on our way."


    With a brief nod and a polite smile, she didn''t wait for a reply and headed towards the club''s exit. Her stride was confident, her figure tall and slender, her coat casually open, exuding a cool vibe. The elegant man beside her added to the striking image they made together.


    "They look pretty good together," Johnny observed, watching them walk away. Owen nced at him but stayed silent.


    Johnny coughed lightly into his hand, his eyes flicking to Mandy. Since Mirabe had called her ''a stranger,'' he saw no reason to stick around.


    Turning to Owen, he said, "Mr. Owen, let''s go."


    Owen nodded and started walking out.


    As they were about to leave, Mandy, unable to wait any longer, hurried after them in her high heels, calling out, "Johnny..."


    Owen''s bodyguard had already pulled the car up to the entrance. Hearing Mandy, Johnny''s expression tightened a bit. After thinking it over, he had Owen get in the car first and closed the door, then turned around slowly, his face cool and distant. Mandy, catching up, nced instinctively at the ck sedan behind Johnny. But with the door shut and the tinted windows, she couldn''t see Owen inside. Taking a deep breath, Mandy focused on Johnny. "Johnny, about what happened in the private room, I hope you won''t take it to heart. Pretend it never happened. Our Gilbert Corporation has been prepping for this bid for over half a year, and I must say..."

 Chapter 571

    Johnny''s gaze was cold as he eyed Mandy, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Everypany thates to bid has already put in the legwork. If Gilbert Corporation really fits the bill, you wouldn''t need to hunt me down-we''de to you."


    He paused, checked his watch with a hint of impatience, and added, "Sorry, but I''m in a rush."


    With that, Johnny turned and reached for the passenger side door handle.


    Mandy, sensing his impatience, knew she couldn''t let this chance slip by. She stepped forward, blocking the car door. "Johnny, please, just a moment."


    Johnny''s hand froze, his brows furrowing in irritation.


    Mandy, who usually mingled with the social elite, rarely dealt with officials. Facing Johnny, she felt a tremor of intimidation, struggling to keep herposure.


    "I just want to understand," Mandy began, her voice tinged with desperation. "You seemed quite interested in Gilbert Corporation before. What''s changed? If it was my... misstep that offended you, I apologize right now."


    Johnny found her words somewhat amusing. "When did I ever give Gilbert Corporation the impression that I was interested?"


    Mandy was taken aback, recalling something her husband had mentioned. "Didn''t you say Gilbert Corporation warranted a closer look?"


    To her, a closer look meant potential opportunities.


    Johnny finally understood the confusion and smirked. "Maybe you misunderstood what ''closer look'' means, Mrs. Gilbert."


    After a brief pause, Johnny decided to be frank. "It could have been an


    opportunity for Gilbert Corporation, but unfortunately..."


    He chuckled and shook his head, leaving the sentence unfinished.


    Mandy''s breath caught. "...Because I handed you my card?"


    Johnny''s gaze was clear and deliberate as he adjusted his cuffs, offering no


    answer.


    Feeling the weight of the moment, Mandy pressed on. "Then why was Gilbert Corporation singled out for a closer look?"


    Thinking of his earlier interaction with Mirabe, Johnny replied casually, "Oh, that might have been a misunderstanding."


    "A misunderstanding? What do you mean?" Mandy was desperate for answers.


    Johnny chuckled lightly and shook his head, choosing not to drag Mirabe into it. Since the confusion involved only him and Owen, there was no need to cause Mirabe unnecessary trouble.


    Without further exnation, Johnny opened the car door, slid into the seat, and signaled the driver to go.


    As the car drove away, Mandy stood there, unable to ask more. She remained in ce long after the car had vanished. It wasn''t until the Gilbert family chauffeur arrived and opened the door for her that she snapped back to reality. The deferential way he waited for her to get in sparked a chilling thought in Mandy''s mind.


    The way Johnny had treated her just now... it was eerily simr to how her own driver was behaving...


    That''s all for today, see you tomorrow! Stay tuned for a burst of updates on the 29th as this writer works diligently back at the keyboard-

 Chapter 572

    Just as Johnny''s indifference towards his foster daughter seemed simr to how Mandy''s driver acted, she started to wonder if the "misunderstanding" Johnny mentioned had something to do with that foster daughter.


    Could it be that Gilbert Corporation was originally in line to win the contract, but thanks to some meddling by her foster daughter, they lost the opportunity?


    The more Mandy thought about it, the more convinced she became.


    After all, her foster daughter had just seen her but acted like she was aplete stranger, tantly ignoring her.


    Feeling annoyed and her thoughts all over the ce, Mandy got into her car.


    Meanwhile, in James''s car.


    "Got anywhere in mind for this afternoon?" James turned to look at Mirabe.


    Mirabe had been loungingzily in her seat since she got in. After a beat, she raised an eyebrow and said, "Weren''t we heading to the library?"


    A yful smile tugged at James''s lips. "You sure?" That had just been a random excuse to leave the earlier gathering.


    After thinking for a moment, Mirabe replied, "Well, I''ve got nothing better to do. If it''s on the way, you could drop me off."


    She did have some research to catch up on.


    James nced at her, then told Wyatt, "To the library."


    Twenty minutester.


    As Mirabe was about to step out of the car, James spoke up, "What time should I pick you up?"


    She paused and turned to look at him.


    James cleared his throat lightly, "I''ve got some errands nearby, should be done around four-thirty."


    Catching on, she nodded, "Just text me when you''re done."


    "Will do."


    Mirabe exited the car, casually walking through the grand library doors.


    Watching her until she was out of sight, James signaled Wyatt to drive on.


    ncing in the rearview mirror, Wyatt said, "Curtis is already there."


    James rested his leg casually, tapping his fingers on his knee, "Mhm."


    "I wonder what this Toby wants, asking to meet you in secret today," Wyatt mused.


    James leaned back, eyes closed, the usual iciness in his demeanor missing, "We''ll find out soon enough."


    "They say Toby''s a bit of an oddball in the Bishop family-raised on the outside for years without the brothers finding out. If it weren''t for Donald Bishop''s passing, Toby might''ve stayed a secret."


    Wyatt clicked his tongue, impressed.


    Naturally, if Toby hadn''t approached the Shepherd family, he might have stayed off their radar too.


    "Maybe he''s a wolf lying in wait," James spected.


    Considering their intel, Wyatt added, "His records are squeaky clean, no ties to the Bishop family''s underground dealings."


    James opened his eyes, looking out the window, "If he were clean, he wouldn''t havee to me."


    "That''s why I think he''s the odd one out in the Bishop family. Maybe, as you said, he''s the wolf waiting in the shadows, ready to strike," Wyatt observed, a hint of intrigue in his eyes.


    James said no more.


    Half an hourter, the car pulled up to the agreed location.


    A private vi.


    As James stepped out, Curtis, who was waiting outside, approached, "James."


    A discreetmunicator was tucked under Curtis''s cor, barely noticeable.


    James responded with a curt nod, adjusting his overcoat as his expression remained stoic.


    "Toby''s waiting inside," Curtis said, keeping pace with James as they walked towards the vi.

 Chapter 573

    The vi wasn''t exactly huge, but its garden was dotted with a variety of meticulously trimmed nts and flowers, each corner showing off the tasteful artistry of its owner.


    Walking into the main hall, Toby, dressed casually in a navy leisure suit, seemed to have timed everything perfectly, just as he was brewing a fresh pot of coffee.


    Standing up from the elegant coffee table, Toby greeted with a bnced tone, "James."


    James looked at Toby, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.


    At around twenty-five or twenty-six, Toby had refined, schrly features, exuding an air of a gentleman poetpletely different from the ''wolf'' James had expected.


    But that calm demeanor hinted that Toby was far from the harmless figure he appeared to be.


    James took a seat at the coffee table, his hand casually resting on its surface, his demeanorid-back and nonchnt.


    Toby, maintaining a modest smile, filled James''s cup with coffee and sat down himself, getting straight to the point, "I know you''re interested in the Bishop family''s underground connections. So let''s cut to the chase."


    After a pause and a sip of his coffee, Toby continued, "I can transfer all of the Bishops'' influence in the underground alliance to you. I have just one condition: after this, the Bishop name is to be nonexistent here."


    Toby''s voice was light, as if discussing the weather instead of a major power shift.


    James raised an eyebrow, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, "The Bishop family, gone?"


    Setting down his cup, Toby''s gentle facade remained, "Exactly."


    In front of a Shepherd, there was no need for pretense. If they wanted to dig, they could uncover all his secrets.


    "As I understand it, isn''t the control of the alliance in the hands of your older brothers?" James asked, his tone casual.


    A slight smirk yed on Toby''s lips, his gaze lowered before he spoke softly, "They''re nothing but failures."


    Wyatt, who was nearby, cast Toby a nce at those words. You really can''t judge a book by its cover. Who would''ve guessed that beneath this schrly exterior was such arrogance?


    No wonder his brothers and the other power holders of the Bishops didn''t know about him.


    He''d hidden his tracks well.


    Toby caught Wyatt''s look but remained unchanged, ever the image of genteel modesty¡ªperhaps he''d worn this mask for so long that it had be his only expression.


    Their conversation drifted to other topics until a sudden bang from outside, like the sound of a door being struck, interrupted them.


    Toby''s brow furrowed. ncing at James, he said, "Please excuse me, I''ll go check on that."


    As he rose, a squad of well-trained men barged in, brandishing clubs as thick as their arms.


    Following them was a middle-aged man, in his forties, with a face hardened by life, exuding a dangerous aura.


    Toby''s eyes grew cold as he looked at him.


    "Well, well, my dear brother, inviting James over and not telling me-don''t you think that''s a bit rude?" Emmitt of the Bishop family sneered, his voice rough and


    his demeanor savage, a stark contrast to Toby''s cultivated poise.


    He sauntered closer, but before he could approach James, Curtis stepped forward, cing himself between them.


    Curtis was expressionless, his presence lethal, an aura of decisiveness that dwarfed that of the seasoned enforcers around him.

 Chapter 574

    Brenton felt a chill run down his spine, a primal sense of fear creeping in. He offered a sheepish grin, not daring to show any anger towards the notorious enforcer known as the "Butcher of Brooklyn."


    Rooted to the spot, Brenton chose not to advance but instead gazed towards James from afar, his expression tinged with reverence, "James, now that you''re here, how about we head to my ce for a cup of joe?"


    He had wanted to chat with James ever since he had paid his respects at the Bishop family estate. But, wrapped up in other affairs at the time, he missed the chance. Today, when his men told him James had dropped by Toby''s joint, Brenton simply couldn''t stay put.


    Despite discovering histe father had secretly fathered an illegitimate son for decades-a son who didn''t seem to amount to much-Brenton found it fascinating that this half-brother was somehow mixed up with the scion of the Shepherd n.


    After all, the Bishops were in disarray, particrly within the underground syndicates where sharks circled for a bite. In such times, Brenton knew better than to ignore even the slightest rustle in the wind.


    James nced at Brenton impassively, his piercing eyes and frosty demeanor exuding an intimidating chill that made people avert their gaze.


    Brenton clenched his fist, then turned to look at his own crew. Despite their tough exteriors, none seemed to hold a candle to Curtis.


    Toby''s eyes were downcast as he poured another cup of coffee for James. Then he strolled over to Brenton, his half-brother Emmitt, and coolly said, "Given that I''m entertaining a distinguished guest, I''ll let it slide. Take a hike, Brenton."


    Brenton snorted as if he''d just heard the year''s funniest joke. "You? Holding a grudge against me? Who do you think you are, chopped liver?"


    "Where does a bastard get off feeling so high and mighty?" Brenton scoffed.


    Toby''s hand, hanging by his side, clenched briefly, a flicker of disgust crossing his face before vanishing just as quickly.


    "It seems you''re just looking for trouble," Toby sighed, then walked away, picking up a smartphone from the table.


    Brenton frowned, suddenly feeling like he couldn''t quite read this illegitimate brother of his. The guy was a nobody, yet he spoke with such arrogance. Was it because James from the Shepherd family was present that he felt so emboldened?


    Or was there some unknown deal between him and the Shepherds that Brenton wasn''t privy to?


    Pondering over this, Brenton turned to James and said, "James, this brother of mine is nothing but a powerless bastard without a im to the name. You''re just wasting your precious time here with him."


    Toby set down the phone, settled back into his chair, and leisurely stirred his coffee, exuding a profound indifference to the world around him.


    "My apologies for the disturbance today, James," he said, ncing at the group standing in the hall before turning to James.


    James lifted his coffee cup, "Disturbed is hardly the word. More like a minor annoyance."


    Brenton: "..."


    Toby offered a slight smile and replied, "Just give it two minutes."


    Their conversation, seemingly oblivious to the others, made Brenton''s frown deepen, especially since Toby''s words seemed loaded with hidden meaning.


    Before he could delve deeper, his cellphone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out


    to see a call from one of his managers and stepped aside to take it.


    Pressing the answer button, an anxious voice quickly filled his ear, and in an instant, Brenton''s face turned ashen.

 Chapter 575

    Brenton''s face turned ghostly white as he abruptly ended the call. He cast a quick nce in James''s direction, barely acknowledging him before signaling his crew of about a dozen men to clear out.


    They had stormed in and were now storming out just as fast.


    Soon, the room was calm again.


    Curtis nced at the main door, noting the time. Exactly two minutes.


    He exchanged a knowing look with Wyatt, whose surprise matched his own. Their eyes said it all: ''This guy is definitely something else.''


    "So, do I still qualify to do business with James?" Toby finally broke the silence.


    James''s lips curled into a slight smirk, amusement dancing on his handsome face. Instead of a direct answer, he remarked, "Looks like you''ve got the chops to bring down the Bishop family."


    Toby seemed to recall some old memories and advised, "Best to keep a low profile, though."


    James raised an eyebrow, casually picking up his coffee cup. He toasted the air with it, took a sip, and stood up.


    Without another word, he headed for the door.


    Curtis and Wyatt nodded at Toby and followed James out.


    Toby stayed seated, watching the three men until they disappeared from view. He let out a long sigh.


    Yep, these guys were no pushovers.


    **


    In the car.


    "Toby''s quite the character," Wyatt remarked.


    "A bastard nobody ever noticed, seemingly harmless, but his patience and discretion put the Bishop family''s other brothers to shame," Curtis noted, his usually stern face showing rare admiration.


    But...


    "Why would hee to us?" Curtis muttered, skeptical of Toby''s low-profile approach.


    "A wise man knows when to adapt. Besides, who else but the Shepherd family could he turn to?" Wyatt theorized, convinced this was the only logical exnation.


    Curtis shot him a skeptical look. He often doubted Wyatt''s reasoning, "Even if that''s true, we still need to tread carefully."


    Being cautious was second nature to Curtis-trusting others didn''te easy for him.


    Wyatt touched his nose, feeling somewhat judged.


    Curtis nced out the window before asking, "Where are we headed now?"


    This road wasn''t leading back to their vi.


    At the intersection ahead, Wyatt signaled a turn and said, "Picking up Ms. Mirabe from the library."


    Hearing that, Curtis checked the rearview mirror and decided not to pry further. But then something else came to mind, and he added, "Oh, by the way, I found out who was tailing our carst time."


    "Huh?" It took Wyatt a few seconds to process, then he turned to Curtis, "Who was it?"


    After a moment of silence, Curtis revealed, "It seems they weren''t following James... they were after Ms. Mirabe."


    "Wait, following Ms. Mirabe? What''s that got to do with her?" Wyatt was puzzled, trying to connect the dots.


    Scratching his head, Curtis exined, "The Davis family. It might not be as straightforward as the info you found before."


    James, who had been texting in the back seat, looked up, intrigued by the conversation.


    "I don''t have all the details yet; it''s a bitplicated, but let''s just say it''s not simple," Curtis said with a serious tone.

 Chapter 576

    Half an hourter, the car rolled up to the grand facade of the library. Mirabe, who had gotten a message on Messenger, figured it was about time and headed out. Curtis, not wanting to be a third wheel, had exited the car midway. Wyatt, the usual driver, suddenly realized the whole third-wheel thing and decided to join Curtis.


    Mirabe reached the curb and was about to open the back door when the passenger window slid down, revealing James''s crisp voice. "Up front."


    She nced at the car, opened the front door, and as she settled in, asked, "Where''s Wyatt?"


    After a brief pause, James replied, "He got a new gig." Seems like driving wasn''t cutting it for him anymore.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but didn''t push further. She calmly buckled her seatbelt.


    The car started smoothly. Yawning, Mirabe''s face showed signs of fatigue. She mentioned to James that she was going to catch some sleep, snuggled into her coat, found afy position, and closed her eyes.


    James checked the rearview mirror and turned on the heater. The library was only a half-hour drive from their neighborhood, but seeing Mirabe sleeping so soundly, he decided to drive around town a bit longer.


    By the time they returned, an hour had passed. As soon as the car stopped, Mirabe began to stir, her eyes bleary with sleep. She stretched and noticed a coat draped over her shoulders. The coat carried a faint, crisp scent that wafted to her nose. Without thinking, Mirabe turned to James, the sleepiness vanishing. Clearing her throat, she handed the coat back to him. "Thanks."


    James took the coat, his voice steady as ever, "You''re wee." Then, under Mirabe''s gaze, he slipped the coat on with an air of nonchnce, showing no fussiness one might expect from a meticulous person.


    Mirabe touched her nose, feeling an odd sensation she didn''t quite understand. She unbuckled her seatbelt and said, "I''ll head in now, bye."


    James nodded. Stepping out of the car, the cold breeze cleared her head. She reached the front door, punched in the code, and as she entered, she nced back to see James''s car still parked there, as if waiting for her to go inside before leaving. After a brief look, Mirabe turned away and entered the vi.


    Inside the car, James adjusted his coat, which now carried Mirabe''s subtle fragrance, and after a short while, he started the car again.


    *


    After changing her shoes and entering the living room, Mirabe saw Collins seated there. Surprised, she walked over and greeted him. Collins stood up as she approached, pulling out a check from his bag and handing it to her, "Sis, this is for that ad shoot you did."


    Mirabe''s eyes lit up. She took the check, and her pleasure was unmistakable.


    Could a mere check make his sister this happy?


    Leo, observing the scene, gave Collins a look devoid of emotion, "You came all this way just to deliver a check?"


    "Yeah," Collins said nonchntly, nodding.


    "Why didn''t you just give it to me directly?"


    Collins zipped up his bag and sat back down on the couch before replying, "I just don''t trust you with it."


    Leo: "?"


    That''s it for today, folks. It''s the end of the month, so don''t forget to cast your votes if you''ve got them- See you tomorrow~

 Chapter 577

    Leo eyed his agent with a mix of irritation and curiosity. "Hey, hey, what''s that supposed to mean? Spell it out, will you?"


    He had this sinking feeling he wasn''t going to like what wasing next, but he still wanted to hear it.


    Collins,pletely unfazed by Leo''s re, shrugged and said nonchntly, "Can''t help it, man. You''re the new Princess Davis of the industry-totally unreliable."


    Leo: "..."


    "Just takest week''s episode of ''Country Comfort'' for instance. Your sister had exams and couldn''t be there for you, and let''s face it, your performance was a train wreck." Collins shook his head with a look of utter distaste.


    At this point, he seriously started to wonder if the self-sufficient Leo from a few years back had been possessed by someone else.


    Otherwise, how couldst week''s live show have been such a disaster?


    Collins sighed, then his tone lightened slightly as he continued, "I mean, sure, your ice-king image is totally shattered, but hey, it''s a blessing in disguise. Your fanbase hasn''t shrunk; it''s actually growing."


    The problem was, the majority of those new fans were ''mom fans'' and ''sister fans.''


    At the mention of this, Leo''s face turned as dark as a thundercloud.


    Blessing in disguise, my foot. What kind of blessing is it for a dude like me to be called ''Princess''? That''s just a curse in a fancy dress.


    Rubbing his temples to ward off the headache, Leo unceremoniously showed his agent the door: "Just get out of my house. You''re not wee here anymore. Don''t bothering back, thanks."


    Collins'' mouth twitched at the corners.


    Mirabe, leaning on the edge of the sofa, patted Leo''s shoulder with a look of profound sympathy. "Leo, you should be hospitable. That was a bit harsh, don''t you think?"


    Leo shot his sister a look filled with betrayal. He knew exactly what she was thinking.


    So his own flesh and blood ranked lower than a check!


    Clearing his throat, Collins turned to Mirabe, "You''re not going to bail on us again tomorrow, are you? You have no idea how much the viewership dropped for thest live show without you."


    The director had been on the phone every single day since thest show, asking about her as if the broadcast would copse without her presence.


    And here was Collins, ostensibly to deliver a check, but mostly to talk about the live show.


    Mirabe was taken aback. "Really? It can''t be that serious, right?"


    She had tried to keep a low profile on the show, even asking the director to cut down her screen time to the bare minimum.


    "You might not be aware of your online poprity. By staying off-camera, you''ve added thisyer of mystery that has the fans intrigued. Plus, that sports brand ad you did? Your poprity might just eclipse that of our ''Little Princess'' here." Collins spoke slowly, emphasizing the title.


    Leo, now officially dubbed ''Ho Little Princess Xiang'': "..."


    MMP!


    Mirabe didn''t spend much time online, focusing instead on her books and studies, so she was genuinely unaware of the buzz Collins mentioned.


    She''d asionally listen to her friend Jenna gossip, but she never took it seriously.


    Coming back to the moment, Mirabe said, "I''m free tomorrow. The live show won''t be an issue."


    Collins immediately rxed, then after a moment''s consideration, he added, "Do you have a Twitter ount?"


    "No, I don''t do social media," Mirabe replied.


    "How about I set one up for you?" Collins suggested. "There''s a ton of people


    leavingments under the Little Princess'' Twitter. I think it would be good for you to have your own space."


    Leo: "..."


    Really digging the ''Little Princess'' nickname, huh?


    Mirabe considered this for a second and then nodded. "Sure, I''ll sign up for er."

 Chapter 578

    Collins'' face lit up with a grin as he heard the n. "y the ''little princess'' card, and you''ve got them eating out of your hand," he chuckled, echoing the consensus among the online masses.


    The ssic case of ''Little Sis'' VIP treatment.


    ncing at his watch, Collins stood up. "It''s gettingte. I should head out. See you tomorrow."


    Mirabe nodded in agreement.


    Once the door closed behind him, Mirabe fished out her smartphone and fired up Twitter.


    Leo, who had been hovering nearby, peeked over her shoulder and saw that his sister was indeed setting up a Twitter ount. He crossed his arms over his chest and pouted, "Since when are you and Collins such buddies? I''ve been nagging you to join Twitter forever, and you''ve brushed me off. But the word from his lips is gospel?"


    He couldn''t help feeling slighted. Was his influence as her big brother really less than that of a paycheck or worse, some outsider?


    Mirabe continued typing, seemingly oblivious to his questioning. "Leo, what do you think about ''PrincessGuardian'' for my handle?" she asked earnestly, as her fingers danced across the screen, entering the chosen moniker.


    Leo''s ego felt the sting.


    Mocked by the masses and now his little sister was joining the chorus? This was an outrage!


    He straightened up with an air of authority. "Absolutely not. Pick something else." "Okay," Mirabe said with a nod. She then added a capital ''H'' in front of ''PrincessGuardian'' and hit the confirm button.


    ''HPrincessGuardian''


    The nickname was avable, and her Twitter ount was set up sessfully.


    Leo gaped in disbelief.


    Was that her idea of a name change? It was nothing short of a brush-off!


    Mirabe cleared her throat and offered a half-hearted exnation, "The other handle was taken, but I think this one has more charm."


    Princess Davis.


    Leo was speechless.


    So, the change wasn''t out of respect for her brother''s wishes, but because the original choice was already in use?


    Realizing the truth, Leo''s gaze darkened with a sense of betrayal. Where was the doting sister he was promised?


    Mirabeposed herself, pretending not to notice his wounded look, and then lowered her gaze again, her fingertips flitting swiftly across the screen to look up Leo''s stage name.


    After hitting the follow button, she tilted her head slightly, "Should I tweet something?"


    "Tweeting is fine, but not before you change that handle," Leo insisted with his arms still crossed.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Regr users can only change their names once a year, and I''ve already used my chance."


    Leo, feeling a bit outsmarted but not defeated, pulled out his phone, opened Messenger, and sent her a generous amount of cash, "Here, use this to get a premium ount. They can change their handle multiple times a year."


    Mirabe shook her head, "No thanks."


    Undeterred, Leo transferred the funds with a flourish, "The membership is on me."


    He knew her all too well-a sucker for money.


    There was nothing that couldn''t be solved with a little cash!


    Mirabe: "."


    Nudging her with his elbow, Leo urged, "Go on, change it."


    The ''little princess'' handle was non-negotiable; if he let that stick, he''d never live down the persona.


    With a sigh, Mirabe epted the transfer and then said, "I''ll take the money, but as for the handle... it''s not changing, so you might as well give up, Leo."


    Leo let out a burst ofughter, defeated.


    Then, Mirabe took his phone from him, opened Twitter, searched for her newly minted handle, and hit follow back.

 Chapter 579

    When Mirabe tapped ''Follow'' on Leo''s Twitter handle, her phone practically blew up with notifications.


    In less than a minute, her brand-new alt ount had already gained hundreds of followers.


    Watching the follower count climb on her Twitter page, Mirabe turned to her little princess with a twinkle in her eye. "Looks like I''m not just making bank but also racking up fans, huh?"


    Leo just stared at her, dumbfounded.


    Well, aren''t we Miss Confident over here!


    Mirabe''s attention swung back to her phone as her DMs ballooned past fifty. Most messages were the usual ''who are you?'' inquiries. After a moment''s thought, she decided to skip the private chats andposed a new tweet instead.


    The headline read, "My Little Princess H," apanied by a photo.


    Leo, peering over her shoulder, almost lost it when he saw the picture she chose. "Seriously, sis, why that one?"


    The photo was an unfiltered, no-frills, utterly adorable snapshot of Mirabe digging into a slice of strawberry cheesecake she had taken for Jenna.


    With a casual tap, Mirabe posted the tweet and then looked up at Leo. "What''s wrong with this one? Don''t you think it''s perfect, Leo? Very princess-like."


    As the tweet went live, Leo slumped into the couch, mumbling in defeat, "It''s over. My image is totally wrecked."


    He had been somewhat okay with the ''little princess'' nickname his fans had given him, but this... this strawberry cheesecake picture was going to be the end of him. Mirabe shot him a sideways nce, almost saying, ''What image do you even have left to lose?'' But not wanting to crush his spirits further, she kept quiet.


    The weekend crowd on Twitter was buzzing, and sure enough, Mirabe''s tweet quickly garnered a flood ofments, likes, and a skyrocketing follower count.


    Cocooned in thefort of her couch, Mirabe scrolled through the responses with glee.


    "LOL Strawberry cheesecake? The ''little princess'' persona is now officially canon."


    "Never imagined the off-screen little princess to be like this. Too cute for words!"


    "So this Twitter ount is the sister''s, right? It has to be!"


    "Such a bold and direct approach can only be the sister''s Twitter, no doubt."


    "But why ''Princess H'' instead of ''Princess L''? Does this mean the little princess''s real name starts with an H?"


    ...


    Leo''s Twitter DMs were a disaster zone, swamped with fan messages to the point of crashing whenever he tried to open his inbox.


    He massaged his temples, casting a nce at the nonchnt instigator of his woes and sighed inwardly. What could he do? Even if it was a trap, it was set by his own sister.


    Resigned to his fate, Leo liked the tweet, shared it, and added a simple three- word endorsement: "My little sis."


    With his verified ount''s follower count already in the hundreds of millions, Leo''s retweet sent waves through his fanbase, who were moring for his sister''s contact. They swarmed Mirabe''s Twitter, bombarding it withments and follows.


    In less than half an hour, Mirabe''s Twitter following exploded past two hundred thousand, rocketing her to trending status and eclipsing many B-list celebrities.


    But Mirabe wasn''t too concerned with the frenzy. After browsing some of thements, she logged off Twitter. Her aim wasn''t to trend-it was simply to cater to her little princess''s wishes.

 Chapter 580

    On the other side of town, Michelle was absentmindedly scrolling through her Twitter feed when a trending topic snagged her attention. She frowned, hesitated for a second, but curiosity got the better of her and she clicked to see what the fuss was about.


    It was Mirabe''stest tweet that had the inte buzzing. The flood ofments and likes made Michelle grip her phone tighter. She clicked through to Mirabe''s profile and saw it had been created just today. Yet, her follower count was already soaring, closing in on half a million.


    At this rate, Michelle thought, she''d hit a million by nightfall. A pang of jealousy hit her. She''d been slogging away in showbiz for two solid years, and her own Twitter following had only just crossed a million. Sure, she hadn''tnded any blockbuster lead roles, but she had climbed thedder steadily, earning every step.


    And then there was Juztin''s little sister, shooting to fame with a faceless livestream and some calcted hype. Now she was pulling stunts on Twitter- Michelle couldn''t help but find it all a bit fake.


    "Michelle, honey, why are you glued to that phone? Dinner''s ready," called out her Aunt Tara, setting the table.


    Still absorbed in her screen, Michelle barely responded with a grunt, not moving from the couch.


    Heather,ing down the stairs and heading to the dining room, noticed her cousin''s sour look. Intrigued, she detoured and plopped down next to her.


    "What''s got you so riled up?" Heather asked casually.


    Michelle finally looked up, her face a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Juztin''s sister is acting all high and mighty in her livestreams, and now she''s on Twitter, marketing herself like a pro. Talk about scheming."


    Heather paused, her fingers ying with a curl. She let her hand drop and asked, "What kind of marketing? Showing her face or fishing for follows?"


    Michelle scoffed and held out her phone. "Look at this posting a pic with Juztin, unting their sibling bond."


    Heather didn''t take the phone, just nced at the screen. "And that''s bothering you?"


    "It''s not that I''m mad. I just find itughable. She skipped thest show, iming she had some school exam. And now, with the livestream tomorrow, she drops this tweet? If that''s not strategic hype, I don''t know what is," Michelle said sarcastically.


    She really couldn''t stand these antics. Why couldn''t they just record the show without all this online drama?


    Heather flicked her manicured nails dismissively. "She''s only riding on her brother''s fame. Without him, she''d be a nobody."


    Michelle sighed and took back her phone, catching another glimpse of Mirabe''s Twitter page. In just the few minutes she''d been chatting with Heather, tens of thousands more had followed Mirabe. Annoyed, she tossed her phone aside.


    She remembered how she''d marketed herself on Twitter during the premiere of "Country Comfort," and with a little boost from her award-winning cousin, had gained a respectable 300,000 new followers. Back then, she''d been thrilled with those numbers.


    Butpared to Mirabe''s overnight stardom, it felt like nothing.


    Especially since the first episode aired, and Juztin''s sister had singled her out, her follower count had dwindled, making her feel like just another face in the crowd.


    Stay tuned, sweethearts-I''ve got a thirty-chapter blitz dropping at midnight! Muah!

 Chapter 581

    Seeing her cousin Hans'' nephew and Gabriel''s brother raking in fans like it was nothing made Michelle feel like a pauper inparison. Every time she saw them, it was like a punch to her self-esteem.


    She had figured that Lucky''s sister wouldn''t get much screen time on their live stream, not enough to make a ssh. But then, out of nowhere, one picture hit the inte, and her fanbase exploded, leaving Michelle in the dust.


    How was she supposed to cope with that?


    Michelle dug her nails into the plush of the sofa, so agitated she felt like she could tear the fabric apart.


    Heather, watching her cousin''s frustration, said, "Calm down, will you? It''s just a tweet. What''s the big deal?"


    She remembered when Michelle had been trolled by a bunch of burner ounts during a live stream, facing a barrage of ridicule, and yet, she hadn''t blown a fuse like this. Her cousin really needed to learn to take things in stride.


    Michelle bit her lip and cast her eyes downward, going silent.


    Heather massaged her temples before speaking up. "Alright, I''ll talk to my agent, see if there''s a role that fits youing up. I''ll put in a word for you."


    Michelle''s face lit up at that, the clouds of gloom dispersing. She wrapped her arms around Heather''s, gratitude pouring from her, "Thank you, cuz! You''re the best!"


    Heather, slightly repulsed by the clinginess, pushed her away. "Get a grip and stop sweating the small stuff. Instead of wasting your time on people who don''t matter, why don''t you work on improving your acting?"


    Michelle nodded vigorously, "Yeah, I got it!"


    With the right opportunities and the Pledger family name to lean on, she was confident she wouldn''t be left behind a step up from the nameless wannabes in showbiz.


    Heather stood up from the couch. "Let''s eat."


    "Sure," Michelle replied, following her cousin to the dining room.


    But then Heather paused, a thought crossing her mind. She turned and asked, "Hey, did you ever find out if Juztin''s sister attends Parkside High School?"


    At the mention, Michelle scoffed, "Oh, right, I totally forgot about that. There''s no one by that description at Parkside. A guy I know there said they''ve got this girl named Summer who''s pretty popr, but nobody matches up with Juztin''s sister."


    The name ''Summer'' sounded familiar to Heather, but she couldn''t ce it. "Summer?" she echoed with curiosity.


    As they headed to the dining room, Michelle filled her in. "Oh, you must''ve missed it with all the filming. Summer was in this Twitter scandal recently. She allegedly sold a song to Neon ParadoxJay that belonged to Juztin, then tried to turn the tables. It was a whole drama online..."


    Michelle, ever the Twitter sleuth and gossip hound, recounted the entire saga for Heather.


    After hearing the story, Heather''s focus wasn''t on the theft but on the connection. "So this Summer is Juztin''s Summer?"


    "Yep, that''s right. The sibling angle is why Juztin finally stepped in to rify things for her, and the whole mess blew over," Michelle confirmed with a nod.


    Heather pondered for a moment. Juztin''s family background had always been a mystery in the industry, and now suddenly there''s a Summer in the picture. This was getting interesting.


    "What''s Summer''s deal?" Heather asked as she settled into a chair at the dining table.


    "When she first came on the scene, her agency pegged her as a brainiac," Michelle recalled, trying to remember the details, "Oh, right, and she''s supposed to be some kind of heiress."


    As they talked, Heather''s curiosity about this enigmatic Summer grew, adding anotheryer to the intricate tapestry of showbiz connections.

 Chapter 582

    Heather raised an eyebrow, "An heiress?"


    Michelle nodded, "Yeah, rumor has it her family''s pretty loaded around here." She paused, eyeing her cousin with suspicion, "Cuz, what''s this Summer up to?"


    Heather''s lips curled into a sly smile, "Nothing much, just curious."


    "Oh." Although Michelle wasn''t entirely convinced, Heather wasn''t borating, and she didn''t press further. Instead, she picked up her fork and began to eat her dinner, head bowed.


    A shadow of thought passed over Heather''s delicate features. She reached into her jacket and pulled out her phone, sending off a quick text.


    "Sis, no phones at the table, eat up," Tara, seated beside her, chided gently.


    Heather hummed an acknowledgment, sent her message, and ced the phone down.


    Tara seemed to recall something and asked, "By the way, do you know of any celebs with thest name Hawke in your circles?"


    Heather had just lifted her fork when her mother''s question caught her off guard. She looked up, puzzled.


    Tara''s brow was knit with a touch of concern, which she quickly smoothed out, "Your dad''s been overseeing that international project, right? Seems like he''s hit a bit of a snag."


    On hearing ''a bit of a snag,'' Heather''s heart skipped a beat.


    The Pledge family had a long-standing reputation in Riverdale, ranking among the top five prestigious families. Although they were at the bottom of that list, their status was still highly revered above other wealthy ns.


    Her father, also a Shen by surname, was only a coteral rtive of the Pledge family. However, thanks to his extraordinary business acumen, he had caught the eye of the Pledge family''s head, Emmitt, and that''s why their household had been thrivingtely.


    Many were eager to cozy up to the Shens.


    Heather gathered her thoughts and asked, "What does Dad''s project have to do with the Hawke surname in our social circle?"


    "I only heard bits and pieces from your dad. He mentioned that the person he''s dealing with on the project is a Mr. Hawke, and mentioned their young master is dabbling in the entertainment industry. So, I was wondering if you knew any stars by that name."


    Tara wasn''t adept at online sleuthing, hence her question to her daughter.


    Heather thought for a moment. Among the stars she knew, none bore the surname Hawke. Whether there were any among the bit-part actors or extras, she couldn''t say.


    "Did Dad mention whether this Mr. Hawke is a big deal back home or not?" she queried.


    Tara shook her head, "I didn''t ask, but thepany your father''s dealing with is one of the top global enterprises, even more powerful than the Pledge family. I''d reckon this guy can''t be doing too badly, right?"


    Heather was even more astonished. A scion of such a corporate giant was mingling in showbiz?


    "As far as I know, there isn''t a single celeb named Hawke."


    "No?" Tara sounded a tad disappointed; she had hoped to make a connection if her daughter knew him.


    "None. That surname''s pretty rare among celebs," Heather replied. Then, turning to Michelle, she asked, "Mimi, do you know any male artists with the surname Hawke?"


    Michelle, who had been following the conversation, shook her head, "Nope, I only know a few female artists with thatst name."


    "Alright then, Mom, you might want to double-check with Dadter - see if there''s been a mix-up," Heather suggested, then added, "Or maybe you could get Dad to find out the first name of this enterprise''s young master. I can have my friends look into it."


    "Sure, I''ll ask your father when he has a moment to call back," Tara responded.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 583

    Heather nodded and kept quiet, focusing on her meal. Her mind, however, buzzed with thoughts about the Davis family, which her mother mentioned. Apparently, they were more powerful than the Pledgers. Could they really rival the elite families of Riverdale? If they were that influential, why hadn''t she heard much about them before? Strange.


    The next morning at 9:30, Collins dropped Mirabe and her brother Leo at the "Country Comfort" filming location. As soon as they got out of the car, they ran into the director.


    After a brief chat with Walker, Collins drove away. Walker, who rarely mingled with the cast, approached Mirabe with a hint of concern. "Hey kiddo, no more examsing up, right?"


    Mirabe blinked, not quite getting his point. "This show wouldn''t be the same without our little princess," Walker sighed.


    Reactions varied at hisment. The host thought: It''s not the little princess who can''t go on; it''s you, Director. Leo thought: Keep your ''little princess'' to yourself!


    Mirabe cleared her throat, recalling some of the livestream fromst week. She straightened up and nodded to the director. "Sorry, it was my brother who caused you trouble."


    Leo was stunned. Couldn''t she leave him some dignity in front of the director?


    Walker waved it off with a smile. "No big deal, just make sure not to miss any more shoots."


    That was the main point.


    Walker soon moved on to discuss the day''s shoot with the host, leaving Mirabe and Leo to wander towards the farmhouse to join the others.


    Everyone had arrived early today, except for Gabriel''s group. Hans and Heather''s groups were already there. The live stream wasn''t set to start until ten, and Emmitt, the cameraman, wasn''t around yet.


    Hans was chatting with Heather but paused when Mirabe and Leo entered the yard. He turned his attention to them, especially Mirabe.


    After a greeting, Hans remarked to Mirabe, "Two weeks away, and you''re even more popr than your brother."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and replied politely, "I owe it all to our audience''s kindness."


    "Haha, your brother mentioned you had examsst week and couldn''t make it to the shoot?" Hans had always found Mirabe quite likable. She was sharp, polite, modest, and well-mannered. He looked forward to seeing her in person once the season wrapped up.


    Heather and Michelle, standing nearby, perked up at Hans''s words. Having chatted the previous night, they were skeptical that Mirabe had been away for


    exams.


    Mirabe nodded. "Yes, the exams were crucial. I couldn''t miss them."


    "Missing one shoot isn''t a big deal, especially since you''re a senior in high school. Educationes first," Hans said understandingly.


    Mirabe responded softly, recalling how Hans had looked out for Leo in thest episode. "Thanks for taking care of my brotherst time. We should all get together for a meal when there''s a chance."


    Hans chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "It''s nothing, really. But I''m always up for a good meal."


    Mirabe took out her phone, and they exchanged numbers and added each other on Messenger.

 Chapter 584

    Mirabe''s social feed was as barren as a desert, with just one lone post from when she hit up the Riverdale fair, scarfing down a bowl of noodles.


    When Hans clicked on it, he half-expected the usual teen stuff-selfies, sunsets, and hashtag squad goals. But nope, it was just a foodie pic with no caption, leaving him to shoot her a look that was half bemused, half puzzled.


    Catching his odd nce, Mirabe tilted her head, confusion written all over her face.


    Hans, faced with her wide-eyed look, just chuckled and held back thement, "You''re not quite like other girls, are you?" He didn''t want to make her feel out of ce.


    After Mirabe and Hans exchanged Messenger IDs, it was only natural that Leo followed suit, and soon their phones were pocketed away.


    That left Heather and Michelle awkwardly sidelined. Heather, in particr, wasn''t used to being dismissed like yesterday''s news.


    Sure, she had no interest in friending the sibling duo or getting their digits, butmon courtesy dictated at least a token inquiry in the presence of others, right? Even if it was just for show.


    And let''s be real-Hans might''ve been a household name once, but Heather''s star power currently outshone his like a supernova.


    These siblings clearlycked basic social graces.


    With no cameras around, Heather didn''t bother faking friendliness. She just curled her lip and sashayed back into the house, eager to escape theirpany.


    Michelle, itching to add Juztin on Messenger but stymied by her cousin''s mood, gave Hans a curt nod and followed Heather inside.


    Mirabe barely spared them a nce before looking away.


    Hans cleared his throat, "You know, stars gotta strut their stuff. Don''t take it to heart."


    He wasn''t Heather''s biggest fan either-her airs and graces rubbed him the wrong way¡ªbut her influential family meant she wasn''t someone to cross.


    Mirabe gave a knowing nod, "Got it."


    "By the way, I don''t think I caught your full names," Hans smoothly changed the subject.


    "I''m Mirabe. You know, like ''vanished without a trace''," she said, unbothered by the reveal, and gestured to her brother, "And this is Leo, as in ''luck be with you''."


    Leo, Juztin, names with roots and stories all their own.


    Hans nodded, "Your secret''s safe with me."


    "It''s no big deal, just a name," Mirabe murmured, almost dismissively.


    ncing towards the house, Hans offered a friendly word of caution, "The Pledger n are no pushovers; you and your brother should watch your backs. I''ll head inside."


    It was the second mention of the Pledger family, and as Hans retreated, Mirabe pondered his words. About to speak to Leo, she was cut off as he voiced his thoughts first.


    "Don''t sweat it, sis. The Pledger family''s bark is worse than their bite," Leo stood tall, his cool demeanorced with disdain.


    He didn''t seem to care about the Pledger reputation.


    Mirabe''s thoughts drifted to a previous conversation where Leo let slip about ''the vast Davis family holdings.''


    Right on cue, the Gabriel brothers arrived, and the moment passed without further discussion.


    At ten on the dot, the live stream kicked into gear.


    The host delivered an enthusiastic spiel to the cameras before diving into the day''s challenge-home makeovers.


    The guests paired off into teams, tasked with revamping two houses. What they''d transform them into was anyone''s guess, armed only with the tools provided by the show.


    It was shaping up to be the most challenging episode yet.

 Chapter 585

    The production team initially nned to pair the four teams by drawing lots, but considering the delicate rtionship between the Siblings and Heather''s crew, the director made an unusually considerate decision to let the teams choose their own partners.


    Heather and Michelle had been quite over-the-top in their recent performances, so neither Hans''s nor Gabriel''s team was thrilled about teaming up with them. They also knew there was no way Mirabe would pair up with Heather, given their history.


    In the end, Hans, being the most senior, bit the bullet and volunteered to team up with Heather and Michelle, smoothly avoiding any awkwardness.


    Gabriel, more reserved by nature, breathed a sigh of relief when he realized he wouldn''t be paired with Heather. Despite Heather''s rising stardom and her high status in showbiz, Gabriel knew she looked down on him. Sure, she might y nice on camera, but off-camera? Who knows? She might even think he was trying to ride her coattails.


    Why invite trouble? It was much better to team up with the Siblings. They were all young, with no hidden agendas, and besides, Gabriel had a certain respect for Mirabe.


    Soon after the teams were settled, the crew ushered them into what looked like a run-down cottage.


    In the yard were two piles of renovation tools and materials: wood, electric drills, concrete, bricks, and a heap of old rags-everything needed for a home makeover.


    The houses they were to remodel were side by side.


    After each team picked a house, the host announced that their rustic life experience was officially underway.


    "Leave it to the crew toe up with something like a home renovation challenge," Gabriel muttered as he pushed open the rickety wooden door.


    The cottage had been abandoned by the vigers for years, and since the production hadn''t bothered to clean it, a cloud of dust fell and settled on Gabriel''s head as the door moved.


    Gabriel: "..."


    Back in the live stream room, viewers burst intoughter when the camera zoomed in on Gabriel''s emotionless face covered in dust.


    ¡¾I''m totally baffled, got like a million things to say but probably shouldn''t.¡¿


    ¡¾Haha, that dusting was totally unexpected, feel for you, man, even if it''s just for a second.¡¿


    ¡¾Did you guys see the sister''s move? Right when he was pushing the door, she pulled the little princess aside.¡¿


    ¡¾You just know it''s a quality stream when the badass sis is protecting her bro like that.¡¿


    After dusting himself off, Gabriel stepped back outside calmly.


    Mirabe nced at the dirty, chaotic room, with its abandoned furniture draped in cobwebs, then turned to reply to Gabriel''s earlierment, "The crew''s not just creative, they''re also pretty ''ruff''."


    The production team watching the feed backstage: ".


    And the dogs haven''t even been released yet!


    "So, how do we tackle this renovation?" Princess Davis, ever the optimist, immediately turned to her sister for guidance.


    Mirabe was already rolling up her sleeves. "I''ve seen some country house renovation videos online before. I bet the director got inspired by those. So, anyone want to hit the inte and find some simr videos for us to check out?"

 Chapter 586

    "Hey sis, now that you mention it, I think I kinda remember something," Gabriel said, suddenly sparked with an idea. He pulled out his smartphone, tapped a few times to open a popr video app, and started searching.


    A few secondster, he held his phone out for everyone to see. "Check this out, tons of these makeover videos. See if there''s a style you like, and we can try to copy it."


    His words had the entire production crew backstage exchanging nces, all eyes turning to the director lounging in his seat, legs crossed casually. Really? This home renovation idea was supposed to be so unique and cutting-edge?


    The director, now in the spotlight, could only offer a silent shrug. How could he have known that these young folks, when not gaming or surfing the, would be into countryside home makeover videos? He was as puzzled as anyone, for crying out loud!


    Walker watched the scene on the backstage monitors, where the team was already debating which video to use as their blueprint. He felt a headacheing on and gave Mirabe a look that mixed exasperation with a hint of desperation.


    Thest episode had missed the spark without this youngdy, and now that she was back, Walker could feel his stress levels rising again.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe and Gabriel, with the equipment provided by the crew, quickly came up with a solid n. While the n was set, executing it was another story.


    "I''ve got a knack forndscaping; I''ll handle the interior design," Gabriel''s brother, usually a shy guy, stepped up with a sense of team spirit.


    Seeing this, Gabriel said, "Alright, I''ll start by hauling out the old furniture to see what we can still use."


    With that, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.


    Leo scratched his head, unsure of where to pitch in since he didn''t exactly have a handy skillset. His eyes eventuallynded on his sister, the de facto leader.


    Mirabe nced at him and then pointed towards a pile of old rags in the yard. "You can start by clearing out those."


    Leo followed her gesture and his lips involuntarily twitched. A grown man like him cleaning up rags? Was his sister underestimating him?


    But Mirabe had already moved on to help inside the house.


    Leo stood there, looking lost, prompting the cameraman, Emmitt, to give him a close-up.


    Instantly, the live stream''s chat erupted withments, all variations on "Our little princess is so adorable."


    In contrast to Mirabe''s well-organized efforts, Hans and Heather''s team seemed to be at their wits'' end.


    Heather and Michelle had been pampered from birth, recoiling at the sight of a dirty room, let alone working in one. Expecting them to lift a finger was futile.


    So, the responsibility fell entirely on Hans and his nephew.


    Hans wasn''t one for browsing videos online and hadn''t considered looking up renovation tutorials. He and his nephew mulled over their predicament without any bright ideas for refurbishing.


    Hans had thought about peeking at Mirabe''s team for some inspiration but seeing Heather and Michelle''sck of effort, he decided against it.


    Refocusing, he instructed his nephew to start by cleaning the ce up.


    Viewers watching Hans''s predicament expressed their disdain for Heather and Michelle''s attitude in the live stream''s chat.

 Chapter 587

    "Seriously, these sisters are just too much," one viewer grumbled, eyes glued to the screen where the two women stood around without lifting a finger to help their team.


    Heather had been losing her charm for a few episodes now, but this time it


    seemed like she''dpletely given up. "Has Heather stopped even pretending to care?" anotherment shed on the live feed, igniting a heated debate among the fans.


    "What''s wrong with our dear CiCi? Is it a crime to be clueless about chores? Would you rather have her fumble around and make Uncle Hans''s job harder?"


    "Yeah, not knowing how to help is one thing, but getting in the way would just add to the chaos. I don''t think CiCi is in the wrong here."


    The chat buzzed with sarcasm andughter, pointing out how the girl next door was the real deal. "She''s from the countryside, of course she''s handy with the rough stuff. Stopparing everyone to our CiCi."


    Judgments flew, sharp and unforgiving, like the wit of the fans. It was as if the values of the celebrities seeped into their followers.


    Meanwhile, Michelle, phone in hand, was checking out the live feed of the neighboring house''s renovation. Thements made her heart skip a beat. While many of Heather''s fans showed understanding, the majority were blunt in their criticism.


    ncing once more at the neighboring room''s live feed, Michelle pocketed her phone and turned to Heather, "Cousin, let''s help out. I know you''re allergic to dust, but it doesn''t seem fair to let Uncle Hans do all the work."


    As she spoke, Michelle subtly avoided the camera''s gaze and shot Heather a knowing look.


    Heather was initially puzzled but caught on after seeing Michelle''s cue. She didn''t have an allergy, but her cousin''s hint surely stemmed from the negativements in the live chat.


    With a sigh, Heather feigned a sniffle and rubbed her nose. "Yeah, let''s go. I can handle it for a bit."


    Despite the filth and chaos of the room, they had to endure it for the sake of the live audience.


    Thanks to Michelle''s quick thinking about the allergy excuse, Heather''s fans were once again sympathetic.


    Once inside, Michelle, remembering the renovation tips from the live feed, suggested to Hans, "Uncle, have you got any fresh ideas?"


    Hans, busy with old furniture, sighed deeply. "No, not yet."


    "I saw our neighbors found some tutorials online. Maybe we could take a leaf out


    of their book?" Michelle carefully maintained her innocence in front of the camera.


    Intrigued, Hans paused. "There are video tutorials online?"


    "I''ll check it out," Michelle offered, reaching for her phone again.


    In no time, she found a wealth of information.


    The viewers, especially Leo''s fans, had mixed feelings watching this unfold live.


    "OMG, can Michelle be any more shameless, openly talking about ''learning'' from others? That''s a bit much!"


    "It does feel a bit icky, like swallowing a fly. Sure, learning from others isn''t bad, but it doesn''t sit right."


    "Why can''t others use an idea? She''s not stealing or robbing; she''s just ''learning.'' What''s the big deal?"


    "Exactly, no need to make a mountain out of a molehill. Just enjoy the live stream, will ya?"

 Chapter 588

    Watching the drama unfold in the livestream chat, the backstage crew couldn''t help but smirk. Controversy was golden-it meant more viewers. Though Heather''s group''s antics were a bit much, the skyrocketing audience numbers made it all worth it.


    Walker was thrilled with the data rolling in from the tform. He waved his assistant over, "Hey, go tell catering we need to up our game today. Make sure they prepare extra food."


    Since the shownded a big-time sponsor who pampered them with gourmet meals, Walker felt like they were saving a bundle.


    The assistant beamed at the news. Who wouldn''t be excited about a spread prepared by a top chef from a five-star hotel? Off he went to ry the director''s orders.


    Five minutester, the assistant was back, looking conflicted.


    The director was still glued to his screen, monitoring the stream. It took a moment for him to notice his assistant''s return. Seeing his downcast face, he asked, "What''s up?"


    The assistant sighed deeply, "No feast today¡ªor for the rest of the episodes, I bet."


    Walker blinked, "What do you mean?"


    "Well, the sponsors said they''re cutting off the meals because you ''mistreated'' their darling heiress this episode," the assistant exined.


    Walker: "..."


    His eyes flicked back to the screen, where the sibling team was making great progress with their renovation,ughing and having a good time-hardly the picture of mistreatment.


    Walker snorted, "So they want to starve their precious heiress, is that it?"


    The assistant had seen thising, "They''ll arrange for someone to deliver her meals personally."


    Walker: "..."


    "And they said the guests will still get their meals. Just not the crew," the assistant added.


    Walker: "!!!"


    That was downright unfair!


    "Too bad we won''t get to enjoy the chef''s cooking anymore," the assistant sighed for the umpteenth time, throwing a slightly using nce at Walker.


    Feeling unjustly med, Walker thought, It''s not like I nned this episode single- handedly.


    The assistant turned to leave, "Guess I''ll just go buy some bread and pickles from the locals."


    Walker: "..."


    After a morning of hard work, Mirabe''s team hadid the floor tiles and nned to paint the walls and add some decorative touches in the afternoon. They were almost done.


    Next door, Heather''s crew, despite following online tutorials, had turned their room into a mess. They stopped for lunch, and Hans couldn''t help but envy Mirabe''s team when he saw their progress.


    "Age really can''t keep up with youth," Hans remarked from the doorway.


    Mirabe pulled off her gloves and slung them over the windowsill. She nced at Hans, "That''s why it''s better to be young."


    Hans tried to smile, but it wavered, "I suspect you''re taking a jab at me."


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe asked, "How''s your renovation going?"


    Hans gestured helplessly, "It''s a long story."


    After a moment''s thought, Mirabe offered some constion, "Hang in there, veteran. Keep at it."


    She didn''t bother to check out the disaster next door. Instead, she called her little princess to head back for lunch.

 Chapter 589

    The crew made their way back to the cozy courtyard where lunch was waiting. Long tables were set up under the sun, and the spread of dishes was already sending out inviting aromas. Mirabe took one look at the feast and raised an eyebrow. "Did the production team hit the jackpot or something? This lunch looks amazing!"


    Her mic was still on, so naturally, Walker heard her loud and clear. He took a big bite of his sandwich, as if to vent some frustration.


    "This looks like it''s been made by a celebrity chef," Hans, the foodie of the group, remarked with appreciation.


    Exhausted from the day''s activities, Heather didn''t wait for anyone else to sit down before copsing into a chair. She rolled her eyes at Hans''ment, too tired to be impressed.


    Michelle settled in beside her cousin, scanning the dishesid out before them. Most looked pretty standard, but two in particr caught her eye-two tes, each with a different preparation of turtle.


    She didn''t think much of it at first nce and soon was absorbed in her phone, tuning into the live stream. The chat was buzzing as the camera panned across the day''s lunch spread, and for once, it seemed free of any trolls targeting her or Heather.


    Just as Michelle was about to close the app, a few newments caught her attention, causing her face to stiffen.


    "Did anyone notice the two dishes in front of Heather and Michelle? A pair of turtles."


    "Ahem, it''s like the tortoise and the hare, isn''t it?"


    "Tortoise and hare, suddenly it''s got a whole new vor."


    "I suspect the production team is throwing shade at Heather and Michelle."


    "Yeah, why else would those dishes be right in front of them?"


    "Shh, let''s just keep it to ourselves before we get shredded by their hardcore fans."


    Michelle turned off her phone, no longer interested in thements, but she couldn''t help ncing at the two turtle dishes again, suddenly feeling her appetite


    wane.


    Heather nced at her, then discreetly switched off her mic before asking, "Spot some nastyments again?"


    Michelle''s eyes narrowed slightly, but she shook her head. "Nothing much. Everyone''s just talking about how good the food looks today."


    "Oh." Heather didn''t dwell on it. She brushed her hair back and reopened her mic, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "The production team sure has a special way of pampering our little sister, don''t they?"


    Herment might have sounded passive-aggressive, but it sessfully piqued the curiosity of the live stream audience.


    "What''s this special treatment Heather''s talking about?"


    "Is she implying there''s something fishy between our little sis and the crew?"


    "Fishy? More like turtle-y. Shut up with the nonsense!"


    "Shut up with the nonsense!" *repeated multiple times


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had carried her food tray to the back kitchen where a small table and chair awaited her. Sitting down, she removed her mask and began to eat, asionally checking the live stream.


    She was greeted by a flood of "Shut up with the nonsense!"ments scrolling past. Touching her nose, she couldn''t help but wonder who they were targeting-it seemed someone was having a rough time.


    But it didn''t take long for the inappropriatementers to be silenced by the moderators, and the chat returned to normal.


    After a quick look, Mirabe exited the live stream, set her phone aside, and focused on her meal. And she had to admit, today''s takeout was exceptionally good.

 Chapter 590

    As they were wrapping up dinner, Mirabe''s phone buzzed. She nced at the screen, saw it was a text message, and decided to ignore it for now.


    Two minutester, her phone vibrated again, another text messageing through.


    Finishing herst bite, Mirabe finally picked up her phone and opened the messages.


    "Birdie, meet me at Parkside High School after school tomorrow. Reply to confirm."


    "Birdie, did you block my number?"


    "Birdie, I know you''re doing that livestream thing. If you don''t reply, I''m going to expose your info in the chat!"


    Seeing the nickname "Birdie," Mirabe knew exactly who it was. She quickly typed a two-word response and then blocked the number without hesitation.


    **


    "Dead meat?"


    Aiden''s heart skipped a beat when he saw the curt reply. He couldn''t help but remember thest time he had confronted Birdie and ended up getting a solid thrashing from her.


    Seething, Aiden sent a flurry of messages to Mirabe, but it was like shouting into the void-no replies.


    Suspecting he''d been blocked, he tried calling, only to get the automated "out of service area" message, no matter how many times he dialed.


    "Sonny, any luck? Did she text you back?" Mandy, sitting nearby, knew her son had been trying to reach his foster sister and asked with feigned casualness.


    Aiden bit his lip and threw his phone onto the couch, grumbling, "She blocked me."


    Mandy was momentarily stunned. Knowing Mirabe''s pride these days, it seemed typical, but she hadn''t expected her to block even Sonny''s number.


    After all, Sonny used to be her little brother.


    Mandy sat quietly on the sofa for a moment before saying, "Well, if that''s the case, she probably won''te to your birthday either."


    Aiden ran a hand through his hair and stood up, "This sucks. Mom, I''m heading upstairs."


    Without waiting for a response, he stormed up the stairs.


    Mandy watched her youngest son disappear, then her eyes fell on the phone he''d left behind. After a moment''s hesitation, she picked it up, unlocked it, and saw the "Dead meat?" text.


    That foster daughter of hers was really acting out. She never used to talk like that. Mandy''s expression grew distant as she ced the phone back on the couch.


    Her husband had been unreachable for the past few days due to a business bid, leaving her feeling unusually anxious. Throughout her marriage into the Gilbert family, she had always been on tenterhooks, fearing the day she might truly anger Bernardo.


    Seeing Mirabe getting close to Johnny had made her think. Whether Mirabe had meddled in the bid or not, Mandy realized she needed to try and mend the strained rtionship between her foster daughter and the Gilbert family.


    Lately, Mandy had begun to regret how things had soured. If only she had listened to her mother and been more tolerant, maybe things would have turned out differently.


    But there''s no cure for regret.


    Taking a deep breath, Mandy leaned back on the sofa, her face weary andcking its usual glow.


    Summer emerged from the music room and saw Mandy sitting there, looking defeated. She paused for a moment, then walked over to her.

 Chapter 591

    Even though Mandy had let her down countless times, Summer still couldn''t


    shake the fact that she was her mother. She took a seat on the couch, fixing her gaze on Mandy, and asked calmly, "Mom, what''s going on?"


    Mandy leaned back into the sofa, staying silent for a long time.


    Summer didn''t push. She just sat there, casually twirling her phone between her fingers, giving off an air of rxed indifference.


    Deep down, she had a pretty good idea of what was up-probably something about the old neighborhood getting rezoned.


    After what felt like ages, Mandy finally seemed to snap out of it. She looked at her daughter, her expression a mix of bitterness and resignation. "The city council''s bidding... looks like we''re out of luck, the Gilbert family didn''t make the cut."


    Summer wasn''t shocked at all. She''d been through this in her previous life; the project had fallen through back then too.


    "Honestly, not winning this bid might be a blessing in disguise," Summer said, crossing her legs elegantly and speaking slowly.


    Mandy frowned. This was the second time she''d heard something like this from her daughter. Summer had already suggested they drop the bid once before.


    "The Gilbert Corporation doesn''t have to hinge on redeveloping the old district to move forward in real estate," Summer continued after a pause. "We could look into expanding out of state. The local market''s nearly saturated. A major shift would take a serious economic shake-up."


    Even though her previous life had been a blur, Summer still remembered some of the business intricacies.


    She didn''t exactly love her biological parents, the Gilberts, but she didn''t see any reason to watch them fail either.


    At first, Mandy was annoyed by her daughter''s remarks, but as Summer spoke, she couldn''t help but be surprised. For an eighteen-year-old high schooler to offer such insightful opinions was pretty impressive, unless someone had been coaching her.


    "Who taught you to say stuff like that?" Mandy asked, almost in disbelief that her daughter could understand these things.


    Summer pressed her lips together, her voice light, "No one taught me. I just keep up with current events and make my own observations."


    Mandy''s eyes narrowed. Maybe her daughter wasn''t as clueless as she''d thought. The tension in her face eased, and she dropped the subject of the bid.


    They moved on to other topics, chatting for a while before Mandy, as if it had just urred to her, said, "The Davis family seems to be doing quite well."


    Summer felt a sharp pang in her heart at the mention of the Davis family. In her past life, she''d gone back to the Gilberts, thinking they were richer than the Davises, only to find outter that the Davises were the truly wealthy ones, just very low-key about it.


    Given a second chance at life, she''d hoped to use her past knowledge to at least y her cards better, if not hit the jackpot.


    But fate had a twisted sense of humor, bringing her back right after she had already returned to the Gilberts.


    Swallowing the bitterness, Summer tried to keep her tone casual as she replied vaguely, "I''m not too sure about the Davises, but my brothers seem to be doing well."


    She wasn''t sure why her mother was bringing up the Davises, but she knew better than to spill the beans about their wealth¡ªespecially not from her own lips.


    Mandy scrutinized her daughter closely, looking for any signs of deception but found none. "I remember you used to be close to Emmitt Davis, right?"


    Summer''s fingers tightened ever so slightly. "We were close, but we''ve lost touch now."

 Chapter 592

    Here''s a revised version of the text, infused with casual and rtable English, making it captivating for native readers:


    Summer didn''t want to dredge up the Davis family drama any longer. After a brief mention, she stood up, stretching like someone who''s used to the limelight. "Mom, I''ve got practiceter, so I''m heading out," she said, her tone light but resolute.


    Her agency had stopped giving her gigs, but when they found out she was from the wealthy Gilbert family, they didn''t dare freeze her outpletely. Her agent suggested shey low for a while, waiting for the next big opportunity.


    So, despite the snickers from other performers at the studio, Summer swallowed her pride and pushed through.


    She had the kind of leverage others could only dream of, and the thought of giving up on showbiz without a fight was something she just couldn''t stomach.


    Mandy didn''t press her daughter for more details. She simply waved goodbye and soon found herself alone in the spacious living room. After a moment of silence, a thought struck her. She reached for her phone on the coffee table and dialed her mother''s number.


    **


    Meanwhile, on the set of "Country Comfort," the lively buzz of the live broadcast filled the air.


    After a lunch of sandwiches and cold lemonade, the teams got back to their home renovation tasks.


    Gabriel''s brother, although a newbie with a degree inndscape design and little real-world experience, was a quick learner. With Mirabe''s asional guidance, they managed to finish the makeover in less than three hours using the materials provided by the show.


    "Kudos to sis for such a ster design concept. The whole vibe is vintage chic," Gabriel''s brother said genuinely.


    The once dingy, rundown cottage now looked like something out of a home decor magazine. Inside, vibrant painted furnitureplemented the stark white walls, adorned with botanical illustrations of indeterminate species-bold and defiant against the simplicity.


    The nt illustrations on the walls were Mirabe''s additions.


    Her skilled brushwork was so impressive that even Emmitt, the cameraman, couldn''t help but give her artwork plenty of screen time, inviting viewers to marvel along with him.


    ¡¾Holy smokes, who knew the littledy had such mad drawing skills! You can''t get that good without years of practice, right?¡¿


    ¡¾I just wanna know what that nt is. A weed? A flower? Looks pretty cool, though.


    ¡¾Am I the only one blown away by her brains? Shemunicates with Gabriel''s bro without missing a beat, spitting out precise measurements and conversions off the top of her head. Pure genius.¡¿


    ¡¾That''s just the smug superiority of a straight-A student for you. ¡¿


    Somewhere on Earth, a middle-aged man using a satellite signal to surf the web stumbled upon the live broadcast. When his gaze fell on the painting, especially the familiar-looking nt, he was taken aback.


    Isn''t that a depiction of a quinoa leaf?


    How on earth would someone outside know about this nt?


    The man looked dazed as he continued to watch. The camera focused on a girl wearing a mask¡ªan intriguing figure, especially when she turned and the camera caught her eye. There was something vaguely familiar about her demeanor.


    Scratching his head, the man pulled his phone closer, hoping for a clearer view. But just as he did, the screen froze. Two secondster, a message popped up: ''Sorry, your connection is unstable. Please check yourwork.''


    The man sighed in frustration.


    No matter how he repositioned his device, the satellite signal refused to reconnect.


    "What a piece of junk tech, iming to be the future''s finest. Pfft! Trash! Always fails when you need it most!"


    He continued to curse and fiddle with his phone, but to no avail; thework remained elusive.

 Chapter 593

    The scene shifted back to the live broadcast.


    After admiring the newly revamped room, the group found themselves with some time to kill and decided to wander over to the neighboring crew''s space.


    The room next door wasn''t aplete disaster, but calling it presentable would be a stretch.


    Heather and Michelle, never ones for heavy lifting, had made a half-hearted attempt at tidying up, just enough to appease the livestream audience. Their efforts, however, were pretty much pointless.


    The online viewers had long run out of patience for critiquing the duo.


    Hans was in the middle of some bricying when he looked up to see Mirabe and her crew at the doorway. His dust-streaked face registered surprise, and he almost dropped a brick on his foot.


    "Y''all done already?" Hans asked, recovering from his shock.


    "Yep," Gabriel nodded, gesturing towards Mirabe. "All thanks to our little sister''s direction."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and shot Gabriel a sideways nce.


    Gabriel shed her a polite smile, speaking nothing but the truth. Without her pulling up those how-to videos online, they might have been clueless.


    At the mention of Mirabe''s help, Hans perked up and approached her. "Come


    on, sis, be my strategist, will ya? Give me some pointers?"


    Mirabe cast a slow nce around the room, about to speak up.


    Michelle, although slightly irked by all the high praise Mirabe was getting, saw the chance to have an extra pair of hands and was naturally all for it.


    After all, the heavy and dirty work was perfect for a country girl.


    So she set aside her broom and chimed in with Hans''s suggestion, "We''d be much obliged for your help, sis."


    Her tone had a hint of pushing someone into the deep end.


    With the livestream cameras rolling, it would look petty if Mirabe outright refused.


    Mirabe pulled up her face mask without giving Michelle a nce, instead turning to Gabriel''s brother, "Alright, genius, time to show your talent and rescue Mr. Yin from this mess."


    Prompted, Gabriel''s brother stepped forward. Already bound by teamwork and camaraderie, he agreed readily, "No problem."


    He then made his way over to Hans.


    Seeing this, Gabriel followed to lend a hand, seemingly used to cleaning up after Heather''s group every episode.


    Mirabe simply told Gabriel''s brother to ask her if he had any questions, then stepped outside and settled onto a small stool in the yard.


    Noticing her little prince standing at the doorway, looking lost, she rubbed her temples and took charge, "Bro, keep sorting those fabrics."


    Leo gave his sister a calm look, then obediently went back to work without a word.


    Inside, Michelle saw that her attempt to embarrass Mirabe had backfired, only making her seem more impressive. Biting back her irritation, she picked up her broom and got back to sweeping.


    An hour and changeter, as the livestream was winding down, the group finally got the room in order. It wasn''t perfect, but it was a significant improvement over whatever Hans and his team could have managed on their own.


    Hans had been quite pleased with the transformation, but his satisfaction


    vanished the moment he checked out the neighboring room.


    Feeling thoroughly outdone.


    At four o''clock, the livestream ended on schedule.


    The camera crew, including Emmitt, tired from a day of filming, packed up and left.


    Mirabe then stepped out from a quick visit to the restroom.

 Chapter 594

    The yard was buzzing with the sounds of departure as everyone packed their belongings, signaling the end of the gathering. Mirabe stepped out into the fading sunlight, waiting for Leo, who had ducked into the restroom and hadn''t yet returned. She lingered near the antique wrought-iron gate, her gaze lost in the dance of the leaves in the breeze.


    Gabriel and his brother approached Mirabe with a casual nod and a quick "Catch youter!" before they slipped away into the evening, their departure as swift as their greeting.


    Heather, meanwhile, was caught up in a phone call. Without the scrutinizing eye of a live-stream camera, her demeanor was drastically different-her tone was sharp, her posture rigid, her expression one of disdain and arrogance.


    The conversation ended abruptly, leaving Heather with a scowl that darkened her features. "What''s got you so riled up, Heather?" Hans inquired from across the yard, having caught the tail end of her heated exchange.


    "The car that was supposed to pick me up broke down on the way," Heather replied, her voice simmering with frustration. "And of course, it just had to happen out here in the sticks where you can''t even hail a cab."


    Hans pondered this for a moment, then turned to the two cousins who had been standing nearby. "Why don''t you hop in with me? I can drop you off in town," he offered.


    Heather nced at her watch. Her assistant wouldn''t arrive for another hour at least, and the thought of waiting in this rural backwater was unbearable. "I''d appreciate that, Mr. Hans," she said, the edges of her annoyance softening slightly.


    Hans waved off her thanks with a friendly gesture. "No trouble at all. It''s on my way."


    Just then, Leo emerged from the restroom and walked straight over to his sister. "Let''s go, Mirabe. Collins is waiting for us outside."


    With a brief acknowledgment, Mirabe pocketed her phone, and the siblings gave a polite nod to Hans before heading out.


    As they left, they didn''t even spare Heather and Michelle a nce-an oversight that caused Heather''s brows to furrow in disapproval. "How rude," she muttered under her breath.


    Hans watched the siblings disappear down thene and then turned back to Heather. "The Mirabe siblings live in Ashford, right? That''s close to where your cousin''s from, isn''t it?" Since they had exchanged Messenger details, he had grown ustomed to calling her simply ''Mirabe.''


    Heather, taken aback by the mention of "Mirabe siblings," was about to ask for rification when Hans''s phone buzzed. He checked the caller ID and, without answering, said, "Let''s get going. My car''s just outside."


    With that, Heather followed Hans out of the yard, temporarily pushing aside the question of the "Mirabe siblings" from her mind.


    After dropping Heather off in town, they went their separate ways. Heather and Michelle found refuge in a quaint coffee shop to wait for their assistant. As public figures, they were almost incognito-Heather especially was decked out in shades and a low-slung cap, shielding her face to avoid recognition.


    While sipping on hertte, Heather''s thoughts drifted back to the "Mirabe siblings." So theirst name was Hooper? She stirred her drink absentmindedly, her curiosity piqued.


    Michelle, noticing her cousin''s distant look, called out in confusion, "Cousin Heather?"


    Snapped back to reality, Heather looked at Michelle and asked, "Weren''t you quite into Juztin before? Do you know his real name?"


    Michelle shook her head. "No clue. His privacy game is top-notch. Apart from the folks at hisbel, I doubt anyone knows his real name."


    Spections had swirled online before, but none had led to any concrete revtions.

 Chapter 595

    Michelle paused for a moment before asking, "Cousin, why are you suddenly asking about this?"


    "I just heard Hans call those two the Mirabe siblings and wondered if theirst name might be Howard," Heather said, taking a slow sip of her coffee.


    It was probably because her mother had mentioned a celebrity named Howard the previous night that Heather now felt a bit sensitive whenever she heard the


    name.


    "Howard?" Michelle mumbled to herself.


    She remembered scrolling through Twitterst night and seeing Juztin''s sister''s nickname, which started with an ''H''. While browsing thements, she noticed people specting about surnames that began with ''H''.


    After a brief thought, Michelle replied, "Could be."


    Having said that, she nced at her cousin again, "You don''t think the Howard celebrity Auntie mentionedst night could be rted to Juztin, do you?"


    Heather pursed her lips. Truth be told, she had entertained the thought but quickly dismissed it.


    A global top 100 corporation heir reeking of country bumpkin vibes? Especially that sister of his, the spitting image of a country girl.


    "Maybe I''m overthinking it," Heather said, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Despite her doubts, Heather still wanted to uncover Juztin''s family background.


    She pulled out her phone and shot a text to a friend, asking if they had dug up any information on this girl named Summer.


    Not long after, her friend sent over a file.


    Heather tapped to receive the document.


    Just then, her tardy assistant finally arrived.


    Heather snapped her phone shut, giving the assistant a piece of her mind to vent her frustrations slightly before feeling a bit better.


    The group settled their bill and left.


    Once in the car, Heather took out her phone again to open the file her friend had sent.


    The information about Summer was surprisinglyprehensive.


    Summer, birth name Summer Howard, 18 years old, a student in the Prodigy ss at Parkside High School with outstanding academic achievements.


    Family background: adoptive parents are regr workers, biological parents from the affluent Gilbert family of Ashford...


    So Juztin''s Summer, her birth name is Summer Howard?


    That exins Hans referring to "the Mirabe siblings" earlier today.


    It seems Juztin does indeed carry the Howard name, born into a family of ordinary workers.


    Heather smirked as she finished reading, promptly slipping her phone into her pocket.


    Just as she thought, there was no way these siblings could be connected to a top- tier enterprise.


    **


    Meanwhile, in the car.


    Mirabe, who had been resting with her eyes closed, was startled by the ring of her phone.


    The ringtone was different from the usual calls she got, so she opened her eyes immediately, sat up straight, and took out her phone.


    Leo, sitting beside her, had never seen his sister behave this way and curiously turned his head to look.


    Mirabe took off the hood of her sweatshirt, tidied her hair a bit, and then pressed the voice call button. As soon as the call connected, she tapped her screen to switch to a video call.


    Instantly, the side profile of her grandmother Catherine appeared on the screen, seemingly out for a walk as the image was a bit shaky.


    "Grandma," Mirabe called out softly, her voice tender.


    Hearing her granddaughter''s voice made Catherine''s heart melt. She had meant to switch the phone to her other ear, but as she took it away, she saw her granddaughter''s face on the screen.


    She paused, slightly surprised, yet not too much so. After all, whenever Mira called her, the phone would automatically switch to video mode.

 Chapter 596

    Catherine lifted her phone to her eyes. "Hold on a sec, Mira. Grandma needs to find a seat."


    As she said this, she looked around, searching for a ce to sit while walking.


    Mirabe hummed softly, ncing at the background behind Catherine. "Are you at the riverside park?"


    "Yep, just out picking up a few things." There was a breeze on Catherine''s end, causing her voice toe through with a rustling sound, and the screen shook a bit-clearly, she was walking briskly.


    Mirabe pressed her fingers to her temple and advised, "No rush, Grandma. Take it easy."


    Catherine acknowledged the advice but didn''t slow her pace. After a while, she finally found a park bench and, sitting down with a heavy breath, she said, "Getting old, a short walk tires me out."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "You seem pretty spry to me."


    Catherine grinned. "Well, with my granddaughter''s magic potions, how could I not be?"


    "Oh, look at you, smooth talker," Mirabe teased, flicking her bangs to the side to reveal her forehead.


    Watching her granddaughter on the phone''s screen, Catherine''s eyes grew misty. It had only been a few months since they''d parted, yet it felt so long. And no matter how often they video chatted, it never seemed enough.


    After a quiet couple of minutes, Catherine broke the silence. "My Mira''s turned into such a beautiful youngdy."


    "So, what, I wasn''t pretty before?" Mirabe replied with a touch of vanity.


    Catherine was momentarily speechless.


    Leo, who had been listening silently, rolled his eyes at his sister. Her thick skin spared no one, not even the elderly.


    Then Mirabe remembered her brother and switched the camera to the rear- facing one, pointing it at him. "Grandma, this is my brother Leo. Isn''t he a looker too?"


    Caught off guard, Leo could only muster a nk expression.


    Faced with the woman who had helped raise his sister, Leo quickly straightened up and greeted her, "Hello, Grandma. I''m Leo, Mira''s brother."


    Catherine saw Leo''s face, which bore a striking resemnce to Mirabe''s, and instinctively responded to her granddaughter''s remark, "He sure is handsome."


    Leo''s smile wavered upon hearing this.


    After exchanging a few words with Leo, Mirabe switched the camera back to herself. The screen now showed only the grandmother and granddaughter.


    Mirabe cracked the car window a bit, letting in the cool breeze. She pulled her coat around her and, after exchanging a few pleasantries, noticed a thoughtful look on Catherine''s face. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "Is there something you want to talk about?"


    Catherine nced off-screen before returning her gaze to the camera. "No, just missing you and wanted to give you a call."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, cutting right to the chase. "You think I can''t tell there''s more?"


    Catherine touched her nose, recalling the call from Mandy earlier that day, and shook her head. "No, really, it''s nothing."


    Considering the text she received from Aiden at noon, Mirabe went straight to the point. "Did the Gilberts say something to you again? Or did they ask you to pass a message to me?"


    Catherine always knew her granddaughter was sharp; nothing ever got past her. After a moment''s thought, she decided toe clean.


    Her daughter had called today, not saying much, just mentioning that she wanted to mend fences with her foster daughter and was hoping for her to mediate.


    Catherine wouldn''t have called if it was just about smoothing things over; it was precisely because she knew her daughter''s temper that she was worried.

 Chapter 597

    "Look, the Gilberts have nothing on you," Catherine said firmly. "Don''t let them push you around just because of your grandma."


    Mirabe nodded quietly, her eyes drifting to the car window, lost in thought.


    After a few more minutes of video chatting, she urged Catherine to hang up and head home. The cold had turned her cheeks pale.


    Leo, sitting beside her, turned and asked, "So, Catherine said your foster mom''s trying to patch things up again?"


    The call had been on speaker, so he''d heard everything.


    Leaning back, Mirabe''s eyes sparkled with a cold rity as she shrugged. "Who knows."


    Leo had never paid much mind to the Gilbert drama, but he remembered their snobby attitude when they showed up after the baby mix-up. It was unforgettable.


    "Anyway," he said after a pause, "if any of the Gilbertse around, just ignore them. And if they get nasty, tell me. I''ll handle it."


    Despite his nickname for her, "Little Princess," he was fiercely protective when it came to his sister.


    Mirabe gave him a half-hearted "okay" and looked away.


    By the time they got back to the Davis estate, it was past eight. With school the next day, Mirabe washed up and went to bed early.


    The next day at school, Mirabe''s math teacher had given her two tough problems to solve over the weekend, with a deadline of Friday. But her homeroom teacher had called her in, so she decided to hand them in early.


    Her math teacher, getting the paper with her detailed solutions, looked more surprised than anything. "You solved these over the weekend?"


    Mirabe nodded modestly, not mentioning she''d squeezed them in during her spare moments.


    Impressed yet envious, the teacher thought of Vincent, who still hadn''t cracked the problems. He bent over the paper, verifying the answers, while Mirabe joined her homeroom teacher at her desk.


    Ate pulled out a stack of books from her drawer and handed them to Mirabe. "These will help with your English. They should improve your reading and writing. Take a look when you can."


    Mirabe eyed the ssical literature books with dread and didn''t reach for them. "I think my reading and writing are fine, teacher."


    Ate''s heart sank. "You barely pass my English tests while acing everything else. Have you ever thought about how that makes me feel?"


    Mirabe coughed awkwardly.


    "The SATS are just a few months away. If you buckle down now, there''s still time to improve. Don''t you want to be valedictorian?" Ate asked, trying to entice her.


    Mirabe''s struggle with English had been a sore point for Mr. Hammond, who had urged Ate to help her improve. With near-perfect scores in her other subjects, Mirabe was a top candidate for valedictorian-if English didn''t hold her back.


    Mr. Hammond''s words echoed in Ate''s mind, nearly driving her mad. It felt like it wasn''t just Englishgging behind, but Ate herself as the teacher.

 Chapter 598

    Mirabe sighed as she watched her English teacher, who looked like she was about to cry if Mirabe didn''t take the book from her. With a reluctant motion, she epted the book.


    She took it quite half-heartedly.


    Suddenly, she felt a pang of understanding for Jenna''s despair every time she passed her an assignment.


    Alright, she decided, no more pranking Jenna.


    The math teacher next door had just finished reviewing Mirabe''s answers and came over, excitement written all over his face. He was about to speak when he saw the book in Mirabe''s hands and said, "Why waste your time on those novels when you could be cracking some math problems?"


    Ate''s temples began to throb at thement. She mmed her hands down on the desk, her temper ring as she snapped, "Mr. Brown, is it only you who''s allowed to dish out math problems? Can''t I encourage my students to broaden their horizons with a good book?"


    "You''re jeopardizing the future of a potential valedictorian. Can you afford that?¡± The math teacher stepped back, startled, and immediately mmed up.


    Seeing this, Ate''s expression softened slightly, and she went on to deliver a heartfelt lecture to Mirabe before finally letting her go.


    After digesting the English teacher''s pep talk, Mirabe was immediately summoned by the math teacher for a discussion about equations. The tireless dedication of both teachers had her yawning incessantly.


    So by the time she returned to the ssroom, Mirabe was not only carrying the books prepared by Ate but also a new set of math problems from Mr. Brown.


    Upon seeing the load in her arms, Jenna looked petrified, as if bracing for another onught, and reflexively blurted out, "Queen Mira, I''m begging you, have mercy and don''t dump more on me."


    Mirabe was perplexed.


    Jenna was on the brink of tears and then quickly suggested, "Or give it to Vincent from the Prodigy ss. He was just looking for you."


    Mirabe''s mouth twitched as she nced down at the pile of books and papers, realizing her desk mate had suffered quite enough at her hands.


    Sitting down and sliding into her chair, Mirabe ced the books on the table and reassured her, "These aren''t for you."


    Jenna''s tension melted away instantly, and she slumped over the desk, relieved, "You scared the life out of me."


    Mirabe nced at her and asked, "What did Vincent want with me?"


    "He came to ask for help with a problem, I think. I told him you were called to the office. He said to shoot him a message when you got back," Jenna exined. Mirabe had an idea of what Vincent needed. Pulling out her phone, she sent him two photos she had taken earlier in Mr. Brown''s office via Messenger.


    They were of the solutions to the problems from the recent mathpetition. Since thepetition papers weren''t handed out, she didn''t bother rewriting the answers and just took photos while she was with the math teacher.


    Soon after, Vincent replied with a message, ¡°Thanks, and congrats on ranking first nationally in the mathpetition."


    Seeing the message, Mirabe simply sent back an emoji of pride.


    Vincent shook his head at Queen Mira''s smug emoji and sent another message.


    "Are you not curious about Jack''s score?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and responded, "That''s a message you should be sending to Jack, not me."


    She was number one; she feared no one.


    Vincent typed back, "... You''re floating away, champ.¡±

 Chapter 599

    Mirabe didn''t bother replying to Vincent''s text. Instead, she pulled out the old English literature book her teacher had given her and started reading.


    She wasn''t a huge fan of the old-timeynguage, but hey, as the valedictorian, she couldn''t reallyin.


    Might as well get it over with.


    After school, she stepped out into the afternoon sun and scanned the lineup of cars parked along the curb. She checked her watch, puzzled. Her dad was neverte.


    Thinking it over for a moment, she dug out her phone, ready to make a call.


    Just as she was about to dial, a familiar voice cut through the air, making her fingers freeze. She looked up.


    "Scaredy-cat, I finally found you!" Aiden stood in front of Mirabe, anky teenager with a mischievous grin stered across his face.


    Mirabe nced at Aiden and with a flick, turned off her phone screen and slipped it back into her pocket. "What''s up? Your goons didn''t tag along today? Afraid of a little roughhousing?"


    Aiden had already been on the receiving end of Mirabe''s wrath twice, and he was somewhat intimidated. His brashness was all for show over the phone, but in person, his caution was evident.


    "You''re crazy, you know that? Who else goes around using violence as the answer?" Aiden retorted, his neck stiffening.


    Mirabe smoothed out her sleeves with deliberate slowness, her fine features lined with impatience. "You''ve got one minute."


    Aiden took an involuntary step back at her gesture but got straight to the point. "My birthday''s this Wednesday..."


    Meanwhile, the Gilbert family''s chauffeur had just pulled up outside Parkside High School. Stepping out of the car, he scanned the area, spotting Summer nowhere but noticing Aiden.


    Surprised, the chauffeur rapped on the passenger-side window. Soon after, the ss slid down to reveal Mandy''s elegantly made-up face.


    "Ma''am, that seems to be the young master," the chauffeur said, nodding toward where Mirabe stood.


    Mandy, aware her youngest son might seek out his foster sister today, showed no surprise.


    The chauffeur, gauging Mandy''s reaction, asked, "Shall I fetch him?"


    After a moment''s thought, Mandy lifted her hand, indicating a halt. "Not yet."


    epting her decision, the chauffeur stepped aside to wait for Summer''s appearance.


    Back at the school gate,


    "I''m not going," Mirabe stated tly, cutting Aiden off without any warmth.


    Aiden had anticipated her refusal, but her blunt decisiveness still irked him. "Why not!"


    Mirabe met his gaze with a chilling look. "Tell your mother not to bother me. There are some people she can''t afford to mess with."


    With that, she turned away from Aiden and walked toward the curb. He tried to follow, but a piercing nce from Mirabe rooted him to the spot.


    That look instilled an instinctive fear in him.


    Aiden clenched his fists, watching Mirabe''s retreating figure, baffled by how the


    once timid girl had be so formidable.


    Mirabe reached the curb and pulled out her phone again, this time to call


    Shawn and find out what was up.


    Before she could dial, a notification from Messenger popped up.


    [Look up and to your left.]


    Mirabe paused at the message, then slowly lifted her gaze to the left.

 Chapter 600

    In her line of sight, a tall and slender figure caught her attention. The face was delicately chiseled but rmingly pale, making Mirabe''s eyes widen in surprise.


    "Nick?"


    She stood frozen, too stunned to move.


    Dragging his suitcase, Nick''s nearly translucent face broke into a faint smile as he approached her with an unhurried pace. "Hey, sis, I''m back."


    Nick noticed his sister''s dazed expression, his thin lips curling slightly. Letting go of his suitcase, he reached out to tousle her hair, savoring the familiar feeling.


    Usually the one giving head pats, Mirabe found herself on the receiving end for the second time: "..."


    "Nick, why did you suddenlye back?" Mirabe was genuinely surprised, not expecting him to show up out of the blue.


    Nick withdrew his hand, simply saying, "Just felt like it was time toe back."


    Mirabe blinked, then nced at the suitcase beside him. "Did you just get off the ne?"


    "Yeah, made it just in time to catch you after school." Nick nodded, the weariness from the long flight evident in his eyes.


    But seeing his sister seemed to wash all the fatigue away.


    Mirabe figured out why Shawn hadn''te to pick her up today. Clearing her throat, she suggested, "Let''s grab a cab home."


    "Sounds good."


    Nick grabbed his suitcase again and, lifting his gaze, took in the entrance to Parkside High School.


    At the gate, Summer was walking out with her ssmates.


    Nick''s expression faltered for a moment before he indifferently averted his gaze.


    Summer looked up and caught a glimpse of Nick''s retreating figure, tall and lean. She didn''t recognize him at first.


    After a brief look, her attention was quickly drawn to Aiden nearby. She turned her gaze and walked toward him, frowning.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Aiden''s eyes had been fixed on Mirabe and Nick, watching their interaction. Though he couldn''t hear what was said, the atmosphere was oddly off-putting.


    At the sound of Summer''s voice, Aiden just red at her and walked toward the curb without speaking.


    He saw the Gilbert family''s driver waiting there.


    Summer, ustomed to Aiden''s demeanor, was curious about his presence at the


    school''s entrance but couldn''t be bothered to ask.


    Soon, the siblings got into the car, one after the other.


    The driver started the engine.


    Summer remained silent, leaning against the car door window, her gaze fixed outside.


    The car was quiet for a moment.


    Then Mandy nced in the rearview mirror. "Aiden?"


    Aiden rolled down the window, letting in the chilly air, and then quickly rolled it back up, his voice tinged with irritation. "Mom, that crazy woman said to stop bothering her, and something about not being able to mess with her."


    Summer''s eyshes fluttered. Crazy woman? Who was he talking about?


    Mandy''s expression darkened slightly. The confirmation she''d been seeking seemed to be taking shape.


    Telling her son to warn her off was a hint, implying that the bidding issue might be the Davis family''s doing.


    The more Mandy thought about it, the more unsettled she felt. The Davis family, why had they suddenly be so enigmatic?


    "What else did she say?" Mandyposed herself and asked again.

 Chapter 601

    "Nothing," Aiden muttered, his lips pressed into a tight line. Mirabe''s


    overwhelming presence had left him nearly speechless; he''d barely managed to say ten words.


    "Who are you guys talking about?" Summer couldn''t hold back her curiosity any longer and blurted out the question.


    Aiden, who didn''t get along well with Summer, certainly wasn''t about to admit he''d gone to see Mirabe and got turned away.


    Mandy, in a sour mood herself, snapped back, "Who else but Mirabe?"


    The mention of Mirabe made Summer''s face fall. Lately, whenever her mom came to pick her up, it seemed to always be about Mirabe.


    And now her own brother had gone to see her too?


    What was this all about?


    Did everyone suddenly remember the Davis family''s wealth and now wanted to win her back?


    Summer shook her head, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes, and decided not to ask any more questions.


    **


    Twenty minutester, Mirabe and her brother Nick walked back into the vi.


    Shawn and Delh had been waiting, tipped off by Nick''s call. It had been two or three years since the whole family was together.


    As soon as they stepped inside, Delh''s eyes filled with tears. She reached out to hug Nick, but he dodged her.


    Delh''s face fell, and she quickly dropped her arms, trying to act like it didn''t bother her. She pulled Nick''s suitcase inside.


    The suitcase felt unusually light. When Delh lifted it, she paused, her expression a mix of deep sadness and something else.


    Mirabe, who had just slipped into her slippers, turned to see Delh''s strange demeanor. "Mom?" she called softly.


    Delh snapped back to reality and forced a strained smile, dragging the suitcase into the living room.


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly-something was definitely off. She nced over at Shawn, who was talking to Nick, and noticed the odd expression on his face too.


    Clearly, there was an untold story here.


    With her curiosity piqued, Mirabe walked into the living room.


    Zach had heard about Nick''s return and left work early to be home. Seeing Nick,


    he patted his shoulder warmly, "Good to have you back."


    "Thanks," Nick replied, not used to too much physical contact, even from his own brother, which made him stiffen involuntarily.


    Zach knew his habits and didn''t take it personally.


    They all sat in the living room chatting. Mirabe, ever thoughtful, went to the kitchen to slice some fruit and brought it out, then sat quietly, listening to their conversation.


    Zach, with one leg crossed over the other and his hands resting on his knee, looked at his brother, "So, Nick, are you nning to stick around this time?"


    As soon as the question was out, Delh and Shawn''s eyes locked onto Nick, especially Delh, whose face was filled with anxiety.


    She had noticed how light Nick''s luggage was, indicating he hadn''t brought many belongings, which made her feel uneasy.


    Feeling his parents'' anxious gazes, guilt welled up inside Nick. He turned to them, his eyes filled with regret, "Dad, Mom, I''m sorry, I..."


    Before he could finish, Delh''s voice broke. Tears she had been holding back streamed down her face, "Nick, don''t you want toe home?"


    The pain and sorrow in her voice were palpable, even causing Shawn, sitting beside her, to redden his eyes as he reached out tofort her.

 Chapter 602

    Nick had no idea his words would set his mother off like that. He jumped up, flustered, and ran a hand through his hair. "Mom, you didn''t let me finish. I... I''m actually nning to stay for good this time."


    Delh, still sniffling and with eyes red from tears, stared at him. "What did you just say? Can you repeat that?"


    With patience, Nick repeated, "I''m not nning on leaving again."


    "But your suitcase is so light," Delh worried, fearing he was just saying it tofort her.


    "I intended toe back, but the paperwork isn''t sorted yet. That''s why I didn''t bring much this time," Nick exined.


    "So, you might change your mind at thest minute?" Delh''s voice was tinged with worry.


    "Nick''s decided toe home; that''s settled then," Shawn chimed in with relief. Despite Nick''s years living abroad, he knew his son''s determined nature well.


    "Well, if that''s the case, you''re not going back. Let Chester handle the paperwork," Delh insisted, her years of longing for Nick''s return making her anxious.


    As she reached into her pocket to make a call, Shawn swiftly snatched her phone. "It''s the dead of night over at Emmitt''s. It''s not the right time to call."


    Caught up in her desire to keep Nick close, Delh had forgotten the time difference. She pped her forehead in realization.


    After triple-checking with Nick about his ns to stay, Delh finally felt her heart settle.


    Before long, she stood up and made her way to the kitchen, where a pot of soup was simmering.


    Knowing how stirred up she was, Shawn followed her to the kitchen to offer support.


    Now, the living room was left to the siblings.


    Mirabe sat quietly, a good distance from Nick, her demeanor gentle and demure.


    Nick couldn''t help but recall how Mirabe always kept a meter''s distance when she visited him. After much thought, he concluded she must have been worried about his health.


    Breaking the silence, he offered an exnation, "Mirabe, I''m not sick. My pale skin is just from spending too much time in theb without sunlight."


    Mirabe was taken aback by his suddenment, her gaze shifting to him in confusion.


    Clearing his throat, Nick, though embarrassed, was a man of direct words. "You don''t have to keep a meter away from me."


    Coming to her senses, Mirabe raised an eyebrow and nced at Zach across the room.


    She remembered Zach''s repeated warnings to keep her distance from Nick during her visits because he supposedly disliked people getting too close.


    Catching his sister''s menacing nce, Zach shivered involuntarily.


    A meter''s distance, a meter''s... As something dawned on him, Zach abruptly


    stood up. "Ah, I should probably go help in the kitchen."


    With that, he made a beeline away from the scene, as if any dy would spell his doom.


    Terrifying, to face such an unexpected turn of events.


    Nick watched, puzzled, as Zach beat a hasty retreat.

 Chapter 603

    Mirabe rubbed her temples, feeling the need to clear things up. "I just didn''t want you to feel out of ce, you know?"


    Nick''s gaze met hers again, his eyes bright and serious, not a hint of humor in them. He nodded.


    Maybe he had been overthinking things.


    "How''s your sleep these days, Nick?" Mirabe asked casually, shifting into a morefortable position on the couch.


    Sleep was a topic that brought a relieved nod from Nick. "Thatvender sachet you gave me has worked wonders. I haven''t had insomnia since."


    Though his heart condition lingered, the nightmares that used to haunt him were gone.


    "I''ve been diving into some psychology bookstely, seeing if they might help," Mirabe said slowly.


    She was skilled in medicine, but psychotherapy was new to her. It was worth exploring.


    Nick lowered his eyes, struggling with aplexity he couldn''t quite describe. His return home was prompted by a message from Zach on Messenger.


    His interactions with this sister had been brief, yet her concern for his well-being, going so far as to study psychology for him, took him by surprise. Having seen the worst in people, he had be detached from most emotions.


    His little sister, it seemed, was different.


    Nick''s expression softened as he replied, "It''s good."


    At that moment, the doorbell rang. Mirabe started to get up, but seeing Zach already heading to the door, she settled back down.


    Their conversation wandered to other topics.


    Emmitt walked into the living room and paused, noticing the easy rapport between Mirabe and Nick. His initial relief at Nick''s return was nowced with a hint of sadness.


    He too had once shared such moments with his own sister, before things went south due to prejudices.


    A lump formed in Emmitt''s throat, but he quickly swallowed it down and approached, "Little Lynx, you''re back."


    Nick stood to greet him with a respectful nod, "Emmitt."


    Mirabe didn''t stand, just nced at him and nodded before looking away.


    Emmitt''s fingers tightened in his pockets, but he masked any difort with a quick nod.


    He sat down on the couch, facing Nick. "What''s the n now? Staying in the country or heading back to your institute?"


    Nick sat up straight, his pale face showing a rare look of determination. "Once the handover at the institute is done, I n to return for good."


    Emmitt nodded, "Coming home is good. With your skills, the Riverdale Institute would surely wee you."


    At the mention of ''Riverdale Institute,'' Mirabe''s eyelids flickered slightly.


    Wasn''t Adler associated with some institute? She wondered if it was the same one.


    Nick pursed his lips, arching his brows with the pride of a prodigy. "We''ll see. Haven''t thought that far yet."


    "Take your time. By the way, how''s Chester holding up?" Emmitt asked.


    Nick just shook his head in resignation. "Same as ever. Old issues from his younger days, no real cure."


    Emmitt and Nick continued their conversation, while Mirabe sat and listened, content and far from feeling awkward.

 Chapter 604

    Before long, dinner was ready.


    Around the dining table, the air was filled with the savory aroma of a well-roasted chicken and theforting scent of baked potatoes. Delh, beaming with maternal pride, couldn''t help but get sentimental as she looked around at her sons and cherished daughter gathered in one ce. "Today has got to be the most together we''ve been in ages," she remarked.


    Shawn, eager tomemorate the asion, fetched a bottle of vintage red wine from the cer, filling everyone''s ss with a generous pour. When he reached his daughter, however, he swapped the wine for a ss of freshly squeezed apple juice.


    Mirabe merely raised an eyebrow at the substitution.


    Throughout the meal, Mirabe spoke little, chiming in only when someone directly engaged her in conversation. It wasn''t that Emmitt''s return had rendered her silent; she was always the quiet one at the table.


    Both Shawn and Delh were ted to have Nick back home, but they didn''t forget to shower their daughter with attention, making for a content and fulfilling family dinner.


    Ever since Emmitt had tasted the bitter vor of regret, he''d felt too ashamed to return to the family home. It was only his brother Nick''s homing that had given him the courage to face everyone again.


    Sitting at the table, Emmitt couldn''t quite understand his own motivations¡ª whether it was the longing to see his estranged brother or some other draw. Noticing Mirabe''s quiet demeanor, he found himself equally at a loss for words, simply nursing his ss of wine.


    Initially, Nick hadn''t sensed anything amiss, but as the meal progressed and he observed theck of interaction between Emmitt and Mirabe, he began to feel that something was off.


    After dinner, Nick discreetly pulled his brother Zach aside to inquire about any recent family drama he might have missed.


    Zach hesitated only briefly before deciding toe clean, summarizing the misunderstanding that had taken ce.


    Nick listened intently, then shook his head after a long silence. "Emmitt just put too much trust in Summer," he finally said. Though brotherly bonds were strong, Nick believed one should never be blind to their sibling''s faults.


    However, at the mere mention of Summer, Nick''s expression turned notably colder, his pale skin casting a faint chill under the light.


    Zach eyed his brother, tempted to offer aforting pat on the shoulder but knowing well Nick''s aversion to physical contact. He let his hand fall to his side and simply said, "You really should let go, you know."


    Nick chuckled ruefully, his gaze drifting off into the distance. "If only it were that simple," he murmured.


    "By the way, have you been sleeping bettertely?" Zach asked, recalling a particr concern.


    "Much better, actually. It''s thanks to the sandalwood incense Mirabe mailed me. I''ve tried all sorts of sleep aids before, but none worked like hers," Nick replied, still amazed by the efficacy of his sister''s gift.


    Zach let out a thoughtful hum. "She must have a knack for healing. That incense really does wonders."


    Nick hummed in agreement.


    In the living room, Mirabe and Leo were engrossed in a video game, while Emmitt, having indulged a bit too much in the wine, massaged his temples, feeling the onset of a headache.


    Delh, noticing Emmitt''s state, prepared a cup of strong ck coffee, hoping to sober him up. Despite downing it, Emmitt''s difort persisted.


    Nick, who had finished his chat with Zach, observed Emmitt and approached him with a concerned look. "Emmitt, have you been entertaining a lottely?" he asked.


    Emmitt tilted his head slightly to nce at Nick, his response nomittal. "Not really."


    "You look like you''ve been overdoing it with the alcohol recently. I suggest you get yourself checked at the clinic tomorrow," Nick advised.


    Delh, caught off-guard by the exchange, quickly regained herposure and chimed in, "Overindulging? But you''ve never been much of a drinker. What''s going on?"


    Emmitt''s eyes dropped, and he didn''t answer her. Instead, he steadied himself against the couch and rose to his feet. "It''s gettingte, I should head out," he said, excusing himself from the family gathering.

 Chapter 605

    Emmitt finished speaking and made his way around the coffee table, heading for the door. He''d barely taken a couple of steps before he stumbled, but Delh was quick to catch him.


    "Are you sure you can get home like this? Maybe you should just stay over tonight,¡± Delh said, worry evident in her voice.


    Emmitt steadied himself and managed a strained smile. "I''ve already called for a ride-share, Mom. Don''t worry."


    "That''s not good enough. I won''t be at ease even if you do make it back alone," Delh said, her brows knitted in concern. She turned to Zach, "Zach, can you help Emmitt to his room?"


    Emmitt''s eyes instinctively sought out Mirabe, who was across the room. She had put away her phone and seemed calm. Perhaps sensing his gaze, she looked up and their eyes met briefly.


    She didn''t say a word.


    Emmitt felt a pang of bittersweetness in his heart.


    In the end, Delh''s insistence won, and Emmitt agreed to stay the night.


    Once everyone had gone upstairs, Delh turned to talk to her daughter, but Mirabe spoke first.


    "Mom, you should get some rest. I''m going to my room now."


    Delh started to say, "Sweetheart, about Emmitt, he¡ª"


    Mirabe sighed softly, "Mom, do you really think I''m that petty?"


    Emmitt and Summer had been close for over a decade; it was impossible for there to be no feelings involved.


    Mirabe would rather spend her time reading a couple of extra books than wasting it being upset andpeting for attention.


    Delh wanted to say more, but faced with her daughter''s indifferent expression, the words just wouldn''te.


    Mirabe smiled, picked up her phone, wished everyone goodnight, and headed upstairs.


    **


    Back in her room, after washing up, Mirabe grabbed one of the psychology books James had given her and started reading.


    She had meant to check Nick''s pulse today, but there hadn''t been a good opportunity.


    A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.


    Mirabe ced the book on her pillow, threw on a robe, and went to open the door.


    Nick stood there, holding a box. She blinked in surprise.


    "This is a special gift I brought just for you," Nick said, offering the box.


    Mirabe''s eyes fell on the box. It wasrge and wrapped in decorative paper, hiding its contents.


    Remembering the three massive boxes of study materials fromst time, she hesitated, half-expecting it to be filled with exam papers, which she had developed an irrational aversion to.


    Seeing her hesitation and herplex expression, Nick cleared his throat. "I wasn''t sure what you''d like. Last time you seemed interested in tech stuff at my ce, so I brought you aptop."


    Mirabe, relieved it was aputer, took the box eagerly. "Thanks, Nick!"


    The oldputer at home was indeed outdated, but since she rarely used the inte, she hadn''t bothered to get a new one.


    "You''re my sister, no need to be formal," Nick said, then pulled a smaller box from his pocket and handed it to her. "This one''s from Chester. He asked me to give it to you."


    Mirabe had heard the name ''Chester'' more than once today. She hesitated for a moment before taking the small box, asking casually, "What kind of person is Chester?"


    Since her return to the Davis family, she hadn''t heard much about other rtives, mainly because she hadn''t shown much interest.

 Chapter 606

    Nick scratched his head, thinking about Chester''s stern demeanor that always


    gave him the creeps. "Anyway, he''s a tough one to get along with. You''ll see when you meet him," he said.


    "Alright, then thank Chester for the gift for me," Mirabe said, waving the box she held.


    "Will do." Nick nodded, "It''s gettingte. You should get some rest."


    "Okay, you too, Nick." Mirabe clutched the gift and paused before closing the door. She poked her head back through the gap with a mischievous grin, "By the way, do you still have that perfume I sent you?"


    "I do, brought it back with me."


    "Goodnight," she said softly, quickly shutting the door.


    A faint smile crossed Nick''s lean face as he turned and entered the room next door.


    *


    At her desk, Mirabe pulled out an X-Acto knife and opened therge box Nick had given her.


    As expected, it was aputer with no visible brand, but the casing''s texture didn''t look like any ordinary PC.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe set theputer on the desk, powered it on, and pressed the button.


    It booted up swiftly, in under three seconds.


    Since it was a newputer, the desktop was clean, except for the few default icons, with no extra software installed.


    Mirabe slid into the swivel chair and began tapping rapidly on the keyboard, quickly scanning through theputer''s specs.


    She was pleasantly surprised.


    The specs were top-notch, with thetest processor and motherboard chipset, and it even had a high-level firewall - clearly the work of a pro.


    Recalling herst visit to Nick''s high-tech manor, configuring such aputer seemed like no biggie.


    Shifting her focus, Mirabe prepared to test the performance. She pulled out her phone, connected it to theputer with a data cable, and sent out a message, "Sonny, you there?"


    In less than three seconds, she received a reply.


    Unknown: "...What are you up to now, kiddo?"


    Mirabe nced at her phone screen without responding and continued to pound outmand codes on the keyboard. In twenty seconds, the screen shifted from the darkmand prompt to a video chat window.


    The video showed a man in a loud Hawaiian shirt with a chunky gold chain around his neck. The angle of his camera was low, only revealing his chin.


    With a smirk, Mirabe typed, "Sonny, you''re the epitome of tacky!"


    Unknown: "??? ["


    After rubbing her fingertips together, she replied: "A gold chain, really?"


    Once she hit send, Mirabe crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair, noting a moment of stillness on the video chat screen.


    Then a frustrated expletive sted through the speakers!


    In the next instant, the gold chain vanished from the video, reced by darkness.


    Tsking, Mirabe thought that with such a slow reaction, it''s no wonder he''s forever stuck as Zach.


    Leisurely unplugging the data cable, unmindful of the shock her savvy maneuver might have caused the person on the other end, she shut down theputer and closed the lid.


    Not bad, she thought, quite satisfied.


    I hoped to hammer out thirty chapters in one go, but it seems I was too ambitious.


    I''ll write some more and you can check back tomorrow. Goodnight, smooches!

 Chapter 607

    Mirabe picked up her phone and scrolled through the messages from a contactbeled "Big Chain Bro."


    Unknown Sender: [WTF, kiddo, hacking my phone in the middle of the night???]


    Unknown Sender: [What did my phone ever do to you?]


    Unknown Sender: [First theputer, now my phone? Got a crush on me or something? Sorry, but I don''t swing that way!]


    A smirk tugged at Mirabe''s lips. She tapped out a reply, [Oh, Dad got a newptop, just breaking it in.]


    Unknown Sender: [...Be a decent human being, please!]


    Mirabe didn''t bother to respond further. She turned her attention back to herputer, sat in silence for a moment, then ced her phone on the desk. Next, she reached for a velvet box beside her.


    The box was clearly designed for jewelry.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Mirabe opened it to reveal a diamond bracelet. Its design was simple and understated, quite fitting for a youngdy.


    She examined the bracelet for a bit, and just as she was about to put it back, the sp caught her eye.


    Leaning in, she scrutinized it closely, and her expression turned sly.


    The bracelet had a tracker embedded in it.


    Not the kind used for stalking, but one that could save lives in critical moments. Her benefactor, this Chester, had quite the taste. It made her wonder who he really was. After all, average people didn''t hand out such sophisticated gadgets. Mirabe ced the bracelet back in the box, pondering what sort of thank-you gift would be appropriate for such a valuable present. And hadn''t she overheard somethingst night about this mysterious Chester being under the weather?


    If that was true, it made things easier. After all, she had a knack for curing all sorts of ailments.


    With a few taps on the desk, Mirabe decided not to dwell on it any longer. She stood up and climbed back into bed.


    *


    The next day.


    As usual, Mirabe got up early for her morning run.


    Descending the stairs, she spotted Nick already awake, which was a surprise. "Nick, up with the birds?" she called out as she approached him.


    Only when she got closer did she notice his haggard look, a clear sign of another restless night. She frowned slightly.


    Nick held a cup of warm water, and on seeing Mirabe, he subtly gripped something in his other hand, hiding it alongside his body.


    "Just jetgged," he said softly.


    Mirabe''s gaze briefly swept over his right hand, but then she looked up nonchntly and asked, "Did you remember to light thevender candle before bedst night?"


    He had indeed lit the candle, but sleep still eluded him, which was why he considered taking some sleeping pills.


    Nick shook his head, replying, "Slipped my mind."


    Mirabe didn''t call him out on the lie. After thinking for a moment, she checked


    her watch and decided to skip her run. "How about I help you out with a couple of needles?"


    "Huh?" Nick looked at her, puzzled. "Needles?"


    She nodded, keeping a straight face. "Picked up some acupuncture skills from an old hippie healer back in the countryside. I''m pretty skilled now. Let me give you a session. Guarantee you''ll sleep like a baby tonight."


    Nick was silent for a few seconds, the promise of a good night''s sleep too tempting to resist. He cleared his throat, "Won''t it take up too much of your time?"


    Mirabe waved a dismissive hand. "Not at all, we''ve got plenty of time." "Alright then."


    And with that, Nick followed Mirabe back upstairs.

 Chapter 608

    As Mirabe reached the doorway, she turned and said, "Nick, you head back to your room. I''ll grab my silver needles."


    Nick nodded, "Alright."


    In just a bit, Mirabe returned with her case and stepped into Nick''s room.


    As she opened the case and took out the needles, she instructed, "Nick, lie down at the foot of the bed. It''ll be easier for me to work that way."


    Nickplied, lying down and staring up at the ceiling. Even though he was dead tired, sleep just wouldn''te whenever he closed his eyes.


    Mirabe took out the silver needles and noticed an incense burner on a nearby coffee table, its ashespletely burnt out. She dismissed the sight and approached the bed, her slender fingers finding their way to Nick''s temples, gently massaging them with a rhythmic touch.


    With his eyes closed, Nick felt the pressure on his temples rxing him considerably, a soothingfort spreading through him.


    His sister, young as she was, had surprisingly adept skills at acupressure.


    Nick was rather astonished.


    After a few minutes, Mirabe picked up the silver needles, precisely targeting the acupoints between his eyebrows and at the crown of his head. Once those were in ce, she took two shorter needles and started to meticulously insert them into the acupoints responsible for alleviating insomnia.


    The process was slow; the needles needed to be eased in gradually to reach the desired effect.


    Nick, who had only been humoring the idea, found himself unwittingly drifting off to sleep, his face rxing into a peaceful expression.


    Mirabe nced at him and continued her precise work. Twenty minutester, she withdrew the needles.


    The sleeping figure had sunk into a deep slumber. Mirabe sterilized the needles and ced them back into the case.


    She paused for a moment, then leaned over the edge of the bed, taking Nick''s hand that rested atop the covers.


    The diagnosis was clear: a deficiency of both heart and spleen energy, fatigue, shortness of breath, a weak pulse, and severe insomnia.


    Aside from anemia and some digestive issues, his physical health seemed fairly resilient.


    Mirabe let go of his hand and her gaze swept the room, eventually settling on a long wooden box on the desk. She walked over, opened it, and saw that it was nearly empty.


    Turning back to Nick, she recalled sending him a three-month supply of the incense, but in just a month''s time, he''d used almost twice the expected amount.


    Evidently, the incense was no longer effective.


    The auxiliary treatment could only offer temporary relief; the real cure would have to address the psychological root of his condition.


    With a contemtive look, Mirabe left the room, carrying the silver needles with her.


    Emmitt''s room was just a short distance from Nick''s. As she gently closed the door behind her, she looked up to see Emmitt massaging his temples as he stepped out of his room.


    Her stride faltered for a moment, but she quickly continued to her own room and closed the door behind her.


    Emmitt stood still, a headache pounding, but it was nothingpared to the overwhelming sense of loss.


    He took a deep breath and returned to his room.


    At breakfast:


    "By the way, I noticed Nick only got to sleep this morning. I think his jetg might mean he''ll wake upter. Let''s not disturb him," Mirabe suggested, addressing her parents and Zach at the dining table.


    Zach, mid-sip of his coffee, paused, his gaze filled with a touch of resentment.


    He''d only had a few interactions with Nick, and already he was being pampered like this!


    This did not sit well with him.

 Chapter 609

    Mirabe felt someone''s gaze on her and turned her head slightly. "Zach?" she asked, catching his eye from across the room.


    Zach just huffed and looked away, too proud to engage.


    Mirabe was left puzzled, her expression a perfect question mark.


    Delh, always the observant mom, sighed as she watched her second son''s usual antics. "Does he ever get tired of this?" she thought to herself.


    "By the way, is Emmitt still asleep?" Shawn asked Zach, looking up from his newspaper.


    "Probably. He was up all night feeling sick as a dog," Zach replied, taking a sip of his coffee, his voice soft with concern.


    Mirabe stayed quiet, continuing her breakfast in peace.


    Shawn nodded. "Make sure you check on himter."


    "Sure thing," Zach agreed with a nod.


    Not long after, Mirabe left for school. It seemed almost deliberate, as Emmitt came downstairs shortly after she left, looking worse for wear after a rough night.


    Delh handed him a ss of milk, her voice tinged with motherly concern. "Try to cut back on the booze, will you?"


    Emmitt took the ss, his lips pressed into a thin line, and nodded. He took a sip, finding the milk tasteless as he let his eyelids droop.


    Zach noticed his brother''s state, his brow furrowed with worry. "You under a lot of pressuretely?"


    Emmitt looked up, distracted. "It''s manageable." He nced around, sensing the awkward tension, and then asked, "Where''s Dad?"


    "He went to drop Mira off at school," Delh replied, watching him closely.


    Emmitt''s fingers tightened around the ss, a soft ''hmm'' all he could muster before he went back to his milk.


    The memory of that morning, seeing Mirabee out of Nick''s room and her eyes going cold when she saw him, weighed heavily on Emmitt''s chest. It was a familiar and unsettling feeling.


    Nick had only just returned, after all.


    Setting the ss down, Emmitt stood up abruptly. "I better head to the office."


    Without waiting for a response, he walked out, his exit a swift escape from an invisible pursuer.


    Delh stared after him, murmuring, "That boy, Emmitt..."


    Zach pushed his sses up his nose and looked away. "He''s stubborn."


    Delh fell silent, reflecting on her son''s behavior.


    After finishing his breakfast, Zach stood to leave for work. Just then, Delh


    pped her forehead as if she''d just remembered something.


    "What''s up, Mom?" Zach asked, amused by her sudden gesture.


    "Oh, dear! I almost forgot something important. A friend of mine needs some legal advice. Be home early tonight, will you?" Delh hurriedly instructed.


    Zach squinted suspiciously. "Why not send them to my firm directly?"


    Toe all the way here? That seemed rather peculiar.


    Delh shot him a look. "I said it''s a friend. Their issue might be a bit sensitive."


    Zach, catching Delh''s stare, quickly changed his tune. "Alright, alright, I got it."


    In this house, crossing either of the family''s two titans meant facing theirbined wrath. Zach knew better than to provoke either one.


    Delh, now more at ease, waved him off with a smile, signaling that he was free


    to go.


    **


    Nick woke up past four in the afternoon, his room shrouded in darkness due to the tightly drawn curtains. Hey in bed for several minutes, collecting himself before tossing the covers aside and sitting up, feeling significantly more refreshed.


    He rubbed his shoulders and then made his way to the window, drawing back the curtains. Daylight flooded in, banishing the gloom that had enveloped the room, weing him back to the world of the living.

 Chapter 610

    In the courtyard below, Delh was busy as a bee, moving things around with a determined focus.


    Nick stepped out onto the balcony, casually leaning against the railing as he watched her. He didn''t want to interrupt her flow.


    The winter breeze tousled his hair, making it look a tad wild. In hisfy loungewear, the slightly open cor revealed glimpses of scars, hinting at untold stories. He hugged himself for warmth before heading back inside.


    Checking his phone, Nick''s eyebrows shot up in surprise.


    He''d slept from seven in the morning until well past four in the afternoon without burning any sage or popping any sleeping pills¡ªjust relying on a few well-ced acupuncture needles from his sister. He''d tried alternative medicine before, but nothing ever worked, so he''d given up. His sister''s skills, however, seemed to be the real deal.


    Gathering himself, Nick changed into fresh clothes and headed downstairs.


    Just as she was taking off her apron, Delh spotted him. "Lynx, you''re up."


    He nodded, poured himself a ss of warm water, and leaned against the kitchen counter. Seeing that his mom was still tidying up, he asked, "We expectingpany?"


    While arranging flowers in a vase, Delh didn''t look up as she replied, "Yep, a friend of mine ising over with her daughter for dinner."


    Nick''s curiosity piqued at the mention of a daughter.


    After setting the vase just right, Delh turned to him, gesturing towards the kitchen. "By the way, there''s food ready for you. Your sister messaged me earlier, said you''d probably wake up around this time-uncanny, really."


    She shook her head, still amazed.


    Nick stood there, momentarily lost in thought, an unusual feeling rising within him. It was rare for someone who''d lived abroad for so long, in a home filled more with cold, impersonal gadgets than with warmth, to receive such personal care.


    Seeing him deep in thought, Delh didn''t call out to him again. Instead, she brought the food to the table. "Eat up. My friend and her daughter will be here soon, and I still need to spruce the ce up a bit-gotta make a good impression on the youngdy..."


    She continued mumbling to herself as she left the dining area.


    Snapping back to reality, Nick heard the phrase ''make a good impression on the youngdy'' echoing in his ears. So, this wasn''t just an ordinary dinner.


    **


    After school, Shawn picked up his daughter. Today, he was humming a tune in the car, which was pretty rare.


    Mirabe smoothed her coat and nced at Shawn. "You seem to be in a good mood today."


    Shawn, gripping the steering wheel, straightened up and cleared his throat. "Stock market''s up. Made a bit of money."


    Mirabe couldn''t help but smirk, suspecting that ''a bit of money'' was quite the understatement. It reminded her of how he had casually described their multimillion-dor car as ''not too expensive.''


    "Company''sing over tonight," Shawn remembered, informing his daughter.


    Her eyebrows lifted; this was the first time she''d heard of guests visiting their home. "Rtives?"


    Shawn nced at her. "ying matchmaker for your brother Zach."


    Mirabe coughed discreetly.


    From attendingrge matchmaking events to now hosting one at home, it seemed Zach was destined to meet someone.


    "Zach isn''t getting any younger; it''s time he found someone," Mirabe stated


    earnestly, as if discussing a matter of great importance.


    "Couldn''t agree more," Shawn nodded with genuine approval.


    After all, Zach was the one who stuck out in the family.


    Mirabe turned to gaze out the car window, then faced her father again with a question. "Dad, how did Nick''s insomnia and phobias start?"


    She hoped to learn more before the evening unfolded, the anticipation of new chapters waiting to be written.

 Chapter 611

    Shawn''s smile faded when his daughter asked him about it. After a brief, heavy silence, he finally spoke, "Nick was kidnapped when he was twelve."


    That traumatic event had changed him into who he was now.


    "Kidnapped?" Mirabe''s eyes widened. She had suspected it, but hearing it confirmed was still a shock.


    "Yeah. We didn''t live here back then. Due to some circumstances, Nick was taken. By the time we found him, he was... barely alive."


    A twelve-year-old boy, held by a gang of ruthless thugs for three excruciating days, tormented without mercy.


    Every minute was an endless agony etched into Nick''s young soul.


    Though he was eventually rescued, the bright, cheerful boy he once was seemed lost forever.


    Shawn''s voice was heavy, with a slight tremble. He didn''t go into the gruesome details.


    Some memories are better left buried, and they certainly didn''t want Mirabe to carry the burden of the Davis family''s dark past.


    The atmosphere in the car thickened with unspoken words. Mirabe nced at Shawn, who seemed like a different person altogether, and chose not to ask


    more.


    The story of the kidnapping was a raw, bleeding memory, no matter who recounted it.


    After a while, Mirabe spoke softly, "It''s all in the past now. Nick will get better."


    "Yeah," Shawn replied, looking out the car window, trying to push down the rising memories.


    The rest of the drive was silent, each lost in their thoughts.


    Soon, they arrived back at their neighborhood.


    A nondescript sedan was parked outside their vi, indicating the guests had arrived.


    Mirabe stepped out of the car, slipped into her house shoes, and walked into the living room, where the guest sat with her back to them.


    "Here''s my daughter, Mira," Delh proudly introduced to her friend.


    Mirabe nodded politely, "Nice to meet you, Marian," then acknowledged the young woman beside her with another nod.


    This young woman was none other than Autumn, whom she had met at the matchmaking event.


    The same Autumn Delh wanted to set up with Zach.


    Linnea beamed at Mirabe, her tone warm, "What a lovely youngdy."


    Delh''s eyebrows shot up, "Well, of course. She takes after me."


    Autumn, maintaining herdylikeposure, sat quietly by her mother''s side. Seeing Mirabe, her eyes brightened.


    The stunning Mirabe-yet somehow familiar...


    Delh nudged her daughter to chat with Autumn, so Mirabe set her bag down and took a seat next to Autumn.


    "Have we met before...?" Autumn began, but Mirabe quickly interrupted, "We''ve never met!"


    Her expression was serious, and Autumn''s unfinished question hung in the air, "Oh... I must be mistaken then."


    "Right," Mirabe confirmed with a nod.


    She couldn''t let on that she was the sister of the notorious ''yboy'' Autumn hadined about at thest matchmaking event.


    Autumn scratched her head, sensing something was off, but didn''t push it. After all, she was just here to apany her mother for dinner.


    Before long, Zach''s car pulled up to the vi. As he walked in and saw the guests on the sofa, his entire face froze.

 Chapter 612

    Holy smokes, what''s this woman doing in his house?


    Zach felt like he was seeing things.


    Not only was Zach taken aback, but Autumn, who had been chatting with Mirabe, mmed up the moment she saw him.


    It never crossed her mind that the Casanova she''d encountered at the dating event would be here, and clearly, he seemed to be the son of her mother''s friend.


    Autumn''s head was spinning.


    She couldn''t help but remember the blunt words she''d thrown at him during the dating event.


    Because he didn''t seem to turn anydy down, she hadbeled him a Casanova.


    Because he was dressed in a bespoke suit that looked worth thousands, she had snidely suggested it was rented.


    Given the look of his ce... Autumn pressed a hand to her forehead, bewildered.


    Who in the heck would''ve thought a rich guy would show up at arge-scale dating event in a mismatched neighborhood?


    Was this some kind of borate joke?!


    Meanwhile, Mirabe, noticing Zach''s expression and Autumn''s difort, twinkled with unspoken spection.


    At that moment, unaware of the young duo''s odd behavior, Delh stood up and made a point to introduce her son to her friend.


    Linnea''s first impression of Zach was quite favorable; he seemed polite and reserved, likely a man of good breeding.


    Promptly, she rose as well, nudging her daughter Autumn, "This is Autumn. I''m not sure if you two have met before."


    Linnea had dragged her daughter to that dating event and since nothing came of it, she wasn''t sure if they had crossed paths, hence her pointed introduction.


    Already feeling awkward, Autumn became even more so at her mother''s cue. Without looking at Zach, she replied nomittally, "No, we haven''t."


    When Zach heard that ''no,'' he bristled. She had insulted him, and now she was pretending not to know him?


    After a forced greeting, Zach soon dragged Delh to an alcove, grinding his teeth as he said, "Mom, is this the ''friend with a legal question'' you mentioned this morning?"


    He could see right through her matchmaking ruse!


    "Rtions between men and women fall under legal matters as well, you know," said Delh with a straight face.


    Zach was on the verge of tears at his mother''s twisted logic. "Mom, please give me a break. Nick''s back, why don''t you introduce her to him?"


    Delh nced at him. "Stop your whining. Autumn is attractive, well-educated, andes from a good family. Introducing her to you? I''m more worried that you''re not good enough for her. Be grateful."


    Zach: "..."


    Well-educated?


    He''s not good enough?


    "Alright, go entertain the guests. If you neglect them, watch your knees," Delh half-joked.


    Zach: "."


    Ha, I really can''t stay in this house any longer.


    After being shooed back to the living room by Delh, Zach reluctantly took a seat beside Mirabe.


    Autumn was in the midst of discussing the entertainment industry with Mirabe and brought up thetest hit reality show "Country Comfort."


    However, the moment Zach sat down, Autumn''s voice noticeably faltered before she continued as if he wasn''t there, "...I particrly like that cool chick on the show."


    Autumn was naturally outgoing, and since she felt she''d seen Mirabe somewhere before, she was quite at ease chatting with her.


    Mirabe, hearing Autumn''sment, suddenly fell silent.

 Chapter 613

    She nced at Autumn, her thoughts whispering, "The sister you fancy is right in front of you."


    Beside her, Zach cleared his throat and turned, momentarily setting aside his earlier irritation. He looked at Autumn and asked, "So, who did you say you liked?"


    Zach was well aware of the sister apanying Leo on the live stream, having tuned in himself.


    Still feeling the sting of earlier awkwardness and mindful of the implications behind Delh''s invitation, Autumn wasn''t inclined to answer Zach and remained silent.


    Zach didn''t seem to mind her silence. He just arched an eyebrow and teased, "Do you know who the masked girl on the show was?"


    At his words, Mirabe''s handnded on Zach''s shoulder. With a sidelong nce, she said, "Zach, feeling cocky again, are we?"


    Zach offered a sheepish smile and mped his mouth shut. He had been mistaken; there were indeed three titans in the household.


    Autumn, puzzled, finally spoke up, "What did you mean by that? Do you know her?"


    Mirabe turned to look at Autumn, a smile ying on her lips. "No, he doesn''t know her," she said, before pulling out her phone and sending a quick message on Messenger, telling the little princess she''d be homete.


    Zach''s lips twitched in annoyance.


    Autumn, taking the hint, didn''t press further and checked her own phone.


    Patting Zach on the shoulder as a cue to y host, Mirabe stood up and headed upstairs.


    Passing by Nick''s room, she noticed the door was slightly ajar. Hesitating for a moment, she knocked.


    "Come in," came a voice from inside.


    Mirabe pushed the door open and saw Nick, sses perched on his nose, seated at his desk, fingers poised over the keyboard, likely immersed in writing something.


    Nick saved his document, closed it, and returned to the desktop before taking off his sses and looking up at Mirabe. "You''re back, Mirabe."


    Preferring solitude, Nick had stayed in his room since the guests had arrived. Mirabe approached and settled into a nearby armchair. "Busy, Nick?"


    He nced at hisputer screen before responding, "Not really, just catching up on some overdue academic papers."


    She nodded in understanding.


    "By the way, the acupuncture you did for me this morning was quite effective. Your technique seems different from the norm," observed Nick, who was a medical student himself and could sense the subtleties.


    Lazily swinging her legs, Mirabe replied, "Alternative medicine is all about technique. Even if you target the same points, different methods will yield slightly different results."


    "That makes sense. With your insight, are you nning to specialize in alternative medicine?" Nick inquired, curious.


    "No, I might go into biological research," Mirabe shook her head.


    For her, alternative medicine was a field she had already thoroughly explored. It was time to learn something new.


    Nick was somewhat surprised. It was rare for women to choose a career in scientific research, which could be both tedious and fraught with risk. Without talent and strong mental fortitude, it was a challenging path.


    Catching the shift in Nick''s gaze, Mirabe suggested, "How about I do a session of psychotherapy for you tonight?"


    Nick was silent for a few moments before replying, "It''s just chronic insomnia. I don''t need psychotherapy."


    Reading his reluctance, Mirabe didn''t press the issue, instead changing the subject. "Speaking of which, I overheard you guys talking about Chester. What kind of health issues has he developed?"

 Chapter 614

    Nick hadn''t expected Mirabe to remember his chat with Emmitt, but he


    shrugged it off and said, "It''s nothing much. When I was younger, I had a few major surgeries and some other injuries. As you get older, those old wounds tend to re up again."


    Mirabe''s ears perked up at the mention of "injuries." Most people talked about illnesses, but injuries... It seemed Chester had a history.


    Thinking about treatments and remedies for old injuries, Mirabe felt she had a good idea of what might help.


    Nick''s eyes moved to Mirabe''s hands, which were resting on the chair. Her coat sleeves were long, covering her wrists. After a moment, he asked, "By the way, did you wear the bracelet Chester sent you?"


    He''d specifically told the courier to make sure she wore it.


    Mirabe came back to the moment, nodded slightly, and then shook her head. "I''m a student; it''s not really convenient."


    Nick thought for a second and then replied, "That''s fine. Whatever works for you."


    Mirabe nodded softly, and then her phone buzzed. She took a quick look. "They''re calling us down for dinner."


    **


    After dinner, Linnea didn''t stick around the Davis house. She made sure Autumn and Zach exchanged contact info and added each other on Messenger before leaving.


    Once in the car, Autumn promptly blocked Zach on Messenger.


    Adding him was just to keep the parents happy-she wasn''t serious about it.


    Back at the Davis house, Delh grabbed Zach''s hand and said, "Send Autumn a message, make a good impression."


    Zach, already feeling a headacheing on but unable to refuse his mom, sent a smiley face emoji while she watched. "Good enough?"


    He hit ''send'' without even looking at the screen and handed the phone to Delh.


    A few secondster, Zach took his phone back, "Can I go now?"


    As he turned, Delh caught his arm again, "Wait a minute."


    Zach, already annoyed, asked, "What now?"


    "Did you block her on Messenger?" Delh had noticed a red exmation mark on the screen.


    "Of course not."


    "Then why does your phone show...?" Delh''s voice trailed off as she realized it was her son who had been blocked.


    Zach gave her a confused look, then checked his phone.


    Seeing the exmation mark and the message ''Message not delivered,'' Zach''s face darkened.


    He''d just added her, and she''d already blocked him.


    Well, well, that was a bold move. This woman had definitely gotten under his skin.


    Delh watched her son silently.


    Seeing him rejected like this, she suddenly wasn''t so enthusiastic about the match either.


    Meanwhile, Linnea was asking her daughter what she thought of Zach.


    Autumn, eyes glued to her phone, answered every question with a nonchnt, "Mmm, he''s alright."


    Linnea, realizing the setup had failed, sighed.


    "Mom, Emmitt''s back today," Autumn said, having just seen a message from


    Emmitt on Messenger, asking when they''d be home.


    Linnea''s face lit up, "Really?" She then told the driver to speed up a bit.


    Twenty minutester, they were back at the Shields family estate.

 Chapter 615

    As Linnea walked through the door, she immediately spotted her son sprawled on the living room couch. "Chen, when did you get back? Why didn''t you call me?"


    Owen was still on his phone, but at his mom''s voice, he just waved absentmindedly.


    Seeing this, Linnea held back her words, choosing instead to shrug off her coat and hang it up.


    It took a while before Owen finished his call. He looked up nonchntly at his mom and sister. "I just got back a little while ago."


    "You look exhausted, kid. Your face is so thin," Linnea said, her concern evident.


    Autumn sat next to Owen, resting her chin in her hands as she looked him over. "Yeah, Emmitt, you''re all skin and bones. Are you sick?"


    Owen didn''t seem fazed. "With all the running around I do, it''s bound to happen."


    Linnea sighed softly, knowing the demanding nature of her son''s job.


    For generations, the Shields family had been in government service. Owen, however, had surpassed them all, securing the top municipal position at a young age. His constant busyness had be the norm.


    "Have you eaten yet?" Linnea asked.


    Owen shook his head. "Haven''t had the chance."


    Feeling a wave of empathy, Linnea quickly stood up. ¡°Let me fix you some pasta.¡±


    She soon disappeared into the kitchen.


    Owen turned to Autumn with a teasing glint in his eyes. "So, you went on a blind date?"


    Autumn, surprised at her usually serious brother''s joke, waved a hand dismissively and slumped back on the couch. "Don''t even get me started. It was beyond awkward."


    The other family was well-mannered, reflecting their status, so Autumn had been on her best behavior during her visit with the Davis family.


    Owen just smiled lightly. "You''re still young. No need to rush."


    "It''s not me who''s in a hurry, it''s her!" Autumn pointed towards the kitchen. "Now I understand why my life''s been so rough. With you not around, mom''s doubling down on me with all the marriage talk that''s meant for you."


    Owen''s cheek twitched, but he chose to stay silent on the topic of marriage.


    Before long, Linnea brought out a steaming bowl of pasta, calling Owen over to eat.


    Owen was still bundled up in a puffy down jacket, so aside from his thin face, he didn''t appear particrly frail.


    Just as he was about to dig in, Linnea approached him. ¡°It''s not cold in here, and that bulky jacket must be hard to eat in. Take it off, I''ll hang it up for you."


    Owen paused, then declined. "I''m good. Caught a bit of a cold recently, so I''d rather keep it on."


    Hearing this, Linnea retracted her hand and sat down. "Alright, eat up.¡±


    With a nod, Owen pulled his jacket sleeves down to cover his hands.


    However, Linnea noticed and her brow furrowed. Suddenly, she grabbed his hand and yanked up his sleeve.


    Seeing the stark veins on his thin arm, Linnea''s face turned pale, and her voice trembled, "What''s this... How long has this been going on?"


    Caught off guard by his mother''s sudden action, Owen pulled his hand back. "It''s almost healed. Don''t worry."


    Linnea''s gaze bore into Owen, her hand trembling on the table. "Just tell me, how long has it been like this?"

 Chapter 616

    Before Mirabe came into the picture, Owen might have kept his health issues under wraps, but after following her herbal regimen, he was feeling almost back to normal. So, when his mother Linnea grilled him about his condition, he candidly replied, ¡°It''s been over a couple of weeks, Mom. But I''m on the mend now."


    Linnea barely registered the hopeful note in Owen''s voice. She was stuck on the words "over a couple of weeks."


    Over a couple of weeks... That haunting timespan. It was the same duration from when her husband fell ill to the day he passed away. Despite all the medical interventions, nothing had helped.


    The thought of her son suffering a simr fate drained the color from Linnea''s face, leaving her grasping for something to hold onto. She reached out and clutched Owen''s arm as if clinging to a lifeline. ¡°Let''s go to the hospital right now,¡± she urged, her voice trembling. "Medicine hase so far; I refuse to believe this can''t be cured..."


    Seeing her like this, Owen realized she must have an inkling about the nature of his illness. He stood up, gently cing his hands on her shoulders. It took the better part of half an hour to calm her down.


    Linnea looked at her son, her eyes clouded with worry. "Are you really going to be okay?"


    Owen nodded, trying to reassure her. "Why don''t you call Shuwen? He''s been keeping track of my progress."


    She wiped her face, not bothering to make the call, and instead took Owen''s hand in hers. After a long, silent moment, as if struck by a sudden thought, she said, "A friend I dined with today has a son who returned from abroad. He''s a renowned doctor."


    But Owen was quick to dismiss the idea. "Even the best doctor can''t help if it''s not their field of expertise."


    Linnea, however, was desperate for peace of mind and wouldn''t take no for an answer. She whipped out her phone and dialed Delh.


    Owen sighed and massaged his temples. Unable to argue with her, he resigned himself to the situation.


    *


    Delh was surprised to receive Linnea''s call but upon hearing the severity of the situation, she feltpelled to help. After hanging up, she turned to Nick, who lounged on the sofa, and said, "Nick, the son of thedy who came over for dinner tonight is sick with some strange illness. She''s asking if you could take a look at him."


    Nick, who had overheard the phone conversation, paused with his phone in hand. "I specialize in neurology. I''m not sure I''ll be of much help."


    Delh had already ryed this to her friend but insisted on asking Nick to at least review the case, her head aching from the situation.


    After a few moments of silence, Nick offered apromise. "Have them send me his medical records and I''ll take a look."


    "That''s a n,¡± Delh agreed, relieved. "I''ll get her to send over the information."


    "Okay," Nick said, standing up. "I''m heading to my room."


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was in her own room, finishing up her schoolwork. After plowing through three sets of exercises, she leaned back in her chair, rubbing her sore shoulders.


    A thought struck her, and she pulled out a sheet of paper, jotting down a list of rare herbs with brisk, precise strokes. She snapped a photo of the list and browsed through her Messenger contacts. When she saw Niki''s name, she couldn''t help but feel a twinge of regret.


    The discount on herbs was too good to pass up.


    With a soft sigh, Mirabe continued scrolling until she found James'' chat. She perked up at the thought.


    Ah, another potential golden goose.


    With a yful "Nighty night- Sleep tight, my lovelies! Don''t stay up toote!" she signed off, ready to negotiate another day.

 Chapter 617

    "Hey, neighbor! Could you do me a small favor?" Mirabe typed out the message with a mix of hope and urgency, her thumb hovering over the send button before finally pressing it.


    After a few moments with no reply, she didn''t stress about it. Rising from her desk, she grabbed a fresh pair of PJs from her dresser and headed to the bathroom.


    When she came back, towel-drying her hair, she checked her phone again.


    Still no response.


    Absentmindedly, Mirabe fiddled with her phone, not even noticing the water droplets from her hair sshing on the screen.


    This was strange. He usually replied quickly. What was different today?


    Could the opportunity be slipping away?


    With that uneasy thought, Mirabe set her phone down on the nightstand, picked up her hairdryer, and started drying her hair, her eyes constantly flicking back to her silent phone.


    Even as she drifted off to sleep, the phone remained still and quiet.


    On the other side of town, in Ashford''srgest underground market, a nondescript ck sedan waited at the curb, blending into the night.


    "...the Bishop family''s spots got hit first. Their thugs scattered," Curtis''s voice came through the earpiece, stern and unyielding.


    "Someone beat us to it? Who?" Wyatt''s voice was heavy with concern as he frowned.


    Dressed in tactical gear, Curtis surveyed the aftermath of the scuffle, the night cloaking him like a shroud. After a moment, he replied with chilling brevity, "No idea."


    "Return to base."


    At the crispmand, Curtis acknowledged with a curt "Roger," raised his hand, and signaled his men to withdraw.


    Curtis stepped out from the marketce, his figure elongated by the dim streetlights. He strode purposefully to the waiting sedan, opened the passenger door, and settled inside.


    The car hummed to life and left the old market behind.


    As the sedan faded into the distance, several figures emerged from an adjacent alley.


    "Are you sure you want to hand over the turf to the Shepherd family for free?" The speaker was Toby, who had recently met with James. His schrly charm was intact, but his eyes held a cunning gleam.


    The man leading the group wiped his hands with a handkerchief, cleaning off the bloodstains. "Why not? Consider it a housewarming gift."


    Toby fell silent, about to ask more when the leader turned slightly, his rugged profile catching the light. "But you, Toby, ready to let go of the Bishop family?"


    A smirk tugged at Toby''s lips. "It''s just a dirty ce."


    "Heh."


    Back in the car, Curtis removed his earpiece and wrist guards, then loosened his tie. "I''ve surveyed the scene. It''s chaotic but doesn''t look like an outsider''s ambush. More like an implosion from within."


    James lounged in the back seat, legs crossed, leaning back with an air of nonchnce. He nced out the window before saying, "Toby."


    "There''s someone backing Toby," Wyatt stated confidently. "I did some digging on him. He disappeared for a while a couple of years ago, might''ve been abroad."


    "It seems we have a bit of a mystery. What I can''t figure out is why he wouldn''t want to take over himself. Why hand it over? Or is it his backers that specifically want the Shepherd family to have it?" Curtis mused, eyes narrowed in thought.


    "Who knows." Wyatt grimaced, then noticed his phone vibrating in thepartment beside him.


    Wyatt nced at his phone, curiosity flickering across his features.

 Chapter 618

    Wyatt nced over and said, "Toby just texted me."


    Curtis grabbed the phone, his stern face showing confusion as he read the message, "A wee gift?"


    "Is this a peace offering?" Wyatt wondered aloud, gripping the steering wheel.


    James tapped his slender fingers on his thigh and asked, "What time is it?"


    Wyatt, caught off guard, replied, "Eleven PM," then asked, puzzled, "Does the time have something to do with this message?"


    James shot Wyatt a nce, then turned away and closed his eyes.


    Curtis rolled his eyes at him, "Dork."


    Wyatt: "..."


    Half an hourter, they pulled up into their neighborhood.


    James tossed his jacket onto the couch and walked to the fridge for a bottle of water.


    Heading back to the living room, his eyes scanned the coffee table where his phoney. He bent down and picked it up slowly.


    A few taps revealed several notifications on Messenger.


    He quickly spotted the message from Mirabe sent two hours ago.


    James''s eyebrows lifted, his fingers paused, but he didn''t reply. Instead, he turned off the phone screen.


    It''s past a little kid''s bedtime.


    **


    The next day.


    As usual, Mirabe got up early, nced at her phone on the table, and then walked to her closet to grab her workout gear.


    She stepped out and soon was jogging along thekeside path.


    There weren''t many others out this early, just a few regrs she recognized.


    After severalps, Mirabe slowed down, her fair cheeks flushed from exercise, yet her breathing remained steady.


    Checking the time on her wristwatch, she started walking home.


    The cool breeze tousled her hair, and sensing a presence, Mirabe squinted and stepped aside, "You? What are you doing here?"


    She was slightly taken aback upon seeing James, but quickly regained herposure.


    James, whose hand had been about to rest on Mirabe''s shoulder, let it fall naturally. Taming his surprise, he simply said, "Just keeping fit."


    Mirabe gave him a look then continued towards home, "Well, carry on. I''m off."


    James trailed behind her, his gaze fixed ahead, "I was outst night, left my phone at home."


    Without pausing, Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment.


    Walking beside her now, James asked, "So, what did you need help withst night?"


    After a moment''s thought, Mirabe turned to him, "I needed some herbs."


    Upon hearing this, James didn''t hesitate, "Yeah, just list them for meter."


    Mirabe slowed, a hint of embarrassment on her face, "...Some might be quite rare and hard to find."


    James''s lips twitched at the word ''rare.'' It probably wasn''t just hard to find, but expensive too.


    He cleared his throat and responded, "I''ll try to get them for you, at the lowest cost possible."


    Hearing this, Mirabe''s eyebrows twitched, and she added, "...There might be quite a variety of them, too."


    James looked at her, his eyes deep and understanding, "Yeah, no problem."


    "Thanks in advance, then." Mirabe waved, "I''m heading back."


    With a light step, she entered the Davis family estate.


    James smiled softly, shook his head, and walked back to the neighboring house.

 Chapter 619

    Mirabe walked through the front door, and Delh shot her a knowing nce.


    "Hey, sweetheart, you seem to be in a great mood today," Delh said with a smile.


    Mirabe grabbed a ss of milk from the table, took a sip, and mumbled, "Do I?" "You do," Delh insisted, her tone earnest, before heading back to the kitchen. Mirabe pulled out a chair and sat down, quietly starting her breakfast.


    After eating, she went back to her room for a quick wash, then pulled out the list of herbs she had drafted the night before from her desk drawer, pondering for a few seconds.


    Then, she grabbed a pen and swiftly added about a dozen more herbs to the list.


    Once finished, she deleted the photos of the list she''d takenst night from her phone and took new snaps of the updated, densely-written herb inventory. Soon after, she opened Messenger and sent the picture to her neighbor.


    With that done, Mirabe put away her phone with satisfaction and, backpack in tow, left her room.


    *


    On the other end, when James got the message on Messenger, he promptly replied with a ''Got it'' to Mirabe. He then opened the image, scanned the list of herbs, and without much understanding of their uses, forwarded it to Wyatt.


    Wyatt had juste in, carrying a bag of freshly baked bagels and cream cheese for breakfast. His phone buzzed as he set the breakfast on the dining table, calling James over to eat while he checked his messages.


    His eyes widened as he perused the list of herbs on his screen.


    Looking up at James, who had just approached, Wyatt asked hesitantly, "Is this what Ms. Mirabe requested?"


    Mirabe''s handwriting was mboyant and distinctive; Wyatt didn''t even need to ask to know who had sent the image.


    James''s expression was as serene as a morning mist, ncing over with a slight nod, pausing for a few seconds before adding, "Make sure it''s prepared promptly."


    Wyatt scratched his head, his face contorted with concern, "Some of these herbs on the list aren''t exactly easy toe by."


    The first few items were manageable, but the dozen or so added at the end were both expensive and scarce. Wyatt, familiar with rare herbs due to James''s chronic health issues, knew that several on the list were exceedingly hard to find.


    Without looking up, James simply stated, "Then they must be found."


    Wyatt''s lips twitched. This kind of directive, while making sense, gave him the impression that James was unreasonablymitted to fulfilling all of Ms. Mirabe''s requests. If this were ancient times, he mused, such indulgence might have been deemed the folly of a misguided ruler.


    Feeling James''s piercing gaze, Wyatt quickly conceded, "Alright, alright, I get it. I''ll get on it right away."


    **


    At noon, in the school cafeteria.


    Mirabe and Jenna were halfway through their lunch when a ssmate approached. "Mirabe, someone''s looking for you at the school''s broadcast room," they said.


    Mirabe lifted her gaze, her delicate features clouded with curiosity.


    The ssmate, shyly avoiding her gaze, ventured a guess, "It might be your... mom."


    Delh was looking for her?


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly, then she thanked the messenger.


    Once the ssmate had left, Jenna, chewing thoughtfully on her food, looked


    over at Mirabe. "Marian''s looking for you; you better hurry."


    Mirabe mused for a moment before responding, "There''s no rush."


    If Delh truly needed her, she would have called directly.


    Seeing Mirabe''s calm demeanor, Jenna didn''t press further and continued eating.


    After finishing their meals, Mirabe headed to the broadcast room while Jenna returned to ss.

 Chapter 620

    In the school''s broadcast booth, two students were huddled over their


    microphones, whispering to each other in the cozy space. By the window stood a woman wrapped in a camel-colored trench coat, her hand casually holding a designer handbag.


    As Mirabe stepped into the room, the student broadcasters instantly noticed


    her. They were her ssmates, and she was somewhat of a legend in their senior year.


    "Mirabe, the brainiac, graces us with her presence," one said, nodding in recognition.


    Mirabe responded with a polite nod of her own.


    It was then that Mandy, who had been gazing out the window, turned to face the


    door. Her eyes softened at the sight of Mirabe. "Mira," she said gently.


    Mirabe shot Mandy a cool nce, a chill running down her spine at the unexpected warmth in Mandy''s voice.


    One of the students was from a regr ss while the other was from the Prodigy ss. The Prodigy ss student knew Mandy well-she was Summer''s biological mother.


    Marian had a knack for making her presence felt at every parent-teacher meeting, impossible to forget even if one tried.


    But why was Summer''s mother here to see Mirabe?


    The forums had buzzed with spection about the rtionship between Mirabe and Summer after somepetition drama, but no conclusions had been drawn. Now, curiosity filled the room.


    Despite their interest, the students sensed it was time to leave the booth, making a quiet exit and leaving the space to the two women.


    With the students gone, Mandy approached Mirabe. "Mira," she called again.


    Mirabe touched her earlobe and stepped back. "If you have something to say, say it."


    Mandy seemed ustomed to such a cold reception, her smile unwavering. "I might have been harsh before, so I want to make amends..."


    Mirabe raised her hand to interrupt. "Excuse me, whose mother are you?" Mandy''s smile faltered for a moment.


    Mirabe''s lips quirked into a half-smile. "Youe here calling yourself ''mom,'' but where does that leave your daughter Summer?"


    "No matter what, you''ve been part of the Gilbert family for years. Don''t you feel any affection at all?" Mandy tried to keep her voice low.


    Mirabe''s gaze was icy, her smile mocking. "Are you sure it was the Gilbert family I lived with all these years?"


    "My mother, your grandmother, took care of you for so long. You can''t deny that," Mandy said, her eyes shifting away.


    Mirabe nodded. "So, what does that have to do with you? As a parent, you even use your own daughter Delh to your advantage. You must be very proud."


    Realization dawned on Mandy. Catherine must have called her.


    Impatiently flicking her fingers, Mirabe spoke dismissively. "I didn''te here to listen to your nonsense. If you have a shred of decency, don''t drag your family''s dirty tricks into the life of an elderly woman who deserves peace."


    With that, Mirabe turned to leave.


    As Mandy''s face flushed with anger and embarrassment, she thought of something and her facade of gentleness fell away. "Tell me, that city contract, did you sabotage it? Our family had a strong chance at winning that bid. Was it you, afraid of the Gilbert family''s sess, meddling behind the scenes?"


    Mirabe, already at the door, paused and looked back at Mandy in confusion.


    Mandy stepped closer, her voice using. "It''s you, isn''t it? You''re the one who''s been undermining us!"


    Mirabe, already at the door, paused and looked back at Mandy in confusion.

 Chapter 621

    Mandy had hoped to y the family card, but seeing her foster daughter''s icy demeanor, it was clear that not even the thought of Catherine could sway her.


    How utterly heartless.


    Mandy took a deep breath, trying to calm her growing frustration. "Are you really so determined to forget everything we''ve been through?"


    Mirabe''s face remained cold and indifferent. "I have no idea what you''re talking about."


    With that, she walked out of the broadcast room.


    Outside, two students who had been lingering near the door exchanged puzzled nces; they hadn''t really caught the gist of the conversation, but Mirabe''s stoic expression said enough.


    Mandy hurried after her.


    Mirabe moved quickly, her strides purposeful as she headed down the hallway towards the office area.


    From Mr. Hammond''s office, a group of sharply dressed individuals emerged, exuding an air of authority and seriousness.


    "Mr. Hammond, the year-end report for the Department of Education is confirmed then. Your Parkside High School..." The Superintendent was mid-conversation with Mr. Hammond, asionally ncing at Johnny, who was busy sending messages on his phone. Upon spotting a familiar figure, Johnny quickly put away his phone and made his way towards the hallway corner.


    The Superintendent paused, curious about Johnny''s sudden change in focus.


    Mr. Hammond followed their gaze and saw Mirabe.


    "Ms. Mirabe."


    Just as she was about to head towards the academic building, Mirabe heard Johnny''s voice, stopping in her tracks and turning slightly. "Johnny?"


    The authoritative air around Johnny softened as he approached her, a polite smile on his face. "Just here for some business."


    Given his status, he didn''t need to go out of his way to greet her, but considering her close ties with the Shepherd family and her role in saving Owen, Johnny saw an opportunity to strengthen their connection in the rtively quiet school grounds.


    Mirabe noticed Mr. Hammond nearby and, understanding the situation, politely excused herself. "Then, I won''t keep you."


    "I''m actually about done here. If I recall correctly, you''re a senior, right?" Johnny, finding a moment to spare, engaged in some small talk.


    Mirabe, not one for many words, simply nodded.


    At this point, Mr. Hammond and his group approached. "Johnny, you know Mirabe from our school?"


    Mr. Hammond''s surprise was evident.


    Johnny casually confirmed, "We met by chance."


    Hearing this, Mr. Hammond chuckled. "The student I was just telling you about, the one who has consistently brought honor to our city, is Mirabe. She''s likely to be next year''s valedictorian."


    The Superintendent, intrigued by this, looked up at Mirabe in astonishment.


    His visit with Johnny to Parkside High School was part of the annual education policy review, with year-end performance summaries on the agenda. If next year''s valedictorian emerged from their city, it would significantly impact the provincial education authorities'' evaluations.


    Meanwhile, Mandy had caught up. She hesitated upon seeing the group but approached with a practiced smile. "Johnny, Mr. Hammond."


    Not recognizing the Superintendent but sensing his official stature, Mandy nodded politely in his direction as well.

 Chapter 622

    Mirabe nced at Mandy, a flicker of recognition crossing her face.


    Johnny?


    She knew Johnny?


    Mandy''s sudden appearance left everyone momentarily stunned. Johnny, caught off guard, took a moment to register her presence. His gaze instinctively sought Mirabe, and noting her cool demeanor, he chose not to respond to Mandy''s greeting.


    Mr. Hammond, standing nearby with furrowed brows, did not recognize Mandy. Given the presence of Johnny and the district''s superintendent, and hearing her call out ''Johnny,'' he politely nodded and asked, "And you are?"


    Mandy''s eyes darted to Johnny and then back, introducing herself with a slight twist in her voice, "I''m Mirabe''s mother."


    At that deration, Mirabe couldn''t help butugh.


    The audacity was unparalleled.


    Mr. Hammond, taken aback, wondered if his memory was failing him. He didn''t recall Mirabe''s mother looking anything like this woman. With a puzzled look, he turned to Mirabe.


    Meeting his gaze, Mirabe''s expression was icy as she stated tly, "She''s not."


    Mandy''s face froze, clearly not expecting such a public denial.


    "Oh," Mr. Hammond said, nodding in a way that managed to save face for everyone involved. "If you''re looking for someone, you might want to head to the main office. They can make an announcement for you."


    Mandy bit her lip, her eyes locked on Mirabe. "No, I''m here for her. She is my foster daughter."


    At this, Mr. Hammond connected the dots-it was the Gilbert family drama unfolding before him. He remembered thest incident with thepetition when Bernardo Gilbert hade to the school using his foster daughter of cheating.


    Now, seeing Mirabe''s reaction, it didn''t take a detective for Mr. Hammond to grasp the strained rtionship. His previously courteous face took on a more serious mien.


    "I''m sorry, but we''re in the middle of a discussion here. Please, don''t interrupt," Mr. Hammond said firmly.


    Then, as if to deliberately exclude Mandy, he turned back to the superintendent and Johnny, heaping praise upon Mirabe.


    Mandy, treated as if she were invisible, felt the sting of embarrassment but was too proud to walk away. Listening to Mr. Hammond''sudatory words, however, twisted the knife of resentment within her.


    Her own daughter had always been the academic star among her social circle, earning the envy of many a high-society matron for her schstic achievements. And yet, she had never imagined that this foster daughter, who once needed money to enter a decent high school, would shine so brightly in this elite institution.


    To be singled out by Mr. Hammond anduded in front of someone of Johnny''s caliber-this was a level of recognition her biological daughter could only dream


    of.


    If only this exceptional child were known as part of the Gilbert family¡ªwhat a dazzling sight that would be.


    Mandy''s grip tightened on her purse, a twinge of regret piercing her for the first time. If only she hadn''t let their rtionship grow so sour...


    Just then, Johnny''s phone buzzed in his pocket. He stepped aside to take the call, spoke briefly, and hung up.


    Checking the time, Johnny said to Mr. Hammond, "We should be going."


    "Of course," Mr. Hammond responded politely.


    Johnny pursed his lips, turning to Mirabe. "Well, Ms. Mirabe, I''ll be seeing you."


    She nodded in acknowledgment.


    Seeing Johnny about to leave, Mandy, desperate and heedless of the awkwardness or the others present, called out to him, "Wait, Johnny."

 Chapter 623

    Johnny felt a headacheing on every time Mandy approached him. He knew exactly what she was itching to say, so he stopped in his tracks, turned around, and faced her with a firm expression. "Mrs. Gilbert, I thought I made myself crystal clear thest time we talked."


    Mandy clenched her teeth and pressed on, determined, "I just want to know, did you not pick us, the Gilbert family, because of something my adopted daughter said?"


    Mirabe, who was about to walk away, froze in ce when she heard this. Her eyes narrowed slightly.


    Johnny rubbed his temples and nced at Mirabe before responding sternly, "No, that''s not the reason."


    Catching the nce he threw at her adopted daughter, Mandy''s lips curled into a sardonic smile. If that wasn''t the case, why would he deliberately look at her daughter? Did he think she was born yesterday? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Mandy couldn''t hold back her resentment any longer and blurted out, "Everyone talks about how fair and honest you are, Johnny. Seems like that''s not entirely true after all."


    Since the bid for the Gilbert Corporation was down the drain, she had no reason to hold back. She demanded rity today.


    Johnny''s face turned stone-cold. If it were just him and Mandy, he wouldn''t even spare her a nce. But with colleagues from the Department of Education around, how could he tolerate such an affront to his character?


    "If Gilbert Corporation doesn''t have the chops, you shouldn''t be bidding in the first ce. If you are in the race, then wait for the oue like everyone else. What''s with this nonsense of running to me with usations? Are you out of your mind?" Mandy was beyond caring, "Oh, please! Are we, the Gilberts, really not capable? Are you going to stand here and deny that you were keen on us, that you had said our corporation would be under special consideration?"


    "Do you dare admit that you rigged the process, and that''s why Gilbert Corporation is out of the running now?"


    "Do you dare say you''re not targeting our Gilbert Corporation because of certain individuals?"


    Mandy''s barrage of questions came as her emotions surged, her ears and neck flushing with the intensity of her feelings, portraying the image of someone who had suffered undue hardship.


    Johnny, hearing all this, couldn''t help butugh. He looked at Mandy with eyes full of mockery, "I thought I was quite clearst time, but it seems you didn''t get the message at all."


    Mandy, frowning, shot back with fiery eyes, "Cut the high and mighty act. You yed your cards to block Gilbert Corporation, and that''s on you."


    Johnny shook his head, "I was trying to be polite and keep quiet, but since you''re so keen on knowing, I''ll spell it out for you. What makes you think Gilbert Corporation deserved special attention in the bidding process?"


    Mandy opened her mouth to retort, but Johnny cut her off again.


    "Do you really think your Gilbert Corporation is all that impressive in this city?" Johnny scoffed, then nced at Mirabe again before continuing, "If it weren''t for Ms. Mirabe''s sake, I wouldn''t even bother knowing your Gilbert Corporation existed, let alone consider it for special attention."


    Mirabe frowned at this revtion.


    Mandy refused to believe it, "Impossible, you''re just making excuses. I don''t buy it. You''re deliberately hindering the Gilbert Corporation."


    Mirabe was just an ordinary high school senior; what influence could she possibly have? If Johnny had mentioned the Davis family, maybe Mandy would have grudgingly believed him. But her adopted daughter? That wasughable. Even excuses should have some factual basis, shouldn''t they?

 Chapter 624

    Johnny could tell Mandy was still skeptical. Without missing a beat, he pulled out his phone and called a colleague right in front of her.


    "Hey, can you snap a pic of that document in my drawer and text it to me?"


    After a quick exchange, he hung up.


    "I''m going to show you today if your Gilbert Corporation even deserves to be in the running for this bid," Johnny said icily.


    Mandy, who had been so confident moments ago, started to feel a wave of anxiety.


    No, it couldn''t be true. Gilbert Corporation had to be qualified.


    Johnny''s phone buzzed with iing messages. He casually unlocked it, pulled up the photos his colleague had sent, erged them, and handed the phone to Mandy.


    "Take a good look. This is your ''mighty'' Gilbert Corporation."


    As Mandy looked at the screen, she felt an overwhelming urge to look away. She had never really delved into the details of Gilbert Corporation, only knowing that it seemed to be doing well.


    Despite the rising panic, she took the phone and began scrolling.


    Johnny folded his arms behind his back. "Take your time. There are seven or eight more photos."


    Mandy''s face turned pale as she read about instances of tax evasion, regtory vitions, and detailed assessments of assets and bank loans. She didn''t dare scroll further, fearing the next images would be even worse.


    Government coboration projects required clean books, something Gilbert Corporation clearlycked.


    Seeing Mandy''s expression, Johnny smirked. "Well? Still think your Gilbert Corporation is all that capable?"


    Mandy stepped back, unable to ept the truth. "This can''t be... How could this happen?"


    Johnny took the phone from her trembling hands, switched off the screen, and put it back in his pocket. "This is the result of thorough investigation. Anyone with half


    a brain would know their ce, but apparently, you folks just love courting disaster."


    Her once righteous thoughts crumbled.


    Was a ''thorough investigation'' not what they had assumed?


    Johnny, sensing the need for more rity, added, "Honestly, the only reason Gilbert Corporation even got this close scrutiny was thanks to Ms. Mirabe. Without her, you probably wouldn''t have even been considered."


    Mandy staggered, reeling from the revtion.


    Johnny''s demeanor softened as he faced Mirabe, sounding regretful. "I''m really sorry about this. I knew Bernardo was your godfather, so I wanted to do you a favor, which led to today''s mess."


    It was crucial to clear things up, especially in front of Mirabe. Such a big mistake needed an exnation.


    When Mirabe heard Johnny mention ''returning a favor'', she pieced it together.


    She had treated Owen, and Johnny wanted to return the favor, albeit mistakenly.


    No wonder Mandy had confronted her with that question about the bid back in the broadcast room.

 Chapter 625

    Mirabe shot Johnny a look that screamed, "Seriously?" She shook her head and sighed. "Your background checks are about as reliable as an April weather forecast."


    Johnny caught onto her sarcasm and coughed awkwardly. "Yeah, that''s on me. I should''ve been more thorough."


    No excuses could change the fact that their sloppy research almost got him used of abusing his power.


    Mirabe forced a small smile, remembering Mr. Hammond was still around. She had to keep up her good student image. "Just so you know, myst name is Howard. Next time, don''t mix me up with just anyone."


    Johnny nodded. "This was definitely my bad. Don''t let it bother you."


    Mirabe decided not to drag it out any longer. The spectacle was over. She turned to Mr. Hammond. "Mr. Hammond, I''ll head back to ss now."


    Mr. Hammond, still stunned by the whole scene, could only nod. Mirabe gave a polite nod back and walked towards the school building, not even ncing at Mandy.


    Johnny, having wasted enough time on Mandy, had nothing more to say. He quickly left with his colleagues from the Department of Education.


    Mandy stood there, dazed, Johnny''s words echoing in her ears. If it weren''t for her foster daughter, Gilbert Corporation wouldn''t have even been on the government''s radar. And the only reason they were given a chance to bid was to repay a favor to her foster daughter?


    The focus was on repaying ''the foster daughter,'' not the Davis family. What kind of influence did her foster daughter have to get such respectful treatment from a city secretary?


    Clutching her bag, Mandy wandered the campus like a ghost, her mind racing. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered: if her rtionship with her foster daughter wasn''t so strained, could Gilbert Corporation have won the bid this time?


    Using her foster daughter''s connections to build a good rtionship with the government could''ve catapulted theirpany into the city''s top ten businesses, right?


    Some thoughts are so terrifying and full of regret that they haunt you once you start thinking about them.


    At least right now, Mandy felt that regret deeply. Her rtionship with her foster daughter was probably beyond repair, and even bringing Catherine into it wouldn''t help.


    Mandy couldn''t remember how she got back to the Gilbert residence. She was on autopilot. Colton, who had been away for several days, was back and noticed Mandy''s ghostly expression. He frowned.


    "What''s with the funeral face?" Colton''s tone was harsh.


    Mandy snapped back to reality and saw Colton. She rushed over, not even registering his earlierment. "Is Gilbert Corporation really in such bad shape?"


    Seeing that her first concern was about thepany''s financial state, Colton''s face darkened. "What nonsense are you talking about now? Gilbert Corporation is doing just fine."


    Mandy threw her designer purse onto the couch in frustration. "Do you know why we failed to secure the bid?"


    Colton scoffed. "Isn''t it because of your brilliant idea to bribe people? A solid project ruined by your stupidity."


    Overwhelmed with frustration, Mandy couldn''t hold back any longer. Her emotions erupted in response to Colton''s usations.

 Chapter 626

    "Greasing palms? Really? When I first brought it up, you were all for it. And as for why Gilbert Corporation can''tnd a bid-don''t you get it? Bank loans falling through, broken capital chains, negative asset evaluations... Seriously, which of these makes you think we''re fit for the project?"


    Mandy''s anxiety spiked just thinking about Johnny''s report.


    If Gilbert Corporation hit another hurdle, bankruptcy could be looming any minute.


    Just a couple of years ago, everything seemed to be going great. What on earth went wrong?


    Colton squinted at her. "Have you been snooping around thepany''s books?" Mandy pressed her temple, scoffing, "I didn''t have to snoop. Someone else did."


    Colton frowned.


    "Oh, and by the way, I''ve got some news for you. The only reason Gilbert Corporation''s got the bigwigs'' attention is because of the foster daughter. Without her, you wouldn''t have had the chance to strut around showing off these past few days," Mandy smirked.


    Colton stared at her. "What are you implying?"


    "Our foster daughter''s got skills, what else?" Mandy paused, suddenly filled with regret. "If it weren''t for the Gilbert family''s favoritism towards boys over girls, would I ever have had such a rocky rtionship with her?"


    If she hadn''t been at odds with the foster daughter, everything might be different.


    And the Davis family... Mandy thought about it but ultimately didn''t voice her suspicion that the Davis family might be moreplicated than they seemed.


    After all, speaking out wouldn''t help; the Gilbert family''s current mess was headache enough for Bernardo.


    "The Gilbert family favors boys over girls? And what about you, Mandy? How noble are you? Dumping that child back at the old family home and never checking in, does that make you the good guy?" Colton''s voice carried a hint of derision.


    Mandy didn''t reply, just slumped onto the couch, her expression cloudy.


    Seeing her like this, Colton pieced together some of the disjointed things she''d said upon her return. After a moment, he asked, "You mean the foster daughter and Johnny are close? Thepany''s opportunities are all because of her?"


    Mandy didn''t want to answer any questions, but after a while, she said softly, "Go check it out yourself."


    "But I reckon you won''t find much. Anyway, that''s that. I''m tired. I''m going to my room." Mandy grabbed her purse and listlessly headed upstairs.


    Bernardo watched her, his brow furrowed deeply.


    **


    After leaving Parkside High School, Johnny picked up a call from Owen and returned to his ce to gather all his medical records before heading over to the Shields residence.


    When Johnny handed over the medical history to Linnea, he asked with a puzzled expression, "Ma''am, Owen''s health has improved. Why do you need these?"


    Owen had only told Johnny to give the medical files to his mother, without borating.


    So Johnny was quite curious.


    Despite having heard from her son the night before that his health was better, Linnea remained skeptical. Hearing Johnny mention it, she couldn''t help but ask, "You''re not conspiring with Owen to keep this from me, are you?"


    Johnny chuckled at her words, "Ma''am, you''ve got it all wrong. I wouldn''t dare keep something this serious from you. Owen''s health really has improved a lot."


    Linnea scrutinized him for a moment, then dropped the subject and tucked the medical records into her purse. She picked up the car keys from the side table, ready to step out.


    "You get back to work. I have an errand to run."

 Chapter 627

    Johnny was momentarily taken aback but quickly collected himself, grabbed his briefcase, and followed her. "Ma''am, where are you headed? Let me drive you there."


    Linnea paused mid-step, then seemed to reach a decision. After all, Johnny had been helping take care of Owen and must be well acquainted with his condition. Without declining his offer, she began walking out as she spoke. "I''m going to see a friend''s son who just got back from abroad. He''s a renowned doctor, and I want him to look at Owen''s medical records."


    Johnny raised an eyebrow in surprise. He initially wanted to assure her it wasn''t necessary, but then again, even though Dr. Mirabe was indeed exceptional, who wouldn''t want a second opinion from another esteemed physician? So, in the end, he didn''t try to dissuade her.


    Half an hourter, following Linnea''s directions, Johnny arrived at her friend''s house. Upon seeing the Davis family''s gate, Johnny''s expression turned bemused. He couldn''t help but ask, "Ma''am, are you sure this is the ce?" Linnea, oblivious to his puzzled look, unbuckled her seatbelt and replied, "Yes."


    Watching Linnea step out of the car and push the gate open, Johnny rubbed his temples, parked the car at the curb, turned off the engine, and got out. Linnea had just rung the Davis family''s doorbell when she noticed Johnny hadn''t left and was approaching. She looked at him, puzzled.


    Seeing her confusion, Johnny exined, "Well, it''s a small world. The family living here... they also treated Owen''s illness."


    Linnea was speechless.


    Soon after, Delh, who had been expecting Linnea, came out to greet her. However, Delh paused when she saw Johnny, "You''re the one who visited looking for my daughterst time... Johnny, right?"


    Johnny, out of respect for his connection to Mirabe, greeted her politely, "Mrs. Hoffman, good to see you remember me."


    Linnea, still processing Johnny''s earlierment about the family who treated Owen, saw Delh''s familiar interaction with Johnny and realized they must have met before. Feeling somewhat dazed, she walked into the living room. Nick was sitting on the couch, sses perched on his nose, somewhat masking his paleplexion. Seeing Linnea, he stood up to greet her.


    That''s when Linnea, recalling what Johnny had said outside, turned to him and asked, "Johnny, was it this gentleman who treated Owen''s illness?" She pointed at Nick, only knowing that someone from the Davis family was a famous doctor.


    Before Johnny could respond, Delh interjected with confusion, "What treatment? My Nick just got back to the country a couple of days ago."


    Johnny hadn''t mentioned Mirabe''s treatment for Owen on hisst gift-delivering visit to the Davis family, so Delh hadn''t given it much thought. Realizing her mix-up, Linnea said, "Oh, my memory! Ipletely forgot about that."


    Then, her gaze shifted back to Johnny, waiting for his rification. Johnny cleared his throat and shook his head, "No, it wasn''t him."


    "Ah, then who was it?" Linnea was now thoroughly confused.


    Delh, not quite following their conversation, suggested, "Why don''t you let my Nick have a look at the medical records first?"


    Upon hearing that, Linnea stopped questioning Johnny and hurriedly pulled out the diagnostic report from her bag, carefully handing it over to Nick. After receiving the report, Nick asked for a moment and began to review it carefully. Johnny, wanting to speak up, held back when he noticed Linnea''s gaze firmly fixed on the man seated on the couch. He decided to keep quiet.

 Chapter 628

    It didn''t take long for Nick to finish going through the medical report. He stood up, handed it back to Linnea, and said, "Aside from a couple of outliers, everything here looks normal. Those slight deviations? They won''t impact anyone''s health."


    Linnea''s face fell. It was the same kind of reassurance she''d gotten years ago when her husband passed away-empty words that meant nothing in the end.


    "Sorry," Nick said with a nod, his tone measured. "Neurology is my specialty. As for the symptoms you mentioned, I haven''t encountered them before."


    Delh noticed the shadow over Linnea''s face and didn''t know what to say. She remembered that Linnea''s son Owen worked for the government-a young man with a bright future.


    "Don''t worry, we''ll figure something out," she offered, trying to beforting.


    Linnea tightened her grip, her voice sincere, "To be honest, I''ve been told Owen''s been treated, but I can''t rest easy. That''s why I wanted to get a second opinion from your daughter, Mirabe."


    Delh paused, taken aback.


    After a moment, Linnea turned to Johnny, "You mentioned that the person who treated Owen is part of the Davis family. You weren''t just trying tofort me, were you?"


    She was starting to realize that if someone from the Davis family had really cured Owen, Delh would have mentioned it when they talkedst night. Besides, only Nick was a doctor among the Davises. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed like Johnny might have been giving her false hope.


    Delh, catching on to the confusion, looked at Johnny curiously, "Um... I''m still not quite following. Is there some sort of mix-up?"


    Seeing Delh''s clueless expression, Johnny assumed that maybe Mirabe hadn''t mentioned anything about Owen''s treatment to her family due to his status. But now, seeing that Linnea and Delh were friends, he figured there was no need to keep secrets.


    "It was Ms. Mirabe who treated Owen," Johnny said calmly.


    "Mirabe... Miss?" Delh was dumbfounded, failing to connect the dots to her own daughter.


    "Yes, your youngest daughter, Miss Mirabe," Johnny replied politely.


    Delhughed, waving her hand dismissively, "Oh, Johnny, you must be joking. My girl''s just a high school senior. How could she possibly know how to treat illnesses?"


    Sure, her daughter sometimes came home with remedies like ''The Pill,'' but Delh had always assumed they were just gifts from friends, not actual cures.


    Johnny was genuinely surprised, "But it''s true. Ms. Mirabe did cure Owen''s illness."


    Could it be that Mrs. Davis was unaware of her daughter''s medical skills?


    Delh was about to outright reject the notion, but seeing the sincerity in Johnny''s eyes, she suddenly remembered him mentioning something about a consultationst time he visited. Could her daughter actually possess healing knowledge?


    Ruffling her hair in confusion, Delh realized she knew far too little about her own child.


    Nick, on the other hand, wasn''t too shocked. Considering his sister''s skill with acupuncture and the peculiar herbs she once gave him, it wasn''t a stretch to imagine she could heal. Yet, he was curious about how she had managed to cure an illness he had never heard of.


    Worried about Owen, Linnea decided to spend the afternoon at the Davis residence, waiting for a chance to speak with Mirabe directly.


    Johnny, after a moment''s thought, chose not to leave either and stayed to keep Linneapany.

 Chapter 629

    When Mirabe got home from school that afternoon, she was taken aback to find a small gathering in the living room, especially when she spotted Johnny among the visitors. She immediately caught a strange look on Delh''s face, which only deepened her bewilderment.


    Setting her backpack down with a soft thud, Mirabe nodded in greeting. Linnea, who had been anxiously awaiting Mirabe''s return, could barely contain her excitement as she rose and approached.


    "Little Mira, was it you who cured my boy Owen''s illness?" Linnea asked, her voice trembling with emotion.


    Mirabe paused, her mind racing. Owen? Linnea''s son?


    After a moment, Mirabe nodded, her expression somber. She hadn''t expected Linnea to return with the Davis n in tow, especially since there hadn''t been a peep about any medical treatment during their dinner the previous evening.


    Mirabe''s eyes flicked to Johnny, who felt an unexinable shiver run down his spine under her gaze. With Mirabe''s affirmation, Linnea pressed on eagerly, "What exactly was wrong with Owen? Is he truly better now?"


    Knowing Linnea was a friend of her mother''s, Mirabe patiently exined about gic diseases, glossing over the more technical aspects. Once Linnea heard the term ''gic disease,'' her faith in Mirabe as Owen''s healer was sealed. "So, there''s noplete cure for Owen''s condition? Just management and treatment?" Linnea inquired, a hint of disappointmentcing her words.


    Mirabe murmured an affirmation. With the current state of medical science, that was the best they could hope for. Linnea''s eyes clouded with a touch of sorrow, but she quickly rallied, realizing that even though her husband had passed away without a cure, her son''s condition was now manageable. That in itself was a blessing.


    Wiping a tear from her eye, Linnea expressed her heartfelt gratitude. "Marian, thank you. Thank you for saving my son''s life."


    "It''s nothing," Mirabe replied, her lips pressed into a thin line. After all, she had beenpensated.


    Following a few more questions, Linnea and Johnny departed from the Davis household.


    Once they were alone, Delh, who had remained mostly silent throughout the visit, turned to her daughter with aplex expression. "Mirabe, you... know how to treat people?"


    Mirabe massaged her temples, having anticipated this moment woulde. With a sigh, she nodded and crafted a usible exnation. "Catherine hasn''t been well, so I spent some time learning from an old alternative medicine practitioner in the countryside."


    Delh was aware of Catherine''s frail health; otherwise, her daughter wouldn''t have opted to stay away for a whole year after the mix-up at birth. But to think that a brief apprenticeship with an alternative healer could lead to curing a rare gic disorder? She was skeptical.


    Narrowing her eyes, Delh suddenly felt that her daughter might be pulling the wool over her eyes for the first time. "So, my migraine... you treated that as well?" Delh probed.


    After a brief pause, Mirabe nodded.


    Delh''s feelings grew even moreplicated, and she felt an impulsive urge to shake the truth out of her daughter. Just a few pills had cured her migraines-was that really the result of just a stint with an old alternative medicine practitioner? Her daughter, the little chatan, was pulling a fast one on her own mother.


    Perhaps sensing the barely concealed exasperation in Delh''s eyes, Mirabe shifted subtly, took a sip of water, and deftly changed the subject. "By the way, why haven''t I seen our usual ountants aroundtely? I was almost under the impression they were here to collect debts."


    Delh''s frustration was momentarily deflected. "...."


    She decided to let the conversation settle there, but she knew this wasn''t over.


    She made a mental note to revisit this topic-just as soon as she figured out how to handle her extraordinarily mysterious daughter.

 Chapter 630

    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Zach sauntered into the living room, whistling a light tune. He stopped in his tracks when he saw his sister and mom locked in a curious, slightly mysterious gaze. "What''s going on here, guys?" he asked, eyebrow raised.


    Mirabe broke the stare, her voice steady. "Oh, just talking about why this month''s finances haven''t been sorted out yet."


    The mention of finances sent a chill down Zach''s spine. Thest time he got involved with family business matters, he ended up in a rather personal mixed doubles showdown.


    Delh''s eyes shifted from Mirabe to Zach, and as her gazended on him, he shuddered. "Mom, rx! I swear, the finance mess isn''t my fault!"


    With a smile, Delh stood up. "Zach, honey, let''s have a little chat in the den, okay?"


    Zach''s face fell. "I refuse!"


    "Come on now, you''re a grown man acting like a scaredy-cat. I just want to talk," Delh said, her tone gentle yet firm.


    She sighed softly, looped her arm through Zach''s, and with a touch of motherly love, began to steer him upstairs.


    Dragged away and wrongly used, Zach shot a desperate look back at Mirabe.


    Mirabe cleared her throat, pretending not to notice Zach''s pleading eyes, and turned to chat with Nick.


    "Traitor," Zach thought to himself.


    Nick, who had spent years living abroad, was baffled by the scene. "What the heck is going on?" he asked.


    Mirabe chuckled. "Don''t worry about it. Mom''s just having some quality time with Zach. You''ll get used to it."


    Still skeptical, Nick slowly looked away. "So, that rare condition in the Shields family-how did you figure it out?"


    Mirabe scratched her head, knowing Delh was easy to convince but Nick was a tougher nut to crack. "Well, traditional alternative medicine can sometimes detect things modern machines can''t."


    "I read about this condition in a medical journal once and decided to try the remedy. Surprisingly, it worked," Mirabe said, honestly.


    Nick nodded, not digging deeper, and they shifted the conversation to alternative medicine.


    As they chatted, Mirabe felt her phone buzz. She pulled it out and saw a message from Vincent: "This math problem was from your teacher, right? Did you solve it?"


    She quickly replied, "Yeah, already solved and submitted it."


    Vincent''s response was a simple "..."


    Nick noticed his sister texting and paused, giving her space. Once she was done, Mirabe looked up and exined, "Just a ssmate asking about a math problem."

 Chapter 631

    Nick had been hearing a ton about his sister from their parentstely, and the walls at home, stered with her awards, were proof of her academic brilliance. "So, aiming for Prestige College after the SATs next year?" Nick asked casually. Mirabe nodded, a hint of pride in her eyes. "I''ve got a direct admission offer."


    Nick''s lips curled into a smile. He stood up, walked over, and yfully ruffled her hair. "Way to go, kiddo!"


    Mirabe, who had lost count of how many times she had her head patted, could only think, "Is this the wrong script?"


    Nick pulled his hand back and added, "By the time you''re in college, I might head over to Riverdale too. I could keep youpany."


    Mirabe looked surprised. "You''re going to work in Riverdale?"


    "Looks like it," Nick confirmed with a nod.


    An old grad school buddy had been nagging him to join the Riverdale Research Institute for a while, but he had always turned it down.


    Back then, returning to the US wasn''t on his radar, but now... Nick nced at Mirabe. Since his sister was going to college in Riverdale, it was worth considering.


    Mirabe nodded in agreement. Nick, with his international awards and reputation as a research fanatic, would be wasted in a regr hospital.


    The Research Institute would be perfect.


    "By the way, I''ll continue the acupuncture treatment tonight," Mirabe changed the subject.


    She was keen to test her new psychotherapy techniques.


    Nick didn''t object; having tasted the sweet relief of a good night''s sleep, he was bing increasingly wary of insomnia and wasn''t keen on experiencing it again.


    After dinner, with her homework done, Mirabe carried a box to Nick''s room, finding his door ajar.


    Zach was there too, discussing something with Nick, and Summer''s name came up.


    Mirabe paused at the door, hand mid-air, hesitating to knock.


    They were both standing sideways, so it didn''t take long for them to notice Mirabe at the doorway.


    Zach, tempering his expression, pushed up his sses and smiled warmly. "Looking for me, Mirabe?"


    Nick threw Zach a nce. "She''s here for me."


    Zach felt like another rival had entered the fray for attention.


    "Am I interrupting?" Mirabe asked casually, lowering her hand.


    "Just shooting the breeze," Nick replied, eyeing the box in Mirabe''s hands. "Needle time?"


    "If you guys are done," Mirabe responded.


    Nick nced at Zach and then said, "We''re good."


    Mirabe lightly hummed in acknowledgment, stepped in, and ced the box on the side table. She flicked open the sp, and the box sprang open.


    Zach moved closer, intrigued by the box''s sophisticated opening mechanism. "Is this some kind of high-tech gadget?"


    As he curiously reached out to touch it, Mirabe swatted his hand away. "Curiosity killed the cat," she warned.


    Zach retracted his hand with a sheepish grin. "I''m your brother, not a cat. Stingy!"


    Mirabe had already pulled a slender silver needle from its sheepskin wrap. Its gleaming surface caught the light of the room, adding an air of danger to the scene.


    Zach took a few discreet steps to the side, maintaining a respectful distance.

 Chapter 632

    Mirabe seemed unfazed by Zach''s unease as she murmured, almost eerily, "One prick from me, Zach, and you''ll be as tame as a kitten."


    Zach was at a loss for words.


    Was his sister even human?


    Scaring her own brother with threats of needles!


    Nick, watching from the side, couldn''t help but smirk at Zach''s timid reaction. Growing up, Zach had been the family''s little troublemaker, always up to some sneaky trick that drove everyone nuts. It was hard to believe he was now so scared of his little sister.


    Mirabe, meanwhile, calmlyid out several silver needles, sterilizing them with practiced precision. Clearly, she did this often.


    "Mirabe, are you really going to give Nick acupuncture?" Zach asked,


    scratching his nose.


    He''d heard his sister talk about needles before, but he''d always thought it was just to scare people. Now, it seemed all too real.


    Mirabe nodded and quickly had Nick lying on the bed, dragging a chair to the foot of it.


    Seeing this, Zach whispered, "Should I step out?"


    "Up to you," Mirabe replied without looking up.


    Zach decided to stay, pulling up a chair a little distance away, quietly observing.


    Mirabe, just as she had done before, inserted the needles at precise points on Nick''s scalp, carefully monitoring his reactions.


    Once Nick waspletely rxed, she pulled out a pendant ne from her pocket and held it above his forehead, letting it dangle.


    This sudden movement made Nick''s eyes snap open in shock. It was a scene he had experienced countless times with his psychotherapist.


    Nick''s body tensed, his hands curling into fists by his sides.


    "Nick, rx," Mirabe said, trying hypnotherapy for the first time after studying numerous clinical guides. She chose this simple technique as her first attempt.


    Despite being a novice, there was no hint of nervousness in her eyes. They were steady and focused on Nick.


    "Just take it easy, follow my lead, and try not to think about anything. Do what I say, and that''s all," she instructed.


    The pendant in Mirabe''s hand remained still, swaying only slightly as she spoke.


    Nick had always resisted psychotherapy, even though he needed it to help his body reach a state of rest. Facing his sister, he was utterly unable to rx, his mind fiercely rejecting the hypnosis.


    His scalp, taut with tension, made the needles feel like thorns. His brow furrowed tighter, and beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.


    Seeing this, Mirabe put away the pendant and instead pressed her fingertips to his temples, gently massaging the tension away until he rxed once more.


    She didn''t pursue the psychological therapy further, realizing his resistance. Any additional effort would be futile.


    Once a person mentally rejects something to the point of conditioned reflex, it''s incredibly difficult to delve deeper.


    Mirabe realized that whatever had happened to Nick in the past must have been excruciating, so much so that the pain had seeped into his very marrow.

 Chapter 633

    Half an hourter, Mirabe finished her acupuncture session. Nick had already drifted off on the bed, so she grabbed theforter beside her. As her eyes grazed over the skin peeking out from his slightly open cor, her hand froze.


    The scar was hideous, an undeniable reminder of the pain he must have endured. Mirabe''s expression tightened slightly as she tucked theforter around him.


    Next to her, Zach stood up, a mix of curiosity and amazement in his whisper, "That''s it? He''s all set?"


    Just a few needles and the guy is out cold?


    Mirabe nodded and then stepped aside to light some incense. The faint smell of medicinal sandalwood filled the room, creating a soothing atmosphere.


    "Zach, let''s head out," she said, picking up her silver needle case. Her face clearly conveyed, ''Don''t wake Nick.''


    Zach caught the hint, feeling a sudden, unexpected pang of jealousy. Has his little sis ever been this gentle with him?


    They quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind them. As Mirabe was about to enter the room next door, she paused, a thought crossing her mind, and turned back to Zach, "That kidnapping incident with Nick years ago, was Summer involved?"


    "Huh?" Zach was momentarily stunned but then caught on, asking, "How do you know about Nick''s past?"


    "Dad mentioned it," Mirabe replied.


    Relieved, Zach exhaled. These days, you had to be clear on what the family disclosed to Mirabe, or you might end up taking the me for something.


    He pursed his lips, his smile more mechanical than warm. "Whether she was involved or not, that''s all history now." After a beat, he added, "It''ste. Get some rest. You have sses tomorrow."


    "Okay." Seeing Zach''s demeanor, Mirabe didn''t push further. She opened her door and retreated to her room.


    Zach watched the closed door, his face shifting between light and shadow before settling into a quiet sigh.


    **


    Ever since Bernardo Gilbert learned from Mandy that the bidding was somehow tied to his former foster daughter, he had discreetly set people to investigate. After several days, they finally dug up some useful information.


    His foster daughter was indeed connected with Johnny and seemed to have some secret dealings with Owen.


    A high school senior involved with powerful people - the reasons weren''t hard to guess.


    But that wasn''t the main point. The key was that through his foster daughter, he could establish connections with both Johnny and Owen.


    Bernardo called Summer into his study.


    Sitting at his desk, he looked at his daughter with a warm expression. "Summer, how''s school goingtely?"


    Summer''s brow furrowed slightly, sensing some hidden agenda. Hesitantly, she nodded, "It''s okay, I guess. Finals areing up, so I''m busy reviewing."


    Bernardo opened a drawer and pulled out a bank card, then stood and walked over to her.


    "I''ve been tied up withpany matters and haven''t given you much attention. You girls love shopping, right? Take some time to buy yourself something nice."


    Summer''s sense of unease deepened. She knew what kind of person her biological father was, and him handing out money out of nowhere was definitely odd.


    For a moment, she didn''t reach out to take the bank card he was offering.


    "Dad, why are you suddenly giving me money..." Summer asked softly, her eyes full of confusion, "Is there something you want to talk about?"

 Chapter 634

    Bernardo slipped the card into Summer''s hand, cleared his throat, and started,


    "It''s nothing major, but I remember you had a decent rtionship with Emmitt from the Davis family, right?"


    Summer''s fingers twitched at the mention, and the card fell to the floor with a soft clink.


    Bernardo nced at her, and Summer quickly masked her surprise, bending down to pick up the bank card. "Dad, why are you bringing this up? I''ve been keeping my distance from the Davis family, just like you told me."


    Bernardo sighed, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "It''s just... I''ve been thinking. If you want to keep in touch with the Davis family, I won''t stop you. They were part of your upbringing, and I get that."


    Summer''s gaze dropped, the card suddenly feeling hot in her hand. She knew her biological father wouldn''t give her money without a catch.


    "Actually, my rtionship with the Davis family..." she started, but was interrupted by Lu Hongyuan''s voice again.


    "And you''re ssmates with Mira, right? Why not invite her to the mall this weekend? The Davis family isn''t exactly flush with cash, so she might not be able to afford the fancy stuff. See what she likes, and use this card to cover it," Bernardo said, his hands casually sped behind his back.


    Summer''s lips pressed into a thin line. So, this card wasn''t for her after all¡ªit was to get her to take Mirabe shopping!


    Her biological mother had been picking her up from school every day, always checking on Mirabe. And now her father wanted to use her to win over the same girl.


    Taking a deep breath to calm her anger, Summer ced the card on the table. "Sorry, Dad, but I don''t really hang out with her. I can''t do what you''re asking."


    Bernardo''s brows furrowed at her refusal, his expression darkening. But he pressed on, "You don''t hang out now, but that''s how you get to know each other."


    Summer forced a smile. "Have you forgotten the mess with thepetition materialsst time? Do you think she''d want anything to do with me?"


    Besides, she''d already cut ties with the Davis family.


    Bernardo dismissed her concern with a wave. "That was no big deal. Buy her some designer stuff, and she''ll forget all about it, won''t she?"


    Though he didn''t understand how his foster daughter had gotten involved with Johnny and his crowd, she was a country girl unacquainted with luxury. How could she resist it?


    Shaking her head, Summer asked bluntly, "Why do you suddenly want me to get close to Mirabe?"


    She didn''t buy the whole sudden change of heart about treating a foster daughter well.


    After a moment of contemtion, Bernardo decided not to hide the truth. "Because she''s got connections at City Hall."


    Summer frowned at this revtion.


    Mirabe had connections with City Hall? How could she, unless it was through the Davis family?


    But recalling her father''s earlierment about the Davis family being financially strapped, he seemed unaware of their real status.


    Bernardo''s voice brought her back to reality. "The Gilbert family needs to build solid rtionships with City Hall if we''re going to seed here, and she''s got the


    connections."


    Pushing aside her doubts, Summer responded, "Then don''t get your hopes up. Even if she has the connections, she''s not likely to help the Gilbert family."


    At her words, Bernardo''s face darkened, and after a tense silence, he scoffed, "Unless she wants to ruin her reputation!"


    The Gilbert family''s future was at stake.


    Bernardo straightened up and promised to update the next two chapters, ensuring the rest would be posted before midnight, apologizing for any dy.

 Chapter 635

    Summer''s head snapped up at the words, her eyes locking with Bernardo''s. "Dad, what do you mean by that?"


    A sly smile yed on Bernardo''s lips. "Well, I heard it through the grapevine from your mother. I wouldn''t have known about my foster daughter''s talents otherwise."


    Confusion flickered across Summer''s face for a moment; she wasn''t quite following.


    Bernardo thought for a second but decided not to hold back, sharing the information and his own theories he had gathered.


    "Dad, are you sure you got that right?" Summer asked, skeptical of her father''s words.


    How could Mirabe possibly be connected to Owen? And if Summer''s memory served her right, in her previous life, Owen had sumbed to a strange illness at a young age, which was widely reported in the media.


    Bernardo shook his head firmly. "No mistake, I''m certain of it."


    To be on the safe side, he had made sure to double-check the information. His foster daughter had indeed visited Owen''s residence.


    Despite a nagging sense of doubt, Summer thought about how her second chance at life had already been full of bizarre twists. Deviations from her past life''s trajectory seemed almost normal now.


    So, Summer let the topic drop. If she could use this information to get a grip on Mirabe or even destroy her, it would be a sweet dose of revenge. After all, she truly loathed Mirabe.


    Mirabe hadtely been busy fine-tuning Nick''s health regimen. Acupuncture wasn''t a long-term solution, so she was exploring oral medications to enhance the treatment.


    After her medical skills were inadvertently revealed during a visit from Owen''s mother, Mirabe saw no point in hiding her abilities any longer.


    The Davis family''s mansion was sprawling, with rooms aplenty, and she imed one as her personalboratory to concoct her remedies.


    On Saturday morning, Mirabe''s phone pinged with a series of messages.


    No Stealing My Meds: [Boss, I''ve sent the items to the address you provided. They should arrive today.]


    No Stealing My Meds: [That address is where you''re staying, right?]


    No Stealing My Meds: [SinisterSmile.jpg.]


    Fresh from her morning jog and a quick shower, Mirabe heard the Messenger alert and picked up her phone.


    After reading the messages, her fingers danced across the screen, replying at a leisurely pace, [Got time on your hands?]


    On the other end, a young woman felt an inexplicable chill upon reading Mirabe''s terse response. She hastily typed back, [Hehe, just curious.] The Pill: [Don''t be.]


    No Stealing My Meds: [I won''t spill the beans about your location, promise.]


    Sophia sighed after sending her message, thinking to herself that all people with real talent seemed to have fiery tempers. Seeing no further replies from The Pill, she put away her phone.


    A knock sounded at the door, and Sophia rose from her chair to answer it. The sight of the visitor immediately soured her expression.


    "The annual certification for alchemist levels is almost upon us, and here you are, cooped up in your room ying video games. What does that say about you?"


    Sophia''s annoyance was palpable. "None of your business," she shot back before mming the door in the visitor''s face.


    Conrad, nearly hit by the door, stood outside with a face turned ashen. He couldn''t stand his cousin, and if it weren''t for the valuable potions she conjured up, he would have kicked her out of the Keller household long ago.


    He couldn''t bear her arrogance any longer.


    ---


    Meanwhile, shortly after receiving the messages from No Stealing My Meds, Mirabe had a delivery arrive at her doorstep.

 Chapter 636

    When the doorbell rang, Mirabe was still enjoying her breakfast. Delh, standing next to her, frowned in confusion. "Who could be knocking this early?"


    Thinking it might be the delivery she was waiting for, Mirabe quickly gulped down her milk, grabbed Delh''s arm, and said, "It''s probably my package, Mom. You keep eating. I''ll get it."


    Delh hesitated for a moment, but seeing Mirabe already up and heading out, she sat back down.


    Momentster, Mirabe returned, lugging a hefty box in her arms.


    Delh rushed over to help. "Sweetheart, what did you order? This box is huge." Shawn stood up too, walking over. "You should''ve asked me to lift this..."


    As he reached for the box, intending to take it from Mirabe, he was taken aback by its weight and fell silent.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, a hint of defiance in her voice. "No need. It''s too heavy for you."


    Shawn and Delh exchanged stunned looks.


    "That box must weigh a ton," Delh murmured, recalling its heft when she tried to help.


    Shawn''s mouth twitched. "Must be..."


    The image of their delicate and dainty daughter was, once again, shattered.


    When Mirabe came back out, her parents were still standing there, faces still showing shock. She nced at them and headed back out.


    ''No Stealing My Meds'' had sent her three boxes, each filled with alchemical equipment. After three trips, Mirabe finally got all the boxes to her room. Assembling theplex array took the better part of an hour, but eventually, everything was set up.


    "Darling, what are all these gadgets for?" Delh asked, eyeing the sleek, dark instrumentsid out on the bench.


    "Making medicine," Mirabe replied sinctly before heading out the door.


    Though Delh and Shawn looked on curiously at the equipment, they didn''t press further and left the room.


    Mirabe had just poured herself a ss of water when her cell phone chimed from her pocket. She pulled it out, a spark of anticipation lighting her eyes at the caller ID. She hit the answer button.


    "The herbs you asked me to find are ready," came James''s crisp voice from the other end.


    Setting her ss down on a nearby table, Mirabe replied, "I''lle get them now."


    "Alright, I''ll wait for you."


    With her mood lifted, Mirabe pocketed her phone, looked up at Delh, and mentioned she''d be out for a bit.


    Soon, she stepped out the door, making her way to the neighboring vi.


    A touch of her finger, and the biometric lock disengaged. The door swung open.


    Inside the vi, Mirabe noticed James was alone, which prompted her to ask, "Where are Wyatt and Curtis?"


    James nced at her before replying calmly, "They have their own tasks."


    Mirabe touched her nose, not dwelling on it. "Alright, then."


    James stood and walked over to a cab. With no rush, he retrieved two boxes. "Here are the herbs you wanted."


    Her eyes brightened. Mirabe thanked him, took the boxes to the coffee table, and eagerly inspected her new treasure.

 Chapter 637

    When Mirabe first peeked into the first box and saw the array of pristine herbs, she couldn''t help but feel a wave of appreciation. "My neighbor is definitely a goldmine," she thought.


    Looks like she''ll be turning to him for rare ingredients from now on!


    She quickly moved on to the second box and her eyes lit up when she spotted a purple flower that resembled a lotus but wasn''t quite one.


    "Lunar Lace."


    It was an herb she had been hunting for ages.


    James nced at the herb and casually asked, "So, what potion are you whipping up with this Seven-Leaf Lotus?"


    Originally, this herb was meant to bait a member of the legendary healer n, the Shangguans, and was auctioned on the ck market. But when no one from the n showed up, it ended up staying with the Shepherd family.


    It wasn''t until a few days ago, when Wyatt saw it listed on a kid''s wishlist, that he brought it back.


    Mirabe was looking down, so James couldn''t see her expression clearly.


    Soon, she closed the box and sat up straight, her eyes shing with surprise as she looked at James. "Just a tonic to boost health, but it''s pretty rare. How did you find it?"


    Honestly, she had added the Seven-Leaf Lotus to her list at thest minute, not really expecting him to find it. So, getting it now was a pleasant surprise.


    "Stumbled upon it by chance," James said nonchntly, sitting down next to her.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe sensed he wasn''t keen on giving details and decided not to press. After a brief pause, she said, "How much do I owe you? I''ll transfer the money right now."


    She had already pulled out her phone as she spoke.


    James nced at her and said, "Whatever you think it''s worth, just name your price."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched slightly. She looked at the box in her arms. If she were to assess its value based on "The Mirror''s" standards, it would easily be worth millions.


    After a moment''s thought, she asked, "So, I pay what I think it''s worth, right?"


    James saw the cunning glint in her eyes but didn''t call her out, simply nodding in agreement.


    Feigning casualness, Mirabe said, "...Probably worth around a grand or so."


    She might miss out on fleecing the golden goose this time and who knows if she''d get another chance.


    Without waiting for James'' response, she tapped on her phone''s Messenger app and transferred a thousand bucks.


    After the transaction, she prompted, "Hit the ept button, will you?"


    James'' expression was a mix of amusement and resignation as he watched her transfer just a thousand dors.


    Yep, never expect a penny-pincher to part with much money.


    Feeling James'' gaze, Mirabe guiltily averted her eyes. Just then, her phone rang.


    She nced at the caller ID and saw it was Autumn. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.


    Thest time Autumn hade over for dinner, she had left her contact info, but Mirabe was curious about the sudden call.


    She quickly answered.


    "...You want to grab lunch? Sure, send me the address and I''ll see you then."


    After hanging up, Mirabe pocketed her phone.


    The volume was loud enough for James, sitting nearby, to catch the gist of the conversation. His eyes shifted as he casually asked, "A friend inviting you out to lunch?"


    As she put away her phone, Mirabe nonchntly replied, "Yeah, from that party Niki threw. Owen''s sister, she''s the one who asked me."

 Chapter 638

    James tapped his fingers on his knee, letting out a grunt before speaking up, "So, you really think a grand is enough to get rid of me?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, gripping the medicine box tighter as she tilted her head to look at him.


    James''s mouth twitched into a half-smile, choosing to overlook her gesture. "What, no dinner invitation?"


    At the mention of food, Mirabe''s face brightened, and she shed an enthusiastic ''okay'' sign with her hand. "Sure thing. Let''s hit up Knox''s Herb & Hearth sometime soon. Could use a bit of pampering and, you know, that whole wellness vibe."


    James: "..."


    Just then, Mirabe''s messenger app pinged with a new message. She nced down at her phone and quickly said, "Gotta dash, hun. We''ll catch upter."


    With that, she stood up and walked out with purpose.


    Watching her retreating figure, James rubbed his temples in frustration. Was this a case of losing money andpany?


    As that thought passed through his mind, his phone buzzed on the coffee table with a notification. It was a bank transfer alert.


    ¡¾9999999¡¿


    There was no sender''s information, but it wasn''t hard to guess who it was from.


    James held his phone, lost in thought, not really surprised that she knew his personal ount details. His finger tapped the screen lightly, and a yful smile spread across his lips. His eyes scanned the amount once more. Was it meant to symbolize ''forever''?


    *


    Back home, Mirabe put away the medicine box and changed her clothes, ready to head out again.


    "Mirabe, where are you off to?" Zach had just rolled out of bed, stumbled downstairs for a ss of water, and upon seeing his sister all dressed up, he casually asked.


    Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted slightly, "Autumn invited me out for lunch."


    At the mention of Autumn''s name, Zach, who had recently been blocked on messenger, immediately perked up. "How''d she end up inviting you?"


    "Just to chat, I guess," Mirabe shrugged nonchntly.


    Zach chuckled darkly at this. "That woman sure knows how to y her cards." First, she blocks me to get my attention, and now she''s cozying up to my sister. He remembered how Autumn had asked for his sister''s phone and messenger details. It was all starting to make sense.


    Pfft, he''d seen these kinds of games before.


    Mirabe nced at Zach, unsure what was going through his mind, but simply checked the time. "Zach, I gotta run."


    Zach hastily set down his water ss and grabbed Mirabe''s arm. "Wait, let me throw on some clothes, and I''ll give you a ride."


    Sometimes Mirabe could be a little over the top, but he wasn''t about to let her get swindled.


    With that, he dashed upstairs.


    Half an hourter, the siblings arrived at the venue Autumn had chosen a quaint, hidden gem of a bistro.


    Zach initially insisted on waiting outside, but seeing his eagerness, Mirabe called Autumn and after a polite inquiry, she invited him in.


    Entering the private dining room, Autumn stood up and greeted Mirabe warmly. "Little Mira, you made it."


    Then, turning to acknowledge Zach with a polite nod of the head, her demeanor was noticeably different from before.


    Zach internally rolled his eyes at her theatrics but paused when he caught sight of Owen nearby.


    As awyer, he regrly interacted with a range of clients, from private individuals to corporate and governmental agencies-so he recognized Owen instantly.


    What was he doing here?


    Scratching his head, Zach''s gaze shifted from Owen back to Autumn. Owen... bothst names were ''Fang''. Could these two actually be rted?

 Chapter 639

    Owen stood up and casually walked over to Mirabe, shing a friendly smile. "Ms. Mirabe," he greeted her, dripping with politeness.


    Mirabe nodded slightly and gestured towards Zach, who seemed a bit out of it. "This is my brother, Zach."


    Owen extended his hand. "Owen. Nice to meet you, Mr. Davis."


    Still a bit confused, Zach shook Owen''s hand.


    Soon enough, everyone took their seats.


    While they were looking at the menu, Zach leaned over and tugged on his sister''s


    sleeve. "How do you know this Owen guy?" he asked, clearly puzzled.


    He had thought it was Autumn who wanted to get closer to his sister, but it seemed he had read the situation wrong.


    Mirabe took a leisurely sip from her coffee cup and replied calmly, "I treated him once."


    Zach had missed Linnea''s visit that day, so he was out of the loop. The idea of his sister treating the mayor seemed almost unbelievable. Could she really be that skilled?


    He watched his sister in silent awe.


    "Ms. Mirabe, I hope my mother didn''t bother you too much when she visited the other day," Owen said, remembering how Mirabe preferred her privacy during the follow-up visit.


    Mirabe shrugged it off. "No big deal."


    Owenughed and turned to Zach, striking up an easy conversation with him, keeping things friendly.


    Zach was used to high-profile events, but having dinner with someone as influential as Owen, a top figure in the city''s political scene, was a first for him. Initially, he was nervous, but seeing his sister soposed as if Owen were just another guy-helped him rx. He couldn''t embarrass her.


    After the meal, Owen even exchanged contact information with Zach, leaving him feeling quite honored.


    Their afternoon at Parkside High School had been a real emotional rollercoaster.


    As they left the private dining room, Autumn turned to Mirabe in the hallway. "Hey Mira, got time this afternoon? Want to go shopping?"


    She had invited Mirabe to lunch to thank her for curing Emmitt''s illness.


    With Zach off to the restroom, Mirabe tilted her head, her delicate features catching the light, and declined. "I should probably pass. Finals areing up, and I need to study."


    Autumn looked a bit disappointed but didn''t push it. She turned to Owen, who had put on a face mask to hide his recognizable features. "Emmitt, I''ll go settle the bill."


    Owen''s face was often on the news, so he had to be cautious when out in public ces like restaurants.


    "Sure," he nodded.


    Autumn quickly headed to the front desk.


    Now, only Mirabe and Owen were left in the hallway. Luckily, the private


    restaurant wasn''t too busy at midday, so they were mostly unnoticed.


    Still waiting for Zach, Mirabe chatted casually with Owen, her hands in her


    jacket pockets, her head slightly bowed, looking rxed.


    Suddenly, she sensed something and looked up at the restaurant''srge windows.


    Outside stood a shady figure with a camera, the lens aimed right at her. Mirabe frowned.


    Owen noticed her change in demeanor and followed her gaze. The paparazzo, realizing he might have been spotted, quickly turned and walked away briskly.

 Chapter 640

    Owen furrowed his brow, adjusted his face mask a bit higher, and pulled out his phone to make a call.


    After hanging up, he nced at Mirabe with a reassuring smile. "Probably just a journalist. No need to worry."


    Mirabe had already shifted her focus elsewhere. She gave a soft hum in response, clearly unbothered.


    With Owen''s kind of status, what journalist would dare write anything scandalous about him? They''d have to be out of their minds.


    Zach returned from the restroom and asked, "Ready to head back home now?"


    Mirabe nodded, "Yeah."


    Soon after, the siblings said their goodbyes to Owen and Autumn and left.


    Autumn watched Mirabe''s car pull away before getting into her own ride and signaling the driver to go.


    Owen had just finished another call in the car when something clicked in his mind. He turned to his sister and asked, "Is this Zach the guy Mom''s been trying to set you up with?"


    He vaguely remembered their mother mentioning a top-notchwyer, and during dinner, Zach had mentioned he was awyer.


    Autumn touched her nose and shrugged, "Yep."


    Owen raised an eyebrow. "Seems like a decent guy, eloquent and cultured..."


    Autumn quickly raised her hand to stop him, "Hold up, Emmitt. He''s not my type." Besides, it was pretty clear he wasn''t into her either.


    Seeing her reaction, Owen let the topic drop. After all, you can''t force matters of the heart.


    "I do find his sister quite charming, though," Autumn mused.


    Not into the brother but into the sister?


    Owen''s lips twisted into a puzzled smirk as he gave her a sideways look.


    Autumn opened up a social media app on her phone, and right on the homepage, an ad for a sportswear brand featuring Mirabe popped up.


    Despite having seen it countless times, Autumn couldn''t help but chuckle each time.


    Turning to her brother, she saw Emmitt buried in paperwork again and shook her head in mock frustration. "Bro, it''s a rare day off. Can''t you put aside work for once and enjoy a pleasant Saturday?"


    Her eyes twinkling with mischief, Autumn then thrust her phone in front of Owen. "Check out this cool gal. Isn''t she awesome?"


    With his view blocked by the phone, Owen leaned away, his voice carrying a hint of sternness. "Knock it off."


    Autumn sheepishly pulled back her phone.


    As Owen''s gaze briefly swept over the screen, the sight of the masked girl in the video struck a familiar chord, causing him to pause.


    A mask might cover most of someone''s face, but for those who know you well, it''s often not enough to hide.


    Regaining hisposure, Owen nced at Autumn. "Isn''t that Mirabe?"


    "Huh?" Autumn had already scrolled past the video, and it took a few seconds before she looked up. "What was that? Little Mira?"


    "That video you were watching-the girl with the mask-isn''t that her?" Owen patiently rified.


    Realization dawned on Autumn, her eyes widening as she scrolled back to the advertisement, pausing it for a closer look. And sure enough, it was her. Holy smokes.


    Autumn''s expression was a mix of astonishment and disbelief.


    She had been a fan of Leo, but after watching ''Country Comfort,'' she had be smitten with his sister, thinking she was the coolest and most badass chick she''d ever seen.


    She had been dying to know what she looked like in person.


    And there she was, right in front of her, and Autumn hadn''t recognized her?


    The emotional rollercoaster left her feeling like her heart had been caught in a vice. The rest of the evening was sure to bring more surprises.

 Chapter 641

    Autumn''s heart pounded as she shut off the video app and switched over to her Messenger chat with Mirabe. Her fingers danced over the keyboard, crafting a long message. Just as she was about to hit send, a wave of shyness washed over her.


    Back when she didn''t know Mirabe was her sister, she could chat away freely, affectionately calling her ''little Mira.'' But now...


    She deleted the message and paused, thinking. Then, she scrolled through her contacts and found Zach''s info.


    Luckily, she had only blocked him, not deleted his number.


    Taking a deep breath, Autumn unblocked Zach and sent him a message: "Hey Mr. Davis, it''s Autumn. Just wondering, what kind of hobbies and interests does my sister usually have?"


    As a true fan, she felt it was essential to know everything about Mirabe. Asking directly seemed out of ce, so she decided to go through the guy she was supposed to be matched with.


    She sent off a few more questions about Mirabe, then anxiously waited for his reply.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Zach was driving when his phone buzzed with a Messenger notification. He ignored it at first, but when it buzzed several more times, he reached for his phone from thepartment by the car door.


    Unlocking the phone, he saw who the messages were from and squinted. Hadn''t Autumn blocked him?


    Was she finally going to confess her feelings?


    Zach let out a snort.


    Mirabe, sitting next to him, heard the noise and nced over curiously.


    At a red light, Zach slowed to a stop and read the string of messages-all about his sister.


    So much for a love confession, he thought with a chuckle. All that talk about "my sister," as if she had any im. Mirabe was his sister, not hers!


    Annoyed, he coldly typed back: "Besides studying, my sister doesn''t have any other hobbies."


    With that, he tossed the phone back into thepartment with a tter.


    Mirabe, who had been resting her eyes, opened them at the sound and looked at Zach. His expression was unusually stern. "Zach?" she asked, puzzled.


    The light turned green, and Zach drove off. After a moment, he said seriously, "We should avoid the Shields family as much as possible."


    Mirabe was confused but didn''t press him. Zach''s mood remained dark for the rest of the drive home.


    Once they arrived, Mirabe didn''t bother with the brooding Zach and went straight to work with the herbs she got from James that morning.


    Lunar Lace was a rare ingredient she had been searching for. Precious and requiring careful consideration for the form, she hadn''t yet dared to use it.


    ***


    Elsewhere, Summer received a call from an unknown number, inviting her to meet at a downtown coffee shop.


    At three o''clock, her driver dropped her off on time, but she didn''t head straight in. Instead, she waited in the car for a good fifteen minutes before finally stepping out.

 Chapter 642

    Summer walked into the bistro, following the waiter to a cozy private booth.


    Inside, there was just one person, head buried in a smartphone, obscuring their face.


    Narrowing her eyes slightly, Summer shut the door behind her with a soft click.


    The sound made the woman at the table look up. "You''rete."


    It was Heather''s cousin, Michelle.


    Michelle put away her phone and swept her wavy hair over her shoulders, motioning to the seat across from her.


    Summer recognized Michelle from "Country Comfort," and she also remembered her as a Parkside High School alum. Still, she hadn''t expected an invite from someone she barely knew.


    Pulling out the chair, Summer sat down leisurely, taking off her face mask and cap and setting them aside.


    Michelle rested her hands on the table''s edge, her eyes fixed on Summer. "It''s a shame, really. All that talent of yours, just wasting away because your agency shelved you."


    A brief frown creased Summer''s forehead, a hint of frost in her eyes. Just a D-list actress with zero acting chops, who did she think she was, talking down to her?


    If it weren''t for the cklisting, Michelle wouldn''t dare have this attitude.


    Summer took a deep breath to quell her irritation. "What do you want?"


    Michelle pursed her crimson lips and took a sip of her fancy coffee. "I actually wanted to ask you something. You and Juztin used to be close, right?"


    Summer''s expression didn''t change. "I''m pretty sure you''ve seen what the inte says. Do you really need to ask?"


    The implication was clear-was there really any question about it?


    Michelle could sense Summer''s impatience. Maybe if they had met when Summer was still a rising star, she would''ve been more polite. But now... things were different.


    "Just double-checking," Michelle leaned back, her face smug, a far cry from her sweet demeanor on live streams.


    "To gloat, maybe?" Summer''s lips curled slightly.


    "You''ve got it wrong. Since we''re both from the same high school and I''m technically your senior, I thought it wouldn''t hurt to be friends," Michelle said with a smile.


    Summer''s perfectly made-up face remained cool, her eyes not missing the insincerity. "If you''ve got something to ask, just say it. No need to beat around the bush."


    "I want to know about Juztin''s sister," Michelle said, dropping her earlier disdain.


    After seeing Summer''s file from her cousin, Michelle had been wanting to chat for a while but had been too busy. Now, back in Ashford, she seized the chance.


    Summer had thought Michelle might be digging for info about Leo, but the question about Mirabe took her by surprise. After pondering for a few seconds, she replied, "Why are you asking about her?"


    Michelle''s gaze turned icy, not bothering to hide her disdain. "Because she''s incredibly annoying."


    She thought if Summer hadn''t been caught up in the scandal of stealing Juztin''s music, their rtionship must be strained. Otherwise, Summer could have been the one bringing a rtive to "Country Comfort."


    Taken aback, Summer showed a sh of surprise.


    She had only watched a bit of the live show, afraid it would make her angry, and hadn''t known about the tension between Michelle, Heather, and Mirabe on the show.

 Chapter 643

    Michelle noticed the flicker of surprise in Summer''s eyes and chuckled softly. "You didn''t catch the live stream?"


    Summer pressed her lips together in silence.


    Changing the subject, Michelle asked, "So, her name''s Mirabe? She really goes to Parkside High School?"


    Summer''s demeanor softened a bit, maybe because she sensed Michelle''s shared dislike for Mirabe. "Yeah, Mirabe. She''s a senior at Parkside High."


    So, she was a Howard after all.


    Michelle smirked, remembering Mirabe''s pretentious antics on the live show. "How are her grades? Are they any good?"


    Summer''s eyes flickered thoughtfully before she spoke. "She''s my foster sister. She used to live in a small town, paying her way through high school."


    Michelle''s brow furrowed. "If she was paying for high school, how did she end up at Parkside High?"


    Was Summer trying to y her for a fool?


    Summer nced out the window, then back at Michelle. "Connections can open any door, right?"


    After a brief pause, she continued, "Since joining Parkside, her grades have skyrocketed. Ask any student there; she''s be quite the celebrity on campus."


    Michelle was now thoroughly confused. One moment Mirabe was a pay-to-learn student in some county high school, and the next, she was the talk of Parkside High.


    "If you''re looking to stir up trouble for her, I''d advise against it. You won''t win," Summer said with a breezy indifference that felt almost condescending.


    Narrowing her eyes, Michelle scoffed. "Isn''t her family just a bunch of regr blue-cors?"


    Summer''s eyelids lowered slightly. Another one who had done a ''simple check'' on the Howard family, huh? But why should she bother warning someone off Mirabe?


    After all, even if they failed, it would still be a headache for Mirabe, right?


    "Just because the Howards are your average working-ss family doesn''t mean Mirabecks awork outside," Summer stated tly, pausing before adding, "You''ve met her in person, haven''t you?"


    She knew that Mirabe kept her face hidden during the live streams, always behind a mask.


    Michelle shook her head. "No."


    Had she met her, Michelle would have dug up everything there was to know, rather than seeking information from Summer.


    Summer''s eyes twinkled with a knowing look-after all, her foster sister loved to put on a fa?ade. Internally sarcastic but outwardly neutral, she said, "She''s quite a looker."


    Her point was clear: a beautiful girl often doesn''t have the cleanest connections. Putting two and two together, Michelle got the hint.


    The Howards might be ordinary, but Mirabe was attractive. She had managed to move from a paid county high school to Parkside High, which implied connections. As for her academic performance, with the right connections, what persona couldn''t be crafted?


    Thinking of Juztin''s uninterrupted rise to fame over the years, likely backed by someone influential, Michelle considered that this sibling duo might indeed be quite resourceful.


    Shaking her head, Michelle refocused on Summer. "You seem to know quite a lot."


    Summer took a sip of her coffee, smiling subtly. "Because I don''t like them either." The corner of Michelle''s mouth twitched, obviously.

 Chapter 644

    Summer and Michelle didn''t chat for too long.


    As they stepped out of the diner, Summer seemed to remember something and turned to Michelle with a serious look. "Hey, let me give you a heads-up - stay away from Mirabe. She''s... well, she''s out of our league."


    This was the second time Michelle had heard Summer hint at Mirabe''s ''untouchable'' status. Though Summer had been dropping hints about Mirabe''s background, she never exined why.


    Curiosity piqued, Michelle, who hated half-told stories, narrowed her eyes. "Why is she untouchable? Does she have some big-shot backing her?"


    The Sharp family were well-establishedndowners in Ashford, with a legacy that even outstripped the Gilberts, and they had the powerful Pledger family of Riverdale in their corner. So, Michelle wasn''t particrly worried about the vague ''connections'' Summer mentioned.


    Taking her time, Summer slowly put on her face mask and cap, leaving only her enigmatic eyes visible. She stared at Michelle for a moment before finally saying, "Very strong."


    Michelle''s brow furrowed slightly.


    Summer''s lips twitched under her mask, and she added, "She''s got deep ties with Owen from city hall."


    With that, Summer didn''t wait for a response. She walked to the curb, slid into her car, and signaled the driver to go.


    Michelle stood there, Summer''s words echoing in her head. Owen from city hall? As someone who kept up with current events, Michelle was well aware of Owen. While the Sharps had a strong local presence and some acquaintances in government offices, their connections were at most with district chiefs - not with the city''s top official. That was a level they couldn''t reach.


    Juztin''s sister, close with Owen?


    Though skeptical, Michelle thought that if there was no truth to the rtionship, Summer wouldn''t have dared to mention Owen, especially since spreading rumors about the city''s top official wasn''t something anyone would risk. Besides, Juztin had quickly risen to the top of the music scene with a scandal-free record. It was hard to believe he had no powerful backing.


    Piecing together these clues, Summer''s ims seemed somewhat credible, but Michelle knew better than to fully trust them without further investigation.


    Collecting her thoughts, Michelle decided to reach out to a younger acquaintance from Parkside High School to get more information when she had the chance.


    **


    Mirabe had spent the entire afternoon concocting potions. It wasn''t until nearly six in the evening that she emerged from her workshop, her face showing clear signs of fatigue. She carried two small bottles in her hands.


    Rubbing her temples, she wandered over to the living room couch and copsed onto it, leaning back and letting out a heavy sigh.


    Nick was sitting across the room, his book set aside as he looked at Mirabe. "Mom said you''ve been cooped up all afternoon with your gadgets?"


    "Yep," Mirabe murmured, taking a few seconds to gather her energy before sitting up straight.


    She handed one of the bottles to Nick. "This is a new sleep remedy I came up with. Give it a try tonight, just one pill."


    Surprise flickered across Nick''s face as he took the bottle, unscrewing the cap to take in the aromatic scent of the herbs - though he had no idea what they were, not being familiar with alternative medicine.


    Holding the bottle, Nick felt a warmth in his chest, and a rare, faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. "Thanks, Mirabe."


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe then handed him the second bottle. "This one''s for Chester. It''s for chronic ailments. I don''t have his address, so could you send it to him when you get a chance?"


    After all, she thought, one good turn deserves another.

 Chapter 645

    Nick, holding the medicine bottle, said, "Alright."


    Mirabe yawned and, with azy stretch, burrowed deeper into the couch. Brewing potions was a real energy drain, and making top-notch elixirs took even more focus.


    Seeing how tired she was, Nick didn''t say much. He got up, poured a ss of warm water, ced it on the coffee table, and then quietly settled back into his chair. Picking up his book, he continued reading.


    For a while, the living room was enveloped in silence until a ringtone broke the calm.


    It was Mirabe''s phone. She casually pulled it out of her pocket and saw an unfamiliar number. Her finger hovered for a moment before she answered. A middle-aged man''s voice came through the line.


    Mirabe only listened for a couple of sentences before a frown creased her brow, and she promptly hung up. The Gilberts had been pestering her non-stoptely, and now it was Bernardo''s turn.


    Less than a minuteter, her phone rang again with the same number. Annoyance shed across her face as she hit the decline button.


    Nick nced up at her.


    Feeling his gaze, Mirabe waved her phone dismissively. "Telemarketers," she said.


    "Maybe install a call-blocking app," Nick suggested softly.


    "Good idea," Mirabe nodded, quickly cklisting the number.


    Meanwhile, at the Gilbert household, Bernardo, frustrated after countless failed attempts to reach his foster daughter, tossed his phone onto the coffee table with a loud tter.


    Mandy, sitting beside him, jumped at the noise and frowned. "What''s got you so riled up?"


    Bernardo ignored her and said, "Try calling her."


    Mandy''s lips curled in disdain. "Ever since she went back to her biological parents, she''s blocked my number ages ago."


    "She blocked you too?" Bernardo''s frown deepened. The timid, mild-mannered foster daughter he remembered seemed like a different person now.


    Hearing the word "too," Mandy couldn''t help but ask, "You''ve been on the phone this whole time trying to call her, haven''t you?"


    Bernardo grunted in affirmation.


    Mandy shook her head. "Stop humiliating yourself. She doesn''t care about the Gilberts anymore. Don''t expect any help from her."


    "Doesn''t care about the Gilberts?" Bernardo''s lips curled into a bitter smile. If she was going to be that ungrateful, they had no reason to hold back.


    Gilbert Corporation was already in shambles.


    Mandy eyed him warily. Something about his demeanor felt ominous. She wanted to ask more but decided against it. Life in the Gilbert household was already stifling; better not to make it worse.


    That very night, an anonymous tipnded on the city prosecutor''s desk, and another letter exposing ethical misconduct arrived at a local news agency.


    *


    The next day was the weekend. Mirabe and Leo, as usual, spent the day recording their segment for "Country Comfort."


    The director''s challenges were insanely tough, nearly knocking everyone out. Once they wrapped up, the group joked about dragging the director out for a well- deserved beating.


    All the while, Michelle kept a close eye on Mirabe the whole day.


    Draft after draft was written and rewritten. The final post would go live around midnight.

 Chapter 646

    After catching up with Summer yesterday, Michelle couldn''t resist ringing up a younger buddy from Parkside High School. The intel she gathered about the local legend pretty much aligned with what Summer had mentioned.


    Turns out, this Mirabe girl really did have the grades to back up her rep.


    Feeling Michelle''s gaze on her, Mirabe, who was mid-conversation with Hans and the others, casually lifted her head and gave Michelle a cool nce.


    This chick had been eyeballing her all day.


    Those eyes didn''t exactly scream ''friendly intentions.''


    Michelle mulled it over for a few seconds, then in a soft tone said, "Hey, sis, the livestream''s off, and there''s no camera pointed at us. We''ve been on this show together for a while now, but we''ve never seen you without your mask. How about it?"


    It made sense when there were cameras around that she''d want to keep it on, but now, in private... if she refused, it would seem a bit too much like a put-on.


    Michelle''s smile held a hint of mischief.


    Herment hung in the air, and you could practically hear the momentary freeze in the atmosphere.


    Hans cast a nce at Michelle, his brows knitting together slightly. The kid sure knew how to stir the pot.


    If Mirabe from the Davis family had wanted to show her face, she would''ve done it seasons ago. Why wait until now?


    Michelle''s question felt like a verbal trap.


    After a brief pause, Hans stepped in to smooth things over: "Actually, I think the mystery adds a cool touch."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at Hans, appreciating his tactful intervention.


    The Gabriel brothers, curious though they were about Mirabe''s looks, read the room and quickly chimed in agreement with Hans.


    Seeing this, Michelle couldn''t help feeling sour. Were these guys blind or what? Why were they all jumping to the defense of someone who was just ying high and mighty?


    Just then, Leo let out a soft chuckle, "If my sister took off her mask, some folks might feel a bit inferior."


    The dig at Michelle''s expense was crystal clear.


    Without the constraints of the show, Leo wasn''t about to pull punches, especially when his sister was the one being called out.


    As if Michelle was even worthy of seeing his sister''s face!


    Michelle''splexion went from pale to flushed in an instant. She bit her lip, at a loss for words.


    "Let''s go, Collins is waiting outside," Mirabe said, pocketing her phone and addressing Leo without giving Michelle another nce.


    Then, turning to Hans and the Gabriels, she added politely, "My brother and I will be heading out, but once the season wraps up, we should all grab a meal together."


    Hans and the Gabriels didn''t miss the subtext. After a look at Heather and Michelle, they agreed to the n.


    Soon enough, Mirabe and Leo left the scene.


    Heather and Michelle stood there, awkwardness written all over them.


    *


    It wasn''t long before the two cousins were in their car, faces stormy.


    "You just had to stir the pot with that country girl, didn''t you? Tell me, how awkward was that?" Heather massaged her temples, visibly annoyed with Michelle.


    She had told her cousin countless times not to take a country girl so seriously. The live show had gone smoothly enough, but in the end, Michelle had managed to embarrass herself - and Heather by association.


    Heather shook her head; sometimes she thought her cousin was just too daft.


    Michelle bit her lip. "How was I supposed to know Hans and the others would jump to Mirabe''s defense?"


    "You''re being foolish," Heather said bluntly.


    Ack of poise was not bing of ady of their standing.


    Knowing Heather was upset, Michelle wisely kept her mouth shut and looked down at her phone.

 Chapter 647

    Heather, visibly irritated by the silence, turned her head to stare out of the car


    window, vowing never to drag this dimwit into any public event again. What should have been a smooth variety show livestream had turned into a personal branding disaster, all thanks to this blockhead.


    Michelle, freshly chewed out, was understandably flustered. Seeking distraction, she mindlessly scrolled through Twitter. Her direct messages were flooded with dozens of encouraging notes from her followers. The words lifted her spirits, albeit slightly. Though there were some haters, they were far fewer than after previous episodes.


    Closing her inbox, Michelle habitually clicked on the trending topics page. One particr headline immediately caught her eye: ''City Official''s Scandal with High School Student Severely Damages Public Image.'' It was the top trending story, with views skyrocketing past the million mark.


    The headline alone made Michelle think of Mirabe. With a scoff, she tapped into the post. The content was brief, predominantly images. Despite the distance and slight blur of the photographs, there was no denying the striking beauty of the girl pictured. As Michelle zoomed in on the picture, a sense of familiarity washed over her; she couldn''t shake the feeling that she knew the girl in the photo. The man standing beside the girl was masked, revealing only the merest hint of his features.


    Curiosity piqued, Michelle dove into thements section and was stunned by the topment, which had amassed hundreds of thousands of likes. She had expected the girl''s identity to be exposed, but instead, it was the masked man who was identified. And not just any man, but Owen-the highest-ranking official in their city.


    Overwhelmed by the implications, Michelle quickly flipped back to review the post once more, then opened the images again. After a long, careful look, she finally realized why the girl seemed so familiar¡ªit was Mirabe, the country cousin.


    Clutching her phone with newfound purpose, she turned to her cousin sitting beside her. Scooting closer, she thrust the phone towards Heather. "Cousin, check this out."


    Heather, still seething inside, responded without warmth, "What now?"


    "Look at this picture on my phone. This girl. Look closely," Michelle urged, a hint of excitement in her voice.


    Heather shot her a nce before reluctantly taking the phone. After a moment''s scrutiny, she tossed it back to Michelle impatiently. "If you have something to say, just spit it out. Don''t make me look at these doctored photos."


    Seeing that Heather hadn''t recognized the person, Michelle hastily exined, "Don''t you think this girl looks a lot like Juztin''s sister?" She even swiped her finger across the phone screen to obscure the lower half of the girl''s face. "Just look."


    Taking the hint, Heather gave the screen another look and froze. The eyes and brows were not just simr; they were an unmistakable match. Regaining herposure, Heather pointed at the phone. "What''s the deal with this picture?"


    Michelle, who had only shown her the photo and not the backstory, quickly pulled up the post again, showing it to Heather while almost gleefully adding, "Looks like Juztin''s sister is about to have her reputation trashed!"

 Chapter 648

    Heather quickly skimmed through the post, her eyes darting over the screen before diving into thements section. Without missing a beat, she looked up at Michelle. "Looks like no one in thements has figured out that the girl in the photo is Juztin''s sister."


    Most of thements were gushing about how gorgeous the girl looked. The whole idea of her reputation beingpletely trashed, like Michelle had suggested, wasn''t evident at all.


    "Just ''cause nobody recognizes her now doesn''t mean they won''t soon. I mean, we figured it out, didn''t we?" Michelle said, batting her eyshes yfully.


    Besides, she had a bunch of burner ounts ready to stir up drama and clue in the online crowd-almost like she was doing them a favor.


    Heather''s eyes narrowed slightly, fully aware of her cousin''s scheming nature.


    But the idea of outing this sheltered girl as Juztin''s sister was too tempting. It was the kind of juicy scandal that could set the inte on fire.


    After all, the sibling duo had gained a massive following from Walker''s live show. Exposing their true colors wouldn''t just ruin their reputation; it would be a spectacr public crash.


    The thought alone brought a sly grin to Heather''s face.


    Switching gears, she asked, "When exactly did this bombshell drop?"


    Michelle nced at the timestamp. "Only about fifteen minutes ago."


    "Fifteen minutes and it''s already trending at the top..." Heather''s gaze sharpened. "You better move fast and let everyone know the girl is just a country bumpkin."


    Michelle looked up, confused. "Why''s that?"


    Heather shot her an exasperated look. "Are you dense? You think a scandal like this gets to stay in the spotlight? What about the face of the political elite?"


    Those in office represented more than themselves; they were the face of the nation.


    If the post had been up for fifteen minutes without being pulled, it suggested that the higher-ups hadn''t noticed yet. Otherwise, it wouldn''t be leading the charts.


    With Heather''s nudge, realization dawned on Michelle. "I''m on it. Switching ounts now."


    She wasn''t about to miss this golden opportunity to tarnish the country girl''s image.


    As Michelle logged out of her influential main ount, Heather casually crossed


    her legs, reminding her, "Be careful not to get caught."


    Without looking up, Michelle nodded. "I got it, don''t worry."


    *


    Over at City Hall.


    Johnny had just finished organizing his desk and was preparing for a departmental meeting when one of his colleagues burst into the office, breathless. "Johnny, Owen''s blown up on Twitter."


    The urgency on his colleague''s face prompted Johnny to take the offered phone, scanning the contents swiftly. His brows knitted together. "This is absurd. Who posted this?"


    "It''s from a well-known journalist at a local news agency," his colleague informed him promptly.


    Johnny''s eyes narrowed behind his sses, a sharp glint appearing.


    This wasn''t the work of some anonymous ount; it was a reputable news agency stirring the pot, a clear sign that someone in the department was getting restless.


    A cold smirk curved his lips. "They dare to publish such baseless stories? Seems like someone has a death wish."


    Handing back the phone, he strode towards the door, issuing onest order. "Get the cyber surveince department to clean this mess up online, then tell them toe see me."


    "Will do," his colleague replied, watching Johnny''s retreating figure, an aura of menace trailing him. The recent buzz about Owen possibly being transferred to Riverdale had the office swirling with hidden currents and power ys.

 Chapter 649

    Owen was a real go-getter, a young dynamo who had rocketed up the ranks to a top spot. In just a few short years, he''d racked up so many achievements that his promotion to a central role seemed almost inevitable.


    But his youth was a double-edged sword. The old guard in the department grumbled their disapproval. When it came to seniority, there were plenty of folks who believed they should be next in line for the promotion.


    It was a critical time for Owen, as he was on the cusp of being promoted. If a scandal broke out, tarnishing the nation''s reputation, it could very well wreck his


    career.


    Regardless of the truth, the impact on his career would be enormous.


    Johnny made his way to Owen''s office.


    Owen was on the phone when Johnny arrived. Not wanting to interrupt, Johnny stood silently to the side and started scrolling through Twitter on his phone.


    The most likedment was about Owen''s personal life. The apanying photo didn''t show his face clearly; it was just a blurry figure.


    Mirabe''s face, however, was crystal clear in the image. Surprisingly, no one had dug up her background yet. It wasn''t hard to guess that this was a calcted move to smear Owen''s reputation.


    A plot to throw Owen right into the storm''s eye.


    Owen ended the call and looked up at Johnny, noticing the phone in his hand. "You''re here about the Twitter thing, right?"


    Johnny was momentarily taken aback. "You know already?"


    Owen nodded casually and ced his phone on the desk. "My mentor called to give me a heads-up."


    Understanding dawned on Johnny''s face. "What''s the old guard saying now?"


    Owen leaned back in his chair. The pallor and gauntness that had once marked his features were gone. He nced at Johnny and said, "How could he not believe in my character?"


    Johnny let out a relieved sigh.


    Owen''s mentor was a key figure in the administration. Owen''s achievements owed a great deal to his careful guidance and advocacy. Plus, his mentor had been a strong supporter of Owen''s promotion.


    Of course, rmendations were one thing, but Owen''s own capabilities were the main deal.


    As long as the higher-ups didn''t let the Twitter scandal sway their opinion, everything would be manageable.


    "Get someone to handle the Twitter mess and try to keep Ms. Mirabe out of trouble," Owen instructed further.


    The Twitter controversy was clearly aimed at him, but Mirabe''s face was too prominently disyed. If her school or peers saw it, her reputation would be on the line.


    "Yeah, I''ve got our team on it, and I''ve arranged for someone to find out who''s behind this," Johnny confirmed with a nod.


    Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them. "Come in," Owen called out.


    "Owen, the deputy mayor''s office has requested your presence at an emergency meeting," the deputy mayor''s secretary announced from the doorway.


    Johnny looked at the secretary, ready to speak, but the man had already excused himself politely, leaving no room for questions.


    Johnny furrowed his brows at the secretary''s audacity.


    "I''ll go see what''s up," Johnny said firmly.


    The deputy mayor''s rtionship with Owen had always been a facade of friendliness, but beneath the surface, there was no love lost. Calling for an emergency meeting out of the blue definitely meant they were up to something.

 Chapter 650

    Owen drummed his fingers on the desk, his face giving nothing away. After a few moments of silence, he stood up decisively. "I''m curious to see what they''re up to," he said, a hint of intrigue in his voice.


    Johnny shot him a nce but didn''t say a word, simply falling in step behind him.


    When they reached the conference room, Johnny loitered by the door instead of going in. Just as Owen pushed the door open, Johnny caught a glimpse of some folks from the inspection department through the gap. What were they doing here?


    Johnny lingered at the door for a bit, his mind wandering back to the online drama. He headed back to his office and made a few calls to start handling the situation.


    Just as he finished, his phone rang again. Seeing it was Autumn, he quickly answered, "Hey, Autumn."


    "Johnny, is my brother busy? I''ve been calling him, but no answer," Autumn sounded a bit frantic.


    "Owen''s in a meeting right now. Is something wrong?" Johnny asked.


    Autumn ran a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated. "It''s not super urgent, but Owen''s Twitter is blowing up. Have you seen it?"


    Johnny had a feeling this call might be about the social media chaos. "Yeah, I''ve got people on it. It should be sorted by now. Don''t stress about your brother¡ª"


    "I''m not worried about him! I''m worried about my sister who''s caught in the middle of this!" Autumn interrupted, clearly irritated.


    Johnny was momentarily speechless. "Your sister?" He finally asked, puzzled.


    Wasn''t Autumn Owen''s only sister? Where did this other sistere from?


    "The girl in the photo, the one they''re saying Owen is keeping, little Mira! That''s who I''m talking about!" Autumn rified.


    Johnny, who wasn''t into celebrity gossip, couldn''t help but think, isn''t she from the Davis family?


    How did she be his sister?


    "Even if the posts about him are gone, my sister is still being dragged through the mud. Ugh, my brother is such a headache. Anyway, it''s tooplicated to exin now. Just have him call me back when he can, okay? I''m hanging up now, Johnny."


    As the call ended, Johnny felt even more confused. It was like they were talking in circles.


    Shaking his head, he called the web monitoring department to make sure all posts about Owen on Twitter were deleted and any further discussions were stopped.


    "What? Someone else got to Twitter before you could handle it? Alright, got it."


    Ending the call, Johnny was still puzzled. Could the higher-ups have already taken action?


    **


    "James, I''ve deleted that tweet about Ms. Mirabe and Owen," Curtis said, hisptop on hisp, fingers flying over the keyboard. After a pause, he added, "But now there are a ton of new posts about Ms. Mirabe, like someone''s trying to stir things up."


    Curtis might have been a hacker, but even he couldn''t control every user''s posts. With so much information, it was impossible to manage it all, despite his efforts.


    James narrowed his eyes, his fingers idly spinning his phone. "Find out who''s behind it."


    Curtis stayed focused on hisptop screen. "The posts are from throwaway ounts... I''ll track the IPs, see if I can pin down a location."


    The rest is still to be written...

 Chapter 651

    Wyatt sat back, scrolling through Twitter on his phone, his frustration growing with each tweet he read.


    "People really have crap for brains, don''t they?" he muttered. "Get caught in a photo with someone and suddenly you''re a lowlife with a sketchy personal life? The logic here is just mind-boggling."


    When Mirabe first set up her Twitter ount, Wyatt was one of the first to follow her. After Owen inadvertently mentioned her in a tweet, rumors started flying that she was Juztin''s sister, and trolls swarmed her ount.


    Thement section had turned into a cesspool of hate. Wyatt noted that her follower count had plummeted by nearly two hundred thousand in less than half an hour.


    Curtis nced up from his screen, where he was tracking IP addresses, before quickly returning to his task.


    The phone rang, cutting through Wyatt''s string of curses. He straightened up, his expression tightening as he answered the call. After a brief exchange, he hung up, and an email notification pinged immediately after.


    "We''ve got a lead on where those photos came from," Wyatt announced,


    scanning the email. "Turns out Mirabe''s stepdad, Bernardo, hired someone to take them and then sent them to the district attorney''s office."


    James''s eyes narrowed. "What''s the motive?"


    Wyatt skimmed the email, then handed his phone to James. "Looks like the Gilbert family bid on a contract for the old town district''s redevelopment and lost. Seems like they''re out for revenge."


    He paused and added, "And before all this blew up, I heard her stepmom caused a scene at her school. The Gilberts probably knew about her connection to Owen. Mirabe refused to help them, and with some at city hall not happy about Owen''s new appointment, Bernardo''s photos were the perfect spark for a scandal."


    James handed the phone back after reviewing the information, his expression calm. "Sounds about right."


    "The viral tweet wasn''t directly from the Gilberts, but they definitely sent those photos anonymously to a well-known news agency in town. The editor is friends with one of the big shots at city hall," Wyatt snorted in disdain.


    Some people thought they were slick, but they couldn''t evade hiswork. Digging up dirt was easy for him.


    "I''ve tracked the IPs too," Curtis added, closing hisptop and setting it on the coffee table. "After filtering, several burner ounts were registered from a single IP. Theputer''s owner is a woman named Ling Luo, currently working as an assistant for someone named Michelle."


    At the mention of Michelle, Wyatt''s mind clicked. "So, she''s the one who leaked Mirabe''s details?"


    "Looks that way," Curtis said, stretching his neck. "That woman has been gunning for Mirabe on her streams for a while. She wouldn''t pass up a chance to smear her."


    "The depths of a woman''s jealousy are terrifying," Curtis remarked, frowning.


    Wyatt''s gaze settled on James. "Mirabe''s personal info is out there, and she''s still in school. If we don''t handle this right, it could be devastating for her."


    "Deleting her Twitter now would be pointless. We can''t control the narrative¡ªit would only backfire."


    James''s eyes held a calm resolve, his chiseled features set in a mask of indifference. "Send the details to Owen," he instructed, his voice a calm directive amid the chaos.

 Chapter 652

    The buzz on Twitter was like wildfire, but for Mirabe, she was just cruising down the highway, heading home after wrapping up a show.


    Mirabe wasn''t big on scrolling through Twitter; she preferred the quiet hum of the road, eyes closed, leaning back in her seat, unwinding.


    Her phone buzzed with a few pings from Messenger, pulling her out of her moment of peace. She grabbed her phone to see what was up.


    Autumn: [Hey sis, you holding up alright?]


    Autumn: [It''s all my brother''s fault. I''m so sorry you''re getting dragged by those trolls because of him.]


    Autumn: [Don''t freak out, sis. My brother will sort this out, promise. Don''t let those keyboard warriors get to you!]


    Mirabe read Autumn''s messages and sent back a question mark, not even registering the change in the nickname to ''sis''.


    Autumn clutched her phone, pondering the meaning behind that question mark. After a moment, she concluded that Mirabe probably had no clue about the Twitter storm, otherwise, she wouldn''t have responded with confusion.


    Autumn wanted to kick herself for spilling the beans. She quickly messaged back: [Ah, never mind. Nothing''s up.]


    Mirabe saw the reply and, after a brief pause, she typed: [You''re practically saying ''I''m guilty'' without the confession.]


    Autumn broke into a sweat and didn''t dare to reply, shifting her focus back to shing with the trolls online.


    Seeing that Autumn had gone silent, Mirabe''s fingers danced across her screen for a few moments before she tapped on the Twitter app.


    She had notifications for Twitter turned off, so she was blissfully unaware of anyments or DMs blowing up her phone.


    But as soon as she opened Twitter, she was greeted with a notification that her ount was at risk and had been forcibly logged out.


    Mirabe: ?


    She stared at her phone, perplexed, and tried to log in again. After entering her password and hitting confirm, the same forced log-out message popped up.


    Leo, sitting nearby, noticed his sister''s puzzled expression and asked, "What''s going on, sis?"


    The idea of a hacker like her being cyber-attacked was embarrassing to even think about!


    Mirabe looked up, her face a picture of calm, and replied evenly, "It''s nothing."


    Turning her attention back to her phone, her fingers seemed to be typing out a message again.


    Leo blinked, wondering if he had misread the situation. He too pulled out his phone, only to see a Twitter alert for a feed named ''Juztin''s Little Sister Exposed.''


    His thumb froze on the screen. After a second, he quickly opened the tweet.


    The tweet was short but spilled all of his sister''s details, including her ss and even which high school she had attended in their hometown.


    It wasn''t just Mirabe''s info; his was there too, although not as detailed, just his


    name.


    Leo''s brow furrowed deeply. How did their personal details suddenly be public? And why did it seem targeted at his sister?


    A sense of dread settled in Leo''s gut; the online harassment he had always feared for his sister seemed to be unfolding.


    He clenched his jaw and closed the tweet, then navigated to the Twitter trending page.


    By now, Owen''s tweet had vanished from the top trends, reced by five about his sister in the top ten.


    He clicked on one at random to take a look.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had fixed her Twitter ount ess. This time, it logged in smoothly, no warnings, no hitches.


    Confronted with over 999+ notifications, she hesitated for a mere second before diving in.


    "Goodnight, see you tomorrow. Taking a day off, aiming to write more." She sighed, the weight of the online world a heavy shroud as she powered down for the night.

 Chapter 653

    As soon as she tapped open her private messages, it felt like stepping into a minefield of insults.


    "Little missy, instead of hitting the books, you''re out there ying girlfriend-for- hire. Morally bankrupt, much?"


    "I used to be a fan, now all I feel is disgust."


    "iming to be a top student at some fancy high school, pffft, I bet your ''model student'' image is just a big fat lie!"


    "Unfollowing, you don''t deserve to be my bro''s sister."


    Mirabe had barely skimmed through a few messages when her phone was snatched away. She turned to her side, eyebrows raised slightly at the sight of her brother Leo, who was sitting next to her with a furious scowl.


    Unlike Mirabe''s calm demeanor, Leo''s face was stormier than when he was the target of online trolls himself. "Don''t read those," he muttered, clutching the phone tightly.


    Even the strongest of minds could be wounded by the sharp knives of


    cyberbullying. Although his sister often seemed moreposed than him, she was still just an eighteen-year-old girl. She didn''t deserve this kind of nder.


    Collins, who was driving, caught the tension in his client''s voice and nced up in the rearview mirror, his brow creasing with concern. "What''s going on?"


    He had been focused on the road, oblivious to the storm brewing on Twitter. "Mirabe''s personal info got leaked," Leo said, his gaze fixed ahead.


    He didn''t mention the insults. The harsh words unsaid seemed to hang in the air. Collins''s frown deepened. "Why would her info just get leaked out of the blue?"


    Leo pressed his lips together, not responding. He had briefly checked the trending topics, which were mostly mming his sister for alleged indecency. He still hadn''t figured out the exact cause.


    Seeing that Leo was tight-lipped, Collins could guess the nature of the online circus. It was the usual drill: someone was trying to smear Mirabe''s name because she was gaining poprity. If crafting a scandal for Leo was tough, targeting Mirabe was easier. After all, an attack on the sister was an indirect hit on the brother too.


    With that in mind, Collins slowed the car and pulled out his phone. "I''ll get the PR department on it."


    Leo acknowledged with a soft grunt and turned back to Mirabe, his features hardening with protectiveness. "Don''t be scared, sis. I''ll handle this online mess. They can target me all they want, but they cross the line when they mess with you."


    Mirabe watched her brother, her expression aplex mix of emotions. Did she look scared?


    ncing at her phone now in Leo''s protective custody, she decided to let it be. If he wanted to y guardian, so be it.


    After some more digging and speaking with a loyal fan, Leo finally pieced together the whole picture.


    His sister was caught in a photo with a high-profile figure, leading to malicious rumors about her being ''kept''. The post had touched on someone influential, so it was swiftly deleted, and the photos vanished from the web.


    But Leo''s trusty fan had taken screenshots and sent them over.


    He scoffed after reviewing the images. Without discussing them with Mirabe or probing her about the details, he opened Twitter and fired off a missive:


    "Standing next to someone of the opposite sex equals loose morals? Did your brains take a holiday when you said that? Ever thought about how your parents would feel hearing such trash?"


    This was the first time Leo openly confronted his followers with such a charged tweet. And with his massive following, the response was instant - his Twitter exploded, igniting thement section into a frenzy.

 Chapter 654

    In no time, Twitter was aze with trending topics like "Juztin ps back at fan, even drags their parents into it" and "Juztin''s arrogant rants show he''s got high- profile connections.¡± It didn''t take long for him to skyrocket to the top of the trending charts.


    Collins had barely hung up from a crisis call with PR when, less than ten minutester, they were on the line again.


    After the call, Collins looked like he was about to turn green with frustration. He picked up his smartphone, checked the trending topics on Twitter, and felt like he desperately needed an aspirin.


    "For the love of Pete, what kind of mess are you stirring up now?"


    Sure, he understood that as a big brother, Juztin was trying to defend his sister''s honor, but this was just way over the top!


    Leo, with his usual cool demeanor, simply said, "Can''t let them run their mouths, can I?"


    Collins rubbed his temples, about toy down some hard truths when Leo''s ringtone cut through the tension. Seeing Leo answer the call, Collins zipped it and refocused on driving.


    On the other end of the line was Zach, calling from his office. While talking, his eyes never left theputer screen. "Leo, has Mirabe seen the stuff online?"


    Leo hummed a soft acknowledgment then added, ¡°...probably not much."


    Releasing his grip on the mouse, Zach leaned back in his chair and said, "Alright, just make sure Mirabe stays away from the inte for now."


    "Got it, Zach," Leo replied.


    Zach didn''t waste more words and ended the call.


    After a moment of contemtion, Zach clicked on the tweet where Leo had sted the fan and retweeted with ament: "nder my Mirabe @H Princess''s #1 fan and expect awyer''s letter!"


    Zach was a legend in the legal world, undefeated in court, a true elite among elites. Hemanded immense respect from his peers, and his influence was widespread ¨C crossing him was akin to taking on the entire legalmunity.


    His Twitter retweet caused a stir, prompting support from top-notchwyers and big corporations alike with a flurry of reposts and likes.


    Everyone knew Mirabe had only one brother, Juztin, so when Zach''s influential ount stepped in, and corporations voiced their support, the whole affair escted to a whole new level.


    This was no longer about trending on social media; it was now a matter of legal and criminal responsibility.


    One moment, users were trolling Leo''s Twitter feed; the next, they were dumbfounded as majorpanies announced their support.


    They might not know who''s who in the legal world, but these household-name corporations were impossible to ignore.


    With prominentpanies defending him, it was clear - Juztin and his siblings had some serious clout.


    "Holy smokes, who is this powerhousewyer Zach getting all these bigwigs to speak up?"


    "FYI, I just did a quick search - dude''s a renownedwyer, known for his integrity and an unbeaten track record. If he''s on your tail, you''re not getting away!"


    "Samest name, are we talking about a trio of siblings here?"


    "With a rockstar brother and a renownedwyer in the family, who needs to mess around with some politicians? Whoever spread those rumors clearly didn''t do their homework on Mirabe''s background."

 Chapter 655

    On Twitter, the winds of public opinion were slowly shifting.


    After expressing gratitude to his circle of ace attorney friends over the phone, Zach stood up, ready to leave the firm. Just then, a knock echoed on the office door, which was ajar. Zach nced up and called out, "Come in."


    Expecting a colleague, Zach was momentarily taken aback to see Emmitt stepping through the doorway. "Emmitt? How did you know I was at work?"


    "I called Mom. She mentioned you were putting in extra hours at the office today," Emmitt replied in a soft tone.


    Zach nodded, went to the side to pour a ss of water for his brother, and casually asked, "Feeling any better? Cutting down on the drinks, I hope?"


    Taking the water, Emmitt sat down and said, "Yeah, I''veid off the booze. Feeling much better." He took a seat on the couch, paused for a moment, then said, "I saw what''s happening on Twitter."


    Leaning against the armrest of the sofa, Zach''s gaze turned frosty. "This nonsense about being some kept lover... I had a simple dinner with Mirabe and the Autumn siblingsst night, and the paparazzi took it out of context. These journalists really need to find better things to do."


    Emmitt''s eyes dropped slightly, masking the bitterness within as he asked naturally, "Do you need any help with this?"


    Zach waved his hand dismissively. "No worries, I''ve already posted a legal notice online. That tabloid that tweeted the story will face severe punishment, and those behind the smears against Mirabe won''t get off easy either."


    Hearing Zach''s firm response, Emmitt tightened his grip on the ss but only managed a faint acknowledgment. He had already seen the Twitter frenzy on his way over. He had seen Leo boldly confront the online trolls, despite the risk of fan bacsh. And he had seen Zach openly defend the honor of his sister, while he, Emmitt, felt utterly clueless with his phone in hand.


    "By the way, do Mom and Dad know about the stuff online?" Zach, not noticing Emmitt''s expression, remembered the earlier phone call and asked. After a moment''s thought, Emmitt shook his head. "Probably not, or Mom would''ve mentioned it when I called."


    Relieved, Zach exhaled, "That''s good. I was really worried they''d find out. If they did, things could blow up even more." Considering how Shawn and Delh treasured their daughter, Zach could easily imagine the havoc they''d wreak if they discovered she was a victim of cyberbullying online. After all, those were parents who wouldn''t even spare their own son.


    "Right, I didn''t bring it up. Don''t worry, the online mess should be handled soon," Emmitt said slowly.


    "Now I''m more worried about Mirabe''s situation at school. Sheesh, she went on that show without showing her face for a reason to avoid this kind of trouble. And now... who knows what''ll happen," Zach said, rubbing his temples. As her brother, he was genuinely worried.


    The brothers chatted idly for a bit more, and soon Emmitt left thew office.


    Sitting in his car, Emmitt didn''t start the engine right away. His hands rested on the steering wheel as he gazed out the window, lost in thought. After a while, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed his assistant.

 Chapter 656

    Owen stepped out of the conference room, looking like he''d just gone through the wringer. Johnny, who had been waiting outside, immediately walked over. Noting Owen''s impassive face, he asked softly, "Everything alright, sir?"


    Owen gave him a brief nce and shook his head slightly.


    As they exchanged words, a group of people exited the conference room, their faces lit up with smug smiles. Leading the pack was the Deputy Mayor, who moved to block Owen''s path.


    "Owen, you really need to watch your personal conduct," the Deputy Mayor said with a veneer of concern. "It affects the council''s reputation. Sure, we managed to clean up the mess online this time, but with your uing transfer, the higher- ups might not be so forgiving."


    His words dripped with insincere sympathy, the glee barely hidden.


    Owen stared at him, his eyes cold and unyielding.


    The Deputy Mayor relished Owen''s stoic demeanor. He thought, if it weren''t for the old boss''s favoritism, he''d be the one in charge instead of this young upstart.


    Just then, a department head from the prosecutor''s office walked up, a folder under his arm. He nodded at Owen and spoke in a businesslike tone, "Owen, we got an anonymous tipst night. We need your cooperation to clear up a few things."


    "A tip?" The Deputy Mayor feigned shock, turning to the department head. "Someone reported Owen? Our Owen? He''s the epitome of integrity. There must be some mistake."


    The department head shrugged helplessly. "I''d like to believe in Owen''s innocence too, which is why we need to verify a few things."


    Their orchestrated exchange wasn''t lost on Johnny, who clenched his fists. Were


    it not for Owen''s cautionary nce urging him to stay calm, he would have spoken up.


    It was clear they were staging this to humiliate Owen in front of the council staff.


    Owen looked at the department head and said calmly, "No problem, I''ll cooperate."


    With that, he headed towards his office.


    The department head followed, clutching the folder tighter and casting a quick nce back at the Deputy Mayor.


    Once inside his office, Owen handed his phone to Johnny. "Autumn called a few times. Can you call her back? Also, there''s an email in my work ount that needs downloading. Check where it''s from."


    Johnny epted the phone with a nod. "Miss Autumn called me too; I told her you were in a meeting."


    "Alright, thanks," Owen replied, waving him off and taking a seat on the couch, gesturing for the department head to sit down as well.


    Johnny ced two sses of water on the coffee table before moving to Owen''s desk. He powered up theputer and opened the email application. Sure enough, there was an unread email with an attachmentbeled ''Documentation.''


    The sender''s name was obscured by a series of asterisks.


    Johnny was puzzled by the odd email, but after a moment''s hesitation, he downloaded the attachment.


    Owen''s officeputer was equipped with top-notch security software that usually intercepted any virusden messages, so Johnny wasn''t overly worried about malware.


    Besides, emails that reached this inbox were generally of a sensitive and important nature...

 Chapter 657

    The data download finished in a sh, popping onto Johnny''s desktop like a Jack- in-the-box. His hand hovered over the mouse, hesitating. He wasn''t sure if the file was urgent, so he nced at Owen, who was still deep in conversation, unlikely to wrap up anytime soon.


    Not one to waste time, Johnny clicked to open the folder.


    As the contents came into view, his eyes lit up with excitement. By the time he''d finished reading, he was so thrilled he couldn''t find the words.


    There it was in ck and white: who had written the whistleblower letter, the snakes causing trouble in City Hall, and, most damningly, the shady backdoor dealings of several leaders, with evidence of corruption spilling over like apples in a harvest basket. If anyone thought they could turn the tables with this evidence in hand, they were dreaming.


    Johnny took a deep breath, setting aside the mystery of the anonymous email sender for now. One thing was clear: this was a jackpot for Owen.


    Without further ado, Johnny, carrying hisptop, made a beeline for Owen, disregarding the fact that he was mid-discussion with the Chief Prosecutor.


    "Owen, this report from Gilbert Corporation''s manager alleges you epted money from them..." Before the Chief Prosecutor could finish, Johnny cut in, unable to contain himself.


    "Pfft, took money from Gilbert Corporation, did I? Let''s see that so-called evidence. I want to know how I''m supposed to have pocketed their cash."


    Johnny plunked theptop down on a nearby table and snatched the so-called evidence from the Chief Prosecutor''s hands without giving him a chance to speak.


    The document detailed where he and Owen had been, what time they met with Gilbert Corporation''s Bernardo, along with a few photos of him and Bernardo''s wife standing together.


    This was from the day of the shindig at the Gilbert estate.


    He remembered, at that gathering hosted by the Gilberts, a colleague from another department was present, and in front of this very colleague, the Gilberts had slipped him a card.


    So, this twisted narrative had a helping hand from that colleague, didn''t it?


    The Chief Prosecutor spoke again, "Johnny, regarding the money, there are other colleagues who can testify."


    Johnny''s eyes shed with an ''I knew it'' look. He scoffed lightly and tossed the document onto the coffee table. "Feel free to bring thisrade over for a confrontation. But before you do, maybe you should take a look at this."


    With that, he lifted theptop, opened a different file, and ced it in front of the Chief Prosecutor.


    A sense of foreboding washed over the Chief Prosecutor, but he kept his calm facade as he took theptop.


    The email was sent anonymously by Curtis, originally intended to provide Owen with hard evidence regarding a scandalous tweet. However, during his dive into the City Hall''swork, Curtis stumbled upon some rather interesting tidbits and, feeling generous, he copied them to include in Owen''s email.


    After all, the cyber-attack on Ms. Mirabe had ties to these City Hall cronies. It was high time they learned why the flowers were so red - some people just aren''t meant to be used as targets.


    And this Chief Prosecutor was one of the smaller fish caught in the of corruption detailed in the data. As he read through the file on theptop, his face lost all color, his body sapped of strength. He slumped onto the couch, "Owen, I..."

 Chapter 658

    After seeing off the inspector, Johnny finally felt a wave of triumph wash over him. Watching the inspector''s pale face and shaky walk was deeply satisfying.


    Owen nced at him, then picked up theptop and ced it on his knees. The screen still disyed the document they had been discussing. With a few taps on the touchpad, he reviewed the information from top to bottom.


    Standing behind him, Johnny said, "I''ve got no clue who sent us this data, but man, it was like a godsend."


    "Get a grip," Owen''s voice carried a hint of disdain.


    Johnny cleared his throat, "With the way the news blew up online and the deputy and his croniesing at us, we were caught off guard. But now, with this evidence, we''ve got nothing to fear!"


    Although they were prepared, they didn''t have evidence as detailed as this.


    Owen set down theptop and said to Johnny, "Hand me your phone." Johnny quickly went to his desk and brought his phone back.


    As Owen unlocked the phone, he asked, "You deleted that tweet, right?"


    "Yeah, it''s gone, but not by the cyber unit," Johnny said, rubbing his nose in confusion. "Someone beat them to it, and they couldn''t trace any evidence. They figured it must''ve been a hacker."


    Owen''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    "I bet it was someone from your mentor''s circle who did it," Johnny mumbled.


    Owen replied coolly, "My mentor wouldn''t do such a thing."


    "Uh... If it wasn''t your mentor, then who''s helping us?"


    Owen smirked slightly, "Whoever it is, they may not necessarily be trying to help us."


    Johnny was even more puzzled, "If they''re not helping us, then who are they helping?"


    Owen didn''t answer but instead opened the Twitter app on the phone.


    He saw the barrage of insults and attacks on Mirabe online. A few minutester, his voice grew colder, "You''re going to start a Twitter thread in my name right now, rifying the situation. We owe it to Ms. Mirabe to clear her name."


    "Huh? But didn''t you say the post was already deleted? Do we really need to make a special thread?"


    Johnny had been so preupied with worrying about the deputy''s potential trouble for Owen and knew the tweet was deleted, so he hadn''t paid much attention to the online narrative or the fact that Mirabe''s personal details had been leaked.


    Owen stood up and shot him a nce, "Or what did you think? How else do you think this evidence ended up in my inbox?"


    If the goal was simply to deliver evidence, why choose this moment? And why highlight the rtionship between the Gilbert family and Mirabe?


    Realizing something, Johnny quickly agreed, "I''ll do it right away."


    But after taking just a few steps, he paused, turned around, and asked, "What about the Gilbert Corporation?"


    Already seated at his desk, Owen didn''t look up, "Handle it as it should be handled. Apany that disregards basic principles is a cancer to society."


    "I understand," Johnny nodded in agreement.


    The Gilbert Corporation documents they had uncovered earlier would nowe in handy. Without today''s events, those reports might have been shelved, but now, with Bernardo bringing trouble to their doorstep, they had no one else to me.

 Chapter 659

    On the other side of town, Michelle had been glued to her Twitter feed. She had felt a rush of schadenfreude when the dirt on Mirabe started to circte, relishing the bacsh the inte was dishing out. But just ten minutes ago, the tide of public opinion had shifted dramatically, thanks to a tweet from some hotshotwyer who''de out of nowhere.


    Michelle''s face, once lit with spiteful glee, now bore a furrow of concern.


    "What''s the word on the web?" Heather asked casually as she inspected her freshly manicured, ruby-red nails.


    Michelle''s gaze remained fixed on her phone screen. "It''s looking pretty grim."


    Heather paused mid-polish and looked up at her cousin. "Somewyer''s popped up out of the blue, ims he''s Juztin''s big brother or something. He''s retweeted the whole mess, vowing to hold whoever spilled the beans ountable," Michelle exined slowly.


    Heather scoffed dismissively, "It''s just a PR stunt, a damage control move. Do you really think he can dig up anything substantial?"


    Such tactics were standard in showbiz, and Heather knew them like the back of her hand. No one actually spent the resources to chase down gossip mongers.


    Michelle shook her head. "Cuz, this doesn''t smell like a PR y. This guy''s a big deal, has connections everywhere. Even some major corporate ounts back home are retweeting him in solidarity."


    Heather squinted in suspicion. "Let me see."


    Michelle handed over her phone, and as Heather scrolled through the feed, a familiar sense of irritation began to bubble within her.


    "Zach?" Heather frowned, the name ringing a vague bell.


    After a moment''s thought, she handed the phone back to Michelle and whipped out her own to call their agent.


    The phone was picked up swiftly. When Heather dropped Zach''s name, the agent sounded surprised, "Sis, why are you asking about him?"


    Heather''s ears perked up, realizing the agent was familiar with the man. "Just curious. He''s a well-knownwyer?"


    There was a brief silence on the line before the agent replied, "Not just well- known. He''s legendary. Never lost a case. If you''re up against Attorney Zach in a legal battle, you better watch out."


    Heather was taken aback. "That good?"


    "Absolutely. A top dog in the legal field and advisor to numerous big-namepanies. What do you think?"


    The agent paused, then seemed to recall something and asked, "This has nothing


    to do with the whole Juztin sibling fiasco online, does it?"


    Heather instinctively responded, "Of course not. They have no ties to me."


    Relieved, the agent continued, "Good, because I was wondering how Juztin''s managed to keep such a tight lid on things all these years. No major scandals until now... Turns out they''ve got some high-profilewyer brother. Whoever kicked up this storm online really stepped in it, picking the wrong target..."


    As the agent rambled on, Heather''s attention drifted off.


    After hanging up, she looked dazed. Who would''ve guessed those siblings had such a powerhouse of awyer in the family? If only she had dug deeper when researching Summer''s background, instead of dismissing the Davis family as just another working-ss household. She should have checked the fine print on the Davis n.


    Noticing Heather''s troubled expression, Michelle ventured cautiously, "Cuz?"

 Chapter 660

    Heather snapped back to reality, her gaze suddenly sharp as she looked at Michelle. "When you spilled the gossip online, you made sure you covered your tracks, right?"


    Michelle shook her head, her voice steady. "Absolutely. I posted with a burner ount and bailed right after. Plus, it wasn''t even me who set it up; my assistant handled that."


    Reassured, Heather''s tense posture rxed a bit.


    "What''s up, cuz? Why the sudden third degree?" Michelle''s confidence wavered under Heather''s questioning.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Heather decided to share the unnerving news about Zach that her agent had mentioned.


    Listening, Michelle''s face drained of color. "Is thiswyer really that big of a deal?"


    "Maybe," Heather admitted, just as uncertain. Her expertise didn''t extend to legal battles, but the worry in her agent''s voice was enough to suggest this was a serious issue.


    Taking a deep breath, Heather saw the panic in Michelle''s eyes and gently patted her shoulder. "Don''t sweat it. It was just a burner ount; they shouldn''t be able to trace it back to you."


    Michelle looked at her cousin for a long moment before murmuring in a voice that tried to be reassuring.


    But then, her phone rang.


    Michelle nced at the caller ID and saw it was her assistant, L, calling. She quickly answered.


    "What? You said those burner ounts were clean, untraceable!" Michelle''s voice was sharp,ced with anxiety.


    Heather, who had been scrolling through her messages, looked up at her cousin''s words. After the call ended, she asked with furrowed brows, "They tracked the burner ount?"


    Michelle didn''t respond. Instead, her trembling hands unlocked her phone and pulled up Twitter.


    Twitter''s trending topics had shifted dramatically.


    The top story was a rification post from Johnny, in the name of Owen:


    "rifying the unsubstantiated rumors about Juztin''s sister."


    The second was "Actress Michelle and a certain news outlet called out by a prominent leader."


    The third was "Actress Michelle and a certain news outlet to face legal action from a renowned attorney."


    Michelle''s mind spun as she read the second and third tweets. She felt the world copse around her.


    One was a direct criticism from the city''s head honcho.


    The other, a razor-sharp message from a well-known attorney,plete with a preview of the legal notice, indicating that it would soon be on its way to her agency.


    In just a few minutes, her world had turned upside down.


    It was supposed to be an anonymous post, yet somehow they had tracked it back


    to her through her assistant''s IP address.


    All she had done was leak some personal info-nothing more.


    By now, Heather had skimmed over the hot topics on Twitter, feeling an unprecedented headache brewing, especially after seeing the post with the attached legal notice.


    Snapping out of it, Michelle grabbed Heather''s arm in desperation. "Cuz, what do I do now?"


    Pressing her temples, Heather exhaled sharply. "I don''t know. Don''t ask me; you''re the one who caused this mess."


    This was no longer a simple celebrity scandal. It was entangled with political figures far above their pay grade.


    Near tears, Michelle pleaded, "But you can''t just bail on me, Heather! You were all for it when I made the post..."


    Heather drew a long breath, pulling her arm away and cutting her off sharply. "That was because you swore up and down that country bumpkin had some shady business with Owen! And what was the result? They''re not even involved..."


    Shaking her head and chuckling bitterly, Heather couldn''t hide her disdain. "I can''t believe you''d buy into hearsay so easily, specting about just anybody."


    Michelle''s already pale face turned ghostly white.

 Chapter 661

    Michelle''s mouth hung open, and it took her forever to finally speak up, "I went to see Summer. She''s the one who told me there was something shady between Mirabe and Owen."


    Heather burst outughing, "Michelle, are you serious? Are you as dumb as a rock? Just because she said something was ''shady,'' you jumped to conclusions? Ever heard of the word ''misleading''?"


    "Ande on, even if Summer and Juztin aren''t real siblings, they''ve lived together for over a decade. If she''s willing to sell out her brother by leaking his music, do you really think she''s trustworthy?"


    Heather rubbed her temples in frustration, realizing that expecting sense from Michelle was a lost cause.


    Michelle fidgeted ufortably, her voice barely a whisper, "At first, I didn''t buy what Summer was saying either, but then those photos popped up online, and I started to believe."


    Who would have thought a few misleading photos could lead her into such a mess?


    Not to mention the legal nightmare Zach could unleash on her. Being publicly called out by a big shot on social media was like a career death sentence.


    The grim reality hit Michelle like a ton of bricks - she might never be on TV again. Drowning in regret, she felt utterly drained.


    **


    By the time they got back to the Davis house, it was well past nine at night.


    As soon as she stepped through the door, Mirabe reached out to Leo, who was walking beside her.


    Clearing his throat, Leo dutifully fished out Mirabe''s phone from his pocket and handed it to her.


    With the tide of public opinion turning online, there was no harm in her catching up on the drama.


    "Hey, you two are back," Zach said, having been waiting in the living room.


    Mirabe greeted him with a "Hey, Zach," then turned to say hi to her parents, who were sitting in the living room.


    Shawn and Delh were still in the dark about the online chaos, and after a brief chat with their daughter, they headed to their room for the night.


    The living room was then left to the three siblings.


    Mirabe snuggled into the couch and unlocked her phone, but instead of diving into Twitter, she opened Messenger.


    A bunch of messages awaited her, probably from friends who''d seen the Twitter storm, all expressing concern.


    Among them were messages from her homeroom teacher and Mr. Hammond. Mirabe replied to each one, her fingers flying over the screen.


    Zach watched his sister for a moment before bringing up the Twitter situation, "Mirabe, don''t worry about the person who leaked your info. I won''t let her off easy."


    He had aundry list of legal repercussions lined up, the kind that would ruin


    someone.


    Did they think his sister was an easy target without solid backup?


    Mirabe, sensing Zach''s fierce protectiveness, raised an eyebrow and simply asked, "Who was it?"


    "That girl from the live broadcast with you, what''s-her-name... Michelle. She''s the one who spilled your info online using an alias," Zach replied.


    Mirabe was a bit surprised, but recalling how the woman had eyed her all day, it wasn''t totally unexpected.


    "Well, she''s toast now," Leomented, his face indifferent.


    Truth be told, he hadn''t expected Michelle to be the backstabber. There was little interaction between them, aside from the asional put-down when she sought attention. The depth of her malice was unforeseen.


    Leo crossed his arms, a hint of confusion in his tone, "What I can''t figure out is how this woman got hold of your personal details."

 Chapter 662

    Her sister had always been a mystery, streaming online without ever showing her face. So, details about her school, where she had lived, or even her grades were almost impossible for anyone to uncover.


    On his way back from scrolling through Twitter, Leo couldn''t shake off this odd situation. Without some insider info, it seemed impossible for anyone to know such specifics.


    "I''m not too sure about all that," Zach started, ncing at his sister before continuing, "All I know is that someone leaked an IP address online. They traced it and found out those messages came from a phone registered to someone named Wu."


    Leo stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Does this mean she''s so popr that even hackers are looking out for her?"


    Zach nodded solemnly. "Yeah, if we hadn''t traced that IP, we wouldn''t have caught Mr. Wu."


    Mirabe, who had been addressed by her Chinese surname, twitched the corner of her mouth in annoyance. She didn''t join the conversation and continued replying to Vincent''s messages on Messenger.


    Vincent: [Hey, someone asked me yesterday if I knew anything about your situation. I think someone from our school must''ve spilled the beans.]


    Her fingers tapped swiftly on the screen, [Got it, thanks.]


    Vincent: [No problem, we''re all ssmates after all!]


    After closing the chat with Vincent, Mirabe pulled up Twitter and there it was-a tweet listing her personal details meticulously. Only someone who knew her well could have listed her past academic records so urately. The answer was ringly obvious.


    Just then, her phone vibrated.


    It was a call from the Little Lamb next door.


    Mirabe nced at Zach, who was deeply engrossed in a conversation with his little princess, and chose not to answer the phone. Instead, she stood up from the couch and said to them, "Zach, Leo, you guys should hit the hay. I''ve got school tomorrow."


    Zach wanted to offer some words offort to his sister, but seeing her yawn and look utterly exhausted, he softly replied, "Sure, get some rest too."


    Mirabe nodded and quickly went upstairs.


    Once Zach and the others hadpletely vanished to the second floor, Leo turned back to Zach, his gaze now carrying a serious weight. "I didn''t mention it in front of Mirabe, but that tweet about her and Owen might be the handiwork of the Gilberts."


    The Gilberts hadn''t really raised Mirabe, but she had carried their name for over a decade. It would surely be hard for her to swallow knowing that the people attempting to tarnish her reputation were her former foster parents.


    "The Gilberts?" Leo was taken aback.


    With a hint of sarcasm, Zach said, "Owen sent me a message not long ago. He said those photos online were taken by the Gilberts, and it was them who sent the pictures to the press."


    Leo frowned. "But why would they do that? Regardless of everything, Mira was once their foster daughter. It''s inhuman to ruin someone''s reputation like this."


    Zach shrugged, his tone tinged with irony. "It just goes to show that they''re not really human."


    After a moment of silence, Leo spoke up, "So, it''s likely that Mirabe''s information was also leaked by the Gilberts."


    "Yep," Zach nodded, his eyes sharpening. "I''ve been lenient because of


    Mirabe''s rtionship with Catherine, not pursuing the Gilberts'' mistreatment of her when she was young. But now... I''m starting to think that sometimes, principles don''t have to be followed to the letter."


    "Night then, see you tomorrow. I''m off to get some more work done."

 Chapter 663

    Leo watched as Zach prepped for what was clearly going to be a big deal. For some reason, a wave of sadness washed over him.


    Zach was awyer with a ton of connections and a massive social circle. Like today''s Twitter drama-he''d just jumped in, and with a snap of his fingers, he had the whole narrative under control.


    And then there was Leo... His sister got dragged into this mess because he brought her on that TV show, and now she was getting roasted by inte trolls. Even when he tried to clear things up with a blog post, it only made things worse for both of them.


    Compared to Zach''s skills... man, Leo felt pretty useless.


    He sat quietly for a while before asking, "Zach, is there anything I can do to help?"


    Zach, still deep in thought about how to boost the Gilbert family''s standing, barely registered the question. He waved his hand dismissively, "Nah, just keep doing your thing, being all carefree and happy."


    Leo: "..."


    *


    Upstairs, Mirabe walked into her room just as James hung up the phone.


    She immediately called him back.


    When the call connected, Mirabe pulled up a nearby chair and sat down. "You here to give me a pep talk too?"


    On the other end, James raised an eyebrow, "You''ve seen what''s going on online?"


    ¡°I skimmed through it,¡± Mirabe said, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. "Seems like everyone''s got an opinion about me this time around. They even hacked my Twitter ount."


    James was silent for a moment before replying, "As long as it''s not getting to you, that''s good."


    Mirabe blinked, "Do I look like someone who can''t take a bit of heat?"


    James chuckled, his voice smooth, his hair tousled and shirt cor loose, giving off a casual charm. "Not at all.¡± He paused, then added, "The online mess might be tied to your foster parents."


    "Yeah, I figured as much," Mirabe said coolly, her elegant face showing no hint of emotion.


    It waste, so they didn''t talk much longer. After a few more words, they hung up. The next day, when Mirabe walked into her ssroom, she immediately felt her ssmates'' stares-different from usual, but not hostile.


    It was study time, and just as she settled into her seat, a student in the front row turned around, eyes wide with excitement, "Queen Mira, are you really Juztin''s sister?"


    As the question hung in the air, everyone else turned to look at her, faces full of curiosity.


    "Country Comfort" was the hottest live show at the moment, and about eighty percent of the ss watched it. At least half were fans of Juztin and his sister. They had been trying to figure out the girl behind the mask for weeks, with no luck. And now, there she was, right in front of them¡ªif it hadn''t been for the online uproar, they might have graduated without finding out.


    Surrounded by all those curious eyes, Mirabe took a moment before saying calmly, "If you guys want my brother''s autograph, make a list, and I''ll bring them to you."


    Leo''s music wasn''t the mellow love tunes that were trending, but a unique blend of rock that was both uplifting and healing.


    His fan base was mostly young people, especially students. He was seen as the purest, most genuine idol by his fans.


    So, when Mirabe made her offer, the girls who had been bursting with questions suddenly squealed with excitement, "Oh my God, yes, please!"


    "Me too! I want one!"


    "And me..."

 Chapter 664

    Jenna noticed the fleetingplexity in Mirabe''s expression before giving her an approving thumbs-up.


    "Queen Mira, you never fail to amaze. Your finesse in this little game is on another level!"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, recalling the supportive messages from ssmates on Messenger after the Twitter drama yesterday. Seeing everyone in such high spirits, she decided to be generous for once. "If any of you have friends who want in, I can take up to three extra requests per person," she offered.


    A shy voice broke the silence, "Can I get an autographed photo, please?"


    Mirabe, who wasn''t into fan culture and had no clue what an ''autographed photo'' was, paused for a moment before nodding, "Sure."


    It''s just a signature, right?


    The student''s visible joy set off a chain reaction, turning a single request into a ss-wide demand for personalized autographs.


    Watching the students eagerlypile their lists, Jenna turned to Mirabe. "Queen Mira, do you even know what an ''autographed photo'' is?"


    "Not a clue," Mirabe replied,pletely unapologetic.


    Jenna chuckled, shaking her head, and then exined, "An ''autographed photo'' means the signature is personally addressed to the fan."


    While a in signature might be easy-many celebrities had teams to handle those¡ªpersonalized ones required the star''s own hand.


    With at least forty die-hard Juztin fans in the ss, and considering Mirabe''s generous offer to take extra requests, there were easily over a hundred autographs to sign. Someone was definitely in for a sore wrist.


    Jenna couldn''t help but sigh in admiration; she had underestimated Queen Mira. Mirabe was just as skilled at ensnaring her own ''brother'' as she was anyone else.


    Remembering the times she''d been bombarded with test papers and dragged into exams, Jenna suddenly felt a sense of bnce.


    Word about The Advanced ss''s autograph venture spread like wildfire, and students from other sses who were Leo fans turned green with envy.


    So, the morning break was dominated not by yesterday''s Twitter scandal but by the excitement over getting a hand-signed treasure.


    Summer overheard the chatter, keeping herposure while her eyes betrayed her mounting irritation.


    She had hoped that yesterday''s online fiasco, with Michelle stirring the pot, would finally ruin Mirabe''s reputation. Yet, nothing seemed to have changed.


    When Zach took to social media to staunchly defend Mirabe, Summer felt a moment of suffocation from sheer frustration. Even during her early days in showbiz, when scandals arose, he had never defended her as fiercely as he had Mirabe the day before.


    Now, hearing ssmates excitedly discuss Leo''s autograph, the resentment she had suppressed the night before began to grow wildly again.


    Before Mirabe''s return, Summer had forbidden even the mention of his name at school, let alone distributing his autographs.


    Why should Mirabe get to do this?


    Although she knew she shouldn''t dwell on this double standard, she couldn''t help herself.


    Summer flipped through her book, agitated, as her phone began to vibrate in her pocket. She didn''t want to check it, not even caring to see who it was.


    But after several minutes of incessant buzzing, she snatched it out, irritation evident in her movements.


    She''d stayed up toote, and the rest of her writing awaited her, unfinished-a silent testament to her inner turmoil.

 Chapter 665

    The call came from Bernardo.


    Summer slipped out of the ssroom and into a quieter part of the hallway before answering her phone.


    "Why didn''t you pick up after so many calls?" Her father''s voice was sharp and using.


    Already stressed, Summer snapped, "I was in ss. What''s so urgent?"


    "The Gilbert family is on the brink!" Bernardo''s voice boomed through the phone.


    The sudden outburst made Summer''s ears ring. She tightened her grip on the phone, trying to process the gravity of his words. "Dad, what did you just say? What''s happening to us?"


    "The Gilbert Corporation has been seized, and the banks have frozen all our assets..."


    Summer''s face went pale, and she stumbled against the nearby railing. Bernardo''s words kept echoing in her mind.


    The Gilbert Corporation had been seized.


    The Gilbert family was doomed.


    Panic washed over her as she interrupted, "But everything was fine yesterday. How could it all fall apart so quickly?"


    In her previous life, the Gilbert family faced bankruptcy, but that was supposed to happen yearster. Why was it happening now?


    "Ha! It''s all thanks to your precious brother. That Zach, the hotshotwyer. Why did you tell me those brothers of yours at the Davis family were just freeloaders?" Bernardo''s voice was sharp, his face contorted with anger.


    When he had gone to bring his biological daughter back to the Gilberts, he had noticed how Emmitt and Zach Davis were dressed like professionals. He had asked his daughter what the brothers did for a living.


    And what had she said at the time? That they were good-for-nothings, living off their parents, just putting on a show.


    Seeing their modest, rundown neighborhood and the old beat-up Santana they drove, he had believed her.


    And now, this Zach from the Davis family turned out to be a renowned acewyer!


    Bernardo wasn''t one for surfing the web, so he had no clue about the drama that unfolded online the previous night. He only realized the extent of the situation when he saw the legal notice at hispany''s legal department.


    Listening to her father''s tirade, Summer felt a knot in her stomach. When she was brought back to the Gilberts, she hadn''t experienced her rebirth yet. Whatever she had said back then, she couldn''t remember clearly now.


    She bit her lip, offering no excuses, and simply asked, "But why would he target the Gilbert Corporation?"


    Even if Michelle had revealed some information, it didn''t seem severe enough to target the entire corporation, did it?


    Bernardo rubbed his face, too weary to borate, "Just go beg Zach. Ask him to withdraw thewsuits from the partnerpanies against us."


    Summer''s heart tightened, and she blurted out, "He won''t see me."


    Theirst encounter over Leo''s matter had ended in aplete fallout, severing their ties. If he had any regard for their past sibling rtionship, today''s disaster would not have urred.


    Bernardo''s patience was wearing thin, "I don''t care how you do it, beg him or plead with your foster parents. The fate of the Gilberts rests with you. If he doesn''t back down, don''t bothering back."


    With that, Bernardo hung up, leaving Summer with a dead line and a heavy heart.

 Chapter 666

    Hearing the beep of the phone hanging up and the harsh words Bernardo had just thrown at her, Summer stood frozen, her face pale, her body feeling as heavy as lead. She couldn''t move.


    How could she possibly go see Zach now? She didn''t have the guts. Even if she did, she''d probably get kicked out before she even got through the door.


    Going back to her foster parents was a dead end, too. They''d moved away, and she had no clue where to find them. Calling them was likely pointless; they wouldn''t answer anyway.


    Tears welled up in Summer''s eyes, a wave of despair washing over her. The bell for thest ss of the morning rang, and she trudged back to the ssroom, feeling utterly lost.


    *InElsewhere at midday.


    "Here''s the acquisition proposal for The Insight Times that the VP just brought back," the assistant said respectfully, cing the contract on Emmitt''s desk.


    Emmitt was slouched in his chair, one hand massaging his forehead. His face was pale and he looked exhausted. After a moment, he lowered his hand and nced at the proposal on the desk.


    "Mr. Emmitt, are you alright?" the assistant asked with concern.


    Emmitt shook his head slightly, his voice hoarse, "I''m fine." He slowly picked up the acquisition proposal.


    "I''m a bit puzzled. Huachen is just a small news agency. Why the rush to acquire it? Plus, ourpany has never ventured into the entertainment and cultural sector," the assistant said.


    After a pause, Emmitt murmured as if to himself, "Maybe to make amends..." "Huh?" The assistant didn''t quite catch his words.


    Emmitt waved his hand dismissively, quickly stashing the contract in his drawer.


    The assistant, remembering something else, said, "Gilbert Corporation is under temporary seizure due to tax evasion and legal disputes. Summer is the heiress, should we not..."


    Emmitt cut him off sternly, "That rottenpany isn''t worth our money."


    The assistant''s mouth hung open, stunned.


    He had meant to say, ''Should we not lend a hand?''


    "Don''t bring up the Gilbert Corporation or any name from the Gilbert family again," Emmitt said coldly, including Summer in that directive.


    The assistant quickly understood.


    Although curious, he knew better than to pry into his boss''s personal affairs. So, with a soft acknowledgment, he didn''t press further.


    Just then, Emmitt''s cellphone on the desk rang.


    He nced at it with a flicker of annoyance and didn''t answer.


    The assistant, sensing his boss''s mood darken further, cautiously excused himself and quickly left the office.


    The wholepany had been under a cloudtely, and he was genuinely afraid of stepping on andmine.


    During lunch, the assistant made his way to the elevator, swiped his card, and headed downstairs.


    Back in the office, Emmitt''s phone rang several more times. He stayed put, not moving, his hands resting on the armrests, his eyes unfocused.


    Eventually, the caller must have given up, as the cellphone finally went silent. But not long after, thendline on his desk began to ring.


    It was the extension from the reception downstairs.

 Chapter 667

    **Downstairs.**


    "Mr. Hollings might be tied up right now."


    The receptionist held the phone to her ear, waiting until the unmistakable tone of an unanswered call before she reluctantly hung up and apologized to Summer, who was standing nearby.


    She recognized Summer, knowing her to be the boss''s sister. However, with no appointment andpany policy clear in her mind, she hadn''t dared to let her go


    up.


    Summer''s grip on her phone tightened. Even as she''d been dialing Emmitt''s number for the fifth or sixth time, with no response, she had anticipated this oue. Yet, she clung to a sliver of hope, asking the receptionist to try thendline just in case.


    Now... thatst thread of hope had snapped. Summer''sugh was tinged with self-mockery.


    She had thought Emmitt might show a shred ofpassion, but it was clear she had expected too much.


    She was just Summer, after all. No matter how close they had been before, she likely didn''t hold a candle to his own flesh and blood.


    Sensing Summer''s spirits gging, the receptionist was about to offer some words offort when she noticed the boss''s assistant stepping out of the elevator. She waved him over quickly.


    "Mr. Wang."


    Mr. Wang looked up, catching only a glimpse of Summer''s profile, not her face. He paused for a moment before approaching the desk. "What''s the issue?"


    It was only when he drew closer that he recognized Summer, and his expression shifted to one of surprise.


    He had just been discussing the Gilbert family upstairs, and now here she was... Mr. Wang was sharp, and considering the situation with Gilbert Corporation and the boss''s sudden change of mood in the office, he pieced together that the call must have been about the Gilberts.


    "Uh, Mr. Hollings''s sister is here to see him. Is he avable? I tried calling but there was no answer," the receptionist exined.


    Summer''s eyes, weary and dim, met Mr. Wang''s. Her paleplexion only added to her forlorn appearance.


    Mr. Wang felt an awkward twitch at his temple. He nodded to Summer before saying, "Mr. Hollings is at a business dinner, not in the office right now."


    The receptionist, puzzled, chimed in, "Um, I''ve been downstairs the whole time and didn''t see Mr. Hollings leave..."


    Mr. Wang cleared his throat, cutting her off. "You might have missed him; he''s definitely not in the office."


    "Right, maybe I was in the restroom and didn''t notice," the receptionist added, trying to reconcile the discrepancy.


    "Yeah." Mr. Wang looked back at Summer, maintaining a polite tone. "Ms. Summer, is there something you needed from Mr. Hollings? I can pass on a message."


    Summer''s lips twisted in a bitter smile. "No need."


    It was clear to her that the assistant was just making excuses to send her away.


    Without another word, she turned to leave, only to pause after a few steps. She looked back at Mr. Wang. "Tell Emmitt for me, ''To go to such lengths, to be so ruthless... I guess decades of brother-sister affection don''t amount to much.""


    Mr. Wang watched Summer''s retreating figure, his brow furrowing slightly. To go to such lengths? To be so ruthless?


    Weren''t those words a bit too harsh?


    After pondering, Mr. Wang decided to ry Summer''s message to Emmitt via Messenger.


    *


    Standing at the curb, Summer watched the cars passing by. For some reason, her mind was flooded with memories.


    The years spent with the Davis family seemed exceptionally vivid at that moment. Those memoriescked the careful tiptoeing life with the Gilberts demanded, the icy family ties of the Gilbert household. With the Davises, she might have been willful, but she was cherished by her parents and indulged by her older brother... Tears pricked Summer''s eyes as regret washed over her.


    But regret was useless now. From the moment she chose to return to the Gilberts, her current fate was sealed.


    The warmth of those bygone days would never return.


    "Meet me at 8 PM tonight."

 Chapter 668

    Summer didn''t bother going back to school that afternoon. Instead, she wandered around aimlessly before ending up back at the Gilbert family mansion.


    When she stepped inside, the ce looked like a tornado had blown through it. The whole house was in disarray, like it had been through a war zone.


    In the midst of the chaos, only Mandy was there, slumped on the sofa, looking nothing like her usual polished self. She didn''t even react when Summer walked in.


    Summer set her designer handbag down and nced at Mandy. She poured a ss of water and walked over, offering it to her. "Mom?"


    Mandy''s eyes were vacant, unfocused, until they slowly settled on Summer. With a feeble swipe, she knocked the ss out of Summer''s hand. "Why are you even here?"


    The ss shattered on the floor, the sound sharp and jarring, water and shards scattering everywhere.


    Summer''s eyes lowered, but she didn''t say a word. She bent down, picked up therger pieces of ss, and tossed them into the trash can.


    Seeing her daughter''s silence, Mandy''s frustration boiled over, though she restrained herself from a full-blown outburst. She stood up abruptly and pulled Summer to her feet. "Summer, did you go see Zach? Did you ask him for help?"


    Summer took a deep breath. "What happened, Mom? Why is he targeting Gilbert Corporation all of a sudden?"


    "It''s your dad''s fault. He had someone take photos of Mirabe and that official, then sent them to the press. Somehow, those photos ended up online... Who would''ve thought Zach wouldtch onto Gilbert Corporation and not let go?" Mandy''s voice quivered with anger by the end.


    As Mandy spoke, Summer pieced it all together. She had thoughtst night''s online drama was unrted to her family. Were those photos really leaked by her father?


    With Zach''s temperament, it was no wonder he went after Gilbert Corporation, especially with the city''s top official, Owen, involved...


    Summer rubbed her temples. "Dad must be out of his mind, releasing photos like that. No wonder Gilbert Corporation is in deep trouble!"


    "That''s why I''m telling you to plead with Zach. If he backs off, Gilbert Corporation might have a chance..." Mandy''s voice rose in desperation.


    Realizing her mother still didn''t grasp the full extent of the situation, or the


    seriousness of those photos, Summer shook her head in disbelief. "Mom, don''t be naive. It''s not Zach who wants Gilbert Corporation to fall; it''s the big shots from City Hall."


    Who would dare mess with the scandal of such a powerful figure? She couldn''t fathom what her father had been thinking.


    "Just some photos?" Mandy stammered, the reality finally sinking in. "And how could this involve City Hall... Dad said he sent them anonymously, how could they trace it back to the Gilbert family?"


    Summer''s smile was tinged with cynicism. "You think anonymous means untraceable? Those pictures involve the city''s top official. Do you really think someone in his position couldn''t find out if he wanted to?"


    Mandy hadn''t considered the reach of who they''d angered.


    "The top official?" Mandy froze, finally grasping the severity of the situation.


    She had assumed her husband''s photos were of some low-level bureaucrat.


    If they had indeed crossed the city''s most powerful man... then the sudden investigation and shutdown of Gilbert Corporation made all too much sense.


    Staggering back, Mandy copsed onto the sofa, her mind racing. Suddenly, she looked up at Summer with a glimmer of hope. "Then you have to go to Mirabe. Beg her. She''s close with Johnny, and if she speaks up, Gilbert Corporation might still have a shot."

 Chapter 669

    Summer just couldn''t take it anymore. Her voice rose in frustration, "Mom, snap out of it! There''s no use begging anyone now. We''ve messed with the wrong people at Gilbert Corporation. There''s no turning back!"


    Crossing someone like Zach might have left us a sliver of hope, but city hall? That''s like signing our own death warrant.


    Hearing this, Mandy felt a buzzing in her head, her face gradually losing color. No more chances? Did that mean Gilbert Corporation was truly done for?


    She lifted her gaze, slowly scanning the opulent vi that surrounded them. If Gilbert Corporation was finished, wouldn''t that drag the Gilbert family down with


    it?


    *


    Elsewhere.


    Emmitt chuckled ruefully after reading a message from his assistant. If it weren''t for the bond they had built over the past decade, would he have gone as far as arranging a takeover of that nderous news agency?


    Emmitt tilted his head back, his phone ringing again. He nced at the caller ID and swiftly answered, "Courtney..."


    "Emmitt, did you buy The Insight Times?" Zach''s brow arched in question.


    He had just dealt with the Gilbert Corporation mess and was about to move on to the news agency when he learned it had already been snatched up.


    His question caught Emmitt off guard. After a brief silence, Emmitt simply hummed in affirmation, then added after a moment''s thought, "We had someone approach us a while back about a risk acquisition for Huachen, just happened to coincide."


    Zach shook his head with a smile, not pushing the point. After a pause, he said, "By the way, about the Gilbert family, you..."


    "I''m not getting involved with the Gilbert family''s situation. You do what you think is best," Emmitt cut in firmly, making his stance clear. He didn''t mention Summer''s plea for help.


    Zach exhaled in relief. Even though Emmitt had distanced himself from Summer and realized his past mistakes, there was still the worry that Summer would y the sympathy card and he would soften. But now, it seemed he had worried needlessly.


    Changing the subject, Zach suggested, "How abouting home for a family dinner sometime?"


    Something crossed Emmitt''s mind, and he replied coolly, "Some other time, I''m a bit tied up right now."


    Zach knew he was trying to avoid awkwardness and tried to persuade him, but eventually, seeing Emmitt make excuses, he let it go. They chatted for a bit more, then hung up.


    After the call, Zach looked at his phone and deleted two missed call logs. Summer had tried to reach him, but he hadn''t answered. Everyone has to pay for their actions; before hurting others, they should''ve anticipated the consequences.


    School let out in the afternoon. Mirabe stepped out of the school gates and saw Collins waiting by the curb. She walked over to him.


    Collins had been sending messages on his phone but pocketed it as Mirabe approached, standing up straight, "Hey, sis."


    "Collins, been waiting long?" Mirabe nodded her greeting.


    He shook his head with a smile, "Just got here myself. Oh, by the way, Leo texted me. He''s wondering if you want to drop by his studio to listen to his new track. Plus, he''s got some throwback photo albums at his ce."


    Thinking of the stack of autographs in her bag, Mirabe hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.


    Seeing her response, Collins texted Leo back. Soon enough, they were in the car and on their way.

 Chapter 670

    Mirabe had been to Leo''s ce once before. As soon as she walked in and traded her shoes for a pair of cozy slippers, Collins led her straight to the recording studio, wasting no time.


    Leo was in the middle ofying down a vocal track when he spotted his sister through the ss. He immediately paused, slid off his headphones, and stepped out of the soundproof room.


    "Hey, sis, you made it," he greeted her with a warm smile.


    Mirabe acknowledged him with a nod. "All done with the recording?"


    "Just about nailed the final take," Leo replied, picking up a set of headphones from the windowsill. "Wanna listen to the raw vocals? Get a feel for the track."


    As he was cing the headphones over Mirabe''s ears, Collins, who had already grabbed another pair, was ready to plug in and join the listening session. However, Leo swiftly snatched the headphones right out of Collins'' hands.


    Collins raised an eyebrow, baffled. "What''s the big idea, Leo?"


    Leo didn''t bother with an exnation; instead, he nudged Collins toward the door and shut it with a firm clunk, nearly catching Collins'' nose in the process.


    "Seriously?" Collins muttered to himself, wondering what he''d done to deserve the cold shoulder.


    Back inside, Leo adjusted the headphone volume to afortable level before re- entering the studio and closing the door behind him. He nced nervously at his sister standing outside the ss, then put on the headphones himself.


    Taking a deep breath, Leo hit y.


    The backing track filled the room, sweeping him up into the melody. He didn''t need to nce at lyrics or sheet music; the beat came naturally.


    Mirabe, not exactly a music aficionado, was nheless captivated by the purity and soothing power of Leo''s voice. It was no wonder he had such a following.


    When the song ended, its echoes seemed to linger in the air.


    Leo emerged from the music, stepping out of the studio to face Mirabe, his face painted with hopeful expectation. "So, what do you think?"


    She removed the headphones and gave him a thumbs-up. "It''s awesome, really immersive. When''s the album dropping?"


    A little embarrassed by the praise, Leo coughed lightly. "Around the holidays. We''re nning a concert tounch the new songs."


    Mirabe made a quick mental note of the timeline, which was fast approaching.


    After Leo treated her to a few more tracks from his uing album, the siblings stepped out of the studio.


    They were greeted by a tune ying in the living room, where Collins sat on the sofa, arms crossed and eyes half-closed, seemingly lost in the music.


    Leo shot him a nce, scoffing at the performance.


    He walked over and turned off the stereo, prompting Collins to open his eyes and re at him. "I was listening to that."


    Leo''s refusal to share his new tracks was one thing, but now he couldn''t even enjoy some old tunes?


    "This is my house," Leo said tly.


    Collins shifted his position, leaning back against the sofa with one arm draped over it. He turned to Mirabe with a theatrical air of grievance. "Sis, don''t you think our little prince here is being childish?"


    Mirabe''s lips twitched in amusement. Although she inwardly agreed with Collins, she maintained a serious front and shook her head. "Not at all."


    Collins could only stare in disbelief.


    That wasn''t the response he''d expected.


    Leo chuckled. "You can leave now."


    Collins pretended not to hear, instead pointing to a box on the coffee table. "Sis, these are all the old headshots Leo used to sign for fans. Over a hundred and twenty of them. Is that enough for you?"


    "It should be," Mirabe nodded thoughtfully before turning to Leo. "How long will it take you to sign all these?"


    Leo shrugged, a yful glint in his eyes. "Guess you''ll just have to stick around and find out."

 Chapter 671

    Sister rarely asks for his autograph, and the fact that she''s doing it proactively for a ssmate suggests her friends must be a decent bunch. Leo remarked, "Should be able to knock it out in an hour. You can take them to your pals tomorrow."


    He was using his French moniker, which made the signing process a breeze.


    "That''s pretty quick," Mirabe said, fishing out a stack of autograph sheets from her bag and handing them to Leo.


    "This is..." Leo took the sheets, his cheeks twitching as he saw the names, "... for autographs?"


    "Yep." Mirabe nodded lightly, batting her eyshes and adding, "Leo, autographing won''t be an issue, right?"


    No issue with the signing, just with my hand cramping up... Leo took a deep breath, looked up at his sister with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "...no problem at all."


    She had reverted back to calling him Leo instead of ''little princess'', how could he possibly say no?


    Collins, standing to the side, couldn''t help but notice Leo''s strained smile.


    "How about I order some takeout and we eat here while you finish up? Then we can head home," Mirabe suggested, already tapping away at her phone.


    "Sure," Leo agreed, heading to the drawer to grab a pen and resignedly got down to business.


    A hundred or so wasn''t too many; he''d signed thousands at once before. But personalizing autographs was tricky, especially crafting messages for the fans.


    Coming up with something to say was the hard part. Generic fans were easy to please, but his sister''s ssmates would definitely need some extra attention.


    Collins watched Leo slumped over the coffee table, scribbling away, and just patted him on the shoulder, giving him a ''take care of your hand'' look before leaving the vi.


    Soon, only Mirabe and Leo were left in the vi.


    One wracking their brain over autographs, the other breezing through homework -a picture of domestic bliss.


    Around ten at night, Leo finally finished the mountain of autographs, his hand trembling as he put the pen down.


    He could hardly look a signature in the eye anymore.


    Mirabe had finished her homework long ago and was now engrossed in her phone. Seeing Leo wrap up, she put it away, got up, and sat cross-legged on the carpet next to him, massaging his arm.


    A few minutester, Leo flexed his wrist, feeling surprisingly refreshed, and turned to her, "Sis, you''ve got some serious massage skills."


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, "Obviously."


    Who else could it be with such finesse?


    She might have inadvertently worked the ''little princess'' hard, but she wouldn''t let him wear himself out.


    After all, family deserves special treatment.


    Leo nced at his watch, "It''s gettingte. Why don''t you just crash here tonight and I''ll drive you to school in the morning?"


    Leo''s ce was a fair distance from the Davis estate, a solid forty-minute drive.


    Mirabe pondered a moment and agreed, "Alright, I''ll text our parents; they''ve been waiting for us toe home."


    "Alright, I''ll text them now. You head on up and hit the sack; you''ve got school tomorrow. Your room is on the left, stocked with clean clothes."


    As he spoke, Leo shot a message to Shawn.


    Mirabe nodded her approval.


    So, just as Leo sent a message to Shawn saying ''Sis is staying over at mine tonight, won''t being home'', his phone buzzed immediately.


    That sound... even Mirabe, midway to the stairs, couldn''t help but pause in her tracks.

 Chapter 672

    The next day dawned, casting a warm glow over the neighborhood. As Mirabe made her way downstairs, Leo, already up and about, greeted her with a casual wave. "Morning, sis," he said, stifling a yawn.


    The breakfast table was covered with take-out boxes-a dead giveaway that the food was freshly bought. As Mirabe approached, she couldn''t help but stifle a chuckle at Leo''s bedraggled appearance. "Rough night?" she asked, eyeing the dark circles under his eyes and his wild, curly hair that made him look like a real- life panda.


    Leo slumped in his chair, looking like a shadow of himself, barely ncing at the breakfast spread. "Nightmares, all night long," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.


    It hadn''t been just any night. First, Shawn had called to ''check in'' for what felt like an eternity, and then Zach had decided to give him ate-night lecture on how ''kidnapping a minor is a criminal offense,'' droning on about legalities for what seemed like forever.


    Just when he thought he could finally get some rest, his dreams turned into a horror show of being chased or thrown in jail-a relentless cycle that made sleep impossible.


    Sensing his frustration, Mirabe offered some constion, "Maybe you can catch up on some sleepter today."


    Leo sighed and sprawled across the table.


    Mirabe took a bite of her sandwich and, after a moment''s thought, suggested, "You should use some of thatvender oil I have when you get back home tonight. It might help you rx."


    The mention of home perked Leo up. "Ah, I might not be heading back for a while. I''ve got to shoot a music video for the new album out of state."


    Go back home and face his dad''s wrath? Not a chance. Staying away was the safer bet.


    Mirabe just gave him a long, thoughtful look before lowering her head and quietly continuing with her breakfast.


    After they finished eating, Leo grabbed a box of autographed photos and drove her to school.


    The drive to school was smooth, with surprisingly light traffic. When they reached a red light, Leo casually rested his hand on the steering wheel and eased onto the brake.


    "So, Mirabe, got any ns for winter break?" he asked, turning to nce at her. Mirabe, leaning against the car window, her delicate features rxed, replied with little enthusiasm, "I''ll probably visit Grandma back home."


    "Back home?" Leo paused, "Like, Catherine''s ce?"


    "Mhm," Mirabe hummed in affirmation.


    As the light turned green, Leo resumed driving. "It''s good to visit. She must get lonely by herself," he said, trying to keep the conversation going.


    Mirabe''s eyes drifted to the view outside the window, her chin propped up by her hand, silent.


    Leo sped up a bit, not wanting to risk beingte. But as they left the highway and entered a busier district, he slowed down again. It wasn''t long before he sensed something was off with the car. The speed wasn''t dropping as it should, and the brakes felt rmingly unresponsive.


    His face turned pale, knowing a busy intersection was just ahead. With vehicles merging in from the left and a steady stream of traffic in front, if he couldn''t slow down, a major pile-up could ensue.


    Mirabe, quick to notice the tension, turned to Leo. "Is there a problem with the car?"


    Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Leo tried the brakes again, pushing the pedal to the floor and even pulling the emergency brake, but nothing worked. "The brakes... they''re not working," he said, his voice tinged with panic.


    They were descending a slope off the bridge, and even without pressing the gas, the car was picking up speed rmingly fast.


    Mirabe''s expression darkened as she lifted her gaze to the congested road ahead. To the right was the sidewalk, sparsely dotted with pedestrians.

 Chapter 673

    "sh the hazards and signal a right turn," Mirabe said, her eyes locked on the road ahead, her voice calm and unwavering.


    The moment Leo realized the brakes had failed, panic set in. But his sister''sposed instructions somehow steadied him, and he found himself following her lead without thinking.


    Traffic was heavy, and the car wasn''t slowing down. They were closing in on the vehicle in front of them dangerously fast.


    The drivers ahead seemed to sense something was wrong, honking their horns incessantly.


    "Sis... I''m so sorry, Mirabe," Leo stammered, his face pale, heart pounding in his chest. He was pressing the brake pedal with all his might, unsure of what else to do.


    If only he had taken Mirabe homest night, maybe they wouldn''t be in this


    mess now.


    But Mirabe didn''t seem to hear him. Her eyes were fixed outside the window until she spotted an empty stretch of sidewalk with a speed bump.


    "Now," she said, leaning over to grab the steering wheel and yanking it hard to the right. The car swerved, tires screeching on the pavement, and began to slow down.


    She wrenched the wheel right again, grinding the tires against the curb, repeating the maneuver several times. Their makeshift braking method was working. Finally, she twisted the wheel onest time. "Brace yourself."


    The car jumped the curb and crashed into a flowerbed,ing to a jarring stop.


    Despite the reduced speed, the sudden stop sent shockwaves through their bodies, and the windshield shattered from the impact.


    "Cough... cough..." Mirabe suppressed the difort in her chest and turned to check on Leo. He was slumped over the wheel. She straightened him up. Aside from a few minor head injuries, he seemed okay.


    She checked his pulse-it was steady. He had passed out from the shock but was otherwise unharmed, and she sighed in relief.


    Someone had already called 911, and within minutes, the police and an ambnce arrived.


    Leo was a celebrity, so before the paramedics arrived, Mirabe pulled a mask from his pocket and ced it on him, hiding his well-known face.


    After calling the school to excuse her absence, she apanied him to the hospital.


    Twenty minutester, Collins rushed into the hospital.


    Leo had just finished a full body check-up and was wheeled back to his room, still unconscious.


    Collins entered the room, his face etched with worry. "How are you two? Are you and your brother okay?"


    Mirabe sat in a chair, a white bandage wrapped around her hand from where the windshield shards had cut her. She tugged her sleeve over the bandage, her expression steady. "We''re fine. Nothing serious."


    Collins, relieved, gave Leo a closer look. Apart from the cut on his forehead, his limbs were intact, and he let out a heavy sigh. "Thank God. You had me scared to death."


    Despite Mirabe''s efforts to shield her brother, news of the ident had already spread online. The web was buzzing with headlines about Leo''s crash and hospitalization.


    On his way to the hospital, Collins had seen the photos taken by bystanders-the front of the car waspletely smashed, the scene horrific. It had nearly given him a heart attack.

 Chapter 674

    At that moment, the doctor walked in, handed a few medical reports to Mirabe, and with a few reassuring words, left the room as quickly as he had entered.


    Seeing this, Collins finally felt his heart settle. He pulled a chair closer and sat down, gesturing to Mirabe''s hand. "Sis, your hand, it''s not too bad, is it?"


    Mirabe pressed her lips together and shook her head dismissively. "It''s just a ss cut. It''ll heal in a few days."


    Collins thought for a moment and, while fishing out his phone, suggested, "Cuts can leave scars, you know. I''ve got a friend in the cosmetics industry. She has some top-notch scar cream. I''ll ask her to set aside a few boxes for you."


    "No need to trouble yourself, Collins," Mirabe declined politely.


    After all, she was a doctor herself. Mixing up a scar treatment cream was child''s y for her.


    When Collins saw that Mirabe genuinely didn''t need his help, he didn''t insist and put away his phone. His gaze then shifted to Leo, who was lying on the hospital bed, and he asked with a hint of confusion, "I thought your brother drove pretty safely. How on earth did he wind up in a crash?"


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes. "Brake failure."


    "Brake failure?" Collins furrowed his brow in concern. "But I remember that car of his was always well-maintained and regrly serviced. It shouldn''t have any issues with brake failure."


    It had only been a few months since thest check-up, and Leo usually got chauffeured in thepany car. His own vehicle was mostly just sitting in the garage, only taken out for a spin on asion.


    "Collins, you should find a reliable mechanic to check out the brakes," Mirabe suggested casually, crossing her legs and shifting in her seat.


    Collins'' eyes widened as he looked at Mirabe. "You suspect sabotage?"


    Mirabe''s gaze dropped to the floor, her eyes cool and calcting. After a moment, she responded with a nonchnt hum.


    Ordinary brake failures usually allowed for some give, a chance to pump and slow down the vehicle. And she had checked Leo''s car''s performance; the chances of such a malfunction were incredibly slim.


    Especially since the emergency brake had failed as well, there was definitely something fishy going on.


    Suddenly, Collins remembered the previous incident when Leo had been poisoned. He had been investigating that case for a while, but because it had happened so long ago, he hadn''t found any leads.


    Now, with the brake failure, it seemed likely that the two incidents were connected.


    The poisoner must have seen that Leo was well again and decided to target the car this time.


    An ident and poisoning both aimed for the same end: a silent and deadly strike.


    The more Collins thought about it, the more a chill ran down his spine. He had seen his fair share of dirty tricks in the entertainment industry, but this was the first time he had encountered something so lethal.


    Heposed himself and said firmly, "I''ll get someone to tow the car right away." Mirabe simply nodded.


    Collins nced once more at Leo, resting on the hospital bed, and then said, "I''ve got to deal with the media frenzy online. I''ll leave you to it here..."


    Understanding, Mirabe raised her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Go ahead, Collins. Do what you need to do."


    "Alright, let me know when Leo wakes up. Just shoot me a text. With all the gossip and spection, I''m concerned the press might descend on the hospital," Collins said with a grave expression.


    Shortly after, he hurried out of the room.


    Mirabe''s phone began to ring from her pocket.


    She took it out and answered swiftly.


    "Are you and your brother... alright?" James''s voice came through, his gaze fixed


    on a series of photos on hisputer screen.


    The images were of the crash site, taken from a bystander''s perspective, showing the car''s front end crumpled and distorted from the impact.

 Chapter 675

    Mirabe had just stepped out of the hospital room, leaningzily against the corridor wall. "I''m fine, just a scratch," she said, brushing off the concern she''d seen in everyone else''s eyes.


    James''s furrowed brow rxed a bit at the sound of her steady voice. "What exactly happened this morning?" he asked.


    Mirabe, always patient, recounted the brake failure in simple terms. As soon as she finished, James''s voice came through the phone, tinged with suspicion. "Sounds like sabotage to me."


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling, her bright eyes catching the fluorescent light. "I think so too," she replied, her voice calm and collected.


    James, squinting thoughtfully, added, "Wyatt knows cars inside out. I''ll have him take a look."


    Mirabe thought for a moment before agreeing. "Sure, that would be great. Thanks."


    It wasn''t that she doubted the people Collins had found, but when it came to technical expertise, her neighbor was the best.


    "No problem," James replied, his clear voice hiding a flicker of concern in his eyes.


    As Mirabe lifted her gaze, she spotted Shawn Delh hurrying down the hallway toward her. She quickly told James she had to go and hung up the phone.


    Just before the line went dead, James thought he heard the word ''daughter'' on the other end. He rubbed the edge of his phone thoughtfully before pocketing it and turning to Wyatt.


    Wyatt, always quick on the uptake, got up from the couch with a sense of urgency. "I''ll check out the car now."


    James gave a brief nod of approval, then paused before adding, "And while you''re at it, look into Leo''s social circle."


    Wyatt nodded seriously, understanding the importance. After all, this was about looking out for a potential future family member.


    James gave him another look, and Wyatt, touching his nose self-consciously, quickly left.


    In the living room, Curtis had already pulled up the video footage of the ident site. He signaled James toe over and watch.


    After viewing the entire clip, Curtis was amazed. "Navigating a downhill section like that without hitting a single car or pedestrian... The driver calcted the safety distance with precision. The way they slowed down the vehicle speaks volumes about their driving skills and agility."


    James watched the grainy surveince footage, equally surprised by the driver''s abilities.


    "Ms. Mirabe''s Leo must be quite the driver," Curtis remarked, impressed. "To stay calm in such a critical moment and avoid a major ident like that."


    The cameras had captured the event, but the detailed maneuvers of the driver were lost in the low resolution.


    Curtis had assumed it was Leo at the wheel.


    "Indeed," James said, crossing his arms and pondering for a moment before changing the subject. "What should I bring as a get-well gift?"


    Curtis, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic, took a moment to respond. "A get-well gift? Are you nning to visit Ms. Mirabe at the hospital?" James nodded casually.


    Scratching his head, Curtis shut down hisputer and stood up. "I''ll get the gift ready."


    "Twenty minutes?" James arched an eyebrow challengingly.


    Curtis paused, then nodded. Twenty minutes should be enough to sort out a suitable gift.


    With a wave of his hand, James signaled Curtis to get moving.


    Curtis picked up the pace, determined not to disappoint. The task wasn''t just


    about picking a gift; it was about showing care and thoughtfulness-qualities that often got lost in the rush of daily life.

 Chapter 676

    At the hospital.


    Delh and Shawn were on the brink of losing it when they got the news about their kids'' car ident. Even though they were told everything was fine, they were still a nervous wreck on the way over.


    Seeing her daughter safe and sound in front of her, Delh''s eyes welled up, and she pulled her into a tight hug. "You scared me half to death."


    Mirabe, not really used to such a bear hug, stood there stiffly, her hands awkwardly raised. After a moment, she finally ced them on Delh''s back and gave a few pats.


    Shawn, who was also shaken up, still looked pale as he noticed his daughter''s right hand wrapped in a bandage. "Mira, is your hand badly hurt?"


    Hearing this, Delh quickly let go of her tight embrace to check out her daughter''s injury.


    Mirabe saw the worry in her mom, dad, and Nick, who was standing beside her. She shook her head, "It''s nothing, just a few scratches from ss shards. It''ll heal soon."


    Delh sniffled, her eyes full of tenderness. Her daughter was so thoughtful, ying down her injury to keep them from worrying.


    Patients and staff asionally strolled down the corridor. Clearing her throat, Mirabe pushed open the door to the hospital room. "Let''s go inside and talk."


    It was then that Delh and Shawn remembered their son, and they quickly entered the room.


    Following behind, Nick caught Mirabe''s arm just before entering, his voice low with concern. "Mirabe... I saw the pictures online, it looked pretty bad."


    Mirabe paused, meeting Nick''s anxious gaze with a serious response. "I''m really okay, I managed to avoid anything life-threatening."


    Nick studied her for a moment before finally letting go of her arm. "Okay." Together, they walked into the room.


    Leo was slowly waking up, and the first thing he saw was his dad''s face close up.


    He blinked, confused for a second, then remembered the night before. Instant rity hit him, and he blurted out, "Dad... I swear, I''ll never take a risk like that again."


    Shawn: "..."


    Delh, puzzled, looked at her youngest son. "Leo, did you... hit your head or something?" She gestured towards his head.


    Leo tugged at the corner of his mouth as the memory of the ident shed before him. He sat up quickly, his expression changing to panic. "Where''s my sister?"


    "She''s fine." Delh sat down beside the bed, pointing to Mirabe who had just walked in, her face now free of worry.


    Relief washed over Leo as he spotted his unharmed sister. The moment the car had crashed toward the flower bed, he thought they were goners. Thank heavens, they were both okay.


    His relief soon morphed into guilt and fear. Rubbing his face, he muttered, "It''s my fault. I didn''t notice the malfunction, and if it weren''t for my sister''s quick thinking to control the car... I would''ve been responsible for a tragedy."


    Delh and Shawn exchanged a look of surprise.


    Leo went on to recount the incident, how his sister had acted, and the entire self- rescue process that had kept them safe.


    His parents'' hearts soared and fell with his tale.


    "In the end, if it hadn''t been for my sister, I might not be here today." Leo clenched


    his fists, grateful for his sister''s presence and simultaneously racked with guilt for almost putting her in mortal danger.


    Aplex and contradictory flood of emotions overwhelmed him, and it was hard to bear.

 Chapter 677

    Delh watched her youngest son beat himself up with guilt. Her heart hurt for him, but what she felt even more was relief.


    What if their darling daughter hadn''t been there today? Could she have faced losing Leo?


    With that heavy thought, she took a deep breath, patted Leo gently on the back, and whispered, "Mira''s our lucky star."


    Leo nced at Delh, then dropped his gaze. "Lucky star" didn''t even begin to cover it. Mira was the best sister in the world.


    Shawn, who had been sitting quietly, looked over at Leo and asked, "How did the brakes just give out like that? Didn''t the warning system go off?"


    Leaning back against the headboard, Leo straightened up and shook his head. "Nothing. No warning at all, and the emergency brake didn''t do a thing."


    Shawn squinted, gears turning in his mind. Brakes don''t just fail for no reason; this ident was looking less like an ident by the minute.


    Was someone trying to hurt Leo?


    Nick, who had been absorbing Leo''s story without catching his dad''s worried look, turned to Mirabe in surprise, ¡°Sis, you can drive?"


    Though he hadn''t seen the crash, the way Leo described it painted a pretty clear picture. It would take some serious driving skills to pull off that kind of save.


    But wasn''t Mirabe still under eighteen? How could she have such advanced driving skills?


    Nick tilted his head, eyeing her curiously.


    Mirabe was sitting next to him by the window, her hand resting on the sill. Meeting Nick''s gaze without blinking, she said, "...a little bit, I guess."


    Nick''s feelings were all over the ce. A little bit of skill was all it took to turn a massive crash into a narrow escape?


    "The principle of friction and deceleration is actually in our textbooks. Just happened to apply it today, and it worked out pretty well," Mirabe added casually, as if that exined everything.


    Worked out pretty well? Nick stared at her, thinking, Is that really the takeaway here?


    Mirabe cleared her throat and turned away, just as her phone buzzed with a message from James. She pulled it out, nced at the message, and felt a twinge of annoyance. After a quick look around at Shawn, Delh, and her two brothers


    in the hospital room, she typed out a reply and pocketed her phone.


    Standing up, Mirabe said, "I''m heading to the restroom for a sec."


    Everyone except Nick seemed to take her at her word, not suspecting a thing.


    Watching Mirabe''s retreating figure, Nick''s expression was thoughtful.


    *


    As soon as she stepped out and saw James waiting, Mirabe felt like she''d walked into a trap. Quickly, she shut the hospital room door behind her.


    James looked slightly confused.


    Mirabe touched her nose and, ying the good Samaritan for once, said, "It''s crowded in there, not really convenient."


    James''s gaze followed her movements,nding on her bandaged hand. His brow furrowed slightly, "You hurt your hand?"


    "Oh, it''s just a scratch. It''ll be fine in a few days," Mirabe said casually, waving off his concern.


    James''s eyes darkened with rare seriousness. "I have an ointment that''s great for injuries. I''ll bring you some when we get back."


    Mirabe was about to refuse, but looking into his earnest eyes, the words turned into, "Sure, that''d be great."


    Seeing her agreement, James''s expression rxed a bit.


    Just then, the hospital room door behind Mirabe swung open again.

 Chapter 678

    The sound of the door creaking open behind her made Mirabe''s hand fly to her forehead in an instinctive gesture of exasperation.


    "Mirabe, who''s this?"


    The neer was Nick, his lean face glowing with a gentle warmth, his striking ck-and-white eyes immediately locking onto James.


    Mirabe sighed inwardly, letting her hand fall as she turned to make introductions with an air of nonchnce, "My friend, James... and my Nick, Nick."


    James, holding a gift, had an undeniable aura of aristocracy about him. Even as he tried to appear casual, his inherent nobility was hard to miss. He gave a slight nod to Nick, "Mr. Davis."


    Nick and James exchanged a brief, polite nod before Nick, ever courteous, responded, "Nice to meet you."


    With her hands sped behind her back, Mirabe''s fingers fidgeted aimlessly. She nced at Nick, sensing a peculiar tension in his gaze, or maybe it was just her imagination.


    Nick stood by the doorway, the door ajar, and although their conversation was in hushed tones, it caught the attention of Shawn and the others in the hospital room.


    Shawn, curious about the visitor, made his way to the door and upon seeing James, paused in surprise.


    Noticing Shawn''s reaction, Mirabe patiently introduced James again, this time as the neighbor next door.


    Upon hearing thest name Min, Shawn seemed taken aback, and even more so when Mirabe mentioned the neighborly connection. "You''re the tutor Mira''s been raving about!"


    The ''tutor'' line made James raise an eyebrow, and Mirabe had to cough slightly to cover her awkwardness.


    Looks like the tutor story was too deep-rooted now to change.


    James straightened up, "Yes, Uncle Shawn, how are you?"


    "Ah, very well, thank you... I appreciate the time you''ve taken to help my daughter, not to mention those exquisite boxes of gourmet coffee you sent," Shawn said gratefully.


    James''s expression froze for a split second before he smiled politely, "It''s nothing, I''m d you liked them."


    Noticing James still holding the gift, Shawn quickly invited him into the room, momentarily forgetting his daughter.


    Leaning against the doorframe, Mirabe pinched the bridge of her nose, noticing Nick hadn''t followed her in. She tilted her head to look at him.


    "Weren''t you heading to the restroom?" Nick remarked.


    Mirabe stood up straight, feigning indifference as she shook her head,


    "Suddenly, it''s not so urgent."


    With that, she turned and walked back into the room.


    Nick lifted his gaze, a smirk ying at the corners of his lips as he shook his head.


    *


    Inside the room, James ced his gift on the table and exchanged pleasantries with Leo before Shawn ushered him aside for a chat.


    Once they were seated, Shawn eyed James, considering his distinguished surname and finding his face somewhat familiar. After a moment of contemtion, he ventured a guess, "Might I inquire if Mr. Donald Shepherd is rted to you?" James''s features were crisp as he affirmed, "He''s my grandfather."


    A look of realization dawned on Shawn; a member of the Shepherd family, no wonder he could afford such fine coffee.


    But wasn''t this very man the current head of the Shepherd family? How could he possibly know Mira, and be tutoring her no less?


    "Last time my grandfather visited, I''m afraid he caused you some trouble," James added with a tinge of apology.


    Shawn, snapping back to the present, waved off the concern politely, "Not at all..." He paused, then decided to voice his curiosity, "If you don''t mind me asking, how did youe to know my daughter?"


    James seemed to have anticipated the question and answered with deliberate ease, "I''ve been recuperating in the countryside for a while and happened to meet her there."

 Chapter 679

    Mirabe poured two sses of water and set them on the table, shooting a nce at her father. "Dad, you''re prying too much."


    Shawn was about to take a sip when her words stopped him. A nagging suspicion crept into his mind-was his daughter siding with James?


    Narrowing his eyes, he looked at James, sensing something different in his gaze.


    James, with eyes as deep as the night sky, cleared his throat. "Uncle Shawn, I heard from Grandpa that you love vintage art. There''s an antique art exhibit at Evergreen Gallery in a few days. A friend of mine gave me an invite. I''ll be happy to pass it along to you."


    Shawn''s face lit up with surprise. "James, you got an invite?"


    He had beenmenting his inability to get an invitation to the exhibit, having learned that the organizers had already given them all out. He had been quite upset about it for some time.


    After all, the exhibit was showcasing masterpieces from the Tang to the Qing Dynasty. Missing out on it meant waiting who knows how long for the next opportunity.


    And now, James had an invitation in hand!


    James nodded, his smile gentle and warm.


    Shawn, trying to contain his joy, coughed a little. "Well... how could I possibly ept such a kind offer? But thank you, I really appreciate it."


    "No need for such formality," James replied politely.


    With that, Shawn''s mood improved considerably, and he looked at James with newfound warmth.


    Mirabe, who had been silent, nced at James with aplex expression. Was this nned all along?


    Before long, James politely declined Shawn''s invitation to dinner and soon got up to leave.


    Shawn also stood and turned to his daughter, who was absorbed in her phone. "Mira, why don''t you walk James out?"


    Caught off guard, Mirabe paused and was about to get up when Nick, sitting nearby, chimed in, "I''ll go."


    Nick nced at Mirabe. "Mirabe just had quite the scare today. Let her rest."


    His voice was crisp, revealing no underlying sentiment.


    After that, Nick nodded to James like a true gentleman.


    James, with a slight tightening of his gaze, went along with the suggestion and simply replied, "Alright."


    Soon, the two of them left the hospital room one after the other.


    Mirabe watched them go and blinked, suddenly sensing a familiar strategy emanating from Nick.


    They exited the hospital room and rode the elevator down in silence.


    It wasn''t until they stepped out of the hospital building that Nick halted and turned


    to face James squarely, his eyes cold and sharp. Hisplexion was unusually pale, his dark eyebrows adding to his imposing aura, which suddenly grew intense. "My sister isn''t from your world," he said sharply.


    James faced Nick, his expression unchanging, his ck coat making him appear even more refined. "I beg to differ," he said calmly.


    Nick pressed his lips together, his voice growing even icier. "Others may fear the Shepherd family, but the Davis family does not."


    James, with his delicate features, hummed nomittally, as if he knew it all along.


    The two locked eyes for a tense few seconds, an invisible sh of wills, until Nick looked away first. Without another word, he turned and walked back into the hospital.


    James raised an eyebrow subtly. Nick Davis... now there was an interesting character.


    And the story continues...

 Chapter 680

    James stepped out of the hospital, the brisk air hitting his face. Curtis had already pulled the car around from the parking lot. As James slid into the passenger seat, Curtis nced over, starting the engine. ¡°Ms. Mirabe and her brother¡ªare they okay?" he asked casually.


    James hummed in acknowledgment, still lost in thought. After a few moments, he turned to Curtis. "Oh, right. The invitation for the Evergreen Gallery. Can you prepare one for me?"


    "Sure thing... Is this for Ms. Mirabe''s dad?" Curtis asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.


    He remembered how, before Donald had left, he''d often briefed James on the preferences of Ms. Mirabe''s father.


    "Yeah," James replied, his gaze drifting out the window, his voice distant.


    After all, the Shepherd family ran the Evergreen Gallery; sending out an invitation was just a minor favor.


    Curtis scratched his nose, hiding his thoughts. James was definitely moving up in the world.


    Clearing his throat, Curtis shifted gears. "Got a message from the Aussie Alliance. They need you to head to the branch to reprocess your undergroundwork membership. Only then will the Ashford territory be officially ours."


    James''s eyes narrowed. "When''s the deadline?"


    "By the end of the month, at thetest," Curtis replied steadily.


    "Got it."


    Today was already the twenty-third; not much time left.


    Curtis drove in silence for a few minutes, then spoke up, more serious now. "To be


    safe, I think we need to think this through a bit more."


    "We''ll see," James said, closing his eyes, his voice rxed.


    Curtis nced at him in the rearview mirror but chose to stay quiet.


    The news of Leo''s car ident was blowing up online.


    Being a top-tier celebrity, the concern was astronomical. Fans flooded his Twitter with messages, and when they got no response, many headed over to Zach and Mirabe''s ounts to ask for updates.


    But that was just the start. Some fans even camped out in front of Leo''s talent agency, desperate for any news about their idol.


    After hearing Mirabe''s suspicions, Collins had the car inspected immediately. When it was confirmed that the brakes had been tampered with, he realized the gravity of the situation and decided not to disclose the specifics of Leo''s injuries.


    He had no idea who was behind it. The goal had clearly been to take Leo out, and since the attempt had failed, the perpetrator would likely go into hiding. Tracking them downter would be tough.


    So Collins had been swamped at the office for two days straight, dealing with questions from the higher-ups and keeping an eye on online chatter and relentless media hounding.


    In his office, Collins had just hung up from a call with a brand rep, barely catching his breath when his assistant rushed in. "Collins, we''ve got a problem."


    Collins rubbed his temples, feeling a headacheing on. "What now?"


    "Someone''s spreading rumors online, iming Juztin is on drugs, and that''s why the ident happened," the assistant reported, showing Collins the messages on his phone.


    Collins didn''t even want to look. "That''s absolute nonsense. Get PR on it."


    "I already did, but there are so many trolls stirring things up. Since we''re not releasing any details about Juztin, a lot of fans are starting to believe the rumors," the assistant added quickly.


    The assistant had rushed in so fast that the office door was left ajar. Collins was about to respond when he noticed someone standing at the doorway. His brow furrowed at the sight.

 Chapter 681

    The assistant followed Collins'' line of sight and instantly mped her mouth shut when she saw Vicky.


    Vicky and Collins were always at odds, even though they both held the prestigious title of top agent. However, none of Vicky''s clients had reached the superstar level of someone like Leo. That was the ring difference between the two of them.


    Standing in the doorway with her arms crossed, Vicky wore a barely concealed look of schadenfreude. After a moment, she sauntered in, made her way to Collins'' desk, and perched on its edge, flicking her fingers nonchntly before cocking her head at him. "Busy with something, Collins?"


    Collins spun around in his chair, his face a mask of irritation. "None of your damn business."


    He had definitely noticed Vicky''s smug demeanor around the office these past few days. Ever since the news of Leo''s car ident broke, she hadn''t bothered to hide her glee. Actually, she always wore that same smug expression whenever Leo had any trouble. It was downright nauseating.


    Seeing Collins'' expression darken only brightened Vicky''s mood. She smirked, dropping the pretense. "Such a temper. Anyone would think your precious Juztin is... seriously incapacitated."


    Collins gave her a cold once-over, choosing not to engage.


    Vicky''s eyes darted slyly as she shifted further onto the desk, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "I see lots of spection online about whether Juztin was... high, which might have caused the ident. Makes you wonder if there''s any truth to


    it."


    "You seem pretty thrilled about Juztin''s mishap," Collins said with a sardonic smile, not hiding his suspicion. In fact, Vicky was the first person he suspected after Leo''s ident. So, he had already sent someone to dig into Vicky''s recent activities, awaiting the results.


    "Now, Collins, that sounds almost nderous. We''re from the same agency, and Juztin represents ourpany''s image. I''m heartbroken for him," Vicky murmured softly.


    Collins let out a scoff. "Save it."


    "By the way, how is Juztin really doing? We''re all colleagues here. No need to be so secretive, right?" Vicky didn''t take her eyes off Collins as she spoke.


    "Noment." Collins looked away, as if unwilling to let Vicky catch a glimpse of his true feelings.


    Seeing this, Vicky heaved a sigh. "Alright then. I was going to ask if you needed any help, but you don''t seem to want it."


    Collins'' phone on the desk began to vibrate - someone was calling. Vicky sneakily nced at the screen, but before she could make out the caller ID, Collins had already snatched up the phone, a slight tug at the corner of his mouth.


    "If there''s nothing else, I''d appreciate it if you''d leave," said Collins, not picking up the call but dismissing Vicky coldly.


    With a shrug, Vicky''s feet hit the floor, and she leisurely straightened her jacket before throwing Collins onest look and exiting the office.


    The assistant hurried to the door and softly clicked it shut.


    Collins waved her off. "You go on out too."


    Nodding, the assistant departed.


    Once alone, Collins finally answered the call. It was from the private detective he had hired.


    "...Alright, we''ll discuss it in person."


    The conversation was brief, and Collins hung up swiftly. Judging by his tone, he had stumbled onto something. He mulled it over for a moment, then pulled open a drawer, grabbed his car keys, snatched his jacket from the chair, and strode out of the office.

 Chapter 682

    Collins stepped out of his office, heading towards the elevator when he bumped into the former members of Neon Paradox, just as they were getting out.


    "Hey, Collins, how''s the captain holding up?" one of them asked, breaking the silence.


    "Yeah, I saw the pics online. That car''s a total wreck. Is he badly hurt?" another chimed in.


    Jay stood a bit behind, not saying a word, just listening. The news of Leo''s car ident was a bitter pill to swallow. Deep down, Jay always knew his talent matched Leo''s, but it was Leo who always stole the spotlight.


    To the fans, Leo was the only star; the rest of them were just background noise. Even with endorsements, it was only if Leo turned something down that the leftovers would trickle down to the other members. Jay had long grown tired of


    these scraps.


    But now, it seemed even the universe had had enough, sending this car crash as some sort of reckoning.


    A sly smirk briefly flickered across Jay''s face.


    In a hurry to leave, Collins barely noticed Jay. Forced to address the concern of the others, he mustered a weak smile, "Thanks for asking, guys. Once Juztin''s... situation stabilizes, I''ll have him send you all a message."


    Their first thought upon hearing Collins''s vague response was that Leo must be in bad shape. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have used the term "stabilizes."


    ncing at his watch, Collins saw the elevator was still on their floor. He pushed the button, gave a slight nod, and said, "Sorry, gotta run. Catch you allter."


    He stepped into the elevator, and the doors closed.


    Once the elevator descended, the remaining members exchanged worried nces.


    "From the way Collins spoke, it sounds like the captain''s in pretty bad shape."


    "If it weren''t serious, wouldn''t we have heard something by now? Man, how could this even happen?"


    "Suddenly, all those rumors online... you don''t think they could be true, do you?" "Come on, we know Leo better than that. Why would you even go there?"


    They continued their conversation as they walked away, faces full of concern. It was then someone noticed Jay still standing by the elevator and called out, "Hey, Jay, youing?"


    Jay snapped back to reality, looked at them, cleared his throat, and quickly caught up, keeping his thoughts to himself. Everyone knew about the tension between him and Leo, and saying too much now would just make him seem fake.


    A short whileter, Jay entered his agent''s office.


    Vicky was on the phone but ended the call when he saw Jay, pocketing his cell. "You''re here."


    "Mhm," Jay murmured. "Ran into Collins by the elevator. He looked like he was in a hurry. Wonder what''s up."


    Vicky''s lips tightened at the mention of Juztin. "Seems like only Juztin''s drama could make him bolt like that."


    Jay lowered his gaze and checked his phone again. "There''s a lot of dirt being thrown around online about him. Vicky, should we do something about it?"


    Vicky nced at Jay, reading his intent clear as day, and shook his head. "Let Collins deal with that mess. We don''t need to be adding fuel to the fire."

 Chapter 683

    Since thest scandal where his music was used of being a rip-off, Jay had been walking on eggshells around Vicky, afraid to lose his favor. Nowadays, he was aspliant as amb.


    "I get it, Ryan," Jay nodded, pausing before adding, "Oh, and I heard from Collins that Juztin''s condition isn''t stable yet. Looks like the car crash did a real number on him."


    Vicky settled into his chair, his face a mix of worry and contemtion. "I''ve had people sniffing around for info, but no luck. Nothing concrete."


    Jay''s eyebrows twitched with intrigue. "Exactly. If it were just a scratch, why the big secret? Why shroud the whole thing in mystery?"


    "Maybe," Vicky murmured, idly spinning his phone between his fingers.


    Jay shot him a nce. "But one thing''s odd. You''d expect a major car wreck like that to involve more vehicles, right? Howe it was just him?"


    That got Vicky''s attention. It was indeed strange; on a busy street, a solo ident seemed out of ce.


    "It''s definitely odd," Vicky mused, stroking his chin before eyeing Jay sidelong. "Why the sudden interest in all this?"


    Jay''s gaze narrowed slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Just seems bizarre to me."


    Vicky didn''t dwell on it, stretching his neck with a casual shrug. "Regardless, if Juztin''s taken a hit, maybe it''s your chance to shine."


    At that, Jay felt a flutter of excitement but masked it with a look of concern. "But after the mess I got into a while back..."


    Vicky cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Come on, you think it''s hard to clean up a rep in showbiz? And do you really think you''re second to Juztin?"


    "Of course not," Jay responded almost reflexively.


    Leo might have the pretty face, but when it came to vocal range and creative talent, Jay was confident he didn''t fall short.


    Vicky had a soft spot for ambitious artists. He knew that without ambition, you''d get chewed up and spat out by the industry. So, despite Jay''s recent fiasco, Vicky hadn''t given up on him.


    "Just focus on your music; your day wille," he said, his tone cryptic.


    Jay clenched his fist, feeling hope reignite within him.


    **


    Meanwhile, Collins drove to meet with his detective contact, a guy he''d worked with several times. When they met, there was no need for pleasantries.


    "You''re telling me Vicky hasn''t done anything unusualtely?" Collins asked, skeptical as he eyed his friend.


    "Yeah, he''s a suspect, but from a professional standpoint, the ident seems unrted to him," the detective drawled.


    Collins frowned and took a sip of his coffee. He had no solid evidence, but his gut told him Vicky was involved. And now they were saying he wasn''t?


    "But," the detective continued, "I checked the dash-cam footage from your artist''s car, and there''s a day, two months back, that''s been wiped clean."


    Collins was taken aback. "Wiped clean? Something from two months ago?"


    "That''s right. We tried to recover it, but whoever did it was slick. It''s beyond our tech guys," the detective admitted with a shake of his head.


    The rest of the story was still in the works, and Collins felt like he''d hit a wall.

 Chapter 684

    Collins put down his coffee mug, looking puzzled. "This doesn''t make sense," he said. ¡°If someone messed with the car two months ago, the ident should have happened a lot sooner."


    The missing day''s dashcam footage was weird enough, but the brakes failing only after two months? That didn''t add up.


    "Maybe your artist doesn''t drive that car much," suggested his detective friend, pausing before adding, "We''ve got a theory. Whoever tampered with the brakes didn''tpletely ruin them. They calcted the wear based on usage."


    Collins scratched his head, listening closely.


    "This was a nned murder, I think. The person must know your artist''s habits really well to be so precise about the brake wear. Without a real expert, it''d be nearly impossible to catch."


    The detective pulled out his phone and showed Collins the Messenger chats with the brake experts he had consulted over the past few days.


    Collins only understood about half of it; cars weren''t his thing. He quickly handed the phone back and asked, "Any leads on what happened two months ago?"


    His friend shook his head. "Nothing solid from the car''s clues yet. I didn''t want to leave you hanging, so I thought I''d fill you in on what we''ve got."


    Collins sighed deeply, "I''m really worried. Until we find who''s behind this, my artist''s safety is in jeopardy."


    "How''s your artist doing now? Out of danger?" the detective asked.


    Collins, keeping things close to the vest, just shook his head. "Still unconscious."


    "Alright, if he wakes up, ask if he lent the car to anyone around two months ago. Might give us a lead," the detective suggested.


    "Got it. You keep investigating, and I''ll let you know if I find anything." "OK."


    Their conversation was brief, and soon they parted ways, leaving the caf¨¦.


    Collins, thinking over his friend''s words, drove to the hospital.


    Thirty minutester, in the hospital room.


    Collins told Leo everything.


    Mirabe hadn''t gone to school since the ident, which had really scared Delh and Shawn. Even though she wasn''t hurt, her parents insisted on a few more days in the hospital to make sure everything was fine.


    After hearing Collins out, Mirabe tilted her head and asked, "So the dashcam footage can''t be recovered?"


    As Collins sliced some fruit for the siblings, he replied, "Yeah. My friend''s being modest, but their tech guys areputer wizards. If he says it''s unrecoverable, it probably is."


    Mirabe, lounging in her chair with her phone in hand, said, ¡°Send me the dashcam files?"


    Handing her a freshly peeled apple, Collins asked, "What do you need them for, sis?"


    Taking a bite, Mirabe said seriously, "Maybe I can recover the footage for you."


    Collins looked at her silently for a moment, then picked up another apple to slice. Turning to Leo, he continued, "Try to remember where you parked your car on October 13th, Leo."


    Mirabe just sat there, a half-eaten apple in hand, feeling a bit underestimated.

 Chapter 685

    Leo scratched his head, trying to jog his memory, but...


    "My car''s usually either at the office or parked in my vi''s garage, and no one''s borrowed it. October 13th... How am I supposed to remember where it was?"


    Collins looked visibly annoyed. "Look at you, can''t remember a thing when it matters!"


    Leo shot him a nce. "It''s been two months, who''d remember that?"


    Collins chuckled softly, taking a crisp bite from the freshly peeled apple.


    Leo, who had been eyeing the apple, was left speechless. Seriously? Just because he couldn''t remember, he didn''t get to eat? That was... totally unfair! Mirabe turned to Collins and repeated, "Seriously, Collins, just get your friend to send me the drive. I should be able to handle it."


    "You''re good withputers, little sis?" Collins asked, clearly skeptical.


    "...A bit," Mirabe replied modestly, crossing her legs with a hint of confidence. "Anyway, your buddy couldn''t fix it, right? Let me have a go, maybe I can crack it."


    Collins thought it made sense. It wouldn''t hurt to try. He whipped out his phone. "Alright, I''ll give my friend a call."


    Mirabe continued nibbling on her apple.


    Soon after, Collins ended the call and looked at Mirabe. Before he could speak, she chimed in, "I need aptop."


    "I''ve got one in my car. I''ll go grab it," Collins said.


    "Okay."


    Once Collins had stepped out, Leo slid off the hospital bed and took a seat on a nearby stool. "Mirabe, when did you be aputer whiz?"


    Mirabe gave him a look and sighed. "Leo,ter I''ll get you some supplements to boost your memory."


    His memory issues were getting on her nerves.


    Leo felt like he was being subtly insulted.


    It wasn''t long before Collins returned with aptop. As he entered, he saw the little princess sitting on the stool, face in hands, looking a bit... silly with a bandage wrapped around her forehead.


    He handed theptop to Mirabe and casually asked, "What''s got the little princess so mopey?"


    Mirabe''s eyebrows raised slightly. "She''s probably contemting life."


    Hearing this, Leo turned and shot her a fierce re.


    Mirabe justughed, yfully tugging at one of her curls before opening theptop.


    Collins logged into his Messenger and had his detective friend send over the entire dashcam data.


    The file was huge, several gigabytes even afterpression, and took forever to transfer.


    "Thisptop''s specs are terrible," Mirabe muttered, unable to hide her disdain. Collins touched his nose self-consciously. "I just bought this newptop this year, and it''s high-end."


    Mirabe decided not toment further.


    After a painstaking fifteen minutes, the transfer was finallyplete.


    Mirabe unzipped the file and quickly browsed the video recordings and attached software. She then looked up at Collins. "This copy won''t do. It''s missing the .dat files. I need remote ess to your friend''sputer; is he avable right now?"


    Collins, not understanding the first thing about .dat files, nodded. "I''ll give him a call."


    "Okay," Mirabe replied, her fingers already dancing across the keyboard.


    As soon as Collins said, "My buddy''s setting up the remote ess for you," after ending the call, Mirabe hit the Enter key and said, "Done."


    And with that, theputer screen flickered, disying the desktop of the remoteputer.

 Chapter 686

    Collins stared at hisputer screen,pletely bbergasted. The homepage that now filled his monitor was definitely not his own. "Wait, is this... remote ess already?"


    It looked like his friend hadn''t even done anything yet!


    Mirabe nodded, calm as ever. "Yep!"


    She had already dived into the source code of the dashcam software.


    Collins ran his fingers through his hair, a puzzled frown forming on his face. Somehow, his sister''s version of ''remote ess'' didn''t quite match what he had in mind.


    And it wasn''t just Collins who was confused; his detective buddy on the other end of the connection was equally baffled.


    The guy had barely hung up the phone when hisputer started acting possessed, flipping through pages on its own. In no time, the screen went dark, and a stream of iprehensible code began to fill the screen.


    The detective, not exactly a coding whiz, called over a tech-savvy colleague from the precinct.


    "Holy smokes, this is the work of a pro!" The colleague adjusted his sses, eyes wide with astonishment.


    He wasn''t on par with those legendary hackers topping the charts, but he was pretty confident in his skills. Now, faced with the code on the screen, he could only make sense of a fraction of it. The speed at which the code was being written was mind-blowing; he couldn''t keep up.


    This was sheer wizardry!


    "What are they doing?" The detective, clueless about the digital magic unfolding, pointed at the screen and asked.


    "It looks like they''re creating a recovery program," his colleague replied without taking his eyes off the screen.


    "A recovery program, you sure?" the detective asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    The colleague cleared his throat and admitted, "Well, their skills are beyond mine.


    I can only grasp bits and pieces of this recovery program."


    "So, you think they can recover the data from the dashcam?" the detective pressed.


    After a moment''s thought, the colleague nodded. "Seems likely."


    With that level of dexterity and coding prowess, were they looking at one of the


    top thirty... or twenty... or even better hackers nationwide?


    As he pondered, the screen shifted again, disying a brief message: [Data Recovery in Progress...]


    Below the message, a progress bar inched forward.


    In under twenty seconds, the bar hit one hundred percent.


    Was it actually... sessful?


    And then, theputer reverted to normal, and a new video file appeared on the desktop.


    The colleague eagerly clicked the mouse to open the file. "It''s actually restored..."


    Back at Collins''s ce, Mirabe had already copied the retrieved file onto hisputer and exited the remote ess session.


    Leo and Collins, who had been silently observing, were rendered speechless, their eyes glued to the monitor. It wasn''t until Mirabe started going through the October 13th dashcam footage that they snapped out of their daze.


    Collins''s smirk twitched as he pointed at the now-ying video. "Sis, don''t tell me this is the deleted footage?"


    Mirabe hummed nonchntly, frustrated by the slow yback speed of the video, and cranked it up to five times the normal pace.


    Collins was at a loss for words, his emotions a tangled mess. Remembering how he had told his sister that if his friend''s colleague said the data couldn''t be recovered, it was a lost cause, he felt a hot flush of embarrassment.


    "Cough cough, guess being a brainiac includes being aputer whiz too. Color me impressed!" Despite the sting to his pride, Collins couldn''t help but genuinelypliment her.


    Mirabe shot him a quick nce and continued watching the video.


    The snail''s pace was killing her. With a sigh, she murmured, "Too slow... G''night, see you in the evening!"

 Chapter 687

    After catching Mirabe''s "royal disdain" re, Collins sheepishly shut his mouth, dragged a chair over, and plopped down next to her, fixing his eyes on the


    The footage zipped by at breakneck speed, but it was still clear enough to follow. Collins straightened up, fully focused.


    Leo''s dash cam ran all day. On October 13th, his car left his private vi at 10:30 AM and headed to the office.


    Then, the car stayed parked in the office garage until 3:05 PM, when someone blocked the cam, plunging the video feed into darkness. After about thirty seconds, the dash cam shut down entirely, and that was the end of the recording.


    That was all they had for the 13th-no wonder someone tried to erase the day''s record.


    After watching, Mirabe turned to look at her "little prince," "Any recollection of that day?"


    Leo met his sister''s gaze, confusion etched across his handsome face. He didn''t utter a word for the longest time.


    Mirabe massaged her temples and looked away, "Got it."


    She''d have to get him on The Pill, the memory-enhancing drug, as soon as they got back.


    Feeling snubbed again, Leo could only offer a silent, bewildered look.


    Mirabe then swung her gaze back to Collins, "Collins, yourpany garage, it''s got surveince, right?"


    Collins nodded affirmatively.


    "OK." Mirabe closed the video on theputer, her fingers dancing swiftly across the keyboard.


    Collins, clueless as to her intent, asked, "Sis, what''re you doing?"


    By then, Mirabe had hacked into the surveince system of Leo''spany using the address from the video. It didn''t take her long to pull up the parking garage footage from October 13th.


    Predictably, the footage, especially around 3 PM, had been tampered with.


    A sly smile tugged at Mirabe''s lips as her cool gaze stayed fixed on theputer; she started restoring the deleted records.


    Collins watched Mirabe''s movements, once again struck with awe.


    For the first time in his life, he was witnessing the stuff of legends-hacker magic unfolding right before his eyes.


    Though he couldn''t understand a bit of it.


    As he marveled inwardly, Collins nced at Leo, whose stunned expression


    mirrored his own disbelief. He just shook his head.


    Same parents, but why such a world of difference?


    The surveince footage was swiftly restored, and Mirabe hit y.


    On the screen, right at 3 PM, a tall,nky man in a baseball cap approached Leo''s car, timing perfectly with the dash cam''s cut-off.


    The garage cameras didn''t have a 360-degree view, so the screen only showed the man tinkering with the car for about ten minutes.


    Sabotaging a car''s brakes in ten minutes wasn''t outside the realm of possibility.


    Mirabe found an angle and hit pause, "This guy, look familiar to any of you?" The man had worn the cap intentionally to avoid the cameras, always keeping his head down, so even when they zoomed in, all they could see was the top of his head.


    Leo shook his head, "Don''t know him."


    Collins stroked his chin, scrutinized the image for a good while before admitting, "No bells ringing. Probably never seen him before."


    Mirabe crossed her arms and leaned back against her chair, about to speak when her phone''s ringtone cut through the silence.

 Chapter 688

    Mirabe pulled out her phone, nced at it, and got up from her chair. "You guys mull this over, I need to take a call."


    She was already by the window, pressing the answer button.


    Collins looked up from hisptop and called out, "I''ll send this video to my buddy, see if he can ID this guy."


    "Sure," Mirabe replied, then turned her focus back to the phone. "Hey, what''s up?"


    It was James on the other end.


    Hearing Collins in the background, James asked, "Gotpany?"


    "Not really, just Leo''s agent," Mirabe answered.


    James raised an eyebrow, piecing together what he''d heard. "Right, about your


    brother''s car trouble, I''ve got some leads. I''ll send you the details."


    Mirabe was intrigued. "You found out who messed with the car?"


    "Yeah."


    "Hold on a sec," she said, then turned to Collins. "Never mind sending it to your friend, we''ve got our guy."


    "Huh?" Collins, mid-message on Messenger, looked up, puzzled.


    Mirabe told James to send the information immediately, then hung up. Momentster, she received the files from James.


    Opening them, she saw several clear mugshots. The face matched the tall, slim figure with the baseball cap they''d seen in the surveince footage.


    The guy was definitely the same: Emerson.


    Mirabe zoomed in on the photo and handed it to Collins. "This is the guy who messed with the brakes."


    Collins took the phone, studying the face. "Looks familiar, like I''ve seen him around, but I can''t ce him."


    "Let me see," Leo said, leaning in. His reaction was immediate and filled with confusion.


    Collins noticed his expression. "You know him?"


    Leo''s face was a mix of emotions. After a pause, he nodded. "I know him, but... are we sure he''s the same guy from the parking lot?"


    There were several photos, so Collins flipped through different angles,paring them to the figure on theptop screen. It was unmistakably the same person.


    "Who is this guy, really?" Collins asked.


    Leo was silent for a moment. "He''s Emerson."


    "Emerson?" Collins''s eyes narrowed. "Isn''t Emerson Jay''s younger brother?" "Yeah, but why him?" Leo murmured, his expression turning somber. Mirabe nced at her little brother and asked Collins, "Wasn''t it some guy named Jay who spread those rumors about Leo stealing music online?"


    "Right, this Emerson is his brother. Jay''s always been jealous of Leo. If he''s behind this, it all makes sense," Collins deduced.


    After a brief pause, he added, "You know, now that you mention it, Jay once bragged that his brother works at a garage."


    Someone who worked at a garage would know a lot more about car troubles than the average Joe. If he tampered with the car covertly, he could probably do it without getting caught.


    And as for wiping the dashcam and parking lot surveince footage... maybe he''s also a whiz withputers?"

 Chapter 689

    Collins nced again at the dossier in Mirabe''s hands, momentarily ignoring his curiosity about how she got such detailed info. Right now, he needed to figure out how to handle this mess.


    Emerson was definitely involved, which meant Jay was likely tangled up in it too.


    He turned to Leo, who was zoning out, and gave him a nudge with his foot to snap him back to reality.


    Leo wiped his face with his hand and said, "Back when Jay and I were on good terms, Emerson used to drop by our training room sometimes. He didn''t say much, kind of shy and introverted. I had a pretty decent first impression of him. Later on, he even helped me out a few times."


    A self-deprecating smirk tugged at his lips. He never would''ve guessed that someone who seemed so harmless could be so malicious.


    Mirabe settled back into her chair, resting a hand on Leo''s shoulder, her face puzzled. "So, Leo, how does someone as naive as a one-episode TV character manage to survive in showbiz, huh?"


    Leo, lost in his thoughts, was jolted by his sister''s blunt jab. Seriously?


    He felt like tweeting a poll to see if everyone else''s sisters were as good at taking digs at their brothers.


    But Mirabe''s teasing did the trick, lightening Leo''s mood considerably.


    Collins gave her a silent thumbs-up from the sidelines. His sister was impressive ¡ªif it were up to him tofort the ''little prince'', it would have taken half the day with questionable results.


    Clearing his throat, Collins spoke up, "Sis, send me that file, will you? This is a matter of life and death. We can''t afford to be lenient."


    Nodding, Mirabe grabbed her phone and forwarded the information James had sent directly to Collins.


    Once Collins had the files, he recalled Leo''s recent poisoning and voiced his suspicion, "Do you think Leo''s poisoning might be tied to Jay?"


    Mirabe thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No."


    Though she had only skimmed through Emerson''s personal details, the poison in Leo''s system didn''t match anything within the spheres of Jay and Emerson.


    Collins, though unsure why his sister was so convinced, instinctively trusted her, especially after witnessing her disy of hacking prowess.


    "Alright then, I''ll keep digging. You two get some rest. I''ve got to catch up with Zach and handle a ton of other stuff, so I''ll head out now," Collins said as he stood up, shutting down theputer.


    "Take care," they replied in unison.


    Collins had barely stepped out when he paused, doubling back to add, "Oh, and one of my buddy''s colleagues, aputer programmer, asked if he could add you on Messenger."


    Mirabe blinked in surprise.


    Collins coughed awkwardly and added, "Ahem, I think he''s just impressed with your tech skills and wants to get to know you."


    Before Mirabe could respond, Leo, stone-faced, interjected, "Tell him my sister doesn''t have Messenger. She''s not adding anyone."


    Collins'' mouth twitched with a suppressed smile. Brotherly protectiveness or just in interference? He had a hunch that the mysterious block on his Messenger contact list was Leo''s handiwork.


    "Don''t you have a ton of stuff to deal with? Get moving and let us rest."


    Leo was already on his feet, ushering Collins out of the room with impatience


    before mming the door shut with a resounding thud.


    Collins stood in the hallway, half-amused, half-exasperated. The story continues...

 Chapter 690

    Leo grumbled as he plopped down beside his sister on the bench, not forgetting to warn her, "Sis, listen up. Don''t go adding strangers on Messenger, alright? The world''s a wild ce, full of crooks and scammers."


    Mirabe silently watched the little princess, saying nothing.


    Leo scratched his nose, chickening out instantly, and quickly switched topics, "Sis, about yourputer skills..."


    "Don''t ask." She cut him off with a raised hand before he could finish, her expression stern.


    Leo was instantly choked up.


    Tilting her head slightly, Mirabe added, "Give me your hand."


    "What for?" Leo asked but obediently extended his hand anyway.


    Her fingers rested on his pulse for a few seconds before she let go, "I''ll prescribe you some tonics when we get back to help you recover."


    The car ident, although avoiding the most lethal impact, had shown that the little princess really needed some physical tuning up.


    Leo retracted his hand, nodding in agreement, suddenly falling silent.


    After a while, he chuckled bitterly, "You know, Jay''s brother is actually a decent guy. He always looked up to Jay. Probably knew how much Jay resented me being the captain of Neon Paradox, so he went to these extreme lengths."


    Mirabe nced at him, her voice icy, "Only the ipetent feel resentment. Some people are just not worth your sympathy."


    Leo drew in a deep breath, "You''re right, some people really aren''t worth the sympathy."


    He felt sorry for Jay''s brother, but the guy probably wouldn''t see it that way. If it wasn''t for his sister''s presence during the car ident a couple of days ago, he might not have been around anymore, and the incident could have turned into a far greater tragedy.


    Sometimes, a mistake is just that, regardless of nature.


    "That''s why being too kind-hearted just doesn''t cut it," Mirabe added, raising an eyebrow.


    Leo touched his nose again, feeling that this wasn''t so muchforting as it was a slight.


    **


    After leaving the hospital, Collins headed straight to Zach''sw firm and handed over the documents directly to him.


    After reviewing the files, Zach spoke icily, "This is premeditated murder. We go to the police."


    Collins''s first thought was to call the cops too, but having watched Jay grow up, he hesitated, "Zach, what do you think about letting him turn himself in? How about that?"


    Even though it was his brother who did the deed, Jay was surely implicated. Collins was inwardly a bit soft-hearted; after all, confessing is better than being caught, and the punishment could be less severe.


    Understanding Collins''s perspective, Zach, who might have stayed out of it if it were anyone else, knew this involved his own siblings. Pushing his sses up his nose, his gaze grew deep, "Trust me, getting the police involved sooner rather thanter is better than waiting for him toe to his senses and surrender."


    If Collins could trace it back to Jay, then surely their father had as well.


    A man in the hands of the police might find some mercy, but in the hands of the Chesters? That was a whole different story.


    Seeing Zach''s suggestive tone, Collins grew puzzled and paused before asking, "Why? You think Jay''s brother might run?"

 Chapter 691

    Zach just chuckled at Collins, shaking his head, "He won''t get far."


    Collins, even more puzzled by Zach''s cryptic assurance, wanted to press for more details but held back, seeing Zach wasn''t in the mood for boration. "Well, I''m off to find Jay and his brother. If he refuses toe clean, I''m going straight to the cops."


    Zach nodded, "Do what you gotta do, but make it quick."


    Collins stood up, muttered an "Alright," and left thew firm, his mind swirling with questions.


    For years, Leo had been well-protected within their circle, not just because of his connections with the Davis family, Emmitt, and Zach, but Collins always suspected there was some other unseen force at y. He had once prodded Leo for answers, but Leo had kept his lips sealed.


    After Collins left, Zach remained in his chair, lost in thought.


    A knock on the door broke his reverie, and soon his assistant entered, holding a letter.


    The assistant ced the letter on the desk in front of Zach. Zach''s gaze fell on it, and his eyebrows quirked up, "What''s this about?"


    It was the formalint letter sent to Michelle''s agency.


    The assistant nced cautiously at his boss''s expression before speaking up, "Michelle''s management says the information about your sister, Ms. Mirabe, isn''t exactly top-secret. Everyone''s in the loop, so there''s no alleged breach of privacy. That''s why they''ve sent this letter back."


    Zach leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing behind his sses, his voice turning sharp, "No breach of privacy, huh? And they''ve got the nerve to send the letter back? So they''re siding with the Wu n now, are they?"


    Normally, even if apany dismissed aint, they wouldn''t return the legal notice. But here it was, sent back like a p in the face.


    The assistant cleared his throat, continuing, "Thing is, I did some digging on this Michelle. She''s got some heavy hitters in her corner, ties to the Pledger family over in Riverdale, so... Mr. Sharp, should we reconsider thewsuit against her?"


    Their firm was a heavyweight in the legal world, but even so, an arm can''t wrestle a thigh, and going head-to-head could spell trouble.


    Zach chuckled at the advice, straightening up and mming his hands on the desk with a forceful bang, "Reconsider my ass!"


    The Pledger family of Riverdale sure put on airs.


    His assistant, startled by his boss''s uncharacteristic outburst, steadied his nerves and tried to reason in a low voice, "But the Sharp family is a top-tier business in the city. Plus, the Pledger family isn''t to be trifled with. I get you want justice for your sister, but we really need to weigh our options here."


    The assistant had the firm''s best interest at heart, which Zach understood, but could he really just let the matter of his sister''s reputation slide? Not a chance.


    "Heh, if they want to bring the Pledger family into this, then let someone from the Pledger familye and apologize to my sister," Zach said coldly.


    He had only intended to pursue whoever tarnished his sister''s reputation, but if the Pledger family was going to insert themselves into the mix, well, that was their mistake.


    The assistant gaped at his boss, having tried to convey the seriousness of not provoking the Pledger family, only to find that it had stoked Zach''s fury instead. He quickly added, "Mr. Sharp, this isn''t something to joke about."

 Chapter 692

    Zach shot his assistant a sidelong nce, a smirk ying at the corners of his mouth. "Do I look like I''m cracking jokes?"


    The assistant, hearing this, rubbed his temples in sheer frustration.


    What do you do when your boss is this unpredictable? Might as well ask the inte for advice.


    Something seemed to click in Zach''s mind. He asked, "That live show my sister''s been on, there''s a woman named Shen, right? She''s paired up with that Wu guy, part of the Pledger n?"


    The assistant internally groaned at his boss''s casual reference to ''that Wu'' and ''that Shen.'' It was one thing to forget a name, but Heather was a bona fide movie star, for heaven''s sake. Was this really okay?


    With a resigned sigh, the assistant nodded. "Yes, that''s correct."


    Zach drummed his fingers on the desk. "Ah, from the Pledgers, huh? Good to know. Another reason she can''t be ignored."


    Assistant: "..."


    This is madness!


    At that moment, the assistant pondered whether bringing up thements made by the Pledger family would result in his boss flying into an uncontroble rage. Scratching his head with hesitation, the assistant looked like he had something to say but was holding back.


    Zach narrowed his eyes. "Spit it out, whatever it is!"


    "You really want to hear it?" the assistant asked cautiously, but seeing impatience creeping into Zach''s expression, he cleared his throat and hurriedly ryed the message from the Pledgers.


    "The Pledgers have said we should know our ce, drop thewsuit against Michelle, and we could all leave on good terms. If we insist on suing, we should first ''weigh our own weight''..."


    After delivering the message, the assistant instinctively took a step back, sensing an ominous aura beginning to fill the room.


    Zach let out a derisive snort, his benign face somehow looking even more harmless as he nodded with a smile. "Know our ce? Weigh our own weight? Sounds a bit threatening, doesn''t it?"


    Having worked with Zach for three years, the assistant knew his temperament well enough ¨C not perfectly, but close. Whenever that smile appeared, it usually meant trouble for someone.


    Sure, his boss was capable, but... perhaps it was best to keep his own counsel.


    A momentter, Zach gestured for the assistant to leave.


    Once the office door closed, Zach pondered for a few seconds before pulling out his phone and opening Messenger to send a message.


    [Uncle Grady, do the Davises do business with the Pledgers?]


    Two minutester, Grady replied: [Which Pledgers are we talking about?]


    Zach hurriedly texted back: [The Pledgers from Riverdale.]


    Grady: [Oh, that small fry? They''re not on our level.] Zach: "..."


    Holding his phone, Zach couldn''t help but smirk at Uncle Grady''s dismissive message. His assistant should see what real arrogance looked like.


    Grady, sensing that the young master wouldn''t ask about the Pledgers for no reason, followed up with another message: [What''s up?]


    Zach''s gazended on thewyer''s letter that had been returned to him. He considered whether sharing this issue would cost him his dignity.


    His fingers brushed over the phone screen, and he eventually replied: [Nothing much. Remember the leak about Mirabe? It was done by that Shen cousin from the Pledgers. Just crossed my mind, so I asked.]


    Grady read the message and pondered for a moment before responding: [Even if we don''t have business with them, a lesson might be due.]


    He had been out of the country dealing with other matters when the online incident happened and had only just returned to hear about it. Seeing that the young master had already taken action, he hadn''t stepped in.


    Now it seemed that the young master might not have settled the matter after all.

 Chapter 693

    After firing off the message, Grady''s mind wandered back to the young master''s car ident. This time, he didn''t bother with typing; he went straight for a voice call to Zach.


    The call connected almost immediately.


    "Hey, Court, got anyone looking into the young master''s car crash?" Grady asked, recalling his team''s report that someone else was digging into the matter, prompting him to ask outright.


    After a brief pause, Zach replied, "Nope, might be Leo''s agent checking it out."


    Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Grady squinted slightly, a menacing look crossing his stern face. "If that''s the case... tell the young master''s agent to back off. I''ve got my own ns."


    Zach had expected this. Scratching his head, he asked casually, "Uncle Grady, how are you nning to handle it?"


    Grady couldn''t help but chuckle at the cautious tone. "Don''t worry, we''re in modern times now; of course, I''ll handle it civilly."


    Hearing the words ''civilly'' from Uncle Grady made the corners of Zach''s mouth twitch involuntarily. It sounded reasonable from anyone else, but from Grady... it was oddly unsettling.


    "By the way, there''s something else. I gave Miss''s medicine to Chester. After taking it, he said he felt much better. I heard from Yulin that Miss made it herself?" Grady''s voice couldn''t hide his excitement.


    "Yeah, Mirabe''s not just good with remedies; her medical skills are top-notch too," Zach confirmed, not holding back.


    Hearing this, Grady thought about getting Miss to check on Mr. Davis''s health.


    Despite numerous doctors failing to alleviate Mr. Davis''s chronic issues over the years, the effectiveness of Miss''s medicine suggested her skills were exceptional.


    After all, the Davis family tree did include some renowned physicians.


    The office door was ajar when one of Grady''s men walked in, announcing, "Boss, the person''s been brought in."


    It was only then that he noticed Grady on the phone, and he immediately fell silent.


    Grady nced at his man and spoke into the phone, "Got a situation here to handle."


    The call ended shortly after.


    Grady pocketed his phone, his expression stern. "Is the car ready?"


    His man nodded, "All set."


    "Bring the person along, let''s go." Gradymanded, striding out of the office with an almost imperceptible aura of menace.


    Back on the other end of the phone, Zach held his device, Grady''s words ''the person''s been brought in'' echoing in his ears-a clear sign that whoever had tampered with Leo''s brakes was now in Grady''s grasp.


    **


    After leaving Zach''sw firm, Collins headed straight back to thepany. "Where''s Jay?" he asked one of his colleagues as he stepped into the elevator.


    "He''s probably in the dance studio," the coworker replied.


    Collins thanked them and made his way to the studio.


    The studio door was closed. Collins turned the handle and stepped inside. Other artists were practicing alongside Jay. Collins stood at the doorway and called out, "Jay!"


    Jay had his headphones on and didn''t hear his name at first. It wasn''t until one of the other artists tapped his arm that he looked up.


    He removed his headphones, grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and walked over to Collins.

 Chapter 694

    Jay steadied his breath before speaking, a hint of confusion in his voice. "Collins, what''s up? You needed to see me?"


    Collins nced around the practice room at the other performers before his gazended back on Jay. "Not the best ce to talk. Come to my office."


    Jay furrowed his brow but, seeing the serious look on Collins'' face, he nodded and followed him.


    Once the office door clicked shut, Collins gestured for Jay to sit down. He pulled out his phone and queued up a video. "Take a look at this," he said, handing the phone to Jay.


    Jay nced at the screen, puzzled. The video was the restored surveince footage from the parking lot.


    The resolution wasn''t perfect, but it was clear enough to recognize the tall,nky figure of Jay''s brother, Emerson.


    "Collins, why are you filming my brother?" Jay asked, his focus entirely on Emerson, not yet realizing the parking garage belonged to theirpany.


    As Jay continued to watch, his brother snuck into a car with a license te that looked painfully familiar. His face went pale.


    Why was Emerson getting into Juztin''s car?


    Collins took his time before responding coolly, "Juztin''s car ident wasn''t random. Someone tampered with the brake pads."


    Jay''s fingers trembled, nearly dropping the phone. He stopped watching the video and looked up at Collins, his voice shaky. "Collins, what are you trying to say?"


    Collins'' eyes sharpened, his tone turning stern. "You know exactly what I mean. Do I need to spell it out for you?"


    Jay shook his head. "I really don''t know what''s going on. My brother... no, it can''t be him. He wouldn''t do something like this."


    Collins studied Jay, searching for any sign of guilt or panic. But aside from shock, Jay''s face showed nothing, which made Collins frown.


    The person in the video was undoubtedly Jay''s brother, as his unguarded reaction had confirmed. Yet Jay''s response seemed disconnected from the situation.


    If he was acting, his emotional control was impressively solid.


    "Cut the act. I''ve had people look into it. Your brother is the one who messed with the car," Collins stated firmly.


    Jay''s face was ashen as he insisted, "It can''t be. Emerson would never do something like that... I may not like Juztin, but my brother has spent time with him, even helped him out. He wouldn''t do this. The person in that video-it''s not my brother. Someone''s trying to frame him."


    Seeing that Jay wouldn''t admit it, Collins took back his phone and stood up from the couch. He moved to his desk, booted up hisputer, and printed out the evidence Mirabe had sent him.


    He handed the documents to Jay, watching as he looked through them. The records detailed Emerson''s exact whereabouts on the thirteenth of October, leaving no stone unturned.


    Collins had been shocked when he first saw the records. The rity and detail of transactions from over two months ago were almost divine.

 Chapter 695

    **Enhanced Trantion:**


    Jay''s cool demeanor fell apart like a shattered mirror as he finished reading the document in his hands.


    That morning, when he heard that Leo''s condition was still touch-and-go, a secret thrill had surged through him. Finally, his chance wasing.


    But just hourster, the news hit him like a ton of bricks: Leo''s car ident was linked to his brother, and the evidence was solid as a rock.


    Even though he hadn''t done anything, everyone knew about the bad blood between him and Leo. Naturally, they''d all think he was the mastermind behind his brother''s actions.


    With the evidence and parking lot CCTV footage staring him in the face, any hope of turning things around vanished. It wasn''t just his brother in deep trouble; he might be looking at legal consequences himself.


    "I was going to call the cops right away," Collins broke the silence, "but considering your tough situation, I decided to give your brother a chance toe clean. He should turn himself in. You know the drill-confess and things go easier."


    Jay''s fingers curled into a fist at those words. Thoughts raced through his mind before he bit his lip, looked Collins dead in the eye, and said firmly, "No, my brother didn''t do this."


    The evidence might be thorough, but it didn''t directly tie his brother to Leo''s crash. The parking lot footage didn''t even show his brother''s face.


    Without a clear visual and other concrete evidence, there was still a glimmer of hope for his brother.


    Seeing Jay''s outright denial, Collins''s face darkened. "Think it through, Jay. Turning yourself in is one thing, but having the copse knocking is a whole different ballgame. Don''t throw this chance away."


    Jay stood up, flinging the documents onto the nearby coffee table. "Let the copse. I trust my brother. Anyone with some tech skills could fake that video-it''s worthless. Juztin''s delusional state caused his own crash, and now he''s trying to me someone else? Ridiculous!"


    Collins let out a frustratedugh, pressing his fingers to his temples. "Fine, have it your way. I won''t try to convince you anymore. I''m going to report this to the authorities."


    Jay clenched his fist and tightened his lips. "Do what you need to. I''ve got training to get to. If there''s nothing else, I''m out."


    As Collins watched him leave, Zach''s parting words from thew firm echoed in his mind, ''Time is of the essence,'' hinting at something deeper. He called out onest warning, "You do realize Juztin''s brother is a top-notchwyer, right? If you..."


    "So what? Thew isn''t made just for him. I believe in justice, and I''m not scared!" Jay interrupted, his voice icy. Without waiting for a reply, he walked out with a determined stride.


    Collins shook his head in disdain. If someone is set on self-destruction, he thought, no one else is to me.


    Once out of the office, Jay headed to the restroom, leaning against the door as his legs turned to jelly.


    After a moment to steady his trembling hands, he pulled out his phone and dialed Emerson''s number.


    Despite his firm denial in front of Collins, he''d already made a decision deep down.


    The phone rang and rang, but no one answered. Jay called again and again, still no answer.


    Hanging up, Jay felt a wave of frustration. He then scrolled through his contacts to find his brother''s colleague and made another call.


    It''ste, and there''s always tomorrow to catch up on the rest of the story.

 Chapter 696

    Jay''s colleague picked up the phone quickly, but the answer made Jay''s stomach churn. His brother had left the garage about an hour ago. Someone hade for him, and he''d jumped into a luxury car, not seen since.


    Jay ended the call, stepped outside, and sshed some cold water on his face, but it didn''t do much to calm his nerves. His brother was a shy, introverted guy, not the type to have friends, let alone ones with fancy cars.


    Collins''s earlierment about Juztin''s brother being a top-tierwyer suddenly popped into Jay''s mind. Leo''s background had always been a mystery. Thepany files were nk, and no one knew where he came from.


    Because of this nk te, the popr theory was that Leo''s family wasn''t well- off. In showbiz, a strong persona could make or break a career. There were a few trust-fund kids in the industry, but they unted their lineage from day one. Why would someone like Leo hide it?


    Doubt gnawed at Jay. Could someone with no apparent backing stay scandal-free from the start, avoid piggybacking on anyone else''s fame, and still have opportunities fall into theirp? It seemed impossible.


    The more Jay thought about it, the more restless he became. He pulled out his phone again and called Emerson. To his surprise, the call connected.


    They barely exchanged a few words before Jay''s face went pale. He stammered a weak ''okay'' and the line went dead. Gripping his phone tightly, Jay stumbled out of the restroom and dashed for the elevator, his hands shaking as he repeatedly pressed the down button.


    The elevator arrived with a ding, and Jay rushed in before the upants could even step out, bumping straight into his agent, Vicky.


    Vicky frowned. "Jay, what''s the big hurry?"


    After frantically hitting the button for the ground floor, Jay finally looked at Vicky, opened his mouth but said nothing, and just shook his head. "It''s nothing," he muttered.


    Vicky eyed him for a moment, then shook her head in bewilderment and exited the elevator.


    An hourter, Jay arrived at the location given by the person who had answered his brother''s phone-a remote intersection near the coastal highway on the outskirts of town.


    This stretch of the coastal highway, with its winding, dangerous turns by the sea, was a hotspot for street racers. The sparse traffic made it an ideal spot for those with a need for speed.


    Several ck sedans were parked at the intersection, with men in dark clothes standing outside, exuding an aura of danger.


    Jay parked his car and, swallowing the lump in his throat, stepped out.


    Grady was leaning casually against his car door. Only when Jay approached did he slowly turn his head, his gaze haughty and cold.


    That look sent Jay''s legs trembling uncontrobly. "Where''s... where''s my brother?"


    Grady gave Jay a once-over before looking away and subtly gesturing with a finger to one of his men.


    The henchman caught the signal, nodded, and effortlessly dragged someone over to one of the parked cars. Opening the passenger door, he shoved the person into the seat.

 Chapter 697

    Jay felt utterly powerless as he was shoved into the passenger seat. When he looked up, he locked eyes with Emerson, who was sitting behind the wheel, his face pale as a ghost.


    "Emerson, man, are you alright? Did they do anything to you?" Jay asked anxiously.


    Emerson gripped the steering wheel tightly, looking at Jay with regret. "Bro, I''m so sorry. This is all on me."


    Jay''s eyes welled up with emotion, and just as he was about to speak, he heard the car doors lock with a loud click. He frantically pushed against the door, but it was firmly shut, impossible to open.


    "Bro, it''s no use. This car''s been specially modified with Al tech. Without the owner''smand, these locks won''t budge," Emerson said with a wry smile.


    "What the hell do they want from us?" Jay''s voice was tight, his teeth clenched in frustration.


    Emerson''s eyes shifted to the road ahead, a mix of despair and numbness in his voice, "They want us to experience what it feels like to race against death." Jay''s eyes widened in horror.


    The car had already started on its own, speeding towards the coastal highway at a breakneck pace.


    Emerson could control the steering, but the brakes under his feet werepletely unresponsive.


    The coastal highway was notorious for its treacherous curves. Without expert driving skills, it was all too easy to smash through the guardrails and plummet off a cliff or crash into the ocean.


    And with the car''s brakes out ofmission, it truly was a race against death.


    As they rounded the first curve without slowing down, Jay felt his heart nearly stop at the close brush with disaster.


    He had never felt so close to death.


    The two brothers were as pale as sheets.


    And there were nine more curves ahead.


    Meanwhile, Grady leaned casually against his car door, engrossed in a video on


    his phone that he had watched countless times.


    It was footage of the car ident involving Leo and Mirabe.


    He had someone edit the surveince tape for him.


    "Is this really the little master''s driving?" Grady mumbled skeptically, "I seem to remember his driving skills weren''t exactly ster."


    The assistant, who had heard this doubt repeated multiple times, cleared his throat and said, "It''s just the little master and the young miss in the car. If it''s not him driving, who else could it be? The young miss?"


    The young miss had only just turned eighteen, and without a driver''s license, how could she be driving?


    Grady reyed the video on his phone, "Don''t you think the way they handled the brakes and avoided collision has a bit of a professional racer vibe?"


    "Why don''t you ask the little master yourself?" suggested the assistant.


    Grady had no other hobbies but racing, and after watching the crash footage, he noticed something peculiar-something only a professional would detect.


    "Never mind," Grady shook his head, then pocketed his phone and checked his watch before asking, "How manyps?"


    "Huh?" The assistant was momentarily confused.


    "I mean, how manyps has the car done?" rified Grady.


    "Just one," the assistant finally understood. The housekeeper was inquiring about


    how many near-deathps Emerson and his brother hadpleted.


    "Oh, then have someone monitor them for another... twentyps," Grady said nonchntly as he straightened up and opened the car door behind him.


    The assistant touched his nose, remarking, "You know, tossing them into the sea for the fish would be much simpler, boss. Why all thisplexity?"


    That''s how they used to handle things.


    Grady nced at him, "I''ve told you, we''re living in civilized times now. We need to handle things in a civilized manner."


    The assistant''s lips twitched involuntarily, thinking to himself, isn''t this even more cruel than a straightforward kill?

 Chapter 698

    Two hours after their high-octane ordeal began, the car finallypleted its twentiethp, screeching back to its starting point.


    As soon as the locks clicked open, Jay and Emerson felt a glimmer of hope pierce through their exhaustion. Though their limbs were as weak as jelly, they wasted no time pushing the doors open and stumbling out.


    The two-hour adrenaline rush had left Jay''s stomach in knots. Bent over by the roadside, he heaved until he was a mess.


    Emerson wasn''t faring much better, slumped on the curb, his face ghostly pale.


    Grady stayed in the car, watching the brothers with a fleeting smirk of disdain. Messing with the Davis family called for more severe consequences, but this punishment was rtively mild.


    His assistant strode over to Jay and Emerson, towering over them with a nk expression. "So, how''d it feel, thinking the brakes had failed?"


    Jay, starting to regain hisposure, braced himself on his knees and bit his lip. "What you did was illegal," he managed to say.


    "Bro, just let it go," Emerson quickly interjected.


    The assistant chuckled. "Seems like you''re still a bit dazed. Need a few moreps to clear your head?"


    Jay immediately shut up, the memory of their brush with death still too vivid to tempt fate again.


    "It was all me. I messed with the car. My brother had nothing to do with it. Please, let him go," Emerson pleaded, his voice shaking.


    Jay turned to his brother, eyes wide. "Sunny, what are you saying..."


    "Bro, when you screw up, you gotta face the consequences. I did it. I admit it. Just... don''t say anything else," Emerson cut him off, regret heavy in his voice. If only he had known better than to mess with Juztin.


    Grady''s assistant, observing the exchange, pped mockingly. "Such brotherly love. Touching. But don''t worry, neither of you is off the hook."


    Emerson looked up, fear etched on his face. "I told you, the brakes were my doing. It has nothing to do with my brother."


    The assistant pulled out his phone, opened Twitter, and scrolled to the now-fading trend about ''Leo''s mental breakdown causing a car crash.''


    He squatted in front of Jay, holding the phone up to his face. "You know what Twitter is, right?"


    Jay''s eyes darted over the screen, panic shing across his face. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off. "Spreading rumors with burner ounts... When will youe up with something new?"


    "It wasn''t me..."


    The assistant grabbed Jay''s chin firmly, his fingertips pressing in just enough to assert dominance, and sneered, "I''m stating facts here. We all know who did what."


    Jay, already pale, felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead from the pain. But it was the assistant''s cold, menacing gaze that truly terrified him.


    The assistant released him and stood up, leisurely straightening his sleeves before giving the brothers another nce. "We live in a society governed byws. I''m sure you know whates next?"


    Jay was still in a daze, but Emerson quickly responded, "We know. I''ll turn myself in, and my brother will publicly apologize to Juztin."


    Hearing this, the assistant nodded, almost generously. "Alright then, you''ve got an hour to sort this out."

 Chapter 699

    The assistant finished talking and didn''t even wait for a reply from Emerson and


    Jay before turning on his heel, yanking open the car door next to him, and sliding inside. He didn''t seem worried in the slightest that the brothers might double-cross him.


    As he got into the car, the other men dressed in ck who had been standing by the roadside followed suit. In no time, seven sedans sped off, leaving the area eerily empty except for Jay and Emerson, who were now sitting on the ground,pletely alone.


    After what felt like an eternity, Jay finally raised his head to meet Emerson''s gaze, his voice raspy, "Emmitt, you need to run."


    If they got charged with premeditated murder, there was no doubt they''d end up behind bars.


    Emerson gave a bitter smile and shook his head, "Emmitt, can''t you see? They''re not scared of us running because they know we can''t escape their clutches."


    The people they had tangled with were far from ordinary.


    He had seen the guns in their hands when they brought him over.


    Jay''s body wavered as a wave of regret slowly washed over him for the first time. "It''s all my fault. If I hadn''t said those things in front of you, you wouldn''t have done something so stupid..."


    Jay had held a grudge against Leo for a long time. Seeing his younger brother have a decent opinion of Leo made him extremely ufortable, which is why he would always vent his frustrations in front of his brother. His constantints and misguidance had led to the dire mistake of today.


    He had ruined himself and, even worse, his brother.


    But s... regret was now useless.


    *


    An hourter, Jay took to Twitter to confess. He revealed that the scandal about ''Juztin''s mental breakdown causing a car ident'' was a deliberate smear campaign he had orchestrated out of jealousy, admitting that there was no truth to it at all. He posted screenshots of the fake ounts he had bought to manipte the story, cleared the facts, and then solemnly apologized, announcing his retirement from the music scene, vowing never to sing again.


    Leo''s fans were numerous, and the post caused an immediate uproar online.


    To deliberately exploit a devastating ident to tarnish someone''s reputation, especially when their idol''s life was on the line, was beyond petty jealousy¡ªit was aplete moral copse.


    In less than twenty minutes, Jay lost over three hundred thousand Twitter followers, and the inte was flooded with condemnation.


    After posting that rifying Tweet, Jay logged off Twitter for good, fully aware of the torrent of hate that woulde his way. But he didn''t have the energy to harbor resentment anymore.


    When Vicky saw Jay''s Tweet, he immediately called him. "Jay, have you lost your mind? Why on earth would you post something like that on Twitter?"


    He had orchestrated a smear campaign against Leo on Twitter, and just as it was taking effect, Jay, the fool, had to go and post a rification?


    Wasn''t this undoing all of his hard work?


    Jay knew his manager would call to interrogate him, and as he nced at the police station''s entrance, he spoke with a calm voice, "Ricky, I''m sorry for letting you down after all these years. I''lle in tomorrow to terminate my contract with thepany."


    Vicky''s gaze sharpened. He knew Jay well enough to know he wasn''t one to give up easily. After a pause, he asked quickly, "Jay, has something happened?"


    Jay''s gaze fell, and after a few seconds of silence, he simply said, "Juztin''s got a powerful background, Ricky. Try not to cross him in the future. I''ve got some stuff to handle, so let''s not talk now."


    With that, he hung up the phone and turned it off.

 Chapter 700

    Vicky stood there, the dead tone from his phone still ringing in his ears, his brows knitting together. What did Jay mean by saying Leo''s background was


    Just howplicated are we talking here?


    Did Jay find out something he shouldn''t have?


    Unable to quash his curiosity, Vicky dialed Jay''s number again, only to be met with a voicemail message. With a sigh, he hung up and decided to head over to Jay''s ce. As he passed Collins''s office, he noticed the door was slightly ajar, and the sound of a conversation drifted out.


    The word "surrender" caught Vicky''s attention, making him pause in his tracks.


    Inside the office, Collins was on the phone, standing by the window. "Alright, Zach, I got it. I''ll put up a post about Leo''s situation soon. Don''t worry, this will all blow over."


    Collins hung up, surprised to hear that Jay''s brother had decided to turn himself in. After all, Jay had been denying everything just that afternoon.


    Turning around, Collins noticed the door wasn''t fully closed and thought he saw someone pass by. He squinted, suspicious for a moment, but then shrugged it off and picked up his desk phone to call the marketing department.


    **


    Not long after Jay''s rifying post went live, Collins had his marketing team log into Leo''s verified ount to inform his followers that Leo was doing just fine.


    Mirabe, bored in the hospital, was scrolling through Twitter when she stumbled upon Jay''s post. His decision to step out of the limelight didn''t faze her much.


    Still, one less headache for her little princess was a win in her book.


    James messaged her on Messenger, asking if she wanted to grab dinner since he was nearby.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe replied with a quick "Sure," then sprang out of bed. As she slipped on her coat, she said to Leo, who was engrossed in his game, "I''m gonna step out for a bit."


    Leo, lost in his game, took a moment to register her words. "Mhm," he mumbled absentmindedly. By the time he looked up, Mirabe was already out the door.


    Leo scratched his head and settled back into his game.


    A knock on the door came shortly after, and thinking it was a nurse, Leo mumbled, "Come in," without looking up.


    Then a pair of shiny ck dress shoes entered his line of sight. He froze, phone still in hand, and looked up in surprise. "Uncle Grady... what brings you here?"


    His voice carried a hint of difort.


    Aside from Chester, Uncle Grady was thest person he wanted to deal with.


    Grady''s eyes twinkled with amusement as he set a basket of fruit on the side table and pulled up a chair. "What, not happy to see me?¡±


    Leo quickly stashed his phone under his pillow and sat up straight, forcing a smile. "No way, I''m thrilled you came to visit, Uncle Grady."


    Grady didn''t call him out on his insincerity. Instead, he nced at the empty bed next to Leo''s. "Where''s your sister?"


    "She said she was going to take a walk downstairs. Didn''t you run into her, Uncle Grady?" Leo replied honestly.


    Grady paused, shaking his head. "Must have just missed her in the elevator."

 Chapter 701

    "Oh." Leo responded, suddenly remembering something. "Have Grady and Mirabe met yet?"


    "No, not yet. There hasn''t been a good opportunity," Grady replied, sounding pretty disappointed.


    He had been eager to officially meet the youngdy for a while now, but Zach had been against it, saying that thepany crew, including himself, might spook her. So, up until now, they hadn''t even exchanged a word.


    He had hoped to finally meet her today at the hospital, but s, she wasn''t there.


    "Then I''ll give Mirabe a call," Leo said, reaching for his phone again.


    "No need, let''s wait for her toe back," Grady shook his head.


    Seeing this, Leo didn''t insist. What if his sister got scared seeing Grady?


    After all, Grady was quite intimidating.


    Truth be told, Grady didn''t look frightening, but he had this aura of ''stay away'' that,bined with his muscr build, made him look like someone you wouldn''t want to mess with, making people instinctively wary.


    Grady, oblivious to Leo''s thoughts, remembered the car ident video and casually asked, "Leo, do you practice driving often?"


    Leo was puzzled. "Uh, what do you mean?"


    Grady''s eyebrows lifted slightly as he pulled out his phone, opened the video, and said, "Your evasive driving was pretty impressive."


    Upon seeing the video on the phone, Leo quickly understood and shook his head, somewhat embarrassed. "It wasn''t me, it was all Mirabe. If she hadn''t taken control of the steering wheel, that day could have ended in disaster."


    Even mentioning it now, his heart fluttered with a mix of relief and fear.


    Grady was taken aback. Knowing that Leo couldn''t possibly have such skills, he was quite curious and eager to meet the youngdy, which had brought him to the hospital.


    "Your sister can drive?" Grady asked.


    Leo scratched his head, recalling that Nick had asked the same question a few days ago, and shared the exnation about ''applying the principle of friction to decelerate'' that his sister had given him, more or less verbatim.


    After listening, Grady fell into a long two-minute silence.


    Using theory to achieve the level of a race car driver''s evasive skills? Only the youngdy could pull the wool over Leo''s eyes like this.


    Grady couldn''t help but give Leo a side nce.


    Receiving this odd look, Leo was all, "?"


    Grady didn''t bring up the car ident again, chatting with Leo about other things while waiting for Mirabe toe back. His curiosity about the youngdy grew


    even more.


    *


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had already left the hospital and was sitting in James''s car. As James drove, he nced over at her right hand. "How''s your hand healing?" Mirabe lifted her hand, now only bandaged simply without the gauze, and nodded. ¡°Your ointment worked wonders. The wound scabbed over in just a day."


    It wasn''t any less effective than what she had nned to make herself.


    James hummed softly. "Apply it a few more times; it should heal without leaving a scar."


    Mirabe raised her eyebrows. She was well aware of the ointment''s effects. Looking out the car window, she then asked, "Where are we going for dinner? Hope it won''t take too long."


    "There''s a diner nearby that does amazing Southernfort food. I''ve already made reservations. We can head straight there," James paused, then added, "I''ve


    arranged for a portion to be sent to Leo as well."


    Hearing this, Mirabe turned to look at him briefly.

 Chapter 702

    "Passing through, huh?" Mirabe teased with a yful smirk.


    Caught in his little lie, James stayed as cool as a cucumber, his chiseled profile glowing with a gentle warmth. "Well, what if you''d said no? That would''ve been pretty embarrassing."


    Mirabe rubbed her hands together, her skin looking even more radiant against her red wool coat. "With food involved, I usually don''t say no."


    James wasn''t surprised by her response. After all, she was not only a bit of a money lover but also quite the foodie.


    A few minutester, they pulled up to the restaurant.


    Standing at the entrance, Mirabe seemed lost in thought as she stared at the sign. This ce couldn''t possibly belong to the Davis family, could it?


    Seeing her zoning out, James, who had parked the car ande over, called out to her, "Mia?"


    Mirabe snapped back to reality, shook her head, and looked at him.


    They entered one after the other, greeted by a server whose warmth was just right -not too overbearing, not too cold.


    As soon as they settled into a private booth, the kitchen sent out their dishes. The cuisine was delicate and light, with a plethora of ingredients that were both bright and refined, a real feast for the eyes.


    The table wasden with such tempting dishes that Mirabe, who had been living off the bone broth Delh had been bringing her for days, didn''t hesitate. She grabbed her fork and knife and dove right in.


    James watched her with a soft smile, enjoying the quiet butfortable atmosphere.


    Halfway through the meal, James set down his utensils, wiped his mouth with a napkin, leaned back, and just watched the young woman across from him eat.


    When she was nearly done, he reached for the coffee pot beside him and filled her cup. "I''ll be leaving town for a few days. If you run into any trouble, give me a call, or you can reach out to Wyatt."


    Mirabe looked up at James and nodded. "Okay."


    After setting down her fork, she didn''t go back to eating. Instead, she tapped her fingers lightly on the table and nced at her watch. "I should head back."


    "Alright." James got up, retrieved their coats from the rack, handed Mirabe hers, and then put on his own.


    Mirabe thanked him.


    Soon, they were outside the restaurant, where the wind was picking up and the sky threatened rain.


    Mirabe wrapped her coat tighter around herself and got into the car.


    Minutester, they stopped outside the hospital. Before getting out, Mirabe unfastened her seatbelt, turned to James, and said earnestly, "Stay safe."


    James met her gaze, and after a brief pause, his eyebrows lifted slightly, his voice warmed. "Yeah."


    Mirabe coughed slightly. "I''m off then."


    With that, she opened the door and stepped out, her figure slender and straight,


    her red coat like a zing me that seemed to dispel her usual icy aura.


    James watched her until she disappeared, then drove away from the hospital.


    *


    Mirabe entered the hospital''s lobby and pressed the button for the elevator.


    The elevator was on its way down, and in less than a minute, it dinged open. Mirabe, hands in her coat pockets, exuded a casual vibe.


    Inside was a middle-aged man in a ck overcoat, radiating an imposing presence, his face stern with a hint of menace.


    Mirabe nced at him, her expression unflinching. She subtly stepped to the side, allowing him to exit first with a polite nod.

 Chapter 703

    Grady wasn''t just anyone; he was the guy who had been upstairs, waiting for Mirabe to return for what felt like forever.


    When the elevator doors slid open and Mirabe appeared, Grady''s expression briefly faltered with surprise. Sure, he had seen her from afar before, but he had never faced her up close like this.


    Now, as her delicate features came sharply into focus, Grady found himself momentarily dazed. There was something strikingly familiar in Mirabe''s gaze, an uncanny resemnce to Keir that he couldn''t shake off. It was a mix of pride and an undeniably sharp edge.


    She exuded a natural, aristocratic air of aloofness, setting her apart from her brothers. Where they were restrained and calcted, she was all hidden edges. Her brothers treated him with a cautious respect, as if worried he might devour them whole.


    But not Mirabe. She nced at him without a hint of fear, herposure unfeigned and utterly unexpected. That''s the kind of presence, Grady thought, truly befitting a member of the Davis family.


    As the elevator doors began to close, a flurry of thoughts raced through Grady''s mind. He hastily pressed the button to keep them open. He was itching to strike up a conversation with Mirabe, but the vibrating phone in his pocket held him back. If it weren''t for urgent business, he''d still be upstairs in the hospital room.


    With a sigh of regret, Grady stepped out of the elevator. As he passed by Mirabe, he paused ever so slightly, but then resumed his brisk walk towards the exit.


    Next time, he thought. There would be time for introductionster.


    Mirabe stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the tenth floor. As the doors began to close, her gaze lingered on the retreating figure of Grady. His aura reminded her of the men in ck she had mistakenly thought were debt collectors when she first returned to the Davis family. Rogues, every single one of them.


    Meanwhile, back in the car, Grady''s assistant As started the engine and mentioned, "The jet''s all set, Mr. Grady. We can head out whenever you''re ready."


    Grady hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze drifting outside the window before turning back to As. "I want you to dig up everything you can on Mirabe. Leave no stone unturned."


    As, surprised, replied, "But sir, the file we have is already quiteprehensive. Why the sudden interest in revisiting her background?"


    Grady remembered the file he had perused, its contents too mundane and ordinary, hardly matching the image of the Miss he encountered today.


    "Just do as I say, no questions."


    "Alright, alright," As conceded, then couldn''t help but ask, "So, did Mirabe seem... intimidated by you?"


    They were under strict instructions from Zach not to get too close to Mirabe, given their intimidating presence. Thus, As had only ever seen her in pictures. Grady shot him a look. "Do you think she''s anything like her useless brothers?" Not a flicker of fear in her, Grady thought with a mix of admiration and challenge. As twitched his lips, thinking, *Useless brothers...* That''s a term only Mr. Grady could get away with, though he couldn''t help but agree.

 Chapter 704

    However, it looked like the head butler had a pretty high opinion of Miss Davis.


    As cleared his throat and suggested, "How about we arrange for Miss Davis to meet us sometime soon?"


    Zach''s kids had all been reluctant to get involved with the Davis family business, so now all their hopes were pinned on Miss Davis.


    She seemed to have a sharp mind and excelled in every way-definitely someone worth grooming for the future.


    Especially since Keir had spent his entire life unmarried and without kids, managing the massive familywork with an iron grip.


    Zach, after that kidnapping incident with Mr. Nick, vowed to stay out of the Davis family''s core affairs. Fearing a repeat, he moved his wife and kids back to Ashford from abroad, choosing a low-profile life in the city.


    When Zach got married, he made a deal with Keir that one of his kids would have to inherit the Davis family mantle and be the future heir.


    Zach had always wanted to break away from the Davis family and didn''t want his kids to get dragged back in. So, he found a loophole: the inheritance had to go to hisst child.


    So, after having four boys, Mrs. Zach finally had a daughter.


    The idea of a girl inheriting the vast Davis family empire sounded absurd, but Keir didn''t mind her gender. However, after testing Miss Summer a few times, he dropped the idea of formally adopting her.


    Nick, who had been closely nurtured by Keir, was deeply affected by his kidnapping and had no desire to take the reins of the Davis family.


    The other young masters were even less capable of handling such a responsibility.


    It wasn''t until the long-lost Miss Davis came back that they started paying attention. At first, they were just curious, but soon they realized she might be much stronger than the previous Miss Summer, making them take a secret interest.


    After all, Zach''sst child could very well be the future Davis family heir. And if Miss Davis proved herself to be exceptional, who cared if she was a girl?


    Except for Nick, the other brothers weren''t exactly promising candidates anyway.


    As''s thoughts drifted, and suddenly, he clicked his tongue and said, "Head butler, don''t you think Zach and his wife haven''t let us meet Miss Davis not because they think we''d scare her, but because they''re afraid she''d be taken away?"


    Grady was momentarily stunned by thement, but then it hit him like a lightbulb moment.


    The agreement between Keir and Zach wasn''t exactly a secret within the Davis family, and As''s mention of the heir issue got him thinking even more about the possibilities.


    Moreover, Grady felt it was increasingly likely, especially considering how Miss Davis had looked at him during their elevator encounter as if he were just any other person-showing no fear or even the slightest bit of nervousness.


    Over the years, Grady had met countless people who usually showed fear at first sight of him. Miss Davis''s calm demeanor was a rare exception, unless she was someone of high stature, used to power dynamics. It was unlikely for a youngdy to be soposed otherwise.


    Miss Davis was smart, skilled in medicine, and had an understated sharpness, sharing some traits with the Davis family''s aura, meeting some of the criteria for an heir.


    Rubbing his chin, Grady thought, "Zach may seem carefree on the outside, but he''s a sly one at heart."


    The effort Mrs. Zach put into having so many kids just to end up with a daughter showed their determined strategy.

 Chapter 705

    As nodded with a knowing smile. "Zach''s ying a bit dirty, isn''t he? I mean, isn''t the youngdy practically family to us Keir folks?"


    That''s why they called Mirabe ''youngdy'' instead of ''little miss.''


    Grady drummed his fingers on his knee, deep in thought. "If Zach''s got his tricks, why can''t we use some of our own?"


    As cleared his throat and gave Grady a thumbs-up. "We''re ready for whatever you''ve got nned."


    "Let''s finish what we''re working on first, then we''ll talk," Grady replied after a moment of consideration.


    "Got it," As nodded, then added, "By the way, the Pledger family''s overseas operations arepletely cut off. I''ve also ordered our domestic branches to pull back from any special orders we had with them."


    Outside, the rain began to pour. Grady stared out the car window for a while before speaking. "Yeah, time they learned there are some people you just don''t mess with."


    "Exactly," As smirked. "Mess with the Davis family''s youngdy? They must have a death wish."


    Meanwhile, Mirabe returned to the hospital room just as Leo was finishing his meal.


    She nced at the takeout packaging-it was from the same ce she and James had eaten earlier.


    Leo wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at his sister. "Running off to stuff your face and only thinking to bring me takeout? At least you''ve got some decency."


    Mirabe pulled up a chair and slouched backzily.


    Leo tossed the takeout box into the trash and, remembering that she came back right as Grady left, decided to ask, "By the way, sis, did anyone interesting try to chat you up on your way back?"


    Mirabe shot him a sideways nce. "Nope."


    Leo exhaled in relief, d she hadn''t run into any trouble.


    "Something on your mind?" she asked, noticing his expression.


    Leo hesitated, then said, "Not really. Just that Grady dropped by to see us, and you happened to be out."


    "Grady? Who''s that?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    "Just one of Chester''s guys," Leo scratched his head. He wasn''t exactly sure what Grady''s role was, just that he was one of Chester''s men, managing the Davis family''s assets.


    Hearing this, Mirabe''s curiosity was piqued, which was rare. "And what does Chester do?"


    "I''m not too familiar with Chester, but Nick probably knows more," Leo replied. Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment, not pressing further. She hadn''t met the man, so it wasn''t of much concern to her.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out and replied to a message.


    Having missed several days of school, many ssmates had reached out to check on her. The message now was from her desk-mate, Jenna.


    After a moment''s thought, she texted back, ''Will be back in school tomorrow.''


    She had stayed away from school to keep Leo''s injury a secret while they uncovered the culprit behind the scenes. Now, with things settling down, there was no need to linger in the hospital, especially with finals half a month away.


    After responding, Mirabe remembered the box of autographs she hadn''t managed to give to her ssmates, likely still in Leo''s car. She quickly sent another message, this time to Collins, asking if he could grab the autographs for her when he had a chance.


    Time flew by, and soon it was the end of the month.


    Mirabe had dined with James a few days ago, hearing about his ns to leave town for a bit. Since then, they hadn''t been in much contact, with most of her time devoted to studying and researching medicine.

 Chapter 706

    At the end of the month, just after school let out, Mirabe packed up her things and strolled out of the ssroom.


    Vincent had already finished his Prodigy ss and was waiting outside. He had made ns earlier that day with Queen Mira to grab dinner at his family''s cozy spot, Herb & Hearth, owned by the Mendozas. It was the perfect chance to showcase histest culinary creation.


    As they walked towards the school exit, they were deep in conversation about various science topics. Jenna, who was trailing behind them, couldn''t help but feel the urge to cover her ears. After a full day of lectures, thest thing she needed was moreplex scientific discussions from the school''s top students. It felt like a special kind of torture.


    At the school gates, Vincent invited Jenna to join them, but she quickly declined. The thought of enduring more iprehensible discussions over dinner was unbearable. With a quick wave, she made her escape.


    The Mendoza''s car was already waiting by the roadside. Jamie spotted Vincent approaching and put away his phone, but his expression tightened slightly when he saw Mirabe with him.


    "Jamie," Vincent greeted him with a nod, gesturing towards Queen Mira, "You remember my ssmate, right? She was at Grandpa''s birthday. Today, she''s here to taste test my new dish."


    Jamie gave a nonmittal hum, barely acknowledging Mirabe, and suggested they get going as Grandpa was waiting at Herb & Hearth.


    Vincent opened the car door for Mirabe, and they both settled into the backseat. Soon, they were driving away from Parkside High School. As they left, a ck sedan parked nearby started its engine and discreetly followed.


    Half an hourter, they arrived at Herb & Hearth.


    "Ah, Mirabe, there you are," Knox greeted her warmly as they entered a private dining room.


    Mirabe nodded politely, "Knox," and then turned to greet Vincent''s mother, Marian, with the same courtesy.


    Aimee, the epitome of elegance and intellect, poured Mirabe a cup of coffee with a smile. "Please, take a seat, dear."


    Mirabe was immediately taken with Aimee, who exuded a grace simr to Delh''s, and was just as approachable.


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, Knox excused himself to the kitchen, leaving Mirabe and Aimee alone.


    Mirabe, seizing the moment, gently inquired if Aimee had been experiencing specific health issues. Aimee responded with surprise and curiosity.


    Mirabe modestly mentioned her knowledge in alternative medicine, which reminded Aimee of Donald''s mentions of the young girl''s expertise in herbal remedies.


    Upon Aimee''s agreement, Mirabe took her pulse, a gesture of genuine concern and care. Soon after, she jotted down a list ofmon herbs on a piece of paper, showcasing her knowledge and willingness to help.


    The exchange, filled with warmth and the promise of new friendships, highlighted Mirabe''s unique blend of youth and wisdom, making a memorable day at Herb & Hearth even more special.

 Chapter 707

    After wrapping up her diagnosis, she handed the paper to Aimee and said, "You''ve got endometriosis, amon condition in women. This herbal mix should help. Drink it as tea for about two weeks, and you should start to feel better."


    Aimee held the paper but didn''t look at the prescription right away. She was more amazed. "Wow, that''s exactly what the doctor at the clinic said. They gave me a bunch of pills, but none worked."


    The fact that this young woman could diagnose her just by taking her pulse was almost unbelievable.


    Mirabe sipped her coffee and reassured her, "No worries. Just follow this herbal tea recipe and give it some time. You''ll be fine."


    Aimee nodded and finally nced at the paper, recognizing most of the herbs listed. She folded it neatly and tucked it into her pocket.


    Shortly after, Vincent and Knox walked in, carrying dishes that filled the room with delicious aromas.


    Vincent had a real talent for cooking. Since thest meal he prepared, his skills had clearly advanced from apprentice to master chef.


    Mirabe didn''t hold back on herpliments.


    Jamie, who was eavesdropping from outside the room, scoffed and walked away, unable to listen any longer.


    In front of Knox, the young woman had gone from showing off her medical knowledge to showering praises, all to ingratiate herself with the Mendoza family ¡ªa fact that seemed to go unnoticed by Knox and his family.


    When new customers walked in, Jamie, noticing the staff were busy, stepped up to greet them himself.


    The neers were two young women, both wearing sunsses and masks as if they wanted to hide their identities.


    Jamie was puzzled but politely asked, "Would you like a private booth or the main dining area?"


    The visitors were none other than Michelle and Heather.


    "We''re not here to eat; we''re looking for someone," said Michelle, removing her sunsses.


    Jamie''s eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he kept a courteous tone. "Who are you looking for?"


    "A young student who came in about twenty minutes ago,st name Huo," Michelle replied.


    Huo, a student Jamie didn''t need to guess who they meant.


    After a brief pause, he said, "Ms. Mirabe is a guest of Knox. If you need to see her, maybe try calling her first."


    Michelle bit her lip. If she had Mirabe''s number, she wouldn''t have had to follow her here. "We''re her friends, and it''s urgent. Could you please take us to her?"


    Jamie hesitated but eventually nodded, "Alright, follow me."


    At the room''s entrance, Jamie asked them to wait outside for a moment. He stepped in, drawing the beaded curtain aside, and announced to Mirabe, "Ms. Mirabe, you have visitors."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and nced toward the doorway. Through the gently swaying beads, she could clearly see the two figures standing there.


    After a brief look, she turned away indifferently and said, "Don''t know them."


    Knox noticed this exchange and frowned, looking at Jamie disapprovingly. "Can''t you see we''re in the middle of a meal?"


    Jamie, sensing Knox''s displeasure, felt somewhat embarrassed but exined in a low voice, "They insisted it was urgent, which is why I came to check."


    He hadn''t expected Mirabe to outright deny knowing them.


    But if they really were strangers, how did they know to look for her here?


    Jamie couldn''t help but cast a skeptical look at Mirabe, his expression turning thoughtful.

 Chapter 708

    Just then, Michelle, who had been standing outside, couldn''t hold back any longer. She flung the curtain aside and walked in.


    Pulling off her mask, she didn''t bother with anyone else. Her eyes locked onto Mirabe, and her voice was both urgent and loud. "Mirabe, don''t act like you don''t know me. My cousin and I need to talk to you. Can we step aside for a moment?"


    As soon as she spoke, Knox, Aimee, and Vincent all turned to look at her.


    Knox and Aimee were clueless; they didn''t follow reality TV or streaming dramas, so they had no idea who Michelle was.


    Vincent, though, was a different story. Usually buried in his studies, he rarely wasted time on TV. But when he found out Queen Mira was on a reality show, he''d caught a few episodes and instantly recognized Michelle.


    He frowned, remembering the Twitter fiasco where Michelle had leaked Queen Mira''s info.


    How she found this ce was a mystery. Vincent nced at Mirabe and, without waiting for her to say anything, stood up with an icy demeanor. "Sorry, we''re having a private dinner here. Please, don''t interrupt."


    Michelle, a former student from Parkside High School and a year ahead of Vincent, had graduated six months ago. She remembered Vincent, the academic prodigy, and his background. She hadn''t expected him to be so close to Juztin''s sister and to speak up now.


    Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Michelle addressed Vincent. "Look, I really need to talk to Mirabe."


    Vincent raised his hand, his voice cold. "You don''t need to get chummy with me. We don''t know each other. And anyone with basic manners would call ahead instead of tracking someone down to their dinner."


    Michelle stood there, mortified, unable to say a word in response.


    Aimee, seeing this, narrowed her eyes and stood up. Without asking for any exnations, she turned to Jamie. "Jamie, would you mind escorting thisdy out? Vincent''s right. Anyone with manners would make a call first."


    Jamie''s face reddened. Aimee''s words were aimed at Michelle, but the jab at his ownck of manners was clear since he''d brought her. With a resigned nod, Jamie agreed. "Alright."


    But Michelle was desperate now, biting her lip. She quickly scanned the room before turning back to Mirabe. "Mirabe, I''m sorry, okay? Leaking your info online was wrong. Please, I''m begging you to show some mercy on me and my cousin."


    Thinking about the predicament the Sharp family and the Pledger family were in, Michelle was genuinely scared.


    Mirabe set down her utensils and stood up, calm and collected. "Let''s talk outside, so we don''t disturb everyone else."


    She then turned to Knox and Aimee, apologizing politely before stepping out of the private dining room.


    Michelle, relieved that Mirabe agreed to talk privately, quickly followed her.


    Aimee wanted to call Mirabe back but seeing how quickly she left, she let it go, turning her attention to Vincent. "Vincent, who is that woman? Do you know her?"


    The way Michelle pleaded for forgiveness left a bad taste, as if she was painting Mirabe as some kind of unreasonable viin to those who didn''t know the full story.

 Chapter 709

    Vincent nced at his mom, Judy, mulling over the situation for a few seconds before he spilled the beans about how Michelle had been bad-mouthing and leaking Queen Mira''s personal info online.


    Upon hearing this, Judy''s face turned stormy, and she mmed her hand on the table. "Can you believe the nerve of that woman? Making mistakes is one thing, but that is no way to apologize!"


    Vincent jumped at the sudden bang on the table from Judy.


    "No way, Mirabe always seemed so soft-spoken and gentle, she''s bound to be pushed around. I need to check on her," Judy dered, standing up.


    Though she had only met the youngdy a couple of times, her impression of her was genuinely favorable. Besides, she was invited over for dinner, not to be mistreated.


    Seeing his mother''s reaction, Vincent quickly grabbed her arm, "Mom, please, don''t rush into this. It''s their private matter; it wouldn''t be right for us to interfere."


    Well, even though Queen Mira seemed... demure, he didn''t quite see her as someone who could be easily bullied.


    Getting the better end of the deal was more her style.


    "I..."


    Judy was about to argue when the cell phone on the table buzzed to life.


    It was Mirabe''s phone.


    She had casually left her phone on the table during dinner and forgot it when she left.


    Knox, who was sitting next to Mirabe, instinctively nced at the phone as it rang.


    He didn''t mean to snoop, but his eyes caught the caller ID marked ''James'' and he paused.


    Narrowing his eyes, Knox took a sip of his coffee, then set the cup down and fished out his own basic cell phone to make a call.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe stepped out of Herb & Hearth, finding a quiet spot outside as the evening sky darkened, streetlights beginning to glow.


    Turning to face Michelle and a heavily bundled-up Heather, Mirabe''s gaze was icy, her beautiful face expressionless.


    She didn''t start the conversation.


    For the first time, Michelle looked directly into Mirabe''s stunning face, feeling a pang of envy. Clenching her fists, she blurted out, "What exactly do you want from us to leave the Pledger and the Sharp families alone?"


    "I have no idea what you''re talking about," Mirabe responded coolly.


    Michelle''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Don''t y dumb. My cousin''s business is suffering. Are you going to deny you had nothing to do with it?"


    Heather, noticing her cousin''s confrontational tone, narrowed her eyes and sharply rebuked, "Michelle, apologize to Ms. Mirabe."


    Heather had warned her cousin multiple times on their way to see Mirabe, insisting on showing sincere remorse in front of her.


    But, it didn''t take long for Michelle to revert to her usatory manner.


    Hearing her cousin''s voice, Michelle quickly realized her mistake and took a deep breath before bowing deeply to Mirabe. "I''m sorry."


    Mirabe, however, simply stepped aside, her actions indicating she wasn''t interested in Michelle''s apology.


    Heather removed her sses, revealing her swollen eyes. Despite the sparse flow of patrons, she kept her mask on, mindful of her public image.


    "Ms. Mirabe, I''m truly sorry. My cousin''s actions were inexcusable. I hope you can see that the Pledger family has already suffered enough and kindly ask that you not pursue this further," Heather said earnestly, her tone devoid of its usual arrogance.

 Chapter 710

    Heather always figured Juztin was just an ordinary guy. On their live show, both he and his sister came off as pretty down-home, which only reinforced her belief that they didn''te from any significant background.


    Even when she found out Juztin''sst name was Howe, she didn''t connect him to the famous Howe family her mom sometimes mentioned. So, when her cousin started spreading dirt online, Heather didn''t step in.


    Even when Juztin and his sister''swyer brother sent a cease-and-desist, Heather felt a bit wary at first but then brushed it off. After all, what could a singlewyer do against the powerful Pledger family?


    With that in mind, she called her cousin''s managementpany, dropping the Pledger family name to throw her weight around. Though they had already decided to stop promoting her cousin, the agency buckled under the Pledger family''s pressure and returned the cease-and-desist.


    The goal was just to scare Zach into backing off. She never imagined it would ignite a chain reaction that would put the Pledger family in the crosshairs.


    Her father was just a distant rtive within the Pledger n, barely part of the inner circle. If it hadn''t been for his knack for business earning him some favor, she would never have dared to unt the Riverdale Pledger name in social circles.


    Now, her father''s overseas project had crashed and burned, and the domestic branches he managed were teetering on the brink of copse, which enraged the Pledger family.


    The Davis family wasn''t part of any Riverdale power faction, but their sprawling industrywork was daunting. Nobody knew the full extent of the Davis family''s reach.


    They even threatened to boot the Pledger family out of Riverdale''s elite circle unless they received a formal apology for the slight against their daughter.


    And the Pledgers didn''t even know who the Davis family''s daughter was until Heather, after realizing her father had be the family''s scapegoat, pieced it all together.


    That''s when it hit her just how shallow she had been. Juztin''s mysterious background wasn''t because he came from nothing, but because it was intentionally hidden. Otherwise, how could he have kept such a spotless reputation?


    Unfortunately, she realized her mistake toote. She had already made a formidable enemy and caused a massive blunder.


    The more Heather thought about it, the worse she felt. If only she had stopped her cousin from posting those rumors, or hadn''t sent back that cease-and-desist in the name of the Pledger family, maybe her family wouldn''t be in this dire situation, despised by the whole Pledger n.


    And maybe she wouldn''t be standing before Mirabe, begging for forgiveness in such a humiliating way.


    Taking a deep breath, Heather pushed down her swirling thoughts and continued to apologize to Mirabe. When she finished, she quietly watched Mirabe, trying to read her reaction.


    Mirabe just adjusted her coat, her voice cool and detached, "Are you done?"


    Heather was taken aback, unable to gauge Mirabe''s attitude.


    Mirabe''s mind was elsewhere. After that Twitter fiasco, Zach had told her not to worry, assuring her he''d handle it.


    Could Zach really be that influential?


    To make someone like Heather, with her supposed clout, personallye forward to apologize?


    "What do you want from us, then? Name your terms. As long as they''re reasonable, we''ll do our best to meet them," Michelle chimed in eagerly.


    For them, resolving this mess, no matter the cost, was their top priority.

 Chapter 711

    Mirabe nced at Michelle, her tone as breezy as a summer day, "Alright, now get lost."


    Michelle''s jaw dropped, but she couldn''t muster a word.


    Mirabe slipped her hand into her pocket, realizing she hadn''t taken out her phone. Deciding not to waste any more time on them, she headed towards the entrance of Herb & Hearth.


    Heather instinctively moved to block her path, but just then, a car zoomed by, its headlights blinding her. She stumbled, raising a hand to shield her eyes.


    Mirabe paused and turned to look at the now stationary car. Her eyebrows lifted slightly, the coldness on her face softening a bit.


    Soon, the car''s lights clicked off, and Wyatt stepped out from the driver''s seat, respectfully opening the rear door.


    James emerged, his gaze locking onto Mirabe as he walked over.


    Mirabe, spotting him, simply said, "You''re back."


    James'' lips curved slightly, the iciness on his handsome face melting away as he looked deeply into her eyes and hummed in acknowledgment, "Tried calling you, but no answer."


    Mirabe didn''t question how he knew she was at Knox''s diner, simply lifting her chin slightly, "Left my phone inside. Have you eaten yet?"


    "Just got off the ne, haven''t had the chance," James nced briefly at Heather and Michelle standing nearby, "Trouble?"


    His presence wasmanding, and that nce alone made Heather and Michelle tense up involuntarily, a chill running down their spines.


    Mirabe shrugged, "Let''s focus on dinner."


    Hearing this, James didn''t press further and soon, they entered the diner side by side.


    Michelle, wanting to follow, was stopped by Wyatt standing in her way.


    Wyatt, usuallyid-back, wasn''t someone to mess with. Michelle shrank back under his cold gaze.


    This guy...


    Meanwhile, Heather grabbed Michelle''s arm, shaking her head slightly before politely nodding at Wyatt and pulling Michelle away.


    It wasn''t until they reached their car that Heather finally let go.


    Michelle, puzzled, asked, "Cousin, why did you..."


    Heather knew what she was asking, her voice slightly heavy, "That''s someone


    from the Shepherd family. They''re way out of our league."


    Michelle was taken aback, "The Shepherd family... from Riverdale?"


    "Exactly." Heather got into the car.


    Her mind was a whirlwind. She had once attended a family gathering and seen a member of the Shepherd family from afar. Despite the time that had passed, the person''s imposing presence and striking features were unforgettable.


    She couldn''t be mistaken.


    But how did Mirabe know someone from the Shepherd family? And they seemed quite familiar with each other.


    Dealing with the Davis family was already a headache, and now discovering Mirabe''s close ties with the Shepherd family... If she had known about Mirabe''s powerful connections, she wouldn''t have dared to cross her!


    At this moment, Heather was deeply worried about the future of the Pledger family.


    Michelle started the car, ncing at her cousin in the rearview mirror, "So, are we still going to stake out Parkside High School for Mirabe tomorrow?"


    Heather massaged her temples and after a long pause, she finally shook her head, "No, let''s not. Confronting her might just make things worse."

 Chapter 712

    Michelle''s grip tightened on the steering wheel, her voice edged with tension, "So, what are we gonna do now?"


    Even though the Pledger family was in the hot seat, her own family, the Sharps, wasn''t doing much better. Sharp Enterprises'' stocks had been nosediving for a week straight. Another dip and they might be looking at bankruptcy.


    Heather, massaging her temples in frustration, snapped, "This is all on you. If you could''ve just kept your jealousy in check, would we even be in this mess?"


    Michelle bit her lip. She had backed Heather''s decision back then, but now wasn''t the time to argue. All she could do was take the me.


    "Let''s sort this out when we get back," Heather sighed, sounding defeated.


    Meanwhile, as Mirabe and James walked into the private dining room, Knox had already ordered a fresh round of dishes.


    "Mirabe, those two didn''t give you any trouble, did they?" Aimee asked, her concern evident.


    Mirabe smiled and shook her head, "No, thank you, Marian."


    Aimee sighed in relief, "If you ever run into any trouble you can''t handle, just let Marian know. No need to be shy."


    "Okay," Mirabe nodded, looking every bit the well-behaved girl.


    Seeing this, Aimee regretted, for the umpteenth time, not having another daughter.


    Knox asionally chatted with James, but given they were at the dinner table, the conversation stayed light.


    Soon after finishing their meal, Mirabe and James said their goodbyes and left. Once in the car, Mirabe immediately grabbed James''s wrist to check his pulse. She had noticed that he hardly touched his food, and even when he did, his hands trembled slightly. It was subtle, but she caught it.


    James nced at her, "Is Heather giving you a hard time?"


    Mirabe stayed silent, focusing on his pulse. After a moment, she let go, "You really push yourself too hard. Every time youe back, you''re either dealing with an old injury or a new one."


    Caught, James''s expression didn''t change. He just brushed it off with, "It''s just a scratch."


    Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce before answering his earlier question, "She came to apologize."


    "Over that Twitter thing?" James raised an eyebrow.


    "Yeah, something like that," Mirabe shrugged. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, cutting the conversation short as she took it out.


    It was Zach calling.


    Not surprised, she told him she''d be home in about fifteen minutes and hung up.


    Turning back to James, she reminded him, "Make sure you get some rest when you get home."


    The car''s interior light illuminated her pretty face, her eyes sparkling. James looked at her and softly replied, "Yeah."


    He then turned his gaze to the car window, a slight smile ying on his lips.


    *


    When she got home, Zach, who had been waiting for Mirabe, called her out to the garden.


    "Mirabe, did that Shen womane looking for you?" Zach had received a call from Heather, saying she wanted to meet and talk. That''s how he knew Heather had sought out Mirabe at school.


    Mirabe was a bit surprised, "Zach, how''d you know?"


    "She called me, said she was gonna apologize to you," Zach kicked a pebble at his feet, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Don''t bother with her. Some people just never learn."


    Hearing the ''never learn'' part, Mirabe crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, "So, what exactly did you do to her? Why are you asking me to let her off the hook?"

 Chapter 713

    Zach cleared his throat, "Come on, we''re obviously going the legal route. Did you forget your brother''s awyer?!"


    "Oh..." Mirabe''s drawn-out response made it clear she was skeptical.


    If it was just about legal matters, Heather and Michelle wouldn''t have begged her


    to let their family off the hook. Was Zach really thinking she hadn''t brushed up on her legal knowledge?


    Zach raised an eyebrow, "Sis, what''s with the ''oh''?"


    Mirabe nodded, trying toe up with apliment, "Zach, you''re doing great!"


    Zach felt a bit underestimated and scratched his head, deciding to drop the topic. "By the way, I heard from Leo that you''re nning to head back to Catherine''s right after your exams?"


    "Yeah, I already booked the flight," Mirabe said.


    Zach, considering the Gilbert family''s recent bankruptcy, hesitated before speaking, "Are you sure Catherine''s ce will be weing?"


    "Absolutely." Mirabe knew her grandmother well enough but eyed Zach suspiciously, "Zach, is there something you''re not telling me?"


    After a moment''s pause, Zach decided to be upfront, "I''m just worried it might be awkward going back, especially with the Gilbert family in shambles, and considering your former stepmom isn''t exactly the most refined person."


    Mirabe hadn''t expected the Gilbert family to go bankrupt, but then again, they had managed to offend City Hall and the town''s top brass. It would''ve been a shock if they hadn''t faced consequences.


    She waved off his concerns, "No worries, it''s not a big deal."


    Even with the Gilbert family''s downfall, someone like Mandy wouldn''t sit idle at home. She certainly wouldn''t bother with Catherine.


    Seeing his sister''s determination, Zach let it go. After all, Catherine had raised her for years, and their bond was deep.


    After chatting a bit more, Mirabe went back to her room and made a video call to Catherine.


    Seeing Catherine looking well and hearing her normal tone of voice on the call, Mirabe felt at ease.


    "By the way, I''ve got a flight back on January 16th," Mirabe mentioned before hanging up.


    Catherine, momentarily stunned, quickly lit up with joy, unable to hide her excitement, "You''reing back?"


    "Yeah." Mirabe''s reply was soft, her smile growing as she watched Catherine''s reaction.


    "Only half a month away... I need to think about what special treats to prepare for you. You must have lost weight with all that studying. I''ll make sure to fatten you up a bit when you get back..."


    As Catherine rambled on, she absentmindedly wiped a tear from her eye, realizing she was getting emotional and quickly made up an excuse to end the call.


    Nothing could make her happier than her granddaughtering home.


    Mirabe chuckled and shook her head as she looked at the ended call on her phone.


    Time flew by, and soon it was time for the end-of-semester exams.


    For two days, every student was on edge, only breathing a sigh of relief after thestprehensive test was over.


    As they were leaving school, Vincent approached Mirabe with a few boxes of homemade snacks, ¡°These are from my mom. She wanted to thank you for the herbal remedy you suggested. She''s fully recovered now. You shoulde over during the winter break."

 Chapter 714

    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but didn''t turn down the snacks, taking the boxes


    from Vincent and thanking him. "I might not be around during winter break. I have to go back to my hometown."


    Vincent just smiled. "No worries, we can hang out another time."


    "Yep." Mirabe nodded. The car was already waiting outside the school gates. She turned to Vincent and said, "I''ll be off then."


    "Alright." Vincent watched as Queen Mira got into the car, then headed off himself.


    In the car, Mirabe ced the gift boxes on the back seat. A paper bag had tipped over, revealing a slender wooden box inside.


    Definitely not a snack.


    Curious, Mirabe took the wooden box and opened it. Inside was a meticulously preserved ginseng root, judging by its color and roots, it was at least a hundred years old and worth between eighty to a hundred and twenty thousand dors.


    She hadn''t expected the Mendoza family to be so generous, gifting her such a valuable herb.


    Closing the wooden box, Mirabe pulled out her phone to send Vincent a thank- you message. After a moment''s thought, she added another message: "Vincent, if you ever have any tough problems, feel free to ask me. I''ll help you out."


    When Vincent received this message, he was utterly confused, "Are you... alright?"


    After all, every time he asked her for help, she looked like she''d rather be anywhere else. This sudden offer to help was really out of character.


    It almost felt like her ount had been hacked.


    Mirabe, trying to be a helpful ssmate for the first time: "..."


    Vincent: "???"


    Seeing his confusion, Mirabe chuckled lightly. Before two minutes had passed, she retracted the offer.


    Vincent: "????"


    Mirabe didn''t reply and put her phone away.


    *


    After dinner, Mirabe went to her room to pack.


    Since she was spending her first New Year with the Davis family, Mirabe knew Catherine''s temperament well. Inviting her to the Davis family for New Year might not go over well, so Mirabe decided to return to her hometown to spend a week with Catherine.


    After packing her clothes, she thought it over and included the Lunar Lace herb in her suitcase.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door.


    Zipping up her suitcase, Mirabe walked over and opened it. "Nick, you''re still up?"


    Nick pressed his lips together, his voice gentle, "Do you mind if Ie with you tomorrow?"


    Mirabe was momentarily taken aback.


    "I''d like to see where you grew up," Nick said with a smile.


    Since returning home, Nick had been under Mirabe''s care, and he looked less pale than before. However,pared to a healthy person, there was still a noticeable difference.


    Mirabe, leaning against the door frame, thought that having one more person wouldn''t really make a difference, especially since Catherine likedpany. She nodded, "But are there still tickets avable at this time?"


    Seemingly anticipating her question, Nick pulled out his phone and showed her the booking confirmation.


    Mirabe nced at it. The date indicated it was booked ten days ago. She twitched her lips, so he had nned to follow her back home all along?


    Nick, seeing his sister''s mixed expressions, curved his lips slightly, "Alright, let''s get some rest. We have an early flight tomorrow."


    After saying that, he patted her head briefly, then retracted his hand and went into his own room next door.


    Mirabe was left speechless.

 Chapter 715

    The next morning, bright and early, Mirabe and Nick were off to the airport. Their flight was at nine, but since their small town didn''t have a direct flight option, they had to catch an intercity bus from the city at eleven.


    Once theynded, Mirabe, phone in hand, was pondering whether to grab a shuttle back home or maybe rent a car. That''s when Nick chimed in.


    "Mirabe, got a ride waiting outside for us."


    Lifting her gaze, Mirabe blinked in surprise. "A ride?"


    Nick nodded as he grabbed her suitcase and started toward the parking lot. "Yeah, rented a car."


    Mirabe hurried after him, silently impressed. Trust Nick to have everything nned out to the T.


    They quickly made their way out of the airport, and Nick scanned the area before heading towards a Jeep parked not too far away. Leaning against the Jeep was a man, head bowed, focusing on something on the ground. Sensing their approach, he suddenly looked up. His eyes sparkled with recognition at the sight of Nick, and a flicker of excitement passed briefly when his gaze shifted to Mirabe.


    He straightened up and strode towards them. He was about to shout something that started with ''big'', but a stern look from Nick stopped him short.


    Catching the hint, As quickly corrected himself, "...Mr. Davis, you''ve arrived."


    Nick hummed in response, cing their two suitcases and a few boxes of prepared gifts in front of the car.


    Mirabe, walking beside him, gave their ''rental driver'' a curious nce. The man''s initial reaction seemed familiar, almost as if he knew them. And did he start to say ''big''?


    After loading the luggage, Nick turned to find his sister with a thoughtful expression and coughed lightly, "Sis?"


    Mirabe met Nick''s gaze and pressed her lips together, shaking her head slightly.


    As had already opened the back door of the car, his actions exuding an almost subconscious respect. Seeing this, Mirabe felt even more intrigued. Once inside the car, she whispered, ¡°Nick, where did you find this car?"


    The car''s heater was on, and Nick took off his down jacket. "Hmm? What about it?"


    Mirabe slightly raised an eyebrow. "The service is pretty good."


    Nick just smiled at that, softly saying, "Yeah, we''ll rent from him again on the way back."


    In the driver''s seat, As was over the moon: "!!!"


    Soon, the car started its journey. The highway from the city to their town would take about an hour and a half. Halfway there, Catherine called Mirabe to check where they were. Even through the phone, her happiness was palpable.


    Nick sat quietly, listening to Mirabe''s conversation with Catherine, feeling quite moved. Although there was little information avable about Mirabe, her achievements were undoubtedly thanks to Catherine. After all, for Catherine, with her modest education, to raise Mirabe to be so sensible and grounded was truly admirable.


    Meanwhile, Catherine was keeping an eye on the time, knowing Mirabe would be home soon. Unable to contain her excitement, she stood up and announced to everyone, "James, I''m going out to wait for them."


    With that, she made her way to the front yard, her steps eager but steady, until


    she reached the entrance of the alley. There, she stopped and stared unwaveringly at the road outside, as if her beloved granddaughter would appear the next second.


    After about twenty minutes of waiting, the car finally arrived.

 Chapter 716

    At the corner of the alley, where the wind seemed to have a mind of its own, Mirabe''s eyes quicklynded on Catherine, who was huddled against the biting cold. With a concerned frown, she called for the taxi to stop.


    Stepping out, Mirabe immediately stripped off her down jacket and wrapped it around Catherine. "It''s freezing out here. Didn''t I tell you to wait inside?"


    Catherine''s lips were tinged with purple from the cold, making Mirabe''s worry deepen. After checking Catherine''s hands to make sure they weren''t too cold, she sighed in relief.


    Catherine smiled, sping Mirabe''s hand. "I was only out here for a couple of minutes. I''m fine. But you, put your jacket back on before you catch a cold."


    Catherine tried to return the jacket, but Mirabe gently held her shoulder. "Don''t worry about me; I''m tougher than I look."


    Realizing she couldn''t win this argument, Catherine let it go.


    Meanwhile, Nick was busy unloading two suitcases and some gift boxes from the car. As closed the trunk and nced at the pile of items on the ground. He leaned in to Nick and whispered, "Hey Nick, why don''t I help you guys bring these inside? It''s a lot for one person to carry."


    The car could''ve been driven closer to the house, but since his sister had already gotten out, Nick decided to join her. He waved off As''s offer. "No worries, you head back. Thanks for everything."


    As hesitated, not immediately moving to leave.


    Seeing As still lingering, Nick was about to speak when As beat him to it. "Nick, didn''t you say I''d be the one to drive you back?"


    Realizing what As was getting at, Nick reassured him. "It''s fine. Grady''s been swampedtely. You can help him out."


    Catching a glimpse of Catherine nearby, As quickly interjected, "No rush. The butler''s got some free time and told me to stick with you and Miss."


    Nick smirked. "Alright, Uncle As, do as you see fit. Just," he paused, "try to keep it under wraps from my sister. She''s not familiar with our world, and I don''t want to scare her."


    As, touching his nose thoughtfully, thought the young miss didn''t seem the type to scare easily. But with Nick''s clear instructions, he nodded in understanding.


    With a final wave, Nick then turned to catch up with his sister and Catherine, leaving As to contemte the challenge of integrating the young miss into the Davis family world.


    As As drove off, he couldn''t help but reflect on Nick''s protective stance towards his sister, signaling a reluctance to expose her to the family''splexities.


    Making their way back to Catherine''s ce, Mirabe had filled her in about Nick, and the trio entered the yard in single file.


    "Oh, Mira, James is back too," Catherine mentioned casually as they stepped into the yard.


    At the mention of "James," Mirabe''s cheeks twitched involuntarily. "James?"


    Catherine nodded. "Yeah."


    Nick, trailing behind the two women, narrowed his eyes slightly. That man was here?


    Given Catherine''s casual tone, it seemed she was quite familiar with him.

 Chapter 717

    Mirabe, not noticing Nick''s expression, helped Catherine up the steps and casually asked, "What''s he back for?"


    "Just dropping by to check on this olddy," Catherine chuckled, her eyes lighting up with a fond memory. "James is a good man, really. Since I got back, he''s visited me quite a few times."


    Mirabe''s eyebrows shot up in surprise; she had never heard that guy mention any of this.


    She nodded, "Yeah, a good man."


    Nick nced at his sister and Catherine, his eyes slightly downcast. A good man? He doubted they''d ever seen James''s other, more ruthless side.


    "Didn''t James use to live next door? That house must''ve fallen into disrepair,pletely uninhabitable now, so I let him stay with us," Catherine added.


    Mirabe blinked, recalling that the neighboring house didn''t seem uninhabitable when she passed by earlier.


    By now, Catherine had moved into the living room, pulling out a pair of brand-new men''s slippers for Nick. "Mirabe, the ce is a bit modest, hope you don''t mind."


    Nick nodded politely, "Grandma, please, it''s quite nice here."


    Walking into the house, the building did show its age, but the living room, while notvishly furnished, was meticulously clean and tidy a testament to Catherine''s attention to detail.


    Catherine gestured for Nick to sit down and then mumbled something about James checking on the stove before heading to the kitchen.


    Mirabe let her go, casually grabbing disposable cups from a cab and filling them with warm water. Handing one to Nick, she paused for a moment before saying, "Nick, if you''re notfortable here, I can book a hotel for you tonight."


    Nick, holding the cup but not drinking, just looked at Mirabe. "Do I seem like the type to fuss?"


    Besides, if the Shepherd family could stay here, why couldn''t he?


    Mirabe leaned against the wooden sofa armrest, shaking her head with a smile. "Are James and Catherine close?" Nick asked casually.


    After a brief thought, Mirabe nodded, "Seems like it. Catherine is quite fond of him."


    After all, Catherine preferred to turn to James over her for help a clear sign of trust.


    Nick''s lips twitched slightly at that.


    Winning over the elderly and gaining the trust of family members indeed, one shouldn''t underestimate such scheming men with ulterior motives.


    "Nick, sit tight. I''ll take the luggage upstairs," Mirabe said after finishing her water, picking up her suitcase to head upstairs.


    Nick wanted to offer help, but Mirabe declined.


    Then, James followed Catherine from the kitchen, both carrying dishes.


    James met Nick''s sharp gaze, understanding the unspoken challenge. He pursed his lips, setting the dish on the table while offering a polite and friendly greeting, "Nick, good to see you."


    Nick, hearing his own name, frowned slightly. After a brief pause, he hummed in acknowledgment.


    Catherine nced at both men before signaling James to stop helping, then she returned to the kitchen for more tes and cutlery.


    Suddenly, only James and Nick were left in the room.


    To be continued...

 Chapter 718

    "James really knows how to pick his spots, doesn''t he?" Nick''s voice was as cool and detached as ever.


    James, always the picture of politeness, replied smoothly, "Just here to check on the olddy."


    Nick gave him a sideways nce but kept his thoughts to himself. Really? Choosing this exact time to visit the elderly when his sister was back home? Hmph.


    An awkward silence settled over them, thick and unsettling.


    Mirabe, having just put her luggage down, immediately sensed the tension. Her eyes darted between the two men, but their faces betrayed nothing unusual. She narrowed her eyes, suspicious.


    Just then, Catherine entered with a tray of sandwiches, calling everyone to dinner and breaking the strange atmosphere.


    Nick was always a man of few words, so he mostly listened to Catherine chat during the meal. James wasn''t much of a talker either, but he engaged Catherine every now and then.


    Every time James spoke, Catherine''s face lit up with genuine delight. It was clear she had a special fondness for him.


    This caught Mirabe off guard. She''d heard Catherine praise James before but hadn''t realized how close they''d be.


    After dinner, Mirabe insisted on handling the cleanup, taking the dishes to the kitchen herself.


    In the kitchen, she used the state-of-the-art dishwasher she had bought a while back. She loaded the dishes and pressed the wash button without a second thought.


    James walked in to store the leftovers in the fridge. Mirabe nced over at him, "When did you get back?"


    "Yesterday," he replied, closing the fridge door and looking at her, seemingly knowing what she was about to ask. "Catherine called me a few days ago, said you wereing home to visit. It''s been a while since I checked on the olddy myself, so I thought I''d drop by."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Just dropped by?"


    James cleared his throat and nodded, "Yeah."


    Mirabe gave a half-smile, "And when are you nning on leaving?"


    "In a few days. Maybe we could head back together," James said, his tone light and easy.


    Alright then.


    Mirabe shed him an OK sign and let it go at that.


    Back in the living room, Mirabe heard Catherine recounting tales from her past


    to Nick. She rubbed her temples before cutting in, "Grandma, where did you put my old books?"


    Catherine paused, then pointed towards her bedroom by the foyer, "They''re in the cab there, dear. The key''s in the usual spot. Help yourself."


    With a nod, Mirabe headed to her grandmother''s bedroom.


    The room was modest, just a bed and an old wooden cab from the seventies, locked up tight. She retrieved a small key hidden under a potted nt on the windowsill and unlocked the cab.


    Inside, the cab was divided in two, with Catherine''s neatly folded clothes on the shelves above and a small trunk along with some other items below.


    Mirabe pulled out the trunk, opened it, and found several books with ancient scripts, their pages yellowed with age-a testament to their long history.

 Chapter 719

    Mirabe dug through the box and pulled out a book titled "The Herbalist''s Ancient Compendium." She grabbed a small stool and sat down.


    This book, originating from the legendary herbalist Greenfield, catalogued over three hundred types of medicinal herbs. It detailed their properties, toxicities, synergies, and antagonisms. It was one of the mostprehensive tomes on alternative medicine passed down from our ancestors.


    These days, you can find various versions on the market, but they barely scratch the surface of herbal basics. The original work has been tranted and altered so much over the years that it''s lost most of its value as a reference.


    However, the copy in Mirabe''s hands was a true gem, meticulously preserved through the ages. She''d gone through quite the ordeal to sneak it out of her family''s libraryst year.


    What a hassle it was, with no mail service to expedite things.


    Biting back her internalints, Mirabe flipped open the book and immediately turned to page 265, where she remembered the entry on Lunar Lace


    was.


    And there it was.


    The aged page bore a simple illustration that matched the Lunar Lace sample she''d gotten from James, with a detailed description of the herb''s properties beneath.


    She had skimmed through this book as a kid, during her rebellious phase. Despite memorizing a good chunk of it, she only really grasped half of its content, given her wide array of interests and studies. The book had been neglected until she found herself in this new reality, prompted by Catherine''s illness to revisit its pages.


    Understanding the true nature of each herb required more than just reading; it necessitated various experiments.


    After poring over the pages multiple times, Mirabe finally closed the book, her mind buzzing with thoughts.


    She briefly flipped through the other rare books in the box but found nothing of immediate use. Closing the box, she stood up and returned it to the cab, securing the lock and hiding the key beneath a flowerpot.


    Exiting Catherine''s bedroom, Mirabe''s mind was still wrapped around the intricacies of herbal medicine. She walked into the living room and casually asked, "Grandma, where''s James?"


    "James just took a call and had to step out. He''ll be backter tonight," Catherine replied.


    "Okay," Mirabe nodded, then added, "By the way, my kiln..."


    Knowing her granddaughter well, Catherine had anticipated the question from the moment Mirabe inquired about the books. She pointed towards the backyard, "I''ve put it in that little shed out back for you."


    Mirabe acknowledged with a hum and headed for the yard.


    Watching her granddaughter''s departing figure, Catherine shook her head and turned to Nick, sharing a piece of her mind, "Last year, that child brought home some odd kiln. Whenever she has free time, she''s tinkering with that thing. Her interests are nothing like other teenagers."


    Nick, recalling the equipment in one of the rooms at home, figured it was probably for concocting her herbal remedies. He chuckled, "Well, it''s good to have hobbies. Let her enjoy what she likes."


    "True. She used to be so introverted, but after recovering from a severe illness, it''s like she woke up to a whole new world. She''s much more sensible now..." Catherine reminisced, her eyes welling up with tears.


    Nick, not the best at offeringfort, simply raised his hand and gently patted her on the back.

 Chapter 720

    It didn''t take long for Mirabe to rummage through her stuff in the backyard shed and find what she was looking for. The items were neatly packed in a cardboard box, not too bulky. She carried the box into the living room, opened it without any hesitation, and pulled out a device no bigger than a mini slow cooker.


    Nick looked up in surprise as his sister brought out the gadget. He stood up and walked over. "Mirabe, what''s this?"


    The device was a t, oval-shaped metal machine with a unique design, its midsection adorned with a touch panel and devoid of any buttons. From his understanding of smart devices, it gave off an air of cutting-edge technology at


    first nce.


    Nick had never seen anything like it. Even the precision instruments used in research projects seemed primitivepared to his sister''s high-tech gadget. No wonder Catherine had described it as bizarre; it indeed was.


    While inspecting the device, Mirabe exined, "It''s just a portable, all-in-one potion brewing machine."


    "Potion brewing machine?" Nick asked, intrigued. "How''s it different from the ones we have at home?"


    Mirabe thought for a moment. "It''s more convenient and efficient, I guess."


    The ancient methods of potion brewing passed down by our ancestors certainly have their merits, but as times progress, it''s inevitable that high-tech reces traditional tools.


    Nick took another look at the machine. "This potion brewer isn''t avable on the market, is it?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and hummed in affirmation. This was a unique creation she had spent a lot of money, time, and effort on.


    Seeing her response, Nick''s curiosity about Mirabe deepened. Despite the information he had gotten from Grady indicating that Mirabe was just an ordinary girl, and even the stories he heard from Catherine were nothing out of the ordinary.


    Mirabe didn''t notice Nick''s expression, her mind racing with ideas about the machine. Suddenly, she grabbed the device and said, "I''ll be upstairs for a bit, Nick. Can you keep Grandmapany for me?"


    Without waiting for a response, she hurried to the staircase.


    Watching her rush off, Nick couldn''t help but feel like he''d been outmaneuvered. Perhaps Mirabe''s eagerness to have him visit Catherine''s house was simply because they needed someone to keep Catherinepany. And indeed, over the next few days, Nick had ample opportunity to confirm this suspicion.


    After two days of research, Mirabe finally figured out how to efficiently brew Lunar Lace, although she still needed a few more ingredients. She ced an order on The Mirror. The Mirror''s delivery service was exceptionally fast. Orders ced one day would reliably arrive the next, regardless of how remote the location.


    Early the next morning, Mirabe received a notification on her phone about her delivery, prompting her to go pick it up.


    Just as she was about to head out after changing her shoes, Nick came in from the yard holding breakfast. Bundled up in a thick down jacket, he looked less lean and more bearable against the chill. The temperature had dropped significantly in the past few days, with the north wind howling and biting coldly against any exposed skin.


    "Mirabe, heading out?" Nick asked, noticing her grabbing her shoes.


    Mirabe nodded. "I''ve got a package waiting at the alley entrance."


    Nick nced outside, then handed her the warm breakfast. "It''s too cold out there.


    I''ll go get it for you. I''ve gotten familiar with the area these past few days."

 Chapter 721

    Mirabe thought for a moment, then nodded and took the breakfast. "Sure, it''s just around the corner. Just say you''re ''Baldy Boo'' when you get there."


    Nick silently nced at Mirabe, surprised that his sister would use such a nickname for online shopping.


    Noticing his look, Mirabe coughed and exined, "It''s from some crappy website. The nicknames are random and you can''t change them."


    With that cleared up, Nick didn''t ask more and headed outside.


    Soon, Nick reached the corner of the alley and saw a guy wearing a baseball cap, looking a bit underdressed for the weather, holding a small cardboard box.


    It looked like a delivery.


    Nick approached him and asked politely, "Excuse me, are you delivering something?"


    The guy in the cap looked up, a brief look of surprise crossing his face before he asked, "You''re... Baldy Boo?"


    Nick took a second before nodding, "Yeah, that''s me."


    His eyes caught an embroidered water droplet logo on the man''s cap, feeling a vague sense of familiarity, like he''d seen it before.


    Nick''s gaze sharpened slightly.


    After another look at Nick, the man handed over the box, his tone polite, "Here''s your package."


    Nick found the courier''s gaze a bit odd but didn''t question it. After thanking him, he took the package and left.


    The man watched Nick''s retreating figure, lost in thought. He had always imagined "Baldy Boo" to be a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties, not someone so young.


    And definitely not bald.


    Shaking his head, the man soon left the alleyway.


    *


    Nick hadn''t yet reached home with the package when he got another call from his sister, asking him to swing by the corner store to pick up some soy sauce as they''d run out.


    So, he made a detour to the store.


    He and Catherine had shopped there just yesterday, so he knew the ce well.


    After buying the soy sauce, Nick was just stepping out of the store when he overheard someone asking Catherine for directions to her house.


    Looking towards the source of the voice, he saw two people standing next to the store, one probably a passing neighbor. Recognizing the other person, Nick''s expression changed slightly.


    "If you''re looking for Grandma Yang, just follow this alley straight down until you see a house with ivy all over the fence. That''s her ce."


    After exining, the neighbor looked at the woman curiously and asked, "Are you a rtive of Grandma Yang''s?"


    She remembered that little Mira hade back these days.


    Summer, holding her bag, tightened her grip upon hearing the question and


    managed a strained smile, replying, "...a distant rtive."


    "Oh," the neighbor nodded, not seeming to doubt her words.


    Summer visibly rxed when the neighbor didn''t press further.


    Nick watched Summer''s every move, his lips curving in amusement. Vanity really was an insidious thing, not even daring to acknowledge her own great- grandmother.


    Feeling someone''s eyes on her, Summer turned, and the moment she saw Nick, she seemed startled, her bag slipping from her grasp.


    Why was he here?


    The neighbor, seeing the bag fall, hurriedly picked it up, "Youngdy, you dropped your bag."


    Summer quickly averted her gaze, taking back her bag with a slight tremble in her voice, "Th-thank you."

 Chapter 722

    Seeing the sudden paleness on her face, the neighbor couldn''t help but show concern, "Hey kiddo, you alright?"


    Summer managed to maintain herposure, shaking her head, "I''m fine, thank you, Marian, for showing me the way."


    "No problem." The neighbor waved a hand dismissively and quickly walked away. Summer stood frozen, unsure whether to leave or stay.


    She had no idea why Nick was here, nor if he had overheard that remark about being distant rtives...


    Feeling increasingly agitated, Summer dared not look at him again, knowing it would only make her more fearful.


    Nick, carrying a bottle of soy sauce, took a few steps forward,ing closer to Summer. His gaze was indifferent, as if he were looking at a stranger, "People change, but their true nature doesn''t. Haven''t seen you in years, and you''re still as insincere as ever."


    Summer''s face turned even paler, realizing he had indeed heard that remark. She took a deep breath and asked, "Nick, when did you get back from abroad?"


    "Who gave you permission to address me so casually?" Nick''s eyes narrowed, his voice suddenly turning icy.


    Summer involuntarily shivered, stepping back, "I..."


    She wanted to say more, but his piercing gaze left her speechless.


    She still remembered the look in his eyes after that kidnapping incident years ago - full of hatred, a look that haunted her to this day.


    Now, yearster, the hatred seemed to have faded, but there was something else, something even more terrifying.


    "Have you forgotten how cruel you once were?" Nick''s lips curled slightly as a chilling breeze swept across, biting at the skin.


    Listening to him, Summer''s mind was flooded with memories she had tried to forget.


    She remembered being caught as a child, the kidnapper brandishing a knife, threatening to slice her flesh off piece by piece.


    She was terrified, and just when it seemed all hope was lost, Nick had appeared to rescue her... What happened after that was a blur, but she had managed to escape.


    Out of fear, she didn''t tell her parents about the incident until it was toote, and by the time they learned Nick had been kidnapped, much time had passed.


    How Nick was eventually found remained a mystery to her, but from that point on, their rtionship had turned icy cold.


    The only silver lining, she supposed, was that the trauma of the kidnapping had left Nick withdrawn, spending his days in silence, never revealing to anyone what had really happened.


    She was young then, her memories hazy, and not long after, her family had moved. Nick was sent abroad for school and never returned.


    Struggling to push these memories aside, Summer stammered out an apology, "I...I''m sorry, I was scared back then. I know I shouldn''t have put you in that position, but I didn''t see any other way out. I wanted to survive..."


    The instinct to survive was fundamental, and despite her guilt, she didn''t believe wanting to live was wrong.


    Nick looked at her coldly, her apologies falling on deaf ears. He couldn''t see a hint of remorse for her actions from years ago, confirming his belief in her inherent cruelty.


    Biting her lip, Summer continued, "I was young, I definitely shouldn''t have done it, but it''s been so many years... Besides, aren''t you here now, safe and sound?"


    After rewriting this a few times, I''m drained... Let''s all get some rest.

 Chapter 723

    Nick casually tossed the bottle of soy sauce into the air with a ir that bordered on theatrical, catching it smoothly despite the dangerous glint that shed in his eyes as he hissed, "Scram."


    His voice was ice-cold, and the veins on the hand holding the bottle bulged menacingly, as if he was struggling to restrain himself from something far more violent.


    Summer, upon witnessing this, shuddered in fear and hastily took several steps back, only to collide with a kid riding a bike. She nearly fell to the ground from the impact.


    The kid, looking bewildered but afraid of being scolded, quickly pedaled away, leaving a trail of confusion behind.


    Summer was both angry and annoyed, but the moment she caught Nick''s icy stare, she forgot all about her bruised leg, clutching her bag tightly and scampering away, not daring to linger for a second longer. She abandoned any thoughts of visiting her grandmother''s house.


    Soon, her figure vanished from Nick''s view, her hurried escape reminiscent of a scene from a kidnapping case years ago.


    Unnoticed, a light drizzle mixed with snowkes began to fall, melting quickly upon touching her hair and clothes.


    Nick looked up at the sky, and after a moment, redirected his gaze, tucking Mirabe''s package under his coat before walking unhurriedly toward Catherine''s house.


    As he reached the gate, he saw Mirabe, bundled up and holding an umbre, her beauty striking even under the dreary sky. Her warm gaze instantly melted away the cold.


    Nick''s face, previously masked in emotion, softened.


    "Nick, took you long enough to get a bottle of soy sauce; I thought you got lost," Mirabe teased as she extended the umbre over him.


    Nick pressed his lips together, nodding slightly, "Took a wrong turn on the way to the corner store."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "You and Leo both needing a memory boost?"


    At that, Nick yfully tapped the back of her head, "Even you dare to make jokes at Nick''s expense, huh? Cheeky."


    Mirabe touched her earlobe, tilting her head slightly, here we go again. This wasn''t the first time!


    They soon entered the house.


    With the heating on, Mirabe took off her coat and hung it on the coat rack.


    James was sitting in front of the sofa, brewing a cup of artisan coffee, and politely greeted Nick upon his return.


    Nick nced at him, and after a brief pause, acknowledged him with a grunt, mostly out of respect for his sister''s presence.


    Mirabe took the soy sauce from his hands to the kitchen for Catherine, returning shortly after.


    Nick then handed her the package, "Your delivery."


    It was only when he passed it that he noticed theck of shipping information on the box, no courierbel in sight. He mentioned casually, "Didn''t notice it before, but there''s no shippingbel. Check if anything''s missing, Mirabe."


    Without opening it, Mirabe waved it off, "No worries, the site I buy from always does this. No shipping info."


    Nick, surprised, responded, "There''s actually a site like that?"


    James looked up at the box in Mirabe''s hands but didn''t make much of it, returning to his coffee.


    "Yep," Mirabe nodded, then sighed slightly, "It''s just that the shipping fees are a bit steep."


    "A charge of fifteen percent of the total amount, such a rip-off!"

 Chapter 724

    Nick noticed the pained expression on Mirabe''s face over the shipping costs and paused briefly before asking, "Mirabe, are you running low on cash?"


    Scratching her head, Mirabe frowned in frustration. "How should I put it? I''m t broke!"


    She couldn''t even sell her potions without the family finding out. Despite having messed with their satellitework over a year ago, it was likely almost fixed by


    now.


    And the money she had made before was nearly all gone. So, she was genuinely broke, to the point where she was struggling to afford shipping costs.


    James, standing nearby, nced at her silently when he heard the word "broke."


    Someone who could afford a multimillion-dor stash of herbs, calling herself broke?


    "Here, take this card," Nick said, already pulling his wallet out of his pocket.


    He couldn''t fathom why their parents wouldn''t give his sister money, but since he rarely had anything to spend on, he figured he might as well let his sister use it.


    Mirabe watched her brother''s gesture with a twitch of her lips. Truly a Davis family trait, passing cards and making transfers just like that.


    She coughed a bit, pressing her hands together tightly and shook her head in refusal. "Thanks, Nick, but hardship breeds character. I think being broke is good for me."


    Nick paused, taken aback.


    Mirabe quickly added, "I should head upstairs," clutching the package she was carrying and swiftly disappearing into the house.


    Seeing this, Nick could only sigh and put the card away, only for James to chime in, "Nick, how about a coffee?"


    Nick''s gentle expression hardened as he cast a sideways nce at him. Damn, always seizing the opportunity to be a nuisance!


    He then turned and headed for the backyard.


    There, Catherine was about to butcher a chicken she''d caught, but the ground was slippery, and she lost her footing, starting to fall backward uncontrobly.


    Nick''s eyes sharpened as he quickly stepped forward, catching her with agile movements.


    After Catherine regained her bnce, she let out a breath of relief, "Thank goodness you were here, Nick, or I would''ve taken a spill today."


    Nick helped her to the shelter of the porch, casting a wary eye over the moss- covered stone path in the yard. The surface was clearly slippery when wet. Considering Catherine often lived alone, idents like the one just averted could easily happen again. He made a mental note to have someonee over and redo the paving.


    "Need help with the chicken?" Nick asked, noticing the bird in Catherine''s grasp. "Yes," she nodded.


    "I got it, you rest," Nick offered, already rolling up his sleeves.


    Catherine waved him off, "No need, I can manage. You young folks probably aren''t used to butchering chickens. I don''t want you to dirty your clothes."


    Hearing this, memories shed through Nick''s mind. He nced at his left hand before softly replying, "I can do it."


    After all, the difference between a man and a chicken was merely in their makeup; the process of killing them wasn''t all that different.


    With that, Nick took the chicken from Catherine''s hands and went to fetch a knife from the kitchen.


    Catherine followed, assisting him.


    "By the way, Grandma, do your daughters visit often?" Nick asked casually as he worked, nowfortable enough to address Catherine as his sister did.


    At the mention of her daughters, a bitter smile flickered across Catherine''s lips. "She''s probably too busy. Doesn''te around much."


    Nick paused in his task, then asked, "And... Summer?"

 Chapter 725

    "Catherine let out a long sigh, taking a moment before she finally said, "She''s just like Mira, buried in her senior year, cramming for exams, I guess."


    The truth was, her so-called granddaughter had never once visited her childhood home. Not to mention, showing any affection towards her.


    When her daughter had taken her to live in the city, Catherine could see the disdain in her granddaughter''s eyes. It wasn''t an overt disgust, but a subtle kind of scorn that she understood all too well.


    Only her beloved Marcy, even after returning to her biological parents, always kept Catherine, her non-biological grandmother, close to her heart, never showing any sign of estrangement.


    Nick nced at Catherine, noticing her expression was neither sad nor happy. Probably a mixture of disappointment and ack of expectations, which exined her calm demeanor.


    After all, earlier at the convenience store, Summer couldn''t even muster the courage to acknowledge her own grandmother. How could she possibly show any genuine care for Catherine?


    But knowing Summer''s usual behavior, suddenly showing up to see Catherine definitely meant trouble.


    With these thoughts, Nick''s brows furrowed slightly.


    Soon after, Nick finished helping Catherine with the kitchen prep and stepped outside. The weather was a mix of rain and snow, not too heavy, but persistent.


    Standing at the gate, Nick pulled out his phone and dialed As.


    After bolting from the scene, Summer retreated back to her hotel.


    She had arrived in the small town yesterday and was immediately struck by its backwardness. Even the so-called best hotel in town couldn''tpare to the most average ones in the big city. This made her imagine how run-down her grandmother''s house must be.


    So, she stayed in the hotel overnight, gathering the courage to visit Catherine today. But she hadn''t expected to run into someone she thought she''d never see again.


    Nick''s presence there was no coincidence... Mirabe must have returned.


    The mere thought of Mirabe filled Summer with resentment. Even after being taken back by the Davis family, Mirabe still clung to her grandmother''s home, putting on a show of affection. Summer found it utterly shameless.


    Pacing restlessly in her room, Summer decided to call Mandy but was interrupted by a knock at the door. She hung up the call, put on her sunsses, and checked through the peephole to see a hotel receptionist. She opened the door with a frosty, "What do you want?"


    The receptionist wore an apologetic smile. "I''m sorry, miss, but there''s an issue with our fire safety system, and we need you to check out for your safety."


    "Fire safety issue?" Summer frowned.


    "Yes, you wouldn''t want to stay in a ce with safety hazards, would you?" the receptionist replied, pausing before adding, "Of course, we will refund you double the room charge."


    Hearing this only worsened Summer''s mood. The idea of haggling with the hotel like some backwater hag was beneath her. With a wave of her hand and an impatient tone, she said, "Fine, I got it."


    She mmed the door shut behind her.


    What a backwards ce, she thought. Can''t even stay in a hotel without drama.


    Frustrated, Summer packed her bags and dragged her suitcase down to the lobby. She handed over her ID and room key to the receptionist.


    The receptionist seemed relieved as Summer handed over the key, but Summer didn''t notice her expression. She took her refund and walked out without a second nce.


    Just then, a group of tourists bustled into the hotel, looking for a ce to stay.

 Chapter 726

    Summer had barely stepped out of the lobby when she overheard someone requesting two rooms. The receptionist cheerily responded with a "Sure thing," and Summer''s stride came to a sudden halt.


    She spun around, her eyes locking onto the new guests.


    They were already at the counter, handing over their IDs. The receptionist, with practiced ease, swiped their cards and handed them their room keys.


    At that sight, something inside Summer''s head exploded. Pride be damned, she dragged her suitcase back to the front desk.


    The guests were still there. She pped her hand down on the counter. "Didn''t you say there was a problem with the fire rm? Then why are you letting these people check in?"


    The guests exchanged puzzled nces. A problem with the fire rm?


    The receptionist, caught off guard by Summer''s return, nced at the newly checked-in guests but didn''t offer Summer any exnation. Instead, she stepped around the counter and whispered something to one of them.


    Summer couldn''t hear what was said, but she noticed the peculiar looks the guests shot her way before heading to the elevator.


    The receptionist returned to herputer and faced Summer. "Maybe you should try your luck at another ce. Our little inn can''t seem to amodate the grandeur that is you."


    Summer''s face turned a shade paler. "What''s that supposed to mean? Kicking out a customer for no reason? Do you think I won''t call the Better Business Bureau on you?"


    The receptionist remained calm. "We''ve refunded you double, and you epted it. So, technically, we''re not kicking you out without cause. If it still bothers you, feel free to make that call."


    Fuming, Summer clenched her fists. She should''ve never let the receptionist''s words sway her in the first ce!


    What did they think this was, a castle?


    Taking a deep breath, Summer reminded herself not to stoop to arguing with a country bumpkin. That would only lower her own standards.


    She turned around, suitcase in tow, and headed outside.


    Summer hailed a cab and directed it to another hotel.


    At the next hotel, she presented her ID, and the receptionist briefly looked up at


    her before handing it back. "I''m sorry, miss, but we''re fully booked."


    Summer''s frustration resurfaced. "But you just told me you had vacancies?"


    Did they think she was a fool?


    "My apologies," was all the receptionist would say, offering no further exnation.


    Annoyed, Summer left for another hotel, only to encounter the same situation. Every ce had vacancies until her ID was scanned, then suddenly, no room at the inn. The pattern was unmistakable.


    Even Summer, who might be slow on the uptake at times, realized there was a deliberate attempt to keep her from staying anywhere in town.


    She didn''t have to guess hard to figure out who was behind this.


    Since when did Nick have such influence?


    Summer''s thoughts drifted to the Davis family of her past life.


    Back then, she had assumed the Davis family was broke, so after returning to the Gilbert family, she lost interest in the Davis'' affairs. Only after the Gilbert family''s downfall did she hear about the Davis family''s wealth. But information about Nick


    was scarce.


    Reflecting on her previous life''s dealings with the Davis family, Summer couldn''t help but wonder how much she had underestimated Nick.

 Chapter 727

    Summer stood at the corner of the street, her mind aplete mess. It was already 1 p.m., and she had nowhere to go. She couldn''t risk going back to Catherine''s, too afraid of what Nick might do.


    Just then, a motorcycle zoomed past the curb. Lost in her thoughts, Summer didn''t notice it until it was toote. Her designer bag, casually draped over her shoulder, was suddenly yanked. She stumbled over her suitcase and fell to the ground but managed to grab onto the bag strap, which held her ID and bank cards.


    The thief on the motorcycle hadn''t expected her to fight back and, after a few unsessful tugs, sped off, fearing he''d be caught by the bystanders.


    Passersby rushed to help her up. "Are you okay?" one of them asked.


    As she fell, her sunsses had dropped, and fearing recognition, she quickly covered her face. She scrambled to find her sses, not even muttering a thank you, which left her would-be helper a bit miffed.


    Still, the person warned, "This area''s notorious for snatch-and-grab attacks. You need to be more careful."


    Pausing, they added, "Did they get anything? Do you want to call the cops?"


    At the mention of the police, Summer''s reaction was sharp and immediate. "No, don''t call the cops!"


    Her online reputation was already in shambles, and being seen in this small town, let alone as a robbery victim, would only add fuel to the fire of online mockery. She couldn''t afford another blow to her dignity.


    "I don''t need the police," Summer murmured, clutching her almost-stolen bag close as if it could protect her from more than just thieves.


    The would-be helper, phone in hand, showed a flicker of embarrassment before putting the device away and walking off, probably thinking they''d just been cursed for their good deed.


    Inspecting her scraped palm and feeling the pain in her knee, Summer knew she had to leave. After being kicked out of a hotel and almost getting robbed, who knew what else could happen?


    Shivering, she hailed a taxi and told the driver to take her to the airport, determined to leave everything behind, including her original reason foring back.


    Later that evening, Nick felt a wave of relief upon receiving a message from As that Summer was on her way back to Ashford. Whatever her reasons foring back, he was d she wouldn''t disrupt the family while he and his sister were at Catherine''s.


    After dinner, Nick retreated to his room, too unsettled to even bother with James.


    Since encountering Summer that morning, he had been in a somber mood, the memories she stirred up better left buried.


    Mirabe watched Nick leave, sensing something off about him ever since he came back with a package that morning. Though he seemed normal throughout the day, she could tell something was bothering him; the subtle shifts in his mood didn''t escape her notice.


    After exchanging a few words with James, she followed Nick upstairs, determined to find out what had really happened that morning.

 Chapter 728

    Nick''s bedroom door was shut, but a sliver of light peeked out from underneath, showing he was still up. Mirabe gave a gentle knock on the wooden door, calling softly, "Nick?"


    In this old house, the thin walls kept no secrets. Nick heard his sister''s voice, quickly threw his coat back on, and went to open the door.


    As the door swung open, the fresh scent of sandalwood drifted out.


    Mirabe caught the aroma, a flicker of concern in her eyes. She''d previously mixed a special blend of herbs and used acupuncture to help Nick, so he hadn''t needed incense to sleep for a while. The fact he''d lit it tonight was a clear sign something was bothering him.


    "Mind if we chat for a bit?" Mirabe asked, her eyes filled with genuine concern.


    Nick''s hand tightened on the doorframe for a moment, but as he met his sister''s caring gaze, a wave of calm washed over him. He nodded and let her in.


    Mirabe stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She nced at the smoldering incense burner before pulling over an old wooden chair and sitting down.


    "Nick, you seem off today... Did something happen?" she asked directly.


    Nick let out a light, forced sigh. "It''s like I can''t hide anything from you, can I?"


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe pressed, "So?"


    ¡°It''s just... old memoriesing back," Nick said, avoiding mentioning Summer''s visit. There was no need to bring it up.


    Mirabe, guessing the nature of his troubles, thought for a moment before speaking. "Sometimes, the past haunts us because we haven''t faced it head-on."


    She knew Nick''s pain likely came from his reluctance to confront the kidnapping incident. Though she hadn''t experienced such despair herself, she''d sensed the depth of his agony during hypnotherapy sessions.


    Nick''s gaze drifted to themp on his nightstand, his eyes clouded. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and distant. "Everyone thinks my pain is all about the kidnapping... but it''s not just that."


    Mirabe''s fingers stilled on herp as she listened quietly, giving him space to continue.


    Looking up, aplex emotion flickered across Nick''s face. He took a deep breath and turned to Mirabe, asking, "If I wasn''t the ''normal'' person you think I am, would you be afraid?"


    His left hand was clenched tight.


    Noticing the shift in his mood, Mirabe raised an eyebrow, breaking the tension with a counter-question. "What if I wasn''t the sister you think I am?"


    There were things in her life that defied scientific exnation, and it frustrated her.


    Nick, taken aback, felt his anxiety ebb away.


    Not the sister he imagined... because of many secrets?


    "No matter how many secrets you have, you''ll always be my little sister," Nick replied earnestly.


    Mirabe nodded, her voice teasing. "So, Nick, that question you asked was prettyme. Don''t you trust your own sister?"


    Nick paused, surprised. Her words, though not exactlyforting, somehow eased his tension, and his clenched hand rxed.


    After a moment, Nick chuckled, shaking his head and looking back at Mirabe.


    He finally understood why Zach and Leo never acted like typical big brothers-it was probably all this little rascal''s doing, leading them astray without them even realizing.

 Chapter 729

    Mirabe had noticed Nick clutching his left hand tightly just moments ago. After a few seconds of thought, she stood up, walked over to him, and gently took his arm, coaxing his fingers to unfurl one by one.


    It was then that Mirabe saw the slight deformity in Nick''s thumb joint. Given her profound understanding of human anatomy, she knew instantly that it was the result of a re-injury during the healing process of a previous fracture.


    After a brief pause, she looked up at Nick and said, "Whatever happened to this hand in the past is in the past. Why keep punishing it - and yourself?"


    Nick''s gaze dropped to his own palm, lingering there. He had intended to express his disgust for his hand, but suddenly, he couldn''t bring himself to say it. Instead, all he managed was a soft acknowledgment.


    Seeing his mood lighten, Mirabe patted his hand and said, "Keep your chin up, Nick," adding a yful wink.


    Nick couldn''t help butugh at his sister''s antics and ruffled her hair instinctively, "I will."


    Mirabe touched her nose, considering turning away, but seeing Nick''s spirits lifted for the day, she let it slide.


    Soon after, Mirabe left Nick to rest and made her way downstairs.


    Catherine was still deep in conversation with James when Mirabe approached and settled herself on the couch next to them.


    "So, hitting the hay early tonight, Mirabe?" Catherine turned to ask.


    Kicking off her slippers, Mirabe curled her feet up on the couch and leaned backfortably. "Yeah, might have caught a bit of a chill this morning. Feeling a tad under the weather."


    Catherine immediately showed concern. "Do you want some cold medicine?"


    Mirabe waved off the suggestion, "Nah, I''m young. This is nothing."


    "But Nick looks so frail, how can you say you''re strong?" Catherine replied, noting that despite theyers of winter clothing, Nick''s face was still thin.


    Mirabe sat up straight, thumping her chest, "I may be skinny, but I''m tough as nails."


    Catherine was speechless, and James couldn''t help but smirk at the exchange.


    Shaking her head, Catherine stood up, "I''m going to whip up some ginger-spiced coffee to chase away that chill. You young folks really don''t know how to take care of yourselves..."


    Mirabe wanted to protest but seeing Catherine''s determination, she let her be.


    Shaking her head, Mirabe turned back to the coffee table, grabbed an apple, and took a bite before asking James, "Did you book your flight back yet?"


    "Not yet. When are you nning to head back?" James raised an eyebrow.


    "The day after tomorrow," Mirabe nodded.


    They had been staying there for five days, which felt like enough.


    "Sounds good," James agreed.


    Just then, Catherine''s phone rang on the coffee table. Mirabe threw the apple core in the trash, slipped on her slippers, and calmly reached for the phone, intending to bring it to Catherine.


    However, as her gaze swept over the caller ID, her expression tightened slightly.


    The phone was a gift from Mirabe to Catherine, loud enough to be heard from the kitchen, so it wasn''t long before Catherine called out, "Dear, see who''s calling and answer it for me, will you? Grandma''s hands are full."


    Mirabe nced toward the kitchen, hummed in acknowledgment, and waited for thest ring before answering the call, holding the phone to her ear without speaking first, her demeanor cool.

 Chapter 730

    The phone rang, and Mandy''s voice came through almost immediately.


    "Mom, why did you let that girle back to our house? Do you have any idea how much the Gilbert family has suffered because of the Davis family?"


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly as she listened. How did Mandy know she was back? She was sure Catherine wouldn''t have mentioned it to Mandy.


    On the other end, Mandy massaged her temples, not even waiting for "Catherine" to speak before continuing, "Since you let Mirabee back, why did you turn Summer away? After all, Summer is your biological granddaughter!"


    Turning, Mandy nced at her daughter who had just returned, noticing the injuries on her hands and the dirt on her coat, clearly having been through a rough time.


    Taking a deep breath, she added, "Summer came back especially to see you today, and you treat her like this... Well, never mind, saying too much will only upset you..."


    While Mandy kept talking, Mirabe wasn''t paying much attention, focusing instead on the message that Summer had been here today.


    Recalling the earlier conversation at home about Summer, and Nick''s odd behavior today, she pieced together that Nick must have bumped into Summer while out fetching the parcel and soy sauce.


    Mirabe fiddled with her phone, waiting for Mandy to finish her ramblings before heading to the kitchen.


    Catherine was brewing a gingerbreadtte when Mirabe approached with the phone. "Who''s on the line?" she asked.


    Mirabe didn''t reply, simply cing the phone next to Catherine''s ear.


    Hearing her daughter''s voice, Catherine gave Mirabe a look before responding in a muted tone, "Mandy, what is it?"


    Mandy, realizing Catherine had just asked ''Who''s on the line?'', felt a mix of annoyance and frustration, realizing her words hadn''t been heard by Catherine after all.


    Trying to calm herself down, Mandy didn''t repeat what she''d already said, instead asking, "Mom, you''re not on speaker, are you?"


    Though the phone wasn''t on speaker, the volume was high enough to be heard clearly in the quiet night.


    Mirabe handed the phone to Catherine and left the room.


    Catherine watched her leave before responding, "No, go ahead. What''s on your mind?"


    "You made sure she isn''t listening, right?" Mandy asked, just to be sure.


    Catherine frowned slightly, "She''s gone to bed."


    Relieved, Mandy cleared her throat and said, "Mom, do you still have Dad''s jade piece? The one he left for Summer?"


    "What jade?" Catherine momentarily didn''t catch on.


    "The family heirloom jade, Mom. When Dad passed, didn''t he say it was for..."


    Before Mandy could finish, Catherine snapped back into focus, her tone turning stern, "That was meant for Mira."


    Mandy''s face darkened instantly, "Mom, get this straight. That''s a Gilbert heirloom. Mirabe is an outsider. It should be passed down to your direct granddaughter!"


    Catherine pursed her lips, "So, you''re calling just for the jade?"


    "Yes." Mandy didn''t beat around the bush, "The Gilbert family is facing a crisis. I need that jade."

 Chapter 731

    Catherine turned off the burner. "Stop dreaming, I''m not giving it to you. That pendant is Mira''s."


    Mandy rubbed her temples, clearly frustrated. "Why are you so stubborn? I''ve told you, that girl''sst name is Howard-she''s not even blood-rted. Why give such a valuable pendant to Mirabe?"


    At the mention of ''valuable'', Catherine instinctively frowned but quickly corrected herself. "That pendant is just ordinary, it''s not worth much."


    "How could it not be valuable... Ah, forget it. A country woman like you wouldn''t know the value of jade. Just give it to me, I really need it," Mandy tried to soften her tone.


    "I won''t give it to you. Just give up on the idea," Catherine said firmly, then promptly hung up the phone.


    Hearing the dial tone, Mandy turned livid. "Catherine is really..."


    She redialed Catherine''s number, but it went straight to voicemail, which infuriated her even more.


    Summer nced at Mandy and asked quietly, "Mom, what did Grandma say?" "She said she''s giving the pendant to Mirabe," Mandy replied, clearly frustrated.


    Summer''s expression soured. The pendant was meant for a direct granddaughter -did Mirabe even deserve it? With the Davis family already being a thorn in her side, and Mirabe ying the sweet granddaughter in front of Grandma, she was even trying to snatch their family''s pendant? How could there be such vile women in the world!


    "No matter what, we have to get that pendant back. We can''t let Catherine give it to that girl," Mandy said with determination.


    Pacing back and forth in the living room with her phone, Mandy suddenly dered, "No, I need to go back there myself tomorrow."


    She feared Catherine might actually give the pendant to Mirabe.


    Thinking of what happened earlier in the day, Summer scoffed, "Mom, maybe you shouldn''t go back for now. The people from the Davis family are heartless."


    Seeing the bruises on her daughter''s palm, Mandy stomped her foot in frustration and didn''t bring up the decision to go back or not again.


    Meanwhile, after hanging up the phone, Catherine absent-mindedly took out a cup, nning to pour out the ginger-honey tea she had been simmering in a small pot to fend off the chill. The stainless steel pot was hot, and she reached for it barehanded.


    Mirabe, who had beenzily leaning against the doorframe and watching her, quickly stepped forward. Before Catherine could touch the handle, Mirabe intercepted her hand mid-air and said, with a slightly stern voice, "It''s hot, and you still dare to touch it?"


    After saying that, she grabbed a towel nearby, wrapped it around the handle, and poured the ginger-honey tea into the cup.


    Catherine snapped back to reality, and a smile crept across her wrinkled face. "Well, I have you, don''t I?"


    Mirabe just nced at her. "Don''t y dumb with me. What if you get burned while I''m gone?"


    Hearing the word ''gone'', Catherine''s expression dimmed momentarily, but she quickly remembered something and cheerfully said, "Grandma will be more careful next time. But you, you''ve stayed with me for so many days now, your parents must beining. Maybe you should head back soon."


    "So, you''re trying to get rid of me?" Mirabe leaned in, eyeing Catherine.


    Catherine swallowed the lump in her throat, avoiding Mirabe''s gaze, and muttered, "This ce was never your home."


    Her voice trembled slightly with emotion.

 Chapter 732

    Seeing the situation unfold, Mirabe had a hunch that Catherine might be troubled by something-probably a call from Mandy. But she didn''t pry. Instead, she said, "I''ve got things covered; you should get some rest. I''ll take this up to Nick."


    Catherine murmured a soft acknowledgment, watching as Mirabe carried the cup out of the kitchen. Then, she let her shoulders slump, slowly making her way out.


    In the living room, James noticed Catherinee out and stood up, ready to say goodnight and head upstairs himself. But something was off; her eyes were slightly red, and her mood seemed down.


    He guided her to sit on the couch, asking, "What''s wrong?"


    Catherine sighed, then looked at James, shaking her head, "It''s nothing."


    James could tell she was holding something back. "Mira''s gone upstairs. You can talk to me," he encouraged.


    "It''s really nothing," Catherine said, her smile strained. After a moment, she suddenly grasped James''s hand, "James, I can tell Mira trusts you. If I''m not around someday, please, look out for her."


    James was taken aback but didn''t pull away. He reassured her, "Grandma, you''ll live to a hundred."


    Catherine shook her head, patting the back of James''s hand before letting go, "Wait here a second; I have something for you."


    With that, she stood and walked to her bedroom.


    Soon, she returned with a box, sat down, and handed it to James, "Give this to Mira after I''m gone."


    "Why don''t you give it to her yourself?" James asked, puzzled.


    "She wouldn''t ept it from me," Catherine said, a touch of mncholy in her tone.


    Knowing Mira''s temperament, James understood. He nodded, "I''ll make sure she gets it."


    "Thank you, dear," Catherine said, visibly relieved. She nced at the box, then added, "It''s for her 18th birthday. Tell her to keep it close...for safety."


    Though the notion of keeping something for safety might seem old-fashioned to some, James understood that Catherine''s main wish was for Mira to be safe and sound.


    He nodded, "Don''t worry; I''ll let her know."


    Catherine hummed in response, ncing at the clock on the wall. "It''s gettingte. You should head to bed."


    "Alright, and you too, Grandma. Try not to worry too much," James said, nodding. With a smile, Catherine waved him off.


    James, holding the box, headed upstairs. Just as he rounded the corner, he saw Mira leaning casually against the wall, as if she''d been there a while.


    James paused, then continued up, nonchntly hiding the box behind him, "Haven''t gone to bed yet?"


    Mira raised an eyebrow, simply gesturing for him to hand it over, "Give it here."


    "You heard?" James wasn''t really surprised.


    With azy hum, Mira confirmed.


    Given the close proximity of the living room to the staircase and theck of


    soundproofing in the house, plus her slightly better than average hearing, it would have been more surprising if she hadn''t overheard.


    "Goodnight," James said with a grin.

 Chapter 733

    James thought for a couple of seconds before handing the box to Mirabe. But just before it reached her hands, he added a condition, "You can have it, but no returns."


    Mirabe nced at him, curiosity and resignation mixed in her eyes. "Alright."


    Only then did James ce the box gently in her palm.


    "Goodnight," Mirabe said as she walked away with the box.


    James watched her leave, shaking his head slightly.


    Back in her room, Mirabe closed the door, sat on her bed, and opened the box with a blend of anticipation and caution. Inside was a small, simple white jade pendant, shaped somewhat like a fish but not quite.


    She examined it closely, noting that the jade''s quality wasn''t anything special¡ª certainly not a priceless antique. Soon enough, she put the pendant back in the box, closed the lid, and thought about a phone conversation she''d overheard Catherine having earlier. After a moment''s consideration, she tucked the box into her suitcase.


    Over the next couple of days, Mirabe put aside her alchemy projects to spend time with Catherine. Catherine had half-expected a phone call full of questions about the pendant and perhaps a hurried visit, but seeing her daughter stay put eased her worries slightly.


    At heart, Catherine dreaded the thought of Mirabe leaving too soon, unsure when they''d meet again.


    Mirabe had initially nned to book a flight back to Ashford the day after next, but sensing Catherine''s mncholy, she postponed her departure by a day.


    On the day of her departure, Catherine woke up at the crack of dawn and quietly entered Mirabe''s room. She handed her a folded note. "Honey, this is some of the savings I''ve managed over the years, including the money you gave me." Half-awake, Mirabe didn''t bother counting the cash and tried to give it back. "I''m alright for money."


    Catherine''s face fell. "It''s a gesture, dear. Are you saying it''s not enough?"


    Mirabe rubbed her temples, feeling a headacheing on.


    "With just my pension, it''s all I can offer..." Catherine murmured, more to herself than to Mirabe.


    Sighing, Mirabe took the note back. "Okay, I''ll keep it."


    That seemed to brighten Catherine''s mood. "That''s my girl."


    After a bit more chit-chat, Catherine headed downstairs to prepare breakfast.


    Now wide awake, Mirabe got ready, packed her bags, and took a moment to look at the savings book-the total read $35,000. Comparing it to her own dwindling finances, she couldn''t help but feel a bit defeated. Even Catherine seemed better off financially.


    *


    Their flight was scheduled for noon, so after a hearty breakfast at Catherine''s, they were ready to leave.


    As, ying his part as the rental car driver perfectly, picked them up. On the way to the airport, Mirabe struck up a conversation with him, pleasantly surprised by his easy-going nature.


    As, feeling a bit smug about making a good impression, reported back to Grady, the estate manager, highlighting how approachable Mirabe was. Grady, however, seemed unimpressed over the phone and casually mentioned, "There''s


    a project in Y Province that needs oversight. Stay there for now."


    Elm Creek, where Catherine lived, fell under Y Province''s jurisdiction.


    As, who had his return to Ashford already nned for the afternoon, was baffled. "What did I do wrong?"

 Chapter 734

    When James got back to Ashford, it was already three in the afternoon.


    As soon as he stepped off the ne, his phone buzzed with a call from Wyatt. Just as he was about to chat with Mirabe, Nick stepped in between them. "If you''ve got stuff to handle, go ahead. We''ve got a rideing."


    James had caught the tail end of his own phone call. He pocketed his phone, gave Nick a brief smile, and nodded. "Alright then."


    It wasn''t until James left that the chill in Nick''s eyes began to thaw.


    Mirabe, noticing his demeanor, raised an eyebrow. "Nick, you seem to have a problem with James?"


    Nick straightened up, his handsome face showing little emotion. "Not exactly a problem, just think the guy''s a bit too crafty for my liking."


    After a pause, he added more seriously, "Mirabe, you might want to keep an eye on him."


    Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She mumbled an acknowledgment to Nick, fished out her phone, and after a quick conversation, hung up. "Let''s go, Zach''s waiting for us in the parking lot."


    With that, she led the way, towing her suitcase behind her. Nick followed without another word.


    Soon, they found Zach in the parking lot. He looked more worn out than a few days ago, dark circles under his eyes evidence of sleepless nights.


    As Mirabe loaded her luggage into the trunk, she nced at Zach with concern. "Zach, you''ve been burning the candle at both ends?"


    Zach adjusted his sses, opened the passenger door for her, and replied, "Yeah, too much to wrap up before the year''s end."


    Mirabe nodded as she climbed into the car. "Remember to get some rest."


    "Nick, you''re in the back," Zach called out nonchntly before circling to the driver''s side.


    Nick paused for a moment at the curb before opening the rear door and getting in.


    During the drive, Zach kept up a conversation with Mirabe, asking about Catherine and barely leaving room for Nick to chime in from the backseat. He felt like a ghost.


    By the time they arrived home, it was four o''clock. Zach, having carried in some local delicacies Catherine had requested, quickly dropped them off before heading back to the office.


    Mirabe, preupied with thoughts about Nick, followed him out to the garage.


    "Zach, we ran into Summer on our way back," she said.


    Zach''s brows knitted together. "Nick saw Summer?"


    "Yes." Mirabe''s eyes flickered as she probed further. "So, does Nick''s condition have something to do with Summer?"


    Zach nced at her, aware of her keen intuition. After a brief silence, he nodded, not bothering to hide the truth. "If it wasn''t for her, Nick might not have gone through so much suffering."


    "What exactly happened?" Mirabe pressed.


    Leaning against the car, Zach let out a sigh. "I''m not entirely sure of the details. I just know that after Nick was rescued, he spent two years battling severe autism, shutting everyone out."


    He paused, the weight of those memories casting a shadow over his features. After a moment, he continued, "But seeing the way he looked at Summer, filled with such intense hatred, made me realize the kidnapping was moreplicated than we thought..."

 Chapter 735

    "It''s just that so much time had passed, and given his nature of being tight-lipped, trying to pry anything out of him was futile. So, I decided to confront Summer about it."


    Zach''s lips twitched into a half-smile, "Even though she imed ignorance, the panic in her denial was a dead giveaway. That''s when I began to suspect the kidnapping might actually have something to do with her..."


    Later, he called Chester to dig into the past events, and that''s when the truth came to light. The viins had initially targeted Summer.


    Nick had just happened to stumble upon the scene and attempted to rescue her. But when she managed to escape, she never mentioned to anyone that Nick had been abducted in her stead.


    Because of her silence, the golden hour for his rescue was missed. Although they eventually saved Nick, he was barely hanging on, his body riddled with injuries.


    Waking up with severe post-traumatic stress disorder, Nick retreated into silence, a condition that kept everyone from knowing that Summer was the original target of those nefarious thugs.


    It wasn''t until two yearster, when Nick had begun to recover, that he decided to confront her about it.


    Zach could still vividly remember the bitterness in Nick''s plea for him not to disclose the truth to the family. Perhaps out of familial loyalty, he chose to shoulder everything. If Summer had really cared, she would havee clean from the start.


    But she didn''t, and that led Nick to eventually choose to go abroad, disillusioned.


    After giving it some thought, Zach felt he couldn''t keep this to himself any longer. So, he tentatively brought it up with Emmitt, forgetting that Emmitt had always doted on Summer.


    When Zach revealed that Summer had intentionally fled and kept Nick''s abduction a secret, Emmitt''s initial reaction was disbelief, even using Zach of harboring ill thoughts. He insisted that Mirabe was too innocent and sweet to do such a thing.


    Seeing Emmitt''s reaction, and considering the unconditional trust their parents ced in Summer, Zach realized thating clean might not change anyone''s beliefs.


    After a few attempts, Zach stopped bringing up Summer''s actions. From then on, his behavior towards her changed; he couldn''t look at her without being reminded of Nick''s ordeal.


    Despite understanding the instinctual human reactions to survive as he grew older, Zach couldn''t fathom why she didn''t alert the family right away, which could have prevented Nick''s near-fatal oue.


    Whenever their parents questioned why he wasn''t as close to Summer, he could only evade the truth, unable to voice the real reason.


    Sometimes, not all truths need to be spoken to be fair to everyone. Revealing this particr truth could shatter their family.


    If the parents realized the child they had cherished for so long was capable of such cruelty, the heartbreak would be immense.


    Nick''s choice to remain silent was probably for the best.


    Zach looked up, gathering his thoughts, and after a while, his gaze softened as he looked at Mirabe. Seeing the concern in his sister''s eyes stirred something in him.


    People are indeed different.


    The distinction between blood and non-blood rtions, the inherent conscience carried within, all vary.


    Reflecting on the past, Zach felt relieved. Thank goodness Summer wasn''t a true Davis.

 Chapter 736

    Reflecting on the past, Zach casually mentioned to Mirabe that Summer hadn''t informed their family about the kidnapping right away, and then he let it go.


    Even though she was young, Mirabe had a knack for picking up on the smallest details, often piecing together the whole story from just a hint.


    Mirabe went quiet for a moment before saying, "Got it, Zach. You go ahead." Zach gave a slight nod, straightened up, and opened the car door.


    Just as he was about to get in, Mirabe suddenly called out, "Oh, Zach, did Nick hurt his left thumb during that kidnapping?"


    Zach paused and turned back to her, "His left thumb?" He thought for a second before replying, "No, he had a lot of bruises, but his hands were fine."


    Mirabe nodded, piecing together something in her mind but didn''t ask more. She turned to head back into the house.


    Zach, still holding the car door, squinted in suspicion. Was Nick''s hand injured?


    Aftering back from her hometown, Mirabe had been getting packages non- stop.


    Her medical books and the custom alchemy kit she ordered had arrived, along with some herbs she bought online.


    After a few days of tinkering, she finally perfected her scar-removal ointment.


    She took tworge jars of the ointment to find Nick, who was deep into writing a research paper at hisputer. Mirabe ced the jars on his desk.


    Nick took off his sses, his eyesnding on the ubelled jars, "What''s this?" "Scar-removal ointment," Mirabe replied simply.


    Nick was taken aback for a moment.


    "Apply it morning and night on the scars; they should start to fade in a month," Mirabe tapped lightly on the desk, adding, "But given how old these scars are, I can''t guarantee they''ll disappear entirely. It varies from person to person."


    At least, without the fierce look of the scars, Nick might heal faster, emotionally, she thought.


    Nick looked at the jars, feeling an indescribable warmth, like a ray of sunshine in winter. After a moment, he managed a hoarse, "...Thanks, Mirabe."


    Mirabe thought for a moment, then added, "Try to eat lightly while using the ointment."


    "Okay," Nick nodded.


    Mirabe''s phone rang with a unique tone, indicating a special email.


    Having learned about Nick''s past from Zach, she had someone dig into his records abroad.


    The tone meant she had received just such an email.


    She quickly scanned through it. The information was mostly about his academic records, his achievements as a doctor, and his entry into a research institute. Everything seemed clean and ordinary, nothing unusual.


    After going through the data, Mirabe fell into thought.


    She was no stranger to reading between the lines in such information. For others, ordinary records might seem normal, but for her Nick... this level of ordinariness felt overly sanitized.


    Probably a case of data encryption and disguise.


    Mirabe pocketed her phone, casting an intrigued nce at Nick.


    It seemed her Nick was quite the secret prince.

 Chapter 737

    Nick''s eyes were still glued to the two jars of ointment, so he didn''t really notice his sister''s expression.


    He picked up one jar and unscrewed the lid, revealing a dark paste. Expecting a strong medicinal smell, he was pleasantly surprised by its mild scent.


    The ointment reminded him of one Chester had shown him before, also for healing wounds and reducing scars. Chester had offered it to him, but it was such a small, precious amount that Nick had declined.


    He had long since given up hope of getting rid of the old scars on his body.


    Nick quickly screwed the lid back on. "Sis, did you make this yourself?"


    "Yep," Mirabe nodded.


    So, that''s why she''d been disappearing into that little room after meals-to work on this scar ointment for him.


    A warm feeling spread through Nick''s chest. For the first time, he felt thating back home was the best decision he''d ever made.


    "Thanks," he said softly.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, azy grace evident on her delicate face. "No need to be formal, we''re family."


    The words "we''re family" brought a smile to Nick''s face. "Yeah."


    Family.


    Mirabe nced at hisputer, then straightened up. "Well, I''ll let you get back to it. Don''t let me keep you."


    With a nod, she quickly left the room.


    After the door closed, it took Nick a few moments to refocus. He then arranged


    the two jars of ointment together and snapped a photo to post on his social media.


    "Surprise gift from my little sis. Any ideas for a return gift?"


    Nick''s social circle was pretty exclusive-family, titans of the medical field, and close allies of the Davis family. No random acquaintances.


    When posting, he thought for a moment and excluded his parents, Emmitt Zach, his brother, and sister from viewing it.


    Since he rarely updated his social media-it had been two years since hisst postments and likes started popping up almost immediately.


    "Hey, since when did LIN have a sister? Never heard of her,"mented a former colleague from the research institute.


    Nick replied, "My sister''s just shy."


    Morements followed.


    "LIN, need any senior year study materials?"


    Nick: "...No."


    He had been unsure of Mirabe''s academic level before, but now... A genius doesn''t need study materials! That would be an insult to her intelligence.


    "Give her a huge diamond from South Africa."


    "A luxury private yacht."


    "A ne."


    Reading these extravagant suggestions from the Davis family allies made Nick press his temples in frustration.


    This wasn''t about giving a return gift-it felt more like handing out bombs.


    No wonder his parents kept these people away from his sister; they were way over the top.


    After a while without any practical suggestions, Nick put away his phone.


    *


    Mirabe returned to her room, opened herptop, but then her Messenger pinged. After checking the message and replying, she stood up from her chair.


    After a moment''s thought, she opened a drawer, took out a small box of incense, quickly donned a thick coat, and headed downstairs.


    She crossed over to the neighboring vi, used the fingerprint scanner to enter, and found Wyatt just finishing packing his suitcase. He greeted her with a smile, "Ms. Mirabe, you''re here."

 Chapter 738

    Mirabe nodded, giving his suitcase a quick nce, "All packed up?"


    Wyatt nodded back, "Yeah, almost done. My flight''s at six tonight." He paused, pointing towards the living room, "James is still upstairs. Make yourselffortable, I''ll get you some water."


    Mirabe wandered over to the couch, noticing aptop on the coffee table, its screen flickering with several video windows open.


    Must be surveince footage from somewhere.


    She nced at it briefly before looking away, deciding not to pry.


    In less than a minute, Wyatt came over with a ss of water. He noticed theptop on the table and, after setting down the ss, turned theputer so its screen was no longer facing Mirabe.


    Curtis, having gathered his own luggage, came into the living room and saw Mirabe sitting on the couch.


    He nodded politely at her, then, touching the earpiece he wore, murmured something under his breath before sitting down at the other end of the couch, lifting theptop onto hisp.


    "Curtis doesn''t talk much, Ms. Mirabe. Don''t mind him," Wyatt said, trying to exin.


    "Okay," Mirabe said, not bothered, taking a small sip from her ss.


    But did Curtis just mention something about a painting?


    Her dad had gone to that art and ancient manuscript exhibition today that James had talked about a while back. It was supposed to be over, but they were doing a special recording for a radio documentary, and her dad had been picked as a lucky viewer. So, he had headed out early for the exhibition.


    Then, James came downstairs, his sharp features highlighted by a ck trench coat that made him look effortlessly cool, holding a thick envelope in his hand. He sat down next to Mirabe and handed her the envelope, "From Donald." Mirabe didn''t take it right away, tilting her head slightly to look at James, an eyebrow raised in question, "Is this a gift card?"


    "Just open it and see," James''s voice was smooth as silk.


    Mirabe tapped her knee, finally giving in to temptation and taking the envelope. It was heavy, and upon opening it, her eyes sparkled, ¡°Donald''s too kind."


    James didn''t miss the look on her face, clearing his throat, "A New Year''s gift."


    Mirabe pulled out a small box from her sleeve, "Take this back for Donald, as a New Year''s gift."


    James raised an eyebrow, epting it, "What about mine?"


    Mirabe just gave him a look.


    New Year''s gifts don''t buy themselves, do they?


    She tucked the envelope into her jacket pocket.


    "When will you be back after the holidays?" Mirabe asked.


    "After the sixth, maybe," James replied after a moment''s thought.


    Mirabe nodded, then checked the time, "It''s gettingte." She stood up, patting


    his shoulder, "Safe travels, and Happy New Year in advance."


    "Same to you," James stood as well.


    "I''ll let you guys be, then. I''m off," Mirabe said cheerily, hands in her pockets.


    James had messaged her toe down, saying he had something for her. She wasn''t busy, so she decided to drop by.


    "I''ll walk you out," James offered.


    Mirabe was about to decline but ended up epting after a brief nce at him, heading towards the door.


    Just as they were leaving, Curtis, who had been engrossed in theptop and not paying much attention to Mirabe and James''s conversation, suddenly looked up, his tone urgent, "Someone''s tampering with the exhibition hall''s surveince."

 Chapter 739

    As soon as Curtis''s words hit the air, Wyatt instinctively turned to him and quickly walked over. "What''s going on?"


    "The surveince feed from the exhibit has frozen; someone''s using a jammer," Curtis replied, his fingers flying across the keyboard.


    "A jammer, again? Just like at thest art show..." Wyatt''s voice trailed off as he nced towards Mirabe and then fell silent.


    "I don''t know if it''s the same person," Curtis muttered, narrowing his eyes and lowering his voice.


    Mirabe, upon hearing about the jammer, merely lifted her head to nce at Curtis, her expression unmoved, before turning back to James. "You should go; I''ll wait."


    James had been quite intrigued by the person causing trouble at the Shepherd family''s exhibitions, but at Mirabe''s suggestion, he simply said, "Would you mind waiting for me?"


    After a moment''s thought, Mirabe nodded. "Alright."


    James moved to Curtis''s side, his gaze fixed on the frozen screen. "Haven''t you gotten rid of the interference yet?"


    Curtis had been feeling rather down since he hadn''t managed to break his hacking record fromst year, and with Wyatt always there to poke fun at him, his frustration was at an all-time high. Hearing James''s use of "yet" just added salt to the wound, making Curtis wish he could drag the troublemaker out from behind the scenes right then and there.


    Taking a deep breath, Curtis responded, "I''m on it; it''ll be fixed soon."


    Wyatt''s phone rang at that moment, and he quickly answered it, hearing from the exhibit''s manager that there could be a risk to the visitors'' safety. He promptly instructed them to open the emergency exits while he worked on resolving the interference.


    After hanging up, Wyatt, with a furrowed brow, urged Curtis, "We need to hurry."


    Curtis, his hands moving even faster now, was clearly on edge, the tension evident in his clenched jaw.


    Mirabe, catching bits and pieces of Wyatt''s phone call, understood the gravity of the situation. High-profile exhibitions like this were often targets for criminals, and the possibility of them sneaking in armed was not far-fetched. The potential for innocent bystanders to get hurt was all too real.


    Under normal circumstances, Mirabe would have left by now, but her father was inside.


    Pressing her temples, Mirabe approached Curtis.


    Both Wyatt and Curtis were focused on the screen, and apart from James, who looked up at her approach, they were oblivious to her presence.


    Wyatt was keeping an eye on the clock, and with each passing second without a resolution, his frustration grew, his fists clenched at his sides.


    This particr exhibition at the Evergreen Gallery had been a special arrangement with the central broadcastingwork; otherwise, it would have closed ten days ago. The value of the artifacts on disy was immense, not to mention the presence of three national treasure-level appraisers. There was no room for error. And importantly, Ms. Mirabe''s father was also inside.

 Chapter 740

    Wyatt''s hands were mmy with cold sweat as the situation spiraled.


    Usually, thanks to the Shepherd family''s top-notch security, he and Curtis didn''t need to be there in person. They could handle everything remotely, just like they did with the exhibition ten days ago.


    But now, they were blindsided by this unexpected emergency.


    "Any luck yet?" Wyatt pressed, his voice edged with anxiety.


    "Rx, keep it cool," James said, ncing at Curtis with a calmness that seemed out of ce in the tense atmosphere.


    Curtis, frantically trying to regain control, took a deep breath after James''s reassurance and gave it another go. But after ten seconds, he slumped back, defeated. "No good... The other guy''s skills are way beyond mine. We''d need someone from the top five hackers to crack this."


    James furrowed his brows, about to say something, when Mirabe, who had been quietly observing, spoke up.


    "Let me take a shot," she said, her voice carrying a seriousness and authority that was hard to ignore.


    Wyatt and Curtis turned to her, surprised to realize she was even there.


    "Uh... Ms. Mirabe, you knowputers?" Wyatt asked, echoing Curtis''s unspoken question. But something in Mirabe''s steely gaze made him rethink his skepticism.


    Before Curtis could react, Mirabe shrugged off her thick down jacket, took theptop from his hands, and started typing at a speed that made Wyatt''s head spin. It was clear she was in a different league.


    Curtis''s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to keep up with her rapid movements. In a sh, the chaotic mess on the screen resolved, and the surveince feed snapped back to normal.


    "Done," she said coolly.


    The whole thing took less than three seconds.


    Curtis was stunned.


    So was Wyatt.


    James, however, gave Mirabe a look that clearly indicated he was seeing her in a new light.


    "That was fast," Wyatt managed, throwing a nce at Curtis. It had taken Curtis nearly a minute to not solve the problem, and here was Ms. Mirabe, wrapping it up in three seconds. Curtis''s rank as the seventh-best hacker suddenly seemed questionable.


    Curtis met Wyatt''s look with a silent grimace.


    With the crisis averted, Wyatt quickly called the exhibition manager to report the all-clear.


    Mirabe nced at the now-normal surveince feed, handed theptop back to Curtis without a word, shrugged back into her jacket, and reverted to her usualid-back demeanor.


    Curtis watched her, his emotions a tangled mess. He wanted to ask her so many things, but he knew now wasn''t the time. He bottled up his curiosity and focused back on theptop.


    He tapped the earpiece he was wearing. With the surveince restored, he had everything back under control and needed no further help.


    Confident that the exhibition was safe, Mirabe got up, zipped her jacket, and told James, "I''m heading home."


    After a brief pause, she gestured towards Curtis''sptop and added, "Don''t bother seeing me out. You''re busy."


    James looked at her but didn''t insist on staying. "Alright."


    With a nod, Mirabe turned and walked out of the vi.


    "Time for bed," she thought. "Tomorrow''s update will be on time, and I''ll try to post it early!"

 Chapter 741

    When Wyatt strolled back from his phone call, he was surprised to see that Mirabe was no longer in the living room. "Did Ms. Mirabe leave?" he asked, puzzled.


    James barely nced up from the surveince feed on hisputer before settling back into the couch without a word.


    Curtis, having just heard his team''s report that the scare was a false rm, let out a sigh of relief and pinched the bridge of his nose. "All clear now," he announced.


    "That''s a relief," Wyatt said, visibly rxing. "I thought we were on the brink of a disaster. Who knew Ms. Mirabe was such aputer whiz?"


    He was genuinely impressed.


    Turning to Curtis, Wyatt couldn''t help but tease, "Hey, given Ms. Mirabe''s speed and how she cracked that interference in three seconds, where do you think she''d rank on your hacker leaderboard?"


    Curtis fell silent, deep in thought, before responding.


    Wyatt nudged Curtis''s leg with his foot, chuckling, "She''s got to be better than you, right?"


    Curtis just gave him a look.


    Wyatt, arms crossed, didn''t mind stirring the pot. "We owe Ms. Mirabe big time for stepping in. Not to be mean, but your world ranking at seven... seems a bit overrated. Maybe you need some extra sses?"


    Curtis, expressionless, removed his earpiece and set it down on the ss coffee table with a snap, causing Wyatt to instinctively step back.


    The tension was thick.


    After a moment, Curtis broke the silence, "Given Ms. Mirabe''s decoding speed, she''d easily be in the top three."


    "Top three..." Wyatt murmured. Despite his teasing, he respected Curtis''sputer skills; his seventh-ce ranking was no fluke.


    But Ms. Mirabe had only shown a glimpse of her abilities, and already Curtis was specting she could be in the top three. Wyatt couldn''t even begin to imagine what she was truly capable of.


    "As for other skills, I''m not sure, but cracking that interference on the fly shows she''s got a real knack for system coding," Curtis added thoughtfully.


    Wyatt scratched his head, pondering. "So, does that mean she could already be in the top three or five on your leaderboard?"


    Curtis paused to consider.


    He knew a bit about the top ten, especially those ranked above him. The hackers in fourth, fifth, and sixth ces were well-known programmers internationally.


    But the top three were more mysterious, especially the person at number one, known simply as ''Y'', whoseputer skills were almost freakishly good.


    The challenges on the hacker leaderboard were set by ''Y'', and so far, no one had cracked them, not even those ranked second and third.


    ''Y'' had long dominated the top spot, earning the awe of the entire hackermunity, though no one knew who they were, where they were, or what they did.


    Although Ms. Mirabe had shown remarkable skill today, Curtis remembered a time not so long ago when she hade across him attempting to crack one of the leaderboard challenges and had innocently asked him what the code on his screen meant.

 Chapter 742

    If Ms. Mirabe ranked in the top three on any leaderboard, she''d definitely know what was running on hisputer.


    So, Curtis collected his thoughts and said confidently, "She''s not one of the top hackers."


    He paused before adding, "Even though the hacker world has its rankings, the world is huge. There are plenty of hidden experts out there who probably don''t care about being on some list."


    Wyatt nodded in agreement, "That''s true. There''s an old saying, ''True masters prefer the shadows.'' Think about it, Ms. Mirabe isn''t part of the Pharmacists'' Guild, but her potion-brewing skills are top-notch. Maybe that''s her way of staying under the radar."


    But this kind of low-key vibe, suddenlying to light, was quite the bombshell.


    Here was Ms. Mirabe, not only a top-tier potion maker but also a tech wizard even more badass than Curtis. Wyatt let out a whistle and couldn''t help butment, "Ms. Mirabe really knows how to y her cards close to her chest."


    Curtis nodded, "Exactly. So, if she''s a tech whiz, then all that mundane info we dug up on her starts to make sense."


    Information, after all, isn''t always what it seems. It could very well have been doctored.


    "Yeah," Wyatt agreed, biting his lip and looking at James, "James, did you already know about Ms. Mirabe''s skills, and that''s why..."


    James just shot him a cool, noble look before standing up from the couch and heading towards the stairs, leaving Wyatt with his dignified exit.


    Wyatt touched his nose, realizing he might have been stating the obvious. If James had known, the fuss with Brother Yang earlier wouldn''t have happened.


    Turning back to Curtis, Wyatt was about to speak when he noticed Curtis was engrossed in hisptop again, giving off a clear ''do not disturb'' vibe. Wyatt couldn''t help but purse his lips.


    Well, better get the luggage to the car.


    Back at her ce, Mirabe climbed the stairs and found herputer still on. After a brief pause, she pulled up a chair, ced her fingers on theptop''s keyboard, and quickly entered a sequence of IP addresses, hitting enter.


    Instantly, the screen switched to a satellite map. With a few flicks of her finger, she zoomed in on a blinking red dot until it pinpointed a location near Evergreen Gallery.


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly, and soon after, she drafted a message and sent it off, "Got nothing better to do all day?"


    On the other side, a man sitting in a coffee shop nearly spilled his coffee when a chat box suddenly popped up on his screen. He set down his mug, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and then typed a question mark in response.


    Mirabe, with her legs propped up,zily watched herputer and then replied, "Dad''s in a good mood today, doesn''t feel like causing trouble."


    Seeing the word ''dad'', the man knew immediately who it was. He paused for a moment before typing, "So, kiddo, you cracked my jamming system?"


    Mirabe shook her head in disdain and typed back, "You call that a jammer?"


    The man was silent for a few seconds before he typed back, the force behind each keystroke palpable. If Mirabe were there, she''d notice his almost teeth- gritting response, "Can''t go a day without showing off, can you?"


    Mirabe let out a soft chuckle, "Just a friendly reminder to have your buddy pull out now."

 Chapter 743

    The man didn''t waste a second. He quickly tapped the earpiece hidden under his cor, whispered a code word, and then turned it off. After a brief pause, he started typing on hisputer: "Are you helping the Shepherd family?"


    Mirabe''s fingers danced over the keyboard as she replied, "Dad, aren''t you helping them too?"


    "Bullshit." That was all he sent back.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but didn''t let it bother her. "Logging off."


    Just as she was about to shut down herputer, she noticed an envelope on the desk. She hesitated, then typed one more message: "Don''t take any more jobs rted to the Shepherd family. Do me this favor."


    No more using "Dad" now.


    The man sat up straighter and typed, "So you''re still saying you''re not helping the Shepherd family?"


    "If that''s what you think... sure," Mirabe replied, her words oozing sarcasm.


    The man''s lips twitched as he quickly typed another message: "Didn''t you take on


    a Shepherd family job before? What, returned the goods? Made peace? They''re not after you anymore?"


    Mirabe: "..."


    Fine, you want to y hardball?


    She closed the chat window, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Thirty secondster, she hit the confirm button and shut down herputer.


    Meanwhile, next door in the vi, Curtis had been tracking someone for ages when hisputer screen suddenly shed. A satellite map popped up, pinpointing a coffee shop just two hundred meters from Evergreen Gallery with a blinking red dot.


    Curtis was stunned by how easily he''d found the target. No time to think, he put on hismunicator and ordered his men to follow the lead.


    An hourter, the man who had finally shaken off his pursuers pulled out his phone and sent Mirabe a message.


    ¡¾Damn, you''re ruthless.]


    When Mirabe saw the message, she nced at the time and shook her head.


    Took you an hour to get away? Pretty weak.


    That evening, Shawn returned from the art exhibition, beaming with joy.


    Mirabe was lounging on the couch, reading a ssic novel. She nced at her clueless little brother, Donald, and shook her head.


    After a moment''s thought, she decided to speak up. "Dad, it''s almost the end of the year. Try to stay indoors more. It''s not safe out there."


    Shawn, misunderstanding her concern, thought she was just looking out for him. He nodded, "My dear, you don''t know how lucky I was thanks to James. This exhibition, I met three top art critics."


    Once Shawn got started on art and critics, he was unstoppable, his eyes shining with excitement.


    Mirabe listened while reading her book, asionally responding.


    Finally, Shawn remembered something and looked up at his daughter. "Oh, you should call James. Let''s have dinner with him in the next few days; I need to thank


    him... never mind, I''ll talk to him myself."


    With that, Shawn reached for his phone.


    Mirabe pressed her temples, closed her book, and sat up to take his phone away. "It''ste, Dad."


    Shawn looked confused. "What do you mean, te''?"

 Chapter 744

    Mirabe switched off his phone and leaned in, "He''s back in the capital, caught today''s flight."


    Shawn blinked in surprise, "Already? He told me just a few days ago it wouldn''t be this soon."


    A few days ago?


    Mirabe shot Shawn a look, "You two seem pretty tight these days?"


    Shawn chuckled, "Well, we''re neighbors. It''s good to keep things friendly. Besides,


    I think James is a solid guy, really top-notch."


    Nick had juste downstairs and caught his dad praising their neighbor, James. He couldn''t help but frown.


    An art gallery invite and Dad''s all won over. Easy peasy.


    Then his sister''s voice drifted over.


    "... Yeah, he''s pretty decent," Mirabe agreed, nodding.


    Nick nced at his sister, tempted to say something but held back. Instead, his eyesnded on the book in her hands, showcasing selections from Zhuangzi.


    A smirk tugged at his lips as he sat beside her, "When did you get into ssical texts?"


    Mirabe waved the book in front of Nick''s face, "It''s for English ss, supposed to help boost my grade."


    But really, aiming for valedictorian in the finals meant she had to brush up on her English, big time.


    Nick raised an eyebrow, "English? You''re struggling?"


    Mirabe nodded, frustration flickering in her eyes, "Big time."


    Even though she already had a guaranteed spot at Prestige College, the finals


    were still a big deal, especially if she wanted to make Mr. Hammond and Parkside High proud.


    Nick looked puzzled.


    Struggling, yet still the top of her ss at Parkside High... was Mirabe humblebragging?


    "Need some help with English?" After a moment, Nick asked, deeply thoughtful.


    Mirabe, already back in her book, murmured, "Yeah, need to dive into more readings."


    Nick nodded, "Got it."


    With that, he pulled out his phone.


    He seemed to have an idea for the perfect gift for his sister.


    Mirabe, after a pause, shot Nick a curious nce, wondering what he meant by ''got it.''


    The next morning, Mirabe found out exactly what Nick meant.


    A massive box of reading materials awaited her: international ssics, essays, short stories by famous authors, and anthologies of poems and texts essential for high schoolers.


    If it was on the high school reading list, it was probably in there. She estimated about fifty or sixty books, maybe more.


    Staring at the box, Mirabe felt a mix of awe and a headacheing on.


    Nick hadn''t expected Grady to gather and deliver all the books overnight. Seeing


    his sister dumbfounded by the box, he ruffled her hair, "Sis?"


    Mirabe looked up at Nick, almost breathless, "You bought these?"


    Nick nodded, slightly embarrassed, "Consider it a little gift from me."


    To someone who loves learning, books are the best gift.


    A little gift... Mirabe massaged her temples. First, it was three boxes of exam papers, now a box of books. It seemed Zach''s influence had firmly taken root in Nick''s mind.


    Taking a deep breath, Mirabe mentally tallied another point against a certain someone.

 Chapter 745

    Mirabe''s face lit up with a sweet smile as she nodded at Nick. "Thanks for the gift, Nick."


    Nick, seeing the genuine joy in his sister''s eyes, couldn''t help but smirk and ruffle her hair. ¡°We''re family. No need to thank me."


    "Yeah," Mirabe replied softly. Then, despite her mncholy, she bent down and effortlessly lifted a box that looked like it weighed a ton and started heading upstairs.


    Despite her gloomy mood, she carried the box without breaking a sweat.


    Nick watched,pletely dumbfounded. "..."


    Was this really his frail little sister pulling off such a feat???


    That many books¡ªhe''d struggle to lift it himself, wouldn''t he?


    Nick stood there, feeling like he was watching something out of a fantasy movie.


    Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was New Year''s Eve.


    This year''s holiday season was the most heartwarming one yet for the Davis family.


    With their daughter home and even Nick, who hadn''t been back for years, making the trip, Delh and Shawn were overjoyed at the dinner table. Delh, especially, had tears in her eyes as she looked at her children.


    Traditionally, the Davis family didn''t stay upte on New Year''s Eve. In previous years, after their reunion dinner, everyone would watch a bit of the New Year''s special on TV and then head to their rooms. This year, however, was different; no one was in a rush to leave.


    They all gathered in the living room, watching TV together.


    Leo had actually been invited to participate in a big New Year''s TV special, but he turned it down.


    This was his first New Year''s celebration with his sister. Missing a TV show was nothingpared to missing this opportunity for family bonding. Since Leo had already been dubbed the "little princess" by his fans¡ªabel he couldn''t seem to shake off he decided to just embrace it and abandon any pretense of maintaining a different public image.


    At the moment, the two siblings were cozied up on the couch, engrossed in a video game, legs propped up, not caring one bit about their image.


    Zach, watching the two, especially his brother, rolled his eyes and turned to Shawn. "Dad, you should keep an eye on your son. Don''t let him lead Mirabe astray. It''s all video games, all day."


    Shawn nced at Zach and snorted. "That''s your brother. Why don''t you handle it?"


    Zach: ""


    Is this how we''re ying it now?


    Why not use the same approach you used on me before!


    Shawn, uninterested in further discussion, continued munching on nuts and watching the New Year''s special.


    Nick had stepped out to take a call, and in the living room, Emmitt sat farthest from the others, watching Mirabe and Leo''s harmonious interaction with a hint of envy.


    However, he only looked over a few times before lowering his head again, neither watching TV nor fiddling with his phone.


    Zach noticed him, sighed softly, and decided to sit next to Emmitt. "Still can''t get over it, huh?"


    Emmitt paused at Zach''s words, then shook his head, choosing to stay silent.


    Seeing this, Zach wasn''t sure how else tofort him. He had already said so much before, but it seemed like Emmitt couldn''t shake off his difort. Zach simply patted him on the shoulder as a gesture of encouragement.


    Meanwhile, after ying a couple more rounds of the game with Leo, Mirabe decided to take a break. "I''m going to call Grandma Catherine," she announced, closing the game.


    Leo nodded in agreement. "Say hi to Grandma for all of us."


    Mirabe stood up, waved at Leo to acknowledge, and then headed towards the garden.


    There was a swing chair in the garden. Mirabe wrapped herself in her coat before sitting down on it. She talked to Catherine for about half an hour. After hanging up, she didn''t rush back to the living room. Instead, shezily reclined on the swing chair, gently swaying her feet, and opened her Messenger app.


    A notification in her Messenger contacts showed a red dot, indicating someone had sent her a friend request.

 Chapter 746

    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised by the notification. It wasn''t often someone added her on Messenger.


    With a quick flick, she opened the friend request. The username was simply "Seal," and the profile picture was a small flower.


    There wasn''t any note exining who it was, but the request hade through a business card share.


    She clicked on the profile picture but found nothing; the posts were private, signaling she was dealing with a stranger. The location showed they were overseas.


    Stopping the gentle sway of her porch swing, she pondered for a moment before epting the request.


    After epting, Mirabe decided to break the ice, "Chester, Happy New Year!"


    Given the international origin and the method of contact, it wasn''t hard to figure out who it might be.


    Two minutes went by with no response, but Mirabe wasn''t too bothered and slipped her phone back into her pocket.


    Just as she was about to get up, she saw Nick approaching with a scarf in hand, prompting her to sit back down.


    Handing her the scarf, Nick said, "It''s chilly out."


    "Thanks, Nick,¡± Mirabe replied sweetly, wrapping the scarf around her neck. She scooted over to make room for him on the swing.


    Nick sat down, grabbing the swing''s rope, and turned to Mirabe, remembering the call he had just made. "Oh, I shared your Messenger contact with Chester. Make sure to ept it."


    Mirabe nodded, "I saw, and I just added him."


    "Good." Nick paused for a moment then added, "Chester isn''t familiar with Messenger, so he might be slow to reply."


    That exined things.


    Mirabe nodded in understanding, thinking Chester must be a bit old-fashioned.


    Just then, her Messenger pinged. She pulled out her phone, saw a money transfer notification, and fell into deep thought.


    Holding her phone, she didn''t immediately ept the transfer but turned to Nick, "...Is Chester''s family wealthy?"


    She had counted at least five zeros after the number 2.


    Another person wealthier than her had appeared.


    Nick seemed taken aback by the question. After a brief pause, he didn''t confirm but instead asked, "Haven''t your parents mentioned him?"


    Mirabe stayed silent.


    After a moment, Nick mused, "Well, they''re doing alright." He nced at her phone screen, noticing the chat and the transfer notification.


    "If Chester sent you a New Year''s gift, you should ept it. It''s his way of showing he cares," Nick advised.


    Mirabe sighed inwardly and epted the transfer, "Chester''s being too generous... I don''t even know how to repay such a gesture."


    Nick chuckled, finding his sister''s concern endearing. He coughed lightly and said, "You don''t need to return the favor."


    ¡°But that would be so awkward,¡± Mirabe said, scratching her head and tilting it to look at Nick. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her eyes sparkled with innocence and beauty.


    Nick, looking at her, remembered a promise they had made and, after a pause, gently tussled her bun, asking, ¡°Mirabe, do you have any dreams?"


    Mirabe''s eyes lit up, "Does dreaming of being a couch potato count?"


    Nick''s smile twitched. This dream was certainly not what he had expected.


    "Or... bing a wealthy socialite," Mirabe pondered seriously, adding another thought.

 Chapter 747

    After all, she was quite the heiress, but that money was practically untouchable. Using it would just cause a stir. Better to leave it be.


    Time to start fresh.


    Mirabe thought to herself as she gently swayed on the porch swing, her feet barely moving. She subtly tilted her head to the side.


    Seeing this, Nick pulled his hand back and said softly, "Nick can help you with your second wish."


    He didn''t really get what a "dead fish dream" was, but making her wealthy? That was a piece of cake.


    The dividends he''d earned over the years from The Davis Family business were substantial. Surely, it was enough to make his sister an heiress.


    Nick pondered, nning to ask Gradyter for a detailed ount of his finances.


    As for introducing her to Chester''s elite circle, that could wait.


    Listening to her brother Nick''s airy words, Mirabe should have felt touched, but... it just made her feel even more out of ce among the rich.


    Surrounded by people wealthier than her!


    (?_?)


    After some light banter, the siblings headed inside.


    The TV was still airing the New Year''s special, and Mirabe sat in the living room watching a few acts before yawning continuously. It wasn''t long before she


    headed upstairs.


    Once in her room, after freshening up, she felt revitalized andy on her bed, scrolling through her phone.


    Outside, fireworks sporadically lit up the night, marking the unique atmosphere of New Year''s Eve.


    As midnight struck, her phone began buzzing incessantly with Messenger notifications. Just as Mirabe was about to check Messenger, a call came through.


    She raised an eyebrow and pressed the answer button.


    "Happy New Year!" came James''s husky voice, apanied by the crackle of fireworks.


    "Yeah, Happy New Year to you too!" Mirabe responded cheerily.


    "I thought you might be asleep." James stood on his balcony,rge snowkes falling around him. He caught one in his palm, watching it quickly melt, "Is it snowing in Ashford?"


    "Not really," Mirabe replied, getting up to pull back the curtains of her floor-to- ceiling window. The fireworks reflecting in her eyes painted a vibrant scene, "No snow here."


    James hummed in acknowledgment, then coughed twice, having caught a bit of a chill these past few days.


    Hearing this, Mirabe asked, "Caught a cold?"


    "Just a bit," James cleared his throat again.


    The fireworks had initially masked his nasal voice, but now in the silence, it was


    quite evident. Mirabe advised, "You should rest early."


    "Alright, you too," James softly agreed, "Goodnight."


    "Goodnight," Mirabe nodded, soon hanging up the phone.


    After standing quietly for a moment, she drew the curtains closed and climbed back into bed, opening Messenger once more.


    Upon opening it, she saw her screen flooded with transfer notifications.


    Shawn, Delh, a few of her brothers... It was as if they had all agreed on it, each transfer amount identical, all nines.


    Mirabe, seeing all these nines, couldn''t help but touch her nose, thinking she could screenshot this and tweet about it, with a theme like: "Getting rich off New Year''s money."


    But after a moment''s thought, she decided against it, aiming to be the bigger person.


    Touching her nose again, she began opening each chat to ept the transfers, sending a ''Thanks, boss'' GIF in response.


    When she opened Emmitt''s chat, her finger paused momentarily, remembering what Zach had mentioned about a previous Twitter incident. She epted the transfer and replied with a simple, "Thanks, Emmitt."


    On the other side, Emmitt hadn''t gone to bed yet, his eyes glued to his phone screen, as if waiting for something.

 Chapter 748

    The ping of Messenger on his phone was relentless, but every time it chimed,


    Emmitt would nce over, only to feel a pang of disappointment, his heart sinking a bit more each time.


    Taking a deep breath, Emmitt tried to swallow the lump in his throat. Some connections, once severed, were gone for good. Irreparable.


    He rubbed his face in frustration and bitterness before setting his phone aside. The lively sound of fireworks outside seemed to fade, and despite the warmth of the heating, an inexplicable chill settled over him.


    Just then, his phone buzzed twice more with Messenger notifications. Knowing it might only heighten his sense of loss, Emmitt couldn''t help but pick it up again.


    With a tentative tap, he opened Messenger and saw Mirabe''s message: "Thanks, Emmitt." Instantly, the cloud of negativity that had been looming over him dissipated. He held his phone for a long while, a smile recing his frown, deciding not to reply.


    Even though he knew Mirabe was just being polite, it was still the first thing to genuinely lift his spirits in the new year.


    The winter break flew by, and before they knew it, the second semester of senior year had begun, with finals looming just over three months away.


    Back at school, Mirabe''s Literature score saw a significant bump in the first monthly test, nearly twenty points higher, especially in her essays andprehension questions.


    Her teacher, thrilled with her progress, handed her extra past papers to work on. Despite grumbling about the workload, Mirabe took them in stride, her face noticeably slimmer from the stress as finals approached.


    Thirty days before the finals, Mirabe was called into Principal Ate''s office.


    ¡°Mirabe, with finalsing up, we''re organizing a motivational talk by alumni from Prestige College, including some who graduated from Parkside High. Though you''re new here, your performance has been outstanding, so we''d like you to prepare a speech as a student representative," Ate exined gently.


    Mirabe blinked in surprise. "Me? Speak at the event?"


    "Yes, you''re representing your ss. Give it your best shot!" Ate encouraged.


    "Can I... decline?" Mirabe hesitated.


    "Why would you want to?" Ate was taken aback. "It''s a great opportunity, and we''re filming it too. It''ll be good for you."


    After a pause, Ate added, "If you''re worried about the speech, draft


    something, and I''ll help you refine it."


    Mirabe was silent for a moment before responding, "It''s not that.¡±


    "Then what''s the issue?" Ate was puzzled.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe confessed, ¡°You gave me ten sets of past papersst time. I haven''t finished them yet."


    Ate was momentarily speechless.


    "Ms. Ate, I have to work through the papers you so kindly provided, prepare


    for the speech, and practice it. I''d feel really guilty if I messed up and embarrassed you," Mirabe said earnestly,ying out her concerns.

 Chapter 749

    Ate''s face was a whirlwind of emotions after hearing Mirabe''s plea, "You''re not feeling guilty, are you? It seems more like you just don''t want to tackle those assignments, huh?"


    She knew that look all too well-the look of utter despair Mirabe wore every time a new set of worksheetsnded on her desk.


    Rubbing her temples, Ate sighed, "Alright, kiddo, I get it. But you still have to do the assignments and prep your speech. It''s just one more month of hard work in your senior year. You''ve got to push through; I''m doing this for your own good."


    Mirabe felt a pang of difort at Ate''s words.


    Seeing the girl''s face fall, Ate couldn''t help but soften. After a moment, she proposed, "How about this... bring me three of them back."


    Mirabe''s eyes sparkled, "How about five?"


    Ate''s lips twitched, "You''re the first student to ever haggle with me." Shaking her head but considering Mirabe''s recent progress, she waved her hand dismissively, "Fine, have it your way."


    Mirabe straightened up instantly, saluting Ate with respect, "Ms. Ate, you''re the best. I''ll get those papers to you and make sure my speech is top- notch. I won''t let you down."


    With that, she turned and exited the office at a brisk pace.


    Ate was left speechless.


    On her way back to the ssroom, Mirabe unexpectedly ran into Mr. Hammond and was summoned to his office.


    "I''ve heard from your homeroom teacher that you''ve made significant improvements in English," Mr. Hammond said as he poured a ss of water for Mirabe, his stern expression giving way to a warm smile.


    Mirabe nodded in thanks, "It''s all thanks to the extra materials Ms. Ate provided."


    Sitting down, Mr. Hammond nodded, "Ms. Ate is indeed outstanding. After this year''s seniors graduate, she''s likely to earn the title of the school''s top educator."


    Mirabe responded calmly, "It''s only a matter of time with her abilities."


    Mr. Hammond chuckled, "Did Ms. Ate mention to you about the alumni from Prestige Collegeing to give a lecture?"


    Mirabe nodded, "She just mentioned it."


    "Good, make sure you prepare well. These alumni were once top students at Parkside High, just like you. Take the chance to talk to them, add them on Messenger or something. It''ll be good to have connections when you get to Prestige College," Mr. Hammond advised gently.


    Mirabe, understanding the good intent, politely responded, "I understand."


    Knowing Mirabe was smart and got the message, Mr. Hammond didn''t bbor the point about the Prestige College alumni. After a few more words on academic topics, he let her return to ss.


    The speech event was scheduled for Friday afternoon, aimed at all the senior students, numbering over a thousand.


    At lunchtime on Friday, Mirabe and her friend Jenna were heading to the cafeteria when they bumped into Vincent. He was apanied by a casually dressed guy.


    Thanks to her excellent memory, she recognized him instantly, "Matthew."


    Vincent''s cousin, Matthew.


    She had met him during a trip to Prestige College for apetition, where he had shown her and Vincent around the Physics Department.


    Seeing Mirabe, Matthew''s eyes lit up, "Mirabe, you remember me."


    Mirabe nodded, pondering why he was here, then asked, "Are you here to give us seniors a lecture?"


    Matthew nodded earnestly, "Yeah, Mr. Hammond invited me back."

 Chapter 750

    Sure enough.


    Mirabe paused for a moment before asking, "Hey, Matthew, have you had lunch yet?"


    Last time at Prestige College, Matthew had treated her to lunch.


    Matthew chuckled, "Not yet."


    Upon hearing that, Mirabe quickly said, "Perfect, let''s grab something together."


    "Sounds good," Matthew agreed. He already had a favorable impression of Mirabe, finding her straightforward and refreshingly direct.


    Soon, the group made their way to the cafeteria, with Mirabe swiping her card.


    Neither Matthew nor Vincent were the type to stand on ceremony, so they didn''t protest.


    The four of them found arge table and sat down. Surrounded by three academic powerhouses, Jenna felt a mix of excitement and mncholy, oddly insecure about herpany.


    After all, dining with the pirs of the future was a bittersweet burden.


    Jenna nibbled on her fork, lost in thought.


    Matthew, always warm and outgoing, noticed Jenna might feel left out and made it a point to include her in the conversation now and then, ensuring she didn''t feel awkward.


    "By the way, who''s the senior ss speaker this year? Vincent, is it you?" Matthew asked as he picked up a piece of barbecued rib, turning to his cousin.


    He had always known his cousin to top the charts academically, so he naturally assumed the role would go to him.


    Vincent''s grip on his fork paused, but his handsome face showed no embarrassment. He nced at Queen Mira across the table and sighed, "Not


    me."


    Matthew raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Not you?"


    With a cough, Vincent looked down and mumbled through a mouthful of food, "Yeah."


    Though not embarrassed, he felt a bit sheepish.


    Matthew blinked, his mind racing, then turned back to Mirabe, pping his forehead in realization, "Oh, right, Mirabe, it must be you."


    Remembering her first-ce victory at the internationalpetition made it clear that Mirabe''s academic performance was likely far superior to his cousin''s, something he had momentarily forgotten.


    Hearing Matthew''sment, Vincent seemed even more downcast.


    He wondered why he had agreed toe to the cafeteria today.


    Mirabe humbly acknowledged with a "Hmm."


    "You''re truly outstanding..." Matthew gave Mirabe a thumbs-up.


    "Cut the ttery, let''s eat," Vincent said, nudging his cousin''s leg with his foot to stop his exaggerated praise.


    Seeing this, Matthew just nced at him sideways, "Now you realize there''s always someone better, huh?"


    Back when he prided himself on always being top of his ss, he''d strut around, showing off in front of family and friends.


    Even though Matthew had never been number one, being consistently in the top


    five didn''t seem to earn him any respect. Was that fair?


    Vincent muttered, "Can you at least try to save me some face?"


    "Did you ever save face for me?" Matthewughed.


    Vincent just sighed.


    Mirabe watched the two cousins, unable to help but shake her head and smile, then went back to her meal.


    That''s when a gentle female voice joined in.


    "Oh, Matthew, you''re eating here too?" Meg looked at Matthew, her surprise evident.


    Her gaze then swept across the table, pausing slightly at Mirabe''s striking features.


    Hearing Meg, Matthew looked up, his expression softening, "Yeah, it''s been a while since I''ve eaten at Parkside High School''s cafeteria. Got the chance to visit my old school, so I thought I''d grab a bite here with my cousin and our underssman."


    Meg was also an alumna invited back to Prestige College.

 Chapter 751

    Matthew paused for a moment after speaking, then nced around behind her and asked, "By the way, where''s Taylor? Isn''t he with you today?"


    "Taylor got caught up with something. He said he''d be a bitte to school," Meg replied with a graceful smile, holding her lunch tray. She nced at the empty seat next to Matthew and politely asked, "Mind if I join you?"


    "Of course not," Matthew said, scooting his chair slightly closer to his cousin.


    With that, Meg ced her lunch on the table and sat down. Shortly after, a girl approached, seemingly an acquaintance of Meg''s. After a brief exchange, the girl walked away.


    Adding Meg to the table didn''t make things awkward. Matthew and a few others, including Mirabe, made quick introductions without getting into too much detail before continuing with their meal.


    Mirabe and Vincent were always on the quieter side, usually engrossed in their studies. So, it was no surprise that they weren''t engaging in much conversation during the meal.


    However, halfway through his meal, Vincent suddenly looked up at Mirabe. "I heard you''ve been getting some extra help with English lit."


    At the mention of English literature, Mirabe grimaced, her grip on her fork tightening. "Yeah, I have."


    Vincent, pretending not to notice Mirabe''s aversion to the subject, pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Literature isn''t like science, you know? It''s all about interpretation, not something you can easily cram for. Maybeter, I can find you some practice readings to help you out."


    After all, he owed her one for sending him a box full of past papers. With only a few weeks left until the senior year finals, it was now or never to return the favor.


    Mirabe merely gave Vincent a quiet look.


    Matthew, overhearing their conversation, expressed his surprise. "Wait, Mirabe, you''re struggling with English lit?"


    "Yeah, it''s not great," Mirabe sighed, taking a bite of her barbecue ribs as if to emphasize her frustration.


    Jenna, who had just taken a spoonful of her meal, nearly choked upon hearing this. Tears welled up in her eyes from the coughing.


    She nced at Mirabe with aplex expression. From herst test, she remembered scoring 131 points in English lit, right? Was 131 considered bad? Then what about her score of 101? Did that count for nothing?


    When Mirabe transferred to Parkside High Schoolst year, her grades were barely passing. Now, after just a few months, she had made such incredible progress and yet imed to be struggling? Jenna suddenly had a strong suspicion that Mirabe had been ying dumb all along.


    "English lit is indeed a tough nut to crack," Matthewmented, simply agreeing with his cousin without adding much.


    After a while, he seemed to remember something and added, "I know a tutor who specializes in helping students catch up. Mirabe, do you want me to connect you with her on Messenger?"


    With the final exams looming, every bit of preparation could help.


    "No, that''s okay," Mirabe responded, shaking her head. "But thanks for the offer."


    Matthew didn''t insist further and went back to his meal.


    Meg, curious about the conversation and noticing Matthew''s unusual enthusiasm towards a younger student, couldn''t help but ask, "Matthew, is this younger student of yours a senior?"


    After swallowing his food, Matthew turned to her and smiled, "Yeah, senior year."


    "Oh, the final exams areing up. Cramming for English lit might be a bitte now. Maybe focusing on this year''s key topics and going over summaries might help. There''s a chance some of them mighte up in the exams."


    Meg offered her advice with a smile, sitting up straight with impable dining etiquette, the very picture of ady.

 Chapter 752

    Matthew''s eyebrows knitted together briefly before he said, "Well, for subjects like English literature, there''s not much you can do except rely on your own


    understanding and memory."


    "True, but hammering away at key points can still bump up the grades a bit," Meg replied calmly, speaking from experience.


    Mirabe looked up at Meg, then nodded in agreement, "You''re right, senior."


    Meg smiled and winked at her, "We''ve all been through the high school grind. I remember freaking out just before finals. Thank God the exam wasn''t too tough, or else... I might have missed my shot at Prestige College."


    She let out a small sigh.


    Everyone knew that getting into a top-tier school like Prestige College meant you were cream of the academic crop. Jenna sneaked a nce at Meg, feeling like there was a bit of a humblebrag going on.


    Matthew raised an eyebrow, "You were the third top scorer in our city, Meg. If you had missed out on Prestige College, what hope would there be for the rest of us?"


    Meg, her makeup wless, coughed lightly before responding, "It''s really nothing to fuss over."


    With that, she modestly lowered her head, her movements graceful as she continued eating.


    Mirabe was nearly done with her meal and leaned back in her chair, looking over at Jenna. Seeing she was almost finished too, she turned to Matthew and Vincent, "Matthew, we''re going to head back to ss."


    Matthew put down his fork, nodding, "Alright, see youter."


    Mirabe nodded, and soon she and Jenna were walking out of the cafeteria.


    Once they were a good distance away, Jenna couldn''t hold back any longer, "Queen Mira, don''t you think our senior''s way of talking is a bit... much?"


    You know, the whole "Thank God the final exam wasn''t too tough" or "I might have missed out on Prestige College" and "It''s nothing to fuss over"... Ugh!


    Queen Mira herself was practically a shoo-in for Prestige College with her grades.


    Mirabe quirked an eyebrow, "You mean, a bit too proud?"


    Jenna nodded, then crossed her arms, "It just gave me the creeps."


    Mirabe kept walking, her voice trailing off, "If you scored third in the city, you could act that way too."


    Jenna just touched her nose, a bit lost for words.


    *


    Back at the table, Vincent had finished eating. He nced at his cousin, his demeanor cool, "Cousin, I''m heading out."


    "Sure," Matthew waved him off.


    Meg watched Vincent leave, lost in thought for a moment. She then turned back to Matthew, putting down her fork without having eaten much more, "You mentioned before that your cousin''s grades are top-notch, always leading the ss, right?" Matthew nodded, then hesitated for a second before shaking his head, "Used to be, but maybe not anymore."


    Meg seemed a bit puzzled by his response.


    Matthew didn''t delve into it further, quickly changing the subject, "Oh, I forgot to mention earlier, today''s student representative for the seniors is Mirabe." "Mirabe?" Meg paused, "...the girl who just said she''s struggling with English literature?"


    Matthew''s brow furrowed slightly. Describing his junior as ''struggling with English literature'' didn''t sit well with him, but he didn''t let it show too much, simply acknowledging with a ''yeah''.


    It struck Meg as surprising, making her wonder, "Having someone who struggles with English literature as a student representative?"


    Parkside High School''s academic standards must really be slipping, she thought. Couldn''t they find someone with better grades?

 Chapter 753

    Meg was swimming in a sea of mixed emotions, wondering why Mr. Hammond had decided to invite them back to pump up the current senior ss at Parkside High. It dawned on her that maybe this year''s batch wasn''t living up to the rep of their predecessors.


    "I mean, when I was at Parkside, I never heard of Mr. Hammond pulling a stunt like this before," she mused, clicking her tongue in disbelief.


    Shaking her head, she scanned the cafeteria, which looked a bit more worn than she remembered from her high school days. "Looks like Parkside High''s glory days are behind it," she remarked, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.


    Glory days behind it? Matthew nced at Meg, recalling how his cousin had updated him during the holidays. Parkside High wasn''t on the decline; in fact, it had climbed two spots up in the national rankings, now sitting proudly as the third top high school in the country.


    How could it be sliding down if its national ranking had actually improved?


    Clearing his throat, Matthew felt the urge to defend his alma mater. He was about to set the record straight, saying, "Actually, starting fromst year, Parkside High School has..." when Meg''s phone interrupted him.


    "Sorry," she said to Matthew, then answered the call. "Taylor, you''re at Parkside now, right? Cool, Matthew and I will head over to meet you."


    With a quick goodbye and a pleased smile, Meg looked up at Matthew. "Taylor''s arrived. He''s over by the admin office."


    Matthew decided to let the Parkside conversation go for now. "Let''s go meet up with our senior then."


    "Yep," Meg agreed, and they both made their way out of the cafeteria toward the admin office.


    There, they found Taylor chatting with Anthony, looking sharp in a navy peacoat that made hisplexion glow and his handsome features stand out. Meg''s eyes lit up at the sight of him, and she greeted Anthony with a nod before turning her attention to Taylor. "Finished with your meeting, senior?"


    Taylor smiled gently. "Yeah."


    Matthew, trailing behind, nodded at both Anthony and Taylor. He wasn''t as acquainted with Taylor, who was two years his senior and had shined brightly during his time at Parkside, graduating as the salutatorian. Taylor majored in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Gic Engineering at Prestige College, a path quite different from Matthew''s Physics experiments.


    Their paths might never have crossed if not for Mr. Hammond''s invitation to speak.


    Meg, on the other hand, was deep into Biology, being the prot¨¦g¨¦ of the department head, which exined her familiarity with Taylor.


    As Anthony excused himself to fetch Mr. Hammond, Matthew took a seat, asionally chiming in when Taylor asked something rted to his field. But mostly, it was Meg and Taylor who were deep in conversation, discussing intricacies of Biology that went over Matthew''s head.


    He couldn''t help but remember Mirabe mentioning her interest in Biology, his thoughts drifting as he idly yed with his knee. It was during a visit to his department head to request time off for this school visit that he bumped into one of the heavy-hitter professors.


    Upon learning that Matthew was a Parkside alum and knew Mirabe, the professor didn''t hesitate to entrust him with a task.

 Chapter 754

    "Make sure you lure Mirabe into the physics department by any means necessary."


    The mere thought of this directive gave Matthew a headache. He knew exactly why the dean was so eager to snag Mirabe. Last year, during thepetition, she had effortlessly solved physics problems that even the sophomores and juniors, including himself, had struggled with. That alone showcased her remarkable talent.


    Matthew was all for convincing her to join the physics department, but the "how" part was a bit tricky.


    Lunchtime had been a missed opportunity because Meg was around, and he didn''t want to bring it up then.


    Fishing out his phone, Matthew suddenly remembered he didn''t have Mirabe''s contact on Messenger. After a quick moment of thought, he messaged his cousin, asking him to forward Mirabe''s contact info.


    About fifteen minutester, his cousin replied with a rather cool response.


    [No.]


    Matthew: "...."


    Not having luck with his cousin didn''t dampen Matthew''s spirits. He knew he''d run into Mirabe again at the uing lecture event, so he could just ask her then.


    Just then, Mr. Hammond and Anthony came over, prompting Matthew to pocket his phone.


    After chatting with the trio for a while, Mr. Hammond stood up as it was almost time for the event, saying with a smile, "I''m counting on you three bright young minds to deliver an enlightening life lesson to our senior students today."


    Taylor and the others also stood up, respectfully nodding to Mr. Hammond, "You''re giving us too much credit, Mr. Hammond. It''s a meaningful opportunity for us to help the underssmen in any way we can."


    Mr. Hammond nodded, waved his hand in a gesture that indicated there was no need for further discussion, and left the office.


    Soon after, Anthony led the trio to the auditorium behind the teaching building, which could amodate a thousand people.


    The auditorium was already neatly arranged, with all the photography equipment in ce.


    Before long, students from all eighteen senior sses began to trickle in, finding seats in their designated ss areas.


    After standing backstage for a while, Matthew stepped out again, hoping to run into Mirabe.


    As Matthew left, Meg turned her attention away, pulled up two chairs-one for Taylor and one for herself¡ªand then casually started a conversation.


    "Taylor, don''t you think Parkside High School has lost the glory it had during our time?"


    "Hm?" Taylor looked at Meg, pondered for a few seconds, then replied, "I haven''t really kept up with Parkside High School''s recent state."


    Meg shook her head, her expression a mix of disappointment and resignation, "The choice of student representatives this time... I don''t know how to describe it." Recalling the girl they met at the cafeteria who imed to be particrly poor in literature, a faint smile yed on her lips.


    It seems like these days, being attractive could earn you extra points, making academic achievements... somewhat less important.


    Listening to Meg, Taylor, with his handsome features, didn''t show much emotion, simply stating, "Since Mr. Hammond has invited us back to inspire, we just need to do our part."


    Meg smiled, "You''re right, senior. After all, it''s not our generation anymore. Only a couple of top schrs emerge each year, and it''s unrealistic to expect them all to be from Parkside High School."


    "Right," Taylor concurred with a brief nod.


    Matthew, who had been outside, came back after a while. As he approached, Meg stopped the conversation and instead took out a fancy notebook, ncing down at it.


    It was filled with densely packed words-the content of her speech for today.


    In this enhanced version, thenguage has been made more natural and rtable for native English speakers. The dialogue flows smoothly, and the characters'' interactions feel more genuine. The narrative has been infused with a casual charm, making it more engaging and easier to connect with for readers.

 Chapter 755

    At the high school, Mirabe was picked as the senior ss representative. Before she could even get nervous, her teacher, Ms. Ate, was showering her with pep talks and encouragement. It was sweet, but honestly, it made Mirabe want to roll her eyes a bit.


    Ms. Ate walked her to the backstage of the auditorium, offering a few more words of support before stepping away.


    As soon as Ms. Ate and Mirabe entered, Matthew Taylor and Meg looked up from their seats. They both caught the end of Ms. Ate''s pep talk, which made Meg smirk slightly.


    "Everyone''s always talking about fresh talent," Meg thought to herself, "but sometimes, I really wonder." To her, the idea that a student rep needed so much hand-holding and pep talks from a teacher seemed a bit embarrassing.


    Shaking her head, Meg returned to her speech, trying to focus.


    Once Ms. Ate was out of sight, Matthew got up, strolled over to Mirabe, and said, "Your teacher really has your back, huh?"


    Mirabe nodded seriously. "Yeah, Ms. Ate is pretty awesome."


    Matthew chuckled and led her forward a bit, pointing out Taylor and Meg. "You''ve already met Meg in the cafeteria, but this guy here is Taylor, valedictorian of the ''05 ss and a real brainiac. You can just call him Taylor."


    Taylor stood up as he was introduced. Mirabe gave him a calm, polite nod. "Taylor," she acknowledged.


    Taylor took in Mirabe''s appearance. She was strikingly beautiful, with a natural, aloof charisma. Her nonchnt response to him was surprising, as few people reacted to him with such indifference.


    "Nice to meet you," Taylor said, extending his hand. His fingers were long and slender, almost like they belonged to an artist.


    Meg, watching this interaction, was a bit taken aback. Taylor was known for his pride and selective attention, and it wasn''t often he went out of his way to meet someone new. Mirabe''s beauty must have caught his interest.


    Mirabe, however, didn''t pay much attention to Meg''s reaction. To her, Taylor was decent-looking, but nothing extraordinary. Growing up in a family where good looks were the norm, she wasn''t easily impressed. Unless someone was as handsome as the boy next door, James, they didn''t register much on her radar.


    She barely nced at Taylor''s outstretched hand, maintaining her polite demeanor but chose not to shake his hand, staying put instead.


    Taylor, not missing a beat, simply smiled and withdrew his hand gracefully. Matthew, trying to break the awkward pause, coughed lightly and noticed Mirabe wasn''t holding anything. "Where''s your speech?" he asked.


    Usually, for such formal events that were even recorded, students meticulously prepared their speeches in advance and brought them along to avoid any


    mishaps. Of course, there were exceptions who could speak off the cuff, but given Ms. Ate''s constant encouragement, Matthew had assumed Mirabe wasn''t one of them.

 Chapter 756

    As Matthew''s words trailed off, Meg, who had been poring over her speech notes, lifted her head. Her delicate eyebrows arched slightly as her gaze swept over to Mirabe''s hands, pausing for a couple of seconds before she indifferently shifted her attention away.


    Mirabe turned her head toward Matthew, noticing the concern on his face. The phrase "all you need is a mouth" suddenly seemed too embarrassing to utter.


    After a moment of thought, aiming to keep a modest profile, she cleared her throat and said, "I don''t need a script."


    Matthew was taken aback. "No script... So, you''re nning to wing it up there?"


    "Yep." Mirabe''s reply wasnguid, her voice trailing off with a hint of nonchnce.


    Matthew rubbed his nose, realizing he might have underestimated her. Impromptu speaking probably wasn''t a big deal for Mirabe, given her capabilities.


    Coughing slightly, Matthew gave Mirabe a thumbs-up, "Impressive." After a pause, he sighed, "I couldn''t do that. Just the thought of preparing a script is enough to make me feel like I''m going bald, not to mention memorizing it..."


    Mirabe simply nodded slightly, offering him some encouragement: "You got this, senior."


    Suddenly, Meg, who had been sitting beside them, closed her notebook, stood up, and with a light smile on her meticulously made-up face, interrupted their conversation, "I''m going to the restroom."


    With that, she nodded politely, not even ncing at Mirabe, and walked away with graceful steps.


    Afterwards, Matthew didn''t engage much in conversation with Mirabe. He pulled out a piece of paper crammed with notes from his pocket and silently resumed his memorization.


    He couldn''t help feeling a bit nervous about going on stageter.


    In the auditorium lobby, students hadn''t fully gathered yet, with about fifteen minutes to go before the speech session started. Seeing this, Mirabe pulled up a chair and took out her phone.


    The professor from the Prestige College physics department, whom she''d connected withst year, had been frequently messaging her about physics introductions. If she didn''t respond, he''d send a sad emoji her way, making her feel almost guilty for ignoring him.


    -_-II


    Upon returning from the restroom, Meg saw Mirabe casually ying on her phone, looking even more disdainful than before.


    Not to mention Matthew, even senior Taylor was earnestly preparing for his speech, while this representative from the senior ss was just... ying around. Meg shook her head.


    Though somewhat speechless, she didn''t let it show on her face.


    After all, she didn''t believe such a non-serious person could get into Prestige


    College, and they probably wouldn''t cross paths in the future.


    *


    Soon, the speech sessionmenced.


    For an influential event like this, the opening remarks were undoubtedly given by Mr. Hammond, with Mirabe and the others waiting behind the curtain as it began.


    After Mr. Hammond''s speech, it was time for the invited alumni to take the stage, with Matthew being the first.


    Clutching the thick curtain, his ck-framed sses couldn''t hide his nervousness. He turned to Mirabe, "I''m kinda nervous, junior."


    As a STEM guy, Matthew''s days were usually filled with physics experiments. Though he was outgoing, giving an inspirational speech to nearly a thousand underssmen was a first for him.


    Mirabe lifted her hand and patted Matthew on the shoulder, "You got this, senior."


    Seeing Mirabe''s calm demeanor, Matthew took a deep breath, straightened his back, and said, "Thanks for the encouragement, junior."


    He couldn''t afford to look bad in front of his junior. He wanted to leave a good impression, hoping to eventually convince her to join the physics department.

 Chapter 757

    As Mr. Hammond''s voice echoed through the auditorium, calling Matthew to the stage, he adjusted his thick-rimmed sses and quickly straightened his clothes. Taking a deep breath, he pulled back the curtain and stepped up to the podium.


    At first, Matthew was visibly nervous, his words stumbling a bit. But as he found his footing, his natural charisma and humor began to shine through, quickly lifting the spirits of his younger peers.


    Backstage, Mirabe stood with her arms crossed,zily leaning against a Corinthian column. She listened intently but didn''t engage in conversation with Taylor or Meg.


    Next up was Taylor. A junior, two years ahead of Matthew and Meg, Taylor exuded a mature confidence that drew almost immediate cheers from the female students as he took the stage. His good looks certainly didn''t hurt either.


    Even though Taylor had graduated years ago, his legacy still loomedrge at Parkside High School. His numerous achievements in variouspetitions had brought significant glory to the school, and his name was well-known even among those who had never met him.


    As Taylor began to speak, the apuse was non-stop, creating an energy that made Matthew''s earlier reception seem subdued inparison.


    Still riding the high from his own speech, Matthew peeked from behind the curtain to watch Taylor effortlessly captivate the audience without even ncing at his notes. Recognizing his own limits, Matthew couldn''t help but admire him, muttering, "Taylor''s really something."


    Mirabe, overhearing him, gave a casual nod and said, "He''s alright, but you did well too. Everyone has their own style."


    Matthew chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head, touched by her attempt tofort him.


    Meg, however, furrowed her brows at Mirabe''sment. ''Taylor''s skills are beyond many professionals, and she just says he''s alright?'' she thought, irritated by what she saw as tant attention-seeking. Meg subtly shifted away, preferring not to stand too close to Mirabe.


    Unaware of Meg''s irritation, Matthew pulled out his phone and turned to Mirabe. "Hey, can we add each other on Messenger? It''d be great to discuss academic stuff and exchange ideas."


    Mirabe, who had a good impression of Matthew, agreed without hesitation, and they exchanged contacts on Messenger.


    Taylor''s speech wrapped up twenty minutester to another round of enthusiastic apuse, a clear testament to the students'' admiration and affection for him. Even Mr. Hammond couldn''t help but express hismendation over the microphone.


    As Taylor made his way backstage, Meg was the first to greet him, handing him some throat lozenges she had prepared. "Taylor, your speech was incredible. I feel the pressure now more than ever."


    Taylor thanked her and reassured her with a smile, "Don''t put too much pressure on yourself. The students this year are a great bunch. Just take it easy."


    Buoyed by his encouragement, Meg nodded lightly, her nerves settling. It was now her turn to take the stage.

 Chapter 758

    Meg adjusted the curls framing her face and straightened her outfit before pulling back the curtain.


    Meg and Matthew were in the same year, and her final exam scores had ranked third in the city, nearly ten points ahead of Matthew. As soon as she stepped into Prestige College, she caught the attention of many professors and eventually became the department head''s prot¨¦g¨¦. Her future was looking brighter than a Broadway marquee.


    So, when she walked onto the stage, she did so with her head held high, exuding an elegant confidence as polished as her makeup.


    She had every reason to be proud.


    Meg didn''t even bother with notes; standing at the podium, she didn''t show a hint of stage fright. If Matthew''s speaking style was all about humor and Taylor''s was passionate and powerful, then Meg''s was incredibly engaging.


    Her confidence was infectious, earning her as much apuse as Taylor.


    "Meg''s pretty good, isn''t she?" Anthony said to Mr. Hammond, seated beside him in the audience.


    He nced back at the students, all of whom were fixated on the stage, and added, "I think this speech could really make an impact on everyone."


    Mr. Hammond leaned back, murmuring his agreement.


    Suddenly, Anthony seemed to remember something. "Mirabe seemed a bit nervous, didn''t she?"


    Mr. Hammond''s gaze lingered on the stage for a moment before he looked at Anthony. "Nervous?"


    Anthony nodded. "At the start of the speeches, I saw Ms. Ate talking to Mirabe. I guess she might be feeling the pressure. Maybe I should go backstage and give her a pep talk? Tell her not to be too tense?"


    After all, as Parkside High School''s closing student speaker, a meltdown on stage would be less than ideal.


    Mr. Hammond thought about how Mirabe had never shown fear in front of Prestige College professors and concluded this little speech wouldn''t faze her.


    He raised his hand, dismissing the idea with a simple, "No need."


    Anthony found it odd but trusted Mr. Hammond''s judgment and dropped the subject.


    Soon, Meg concluded her speech to fervent apuse. She was pleased, gracefully exiting the stage after scanning the crowd of over eight hundred students.


    Backstage, Taylor offered his praise, "You were fantastic."


    He was genuinely surprised by Meg''s charisma, which seemed just as strong as his own, if not stronger. It''s no wonder the biology professors couldn''t stop talking about her.


    "Thanks for thepliment, Taylor. I was actually kind of nervous," Meg said, sticking out her tongue yfully.


    Taylor just smiled.


    Meg then looked over at Mirabe and Matthew, who were deep in conversation. A hint of coolness touched her expression.


    Anyone with a shred of politeness would know to exchange pleasantries with her at that moment, a basic show of mutual respect.


    Meg''s lips twitched into a smirk before she looked away.


    "...So, let''s talk about choosing majors after the final exam, okay?" Mirabe was saying to Matthew, not outright rejecting the idea.


    She was starting to see why the physics professor had been so keen on chatting with hertely.


    Matthew sighed, "You''re already guaranteed a spot at Prestige College, exempt from the final exam. Why so focused on it?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "I''m someone with ambitions."

 Chapter 759

    Matthew felt a bit sidelined and was about to say something when he noticed Meg returning from her speech. He straightened up quickly and said, "Hey, you''re up next. Go get ''em!"


    Mirabe waved it off, signaling she was ready. When her name echoed through the speakers, she confidently walked forward, pushed aside the curtain, and stepped onto the stage.


    Tall and slender with a cool demeanor, shemanded attention.


    Since transferring to Parkside High Schoolst year, Mirabe had been a topic of much debate. Her quick rise to the top of her ss had been witnessed by


    everyone.


    Now, standing at the podium without any preamble, she held the room in a breathless silence. All eyes were on her.


    She had that unmistakable aura of a leader.


    Mirabe lifted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling like stars, and smiled at her ssmates. ¡°You know, the previous speakers did a great job, so I just have one question for you all."


    The room stayed silent, the kind of silence where you could hear a pin drop.


    Mirabe scanned the crowd, still smiling, paused for a second, and then asked, "What are your dreams? Or maybe we can talk about why we''re here today, with only twenty-three days left before finals. Why did we gather on such a special day?"


    The room was quiet for a moment, then someone shouted about dreaming of getting into a top university. That broke the ice, and soon the hall was buzzing with lively discussions.


    At eighteen, they were full of dreams and passion. What they needed wasn''t a lecture about the future but a chance to ground themselves in the present.


    Maybe motivational speeches could inspire them in the moment, but what happens when that inspiration fades?


    Things might just go back to the way they were.


    The hall filled with chatter about their futures, and some were reminded by Mirabe''s mention of the twenty-three days left, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety.


    Backstage, Meg watched the ''chaos'' and shook her head, letting the curtain drop from her hand. She didn''t want to watch anymore.


    She couldn''t understand why Mr. Hammond had picked someone so seemingly pretentious to represent the students. What should have been an inspiring speech had turned into a noisy mess.


    It ruined the good rhythm she had set.


    Feeling uneasy, Meg told Taylor and Matthew she needed to use the restroom and left the auditorium, missing the climax of the event.


    When she returned, the speech was nearly over, but she could hear the unified chants of "Queen Mira" echoing through the hall.


    It felt like the roar of fans at a concert.


    Meg paused, looking questioningly at Taylor just as he turned to her, "You really should have waited a bit longer to go to the restroom. You missed an amazing motivational speech."


    Taylor''s handsome face showed clear regret.


    Meg frowned even more.


    At that moment, Mirabe returned.


    The assembly was almost over, and she came to say goodbye to Matthew and


    the others before heading back to ss.

 Chapter 760

    Taylor''s gaze towards Mirabe was noticeably more polite this time, offering her genuinepliments in a friendly tone.


    Meg watched, her fingers tightening involuntarily. Taylor hadn''t treated her like that just moments ago.


    Mirabe, oblivious to Meg''s reaction, checked her watch and politely said,


    "Thank you, but I really should be heading back to ss."


    After saying this, she nced at Matthew, nodded in acknowledgment, and made to leave.


    Just then, Mr. Hammond parted the curtains and stepped backstage. Seeing Mirabe about to leave, he called out to her, "Mirabe."


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks and turned around, a question in her eyes.


    Mr. Hammond smiled and said, "Don''t rush off after school. I''ve booked a table for us and a few of the seniors to have dinner together."


    "Oh, I can''t tonight," Mirabe replied with a shake of her head. "I have familymitments. Mr. Hammond, you guys go ahead without me."


    She couldn''t miss her brother Zach''s birthday dinner; he''d never let her hear the end of it for the rest of the year.


    Mr. Hammond felt a twinge of disappointment upon hearing this. He had hoped to foster more interaction between Mirabe and the top students from Prestige College, thinking it would benefit her future at the college. After all, having a solidwork can make all the difference.


    But seeing she had priormitments, he didn''t press the matter and waved her off, "Alright then, there will be other opportunities."


    "Sure."


    Soon after, Mirabe left.


    Once she was out of sight, Mr. Hammond turned back to Taylor, Meg, and the others with a chuckle, "Mirabe''s got a great personality. I hope you guys, as her seniors, can look out for her in the future."


    "Of course," Taylor responded readily.


    Matthew nodded in agreement, thinking Mirabe might soon be a junior member of their circle; it was only natural to want to take care of her.


    Meg, who had missed the final part of the speechpetition and was unaware of Mirabe''s status as a direct admit to Prestige College, felt puzzled by Mr. Hammond''sment. Still, she didn''t want to pry and simply nodded along, hiding her confusion.


    Noticing Anthony nearby, Mr. Hammond excused himself to the trio, "I''ve got some things to take care of. Why don''t you head to my office and wait? We''ll go for dinner a bitter."


    With that, he hurried off with Anthony.


    The trio then made their way to Mr. Hammond''s office.


    As they walked, Meg couldn''t help but wonder about the noticeable shift in Taylor''s attitude towards Mirabe upon her return.


    So, she turned to Matthew, "Matthew, was the speechpetition recorded?" Matthew nodded, "Yes, why do you ask?"


    Meg bit her lip, smiling lightly, "Taylor mentioned I missed Mirabe''s inspiring speech. I''d love to check it out."


    Understanding her curiosity, Matthew didn''t think much of it and suggested, "You might want to ask Mr. Hammond about it, but I think the recording will be posted on the Parkside High School forum. Just keep an eye out."


    "Alright," Meg responded.


    "It''s definitely worth watching. Even someone who''s not worried about finals like me felt inspired," Matthew admitted.


    Meg simply nced at Matthew, her expression unreadable. Then, with a sudden thought, she asked, "By the way, when Mr. Hammond mentioned looking out for Mirabe, what did he mean? I didn''t quite catch that."


    After struggling with my writingst night, I, I''m happy to announce it''s double vote month! If you''ve got votes to spare, consider supporting! Goodnight, see you tomorrow!

 Chapter 761

    As Matthew strolled forward, he chattered, "Mr. Hammond was saying, once our junior enters Prestige College, he hopes we''ll look out for her a bit, you know? It''s that school spirit, kinda makes us more of a family than..."


    Meg halted in her tracks, gripping Matthew''s arm. "Hold up, Matthew. Did you say our junior''s gonna be at Prestige College?"


    Her eyes widened in shock, disbeliefcing her voice.


    Matthew turned around. "Yeah, Mirabe got a direct entry spot to Prestige College."


    "Direct entry? How did shend one of those?" Meg''s eyebrows shot up. "Weren''t we just talking about how she''s struggling with English?"


    "Because she nailed thatpetition, remember? The one Prestige College co- hosted with the Academic Alliancest year? Winning that got her the spot," Matthew exined.


    Hearing this, Meg just shook her head. "I was buried in research with my professor at that time. Didn''t really keep up with the news."


    "Fair enough," Matthew paused, then added with a chuckle, "You were the star of our year, getting handpicked by the dean himself. Makes sense you were busy."


    Meg couldn''t help but beam at that, clearing her throat modestly. "Well, I just got lucky, I guess. Plus, there aren''t that many of us in the biology department."


    Taylor, who had been silent till now, chimed in, "My professor always sings your praises too."


    He had taken a gic engineering course in biology and Meg''s name came up in lectures more times than he could count.


    Meg gave Taylor a pleased nod, then let the conversation drift away from


    Mirabe. Just a try-hard, she thought, even with a direct entry spot, not worth my attention.


    Meg brushed a curl away from her face, shifting the topic to lighter conversations with Matthew and Taylor.


    The moment the school bell rang, Mirabe was out of her chair, stuffing her books into her bag and rushing out the door. She made a beeline for a nondescript ck sedan parked by the curb, pulling open the passenger side door and sliding in.


    "How long have you been waiting?" Mirabe buckled up and turned to James who was behind the wheel.


    "Just a few minutes," James started the car. "Just came from the pet shop, picked out a couple of options for you."


    Mirabe nodded. "Thanks for that. I wouldn''t have the time to pick something out for Zach myself."


    James arched an eyebrow, ncing her way. "No problem."


    "Is the pet shop far?" she murmured.


    "Nah, less than twenty minutes by car."


    With a nod, Mirabe leaned back, resting her feet against the car door, absently tapping her knee.


    Soon, they pulled up in front of a pet shop that screamed luxury from its fa?ade. Mirabe stepped out, pausing to take in the shop''s exterior, not immediately heading in.


    James noticed her hesitation and turned back, his gaze filled with curiosity. "What''s up?"


    Mirabe fidgeted with her school uniform''s cor, her gaze dropping. "Is it expensive?"


    James paused, then chuckled, shaking his head. "Don''t worry, it''s not."


    Hearing that, Mirabe strode towards the entrance, her concern not about the expense but rather that Zach wasn''t worth splurging on.


    They entered the pet shop together. The owner recognized James, having seen him just half an hour ago.

 Chapter 762

    "Hey, Mr. Minn! d you could make it," the shop owner greeted James with a warm smile, then turned his attention to the young girl beside him, Mirabe. Seeing her in her school uniform, he wisely avoided making any girlfriend-rtedments.


    James responded with a casual nod and led Mirabe to a nearby cage. "What do you think about these two?"


    Mirabe leaned in for a closer look at the two chubby puppies inside. They seemed quite lively, moving around energetically as she got closer.


    "Huskies are known for being yful but they''re really gentle too," the shop owner chimed in at just the right moment.


    Curious, Mirabe reached out, gently touching one of the puppies'' heads through the bars. On closer inspection, she noticed that this one had heterochromatic eyes


    each a different color.


    "This one''s a purebred with heterochromatic eyes, inherited all the best traits from its parents," exined the owner. He then pointed to the other,zier puppy lounging in the cage. "And this one here, with its pure brown eyes, might seem calm now but is actually more mischievous than the other."


    Mirabe nced between the two dogs, feeling indifferent. She turned to James, "Which one do you think we should go for?"


    "The one with the heterochromatic eyes. It''s more unique," James suggested after a moment''s thought.


    Mirabe nodded, withdrew her hand, and straightened up. She told the owner, "Alright, we''ll take the one with the heterochromatic eyes."


    The owner quickly agreed, "Sure thing, let me get a box for you."


    In no time, he was back, unlocking the cage to take out the chosen puppy.


    Mirabe, recalling James''sment about the dog being ''unique,'' nced at the other husky and pondered for a second before asking, "Are the prices for these two the same?"


    "The one with the heterochromatic eyes is three thousand more," the owner replied while preparing to ce the puppy in the box. Mirabe frowned slightly, stopping him.


    "I suddenly think the heterochromatic eyes look a bit weird... I''ll go with the cheaper one," she decided.


    James gave her a silent look, probably thinking her change of heart was due to the price, not the appearance.


    The owner tried to persuade her, "The heterochromatic-eyed one is quite rare, actually-"


    Mirabe cut him off, "Average people should stick with average dogs. We''ll take the one with the brown eyes."


    "Alright then," the owner conceded, cing the brown-eyed husky into the box.


    After buying aplete dog care kit and a guide to dog ownership, Mirabe and James left the pet shop.


    Once in the car, Mirabe couldn''t help but sigh as she looked at the box containing the puppy. "This is less of a pet and more of a gold-eating monster."


    And just like that, a thousand bucks were spent.


    James''s lips twitched, but he decided to keep his opinions to himself.


    *


    Half an hourter, they pulled up outside the Davis family mansion. Mirabe thanked James and quickly got out of the car with the two boxes.


    Inside, Zach was already home. His eyes lit up at the sight of his sister with two boxes, onerge, one small. He eagerly approached, "Sis, are these the birthday gifts you got for Zach?"


    He had been dropping hints about his uing birthday for the past week, and it seemed his sister had finally taken the bait.


    Two boxes of gifts surely meant Mirabe had put a lot of thought into them.

 Chapter 763

    Mirabe nced at Zach and handed him the smaller box with a warm smile. "Happy Birthday, Zach."


    "Thanks, Mirabe." Zach''s eyes sparkled as he took the gift, cing it on the coffee table, hands rubbing together in anticipation of opening it.


    Just as his fingers touched the box, he hesitated, his eyes darting around before pulling his hand back.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why aren''t you opening it?"


    Zach cleared his throat and pushed his sses up. Trying to keep his excitement in check, he said, "Let''s wait until everyone is here. We can open it together."


    Mirabe shrugged, knowing the box was well-padded and had air holes to ensure the puppy inside was safe. She ced another box, filled with dog food and a small dog bed, on a side table. "I''m gonna go change. Be right back."


    Zach waved her off and nced at the clock. It was 6:30. Where were Emmitt and Leo?


    Frowning, he pulled out his phone to call them, too eager to show off his gift to wait any longer.


    When Mirabe came back downstairs, she found Zach circling the box with the puppy, propping his chin on his hand as if deep in thought.


    Suppressing augh, she walked up to him. "If you want to open it, just open it." Zach''s eyes flickered, and he shook his head. "Mirabe, what exactly is in here?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow and teased, "Haven''t you heard anything?"


    "Sounds?" Zach looked puzzled. "No, why?"


    Mirabe nodded, thinking this must be a particrly quiet Husky. A rare breed indeed.


    Momentster, Leo and Emmitt arrived. Nick had left after New Year''s, so it was just the six of them.


    They all gathered in the living room, dinner forgotten for the moment. Zach stood by the coffee table, his excitement barely contained.


    "Before I open it," he announced, "I want you all to know this is a special birthday gift from my sister."


    Mirabe coughed lightly, her gaze dropping.


    "What is it?" Leo asked, a hint of envy in his voice.


    Zach grinned. "Let''s find out."


    He slowly untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. But when he saw the puppy inside, his hands trembled, and the lid fell to the floor. His voice shook. "Holy... what is this?"


    He''d been terrified of dogs ever since one bit him as a kid.


    The previously silent Husky chose this moment to bark twice at Zach.


    Paling, Zach took a few steps back.


    Mirabe, now standing beside him, patted his shoulder gently. "Zach, you don''t like the gift?"


    Zach''s cheeks twitched as he met his sister''s gaze. The words "I don''t like it" stuck in his throat, finallying out as a strained, "I... I like it..."


    Shawn and the others, knowing his fear of dogs, couldn''t help but chuckle.


    Mirabe blinked and then nced at the puppy. "Well, he''s practically your son now. Aren''t you going to hold him?"


    Zach: ".


    He was speechless, feeling a mix of dread and determination. Tomorrow, he''d


    face his fear. For now, he thanked everyone for their support and promised more updates during the holiday season. Goodnight!

 Chapter 764

    At that moment, Leo, who''d initially been jealous, found his envy fading away. He walked over, gave the puppy''s head a gentle pat, and then nodded, "You know, my little nephew here is quite the charmer. Zach, you''ve got some real luck."


    Having a "son" before a partner-that''s something else.


    Zach looked up and shot Leo a fierce re.


    Leo, pretending not to notice, lifted the puppy out of the box.


    Huskies are medium-sized dogs, and even at just over forty days old, this one looked pretty solid. Its deep brown eyes were watery, and its body was plump and cuddly-adorable, really.


    Seeing this, Zach tensed up and stepped back, unable to keep up the charade any longer, "Stay away from me!"


    "Zach, Mirabe put a lot of thought into this birthday gift. You''re going to break her heart acting like this," Leo sighed, throwing Zach''s earlier swagger right back at him.


    The tables had turned, and the moment was beyond awkward.


    As Leo approached, Zach''s fear hit its peak, "I''m warning you, take one more step and I..."


    Before he could finish, Leo had already pushed the puppy into his arms.


    Zach: "!!!"


    "Hold on tight, it''s a gift from your sister!" Leo said calmly, making sure Zach''s stiff hands reluctantly epted the puppy.


    Seeing Zach''s rigid stance, Leo had to turn away to hide hisughter, coughing to cover it up.


    Zach was the most cunning in the family, always scheming from the shadows. Seeing him at a loss was oddly satisfying.


    So, Leo silently gave Mirabe a thumbs-up; when it came to being sly, his sister took the crown.


    No wonder she''d asked him what Zach feared the most.


    It was all premeditated.


    Unaware of the scheme, Zach stared at the puppy forced into his arms. Even though he knew it posed no threat, he couldn''t help but shiver.


    Suddenly, the puppy lifted its head, licked his hand, and nuzzled against his chest, showing affection.


    Zach''s hand trembled so much he nearly dropped the puppy, his voice shaky, "Quick, get it away from me..."


    But no one in the room responded; as if by some unspoken agreement, they all turned and walked towards the dining room.


    Zach: "(4)"


    This must be a family of devils!


    They knew he was scared of dogs, yet they still did this to him!


    The puppy, now on the floor, became restless. Zach, flustered, had no choice but


    to put it down, then scolded it fiercely.


    However, the puppy seemed to see Zach as its new owner, circling him and yfully pawing at his legs-lively and mischievous.


    Zach wanted to cry.


    He couldn''t help but look towards his family, enjoying their meal in the dining room, and the thought that he might not be their biological child crossed his mind. Sigh!


    **


    After dinner, Mirabe handed Zach a beginner''s guide to dog care, "Don''t worry if you don''t know how to take care of a dog. This book will solve all your problems."


    Zach nced down at the book in his hands, then at the puppy lying at his feet, and let out a sigh of difort.


    Ah, why did he have to have a birthday?


    If it weren''t for his birthday, maybe he wouldn''t have fallen into such a big pit.


    Facing his unintended "son," Zach felt a profound sense of despair as he massaged his temples.

 Chapter 765

    Sitting next to him, Leo nced at the little furball on the floor and said, "Zach,


    you bettere up with a name for your pup. They''re easier to train when they''re young."


    Zach wasn''t in the mood to engage and just leaned back into the couch.


    Delh walked over with a cake, ced it on the coffee table, and joked, "My friend has a Teddy named Tinkerbell. Maybe we should call Zach''s dog Dexter?"


    Leo''s mouth twitched. That name was something else.


    "Dexter sounds pretty tough," Shawn chimed in, shaking his head. After contemting for a moment, he suggested, "How about Lucky or Buddy?"


    Delh shot her husband a look. "Let''s not hear any more of your brilliant ideas, Mr. Fashion-Forward."


    Shawn: "..."


    "Beanie, Fluffy?" Leo rubbed his chin, recalling how his fans often discussed pet names in their group chat, and he sometimes peeked at their conversations.


    "We''ve already got dogs in the neighborhood with those names," Shawn mentioned, taking a sip of his water.


    Leo pulled out his smartphone and started searching. "Oh, then let me check a naming website."


    "Junior?" Mirabe raised her eyebrows slightly and softly suggested a name.


    Leo paused his typing, looked up at his sister, and asked, "Junior? You mean, name him Junior?"


    Mirabe nodded.


    "Junior... Junior... That actually sounds pretty good," Leomented.


    Zach is the second child.


    Huskies are often affectionately called "the second child" in some circles.


    The name Junior was indeed clever.


    After giving it some thought, Leo agreed, "Sis has the best ideas, a name with meaning!" Then, he bent down and called out to the dog lying by Zach''s feet, "Junior!"


    Coincidentally, the little guy, who had been lying down with his head on his paws, perked up at Leo''s voice and started wagging his tail.


    Seeing this, Delhughed, "Looks like he likes the name."


    "Junior, that''s a fine name," Emmitt, who had been quiet, looked at Mirabe and then made his remark.


    At this point, Zach couldn''t stay calm any longer. "What Junior? I''m starting to think you''re all poking fun at me! No way, I''m not agreeing to that name!"


    Shawn, ever the doting father, seemed to ignore Zach''s protest, mmed his cup down on the coffee table with a clear sound, and dered, "Alright, it''s settled. His name is Junior."


    Zach, feeling utterly ignored: "???"


    "Sounds good to me," Delh had no objections.


    Zach adjusted his sses on the bridge of his nose, getting a bit frantic, "Come on, is this really okay? I mean, I am..."


    However, before he could finish, the look from his father made him back down, "...Fine, Junior it is!"


    He felt more and more like he had no say in this family.


    Zach looked down at the dog by his feet again. Leo was still calling him Junior, and the dog''s tail kept wagging, which only irritated Zach further.


    This dog, not in sync with its so-called father at all!


    Zach took a deep breath, making up his mind.


    He wasn''t about to take care of a dog. Starting tomorrow, he wouldn''t stay at home. He''d wait until the dog chose someone else in the house as its master before he returned.


    With that thought, he felt a bit better.


    The family continued to celebrate Zach''s birthday in harmony, sharing the cake.


    Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She put her cake down and pulled out her phone.

 Chapter 766

    It was Jenna who had sent her the link.


    Curiosity piqued, Mirabe raised an eyebrow and clicked on it, which took her straight to a special topic on the school''s online forum. The topic included some text and a video-the recording of this afternoon''s speech.


    "What are you watching?" Leo, sitting beside her, perked up at the sound from her phone and leaned over curiously.


    "A recording of the school speech," Mirabe said, watching the first part featuring Matthew''s speech. "He''s a top-notch student from Prestige College."


    At the mention of Prestige College, admiration shed across Leo''s face. Though he''d been a decent student, Prestige College was always a distant dream for him.


    "They actually got someone from Prestige College to speak at your school?" Zach asked, nudging the clingy dog away with his foot.


    "Yeah, probably to lighten the mood a bit," Mirabe nodded.


    Zach gave her a knowing look, familiar with this kind of event, and then asked, "Did they have a student representative speak too?"


    "Yes." Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted, and she sat up a bit straighter.


    Zach grinned, "Was the student representative you?"


    "Yeah,¡± Mirabe replied modestly, "I just went up and said a few words."


    "Got a link to the video? I''d love to check it out." Zach pulled out his phone.


    "Sure, let me send it to you." Mirabe switched screens and quickly forwarded it to him.


    Seeing this, Leo also asked for a copy.


    Mirabe said, "I was thest one on stage..."


    The trio huddled over their phones, engrossed in the video, while Emmitt across from them looked a bit down. He wanted to ask for the link too but remembered the embarrassment fromst year''spetition. How could he?


    After fidgeting with his phone, Emmitt finally opened a chat with his sister. Thest time they talked was when he sent her a digital gift for New Year''s, and her thank you was thest he''d heard from her.


    He hesitated for a solid five minutes over the message, "Can I see your video?" before finally sending it, filled with apprehension.


    When Mirabe''s phone pinged with Emmitt''s message, she nced up at him, saw him with his head down, paused for a second, and then opened the message. After reading it, she copied the link for him and then switched back to her video.


    Emmitt sensed Mirabe''s nce but didn''t dare to meet her eyes. Seeing the link, he felt a wave of joy wash over him.


    Taking a deep breath, he didn''t immediately click on it but stood up, told everyone he was heading to his room to rest, and went upstairs.


    Once in his room, Emmitt finally opened the link and started watching the video intently. He watched without skipping, straightening up when Mirabe appeared around the seventy-minute mark, positioning his phone for a better view.


    In the video, Mirabe didn''t use flowerynguage or borate rhetoric like the previous Prestige College students. Standing straight at the podium, she asked everyone about their dreams. Confidence radiated from her naturally, especially when she dered her goal to be the valedictorian for the final exams. That deration was more than just an inspiring message; it was a statement of fact.


    After watching the entire segment, Emmitt was filled with aplex mix of emotions.

 Chapter 767

    In a moment that could only be described as legendary, the title of valedictorian at Prestige College was imed with such conviction that it left the entire campus buzzing. It wasn''t until the chatter crescendoed into a unified chant of ''Queen Mira'' that the gravity of her achievement truly sank in. Such a feat was unheard of among the high achievers that hade before her.


    Meanwhile, Emmitt set his phone aside, a wave of embarrassment washing over him for the preconceived notions he''d harbored just a year prior.


    **


    On the other side of town, after a hearty meal with Mr. Hammond, Matthew, Meg, and Taylor stepped out into the crisp evening air. Matthew lingered by the roadside, waiting for the Mendoza family driver, while Meg and Taylor, who despite attending Parkside High School in Ashford, didn''t actually live nearby and were staying at a hotel.


    Mr. Hammond had offered to arrange a ride for the two, but, not wanting to impose, they opted for a taxi instead. As the taxi pulled up, Meg bid Matthew a quick goodbye before ducking into the backseat. Taylor nodded his farewell and followed suit.


    Shortly after, the Mendoza''s driver arrived, and as Matthew settled into the car, he couldn''t resist scrolling through his social media feed. A link shared by his cousin caught his attention, not for the content itself, but for a familiar name among the likes-Mirabe.


    Adjusting his sses, Matthew''s curiosity peaked. He had asked for Mirabe''s contact information earlier that day, only to be met with evasion. Feeling yed, Matthew couldn''t help but unleash a tirade of voice messages towards Vincent, finding some sce in the act.


    After cooling down, he revisited the link-aplete video of the afternoon''s speech-and promptly shared it with Meg.


    Meg, in the midst of a casual conversation with Taylor, nced at her phone upon receiving the message. Acknowledging Matthew with a quick ''thanks,'' she decided against watching the video. To her, whatever brilliance the speech contained was irrelevant to her life, dismissing it as mere showboating.


    Resuming her chat with Taylor, Meg shifted the topic to their academic ambitions. "Speaking of which, I heard from my professor that Wade is looking to mentor a student this year. Given your knack for gic engineering, Taylor, you should consider reaching out. Joining Wade''s research team could be a game-changer for you."


    Taylor looked genuinely surprised at the suggestion, his interest piqued. Despite Meg''s enthusiasm, he remained nomittal, hinting at loyalty to his current mentor. Meg, undeterred, suggested leveraging her connection to Wade through her professor, hopeful to give Taylor an edge.


    As the conversation dwindled and the night drew on, Taylor''s thoughts lingered on the opportunity, appreciating Meg''s support but remaining grounded in his current path. They bid each other goodnight, each lost in thoughts of future possibilities, as the city lights faded into the distance.

 Chapter 768

    Meg caught Taylor''s silence and wisely decided to drop the topic. When you''re talking to someone sharp, it''s best to know when to leave it at that.


    She looked out the car window, watching the neon lights flicker under the streetmps and the busy shops lining the sidewalks. Even though the city had its own charm, it just couldn''tpare to the vibrant life of Riverdale.


    She sighed, relieved at the thought of heading back home the next day. If it hadn''t been for Mr. Hammond''s personal call, she wouldn''t have bothereding back at all.


    After Zach''s birthday party, he spent the next couple of days away, leaving his mischievous puppy, Buddy, home alone.


    Mirabe had initially thought Buddy was a calm little pup, but she quickly realized how wrong she was. Every day after school, Buddy would follow her around, nipping at her pants if she ignored him. Even at his young age, Buddy was a handful, living up to his breed''s reputation for boundless energy and destructive tendencies.


    When Mirabe walked in the door, she found her dad, Shawn, looking furious as he packed up Buddy''s things.


    "Dad?" she asked, dropping her bag.


    "I''m taking Buddy over to Zach''s," Shawn grumbled, clearly annoyed. "It''s not my job to take care of his dog."


    Mirabe hid a smile. "What happened?"


    Shawn''s frustration was evident. "That silly dog broke one of my vases."


    "Which vase?" Mirabe asked, dreading the answer as she looked around. "Not the antique blue and white porcin one on your shelf?"


    "Yes!" Shawn replied through gritted teeth. That vase was from the Song dynasty!


    Mirabe sighed, rubbing her temples. The cost of Buddy didn''t seem so highpared to the loss of a priceless antique. "Dad, I get it. Need any help with the packing?"


    "It''s all packed, but I could use a hand carrying everything. Want toe with me?" Shawn asked.


    "Sure," Mirabe agreed, having no other ns.


    So, the two of them, one mourning a lost antique and the other pondering the expense, along with Buddy and his belongings, headed to Zach''s ce.


    Zach''s condo was in one of the city''s top luxuryplexes, with a great environment and convenient location.


    They took the elevator to the fifteenth floor and stopped in front of Apartment 1501. Shawn set down the boxes and entered the code into the digital lock.


    Mirabe held Buddy''s leash, standing behind him, but the lock beeped, indicating an incorrect password.


    "Password incorrect?" Shawn frowned. "That can''t be right; I know this is the code."


    He tried again, but the system once more denied ess.


    Shawn''s frustration grew. "Did that little rascal change the code?"


    Mirabe stepped forward. "Let me try, Dad."


    Shawn looked at her, puzzled. "You know the password?"


    Mirabe nodded and quickly navigated the lock''s interface. Within seconds, the


    system granted ess, and the door unlocked with a soft ding.


    Shawn blinked in surprise. "Were you entering the password just now?"


    Mirabe''s method had looked entirely different from his own.

 Chapter 769

    Mirabe locked eyes with Shawn, her expression calm andposed. She nodded, "Let''s get Sparky inside first."


    "Alright," Shawn said, shifting his focus. He didn''t bother asking about the password again. Instead, he bent down, picked up the cardboard box from the ground, and carried it inside.


    Before they got there, Shawn had given Zach a heads-up call, subtly finding out that Zach was busy with a dinner and wouldn''t be home anytime soon.


    As they stepped into the living room, they were greeted with chaos. Mirabe coughed, her brow furrowing. "Dad, are we sure we''re in the right ce?"


    The coffee table was a mess, covered with peanut shells, candy wrappers, fruit peels, and a dozen or so open cans of soda and beer. Strange ribbons were strewn across the couch, and the carpet was littered with confetti, like it had just survived a wild party.


    Shawn, still holding the box, let out a cold, sarcasticugh after a moment.


    "That jerk," he muttered. "I''ve nearly broken my back dealing with Sparky these past few days, and here Zach is, living it up at home?"


    Thinking he could just enjoy life without a care, leaving his responsibilities behind?


    How naive!


    Mirabe nced at Shawn and silently lit a metaphorical candle for Zach in her mind. Without saying a word, she bent down to release Sparky from his leash, letting him roam free.


    Excited by the new surroundings, Sparky bolted around happily, showing no signs of shyness.


    Quickly, Mirabe took the box from Shawn, pulled out Sparky''s bowls, filled one with water and the other with dog food, making sure the little guy wouldn''t go hungry.


    Once they had settled everything, the pair left theplex.


    In the car, Mirabe pondered for a moment before pulling out her phone to send Zach a message on Messenger.


    "Zach, your son knocked over Dad''s favorite porcin vase and broke it. He''s not in the best of moods. Tread lightly."


    Zach, receiving the message, instantly panicked, his good mood from the dinner with colleagues evaporating.


    He quickly replied, "Did Dad say anything else?"


    "Nothing at all."


    Seeing this, Zach''s panic only grew. Silence was even more terrifying.


    A colleague asked him about his order, but he waved them off, turned aside, and continued to type on Messenger. "Sis, you have to calm Dad down. He listens to you the most. I might stay away from home for a while."


    Zach knew well that his dad wouldn''t take it out on the dog. The me would fall squarely on him.


    If he went back now, his legs wouldn''t be the only thing in jeopardy.


    Mirabe sent him a cheeky emoji in response.


    Zach, taking it as a sign of reassurance from his sister, breathed a sigh of relief. "Sis, I''m so d you told me about this. You''re a lifesaver."


    If he had gone back without a clue, he''d be in deep trouble.


    Mirabe, raising an eyebrow, replied with another cheeky emoji, then put her phone away.


    Zach didn''t send any more messages. He turned back to his colleagues. "Actually,


    I might have to skip the hangout at your ce after dinner."


    With his mind preupied with the news of Shawn''s bad mood, Zach lost all interest in partying. "Yeah, I''ve got some stuff to deal with tonight too."


    After dinner, everyone went their separate ways, and Zach drove back to his apartmentplex.


    Upon reaching his floor and standing in front of his door, he ced his index finger on the scanner, and the lock clicked open.

 Chapter 770

    Zach pushed the door open and stepped into his house.


    Just a couple of days ago, he had changed the door''s lock code to prevent Shawn from dropping off Buster, their overly enthusiastic bulldog. Looking back, that was a stroke of genius.


    As he flicked on the living room lights, the bright illumination banished the shadows, revealing Buster''s plump figure right at the entrance. Zach''s rxed demeanor instantly froze.


    Holy cow, were his eyes deceiving him?


    How on earth did the silly dog end up here???


    Before he could even process the situation, Buster was already bounding towards him. In the past two days, the one thing the dog had mastered was jumping up to greet people and nibbling at pant legs as a sign of affection.


    Zach''s face went pale, his body tensed up against the door, daring not to move, trying his hardest not to kick the dog nibbling at his pants.


    "Could you, maybe, not?" Zach was on the verge of tears, attempting tomunicate with Buster.


    Buster tilted his head, looking at Zach with those bright brown eyes. After a brief two-second pause of calm, he resumed his yful nuzzling and gentle biting at Zach''s leg, seeing that he wasn''t getting the pets he desired.


    Zach gasped in shock: "!!!!"


    Damn it, why did dogs have to be such terrifying creatures?


    Thus, Zach spent the entire evening ying a game of tag with Buster, which left him utterly exhausted.


    He couldn''t for the life of him figure out how his dad managed to sneak the dog into his house, especially after changing the locks!


    He thought about calling to ask, but the thought of the message his sister had sent him on Messenger earlier in the evening made him lose all courage to inquire further.


    So, he swallowed all his questions.


    At 3 a.m., Zach, looking at Buster finally settled on the carpet at the foot of his bed,y back on his bed with a look of utter despair.


    He absolutely did not want to continue living this way, but sending the dog back didn''t seem like an option either. So, without care for thete hour, he grabbed his phone and dialed his assistant.


    *


    The next morning, the assistant was ringing the doorbell bright and early.


    Zach, with bags under his eyes and his hair aplete mess-a far cry from his usual polished corporate image-opened the door for his assistant.


    Seeing him in such a state, the assistant could hardly believe his eyes. "Boss, you look..."


    Zach yawned, lethargically raising his hand to stop him, "Don''t ask."


    The assistant''s mouth twitched in disbelief. When Zach had called him in the middle of the night, he''d thought there was some major crisis, not... a dog situation.


    Zach grabbed a leash from a cab and handed it to his assistant, jerked his thumb towards his bedroom, and said, "The dog''s in my room. Take him."


    The assistant took the leash with a silent nce at Zach, then couldn''t help but ask, "Exactly what kind of dog is it that''s causing all this trouble?"


    Zach ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his voice heavy, "A Husky!"


    "Uh... Huskies are kind of big, sure, but they''re not usually mean," the assistant said, puzzled.


    Given the tone of Zach''s call the night before, he''d half-expected a ferocious beast like a Pit Bull.


    "Just get it done," Zach said, pressing his temples as if each additional minute made it harder to breathe.


    The assistant immediately shut up, turned, and headed towards the bedroom, turning the knob to step inside.


    Upon opening the door and seeing Mira, the assistant paused in surprise once


    more.

 Chapter 771

    Little Henry was still just a puppy, full of boundless energy and love for everyone, including the assistant. He trotted over, making little noises and wagging his tail furiously. His chubby, snow-white pawsnded on the assistant''s foot without causing any harm.


    In an instant, the assistant was smitten. Snapping back to reality, he bent down and scooped up Little Henry. "This is just too adorable," he eximed.


    Before opening the door, he had imagined meeting a grown Husky. To his surprise, it turned out to be this tiny, adorable bundle of joy.


    Nestled in his arms, Little Henry snuggled up, and the assistant chuckled as he petted his head. Seeing the pup close his eyes infort, he looked up at Zach, who was standing in the living room. "Boss, is this a new addition?"


    "Yep, got him as a birthday gift from my sister a couple of days ago," Zach replied, watching Little Henry''s antics with a sudden frown.


    Silly dog, he thought, too friendly for his own good!


    Hearing this, the assistant was a bit taken aback. "Given that, boss, isn''t it a bit harsh to think about giving this little guy away?"


    He knew his boss was a notorious sister''s pride; would he really let go of a puppy his sister gifted him?


    "Who said I''m giving him away?" Zach frowned. "I just thought of having him raised somewhere else."


    The assistant''s lips twitched. Wasn''t that the same as giving him away?


    Clearing his throat, he said, "He''s still a puppy, definitely needs to be raised by his owner. If we leave him at a pet care, it''ll be hard to train him when he''s older."


    Last night, when the boss called, he had thought it was about an adult dog. Adult dogs could be left at a pet care for a while, but a puppy... maybe not.


    So, he added, "Boss, you should raise him yourself. But... you''re not scared of dogs, are you?"


    The assistant''s face showed clear surprise at the question.


    Zach straightened up and chuckled dismissively. "Scared of dogs? Me? A grown man scared of a dog? Are you kidding?"


    The assistant nced at Little Henry in his arms, thinking, if you''re not afraid, why call me at three or four in the morning?


    "So, boss, are we still giving the dog away?" the assistant asked after a half- minute pause.


    Zach: "..."


    Seeing him silent, the assistant didn''t press further. Casually, he put Little Henry down, and the puppy joyously bounded towards his dad.


    Zach tensed up, his face changing color: "!!!"


    Still ims he''s not scared of dogs. Coughing, and for the sake of his job, the assistant tactfully looked away.


    In the end, under the assistant''s ''persuasion,'' Little Henry escaped the fate of being abandoned by his dad. After all, with the aura of his aunt around, Zach couldn''t truly part with him, fear or no fear.


    Thus, the father-son duo began their ''joyful and harmonious'' cohabitation.


    **


    Time flew, and before long, it was June 7th.


    With final exams around the corner, the transportation department had opened greennes, especially towards the major universities, virtually eliminating congestion.


    Before Mirabe headed out, Delh checked her toolkit several times, anxious as if she were the one taking the finals.


    Mirabe couldn''t help but tell her to calm down a bit.


    Knowing about her final exams, Zach, too, had brought Little Henry back the day before. At the moment, he nudged his silly son, "Go on, cheer for your aunt."

 Chapter 772

    For over two months now, Tucker, the newest member of the family, had grown noticeably rounder, filling out to a size that made him look more like a medium- sized dog than the small pup they had weed home, now weighing in at well over twenty pounds.


    At his dad''s signal, Tucker wagged his tail excitedly and trotted over to Mirabe, affectionately nuzzling her leg with his nose.


    Mirabe patted Tucker on the head, then raised an eyebrow at Zach. "Looks like you two are getting along just fine."


    Zach sighed inwardly, thinking about the silent struggles of taking care of everything. "Keep it up, champ. You''re our family''s valedictorian."


    "Yeah," Mirabe replied confidently, nodding.


    Nearby, Emmitt clenched his fist before stepping forward. "Mirabe, best of luck with your finals.¡±


    Mirabe looked at Emmitt, her lips pressed into a thin line, and nodded, "Thanks."


    Emmitt smiled, his fingers rxing at his side.


    "Alright, let''s get going," Delh said, emerging from the room with her bag, ncing at the time. "We''re on a tight schedule here."


    Outside, Shawn had already backed the car out of the garage and was waiting.


    Soon, Mirabe was on her way to her exam center, not at Parkside High School as one might expect, but at Anderson Public School, with her parents by her side.


    Vincent also found himself at Anderson Public School for his finals.


    The two crossed paths at the school''s entrance.


    "Looking sharp," Mirabe said, raising an eyebrow at Vincent.


    For once, Vincent didn''t downy his readiness. "Just trying to keep up with you."


    He might not be the top of the ss, but he was confident about securing the second spot.


    Mirabe nodded, "Good luck, Vincent."


    "Same to you, Mirabe," Vincent replied with a smile.


    Both were guaranteed spots at Prestige College but took their final exams seriously, as it was a testament to their hard work over three years. They wanted to finish this chapter on a high note.


    At 8:45 a.m., Mirabe entered the examination hall, finding her seat in the third- tost row, surrounded by unfamiliar faces instead of her ssmates.


    At 9:00 a.m. sharp, the proctor walked in with the sealed English Language Arts test packets, opened them in front of everyone, and distributed the papers. The exam was scheduled for 150 minutes.


    Mirabe skimmed through the questions, finding nothing too tricky except for the essay prompt, which didn''t surprise her. Having focused on her English Literature this term, she had seen significant improvement, with her scores soaring to an average of 145, except for asional deductions in essay writing.


    After spending forty minutes on the preliminary questions and double-checking her answers, Mirabe turned her attention to the essay prompt.


    This year''s prompt was a bit unusualpared to previous years, focusing on ssical Studies¡ªa broad and challenging theme that tested students'' understanding and insight into ancient traditions and cultures.


    For many, this essay would be daunting, but for Mirabe, who had been


    immersed in ssical literature from a young age, it was familiar territory.


    With her ideas gradually taking shape, she began writing, her pen moving swiftly across the page.

 Chapter 773

    Half an hourter, Mirabe dotted thest period and set her pen down with a sigh of relief. Writing in cursive had taken a bit longer, but she was still ahead of


    the game.


    Most of her ssmates were still tangled up in the readingprehension section, with only a few brave souls starting on the essay. And even those few looked like they were struggling.


    In this fast-paced world, who really had time to dive deep into ssical literature? Writing an essay on such topics was no walk in the park.


    With over an hour left on the clock, Mirabe nced around the room, wondering if turning in her paper early would distract the others. After a moment, she decided to wait it out and be considerate.


    When the final bell rang, she stood up and was the first to submit her answer booklet and exam paper. She left the exam room feeling a wave of calm wash over her.


    After a quick restroom break, she emerged to hear the buzz of students discussing the English exam, particrly how tough the essay question had been. Mirabe''s face remained impassive as she headed outside.


    She spotted Vincent waiting for her and walked over with a small smile.


    "How''d it go?" Vincent asked, knowing that English wasn''t Mirabe''s strongest subject and had waited specifically to check on her.


    "It was okay," Mirabe replied softly.


    Vincent recognized her modesty. When Mirabe said something was "okay," it usually meant she had it under control.


    He felt a wave of relief. There was no need to worry about her.


    Before long, the two of them walked out to find Mirabe''s parents and Vincent''s parents waiting anxiously. The parents eagerly asked about the exams and were pleased with the positive responses.


    Aimee, who thought highly of Mirabe and had previously helped her with a minor health issue, invited Delh''s family to join them for dinner at a nearby restaurant they had booked.


    Feeling Aimee''s warmth, Delh couldn''t bring herself to decline.


    Vincent''s parents, being the cultured folks they were, easily foundmon ground with Delh''s family, making for a pleasant evening. Delh seemed familiar to them, but they decided not to pry.


    After dinner, both families headed back to their hotels to let the kids rest before the afternoon''s math exam.


    At 2:50 PM, Mirabe entered the exam room again, this time for math.


    As soon as she reviewed the exam paper, she got to work. The morning''s essay hinted that this year''s finals were going to be tough, and the math paper was no exception.


    The room felt heavy with tension. This year''s exam was moreplex than previous years, with questions that seemed toe out of left field.


    While Mirabe breezed through the questions, her ssmates struggled, some barely managing to get an answer down.


    In just fifty minutes, Mirabe finished all the questions and rested her head on the desk, her draft sheets untouched and pristine.


    When the end-of-exam bell rang, she was, once again, the first to leave the room.


    Thank you all for your votes and support! It means the world to me! Happy National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival to everyone!


    Here''s to a new October-hoping for your continued support and votes! Goodnight, lovelies!

 Chapter 774

    As Mirabe stepped outside, the wail of sirens filled the air as ambnces rushed into the school campus. It wasn''t long before teachers emerged, carrying students who had sumbed to the overwhelming stress and anxiety, with paramedics quickly attending to them.


    That kind of scene yed out almost every year in schools across the region.


    Mirabe diverted her gaze and continued heading out. The security guard at the gate had already let her through. As she stepped outside, a group of anxious parents immediately approached her, asking, "How tough was the exam?"


    Mirabe paused briefly before replying, "It was manageable, I guess."


    One parent, noticing her calm demeanor, quickly concluded, "So, it wasn''t too hard then." This sentiment rippled through the nearby parents who overheard the exchange, bringing them a wave of relief. The thought that the exam wasn''t too difficult brought them somefort.


    Little did they know, the student they casually questioned was actually a top-tier academic ace.


    Mirabe nodded at the parent and then spotted Shawn and Delh, her parents, waving at her from a distance. Without further dy, she headed towards them.


    "Did I see ambnces heading into the school? Was someone feeling unwell?" Delh asked, more concerned about her daughter''s well-being than the exam itself.


    "Yeah, it was the stress," Mirabe replied.


    Understanding, Delh nodded and gently squeezed her daughter''s arm. "Let''s go, we need to get you something hearty to eat."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at her mother''s suggestion.


    The family soon left the exam venue, and as other students began to exit, their expressions starkly contrasted Mirabe''s rxed one. Their first words to their parents were about the daunting difficulty of this year''s exams, including those to the parents who had spoken to Mirabe.


    "Really? That tough? But the first student who came out said it was okay," one confused parent remarked.


    Their child, an above-average student, nearly broke into tears, "It was really hard. Just ask anyone else. Nobody found it easy."


    The parent was puzzled butter rationalized that maybe the girl they asked didn''t want to admit she found it challenging and thus had downyed the difficulty.


    The next day''s exams were in Arts and Sciences in the morning and French in the afternoon. The Arts and Sciences exam was straightforward, not as intricate as Literature or asplex as Math, making it somewhat less challenging for those with good memory and understanding.


    After the final French exam, Mirabe exited the school gates, taking a rare reflective look back at the school. The two-day final exams were finally over.


    The results would be released in about twenty days-a waiting game.


    Reuniting with her parents and heading towards the parking lot, Delh handed Mirabe her phone, saying, "Oh, you got a bunch of messages on Messenger." Unlocking her phone and opening Messenger, Mirabe saw a message from a professor at Prestige College inquiring about her Physics department. She rubbed her temples before replying.


    Once in the car, she started replying to others who had asked about her exams. Midway through, a call from Mr. Hammond popped up.


    Sitting up straight, Mirabe answered the call.


    "Mirabe, do you remember Professor Wade I mentioned before?" Mr. Hammond got straight to the point.


    Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment.


    "Well, he''s asked for your Messenger contact, and I''ve already forwarded your details to him. Make sure to ept his request, okay?"

 Chapter 775

    Mirabe paused for a couple of seconds before replying with a quick, "Okay."


    Mr. Hammond had originally nned to ask Mirabe about her final exam results but reconsidered, knowing her near-obsessive level of expertise. Better save that conversation for Vincent.


    After discussing a few things about Wade, Mr. Hammond hung up and went off to find Vincent.


    Mirabe ended the call and opened Messenger, noticing a friend request.


    Nearby, Delh, who had overheard the mention of Mr. Hammond, turned in curiosity. "Did Mr. Hammond ask you about your exams?"


    "Yeah, he wanted me to connect with a teacher from Prestige College," Mirabe replied, her fingers swiftly epting the request and sending a polite greeting to Wade.


    "Prestige College?" Delh repeated, momentarily taken aback. Then, pride


    spread across her face. Her daughter was something special, getting noticed by a Prestige College faculty member right after her finals-something even her Ivy League-educated brothers couldn''t im.


    Wade exchanged a few messages with Mirabe about her finals, but since the results weren''t out yet, he didn''t dive into department selection. The conversation soon wrapped up.


    Wade ced his phone on the coffee table, took a sip from his coffee mug, and turned to the department head sitting across from him. "I''ll think about taking on a mentee."


    The department head, leaning back with a smile, asked, "Have you found someone already?"


    Wade, looking surprisingly youthful for someone in his forties, shook his head. "Not exactly, I''m not in a rush."


    The department head understood and started thinking about the promising students in the department. "I think Taylor has remarkable talent."


    Pausing, he added with a touch of nostalgia, "Taylor was the national runner-up. Though his major is in Space Engineering, he''s minoring in our Gic Engineering program. I''ve heard he''s doing quite well, matching up with our top talents."


    Wade had heard of Taylor and recalled a chance encounter in theb that showcased the student''s potential. Still, it wasn''t enough to consider mentorship.


    "Let''s see," Wade replied nomittally.


    Seeing Wade''s disinterest, the department head switched topics. "Recruitment season is almost here. I wonder how many will choose our Biology department." Pouring another cup of coffee, Wade remarked, "Quality over quantity."


    The Biology department was niche, attracting only a handful of students genuinely passionate about the field. Wade''s high standards meant only those with a deep love for biology would stay.


    The department head nodded in agreement. "We aim to cultivate elite talents, not just entertain."


    Wade hummed in acknowledgment. "Looks like recruitment will be on you again this year."


    The department head modestly waved it off. "Just doing my job."


    Wade had distanced himself from these tasks for years, leaving the annual


    student assessment and selection in the capable hands of the department head.

 Chapter 776

    A few days after finals, Collins suddenly rang up Mirabe, inviting her out for a


    meetup.


    Mirabe had been pretty much free as a bird since her finals. Delh had suggested she take up driving lessons to get a license. So, on the day Collins asked to meet, Mirabe had just passed her written driving test.


    She arrived promptly at 1 PM at the caf¨¦ where they''d agreed to meet.


    "The brainiac! I heard from your brother that you''ve enrolled in driving school?" Collins, having already ordered their coffee, started the conversation with a grin.


    Mirabe leaned back in her chair and nodded slightly.


    "I know a guy who''s a driving instructor. How about I get him to teach you? That way, you''ll learn faster without having to wait in line at driving school," Collins offered enthusiastically.


    Mirabe thought it over for a moment before politely declining. "Thanks, Collins, but I''m not particrly quick at picking up new skills. I think I''ll stick with the driving school and learn at the same pace as the other students."


    After all, she had already paid the tuition fees.


    Seeing her decision, Collins didn''t press any further.


    Just then, the waiter brought their coffees over and quickly walked away after setting them down.


    Collins gestured for Mirabe to drink and began stirring his coffee gently. "Actually, I wanted to meet today because I need a favor,¡± he revealed.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Does my brother need me to y sidekick again?¡±


    Collins stopped stirring his coffee, coughed, and then said, "Not exactly a sidekick. He''s got a concerting up, and I was hoping you''d be the surprise star performer."


    "Aren''t surprise guests usually from your circle? I mean, wouldn''t I be a bit out of ce?" Mirabe took a small sip of her coffee.


    Though she wasn''t much into the entertainment scene or a star-chaser, she had a fair idea about the kind of guests Collins was referring to.


    A surprise act meant someone with clout and standing in the industry.


    Collins had anticipated this question and exined his well-thought-out rationale, "Because of that reality show you and your brother did, you''ve garnered a lot of fans. Having you as the surprise act would mean more than inviting any top-tier celebrity."


    Mirabe understood Collins''s point, which was essentially to cater to the fans'' curiosity about her.


    After pondering for a moment, she didn''t immediately agree or decline but looked at Collins and asked, "My brother doesn''t know about this?"


    "Right," Collins coughed again, "if he knew we were nning to have you as the surprise guest, he''d never agree."


    Since the reality show, despite numerous brands wanting to sign him and his sister for endorsements, he had turned them all down, regardless of the offered sum. A true protector of his sister, valuing her privacy and well-being over money.


    Pausing for a moment, Collins continued, "Consider it a favor... oh, not for me, but for your brother, fulfilling his fans'' big dream."


    Collins was shrewd, knowing that mentioning her brother was the way to her agreement.


    Mirabe leaned back, her delicate features rxed, and after a minute, she spoke, "When is the concert?"


    Collins''s eyes lit up, "In ten days, and it''s happening right here in town."


    Mirabe nodded, "Okay."


    "Fantastic." Collins pped his hands together, then remembering something, quickly added, ¡°Let''s keep this a secret from your brother for now."

 Chapter 777

    Mirabe didn''t hesitate for a second and agreed right away.


    Collins then went over some specific details about the concert with her, mentioning that since everything was still in the nning stages, they would need to stay in touch regrly.


    Mirabe was totally fine with that and promised to be as cooperative as possible. After all, her little princess deserved nothing but the best.


    Once they wrapped up their discussion, they didn''t linger on small talk and quickly went their separate ways.


    Collins drove back to the office to sort out the concert details. By the time he finished, it was already past six. He pulled out his phone, thought for a moment, and sent a message on Messenger: "Everything''s sorted."


    Without waiting for a reply, Collins grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and left the office.


    As he was heading to his car in the underground parking lot, a long honk made him pause and look around.


    Not far off, Vicky was sitting in his car, the source of the honk.


    Collins stood still, watching as Vicky got out and approached him.


    "What''s up?" Collins asked casually as Vicky came closer.


    Vicky cut straight to the point: "What kind of backing does Leo have, exactly?"


    Ever since overhearing Collins on the phone, and following Jay''s sudden exit from the scene-coupled with Jay''s warning not to mess with Leo-Vicky had hired a private investigator to look into Leo''s background.


    Leo came from an ordinary family, with a few sessful brothers but no significant powerwork.


    Everything seemed normal, but Jay''s warning wasn''t for nothing. And Jay''s refusal to borate only convinced Vicky further that Leo''s backing was no small matter.


    Collins frowned, "Why do you need to know?"


    "He forced one of my top talents to quit. I need to know who Jay really crossed," Vicky stated firmly.


    Collins couldn''t help but let out a dismissiveugh, "Leo forced Jay out? Are you out of your mind? Weren''t Jay''s apologies and rifications clear enough?"


    Though he didn''t know why Jay had suddenly owned up to everything, it seemed ridiculous to Collins that Vicky was bringing this up now.


    Vicky, not in the mood for evasion, interrupted, "Just tell me who''s behind Leo. It''s not like we don''t know each other. We''re from the samepany, and you wouldn''t want a repeat of this, right?"


    "You''re overthinking this. Leo earned his ce since he signed with us, purely on his own merit. Stop underestimating people," Collins retorted.


    Checking the time, Collins decided he''d had enough, took out his car keys, unlocked his car, and opened the door.


    Seeing Collins about to get in and close the door, Vicky quickly grabbed it, "I don''t buy it."


    Collins turned slightly, pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Fine, believe what you want. Leo''s got a big shot behind him. So, please, keep your talents in line and stop trying to stir up drama for attention."


    With that, Collins pushed Vicky''s hand away, mmed the car door shut, and drove off, leaving Vicky without the answers he sought. Vicky''s gaze darkened as he stood there for a while before finally heading back to his own car.

 Chapter 778

    Time flew by, and before Mirabe knew it, the day of the concert had arrived.


    The concert was set in a local open-air football stadium that could hold tens of thousands of fans. The warm-up act was scheduled for 7:30 PM, with the main event starting at 8 PM sharp.


    Collins had given Mirabe an invite to the concert, and she arrived at the stadium around 7 PM, ticket in hand, searching for her seat.


    As she settled down, Mirabe raised an eyebrow while surveying the venue. Her seat was smack dab in the middle of the audience, offering the best view-not too close to be blinded by stage lights and not too far to miss out on the performance.


    Looking around, she noticed the stadium was packed with fans waving glow sticks and holding up fan signs, creating a sea of light and color. Mirabe nced at her empty hands, realizing she stood out without even a glow stick.


    Feeling a bit like an imposter among the true fans, she rubbed her temples, wondering if she''d draw unwanted attention. She hadn''t bothered with a disguise today. Although her photo had briefly circted on Twitter, those posts had since been deleted, so she doubted many would recognize her.


    Soon, her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was Collins, checking in via Messenger to see if she had arrived.


    She quickly sent back a message saying, "Got here," and waited for his response.


    Collins, upon receiving her message, nced over at Leo, who was wrapping up his final rehearsal. He signaled for the event manager, ensuring everything was set for the night.


    The event manager confirmed, "All set."


    Collins nodded, expressing his gratitude to the staff for their hard work.


    With Leo finishing his rehearsal, Collins handed him a bottle of water, mentioning


    that the crowd was all there and it was almost showtime.


    Leo, taking a moment to hydrate, asked, "She''s here?"


    Collins couldn''t help but smile, assuring him, "Of course. You know I always deliver."


    After a brief exchange, Leo headed off to get ready, leaving Collins to check his Messenger again. He quickly arranged for some spare fan gear to be delivered to Mirabe, ensuring she wouldn''t feel out of ce among the dedicated fans.


    The assistant found some extra fan signs and glow sticks and made his way to the designated meeting spot near the restrooms in Section A.


    Mirabe was waiting there, somewhat isted from the bustling crowd. The assistant, who hadn''t met her before, recognized her immediately. With the importance of the night in mind, he respectfully handed over the fan gear, ensuring she''d blend in and enjoy the concert to the fullest.

 Chapter 779

    Mirabe barely noticed the assistant''s gaze as she took her things with a quick "thanks" and headed out. The assistant watched her go for a moment before snapping back to reality and rushing backstage. There was a lot on his te tonight.


    **


    Back in her seat, Mirabe clutched her fan signs and glow sticks, finally feeling like she was part of the crowd. The seats around her were filling up with girls her age, all chatting like old friends.


    Not being part of any fan clubs or groups, Mirabe didn''t share their animated excitement. She just sat quietly, eyes glued to the stage.


    A girl next to her gave her a gentle nudge, "Hey there, which fan club''s management are you with? I don''t think I''ve seen you around."


    The prime seats were usually reserved for fan club managers, and it was strange to see an unfamiliar face in the mix. With the evening light fading and the dim concert hall lighting, recognizing Mirabe was even harder.


    Mirabe paused for a second before answering, "I''m not with the management."


    "Wait, are you the lucky fan who won the draw?" the girl asked, eyes wide with surprise.


    Mirabe twirled her glow stick, not really getting the whole "lucky fan" thing, but nodded to avoid more questions.


    "Wow, you''re so lucky," the girl said, clearly impressed, knowing the lucky fan was in for a big surprise.


    Mirabe just smiled and kept to herself.


    At 8 PM sharp, the concert kicked off with a bang. The dazzling lights and explosive opening instantly amped up the crowd.


    This was Mirabe''s first big concert, and she was swept up in the energy of the performances and the crowd''s enthusiasm.


    The first song was from Leo''s new album, one Mirabe had heard before. But hearing it live, surrounded by the electric atmosphere, was a whole different experience.


    Her gaze locked onto Leo center stage, his dance moves just as captivating as his voice.


    No wonder someone had once tried to take advantage of him. Though, it seemed a pity to use such agility solely for dancing.


    Initially scheduled for three hours, the concert was extended by an hour due to the fans'' excitement, nning to end at midnight.


    Around 11:10 PM, Mirabe got a message from Collins and quietly slipped out of her seat to head backstage.


    Collins was busy with his earpiece when he saw Mirabe, stopping to greet her, "Hey, you made it."


    Mirabe nodded, ncing at his earpiece, "Still busy?"


    "Yeah, just extending the show by an hour, so I''ve got to shuffle things around," Collins exined with a smile. After checking his watch, he added, "Let''s get you into makeup. You''ll be on stage as the closing guest in about thirty minutes, then it''s all about greeting the fans before we wrap up."


    With that, Collins led Mirabe to the makeup room.

 Chapter 780

    After they got to the dressing room, Collins led her to a smaller room inside, separated by a door from the main area. He exined, "Your brother will be back to change after his song. Didn''t want you two running into each other."


    Mirabe nodded, "No worries."


    "Take a seat. Wendy went to the restroom, she''ll be right back," Collins pointed to a chair nearby before stepping out and softly closing the door behind him.


    Not long after, Wendy walked in, holding a gift box.


    "Did you wait long, sis?" Wendy set the box down. Having taken a photo with Mirabe before, she was still visibly excited to see her again.


    Mirabe nodded politely, "Just got here."


    Wendy hummed in acknowledgment, then looked Mirabe over before opening the box to reveal a te grey, jeweled chiffon gown.


    "Try this gown on first, then I''ll style your look to match," Wendy said, handing the dress to Mirabe.


    Soon, she left the room.


    After a few minutes, hearing a knock from inside, Wendy re-entered.


    Seeing Mirabe in the gown left Wendy momentarily speechless.


    The te grey of the dress made Mirabe''s fair skin gleam even brighter, with its sheer, gradient mesh fabulously showcasing her delicate corbones. The ethereal sleeves lightly covered her slender arms, and the embroidered patterns around the waist seemed to lift her figure perfectly. The hem, just barely touching the ground, gave off an airy, almost mystical vibe, entuating her youthful grace and elegance.


    "This dress is perfect for you," Wendy finally managed to say.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow in response.


    Wendy moved closer, pondered for a moment with her hand on her chin, and asked Mirabe to sit down. She then opened a toolbox and started working on Mirabe''s hair and makeup.


    Meanwhile, Leo had returned to the main room for a touch-up. Their conversations could be heard clearly, even from the smaller room.


    However, there wasn''t much exchange between them; Leo left for his performance right after getting his makeup done.


    It took Wendy about twenty minutes toplete Mirabe''s look.


    Her naturally straight hair was given a temporary wave with a curling iron, locks from either side of her temples were braided and tied at the back to add volume,plemented with a charming hair essory and subtle makeup, enhancing her youthful softness and rounding off the sharpness she usually carried.


    "Absolutely angelic," Wendy eximed, admiring her work.


    In the entertainment world, this face would break records, Wendy thought confidently, unable to think of a celebrity who could overshadow Mirabe. Satisfied, Wendy nodded approvingly.


    It was now 11:50 PM. Collins knocked on the door from outside.


    After helping Mirabe with her shoes, Wendy opened the door. "All set, right?" Collins stood at the doorway, asking.


    "Yeah." Wendy stepped aside to let him in.


    Catching a glimpse of Mirabe, Collins paused, then said, "Ever thought about joining the entertainment industry, sis?"


    Mirabe just looked at him.


    Clearing his throat, Collins checked the time-11:55 PM.


    After a few more exchanges, he finally said, "Let''s go, it''s time for the surprise guest to make an appearance."


    Mirabe nced at Collins, noticing his quick check of the watch but didn''t dwell on it, and followed him out.

 Chapter 781

    Collins led Mirabe backstage, guiding her onto a circr lift tform. As he stepped aside, he adjusted the mic on his cor, gave her a yful wink, and said, "Get ready for a surprise."


    Mirabe nced at him, a mix of curiosity and confusion in her eyes.


    The tform began to rise, and she could hear the fans above counting down in unison.


    When they reached "one," the tform leveled with the stage floor, revealing a sea of glowing lightsticks and cheering signs. The stage itself was still cloaked in darkness.


    It was exactly midnight.


    Leo approached her, whispering, "Happy 18th birthday, sis!"


    Mirabe froze for a moment, taken aback.


    As Leo finished speaking, thousands of pre-programmed drones lit up, piercing the darkness to form a message in the sky:


    "Happy 18th Birthday, Sis!"


    Mirabe looked up at the drones, the message exining the surprise Collins had hinted at.


    Yes, it was officially her birthday.


    The drones began to shift, creating new messages of well-wishes.


    "Wishing my sis happiness every day."


    "Wishing my sis a joyful graduation!"


    "Wishing my sis..."


    Each message was filled with heartfelt emotion.


    Mirabe''s eyes welled up, her heart swelling with emotion. She turned to Leo, and even in the dim light, she could see the nervousness on his face beneath his makeup.


    With a gentleugh, she said, "Thank you, Leo."


    Leo''s clenched hands rxed, and his anxious expression melted into a goofy smile.


    He had spent over two months nning this birthday celebration, wanting to make her 18th birthday unforgettable.


    Eighteen, a year full of promise and beauty, and his sister deserved every bit of these blessings.


    Then, the event staff rolled in an enormous eighteen-tier cake adorned with lit candles.


    After positioning the cake in front of her, they handed Leo a simple birthday tiara.


    As Leo ced the tiara on her head, the fans below began to sing the birthday song softly.


    The stage lights cast a gentle glow, and drones filled the air, releasing countless bubbles that floated around, creating a dreamlike scene.


    Many were moved to tears.


    After making a wish and blowing out the candles, the stage lights came on fully.


    For the first time, Mirabe faced her fans directly. The sight of her beauty stirred an uncontroble excitement, and the crowd erupted in cheers.


    As the excitement subsided, Mirabe took the microphone and shared a few heartfelt words with the audience.


    Given thete hour, the host soon took the stage to officially close the concert and directed the fans to leave in an orderly manner.


    Mirabe then headed backstage.


    Collins was lounging in a chair, scrolling through Twitter. In just a short time, the concert and birthday celebration had dominated the trending topics, with engagement soaring.


    Seizing the moment, he instructed the PR department to promote the new album, anticipating the spike in sales that was sure toe by morning.

 Chapter 782

    Collins saw Mirabe walk in, pocketed his phone, and chirped a cheerful, "Happy Birthday!" before adding with a grin, "So, how do you feel? Touched by the surprise your brother pulled off?"


    Truth be told, Mirabe hadn''t expected such a unique gift that evening, so she nodded honestly in response.


    However, secondster, her expression shifted as she asked, "How much did it cost to rent those 3,586 drones?"


    Collins, taken aback at first, eyed Mirabe with suspicion. "How did you know I rented over three thousand drones?"


    He couldn''t remember the exact count, but he was pretty sure the contract had a six in the number somewhere.


    Mirabe lifted her hand, "I have eyes... So, how much did it cost?"


    Collins felt a bit looked down upon but instinctively replied, "Around three hundred grand, mate. Got a mates'' rates deal, so not too pricey."


    Just like that, over three hundred thousand dors had flown away in minutes. Such a spendthrift!


    Mirabe suddenly found it hard to breathe. Without another word, she turned and went to change her clothes.


    Watching Mirabe''s suddenly gloomy departure, Collins was left scratching his head in confusion.


    That''s when Leo walked in, noticed Collins'' puzzled look, and called out, "Collins?"


    Turning around, Collins shared with Leo the conversation he had with Mirabe about the drones.


    After listening, Leo massaged his forehead and simply said, "Don''t talk to my sister about money anymore."


    Having lived with her for so long, he knew all too well how his sister fretted over money.


    Collins was even more baffled now.


    Three hundred grand was just a drop in the ocean for a top-tier celebrity like Leo, akin to plucking a hair from a bull.


    Leo didn''t borate but asked the makeup artist to start removing his makeup.


    Back in her own clothes, Mirabe checked Messenger, where many had sent birthday wishes along with generous digital cash gifts.


    She epted each gift, slightly alleviating her pain over the money spent.


    A Twitter notification popped up at the top of her phone, drawing her attention to the buzz about the night''s concert. The posts weren''t hostile, but seeing her photos made her a bit uneasy.


    She had her reasons for staying out of the public eye.


    But then, she figured there was no need to be overly cautious since people are different.


    With that, Mirabe put her phone away and headed outside.


    It was past 1 AM by the time the siblings got home. After a shower, Mirabe quickly fell into a deep sleep.


    **


    The next morning, Mirabe woke up on time, nning to lounge in bed, but the


    message from her next-door neighbor got her up.


    She changed into workout gear and headed downstairs.


    Hugo, who had gotten noticeably rounder, perked up at the sound and


    enthusiastically trotted over to Mirabe.


    Patting the little guy on the head, she mused about why Zach would bring his "son" over, likely because of her birthday.


    If it weren''t for Leo''s birthday celebration, she would havepletely forgotten about her own.


    Soon, she said, "Let''s go for a walk," grabbed the leash, and clipped it onto Hugo, stepping out.


    Though Hugo wasn''t fully grown, his Husky nature meant he was brimming with energy, getting excited the moment they were outside.


    The duo headed towards theke and spotted James, also in workout attire, from a distance.


    Mirabe, with Hugo in tow, approached him.

 Chapter 783

    The early morning sun of July wasn''t stifling, just a gentle warmth.


    Mirabe, with her dog Buster in tow, walked up to the handsome man standing before her. She raised an eyebrow in a casual greeting. "Morning."


    "Morning," James replied, his voice crisp. His eyes lingered on Mirabe''s face.


    Her skin was fair, her features rxed with azy elegance, a stark contrast to the morous makeup she had showcased in her Twitter photos the previous night.


    James sighed internally, a flicker of disappointment crossing his mind, but he quickly covered it with a smile. "Happy birthday."


    Having received his generous gift the night before, Mirabe nodded, her response warm. "Thanks."


    Buster was desperately trying to leap towards James, but Mirabe, pressing her temples, pulled the eager dog back, keeping him at bay.


    James nced at Buster. "He''s grown quite a bit."


    "Probably because he eats so much," Mirabe said, rolling her eyes slightly.


    James''s lips twitched at her remark.


    As they walked along thekeside, Buster''s boundless energy became too much, and Mirabe decided to let him off the leash.


    "The final exam results areing out soon, right?" James asked, casting a sidelong nce at the girl beside him.


    "Yeah, tomorrow."


    Mirabe''sshes fluttered down, their synchronized steps creating a rhythm of their own as a breeze brushed a stray hair across her lips.


    James''s fingers twitched, tempted to brush it away, yet he restrained himself, his voice softer. "Decided on a major yet?"


    Mirabe lifted her gaze towards the joyfully running Buster. "Yeah."


    She didn''t borate, and James, knowing her to be someone with a n, paused before asking, "nning to stay on campus or off?"


    "Off. Nick''s already found us a ce," Mirabe said, her fingers idly twirling the dog leash behind her back.


    At that, James momentarily stiffened.


    Mirabe turned, raising an eyebrow at him.


    "Isn''t Nick always abroad? He''s not nning to return?" James kept his tone even, maintaining their pace.


    "No, he''s noting back."


    When they encountered a jogger, Buster took off after them, causing Mirabe to chase after her dog with a sigh of exasperation.


    James watched her receding figure with a resigned sigh.


    This was going to be tough.


    After retrieving Buster andpleting anotherp around theke with James, Mirabe headed home.


    Zach, who had been watching from the second-floor balcony, hurried down the stairs to confront her. "Mirabe, was that neighbor guy here to see you again?" he asked, lowering his voice so much that he barely noticed Buster''s enthusiastic greetings.


    Mirabe shot him a look. "He has a name."


    "I know you just turned eighteen today, but you really shouldn''t be rushing into anything. College is just around the corner, and you should focus on your studies, okay?" Zach lectured, a familiar spiel Mirabe had heard countless times. She merely waved him off, heading to the fridge to grab a carton of milk.


    Undeterred, Zach followed, intent on imparting more brotherly wisdom, only to be interrupted by Shawn, carrying tes of breakfast. "Oh, Mira, could you invite James over for lunchter?" Shawn asked, oblivious to Zach''s difort.


    "Sure, Dad," Mirabe replied, leaning against the counter, sipping her milk. Zach could only sigh in resignation.

 Chapter 784

    Zach shot a nce at Shawn, who lookedpletely unfazed. With a sigh, he rubbed his temples and decided to drop the idea of convincing his sister. "Dad, we need to have a serious talk..."


    He started walking towards Shawn.


    Shawn barely nced at him, raising a hand to shut him down. "There''s nothing to talk about."


    If they were going to talk, it would be with their fists.


    Zach was floored. "!!!"


    Your favorite daughter is about to be swept off her feet, and you don''t even care?


    Shawn didn''t give Zach another look and went back to the kitchen.


    Mirabe, having finished her milk, chucked the empty carton into the trash from a distance with a cool flick of her wrist, looking a bit rebellious.


    Zach, turning around and witnessing this, thought, "..."


    Why does this remind me of Grady and his gang???


    Shaking his head, Zach quickly dismissed the thought. His sister, although


    sometimes a bit of a schemer, was generally a good kid.


    Right on cue, Zach''s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, saw the name ''Grady'' on the screen, and almost dropped it.


    He hesitated for a long moment. Shawn,ing out of the kitchen again, asked curiously, "Why aren''t you answering your phone?"


    Zach looked up at Shawn and showed him the phone: "...Grady."


    Shawn felt a headacheing on. He nced at his daughter, already seated at the dining table, and then waved his hand, "Go outside and take it."


    Zach nodded and headed to the garden with his phone.


    Hearing ''Grady'' mentioned again, Mirabe raised an eyebrow, watching Zach''s retreating figure.


    Mysterious.


    By the time Zach got to the garden, the call had ended. He immediately hit redial, and it was quickly answered. He spoke politely, "Uncle Grady, did you need me for something?"


    Grady chuckled on the other end, "Ah, isn''t it the youngdy''s birthday today? I''ve bought some gifts and was thinking of dropping them off in my car."


    Zach paused, "Ah, you''reing over?"


    "Yes, I thought it was about time I formally met the youngdy," Grady thought about the old ailment of Keir, which hadn''t red up much in thest six months, thanks to that medicine.


    Rubbing his temple, Zach sensed Grady had ulterior motives for wanting to see his sister suddenly. After a brief thought, he made an excuse, "We have guests over today, maybe another time would be better?"


    Grady, not typically close with the younger son but well aware of his personality, replied evenly, "That won''t be an issue. I''ll just hand over the gifts personally to the youngdy and leave."


    The old are wise, "...Maybe you should talk to my dad?" Zach coughed.


    Grady fell silent for a moment, "I just tried calling your dad, but no one answered."


    Zach: "!!!"


    So, this hot potato was actually tossed over by his dad?


    Zach looked up through the sliding ss door at his dad inside, chatting happily with his sister.


    Thus, he said into the phone, "Hold on, Grady, I''ll get my dad for you."


    After saying that, he walked back inside, approached Shawn, and handed him the phone: "Dad, Grady''s on the line for you."


    Shawn, staring at the phone screen that showed the call was still in progress: "..."


    This clueless son of mine.

 Chapter 785

    Shawn rubbed his temples, stood up, and walked outside to take the call.


    Seeing this, Zach exhaled a bit, feeling a tad more rxed. He then turned his attention back to his meal, pulled a chair closer, and absentmindedly took a bite of a bun.


    Mirabe leaned on the table, shooting a thoughtful nce at Zach. Neither of them said a word; they just quietly continued eating until Shawn returned, a slight change in his expression.


    He ced his phone on the table, making Zach lift his head and ask, "...Is he stilling?"


    "No," Shawn replied curtly.


    Zach didn''t press further and went back to his food. But the call seemed to have weighed on Shawn, who barely touched his meal after a few bites.


    He nced at his daughter, sighing inwardly. Some things, even if left unsaid, couldn''t be ignored.


    After a moment, Shawn spoke up, "Hey Mira, since it''s summer break and your final exam scores are out, why don''t you visit your cousin Nick in Riverdale? Get a feel for the ce."


    Despite the difficulty of letting her go, he felt uneasy about her staying home. Sending her away seemed safer.


    Mirabe looked up, puzzled by the sudden suggestion but guessing it had something to do with the call from ''Grady''. After a pause, she said, "I''m working on getting my driver''s license."


    "Oh..." Shawn paused, having forgotten, then quickly added, "No big deal, we can cancel it here and you can sign up again in Riverdale."


    Mirabe straightened up, serious, "Even though we''re not short on money, that feels wasteful."


    Shawn was left speechless.


    So, not wanting to push his daughter away prematurely, he dropped the subject. The next day was the release of the final exam scores, set for 6 PM. The Davis family was no exception, anxiously waiting in front of theirputer.


    Delh clutched herptop, feeling her anxiety rise as the clock ticked closer to 6 PM. She vented to her husband, "Funny, I''ve never been this nervous about the boys'' scores."


    Shawn clenched his hand, coughing, "I''m not that nervous. Our daughter''s pretty capable."


    As the clock struck six, he urged, "Check the scores now."


    Delh nodded, entered their daughter''s exam number, and hit the search button. But with everyone checking at the same time, the system was overloaded, and the page wouldn''t refresh.


    After several failed attempts, Shawn decided to try calling, an older but sometimes more reliable method. Yet the phone lines were just as busy, and after several minutes of waiting, Shawn hung up, disappointed.


    While the parents were busy, Mirabe had just finished her afternoon driving test. She was thest appointment, so her test ended right at 6 PM.


    After the test, she nned to catch a ride with her instructor but he was busy checking his own child''s final exam scores and asked her to wait a bit.


    "Guess everyone will have to wait until tomorrow to hear about it," she thought, feeling a bit frustrated about getting homete.

 Chapter 786

    Mirabe stood by, looking rxed as she waited for the coach to check the


    scores.


    The coach got lucky and quickly found his son''s results-over 530 points, higher than he had estimated, and enough to get into a top-tier university. His face lit up with a huge grin, and he eagerly shared the good news with the other students.


    Just as he was about to put his phone away, he remembered Mirabe mentioning she hade straight from her final exams to start her driving lessons. He thought for a moment and then said, "Mirabe, the final exam results should be out. You should check yours."


    Mirabe just smiled, "No rush."


    Seeing her calm demeanor, the coach, still holding his phone, offered, "What''s your exam ID? I can check it for you."


    After a brief pause, Mirabe gave him a string of numbers.


    "Hold on, it''ll just take a sec..." the coach said as he confirmed the details.


    Soon, the screen refreshed, and Mirabe''s score appeared.


    750 points.


    The coach froze, his smile turning rigid as his fingers trembled. He quickly looked up at Mirabe, disbelief in his eyes.


    A perfect score of 750 points...


    The coach waspletely stunned.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, asking politely, "Did you find it?"


    The coach, brought back to reality by her question, stammered, "Y-Yeah, 750 points."


    Mirabe seemed unsurprised. She had expected full marks in math, French, and social studies. The only ce she might have lost points was in the essay.


    But this year''s essay topic had yed to her strengths. Any other topic might not have secured her a perfect score.


    "750 points, that''s a perfect score, right? So, she''s the top scorer in the final exams?" another student eximed.


    Meeting the top scorer of the final exams while learning to drive felt like a stroke of luck.


    The coach, still in a daze, looked at Mirabe, feeling his son''s score of just over 530 points suddenly seem less impressive.


    Why did other people''s kids have to be so exceptional?


    Meanwhile, in a car.


    "Chief Steward, the young miss''s score is in," As said, barely containing his excitement as he looked at the phone.


    Grady nced at As, who was caught up in his excitement and hadn''t


    mentioned the score, prompting Grady to cough pointedly.


    Realizing his oversight, As handed the phone to the Chief Steward sitting in the passenger seat, while remarking, "A perfect score, our young miss is truly brilliant!"


    Seeing the score on the screen, Grady, usually so reserved, allowed a small smile


    to form, "Who else could the young miss be,ing from the Davis family?"


    "Such high intellect muste from our side," As beamed, seizing the opportunity to offer praise.


    Grady''s smile twitched at the tant ttery.


    "I''ll send this score to the old timers, let them see for themselves the first female valedictorian of the Davis family..." As said as he took back his phone from Grady, disregarding his own status.


    After taking a screenshot and sending it to the group, As then looked up at the time and out the car window, "Strange, the young miss should have finished her driving test by now. Why hasn''t shee out?"

 Chapter 787

    Grady''s eyes narrowed slightly as he fiddled with the wooden bracelet on his wrist. "Let''s hang tight for a bit longer. Shouldn''t be much longer now."


    "Got it," As nodded, resting his forehead on the steering wheel. But after a moment, he nced over at Grady again. "Boss, don''t you have the miss''s number? Why not just give her a ring?"


    It was already past six, and typically, even thest student''s assessment would have wrapped up by now.


    Grady fell silent at this. He did have the youngdy''s number but had never called her. Mainly because they hadn''t officially met, and he was worried abouting off as a scammer and getting blocked. That would be awkward.


    Seeing Grady''s silence, As offered, "Want me to call her instead?"


    Grady shot As a sidelong nce, his voice low and firm, "No need!"


    As rubbed his nose, puzzled. He hadn''t said much, so why did it feel like the boss was getting annoyed again?


    Just then, a car emerged from the examination center. As sat up straight. "The miss should be in that car. Should we follow?"


    Grady hummed in agreement, his gaze fixed on the car through the window.


    Even though Zach had warned him not to visit the house yesterday, he hadn''t said anything about a chance meeting outside.


    As started the engine and followed the instructor''s car at a steady pace. Having been tasked with covertly protecting the youngdy before, he had gotten pretty good at tailing without being noticed.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe sat in the passenger seat of the instructor''s car, glued to her phone. Ever since the final exam results came out, her phone had been buzzing non-stop.


    She was texting Vincent, "What''s your score?"


    Vincent, sitting in front of hisputer, looked at his screen and replied on Messenger, "736, way lower than yours, smileyface.jpg."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and typed back, "Vincent, did you forget I''m an arts student?"


    Vincent smacked his forehead, realizing he had indeed forgotten that the top student was from the arts stream.


    He had been thinking that being the valedictorian for the final exam was out of reach, so he aimed to at least be the runner-up.


    Now, he felt like he had another shot.


    Vincent''s mood lifted, "Thank God you didn''t join our science ss." He gave so many science students a fighting chance.


    After a moment, he sent a bowing emoji.


    Mirabe: ""


    Vincent: "Hehe."


    Shaking her head, Mirabe thought for a moment before asking, "Wasn''t the top science scorest year 733? Can your score make you the science valedictorian?"


    When Vincent saw the phrase ''your score'' from her, he felt a pang in his heart again. He stayed silent for a bit before replying, "...If there''s no dark horse like you, then probably, yes!"


    Mirabe: "Oh, have some confidence, bro."


    Vincent took a deep breath: "..."


    Do you think everyone is a genius like you?!


    Closing Messenger, Vincent thought for a moment before calling his homeroom teacher.


    He could only see his own score, but whether he could be this year''s science valedictorian was still uncertain.


    After all, he wasn''t like some people who could ace everything without a care in the world.

 Chapter 788

    After wrapping up her conversation with Vincent, Mirabe tucked her phone away and nced out the car window.


    Ahead was an intersection with a traffic light, currently red, bringing the car to a halt.


    Mirabe stared at the rearview mirror, lost in thought for a few moments, then turned to the driver. "Can you drop me off at the next corner, please?"


    The driver nced at her, unusually amodating. "You sure you don''t want a ride all the way home?"


    Mirabe pressed her lips together. "Not today, got something to handle."


    Luckily, the area wasn''t too remote, so the driver nodded. "Alright, be safe out there, youngdy."


    With a hum of acknowledgment, Mirabe turned her attention back to the window.


    Soon, the car pulled over, and Mirabe stepped out.


    She stood at the curb, not bothering to hail another ride. Her tall, slender frame leanedzily in a particr direction, as if waiting for someone.


    As, watching her from afar, instinctively slowed down. "Mr. Grady, she''s gotten out."


    Grady had noticed too. After a brief pause, he said, "Drive over."


    If his instincts were right, she was waiting for them.


    A flicker of curiosity crossed Grady''s face.


    As nced at his boss but didn''t question him, following the order to drive forward.


    The ck sedan rolled to a stop in front of Mirabe, the sound of the car unlocking filling the air a momentter.


    Grady had stopped fidgeting with his wooden bracelet and slipped it back onto his wrist. Clearing his throat, he turned to As with a serious question. "I don''t look too intimidating, do I?"


    They''d bumped into her in the elevator before, but it wasn''t a formal introduction.


    As paused for a beat. "Maybe try smiling a bit more."


    Grady attempted an awkward smile. "Like this?"


    As''s face twitched. "...Or maybe don''t smile."


    Someone usually so imposing, suddenly smiling, looked rather unsettling.


    Grady shot As a cold look, then unbuckled his seatbelt, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the car.


    It was barely past six in the summer evening, still too early for the darkness to settle in.


    The tall, slim girl stood there, exuding azy and casual vibe. Her bright eyes were fearless as she raised her eyebrows slightly at the middle-aged man getting out of the car. Her voice carried a hint of sweetness. "Grady?"


    Grady, usuallyposed, couldn''t hide a moment of excitement. "You recognize me?"


    Mirabe gave a soft hum in acknowledgment. She''d already made the connection during a chance encounter at the hospital. His demeanor matched that of the finance team misled by Delh, making his identity obvious.


    Grady tightened his grip, trying to look more friendly.


    However, conversation wasn''t his strong suit, and he seemed even more nervous. Clearing his throat, he nced away and casually asked, "You passed your driving test, right?"


    Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted slightly, but she didn''t question his detailed knowledge. "Yeah, I passed."


    Grady nodded. People passing by asionally cast curious nces, likely due to his imposing presence. He then subtly stepped aside, suggesting, "Let''s talk in the car."

 Chapter 789

    The opinions of others rarely got to him, but the thought of the youngdy mistaking him for a criminal? Now that was a different kind of awkward.


    So, as soon as Grady finished speaking, he promptly opened the back door for Mirabe.


    Mirabe didn''t hesitate. She gave him a nod and gracefully slid into the backseat.


    Grady closed the door behind her and then leisurely opened the passenger door for himself.


    Just as Mirabe settled in, As, the driver, turned around shyly to greet her, "Good evening, Miss. I''m As. We metst year."


    Their previous encounter had been purely professional, with As as a rental car driver. Seeing her again made him understandably nervous.


    Mirabe nced at As, her eyebrows arching slightly. So, Emmitt had moved up from rental car driver to personal chauffeur?


    Grady coughed, "Let''s go."


    His voice carried a hint of impatience.


    As flinched slightly before starting the engine.


    Grady caught a glimpse of Mirabe in the rearview mirror, then checked the time. "How about grabbing dinner together?"


    Mirabe shook her head, "I can''t, Grady. My parents want me home early."


    Although a bit disappointed, Grady respected her wishes, especially considering Mr. and Mrs. Zach. "Alright, I''ll drop you off at your neighborhood. We can n dinner some other time."


    "Sure," Mirabe agreed, sitting snugly in the backseat, exuding calm andposure.


    Grady couldn''t help but admire her. She was far more pleasant to be around than her brothers. There wasn''t a trace of fear in her eyes when she looked at him.


    Had it been the second or the fourth young master, they wouldn''t have been nearly as calm in this situation.


    Moreover, among all the siblings, only Nick had never aced the final exam to be the valedictorian. This alone spoke volumes about Mirabe''s potential for future achievements.


    After all, being valedictorian was a distinction that came to only one in the entire country every year. In ancient times, it was a position that could lead to being a prime minister.


    For the Davis family to produce a valedictorian was indeed a momentous asion.


    Thinking this, Grady looked again in the rearview mirror, "Miss, you''re incredible, scoring full marks on your final exam."


    Mirabe straightened up, responding with neither humility nor arrogance, "Thank you for thepliment, Grady. I just performed to my normal standards."


    Grady couldn''t help but twitch a smile, sensing that the youngdy''s modesty might just be a facade, hiding her true capability to humble others.


    "By the way, Grady, how''s Chester doing?" Mirabe shifted the topic, inquiring about him.


    At the mention of Keir, Grady''s expression turned solemn, "Keir''s doing well, thanks to the medicine Mr. Nick brought on your behalf.¡±


    Mirabe noddedzily, "Good to hear."


    After a brief pause, Grady ventured, "That medicine... I heard from Mr. Nick that


    you made it yourself. You know medical practices, don''t you?"


    Though posed as a question, his tone suggested certainty.


    That particr medicine made Grady dig into the youngdy''s past, but there was


    little mention of her pursuing medical studies.


    His curiosity piqued, Grady couldn''t help but wonder.


    "Yeah, I spent a few years learning from an old country herbalist." Mirabe


    resorted to her standard, albeit vague, exnation.


    Grady fell silent for a moment, processing her response.


    Mirabe''s gaze softened slightly, then she added, "Someday, I might have a chance to check on Chester myself."

 Chapter 790

    Grady''s mind was racing as he hesitated for a moment, ncing in the rearview mirror. "Do you still have that medicine?" he asked.


    When he''d asked about the medication earlier, he''d been told it was incredibly hard to make, especially the formtion. Only a master pharmacist with decades of experience could produce something like that.


    Mirabe tapped her fingers lightly on her knee. "Why don''t you fill me in on Chester''s current health condition?"


    Grady recounted what the doctor had said during thest check-up. "...that''s pretty much it."


    "Sounds like the heart issue is quite serious," Mirabe mused.


    Grady was taken aback; he''d only mentioned someplications, yet she''d zeroed in on the heart issue immediately. This girl knew her stuff.


    Barely able to contain his excitement, Grady blurted out, "You know, Chester took a bullet to the chest when he was younger..."


    Mirabe''s expression shifted slightly. This Chester character definitely had a past.


    After Grady finished his tale, Mirabe summed it up, "So, they didn''t get all the bullet fragments out during the first surgery, right?"


    This time, not just Grady reacted; even As, the driver, nearly mmed on the brakes in shock. ncing in the rearview mirror, he finally realized the youngdy in the backseat was no ordinary girl.


    "Exactly. That''s why he had to go through a second surgery. Heart surgeries are incredibly risky, and Chester almost didn''t make it off the operating table," Grady recalled, his demeanor darkening with the memory.


    Mirabe nodded, unfazed by Grady''s intense aura. "Secondary surgeries often lead to infections and otherplications. It''s almost inevitable."


    Snapping back to reality, Grady realized he''d let his emotions show. He cleared his throat, trying to regain hisposure.


    After a few seconds of thought, Mirabe spoke again. "I''ll make another batch of the medicine when I get back. But remember, medication can only manage the condition, not cure it entirely."


    Grady, misinterpreting her, asked, "Are you saying these issues can bepletely cured?"


    Mirabe, calm as ever, replied, "It''s not a big deal."


    Just a few acupuncture sessions would do the trick.


    Grady was bewildered. Conventional medicine had said it could only be managed with drugs, yet here she was, iming it wasn''t a big issue. If he hadn''t seen the effectiveness of the medicine she''d given before, he wouldn''t have believed her.


    The car fell silent. Mirabe turned her gaze to the window.


    Just then, her phone rang. It was Shawn.


    She answered without mentioning she was in Grady''s car. "Yeah, I''ll be home soon."


    Grady heard the conversation but kept quiet, his thoughts distant. It seemed like a good time to have a chat with Zach and thedy of the house.


    Ten minutester, the car stopped at the entrance of the residential area.


    Mirabe didn''t ask As to drive in. She waved at the two men and walked into the neighborhood with a light step.


    Once her figure disappeared, Grady told As to drive off.


    After a few minutes of silence, As straightened up and broke it. "Seems like the miss has her share of secrets."


    Don''t miss the update tonight at 9 PM sharp!

 Chapter 791

    Grady let out a soft hum, sinking back into his chair, his tense features easing up now that Mirabe was out of the car.


    "Still can''t figure out who wiped Miss''s records. I''ve dug into her medical history multiple times, but it''s like they never existed," As said, gripping the steering wheel, his face dark with frustration.


    Theck of information only made things more suspicious.


    Lost in thought, As suddenly blurted out, "Do you think Mr. Nick could''ve erased Miss''s records?"


    Grady''s gaze drifted to the bustling traffic outside. After a long moment, he replied, "That doesn''t matter."


    As nced at him, about to say something, but Grady''s phone rang. Raising a hand, Grady signaled As to stay quiet and answered the call.


    "... Yes, the youngdy is exceptional-well-mannered, neither arrogant nor rash. She even aced her final exams. Don''t worry, I''ve got it all under control. You take care of yourself too."


    The call ended quickly.


    "Was that Keir?" As whispered.


    Grady, still holding his phone, paused before replying, "Yeah."


    "Keir called to check on the youngdy, huh?" As chuckled, "Even though he''s never met her, it''s clear he''s pretty concerned."


    Pausing, As''s mind wandered to Summer, "Keir never paid much attention to Miss Summer. It''s funny how blood ties work."


    Grady''s expression turned icy, "Just drive."


    Seeing Grady''s reluctance to chat, As mmed up.


    **


    Back home, Mirabe didn''t mention running into Grady.


    After Delh discovered her daughter''s final exam scores, both parents sat on the couch, stunned for a good half hour.


    Knowing their daughter was a good student was one thing, but a perfect score in humanities? That was mind-blowing.


    They even checked online for past years'' final exam scores. While there were perfect essays each year, a perfect score across all humanities subjects was unheard of.


    Mirabe grabbed a soda from the fridge, took a few sips, and wandered back into the living room. Noticing her parents still staring at her, she raised an eyebrow, "What''s with the looks?"


    Delh swallowed hard, her voice a bit scratchy, "Your final exam scores are out. Have you checked?"


    Mirabe took another sip, then nodded, giving a casual hum.


    Seeing her daughter''s calm demeanor, Delh felt an overwhelming urge to


    throttle her, "You scored perfect marks!!"


    Mirabe flopped onto the couch, crossing her legszily, "I know."


    Delh was speechless.


    Was a casual ''I know'' all it took to settle this?


    Shawn, trying to suppress his own urge to lecture their daughter, cleared his throat and gently tugged on his wife''s hand, "Our family''s never had a valedictorian. This calls for a big celebration."


    Delh hadn''t thought that far ahead, but her husband''s suggestion shifted her focus. She nodded, "Absolutely, I''ll start drafting a guest list right away..."

 Chapter 792

    Delh was a woman of action. In no time, she had a notebook out and had scribbled down nearly a page full of guest names.


    So, she spent the evening making calls, bubbling with excitement.


    Mirabe initially thought it was all a bit over the top, but seeing how thrilled her parents were, she kept her thoughts to herself.


    Well, money does make things easier.


    While Delh and Shawn were downstairs finalizing the guest list, Mirabe finished her dinner and headed to her room. After a moment''s thought, she decided to video-call her grandmother, Catherine.


    When Catherine answered, she was lounging on the sofa, half-watching TV. Hearing that her granddaughter had aced her final exams made her eyes glisten with joy. "...My Mira is just amazing," she beamed.


    Mirabe couldn''t help but smile at her grandmother''s radiant face on the screen. "Mom and Dad are throwing me a celebration party. They''d love to have you over for a bit. Would youe?"


    But Catherine shook her head with a gentle smile. "No, dear. Grandma''s not as spry as she used to be, but thank them for me."


    Seeing her resolve, Mirabe tried to convince her a bit more but eventually gave in. "Alright, I''lle visit you when I can."


    "Mhm." Catherine nodded softly, then as if remembering something, she added, "By the way, the locket I sent over with James for the holidays, are you keeping it close?"


    "It''s at home," Mirabe replied, lounging back in her chair, "Is there something special about that locket?"


    Catherine paused for a moment before answering, "Not really. It''s just a locket meant to keep you safe. Make sure you wear it." After a beat, she added, "Grandma just wants you safe and sound."


    "Got it," Mirabe said, tapping the table lightly.


    They chatted for another fifteen minutes before hanging up. Mirabe set her phone down, pondered for a moment, then opened a drawer to take out the locket box.


    The locket, with its delicate fish design, gleamed coldly in her hand, not appearing particrly special.


    She put it back without further thought, her mind drifting to what Grady had mentioned about Chester that evening. She pulled out a notepad and began listing some herbs.


    Heart conditions were always tricky, and picking the right remedy was crucial. She scribbled, crossed out, and pondered over variousbinations before settling on


    a final list. She snapped a photo of it and sent it over to James next door.


    **


    Downstairs, as Delh and Shawn continued their party nning, Shawn suddenly remembered a phone call Delh had taken a few days ago. He looked up at her, "Aren''t we expecting someone from the Song family? Should we invite them?"


    The smile instantly vanished from Delh''s face. "You heard that call?"


    Shawn nodded, "The door was open when you took the call. I couldn''t help but overhear."


    Delh fell silent for a couple of minutes, then replied in a cooler tone, "I cut ties with the Song family a long time ago. No need to bother with them."


    Shawn took her hand, sighing, "You don''t always have to consider what I think. If you want to see them, just do it."


    "It doesn''t matter whether I see them or not," Delh forced a small smile, turning her head away. "Let''s not talk about them anymore. They''re not important."


    With that, she picked up her phone again and dialed the next friend on her list. Seeing her decision, Shawn closed his mouth, letting the subject drop.

 Chapter 793

    As soon as Mirabe''s final exam results hit the news, Mr. Hammond was on the phone first thing the next morning, eager to get her on camera. The local education board even went all out, preparing a cash prize for her, along with a certificate of honor and a big banner dering her the top schr of the year.


    After all, there''s only one valedictorian each year, and this year, Ashford was basking in the glory. The rewards and recognition were all part of the deal.


    Delh and Shawn, Mirabe''s proud parents, were also invited to Parkside High School. They even had a little chat with the head of the education board, who couldn''t stop singing their praises.


    But Mirabe wasn''t the only one there for the filming; Vincent was there too. Though Vincent didn''t seem all that thrilled.


    Pinning the Parkside High School badge onto her chest, Mirabe turned to Vincent, "You don''t look too happy. Did the valedictorian title slip away?"


    Vincent rubbed his temples, "By just one point!"


    Had it been a five-point gap, he could''ve brushed it off, but missing out by just one point was a bitter pill to swallow.


    "Just yesterday, I was thanking Queen Mira for giving us science majors a fighting chance, and now... I still didn''t make it to the top. Ended up being the runner-up," he sighed.


    "And who clinched the first spot?" Mirabe asked, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.


    "Jack," Vincent replied, deted.


    Mirabe nodded, "He''s a toughpetitor."


    Vincent managed a wry smile, "Tell me about it. My luck''s just terrible."


    Just then, Anthony called them over for the filming, putting an end to their conversation.


    The filming was pretty standard fare-sharing positive learning experiences since it was going to be broadcast on TV. The script was all prepared by the station.


    Half an hourter, after wrapping up her segment, Mirabe stepped outside to find Mr. Hammond waiting for her, all smiles. As she approached, they started chatting in the corridor.


    "Congrattions on bing the valedictorian," Mr. Hammond said, marveling. Who would have thought that just a year ago, this exceptional student wasn''t even at Parkside High School?


    "A perfect score, that''s something we haven''t seen in years."


    Mirabe nodded her thanks.


    Mr. Hammond nced at her and added, "With your final exam results out, I bet you''ve got schools lining up for you. You''re nning on Prestige College, right?¡±


    While Prestige College was the top choice nationwide, there were several other universities just as prestigious, each with their unique gship programs, offering a plethora of options.


    "Unless something unexpected happens, it''s going to be Prestige College," Mirabe confirmed.


    Mr. Hammond seemed relieved at her answer. The question was, in part, because Prestige College had been calling him non-stop, practically begging for this information. After a moment''s thought, he asked, "Have you decided on your major yet?"


    "Biology," Mirabe responded without hesitation.


    Her interesty solely in human gics, a field she was eager to explore.


    Mr. Hammond raised an eyebrow, "Did Wade recruit you?"


    That man had been avoiding his calls for a while, only for Mr. Hammond to find


    out he had been blocked. Absolutely baffling.


    Mirabe just smiled, "It''s always been my focus."


    Nodding, Mr. Hammond recalled Wade mentioning his desire to mentor a noteworthy student. "Wade thinks highly of you. Make a good impression once you''re there. If you get to work with him, you''re sure to learn a lot."


    Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment, more focused on the path ahead than the des of the moment.

 Chapter 794

    Mr. Hammond, seeing that Vincent was done with his recording session, chimed in, "I''m going to have a word with Vincent. He''s our runner-up in the science category this year, just a point shy of the top schr. Such a shame."


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly. "It is quite a shame."


    One point can mean twopletely different oues.


    Mr. Hammond sighed, gave her a small wave, and walked off.


    Mirabe stood there for a moment before making her way to the office next door. Her parents should be finishing up their chat with those folks from the Department of Education by now.


    **


    In the days following the release of the final exam results, Delh and Shawn''s phones were practically ringing off the hook with calls from prestigious universities, all eager to recruit their daughter.


    Knowing Mirabe had her heart set on Prestige College, they politely turned down the other offers.


    Wade, who had been keeping tabs on Mirabe''s academic performance, was genuinely surprised by her perfect score. Such achievements are rare and often indicative of a bright future.


    After finding out her intended major, Wade felt much more at ease.


    Although Mirabe was a top student in the humanities, it didn''t matter much to them. Their biology department wasn''t as rigid as other STEM fields about a strictly science-based background, and they were willing to make an exception.


    He made sure to mention this to the department head, Calvin.


    Calvin, who was in charge of recruitment for the biology department, had also been following this year''s final exam oues. He hesitated a bit, "Even though she''s the top scorer, she''s from the humanities. Do you think she''ll struggle with a science major?"


    Sure, a perfect exam score is impressive, but specialization does matter. A humanities student choosing a science major felt like a mismatch.


    After a pause, Calvin thought about a few science students he had been monitoring and added, "I do think that student from Parkside High School, who ranked second nationally in the sciences, would be a great catch for us."


    Only one point behind the top schr and with a solid science background, his potential seemed to surpass that of the humanities valedictorian, even though he hadn''t applied for the biology program. That wouldn''t stop them from recruiting him.


    Wade frowned slightly, then said, "I believe Mirabe''s understanding of the sciences is quite solid."


    After all, she had aced those challenging sciencepetitionsst year, tacklingplex problems that showcased her expertise.


    Plus, with Mr. Hammond''s strong endorsement, his rmendations were not to be taken lightly.


    Calvin, picking up on the slight hesitation in Wade''s "should be," stayed silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I''ll send the biology department''s offer to Mr. Hammond right away, so he can include it with the eptance letter."


    After all, there''s an entrance assessment. If her fundamentals don''t hold up, she can be advised to consider other majors early on. Keeping someone in a program where they don''t belong just to avoid wasting talent was something the biology department couldn''t afford to do.


    Unaware of Calvin''s thoughts, Wade hummed softly and got up. "Then, I''ll be off."


    "Sure," Calvin stood as well, respectfully seeing him out.


    As Wade left the office and descended the stairs, he bumped into Tang Zhe from the physics department.


    Rong Jun, a professor and recently appointed academician in the physics department, had been sending Mirabe physics problems and chatting with her frequently, trying to recruit her into the physics program.


    "What brings you here, Academician Rong?" Wade asked, clearly surprised to see Rong Jun.

 Chapter 795

    Roy lifted his hand, clearly not in the mood for a lengthy chat, his eyes fiercely ring at Wade. "What tricks did you pull this time, old man? How did you manage to snatch her away to your department?"


    Just ten minutes ago, as usual, he had asked that youngdy if she wanted to switch her major to Physics. Unexpectedly, this time she officially turned him


    down.


    How could he possibly stand for this?


    He had set his eyes on this promising talent for over half a year now. When filling out the major preference form for Prestige Collegest year, he had already made a mental note, carefully nurturing the hope that right after the final exams, he could lure her back to the Physics department. But what now?


    Thinking about that message on Messenger made his heart clench ufortably.


    Wade was a bit confused. "Snatch her to our department? I have no idea what you''re talking about."


    Roy took a deep breath, his anger rising. "Mirabe. Are you saying you didn''t snatch her?"


    "Oh, that." Wade''s face lit up with realization, crossing his arms and wearing a smug look, "She chose Biology on her own. How is that snatching?"


    "Bullshit. She''s so good at Physics, joining your Biology department is a total waste of talent!" Roy couldn''t help but curse.


    "She''s interested in Biology, which shows she has a talent in it too. How can you say it''s a waste?" Wade countered calmly.


    "Yeah, right. You haven''t seen her Physics talent," Roy snorted, then something crossed his mind, and he added, "Isn''t your Biology department known for not admitting students from a humanities background? If that''s the case, you shouldn''t be holding her back."


    Wade nced at Roy, "You''ve got it backward. Our Biology department isn''t as strict as yours."


    Roy was momentarily lost for words.


    "Besides, we have made exceptions for students from a humanities background before. Has your Physics department ever done that?" Wade delivered another soul-searching question.


    Roy was speechless.


    Damn, that''s way too arrogant.


    Taking a deep breath, Roy said, "If you don''t admit that girl, I''ll make an exception this time!"


    Wade nonchntly cleaned his ear, his voice light, "Sorry, but I can''t fulfill your wish."


    Roy was furious. "Fine, have it your way!" With those words, he stormed off.


    There was no way he was going to give up on such a talent!


    Watching Roy''s retreating figure, Wade pondered for a minute before heading to the elevator to go upstairs.


    He needed to remind Calvin to hurry up and send out the admission letter.


    **


    Meanwhile, after turning down the offer from Prestige College''s Physics professor, Mirabe surprisingly got a message from Adler.


    He had been closely following this year''s final exams and was impressed to learn that Mirabe was the top humanities student of the year. "The big guns are truly big guns, excellent in every way," he mused.


    "Big gun, when are youing to Riverdale?" he texted.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, replying, "Obviously, when the school starts."


    Sincest year, after Mirabe helped him perfect his data solution, Adler had sessfully be a key member of the research institute.


    Now, sitting in his own office, he was inquiring about Mirabe''s ns.


    Adler: "Big gun, why didn''t you choose Physics or Chemistry? Those departments are in high demand, and with your talent, I think either would suit you better."


    Finding texting too slow, Adler decided to call her directly, borating, "Like the Physics department, they host academic seminars every year. If you get a ce, the rewards are substantial, with prizes directly funded by the government."

 Chapter 796

    Mirabe clutched her phone, feeling a sudden pang of breathlessness as she interrupted Adler, "Stop, please."


    Having just blown through her birthday money, she felt unworthy of hearing about bonuses.


    Adler cleared his throat awkwardly, thinking he might have overstepped, and promptly fell silent.


    Despite being young, Adler''s skills made it difficult to see him as anything other than extraordinary, certainly not your typical eighteen-year-old girl.


    So, bonuses and such were just trivial, external matters to him.


    "How about we grab a bite when you get to Riverdale?" Adler smoothly changed the subject.


    Outside the room, Delh was urging her to hurry up. Mirabe nced towards the door, a hint of mncholy in her voice as she agreed over the phone, quickly wrapping up the conversation with Adler.


    Today was a celebration banquet, and Mirabe had changed into a new outfit for the asion.


    The banquet was held at the city''s most renowned five-star hotel. As Mirabe arrived with her parents, she noticed a congrattory banner and a red carpetid out at the entrance, the hotel decked out in festive decor.


    By ten, guests had already started to arrive. Delh and Shawn were busy


    greeting them and introducing their daughter to friends.


    Mirabe managed a few polite exchanges until she spotted James entering. She paused, then made her way over, "You made it."


    "Yeah." James nodded, handing her a gift he''d brought along.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "This is unexpected."


    With a slight smile, James didn''t venture further into the party but nced inside briefly before exining, "Something came upst-minute, so I''ll be leaving soon. Apologize to Uncle Marian for me, will you?"


    Theings and goings at the entrance and the growing crowd inside made for a lively atmosphere.


    After Mirabe handed off James''s gift to a designated attendant, she suggested, "Shall we step outside?"


    James agreed with a nod.


    They stepped out into the zing July sun, with James subtly positioning himself to shield Mirabe from the worst of it.


    A luxury car pulled up nearby, its passenger window rolling down halfway to reveal a woman in sunsses, her features obscured, who inquired about the banquet taking ce there.


    "Yes, ma''am. It''s for her daughter''s valedictorian celebration for the final exams. They''ve invited many friends over for dinner," the driver responded respectfully.


    The woman, her lips a striking shade of red, seemed surprised, "Valedictorian for the final exams?"


    "Yeah, but it was in the humanities. Apparently, there was a mix-up, and she was raised in the countryside until justst year," the driver exined softly.


    Hearing this, the woman''s interest seemed to wane. She tapped her manicured finger against the window, instructing him to convey a message to her sister waiting inside.


    "Of course," the driver acknowledged, unbuckling his seatbelt and heading towards the hotel at a steady pace.


    **


    Meanwhile, after exchanging a few words with Mirabe, James added, "I''m heading back to Riverdale. I''ve asked Wyatt to prepare those herbs you wanted. Keep an eye out for the delivery."


    Mirabe''s eyebrows rose in interest, "Sure thing."

 Chapter 797

    James nced at his watch. "I gotta go. You should head inside."


    Mirabe nodded and watched him get into the car parked by the curb. Only after he drove off did she turn back towards the restaurant.


    Just then, the Song family''s estate manager arrived at the restaurant''s entrance.


    The entrance had a revolving door, and Mirabe, lost in thought, didn''t notice her surroundings. She walked ahead, nearly bumping into the estate manager.


    The manager frowned at the young woman''sck of manners, his expression clearly displeased.


    Mirabe looked up, lips parting as if to apologize, but seeing his stern face, she simply withdrew her gaze and continued into the restaurant.


    Rude, she thought to herself.


    The estate manager, trying to keep his temper in check, dusted off his sleeves as if brushing away some invisible dirt, then straightened his back and followed her inside.


    *


    As soon as Mirabe returned to the banquet hall, Delh spotted her and waved her over. Mirabe pressed a hand to her forehead and walked towards her.


    "Where''s James? Didn''t he juste by?" Delh asked, puzzled, looking past Mirabe.


    "He had to rush back to the city for something urgent. Dropped off the gift and left," Mirabe exined briefly.


    "Oh, okay," Delh replied, a bit disappointed but quickly remembering the numerous guests attending today. "Well, it''s probably for the best that he left early."


    Then, grabbing her daughter''s hand, Delh said, "Come on, let me introduce you to a few more of Uncle Marian''s friends..." She stopped mid-sentence as her gazended on the approaching estate manager.


    Mirabe, who had been looking down, noticed Delh''s sudden silence and looked up in confusion.


    By then, Delh had regained herposure and blocked her daughter''s view. "I just remembered, I left my phone in my bag. Can you ask your dad where he put it and fetch it for me?"


    Catching the odd look on Delh''s face, Mirabe hesitated for a second before nodding and heading towards Shawn.


    Delh watched her daughter walk away and then let out a sigh of relief.


    She approached the estate manager, her meticulously made-up face showing no emotion.


    "Miss, long time no see," the estate manager greeted Delh courteously, his gaze briefly following the departing Mirabe.


    Delh''s demeanor was cool and distant. "There''s no need to call me ''miss.'' I have no ties to the Song family anymore."


    After a brief pause, not wanting to engage in a lengthy conversation with the estate manager, she said directly, "Please tell Kitty I will not be returning to the Song family. Tell her to stop calling me and to stop looking for me."


    Hearing Delh''s definitive statement, the estate manager''s face stiffened for a moment. After a while, he spoke again, "But... Miss Kitty is outside waiting for you."


    Delh''s lips curled slightly, her voice growing impatient, "I said no."


    "The Song family is still your maternal home. Are you really going to be so heartless? Don''t you think about your husband''s family, your children''s futures?" The estate manager stood tall, his tone light.


    Delh couldn''t help butugh lightly, shaking her head. "Ignorance is bliss, huh? Save that talk for others, not me."


    The manager''s brow furrowed further.

 Chapter 798

    Delh didn''t say much more. With a quick nce, she issued another dismissal. "Today''s my daughter''s celebration party, and I won''t have anyone or anything ruin it. Please leave, and let''s pretend this meeting never happened."


    Seeing Delh''s firm stance, especially in such a public setting, the Song family manager knew it was unwise to push further. With a resigned sigh, he turned and left.


    Only when she saw him exit the diner''s main door did Delh slowly withdraw her gaze, her good moodpletely spoiled by his arrival.


    Mirabe returned, empty-handed. "Mom, your phone isn''t in your bag."


    Delh''s frosty demeanor softened as she turned to her daughter. "Silly me, I had it on me all along and totally forgot."


    Mirabe: ""


    **


    Back in the car, the Song family manager recounted Delh''s words verbatim to Kitty.


    Kitty removed her sunsses. Despite being in her forties, her well-maintained skin made her look barely in her thirties. She massaged her temples lightly. "I figured big sis would react that way. She''s always been stubborn."


    The manager nodded. "Indeed, Miss has been this way for over a decade, never considering others'' feelings. Regardless of everything, the Song family is her family. It''s rare to see someone hold a grudge for over twenty years."


    "That''s why our parents never really liked her. She had a good home and left... Anyway, since she doesn''t want to see us, let''s leave it for now," Kitty said nonchntly.


    "But what about Donald''s illness? What if big sis is a match?" the manager whispered.


    "The hospital said it''s not immediately dangerous. There''s no rush to bring big sis back. We''ll take it slow," Kitty knew her sister''s temperament all too well; pushing too hard would backfire.


    "That works too," the manager didn''t press further.


    Kitty put her sunsses back on and gestured for him to drive.


    As he started the engine, something else came to mind. "I ran into Miss''s daughter."


    Thinking of herck of manners, he shook his head. "Though she''s a valedictorian, she''s worlds apart from Miss Yaya."


    Kitty remained indifferent. "Don''tpare everyone to Yaya, especially when theye from such different backgrounds."


    ncing in the rearview mirror, the manager chuckled. "True, growing up in the countryside doesn''t reallypare."


    He left unsaid the part about her being otherwise appealing.


    Kitty hummed and checked her phone.


    "Speaking of Donald''s illness, any blood rtive can be tested. If big sis isn''t an option, why not try her kids?" the manager suddenly suggested.


    Kitty paused, then looked at him, "You just gave me an idea."


    The manager smiled modestly. "It''s nothing. The Song family has been good to me; I''m just doing my part."


    Kitty turned to gaze out the window, thinking of Delh''s daughter going to Riverdale. "Once she''s there, she''ll be within our reach, and she won''t have a choice but to return to the Song family."

 Chapter 799

    Just a few days after the big celebration, Mirabe got her eptance letter from Prestige College. School was starting on September 1, but she needed to report a couple of days early to sort out some paperwork.


    Mirabe wasn''t just lounging around, though. She hit the driving school now and then for some casual practice and spent her free time diving into pharmaceutical research.


    One afternoon, she got a call from Wyatt, saying he was outside her vi with some medication. But when she stepped outside, it wasn''t Wyatt she saw it was Curtis.


    Curtis handed over a box of medication with a respectful nod. "The ingredients were ready earlier. I nned to mail them, but I was worried they''d get damaged. I had some errands nearby, so I decided to bring them myself, though I''m two dayste."


    "Got it. Thanks," Mirabe said, raising an eyebrow. She nced towards the neighboring vi. "Where''s James? Hasn''t hee back yet?"


    "He''s waiting for you in Riverdale," Curtis replied, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket and handing it to her. "Oh, and James asked me to give you this gift.¡±


    The box clearly looked like it held jewelry. Mirabe hesitated for a moment, then took it from Curtis.


    Curtis nodded again, "I''ll be off then." His car was parked just a short distance away.


    But just as Curtis turned to leave, he hesitated, fidgeting a bit before turning back. "Ms. Mirabe, can I add you on Messenger?"


    Ever since he saw Mirabe show off herputer skills, he''d been eager to connect with her but couldn''t find the right moment. Wyatt had been no help, dodging the question every time. Asking James was out of the question-Curtis figured he''d get sent to some remote ce before he could even finish asking.


    Scratching his head, Curtis added, "I just wanted to ask you some questions aboutputer decryption."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched in surprise. She gave him her phone number, "I don''t have my phone on me right now. I''ll ept your request when I get back."


    "Thanks," Curtis said, quickly searching her up and sending a request in front of her. Then he nodded, "I''ll be on my way."


    Mirabe gave a light nod and watched Curtis walk away before heading back into her vi.


    Once inside, she put the medication in her personal alchemy room, then went upstairs. After closing her door, she opened James''s gift.


    Inside was a simple but elegant tinum chain ne, with no pendant.


    As she held the ne, wondering why James had sent it, her phone buzzed. She nced at it, put the ne back in its box, and answered the call.


    "The package has arrived," came a cool voice from the other end.


    "Yeah," Mirabe arched an eyebrow. "So, why the sudden gift of a ne?"


    James stood by his study window, looking out at the garden, a slight smile on his lips. "When a guy gives a girl a gift, what do you think it means?"


    Mirabe leaned back in her chair, phone in hand. "I think you''re trying to mess with me."


    James''s lips twitched slightly.


    "Goodnight, sleep well-"

 Chapter 800

    James'' lips twitched with amusement, clearly finding no fault in that interpretation.


    He smoothly closed the window and walked back to his desk, settling down before speaking again. "This ne would go perfectly with that jade pendant


    Catherine gave you."


    Mirabe had thought the same, but before she could say anything, James continued.


    "Catherine mentioned the jade is meant to keep you safe; we can''t just ignore her kind intentions," James said softly, remembering how Catherine had called him a few days ago to mention it.


    Mirabe pinched the bridge of her nose, a gesture of resignation, and retorted, "Spreading superstitious beliefs isn''t exactly wise." Yet, as she spoke, she couldn''t help but pull open a drawer and take out the jade pendant.


    The sound of the drawer opening reached James through the phone, prompting a suppressed chuckle from him. "Make sure to wear it," he reminded her.


    "Got it," Mirabe replied in a drawn-out manner, cing her phone on the desk and threading the pendant through the ne.


    The elegant ne paired with the delicate jade pendant surprisingly didn''t look tacky at all, Mirabe noted with a raised eyebrow, impressed by his choice.


    Thinking it over, she put on the ne and made a point to check her reflection in the mirror. The jade''s luminous quality against her fair skin almost made it seem as though it was a part of her.


    Touching the pendant with her fingertips, she quickly tucked it under her clothes, her thoughts drifting to the herbs Curtis had sent over before she left the room.


    *


    A few dayster, Mirabe was about to head out for her driving lesson and decided to give Grady a call, asking him to find a spot where she could hand over the herbs.


    Grady was unexpectedly thrilled to receive a call from the young miss herself, especially her initiating a meet-up. After a moment of excitement, he suggested they grab lunch together after her driving session.


    Hanging up, Grady''s gentle demeanor hadn''t faded when he walked into the boardroom, leaving the two dozen department heads staring at him as if they''d seen a ghost, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.


    Was this their usually stoic chief executive?


    Such a benign look was almost unheard of, making everyone question if they had walked into an alternate reality that morning.


    Grady, noticing the bewildered stares from his team, quickly regained his usualposed and cool demeanor. "...Any other matters to report? If not, let''s adjourn the meeting."


    The room remained silent, as no one had actually started reporting yet.


    His assistant, As, cleared his throat and leaned in to whisper, "Sir, the meeting hasn''t started yet."


    Grady''s response was a calm acknowledgment, "Then let''s proceed."


    An hourter, the executives left the room feeling unexpectedly light-hearted. They had braced themselves for a barrage of criticism, but the chief was surprisingly lenient today, sparing them any harsh words.


    This shift in demeanor led them to specte about that phone call Grady received during the meeting, sparking curiosity about who was on the other end.


    As As was thest one tidying up the documents, he was quickly cornered by his curious colleagues.


    With a slight lift of his eyebrows and a posture thatmanded respect, As solved the mystery for them. "Isn''t it obvious? It was the young miss."


    Realization dawned on the others.


    "It seems the young miss saved us today," one remarked.


    "Wonder if mentioning the young miss in the future could make the chief a bit more humane?"


    "Judging by today''s events, it''s quite possible."


    The group casually joked amongst themselves, half-seriously anointing the young miss as their new talisman.


    As, keeping his thoughts to himself, headed to Grady''s office, leaving the others to their musings.

 Chapter 801

    After going over some business details, As casually asked, ¡°Grady, are you having lunch with the youngdy today?"


    Grady nced at him and grunted in acknowledgment.


    As nodded but then seemed to recall something. "Why not tell her about the Davis family''s history today? She''s an adult now, and a bit of background might help her prepare for what''s ahead."


    Grady paused his signing, stayed silent for a few seconds, then said, "No rush."


    Taking the hint, As changed the subject. "Everything''s set up in Riverdale. When the youngdy goes, she''ll have discreet protection."


    "Hmm, you''ll go with her," Grady said while continuing his work without looking up.


    As, pleased, said, "Thank you, Grady."


    Grady didn''t respond or pay him any further attention.


    **


    At noon, Grady picked up Mirabe from her driving school. They headed to a restaurant owned by the Davis family.


    Shortly after they arrived, the kitchen brought out their meal.


    Grady seemed much more rxedpared to their first meeting. He had been practicing how to be more gentle and approachable. Now, his slight smile didn''t seem forced.


    Of course, this demeanor was reserved only for Mirabe.


    As they were finishing their meal, Mirabe took a napkin, wiped her mouth, and pulled out a white stic bottle from her pocket. "Grady, please give this medication to Chester."


    Grady set down his utensils, looked at the bottlebeled as calcium supplements, and coughed lightly.


    He took the bottle, feeling its substantial weight, but didn''t open it. Although the bottle looked ordinary, he knew its contents were anything but.


    Grady pocketed the medicine, visibly grateful. "Thanks for this, Miss."


    Mirabe nodded. "No problem."


    "Oh, by the way, have you heard of the Pharmacists'' Guild?" Grady asked, suddenly remembering something.


    Mirabe poured herself a cup of coffee, took a sip, and nodded. ¡°I''ve heard a bit about it..."


    Grady, pondering, said, "I know someone in the Pharmacists'' Guild. If you''re interested, I could introduce you."


    Considering Mirabe''s interest in medicine and alchemy, he thought she''d find the Pharmacists'' Guild intriguing.


    "Not interested." Mirabe shook her headzily, thinking it was a trap.


    Grady looked visibly surprised, considering how many people aspired to join the Guild and how it elevated one''s status beyond that of a regr physician.


    "Alright, let me know if you change your mind," Grady said after a moment. "Will do," Mirabe replied sweetly.


    "We didn''t get a chance to talk about itst time, but what major did you choose for college?" Grady asked with a smile.


    "Biological research," Mirabe replied without hesitation.


    Grady''s temples throbbed, and his breathing became slightly heavier. "...Why biological research?"


    Everyone seemed to be diving into research, but with the vast Davis estate, who would manage it?


    "I''m interested in it," Mirabe said, her eyshes fluttering slightly.


    Grady tried to persuade her. "I think research might be too tedious for a youngdy. Would you consider switching your major?"


    Maybe finance, international trade, or even something in the fiscal field, he thought.

 Chapter 802

    Mirabe shook her head, looking serious. "I think this boring major is just right for me."


    Grady''s heart sank. "Your parents didn''t object?"


    "No," Mirabe replied.


    In fact, when she had mentioned wanting to study biology, her parents couldn''t hide their joy, almost as if they were afraid she might choose a more popr major.


    Grady pressed his fingers to his temples, lost for words. He''d made countless ns for Mirabe to ace her finals, never expecting her to follow in Nick''s footsteps and go into scientific research.


    He was convinced that Zach and thedy of the house were behind this, going to great lengths to prevent Mirabe from taking over the family business. It was too much.


    Seeing Grady''s crestfallen expression, Mirabe asked, "Grady?"


    Grady looked at her, remembering that she could double major in college. Not giving up, he suggested, "Biology does sound a bit dull. Have you thought about picking up a second major?"


    Mirabe took another sip of her coffee, recalling the earnest invitation from the physics professor at Prestige College. She nodded. "Yes, I have."


    Grady''s spirits lifted. "Have you decided on the second major?"


    "Yes, physics," Mirabe replied, quicker than when she''d mentioned biology.


    Physics? Still research! Before Grady could suggest finance, trade, or economics, he was left speechless. "???"


    He felt his blood pressure rising.


    After a moment, he asked, "Why physics for your second major?" His voice was filled with resignation.


    Mirabe was silent for a minute before looking up, slightly embarrassed. "You mightugh at my reason, Grady."


    She cleared her throat. "The physics department offers a lot of schrships each year."


    Grady was dumbfounded.


    What kind of reason was that???


    He wanted to argue that inheriting the family business would be more lucrative, but Mirabe cut him off.


    "So, Grady, you don''t need to persuade me. I''ve chosen these two majors and I''m not considering anything else," she said firmly.


    Grady couldn''t recall how he felt as he dropped Mirabe off at home. All he could think was: schrships over the family business? It was a crushing blow.


    **


    Time flew by, and soon it was almost the start of the school year.


    Inte August, amid the reluctant goodbyes from Delh and Shawn, Mirabe pulled her suitcase and boarded the ne to Riverdale.


    Nick had been busy but managed to squeeze out two days toe pick up Mirabe.


    August in Riverdale was scorching. As soon as the siblings stepped off the ne, a wave of heat hit them, only easing once they entered the airport.


    Mirabe had barely turned on her phone when James called. She answered, "I just got off the ne. Which exit are you at? OK, I''ll be out in a few minutes."


    She nced at Nick, who was pulling his suitcase beside her, and added, "Oh, and I forgot to tell you, Nick is here too."


    James, waiting in the parking lot, was momentarily silent. After hanging up, he nced at the ck cars behind him and quietly instructed Wyatt, leading to four ck cars slowly driving out of the parking lot.

 Chapter 803

    Over on his side, Nick overheard his sister on the phone. Casually, he asked, "Was that James calling you?"


    Mirabe nodded. "Yeah, he''s waiting for us in the parking lot."


    Nick''s eyes cooled a bit, but he made sure Mirabe didn''t notice. "My assistant''s car is also waiting in the parking lot," he mentioned.


    Mirabe, thinking about how Nick had been swamped with work callstely, nodded. "Alright, then you go ahead and handle your work. I''ll catch a ride with James. Just text me the addresster."


    She reached for her suitcase from him.


    Nick quickly realized his sister misunderstood and blurted, "Actually, I''m not that busy..."


    "I know you''re busy," Mirabe said, gently pushing him on the back, urging him to go.


    Nick felt like he''d shot himself in the foot: "..."


    Reluctantly, Nick made his way to Parking Lot B, where As was waiting. Seeing Nick, As waved.


    As Nick approached, As opened the car door respectfully and nced towards the exit, puzzled. "Mr. Nick, where''s the youngdy?"


    Nick''s expression darkened further as he rubbed his forehead. "She''s noting with us."


    "Oh," As said, "Why?"


    "She got intercepted by a dog," Nick muttered coldly, bending to get into the car.


    As''s lips twitched.


    A dog?


    Who was Mr. Nick referring to?


    **


    Mirabe, pulling her suitcase, walked to another part of the airport parking lot. From a distance, she spotted a man leaning against a car door.


    His cool, distinctive charm made him easy to recognize. Just standing there, he caught the eye. The parking lot was quiet, with few cars and almost no people around.


    Mirabe walked over to him.


    Having been recognized by fans at a concert before and trending on social media for a while, Mirabe had developed the habit of wearing a mask when she went out.


    As she approached, she took off her mask.


    "Didn''t you say Nick would be with you?" James asked, taking her suitcase and putting it in the trunk.


    "He got caught up with work and left first," Mirabe exined.


    James raised an eyebrow. Given the tension between him and Nick, it didn''t seem like Nick''s style to leave her behind.


    Seeing James staring at her, Mirabe blinked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"


    James smiled and shook his head, opening the passenger door for her. "Nothing, just get in the car."


    Leaning on the car door, Mirabe looked a bitnguid and teased, "Honey, you look a bit too pleased with yourself."


    She was wearing a V-neck white tee, with a delicate tinum ne around her corbone, the pendant resting just below the neckline. James nced at it, then looked away, though the corners of his mouth still turned up slightly.


    "Where are you staying?" he coughed and asked.


    Mirabe pouted, then bent over to get into the car. "Hold on, let me ask Nick."


    James hummed softly, closed the car door for her, then walked around to get into the driver''s seat.


    Soon, the car slowly drove out of the airport.


    Mirabe took out her phone and shot Nick a message on Messenger, asking for his address.


    After half a minute, he replied with an address. Mirabe handed her phone to James. "This ce."


    James looked at the address and was momentarily taken aback.


    "Goodnight, see you tomorrow!"

 Chapter 804

    What a small world.


    "Living in this area, huh..." James''s voice had a hint of something unspoken.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Is there something wrong with this ce?"


    James chuckled and shook his head. "Nope, it''s a great ce."


    He handed her phone back, and Mirabe tilted her head, giving him a curious nce but letting the topic drop.


    Fifty minutester, they pulled up to the Emerald Bay Vis. The gate''s surveince system scanned James''s license te and opened automatically, not even bothering the security guard.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at this. "You don''t live here too, do you?"


    "Mm-hmm," James replied softly, his long, well-defined fingers drumming on the steering wheel with an artistic ir.


    Mirabe suddenly got what he meant earlier about ''living in this ce.''


    "You live in Block B, I''m in Block A, just a street apart," James said with a slight sigh.


    But being in the samemunity made that street seem like nothing.


    Even though he hardly stayed here.


    By then, they had arrived at the vi.


    As the car came to a stop, As, who had gotten there earlier, was already waiting


    by the door. He walked over as soon as he saw them.


    Mirabe got out of the car, a bit surprised to see As.


    As nodded respectfully to Mirabe. "Miss, Mr. Nick asked me to wait here for you, to help you get settled in."


    Mirabe nodded back. "Thanks, appreciate it."


    As scratched his head with a goofy grin. "No trouble at all."


    As he spoke, James also got out of the car. His presence wasmanding,


    making him instantly noticeable even when he tried to tone it down.


    As tensed up instinctively at the sight of James, quickly averting his gaze. What''s he doing here?


    James moved to Mirabe''s side, his clear eyes briefly sweeping over As with a flicker of something unreadable, but he didn''t pry. Instead, he walked to the trunk to fetch the luggage.


    As hurried over to take the suitcase from James. "I got it."


    The vi''s front door had a smart lock. As entered the code, and the door opened. He stood by with the luggage, asionally ncing at James, recalling Mr. Nick''s scowl at the airport and his words.


    Intercepted by a dog on the way.


    As''s cheeks twitched, realizing who the ''dog'' referred to.


    Oblivious to this, Mirabe turned to James, waving her hand. "I won''t invite you in then."


    School was starting soon, and there was plenty to do.


    James nodded. "Alright, call me if you need anything."


    "Okay." Mirabe replied, then followed As into the vi.


    James watched them enter, pausing for a few seconds before finally getting back into his car and driving away from Emerald Bay Vis.


    **


    As Mirabe stepped into the foyer, a heavy mechanical voice greeted her with, "Wee home." She took off her shoes while ncing in the direction of the sound.


    It was the smart robot butler she had seen abroad.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. Nick had brought this silly thing back again.


    Seeing her gaze on the robot, As thought she was seeing it for the first time and took the opportunity to introduce it. "This is the smart robot butler..."

 Chapter 805

    As wasn''t exactly a whiz with Al robots. His generation missed the digital revolution, so his understanding of modern smart machines was pretty basic.


    If you asked As to operate a robot, he''d fumble around like a fish out of water, even typing a password looked awkward for him.


    "...Anyway, we''ll have to wait for Mr. Nick toe back and show you how it''s done," As coughed, lugging his suitcase inside.


    Mirabe nodded humbly.


    The robot had already shuffled over to her, its head scanner whirling as if trying to figure out if she was its owner.


    Mirabe watched its clumsy movements, barely shaking her head, then gave it a light pat before heading into the living room.


    The robot butler stood still for a moment, then awkwardly turned and waddled inside.


    Mirabe took a look around the living room. The decor was modern and minimalist, very much like Nick''s ce abroad.


    Of course, all the appliances screamed high-tech, the kind you''d never find in stores.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow; Nick was definitely keeping up with the times.


    As had already taken her luggage upstairs and, on his return, said, "Miss, your room is on the second floor,st one on the right. If you need anything else, just let me know, and I''ll sort it out for you."


    Mirabe turned her gaze back, "I''m good for now, thanks."


    After a moment, she remembered the alchemy kit she''d mailed over a few days


    ago and asked, "Do you know where my parcel is?"


    As nodded respectfully, "I''ve put it in your room."


    Hearing this, Mirabe thanked him and quickly went upstairs.


    Entering her room, she felt a wave of relief seeing that it wasn''t decorated in that overly cutesy, pink style anymore.


    After spending half an hour unpacking her suitcase, Mirabezily sprawled on the chaise lounge by the floor-to-ceiling window.


    She pulled out her phone, which had several messages on Messenger.


    Two were from Vincent, asking if she had arrived in Riverdale yet.


    The other two were from Dr. Elliot, a Physics professor at Prestige College, urging her toe to Riverdale and submit her Physics department admission files.


    Even though Mirabe had agreed to minor in Physics, he was still anxious. Holding her phone, Mirabe mused that being a genius had its downsides too.


    She then replied to Dr. Elliot that she would visit Prestige College the day after tomorrow.


    Receiving this response, Dr. Elliot finally rxed.


    Finding a promising student was no easy feat, he''d even set aside his pride if necessary.


    After a moment of thought, Dr. Elliot made an internal call to the teacher responsible for this year''s admissions.


    "Mr. Wu, a youngdy wille to our department to submit her files the day after tomorrow. If I''m not around, please make sure she''s well received," Dr. Elliot told the teacher.


    Mr. Wu, surprised, realized that anyone Dr. Elliot spoke so highly of must be extraordinary.


    Curious, he asked, "Dr. Elliot, is this youngdy a new student?¡±


    Only new students needed to submit their files.


    Dr. Elliot nodded, "Yes, a very talented student."

 Chapter 806

    Seeing the list of new students, Wu pondered over the names. Among them, there were a few girls, but he had specifically checked their scores. Their science


    grades barely met the admission threshold of Prestige College.


    Scratching his head, Wu asked, "What''s the girl''s name?"


    "Her name is Mirabe," Elliot said.


    Upon hearing the name, Wu paused; he didn''t recall any new student named ''Mirabe.'' However, the name did sound familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.


    Wu paid attention to the final exam results but only focused on the science subjects since the Physics Department only admitted students from a science background. Therefore, it was normal for him not to remember Mirabe, who was a top student in the humanities.


    However, he looked at Dr. Elliot and didn''t ask further, thinking he would find out soon enough when the students submitted their documents.


    "Alright, I''ll make a special note of it," Wu nodded.


    "Mhm," Elliot responded lightly, then added, "But that day, I should be in the department. Anyway, when shees to register, just bring her to me."


    "Got it, Dr. Elliot," Wu replied respectfully.


    Wu marked this new student as important in his mind, considering Dr. Elliot''s interest. After all, Elliot was not only a faculty member of the Physics Department at Prestige College but also a top-tier researcher at the national level. Anyone he mentioned specifically had to be exceptionally talented.


    The Physics Department hadn''t seen any prodigious students in recent years and struggled to keep up with international research trends. Dr. Elliot was understandably anxious about this.


    He hoped this year''s new intake would break the current streak of mediocrity.


    Moreover, aside from the girl Dr. Elliot mentioned, this year''s cohort had several outstanding students.


    The next day, after learning that Mirabe had arrived in Riverdale, Adler eagerly phoned her to invite her for a meal.


    Mirabe, having no prior engagements, epted the invitation.


    They decided on a cozy little restaurant, and As drove Mirabe there.


    Adler had arrived early and lit up upon seeing Mirabe, smoothly calling her "Boss" in greeting, not minding at all the oddity of a man in his mid-thirties addressing a young girl that way.


    Mirabe was used to his nickname for her, nodded in greeting, and then pulled out a chair to sit.


    Adler handed the menu to Mirabe, saying, "I didn''t think you''de to Riverdale so soon."


    "New students have to report to the school two days in advance," Mirabe exined calmly.


    Resting his elbow on the table, Adler nodded, "Right, I''ve been out of school for so long I''ve forgotten these rules."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at him, then ordered two dishes she liked before handing back the menu, "You got promoted?"


    After instructing the waiter to prepare the dishes, Adler coughed, "Yeah, thanks to that data analysis form you gave mest year, or I would have been in big trouble."


    Mirabe took a sip of her coffee, asking, "Is that experiment still ongoing?"


    Adler nodded, "Yes, thanks to your form, we''ve got a new direction in theb, and we should see results this year."


    The data analysis Mirabe had provided not only deduced the principles but also corrected several redundant and erroneous assertions in their previous experiments, preventing the creation of a deadly virus.


    "If the results are out, you might be up for another promotion," Mirabe said with a hint of a smile.

 Chapter 807

    Adler shook his head with a grin. "Promotion? Not happening for me. I just got bumped upst year. If I move up again this year, I''ll have a target on my back."


    Last year, thanks to the data analysis Mirabe handed him, his coworkers were already green with envy. Elite recognitions onlye around every three years, and without that data, the elite title would''ve definitely gone to his colleague.


    Mirabezily tapped her fingers on the table, her delicate face looking effortlessly graceful. "Only insecure people think being envied is a bad thing," she drawled.


    Adler felt an unexpected pang at her words.


    A momentter, the waiter brought their meal. The dish was exquisite, perfectly to Mirabe''s taste. She couldn''t resist an extra serving, all the while thinking this ce would be great for inviting James next time. And the prices weren''t too bad either.


    *


    Meanwhile, James, who had just been thought of, felt a tickle in his nose and reached for a tissue from the coffee table.


    Across from him, Donald sat upright in his mahogany chair, leaning on his cane. His eyes bore into his grandson. "You''ve barely been home, and now you''re nning to move out again? Trying to give me a heart attack?"


    "You''re in perfect health, Grandpa. The doctor said you''ve got another twenty years in you," James repliedzily.


    Donald, frustrated, raised his cane, pointing it at James, but couldn''t find the words to scold him.


    James took a sip of his coffee. "Getting worked up isn''t good for you."


    Donald: "!!!"


    Putting down his coffee cup, James nced at the time and stood up. "I''ve got to go."


    "Wait, did that girle by?" Donald called out, momentarily forgetting his anger.


    James looked at him but stayed silent.


    Donald cleared his throat, muttering, "I know you went to the airport to pick someone up yesterday."


    "So?" James rubbed his temples.


    "When are you going to invite her over for dinner?" Donald grumbled.


    "No time, she''s starting school soon," James shot back and headed out the door.


    In a sh, he was gone.


    Emerging from the kitchen, Dani noticed her son was missing. "Dad, where''s James?" she asked, surprised.


    Dani was the picture of elegance, carrying herself with the grace of a well-breddy. Her voice was gentle, and even at forty-five, her face showed few signs of aging.


    Meeting his daughter-inw''s gaze, Donald''s irritation softened a bit, though he replied gruffly, ¡°He''s gone."


    "We were about to have lunch. Why did he leave?" Dani was puzzled.


    Donald grimaced. "He''s talking about moving out again."


    Hearing this, Dani felt a headacheing on. "Why does he want to move out all of a sudden?"


    Donald tapped his cane on the floor. "Who knows?"


    Dani, used to her son''s absences, assumed he was just busy. "The family business keeps him upied. Let him be."


    Donald nced at her. "I doubt it''s family business."


    Dani paused, not quite catching his meaning.


    With a grunt, Donald didn''t borate. "Let''s eat."


    **


    The next morning, Mirabe, holding her eptance letter and personal


    documents, headed to Prestige College.


    Goodnight, see you in the evening.

 Chapter 808

    Towards the end of August, the campus was buzzing with activity as freshmen arrived for registration. Mirabe, having toured Prestige Collegest year with Vincent''s cousin, knew her way to the Physics Department. However, her first major was in Biological Research, so she headed there first.


    This year, the Biology Department seemed to have more freshmen than usual. When Mirabe arrived at the registration office, several students were inside filling out paperwork, with a few more waiting outside.


    Seeing the line, she decided not to rush and joined the queue. The students ahead of her were busy chatting and getting to know each other. Mirabe, however, chose to stay out of it and pulled out her phone instead.


    She noticed a message from Dr. Elliot of the Physics Department, sent ten minutes ago: "Have you arrived on campus?"


    Mirabe quickly typed back, "I''lle over after registering with the Biology Department."


    Dr. Elliot had just sat down in a meeting room, with the meeting yet to begin, and was chatting with teachers from other departments. His phone vibrated, and he checked it with a flicker of anticipation. After reading Mirabe''s message, he felt a slight twinge of jealousy but mostly happiness. He replied, "I''ll wait for you," and put his phone away.


    A nearby teacher noticed his good mood and asked with a smile, "Dr. Elliot, something good happen?"


    With a slight lift of his chin and a hint of pride, Dr. Elliot answered, "Yes, our department managed to recruit a student with exceptional talent this year."


    Though the final registration wasn''tplete, Dr. Elliot already considered Mirabe a prospective Physics student.


    The other teacher, curious, asked, "So, did your department snag this year''s top science student?"


    Most students at Prestige College were top-tier from across the country, and being described as "exceptionally talented" meant they were likely in the top ten nationwide. If Dr. Elliot praised someone''s talent, it was easy to assume they were the top scorer.


    "No," Dr. Elliot shook his head. He had kept an eye on this year''s science valedictorian, Jack, who was solely focused on the Mathematics Department and wasn''t considering a double major. So, Dr. Elliot didn''t push further.


    Surprised, the teacher asked, "Then, is it the salutatorian? The first and second ce in science were only one point apart this year. The second ce is also quite impressive."


    After a pause, the teacher added, "But I think this year''s arts valedictorian, who got a perfect score for the first time in years, is more sought after. Too bad they didn''t choose my Finance Department. I wonder which department got them."


    Dr. Elliot coughed lightly, tempted to reveal that his Physics Department had recruited the student, but, considering the final registration wasn''t done, he held back.


    Just then, Wade arrivedte and took the seat next to Dr. Elliot. He remembered how Dr. Elliot hadpeted with him for a student at the end of thest semester.


    "Dr. Elliot, freshmen registration time, huh?" Wade said casually.


    Dr. Elliot could sense the boast in Wade''s tone and snorted, not even looking at him. "Sorry, I''m not familiar with you."


    Wade: ""


    Meanwhile, after about ten minutes of waiting, it was finally Mirabe''s turn to submit her documents.

 Chapter 809

    Dean Calvin was in charge of the new student files, sitting at his desk with a serious look on his face, eyes glued to hisputer screen, seemingly too engrossed to notice anyone entering the room.


    Next to him, another faculty member was busy organizing the freshmen files. When he lifted his head and saw Mirabe walk in, he momentarily froze, taken aback by her striking beauty.


    "Wow, a girl this stunning should be in the drama department," he thought, but quickly dismissed the idea and refocused on his work.


    "Please hand me your admission letter first," he said, still busy with his task, "then ce your personal information in the column on the right. The form on the left is the registration form. Fill it out and hand it back to me."


    Mirabe nodded politely, handed over her admission letter, ced her personal information down, and picked up the registration form to fill it out.


    When the teacher opened the admission letter and saw Mirabe''s name, he was momentarily stunned. "Mirabe, isn''t she this year''s top scorer in the humanities?"


    He looked up skeptically at Mirabe, who was now bent over her form. It was hard to believe she was the humanities top scorer.


    After pondering for a moment, the teacher took the admission letter to Dean Calvin''s desk. "Mr. Calvin, did our department specially admit a humanities student this year?"


    In recent years, their department had rarely admitted humanities students due to past experiences where such students hadn''t made much of an impact.


    Hearing the question, Calvin paused his typing, nced at the admission letter, and without much change in expression or a nce at Mirabe, simply said, ¡°I sent that admission letter. Didn''t I mention it to you?"


    The teacher shook his head. "No..."


    "Just proceed with the filing," Calvin said dismissively, returning to his work.


    The teacher gave Calvin another look, wondering if there was any special reason behind admitting this year''s top humanities scorer. Unable to decipher Calvin''s intentions, he walked away with the admission letter.


    Mirabe had finished filling out the registration form and handed it to the teacher.


    After a quick review, the teacher looked up at her. "Are you sure you don''t want to live on campus? Once you opt out, it''s impossible to move inter. Most of our students, even locals, choose to live on campus."


    "I''m sure," Mirabe replied without hesitation.


    "ss divisions will be on September 1st and 2nd, and there will be an introduction to our department''s history. Starting from the 3rd, the school will arrange for all freshmen to undergo mandatory military training unless you have a serious health condition."


    Knowing Mirabe was this year''s humanities top scorer, the teacher spoke quite politely.


    Mirabe nodded to indicate she understood.


    At that moment, three upperssmen walked into the office, two sophomores from the department.


    Leading the group was Meg. Since Mirabe had her back to the door, Meg didn''t catch a glimpse of her face. However, her attention wasn''t on the new student but focused on making her way to Dean Calvin. "Dean, I''ve already taken care of the arrangements for weing the new students."

 Chapter 810

    Mirabe''s eyebrow shot up in surprise when she heard Meg''s voice.


    "Seriously, is the world that small?" she thought.


    At that moment, Calvin finally looked up. His normally stern face softened considerably when he saw his student, pausing his work. "You''ve been a great help, Meg."


    Meg stood tall, smiling and shaking her head. "It''s only right to help my teacher out."


    Just two months into her biology program, Meg had caught the eye of the department head, Calvin. He took her under his wing, involving her in numerous research projects. She quickly became the most promising freshman in the department.


    Even now, she was highly regarded as a talented student.


    Calvin was quite pleased with his prot¨¦g¨¦. Although she wasn''t quite as strong as Wade''s student, Meg''s performance and natural talent in her field were nothing short ofmendable.


    "The freshmen orientation should be nearly wrapped up. Don''t forget, you still owe me ab report. Try to get it to me when you can," Calvin said with a smile.


    "Actually, I''ve already finished it. I''ll bring it to you when I get back," Meg replied confidently.


    Calvin looked genuinely surprised. "That fast?"


    Meg nodded, assured.


    As they continued chatting, the teacher handling freshmen registration cleared his throat, drawing their attention. He gestured with the documents in his hand towards Mirabe, speaking softly, "All set, Mirabe. You can leave now."


    Though the teacher spoke softly, Meg still heard him. She casually nced at Mirabe and paused when she recognized her familiar profile.


    "Isn''t that the girl from Parkside High School?" she wondered. "What''s she doing in the biology department?"


    Mirabe didn''t notice Meg. She simply nodded politely to the teacher handling her registration and walked out of the office.


    Even after Mirabe disappeared from view, Meg was still in a daze. It wasn''t until Mr. Calvin called her name that she snapped back to reality. "Ah, teacher, that girl just now, is she a new student this year?"


    Calvin replied casually, "Yes, why? Do you know her?"


    Meg hesitated for a moment before responding, "Not exactly... I was invited to give a talk at my high school and saw her there a few times."


    "I see," Calvin nodded, not pressing further.


    But Meg''s curiosity got the best of her. "Did she score highly?" she asked.


    Speaking of grades, Calvin couldn''t deny that the girl had indeed performed exceptionally well, although it was a pity she was a humanities student.


    He shook his head regretfully before saying, "Haven''t you checked this year''s final exam rankings?"


    "No..." Meg coughed slightly and exined, "I was busy with experiments with my fellow researchers during that period, so I didn''t pay attention."


    Like her, many in the department were usually so engrossed in their research that they paid little attention to external matters, especially not the annual final exam rankings now that they were no longer high school students.


    Calvin raised an eyebrow and simply told Meg, "You might want to look up this year''s final exam top scorer."


    With that, he sat back down and resumed his work.


    "Final exam top scorer..." Meg''s heart skipped a beat. She pulled out her smartphone, opened her web browser, and typed in the search for the final exam top scorer.

 Chapter 811

    Pressing search, Meg lifted her fingertip from her phone, her eyes glued to the


    screen.


    The web page loaded a slew of results, with the top entry being this year''s final exam rankings posted byizens. There were two charts: one for humanities and one for sciences.


    She clicked on the science chart first, scanned it quickly, but didn''t spot Mirabe''s name. Next, she opened the humanities chart.


    Seeing Mirabe ranked first was like a punch to Meg''s gut, and the score that followed-750, a perfect score-left her reeling. How could it be perfect?


    She vividly remembered a few months ago at Parkside High School, that girl said her English scores were terrible.


    Meg frowned, not because she doubted the legitimacy of the perfect score, but because she found the girl insincere. iming to be weak despite good grades? That''s not humility; that''s deception.


    More so, she recalled Matthew mentioning that the girl was already a shoo-in for Prestige College, having been rmended. If she was rmended, why take up a spot in the final exams?


    Meg couldn''t stand such pretentious behavior and even found it nauseating. However, now wasn''t the time for personal reflections.


    She nced up stealthily at her teacher and remarked quietly, "I didn''t expect her to be the valedictorian of the final exams... Looks like we''ve got a prodigy freshman in our department this year."


    Mr. Calvin responded with a light shake of his head, his voice calm, "Biomedical engineering isn''t about book smarts; a humanities student probably doesn''t grasp the basics of biomedical theories. Where''s the genius in that?"


    Meg, initially floored by Mirabe''s perfect score, had momentarily forgotten she was a humanities student. Hearing her teacher''s take, she felt a tiny bit relieved.


    After all, being the valedictorian was a big deal, enough to have all the teachers moring for that student.


    Meg pinched her fingers and said, "You''ve got a point, sir. But hasn''t our department always admitted only science students? Howe we epted a humanities student this year?"


    Calvin wasn''t about to reveal that Wade had poached the student; spreading such info wouldn''t do the department''s reputation any good. So, he simply said, "That student listed our biology department as her top choice. Since she was the valedictorian of the final exams, the department discussed and decided to make an exception."


    Hearing this, Meg sighed inwardly.


    Alright, she had thought Mirabe was highly regarded for her abilities, but it seemed the valedictorian status indeed carried weight everywhere.


    Noticing Calvin wasn''t all that optimistic about Mirabe, she didn''t dwell on it and soon left the office.


    **


    Meanwhile, after leaving the biology department, Mirabe headed straight to the physics department.


    The physics department was notably popr, so at the neers'' registration, there were at least three times more students than at the biology department, with notably fewer females.


    Mirabe, standing behind a crowd of male students, clearly stood out.


    The department had arranged for senior students to introduce the freshmen to the registration process, among them Matthew, who noticed Mirabe as soon as she arrived.


    "Mirabe, so you''ve chosen our physics department after all!" Matthew seemed quite pleased, ncing at the documents in her hand.


    Mirabe paused for a moment and said, "Suppose so."


    Matthew''s smile twitched, "Suppose so''... what do you mean by that?"


    Kevin, let''s aim to finish early tonight.

 Chapter 812

    Mirabe''s eyebrow arched slightly. "A second major?"


    Matthew''s eyes nearly popped out of his head. "No way, you''re picking up a second major in your freshman year???"


    "Yep." Mirabe nodded calmly.


    Matthew felt a wave of disbelief wash over him. Is this even something normal people would consider doing?


    Most students who contemte a double major usually don''t start thinking about it until their sophomore year. After all, they''re still getting the hang of their primary major, let alone finding the time and energy for another.


    And in the notoriously tough field of Physics Engineering, no less!


    Taking a deep breath, Matthew tried to steady his nerves. She was, after all, the top scorer in this year''s final exams. Her intelligence was on a whole different level. Stay cool, stay cool.


    Then, another thought crossed his mind. Having a brilliant and beautiful new ssmate in the Physics department was definitely a perk.


    Matthew adjusted his sses and scanned the office before suggesting, "It''s going to be a minute before I can help you. How about I show you around the academic buildings in the meantime, help you get your bearings?"


    Mirabe shook her head and asked, "Do you know where Dr. Elliot''s office is?"


    "Dr. Elliot?" Matthew paused. There were several professors in the Physics department, but only one Elliot. "You mean Dr. Elliot, Elliot?"


    Dr. Elliot was not just a fellow of the college but also an honorary professor. Sometimes people simply called him Dr. Elliot.


    Mirabe wasn''t entirely sure about Dr. Elliot''s exact title; she just remembered people calling him Dr. Elliotst year. After a moment of thought, she said, "If there''s no other Professor Elliot in the department."


    "Nope, only one Dr. Elliot, and he''s also a fellow of the college," Matthew rified. Mirabe nodded, a bit taken aback to learn about Dr. Elliot''s additional title.


    Matthew, curious, asked, "So, what''s up? Why do you need to see Dr. Elliot?" Mirabe held up the personal file in her hand. "He asked me toe to his office."


    Matthew fell silent at this revtion.


    Dr. Elliot was one of the elite professors at Prestige College, having published numerous internationally acimed and awarded academic papers, contributing significantly to national research.


    However, he rarely took on students, and seeing him was a rare asion. As a sophomore, Matthew had only seen Dr. Elliot a handful of times.


    The fact that Dr. Elliot had invited her to his office right off the bat filled Matthew with envy.


    Matthew looked at Mirabe, feeling a bit sour.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Matthew?"


    Matthew sighed heavily and said, "Alright, let''s go. I''ll take you to Dr. Elliot''s office."


    Geniuses are hard topete with.


    Dr. Elliot''s office was in the same building, on the fifth floor, essible only by elevator.


    The elevator had restricted ess, and as soon as they stepped in, Matthew remembered this and scratched his head awkwardly. "I forgot my card doesn''t grant ess to the fifth floor."


    So, they stepped out of the elevator. Mirabe shrugged it off and took out her phone, sending a quick message to Dr. Elliot.


    Matthew sneakily nced at her phone screen, easily guessing who she was messaging.


    Seeing this, Matthew felt a twinge of jealousy. He couldn''t even get a glimpse of Dr. Elliot, let alone have him as a contact on Messenger.

 Chapter 813

    After shooting off the message, Mirabe stood by the elevator, waiting for about five minutes without getting any reply.


    Weird.


    Matthew nced at her. "Dr. Elliot hasn''t responded yet?"


    Mirabe nodded.


    "He''s probably tied up. Let''s give it a bit longer," Matthew said patiently.


    "Alright."


    They waited another five or six minutes by the elevator, still no response from Messenger, but they did see a professor passing by.


    Matthew, spotting the professor, quickly nodded respectfully, "Good day, Mr. Robert."


    Robert, juggling a stack of papers, acknowledged the greeting with a brief nod, his eyes briefly sweeping over Matthew and Mirabe before he continued to the elevator and swiped his card.


    The door opened, and he stepped in.


    Watching Mr. Robert''s back, Matthew remembered he had ess to the fifth floor. Just before the elevator doors shut, he quickly blocked them, "Hold on a sec."


    Robert raised an eyebrow at Matthew, who quickly exined, "Mr. Robert, could you give her a lift to Dr. Elliot''s office?"


    Matthew pointed at Mirabe, still standing outside the elevator, and continued, "She''s a freshman. Dr. Elliot asked her toe by, but she doesn''t have ess to the fifth floor."


    Robert''s gazended on Mirabe, "You''re the new humanities valedictorian, Mirabe?"


    Mirabe responded softly, polite yet confident, "Yes, that''s me."


    Recalling Dr. Elliot''s prior instructions, Robert''s tone softened, "Come with me."


    Matthew hadn''t expected Mr. Robert to agree so easily. He quickly turned to Mirabe, signaling her to hop in.


    Once Mirabe was in the elevator, Matthew wisely stepped back. The fifth floor wasn''t a ce ordinary students could just stroll into.


    The elevator ascended smoothly, reaching the fifth floor in no time.


    Mirabe waited a couple of seconds, letting Mr. Robert exit first before following. Robert didn''t say much but kept a discreet eye on Mirabe''s demeanor.


    Dr. Elliot''s office was at the end of the hallway, secured with a keypad lock. Robert punched in the code, and with a beep, the door opened.


    As he walked in, Robert mentioned, "Dr. Elliot''s in a meeting with the admin. He shouldn''t be long. You can wait here."


    Mirabe nodded, now understanding why there was no reply on Messenger; he must''ve been in the meeting.


    Robert gestured for Mirabe to sit on the sofa and wait, poured her a ss of water, and then headed to the bookshelf with his papers, diving into his work.


    The start of the academic year is always chaotic, leaving little time for chit-chat.


    Mirabe didn''t feel awkward sitting there. Her eyes fell on a Physical Review Letters magazine on the ss coffee table, featuring a paper on condensed matter physics maism by Dr. Elliot.


    She raised an eyebrow, set her files aside, and reached for the magazine.


    PRL, short for Physical Review Letters, is the highest-impact journal in the field of physics. Getting published there signifies major influence.


    The journal is published by the American Physical Society, so it''s all in English.

 Chapter 814

    Mirabe was flipping through the journal, engrossed in several papers that had strong potential for experimental research. Dr. Elliot''s paper, in particr, stood out. It was meticulously written, and his arguments left no doubt about his talent and the legitimacy of his fellowship.


    Though Mirabe had read countless books, her experience with experimental equipment was limited. This journal''s in-depth academic discussions had, therefore, captured her interest.


    After tidying up his documents, Robert turned around to see Mirabe deeply absorbed in an issue of Physical Review Letters. He paused briefly, then headed over to the water cooler, poured himself a ss, and took a seat on the nearby couch.


    Robert chose not to interrupt Mirabe, sitting quietly with his water instead.


    Shortly after, Mirabe closed the journal.


    Robert finally looked up, clearly astonished. "You''ve finished already?"


    Mirabe nodded, cing the journal back in its spot. "It was fascinating,¡± she remarked.


    Robert''s fingers traced the rim of his ss as he processed this, his expression growing moreplex.


    Had he really been busy for less than half an hour?


    The journal contained eight physics papers, all in untranted French. Even for him, a seasoned teacher, understanding them was a challenge. Completing this in half an hour? A full day might not even suffice.


    Robert knew Mirabe had aced her humanities finals, but this was a fully French journal with difficult terminology. Could she truly grasp it all?


    After a moment''s thought, Robert casually asked, "What did you think of Dr. Elliot''s paper?"


    Mirabe pondered briefly before replying, "Condensed matter physics covers a wide range. Dr. Elliot''s work in mesoscopic and cluster physics is profound. He effectively bridges chemistry, physics, and biophysics, making a groundbreaking contribution."


    Robert was taken aback. He now understood why Dr. Elliot had epted a humanities student into the physics department. This student''s insights into physics were on par with, if not superior to, those of science students.


    Papers in Physical Review Letters undergo rigorous validation. For Mirabe to distill such insights demonstrated a deepprehension of their essence.


    Eager, Robert set his ss aside, stood up, and picked up the journal. He flipped to two other papers by prominent international researchers and asked for her thoughts.


    Mirabe responded thoughtfully to each.


    Robert''s shock deepened. Despite asional unfamiliarity with specific terms, her grasp of the papers'' core ideas was urate.


    Herprehension skills were astounding!


    With proper guidance, her potential achievements seemed limitless.


    At that moment, Robert felt a rare excitement. In all his teaching years, he hadn''t met a student with such natural talent. Curious, he asked, "Why did you choose humanities in high school?"


    Mirabe hadn''t anticipated this question. Opting for modesty, she replied, "Humanities subjects are profound. I suppose I enjoy tackling deep andplex topics."


    Robert was floored.


    What kind of extraordinary perspective was this?


    Were history, geography, and political science truly more profound than physics, biology, and chemistry?

 Chapter 815

    Robert nced at Mirabe and couldn''t help but think she had a bit of a bold streak.


    This was straight-up disrespect for the hard sciences-physics, biology, and chemistry!


    Mirabe seemed to pick up on Robert''splicated feelings. She coughed gently, picked up her ss of water, and took a sip while keeping her head down, looking all quiet and sweet.


    Robert took a deep breath to calm himself before his eyesnded on the coffee table, where Mirabe had left her personal documents. Without further ado and not waiting for Dr. Elliot toe back, he grabbed the papers and said, "I''ll start on your file now."


    Such a promising student, and Dr. Elliot was taking his sweet time. If she slipped away, where would they find another like her?


    Robert shook his head, clearly forgetting that Dr. Elliot was still in a meeting.


    He went to theputer, booted it up, and pulled up the new student registration system for the physics department. He entered Mirabe''s information at lightning speed.


    After that, he headed to the file room, punched in the door code, and carefully stored the file.


    With everything done, Robert finally felt at ease.


    He came back out to chat with Mirabe. Since he was mentoring the freshmen this year, he was determined to snag this talent while he had the chance.


    As Robert talked with Mirabe, his mind raced with ns on how to develop her potential. But when he heard she wasn''t majoring in physics, he waspletely floored.


    "...Did you say you also enrolled in the biology department?" Robert asked, as if he couldn''t believe his ears.


    Seeing the incredulous look on her teacher''s face, Mirabe coughed and replied, "Yes, I''m majoring in biomedical research."


    Robert was unsettled, "What''s so great about biomedical research? Its future prospects are limited, nowhere near as good as our physics department."


    Such talent not being used in their physics department felt like a total waste. Mirabe had heard this spiel countless times from Dr. Elliot, so she calmly replied, "I''ve already registered with the biology department."


    Hearing that, Robert rubbed his temples in frustration.


    No one understood better than these teachers the distinction between a major and a minor. Everyone''s energy was finite; it was impossible to excel in multiple disciplines simultaneously, so inevitably one would suffer.


    And if she majored in biology, she''d likely spend way less time in their physics department.


    Robert couldn''t help but think of Dr. Elliot, wondering how he, a top-notch researcher, couldn''t oupete the biology department.


    Really, what a letdown!


    After waiting another ten minutes without any sign of Dr. Elliot returning from his meeting, Mirabe decided to leave. After all, she had already submitted her documents.


    Robert didn''t push Mirabe to stay. With school meetings being so unpredictable, he had no idea when Dr. Elliot would return, so he got back to his own tasks.


    Half an hourter, Elliot rushed back into the office and scanned the room, only to find Robert there. "Where''s the student?"


    "She left half an hour ago," Robert replied, his voicecking energy, still wallowing in disappointment.


    Elliot scratched his head, and before he could say anything, Robert''s voice cut through the air again, "Dr. Elliot, with all your skills, how could you handle this so poorly?"


    Robert looked at Elliot with a mix of grievance and disappointment, unable to finish his sentence out of sheer embarrassment.

 Chapter 816

    After sending her message, Mirabe stood by the elevator, waiting for about five minutes without any reply.


    Weird.


    Matthew nced at her. "Hasn''t Dr. Elliot replied?"


    Mirabe shook her head.


    "He might be busy. Let''s give it a few more minutes," Matthew said patiently.


    "Okay."


    They stood there for another five or six minutes, still no response on Messenger. But then, a department professor walked by.


    Seeing him, Matthew quickly nodded respectfully, "Good afternoon, Mr. Robert."


    Robert, holding a stack of papers, acknowledged them with a slight nod. His gaze briefly skimmed over Matthew and Mirabe before he swiped his card and stepped into the elevator.


    Just as the doors were about to close, Matthew remembered that Mr. Robert could ess the fifth floor. He quickly blocked the doors with his hand. "Hold on a second."


    Robert looked up, a bit surprised. Matthew quickly exined, "Mr. Robert, could you take her to Dr. Elliot''s office?"


    He pointed to Mirabe, standing just outside the elevator. "She''s a new student this year. Dr. Elliot asked her toe by, but she doesn''t have ess to the fifth floor."


    Robert''s gaze shifted to Mirabe. "Are you Mirabe, this year''s top humanities student?"


    Dr. Elliot had mentioned Mirabe''s name a couple of days ago. After checking, Robert realized she was indeed this year''s valedictorian in humanities.


    Mirabe nodded, polite andposed.


    Remembering Dr. Elliot''s instructions, Robert''s tone softened. "Come with me."


    Matthew hadn''t expected Mr. Robert to agree so easily. He quickly shot Mirabe a look, signaling her to hurry in.


    Once Mirabe stepped into the elevator, Matthew stepped back, knowing the fifth floor was off-limits to regr students.


    The elevator ascended smoothly, reaching the fifth floor in seconds.


    Mirabe paused for a moment, letting Mr. Robert exit first before following him.


    Robert didn''t say much, but he kept an eye on Mirabe out of the corner of his eye.


    Dr. Elliot''s office was at the end of the hallway, locked with a keypad. Robert punched in the code, and the door opened with a beep.


    As he walked in, Robert said, "Dr. Elliot is at a meeting with the school


    administration. He should be back soon. You can wait in his office."


    Mirabe nodded, realizing why there had been no reply on Messenger-Dr. Elliot was probably in a meeting.


    Robert gestured to a sofa for Mirabe to sit and wait, pouring her a ss of water before getting back to his paperwork on a nearby bookshelf. The start of the term was always hectic, leaving little time for chit-chat.


    Mirabe didn''t feel awkward. Her eyesnded on a Physical Review Letters magazine on the ss coffee table. The cover featured a paper on condensed matter physics and maism by Elliot himself.


    Raising an eyebrow, she picked up the magazine to read.


    PRL, short for Physical Review Letters, is one of the most prestigious journals in physics, known for its high impact factor. Publishing a paper there is a big deal.


    The journal is published by the American Physical Society, so it''s entirely in English.

 Chapter 817

    In the private dining room of the restaurant, Mirabe stood up slightly to pour coffee for James, who had just taken his seat.


    James tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop, his stern expression softening as he looked up at Mirabe. "What made you think of inviting me out for dinner all of a sudden?"


    Mirabe leaned backzily in her chair. "The food here is pretty good."


    "Is that all?" James lifted his coffee cup and took a sip, his voice carrying a hint of wistfulness.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mirabe thought for a moment before responding, "School''s starting soon, and I probably won''t have much time to go out."


    Two weeks of military training didn''t leave much room for leisure.


    James nodded, understanding. "Have you enrolled at the school yet?"


    "Yeah, this morning," Mirabe replied casually, her fingers toying with the ne around her neck, her demeanor rxed.


    James took another sip of his coffee, his dark eyes deep in thought.


    Just then, a server knocked and entered to serve the dishes, quickly leaving after setting the table.


    "Give it a try. If you like it, we cane back another time," Mirabe said, sitting up straight and picking up her fork, motioning for James to start eating.


    A smile tugged at James'' lips, his voice low and husky. "Alright."


    "By the way, how''s Donald doing?" Mirabe asked casually as she speared a piece of steak, making a token inquiry.


    James looked at Mirabe. "He mentioned you a couple of days ago, wanting to invite you over for dinner at our ce."


    Without looking up, Mirabe waved a hand dismissively. "I really don''t have the time, but thank him for me."


    James had expected this response and didn''t press further.


    After the meal, Mirabe went to the restroom. Upon returning, she headed to the front desk to pay, only to be told by the servering from the room that the bill had already been settled.


    Hearing this, Mirabe paused, her fingers halting on her smartphone screen. She turned it off and put it back in her pocket before heading back to the dining room.


    "I said I''d treat you," Mirabe sighed as she picked up her purse from the chair.


    James raised an eyebrow, standing up. "Next time then."


    "That''s a trick," Mirabemented yfully.


    James nodded, his gaze fixed on Mirabe''s face, serious and intense. "How else do you catch a fish?"


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, but she said nothing more and turned to walk away.


    Behind her, James watched her leave, a slight smile on his lips.


    As they exited the restaurant, James nced at his watch and turned to


    Mirabe. "What are your ns for the afternoon?"


    Thinking of the smart home gadgets waiting for her at home, Mirabe replied casually, "Just... going home to rx."


    "I''ll drive you then," James offered.


    "No need, I''ve got a ride," Mirabe said, noticing his nce at the watch. She messaged As right after speaking.


    Seeing this, James pondered for a moment but didn''t insist.


    Within minutes, As pulled up in his car. Mirabe waved at James before quickly getting in.


    As the car drove away, James finally headed to the parking lot to leave.


    In the car, As nced in the rearview mirror, genuinely curious about how the


    youngdy knew someone from the Shepherd family. He had tried looking into it before, but nothing concrete hade up.

 Chapter 818

    The mystery about the Shepherd family''s missing member was understandable, but the young Miss? That was a real head-scratcher.


    No trace meant no clues on how they knew each other. And with Grady putting the kibosh on any further digging into the young Miss, the whole thing got even murkier.


    Mirabe had noticed As''s gaze on her earlier, but she didn''t bother looking up, choosing instead to pull out her phone and fire off a text.


    By the time they rolled back into the Emerald Bay vi half an hourter, As made sure she was safely home before taking off.


    The massive vi was eerily quiet, save for Mirabe and a clunky smart robot. She grabbed herptop from her room, plopped onto the couch, and started tapping away on the keyboard.


    She''d recently given all the smart gadgets and the security system a slick upgrade. Everything looked the same, but man, the whole setup ran like a dream


    now.


    After wrapping up, Mirabe''s eyesnded on the robotic butler by her side. She opened a chat window on herptop and typed, "Haven''t you guys finished the core data for the second-gen Al yet?"


    J: "...Do you think programming Al data is like ying a video game? It''s not something you can just whip up."


    Mirabe smirked and typed back, "Kiddo, if I''m not mistaken, you''ve been at this core data thing for two years and five months, right?"


    J: "..."


    You could almost feel the eye-roll through the screen.


    J: "Fine, you think you''re so smart? You do it!"


    Mirabe chuckled, "Do you really think I''m that easily provoked? Nice try."


    The guy on the other end, practically grinding his teeth, shot back, "Last time, you set me up, and I almost got nabbed by the Shepherd family. Don''t you feel a bit guilty? Shouldn''t you make it up to me somehow?"


    "Oh, guilt? Never heard of it," Mirabe repliedzily.


    J: "..."


    Mirabe leaned back into the couch, raising an eyebrow when J didn''t reply. Did he actually smash hisputer in anger?


    She put down herptop, snapped her fingers, and the robot awkwardly waddled over. She opened its control panel, entered amand, and extracted therge data instructions, transferring them to herputer.


    After filtering the data, Mirabe pondered for a bit, then shot another message to J: "Your first-gen Al data has too many gaps, making a lot ofmands useless. Ever thought about setting up a dedicated information database to fix it?"


    The guy, who''d been zoning out, perked up when he saw the new message. "An independent information database?"


    Mirabe: "We''re in the information age. Sure, advanced countries can buy Al core chips, but a dedicated information database is crucial for all smart tech. You should really consider it."


    J: "Setting up an independent information database? That''s a bold suggestion. How''d youe up with that, bro?"


    "It''s the way the future''s heading," Mirabe replied, closing the chat window. She leaned back, handszily resting behind her neck, head tilted back on the sofa, gazing at the fancy chandelier above, her thoughts drifting away.

 Chapter 819

    All the advancements of civilization are the culmination of our ancestors''


    painstaking efforts.


    Mirabe suddenly thought of the person who had taught her these things. Later,


    it was because of these so-called advancements of civilization that they


    disappeared without a trace.


    Mirabe let out a soft sigh and closed herptop.


    In the evening, after spending two days and nights in theb, Nick came back. He was thin, naturally pale, and looked even more haggard and sickly due to theck of sleep.


    Mirabe knew he wasing back today and had ordered takeout, though it hadn''t arrived yet.


    She went to the fridge to grab him a bottle of water and, under the pretense of checking his pulse, found that his condition was only due to staying upte and nothing more serious.


    "Have you already registered at the university?" Nick asked, taking a few sips of water and twisting the cap back on.


    Mirabe nodded. "You should still take care to rest, Nick, no matter how busy you are."


    Nick smiled. "Yeah, I know. Things will be better once the research results are out."


    Mirabe didn''t ask Nick what his research was about. After all, scientists have confidentiality agreements with the government, and there are some things not even family members can mention.


    Just then, the doorbell rang. Mirabe stood up from the couch. "That should be the delivery. I''ll go get it."


    "Okay," Nick replied, putting down his bottle of water and signaling to the robot, habitually pressing a button on its body to record his activity.


    As soon as he pressed the button, the robot''s infrared eyes shed as if capturing his image, making Nick pause, puzzled. It hadn''t done that before, had it?


    He tilted his head in confusion but then took out his phone to check the Al system, which showed everything was normal.


    Mirabe had already brought the takeout inside, cing the meals on the dining table and calling everyone to eat.


    Distracted by this, Nick''s confusion was forgotten, and he stood up to head to the dining room.


    After dinner, Nick remembered something. He told Mirabe not to go upstairs yet and hurried out to the garage.


    He retrieved a white paper bag from the car and brought it back inside, handing it to Mirabe. "Here, Mirabe, use this during your training camp. It''ll prevent sunburn."


    Inside the paper bag were three bottles of sunscreen, ubelled.


    Nick coughed and exined, "It''s an internal research product from another department. Supposed to be very effective."


    Mirabe, who had been contemting buying some sunscreen, gratefully epted. "Thank you, Nick."


    Her usualid-back demeanor made this moment of gratitude quite heartwarming. Nick''s heart melted, and he instinctively reached out to ruffle his sister''s hair.


    "Such a good girl," Nick let out a contented sigh.


    Mirabe: "..."


    **


    September 1st, the first day of school for all students.


    Though the biology department at Prestige College ranked first nationwide, it attracted few students. Of the more than two thousand new enrollees, perhaps fewer than two hundred chose it.


    Mirabe was assigned to the bioinformatics specialization, having been notified by a text message from a department teacher the day before.


    Bioinformatics is essentially the study of biological systems throughputer technology.


    It doesn''t require various experimental analyses, but manages data recorded onputers,paring it to discover new patterns from the data center. It''s considered one of the specializations that require the least natural talent among all the branches.


    Mirabe had initially intended to study biotechnology but was surprised to find herself ced in bioinformatics.


    New environment, new challenges, but she was ready.

 Chapter 820

    While students get to choose their majors freely, when too many students pick the same major, the school steps in and assigns spots based on grades. If a student doesn''t agree with the reassignment and negotiations don''t help, they pretty much have no choice but to withdraw.


    Mirabe showed up at school bright and early, heading straight for her department''s office. She wasn''t too fussed about which sub-department she''d end up in, but she wanted a clear reason for any reassignment. After looking into the past years at Prestige College''s Biology Department, she saw that having more applicants than spots was almost unheard of.


    Zane, the department teacher, saw her confusion and stayed silent for a bit. He didn''t beat around the bush but exined patiently, "Sometimes we allocate based on grades. You''re the only humanities student we epted this year, so we''ve temporarily ced you in our Bioinformatics Division."


    Even though Mirabe was an exceptional humanities valedictorian, for a Biology Department that typically only took in science students, she was no better than a low-scoring science student to them-maybe even worse. None of the departments wanted to be seen as falling behind, so the teacher from her intended major shoved her into Bioinformatics.


    Zane was pretty frustrated with how the college dumped all the lower-scoring freshmen into their Bioinformatics Division. Sure, their division didn''t sound as shy as the others, but it was a critical part of the Life Engineering field. Without the big data from Bioinformatics, lots of research projects wouldn''t get off the ground.


    Despite his frustration, Zane didn''t have the guts to fight this unfair treatment. Their Bioinformatics Department hadn''t produced a standout student in big data analysis for years, leaving them as the underdogs. They were lucky to get even one or two million out of the thirty million in annual government research funding, which was peanutspared to what other departments got.


    This funding shortfall made it hard to run research courses and even harder to cultivate new talent. Zane sighed inwardly.


    By now, Mirabe had caught the gist of Zane''s exnation. In short, she was a versatile prodigy, but because she was a humanities graduate, other departments'' teachers didn''t want her, so Bioinformatics had to take her in. How ironic.


    Seeing Mirabe stay silent, Zane understood she was upset about being ced a department she didn''t want. He cleared his throat and said, "If you really can''t stand being in Bioinformatics, I can check with other departments for you..."


    Before he could finish, Calvin, the department head, walked in and cut him off, "Mr. Zane, all new students have already been allocated. You''re aware of this, aren''t you?"


    Zane looked at Mr. Calvin, about to speak, "But Mirabe''s preference wasn''t Bioinformatics. Forcing her here could mess up her future."


    Calvin nced briefly at Mirabe and then back at Zane, "I don''t think the issue is with this student''s major preference."


    Zane frowned, trying to decipher what Calvin meant...

 Chapter 821

    Calvin cleared his throat, dialing down his usual authoritative vibe, and spoke with


    a serious tone, "Even though Mirabe graduated with a degree in humanities, she''s widely recognized as the top achiever in her final exams."


    Wade had personally picked the top humanities student to join, so Calvin wasn''t about to openly make things difficult for her. But putting her in his biotech department? Not a chance.


    So, it fell to the straightforward Zane to y the bad guy.


    After a pause, Calvin continued, "A weak foundation can be built up over time. Talent doesn''t develop overnight.¡±


    Zane''s frown deepened.


    Calvin''s words made it sound like he was t-out rejecting the top humanities student, even though other departments had turned her away. He just couldn''t stand to see a student stuck in a department they disliked and wanted to help her out.


    Being the straightforward guy he was, Zane worried Mirabe might


    misunderstand and feel hurt. He quickly started to exin, "Mr. Calvin, you''ve got me wrong, I...¡±


    But right then, Mirabe, who had been silent until now, spoke up, cutting him off, "Mr. Calvin''s right. A weak foundation can be strengthened over time, and interests can change too. I''ll stay in bioinformatics."


    Zane looked at her in shock. After a few seconds, he said, "Mirabe, you really don''t have to force yourself."


    Choosing a major was a big deal for the future, and he didn''t want her to regret it.


    Mirabe looked at Zane, thinking how his honesty made him an easy target. She straightened up and said, "Sir, I''ll head back to ss now."


    She wasn''t nning on switching departments.


    Seeing this, Calvin breathed a sigh of relief.


    He was genuinely worried that Mirabe would insist on transferring, and if she went to Wade and Wade decided to force her into his department, Calvin would be in a tough spot.


    As Mirabe''s figure disappeared through the office door, Zane turned back to Mr. Calvin, about to speak.


    Calvin raised his hand and said, "I know what you''re going to say, but let me tell you, the biotech department is the heart of the entire School of Life Sciences. We''re training the future leaders in medical research."


    Investing in someone without talent is a waste of resources.


    The bitter smile on Zane''s face vanished quickly, fully understanding the subtext


    of Calvin''s words.


    Their bioinformatics department hadn''t produced any notable talent in years, slowly bing the most underperforming part of the School of Life Sciences.


    Students that other departments didn''t want were all dumped on them.


    Messy and chaotic - that summed up their department now.


    Seeing Zane''s self-deprecating look, Calvin shook his head, then turned and left the office without another word.


    He had a busy day ahead, including a wee speech for the new students in his department.


    **


    After leaving the office, Mirabe headed straight to the new students'' ssroom, following the instructions sent by a teacher the day before.


    By the time she got there, all the new


    vel?


    students twenty-six in total - had arrived Eighteen had chosen


    formatics voluntarily, while the


    rest had been assigned.


    Mirabe''s detour to talk to Zane made her thest to enter the ssroom, but


    she came in through the back door, so not many noticed her.


    She found an empty seat without much thought.


    STEM fields usually had more guys than girls. Looking around, the room was almost all guys, with only a few girls here and there.

 Chapter 822

    Mirabe had just settled into her seat when a girl from the corner, clutching her bag with cautious steps, moved to sit beside her.


    Noticing someone had joined her, Mirabe turned to look at the neer.


    "Hi, sis," Lisa greeted, her eyes sparkling with excitement and a goofy smile on her face.


    Mirabe met Lisa''s gaze and paused for a moment. Sis?


    Lisa fidgeted with her short hair and quickly exined, "I''m a fan of your brother." She couldn''t believe her luck, attending the same department as her idol''s sister. Hearing this, Mirabe understood and gave a polite nod, her lips curving slightly. "You look even prettier in person than in the photos online," Lisa said, leaning on the table and studying Mirabe''s face intently.


    Her skin was luminous and fair, her almond-shaped eyes enchanting and inviting, and her features were exquisitely delicate. She was truly angelic.


    Lisa felt like letting out an excited squeal.


    Just then, Professor Zane entered, holding a notebook. Mirabe cleared her throat, and Lisa, reining in her excitement, sat up straight.


    Professor Zane scanned the ssroom, his gaze lingering on Mirabe for a moment before he started writing his name on the whiteboard.


    Introductions, roll call, and a wee speech.


    The first ss was about getting to know each other, a more rxed atmosphere than in high school.


    The morning flew by.


    At noon, Mirabe received a text from Matthew to meet in the cafeteria.


    She replied with a quick "on my way" and headed toward the cafeteria, with Lisa, ever the extrovert, tagging along.


    Matthew had already grabbed food for Mirabe, and Vincent was there too, looking more mature than he had in high school.


    They found a spot to sit down. Matthew hadn''t expected Mirabe to bring a ssmate, and he was a bit embarrassed upon seeing Lisa.


    Lisa, unfazed, went to queue for her food.


    As Lisa walked away, Vincent looked up at Mirabe. The boss was still the boss, already having followers right from the start of school.


    "How are you settling in, little sis? How''s your department?" Matthew asked, concerned, while eating.


    Upon learning that Mirabe was


    majoring in Physics as a second et Swunior."


    major, Matthew had started calling


    her Tittle sis" instead of just


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "It''s okay."


    "But the Biotechnology Department is the core of your college, full of national medical reserve experts. You''ve got to work hard, little sis! Matthew had asked which


    v


    department Mirabe chose hence his advice.


    ?


    "I''m in the Bioinformatics Department," Mirabe said slowly.


    Hearing this, Matthew looked up incredulously, "Wait, little sis, why


    Bioinformatics? Didn''t you choose the Technology Department?"


    Mirabe took a sip of her soup, retorting without answering, "What''s wrong with Bioinformatics?"


    Seeing this, Matthew put down his fork and started to exin the vast difference between the two departments, "...anyway,


    Bioinformatics has fewer resolet


    and less recognition. You should talk to the professors now that it''s the start of the semester; switching departments should be feasible."


    Mirabe looked at Matthew, responding despondently, "Maybe I''m not good enough; the Technology Department didn''t want me."


    Vincent, who had just swallowed a mouthful of food, choked, "Cough, cough..."

 Chapter 823

    Vincent, who nearly choked on his food, looked seriously at Mirabe, "Can you cut me some ck?"


    A straight-A valedictorian saying she''s not excellent? Seriously?


    This girl is getting more and more full of herself.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her delicate face glowing with confidence.


    Matthew, holding his chopsticks, started to subtly recruit for his department, "Hey, little sis, why not leave the biology department? Our physics department would wee you with open arms."


    Even though he wasn''t from the biology department, he''d heard things.


    Everyone knew that those ced in bioinformatics were generally not favored by the faculty.


    Despite being a humanities student, she was so brilliant at physics. How could she possibly be bad at biology?


    Were the biology professors blind not to see the merit in a top scorer?


    Matthew shook his head.


    Mirabe took a bite of her food, her voice muffled, "Nah, I just want to chill in the biology department."


    Matthew silently stared at her, wondering if she was serious.


    Just then, Lisa returned with her food. Seeing this, Matthew decided to drop the subject.


    "I just heard people talking about joining clubs. Senior, what kind of clubs does our school have, and are you in any?" Lisa asked Matthew while eating.


    Matthew pushed up his ck-rimmed sses and shook his head, "I''m not into that stuff, never joined any."


    To be honest, half of the guys in the physics department never joined any college clubs. They were always buried in endless research, with no time for such activities.


    "Alright then." Lisa turned her head towards Mirabe, "Mira, you..."


    Mirabe, having nearly finished her meal, put down her chopsticks and slightly turned her head, asking a very practical question, "Do clubs pay you a sry?"


    Lisa was momentarily stunned by the question.


    Mirabe saw the answer in her expression andzily leaned back in her chair, "Then I''m definitely not interested."


    After a while, Lisa came back to her


    senses, "Even though there''s no


    sry, isn''t joining a club the right way to experience college life?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, replying, "Being azy bum suits me just fine."


    Lisa''s lips twitched, thinking if the department''s professors heard this, they''d be in tears.


    Mirabe''s phone buzzed with a message. She took it out, pondered for a few seconds, then stood up and said to the others, "You guys keep eating, I gotta go," and left.


    Watching Mirabe walk away, Lisa suddenly felt sentimental, "If I were a top scorer, I''d also want to be azy bum."


    Hearing this, Matthew turned his head towards his cousin, "What do you think about that?"


    Vincent, suddenly pulled into the conversation, nced at him expressionlessly, "You''re really boring."


    Could he even bepared to Queen Mira?


    Even as azy bum, she''s on a whole other level.


    With that, Vincent put down his chopsticks, nodded politely at Lisa, and quickly left the cafeteria.


    ???


    Matthew touched his nose and exined to Lisa, "Ever since the final exam setback this year, my` CS been in this odd mood. Don''t mind him."


    Lisa, holding her chopsticks, asked puzzledly, "Uh... final exam setback?"


    Aren''t they all admitted students of Prestige College? Where did the final exam setbacke from?


    Matthew''s face showed sympathy, "Missing out on the top science score by just one point, if that''s not a setback, what is?"


    Lisa: "..."


    Sorry to have bothered you.

 Chapter 824

    At the College of Engineering Physics, Mirabe had just gotten a message on Messenger from Dr. Elliot, asking her to swing by his office.


    Downstairs, by the elevator, Robert was waiting. When he saw Mirabe, he broke into a warm smile. "Hey, you made it."


    "Hello, Professor," Mirabe greeted him politely.


    Robert nodded. "Dr. Elliot''s expecting you. Let''s go, I''ll take you up."


    He stepped into the elevator, swiped a card, and the button for the fifth floor lit up. Handing the card to Mirabe, he said calmly, "Here, this is for you. From now on, you cane straight up to the fifth floor."


    Mirabe was a bit taken aback as she took the card. She remembered Matthew mentioning that the fifth floor was off-limits to students due to restricted ess.


    She hesitated for a moment but then epted the card without questioning it further.


    "So, what''s your major over at the School of Life Sciences?" Robert asked gently as the elevator climbed.


    "Bioinformatics," Mirabe replied, twirling the card between her fingers.


    Robert''s brow furrowed in disbelief. "Why that major?"


    He''d expected her to be in something more mainstream like Biotechnology or Biological Sciences... Bioinformatics had been on the decline in the biology field.


    Wasn''t this a waste of talent?


    Mirabe noticed Robert''s reaction and wondered just how far bioinformatics had fallen for everyone to react this way.


    When the elevator dinged and the doors opened on the fifth floor, Robert didn''t press further. He


    stepped out and led her to Dr. Elliot''s office gesturing for her to go


    while he headed to the over


    door.


    **


    Dr. Elliot was sorting through some papers when Mirabe walked in He pointed to the couch nearby,


    signating her to have a seat while he finished up. Once done, he joined her on the couch.


    "I was in a meeting at the administration office when you came by to report the other day," Dr. Elliot exined as he sat down.


    Mirabe nodded. "That''s alright."


    Dr. Elliot had been in touch with Mirabe on Messenger for almost a year, so they weren''t strangers. After some small talk, he asked the same question Robert had in the elevator.


    Mirabe paused, then asked, "Is bioinformatics a very niche field?"


    Dr. Elliot thought for a moment. "It''s notpletely niche, but in thest decade,


    the field hasn''t produced any standout talents, so it''s be a bit undervalued by the college."


    Mirabe nodded, starting to grasp what Dr. Elliot meant.


    vei


    For a prestigious institution like Prestige College, which was a leading national university and talent incubator backed by state support, a field that didn''t contribute significantly or align with key research priorities was bound to decline.


    Seeing Mirabe''s interest, Dr. Elliot continued, "So, you chose this major?"


    "Yeah." Mirabe didn''t mention that she had been pushed into the bioinformatics program.


    Dr. Elliot felt a twinge of regret but considered that the rarity of persistence in such


    a niche field might mean more opportunities for his department.


    Clearing his throat, he set aside his thoughts and advised earnestly, "No worries, every major has its value. Since you''ve chosen it, give it your all."

 Chapter 825

    Mirabe had no clue what Dr. Elliot was thinking; she just nodded, her mind already buzzing with the idea of breathing new life into the niche field of bioinformatics.


    After all, if she didn''t step up after more than a decade of no breakthroughs, she''d feel like she was letting herself down.


    Dr. Elliot''s eyes flickered before he added, "Of course, you can''t ck off on your Physics coursework either."


    With that, he handed her a stack of personalized study ns. "Take these home and look them over. Even though we agreed you don''t need to attend sses at the School of Physics and Engineering, you still have to keep up with the curriculum."


    Mirabe took the materials, flipped through a couple of pages crammed with research topics, and, without batting an eye, replied, "Okay."


    For Mirabe, aside from Literature in high school, she never felt pressured by scientific subjects.


    Seeing how quickly she agreed without any fuss made Dr. Elliot feel a bit uneasy. "You don''t think the n...is too much?"


    After all, Physics was her secondary major, and the n was even stricter than what the department''s own students faced.


    Mirabe barely nced at the papers again and simply said, "No."


    Knowing she wasn''t one to give half-hearted answers, Dr. Elliot felt relieved. "Alright, remember to see Professor Robert this afternoon to pick up your course books."


    "Okay," she nodded.


    Just then, the phone on his desk rang, and Dr. Elliot stood up. "Alright then, if you have any questions, feel free toe to me or drop me a message anytime."


    He walked over to answer the phone, and Mirabe quickly left the office without further interruption.


    **


    Meanwhile, Wade rushed back to his office after lunch, his to-do list a mile long. Not long after, Calvin showed up with an application for a gic engineering research course that needed a hefty amount of funding to get started.


    Wade frowned at the budget, "The experimental funds for this quarter haven''te in yet, and as far as I know, the department''s reserve funds are pretty low."


    Calvin nodded,ying out his idea. "I


    remember the Informatics Department hasn''t had any major projects in the past couple of years. We could temporarily use their funds to cover our emergency. This way, we won''t need to touch the reserve funds."


    He paused, then added, "I checked with the finance team in Informatics, and they have over a million in avable funds. With that, our gic mutation research should be able to hold out until the national fundse through."


    Wade looked up at Calvin, "That doesn''t seem fair, and I can''t agree to it."


    Though the Informatics Department hadn''t made any significant breakthroughs recently, their annual funds were already pretty limited. Taking away their funds to support another department would be like stepping on whatever little dignity they had left.


    Calvin had expected Wade''s reaction, so he pulled out a progress report on the experiment. "Our department has been working on the gic mutation project for two years, and now both the mentors and students have found a promising new direction. Not having the funds to start the experimental n at this critical moment would mean all the time and effort everyone has put in would go to waste."

 Chapter 826

    Calvin''s face was serious as he paused, looking at Wade before speaking again, "Wade, as the lead researcher in gic engineering, don''t you want to see some groundbreaking progress in our project?"


    Wade put down the application form he was holding and rubbed his aching temples. Despite the tension, he firmly shook his head.


    "I can''t approve using the Computer Science department''s funds. But I''ll talk to Mr. Belcher, see if we can get the money from somewhere else."


    Calvin couldn''t hold back. "The Computer Science department hasn''t produced any results but still uses so much of our budget. Don''t you think that''s a bit much? I suggest we exclude them from this year''s funding."


    Wade knew Calvin always had issues with the Computer Science department and didn''t want to get dragged into department politics. "You don''t need to tell me this. I''m staying out of it."


    Seeing Wade''s impatience, Calvin pursed his lips and stoppedining. He grabbed the application form and said, "I''ll go see Mr. Belcher."


    Wade looked at him and sighed, "We''re all part of the same faculty. Let''s try to be flexible."


    Calvin didn''t want to hear this kind of talk from Wade and responded tly, "I''m off."


    As he turned to leave, he paused after a few steps and turned back, "Oh, Wade, there''s something I need to tell you. The new student who topped the humanities section this year chose the Computer Science department."


    Wade was stunned, "She chose Computer Science?"


    Calvin''s eyes flickered as he nodded, emphasizing, "Yeah, she chose it willingly." Wade had been busy with the project these past few days and hadn''t had the time to talk to Mirabe about her major selection.


    "Computer Science might not be the most popr, but since she''s a humanities graduate, it''s fine for her to go into Computer Science. She can still take elective courses in other biological sciences if she''s interested," Calvin added after a moment of thought.


    Hearing this, Wade nodded. Since the girl had chosen it herself, he didn''t say much, only replying, "Alright, got it."


    Calvin saw Wade''sck of reaction


    and breathed a sigh of relief. At least he didn''t have to worry about his department being dragged down.


    **


    Mirabe didn''t opt for on-campus housing, so after leaving the Faculty of


    Engineering, she headed to the university library.


    With a student ID, anyone could


    enter the library. As Prestige College was the top-ranked institution in the country, it''s library was naturally more impressive than those of other universities, both in terms of the environment and the variety of books avable.


    Since it was the first day of school, the library wasn''t very crowded, and Mirabe found a quiet corner to sit down.


    She took out the course n Dr. Elliot had given her and read through it quickly, finishing in no time.


    Mirabe flipped back to the first page and understood why Dr. Elliot had asked if there was anything wrong with the arrangement. The n covered nearly all the courses from the departments under the Faculty of Engineering.


    Other students only needed to choose one major within a department, but she


    had to study several majors from different departments.


    It was like they didn''t see her as a normal student.


    Mirabe sighed softly.


    Thankfully, she had the mental capacity for it.


    Looking up, she scanned the shelves and stood up, heading directly to the


    Science and Technology section to pick a book to read.


    Time to catch up on what I''ve missed these past few days... Goodnight, everyone.

 Chapter 827

    Engineering is the hottest major at Prestige College, ranking first among all the top universities nationwide.


    Mirabe casually picked up a bioinformatics book and returned to her seat. Bioinformatics involves usingputer technology topile and analyze data chains like genomics and systems biology, identifying unusual gic data. It''s a tough field, as challenging as any other biology major, and job prospects can be tough, so not many students choose it. However, in this age of information, data analysis viaputers is a growing trend, so Mirabe didn''t mind being assigned to this sub-department. She already had a strong foundation in medicine, and studying informatics could fill in the gaps in her knowledge.


    The library was silent, with only the soft rustling of pages turning. Within about ten minutes, Mirabe had read through a third of her book, her head down, oblivious to her surroundings.


    Meg had brought some freshmen from her department to the library to find some course materials. She went to the engineering section, her pale fingers gliding over the spines of the books. After searching, she found one book but couldn''t find another she was looking for. She frowned, "Strange, has the data analysis book been checked out?" Meg murmured.


    The freshman beside her nced over, not quite catching what Meg said, "What did you say, senior?"


    Meg kept scanning the bookshelf, "The book I wanted might have been checked out."


    "Why don''t we ask when it was checked out?" the freshman suggested quietly.


    Meg smiled and shook her head gently, "It''s okay. I''ll just gather some info from this book for now." After a pause, she added, "You go find the book you want and grab a spot. I''ll look around a bit more and join you soon."


    "Okay." The freshman nodded and walked away.


    Seeing this, Meg went to the librarian to ask if the book she was looking for had been checked out. The librarian, familiar with Meg due to her diligent study habits and daily visits, flipped through the logbook, "It hasn''t been checked out. Maybe another student is reading it."


    Meg nodded politely, "Thank you, sir. I''ll wait for it to be returned."


    "You''re wee." The librarian smiled.


    Meg, not wanting to disturb the librarian further, quickly walked away, holding the book she found, and headed toward the seats. The freshman had already found a da spot and, seeing Meg approaching, stood up and waved at her.


    Her spot was right in front of Mirabe''s seat. When Meg looked up, she didn''t notice Mirabe because she was absorbed in her book. As Meg was about to site down, her gaze casually swept over the seat behind her and she paused slightly when she saw a familiar silhouette.


    Why does she always run into this girl at the library?


    Meg''s eyes lingered on the top of Mirabe''s head for a few seconds, squinting


    slightly, then shifted to the book she was reading.

 Chapter 828

    She hadn''t really paid much attention to the book''s content, but the other person''s speed at flipping through the pages caught her eye. In less than a minute, they had already turned a page.


    Meg found it pretty amusing. Who reads a book like that? Even if you were just skimming for the main points, you couldn''t possibly go that fast. She suspected the person wasn''t really reading at all, just trying to show off. Honestly, Meg had no respect for such pretentious behavior. Shaking her head, she looked away. It was cringe-worthy just to watch.


    She leaned over to her ssmate and whispered, "Can we swap seats? You sit here, and I''ll take your spot."


    Mirabe was sitting behind them, and if Meg sat opposite her ssmate, she''d see Mirabe every time she looked up. Fearing she wouldn''t be able to resist making snarkyments, she decided to switch seats.


    Her ssmate had no objections and stood up with her book without asking any questions.


    Soon, Meg was settled in the new spot. Though their movements were subtle, it still drew the attention of the nearby students. However, as Meg sat down, she nced behind her and saw the girl still engrossed in her book, oblivious to her surroundings. She shook her head again. Such a phony.


    Meg took out a pen and notebook from her bag, opened her book, and focused on her research, tuning out the irrelevant people around her. Her teacher had assigned her to write a paper on gic systems. If it turned out well, she could even submit it for apetition.


    Mirabe finished the entire book in just half an hour. Closing it, shezily stretched her shoulders and arms nced at her watch, and realized there was still plenty of time before her afternoon ss. Yawning and feeling a bit sleepy, she ced the book on top of her physies homework nner and dozed off on the desk.


    Meg had been researching for a while but was making slow progress due to missing another crucial source. With her left fingertip resting on he temple and her right hand holding a pen, she unconsciously bit the end of the pen. After a while, she put down the pen, straightened up, and looked toward the engineering section of the shelves, noticing a few people returning books.


    After a moment, Meg got up and walked over, hoping the book she needed had been returned. But after searching, she found nothing.


    Disappointed, she walked balne


    upon lifting her gaze, she saw that Mirabe, who was previously reading, was now sound asleep on the desk. Her lips twitched at the sight.


    Next time, she should suggest to the library staff that this ce is for reading, not


    for some people to sleep. Absolutely no manners.


    As Meg shifted her gaze away and pulled out her chair, she suddenly looked up again. This time, her eyes didn''tnd on Mirabe but on the book lying next to her. It was the very book on data analysis she had been looking for.


    Meg hadn''t expected to find the book with Mirabe. She stared at it for a good while, then let out a soft chuckle, a rare spark of energy lighting up her meticulously made-up face. Sleeping was one thing, but not returning the book? Did she not realize that someone else might urgently need it?

 Chapter 829

    *


    Meg''s face fell. She had nned to wake the person up right away, but then she thought better of it and decided to talk to the nearby librarian instead.


    "Look, I get that people want to nap during lunch, but this is a reading area. If everyone starts napping here, it''s going to turn into a mess. Plus, it feels like hogging public resources," she exined calmly.


    The librarian frowned and stood up. "Ms. Johnson, you have a point. I''ll make sure this is added to the library rules."


    Meg''s eyes softened, maintaining her elegant demeanor. She smiled slightly and shook her head. "Sir, it''s just a suggestion, nothing more."


    The librarian lifted his hand, his face serious. "I know you''re a dedicated student."


    He nced toward the seating area, then began walking in that direction, saying, "Go on, get back to your reading."


    Meg nodded softly, watching the librarian head towards Mirabe. A small smile yed on her lips as she left the library without returning to her seat.


    Once outside, Meg sent a message to her friend still inside, saying she had an urgent matter to attend to and asked if she could bring her notebook back. With that done, she lifted her chin and walked away.


    Meanwhile, the librarian scanned the area and indeed saw Mirabe asleep on the desk. Having been tipped off by Meg, he was already a bit irritated, and seeing it with his own eyes only made it worse.


    With a stern face, he approached and knocked on the desk, coughing loudly.


    Mirabe had just been resting her eyes. Hearing the noise, she lifted her head, her delicate features lookingzy yet charming with the grogginess of just waking up.


    "Sir, did you need something?" Mirabe asked politely, sitting up straight.


    A good-looking student always gets bonus points, and the librarian, seeing


    Mirabe''s polite demeanor, felt his anger dissipate a bit.


    After a moment, he cleared his throat and said, "The library is for reading, not for sleeping."


    Though his expression was stern, his tone was rtively gentle.


    Mirabe responded earnestly, "I apologize, sir. I''ll be more mindful next time."


    Seeing her sincere attitude, the librarian, not one to scold a polite student, nced at the books on the table and added, "Please return any books you''re not reading."


    "Of course, sir."


    The librarian gave Mirabe another look, hands sped behind his back, and without saying more, he walked away.


    After the librarian left, Mirabe got up, took her books to the shelf, and put them back in their original spots. Soon after, she left the library and headed back to the Biology O Department.


    **


    bet


    As soon as Mirabe entered the ssroom, Lisa, who had juste from the dorm, plopped down in the hers as if they were old


    friends.


    "Did you go home for lunch?" Lisa asked, knowing Mirabe didn''t stay in the dorm.


    Since there were only five girls in their major, only four lived in the dorm.


    Mirabe shook her head. "No, I went to the school library."


    She pulled out her backpack and put the course n Dr. Elliot had given her inside.


    Lisa watched her, catching a glimpse of the words "course n" on the cover.

 Chapter 830

    **Proposal?**


    Lisa leaned on the desk, her fingers brushing her chin. Was the genius she was thinking about talking about a study n?


    Entering college, her only goal was to savor theid-back life of a student and, if luck favored her, a sweet campus romance. Academics? Not a big deal anymore; it wasn''t high school-just getting by would do.


    But the moment she nced at the n in front of her, a wave of inexplicable shame washed over her.


    She covered her face, reminding herself that the other person was a star student, worlds apart from someone like her who barely made it past the admission cut-off.


    Mirabe lifted her head, her delicate brows and eyes carrying a hint ofzy indifference. She looked at Lisa, who was covering her face and shaking her head, and asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Lisa sighed, "Nothing."


    After a pause, she recalled the information she had gathered from chatting with senior Matthew at lunch, adding, "I just found out that our major in Information Technology is actually the least popr in the entire Biology Department."


    It seemed she was another unlucky soul forced into Information Technology.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Which major did you want to study?"


    "Biomedical Science," Lisa said with a bitter smile, shrugging. She hadn''t expected to be assigned to a different major.


    Mirabe idly tapped her fingers on the desk, asking, "Did you check the box for epting adjustments when you registered?"


    Lisa nodded, "Yeah, the counselor said each department has limited spots for new students and suggested it was best to be open to adjustments. I didn''t think much about it and just followed the advice."


    Mirabe nced at her with a half-smile. Although she hadn''t chosen the option, she ended up in the same department. She patted Lisa''s shoulder,forting her "What''s meant to be will be. Trust me, Information Technology isn''t bad either; it''s a field with potential."


    In the age of information, cutting-edge data chains more effectively showcase an industry''s value. It''s about growth and trends.


    Lisaid her head on the desk, unsure about the potential. All she knew was that her major was unpopr and looked down upon by many.


    Mirabe didn''t say anything more and took out a book to read.


    **Military Training**


    Military training was scheduled for the third, taking ce inside Prestige College on a huge field that could amodate over two thousand freshmen.


    The training was strict, with closed management, so even students who didn''t originally live on campus had to stay at the school during this period due to evening drills.


    There was one empty spot in Lisa''s dormitory, so Mirabe temporarily moved in. The other three girls in the dormitory were also from the same department.


    Mirabe was not very talkative and had a strong presence, cool and aloof, giving off an air of being unapproachable. Coupled with her status as this year''s top humanities schr, she seemed to belong to a different world.


    Thus, apart from Lisa, the other three girls in the department formed their own clique, not getting too familiar with each other.


    "Hey, when I went to get breakfast, I heard a lot of people talking about how this


    year''s military training instructors are young and really good-looking."


    Lisa came back from the cafeteria, cing her breakfast on the table, and


    gossiped to Mirabe, who was applying sunscreen.


    Mirabe turned her head, giving Lisa a sidelong nce, then continued with her sunscreen application.


    Seeing that Mirabe had no


    reaction, Lisa pulled up a stool tosit


    down, continuing, "With handsome


    guys around, I think this year''s


    military training might not be so dult"

 Chapter 831

    "Boredom? No way. But getting teary-eyed during military training? That''s a given," Mirabe nodded, her tone matter-of-fact.


    At Prestige College, the nation''s top-ranked institution, the military training instructors are either from elite military academies or the armed forces, maybe even the national guard.


    You can only imagine how tough the training''s going to be.


    Lisa''s lips twitched as she chose to ignore the grimmer part of Mirabe''sment. "Don''t you enjoy checking out handsome guys?"


    Mirabe''s eyebrows arched, her eyes sparkling with mischief. With her delicate, striking features and a casual, enchanting smile, she asked, "What do you think of me?"


    Lisa, caught off guard by Mirabe''s gaze, instinctively swallowed, about to say "beautiful," but then thought better of it. "... You really are shameless."


    Outshining other women and not giving men a chance either?


    Lisa clicked her tongue and shook her head. Her eyes thennded on a ss bottle on Mirabe''s desk. "Is that sunscreen?"


    "Yep," Mirabe replied, having just finished applying it to her arms. She turned to Lisa, "Want some?"


    Considering the small size of Mirabe''s bottle and the two-week-long training, Lisa thanked her but declined. "No worries, I''ve got my sunscreen ready."


    In fact, Lisa had prepped an arsenal of sun protection, confident she wouldn''t end up looking like a burnt toast.


    Seeing Lisa''s refusal, Mirabe didn''t press the issue and put the bottle back in her box.


    Lisa took a bite of her cereal bar, her words muffled, "Let''s finish breakfast. We need to be at the field in half an hour."


    The thought of seeing the much-talked-about handsome instructors got her excited.


    **


    Half an hourter, all the freshmen gathered at the campus field.


    The lineup was organized by department, each with a chief instructor and three assistants. Departments with more students had additional officers assigned.


    The biology department, having the fewest new students at Prestige College merged its five subdivisions into one, roughly forming three groups of about seventy students each.


    Mirabe''s information science division was paired with the biotechnology division.


    Before the chief instructor arrived, three camouged officers efficiently directed all the freshmen to form lines, their solemn aura clearly military.


    The previouslyx students, intimidated by the formidable instructors, instinctively straightened up.


    Tall for a girl, Mirabe stood at the back of the line. Lisa, wanting to be with her but hindered by her own shorter stature, ended up at the very front.


    Just an hour ago, Lisa had been excited about the prospect of handsome instructors making


    military training interesting. N


    facing the instructors'' stern faces, she shivered and quickly looked down.


    Reality was far from her imagination.


    After the students had been standing in formation for a few minutes, a tall man in camouge appeared in front of them.


    His military cap obscured his


    forehead, but not his handsome features. As he lifted his head, his deep eyes casually swept over the group of new students, pausing for a second at a spot in thest row.


    A momentter, he shifted his gaze away.

 Chapter 832

    At this moment, Mirabe was staring boredly at the grass beneath her feet, her eyes half-closed. She sensed someone looking at her and lifted her head.


    Her gaze drifted over a few heads beforending on the man standing at the front, radiating an imposing and chilly aura.


    Mirabe blinked in surprise.


    That guy, the head instructor?


    She hadn''t really noticed him before, but seeing James in his camouge uniform now, she couldn''t help but acknowledge his military vibe.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, recalling Lisa''s mention of a ''super handsome and young'' instructor. Now, she found herself totally agreeing.


    Definitely handsome.


    Despite his looks, most students avoided making eye contact with James, a kind of instinctive fear.


    The tough morning training flew by, and without the intense stares of the head instructor and other instructors, the freshmen finally started to unwind a bit.


    In the cafeteria, Lisa was poking at a piece of fish. "Wow, that head instructor is something else. I sneaked a nce at him and couldn''t dare look again."


    Mirabe gave Lisa a sidelong nce. "Isn''t he super handsome and young? Why couldn''t you look?"


    Lisa chuckled. "Yeah, he''s handsome and young, but also pretty intimidating. Didn''t you find his stare kind of terrifying?"


    Especially since she was in the front row, just thinking about it made her shiver.


    "I didn''t notice," Mirabe replied casually.


    Lisa gave her a thumbs up.


    Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She set down her fork and calmly checked her phone.


    It was a message from the super handsome and young head instructor.


    With half her meal still on her te, Mirabe decided she was done eating. After replying to the


    message, she looked up at Lisa and said, "I gotta go, something came up.


    ¦¬''


    Lisa paused, her grip on the fork tightening slightly. "Is everything okay?"


    Mirabe stood, giving a slight smile. "Yeah, just meeting a friend."


    "Oh, alright then. You better go," Lisa said quickly.


    "Mhm."


    Mirabe nodded, grabbed her hat from beside her, and put it on as she left the cafeteria.


    She made her way around campus to the Administration Building at Prestige College, heading up to the third floor. In the hallway, she waited for someone.


    Wyatt, with his phone in hand, looked up to see Mirabe approaching. He pocketed his phone and waved, "Ms. Mirabe."


    Mirabe walked over.


    "James is inside. Go on in," Wyatt said with a friendly smile, opening the office door for Mirabe.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at him, nodded her thanks, and stepped into the office.


    As soon as she entered, Wyatt closed the door behind her.


    Inside, James was sitting on a couch with a coffee table in front of him, covered with boxes of fancy


    vel


    meals. Seeing Mirabe, the sharpness in his expression disappeared, reced by a warm and gentle look. "You''re here."


    James gestured to the couch next to him, inviting her to sit.


    "Mhm." Mirabe nodded.


    "Let''s eat first." James casually picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed her a


    set.


    "Thanks." Mirabe, having only


    nibbled a bit in the cafeteria, didn''t


    stand on ceremony and started


    eating. After a few bites, she looked


    raised. So,


    up at James, eyebro


    you''re the head instructor now."


    James was still in his camouge gear, looking clean and fresh. Even without the


    cap he wore during the morning''s training, he exuded a distinct air.

 Chapter 833

    Mirabe gave him a good, long look before saying, "You know, people in the cafeteria can''t stop talking about you."


    Even though his presence was intimidating enough to make anyone think twice about making eye contact, it didn''t stop them from gossiping.


    James raised an eyebrow, served her a piece of fried chicken, and said slowly, "I bet they''re all saying how terrifying I am as the head instructor."


    Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce, took a bite of the chicken, and thought, well, he sure knows himself.


    "Have you ever done any training?" she asked casually after a moment.


    Even though he didn''t need to personally train the students as the head instructor, his perfect posture that morning made it clear he had some serious experience.


    "Yeah, I spent some time in boot camp," James replied, his voice smooth and nonchnt, as if he were talking about something as ordinary as the weather.


    Boot camp and regr army drills are worlds apart. What might seem grueling to the average person is nothingpared to the brutalities of special boot camps, where training is life-or-death. Those whoe out of those ces are the real deal.


    Mirabe, though she didn''t know much about the boot camps he mentioned, figured they were simr to the intense training she had gone through.


    "So, how about you? You''ve been at it all morning. How''s your stamina holding up?" James asked, shifting the focus to her.


    She straightened up and nodded, "Not bad, actually."


    After all, basic formation practice and chanting were child''s y to her.


    James didn''t eat much and soon put down his fork, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "If it gets too much, just let me know."


    Mirabe looked at him with a teasing glint in her eyes, "Head instructor, are you offering me a free pass?"


    James chuckled, leaning back on the couch, his voice warm, "Whenever you need."


    A strange feeling passed through Mirabe. She coughed, looked away, and picked up the soup from the coffee table, taking a few sips. "Nah, no special treatment for me."


    IMS


    James seemed to understand herpetitive nature and nodded, "Sure, as you wish."


    "Okay," Mirabe replied softly, her eyshes fluttering as she continued to sip her soup.


    The atmosphere in the office subtly shifted, quiet and calm. Neither of them felt the need to break the silence, and it wasn''t awkward.


    After finishing her soup, Mirabe


    felt a bit full and was about to tel James she''d head back to the dorm for a nap when he suddenly stood up, took out his phone, and walked to the window to take a call.


    Seeing this, she held back her words.


    "... Yeah, send it over as soon as possible." After talking for a few minutes, James hung up, turned to her before she could speak, and said, "Why don''t you rest here??''ve had something sent over; it should be here in about half an hour."


    He paused, then added, "Or if you''d rather go back to your dorm, that''s fine too. I


    can bring it to you this afternoon when it arrives."


    Mirabe instinctively chose the first option, "No worries, I''ll wait here."


    At her words, James'' lips curled into a smile, "Alright."


    Mirabe nced at him and suddenly felt like she was being yed yet again.

 Chapter 834

    James casually sidestepped someone''s gaze and strolled over, leisurely clearing the dishes from the coffee table. "Why don''t you go lie down on the couch and catch some sleep?" he suggested.


    This office was originally the dean of student affairs'' personal space, but given James''s status and the Shepherd family''s generous donations for twoboratory buildings at Prestige College, the school had temporarily assigned it to him. The sofa and carpet were brand new.


    Mirabe yawned, not bothering with formalities, and walked over to the three- seater couch across from him. Rather than lying down, she leaned and rested her head on the armrest.


    Once James had tidied up the coffee table, he nced at Mirabe, who was already breathing deeply, clearly asleep. He walked over to a nearby paper bag and pulled out a thin nket.


    He approached Mirabe and gently draped the nket over her. She was lying on her side, her face partially hidden by scattered strands of hair. The soft office light entuated her pale skin, giving her a serene, timeless beauty.


    James leaned in slightly, his fingers hovering in mid-air, his gaze softening as he looked at her. After a moment, he pulled back, straightening up and heading to his desk.


    He pulled out his phone and sent a message, instructing that he not be disturbed too soon.


    It wasn''t until half-past one that James shut down hisputer and walked over to wake Mirabe.


    She was genuinely asleep, and when she woke, her clear eyes were still foggy with sleep. She nced at the time and quickly became more alert.


    The nket slid off as Mirabe stood up, setting it aside. She turned to James and said, "I should get going."


    They were supposed to meet at the sports field at two.


    James nodded and handed her a long, rectangr box.


    There was nobel on the box. Mirabe nced at it but didn''t open it. "What''s this?" she asked.


    James''s gaze lingered on her face, her skin still tinged pink from sleep. He cleared his throat and replied, "Just some sunscreen."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Though I already have some, thanks anyway."


    She picked up her hat from the couch, waved to James, and said, "I''m off."


    Watching her slender figure disappear, James finally averted his gaze, neatly folding the nket and cing it back in the bag.


    **


    After leaving the dean''s office,


    Mirabe returned to her dorm. She was staying there temporarily and


    have a key, so she called Lisa.


    dtent belongs to


    Soon, Lisa opened the door for her. "Done with your errands?" she asked.


    Mirabe hummed in response and walked in.


    Her three roommates were also there. They merely nodded at Mirabe as she entered, then


    continued their conversationel


    attitude somewhat cold.


    Mirabe, always easy-going, didn''t mind their behavior. She sat down on her bed and opened the box, taking out thebel-less sunscreen. She unscrewed the cap and Sniffed it, raising an eyebrow.


    The ingredients were identical to the sunscreen Nick had given her. It seemed to


    Lisa, sitting on a chair with her arms around the backrest, looked at what Mirabe was holding and asked, "More sunscreen?"


    Lisa''s voice wasn''t low, and the other three roommates turned to look at Mirabe.


    Mirabe nodded, ncing at Lisa. With a raised eyebrow, she asked, "Giving you another chance, want to use it?"

 Chapter 835

    When Mirabe asked Lisa for the second time, Lisa''s eyes lit up with curiosity. "Sure, why not!"


    After all, the afternoon sun was brutal, and an extrayer of protection couldn''t hurt.


    Lisa epted the sunscreen from Mirabe. It came in an unmarked soft tube. As she twisted the cap open, she asked, "What brand is this?"


    "It''s homemade," Mirabe replied nonchntly.


    Homemade meant it hadn''t undergone any dermatological testing or safety certifications-a true DIY product.


    Their three roommates, who had been eavesdropping, exchanged nces.


    All of them were elite students from different cities and came from well-off families. They were used to wearing luxury brands, so the mention of a homemade product made them think Mirabe must be poor.


    Why else would she use a homemade product? And her clothes had nobels either.


    They shrugged and looked away.


    Lisa had already opened the lid and, upon smelling it, her eyes lit up. "This scent is so unique, smells amazing."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at her. Of course, it smelled good-it was the result of thorough research.


    Lisa squeezed a little onto her neck and arms. The white cream spread easily, unlike regr sunscreen, and wasn''t sticky. Once applied, it felt like a cool, protective film.


    Lisa looked at her arms and marveled at the product''s effectiveness.


    Soon, it was almost time to gather. Since she had already applied her own sunscreen on her face, Lisa decided not to risk using the homemade one there to avoid any allergic reactions.


    Shortly after, the whistle for assembly echoed across the field, calling everyone to gather.


    *


    The basic military training in their first year of university wasn''t much different from high school, but the university training leaned more. towards militaristic exercises, definitely more challenging, O


    including several drills specific to military camps.


    The afternoon sun was scorching. Some of the students with weaker constitutions couldn''t handle it, and several were sent to the medical center.


    James had only appeared in the morning and spent the afternoon in his office dealing with some matters.


    Amanding officer didn''t need to be present in front of the students at all times, as his presence might actually make the other instructors uneasy.


    Wyatt entered, dressed in his camouge uniform. "James, I saw several students who fainted being sent to the medical center."


    James paused his typing and looked up at Wyatt.


    Wyatt nced at James and coughed. "I wonder if Ms. Mirabe can handle it?"


    James remained silent for a moment, his voice low. "That''s not your concern."


    "Don''t you care if Ms. Mirabe faints under the sun?" Wyatt missed the underlying message.


    Back when Ms. Mirabe was in high school, she was too young for rtionships.


    But now, as a university student, James still showed no sign of action, which made his subordinate anxious.


    Considering the many outstanding male students in the university, especially since Ms. Mirabe was studying a STEM major, which was male-dominated, what if she was pursued by someone else?


    After all, aside from his family background and looks, James didn''t


    have much else going for him in


    especiallypared to the young, fresh faces in the university.

 Chapter 836

    James had no clue what was running through Wyatt''s head. He casually pinched the bridge of his nose and asked, "Do you really think she''s the fragile type?"


    "Why not?" Wyatt shot back, ncing at James. Sure, Ms. Mirabe was tough as nails, but at the end of the day, she was still a woman.


    And women deserved to be cherished in the little things.


    Clearing his throat, Wyattunched into his earnest analysis. "I did some snooping around Ms. Mirabe''s department. It''s small, but there are more guys than girls. With her looks, she''s bound to attract some admirers. Spend enough time around someone, and feelings are bound to develop. Think about it, James."


    Being perpetually single, Wyatt felt he had enough experience to write a manual on love.


    "You''re really shallow," James remarked, giving him a side-eye filled with disdain.


    Wyatt choked on his words. He genuinely believed he was just being honest. How did that make him shallow?


    If everyone thought like you, he thought, they''d miss out on so much.


    With a sigh, Wyatt conceded, "Ms. Mirabe is a catch. Miss this opportunity, and there won''t be another."


    James''s gaze turned distant and thoughtful. Without a word, he returned his attention to hisputer.


    Rubbing his nose, Wyatt had a sudden thought and asked, "Are you really nning to stay here until the training camp ends?"


    "We''ll see," James replied nomittally, not even looking up.


    After a brief silence, Wyatt adopted a more serious tone. "Riverdale isn''t like Ashford. If not for your own sake, think about Ms. Mirabe. If people find out about your close rtionship with an ordinary college student, it might bring trouble her way."


    James thought of the Davis family and simply shook his head, his handsome face showing little emotion. After a moment, he said, "Actually, I hope people find out."


    "What?" Wyatt was taken aback.


    James didn''t borate, returning to his work instead.


    After an afternoon of grueling training, everyone dragged themselves back to the dorm, too exhausted to even think about dinner.


    Ever the vain one, Lisa took a moment to rest before pulling out a mirror. Her face was a bright red, clearly showing signs of mild sunburn. She felt like crying.


    She wasn''t the only one inspecting her reflection; her roommates were doing the


    same.


    "Just one day of training and my face looks like this. We still have more than half a month to go... I feel like I''m going to end up disfigured," Howardmented, her expression sorrowful as she looked into her mirror.


    Tina, gently touching her own cheek, felt somewhat fortunate. "I applied severalyers of sunscreen, and it seems to have worked better than yours."


    "Really? Let me see," Howard moved closer to Tina. "Oh, you''re right. Your arms aren''t that tanned either. What brand of sunscreen did you use? I need to switch."


    Hearing Tina and Howard''s conversation, Lisa couldn''t help but turn her head towards them. She noticed Tina''s skin did indeed look better.


    Tina had just shared the name of a high-end skincare brand with Howard, a single bottle costing hundreds. So when Lisa looked over, Tina lifted her chin a bit, her voice neither loud nor soft.


    Hearing this, Howard yfully stuck out her tongue. "Alright, I''m going to order a few bottles from their official online store right away. I don''t want my face to look like it''s been through a desert."


    At that moment, Mirabe emerged from the bathroom, having just washed her face. Droplets of water cascaded down her cheeks, her skin glowing with a cool, pale


    luminescence, showing no signs of sun damage.

 Chapter 837

    Lisa''s attention was still on the skincare brand Tina and Howard had been raving about. She was already nning to order a couple of bottles online. But when she saw Mirabee out, she wanted to chat. Her eyes fell on Mirabe''s face, and she was stunned. Then her eyes widened in shock.


    "Holy cow, Mira, your face... it''s not sunburned at all!!!" she blurted out.


    Mirabe''s skin was in way better shape than Tina''s.


    At Lisa''s exmation, Tina and Howard instinctively looked up at Mirabe. Their reactions were identical to Lisa''s.


    Mirabe sauntered over to the table, casually pulled out a napkin, and wiped the water off her face. After a few seconds, she crumpled the napkin and tossed it perfectly into a nearby trash can. She raised an eyebrow at Lisa, "What can I say? I''m a pro at sunscreen."


    Her demeanor wasid-back, with a hint of mischief.


    Lisa coughed. "I was fully armed too! Look at my face, it''s all sunburned."


    Her skin was sensitive; no matter how much sunscreen she thered on, it was prone to damage.


    "Poor kid," Mirabe said with a quick nce.


    Lisa: "..."


    Lisa quietly examined Mirabe''s face for a few moments, then scanned her neck and arms. Not a hint of sunburn.


    It hit her then. She looked down at her own arms. They were pale but not as bad as her face.


    She remembered the sunscreen Mirabe had applied on her at noon. Suddenly, Lisa walked up to Mirabe, grabbed her hand, and looked up with puppy-dog eyes. "Sis, can you share some of your sunscreen with me?"


    Forget those high-end brands, Mira''s sunscreen was way better. A quickparison made it clear!


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at Lisa, then pulled her hand back. She walked over to her bed, pulled out suitcase from underneath, and


    sw novel


    grabbed one of the two bottles inside. She handed one to Lisa.


    Though small, the bottle shouldst through the training camp.


    Lisa held the bottle like it was a treasure. "Thank you so much."


    Mirabe just smiled.


    After all, Lisa was a fan of her Leo.


    Tina and Howard, standing nearby, had stopped discussing high-end sunscreens. They were already feeling envious at the sight of Mirabe''s wless face.


    They exchanged a nce, and Tina approached Mirabe with a smile. Her voice was softer. "Mirabe, do you have any more of that sunscreen? Could you spare me a bottle?"


    Mirabe''s suitcase was still open, and Tina saw there was one bottle left.


    Mirabe ncedzily at Tina, then closed the suitcase. Her tone was much colder than with Lisa. "Sorry, I don''t have much left."


    She zipped it up and shoved it back under the bed.


    Tina''s smile froze, envy shing in her eyes at Mirabe''s perfect skin. After a moment of thought, she said, "How about this, I''ll pay you double the price of high-end brands Deal?"


    High-end sunscreens ranged from a hundred to three hundred dors Given Mirabe''s ordinary


    background, Tina thought offering


    double the money would make her jump at the chance.


    After all, who wouldn''t want to earn a few hundred bucks from a single bottle of


    homemade sunscreen?

 Chapter 838

    When Lisa heard Tina''s request, her eyebrows knit together. It seemed like Tina wanted to buy the sunscreen not because she needed it, but just to unt her


    money.


    Besides, was Mira really short on cash? Her brother was a top-tier celebrity; there was no way she was struggling financially.


    Lisa turned to Tina and, despite sharing a dorm with her, spoke politely, "Actually, it''s not about the money. Mirabe''s sunscreen is a custom-made product. As you saw, she only has one or two bottles. If she sells one to you, she won''t have any left for herself."


    Tina was slightly annoyed that Lisa butted in, especially since she wasn''t talking to her. She nced at Lisa without responding and then turned her attention back to Mirabe, still hopeful, "Can you?"


    Mirabe pursed her lips, her delicate features showing a hint of indifference, "Sorry, no."


    Tina was disappointed, and her polite facade started to slip, "Alright then."


    She shrugged and walked back to her bed.


    Lisa watched Tina''s retreating figure and couldn''t help but smirk at how quickly her demeanor had changed.


    Then she carefully ced the sunscreen into her makeup bag. Once it was secure, she suggested to Mirabe that they head to the cafeteria.


    After the two left the dorm, Howard walked over to close the door, "That Mirabe is really full of herself."


    Tina, who was making her bed, responded without looking up, "She''s a literature prodigy. It''s normal for her to be proud."


    Howard shook his head, "So what if she''s a literature prodigy? She doesn''t have a strong science background. How could she be better than us?"


    "Well, you can''t say that. After all, for a literature student to join our engineering program, she must have some... capabilities," Tina said, with a hint of reason but an undeniably disdainful tone.


    Leaning against the bed, Howard scoffed, "Probably just the talent to be proud and stingy."


    Thinking back to how Mirabe had refused her in front of everyone, Tina felt annoyed and sarcastically remarked, "It''s just a no-name product, and yet she treats it like it''s gold."


    A penny pincher, refusing even free money.


    "I think she intentionally didn''t want to give it to you. After all, she readily gave one to Lisa. You even politely offered to pay, but she refused. that''s not personal, what is?"


    veln


    Howard stroked his chin, analyzing logically.


    Tina''s face darkened slightly. Indeed, they were all in the same dorm and department. What was the harm in giving away a bottle of sunscreen?


    Seeing Tina''s mood darken, Howard cleared his throat andforted her softly, "Don''t be upset. We''ve


    had one day of military traini only ot


    How


    can we tell if the sunscreen is effective? Besides, if even big brands can''t achieve that effect, who knows how many harmful chemicals are in hers. I''d be worried about damaging my skin."


    Tina considered Howard''s words and felt somewhatforted. Indeed, Howard had a point. It was nearly impossible for a product to keep skin looking like it hadn''t been exposed to the sun at all.


    After all, their knowledge in chemistry and biology wasn''t for nothing. The science was clear.


    So, during the following days of military training, Tina seemed determined to prove this theory.


    However, when she saw that Mirabe and Lisa''s skin remained almost unchanged, while her ownplexion darkened, she couldn''t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

 Chapter 839

    Time flies, and just like that, over ten days of our month-long boot camp had zipped past.


    Thest two days were the highlight: target shooting. It was easily the most exciting part of the training. We used standard-issue automatic rifles, but for safety, our rifles were actually electronic. They gave us the feel of the real deal without the danger. After a few rounds of demos and exnations, it was our turn to practice. The grand finale was aprehensive assessment on thest day.


    We were grouped into sets of ten for our turns. This time around, Lisa and Mirabe were in the same group. A guy in front of them was taking aim and shooting, while Lisa watched eagerly from the sidelines.


    Mirabe stood nearby, ncing briefly at the guy''s aim before looking away. The sun was ring, so she tugged her cap down to shield her forehead, her deep, almond-shaped eyes hidden in the shadow.


    Just then, the guy who had been aiming fired, resulting in a clear shot.


    A few secondster, Lisa''s voice rang out, tinged with disappointment, "Ah... missed again."


    Out of ten people, the first seven had all missed their targetspletely.


    Lisa turned to Mirabe, "Our group isn''t going to end up with zero hits, is it?"


    Mirabe, with her arms crossed and standing tall, simply replied, "Your turn, good luck."


    Lisa touched her nose, intrigued by the shooting practice despite its apparent difficulty.


    The guy next to her loaded the gun and handed it to Lisa.


    Taking the gun, Lisa felt a bit nervous, and when shey on the ground, she hardly knew how to position the rifle.


    Mirabe nced at her, then took a few steps forward, crouching next to her, her voice calm and steady, "Hold the barrel up with your left hand, rest the butt against your right shoulder... your index finger should be on the trigger guard, align the sights, and aim."


    Despite Mirabe''s guidance, Lisa still fumbled around for a while before barely managing to position the gun correctly; as for aligning the sights... she waspletely lost.


    JMS


    The result was as expected-aplete miss.


    Getting up from the ground, Lisa had a crestfallen expression, "...Am I really that bad?"


    Mirabe watched her quietly. Missing the basic twenty-five-meter drill was beyond mere clumsiness.


    Seeing Mirabe''s silence, Lisa knew she hadn''t performed well and sighed, handing the gun to Mirabe, "Your turn."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, cheekily remarking, "Let me show you how it''s done."


    Lisa''s mouth twitched, ying along, "Please, enlighten me."


    Howard, from the next group who had just finished their first round of shooting, came over to watch and couldn''t help butugh at Mirabe and Lisa''s banter.


    He had never seen girls act this way, even calling each other "dad"? Ridiculous.


    He thought he was good because his family was well-off, and he had gone shooting with ssmates in high school and had practiced since, making him the best in their group.


    He stood by, leisurely waiting to see how Mirabe would impress.


    Mirabe, with swift movements, loaded five bullets into the magazine, set it to rapid-fire, and assumed her position. She nced at the target, theny down on the ground.


    Lisa was already impressed by Mirabe''s professional-looking preparations, and when Mirabe was adjusting her angle, she


    couldn''t help but ask, "Have


    you


    swnovel


    done shooting practice before?"

 Chapter 840

    "Nope." Mirabe''s calm voice floated over as she nudged the brim of her hat up, squinting with her left eye while peering through the scope with her right. Her rifle was trained on three targets.


    "Ah... I thought you would," Lisa said, blinking and whispering.


    Next to them, Howard''s lips twitched at Mirabe''s ''no,'' thinking she must be quite the braggart. iming she could show people a thing or two without any practice. Tsk.


    But then, Howard''s eyesnded on Mirabe''s shooting stance, and to her surprise, it looked pretty professional. As she pondered this, Mirabe''s finger squeezed the trigger. A crisp sound followed by the rapid session of bullets, ending with a sudden, loud impact as they all hit the bullseye.


    She was shooting in rapid session, so all five bullets struck their mark. The onlookers widened their eyes in amazement.


    "Wow, she''s a pro! Hitting all the targets in rapid fire like that, and it''s not easy."


    "I just did single shots, had five chances, and missed only once. I was feeling pretty good about myself until now. This... this is on another level."


    "The way this girl handles the gun is textbook, exactly like what the instructor showed us. She must have practiced before."


    The murmurs of the surrounding crowd reached an incredulous Howard, snapping her back to reality. Hadn''t Mirabe just said she hadn''t practiced? How could she hit all targets in rapid session on her first try?


    With aplex expression, Howard looked at the distant red bullseye, thinking about her own practice. Her single-shot firing had hit the targets, but not the bullseye even once. So, was this girl showing off on purpose?


    Feeling annoyed, Howard didn''t want to listen to the various praises from the male students anymore. She turned and walked back to her group.


    After finishing, Mirabe stood up, handed the rifle to another student, and walked aside, dusting off her clothes.


    Lisa hustled over, humming and hawing, "Mira, you''re too cool, managing rapid fire and all. The instructor didn''t even teach us that. And you... still im you haven''t practiced?"


    Mirabe nced at Lisa, her delicate chin slightly lifted. "It''s only twenty-five meters. Isn''t it just about having hands? Do you even need to practice?"


    Lisa: "..."


    Feeling a bit insulted, Lisa gave a forcedugh. "Sure, thanks. I''ll keep practicing," she said, feeling


    defeated and not wanting to talk


    anymore. If she could do it,


    sw nove


    wouldn''t have missed her shots.


    "Gotta hit the bathroom," Mirabe said, then walked over to the instructor to ask


    for a break.


    *


    Not far away, under the shade of an


    oak tree, Wyatt held a pair of binocrs, standing a step behind and to the right of James. On James''s left stood a rugged-looking man in military uniform, exuding an air of disciplined authority, a middle-aged man.


    The man''s hands were sped behind his back, his gaze


    continuously fixed in the direction of


    the field James, tell me, why did


    you suddenlye to Prestige College to be an instructor?"


    He had been away on a mission recently and had only found out upon his return that this kid had used his name to sneak into Prestige College as an instructor.

 Chapter 841

    James cleared his throat, his voice carrying a touch of emotion. "Uncle, it''s fine for you to have married and had kidster in life, but I can''t wait that long."


    Sam''s usually stoic face showed a slight twitch. He turned to his nephew, his thick eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Got someone in mind?"


    "Not even close," Wyatt muttered from the side, unable to hold back.


    James didn''t even nce at Wyatt.


    Sam was genuinely surprised. "Is she a freshman this year?"


    James hummed in agreement.


    No wonder he took up the role of an instructor, Sam thought. Then he asked, "What''s she like? What''s her family background?"


    "She''s very outstanding," James paused for a moment and didn''t borate further.


    Sam''s interest was piqued. His nephew was notoriously picky, so for him to describe someone as ''very outstanding'' meant she must be quite special.


    "What''s her name?" Sam''s gaze sharpened, eager to know more about this exceptional girl.


    "Aren''t you very busy?" James shot back, giving Sam a sidelong nce, unfazed by his uncle''s stern demeanor, his voice as clear and calm as ever.


    Sam couldn''t miss the implied meaning in his nephew''s words. His stern facade cracked. "No matter how busy, I can always make time to meet my potential niece-inw, can''t I?"


    "Not even close," James repeated, a smirk ying on his lips.


    Wyatt, hearing this, suddenly felt a chill down his spine.


    He sneakily looked at Sam, whose brows had furrowed, and btedly realized


    that hisment might have inadvertently offended both men.


    "Bullshit, if any girl doesn''t fancy someone from the Shepherd family, she must be blind!" Sam blurted out.


    At that moment, Wyatt felt like crying; now he had possibly upset three people.


    Ms. Mirabe, I didn''t mean to, Wyatt thought, feeling the need to exin himself. But just as he was about to speak, one of the drill instructors approached.


    Wyatt mmed up immediately.


    Seeing his subordinate approach, Sam didn''t pursue the matter of his nephew''s love interest any further, his demeanor once again bing solemn and authoritative.


    The approaching instructor was the one assigned to Mirabe''s department: He approached Sam with excitement, saluting before eagerly reporting, "During today''s shooting practice, I discovered a very promising talent."


    Sam asked, "Oh? Do tell."


    The instructor had been watching Mirabe during her shooting practice, observing every move she made and her wless execution in made and hitting the bullseye without missing a beat.


    He shared his observations with Sam. "This student is definitely a novice in shooting. Her every move and posture were almost identical to what teach my other students, which tells me she has an


    extraordinary ability to mimic."


    To the untrained eye, Mirabe''s actions might suggest she was an experienced shooter, something many would simply assume after years of practice.


    However, for those like them, who undergo daily training, each movement has be a conditioned reflex; distinguishing between a novice and an expert is almost instantaneous.


    Though she appeared experienced, those subtle signs of unfamiliarity did not escape his notice.


    Finding someone with a natural talent for shooting among over two thousand freshmen was rare, maybe one or two at most.


    That''s why he was so excited to report his findings.

 Chapter 842

    "Can you believe there''s someone like that?" Sam eximed, looking at the instructor. "How''s his performance in other areas?"


    "I haven''t really noticed. I only caught it during the shooting practice just now," the instructor replied.


    Sam thought for a moment before saying, "Keep an eye on him for the next few days. If he really has talent, we''ll see what we can do."


    The instructor immediately caught the drift of Sam''s "we''ll see," coughed, and then added, "If only it were a guy."


    "Huh?" Sam was taken aback. "It''s a girl?"


    "Yes," the instructor nodded, with a hint of regret in his voice.


    But the fact that it was a girl didn''t really matter.


    James, standing nearby, nced towards the training field before turning back to Sam. "You go ahead, I''ll take my leave."


    Sam, knowing James well, just waved his hand, signaling him to go ahead.


    James nodded and quickly left with Wyatt.


    Watching his nephew''s retreating figure, Sam pondered for a moment before turning to the instructor. "Let''s go check out this year''s military training."


    The instructor was internally surprised. What was going on at Prestige College this year? Having someone from the Shepherd family as the chief instructor was surprising enough, and now their military''s top leader was personally overseeing the training...


    Shaking his head in confusion, the instructor led Sam to the training field.


    *


    Mirabe had just returned from the restroom when Lisa asked her if she would continue with target practice.


    Mirabe''s eyes fell on a boy lying on the ground, practicing diligently. She shook her head. "No, I''m done for now."


    The scores from target shooting would count towards their grades, and if they didn''t pass, they''d have to retake the military training with the freshmen next year.


    This had been mentioned by the instructor at the start of the training.


    "Alright then," Lisa said, knowing Mirabe wanted to give others more time to practice. She rolled her eyes and then said, "How about you teach me that alignment thing you mentioned? I didn''t quite get it."


    Mirabe stepped back. "Ask the instructor; I don''t get it either."


    Lisa''s frustration showed as her mouth twitched. "Is my technique really that bad?"


    Mirabe didn''t respond. Didn''t Lisa have any idea herself?


    Feeling dejected, Lisa walked back to the shooting area, picked up an avable rifle, andy down on the ground.


    Although the rifle wasn''t a real service rifle, its weight was the same. Practicing for a bit longer would make anyone''s arms and shoulders sore.


    Mirabe, despite iming she didn''t understand, couldn''t bear see Lisa struggling and went share the tips she had picked up, teaching her.


    When Sam and the instructor arrived, they saw Mirabe instructing Lisa on shooting, though they stayed a little distance away.


    The instructor pointed towards Mirabe. "That''s the girl."


    Following his gaze, Sam looked


    over. Mirabe''s military cap wamet


    pulled fow, and she was bending over so he couldn''t clearly see her face at first.


    However, her demeanor stood out.


    Perhaps sensing his gaze, Mirabe, who was guiding Lisa''s hand to control the rifle, looked up towards Sam.


    Her gaze was calm; after a brief nce, she turned back to continue instructing Lisa.


    Sam raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. His presence, typically filled with seriousness and authority, was still strong.


    Throughout his walk, he hadn''t seen any student dare to look at him with such a calm demeanor.


    See you tonight!

 Chapter 843

    The instructor nced at Sam, noticing his eyes were locked on Mirabe. He leaned in and whispered, "Sam, do you want to call that girl over?"


    Sam, with his hands sped behind his back, had a prating look under his thick eyebrows. Meanwhile, under Mirabe''s guidance, Lisa squeezed the trigger, and the shot rang out.


    Although it didn''t hit the bullseye, it was pretty close. Still lying on the ground, Lisa stared at her score in disbelief, "Did... did my bullet actually fly straight??"


    Mirabe shot her a sideways nce, stepped aside, and said nonchntly, "Try again."


    Lisa nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. She set up her rifle again, aimed, and fired. This time, without Mirabe''s help, shepletely missed the target.


    Lisa sighed, "..."


    Nothing.


    Coughing, Lisa turned her head and gave Mirabe a pleading look, "Could you show me one more time?"


    Mirabe pressed her fingers to her forehead. Seriously, isn''t this just a simple skill?


    Despite her reluctance, she patiently guided Lisa through it once more. On the second try, Lisa paid close attention and felt like she finally got it. When she pulled the trigger again, she hit the bullseye.


    Sam nced up for a moment, then shifted his gaze back and answered the instructor''s earlier question, "No need."


    Even from a distance, his sharp hearing picked up how the girl was teaching the shooting techniques.


    Steady, calm, and insightful. She was definitely smart.


    Sam didn''t say anything further and leisurely strolled over to the next group practicing their shooting.


    Howard had been keeping an eye on the instructor''s movements. She noticed the sudden appearance of a stranger in military attire, someone the instructor seemed to respect. She figured he must be an important figure.


    She had heard from an upperssman that the instructors training the Prestige College freshmen were real soldiers from the military. Getting praised by one of them could earn you a few extra points.


    And honestly, who wouldn''t want to be praised?


    As Sam and the instructor approached, she picked up her rifle, smoothlyid down, aimed, and fired in one fluid motion. Five bullets, four hits¡ªdefinitely the best in her group.


    After shooting, Howard stood up straight, her posture almost military-like.


    Someone nearby praised her, "Howard, you''re incredible. We all learned together, but while we''ve missed several times, you''ve already hit the bullseye. That''s impressive!"


    Howard smiled modestly, "It was just luck."


    "I think you''re the best among the freshmen." The speaker hadn''t seen Mirabe shoot.


    Catching a glimpse of the approaching instructor, Howard straightened her back,


    "Not really, I just have a knack for shooting."


    "Ha, that doesn''t hide the fact you''re skilled."


    Howard kept her graceful and


    confident demeanor. As the instructor drew closer, she toned down her smile, adopting a serious expression, and saluted him. Her movements were wless, showing off what she had learned during the training, while the other students were still catching up.

 Chapter 844

    As the instructor approached, he gave a quick nod and turned to Howard. "Have you done any shooting practice before?" he asked.


    He had just seen her practicing at the range, and while her movements were noticeable, they seemed more about showing off than actual skill.


    Howard met his gaze and nodded. "Yeah, I''ve been to a shooting range with friends a few times. So, I''ve got a bit of practice."


    No wonder.


    The instructor nodded thoughtfully. "Your stance and aiming are a bit shy. The girl in the next group, Mirabe, has good technique. You could learn a thing or two from her. With your experience, you''ll probably pick it up quicker than the others."


    He gestured towards Mirabe''s direction.


    Howard followed his gaze and knew immediately who he was talking about, even without a name. What did he mean by shy? Her moves were precise and on point. If anyone was being shy, it was Mirabe.


    Showing off and unting skills¡ªhow could the instructor not see that?


    Feeling a bit miffed but not showing it, Howard nodded humbly. "Thanks for the tip. I''ll ask her for some advice."


    The instructor acknowledged her with a hum, then turned to give some pointers to other students. Seeing Sam finish his phone call, he walked back over to him.


    Sam put away his phone and, without ncing at the students, said to the instructor, "I need to step out for a bit."


    Knowing how busy Sam was, the instructor nodded repeatedly. "Of course, take care."


    Sam nodded in response, turned around, and walked briskly off the field towards Mr. Hammond''s office.


    Mr. Hammond, a fellow at the Mathematics and Technology Faculty at Prestige College, was also the Minister of Education.


    **


    After leaving Mr. Hammond''s office, Sam drove back to the Shepherd family home.


    It had been months since hisst visit, and Donald had been talking about his return all day.


    "Look at you, barely home a few days a year," Donald said with a hint of reproach.


    Even at home, Sam sat upright on the sofa. "I''ve been busy."


    Donald sighed, thinking about his son''s demanding career. "How long are you staying this time?"


    "About five days," Sam replied, taking a small sip from his coffee cup.


    Donald looked disappointed. "That short?"


    Sam nced at him, coughed, and changed the subject. "Where''s Emmitt? Off on another archaeological dig?"


    "I don''t know. Don''t ask me," Donald replied, his mood souring further at the


    mention of Emmitt.


    To him, his two sons were


    practically just for show; one always


    stationed at the military base and


    the other always off somewhere,


    hardly ever around.


    Other parents his age were enjoying their grandchildren, but what difference did having sons make to him?


    Sam set down his coffee cup, feeling


    the urge to smoke. After chatting with Donald for a bit, he went out to


    the garden and lit a cut to


    BUMS


    James''s mother had just returned home and was surprised to see her brother-inw. She hadn''t known he wasing today. "Jared, when did you get back? Why didn''t yo@call ahead?"


    A young and beautiful woman apanied Dani.


    Sam greeted his sister-inw and then extinguished the cigarette between his


    fingers. "It was ast-minute decision."

 Chapter 845

    After finishing his sentence, Sam nced at the young woman standing next to Dani. He pondered for a moment, realizing he hadn''t seen her before. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Sis, who''s this?"


    Catching on, Dani quickly introduced her. "This is Yara, Sheldon ke''s daughter. You might not remember her."


    Hearing this, Sam''s initially sharp gaze softened a bit. Having spent years in the military, he hadn''t had much contact with the prominent families in Riverdale, so it was normal for him not to recognize her.


    Although Sam didn''t know Yara, Yara had heard of Sam. She nodded gracefully at him. "Nice to meet you, Uncle Sam."


    Sam nodded back in acknowledgment.


    Yara then turned to Dani with a smile. "Aunt Dani, I won''t keep you any longer today. I''ll ask for your advice on history another time."


    Considering her brother-inw had just returned home after a long time, Dani felt slightly apologetic. "That''s fine. I''ll give you a call when I''m free to reschedule."


    "Okay, Aunt Dani, Uncle Sam, I''ll be leaving now." Yara politely nodded at them both and quickly left the Shepherd''s residence.


    Once she had gone, Dani turned back to her brother-inw. "What do you think of Yara? She''s quite knowledgeable and well-mannered, isn''t she?"


    "She does seem well-bred," Sammented, a rarepliment from him. After a pause, something urred to him. "Sis, you''re not thinking of introducing her to Luke, are you?"


    Dani shook her head with a smile. "I just think she''s a talented young woman. She''s a master''s student in mathematics at Prestige College and might be a professor in the science and technology department there."


    Although she had this in mind, she knew her son''s personality very well.


    Sam was somewhat surprised. "That impressive?"


    Prestige College was the top-ranked institution in the country. Bing a professor there was no small feat.


    "Yes, Sheldon ke might not have achieved much, but he raised a talented daughter," Dani remarked.


    Sam wasn''t familiar with the ke


    family and simply nodded. But soon,


    he looked at Dani again. "By the way, Sis, did you know Luke went to Prestige College to be a drill


    §¿§­§ª§®§¦


    instructor for the new students?"


    Dani was taken aback. "A drill instructor? He didn''t tell me about it."


    "I just got back from Prestige College. Thought you knew," Sam said with a smile.


    "Why would he go to Prestige College to be a drill instructor?" Dani asked, puzzled.


    Thinking it best to avoid any misunderstandings, Sam didn''t hold back. "He might have someone he''s interested in."


    Hearing this, Dani was stunned


    for a moment before a hint of excitement crept into her


    mean he''s interested in Sone?"


    Sam coughed. "Possibly. Otherwise, that kid wouldn''t be at Prestige College ying drill instructor."


    "So, the girl he''s interested in is a freshman?" Dani quickly put two and two together.


    "I''m not entirely sure. Luke mentioned it''s not quite settled yet, probably means the girl isn''t interested," Sam concluded.


    Dani was quite shocked. "Someone''s not interested in my son?"


    Realizing he might have said too much, Sam replied, "I don''t know anything about


    it."


    With that, he headed inside the house.


    Dani stood there, still processing the fact that someone might not be interested in her son. After a while, she could onlye to one conclusion: Kids who aren''t swayed by looks are good kids.


    *


    Indeed.


    Meanwhile, after leaving the Shepherd''s residence, Yara asked her driver to take


    her back to Prestige College.

 Chapter 846

    Yara sat in the car, her posture poised as she leaned against the seat, her gaze drifting out the window. Her delicate features reflected in the side mirror, and a small smile hinted at her good mood.


    Before the car reached Prestige College, Yara''s phone buzzed inside her bag. She had been reviewing her math notes and, hearing the call, she set them aside and answered. "Hey, Mom."


    On the other end, her mother, Kitty, spoke gently, "Yara, the driver told me you visited the Shepherd family today?"


    "Yeah." Yara replied softly, her fair fingers lightly flipping through the book on herp. "I saw Uncle Sam."


    Kitty''s breath caught, "Did... did you talk to him?"


    Sam was a big shot in the national security department, a position with serious power and influence. Even the city''s elite families rarely got to connect with him.


    "We just exchanged greetings." Yara thought for a moment, then added, "But Uncle Sam seemed more approachable than the rumors suggest."


    Although Sam''s initial nce was sharp, he was polite afterward.


    Kitty clutched her phone, her excitement barely contained. If her daughter could establish a connection with the Shepherd family, their standing in Riverdale would skyrocket.


    Thinking this, Kitty advised, "Yara, if you get the chance, you should definitely interact more with the Shepherd family. It could be great for your future."


    Her daughter was well-educated and beautiful, a rarebination even among noble families.


    "Mom, there''s no rush. Let''s take it slow," Yara said evenly.


    "Alright." Kitty had always known her daughter to be someone with a n,


    capable of advancing or retreating as needed, far morepetent than the young masters of the ke family.


    Though a girl, her achievements made her position in the ke family quite stable.


    "Are you still at the Shepherds''?" Kitty quickly asked.


    "I''ve left. I''m on my way back to school," Yara replied smoothly.


    Kitty nodded, took a sip of water, and then casually asked, "Have you noticed any new freshmen at your school this year?"


    Yara paused, Surprised by her mother''s question, and after a moment, she answered, "No, I''ve been busy. My mentor has me working on academic papers and grad school reports. I don''t have time to pay attention to that."


    Kitty knew her daughter was highly regarded by her mentors at Prestige College. Hearing her talk about her work made her visibly proud, "Then just focus on your work."


    "But Mom, why did you suddenly ask about this?" Yara asked, puzzled.


    Kitty thought for a moment. Her daughter was kind-hearted. If she told her about her cousin who had been admitted to Prestige College, she might distract Yara with concern for her.


    If her niece, raised in a small town with perhaps not the best manners, came to rely on Yara, seeing her as a role model, it could potentially distract Yara from her priorities.


    No, it was best not to let Yara know.


    Quickly, Kitty found an excuse,ughing, "Oh, nothing. Just wondering if the math


    and science department has any prodigy freshmen this year."


    "I see."


    Yara didn''t dwell on it, simply responding, "I''m not too sure about that."

 Chapter 847

    "Just focus on your studies, nothing else matters," Kitty said.


    "I know," Yara replied softly. "By the way, how''s grandpa doing? Still haven''t found a match for his bone marrow?"


    Kitty sighed slightly, "Not yet, none of the matches in the database are suitable."


    Yara paused for a couple of seconds before speaking. "Isn''t it more likely to find a match within the family?"


    Kitty cut her off immediately. "You don''t need to worry about your grandfather''s situation."


    Yara lowered her eyes to the book on herp. "Mom, donating bone marrow isn''t harmful. With proper care afterward, it''s totally fine. Maybe I should go to the hospital tomorrow and try. What if it works?"


    "No, you''re too young and always busy. Your body can''t handle it. I know you mean well, but I won''t agree to it. Get that idea out of your head, do you hear me?"


    Kitty''s tone was firm. She had seen people undergo bone marrow transnts, and the pain looked terrifying. She would never let her daughter go through that.


    Even if they weren''t a match, she wouldn''t let her daughter try.


    Hearing her mother''s words, Yara leaned back in her chair and spoke softly. "It''s because I''m young and can recover quickly that I want to try. Grandpa has always been so good to me. I can''t just watch him suffer like this."


    "The bone marrow issue is not up to you. I can find other ways. Don''t worry about it anymore. All I want is for you to be well," Kitty said.


    Seeing this, Yara didn''t push further. She looked out the car window at the approaching gates of Prestige College. "Okay, mom, if there''s nothing else, I''ll hang up now. I''ve arrived at school."


    Kitty breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah, go on."


    Soon, she hung up the phone, her gaze lowered for a while before she called her confidant, Zhu.


    "Check which department my eldest sister''s daughter is in at Prestige College," Kitty said to Zhu, her fingers idly spinning her phone.


    Zhu, who had apanied Kitty to Ashford to meet Delh, nodded respectfully. "Okay, I''ll check it out."


    After thinking for a moment, Kitty added, "After you find out, arrange a meeting with her as soon as possible."


    "Okay, but remember this time might be the freshman military training period at Prestige College, with closed management. I''m not sure if it''s over yet," Zhu mentioned.


    Upon hearing this, Kitty said, "Then wait until her military training is over and arrange it immediately."


    "I understand," Zhu responded softly.


    "And when you contact my eldest sister''s daughter, don''t mention that Yara is also


    at Prestige College," Kitty instructed.


    Zhu looked at Kitty.


    Kitty''s lips twitched slightly. "I''m afraid my sister''s country-raised kid will cling to Yara, given how outstanding Yara is."


    Zhu recalled the encounter with


    Mirabe in Ashford two months ago. Her impolite demeanor indeed felt very rural. He shook his head and replied to Kitty, "I understand. I''ll be careful about that."


    "And don''t mention my sister''s daughter in front of Yara," Kitty added, her gaze distant. "People from different worlds don''t need to know@ach other, especially since my eldest sister has already cut off all ties with the family."


    "Understood," Zhu nodded in acknowledgment.

 Chapter 848

    **At school, during dinner time.**


    Mirabe put down her fork, feeling fully satisfied, andzily leaned back against the couch. She nced at James with a sense of admiration. "Your chef has really outdone themselves."


    During the military training period, she couldn''t resist the temptation of delicious food and hardly ever ate in the cafeteria.


    James raised an eyebrow as he tidied up the dishes and cutlery on the coffee table, his voice clear and refreshing like a bubbling spring. "If you like it, feel free toe over anytime."


    Hearing this, Mirabe touched her face, replying quite seriously, "Thanks for the invite."


    While others lost weight during military training, she was probably the only one who gained weight.


    It was pretty embarrassing.


    James smiled, about to say something when his phone on the table rang. He nced at it, paused his movements, and picked up the phone, telling Mirabe, "I need to take this call."


    Mirabezily waved her hand, taking over the task of tidying up the rest of the coffee table.


    James walked aside, pressed the answer button, and as soon as the call connected, his mother''s voice came through. "I heard from your uncle that you''ve got someone?"


    James turned his head to nce in Mirabe''s direction, then slowly averted his gaze, lowering his voice slightly. "Then you must have also heard him say there''s nothing official yet."


    On the other end, Dani paused in flipping through her book, her eyebrows slightly raised, her voice teasingly clear. "So, thedy isn''t quite taken with you?"


    James: "..."


    "Do you have a picture of this girl? Send it to me, let me have a look," Dani asked with a cough.


    "No, don''t think about it. Hanging up now," James said emotionlessly, and ended the call.


    Dani, with much more to say, was left with, "??"


    This kid.


    Dani frowned, dialing again, only to be met with a cold, unreachable tone.


    This voice was all too familiar.


    Every time she was blocked, she got this kind of notice.


    Dani: "#@%......%*"


    Meanwhile, James put away his phone and walked back to the couch, sitting down and looking at Mirabe. Her beautiful face was pale and cold; the military training hadn''t caused any damage to her skin.


    Thinking of the picture Emily mentioned over the phone, James''s gaze slightly deepened, casually asking, "By the way, how did you do in today''s shooting training?"


    Mirabezily pulled out a paper towel to wipe her hands. Adhering to the principle of modesty, she nodded and replied, "So-so, should be able to bluff my way through."


    James, half-smiling, never believed her so-so; after all, her so-so always had amazing results.


    Mirabe crumpled the paper towel into a ball, throwing it into the nearby trash can, looked at the time, and stood up. "I should head back to the dorm, there''s a talent show tonight."


    The sky outside was getting darker. James looked out the window and nodded. "Alright."


    But after a pause, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you performing?"


    "Boring." Mirabe waved at him, picked up her cap, cing it on her head, and before long, she had left the office.


    James smiled.


    **The administrative building was almost deserted, with no students wandering around, so Mirabe wasn''t worried about being seen. However, it was quite a distance from the girls'' dormitory.**


    Fifteen minutester, she finally returned to her dorm.


    At this time, everyone was there-Howard, Tina, and another roommate were still eating. As soon as Mirabe entered, the three, who were previouslyughing and chatting, suddenly stopped their conversation and subconsciously toned down their smiles.

 Chapter 849

    Mirabe just nced at them and didn''t bother saying hi before heading straight to her own bunk.


    Howard saw this and, feeling a bit put off, looked away. Her mind wandered back to the few words her shooting instructor had said to her today, and suddenly, food was thest thing she wanted.


    She put down her fork and told Tina and their other roommate, "I''m done."


    Tina looked at Howard''s half-full lunchbox in surprise. "You''re full already? You barely ate anything!"


    Howard let out a soft sigh, feeling more fed up than full, and got up. She grabbed a paper bag from her bunk and added, "I''ve got dance practice. You guys can meet me at the church when you''re done eating."


    Howard had signed up for a performance at the Freshman Orientation Showcase. The showcase was meant to celebrate the end of orientation week.


    Tina, sensing Howard''s mood shift, nced briefly at Mirabe before setting her own fork down. ¡°Let''s go together," she said softly. She wasn''t a fan of Mirabe either, thanks to some sunscreen drama.


    Howard nodded, and their other roommate, losing her appetite as well, decided to join them. The three left the dorm, leaving it empty except for Mirabe and Lisa, who was lost in her game on the top bunk.


    The door closed with a heavy thud, snapping Lisa out of her gaming trance. She lifted her head, took off her headphones, and nced around the room until she spotted Mirabe. Crawling to the edge of her bed, she greeted, "You''re back.¡±


    Mirabe responded with a nonchnt hum, not even looking up.


    "Where''d Howard and the others go?" Lisa asked.


    "They left," Mirabe replied tly.


    She was lounging casually by her bunk, her eyes on theptop screen resting on her knees. Her longshes cast shadows as her pale, slender fingers danced over the keyboard.


    Noticing Mirabe was engrossed in herputer, and knowing she''d been at it every night recently, Lisa didn''t press further.


    Mirabe shook her head at the screen, typing, "This model''s a mess, the initial database is full of holes. Kiddo, your coding skills have seriously slipped."


    The man on the other end paused, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. Does she think creating a database is like texting? Just type and it''s done?


    Suddenly, a file appeared on his desktop without needing his approval. The man chuckled. This old geezer, always doing things his way.


    He opened the file and his


    expression froze, then morphed into shock. The file contained code for a data linkage system, the database model almost wless, with some sequences he''d never even


    Some


    imagined.


    5


    It was genius.


    Snapping back to reality, he quickly typed, "Dad, can you teach me programming?"


    At this point, he''d call him grandpa if it meant getting help.


    "Stupidity requires more learning," Mirabe replied, then unterally ended the chat. Her fingers moved, and theputer screen shed back to the home page in an?nstant.


    Lisa, who had just sat down next to Mirabe, only saw the screen sh.

 Chapter 850

    Just like a TV screen glitching out of nowhere.


    Lisa blinked, puzzled. "Is something up with yourputer?"


    "Huh?" Mirabe looked up briefly, then answered, ¡°Nope."


    "Oh, I saw your screen flicker and thought it froze." Lisa nodded.


    "It didn''t." Mirabe didn''t bother exining further and shut down herptop. In less than two seconds, the screen went ck.


    She closed theptop and slid it under her pillow.


    Lisa watched, taking a moment to snap out of it. "Yourputer shuts down so fast..."


    Much faster than her own, which sometimes froze and went to a ck screen.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "It''s alright."


    Lisa touched her nose, then got up and picked up the mirror from the table.


    Aside from a bit of sunburn on the first day, her skin hadn''t changed at all. She even felt like her skin was smoother than before, though she wondered if it was just her imagination.


    Looking over at Mirabe, Lisa couldn''t help but gush, "That sunscreen of yours is amazing. My skin didn''t get damaged at all. Compared to others, the difference is huge. You wouldn''t believe how many ssmates have asked me about my sun protection."


    Especially when she saw Tina''s envious nces, she felt a sense of satisfaction.


    Who cares about unting wealth?


    Some things, you just can''t buy!


    Mirabe''s eyebrows quirked up slightly, "Exclusive form, once it''s gone, it''s gone."


    Hearing this, Lisa felt a bit disappointed, but she understood that such a premium sunscreen must be hard to produce, so its scarcity made sense.


    Getting through the toughest part of boot camp was lucky enough.


    Lisa smiled, not dwelling on it any longer. She checked the time on her phone; it was already past 6:40 PM, and the cultural evening would start at 7:00 PM.


    Soon, the two left the dorm and headed towards the school''s auditorium.


    By this time, most of the freshmen had already arrived. Seats were arranged by department, and Mirabe''s bioinformatics


    department, being the least popr, had the fewest people and was located at the very back, naturally offering a poorer view.


    Lisa dragged Mirabe to sit in the second-tost row. Looking towards the center stage, she couldn''t help butin, "Our bioinformatics department is really pitiful. Not only do we have fewer resources, but we''re also discriminated against everywhere. I heard from some seniors the other day that even our department''s research funding was snatched away by others."


    It was just too sad.


    She didn''t even have the heart to tell her parents about it.


    Mirabe turned her head to look at Lisa, "Funding taken away?"


    Lisa nodded, "Yeah, they said our department doesn''t have experimental projects and hasn''t made contributions to


    bioinformatics, yet we still want a


    share of the national research funds. Basically, we were used of hogging resources, or something like that."


    Mirabe nodded, understanding, "So, the weak are bullied."


    "Exactly." Lisa pointed towards the front, "Those sitting in the first few rows are from Biotechnology, and a little behind them are the Biomedical majors... In any case, our department just gets stuck at the back."


    The division was clear, arranged neatly and without question.


    Lisa sighed.


    Mirabe rested her hand on her knee, tapping lightly, her voice soft, "So, as long as there are contributions and research projects, our department will get funding, right?"


    "Well, maybe. I''m not too sure myself, it''s just what I''ve heard from the seniors above." Lisa touched her nose.


    Let''s all head to bed early~ I''m off to write some more, goodnight~

 Chapter 851

    Mirabe nodded slightly, leaning back in her seat. The dim lights in the auditorium made it hard to read her expression. After a pause, she said nonchntly, "One thing you should never fight over is money."


    Lisa, thrown off by the randomment, blinked and asked, "What?"


    Mirabe gave her a sidelong nce. "Just focus on your studies."


    Lisa''s lips twitched. Was studying really the answer to everything?


    Just then, the announcement came that the cultural evening marking the end of their military training week was starting.


    Lisa nced at Mirabe but decided not to ask any more questions. She turned her attention to the stage instead.


    The cultural evening was the usual fare-patriotic songs,edy sketches, and musicals filled with positive energy.


    Mirabe found the show boring. She eventually took off her cap, covered her face with it, and leaned back to take a nap.


    So dull.


    The next day was thest day of military training, focused on marksmanship assessment and overall grading to wrap up the week.


    At ten in the morning, the assessment began.


    Aside from their regr instructors, the head instructor, whom they hadn''t seen since the first day, made an appearance. Dressed in camouge, he stood tall and imposing, his face stern under the brim of his cap.


    Despite the murmurs about the head instructor, everyone instinctively avoided discussing him too openly.


    There was a deep-seated respect.


    "This guy is really intimidating," Lisa had said on the first day, and her opinion hadn''t changed by thest.


    ????


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, her gazending on James in the distance. His aura wasmanding. She nodded and casually remarked, "You''ll get used to it."


    Lisa''s cheeks twitched. "Getting used to that kind of presence takes real guts!"


    James nced in their direction, and Lisa instinctively straightened her back, standing at attention.


    "He''s looking over here! He''s actually looking over here," Lisa muttered, barely moving her lips, her voice a muffled hum.


    Mirabe''s lips twitched. Was a simple look really that terrifying?


    Once James''s gaze moved on, and that intimidating presence faded, Lisa seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her shoulders rxing. "Do


    you think he heard us talking about him? Is that why he looked over?"


    Mirabe remained silent, not answering Lisa''s question.


    The instructor''s stern voice then called everyone to prepare for the shooting


    assessment.


    Thanks to practicing the afternoon before and Mirabe''s guidance, Lisa had a decent grasp of the basics and performed well.


    She scored six out of ten.


    When it was Mirabe''s turn, she decided to keep a low profile and scored seven. Lisa had expected her to hit a perfect ten, so she was shocked to see the seven. She wasn''t the only one-other neers were surprised too.


    Mirabe put the gun down and stepped aside, indifferent to the stares.


    "Did you get nervous? That''s why you only scored seven?" Lisa asked, looking at Mirabe, the question slipping out.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, going along with Lisa''s assumption with a light hum.


    Her cap was tilted low, hiding her expression. Lisa, touching her earlobe looked disappointed. "Ah, what a shame. Based on how you were doing yesterday, getting a ten would''ve been no problem."

 Chapter 852

    Mirabe let out a soft sigh and admitted, "It''s probably because the head instructor was around today."


    Lisa, picking up on the hint, sneaked a nce at James, who wasn''t standing too far from them. It did seem like his gaze was fixed on Mira during her shooting session.


    "Man, tough luck for you," Lisa said, patting Mirabe on the shoulder. "If the head instructor was watching me, I probably wouldn''t even score a six."


    Mirabe just coughed softly, not saying a word.


    Meanwhile, standing next to James, the instructor was staring at Mirabe''s score of seven in disbelief. "That''s odd. This girl shouldn''t have just scored a seven." James, hands sped behind his back, turned to him. "Why''s that?"


    The instructor''s eyes narrowed, and he frowned. "Yesterday, this girl nailed the bullseye repeatedly right off the bat. Her shooting stance was solid, showing off some real talent. But today''s performance... was just too average."


    James''s handsome face showed a flicker of surprise. The instructors at Prestige College were top-notch military elites, their judgment of talent was rarely wrong. If he said she had potential, it was probably true.


    "Is she the student you mentioned to Sam yesterday?" James asked, piecing things together.


    The instructor nodded, looking disappointed. "Yeah, it''s strange how today''s performance was so underwhelming."


    Could he have misjudged?


    James nced thoughtfully towards Mirabe. "Maybe she just outdid herself yesterday."


    "Maybe," the instructor replied, still puzzled. He had nned to have a chat with the girlter, but now it seemed unnecessary.


    Oh well, talented students weren''t thatmon anyway.


    Shaking his head in regret, the instructor redirected his attention to other students.


    An hourter, the shooting assessment wrapped up, and the military training wasing to a close, ending with a group photo.


    Knowing James usually wasn''t into these activities, the instructor approached him. "James, the training''s pretty much over. If you have other things to do, feel free to go."


    James gave him a steady look and then said, "It''s fine."


    The instructor, though a bit puzzled, didn''t dwell on it. He assumed James just wanted to see the training through to the end. "Alright, I''ll go take the group photo with the students. You can wait here


    Without waiting for a response, the instructor turned and walked away, not even


    asking if James wanted to join the photo.


    James: "..."


    Watching the instructor position himself with the students, James let out a cold chuckle.


    **


    After the military training wrapped up, Mirabe headed straight back to her dorm to pack up her things. The school was on holiday for the next two days, and regr sses would start after that.


    Lisa helped her tidy up, all the while grumbling, "Why don''t you stay on campus?


    It''s so much better."


    By the time Mirabe got back, she


    had already changed out of her camouge uniform into a loose white T-shirt and denim shorts. Her legs were long, straight, and fair,


    giving her a casual and rxed look.


    Lisa took one nce at her, then looked down at her own legs, instantly understanding the meaning of feeling inferior.

 Chapter 853

    Mirabe shot a nce at Lisa while stashing herptop from under her pillow into her suitcase. Casually, she asked, "So, where are you from?"


    "Right here in town," Lisa replied.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised. She had always thought Lisa was from another state since locals usually had a distinct ent.


    "Not heading home for the holidays?" she continued.


    Lisa''s eyes dropped slightly, and her mood visibly darkened. "Nah, I''ve had enough of home. Dorm life feels new and exciting; I prefer it."


    Sensing the shift in Lisa''s demeanor, Mirabe just hummed in acknowledgment and didn''t push further.


    As she finished packing, Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw it was As calling. She answered, "...Hmm, Grady''s in Riverdale? Alright, I''ll be out in a bit."


    After hanging up, she pondered for a second before sending James a quick message on Messenger, telling him not to wait for her.


    Putting her phone away, Mirabe looked at Lisa. "I''m heading out."


    "Okay." Lisa waved at her.


    Mirabe nodded, grabbed her suitcase, and headed out.


    **


    The girls'' dorm was a bit of a trek from the east gate of Prestige College, and without a pass or a student escort, outsiders couldn''t get in.


    Just as Mirabe stepped out of the dorm, pulling her suitcase toward the campus gate, a middle-aged man blocked her path.


    Mirabe stopped, her hand still on the suitcase handle, and looked at the man, who seemed somewhat familiar.


    Thanks to her sharp memory, she quickly recalled where she had seen him before. Two months ago, at a celebration dinner her parents threw at a hotel for her high school valedictorian achievement, they had a brief encounter.


    ve


    The man had been standing by the roadside as she walked up, only stepping forward to stop her as she got closer. Clearly, he had been waiting for her.


    Mirabe kept a calm demeanor, not initiating any conversation.


    The man, Mr,


    Zhu, was slightly taken aback by the young woman in front of him. Their previous brief


    encounter had left him with the


    impression that she was quite


    But today, she seemed different, carrying an air of sophistication simr to Yara.


    Quickly refocusing on his task, Mr. Zhu cleared his throat and said, "Miss


    Beaumont, our Miss wishes to see you."


    Miss Beaumont?


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes, puzzled by the title.


    Seeing her confusion, Mr. Zhu exined, "Our Miss, Kitty, is your mother Delh''s younger sister."


    That rified the "Miss Beaumont" bit.


    Mirabe''s expression stayed cool. "What does she want?"


    Mr. Zhu wasn''t sure if Delh had ever mentioned the Cunningham family to Mirabe. Her unfamiliar response made him decide not to bring up Donald''s illness just yet.


    With that thought, he softened his demeanor and spoke gently, "Your aunt found out you''re studying in Riverdale and has been eager to meet you."


    Mirabe eyed him sharply. "My mom never mentioned having a sister."


    Delh had never talked about her family, almost as if she didn''t have one.


    People who were never mentioned usually weren''t important. Moreover, if her supposed aunt really wanted to see her, she would be the one standing in front of Mirabe right now.


    en

 Chapter 854

    Mirabe''s smile froze slightly. She''d expected Delh to keep quiet about certain things, but Mirabe''s current attitude was inexplicably off-putting. Her tone was way too cold and rigid, and her stare felt almost confrontational-definitely not polite.


    Would a regr person act like this?


    Suppressing her difort, Mirabe exined, "For some reasons, Miss, your mother left home many years ago. Even though she never came back, the bond of blood is unbreakable, and your Aunt is still very concerned about you and your mother."


    After a brief pause, she added with a touch of emotion, "Your Aunt was worried you might not adjust well to Riverdale, especially with your military training. So, she told me to pick you up after your training and bring you back to the Cunningham family. She really wants to meet you..."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched. Did they think she was naive?


    If there wasn''t something fishy, why would someone suddenly show up iming kinship? And if they were so eager to see her, why send someone who practically had "I look down on you" written all over their face?


    Mirabe scoffed and interrupted, not wanting to hear any more nonsense, "You don''t need to beat around the bush. Just tell me what''s going on."


    Her blunt response caught him off guard. He''d met all sorts of people, but he quickly realized she wasn''t like the others. She reminded him a bit of the young Delh-no wonder she was instantly unlikable.


    Taking a deep breath, he replied with slight resentment, "I''m not sure. You''ll know once you meet your Aunt."


    "Oh, then I''m not interested in knowing or meeting someone I don''t even recognize. That''s that." Mirabe finished and walked away, pulling her suitcase.


    He paused for a moment, watching Mirabe''s retreating figure. He considered following her but then scoffed at the thought. Was he even worthy?


    He took out his phone and called Kitty.


    At that moment, Kitty was at the hospital. She''d just visited Dr. Ray''s office to ask about Donald''s


    §í§á


    condition. "... What? She refused to meet and had a terrible attitude?"


    Still standing there, he nodded and faithfully reported Mirabe''s reaction to Kitty, adding, "But one thing thedy probably never mentioned the Cunningham Family to her daughter."


    Kitty, standing in a quiet, rarely trafficked hospital corridor, chuckled. "My sister definitely wouldn''t mention it, given she cut ties with the Cunningham family."


    Her gaze hardened, and she asked, "You didn''t mention our situation to my niece, did you?"


    "No," he quickly replied.


    He understood Miss Kitty''s concerns about the girl chasing after the Cunningham family''s wealth if she found out.


    After a pause, he asked, "She''s unwilling to meet you and didn''t want toe with me. What should we do now?"


    Considering what Dr. Ray had


    discussed with her, Kitty twirled a


    finger at her temple and said,


    "Donald''s illness can''t be dyed


    any longer. I might have to go find her myself."


    Hearing this, he frowned slightly, disagreeing, "Your status is too prestigious to personally go."


    After thinking it over, he nced at the departing Mirabe and suggested, "She hasn''t gone far. Maybe I should try again."

 Chapter 855

    Kitty always got a kick out of her high status. With her chin slightly lifted and a hint of arrogance on her perfectly made-up face, she said, "Alright, give it another try."


    "Sure thing, miss. I''ll hang up now," Zach replied respectfully.


    Felicia acknowledged him but paused before hanging up, adding, "If she still doesn''t get it, just bring her over directly if you have to."


    Zach got the message loud and clear and answered, "Got it."


    Kitty smirked, took the phone away from her ear, and after standing still for a moment, she headed towards Donald''s hospital room.


    **


    Zach quickly walked in the direction Mirabe had gone, but in the few minutes he''d been on the phone, she''d already covered quite a distance.


    When he reached the entrance, he saw Mirabe standing next to a sedan by the roadside. A man from the car was helping her load luggage into the trunk. From a distance, it looked like he was treating her with a lot of respect, even though Zach couldn''t hear their conversation.


    Zach frowned, puzzled. The detective''s earlier report on Mirabe''s past painted a picture of a homemaker with a husband working an ordinary job, living in a shabby neighborhood. Life seemed modest, probably because she was raising five kids.


    However, there were some bright spots in the report about her sons - one worked at an investment firm, another was awyer, one was abroad, and thest was a singer. But the detective had only done a broad overview since the sons weren''t the main focus.


    Seeing Mirabe about to leave in the car, Zach found it surprising that she could afford a driver for her daughter in Riverdale. Without hesitating, he stepped towards the roadside.


    But just then, a familiar voice called out from behind.


    "Uncle Zach, what brings you to Prestige College?" It was Yara, with two of her ssmates.


    Hearing Yara''s voice, Zach stopped and turned to her. "Oh, Yara, I''m just passing by."


    He remembered Kitty''s instructions


    not to mention that she had a cousin studying at Prestige College or that they were nning to bring this cousin to the hospital for a potential transnt match.


    Yara, holding a stack of books, looked a bit skeptical.


    Zach nced back at the roadside, but Mirabe and the ck sedan were already gone.


    Without further exnation, he said to Yara, "Yara, I have something urgent to take care of. I''ll exinter."


    He didn''t wait for Yara''s response and hurriedly walked towards his car parked at the school gate.


    He quickly got into his car, uncertain if he could catch up with the other car.


    l.ne


    Yara stood there, confusion growing on her lovely face. Uncle Zach was her mom''s most trusted person; it seemed unlikely he''de to Prestige College without a reason, especially given his reaction which didn''t seem like he was there to see her.  S


    With a gentle touch on her books, Yara turned to her ssmates, apologizing; "I might have a family emergency and can''t join you to discuss the equation problem fight now. Can we catch upter tonight?"


    Being generally well-liked, her ssmates assured her it was fine and told her to handle her matters.


    Yara nodded at them and walked to the roadside, hailing a taxi.

 Chapter 856

    In the car, Mirabe made herselffortable in the back seat.


    "How''s school treating you?" Grady, seated in the passenger seat, nced at her through the rearview mirror. His usually stern expression had softened the moment Mirabe got in.


    Though they hadn''t spent much time together, their interactions were always easygoing, much like how an elder and younger family member naturally get along.


    Open and rxed, Mirabe was a stark contrast to her brothers. The difference was more than just slight.


    "I''m getting there," Mirabe replied, her posture still reflecting the military discipline she had acquired from weeks of training camp. It gave her an air of dignity.


    Seeing this, Grady felt a sense of pride. This was exactly how a Davis family member should carry themselves.


    After a moment''s thought, Grady casually suggested, "Riverdale can be a bit tricky. I was thinking about getting you some self-defense lessons. What do you think?"


    Mirabe lightly tapped her fingers on her knee and politely declined. "Thanks, Grady, but I feel pretty safe already."


    Grady coughed slightly at her response. There were things about the Davis family she didn''t know yet. How could he exin that her sense of safety might be misced?


    "It''s always good for a girl to know a bit of self-defense," he added after a while.


    Mirabe looked down, acknowledged with a hum, but still declined.


    iming to be a decathlete in such situations would sound unbelievable to anyone.


    Seeing her reluctance, Grady didn''t push further. With As around, she was unlikely to face much trouble.


    They exchanged a few more words before Grady turned his attention back to the window, absently fingering the wooden beads on his wrist.


    In the side mirror, he noticed a car that had been tailing them. His expression remained calm, but a sharpness entered his gaze.


    As, having noticed the trailing car early on, nced at Grady. Seeing his usualposure but sensing the underlying alertness, he didn''t say anything. He knew exactly how to handle such situations.


    The Davis family''s business had far-reaching interests, naturally attracting rivals.


    As pressed the elerator slightly, increasing the car''s speed.


    Mirabe noticed the change, furrowed her brows thoughtfully, and looked out the window, her gaze distant.


    Riverdale''s traffic was notoriously congested, but As, being a skilled driver, easily overtook several cars and turned a corner, effortlessly shaking off the car that had been following them.


    As found it odd; he had been prepared for a confrontation, having strategized for an encounter with their rivals.


    Checking the rearview mirror, he thought, "That''s it? Who sent such a fool?"


    He shook his head in disappointment and casually slowed down the car.


    **


    Left behind, Little Zhu clenched his fist and hit the steering wheel, watching the


    traffic jam ahead and cursing under his breath.


    He hadn''t anticipated losing them so easily.


    "It''s just a regr driver, right? How could I lose him?" he wondered, puzzled.


    Stuck in traffic for another half hour,


    Little Zhu had no choice but to call Kitty and then head to the hospital, his mission unaplished

 Chapter 857

    After school, Yara headed straight to the hospital. Instead of checking on her grandpa first, she went directly to Dr. Ray''s office. He was the one overseeing her grandpa''s treatment.


    "Your grandfather has had two rounds of chemotherapy, butplications are cropping up. If we don''t find a suitable bone marrow donor soon, even if we eventually find a match and the surgery is sessful, there''s a high chance the disease coulde back," Dr. Ray said, his tone patient but serious.


    Yara frowned, absorbing the weight of his words. She knew that the longer her grandpa''s treatment was postponed, the higher the risk of a rpse, which could be devastating given his current state.


    "Isn''t there another option?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation, unwilling to give up hope.


    Dr. Ray''s expression softened at her concern. It was rare to see such dedication. None of Romero''s other grandchildren had been so attentive, but Yara was always there, asking about his health.


    Shaking his head, Dr. Ray replied, "In this situation, bone marrow transntation is the best option."


    "But finding a match..." Yara said with a bitter smile.


    Dr. Ray sighed as his assistant came in, signaling that he had a surgery waiting. "I''m sorry, but I have to go now."


    Yara nodded politely, "Please, go ahead."


    "Alright," he said, before quickly leaving the office.


    With a heavy heart, Yara walked towards the inpatient department, her mind weighed down by Dr. Ray''s words.


    **


    In the hospital room, besides Romero and Kitty, there were Emmitt and Austin. Donald had just undergone chemotherapy and was still unconscious. The monitor beside him showed readings that were less than promising, though not entirely dire.


    "If we can''t find a suitable bone marrow donor soon, Donald''s condition will get worse," Kitty sighed.


    Austin, in his forties and dressed in a sharp suit, his presencemanding, said firmly, "Dad can''t go through this alone."


    Although Romero had handed over the family business to the next generation, he still held significant sway. The Cunningham family wasrge andplex, with many branches. If anything happened to him, not only would the family be thrown into chaos, but other families in Riverdale would likely seize the opportunity to undermine them. Their standing in Riverdale would be precarious.


    Kitty understood this all too well, which was why she was so concerned about Donald''s condition. The Cunningham family was her maiden home, and while she had married into the even more powerful ke family, without her family''s support, her position in the ke family would be vulnerable.


    In the world of the wealthy, rtionships were often driven by interests. Feelings like love and kinship took a back seat.


    The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became, especially after receiving a call from her confidant, Suzie. Kitty spoke coldly, "My sister is so heartless. Donald is this sick, and she still doesn''t care."


    Hearing Kitty mention her sister suddenly, Austin was momentarily taken aback. He looked at her in surprise, "You reached out to her?"


    Delh was their oldest sister.


    With a sneer, Kitty replied, "Yes, two months ago. Not only did she refuse to see me, but she also scolded Suzie, telling us not to bother her, not to mess with her and the Davis family."

 Chapter 858

    Every time Kitty thought about what little Suzie had told her, she couldn''t help butugh.


    "Don''t mess with her, don''t provoke the Davis family, acting all high and mighty."


    Running off with a broke bad boy back then, who would''ve thought she''d still feel so superior yearster? Where did that confidence evene from? Kitty smirked.


    When Austin heard this, he furrowed his brows deeply. "Did our sister really say that?"


    "Yeah, I went to Ashford myself. I spoke to her nicely about dad''s situation, and she just said the Cunningham family had nothing to do with her, then blocked my number," Kitty said sarcastically.


    After a pause, she added, "Just a simple bone marrow match, and she refuses to do it. Really... Sigh, I dare not even tell dad about this, I''m afraid it would upset him."


    Austin''s expression grew even darker. He knew their sister had always been rebellious and never followed family rules, which was why she had made the ridiculous decision to elope. But now, it was their own father who was sick-his life was at stake. How could she refuse to see him? Even the coldest person should have a bit of conscience.


    Quite disappointed, Austin rubbed his face and said, "Send me her number. I''ll give her a callter."


    Kitty nodded, took out her phone from her bag, and while sending the number to Austin, she continued, "I''m not sure if she''s changed her number. Try it, brother. I couldn''t find her husband''s number either; otherwise, I would''ve tried contacting him too."


    To let her current husband know what a heartless woman his wife is.


    Austin''s phone buzzed in his pocket, but he didn''t take it out to call right then. Instead, he looked at Kitty and asked, "How is she doing now?"


    "Probably not so well. I heard she has four sons and a daughter, and they live in a run-down old


    apartmentplex. With so many kids, you can imagine the quality of life isn''t great," Kitty said disdainfully.


    Without the Cunningham family, her sister really is nothing.


    Austin could easily imagine what kind of life that must be, shaking his head and simply saying, "If her life is bad, that''s her own doing."


    "Yeah," Kitty sighed. And when it came to her niece, she couldn''t help but add, "But her daughter seems to be doing quite well. She was the top scorer in this year''s final exams."


    The top scorer in the final exams-a clearly prestigious status-surprised Austin. "Really? That impressive?"


    Hearing the word ''impressive'', Kitty felt a bit ufortable internally but didn''t show it on her face. "Mhm, a humanities top scorer."


    Austin looked pensive. Regardless of humanities or sciences, just the title


    of top scorer could predict the


    §Ö§ä


    niece''s future potential. He hadn''t expected his sister to have such an outstanding daughter, especially since Yara hadn''t even been the high school valedictorian.


    Noticing Austin''s changing


    expressions, Kitty guessed what he might be thinking about and,


    considering the less popr department her niece had been


    assigned to, added, "My sister''s daughter is currently studying at Prestige College, enrolled in one of the worst departments there, reportedly not favored by the faculty."


    Austin snapped back to reality, slightly puzzled. "Isn''t she the humanities top scorer? Why wouldn''t she be favored?"


    Top scorers were usually highly sought after by all schools.


    Kitty shrugged, "I''m not sure. Maybe the teachers have their own considerations. Being a final exam top scorer sounds prestigious, but it stilles down to actual ability."

 Chapter 859

    Austin nodded. "True, not everyone is like Yara, adored by all her teachers."


    Mentioning his other niece, Yara, seemed to soften his expression.


    Even though Yara''sst name was Ji, she was also the pride of the Cunningham family.


    Kitty''s face brightened, unable to hide her pride. She lifted her chin a bit. "Of course, my daughter is exceptional."


    Austin chuckled. "She''s already set to be the lead researcher at Prestige College''s Department of Mathematical Sciences, and she hasn''t even graduated yet. The Cunningham family must have some good karma to have such a genius."


    Kitty nodded, then quickly shifted the conversation. "I know my older sister is against the idea, so I had George reach out to her daughter."


    "And?" Austin asked.


    Kitty waved her hand, a look of resignation on her face. "I just got off the phone with George. He said my niece refused to meet me, saying she has no connection with strangers."


    Austin had been starting to think highly of this top achiever, considering if she had any potential, she might be brought back to the Cunningham family for nurturing. Now, it seemed... she inherited her mother''s cold nature?


    Kitty looked towards their father lying on the hospital bed and sighed. "How much longer can Dad hold on? It''s just a simplepatibility test, but my sister and her daughter... Well, let''s just keep waiting for another opportunity. After all, we can''t force these things."


    Austin frowned deeply; his father''s situation was critical. The doctors had said the chances of a match were higher within close family members. Everyone in the Cunningham family had been tested, but none were a match.


    The hospital''s bone marrow database had been scoured, matching thousands of pairs without sess. Finding a match among strangers seemed almost impossible.


    To save Donald, they had to rely on familial ties.


    After a moment, he said, "I''ll talk to my sister again, but as for her daughter Austin''s eyes narrowed, a cold glint shing. "She doesn''t have a choice but to meet us. After all, she has the Cunningham blood in her veins."


    Kitty''s lips curled up slightly, choosing not toment further.


    Austin missed Kitty''s expression. After a brief pause, he continued, "By the way, about Yara..."


    Kitty, seeing Emmitt mention Yara, smoothly pulled out a preparedpatibility result from her bag, interrupting him. "This is the test Yara Oluntarily did at the hospital.


    Unfortunately, it''s not a met


    swney


    Austin was momentarily surprised, but then felt a sense of relief. "I never intended for Yara to undergo the test. I didn''t expect her to do it on her own... such a good kid."


    Kitty, taken aback but relieved, had been worried Emmitt would insist on Yara getting tested.


    Although the doctors had said it wouldn''t harm her physically, who could guarantee it? She wouldn''t let her daughter suffer regardless.


    "Yara wanted to do her part," Kitty added.


    "Mhm." Austin nodded.


    Just then, there was a knock on the hospital room door, interrupting them.


    Kitty put the results back into her bag before heading to the door, speaking, "It might be Georgeing back. You can ask him about my sister''s daughter in detail, Emmitt."

 Chapter 860

    Kitty opened the door, expecting to see Zhu, but was momentarily thrown off when she saw her daughter instead. "Yara? What are you doing here at the hospital all of a sudden?"


    After a brief pause, trying to keep her cool, Kitty asked, "When did you get here? How long have you been around?"


    Yara, still deep in thought about her grandfather''s illness, didn''t catch the shift in Kitty''s expression and nodded, replying, "I just came from Dr. Ray''s office."


    Hearing this, Kitty felt a wave of relief wash over her, realizing Yara hadn''t overheard her conversation with Emmitt. She quickly pulled her into the room, her voice gentle, "Did you go see Dr. Ray about Grandpa?"


    "Yeah," Yara responded softly, then spotted Austin and greeted him, "Hey, Uncle."


    The stern look on Austin''s face softened when he saw his niece, reced with warmth. "Yara, d you''re here."


    Yara nodded and walked over to the bedside, looking at her still-unconscious grandfather with a pained expression. "When will Grandpa wake up?"


    Kitty joined her, patting her shoulder, "He''s old, and he just finished chemo. His body''s weak; it''ll take some time."


    Yara looked up at her mother. "Dr. Ray said Grandpa''s condition can''t wait any longer, Mom, I..."


    Kitty, seeming to know what she was about to say, quickly cut her off, "I know you''re worried about Grandpa, but there''s nothing we can do. You''re not a match, and we have to wait for another chance."


    Yara froze. A match? She hadn''t even been tested yet.


    Kitty, worried her daughter might say more, subtly shifted to block Austin from seeing her face and signaled Yara with her eyes to stay quiet.


    Catching on, Yara, always sharp, realized her mother might have meddled again and pressed her temples in frustration.


    That''s when Austin spoke up, "Your grandpa''s condition is something for us adults to handle, Yara. You need to focus on your studies and not get distracted by this."


    Yara opened her mouth but ultimately decided not to call out her mother, her voice


    a bit low, "I understand, Uncle."


    "Good," was all Austin said, leaving it at that.


    Yara turned her attention back, thinking of something. She set the book she was


    holding on a nearby table and took out her phone from her bag.


    Kitty, noticing her actions, asked curiously, "Sweetie?"


    As Yara scrolled through her phone, she exined, "I remember my mentor mentioned knowing


    someone in the Pharmacists'' Guild.


    I''ll ask if he can introduce me."


    Her words not only surprised Kitty but also made Austin look up sharply.


    "Someone from the Pharmacists'' Guild?"


    "Your mentor knows someone from the Pharmacists'' Guild?" Kitty echoed in shock.


    The Pharmacists'' Guild in Riverdale was top-tier, with their exclusive meds worth a fortune, rare and hard to get.


    An illness deemed incurable at the hospital could potentially be turned around


    with just one pill from the Guild. It was that amazing.


    So, pharmacists were respected everywhere, and knowing one was a huge deal.


    Yara looked at her mother and uncle, nodded calmly, and added, "I heard it from my mentor a while back. Not sure f I remember it right, but I''ll ask him first."

 Chapter 861

    Austin''s face lit up with excitement, his voice trembling just a bit. "If we could get our hands on one of those special remedies from the Pharmacists'' Guild, we wouldn''t have to worry so much about Donald''s illness."


    Yara had already pulled up her mentor''s contact info. She made a shushing gesture, stepped to the side, and dialed the number.


    Austin and Kitty exchanged a look, barely able to contain their joy. Kitty, especially, was over the moon. She never imagined her daughter had such impressive connections.


    The folks at the Pharmacists'' Guild were known for being pretty high and mighty. Without the right connections, getting in touch with them was nearly impossible. Even the Cunningham and ke families didn''t have anyone on the inside.


    With a bit of luck, you might snag one or two of their medicines at an auction, but it would cost a fortune.


    If her daughter could get someone from the Pharmacists'' Guild to check on Donald, it would be a huge testament to her abilities, whether they could cure him or not.


    It would make the Cunningham family look at her daughter with even more respect, and the ke family would be sure to invest heavily in her future.


    All these thoughts raced through Kitty''s mind in a sh. Looking at her daughter, she couldn''t hide her pride.


    Her daughter was simply outstanding.


    Even though her niece aced this year''s final exams, so what? She ended up in an unpopr department and didn''t get much attention from the teachers.


    How could thatpare to her own daughter, who had both the skills and the connections?


    Back in the day, Delh couldn''t hold a candle to her.


    And among the younger generation now, her daughter was still unmatched.


    Some things are just meant to be.


    Kitty''s lips curled into a smile.


    By then, Yara had gotten through to her mentor and was speaking respectfully, exining her grandfather''s situation.


    Her mentor, who already thought highly of her, was more than willing to help his star student without a second thought.


    "...Thank you so much," Yara said gratefully, before hanging up and turning to Kitty and Austin. Her face was glowing with joy. "My mentor said he''ll call his friend right away."


    "That''s fantastic," Kitty said, pulling her daughter into a hug. "Yara, you''re a lifesaver."


    Yara could only shake her head with a smile. "We still don''t know the oue, Mom. Don''t say that yet."


    "My daughter can handle it," Kitty said with confidence.


    Austin chimed in, showering Yara with praise.


    A couple of minutester, Yara''s phone buzzed with a message from her mentor.


    It was a phone number and a name.


    Knowing this was the contact of his friend from the Pharmacists'' Guild, Yara took a deep breath and dialed the number without hesitation.


    Maybe her mentor had already given the heads-up, because the call was answered quickly. Yara didn''t waste any time, getting straight to the point about her grandfather''s condition.


    "...Yes, it''s a chronic blood tumor. The doctors said we need a bone marrow transnt ASAP, but we can''t find a suitable donor. Is there ''t any medication that could help?¡±


    The person on the other end didn''t give an immediate answer but said, "I need to see the patient in person and examine him before I can make a diagnosis."


    In the Pharmacists'' Guild, it wasn''t just the medicines that were miraculous; the pharmacists'' medical skills were top-notch too. Hearing this, Yara was over the


    moon.

 Chapter 862

    Yara didn''t waste any time and quickly ended the call.


    "I''ve arranged for him toe tomorrow morning. He''s going to personally check on Grandpa at the hospital," Yara said, putting her phone away and looking at her mom and uncle.


    Kitty''s eyes widened, more surprised than when Yara first mentioned knowing someone from the Pharmacists'' Guild. "He''sing in person to help?"


    Just getting in touch was lucky enough, but a personal visit?


    Kitty felt a bit dazed, as if today''s events were too good to be true.


    "Yeah, we set the time for ten. Mom, you and Uncle shoulde too," Yara added after a moment''s thought. "But let''s keep this to ourselves for now. I don''t want too many people around in case it makes my mentor''s friend ufortable.¡±


    Austin nodded, clearly on the same page. He smiled warmly, "Don''t worry, I won''t even tell your aunt."


    I mean, who wouldn''t want to meet a pharmacist?


    Yara was essentially setting up a connection for him.


    She just smiled and didn''t say anything more. ncing back at her grandpa lying


    in the hospital bed, uncertain when he might wake up, she said, "Alright, Mom, Uncle, I should get going. I''ve got some academic stuff to discuss with my ssmates."


    "Of course, Yara, go ahead," Austin said, his tone softening even more.


    "Mhm," Yara nodded politely, picked up a book lying nearby, and walked out.


    Kitty followed her, "I''ll walk you out."


    They left the hospital room and stopped at the elevator. Yara


    pressed the button to go down and turned slightly to face Kitty. "Mom, why did you tell Uncle that Grandpa and I were a match?"


    Kitty had expected this. She coughed slightly, looking down, too embarrassed to


    meet Yara''s eyes. "I just didn''t want you to go through any hardship."


    "Mom, Grandpa is family. You shouldn''t have said that," Yara said, her voice tinged with frustration. Her mom''s actions often left her conflicted.


    Wouldn''t a simple, honest family life be better?


    Why rely on scheming, not realizing it could end up isting everyone?


    "You''re young and haven''t experienced much. You wouldn''t understand," Kitty shook her head, clearly not wanting to argue. "Don''t worry about it. Just focus on your career."


    Before the elevator arrived, Kitty quickly switched topics, "You''re my pride, sweetheart. Knowing


    someone from the Pharmacists'' et


    Guild is a big deal. Make sure to thank your teacher properly. We owe them for this favor."


    Yara looked at her mom, pausing for a second. "You don''t need to make thingsplicated. My teacher isn''t looking for anything in return, so please don''t try too hard to impress his friend tomorrow. It might backfire."


    Kitty nodded vaguely, "I get it, don''t worry."


    Just then, the elevator dinged. Yara didn''t say anything more.


    As the doors opened, a young man named Eddie was inside. He looked a bit


    surprised to see Yara and Kitty, but quickly stepped out.


    "Yara, ma''am,¡± Eddie greeted them with a respectful nod.


    Yara nodded back and stepped into the elevator.


    As the elevator descended, Kitty turned back towards the hospital room, asking


    Eddie, who was following her, "So, what''s the situation now?"

 Chapter 863

    Julie thought for a moment and replied, "Thedy''s daughter? She''s definitely not going toe to the hospital on her own for a matching test."


    Kitty, considering Yara''s connections with the Pharmacists'' Guild, said, "Alright, keep an eye on the eldest sister''s daughter for now. I''ll sort out the restter."


    With that, she pushed open the door to the hospital room.


    Julie saw Austin inside. Although he didn''t fully understand why Kitty suddenly wasn''t in a rush, he didn''t press for details and simply said, "Got it."


    Austin, still buzzing with excitement about meeting an alchemist from the Pharmacists'' Guild, barely noticed Julie, even forgetting to ask about the eldest sister''s daughter.


    Kitty noticed but chose not to bring it up. No point in discussing it now; they could wait until the daughter''s teacher''s friend assessed the situation tomorrow.


    **


    Meanwhile, Mirabe followed Grady to a restaurant for dinner. This ce was a part of the Davis family''s culinary empire.


    Their private room was ready, and as soon as they sat down, the kitchen staff brought out their meal.


    "Graduation gift," Grady said after the staff left, pulling a sleek ck box from his pocket and cing it in front of Mirabe.


    Mirabe had just picked up her fork when she noticed the box. She paused, set her fork down, and opened it. Inside was a car key with a phantom logo.


    Mirabe quietly stared at the logo for a moment, then closed the box and handed it back. "Grady, I can''t ept this."


    She sighed inwardly. A phantom supercar, only six in the world, worth a fortune. Yet another person richer than her.


    Grady, seeing the gift rejected, looked ufortable. "What''s wrong? Don''t you like it? Don''t you like cars?"


    He had consulted his team for ideas and, after much deliberation, decided on giving her one of his prized cars.


    Mirabe rubbed her forehead, feeling overwhelmed. "It''s... too much."


    Grady quickly exined, "The car''s not that expensive. The manufacturer stopped making them, so they sold it to me at a low price."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched. Limited edition, low price-got it.


    "Thanks, Grady, but I really can''t ept it. She worried that seeing the car every day would just remind


    her of her financial strugov


    Grady, realizing he couldn''t give away the car, looked visibly disappointed. Thedy didn''t like his gift. His team couldn''t evene up with something she''d appreciate.


    Mirabe, unaware of his thoughts, quietly picked up her fork and started eating. She hadn''t taken many bites when her phone buzzed.


    Seeing it was Nick calling, she answered, "...Hey? You''re "...Hey? You''reing over?" She looked up at looked up at Grady


    "Grady, Nick says he''s poet


    over."


    Grady, still feeling down, just hummed absently.


    Mirabe spoke a few more words into the phone, then hung up and sent her location to Nick via Messenger.

 Chapter 864

    Nick''s destination wasn''t far from the restaurant, just a quick ten-minute drive. Before long, he pushed open the door to the private dining room, immediately adopting a more formal demeanor upon spotting Grady-quite the contrast to his usualid-back self around his sister.


    He gave a respectful nod, "Grady."


    "Mr. Nick," Grady stood and offered a slight bow before quickly sitting back down.


    Nick pulled up a chair next to Mirabe, ncing at her and noting her skin wasn''t sunburnt. Clearly, she had used the sunscreen he gave her. A small smile tugged at his lips.


    After a few seconds of observation, Nick remarked, "Half a month of military training and you haven''t lost any weight."


    Mirabe gave a little cough. With a personal chef catering to her three meals a day, she was never short of nutrition. "The cafeteria at Prestige College isn''t bad," she replied.


    Nick raised an eyebrow, his overly pale face showing clear signs of sleep deprivation.


    Mirabe grabbed the coffee pot and poured him a cup, giving him azy side nce, "Another few sleepless nights?"


    Nick took a sip of his coffee, avoiding her eyes, "Just two or three days."


    Mirabe smirked, hardly believing him, "Get some rest when you''re back."


    "Mm," Nick nodded, cing the coffee cup down. He noticed an elegantly wrapped box on the table within arm''s reach. Picking it up, he casually asked, "What''s this?"


    Upon opening the box and seeing the car keys inside, he was visibly taken aback.


    Aren''t these the keys to Uncle Grady''s prized car? The one he refused to let anyone touch, preferring to keep it as a collector''s item rather than letting it be


    driven.


    Nick looked up at Grady, "Grady, you shipped your car back home?"


    "Mm," Grady responded softly, wanting to take the keys back but restrained himself in front of Mirabe.


    Nick''s face lit up as he took the keys out of the box, "Mind if I borrow it for a couple of days?"


    Grady


    Mirabursed his lips, nced at and maintaining his k


    persona, he reluctantly agreed a long pause, "...Sure


    after


    Nick was surprised; he hadn''t really expected permission given how much Grady cherished that phantom car, known to everyone.


    "You really don''t mind me borrowing it?" Nick asked again, seeking confirmation. Grady remained silent.


    Nick nced at the box again, its elegance suggesting it was a gift. A suspicion


    arose.


    Could Grady be nning to give the car keys to his sister?


    Nick looked at his sister, pondered for a moment, then quickly pocketed the keys, seizing the opportunity.


    Grady: "..."


    Mirabe, oblivious to the


    undercurrents between the two men, kept her head down and continued eating, remarkably quiet and not ervening.


    Soon, she was full.


    Putting down her chopsticks, Mirabe wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood


    up, "I need to use the restroom."


    "Sure, go ahead," Nick responded, waving her off.


    As soon as she left the room, Grady put down his chopsticks, the kind expression on his face disappearing as he tooked deeply at Nick, spreading his hands on the table, "Give it back."


    Goodnight, my darlings~ See you tomorrow.

 Chapter 865

    Nick was momentarily stunned, taking a beat to respond, "Wait, didn''t you say I could use the car for a couple of days?"


    "You must have misheard, Mr. Nick. That''s simply not possible," Grady said tly, his expression unchanging.


    Nick stood there speechless. Really? Is he just going to deny it like that? Since when did Grady be so cold?


    Grady cleared his throat loudly and tapped the table again, signaling Nick to hand over the car keys.


    Seeing this, Nick felt a mix of emotions. He looked up and said, "Grady, you can''t just go back on your word because Mirabe isn''t here."


    After all, Grady had watched him grow up.


    "Oh, is that so?" Grady''s voice was light, but then he added with a touch of disdain, "Mr. Nick, you''re an adult. How can you shamelesslypare yourself to your younger sister?"


    Nick felt a pang in his chest. So, love can disappear, huh?


    In the end, Nick handed over the car keys, still cool from his pocket. He did it to avoid further heartache.


    The favoritism his parents showed Zach and Leo back home resonated with him deeply now.


    When Mirabe returned to the room, the atmosphere was harmonious, showing no signs of the earlier tension. She raised an eyebrow, pulled out a chair, and sat down again.


    After dinner, Grady wanted to chat with Mirabe for a bit, but after several calls from his subordinates, he had to leave early.


    The siblings walked out of the restaurant to find As waiting at the door, his expression somber, though barely noticeable unless you looked closely.


    Mirabe paused and then said, "Uncle As, you go ahead. I''ll ride back with Nick."


    As looked at Mirabe, thought for a moment, and then nodded, "Alright, I''ll be off then."


    Mirabe hummed softly in acknowledgment.


    Soon, As drove off.


    Nick''s gaze was intense for a


    moment, but it softened when


    Mirabe turned to look at himel


    "Waithere, I''ll go get the car,che said.


    He walked towards the parking lot.


    Once in the car, he didn''t start it immediately. Instead, he pulled out his phone and


    quickly dialed As.


    The calls Grady received earlier suggested something was up.


    The phone was quickly answered.


    Anticipating Nick''s call, As didn''t hold back. "Someone smuggled a batch of weapons using the Davis family name and their shipping routes. The authorities detained it, and Grady''s already on it."


    Nick frowned, "Is there a mole?"


    "Not sure yet, still investigating," As''s voice was heavy, matching his grim expression. "Mr. Nick, don''t worry too much. With Grady on it, the issue should be resolved quickly."


    Nick hummed in acknowledgment, "Keep me posted on any updates."


    "Will do."


    After hanging up, Nick pondered for a moment before starting the car and driving out of the parking lot.


    Mirabe got in, not really paying attention to Nick''s expression. She was busy texting Curtis.


    "I''m out right now, don''t have myptop with me. Is it urgent?"


    Curtis quickly responded, "It''s somewhat urgent. When might you be avable, Ms. Mirabe?"


    Mirabe''s fingers glided over the screen, replying that she would be free in about twenty minutes.

 Chapter 866

    Curtis, feeling the pressure, could only wait. When it came to decrypting digital info, he had to admit Ms. Mirabe was way ahead of him.


    "I''ll wait for your update," he texted back quickly.


    After hitting send, Curtis slipped his phone into his pocket and turned his attention back to hisptop. A stubborn file on the screen had him stumped despite all his efforts.


    Wyatt finished his call and looked over. "Any luck with Ms. Mirabe?"


    "Not yet," Curtis said, fingers tapping away. "She''ll be free in twenty minutes."


    Wyatt sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, use that time to give it another shot." Curtis''s fingers hesitated for a second.


    Wyatt leaned against the arm of the sofa, watching Curtis''s screen like a hawk.


    Curtis couldn''t take it anymore. "Can you please get out of my face?" he snapped through gritted teeth.


    Wyatt shot him a look. "What, can''t handle a little pressure?"


    Curtis took a deep breath, reminding himself not to lose his cool.


    Just then, James walked in, still in his camo gear, his presencemanding the


    room.


    Wyatt stood up straight when James approached, quickly greeting him, "James." Curtis stood too, nodding respectfully with hisptop in hand.


    "Who''s in charge of the shipment for the States?" James asked as he took off his hat.


    Wyatt and Curtis exchanged a nce. Curtis stepped forward, "That would be my fault, sir."


    James''s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "Didn''t I say no European orders?"


    Curtis


    was calm, but


    Kotter. "I messed up. I dis


    the tricking."


    Wyatt, feeling the tension, hurried to Curtis''s defense. "It''s not entirely Curtis''s fault. The EU yed us by using a third-party. We did check; it seemed legit from the States."


    Curtis cut Wyatt off with a swift kick to the shin, signaling him to stop talking.


    James settled into the sofa, his icy stare unwavering. "So you got duped by a big name and lost your judgment?"


    Wyatt''s face turned crimson. "I..."


    "It''s my fault," Curtis said firmly, bowing his head.


    James pressed his temples, silence


    hanging heavy in the air. The room


    was eerily quiet until he finally l


    SP Where''s the equipment "


    "Seized by the authorities before it could leave," Curtis replied quickly.


    James squinted, his voice steady. "Who''s handling it on their end?"


    Curtis couldn''t help but give a bitter smile. "Andrew."


    Andrew and Sam, both big shots in central security-one a deputy minister, the other a minister.


    James frowned. "How did it end up with him?"


    Wyatt jumped in, "We didn''t expect Andrew to be the one to seize it, and he did it under the guise of illegality."

 Chapter 867

    In the States, illegal arms trafficking is no joke. Once you get pped with that charge, there''s no easy way out.


    Andrew had always been trying to dig up dirt on the Shepherd family, and this time, it was serious.


    "This feels like a well-orchestrated plot-not just against the Shepherd family, but Sam too," Wyatt whispered, leaning in.


    It was too coincidental that Andrew managed to seize the weapons. Plus, Andrew and Sam have always been political rivals, smiling to each other''s faces but hiding true animosity. Andrew had been gunning for Sam''s top position for a while.


    James closed his eyes briefly, maintaining his calm demeanor. "To take down the Shepherd family, he''d need to have the chops."


    "But Curtis found something interesting," Wyatt continued.


    "Oh?" James nced at him, curious.


    "An encrypted file that Curtis managed to snag from Andrew."


    Though it was a rookie mistake, they''d figure out the whole story soon enough.


    "However, the file hasn''t been decrypted yet, so we don''t know what''s inside," Wyatt whispered back, pausing before adding, "Whatever Andrew''s keeping so hush-hush, it''s probably not something legal."


    Mentioning the decryption made Curtis feel a bit embarrassed. Just as he was about to speak, his phone buzzed. Remembering the time, he quickly pulled it out of his pocket.


    It was a message from Mirabe saying she was ready.


    Curtis looked up at James, "James, with Ms. Mirabe''sputer skills, she should be able to decrypt the file. She''s avable now."


    James frowned slightly at this.


    Curtis, always keen on reading James''s expressions, continued, "Ms. Mirabe is just really good withputers, nothing else..."


    James shot him a look. "Do you think it''s fair to drag an innocent person into this?"


    Curtis paused for a moment before replying softly, "But... she''ll inevitablye across these things eventually."


    The future matriarch of the Shepherd family couldn''t be too naive.


    Wyatt coughed, saying, "I think... we shouldn''t underestimate Ms. Mirabe."


    After all, she was a hidden powerhouse. Masterful medical


    skills, top-notch pharmaceutical knowledge, and exceptional


    were enough to impress anyone.


    James stared coldly at Wyatt, sending shivers down his spine, but eventually, he


    raised no further objections.


    Wyatt nudged Curtis, "Go get Ms. Mirabe to decrypt the file."


    Curtis snapped back to reality and picked up hisptop again. As his eyesnded


    on the screen, he saw a pop-up message that made him freeze.


    [Which file needs decrypting, the encrypted one on the desktop?] Curtis: "..."


    Suddenly, he felt like aplete novice inputing. It hadn''t even been a minute since she sent that message, right? And she had already hacked into hisputer?


    Mirabe: [Hmm?]


    Curtis''s lips twitched. Snapping back to reality and setting aside his embarrassment, he quickly typed a reply: [Yes.]


    Mirabe: [Okay.]


    Soon, Curtis saw hisputer screen sh, and a program he had never r


    with a progress bar disyed in the center.


    Ceen before started running,


    One second, thirty percent.


    Two seconds, sixty percent.


    Three seconds...

 Chapter 868

    By the third second, the words "Unlock Sessful" shed on the screen, nearly blinding Curtis with their sudden appearance.


    "Wait, that''s it?"


    Curtis, holding hisptop, was too stunned to react. He had been nning to discuss with Mirabe about starting a remote session so she could help unlock hisputer from afar.


    But... before he even said a word, she had already cracked the file?


    And it only took her three seconds!!!


    Mirabe: "Done, I''m logging off."


    As soon as this message appeared on the screen, the chat box vanished, and theputer returned to normal-all within a minute. If it weren''t for the decrypted file sitting on his desktop, Curtis would have thought he imagined the whole thing. This wasn''t just being good withputers. This was the work of a true hacker.


    Wyatt, standing next to him, had missed the action on the screen and urged, "Curtis, did you send the file to Ms. Mirabe to decrypt?"


    Wyatt''s question snapped Curtis out of his daze. He nced at Wyatt, feeling a bit better about himself knowing there was someone even more clueless nearby.


    "It''s already decrypted," Curtis said, pursing his lips as he opened the file.


    Wyatt lookedpletely baffled. "That progress bar that shed on your screen just now¡ªwas that Ms. Mirabe decrypting the file?"


    "Yes." Curtis nodded, looking up to catch Wyatt''s shocked expression.


    Wyatt was indeed shocked, but after a moment, he looked back at Curtis. "Curtis, please never im you''re a hacker again. It''s embarrassing even for me."


    Wyatt had struggled with the file for ages, while Ms. Mirabe had cracked it in seconds. The difference in their abilities...was staggering.


    Curtis: "..."


    Damn it!


    Taking a


    back on theptop, where numerous audio files were disyed, each marked with a timestamp.


    ep breath, Curtis focused


    "James, these are all recorded phone calls," Curtis said while clicking to y one of the recordings.


    After listening to several recent recordings, none seemed relevant to the seized equipment, which was disappointing.


    Just then, James''s phone rang. It was his uncle Sam calling. James adjusted his sses and waved at Curtis.


    Seeing this, Curtis quickly paused the audio that was still ying.


    James answered, "Uncle."


    "I''m not your uncle if I have a nephew who causes me trouble like this..." Sam''s irritated voice came through, making James twitch his cheek and calmly move the phone away from his ear.


    Sam continued to rant, but James didn''t respond, prompting Sam to yell, "You


    little rascal, are you even listening?"


    "Uncle, I''m listening," James replied


    calmly. After a brief pause, he


    continued, "Don''t worry, today''s incident won''t affect your career."


    Hearing this, Sam nearly choked in frustration. "Do you think I''m that selfish?"


    "You are," James said lightly.


    Sam: "..."


    "Alright, Uncle, I need to go. Please take care," James said, hanging up before Sam could respond.

 Chapter 869

    James set his phone down, his eyes sharp with unspoken thoughts.


    Wyatt, beside him, nced over quietly before finally speaking, "It might not be best for Sam to show his hand right now. Should I go see Andrew instead?"


    "No need. He''lle to us soon enough," James replied coolly.


    Wyatt thought seeking out Andrew was the most prudent solution. It wouldn''t involve James directly, and it would also allow them to gauge Andrew''s stance.


    However, there was a different significance between them reaching out to Andrew and Andrewing to them of his own ord.


    Nodding, Wyatt responded, "I''ll make the arrangements."


    "I''ll get these recordings sorted out as soon as possible," Curtis added somberly from the side. After a pause, he continued, "This oversight was my fault. Once this is over, I''ll ept my punishment."


    After bowing respectfully to James, Curtis left with hisptop in hand.


    Wyatt watched Curtis''s retreating figure with a soft sigh but dared not say more, quickly making his exit as well.


    **


    Elsewhere, Mirabe had not only decrypted the files for Curtis but was also continuing her study of a separate information database.


    Creating aprehensive and independent database required not only a vast amount of virtual data but also numerous tests to find the equilibrium point before


    it could be officially utilized in information technology.


    Currently, the world''s top


    information data was shared, a significant reason why the usage of many software and chips couldn''t be quantified was due to the importance of the information data chain.


    ve


    Though independent information databases were still in a nascent stage in the current tech era, they were poised to be a focal point of research in theing decades.


    Sitting upright, Mirabe typed code after code into her keyboard with a rare seriousness.


    Her room door was open, and Nick,


    preupied with matters


    concerning the Davis family in Riverdale, had decided to visit after finding himself distracted at home. At that moment, he knocked on Mirabe''s door.


    Immersed in her coding, Mirabe responded without looking up, her focus remaining on herputer screen.


    Entering the room, Nick saw his sister at theputer desk, seemingly engrossed in her work. He approached to inform her of his outing, but paused, surprised at what he saw on her screen.


    After a moment, he asked, "Mirabe, is this...?"


    Realizing Nick was beside her, Mirabe paused her typing, calmly closing themand window and replied without changing her expression, "Just getting familiar with the database."


    Nick, puzzled, asked, "Database?"


    After a moment''s thought, she answered, "I''m studying


    bioinformatics. Gic matching and screening require extracting andparing vast amounts of data from databases. I''m just getting a head start on my major."


    Hearing this, Nick recalled the unfamiliarmand prompts he had just seen. Without further suspicion, he nodded, only to express surprise momentster, "You chose bioinformatics as your major?"


    Mirabe nodded, raising an eyebrow slightly at Nick, "Are you going to tell me it''s an obscure field?"


    Leaning on the edge of the desk, Nick replied curiously, "Why would I? The prospects for that major are excellent. Abroad, data and gic research are considered key scientific projects."

 Chapter 870

    Nick had always lived abroad and had never really followed domestic research projects. So, he had no idea that data genomics research was pretty much ignored back home.


    When Mirabe heard Nick''sments, she was a bit taken aback. "I also think it has a bright future, but back home, this field isn''t well-regarded."


    "Well, they''re just frogs in a well. This field is crucial for life engineering research. Without a data analyst, a research team simply can''t get their work done," Nick said with a touch of sarcasm.


    Even though it wasn''t his field, Nick was quite knowledgeable about it.


    Mirabe nodded, "It''s a pity so few understand that."


    Nick drummed his fingers on the table. "Just keep studying hard. It''s a solid field."


    "Okay," Mirabe replied, her eyes shifting before she asked, "Nick, did you need me for something?"


    That reminded Nick of his purpose. He nodded, "I need to step out for a bit, and I''m not sure when I''ll be back..."


    Mirabe waved him off with a sweet smile, "Okay, Nick, go ahead."


    Seeing her reaction, Nick reached out to ruffle her hair, saying, "Alright, I''m off then."


    With that, he pulled his hand back and turned to leave the room.


    Mirabe stayed in the same position until Nick''s figure disappeared through the door. After a moment, she blinked, refocused, and got back to her coding.


    Nick drove to the Davis family''s branch in Riverdale. As he stepped into the lobby, the butler greeted him with a respectful bow.


    Grady had just returned, setting down his coffee cup. His frosty demeanor thawed a bit as he looked at Nick. "What brings you here?"


    Nick gave a nod and said, "I heard from Uncle Cheng that something came up, so I came to check on things."


    Grady''s gaze hardened, full of menace. "A bunch of clowns asking for trouble."


    Nick felt slightly relieved. As long as it wasn''t too serious. After a pause, he asked, "Grady, who''s daring to


    mess


    with the Davis fantov


    tent belongs to


    "The EU''s Crimson me," Grady replied coldly.


    Nick frowned. "How dare they?"


    Didn''t they know the Davis family was the biggest power conglomerate in the EU?


    Grady''s lips curled into a smirk. "Probably a death wish."


    Nick cleared his throat, then asked, "So, how are we handling this?"


    "You don''t need to worry about it. have my ns," Grady said, ying with the wooden beads on his wrist, his gaze deep, clearly having his strategy in mind.


    Seeing this, Nick nodded, not pressing further.


    Grady, recatting something, spoke with a hint of satisfaction. "You''ve handled the affairs of the Riverdale branch well. It seems your time abroad has indeed matured you."


    While abroad, they had always been grooming Mr. Nick, but hisck of interest in management had somewhat disappointed the family elders.


    Nick''s gaze lowered, and after a moment, he quietly said, "I can''t always disappoint Chester."


    Grady chuckled. "Though Chester is stern, he''s not unreasonable. He won''t force you into anything, as you know."


    Nick felt a stir in his heart, remembering how Chester had guided him through his darkest years. He nodded. "I know."


    Just then, As walked in, interrupting their conversation.

 Chapter 871

    As was caught off guard when he spotted Nick in the living room, but he quickly approached Grady. "Grady, the security team headed to the Northside branch. They''ve asked to see you."


    Grady''s fingers paused on the wooden beads wrapped around his wrist. He looked at As, squinting slightly, "The security team wants to butt in too?"


    "Looks like it. ording to our guys, the authorities brought a bunch of people, and they''re all armed," As reported quickly, his voice calm and steady.


    Grady rolled his neck and stood up from his chair. "Alright, let''s go meet them." As nodded and stepped aside.


    Nick overheard their conversation and pondered for a moment before asking, "Should Ie along?"


    Grady raised his hand. "No need. You shouldn''t show your face with the authorities around."


    Nick thought about his position at the research institute and understood Grady''s concern for his safety. He stayed quiet and didn''t press the issue.


    Soon, Grady and As were on their way to the Northside branch.


    When they arrived, they were met by a ring of stern, armed personnel, each with a gun at the ready, creating a tense atmosphere.


    As drove up to the gate, the dark muzzles of guns aimed directly at the car.


    As smirked slightly, showing no signs of being fazed, as if he was used to such scenes. Without getting out of the car, he rolled down the window and spoke to the guards outside.


    In a moment, the guns were lowered, and the heavy iron gate slowly opened, allowing the car to drive in.


    *


    Meanwhile...


    "James, you''re implicated in an illegal arms deal. You''ll need toe with us," Andrew, dressed in a ck tactical uniform, said, his gaze fixed on James. Though his tone was polite, it was clear he wasn''t there for friendly reasons.


    James was lounging on the sofa, seemingly unfazed by Andrew''s aggressive stance. He slowly picked up his coffee cup, took a sip, and then spoke, "Illegal deal? Is Andrew joking with me or with the Bureau of Arms?"


    The Bureau of Arms was a unique agency set up by the World Alliance, independent of any country. It handled not only official arms transactions but also cooperated with local forces.


    However, local forces needed official approval to buy weapons from the Bureau of Arms. Deals without official consent were considered illegal.


    Of course, the extent of these dealings depended on the country''s control. As long


    as it didn''t involve highly dangerous or special weapons, authorities often turned a blind eye.


    No one wanted to cross the Bureau of Arms.


    Andrew, with his square-jawed face and official demeanor, smirked slightly. "Mr: James, there''s no need to bring the Bureau of Arms


    this. I''m just doing my job, to


    Whether you''re involved in illegal sales needs to be rified. Don''t you think it''s best to clear your name?"


    James set down his coffee cup, still rxed, not responding to Andrew''s statement.


    Seeing this, Andrew''s eyes narrowed slightly, and he continued, "Do you think having Sam on your side means you can do whatever you want?"


    At this, James finally lifted his head to look at Andrew, his dark eyes deep and cold. "Are you looking for trouble?"

 Chapter 872

    Andrew''s face went dark the second he heard those words, his hand twitching near the gun strapped to his waist, ready to draw it at a moment''s notice.


    The guys who''de with Andrew were already on high alert, their guns aimed in one direction, ready to fire at the slightest hint of trouble.


    "Don''t push your luck," Andrew warned coldly.


    The whole room became tense in an instant.


    Wyatt, standing nearby, was about to make a move, but James, who had been sitting calmly, stood up and strolled over to Andrew. Towering over him, he looked down and said, "You think you''re up to this?"


    Andrew, usually so authoritative, found himself stepping back instinctively when he met James''s eyes, like a mouse staring down a cat.


    "You..." Andrew stammered, unable to find his words.


    Just then, Curtis, exuding a chilling authority, walked in. He didn''t seem bothered at all by the guns trained on him by Andrew''s men. He approached Andrew, holding up a piece of paper. "Maybe you should take a look at this before you say anything else."


    Andrew frowned and nced at the document. As he read the first few lines, his face changed dramatically. He snatched the papers from Curtis and quickly scanned through them, his hands starting to shake.


    Curtis watched him with a cold smile. "You might want to skip to thest page. Decoding your voice messages took quite a bit of time."


    Breaking down dozens of voice messages to find amon thread was no small feat, let alone assembling those threads into a 340 cipher text.


    The 340 cipher, more intricate and obscure than Morse code, would have been a tough nut to crack if Curtis hadn''t studied it before. Andrew had indeed been cautious.


    But if it had been just one recording, Curtis might not have found any ws. Sometimes, being too clever can be your downfall.


    When Andrew finally reached thest page and saw the decoded text, he nearly fainted.


    "Leaking official strategic maps to a foreign country? Do you have a death wish?"


    Curtis''s words hit Andrew like a sledgehammer. His fingers went ck, and the papers fluttered to the floor.


    "How... how did you get this?" Andrew''s bravado evaporated. He''d encrypted the files and hadn''t even dared to store them on aputer.


    Curtis smirked, "It''s simple: if you


    don''t want your actions known, don''t do them. Did you really need


    swnovelet


    Sone to spell that out for you?"


    Andrew staggered, realizing it was all over.


    **


    After Andrew left, Wyatt picked up the papers from the floor, genuinely impressed by Curtis''s ability to


    expose Andrew''s secrets from what seemed like harmless


    conversations.


    Curtis stayed silent, knowing he had to make up for his mistake today. Otherwise,


    he wouldn''t have the face to stay by James''s side.


    James nced at him, then sat back


    down, casually resting his hand on his knee. After a moment, he asked, "So, who''s pulling the strings behind this arms deal?"


    The room fell silent, wrapping up the day''s drama. "Good night, see you tomorrow!"

 Chapter 873

    Wyatt nced up at James and answered respectfully, "It''s the Maple Syndicate." James paused, looking at Wyatt with a puzzled expression, "Who?"


    Wyatt hesitated for a moment before repeating, "The... Maple Syndicate."


    The Maple Syndicate was thergest underground organization in the States. However, over the past decade, they had be more discreet, slowly withdrawing from their underworld alliances to go legit.


    The current state of their operations was uncertain.


    Wyatt only knew that the syndicate likely had a foothold in Riverdale too.


    James pinched the bridge of his nose, silent for a moment.


    Seeing James like this, Wyatt and Curtis exchanged confused nces.


    "James? Is there something wrong with the Maple Syndicate?" Wyatt asked quietly.


    James leaned back on the sofa, his sharp eyebrows softening from their usual sternness. The light from the crystalmp cast a cool glow on his face as he asked, "What''s the Maple Syndicate''s stance now?"


    Wyatt shook his head, "I''m not too sure. But this transaction, even though it wasn''t the Maple Syndicate directly, it''s clear there''s an issue within their ranks.


    Otherwise, the European factions wouldn''t have found an opening."


    James nodded, his deep eyes narrowing slightly, "Look into the Maple Syndicate''s situation now."


    Despite his internal doubts, Wyatt quickly agreed.


    After a pause, James called to Wyatt, who was about to leave, "Call Andrew. Tell him to retract the arrest warrant. Let''s pretend today''s incident never happened."


    Wyatt stopped in his tracks, surprised, "Why? This was a rare chance to take him down."


    James''s expression remained indifferent, his gaze distant, "Taking down one Andrew just means countless others will emerge."


    Wyatt thought it over and found the logic sound, "We have leverage over Andrew. He''ll think twice before causing trouble again."


    "Right," James waved his hand.


    With a nod, Wyatt quickly left with Curtis.


    **


    Meanwhile, at the Davis family''s north division...


    Grady walked into the lobby with a stern look, apanied by As.


    The lobby was filled with over a dozen armed men, their aura matching those at the entrance. As Grady and As walked in, they were immediately aimed at.


    The division''s two managers frowned, ready to act, but a raise of Grady''s arm made them step back.


    Sitting in the main seat was a


    middle-aged man, lounging


    respectfully preparing coffee for


    him, projecting the air of a king in his


    domain.


    en


    He sipped his coffee before slowly raising his head to look at Grady, his eyes filled


    with disdain, "You''re in charge here?"


    Grady hadn''t seen such a gaze in many years, amusing him.


    Lax


    His lips curled into a smirk, his ck attire making him appear even colder, with a hint of menace. Approaching and looking down. the man, he said, "You should be thankful we live in a civilized and harmonious society."


    The middle-aged man, despite the instinctual fear within him, felt emboldened by the presence of his men andughed coldly, mming his hand on the coffee table, "You''ve got some nerve, engaging indillegal arms deals. Do you have no regard for the authorities?"

 Chapter 874

    As the middle-aged man mmed his hand on the table, a dozen sleek ck guns clicked in unison, all aimed at Grady and the two managers in the room, ready to fire at any moment.


    Grady stayed cool as a cucumber. He raised his hands and leisurely pped, nodding. "So, evidence of illegal dealings, huh?"


    The middle-aged man''s eyes narrowed, clearly taken aback that Grady was still ying it calm. Laughing lightly, he said, "Won''t shed a tear until you see the coffin, huh? You want evidence? Fine,e with us, and you''ll see."


    "Who do you think you are?" As had enough of this guy''s bluster. Threatening Grady right to his face? Not on his watch.


    The middle-aged man''s face darkened as he turned his gaze to As. No one had ever dared to speak to him like that. With a quick nce, he signaled his men.


    But before his men could even react, As had already moved. In the blink of an eye, the middle-aged man was yanked from his chair, As''s hand gripping his throat. It took less than five seconds.


    A cold smile yed at the corners of As''s lips, his eyes shing with a hint of menace. "What makes you think you have the right to sit at the head of the table?"


    The man''s eyes widened in terror, his throat constricted, unable to make a sound. Seeing their boss suddenly held hostage, the dozen gunmen tensed, ready to aim at As. But the other two managers sprang into action.


    Anyone holding a managerial position in the Davis family was skilled and capable. Trying to outgun them was a joke. Each of them had survived through gunfire and bullets. Fear? Not in their vocabry.


    In less than a minute, the dozen armed men were disarmed, utterly helpless.


    The middle-aged man''s face turned pale, his previous arrogancepletely gone.


    As nced disdainfully at the


    men writhing on the ground in pain. If it weren''t for Grady''s principles of "peace and harmony," these guys would have been riddled with bullets.


    "Losers," As spat.


    At that moment, the phone in the middle-aged man''s pocket began to ring. The sound wasn''t loud, but in the tense room, it added an eerie thrill.


    The man shivered, too scared to take out his phone, letting it ring endlessly.


    Grady brushed off some imaginary dust from his jacket, then nced at As and the two managers. "I''ve said it before; we''re in a civilized and harmonious society now. We should reason with people."


    The middle-aged man being choked and his men with dislocated arms were speechless: "..."


    Civilized and harmonious, my foot!


    As coughed, loosening his grip while simultaneously kicking the middle-aged man''s shin. The man crumpled to the floor, conveniently kneeling right in front of Grady.


    "My bad. Next time, I''ll definitely reason with people properly," As said.


    The middle-aged man could only groan.


    His phone kept ringing, and given its special ringtone, he knew exactly who was calling. Despite kneeling on the floor, he fumbled for his phone and pressed the answer button.


    en

 Chapter 875

    He had to report the situation to Andrew and ask for more backup to arrest this unruly mob. But just as the middle-aged man started speaking, he heard Andrew''s assistant on the other end, and his expression changed in an instant.


    "A... mistake?" The middle-aged man never expected such a response. He nced at his men lying on the ground. "How could it be a mistake?"


    These guys were clearly a bunch of bandits!


    The assistant on the phone didn''t say much. "You better take your men and leave. Apologize properly. Offending them won''t end well for anyone."


    With that, the assistant hung up.


    Listening to the dial tone, the middle-aged man looked up at Grady, who stood there in a sleek ck suit, exuding an icy and intimidating presence. The assistant''s words echoed in his ears: Apologize, don''t offend.


    The middle-aged man slumped to the ground, wondering where things had gone wrong. How had it suddenly be a situation where they couldn''t afford to


    offend this person?


    Though the conversation wasn''t on speaker, the volume was enough for anyone with sharp ears to hear clearly.


    "A mistake?" As raised an eyebrow, his tone casual but somehow chilling.


    The middle-aged man vividly remembered the feeling of having his life in someone else''s hands. He quickly changed his attitude, apologized to Grady, and then made his dozen or so defeated men apologize too.


    Before long, he and his men left with their tails between their legs.


    As watched the group hurry away until they were out of sight. Then he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That was a quick change of attitude."


    One moment they were all aggressive, ready to make arrests, and the next, they were admitting a mistake. Clearly, something had happened.


    Grady narrowed his eyes, not curious about why these people had changed their attitude. He sat down in the main seat, resting his hand on the armrest, then asked, "Does anyone have a niece, a younger sister, or something?"


    He was still bothered about the gift he hadn''t managed to give away.


    As was still pondering when Grady suddenly asked a question unrted to the matter at hand, making him pause. He looked at Grady, his face full of confusion.


    The two stewards beside him had the same reaction.


    Grady looked at the three of them, then shook his head. "Never mind, all unreliable."


    The men: "???"


    As recovered, a twitch at the corner of his mouth, and asked softly, "Your car didn''t get given away?"


    Grady gave As a deep look.


    As felt his scalp tighten and straightened up immediately. He hurriedly said, "Ah, Grady, I should head back. The youngdy has off and might go shopping or something. As her driver, I need to be ready at all times."


    Without waiting for a response, he quickly left. Grady: "..."


    That damn guy.


    jys


    **


    Two days flew by.


    After the military training for freshmen, regr sses began.


    The Information Science major was rtively unpopr within the Biology department, so the lecturer hardly paid attention to the ss.. After Covering the basics, they wouldn''t waste words on anything else.


    Utterly aloof.


    Mirabe had lunch in the cafeteria and then headed to the library. Her understanding of Information Science wasn''tprehensive, and


    she knew she needed to learn more.


    To be continued tomorrow.

 Chapter 876

    People who choose bioinformatics as their major are quite rare. A lot of the courses are taught by teaching assistants who are still working on their PhDs within the department. The highest rank among them is an assistantb technician, which barely even scratches the surface of the broader biological sciences department.


    An assistantb technician might have observed someb sses alongside professors from other majors, and they could handle teaching freshmen and sophomores. But they''re far from being qualified to set up and lead research projects. So, it''s no wonder they''re often looked down upon by other sub- departments.


    Turning a niche major into a popr one is definitely a tough job.


    After grabbing lunch at the cafeteria, Mirabe headed straight to the school library. Just as she reached the entrance, she bumped into Zane, who was also there for some research.


    Zane was the teacher who had kindly offered to help her transfer to a more popr major when she first joined this field. He oversaw much of the bioinformatics department''s affairs and was one of the most senior members.


    He had a strong impression of Mirabe-both for her striking looks and for being the top humanities student of the year who, surprisingly, ended up in his niche field.


    "Mirabe," Zane greeted her, sounding a bit surprised. "You''re heading to the library too?"


    Mirabe looked at Zane and gave a polite nod. "Hello, Professor."


    Zane smiled as they walked into the library together. "You had sses this morning, right? How are you adjusting?" he asked with genuine concern.


    Mirabe, walking beside him, replied softly, "It''s manageable."


    "That''s good to hear," Zane said as they reached the librarian''s desk. He greeted the librarian, who was engrossed in a book but looked up upon hearing his voice. "Hey there."


    "Yes, those books I asked you about-none of them have been checked out, right?" Zane asked with a smile.


    The librarian raised an eyebrow, half-joking, "With the kind of niche materials you''re looking for, it could be ages before a student shows any interest."


    Zane, seemingly used to such remarks, kept his smile without a hint of offense.


    Mirabe, listening to their conversation, registered her name and major in the logbook on the desk.


    The librarian''s eyes then fell on Mirabe, a flicker of recognition passing through. He quickly remembered her from the first day


    of school when she hade to the library and fallen asleep.


    Unaware of the librarian''s expression, Mirabe nodded to Zane, saying she''d go ahead to the books, and walked away.


    The librarian nced at the logbook and then looked back at Zane. "That girl is a freshman in your department, huh?"


    Zane, withdrawing his gaze from Mirabe, replied lightly, "Oh, do you know her?"


    The librarian smirked. "Not really, but I remember her from the first day of


    school. She came here and tell 1.4


    asleep at the desk, so she left an impression."


    Zane paused for a moment, then said, "Taking a rest after reading is


    understandable. It''s all about bncing work and rest."


    The librarian opened his mouth but found himself speechless at the perfectly reasonable response.


    Zane didn''t linger to chat further, giving the librarian a polite nod. "I''ll go get those materials."


    With that, he headed to the science and engineering section.

 Chapter 877

    The academic advisor stared at Zane''s figure for a while, shaking her head in disbelief. "No wonder his department''s struggling," she thought. "It''s not just the students; some of the faculty are part of the problem too."


    **


    Mirabe picked out a couple of books on gic engineering, nced briefly at the physics section next door, and then headed over to the reading area.


    The library was usually quiet around noon, with most students choosing to rest in their dorms.


    Finding a cozy corner, Mirabe settled in and began flipping through her chosen books.


    Gic engineering was a cornerstone in informatics since the databases were primarily filled with gic data.


    The massive chains of data were impossible to remember, so they needed to be stored inputers and analyzed with specialized software. Research into human evolution and gics was crucial.


    Zane grabbed a few books from the shelf and, before leaving, noticed two books on gics and heredity were missing.


    Usually, those borrowing such books were either students from his department or faculty members needing them for research.


    Looking towards the reading area, Zane paused for a moment before heading over with his books.


    Soon, he pulled up a chair opposite Mirabe. Noticing what she was reading, his eyebrows shot up in surprise.


    Seeing how quickly Mirabe was flipping through the book, he couldn''t help but ask, "Do you really get what you''re reading from these books already?"


    Generally, this material would be tough even for a sophomore to grasp.


    Mirabe''s fingers paused on the page she was turning, and she looked up at Zane, "Yeah, it''s fine. was actually looking for a


    upa


    past research topics, but it seems like there isn''t one."


    Zane''s surprise was evident, "You''re interested in past research topics? You like research?"


    Mirabe responded steadily, "Life sciences research relies heavily on data. With billions of people worldwide, identifying the extraordinary from existing gic sequences is the direction of research."


    It was Zane''s first time hearing such insight from a freshman, and he was genuinely shocked. However, recalling something, he smiled wryly, "To be honest, our division hasn''t organized any research projects in over three years."


    "Why?" Mirabe''s eyebrows twitched, "Is it because it''s a niche field, or due tock of funding?"


    Zane shook his head, "It''s not entirely that. Mainly, there''s been ack of students interested in research projects."


    Even though he was eager to mentor students, the academy wouldn''t approve without talented students, as forming a research group would just be a waste of time and money.


    Mirabe fell silent.


    Zane nced at her, thinking she must be genuinely passionate about biological research to switch froma humanities to a science major. After a pause, he tried to offer somefort, "Don''t worry, you''ll have opportunities to participate research eventually."


    Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment and didn''t pursue the topic further.


    "If you''re interested in past research topics, I have some materials in my office.


    You cane byter to pick them up," Zane added.


    "Thank you, Professor," Mirabe nodded.


    Zane nodded back, then stood up, "You keep reading. I''ll be going now."

 Chapter 878

    Zane grabbed the book and left the library, heading back to his department.


    After stashing the book in his office drawer, he paused, then decided to make a detour to the archives.


    Years of research materials were stored there. Since they were from older projects, they weren''t ssified anymore and students could check them out if they wanted.


    In his seven or eight years of teaching, Zane had only ever had one student, Mirabe, who showed any interest in those dusty old files.


    The archive room was on the third floor of the admin building and required a key card for ess.


    Zane punched in the code, opened the door, and started rummaging through the stacks. He eventually found a thick, faded man envelope that looked like it had been there for ages.


    He untied the seal, quickly skimmed through the contents, and then put everything back in the envelope.


    A momentter, he was out the door with the envelope in hand.


    On his way back to his office, he bumped into Calvin, the department head, who was chatting with a student.


    Instinctively, Zane hid the envelope behind his back and nodded at Calvin. "Mr. Calvin."


    Calvin had noticed the envelope, but didn''t seem too interested. He just nodded back. "Mr. Zane."


    Meg, who had been discussing research with Calvin, stopped talking when she saw Zane and greeted him politely, "Mr. Zane."


    "By the way, do you have a ss this afternoon?" Calvin asked.


    Zane nced at him and replied, "Just one."


    Calvin nodded, thinking for a second. "After your ss,e to my office. There''s something we need to discuss."


    "Alright."


    "Great." Calvin said, then hurried off with Meg.


    Zane watched them go for a moment, then headed back to his office. He sent Mirabe a quick message, telling her to swing by and pick up the materials when she had a chance.


    **


    Meg and Calvin stepped into the elevator, swiped their ess card, and pressed the button for the fifth floor.


    The fifth floor was home to the researchbs, which were off-limits to regr students and only essible to the research team.


    "Professor, are there any promising freshmen this year?" Meg asked respectfully, standing beside Calvin.


    "There are a few with good grades who joined our department, but it''ll take some time to see if they''ve got real talent," Calvin replied slowly.


    Meg noticed her mentor didn''t seem too impressed by any of the new students and said softly, "That makes sense."


    "Hmm." Calvin responded.


    As the elevator dinged and the doors opened on the fifth floor, Calvin led the way out; continuing the conversation. "Make sure to finish your gic research thesis soon. The deadline for the international biochemistry journal is at the end of N¨®vember, and we still need to run the experiments, so we''re a bit pressed for time."


    "I''m almost done. I''ll have it for you in a few days," Meg assured quickly.


    Calvin nodded. "That''s good. Later, I''ll ask Mr. Zane to arrange for a student to help you with the databaseparison experiments."


    Meg hesitated for a moment before speaking "But I''m worried there isn''t a particrly skilled data analyst in the IT department. I''m concerned it might affect our research progress."


    Calvin paused and rubbed his forehead. "That is indeed a problem."


    Out of the sixty or so students in the IT department, none seemed capable enough for the task. Saying they were draining the department''s resources wasn''t an exaggeration.

 Chapter 879

    Meg pursed her lips, a hint of frustration in her voice. "What are we going to do? The deadline is at the end of November."


    Calvin thought for a moment before responding, "I''ll arrange for Mr. Zane to help you out when the timees."


    "Won''t that be a bit awkward? He''s our mentor, after all," Meg replied quietly, feeling uneasy about a mentor stepping in so directly.


    Calvin waved her concerns away as he walked towards Lab 3 and punched in the code. "There''s nothing wrong with it. In academic research, the lines between mentor and student are pretty blurred."


    Hearing this, Meg didn''t argue further. Zane was the only one in the Informatics Department who could really help, and she didn''t want to miss this chance.


    **


    Mirabe only had two sses that afternoon. Once they wrapped up, she headed straight to Zane''s office.


    Zane pulled a brown paper envelope from his drawer and handed it to her. "Take these home and look them over. When you''re done, bring them back. Although these topics are from seven or eight years ago, some of the content is still pretty confidential, so please keep it to yourself."


    Mirabe nodded as she took the envelope. "I understand."


    "Good."


    Although she was just a freshman, Zane''s first impression of Mirabe was positive. She didn''t seem frivolous or deceitful, so he feltfortable sharing the materials with her.


    "Take a good look. You might find something inspiring, and who knows, maybe you''ll surprise your teacher," Zane joked.


    Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted slightly as she nodded. A little surprise might be possible, but she was more focused on reaching the pinnacle of her career. Of course, she wouldn''t say something so bold in front of Zane.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. Zane''s smile faded as he looked up to see Mr. Calvin. Remembering their midday discussion, he said to Mirabe, "You can go now."


    "Alright." Mirabe nodded and walked out, the brown paper envelope in hand.


    As she passed Calvin, she gave him a brief nod before leaving.


    Calvin''s eyes followed the envelope in her hand, noting its faded appearance. It seemed simr to the one Zane had earlier.


    "Sorry for the dy, Mr. Calvin," Zane said as he approached.


    Calvin''s thoughts were interrupted, and he shook his head. "No problem. Let''s talk in my office."


    "Sure."


    Soon, Zane followed Calvin to his office. Calvin went to the water dispenser, poured a ss of water for Zane, and ced it on the coffee table before sitting down on the couch. After a moment, he began, "Here''s the thing. My student, Meg, whom you saw earlier, has a paper on gic genomics that she wants to submit to an international biochemistry journal. She needs your department''s help with some dataparison experiments."


    Zane was a bit surprised to hear this. He knew Meg had formed an experimental team with her


    ssmates during her freshmann et


    year and had already published two papers in domestic academic journals. She was a highly talented st¨²dent and Calvin''s star pupil.


    "Alright, I''ll have Linden from our department take care of it," Zane agreed without much hesitation.


    Their department didn''t get ma


    opportunities for experimental work, so coborating with other departments was good practice.


    Calvin coughed slightly. "This experiment is quite important. Let''s not have Linden


    handle it."

 Chapter 880

    Zane froze for a moment. "If not Linden, then who do you want, Mr. Calvin?"


    Linden was one of the top students in the Information Technology field, a senior already gearing up for grad school.


    Calvin looked directly at Zane, not mincing words. "Perhaps Mr. Zane, you could personally assist my student with some data analysis experiments?"


    Normally, student projects were handled by the students themselves, with mentors offering asional advice. Suggesting that a mentor should step in for experiments was clearly out of line.


    Realizing what was being asked, Zane''s expression soured. He was usually patient and friendly, especially since his department wasn''t very popr. He always feared his students might get unfair treatment from other departments.


    But now, he had offered his best student to help, and they were still not satisfied. Asking him to step in personally felt like a p in the face.


    He was a mentor, not part of a student team!


    With a stern face, Zane directly refused Calvin''s request. "No way."


    Calvin frowned but kept hisposure. "It''s just a few minor experiments. It won''t take up much of your time, Mr. Zane."


    Zane smirked. "As you said, Mr. Calvin, they''re just minor experiments. Why isn''t it okay for my top student to help?"


    Calvin''s expression darkened. "I mentioned this experiment is very important. Your help would ensure it''s done right."


    "If everything has to be done by the teacher, then what''s the point of having students?" Zane shot back coldly.


    He might be easygoing usually, but he wouldn''t stand for being insulted.


    Calvin sighed, massaging his forehead. "Aren''t you being a bit unreasonable?"


    Is data analysis really that difficult?


    No wonder he''s been looked down upon for years, Calvin thought.


    Feeling his anger rise and not wanting to argue further, Zane stood up, fists clenched, trying to keep his cool. "If Mr. Calvin came here just to discuss this, then my answer is simple. Either Linden or another student from my department, you decide."


    With that, he turned to leave.


    Calvin, frustrated by Zane''s uncooperative attitude, also stood up and called out coldly, "Hold on a minute."


    Zane stopped and turned back. "Is there anything else, Mr. Calvin?"


    Calvin walked to his desk, pulled out a sheet of paper from a drawer, and handed it to Zane. "The government''s subsidy funds for this year have already been allocated."


    Zane frowned, nced at Calvin, and then took the paper to read. A minuteter, his grip on the paper tightened. "Mr. Calvin, what is this supposed to mean?"


    The paper detailed the funding n for the quarter, showing allocations for six major departments in the biology faculty, with only his


    department''s subsidy still pending.


    IMS


    Pending meant it was neither confirmed nor denied.


    Especially since some time ago, Mr. Belcher had already redirected the scant funds from their department''s ounts, which hadn''t been replenished yet. And now, they were nning to swallow up the second half of the year''s subsidy funds as well?


    Zane''s hands were shaking with anger. How could he not understand the


    implication of Calvin showing him this paper now?

 Chapter 881

    Calvin shot Zane a sidelong nce, his hands casually sped behind his back as he strolled leisurely back to his desk. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and finally spoke. "This is the report Mr. Belcher gave me this morning. I reckon he wants my input before making the final decision."


    Zane looked up, observing Calvin''sposed demeanor. No wonder he had the audacity to suggest that Zane, his mentor, should assist his student. It was an offer he couldn''t refuse, especially without the funding their department desperately needed.


    Taking a deep breath, Zane approached the desk, ced the paper down, and leaned forward, his hands bracing the edge of the desk. His eyes, dark and intense, he spoke deliberately, "I can conduct the experiment for your student."


    Upon hearing this, Calvin leaned back in his chair, azy sprawl. "Then I hope Mr. Zane will take special care with my student''s experiment going forward."


    It would have been simpler to agree earlier than to have made it so awkward.


    Zane''s fingers tightened around the edge of the desk as he continued, "But I have one condition."


    Calvin had a hunch about what he might say and promptly responded, "Don''t worry, I''ll discuss the funding issue with Mr. Belcher seriously."


    "That''s one thing, but I also want to bring a student to observe," Zane stated firmly.


    Calvin frowned slightly, "Can you ensure your student will keep the experimental data confidential?"


    "Of course, after all, basic decency is still required," Zane replied with a hint of


    sarcasm.


    Calvin knew Zane was making a pointed remark, but he chose not to quibble over pettiness. After a brief pause, he agreed, "Fine."


    After all, his department was filled with students who were more show than substance. Having a group of them observe wouldn''t reveal anything substantial.


    With Calvin''s agreement, Zane said nothing more, straightened up, and turned to leave.


    Calvin watched Zane''s retreating figure, a smirk flickering across his lips before turning his attention back to the paper on his desk, his expression unreadable.


    Soon after, he tucked the paper back into the drawer.


    **


    Mirabe had just reached the school''s main gate when her phone buzzed in her pocket.


    She took it out to see a call from Delh and answered, "Hey, Mom."


    Hearing her daughter''s voice softened Delh''s previously stern expression instantly. "Mira, are youing home for the Thanksgiving break?"


    Mirabe walked towards the car parked by the curb, where As had been waiting, and replied, "No, the break isn''t long enough, and it''s a busy time since school just started."


    "Alright," Delh nodded, hesitated for a moment, then added, "By the way, darling, has anyone unfamiliar approached you recently?"


    "Mom, are you referring


    from the Cunningham family?", Mirabe had reached the


    nodded politely at As bene


    bending to get into the car


    Delh paused, "They''ve already approached you?"


    "Yes, a few days ago," Mirabe replied nonchntly.


    "What did they say?" Delh asked, irritation creeping into her voice. t was bad enough her own family. sought her out, but involving her daughter was uneptable.


    "They didn''t say much, just wanted me to meet someone. I didn''t go," Mirabe was forthright.


    Relieved, Delh advised, "If theye looking again, don''t bother with them. They''re up to no good."


    "Okay," Mirabe replied lightly, her fingers ying with a brown paper bag on her


    After a few more words of caution, Delh hung up the phone.


    Sitting in silence for a moment, Delh then picked up her phone again, scrolled through her call log, and dialed a number she had been avoiding.

 Chapter 882

    The phone barely rang twice before it was answered.


    "Kitty, I''m warning you, stay away from my daughter, or you''ll regret it," Delh''s icy tone cut through the air.


    Kitty just smirked on the other end. Did Delh still fancy herself some sort of queen?


    She casually twirled a curl of hair around her finger, responding slowly, "I have no choice. Since you refuse to be a match for dad, I have to turn to your daughter. It''s not her fault she has a mother as cold and heartless as you."


    Delh''s eyes narrowed. Her sister had always been conniving, inheriting their father''s ruthless streak, never giving up until she got what she wanted.


    "Don''t push your luck," Delh snapped impatiently.


    Kitty chuckled softly, "I''ve already told you, if you won''te back to the Cunningham family, I''ll go after your daughter."


    After a slight pause, she added, "And if she''s not a match, I might have to approach your sons. They have responsibilities too, you know."


    "Why not go straight to them? What are you trying to prove by going after my daughter?" Delh retorted with a coldugh.


    Kitty was stunned by Delh''s words. Is this how a mother should talk?


    At that moment, Yara walked in, calling out, "Mom."


    Kitty quickly collected herself, not wanting her daughter to overhear, and hung up the phone, "Yara, you''re back."


    Yara gave a small nod, noticing her mother''s odd expression. She put down her bag and casually asked, "Were you on the phone just now?"


    Kitty cleared her throat and tossed the phone onto the coffee table, "Just some card buddies, inviting me for a game of Mahjong."


    Knowing her mother loved card games, Yara didn''t think much of it and instead asked, "How''s Grandpa been these past few days?"


    A hint of joy lit up Kitty''s face, "He''s been doing much better after taking the medicine from your teacher''s pharmacist friend. Donald was discharged from the hospital today."


    Yara wasn''t too surprised, considering the source. She nodded, "That''s good to hear."


    "But his condition is still severe. To fully recover, he needs a bone marrow transnt. The medication can only keep the illness at bay for now, ensuring it won''t worsen for the next three months," Kitty exined slowly.


    "Given Grandpa''s age and weak immune system, managing to control the disease


    for three months is quite an achievement," Yara sighed.


    After all, Dr. Ray had mentioned that her grandfather''s tumor was in the intermediate tote stages, where chemotherapy wouldn''t be very effective. Plus, his frail body couldn''t handle chemo, and there was no miracle drug avable internationally to stop the disease.


    "Yes, the doctor said he''d continue researching to stabilize Donald''s condition as much as possible," Kitty said with relief.


    Yara nodded, "At least it buys the hospital some more time to find a suitable bone marrow match."


    "Yeah," Kitty responded softly, not wanting to dwell on the topic. She took a sip of water, then


    remembered something and asked, "By the way, have you visited the Shepherd familytely?"


    Yara leaned back on the sofa, looking a bit tired, and tilted her head back, "No,


    I''ve been really busy at the clinic."


    Kitty looked at her and continued, "No matter how busy you are, you should find time for other things. Try to visit the Shepherd family more often."

 Chapter 883

    Yara straightened up, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Mom, do you think the Shepherd estate is just some ce you can waltz into?"


    She had met Mrs. Minerva Shepherd by chance, and their shared interest in history had given them something to talk about. Getting invited to the Shepherd estate even once was already a big deal.


    "You''re such an exceptional daughter, and Mrs. Shepherd likes you..." Kitty began, but Yara cut her off.


    "Stop right there. I don''t need a lecture on what''s right or wrong. I have my own standards," Yara snapped, standing up. "I''m going to my room."


    Kitty shook her head in exasperation. Her daughter was smart in so many ways, but when it came to ying the social game, she was too naive.


    "Yara, if you don''t create opportunities, you''ll never get to meet the young Mr. Shepherd," Kitty called out as Yara started up the stairs.


    Yara froze at the foot of the stairs, then turned around. "You went into my room again, didn''t you?"


    Kitty looked away, clearly ufortable. "I just wanted to tidy up a bit."


    Yara pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed heavily. "I''m moving back to the dorm for a while."


    With that, she headed upstairs.


    Kitty blinked, snapping out of her surprise. "This child, what''s wrong with a mother worrying a little? Now she''s throwing a tantrum."


    She really had spoiled her daughter too much!


    **


    Back at her vi, Mirabe started going through the stack of research materials she had gotten from Zane. The documents were thick, and the pages were yellowed with age.


    The field of information science often delves into biochemical molecr gics, genomics, and other life sciences. The previous research directions weren''t wrong, but they failed due tock of systematic verification, leading to their eventual abandonment.


    It took Mirabe about half an hour to go through the materials, concluding that they were ''quite challenging.''


    Her phone dinged with a Messenger notification. She put the documents back into the brown paper bage before picking up her phone


    It was a message from James, asking where she was.


    Mirabe replied, [At home].


    Soon after, James called.


    "Wannae over for dinner?" James''s smooth voice came through.


    Mirabe remembered that Donald had mentioned wanting to invite over and felt a twinge of reluctance. "I don''t think so. I don''t really have the time."


    She was pretty broke.


    Sitting in his car, James raised an eyebrow. "Don''t you love the meals my chef makes?"


    "So, you''re inviting me over for dinner?" Mirabe caught the main point immediately.


    "Yes, who else would it be?"


    After a moment''s thought, Mirabe changed her tune. "Suddenly, I think I can make some time for dinner."


    The corner of James''s mouth twitched. "I''ll pick you up in about fifteen minutes." "Deal," Mirabe agreed promptly.


    Nick had been leaving early anding homete, so she didn''t have to wait for him.


    Before long, a car horn sounded


    phone buzzed again. She


    outside the vi, andet


    it, noting the punctuality. belongs to


    She stepped outside.


    Got home toote, will update tomorrow. Good night, everyone!


    at

 Chapter 884

    Mirabe''s vi wasn''t far from James''s ce, just a quick one or two-minute drive.


    At the entrance, James handed her a pair of shoes and pointed to the fingerprint lock on the door. "Go ahead, enter your print."


    While slipping into the shoes, Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce. "Aren''t you worried that one day, in a fit of poverty, I''ll rob your house clean?"


    From the moment she stepped inside, thevishness of the ce hit her like a wave.


    James raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes gleaming with hidden meaning. "If you want to, you don''t have to wait. You can do it now."


    Silently, Mirabe went to register her fingerprint.


    James chuckled, shook his head, rolled up his sleeves, and headed to the kitchen.


    Mirabe quickly finished, turned around, and started exploring the opulent vi. The more she saw, the more insecure she felt about her own financial state.


    "You''re actually cooking?" she asked, leaning against the kitchen doorway, surprised to see him skillfully washing and chopping vegetables.


    James continued without missing a beat, his deep voice carrying over. "Surprised?"


    Mirabe noddedzily, her delicate features rxed. "A bit."


    Given his princely demeanor, she would''ve never guessed he could handle a knife, but the sight of him chopping vegetables was oddly captivating.


    After a moment, a thought struck her. "So, during boot camp, those meals were your handiwork too?"


    James hummed in affirmation. Raised with little parental oversight, cooking was a skill he''d mastered early on.


    He went to the fridge, pulled out a bunch of grapes, washed them meticulously, ced them on a te, and handed it to Mirabe. "Dinner''s in twenty minutes."


    With that, he turned back to his tasks in the kitchen.


    Mirabe blinked, looked at the grapes in her hand, and popped one into her mouth.


    Pretty sweet.


    She wandered back to the living room, sat down, and started idly flipping through TV channels while munching on the fruit.


    The phone on the coffee table rang nced at it, spat out a


    "Your phone''s ringing."Jam


    kin, and called out to.


    After a few seconds with no response, she got up, slipped on her shoes, and grabbed the phone,


    "Someone''s calling you."


    walking towards the konto ele


    James, busy with his gloves on, didn''t even nce at the phone. "Who is it?"


    Mirabe checked the screen. "No name, just a number."


    "Don''t answer it," James replied without hesitation.


    "Alright." Mirabe nodded, figuring it was likely a scam, and hung up before heading back out.


    Not long after, James brought out three dishes and a soup, calling Mirabe over from the living room.


    As she sat down, she mentioned, "That call came through two more times."


    James, still not reaching for his phone, leisurely served her a bowl of soup. "I know."


    Mirabe shot him a look but then quietly started eating.


    The taste was just as she remembered.


    After dinner, Mirabe checked the time, nning to stay a bit longer before heading home.


    Just then, Curtis walked in,


    momentarily surprised to see her He quickly regained hisposure, nodding respectfully. "Ms.


    Mirabe."


    Mirabe nodded back, her gaze lingering on Curtis. "Did you get hurt?"

 Chapter 885

    Curtis knew Mirabe was a whiz when it came to medicine, so her noticing his condition didn''t surprise him. He cleared his throat before replying, "Just got into a bit of a scrap."


    Mirabe just raised an eyebrow at that.


    Feeling a bit uneasy under her gaze, Curtis quickly looked away and changed the topic, "Where''s James?"


    Mirabe nodded towards the kitchen, "Doing the dishes."


    The mention of dishes made Curtis wince slightly. He nced towards the kitchen and sure enough, saw James''s figure hunched over the sink. He quickly looked away again.


    Well, he thought, just another day.


    "Oh, Ms. Mirabe, could you help me check a security setting?" Curtis asked, turning back to her, his tone cautious.


    Mirabe, having some free time, nodded.


    Curtis''s face lit up with a smile, "I''ll go grab myptop." He rushed outside to his car and fetched it.


    When he got back, he booted up hisptop, navigated to a link¡ªthe backend monitoring software for the Shepherd family''s businesses in Riverdale¡ªand handed it to Mirabe, "Here it is."


    Mirabe nced at the screen and immediately asked, "The monitoring system''s security settings?"


    "Yep, that''s the one." Curtis was impressed. She hadn''t even started and had already zeroed in on the issue.


    Curtis, known for hisputer geekiness, sat down next to Mirabe. After a brief pause, he added, "I feel like there''s something off with this firewall, but I can''t put my finger on it."


    "Let me take a look," Mirabe said, her fingers dancing lightly over the touchpad. But just as she essed the firstyer of the firewall, she twitched.


    Curtis, focused on the screen, didn''t notice Mirabe''s reaction and e continued, "The system was hacked before, and after I found out, I fixed the program and added two moreyers of firewall."


    Mirabe coughed lightly, thinking that the two extrayers were pretty much useless since there was a hidden Trojan horse he hadn''t spotted.


    "No worries, you did a decent repair job. Most people wouldn''t be able to get through," Mirabe said calmly.


    Curtis scratched his head, feeling like thepliment didn''t quitend.


    But he didn''t dwell on it and kept his eyes glued to theptop, hoping to pick up some tricks from the master.


    l.ne


    Mirabe dove into the firewall settings, her fingers tapping out shortcutmands. Suddenly, the screen went dark, and a ck dialogue box popped up. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, and lines of code appeared in the box.


    Before Curtis could make sense of the code, the ck box disappeared.


    Soon after, Mirabe handed theptop back to Curtis, "I''ve fixed some minor vulnerabilities in the firewall for you. Everything else looks good."


    Taking back theptop, Curtis noticed that the previous uneasy feeling about the firewall was gone, and there was an additional super defense mode.


    This defense mode seemed familiar.


    Curtis frowned, trying to remember where he''d seen it before.


    At that moment, James walked out of the kitchen. He approached Mirabe and Curtis, narrowing his eyes.


    Still lost in thought, Curtis didn''t notice James''s gaze until he heard soft cough. Looking up to meet James''s deep, dark eyes, Curtis suddenly tensed and stood up with hisptop, "Uh, James."

 Chapter 886

    James gave Curtis a quick, indifferent nce.


    Curtis, sensing the need to rify, quickly added, "I was just asking Ms. Mirabe to help check the firewall program."


    James made a nomittal sound and casually grabbed a paper towel to dry his hands. Just as he was about to speak, Mirabe stood up, cutting him off. "I''m heading back now," she said.


    James nced at the clock on the wall, thought for a moment, and decided not to keep her. "Alright," he said.


    At that moment, his phone rang from the coffee table.


    Curtis, who had already shut down hisptop, noticed Mirabe was about to leave and saw James pick up the phone. He quickly offered, "Ms. Mirabe, are you heading back to the university? I''m going that way; I can give you a lift."


    He still didn''t know that Mirabe lived in the same neighborhood.


    "I''m not going back to the university," Mirabe replied, "but you can drop me off on the way."


    "Sure thing," Curtis agreed without hesitation.


    James nced at the caller ID, narrowed his eyes slightly, waved at Mirabe, and then answered the call.


    As Mirabe and Curtis walked out and got into the car, Curtis respectfully asked, "Ms. Mirabe, what''s your address?"


    Mirabe gave him the number of her building.


    Curtis fell into a half-minute silence upon hearing the address. No wonder James suddenly moved back to this house-it was because of Ms. Mirabe.


    A short whileter, Curtis dropped Mirabe off at her front door. He watched her enter therge house before getting back into the car. As he started the engine, he couldn''t help but ponder over the additional defense mode Mirabe had added for him.


    After driving a few dozen meters slowly, something seemed to click. He


    immediately hit the brakes, reached into the back seat for hisptop, and booted it up quickly.


    Minutester, Curtis closed the


    The defense mode Ms. Mirabet


    had implemented bore a striking resemnce to the unbeaten defense mechanism previously set by the world''s top hacker, Y. It was so simr, he even thought Mirabe''s might be more intricate.


    What has the worlde to, one prodigy after another?


    Feeling a bit inferior, Curtis took a deep breath and restarted the car.


    Two dayster, Mirabe returned some documents.


    Zane, looking at the man envelope Mirabe handed him, asked in surprise, "You finished reading it already?"


    Mirabe was silent for a moment, then nodded. She was too modest to mention she had finished it the day she took it home.


    Zane, thinking she might not have fully grasped the content-given that it involved topics usually covered in junior and senior years-didn''t press her further on her thoughts after reading.


    He stored the envelope in a drawer and said earnestly, "You''re just a freshman now; you''ll have plenty of opportunities to engage in research projects. Don''t rush."


    Mirabe hummed softly, her gaze lowered, looking very humble.


    Seeing this, Zane paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Are you interested in participating in a research project?"


    "Hm?" Mirabe looked up, not quite understanding why Zane would ask that.


    Zane had been contemting which student from the department to take to Mr. Calvin''sb for an experiment. He had asked a few students, but none were willing to go.


    Considering he was about to


    conduct an experiment for the students soon, Zane thought it might be a good idea to take Mirabe to see it. Although she was a freshman, her interest was there, and it could broaden her horizons.


    Soon after, Zane briefly exined Meg''s experiment to Mirabe.

 Chapter 887

    Mirabe listened intently and asked, "So, this is an experiment based on gic mutation theory?"


    Zane nodded, exining, "Yeah, it''s part of their biotech program. We just need to useputers to runparative experiments on the gic models they''ve selected."


    After a brief pause, Zane continued, "But you''ll need to know some programmingnguages like Perl and Python. These are core courses inputer science, which you haven''t covered yet. So, just stick close to the professor and watch; they''ll give you a quick rundown."


    "Perl is a basic programmingnguage, while Python is used in scientificputing, stats, Al, and stuff like that. Basically, these are the bread and butter ofputing."


    Mirabe''s eyes sparkled slightly. Seeing Zane seriously exining this, she nodded, "Okay, thanks, Professor."


    Whether she''d actually learn it was another story, but she did have a bit of interest in gic theories.


    Zane smiled, "No worries, think of it as a learning experience."


    Mirabe nodded, pondered for a moment, then added, "By the way, Professor, can I see the data analysis report for this experiment beforehand? It''ll make the results more precise."


    Hearing this, Zane''s expression turned a bit uneasy, "There''s no data analysis."


    Usually, before any experiment, the data report would undergo various simtions until the optimal oue was found. Only then would the actual experiment be conducted to minimize errors.


    Mirabe nced at Zane, "Without understanding the entire data analysis, the experiment''s effectiveness will be greatly reduced."


    Zane''s lips curled into a bitter smile. Even a freshman knew this, yet Mr. Calvin probably just saw him as ab tool.


    "It''s fine, we''ll look at it when we do the experiment," Zane said.


    Mirabe seemed to catch on but didn''t press further. Whether she saw it or not didn''t really matter to her.


    At that moment, another professor knocked on the door. Zane walked over and saw the person had something to discuss with him. After a quick thought, he turned to Mirabe, "By the way, myputer has Perl and Python installed. You can familiarize yourself with them while I step out for a bit."


    He pointed to hisputer on the desk, indicating she could use it. There were


    no confidential files, so it was fine for students to use.


    Soon, Zane stepped out to talk to the visiting professor.


    Mirabe nced at the door. Despite being quite familiar with the programmingnguages mentioned, she walked over to the desk.


    Theputer screen had Python open, showing arge set of datamands, likely for analysis.


    Mirabe didn''t usually mess with


    other people''sputers, but she nced at the datamands.


    atth


    e2


    They were aboutparing gic molecules. Raising an eyebrow, she took the mouse and clicked the confirm button.


    In an instant, the software popped up a progress bar, and secondster, a red


    exmation mark appeared, indicating theparison had failed.


    Mirabe''s fingers stroked the


    mouse as she pulled up the data set and nced over it. The molecr set looked somewhat simr to a course from a parchment


    she had seen a few days ago


    Suoment


    After thinking for a moment, she adjusted the script slightly.


    Just then, Zane returned and asked, "How''s it going? Making sense?"

 Chapter 888

    Mirabe had just put down the mouse, stood up from her chair, and stepped aside, modestly saying, "I think I''ve got the hang of some of it."


    Theputer screen reverted to its original state before she started using it.


    Zane, hearing this, thought for a moment, then pulled up a chair and sat down. "Let me show you how to run aparative experiment..."


    As he spoke, he opened the Python software, revealing a set of molecrparisons he was working on.


    "For example, this one. A professor asked me to do thisparative experiment. Based on the data analysis, you input it into the script, then click confirm for theparison. But because there''s an issue with the data analysis, the result should be..."


    Before he could say ''unsessful,'' Zane saw a ''pass'' notification pop up on the screen, and he was as stunned as if he''d seen a ghost.


    Theparisons had been failing continuously before, so why was it suddenly showing a sess now?


    Zane was shocked and didn''t continue teaching; instead, he quickly opened the script to check the molecr data.


    Mirabe quietly walked away, her eyes slightly downcast.


    A few minutester, Zane noticed the data in the script seemed a bit different from what he had initially programmed, but he couldn''t pinpoint the difference immediately.


    At that moment, a knock on the door interrupted him.


    "Mr. Zane, do you have a moment now?"


    The knocker was Meg, who stood at the door, politely not entering. Mirabe was facing away from her, so she didn''t recognize her immediately.


    Zane looked up, saw it was Meg, and stopped examining the data on theputer. He put down the mouse and stood up, "Yes, I''m avable." Meg nodded at Zane, "I''ll be needing your help these next few days."


    Zane''s expression remained neutral as he waved to Meg, then turned to introduce her to Mirabe, "This is the leader of our experimental group, Meg."


    At that, Mirabe''s eyebrows raised slightly, seemingly surprised it was Meg. She turned around to face her.


    Meg was visibly taken aback when she saw Mirabe. She had heard from her mentor a couple of days ago about Zane bringing a student to observe.


    Could it be that he was bringing Mirabe?


    Bringing a freshman who was an outsider to observe the experiment? Was this some kind of joke?


    Or had theputer science department fallen so low that they had no students to bring along?


    Meg felt a mix of emotions but straightened her demeanor and asked, "Mr. Zane, is this the student you''re bringing this time?"


    She didn''t say Mirabe''s name, using ''this student'' instead, clearly not wanting Mirabe to get too familiar.


    After all, having someone who pretends to understand everything but knows nothing sticking around can be annoying.


    Zane, oblivious to Meg''s underlying


    tone, replied, "Yes, this is a freshman from our department, Mirabe.


    She''s quite interested in the


    experimental topic, so I''ll have to trouble you to guide her."


    Hearing ''interested in the experimental topic,'' Meg''s lips twitched.


    Just started sses a few days ago? Not even understanding the basic courses


    in biology and already aiming high for experimental topics?


    This girl was really something.


    Though Meg felt disdainful, she maintained a gracious demeanor, "Alright, Mr. Zane, as long as Mirabe can keep up, I don''t mind guiding her."

 Chapter 889

    Mirabe yfully smirked, catching the deeper meaning in Meg''s words.


    Zane, naturally, didn''t pick up on the subtleties. His suggestion was just about encouraging his student to make a new friend, especially since Meg was such a standout. Clearing his throat, he said, "Alright, let''s go."


    Meg didn''t even nce back at Mirabe and simply responded, leading the way. Student-organizedb sessions were usually held in the science building, which wasn''t always essible without prior approval.


    When they got to theb, the other three members of Meg''s team were already there, deep in preparation, meticulously checking and rechecking molecr structures and their experimental procedures.


    Meg didn''t bother introducing Mirabe to the team. After a quick nod, she handed Zane a prepared data sheet, her face serious. "Mr. Zane, here''s our hypothesis for this experiment. Please review it."


    With that, she turned to attend to other tasks.


    Zane spent a good ten minutes going over the hypothesis. He had a rough idea forming in his mind and couldn''t help but look up at Meg with a touch of admiration.


    This student was only a sophomore, yet her understanding of gic knowledge was impressive. No wonder Mr. Calvin had her helping with the experiment.


    Turning back to Mirabe, Zane said, "Here''s their data and hypothesis. Take a look." Handing the materials to her, he patiently began exining, "Gics is a branch of DNA rbination technology. After extracting therge molecules, we cut them and use vectors to link the DNA molecules together..."


    Walking over to the experimentputer, he continued, "...what we need to do is perform virtual assembly on theputer, selecting, copying, and transcribing a useful set of gic data. A 99% match or higher means sess."


    Mirabe had already finished reading the hypothesis and ced the documents on the table, her expression unphased.


    Not that impressive.


    Seeing Mirabe finish the review so quickly, Zane was surprised. "Any thoughts?" he asked, momentarily forgetting she was new to biology.


    In the quietb, Zane''s voice carried easily. Meg rolled her eyes silently. How could someone new to biology understand any of this?


    Zane, quite the quirky teacher, awaited her reply.


    Mirabe paused for a couple of seconds before saying, "I don''t quite get it."


    Meg''s face showed an ''I knew it'' expression, shaking her head as she went back to her teammates.


    Realizing his oversight, Zane said, "I forgot you haven''t covered this in your courses yet."


    Vol


    Mirabe smiled wryly, staying silent. She had expected the experiment to be interesting, but it turning out to be less exciting than reading in the library.


    Soon, the experiment officially began. After a virtual simtion, Meg and her team uploaded the data to theputer for Zane to to perform the first assembly andparison.


    Thet


    The experiment would be deemed sessful if the data achieved


    99% match. Mirabe nced at the simted data, already knowing the oue.

 Chapter 890

    Zane uploaded the data instructions into the software, and theputer immediately began simting and sifting through molecr structures. After about two minutes, a dialog box popped up on the screen.


    "35% match."


    Meg stared at the result, her eyebrows knitting together in disbelief. "Only 35%? That can''t be right."


    Zane was also taken aback. He had expected a match over 60%, so 35% was a real letdown.


    "Let''s move on to the second n," a teammate suggested after a moment of thought.


    A 35% match meant the n was pretty much useless. They had multiple ns for this reason.


    Meg nodded and dove back into the discussion with her three teammates to work on the second n.


    Experimental simtions take time. This one took a full forty minutes before they could export the final data.


    Zane, serving as a mentor, had no choice but to wait on the sidelines since no one else from the department had joined Meg''s team.


    "Mr. Zane, sorry for the trouble," Meg said as she transferred the data to theputer.


    Zane nodded and started up the software again.


    After another forty minutes of waiting, the result was ready in just two minutes-a 46% match, still far from eptable.


    Meg looked at the result, massaging her temples, and said to her teammates, "Let''s try the third n."


    Research often involves countless experiments to verify a single result, consuming a lot of time and energy.


    Zane, used to this routine, walked over to Mirabe and said softly, "Being a researcher means dealing with failure. Sometimes, you might go through thousands of experiments without sess."


    He just wanted to remind Mirabe to be patient.


    Mirabe nced at Meg''s team, who were still working, and replied coolly, "Professor, that''s outdated thinking."


    Starting experiments without solid groundwork, as if others have time to waste? Zane was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Even though he was trying to console his student, waiting any longer would likely make him a bit irritable.


    He was there to assist the students, having been somewhat coerced into it by Mr. Calvin.


    "Why don''t you head back first?" Zane suggested after a pause.


    "It''s fine." Mirabe wasn''t one to leave halfway through. She appreciated Zane''s kindness.


    Seeing her persistence, Zane didn''t push further.


    Thirty minutester, the data for the third n, which the team believed was their best, finally came out.


    "Sorry for the wait, Mr. Zane. This one should work," Meg said politely, leaving Zane little to say. He quickly beganparing the data on theputer.  Swnovel


    Meanwhile, Mirabe, seeing the


    data finally emerge, tried to musta et


    some enthusiasm. But after


    vel?


    ncing at theputer''s data, she was at a loss for words.  swnovel


    So, this is what they call a prodigy nowadays?


    Without waiting to see the final result,


    grabbed a chair, and sat down grabirabe walked over,


    pulling out her phone from her pocket.  Swnovel


    The experiment was supposed to take at most an hour, but it had taken more than double that time.


    Meg lifted her head and nced at Mirabe, her eyebrows furrowing.

 Chapter 891

    While everyone else was neck-deep in their experiments, this person just waltzed over and started fiddling with their phone. Seriously, who does that?


    Meg, feeling a bit exasperated, shifted her focus back to theputer screen. Just then, the results popped up.


    Still not hitting the 60 mark. All three ns failed?


    Meg couldn''t keep her cool anymore. "What the heck? Mr. Zane, are you sure there''s no mistake in theparison? How could all three ns flop?"


    They''d spent weeks crafting these ns, with countless rounds of validation. Even her mentor had given them the green light. How could they all bomb as soon as they were run through theputer?


    Zane''s brow furrowed deeply. "The data was pulled straight from your proposed solutions. The analysis can''t be wrong."


    "But all three failing like this? It just doesn''t add up..." Meg bit her lip, her frustration making her words sharper than intended. If the first two ns were duds, she might''ve understood, but thest one should''ve been solid.


    Mirabe finished her text and shot Meg a sideways nce. Those ns were garbage, and she had the nerve to act so self-assured?


    Zane''s expression darkened. He didn''t take kindly to being questioned by a student. Standing up, he offered his seat. "If you think I''m ipetent, why don''t you try?"


    Though usually easygoing, he wouldn''t stand for disrespect.


    Realizing her mistake, Meg quickly apologized. "I''m sorry, Mr. Zane. I was just anxious. Please don''t take it to heart."


    If she were better at data analysis, or if there were morepetent students in the info science department, she wouldn''t be in this mess.


    Sensing the tension, other team members stepped in to smooth things over. Zane, not one to hold a grudge, simply said, "It''s fine. Take your time."


    Relieved, Meg was about to ask Zane to help redo theparison when Mirabe stood up.


    She pocketed her phone and said to Zane, "Professor, I need to leave early. Got something to take care of."


    Already frazzled by the failed experiments, Meg''s temper red at the interruption. Didn''t she get how serious this was? Why cut in now?


    Zane, having lost his groove, nodded at Mirabe and checked the time. Turning to Meg, he asked, "Any other ns?"


    The implication was clear: no new ns, no point sticking around.


    Meg got the hint. Feeling the sting of frustration, she shot a cold nce at


    Mirabe but swallowed her irritation. "We don''t have anything else for now. Sorry for taking up so much of your time, Professor."

 Chapter 892

    Zane waved a hand dismissively. "No worries, keep going."


    With that, he and Mirabe left theb.


    Watching them walk away, Meg took a deep breath and quickly refocused. "Looks like we''re done for today," she said to the others, her expression calm.


    "Guess so. We''ll pick it up tomorrow," one of the members replied.


    Meg nodded and got to work tidying up the documents scattered on the table. Once everything was in order, she pulled up a chair and settled in, clearly nning to continue her own research.


    The others, who had already shut down the equipment, looked at her in surprise. "Meg, you''re still going to work?" one of them asked.


    Meg hummed softly, then said, "The paper submission deadline is right around the corner. We can''t afford to let people who treat this like a hobby waste all our hard work."


    Hearing this, the members couldn''t help but think about the student Mr. Zane had brought along. If that girl hadn''t interrupted to leave, maybe Zane wouldn''t have left early either.


    Besides, experiments usually take hours. Why show up if you have other ns?


    Feeling a bit frustrated, they exchanged nces. No one mentioned leaving; instead, they pulled their chairs closer and sat back down.


    "Since we''ve got the time, let''s go over our arguments again," someone suggested.


    Everyone was working hard for their future, and if this experiment seeded, it would significantly boost their careers. No need to let irrelevant distractions derail them.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the elevator, Zane was chatting with Mirabe.


    "Being a data analyst can be pretty dull. Sometimes, analyzing experiments takes ages. If it doesn''t work the first time, you try again and again..."


    Mirabe listened quietly but felt the need to chime in. "Professor, the main reason for so many attempts is often due to skill level."


    Zane, who had intended to say something encouraging to prevent his student from feeling disheartened, found himself at a loss for words.


    Just then, the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival on the ground floor.


    The doors opened to reveal Mr. Calvin waiting to board. Seeing Zane and Mirabe, he paused.


    Zane, recalling an awkward encounter from a few days ago, felt uneasy but still greeted him. "Mr. Calvin."


    Calvin acknowledged him with a nod, knowing his student was conducting an experiment today. "How did it go?" he asked casually.


    Zane stepped out of the elevator before answering, "Not great."


    Calvin raised an eyebrow. "Not great?"


    Zane nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. Turning to Mirabe, he said, "Didn''t you have something to do? You should go."


    Mirabe nodded. "Okay," she said, and quickly left.


    Calvin, noting theck of manners in the student, withdrew his gaze and, recalling something, asked, "The student you mentioned the other day, observing the experiment, wasn''t this freshman, was it?"


    Bringing along a clueless freshman to observe an important experiment? That was just absurd.

 Chapter 893

    Zane listened to Mr. Calvin, his brow furrowing slightly as he coolly replied, "Mentoring newbies isn''t a bad thing."


    Calvin, uninterested in discussing irrelevant matters, thought for a few seconds before saying seriously, "Didn''t Mege up with three proposals? All of them failed?"


    "Yeah, none of them even hit the basic 60%patibility. There''s clearly a problem with her molecr form," Zane responded, his tone matter-of-fact.


    Calvin frowned, "That can''t be right. I reviewed that form, and each step seemed fine."


    "Well, theputer analysis shows otherwise," Zane said, still indifferent.


    Calvin looked at Zane again, something else evident in his gaze.


    Zane''s lips twitched slightly. "You don''t need to look at me like that. I''m not bored enough to joke about a student''s experiment."


    Calvin''s expression turned momentarily awkward. He coughed and pressed the elevator button again. "Alright, I''m going to grab something from theb. Let''s drop this."


    Zane hummed softly, and as Calvin stepped into the elevator, he turned to him again. "By the way, Mr. Calvin, about the funds our department lentst time, when will they be returned?"


    Calvin paused, finger hovering over the button, and looked up with impatience. "Your department doesn''t have a research project. Why do you even need those funds?"


    Zane''s fingers clenched slightly, his voice firm. "Even without a research project, those funds belong to our department."


    Calvin scoffed, "I really don''t want to argue about this. If you haveints, go talk to Mr. Belcher."


    With that, he pressed the close button.


    What a joke, always thinking about that money without contributing anything.


    Zane watched the elevator doors close and, after a long moment, walked away with heavy steps.


    **


    After leaving theb building, Mirabe didn''t return to her department but headed straight for the east campus gate.


    A nondescript ck sedan was parked by the roadside just outside the gate, with


    a man standing next to it, his gaze fixed on the entrance of Prestige College.


    Seeing Mirabee out, he took out his phone and called her, then waved.


    Mirabe walked towards him.


    "Ms. Mirabe," he greeted her with a smile as she approached, his manner filled with subconscious respect.


    A top-notch medic, this year''s valedictorian at Prestige College, and closely linked with the influential Shepherd family-she was a force to be reckoned with.


    Mirabe nodded politely. "Sorry, I was in ss. Hope you weren''t waiting too long."


    Johnny opened the car''s rear door for her while replying, "Not at all. I wasn''t busy anyway, so waiting''s no problem."


    Mirabe acknowledged with a hum and got into the car.


    After closing the door for her, Johnny moved to the driver''s seat. ncing in the rearview mirror, he thought for a moment before exining, "Mr. Owen can''t be seen in public right now, so he asked me to pick you up."


    Mirabe''s eyebrows raised slightly. Understanding Owen''s situation, she nodded, "Got it."

 Chapter 894

    Johnny knew Mirabe wasn''t much of a talker, so he simply started the car without saying more.


    Half an hourter, they pulled up in front of a swanky clubhouse. A valet greeted them at the entrance. Mirabe stepped out and nced up at the sign, recalling that Ashford had a branch of this club too. The decor was simr, but this ce looked even fancier.


    Johnny parked the car and returned, memories ofst year flooding back. As they walked inside, he whispered, "Riverdale Club''s really private. No need to worry about paparazzi."


    Mirabe nodded, understanding Johnny''s concern.


    Their private room was on the second floor. They took their time climbing the stairs, with Johnny leading the way, his demeanor respectful and courteous.


    Austin was talking to the butler. "When you meet Mr. Kellerter, be respectful. And the gifts I asked for, everything ready?"


    The butler nodded. "Yes, sir. Everything''s perfect."


    "Good," Austin said, heading downstairs just as Johnny and Mirabe wereing up. His gaze flicked over Johnny, pausing for a moment.


    Johnny, being a government official, had an aura that set him apart from ordinary businessmen, something easily noticeable to the discerning eye.


    Austin found Johnny''s face vaguely familiar but couldn''t ce it immediately. Mirabe, standing on Johnny''s right, was mostly out of view, so Austin didn''t pay her much attention.


    "Sir?" The butler noticed Austin''s sudden stop and distant gaze, calling out in confusion.


    Austin snapped back, still staring at Johnny''s retreating figure. "Does that guy look familiar to you?"


    The butler, who had only nced briefly, shook his head. "I didn''t get a good look, but he seemed important, probably a government official."


    "Maybe," Austin said, shaking off his curiosity and continuing downstairs. He had more pressing matters to deal with.


    Johnny soon escorted Mirabe into the private dining room. Owen was on the phone when they entered. He smiled at Mirabe and motioned for her to sit.


    Johnny poured her a cup of coffee and then went to the service room to inform the kitchen to start their meal.


    Owen ended his call and sat down across from Mirabe. Hisplexion was healthy, a stark contrast to the gauntness fromst year.


    "I''ve been wanting to invite you out for a meal, but I saw you were busy with military training, so I hesitated," Owen said warmly, his usual sternness softening around Mirabe.


    Mirabe sipped her coffee and set the cup down calmly. "It''s fine."


    "By the way, what''s your major at Prestige College?" Owen asked, genuinely curious.


    Mirabe paused briefly before replying, "Biology."


    Owen wasn''t surprised. Given her strong medical background, it made sense she''d be a standout student in that field.

 Chapter 895

    Owen nodded, his mind focused on the task at hand. He didn''t waste any time and got straight to the point, looking at Mirabe, "Actually, the main reason I wanted to see you today is to ask for your help."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, almost as if she had a hunch, "To treat someone?"


    "Yes," Owen replied, his face clouded with concern, "It''s my teacher."


    Just then, someone from the kitchen knocked to serve their dishes. Owen nced at the door and paused until the server had left. Once they were alone again, he filled Mirabe in on his teacher''s condition.


    At the end, Owen managed a wry smile, "I should''ve brought my teacher''s medical records for you to look at."


    Mirabe swallowed a bite of her food and looked up at Owen, her voice calm and steady, "No need, I''ll find some time to check him out."


    Owen knew how skilled Mirabe was, and seeing her agree so readily, his worries started to melt away. He then asked, "It''s gettingte. When do you think you could make some time?"


    Mirabe thought for a moment, knowing time is money, and then nodded, "How about tomorrow at four in the afternoon?"


    Owen, eager to get his teacher help as soon as possible, quickly agreed, "Great, I''ll have Shuwen pick you up from the school at four tomorrow."


    Mirabe gave him an OK sign and went back to her meal.


    After dinner, Mirabe turned down Owen''s offer to have her driven home. Since it was still early, she grabbed a taxi and headed to the night market in the old town


    area.


    It was the same night market she had visitedst year during apetition.


    The market was bustling with people. As Mirabe entered, she put on a face mask, not wanting to draw attention with her striking looks.


    She walked a long way and paused in front of a noodle shop, peeking inside. The owner was the same, and the ce was just as empty as she remembered.


    Mirabe turned her attention next door to an antique shop. The shop was small and dimly lit, with oddities disyed in the ss case by the entrance, giving it a curious, eerie vibe.


    When Mirabe pushed open the door, the owner was napping, looking far from ready for business.


    Mirabe, used to this scene, didn''t say a word. She began to leisurely browse through the shop''s items.


    After a while, the owner seemed to sense her presence, finally opening his sleepy eyes to see the masked girl. A flicker of recognition passed through his gaze.


    "What are you looking for?" the owner, a man in his forties, asked, clearing his throat.


    Mirabe put back a ceramic piece she had picked up, then turned to him. Her ck mask covered most of her face, adding a touch of mystery in the dim light.


    The owner, momentarily dazed, murmured, "You..."


    Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted slightly. She pulled over an old wicker chair, sat downzily, and took off the ne around her neck, "Ever seen jade like this before?"


    The owner snapped back to reality. Taking the ne from Mirabe, he studied it for a few seconds, thinking she wanted to sell it, "It''s just a piece of ordinary white jade, probably worth a few thousand dors."


    He paused, flipping the pendant over in his hand, "This piece of jade seems to have another half, doesn''t it?"

 Chapter 896

    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at hisstment, "There''s another half?"


    The shopkeeper nced at her again and said, "Ever heard of yin and yang? Find the other half and itpletes the whole."


    Mirabe had always thought there was something special about the shape of the jade but had never associated it with yin and yang. Now that he mentioned it, it did seem to fit.


    "If you had the other half, the price for both together would definitely be higher than selling just one," the shopkeeper added while Mirabe was pondering.


    "Not selling," Mirabe repliedzily.


    The shopkeeper: "..."


    Mirabe took the ne back from him, put it back on, and then stood up, "I''m leaving."


    The shopkeeper was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to just walk away, and stood up as well, "Wait a minute."


    Mirabe looked at him sideways.


    Seeing Mirabe''s somewhat unfamiliar yet vaguely familiar gaze, the shopkeeper asked, "Have you been to my shop before?"


    "Yeah, I bought a pair of night vision goggles from youst year," Mirabe replied nonchntly.


    The mention of night vision goggles changed the shopkeeper''s expression slightly. After scrutinizing Mirabe for a moment, he asked another question, "Apart from that, I mean earlier, have you been here before?"


    "No," Mirabe said, her gaze clear, not seeming to lie at all.


    Seeing this, a touch of disappointment flickered in the shopkeeper''s eyes.


    That person hadn''t shown up for years, and by age, it didn''t match up either.


    He shook his head and didn''t say anything more, sitting back down.


    Mirabe observed the shopkeeper''s expression but chose not to say anything. She opened the ss door and left.


    Her figure was as cold and silent as when she had arrived.


    **


    When Mirabe got home, it was already 10 p.m.


    Nick had just arrived home a few minutes earlier and had thought his sister was resting in her room. So, he was surprised to see hering in from outside, "Mirabe, why are you sote today?"


    "Ah, just went for a walk downtown tonight," Mirabe told the truth.


    Hearing this, Nick nced at her empty hands, a bit skeptical, "Why didn''t you buy anything?"


    Mirabe went to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, twisted it open, and took a sip before sighing, "Too expensive."


    Nick''s lips twitched.


    Just then, Mirabe''s phone buzzed. She stopped talking, pulled out her phone, and looked at the message, feeling a bit of a headache.


    Dr. Elliot: [Remember to submit the assignment I gave you tomorrow, xoxo.]


    Mirabe was silent for a second before quickly typing a reply on the screen: [The recipient has activated friend verification and refuses to ept any messages.]


    Dr. Elliot: [...]


    Mirabe: [The recipient has activated friend verification and refuses to ept any messages.]


    Dr. Elliot: [???]


    Mirabe: [The recipient has activated friend verification and refuses to ept any messages.]


    Ever since Elliot tricked her into joining the Physics department, despite saying he wouldn''t interfere, he''d been sending her loads of assignments every now and then. If she didn''t submit them, a relentless barrage of reminder bombs would follow.


    Could a person with a prestigious title be that idle?


    She regretted it more than a thousand times.


    Sighing, Mirabe put away her phone and looked up at Nick, "Bro, I''m heading to my room, you should rest early too."


    Seeing her suddenly looking so dejected, Nick couldn''t help asking, "What''s wrong?"


    Mirabe waved her hand and while heading to the staircase, replied, "Don''t ask, I''ve shot myself in the foot."

 Chapter 897

    The Next Day.


    Mirabe had two morning sses, both core courses for her Computer Science major, which were essentially optional for her.


    So, she spent the ss time working on her Physics assignments from Dr. Elliot.


    Lisa, who was sitting next to her, kept sneaking nces. She wanted to ask if Mirabe was following the lecture but, seeing her seemingly engrossed in taking notes, she held her tongue.


    If the top student in the final exams was paying such close attention, who was she to ck off?


    After the sses, Lisa felt like a genuinely diligent student for the first time in her life.


    Mirabe collected the stack of papers filled with equations and casually slipped them into her book. Lisa caught a glimpse but didn''t see the content, just that the papers were covered in writing. Curiously, she asked, "Why do you have so many notes?"


    Mirabe looked at her, "Notes? What notes?"


    Pointing at the papers Mirabe had tucked into her book, Lisa said, "Isn''t that theputer theory stuff the teacher covered today?"


    Realizing the misunderstanding, Mirabe shook her head without exining, nced at the time, and stuffed her book into her backpack. "Let''s go, it''s lunchtime."


    They still had to head to the Physics department after eating.


    "Oh, sure," Lisa quickly gathered her things, and soon they arrived at the cafeteria.


    The queue wasn''t long, so it only took them a few minutes to get their food.


    Lisa chose a spot on the edge to sit. Being naturally chatty, she kept the conversation going with endless topics. Just a few days into the semester, and she already knew all the major gossip in the department.


    Mirabe gave her a look that was both amused and reminiscent. She reminded her of Jenna.


    As Lisa was talking, she looked up and saw a group of people entering the cafeteria. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the person leading the group. She tapped the table, signaling Mirabe to look, "See that guy? He''s a big deal at our school, a real genius, currently a grad student."


    Mirabe wasn''t particrly interested in geniuses but looked up out of politeness. However, she paused slightly when she saw who Lisa was pointing at.


    "That''s Taylor. He''s taking some electives in our Biology department. There are lots of stories about him on campus. I heard he even won international patents," Lisa shared eagerly.


    "Oh," Mirabe nced briefly, then returned to her meal.


    "The girl on Taylor''s left is also a notable figure, from our Biology department too. She''s only a sophomore but already leading a team on experimental research projects. Quite impressive, and highly supported by the department head and professors," Lisa remarked.


    "Uh-huh," Mirabe responded nomittally, not even bothering to look up.


    Lisa continued, "Let me think, the senior''s name is, uh, Jiang... Jiang... Meg. Yeah, Meg."


    Mirabe gave Lisa a peculiar look upon hearing the name Meg.


    The one with the experimental hypothesis that was aplete mess?


    A notable figure?


    Lisa felt a bit uneasy under Mirabe''s gaze. "...Why are you looking at me like that?"


    Having nearly finished her meal, Mirabe put down her chopsticks and shook her head with a meaningful smile, "Nothing, I just think everyone''s judgment is... um, quite something."


    Lisa sensed a hidden depth in her words.


    A new month has started, and for those with guaranteed monthly votes, now''s the time to cast them-

 Chapter 898

    Taylor, Meg, and a few of their ssmates had just grabbed their lunch and were searching for a spot to sit. The cafeteria was already packed.


    Meg nced around and spotted a few empty seats nearby. She turned to Taylor and said, "Hey, let''s sit over there..."


    She trailed off when she noticed Mirabe sitting at one of the tables. Her voice faltered, and her eyebrows knitted in frustration. It was like she could never avoid running into her.


    Like a bad penny.


    Taylor noticed Meg''s sudden silence and curiously followed her gaze.


    Mirabe was stunning, with an effortless grace that made her unforgettable.


    Taylor''s eyesnded on her, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. But then he remembered Mirabe was a schrship student at Prestige College, and his expression returned to normal.


    He wasn''t really interested in anything outside of his academic research and didn''t keep track of who topped the final exams.


    However, he had briefly met her back at Parkside High School and had a good impression. Mr. Hammond from Parkside had also mentioned looking out for Mirabe. So, he said to Meg, "That looks like Mirabe, Luna. Should we go say hi?"


    Meg didn''t really want to see Mirabe. Just the sight of her made her feel irritated.


    But she didn''t want to show her dislike in front of Taylor, especially since she had some questions to discuss with him. After a moment''s thought, she nodded, "Alright, let''s go. There are empty seats by her, anyway."


    Taylor nodded, and soon they were walking towards Mirabe and Lisa.


    Lisa was in the middle of asking Mirabe if she knew Meg and Taylor when she saw them heading their way. She gripped her fork a bit tighter and whispered, "Looks like they''reing over."


    Mirabe wasn''t interested in Meg and Taylor and just gave Lisa a sidelong nce without saying anything.


    As Taylor and Meg approached, Taylor greeted Mirabe first, his face breaking into a smile, "Hey, Mirabe."


    Meg just nced at Mirabe, her expression cool and distant, before pulling out a chair and sitting down. She ced her lunch tray on the table.


    "Hi, Taylor," Mirabe replied politely.


    Taylor nodded and took a seat. He then looked at Lisa and, always polite, asked, "And you are...?"


    Lisa, facing Taylor, was a bit stunned. This was one of the top five influential figures at school and a total heartthrob!


    Seeing Lisa''s dumbfounded look, Mirabe shook her head and introduced her, "She''s a ssmate from my department, Lisa."


    Taylor introduced himself briefly to Lisa and then turned back to Mirabe, "We didn''t get a chance to exchange contact info back at Parkside High. What major are you in now?"


    "Bioinformatics," Mirabe replied, then nced down at her watch.


    "Biological Sciences?" Taylor turned to Meg, "That''s your department too, right, Luna?"


    Meg, who hadn''t said much the whole time, saw Taylor bring it up and feltpelled to acknowledge it, nodding, "Yeah, although we''re in the same department, it''s not exactly like we..."


    Before she could finish, Mirabe stood up, "You guys enjoy your meal. I have some things to take care of and need to leave."

 Chapter 899

    Interrupted once again, Meg''s brows furrowed deeply as she nced up at Mirabe. That girl''s rude behavior was just nauseating.


    It had been the same storyst time in theb, and here they were again, meeting up for a meal and a chat, yet Mirabe was still acting the same way.


    Anyone with a bit of social awareness would at least make a show of politeness upon encountering acquaintances, instead of rushing off so quickly.


    And seriously, she was just a freshman. How busy could she possibly be?


    A slight smirk tugged at Meg''s lips as she wondered what kind of upbringing could produce such a pretentious person.


    Taylor, who had caught Mirabe checking her watch, didn''t dwell on it, simply nodding in acknowledgment.


    Seeing Mirabe leave, Lisa naturally chose not to stay either.


    Soon enough, the two were gone.


    Mirabe''s departure had soured Meg''s mood, and she put down her fork after just a few bites.


    Noticing Meg''s downturned spirit, Taylor reflected on the recent situation before asking, "Meg, you and Mirabe, is there something going on?"


    Meg took out a napkin to dab at her lips, then shook her head, quickly changing the subject, "By the way, could you help me look over an experimental proposal after we finish eating?"


    Taylor, who was taking elective courses in gic engineering and was particrly talented, could offer insights into her gic mutation theory, a subfield of gic engineering.


    "Is it the research paper you mentioned wanting to submit?" Taylor asked. "Yeah, I ran the experiment yesterday, but theputer data didn''t match up. I''m stuck, not sure where my thinking went wrong," Meg said with a wry smile.


    After a moment''s thought, Taylor nodded, "Sure, our gic engineering research group is also studying gics. I have some material to give to Mr. Calvin. After I meet with him, I''ll take a look at your proposal."


    Meg''s face lit up, "Thank you, Taylor."


    Taylor smiled, "No problem."


    **


    As they exited the cafeteria, Lisa eximed, "Mira, I can''t believe you know Taylor too!"


    "We graduated from the same college," Mirabe replied nonchntly.


    She took out her phone and sent a message on Messenger to Professor Robert, inquiring if he was in the department.


    Lisa touched her nose, "Even if you graduated from the same college, people like Taylor are usually out of reach for most!"


    Mirabe merely raised an eyebrow, "Is that so surprising?"


    Challenged by the question, Lisa''s excitement about meeting such a distinguished figure faded somewhat.


    Was it surprising?


    Maybe not so much.


    After all, she had been desk mates with the valedictorian of the final exams!


    Mirabe''s phone pinged with a Messenger notification. She nced at it and then waved goodbye to Lisa, "I''ve got something to take care of. I''ll see youter."


    Lisa touched her nose, aware that Mirabe usually had various matters to attend to around noon, "Sure, go ahead."


    **


    Before long, Mirabe arrived at the Engineering Department.


    Having received a pass card from Professor Robertst time, she faced no obstacles getting to his office.


    Professor Robert, who was mostly in his office except when teaching, had told her toe over when she messaged him.


    "Dr. Elliot went back to the research institute this morning. He probably won''t be


    on campus for the next couple of days. If you need to talk to him urgently, you can call him directly," Robert said as he poured a ss of water for Mirabe, making a point to inform her.

 Chapter 900

    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, d he wasn''t at school-perfect timing for her visit. Clearing her throat, she said, "It''s nothing major, just some coursework he assigned earlier. I finished it and thought I''d drop it off since I was passing by."


    Robert knew Dr. Elliot had given Mirabe a coursework n. ¡°You can give it to me, and I''ll pass it on to Dr. Elliot for you," he offered.


    "Thanks, Mr. Robert," Mirabe replied, pulling a book from her backpack and handing over some pages filled with equations.


    As Robert took the papers, he nced at her book. The title ''Biputing'' on the cover made his heart ache.


    Such a physics prodigy!


    Sighing, Robert gestured for Mirabe to sit and began examining the equations.


    He assumed they were freshman-level problems, but after a brief look, he was astonished. "...Dr. Elliot asked you to solve this?"


    Seeing his surprise, Mirabe paused before nodding. "Is there a problem with it?" Robert''s cheek twitched. "Not exactly a problem..."


    Better look at the solutions first, he thought. Coughing, he focused on the papers again.


    It took him ten minutes to get through the three pages. When he finished, it took a moment to gather his thoughts. "How long did you spend on this mechanics principle proof equation?" he asked.


    Physics, being tough and covering a broad range, requires a solid math


    foundation. It''smon for both students and teachers to spend days or weeks solving such problems.


    Mirabe, putting her book back in her backpack, replied casually, "Just skipped two sses this morning to write it."


    Robert: "


    Just??


    ........


    So, if she concentrated, it wouldn''t even take two sses?


    As Mirabe zipped her backpack and looked up, she saw Robert''splex gaze. "...Professor?"


    Robert took a deep breath, finally understanding why Dr. Elliot


    ?????


    assigned her a junior or senior-level topic This student was clearly exceptional.  Swnovel


    Something clicked for Robert, and he nced at the time. "Do you have sses


    this afternoon?" he asked.


    "Yeah! Three sses! No free time at all!" Mirabe answered quickly.


    Robert: "..."


    Ignoring her, he walked to his desk, pulled out a sealed envelope, and turned back to her.


    Seeing what he held, Mirabe had a


    bad feeling She quickly stood and


    CO, "Professor, if that''s all, I


    SWO


    should get going."  swnovel


    She felt if she didn''t leave now, she might not get another chance.


    Just as Robert was about to open the envelope, he paused. "Wait."


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched, feeling a sense of dread. "...Professor, I''m just a freshman. I''m not qualified for this."


    swnovel


    The contents of the sealed envelope were undoubtedly important, even without looking inside.

 Chapter 901

    If Robert hadn''te across the student''s mechanics proof equation today, he might''ve just brushed it off. But now that he had seen it, there was no way he could stay calm.


    Holding a sealed envelope, Robert looked frustrated. "Lack of experience isn''t a problem. You build it up over time."


    Mirabe didn''t engage, just picked up her backpack and nodded. "Professor, I''ll be heading out now."


    Robert watched her hurriedly leave and sighed deeply. How could a research project that other students would die for seem like something she couldn''t escape fast enough?


    He silently picked up the equation paper again, feeling a growing sense of unease. This kid was only eighteen or neen. With the right mentorship, she could be the most brilliant student the faculty had seen in years. No wonder Dr. Elliot was considering taking on a prot¨¦g¨¦. If he were in Elliot''s shoes, he''d do the same.


    **


    At four in the afternoon, after herst ss, Mirabe packed her things and left the ssroom. Johnny was already waiting by the school gate. "Ms. Mirabe."


    Mirabe nodded and quickly got into the car.


    Given Owen''s unique line of work, his mentor was no ordinary person. The ce Johnny took Mirabe to wasn''t a private residence but a quaint, aromatic little coffee house.


    The coffee house wasn''t crowded. Following Johnny, Mirabe headed upstairs. In a private room, Owen was chatting with a man who looked to be in histe fifties or early sixties, most likely his mentor.


    When Owen saw Mirabe and Johnny enter, he set down his coffee cup and stood up, nodding politely to Mirabe.


    Turning to his mentor, he introduced, "Professor, this is Ms. Mirabe, the incredible healer I mentioned."


    Frank stood up, his eyes showing clear surprise. He''d heard his student say she was young, but he hadn''t expected her to be this young.


    "Despite her age, Ms. Mirabe''s medical skills are outstanding," Owen added, clearing his throat.


    Frank snapped out of his thoughts. At his age, he''d met countless people and wasn''t about to doubt her abilities just because she was young, especially with such a strong rmendation from his student.


    Frank nodded politely, "Hello."


    Mirabe nodded back, "Hello."


    Owen invited Mirabe to sit down and then leisurely brewed a fresh pot of coffee, pouring her a cup.


    A scented diffuser on the table filled the room with a gentle aroma, and soft music added a rxed vibe.


    Mirabe lightly tapped the table, took a sip of her coffee, and looked at Frank. "I''ll start by taking your pulse."


    Frank had long given up hope for his condition. He was here because he didn''t want to let his student down.


    As he extended his hand across the table for Mirabe to take his pulse, he smiled. "My condition is what it is, youngdy. Don''t stress yourself too much."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but didn''t respond. Her fingers touched Frank''s wrist, and after a few seconds, her expression changed slightly.


    Owen, watching her closely, noticed this and unconsciously clenched his fists, though he didn''t immediately ask about her findings.


    Half a minuteter, Mirabe withdrew her hand and looked at Frank. "You must have been exposed to a rather severe infectious virus before, right?"

 Chapter 902

    Frank''s eyes finally sharpened as Mirabe got straight to the point. After a brief pause, he responded, "I caught a nasty coldst year, went to the hospital, and the doctor said it was a viral infection."


    "Last year? Frank, why didn''t you tell me?" Owen asked, surprised.


    Frank just smiled, shaking his head dismissively. "It was just amon cold."


    "That''s the problem with minor colds; they often get ignored," Owen replied, then turned to Mirabe. "Ms. Mirabe, about my teacher''s condition..."


    "It''s a viral infection that''s turned into myocarditis. The virus has been attacking his heart for a while, and now it''s in thete stages. From a medical standpoint, it''s practically incurable," Mirabe exined calmly.


    The moment she saw Frank, she noticed his pale grayplexion, a sign of not just illness but toxins in his system. She had seen simr cases before.


    Owen''s hands went limp, hitting the coffee table, his face going pale. It was simr to what the hospital had concluded, though they hadn''t identified a viral


    cause.


    "People age, get sick, and die. Heart diseases are notoriously tough for medicine to tackle. At my age, I''ve made peace with it," Frank said, a serene eptance on his face.


    Owen shook his head. He knew people only ept such fates when they see no hope, much like he didst year.


    Suppressing the lump in his throat, Owen thought of Mirabe''s medical expertise. "Is there really no way to help my teacher?" he asked, looking at her.


    Mirabe rested her hand on the armrest, deep in thought. After a moment, she looked up. "There is."


    Owen''s eyes widened. "Really?"


    Mirabe nodded. "Yes."


    Frank was stunned. He looked at Mirabe, not doubting her skills, but the virus in his body had been deemed untreatable. Even the head of the Pharmacists'' Guild couldn''t find a cure.


    Frank opened his mouth to speak but stopped when he saw the hope in Owen''s eyes, choosing to stay silent.


    "I''ll need a sample of Mr. Lee''s blood for testing," Mirabe said, turning to Frank. "No problem," Owen quickly said, knowing Mirabe''s expertise in biology.


    "And I''ll need some specific ingredients," Mirabe added.


    "Okay," Owen nodded.


    Mirabe took a pen and paper from her bag and quickly wrote a list of ingredients. Handing it to Owen, she said, "Some of these are rare and may be


    hard to find, but the Pharmacists'' Guild should have them."


    She remembered Adler mentioning that the Pharmacists'' Guild nevercked ingredients. For someone like Owen''s teacher, getting what was needed shouldn''t


    be difficult, especially with Owen''s connections to the Reeves family.


    Owen carefully stored the list. "I''ll get these ingredients as soon as possible." "Alright," Mirabe replied softly.


    Just then, Owen''s phone rang. He nced at the caller ID and saw it was the station. Standing up, he said, "Excuse me, I need to take this call," and stepped outside.

 Chapter 903

    Suddenly, it was just Mirabe and Frank left in the private room.


    Frank topped off Mirabe''s coffee cup, nced at the door, then looked back at her and said, "You know, my condition is incurable.¡±


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow slightly, her fingers tapping gently on the table. "Your illness isn''t caused by themon flu virus."


    Frank met her eyes, which seemed to see right through him. He was momentarily stunned but quickly realized that anyone who could diagnose his condition so urately shouldn''t be seen as ordinary.


    He just shook his head without further exnation, his gaze wandering back to the door. After a while, he finally spoke, ¡°Regardless, thank you for keeping it from Owen. At least he doesn''t have to worry about me all the time."


    Frank had been Owen''s mentor and father figure for ten years; their bond was both professional and familial.


    Mirabe took a sip of her coffee, her voice calm and measured: "Why are you so convinced your illness... can''t be cured?"


    Frank was taken aback.


    "Some unique infectious viruses can be suppressed," Mirabe paused, avoiding technical jargon, then added, "I never joke about treating and saving lives."


    Frank was still trying to process this when Owen, having finished a phone call, returned. Noticing his mentor''s unusual demeanor, Owen''s gaze shifted between Mirabe and Frank, his expression tightening slightly.


    After finishing her coffee, Mirabe stood up. "I should be going now."


    Owen hesitated for a moment. "Let me walk you out."


    Mirabe nced at him, didn''t refuse, and then nodded at Frank before quickly leaving the room.


    Owen put on a face mask as they stepped out, and as they reached the staircase, he voiced his doubts, "Ms. Mirabe, is the virus my mentor has... not ordinary?"


    Mirabe replied calmly while walking down, "Not necessarily. It''s just that as people age, their bodily functions decline, making them more susceptible to infections. It''s normal."


    Owen felt there was more to it but hesitated before probing further. "My mentor''s illness..."


    Mirabe paused briefly, then simply said, "Don''t worry."


    Hearing this, thest bit of uncertainty in Owen''s heart dissipated. "I''ll gather the necessary herbs and blood samples as soon as possible and arrange for a doctor to collect them and send them to you."


    "Good," Mirabe nodded.


    Owen had Johnny drive Mirabe home. Watching the car drive away, he then turned and went back to the private room.


    Frank''s mind was preupied with what Mirabe had said. Now that she was gone, he looked at Owen and asked, "This youngdy, her medical skills..."


    Owen looked firmly at Frank, "Her medical skills are exceptional. If she says it can be cured, then it surely can be."


    After all, wasn''t his own healthy presence here proof enough?


    Frank took a deep breath, picked up his coffee cup, and took a big gulp, as if to calm his emotions.


    No one who is ill would not hope to get better.


    It''s only when all hope is lost that one gives up hope.


    Frank collected his thoughts, suddenly curious, he asked, "By the way, where is this youngdy from? I heard her mention the Pharmacists'' Guild. Is she a member?"


    Owen nodded, "Yes, she is. And she''s one of their best."

 Chapter 904

    Owen shook his head, "She''s a friend of my mom''s kid, but she''s not from the Pharmacists'' Guild."


    "If she was from the Pharmacists'' Guild, the Reeves family''s eldest son would have recognized Mirabe, and there wouldn''t have been any trouble."


    "Alright, I thought she was with the Guild." Frank set down his coffee cup. "She looks pretty young. Still in school?"


    "Yeah, she''s this year''s valedictorian, a rising star at Prestige College," Owen said with pride.


    "Wow, that''s impressive," Frank said, clearly surprised.


    Owen smiled, "Yeah, she''s really something."


    Frank''s expression turned thoughtful. No wonder his student trusted that youngdy so much; she was clearly capable.


    Out of the blue, Frank turned to Owen and said, "You know, Emmitt, you''re not getting any younger. Why haven''t you found a girlfriend yet?"


    Owen''s smile froze instantly: "What?!"


    Where did thate from?


    **


    The next day, Owen had a private doctor collect a blood sample from Frank. He packed it in a special container and sent Johnny to deliver it to Mirabe.


    Mirabe didn''t have the equipment for blood analysis at home, but she knew the schoolb would. So, she went to find Zane.


    Ever since that weird data sess on hisputer a few days ago, Zane had been puzzled about why it had worked. When he saw Mirabe, a bold idea popped into his head.


    "... You tweaked the script data on myputer that day, didn''t you?" Zane asked, his eyes fixed on Mirabe, trying to catch any sign of reaction.


    "What script data?" Mirabe''s eyes were clear and innocent.


    Seeing her genuine confusion, Zane grew even more puzzled but decided to drop it. "Right, you were asking about the science building. Wondering if all biology students could get in, right?"


    Mirabe nodded.


    "You can get in, but you have to apply first. Normally, students can''t usebs from other departments. But for special cases, the rules are a bit rxed. If you really need to run an experiment, it''s allowed."


    Zane exined thoroughly, then paused and looked at Mirabe, "Why the sudden interest? nning to do some experiments?"


    Mirabe thought for a second, then said, "Not really an experiment. I just need to study a blood sample."


    Zane was a bit taken aback. Usually, people who study blood samples have some medical background.


    "Can I apply to use the equipment, Professor?" Mirabe asked.


    After a moment of thought, Zane said, "Let me call a teacher from the biology department."


    Mirabe thanked him.


    Zane stepped aside to make the call. After a brief conversation, he came back. "When do you need it?"


    "I can do it now," Mirabe replied.


    Soon, Zane finished the call and looked at Mirabe. "I spoke to the teacher. I''ll write you a permit. You can take it to theb; there''s a duty teacher there."


    "Thank you, Professor," Mirabe nodded.


    Zane smiled, "No problem."


    He turned to hisputer, printed out a permit, signed it, and handed it to Mirabe. "You''re all set."

 Chapter 905

    Mirabe clutched the proof of application Zane had given her and headed to theb building. The duty teacher, a bit surprised by the document, didn''t ask many questions and led Mirabe straight to the life sciencesb on the third floor.


    After unlocking the door, the teacher handed her a pair of disposable gloves from a nearby cab, reminded her to handle the equipment with care, and then left.


    Closing the door behind her, Mirabe slipped on the gloves and took a moment to survey theb.


    Prestige College''s focus on science and engineering was evident in its well- equippedb. Even if it couldn''t rival the top research institutes, it was well-suited for basic experiments.


    She pulled out the blood sample Johnny had delivered, containing two small vials. Picking one, Mirabe approached the blood analyzer.


    The analyzer was hooked up to a biologicalputer. She powered on theputer first, then the machine next to it.


    The school''s equipment, designed for a specific function, was different from the more versatile one she was used to back home, but the principles were the same.


    After getting familiar with the equipment, Mirabe added the blood to a reagent solution and ced it under a high-power microscope.


    Blood analysis could directly identify abnormal elements within the human body. With the reagent solution, it was easier to detect fundamental issues.


    This method was entirely different from holistic health practices.


    Ten minutester, Mirabe printed out the data from theputer.


    As she suspected, Frank''s blood had a high concentration of a particr element.


    After a moment of thought, she turned off the equipment, stood up, and took the used dishes to the cleaning and disinfection area. She cleaned everything, put it back in ce, and then left theb.


    **


    Meg had shared the challenges her team was facing with Taylor yesterday. After his input, they had tweaked their approach slightly, making the simtion of mutant gene molecules much smoother.


    Today, she returned to theb with her team to run the simtion experiments.


    Seeing the simtion graphs on theputer, Meg''s usually stern face finally rxed a bit.


    "I think with this approach, we should be ready for the big dataparison," a team member said with relief.


    "And it''s all thanks to Luna. If she hadn''t got Taylor to help, we might still be stuck," another added.


    Meg offered a faint smile, nced at the simtion on theputer screen again, and then took out her phone, saying, "I''m going to make a call. You guys double- check the data and the n."


    With that, she pulled open the coded door and stepped out.


    The call connected quickly, and with a soft tone in her eyes, Meg was the first to speak.


    "Taylor, the adjustments you made to our n yesterday worked well. The initial simtion was a sess. We''re just waiting on the final big dataparison experiment, but I feel like there''s a 90% chance there won''t be any issues. Thank you."


    Taylor''s response was calm and warm, "No need to thank me. The n was yours; I just made some minor adjustments."


    "Still, you solved a big problem for us," Meg said, her phone pressed to her ear, asionally tapping her toe on the ground.


    After a pause, she looked up, her gaze drifting down the hallway, and continued, "Do you have time tonight? I''d like to invite you..."


    Her voice trailed off for a second when she noticed someone approaching. After a brief pause, she finished, "...for dinner."

 Chapter 906

    Was that Mirabe''s silhouette?


    Had she juste out of theb?


    A flicker of confusion crossed Meg''s eyes. The third floor was home to the Biology and Technology departments''bs. What was a freshman from Information Science doing here?


    As she pondered, the figure had already vanished at the end of the corridor.


    She hadn''t even registered what Taylor on the other end of the phone had said.


    Snapping back to reality, Meg coughed and, while heading towards the end of the hallway, asked again, "Sorry, what did you just say? The signal might be bad here in theb, I didn''t catch that."


    Taylor, patient as ever, repeated, "I''ve got something on tonight, can''t make it for dinner, sorry."


    Meg had reached theb Mirabe had left. Hearing Taylor''s words, although disappointed, she didn''t insist. "No worries, we can n for another day."


    "Sure, I''ll treat you next time," Taylor said.


    Meg nodded, responding, "Alright, you go ahead with your work. I won''t keep you."


    After hanging up, Meg put her phone back into her pocket and looked up at Lab 5,


    still puzzled about what a freshman was doing here.


    Shrugging off her curiosity, Meg turned and walked back to Lab 1.


    Mirabe descended the stairs and went to the duty office to inform the duty teacher she was done.


    The duty teacher was visibly surprised. "You''re finished already?"


    Typically, students conducting experiments outside ss hours took at least an hour, if not several hours or even half a day.


    It was his first time seeing someone leave in less than half an hour.


    Mirabe nodded, then took the logbook ced aside and filled in her name in thest column.


    Theb building had a detailed log for students using the equipment.


    After leaving theb building, Mirabe thought about the blood analysis data she


    had just analyzed while heading back to her department.


    The school''s blood analysis equipment was not as sophisticated as the hospital''s, only capable of basicb values. After thinking it over, she took out her phone and sent Adler a message on Messenger to meet.  swnovel


    Adler saw Mirabe''s message three hourster, just as he was leaving hisb,


    his eyes sunken, with a dark stubble shadowing his chin.


    Picking up his phone and seeing the message, he rubbed his bloodshot eyes in disbelief.


    The top dog was actually initiating a meet-up.


    All of Adler''s fatigue and sleepiness vanished instantly, and he quickly replied to Mirabe with a tentative time.


    After sending the message, he clutched his phone, not even bothering to change out of his work clothes, afraid of missing any follow-up messages.


    By now, it was already past four in the afternoon. Mirabe had long since returned home. Upon receiving his message, she asked if he was avable and, getting an affirmative reply, straightforwardly arranged to meet Adler near her ce  swnovel


    Dinner was off the table.


    When Adler received the address from Mirabe, despite it being a bit far from the research institute, it didn''t matter. For a chance to meet the big shot, distance was no object.


    A colleague, who like him had barely


    rested over the past three days in theb, saw Adler suddenly


    energized as if injected with adrenaline and was somewhat startled. "Hey Adler, what''s up? Got some good news?"  swnovel


    As Adler stood up from his chair and started taking off his work clothes, he boasted with a lifted chin, "Of course, someone asked me out for dinner."


    His still-single colleague: "..."


    Damn it!

 Chapter 907

    "Adler,e on, man, you''re breaking the pact! We all agreed to stay single!" a colleague teased, his voiceced with envy.


    Adler shot him a sideways nce and corrected him sternly, "Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself. Emmitt invited me out for dinner, that''s all."


    Everyone at the research institute knew about Adler''s mysterious and influential backer, Emmitt, who had even helped solve aplex problem a couple of years ago. Yet, no one had ever met this enigmatic figure.


    Dr. Ray from the institute had repeatedly tried to recruit Emmitt through Adler, but each time he was turned down. This only fueled the curiosity of everyone, making them wonder who this Emmitt really was.


    "Does your Emmitt mind an extra tag-along?" his colleague asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.


    "No way, not a chance," Adler shot back immediately.


    The colleague''s lips twitched in mild frustration.


    "I''m done talking about this. I''ve got to go," Adler said, ending the conversation abruptly.


    With that, he grabbed his car keys from the drawer and headed for the door. Just then, his colleague called after him, "Hey, about that reaction dposition we''ve been working on-think you could ask Emmitt for some advice?"


    Adler paused and looked back. "Sorry, but she''s probably too busy."


    "Alright then," his colleague replied, a bit disappointed but not pushing further. He waved as Adler left.


    **


    Fifty minutester, Adler pulled up to the address Mirabe had sent him, arriving at the entrance of a posh vimunity.


    Being a local of Riverdale, Adler knew this area well. It was home to the rich and powerful.


    Didn''t expect the big shot to be loaded too, Adler thought to himself.


    Mirabe was already waiting by the side of the road, dressed casually. You''d never guess she was a genius from herid-back look.


    Adler parked the car, unbuckled his seatbelt, and walked over to her. He had freshened up a bit using the spare toiletries in his car, so he didn''t look too scruffy.


    "Sorry for the dy, I was busy all afternoon, and theb doesn''t allow electronic devices," Adler exined.


    Mirabe nodded, "No worries."


    "Right, you mentioned on Messenger that you needed my help with something?" Adler asked, eager to assist.


    "Yep," Mirabe replied, handing him a small blue box. "It''s a blood sample."


    Adler took the box, eyebrows raised. "A blood sample? What for?"


    "I need a detailed analysis of itsposition," Mirabe exined. "Our school''s equipment isn''t sophisticated enough for aprehensive test."


    Adler''s expression turned serious. Only a very special blood sample would require such a detailed analysis.


    For Mirabe to ask for help, this must be something extraordinary.


    "I''ll get it analyzed tonight," Adler promised.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her eyes flicking to his dark circles. "No rush. Do it when you have time."


    "Got it," Adler said, but he was already nning to start the analysis as soon as possible. This was his chance to repay Mirabe.


    "Thanks," Mirabe said, ncing at her watch. "You seem busy. Should I let you go?"


    "Yeah, I''ve got a lot on my te, but I''ll get this done for you," Adler assured her. Mirabe gave him a grateful nod before they parted ways.

 Chapter 908

    Adler froze for a moment, instinctively replying, "Not too... busy."


    "Alright then, I''ll head back. Catch youter," Mirabe said, pretending not to have heard his answer. She waved at him and walked into the residential area.


    Adler stood there, watching Mirabe until she disappeared from sight. Only then did he pick up his small suitcase, get into his car, and buckle his seatbelt. As he did, a thought struck him.


    They met up, and she didn''t even suggest grabbing a meal together?


    Adler nced out the car window one more time. The entrance to the residential area was empty. Scratching his head, he finally started the car engine, feeling a bit down.


    **


    The next morning, Mirabe received the blood test results Adler had sent her.


    He had attached a picture of the numerical values and several voice messages. Since Mirabe was in ss, she only opened the picture without listening to the voice messages.


    As expected, the total white blood cell count in the blood sample had decreased, and the radiation parameters were sky-high.


    The radiation source wasn''t a natural radioactive element but an artificial one. If the levels of this element exceeded a certain threshold, it could damage the human immune system, potentially causing chronic radiation sickness in people with pre-existing health issues.


    So, Mr. Owen''s illness wasn''t just a typical heart condition; it was mainly due to the radiation exposure.


    Mirabe was less interested in the source of the radiation and more intrigued by the illness itself. Given the current limits of medical technology in treating chronic radiation sickness, Mr. Owen was a perfect candidate for her to test some cutting- edge methods.


    Mirabe simply replied to Adler with a "Thanks" and put away her phone.


    *


    Around noon, after much deliberation, Adler decided to call Mirabe again.


    He had actually detected the abnormal values in the blood the previous night, which he found quite astonishing. That was why he hadn''t sent the results to Mirabe right away.


    When he arrived at the research institute that day, he specifically dug through some documents. Although he didn''t find any information about the radiation source, he vaguely remembered that the institute had previously done some specific research on this topic.  swnovel


    that


    It seemed that during an experiment, improper use of this radiation


    source had nearly caused a


    significant error, leading to the. dismissal of several researchers.


    Later, Dr. Ray had even issued a ban


    on researching this topic.  swnovel


    "Hey, where did you get this blood sample?" Adler asked as soon as Mirabe picked up the call.


    Mirabe was still eating, her reply muffled, "Why do you ask?"


    Listening to her indifferent tone on the other end, Adler hesitated for a couple of seconds before saying,


    "Nothing much, it''s just that hig


    radiation levels in blood usually indicate the person has been exposed to radiation. I was just curious about where this sample came from."  swnovel


    Mirabe didn''t respond immediately.


    Adler paused, then without pressing further, he simply said, "Anyway, be careful."


    Mirabe, fiddling with her fork, replied lightly, "I know."


    After a few more words, they ended the call.


    Mirabe hung up and sat thinking for a while before putting away her phone.


    **


    Meanwhile, in the academic building.


    After returning from Mr. Belcher''s office, Calvin spent half an hour organizing documents in his own office. He then sealed an important experimental document


    in a ziplock bag, secured it, and walked out.


    He headed upstairs to the document room.

 Chapter 909

    The archive room was secured with abination lock, and only a select few teachers had the code since it housed sensitive materials that couldn''t be


    Calvin unlocked the door and stepped inside. He opened cab I, ced the sealed documents he was carrying inside, and, after neatly arranging them, locked the cab again.


    As he was about to leave, Calvin noticed that the cab next to him, which stored research project documents, was slightly ajar. He paused for a moment, then opened the cab to inspect the several man envelopes inside, shaking his head in disbelief.


    "Which teacher would be careless enough to leave this open?" he muttered to himself.


    Calvin tidied up the somewhat disorganized documents, and as he was about to close the cab, something struck him. He took the documents out again, flipping through them quickly until he found the research project on life that he had worked on earlier that year.


    Unsealing the man envelope, he found over a dozen pages of documents. The content seemed fine, but the sequence of thest two pages was mixed up.


    Calvin''s eyes narrowed slightly, puzzled. He had personally ced those documents there; they shouldn''t have been tampered with.


    "Has someone been messing with my stuff?" he wondered, frowning. The archive room didn''t have surveince cameras, and it seemed unlikely that any of the few teachers with ess would tamper with his work.


    Unable to figure it out, Calvin returned the documents to the cab and left the archive room with a gloomy expression.


    *


    Mirabe had two main sses in the afternoon. Right after they ended, Zane called her over to observe an experiment.


    She had lost interest after herst observation and wasn''t keen on going, but since Zane had specifically asked, she felt obligated to attend.


    When she arrived at theb, she found Zane and Meg, along with the rest of the team, already there. Mirabe was thest to arrive.


    Meg was discussing something with her team members and gave Mirabe a brief nce without greeting her.


    Meg had thought Zane wouldn''t bring this girl to theb again, but she was mistaken.


    "Of course, she wouldn''t miss a chance to prove herself," Meg thought with a slight smirk, looking away.


    Zane, oblivious to Meg''s attitude, was holding Meg''s new proposal. Seeing Mirabee in, he waved her over.


    "Did I interrupt your ss?" he asked.


    "No," Mirabe replied, her eyes briefly scanning the document in his hand before raising an eyebrow.


    Noticing her interest, Zane thought it


    might be worth exining the


    proposal to her, even though ske might not understand the technical details.  swnovel


    He handed the proposal to


    "This is a new propet


    = 12 t Jiang and his t


    Jiang and his different from thest one..."


    swnovel


    It''s


    Meg, seeing Zane''s action, was speechless. A freshman understanding this stuff seemed far-fetched to her.


    "Well, it''s one thing for a student to be an oddball, but for a teacher to indulge them..." Shaking her head, Meg decided to focus entirely on the experiment.  Swnovel


    Zane patiently began exining, but before he could get far, Mirabe had already skimmed through all three pages.


    Thus, an astonished Zane watched as Mirabe quickly flipped to thest page, leaving him speechless.


    Mirabe flipped back to the first page and gave her honest opinion, "It''s a bit better than thest one."


    But still very muchcking, she thought to herself, suppressing a scoff.

 Chapter 910

    Hearing such a serious critique, Zane''s lips twitched slightly. Comments like thating from a freshman? It felt a bit too bold.


    Meg, who had been trying her best to ignore the conversation, couldn''t help but frown. She couldn''t hold back any longer. Putting down the equipment in her hands, she marched over to Mirabe and snatched the project proposal she was holding. "What do you know, being a freshman? Do you have any idea how much effort we''ve put into this proposal? How much energy it has taken?"


    The atmosphere in theb instantly became tense due to Meg''s outburst. Zane and the other group members were still trying to process what was happening.


    Meg was fuming, and the more she looked at Mirabe, the angrier she became. Without giving her a chance to speak, she continued aggressively, "Did you even consider whether you''re qualified to critique others'' work?"


    For someone not from our field to say such things is just in annoying. If you''re looking for attention, at least use your brain!


    "Actually, Mirabe didn''t mean anything by it; she just made an offhandment," Zane interjected, trying to mediate.


    Meg''s anger didn''t subside but instead soared even higher. However, since she was addressing a teacher, she managed to somewhat moderate her tone. "Mr. Zane, with all due respect, I find it hard to agree with you. After all, we are not from the same field, and it''s basic etiquette not to meddle in others'' affairs, right?"


    Meg cast a sarcastic nce at Mirabe before continuing, "Such offhandments, to put it bluntly, are thoughtless."


    Her words had escted to personal attacks, causing Zane to frown. "If a project proposal is put forward, why shouldn''t it be open to critique?"


    Not meddling in each other''s affairs applies to different domains, but since we''re all part of the biology department, where does the question of not meddlinge from? Moreover, we are all one big family in the biology field.


    Meg pursed her lips and scoffed, "The point is, does she even understand?"


    An outsider''sment, doesn''t it sound ridiculous?


    Zane looked at Mirabe, the girl he had brought along as an observer. Even if she had unintentionally misspoken, he wouldn''t allow others to challenge her, as it could leave a psychological scar on the youngdy.


    Zane''s expression was serious, and just as he was about to say something, others hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.


    "Mr. Zane, we''re sorry, please don''t take it to heart. Meg was just speaking in the heat of the moment. We''ve been working on this proposal day and night for many days, and with the help of senior Taylor in identifying issues, we finally perfected the new proposal. It''s just frustrating to have our efforts dismissed, but we hope you understand."


    "Yeah, actually, it''s not a big deal. In academic matters, everyone has their own area of expertise. It''s a minor issue, let''s just continue with the experiments."


    "Right, let''s focus on the experiment..."


    The group members, fearing a fallout, tried to pacify the teacher and pulled Meg aside. In fact, they also felt ufortable with Mirabe''s critique, but everyone restrained themselves due to the presence of a teacher.


    With several people mediating, Meg''s anger subsided for the moment. She stopped looking at Mirabe,posed herself, and turned to Zane with a slight bow. "I''m sorry, teacher, for getting emotional just now. I hope you won''t take it to heart."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 911

    Meg''s apology was heartfelt, the kind that could melt even the iciest of hearts.


    Zane nced at Meg. Disagreements and arguments were just par for the course in research teams. He sighed, ready to brush it off, when Mirabe''s voice cut through the tension.


    "Sorry, I misspoke earlier." Mirabe leaned casually against the table, letting out a soft sigh.


    Everyone, including Meg, assumed Mirabe was just trying to save face.


    Meg scoffed inwardly. Moments ago, Mirabe was acting all high and mighty. Now, she''s apologizing? Too little, toote. Meg had no ns to forgive someone so thoughtless.


    As Meg fumed silently, Mirabe''s voice broke through again.


    "If there were levels of trash, your proposal..." Mirabe crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips, "would be bottom-tier trash."


    Bottom-tier trash??


    Meg''s eyes widened in disbelief. Did she just call her proposal trash? Was this girl insane?


    The room, which had just started to calm down, instantly froze over again.


    Megughed out of sheer frustration, stepping closer to Mirabe. She waved the proposal she''d just snatched back from Mirabe, pointing it right at her nose, enunciating each word, "Who gave you the nerve to say something like that?"


    No one had ever pointed at her nose while talking. Mirabe tilted her head, her casual demeanor reced by seriousness. "You call this a proposal when you can''t even grasp the integration by parts method used in molecr mutation sequences?"


    Meg scoffed even louder, "A liberal arts major talking to me about integration by parts? Are you kidding me?"


    Mirabe''s expression turned even more peculiar. "Isn''t integration by parts a math method? Isn''t math a required course for everyone? What''s it got to do with being an arts or science major?"


    Meg realized her blunder, her face turning beet red, her raised hand now looking ridiculous.


    After a beat, Meg bit her lip and challenged, "You say I don''t get it, but do you even know the integration by parts method? Can you write the form?"


    Mirabe nodded, "Oh, I do. Your proposal''s steps are long-winded and messy,pletely messing up the gic mutation sequences. Sure, aputer might simte aplete 3D DNA image, but the sequencing, code conversion, and big dataparison will definitely fail."


    Using the wrong method for gic mutation research was a joke.


    Mirabe''s lips twitched into a knowing smile.


    Meg coldlyughed, "How can aputer simtion work but the big data sequencing and code conversion fail?"


    Thinking she''s hot stuff just because she knows some math?


    Mirabe shrugged and nced at theputer, "Then go ahead and try."


    "If I seed, will you and your team apologize for your thoughtless behavior?"


    Meg wasn''t swayed by Mirabe''s math knowledge. She was even more convinced Mirabe was just showing off.


    She was determined to prove her wrong today, to show her that this was Prestige College, not high school anymore.


    Everyone here was elite. Don''t go thinking you''re some kind of genius just because you''ve got a few tricks up your sleeve.

 Chapter 912

    Mirabe heard the remark, and with anguid stride, moved to the side, signaling that she could start theparison on theputer right away.


    Meg nced at her, an inward sneer ying on her lips, but she maintained a fa?ade ofposure. There was no way she would let a clueless newbie mock all the hard work she had put into her project. Especially since Taylor had lent a significant hand; mistakes were simply out of the question.


    Taking a deep breath, Meg turned to Zane, her voice steady and serious. "Professor, this is an academic exchange between students. I hope you won''t show any bias."


    Though she risked offending Zane, she couldn''t help it. Mirabe was one of his department''s students, and any favoritism would be grossly unfair.


    Zane''s expression shifted slightly. He pressed his lips together and replied in a deep tone, "Naturally."


    "That''s a relief." Meg exhaled, then moved to theputer to start simting the DNA 3D model ording to her n.


    The model had to be sessfully generated before sequencing could be transcribed and the data imported into anotherputer for specialized analysis andparison. Each step in generating the DNA 3D model was crucial and time-consuming. Determined to teach Mirabe a lesson, Meg approached the task with extra diligence.


    In stark contrast to Meg''s intensity, Mirabe was all ease. She pulled up a chair and sat down. Reflecting on how long it took Megst time to create the simtion, she used her foot to drag another chair over and ced it in front of Zane. "Professor, take a seat."


    Zane, still anxious about the potential bullying of his student, looked puzzled. This was audacious, to say the least.


    Seeing his bewilderment, Mirabe rified, "It''s going to be at least thirty minutes before you''re needed."


    Zane''s mouth twitched. Meg, absorbed in her simtion, almost lost her grip on the mouse.


    Reluctantly, Zane took the offered chair, considering Meg''s n he had reviewed earlier. Based on his experience, the dataparison rate should be no less than ny percent, or at the very least, eighty-five percent. Though ny-nine percent was the benchmark for true sess, anything over sixty percent meant the n was on the right track and feasible.


    Clearing his throat, Zane lowered his voice to address Mirabe. "Why are you making such a fuss? Even if there''s a minor issue with the scoring factor method, as long as we know, that''s enough."


    Meg was the rising star of the biology department; her talent was undeniable. Her confidence in arguing today meant she was certain of her ground. Minor issues in the form analysis could be correctedter, as long as they didn''t impact the conclusion.


    However, what Zane hadn''t anticipated was that the seemingly docile Mirabe was actually a hidden firecracker.


    Rubbing his temples, Zane added softly, "Don''t feel bad if things don''t go your way. We can be flexible, apologize if needed. With a professor here, they won''t push you too hard."


    Mirabe, hearing Zane''s earnest yet somewhat patronizing advice, couldn''t help but chuckle. She turned to him, sighed slightly, and said, "Professor, actually, we could... well, be a bit more confident."


    Zane''s mouth twitched again. Was confidence really the solution here? It seemed Mirabe still didn''t grasp the gravity of the situation.

 Chapter 913

    "No matter what happens, the professor''s got your backter. Apologizing isn''t a big deal. In research, who hasn''t hit a few bumps along the way?" Zane chose to sidestep Mirabe''sment, his words heavy with meaning.


    Mirabe: "..."


    It felt like talking to a brick wall.


    Zane didn''t bother looking at Mirabe''s expression; he was already thinking about how to protect her pride from taking too big a hitter.


    Mirabe fell silent too, crossing her legs and loungingzily in her chair, looking utterly bored. She pulled out her phone again.


    Zane felt his blood pressure spike.


    He finally understood that this young woman wasn''t just a potential troublemaker; she was the real deal. A situation that should have been tense and serious was now light-hearted and almost amusing, thanks to her.


    And the craziest part? He didn''t even find her behavior ridiculous.


    Zane felt like he was losing his mind.


    Meanwhile, the rest of Meg''s team was also stewing in frustration, all thanks to Mirabe''s provokingments. Criticizing the n was one thing, but calling it trash? That was crossing the line.


    With stern faces, the team, along with Meg, worked on the 3D modeling, meticulously double-checking every step before moving forward.


    Thirty minutester, the DNA 3D model simtion finally appeared on Meg''sputer screen. She took a deep breath and clicked to export the simtion data chain.


    "Mr. Zane, could you please do the final data analysisparison?" Meg had already transferred the simted data chain to the biputing device next door.


    She was eager to see the results.


    Zane stood up and walked over to theputer. Before starting, he nced at Mirabe, who still seemedpletely at ease, and sighed.


    He quicklyunched the software, imported the simtion data chain, and hit confirm. Instantly, theputer screen began to flicker.


    The biputing device''s biochip processed data at lightning speed, making the data on the screen sh by rapidly.


    At that moment, Meg looked up again and saw Mirabe sitting there casually, as


    if she had everything under control. A sneer crossed her face.


    Keep pretending. Let''s see how long you can keep it up.


    With a disdainful look, Meg turned her gaze back to theputer screen, her eyes fixed on it, not moving.


    Theputer screen, flickering with blue light, made her expression seem even more obscure.


    As the seconds ticked by, about two minutester, theputationalparison results appeared.


    Just as Zane had suspected, the match rate was 86%, meaning the n was viable.


    Seeing the result, Meg''s fingers, which had been clenched at her sides, rxed. She had known all along that their n was solid!


    With a soft chuckle, Meg stood still, lifted her chin towards Mirabe with the pride of a victor, and slowly said, "Apologize."

 Chapter 914

    With a sharp bite to her words, Meg''s demand for an apology made Zane''s


    expression harden. He nced at Meg, about to defend Mirabe, but Meg cut him off.


    "Mr. Zane, I understand Mirabe is one of your students, and it''s natural to want to defend her. But today''s incident was started by her, and everyone needs to be ountable for their actions. I''m not trying to be difficult; I just want a simple apology for myself and my team."


    Meg''s words were fair and to the point, leaving Zane, who wasn''t the confrontational type, speechless and a bit red-faced.


    In essence, Meg''s statement not only put Mirabe in her ce but also subtly criticized Zane as her teacher.


    Mirabe, still lounging in her chair and casually twirling her phone, turned to Meg, "With an 86% match rate, you think you deserve it?"


    Zane was taken aback. How did Mirabe know the match rate was 86%? Hadn''t she been on her phone the whole time? Was that number even mentioned?


    Meg didn''t dwell on how Mirabe got the exact number; she was too amused by her arrogant "you deserve it" line. "Can''t handle losing, huh? An 86% match rate is well above the feasibility threshold."


    Shaking her head, Meg had seen enough to know some people were beyond reasoning. Then, she nodded mockingly, "Right, how would someone clueless know about the feasibility threshold?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her tone light, "Indeed, I only understand what a 100% sess rate is."


    Zane''s lips twitched. Here we go again, this troublemaker was at it.


    "100%?" Meg scoffed, clearly thinking Mirabe was clueless. "If you don''t want to apologize, just say so. We don''t need your sorry."


    "So, you don''t believe in a 100% sess rate? Did I get that right?" Mirabe put down her leg, finally sitting up straight.


    "A 100% sess rate is achieved through endless verifications and refinements, the ultimate value after countless experiments. Which simtion seeds on the first try? Are you joking?" Meg retorted.


    Her project had achieved over an 85% sess rate by the second trial, a feat she was confident few in the biology department could match.


    "Oh, so that''s how you justify mediocrity. Enlightening," Mirabe nodded, her tone infuriatingly smug.


    Zane, standing beside them, coughed, shocked by Mirabe''s precise figure but desperately signaling her to tone it down with his eyes.


    After all, Meg was Mr. Calvin''s star student. Offending Meg was like offending Mr. Calvin. Without any backing, Mirabe, a freshman, would struggle in the biology department if targeted by Mr. Calvin, let alone have a promising future.


    Zane knew all too well what kind of person Calvin was-vengeful. There had been two students who were forced to drop out because of him.

 Chapter 915

    Facing Zane''s wild stare, Mirabe just gave a faint smile, her eyebrows arched with just the right mix of nonchnce and pride, not a single trace of worry on her face.


    Zane, seeing this, rubbed his forehead and sighed. Alright, let this little


    troublemaker have her way. So what if he had crossed paths with a Mr. Calvin? It wasn''t like this was his first rodeo.


    As these thoughts raced through his mind, Meg was fuming, her anger fully ignited by Mirabe''s words. She could confidently say this girl was the most aggravating person she''d ever met. The sheer pretense was off the charts!


    "Since you think my skills are trash, you''re saying you''re better, right? Fine, then you do it. I really want to see what a 100% sess rate looks like," Meg''s voice was ice-cold, a far cry from her usual tone.


    After speaking, she stepped aside. To prevent Mirabe froming up with excuses, she walked over to a nearby table and grabbed the initial draft of her research hypothesis.


    Meg pped the draft down on the table beside Mirabe, "I''m generous. I don''t pick on newbies."


    The stack of A4 papers was filled withplex equations and the core ideas of her gic mutation research. It was a detailed, refined version of the paper Meg was about to submit for publication.


    Zane, watching all this, frowned deeply. Everyone has moments of impulsiveness, but Meg, knowing Mirabe was a freshman and not even in the same field, was clearly setting her up to fail. And demanding a 100% sess rate?


    Without hesitation, Zane stepped forward, "Meg, out of respect for our professor, let''s drop this. She''s just a freshman; her knowledge is limited. Besides, this is your paper for submission, it''s better to keep it confidential."


    Meg had anticipated Zane would defend Mirabe. Mirabe must have banked on this, making her so brazen.


    Truly scheming.


    Meg''s lips twisted into a smile, "Mr. Zane, I actually think Miss Mirabe''s


    knowledge is quite impressive. She''s this year''s final exam valedictorian. A simple experiment like this should be a walk in the park for her."


    Swallowing her pride? Not happening.


    Turning to Mirabe, Meg continued, "Right, Mirabe?"


    Zane didn''t expect Meg to bring up the final exam valedictorian, his frown


    deepening, "That''s a different matter, you can''t just..."


    "Exactly, you''re not wrong," Mirabe stood up slowly, cutting Zane off, "Me, the final exam valedictorian, stumped by such a basic experiment?"


    Listening to her provoking tone, Zane thought: "......"


    His blood pressure was about to hit the roof.


    "Well, then I''ll be waiting," Meg said with a coldugh, turning to leave. Such arrogance and ignorance.


    Mirabe cracked her knuckles, not even ncing at the draft Meg had ced on the table, nor did she take any pen or paper to write equations. Instead, she went straight to the firstputer capable of simting 3D models and sat down.


    Seeing this, Meg''s lips curled into another cold smile.


    Zane, sweating bullets, hurried to Mirabe''s side. Even though this troublemaker seemed very confident, as if she really knew her stuff, he thought she must be panicking inside.

 Chapter 916

    Meg nced at Zane, who was clearly on edge, and couldn''t help but smirk. She had zero interest in what Mirabe was doing on theputer, so she just moved aside and started sorting through her research proposal.


    To her, Mirabe was just putting on a show, pretending to be all tech-savvy. Meg was certain that in less than an hour, Mirabe would be crying uncle!


    Contrary to everyone''s assumptions, Mirabe was now rapidly typing away on the keyboard. She didn''t need to draft any borate n; her mind was already crunching the numbers. With eachmand she entered, a 3D model was almost instantly forming on the screen.


    The so-called Gic Mutation Theory was about using forms to manipte mutant gene molecules throughputer simtions, generating results that were logical yet beyond current gic understanding. This was the essence of Meg''s Mutation Theory.


    A dull study with no real scientific value, honestly. Aplete waste of energy to even criticize.


    Three minutester, Mirabe leaned back in her chair, looking rxed, as aplete 3D model disyed on her screen. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that all the data chains were entirely different from Meg''s.


    Zane, who had watched the whole thing, was utterly stunned. "Is... is it done??"


    He hadn''t even clearly seen how she did it!


    "What else do you think needs to be done?" Mirabe asked, nudging her chair back with her foot.


    Zane''s face twitched. It had taken Meg at least thirty minutes to create a 3D model, and Mirabe had done it in three?


    Were they even using the sameputer, doing the same task?


    Even Zane, a seasoned teacher, began to question everything he knew.


    Meg, who had been organizing her materials nearby but listening to Zane and Mirabe''s exchange, paused and looked over in disbelief. It had only been a few minutes? The 3D model was already done?


    Was this some kind of act?


    Even her teacher had neverpleted a 3D model in less than fifteen minutes.


    Meg couldn''t believe it was true, but seeing Zane''s genuinely shocked expression and the other team members also staring at theputer screen, she suddenly felt... uneasy.


    With a pinch of her fingers, Meg abandoned her materials and walked over to theputer. Her eyesnded on the 3D model on the screen, and she was visibly taken aback.


    It was real.


    "A 3D model in just a few minutes? How is that possible?" Meg murmured, shaking her head.


    Hearing this, Zane, despite his own confusion, looked at Meg with newfound confidence. "Just because you can''t do it doesn''t mean others can''t."


    Meg''s face turned red, but she was still skeptical. "Just inputting the forms andmands takes time, not to mention she didn''t even draft a n or form. It''s impossible to do it in just a few minutes!"


    As if struck by a thought, Meg stepped forward, picked up the mouse, and said, "You didn''t just use my 3D model, did you?"


    She had been too busy arguing with Mirabe to clear the data from theputer, and this thought seemed to make sense.


    Aside from a few molecr lines and gene sequences, at a nce, the models looked almost identical.


    Looking at the model that resembled hers, Meg sarcastically tossed the mouse back onto the desk. "Are you sure this is your work?"


    Sorry for the inconvenience, but I felt unwell after eating some questionable takeout tonight and have been dealing with difort. I still have two chapters to write, so let''s pick this up tomorrow.

 Chapter 917

    Meg felt a wave of nausea wash over her. How could someone be so brazen, tantly using the graphics she had painstakingly created?


    She was disgusted. Even if someone wanted to steal her work, wouldn''t they have the sense to wait at least ten or twenty minutes before making it obvious?


    Taking a deep breath to calm her anger, Meg turned to Zane. "Mr. Zane, is this really the kind of student your department produces? Using my graphics to deceive people? Truly a ''genius'' student you have here!"


    Zane''s face darkened. Was Meg being overconfident?


    Just because someone was quick, did it mean they had used her project?


    He had watched Mirabe work the entire time. Although she was so fast that he couldn''t keep up, he was certain she hadn''t used Meg''s 3D graphics.


    After all, no one in their right mind would use someone else''s work right in front of them.


    "Meg, I think you should take a closer look. Are these graphics really yours?" Zane''s voice was unusually serious.


    Meg scoffed, refusing to look at theputer screen. "What''s there to see? Have you ever seen anyone who can produce a simtion in just three or four minutes? My teacher, Mr. Calvin, takes fifteen minutes to create one. And you, being a mentor, should know better, shouldn''t you?"


    To her, these two were nothing more than an ipetent teacher-student duo.


    Hearing Meg speak like this, Zane simply chuckled and asked, "So, just because Mirabe managed to create the simtion in three or four minutes, you assume it''s impossible and conclude she used your graphics?"


    Meg pressed her lips together, staying silent, but her expression said it all.


    Zane shook his head, speechless. Initially, he had a good impression of Meg- smart, sensible, and polite. But today... jealousy was clearly distorting her character.


    "This 3D graphic isn''t the one you made," Zane stated tly.


    At those words, Meg''s eyes narrowed, her anger rising quickly.


    Noticing her agitation, her team members tried to calm her down, but Meg ignored them, shaking off their hands. She grabbed the mouse and opened the 3D graphic again. "You think by altering a few equations and steps, you can hide the fact that it''s not my project?"


    Looking at Mirabe, she snapped, "Can''t you show some real skill? Stop pretending all the time. Not everyone here is a fool!"


    Mirabe, leaning on the armrest of her chair, looked at Meg with cold amusement, as if watching someone beneath her consideration. After a moment, she nodded. "Hmm, you''re right. Except for you, no one here is a fool."


    Stung by the insult, Meg trembled with rage, herplexion turning ghastly. Mirabe smoothly slid her chair to theputer, effortlessly taking the mouse from Meg''s hand. She then disyed the data chain resulting from the 3D graphic, speaking calmly, "Look, is this the same as yours?"


    Meg''s eyes widened upon seeing the data chain-it was different.


    Then, Mirabe pulled up the 3D graphic again and began deconstructing it right


    in front of her, revealing its inner workings. "Is this the same as yours?"


    "And this, the metabolic processes of the genome and RNA simtion, does your ''wed'' project contain any of these?"


    Mirabe clicked through the mouse slowly, and with each statement she made, Meg''s face grew paler.


    After deconstructing everything, Mirabe put down the mouse, tilted her head to look at Meg once more, and spoke deliberately, "Do you still think this 3D graphic was produced from your project?"

 Chapter 918

    Gazing at the data on herputer screen, Meg staggered back a step, unable to believe her eyes.


    How could it be different from hers?


    She was just a freshman this year, and not even from this major. How did Mirabe manage to simte a 3D model in just a few minutes without even outlining a n?


    And the equation she just solved¡ªwasn''t the integration by parts supposed to involve more steps?


    Meg''s hands trembled by her sides, her mind swirling with doubts.


    Before she could figure it out, Mirabe''s voice cut through her thoughts, "Oh, didn''t you want to see a 100% sess rate? Well, get ready to be amazed."


    Meg''s head snapped up.


    Mirabe was already lounging at anotherputer, where the screen disyed the dataparison Meg had been working on.


    Then she nced at Meg and said casually, "Why don''t you clear this batch of data yourself?"


    Meg''s ears burned with embarrassment; the more she had questioned Mirabe in front of everyone, the more humiliated she felt now.


    Seeing her hesitation, Mirabe clicked her tongue, "Looks like I''ll have to do it." With a few light taps on the keyboard, all the data in the software was erased. Zane, who had been watching, looked conflicted.


    He''d been using this software for nearly ten years and had never discovered such a shortcut to clear data.


    Haha, it seemed like they were not even using the sameputer.


    Quickly, Mirabe adeptly imported the data chain into the software. Just as she was about to confirm theparison, she paused, her index finger hesitated over the mouse before she withdrew her hand and stood up, "Maybe the professor should do it. I''m not very familiar with this software."


    Zane: "???"


    Who are you trying to fool with your eyes wide open?


    Mirabe pushed her chair back, then with a face full of seriousness, said, "Please don''t show any favoritism. It could lead to misunderstandings and tarnish your reputation as a professor."


    Zane nced silently at Meg, whose face was dark, and coughed.


    Without further hesitation, he walked over, sat down, and after a moment''s preparation, picked up the mouse to silently execute the final step: clicking "confirm."


    After clicking confirm, Zane quickly put down the mouse, as if afraid of identally affecting the final test results.


    This result couldn''t be wrong; it was a matter of pride.


    Beside him, Meg watched theputer intently, her fists clenched tight. The fluctuating data made her nerves stretch tighter and tighter.


    She truly didn''t believe her data could achieve a 100% match, but... what if?


    If she seeded, wouldn''t she be a joke?


    She was recognized as a prodigy in her department. If word got out that a neer had beaten her, how could she ever hold her head up high among her peers?


    What would her professor think of her?


    At that moment, Meg felt a twinge of regret. Perhaps she had been too impulsive.


    Even if she couldn''t stand Mirabe, she shouldn''t have stooped to teaching her a lesson.


    Soon, as Meg was wallowing in frustration, theputer''s data stopped fluctuating and a dialog box popped up.


    Match Rate: 100%.


    See you tonight.

 Chapter 919

    In the world of experimental research, hitting a 100% data match isn''t exactly groundbreaking¡ªit''s the gold standard everyone''s aiming for. But even the most seasoned researchers at the institute sometimes need countless tries to hit that mark.


    So, when Mirabe, a newbie with zero specialized training, no prep work, and only a hazy grasp of the experiment, nailed it on her first go, it was nothing short of jaw-dropping.


    Zane stared at theputer screen, utterly speechless. He took a deep breath, shoving down a flood of questions, cast a frosty nce at Meg, and then fixed his icy gaze on his student: "So, does my student still owe anyone an apology?"


    Meg''s eyes were glued to the screen, her fingers clenched so hard her nails dug into her skin, yet she felt no pain. A 100% match... How could it be perfect on the first try? It defied all logic!


    She was a mess inside. Faced with Zane''s challenge, she had nothing to counter with the data was indisputable. But believing someone could achieve such a wless result on their first attempt? That was a tough pill to swallow. It wasn''t arrogance but the collective wisdom from countless researchers.


    There was only one usible exnation: Mirabe must have secretly studied her experiment. Meg''s eyes narrowed. She recalled Zane sharing his experimental hypothesis with Mirabe in their first session. At the time, she thought it was idiotic to hand over such valuable info to a rookie.


    Now, piecing it all together, it made perfect sense. No wonder Mirabe was so unruffled when asked to run the experiment. It was all a calcted move to humiliate her.


    Realizing this, Meg''s anger red. Ignoring Zane, she turned to Mirabe with a sneer, "Quite the feat, doing all that secret homework to shine, huh?"


    Mirabe shot her a sideways nce, amused, "Is this your way of showing what it means to be truly outssed?"


    Meg chuckled coldly, unfazed, "Studying my n is useless. My paper''s already with my professor." Trantion: no way you''re stealing my thunder.


    Mirabe arched a brow, "What part of your experiment holds research value? Gic mutation variations? Transposable elements'' rbination mechanisms? Or maybe the basic principles and applications of gene mutation?"


    "Why should I tell you my research focus?" Meg retorted with a smirk.


    Mirabe shrugged, "Fair point. If you can''t grasp the rbination of transposable elements, the value of decoding gic codes would be even more baffling to you."


    "Heh, what are you bragging about?" Meg scoffed, thinking Mirabe was just dropping jargon to look smart.


    "Do you know why your 3D model can simte sessfully, but your big dataparison fails?" Mirabe''s voice was cool and detached, her hands sped behind her back, exuding a casual yet confident vibe.


    Meg pursed her lips, staring at Mirabe.

 Chapter 920

    "Your approach was off from the start. The molecr rbination steps were all wrong. You can''t mix the gic code deciphering with the gene transposition factors in the same calctions¡ªthey just don''t mesh. Even if the 3D model looks like it works, if the gic database doesn''t match up, it''s pointless," Mirabe said coolly.


    From the first time she reviewed Meg''s experimental hypotheses, she knew that no matter how many ns were drafted, they wouldn''t pass verification.


    Meg, hearing this, felt even more sure that Mirabe was just showing off, trying to seem profound. After all, even her teacher hadn''t noticed any issue; how could she, a non-specialist student, know better than her teacher?


    Before she could speak, ab group member pulled her aside, shook their head, and then went to theputer.


    The simplest way to see if Mirabe was right or wrong was to conduct another experiment.


    Meg understood her teammate''s intention. She bit her lip, stayed silent, and let her teammate tweak their original n right there on theputer.


    It took about fifteen minutes to generate a rough 3D model.


    The teammate exported the data chain. Not knowing how to analyze the data, they called over Zane for help with theparison.


    In less than two minutes, theparison results were out: ny-two percent.


    Although it wasn''t a perfect score, considering that this was a hastily revised n, achieving this value indicated that Mirabe''s approach was correct.


    Moreover, this was even better than the n revised by senior Taylor.


    In an instant, the way Meg''s teammates looked at Mirabe changed.


    And Meg''s reaction to seeing this data was even harder to ept than if it had been a hundred percent.


    She had been telling herself that Mirabe was just bragging without any factual basis.


    But now... this ny-two percent was like a huge joke, mocking her mercilessly. Zane nced at Meg, a slight smirk on his lips, and brought the topic back, "Miss Meg, now that the facts are clear, do you still think my student owes you an apology?"


    Meg''s face turned red instantly, wishing she could just disappear.


    There was a moment of awkward tension in theb. Seeing this, Meg''s teammates quickly spoke up, "Sorry, Mr. Zane, we were just too eager with our experiment and got a bit carried away earlier. Please don''t take it to heart."


    Then, they repeatedly apologized to Mirabe on behalf of Meg, their tone and attitude sincere.


    Only Meg stood there, silent from beginning to end, both embarrassed and too proud to apologize.


    Mirabe didn''t care about Meg''s attitude; she simply asked, "Are we continuing with the experiment today?"


    After such a scene, there was no way the experiment could go on. Meg''s teammates nced at her and quickly said, "Let''s call it a day."


    "Alright," Mirabe turned to Zane, "Professor, shall we go?"


    Zane came back to his senses and nodded.


    Soon, the two of them left theb.


    On their way back to the department, Zane asionally looked at Mirabe with aplex expression, as if he had something to say but hesitated.


    Mirabe''s temple twitched; she wanted to ignore his gaze but couldn''t, so she stopped and turned around, "If you have something to say, just ask."

 Chapter 921

    Zane stared at Mirabe for what felt like an eternity before he finally broke the silence. ¡°The changes to the script data on myputer a few days ago¡ªyeah, that was you, wasn''t it?"


    His tone wasn''t asking; it was stating a fact.


    Mirabe just stood there, speechless. Talk about a curveball out of nowhere.


    "So, you''re actually good with those programs, huh?" Zane pressed when Mirabe didn''t answer.


    Mirabe coughed awkwardly. "...A little?"


    Zane chuckled. "Sure, and I''m a rock star."


    Mirabe looked away, refusing to say more, and kept walking.


    Zane''s face lit up with a knowing smile as he caught up to her. "Did you and Meg know each other before? Is there some beef between you two?"


    He wasn''t clueless; earlier in theb, Meg had been gunning for Mira.


    Mirabe shrugged. "We graduated from the same school and had a run-in before graduation. As for any conflicts..." She paused, then stood a little taller, "Maybe it''s because I''m just that good."


    Zane''s lips twitched. Maybe it wasn''t just about being good; you''re pretty full of yourself too.


    "Try to steer clear of Meg from now on," Zane finally said after a moment.


    Mirabe shot a sideways nce at Zane.


    Zane''s gaze softened a bit. "Meg is Mr. Calvin''s star student, and Mr. Calvin... let''s just say he has a temper."


    Zane hadn''t forgotten that Mirabe initially picked the same major as Meg. From what she showed today, her talent was definitely on par with Meg''s, if not better.


    He couldn''t fathom why Mr. Calvin hadn''t picked her, but people areplicated, and jealousy can make folks do strange things.


    Mirabe smirked. "I''ve got a bit of a temper too."


    Zane felt his blood pressure spike. "I''m serious. It''s not just Meg; avoid Mr. Calvin as well."


    Mirabe nodded absentmindedly, clearly not taking his advice to heart.


    Zane sighed internally, realizing he was wasting his breath. Checking his watch, he remembered that Wade needed to see him. He waved to Mirabe and headed to Wade''s office.


    **


    When Zane arrived at Wade''s office, Wade was on a video call. Zane stepped out into the hallway to wait.


    He bumped into some other faculty members who looked troubled. Something was up.


    "Mr. Calvin''s research data got messed with. He threw a massive tantrum in the meeting," a colleague exined with a wry smile.


    Zane raised an eyebrow. "Who would mess with his stuff?"


    "Exactly. Who''d dare? Probably just a scare tactic," the colleague shrugged.


    Zane was used to this kind of drama and just patted his colleague on the shoulder before heading back in.


    Inside, Wade had finished his call. He motioned for Zane toe in, poured him a ss of water, and sat down. "The research funds for your department have been diverted. I just found out."


    Zane blinked, surprised. He hadn''t expected this. "It''s fine. Mr. Calvin said the funds would be returned once the central funds are allocated."


    Wade was silent for a moment before looking Zane in the eye. "They might not be returned."

 Chapter 922

    "What do you mean, ''might not''...?" Zane''s fingers dug into his knees as he tried to process the news. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts before he could speak.


    A few days ago, Mr. Calvin hade to him, proposing a joint experiment for his students. He''d used the promise of research funding as leverage, hinting he might pull out, essentially threatening to swindle the department''s funds.


    Wade didn''t look too pleased either.


    When Calvin had initially asked to use funds from Zane''s department, Wade had t-out refused and even warned Calvin against it. But Calvin had gone ahead and discussed it with Mr. Belcher anyway.


    In reality, a million-plus in research funds wasn''t much-it wouldn''t even cover the cost of a standard piece of research equipment. And when you consider the billions invested annually in scientific research nationwide, it was a drop in the bucket.


    Wade took a deep breath before saying, "The college has decided not to allocate those funds to your department for now. If it''s absolutely necessary, you can apply directly to the administration."


    Zane''s knuckles turned white before he managed to calm himself. "So, our department won''t get the research grant for this quarter either?"


    Wade rubbed his temples and looked up at Zane, "I''m really sorry."


    Wade was the top professor in the Biology Department and a senior researcher at the National Institute of Life Sciences. Besides his research, he didn''t usually take on students or deal with the college''s financial matters.


    Having interacted with Zane a few times, he knew how tough things were for the Department of Informatics, which was why he brought it up today.


    Zane forced a wry smile and shook his head. He should''ve seen Mr. Calvin''s anticsing.


    "I''ve got a research project that needs in-depth sequencing data analysis. You''re more than capable of handling it. There''s even a chance to expand it, developing new pathways for big data," Wade said, shifting the conversation to more pressing matters.


    Zane momentarily set aside his funding worries and asked, somewhat dazed, "Develop new pathways for big data?"


    "Bioinformatics is widely used. Abroad, big data is the mainstream, and


    biomimetic technology is both cutting-edge and a major research trend," Wade exined.


    Zane looked up at him in surprise.


    Wade stood up from his chair, grabbed a prepared document, and handed it to Zane. "Take this back with you and see if it sparks any ideas."


    Zane''s gaze fell on the document. After a brief pause, he reached out to take it.


    He had only nced at the first page when he looked up sharply at Wade, "You..." Wade met his gaze calmly, "Your department has been quiet for too long. It needs a fresh project to drive it."


    Once a project is initiated, funding bes the priority... Zane suddenly understood why Wade had called him over today, especially mentioning the department''sck of funds.


    Zane gripped the document tightly, then stood up and bowed to Wade, "Wade, thank you."


    For a top-tier professor who usually stayed out of departmental minutiae, whether one department had funding or not was generally inconsequential.


    Wade simply waved his hand, smiling, "Do your best."


    Zane hummed in acknowledgment, his eyes returning to the document in his hands.


    His department had indeed been too quiet for too long, to the point where others thought they could be easily pushed around.


    Wade asked Zane to sit down again and then remembered something, "Oh, by the way, your department has a new student this year named Mirabe, the literary valedictorian. Do you know her?"

 Chapter 923

    Zane was caught off guard when Wade suddenly brought up Mira, but he nodded in acknowledgment.


    "How''s she doing? Have you checked up on her?" Wade had been meaning to find out about Mirabe for a while, especially since the military training, but he had been swamped with work and kept postponing it.


    Bumping into Zane today was the perfect chance to get an update.


    The image of today''sb scene, where Mira confidently bested Meg and left her speechless, shed through Zane''s mind. He cleared his throat and said, "She''s doing great."


    Wade''s eyebrows lifted with interest at this, "Oh? How so?"


    Zane took a moment to gather his thoughts and then shared the day''sb events with Wade. He added, "I think she''s a hidden gem, a real dark horse. Her talent... definitely rivals Meg''s."


    Wade nodded thoughtfully. "Her grasp of math and science is rock-solid, and her logical thinking is sharp. She even took first ce in an internationalpetitionst year. Some of the physics and chemistry problems she tackled were soplex that even our professors took a long time to solve."


    Zane hadn''t paid much attention to these des before, but hearing Wade''s praise made him realize, "No wonder she didn''t need to pre-calcte forms in theb; she simted the 3D model in just a few minutes."


    "In just a few minutes?" Wade''s surprise was evident.


    "Yeah, I''d say it took her about two or three minutes," Zane remarked, not noticing Wade''s astonished look.


    Wade fell silent for a moment, then with a hint of frustration in his voice, said, "The fastest I''ve ever done a 3D model took me ten minutes. Are you sure you got the timing right?"


    "Absolutely. I was standing right behind her. It was done in the blink of an eye," Zane replied honestly.


    Wade took a sip of his water to steady himself, then looked back at Zane, "Why did she choose your department in the first ce?"


    Zane was momentarily speechless.


    What''s wrong with our department?


    "She initially chose the Biotechnology Department but waster transferred," Zane finally exined, deciding to shed some light on the matter.


    Wade frowned at this information.


    He remembered keeping a close eye on department allocations. Calvin had told him that the youngdy had chosen Computer Science, which had surprised him.


    Now, hearing from Zane about the transfer, it likely wasn''t a lie. Given that Calvin was in charge of the Biotechnology Department, it wasn''t hard to guess there were some underlying issues.


    Zane noticed Wade''s unusual expression but couldn''t figure out what he was thinking, so he called out, "Wade?"


    Wade snapped back to reality, shaking his head, his voice unusually serious, "Since she''s in your department, make sure to nurture her well."


    Zane understood Wade''s intent, "Of course." After a brief pause, he stood up, "Wade, if there''s nothing else, I''ll head back now."


    Wade nodded, having his own matters to attend to, and waved him off.


    Zane nodded back.


    He quickly grabbed his documents and left the office.


    Just as he stepped out, Zane sighed, thinking about the research funding. He was about to take the elevator straight down to go home when he impulsively pressed for the third floor instead.


    Mr. Calvin''s office was on the third floor.

 Chapter 924

    **Zane''s Office Visit**


    When Zane reached Mr. Calvin''s office, he found the door shut. After a brief moment of hesitation, he knocked.


    He waited for about two minutes, but there was no response. No sounds came from inside, and no one opened the door. So, Zane headed to the office next door, where he found someone.


    "Mr. Calvin should be teaching a ss right now," the person inside informed him.


    Zane thanked them and left, deciding not to wait for Calvin''s return. Confronting him seemed pointless anyway; given his close rtionship with Mr. Belcher, it was unlikely he could reim the funds.


    With the documents Wade had given him in hand, Zane went home.


    **Across Town**


    Owen instructed Johnny to gather the ingredients needed for Mirabe''s prescription. Most were easy to find, but a few rare ones weren''t avable in the market.


    Johnny, a bit anxious, listed the missing ingredients separately and went to discuss it with Owen.


    "Yes, I forgot to mention that some ingredients might only be found at the Pharmacists'' Guild," Owen said, putting down his pen and recalling something Mirabe had previously mentioned.


    "The Pharmacists'' Guild?" Johnny''s frown eased. "Dane, the eldest son of the Reeves family, is with them. We could ask him."


    Owen nodded.


    "But Dane got promoted to senior apothecaryst year. With his new status, I''m not sure if he''d help us," Johnny added after a brief pause.


    Due to Owen''s health issuesst year, their rtionship with the Reeves family had be strained. Although Owen had now moved to Riverdale, the Pharmacists'' Guild held significant influence there.


    And Dane wasn''t as approachable as Niki.


    Owen squinted, "Regardless, these ingredients are crucial for my teacher''s health. Even if he''s reluctant, you must ensure he meets with you."


    "Alright, let me call Niki and have him talk to Dane first," Johnny suggested.


    Normally, Owen wouldn''t bother Niki, but given the urgency, he agreed, "Go ahead, and make sure the ingredients are prepared as soon as possible."


    After a pause, Owen added, "If Dane asks about the ingredients, don''t mention my teacher''s condition. Just say it''s for someone else."


    Johnny replied, ¡°Actually, since Dane is now a senior apothecary with the entire Pharmacists'' Guild backing him, if Mirabe can''t cure it, he might offer an alternative treatment."


    It wasn''t that Johnny doubted Mirabe''s skills; he just preferred having a backup n.


    Owen looked up at Johnny with a serious expression, "That''s not necessary. If Mirabe can''t cure it, Dane certainly won''t be able to."


    Johnny opened his mouth to argue but, seeing Owen''s firm belief in Mirabe, he relented, "Okay, I''ll contact him right now."


    "Alright," Owen replied coolly, returning to his work.


    **The Meeting**


    Johnny immediately contacted Niki. After Niki replied, Johnny called Dane.


    Thanks to Niki''s intervention, Dane promptly agreed to meet.


    They arranged to meet at a members-only restaurant in Riverdale.

 Chapter 925

    When Dane got to the restaurant, Johnny had already been waiting in the private room for about half an hour. But he didn''t look the least bit impatient.


    "Hey, Dane," Johnny greeted, extending his hand.


    Since passing the assessment and bing a senior pharmacistst year, Dane seemed more spirited than ever. He barely touched Johnny''s hand before pulling away. "Johnny."


    Johnny''s eyes narrowed for a moment, but he kept his polite smile. He went back to his seat and handed the menu to Dane.


    Johnny hadn''t mentioned anything about buying medicine over the phone, nor had he talked to Niki about it. So, after Dane ordered and the waiter left, he turned to Johnny with a smile. "Johnny, if you needed something, you could''ve just said so over the phone. No need for all the formalities."


    The words were polite enough, but Johnny caught Dane''s drift. It was a hint: no need to go through Niki or beat around the bush.


    Johnny cleared his throat, deciding to get straight to the point. "I did ask you out today because I need a favor."


    He pulled out a note listing several ingredients from his folder and handed it to Dane.


    Dane''s expression turned serious as he looked it over. "What''s this?"


    "These are ingredients urgently needed by a friend of our boss. Dane, with your senior status in the Pharmacists'' Guild, could you help us get these?" Johnny asked, ever so polite.


    Dane recognized all the ingredients on the list. They were rare, mostly used for detoxification, and a couple for repairing bodily functions. In the guild, these ingredients were seldom used because they were rare and typically needed for concocting S-grade or higher medicines. And S-grade pharmacists were few and far between.


    Dane set the note down, his brows furrowing slightly. "Can I ask what these are for?"


    Was Owen''s condition acting up again? But the prescriptions didn''t quite match that.


    Dane remembered that Owen''s health had been improved by a young girl his father knew. He had even studied her prescription and concocted a medicine that was nearly B-grade, surpassing C-grade.


    Remembering Owen''s caution, Johnny shook his head, his expression unreadable. "I''m not entirely sure. Mr. Owen gave me this list. After searching the market without sess, I heard the Pharmacists'' Guild might have them, so I came to you."


    Dane studied Johnny, knowing this seasoned diplomat wouldn''t reveal much even if he did know.


    After a moment, Dane looked troubled. "We do have these ingredients, but given their rarity, I''m not sure if the president would agree."


    Johnny smiled. "Dane, now that you''re a senior pharmacist, the president must hold you in high regard. I''m sure it won''t be a big problem."


    Since his promotion, Dane had grown used to ttery. Though he still enjoyed Johnny''s words, he stayed clear-headed. "I can only promise to ask."


    He didn''t make any promises.


    "Thank you, that would be great," Johnny nodded slightly.


    Dane''s gaze fell back on the note, his eyes dimming slightly.


    Two more chapters to write. I''ll check them out tomorrow. Good night.

 Chapter 926

    Dane''s eyes dropped back to the paper, a shadow crossing his gaze. For a typical alternative medicine practitioner, these kinds of herbs were almost never used, not even by his father, who rarely touched them.


    Being an apothecary, he knew these special herbs inside and out and exactly how to prepare them for maximum effect. Though his curiosity was piqued, Dane knew Johnny wouldn''t spill any more details, so he let it go.


    After dinner, Dane and Johnny parted ways. Dane went straight back to the Pharmacists'' Guild and handed the list of ingredients Johnny gave him to his apprentice, instructing him to head to the storeroom manager to get the herbs.


    Back when he was a mid-level apothecary, getting his hands on such rare ingredients was a once-a-month privilege, and he had to specify what kind of medicine he nned to make. Only as a senior apothecary did he earn the freedom to use them more freely, with fewer hoops to jump through.


    Despite his rise in status, Dane still valued his connection with Owen. Being young and already assigned to Riverdale, Owen''s future was promising.


    "By the way, Master, you''ve got a package. It looks like it came from your family home. I put it in the cupboard for you," the apprentice said as he was leaving, turning back to point at a cupboard in the room.


    Dane paused for a moment, then waved his apprentice off and retrieved the package from the cupboard. The return address read Ashford.


    Dane''s brows furrowed as he opened the package. Inside was an old, yellowed book filled with various herbal recipes and medicinal theories. As he carefully flipped through the pages, emotions stirred within him.


    He had recently started delving into ancient remedies. The Reeves family had a long history in alternative medicine, with ancestors who were renowned doctors. The medical books passed down through generations were treasure troves of umted knowledge.


    He had seen this particr family book before but never really dug into it, thanks to the wealth of medical texts at the guild. However, the deputy guild master''s recent mentions of ancient remedies had reignited his interest, prompting him to ask his family to send the book over.


    Dane had shown a knack for medicine early on, joining the Pharmacists'' Guild at twenty. Now, over twenty yearster, he had finally made it to senior apothecary. Climbing higher would be tough, but there were other paths to explore.


    Soon, the apprentice returned with the herbs. "Master, are you working on a new medicine?" he asked, handing the box to Dane.


    "No," Dane replied curtly, taking the box, peeking inside, then closing it and handing it back. "I''ll give you an address tomorrow. Deliver the herbs there."


    The apprentice was taken aback but didn''t press further. He nodded and then added, "Oh, by the way, Master, I ran into the deputy guild master on my way back. He wants to see you."


    "Hm?" Dane looked at his apprentice. "Did he say why?"


    "No."


    "Got it." Dane, hands sped behind his back, pondered for a moment before heading out.


    The next day, after receiving the herbs Dane had sent, Johnny wasted no time. After confirming a time with Mirabe, he delivered them to Prestige College.

 Chapter 927

    Mirabe took a quick look at the herbs, making sure everything was in order. She turned to Johnny and said, "I''ll take these back and start preparing the medicine. Swing by the school tomorrow around this time to pick it up."


    Johnny only knew Mirabe as a top-notch doctor and was surprised to learn she also made her own medicine. "Wait, Ms. Mirabe, you know how to prepare medicine too?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    Realizing his question was a bit obvious, Johnny coughed and nodded, "Alright."


    "So, if there''s nothing else, I''ll head out?" Ever since Johnny moved to Riverdale with Owen, his days were packed. He couldn''t afford to give his political rivals any reason to gossip.


    Mirabe nced at the ck sedan parked by the curb and waved her hand, "Sure."


    "Okay." Johnny nodded and turned to leave, but then he stopped as if remembering something.


    After a moment''s thought, he turned back around, pointing at the box of herbs Mirabe was holding. "Oh, Ms. Mirabe, about theplete prescription you gave me, I haven''t shared it with anyone else."


    Mirabe looked at Johnny, momentarily taken aback before she smiled, not too worried, "That''s fine. Not everyone can understand my prescriptions anyway."


    The art of traditional medicine preparation isplex. The dosage, the control of heat, and the order in which ingredients are added can all affect the medicine''s effectiveness. Even with aplete recipe, sess isn''t guaranteed.


    This is why modern-day pharmacists are rare, and those who understand traditional recipes are even rarer.


    Feeling reassured by Mirabe''s response, Johnny quickly left.


    As Johnny''s car drove away, Mirabe, still holding the box, walked leisurely to the curb and approached the ck sedan. The passenger-side window rolled down slowly, revealing a handsome face with deep eyes that shimmered like clear, flowing water. Mirabe touched her nose before opening the passenger door and getting in.


    The car started moving slowly.


    "Did someonee looking for you?" James turned to nce at Mirabe and the box in her hands, his gaze sharpening slightly.


    "Yeah." Mirabe nodded, unconcernedly kicking the box under the seat. "You might remember, Owen''s secretary."


    James raised an eyebrow, his voice growing softer, "What did he want with you?"


    The window was still down, and Mirabe, with her armzily resting on the door frame, had a teasing smile on her face as she looked at James, responding, "A donation."


    No wonder she was in such a good mood.


    Realizing this, James felt a twinge of jealousy.


    He couldn''t evenpete with that money?


    Their mood was slightly dampened on the way back to the apartmentplex. When they got out of the car, Mirabe gave James a curious look. Was he having mood swings?


    Nick had been buried in hisb worktely, often not getting home until midnight, so Mirabe''s dinners were usually scavenged.


    Upon entering the house, Mirabe, as usual, changed her shoes and was about to settle in the living room to wait for food.


    But today, James pushed her towards the kitchen instead, where fresh vegetables wereid out on the counter. He handed her a pair of gloves, "Your task for today."


    Blinking in confusion, Mirabe looked down at the gloves in her hand, then back up at James, utterly shocked, "Me? Wash the veggies?"

 Chapter 928

    "Yeah."


    James nodded, not even ncing her way as he rolled up his sleeves and headed to the fridge to grab some pork ribs. Moving over to the stove, he picked up the cleaver with practiced ease, ced the ribs on the cutting board, and with a swift motion, chopped them into even pieces.


    Mirabe, feeling a strange sense of dread beside him, thought, "What the...?"


    Slipping on her gloves without a word, she grabbed the vegetables and went to the sink to wash them, grumbling internally about how men in a bad mood were best avoided.


    She couldn''t help but think about all the effort she put in just for a free meal-it sure wasn''t easy.


    After washing the veggies and taking off her gloves, Mirabe nced at James, who was now simmering the ribs. She was about to suggest stepping out when his voice called out again.


    "There''s a package for me in the locker outside. Could you grab it?" James said, still not looking up.


    Mirabe touched her nose and made an acknowledging sound.


    "My phone has the locker app, but my hands are dirty. You can take it and I''ll tell you which app it is," James said, lifting his left arm to indicate she should take his phone from his pocket.


    Mirabe nodded again, approached him, lightly lifted the hem of his shirt, and reached into his pocket. After a brief search, she pulled out the phone and asked, "Password?"


    James looked at her, noticing how her eyshes cast shadows on her cheeks, with a few stray tendrils of hair giving her azy, unruly look. He cleared his throat and recited six digits.


    Finding the app, Mirabe gave him a thumbs-up and left the kitchen.


    The package locker was just outside, around the corner of the vi''s exterior wall.


    When Mirabe unlocked the phone again, she paused for a moment before opening the locker app.


    She scanned the disy screen on the locker, and a secondter, the door swung open to reveal a not-toorge but somewhat heavy cardboard box.


    Just as Mirabe was about to take the box, the phone in her hand rang. The caller ID showed a single word, "Nie." She hesitated, almost answering before realizing it wasn''t her phone.


    So, she withdrew her finger, ignored the call, and took the box out of the locker, heading back.


    As she rounded the corner, she saw a woman standing at the door, holding a phone, seemingly in the middle of a call.


    Mirabe paused slightly, the phone in her hand still ringing.


    At this moment, Emily, who was on the call, spotted her. Hearing the familiar ringtone, Emily''s gaze instinctively swept over the phone in Mirabe''s hand.


    Emily abruptly ended her call, and the ringing stopped immediately.


    Emily: "..."


    Mirabe didn''t pay much attention to Emily''s actions, merely guessing that she was probably here for James. She approached with the parcel box, politely asking, "Are you here to see someone?"


    Emily put down her phone, looking up at the young girl standing close by. Her features were exceptionally beautiful, especially her doe eyes-clear and bright, the epitome of innocence.


    Suddenly, Emily remembered her brother-inw mentioning his son''s potential girlfriend at the Shepherd family gathering¡ªa freshman in college.


    And this young girl before her certainly looked the part.


    Could it be her son had already won her over?


    After a few seconds of thought, remembering a certain warning, Emily smiled and nodded. "Yes, I''m looking for... Holmes."

 Chapter 929

    Mirabe froze when she heard the name, "Holmes?"


    Emily nodded, then nced around the vi, "This is his ce, right?"


    Emily had this bookish elegance about her and spoke so gently, it was hard to believe she could be lying.


    Mirabe, sensing something was off, paused for a couple of seconds, then asked, "Are you sure you''re in the right ce?"


    Emily let out an "Oh," and looked at the house number, "No, it should be 101 Baker Street, right?"


    Mirabe immediately knew Emily had the wrong ce, "No, this is Cherry Blossom Lane. Baker Street is in the next row behind this one."


    Emily looked in the direction Mirabe pointed and a tinge of embarrassment crossed her face, "I''m sorry, it''s my first time here, I didn''t realize."


    Mirabe smiled and shook her head, "It''s okay, it''s easy to get lost when you''re not familiar with the area."


    "Thank you, youngdy. I''ll be on my way then," Emily wanted to say more but, not wanting to reveal too much, she just waved and left.


    Mirabe replied with a "You''re wee," then turned around, entered the password, and went into the vi.


    As Emily got into her car, she watched the young girl disappear behind the door, rubbing the steering wheel with a knowing look in her eyes.


    "Such a pretty girl with a lovely personality; no wonder she wasn''t interested in my son. If I were in her shoes, I wouldn''t be either," Emily thought to herself.


    With a final nce at the vi, Emily started the car, feeling quite pleased, and drove away.


    Mirabe walked into the dining room carrying a package just as James finished cooking. He looked up as he set down the dish, "Took you a while to fetch that package."


    Mirabe put the items on the table and didn''t hide anything, "Ran into someone who got lost at the door, had a little chat."


    "Got lost?" James narrowed his eyes.


    "Yeah, she mixed up Cherry Blossom Lane with Baker Street," Mirabe said, handing his phone back to him, "Oh, by the way, you got a call while I was out."


    James nced at his phone, saw it was Emily, and without much reaction, put it down and headed back to the kitchen.


    After dinner, thinking she might as well help out, Mirabe decided to do the dishes.


    Once all the dishes were loaded into the dishwasher, Mirabe pped her hands clean and walked out of the kitchen.


    James was busy unwrapping the package Mirabe had brought him, peeling offyers of bubble wrap.


    Mirabe nced at her watch, then walked over to him, casually looking at the dark, disassembled metal parts he was pulling out, "I should head back now, tonight..."


    Seeing the metal parts, she paused for a second, then continued naturally, "...still got work to do."


    James looked up, not seeming to notice her hesitation, and raised an eyebrow, "What kind of work could you possibly have?"


    Mirabe sighed, recalling how she identally saw a bank notification on someone''s phone earlier. The bnce on it was enough to make anyone feel small.


    "The struggles of a working stiff, you wouldn''t understand," she sighed again, waved at James, and headed to the door, "Off I go, back to the grind."

 Chapter 930

    Watching Mirabe stride away, James couldn''t help but lift an eyebrow in amusement at her salty tone. With a chuckle and a shake of his head, he turned his attention back to the pile of disassembled parts on the table. After a brief pause, he started fiddling with them, eventually pulling up a chair and settling in to get serious.


    About fifteen minutester, he had a sleek, ck portable handgun fully assembled. Unlike the usual models circting in the underground market, this one was clearly morepact and user-friendly.


    James gave the trigger a light squeeze. Even unloaded, the gun operated without a sound, and it was obvious it had minimal recoil-¡ªa sign of some pretty crafty engineering.


    A yful smile tugged at James''s lips as he grabbed his phone and dialed a number.


    The call connected quickly.


    "Hey, Uncle, where''d you get that piece you sent me?" James casually spun the handgun under the light, his features cloaked in a thinyer of intrigue.


    On the other end, Sam lit a cigarette, sounding surprised, "You figured it out already?"


    Nodding, James''s gaze lingered on a tiny pinhole at the barrel, "Yeah, it''s quite an interesting weapon."


    Sam exined, "That came from the ck market. Rumor has it, its power surpasses even the top-grade K9 models. It''s silent and has even lower recoil. But no one''s managed to assemble it until now."


    James, recliningzily, quipped, "Guess they hadn''t met me yet."


    Sam chuckled, "I see you''re getting more shameless by the day."


    "Thanks for thepliment," James hummed, then asked, "Any idea who made this thing?"


    "That''s the kicker; we''ve got no clue. It''s like it appeared out of thin air," Sam admitted, sounding frustrated.


    The intelligence department prided themselves on their expertise, rarely hitting dead ends, yet this weapon had them all stumped.


    James''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully for a second before he said, "I''ll have Curtis send it over to you in a couple of days."


    Sam''s eyebrows shot up in anticipation, "Good, I''m curious to see if it lives up to the hype."


    James wasn''t particrly interested in the weapon, and soon after, the call ended. Fingering his phone, James remembered Emily had called earlier. Deciding to return the call, he dialed her number only to get a message saying the call couldn''t be connected.


    With a slight frown, he tried a few more times, each attempt ending the same way. James: "..."


    Did she block me?


    **


    Meanwhile, Mirabe returned home, holding a medicine box and still thinking about the parts she saw at James''s ce. After slipping into her house slippers, she noticed an extra pair of shoes in the shoe cab.


    With a slight raise of her eyebrows, she made her way to the living room.


    Nick was sitting on the sofa with aptop on his knees. After clicking on the touchpad, he closed theptop and looked up, his expression neutral, "You''re back."


    Mirabe gave him a brief nod after sizing him up.


    "Had dinner yet?" Nick asked.


    Admitting to mooching off someone might be a bit embarrassing, so Mirabe thought for a moment before replying, "Just grabbed a quick bite outside."

 Chapter 931

    After putting the medicine box on the cab, Mirabe walked over to the fridge for a bottle of water. As she turned around, she missed the look on Nick''s face.


    Nick had just checked the security cameras and noticed Mirabe had been leaving the house for two hours every evening recently. His investigation revealed someone he despised: a man from the Shepherd family.


    That scoundrel had moved into their neighborhood just to get close to Mirabe. It was infuriating.


    Nick felt a mix of emotions.


    When Mirabe returned, she barely nced at him. She checked the time, mentioned she was going to work on her pharmacology research, and left.


    Nick pressed his temples in frustration, then grabbed his phone and sent a message: "Stay away from my sister."


    Nick had added James on Messengerst year but never talked to him. This was the first time.


    His phone buzzed almost immediately.


    James: "Not happening."


    Nick''s face darkened, and before he could respond, another message came in.


    James: "By the way, Nick, you''re wee to visit my ce anytime. I live just behind your vi."


    Nick: "..."


    For crying out loud.


    With a murderous look, Nick replied with a curt "Scram" and blocked James.


    Unbelievable.


    **


    The next day, Mirabe showed up at school with dark circles under her eyes, spending the entire ss napping at her desk. Luckily, the teacher wasn''t strict and just gave her a disinterested nce.


    "What were you up tost night? You look exhausted," Lisa whispered from behind a book propped up on her desk.


    Mirabe yawned, her sleepy eyes half-closed. "Making money."


    Lisa''s eyebrows shot up. Considering Mirabe had a celebrity brother and was picked up in luxury cars, it seemed odd that she needed to earn money.


    Lisa had more to say but stopped when she saw Mirabe closing her eyes again. She decided to wait untilter.


    As thest ss of the morning wrapped up, the teacher seemed to remember something and scanned the room. "Who''s Mirabe? Head to the administrative office after this."


    Without waiting for a response, the teacher left the ssroom.


    Being singled out to visit the administrative office sparked curiosity. Many students turned to look at Mirabe, their expressions varied, especially Howard and Tina.


    "What do you think the teacher wants with her at the administrative office?" Tina asked Howard, ncing at the back row.


    Howard shrugged. "Usually, teachers don''t call students to the office during ss. And his tone wasn''t exactly friendly."


    Tina nodded, pulling back her mocking gaze. Since military training started, their dorm had disliked Mirabe. She was too pretentious.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was still resting her head on the desk, oblivious to everything until Lisa tugged at her sleeve several times. Finally, she lifted her head.


    "The teacher asked you to go to the administrative office. Did you hear?" Lisa repeated, looking at her.


    Mirabe acknowledged with a hoarse "Oh," stood up, and walked out of the ssroom.

 Chapter 932

    ### At the Admin Office


    The admin was busy filling out some routine paperwork when Mirabe walked in. After asking for her name, his expression softened. "I''m not the one looking for you; it''s Wade."


    Mirabe nced at the admin.


    "Follow me. I''ll take you to Wade''s office," he said, setting aside the forms and heading out the door.


    Mirabe pondered for a moment before following him.


    Like in the physics department, the professors'' offices were separate from those of the regr staff and required special ess. Not just anyone could waltz in.


    The admin knocked on Wade''s office door. After hearing a response, he let Mirabe in and then left.


    Mirabe pushed the door open and stepped inside.


    Wade, already expecting her, had risen from his chair and walked around his desk. He pointed to the sofa beside him, motioning for Mirabe to sit. "I sent you a message on Messenger this morning. You didn''t reply, so I asked the admin to call you over."


    Mirabe took out her phone and saw two messages from over an hour ago. She coughed lightly and said, "Sorry, I didn''t check my phone."


    Wade shook his head with a smile. "No worries, I figured you were in ss."


    After a few routine questions, Wade got straight to the point. "I heard from Zane that youpleted a 3D model of a gic mutation in just a couple of minutes?" Mirabe was surprised Zane had mentioned this to Wade. After thinking for a moment, she replied, "It was rtively simple, so it didn''t take long."


    Her memory was exceptional. During cognitive tests in her family, her scores were off the charts, especially in math and science. She could quickly solve problems just by running them through her mind once.


    Meg''s experimental theory was fundamentally wed, hardly worth the mental effort.


    Wade found her answer intriguing.


    He had asked Calvin about it half an hour ago and reviewed the paper Meg had prepared for an international journal. While it wasn''t the most challenging, it was far from simple.


    "What do you think of Meg''s experiment?" Wade asked after a moment of silence.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, not much."


    "Research on gic mutations has always been a focal point in scientific studies. Her paper revolves around this topic as well," Wade continued.


    "The extension isn''t the issue; it''s missing the core of gic engineering that makes it a waste of time," Mirabe stated inly.


    Hearing this, Wade became even more interested. "What do you believe is the core, then?"


    Wade''s team had been researching human gic engineering and had hit a standstill, making little meaningful progress over the past year. They needed fresh ideas.


    Mirabe nced at Wade, sensing trouble, and simply said, "Wade, my field is bioinformatics."


    Wade, recalling what Zane had said, smiled and responded, "I know your initial choice wasn''tputer science."


    Mirabe: ".


    ......


    Wade thought for a moment, then stood up and brought over his biputer¡ª the only one in the entire research institute. "I have some data here. See if you can derive any results from it."

 Chapter 933

    Mirabe nced at the data on herputer screen, a slight twitch at the corner of her lips. She looked up at Wade and said seriously, "Wade, I''m just a


    freshman."


    Wade raised an eyebrow. "If you can outdo the sophomores, this data should be a piece of cake for you."


    He pushed theputer toward her again.


    A three-dimensional data model, created in two to three minutes without any


    drafts, and achieving a perfect uracy rate¡ªit was clear that this youngdy''s knowledge far surpassed that of a typical freshman or sophomore.


    Wade wasn''t just a professor at the institute because of his deep understanding of big data. He could also effortlessly gauge someone''s capability based on it.


    Mirabe rubbed her temples, suddenly regretting her decision. Wouldn''t it be better to just fly under the radar?


    With a sigh, Mirabe took theputer.


    Wade''s biputer was different from theb ones. Its built-in biochip


    transmitted data a million times faster than the human brain, a piece of high-tech marvel developed by biologists and physicists.


    Although it wasn''t yet widely adopted, it was incredibly impressive.


    Mirabe tapped on the keyboard, then looked up at Wade. "Can I borrow thisputer for a couple of days?"


    Wade almost instinctively snatched theputer back but then looked at the data on the screen and gritted his teeth. "One day!"


    "Deal," Mirabe agreed promptly.


    Wade: "..."


    He should have said two hours!


    Feeling a bit shortchanged, Wade thought for a moment and then said, "I have one condition, though. You have to fully process this data."


    Mirabe, without even looking up, gave him an OK gesture, then after a quick scan of the entire dataset, she got serious and started working on theputer.


    Wade stood by, watching every move Mirabe made, watching the screen''s rapid changes. In less than two minutes, his eyes began to blur.


    Wade rubbed his eyes and, not wanting to miss the youngdy''s data processing, quickly went to his desk and put on his sses.


    Coming back, he still found the screen blurry. "..."


    This wasn''t a problem that sses could solve.


    It was due to theputer''s operation speed being too fast!


    Ten minutester, Mirabe hit the final confirm button, and theputer screen switched to show the final data results, which she handed back to Wade. "Take a look."


    Wade paused, seemingly not having recovered from the shock of the quickputation. "...done?"


    He nced at his wristwatch.


    "Yeah, this one''s a bit different from theb''s, not as easy to handle," Mirabe said, pouting slightly.


    Wade''s cheek twitched. What did she mean by that? Was she implying ten minutes was a long time?


    Did she know that this set of data, which theb team had been working on for two full days, had barely been processed to yield results?!


    Wade suppressed his stunned feelings and then examined theputation results.


    The data was correct, and the finalputation matched exactly with what theb''s researchers hade up with.


    Staring at this oue for a full minute, Wade''s mind was overwhelmed with indescribable shock.


    This was no ordinary student but a prodigy.


    Goodnight-

 Chapter 934

    Wade suddenly remembered a conversation he had with Hammond ages ago. Hammond had mentioned that this youngdy''s knowledge and abilities were far beyond what met the eye. At the time, Wade thought Hammond might be exaggerating.


    Now, it seemed... well, it looked like the old man hadn''t exaggerated enough.


    Mirabe looked up at Wade, who was clearly lost in thought, staring at hisputer. She raised an eyebrow, "Wade?"


    Wade snapped out of his reverie and sighed, "The method you''re using for data calction seems different from the current methods for enhancing DNA conversion rates. Did youe up with this on your own?"


    Mirabe nodded, "Pretty much. I just use whatever''s faster and more convenient, as long as the final data is urate."


    Wade''s feelings grew even moreplicated. In research, every step needs to be rigorously validated to find the most reliable method, which is then poprized to improve research efficiency.


    "So, can I borrow yourputer for a day?" Mirabe asked, her eyes fixed on Wade''sptop.


    After a brief pause, Wade asked, "Are you that sure your calctions are correct?"


    Mirabe tilted her head confidently, "Unless there''s an issue with theputer''s calction program."


    Wade''s lips twitched, "Of course not."


    He saved the data on hisputer, thought for a moment, then closed theptop and handed it to Mirabe, emphasizing, "Only for one day!"


    Mirabe took theputer, not bothering to notice Wade''s expression, and nodded, "I''ll return it by this time tomorrow."


    Wade sat back in his chair, "By the way, there''s some quantum data on myputer. Since you''re researching, you might as well analyze that too."


    Mirabe blinked, "?"


    Suddenly, theputer seemed less appealing.


    Wade had other things to attend to, and soon enough, Mirabe left the office with theptop.


    When the elevator reached the ground floor, the doors opened to reveal Meg and Calvin deep in conversation. Meg looked up and saw Mirabe in the elevator, momentarily taken aback. She hadn''t expected to see her there, especially since the elevator hade from the fifth floor-where the fellows and several professors had their offices.


    Generally, students weren''t allowed up there. Meg had only been there once, following her mentor.


    Still uneasy from an incident in theb a few days ago, Meg quickly looked away from Mirabe, not wondering why she hade down from the fifth floor.


    Mirabe nced over Mr. Calvin and Meg as she exited the elevator, without greeting them. It was as if they were strangers.


    This demeanor made Calvin, who was usually respected wherever he went, furrow his brow subconsciously. However, as Mirabe walked past, he caught a glimpse of theptop in her hands.


    Instantly, Calvin''s pupils dted. Thatptop... seemed to be Wade''s?


    Meg, who was skilled at reading facial expressions, noticed her mentor''s unusual reaction and continuous gaze on Mirabe''s departing figure, feeling inexplicably more troubled. The strength Mirabe had shown in theb a few days ago came back to her.


    Meg clenched her fingers, then casually called out, "Professor?"

 Chapter 935

    Calvin snapped back to reality, realizing Mirabe''s figure had vanished from sight. He nced at Meg, shook his head, and pressed the elevator button.


    The elevator doors opened, and he stepped in first, swiping his card and pressing the button for the third floor.


    Lost in thought, Calvin suddenly looked up after a few seconds and asked, "Hey, that girl we saw earlier, I remember Zane brought her to observe your experiment. How did she do?"


    Meg felt a twinge of difort at her professor''s sudden interest in Mirabe but kept her emotions in check. "She''s a freshman, doesn''t know anything," she replied in a neutral tone.


    Calvin hummed in response, not doubting his student''s words.


    So what if she aced her final exams? That was in the arts. It would be surprising if she really understood anything technical.


    Meg lowered her gaze slightly, pretending to be curious. "Professor, why did you suddenly ask about her?"


    Calvin, still preupied with thoughts of theputer he had seen earlier, shook his head absentmindedly. "Nothing, just curious."


    Although Meg couldn''t quite figure out her professor''s intentions, she thought if he were truly interested in Mirabe, his reaction wouldn''t have been so indifferent.


    Soon, the elevator dinged, indicating they had reached the third floor. They stepped out.


    In the office, Calvin went to the water cooler and poured a ss of water for Meg. "You said you had something to discuss with me. What''s up?"


    Meg nodded slightly and thanked him. "It''s about the paper I submitted a while ago. I felt the argument was a bit unclear, so I rewrote it. Could you take a look?" She set down her ss and pulled the paper from her bag, handing it to Calvin. Calvin, still a bit surprised, took the paper and said, "I thought your original paper was good. This morning, Wade even came by specifically to look at it."


    Meg was both surprised and shocked, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. "Why would Wade suddenly be interested in my paper?"


    Wade was a big shot in the department and a senior national researcher. Ever since the rumor spread six months ago that he was considering taking on a prot¨¦g¨¦, many students had tried to impress him, though his rare visits to the campus made such opportunities a matter of luck.


    Although Meg was intrigued by the idea of bing Wade''s disciple, she knew she was Calvin''s student, and one can''t have the best of both worlds.


    But hearing that he had specificallye to review her paper sparked other thoughts in her mind.


    Calvin, already flipping through Meg''s newly written paper, shook his head. "He probably heard some student papers from our department were being submitted to international journals this year and got curious."


    Meg''s curiosity piqued. "Did... Wade say anything negative about my paper?"


    "Not at all. But you know how picky he can be. The fact that he didn''t criticize your paper means it caught his eye, which is already better than eighty percent of the students in our department," Calvin said leisurely.


    Although Calvin was unsure why Wade had taken an interest in Meg''s paper, having his student noticed by Wade was a matter of pride for him as a teacher.

 Chapter 936

    Hearing Calvin''s praise, Meg''s lips curled into a slight smile. There''s nothing quite like getting apliment to lift your spirits.


    Clearing her throat, she straightened up and said modestly, "It''s all thanks to you, Professor. You''ve guided me and taught me so much. I wouldn''t havee this far without you."


    Calvin nced at her before turning back to the paper in his hands. "This new paper of yours seems to have a different core idea from your previous one, doesn''t it?"


    "Yes," Meg replied, her fingers fidgeting in herp. "My team and I went through some archives from the past couple of years and realized our original thesis didn''t have much research value, so we decided to change our approach."


    Calvin nodded, his interest clearly piqued as he read further. "This gic code decryption looks fascinating. It has a more defined research directionpared to your earlier work on gic mutation rbination."


    Meg''s fingers tightened and loosened nervously, her thoughts racing.


    Before long, Calvin finished reading the entire paper. He looked up, visibly excited. "Meg, this is impressive. If you submit this for publication, I can''t promise a 90% chance, but I''d say there''s at least a 70% chance it''ll pass the initial review."


    Meg rarely saw Calvin this animated. Even when she handed in her first paper, he only said it was decent without making any promises about its eptance.


    A 70% chance was very promising. Meg''s eyes lowered; she should feel happy, but for some reason, she just couldn''t.


    Calvin, not noticing Meg''s demeanor, started reading the paper again. "I really didn''t expect you to pivot the core to the value of gic codes. If Wade saw this paper today, he''d definitely have something to say."


    Mr. Calvin''s continuous praise made Meg''s emotions swing wildly.


    This paper was inspired after an experiment when Mirabe casually mentioned the value of decrypting gic codes, sparking a new direction in Meg''s research.


    After reviewing the 3D model and data algorithms Mirabe had shown her that day, Meg couldn''t resist diving back into her research, gathering more materials, which eventually led to this paper.


    Seeing Calvin''s satisfied expression, Meg slowly let go of the guilt of turning someone else''s idea into her own work.


    After all, Mirabe had only briefly mentioned it and shown some data chains on herputer. Meg was the one who fully developed the argument and structure in the paper. The credit was hers.


    Meg lifted her head, looking at Calvin again, her eyes clear of any lingering doubt. She smiled lightly and said, "This paper is the result of hard work from my team and me. We just hope our efforts pay off."


    Calvin nodded. "I don''t see why not. But there are a few areas that could use some refinement, just to make it a bit more polished."


    "Yes, this is just a draft. I wanted to get your opinion on which one has more research value before deciding which one to finalize," Meg replied.

 Chapter 937

    "Let''s go with this one," Calvin said firmly, picking up the paper and standing up. "I''ll run this by Wadeter."


    Meg''s face lit up. "Yeah, getting Wade''s feedback would be really valuable."


    "I have high hopes for this one," Calvin said, pausing as if something just came to mind. "Have you done the experiments for this paper?"


    Meg hesitated for a moment. "We did a preliminary test a couple of days ago and got over a ny percent match rate."


    Calvin''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That''s impressive."


    Meg remembered the day they hit a perfect match and added, "It''s decent. We still have time before the submission deadline. With some tweaks, we should hit one hundred percent."


    Calvin nodded. "Alright, go back and fine-tune it. I''ll go find Wade; he''s in the department today."


    Meg stood up, nodding respectfully. "Okay, Professor, I''ll get back to work."


    Calvin acknowledged her and, after she left, headed up to the fifth floor with the paper.


    In the office, Wade looked over the paper and, just as Calvin predicted, seemed pleasantly surprised. "Is this your student''s new paper? It''s more valuable than thest one."


    Calvin, smiling, nodded. "Yes, I thought it was quite promising, so I brought it up for your review. If it gets into a journal, it''d be a great achievement for our department."


    "The major issues are minimal; just need to borate on the gic code decoding processes, and it should be good," Wade advised after reviewing it.


    The decoding of the gic code required detailed simtion processes. The more detailed, the clearer the core processes, making it more valuable.


    "That''s what I told my student," Calvin said, his pride in his student evident on his face.


    "Alright," Wade said, handing the paper back. Aside from being slightly impressed, he didn''t have much else to say.


    He had just dealt with a bizarre case before this, so a basic paper wasn''t as intriguing inparison.


    Seeing Wade getting busy again, Calvin decided not to disturb him further. As he was about to leave, he noticed something on the desk.


    There was aputer, but not the special one Wade usually brought with him.


    Wade looked up and saw Calvin still there. "Mr. Calvin, anything else?"


    Calvin snapped back to reality and quickly left the office without asking more. He sent Meg a voice message, rying Wade''s feedback.


    Around four in the afternoon, Johnny arrived at the school. He parked his car by the roadside a bit early and got out.


    As he walked towards the main entrance, he noticed a man with a distinctive aura standing next to a luxury car. Squinting, Johnny felt a surge of curiosity but pulled his cap down a bit more.


    Being someone who often appeared in the news with Owen, he usually disguised himself a bit when going out to avoid unnecessary attention.


    Tomorrow, I''ll adjust the update time to 8 PM sharp. Goodnight!

 Chapter 938

    Johnny nced away and headed for the school gate. Within minutes, Mirabe stepped out of the building.


    Spotting her, Johnny gave a polite nod, "Ms. Mirabe."


    Mirabe pulled out a small white stic bottle from her backpack. "There are five pills inside. Take one every three days. In two weeks, I''ll give Mr. Leigh his acupuncture treatment."


    "Got it." Johnny nodded, taking the bottle.


    The bottle had nobel, but it looked like it once held jelly beans. Johnny gave it a quick look before putting it away, not asking any questions.


    "By the way, Ms. Mirabe, are you heading back to ss, or do you have other ns? I''m free right now and can give you a lift," Johnny offered, noticing the backpack on her shoulder.


    Mirabe casually adjusted her strap. "No need, I have a rideing."


    "Alright then." Johnny nodded, pausing briefly. Remembering the car he''d seen parked nearby, he nced over to see it was still there. He looked back at Mirabe. "Even though Riverdale''s pretty safe, it''s always good to stay alert."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by Johnny''s concern, and thanked him.


    With a smile and a wave, Johnny turned and walked away.


    Mirabe checked her watch and slowly made her way to the curb.


    A few cars were parked haphazardly along the street. While waiting for As''s car, Mirabe put on her earphones and started scrolling through her phone.


    Just then, a sedan parked not too far away began to move, slowly backing up towards her.


    Sensing the car''s approach, she turned off her phone and looked up, her face showing a hint of indifference.


    As the passenger and rear doors opened, two men with intimidating tattoos on their arms stepped out, exuding an unmistakable air of trouble.


    They walked up to Mirabe, one of them positioning himself behind her as if to stop her from running.


    Mirabe removed her earphones and watched their movements, her almond- shaped eyes narrowing slightly.


    The man in front openly scanned her from head to toe, his gaze sleazy. "You must be Mirabe. Come with us."


    Mirabe, adjusting her backpack strap, calmly asked, "Who wants to see me?"


    Apart from the Cunningham family, she couldn''t think of anyone else who would hassle her, a seemingly helpless college student.


    "Yeah," the man admitted bluntly.


    He nced at the entrance of Prestige College, where students were steadily streaming out, his impatient expression growing more intense. "We''re just doing our job. Make it easy ande with us, and you won''t get hurt."


    As he reached out to grab her arm, Mirabe sidestepped him.


    Caught off guard, the man frowned and was about to signal his partner to grab her when he saw that Mirabe had already climbed into the car. Her cheerful voice floated out, "Alright, let''s get a move on."


    The man, still processing the situation, was left stunned.


    Something definitely didn''t go as nned.

 Chapter 939

    Their eyes met briefly, acknowledging the unusual situation they found themselves in. Neither thought much of it, assuming Mirabe was just being considerate. Without further ado, they quickly got into the car. After all, they were outside the gates of Prestige College, where causing a scene could lead to unnecessaryplications. Moreover, they had finally managed to track her down after much effort and didn''t want any unexpected problems to arise.


    *


    Just two minutes after their car drove off, As''s vehicle pulled up to the school. Knowing that Mirabe was always punctual, he made it a point to arrive five minutes early every time. However, this time, he ended up waiting in the car for a whole ten minutes, well past the agreed time of 5:00 PM, and she still hadn''t


    shown up.


    As looked toward the school entrance, assuming she was dyed by something inside and chose not to text her right away, opting to wait a few more minutes instead. By 5:20 PM, As''s expression began to darken slightly, his instincts telling him something was off. From his interactions with Mirabe over time, he knew she was a person of principle who would have informed him in advance if something like today''s dy had happened.


    With a sinking feeling, As reached for his phone and called Mirabe.


    Meanwhile, in the car, Mirabe''s phone had been taken by one of the men as soon as she got in, along with her backpack, which contained Wade''sptop. As the phone rang, disrupting the silence, the man sitting next to her, who was holding her phone, frowned instinctively, intending to hang up the call.


    Mirabe, guessing who it might be, spoke up just as he was about to end the call, "I''d advise you to let me answer that. Otherwise, you''re going to be in trouble."


    The man looked at Mirabe with a sneer, the ck skull earring on his earlobe glinting ominously, "Are you joking?"


    Such naivety from young Miss Mirabe, thinking she could threaten someone like them? The next moment, he disconnected the call.


    Seeing this, Mirabe just shook her head slightly, having tried to y the good Samaritan for once, only to be disbelieved. It seems some people can''t be saved, no matter what.


    With the man ending the call, As''s brow furrowed even deeper. The call ringing for so long only to be abruptly disconnected was a clear sign to someone as sensitive to abnormalities as As that something was definitely wrong. As didn''t attempt to call again, not knowing what had happened on Mirabe''s end and worried that further calls might put her in unforeseeable danger.


    If Mirabe had run into adversaries from the Davis family''s business... As clenched his fist, not daring to imagine if what happened to Nick years ago could be happening to her now. Taking a deep breath, As scrolled through his contacts to call his men, instructing them to immediately check the school''s security footage. He hesitated to call Nick, fearing it might escte the situation. He had only just moved past a kidnapping incident from years ago.


    **


    In the car, Mirabe sat, seemingly unfazed by the three menacing thugs around her, looking entirely out of ce in the dangerous situation,zily resting against the car window. It was baffling, to say the least. Half an hourter, the car pulled up in front of a private vi,ing to a stop at the entrance.

 Chapter 940

    The thugs in the car didn''t bother blindfolding Mirabe or tying her up, clearly not worried she''d try to escape.


    Mirabe nced out the window at the sprawling mansion, a thoughtful look in her eyes. She then shifted her gaze back, casually fiddling with her wrist before speaking up, ¡°You guys are doing this for money, right?"


    The three men, who were about to step out of the car, froze at the sound of her voice. The leader, seated in the driver''s seat, lifted his head with a smirk, checking the rearview mirror, "What? You offering us money now? Want us to let you go?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her tone light, "Me? Pay you?"


    "What, you expecting us to pay you?" The man in the mirror gave her a once-over, pausing before adding, "If you want us to pay you... maybe you could hang out with us, and-"


    Before he could finish, a powerful blow from behind mmed his head into the seat cushion. The next moment, a sharp pain gripped his throat, his eyes widened in shock. He couldn''t make a sound or move, fearing his windpipe might get crushed.


    Mirabe''s actions were lightning-fast, catching the other two off guard. By the time they reacted, Emmitt, the leader, had his head brutally smashed against the car door.


    "You crazy girl, you want to die?" The thug next to Mirabe reached out to grab her hair, but in a sh, she grabbed his arm, pressed down with her elbow, and a sharp crack followed by a scream of pain echoed through the car.


    Five minutester, the three thugs were slumped in their seats in awkward positions, their arms twisted and deformed. Fear filled their eyes.


    They couldn''t believe that a petite girl had overpowered them so easily. They recalled how, back at the school gate, they thought she had willingly followed them out of fear. Turns out, she wasn''t scared at all; she simply hadn''t taken them seriously.


    Mirabe retrieved her purse, dusting it off disdainfully, and grabbed her phone. She nced at the three men, "So, you wanted me to pay you, huh?"


    "No, no more..."


    The three men shook their heads frantically, pressing against the car doors, terrified that she might attack them again.


    "Oh, that''s a pity," Mirabe said lightly, twisting her neck without hurry. Her casual action made the thugs tense up all over again.


    They recognized the move; it was what they did before beating someone up.


    The three men were on the verge of tears.


    The leader, spotting Mirabe leisurely twirling her phone in the rearview mirror, had a sudden moment of rity.


    "...We''ll give you all the money. We''ll drop Mr. Song''s job too."


    They just wanted her to get out of the car.


    Sure enough, Mirabe stopped twirling her phone, "How could I ept that?"


    The leader hurriedly shook his head, "No, it''s only right to give it to you."


    The other two, driven by a strong will to survive, quickly chimed in, "Exactly, it''s our fault, we don''t deserve the money!"

 Chapter 941

    Mirabe let out a reluctant sigh, "Alright, fine. If I keep saying no, I''ll juste off as difficult. Let''s get this over with."


    The three men exchanged nces, speechless.


    She had to be the most audacious person they''d ever met!


    And worse, they couldn''t take her down.


    Mirabe pulled up her payment app, disying her QR code. Just as she was about to pass it over, she remembered she''d literally disarmed these guys. She coughed awkwardly, wishing she''d left them at least one arm.


    No big deal, though. For the money, reattaching their arms was a small price to pay.


    She reattached the arm of the guy in the driver''s seat. It had hurt when she took it off, but putting it back was even worse. Luckily, the car was soundproof, or his screams would''ve echoed all around.


    Seeing the $50,000 deposit notification on her phone, Mirabe felt pretty good. She nced at the other two, "Need a hand with your arms?"


    The two men shook their heads frantically, "No, no, we''re good like this..."


    Letting this crazy woman reattach their arms? Might as well ask for another beating.


    Mirabe felt a twinge of regret. Outside, someone had already emerged from the mansion.


    She stepped out of the car.


    As soon as she did, the car sped off, even bumping into a stone step in its haste.


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched.


    The mansion''s iron gate creaked open, and a butler stepped out, eyes narrowing as he watched the fleeing car. Hadn''t the young master instructed them to bring the guest inside, take care of business, and only then leave?


    Why had they bolted so soon?


    Confused, the butler turned his gaze to Mirabe. He froze momentarily upon seeing her face but quickly regained hisposure, his voice icy, "You must be Miss Ning''s daughter. Follow me."


    Without another word, the butler turned and walked into the mansion, his posture oozing arrogance.


    Mirabe, intrigued, followed him inside.


    Some people can''t be avoided or ignored, she mused. She had turned them downst time, and now they had resorted to kidnapping her from school.


    She was curious why the Cunningham family was so determined to find her.


    The mansion, Austin Cunningham''s private estate, was vast and luxurious, muchrger than Mirabe''s current home. The rich European decor screamed wealth.


    As she walked in, Mirabe clicked her tongue. The Cunningham family was loaded.


    The butler, leading the way, asionally nced back at Mirabe, seeing her awe-struck expression. He couldn''t help but scoff.


    Clearly, she was a small-town girl, not used to the finer things.


    Soon, the butler led Mirabe inside. He changed his shoes and then tossed a pair in front of her, indicating she should do the same. Without waiting, he pulled out his phone and headed towards the living room, making a call.


    Mirabe nced at the shoes on the floor, her expression indifferent, deciding not to change into them.


    The butler was on the phone with Austin, informing him of Mirabe''s arrival. When he turned around and saw that she hadn''t followed the house rules by changing her shoes, his brows knitted in annoyance. But since he was still on the call, he didn''t say anything immediately.


    "...Alright, no need for you toe back. I''ll have Dr. Hulls take care of what you asked," the butler said, ending the call. He quickly hung up and marched back to Mirabe.


    "Sorry, sorry, I''m half an hourte. See you tomorrow~"

 Chapter 942

    The butler approached Mirabe, ncing pointedly at the floor behind her before taking a deep breath. His tone was noticeably cooler than before. "Didn''t I offer you slippers? Why didn''t you change your shoes?"


    "Don''t you know changing shoes when entering a house is basic manners?"


    "Oh, I don''t like them," Mirabe replied, her tone indifferent.


    The butler rubbed his forehead, visibly holding back his frustration. After a few seconds, he let it go. "Don''t you understand..."


    Mirabe tilted her head nonchntly, her deep gaze locking onto the butler. Without saying a word, she managed to silence him mid-sentence, as if his throat was suddenly blocked.


    After a brief pause, remembering the day''s main business, the butler decided to drop the shoe issue and walked into the living room.


    As he walked, he exined, "Your uncle, the eldest heir, is currently unavable due to urgent matters. You can meet him another time."


    At that moment, Dr. Hulls, the Cunningham family''s physician, was sitting on the couch, engrossed in something.


    The butler nodded politely at him before introducing him to Mirabe. "This is Dr. Hulls. The reason you''re here today is simply to provide a blood sample."


    Mirabe gave the butler a half-smile. "An invitation?"


    The butler averted his gaze, ignoring Mirabe''sment, and continued, "Donald, your grandfather, is severely ill and needs a bone marrow transnt. Only blood rtives have a higher chance of being a match."


    Mirabe finally understood why the Cunningham family was so eager to find her.


    "With all the wealth and members in the Cunningham family, you couldn''t find a single match? You have to resort to ''kidnapping'' a stranger... um, drawing blood for a match?" Mirabe asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Feeling a bit guilty, the butler''s expression turned uneasy. After a few seconds, he deflected, "Your mother, Delh, is the Cunningham family''s eldest daughter. She left home many years ago. Now that her father''s ill, shouldn''t she show some filial piety?"


    He paused before adding, "As Delh''s daughter, you''re naturally part of the Cunningham family."


    Since she was part of the Cunningham family, there was no question of kidnapping.


    Mirabe smirked. "Such shamelessness is truly an art form."


    No wonder Delh always spoke of the Cunningham family with a hint of disdain over the phone.


    The butler didn''t look at Mirabe''s expression, simply stating, "Moreover, it''s just a simple blood draw. It won''t harm you."


    Mirabe casually adjusted her backpack strap. "What if I refuse?"


    Upon hearing this, the butler first smiled, then his expression abruptly turned stern, his voice colder than ever. "You don''t have the luxury to refuse."


    He then signaled to Dr. Hulls with a look.


    Dr. Hulls, well ustomed to the family''s affairs, calmly opened the portable medical kit on the coffee table. He took out a syringe and an alcohol swab.


    Holding the needle, which glinted silver under the light, Dr. Hulls looked up at Mirabe and said in a seemingly gentle tone, "Don''t be afraid. It''s just a tube of blood from the vein in your arm. It''ll be over in the blink of an eye."

 Chapter 943

    **Across Town**


    As sat in his car, eyes glued to the surveince footage from around Prestige College that his tech guy had just pulled up. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and when he saw it was Nick, he hesitated for a beat before answering.


    "Mr. Nick," he greeted.


    Nick hade back early from the research institute and had been waiting for Mirabe. When he couldn''t reach her, he decided to call As.


    As''s eyes stayed on the screen, which clearly showed Mirabe being taken by two men. His gaze hardened. "Miss Mirabe told me not to pick her up today. She might have had other ns."


    As''s voice was calm, masking any concern. Nick, thinking it over, didn''t doubt him. "Alright, I got it."


    The call was short, and they hung up quickly.


    As rxed his grip on the phone and turned to his colleague. "Did you find them?"


    "Yeah. The car''s registered to some local thug named Wei, no real job," his subordinate said, pulling up the file.


    As exhaled, relieved it wasn''t the Davis family''s enemies. "Where are they now?"


    "Based on the car''s movement, they''ve gone to a hospital just outside the third ring road," his colleague replied, still working on theputer.


    "A hospital?" As narrowed his eyes.


    "Yeah, no idea why they''d take her there... I''ll get someone to intercept them now," the subordinate said, dialing a number.


    As gave a curt nod, his gaze fixed on the screen, eyes cold and serious.


    **Meanwhile**


    Nick hung up and took a moment, then scrolled through his contacts. He paused for a second before making the call.


    The call was answered quickly.


    "Which building?" Nick asked, lips barely moving.


    James, on the other end, was surprised but quickly replied, "101.¡±


    Nick knew exactly where James lived; the call was just a heads-up. Without another word, he hung up.


    Grabbing his jacket, he headed out the door.


    James, hearing the call end, smirked and lowered his phone, pondering the


    reason behind Nick''s call. Was heing over?


    Emily, sitting across from him, nced up and asked, "Who was that?"


    James twirled his phone, "Just a bump in the road."


    Emily looked puzzled, "What bump?"


    James leaned backzily, "Nothing important."


    "You''re always so cryptic," Emily shook her head and returned to her article. After


    a while, she looked impressed. "This Ms. ke from the ke family is quite the schr."


    James, intrigued by Emily''s rare praise, looked up at her.

 Chapter 944

    Emily handed the cultural research journal to her son, saying, "Hey, check out this article. It''s pretty interesting."


    James barely nced at it. "Not interested."


    Emily sighed in frustration. "Your dad and I are both into geography and history. How did you turn out so different?"


    James didn''t respond, and just then, his phone rang again.


    Seeing the caller ID, he wasn''t surprised. He answered, "I''m not home."


    Nick, standing outside the vi and having rung the doorbell several times with no response, finally called. "..."


    "Need something, Nick?" James crossed his legs and adjusted his position, his voice smooth and warm.


    Feeling oddly provoked, Nick took a deep breath. "...Where did you take my sister?"


    "Huh?" James didn''t get it at first, then replied after a pause, "She''s not with me."


    Nick''s gaze pierced through the vi''s iron gate, pondering the truth of James''s words.


    "She didn''te home?" James asked, noticing Nick''s silence.


    Hearing this, Nick suddenly frowned. "She''s really not with you?"


    "Nope." James''s tone remained steady, but it was clear he was telling the truth. Nick hung up immediately.


    **


    James held his phone, thought for a moment, and then dialed Mirabe''s number. It was off.


    James''s eyes narrowed. Nick must have contacted him because he couldn''t reach Mirabe and assumed she was with James.


    After a couple more minutes, James stood up from the couch. "Mom, I''m heading out."


    Emily was taken aback for a moment, then looked towards the kitchen. "Dinner''s almost ready. Won''t you stay and eat?"


    "Nah, I gotta go." James said tly and strode out.


    Seeing her son rush off, Emily frowned, wondering what was up.


    As James drove out of the vi, he called Curtis. "Can you find out where Mirabe is right now?"


    Curtis was surprised but quickly agreed. "Sure thing, I''m on it."


    James acknowledged with a hum and hung up, his handsome face


    expressionless. He knew Mirabe wasn''t the type to note home without a


    reason.


    **


    Meanwhile, in the hospital''s underground parking lot.


    Three thugs, just out of orthopedics with their arms bandaged, hadn''t even gotten


    to their car when they suddenly felt a sharp pain in their heads and cked out.


    When they came to, they were jolted awake by cold water.


    "Where is she?" As stood in front of them, his gaze ice-cold.


    The three didn''t recognize As but were terrified by his menacing aura.


    "W-who are you looking for?"


    As crouched down, his dark eyes filled with murderous intent. "You get one chance."


    The man on the ground, who had been swindled by Mirabe, noticed what As was twirling in his fingers. His pupils widened in shock.


    It was... a gun.


    "I-I don''t know who you''re talking about," the man stammered, trying to suppress his fear.


    As''s lips curled into a bloodthirsty smirk. The gun in his fingers slowly lifted.


    Seeing this, as the dark muzzle pressed against his temple, the man suddenly remembered. "I remember now... that girl, she''s at the Cunningham family''s eldest son''s vi, right by Clearwater Bay..."

 Chapter 945

    As soon as the chilling pressure against his temple lifted, he copsed, drenched in cold sweat. He couldn''t fathom how a simple kidnapping task from Austin could turn into such a nightmare.


    Who was that girl, really?


    As stood up, not sparing a nce at the three men on the ground. He slightly turned his head and spoke to his subordinate, "Get rid of them."


    The words "get rid of them" caused the men to turn as pale as ghosts, especially the one who had disconnected Mirabe''s call. He suddenly remembered what she had said.


    Hanging up would bring big trouble.


    So, she wasn''t just threatening him; she was dead serious...


    **


    As got back into his car, casually resting his hand on the door frame. A few minutester, his subordinate joined him, bringing with him a faint scent of blood.


    "Boss, we''ve got the scoop. The girl Austin had us grab is from the Cunningham family. Not exactly sure why, though," his subordinate said, starting the car.


    "Which Cunningham family?" As''s eyes narrowed as he gazed out the window.


    "If I''m not mistaken, it''s Debra''s side of the family."


    As had his suspicions, but his expression still changed slightly.


    The driver nced in the rearview mirror, hesitated for a few seconds, and then quietly asked, "Boss, what do we do?"


    Normally, the Cunningham family would be finished, but this particr Cunningham family was Debra''s kin. Even though ties had been severed years ago, blood is thicker than water.


    As pursed his lips, thinking for a moment before finally saying, "First, let''s get the girl back. We''ll figure out the restter."


    "Got it." The driver responded softly. After a few minutes, he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, Boss, those guys'' hands were already messed up."


    "Hm?" As turned his focus forward. He had noticed the bandages but hadn''t given them much thought.


    "Someone might''ve roughed them up before we got there," the driver spected.


    As narrowed his eyes, wondering if someone had already made a move to find the girl before them.


    **


    Mirabe walked out of Austin''s mansion, her hand slightly red and scraped. Tired and hungry, she nced at her injured hand with disdain.


    As she headed towards themunity exit, she pulled out her phone and tapped


    it, only to realize it was dead. With a sigh, she put it away.


    The mansion''smunity was huge, and it took her about fifteen minutes to reach the main gate. The security guard, noticing she was a new face, asked her a few questions before letting her out.


    With a dead phone, no money, and no cars in sight, Mirabe felt utterly defeated as she looked at the darkening sky.


    It seemed like the universe was having augh at her expense.


    She let out a long sigh and was about to continue down the road when a ck sedan sped towards her. Its blinding headlights made her instinctively raise her hand to shield her eyes.


    The screech of brakes filled the air, and the blinding light vanished. Mirabe paused for a few seconds, lowered her hand, and squinted at the car that had stopped just a few feet away.

 Chapter 946

    The car''s lights werepletely off, blending the ck sedan with the dimming sky. After a moment, the driver''s door finally swung open.


    A tall figure stepped out, and the streetlight flickered on, cutting through the darkness. Under its glow, the man''s handsome features became clear, his face a mix of gentle warmth and a chilling, snow-like rity.


    Mirabe watched the person approaching, her expression slightly startled. As he came closer, she snapped back to reality. "What are you doing here?"


    The light stretched their shadows long, and James''s gaze lowered,nding on Mirabe''s surprised face. A strand of hair clung to the corner of her lips, her pupils still carrying that casual, indifferent look.


    Ever since he heard that the Cunningham family had taken her, he''d been worried sick. Now, seeing her safe and sound should have been a relief, but instead, it only added to his inner turmoil.


    Seeing James silent, Mirabe''s eyes deepened with an unfathomable expression. She coughed slightly and called out softly, "James?"


    James''s fingers twitched at his side before he took her wrist, leading her towards the car parked nearby. His voice was calm, "Nick''s been looking for you. I''ll take you back."


    His grip on her wrist was firm but gentle. Mirabe was momentarily taken aback, and before she knew it, they were already by the car door.


    James opened the passenger door, and his grip on her wrist tightened slightly. Mirabe instinctively tried to pull away, but before she could, he let go and ced his hands on her shoulders, firmly but gently pushing her into the car.


    Mirabe was speechless.


    James didn''t look at her as he leaned over, reaching for the seat belt next to her. The proximity made her acutely aware of his faint, cold scent. She stretched her neck ufortably and leaned back. "I can do it myself."


    James buckled the seat belt, then propped his hand beside her, his handsome face inches from hers. His eyes bore into hers for a long moment before he finally spoke, "No, you can''t."


    His voice was slightly hoarse, his breath warm against her cheek, making Mirabe''s face and ears burn with embarrassment. She coughed and tried to say something, "You..."


    James looked at her for a few more seconds, then tucked a stray hair behind her ear, unable to resist pinching her earlobe before pulling back and closing the passenger door.


    Mirabe heard the door m shut, and her previously tense body finally rxed. She raised her hand, subconsciously covering her burning ears.


    James stood outside the car, took a breath of cold air, and looked around before walking to the driver''s side. He opened the door, got in, and nced at the rear- view mirror. Seeing Mirabe''s actions, the annoyance in his heart dissipated.


    This was the normal reaction a young woman should have.


    He smiled slightly, started the engine, and drove away.


    As his car pulled off, a sedan parked not far away turned on its headlights.


    "Boss, should we keep following?" As''s subordinate, who had witnessed the youngdy getting into the sedan, started the car and asked.

 Chapter 947

    As looked calm, the worry that had clouded his face earlier now gone. He


    turned his head, gazing out the car window, and said in a steady voice, "No need."


    His subordinate nodded and asked, "Should we head back now?"


    "Yeah." As leaned back in his seat, just closing his eyes when his phone buzzed in his pocket.


    It was Nick.


    As pulled out his phone and answered quickly. This time, he didn''t hold back, briefly exining the night''s events and assuring that the youngdy was now safe and would be home soon.


    **


    In the car.


    Mirabe sat upright, hands on her knees, her fingertips asionally twirling together in a restless dance. She looked both calm and obedient.


    James drove in silence, the atmosphere in the car especially serene.


    It wasn''t until they entered the residential area and the car didn''t head towards her building that Mirabe turned to look at James, "This isn''t the way to my ce."


    "Yeah." James responded softly, eyes fixed on the road ahead.


    Seeing his reaction, Mirabe decided to stay quiet.


    Okay, he seemed a bit different today.


    A bit dangerous.


    Better to y it safe and not provoke him.


    Soon, the car pulled into the garage of James''s vi. He parked, then got out and walked over to her side, opening the door for her.


    Mirabe, seeing James''s actions, suddenly felt reluctant to get out.


    James rested his hand on the door frame, raising an eyebrow in a yful manner, "Want me to carry you?"


    At that, Mirabe quickly jumped out of the car, "What are you joking about? I can walk."


    "Heh." James let out a lightugh, somewhat regretfully closing the door.


    Mirabe touched her nose, standing beside him.


    James nced at her, then reached out to grab her wrist, "Come inside with me." Saying so, he led her into the house.


    Once inside, he guided her to sit on the sofa before letting go and heading to the side hall.


    Shortly after, he returned with a small first aid kit, sitting down beside her. He opened the kit and took out some antiseptic wipes.


    Mirabe watched his movements, about to speak, when she heard his voice, "Your hand."


    "Hm?" Mirabe blinked, not yetprehending, when her right hand was suddenly in James''s grasp.


    Her curled fingers were gently unfolded by James, turning over to reveal the back of her fair hand. The swelling and reddened skin, with a few spots of broken skin


    where the blood had clotted, wasn''trge but was visibly apparent.


    Mirabe coughed lightly, saying softly, "It''s just a small injury."


    Compared to her, those who had been beaten were the real unlucky ones.


    James, hearing Mirabe''s words, only looked up at her for a moment.


    That gaze made Mirabe... immediately close her mouth.


    James took the antiseptic wipe, bowing his head to tend to the wound on her hand with focused care.


    No one spoke in the living room, filled with a quiet atmosphere, where something else seemed to be brewing in the silence.


    Two minutester, James released her hand, tidying up the first aid kit while advising, "Don''t let it get wet for the next few days."


    Mirabe, now freed, quickly nodded, unusuallypliant.


    James methodically ced the first aid kit on the coffee table, then lifted his head


    to look at her with a half-smile, his voice light, "You''re quite formidable on your own."

 Chapter 948

    Mirabe straightened her back, her eyes fixed on the tscreen TV in front of her. She replied modestly, "Oh, it''s nothing, really. I''m just a fragile girl."


    James'' lips twitched slightly, his eyes sweeping over the back of her hand again. If he wasn''t well-versed in the types of minor injuries caused by excessive force, he might have believed her.


    "Why did the Cunninghams contact you?" James chose not to call her out on her lie and instead changed the subject.


    "I have no idea who Austin is, but my mom''sst name is Song. Maybe there''s some family connection with the Cunninghams?" Mirabe shrugged, not bothering to ask how he knew they were looking for her.


    James seemed surprised that the Cunninghams had such a link to her, but it did exin how she managed to leave safely on her own.


    Mirabe nced at her watch, noting that As hadn''t picked anyone up from school, and then stood up. "I should get going."


    As hadn''t picked anyone up, and Nick probably knew by now.


    James thought for a moment, then nodded and stood up. "I''ll walk you home."


    Their homes were just a couple of hundred meters apart, so James didn''t bother with the car. They walked together to the front gate of her vi.


    Mirabe used her fingerprint to unlock the door. Once it opened, she turned around. "Thanks for today."


    James raised an eyebrow. "No need to be so formal with me."


    "Hmm?" Mirabe looked at him sideways, her eyes refined with a hint ofziness.


    James smiled casually, lifting his hand to touch his earlobe nonchntly.


    Feeling like she was being teased from a distance, Mirabe was at a loss for words. "..."


    "Goodnight," James said, gazing at her for a moment before turning to leave. His cool figure gradually faded into the night until it vanished.


    Mirabe snapped back to reality and stepped through the iron gate, only to see Nicking out. She paused, ced her hands behind her back, and called out to him before closing the gate.


    Nick looked her up and down, relieved to see she was okay.


    After hearing from As about what happened, he couldn''t bear to think how scared Mirabe must have been.


    They entered the house, one after the other. Nick was about to ask Mirabe about the Cunninghams but was interrupted.


    "Nick, I have something to show you."


    As Mirabe spoke, she had already opened her backpack, taking out aptop she borrowed from Wade and powering it on.


    Nick opened his mouth, pausing when his eyesnded on theptop. "Is this... a bioputer?"


    Mirabe nodded. "Yeah, I borrowed it from our department''s professor. It''s probably the only fully functional one in the country right now."


    Her fingers danced on the keyboard. The bioputer terminal was designed to integrateputers with the human brain, and this one had already started forming a basic data model of the human brain.


    Nick''s attention was fully captured by theputer, and he unconsciously sat beside Mirabe.


    After checking theputer''s data storage and not finding any particrly hidden confidential information, Mirabe handed theputer to Nick. She knew he would be very interested.


    Nick nced at theputer, then looked up at Mirabe. "Are you sure it''s okay? There must be information about your school stored in here."


    Mirabe smiled. "It''s fine. Theputer can be borrowed, and there''s no important confidential information."


    Otherwise, Wade wouldn''t have lent theputer to her today. Mirabe was very clear on that point.

 Chapter 949

    Nick nodded, dropping the pretense. He''d been working on a data analysis project that needed some seriousputational power, and theb''s bionicputer just couldn''t cut it.


    Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment, then stood up and headed upstairs.


    **


    Meanwhile, across town...


    After wrapping up his social engagements, Austin had his chauffeur drive him home. He leaned back in the seat, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples absentmindedly. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind. He pulled out his phone and called the butler.


    It took a while for someone to pick up. When they did, it was the butler''s wife on the other end.


    Upon hearing that the butler was in the hospital, Austin''s brows knitted together. After a moment of thought, he instructed the driver to head to the hospital.


    Before long, he was at the hospital room.


    The butlery pale on the bed, his arm in a cast. When he saw Austin, he tried to speak but couldn''t get any words out, struggling to sit up with no strength.


    The butler''s wife was quick to support him.


    Austin''s frown deepened. "What on earth happened to Aaron''s voice?"


    The butler''s wife, eyes red from crying, replied, "I have no idea. His arm''s fracture


    is set, but his voice... The doctors checked his vocal cords and said they were fine, but he just can''t speak."


    Austin moved closer to the bed, his gaze darkening as he watched the butler struggle tomunicate.


    Just a few hours ago, the butler had called him, mentioning that his eldest sister''s daughter had been brought over.


    How had things gone so wrong in such a short time?


    As Austin pondered this, he patted the butler''s shoulder, telling him to focus on getting better.


    Aaron had been the most trusted by Donald, serving the Cunningham family for over forty years. Concerned about Donald''s health, he had arranged for Dr. Hulls to take a blood sample from his niece today, which was why Aaron had gone there.


    The butler''s wife suddenly remembered Dr. Hulls. She looked at Austin, breaking his thoughts. "Dr. Hulls is in the same state. He can''t speak either. He''s in the next room."


    Austin''s steps faltered, then he headed to the next room.


    Sure enough, Dr. Hulls was in the same condition as Aaron.


    Neither could speak a full sentence. Both had bandaged hands and couldn''t even write, leaving the events a total mystery.


    Leaving the hospital, Austin pulled out his phone and called the three men he had sent to forcibly bring Mirabe in.


    But the call didn''t go through.


    Austin hung up, more puzzled than ever. How could a simple task like taking a blood sample from a young girl turn into such a disaster, with injuries and lost contacts?


    Could this all be rted to his eldest sister''s daughter?


    But he dismissed the thought almost immediately. Kitty had told him his niece was just a girl mistakenly raised in the countryside, with nothing special about her except good grades. It was ridiculous to think a teenage girl could have done this to Aaron and Dr. Hulls, right?


    So maybe the three men weren''t unreachable. Maybe they were avoiding him because they messed up the job?


    The more Austin thought about it, the more it made sense. His face darkened, feeling the sting of betrayal for the first time.


    What a mess!


    *


    I thought I was good at writing emotional scenes, but I guess I''m still learning... See you tomorrow.

 Chapter 950

    The next day.


    Kitty found out that Aaron was sick and in the hospital. When she came by to pick up Donald''s medical report, she decided to visit Aaron as well.


    Today, Aaron seemed a little better but still couldn''t say a word. Even Dr. Erik found it odd.


    After grabbing the report, Kitty didn''t stay long at the hospital. She knew Austin had arranged for someone to take a blood sample from her niece, so she headed to Austin''s ce.


    At Austin''s vi...


    "Wait, you didn''t see the girl?" Kitty asked, surprised. She wasn''t aware of what had happened the day before, or why Aaron was hospitalized.


    "No, I had a social engagementst night and left the matter to Aaron and Dr. Hulls," Austin replied, sounding indifferent. He didn''t expect that not only would the task remain unfinished, but both of them would end up in the hospital.


    Kitty, thinking about Aaron''s sudden hospitalization, asked, "Could Aaron''s sudden hospitalization have anything to do with my niece?"


    Austin''s eyes darkened slightly. "I''m not sure."


    Last night, after he returned to the vi from the hospital, he immediately checked the surveince footage, only to find there were no recordings from 5 to 7 PM. Clearly, someone had deleted them.


    So, to find out what really happened to the butler and Dr. Hulls, they''d have to speak for themselves, but... both of them were still unable to speak, just like yesterday.


    Kitty looked at Austin and asked calmly, "Don''t you have surveince cameras in your vi?"


    "Someone deleted the footage," Austin said, pursing his lips. "And it was exactly when my niece arrived."


    Kitty found it hard to believe. "Really? What a coincidence?"


    "Exactly," Austin''s gaze turned sharp.


    The guest arrived, the footage disappeared, and Aaron and Dr. Hulls got injured. What happened in between was indeed intriguing.


    Kitty took a sip of her coffee, then looked up and asked, "Emmitt, you don''t really think my niece did this to Aaron and Dr. Hulls, do you?"


    "I wouldn''t rule out the possibility," Austin narrowed his eyes. Otherwise,st night''s events wouldn''t have been such a coincidence.


    Kitty, however, didn''t take it seriously. "A teenage girl? How could she possibly cause such trouble? Emmitt, you''re giving her way too much credit."


    Austin was always skeptical. Though his first thoughtst night was whether he had been tricked by some thugs, upon further reflection, those people were just engaging in shady business and had no reason to offend him.


    But, as Kitty said, what could a teenage girl do to make Aaron and Dr. Hulls both take a fall?


    That was the most mysterious and perplexing part of the whole affair.


    Seeing Austin fall silent, Kitty added, "Emmitt, don''t overthink it. Aaron and Dr. Hulls can''t speak now, but their hands aren''t useless. Once they recover a bit, won''t the truthe out?"


    Hearing this, Austin nodded. "That''s all we can do for now."


    "Don''t worry too much. Our Cunningham family hasn''t offended anyone.


    Moreover, with the mutual checks and bnces among the noble families, no one


    would openly offend the Cunninghams," Kitty reassured him.


    "Let''s hope so," Austin said. But for some reason, Kitty''s words made him feel inexplicably agitated.

 Chapter 951

    Kitty married into the ke family, leaning on her husband''s influential


    background, unlike Austin, who seemed to overthink everything. After all, it was clear the ke family had more clout than the Cunningham family.


    The Cunningham family wasn''t solely Austin''s domain; there were several cousins involved in the family business, making conflicts inevitable. The stronger your position, the more say you had in family matters.


    So, Austin was particrly courteous to Kitty and showed great affection towards her daughter, Yara.


    "By the way, how''s Yara doingtely? Still busy?" Austin asked, shifting the conversation.


    Mentioning her daughter brought a glow to Kitty''s face. "She never has a day to rest. If she''s not helping her mentor solve tough problems, she''s buried in her cultural studies. She''s been so busy she hasn''t even been home recently."


    Austin nodded. "Being busy is good; she has a bright future ahead."


    Kitty smiled and hummed in agreement. Then, she remembered something urgent and pulled out Donald''s medical report from her bag. "Dr. Keller is truly remarkable. After taking his medication, Dad''s health indicators have almost stabilized. We should be able to find a matching bone marrow donor within these two months."


    Austin nced at the medical report and let out a sigh of relief. "We owe a lot to Yara; without her, we might not have been able to get Dr. Keller to treat Donald."


    What mattered more was that Dr. Keller was also willing to build a connection with him.


    "The main thing now is to find a suitable bone marrow donor," Kitty said quietly.


    "I know," Austin''s gaze hardened before he continued, "Once I''m done with my current tasks, I''ll personally go and ask our elder sister toe back."


    Kitty looked at him, understanding the significance behind his words but chose not to say more.


    Meanwhile, on the other side of town,


    As was reportingst night''s events to Grady. Grady had been traveling back and forth recently and had only just returned to Riverdale. He fiddled with the wooden beads on his wrist as he listened to As''s report, his expression growing colder than usual.


    As cautiously observed Grady and coughed before adding, "Luckily, the young miss wasn''t harmed. I took her to school today, and she seemed as usual, probably not hurt."


    Grady gave him a sharp look. "How can you be so sure the young miss hasn''t been emotionally affected?"


    It''smon for people to pretend everything''s fine on the surface.


    As was momentarily speechless, eventually muttering, "I don''t think the young miss is the type to have poor psychological resilience."


    "Do you think you know her better than she knows herself?" Grady, irritated, grabbed a box of tissues from the desk and threw it at him.


    As didn''t dodge, letting the tissues hit his shoulder harmlessly, thinking to himself how Grady was just envious of his close rtionship with the young miss, yet disguising it under the guise of concern.


    "Should I bring that Song guy over to give him a lesson in psychological resilience?" As pondered, having been tempted to do so sincest night but held back because of Debra.


    Grady red at As. "What''s this talk of bringing people over? We''re in a civilized society; watch yournguage."


    As immediately grasped the implication, nodding solemnly. "Right, right, my mistake. We should invite him over for a lesson in the philosophy of life. After all, he''s Debra''s brother. It''s essential to enhance one''s personal integrity."


    Grady''s lips twitched in annoyance.

 Chapter 952

    "Keep it on the down-low," Grady said with a cough, tossing a subtle reminder.


    As grinned, picking up the tissue box from the floor and cing it back on the table. He shed an OK sign. "Rx, Grady, this is right up my alley."


    Sneaking around and handling things quietly? That was his specialty.


    Grady nodded, pausing for a moment. "No need to tell Zach about what happenedst night."


    "Got it," As nodded.


    Debra had already cut ties with the Cunningham family. Letting them know would only stir the pot.


    They wouldn''t let anyone off the hook easily, not for anyone''s sake.


    And family ties? Those had to be on equal terms, especially when some people just didn''t deserve it.


    "Oh, by the way, something else was pretty weird," As suddenly recalled, his expression turning serious.


    "What''s up?" Grady looked at him.


    "Even though the Shepherd family took the youngdy away before usst night, my investigation shows she left on her own. And now, the Cunningham family''s butler and doctor are staying at the hospital," As said softly.


    Grady''s fingers paused their twirling of the wooden beads. "Did the youngdy do it?"


    "Not sure," As shook his head. "Austin''s vi has surveince. I had someone check it, but the footage of the youngdy entering was deleted."


    That''s what struck him as odd.


    Grady''s gaze grew more intense. After a moment, he said, "With someone from the Shepherd family involved, these are minor issues."


    As scratched his head. The logic was sound, but something still felt off.


    **


    At school.


    Mirabe was returning aputer.


    The first thing Wade did upon getting theputer was to open and review the quantum data task he had assigned to Mirabe the day before.


    Sitting in a chair, Mirabe kept her gaze down, her eyes fixed on the sticky note on the back of her hand. Her fingertips lightly brushed over it.


    Wade took ten minutes to go through the decoded quantum data on theputer. He looked up at Mirabe, his expression a mix ofplexity and subtle excitement.


    "How long did it take you to decode the quantum data?" Wade asked.


    Mirabe thought for a moment before responding, "I''ve been working on it since I got home from school yesterday."


    Wade, sensing the student wasn''t entirely truthful but choosing not to call her out, pondered for a moment. "Do you know what this quantum data is for?"


    Mirabe had rushed toplete the task on her way to school that morning, so she hadn''t delved deeply into the quantum data, which had broad applications. She shook her head to indicate she didn''t know.


    "Our research institute is developing an anti-cancer drug, and this quantum data is part of the molecr mechanics analysis for the drug''s development," Wade exined, cing theputer on the desk beside him.


    Mirabe knew Wade was a researcher at the National Life Sciences Institute. Hearing this, she pressed her brow. "You shouldn''t be telling me this."


    Research on anti-cancer drugs is a top priority worldwide, and such scientific data is highly confidential.


    Wade, seemingly ignoring Mirabe''s hint, coughed and asked with a hopeful tone, "Would you be interested in joining my research team?"


    Such a talented and capable student was a rare find, and he couldn''t let this opportunity slip away.

 Chapter 953

    Mirabe was quiet for a moment before she shook her head, "That''s not really my thing."


    Wade paused, recalling how Zane had mentioned that Mirabe''s original major wasn''t bioinformatics. He offered, "If you want to switch to another department, I could..."


    "It''s not about the major; it''s personal," Mirabe cut him off, her eyelids lowering


    slightly.


    Wade''s research group and the school''s experimental projects were quite different, especially since she couldn''t be involved with theb''s drug research.


    Hearing her, Wade looked a bit disappointed but didn''t give up. "No rush. Just think about it."


    Mirabe nodded, then stood up, "I''ll head back to the department."


    Wade watched her leave, sighing softly but saying nothing more, giving her a small wave.


    Mirabe nodded back and left his office.


    However, not long after she returned to her ssroom, another student came to tell her she was needed at the administrative office.


    So, she headed back to the administration building.


    At the administrative office, the clerk told her to go straight to the third floor; Mr. Calvin wanted to see her.


    Hearing it was Calvin, Mirabe''s brows furrowed slightly.


    She soon reached the third floor.


    In Mr. Calvin''s office, besides him, Zane and someone named Meg were there.


    As Mirabe reached the door, she heard a voice dripping with sarcasm and usation from inside. She paused for a couple of seconds before knocking.


    The knock interrupted Calvin, and he looked towards the door. Upon seeing Mirabe, his gaze grew colder as he told her toe in.


    Zane, seeing Mirabe enter, looked anything but happy, his face showing a mix of anger and frustration. He turned back to Calvin, "Mr. Calvin, I''ve told you, I didn''t touch your documents, and my student certainly didn''t either!"


    Calvin''s lips twitched slightly, ignoring Zane''s words and focusing on Mirabe, "Did Mr. Zane give you some experimental data a few days ago?"


    "What data?" Mirabe asked calmly, showing no signs of panic in response to Calvin''s interrogation.


    Meg nced at Mirabe, eyebrows slightly raised, pretending to be unbothered. She shook her head and looked away.


    "This." Calvin picked up a man folder from his desk and held it up.


    Mirabe nced at it, "What''s the problem with that?"


    She hadn''t paid close attention to the small print on the folder, assuming it was the same set of past research data Zane had shown her.


    Calvin mmed the folder onto the desk, his voice harsh, "This is a confidential document from the department. As a freshman, taking and viewing it without permission, do you have an ulterior motive?"


    Then, he turned to Zane, ¡°Mr. Zane, you just said you didn''t touch my documents, so how do you exin your student admitting to this?"


    Zane pursed his lips, looking quite upset, "It wasn''t this document. Mr. Calvin, don''t try to confuse things."


    He had heard from a department teacher a few days ago that Calvin was asking who had essed his documents. At the time, he didn''t take it seriously, not expecting to be used along with his student today.


    "If not this document, then which one?" Calvinughed angrily, "If it wasn''t my document, why did you act so guilty and hide it when we bumped into each other at the elevator?"


    See you tomorrow~

 Chapter 954

    "When have I ever hidden documents, afraid you''d see them?" Zane frowned, finding Calvin''s usationpletely absurd.


    "Do I need to pull up the surveince footage before you''lle clean?" Calvin massaged his temples and tilted his head back.


    Then he looked back at Zane, his face a mask of disappointment. "Mr. Zane, if you were just upfront about it, considering how long we''ve worked together, I could let it slide. But you..."


    Zane suddenly remembered thest time he went to the archive room to get some documents for his office and happened to run into Mr. Calvin. He had


    unconsciously hidden the documents behind him. Could such an innocent act be seen as suspicious?


    "Those documents weren''t yours; they were old research topics from our department, dating back seven or eight years," Zane exined.


    Calvin found this exnation even more ridiculous. "Research topics from seven or eight years ago? Mr. Zane, do you expect me to believe that?"


    "I''m not making excuses. I only took our department''s documents," Zane said firmly, standing tall.


    "Fine. You say you only took your department''s documents. How do you exin that the surveince footage shows you were the only one who entered the archive room during that period?" Calvin chuckled lightly. "Or do my documents have legs to walk away on their own?"


    "I don''t know about that. I haven''t touched your documents. What I showed my students was strictly rted to our field, and I have no reason to mess with your documents," Zane said solemnly, reaffirming his stance.


    "No reason?" Calvin gave Zane a prating look, then pulled out an academic journal from a drawer, flipping to an article, and pointed emphatically at the title. "What is this, then?"


    The title of the article was exactly about Calvin''s research report, and the summarized content was almost a brief version of his document. If it weren''t for stumbling upon this magazine today, he wouldn''t have been so furious.


    A few days ago, when Calvin found out his documents had been tampered with, he thought it was just colleagues browsing through them and didn''t take it to heart, merely mentioning it briefly in a meeting. He hadn''t expected that someone not only looked through them but also leaked the information to other institutions, which was a serious vition.


    Every institution has its own confidential research projects, and the leakage of such sensitive information could lead to significant losses.


    Zane nced at the article and then looked away, having never seen Calvin''s documents. He felt indifferent to the paper''s content. His gaze settled on Calvin''s face. "So, Mr. Calvin, are you saying the content here is yours?"


    Seeing Zane still refusing to admit, Calvin chuckled. "Could it possibly be yours?" "I didn''t..." Zane began to refute.


    Calvin didn''t want to hear any more, so he raised his hand to cut him off. "Enough, you don''t have to say anything. I know you won''t admit it."


    He turned his head to look at Mirabe. "I''m giving you a chance toe clean. If you admit to taking my documents, I''ll plead on your behalf to Mr. Belcher to aim for just a severe reprimand, not to be recorded in your file."


    Hearing Calvin''s offer, Zane''s eyes widened in shock.

 Chapter 955

    The news of a major infraction, even if it didn''t end up on a student''s permanent record, was enough to leave asting stain on their life.


    Today''s drama about the documents was a load of nonsense anyway.


    How could Mr. Calvin stoop so low as to threaten and wrongly use a student just to make things tough for him?!


    Zane''s face turned a deep shade of anger, remembering the students and teachers he''d inadvertently driven away over the past couple of years.


    So, the document leak was never the real issue here.


    Zane, trembling with fury, opened his mouth to speak.


    Mirabe nced at Zane before shifting her gaze back to Mr. Calvin. Her calm face remainedposed, "I never took your documents. Why should I admit to something I didn''t do?"


    Mr. Calvin scoffed, "So, you and your teacher decided to stick to your story till the bitter end?"


    Mirabe smirked, "Are you admitting the leak was your fault and now you''re looking for a scapegoat?"


    From their exchange, it was clear there was more to the story.


    Where had Zane crossed paths with Mr. Calvin?


    Mr. Calvin''s brows furrowed at Mirabe''s direct and cheeky remark, "You taking the documents is something I saw with my own eyes."


    Hearing this, Mirabe''s excellent memory kicked in. She recalled the day Zane handed her the documents, and Mr. Calvin hade looking for Zane for some reason.


    Nodding, Mirabe said, "In front of you, I took important documents from the department and then leaked them... Hmm, Mr. Calvin, you''re really giving Mr. Zane and me way too much credit."


    At this, Zane, who was still seething, felt his frustration melt away a bit. He looked up at Mirabe.


    Mirabe was a real firecracker.


    Mr. Calvin, catching the sarcasm in her words, grimaced, "Having a student like you in the school is indeed unfortunate."


    Mirabe just smiled slightly, ncing at the journal in Mr. Calvin''s hand, "So, do you have any other solid evidence that my teacher and I took your documents and leaked them?"


    Mr. Calvin stared coldly at Mirabe.


    Half an hour ago, he''d seen an article in a schrly journal that was eerily simr to his tampered document. So, he''d checked the hallway surveince and confirmed that during that time, aside from Zane, no other teachers had been there.


    Given he''d seen both Zane and Mirabe handling a man envelope, both looking guilty and afraid of being spotted, his anger had red, leading him to confront them directly.


    So, when Mirabe asked him for more evidence, he really had none.


    Seeing Mr. Calvin silent, Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her voice light, "Looks like you don''t have any more evidence, Mr. Calvin." She paused, then turned to Zane, "Teacher, I think we''re done here."


    Zane, snapping back to reality, thought for a few seconds, muttered "Wait here," and hurried out of the office.


    His office was just down the hall from Mr. Calvin''s, so in less than two minutes, he returned, holding a man envelope.


    "Mr. Calvin, this is the document you saw me with that day, the same one I showed to my student. I just haven''t put it back yet. You can take a look." Zane said, extending the man envelope towards Mr. Calvin.


    Mr. Calvin didn''t take it. He stared at Zane for a long moment. Just as he was about to speak, someone walked into the room, causing him to halt and turn towards the neer.

 Chapter 956

    The person who walked in was Wade.


    All the racket in Calvin''s office had caught the attention of a teacher who knew that Mirabe and Wade were pretty tight. After thinking it over, the teacher decided to head upstairs and fill Wade in on what was happening.


    "What''s going on?" Wade asked as he walked in, ncing around at Calvin, then at Mirabe, Zane, and finally Meg.


    Calvin hadn''t expected Wade to show up, and it left him momentarily speechless. Meg, who had been quietly standing to the side, was also taken aback. She''d only seen Wade a couple of times before and was too nervous to look him in the eye, though her excitement was evident.


    Calvin quickly gathered himself and respectfully greeted Wade. Without wasting time, he exined the situation about his leaked data. He didn''t forget to mention that Zane and Mirabe had taken the documents.


    Wade didn''t hesitate for a second before shaking his head. "You must be mistaken. Mirabe isn''t that kind of person."


    Zane''s eyebrows shot up. Mirabe isn''t that kind of person, so does that mean I am?


    Even though Calvin''s usations were mostly aimed at him, Wade''s defense made it seem like Mirabe was the one who needed to be cleared of suspicion.


    Calvin''s eyes darkened a bit. He knew Mirabe had been brought in by Wade and figured they had some connection. Was Wade not worried about how openly protecting her might look?


    Calvin felt a surge of frustration but kept it to himself. "This still needs to be looked into," he said.


    After a brief pause, Calvin changed the subject. "Mirabe, care to exin why you were in the medicalb? It''s not your field, so it seems a bit out of ce."


    Wade''s eyes lit up at this. Not only is she good with data, but she also does experiments?


    Mirabe didn''t notice Wade''s reaction. She cast a sidelong nce at Calvin, not bothering to guess how he knew she had been in theb. "I had written permission to be there. What''s inappropriate about that?"


    "You, a bioinformatics student, conducting medical experiments?" Calvin asked seriously.


    "Is there a college rule that says non-major students can''t enter thebs?" Mirabe shot back.


    "There isn''t, but I have reason to suspect you''re..." Calvin started, but Wade cut him off.


    "Enough, Mr. Calvin. A student''s eagerness to learn is hardly a crime." Wade''s tone was as firm as ever, giving Calvin a look that told him to drop it.


    Calvin clenched and then rxed his fingers before turning to Zane. "Fine, setting that aside, whether or not Mr. Zane tampered with my documents, the files in the archives are confidential. Don''t you think it''s highly inappropriate to show them to students?"


    He pointed to the documents in Zane''s hands.


    Zane, seeing Calvin switch the focus back, pursed his lips. "I don''t see anything wrong with showing students past research topics. Especially since our department is starting a new research project. Using the previous ones as references, how is that a problem?"


    Hearing about the new research project, Calvin''s head snapped up. He skipped over his usual nitpicking and blurted out, "What worthwhile research topics could your department possibly have?"

 Chapter 957

    Zane took a quick look at Wade before shifting his gaze away, clearly not interested in a back-and-forth with Mr. Calvin. "It''s still in the nning stages," he said, his tone casual. "Once we''ve got everything sorted, I''ll let you know, Mr. Calvin."


    Calvin looked momentarily surprised. There was something different about Zane today, a distinctck of his usual indifferent attitude.


    Zane checked his watch and added, "If there''s nothing else, I don''t want to keep my students from their ss. We''ll be heading out."


    With that, he shot a nce at Mirabe and nodded at Wade before the two of them left the office.


    After they were gone, Calvin snapped back to reality and turned to Wade. Wade, hands sped behind his back, was still mulling over Calvin''s words. He looked up and asked, "Did you say Mirabe was at the medicalb?"


    Calvin hesitated for a second, puzzled, but nodded and pointed to Meg standing nearby. "Yes, my student can confirm it."


    Meg quickly chimed in, "Yes, Wade. I was with myb group that day and saw hering out of the medicalb."


    Wade finally looked at Meg. His expression barely changed, but it was enough to make Meg feel a subtle, sharp tension.


    Not sure if this was good or bad, Meg lowered her gaze, looking cautious and hesitant to speak further.


    Wade turned back to Calvin, "You know Zane well enough by now. Sometimes, it''s important to keep some boundaries in what we do."


    With that, he walked out of the office.


    Calvin watched Wade''s retreating figure, his face darkening as he remained silent for a long time. The atmosphere in the office grew even heavier.


    Meg shivered slightly and nced at Calvin. She wasn''t afraid of him, so after a moment of silence, her curiosity got the better of her. "Professor, are Mirabe and Wade... close?"


    She hadn''t missed the way Wade had called her ''Mirabe.''


    Calvin''s gaze softened a bit as he looked at Meg, the harshness fading. "She was personally recruited by Wade. What do you think?"


    Meg was taken aback, not expecting that. Wade was a national researcher, rarely seen, so why would he take an interest in a student?


    And to personally recruit one... Meg''s eyes shifted as she voiced a thought, "Professor, didn''t Wade mention he was looking for a protege? Could it be Mirabe?"


    Calvin hadn''t considered that but recalled how Wade hadn''t seemed overly concerned about the student''s major at the beginning of the semester. He shook his head, "I don''t think so."


    If it were about taking on a protege, he wouldn''t have ced her in the Information Science department.


    Hearing this, Meg felt a lot more at ease. She smiled, "I thought Wade came today to stand up for his protege. Turns out that''s not the case."


    Meg lowered her eyes, her mind at ease. If it wasn''t about a protege, that was fine. After all, she hadn''t seen anything in Mirabe that seemed exceptionally talented enough to be noticed.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 958

    Mirabe trailed behind Zane as they made their way back to his office. With a sigh, he set the folder on his desk, running his fingers along its edges before looking up. The worry lines on his face had softened.


    "I''m really sorry about today," Zane said, his voice tinged with regret. "I didn''t think that document would almost get you in trouble."


    Mirabe shrugged it off. "The truth alwayses out. No need to beat yourself up about it."


    Zane let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, but what if someone''s dead set on twisting the truth?"


    He knew Mr. Calvin was taking a jab at him over their recent spat about research funds. And dragging Mirabe into it? That had Meg written all over it. Meg had tried to trip Mirabe up during theirst experiment and ended up embarrassing herself instead. Jealousy was a powerful thing.


    Even though Wade had stepped in today, Zane worried things would only get worse. He kept his concerns to himself and simply said, "Don''t stress. We''ve got our mentors backing us up."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Mentor, we can''t afford to be too naive. It''s a quick way to get burned."


    Zane blinked, taken aback. It was the first time a student had told him not to be so trusting. He shook it off with a smile, feeling a bit lighter.


    He remembered the proposal Wade had handed him a few days ago. It was loaded withplex ideas, but if Mirabe could outsmart Meg, she could handle it. He decided to wait until the prep work was moreplete before bringing it up to her.


    Later, Mirabe returned to the study room designated for her department. Lisa had saved her a spot. As soon as Mirabe sat down, Lisa leaned in and whispered, "Why does the admin office keep calling you? Something up?"


    Mirabe tilted her head nonchntly. "Catching a thief."


    Lisa''s eyes went wide. "Catching a thief?"


    "Yep," Mirabe murmured, not offering more. She pulled out her notebook and started writing.


    Lisa, still puzzled, wanted to ask more but saw Mirabe was done talking. She nced at Mirabe''s notes, squinting at the unfamiliar symbols.


    "Martian script?" she muttered to herself.


    By five, Mirabe had packed up her papers, stretched her sore shoulders, and grabbed her backpack. Lisa, who had ns to visit home, decided to leave with her.


    Lisa''s ride was parked at the curb. "Mira, where do you live? Need a lift?" she asked, ncing at the car. But when she saw the driver, she hesitated, almost regretting her offer.


    Mirabe hadn''t noticed Lisa''s reaction. She adjusted her bag strap and looked up as a in ck sedan pulled up. "No worries, my ride''s here," she said, raising an eyebrow.


    Lisa, oddly relieved, followed Mirabe''s gaze. The windshield''s reflection made it hard to see the driver clearly. "Alright then, see you tomorrow."


    Mirabe waved and walked to the car. As it came to a stop, she opened the passenger door and climbed in.

 Chapter 959

    Lisa watched Mirabe hop into her car before she slowly trudged over to the one waiting to pick her up.


    Once in the back seat, Lisa kept her head down. After a minute of silence, she nced up at the young man in the driver''s seat, puzzled.


    "Why aren''t we moving?" she finally asked.


    Ben had been staring into the rearview mirror, seemingly ignoring her. Only when the car in the mirror was out of sight did he start the engine.


    "Why''d you take so long?" Ben asked coolly, his voice crisp and detached. Despite his handsome features, there was an unsettling edge to his demeanor. A ck ring adorned his index finger, resting on the steering wheel.


    Lisa sighed, turning to look out the window. "Had a ss," she muttered.


    Ben nced at her briefly before making a U-turn. "The girl you were with, is she a ssmate?"


    Lisa frowned, irritation ring up. "What''s it to you?"


    Unfazed by her tone, Ben pressed on. "What''s her story?"


    Lisa''s hand tightened into a fist on her knee. She shot him a frosty look. "You''re seriously messed up, you know that?"


    Ben smirked slightly. "Must be a good friend. What''s her name?"


    Lisa clenched her fist tighter but eventually let it go, refusing to respond or even look his way.


    Ben was her half-brother, sharing the same father. Everyone thought he was a perfect gentleman, but only she knew the truth-he was a total nutcase.


    Lisa felt a surge of irritation. She hadn''t expected Ben to pick her up today, let alone start asking about Mirabe.


    Ben, with his deep, unreadable eyes, noticed her silence but didn''t push further. Instead, he turned on some music.


    **


    Elsewhere, in another car:


    Mirabe sat in the passenger seat, tapping away on her phone. After a bit, she looked over at James, who was driving.


    "Someone invited me to dinner. You free?" she asked.


    James had his left hand casually resting on the car door, his fingers long and elegant. He gave her azy nce but didn''t say anything.


    Seeing his look, Mirabe cleared her throat. "It''s at that bistro we went tost time," she added.


    "Alright," James finally replied. As they approached an intersection, he turned on the signal and changed directions.


    Twenty minutester, they arrived at the bistro.


    The owner recognized Mirabe right away-hard to forget a pretty face and a regr customer.


    He led them to a private room.


    Waiting there was Adler, who stood up with a smile as soon as he saw Mirabe. "Hey, Mi-"


    He cut himself off when he spotted James behind her, suddenly looking uneasy. Adler didn''t know James, but he could tell from the guy''smanding presence and sharp gaze that he wasn''t someone to mess with.


    Mirabe noticed Adler''s hesitation and raised an eyebrow. Stepping aside, she gestured to James. "This is my friend, James."

 Chapter 960

    Adler stopped in his tracks when he heard thest name Min.


    "Min? Could they be from the Shepherd family of Riverdale?" he wondered, knowing how umon the name was.


    Adler quickly pushed his curiosity aside and extended his hand. "Mr. Min, nice to meet you."


    James gave a soft hum in response, barely touching Adler''s hand before pulling away, the intensity in his eyes easing slightly.


    Adler didn''t find James'' demeanor rude; in fact, it seemed oddly fitting. He quickly moved inside, even pulling out a chair for James to sit down.


    Mirabe, watching this unfold, wordlessly took a seat next to James.


    Adler stepped out to let the chef know they were ready for their meal, then returned to sit across from the pair. He couldn''t help but let his gaze drift between them.


    Together, they seemed to capture all the beauty in the world, truly a sight for sore eyes.


    Mirabe pulled a data analysis she had worked on that afternoon from her bag and handed it to Adler. "Take this home and review it."


    Adler shot her a nce before lowering his eyes to skim through the papers, surprise flickering in his gaze. "Is this a detailed analysis of radiation sources?"


    Mirabe nodded, took a sip of her coffee, and spoke without hesitation despite James'' presence. "Combine this with yourst blood analysis and do another nucleic acid test following my procedure. I need the final urate values."


    Since Mirabe had given him a blood sample for research, Adler had developed a keen interest in radiation sources. Naturally, he didn''t hesitate to agree. "But it might take some time to get those results."


    urate results required several rounds of testing to select the most stable data, which would undoubtedly take some time.


    "OK, if you have any questions, just ask me," Mirabe replied calmly, not in a rush.


    After all, the medicine she had given Owen''s teacher wouldst for a couple of weeks.


    "Got it." Adler carefully set the materials aside, treating them like treasure. James, who had been listening, raised an eyebrow and nced at Mirabe. She sure knew a lot.


    Soon, the waiter brought their food, and the conversation about radiation data came to a halt.


    When the meal was nearly over, James stepped out to take a call.


    With the imposing presence gone, Adler finally felt the air lighten. He put down his fork and looked at Mirabe, deciding to gossip for once. "He''s your boyfriend, right?"


    He sounded confident.


    Mirabe had just taken a sip of her coffee and nearly choked on Adler''s words. "Cough, cough..." She looked up, "Don''t talk nonsense."


    Adler just winked at her and chuckled, "I get it!"


    Mirabe: "??"


    What do you get?


    Soon, James returned, casting a nce at Mirabe.


    Adler, eager to dive into Mirabe''s data and not wanting to be a third wheel, quickly paid the bill and left.


    After a quick trip to the restroom, Mirabe found out Adler had already left and pursed her lips.


    Leaving the restaurant, she followed James to the parking lot. By then, it had grown dark, and the dimly lit streetmps barely illuminated the open-air parking.


    Walking one after the other, their elongated shadows blurred together. Lost in thought, Mirabe nearly bumped into James when he suddenly stopped.

 Chapter 961

    Mirabe snapped back to reality and hit the brakes just in time, lifting her eyes to look at James. "What''s up?"


    James turned his head, the dim night making the girl''s eyes still appear clear and bright. His gaze darkened a bit as he reached out, perfectly grasping her wrist and leading her aside with a calm expression. "Nothing," he said.


    Mirabe blinked, puzzled. "What?"


    James led her to the front of the car, pulled out the keys to unlock it, and opened the passenger door. As soon as he let go, Mirabe jumped into the car as fast as she could and buckled up.


    James gave her a half-smile, then closed the car door, lifting his head to scan the area nearby before quickly looking away.


    He walked around the car and slid into the driver''s seat.


    Soon, the car was on the move, heading onto the main road. James nced at the left side rearview mirror, his fingers caressing the steering wheel, then he turned his head, raising an eyebrow at Mirabe. "How about a little drive?"


    "Sure," Mirabe said, resting her chin on her hand and lookingzily at James.


    "Hold on tight." James just smiled, pressing down on the gas pedal, and the car''s speed instantly picked up.


    The traffic on this road wasn''t too heavy, and the ordinary-looking sedan seemed unremarkable at first nce, but when it sped up, those inside felt a rapid surge without any sense of dizziness.


    Mirabe didn''t grab the door handle but remained seated withposure, even rolling down the window.


    The rearview mirror reflected her cool, delicate features, with strands of hair fluttering in the wind, making her look effortlessly chic.


    Mirabe tilted her head, looking at the rearview mirror and noticing several ck sedans speeding behind them, their ring headlights shing on and off in the mirror. They clearly weren''t friendly.


    Enemies?


    Mirabe''s eyebrows twitched slightly. Instead of fear, her eyes held amusement.


    The car sped towards the less popted outskirts, the surroundings bing more isted, and the usual traffic gradually thinning out. In this space, aside from the friction of the tires against the ground and the sharp noise of the engine, there was nothing else.


    In the car, James''s phone started ringing. He nced at it but didn''t pick up, instead pressing harder on the gas pedal, increasing the speed once again.


    The phone stopped after a few rings and didn''t ring again.


    One of the cars behind them had already caught up, clearly intending to cut them off. James nced at it, his lips pressed thin, then he suddenly hit the brakes, steering the wheel sharply to the right, and then stepped on the gas, the tires screeching against the pavement.


    In the next moment, the car brushed past the one attempting to intercept them on the left, slipping through the gap between them and the cars ahead and behind with precise calction.


    The cars following them, unable to slow down in time due to James''s sudden maneuver, crashed directly into theirpanion''s car ahead.


    Almost simultaneously, the other two cars, despite mming on the brakes, couldn''t stop in time and collided into one another, creating a loud bang.


    Mirabe nced at the rearview mirror, watching this scene unfold, and couldn''t help but whistle softly. She then turned her gaze back to James in the driver''s seat.


    This guy''s driving skills were pretty impressive.


    Sensing her gaze, James lifted his head, his voice calm as he asked, "Scared?"

 Chapter 962

    Mirabe kept her cool, pondering for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, it was kinda scary."


    James''s lips twitched slightly. He couldn''t see where the fear was.


    "Hey, the car behind us is catching up again," Mirabe urged, leaning forward slightly.


    James nced at her, a whirlwind of emotions shing through him. He stepped on the gas, and the car surged forward.


    Despite being banged up just moments ago, the cars trailing them seemed unfazed, clearly modified to withstand a beating. They were speeding up, almost like they intended to ram into James''s car.


    Yet, time and again, they narrowly missed.


    Mirabe watched in awe, silently admiring the driving skills on disy, rivaling those of a professional racer.


    After a few kilometers of intense chase and several narrow escapes, Curtis arrived. Sensing the shift in dynamics, the pursuers immediately backed off, making a quick U-turn and fleeing.


    James pulled over to the side of the road, and Curtis, having already instructed his men to follow the fleeing cars, approached James''s vehicle.


    The driver''s side window rolled down, and Curtis, about to address James, noticed another figure in the passenger seat, pausing in surprise.


    Even without the interior light on, Curtis recognized her instantly.


    Ms. Mirabe was in the car too?


    Curtis, initially about to say something else, shifted his tone, "James, you guys okay?"


    James casually draped his hand over the car door, leaning slightly out. The dim streetlight cast a soft glow on his forehead, easing the tension in his features. "Yeah, we''re fine."


    Curtis nodded, though he wasn''t overly concerned, just puzzled. Given James''s skills, those cars shouldn''t have made it out in one piece, let alone managed to escape.


    Curtis''s gaze drifted to Mirabe again. Because of the dim light, he couldn''t read her expression, but it made sense. James likely held back because she was there.


    A violent scene wouldn''t be suitable for Ms. Mirabe to witness.


    Otherwise, James might scare her off, which would be pretty awkward.


    Curtisposed himself, deciding not to linger. "I''ll handle the aftermath," he said.


    James''s fingers twitched slightly.


    Curtis nodded, returning to his car and driving away.


    **


    Half an hourter, James dropped Mirabe off at her residence. Before getting out, she gave the car a once-over.


    It still looked like a regr car, unremarkable at first nce, with no dents despite the multiple hits.


    A low-profile beast.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, waved at James, and headed inside the vi.


    James watched her until she disappeared from view, then restarted the car, his expression turning serious.


    Not long after he got home, Curtis arrived.


    James, holding a cup in his hand, nced at Curtis and slowly sat on the sofa. "Who were they?"


    Curtis frowned. "When we chased after them, another group showed up and threw us off. We lost them."


    James''s eyes narrowed, his elegant fingers lightly tracing the rim of the cup, lost in thought.


    "I think it''s still about that shipment of weapons," Curtis spected after a moment.


    In Riverdale, few families had the guts to openly confront James. That left only... the underground factions.

 Chapter 963

    The Shepherd family had their hands in many businesses, but their real game was arms dealing.


    The group that showed up tonight didn''t sh any guns, which meant they weren''t here to fight but to provoke, to send a message.


    Curtis smirked, feeling sorry for them. They picked the wrong people to mess with. If the Shepherd family were that easy to scare off, they''d have been wiped out of


    Riverdale ages ago.


    James, who''d been quiet for a while, finally spoke up, "Tomorrow, deliver that batch of weapons to Sam."


    Curtis''s eyes widened in shock, "Is that really a good idea?"


    Sure, shifting the heat somewhere else could save them a headache.


    But it would definitely put Sam in a tight spot.


    James leaned back on the sofa, his voicezy, "Aren''t we citizens of this country, entitled to protection?"


    Curtis''s lips twitched, "But he''s your uncle."


    James shot Curtis a look that said he was stating the obvious.


    Curtis touched his nose, realizing just how ruthless James had be, not even sparing his own uncle.


    "Alright then, I''ll handle it tomorrow," Curtis conceded.


    "Good," James replied curtly.


    Then Curtis remembered something, "Oh, James, that portable pistol you put together the other day, the designer''s a genius. It''s way more powerful than the K9."


    He''d seen its power firsthand when he delivered it to James, and the memory still blew his mind.


    James''s handsome face showed no surprise; he knew what the weapon was capable of even as he assembled it. No one understood weapon manufacturing better than him.


    "If we could mass-produce it..." Curtis began but was cut off.


    "Don''t even think about it. It''s not happening," James said tly.


    Curtis paused, "Why not?"


    James''s eyes were elsewhere, not on him. After a moment, he exined, "The cost is too high, and someponents are made from special materials. You think that kind of poweres cheap?"


    Curtis didn''t know much about the materials used in guns, but seeing James''s serious expression, he understood the difficulty. Plus, without a proper design, replication wasn''t easy.


    Curtis sighed, "That''s a shame."


    "A weapon like that goes against nature. Mass production would throw the world into chaos," James added.


    Curtis thought it over, finding deep meaning in his words. Powerful weapons could easily upset the bnce and potentially bring disaster.


    James said no more, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, clearly exhausted.


    Sensing it was time to go, Curtis left without another word.


    **


    Elsewhere.


    Austin had just walked into his mansion, leisurely changing into his slippers. With the housekeeper off for the day and his wife abroad with their son for his studies, he had the whole ce to himself.


    In his forties, Austin still looked youthful, a trait that ran strong in the Cunningham family. He shared some resemnce with Delh, both having chiseled features.


    He headed to the bar, grabbed a bottle of champagne from the shelf, and poured himself half a ss.

 Chapter 964

    As Austin was halfway through his drink, the lights in the vi flickered and then went outpletely, plunging the house into darkness.


    Leaning against the bar, Austin frowned. Was there a power outage?


    He downed the rest of his drink, set the ss on the bar, and pulled out his phone. He unlocked it, turned on the shlight, and made his way toward the fuse box to see if the circuit breaker had tripped.


    But as he got closer, the beam of his phone''s shlight revealed a figure standing against the wall, dressed in ck and wearing a metal mask.


    The light reflected off the mask, giving the figure a menacing, almost supernatural appearance.


    Austin gasped, nearly dropping his phone. The buzz from the alcohol evaporated instantly, and he rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn''t hallucinating. "Wh-who are you?" he stammered.


    His words came out in a panic as he backed away, his free hand iling in search of something-anything-to defend himself with.


    The masked figure let out a sneer and stepped closer, holding a baseball bat that he slowly raised. "Looking for this?"


    Austin''s body shook, and he bolted, but the total darkness and the jittery light from his phone were no help.


    He soon tripped and fell, losing his grip on the phone, which ttered to the floor. He didn''t dare retrieve it, his eyes fixed on the approaching figure.


    "Do you know who I am? If you touch me, the Cunningham family wille after you," Austin blurted out, hoping the name would intimidate the intruder.


    Instead, the mention of the Cunningham family elicited a scoff. "The Cunningham family? Who do they think they are?" The man''s eyes, peering through the mask, red down at Austin as he swung the bat down forcefully.


    Austin''s pupils dted, bracing for impact, but at thest second, everything seemed to freeze.


    Staring at the bat, now inches from his face, Austin broke into a cold sweat, his body slumping to the ground, drained of all energy.


    The man in the mask slung the bat over his shoulder and stepped forward leisurely, his leather-shoed footing down hard on Austin''s ankle, drawing a scream of pain.


    "Trash like you, I could crush by the dozen every day, got it?"


    With those words, Austin felt a sharp pain in his other ankle and screamed again.


    The vi''s doors and windows were shut, and the soundproofing was excellent; no matter how loud the noise inside, it wouldn''t be heard outside.


    Perfect for a beating.


    Ten minutester, the masked man strolled out of the vi as if nothing had happened. A sedan drove up the driveway, perfectly timed.


    He opened the door and got in. As the car window lowered, the man removed his metal mask, revealing the rugged face of As.


    He nced once at the vi, then directed the driver to go, his thoughts already on whaty ahead.

 Chapter 965

    Austin woke up the next morning sprawled out on the living room floor. The nanny, who''d taken the previous day off, returned and found him there after calling his name multiple times.


    At first nce, the nanny only noticed Austin''s clothes were a bit rumpled; she didn''t see any obvious injuries. It wasn''t until she tried to help him up that she realized he was weak and hurt. Panic set in as she quickly called an ambnce and then reported the break-in to the police.


    By the time Austin was rushed to the hospital, the police had arrived at his house. Given the break-in, the officers were meticulous in their investigation, but they found nothing-not a single fingerprint or strand of hair. There was no surveince footage either.


    At the hospital, Austin''s limbs had just been set and bandaged when he received a call from the police department. The news left him fuming. Being attacked without the assant leaving any trace was a bitter pill to swallow.


    Not long after, Kitty hurried into the hospital room, her face a mask of concern. Seeing Austin lying there, she couldn''t hide her worry. "Emmitt, what happened? Who did this to you? How could even you..."


    Austin''s face was pale, his eyes dark with anger. "I don''t know who it was. They wore a mask, so I couldn''t see their face."


    Kitty nced at his bandaged hands and feet. "Are your injuries bad?"


    Austin still felt the echoes ofst night''s pain. He took a deep breath. "Moderate fractures. The doctor said it''ll take a month or two to heal."


    Kitty''s face clouded with worry. "First Aaron and Dr. Hulls, and now you. Who''s behind all this?"


    Could she be next? Kitty thought it might be wise to bring more bodyguards next time she went out.


    "I don''t know," Austin said, his voice heavy. "But whoever it is, they got into the vi without a sound and were very skilled. I suspect it might be an enemy of the Cunningham family."


    Austin was known for not mincing words, which had earned him many enemies. But thanks to the Cunningham family''s influence and their good rtionship with the ke family, no one dared to confront him openly, even if they were seething inside.


    "So, the person who hurt the butler and Dr. Hulls might be the same one who attacked you. You just happened to be out that day and dodged a bullet," Kitty reasoned, piecing it together.


    Austin leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes. "Seems likely." He couldn''t think of any other exnation.


    At least he wasn''t left speechless like Aaron and Dr. Hulls.


    "Emmitt, get some rest. I''m going to check on Aaron and see if he can talk yet," Kitty said.


    "Yeah," Austin nodded and settled back into the bed.


    Kitty gave him a final look, sighed softly, and left the room.


    Aaron''s room was nearby. When she walked in, the butler''s wife was helping him drink some water. "Miss, you''re here."


    Surprised to see Kitty again, the butler''s wife stood up quickly.


    Kitty raised a hand to put her at ease and approached the bed. "Aaron, how are you feeling today? Has your voicee back?"

 Chapter 966

    The housekeeper''s wife pulled over a chair for Kitty, signaling her to sit, while she nced at her husband with a hint of joy on her face. "He''s much better today, and his voice has improved. This morning, he even managed to say a few words, though it was a bit of a struggle."


    "Really?" Kitty''s face lit up with surprise. "It sounds like Aaron is on the mend."


    The housekeeper''s wife nodded, sighing softly. "I hope so."


    "Don''t worry too much." Kitty patted her arm reassuringly.


    "Thank you, miss, foring all this way to visit us at the hospital. We''re really grateful," the housekeeper''s wife said, her face full of gratitude.


    Kitty shook her head and turned to the housekeeper. "Emmitt was also attackedst night."


    The housekeeper, sitting by the bed, suddenly widened his eyes in disbelief. He opened his mouth to speak, but in his haste, he couldn''t get any words out.


    The housekeeper''s wife, equally shocked, eximed, "The young master was attacked too? How could this happen?"


    "He has moderate fractures in his arms and legs, not much different from Aaron''s condition," Kitty sighed.


    "Did they catch who did it?" the housekeeper''s wife quickly asked.


    Kitty shook her head. "No, Emmitt said the attacker wore a mask, so he couldn''t see their face. The police came this morning but found no leads. And judging by the method, the person who did this to Aaron must be the same one who attacked Emmittst night."


    As Kitty finished speaking, the housekeeper seemed to recall some terrifying memory. His eyes filled with fear, and his face turned pale.


    Kitty and his wife continued talking, not noticing his change in expression. After a while, Kitty turned to the housekeeper and asked, "Aaron, can you speak now?"


    The housekeeper looked at Kitty, his lips trembling slightly.


    He still remembered the day when that girl effortlessly disarmed him and Dr. Hulls, and with just a needle, rendered them speechless.


    He had thought, once his hands were healed, he would settle the score with her. But now, she hadn''t even spared the young master, who was also his uncle.


    Her brazen actions only proved one thing: she wasn''t afraid. And intentionally wearing a mask to beat up the young master was clearly a bold warning.


    Not a warning to the young master, but to him and Dr. Hulls, to keep them from speaking out, or else, next time, they might indeed be rendered permanently silent.


    The housekeeper realized this in an instant, so facing Kitty''s question, he could only feign calm and shake his head.


    Then he lowered his eyes, hiding all his emotions.


    The agony of being unable to speak was something he never wanted to experience again.


    So, he thought, let''s wait and see how things unfold.


    Seeing this, Kitty didn''t suspect anything else, only expressing regret. "Alright then, Aaron, you rest well. I''ll be going now."


    "Let me walk you out, miss."


    The housekeeper watched his wife and Kitty leave, his murky gaze still harboring lingering fear.


    Who could have imagined that a girl not even twenty years old would possess such unfathomable skills? Sharing such a tale would likely find few believers.

 Chapter 967

    At school.


    Mirabe couldn''t help but notice that Lisa seemed off today. Her usual spark was missing, and she looked paler than usual. Setting her book aside, Mirabe reached out and gently took Lisa''s wrist.


    Lisa, lost in her thoughts, snapped back to reality at Mirabe''s touch. She looked up just as Mirabe was pulling her hand away.


    "What''s got you so worried at such a young age?" Mirabe asked, tilting her head slightly.


    Lisa paused for a moment before touching her cheek. "Is it that obvious?"


    Mirabe propped her chin on her hand, clearly uninterested in answering.


    Lisa''s eyes lingered on Mirabe''s face, studying her intently. How could she warn her to steer clear of Emmitt? Her half-brother Emmitt wasn''t really into women, but the people he took an interest in always seemed to vanish without a trace.


    Recalling something unsettling she had stumbled upon once, Lisa pressed her fingers weakly against her forehead. She couldn''t figure out what Ben was up to yesterday since he had never directly confronted Mira.


    After a moment of silence, Lisa finally lowered her hand and looked at Mirabe. "Hey, um... the neighborhood''s been kinda sketchytely. You don''t live on campus, so please be careful when you go home, okay?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, a yful tone in her voice. "Is that what''s been bothering you all this time?"


    Lately, it seemed like everyone was warning her about safety.


    Locking eyes with Mirabe, Lisa felt as if she could see right through her. She coughed and added softly, "Just be careful, okay? And don''t talk to strangers." Mirabe nced at Lisa for a moment, then, without further questions, went back to her book.


    A few dayster, Zane finally finished a detailed research n based on the reference material Wade had given him. He headed upstairs to find Wade. There was a guest in Wade''s office.


    The door was open, and Zane, not noticing at first, knocked and walked in, ready to speak. That''s when he saw a handsome young man sitting on the sofa, deep in conversation with Wade.


    Realizing his mistake, Zane apologized, "Sorry, I didn''t see you hadpany. My bad."


    He was about to leave when Wade called him back.


    Wade told the man across from him to hold on, then stood up and walked over to Zane. "What do you need, Zane?"


    Zane held up the n. "I finished the detailed research n based on the material you gave mest time."


    Wade looked a bit surprised. "Already? Let me take a look."


    Zane handed over the n. "I wanted to get a head start on the coursework. See if this works; if not, I can tweak it."


    Wade nodded, flipping through the n. "Synthetic life AL systems are the future. While there''s some ovep with AI, AL''s evolutionary history focuses more onprehensive simted intelligence. Your n is detailed and looks good."


    Hearing this, Zane, who had been a bit anxious, felt relieved.


    Wade was a top-notch research professor at the institute, and his feedback was always spot-on. If he said it was good, then it was good.


    "However, this research needs some seriousputer skills. You might want to pick a few top-notchputer science grad students from your department to help out," Wade suggested after a pause.

 Chapter 968

    Zane nodded, "Got it."


    After skimming through the business n in his hands, Wade handed it back to Zane. Something seemed to click in his mind, and he added, "But we don''t have to stick to just graduate students. If there are others who are capable, we should consider them too."


    Zane chuckled, "Mirabe is quite a standout. I''m thinking of bringing her on board."


    Wade nced at him, finding Zane''s smile a bit annoying, even though he agreed with the idea.


    Clearing his throat, Zane''s eyes briefly lingered on a handsome man sitting nearby. "Well, Wade, I''ll let you get back to work."


    Wade waved him off, watching Zane leave before turning back and sinking into the couch. "Sorry to keep you waiting."


    The man smiled slightly, his fingers no longer fidgeting with the ck ring he wore. "No worries."


    After a brief pause, he added, "I overheard you mention something about Artificial Life?"


    Given how loud Wade and Zane had been talking, it wasn''t surprising he caught that. Wade nodded, "Yeah, artificial life systems are a pretty hot research topic right now. Our department could really use some projects in that area."


    The man nodded thoughtfully, "It does have considerable potential."


    Pouring more coffee into the man''s cup, Wade pondered for a moment. "By the way, you''re pretty good with system bioengineering, right? Would you be interested in joining us to mentor some students?"


    The man''s eyebrows raised slightly, but he didn''t decline. "Would that really be okay?"


    Wadeughed, "Of course! I''m more worried you''d think we''re not up to your standards."


    "Not at all," the man replied, shaking his head with a polite smile.


    Wade, seeing his reaction, joked, "Alright then, it''s a deal. Just don''t be too hard on our students."


    The man nodded, his eyes lowering to hide a glimmer of amusement.


    **


    Mirabe had just two sses in the afternoon. Once they were over, she headed to the school library to gather some materials.


    By the time she left the library, it was already past five. As she walked towards the school entrance, she pulled out her phone to check her messages.


    There was one on Messenger.


    Lately, she hadn''t asked As to pick her up from school, opting instead for a ride share.


    After replying to James, she slipped her phone back into her bag.


    The campus had a dedicatedne for faculty cars. As she walked, a sedan passed by on the right.


    She didn''t pay much attention until the car honked, making her look up slowly.


    The car had stopped not far from her, and the driver''s side window rolled down to reveal Wade''s friendly face. He leaned out slightly, "Mirabe, need a lift?"


    The man in the passenger seat also turned his head slightly, spotting the girl he had fleetingly noticed a few days ago. He unexpectedly smiled.


    Mirabe paused, greeted Wade, and then politely declined, "Thanks, but my friend is already waiting for me at the entrance."


    "Alright," Wade nodded. "But how about I drive you to the gate anyway?"


    It would take her at least five or six minutes to walk there.

 Chapter 969

    Mirabe felt another pair of eyes on her from inside the car. She nced up and could barely make out a shadowy figure in the passenger seat, their features indistinguishable.


    Whoever it was, they were definitely the source of the gaze.


    Quickly, she shifted her eyes away and gave a polite shake of her head. "No worries, Wade. You go ahead."


    Wade nodded, not pushing it. He waved at Mirabe before the windows rolled up, blocking their view of each other, and the car slowly pulled away.


    Before long, Mirabe''s silhouette disappeared from the rearview mirror.


    "Was that one of your students?" The man in the passenger seat asked, absentmindedly fiddling with a ck ring on his finger.


    Wade, gripping the steering wheel, nodded. "Yeah, she''s a great kid. Top of this year''s finals."


    The man looked genuinely impressed. "That''s something."


    "Yep," Wade smiled, ncing at him. "She''s a real gem."


    He considered mentioning that she might join the synthetic life research team but thought better of it since nothing was confirmed and decided to keep it to himself.


    Ben''s eyes drifted to the scenery outside, his expression shifting with the passing light and shadows.


    Definitely a gem-surrounded by hidden talents and formidable minds.


    **


    That evening, after dinner, Mirabe was still deep in conversation with Adler on her phone, taking her time before heading home. Papers scattered across the coffee table were filled with data and equations.


    James walked out from the kitchen and saw Mirabe sitting on the carpet, sprawled over the coffee table like an octopus, head down, still writing.


    Her phone was propped up against a vase in the middle of the table, the front camera aimed at her, asionally showing the face of a mature man and his voice during their video call.


    James gave the phone a cursory nce before heading back to the kitchen. A momentter, he returned with a te of sliced apples and casually sat down on the sofa behind Mirabe.


    Now, the video call showed not just Mirabe''s bowed head but also a man''s figure in the background. Due to the phone''s angle, James''s face wasn''t visible on the screen.


    Even without showing his face, his rxed posture behind Mirabe exuded a subtle assertiveness that came through the screen.


    Adler, ready to continue their discussion, looked up and saw the scene, "...". He was speechless.


    James, not paying attention to the video, picked up an apple slice and casually offered it to Mirabe''s mouth.


    Still focused on her equations, Mirabe instinctively bit into the apple, her concentration unbroken, oblivious to everything else.


    One feeding, one eating-the scene was full of warmth.


    Pink hearts might as well have been floating around them.


    Adler''s face flushed. He quickly grabbed the phone and mmed it down on the


    table, covering the camera. Once done, he let out a heavy sigh.


    Could they not consider his single status for a moment?


    Being outmatched intellectually was one thing, but having to endure their disy of affection was too much.


    Adler stared at the critical data on hisputer screen, feeling utterly lost. How was he supposed to continue now??!

 Chapter 970

    Mirabe hadn''t heard Adler''s voice in a bit. After finishing thest step, she held up the A4 paper, aiming it at the phone camera perched on the coffee table.


    She was about to speak when she nced up and saw that, apart from her own camera feed in the top right corner, the other side was just a ck screen.


    Mirabe: "?"


    Just then, James''s hand reached over from behind her. Mirabe reflexively moved to the side, only then realizing someone was sitting behind her.


    She was momentarily taken aback. When did he get here without her noticing?


    Her gaze then shifted to James''s hand, spotting just one slice of apple left on the fruit te.


    Mirabe finally snapped back to reality, silently turning her attention away. She pressed her hand against her forehead, unsure whether tomend her deep concentration or berate herself for bing so ustomed to solitude that she didn''t even notice his presence.


    Suddenly, a loud coughing came from the phone, followed by the sound of a chair being dragged.


    Mirabe lowered her hand from her forehead without a word and quickly ended the video call on the coffee table.


    Seeing her action, James raised an eyebrow slightly and ced the fruit te on the coffee table. His voice was clear, "All done?"


    Mirabe nodded without changing her expression or looking back at him, "Yeah... pretty much."


    She leaned on the edge of the coffee table, preparing to stand up, but because she had been sitting cross-legged on the carpet for too long, her legs had gone numb, and she couldn''t stand up.


    James was already close to Mirabe. Seeing this, he bent down slightly, extending his hands to wrap around her waist from behind, eventually resting his fingertips on her calves. He pressed down with a force that was neither too light nor too heavy.


    With his breath on her ear, Mirabe''s body instinctively tensed up.


    "Rx."


    His deep voice reached her, and Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered slightly. She let out an "Oh," and her shoulders dropped, seemingly rxing.


    The room was very quiet. After a while, when James retracted his hands, he also helped her up.


    Mirabe straightened up and then thanked him.


    James just looked at her with a half-smile.


    Meeting his gaze, Mirabe seemed to remember something. She coughed and started to tidy up the pile of drafts on the coffee table.


    She tore some of the useless drafts in half and threw them into the trash bin, only keeping a few useful pages. Then, she took photos of those pages and sent them to Adler via Messenger.


    Continuing the discussion was impossible, and Adler, knowing better, didn''t send another voice message to inquire. Instead, he sent a confirmation message and left.


    It was gettingte. Mirabe put on her coat, then went to the restroom before preparing to head home.


    When she came out, James was on a phone call. She paused but didn''t speak, waiting a moment. When James looked over, she moved her lips and gestured toward the front door, indicating she was leaving first.


    James paused, then said "Hold on" to the person on the phone. He grabbed his jacket from the couch and walked toward Mirabe, "I''ll walk you out."


    On the other end of the phone, Sam, wondering what his nephew was up to, felt goosebumps on his arms when he heard those three words, which could only be described as tender.


    "You gotpany? Who are you talking to?" Sam asked, curious.


    James had already reached Mirabe''s side, the phone''s speaker volume was neither too loud nor too soft.

 Chapter 971

    James listened to the question on the other end of the line, casually lifting his head to nce at Mirabe as he walked forward. He replied in an easygoing tone, "Yeah, girlfriend."


    Trailing behind, Mirabe stumbled in surprise.


    Noticing this, James chuckled, grabbed her shoes from the shoe rack, and set them on the floor.


    Sam, on the other end of the phone, sounded skeptical. "Bull, didn''t you just say not too long ago that there was nothing between you two? Are you trying to fool your uncle who doesn''t know what''s going on?"


    James opened the door and leanedzily against the frame, waiting for Mirabe toe out. His gaze wandered to the garden cloaked in the night sky. He nodded and added, "It was bound to happen sooner orter."


    Mirabe: "."


    Sometimes having sharp ears isn''t all that great.


    Sam''s mouth twitched, feeling the conversation was going nowhere. "Alright then, keep it up, and don''t forget to drop by my camp in the next few days."


    James''s gaze sharpened slightly, and he murmured in agreement before hanging up.


    After a brief pause, he turned his head to look at Mirabe behind him. She seemed calm, but her eyes were a bit unfocused. James raised an eyebrow, stood up straight, took the backpack from her hands, and said, "Let''s go, I''ll walk you home."


    He led the way.


    Mirabe hesitated for a moment, then followed.


    As they strolled through the neighborhood, the streetlights cast long shadows of them walking together. Despite the silence, there was afortable ease between them.


    **


    Meanwhile,


    After witnessing their lovey-dovey disy, Adler decided it was time to get serious. He printed out a series of calction drafts that Mirabe had sent him. They had been working on these in his personalb, focusing on radioactive materials. After reviewing the data several times, he still felt something was missing.


    The presence of such a high concentration of radioactive material in the blood was perplexing. After mulling it over, Adler decided to head to the research institute.


    By this time, except for a few departments, most of the institute had closed for the day.


    Adler used his ess cards to get through several security doors, finally taking the elevator to the tenth floor.


    The institute''s archives were on the tenth floor, along with a room specifically for storing discarded documents.


    Although Adler was a mid-level researcher with limited ess, he could enter the regr archives but not the more specialized ones. However, he did have ess to the room for discarded documents.


    Despite the institute''s ban on researching radioactive materials, he hoped to find some useful documents.


    Unlocking the door and stepping inside, Adler was met with a thickyer of dust. He quickly pulled a mask from his pocket and put it on.


    The disposal room hadn''t been cleaned in years, with various items piled up inside. After scanning the room, his eyes settled on a metal shelf by the window. He paused, then walked over.


    The shelf was cluttered with numerous documents. It took Adler over an hour to finally find a piece of research on radioactive sources.


    The document was yellowed and aged, but fortunately, its content was mostly intact.


    Ignoring the rest, Adler began to flip through it page by page. Unfortunately, the document was iplete, missing the most critical steps of analysis and assay.


    It was clear that even as a discarded document, it wasn''t meant to be fully referenced.

 Chapter 972

    Adler mulled it over for a moment, then grabbed the pages Mirabe had just sent him from the printer, pieced them together, and read through them a couple more times. The blurry thoughts in his mind started toe into focus.


    But he still needed to dig a bit deeper to figure out if this abandoned document was actually useful.


    Not wanting to hang around the abandoned document room, he quickly took the papers and headed downstairs.


    As he reached the ground floor and stepped out of the lobby, he bumped into some colleagues from other research departments who had just wrapped up their overtime and were heading out.


    "Hey, Adler! Didn''t you leave early?" one of them asked, surprised.


    Since radioactive sources were a no-go topic at the institute, Adler just yed it cool. "Came back for some documents," he said.


    The colleague gave a quick nce at the papers in his hand, then shrugged and gave him a thumbs up. "That''s dedication."


    Adler chuckled, "Alright, I''m off," and walked briskly towards the exit.


    Watching him hurry off, the colleague shook his head and sauntered out at his own pace.


    **


    The next day.


    Zane called Mirabe to his office.


    When she arrived, there were three other students in the room, all seniors from her major.


    "Linden, here''s the group project n. Take a look," Zane was saying. When he saw Mirabe, he handed the n to Linden and waved her over.


    "Professor," Mirabe greeted him with a slight nod as she approached.


    Zane nodded back with a smile, then introduced her to the group. "This is Mirabe. Don''t let her freshman status fool you; she''s a whiz at data analysis."


    Linden looked up and did a double-take at Mirabe, not expecting such a pretty freshman in their department this year.


    Recovering quickly, he nodded politely. "Nice to meet you, I''m Linden."


    The other two, Kason and Jessie, both graduate students, also introduced themselves warmly, showing no signs of looking down on Mirabe for her freshman status.


    In the bioinformatics department, students were few but tight-knit. Since Mr. Zane specifically praised Mirabe''s skills, it was clear she was the real deal.


    Besides, it had been ages since their department formed a research group. Mr. Zane wouldn''t let a newbie join just to make up the numbers.


    Linden, Kason, and Jessie got this.


    Seeing everyone getting along, Zane felt a wave of relief. He''d been worried about pairing his top students with a freshman, but it seemed he''d worried for nothing.


    "You guys can start familiarizing yourselves with the research n. I need to go find Mr. Calvin," Zane said, grabbing an application report from his drawer.


    He hurried out of the office.


    As Zane left, Linden watched for a moment, then turned back to Jessie and the others, motioning to the chairs. "Let''s go through the professor''s n," he said, handing out the copies.


    Mirabe took the document from Linden, staring at the cover for a moment. She felt a bit puzzled. Wasn''t Zane supposed to talk to her about something?


    Something seemed off.

 Chapter 973

    Nearby, Linden and a couple of others weren''t paying much attention to


    Mirabe''s expression. They were flipping through their project proposals, but their minds were clearly elsewhere.


    Jessie closed her proposal and looked up, turning to Linden and Kason. "Do you think the professor can secure the research funding again?"


    The reallocation of the department''s research funds wasn''t a secret. Starting a new research project required a significant investment just to update and upgrade equipment, not to mention the ongoing costs.


    Kason had also lost the focus to keep reading. The excitement he had felt at finally getting a research topic seemed to have been frozen by the funding issue. He sighed, "It feels pretty doubtful."


    Linden pursed his lips and said firmly, "Let''s trust the professor. He''ll definitely manage to get an opportunity for our research group."


    "Fingers crossed," Jessie replied with a wry smile. If they could really establish the research group, their career paths would be on a whole new trajectory.


    But after all these years, if their subdivision could have been established, it would have been by now, instead of ending up in a situation where they didn''t even have research funding.


    Jessie shook her head and didn''t say anything more, lowering her gaze to continue reading the proposal in her hands.


    Mirabe, who had been quietly listening, suddenly asked, "What research group?"


    As soon as she spoke, the three of them turned their heads to look at her, clearly surprised.


    Linden was the first to recover, his cheeks twitching. "You don''t know about the research group, freshman? Didn''t Mr. Zane tell you about our project?"


    Mirabe shook her head. Since her arrival, Zane had been busy introducing everyone to her, without ever mentioning the research group, let alone asking if she wanted to join.


    Jessie, Linden, and Kason exchanged nces, clearly shocked that Mirabe waspletely in the dark and had been directly brought in by Mr. Zane.


    This was...


    Linden coughed and said, "It seems your talents must be exceptional." Other than that, he couldn''t think of any other reason.


    "So, freshman, what''s yourputer proficiency level?" Kason asked.


    There were four levels ofputer proficiency, with level four being the highest. And to be part of Zane''s Artificial Life AL system research group, one essential condition was considerableputer proficiency, at least above level two.


    Kason had just passed level three recently. Jessie and Linden had also passed level three this year. Both were curious about the question Kason raised.


    Facing their gazes, Mirabe shook her head and answered honestly, "I don''t know, I''ve never been tested."


    The three of them: "...."


    "It''s okay,puter levels aren''t that important," Linden said, breaking the silence. He remembered what Mr. Zane had said earlier, that the freshman was strong in data calction, which might not necessarily meanputer science.


    Kason snapped back to reality and nodded in agreement, "Yeah, the three of us can handle it."


    Nearby, Jessie straightened her back, assuming the role of a senior, and patted Mirabe on the shoulder warmly, "If you have any questions in the future, you can ask me. I can teach you."


    Mirabe, who had suddenly received a bunch of inexplicablefort: "?"


    Had the three of them misunderstood something?


    Touching her nose and under the caring gaze of the three, Mirabe nodded.


    After that, they didn''t ask her anything more and continued to look at the proposals in their hands.


    Half an hourter, Zane returned from Mr. Calvin''s office.

 Chapter 974

    As soon as Zane walked in, Linden and a few others jumped up, all their eyes glued to him, looking pretty tense.


    Zane''s face was hard to read-somewhere between annoyed and just in tired. His hands were empty.


    He met the eager eyes of his students and knew exactly what they wanted to hear. With a slight smile, he said, "The application''s been submitted. Mr. Calvin said he''ll take it to Mr. Belcher this afternoon."


    Everyone seemed to rx a bit at that; at least it wasn''t a t-out rejection.


    "Does that mean we might get a response today?" Linden asked, his eyes practically sparkling with hope.


    Thinking of Mr. Calvin''s earlier attitude, Zane wasn''t too sure, but he couldn''t bring himself to crush their hopes. ¡°We should hear back in a day or two at thetest,¡± he said with a reassuring grin. "Don''t worry, I don''t see any problems with our project."


    If push came to shove, he''d take it up with Mr. Belcher directly.


    Linden, Kason, and Jessie looked even more excited.


    They were all really passionate about making this research project happen.


    Mirabe, standing a bit to the side, seemed deep in thought, giving Zane a spective look.


    Zane decided not to drag it out and waved his hand, "Alright, everyone, go start prepping. The artificial life system needs a ton of virtual gic data and sequence data. This is going to be a long research project, and we''ll be busy."


    After a moment, as if remembering something, he turned to Mirabe, "Wait, Mirabe, stay behind."


    Linden, Kason, and Jessie nodded politely and quickly left the office.


    Leaning on his desk, Zane looked at Mirabe, "Don''t feel too pressured just because Linden and the others are ahead of you. With your skills, I''m confident you''ll do great."


    Thinking back to her impressive work on a previous project, Zane had a hunch that Mirabe might even surpass Linden and the others.


    Mirabe was quiet for a few seconds before speaking, "Professor, you never mentioned me joining the research team before."


    Zane coughed awkwardly, "...I think you''re more than capable of handling it." Mirabe''s expression wasplicated, clearly not buying his excuse.


    "The artificial life systems research is a project from the Institute of Technology. If we can add value to their work, there''ll be significant financial rewards, and it''ll attract more students to our department..."


    As Zane went on, Mirabe didn''t pay much attention but waited politely until he finished. Then she asked, "Significant financial rewards?"


    Zane paused, looking a bit taken aback, ¡°Uh?"


    "I get it." Mirabe nodded, looking serious as she held up her proposal. "It''s everyone''s duty to contribute to science, Zane. Don''t worry, I won''t let the team down."


    Zane was momentarily confused.


    Her attitude seemed to have shifted.


    "So, if there''s nothing else, can I go?" Mirabe was now full of determination.


    "Oh, yes, sure..." Zane nodded absently. It wasn''t until she was out the door that he snapped back to reality.


    Zane??


    **


    That afternoon, Calvin was getting ready to take some documents to Mr. Belcher. As he sorted through the papers, he noticed the funding application Zane had submitted, and his eyes narrowed.


    After a moment, a cold smirk appeared on his lips. He pulled out the application and locked it away in a drawer.

 Chapter 975

    Calvin strolled into Mr. Belcher''s office, finding Wade already there, deep in conversation about theirtest research.


    These two were big shots at the institute, both holding positions as researchers for a national organization, though their work took them down slightly different paths.


    "Mr. Belcher, here are the documents you asked for." Calvin, cradling a stack of papers, gently ced them on the desk.


    Mr. Belcher, at sixty-five, wore his wrinkles lightly, maintaining a stern andmanding presence, a stark contrast to Wade''sid-back demeanor. His air of authority was unmistakable.


    He nodded, signaling Calvin to leave.


    Just as Calvin was about to step out, Mr. Belcher recalled something and called him back.


    "I heard some of your research data got leaked?" Mr. Belcher''s brows knit together in concern. "How could you be so careless? Have you figured out who did it?"


    Calvin''s palms grew mmy at the mention of the leak. It was a serious issue. He nced from Mr. Belcher to Wade and back. "I''m sorry, it was my oversight. We haven''t identified the culprit yet."


    Calvin might have spilled the beans about Zane if Wade hadn''t been in the room. But today wasn''t the day for that...


    With no hard proof, Calvin had to bite his tongue.


    He couldn''t afford to cross Wade either.


    "You''ve really dropped the ball here," Mr. Belcher didn''t hold back.


    Calvin hung his head, taking the reprimand without a word.


    Wade, sipping his coffee, didn''t even bother to look at him. "I think some of the institute''s policies need revising," he remarked casually.


    Calvin kept his mouth shut.


    Mr. Belcher, surprised by the suddenment, asked, "Why''s that?"


    Wade shifted, leaning on the sofa''s armrest. "We need to avoid personal biases and the misuse of power, Mr. Belcher. What do you think?"


    Calvin''s face went ashen at Wade''s words.


    Mr. Belcher nced at Calvin, fully grasping the underlying message in Wade''s statement. Knowing Calvin''s tendencies, he nodded. "Absolutely, we can''t let the institute''s atmosphere get toxic."


    Wade smiled, smoothly changing the subject. "By the way, have you received the research proposal and funding request from the Informatics Department?"


    Calvin stiffened at the mention.


    "Not yet, but they have a research topic?" Mr. Belcher''s surprise was evident. "What''s it about?"


    Wade threw a quick look at Calvin before answering, "Artificial Life research."


    Mr. Belcher''s eyes lit up with recognition. "Is this the Technology Institute''s Artificial Life Systems project?"


    Wade nodded. "Exactly. Their Artificial Life system still needs work. If our institute can solve their problems, it''d be a major win."


    "That it would," Mr. Belcher, always one for boosting the institute''s rep, agreed. After a pause, he added, "But the Informatics Department hasn''t done much like this in years. The recent students haven''t exactly been standout, right?"


    "It''s not that they aren''t talented," Wade sighed, pausing for effect. "They just


    haven''t had the chance to shine. That''s why I''ve brought in some external help for their department."

 Chapter 976

    Mr. Belcher was caught off guard. "An external consultant?"


    "Yep, you know him-Ben," Wade said with a grin.


    "No way, him?" Mr. Belcher couldn''t believe it. "He''d join a student research group?"


    At just twenty-five, Ben was already a senior researcher at the National Institute


    for Life Sciences. He was incredibly independent and unique, rarely making public appearances unless it was for special research projects.


    "Maybe he''s just really into this research," Wade shrugged. "His expertise is exactly what those students need."


    "Alright then," Mr. Belcher nodded, then nced at the documents Calvin had just brought over. He looked up at Calvin. "Did you get the research proposal and funding application from the informatics department?"


    Calvin''s heart skipped a beat. "I got it... but I forgot to bring it up.''


    Mr. Belcher frowned slightly. "Go and get it."


    Calvin wiped the sweat from his forehead, nodding quickly. "I''ll get it right now."


    With that, he hurried out of the office.


    Wade shook his head at the scene. He didn''t say much more to Mr. Belcher, just stood up and said, "I need to head back to the institute, Mr. Belcher. You take care."


    "Sure, take care," Mr. Belcher replied, standing up to see him off.


    A short whileter, Calvin returned with the research proposal and funding application Zane had given him. Noticing Wade was gone, he paused for a moment, then carefully handed the documents to Mr. Belcher.


    Mr. Belcher took the proposal but didn''t look through it right away. His intense gaze settled on Calvin, and after a long pause, he finally spoke. "Do you know why I scolded you just now?"


    Calvin hung his head, not daring to meet his eyes. "It was my fault."


    Mr. Belcher tapped Calvin''s head with the documents. "You''re just being foolish. Wade might seem all smiles, but he''s the most cunning of all. Do you really think he was just mocking you in front of me?"


    Calvin looked up, confused.


    Seeing this, Mr. Belcher shook his head, walked over to his desk, pulled out a chair, and sat down with a heavy thud. "I personally promoted you. If he mocks you, isn''t he mocking me?"


    When Mr. Belcher had reached retirement age, the school had originally wanted to promote Wade to a professorship, but he wasn''t interested and declined. Later, Mr. Belcher was rehired, continuing his role.


    But Wade''s skills were well acknowledged. Even though both were senior national researchers, Wade''s abilities were undoubtedly superior.


    "Stop with your petty schemes and do something worthwhile for the department."


    Mr. Belcher regretted ever seeing potential in someone so unfit. He picked up a pen and signed Zane''s funding application without hesitation.


    Calvin bit his lip, hesitant to speak. But seeing Mr. Belcher sign the document, he couldn''t help but ask, "Aren''t you going to look at the proposal first?"


    Mr. Belcher''s lips twisted into a sneer. He tossed the pen aside, leaning back in his chair as if exhausted. "Is there a need to look? Wade brought in an external consultant. Do you think I have the luxury to disagree?"

 Chapter 977

    Calvin gave Mr. Belcher a quick nce. He didn''t know anything about Ben, hadn''t even heard the name before. But judging by Mr. Belcher''s attitude, it was clear this Ben guy wasn''t just anyone.


    After a pause, he said, "Wade''s never shown interest in this stuff before. Why''s he suddenly so invested in the institute''s research this year?"


    Mr. Belcher scoffed, "Who knows."


    "Is he trying topete with you for this year''s award?" Calvin blurted out.


    Every year, the school held a selection where the chosen professor or academician would receive a national honor medal, a recognition even more prestigious than a promotion. It was like the military''s annual honor medals.


    Mr. Belcher''s lips pressed together, his eyes darkening ominously. Clearly, Calvin had hit a nerve.


    **


    After leaving Mr. Belcher''s office, Calvin had someone deliver the approved funding application to Zane. Holding the form, Zane was in disbelief. He knew that after offending Mr. Calvin, getting the application approved wouldn''t be easy, let alone so quickly. He had even prepared to overstep his bounds and go directly to Mr. Belcher, but hadn''t expected the approval toe so easily.


    Quicklyposing himself, Zane felt a weight lift off his shoulders once the finance department received the funds. He then messaged Linden and the others to share the good news. Everyone reacted just like Zane-ecstatic, except for Mirabe, who seemed to have anticipated it.


    Without wasting time, Zane created a group chat on Messenger and added everyone. Linden, Kason, and Jessie hadn''t added Mirabe yet, so they quickly sent her friend requests. They all had a good impression of this polite, beautiful younger student and felt the need to look out for her.


    For a long time, they frequently asked Mirabe if she needed help with anything, to which she could only smile wryly.


    *


    A few dayster, Zane gathered everyone in the specially equipped bioputer ssroom. The artificial intelligence system was a brand-new research project, so the department had purchased a set of specialputer equipment for their work. Today, all the machines were finally installed and ready.


    After testing a few devices, Zane escorted the technicians out and let the students get ustomed to the machines. Mirabe turned one on and took a quick look. Although its performance wasn''t as good as Wade''s, it was more than sufficient for Al systems.


    While she remained calm, Linden and the others were like kids who had just discovered treasure. "These are definitely meant for professional research. Theseputers are so much better than the ones in the ssrooms!" Kason said, booting up the machine and opening the biological software.


    Linden nced at him, his expression serious, "The data system for artificial life is huge. Ordinary bioputers would crash once they start simting."


    Next to them, Jessie''s fingers flew over the keyboard. She made a couple of clicking noises before turning to Mirabe. Seeing her just looking at theputer, Jessie remembered that Mirabe might not be very skilled withputers. She coughed lightly, scooted her chair closer, and said, "Just treat thisputer like any ordinary one."


    Mirabe looked up, "..."

 Chapter 978

    As Jessie finished speaking, the two others who had been nning to continue evaluating theputer''s performance went silent.


    "This is just like any ordinaryputer," said Linden, his expression unchanging. Kason nodded in agreement, "Yeah, even simpler than most."


    Mirabe blinked in confusion.


    Jessie''s lips twitched slightly, unable to hide her exasperation at the obliviousness


    of the two guys.


    Not long after, Zane returned with someone in tow.


    The neer was dressed in light, casual clothes. He was tall and slender, carrying himself with the grace of a refined gentleman. Though undeniably handsome, his pale, smooth skin gave him an almost delicate appearance, making him seempletely harmless.


    Mirabe nced up at him briefly before looking away.


    "Hey everyone, meet Mr. Ben, the newest instructor here. He''s going to help us with the engineering aspects and join our research team for the AL system," Zane announced calmly.


    He didn''t know much about Ben''s background, but since Wade had rmended him personally, Ben was clearly someone significant.


    Ben smiled warmly at the group and nodded, "I''m Ben, looking forward to working with you all."


    With his good looks and polite demeanor, it was impossible to dislike him.


    After a few minutes of introductions, Zane and Ben moved to the side to discuss the research project.


    The research team was just getting started, and for the students diving into such aplex project for the first time, it felt like they were wandering in the dark.


    The AL system, or Artificial Life system, was based on artificial intelligence, incorporating vast amounts of gic data and operationalmands to simte human thought. The resulting chip had a wide range of potential applications.


    It could be imnted into the human body for disease detection or even to rece human thought, connecting with bodily cells to create new microorganisms and benefit society.


    However, the field of artificial life was still in its infancy, even among international scientists.


    It wasrgely unexplored territory.


    Mirabe stared at herputer, lost in thought, until Jessie''s hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality. She looked up, "Jessie?"


    "Feeling overwhelmed?" Jessie asked softly.


    To be honest, Jessie felt the pressure too, despite the project just beginning. But she couldn''t let it show in front of her junior.


    Comforted by the familiar concern, Mirabe touched her nose and replied, ¡°...I''m okay."


    She was just contemting a n that could win a hefty prize without drawing too much attention.


    "Take it easy. Mr. Zane said it himself, researching this project is going to be a long journey. Try to rx," Jessie reassured her.


    Hearing this, Mirabe simply grabbed the mouse and opened a piece of software


    on the desktop, "Let''s get to work."


    There was no time for taking it easy.


    After all, she was broke.


    Following Mirabe''s actions, Jessie''s gaze shifted to theputer screen. Watching Mirabe navigate GP programming, Jessie was momentarily stunned.


    Although Mirabe''sputing speed was almostughably slow, her logic was infuriatingly... solid.


    In the entire artificial AL field, gic programming was particrlyplex, not only due to the massive calctions required but also the need for precise mathematical logic. The algorithms were intricate, like a finely woven spider web, where a single mistake meant starting over.


    And among them, Jessie, Linden, and Kason all felt at a disadvantage, as none of them were particrly skilled in this area.

 Chapter 979

    Although none of them were particrly skilled in gic programming, when it came time to divvy up the work, Jessie jumped at the chance to take it on. Her math skills were just a smidge better than Linden''s and Kason''s.


    Now, Mirabe? She wasn''t even in the running for this task-it was way tooplex. Giving her this job would be setting her up to fail, and Jessie wasn''t about to do that.


    Right then... Jessie stood next to Mirabe for what felt like forever, and finally, she couldn''t keep it in any longer. "Damn!" she swore.


    Seriously, was this girl a human supeputer? Mirabe didn''t seem to need simtions or algorithms; she just dove right in like it was nothing.


    Linden and Kason, still figuring out how to start, were taken aback by Jessie''s uncharacteristic outburst.


    ¡°Uh, Jessie, you okay?¡± Linden asked, his cheeks twitching as he watched her gaze locked onto Mirabe''s screen. After a brief pause, he got up and wandered over to see what was going on.


    After staring at the screen for a minute, Linden had the same reaction as Jessie, albeit internally.


    He finally got why Mr. Zane let a freshman join their research team. Herputing skills were off the charts. Even if she wasn''t that familiar withputers, slow and steady wins the race, right?


    The three of them were instantly humbled.


    They quickly went back to their own seats, their confusion gone. It was like a light bulb went off, and they started working methodically on their respective tasks.


    Jessie thought, "Thank goodness myputer skills are decent."


    Linden mused, "I really can''t let myself look slow in front of the freshman."


    Kason nned, "Next time, I could show the freshman a fewputer tricks."


    Zane and Ben finished their conversation and looked up to see their students intensely focused on theirputers. They were momentarily stunned. What had gotten into them?


    Ben, who had noticed the earliermotion, raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. After ncing at Mirabe, he suggested to Zane that they check it out and then strolled over to her.


    Herputer screen was filled with dense data, and each time amand prompt popped up, Mirabe slowly inputted a value. With each confirmation, a green dot appeared, signaling correctness, while errors would have shown red. So far, no red dots.


    Even though some detailed steps were hidden by themand prompts, anyone familiar withputing could guess the content. The steps were simplified, the logic clear and adaptable-familiar yet somehow more advanced.


    Ben''s eyes revealed a hint of surprise. It was his first time seeing such a method. Fascinated, he kept his questions to himself.


    Zane came over and, seeing the data on the screen, his eyes widened in shock before turning to delight. He hadn''t been wrong in picking her; herputing skills were no joke, definitely on par with Linden and the others.


    The only thing was, her calction speed... was it deliberately slow? It felt like she was taking it easy.


    Justst week in Meg''sb ss, she had whipped up a 3D model in two minutes that would take anyone else thirty.


    Zane looked at Mirabe with a puzzled expression.

 Chapter 980

    Mirabe noticed two people standing behind her. She saved her progress on theputer, turned her head slightly, and looked at them with a hint of confusion.


    Zane had been about to ask why her calctions were slower today but figured she might be taking her time to be extra careful. So instead, he just said, "Keep doing your thing. Don''t mind us."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, said "Oh," and went back to her work. After ncing at her steps, she pondered for a few seconds and then deliberately slowed down even more.


    She was using a more straightforwardputational form than the standard methods, skipping many steps. To match the time others spent, she had to dial down her speed. Plus, to her senior colleagues, she was still a newbie inputing.


    Zane noticed this and was puzzled: ¡°??"


    The afternoon passed with everyone in theb crunching data, and it wasn''t until after five that they wrapped up.


    Mirabe saved her work and shut down herputer. Jessie, who was packing up her drafts, looked up and asked, "Hey Mira, wanna grab dinner at the cafeteria? Maybe hang out at my dorm after?"


    Jessie was from out of state and, even as a grad student, still lived in the dorms. Not just her, but Linden and Kason too-they were the type who rarely left campus, fully immersed in their studies.


    Mirabe smiled, "I don''t live on campus."


    "Wait, you''re a local?" Jessie blinked in surprise.


    "Not exactly. My family has a ce here," Mirabe exined briefly.


    Jessie''s eyes widened, "Wow, I didn''t know you were loaded!"


    In Riverdale, where housing prices were sky-high, owning a ce meant serious cash. Jessie looked at her enviously.


    Seeing this, Mirabe quickly corrected, "Oh, I''m just staying with rtives." She nced at her watch. "I gotta go, or I''ll miss dinner."


    Jessie let out an "Ah," her mind wandering to something Mirabe had said, and suddenly sighed sympathetically, "Poor kid."


    Mirabe, already at the door, stumbled slightly.


    **


    At the campus gate.


    Mirabe got into the car, buckled her seatbelt, and nced around. She raised an eyebrow, "You got a new car?"


    Ah, the perks of being rich-behind the shabby exterior were high-end parts.


    James hummed softly, started the engine, and the car slowly pulled away. "The other one''s in for a service."


    Remembering thest incident, Mirabe nodded, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, andzily turned her gaze to the window. The window was rolled down just enough to stop at her nose.


    Next to them, a sedan was cruising with its window also half-down. The driver''s silhouette looked kind of familiar.


    Maybe it was her gaze, but the driver in the sedan turned to look her way. For a moment, his eyes seemed deep and intense before he looked away.


    Ben recognized Mirabe and smirked slightly-an expression she couldn''t see- before casually looking away.


    Ahead was a crossroad, the light green. In the next minute, both cars signaled to turn-one left, the other right.

 Chapter 981

    As they rounded the corner, Ben nced out the window again, his eyes deep and contemtive, lingering until the car in the rearview mirror was no longer visible. Only then did he press the button to close the window.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe''s fingers drummed an erratic rhythm on her knee, her gaze still fixed outside. She seemedpletely unfazed by the sight of Ben.


    James, seemingly unaware of the earlier moment, nced up at Mirabe. "I''ve got somethingter, so I''ll drop you home first," he said.


    Mirabe finally turned her gaze away from the window, nodding as she closed it. "Okay, you go ahead."


    James responded with a soft hum.


    Not long after, his phone rang. He nced at the caller ID, then promptly put on his headset and answered.


    It was Curtis, who got straight to the point. "James, are you with Ms. Mirabe right now?"


    "Yeah," James replied, his light-colored outfit making him look even more aloof. "What''s up? Just spill it."


    "We''ve got awork issue over at Sam''s that I can''t fix. I think Ms. Mirabe could help, but I messaged her on Messenger and she didn''t reply," Curtis exined quickly.


    James paused for a moment, then said, "I''ll ask her." He nced at Mirabe. "Mirabe, you free tonight?"


    Hearing her name in that low, familiar voice, Mirabe paused, then nodded. "...I should be."


    "Alright," James told Curtis, e by in forty minutes."


    Curtis agreed with obvious relief.


    After hanging up, James removed his headset and tossed it aside. "Could you do me a favor?"


    As he spoke, he signaled to turn, redirecting the car towards Defense District Street.


    Mirabe nced at him; it was clear he hadn''t given her much of a choice.


    "For a fee, of course," James added.


    Initially lounging in her seat, Mirabe straightened up at his words. "Sure, what do you need help with?"


    James''s cheeks twitched slightly before he replied, "Just fixing awork issue."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Curtis can''t handle it again?"


    "He''d go into hiding if he heard you," James chuckled lightly.


    Mirabe pressed a finger to her forehead, brushing away her bangs with a stylish move. "People grow through challenges."


    James just gave her a look and said nothing more.


    Thirty minutester, the car pulled up to the side entrance of the National Security Building.


    Curtis, having timed their arrival perfectly, was already waiting outside. Seeing James''s car approach, he quickly stood up and walked over.


    Hearing the car unlock, he respectfully opened the driver''s side door, then walked around the car to open the door for Mirabe as she was about to step out.


    "Ms. Mirabe," Curtis greeted with a slight nod.


    Mirabe nodded back, stepping out and looking towards the imposing door ahead.


    The thick metal door at the entrance gleamed with a mix of majesty and cold light, the solid walls adorned with infrared sensors and cameras pointed directly at her.


    Mirabe remained silent for a moment until James joined her side. She then looked up at him. "This is where we''re fixing thework issue?"

 Chapter 982

    James stood tall and straight, his towering figure practically shielding Mirabe from view. His expression didn''t change as he cleared his throat and simply


    dered, "Wealthy!"


    Mirabe: "..."


    Nearby, Curtis was puzzled, wondering what on earth James was talking about. It seemedpletely out of the blue and unrted.


    Mirabe thought it over and realized that securing thework for the National Security Building was indeed a lucrative deal. She adjusted her coat, "Let''s get going. The sooner we finish, the better."


    "Agreed." James nodded, then nced at Curtis, who was still utterly confused, and gave him a nudge with his foot.


    Curtis snapped back to reality, scratched his head, and walked over to the metallic door, pressing the buzzer.


    Soon after, the door opened. Curtis shed his ID badge, and only then did the second, password-protected door unlock. He turned around, "James, Ms. Mirabe, please go ahead. I''ll park the car."


    With that, he headed back to the roadside, bent down, and got into the driver''s seat.


    As James entered, the guard at the entrance, armed with a rifle, saw him and immediately saluted in a standard military fashion before allowing them through. A closer look at the guard''s demeanor revealed utmost respect.


    Mirabe followed by James''s side, passing sentries along the way, not to mention the infrared security systems hidden around. She smirked slightly and whispered, "Are you sure I don''t need a blindfold before entering?"


    James nced at Mirabe, seeing her not the least bit nervous but rather intrigued, he raised an eyebrow, "This isn''t a military base."


    "As amoner, getting to enter such a revered ce is an eye-opener for me," Mirabe remarked.


    But the eye-opening experience was a minor detail.


    Entering the National Security Building in broad daylight, and earning a fortune in the process, was the main event.


    James''s lips twitched.


    Before long, they passed through several security checks and entered the building. The elevator required fingerprint identification, which James provided before stepping in.


    Mirabe cast an amused nce at him before following.


    The surveince operations were housed on the seventh floor, and the elevator quickly reached their destination.


    Leading the way, James saw a technician pacing anxiously in the distance. Upon seeing James, the technician hurried over.


    "James," the technician greeted respectfully, then nced at Mirabe. Without the time to wonder about her identity, he looked past Mirabe anxiously as if expecting someone else.


    Seeing no third person, the technician hesitated, "Uh, James, didn''t Mr. Curtis say you were bringing an expert? Haven''t they arrived yet?"


    He then looked towards the elevator again.


    James, with his usual coolposure, nced at the technician and simply pointed at Mirabe, "This is the person."


    Upon hearing this, the technician gasped, disbelief evident on his face.


    It wasn''t that he was sexist; it was just the idea of such a youngputer expert, even more proficient than Mr. Curtis, that seemed far-fetched, no, downright eerie.


    However, his disbeliefsted only a minute before heposed himself.


    A person of James''s stature wasn''t known for jesting. If he personally brought someone, they were bound to bepetent.


    The security department''swork had been extensivelypromised, and all colleagues had failed to repair it. If it wasn''t fixed soon, chaos would ensue.


    Taking a deep breath, the technician politely nodded at Mirabe and gestured, "Please, follow me."

 Chapter 983

    The tech guy led the way through the corridor, passing several security doors before finally reaching thework control center.


    The control room was massive, packed with thetest surveince gear. Besides the seven or eight techies working there, two robots were also buzzing about.


    Kyle, the tech who had brought Mirabe and James in, guided Mirabe to the main control console, politely asking a colleague to give up his spot.


    He gestured to the huge screen ahead and quickly exined, "As you can see, thework''s getting hit with continuous breaches and virus attacks. We''re struggling to keep up with the repairs using our current programs."


    The other technicians, neck-deep in emergency fixes, only nced at Mirabe briefly, too caught up in their tasks to show any surprise or ask questions.


    This wasn''t just some ordinary household or corporatework; it was the nation''s securitywork. Every second of dy could lead to massive damage.


    While everyone else was tight-lipped and tense, Mirabe simply watched the flickering data on the big screen, her expression uncharacteristically serious.


    James looked at her, paused, and then softly said, "Don''t stress yourself out too much."


    He knew Mirabe was a whiz withputers, but this was a unique kind ofwork sabotage that had even the security department at a loss.


    Mirabe just smirked and raised her arm. "No worries, think of it as practice." She pulled over a chair and sat down.


    The techies nearby, overhearing her, couldn''t help but take a second look at Mirabe.


    History showed that those who talked big often ended up with egg on their face, especially in critical situations like this!


    James stepped aside, giving Mirabe enough space to work undisturbed. Catching the technicians'' curious nces, he spoke just loud enough for everyone to hear, "If she can''t fix it, there''s no one else in the country who can."


    His words were just loud enough to carry across the room, and almost immediately, all eyes were on Mirabe.


    Now the center of attention, Mirabe''s fingers were already flying over the keyboard of the main controlputer. This keyboard was different from ordinary ones, but it didn''t slow her down.


    The main issue was a copsed firewall. With a hint of amusement, Mirabe quickly typed a series ofmands, gaining ess to the firewall in seconds. Shaking her head at the sight of the heavily modified code, she spoke without looking up, "If you don''t fix the firewall first and just keep hammering away atwork repairs, it''s no wonder you can''t get it right."


    As she spoke, Mirabe started typing inmands, patching up the system piece by piece.


    Kyle, standing by, watched the screen in amazement as the repair codes shed by too quickly for him to follow. With eachmand Mirabe entered, the fragmented firewall began to rebuild itselfyer byyer.


    As the firewall was restored, the technicians working on otherputers felt a significant relief.


    "Network A''s interface is repaired."


    "Port B is fixed too."


    "C port is almost done."


    "G..."


    At this point, Kyle was at a loss for words, staring in awe at Mirabe as shepleted the final steps of the repair. He opened his mouth, finally managing to voice a response to her earlierment.

 Chapter 984

    ...Actually, it''s not that we''re not trying to fix the firewall, it''s that we can''t even get into it," Kyle said with a wry smile.


    From the moment they discovered thework was under attack, leading to catastrophic failures, they had tried countless times to prate the firewall, only to be bounced out every single time.


    They knew it was a virus, but they were helpless!


    Mirabe pressed the confirm button, barely uttering two words: "Alright then."


    Kyle felt an overwhelming sense of inferiority, wishing a hole would open up in the ground for him to disappear into.


    He had been standing behind Mirabe the whole time, watching her navigate, especially when she effortlessly essed the firewall. At that moment, he almost thought they weren''t trying to ess the same firewall.


    Kyle''sputer skills weren''t top-notch, but they were definitely solid, and the same could be said for his colleagues in the security department.


    They were all ranked within the top five nationally and within the top twenty globally.


    With such skills, they couldn''t even breach a firewall, which was embarrassing, to say the least.


    Mirabe didn''t bother with what Kyle was thinking. After fixing the firewall, she remembered something James had mentioned about ''having funds'' and suddenly looked up at Kyle, "How about I build you a more advanced firewall?"


    Honestly, she had never seen such a weak firewall, no wonder it was breached so easily.


    Even though she sensed disdain from an expert, Kyle waspletely convinced, nodding repeatedly, "Thank you, genius!"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and then resumed her work on theputer.


    Ten minutester, a brand new firewall instantaneously enveloped the entire national security building''swork, with dozens ofyers intricately connected, creating a series of protective protocols. Not to mention breaching, even cracking it would be a headache.


    It would be impossible to solve in less than ten days to a fortnight.


    Mirabe stood up from the chair, giving her spot to Kyle for him to see for himself.


    Kyle eagerly took the mouse and opened the program''s source code. After a long while, his facial expression went from initial shock to numb astonishment.


    All he could think internally was, "Holy cow."


    This wasn''t just a firewall; it was clearly a brainteaser!


    And one that could easily stump a bunch of experts in ten minutes!


    Considering the level of difficulty, not just them, but possibly even the world''s number one hacker might not be able to break through it.


    Kyle wiped his face, feeling like his years as a programmer were for naught.


    Not just him, at this moment, the other colleagues in the control room also felt incredibly disheartened.


    They had never seen such a youngputer wizard.


    And with the firewall recement, thework security issue was easily resolved, without needing Mirabe to lift a finger for the simple repairs, something the security team could handle on their own.


    At this time, Curtis, who had just parked the car and returned, walked into the control room, sensing the odd atmosphere. He nced at the technicians still fixing thework, feeling a sudden sense of dread.


    Could even Ms. Mirabe not fix it?


    He quickly walked over to Kyle''s side.


    Upon closer inspection, Curtis saw that Kyle wasn''t repairing thework issue, but was looking at programmands. He asked, "Why did you stop?"


    Kyle, still engrossed in the fascinating program code, took a moment to respond before looking up, somewhat confused, "Stop what?"


    After a brief silence, Curtis asked, "Is thework fixed already?"

 Chapter 985

    "Yeah, thanks to James bringing in the expert, it''s all sorted now," Kyle said, not missing the chance to butter up Mirabe with a wide grin.


    Curtis hadn''t really paid much attention to the firewall software, but hearing Kyle''sment, he rxed a bit. For a moment there, he thought even Ms. Mirabe couldn''t handle it.


    But then Curtis caught on and shot Kyle a frosty look, pressing his lips together.


    Calling her an expert, what a suck-up! It was him who had called Ms. Mirabe for help!


    James'' phone rang in his pocket. He pulled it out calmly, had a brief conversation, and then hung up. Looking over at Mirabe, he said, "I need to go meet someone. Will you wait for me here?"


    Mirabe waved her hand dismissively, "Sure, go ahead."


    James gave her a nce and then walked out of the control center with purpose.


    Mirabe dragged a chair over and sat near Kyle, who had just closed the programming codes. He turned to her, "Hey, can you help us trace the source IP of this attack?"


    Mirabe casually rested her hand on the armrest, her eyebrows arching slightly at Kyle''s request. "Sure thing!"


    Kyle''s face lit up. "You''re the best! Thanks a million!"


    "No worries," Mirabe nodded, spinning her chair back to face the mainputer. Her long, pale fingers danced over the keyboard. "Just make sure the payment''s generous."


    Kyle''s mouth fell open, momentarily at a loss for words. This wasn''t quite the image he had of the expert.


    Curtis suddenly remembered what James had said downstairs about ''having deep pockets.'' His expression grewplicated.


    James was really... not even sparing his own team now.


    Shaking his head, Curtis looked up at the big screen in front of him.


    The mainputer controlled the entirework, security, and defense of the control center, boasting incredibly fast processing speeds and top-tier hardware and software. At that moment, the screen looked like a curtain of stars, with code flickering across it.


    Curtis could hardly make out the sequences before they disappeared.


    A few minutester, a blue satellite cloud map appeared on the screen with a red dot blinking on it.


    "Done." Mirabe barely nced at it, not bothering to zoom in on the precise location. She slid her chair back and stepped away from the mainputer.


    Kyle watched Mirabe closely. After a pause, his gaze narrowed, and he quickly zoomed in on the satellite map. Seeing the final location, his expression changed. The next second, he closed the screen.


    Kyle looked at Mirabe again, wanting to say something, but in the end, he kept quiet and walked out of the control center.


    He stepped outside to make a call.


    The rest of the team continued with their work, but now that the IP address had been located, they exchanged nces, and the atmosphere grew tense.


    Mirabe seemed oblivious to the change in the room, idly tapping her toes on the floor. After a few minutes, she looked up at Curtis and asked where the restroom


    was.


    Curtis nodded slightly and quickly led her to the restroom.


    Curtis didn''t leave immediately but stood waiting in the corridor outside, his expression colder than usual, his gaze filled with added wariness.

 Chapter 986

    As soon as Curtis stood in the hallway for barely a minute, a group of people in distinctive uniforms started approaching him from the other end.


    Curtis frowned, his fingers tensing slightly in his trouser pocket.


    When the group got closer, the man leading them looked at Curtis with an even sterner and more rigid expression, "Where is she?"


    "Isn''t this approach a bit much?" Curtis scanned the six elite guards behind the man, his face impassive.


    "For the safety of James''s friend, this is just standard procedure. Once this is over, she will naturally be released," the leader said, his voice as mechanical and cold as a robot.


    "Her safety isn''t your responsibility," Curtis muttered, pressing his lips together.


    From the moment the IP address was located, he had anticipated something like this happening.


    He had thought it was just a simple online issue but hadn''t expected it to escte. If he''d known, he definitely wouldn''t have called James to ask Ms. Mirabe to


    "Mr. Yang, this is an order from above. Please, let James''s friende out," the man''s tone wasn''t hostile, but it wasn''t friendly either. He tilted his head slightly, signaling his subordinates with a look.


    Upon receiving themand, the subordinates stepped forward, forming a tight circle around Curtis, while another headed towards the restroom.


    "Carter, I advise you not to mess with James''s people," Curtis red at those surrounding him. Five men, really?


    A small smile appeared on Carter''s face as he replied in a strictly professional tone, "How can this be considered messing? James''s friend is now involved in confidential matters. Mr. Yang, you know this concerns national security. Not to mention James, even if Sam were here, we''d treat them the same, especially since I''m following orders from above."


    Curtis''s expression darkened. He knew full well that Ms. Mirabe was brought by James, yet they still proceeded. Truly relentless.


    After using the restroom, Mirabe stepped out to see a person in special military attire standing by the door. Her eyes narrowed slightly, then she walked out calmly.


    The man paused for a second upon seeing Mirabe, "Are you James''s friend?" They didn''t know Mirabe''s name, only that Mr. Curtis had brought her here.


    "Oh, no," Mirabe replied indifferently.


    Denial was her response.


    The man frowned, noticing she wasn''t wearing an ID badge, which was mandatory for all internal staff here. It was clear she was deliberately denying it.


    Immediately, he said, "Pleasee with us." He gestured politely.


    "Who are you with?" Mirabe didn''t resist; instead, she asked calmly as she walked forward, showing no signs of fear.


    The man just nced at Mirabe, slightly surprised, but he didn''t answer since it wasn''t his ce to say.


    Seeing that he wouldn''t respond, Mirabe didn''t press further. Turning the corner into the hallway, she saw Curtis encircled from afar, apparently in the midst of a conflict and about to make a move.


    Approaching, Mirabe called out to Curtis. His expression softened slightly at her voice. He looked at Mirabe with a hint of guilt in his eyes and lowered his raised hand.


    After a pause, he said, "They''re officers from the security department," Curtis exined briefly.

 Chapter 987

    Mirabe arched an eyebrow and looked directly at Carter, the leader of the group. He had the strong presence typical of a soldier, but right now, his demeanor felt more hostile than anything else.


    Mirabe gave him a once-over, then nodded slightly as she said, "Oh, so after I solve your problem, you''re nning to lock me up, huh?"


    Carter''s eyes focused on her face. It was surprising to see someone so young handle a cyber issue so effectively. Despite her appearance, which was no different from any other young woman, there was a subtle air of confidence about her that didn''t go unnoticed.


    She clearly wasn''t intimidated by him.


    Carter narrowed his eyes and smirked. With a no-nonsense tone, he said, "I think you''ve got it wrong. We''re not here to lock you up; we''re here to make sure you stay safe for a while. You wouldn''t want any trouble, right?"


    "Ms. Mirabe''s safety is our responsibility at James Corporation," Curtis stepped in front of Mirabe, his voice cold.


    "Mr. Curtis, this is the Department of Homnd Security. Interfering with our dutypromises our rtionship. Why make it difficult?" Carter didn''t want to hear anymore. He gestured towards Mirabe, his voice firm, "Ms. Mirabe, pleasee with us."


    Curtis narrowed his eyes and took a small step forward.


    Before he could do anything else, Mirabe patted his shoulder, stepping forward without much concern. She said to Curtis, "It''s fine. As a citizen, I should have the right to be protected."


    Curtis''s face twitched, his eyes showing a mix of emotions. Finally, he nodded and said in a deep voice, "Don''t worry, Ms. Mirabe. James will be here soon."


    He put extra emphasis on the name James, clearly hinting at something.


    Carter noticed and inwardly scoffed, thinking they were overly confident.


    Mirabe waved at Curtis, following Carter. Her voice floated back, "Don''t forget to remind him to add apensation for emotional distress."


    Curtis was left speechless.


    As he watched Mirabe and Carter disappear down the corridor, Curtis reached for his phone to call his boss at James Corporation, only to find there was no signal.


    Frowning, he walked around, but no matter where he went, there was no signal anywhere.


    It was clear a signal jammer had been activated throughout the building.


    Curtis''s mood sank instantly.


    **


    Elsewhere.


    On the neenth floor, in an office.


    James lounged on the sofa, a coffee cup held elegantly between his fingers. After a moment, he said indifferently, "Tell them to forget about it."


    Sam, knowing his nephew''s personality well, pondered for a few seconds before suggesting, "Or maybe apromise? Could we develop a modified version?"


    James raised an eyebrow, "Sam, if I didn''t know you better, I''d think they bribed you."


    Sam''s face darkened immediately, "You little rascal, who are you kidding? Believe it or not, I''ll throw you into boot camp for two weeks!"


    "Oh, I''m not eight anymore," James replied lightly.


    Sam coughed, looked away, and took a big gulp from the coffee cup on the table before steering the conversation back, "Why not consider a modified version?"

 Chapter 988

    "Laziness," James nodded, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "I just don''t feel like moving."


    Sam easily picked up on the half-hearted response. Though a bit disappointed, he didn''t push it.


    After all, he knew his nephew had a good head on his shoulders. If the weapon couldn''t be mass-produced or improved, there had to be a reason.


    "Alright, I get it," Sam said, waving his hand dismissively.


    James grunted in acknowledgment.


    "By the way, have you heard from your dad recently?" Sam switched gears.


    James sighed and shook his head, a resigned look crossing his face. "He''s always been elusive, always on the move. My team lost track of him ages ago."


    Sam''s lips twitched in annoyance. Even though Emmitt was his brother, he couldn''t help but wonder how James could be so nonchnt about his father''s whereabouts.


    James, catching onto Sam''s thoughts, added with a hint of disdain, "He''s as slippery as an eel. Finding him would take a miracle."


    Shaking his head, James nced at his watch. It was gettingte. He put down his coffee cup and stood up. "I''ve got to go, Uncle. Anything else?"


    Sam checked the time too. "How about joining me for dinner?"


    James raised an eyebrow, his reply casual, "Nah, I''ve got ns." Sam: "..."


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that the kid was getting a bit too cocky.


    "Just go!" Sam grumbled loudly, reaching for his phone to arrange dinner, only to find there was no signal.


    That was weird; there shouldn''t be a signal issue here.


    Just as James was about to open the door and leave, Sam called out, "Wait,


    didn''t you have someonee over to fix the wifi?"


    James looked up, "Hmm? What about it?"


    "Is it fixed?" Sam asked again.


    James took out his phone, checking for a signal. Nothing.


    With a slightly furrowed brow, as if struck by a thought, James opened the door and quickly left without another word.


    Watching him hurry off, Sam scratched his head in confusion.


    **


    James took the elevator straight down to the seventh floor, his handsome features set in a serious expression.


    Upon returning to the control center, he noticed the tech team was still busy, but Mirabe and Curtis were nowhere to be seen.


    Kyle, spotting James, quickly came over and greeted him respectfully.


    James''s gaze was icy as itnded on Kyle. "Where are they?"


    Kyle, not daring to meet James''s eyes, replied with his head bowed, "Your friend went to the restroom and... hasn''te back yet. She was with Mr. Curtis."


    Hearing this, James''s expression remained unchanged, but the chill around him intensified. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "What did you have her look up for you?"


    Kyle''s hands, clenched at his sides, were sweaty. "We... we just looked up an IP address."


    After speaking, Kyle felt an oppressive cold envelop him.


    He risked a nce at James and hesitated for a moment before adding in a low voice, "Carter stopped by earlier."


    At the mention of Carter, James''s brow furrowed slightly, but then he turned and left the control center without another word.


    As soon as James was gone, Kyle''s tense nerves rxed, and he leaned against


    a nearby table, his legs still trembling.


    Talking to him felt like standing in an ice cer-utterly terrifying.

 Chapter 989

    Thew enforcement department of the security agency was on the third floor. Offices were to the east, and special rooms, like the istion room, were to the south.


    The southern section was particrly secure, with several metal doors under tight control. Without an ess card, getting in was impossible.


    James took the elevator straight to the third floor, walked through several automatic doors along the corridor, and stopped at the first metal door. His expressionless face reflected off the ss window to his right, giving him an aura of a warrior.


    Curtis, who had been waiting outside the metal door, stepped forward as he saw him. "James."


    Without an ess card, Curtis could only wait outside.


    James slightly lifted his arm and looked through the gaps above the metal door frame at the fully armed guards inside. With a slight purse of his lips, hemanded, "Open the door."


    The guard met James''s gaze, and his body tensed involuntarily. Even through the door, the chilling aura couldn''t be contained. Clenching his weapon tighter and recalling the orders from above, he reluctantly responded, "I''m sorry."


    James''s eyes narrowed slightly, then focused on the lock of the metal door as his fingers twitched slightly.


    Seeing this, Curtis''s face changed drastically. He stepped forward, blocking the lock, and spoke to the guard inside in a stern voice, "Aren''t you going to call Carter over? Do you really want to see this ce destroyed?"


    The guard, reminded of the rumors about the Shepherd family, stepped back and turned to go inside.


    Curtis watched the guard leave, breathed a sigh of relief, turned to James with a face void of emotion, "James, don''t be rash. This is a secure facility after all."


    James gave Curtis a cold look. "You think I''m afraid?"


    Curtis, sweating profusely, pressed his hand against the metal door. "They wouldn''t dare touch Ms. Mirabe. If not for anything else, think about Sam."


    James remained expressionless.


    Then Curtis remembered something and quickly added, "Right, when Ms. Mirabe left with Carter, she asked me to tell you... she demandspensation for emotional distress."


    Hoping his message would have some effect, James''s killer intent seemed to freeze at that moment, and after a while, he let out a lightugh.


    She''s really bold.


    The tension around James dissipated, returning to his usual calm demeanor.


    Curtis, noticing the change, silently wiped the sweat from his palms and rxed his tense body, stepping aside with his gaze lowered.


    He hadn''t expected Ms. Mirabe''s words to be so effective.


    In the istion room.


    Mirabe sat in a chair with her legs crossed, a small table in front of her, and Carter seated across from her.


    "What''s your rtionship with James?" Carter narrowed his eyes at Mirabe''s nonchnt demeanor, a hint of displeasure in his gaze.


    This girl was truly fearless, her arrogance mirroring that of a member of the Shepherd family.


    Mirabe leaned backzily, too indifferent to even raise an eyebrow, "Oh, are you interrogating a prisoner here?"


    With a flick of her finger and a curl of her lips, she added, "I solve a problem for you, and this is how you treat a hero?"


    Carter let out a shortugh, "A hero? Do you even know the caliber of people in the control center?"


    Mirabe seemed intrigued now, tilting her head toward Carter and nodding, "Go on, I''m listening."


    Ignoring the provocation from the woman across him, Carter mmed his hands down on the table, making a loud bang, "Those are some of the topputer experts in the country. You think you can fix awork issue they couldn''t? Think I''m a fool?!"


    Goodnight, see you tomorrow.

 Chapter 990

    Mirabe sped her hands together, her index finger casually twirling in the air,pletely unfazed by Carter''s hostility. "So, if they can''t fix thework, no one can? Did I get that right?"


    Carter, not in the mood for a verbal spar, replied icily, "Be smart and give up your aplices."


    The implication was clear: the only reason Mirabe could fix a problem that had stumped the country''s topputer experts was because she was in cahoots with the cyber attacker.


    Mirabe chuckled softly, "Sorry, ''be smart'' isn''t in my vocabry. Care to teach me?"


    Carter''s face darkened immediately. "So, you prefer the hard way over an easy one, huh?"


    He turned to his subordinate, "Bring me the whip."


    The subordinate hesitated, ncing at Mirabe. Instead of moving, he leaned in and whispered to Carter, "Is this really a good idea? She''s under James''s protection. If we touch her, exining it won''t be easy."


    Carter smirked dismissively. "She''s just a woman. Do you really think the Shepherd family cares? Besides, for national security, what''s the harm in a little persuasion? Can James really cover the sky with one hand?"


    The subordinate, still uneasy, mulled it over and reluctantly agreed. How much trouble could one woman cause?


    He left the cell but returned within a minute, holding a ck whip, its end darkened from blood.


    Carter took the whip, had the subordinate leave, and locked the door behind him.


    Now, it was just him and Mirabe in the cell.


    "Thought it through? Spill the beans and avoid a lot of pain," Carter said, cracking his neck and giving the whip a menacing tug, tension filling the room.


    Mirabe nced at the closed door, sat up straight, and casually rested her hands on the table. They probably thought she was harmless, so they didn''t bother tying her up.


    She rubbed her wrists and looked at Carter, suddenly asking, "Self-defense isn''t a crime, right?"


    Carter found the question amusing. He cracked the whip on the ground, making a loud snap. "Only if you can manage it."


    Mirabe licked her dry lips, her voice low, "Alright then."


    Theck of cameras in the room was quite convenient for her.


    Carter snickered coldly and swung the whip at her, not holding back despite her being a woman.


    Just as the whip was about to strike her hand, Mirabe caught it barehanded. A few strands of hair fell across her forehead, but they didn''t hide the fierce glint in her eyes.


    Carter''s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn''t expected her to catch the whip barehanded. He knew the force behind his swing; even a trained fighter might have struggled to catch it.


    This woman... Carter narrowed his eyes, suppressing his shock, and abruptly twisted the handle, trying to yank the whip back from Mirabe''s grasp.

 Chapter 991

    What he hadn''t anticipated was that not only did the whip fail tond, but the person in the chair didn''t budge an inch, as if an infinite strength was hidden in those slender hands.


    Carter froze in fear, "You..."


    He couldn''t even finish his sentence. The moment his eyes locked with Mirabe''s cold stare, it was like his throat was gripped by an invisible hand, leaving him utterly speechless.


    In the next instant, he felt a strange tingling in his hand. A powerful force yanked him forward, making him stumble and crash into the corner of a nearby desk, sprawling across it.


    Mirabe''s lips curled into a smirk. With a slight movement of her hand, the whip seemed toe alive, wrapping around her wrist, the handle pressing harshly against Carter''s cheek, distorting his face.


    Carter''s vision blurred, unable to see anything but the overwhelming sensation of beingpletely overpowered.


    Mirabe lifted a foot onto the chair, tilting her head slightly, her eyes deep and unreadable. Ignoring Carter''s shocked expression, she brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and chuckled, "So what if I''m a woman? Women hold up half the sky, and I can still take you down."


    Her words barely left her lips before Carter let out a miserable scream.


    The interrogation room had no surveince, and its soundproofing was top-notch. No matter how loud themotion or piercing the screams, no sound escaped to the outside.


    So, Carter''s men standing guard outside the door had no clue what was happening inside, standing at attention as usual.


    It wasn''t until five minutester, when they saw a group of people approaching from the other end of the corridor, that their expressions changed.


    One of them, rooted to the spot, hesitated before lightly tapping on the door behind him, but it was imperceptible to those inside.


    The head of security rushed over, sweat beading on his forehead, voice urgent, "Where''s Carter? And James''s friend?"


    Startled by the head''s tone, Carter''s subordinate nced nervously at the man standing behind the head, whose eyes were as cold as ice.


    Shivering, he bowed his head, "They''re... they''re all inside..."


    Hearing this, the head, knowing Carter''s temperament, felt his blood pressure spike, nearly fainting. He kicked his subordinate furiously, "Idiot, open the door now!"


    The subordinate, bowing low, quickly swiped his card and tried to push the door, but it wouldn''t budge. His face went pale, trembling, he said, "It''s... it''s locked from the inside..."


    The head''s breath hitched, and turning to James, he saw his face darken, a chill enveloping him instantly.


    Damn Carter, always causing trouble.


    Curtis thought about Carter''s character, and with Ms. Mirabe in his hands for over ten minutes... Curtis couldn''t even imagine what kind of torment Ms. Mirabe might have endured.


    Taking a deep breath, Curtis, face stern, grabbed Carter''s subordinate and moved him aside, then kicked the metal door violently several times, finally breaking it open.


    The door mmed against the wall with a loud bang, as if it could shake the whole building.


    Clenching his fists, Curtis barely dared to lift his head to see what sceney before him in the room.

 Chapter 992

    In the quiet room, there was a sense of peaceful harmony.


    Mirabe satzily in a chair, lookingpletely unharmed. On the other hand, Carter, who had been all arrogant and violent just moments ago, now huddled in a corner, his arms and legs tied up with a long whip. Despite his paleplexion, he didn''t seem to have any external injuries.


    The spectators, expecting a bloody scene, were left scratching their heads.


    After a brief moment of shock, James walked over to Mirabe. His open coat brought in a gust of cold air as he pulled her up from the chair, checking her over to make sure she was okay. Only then did he close his eyes, though the murderous intent in his gaze didn''t wane one bit.


    This wasn''t your run-of-the-mill interrogation room. People who ended up in here were either extremists, foreign spies, or internal traitors. Their fates usually involved death or something even more agonizing.


    "I''m sorry you had to go through this," James said, his voice hoarse, his usually stern demeanor softened.


    Mirabe gave a light smile and shook her head. "It''s fine. Just had to sit for a bit."


    James''s eyes darkened, but he simply raised his hand to touch her head before turning on Carter, who was cowering in the corner. In an instant, he grabbed Carter by the neck, lifted him off the ground, and mmed him against the wall. His eyes, cold as ice, bore into Carter. "You dared to touch what''s mine?"


    Carter, arms and legs bound and throat tightly gripped by James, couldn''t utter a word. Fear filled his eyes, and as James''s grip tightened, he felt his neck might snap at any second.


    The specter of death loomed over him once more.


    Finally, the team captain snapped out of it and hurried over. "James, this is all a misunderstanding. Your friend is fine now; let''s let Carter go."


    James''s lips curled into a cold smile as he nced at the captain. "A misunderstanding? Bringing someone here is a misunderstanding?"


    The captain, drenched in cold sweat, hadn''t anticipated that the person James cared about would be so important to him. Important enough to consider killing Carter.


    "Carter was just following protocol, and besides, this won''t look good on you, right?"


    Curtis also rushed over. "James, calm down. We need to get Ms. Mirabe out of here first."


    Although the captain didn''t want to let Carter go, keeping him wasn''t an option right now. If the Shepherd family made a drastic move, the consequences would be disastrous.


    Moreover, letting them leave could be seen as doing them a favor, showing they were acting justly, which would put James in a tougher spot.


    James finally released Carter, but in the next moment, he made a swift, fierce move and crippled Carter''s arms.


    A scream echoed through the room.


    Mirabe touched her forehead, thinking, "How tragic."


    Seeing this, the captain could only clench his fists in silence.


    Carter, having narrowly escaped death twice, sat on the ground with his arms grotesquely twisted at his sides. Fearing further harm, he quickly scrambled behind the captain.


    This man and woman were truly a terrifying duo.


    Carter''s subordinates, witnessing this, didn''t dare untie the whip binding his limbs. They quietly moved to his side, casting a wary nce in Mirabe''s direction.

 Chapter 993

    Carter was one of the toughest guys on the entirew enforcement team, with only a few who could take him down-let alone someone from the Shepherd family¡ªbut a girl managed to counter him? She looked like the least threatening person you could imagine.


    James ignored all the stares, walked back over to Mirabe, grabbed her hand, and headed for the door. As they passed the chief of thew enforcement team, James seemed to remember something. He stopped in his tracks and, without even ncing sideways, said, "Curtis, stay behind and settle the score with them." After that, he walked out of the detention room with Mirabe in tow.


    Curtis instantly understood what James meant. He nodded and said, "Got it."


    The chief, not grasping the full meaning, was stunned for a moment, thinking James wasn''t done with them yet. He lifted his head, looking towards the door, ready to follow, but Curtis stopped him in his tracks.


    The chief frowned. Even though he couldn''t take Curtis in a fight, his attitude wasn''t as deferential as it had been towards James. "Mr. Curtis, you..."


    Curtis raised his hand to cut him off, without saying a word. He pulled out his phone, dialed hiswyer right there, and put it on speaker. After briefly exining the situation, he hung up.


    Looking back at everyone in the room, Curtis wore a slight smirk, "You all heard that, right? Ten million, not a penny less."


    Before the chief could respond, Carter, finally pulling himself together, spat out through gritted teeth, "Aren''t you and James going too far? That woman didn''t get hurt at all!"


    If anyone should be imingpensation, it should be him. And now they were talking about mental damages?


    These two were truly despicable.


    Curtis looked down at Carter and let out a light scoff, "You should be thankful you''re worth anything at all."


    Otherwise, today would''ve been your funeral.


    "You!" Carter trembled with rage, his whole body shaking, momentarily forgetting the pain from his bruises.


    Curtis couldn''t be bothered to waste more words. He took out his phone, found an ount number, and sent it directly to the chief''s phone. "I sent you the ount number. I''m out."


    Without giving anyone a chance to speak, he strode out.


    Carter understood thatpensation was not optional. Seeing this, his face turned livid, and he struggled to get up.


    "Enough, Carter." The battalionmander raised his hand, his face no less unpleasant than Carter''s, "Arguing with him is pointless. You were out of line today."


    The only orders were to detain the person, not to use torture devices. Just that alone put them at a disadvantage.


    "But the point is, that woman wasn''t hurt at all!" Without James around, Carter was filled with intense hate. Being beaten by a woman and having to swallow his pride and paypensation? He couldn''t stomach this humiliation.


    The battalionmander suddenly looked at Carter, "Yeah, you''re the leader of the enforcement team, yet you couldn''t handle a woman. What right do you have to stand here and bellow?"


    If they had actually managed to subdue her, it might have been a different story, but now, payingpensation is the least of your worries.


    The battalionmander scoffed, "I think you shouldn''t be the leader anymore." With that, he left.


    Carter copsed back to his spot, his face dark and ominous.


    Meanwhile, James led Mirabe outside, passing through metal doors, with the guards not daring to stop them.


    When they reached the courtyard, Mirabe paused, looked up at James, and sighed lightly, "Leaving like this, does it affect you in any way?"

 Chapter 994

    James froze for a moment when he heard the words. He turned his head, his


    gaze falling on Mirabe''s face. Her eyes were bright, but there was a rare hint of seriousness in them. The hand holding her wrist tightened slightly as he replied softly, "No, it won''t happen."


    Mirabe nodded and smiled. "Good to hear that."


    "Mhm." James''s other hand gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Mirabe''s ear. "Don''t worry, I''m here for you."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when she noticed the elevator doors open not far away. A middle-aged man with a strong air of authority hurried out.


    The man rushed over. "James, what happened?" It was Sam, his voice tinged with urgency. "I just heard from someone downstairs that you had a run-in with the authorities?"


    After saying this, he finally noticed the beautiful young woman his nephew was holding hands with and paused.


    "Yeah, had a little issue," James replied casually, as if a visit to the authorities was no big deal.


    Sam momentarily shifted his gaze from Mirabe back to the matter at hand, sternly saying, "Rash actions, James. That ce isn''t somewhere you just barge into. Do you have any idea how many people are waiting for you to slip up...?"


    "So, I''ll leave the rest to you," James cut his uncle off, his gaze drifting into the distance.


    "What are you talking about?" Sam was confused, following his nephew''s line of sight.


    A group of people in dark suits, looking serious and imposing, was quickly approaching from the other end of the corridor.


    James looked away. "Uncle, we''ll be heading off. I''ll take you out for dinner some other time."


    With that, he pulled Mirabe towards the elevator. Luckily, it was still on their floor. The doors opened, and they stepped inside.


    Sam, finally snapping back to reality, was visibly irritated.


    This troublemaker... He suddenly wasn''t sure if he should voice his thoughts!


    **


    Upon reaching the ground floor, James and Mirabe exited the building. Soon after, Curtis came down and drove the car over.


    Curtis parked his car in front of James, then got out and handed over the keys.


    James nodded, opened the passenger door for Mirabe, and after she got in, he closed the door and turned to Curtis, saying casually, "Go find Sam. Tell him the advance order n fromst time-increase the amount by twenty percent."


    Curtis was slightly taken aback but soon nodded after ncing toward the passenger side. "I''ll go right now."


    "Mhm." James waved a hand and walked around to the driver''s side, quickly getting in.


    The car started and slowly drove off.


    Curtis stood there for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly before he turned and went back into the building.


    Thinking they could leverage something over James was utterly wishful thinking.


    *


    Throughout the drive, James was mostly silent, though he drove noticeably faster than usual.


    Mirabe also remained quiet, just sitting there peacefully. Nick called at some point, asking when she would be home.


    She gave him an approximate time and then hung up.


    Before long, the car arrived back at their residential area.


    However, the car didn''t head towards the vi where Mirabe lived. She opened her mouth, "...Nick is waiting."


    James hummed in response, but the car didn''t turn around, continuing toward his ce instead.


    Seeing this, Mirabe touched her nose.


    This was James in full-on protective mode.

 Chapter 995

    The car stopped smoothly in the garage, and James unbuckled his seatbelt, hopping out and striding over to the passenger side to open the door.


    Mirabe nced at him. As soon as her feet touched the ground, before she could fully step out, she was pulled tightly against his chest.


    The door behind her clicked shut, and in an instant, an overwhelming presence pushed her back, her spine pressing against the cold car door.


    James''s sharp, handsome features loomedrge in her eyes. She blinked, trying to speak, "You..."


    But he leaned in before she could finish, sealing her lips with his. Warm breath mingled between them.


    Mirabe''s mind exploded, as if something had ignited and then burst into mes. Her hands, resting against the car, felt cool, but it did nothing to quell the heat.


    His arm around her waist tightened, giving her no room to move. She tilted her head back, trying to escape the intense kiss.


    But before she could react, James''s free hand cradled the back of her head, leaving her no escape.


    The garage''s motion-sensing lights had long turned off. It felt like ages before James''s arms loosened slightly, though he still held her close. His forehead rested lightly against hers, his eyes a dark, intense shade, even though she couldn''t see them in the dark.


    After a moment, James cupped her face and whispered, "If you can, try to stay out of trouble. It''s not about fear, but knowing that one person''s power is limited in a deceitful world."


    If she had been defenseless today, the oue would''ve been unimaginable.


    Mirabe opened her mouth to respond, but he kissed her again, softer this time, from her lips to the tip of her nose, and finally her forehead, wrapping her in his embrace.


    His lips brushed her ear, his voice low and suppressed, "Forget it, do what you want."


    Mirabe: "."


    Just then, her phone vibrated in her pocket, indicating a special text. She twitched her finger and tugged at his shirt, murmuring, "Nick needs me."


    Hearing this, James sighed softly and released her. He snapped his fingers, and the motion-sensing lights flickered on, pushing back the darkness in the garage.


    Mirabe quickly moved to the side, her fair skin flushed, even the tips of her ears pink. She looked down and took out her phone.


    James, leaning against the car door, seemed rxed, his posturezy. The night breeze seemed to cool the heat around him.


    His own phone rang. After a pause, he answered it.


    Curtis''s voice came through, "James, the money has just been transferred to Ms. Mirabe''s bank ount. Let her know."


    James looked up at Mirabe, catching the sparkle in her eyes, and his lips curved slightly. He hummed in acknowledgment, "Got it."


    Curtis mentioned a few things about the evening ns before hanging up.


    Mirabe cleared her throat and looked up at James, trying to act natural, "I have


    to go now. Nick wants me home right away."


    As she spoke, she waved her phone in the air.


    James looked at her with a half-smile, amused.

 Chapter 996

    Mirabe touched the tip of her nose, feeling a sudden rush of vulnerability, as if her secrets wereid bare. But she quickly straightened her back, shaking off the feeling. What was there to be guilty about?


    James''s lips twitched into a slight smile, but he didn''t call her out. He tucked his phone back into his pocket, stood up straight, and said, "Alright, I''ll walk you home."


    Not wanting to make things awkward, Mirabe nodded stiffly and trailed behind him. They walked slowly through the meticulously maintained garden, one after the other. The gentle night breeze caressed their faces, bringing a hint of chill. In October, Riverdale''s nighttime temperatures could be quite different from the daytime.


    James held the front door open and let Mirabe go first. But as she passed by, he reached out and grabbed her hand, "Cold?" he asked.


    Mirabe, who had been gazing downwards, was taken aback and mumbled, "Hmm?"


    James smiled, his hand sliding down to grasp hers, their fingers intertwining, "It must be a bit cold."


    Mirabe was left speechless.


    Feeling a sense of satisfaction, James led her outside. A few minutester, they arrived at her vi. He finally let go of her hand and looked up at the vi, then back at Mirabe, his eyes deep and thoughtful. After a moment, he said, "Go inside. Goodnight."


    Mirabe''s gaze wandered as she coughed softly, "Goodnight."


    She turned around, walked to the door, and entered the code. Just as the door opened, she heard James''s voice from behind, "Oh, by the way, Curtis called to say thepensation has already been transferred to your bank ount."


    Mirabe stumbled slightly, paused, but didn''t turn back. Instead, she raised her hand and made an OK gesture before stepping inside.


    Damn, how did everything get soplicated?


    James chuckled softly, shook his head, and walked away.


    *


    As soon as Mirabe stepped into the house, she was greeted by the aroma of food. Rubbing her stomach, she walked into the dining room and saw Nick setting the table. She pulled out a chair and sat down.


    Nick shot her a nce, "Go wash your hands."


    "Oh." Mirabe obediently got up, washed her hands quickly, and returned. Just


    as she was about to start eating, she paused and looked at Nick, "Nick, do we have guests today?"


    There were three sets of cutleryid out.


    "Yeah." Nick paused for a moment before nodding.


    No wonder there was so much food.


    Mirabe bit the end of her chopstick thoughtfully.


    At that moment, Zach emerged from the bathroom, having overheard their conversation. His face darkened, "I''m your brother!"


    He strode over, ring at Nick, thinking, just a few months away, and this guy''s gotten cheeky.


    "Zach, when did you get here?" Mirabe''s eyes brightened upon seeing him.


    "Today." Zach sat down next to Mirabe, scrutinizing her before saying, "You''ve lost weight. Has Nick been mistreating you?"


    Nick, caught in the middle, was baffled.


    "You really don''t know how to be a brother," Zach scoffed disdainfully.


    Mirabe nced at the confused Nick, then pushed a bowl and chopsticks towards Zach, "Alright, Zach, stop picking on Nick."


    Zach snorted. He was nning to expand hisw firm to Riverdale!


    "Did youe here on a business trip?" Mirabe asked, her mouth full of ribs.


    Zach sighed deeply, "Can''t Ie to see my sister without being on a business trip?"

 Chapter 997

    Mirabe quickly served him a piece of ribs, cing it on his te. "Of course!"


    Zach picked up his fork, gave her a yful re, and said shamelessly, "My heart''s hurting, you better cheer me up."


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched.


    As they finished their meal, Zach checked a text on his phone, then turned to his sister. "By the way, Owen invited me for lunch tomorrow. Are you free?"


    Mirabe shook her head. "Nope, got ns."


    Her coursework wasn''t too heavytely, but she had just started with Zane''s research team, and it was bound to be hectic at the beginning.


    After a pause, Mirabe suddenly looked at Zach. "You and Owen that tight now?"


    "Not really, we just chat asionally. He wanted to rmend me for a position in the prosecutor''s office a while back," Zach replied.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "So, I might have a brother living off the government soon?"


    "I turned it down," Zach shrugged and added, "I can''t stand all that bureaucracy, it''s exhausting."


    Mirabe nodded, thinking about the evening''s events. "I support you. Government jobs might be stable, but being awyer is more lucrative."


    Zach nced at her, always thinking about money.


    "Alright then, I''ll let Owen know I''m not interested," Zach said.


    "Okay."


    After dinner, Zach stayed in the living room for a while, chatting before heading upstairs to delegate some work to his team.


    Mirabe nestled on the couch, watching the news.


    Nick sat beside her, having listened to Mirabe and Zach''s conversation while working on hisptop.


    He was inputting a piece of code into a program when the news on TV mentioned a terrorist attack in a foreign country. He nced up briefly before turning back to his sister. "Didn''t know you liked watching the news."


    Mirabe, hugging a pillow, yawned and said with sleepy, alluring eyes, "Just to pass the time when I''m bored."


    Nick chuckled and said, "If you''re tired, you should go to bed."


    Mirabe nodded, turned off the TV after the reporter finished, and pondered over the recent cyberattack on the national security building. She then said, "By the way, Nick, the news says things have been unstabletely. You''re kind of a public servant now, so be careful."


    After returning from abroad, Nick had been recruited by a junior colleague into the National Health Institute. Although he currently held a temporary position, his overseas qualifications meant it wouldn''t be long before he received a permanent


    one.


    Nick was taken aback by her sudden concern, paused, then replied, "Okay, I''ll be careful."


    "Good." Mirabe didn''t say much more, ced the pillow aside, stretchedzily, and got up from the couch. "Then you should also rest early, Nick. Don''t stay up toote."


    "Will do." Nick pointed to hisputer, smiling. "I''ll head to bed as soon as I finish thisst bit."


    Mirabe hummed in response, but her gaze unintentionally swept over hisputer screen, pausing slightly when she saw the program code he was writing.


    Was Nick interested in data processing?


    Nick didn''t notice Mirabe''s gaze, his attention returning to theputer program.


    He had takenputer science courses in college and even participated in programmingpetitions as a hobby, winning two silver medals.


    Though he wasn''t a hacker, he had a natural talent for software programming. Goodnight, see you tomorrow, lovelies~~

 Chapter 998

    Mirabe stood beside him for a minute without saying a word.


    Nick noticed she was still there and looked up. Seeing her eyes fixed on hisptop screen, he paused and asked, "You into coding and small programs too?"


    He had noticed before that she had some programming software on herputer, which made him curious.


    "Just dabbling here and there," Mirabe replied, thinking for a moment before adding, "I actually majored inputational biology. It''s not exactly the same asputer science, but pretty close."


    Nick nodded, "Yeah, the core concepts aren''t that different; it''s just the applications that vary."


    "True." Mirabe''s eyes lowered slightly, then she asked casually, "What''s this program for?"


    "I found this interesting topic on an online forum, so I downloaded it to check it out," Nick exined.


    "But the initial code is a bit of a headache," Nick added, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.


    Mirabe seemed deep in thought, not diving too much into the topic of data cores. She simply mentioned, "We use virtual functions inputational biology too, but they have a drawback-high error rates in overriding libraries. Maybe switching to something like modr dposition would work better."


    "Modr dposition?"


    Nick''s eyes narrowed, as if visualizing numbers dancing in front of him. After a moment of stunned silence, enlightenment shed across his face, and he quickly deleted a big chunk of code he had just written and started anew.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but didn''t disturb him further and quietly left.


    Once Nick finished the program and confirmed it worked perfectly, a look of joy spread across his face. When he looked up again, his sister was nowhere to be seen.


    Nick sat quietly for a while, then smiled, turned to hisputer, opened a software, found the reply section of the forum, and sent the newly written program to a forum buddy.


    ***


    After returning to her room and taking a shower, Mirabe felt much more awake. She walked over to her desk, pulled out a chair, and turned on herputer. Logging into her chat application in invisible mode, she saw that, as usual, no one had messaged her. After browsing through a group chat and finding nothing new, she closed the chat window with a slight pout.


    Thinking about gic programming for artificial life, she nned to review some materials, only to remember she had left her backpack in James''s car.


    Leaning back in her chair, she pressed her fingers to her temples. Her pajama neckline revealed her delicate corbone, her skin glowing with a cool, translucent whiteness. After sitting quietly for a few minutes, she picked up her phone from the desk.


    Just as she was about to open Messenger, a chat window suddenly popped up on herputer. Her fingers paused, and she nced at the screen.


    The nickname on the chat window was J.


    J: "Dad, you finally came online."


    Mirabe: "


    This sudden change from being called by a schoolkid to "dad" was indeed a bit jarring.


    Mirabe nced at the icon status in the bottom right corner of herputer, raised an eyebrow, and typed back: "Looks like you''ve made some progress, even spying on dad going online incognito."


    The man on the other end of the chat winced; this wasn''t apliment, it was a jab.


    For a hacker, not knowing whether someone was online or not was an insult to intelligence.


    He coughed, choosing to skip over that remark, and replied with an unusually friendly tone: "Dad, what have you been busy withtely?"

 Chapter 999

    Mirabe propped up her legs and typed back, "Just spit it out."


    J: "......"


    Was the usuallyid-back giant feeling particrly irritable today, or had she inadvertently hit a nerve?


    J, skeptical, paused for a couple of seconds in front of hisputer before typing, "Last time, I followed your approach and tried to create a mock database. Does it look something like this?"


    Mirabe replied, "Send it over."


    Seeing this, J sighed in relief and quickly transferred the already packaged zip file.


    Despite beingpressed, the file was still hefty, and it took a minute to download even with their high-endputers.


    Mirabe unzipped the file and spent a couple of minutes reviewing the demo before opening another database module included inside.


    Shortly after, she replied, "It''s passable, barely scratching the surface of the basics."


    J wasn''t surprised by her assessment. After pondering for a few seconds, he asked, "I''ve always been curious about the standalone database you mentioned. What would it be like once it''s fully developed?"


    Mirabe stared at herputer screen, her expression distant for a moment before she finally said, "Once you guys have fully integrated the data core, you''ll understand."


    J: "Alright, I''ll strive for it..."


    J: "By the way, could you take another look at the data core issue for me, Dad?"


    Pulling her wandering thoughts back, Mirabe didn''t respond to his question. Instead, she dug out an old piece of code from herputer and sent it to him, "You can use this as a reference."


    After hitting send, Mirabe shut down herputer. She stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The moon was nowhere to be seen tonight; the sky was dark and heavy.


    Mirabe pushed open the ss door, letting the cool breeze in, slowly clearing her somewhat dazed mind.


    Lately, she found herself suddenly remembering things, both from the past and regarding her current body, as if something was slowly awakening within her.


    Mirabe gazed into the night sky, unaware of how long she stood there before she finally closed the sliding door and turned back to her room.


    **


    The next day, Mirabe, with dark circles under her eyes and a heavy nasal voice, went downstairs, looking pale as a ghost.


    Zach had a court case to attend to and had woken up early. Seeing his sister looking so wilted, he quickly approached her, "Mirabe, are you feeling alright?"


    Mirabe sniffled and waved her hand nonchntly, "It''s nothing, probably just a little cold."


    Zach frowned and reached out to touch her forehead; thankfully, she didn''t seem to have a fever. He then walked over to the living room, opened a drawer, and asked, "Where''s the first aid kit?"


    "No need, Zach, I''m quite resilient," Mirabe said as she sat down on the couch, hugging her chest and tightening her coat around her.


    Zach simply turned and gave her a look that said, ''Then try not to look so miserable,'' almost as if he would believe her if she didn''t look so ill.


    Mirabe, unusually, didn''t retort and just shrank back into the couch.


    Nick came downstairs too, and seeing Zach rummaging through the house, asked puzzledly, "Zach, what are you looking for?"


    Without lifting his head, Zach replied irritably, "Just look at who''s sitting on the couch."


    Nick then noticed Mirabe, herplexion ghostly and a slight furrow in her brow. He went to the side room and quickly returned with cold medicine and a ss of warm water.


    Mirabe simply nced at Nick and without a word, took the medicine.


    Zach on the side: Hmph!

 Chapter 1000

    Nick set his ss down on the coffee table and said, "You look exhausted. Maybe you should skip school today and just rest at home."


    Mirabe rubbed the tip of her nose and shook her head, "No, I''ve joined a research group; I can''t fall behind."


    Nick didn''t push further. He just slipped some medicine into her coat pocket, "Remember to take this."


    Mirabe nodded softly.


    Zach was in a rush; after a few words of caution, he hurried out the door as well.


    After breakfast, Mirabe went upstairs to change into a thicker coat before heading to school.


    Following two mandatory afternoon sses, Mirabe made her way to the department''s dedicated researchb.


    Linden, Kason, and Jessie, though graduate students, had more free time than Mirabe. By the time she arrived, they had already been working in theb most of the day.


    "Hey, you don''t look so great today. Are you sick?" Jessie initially wanted to discuss algorithms with Mirabe but changed the topic upon seeing her pale face.


    Mirabe smiled and nodded, "Just a slight cold, but I''m feeling much better now."


    "Don''t push yourself if you''re not well. Healthes first," Linden said, adjusting his sses with concern.


    "I''m really fine," Mirabe said as she pulled out a chair, sat down, and booted up herputer.


    Mirabe opened the progress saved from the previous day and continued with the next step of the calctions. Her strong mathematical and logical thinking allowed her to progress without much difficulty.


    Linden and Kason, on the other hand, were running into significant problems.


    They struggled to find an effective solution for integrating autologous cell therapy with gic engineering technology, prompting Jessie to stop her own calctions and start looking up more information.


    After recording some data, Mirabe looked up to see the three of them with furrowed brows, her fingers pausing slightly.


    Zane wasn''t there, and the new assistant mentor, Ben, hadn''te to school today, leaving just the four of them in theb.


    Mirabe listened to their discussion for a while without interrupting, continuing with her programming.


    If Jessie and Linden had been paying attention, they would have noticed that Mirabe''s calction speed had significantly increased from before.


    A few minutester, Mirabe sent the initial gic data from the first phase of her work to Linden and Kason''sputers.


    Then she looked up and said, "Guys, I just sent the first phase of the data to yourputers. Can you check if my calctions are feasible?"


    She didn''t send it to Jessie, as her part of the algorithm wasn''t closely rted to Mirabe''s programming.


    Hearing Mirabe''s words, Linden and Kason were momentarily stunned.


    "You finished it already?" Linden asked in astonishment, remembering that the progress had only been a thirdpleted the day before.


    Kason nced over hisputer screen and quickly grabbed his mouse.


    Mirabe hummed in affirmation, her voice nasal and not as clear due to her cold, "I reviewed the algorithmst night, but I''m not sure if my approach is correct. You have more experience in this area, so if you have any better suggestions, I''ll recalcte."


    Upon hearing this, Linden felt a wave of inexplicable guilt.


    The junior had worked overtime and even made herself sick over an algorithm, while he, as a senior, had made no progress at all...


    Linden silently lowered his head and began to examine the data on theputer.

 Chapter 1001

    Mirabe waited patiently as the two of them went through the data, holding off on moving to the next phase of calctions. She rested her hand on her forehead, leaning back in her chair with her eyes gently closed.


    Kason and Linden, while not experts in the area Mirabe was handling, quickly grasped the core calction methods. Their initial surprise soon turned into excitement.


    "Linden, I think I''ve figured it out," Kason eximed, zooming in on a graph on the screen and clicking on a branch. "We could actually use this X-line differentiation our junior suggested and then integrate it. It should work."


    Linden had only gotten halfway through the data, but hearing Kason, he pushed his sses up, tapped the floor with his foot, and rolled his chair over to Kason''sputer.


    "Check this out. If we calcte it like this, the intersecting and oveying method totally sidesteps the cellr automation issue..." Kason pointed at the screen, his voice brimming with excitement as he shared his breakthrough with Linden.


    That ''aha'' moment hit them like a bolt of lightning.


    Before long, they had hashed out a solid n without even thinking to tell Mirabe whether her method had been helpful.


    Once they''d worked through all the possible solutions, they finally exhaled deeply, leaning back in their chairs with unmistakable joy on their faces. It was like they never expected the solution toe together so easily.


    The breakthrough came right after they looked over the data from their junior... Linden suddenly nced over at Mirabe. He couldn''t shake the feeling that she was subtly guiding them.


    He was about to say something but noticed Mirabe seemed a bit drained, so he held his tongue.


    Just then, Linden''s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, checked the screen, and stood up, heading to the window to take the call.


    After a quick, quiet conversation, he hung up.


    Thinking for a moment, Linden turned back, saved his work, and started shutting down hisputer. "I gotta head out. Meg from the tech department needs a hand with some dataparison, and she''s waiting on me."


    Kason, still busy, nced up with a smirk, "Oh, looks like someone''s got a date?"


    In the science and tech fields, where guys often outnumber gals, a request for help from a female colleague is eagerly epted.


    Linden chuckled, shaking his head, "Nah, it''s just work stuff."


    Kason sighed, "See, that''s why some folks stay single for so long."


    Linden just rolled his eyes, not in the mood to argue, and told Mirabe to take it easy before heading out.


    Mirabe nodded, her ck coat making her face look even paler than usual, her lipscking their usual rosy hue.


    Having wrapped up the first phase of her work, she had nothing left to do. She let Jessie and Kason know she was heading out and then shut down herputer.


    Soon enough, Mirabe left theb.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in another part of town...


    Zach had just wrapped up a court session. Feeling a headacheing on, he rubbed his temples and headed to the restroom. After sshing some water on his face and wiping his sses clean, he put them back on and walked out.


    The hallway from the restroom to the main lobby was empty, barely a soul in sight. An elevator and a fire exit were on one side. As Zach turned the corner, someone suddenly burst out from the fire exit.


    The person was dressed in a ck T-shirt and wore a baseball cap pulled down low, almostpletely obscuring their face.


    Sensing something was off, Zach had barely lifted his head when the person hurled a briefcase at him.

 Chapter 1002

    Zach''s eyes widened as the box came hurtling toward him. Instinctively, he


    stepped back, only to crash into the wall behind him. He couldn''t dodge it in time, and the box mmed into his shoulder.


    Whatever was in that box, it was heavy. The impact sent a wave of pain shooting through his body, leaving his arm momentarily numb.


    Zach turned white as a sheet, his head having also knocked against the wall in his retreat, leaving him a bit woozy.


    The guy in the baseball cap saw his chance and rushed over, trying to grab the box for another go. But when he caught sight of someone entering the hallway, he abandoned his n and slipped away through the emergency exit.


    The new arrival was Zach''s assistant. He''d been waiting in the lounge, and when Zach didn''te out, he decided to check on him.


    He hurried over, eyes wide with worry, and supported Zach. "Zach, are you okay? Are you hurt?"


    Zach was still feeling a bit dizzy but managed to gather himself after a moment. He looked up, waved his hand, and said softly, "I''m alright."


    Despite Zach''s words, his assistant couldn''t shake off his concern, especially seeing how pale Zach was. He nced at the floor, quickly picked up Zach''s fallen sses, and handed them to him.


    "I''ll call the DA''s office and get someone to stop that guy," the assistant said, already pulling out his phone.


    Zach leaned against the wall, silent, one hand mped on his shoulder, his knuckles turning white, and the veins stark against his skin.


    After making the call, the assistant turned his attention back to the box on the floor. It had broken open when it hit the ground. He crouched down, cautiously flipped it over, and his face went grim at what he saw.


    Inside were just a few regr bricks, but they were drenched in blood, a dark red that was hard to miss. The stench was enough to make anyone sick.


    The assistant barely managed to hold back the urge to vomit, gagging a couple of times before he quickly closed the box again.


    As awyer, sometimes you deal with clients who don''t take losing well, directing their anger and threats at you. It''s not unheard of to get anonymous letters or threatening packages, but an outright attack inside the courthouse? That was a first.


    Such a bold move meant the person behind it wasn''t just anyone... The assistant thought about the case they were working on today and felt a chill run down his spine. Looking at Zach, he couldn''t hide his anxiety. "Zach, they''re definitely sending us a message."


    Zach let out a long breath, nced at the mess on the floor, and said solemnly, "I know."


    "What do we do now? This was just the first hearing. If we keep going..." The assistant couldn''t bring himself to imagine what other threats or danger mighte their way.


    Zach closed his eyes for a second, then opened them with a steely resolve. "Being awyer means dealing with some things we can''t avoid. If they don''t care about people''s lives, should we sink to their level?"


    The assistant looked at Zach, "But today, you were in real danger."


    Zach chuckled coldly, "Me, scared?"


    The assistant lowered his head, hiding a bitter smile. But deep down, he was scared.

 Chapter 1003

    Before long, the court''s security team and the District Attorney rushed over, their faces paling at the sight of the blood-stained brick in the box.


    The District Attorney, who had seen his fair share of crime scenes, found this incident particrly unsettling given that it happened right inside the courthouse. After making sure Zach was unharmed, he ordered a review of the surveince footage and had all courthouse exits sealed.


    They needed to catch the suspect, no matter what.


    After waiting in the lounge for twenty minutes, the head of security came in with some disappointing news: the suspect was nowhere to be found. It was as though this person had just vanished into thin air.


    The police department also sent a special unit to take the box with the brick, hoping to lift some fingerprints.


    Once the officers left, the District Attorney turned to Zach, looking a bit guilty yet serious. "Mr. Hawkins, rest assured, since this happened on our watch, we''ll get to the bottom of it."


    An incident like this, right in the Supreme Court, was absurd and a blow to the institution''s credibility. It raised questions aboutw, safety, and the dignity of the central government.


    Plus, Zach was a well-respected figure in the legal world, recently endorsed by the new Deputy Minister. Even if just for show, they needed to handle the situation properly.


    Zach nodded slightly, understanding the gravity of the situation without needing to say much. After all, they were all part of the judiciary circle.


    Soon, Zach and his assistant left the courthouse.


    While his assistant went to get the car, Zach waited on the stone steps. That''s when he noticed a group exiting through a side door. Leading them was aw enforcement officer, chatting with someone. Zach''s eyes met with that person, who, sensing Zach''s gaze, looked up and mimicked firing a gun.


    It was a bold, audacious threat.


    Zach''s eyes narrowed.


    His assistant pulled up with the car and quickly opened the passenger door. Noticing Zach''s fixed stare, the assistant nced in the same direction but only saw the silhouettes of the departing group.


    "Zach?" the assistant asked, puzzled.


    "It''s nothing, let''s go," Zach replied, sliding into the passenger seat.


    The assistant, though curious, didn''t push further. He closed the door for Zach, hopped into the driver''s seat, and started the engine. ncing in the rearview mirror, he asked, "Are you sure you''re okay? Maybe we should hit the hospital?"


    Even though the assistant hadn''t seen the whole incident, he guessed his boss might have gotten hurt.


    Zach rubbed his temples and finally said, "I''m fine, let''s just head to the club." He had a dinner meeting with Owen.


    Knowing Zach''s temperament, the assistant didn''t argue, setting the GPS for the club.


    "Also, let''s keep today''s incident under wraps," Zach added, still looking a bit pale as he stared out the window.


    The assistant let out a soft sigh and nodded, "Got it."

 Chapter 1004

    Half an hourter, Zach''s car pulled up at the club. He told his assistant to handle dinner on his own, promising to cover the expensester, and then made his way to the suite upstairs. Owen was already there.


    "Sorry, got caught up in something and ended upte," Zach said, a touch apologetically.


    "No worries, I just got here myself," Owen replied, with an easy smile, motioning for Zach to take a seat. As Zach sat down, the waiter brought over a steaming cup of coffee, which Zach gratefully acknowledged.


    Though they hadn''t had much interaction before, their conversation flowed without any awkward pauses.


    "With your skills, it''s a shame," Owen remarked, referring to Zach''s time at the DA''s office, with a slight sigh.


    Zach sat quietly, his left hand resting on hisp, rarely moving. He took a sip of coffee and replied with a modest smile, "I just never really liked the whole bureaucratic game."


    Owen studied Zach, reminded of Mirabe. She was the same, never one to be hemmed in. Maybe it was just something in the Davis family DNA.


    Owen gathered his thoughts and said, "True enough. If you ever need anything, just let me know."


    Zach nodded, thinking for a moment, then said, "I''ve only got one sister, and she''s here studying on her own. I can''t always keep an eye on her, so if anythinges up, I''d appreciate it if you could help out."


    Even if he might never need the favor, Zach understood the value of having friends in influential ces. Owen''s political clout could sometimes open doors that money couldn''t.


    Owen paused, unsure if Zach knew about Mirabe''s ties to the Shepherd family, but he agreed, "Ms. Mirabe is someone I owe a lot to. It''s only right to look out for her."


    Zach thanked him.


    Soon, the waiter returned with their food. Owen''s dinner invite was partly to discuss the DA''s office, but also with the hope of seeing Mirabe, though she''d declined his invitation the day before. Not wanting to push, Owen didn''t bring her up during dinner, even though he was concerned about his old mentor''s health.


    Both men, lost in their own thoughts, parted ways after the meal.


    **


    When Zach got home, Mirabe was curled up on the couch under a thick nket, the trash bin beside her overflowing with tissues.


    "Zach, you''re back," Mirabe said, sniffling and looking up at him, her voice less congested than earlier.


    Zach nodded, sitting next to her and feeling her forehead, "Feeling any better?"


    "Sort of," Mirabe replied, pulling the nket tighter around herself.


    Zach''s lips twitched as if to say, "I''d believe you if you didn''t do that."


    "Where''s Nick?" he asked, ncing around.


    "Oh, he''s upstairs, busy with work." Despite her stuffy nose, Mirabe caught a


    faint whiff of something medicinal. "Did you use a ster?"


    Zach shrugged it off, rubbing his neck with his right hand, "Just a little work- rted ache."


    "Want me to give you a massage?" Mirabe offered, starting to shift the nket off her.


    Zach chuckled, shaking his head, and tucked the nket back around her, "I don''t take advantage of the sick."


    "You seem a bit different today," Mirabe observed, tilting her head. This sudden change in demeanor was unlike his usual style.

 Chapter 1005

    Zach''s expression froze for a moment.


    But by then, Mirabe had already looked away, distracted by her phone buzzing


    in her pocket. Checking the screen, she stood up from the couch and grabbed her coat draped over the sofa. "I''m just stepping out to grab something," she said casually.


    Zach watched her make her way to the door, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He rubbed his left shoulder, wondering if he had given anything away.


    Outside, the sky was already dark. Mirabe walked through the garden, spotting a man standing in the distance. d in a dark Grady jacket, he exuded an aura of cool elegance, like a mountain covered in fresh snow. He held a package in one hand while the other was casually tucked in his trouser pocket. Initially looking down, he seemed to sense her presence and nced up.


    Mirabe gave her nose a quick rub and stepped outside.


    Seeing her bundled up in a thick coat, James raised an eyebrow. "You''re all wrapped up, huh?"


    Mirabe gave a vague hum in response.


    Detecting a slight nasal tone in her voice, James handed her the package and gently took her hand, noticing its chill. "Caught a cold?" he asked.


    "It''s getting better," Mirabe replied with a cough, feeling the warmth from his hand seep into her fingers, chasing away the cold.


    James gave her a half-smile, staying silent as he took her other hand in his. They stood quietly for a moment until her hands warmed up. He then tucked them into her coat pockets. "Get some rest tonight."


    "Okay," Mirabe replied. As she looked up, she noticed the faint shadows under James''s eyes. She hesitated, then added, "You should too."


    James nodded, the wind teasing strands of Mirabe''s hair. Her eyes seemed to shine even brighter in the breeze. He smiled, then suddenly pulled her into a hug, his cheek brushing against her ear. After a moment, he released her. "Alright, head back."


    "Okay." As Mirabe reached the door, she nced back to see James still standing there. After a moment''s thought, she asked, "You seem troubled. Is something up?"


    James looked taken aback for a second, then shook his head. "No, nothing."


    Mirabe adjusted the bag on her arm, deciding not to press further. "Goodnight." "Goodnight."


    James watched her until she disappeared through the iron gate, his gaze deep and thoughtful. Only then did he turn away. His car was parked at the corner, and once inside, he drove out of the neighborhood, bypassing his vi.


    When Mirabe returned to the living room with the package, Zach was sipping a steaming cup of water, nning to head to bed once he finished.


    Mirabe ced the package on a side table and, remembering something, looked up. "Hey Zach, did Owen need something from you?"


    "Just dinner, some casual chat," Zach replied, recalling Owen''s demeanor earlier. After a pause, he added, "But I think he might want to talk to you about something."


    Mirabe nodded thoughtfully. "Got it."


    She mentally calcted the time; the medicine she had givenst time should be nearly used up.


    Nick nced at her, a sharp pain shooting through his left shoulder. Not wanting to reveal his difort, he kept quiet, only reminding Mirabe of a few things before heading upstairs.


    Mirabe leaned against the couch arm, watching Zach climb the stairs. She couldn''t shake the feeling that his back looked unusually stiff, especially that left shoulder, hanging low as if burdened by something heavy.


    She narrowed her eyes, deep in thought.

 Chapter 1006

    The next day rolled around. After her afternoon sses, Mirabe headed straight to theb.


    As soon as she stepped in, she spotted Zane sketching away on some draft paper. He waved her over. "Hey, Mirabe, could you take a look at this cell differentiation method the professor suggested? Something about it seems off."


    Mirabe strolled over casually, and after a quick nce, she picked up a pencil and made a few adjustments on the paper. "Try swapping these two pairs around. It should work better that way."


    Zane leaned in for a closer look and realized she was spot on. He nced up with a smirk. "Nicely done! Looks like you''ve got a knack for cell differentiation."


    Mirabe just blinked, caught off guard by thepliment.


    Kason, who had been listening, chimed in, "That''s not all. Our junior here is pretty sharp with gic data too. She cracked a tough problem for Linden and me just yesterday."


    Mirabe felt her cheeks warm up. "Just a lucky guess," she mumbled.


    Zane arched an eyebrow but didn''t press further. Checking his watch, he asked Kason, "By the way, where''s Linden? Is he tied up today?"


    "He''s helping a sophomore with some data analysis. Shouldn''t take him long," Kason replied.


    Zane nodded, satisfied with the answer. He tidied up his drafts and said, "I''m stepping out for a bit. Keep at it, and if you hit a snag, just drop a message in our group chat. Mr. Ben will be here soon, so you can ask him too."


    With that, he gathered his things and left the room.


    Mirabe took a moment to gather herself, then pulled up a chair and turned on herputer. Not long after, Linden arrived, and shortly after he settled in, Ben walked in.


    Dressed in a sleek dark coat over a deep-colored shirt, Ben''s sharp features carried a certain edge, different from the schrly vibe he''d had when they first met.


    Holding a stack of documents, Ben greeted everyone with a nod and got right down to business, diving into the topic of synthetic life.


    Mirabe leaned back in her chair, resting an elbow on the armrest, twirling a pencil between her fingers. She listened closely to Ben''s insights, quickly understanding why Zane had brought him in.


    This guy knew his stuff.


    Ben reviewed the work of the others for any issues before making his way over to Mirabe.


    He carried a faint scent, nothing like cologne or perfume-more like the lingering smell ofb chemicals. It wasn''t unpleasant, but it made Mirabe wrinkle her nose a bit.


    She opened the first stage of herputational data and pushed the mouse over for Ben to take a look.


    Unfazed by her reaction, Ben took the mouse and navigated through the program''s code with ease. His eyebrows raised slightly as he examined her methods.


    "Your approach is a bit unorthodox, isn''t it?" he remarked after a moment.


    Mirabe tapped her fingers on the armrest and replied, "I mixed in some X-ray arithmetic logic."


    "Ah, that exins it." Ben''s interest deepened as he scrolled through the data. Nearing the end, he suddenly asked, "You''ve got quite a knack for this. Have you been studying math on the side for fun?"

 Chapter 1007

    Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered slightly as she softly replied, "No."


    Despite not having formal training, she possessed an impressiveputational ability. Ben caught a flicker of something in his eyes, put down his mouse, and stood up straight. Instead of probing further, he simply remarked, "Your data is spot on, really thorough."


    Mirabe acknowledged with a slight nod, unsurprised by thepliment.


    "When are you thinking of starting the next phase?" Ben inquired.


    Mirabe rubbed her temples, "Not quite there yet. I''ll kick off once I''ve got a solid n."


    Ben gave her a reassuring look, "Take your time. If you hit a snag, just ping me on Messenger."


    Mirabe nodded casually, her temples pounding. She got up, mentioned she needed a bathroom break, and left theb.


    Once outside, she paused in the hallway, feeling a tad better, then ambled towards the restroom.


    By the time she got back, Ben was gone. Standing at the door, she called over to Jessie nearby, "Did Ben leave?"


    Jessie, finishing up a piece of code in French, looked up and, ignoring Mirabe''s informal tone, said, "Yeah, got a call and had to run."


    Mirabe nodded and leanedzily against the door frame.


    Seeing this, Jessie asked with curiosity, "Why aren''t youing in, Mira?"


    Mirabe leaned her head back, gazing at the ceiling, "Maybe this gives me more inspiration?"


    Jessie smirked, busy with the first phase of her project and not wanting to engage in banter. She waved a hand, "Alright, take your time."


    Mirabe hummed in agreement.


    Once theb felt less stifling, she went back in, pulled out a chair, and settled in front of theputer again.


    Opposite her, Linden was distracted, caught up in dataparisons for a client. His mood was already off, and after Ben''s departure, he found it hard to focus.


    After zoning out for a bit, Linden suddenly straightened up and nudged Kason''s arm, "I''ve got a question about gics."


    "Huh?" Kason looked up, "What about it?"


    Linden, careful not to spill any secrets from Meg''s research team, scratched his head and whispered, "Have you ever looked into cracking gic codes?"


    Mirabe, with her sharp ears, nced over at Linden.


    Kason shook his head, "I''ve skimmed some books, but never really got into it. Not my cup of tea."


    "Okay." Linden sighed, his shoulders sagging.


    "You''re not nning to dive into this, are you?" Kason asked, curious.


    Linden shook his head, eyes back on hisputer, "Nah, just curious."


    Kason didn''t pry further but after a pause said, "You could ask Mr. Zane; he might know a thing or two."


    Linden thought for a moment, then nodded, "Good idea, I''ll check with himter."


    "Cool."


    Around five, everyone began wrapping up for the day.


    Linden had some questions for Zane, so he followed him to his office to chat about gic code algorithms.


    Zane locked up his files, turned around, and eyed Linden with suspicion, "Why the sudden interest in this?"

 Chapter 1008

    Linden paused for a moment, about to speak, but Zane chimed in again, "I''m not the best with algorithms, but you should definitely ask Mirabe. She''s got a knack forputational stuff and probably has some good insights.¡±


    Zane remembered the time he was doing dataparisons for Meg, and Mirabe had casually brought up decoding gic codes. So when Linden asked, it seemed the perfect time to mention her.


    Linden was initially surprised but then realized it made sense. Mirabe''s skills in theb were widely acknowledged. He nodded, "Alright, thanks, Professor."


    Zane grinned, "No worries. That''s the beauty of academic discussions-tapping into everyone''s strengths to push our research further."


    "Absolutely," Linden agreed, unable to hide his admiration. "Mirabe is genuinely impressive. Sometimes I think she might know more than all of us upperssmenbined."


    "The more you work with her, the more surprises she''ll throw your way," Zane said with a knowing smile.


    Linden thought back to a few times when their projects hit roadblocks, only for Mirabe''s offhandments to lead them straight to solutions.


    He nodded again, "Definitely."


    He had assumed it was three experts guiding a newbie, but it turned out to be the other way around. He couldn''t help but feel a bit humbled.


    **


    As Mirabe reached the school''s gate, she sneezed unexpectedly.


    She pulled her coat tighter and made her way quickly to a car parked by the curb. Opening the passenger door, she hesitated for a moment before getting in and fastening her seatbelt. Then she looked over and asked, "Where''s James?"


    Curtis started the engine, replying, "He''s been out of Riverdale for a bit. Didn''t he tell you?"


    Mirabe shook her head, "Nope."


    That exined why he seemed a bit off when he visited herst night.


    Curtis cleared his throat and shifted the topic, "So, Ms. Mirabe, if you need anything, just give me a call."


    Mirabe nodded slightly, closed her eyes, and leaned back, choosing silence. Curtis nced at her in the rearview mirror and decided to let her be.


    Not long after, Mirabe was back home. Zach and Nick were out, and Marian, who they had hired, had prepared dinner before leaving for some errands.


    After finishing her meal, Mirabe was lounging in the living room watching TV when Adler called her on Messenger.


    She answered, and Adler''s voice filled the room.


    "Hey, boss! I''ve got that preliminary analysis on the blood sample''s radioactive sources. From what I''ve found, it''s a ss IV radiation infection, but the metal content is unusually high. Is this person involved in nuclear research or something?"


    Adler summed up his findings from the past few days in a rush.


    "No," Mirabe replied calmly.


    Owen was in politics, and so was his mentor. Plus, someone involved in nuclear research wouldn''t just be let loose by the government.


    "Okay then," Adler said, scratching his head. "ss IV isn''t too serious, but the high metal content is worrying, especially for someone with heart issues."


    Mirabe pinched the bridge of her nose, mentally noting that the person indeed had heart problems. After a pause, she said, "Got it, thanks."


    "No need to thank me. I found it fascinating and wanted to dig into it myself," Adler chuckled.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Didn''t you sayst time that working on radioactive materials was banned at your institute? Be careful not to get into trouble."

 Chapter 1009

    Adler had his leg casually propped up on the office desk, leaning back in his chair. "No way it''s gonna crash, trust me," he said with aid-back confidence.


    "Alright, catch youter," Mirabe replied.


    Adler nodded, ready to end the call, but a thought hit him. "Oh, wait a sec. I just remembered over at the med school, they''re working on this new solution to break down heavy metals in blood. It''s still in the experimental phase, so I don''t know all the details."


    On hearing this, Mirabe''s expression shifted, her eyes narrowing a bit. Her voice turned colder, "That''s a step backward, defying the natural order."


    And with that, she hung up.


    Adler stared at his phone, baffled. "What just happened? I just mentioned a solution..."


    Perplexed, he decided not to press further and just let it go.


    The next day rolled around.


    After lunch, Mirabe was about to head to the school library when she got a message from Linden, asking if she could swing by the study room to help with a question.


    Halfway there, she turned back to the academic building, and as she reached the study room door, Linden was already on his feet. "Hey, d you could make it, freshman."


    The room was empty except for Linden.


    Mirabe walked over and nodded, "Hey, senior."


    Linden gestured to the chair beside him. Once she sat down, he jumped right in. "I heard from Mr. Zane that you''ve dabbled in gic code cracking. Is that right?"


    Mirabe was a bit taken aback. After a moment, she nodded, "Yeah, a little."


    "So, I''m stuck on a decoding problem. I''mparing data but can''t get a perfect match," Linden said, looking a bit stressed as he ruffled his hair.


    Mirabe was a bit surprised. Why was everyone suddenly into gics? Someone else had been digging into this not long ago, too.


    She thought for a moment and suggested, "Do you have the starting values for the form? I can help you take a look."


    "I do, but they''re not with me now," Linden admitted.


    He was working on data for Meg, who was very particr about keeping the experiment under wraps. He only got to see the forms during the experiments and didn''t feel it was right to take them away.


    But maybe since their studies in Information Science and Technology differed, he could bring Mirabe to Meg''sb group?


    Thinking it over, Linden pulled out his phone and texted while chatting with Mirabe. "Hang on, I''ll ask if it''s okay. I''m really just doing this for someone else."


    "Take your time," Mirabe said, rxed and patient.


    A reply came quickly, and Linden nced up at Mirabe. "She''s actually in theb now. You free to head over?"


    "I''m free."


    "Perfect," Linden said, pocketing his phone. "Let''s go there now."


    Before long, Mirabe and Linden were on their way to theb building.


    Leading the way, Linden kept chatting, "No pressure, freshman. If it seems tough, we can just leave it. It''s not like it''s our main focus."


    Mirabe listened quietly until they reached a familiarb door. Suddenly, she felt a throb in her forehead.


    She reached out and stopped Linden from ringing the doorbell.


    Stay tuned for a midnight update~~ This writer''s off to continue the story-

 Chapter 1010

    Linden turned his head, surprised by Mirabe''s sudden grip on his arm, "Hey, freshman?"


    As he spoke, his fingers instinctively pressed the doorbell.


    "Senior, the person you were talking about, is it Meg?" Mirabe adjusted her bangs with an air of concern.


    Linden nodded, "Yeah, that''s right." He recalled mentioning Meg in theb just the day before.


    Noticing Mirabe''s odd expression, he couldn''t help but ask, "What? Do you two know each other?"


    With the doorbell already rung, Mirabe sighed, thinking how small the world seemed to be sometimes.


    She didn''t answer because, at that moment, theb door swung open.


    It was Meg who appeared.


    Seeing Linden, Meg was about to greet him, but her words caught in her throat as soon as she saw who was beside him.


    Her expression shifted instantly.


    What is she doing here? Isn''t she just a freshman? How does she even know Linden? And if she''s here with him, does she know I used her idea?


    The more Meg thought about it, the more her face drained of color, her mind buzzing with panic, her fingers gripping the doorframe so tightly they might break.


    Linden noticed Meg''s gaze fixed on Mirabe. Meg looked pale, like she''d just seen a ghost.


    Confused and not aware of any history between the two, Linden instinctively quieted his breathing, feeling the tension thick in the air.


    The silence was heavy.


    Finally, Mirabe broke the awkward quiet, responding to Linden''s earlierment.


    "Yeah, we''re quite familiar," Mirabe said, a yful smile tugging at her lips.


    With Linden mentioning the gic code decryption algorithm, it was obvious someone had swiped her idea.


    The moment Meg and Mirabe''s eyes met, Meg knew Mirabe was aware of the theft.


    When Meg decided to use Mirabe''s idea, she had carefully nned to avoid Zane for any data analysis, making sure to steer clear of Mirabe.


    That''s why she reached out to Linden.


    She had worked with Linden a few times before, knew he was a decent guy, exceptional in bioputing, and since he was a few years ahead of Mirabe, she figured they wouldn''t know each other.


    By all ounts, Linden was the perfect choice to help with data analysis without Mirabe getting wind of it.


    But she never dreamed Linden would actually know Mirabe.


    Knowing her was one thing, but sharing details about a confidential experiment? That was unlikely.


    But who would have thought... when he mentioned introducing a skilled


    ssmate, it turned out to be Mirabe, the one person she wanted to steer clear


    of!


    Meg felt a wave of frustration.


    She took a deep breath, telling herself to stayposed-no matter what, this experiment had to seed.


    Loosening her grip on the doorframe, Meg turned to Linden, "I''m sorry, Linden. You might not realize it, but Mirabe and I have some personal issues. So if she''s the one you brought, our research team might not be too thrilled."


    Linden frowned. He didn''t know the details of the conflict between Meg and Mirabe, but there was something about Meg''s bluntness that rubbed him the wrong way.

 Chapter 1011

    Linden shot a nce at Mirabe and said, "If we''re not wee, we''ll head out."


    Meg was secretly hoping Mirabe would leave, but hearing Linden''s words made her worry he might not help with the data analysis anymore.


    Furrowing her brow but wanting to avoid any unnecessary tension, Meg softened her tone and said, "Linden, I think you''ve got the wrong idea. My issue with Mirabe is personal; you''re definitely wee here."


    Given that Linden was one of the top students in data analysis, she didn''t want to create any bad blood, especially since they''d probably need to work together in the future.


    Linden offered a faint smile. If Mirabe wasn''t wee, it felt like he wasn''t either. Besides, Mirabe didn''t seem like the kind to cause trouble; it was Meg''s prideful tone that rubbed him the wrong way.


    With pursed lips, Linden declined, "You might want to find someone else for data analysis."


    Then, turning to Mirabe with an apologetic expression, he said, "Sorry, I should''ve given you a heads-up. I ended up wasting your time."


    Linden genuinely felt bad for Mirabe, who had given up her lunch break to help, only to end up in this awkward mess.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at Linden, a bit surprised by his reaction, and smiled, "It wasn''t a wasted trip."


    Linden was about to suggest they leave when Mirabe''s words stopped him, leaving him puzzled about what she meant.


    Tilting her head, Mirabe added, "If I hadn''te today, I''d never have known someone was pinching my ideas."


    "Pinching your ideas?" Linden looked even more confused.


    "Yep." Mirabe turned her gaze to Meg. "Isn''t that right, Meg?"


    Meg''s hands shook, and her face turned a shade paler. In research, stealing ideas was akin to giarism, a reputation killer if exposed.


    "Watch your words. What do you mean, stealing your ideas? Is everyone supposed to stop researching gic coding because of you? You''re being ridiculous!" Meg''s voice was sharp and defensive.


    She certainly wasn''t going to admit to any idea theft. After all, who decided that anything said out loud was someone''s intellectual property? It wasughable.


    Mirabe admired how someone could deny so vehemently while spouting seemingly logical reasons. Just standing there, they could easily overpower an honest person.


    "Sounds impressive, but stealing is stealing, no matter how well you mimic, you won''t get the essence," Mirabe clicked her tongue lightly.


    "Ha." Meg scoffed, "If I could grasp the essence, I wouldn''t still be a student; I''d be a renowned scientist by now."


    Hearing the heated words from the doorway, the otherb members quickly paused their work and moved to stand behind Meg.


    They all knew the whole story and exchanged looks. After Meg spoke, they stepped in, eager to defuse the situation before it escted.

 Chapter 1012

    In academia, it''s not umon for the same theory to be hashed out over and over. Honestly, I don''t see an issue with that.


    "Exactly. With so many concepts in gic taxonomy alone, you can''t just im a monopoly on an idea. That would be downright unreasonable."


    "Let''s all chill a bit, shall we? Instead of nitpicking over nonexistent giarism, maybe we should focus on our own research. We''re all ssmates here; no need to make things ugly."


    ...


    Hearing this, Linden frowned, ncing at Meg''s other teammates. Theirments were really starting to grate on him.


    Ugly? If Meg hadn''t copied someone else''s work, why worry about usations?


    What made it worse was how they acted like they were in the right after using someone else''s ideas. It was downright disgusting.


    Linden felt like all his hard work on data analysis for them over the past few days was for nothing.


    "You guys are unbelievable. You steal someone else''s ideas and don''t even feel a shred of guilt. Anyone with a conscience would at least try to exin themselves. No one''s forcing you to do anything, yet here you are, throwing insults and dripping with sarcasm, making it seem like the victim is the one at fault."


    Linden was so frustrated he chuckled, then added, "Is it just because she''s a freshman with no one to back her up?"


    Meg''s teammates looked visibly upset, ready to argue, but Meg cut in coldly, "Senior, there''s no need to lecture us from a moral high ground. No one bullied her. This whole mess is her making baseless ims."


    After a pause, Meg continued, "If you don''t want to help us with the data analysis, that''s fine. We won''t push you, but thanks for your help these past few days."


    By now, Meg had shifted from her initial panic when she saw Mirabe, to a cool calmness.


    Her teammate had a point. It''s not just experimental papers; even the big questions in biology get debated repeatedly. What made her project any different? With that, any lingering guilt Meg felt vanished.


    Meg didn''t want to talk to Linden anymore. She turned and headed back into theb, "Let''s get back to work. We can''t let some pointless argument slow us down."


    With the paper submission deadline looming, it was better to do more experiments than waste time arguing.


    "You guys have really set a new standard for low," Linden said, turning to Mirabe. "Look, I think this giarism thing is serious. You should report it to the department."


    Hearing this, Meg stopped, turned back to Linden with a smirk, and said, "Go ahead, report it. Let''s see what the professors have to say about this so-called giarism."


    Everyone knew her mentor was Mr. Calvin, and Mr. Calvin had strong ties with the faculty. Thinking the professors would take a stand against her was wishful thinking.


    Meg scoffed and mmed theb door shut.


    At that moment, Linden remembered that Meg was Mr. Calvin''s student. While


    student disputes wouldn''t usually involve Mr. Calvin directly, when it came to his student... how could he not step in?

 Chapter 1013

    Linden looked pretty troubled, and it was no wonder. Meg seemed to have all the confidence in the world, thanks to Mr. Calvin backing her up.


    Linden had heard about Mr. Calvin before; he was the one guy in the department you really didn''t want to cross. There were stories about students who''d gotten on his bad side and ended up being pushed out of the program for one reason or another.


    If Mr. Calvin decided to step in, the whole idea theft thing could easily be flipped around, making the user look like the guilty party. It wouldn''t be shocking if, eventually, the younger student found herself facing pressure from other professors too.


    Thinking about all this made Linden feel even worse, regretting his earlier outburst. Stealing an idea was bad enough, but dealing with faculty bacsh could be seriously scary. It might just mess up her whole future.


    Linden stood there, staring at the closed door for a moment. Then he turned to Mirabe, struggling to say, "Let''s just drop it today, alright?"


    "We can''t afford to go up against Mr. Calvin," Linden admitted with a sheepish smile. He wanted to stand up for the junior student but knew he didn''t have the clout to do so. That''s just how things are sometimes; those with connections always seem to have the upper hand.


    Mirabe saw Linden''s guilt and gave him a reassuring smile. ¡°So, you called me because their decryption algorithm was off, causing the data to keep mismatching, right?"


    Linden was a bit confused about why Mirabe brought it up again but nodded. "I''ve been trying to help them sort it out for days. I''m not great with algorithms, and they seem to think theirs is fine. They''re ming the constant data mismatch on my analysis."


    That''s why he had asked Mirabe to step in. He was sure his data analysis was solid.


    Mirabe nodded, motioning for Linden to leave first. "Your data alignment got stuck at ny-seven percent, didn''t it?"


    Linden, following her lead, looked at her in surprise. "Yeah, that''s the number."


    Mirabe, calm as ever, pressed the elevator button. "Your data''s fine, and so is their algorithm. It''s just missing a key piece of data."


    Linden was caught off guard.


    When the elevator doors opened, Mirabe stepped in, and Linden quickly followed. "Key data?"


    Mirabe nodded. As she watched the elevator numbers tick down, her eyes were thoughtful. Meg had copied her algorithm method to the letter, but she didn''t get data alignment. She didn''t know that during the process, a crucial data piece needed to be entered.


    That''s why Mirabe had a perfect sess rate, while Linden, trying to help, only hit ny-seven percent. The real difference was in understanding the research.


    If Meg had really tried to learn, she would have found that missing piece easily. But unfortunately, some people just can''t get it, even with a map in hand. The elevator pinged on the ground floor, and they walked out together.


    Linden, still mulling over Mirabe''s words, didn''t speak until they were well away from theb building. Then he turned to her. "So, no matter what, her experiment''s pretty much doomed to fail?"

 Chapter 1014

    Mirabe shot Linden a sideways nce, her eyebrows yfully raised. "Mostly because they''re just in clueless."


    Linden''s cheek twitched. Even though he knew Mirabe was talking about Meg and her crew, he couldn''t shake the feeling that her words somehow included him too.


    Trying to brush it off, Linden cleared his throat and spoke with more weight in his voice, "Sure, the experimental data isn''t perfect, but ny-seven percent is still pretty solid. Plus, she''s submitting her paper for publication. It''s got a decent chance of getting epted."


    He was well aware of the journal Meg was aiming for a top-notch international research journal that only epted papers every couple of years. Having a paper published there meant more than just personal recognition; it could set the stage for future sess.


    Even though Mirabe seemed convinced that Meg''s experiment was bound to flop, academic papers often focused more on contribution than on the results themselves.


    Mirabe, however, just shook her head with a knowing smile. "Nah, she won''t make it with the Scientific Chronicles."


    Seeing Mirabe''s confidence, Linden couldn''t help but scratch his head and ask, "How do you know that?"


    Mirabe answered with a casual air, "Just a hunch."


    With that, she continued on her way, giving a little wave. "Thanks for today, Linden. I''m heading back to the department."


    Linden watched her walk away, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. There was something mysteriously intriguing about Mirabe.


    After hesitating a bit, he decided not to head back to the department. Instead, he pulled out his phone, made a quick call, and then turned towards the administration building.


    **


    In Zane''s office, after listening to Linden, Zane''s expression turned stormy.


    No wonder Meg hadn''t asked for his help with data analysis recently; she was afraid he''d catch wind of her giarism.


    "Professor, Meg is Mr. Calvin''s student, and there''s not much we can do about her. After what happened today, I''m worried about Mirabe''s future here."


    Linden wasn''t there to tattle or seek revenge but to see if there was a way to protect Mirabe.


    Though he hadn''t known Mirabe long, he could tell she was someone worth standing up for. Plus, looking out for fellow department members was just the right thing to do.


    Zane gave Linden a look of approval. Most people would be too scared to confront someone like Mr. Calvin.


    Taking a deep breath, Zane clenched his fist and pounded it on his desk. "If Meg can stoop so low as to steal ideas without any moralpass, why should we turn a blind eye? This isn''t over."


    Linden, seeing Zane''s reaction, worried he''d overstepped. "Professor, Mr. Calvin is someone we can''t afford to cross. I''m telling you because..."


    Zane raised a hand to stop him. "Linden, I get where you''reing from, but leave this to me. You don''t need to get involved."


    Meg might be leaning on Mr. Calvin for support, but why shouldn''t his students have someone backing them too?


    Zane''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. From his recent encounters with Wade, he sensed a strong connection between Wade and Mirabe. Otherwise, Mr. Calvin wouldn''t have shown up to defend them when used of data theft.


    With that thought, Zane picked up the phone beside him.

 Chapter 1015

    Can you really stand up to Wade, Calvin? Even with Mr. Belcher backing you, Wade''s reputation and experience in the scientificmunity are leagues ahead of Mr. Belcher''s, aren''t they?


    Zane smirked to himself. Once the call connected, he filled Wade in on how Meg was giarizing Mirabe''s ideas. "...Alright, I''ll wait for you toe over."


    Zane hung up shortly after. He had been on the verge of blowing his top earlier, but Wade''s response helped him cool down.


    Linden, who had been listening in, waspletely floored. He didn''t catch what was said on the other end, but just hearing Mr. Zane mention ''Wade'' was enough to leave him gobsmacked.


    There were plenty of professors in the department, but Wade was the authority, the one all the students looked up to. Linden had been at Prestige College for nearly five years and had only caught glimpses of Wade from afar.


    Swallowing hard, Linden couldn''t help but entertain a bold theory. He turned to Zane, "Sir, could Mirabe be Wade''s apprentice?"


    He''d heardst year that Wade was considering taking on a new apprentice. Given Mirabe''s skills and her early entry into their research group, it seemed entirely usible.


    Zane paused, surprised by Linden''s question, before replying, "I''m not entirely sure. I only know that your ssmate knows Wade, but whether she''s his apprentice, neither of them has ever said."


    Still, considering Wade''s approach, it seemed much like how one would treat an apprentice, didn''t it? Wade was never one to get tangled in departmental politics or waste time on petty issues.


    Linden was still in a daze, feeling like the world had turned upside down. Just moments ago, he''d been worried about Meg''s connections with a supervising teacher, fearing it might spell trouble not just for Mirabe but for himself, too.


    But now, knowing Mirabe had connections with Wade, what did Mr. Calvin amount to? No wonder the junior seemed so calm-she was holding a secret weapon.


    While Linden felt a wave of relief, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy. Wade! The Wade! Even catching a glimpse of him was considered a stroke of luck.


    "So, Wade''s going to handle this?" Linden couldn''t resist confirming, despite his envy.


    "Yeah, Wade will swing byter," Zane nodded, settling back into his chair, his expression back to normal.


    Linden let out a sigh of relief, but then another worry crept in, "But without evidence, it''s tough to prove giarism."


    Zane tapped his fingers on the table, a sly grin appearing, "Who said there''s no evidence? I am the evidence!"


    And if that wasn''t enough, the data logged on theb''sputer would be the clincher.


    Linden looked at Mr. Zane in shock, "You?"


    Zane cleared his throat, skipping over the embarrassing detail of Mr. Calvin using department funds as leverage to force him into helping Meg with data analysis. "Anyway, there''s definitely proof,¡± Zane said, waving his hand dismissively, "Don''t fret over it. You can head back."


    Mirabe had Wade on her side, but Linden didn''t. It wasn''t his business to get mixed up in.

 Chapter 1016

    Linden fiddled with his nose, curious but smart enough not to dig deeper. He left the office shortly after.


    An hourter, Wade showed up at the department. After a brief chat with Zane, he remarked, "I had a look at Calvin''s student''s paper earlier. The first version was all about gic engineering and didn''t really stand out. Then Calvin brought me a revised version, the one focusing on the value of decoding gic codes. The thesis and the differentiation forms were way more polished."


    Wade paused, setting his ss on the coffee table. "So, that second paper was Mirabe''s idea?"


    He''d been puzzled about how a student could whip up such a mature thesis so quickly. It seemed extraordinary. Research papers aren''t like your average essays; they demand lots of time for digging up data and testing theories.


    If she''d borrowed someone else''s ideas, though, it made sense.


    Zane was surprised to learn Wade had read Meg''s paper. If that was true, it strengthened the case that Meg had used Mirabe''s concept, didn''t it?


    Zane gathered his thoughts, nodding, "I mentioned before how Mirabe could whip up a 3D simtion in no time. If I''m right, Meg''s paper must''ve been based on Mirabe''s calctions."


    For someone with a good foundation, writing a paper based on another''s calctions isn''t too tough.


    "Technically, Meg using Mirabe''s calctions isn''t outright theft, but doing it without asking isn''t cool either. If everyone starts ignoring morals, things would get messy, right?"


    Wade tapped his knee, his presencemanding yet calm. After a pause, he said, "Go gather everyone."


    "Got it," Zane replied, quickly leaving the office.


    *


    Meg was still in theb when she got the message. A fellow student hade to fetch her. Hearing she needed to go to the office right away, a wave of panic swept over her. Being called in at this time could only mean one thing: the paper.


    Her teammates felt the same unease, their faces showing mixed emotions. Initially, everyone had second thoughts about using Mirabe''s idea, but the allure of recognition was too strong.


    "Moonlight, I can''t believe they went to the professor. We''re in deep now."


    "It was just using an idea. Mirabe didn''t patent it, so why make a fuss?"


    "Yeah, never seen someone hold a grudge like this."


    Her teammates gathered around Meg, looking worried.


    Meg stayed silent, sitting still for a good five minutes before regaining her


    Afterward, she looked at her teammates. "This idea has to be ours alone."


    They got the message, nodding in agreement.


    "But Mr. Zane was there too. Even if we delete the files, he saw everything," one teammate pointed out.

 Chapter 1017

    Meg''s fingers tightened and then loosened as she maintained her meticulouslyposed appearance, showing no trace of worry. "You all keep working on the calctions and checking for errors; I''m going to see my professor," she said with a calm confidence.


    At this point, she needed her professor to step in. After all, he was the department head, while Zane was just a regr faculty member.


    Her teammates, who had been a bit rattled, found a surprising sense of calm at her words. Of course, how could they forget that Meg''s professor was Mr. Calvin? With him on their side, what was there to fret about?


    Meg left the science building and headed straight to Mr. Calvin''s office. Luckily, he only had one ss today, and she caught him just as he returned.


    Meg carefully exined the idea she had borrowed from Mirabe to Mr. Calvin. When he heard her out, he frowned deeply. "Didn''t you tell me the second paper was an original idea from you and your team?"


    He had been so proud to have such a talented student, and now she was saying the idea was actually based on a freshman''s suggestion?


    Meg couldn''t meet Mr. Calvin''s eyes, her head bowed, hands clenched in front of her. "I''m sorry, professor. I know I let you down. I just thought Mirabe''s approach had more research value, so I redid it using her idea."


    Mr. Calvin rubbed his forehead, "So now Mirabe is using you of stealing her idea?"


    Meg''s eyshes fluttered as she nodded heavily. "It''s my fault. I didn''t get her permission when I tweaked our project based on her idea."


    "Permission? It was just a suggestion. Did she publish the paper before you, ore up with the n first? If not, she can''t use you of giarism."


    Mr. Calvin was annoyed that Meg hadn''t told him sooner, but he was even more frustrated by the unreasonable behavior of some students. Instead of stirring up trouble, wouldn''t it be better to learn somemon sense?


    Meg stayed silent, knowing she couldn''t admit that Mirabe had already drafted a n. If she did, she''d lose Mr. Calvin''s trust forever. She''d erased all the data from herputer; as long as she denied everything, even Zane''s word wouldn''t be enough evidence.


    Seeing Meg''s defeated stance, Mr. Calvin sighed deeply. "Alright, I''ll cover for you this time. Be sharper next time; being too honest can get you into trouble."


    Mr. Calvin''s words lifted a weight off Meg''s shoulders. She looked up, tears brimming in her eyes, "Thank you, professor. I''ll be more cautious from now on."


    He couldn''t bring himself to scold her further. She excelled in everything except being a bit too kind-hearted.


    With a wave of his hand, Mr. Calvin said, "Let''s go, I''lle with you to Zane''s office."


    Meg wiped her eyes, nodded, and thanked him repeatedly, following closely behind.


    As Mr. Calvin reached the door, he paused and turned back to Meg with a serious tone, "I need to ask onest time-are you certain your paper''s concept was only inspired by that girl''s suggestion and nothing else?"

 Chapter 1018

    Meg locked eyes with Calvin, clenching her hands tightly at her sides. She finally dered with unwavering resolve, "Yes, there''s nothing else."


    Calvin found no trace of deceit in Meg''s gaze and nodded, saying, "Alright then." That was enough confirmation for him.


    After thest incident with the documents, he had already earned Mr. Belcher''s disapproval. Another slip-up, and his role as director might be on the line.


    Before long, Calvin and Meg reached Zane''s office.


    Calvin was surprised to see Wade there. How did such a minor issue escte to involve Wade? Was he here to defend a student making baseless ims?


    Calvin frowned but quicklyposed himself. He had already grilled Meg about the incident, and even with Wade present, he felt confident in his position.


    At that moment, Calvin didn''t notice Meg''s paleplexion behind him. If he had, he would have seen the stark paleness, a telltale sign of her guilt surfacing unintentionally.


    Meg''s mind was nk, and she felt on the brink of copse.


    Why was Wade here? Wasn''t he rarely around the school?


    Why today?


    Then Meg recalled the document leak incident. Wade had shown up then, too. So, he really was tied to Mirabe, here to back her up?


    Initially, she thought having Zane as a witness and bringing in her mentor would easily settle the matter, but Wade''s presence changed the game.


    Biting her lip till it was pale, Meg followed closely behind Calvin.


    She had already spun a web of lies in front of her teachers, and now there was no going back. She had to stick to her story.


    After all, evidence was what counted.


    Without evidence, anyone could im innocence.


    Calvin reached the desk and politely greeted Wade before turning to Zane, diving straight to the heart of the matter, "Mr. Zane, I heard your student barged into theb, iming my student stole her idea. Is that right?"


    With Wade in the room, Calvin tried to keep his tone in check.


    Zane frowned at Calvin''s direct usation without any context. He nced at Meg, who stood by him with her head down, looking every bit the wronged party.


    He couldn''t help but scoff internally, noting that those whoin tend to be more cunning than those like Mirabe, who handle things without much fuss.


    Without knowing the full story, anyone might think Meg was the victim of idea theft.


    Zane mentally chided Mirabe for not confronting the issue this time, then sighed and addressed Calvin, "Mr. Calvin, your words are quite loaded. It was your student who used my student''s idea. To rify, my student wasn''t making a scene in theb; she was invited to help with data analysis, and that''s when your student''s appropriation of the idea came to light."


    Calvin had already heard this version from Meg, so he was even more convinced she wasn''t leaving out key details.


    "Idea theft? Did your student patent this idea or publish it in a journal? Are you saying what your student thought of is beyond anyone else''s reach?" Calvin''s tone turned sarcastic. "Let''s skip the unfounded usations and show some proof. Without it, you''re just smearing someone''s name."

 Chapter 1019

    Zane saw Calvin''smentsing from a mile away, so he turned his attention to Meg. "Meg, would you mind sharing your paper with us?"


    By now, Meg had her nerves under control. She met Zane''s eyes confidently, "The paper''s all my work. Why wouldn''t I share it?"


    Meg always had her trusty USB on hand, containing her original paper. She promptly pulled it out of her bag and handed it over to Zane. "The file named ''Gic Value Theory''-that''s the one."


    Except for the data analysis part, which was based on a method Mirabe had previously developed, the rest of the paper was her own hard-earned effort, meticulously refined.


    She wasn''t worried about any scrutiny.


    Zane took the USB, printed the document, and returned the drive to Meg. After a quick scan, he pointed to a chart. "This data chart, it''s the one Mirabe worked on in theb, isn''t it?"


    Meg nced at the chart Zane was indicating and pursed her lips. "No way. This was developed by our team."


    After a pause, she continued, "I admit, Mirabe''s suggestion about gic code decryption was valuable, and our team took her advice. But iming I stole the idea? That''s nonsense. She never made any data chart."


    Zane was caught off guard by Meg''s full denial. As he prepared to respond, Calvin jumped in.


    "Wait a minute, Mr. Zane. You bring in my student but leave yours out? That''s not fair. If we''re settling a dispute, it makes no sense to do it without everyone involved."


    Zane frowned. "Who says the concerned party isn''t here? I was there. Remember, Mr. Calvin, you asked me to help your student?"


    He hadn''t called Mirabe because he wanted to spare her from more usations.


    Calvin nced at Wade, who remained quiet. Not sure what Wade was thinking, but appreciating his silence, Calvin turned back to Zane. "As a mentor, you''re obviously going to back your student. Your words don''t hold much weight."


    Before Zane could protest, Calvin pulled out his phone and called the academic office, asking them to notify Mirabe toe over.


    After hanging up, Calvin leaned against the desk with a smirk. "Considering their field of study, do you really think a freshman could handle suchplex data simtion charts?"


    His voice was loud enough for everyone in the office to catch his drift.


    Wade, who had been quietly observing, nced at Calvin, shook his head, and sipped his coffee.


    About ten minutester, Mirabe walked in.


    She looked around the room, gave a slight nod to Wade, and then calmly addressed Zane. "Professor, you called for me?"


    Zane nodded, getting straight to the point. "Meg denies the allegations of using your idea."


    Calvin, with his back to Zane, couldn''t stop himself from scoffing at the scene, finding the whole situation a bit theatrical.

 Chapter 1020

    "Oh, she didn''t own up to it at noon, so she''s definitely not going to now," Mirabe said with a shrug.


    Zane''s cheeks twitched. Was that the response he was looking for? Why couldn''t she just y the helpless act like Meg?


    Zane rubbed his forehead, deciding to drop it. He looked back up at Calvin, "Alright, if you don''t believe me, then the data records on theputer should clear things up, right?"


    Thebputers kept records for the past three months, which was why Zane felt pretty confident.


    But as soon as he said that, Mirabe gave him a quiet nce. He was almost endearingly naive.


    Calvin turned around, having already grilled Meg about the missing calction data, and just waved it off, "Go ahead, find it."


    All this fuss over a little idea.


    Calvin, trying to keep his cool, added, "If youe up empty, you''ll still need to exin yourself today, especially with Wade here to see it."


    "Of course. And when it''s proven that your student did swipe my student''s idea, what will you say then?" Zane was ready for a showdown.


    He''d already ticked Calvin off before, so what was one more time?


    Calvin hadn''t been too worried, but seeing Zane''s confidence made him narrow his eyes and nce back at Meg.


    Meg clenched her fists, speaking through gritted teeth, "The calction idea is ours; there''s no stealing involved."


    Seeing her, Calvin''s expression turned unreadable, and he just said, "Alright, let''s head to theb and let the truth sort itself out."


    With that, Calvin started to leave.


    Zane''s brow furrowed.


    From the moment Calvin and Meg walked in, they''d been denying everything, even with the mention of data backups. They weren''t fazed, like they''d thought it all through.


    Maybe the data records had been wiped!


    "Hold on," Zane called out to them.


    Calvin paused, turning back to Zane with a smirk, "What? Can''t keep up the charade?"


    "You''ve erased the data records, haven''t you!" Zane used seriously.


    Calvin sighed, rubbing his temples, "You were the ones asking to see them. Now you''re using missing records as an excuse. Haven''t you had enough?"


    Looking exasperated, Calvin turned to Wade, "Wade, weigh in here. Does it make sense for a sophomore to steal a freshman''s data?"


    Wade slowly set down his coffee, ignoring Calvin''s question and turning to Mirabe, "You know, you''ve got guts, being pushed around like this and not even fighting back?"


    Calvin was taken aback by this.


    What was Wade getting at?


    What did he mean by being pushed around and not fighting back? Before Calvin could wrap his head around it, Mirabe let out a heavy sigh. Her delicate face showed indifference, her ck hoodie sleeves rolled up to reveal a bit of her pale wrist, her slender fingers twirling lightly, "That''s why it''s tough being a bystander, even when you''re just lying low, you get caught in the crossfire."

 Chapter 1021

    Wade watched as Mirabe strolled into the office, herid-back vibe setting her apart from the get-go. He figured she''d stay in her own world unless he snapped her out of it.


    "Quit lounging around, or you''ll end up like a fossil," Wade said with a smirk.


    "That''s what you''re here for, right?" Mirabe shot back, raising an eyebrow.


    Wade caught her drift immediately: "..."


    "You''re really something," he chuckled.


    Mirabe nodded, "Thanks for noticing."


    Wade just shook his head.


    Their back-and-forth was like a private show, leaving everyone else in the office with mixed reactions. Zane was unfazed, having seen Mirabe''s boldness before. Calvin and Meg, though, had different takes. Meg''s surprise quickly morphed into envy.


    She couldn''t help but feel a twinge of jealousy over how Wade interacted with Mirabe so differently from others, and how Mirabe could banter with him without ruffling his feathers.


    Mirabe then shifted her gaze back to Wade, "Mind if I borrow yourptop for a bit?"


    Wade, who had seen thising, gave her a mock re but then fished out a card from his pocket, handing it over. "Go on, take it."


    Mirabe clicked her tongue in amusement, took the card, and with a teasing nce, said, "You know, stress isn''t good for the liver. Take it easy." Wade: ""


    As Mirabe left the office, silence took over.


    Calvin was stunned at how easily Wade handed over the card-one that wasn''t just for office ess but could open any door in the Biology Department, even the top-secret archives. The level of trust Wade ced in her was surprising.


    Feeling a bit uneasy, Calvin realized Wade wasn''t the type to be soft with just anyone. Clearly, Meg hadn''t been entirely truthful with him.


    Mirabe returned in no time with Wade''sptop. She settled into a chair, fired it up, and finally turned her attention to Meg and Calvin.


    "Data records are just fluff. The real deal is how you crunch the numbers. Since Sister Jiang said theputation data was your team''s brainchild, you should know it inside out. A dataparison will reveal whose idea it really was."


    Theptop had a startup password, but before Wade could mention it, Mirabe''s fingers were already flying over the keys, and she was in.


    Wade, caught off guard, was left speechless: "???"


    Mirabe then pulled up another chair, motioning for Meg to join her with a casual wave and a pat on the seat.


    Meg, who had run these calctions a million times and was pretty confident, bit her lip but walked over without a second thought.


    With theptop bnced casually on herp, Mirabe looked over at Meg, "Do you want to kick things off, or should I?"

 Chapter 1022

    After a moment''s hesitation, Mirabe shoved theptop into Meg''s arms with a grin. "You know what? You go first. I''m too nice to push anyone around."


    Meg just blinked, speechless.


    The others around them simply exchanged nces.


    Holding theptop, it took Meg a second to snap back to reality. She settled into a chair, fumbling a bit with Wade''s custom-built machine before she finally located the right software.


    To steer clear of any awkward vibes, Mirabe dragged a chair over and plopped herself down on Wade''s right, not a hint of hesitation in her demeanor.


    Zane, watching this unfold, just sighed and turned away, clearly not keen on witnessing Mirabe''s antics.


    With no armrests on her chair, Mirabe let her hands restzily on herp, tapping her index finger at a leisurely pace. She leaned her head slightly. "Hey... Wade, maybe you should hit up the doc for a check-up sometime."


    Wade''s temples were throbbing now. "I just did one a few months ago!"


    "Oh, well, why not another?" Mirabe replied, nodding like she was dead serious. Wade, not in the mood for a back-and-forth, waved her off. "Worry about yourself." Mirabe, seeing his reaction, let it be and leaned back, waiting for Meg to wrap things up.


    About twenty minutester, without even ncing at Meg''s screen, Mirabe casually remarked, "Wade''s the fairest guy around. Just hand over your results to him for the final check."


    Wade couldn''t help but think, You''re really good at delegating, aren''t you?


    Just as Meg finished creating a data chain from her simtion, Mirabe''s authoritative tone made her fingers twitch on the touchpad, almost wiping out her work.


    Taking a steadying breath, Meg stood up with theptop and walked over to Wade. She nodded politely and handed him theptop. "Wade, if you could please take a look at this."


    Wade lifted his gaze slightly, his expression serious, a stark contrast to theid- back vibe he had with Mirabe. He nodded and took theptop.


    Seeing this, Meg felt a pang of frustration. She nced over at Mirabe, who was idly ying with her fingers, head down, and felt a wave of unfairness wash over her.


    What does she have that makes Wade treat her differently?


    Not particrly polite or charming, yet everyone seemed to protect her like she was something precious.


    Zane did.


    Their department''s Linden did too.


    And now Wade as well.


    It was mind-boggling. Since the semester started, there wasn''t any buzz about her achieving anything noteworthy.


    Feeling the heat of Meg''s re, Mirabe lifted her head slightly, a casual smile ying on her lips, her eyes sparkling with mischief.


    Meg quickly looked away, making no effort to hide her dislike for Mirabe.


    Mirabe just shrugged, lowering her head again, clearly bored.


    Meanwhile, Wade had finishedparing the data on theptop. He saved the work without a word and handed theptop back to Mirabe.


    Wade was intrigued by Zane''s mention of Mirabe whipping up a 3D simtion in just a few minutes, so he leaned in to watch her work after giving her theptop.


    Two minutester, Wade was left bewildered as he watched...


    Besides feeling a little dizzy, he got nothing else out of it.


    Mirabe exported the data chain she generated, then seamlessly imported it into anotherparison tool. Theputer''s database flickered for a bit, and soon enough, a green "100% match" notification popped up.

 Chapter 1023

    While Mirabe was deep in her data analysis, Calvin wandered over, curiosity getting the better of him. He watched, awestruck, as the numbers danced across herputer screen and noticed how effortlessly she handled it all. He was momentarily stunned.


    Calvin had always doubted Mirabe''s abilities, given her arts background. His skepticism even led him to push her out of his department at the start of the semester, risking friction with Wade in the process.


    But now, seeing her analytical prowess and the wless 100% sess rate on her screen, he felt like he was hearing the sound of his own misconceptions crumbling.


    A simtion graph in two minutes, a dataparison in one-such talent was incredible for a freshman. Even Wade hadn''t achieved a perfect sess rate like this.


    As Calvin looked at Mirabe, he saw that sameid-back attitude she always had, like nothing could ruffle her calm exterior. True talent often came with that kind of confidence.


    Mirabe could''ve been the star of his department, even outshining Meg, had he not let her go.


    Calvin''s hands trembled slightly with a mix of regret and awe.


    Meg, noticing Calvin''s reaction, felt a wave of panic. Her eyes darted to Mirabe''sptop screen.


    100% sess.


    Why could Mirabe nail it every time when Meg was stuck at 97%?


    Wade, having gathered his thoughts, took Mirabe''sptop to review the data. After a few moments, he turned to Meg and said, "You had a 97% sess rate."


    Meg had expected this result, but it still stung. "Our team hasn''t pinpointed the w in our analysis yet," she began.


    Wade shook his head, cutting her off by turning theptop screen toward her. "Take a look at Mirabe''s work first."


    Meg bit her lip, staring at the screen in disbelief. "How is this possible? We followed the same steps. Why is yours perfect?"


    Mirabe gave Meg a sidelong nce, a hint of a smirk on her lips. "Want to know the secret?"


    Meg''s eyes were glued to Mirabe''s face, eager for an answer.


    With a flick of her hand, Mirabe brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead and said, a bit smugly, "Because you''re not part of our department."


    Meg frowned, puzzled by thement.


    "Without our data science know-how, any experiment you do..." Mirabe waved her finger in the air, leaving the rest unsaid.


    As Meg recalled the first time Mirabe hadid out the simtion, she realized every step, including the dataparison, had been Mirabe''s doing. Even though Mr. Zane had done the final check, Meg was oblivious to how the data had been input and managed.


    Herck of data science expertise was the real reason for her failure, despite following the same steps.

 Chapter 1024

    "So, are you ready to admit you swiped Mirabe''s idea?" Zane stood there, back straight, chin slightly up, looking every bit the part of an interrogator.


    Meg, already knocked down a peg, seemed to be inviting another round. You had to admire her guts, if nothing else.


    She snapped back to reality, ncing around at those present: Wade, her mentor... She took a deep breath and said, "This doesn''t prove anything. Sure, Mirabe knows her data analysis, but me and my team don''t. If she wanted to mess with the data..."


    Before she could finish, Calvin cut her off. "Enough, Meg. Just apologize to Mr. Zane and Mirabe."


    Calvin tilted his head back, his face a mask of disappointment. From the moment the results were revealed, she should''ve just apologized instead of arguing.


    How could the real creator not know how to handle each step? Even if it wasn''t their specialty, they''d have figured it out.


    Keeping up the denial was like treating everyone like idiots.


    Meg''s face turned ghostly pale, and she almost lost her footing. She looked at Calvin, but all she saw was the icy disappointment in his eyes, sending a chill down her spine.


    "I''m sorry..."


    But before she could finish, Mirabe jumped in, lifting herptop. "Hold on, let''s check theb data logs, just to be sure no one''s been wronged."


    Zane grimaced at this.


    How were they supposed to do that? The records were likely wiped, and now they had to trek all the way to theb?


    Rubbing his temples, Zane realized the troublemaker was easier to handle when she was quiet.


    Two minutester, Mirabe had herptop linked to theb''sputer, digging into the hard drive. She turned to Zane and asked, "Zane, when did we show off ourputer skills, the day senior Jiang saw a perfect data match?"


    Zane nced at Meg, who looked even paler, and couldn''t help but feel a bit satisfied at how precise this was.


    He coughed into his hand, trying to sound serious. "The 7th. I was in a great mood that day; it really stood out."


    As Mirabe typed out a recovery script, she gave Zane a sideways nce. Quite the sharpshooter, indeed.


    Their opponent was nearly in tears, and there he was, still in high spirits.


    Soon, Mirabe restored the deleted log for everyone to see. She opened the data log, letting them all see for themselves.


    The results matched Mirabe''s findings exactly. No more words needed; the facts spoke for themselves.


    Meg, feeling utterly defeated, staggered back. If there was a crack in the floor, she''d dly disappear into it.


    She had no idea how she left Zane''s office; all she knew was she''dpletely blown it in front of her mentor.


    Now, standing in Calvin''s office, head hung low, she kept apologizing over and


    over.


    Calvin, his face almost nk, thought about how he''d just had to grovel to Zane, and the anger just bubbled up inside him.


    He''d never felt so humiliated in his life.

 Chapter 1025

    "Meg, I always figured you had a knack for knowing what''s right, both in work and in life. I can''t wrap my head around you being so reckless over an experiment," Calvin said, rubbing his temples. "From now on, don''t tell anyone you''re my student."


    Meg, still staring at the floor, couldn''t believe her ears. She looked up, "Professor..."


    Calvin didn''t bother with another word. He turned on his heel and headed to his desk, sitting with his back to her, making it clear he didn''t want to see her anymore.


    He was utterly disappointed.


    Seeing this, Meg whispered a few apologies and shuffled out, lookingpletely defeated.


    Calvin sat in silence for ages before finally turning his chair around. He opened a drawer, pulled out a paper he had meant to keep on file, and ripped it to bits, tossing the pieces into the trash.


    After that, he picked up his phone and made a call, "Yeah, cancel the paper. Thanks for sorting it out."


    Hanging up, Calvin threw the phone onto the desk. Even though Meg''s final experimental proof wasn''t done, he''d already sent the paper in, and it had passed the initial review.


    But after today''s fiasco, how could he even think of publishing it?


    Massaging his aching temples, Calvin knew it was only a matter of time before Mr. Belcher called him in for a good talking to.


    And if Wade decided to stir things up, he might just lose his job as department head.


    But all that was secondary. Thinking about Mirabe''s skills earlier, he could only let out a deep sigh. The field of bioputing seemed ready to take off.


    If only he hadn''t pushed her away back then.


    After sneaking out of Zane''s office, Mirabe decided not to return to her research team since it was alreadyte afternoon. She called As to get a ride home.


    Twenty minutester, As pulled up outside the school.


    As Mirabe approached, the passenger-side window lowered slowly. She stopped in her tracks, quickly recognizing the person inside, "Grady, when did you get to Riverdale?"


    Grady grinned, "Just today. Thought I''d drop by and see you. Hop in."


    As he spoke, As coughed from the driver''s seat, giving Grady a knowing look.


    You''re full of it, Grady. You''ve been in Riverdale this whole time, just trying to find a reason to see Miss Mira.


    Mirabe nodded without a hint of suspicion and climbed into the back seat. The car soon pulled away, leaving the school behind.


    "Things busy at schooltely?" Grady asked, leaning back and speaking softly.


    "Not too much," Mirabe replied, sitting quietly with her hands resting on her knees, looking every bit the picture of poise.


    Grady nced in the rearview mirror at Miss Mira and couldn''t help but think, daughters really are a gift.


    Clearing his throat, he checked the time, "Oh, by the way, your brother Zach is also in Riverdale for work. I''ve arranged for us to have dinner together."


    Mirabe nodded, her gaze lingering outside the window. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Owen.


    Owen had just wrapped up his paperwork. His phone had been sitting next to him, and now he finally had a moment to check it.


    Amidst work reminders and updates, he spotted the message from Mirabe. Just as he was about to open it, Johnny knocked and walked briskly into his office.

 Chapter 1026

    Owen nced up from his phone as he opened a message, catching Johnny''s eye. "What''s the rush?"


    Johnny stopped midway, hesitated, then doubled back to close the office door. "I just heard from a buddy at the prosecutor''s office-Lawyer Zach got threatened at the courthouse yesterday."


    Owen had just finished a message from Mirabe and was momentarily taken aback. "Seriously?"


    Johnny nodded. "Yeah, they said it hit his shoulder but didn''t do any serious damage, so it''s not too bad. Plus, he was having dinner with youst night, right? He seemed okay then."


    Thinking back, Owen recalled that Zach had seemed perfectly fine. That gave him a bit of relief.


    Then a thought crossed Owen''s mind, and he set his phone down. "Any idea who''s behind it?"


    Johnny shook his head. "Not yet, but it smells like an inside job. This is Riverdale we''re talking about, not some backwater town."


    In a ce like Riverdale, especially within the legal system, such threats usually meant Zach had stepped on some powerful toes. Otherwise, who would dare to pull something like this in the courthouse?


    It''d be like asking for trouble.


    Owen pondered quietly, understanding why Zach had suddenly asked him to keep an eye on his sister. He then instructed, "Johnny, get someone to dig into this quietly."


    Given what Mirabe had done for him-curing his illness and helping his mentor -he couldn''t just turn a blind eye.


    Johnny looked at Owen. "Are you getting involved?" He frowned, then seemed to reconsider and nodded. "Got it."


    Owen shot him a look. "You don''t always have to weigh the benefits. Some things are about more than just calctions."


    Johnny lowered his gaze, his expression unchanged. "But sometimes there are boundaries you just can''t ignore. You''vee this far, and if you don''t y the game, others will outmaneuver you."


    Owen pressed his temples, not wanting to delve into that conversation. He replied to Mirabe''s message, then stood up.


    He grabbed his suit jacket. "Come on, let''s go see the teacher tonight."


    "Sure thing." Johnny nodded respectfully and followed Owen out.


    About half an hourter, they arrived at Mason''s ce.


    Frank''s wife opened the door. "Owen, Johnny, have you had dinner?" Her warm smile invited them in.


    Owen smiled back, saying they hadn''t eaten yet. "Is the teacher home?"


    Behind him, Johnny carried in the health supplements they picked up on the way.


    "You''re always so thoughtful when you visit." Ana led them to the living room. "Your teacher''s here, but we''ve got a guest today."


    Owen paused briefly.


    Ana turned to him. "Don''t worry, it''s just a friend of Mason''s. Not a political type." Owen nodded softly and followed her in.


    Despite being Frank''s prot¨¦g¨¦, not many knew about their connection. Frank lived a life of integrity, and Owen was careful to avoid any hint of favoritism.

 Chapter 1027

    Inside the cozy house, Frank was sitting at the table, chatting with a friend. The dishes were barely touched, suggesting they were just about to dig in for dinner.


    Frank nced up and spotted Owen entering. With a weing smile, he called out, "Hey there, Owen! Let me introduce you to an old buddy of mine. You can just call him David."


    Owen walked over, giving a polite nod, "Nice to meet you, David."


    David, stroking his gray beard with a thoughtful look, observed Owen. "You''ve got quite the presence," he noted. "Frank, you''ve got a remarkable student here; no wonder you always speak so highly of him."


    Frank chuckled warmly, motioning for Owen to sit next to him. Ana headed off to grab another set of silverware for Owen.


    Owen thanked her and turned to Frank, asking, "How have you been feelingtely?"


    Frank''s expression shifted slightly as he replied, "Well, since I started taking that medicine you brought, I haven''t had any palpitations at night. It''s been a relief."


    Knowing about Mirabe''s exceptional skills in medicine, Owen felt a wave of relief himself. "You''re probably almost out of it by now, right?"


    Frank nodded, "Looks like there''s just one pill left."


    Owen hade by after getting a message from Mirabe, "Once you finish that, I''ll have Mirabee over to continue your treatment."


    The sess of the medicine seemed to make Frank more open to treatment, and he nodded in agreement, "Sounds good."


    David, overhearing the conversation, was curious. "Frank, what kind of medicine have you been taking?"


    "It''s simr to the pills you gave me, but honestly, this one''s working better," Frank confessed.


    "Really?" David raised an eyebrow in surprise. He knew Frank''s condition well and had thought it untreatable. Seeing Frank''s genuine demeanor, he asked seriously, "Let me check your pulse."


    Frank extended his hand onto the table.


    Owen, watching this unfold, was a bit taken aback. Was his teacher''s friend also a doctor?


    As David''s fingertips rested on Frank''s pulse, his brows knitted in a slight frown. The pulse was odd-one moment it felt faint, and the next, it seemed to vanish, like a mirage.


    "Let me see your other hand."


    David''s expression rarely showed such depth of thought, and the pulse on the other hand mirrored the first.


    After pondering for a while, David released Frank''s hand and asked, "Have you had any other symptoms, like shortness of breath or chest tightness?"


    Frank shook his head, "Not at all. In fact, I feel a lot lighter."


    A weak pulse without any difort, yet feeling lighter, was indeed perplexing.


    David, unconsciously stroking his beard, was puzzled and said, "You mentioned the medicine, can I have a look?"


    "Sure thing." Frank got up and went into another room, returning shortly with a white stic bottle, which he handed to David.


    David nced at the bottle, quickly unscrewing the cap. As soon as he opened it, a strong herbal aroma hit his senses, making him narrow his eyes in surprise. He fanned the scent towards himself, trying to catch more of it.


    The lingering fragrance of the medicine caused David''s expression to change dramatically. Forgetting his usualposure, he quickly poured out thest remaining pill from the bottle.

 Chapter 1028

    Frank had rarely seen David lose his cool, so he asked with a hint of curiosity, "Old Watson?"


    David didn''t reply, just kept fiddling with the pill in his fingers. It was about the size of a soybean, with a surface as dark and rough as failed concoctions often are,cking the bright sheen you''d expect from a skilled pharmacist''s creation. Yet, somehow, it carried the essence of ancient remedies.


    David''s fingers trembled slightly before he suddenly looked up at Frank, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Old Lewis, where did this medicinee from?"


    Frank hesitated for a moment. "A friend of Chris."


    Hearing this, David''s gaze shifted, intense and probing, to Owen. Owen had been sitting quietly, listening in. When he looked up at David, he paused before asking, "David, is there something special about this medicine?"


    "Oh, right, I forgot to mention-David here is the president of the Pharmacists'' Guild," Frank whispered to Owen.


    The moment those words hit, Owen, who usually kept his emotions in check, was visibly taken aback, his shock obvious. Owen, more focused on politics than the local power struggles in Riverdale, had been in town for nearly a year and was seen as ''a tough nut to crack'' by other factions.


    While he didn''t pay much attention to Riverdale''s internal power dynamics, he''d heard plenty about the Pharmacists'' Guild. When he''d been dealing with some health issues, Johnny had frequently mentioned the Guild, suggesting that befriending someone there was quite an achievement.


    He hadn''t expected David to be the president of the Pharmacists'' Guild. That realization momentarily threw Owen off.


    Johnny, sitting quietly nearby, was equally stunned, his hands trembling slightly on the table. He never imagined the friendly and seemingly mild-mannered David was actually the Guild''s president. In their circles, the pharmacists of the Guild were often seen as aloof and hard to approach.


    Johnny tried to rein in his excitement, sneaking a nce at David. He recalled his own experience with Dane, which was a stark contrast to dealing with David. It was clear there was a world of difference between true masters and those just pretending.


    Owen quickly regained hisposure, apologized, and addressed David''s question. "This medicine was prescribed by a friend of mine."


    Given that the prescription hade directly from Mirabe, it was likely she had


    concocted it herself. He nodded. "That should be the case."


    David took a deep breath, working hard to maintain his calm. "Could you introduce me to your friend?"


    It had been a long wait for another opportunity like this to appear.


    Though surprised that David was the Guild''s president, Owen didn''t immediately agree, responding politely, "I''ll need to ask."


    With that, he pulled out his phone, retrieved Mirabe''s number, and made a call. David nodded repeatedly, unfazed by the dy. After all, the person who concocted this medicine was truly a master. Masters have their own prestige. Not meeting them was par for the course.


    David stroked his beard, still slightly trembling with anticipation.

 Chapter 1029

    At that moment, Mirabe and Grady had just arrived at the club, making their way to the suite upstairs where the phone signal was spotty. As soon as the call connected, it got cut off with a ttering noise.


    Mirabe nced at her phone, hung up, and quickly switched to the club''s Wi-Fi to message Owen via Messenger, "Signal''s weak here, let''s chat on Messenger."


    Owen was about to try calling again when he saw her message pop up. He switched to Messenger and typed back, "My professor has a friend in the Pharmacists'' Guild who''s really interested in your medicine and wants to meet you."


    The suite was roomy. Mirabe walked over to the couch, sat down, and rubbed her temples as she read Owen''s message. To keep her medicine from being easily recognized, she''d made it look a bit rough around the edges. Unless someone was a real expert, even Niki might not figure it out.


    She quickly replied, "Sorry, it''s not convenient."


    Owen wasn''t surprised by her answer, but he could feel David''s intense stare beside him. He paused and sent another message, "He''s the president of the Pharmacists'' Guild."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched. No wonder her medicine was spotted. Still uninterested in meeting any president, she declined again, "Too busy, no time for meetings."


    Owen recognized the polite brush-off. After sending a quick "Okay," he looked up at David with an apologetic smile, "Sorry, David, she''s swamped with her studies and can''t fit it in."


    "Is that so..." David''s eyes showed disappointment, but he nodded in understanding. After all, she was clearly talented, maybe even a bit of a prodigy. Thinking of historical persistence, like Liu Bei visiting Zhuge Liang three times, Davidforted himself with a small smile, "Maybe when she''s less busy..."


    Before he could finish, realization dawned on David, and he turned to Owen, "...Did you say she''s too busy studying?"


    Did he hear that right?


    Owen blinked, then nodded, "Yeah, studying."


    David''s smile faltered as he asked, "Studying what?"


    "She''s a college student," Frank chimed in from the side, not realizing the bombshell he was dropping on David.


    A college student?


    Still just a young girl?


    David couldn''t hide his shock, pointing at the stic bottle with the medicine, "You''re telling me the person who made this is a... college student?"


    Frank nced at David, sensing that a simple ''yes'' might lead to an overreaction, so he just shrugged.


    "This isn''t just any medicine, it might be beyond grade A..." David clutched the bottle, a mix of awe and disbelief on his face, "I barely managed to make grade-A medicine in my thirties."


    A college student, barely out of her teens, crafting something this advanced was nothing short of remarkable.


    Even his brightest pupil, Devon, didn''t pull this off until his thirties.


    Frank didn''t grasp the significance of the medicine''s grade, but seeing David''s reaction, he figured it must be precious. With that thought, he grabbed the bottle from David and tucked it into his jacket pocket.


    David, snapping back to reality, was left speechless.

 Chapter 1030

    After having dinner with the Jones family, David made a quick exit. But not before he snagged Owen''s contact info, knowing that Mirabe would soon be dropping by to check on Frank.


    Once David left, Owen and Johnny didn''t stick around either. They hit the road, with Johnny at the wheel. He might''ve looked calm on the outside, but inside, his thoughts were all over the ce, buzzing with the evening''s events.


    "I never would''ve guessed the old boss was pals with Mr. Boyd," Johnny mused aloud. He used to think knowing a mid-level pharmacist was a big deal, but now? He felt a bit silly for his narrow view. Ten guys like Dane couldn''t hold a candle to one Mr. Boyd.


    Then, a thought struck him. ncing at the rearview mirror, Johnny asked softly, "Do you think Ms. Mirabe might be even more remarkable than Mr. Boyd?"


    Though David hadn''t spilled all the details, it was pretty clear. Owen stared out the window, finally nodding, "Probably."


    Johnny sighed, still gripping the wheel. "You know, looks sure can be deceiving. Who knows how far Ms. Mirabe will go."


    Her skills in pharmaceuticals, already surpassing Mr. Boyd''s, were enough to make waves. Plus, she had James backing her up.


    Owen shot a sideways nce at Johnny. "That''s why some bonds aren''t forged through scheming."


    Johnny just gave a wry smile. The Davis family''s involvement was something he hadn''t foreseen.


    Over at another club, Mirabe had wrapped up her chat with Owen and was now lounging on a sofa with Grady, shooting the breeze. They''d been there for the better part of an hour, and it was nearing seven, but Zach still hadn''t shown up.


    Mirabe checked her phone. "Let me try calling Zach."


    "Could be traffic," Grady noted, ncing at his watch-it was rush hour, after all.


    "The call''s not going through." Mirabe frowned, hanging up. Zach was usually so punctual; it wasn''t like him to bete or unreachable.


    "Let''s give it a bit more time; he might be here soon," Grady suggested, then stood up. "I''m gonna hit the restroom."


    Mirabe nodded and tried to rx on the sofa, but an inexplicable irritation gnawed at her. She stood up, moved to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and pulled open the heavy curtains.


    She cracked the window open, hoping the cool breeze might calm her nerves, but it barely made a dent.


    After a moment, she tried Zach''s number again-still no luck.


    Meanwhile, Grady slipped out of the suite, heading down the hallway to the end before calling As. "Can you find out where the young master is right now?"


    The club was a Davis family joint, and As was stationed in the top-floor office. He straightened up at Grady''s request. "Got it."


    Phone in pocket, Grady lingered at the hallway''s end for a few minutes, his gaze deep and thoughtful. Then he turned back toward the suite, his expression nowposed.


    Back in the suite, he was surprised to find the sofa empty. Scanning the room, with its open curtains but no sign of Mirabe, Grady assumed she''d gone to the restroom.


    He settled back on the sofa, but after waiting a few minutes, no one emerged. Grady frowned, feeling a growing sense of unease.

 Chapter 1031

    After trying multiple times to reach Zach anding up empty, Mirabe had a nagging feeling something wasn''t right.


    Last night, she caught a whiff of ointment on him. They''d joked about it, and her mind wandered elsewhere. But when he headed upstairs, his silhouette struck her as odd. Thinking back, it seemed like he might''ve hurt his shoulder.


    Before Grady even returned, Mirabe was already in the elevator, heading down. As she made her way outside, her fingers flew over her phone, quickly finding Zach''s assistant''s number and calling it.


    The assistant picked up immediately. Hearing Mirabe on the line, he didn''t bother asking how she got his number. Clearly flustered, he blurted out, "Zach... Zach''s been taken. I don''t know where, just that I need to get some documents ready..."


    His words were scattered, but Mirabe got the gist. "Got it," she replied, and hung up, her face clouded with worry.


    "Miss Mira, weren''t you upstairs?" As called out as he spotted her in the lobby and quickly approached her.


    Mirabe heard As but only murmured a response, not even ncing up, her fingers still dancing over her phone screen.


    As, noting her unusually cold expression, felt a chill. Remembering Grady''s earlier instructions, a sense of dread washed over him as he moved closer to Mirabe. She didn''t shy away, letting him catch a glimpse of her phone screen, which made his eyes widen.


    Mirabe swiftly pocketed her phone, turned to As, and her gazended on the car keys in his hand. "As, I need to borrow the car."


    "Oh, sure thing," As said, snapping back to reality as he handed her the keys. "Is something going on with Mr. Zach?"


    Mirabe nodded, offering no further details, and headed for the exit with the keys. Her stride was quick, her coat billowing as she passed through the revolving doors, her face set in a determined, unreadable mask.


    As followed closely, his eyes on her, sensing an intense aura around Miss Mira that was a bit unsettling.


    As they reached the car, As pointed, "It''s over here."


    Mirabe unlocked it, got in, and As, worried about what might unfold, jumped in beside her without hesitation.


    They roared out of the club''s open-air parking lot in no time. Mirabe drove like the wind, the elerator almost t to the floor as they zipped past other cars, heading straight for a neighborhood on the city''s outskirts, where demolition was underway.


    As, gripping the handle in the passenger seat, could feel his legs trembling slightly. He nced over at Miss Mira, her ck coat making her appear even more distant, one hand casually resting on the door frame, but with an undercurrent of danger.


    His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling his attention away. He quickly answered, "Grady, yeah, I''m with Miss Mira. We''re on our way to the northern vige in the suburbs... Okay, got it."


    About fifteen minutester, they turned into a narrow alley. The vige, due to the ongoing demolition, was nearly deserted, with the word "demolish" painted in red across the walls.

 Chapter 1032

    The car cruised smoothly down the road, and before long, Mirabe eased up on the gas as the blinking red dot on her smartphone came into view. Ahead was a sprawling, abandoned lot, enveloped in the night. The car''s high beams cast an eerie glow on a rusty, battered iron gate with a sign hanging above it.


    Her phone''s GPS showed her target was just beyond that gate.


    Mirabe stayed in the car, her gaze cool andposed. Then, without hesitation, she mmed the elerator to the floor. With a thunderous crash, the car plowed through the run-down gate, sending it crashing to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust that hung in the air, lit up by the headlights.


    As, sitting beside her, felt a wild thrill stir within him, a feeling he hadn''t experienced in ages. They both had lived on the edge before, and even though they had left that life behind, the rogue spirit still simmered beneath the surface.


    Mirabe''s daring move struck a chord deep within him.


    Absolutely fearless.


    As''s eyes sparkled with newfound energy.


    Inside the lot, dim lights flickered. The noise of the gate being smashed had already alerted those inside. A dozen figures d in ck emerged quickly, squinting against the dazzling headlights and shielding their eyes. After a moment, they adjusted and saw the two people in the car.


    Mirabe sat poised, her gaze steady as she surveyed the scene. After a few beats, she unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out with a calm, deliberate air.


    The night breeze tousled a few strands of her hair across her eyes, which she brushed aside with a gentle blow. Her stride was confident, legs straight as she walked forward, nonchntly rolling up the sleeves of her trench coat to reveal her slim, pale wrists.


    "Where is he?" Her voice was soft, devoid of menace, yet it carried clearly to the dozen or so men.


    The leader, standing at the front, squinted at Mirabe, surprise etched on his face. He didn''t expect them to find this ce so quickly.


    He nced over her shoulder, noticing just one man who seemed somewhat formidable behind her, and no one else.


    Just the two of them?


    "Got what you came for?" he asked, arms crossed, dismissively.


    A faint metallic scent of blood hung in the air.


    "No." Mirabe casually pinched her wrist, her knuckles stark and cool.


    "You''ve got guts showing up empty-handed," the man sneered, eyeing Mirabe up and down. His lips curled into a smirk as he nodded slightly, ordering his men, "Bring her in."


    It would be a waste not to seize someone who walked right into their hands. Especially someone with such striking looks.


    The man clicked his tongue and turned to head inside.


    Mirabe''sshes lifted slightly, spotting a broken stick on the ground. In a sh, she bent down, grabbed it, and brought it down hard on the back of the man''s head. Her speed caught everyone off guard.


    The man stumbled forward from the sharp pain, nearly hitting the ground. Regaining his bnce, he turned, wiping the back of his head, his fingersing away bloodied.


    His expression darkened instantly. He snatched a steel pipe from a nearby thug and swung it at Mirabe. "You''re really asking for it!"


    Mirabe''s lips curled into a steely smile. As the pipe swung towards her, she sidestepped and kicked the man''s knee with force. The sickening crack of bone echoed, and she struck his head again with the stick.


    He crumpled to the ground.


    The others finally snapped to attention, gripping their weapons as they crowded around her.

 Chapter 1033

    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over a dozen people, a wild smile tugging at her lips. There was a chill in her eyes, and with a swift motion, her hand tightened around the bat she was holding.


    Next to her, As couldn''t hide his shock when he saw Miss Mira spring into action. But there was no time to dwell on it; he swiftly kicked a nearby assant and started dealing with the rest.


    In under five minutes, the skilled fighters were all sprawled on the ground, too intimidated by the fierce duo to even groan in pain.


    Just then, another figure emerged slowly, dragging a blood-soaked person whose face was nearly unrecognizable under the crimson stains.


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed, the veins in her hand gripping the bat standing out with tension. That was her Zach.


    The man holding Zach had a gun pressed to his temple, exuding an aura of menace far stronger than the others. He chuckled, gripping Zach''s cor. "Looks like you all have a death wish."


    Zach was unconscious by now, limp in the man''s hold, his fingertips leaving a trail of blood.


    A steely determination filled Mirabe''s eyes as she moved towards the man with the bat in hand. But just as she was about to make her move, As grabbed her


    arm.


    "Miss Mira, don''t," he urged. He knew Mirabe was skilled, but the guy holding Zach had a gun, and this wasn''t a risk she should take.


    Mirabe hesitated for a moment, nced at As, then shrugged off his hand.


    As she steadily approached, the captor''s eyes narrowed, his finger twitching on the trigger before he aimed the gun at Mirabe''s forehead.


    Seeing this, As tensed, reaching for his own gun.


    But before he could act, Mirabe had already thrown her bat. In a blink, she was right in front of the man, moving with uncanny speed. Ignoring the gun, she broke his wrist, causing the weapon to tter to the ground.


    The man gasped in pain, not expecting such force from her. As he tried to retaliate, Mirabe''s kick sent him flying, leaving him sprawled on the ground, unable to get up.


    Mirabe quickly went to Zach, ignoring the man entirely. She rested Zach''s head on her shoulder, checking his pulse at his neck.


    Frowning, she pulled her hand back and examined him for other injuries. Though her expression softened slightly, her brows remained furrowed with concern.


    As hurried over, helping to support Zach. "We need to get him to a hospital, fast."


    Mirabe nodded, and together they got Zach into the car. She took the back seat, leaving As to drive.


    As agreed, and before getting in, he nced at the defeated assants, called for backup to handle the situation, and then jumped into the driver''s seat.


    The car roared to life, speeding towards the nearest hospital.

 Chapter 1034

    In the car, Mirabe gently cradled Zach''s head in herp, his wounds still


    bleeding. She reached for a silver needle she always kept handy and skillfully applied it to a few acupuncture points, quickly stopping the bleeding.


    Zach was still out cold, showing no signs of waking up.


    Not long after, they pulled up to the hospital''s ER. As parked right by the entrance and called for a nurse with a gurney.


    Once they carefully moved Zach onto it, the medical team whisked him into the emergency room.


    Mirabe stood outside, her eyes glued to the glowing red sign above the door. When a nurse passed by, she made sure to request a blood type check.


    She leaned against the wall, oblivious to the dried blood on her wrist, her expression clouded with worry.


    A couple of minutester, Grady came rushing over. "Is Zach okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.


    Mirabe snapped back to reality at the sound of his voice. It took her a moment to adjust her focus and look up at him. She shook her head slightly. "He''s got two broken ribs and some nasty injuries, but nothing else too serious."


    Grady let out a sigh of relief. He offered her a fewforting words, then noticed the blood on her hands. "Are you hurt? Maybe you should get a nurse to check that out."


    "I''m alright, it''s just a little bit of blood. Grady, I''m heading to the restroom," she nodded at him and walked down the hallway.


    Her slender figure seemed weighed down with heavy thoughts.


    Grady watched her leave, his expression turning a bit grim. As, who had just returned from paying the bill, approached. "Grady, you''re here. Where''s Miss Mira?"


    "She''s in the restroom," Grady replied, turning to face him. "What happened exactly?"


    As gave him a quick rundown of the night''s events. "Those guys were just some hired muscle; we haven''t figured out who sent them."


    Grady nodded, his eyes drifting back to the emergency room door. After a pause, he asked, "What kind of mess has the young master gotten himself into this time?"


    As recalled the attackers mentioning something about documents when they showed up at the abandoned site. "I''ll get someone to look into what case he was handling here in Riverdale."


    "Alright." Grady narrowed his eyes, thinking about what As had just said. Then he asked, "Does Miss Mira really know how to fight?"


    As was dialing his phone but nodded at Grady''s question. "She''s incredibly fast and agile, definitely a force to be reckoned with."


    Grady fiddled with a bracelet on his wrist, taken aback by As''s high praise. If As spoke so highly of her, she must be exceptional.


    As As finished his call, he suddenly remembered something else. "Oh, and Miss Mira''s driving skills are right up there with yours."


    Her speed was enough to make your heart race.


    Grady, who had once asked Mirabe about her driving only to get a modest answer, was left speechless.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe washed the blood from her hands in the restroom and tidied herself up before stepping out.


    She didn''t rush back to the emergency room but instead found a quieter spot outside. Pulling out her phone, she called Zach''s assistant. "What case were you guys working on during this business trip?"


    The assistant, relieved to hear his boss was safe, hesitated when Mirabe


    asked. "That''s confidential business information. I''m afraid I can''t share it."

 Chapter 1035

    Mirabe propped her foot up on the flower stand beside her, her gaze calm and collected. She didn''t delve deeper into the topic but simply asked, "Did my brother run into some trouble yesterday?"


    The assistant had already gged down a taxi. Maybe it was Mirabe''s tone that made him instinctively serious, so he didn''t try to hide anything. He quickly recounted what had happened at the courthouse yesterday.


    It had only been a day since the incident, and the boss was in trouble again. This wasn''t about keeping things under wraps anymore; it was a matter of safety.


    What really baffled the assistant was how Mirabe had called half an hour ago about Zach, and then somehow managed to sort everything out in the next thirty minutes. He couldn''t wrap his head around it.


    Mirabe gently brushed her fingers over the nt, realizing she wouldn''t get more answers, and soon hung up.


    After lingering outside for a moment, she sent Curtis a message on Messenger. Barely a momentter, Curtis called back, "Ms. Mirabe, is Zach alright?"


    "Thanks, he''s fine," Mirabe replied.


    With that, Curtis breathed a sigh of relief. After exchanging a few more words, he promised, "Don''t worry, I''ll get the info to you within an hour."


    "Thanks, I appreciate it," Mirabe nodded.


    Before hanging up, Curtis asked, "Are you okay?"


    Holding her phone, Mirabe walked back towards the hospital, her voice soft, "I''m fine."


    "d to hear it."


    Curtis then ended the call, but not before instructing his team to check what went down at the courthouse yesterday and what case Zach was working on. After giving his orders, Curtis thought for a moment and shot a message to his friend James, still puzzled by how calm Mirabe sounded.


    **


    The emergency room was still in action, its red light shing above the door. Mirabe strolled over and took a seat next to Grady. She looked at him and said, "Grady, you should head home and rest. I can handle things here."


    Grady gave a small smile and shook his head, "It''s alright. I''ll wait until Zach''s out before I leave."


    Seeing his resolve, Mirabe didn''t push further. She leaned back in her chair, her head resting against the wall, lost in thought.


    About twenty minutester, the emergency room light finally dimmed.


    The door swung open, and a nurse wheeled out a hospital bed.


    Zach was in fresh hospital clothes, his head wrapped in white gauze. Despite the swelling and cuts on his face, he seemed to have escaped serious injury.


    Mirabe followed the nurse into the ward, while Grady got an update from the doctor before joining them. The news was pretty much what Mirabe had already shared.


    They still had to wait a bit for the X-ray and blood test results.


    In the ward, after setting up the IV, the nurse left. Zach''s assistant rushed in shortly after.


    Seeing his bossid up in bed, the assistant was about to ask what happened but paused when he noticed Grady''s intimidating presence in the room.


    Luckily, Grady didn''t linger. After taking a phone call, he left.


    Once Grady was gone, the assistant exhaled in relief and asked, "Ms. Mirabe, who was that just now?"


    "A family elder," Mirabe briefly exined and gestured for the assistant to sit.


    The assistant nodded, thinking to himself that the man seemed more like a guardian angel than just a family elder.

 Chapter 1036

    The assistant dragged a chair over to the bedside and plopped down, eyes glued to the boss lying there quietly. His face was painted with worry, as pale as a sheet.


    Being awyer might not be the riskiest job out there, but when you''re dealing with cases that tangle with money and power, it''s like walking a tightrope without a


    He''d been at it for nearly ten years, and this was the first time he''d seen someone get snatched in broad daylight, guns and all.


    Sitting there, he started to mutter, "I warned your brother not to take this case, but he went ahead anyway. He knew it was a trap but still jumped in headfirst."


    "Those folks have some serious clout. How could they let small fries like us mess with their authority?"


    "There are plenty of people fighting for justice; why did he have to be the one to stick his neck out?"


    He bent over, head buried in his arms, genuinely shaken. The memory of that gun pressed to his temple was something he''d never shake off.


    Mirabe lounged in her chair, silently taking in the assistant''s words. In some professions, once you''re in, you''ve signed up for the risks too.


    That''s just how it goes in this world.


    A knock on the door brought Mirabe back to the present. She asked the


    assistant to keep an eye on Zach and slipped out of the room.


    The doctor handed her the report. "The X-ray shows, aside from some bumps and bruises, there are minor internal injuries. But the shadows around the liver, spleen, and heart area are a bit odd. I''ll need to dig a little deeper."


    Mirabe scanned the film and then tucked it back into the envelope, giving the doctor a nod of thanks.


    The doctor smiled, "No need to thank me. Oh, and about the blood test you requested the results came back fine. There''s just a trace element that''s higher than usual, but it won''t mess with daily life."


    After a pause, he added, "Our equipment''s not top-notch. If you want to bepletely sure, once he''s feeling better, you might want to get a thorough check- up at the city hospital. They''ve got more advanced tech."


    "Thanks," Mirabe said with a polite nod.


    The doctor left shortly after.


    Mirabe lingered for a moment, her eyes downcast. As she turned to head back


    to the room, her phone buzzed in her pocket.


    She fished it out and hit the answer button.


    James''s clear voice came through first, "You okay?"


    Mirabe stepped aside, softly replying, "Yeah, I stayed out of it."


    James, hearing this, felt a twinge of helplessness. He nced outside the tent at the crackling fire, its flickering light dancing in his bright eyes, everything around him still and quiet.


    After a pause, he said, "The signal''s hit-or-miss here, so don''t sweat it. If anythinges up, reach out to Curtis. He can handle it. I might be a few days before I get back."


    "Oh." Mirabe pouted a bit, catching sight of Curtis approaching from the other side. She added, "Alright, get some rest. I''m hanging up now."


    "Okay." James didn''t immediately end the call. He pulled the phone away, watching the call timer tick on the screen.


    Ten secondster, James let out a soft sigh, calling out, "Mirabe."


    Mirabe, still holding her phone, felt her cheeks warm, "Oops, forgot to hang up. Bye."


    With that, she quickly ended the call.

 Chapter 1037

    James chuckled, shaking his head as he tossed his phone aside. He sunk back onto the mat, hands behind his head, staring at the tent ceiling until his eyes finally drifted shut. Ah, patience was finally bearing fruit.


    *n


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had just finished her call when Curtis approached. She calmly tucked her phone away and turned her attention to him.


    Curtis gave a slight nod, "Ms. Mirabe, here are the documents you wanted."


    He handed them over, and Mirabe thanked him, promptly diving into the contents.


    Curtis, having already gone through the documents himself, started exining, "Zach''s case is a bit of a tangle, involving the country''s leading pharmaceuticalpany and some issues with their medical equipment."


    Medical issues are notoriouslyplex, with tangled rights and interests. Mostwyers would steer clear of such cases to protect their own interests.


    Mirabe skimmed through, uninterested in the medical and equipment specifics. Her eyes stopped at thest name on the list.


    "Carl, huh?"


    Her voice dropped to a whisper, lips curling slightly as her eyes turned icy.


    Curtis, recalling James''s instructions, stole a careful nce at her and cleared his throat. "He''s at Emerald Gardens now. We''ve got eyes on him."


    Mirabe''s gaze softened as she returned to her usualid-back self.


    "Carl might have some strings to pull, but Ms. Mirabe, don''t lose sleep over him; he''s nothing but a lowlife," Curtis remarked, his face unreadable.


    Try messing with our family, and we''ll unravel even the deepest connections.


    Mirabe cast Curtis a quick look, thanked him, and stepped back into the hospital room.


    She exchanged a few words with Zach''s assistant, asking him to keep an eye on Zach and reassured him about the security, before she exited again.


    It was nearly eleven when Mirabe hopped into the car Curtis had brought around.


    Grady had stationed someone at the hospital, but she slipped past them, leaving the Davis family oblivious to her departure.


    Twenty minutester, they rolled up to Emerald Gardens.


    Emerald Gardens was a posh estate in Riverdale, where the wealthy wined and dined, with a night''s stay costing a small fortune.


    Curtis simply swiped a membership card at the gate, and the security guard waved them through.


    He parked outside the vi where Carl was holed up for the night.


    Despite thete hour, the vi was aze with lights, music spilling out into the night.


    Mirabe leaned back, watching the scene through the window with a smirk. Zach wasid up in the hospital, and here they were, partying the night away. How nice for them.


    As Curtis unbuckled his seatbelt, he informed her, "There are about ten bodyguards inside, the rest shouldn''t be a problem."


    He paused, opening the car door, "But they might be packing heat, so watch yourself."


    Mirabe let out a softugh and stepped out of the car.


    *n


    Inside the vi, Carl lounged on the sofa, a hefty gold chain around his neck, with two young women attending to him, cigar smoke curlingzily in the air.


    The room was thick with smoke and chatter, with a few others spread out on the surrounding sofas, deep in conversation.

 Chapter 1038

    "How''s thatwyer holding up?" one of them asked, nodding towards Carl.


    Carl took a drag from his cigarette, shrugging it off, "Probably halfway to the grave by now."


    "But thiswyer''s pretty well-known. Aren''t we asking for trouble by roughing him up these past few days?"


    Carl shot the guy a sideways nce and chuckled, "Just a small-timewyer with no connections. Even if he ends up dead, we can spin it as overwork or a tragic suicide. Case closed."


    Only someone who''s used to this sort of thing could be so s¨¦.


    Just as they reached the main entrance, Mirabe heard these words, her smile growing wider.


    Curtis, right behind her, moved ahead and kicked the door open with a loud bang, startling everyone inside.


    "Who''s there?¡± Several bodyguards rushed over, eyes full of suspicion.


    Mirabe didn''t even spare them a look. She strolled into the room with aid- back smile, stepped onto the coffee table, leaned forward slightly, and locked eyes with Carl. "So, who are you nning to kill?"


    When Carl met Mirabe''s gaze, a chill ran down his spine, and he scowled, "Who the hell are you?"


    Mirabeughed coldly, then grabbed a wine bottle nearby, stepped over the coffee table, and smashed it over Carl''s head. Blood streamed down his forehead, staining most of his face red.


    The two waitresses nearby screamed and bolted.


    With the sharp pain in his head and blood trickling down hisshes, Carl finally snapped to attention. He reached behind him, aiming to pull out a gun.


    But before he could move, Mirabe''s foot was already pressing hard against his chest, the jagged neck of the wine bottle pressed against his carotid artery. "Who did you say you wanted to kill, huh?"


    All Carl could see was red, except for those eyes filled with deadly intent. He shivered, "Who... who exactly are you?"


    The sharp ss cut into his skin, and Carl could feel the blood dripping down. His eyes filled with fear. "Do you know who I am? You dare mess with me? Are you out of your mind?"


    Mirabe pressed harder, causing the blood to flow faster. Carl''s head started to spin, silencing him.


    At that moment, his gaze drifted past Mirabe andnded on Curtis, who seemed to have waded through blood to get there. Carl''s eyes widened in shock. That face, was this...


    "A small-timewyer? No connections?" Curtis''s voice was ice-cold, a fierce scar behind his ear making him look even more intimidating. "Carl, in Riverdale, finding trouble is a piece of cake."


    Curtis chuckled lightly, nced at Mirabe, then pulled a tissue from his pocket, offering it to her respectfully. "Don''t let someone like this dirty your hands."


    "True enough," Mirabe said, brushing the hair from her face as she finally let go of the ss shard.


    Carl was too stunned by the pain to care. Seeing Curtis''s gesture, his eyes widened, voice trembling, "Mr. Curtis, how can you..."


    Why would he be so respectful to a woman?


    And who on earth was she?

 Chapter 1039

    Curtis rolled his neck from side to side, then grabbed Carl by the cor, lifting him up and tossing him to the ground. He turned and asked, ¡°Mirabe, what do you want to do with him?"


    Carl, sprawled on the ground, suddenly looked up at Mirabe, his mind clearing in an instant.


    "Mirabe?"


    Wait a minute. Thewyer''sst name was also Mirabe... Was this some kind of payback for thewyer?


    As the realization hit him, Carl''s face turned ghostly pale, all strength leaving his body.


    He''d had someone dig into thewyer''s background and found nothing of note, which is why he''d gone after him. But now, how was he supposed to know thewyer was connected to the Shepherd family?


    If he''d known about that connection, he wouldn''t have dared to make a move, no matter how bold he thought he was!


    Mirabe casually tossed aside a napkin she''d used to wipe her fingers, remarking, "We live in a society withws now."


    Curtis nced at Carl, who was now smeared with blood, and his cheek twitched. "Got it," he replied.


    He pulled out his phone, calling his subordinate, "Pass the evidence straight to the district attorney... Yeah, get the sentencing moving."


    Once he hung up, Carl, realizing the gravity of his situation, dropped to his knees, pleading, "Mr. Curtis, I swear I didn''t know thewyer was with you, I..."


    Curtis cut him off, his voice icy, "Should''ve thought of that sooner."


    Mirabe had already turned to leave, her phone buzzing in her pocket.


    Curtis gave a few instructions into the mic clipped to his cor, organizing the cleanup, and then followed her out.


    Carl watched them leave, knowing there was no turning back, but he suddenly chuckled, "You''ll regret messing with me..."


    Mirabe paused briefly at the door when she heard this, her gaze flicking toward the exit before she continued on her way.


    Her mysterious eyes blended into the night.


    *


    Curtis dropped Mirabe off at the hospital, and after a quick thank you, she sent him on his way.


    She headed to a nearby convenience store, picking up some snacks before returning to the hospital.


    She took the elevator to the fifth floor and walked to the ward, gently pushing the door open.


    Nick had been thest to hear about Zach''s hospitalization. He''d been tied up at the institute until almost 10 p.m. and came home to an empty house, only learning what had happened from As.


    He rushed to the hospital.


    "Mirabe, where''ve you been?" Nick had been waiting for over half an hour.


    Mirabe held up a bag with instant noodles, cookies, and water, her eyshes lowered slightly, her voice soft, "I was starving and went out to find something to eat. Everything was closed, so I just grabbed a few things at a convenience store."


    Nick saw this and held back the question about why she hadn''t answered her phone.


    The assistant nearby gave Mirabe a quiet nce. He didn''t know where she''d been for over an hour, but he remembered her instructions and stayed silent.


    Mirabe went to boil some water, then leaned against the cab, tapping her fingers absent-mindedly on the countertop, her thoughts drifting.


    Seeing her lost in thought, Nick approached her, "Worried about Zach?"


    Mirabe snapped back to reality, her gazending on Zach in the bed, her voice gentle, "Zach will be fine."


    Nick sensed something off about her response but chalked it up to her concern, gently patting her head. "The doctor said he''ll be okay after some rest."


    Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered slightly, and she just murmured in agreement.

 Chapter 1040

    After having a bite, Mirabe leaned back in her chair, rubbing her forehead with a touch of tiredness in her eyes.


    Zach''s assistant had already headed back to the hotel, leaving just her and Nick in the hospital room. Nick, who had just finished a phone call, noticed Mirabe''s fatigue, and his gaze deepened with concern.


    The room had two beds, with one still unupied. Nick gently nudged Mirabe awake and suggested she take a proper rest on the bed. Once she dozed off, he slipped quietly out of the room.


    He took the elevator to the ground floor, where As was waiting in the parking lot. Upon spotting Nick, As stepped out of the car, "Mr. Nick."


    Nick met As''s eyes, his handsome face giving little away. "Did you track him down?"


    "We did, but we were just a tadte," As replied, frustration clear in his voice. Nick paused, his thumb hovering mid-motion. "A tadte, huh? What happened?" "Got nabbed by the authorities," As said, his expression darkening.


    The thought of Carl being carted off in a police car right under his nose was infuriating.


    "Damn, what good does locking him up do?" Nick muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Quite the coincidence, isn''t it?"


    "Carl''s always been a cocky one, counting on his connections. He''s made plenty of enemies, so maybe he just pushed his luck," As spected.


    Nick cast a sidelong nce at As. "This world doesn''t run on coincidences."


    As ran a hand through his hair. "Or we could stage a jailbreak? Make it look like an ident, then send him back?"


    Nick: "..."


    As cleared his throat, shing a sheepish smile. "Kidding, kidding. We''re civilized folks living in a civilized world, I get it."


    Nick shook his head. "Alright, go home and get some rest. You''ve done enough for today."


    As lowered his head, feeling like he didn''t measure up to Miss Mira''s ordeal. ¡°I''ll head out then, Mr. Nick." With a respectful nod, he hopped back into the car.


    Nick watched the car disappear into the distance before making his way back to the hospital.


    **


    The next day.


    After freshening up and changing into clean clothes at home, Mirabe headed back to the hospital. Zach was already awake.


    Mirabe checked his pulse, then settled into a chair by the window, busying herself with her phone.


    Zach, who hadn''t uttered a word since arriving at the hospital, felt a shiver run down his spine when he nced at his sister. Unable to contain himself, he finally spoke up, "Mirabe, no school today?"


    Mirabe lifted her gaze slightly, giving him a knowing look.


    Why wouldn''t I be at school, do you really need to ask?


    Zach caught on quickly and shrank back, feeling even less like the big brother he was supposed to be.


    Clearing his throat, Zach shifted and leaned against the headboard, asking, "How did I get out?"


    He vaguely remembered being captured and injected with something by those people, but everything else was a blur.


    "No idea," Mirabe replied smoothly, denying any knowledge of the events without missing a beat.


    As, who was about to enter the room, stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. Lucky he hadn''t spilled the beans to Mr. Nickst night.


    "Oh!" Zach, feeling a bit sidelined, drew out his response.


    Mirabe finally looked up at him and said, "Zach."


    He straightened up instinctively, "Yeah?"


    "Just get some rest," Mirabe said, massaging her temples.


    "Sure thing," Zach grinned, pulling the nket up to his chest and settling back down.


    Spotting As at the door, Mirabe got up and stepped out of the room.

 Chapter 1041

    "Hey, Mira," As nodded slightly, keeping his voice low. "I didn''t spill the beans about yesterday."


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched a bit, and after a moment, she said, "No worries."


    As scratched his head, "Oh, and by the way, Mira, we''ve tracked down the guy behind the scenes who messed with Zach."


    He briefly mentioned that Carl had been taken into custody.


    Mirabe wasn''t surprised at all; she just nodded slightly.


    As watched Mirabe carefully, noticing her calm demeanor, as if she already knew. It made him pause for a second.


    Ignoring As''s gaze, Mirabe suddenly remembered something and asked, "Since they caught the guy, Zach''s workers''p is still on, right?"


    As was bbergasted: "???"


    Mirabe seriously went over thepensation details with As before heading back to the hospital room.


    Zach was still awake. Even though his hearing wasn''t the best, he caught the word pensation." So, when Mirabe walked in, he red at her.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and sat back down, "A hefty payout just shows how valuable you are."


    Zach, thinking it meant ''d you''re still worth some cash,'' just red at her harder, silently pleading for her not to justify her money-minded thinking!


    Mirabe cleared her throat, pulled out her phone, opened Messenger, and sent a message, "Can you snag a sample of that new analysis solution from the med school?"


    Adler, who had just arrived at the research institute, heard his custom ringtone and grinned, quickly grabbing his phone.


    After reading the message, he scratched his head and cautiously replied, "Didn''t you say that stuff goes against the grain, ethically speaking?"


    He remembered how she almost bit his head off when he brought it upst time, which had him on edge ever since, worrying she''d give him the cold shoulder forever.


    Mirabe replied, "So, can you score it or not?"


    Adler swiped his card to get into his office, sat at his desk, and thought for a moment before replying, "I''ll give it a shot. It''s still in the experimental phase, so they''re probably guarding it like it''s gold."


    His department was all about virus research, and even though they often teamed up with the med school folks, getting their hands on the school''s research goodies was a tough nut to crack.


    Unless you were part of the inside crew.


    But since the boss rarely asks for favors, he was determined to get it done.


    After wrapping up the chat with Mirabe, Adler mulled it over, grabbed a report from his drawer, and headed to the department head''s office.


    After discussing some official business, Adler casually asked, "Hey, chief, didn''t the med school roll out a new analysis solution? How about we try to get some?"


    The chief paused, pen in hand, and nced at Adler, "You''ve got your ear to the ground, don''t you?"


    Adler chuckled, "Theirb''s too shy; you can''t help but notice."


    "This stuff isn''t really useful for our work, and the med school doesn''t have much of it. Just stick to what you''re doing," the chief said nonchntly.


    Seeing this, Adler didn''t push further, stood up, and said, "Alright, I''ll get back to it."


    "Sure," the chief replied, but as Adler was about to leave, he remembered something, "By the way, Adler, you''re not working with radioactive materials, are you?"

 Chapter 1042

    Adler felt his heart skip a beat, but he quickly pulled himself together and turned


    to the department head. "Isn''t that topic off-limits for research? Why did you bring it up all of a sudden?"


    "Just curious, no worries as long as you haven''t messed with it," the department head said casually, waving it off without much exnation.


    "I wouldn''t touch it. I''m as straightced as theye," Adler promised, though his conscience nagged him. He made a hasty exit.


    Later that afternoon, after hearing about Zach''s situation, Owen swung by the hospital to check in.


    They chatted for about fifteen minutes before Owen got up to leave, not wanting to overstay his wee.


    Mirabe walked him to the door. "Try not to worry too much about your brother. The prosecutor''s office is already looking into the case. I''ll let you know as soon as I hear anything," Owen assured her.


    Mirabe nodded, offering her thanks with a thoughtful gaze. The oue didn''t matter much to her; if it wasn''t Carl, another Carl woulde along. Why did Zach have to take on First Pharmaceuticals'' case?


    Shaking off her thoughts, she remembered Frank''s situation and added, "Let''s set a time in a few days for Mason''s second round of treatment."


    "Sounds good," Owen said, grateful. As he was leaving, he added, "Oh, and my mentor''s friend, the president of the Pharmacists'' Guild, still wants to meet you."


    Mirabe hesitated for a moment, thinking of turning it down, but then nodded. "Alright."


    Owen hadn''t expected her to agree. Regaining hisposure, he suggested, "How about the afternoon after tomorrow?"


    "Sure thing," Mirabe replied without hesitation.


    Owen left the hospital soon after and called Mr. Boyd to confirm their meeting time.


    Time flew by, and before long, it was the day for Mason''s treatment. Mirabe took the afternoon off from theb.


    After her sses, she left with Johnny, who came to pick her up.


    David had been waiting at the Jones family home, pacing the entrance anxiously, a far cry from his usual calm demeanor.


    Seeing David so on edge, Frank couldn''t resist joking, "You''d think it was you getting the treatment."


    David, hands sped behind his back, paced the living room once more, giving Frank a look that said, "You just don''t get it."


    If it were just any regr medication, he wouldn''t be this worked up. But this was an ancient remedy! He had spent decades studying them and had only scratched the surface. The challenge wasn''t just the missing recipes but also the techniques and dosages.


    Now, meeting someone who could actually prepare these ancient remedies? Staying calm was impossible, especially since her technique seemed so familiar...


    Just then, the doorbell rang.


    David took a deep breath, trying to steady his excitement, and checked his attire to make sure he''d make a good impression. He followed Frank to the door.


    When the door opened, Johnny stood there, almost losing his cool at the sight of Mr. Boyd with Frank.


    Opening the door for such an esteemed guest was something Johnny would never forget.


    He nodded politely to Frank and David, "Mason, David."


    Before Frank could reply, Mr. Boyd waved a hand, looking past Johnny. "And where''s the guest of honor?"


    Realizing what was needed, Johnny stepped aside, revealing Mirabe standing behind him. "This is Ms. Mirabe," he introduced.

 Chapter 1043

    Mirabe was rocking a khaki sweater and jeans today, with her sleeves casually rolled up to show off the crisp white cuffs of her shirt underneath. She was every bit the quintessential college student. Even though David had heard from Frank and Owen that she was still in school, seeing her in person still left him a bit taken aback.


    She looked so young! His own granddaughter was older than her.


    When David''s eyesnded on her, Mirabe gave him a cool, collected nod and then turned to greet Frank with a simple, "Mason." Her features were strikingly delicate, and she carried the same calm and confident air she had the first time David saw her. Frank grinned, called her "Mirabe," and introduced the man standing next to him, "This is David, the president of the Pharmacists'' Guild."


    "Nice to meet you, David," Mirabe said with a polite nod, neither too humble nor too arrogant, as if meeting someone so high up was just another Tuesday for her.


    To her, he seemed like just any other elderly gentleman.


    David was quietly taken aback. He''de across all sorts of people, most of whom would either be awestruck or fall over themselves trying to impress him once they knew his position. But here she was, as cool as a cucumber.


    Frank cleared his throat, breaking David''s gaze, and suggested, ¡°Let''s chat inside." With that, he led the way.


    David, still a bit thoughtful, stepped aside, letting Mirabe pass before trailing behind, asionally sneaking nces at her.


    Could this young woman really have concocted Old Li''s remedy?


    Once settled in the living room, Mirabe skipped the small talk and went straight to checking Frank''s pulse. His condition was just as she expected, with the virus being held at bay by the medication. She reached into her bag and pulled out a roll of parchment.


    Inside were her acupuncture tools.


    David was sipping his coffee, but his focus was entirely on Mirabe. When she pulled out a fine gold thread, he couldn''t help but be a bit startled.


    Mirabe, unfazed by David''s reaction, disinfected her gold thread and silver needles, then asked Mason to lie down on the couch. She wrapped the gold thread around her fingers and looked at Mason, "I''m going to start the acupuncture now. It might sting a bit."


    Mason unbuttoned his shirt, "No worries, I can handle it."


    Mirabe gave him a reassuring look before lightly pressing a few points on his body, quickly sealing those major spots with silver needles. The gold thread, though delicate like a strand of hair, pierced the skin effortlessly.


    With her fingers skillfully guiding it, the gold thread worked its way through the bloodstream, reaching near the heart, pushing the toxins that the medication had controlled towards the shoulder. Mirabe''s technique was wless-the thread moved without a hitch, even in the intricatework near the heart. Too much pressure would snap the thread, too little and it wouldn''t work.


    David, who knew his way around acupuncture, was absolutely floored by what he


    saw.


    He''d never seen such an unusual approach.


    Back in the day, there was indeed a method involving gold thread, but it was notoriously tricky and nearly forgotten, leaving only the moremon silver needle techniques.


    David wasn''t sure if this was that lost art of gold thread acupuncture, but watching the young woman work with such mastery, he realized she was in a league of her


    own.

 Chapter 1044

    David looked a bit bewildered. How could someone so young have such impressive acupuncture skills? It was, honestly, a bit of a blow to his ego.


    No wonder they didn''t bother hiding the procedure from him. Watching wouldn''t have helped him learn something so advanced.


    Mirabe let the golden thread weave through the veins near Frank''s heart for a bit before she began the delicate task of removing the needles. Taking them out wasn''t any easier than putting them in-actually, it was trickier.


    Ten minutester, Mirabe pulled out thest silver needle. "All done."


    She was looking a bit pale, her sweat trickling down her forehead and into her cor. After she re-sterilized the needles, she dragged a chair over and copsed into it to rest.


    Frank was drenched in sweat too. The moment the golden thread entered his body, the sharp, concentrated pain nearly made him lose hisposure.


    David handed him a towel, helped him sit up, and then quickly checked his pulse. It was steady-actually, it was normal??


    David took a deep breath and checked again, finding the same result. Suddenly, he turned to Mirabe, "Is he healed now?"


    Mirabe took a sip of the water Johnny handed her, her voice calm, "Not yet."


    David hesitated, "But his pulse is stable. Howe?"


    Leaning back in her chair, Mirabe rubbed her wrist, "The body has its own rhythm of metabolism, and some elements in the blood need to get processed. But stubborn elements like toxins, if you forcefully remove them, it can just speed up aging, especially in older folks. Aggressive treatments aren''t always the best." "To fully rid the body of ustomed toxins, you first have to create a ''normal'' illusion. After they adapt to it for a while, you can gently remove them without any side effects. This is called the pseudo-cure method."


    It was rare for Mirabe to exin things so thoroughly.


    David took a moment to process this, still not fully wrapping his head around it, "So, we need to do another acupuncture sessionter?"


    Mirabe nodded, "Probably in a week."


    "In a week, he''ll bepletely healed?" David pressed on.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "If he can handle it, maybe even five days."


    David, chuckling awkwardly, realized the more he asked, the more confused he became.


    He shuffled a chair closer to Mirabe, "By the way, that medicine... did you make it yourself?"


    Mirabe tilted her head, "Which medicine?"


    "The one you gave Mason." David was fascinated by ancient remedies, even more than acupuncture.


    His eyes were fixed on Mirabe.


    Mirabe twirled her fingers and admitted, "Yes."


    Even though David suspected it, hearing it confirmed left him wide-eyed: "!!!!"


    A twenty-year-old S-rank pharmacist!! Are kids these days just incredible?! David took a couple of minutes to steady himself, then suddenly thought of something and asked, "You can refine ancient medicines?"


    Mirabe, noting David''s eager expression, paused briefly before modestly saying, "Just a little."


    "Could you tell me who taught you?" David''s voice had an edge of urgency.


    The medicine from before, though it seemed rough, had refining techniques he recognized.


    Every pharmacist has their unique methods, so even the same form can produce medicines of different qualities.

 Chapter 1045

    Mirabe met David''s gaze, seeming to know what he was about to ask. "I''d rather not say," she replied.


    A flicker of disappointment passed through David''s eyes. "Can''t you tell me?" Mirabe''s eyebrows arched slightly. "Sorry, but why do you ask?"


    David leaned back in his chair, feeling a bit deted. Why was he asking, anyway? His mentor had been gone for years; how could she possibly be connected? Even if her skills seemed familiar, it was probably just a coincidence.


    With a sigh, David dismissed the thought, his voice softening. "Never mind."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    David quickly shook off his mood and turned back to her. "Our Pharmacists'' Guild is always on the lookout for talented folks. Interested in joining?"


    Taking her on as an apprentice was out of the question; her skills in herbalism far surpassed his own as president. If he could get her to join the guild, she''d be an incredible asset.


    Mirabe shook her head. "I''m not really interested."


    Johnny, who was nearby, cleared his throat, trying to hint that joining the Pharmacists'' Guild, especially with a personal invitation from Mr. Boyd, was a big deal.


    David wasn''t shocked by her refusal. He could tell she was someone who valued her freedom; with her talents, joining an organization wasn''t necessary. But her ability to create ancient remedies... that was something he couldn''t ignore.


    After thinking for a moment, David offered again, "If you join us, I''ll make you an honorary vice president. How does that sound?"


    This time, Johnny''s head snapped up, his face full of surprise.


    Vice president...


    Mirabe''s eyes flickered. The title was tempting, but was she the kind to be swayed by such things?


    "Sorry, I''m studying and don''t have much time. But thank you for the kind offer."


    Someone so indifferent to fame and fortune was indeed rare. Mirabe mused to herself.


    Hearing her, David quickly added, "Don''t worry about the time. As an honorary vice president, you won''t need to be at the guild daily, and there are hardly any restrictions. Just provide a few Grade S or higher medicines each month."


    He paused, then continued, "You''ll also have unlimited ess to the guild''s materials, and there''s a monthly dividend, though it won''t be as much as the senior vice presidents - maybe twenty to thirty thousand dors..."


    Twenty to thirty thousand dors, just a small amount?


    Another day hindered by modest means.


    Mirabe nced at the ceiling, then turned to Mr. Boyd. "Actually, now that I think about it, I could probably find some time."


    David, still pondering what else he could offer, was caught off guard by her change of heart. Realizing she was considering it, he asked, "You''re willing to join?"


    Mirabe nodded. A monthly dividend and free materials were too good to pass up.


    Who could resist?


    Seeing her agreement, David enthusiastically pped the table. "Fantastic, we''ll get your vice president ID card made and sent to you soon."


    "Alright," Mirabe paused, then added, "Though I might need some materials soon..."


    Before she could finish, David eagerly interjected, "No problem! I''ll give you my assistant''s numberter; just let him know what you need."


    Mirabe: "."


    Such a warm-hearted offer.

 Chapter 1046

    Shortly after swapping contact info with Mr. Boyd, Mirabe left the Jones family gathering. Not long after, David made his exit too, rushing back to the Pharmacists'' Guild.


    He told his assistant to burn the midnight oil working on an identity card and sent him Mirabe''s number. "Give Mirabe a callter and double-check her details," he instructed.


    The assistant, still processing David''s instructions, nced at the phone number and asked, a bit taken aback, "Another vice president?"


    The guild had one president and two vice presidents. Now, they were adding a third? And she wasn''t even promoted internally?


    David leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard with a mysterious air, and simply said, "She''s pretty extraordinary."


    "More impressive than Mr. Wheatley?" the assistant asked, curiosity piqued.


    David just shook his head, eyes filled with meaning. "They''re in different leagues."


    The fact that she cured Frank''s supposedly incurable illness was enough to earn respect. Plus, she could brew ancient remedies.


    Hearing this, the assistant was surprised again. How had he never heard of her before?


    "Should we hold a meeting to announce the honorary vice president?" the assistant asked again.


    David sighed gently and raised a hand. "No need, let''s keep it under wraps."


    He wanted to share the news, but Mirabe had asked for discretion. Bringing in such talent and not being able to brag about it was tough.


    The assistant looked at David, not fully grasping the reason for secrecy but nodded. "Got it, I''ll get the identity card done now."


    "Off you go," David waved him off.


    **


    After getting a call from David''s assistant, Mirabe added him on Messenger and sent over her list of needed herbs. The Pharmacists'' Guild had its own cultivation fields, so besides a few rare herbs, they weren''t short on supplies. That''s why Mirabe agreed to join.


    Once her chat with the assistant was done, Mirabe headed to the hospital. Zach''s injuries had improved a bit, but he still needed a week of observation.


    When she reached the door, Zach was discussing a legal case with his assistant. She paused for a few moments outside before walking in.


    Seeing her, Zach stopped talking business, closed his file, and handed it to his assistant. "All done with your errands?"


    "Yeah." Mirabe walked over and, as usual, checked his pulse.


    Zach, feeling a bit smug that Mirabe seemed to care so much, still reassured her, "Sis, I''m really fine. Didn''t the doctors say everything''s okay?"


    Mirabe let go of his hand, raised her head with a straight face, and said, "I''m just wondering how much more you''re nning to blow on hospital bills."


    Zach: "???"


    So much for feeling touched.


    His assistant nearly burst outughing, finding Mirabe''s humor on point.


    Mirabe pulled up a chair, sat down, and with a finger tapping her chin, nced at the stuff in the assistant''s hands. "You''re still working on cases in this state? Isn''t that person already caught?" she asked casually.

 Chapter 1047

    When it came down to serious matters, Zach''sid-back vibe quickly turned more focused. He waved his assistant away, shrugged, and said, "If I don''t work, who''s gonna foot this hospital bill?"


    Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce, wondering if verbally tearing into her brother would be overkill.


    Suddenly, Zach sensed some intense vibesing his way: "..."


    Mirabe casually kicked the floor, the skull graffiti on her white sneakers adding a dash of ir. She tilted her head, "Zach, I think you''re not in the best shape. Why not tag along with Uncle As for a workout sometime?"


    Zach''s face immediately changed. As was Grady''s top guy, and Zach had once witnessed his incredible fighting skills. "Ha, are you kidding? I''m in perfect shape."


    Working out? Not happening.


    Seeing his reaction, Mirabe softly added, "But I''ve already set it up with him."


    Zach: "???"


    Then why even ask me!


    Ignoring his sulky look, Mirabe pulled herptop from her bag, powered it up, and clicked on a semi-transparent waterdrop-shaped app on the desktop.


    A login box popped up right away. She entered her username and password and hit confirm.


    The screen shifted,nding her on The Mirror website''s homepage.


    Mirabe''s fingertips glided over the touchpad, finding nothing interesting, so she switched to another special section: the premium missions page.


    This page was for posting and picking up all sorts of tasks, as long as the reward was high enough.


    With a slight flick of her finger, Mirabe clicked on the task posting column.


    In no time, a billion-dor bounty was sitting at the top of the mission board.


    As this task went up, the post''s clicks soared. Mirabe watched theputer screen, her eyes darkening, her gaze icy.


    Just then, the private message icon on the webpage started blinking.


    Mirabe nced at it and opened the chat.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "You''ve lost it, putting out a task targeting Phantom?"


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "That''s the ce with the world''s top tech. Who''d dare take it


    on?"


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "Why the sudden task post??"


    Mirabe stared at the screen for a while before replying: "Oh, I''ve got money." CoolAutumnBreeze: ". : "..."


    "1


    Well, isn''t having money just grand!


    Mirabe then noticed a message from ''HRTL'', pondered a bit, and asked: "How do you know there''s advanced tech there? You been there?"


    On the other end, Hartlee nced at the virtual camera above him, sighed slightly, "It''s not a nice ce, anyway."


    Mirabe''s lips curled up slightly, her thoughts drifting before she replied: "Oh, indeed."


    A ce full of filth and disgust.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "Did someone there tick you off?"


    Mirabe, cradling herptop, leaned backzily in her chair, tapping the keys, "Annoyed."


    Hartlee''s cheek twitched. Since knowing her, he''d seen her unpredictable nature, but also knew she had strong principles.


    So, what exactly had the base''s medical team been up totely?


    Mirabe had already closed the chat, eyeing the bounty task again, andzily


    lifted her gaze, shooting a look at the guy on the hospital bed.


    Zach, suddenly feeling a chill, wondered: "???"

 Chapter 1048

    Nick strolled in, bncing a tray of food he''d prepared for Zach, and set it down on the small wheeled table nearby. Once everything was in ce, he wheeled it over to Zach''s bedside. As he passed Mirabe, he caught a glimpse of herptop screen just as she exited The Mirror''s website.


    Mirabe nced up and called out to Nick, then casually shut herptop, folding it closed and setting it aside.


    Nick acknowledged her with a soft hum, shifting his focus from her actions to cing the tray on the bed.


    Zach looked at the bowl of in porridge and rubbed his forehead. "Can we talk about getting something with a bit more vor next time? This is starting to taste like nothing."


    It was the same nd meal every day, and he was fed up.


    Nick was about to agree, but Mirabe chimed in seriously, "The doctor said in porridge is all you can have right now."


    Making money isn''t easy, is it?


    Nick cast a quiet look at his sister, thinking from a medical perspective. Zach had been on this diet for days; a little variety wouldn''t hurt.


    But he stayed silent.


    Zach ran a hand through his hair and reluctantly picked up the spoon.


    Mirabe checked the time and said to Nick, ¡°Let''s go, Nick. Grady''s got a table reserved at The Garden Room."


    Zach, mid-sip of his porridge, was baffled. Was this guy a demon?


    Nick coughed, a small smile ying on his lips. ¡°Alright."


    Soon, the siblings left the hospital room, their slender figures exuding a cool detachment. The door closed behind them with a finality that seemed almost mocking.


    Zach muttered a curse under his breath.


    **


    When they reached the restaurant, Grady was already waiting in a private dining room. As soon as the siblings arrived, the kitchen staff began serving the meal, sneaking curious nces at Mirabe.


    This made Mirabe self-consciously touch her face, wondering if something was amiss.


    As they were finishing up, a waiter entered, carrying arge cake box.


    Mirabe did a double take, then turned to Grady, who was sitting across from her. "Is today your birthday?"


    Nick and her birthdays had already passed.


    Grady fiddled with the wooden bracelet on his wrist, looking slightly sheepish. "Yeah."


    Mirabe pulled out her phone with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Grady. I didn''t know it was your birthday, or I''d have brought something..."


    She opened Messenger and sent a virtual gift card.


    Nick, who usually wasn''t one to remember such dates, saw his sister sending a gift and followed suit, pulling out his phone to send one too.


    Grady chuckled, "Don''t worry, it''s just a little birthday."


    His phone buzzed twice in his pocket. Seeing the siblings with their phones, he took out his own.


    Opening Messenger, he saw the virtual gift cards from the siblings.


    Grady paused, first opening Mirabe''s message. The sight of the virtual gift card and a birthday GIF brought a smile to his lips.


    He didn''t have children, and his wife had passed away years ago, leaving him to celebrate most birthdays alone. Although he''d received many wishes and gifts over the years, Miss Mira''s gesture was unexpectedly heartfelt.


    Grady didn''t open the gift card but looked up at Mirabe, his voice gentle. "Thank you, but I won''t ept the gift card. Having yourpany for dinner is more than enough."


    What about me?


    Nick, standing to the side, thought, am I invisible or something?

 Chapter 1049

    Mirabe paused as she heard the suggestion, her fingers absentmindedly


    scrolling her phone screen. She checked the time before asking, "Got any special ns for today?"


    Grady seemed caught off guard for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head. "Not really..." But then he reconsidered, "Actually, I haven''t hit the racetrack in a while. How about joining me for a spin?"


    Mirabe''s eyebrows arched slightly. She''d heard from As about Grady''s love for racing, so she nodded with a smile, "Sure, why not."


    Nick couldn''t help but twitch a bit at this, turning to his sister, "You''ve only had your license for, what, six months?"


    One had the nerve to ask, the other the guts to agree.


    Mirabe touched her nose, her eyshes fluttering down, "Think of it as a bit of practice."


    Nick: "..."


    Before he could protest further, Grady chimed in, "It''s good to get some driving practice after getting your license. We''ll head out after lunch."


    Nick: "?"


    So, was he just extra baggage now?


    Grady, ignoring Nick''s bewildered look, picked up his phone to call As about prepping the car. His phone was still open to the Messenger app, and before exiting, he noticed a digital gift Nick had sent. He gave Nick a sideways nce before epting it.


    After that, Grady found As''s number.


    Nick heard his phone buzz, nced at it, and just sighed, "..."


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had opened the cake box, lit the candles, and dimmed the lights for the birthday celebration. Celebrating a family elder''s birthday had to have that special touch.


    Once the cake was done, Mirabe headed to the restroom. It was down the hallway, a left at the end. Just as she got there, someone wasing out, engrossed in a phone call and almost bumped into her.


    Fortunately, Mirabe quickly stepped aside.


    The girl looked up, a bit apologetic, "Oh, sorry, didn''t see you there."


    "No worries," Mirabe replied coolly, not bothered, and walked in.


    Yara watched Mirabe walk away, caught by how stunning she looked.


    She snapped out of it, continued her phone call, and as she reached the family room door, she ended the call and walked in.


    Today was a family gathering.


    Austin had been home recovering for weeks, and his injuries were finally on the mend. He had just received good news from the hospital, which he shared with Kitty next to him, "Dr. Ray says they''ve found a bone marrow match for Donald."


    The other Cunningham cousins around the table reacted in various ways to this news.


    Kitty beamed, "They found one atst?"


    Austin nced at the other cousins and nodded, "Yep, with Mr. Keller from the Pharmacists'' Guild helping with meds to keep Donald stable, and now the hospital''s ready for the transnt, he should be good for many more years."


    The tension in the Cunningham family had been rising with Donald''s illness, everyone eyeing the family head position if Donald didn''t make it through the year.


    Yara, having just walked in, heard the news and rushed over, "Uncle, is it true? When''s the hospital nning the surgery for Grandpa?"


    Austin looked at his niece, smiling broadly, "Dr. Ray mentioned it''ll be in the next few days. We really owe it to you, Yara, for having those connections at the Pharmacists'' Guild."

 Chapter 1050

    The Cunningham family cousins had long known that Austin had made connections with the Pharmacists'' Guild and had even helped treat Donald''s illness. Austin wasn''t shy about bragging about it within the family.


    What caught everyone off guard, though, was that it was Yara who had introduced Austin to the Guild. Instantly, the room was filled with curious andplicated nces directed at Yara.


    Noticing the expressions on her rtives'' faces, Yara furrowed her brows slightly. She wasn''t particrly fond of her uncles making a fuss about the Pharmacists'' Guild in front of everyone, but with so many family members around, she felt it best to hide her difort.


    After settling in beside her mom, Kitty, she whispered, "It''s not a big deal; what matters is that Grandpa''s illness gets treated."


    Austin, pleased with the reactions, chimed in, "No worries, Dr. Ray said the chances are pretty high."


    Yara sipped her coffee and nodded softly, choosing not to dive deeper into the conversation.


    "Thank goodness we found the right marrow donor; otherwise, who knows what we''d do, especially with my sister being so cold-hearted and her daughter not showing the slightest bit of concern..." Kitty remarked with a slight eye-roll.


    Inparison, she thought, her daughter was much better.


    Austin frowned at the mention of his aunt''s daughter. He hadn''t heard a peep about her from the butler or Dr. Hulls. Every time he asked, they''d just say she came and went, leaving it at that. She was aplete enigma.


    Yara, meanwhile, looked up at her mom, puzzled. "Aunt? Daughter?"


    Kitty, realizing she''d let something slip, coughed awkwardly, "Just someone insignificant."


    Austin nced at Kitty and asked, almost without thinking, "You never told Yara she has another aunt?"


    "Didn''t seem necessary," Kitty replied, nudging Austin under the table and giving him a look that clearly said, "Keep it quiet."


    Catching on, Austin chuckled, stood up, and headed over to the dining cab to ring the bell for dinner.


    Still suspicious, Yara asked again, "Another aunt? Where''s she from?"


    Kitty poured her another cup of coffee, "Just a distant rtive we''ve lost touch with. When your grandpa got sick, we thought of asking them for a blood test, but they wouldn''t even answer the door. Can you believe such cold-heartedness?" Yara frowned slightly, "It''s up to them, really. Not everyone''s obliged to help."


    Kitty shook her head gently, thinking her daughter was wonderful in every way, albeit a bit too straightforward.


    She decided to drop the subject.


    Meanwhile, after a quick restroom break, Mirabe returned to the private room. Shortly after, she and herpanions got up to leave.


    As they descended the stairs, Aaron, the Cunningham family butler, wasing up with a paper bag. As he rounded the corner, he came face-to-face with Mirabe and Grady.


    Aaron didn''t recognize Grady and Nick, but Mirabe''s presence hit him hard. His face nched upon seeing her; he hadn''t expected to run into Miss Mira''s formidable daughter here.


    He froze on the staircase, fear etched across his features, unable to move. Grady and Nick caught sight of his strange reaction, exchanging puzzled nces.


    Sometimes, you think you can take on the world, but reality has other ns. I''l write a bit more, and you can catch up with the story tomorrow morning.

 Chapter 1051

    Grady had an aura that was sharp andmanding, and his features were just


    as intense, giving off a serious vibe. The moment Aaronid eyes on him, he felt like his blood turned to ice, his legs starting to shake on their own.


    Miss Mira''s daughter was already intimidating, but this guy? He was on another level, like a movie''s bandit chief...


    When Grady noticed Aaron''s eyes on Mirabe, standing beside him, he asked quietly, "Do you know him?"


    Mirabe gave Aaron a quick look, noticing he was trembling even more, then turned away, saying, "Nope, don''t know him."


    Nick, however, seemed to be pondering. This didn''t quite look like they were strangers.


    Hearing Mirabe, Grady didn''t press further and headed downstairs. As he passed Aaron, Aaron shivered again, almost instinctively.


    It wasn''t until the trio had walked away that Aaron felt like he could breathe again. He wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and leaned against the wall to steady himself for a couple of minutes.


    Looking back towards the lobby, Mirabe and the others were nowhere to be


    seen.


    Aaron trudged upstairs, reying the encounter with the intimidating middle-aged man in his mind. He remembered how Delh had once run off with a rogue. Could this man be her husband?


    If so... it made sense why her daughter was so fearsome. It really was like a den of ouws.


    Reaching the upstairs lounge, Aaron knocked and entered, handing over the stuff Austin had sent him with, without saying a word.


    Austin eyed Aaron suspiciously, noticing how pale he looked, and called out, "Aaron?"


    Aaron just nodded, meeting his gaze.


    "Can''t talk again?" Austin frowned, recalling how Aaron had been speaking just fine a few days ago.


    Aaron opened his mouth but seemed too rattled to utter a sound.


    Seeing this, Austin just waved him off, telling him to go home and get some rest.


    **


    Downstairs, As pulled up in the sports car Grady hadn''t managed to part withst time.


    He handed the keys to Grady, who tossed them over to Mirabe.


    Mirabe caught them effortlessly, raising an eyebrow in a cool move.


    Nick, clearly feeling left out, sighed heavily and said, "I''m heading back first, try not to go too wild."


    Apart from As, who acknowledged with a nod, Mirabe and Grady were already heading toward their cars, hopping in one after the other.


    Nick: "..."


    Yeah, feeling a bit left out here.


    Mirabe, gripping the steering wheel, nced at Grady, who was now in his car too. She shed him an OK sign, hit the gas, and the car shot out onto the road.


    Grady, catching the cue, raised an eyebrow and started his car, tailing Mirabe closely.


    His car was a beast too, souped-up to perform almost like a supercar.


    They kept a voice call open to chat as needed.


    Before long, they were speeding toward Riverdale''s International Racing Circuit, a ce with training tracks and venues for professional races.


    When they arrived, As had already sorted out the rental. However, a race was scheduled for that evening, so they only managed to book the adjacent training track.


    The track staff registered them and led Mirabe and the group to the training


    area.

 Chapter 1052

    The racetrack sprawled out, almost as big as thepetition arena next door. With the area cleared, only Mirabe and Grady''s cars were there, along with a few vehicles from As and his crew who had followed them in.


    Mirabe''s car sat confidently on the starting line. She casually rested a hand on the steering wheel, her head tilted against the seat, her eyeszily taking in the empty track. It had been a while since shest drove.


    Over on the adjacent track, Grady was all set. He nced over at Mirabe, excitement lighting up his eyes. "Ready?"


    Mirabe straightened up, shed a cool hand gesture, and then floored the gas pedal. Her sleek sports car shot forward like a silver arrow, tearing through the night.


    Grady had heard tales of Mirabe''s racing prowess from As. When As described it a few days ago, Grady had felt a thrill of anticipation. Now, watching her in action, his adrenaline surged.


    He pressed down hard on the elerator, his car speeding after hers. Under the night sky, the two cars raced fiercely, one chasing the other. The silver sports car was particrly impressive, its speed and smooth cornering rivaling that of a professional racer.


    Grady''s interest piqued even more. Miss Mira was something special.


    In the monitoring room of the nearbypetition arena, tension was building.


    "Curtis, today''s race is going to be tough. Cruz''s team brought in Andi, the world''s third-ranked driver. Our drivers don''t match up to him."


    Curtis watched the monitor as several modified cars moved into ce. His attention was drawn to the blond, blue-eyed man leaning against the lead car, his arrogance almost tangible through the screen.


    That was Andi, the world''s third-best driver. Curtis narrowed his eyes. Compared to the Shepherd family''s team, there was a noticeable gap in confidence. Today''s race seemed to have a foregone conclusion.


    "Has James shown up?" Curtis checked the time.


    With twenty minutes left before the official race started, his assistant nodded. "He''s been here for a while. The pressure must be getting to him; he took his car to the training field."


    James was the country''s second-ranked professional driver, but facing Andi was daunting. Curtis rubbed his temples, then said, "Get him back to prepare."


    "On it, I''ll get him now."


    Curtis stared at therge monitor, deep in thought, wondering where James was. If James were here, they might have a shot in today''s race. Losing would mean handing over those rare weapon materials to Cruz. Curtis''s expression darkened; those materials had to stay with the Shepherd family.


    He took out his phone and made a call.


    James had just driven his race car to the training field and hadn''t even hit the track when a few parked cars blocked his way.


    "Sorry, this area''s been rented out. You''ll need to leave," As said, dressed in ck, exuding an air of danger with his expressionless face. He was not someone to be messed with.


    James gripped the steering wheel, leaned out to look at As, and frowned.

 Chapter 1053

    He hadn''t expected anyone to be renting the track at this hour. After a moment''s hesitation, he nced up at the emptynes. "Mind if I take a quickp? Just one and I''ll be out of your hair."


    Facing Andi, the world''s third-ranked racer, even someone asposed as Zack Shepherd felt a twinge of nerves. He came to the track hoping a quick run might shake off the jitters and awaken some hidden potential.


    As shook his head firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "Sorry, that''s not gonna happen."


    Zack felt a pang of disappointment but, seeing the formidable aura of the people before him, he opted for a polite retreat. He reversed his car and started to leave.


    Yet, he hadn''t driven far before pulling over again. Sitting in silence for a moment, he unbuckled his seatbelt, stepped out, and headed back.


    The track had a grandstand that offered a sweeping view of the bends. Zack took off his helmet, tucked it under his arm, and climbed to the top step. He sat, resting his hand limply on his knee, his eyes unfocused as they drifted over the track.


    If it had been anyone else today, he''d have felt confident, but this was Andi-a legend known for his ruthless precision on the track. Many had fallen to his skill.


    A wry smile tugged at Zack''s lips as he let out a soft sigh. After a few minutes, he stood to leave. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a silver sports car gliding through a distant bend, and he froze.


    The car, like aet against the night sky, executed a wless high-speed drift that even seasoned pros would envy.


    Whoever was behind the wheel...


    Zack''s grip on his helmet tightened as his eyes tracked the silver car through several bends. Each maneuver was unique and breathtaking.


    Trailing behind was a ck car that was decent enough, but it couldn''t hold a candle to the silver beast up front.


    He''d bet even Andi couldn''t match that driver''s drift skills.


    Zack was floored. When did such a phenomenal driver pop up locally?


    If he could persuade this driver to represent the Shepherd family against Andi tonight, their odds would skyrocket.


    Hope flickered in Zack''s eyes as he leaped down from the grandstand, leaving his car behind as he sprinted towards the track.


    As, noticing Zack''s return, narrowed his eyes and motioned for his men to intercept him.


    Zack, unfazed even by the daunting Curtis from the Shepherd family, wasn''t about to be intimidated by As''s crew. "Hey, Ie in peace. I just want to have a word with the owner of that silver car, if that''s alright?"


    The silver car''s owner-wasn''t that Miss Mira?


    As''s expression turned serious. "What do you want with her?"


    "Would she consider racing for us? We can offer a generous payment, just this once," Zack blurted out.


    As recalled that the neighboring track was also booked for a race. Was Zack from the other track?


    Understanding dawned, and As shook his head. "We''re not in need of money, and we don''t race on behalf of others."

 Chapter 1054

    Are you kidding me? Official racing events are risky as hell. Miss Mira, no matter how sharp her driving skills, can''t outmatch those pro racers. Crashes that wreck cars and even take lives? Sadly, they''re prettymon.


    If he let her in, Grady would have his head for it.


    But Monday wasn''t backing down. "Come on, I''m genuinely asking for a favor here."


    As raised an eyebrow, saying, "No way. She doesn''t even have a racing license. Even if she wanted to help, it wouldn''t work."


    "No worries, this isn''t an official race. We don''t need licenses," Monday quickly chimed in.


    Hearing this only made As more convinced to keep Miss Mira out of it. He might not have raced himself, but he''d seen plenty of these underground races in his younger days-brutal, bloody, and way more dangerous than any professional circuit.


    As didn''t bother arguing with Monday any longer. He simply had his guys escort him out.


    Out of options and faced with a solid no, Monday headed back to his car, disappointed.


    He nced back at the track with a sigh. What a shame.


    As watched the car drive off before finally turning away.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe and Grady had wrapped up a couple ofps. Grady, not quite the spring chicken anymore, decided to take a breather.


    Mirabe got out, her sleek hair a bit windswept, her face glowing under the track lights. She shot Grady a thumbs-up, "You''ve got some serious skills behind the wheel."


    Grady, leaning on the car and catching his breath, waved her off, "Nah, I''m getting old, can''t keep up like I used to."


    "You''re still young at heart," Mirabe chuckled.


    As handed them each a bottle of water.


    Grady took a swig, catching his breath before saying, "I''ll rest a bit and then give it another go."


    Mirabe nodded, "Alright, I''m just gonna hit the restroom."


    Grady gave a faint nod.


    As pointed her in the direction of the restroom, and Mirabe thanked him before heading off.


    The restroom was a bit of a walk from the track, and midway, someone suddenly blocked her path.


    Mirabe looked up at the young guy in her way, her expression calm, waiting for him to speak.


    After driving a fair distance, Monday had a change of heart and turned back for reasons he couldn''t quite exin. He waited at the intersection near the track, even though the race was about to kick off.


    Spotting someone leaving the training area, he instinctively intercepted them, surprised to see someone so young and, notably, so striking.


    Scratching his head, Monday nced toward where As had been and asked politely, "Hey, you''re with those folks over there, right?"


    He gestured in the direction where only As''s silhouette could be seen.


    "What do you want?" Mirabe''s demeanor was cool, her tone soft.


    "I''m looking for whoever was driving that silver sports car on the track just now," Monday said, a bit boldly.


    With it being night and the lights at the track not quite reaching the stands, Monday hadn''t realized Mirabe was the one driving the silver sports car.


    Mirabe''s eyebrows arched slightly, "Why do you want to know?"


    Checking his watch, Monday quickly replied, "I saw her driving skills, and they''re impressive. I''d like to ask her to race for us in apetition. Could you pass the message along?"

 Chapter 1055

    "Sorry, but no." Mirabe''s response was as firm as a locked door.


    Jonathan felt the sting of rejection again, and his expression dimmed a bit more. He managed a half-hearted grin as he nced at Mirabe. "Are you sure? Look, I know you don''t need the money or themission. But maybe there''s


    something else you want? We''ll try to make it happen, just to have you on our team for this race."


    In the world of professional racing, if you couldn''t see the talent right in front of you, it might be time to hang up the helmet.


    Jonathan was convinced that with the owner of that silver sports car on their side, their odds of winning would skyrocket. Even if victory slipped through their fingers, they wouldn''t end up in the dust.


    That''s why Jonathan was determined not to give up.


    Mirabe''s brow furrowed, feeling she had heard enough. With a quick "Sorry," she sidestepped Jonathan and headed towards the restroom.


    Jonathan stood there for a moment, sighed, and walked over to his car. Just as he''d opened the door and slid into the seat, a voice from above caught him off guard.


    "Did you just mention amission?" Mirabe was at the car door, her expression as casual andid-back as ever.


    Jonathan looked up, momentarily stunned, before he gathered his wits. "Don''t worry, themission won''t be small. Can you take me to him now? Time''s tight; the race is about to start."


    Mirabe thought for a moment, then pointed to the passenger seat. "Hop in."


    Jonathan blinked in surprise but did as she said, mbering into the passenger


    seat.


    Mirabe got in, buckled up, and fired up the engine. "The track next door, right?" With that, she hit the gas, and the car took off.


    Jonathan, barely having time to steady himself, quickly clicked his seatbelt into ce. Slightly dazed, he nced at Mirabe. "You...?"


    Mirabe, her gaze fixed on the road, casually rested a hand on the door frame. "Yep, me."


    Jonathan was floored.


    "If we win, does mymission double?" Mirabe asked, her tone as if winning was just another item on a to-do list.


    Jonathan took a deep breath, unsure if she was overly confident or just in audacious. "You''ve heard of Riverdale, the Shepherd family, right? If we win, doubling themission is no problem!"


    He knew what was riding on this race.


    Mirabe''s lips curled into a slight smile. She turned to give Jonathan a peculiar look. "Which family did you say?"


    Jonathan repeated himself.


    This time, Mirabe fell silent.


    As they neared the race track, Mirabe sighed softly, easing off the gas. She pointed to the helmet on Jonathan''s head. "Mind if I borrow that?"


    Jonathan quickly removed his helmet and handed it over.


    Feeling more secure with the helmet on, Mirabe couldn''t help but think that negotiating with friends was always tricky.


    Soon, under Jonathan''s guidance, the red sports car pulled into the designatedne.


    Jonathan, the lead driver, had the prime starting position. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he stepped out, pausing to look up at Mirabe onest time. Curiosity got the better of him. "Are you really sure we can win? Our mainpetitor is Andi, the third-ranked racer in the world."

 Chapter 1056

    When Zane finished speaking, Mirabe casually turned her head and shot him a nce. "Just make sure the money''s right."


    Even with the helmet hiding her face, Zane could feel the disdain radiating from her.


    He cleared his throat, puzzled why someone with a sports car worth a hundred million would care so much about thismission. Still, he handed over hismunication earpiece to Mirabe without a word.


    "Hey, are you okay with this car? Need a switch?" Zane remembered to ask.


    In these private races, knowing your car inside out is crucial to maxing out your skills.


    Mirabe just waved it off, signaling she was good.


    Seeing her confidence, Zane didn''t press further.


    As soon as he stepped out of the car, Curtis was on him, looking serious. "Zane, what are you ying at?"


    Curtis nced at the person in the sports car. The helmet masked her face, but not her femininity, causing him to frown.


    Zane, sensing Curtis''s unease, quickly exined, "Curtis, she''s a pro. Her driving skills are beyond mine, and she can even go head-to-head with Andi!"


    Curtis eyed him suspiciously, his voice sharp, "What''s her story? Someone you know?"


    Zaneid it all out, not holding anything back. Curtis''s face darkened after hearing the details. "You''re out of your mind!"


    Zane let out a bitter smile, ncing over at Andi''s car. "We just have to give it our best shot now."


    Curtis took another long look at Mirabe. With time running short, he didn''t approach her but whispered to Zane, "We''ve got three races. You have to win at least one of the first two to get us to the third, then we switch drivers."


    Zane was taken aback but nodded, "Got it."


    Meanwhile, the referee was signaling for all racers to get ready. Zane quickly swapped out a teammate from thest car in the lineup.


    Today''s race, though private, promised way more thrills than any professional event.


    The lead racers for both teams were neck and neck: a red sports car and a ck one, both gleaming under the night sky.


    Mirabezily turned her head, catching sight of Andi in the opposing car. Andi turned to meet her gaze right then.


    Their eyes locked mid-air, and under his helmet, Andi smirked. Recing the lead racer with a woman? Ha, aside from the legendary Jade, he didn''t take anyone else seriously.


    Mirabe gave him a fleeting nce before looking away, unfazed.


    Just then, the starting gun fired.


    Mirabe''s red sports car rocketed forward like aet, with Andi''s ck car hot on its heels, matching its speed stride for stride.


    Andi shot a nce at the red car, a cold grin in his eyes as he elerated, quickly overtaking Mirabe.


    The first curve wasing up, and Andi excelled at drifting.


    With a swift spin, the ck car nearly lifted off the ground, its wheels sparking against the pavement. It could have zoomed far ahead, but suddenly the ck car mmed on the brakes, crashing hard into the red car as it drifted around.


    "Stay tuned for the next five chapters. I''m not sure how much I can churn out- slow typist here- Appreciate any support you can throw my way!"

 Chapter 1057

    In the car, Andi''s lips curled into a sly grin, his eyes under the helmet as cold as ice. Plenty of racers who had squared off against him had been taken down by his cunning tactics.


    Trailing behind, Jack Monroe gripped the steering wheel so tightly it seemed it might shatter. Watching the drama unfold at the uing bend, he was shocked that Andi had gone after the lead car so early. Everyone knew Andi''s car was a fortress with its endless modifications for safety. No ordinary racer''s car could handle a hit like that.


    With his eyes zing, Jack couldn''t help but mutter a curse, urgently advising Mirabe through the headset to steer clear. If Andi''s car collided with his, disaster was certain.


    Back in the control room, Curtis watched the drone footage with a sinking heart. Andi was tantly ignoring the basic rules of racing, acting like the Shepherd family''s team was nothing but roadkill beneath his tires. Ranked third in the world, he had the swagger to match.


    As the ck car seemed set to ram the red one at the bend, Curtis pressed a hand to his forehead, bracing for the worst for the red car. The guest racer might just learn the hard way not to underestimate a formidable opponent.


    But then, one of Curtis''s men gasped, "Did you see that? That driving is unreal! How did they dodge it?"


    Curtis''s head snapped up, his eyes fixed on the screen. To his amazement, the red car, once thought doomed, was now leading by a long shot. Meanwhile, Andi''s car had crashed into another car from his own team.


    Curtis''s eyes widened as he paused the footage and rewound a bit, finally seeing how the red car had pulled off the impossible. It had drifted around the ck car with a bizarre yet brilliant maneuver, sidestepping Andi''s vehicle entirely.


    Andi''s car, driven by inertia, collided with his team''s car. As soon as the red car''s tires gripped the asphalt again, it shot forward, leaving Andi''s car trailing far behind. By the time Andi tried catching up, it was already toote.


    In racing, even a second''s dy can change everything.


    Curtis''s shock gave way to realization. Moments ago, he had underestimated the driver of the red car, only to be proven wrong. It was a lesson in keeping an open mind.


    The first race ended with the red car crossing the finish line hundreds of meters ahead of Andi''s, untouched by any other vehicle.


    "We actually won the first race," one of Curtis''s men murmured, staring at the screen in disbelief.


    Just half an hour earlier, they had doubted their chances.


    "This driver is amazing, evading Andi so wlessly. How have we never heard of them before?" another of his men wondered aloud.


    Curtis, however, wasn''t too concerned about that. He stared at the screen, silent for a moment, then spoke with a serious tone: "Andi lost this round because he got careless. In the next race, he won''t make the same mistake. His car always holds a major edge!"

 Chapter 1058

    Driving skills are one thing, but the car''s performance really makes a difference in the race.


    One of his crew members sighed, "Yeah, he just crashed into his own team''s car, and there was barely a scratch on it. Curtis''s car is good, but it''s still not quite there."


    Curtis turned to him and said, "Go tell Curtis to switch the lead position. Let the red sports car fall back."


    After a pause, he added, "No need for a head-to-head sh. It''s fine if we lose the second round; there''s still the third. Just make sure no one gets hurt."


    The crew member gave him a quick nod and left.


    There was a five-minute break between the first and second rounds.


    Curtis nced at his watch, wondering where James was and if he''d make it for the third round.


    *


    On the track, Curtis was in his car, talking to Mirabe over the inte, "We won the first round. They''ll definitely target you next, so let''s switch spots. I''ll be the decoy and draw their attention, and you can adapt as needed."


    Mirabe, leaning against the car door, gazed outside and simply said, "No need."


    Why stretch it to a third round if it can be done in two? What a waste of time.


    She checked her watch, pulled out her phone, and texted Grady, letting him know she was still in the bathroom.


    Curtis''s voice came back through the earpiece, "Your car can''tpete with Andi''s. If you get hit, it could be deadly!"


    Mirabe put away her phone, her gaze calm, "He doesn''t have the skills. Let''s wrap up this second round quickly. Have your people ready the money."


    Curtis, still pondering how to convince Mirabe to change tactics, was caught off guard by the mention of money: "..."


    After a pause, he sighed, "Alright, just be careful."


    Mirabe gave a soft hum in response.


    She nced at the ck sports car parked nearby, licking her lips. So, it''s got good performance, huh?


    Andi, feeling an unexpected chill: ...


    After the five-minute break, the cars lined up again. Curtis, who hadn''t switched the lead spot, frowned in the control room.


    He checked his watch once more.


    On the track, as the starting gun sounded, just like before, Mirabe''s red sports car shot forward, the wind whooshing past her ears. Thanks to her helmet, it wasn''t too loud.


    This time, Andi''s car didn''t keep pace with Mirabe''s. Instead, it hung back at a deliberate distance.


    He wasn''t about to make a fool of himself like in the first round.


    This score needed settling.


    Andi''s eyes were cold. He might not outdrive her, but he could use the car to his advantage.


    Three minutes into the race, the ck sports car began bumping into the back of the red one. Each hit dented the red car''s rear, naturally affecting the driver.


    A less steady driver could easily lose their cool.


    Mirabe nced in the rearview mirror at the car relentlessly hitting hers, a smirk ying on her lips, then focused back on the track ahead.


    Another sharp turn wasing up.


    Since he liked crashing on turns, it''d be a shame not to give him the show he seemed to crave.


    In the next moment, Mirabe floored the gas pedal.

 Chapter 1059

    Drifting around a bend is all about nailing the speed and direction, with the speed usually dropping by half. But Mirabe? She mmed the pedal to the metal, tearing through the curve like a bat out of hell, the tires screeching so loud it could wake the dead.


    Seeing this, Andi''s face scrunched up. He wasn''t about to y chicken and crash, so he eased off the gas a bit. Just then, the red sports car ahead, which had been tearing up the track, suddenly mmed on the brakes. The whole car seemed to pivot around a point, doing a full 360-degree spin. Andi''s eyes nearly popped out of his head at the sight of that familiar spin...


    He stomped on his brakes hard. The convoy trailing behind didn''t see iting and smashed right into Andi''s car, causing a big pile-up that sent his ride skidding off the track, the back end nearly totaled.


    In the end, not a single one of the five cars was left unscathed. Mirabe, with a smirk ying on her lips, spun her car around, finished thest half of the track, and crossed the finish line. Another win in the bag.


    What should''ve been at least an hour-long, three-round race ended in just twenty minutes, with Mirabe clinching it two to zero. A third round? Not happening.


    Mirabe unbuckled her seatbelt, swung open the door, and casually leaned against the car''s hood, her eyes on the track as Andi''s convoy eventually rolled in. Andi hopped out, helmet in hand, and made a beeline for Mirabe, his eyes lit up. "You are...?"


    Mirabe just waved a hand dismissively. "Just a sidekick."


    Andi was dumbfounded! In the legendary Racing King contest, Jade had left everyone in the dust with her mind-boggling 360-degree drift technique. No one had ever matched her since.


    Yet here was this girl, pulling off Jade''s signature move like it was nothing!


    Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She nced at it, didn''t answer, just gave Andi a little hand signal.


    Andi caught the hint of a money gesture, let out a little smirk, and spoke into hismunicator.


    Within minutes, Curtis showed up with a check. As he handed it over, he gave Mirabe a once-over, sure he''d seen that silhouette before.


    He furrowed his brow, puzzled. "Thanks so much for helping us win. What''s your name?"


    Mirabe, still helmeted, just tucked the check-worth a cool twenty million-into her pocket, waved him off without a word.


    Curtis wanted to press further but got interrupted by his phone''s special ringtone. He nodded at Mirabe and walked off to take the call, "James, are you here?"


    Curtis wasn''t exactly whispering, and the name made Mirabe clear her throat. She turned to Andi, "Mind giving me a lift?"


    Andi, not one to refuse, nodded and hopped into the car. Mirabe quickly slipped into the passenger seat, her movements swift and sure.


    Andi gave her a curious look, sensing she was in a rush to get out of there.


    "Good night~ See you tomorrow~"

 Chapter 1060

    Mirabe brushed off Curtis''s gaze and urged him to hit the gas. Curtis


    acknowledged with a quick nod, figuring someone from the race team was pushing her to head back. He fired up the engine and zoomed out of the race venue in a sh.


    Curtis didn''t stay long on his phone call, and by the time he turned around, he saw Curtis driving off with someone. He was a bit taken aback.


    As they neared the exit, a sleek ck sedan rolled in from the opposite direction. Through the window, the driver''s calm, steely face was clearly visible, and his intense eyes gave them a quick, casual nce.


    Mirabe felt a slight twitch in her brow but stayed cool, turning her head to look the other way. In no time, the red sports car and the ck sedan breezed past each other.


    Mirabe had Curtis drop her off at the entrance to the training track. She took off her helmet and handed it back to him.


    "Hey, ace, I never got your name. You''re an incredible driver. Have you ever thought about joining a pro racing team?" Curtis asked from the car, watching her from the window.


    He was convinced that if she joined a professional team, international championship victories might just starting their way.


    Mirabe nced back at him, a slight smirk ying on her lips. "Real heroes don''t reveal their origins. See ya."


    With that, she strolled away towards the training ground, her slender figure fading into the night.


    Curtis only snapped out of his thoughts once she was out of sight. He recalled the folks in ck who''d stopped him earlier. Riverdale sure was full of surprises.


    Instead of following her, he restarted the car and headed back to the race venue.


    *


    James had just parked his car, still decked out in his camo gear. The sun and wind had given him a bit of a tan, adding to his already stern and serious vibe.


    Curtis approached him with a slight nod. "James."


    James tossed him the car keys, his eyes drifting towards the track. "What''s the update?"


    At the track, Andi was being helped out, moving slowly. His car had taken a hit from his own team, but thanks to its safety features, he was only slightly dazed with no major injuries.


    Curtis followed James''s gaze, a small smile on his lips. "It''s all wrapped up. We took both races."


    James gave Andi a surprised look. "Curtis pulled it off?"


    "Not exactly," Curtis replied, shaking his head. "It was actually an outsider Curtis brought in. Quite the driver."


    "Oh?" James''s curiosity was piqued. "Where''s this person now?"


    Curtis ran a hand through his hair, a bit frustrated. "Curtis just sent her off. Didn''t you catch a glimpse of Curtis''s car when you arrived?"


    He regretted not suggesting they keep her around anyone who could beat the world''s third-ranked Andi was something special.


    "I saw the car but didn''t pay much attention," James said nonchntly. He''d noticed someone in the car with Curtis, but since they were helmeted and looking away, he hadn''t looked closer.


    "A woman driving like that is a rare sight," Curtis remarked, reying the scene in his mind with awe.


    Though not a racing enthusiast himself, even Curtis found himself impressed by the spectacle.


    James raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Let''s pull up the videoter, shall we?"

 Chapter 1061

    Curtis nodded, "Alright."


    Just then, Zachary drove back in. After parking, he walked over and nodded at Curtis and James, "Curtis, James."


    Zachary couldn''t bring himself to meet James''s gaze, keeping his head slightly bowed, looking a bit on edge.


    Curtis nced at Zachary and asked, "That woman from earlier, did you find out anything about her?"


    Zachary shook his head, "No, she didn''t seem too keen on being disturbed. I think she was just here for a quickmission today."


    Curtis could see that. A group of foreigners was approaching, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he waved his hand, "Got it, you can go now."


    Zachary nodded, noticing the aggressive bunch approaching, and quickly made his exit.


    Once Zachary was gone, Curtis whispered some instructions into the mic on his cor.


    Cruz, the leader, strode over, exuding hostility, with five or six tall guys trailing behind him. He pointed a finger at James and spoke in clumsy English, "You dare to cheat?"


    James stood with his hands behind his back, just giving Cruz a cool look, enough to send a shiver down Cruz''s spine. And in a sh, Curtis snapped Cruz''s pointing finger.


    "Who said you could point at our James like that?"


    Curtis''s speed caught Cruz and his crew off guard.


    Watching Cruz''s face turn pale, Curtis kept his poker face and then smirked, "You lost fair and square. What? nning to cheat now?"


    Cruz hadn''t expected such a bold move. With his finger throbbing in pain, he whipped out a gun from his waist, "You''re dead."


    The gun was aimed at Curtis, but in a heartbeat, Cruz switched his aim to James. As he pulled the trigger, Curtis''s eyes sharpened.


    But the gunshot never came. James had caught the gun''s barrel, and when he let go, the magazine and frame ttered to the ground.


    Cruz''s expression changed. He''d heard rumors about James''s uncanny knack for dismantling machinery-no matter how intricate, it was like tofu in his hands.


    "By midnight, I expect my stuff back," James said coolly, not sparing Cruz another nce as he got into the car.


    His icy demeanor carried a deadly air.


    Curtis tossed the tissue he used to clean his fingers on the ground, checked his watch, and looked up, his voice equally chilly, "You''ve got two hours to get ready."


    With that, he got into another car.


    In no time, Zachary''s racing team, along with a dozen Shepherd family cars, left the scene in an orderly fashion, leaving Cruz and his crew behind.


    "Emmitt, are we just gonna let this slide?" one of Cruz''s guys asked.


    Cruz''s eyes were chillingly cold as he set his broken finger back in ce, barely showing any pain beyond a slight frown.


    He nced at the magazine on the ground, speaking quietly, "Give them the goods."


    His man looked at him, shocked, "But those materials are crucial for us. If we hand them over, it''ll be tough to exin to the Equipment Bureau!"


    "Not handing it over means we might not leave here alive, right?" Cruz rubbed his temples. He nced at someone in the distance, Andi, "What a letdown, losing to a woman."

 Chapter 1062

    One of the crew members shuddered and quickly said, "We had it in the bag, but who would''ve thought the Shepherd family would bring in such a top-notch racer."


    Cruz''s gaze was icy, and after a moment, he said coldly, "Find out everything you can about that woman who dared to mess with my ns."


    "On it."


    **


    Mirabe got back to the training track, only dying her return by about half an hour. She had sent Grady a message on the way, so he didn''t suspect a thing.


    He just assumed she''d eaten something that upset her stomach, so he didn''t push for moreps.


    ncing at his watch, Grady said, "You''ve got school tomorrow, it''s gettingte. You should head home."


    Mirabe was ready to make her escape and nodded, "Next time, I''ll definitely join you for another race."


    Grady nodded in agreement, then handed her the keys to his Phantom sports car. "This car is yours now."


    Mirabe hesitated, running her fingers through her hair, but seeing Grady''s insistence, she epted the keys.


    Once in the car, she closed the convertible''s roof, and soon enough, they were all driving away from the training track.


    She didn''t need As and his crew to escort her, so halfway through her drive, she pulled over, grabbed her phone, and switched it toputer mode.


    In just two minutes, she erased all traces of the evening''s activities at the training track, including any evidence of As and his men.


    However, she left the surveince footage at the official race track untouched. She''d been in her car the whole time, helmet on, so even with drones capturing every angle, it was unlikely they''d caught her face.


    Besides, wiping it would raise suspicions, especially with Curtis around.


    With everything sorted, Mirabe put her phone away and restarted the car, but then her phone rang again.


    She nced at the caller ID, her cheeks twitching with surprise. She hit the brakes, picked up the phone, hesitated for a couple of seconds, and answered. On the other end, James''s voice had a deep, mellow tone. "Are you asleep?"


    Mirabe, holding the phone, wasn''t sure why James was calling out of the blue, but confident she hadn''t been recognized at the race track, she replied in a softer voice, "Just about to sleep. Your phone''s got signal again?"


    James turned off the soft music in his car and confirmed with a hum, keeping his foot on the pedal at a slightly faster speed as he drove towards the neighborhood.


    Mirabe, her left hand ying with the steering wheel, asked, "It''ste, did you need something?"


    James looked at the neighborhood gate ahead but didn''t say much, just replied, "Nothing really, just wanted to say you should get some rest."


    Mirabe replied, "Okay, you too. Goodnight."


    James''s voice was calm and clear, and after a pause, he called, "Mirabe."


    Her heart skipped a beat, and Mirabe coughed, "Yes?"


    After a moment of silence, he said, "Goodnight."


    James''s voice was incredibly soft, almost enchanting, making Mirabe''s ears warm up inexplicably.


    She quickly pulled the phone away from her ear and hung up.


    Feeling a bit stuffy in the car, Mirabe rolled down the window, letting the night breeze in, calming her unexpected emotions.


    She restarted the engine and drove off.

 Chapter 1063

    Just over ten minutester, Mirabe pulled back into her apartmentplex. Before she even reached her driveway, she noticed a ck sedan parked outside. As she spotted the figure standing by the car, she couldn''t help but press a hand to her forehead.


    "Is this what you''d call a major awkward moment?" she thought to herself.


    As her car approached, James had already turned his gaze towards her. Even from a distance, the headlights made it easy to recognize the person inside. The one who imed they were off to bed a while ago was now outside, and James, leaning casually against his car door, had a smirk ying on his lips, not quite a smile but close enough.


    Mirabe scratched her head, easing her car up to her doorstep. She cut the engine but hesitated, reluctant to step out. James remained leaning there, hands stuffed in his pockets, not making a move, his eyes fixed on Mirabe through the car window.


    It was nearing eleven, the sky was dark, and the streetlights in theplex were spaced far apart, so once the car lights were off, the inside of the car was swallowed by darkness. Feeling his intense gaze, Mirabe touched her nose, finally pushing open the door. She walked over to where James stood, her faceposed as she asked, "You''re back, huh?"


    James raised an eyebrow, "Already asleep?"


    Mirabe couldn''t keep up the charade and let out a small cough, "I was at a family birthday dinner tonight."


    James nodded, letting out a soft sigh, "Looks like my half-day stakeout wasn''t for nothing."


    Initially, after their call, he had nned to head straight home. But somehow, his car ended up here, almost as if it had a mind of its own. Maybe it was a gut feeling?


    It was only then that Mirabe noticed James''s outfit was different from usual, and the exhaustion on his face was clear as day. She paused, then suggested, "You should head back and get some rest. We can catch up tomorrow."


    James watched her quietly, agreeing with a simple "okay," but made no move. A cool breeze blew by, bringing a few raindrops that sshed onto their cheeks, cold as ice.


    Looking up at the sky, James straightened, finally pulling his hands from his pockets. He gently flipped Mirabe''s hoodie over her head to shield her from the rain.


    Mirabe was caught off guard, her eyes wide and clear, her face under the hood looking even more delicate. James''s gaze softened, his fingers lingering at the edge of the hoodie. Then, in a swift, gentle motion, he cradled her head and pressed a light kiss on her forehead.


    After a moment, he let go, the raindropsing down harder now. He adjusted her hoodie, saying, "Go inside, goodnight."


    Mirabe looked at him, the emotions in her eyes settling down. She nodded, "Goodnight."


    She turned, opened the door, and drove her car inside. James stood there, letting the rain fall on him, watching until she was safely inside. Then, feeling


    unexpectedly uplifted, he got into his car and drove back to his ce.


    ---


    The next day at the Pharmacists'' Guild, Mr. Boyd''s assistant brought Mirabe''s prescription to the herb storage room, instructing the warehouse manager to gather the necessary herbs. The Vice President and Dane happened to be there as well.


    Grant greeted them politely. The Vice President nced at the list Grant handed over and remarked in surprise, "Isn''t the President out of practice with pharmacy these days?"


    Grant thought about exining that the medicine wasn''t for the President, but decided it was best not to mention the honorary Vice President''s matters. So, he simply replied, "Yeah, he might be working on something new."


    The Vice President tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully, "An ancient recipe, perhaps?"


    Everyone at the guild knew David had a passion for digging into ancient remedies.

 Chapter 1064

    Grant shook his head with a chuckle, "Nah, it''s just a regr prescription."


    Creating ancient remedies isn''t exactly a walk in the park, especially when the deputy chairman is someone nobody''s heard of.


    Seeing Grant''s casual denial, the deputy chairman''s eyes narrowed slightly, but he let it slide without pressing further.


    Before long, the warehouse manager had gathered all the ingredients, and Grant left with the medicine in hand.


    Once Grant was out the door, the deputy chairman turned to the warehouse staff, curious about what Grant had requested.


    The staff didn''t hold back, listing off each ingredient before returning to their work. Dane, standing nearby, felt a hint of familiarity with some of the rarer ingredients mentioned but couldn''t quite ce where he''d heard them before.


    He nced at the deputy chairman, pondering for a moment, then said, "Most of these ingredients are just for general wellness, not really for ancient remedies."


    The deputy chairman, looking younger than his fifty-something years thanks to his knowledge of pharmacology and wellness, nodded, "Yeah, nothing too special about them."


    Even if there was something unique, without knowing the exact crafting steps, the remedy''s quality and effects could differ.


    With that, Dane shrugged it off and turned back to the warehouse manager, saying, "Oh, by the way, did you get a chance to check out that book I lent youst time?"


    The deputy chairman''s eyes lit up, "The recipes in that book are intriguing, probably some ancient remedies passed down through the ages."


    He paused, adding, "But I feel like I haven''t quite cracked it yet, something seems off."


    Dane''s expression shifted slightly, "That book''s been in my family for generations. It''s ancient, so it might take some time to figure out."


    "That makes sense. I''ll dive back into it when I have a moment. No rush to return it, right?" the deputy chairman replied.


    Dane smiled, "Take your time, no hurry."


    The deputy chairman nodded, appreciating Dane''s perceptiveness.


    Soon enough, the warehouse manager had their orders ready, and the deputy chairman, having other things to attend to, headed out.


    As Dane was leaving, it finally clicked why Mr. Boyd''s prescription sounded familiar¡ªit matched what Johnny had asked for recently.


    Dane was a bit puzzled but chalked it up to coincidence. After all, the symptoms they were treating were pretty simr, so the remedies weren''t too different.


    *


    Grant shot Mirabe a quick message on Messenger, asking where to drop off the medicine. But Mirabe was still busy in the schoolb when she got it. Conveniently, James had sent her a message earlier, wondering when she''d be wrapping up, so she gave him a quick call.


    James agreed and hung up swiftly.


    Across from him, Sam, cigarette in hand, couldn''t help but shiver at his nephew''s tone, suspecting James might have a split personality.


    James raised an eyebrow at Sam, his gaze as calm as ever. He took a sip of his coffee just as his phone buzzed with a message from Mirabe, forwarding Grant''s number.


    Checking the time, he sent the number to Wyatt, instructing him to pick up the items pronto.


    After sending off the message, he looked up at Sam and asked casually, "Uncle, what was it you needed my help with again?"

 Chapter 1065

    Sam repeated what he was saying before the call interrupted him, "I need you to train a few people for me."


    James, casually spinning his phone between his fingers, replied with a light tone, "Oh, I can''t, I''m busy."


    Sam: "..."


    So, he can find time for a date, yet he''s too busy for his uncle? Double standards shouldn''t work like this, right?


    James conveniently ignored the look on his uncle''s face, nced at the time, and stood up, "You''re busy, I''ll get going."


    Watching his nephew leave so abruptly, Sam''s face was a picture of disbelief: "..."


    Yeah, sure, as if.


    As soon as James left the office, he bumped into thew enforcement folks. The captain of the team instinctively paused when he saw James, about to say hello, but James walked by without even a nce.


    The captain''s expression stiffened for a moment but quickly rxed.


    Carter, following behind, was clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles were white. Only when James was far enough away did he speak up, ¡°That''s way too cocky."


    The captain gave him a sideways look, "Looks likest time didn''t teach you anything."


    Carter bit his lip, too afraid to reply.


    The captain shook his head, speaking with a hint of knowing, "Some things take time. What''s the hurry?"


    With that, he knocked on Sam''s office door.


    Carter took a deep breath, trying to keep his frustration in check. Yeah, time would tell, there''d be a chance to settle the score.


    **


    Downstairs, Curtis pulled up, waiting for James to hop in before checking the rearview mirror and asking, "What did Sam want?¡±


    James leaned back in his seat, looking cool as a cucumber, "He wants me to train a few people."


    Curtis nodded, "I''ll sort it outter."


    "Alright," James replied casually.


    Curtis scratched his head, then said, "Oh, by the way, James, I sent you the video


    ofst night''s race. There''s something odd about it."


    James looked up, not bothering with his phone, "What''s odd?"


    "It''s about that racer. I asked around, and someone said they identally bumped into this expert at the neighboring track. Today, I checked, and there''s aplete ckout of information fromst night. No surveince, nothing."


    The race wasn''t just any race. Cruz losing that shipment must have ticked him off. He wouldn''t dare openly challenge the Shepherd family, but the racer might not be as careful.


    Curtis didn''t want to see an innocent person get caught up in this, and nned to quietly ensure their safety, but now the racer was untraceable.


    Without the race video, you''d thinkst night''s female racer just appeared out of thin air.


    James squinted slightly, "Maybe they don''t want to be found."


    Curtis nodded, "Seems like it. I asked the track staff, someone did rent the trackst night, but they left no clues."


    "Then let it be," James said, sounding indifferent.


    "Sure, but if we give the footage to Ms. Mirabe, she might be able to recover it," Curtis mentioned.


    Talking about recovering footage made Curtis feel a bit down. Are hackers everywhere now? It''s like you can''t avoid them.


    Ms. Mirabe''s skills were something he had to ept, but now running into a situation where he couldn''t recover surveince was... well, it was hard not to feel a bit outmatched.

 Chapter 1066

    James nced ahead and said, "Don''t go running to her for everything."


    Curtis hunched his shoulders and murmured a quick "Oh," letting the conversation drop.


    **


    Meanwhile, Wyatt reached out to Grant and set up a meet-up spot. By the time Wyatt got there, Grant was already waiting.


    "This is what Ms. Mirabe asked for," Grant said, handing Wyatt a box.


    He''d hoped to finally meet the ''Vice President'' that the president always talked up. But, s, the VP was tied up with other things. Still, when he saw Wyatt, he was taken aback.


    Wyatt looked bookish, sure, but there was something about him that set him apart from the usual crowd.


    Grant''s curiosity about the Vice President''s background was piqued.


    "Thanks," Wyatt said, taking the box.


    "Oh, and Ms. Mirabe''s membership card isn''t ready yet. I''ll drop it off when it''s done," Grant added politely.


    Wyatt, having tagged along with James to the Pharmacists'' Guild a couple of times, hadn''t crossed paths with Grant before. The mention of Ms. Mirabe''s membership card sparked his curiosity. "What membership card?"


    "It''s the Vice President''s membership card," Grant replied.


    Vice President?


    The title sounded pretty high up, and Wyatt was intrigued. Fiddling with the box, he couldn''t resist asking, "What kind of Vice President?"


    Grant hesitated, seemingly surprised that Wyatt wasn''t in the loop. With a smile, he said, "You might want to ask Ms. Mirabe. I''m not supposed to say."


    Wyatt, curious as he was, epted Grant''s response with a nod. "Alright, I''ll pass on your message."


    "Thanks," Grant nodded back.


    Wyatt waved and headed to the curb, hopping into his car.


    After watching Wyatt drive off, Grant pulled out his phone and shot a message to Mirabe, filling her in.


    **


    Back at the university.


    Mirabe returned to theb from a restroom break, hesitating at the door before stepping inside.


    Jessie noticed and, with a knowing smirk, said, "Mr. Ben''s already gone."


    It was funny; every time Mr. Ben showed up at theb, Mirabe would vanish into the restroom, only reemerging once he left.


    "Oh," Mirabe said, touching her nose, and then finally walked in.


    Jessie rolled her chair over, fixing her gaze on Mirabe. "You don''t seem to be a fan of Mr. Ben, huh?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "It''s not that I dislike him. I''m just not used to the scent of his cologne."


    "Cologne? What cologne smell?" Jessie wondered, recalling Mr. Ben''s faint fragrance. "Isn''t that his cologne? It''s not bad, is it?"


    Mirabe shrugged, keeping it casual, "Maybe."


    Jessie made a mental note to pay more attention to the scent the next time Mr. Ben visited.


    Mirabe turned back to herputer, diving into her calctions.


    Her restroom detour had set her back, so she picked up the pace, data flying across the screen.


    As Jessie returned to her seat, she noticed this: "???"


    This was aplete 180 from the slow,puter-illiterate person she''d seen before.

 Chapter 1067

    Just after five o''clock.


    Mirabe hit save on her data and left theb not long after. Outside the school, James had already parked his car by the curb, waiting.


    As soon as she hopped in, James started the engine and asked, "Hospital or home?"


    Mirabe raised a brow, casting a sideways nce at James. He was spot-on with the n. "Hospital first," she replied.


    James nodded, dressed in a dark coat over a matching sweater. The unturned cor hugged his neck, giving him a rugged, effortlessly cool vibe. His long fingers rested casually on the steering wheel.


    Mirabe leaned her elbow against the car door, resting her cheek in her hand,zily watching the man behind the wheel. He was quite the looker, and she wondered if she''d ever get tired of this view.


    Her fingers softly brushed her cheek, her eyes never leaving him.


    Sensing her steady gaze, James nced over at her. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, as if something had shifted between them.


    A warm sensation bubbled up in James''s chest. Suddenly, he reached over, naturally taking her left hand, which was casually resting on her knee. His fingers gently interwove with hers, palm to palm.


    Mirabe''s fingers curled slightly, but James held on tighter.


    "So, does this mean I''m officially in?" James asked after a pause.


    His voice was deep, carrying a maic allure. Mirabe didn''t pull her hand away. "Hard to say, but you could try asking my brothers what they think."


    James''s face fell: "..."


    How was he supposed to ask that?


    Asking would just earn him a t-out no.


    Mirabe''s lips curled into a slight smile, and she fell silent, her gaze drifting to the window, her smile vanishing as quickly as it came.


    Before long, they reached the hospital parking lot.


    James finally let go of her hand to get out, popping the trunk to grab two boxes of gifts. Mirabe had nned to ask him to wait downstairs, but seeing him so prepared, she felt a bit flustered.


    "You''vee well-prepared," she remarked.


    James joined her side, taking her hand again as they headed toward the hospital entrance. "Well, we''re here to see Zach," he said with a knowing nod.


    Mirabe''s lips twitched slightly.


    They quickly made their way to the fifth floor. As they neared the room, James let go of her hand, his demeanor turning more serious.


    Mirabe shot him a raised eyebrow before pushing the door open.


    Zach was idly scrolling through his phone, his face lighting up with a smile when he saw his sister. "Sis, you''re here... Wait, why are you here?"


    His smile froze when he noticed James trailing behind her, and his words came to an abrupt halt.


    James stepped forward, cing the gifts on a nearby table, then turned to greet Zach warmly, "Mr. Davis."


    Zach: "!!!"


    Get out of here! Who do you think you are, calling me Mr. Davis?


    You coffee bean!


    Mirabe pulled up a chair for James, then another for herself by the bed. "Your hand," she said.


    Zach begrudgingly extended his hand, his face still sour as he red at James. "Please, call me Mr. Davis."


    We''re not on a first-name basis!


    James nodded and took a seat, "Alright, Mr. Davis."


    Zach: "..."


    Mirabe lowered her eyes slightly, clearing her throat as she checked his pulse. Once done, she withdrew her hand.


    The bandages on Zach''s head had been removed, leaving only a simple dressing on a scrape at his temple. He seemed to be doing well.


    "Looks like you''ll be ready to go home in a couple of days," Mirabe said with a nod.

 Chapter 1068

    After shooting James a fierce re, Zach turned back to his sister, sounding a bit suspicious, like he thought she might be trying to skimp on hospital bills. "But I still feel off in some ces," he said.


    Mirabe casually crossed her legs and tilted her head. "Oh? Where does it hurt? Spill the beans."


    "My chest, my head-honestly, everything feels a bit off!" Zach said, adjusting his sses.


    What he really wanted to say was that James was the reason he felt so uneasy. But he knew if he let that slip, his sister would probably give him an earful.


    "Is that right?" Mirabe replied with a teasing smile, pulling out a silver needle from who-knows-where. "Maybe a few jabs with this will do the trick?"


    She knew better than to coddle him.


    Zach''s face fell at the sight of the long, thin needle. Yup, his sister was definitely the tougher one.


    James cleared his throat off to the side.


    That sound only made Zach''s expression darken further.


    Not long after, the doctor who was handling Zach''s tests came into the room.


    He''d taken some new blood samples recently and noticed changes in Zach''s trace elements, so he asked Mirabe to step outside for a quick chat.


    Mirabe shot a look at James before quickly following the doctor out.


    Suddenly, it was just Zach and James in the room.


    As soon as the door clicked shut, Zach dropped the act, his face going nk as he stared at James. "You better keep your distance from my sister."


    He really didn''t like this guy. Too many tricks up his sleeve, and Zach had fallen for them more than once.


    Even though his sister could be a handful, he wasn''t sure she could handle someone like James.


    James, cool as a cucumber, met Zach''s gaze with a calm voice, "That''s a tall order, practically impossible."


    Zach: "..."


    Taking a deep breath, Zach switched gears. "Look, no offense, but you two just aren''t a good match."


    "And why''s that?" James asked, eyebrows raising slightly, still looking rxed.


    "You''re too old, and my sister''s not into older guys." Zach snorted, his eyes filled with disdain.


    Five years apart is too much, even two years is pushing it!


    James''s calm demeanor cracked for just a second.


    Seeing that, Zach smirked and added, "Plus, we''ve got a lot of brothers, and I''m the most easy-going one."


    If the chill one was against it, what would the rest think?


    James got the hint, and the room went quiet.


    Outside, the doctor handed Mirabe another blood test report. "Mr. Davis''s blood elements are a bit odd. I suggest you take him to the General Hospital for a more thorough check."


    Mirabe nced at the report and nodded. "Thanks, Doctor."


    The doctor, wanting to do right by the patient, said, "No worries, just being cautious. The General Hospital''s got a new research instrument. They should get more precise readings for these unusual blood conditions."


    "I got it," Mirabe thanked him again.


    The doctor smiled and left.


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly as she crumpled up the report and stuffed it into her pocket, heading back to the room.


    Inside, she immediately sensed the tension, especially from Zach, who looked more puffed up than usual, while James stayed as chill as ever.


    Mirabe''s eyes darted thoughtfully between the two of them.

 Chapter 1069

    Not long after, Mirabe and James left the hospital room together.


    As they made their way downstairs, Mirabe kept her hands tucked in her pockets, fiddling with a piece of paper, lost in her thoughts and barely noticing James''s gaze.


    When the elevator doors opened, she was about to step out when someone from outside tried to enter, almost bumping into her.


    James quickly pulled her closer, giving the intruder a brief, cool look. The person, feeling the weight of his gaze, instinctively stepped back, letting them exit first.


    James slipped his hand into Mirabe''s pocket, holding hers. His fingertips were slightly cool, bringing her back to reality. She nced up at him.


    James, without a word, just held her hand as they walked out.


    Side by side, they headed to the parking lot. Just as he was about to open the passenger door, James let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. His eyes, deep and searching, lingered on her face for a moment before he asked, "Do I really look that old?"


    Mirabe, caught off guard, replied, "Huh?"


    "Is it that time of the month again?"


    Seeing the confusion in her eyes, James sighed softly, releasing her and opening the car door. "Never mind."


    "Oh." Mirabe touched her nose, slid into the car, and quickly fastened her seatbelt, closing the door behind her.


    James chuckled, shaking his head. He walked around the car, got into the driver''s seat, and soon they were driving away from the hospital.


    Twenty minutester, they drove back into their neighborhood. ncing in the rearview mirror, James decided to take her straight to his ce.


    As the car rolled to a stop in the garage, Mirabe opened her eyes, still a bit sleepy. Looking out the window, she realized they weren''t at her house.


    "Your stuff''s at my ce," James said, unbuckling his seatbelt and getting out of the car.


    Mirabe remembered the medicine she''d left behind and followed him out.


    At the entrance, Wyatt had been waiting for over ten minutes. Seeing them approach, he nodded, "James, Ms. Mirabe."


    It had been a while since Mirabe had seen Wyatt, so she nodded back, "Have you been busytely?"


    Wyatt, surprised by her attention, nced at James, who showed no reaction, and quickly replied, "Yeah... a bit."


    "Let''s head inside, it''s chilly out here," James said, taking Mirabe''s hand and leading her into the house.


    Wyatt watched James''s casual gesture, his eyes widening in disbelief. Was the James who''d been so nonmittal suddenly settling down?


    Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, Wyatt couldn''t help but rey his own words in his head.


    After a couple of minutes lost in thought, Wyatt followed them inside, ced the box on the coffee table, and said, "Ms. Mirabe, here''s your stuff."


    Mirabe thanked him.


    "Oh, and someone mentioned your ID card isn''t ready yet. They''ll bring it over once it is," Wyatt added, passing on Grant''s message.

 Chapter 1070

    "Alright, I got it," Mirabe said with a casual nod, not giving much thought to the ID card. She picked up the box, checked the herbs inside, and once satisfied,


    closed it again.


    Wyatt hadn''t peeked inside the box since he got it, so when he saw Mirabe open it, he realized it was full of herbs. He nced at her, recalling Grant mentioning something about a vice president earlier. Could she be with the Pharmacists'' Guild?


    After mulling it over for a moment, Wyatt asked, "Ms. Mirabe, have you ever been to the Pharmacists'' Guild?"


    Mirabe ced the box back on the coffee table and shook her head, "Nope."


    With that, Wyatt figured there was no point in probing further. If Ms. Mirabe were really the vice president of the Pharmacists'' Guild, he''d definitely know, given their high status in Riverdale. Surely, word would''ve gotten around.


    Wyatt looked over at James, who was busy in the kitchen, and said, "Well, since I''ve dropped off the goods, I should get going."


    Light bulbs were fragile, and he wasn''t eager to get on James''s bad side. Wyatt made his exit soon after.


    Once dinner was over, Mirabe took a quick bathroom break. Checking the time on her return, she was ready to gather her things and head home.


    James was on the couch, engrossed in something on his phone. As Mirabe approached to speak, the noise from his phone made her temples throb.


    James had finally found a moment to watch a video Curtis had sent him. His expression shifted slightly as he watched a sharp turn from the first race.


    The maneuvering was eerily familiar.


    Unable to stand it any longer, Mirabe coughed, picked up the box of herbs from the coffee table, and said in a steady voice, "I''m heading home now."


    If she didn''t leave soon, she felt like things might go sideways.


    James paused the video and looked up at her, then got up, "Alright, I''ll walk you out."


    Mirabe gave a weak smile and waved him off, "No need, really. You keep watching. I can manage on my own."


    James gave her a quick once-over, sensing something was off. He put down his phone, grabbed his coat, and said, "Let''s go."


    Mirabe eyed the phone on the coffee table, weighing the idea of some light mischief.


    Noticing she hadn''t moved, James turned back, "Mirabe?"


    She snapped back to reality, her face betraying no emotion, and quickly caught up with him, "Let''s go."


    James raised an eyebrow but didn''t press further.


    *


    After dropping Mirabe off, James returned to the couch, leaned back, and rubbed his temples. After a moment, he straightened up, grabbed his phone, and resumed watching the video.


    He quickly finished the first race''s recording, squinting slightly, then opened the second video. As soon as he saw the 360-degree spin, he knew it had to be Jade, who had vanished two years ago.


    James''s fingers traced the phone screen, zooming in on the footage, but the drone''s limited filming capabilities meant he couldn''t make out the driver''s face under the helmet.


    After trying several angles with no sess, James thought back to some old memories and decided to call Curtis.


    The call connected quickly.


    "Get all the footage from the racetrack," James said, his voice low as he leaned back on the couch.


    Can''t write anymore tonight, o()o see you at noon tomorrow, goodnight my dears-

 Chapter 1071

    Curtis was caught off guard by James''s sudden request, "James, why the sudden interest in this?"


    Hadn''t he just mentioned earlier that we could let it slide?


    James, holding his phone, remained silent, his eyes slightly narrowed, his expression unreadable.


    Curtis, on the other end, jumped up, moved to his desk, and fired up hisputer, "I''ll get it for you right now."


    James gave a quiet nod of acknowledgment.


    In no time, Curtis had pulled up the entire surveince footage, "I''ve emailed it to you."


    "Great."


    James ended the call and headed upstairs.


    Back in his room, he opened hisptop and started watching the full surveince video.


    Throughout the twenty-something minutes of footage, James didn''t fast-forward, patiently watching from start to finish until he saw the car leaving on a Monday, and the video cut off.


    James lightly tapped the mouse, rewinding to the part where Curtis handed over a check. He focused on the person leaningzily against the car door, their silhouette oddly familiar.


    James squinted, zooming in on the video, but couldn''t make out the face beneath the helmet. Yet, that familiar feeling lingered.


    It almost matched his memory of Jade from two years ago, though something seemed a bit off.


    James reyed the video, sitting quietly for a moment before messaging Curtis, asking him to bring over the race track''s surveince hard drive the next day.


    The next day was the weekend.


    Mirabe woke up, had breakfast, and then went into the small room on the first floor to work on her herbal remedies.


    Three hourster, after finishing her concoctions, she came out, rubbing her tired brow.


    Nick, who hadn''t gone to the institute today, was holding a jacket, ready to visit Zach at the hospital. He saw Mirabeing out of the room and asked, "I''m heading to see Zach at the hospital. Do you want toe?"


    Mirabe dropped her hand from her brow and shook her head, "I''ll pass. I have an errand to runter."


    "Okay." Nick gave Mirabe a brief nce, not pushing further.


    Mirabe handed him a stic bottle, "Give this to Zach, one pill every three days."


    Nick looked at it and said, "Another one of your remedies?"


    Mirabe nodded. She hadn''t slept well the night before and let out a long yawn, her eyes misty, "It''s for boosting strength. Make sure he doesn''t forget to take it."


    "Got it," Nick replied, "I''ll head out then."


    "Alright." Mirabe waved him off, then slowly made her way upstairs.


    After freshening up in the bathroom and feeling a bit more awake, Mirabe put


    on a dark wool coat, tied her hair into a messy bun, and grabbed her phone before heading out again.


    Adler had arranged to meet her for lunch.


    As she reached the ground floor, her phone rang.


    Mirabe checked the caller ID and quickly answered.


    "Are you home?" James''s voice came through.


    "Yeah, just about to head out," Mirabe replied, moving towards the entrance. She paused, "What''s up?"


    James nced at Curtis, who was holding aptop next to him, and said, "I''ve got a video here. Curtis can''t recover it. Could youe over when you''re free to take a look?"


    Mirabe slipped on her ankle boots, checking the time. Figuring it wouldn''t take long to sort out, she didn''t hesitate, "Sure, I''lle over now."


    With that, she ended the call, opened a drawer, and paused at the sight of the sports car keys inside. She hesitated for a moment, then closed the drawer without taking them.

 Chapter 1072

    Minutester, Mirabe strolled over to James''s vi.


    James, coffee in hand, was in the living room. When he spotted Mirabe stepping through the door, he looked up. She wore a dark wool coat with a matching shirt underneath, which made her skin look as smooth and pale as marble. Her legs were long and straight, and as she drew closer, a subtle, pleasant scent filled the air.


    James lightly traced the edge of his coffee cup with his fingertips, his voice steady, "You''re here."


    Mirabe gave a soft hum of acknowledgment, giving him a brief nce before turning her attention to Curtis, who was sitting nearby. "What''s the video about?"


    Curtis cleared his throat and brought up the source file on hisptop, then handed it over to her. "This one."


    Mirabe nced at the file extension on the screen, then took theptop, settled down on the couch, and rolled up her sleeves. "Let me give it a shot."


    Curtis stood not too far away, eyes gleaming with curiosity about how she''d tackle the task of restoring the video.


    Mirabe opened the recovery program and swiftly typed in a sequence of recovery codes. Just as she was about to ovey her prepared recovery code onto the source file, something familiar caught her eye in the sequence. Mirabe paused, her finger hovering over the Enter key.


    Noticing her hesitation, Curtis couldn''t help but ask, "How''s it going?"


    "Hold on, not done yet," Mirabe replied calmly, opening anothermand prompt and typing in a new set ofplex codes.


    Two minutester, she shook her head. "Nope, can''t do it either."


    James looked up, surprised. "You can''t either?"


    Curtis was taken aback, ncing at the screen, surprised that even Mirabe couldn''t crack it. After all, she''d once effortlessly resolved a cybersecurity issue for the national security department.


    Mirabe handed theptop back to Curtis, not blinking an eye. "Yeah, whoever did this is seriously skilled. The source file''s fragments are trashed; I can''t fix it."


    Curtis was a bit disoriented, contemting that someone might be even more skilled than Mirabe. Were experts really thatmon now?


    Mirabe nced at Curtis, cleared her throat, and asked, "Do you know who''s at the top of the hacker rankings?"


    Curtis was momentarily stunned, then caught on. "You mean Y?"


    "Yeah." Mirabe nodded, her expression serious. "I think it''s their handiwork."


    Curtis''s eyes went back to the screen. If it was Y, then the fact that the surveince couldn''t be restored made sense. After all, they''re ranked number one in the world.


    If it was easily fixed, then what would be the point of being number one?


    So, who was that woman whopeted for them a few days ago, and why did Y handle the follow-up for her?


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, ying up her curiosity. "So what''s the big deal with this video that it drew in such an expert?"


    "Just a racing video," Curtis replied simply.


    "Alright." Mirabe nodded, "Is it important?"


    Curtis nced at James, then answered, "Not really, we''re just trying to find someone."


    Mirabe''sshes lowered as she mused that the person they sought might be right in front of them, but they''d never know.


    Rolling down her sleeves, she didn''t press for more details. After checking the time, she looked up at James, "I''ve got an appointment, so I should head out."


    "Alright." James nodded, snapping back to reality, then reached out to grasp Mirabe''s arm. "Let me walk you out."

 Chapter 1073

    Mirabe paused for a moment, then waved her other hand dismissively, "No worries, I''ll drive myself."


    James watched her, but in the end, he didn''t push it, letting go with his well- defined fingers.


    Mirabe tucked her hands into her coat pockets, feeling pretty good as she headed to the door, her steps gaining a bit of a spring.


    Suddenly, Curtis snapped back to reality and said, "Oh, speaking of cars, I almost forgot. On Monday, Xun mentioned that someone drove a Phantom sports car, and there are only five of those in the world. I''m going to look up their origins now."


    Just as she reached the door, Mirabe, with her sharp ears, stumbled, "Wait, what?!"


    Is that even possible?!


    She turned to nce back at the living room, her cheeks twitching, and then quickly slipped on her shoes.


    Hearing Curtis, James narrowed his eyes, "A Phantom sports car?"


    "Yeah, that''s the one Xun was talking about. I was wondering who would own a car worth a hundred million and still join apetition for a twenty millionmission," Curtis mused.


    Especially when it involves risking their life.


    Still leaning against the doorframe, Mirabe mumbled, "Seriously?!"


    James gave Curtis a look, something clicking in his mind, and then he turned his gaze towards the door.


    Thanks to his sharp memory, he recalled someone driving a Phantom sports car that night.


    "What color was it?" he asked slowly.


    "I''ll ask Xun," Curtis said, not too sure himself. He put aside hisptop and pulled out his phone to call Xun.


    While he was on the phone, the sound of the door closing echoed. Curtis nced up at the door while speaking to Xun.


    Soon, Curtis got his answer, "It was silver-gray."


    James heard this and stayed silent for a while, his expression a bitplicated.


    Curtis, not noticing the look on James''s face, just added, "I''ll check out the owners of those five sports cars now."


    James pressed his fingertips to his forehead, settled onto the couch, and finally spoke, "No need."


    Curtis, about to make a call, paused and looked up, "Oh... no need to check?" James gave a small nod, picking up his phone again to watch a video.


    Curtis, scratching his head in confusion and staying quiet for a moment, asked softly, "James, do you already know who it is?"


    James didn''t answer, his eyes glued to his phone, his gaze holding a hint of something.


    Oh, so that''s why it felt familiar.


    **


    Knowing she had already given herself away, Mirabe left theplex and grabbed a cab to her appointment.


    By the time she got to the restaurant, Adler was already there.


    He poured her a cup of coffee, eyeing her curiously, "You look... like you''ve got something on your mind?"


    Mirabe, resting her chin in her hand, let out a long sigh, "Life''s just a bore!" Adler''s lips twitched, "Trouble with your boyfriend?"


    Mirabe just shot him a sidelong nce, picked up her coffee, and took a sip, "Where''s the stuff?"


    Adler reached for a palm-sized wooden box on the chair next to him, set it on the table, and pushed it towards Mirabe, "The med school''s got tight security; I could only snag a small vial."


    His hand was red and swollen, like it had been burned.


    Mirabe noticed it right away, "What happened to your hand?"


    Adler realized he''d used the wrong hand and coughed, "Got careless during an experiment, spilled some reagents, and ended up with a burn."

 Chapter 1074

    Mirabe paused for a moment, then said, "Next time, be a bit more careful. Some of those chemicals aren''t exactly friendly to your health."


    "Yeah, I know." Adler''s curiosity piqued as he nced back at the box. "What are you nning to do with that?"


    Mirabe reached over, picked up the box, and opened it, revealing a vial of pale blue liquid. She closed it swiftly. "Just a little research."


    Adler was a bit surprised. "I thought you avoided working with chemicals?"


    He remembered inviting her to theb ages ago, and she had been firm about steering clear of experimental substances.


    Mirabe''s gaze turned thoughtful, and she leaned back in her chair, her voice calm, "People''s interests can change over time."


    Adler sensed a hint of resignation in her tone and paused before asking, "Is something troubling you?"


    Mirabe absentmindedly traced the rim of her coffee cup with her finger. "Not really."


    "If you need any help, just say the word. No need to be shy," Adler offered after considering for a moment.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Actually, I do need something. Can I borrow yourb for a while?"


    "Sure thing. I''ll hand over my keys. I only use it for experiments, and it''s usually empty," Adler said, fishing out a set of keys from his pocket and handing them to her.


    Mirabe hesitated briefly before taking the keys. "But I''m not familiar with some of the equipment. You''ll have to show me the ropes."


    Adler was reminded of the first time she had borrowed hisb to make medicine. She had imed ignorance of the equipment, but after just one walkthrough, she had outpaced him in using it.


    That experience had left him both impressed and slightly intimidated by her quick learning.


    Adler nodded, feeling a mix of emotions.


    "How about this afternoon?" Mirabe suggested.


    Adler had nned to head back to the research institute, but her request made him reconsider. "Yeah, sure. That works."


    Helping her out was more important than any research he had lined up.


    After their meal arrived and they''d finished eating, Mirabe followed Adler to his privateb.


    Adler''sb wasn''t huge, and it didn''t have all the bells and whistles of a full-scaleb, but it had the essentials for chemical research.


    He walked her through most of the equipment, exining their use. Eventually, he was called back to the research institute by persistent phone calls from his colleagues.


    Once Adler left, Mirabe got to work, analyzing the solution.


    Under the microscope, the light blue liquid revealed its secrets-various activeponents, some beneficial, others harmful. While bnced within the vial, mixing it with blood could trigger significant changes.


    Mirabe watched as the data reacted to the introduction of her blood, her expression darkening.


    The idea of disrupting the body''s natural evolution to create an abnormal gic hybrid was unsettling.


    She spent the entire afternoon in theb, leaving only when the night crept in.


    **


    Meanwhile, across town, Grady wrapped up a meeting with his team. As everyone filtered out, As walked in, still looking worried.


    "Grady, there''s a group digging into us," As reported, sharing the intel from his team. "And it seems like they might be after Miss Mira."

 Chapter 1075

    Grady leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. Hearing the news, he dropped his hand and looked at As, his expression turning icy. "Who are they?" "They''re a subsidiary under the Tech Division," As replied respectfully.


    Grady''s frown deepened. "Why are they after Miss Mira?"


    "It''s probably about the car race that night." As paused, then added, "The Shepherd family is also digging into what happened at the training ground that night."


    As then exined the secret car race bet set up by Cruz and the Shepherd family.


    "So, you''re thinking Miss Mira was in that race?" Grady''s eyes narrowed, cutting to the chase.


    As nodded, "Pretty much. Both sides are hunting for a female racer, and as far as I know, Miss Mira was the only woman there that night. Plus, she did leave for about half an hour."


    Half an hour might not seem long, but it was plenty of time for a race.


    Especially with Miss Mira''s driving skills, which were impressive even to an outsider like him.


    Grady twirled the bracelet on his wrist, reflecting on that night. The answer seemed obvious now.


    As chimed in, "But... weirdly, all the surveince footage from the training ground is missing."


    Grady''s attention snapped back, a hint of surprise on his face. "Gone?"


    "Yeah." As nodded, an idea forming in his mind. "I think Miss Mira might have wiped it."


    Last time, they found the young master thanks to Miss Mira''s tracking skills, so it''s reasonable to think she''s a tech whiz too.


    Otherwise, the footage wouldn''t just disappear without a trace.


    Grady was momentarily lost in thought, then sighed, "I had no idea Miss Mira was that talented."


    As''s lips twitched, feeling Grady was missing the bigger picture.


    Clearing his throat, As said, "Miss Mira won the race for the Shepherd family, and Cruz''s people are definitely ming her."


    Grady''s contemtive mood shifted, his face darkening with anger. "Idiots."


    As rubbed his hands together and asked, "Grady, should we handle this quietly?"


    Grady shot him a sidelong nce. "What do you think?"


    "I got it." As straightened up, nodding seriously. "I''ll take care of it, without a trace."


    All threats should be stopped before they start, leaving no room for bacsh.


    Why would those fools mess with Miss Mira? They''re just asking for trouble.


    With a cold smirk, As turned to leave but paused and turned back. "By the way,


    should we cover for Miss Mira with the Shepherd family?"


    Grady thought for a moment, then waved it off. "No need."


    "Alright." As nodded, not questioning further, and left. Goodnight, see you tomorrow.

 Chapter 1076

    After leaving Adler''s ce, Mirabe headed straight back to her apartmentplex. She''d spent the whole afternoon working on potion analysis, so her mood was anything but sunny, and she looked a bit worn out.


    As soon as she stepped through the door, Nick noticed her gloomy expression and couldn''t help but ask, "Hey, what''s up? You look down."


    Mirabe gave a little wave, slipped off her small bag, and put it on the cab. Then she flopped onto the couch like all her energy had been zapped, clutching a pillow to her chest.


    Nick poured her a warm cup of water and ced it on the coffee table before sitting down. "What happened?"


    Holding the pillow tighter, Mirabe rested her chinzily on it, turning her head to meet Nick''s gaze. Her eyes, usually bright and lively, were clouded with confusion. "Nick, what do you think is the point of us being here?"


    Nick was caught off guard, never expecting such a deep question from his sister. After a thoughtful pause, he shrugged and said, "Just to live, I reckon."


    Mirabe blinked, paused for a beat, then suddenly broke into a smile, the shadows lifting from her face.


    Yeah, living really is the whole point. If there are things and people you can''t dodge, why bother trying so hard to avoid them?


    Seeing her spirits lift, Nick didn''t pry any further. He just reached over, giving her head aforting pat. "Don''t think too much about it. I''m always here for you, and home will always be your safe ce."


    Mirabe let out a soft hum, then sat up straighter. "Nick, did you cook dinner? I''m starving."


    Nick smirked. "I ordered takeout; it should be here soon."


    Mirabe nodded and sank back into the couch, her eyes drifting to theptop on the coffee table. It was open to some programming software, the code only half done and a bit stuck with a few errors.


    Her fingers twitched, her perfectionist side itching to fix it.


    Just then, the doorbell rang.


    Nick, not catching Mirabe''s expression, stood up. "That must be the food."


    As Nick disappeared towards the door, Mirabe''s gaze followed him briefly before she looked back at theptop, unable to resist picking it up.


    When Nick returned with the food, Mirabe was still sprawled on the couch. He called her over to eat.


    After dinner, Mirabe headed upstairs.


    Nick tidied up and then poured himself a ss of water, heading to the living room. Picking up theptop from the coffee table, he opened it and was surprised by what he saw in the programming software.


    Thetter part of the code had been changed, not following his original n, but it was much clearer and more efficient.


    Nick paused, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Something clicked in his mind, and he nced up towards the second floor, a soft smile ying on his lips.


    The next morning, Mirabe was up early, pulling on her workout gear to head downstairs.


    Winter had just begun, and the morning air was chilly. As she stepped outside, the cold wind hit her face, making her already pale skin look even whiter. She rubbed her hands together, watching her breath puff out in the air.


    Winter in Riverdale was definitely colder than in Ashford.


    Mirabe clicked her tongue in annoyance as she walked to the front door, opened it, and stepped outside. But then, she spotted someone at the corner of the street and suddenly felt like her feet were glued to the ground.


    She wiped her face with her hand, realizing she''d been finding herself in awkward situations more and more oftentely. That definitely wasn''t a good sign.

 Chapter 1077

    Mirabe noticed someone ncing her way and responded with a friendly smile, casually strolling over to greet them. As she got closer, she said, "Morning," with an easy, natural vibe.


    "Morning."


    James was also dressed in workout gear, his sleeves rolled up, showing off his forearms, and a light sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead. His striking features had a certain disciplined allure, evidence of a recent workout.


    "Morning," James replied, nodding towards the neighborhood with a yful eyebrow raise. "Care to join me?"


    Mirabe nodded with a smile, falling into her usual jogging routine.


    Awkward? Not a chance!


    James nced over at the girl ahead, a yful smirk tugging at his lips as he matched her pace. They jogged fiveps around the neighborhood, switching to a brisk walk for thestp, sharing a quiet, peaceful camaraderie.


    After their run, James walked Mirabe home.


    As she keyed in her door code, Mirabe broke the silence, turning to James, "Got something on your mind?"


    Her cheeks were flushed from the run, herplexion glowing.


    James raised an eyebrow, "Like what? The mystery racer who helped me out that night?" He paused, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper, "Or maybe... the world''s top racer, Jade?"


    Mirabe''s smile wavered, "What nonsense are you spouting this early? World champ? Not me. I''ve barely had my license six months."


    As long as she denied it, she was just a decoy.


    James chuckled softly, "Underground racing doesn''t need a license."


    Ignoring him, Mirabe turned back to the door. "I better get going. College awaits."


    She stepped inside, but James''s voice caught her, "How about a race sometime?"


    Mirabe hesitated, cheeks twitching.


    James watched her for a moment, then said, "You owe me that much."


    Surprised, Mirabe turned back, incredulous, "Petty much? I earned that twenty million fair and square!"


    Revealing her identity? Maybe. Coughing up money? No way.


    With that, she shut the door with a firm click.


    James sighed, rubbing his temple. "I wasn''t asking for money."


    From behind the door, Mirabe''s voice softened, "Oh."


    James lingered for a few seconds, then simply said, "Tonight. We race."


    Although she didn''t quite get his sudden need to race, as long as cash wasn''t involved, she was game.


    So, Mirabe nodded, "Alright, tonight."


    "Yeah."


    Something flickered in James''s eyes, but Mirabe didn''t notice as she disappeared inside.


    Meanwhile, over at the hospital...


    Romero had been recovering from a bone marrow transnt for a few days,


    staying in istion. Age and the toll of radiation had left his immune system wiped out, leading to infections andplications soon after surgery.


    Austin hadn''t caught a decent night''s sleep in days.

 Chapter 1078

    Austin had hoped they''d finally cure Donald''s illness, butplications popped up unexpectedly.


    Austin and Kitty stood outside the sterile room, peering through the ss at Donald lying inside. Both wore worried expressions.


    "Don''t stress too much, Emmitt," Kitty reassured, giving Austin''s shoulder aforting pat. "The doctor said theplications aren''t too severe and are manageable. Just get through the next couple of weeks, and once the new bone marrow starts growing, he''ll be okay."


    Austin had dark circles under his eyes, not just from worrying about Donald pulling through but also from dealing with the family drama brewing among his cousins. He was utterly exhausted.


    Rubbing his temples, Austin turned his back against the ss, avoiding the sight of the room. "Let''s hope."


    "Maybe we should get Mr. Keller to check on Donald again," Kitty suggested.


    "I''ve already called him. He''sing to the hospital today." Mentioning Mr. Keller brought a glimmer of hope to Austin''s eyes.


    Before the surgery, Donald had taken some of Mr. Keller''s medicine, which had really improved his condition. They just had to hope it would tackle the post- surgeryplications too.


    Kitty nodded, her face easing a bit. "That''s good."


    "Yeah."


    Soon enough, Conrad arrived at the hospital.


    Austin personally met him at the hospital''s entrance, his demeanor especially respectful. As they walked, he filled Conrad in on the current situation.


    When they reached outside the room, Austin pulled out Donald''sb reports.


    Conrad barely nced at them before waving them off. "No need, those aren''t much use to me."


    Seeing this, Austin quickly tucked the reports back into the medical file. "Alright, you''ll want to check his pulse, then. Let''s get you into sterile gear first."


    Conrad nodded slightly, his expression neutral. After changing, he followed Austin into the room.


    After checking Donald''s pulse, Conrad frowned a bit but soon rxed. He didn''t linger in the sterile room. Once outside, he didn''t mention Donald''s condition, simply saying, "I''ll get in touch after I prepare the medicine."


    Understanding Conrad''s reserved nature, Austin felt a bit relieved. He didn''t press for more details and replied, "Alright, I''ll wait for your good news."


    Conrad nodded and left without waiting for Austin to see him out.


    Watching him go, Kitty exhaled a quiet sigh. "Those Pharmacists'' Guild folks sure carry themselves with an air of importance, like every word is precious."


    Seeing Conrad depart, Austin turned back and nodded in agreement. "That''s how you know they''ve got real skills."


    Those without ability are left to bow and scrape.


    **


    After leaving the hospital, Conrad headed straight back to the Pharmacists'' Guild and made his way to the guild''s library.


    He sifted through the library''s collection, jotting down a few useful prescriptions before heading out.


    Even with Donald''s current condition, Conrad wasn''t entirely confident. Pondering it over, he decided to consult his mentor, the Vice President of the Guild.


    After hearing Conrad''s exnation and scanning the prescriptions he had noted, the Vice President, with a casual nce, remarked, "Complications after a bone marrow transnt usually arise from low immunity during regeneration. Any of these should do the trick without any problems."

 Chapter 1079

    Conrad nced at his mentor, hesitating a bit before saying, "But these


    prescriptions might be a bit too strong."


    The vice president set down the paper he was holding, his voice carrying authority without anger. "Since when did you be so cautious?"


    Conrad lowered his gaze slightly, replying softly, "I''m just worried about any unexpected side effects."


    "Even the Pharmacists'' Guild doesn''t make miracle cures for everything. Surgeries can lead to infections. Do you think any medicine can guarantee zero adverse reactions? Do I really need to teach you that?" The vice president gave Conrad a sideways nce, speaking with a cool detachment.


    "I guess I was overthinking it," Conrad admitted, lowering his head.


    The vice president propped his elbow on the table, fingertips lightly massaging his temple. Suddenly recalling something, he looked up, "There''s only a month left until this year''s evaluation. You won''t let me down again, right?"


    Clenching his hands by his side, Conrad''s eyes turned steely. "Don''t worry, Master. I promise this year will be different. I''ll definitely outperform Devon."


    The vice president gave a slight nod, waiting a moment before adding, "Your talent is on par with Devon''s. Prepare well. If you hit any snags, don''t hesitate to ask me."


    "Got it," Conrad nodded. "I''ll head out now."


    The vice president waved him off.


    With the prescription list in hand, Conrad walked out, his mind swirling with thoughts of the uing evaluation. Each December, the Pharmacists'' Guild held a simple test-whoever concocted the best-rated medicine gained higher rank privileges. Last year, Conrad had lost to Devon, Mr. Boyd''s top apprentice. Naturally, the vice president didn''t want his apprentice to keep losing to the president''s. It was a matter of pride.


    Understanding this, Conrad felt the pressure mounting. Back at the Keller family home, aside from making medicine for Romero, he was preupied with what to create for next month''s evaluation. So far, he hadn''te up with anything noteworthy, which left him feeling down after finishing Romero''s medicine.


    When he reached the living room, he found his cousin sprawled on the couch, lost in her phone with headphones on, oblivious to the world.


    Conrad, lost in thought, suddenly remembered something. He walked over to his cousin and sat down nearby, calling out, "Sophia."


    Sophia was deep into her game, the volume cranked up on her headphones. She either didn''t hear him or chose not to respond.


    Conrad frowned, irritation flickering in his eyes. He tugged off her headphones. "Can''t you hear me?"


    The phone screen went dark suddenly, and Sophia paused, looking up with annoyance. "What''s your problem?"


    Today, Conrad wasn''t in the mood to argue. He crossed his legs and said, "There''s only a month left until the evaluation. Shouldn''t you be focusing on your studies instead of gaming all day?"


    "None of your business," Sophia sneered, putting her headphones back on, clearly uninterested in talking.


    Conrad''s temper red. He snatched her phone and tossed it onto the marble coffee table with a thud.


    Sophia stayed frozen in her gaming pose for a moment before her fingers twitched. She looked up, her face expressionless, staring at Conrad.

 Chapter 1080

    Sophia didn''t utter a word, but her eyes were as cold as ice. When Conrad locked eyes with her, he felt a chill run through him, like he''d stepped into a freezer.


    The thought caught Conrad off guard, but the cold sensation quickly faded. Sophia had dropped her gaze, fiddling with her earphones before tossing them onto the coffee table. "So, what''s yourtest scheme?" she asked dryly.


    Her cousin barely spoke to her, and when he did, it was either to put someone down or to pursue some hidden agenda. She''d figured that out ages ago.


    Conrad was used to his cousin''s sharp tongue by now. Holding back his annoyance, he asked in a low voice, "Not nning to join the Guild''s annual assessment this year, either?"


    Sophia toyed with her fingers, a smirk briefly shing across her lips-she knew exactly why Conrad was here. "Nope, not interested."


    "Why not?" Conrad pressed, his brow furrowing.


    Sophia scratched her ear, her slippers kicked across the room, as she casually curled up on the couch. "What''s it to you?"


    "Don''t forget, you''re a Keller. And don''t forget who got you into the Pharmacists'' Guild, who''s been footing your bills all these years for school and everything else," Conrad replied coolly.


    "Oh, and don''t forget who helped you get that senior pharmacist title," Sophia chuckled.


    Same old excuses, she thought. She was sick of hearing them.


    Conrad stared at her icily for a moment before speaking again. "Fine, skip the assessment, but I need an S-level prescription from you."


    Sophia''s lips twitched; she knew this wasing. She looked at Conrad with a hint of mockery. "You''re the senior pharmacist. Why ask me, someone you im knows nothing, for a form? You''re not serious, are you?"


    "You know exactly what you''ve got," Conrad cut to the chase, not wasting time on pointless chatter as he noticed their mother approaching and shifted back to his usual demeanor. "But if you want to continue being ungrateful, that''s on you."


    Patricia walked over, a warm smile on her face as she picked up the slippers Sophia had kicked away, cing them back in front of her. "Sophia, Conrad, what are you two discussing? It looks serious," she asked curiously.


    Conrad nced at Sophia, replying, "Nothing much, just some Guild stuff."


    Sophia''s hands tightened slightly on her knees, her prickly demeanor softening. Though she couldn''t stand her cousin, she had a lot of respect for his kind mother. She quietly muttered, "Aunt," without adding more.


    Seeing Sophia''s change in demeanor, a hint of scorn flickered in Conrad''s eyes before he stood up. "Mom, keep chatting. I''ve got some things to take care of." Patricia, aware of her son''s busy schedule, nodded with a smile. "Alright, dear." Conrad took a couple of steps, paused, then turned back to Sophia with a soft voice, "Sis, I''m looking forward to your good news. Don''t let us down."


    Sophia looked up as Conrad raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look before leaving.


    Patricia, intrigued, asked, "What good news?"


    Sophia shifted her gaze to Patricia''s kind face and simply smiled, shaking her head lightly. "Oh, it''s nothing."

 Chapter 1081

    In the afternoon, Mirabe strolled out of school. Just like clockwork, a sleek ck sedan was already waiting by the curb, a few minutes early as always. She swung open the passenger door and slid into the seat next to the driver.


    As she buckled up, she shot a sideways nce at James, the guy who''d thrown down a race challenge that morning. The question that had been on her mind all day finally spilled out, "Were you serious about that race earlier?"


    James fired up the engine and smoothly turned the steering wheel, responding with a nonchnt grunt.


    Mirabe fiddled with her nose, "Why challenge me to a race?"


    It wasn''t until they were cruising down the main road that James finally nced over at her puzzled expression. He seemed lost for words but eventually shrugged and said, "Figure it out yourself."


    Mirabe blinked, "Figure out what?"


    She felt like she was being used of something she didn''t do. Throughout the drive, she tried to coax more out of him, but he barely gave her the time of day. This left her second-guessing herself, wondering if she''d done something outrageous that she couldn''t recall.


    Before long, they pulled up outside an exclusive, members-only restaurant. The first floor was bustling with patrons, but James had already secured a private room upstairs. He took Mirabe''s hand, leading her up.


    Yara, sitting by the window and deep in conversation, nced up just as James walked in. Her words faltered, surprise etched across her delicate features. It was clear she hadn''t expected to see him there.


    Her gaze quickly settled on the girl beside James. From where she sat, she could only catch a glimpse of the girl''s side profile, but the intertwined hands were unmistakable.


    Momentarily stunned, Yara knocked over her coffee cup in her distraction. The freshly poured coffee spilled across the table and sttered onto her leg. The hot ssh snapped her back to reality, and she quickly stood, dabbing the mess with a napkin.


    Her friend across the table stood too, asking if she was okay. Yara just smiled, shook her head, and signaled for a waiter to tidy up. Once everything was sorted, she settled back into her seat.


    Though her friend continued chatting, Yara''s mind was elsewhere, reying the scene she''d just witnessed.


    *


    In the private room upstairs, James was immediately engrossed in a phone call. Mirabe nced at him before calling over a waiter and casually ordering a few dishes.


    Once the waiter left, she took out her phone, ready to dive into a quick game. But just as she was about to start, a Messenger notification popped up. It was from Sophia.


    "Hey, you there, boss?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, replying with a smirk, "Not here."


    Sophia: "... You''re hrious, boss."


    Mirabe: "Thanks, what''s up?"


    On the other end, Sophia hesitated, typing and deleting messages repeatedly, second-guessing herself. Mirabe, watching the screen sh "typing..." for what felt like forever, couldn''t help but grin. Was sheposing a novel?


    Finally, after nearly five minutes, the message changed.


    Sophia: "Boss, I wanna buy some meds~~"


    Mirabe chuckled at the message and shot back, "That''s all?"

 Chapter 1082

    Sophia nced at her phone, puzzled by the message from the big shot. She just replied with a simple "Okay."


    Mirabe thought for a moment, remembering that the other person had helped her before, so she quickly texted back, "What kind of medicine do you need?"


    Sophia''s heart skipped a beat, pleasantly surprised at how amodating the boss was today. She hurriedly typed, "Just the regr stuff that boosts health and strength."


    The medicines mentioned were all top-tier, S-grade and above, vastly superior to anything Conrad concocted.


    Considering her role as the Deputy Chair of the Pharmacists'' Guild and the monthly requirement to submit her concoctions, Mirabe easily responded, "Sure, when do you need it?"


    Don''t Harvest My Ganoderma: "No rush, just by the end of the month is good."


    Don''t Harvest My Ganoderma: "If you''re missing any ingredients, let me know and I''ll send them over."


    Mirabe: "Alright, I''ll keep you posted."


    Sophia sent a quick thank you, followed by a money transfer, and set her phone aside, her smile slowly fading. Asking the boss for Conrad''s coveted form was out of the question; obtaining medicine from the boss was already a rare feat. Sophia sighed deeply. This would be thest time.


    Mirabe, seeing the transfer notification on Messenger, didn''t bother epting it. It was just a favor, no big deal. She tucked her phone away and rested her chin on her entwined fingers, watching James, who was still by the window, engrossed in a phone call. His tall frame exuded a cool elegance, his sharp profile, with one hand casually in his pocket, gave off aid-back vibe.


    Feeling Mirabe''s gaze, James turned, their eyes meeting. Mirabe blinked, her eyes clear and bright as water. James quickly wrapped up his call and walked over. He pulled out the chair next to Mirabe and sat down, casually draping an arm over the back of her chair, leaning slightly toward her. "Why were you looking at me just now?" he asked.


    Mirabe instinctively leaned back, amused at her own flexibility, and coughed. "I wasn''t looking at you, just admiring something beautiful!"


    James just sighed, knowing better than to expect any romantic derations. He reached out, gently pulling back the person who was nearly under the table, holding her hand without crossing any lines. After all, the setting wasn''t right.


    After dinner, James took Mirabe straight to the racetrack. Wyatt and Curtis were already there, having checked the ce''s security earlier. As soon as Mirabe stepped out of the car, Wyatt and Curtis greeted her with a hint of surprise in their eyes.


    They knew James had invited someone for a race today-the female racer from the other night. They just hadn''t expected James to bring Ms. Mirabe along.


    Curtis checked his watch, then looked toward the racetrack entrance, curious about the mysterious female racer. With top hacker Y covering her tracks, she had to be someone significant.


    James approached Curtis. "Car keys," he said, with a knowing look. Curtis snapped back to attention, handing over the keys while asking, "James, where''s the racer? Aren''t they here yet?"

 Chapter 1083

    James didn''t bother answering Curtis''s question. Instead, he casually tossed one of the racing car keys to Mirabe.


    Mirabe caught the keys and twirled them on her finger. Hearing Curtis''sment, she nced over at James and asked, "Is there anyone else?"


    "Nope," James replied with a cool indifference.


    "Alright then." Mirabe nodded, not probing any further. She pressed the unlock button on the key fob, and the headlights of a sleek red sports car shed in the distance.


    With a raised eyebrow, Mirabe sauntered over to the car. She walked around it, taking in its curves, and gave a little whistle of appreciation. Then, she opened the door and slid into the driver''s seat.


    As she turned the ignition, the car''s engine roared to life, shattering the quiet of the racetrack with its powerful growl.


    Not far off, Curtis stood frozen, staring at Mirabe, utterly perplexed.


    Wait, Ms. Mirabe...? Curtis''s thoughts were slow to catch up. After a moment, his eyes widened in realization. Could the mysterious female racer from the other night have been Ms. Mirabe all along?


    Scratching his head, Curtis tried to piece together the events of that night. He''d interacted with the female racer for less than a minute while handing over a check. Although he''d sensed a vague familiarity about her, a call from James had interrupted his thoughts, and he''d let it slide.


    Now, as he thought back, the racer''s figure started to ovep with Mirabe''s.


    Curtis felt like the world had taken on a surreal twist.


    He recalled asking Mirabe to help recover some surveince footage the other day. Her brief moment of hesitation now made sense-she''d imed it couldn''t be restored and even mentioned calling in the top hacker Y to cover the tracks.


    Ms. Mirabe being asked to fix the footage she herself erased... The irony made Curtis''s cheeks twitch.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was examining the car''s specs when James approached, holding a racing helmet. He tapped on the window, and she looked up.


    James leaned casually against the car door, handing her the helmet. "Remember anything yet?" he asked with a teasing tone.


    Mirabe didn''t rush to put on the helmet. Instead, she tilted her head slightly at his question. ¡°How about a hint?" she suggested yfully.


    James gave her a sidelong nce, then slightly tilted his chin toward the neighboring sports car, his eyes resting on it without uttering a word.


    Following his gaze, Mirabe noticed the adjacent car was even more striking. Its sleek body and matte ck finish,bined with an eagle-in-flight emblem on the door, exuded a subtle yet mysterious allure.


    Seeing the familiar emblem, Mirabe''s lips twitched. Wasn''t that the mark of the previous champion, Eagle? The poor guy who''d crossed paths with her just before the championship and ended up missing his opportunity?


    Ah, memories always had a way of feeling magical. Mirabe quietly shifted her gaze away.


    No wonder he acted like she''d done him wrong and never owned up to it.


    "Looks like you''ve remembered," James chuckled lightly, his voice carrying a teasing chill.


    Feeling a bit sheepish, Mirabe lowered her gaze. After a moment''s thought, she slipped on the helmet, blocking his view and finally feeling a little more secure. "What are you talking about? I don''t know what you mean," she mumbled.


    James just stood there, speechless, shaking his head at her audacity.

 Chapter 1084

    James watched silently as the figure almost tucked under the car, shaking his


    head slightly without a word. He casually ced his headset in the box next to the car door and wandered over to the vehicle with the eagle emblem, slipping inside with ease.


    As the engine roared to life, Mirabe let out a sigh, slowly straightening up. Her eyes caught the headset in the box, and after a moment of hesitation, she put it


    on.


    Before long, James''s deep voice crackled through the headset, "You ready?"


    Mirabe tightened the strap of her helmet, gripped the steering wheel, and focused on the track ahead. Racing a former champion was the kind of thrill that pushed all awkwardness aside.


    She raised her hand, shing an OK sign in the air.


    In the blink of an eye, she floored the elerator, and the red sports car zipped away like aet, bold and dazzling.


    James watched the car speed off, a smirk tugging at his lips, then quickly followed suit.


    These cars were top-notch, souped-up for peak performance and safety, and neither driver was willing to back down. It was as intense as any official race, with pride hanging in the bnce.


    Drones buzzed overhead, capturing the action on the racetrack and transmitting it to aputer.


    Curtis, leaning against a car with theputer in his arms, kept his eyes glued to the screen as the two cars raced neck and neck at dizzying speeds. This wasn''t like the race from the other night-this was all about speed.


    Wyatt, watching nearby, couldn''t hold back his amazement, "Never thought Ms. Mirabe could keep up with James like this."


    Curtis didn''t tear his gaze away, just remarked, "Pity you missed her race with Andi that night. Now, that was some serious skill.¡±


    Even though James was a phenomenal driver, there was something about Ms. Mirabe that made Curtis ponder a more serious matter. It seemed James''s standing at home might take a hit.


    Below the drones, the red and ck sports cars kept racing, leaving only streaks of color in their wake-a true treat for the eyes.


    Wyatt, stroking his chin, mischievously suggested, "Think of the buzz if we posted this video online tonight."


    Curtis''s lips twitched, giving him a frosty look, "Feel like risking your life? Go ahead and post it."


    "Hey... just thinking out loud, wouldn''t actually do it," Wyatt shrank back,


    remembering thest time he got sent away.


    Curtis chuckled, letting thement slide.


    Inside her car, Mirabe nced at the car beside her, perfectly matched with her own, and raised an eyebrow as she spoke into the headset, "Not too shabby!"


    A true champion, his skill was no joke. The so-called third-best in the world couldn''t even hold a candle to him.


    Mirabe''spetitive spirit was fully fired up, a fierce determination glowing in her eyes.


    James, hand casually on the wheel, seemed perfectly at ease, showing none of the usual tension of a high-speed race. Hearing Mirabe''s words, he replied coolly, "You''re pretty impressive yourself."


    Had he entered the championship that year, the oue might not have been so certain in his favor.

 Chapter 1085

    The finish line loomed just ahead, and both racers had their pedals practically glued to the floor. Even the strategically ced hurdles didn''t make them ease up one bit.


    The final moments of any race are always packed with tension and thrills. Both cars were neck and neck, and the slightest dip in speed from either would spell only one oue: losing.


    As they closed in on the finish line, Mirabe''s fingers danced lightly on the steering wheel. She suddenly called out, "James."


    Her voice, just a whisper over the headset, caused James to ease off the gas for a split second, long enough to shoot a nce at Mirabe.


    Catching his eye, Mirabe shed a sly smile and started counting down, "I just wanted to say... looks like I''m about to win."


    With that breezy deration, Mirabe steered around thest obstacle and floored it, her car crossing the finish line first in a burst of speed.


    The screech of the brakes announced the end of the race with a cocky flourish.


    James''s car rolled to a stop just half a secondter. He nced at the time on the dashboard and chuckled quietly to himself.


    Mirabe cut the engine, tossed her helmet onto the passenger seat, and climbed out. Leaning casually against the car door, she shot a look over at James, still in his car, and raised an eyebrow, "I won."


    James took off his helmet and stepped out too.


    As he approached Mirabe, his handsome face showed not a hint of


    disappointment. Instead, with his usual calm and depth in his eyes, he nodded


    and said in a clear voice, "Congrats on your win."


    Mirabe touched her nose, unable topletely suppress her grin, and


    murmured, "All''s fair in love and war."


    James arched an eyebrow at her, paused, and gently smoothed down her slightly


    tousled hair before saying, "Well, now you owe me."


    Mirabe paused, then quipped, "...I''m broke."


    James chuckled softly, a ssic Mirabe reply.


    Mirabe faked a cough and nced at her watch, steering the conversation elsewhere, "It''s gettingte, let''s head back."


    James gave her a thoughtful look and agreed.


    Curtis and Wyatt strolled over, and James tossed them the keys to the sports car, giving them a few quick instructions before heading to the car he had driven there with Mirabe.


    As the car pulled away, Wyatt stood there, arms crossed, watching them leave. He couldn''t help but admire, "Ms. Mirabe''s quite something. Our James actually lost."


    Curtis, who had just unlocked the car, paused at Wyatt''s words, fixed him with a look, and scoffed, "And that''s why some folks can''t find a date."


    Didn''t you see he let her win on purpose?


    Even if he couldn''t take the win, he could''ve at least tied it.


    Wyatt''s cheeks twitched as he turned back to Curtis, "Why do you always end up


    getting personal? You talk about me, but what about you?"


    Curtis, uninterested in continuing, opened the car door and got in.


    Wyatt rubbed his nose, slightly embarrassed.


    **


    An hourter, they were back in the neighborhood.


    Mirabe had been resting her eyes since they got in the car, and eventually, she dozed off for real.


    James parked outside the vi and turned to her sleeping figure. He didn''t have the heart to wake her, so he switched off the lights and quietly turned up the heat.


    The only sound was her gentle breathing, and the car was wrapped in a serene stillness.

 Chapter 1086

    After what seemed like ages, the peaceful silence in the car was broken by a phone ringing. It was Mirabe''s phone.


    Groggily waking up, Mirabe opened her eyes, momentarily disoriented about her surroundings. The persistent ring of the phone quickly brought her back to reality. She grabbed her phone, but the ringing had already stopped. ncing at the caller ID, she then turned to look out the window, her voice soft, "We''re home already?"


    James noticed she was awake and switched on the car light. "You were sleeping so soundly, I didn''t have the heart to wake you."


    The warm glow bathed Mirabe''s face, giving her drowsy expression a dreamy, ethereal look. She nodded with a soft hum, unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching for the door handle, only to have her wrist gently caught.


    She turned back, puzzled, meeting James''s gaze.


    James gave a slight smile, leaned in, and gently pulled her closer. "How about a littlepensation?"


    Mirabe blinked, her instinctive reply was, "Goodnight?"


    James chuckled softly, then released her wrist, only to cradle the back of her head, his lips brushing her forehead before lingering on her lips. They stayed there just a moment before another phone ring interrupted them. He pulled back with a grin, "Now that''s what I callpensation."


    Mirabe cleared her throat, nced at her phone, and said, "I better get going."


    Without waiting for a response, she opened the door and stepped out, her figure disappearing into the night.


    James watched her enter the vi with a smile, then started the car and drove off.


    ***


    Time seemed to fly by. Over at the Pharmacists'' Guild, Mirabe''s vice-president ID card was ready in just a few days. Grant was quick to text her, nning to drop it off.


    Mirabe, thinking about her pharmaceutical needs, sent Grant a list of ingredients she required. Grant, upon receiving the list, hesitated. Instead of heading to the warehouse, he decided to take the list to David.


    While it was normal for pharmacists to request ingredients, Grant thought it wise to check with David, given that Mirabe hadn''t even visited the guild yet and was already requesting some pretty rare ingredients.


    David nced at the list and said casually, "No worries, just get the ingredients ready as per the list."


    Seeing David''s rxed demeanor, Grant figured Mirabe must have some serious clout. He nodded, deciding not to press further.


    As Grant was about to leave, David called him back. "Hold on, bring the ingredients and the ID card directly to me."


    The assistant looked at David, surprised. "You''re going to deliver them yourself?" "Yeah, it''s right on my way," David replied nonchntly, not offering more details. Scratching his head, the assistant grew more intrigued by this honorary vice president who warranted such attention. "Got it, I''ll get everything ready right away."


    David nodded and added, "Make sure it''s all with me before 4 p.m."


    He had ns to use the excuse of attending an acupuncture session with Dr. Lyle


    to check things out personally.


    Grant nodded, "Sure thing."


    Once Grant left, David picked up his phone to call Frank, checking if Mirabe would be showing up today.

 Chapter 1087

    Mirabe had acupuncture scheduled for Frank today, and after wrapping up her two afternoon sses, she headed out of the department. Before leaving campus, she made a quick stop at the Physics Department because Dr. Elliot wanted to see her.


    When she arrived at his office, Dr. Elliot was busy with a visitor. Robert, noticing this, invited her to wait in his office instead.


    "Dr. Elliot is in a meeting with Mr. Hammond right now, but they should be done soon," Robert said, handing Mirabe a ss of water with a friendly smile.


    Mirabe took the ss and thanked him politely. She had ns with Johnny at five, so she wasn''t in any hurry.


    To keep her entertained, Robert grabbed a quantum mechanics book from the bookshelf¡ªa collection of insights from the department''s professors. "You might find this interesting; it''s aption of wisdom from our faculty."


    As Mirabe nced at the book cover, memories of those daunting study years flooded back. Seems like she couldn''t quite escape it, even in college.


    Letting out a quiet sigh, she epted the book and softly said, "...Thank you, Mr. Robert."


    "No problem at all," Robert replied, waving a hand amiably before returning to his work, leaving Mirabe with the book.


    She settled in and began flipping through the pages, absorbed in the content.


    About fifteen minutester, there was a gentle knock on the partly open door. Mirabe looked up and saw Dr. Elliot standing there.


    "Mirabe, can youe out here?" he gestured for her to join him.


    As she reached the doorway, Dr. Elliot introduced her, "This is the exceptional student I was telling you about, Mirabe," he said to a dignified man beside him.


    Turning to Mirabe, he continued, "This is Mr. Hammond."


    Mirabe nodded politely, "Hello, Mr. Hammond."


    Mr. Hammond studied Mirabe for a moment. He''d heard her name before and was impressed by herposed demeanor. If his memory served him right, she was the one who toppedst year''s high schoolpetition.


    Nodding with approval, he said, "Great job, keep it up!"


    Standing next to Mr. Hammond was a striking young woman who gazed at Mirabe with a mix of admiration and curiosity, as if trying to ce her face.


    Mr. Hammond''s voice soon interrupted her thoughts, "I''ll have to head out now, but think more about the joint research project,¡± he said to Elliot seriously.


    Elliot nodded, "Sure, I''ll get back to you in a few days."


    "Alright."


    With that, Mr. Hammond and the young woman left.


    As they walked away, the young woman nced back at Mirabe, still trying to remember where she''d seen her. Once in the elevator, she turned to Mr. Hammond and asked, "Was that student with Dr. Elliot? The one we just saw?"


    Mr. Hammond, unsure of Mirabe''s current major, nodded, "Yes, she made our country proudst year by winning first ce in an internationalpetition. Quite impressive."


    Yara''s eyes widened in surprise, "She was the one who won first ce in the internationalpetitionst year?"

 Chapter 1088

    Yara remembered it so clearly because her math tutor had made a big deal out of it. The teacher even went as far as photocopying the set of math problems solved by the person who snagged first ce, just for further study. Yara had checked them out too, and yeah, those solutions were pretty ingenious, especially given how tricky the problems were. She figured it would have taken her days and nights to crack them.


    Originally, her teacher had ns to bring this math whiz into their department after finals. But to everyone''s surprise, a teacher from another department swooped in first, leaving her teacher regretting it for ages.


    Just then, the elevator chimed as it reached the ground floor, and Mr. Hammond stepped out, answering Yara''s earlier question, "Yep, that''s her."


    Yara picked up her pace to keep up with Mr. Hammond, admiringly saying, "With a student that talented, no wonder Dr. Elliot thinks so highly of her."


    Mr. Hammond gave a quick smile and casually replied, "You''re pretty great too, Yara. Keep it up."


    Yara modestly shook her head, saying, "Well, Mr. Hammond, you''ve got work to do, so I''ll head back to the department."


    "Alright," Mr. Hammond waved as he left.


    Yara stood there for a moment, watching Mr. Hammond''s retreating figure, still trying to figure out where she might have met that girl before.


    ***


    Meanwhile, over in Dr. Elliot''s office.


    Elliot was chatting with Mirabe, "Have you been swampedtely?"


    Mirabe was perched on the couch, and hearing Dr. Elliot''s question, she thought for a moment before replying, "Yeah, a bit. Our department''s working on an artificial life research project."


    Hearing about the research, Elliot sighed, "No wonder you haven''t been dropping by."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched slightly, "I think I''ve been turning in all the assignments on time, right?"


    Elliot nced at Mirabe. Was he really just concerned about assignments? He wanted her to stick around in the Physics Department.


    Was a double major not important anymore?


    Did it not deserve some attention?


    Mirabe decided to brush off Dr. Elliot''s resentful look, clearing her throat before asking, "Dr. Elliot, did you need me for something today?"


    The way she called him ''Dr. Elliot'' rubbed him the wrong way, and he couldn''t hide his annoyance, saying, "Why call me professor? Just call me teacher."


    Mirabe: "......"


    Are these professors always showing two sides, one for public and another in private?


    Elliot coughed, took a sip of his wellness goji berry tea, then added, "I didn''t call you for anything major. Even though Biology is your main focus, don''t forget about Physics."


    Of course, he also wanted her to meet Mr. Hammond sinceworking is key in research.


    Mirabe softly responded, "Got it..." and after a beat, she added, "teacher." Elliot''s mood instantly lifted at the word ''teacher'', nodding, "That''s more like it." To him, ''professor'' sounded too formal and distant, while ''teacher'' felt more personal.


    Remembering something, Elliot looked at Mirabe, pretending to be curious, "Wade from your department mentioned taking on a prot¨¦g¨¦. Any idea who it is?"


    "I''m not really sure. I haven''t been following Wade''s stuff," Mirabe replied, shaking her head.


    Elliot''s smile broadened, and he nodded, "Your main focus should be on your studies. It''s good to tune out distractions unrted to your studies."


    Mirabe gave Dr. Elliot a silent look but chose to say nothing.

 Chapter 1089

    Elliot had another chat with Mirabe, and since she called him "teacher," he figured she was practically one of his students. So, he stood up with a smile, "I''ve got something special for you."


    He made his way over to the bookshelf. Mirabe watched him, a sense of dread creeping in. Just half an hour ago, Professor Robert had pulled a book from his shelf for her to read. Now, Dr. Elliot was heading to the bookshelf again... Mirabe pressed her temples, wondering if she could make a quick getaway.


    Elliot picked out three books, turned around, and, despite a slight hesitation, handed them to Mirabe. "These are for you. Take them home and give them a good read."


    Mirabe thought to herself, "Just great..."


    Today was really not her day! Still, she managed a smile as she took the books. "Thank you, Professor."


    Elliot nodded, pleased, and sat back down. "When I get a chance, I''ll introduce you to your two senior fellows."


    Mirabe''s temples throbbed at the thought. Getting books was one thing, but now she had two surprise mentors: "?"


    She felt like she''d been bamboozled. Since she had to visit the Jones family, Mirabe didn''t linger at Dr. Elliot''s. Soon, she left the physics department, burdened with four books and dragging her feet.


    All she could think was: What a mess.


    **


    At the school gate, Johnny was already waiting. When he saw Mirabe, he walked over and greeted her, "Ms. Mirabe," noticing her downcast look. "What happened?"


    Mirabe just shook her head, "Nothing."


    Johnny saw she didn''t want to borate, so he didn''t push. "Alright, let''s head to the Jones family."


    "Okay," Mirabe replied, trailing after Johnny to the curb. Just as they reached the car, she spotted a ck sedan nearby.


    Her steps faltered, and she told Johnny, "Hold on a second."


    Johnny had just opened the car door when he heard her. He looked up to see her hurrying towards the other car, adjusting his sses as he did.


    Even from a distance, he recognized the person in the car-it was someone from the Shepherd family?


    Johnny was taken aback for a moment but quickly averted his gaze, not wanting


    to stare.


    Mirabe reached the ck sedan, and before she could tap on the window, it rolled down to reveal James''s sharply defined face.


    She plopped the books onto the passenger seat and asked, "Didn''t you see my message on Messenger?"


    James picked up his phone, nced at it briefly, then set it down. "Just saw it."


    Mirabe, leaning against the car window, gestured back towards Johnny. "I''ve got another errand. You can head back."


    James looked out, his eyes brieflynding on Johnny. With a knowing grin, he asked, "Off to make some money again?"


    Mirabe''s cheeks flushed slightly. "I''m treating someone!"


    James gave her a sidelong nce, "When will you be done?"


    Mirabe thought it over and replied, "If I go now, it''ll take at least an hour and a half."

 Chapter 1090

    James drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, casually saying, "Give me a call when you''re done."


    Mirabe hesitated for a couple of seconds before replying, "It''s not the best idea for you toe along."


    Frank was an official, and his residence required an escort to get in, which wasn''t happening without one.


    "Just call me when you''re out," James said, keeping it simple.


    After giving it some thought, Mirabe agreed, "Alright, I''m heading out then."


    "Okay," James nodded.


    Mirabe quickly made her way back to Johnny''s car. Johnny closed the door for her and sneaked a nce towards the ck sedan. When his eyes met the gaze from the other car, he instinctively shivered a bit.


    That look was kind of intimidating.


    Johnny hurriedly opened the driver''s door and got in. He nced at Mirabe and asked, "Your friend needed something?"


    "Yeah," Mirabe replied, "Let''s hit the road."


    Johnny nodded and started the car.


    As they drove away, he noticed the ck sedan still parked there in the side mirror. He found himself wondering about Mirabe''s connection with someone from the Shepherd family, suspecting there was more than just friendship...


    **


    About thirty minutester, they pulled up at the Jones estate.


    David was already there when Mirabe arrived, waiting for her.


    Seeing David there didn''t surprise Mirabe. After exchanging greetings, she got straight to work on Frank''s final acupuncture session.


    David watched her deft movements and the precision with which she ced the needles, unable to hold back his curiosity, "You must''ve been practicing acupuncture since you were a kid?"


    "Practiced for a few years," Mirabe replied casually, her hands not missing a beat.


    David''s eyebrows shot up, "A few years... How many exactly?"


    "Two or three, maybe," Mirabe said lightly, as if it were no big deal.


    David''s expression grew thoughtful. Two or three years, plus a ''maybe''? That was a bit cheeky.


    Even seasoned veterans in alternative medicine, with decades under their belts, might not reach her level of precision and calm, right?


    It''s true what they say,paring yourself to others can be maddening.


    David sighed internally, impressed by her acupuncture skills and eager to see the medicine she''d concoctter.


    Shaking off his thoughts, David continued watching her. He noticed her technique differed slightly this time, with no use of gold wires, and he''d never seen this method before. He couldn''t help but ask, "What''s this technique you''re using now?"


    Mirabe inserted a silver needle into one of Mason''s acupoints, her fingertip gliding over the spot, guiding the needle with precision. After a full rotation, she removed it, raising an eyebrow, "A unique secret technique."


    She inserted another needle and added, "The kind people might spend a lifetime trying to master."


    David chuckled, "Don''t worry, I''m not trying to steal your secrets."


    Mirabe just smiled and continued her work.


    About half an hourter, she removed all the needles and took a prepared bowl, pricking Mason''s index finger to let a drop of dark blood fall in.


    Seeing this, David''s eyes widened. Anyone familiar with medicine knew that blood containing toxins would be that color, but his previous checks had shown no signs of toxins.

 Chapter 1091

    Seeing the puzzled look on David''s face, Mirabe calmly exined while tidying up her silver needles, "There''s a high concentration of certain heavy metals in the body, which is basically a form of poisoning."


    The wisdom of ancient alternative medicine is pretty amazing, but you can''t underestimate the value of modern medical data. Things like reading pulses and observing energy might miss some internal problems that medical equipment can catch. On the flip side, when machines miss something, alternative medicine often steps in with the answer.


    So really, alternative medicine and Western medicine work hand in hand.


    Listening to Mirabe, David caught on quickly. After a moment''s thought, he said, "So, your n is to get rid of the extra metal toxins from Mason''s body, right?"


    Mirabe nodded, cing the sterilized silver needles back into their leather holder. "Regr meds and treatments don''t really help Mason."


    David, eyeing the basin with its darkened blood, was taken aback. "How did it get so concentrated?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, ncing briefly at Mason, whoy there quietly.


    David looked over at Mason too, but seeing Mason''s eyes turned away, he decided not to push it.


    Soon enough, the blood dripping from Mason''s fingers turned back to a normal, healthy red. Mirabe stopped the bleeding and casually remarked, "Stay away from radioactive medical devices for a bit and stick to a light diet."


    Frank nced at Mirabe and nodded, "Got it."


    David then took Frank''s wrist again, checking his pulse before asking Mirabe, "And the pulse now...?"


    "Normal," Mirabe cut in.


    David''s eyes lit up with understanding. "So, Mason''s all better?"


    "Yep," Mirabe replied coolly. "But Mr. Mason still has some heart issues, so he should keep following the doctor''s advice to stay healthy."


    David nodded. Heart problems have always been a tricky business; there''s no magic pill, just good care.


    "I feel like a weight''s been lifted off me."


    Frank slowly sat up, sweat still dotting his forehead. During the acupuncture, he had felt the needles moving inside him, and the pain was real.


    But now, with the pain gone, it felt like he had a second chance at life after a big scare.


    Mirabe looked at Mason, "I told you before, your condition can be treated."


    Mason suddenly recalled meeting this young woman for the first time. He had agreed to the treatment just to ease Owen''s mind, despite her assurance that it was treatable, he hadn''t really believed it.


    After all, his condition was a result of a failed medical experiment.


    Thinking this over, Mason said, "Mirabe, your skills... have you heard of medical research institutes?"


    "I''ve heard about them," Mirabe replied casually, then nced at her watch. "Mason, I''ve got ns tonight, so I need to head out."


    Frank could tell that Mirabe wasn''t keen on discussing it further, so he held his tongue.


    After gathering her things, Mirabe paused and added, "Please keep my treatment of you under wraps."


    Frank hesitated but then simply nodded, "Sure."


    "Great," Mirabe stood up.


    Watching her, David remembered the items he had brought along. Quickly, he fetched the herbs and handed them to Mirabe. "Oh, and here''s the stuff you asked for, plus your ID card is in there too."

 Chapter 1092

    Mirabe took the package from David without even checking it, just giving him a slight nod and a soft "thanks."


    David smiled and gave a little wave. "Swing by the association when you have the chance."


    "Sure thing," Mirabe replied, nodding. "I''ll drop by soon."


    "And don''t forget about the potions," David reminded her.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "I''ll have them shipped to you in a few days."


    Hearing this, David''s eyes lit up, but he quickly added, "Make sure they''re S- grade."


    Mirabe simply gestured ''no problem'' with her hand. "Alright, I''m heading out." With that, she nodded to Mason and Ana, who were standing nearby, and made her way out.


    Johnny noticed her leaving and caught up. "I''ll give you a ride."


    **


    Johnny drove Mirabe out of the neighborhood, and after a bit, as they neared the city, Mirabe asked him to pull over.


    The area was quiet, with hardly any people or cars-pretty secluded.


    After Mirabe got out, Johnny lingered, parked by the side of the road.


    It waste, and a young woman alone wasn''t exactly safe.


    Noticing, Mirabe didn''t say much. She pulled out her hoodie, put up the hood, and took out her phone.


    Before long, a ck sedan came driving up, turned around, and stopped right in front of her.


    Mirabe put her phone away, waved back at Johnny, then got into the sedan.


    The night air was much cooler than during the day, and Mirabe, lightly dressed, buckled up and rubbed her hands together for warmth. Her face, peeking from under the hood, was pale and tired, especially after spending so much energy on Mason''s treatment.


    "Are you cold?" James nced over, frowning slightly. He reached over to feel her hand, found it cold, and turned up the car''s heat.


    Mirabe shook her head, "I''m alright. Let''s find somewhere to eat first."


    "Okay," James said, starting the car.


    Twenty minutester, they pulled into a fancy residential area.


    Mirabe touched her nose, got out, and looked at James. "Aren''t we going out to eat?"


    James locked the car, took her hand naturally, and headed for the garage elevator. "Nah, food''s being delivered here."


    "Oh," Mirabe said, following him into the elevator. Watching him press the button for the 19th floor, the doors closed, and the elevator began to rise.


    Mirabe kept her head down, her hoodie still on, her hand lightly tapping the back of his hand. James nced at her, his expression a bit dark.


    But all he could see was the hoodie.


    The elevator stopped on the ground floor, where three or four people were


    waiting. As soon as the doors opened, they walked in.


    James moved Mirabe a bit closer, his intense presence making the neers avoid looking at him.


    Soon, the elevator reached the 19th floor.


    They walked out, one after the other, stopping at apartment 01. As James


    unlocked the door, Mirabe casually asked, "Is this your ce too?"


    James didn''t answer, just let the fingerprint scanner beep, pushed the door open, and turned to Mirabe with a calm look, gesturing for her to enter first.


    Mirabe blinked and stepped inside.


    The room was dark, no lights on. The door closed behind them with a soft thud. Hearing it, Mirabe''s heart skipped a beat.

 Chapter 1093

    Mirabe was just about to ask where the light switch was when she felt a


    sudden, firm grip around her waist. Before she knew it, she was spun around and gently pressed against the door, taking in the familiar cedar scent of the man in front of her.


    "Yeah, this is my ce," James said in a deep, reassuring voice, answering Mirabe''s earlier question.


    In the dim light, his right hand found hers with ease, his fingers gently parting hers until they were intertwined. The room''s temperature seemed to rise slightly, creating a cozy atmosphere. It wasn''t until the doorbell rang, breaking the silence, that James slowly released her hand and flicked on the light switch.


    The room flooded with light, chasing away the shadows. Mirabe''splexion warmed, her lips a deep, rosy red. The hat she wore added an extra touch of sweetness to her appearance. James couldn''t help but lean down for another quick kiss before stepping aside. "Dinner''s here," he announced.


    At the door was Wyatt, there to deliver their meal. After waiting a bit without the door opening, he had been about to call when it finally swung open. He looked up, "James..."


    His words faltered as he caught the coolness in James''s eyes. Was James in a bad mood?


    Wyatt felt a bit like he had walked in at the wrong time, sneaking a nce into the room. "Dinner," James said tly.


    "Oh, right..." Wyatt mumbled, snapping back to reality. He carefully handed over the food container he was holding.


    James took it with a straight face and shut the door behind him. Wyatt pulled back his hand just in time, scratching his head in confusion. Had he done something to upset James today?


    Standing there for a while, unable to figure it out, Wyatt eventually left, puzzled.


    Inside, Mirabe changed her shoes and wandered further in, taking in the luxurious vibe of the ce with an envious sigh. James entered, setting the food on the dining table, and called Mirabe over for dinner.


    Mirabe responded casually, washed her hands, and returned to the table. She confidently pulled out a chair and sat down, meeting James''s gaze as she epted the bowl and chopsticks he handed her. Inside, she reminded herself: Just don''t feel awkward.


    James raised an eyebrow, settling into the seat across from her. They ate infortable silence until Mirabe''s phone chimed with a Messenger notification. She pulled it out¡ªa voice message from Nick.


    Without hesitation, she yed the message aloud. It was short, only a few seconds, saying he was busy tonight and wouldn''t be home. After listening, Mirabe quickly typed a reply and set her phone aside, returning to her meal.


    James, sitting across, casually ced a piece of steak on Mirabe''s te, his expression unreadable, though his eyes seemed a bit more intense if you looked closely.


    After they finished eating, James suggested Mirabe rx in the living room. He didn''t mention when he''d be taking her home, and she didn''t press the issue. She curled up on the couch, turning on the TV.


    Time flew by, and soon it was past nine. Mirabe found herself yawning, feeling drowsy. She turned off the TV, nced around the room, but didn''t see James. Curious, she got up.


    James was in the study, talking on the phone, the door slightly open. Mirabe, in her cozy slippers, padded over and paused outside, listening to his voice without interrupting.

 Chapter 1094

    Inside, James spotted Mirabe hovering at the doorway. After a quick phone chat, she hung up. He strolled over, "Why are you just standing there?"


    Mirabe gave a little nod, "You looked busy."


    "Yeah, got a bunch of stuff to sort out. Not watching TV anymore?" James nced towards the living room.


    Mirabe yawned again, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She shook her head, "Nah, it''s gettingte."


    James''s expression softened, and he checked the time, "I''m gonna be a while. There''s a spare room next door; you can crash there if you''re tired."


    "No can do. If I get home after ten, Zach will give me an earful." Mirabe waved her hand and added, "You keep working. I''ll just grab a cab."


    James was momentarily at a loss for words.


    First Nick, now Zach.


    He rubbed his temples. "Hang on a sec."


    He ducked into the next room, came back with a thick coat, and draped it over Mirabe. "Come on, I''ll drive you home."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, snuggled into the coat, and followed him.


    Half an hourter, Mirabe was back home.


    Zach, who''d been discharged from the hospital a few days ago, was lounging in the living room. Papers were scattered all over the coffee table, and he was typing away on aptop bnced on his knees. When he saw his sister, he set theptop aside and checked the time, "Mirabe, you''re back a bitte."


    "Yeah, grabbed dinner with a friend," Mirabe replied, her expression unchanged.


    "What friend?" Zach took off his sses, suspicion written all over his face. Could it be that idiot?


    Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce, dodging the question, "Zach, your bones aren''t aching anymore?"


    "Don''t dodge the question." Zach was serious and wasn''t about to be distracted.


    Seeing his determination, Mirabe walked over and handed him a bag. "A friend gave me some herbal stuff, and we ended up having dinner."


    The scent of herbs drifted from the bag, making Zach touch his nose, wondering if he was overthinking things.


    He noticed a fancy square box inside and paused before taking it out, "What''s this?"


    Mirabe leanedzily against the sofa arm, not bothering to sit, "A gift card from someone."


    A gift card in such fancy packaging?


    Curiosity piqued, Zach opened the box to find a sleek ck card, smaller than a business card, with the same high-end craftsmanship as the box.


    It looked pretty swanky.


    Zach picked up the card, noticing the three embossed gold letters, "Vice President? That''s a new one, sounds like something out of a pyramid scheme."


    Zach joked.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and nodded, "Pretty much."


    "But what''s this card even for?" Zach looked it over again, finding it impressive but with no clear purpose.


    "Think of it as a discount card," Mirabe summed it up.


    Hearing that, Zach realized this was exactly the kind of thing his sister would


    keep. He put the card back in the box, not pushing for more details.


    Mirabe casually rested her hand on the back of the sofa, remembering something, she said, ¡°You''ve been taking the meds I gave you, right?"


    Zach nodded, "I remember everything you say, haven''t missed a dose."


    "Good, then rest up. I''ll give you some acupuncture in a few days," Mirabe mentioned offhandedly.


    Zach immediately looked wary, his tone shifting, "Why the needles all of a sudden?"

 Chapter 1095

    From the moment Zach caught sight of his sister''s long silver needle, he had this sneaking suspicion that he''d end up on the sharp end of it sooner orter.


    And sure enough, just a few dayster, that feeling was edging closer to reality!


    Mirabe threw him a casual nce and said, ¡°So, what''s it gonna be? A little acupuncture from me, or do I let Mom and Dad know you''re in a bit of a pickle?"


    Zach was left speechless, his face a mix of question marks.


    Mirabe, unfazed by his stunned look, yawned and wrapped up the convo on her own terms. "Alright then, tomorrow it is. I''m off anyway. Night, Zach."


    Zach was left gaping, thinking, "How am I supposed to sleep now?"


    Nightmares, here wee!


    The next morning, Zach shuffled downstairs sporting some serious panda eyes, moving silently as he scoped out the empty living room before letting out a big sigh of relief.


    He felt like he was sneaking around in his own house.


    Just as he poured himself a ss of warm water, the door to the small room on the first floor creaked open, and out came Mirabe.


    His hand shook, almost spilling the water.


    Mirabe, noticing his rigid stance, called out, "Zach?" with a hint of curiosity.


    She''d been up since dawn tinkering with her herbal concoctions, and the faintest whiff of herbs still clung to her.


    Zach cleared his throat, trying to y it cool as he sipped his water. "Were you making medicine again?"


    "Yep." Mirabe nodded, grabbing a carton of milk from the kitchen. "Breakfast is in the warming drawer," she added before heading back to her room.


    With a day off, she nned to finish the batch for the Pharmacists'' Guild.


    Just as she reached her door, Mirabe turned back. "Oh, Zach, I''ll be done in about an hour. Then we''ll do the acupuncture."


    Zach, who thought he might have dodged the bullet, was left speechless.


    He was about to voice his protests when Mirabe had already disappeared into her room, the door closing softly behind her.


    Feeling utterly defeated, Zach trudged into the kitchen.


    An hourter, Zach found himself reluctantly propped up in bed, watching as Mirabe sterilized the long silver needle. Dread filled him, making his skin crawl. "Sis, do we really need all this ceremony?"


    Without looking up, Mirabe continued her work. "Do you have any idea how much I charge for this kind of treatment?"


    Zach, seizing the opportunity, asked, "How much?" hoping to pay his way out of it.


    Mirabe gave him a sidelong nce. "Lie down."


    Zach sighed. Money wasn''t going to save him this time.


    Resigned, he peeled off his shirt andy down like a dead fish, his eyes fixed on


    the ceiling. "Does it hurt?" he asked, his voice small.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "It''s manageable."


    "Just be gentle, okay?" he mumbled. "You know I''m a wimp."


    Mirabe sighed, shaking her head slightly.


    She hadn''t even started, yet she was already second-guessing herself. But he was her brother, after all.


    With a gentle touch, she picked up the silver needle and numbed his senses before beginning the session.


    After the initial prick, Zach found it surprisingly painless, though he felt each needle''s entry with surprising rity. Curiosity getting the better of him, he asked, "Did you put anesthetic on the tips?"


    Mirabe paused, casting him a sideways look before finishing her work. Finally, she said, "Sometimes, a little pain helps keep us grounded."

 Chapter 1096

    Zach had always been pretty sharp, so when his sister suddenly dropped a bombshell with her words, he got the hint right away. He scratched his head, deciding it was best to keep quiet. When his sister got serious, she could be downright scary.


    Half an hourter, Mirabe wrapped up the session and was busy sterilizing the acupuncture needles. She asked, "Zach, when are you thinking of heading back?"


    "I''ll head back once I finish things up here, probably in a few days." Zach sat up, stretched his arms and shoulders, feeling alright, and grabbed his shirt to put it


    on.


    Mirabe nodded, "Cool, I''ll give you another acupuncture session the day before you leave."


    Zach paused midway through buttoning his shirt, looked at Mirabe in disbelief, and blurted out, "Another session?"


    "Yep." Mirabe tucked the leather scroll into its box and clicked the sp shut.


    Zach''s cheeks twitched, and after a moment, he asked, "Sis, be straight with me, am I sick or something?"


    He remembered those people injecting him with something when they took him, but the hospital checks came back normal, so he hadn''t worried too much. But if everything was fine, why was Mirabe so insistent on the meds and the acupuncture?


    Mirabe nced at him and threw the question back, "Do you feel sick?"


    Zach was at a loss for words.


    "Don''t you think the hospital would''ve found something if you were sick?" Mirabe added.


    Zach was speechless.


    Mirabe, holding the box, headed to the door. She paused, turned slightly, and said, ¡°You think getting a doctor to prescribe meds for your health doesn''t cost money?"


    Finally, Zach''s expression cracked.


    So, the whole point was to save money with the acupuncture, huh?


    Zach flopped back onto the bed, wondering if he could handle having such a penny-pinching sister.


    Mirabe went back to her room, put her stuff away, and grabbed her phone to message David, asking for his delivery address. David was surprised to get the message. He hadn''t expected the youngdy to have already cooked up the medicine after just giving her the herbs yesterday. He thought about sending a voice message to set up a meeting but stopped himself.


    He could tell she wasn''t too keen on the Pharmacists'' Guild and worried that being too chatty might scare her off. David, eager to get his hands on the ancient remedies, decided to y it cool and keep her interested.


    He sent her the address for the Pharmacists'' Guild.


    After getting the address, Mirabe quickly arranged for a local courier to ensure it arrived the same day.


    Once done chatting with David, she pondered a bit and then fired off a message to "Don''t Pick My Ganoderma," asking for her address too.


    Sophia sent the address of her workce, just a regr herbal medicine shop.


    Around five in the afternoon, as she was gearing up to leave work, a delivery guy showed up with a package, "A delivery for Sophia."


    Sophia was puzzled; she hadn''t ordered anything online, and the big shot was in Ashford. Even with the address she provided today, the fastest delivery wouldn''t arrive until tomorrow.


    Yet, the package had her name and phone number, so Sophia thanked the courier and took it. The package wasn''t big, and she quickly tore it open. When she saw what was inside, her eyes widened, and she quickly checked the shipping address again.


    It was a local delivery.


    Sophia was momentarily stunned, then snapped back and grabbed her phone to send a message to Mirabe, "Hey, are you in Riverdale?"

 Chapter 1097

    Soon enough, Mirabe hit her back with a casual "Hmm."


    Sophia was already on the bus, no seats in sight, so she leaned against the handrail by the door, typing rapidly on her phone: "You''re really in Riverdale? Here for work or just hanging out?"


    The Pill: "Studying."


    When Sophia read that, she froze, her mind struggling to process it. She had to ask again, "Studying... what does that mean?"


    Mirabe hesitated for a moment, then rified with a more straightforward term: "Going to college."


    Alias: "What! No way!"


    Clutching her phone tightly, Sophia was jostled further back as more people crammed onto the bus, but she managed to fire off another message: "I can''t believe it. You must be pulling my leg!"


    In her imagination, this person had to be a middle-aged guy, at least in his thirties or forties. How could he be a college student?


    Mirabe quickly reassured her: "I''m not joking."


    Sophia felt her cheeks flush. Of course, he never joked. If he said he was going to college, it had to be true.


    So, the boss was only about twenty?


    Sophia took a deep breath, feeling like the day was turning into a bizarre dream, so much so that she missed her stop by two stations.


    She finally returned to the Keller house, half an hourter than usual.


    "Have you been daydreamingtely? Making everyone wait for you?" Conrad stood at the door, arms crossed, his face unreadable.


    Sophia didn''t bother exining. She brushed past Conrad, entered the house, and swapped her shoes for slippers from the cab.


    Conrad let out a soft chuckle, lingering for a moment before following her inside. Patricia had dinner ready, and even though Sophia waste, she wasn''t upset. Instead, she spoke gently, urging her to sit down and eat.


    Sophia nced at her and quietly took her seat, still caught up in thoughts of the boss, so distracted she barely engaged in conversation or listened to the elders.


    "Sweetheart, what do you think of your cousin''s friend?" Patricia asked with a smile, looking at Sophia.


    Snapping back to reality, Sophia asked, "Huh, Aunt, what did you say?"


    "Your cousin''s friend-he''s from a good family and quite decent. Why not give it a thought?" Patricia put down her chopsticks, speaking earnestly, "Your parents left us too soon, and your uncle and I just want you to find a good match."


    Sophia tightened her grip on her fork, casting a cold nce at Conrad before quickly looking down, murmuring, "I''m not thinking about that stuff right now."


    Her cousin''s friend, huh, not even worth describing.


    Losing her appetite, Sophia set down her fork, looked up at her uncle and aunt, and said, "Uncle, Aunt, thank you for everything over the years. I''ve found a ce and I''ll be moving out soon."


    As she said it, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders.


    Manny and Patricia looked shocked, clearly not expecting this. They were stunned, unable to speak for a moment.


    Beside them, Conrad furrowed his brows deeply, mming his hand on the table,


    his gaze icy as itnded on Sophia, his voice heavy, "What have we done to make you want to leave?"

 Chapter 1098

    Sophia didn''t even nce at him, her voice steady butcking warmth. "Moving out is something I''ve wanted for a while now. No special reason."


    Conrad''s eyes were shadowed and hard to read. Of course, he knew why his cousin wanted to leave. Trying to slip from his grip? Not in this lifetime.


    "With the little paycheck you get from working at that local pharmacy, if you move out, you won''t even be able to cover your own expenses. Aren''t you just making my parents worry unnecessarily? Sophia, you''re an adult now. You should think things through more carefully," Conrad said slowly.


    "I can handle my own expenses without you worrying about it," Sophia replied, her tone even. Turning to Manny and Patricia, she added, "Uncle, Aunt, please don''t try to talk me out of it. My mind''s made up."


    With that, she stood up, gave a slight nod, and left the dining room, heading upstairs.


    Patricia snapped out of her daze, "This child..."


    Conrad ignored his mother''s words, narrowing his eyes as he stood up too. "I''ll go talk to her."


    He headed upstairs and knocked on Sophia''s door.


    Sophia was packing when she heard the knock. She paused, went to the door, and opened it, her expression unsurprised to see Conrad standing there.


    Conrad nced at her, then his eyes fell on the open suitcase behind her, a slight smirk on his lips. ¡°So eager to leave the Keller family? Do you really think you can pull it off?"


    With no one else around, Sophia didn''t bother with pleasantries. Leaning against the doorframe, she said casually, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I can."


    Conrad scoffed, always finding his cousin''s resolve amusingly false. "You really think that by moving out, you can dodge all responsibilities? Let me tell you, with just a word from me, your life in Riverdale could be very tough, got it?" "You make it sound awfully grand," Sophia retorted with a sarcastic nod, unfazed by Conrad''s threats. She sighed, "But I''m just not easy to scare."


    Conrad shook his head, not willing to waste more words. "I''ll chalk up today''s talk to you having a momentarypse in judgment. But if I hear you mention moving out again, don''t me me for not considering family ties."


    He paused, softening his tone to y on emotions. "If nothing else, think about my parents. They''ve always treated you like their own daughter. Can you really live with that on your conscience? Wouldn''t it break their hearts?"


    Sophia''s carefree demeanor slowly turned serious. She always hated when Conrad used these arguments.


    Rubbing her temples, Sophia stood straighter, her eyes cold as she looked at Conrad. "This is thest time, the absolutest time Ipromise for your parents."


    Conrad''s lips curved slightly. He had seen iting. His cousin loved making a scene to assert her independence, only to backtrack in the end.


    He didn''t look down on her for no reason. She really was quite the dramatist. While Conrad was inwardly dismissive, Sophia spoke again.


    "Of course, I''m notpromising by staying..." Sophia pulled a small bottle from her pocket, her fingers casually ying with it.


    Seeing what she was holding, Conrad had a pretty good idea of what it was. His eyes narrowed. "And so?"

 Chapter 1099

    Sophia''s sharp gaze flickered briefly before she turned her head to nce at Conrad. After a moment of staring, she finally spoke up, "I''m moving out. You''ll need to smooth things over with Uncle and Aunt for me, and then I''ll give you what you''re after."


    Conrad let out a soft chuckle, a cold edge to his voice as he replied, "You think you can just walk away from the Keller family? Not happening."


    Sophia straightened up, her voice cool andposed, "Looks like you don''t want what I''m offering. If that''s the case, there''s nothing more to say."


    She slipped the porcin bottle back into her pocket and took a couple of steps back, hand reaching for the door, ready to close it.


    Conrad frowned, quickly stepping forward to block the door, "Are you testing my patience on purpose?"


    Sophia paused, her eyes showing a look Conrad had never seen before-part mocking, part something else. After a beat, she said, "You''re mistaken. What''s in front of you is a choice. Got it?"


    Moving out was nothing for her, and dealing with the mafia for medicine was just for the Keller family''s sake. And it would be thest time.


    Conrad licked his dry lips. His cousin was bold, ready to spread her wings and fly.


    Just as he was about to speak, Sophia, as if reading his mind, smirked slightly and said, "If we reallye to blows, who do you think will look worse?"


    Conrad kept his gaze on her, understanding her implication. After a moment, he finally spoke, "You can move out, but hand over all your forms. I''ll handle my parents for you."


    "There are no forms, just S-grade medicine," Sophia replied, pulling the porcin bottle from her pocket again, taking her time before offering it, "This is thest time I''m helping you. There won''t be another."


    "What am I supposed to do with your medicine? I need the forms," Conrad said, clearly annoyed.


    He was sure his cousin had secret forms; she wasn''t rich, yet her medicines were always top-notch on the market.


    Rare medicines run out, but forms can be used over and over. Anyone could see which was more valuable.


    Did she really think one bottle of medicine would suffice?


    No way.


    "I already told you, there are no forms," Sophia said, her tone icy, gripping the bottle firmly, "Take it or leave it."


    Conrad, though skeptical about theck of forms, knew her well enough to realize that pushing her could mean losing both the forms and the medicine.


    With a stern look, Conrad extended his hand, "Hand it over."


    "I''ll give it to you when I move out tomorrow," Sophia said inly.


    Conrad scoffed, "How do I know your medicine meets my standards?"


    Sophia opened the bottle, letting him catch a whiff. After ten seconds, she pulled it back and capped it, "Tomorrow at nine in the morning."


    With that, she shut the door, not even asking if it met his standards.


    The scent of the medicine lingered in Conrad''s nose, unmistakably S-grade. Regaining hisposure, he looked at the closed door, his gaze turning cold. Thinking moving out would set her free?


    How naive.


    Conrad let out a coldugh and turned to head downstairs.


    **


    Meanwhile, at the Pharmaceutical Association...


    David wrapped up his meeting with the head of the herbal cultivation base. After


    the person left, his assistant handed him a cup of warm water, saying, "Cultivating rare herbs is tough, and finding a skilled herbalist is no easy feat. The prices they''re asking are just sky-high."

 Chapter 1100

    David took a few sips of water to clear his throat before speaking. "You mentioned how hard it is to find a skilled herbalist. Can we really expect them to charge a low price?"


    The assistant awkwardly scratched his head, saying, "But asking for a share in the herbal profits seems a bit much, doesn''t it?"


    The association dealt with a huge amount of herbs every year, and even a tiny fraction of the profits was significant.


    David set his cup down and gave the assistant a sideways nce. "If you could cultivate a rare variety yourself, I''d give you a share too. But do you have what it takes?"


    The assistant immediately looked down, avoiding eye contact.


    David shook his head. "You all just think too small."


    The assistant didn''t dare say anything else.


    David tapped his fingers on his knee, thinking for a moment. "Alright, set up a meeting with this herbalist for tomorrow. I''ll talk to him myself."


    The assistant looked up, surprised. "You''re going to speak with him personally?"


    "Yeah." David didn''t borate further. Then he remembered something and turned to his assistant. "Did we get a package this afternoon?"


    He recalled Mirabe saying she''d send a same-day delivery.


    "Yes," the assistant nodded. "I''ll fetch it for you right away."


    "Go on, hurry," David urged, which was unusual for him.


    The assistant quickly left the office to retrieve the package and soon returned with


    it.


    David used a small pair of scissors to open the box, pulling out a porcin jar, eager to see what was inside.


    As he caught a whiff of the contents, David''s eyes widened with surprise. Even though it wasbeled as a grade-S remedy, the intense, refined aroma was beyond the usual grade-S quality.


    He poured a pill into his palm.


    The assistant, rarely seeing David this excited, couldn''t help but look at the pill. "What is this, Mr. President?"


    David didn''t respond, just ced the pill back in the jar and sealed it, sighing, "Truly, the new waves push the old ones forward."


    A twenty-year-old master pharmacist, perhaps even more advanced than that.


    The assistant, not fully grasping what David meant, just watched him.


    "Put this jar in the treasure room and mark it as grade-S vitality pills," David instructed, handing the jar to the assistant.


    Upon hearing this, the assistant nearly fumbled the jar. "S-grade remedy?"


    "Yeah." David nced at the assistant. "Do you know who made this?"


    The assistant held the jar tightly, thinking for a moment. "Could it be Mr. Wheat?"


    There weren''t many master pharmacists in the association, and few could produce grade-S remedies. Even David had only achieved that in recent years, and apart from Devon, he couldn''t think of anyone else.


    David shook his head. "Not him."


    His apprentice had talent, but after seeing today''s remedy... his apprentice was just a novice inparison.


    The assistant was curious. "Then who?"


    David picked up his water cup again, took a sip, and replied slowly, "The new vice president."


    The assistant was initially stunned, then his eyes widened. "Vice President Howe??"


    David nodded. "Yes."


    The assistant looked at the porcin jar in his hands. Initially, when David mentioned the vice president, he thought they might be capable of producing grade-A remedies. But now... it turned out to be a master pharmacist who could make grade-S remedies.

 Chapter 1101

    The assistant''s thoughts were all over the ce, leaving him a bit dazed. He''d only chatted with Alex, the Vice President, once, and from that call, he could tell Alex was pretty young, probably in his twenties. A senior pharmacist in his twenties? Now that''s some serious talent. If the rest of the pharmacists in the association got wind of how brilliant the new Vice President was, it would surely cause a buzz. No wonder the President kept mum about the Honorary Vice President''s prowess.


    With a soft sigh, the assistant grabbed the medicine bottle and left the office. He made a beeline for the archive room to store the medicine safely. Just as he was stepping out, he ran into the Vice President. Noticing his spaced-out look, the Vice President asked, "You seem out of it. Did David give you a hard time?"


    Snapping back to reality, the assistant smiled and shook his head, "Nah, nothing like that."


    The Vice President gave him a knowing look and casually asked, "So, what''s David brewed up this time?"


    The assistant hesitated but then shook his head, "No new concoctions. The President just wanted me to inventory the archives."


    "Oh, okay." The Vice President didn''t pry further.


    He was about to head to the archive room himself when his phone buzzed. Checking the caller ID, he waved at Grant and hurried off, answering the call as he left. Watching him go, the assistant pondered for a moment before slipping back into the archive room to stash the medicine in a drawer.


    Come Wednesday at the school, Mirabe was waist-deep in an Artificial Intelligence research project. That afternoon, the team was gearing up for the first phase of testing, involving a simtion of human gic sequences being integrated into an intelligent system. It was a digital dance of data, processed on fourputers and sent to the mainframe for testing.


    The final touches were being made. Jessie had just finished uploading the data and turned to see Mirabe rubbing her temples, looking a bit pale. She nced over at Ben, working away at the mainframe nearby, then wheeled her chair closer to Mirabe and gently tapped her arm, pulling out two peppermints from her pocket. "Peppermints, to perk you up,¡± she whispered.


    Mirabe looked at the candies in Jessie''s hand, paused, then took them with a grateful smile, "Thanks, Jessie."


    "You look like you''re having a rough time. If you need to, step outside for some air," Jessie said with a hint of concern. It was odd how Mirabe always seemed to react to Ben''s cologne, even though Jessie hadn''t noticed anything bothering her from it. She figured maybe Mirabe had some sort of allergy to the scent.


    "I''m okay." Mirabe assured her, unwrapping a mint and popping it into her mouth. It really did help.


    "Don''t overdo it," Jessie advised, giving Mirabe''s shoulder a reassuring pat before scooting back to her station.


    Mirabe nodded, her eyes drifting to the remaining candy in her palm before tucking it into her pocket. Soon enough, the test kicked off.


    Linden, Kason, and Jessie were all keyed up,ser-focused on their screens, terrified of making a mistake with the data. This was the department''s first big research project in ages, and they couldn''t afford to mess it up. Mirabe, having already gone over their data models, wasn''t worried in the slightest, knowing everything was solid.

 Chapter 1102

    After a quick twenty-minute test, the sess alert on the terminalputer made everyone breathe a sigh of relief.


    "I never thought the first phase would wrap up not just quickly, but so perfectly. It''s beyond what I imagined," Zane said, unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.


    Ben set the mouse down and stood up, a smile ying on his lips. "Mr. Zane, the students you picked are top-notch."


    Zane nced over at Linden and the others, satisfaction clear in his eyes. "Absolutely, they''re the cream of the crop from their department."


    Linden and his crew, although thrilled the test was a hit, knew who really deserved the credit.


    Linden adjusted his sses and nodded towards Mirabe. "The real MVP is our junior here. Without her incredibleputing skills, we might have been stuck for another month, if not longer."


    "Yeah, her algorithm solved so many headaches for us," Kason added.


    Zane raised an eyebrow, "It''s good you know. Make sure to thank her properlyter."


    Hearing the conversation, Ben''s eyes drifted to Mirabe, who was seated at a nearbyputer. His gaze was thoughtful, fingers fiddling absentmindedly behind his back.


    Such a brilliant mind was a pleasant surprise. He wondered about the potential data her brain could explore and how far it could be developed.


    Sensing Ben''s gaze, Mirabe furrowed her brows slightly. When she looked up, she was met with an ordinary smile from Ben.


    Her eyes briefly sharpened before she resumed her calm demeanor, lowering hershes without saying a word.


    Soon, Zane and Ben were deep in conversation about future ns for the artificial life system, and Ben''s focus shifted away from Mirabe.


    Mirabe popped a mint candy into her mouth and sat quietly at herputer.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to find a message from Dr. Elliot, asking if she was still on campus.


    Mirabe paused, nced at Zane, then replied that she was still there.


    A momentter, Dr. Elliot sent another message.


    After reading it, Mirabe tucked her phone away, shut down theputer, and stood up. She didn''t bother heading over to Zane. "Mr. Zane, I need to head out for a bit."


    Since things were winding down, Zane waved her off casually, "Alright, you all can take a few days off. We''ll pick back up once the second phase ns are ready."


    Mirabe nodded, exchanged nods with Linden and the rest, grabbed her bag, and left.


    Outside, she exhaled deeply and made her way straight to the Physics Department.


    As she arrived at the building, she spotted Dr. Elliot in the corridor with a female student beside him.


    Mirabe walked up. "Dr. Elliot."


    After greeting him, she nced at the student next to him, recognizing her as the girl who had been with Mr. Hammond recently. She nodded politely and looked away.


    Dr. Elliot gave her a sidelong nce, unfazed by the presence of another


    department''s student. "What did you call me?"


    Mirabe hesitated, "...Professor?"


    "Good," Dr. Elliot nodded, satisfied. "That''s more like it."


    Mirabe stayed silent.


    Dr. Elliot then turned to the student beside him, gesturing towards Mirabe. "This


    is my student, Mirabe. You''ve met her before."

 Chapter 1103

    Yara was a bit taken aback when Mirabe approached, not expecting Dr. Elliot to introduce the familiar-looking girl she''d seen before. Hearing him refer to her as "my student" only added to her surprise.


    The Physics Department and the Mathematics Faculty often worked together, but news of Dr. Elliot taking on a new student had somehow slipped under the radar.


    Yara was curious but yed it cool, shing a friendly smile at Mirabe. "Hi, I''m Yara."


    "Hi," Mirabe replied politely.


    With features that were almost ethereal-mist-like eyebrows and eyes that sparkled like blooming flowers-Mirabe exuded a kind of quiet elegance. Yara took a moment to appreciate her beauty before looking away.


    This girl was easily the most stunning person she''de across in ages. Plus, there was something genuinely pleasant about her presence.


    Dr. Elliot raised an eyebrow at Mirabe andmented, "Yara''s currently doing her PhD and is the youngest rising star in the Math Faculty. She didn''t even need to take the usual exams to advance. Quite the achievement."


    "You''re too kind, Dr. Elliot," Yara said, shaking her head modestly.


    Dr. Elliot chuckled and continued, "Actually, this student of mine is pretty good with numbers too. You should swap contact details; you might find it useful down the line."


    Yara wasn''t too surprised. Anyone under Dr. Elliot''s wing had to be top-notch.


    And she had a good feeling about Mirabe: straightforward, genuine, not one of those scheming types.


    Yara took out her phone and opened the Messenger app to her QR code. "Sure, add me on Messenger."


    Mirabe hesitated for a moment, then pulled out her phone and added Yara.


    Yara epted the request and sent over a smiley emoji as a friendly hello, then put her phone away. Looking up at Dr. Elliot, she said, "I''ll head out now, Dr. Elliot."


    She had just popped by to drop something off and didn''t want to linger.


    Dr. Elliot waved her off, and once Yara was out of sight, he turned to Mirabe. "Come on, let''s chat in my office."


    "Okay," Mirabe said, following him upstairs.


    In the office, Dr. Elliot poured a ss of water for Mirabe and handed her a document. "Take a look at this."


    Mirabe paused before taking the document from Dr. Elliot, skimming the first page quickly. "Is this about acoustic levitation research?"


    Dr. Elliot nodded. "Yes, it''s from the Math Faculty. They want to work with us to develop a sonar detector."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a major project."


    Dr. Elliot set his ss down on the coffee table. "Might as well tell you it''s for detecting submarines."


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched slightly. She set the document aside without reading more. "Acoustic levitation research is pretty advanced here. Are you worried about something?"


    Dr. Elliot, knowing she''d get to the heart of the matter right away, gave a small cough. "Not exactly worried..."


    "You''re concerned about the risks thate with sonar experiments," Mirabe said, finishing his thought.


    Every big experiment has its own risks, sometimes even life-threatening ones.


    Dr. Elliot''s expression turned serious as he leaned back on the sofa, lost in thought.


    Mirabe watched him, sharing in the silence, before finally speaking. "The road of scientific research is always going to be filled with challenges like these."

 Chapter 1104

    Elliot chuckled and shook his head, his attention drifting from his students to the papers on the coffee table. He was about to say something when Mirabe jumped in.


    "Professor, let''s not even discuss my participation in this project. I''m not qualified, nor am I a researcher," she said.


    Elliot gave her a sideways nce. "You seem to have done your homework."


    Mirabe let out an awkwardugh and switched topics. "But if there are other research projects with good funding, do let me know."


    "Good funding?" Elliot raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is money more important than gaining experiences?"


    Mirabe crossed her legs, speaking softly, "You can always add to your experiences, but if you miss a grant, it''s gone for good."


    Elliot was puzzled. "What kind of reasoning is that? Are you strapped for cash?"


    Such a bright student, yet caught up in worldly concerns?


    "Yeah, I am, actually," Mirabe admitted frankly.


    Hearing this, Elliot, unable to stand by and watch his student struggle, pulled out his phone. As he opened Messenger to transfer some money, he said, "Let me help you out a bit, just to tide you over."


    When Messenger dinged, Mirabe looked confused. She had mentioned needing money, not beingpletely broke.


    After sending the money, Elliot had another thought. He shared Mirabe''s Messenger contact with a few of his other students: [Meet your junior. Send her a little something and don''t be stingy; she might need some support.]


    Once done, Elliot put his phone away and turned to Mirabe. "I''ve shared your contact with some of your seniors. They''ll add you soon, so make sure to ept."


    Mirabe felt her cheeks flush, sensing things were going in an unexpected direction.


    Elliot gathered the documents from the coffee table and headed to his desk, waving her off. "You can head back now. And don''t forget to read those books I lent you."


    Mirabe just stood there, speechless.


    Shortly after, she left Elliot''s office and made her way to the elevator. Finally pulling out her phone, she saw Dr. Elliot''s transfer of ten grand, pressing a hand to her forehead with a bit of disbelief.


    As the elevator dinged open, she sighed about her financial woes, slipped her


    phone back into her pocket without epting the money, and stepped in.


    *


    At the school gate, Mirabe bumped into Yara, who was on her phone. It felt familiar, like d¨¦j¨¤ vu, reminding her of their brief encounter at a restaurant''s restroom.


    Yara hung up the call and noticed Mirabe, nodding politely. "Hey there."


    "Hi," Mirabe replied.


    Putting her phone away, Yara scanned the curb and asked warmly, "Where are you headed? Need a lift?"


    The ke family''s driver was already waiting by the curb.


    "Thanks, but I''ve got a ride," Mirabe said, gesturing to a car nearby.


    Yara nodded, mentioning she had to get to the hospital, and didn''t press further. "Alright then, see you around."


    Mirabe nodded back.


    She walked over to the sedan parked at the curb, where As had been picking her uptely, driving a regr Volkswagen.


    Meanwhile, Yara got into her car and waited a moment. Noticing Jules, the driver, hadn''t started moving, she nced at him curiously. "Uncle Jules, what''s caught your eye?"

 Chapter 1105

    Jules snapped out of his thoughts, quickly shifting his gaze from the rearview mirror and gently revving the engine. "It''s nothing," he muttered casually.


    Yara just nodded, not giving it much thought, and turned her attention elsewhere.


    Jules, who was Kitty''s right-hand man, couldn''t shake off the scene he''d just witnessed while waiting for Yara in the car. If he wasn''t mistaken, the girl chatting with Yara earlier was Miss Mira''s daughter, right?


    As they made a U-turn, Jules couldn''t resist another nce out the window. That license te was unmistakable¡ªit was the same one from when he first picked up Miss Mira''s daughter. He had a vivid memory of it because he lost track of the car while tailing it. Even after digging into the license te, he came up empty- handed.


    "Yara, earlier I saw you talking to a pretty girl at the entrance. Is she a ssmate of yours?" Jules asked, feigning curiosity.


    "Not exactly. She''s a junior from a different department I just met," Yara replied, keeping it brief.


    Jules''s eyes narrowed slightly. He knew Miss Mira''s daughter wasn''t in the same college as Yara. How could they have crossed paths? He figured she must have learned about Yara''s reputation and approached her on purpose. Otherwise, why would people from different departments and years even know each other?


    Jules mused silently, feeling a bit uneasy. People aren''t always as they seem. She hade off as distant and indifferent, but underneath, she clearly had a n.


    Before long, they reached the hospital. Once Yara slipped into a sterile gown to visit Romero, Jules shared what he had witnessed at school with Kitty.


    Kitty frowned deeply, ncing through the ss at the girl visiting Donald. "Are you sure you weren''t seeing things?" she asked.


    Jules nodded confidently. "I''m certain it was Miss Mira''s daughter. I couldn''t mistake her."


    Kitty rubbed her temples, her expression tinged with sarcasm. "Like mother, like daughter. No matter how much you guard against it, she still manages to wriggle her way in."


    This was not the news she wanted to hear.


    "Maybe she knows Yara''s well-connected at school and wants totch onto that," Jules whispered.


    Thest thing Kitty wanted was her niece getting tangled up with her daughter. Hearing Jules''s theory only worsened her mood. "How could a troublemaker''s daughter even be worthy of standing next to mine?"


    Sensing Kitty''s frustration, Jules wisely avoided adding fuel to the fire.


    Kitty, visibly agitated, paced back and forth in the hallway, clutching her bag.


    When Yara emerged from Donald''s room, she noticed the worry etched on her mother''s face. "Mom, is everything okay?" she asked.


    Kitty looked at her daughter, hesitating, "...It''s nothing."


    "Are you sure?" Yara pressed, unconvinced.


    Kitty forced a smile, gently saying, "I''m just worried about your grandfather''s health."


    Hearing this, Yara didn''t question further. She gave her mother''s shoulder a reassuring pat. "The doctor said the worst of the infection is behind him, and he''s on the mend. Grandpa''s going to be alright."


    Kitty nodded along, "Let''s head home."


    As they walked out, Kitty subtly turned her head, trying to keep her tone light, "Have you met anyone interesting at schooltely?"

 Chapter 1106

    Yara looked up, a bit puzzled. "Someone special? No, Mom, why the sudden question?"


    Kitty cleared her throat. "Riverdale''s been tightening up on securitytely. I just worry you might cross paths with someone sketchy."


    "Mom, honestly, you''re overthinking it. Other schools might have issues, but ours is as safe as theye," Yara said with a lightugh.


    Kitty took that in and kept quiet. She''d never nned on letting her daughter know about her cousin, and now she was even more set against it. But if her sister''s daughter tried to cozy up to them, Kitty wouldn''t hesitate to shut that down.


    Hiding her unease, Kitty stepped into the elevator.


    *


    Meanwhile, across town.


    After ss, Mirabe had As drive her over to Adler''s cottage. It was As''s first time in the area, and as they drove through the gatedmunity, he noticed Mirabe had a resident''s card. Surprised, he asked, "Miss Mira, did you buy a ce here?"


    Mirabe, in the middle of messaging someone, paused and then replied, "No, just visiting a friend."


    Ah, that makes sense. As nodded and didn''t pry further.


    They soon pulled up outside the cottage. Adler, with a bit of downtimetely, was waiting for Mirabe today. Spotting the car from the balcony, he hurried downstairs.


    By the time he reached the yard, Mirabe had already let herself in. Adler waved hello and nced at As, who lingered by the car, exuding a strong presence even from a distance.


    "Want to invite your friend in?" Adler asked.


    "It''s alright," Mirabe replied, shaking her head.


    Adler took her word for it, and they both headed inside.


    Once they were in the basement, Adler handed Mirabe a fresh set of protective gear before they entered theb.


    "Here''s the auxiliary reagents you wanted," Adler said, retrieving a box from the fridge filled with several vials.


    Mirabe nodded her thanks and took out the analysis solution Adler had worked hard to get. She opened the nearby extractor, poured half of the solution from the test tube into a container, and put the rest back in the fridge.


    Adler watched curiously, unsure of her ns, but didn''t interrupt. He observed as she methodically added auxiliary agents to the solution.


    When the once-blue solution turned clear after some additions, Adler couldn''t hold back his curiosity. "Are you tweaking the analysis solution?"


    Mirabe kept her eyes on the solution as it reacted, noting the changes. After a moment, she nodded, "Yeah."


    "Is there something wrong with the research institute''s solution?" Adler asked, breaking a thoughtful silence.


    He recalled Mirabe mentioning the solution was risky and against ethics.


    Mirabe added another tiny drop of the auxiliary agent, her expression serious behind her goggles. "Human gics aren''t like nts or animals. Forcing a reversal just messes up the bnce and can cause the whole life chain to copse."


    Adler nced at her, only half grasping theplexity but realizing this was no ordinary medicine.


    No wonder the med school kept it so hush-hush.


    There was definitely something going on.


    Soon, Mirabe retrieved the modified analysis solution from the extractor. She pricked her finger with a needle and let a few drops of blood fall into it.

 Chapter 1107

    Adler watched with surprise, "Don''t we usually test new solutions on live animals first to see how they work?"


    Typically, when they developed a new drug, they''d use small animals for trials. This method of directly adding it to human blood was uncharted territory.


    Mirabe picked up the container and set it under the high-powered microscope, her eyes on the molecr reaction inside. "Too much of a hassle," she said nonchntly.


    Adler blinked, "So, could this direct-to-blood method work with other experimental drugs?"


    "Not a chance," Mirabe said tly.


    Adler shrugged, "Alright, if you say so."


    When the boss says no, it''s a no. No point in arguing.


    After watching for a bit longer without grasping much, Adler took off his gloves and headed to the restroom.


    When he came back, Mirabe was already shutting down theb equipment.


    "Are we done here?" Adler asked.


    "Yep." Mirabe went to the fridge, grabbed the remaining half vial of solution, and turned to Adler, "I''ll be taking this."


    Adler nodded, not pressing for details, and followed Mirabe out of theb.


    Once they were out of their protective gear, Adler checked the time. "It''s gettingte. Have you eaten yet? Want to grab a bite, or should I order in?"


    Mirabe, with her hands tucked in her pockets, fiddled with the vial, "Let''s do it another time. I''m heading home."


    She paused and then ced her house keys and the homeowner''s card on the table, "Thanks."


    Adler nced at them, "You''re done with these?"


    "Yeah," Mirabe confirmed with a nod.


    "Alright then, hit me up if you need anything," Adler said, scratching his head with a grin.


    Mirabe waved as she walked away, her slender figure and dress flowing behind her, exuding a cool, aloof vibe.


    Outside the vi, As was waiting. When he saw Mirabe, he hopped out of the car and opened the back door for her.


    Once Mirabe was in the car, As took a quick nce back at the vi. Being a friend of Miss Mira, he hadn''t dared to pry, though curiosity nagged at him.


    By the time Mirabe got home, it was already 8:30. After dinner, she fetched her set of silver acupuncture needles to give Zach onest session.


    Since he hadn''t felt any pain thest time, Zachy on the bed unbothered,


    holding his phone up, nning to y while getting acupuncture.


    Mirabe nced at him and shook her head, "You sure are rxed."


    Zach tilted his head, not quite hearing her, "What''s big?"


    Mirabe said nothing, having already sterilized the silver needles. She pressed


    on the acupoints and quickly inserted the first needle.


    Pain hit hard, and Zach''s hand jerked, nearly dropping his phone on his face, "Sis, why does it hurt so much this time?"


    Mirabe inserted the second needle, her voice steady, "Just hang in there."


    Zach: "!!!"


    He suspected his sister was messing with him on purpose.


    It hadn''t hurt at allst time!


    Mirabe worked fast, though it took almost half an hour to let the needles do their work through Zach''s acupoints.


    Zach howled the whole time, iming it was the most painful thing he''d ever experienced.


    He felt like the bond between siblings was getting a little strained.


    Mirabe shot a nce at Zach, lying stiff as a board on the bed, and rolled her eyes.

 Chapter 1108

    As Mirabe pulled out thest acupuncture needle, a wave of fatigue hit her, leaving her looking a bit worn out. While Zach wasn''t watching too closely, she deftly injected the prepared solution into his vein.


    Ten minutester, after Mirabe had packed away her silver needles, her face still showing signs of weariness, she nced over at Zach. "All done."


    Zachy there, drenched in sweat and utterly spent, not even wanting to lift a finger.


    "Oh, and Zach, it might be best to stay home for the next couple of days," Mirabe suggested, cleaning up the needles and offering a friendly heads-up.


    "Why''s that?" Zach asked, turning to her in confusion.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, "Because you might find yourself making frequent trips to the bathroom."


    Zach, recalling a TV show he''d seen, blurted out, "Acupuncture detox?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Something like that."


    Zach''s cheeks twitched, intrigued by the mysteriousness of it all.


    "I''m heading back to my room, Zach. Get some rest," Mirabe said, not lingering any longer as she left with her kit of silver needles.


    Once back in her room, Mirabe lounged on the chaise for about ten minutes, massaging her temples until she felt a bit more refreshed. She then took out the remaining half of the antidote solution from her pocket. Under themp''s glow, the pale blue liquid gleamed as she got up and headed to the bathroom.


    With a sigh, she unscrewed the cap, poured the antidote into the toilet, and


    flushed it away, tossing the empty bottle into the bin nearby.


    Opting not to read or browse online, Mirabe simply snuggled back into bed, pulling the covers over her head.


    Her phone soon rang from the nightstand.


    After lying still for a moment, she reached out to answer, pausing briefly at the caller ID before picking up.


    "Are you in bed?" James''s clear voice came through the line.


    With her eyes closed and in a somewhat low mood, Mirabe murmured a soft "Yeah."


    James stood by the window, phone in hand, and asked, "Feeling down?"


    Mirabe opened her eyes at that, hesitating a few seconds before softly replying, "A bit."


    "What''s up?" James asked, his gaze fixed outside at the deep, quiet night.


    Mirabe clutched her covers tighter, murmuring, "Not much."


    James stayed quiet for a few seconds, then gently advised, "Try not to overthink."


    "Okay," Mirabe replied, her voice soft, missing its usual spark and instead carrying a touch of vulnerability.


    It was like a cat retracting its ws.


    "Get some good rest," James said gently.


    "Alright... goodnight," Mirabe responded. "Goodnight."


    After hearing the call end, James lowered his phone, the screen darkening. He paused for a moment, then unlocked his phone again and opened Messenger to send a message.


    Just as Mirabe was about to set her phone down, she saw a notification from Messenger and checked it.


    "Heard a little surprise can fix everything. Give it a shot."


    Mirabe paused at the message, then watched as several money transfer notifications popped up on her screen.


    Looking at the messages, she hesitated for a moment, then chuckled softly, snuggling further under her covers. In that moment, an unexpected calm washed over her.

 Chapter 1109

    After receiving a sweet digital gift, Mirabe switched back to her Messenger home page, finally noticing three friend requests waiting for her. She hadn''t checked her Messenger since she left school, but seeing those requests reminded her of what Dr. Elliot mentioned earlier that day.


    Curiosity piqued, she quickly opened the list. All three requests were from business card suggestions. It was clear these were the senior brothers Dr. Elliot had talked about. Mirabe epted them without a second thought.


    It was already half-past eleven, and she figured it was toote to start a conversation with them. Tomorrow would be just fine. But just as she was thinking this, her phone buzzed-it was a message from one of the senior brothers.


    Lance: "Hey there, little sis! I''m your eldest senior brother, Lance Morninglight." Lance: "Messenger transfer: $9999."


    Lance: "Let''s grab a meal sometime and get to know each other. ["


    Mirabe stared at her screen, especially at the transfer amount,pletely at a loss. Do all the physics senior brothers have this kind of money? They hadn''t even met, yet he was being so generous.


    She hesitated, then quickly typed a response, "Thanks, big brother! ["


    Meanwhile, Lance was browsing through Mirabe''s social media feed, intrigued by this new junior sister Dr. Elliot had quietly mentioned. The physics department was mostly guys, so it was a surprise to have a new junior sister! And her name was unfamiliar-she must be quite talented.


    Mirabe''s feed was sparse, mostly devoid of updates. Thest post was from a year ago, just a few pictures of food. Lance raised an eyebrow at the date_ weren''t most girls all about social media these days? Why was she so different?


    Then he recalled Dr. Elliot''s message about her possibly having financial difficulties. Maybe that''s why she focused more on her studies than on socializing?


    Returning to the Messenger chat, Lance saw she hadn''t epted the money, so he typed: "Come on, little sister, ept the wee gift."


    Mirabe replied, "Thank you, senior brother, but it''s too much. I can''t."


    Though she had grown ustomed to receivingrge digital gifts, this situation was different-after all, she wasn''t even in the physics department.


    Lance quickly responded, "Not epting would mean you''re rejecting my gift. Should I send a bigger one instead?"


    Mirabe couldn''t help but chuckle at his generosity, feeling the wealth through the screen. Finally, she epted the transfer.


    "That''s more like it," Lance said, satisfied. "It''s gettingte, you should get some rest."


    Mirabe replied, "Okay, senior brother, goodnight! You should sleep early too." Lance sent back a smiley face, thinking she seemed quite sweet.


    The next day, Mirabe also received transfers from the other two senior brothers. It was like they''d nned it, each sending $9999. Feeling surrounded by such wealth, Mirabe couldn''t help but shed a tear, amused by the disparity.


    At the Pharmaceutical Association, David and the vice president were in the reception room, making small talk. The vice president checked the time-just two minutes to ten-and frowned. "Is this farmer not showing up? It''s almost time." Grant looked towards the door, "Maybe he got held up, but he said he''d be here."

 Chapter 1110

    The Vice President had a stern expression. "People who can''t be on time tend to be hard to work with." He turned to David, asking, "What do you think, President?"


    David, on the other hand, was sitting calmly, not as fired up as the Vice President. He took a sip of his coffee. "Rx, it''s not even ten yet."


    The Vice President smirked. "If they really cared, they''d be early."


    No need to act like we''re royalty, timing our entrance to the second, right?


    Just then, the receptionist showed in a man who looked to be around fifty.


    The man wasn''t tall, dressed in a shabby gray suit that had seen better days, much like a well-worn garment washed into paleness, making him look just like any ordinary countryside farmer.


    He walked in right on the dot at ten.


    The Vice President barely gave him a second nce before looking away, not bothering to show any interest.


    David got up from his chair, smiling warmly. "You must be Paul?¡±


    The man paused briefly, nodded politely. "Yes, I''m Paul."


    David gestured to a nearby chair. "Have a seat, let''s chat."


    "Alright." Paul calmly pulled out a chair and ced his old bamboo pipe on the table.


    The pipe, worn from years of use, had a story of its own.


    An assistant poured Paul a cup of coffee and returned to David''s side.


    Paul casually drummed his fingers on the table and took a leisurely sip of his coffee, not rushing to start a conversation. Even in front of David and the Vice President, who naturally exuded authority, he seemed utterly unfazed.


    As if he were just chatting with two regr folks.


    Completely at ease.


    David was a bit taken aback but then realized that a simple farmer from the countryside wouldn''t have any notion of social hierarchy or cunning schemes. Clearing his throat, David spoke first. "Can you really grow Secret Orchids?" At this, the Vice President finally looked directly at Paul. "Yes," Paul replied softly.


    His voice was a bit raspy, likely from smoking the pipe, and he coughed a few times.


    The Vice President frowned, a stickler for cleanliness, instinctively covering his


    nose.


    Seeing Paul still coughing, convinced the air was filled with germs, he couldn''t stand it any longer. "President, I just remembered some unfinished business. I''ll leave the garden matters to you," he said to David, eager to leave.


    He had lost interest even in the Secret Orchids.


    David noted his actions and nodded. "Alright, go ahead."


    The Vice President gave a slight nod, then hurried out of the meeting room, unable to linger a moment longer.


    David shook his head slightly, looked at Paul, now done coughing, and whispered


    to his assistant, "Could you get some throat lozenges?"


    The assistant got the hint, nced at Paul, and nodded. "Right away."


    Once the assistant left, David personally refilled Paul''s coffee. "You know, smoking that much isn''t the best for you."


    Paul thanked him, seemingly unconcerned about the Vice President''s exit. After another sip of coffee to soothe his throat, he said, "It''s just a habit of mine."


    David chuckled. "By the way, where are you from? Your ent doesn''t sound local to the north."

 Chapter 1111

    Paul nodded and said, "From a little vige tucked away in the south."


    David thought about it for a moment. The ent didn''t quite match, but it wasn''t unusual for isted viges to have their own dialects. He shrugged it off and asked, "Have you always been into growing herbs?"


    Paul''s mind drifted for a bit, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. Snapping back, he replied, "Yeah, you could say I''ve been farming herbs my whole life."


    David''s interest piqued, "So, cultivating the Secret Gardenia should be a breeze for you, huh?"


    "Yeah." Paul smiled modestly, his confidence shining through effortlessly.


    Not to brag, but there wasn''t a single herb out there he couldn''t grow.


    Just then, Grant returned with a small box, cing it on the table in front of Paul.


    "This is a throat lozenge, try one; it should help a bit," David exined.


    Paul hesitated for a couple of seconds before opening the box and popping a lozenge in his mouth.


    "How''s it feel? Throat any better?" David asked after a moment.


    Paul cleared his throat. He wasn''t the type to sugarcoat things, but he appreciated


    the gesture. After a pause, he said, "...It''s alright."


    Grant, standing nearby, gave him a sideways nce.


    Alright?


    Did he realize this lozenge was crafted by a top-notch pharmacist, way better than the usual store stuff?


    David, though, was more focused on Paul''s ability to grow the Secret Gardenia. He quickly asked his assistant to bring over the employment contract.


    When the contract wasid out, David pointed out, "You''ll get a share of the profits, but you need to ensure the regr output of rare herbs."


    Paul barely nced at the first page before putting it down and looking at David, "I think you''re getting it wrong. I can grow rare herbs for you, but that doesn''t mean I''m signing up to be an employee at your herb farm."


    David was momentarily surprised but rified, "It''s not about being an employee; it''s about coboration."


    Paul shook his head, gripping his pipe, "I don''t enjoy being bossed around."


    Too many rules just aren''t his thing.


    Emmitt seemed to grasp what Paul meant and, after giving it some thought, suggested, "How about we price based on the rarity of the herbs you grow? You teach our folks at the herb farm, and the profit share stays the same. This way, we''re partners."


    "I''ll think about it," Paul said, his fingers brushing over his pipe. He absentmindedly reached for a cigarette, which smelled of earthy tobo with a hint of herbal aroma.


    David nced at the cigarette.


    But Paul soon stopped himself, resisting the urge to light up. He nodded at David, "Alright, let''s go with that."


    After all, he was just looking to make some extra cash, with his main goal being to find someone.


    Seeing Paul agree, David mentioned, "Our herb farm is in Riverdale. The climate and soil there are perfect for growing herbs... When would you like toe over?"


    "Anytime," Paul replied without hesitation.


    "Great, I''ll set everything up in the next few days," David said.


    Paul nodded, then remembered something and asked, "Does your herb farm have inte ess?"

 Chapter 1112

    As the conversation unfolded, David was left momentarily stunned. "The


    inte?" he repeated, puzzled.


    Paul fished out his phone, "Yeah, you know, the kind you use to get online, the one that hooks up with satellite signals."


    David''s confusion deepened. What did the inte have to do with satellite signals? Was he really that out of touch?


    He turned to his young assistant for rity. Catching David''s questioning look, the assistant quickly snapped out of his daze and asked Paul, "Paul, are you talking about connecting to Wi-Fi?"


    Previously, theirmunication had been entirely online. When asked for a phone number, Paul had imed he didn''t have one, which made the assistant suspect he was dodging the question.


    "That''s exactly it," Paul confirmed with a nod.


    The assistant exined, "There''s no Wi-Fi at the herbal farm, but if you need it, we can set it up for you."


    The farm might be out in the sticks, but it still had somework coverage, so installing Wi-Fi wouldn''t be an issue.


    After a moment''s pause, the assistant eyed the phone Paul held. Having a phone without a SIM card was a bit of a head-scratcher.


    Without a SIM card, how had he been getting online?


    "Do you really not have a mobile number?" the assistant asked, unable to quash his curiosity.


    Paul shook his head. "Where I live, you can just hop online without it. Why bother with a number?"


    He didn''t have anyone to call, and besides, a SIM card wouldn''t make much difference.


    The assistant was even more baffled.


    "Take Paul to get a mobile numberter," David chimed in, figuring Paul must live somewhere so remote that phones weren''t a regr thing.


    "Sure thing," the assistant replied, shelving his myriad questions for now. In this age, not having a mobile contact was like being off the grid.


    Paul considered it and didn''t turn down the idea.


    After chatting with David about herbs, it wasn''t long before Paul and Grant left the herbal association.


    Grant seized the moment to take Paul to a mobile service center, and they got a SIM card sorted in no time.


    Paul wasn''t sure how to insert the card, so he handed his phone to Grant. "Thanks, could you help me with this?"


    "Of course." Grant took the phone, momentarily taken aback by its design-a sleek, all-metal body with smooth edges, exuding a high-tech aura without any brand logo. Despite not being a phone enthusiast, he could tell this wasn''t a model you''d find just anywhere.


    Wasn''t Paul supposed to be just a humble herbal farmer from the countryside?


    Grant hesitated, "This phone..."


    "What about it? Can''t it take a SIM card?" Paul asked with a furrowed brow. Having been out of touch for decades, he felt a bit out of sync with the world.


    "No, it''s fine..." Grant noticed the tiny slot for the SIM card on the phone''s side. Paul exhaled in relief, "Oh, good."


    Grant gave him a curious nce but decided not to pry. He found the power button and held it to turn off the phone. Just then, a news notification popped up, catching him off guard.


    No SIM card, nowork-how was it getting live news updates?


    Grant''s curiosity piqued, and he noticed the Wi-Fi icon on the screen.


    Full signal.


    Ah, right. He''d forgotten phones couldtch onto nearby open Wi-Fiworks.


    Satisfied, Grant didn''t dwell on it further, grabbed a tool, and inserted the SIM card into the phone.


    *


    After dropping off Paul, Grant headed back to the herbal association and bumped into the vice president downstairs.


    "Got everything sorted with that herbal farmer?" the vice president inquired.

 Chapter 1113

    Grant nodded and casually brought up the idea of switching the employment contract to a coboration agreement.


    The vice president furrowed his brow. "Partnering with a herbalist? What''s David thinking? How''s that going to look for our Pharmacist Association?"


    Grant lowered his eyes. "If we can actually grow rare herbs, a partnership doesn''t seem like a problem."


    The vice president shot him a sideways nce. "Is he the only herbalist out there?"


    David''s approach seemed to be losing its touch more and more.


    Grant stayed quiet.


    The vice president waved him off. "Alright, you''re free to go."


    Grant nodded and quickly headed to the elevator, always feeling a bit stifled after these encounters.


    Once upstairs, Grant updated David on the situation but left out the vice president''s skeptical attitude from their earlier conversation.


    "Get Paul a flight to River City tomorrow. I''m worried those secret orchid seedlings can''t wait," David said, looking serious.


    The assistant nodded.


    "Make sure you escort him yourself, and have the master herbalist from the base tag along to learn," David added.


    There was a big difference between hiring someone and coborating¡ª coborations could end anytime.


    The assistant replied, "Got it."


    "Alright, off you go," David dismissed him.


    After the assistant left, David leaned back and remembered something. He grabbed his phone and sent a quick voice message to Mirabe via Messenger, exining that the association''s assessment period wasing up and asked if she''d be interested in being an evaluator.


    *


    Mirabe got David''s message while heading to the school cafeteria with Lisa.


    She shot back a voice message, "Can''t, I''m buried in studies right now. I''ll skip the chaos."


    David, anticipating this, replied, "I''ve got a student hitting a rough patch. Could you lend a hand?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then agreed, "Sure, have him add me on Messenger."


    David, seeing her reply, quickly dug up Devon''s Messenger contact and sent him Mirabe''s details. After forwarding the contact, he gave his student a call.


    The call connected quickly, and David didn''t mention that Mirabe was the new vice president. He simply advised Devon to add the contact he had sent and suggested, "If you want to break through in this year''s assessment, chat with Mirabe. She can probably help with a lot of your issues."


    Devon paused for a moment before giving a simple acknowledgment.


    They didn''t chat much and ended the call soon after.


    Devon opened Messenger, clicked on the contact David had sent, hesitated briefly, but went ahead and added her as a friend.


    Not long after, his friend request was epted.


    Recalling his teacher''s advice and eyeing the pile of herbal prescriptions on his desk, Devon didn''t want to depend on others for his assessment score. After a few minutes, he sent Mirabe a message.


    "Thanks, but I don''t need help right now."


    Devon, naturally reserved and not one for long exnations, put down his phone and got back to studying his herbal prescriptions.


    To him, understanding things on his own was far more valuable than relying on others, especially with his natural talent.

 Chapter 1114

    Mirabe had just grabbed her lunch and settled at a table in the cafeteria when she noticed a message from David''s apprentice on Messenger. Shrugging it off, she sent back a quick ''OK'' emoji and tucked her phone away.


    Lisa, who had been eating across from her, couldn''t help but ask, "What have you been up to in the afternoons? I noticed you skipped a couple of sses."


    Mirabe recalled those times she was caught up with herb work and replied, "Had to meet with a professor."


    "Ah, that makes sense," Lisa nodded. She had always known Mirabe to be the model student, the kind who wouldn''t miss sses unless it was crucial.


    "Yeah," Mirabe murmured, not offering much more.


    "Hey, want to hit the library after lunch?" Lisa suggested, lifting her eyes from her te. She was tired of her dorm mates'' constant gossip, especially since Mirabe seemed to be their favorite topic.


    Mirabe had nned to spend some time in the library anyway, so she nodded in agreement.


    Lisa grinned and continued eating. But her good mood faded when her phone buzzed in her bag. Seeing the caller ID, her smile vanished, and her grip tightened around the phone.


    "Everything okay?" Mirabe asked, noticing the change.


    Lisa forced a smile and ended the call, "Just a scam call."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, sensing it was more than that, but decided not to pry.


    Lisa ced her phone on the table, clearly distracted, but the phone didn''t ring again, and she let out a small sigh of relief.


    After finishing their lunch, they leisurely strolled to the school library.


    It was quieter there at midday, with only a few people scattered around in the reading area.


    Lisa grabbed a couple of random books and imed a spot by the window. When she saw the hefty textbooks Mirabe brought back, she couldn''t help but let out a sigh typical of someone overwhelmed by academics.


    "Why do you keep torturing yourself with all this studying?" she wondered,


    slumping over the table and hiding her face in her arms.


    Mirabe just gave her a side nce and settled into her chair.


    After a moment, Lisa leaned in, whispering, "Mira, are those physics books?"


    "Yep," Mirabe replied, flipping open a page.


    Lisa scratched her head, recalling how Mirabe often jotted downplex equations in ss. A bold thought crossed her mind, "You''re not thinking about double majoring, are you?"


    Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted slightly, "Something like that."


    Lisa shook her head in disbelief, "I''m still trying to figure out my first major, and here you are, ready to take on another. That''s just... wow."


    Mirabe just chuckled, leaving it at that.


    *


    Jessie, after finishing her own lunch, headed to the library too. She scoured the shelves for a while before finding the materials she needed. As she entered the reading area, she spotted Mirabe in the third row from the back, sitting by the window.


    Her face brightened, and she walked over.


    "Mira," Jessie called, taking the empty seat next to her.


    Mirabe looked up, a bit surprised, "Jessie."


    "Didn''t expect to see you here," Jessie said, raising an eyebrow before nodding towards Lisa, "Is she your friend? She''s in our department too, right?"

 Chapter 1115

    Mirabe nodded, "Sure, Jessie."


    Hearing this, Jessie quickly introduced herself to Lisa.


    Lisa, sitting across from them, promptly introduced herself too.


    "It''s not every day youe across the name ''Ellis.'' Coincidentally, one of the consultants on our project also has thest name ''Ellis,"" Jessie remarked with a smile, something clicking in her memory.


    Lisa shrugged it off, "Yeah, it''s just not thatmon."


    "Right." After a quick chat with Lisa, Jessie turned her attention to Mirabe, who was beside her. She paused, surprised by the book Mirabe was reading, but then remembered Mirabe''s knack for math and figured a science book wasn''t unexpected for her.


    Putting her surprise aside, Jessie remembered a group chat message and asked Mirabe, "Hey Mira, have you checked our Messenger group chat?"


    Mirabe looked up, having her notifications on silent, "Nope, what''s up?"


    "Not much, just Mr. Ben mentioned he''d be dropping by this afternoon," Jessie said, knowing Mirabe was always a bit wary of external consultants.


    Mirabe paused for a moment while flipping through her book but showed no other reaction, "Got it."


    "Maybe skiping this afternoon. With your speed, you can catch up with us anytime," ," Jessie suggested.


    Mirabe shook her head, "No worries, thanks, Jessie."


    "Don''t mention it." Jessie grinned and went back to her research.


    Meanwhile, Lisa''s expression subtly shifted at the mention of ''Ben.''


    She wasn''t sure if this ''Ben'' was the same as her friend Emmitt, but it wasn''t a


    Lisa nced at Jessie and Mirabe, opened her mouth to say something, but seeing them engrossed in their work, she decided against it.


    Feeling distracted, Lisa pulled out her phone, tapped the screen, and sent a message to her Emmitt on Messenger.


    After waiting a long while with no response, Lisa put her phone away, feeling a bit frustrated.


    As the time came to leave, the trio exited the library.


    Jessie headed back to her dorm, parting ways with Mirabe and Lisa just outside.


    Preupied, Lisa walked absentmindedly, almost tripping twice on the stairs, only saved by Mirabe''s quick reflexes.


    "Got something on your mind?" Mirabe asked, casting a sideways nce at Lisa.


    Lisa lowered her eyes and shook her head, "No."


    "If something''s bothering you, just let me know," Mirabe offered without pressing further.


    "Okay," Lisa replied softly.


    As they headed towards their department, they barely made it to the building when they spotted two people in the hallway. Lisa froze when she recognized one of them.


    What was Emmitt doing here?


    Did hee to see her?


    Lisa checked her phone again, but there were no new messages or missed calls.


    Sensing someone was watching, Ben, who was chatting with someone else, looked up and caught sight of them. His face was as calm andposed as ever, but only Lisa knew whaty beneath that facade.


    Suddenly, Lisa grabbed Mirabe''s arm,ing up with an excuse, "Mira, I''m not feeling too great, cramps probably. Can you swing by my dorm and grab some pads for me?"


    Mirabe stopped and turned to Lisa, noticing her sudden pallor, and gently took her wrist as if to offer support.

 Chapter 1116

    Lisa was so caught up in trying to steer Mirabe away that she didn''t even notice her own movements. She kept her eyes on Mirabe and asked again, "Is that


    okay with you?"


    Mirabe let her fingers drop, not saying a word. Instead, she nced in the direction Lisa had just looked and spotted two familiar faces in the hallway.


    What a coincidence-they both knew them.


    Mirabe turned back, eyebrows slightly raised, and asked Lisa, "How do you know Ben?"


    Lisa''s eyes narrowed, sidestepping the question with one of her own, "You know him?"


    "He''s a visiting lecturer for a project in our department," Mirabe replied simply.


    So it was indeed the name Lisa had overheard in the library.


    As Ben walked over, Lisa paused and quietly said, "He''s my Emmitt."


    Mirabe had already guessed it, her thoughtful gaze lingering on Lisa''s face, "Not getting along too well, huh?"


    Lisa''s lips twisted slightly, "We''re half-siblings."


    Half-sibling rtionships are oftenplicated-amon theme in blended families.


    Mirabe nodded, choosing not to press further.


    As Ben approached, Lisa instinctively moved a step forward, cing herself in front of Mirabe, and asked Ben, "What are you doing here?"


    Ben seemed ustomed to his sister''s prickly nature, meeting her eyes with a deep but gentle look, "I tried calling you, but you didn''t pick up."


    Lisa frowned, not believing Ben hadn''t seen her earlier message on Messenger. Still, it wasn''t the time to call him out, so she said, "My phone was on silent, must''ve missed it. What''s up?"


    Ben gave her a brief look.


    Suddenly, Lisa felt a chill, as if his gaze stripped away all her defenses, leaving her words stuck in her throat.


    Ben shifted his gaze to Mirabe, offering a polite smile, "Mirabe."


    Mirabe maintained a neutral expression, nodding politely, "Mr. Ben."


    "Didn''t expect you and Lisa to be ssmates," Ben said, sounding a bit surprised.


    Hearing this, Lisa tightened her grip, her irritation growing.


    Mirabe acknowledged with a nod, "Quite a coincidence."


    Ben pursed his lips, not engaging further with Mirabe, and turned to Lisa,


    "Come home tonight."


    "No," Lisa resisted instinctively.


    "It''s Dad''s birthday," Ben reminded her.


    Lisa paused.


    "I''ll wait for you at the school gate after sses," Ben said, nodding at Mirabe


    before waving to Taylor, who was standing not far away.


    Taylor, recognizing Mirabe, nodded politely before leaving with Ben.


    Once they were gone, Lisa snapped back to reality, her tense nerves finally easing. She noticed her palms were mmy with sweat.


    Taking a deep breath, Lisa looked at Mirabe, her expression serious, "Mira, you might want to keep your distance from my Emmitt. He''s... not as gentlemanly as he seems."


    "Alright, I get it," Mirabe replied lightly. "Do you still need me to grab something for you?"


    "What do you mean?" Lisa blinked, momentarily puzzled.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and headed toward the academic building.

 Chapter 1117

    Lisa watched Mirabe walk away and quickly remembered her recent n to send her off to the dorm to grab some sanitary pads. She touched her nose, then hurried to catch up with her.


    Meanwhile, Ben had just stepped out of the biology department. He casually tilted his head and asked, "Do you know Mirabe?"


    He''d noticed Taylor waving at her earlier. Taylor nodded, "Not really. We met a few times when Mr. Hammond from our high school invited me to speak to the graduating ss, and Mirabe was the student representative."


    Ah, that made sense. Ben kept walking at a rxed pace and after a few minutes, he remarked, "That girl''s got a knack for numbers. Since you both went to the same school, you should hang out more."


    Taylor nced at Ben, mulling over his words.


    "How''s that space research project of yoursing along?" Ben switched topics.


    Taylor shook his head with a wry smile, "Not much progress. The idea of reversing three-dimensional space is tough to back up with science."


    Ben''s eyes darkened slightly, "Some things just can''t be proven with science, but take your time. Keep gathering data, and let me know if you hit a breakthrough."


    He paused and added, "Getting into the base is all on you."


    Taylor clenched his jaw, "Don''t worry, Mr. Allen, I''ll work hard to get the core data." The base was his dream, not just being a small-time researcher.


    "I trust your skills," Ben smiled, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "I''ll be in Riverdale for a bit, so I''ll be around school. Reach out if you need anything."


    "Will do," Taylor nodded.


    Later that afternoon, Mirabe finished up in theb and left early. As she reached the school gates, she spotted Lisa waiting by therge metal gates.


    "Why are you still here?" Mirabe asked, adjusting her backpack.


    "Waiting for Emmitt," Lisa replied, sounding a bit down.


    Mirabe nodded, "He should be out soon."


    Lisa hummed in response, curious about how Emmitt got into the school as a tutor. She smiled at Mirabe and urged, "You should head out.¡±


    "Okay."


    Mirabe pressed her slightly aching temples, waved at Lisa, and headed towards the ck sedan parked by the curb.


    She opened the passenger door and slid in. James was on the phone, but once Mirabe got in, he wrapped up the call quickly and turned to her, noticing her pale face with a frown.


    Evenst night on the phone, she seemed off.


    "Feeling sick?" James asked, touching her forehead.


    It was cool, so no fever.


    Mirabe leaned back, waiting for him to pull his hand away, then said, "No, just allergic to certain smells."


    "Allergic to smells?" James didn''t start the car right away, "What kind of smells?"


    Mirabe scrunched her brow, her voice tinged with obvious dislike, "Just some really nasty odors."


    James was taken aback; it was the first time he''d seen her so bothered.

 Chapter 1118

    "What''s that smell?" James murmured, then asked.


    Mirabe nced out the window, her gaze lingering for a moment before she pulled it back. "Let''s just drop it, it''s not a big deal," she said casually.


    Sensing she didn''t want to go into it, James didn''t push further and started the car.


    Just as they drove off, Lisa and Ben strolled over to a car parked by the curb. Ben spotted the familiar license te, a mischievous grin spreading across his handsome face as he opened the rear door for Lisa.


    Lisa, far from feeling ttered, was genuinely uneasy and hesitated to get in.


    Ben, leaning casually on the doorframe, seemed unusually patient today and didn''t rush her.


    Finally, Lisa got in the car. As the door was about to close, she held it and looked at Ben standing outside. "What are you really after?" she asked.


    Ben tilted his head, his eyes deep and a smirk ying on his lips. "What do you think I see in you, Emmitt?" he teased.


    Biting her lip to suppress her fear, Lisa replied firmly, "You know exactly what kind of person you are."


    Ben chuckled softly, "Seems like my sister still has the wrong idea about me." Feeling a chill run down her spine, Lisa quickly shut the door, blocking Ben''s view.


    Ben, unfazed, nced at the tinted window before calmly adjusting his sleeve and walking to the passenger side. Just as he was about to open the door, his phone rang.


    He paused, then pulled out his phone.


    It was an international call.


    Ben''s expression turned serious as he stepped away from the car to take the call.


    After a short conversation, he hung up, his previously rxed demeanor reced by a stern one.


    A breach at the medical research facility? Those folks must be out of their minds.


    Ben frowned, stood still for a few seconds, then turned back, opened the car door, and got in. "Drive," he instructed the driver, his voice icy.


    The driver, sensing the tension, stayed silent and drove off.


    In the back seat, Lisa flinched at the sound of Ben mming the door but kept her


    head down, focusing on her phone, avoiding looking ahead.


    It seemed she had grown ustomed to Ben''s unpredictable moods.


    **


    In the car.


    James had originally nned to take Mirabe out for dinner, but she declined.


    "I''m Zach, heading back to Ashford tomorrow," Mirabe exined briefly.


    James raised an eyebrow, sounding both surprised and a tad amused, "Leaving already?"


    Mirabe rested her chin on her hand, blinking. "Are you pleased about that?"


    "Not really," he repliedzily. With one less obstacle, he rxed into his seat, fingers idly tracing the steering wheel. "What time''s your flight?"


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, "Noon, twelve sharp."


    "Want me to see Zach off?" James offered.


    Mirabe shot him a look, "Nah, better let him leave on a happy note."


    James sighed softly, still feeling a bit sidelined.


    Mirabe stifled a cough, turning to gaze out the window, her eyes sparkling with


    a hint of amusement.


    Before long, they arrived back at the apartmentplex. Mirabe waved goodbye and stepped out of the car.

 Chapter 1119

    At home, Marian was just about done cooking dinner. Mirabe slipped off her shoes and walked into the dining room, just in time to see Zach emerging from the bathroom, hunched over and holding his stomach, looking a bit pale.


    "Mirabe, finally! Anyter, and you might have been short one brother," Zach grumbled, his voice weak with a hint of drama.


    Marian, ever the caretaker, handed him a cup of warm salt water.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "It''s not that bad."


    Zach gulped down the water. "Not that bad? I''ve been running to the bathroom non-stop sincest night. I nearly set up camp on the toilet."


    "You''ve got enough energy toin, so you''ll survive," Mirabe teased, making a heart shape with her fingers, a new gesture she''d picked up.


    Zach just rolled his eyes. "Seriously, what kind of sister are you?"


    Mirabe washed her hands and called out to Nick, who was lounging in the living room, toe eat. She noticed Zach still ring at her, his eyes practically glued to her, so she just coughed, feigned innocence, and sat down at the table.


    Muttering under his breath, Zach wandered over, still clutching his belly. "When will this bathroom marathon end?"


    Mirabe tilted her head. "Give me your hand."


    He did as he was told, continuing, "My assistant booked my flight for tomorrow. If I''m still like this, I''ll have to reschedule..."


    Before he could finish, Mirabe released his hand and cut him off, "No worries, you''ll be fine by tomorrow."


    Zach was momentarily speechless. He suddenly suspected that she couldn''t wait for him to leave so she could have Nick all to herself. She wasn''t like this before moving to Riverdale-what had changed?


    Zach nced at Nick, who was approaching, certain that it was his influence.


    Nick, catching Zach''s re, looked puzzled. "Zach?"


    Zach just huffed, ignoring him. He was more determined than ever to move hisw firm to Riverdale.


    Nick was baffled. Had he done something to upset Zach?


    Mirabe noticed Zach''s expression and sighed. "Zach, stop picking on Nick. He''s harmless."


    Zach''s eyes widened. Nick, harmless?


    Nick just smiled quietly, serving Zach a bowl of in rice porridge.


    Zach was at a loss for words.


    Dinner was harmonious, at least for a while.


    Nick then offered Mirabe a piece of pork chop and said, "I''ll take Zach to the airport tomorrow."


    "No need," Zach quickly interjected. "Mirabe can drop me off. You do your thing."


    This was one of those times when having too many brothers wasn''t ideal.


    After a moment, Zach added, "And it''s the weekend, so Mirabe doesn''t have school."


    Nick looked a bit conflicted. He wanted to mention he didn''t work weekends either, but figured saying so might ruin Zach''s meal.


    "Alright, I''ll go," Mirabe finally said, and Zach felt a wave of relief.

 Chapter 1120

    After dinner, Mirabe was lounging in the living room, flipping through TV channels when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, saw James''s name shing on the screen, and picked up right away.


    "Can you step outside for a moment?" James said, casually leaning against his car door, looking effortlessly cool in a ck trench coat that made him appear both aloof and intriguing. At his feet were several paper bags.


    Without much thought, Mirabe replied, "Sure," and ended the call, heading towards the front door.


    Soon enough, she was standing in front of James. "What''s up?" she asked.


    James lifted the bags and handed them to her. "These are gifts for Uncle Marian."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Feeling generous, are we?"


    "What can I say? If I want to marry their daughter, I''ve got to win them over," James said with a yful sigh.


    Mirabe smirked, "Your charm offensive is getting more aggressive."


    James passed the bag handles into her hands, gently sping her hand, "How else will I seal the deal?"


    Mirabe was used to James''s touchy-feely ways by now. After standing silently for a couple of minutes, she nced back at the house. "I should get back inside."


    James gave her hand a final squeeze, "Alright."


    Mirabe nodded, took the bags, and went back inside. Only when she was out of sight did James let a slight smile y on his lips before he got into his car and drove off.


    *


    The next day, Mirabe found herself at the airport, seeing off Zach.


    "Once I get that branch office up in Riverdale next year..." Zach started in the departure lounge.


    Mirabe chuckled, taking it as a bit of banter. "Oh, by the way, Grady set you up with a personal trainer. Make sure you stick with it when you''re back."


    Zach''s grin dropped instantly-he thought she was jokingst time. "I''m not doing it."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Take it up with Grady, see if he''s on board with that."


    Zach''s face twitched. Did he really need to ask? The answer was obvious.


    Checking her watch, Mirabe added, "You''d better get through security, Zach. Let me know when you''re home safe."


    Zach sighed, "Alright, call me if you need anything."


    Mirabe nodded, "Safe journey."


    With a wave, Zach and his assistant headed for the security line. Mirabe watched them until they disappeared, then turned to leave.


    In the parking lot, As was waiting by the car. Seeing Mirabe approach, he opened the door for her.


    Just before getting in, Mirabe paused and nced at As. "As, once Zach''s back, could you arrange for a few more capable bodyguards to keep an eye on him?"


    As immediately understood her concern and nodded, "Of course, I''ll handle it." Mirabe gave a small nod, "Thanks, As, I appreciate it."


    As scratched his head with a sheepish grin, "No need for thanks, Miss Mira. Just doing my job."


    With a smile, Mirabe got into the car.


    **


    Back home, Mirabe headed to her room, flipped open herptop, and logged into The Mirror''s website. The mercenary task she''d posted earlier had been epted, and today was the day to finalize the payment.


    After transferring the funds, curiosity got the better of the recipient, and they sent her a private message, "Why didn''t you take this on yourself?"


    Leaning back in her chair, Mirabe''s fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before she replied, "Got the cash, just looking for ways to spend it."


    The person on the other end couldn''t help but chuckle. Wasn''t she just unting her wealth?

 Chapter 1121

    The mercenaries didn''t pry further, just tossed in a casual, "Alright, if you ever need to ssh some cash, hit me up." They even threw in a personal email address for good measure. Who knows if it''ll ever be used, but it was their way of extending a friendly hand.


    They remembered that one year when a bunch of mercenary headquarters got challenged to duels. The weapons used by this person? Totally out of this world. Mirabe didn''t bother replying; she just closed the chat window.


    Then, her online avatar started blinking again. It was a message from HRTL. Mirabe was beginning to think this person practically lived online since she always seemed to bump into them whenever she logged in. She opened the chat.


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "Can''t believe someone actually took your gig."


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "The guys at the medical base are losing it, trying to hunt you


    down."


    Mirabe just typed back a quick "Oh."


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "... You don''t seem worried at all."


    BaldBaby: "Why should I be? I didn''t blow up their base."


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "Wasn''t it your hired hand?"


    BaldBaby: "Well, they''d have to find me first."


    Hartlee, reading this on the other end, felt his worries start to fade. He''d forgotten that this person had a top-notch hacker cleaning up after them. Finding them would be a miracle.


    "But still, you should be cautious, Phantom. The medical group''s full of nutcases. You messed with their new gear; they won''t let this slide," he advised seriously after a pause.


    Mirabe crossed her legs, quickly typing back, "Got it, thanks."


    Hartlee chuckled, jumping in with, "Thanks? How about leaving me your contact?"


    BaldBaby: "Taking back my thanks."


    CoolAutumnBreeze: "..."


    Mirabe didn''t continue the conversation and simply closed the chat. She sat quietly for a couple of minutes, then opened her program panel. Her fingers flew over the keyboard,yering her IP address with encryption and rerouting her location to Phantom''s internalwork. Once done, she shut down theputer.


    Take it easy, go wild at your own pace. A slight smile yed on Mirabe''s lips.


    **


    Meanwhile, elsewhere...


    Kitty made her annual infrastructure donation to the school, as she did every year. Normally, her secretary would handle it, but this time she decided to visit the school herself. With an appointment set, the head of the academic office was waiting for her over the weekend.


    After signing the papers, Kitty smiled and said, "Director Howe, I''ve got a small favor to ask."


    Director Howe tucked away the documents and check, then looked up, "Of course, Mrs. Seasons, what can I do for you?"


    "I''ve got a niece attending Prestige College. She''s a bit of a free spirit, opted out of dorm life, and hasn''t told us where she''s staying. Could you look through her records to see if there''s a contact address?"


    Kitty sighed, her face a blend of worry and frustration. The academic director didn''t think twice about it and replied, "Just give me her name and department, and I''ll check it out for you."


    Kitty''s eyes lit up, "Her name''s Mirabe. She''s a freshman in the biology department."

 Chapter 1122

    The academic director scribbled down the name on a notepad and then made his way over to the desk, firing up theputer. The academic office could ess the school''s database, and Anthony had clearance to browse through student files from different departments. Before long, Anthony pulled up Mirabe''s file, but there wasn''t much info there. Unlike the other students who had their home addresses listed, hers was nk.


    The director, a bit confused, double-checked but still came up empty. He set the mouse down and turned to Kitty, saying, "Mrs. Summers, it seems your niece didn''t leave a home address."


    Pausing for a moment, he added, "It''s possible the teacher just missed it while entering the data. Unfortunately, I don''t have the authority to ess the school archives to look at the new student files. I''m sorry."


    Kitty''s eyes flickered with disappointment, but she trusted the director wasn''t pulling any tricks. She replied, "That''s alright, thank you so much for checking. If we can''t find it, so be it."


    If it hadn''t been for the mystery surrounding her estranged sister''s daughter''s address, she wouldn''t have bothered making this trip to the school. What a shame they didn''t find it.


    Remembering Kitty''s earlier description, assuming the student might be a handful, the director offered, "Mrs. Summers, don''t worry too much. Kids this age have their own ideas. The more parents try to control them, the more they might push back. Maybe a new approach could smooth things over."


    Kitty smiled politely, not in the mood for a lecture, and stood up from the couch. "Thank you for the advice, Mr. Howard. As parents, we''ll keep it in mind. I won''t take up more of your time."


    The director smiled, shaking his head, "No trouble at all."


    Kitty nodded politely and left the academic office.


    Jules was waiting downstairs, with the car parked just outside. As Kitty emerged, he opened the car door and asked, "Any luck with Miss Mira''s address?"


    Kitty shook her head, "Nope."


    Jules scratched his head, "No worries about that. Maybe we cane back another day when Yara''s not around and try to find Miss Mira?"


    Kitty narrowed her eyes, not thrilled about chasing down a junior, and waved it off, "We''ll see."


    She slipped into the car. Jules gave a nod, respectfully shut the door, and walked around to the driver''s seat.


    Kitty leaned back in her seat, her gaze drifting over the Prestige College campus. She wasn''t keen on her estranged niece getting close to her daughter, but with them both at the same school, it was bound to happen.


    Pressing her fingers to her temples, she sat in silence for a while before ncing up at Jules, "Is there any way to get my sister''s daughter to switch schools?"


    As long as they weren''t in the same school-or even in Riverdale-they could avoid any influence on her daughter. Just like when they had pushed her sister Delh out years ago.


    A cold glint shed in Kitty''s eyes.


    Jules, catching Kitty''s words in the rearview mirror, thought for a moment and replied, "Well, for a transfer... it would have to be Miss Mira''s choice."


    "No, a transfer is too easy. I don''t want her in Riverdale at all," Kitty said casually, flicking her long nails.


    How could someone from such humble beginnings deserve a ce in Riverdale? She should, just like her mother, be unceremoniously kicked out of this circle.

 Chapter 1123

    Jules was caught off guard for a moment when he heard the news, but he quickly pulled himself together. Kitty had always been the no-nonsense type. Anyone who dared to cross her or Yara was swiftly dealt with.


    Thinking about Mirabe, Jules could only shake his head, wondering why she couldn''t see the obvious. Trying to get close to Yara was a mistake. If she''d kept her distance, she might still have a shot at making it in Riverdale.


    Such a shame. Especially since she was the top of her ss in her finals.


    Jules cleared his throat and said, "But Ms. Mira has a bit of a chip on her shoulder. She''s tougher to deal with than she used to be. Getting her to leave might be tricky."


    Having met Mirabe twice before, Jules could sense she was nothing like her mother, Delh.


    Kitty smirked, unfazed. "In our neck of the woods, no matter how big her attitude, she''ll have to toe the line."


    "What''s your n?" Jules asked, nodding in agreement.


    Kitty gazed out the car window, watching the world fly by as she pondered. "I bet the elder sister''s daughter has no clue about her mom''s wild past. Wouldn''t it be something if she got the full story?"


    Jules kept quiet, a ssic saying running through his mind: hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.


    "I''ll give you something to send to the elder sister''s daughter at school when we''re back," Kitty added.


    Jules nced in the rearview mirror and simply nodded.


    Feeling better, Kitty decided to skip her hospital visit to see Donald. Instead, she pulled out her phone to organize a mahjong game with some high-society friends. As she flipped through her contacts, she came across Delh''s number and rolled her eyes.


    Wasn''t that number blocked?


    Just wait, she thought, you''ll regret this.


    Monday rolled around.


    In the afternoon, as Mirabe was about to leave school, the department secretary called her back to the admin office.


    "You''ve got a package," the secretary said, handing her a document envelope. Mirabe was puzzled. She hadn''t ordered anything, and even if someone had sent her something, it wouldn''t normally be delivered to the school.


    Checking the recipient and phone number, she confirmed they were hers. There was no sender info, just a note saying it was a local delivery.


    Mirabe thanked the secretary and quickly left with the envelope.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she answered, "Just stepped out. Had to pick up a package."


    After hanging up, she didn''t give the package much thought as she made her way to the school''s main gate.


    Ten minutester, Mirabe got into the car. Buckling up, she tidied her hair before finally opening the package. Inside was a yellow envelope with a letter. A slip of paper fell onto herp as she pulled it out.


    Mirabe tilted her head, picking up the note. It had an address on it.


    She frowned.


    James started the engine, ncing at the note and letter in her hands. His curiosity piqued, he asked, "Someone sending you letters these days?"


    Mirabe hadn''t opened the envelope yet, but feeling its weight, she shook her head. "No, looks like it''s just some photos."

 Chapter 1124

    James''s eyebrows lifted slightly at the mention of photos.


    Mirabe had already opened the envelope, revealing a stack of pictures. The prints were a bit fuzzy, likely because the original camera shots weren''t high-res. But even with the blurriness, the person in the photos looked awfully familiar.


    Mirabe squinted, pausing on one photo before flipping through a couple more. Then, she decided she''d seen enough and bundled them back together.


    Noticing Mirabe''s mood had soured, James nced at what she was holding and asked, "What kind of photos are those?"


    Mirabe shoved the photos back into the envelope and replied coolly, "The kind someone would kill to get hold of."


    James steered the car away from the school and, after a moment, asked, "Need any help with this?"


    Mirabe clutched the envelope, then picked up a piece of paper with an address, a phone number, and a meeting time-tonight at seven.


    She tossed the note back into the courier bag and turned to James, "Yeah, help me dig into something."


    "Sure thing." James replied softly, pulling out his phone to call Curtis. Once he hung up, he told Mirabe, "Just let Curtis know what you need him to check."


    Mirabe nodded.


    After sending a message, she settled back in her seat, absentmindedly twirling her phone. Her eyes, staring out of the car window, were deep with a hint of coldness.


    James took a quick look in the rearview mirror but kept the silence in the car intact.


    *


    Meanwhile...


    At 6:50 PM.


    Kitty walked into the restaurant''s private room, noting it was empty. Her eyes narrowed slightly.


    Jules, who followed her, hung her purse on a nearby coat rack and pulled out a chair for Kitty.


    "Are you sure she got the package?" Kitty asked Jules with a nce.


    "Absolutely, I called the school, and they confirmed it was handed to her personally," Jules replied.


    "Alright then." Kitty nodded, checking the time. Just a few minutes until seven.


    Jules poured some coffee for Kitty and after a moment said, "Ma''am, I''ll wait downstairs."


    Kitty waved dismissively, "No need, if she got it, she''ll show."


    "Okay." Jules said no more and went to stand by the door.


    Kitty gave him a look before turning her attention to her phone, scrolling to pass the time.


    Time dragged on until it was twenty past seven, well past the meeting time, and Kitty''s patience wore thin.


    No one had ever made her wait like this.


    Kitty''s meticulously made-up face grew dark as she looked at Jules and ordered, "Call her."


    They had gotten Mirabe''s number from the school.


    Jules nodded and took out his phone.


    The call connected after just a few rings, but as Jules began speaking, it suddenly ended with a busy signal. He paused, confused, staring at his phone which showed the call had ended.


    Kitty had been watching Jules and, seeing his reaction, her eyes narrowed, "Did she hang up on you?"


    Jules scratched his head, "Not sure..." He wondered if it was a bad signal and decided to try again, "I''ll give it another go."

 Chapter 1125

    On the second try, the call didn''t even ring before going straight to a "not in


    service" message.


    Jules nced at her phone, then looked up at Kitty. "Looks like I''ve been blocked."


    Kitty let out a disbelieving chuckle. "Well, isn''t she something? No amount of sweet-talking or strong-arming can get her to show up."


    "I don''t get what Miss Mira is up to," Jules said, puzzled. "She''s cozying up to Yara at school, but won''t meet with you, Mrs. Cunningham..."


    Considering the Cunningham family''s reputation, you''d think she''d jump at the chance to get in their good graces. Why would she turn them down?


    Especially after receiving those photos today, anyone with an ounce of curiosity would have epted the invitation.


    Kitty scoffed lightly. "Just ying hard to get, like her mother."


    "So, what''s the n now?" Jules asked.


    A cold determination flickered in Kitty''s eyes as she got up. "If she''s going to snub us, then I won''t be ying nice anymore."


    With that, she strode out of the private room, leaving Jules to quickly follow.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe put her phone down and continued eating.


    "Who was that?" Nick, sitting across from her, asked, noting her brief serious expression when she answered the call.


    Mirabe looked up, shaking her head. "Wrong number."


    Nick gave her another curious nce.


    Mirabe cleared her throat, then changed the subject. "By the way, Nick, have the Cunninghams tried to reach you?"


    "The Cunninghams?" Nick paused. "Which Cunninghams?"


    It seemed they hadn''t contacted him. Seeing this, Mirabe thought for a moment before saying, "You know, folks from Mom''s side of the family."


    Nick finally realized. He hadn''t paid much attention to the Cunninghams, only learning about their connection to their mother from Uncle As a while back.


    "What''s up? Did theye after you again?" Nick guessed.


    Mirabe shrugged. "Yeah."


    "Don''t bother with them," Nick said nonchntly.


    Though he wasn''t sure why their mom never mentioned the Cunninghams, he figured they must have done her wrong.


    Mirabe nodded, sensing Nick didn''t know much about Delh''s story either.


    Nick paused, eyeing the phone on the table. "Was that call from the Cunninghams?"


    Mirabe blinked, impressed by Nick''s sharp observation.


    Nick frowned slightly. "Ignore them. If they trouble you again, let me know. I''ll handle it."


    "Okay," Mirabe said, her response vague.


    Their thoughts were clearly divided.


    After dinner, Mirabe didn''t rush back to her room. Instead, she settled in the living room, watching TV and fiddling with her phone.


    Before long, Mirabe received a message. Her eyes lit up, and she got off the couch, slipping on her slippers as she headed for the door.


    It was Curtis, dropping off some documents.


    Mirabe took the papers. "That was quick."


    Curtis nodded. "Delh''s situation isn''t exactly a secret in the Cunningham family, so it was easy to dig up."


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Mirabe said, not opening the documents just yet. "I appreciate your help."


    Curtis gave a sheepish smile. "No problem. If you need anything else about the Cunninghams, just give me a shout."


    Mirabe nodded.


    "Well, Miss Mirabe, I''ll be off then."


    "Alright."


    Mirabe watched him drive away, then turned to head back into the house.


    Back in her room, after a quick freshen-up, Mirabe finally sat down to look through the documents Curtis had brought over.

 Chapter 1126

    After Mirabe thumbed through the documents, she wasn''t the least bit surprised. From the moment those scandalous photos hit her inbox that afternoon, she''d already pieced together why Delh had left the Cunningham family. It was just another ssic tale of high-society drama-schemes, betrayals, and the ruthless battle for power.


    Mirabe knew Delh all too well-honest to a fault, direct, with no time for mind games. She was young and a bit too trusting when it came to family, which made her an easy target for maniption, leading to her disgrace and exile.


    It seemed like every big family had these same issues, where nothing was too sacred in the cutthroat pursuit of wealth and status. Mirabe set the documents aside, a sly grin forming as she decided it was time to pay a visit to this so-called ''aunt'' of hers. She wasn''t sure why her ''aunt'' had sent those photos, but if someone was stirring up trouble, she wasn''t about to let it slide.


    She fiddled with the pendant around her neck, a cold glint briefly shing in her eyes. After a moment of contemtion, she swiveled back to her desk and powered up herputer. Her fingers danced over the keyboard, and before long, she had permanently deleted a few files. Once that was done, she logged out of the system and closed herptop.


    Time seemed to fly by. Before Kitty could make any moves against Mirabe, trouble had already cropped up with Donald Cunningham. After a post-op infection that had initially improved thanks to Conrad''s medication, everyone¡ª from family to doctors-had been optimistic about his recovery. But just two days after discharge, Donald suddenly copsed and went into shock.


    Thankfully, he was rushed to the hospital in the nick of time. Although they managed to save him, he was still in critical condition, with several rming indicators in his body.


    Kitty, Austin, and a few other Cunningham cousins were huddled in Dr. Ray''s office, anxiously waiting for the detailed results. The tension in the room was thick, each of them wearing different expressions of worry and confusion.


    Dr. Ray finally broke the uneasy silence as he walked in with the report. Kitty was the first to approach him. "Dr. Ray, what''s going on with my dad?" she asked, her voice tinged with urgency.


    Dr. Ray gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before turning to thest page of the report. "The results indicate a sudden fainting spell caused by a drug reaction."


    "A drug reaction? What exactly does that mean?" Austin interjected, his brow furrowed in confusion.


    "In simple terms, an adverse reaction," Dr. Ray rified.


    "But my dad was strictly on the meds you prescribed, Dr. Ray," Kitty insisted, biting her lip in frustration. "How could this happen?"


    Adjusting his sses, Dr. Ray remained calm. "I remember you mentioned Donald was also taking some medication from the pharmacy? Has he continued with those since being discharged?"


    Kitty, unsure, nced at Austin for confirmation. Sensing her look, Austin faced Dr. Ray, his voice firm. "Yes, he''s been taking them. But there''s no way the pharmacy''s meds are to me!"


    Austin had seen Donald improve with the medication and had even checked with Mr. Keller to ensure it was safe before continuing its use. He was almost instinctively skeptical that the medication could be the culprit.

 Chapter 1127

    Kitty felt the same way as Austin; she couldn''t believe the pharmaceutical association''s meds could have any nasty side effects.


    Dr. Ray, looking more serious now, said, "You''re not alone, Mr. Austin-I''m with you on this. But the test results are telling a different story-they''re showing a reaction to the medication."


    He paused for a moment before continuing, "Medications can sh in unexpected ways, whether they''re herbal or modern. Side effects are always a possibility. Sadly, Romero seems to be particrly sensitive to this batch from the pharmaceutical association."


    Dr. Ray was smooth with his words, managing not to upset the Cunninghams or badmouth the association''s drugs, sticking to the fact that all meds can have side effects.


    "How''s this possible? Mr. Keller assured us that this medication wouldn''t harm Donald," Austin said, rubbing his temples.


    If these meds from the association have such strong side effects, what does that say about the others?


    Seeing that Austin had faith only in the association''s meds, Dr. Ray didn''t exin further and handed him the test results.


    Austin was about to go through the report when a cousin swooped in and snatched it. He frowned.


    "Austin, I''m starting to wonder if your so-called friend from the association is the real deal," his cousin teased with a smirk.


    "Everyone says their meds can work miracles, but here they seem to be doing the opposite."


    "You better clear things up with everyone, or if the usation of trying to harm Donald sticks..."


    Recently, Austin had been bragging about his connection to someone in the association. Now, with Donald''s health taking a nosedive, his cousins weren''t about to let the chance to tease him slip by.


    Hearing their jabs, Austin''s face turned pale. Thanks to Dr. Ray''s remarks, he had noeback, even though he knew they were just trying to bring him down.


    His cousins didn''t push it further, aware they were in a hospital, and soon left.


    Austin grabbed the report and headed to a quiet spot in the hospital to smoke, cigarette butts already scattered at his feet.


    Kitty stepped out, coughed a bit from the smoke, and waved her hand to clear the air. "You should call Mr. Keller," she suggested.


    Austin flicked his cigarette to the ground and stomped it out, his face clouded with worry. "I want to, but calling him could mess up our rtionship."


    Questioning the meds meant showing mistrust toward Conrad. One call, and the bond Austin had worked to build might fall apart.


    That''s why he was stuck there, smoking away his frustration.


    "I want to believe the meds are fine too, but without calling Mr. Keller, we''re out of options. Maybe he''ll have some other ideas."


    Kitty sighed, "We can''t just watch Donald get worse, can we? And remember, the will still needs sorting."


    Austin''s eyes darkened, and after a moment, he made up his mind. "Alright, I''ll call him."


    "Do it, Mr. Keller doesn''t seem like the type to hold grudges," Kitty reassured him.


    Austin nodded, pulled out his phone, and quickly dialed the number.


    *


    When Conrad picked up Austin''s call, he was busy going over some meds Sophia had given him before. Hearing Austin''s rundown of the situation, he nearly knocked over the bottles on his desk.

 Chapter 1128

    Conrad let go of the pestle, his cool slipping for just a moment before he casually told Austin on the phone, "I''ll swing by the hospital soon."


    After hanging up, Conrad''s eyes were filled with a deep contemtion.


    The first time he gave Donald Cunningham the medication, he had some nagging worries about potential side effects. Luckily, after some time had passed, none of his fears came true. So, when Austin asked for more medicine a few days back, Conrad handed it over without a second thought.


    Who would''ve seen thising... Conrad stood still for a few minutes, then swiftly packed the herbs into a box and left the pharmacy.


    Half an hourter, he reached the hospital. It was past visiting hours, so Conrad couldn''t see Romero, only able to peer through the ss window of the ward.


    Austin was beside him, sneaking nces to check if Conrad was upset.


    Conrad didn''t really focus on Austin''s looks. After a brief pause, he turned to him and said, "Mr. Cunningham''s condition is quite unique. Pass me all his test reports, and I''ll consult with my mentor."


    Noticing that Conrad wasn''t holding any grudge, Austin rxed a bit and handed over Donald''s medical records from his bag. "I can''t thank you enough, Mr. Keller. All of my dad''s test and chemo details are in here. If you need anything else, just give me a shout."


    Conrad waved off Austin''s gratitude with a simple gesture, his face as calm as ever. "Donald is in recovery, and I didn''t see the medication causing a shocking. But I''ll do my best to find another way to help him through this."


    Austin, hearing Conrad speak more than usual, nodded quickly. "I understand. Thanks for being somitted to helping."


    Conrad gave a soft nod, "Alright, I''ll be heading off now. No need to walk me out, Mr. Austin."


    Austin, seeing there was nothing more to add, simply nodded.


    Even though the worry hadn''t fully left his face, Conrad''s demeanor had oddlyforted him. With Mr. Keller on the case, he was sure Donald''s health would be just fine. Austin firmly believed this.


    *


    Back home, Conrad went straight to his mentor. He handed over Romero''s medical record and gave a quick rundown of the situation.


    The Vice President skimmed through the records. After listening to Conrad, he stopped, looked up, and said inly, "The medication''s too strong; nothing can be done."


    "You mean there''s nothing you can do either, mentor?" Conrad asked, his voice heavy with concern.


    His mentor''s skills were second only to David in the Medical Association, so if he saw no solution, things looked grim. But Conrad had promised Austin he''d fix this... Feeling a headacheing on, he pondered for a moment and then suggested, "Maybe you could visit the hospital yourself to give me a hand?"


    The Vice President frowned slightly and replied, "Conrad, just a reminder the annual assessment is around the corner. Don''t spend your time on things that aren''t your responsibility."


    That was a clear no.


    Conrad got the message right away. He opened his mouth to argue but seeing his mentor''s impatience, he switched to, "Got it, I''ll make sure I''m ready."


    The Vice President gave a soft nod. But after a pause, something seemed to click for him, and he added, "Looks like you''re in a bind. Why not go have a chat with Mr. Boyd?"

 Chapter 1129

    Upon hearing the mention of David, Conrad paused. On the surface, his mentor and David seemed to get along just fine, but Conrad knew there was always a subtle rivalry simmering beneath the surface. Whether it was in the realm of medicine, pharmacology, or mentoring apprentices, his mentor was never one to easily concede to David.


    So when the conversation suddenly turned to David, Conrad found himself puzzled. Was his mentor testing the waters to gauge his feelings, or was it just a casual suggestion?


    The vice president must have sensed Conrad''s hesitation, as he nudged the medical file towards him. "Doctors are like parents to their patients. I may be at a loss, but that doesn''t mean David can''t help. After all, this is a matter of life and death. Don''t worry, I won''t take offense."


    Conrad took a moment to study him closely, ensuring he was serious before responding, ¡°I wasn''t overthinking it. I just worry that David might not want to get involved."


    The vice president waved it off casually, "Why don''t you just ask him? If he can''t help, then maybe it''s just a sign that the old man''s past his prime."


    Conrad was taken aback by his mentor''sstment, unsure of its full meaning.


    "Go on now, don''t let the patient''s condition worsen," the vice president added, turning his attention back to an old, weathered medical text, signaling he was done with the conversation.


    Seeing this, Conrad had no choice but to grab the medical file and step out of the office.


    Outside, he let out a sigh of relief. Whatever his mentor''s motives, at least he had a legitimate reason to seek David''s help for Romero without stepping on anyone''s toes or inviting doubts about his own skills.


    Involving David shifted the narrative. Even if things didn''t work out, folks would chalk it up to the president aging, not Conrad''sck of skill.


    Clutching the medical file, Conrad made his way to find Mr. Boyd.


    "Hey, Conrad," David greeted him as he walked in, not even giving him a chance


    to speak. "If you need anything, just go to the vice president. I''m about to head to the airport."


    David had a flight booked to check on the herb farm''s batch of secret orchids. Word was that Paul had managed to rescue most of the seedlings, and David was eager to see the progress.


    "Oh, you''re heading out?" Conrad asked, caught off guard.


    David nodded, "Yep, got to visit the herb farm."


    Conrad hadn''t anticipated such poor timing. With David heading to the farm, where travel was a hassle, he''d likely be gone for three to five days.


    Stuck holding the medical file, Conrad found himself momentarily at a loss. All the ns he''d carefullyid out in his mind unraveled with David''s impending trip.


    David, while gathering his documents, noticed Conrad''s hesitation. He paused, checked the time, and said, "I''ve got a bit of time. What''s up?"


    With a rueful smile, Conrad exined, "A friend''s family member had a severe reaction to some meds from the pharmacy and is in critical condition."


    David locked his papers away, looking surprised. "An adverse reaction?"


    "Yeah," Conrad nodded, "They''re in the hospital, still in the critical phase."


    David nodded thoughtfully, "That sounds pretty serious. What did your mentor have to say about it?"

 Chapter 1130

    Conrad was momentarily taken aback by the question, silently cursing himself for being there at his mentor''s behest.


    Of course, he couldn''t admit that out loud. Clearing his throat, he murmured with a tinge of guilt, "Even he''s at a loss."


    "If even your mentor can''t figure it out, then it really must be a tough case. Don''t beat yourself up about it; whether it''s Eastern or Western medicine, no one can promise a miracle cure," David reassured him.


    As a seasoned physician, David had seen his fair share of such scenarios.


    But Conrad wasn''t looking for David''s pity. Normally, hearing those words would signal him to back off, but this time was different because it involved Romero.


    Taking a step closer, Conrad offered the medical records, saying, "This patient is a friend''s father. Could you, David, take a quick look at the test results?"


    David nodded, "Alright, let me have a look."


    He took the file, and Conrad exhaled with relief.


    David skimmed through the records in just a few minutes before looking up. "What have you been treating him with?"


    "Just some immune-boosting herbs," Conrad replied, listing a few ingredients.


    David stroked his beard thoughtfully and said, "The form you''ve been using is quite strong. It''s no surprise it caused issues for someone in their seventies."


    Conrad hadn''t anticipated that David would zero in on the problem so quickly. After a pause, he asked, "Is there anything we can do?"


    David shook his head, "Judging by the data, it''s tough. Even with top-level medication, the oue might not change much. The patient''s already gone through a bone marrow transnt and had an allergic reaction during recovery, which did considerable damage."


    Conrad''s face fell.


    David nced at him, shaking his head slightly. Conrad had potential, but he was too hasty, using treatments without proper caution.


    "I can''t do much for your patient. It''s gettingte, and I have a flight to catch," David said, checking his watch.


    Conrad forced a smile, "Is there really nothing that can be done? The patient is Donald from the Cunningham family. I''m worried about how this might affect the association."


    David''s friendly demeanor shifted to something more serious, "You knew the risks and still went ahead. That''s on you."


    David''s sharp tone made Conrad flinch. Looking up, he saw a piercing gaze that seemed to see right through him, even more so than his mentor''s.


    He quickly lowered his head, avoiding David''s eyes.


    He had overlooked one thing: David was the president of the association. Anyone


    in that position wasn''t to be underestimated.


    The kindness only extended as long as there were no mistakes.


    Trying to leverage the association''s reputation was a grave error.


    "I''m sorry, President. This was my fault," Conrad admitted quietly, sounding genuinely remorseful.


    David shook his head, "Be more careful next time."


    Conrad bowed his head even lower.


    David wasn''t thrilled about dealing with Conrad''s blunder but didn''t want it to tarnish the association''s reputation either, so he flipped through the medical records again.

 Chapter 1131

    David wasn''t sure if Mirabe would have a solution up her sleeve. After all, it was a life-or-death situation, and ignoring it just wasn''t his style. So, without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone, snapped a pic of thest page of the medical records showing thetest test results, and sent it straight to Mirabe via Messenger.


    Figuring she might be in ss, David skipped calling her. Instead, he slowly typed out a detailed message, exining everything that was going on. Nearby, Conrad was casting cautious nces at David, unsure of what he was typing and feeling too anxious to interrupt.


    At that moment, Conrad couldn''t help but regreting to David for help. The issue was still unresolved, and he had just been on the receiving end of a scolding. He worried about how David might see him from now on.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was indeed in ss, her phone on silent. She didn''t see David''s message immediately, so there was no reply. David waited a couple of minutes, but when no response came, he didn''t stress. He just tucked his phone away and turned to Conrad, saying, "I know an amazing healer. I''ve sent her the patient''s details. If she can''t help, then we might be out of options."


    Conrad''s eyes widened in surprise. If David called someone an amazing healer, they must be really something. But he had never heard of David having any healer friends. However, the rumor about a mysterious mentor was something everyone knew.


    Could this healer actually be David''s mentor?


    David, oblivious to Conrad''s thoughts, noticed his assistant waiting at the door. Time was ticking, so he didn''t dive into details. He handed the medical records back to Conrad, saying, "You can head back. I''ll let you know as soon as I hear anything."


    Conrad nodded, not wanting to hold David up any longer. "Alright, I''ll be waiting for your update."


    As David made a quick exit, he gave a little wave. Conrad left the office, clutching the medical records. When he got to the lobby, the vice president was chatting with the receptionist. Spotting Conrad, he called him over.


    "What did David say?" the vice president asked as Conrad came closer.


    Still mulling over the healer David mentioned, Conrad took a moment before replying, "The president checked it out but couldn''t do anything."


    The vice president raised an eyebrow, "Didn''t you ask him to go to the hospital for a look?"


    "No, the president''s got a flight today to the herbal medicine base. He didn''t have time," Conrad exined slowly.


    The vice president quickly pieced things together. He had forgotten about the trip, which exined why David was rushing. It was both a stroke of luck and a missed opportunity.


    A bit of regret washed over the vice president. "But the president said he knows


    an amazing healer, so now we''re just waiting on them," Conrad added.


    "An amazing healer?" the vice president echoed, surprised. How had he not known about this?


    Noticing the vice president''s reaction mirrored his own earlier surprise, Conrad shared his theory, "Doesn''t the president have that mysterious mentor? I reckon it might be them."


    Maybe David wasn''t outright saying it was his mentor to keep things under wraps?


    The vice president narrowed his eyes. Everyone in the association knew about David''s elusive mentor, but nobody had ever seen them in person.

 Chapter 1132

    The Vice President wasn''t buying into the whole mysterious master story that was floating around about David. To him, it seemed like just another one of David''s clever marketing tricks. If there really was such a master, surely someone would''ve met them by now. After all, he''d known David for decades.


    Keeping his suspicions to himself, the Vice President simply said, "Since David has rmended this miracle worker, just sit tight and wait."


    Conrad nodded, understanding the advice.


    As he stood there, hands behind his back, the Vice President couldn''t help but add, "Do let me know when you hear back. I''m quite intrigued by this miracle doctor David''s been talking about."


    "Will do, sir," Conrad replied.


    **


    After her ss, Mirabe nced at her phone and saw a message from David. She opened the picture he''d sent and then quickly texted back, "These numbers look pretty grim."


    David was still on his way to the airport. Finding typing too slow, he opted for a voice message, "Is there any chance for a cure?"


    Mirabe thought it over before replying, "Possibly, but I''ll need to see the patient in person to be sure."


    Seeing her response, David felt a twinge of hope. Even though her answer wasn''t definite, he figured there was at least a sixty percent chance of sess.


    He quickly texted back, "The patient is a rtive of a pharmacist from the association. Do you think you could help out, Mirabe?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and typed back, "My rates aren''t exactly low."


    Remembering Conrad''s mention of the Cunningham family, David reassured her, "No worries. The Shields family is well-off. They can handle it."


    Mirabe sent back an ''OK'' emoji.


    With that, David said, "Great, I''ll let them know to get in touch with you directly."


    After sending his message, David closed Messenger and called Conrad, passing along Mirabe''s number.


    ...


    As soon as Conrad got David''s message, he reached out to Mirabe. Donald Cunningham''s condition was urgent, and any dy could mean moreplications.


    When the call connected, Conrad introduced himself but was momentarily thrown off by the young woman''s voice on the other end.


    He double-checked the number on his screen, wondering if he''d dialed wrong. But since he''d used the number David sent, it couldn''t be a mistake. After a brief pause, Conrad politely asked, "Is this Dr. Harper?"


    Mirabe, while packing her textbooks, replied casually, "That''s me."


    Conrad was taken aback. If she''d been an older person, he wouldn''t have batted an eye. But a young woman? It was hard to match that with the image of a ''miracle doctor.''


    After a moment of silence, Conrad cautiously asked, "Did David fill you in on the patient''s condition?"


    Mirabe swung her backpack over her shoulder and said, "Just give me the address. I''ll head over to see the patient now."


    Hearing her response, Conrad, despite his skepticism, knew he had to trust David''s judgment. He quickly provided, "It''s at City General Hospital."


    He paused, then added, "Or, if you prefer, send me your location, and I''lle pick you up."


    At least this way, he could size her up a bit before they got to the hospital and avoid any potential awkwardness.

 Chapter 1133

    "No need, it''s just a time sink," Mirabe said with a shrug. "Oh, and be ready with the consultation fee."


    Conrad paused when he heard thatst bit, then managed a quick, "Okay," but before he could say anything else, the call ended abruptly.


    Staring at his phone, Conrad realized he had no choice but to head to the hospital. He promptly called Austin.


    Austin was at the Cunningham family estate, rubbing his temples with a look of deep concern, sitting silently on the sofa for what felt like ages.


    Aaron, sitting nearby, sighed internally and poured hot coffee into Austin''s cup. "Mr. Austin, try not to worry too much. Donald''s got a knack for pulling through tough spots."


    Austin just shook his head without saying a word.


    The butler, seeing this, chimed in, "Didn''t you mention Mr. Keller was reaching out


    to his mentor for help? His mentor''s a vice-president, so hopefully, we''ll hear something soon."


    Austin was restless, having waited for hours without any news. If there had been a breakthrough, Conrad would have likely called by now.


    With a deep sigh, Austin put down his hand, grabbed his coffee cup, and downed it, still not speaking.


    Just then, his phone rang. His hand froze mid-air, then he quickly set the cup down and fished out the phone from his pocket. Seeing the caller ID, a flicker of hope sparked in his eyes, and he answered eagerly.


    The butler, watching, instinctively held his breath, his eyes glued to Austin as he took the call.


    "...Alright, I''ll head over right now. Thanks, Mr. Keller," Austin said, his voice tinged with excitement. Hanging up, he jumped to his feet and grabbed his coat. "Aaron, I''m off to the hospital. Mr. Keller''s found a renowned doctor."


    Aaron''s face lit up at the mention of the renowned doctor. "I knew Mr. Keller woulde through. Mr. Austin, I''lle with you."


    Austin nodded and called Kitty.


    Kitty was still at the hospital. Austin asked her to meet the renowned doctor at the entrance.


    **


    After climbing into the car, Mirabe told the driver, James, "Skip going home for now. Let''s head to General Hospital."


    "Who''s sick?" James asked, surprised.


    Mirabe, in high spirits, tapped her knee lightly and replied, "Gotta earn a living somehow."


    James chuckled at her cheerful demeanor. "Makes sense," he said with a grin, starting the car and heading toward the General Hospital.


    The school wasn''t far from the hospital, just a straight shot down the road, taking about twenty minutes.


    Once they parked, Mirabe turned to James, "I''ll be quick. Maybe wait in the car?"


    She worried his presence might mess with her getting paid.


    James rested his hand on the steering wheel, thought for a moment, and nodded, "Sure thing."


    Mirabe nodded, unbuckled her seatbelt, and stepped out of the car.


    As she made her way to the hospital, she called Conrad to get the exact location.


    Conrad, still en route, told her to head to the main entrance, saying the patient''s family was already there.


    Mirabe hung up and walked to the main entrance at a leisurely pace.


    *


    Meanwhile, after getting Austin''s call, Kitty went downstairs to greet the guests,


    with her trusted aide, Jules, by her side.


    The two had been waiting at the entrance for over ten minutes.

 Chapter 1134

    Hospitals are always bustling, even past five in the evening, with a constant flow


    of peopleing and going. Jules nced at his watch, a bit impatient. "Why isn''t our person here yet?" he wondered aloud.


    "Rx," Kitty replied with a calm smile. "A brilliant doctor making people wait is nothing unusual." She held a designer handbag, her makeup wless, exuding an undeniable air of wealth. Her eyes scanned the entrance, trying to spot who among the neers might be the renowned healer.


    Jules nodded, turning his attention back outside. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar face and leaned in to whisper to Kitty, "Ma''am, it''s that girl."


    Kitty, slightly puzzled, followed his gaze. "Who?" she asked.


    "Miss Mira," Jules rified quickly.


    Kitty narrowed her eyes as she watched the girl approach. Tall and elegant, with a natural grace and beauty resembling Kitty''s older sister, Delh, Mirabe was nothing like Kitty had imagined. Shecked the rustic vibe of someone who grew up in the countryside, seeming more like a child of privilege.


    "We''ve tried inviting Miss Mira out several times, and she''s always dodged us. Running into her here at the hospital is quite the coincidence," Jules murmured.


    His words snapped Kitty back to the present, reminding her of how Mirabe had previously blown them off. A flicker of cold determination crossed Kitty''s eyes. With Donald''s illness taking up her attention recently, she hadn''t pursued the issue, but now that Mirabe was here on her own... Kitty nced at Jules and said, "Go and stop her."


    Jules, having predicted Kitty''s order, nodded and made his way toward Mirabe. Since the doctor hadn''t arrived yet, he figured he might as well handle this.


    Kitty stayed put, her gaze icy and unwavering.


    Mirabe paused as Jules intercepted her. Thanks to her keen memory, she recognized him from a few months back - a member of the Cunningham family who had sought her out at school. She raised an eyebrow, intrigued.


    "Miss Mira, what a coincidence running into you here. Ourdy, your aunt, would like to have a word with you," Jules said, gesturing toward Kitty. While his tone was polite, there was a firm insistence beneath his words.


    Mirabe''s lips curled into a yful smile. After a moment, just when Jules thought she might say no, she replied, "Alright."


    Jules was slightly taken aback by her easy agreement but guessed she might be choosing her battles wisely. He stepped aside, gesturing for her to lead the way. "After you."


    Mirabe nodded, showing no hesitation as she walked over to Kitty.


    Kitty observed Mirabe''s approach, noting theck of acknowledgment or respect usually given to elders, and she shook her head slightly. "No manners at all, can''t even greet an elder."


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over Kitty. Her voice was light and teasing, "And you are?"


    Kitty''s expression darkened immediately.


    Jules, having witnessed Mirabe''s cheeky behavior before, leaned in and gently cautioned, "Miss Mira, you shouldn''t speak like that. Apologize to your aunt, or it might not end well for you."

 Chapter 1135

    Mirabe''s lips curled into a slight smirk as she nced coolly at Jules. "Apologize to whom?"


    Her gaze didn''t carry any real threat, yet Jules felt an inexplicable shiver run down his spine, stronger than when he faced an enraged Austin. Startled by his own reaction, Jules furrowed his brows. Was he really this rattled by a young girl''s stare?


    Regaining hisposure, Jules repeated, "Your aunt."


    "Oh." Mirabe flicked her fingers in the air casually. "So, you''re asking me to apologize to someone who''s as good as dead?"


    Not only did she refuse to acknowledge Kitty as her aunt, but she also likened her to a corpse. Jules shot a quick nce at Kitty, whose face had turnedpletely dark, and pressed his temples in silent frustration. Miss Mira was truly stepping out of bounds, speaking without a care for her precarious situation.


    Jules shook his head, deciding not to push the matter further. If some folks were ungrateful, why should he waste his breath?


    Kitty eyed Mirabe coldly, thinking how the apple doesn''t fall far from the tree. Such sharp, irritating wit. Taking a deep breath, Kitty skipped the pleasantries: "You have five days to leave Prestige College and go back to wherever you came from."


    Mirabe''s face lit up with amusement. "Oh, and why is that?"


    Stepping closer, Kitty''s gaze turned icy. "Of all people, you had to mess with my daughter. You''ve brought this on yourself."


    Mirabe feigned cleaning out her ear. "Your daughter?"


    Kitty scoffed at Mirabe''s apparent ignorance. "Remember, you''ve got five days.


    If I find you at Prestige College after that, don''t me me for being ruthless."


    Pausing, Kitty''s voice grew even sharper: "Don''t doubt what I say. I have the means to make sure you''re unwee not just in Riverdale, but that your family can''t stand in Ashford either."


    The ke family''s reach was vast, not to mention the Cunninghams, who had assets nationwide and countless connections. Dealing with an ordinary family was as easy as squashing a bug.


    Mirabe stayed calm, pondering for a moment before pulling out her phone to dial a number. Kitty assumed she was calling Delh to whine and scoffed at the childish tactic. After all, she herself was a living example of being cast out and forever unwee in the Cunningham family.


    The call connected quickly.


    "Miss Mira, what can I do for you?" Grady''s voice came through, surprised yet pleased.


    This was the first time Miss Mira had called him directly.


    Without avoiding Kitty, Mirabe addressed Grady and asked, with a touch of mncholy, "By the way, Uncle, someone wants to make the Davis family unwee in Ashford. What are your thoughts on that?"


    Hearing Mirabe''s words, especially the mention of ''the Davis family,'' Kitty found it almostughable, as if they were some major dynasty.

 Chapter 1136

    If she were from a prominent family, how on earth could we not find any trace of her background? She''s just a young girl, naive and full of dreams. Kitty shook her head.


    Meanwhile, the moment Miss Mira said something, Grady''s face darkened. He couldn''t hold back his irritation and mmed his hand on the table, "Who?"


    Who in their right mind would dare to provoke the Davis family?


    Grady paused, knowing Mirabe wasn''t the type to ask for help, and asked, "Miss Mira, are you in some kind of trouble? Tell me where you are, and I''lle over."


    He was in the middle of a discussion with some stewards and elders of the family branch. Since Mirabe''s call was on speaker, they all overheard the


    conversation. Even without hearing Miss Mira''s side, it was clear something was up, as some of the elders had already reached for hidden weapons.


    "Count me in."


    "I''ming too."


    "Me as well..."


    Hearing these voices chiming in, Mirabe was taken aback.


    Her cheeks twitched, and she quickly said, "No need, Grady, I just wanted to confirm something."


    Despite Grady''s gut feeling that Mirabe was in trouble, her refusal to let hime over made him pause before saying, "Don''t worry, no one can mess with the Davis family."


    "Alright, I understand." With that reassurance, Mirabe didn''t linger on the call and hung up shortly after.


    Kitty, watching Mirabe finally end the call, couldn''t help but mock, "Oh, calling in your savior, are you?"


    Did she really think I couldn''t see through this act of pretending she had some powerful connection?


    Mirabe tucked her phone away, her face calm as she looked at Kitty, "Oh, you''re not even worth the effort."


    Kitty was so annoyed sheughed, "You..."


    Just then, her phone rang from her bag, interrupting her.


    Remembering her actual priorities, Kitty dismissed Mirabe, quickly grabbed her phone, and stepped aside to answer the call.


    "Hey, Emmitt, are you saying the miracle doctor has arrived? I''m right outside the hospital now, haven''t seen them yet... Yeah, don''t worry, I''ve got it under control." Miracle doctor?


    Mirabe twirled her phone, something clicking in her mind as she nced at Kitty.


    What a coincidence.


    After ending her call, Kitty turned back to Mirabe, "Remember what I said, leave Riverdale in five days, or don''t me me for being harsh."


    With that, she gave Jules a look. Jules got the message and firmly stated, "Miss Mira, it''s time for you to go."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, casually pocketed her phone, and said, "Hope you don''te begging for me to return."


    She turned and made her way towards the hospital exit.


    Jules watched her leave, shaking his head in disbelief, "Beg her toe back? Miss Mira must think she''s the star of the show."


    Who does she think she is?


    Kitty didn''t pay any attention to Mirabe''s parting words. Her mind was on the call from Austin about the miracle doctor''s arrival. "Let''s not worry about her. We need to be respectful when the miracle doctor shows up."


    Jules nodded, adopting a rare serious demeanor, "Got it."


    Both of them kept their eyes glued to the hospital entrance, not wanting to miss the arrival of anyone significant.

 Chapter 1137

    Waiting felt like a small eternity. Five minutes ticked by, and though seven or eight people wandered in, they were all just patients or their families-no sign of the so- called miracle healer. Kitty pondered a bit before sending Jules to check the east- side door, thinking maybe the healer hade in through there.


    Jules hung around for a few minutes too, but no luck. As it was nearly closing time, the hospital security came and locked the side ss door. With that, Jules had no choice but to head back to the main entrance and update Kitty, "Maybe we should ask Mr. Austin again?"


    Kitty nodded, about to call Austin when she saw him alreadying in from outside. She tucked her phone back into her pocket.


    Austin walked over, looking a bit puzzled. "Why are you all still here? Where''s the miracle healer?"


    Aaron, trailing behind him, gave Kitty a nod in greeting.


    "I was just about to call you. We''ve been here the whole time, checked


    everywhere, even the side door, but no sign of the healer," Kitty replied, eyebrows furrowed.


    "Really? Mr. Keller told me ten minutes ago that the healer had arrived. We shouldn''t have missed them." Austin paused, pulling out his phone. "Let me call Mr. Keller."


    Kitty nodded, her eyes lingering on the main entrance.


    The call connected quickly, and Austin politely exined the situation to Conrad, who seemed equally surprised. Conrad said he''d make some calls and get back. Austin hung up and turned to Kitty, "Mr. Keller''s on it. By the way, how''s Dad doing today? Any changes?"


    Kitty shook her head, "No, he''s still in aa."


    Austin exhaled a bit, relieved. Remembering what Mr. Keller mentioned about the healer, he added, "Mr. Keller said this healer is a friend of the association president. Top-notch skills, with an eighty percent chance of sess."


    Kitty''s eyes widened in surprise, "A friend of the president? That''s impressive."


    Austin nodded, "Exactly. That''s why I said not to overlook them. A friend of the president is definitely someone special."


    "Sounds like there''s hope for Donald''s recovery." Kitty''s face softened with a hint of relief, then she turned to Jules. "Jules, don''t just stand here, go check the parking lot and other ces."


    Aaron quickly followed Jules, "I''ll join you."


    The two headed out together.


    Meanwhile, over in the parking lot, Mirabe leaned casually against a ck sedan, her hands tucked into her coat pockets. The air was chilly, and her face was pale and cool.


    Her phone buzzed. She nced at the caller ID, raised an eyebrow, and answered.


    "Dr. Harper, you haven''t made it to the hospital yet? My friend said they''re still waiting for you," came Conrad''s polite voice.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, and replied coolly, "I''m already here."


    Conrad quickly responded, "Where exactly are you? I can send someone to meet you."


    Mirabe nudged a pebble with her foot. "No need. I''m not seeing this patient."


    Conrad hesitated, caught off guard by her response. It dawned on him that her tone was much colder than before. He gripped the phone tighter and cautiously asked, "Is there... a reason?"

 Chapter 1138

    Mirabe let out a little hum and said, "Tell them they''re not worth it." With that, she didn''t wait for Conrad to respond-she just ended the call. They had used such underhanded tactics to push her and Delh out and even threatened her with photos to kick her out of Riverdale. And now they expected her to help them? Fat chance.


    Mirabe''s lips curled slightly, and as she nced up, she saw James returning with something in hand, and her expression softened a bit.


    "That was quick, huh?" James handed her atte he''d bought. His face was mostly hidden by a ck mask, but his piercing eyes and sharp brows were visible, giving him an air of mystery.


    "Yeah." Mirabe didn''t go into details. She slipped her phone into her pocket and was about to poke a straw into the lid when James took over and did it for her.


    "Firsttte of the winter," Jamesmented casually.


    Mirabe took a sip, raising an eyebrow, "Isn''t it still autumn?"


    James reached over, gently ruffling her hair, and adjusted her coat cor, "Guess you''ll have to wait for next year then."


    Mirabe nodded, the warmth of thette melting away the chill. She stood up straight, "Let''s hit the road."


    James nodded and unlocked the car. Just then, Mirabe''s phone started ringing again from her pocket. Still holding hertte, she didn''t bother to answer.


    James looked at her closely. Although she seemed her usual self, there was something subtly different. He opened the passenger door and asked, "Not gonna answer that?"


    Mirabe shrugged, "Nah, don''t feel like it."


    James nodded, "Alright, then we won''t."


    "Yep." Mirabe ducked into the car.


    James shut her door and walked around to the driver''s side. As he got in, he noticed Jules and Aaron wandering around the parking lot. He spared them only a quick nce before focusing back on the road.


    The engine roared to life, and they soon drove out of the lot. Mirabe''s phone


    gave onest ring before going silent, as if it knew not to push its luck.


    *


    Jules turned and noticed Aaron seemed a bit off, staring off into the distance. Following his gaze, Jules asked, "What''s got your attention, Aaron?"


    Jules had seen Mirabe too but hadn''t given her much thought; he was more interested in finding that famous healer.


    Aaron snapped back to reality, his face a shade less pale. He shook his head, "No, nothing."


    Could that girl be Miss Mira''s daughter? What were the odds of running into her like this?


    Assuming Aaron was eyeing the car Mirabe had gotten into, Jules asked, "Did you spot Miss Mira?"


    Aaron looked puzzled, "Miss Mira?"


    "You know, Delh''s daughter," Jules said with a bit of a smirk.


    Aaron''s earlier anxiety came rushing back, a slight tremble in his voice, "Really? Miss Mira''s daughter?"


    Jules didn''t notice, just nodded, "Yeah."


    "What was she doing at the hospital?" Aaron asked, swallowing nervously. He remembered the fierce look in the girl''s eyes and with Donaldid up in the hospital... Could she be here for revenge?


    "No clue," Jules replied casually. "Don''t worry about her; she''s not important."

 Chapter 1139

    Aaron watched Jules walk away, his expression a mix of emotions. After a moment, he lowered his gaze and said in a slightly raspy voice, "Don''t underestimate her."


    Who would''ve thought that a girl who seems so innocent could be so formidable?


    Even though Jules was ahead, his keen ears picked up Aaron''s words. He paused, turned around, and asked, "Aaron, you seem to know a lot about Miss Mira, don''t you?"


    Aaron clenched his hand by his side and shook his head, replying, "Just don''t mess with her."


    Jules grew more curious. "Why do you say that?"


    Aaron just pressed his lips together, staying silent.


    Jules noticed Aaron''s unease but decided not to push. "She''ll probably have to leave Riverdale in a few days," he said.


    Aaron hesitated, "What do you mean?"


    Jules gave a slight nod, "Miss Kitty doesn''t want her settling in Riverdale. Even if she tries her hardest to stay, it''s not happening."


    Aaron, familiar with the tactics of high society, immediately caught on to what Jules was implying. "Miss... she..."


    Jules nodded, "Yeah, Miss gave her five days. If she doesn''t leave by then, she''s in for it."


    Hearing this, Aaron didn''t look pleased but rather more rmed. Even though he wanted her gone more than anyone, he feared that Miss''s approach might lead to something bad.


    With this on his mind, Aaron said urgently, "Jules, listen, try talking to Miss. It''s better if she just ignores that girl and everyone goes their own way. No need to push her out of Riverdale."


    "Aaron, you''re acting really odd today. Why do you seem so wary of Miss Mira?" Jules asked, puzzled.


    Aaron opened his mouth, ready to exin his recent hospital stay, but he couldn''t bring himself to say it. "Just... trust me on this, don''t provoke her."


    The impact that girl left was big, no doubt.


    Jules saw Aaron repeating himself and just shook his head, not taking it seriously. "She''s just a young girl. Even if she has connections and isn''t worried about the Cunningham family, what about the ke family?"


    Aaron shook his head, "You don''t get it... Miss Mira, that girl..."


    Jules, not wanting to waste more time, raised a hand to cut him off, "Let''s find the miracle doctor first, that''s what''s important."


    With that, he headed straight for the hospital entrance.


    Aaron followed, his worry deepening with every step. He sighed, trailing behind Jules.


    *


    Meanwhile, Conrad arrived at the hospital and spotted Austin and Kitty at the entrance. He marched over with a serious look, "What''s the deal here? How did you manage to upset the miracle doctor?"


    The sudden questioning left Austin and Kitty stunned. After a moment, Kitty gathered herself and quickly exined, "Mr. Keller, we''ve been waiting here and haven''t even seen the miracle doctor. How could we have offended him?"


    "Yeah, Mr. Keller, maybe there''s been a mix-up?" Austin added after a pause. "We haven''t had any dealings with the miracle doctor. Could he have mistaken us for someone else? Or maybe... he went to the wrong hospital?"

 Chapter 1140

    Conrad furrowed his brow, "Riverdale only has one main hospital. How could she possibly end up at the wrong one?"


    Kitty and Austin exchanged puzzled looks.


    "Since you called about the miracle doctoring, I''ve been waiting right at the entrance. I swear, I haven''t seen anyone fitting that description!" Kitty insisted. She had only been dyed briefly by her niece but kept a vignt eye on the door. There was no way she could have missed the miracle doctor.


    Just then, Jules and Aaron returned.


    "No sign of anyone," Jules murmured as he stood beside Kitty.


    Kitty shot Jules a nce before turning back to Conrad. "Mr. Keller, maybe try calling the miracle doctor again?"


    Conrad''s face darkened further. The earlier phone call with the miracle doctor had left him sour, especially since his follow-up attempts were tly ignored.


    "In all my years with the association, I''ve never been brushed off like this," Conrad muttered, his patience wearing thin. "If I could get through on the phone, do you think I''d be here asking you what''s going on?"


    Seeing Conrad''s frustration, Kitty felt a twinge of anxiety and quickly offered a nervous smile. "Honestly, we didn''t see the miracle doctor."


    She knew the doctor was tight with the head of the Pharmaceutical Association. She''d be trying to win them over, not get on their bad side.


    Conrad was done with exnations. "Oh, by the way, she left a message for you all: ''You''re not worthy."""


    Even a fool could spot the tension in those words.


    Kitty felt a strange familiarity with the phrase but couldn''t quite ce it. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Conrad once more.


    "This miracle doctor is a friend of our president. You''ve really managed to stir things up. As for Mr. Song''s case, you''ll need to find someone else," Conrad said, clearly upset, as he turned to leave.


    Kitty and Austin hurried after him, "Mr. Keller, wait up..."


    They trailed him to the parking lot, but Conrad ignored them, getting straight into his car.


    Watching him drive off, Kitty pressed her temples, feeling utterly bewildered. How had they managed to offend Conrad without ever meeting the miracle doctor?


    Kitty looked over at Austin with a rueful smile, "Looks like Mr. Keller''s convinced we upset the miracle doctor."


    "Mirabe, are you absolutely sure you didn''t meet anyone? Or maybe... someone familiar?" Austin pondered over the cryptic message Conrad had passed along.


    ''You''re not worthy.''


    It had to be someone they knew to say something like that.


    Kitty paused, then nodded, "I''m sure I didn''t meet anyone..." She hesitated and then continued, "Except I did bump into my sister''s daughter. But that''s it."


    "My sister''s daughter?" Austin raised an eyebrow. "What was she doing at the hospital?"


    Kitty shook her head. "I don''t really know. We just exchanged a few words, and then she left."


    It was odd, Kitty recalled, how the girl had left the hospital grounds instead of going inside.

 Chapter 1141

    Austin paused for a moment, pondering Kitty''s words before asking, "Could the eldest sister''s daughter possibly know the miracle healer?"


    Kitty gave him a quick look and shook her head, "No way. That girl showed up alone, and she''s barely in her twenties. How would she have connections with someone like the President of the Pharmacist Association?"


    Coming from a small town, where would she get such ties?


    Kitty didn''t take Mirabe seriously at all.


    "Yeah, that makes sense," Austin nodded. "Right now, we''ve got to get to the bottom of this. Donald''s health can''t wait."


    After mulling it over, Kitty said, "I''ll ring Yara. We''ll need her to ask her teacher to smooth things over with Mr. Keller."


    "Seems like our best shot," Austin agreed.


    Meanwhile, Aaron, who had been quietly listening, recalled the strange incident at Austin''s vi. The girl had used a silver needle to silence both him and Dr. Hulls.


    Seeing Kitty reach for her phone, Aaron hesitated before speaking up, "Could it be..... that the miracle healer is actually Miss Mira''s daughter?"


    Given the bizarre acupuncture he witnessed and today''s events, Aaron had every reason to suspect this.


    Even though he found it hard to believe, he couldn''t dismiss the idea outright.


    Kitty, just about to dial, paused and looked up at Aaron, almost chuckling, "Seriously? Aaron, your imagination''s running wild."


    The eldest sister''s daughter, a miracle healer? No way.


    Seeing Kitty''s skepticism, Aaron stayed quiet for a moment before saying, "Let''s not rule out anything. What if?"


    Kitty shook her head, shifting her gaze away, "There''s no ''what if.""


    And with that, she dialed Yara''s number and walked a few steps away.


    Jules watched Kitty walk off, then nced at Aaron, who looked troubled. Suddenly, he remembered thest thing Miss Mira had said before leaving: "I hope you don''te begging me to return."


    Before that, he recalled Miss Mira mentioning the word ''unworthy.'' And now, Mr. Keller''s message from the miracle healer also used ''unworthy.''


    If it was just a coincidence, it was too much of one.


    Jules''s mind was racing. When Kitty returned after her call, he shared his thoughts with her.


    Listening to him, Kitty found itughable, pressing a hand to her forehead as she scoffed, "Jules, are you going down the same rabbit hole as Aaron?"


    Jules opened his mouth, "It''s just too much of a coincidence..."


    Kitty raised a hand to stop him, "Enough, don''t say more. Yara will call me back soon. I''ve already asked her to have her teacher find out the miracle healer''s contact info. Once we have that, everything will be clear."


    Seeing her determination, Jules fell silent.


    Austin, however, after hearing Jules, frowned deeply. Ignoring Kitty, he pulled Jules aside to get him to recount the situation again.


    Kitty watched Austin''s actions, pursing her lips before focusing back on her phone.


    Barely grown up, yet a miracle healer.


    About five minutester, Yara called Kitty back. After a quick chat, before hanging up, Kitty asked, "By the way, Yara, did you find out the miracle healer''sst name?"


    On the other end, Yara replied, "I didn''t ask."


    Hearing this, Kitty said, "Alright, just send me the number."

 Chapter 1142

    After hanging up, Kitty quickly received a message from Yara on Messenger.


    Looking up, she said to Austin, who was still chatting with Jules, "Hey Emmitt, I''ve got the miracle doctor''s number. Want me to send it your way so you can make the call?"


    Austin didn''t share Kitty''s skeptical view of people. After hearing Jules''s exnation, his doubts about ''the big sister''s daughter being a miracle doctor'' began to fade. He nced at Kitty and nodded, "Sure."


    Kitty copied the number and sent it over to Austin. Holding his phone, Austin stared at the digits on the screen, pausing for a few moments before finally dialing.


    Jules, standing nearby and curious, had peeked at Austin''s screen and memorized thest four digits. When Austin made the call, Jules pulled out his phone and checked Mirabe''s contact info. Thest four digits matched perfectly, and Jules''s face went pale.


    It was really... the same person.


    Austin''s call connected, but doubting the identity of the person on the other end,


    he didn''t speak right away, hoping they''d say something first. But after a couple of seconds of silence, Austin cleared his throat and started, "Hello, miracle doctor, I''m So-" Before he could finish, he was met with the sound of the call disconnecting.


    Frowning, Austin pulled the phone from his ear.


    Seeing this, Kitty asked quickly, "Emmitt, what happened?"


    "The call got dropped," Austin replied, sounding a bit frustrated.


    "Why would they hang up on you? Maybe I should try calling from mine," Kitty suggested.


    Jules, snapping out of his shock, interrupted, "No need, Miss."


    Kitty narrowed her eyes at Jules, who held up his phone. "This number... is definitely Miss Mira''s."


    Since it was Mirabe, that''s why they had run into her. And why, no matter how hard they tried, they could never reach the miracle doctor.


    "Impossible, I don''t buy it!" Kitty eximed, grabbing Jules''s phone. Shepared the number on his screen with the one Yara had sent her. Seeing they matched, she stumbled back, clearly rattled.


    "How could she be the miracle doctor?" Kitty murmured, looking visibly shaken.


    "If the contact info is right, then it''s true," Jules said, his voice strained. Thinking about how they''d unknowingly threatened Miss Mira, telling her to leave Riverdale... Jules felt a headacheing on. Asking her to treat Donald now seemed hopeless.


    Austin turned to Kitty, looking troubled. "Didn''t you check out her family? How did you miss that her daughter was... a doctor?"


    If she was just an average doctor, that''d be one thing. But even Mr. Keller called her a miracle doctor and said she was friends with the president of the Pharmaceutical Association. With those connections, how could she be ordinary?


    They were lucky to know Conrad, and now it seemed his niece was not just a miracle doctor but might also have ties with the Pharmaceutical Association president. Thinking about it all made Austin feel stuck.


    Kitty, feeling the heat of his questioning, was equally annoyed. "How was I supposed to know? The info I found was just about an ordinary person. Who knew she''d suddenly turn out to be some miracle doctor!"

 Chapter 1143

    Kitty rubbed her forehead, still struggling to wrap her head around it. "A twenty- year-old miracle doctor? That sounds like a tall tale."


    Even if such a young prodigy existed, could she really be Delh''s daughter? It seemed too coincidental.


    Kitty''s eyes dropped slightly as she reopened her phone, interrupting Austin before he could speak, and dialed the number. Austin held back his words, watching her.


    The call connected right away but was hung up after two rings. When she tried again, it was out of service, clearly blocked.


    Kitty looked upset as she ended the call. "Still no answer?" Austin asked.


    "Yeah, she''s got quite the attitude," Kitty replied, her voice low. She paused, then messaged Yara on Messenger, double-checking if the number was correct.


    After confirming there was no mistake, Kitty had to reluctantly ept that Mirabe was indeed the one rmended by the head of the Pharmaceutical Association.


    Austin wasn''t feeling any better. "You didn''t give your sister''s daughter too hard a time, did you?" he asked Kitty.


    Kitty''s eyes flickered ufortably as she pursed her lips. "What could I have done? I just told her to leave Prestige College and keep away from my daughter, that''s all."


    If she really wanted to cause trouble, she would have had her out of Riverdale ages ago.


    Austin, familiar with Kitty''s ways, knew her offhandment probably meant more. He rubbed his face and sighed heavily.


    Kitty nced at him and muttered, "Weren''t you the one who arranged for her to be kidnapped before? If we''re talking about making things difficult, that''s it."


    Austin''s expression darkened further. If he''d known the sister''s daughter was so capable and connected, he would have brought her back to the Cunningham family and nurtured her properly, not orchestrated that disaster.


    The air was tense. Jules, observing the two, finally spoke, "Why don''t we call Miss Mira? With everything going on, even if she dislikes the Cunningham family, she wouldn''t ignore her father''s critical condition, right?"


    Jules'' suggestion soothed both Austin and Kitty, especially Kitty.


    That''s right, how could she have forgotten about her sister?


    The girl might refuse to help Donald, but Delh was different. Even if she had cut ties with the Cunningham family, they still shared blood. That bond can''t be severed.


    "I''ll call my sister right now," Kitty said, reaching for her phone again.


    Austin stopped her, "No need for a call. I''ll go see her myself."


    Kitty looked up, surprised. "In person?"


    Austin narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Yes. A call might not convey the urgency. If I go in person, she''ll understand how serious this is."


    "That makes sense..." Kitty agreed, turning off her phone. "You''re always thinking ahead, Emmitt."


    Austin checked the time and turned to Jules, "See if there are any flights tonight."


    Jules quickly looked through his phone. "Yes, there''s one at 10 PM."


    Austin nodded, "Alright, book that flight for me. I''ll get ready to leave."


    After saying this, he grabbed his car keys, paused, and then looked at Aaron, who had been quietly standing by. "Why don''t youe with me, Aaron? You''ve known my sister since she was a kid, too."

 Chapter 1144

    Aaron hesitated for a moment, his mind drifting back to that girl''s fierce determination. He clenched his hand by his side and then spoke softly, "Sorry, Mr. Austin, something''se up at home, and I don''t think I can make it."


    Austin, though a bit let down, didn''t push the issue when he saw the troubled look on Aaron''s face. He waved it off with a casual, "Alright then."


    Aaron let out a sigh of relief. He was genuinely worried that these issues might spiral into unnecessaryplications.


    **


    After leaving the hospital, Mirabe and James found a cozy spot to grab a bite.


    Once they finished dinner, they headed back to their neighborhood.


    As they neared Mirabe''s ce, they noticed a car parked outside, with someone standing beside it.


    Mirabe quickly got out and walked over. "Grady, have you been waiting long? Why didn''t youe inside?" she asked, surprised.


    Grady nced behind her before shaking his head. "Not really. You called me earlier; is something up?"


    Mirabe hadn''t expected Grady toe by in person. After a pause, she said, "The Cunningham family reached out for some medical advice, but I turned them down."


    Grady''s face darkened at the mention, recalling the trouble the Cunningham family had caused in the past. "Are they giving you a hard time again?"


    No wonder there were rumors about someone trying to undermine the Davis family. That sounded exactly like something the Cunningham family would boast about.


    "They don''t have that kind of power, so don''t worry," Mirabe said with a shrug. Having seen her resilience since the whole Zach debacle, Grady watched her thoughtfully before saying, "If you ever need anything, just let me know."


    Mirabe nodded with a smile, changing the topic, "Have you had dinner yet?" Grady, not wanting to admit he hadn''t, coughed and replied, "I have." Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    Grady''s gaze shifted awkwardly. James''s car was still there, headlights on, but only silhouettes were visible inside. He squinted, then turned back, "Are you seeing that young guy from the Shepherd family?"


    The sudden change in topic left Mirabe momentarily confused.


    Grady''s expression remained neutral as he continued, "You''re a bit young to be dating, but I support you. Just don''t limit yourself to one person. There are plenty of amazing people out there. Take your time. If someone isn''t right, move on..." The more he talked, the more Mirabe felt something was off, "...??"


    Her brothers had always been adamant about her not dating, yet Grady seemed to be encouraging her to explore her options?


    Mirabe''s cheeks flushed as she quickly interrupted Grady''s pep talk, "Grady, you''ve got a point. I''ll definitely keep that in mind."


    Grady raised an eyebrow, noticing her dismissive tone but chose not toment. He patted her shoulder with a grin, "Just remember, if you ever want something, there''s no shortage of people willing to help."


    He recalled that the crown prince from the States was quite a catch too.


    Mirabe chuckled uneasily, touching her nose and nodding.


    Grady pulled out his car keys, "Okay, I''ll head out now. Don''t forget to call if you run into any trouble."

 Chapter 1145

    Mirabe straightened up and nodded, "Take care on your way, Grady."


    Grady waved and quickly got into his car. It wasn''t until the car disappeared down the road that Mirabe let out a quiet sigh.


    She never expected someone who seemed so traditional to have such unsettling ideas.


    Just then, James stepped out of the car, walked over, and handed her the bag she''d forgotten. "You left your bag behind."


    Mirabe snapped back to reality, realizing she''d rushed out too quickly to remember it.


    James hadn''t met Grady in person, but from a distance, he sensed something special about the man, like he wasn''t your average Joe. With a raised eyebrow, he asked casually, "Who was that?"


    "An elder from the family," Mirabe replied, thinking it was the best way to describe him.


    James nodded, "Maybe we should meet him sometime, have dinner together." Mirabe shot him a look, "Trying to pull the same move you did with my dad?" James''s handsome face remained calm, "It''s not a move; it''s strategy."


    Mirabe smiled, slightly amused. If he had heard what Grady said earlier, he might regret thatment. Shaking her head, she said, "I''m heading in."


    James nodded. But as Mirabe turned to go, he suddenly pulled her close and kissed her. "Almost forgot today''s kiss."


    Mirabe: "..."


    *


    Austin caught a red-eye flight to Ashford.


    Aaron didn''t tag along, but Jules offered to go with him. He had already checked out the Davis family background and had been to Ashford once before, so he knew his way around.


    When theynded in Ashford, it was already past midnight, so they booked a hotel near the airport, nning to start fresh the next morning.


    The following day.


    Jules led Austin to the first neighborhood where the Davis family had lived.


    Dressed in high-end clothes, Austin walked into the run-down neighborhood, his face scrunched up in disgust. "My sister''s family lives here?"


    Jules nodded while checking the building numbers. "Yeah, this is the address we found."


    Austin, looking at the shabby conditions of the ce, fought the urge to turn around and leave. "This is awful."


    Even the staff quarters at the Cunningham family''s estate were nicer than this ce.


    He couldn''t fathom what his sister was thinking, leaving a life offort to end up living here with some nobody.


    Soon, Jules found the address listed in their information. The building''s ss door was open, so they walked in.


    They took the elevator, hitting the button for the top floor. As they ascended, Austin kept his hand over his nose and mouth, barely tolerating the musty smell.


    Soon, they reached the top floor.


    Austin hurried out of the elevator.


    Jules checked the address on his phone and walked to apartment 01, ringing the doorbell.


    But after waiting a while, no one answered, so Jules pressed the bell again. A few minutester, still no response.


    Jules scratched his head, puzzled. "Weird, the address is right. Someone should be home around this time."


    Already irritated by the smell, Austin frowned deeper and told Jules, "Just knock on the door."


    Jules nodded, already thinking the same thing.


    The building was old and not well soundproofed, so Jules''s loud knocking soon disturbed the neighbors.

 Chapter 1146

    The neighbor next door cracked open their inner door, peering through the


    security door to see Austin and Jules, who was still mid-knock. After a quick once- over, the neighbor decided they didn''t look like trouble and unlocked the security door, sticking their head out. "Who are you looking for?" they inquired.


    Jules, with his hand still hovering in the air, quickly dropped it upon spotting the neighbor. "I''m looking for the folks who live here, but nobody''s answering the doorbell," he exined politely.


    The neighbor looked puzzled, "Who are you guys anyway? Didn''t you know the Mirabe family moved out ages ago?"


    Jules, surprised, asked, "They moved?"


    "Yeah, they moved outst year," the neighbor confirmed with a nod, adding, "No point knocking, the ce is empty now."


    With that, the neighbor closed the door.


    Jules stood there for a moment, processing the news. Just as the neighbor was about to close their inner door, he hurried back, asking, "Can you tell us where they moved to? We really need to talk to them about something important."


    "I''m afraid I don''t know," the neighbor replied.


    Realizing the neighbor wasn''t being evasive, Jules just thanked them and didn''t push further.


    Once the neighbor''s door was shut, Jules turned to Austin, looking bewildered. "This is odd. If they movedst year, why does the detective''s info still say they live here?"


    He was stumped.


    Austin nced at the door, his expression serious. "Do we have any other way to contact them?"


    He hesitated to call Delh just yet, worried it might push her further away.


    Jules shook his head but then seemed to remember something. "Oh, right! Miss Mira''s kids are doing quite well. One''s awyer, and another runs an investment firm..."


    Austin narrowed his eyes. "The one with thepany-do we have their address?"


    "Let me check." Jules looked down at his phone, digging into his email to find the


    file from his detective friend. Soon, he looked up, "Got it."


    Austin turned toward the elevator, hitting the down button. "Let''s go find hispany then."


    "Okay." Jules snapped a screenshot of the address.


    They left the apartmentplex, grabbed a cab, and headed straight for Emmitt''spany.


    About half an hourter, the receptionist escorted them to the top floor.


    Emmitt hadn''t arrived yet, but since Austin mentioned he was the boss''s uncle, the receptionist, though a bit skeptical, noticed a family resemnce. Not wanting to risk being rude, she brought them upstairs.


    "Please have a seat. Mr. Davis will be here shortly," the receptionist said, offering them water before leaving the room.


    Austin, taking in the spacious office, was a bit taken aback. "Looks like Emmitt from the Davis family is doing pretty well."


    From the moment they entered thepany to sitting down, he''d been observing. This ce clearly needed a hefty investment to get off the ground.


    Jules, sipping his water, was also quite impressed. His friend hadn''t dug too deep during the research, but seeing it now, thepany definitely had a big-business vibe.


    Still, remembering Delh''s old, rundown apartment, Jules couldn''t resist a smirk. "These investment firms often have loads of partners. Even a small shareholder can im to be the boss."


    "True enough," Austin chuckled, losing interest in the office around him. "What kind of boss couldpare to the Cunningham family?"

 Chapter 1147

    Emmitt didn''t take long to get to the office. The receptionist had just tried calling him without sess, and when she saw him walk in, she quickly mentioned that someone named Austin was looking for him.


    Emmitt raised an eyebrow, puzzled. An uncle? That was news to him. He headed up in the elevator, his curiosity piqued.


    After dropping off his coat in his office, he made his way to the meeting room, taking his time. The door was slightly open, and Austin and Jules had stopped talking, leaving an awkward silence hanging in the air.


    Emmitt stepped in, keeping his expression neutral as he took in the sight of the two men on the sofa. "What can I do for you guys?" he asked.


    Austin looked up, locking eyes with the young man who had just entered. Emmitt had an undeniable presence, with sharp features and amanding aura that could rival any blue-blooded heir from Riverdale.


    Austin was momentarily taken aback but quickly stood up. "You must be Emmitt?"


    "That''s right. And you are?" Emmitt replied, staying a few steps away, his voice polite but curious.


    "I''m Austin, your mom Delh''s brother, your uncle," Austin exined, looking younger than his forty-something years.


    Emmitt was taken aback. His mom had never mentioned her family, let alone an estrangement from them. Hearing this guy call himself his uncle and name- dropping his mom was a surprise, but it also set off warning bells. The man''s polite demeanor couldn''t hide the arrogance in his eyes, making Emmitt wary.


    Emmitt''s gaze sharpened a bit, not bothering to dwell on the identity im. "So, what''s this about?" he asked directly.


    Austin, not wanting to sugarcoat things, got to the point about Donald''s serious illness. "I can''t reach your mom. She''s been away for years. I think she should see Donald onest time."


    Jules, observing from the side, noted how this approach was more subtle than trying to convince Miss Delh to talk her daughter into getting treatment.


    Emmitt listened, and after a moment, he replied, "If my mom doesn''t want to connect with you, then whatever''s happening in your family doesn''t concern us."


    He knew his mom well enough to understand she wasn''t the type to cut ties without reason. If she hadn''t mentioned her family, they must have done something unforgivable.


    The mention of a grandfather he''d never known stirred no emotions in him.


    Austin frowned, clearly not expecting such a cold response. Emmitt''s indifference was more chilling than that of a stranger.


    Trying to salvage the situation, Jules chimed in, "Cousin, you can''t just dismiss it like that. Blood ties are always there, even if your mom left the Cunningham family..."


    Emmitt didn''t let him finish. "Sorry, but instead of hunting down my mom, maybe you should spend this time with Donald. That''s what family is about, right?"


    Jules''s face went through a series of changes, and he nced at Austin, unsure of what to say next.


    Austin''s gaze turned icy, losing its earlier friendliness. After a pause, he pulled out a business card and a pen from his pocket.

 Chapter 1148

    Austin jotted down the name of his hotel and his room number on a business card and handed it to Emmitt. "No need for a long chat. Just let your mom know. My hotel''s address is on there. Our flight''s at 10 PM, and we''ll be leaving the hotel by 8 at thetest. Whether she wants toe back to Riverdale with me or see her real dad onest time, that''s up to her."


    Without waiting for Emmitt to take the card, Austin casually ced it on the coffee table nearby. He shot a look at Jules, then walked out of the room with an air of inexplicable chilliness.


    Jules watched Emmitt, opened his mouth as if to say something, but all that came out was a resigned sigh before he quickly followed Austin out.


    Emmitt''s eyes lingered on the doorway for a moment before he turned back, picked up the card from the coffee table, and studied the hotel info. He narrowed his eyes slightly before slipping the card into his pocket.


    Jules tagged along with Austin as they left Emmitt''s office building. ncing at Austin, he remarked, "Doesn''t look like we''re getting anywhere with Emmitt."


    Austin''s face was set in a deep frown. If it weren''t for Donald''s illness, Emmitt''s attitude would have been more than enough to stir up some serious trouble.


    Jules paused before suggesting, "Miss Delh''s got another son who''s awyer. Maybe we should try him?"


    Standing on the sidewalk, Austin nced at Jules, his tone icy. "No need. Let''s just head back to the hotel."


    "But with Emmitt''s attitude... there''s a chance he won''t pass the message to Miss Mira," Jules said, sounding a bit anxious.


    They had hoped that finding Emmitt would be a turning point, but instead, they were met with arrogance and coldness.


    What kind of family had Miss Mira married into? Didpassion skip a generation with them?


    Austin''s expression was unreadable. "We''ll see."


    Jules sighed, decided to drop it, and hailed a cab. They headed straight back to the hotel.


    By 4 PM, Emmitt''s assistant was running through his schedule for theing days. "You also have a dinner meeting at 7 tonight with the general manager from Howard & Rond..."


    After finishing the rundown, the assistant was about to leave when Emmitt, who had been idly interlocking his fingers, stood up. "Cancel tonight''s dinner."


    The assistant turned around, surprised. "Cancel? It took a lot to set that up. It might not look good to back out now."


    "Don''t worry about it. The deal''s not going anywhere. We can reschedule," Emmitt replied nonchntly, grabbing his car keys and putting on his coat before heading out.


    The assistant watched his boss''s retreating figure, puzzled. It had been ages since he''d seen Emmitt act so unexpectedly.


    Emmitt drove back to the Davis family mansion, parking his car in the garage and staying put, unsure whether to bring up Austin''s visit.


    It wasn''t until there was a knock on the window that Emmitt snapped out of his thoughts and got out of the car.


    "Why have you been sitting in the car so long?" Shawn asked, looking at his eldest son with curiosity.


    He had seen Emmitt drive in from the second-floor balcony but noticed he hadn''te inside, which piqued his interest.


    Emmitt greeted his dad and admitted, "Just thinking about some things."

 Chapter 1149

    "What''s got you so deep in thought? You''re even frowning," Shawn asked, breaking the silence.


    "Oh, it''s nothing," Emmitt replied with a slight smile, ncing out towards the driveway. He casually added, "By the way, is Mom home?"


    "Yeah, she''s watching TV."


    Emmitt nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets as he mulled things over. "Hey, Dad, do you know much about Mom''s side of the family?"


    Shawn looked a bit taken aback, "Why are you bringing this up now?"


    Noting his father''s reaction, Emmitt realized he might know something. He pulled out a business card. "Someone from the Cunningham family visited me this morning."


    Shawn''s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Austin''s name embossed in gold on the card. "What did they want?"


    "They said Donald Cunningham is critically ill and asked if Mom could visit..." Emmitt ryed the message, then asked, "Why did Mom leave the Cunningham family in the first ce?"


    Shawn took the card, his voice turning icy, "Aside from your mom, there''s not a decent person in the Cunningham family."


    It was the first time Emmitt had seen his father so cold, a stark contrast to his usual warm demeanor.


    Without further exnation, Shawn turned and walked into the house.


    Emmitt hesitated for a moment before following him inside.


    In the living room, Delh was surprised to see Emmitt home early, "Emmitt?"


    Emmitt nced at Shawn, unsure of his intentions, and simply nodded, "Work was slow today, so I got back early."


    "Oh, alright," Delh replied, though she noticed something was off with Shawn and called him again.


    Shawn turned to Delh, his hands behind his back, still holding the business card.


    Years had passed, and while the Cunningham family was rarely discussed at home, some things couldn''t be avoided.


    With a soft sigh, Shawn motioned towards the bedroom, "Honey, I need to talk to you."


    Delh''s eyebrows raised slightly, her smile faltering a bit before she stood up.


    The two of them soon went into the bedroom.


    **


    Later that evening, around eight o''clock at the hotel, Austin sat on the suite''s sofa, arms crossed, his eyes fixed coldly on the phone on the coffee table.


    All day, apart from calls from the Cunningham family, there hadn''t been any from unfamiliar numbers.


    Jules checked his watch and looked at Austin, "Looks like Miss Mira isn''ting." Austin closed his eyes for a moment, trying to quell his frustration.


    "Should we give her a call?" Jules suggested quietly, hoping they wouldn''t leave empty-handed.


    He couldn''t understand why Austin was so adamant about not calling Delh. A phone call might clear things up.


    "No need. If she''s not here by eight, we''re leaving," Austin said, standing up.


    That afternoon, he had Jules book a flight back to Riverdale, not nning to linger.


    "Alright," Jules nodded, unsure of Austin''s reasoning but willing to go along with it.


    Eight o''clock came and went. The phone stayed silent, and no one knocked on the door.


    Austin told Jules to grab the luggage, his face unreadable. But Jules, knowing him well, felt a chill run down his spine.


    Miss Mira had truly crossed a line with Mr. Austin this time.


    As they checked out downstairs, Austin''s phone buzzed in his pocket.


    It was a text message.

 Chapter 1150

    After reading the message, Austin''s mood finally lightened up a bit.


    Jules noticed him holding his phone and asked while tucking away his ID, "Did Miss Mira get back to you?"


    Austin turned off the screen and nodded, "Yeah. Let''s head to the airport."


    "Is sheing back?" Jules asked, already having a hunch but wanting confirmation as he trailed behind Austin.


    A smirk crept onto Austin''s lips as he let out a soft chuckle, "My sister has always been unique. Push her too hard, and it just backfires." Some things never really change, do they?


    That was why he had insisted on not calling her, opting to leave Emmitt a business card instead.


    Jules rubbed his nose and decided not to dig any deeper. As long as she''s returning, there''s no worry about Miss Mira not helping Donald.


    They made their way back to Riverdale overnight. Thankfully, Romero''s condition was stable with no newplications, which gave Austin a much-needed sigh of relief.


    **


    The next day.


    At noon, Mirabe received a message from As on Messenger, letting her know her parents were in Riverdale.


    Unfazed by the news, Mirabe seemed to have expected it. After all, she had ignored all the calls from the Cunningham family, anticipating something like this would happen.


    After some contemtion, Mirabe called As to sort out a few things.


    Meanwhile, Delh and Shawn, havingnded at noon, didn''t bother contacting any Cunningham family members. They headed straight to the hospital.


    As, adhering to Miss Mira''s instructions, informed Delh about which room Romero was in and waited downstairs.


    No one from the Cunningham family was at the hospital then. But even if they were, they''d have to pretend otherwise.


    The visit went smoothly. Delh donned a sterile gown and entered the room, her eyes clouded with a mix of emotions at the sight of Donald hooked up to a respirator.


    Austin had nailed it with one observation: no matter how severed ties might be, the connection of blood remains strong.


    After standing in silence for about fifteen minutes, Delh finally stepped out of the room.


    Waiting outside, Shawn asked, "Are you alright?"


    "I''m okay," Delh replied, shaking her head.


    Herplexion was pale. Since learning the news yesterday, she hadn''t managed much sleep.


    It wasn''t so much sadness, but the revtion that her estranged father, who had cruelly cast her out, was now critically ill. It left her old resentment adrift, with nowhere to anchor.


    "I talked to the doctor. Things don''t look too good," Shawn mentioned, briefly going over the worst-case scenarios the doctor had outlined.


    Delh looked through the ss into the room. After a moment, she lowered her gaze, her eyshes casting shadows on her cheeks, "Everyone faces their day eventually."


    Shawn wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, "It''s best to keep things in perspective."


    "Yeah," Delh nodded, "Let''s get going."


    Before long, they headed downstairs.


    As, seeing they had finished visiting, dismissed his men and drove the pair back to the vi.


    *


    Kitty and Austin found out about Delh''s hospital visitter that afternoon.


    "Emmitt, didn''t you have people stationed at the hospital? Howe nobody informed us?" Kitty stood outside the room, her expression stern as she addressed Austin.


    She wouldn''t have known if she hadn''t asked about Donald''s condition herself.


    "My guy was knocked out and left in the emergency stairwell," Austin replied, his face clouded with frustration.


    Kitty''s thoughts immediately flickered back to the people who had spirited their sister away back then-each one of them exuding a dangerous edge.

 Chapter 1151

    Kitty''s lips curled with a hint of disdain. "Bro, did you forget? Didn''t our sister run off with some lowlifes back in the day?"


    Only those uncouth hooligans would resort to something as brutal as knocking someone out cold.


    Austin didn''t remember much from decades ago, but the scandal of their sister running off with riff-raff still lingered, nearly tarnishing the Cunningham family''s reputation in their social circles. No well-bred heiress had ever been so recklessly impulsive before.


    "But now, sister just got back to Riverdale, and she''s already knocked out the people you sent. Is she trying to show off or what?" Kitty added, suddenly recalling something.


    Hearing this, Austin thought about the time he went to Ashford to find someone, and how his sister had dodged him. His gaze turned icy. "She better keep a low profile."


    Kitty lowered hershes, hiding her glittering eyes, and murmured in agreement. "It''s obvious she still doesn''t want to see us. So about her daughtering here for treatment..."


    "As long as they''re in Riverdale, there''s no reason not to meet," Austin replied coolly.


    Kitty nodded. "Okay, how about this? I''ll book a restaurant, and Emmitt, you invite her for dinner. If I call her, she''ll probably ignore me."


    Austin thought for a moment and agreed, "Alright."


    "Oh, and Emmitt, pick up her daughter too. We''re all family, after all," Kitty added.


    Austin''s focus was on Mirabe. If a dinner could clear up any misunderstandings, that would be perfect. After thinking it over, he said, "I''ll go to the school myself to pick her up."


    Kitty gave him a sideways nce, noticing something strange in his eyes, which made her feel uneasy. She knew Austin too well; he''d only be nice if he saw some use in someone. Clearly, he saw Delh''s daughter as a genius doctor with connections to the Pharmacists'' Association, and he wanted to take this opportunity to win her over.


    "By the way, give Yara a call and ask her to join us for dinner. The kids are both at Prestige College; they should have stuff inmon," Austin suggested.


    Hearing this, Kitty was even more displeased but didn''t show it, responding with a cool, "That might not work. Yara''s been busy with a marine engineering project with her teacher. She''s so busy she hasn''t evene home and has been staying in the dorm."


    Thinking he could use her daughter to charm Delh''s daughter? Not likely.


    Austin, a bit disappointed but not pushing it, said, "No worries, there''ll be other times."


    Kitty didn''t reply, just took out her phone and stepped aside to make a call, arranging for a hotel reservation.


    At school, Mirabe had just one ss that afternoon. Afterward, she went straight to theb building. As soon as she stepped into theb, she saw Zane, Linden, and a few others looking overjoyed.


    Mirabe hung her bag on a chair and nced at them with suspicion as she powered up herputer.


    "Hey, Mirabe, got some good news. Wanna hear?" Zane grinned widely, holding a document.


    Mirabe blinked and asked, "Are they going to give us a bonus early?"


    Zane, who was excited to share that their research project had caught the higher- ups'' attention, was momentarily speechless.


    This troublemaker sure knew how to kill the vibe.

 Chapter 1152

    Mirabe noticed Zane''s suddenly serious face and quickly put on a small smile. "What''s the good news, Professor? I''m all ears."


    Zane''s lips twitched, and nearby, Linden, Jessie, and a few others almost burst outughing at her sudden change in demeanor.


    "A couple of days ago, I submitted the first phase of our artificial intelligence system program to the National Institute of Science and Technology. They''ve shown a lot of interest in our project and even asked us for a more detailed proposal," Zane said, trying to keep his excitement in check.


    This artificial life system was already a significant project at the institute, with manybs across the country researching it. When Wade initially brought this project to Zane, it was more of a shot in the dark, hoping he might give it a go. Even Zane had his doubts about standing out among the manybs in the country.


    After all, their experimental program was crafted entirely by these young, lesser- known talents, far removed from the experienced researchers in the field.


    When Zane got the call from the institute that afternoon, he was stunned and took a while to wrap his head around the fact that ''their proposal was selected.'' He couldn''t wait to share the news with his students.


    Mirabe just nodded at Zane''s words. Unlike the joy on everyone''s faces, she remained calm. "Guess the institute knows talent when they see it."


    If their proposal hadn''t been chosen, it would''ve meant the institute was missing the mark on future tech breakthroughs.


    Zane''s lips twitched again, wondering where this kid got her confidence, as if being chosen was just another day for her. Looking at Mirabe, Zane''s bubbling excitement suddenly mellowed. He cleared his throat and said, "Since you handled the coreputation, it makes sense for you to draft the detailed experimental proposal."


    As soon as Mirabe settled in front of theputer, she looked up, clearly reluctant about the task. "I''m not cut out for this. I just know my way aroundputers. This detailed work should go to the seniors."


    Her words hung in the air, leaving everyone a bit stunned.


    Being the lead on an experimental proposal can be a big boost to one''s career. Many research teams have fallen apart over credit disputes, with arguments sometimes even leading to the disbandment of teams.


    Before Mirabe arrived, Zane had asked Linden, Jessie, and the others, who all agreed without hesitation that Mirabe should take the lead. She was the brain behind the coreputation, after all.


    But her refusal caught everyone off guard.


    "You might not realize how much being the lead on this proposal could help your career," Linden started, trying to exin the importance to Mirabe.


    Mirabe sighed, cutting him off, "Please, let me chase my dream of staying indifferent to fame and fortune!"


    Linden was left speechless, not knowing how to respond.


    "Yeah, you''re really indifferent to fame and fortune," Zane chuckled dryly, thinking of how she always asked about bonuses.


    Mirabe coughed softly, turning her attention back to theputer and opening up a program.


    Zane shook his head and, after checking with Linden and the others, decided that Linden would take on the task of writing the experimental proposal.

 Chapter 1153

    Austin had ns to meet Delh for dinner that night. Once those were squared away, he headed over to Prestige College. He wasn''t quite sure when Mirabe would be done for the day, but given that the Cunningham family made annual donations to the college, Austin knew a few people on campus. After a quick chat with a familiar face, he drove right in.


    He parked in the designated lot and, unfamiliar with theyout, followed the signs to the Biology Department. Not knowing his way around, he made a beeline for the admin building to ask for help in tracking down Mirabe.


    The staff there knew Mirabe well. When they heard Austin was her uncle, they quickly checked her schedule. "She only had one ss today, and it wrapped up early," they said.


    Austin paused, "Does that mean she''s already left?"


    The staff member shrugged, "Hard to say. Some students stick around for extra study, while others take off. Maybe try giving her a call?"


    Austin thanked them and was about to leave when he bumped into Zaneing in. He stepped aside with a polite nod.


    Zane gave him a quick nce before heading over to the staff member. They exchanged nods of recognition. The staff, recalling how Mirabe often hung around Zane, turned to him, "Hey, Mr. Lewis, have you seen Mirabe today?"


    "Which student?" Zane asked, confused.


    "Mirabe."


    Zane''s face lit up with recognition, "Oh, right. What''s up?"


    Austin caught their conversation and turned to Zane.


    The staff pointed Austin''s way, "Her uncle''s here looking for her."


    Zane turned to Austin, who nodded and exined, "I''ve tried calling her, but no luck."


    Recognizing Austin''s politeness, Zane didn''t think much of it and replied, "She''s still in theb. Should be done in about half an hour."


    Austin was a bit taken aback by the mention of theb.


    In their family, Yara was the standout, often hailed as a genius at Prestige College and involved in major research projects. Kitty, her mother, never missed a chance to brag. So, the mention of theb wasn''t new to Austin.


    Even though he wasn''t well-versed in biology, he knew that being in theb meant Mirabe was someone of importance.


    With this in mind, Austin thanked Zane and, with a more serious look, added, "Since you''re Mirabe''s teacher, I''d love to ask you a few things about her, if you have a moment?"


    It''s prettymon for family members to want to check in on a student''s progress, so Zane asked Austin to hold on while he wrapped up some work chat with the staff. Soon enough, he led Austin to his office.


    Zane had a lot of respect for Mirabe, which showed in how courteously he treated Austin. He answered Austin''s questions with nothing but praise, nine out of ten times.


    In short, if there was one word to describe her, it was "exceptional."


    Hearing Zane''s glowing reviews, Austin felt a mix of surprise and pride. He hadn''t expected his niece to be such a standout, both in medicine and at school. While she might not outshine Yara, her future looked incredibly bright.


    Austin suddenly regretted not making a better first impression on Mirabe when he had the chance.

 Chapter 1154

    Austin didn''t linger at Zane''s ce for long; once he got the gist of things, he made his way out. He timed it perfectly, pulling his car up to the main entrance just in time to wait for someone.


    Mirabe stepped out of the school gates about ten minutes after Austin started waiting, coinciding with As''s car arriving and parking nearby. Having already seen her photo from Jules, Austin recognized her instantly. She was stunning, with an air of cool detachment, her eyes disying a sharp intensitypletely different from Yara''s gentle elegance.


    Austin, hands tucked in his jeans pockets, quickly masked his surprise at seeing her in person with a rare warm smile. "Mira," he called out.


    Mirabe nced at Austin, whose features bore a slight resemnce to Delh''s, but didn''t break her stride, continuing towards the curb as if she hadn''t heard him.


    Austin''s face tightened for a moment, but he quickly pulled himself together, falling into step beside her with a touch of good-natured persistence. "Mira, I''m your uncle. I came all the way here to take you out for lunch..."


    Mirabe didn''t look his way, her ck coat amplifying her aloofness. Her presence was intimidating, even to Austin.


    He hesitated for a second, then continued, "...and your mom''s already at the restaurant, just waiting for us."


    At this, a flicker of something crossed Mirabe''s otherwise indifferent gaze. She paused, tilting her head slightly to look at Austin.


    Her eyes were deep, devoid of warmth.


    Austin felt a hitch in his breath. His niece''s presence was indeed formidable.


    "Is it a family trait, you Cunninghams, to make such unwee advances?" Mirabe remarked coolly.


    Austin''s expression shifted, but before he could respond, As, who had been patiently waiting by the car, had already noticed the situation and approached.


    Before Austin could say a word, As stepped in, cing himself firmly between Austin and Miss Mira. With an intimidating aura, he wasn''t like the usual bluffing thugs; his unyielding demeanor was more like that of a grim reaper.


    Austin instinctively stepped back. "Who are you?"


    As shot Austin a frosty look, clearly showing their previous encounter hadn''t left


    a mark. Ignoring him, he turned to Mirabe with a respectful nod, softly asking, "Miss Mira, were you frightened?"


    If she had been, his fists were already itching for action.


    Mirabe''s expression settled back to normal. "Not really."


    As, somewhat disappointed, redirected his gaze to Austin and curtlymanded, "Leave."


    Though Austin felt a jolt from As''s aggressive stance, he was a Cunningham, and being told to ''leave'' in such a manner didn''t sit well with him.


    He tilted his head, locking eyes with Mirabe, his voice steady. "It''s just a meal, do you really have to make such a fuss? We''re family, after all."


    Mirabe adjusted the strap of her backpack, her slender fingers ying with it thoughtfully. She nodded slightly. "The word ''family'' does sound quite novel," she paused, then added with a light tone, "So, here''s the question: are we really family?"

 Chapter 1155

    Austin took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool, and said with a surprising gentleness, ¡°Your mom''sst name is Song, which makes you my niece. How can we not be family? Besides, family squabbles shouldn''tst. Even if there were misunderstandings, you should at least give your uncle a chance to apologize,


    right?"


    This was probably the nicest thing Austin had ever managed to say.


    With anyone else, apologizing would be unthinkable.


    Mirabe couldn''t help but chuckle, "When I was of no use, I got kicked out and cut off. And now you have the nerve to say we''re family? Is shamelessness a Cunningham family tradition?"


    Her words made Austin''s face flush with a mix of embarrassment and anger. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "So, are you just going to abandon your mother?"


    He was making it clear that no matter what, Mirabe was expected to attend the event tonight.


    Ignoring Austin, Mirabe turned to As and asked, "As, where''s my mom right now?"


    As, who had earlier seen Delh and Shawn back to the vi, had left someone to keep an eye on them. He quickly pulled out his phone to check.


    Mirabe nodded slightly, unfazed by Austin''s threats.


    As he listened to them talk, Austin was busy trying to figure out who As really was or, more importantly, who his sister had married.


    The man standing before him had an air of authority that was far from ordinary.


    As soon ended the call, nced at Austin, and turned to Mirabe, "Ma''am, she''s at the Riverview Restaurant." He paused and added, "Miss Mira, rest easy. On her home turf, your mom''s safe."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, not particrly worried about Delh''s safety. Austin was just trying to use Delh to coax her into helping Romero.


    Austin was puzzled by As''sment about "her own territory."


    "Should I arrange for someone to get her out now?" As asked, snapping Austin back to the present.


    Mirabe gave Austin a thoughtful look, then shook her head. "No need. Since we''re invited for dinner, I might as well join in the fun."


    As shot Mirabe a knowing nce, sensing she was up to something significant, and cleared his throat. ¡°Alright, I''ll drive you there now."


    Mirabe nodded slightly, then without a second nce at Austin, headed for the car parked by the curb.


    Austin, hearing her words, doubted she was serious, thinking it might all be an act.


    His gaze darkened. Tonight''s dinner was crucial, and he needed his niece there. As he started to call her back, As blocked his path.


    Despite being taken aback by As''s confidence, Austin held his ground and said firmly, "Crossing the Cunningham family won''t end well for you."


    As cracked his neck with a couple of satisfying clicks and, smiling, said, "Mr. Austin, let me give you some advice: don''t forget the pain just because the wound''s healed."


    Austin frowned, not quite getting the message, but it was obvious As wasn''t keen on any more chit-chat, as he turned and walked away.


    Dressed in ck, As''smanding presence and sharp aura lingered as he left.


    As the car pulled away and vanished from sight, Austin finally snapped out of his daze, realizing the impact of the encounter.

 Chapter 1156

    That silhouette... it was unmistakably the same as the one who had sneaked into his vi that night and attacked him. Austin could still vividly recall lying on the floor, unable to move, as the intruder turned on all the lights in the living room, strutting out with an air of arrogance.


    If the man who ambushed him that night was indeed this guy, then all the mysteries of recent days suddenly made sense. Austin had forcibly brought that girl back to his vi, which prompted the other party to retaliate, leaving Aaron and the doctor seriously injured and eventuallying back to teach him a lesson. No wonder that man warned him not to forget the pain once the wound heals. It was a tant warning.


    Austin''s face went pale. Who was this guy who wasn''t even afraid of the Cunningham family? And why did he show such respect toward his sister''s daughter?


    His thoughts were racing when his phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of his spiraling theories. He took a deep breath, pulled out his phone, and saw Kitty was calling. As he headed to his car, he answered the call.


    "Emmitt, did you pick up the person?" Kitty''s warm voice flowed through the line.


    "No," Austin replied, opening his car door and sliding in, his eyes drifting to the car window. "By the way, has sis already arrived at the restaurant?¡±


    Kitty was standing outside the hotel''s private dining room as she called Austin. "She''s been there for a while now."


    Austin tightened his grip on the phone, his voice steady and calm. "Did shee alone?"


    "Yeah, she came by herself. Her husband didn''t show up," Kitty replied, assuming Austin was just making small talk. She chuckled lightly, "Probably someone who prefers to stay in the shadows."


    Recalling As''s earlier attitude, Austin paused before advising, "Have a good chat with her. We''re all family, so no conflict and definitely no bringing up old stuff. I''ll be there soon."


    After giving his instructions, he ended the call. Kitty pursed her lips, trying to tamp down her irritation.


    Her brother must be blind, she thought. Clearly, they didn''t think much of them, yet he put his niece on a pedestal. Was it just because she could heal people and knew the president of the Pharmaceutical Association? What''s so special about that? Was she better than her daughter?


    Kitty tucked her phone away, headed to the restroom once more, and nced at her reflection in the mirror. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes were all too noticeablepared to Delh''s seemingly agelessplexion. The difference was striking. To anyone who didn''t know, they might think she was the older sister and Delh the younger, despite their five to six-year age gap.


    Swallowing her jealousy, Kitty quickly freshened up her makeup. Once done, she made her way back to the private dining room. But before she even reached the door, she noticed two men dressed in ck standing on either side, looking quite intimidating.


    Kitty frowned, clutching her purse tightly as she approached. Even though the men were a bit daunting, she showed no fear and asked coolly, "What''s the deal with you two standing here in front of my room? You sure you''re not in the wrong spot?"


    The two men remained silent, staring straight ahead without acknowledging her. Kitty had never met such peculiar individuals before. She started doubting if she had the wrong room, but a quick nce at the name above the door confirmed she was right.


    She tried asking them a few more questions, but they continued to ignore her, as if she were invisible.

 Chapter 1157

    Kitty was fuming, almost to the point where her face seemed to change color, but she held back from barking orders at the two men standing in front of her. Emmitt hadn''t shown up yet, so there was no way these guys were his doing. The only logical exnation was that her big sister, Delh, was causing trouble.


    Pushing down her irritation, Kitty swung open the door to the private dining room. Just seeing Delh lounging there made her temper re up. "Sis, what''s up with those two bouncers at the door? Afraid we''re gonna bite?"


    It was all so over-the-top, like Delh was some celebrity with a security detail.


    Delh barely reacted to Kitty''s usations, giving her a dry look. "You feeling okay?"


    Kitty had already dismissed Austin''s earlier advice and pointed towards the door. "Seriously, take a look. Two guys standing out there. You''re telling me you didn''t set that up?"


    Seeing Kitty so worked up, Delh thought for a moment but didn''t bother to go check. "And if I did? What''s it to you?"


    Kitty let out a shortugh, "Sis, we haven''t seen each other in ages. We''re just here for a meal and a chat. Isn''t having those guys outside a bit over-the-top?"


    Delh calmly set her coffee cup down, her eyes sharp and cutting. "Oh? And who exactly are ''those guys''?"


    Kitty was momentarily at a loss but quickly recovered with a smirk. "You know exactly who they are. Why the act?"


    Delh nced at Kitty, recalling how she might have argued back in the day, but now she just shook her head, not willing to waste her breath.


    Kitty couldn''t stand Delh''s calm demeanor. Her expression darkened, and she said coldly, "Are you going to ask them to leave, or should I get the hotel staff to do it?"


    Delh gave her a sidelong look, "If you want to stir up trouble, go ahead."


    Kitty took that as a challenge, so she smirked, fished out her phone, and called Jules at the hotel lobby, telling him to get the manager involved.


    The manager was a friend, so getting rid of those two wouldn''t be a problem. After hanging up, Kitty tucked her phone away, pulled up a chair, and sat down with her arms crossed, her dark red lipstick adding to her defiant look.


    This was her turf. Who did they think they were to challenge her? Ridiculous.


    Delh watched Kitty but didn''t engage. Instead, she pulled out her phone, remembering she hadn''t updated her daughter about her trip to Riverdale. She opened Messenger and sent a quick text.


    It wasn''t long before Jules showed up with the hotel manager and a few burly security guards, all carrying batons.


    Despite their intimidating presence, they were no match for the men stationed by As at the door.


    The hotel manager approached, unfazed, brows knit in concern. These guys clearly weren''t the friendly type, and their presence could unsettle the other guests.


    He spoke firmly, though politely, "Gentlemen, you''re disrupting business. I need you to leave immediately."


    His words were courteous, but his stance was firm. The manager knew the hotel''s backing was solid and wasn''t worried about stirring up trouble.


    Even with these tough-looking guys, he was standing his ground!

 Chapter 1158

    As''s crew stood firmly, barely acknowledging the hotel manager as they coolly remarked, "Mind your own business."


    The manager, taken aback by their audacity, pointed to the badge on his chest, "I''m the manager here, and anything concerning our guests'' safety is my business."


    Beside him stood Mrs. ke''s trusted aide, and failing to enforce the rules in her presence would be a real embarrassment.


    "So, kindly wait elsewhere or head to our security office," the manager added, stepping aside to let them through.


    As he moved, the security guards behind him prepared to intervene, hinting at a possible confrontation.


    One of As''s men squinted, reaching for his phone, but upon spotting two people approaching from the other end of the corridor, he slipped the phone back into his pocket.


    The manager, facing away, didn''t notice the neers. Seeing the man''s action, he scoffed, "If you won''tply, we''ll have to insist."


    Turning to Jules with a slightly apologetic tone, he added, "Sorry about this. We''ll make sure this doesn''t happen again."


    Jules nodded, "You''re being too kind. Today''s mix-up is really on ourdy''s friend not understanding the rules. If anyone should be apologizing, it''s us."


    The manager waved his hand, signaling the head of security.


    The head nodded, leading a few guards to surround and remove As''s men.


    Just then, As and Mirabe arrived, noticing the guards'' actions. He frowned, "What''s going on?"


    His men quickly exined with deference.


    As nced at the manager and then at Jules, piecing together the situation.


    He muttered a curse under his breath, opting not to borate further before pulling out his phone to make a call.


    The manager''s face turned pale, about to speak but froze upon hearing As demand the general manager''s presence, hinting at a high-level connection.


    Unease crept over him, wondering if As was a high-ranking executive he hadn''t met.


    Jules was equally surprised, having only seen As at a distance a couple of times near the school, knowing him as Miss Mira''s driver. Yet, the driver exuded an unexpected authority.


    Within two minutes of As''s call, the general manager rushed over, almost jogging, sweat glistening on his forehead.


    "Mr. Shawn..." the manager began, only to be sharply silenced.


    Approaching As, the general manager bowed, "As," then turned to Mirabe with utmost respect, "Miss Mira."


    The manager, witnessing the general manager''s humble demeanor, turned pale, grasping the seriousness of the situation.

 Chapter 1159

    Jules waspletely fixated on the fact that the hotel manager had just


    addressed Mirabe as "Miss Mira." This hotel was the top choice for the elite of Riverdale to gather, not just for its offerings but also because its mysterious owner wasn''t tied to any of the local families, making them a subject of intrigue.


    At that moment, the way the manager called her "Miss Mira" was far from the usual way you''d address a high-societydy. Jules stared at Mirabe, his eyes brimming with questions, sensing that something was amiss, beyond anything he could have imagined.


    As Jules puzzled over this, As shot the manager a cold look. "Seems like some employees can''t tell the difference between rank and file, yet they still hold positions of authority, Mr. Shawn. Maybe you need a clearer lens."


    Mr. Shawn was so embarrassed he couldn''t even meet As''s gaze. "I''m sorry, As. I didn''t manage properly. I''ll handle it immediately."


    There was a rumor floating around among the management that whenever Miss Mira visited, the executives she encountered either got raises or promotions. Today, it seemed luck wasn''t on his side. Forget about a raise or promotion; he was just hoping not to be sidelined.


    Hearing Mr. Shawn mention "handling it," the manager stumbled. Being put on the chopping block by thepany meant he might not find his footing in Riverdale again. All he did was try to do Kitty a favor, and this was the oue?


    Meanwhile, in the private room, Kitty was checking the time, thinking Jules should have already had the hotel staff boot out the two goons at the door. She smirked and stood up from her chair.


    Just as she took a few steps towards the door, she paused and turned to Delh, her eyes filled with arrogance. "Big sis, aren''t you worried your people might get thrown out of the hotel?"


    Delh lifted her head slightly, "You should be worrying about yourself."


    Kitty let out a snort, tired of Delh''s theatrics. One minute she was using her of asking for trouble, the next she was telling her to watch her back. Did Delh think she was some kind of queen ruling over everyone''s fate?


    Kitty rolled her eyes and turned away, speechless.


    Just then, the door swung open unexpectedly. Kitty jumped, but when she saw the two bodyguards she thought had been kicked out standing there, her expression shifted multiple times. What was Jules up to, leaving them here?


    Kitty frowned, her eyesnding on As standing beside Mirabe. A shiver ran through her; this guy had an even stronger presence than the two at the door.


    However, she quickly snapped back to reality, ignoring As and focusing on Mirabe. When she''d called Emmitt earlier, he said he hadn''t picked anyone up. So how had she shown up here on her own?


    Hearing themotion, Delh looked up and was momentarily stunned to see her daughter. She quickly stood and approached Mirabe. "Sweetheart, how did you get here?"


    Mirabe gave Delh a calm look and sighed, "Mainly because your fighting skills aren''t quite there yet."


    Delh was left speechless.


    Mirabe didn''t bother greeting Kitty and walked straight into the room. As nodded at Delh and followed Mirabe. After she sat down, he took his ce standing behind her, dressed in ck, his face a mask of cool indifference.


    The pair, one seated and one standing, radiated an intense aura that filled the room. Delh watched, her temples throbbing. How had her sweet daughter changed so much in just six months?

 Chapter 1160

    Using Kitty''s words, those two looked like real bandits. Delh rubbed her temples and made her way over. Kitty nced around the room, then at the two "bouncers" at the door, her face sour. "Didn''t I ask you to handle those guys at the entrance?" she whispered to Jules.


    Jules was still a bit out of it, having just seen the hotel manager get the boot. Even as an outsider, he felt the tension, like the drama wasn''t just about the manager but him too. Kitty shot him a sharp look, and when he stayed quiet, she snapped, "Lost your voice?"


    Jules snapped back to reality, nced up at As, who was standing behind Mirabe, and stammered, "Ma''am, Miss Mira seems to have some ties with this hotel."


    Kitty''s first thought was that Jules had to be kidding. "Her? Ties with this hotel? She grew up in the sticks... how''s that possible?"


    Jules lowered his gaze, pausing before speaking. "But don''t forget, that girl from the sticks turned into a miracle worker overnight."


    Kitty blinked, clearly caught off guard by his point. Jules was about to continue when the door swung open, cutting him off. He stopped and looked up.


    Austin strolled in, spotting Jules and Kitty standing near the entrance. "Why are you both hanging around here? Did you set up those two at the door?"


    Jules nodded at Austin, letting the earlier conversation drop. Kitty''s focus shifted, and she just shrugged. "We''re good citizens, can''t afford to hire such shady types."


    Austin gave her a look. "Big sister''s crew?"


    He peered into the room, spotting Mirabe and As, looking a bit surprised. He hadn''t expected Mirabe to actually show up. He thought her promise at the school gate was just a polite brush-off.


    "Yep, big sister''s crew, making quite the entrance," Kitty replied with a smirk. Austin paused for a moment, ignoring the guys at the door, and murmured to Kitty, "Business first," before moving inside.


    Kitty watched Emmitt''s eagerness to impress big sister''s family and snickered to herself. Trying to impress them? They might not even give you the time of day.


    Shaking her head, she headed back to her seat. After some small talk, Austin turned to Delh, "Big sister, let''s swing by the hospital to see Donald after dinner. It''s been over twenty years, and his health isn''t great now."


    He acted like he didn''t know Delh had already paid a visit. "I''ve been," Delh replied, her voice even, "Everyone goes through the cycle of life."


    Decades had dulled the sting of old grudges, leaving just the thin thread of blood between father and daughter. Kitty''s lips twisted into a slight smile. "Life cycle, huh? Big sister, you sure make it sound easy..."

 Chapter 1161

    After a moment, Kitty shook her head with a touch of sarcasm. "Well, that checks out. You''ve been gone for years, never showing any respect or care for Dad. Naturally, you wouldn''t give a damn whether he''s kicking or not."


    Delh''s face tightened at those words, and her grip on her daughter''s hand got a little firmer.


    Mirabe shot a nce at Kitty. "As far as I know, wasn''t it your Cunningham family that tossed my mom out without a second thought? What, got a case of selective memory?"


    Kitty, who was always treated with respect wherever she went, couldn''t stand being called out by someone younger. Her temper red. "Watch your mouth, youngdy. This is adult talk."


    Delh''s expression turned icy. "Why shouldn''t my daughter speak? She''s speaking on my behalf. Who do you think you are, ying the elder card here?" She could handle any insults aimed at her, but mess with her daughter? No way. Kitty''s face soured. "You..."


    "Let it go, Mirabe. We''re all family here. It''s just a kid talking," Austin jumped in, cutting Kitty off. Then he turned to Delh, "Sis, don''t get upset. Kitty''s just worried about Donald''s health and got carried away."


    Delh took a small sip of her coffee. "My daughter isn''t wrong. We all know what happened back then. Don''t try to guilt-trip me with family ties. I owe nothing to your Cunningham family."


    "Don''t forget, you''re still a Song," Kitty sneered.


    "There are a lot of Songs out there," Delh replied coolly. "Besides, you all severed ties with me over twenty years ago. Why drag this up now and embarrass your own family?"


    "You''re just being difficult," Kitty muttered, turning away, avoiding Delh''s indifferent gaze.


    Just then, waiters came in to serve the meal, breaking the tension in the room.


    Once the waiters were gone, Austin spun thezy Susan, trying to ease the mood. "Let''s eat. We can chat over the meal."


    Delh didn''t budge, just leaned back in her chair, tired of talking in circles. She looked at Austin and Kitty, "You went through all this trouble to get me here. What''s the agenda?"


    She knew her siblings too well; they wouldn''t have reached out if there wasn''t something they wanted.


    Kitty didn''t feel like talking, so she nced at Austin.


    After a couple of silent minutes, Austin finally spoke up. "The doctor said Donald''s condition isn''t hopeless."


    Delh tilted her head slightly. "And?"


    Austin''s eyes shifted to Mirabe. "I heard Mirabe has some medical skills."


    Delh got it right away. She nced at her daughter. No wonder she popped over; the Cunningham family must''ve already hit her up.


    Delh steadied herself and said calmly, "You''ve got it wrong. She''s just a student; she''s not equipped for this."


    "Not equipped?" Kitty used, finding Delh heartless. "You despise Dad, fine, but why spin such tales?"


    If she wasn''t capable, how could she be Mr. Boyd''s miracle doctor friend like Conrad said? Did they think they were clueless?


    Delh wasn''t sure how Austin and the crew found out about her daughter''s medical skills, but from what the doctors mentioned today, even a legendary healer would struggle.


    Even if her daughter could help, she didn''t want her tangled up with the Cunningham family''s mess. Call her cold-hearted if they wanted; it had nothing to do with her daughter.

 Chapter 1162

    "If you want to say I hate Donald, then fine, go ahead. My daughter just won''t do it," Delh said, gripping her daughter''s hand tightly without even ncing at her.


    "Do you really need Dad to die before you''re happy?" Kitty mmed the table, sarcasm dripping from her voice.


    Delhughed in frustration, "Don''t act so righteous. Even the top hospital in the city can''t help Donald. What gives you the right to guilt-trip me and my daughter?"


    Saving Donald wouldn''t earn us any praise, and if it didn''t work out, all the me would likely fall on my daughter.


    Delh knew her siblings too well-always selfish and greedy.


    "Because the Cunningham family blood runs through your veins, and your daughter once imed she was eighty percent sure she could cure Donald!" Kitty''s eyes were sharp as she looked at Mirabe. "If you can save Donald, why won''t you? He''s your grandfather, a living, breathing person!"


    Hearing this, Delh frowned, about to speak coldly, "I said, my daughter..."


    Mirabe nodded casually, cutting her off, "You''re right, there''s still a chance for Donald."


    Delh turned to her daughter, bewildered, "Mira, what nonsense are you talking?"


    Mirabe blinked innocently, then withdrew her hand and patted her mother''s hand, "I''m not against lending a hand."


    Kitty''s face twisted into a sneer, "Alright, name your price."


    Was their whole aim just to see how much the Cunninghams were worth? Looking for money?


    "Is a million enough, or should I throw in another?" Kitty, skipping the small talk, gestured for Jules to grab the purse hanging by the coat rack. She pulled out a checkbook and quickly scribbled down some numbers.


    After tearing off the check, she tossed it onto thezy Susan, spinning it towards Mirabe with a mockingugh, "Two million? That should keep your ''poor'' family going for years."


    At this, As, standing behind Mirabe, couldn''t help but nce at Kitty.


    His eyes said it all: Who is this fool?


    Throwing money at the Davis family? Must be the joke of the year.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, eyeing the numbers on the check with a soft sigh, then looked sideways at Delh, "Delh, your daughter just got hit with a check. What do you think? Two million? Surely enough for our ''poor'' family to live on for many years."


    Delh''s cheeks twitched, "..."


    Was this little rascal reminding her of when she was tricked into thinking they were broke?


    Rubbing her temples, as someone who''d been ''hit'' by checks before, Delh expertly crumpled the check and tossed it back at Kitty, "Two million? That''s not even enough for a small toy for my daughter. You should be ashamed."


    Mirabe quietly watched Delh''s disy of wealth, thinking, well, that''s quite the show.


    Kitty nearly got hit in the face; the paper ballnded on her arm. Her face soured, "What are you ying at?"


    Delh smiled, "Can''t help it. We''re not short on money."


    Kitty fumed silently, unable to get a word out, just ring at Delh.


    Meanwhile, Austin, who''d been quiet all along, fixed his gaze on Mirabe, "What''s your condition?"

 Chapter 1163

    Mirabe tilted her head, her eyes a captivating blend of mystery and beauty. "It''s simple, really. The Cunningham family has money, right? Just gather all the big- name families in Riverdale, publicly exin how you smeared my mom''s reputation and forced her out back then, and apologize. Then, I''ll step in."


    Hearing this, Delh was taken aback. She looked up at her daughter, whose calm demeanor held a hint of coldness. Her throat tightened with emotion. Her daughter was standing up for her in her own way.


    For a family, reputation is everything. Publicly admitting wrongdoings and apologizing would be like dragging their name through the mud. How could they hold their heads high in society after that?


    Delh turned away, her eyes downcast to hide the emotions welling up inside.


    Years had passed, and although she had tried to downy those memories, hearing her daughter speak now brought a sense of relief from those long-ignored grievances.


    "Are you kidding me? Haven''t you seen what kind of person your mother is from those photos I sent you?" Kitty''s voice was a mix of anger and amusement. She turned to Delh, "Sis, you''ve got quite the daughter. After seeing those photos, she still keeps her cool..."


    The mention of the photos made something stir within Delh. Her fists clenched unconsciously, and the color drained from her face.


    Mirabe noticed the change in her mother and shot a steely nce at Kitty. Her fingers twitched slightly, "Keep talking if you have a death wish."


    Kitty felt a sharp sting on her neck and instinctively raised her hand to touch it. Before she could respond, Mirabe stood up, her ck outfit making her look even more formidable. "You''ve got one day."


    With that, she took Delh''s hand and headed for the door.


    Ignoring the pain in her neck, Kitty stood up and called after Mirabe, "Let me tell you, it''s your mom who had the messy life. If you think the Cunningham family will apologize, you''re dreaming."


    Mirabe paused at the door, turned slightly, and chuckled, "Since you don''t care about your dignity, why should I?"


    Kitty frowned, "What do you mean by that?"


    But Mirabe was already out the door, leaving Kitty''s question unanswered.


    Austin, who hadn''t had a chance to intervene, rubbed his temples in frustration, "Why couldn''t you keep your cool today? How are we going to get Sis''s daughter to treat Donald now?"


    "Emmitt, didn''t you see how Sis''s daughter was walking all over the Cunningham family?" Kitty felt no remorse for her actions.


    Austin shook his head, choosing not to argue further, and quickly left the room. Watching him go, Kitty scoffed and sank back into her chair.


    Jules, who had been observing quietly, was about to speak when he noticed the bloodstain on Kitty''s neck. "Ma''am, your neck..."


    Kitty nced at Jules, touched her neck, and saw the blood on her fingers. Though it wasn''t much, it was enough to be unsettling.


    "Where did this bloode from?" Kitty hurriedly pulled a small mirror from her


    bag. Seeing the thin, long scratch on her neck, she was shocked, nearly dropping the mirror.


    "I''m the one at fault..."

 Chapter 1164

    At that moment, Jules noticed something odd and quickly reached out to pluck a thin silver needle from the back of the chair where Kitty had been sitting.


    When Kitty saw the needle in Jules''s hand, her eyes widened in shock. "Where on earth did thate from?"


    Jules pointed to the back of the chair, right at the spot where Kitty''s neck had been resting. From the angle and the wound, it was obvious that the slender line of blood on her neck was caused by this needle.


    Kitty clutched her neck with one hand, her face a shade paler. "I''ve been sitting here for ages, how did a needle suddenly appear?"


    Jules, still holding the needle and examining it closely, nced over at the spot where Mirabe had been earlier. Trying to suppress his disbelief, he said softly, "Maybe it was Miss Mira, or possibly her bodyguard."


    Though it was unclear how someone could silently harm another with a needle, it didn''t mean such a skill didn''t exist.


    Pausing for a moment and not waiting for Kitty to respond, Jules added, "But I''m leaning towards it being Miss Mira''s bodyguard, probably as a warning to you, ma''am."


    Hearing Jules''s analysis, Kitty''s eyes turned cold. "A warning for me? How naive. Do they even realize where they are, messing with the Cunningham and ke families?"


    Even if that bodyguard seemed tough, could one person really stand against two powerful families?


    Jules lowered his eyes, thinking about the hotel manager''s earlier attitude, his expression still tense. He suggested, "Still, it might be best to steer clear of any conflict with Miss Delh''s family, especially since we need Miss Mira to treat Donald."


    Kitty nced at Jules, who seemed suddenly cautious around her sister''s family, and frowned. "What''s going on with you, Jules? What are you afraid of? You''ve been boosting their confidence since we got here."


    Jules looked up at Kitty, ready to speak. "It''s not fear... just thinking it''s better to avoid trouble. I believe Miss Delh''s family..."


    Kitty didn''t want to hear more about Delh and quickly raised her hand to cut him off. "Enough, no more of that. Just get me to the hospital."


    She felt the pain in her neck intensifying.


    Seeing this, Jules had no choice but to swallow his words and nodded in agreement.


    Meanwhile, downstairs at the hotel entrance...


    Austin chased after Mirabe and Delh, almost reaching them when two of As''s men blocked his way.


    He tried to push past them, but it was no use. Unbothered by the people passing through the lobby, he yelled toward Delh''s retreating figure, "Sis, I just want a quick chat, just a few minutes."


    The driver had already brought the car around, and Mirabe, hearing Austin''s voice from behind, didn''t pause as she opened the car door. Once it was open, she looked back at Delh.


    Receiving her daughter''s look, Delh straightened her back almost instantly, making her stance clear. "I''m not going."


    With that, she quickly got into the car.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and then bent down to get in as well.


    Seeing this, Austin shouted a few more times, but the car doors had already closed, keeping his voice out.


    Soon, the car drove away from the hotel, and with its departure, As''s men stopped blocking Austin and left.


    Austin stood there, muttering curses under his breath in frustration.

 Chapter 1165

    Meeting up should''ve been straightforward, but somehow, it turned into aplete disaster. Austin''s face was as stormy as the clouds before a


    thunderstorm. That afternoon, he''d gone out of his way to call Conrad, dropping a hint that Mirabe and their family, the Cunninghams, were rtives. Conrad seemed to soften, his tone losing a bit of its edge.


    Austin had nned to chat with his older sister that evening, hoping to patch things up. But now? Things were more tangled than ever. How was he supposed to smooth this over with Conrad?


    ***


    In the car, Delh sat quietly, sneaking nces at her daughter. She wanted to say something, but the words just wouldn''te. Finally, she spoke up, her voice soft, "Did Kitty send you any photos?"


    Mirabe nodded with a little hum.


    The question seemed to tighten Delh''s fingers on herp. "Aren''t you curious about anything?"


    Mirabe turned her head, eyeing Delh''s tense expression. After a moment''s thought, she smirked, "All I can say is, twenty years ago, photo editing was really something else."


    Delh just sighed. Mirabe gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, "Don''t worry too much. What goes aroundes around. I''ll make sure justice is served."


    Delh felt the weight lift from her heart at Mirabe''s words. She sniffed, a smile breaking through, "It''s all ancient history, anyway. Those people aren''t worth your time."


    Mirabe nodded casually, letting the topic of the Cunninghams drop. Instead, she nced up at As, who was driving. "Can we find a ce to eat?"


    After a moment, she added, "Hey, As, is Grady still in Riverdale?"


    As was caught off guard by the question. He coughed, "I don''t think he''s around..."


    "Alright, no worries." Mirabe sounded a bit let down.


    She recalled how Grady would often reminisce about her parents during meals, clearly missing them. With her parents in Riverdale now, she thought meeting him might be a nice surprise.


    Delh, catching the name, grabbed Mirabe''s arm, her cheeks flushed with surprise. "Did you say Grady? Have you seen him?"


    As, spotting a red light, took the chance to discreetly send a text. When he was hired as Miss Mira''s driver, Zach and his wife had made it clear: keep things low- key around her to avoid any surprises. So far, they had no idea Grady had already met Miss Mira. Grady himself preferred to keep it that way.


    The twist was unexpected, leaving everyone scrambling.


    Mirabe hesitated for a couple of seconds before answering Delh, "Well, during Grady''s birthday a while back, Nick and I grabbed a bite with him."


    Delh seemed relieved. Nick and Grady were tight, so a birthday meal wasn''t unusual. "Just a meal?"


    Mirabe nodded, her face unchanged, "Yep."


    Delh exhaled, the tension easing a bit. Nick was sensible; he wouldn''t spill anything extra. Still, she couldn''t shake a bit of unease. "Did Grady mention anything important to you?"

 Chapter 1166

    Mirabe fiddled with the hem of her dress, her eyebrows arching with a hint of curiosity. "What''s he want to chat about now?" she asked.


    Delh gave a sheepish grin, "Oh, you know, it''s about Chester." She coughed lightly into her hand and pulled out her phone. "Let me ring your dad real quick."


    Mirabe could tell Delh wasn''t eager to delve into details, so she let it slide and shifted her gaze.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out and saw a voice message from David, a pharmacist, on Messenger. Slipping on her earphones, she listened in.


    David was asking about a patient''s condition. He didn''t know the backstory between Romero and Mirabe, but he was intrigued after seeing Conrad''s medical report and was curious if the patient could be cured. So, he decided to send her a message.


    Mirabe''s face remained neutral as she typed back, "No hope."


    David was a little taken aback by her blunt reply, but it didn''t surprise him too much given the dire prognosis. After mulling it over, he messaged back, "Death is just a part of life. If there''s no chance, Mirabe, you shouldn''t stress over it. I''ll let Conrad know."


    Mirabe replied, "Alright."


    David added, "Let''s grab dinner when I return from Huai City."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at that.


    After sending the message, David''s eyesnded on a lush orchid sitting on a stone table in the garden. He snapped a quick photo and sent it to Mirabe, "Take a look at this."


    Since it was already dusk, the lighting was dim, so the photo came out a bit blurry. Still, Mirabe instantly recognized the nt and typed back in surprise, "An orchid?"


    She recalled that this particr nt was notoriously hard to grow. In the market, orchids had skyrocketed in price because they were excellent for blending, able to counteract the side effects of otherwise ipatible drugs, making them a hotmodity in alternative medicine.


    "Yep, it''s an orchid," David replied, hinting after consulting with an expert in rare medicinal nts, "Not bad, right? Being part of the pharmacist''s association has its perks, we''ve got all sorts of medicinal nts."


    Mirabe pressed her fingers to her temples, realizing why David had sent the photo, and replied, "Yeah, once you join, you never want to leave."


    David couldn''t help but chuckle.


    Right then, Paul walked into the garden carrying a young nt. David paused his messaging and wandered over, intrigued by the unfamiliar nt in the pot, "Paul, what''s this one?"


    The leaves looked a bit like bamboo, with a vibrant green stem, and the tip of the sprout was tightly wrapped with several leaves, resembling a bud but not quite.


    David knew many herbs, but this was new to him.


    Paul set the pot on the stone table and told David to hang tight for a moment before striding into the cabin, his white clothes fluttering in the breeze.


    David didn''t read too much into it, knowing that Paul was a man of few words.


    Curiosity piqued, David snapped a photo of the nt and sent it to Mirabe, asking, "Recognize this one?"


    Mirabe was about to put her phone away when David''s message popped up. She opened it, and the instant she saw the photo, she tried to retract her previous message.

 Chapter 1167

    The message had been sent over two minutes ago, so there was no way to take it back now. Mirabe rubbed her temples and asked, "Is this another one of those experts you brought in to work their magic?"


    David, watching Paul emerge with a bottle of nt food, sent a quick voice message, "Probably."


    Mirabe replied, "Oh, I don''t know him."


    "I figured you''d know everyone," David replied.


    Mirabe typed back, "If you don''t know him, there''s no way I would."


    Mirabe''s words dripped with a subtle pride that went over David''s head, so he let the conversation end there. He pocketed his phone and watched Paul tend to the nts with nutrient care.


    A few minutester, Paul rinsed his hands at a nearby tap and turned to David, answering his earlier question, "This is a graft of several varieties. Not much use to you guys."


    David nodded, finally understanding why the nt looked unfamiliar. It was a new variety, and its medicinal properties were still unknown, making it not particrly useful to them. After all, the time-tested forms passed down through generations were already well-established. Experimenting with something new seemed unnecessary.


    Letting it go, David and Paul moved on to lighter topics.


    "By the way, Mr. Boyd, I''ve been meaning to ask if you know any doctors who are especially skilled?" Paul asked, taking a seat on a stone bench. "The kind that can tackle really tough cases."


    David''s first thought was that Paul might be dealing with something personal. "I know a bit about medicine. If you don''t mind, I can take a look."


    Paul blinked, then shook his head. "No, no, it''s not for me. I was just curious if you knew anyone like that."


    Realizing his mistake, David chuckled awkwardly. "There are a few renowned alternative medicine practitioners around, like the Reeves family or the Kang family down south... Not sure if that''s what you''re looking for?"


    Paul nodded, finding the information matched what he''d already dug up online. After a moment, he asked, "Haven''t heard of anyone else?"


    Recently, he got an alert about an old bank ount suddenly having a billion withdrawn. The ount was so locked down that even he struggled with it. The only person who could''ve done it was that child. If she essed those funds, she must be in a real bind.


    David thought for a bit, and Mirabe crossed his mind. She might be able to handle tough medical cases, butst time at Frank''s, she mentioned keeping her skills under wraps. Shaking his head, he said, "That''s all I''ve got."


    Paul''s face showed a flicker of disappointment before he said, "Thanks for trying." David smiled, "Sorry I couldn''t be more help, but I''ll keep an ear out for you."


    Paul nodded, feeling the cool night air tickle his throat, causing him to cough a bit as he thanked him again. David waved it off, then after a pause, added, "Actually,


    I did hear about a family known for their miraculous healing skills."


    Paul''s interest piqued, and he turned to listen.


    Filled with a burst of determination, he set a goal to write six more chapters before midnight.

 Chapter 1168

    David stroked his beard thoughtfully, sitting up a bit straighter as he spoke in a low, mysterious tone, "Hey Paul, ever heard of the Massolio family?"


    Paul suddenly coughed, "Cough, cough..."


    Thinking Paul might have a sore throat, David quickly dug into his pocket, pulled out a tin, and handed him a lozenge.


    Paul gave him a quick look, then took it.


    Once Paul started sucking on the lozenge and stopped coughing, David


    continued, "They say the Massolio family has roots going back to some legendary healer, with skills so impressive they can pull someone back from the brink of death. Quite the tale, huh?"


    Paul crushed the lozenge between his teeth, inwardly rolling his eyes at the exaggeration. "Too much folklore," he thought.


    "But, you know, there are loads of versions of this story, and no one really knows


    if


    any of it''s true or if the family even exists," David added slowly.


    Paul''s gaze drifted, and he skeptically remarked, "Rumors are just that, rumors."


    David just smiled and shook his head, "Exaggerations or not, I think there''s something to it."


    He''d always had a hunch that the person who taught him about ancient herbal remedies might be linked to this family.


    Paul didn''t press him for more, just nodding, "Maybe."


    David shifted his focus, admiring the orchids in front of him, satisfaction clear on his face, "These orchid seedlings are thriving because of you, sir. We would''ve lost them otherwise."


    Something about Paul made David see him as a wise figure, quite different from the usual herbalists who knew little of the outside world.


    Paul waved it off, "No need for the formalities, President. Just stick to my methods, and you should be fine."


    "Absolutely," David replied graciously, "We''ll still need your expertise for a bit longer."


    "Of course," Paul answered.


    David got a phone call and had to step away, leaving the conversation hanging. He quickly left the small courtyard.


    Paul lingered for a few more minutes, lost in thought, before heading back to his cabin. He grabbed his fully charged phone, opened a video app, and started watching a livestream fromst year.


    Last year, his vige''s satellite inte was spotty, and he got busy with other things, so he hadn''t kept up with the show. Now, with some free time, he decided to catch up.


    **


    Mirabe and Delh got home after dinner out, arriving just before nine.


    Shawn had been waiting for them, calling a few times but not digging into what was going on with the Cunningham family. When he saw them, he asked, surprised, "Mira went too?"


    Delh, leaning on the sofa and rubbing her temples, replied with a hint of coolness, "They just wanted to use me to get Mira to treat Donald."


    Shawn was surprised, "How did they know Mira could heal?"


    "I''m not sure," Delh said, lowering her hand and ncing at her daughter.


    Mirabe, lost in her thoughts, snapped back to reality after a moment, blinked, and summed it up in two words, "Just a coincidence."


    Who would''ve thought that the person David mentioned would be from the Cunningham family? But in a ce like Riverdale, it made sense for the Cunninghams to reach out to the Medical Association.


    Shawn paused before asking, "With Romero''s situation, is there still hope for him?"

 Chapter 1169

    As the conversation wrapped up, Delh''s gaze naturally drifted to Mirabe. She had wanted to ask before they even got home but was unsure how to start the


    conversation.


    "There is a way," Mirabe admitted without holding back. "The medication''s side effects can mess with the body''s immune and nervous systems. Even if saved, the person might end up... slow to respond."


    "Slow to respond?" Shawn echoed, trying to grasp the situation.


    "Yeah, a bit better than being in a vegetative state. They could move their limbs and be fully aware," Mirabe exined.


    Shawn nced at Delh. The doctor had told them earlier that the patient was surviving only with the help of a venttor and nutritional fluids, not even considering treatment as an option. Now, they faced a tough call: to save or not to


    save.


    Saving him might upset their daughter. But not saving him could leave a permanent scar of guilt on his wife''s heart. Even if their ties had been severed long ago, the bond of blood remained unbreakable.


    Delh, understanding Shawn''s silent question, spoke softly, ¡°Life and death are in the hands of fate. I don''t owe him anything."


    Even knowing her daughter might have a way to save Donald''s life, she never considered asking her to intervene. She couldn''t disregard her daughter''s protective instincts.


    Mirabe gave Delh a quick look, then stood up, "I''ll take care of it. Mom, Dad, you should get some rest. I''ll head to my room."


    The couple was momentarily taken aback. Mirabe nodded and quickly headed upstairs.


    Delh watched Mirabe''s figure disappear at the top of the stairs and let out a weary sigh, "I shouldn''t havee."


    Hearing this, Shawn sat beside her, taking her cold hand in his, "Some things can''t be avoided. Let''s just see what happens."


    Delh sighed again, falling silent.


    **


    Once in her room, Mirabe turned on herputer. After about fifteen minutes of tinkering, she pulled out her phone and unblocked someone on Messenger who had been in the digital doghouse for nearly a year.


    Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she typed, "When did Morgan leave the n?"


    The reply came back almost immediately.


    Y: "Hey, you finally remembered me!"


    Y: "I thought you were going to keep me in the dark forever."


    Y: "Feeling wronged here."


    Y: "So pitiful."


    Mirabe rubbed her temples, realizing she might have let a chatterbox loose.


    Y: "Oh, right. Morgan left about a month ago. I wanted to tell you, but I was blocked."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched as she ignored thestment, "What''s he up to?"


    Y: "Besides hunting for medicine, he''s probably checking if you''re still around." Mirabe paused, her fingers hovering over the screen.


    Then another message popped up from Y: "I didn''t say anything. If you don''t want Uncle Wade to know, you better keep a low profile."


    Y: "And stay safe."


    Understanding the warning, Mirabe simply replied, "Got it," and ended the chat. She decided not to block Y again.


    After a few moments of quiet, Mirabe put down her phone and logged onto The Mirror website on herputer. She quickly posted a trade ad in the items exchange section. Her eyes lingered on the post, thoughtful, before she logged out and shut down herputer.

 Chapter 1170

    The next day rolled around, and being a Saturday, Mirabe had the day off from school.


    In the afternoon, Delh was busy upstairs, sorting through some things, when her phone started buzzing on the coffee table. She didn''t hear it, but Mirabe, who was lounging on the couch, noticed. While texting her friends, she hesitated for a second before reaching over to check the caller ID. The number seemed familiar, so she picked up the phone.


    It was Austin on the line.


    Mirabe didn''t say anything at first, letting Austin take the lead. He told her about a banquet he was organizing under the Cunningham family''s name, inviting people from the elite circles. This call was his way of saying he agreed to the conditions Mirabe had set the night before.


    After he finished, Austin realized the other end was silent, so he pulled the phone away to see if the call was still connected. It was. Just as he was about to ask


    something, a cool, young voice cut in.


    "What time?" Mirabe asked nonchntly.


    She wasn''t exactly shocked by the call. Given how much effort Austin and Kitty had put into helping Romero, it was only expected they''d cave to her demands. Still, she was sure this banquet wasn''t about making amends.


    Austin was momentarily thrown off, surprised that Mirabe answered, but he quickly got his bearings. "Seven o''clock. Oh, and Mira, where are you staying now? Maybe my uncle could swing by to pick you up..."


    Before he could finish, the call ended with the beep of a hang-up tone. Austin paused mid-sentence, his expression slightly stiff.


    Kitty, sitting across from him, caught that look and couldn''t help but let a hint of sarcasm show. Just because they knew the president of the pharmacists association, they were bending over backward to please, yet look how they were treated.


    Kitty let out a small scoff but kept her face neutral. "All set?"


    Austin masked his feelings with a casual nod, putting his phone away. "Tonight''s banquet is important. Try to keep your temper under control," he advised her.


    Kitty, knowing he was still upset about yesterday''s incident, mockingly gestured to her neck. "I just said a couple of things, and out of nowhere, your sister''s bodyguard injured me. I''m not about to risk that again."


    Austin only just realized Kitty''s injury, pausing before saying, "Regardless, we need that kid for Donald''s treatment."


    "So, maybe I should skip tonight. Better to avoid causing trouble if I can''t hold back," Kitty said coolly.


    Austin rubbed his temples, "Don''t be difficult."


    Kitty chuckled softly, knowing she had to attend. After all, the guest list was full of important people from their circles, and skipping wasn''t an option.


    **


    After Mirabe hung up, she thought for a moment, deleted the call log, and ced the phone back. When Delh came downstairs, Mirabe was already back on the couch.


    Delh went to the kitchen, poured a ss of warm water, and returned to the living room, casually ncing at her phone.


    Mirabe looked over and said, "Oh, by the way, Mom, my teacher wants to meet with me for a bit. I''ll head out soon and won''t be in for dinner."


    Delh raised an eyebrow, "On a weekend?"


    "Yeah, we set it up a few days ago to go over some academic stuff." Mirabe kept her expression steady, showing no hint of deception.


    Delh didn''t question it further, "Alright, just make sure you''re back early."


    Mirabe nodded, got up from the couch, grabbed a jacket from her room, and shortly after, drove away from the vi.

 Chapter 1171

    It was still early, with three hours to go until 7 PM. Mirabe cruised around the neighborhood before finally parking outside James''s mansion. She smoothly opened the door and stepped inside.


    "Ah, Ms. Mirabe, you''re finally here," Wyatt said, putting down what he was holding and hurrying over to greet her at the door.


    Mirabe nodded slightly with a soft hum, changed her shoes, and walked into the living room.


    "James is down in the basement. Feel free to make yourselffortable," Wyatt said, heading off to pour her a ss of water. Just then, the doorbell rang, and he went to answer it.


    Momentster, Wyatt returned carrying two elegantly wrapped bags and ced them on the coffee table in front of Mirabe. "James got some special afternoon coffee for you."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow in surprise.


    Wyatt then came over with a box. "Oh, Ms. Mirabe, I''ve got something to show you."


    Mirabe nced at the box, noticing several small porcin bottles, each with a familiar mark. She picked up one. "Pharmacy Guild''s medicine?"


    Wyatt nodded, surprised. "You recognize the Pharmacy Guild''s medicine, Ms. Mirabe?"


    Mirabe gave a soft nod. She opened a bottle to sniff it, then set it down, examining a few others before turning to Wyatt. "All wound medicines. Is someone hurt?"


    "No, nobody''s hurt. Just ordering in bulk for someone. Which do you think is best for quick healing?" Wyatt asked.


    Originally, he nned to take the meds to the camp''s medical team for testing, but with an expert like Mirabe around, it was much easier. That''s why he had asked if she coulde over.


    Mirabe didn''t ask further and nodded, inspecting the dozen or so bottles before picking out three. "These three."


    Wyatt set the chosen bottles aside, grinning. "Thanks a bunch."


    An expert indeed, solving in minutes what would have taken ten days.


    James emerged from the basement, noticing Wyatt''s grin near where Mirabe sat. Squinting slightly, he strolled over.


    "You''re here," James said, taking off his gloves and sitting beside Mirabe, casually draping an arm over the back of the sofa.


    Wyatt called out to James, and when he caught James''s calm nce, he realized something and quickly stood up, chuckling awkwardly. "I''ll go check on Curtis in the basement."


    With that, he swiftly left with the medicine box.


    Mirabe, holding her milk coffee, cast a sideways nce at Wyatt''s quick exit, then turned back to James with a teasing smile. "Emmitt, you''re quite the presence."


    "Emmitt?" James raised an eyebrow, his fingers lightly twirling a strand of her hair. "Got ns tonight?"


    "Hmm?" Mirabe mumbled around her straw.


    James let go of her hair and straightened up slightly. "Uncle Hugh and Marian are


    in town, thought we could have dinner together."


    Mirabe looked at him, dragging out her response. "Oh, I''m busy tonight."


    James leaned in, curious. "Busy? With what?"


    Mirabe coughed lightly, lifting her milk coffee, and simply said, "I''ve got a dinner meeting tonight."


    "A dinner meeting? What kind of dinner meeting?" James pressed on, ignoring her gesture.

 Chapter 1172

    Mirabe shrugged, her voice noticeably cool, "It''s the Cunningham family''s business."


    James raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised. He could tell Mirabe had no love for the Cunningham family. He''d skimmed through the previous reports, so he asked, "What are you nning to do there?"


    "Fix the problem at the source," Mirabe replied, offering no further details.


    James pondered for a moment before asking, "Where''s this dinner happening? At the Cunningham''s ce?"


    "No," Mirabe shook her head and mentioned the name of a local club.


    James gave her a look, noting how her dark coat added a certain chill to her demeanor. "I''ll give you a liftter," he offered.


    Mirabe set down hertte and politely declined, "No need, I can manage." James nodded, not pushing it, "Give me a shout if you need anything."


    "Mhm," Mirabe mumbled, her hand sped by the person sitting next to her, their fingers intertwined. She nced back at James.


    Just as James felt the urge to say something more, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He sighed softly, keeping a hold of Mirabe''s hand while answering the call with his free one.


    Sam''s voice buzzed through the phone, "Is all the gear set up?"


    James leaned back into the couch, sounding a bit weary, "Almost."


    Sam''s voice brightened, "That quick? Great! Send it over soon, or I''ll send someone to pick it up."


    "I''ll have it sent to the campter," James replied coolly.


    "Sounds good, your guys are more reliable," Sam chuckled, clearly in a good mood. After a bit more work talk, he added, "We haven''t had a drink together in ages. How about dinner tonight?"


    James raised an eyebrow, paused briefly, then agreed, "Sure, I''ll text you the address."


    Sam had thought about suggesting they head back to the old family house but figured James had a spot in mind, so he agreed, "Alright, talkter."


    James nodded, nced at Mirabe, and quickly sent an address via Messenger.


    Mirabe didn''t linger with James much longer, leaving after a call from As.


    By seven that evening, Mirabe pulled up at the club. After parking in the underground garage, she stepped out to find As waiting for her.


    "Miss Mira," As greeted.


    "As," Mirabe nodded politely.


    Gesturing toward the nearby elevator, As remarked as they walked, "Austin''s really gathered quite a crowd from Riverdale for the banquet."


    Mirabe nodded, stepping into the elevator.


    As As hit the button, he asked, "The Cunningham''s event should be starting soon, Miss Mira. Head there now, or wait a bit?"


    "Let''s go now," Mirabe decided.


    "Alright," As pressed the button for the third-floor banquet hall and stepped aside, adding, "Everything''s set, Miss Mira. Just let us know what you need."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched slightly, "No need."


    As, slightly disappointed, acknowledged her decision.


    The elevator soon stopped on the third floor, and they stepped out.


    Meanwhile, Austin was still in the first-floor lobby. He''d just sent a guest upstairs and nced out the revolving door. No more guests seemed to be arriving.


    He checked his watch-it was already seven, and he hadn''t heard from his sister or her daughter yet. He reached for his phone, ready to call Delh.

 Chapter 1173

    Just as Austin was about to hit the call button, Aaron came down the stairs and called out, "Mr. Austin, the girl''s already here."


    Surprised, Austin ended the call and turned to Aaron. "Is it my sister and her daughter?"


    Aaron looked a bit pale, though you wouldn''t notice unless you really paid attention. He nodded, "Miss Cunningham didn''te, just her daughter. Oh, and there''s a middle-aged man with her."


    Austin furrowed his brow slightly, a bit thrown off that his sister hadn''t shown up, but shrugged it off as unimportant. "Alright, got it. Let''s head upstairs."


    Aaron watched Austin as he started for the elevator. Gathering a bit of courage, he took a few steps forward and called, "Mr. Austin, I''m not feeling too well. I think I should head back."


    Austin paused, nced back at Aaron, noticing for the first time how unwell he looked, and waved him off. "Alright, Aaron. Take care of yourself."


    Relieved, Aaron nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Austin."


    Austin didn''t say anything more, just stepped into the elevator and went upstairs.


    As Aaron left the club, he let out a sigh. When he ran into the child again at the ballroom entrance, even just a quick nce sent a shiver down his spine.


    He didn''t have it in him to stick around.


    The third-floor ballroom was massive, packed with elite guests all dressed to the nines. The room was alive with vibrant lights and chatter.


    Mirabe stood out, though. In her dark coat, she was a stark contrast to the elegant dresses of the other young women. Her presence was maic, her striking features drawing every eye in the room.


    Kitty was in the middle of a chat with some societydies when she noticed Mirabe and couldn''t help but purse her lips at her mismatched outfit.


    "Who''s that girl? She''s quite pretty," one of thedies next to her asked.


    Kitty adjusted the silk scarf on her shoulders and lowered her voice, "Her? She''s my older sister''s daughter."


    Surprised, thedy raised an eyebrow, "Your older sister''s daughter? The one who was kicked out of the family back then?"


    Kitty sighed, "Yes, it was a family scandal, but my sister was young and headstrong. People make mistakes, right?"


    Thedy chuckled, "True enough." She nced over at Mirabe again and said, "We haven''t heard about Miss Mira Cunningham for years. What''s the story with her daughter showing up today?"


    Kitty cleared her throat, her expression softening, "Even though my sister made mistakes, she''s still family. What''s done is done. This girl is a Cunningham too, and by having her here, we''re officially introducing her to everyone."


    The others got the hint about the party''s significance.


    "You really do care about her," someone else said approvingly.


    "Not many would go all out with a grand party like this."


    Kitty gave a modest smile, "It''s only right. We''re family, after all."


    With that, she nced over at Mirabe, a fleeting smirk in her eyes.


    Being the Cunningham heiress is a title you''ll have to earn.

 Chapter 1174

    Before you knew it, whispers about Mirabe being the heiress of the


    Cunningham family were buzzing among the guests. The Cunninghams might not be the top-tier in Riverdale, but they were definitely up there in the upper-middle- ss. Throwing a party for a girl who seemed toe out of nowhere hinted that she was someone worth noticing.


    It didn''t take long for all eyes tond on Mirabe. She quickly became the focal point of the entire ballroom, with everyone buzzing about her. Kitty, with a ss of champagne in hand, looked quite pleased with how things were unfolding.


    When Austin returned to the ballroom, he scanned the room before making a beeline straight for Mirabe. "Mirabe, when did you get here? I was just downstairs and didn''t see you," he remarked, looking dapper in his suit, his smile warm as he approached her.


    Mirabe kept her hands casually tucked in her coat pockets, giving him a quick, cool nce. "Ready to say sorry?" she asked.


    Austin''s smile didn''t waver, "As for that, your uncle will sort it out after the party. Tonight, you''re the main attraction. Let me introduce you to the Riverdale elite; it''ll do wonders for your future."


    Mirabe stayed put, the bright lights above casting a stark glow around her. Standing beside her was As, looking almost like a guardian, which made Austin feel an odd pressure.


    "Mr. Austin, have you forgotten today''s main business? If you have, I can jog your memory," As chimed in, his fingers clicking in the air nonchntly.


    Austin''s smile faltered slightly, his eyes on Mirabe as he paused before saying, "Being the Cunningham heiress should set you up nicely in Riverdale. What more could you want?"


    He was skirting around the apology.


    "Give me a break, ourdy''sst name is Hawke. Who the heck are the Cunninghams?" As retorted with a smirk.


    Austin, irritated by As''s interruptions but wary of his presence, tried to brush him off and focused on Mirabe. "Besides an apology, whatever you want, your uncle will try to make it happen."


    Their conversation, happening smack dab in the middle of the hall, had already drawn quite the crowd, including some of Austin''s friends who were now gathering around.


    Mirabe''s fingers, still in her pockets, pinched together lightly, her lips curling into a half-smile. "Oh? Anything I want?"


    Austin, noting the friends gathering, didn''t bring up the apology again. "Yes."


    "Including the inheritance?" Mirabe asked, her eyebrow arched, her voice light as a feather.


    The word "inheritance" made heads turn.


    In wealthy families, fights over inheritance were asmon as cocktail parties, and everyone knew Romero Cunningham, the current head honcho, was in poor health.


    Austin paused, ignoring the curious eyes around him, and asked, "What inheritance?"


    "What do you think?" Mirabe replied nonchntly, her gaze drifting to Kitty, who was making her way over.


    Austin followed her gaze to Kitty, and something seemed to click for him, his expression shifting slightly. "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    Mirabe chuckled, nodding. "Looks like Mr. Austin isn''t the sharpest tool in the shed."


    Austin frowned, watching as Mirabe pulled her phone from her pocket. He couldn''t see what she was doing, but as she slipped it back, his own phone buzzed in his pocket.

 Chapter 1175

    Not only did Austin''s phone buzz in his pocket, but so did everyone else''s in the banquet hall. The soft music ying in the background was no match for the


    sudden burst of ringtones.


    Austin was too focused on the inheritance Mirabe had just mentioned to bother checking his phone. But his friend, standing just a couple of meters away, instinctively reached for his device. A mysterious audio message had popped up.


    Some folks might''ve thought it was a scam, but curiosity got the better of others, and they hit y.


    Immediately, a conversation spilled from the speakers, and what it revealed was jaw-dropping.


    "Why did Grandpa leave 8% of the shares to my older sister? It''s not like we got anything, and our dad''s the rightful heir. How could he end up with less than 10%? This will is just ridiculous," an envious female voice grumbled.


    "Who knows what''s going on," a man''s voice chimed in.


    "With 8% of the shares, she''ll have a say in management... Plus, she''s gonna marry someone one day. If she takes those shares into the ke family, it''s like handing them over for free."


    "Our Cunningham family''s assets can''t go to an outsider."


    "But if Lawyer Wilson reveals Grandpa''s will..."


    "Then make sure he never does."


    Kitty, overhearing the audio from a nearby guest''s phone, turned pale. Her fingers slipped, and the wine ss fell to the carpet, sshing red wine on her dress. But she didn''t care; her eyes were glued to the guest''s phone.


    As the audio yed, every word buzzed in her head, making her feel dizzy, like everything was spinning out of control. How did this audio end up on the guests'' phones?


    And it wasn''t just one guest. Others who received the audio were hitting y as well. Soon, the entire banquet hall was buzzing with this conversation and a chorus of not-so-quiet whispers.


    "Wait, is that Austin and Kitty talking?"


    "The voices sound younger, but it''s definitely them."


    "Delh, who was kicked out of the Cunningham family, got such a huge inheritance?"


    "It''s not just about the inheritance. The will never reached Miss Mira, right?" "Yeah, and wasn''t Miss Mira supposed to marry into the ke family? But then it was another Cunninghamdy who did... Interesting."


    As the murmurs and curious nces swirled around her, Kitty''s face grew even paler, and she wished she could vanish on the spot.


    Known among the high societydies for her gentle nature, graceful intellect, and cheerful generosity, Kitty had never been the center of such peculiar attention. Just moments ago, everyone was chatting about her sister and niece, and now everything had flipped.


    Austin didn''t look any better. He was clueless about where the audio hade from, but even after two decades, he remembered those words like it was yesterday. They were things he and Kitty had spoken in their younger days, reacting to the family will.


    He had never thought to record those conversations, so it could only have been Kitty. Austin clenched his fists and looked at Kitty, his eyes searching for answers.

 Chapter 1176

    Kitty could feel Austin''s gaze bearing down on her, and she couldn''t bring herself to look up, utterly defenseless against the audio clip circting around. She had no clue how this almost forgotten recording ended up on everyone''s phones, especially since she hadn''t done a thing.


    Seeing Kitty''s panic, Austin felt like his head was about to explode. Yesterday''s dinner fiasco was her doing, and now tonight''s party was a disaster too. The audio revealed too much, not directly mentioning the truth about his eldest sister''s expulsion from the Cunningham family, but its implications were profound enough for anyone with a bit of sense to piece together.


    The fact the recording was exposed made Austin furious. He turned his steely gaze back to Mirabe, asking firmly, "Did you leak it?"


    Mirabe smirked slightly, her tone casual, "If you say so, then maybe I did."


    "Maybe?" Austin gritted his teeth at her nonchnt attitude but held back his anger, conscious of the eyes watching them. "Can we step outside for a moment?"


    He gestured towards the door. Mirabe, hands tucked in her coat pockets, looked aloof and unbothered.


    Austin took a few steps, but seeing Mirabe not budging, he turned back, trying to speak closer to her. As had already moved forward, his intimidating presence causing Austin an internal shiver. He couldn''t forget the force of the beating he received that night.


    Reluctantly, Austin pleaded with Mirabe, "Can we not make a scene? Do you realize how hard I''ve worked to establish your ce in Riverdale by inviting all these guests? Isn''t this enough? Or do you really want to put everyone in an awkward position?"


    Mirabe chuckled, "You did say that since ties are cut, we should never meet again."


    Her meaning was clear: they had brought this upon themselves. Austin clenched his fists, finally understanding.


    The curious nces from the crowd lingered, and he realized why his niece had pushed for this gathering. It seemed her goal was never to seek an apology from the Cunningham family.


    He thought he could lure her back with the prestige of the Cunningham name, but now it was clear she was immune to such temptations.


    "I don''t see what you gain from this," Austin''s voice was icy, "Your mother never dared to speak up, yet here you are, bold as brass."


    Mirabe nodded, responding calmly, "So, Mr. Austin, are you thinking about the inheritance now?"


    "Do you think by fabricating an audio clip and sending it out like this, you can prove something?" Austin was in no mood to acknowledge the truth in the tape.


    Just then, Kitty, having calmed from her earlier panic, approached swiftly. She wore her public mask of politeness, picking up where Austin left off:


    "We''ve treated you like family, even organized this whole event to introduce you to so many of our elders, ensuring you wouldn''t face challenges on your own. We''ve thought of everything for you, only to find you pulling a stunt like this..."


    Kitty''s perfectly made-up face showed disappointment, "What have we done to you that warrants such fabricated lies?"


    With those words, she deftly shifted the conversation to a matter of ethics and morality.

 Chapter 1177

    The guests in the banquet hall seemed to fixate on Mirabe, eager for a bit of drama without caring much for the truth. Unruffled, Mirabe looked at Kitty, pped her hands, and said with a hint of irony, "Quite the story you''ve spun from thin air."


    With a knowing smile, she turned her attention to As. Catching her signal, As pulled out his phone and stepped aside to make a call. Kitty and Austin watched with furrowed brows, unsure of what game was being yed now. Regardless of what was unfolding, they both knew they couldn''t let Mirabe dig up the old inheritance issue.


    Austin quickly interjected, "Let''s just let it go. Mirabe''s young, maybe she got the wrong idea from someone. There''s no need to me her."


    Kitty nodded in agreement, understanding the delicate bnce of the situation. "I''m not ming her, really. I just don''t want her caught up in something that creates tension between us."


    Mirabe watched them script and act out their little y with a smirk, deciding to stay silent for the moment.


    After finishing his call, As returned and nodded at Mirabe before resuming his ce by her side. Just then, two people entered the room. One dressed like As, while the other, in casual attire, was around fifty and walked with a noticeable limp.


    The moment Kitty and Austin saw the casually dressed man, their expressions shifted dramatically. It was Lawyer Weeks.


    As the pair approached, As''s associate acknowledged Mirabe and As with a nod, handing over a document folder to As. But Kitty and Austin weren''t focused on the folder-they were fixated on Lawyer Weeks.


    "What brings you here, Lawyer Weeks?" Kitty asked, her fingers curling slightly with tension.


    Lawyer Weeks gave a bittersweet smile to Kitty and Austin, but before he could speak, As had opened the folder, lifted the documents, and approached them, holding the papers up for them to see.


    "Maybe you two should check this out before talking about ''fabrications''," As suggested, pointing to the bolded word ''Will'' on the document.


    Kitty and Austin stared at the will As held, disbelief etched on their faces, unable to bring themselves to read it just yet. The moment Lawyer Weeks stepped in, things started spinning out of their control.


    Austin was the first to break the spell, reminding himself that the original will was supposed to have been destroyed long ago. There was no need to panic just because of Lawyer Weeks'' presence.


    Snatching the will from As, Austin skimmed it before scoffing, "Oh, so now it''s a fake will after the fake audio?"


    Kitty snapped back to reality too, remembering they had retrieved their grandfather''s real will from Lawyer Weeks ages ago there couldn''t possibly be another.


    "Well, is it fake? Why not ask your Lawyer Weeks here?" As replied, unfazed by Austin''s skepticism, ncing at Lawyer Weeks.


    As''s look sent a shiver down Lawyer Weeks'' spine. He quickly responded, "Mr. As, this will is legitimate. It''s the one Mr. As''s grandfather left."


    Austin''s eyes darkened as he red at Lawyer Weeks. "Lawyer Weeks, let''s stick to the facts. Don''t let your words run wild."

 Chapter 1178

    Mr. Lawson couldn''t ignore Austin''s warning, butpared to Austin''s tough


    demeanor, the two men in ck suits beside him were the real deal when it came to intimidation.


    Taking a deep breath, Mr. Lawson lowered his gaze and confessed, "This will is indeed the old man''s original. I got greedy back then and messed with it. The one I gave you was altered. If you don''t believe me, have it checked for legal authenticity."


    Messing with a will in a big family is a massive deal. Sure, Mr. Lawson took the cash, but he also made sure to keep a backup n.


    He never thought that over twenty yearster, he''d need to pull out his ace in the hole.


    Austin, hearing this, felt a wave of disbelief hit him, almost crushing the will in his grip. Shaking his head, he said, "How can that be? You definitely gave me... I don''t buy it. How much did they pay you to make up this story?"


    Lowering his head again, he tightened his grip, ready to tear the will to pieces.


    As, noticing what he was about to do, just said calmly, "Go ahead, Mr. Austin. It''s just a copy."


    Austin was momentarily lost for words.


    Kitty, however, snatched the will out of his hands, doubt written all over her face. But as she checked the signature, her expression darkened.


    It was the real deal.


    Kitty took a deep breath, then looked up at Mirabe. Mirabe was as cool as a cucumber, acting like she had everything under control, a stark contrast to her mother.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrowzily at Kitty and said in a lighthearted tone, "No need to rush. You''re not getting away."


    Kitty''s breath caught, "What are you nning?"


    Mirabe flicked her sleeve nonchntly, looking as harmless as ever, "You all aren''t in a position to demand apologies, are you?"


    Kitty shot a re at Mirabe.


    Mirabe gave a slight smile but then her phone buzzed in her pocket. Just as she was about to pick up, a guest''s voice rang out, full of surprise, "Is that the guy from the Shepherd family at the door?"


    Mirabe paused and looked up. At the entrance was a man who was both


    handsome and dignified, his presence impossible to ignore.


    All eyes in the banquet hall turned to him. James was a rare sight in these circles, so not many recognized him.


    But a few did.


    Kitty was one of them.


    Just moments ago, she was wrapped up in Mirabe''s words, but seeing


    someone from the Shepherd family snapped her focus to the doorway.


    She quicklyposed herself and nudged Austin excitedly, "Emmitt, you actually got James toe?"


    Austin had never seen James before. Hearing Kitty, his eyes widened, "He''s with the Shepherd family?"


    "Yes." Kitty nodded, then gave him a puzzled look, "You don''t know him? You didn''t invite him?"


    Austin looked bewildered as he shook his head, "No, it wasn''t me."

 Chapter 1179

    Kitty froze for a moment but quickly said, "Now''s not the time for this. You should go greet the guests."


    Austin snapped back to reality, nodded, straightened his suit, and without a second thought for Mirabe and Attorney As, hurried towards the entrance of the banquet hall.


    Kitty had initially thought of following him, but it wasn''t quite right for her to be greeting guests like that, especially when there were other matters to handle. She turned to Mirabe, her expression cool, "Let''s wrap up today''s business here. If you''ve got any more ideas, save them forter. I''ve got important guests today, and you can''t afford to mess this up."


    Not waiting for Mirabe to respond, Kitty nced around the room, motioned for a Cunningham family servant, and instructed him to take Mirabe backstage.


    At this point, all eyes were on the guest from the Shepherd family, barely sparing Mirabe and her entourage a nce. Talk of audio recordings, wills, andwyers was promptly brushed aside.


    Kitty let out a sigh of relief.


    She didn''t know who from the Shepherd family had shown up, but their presence had indirectly helped patch up the Cunningham family''s tarnished reputation.


    No matter how tonight''s events spread around, just having someone from the Shepherd family at their banquet would prevent others from looking down on the Cunningham family because of the scandal.


    Meanwhile, Austin had made his way to James, nodding respectfully, "James, it''s great to see you. Please, this way."


    James, still holding his phone, wore a handsome but expressionless face. He gave Austin a cursory nce, as if doing him a favor, and walked inside.


    That one look made Austin''s palms sweat, but underneath it all, he was thrilled. This was someone who never showed up at these kinds of gatherings. If he could forge even the slightest connection today, who in Riverdale would dare to look down on the Cunningham family again?


    Pushing aside his swirling thoughts, Austin stayed close to James. He noticed Mirabe still standing there, frowned, and tried to steer James in another direction, "Come this way, James."


    But his words seemed to disappear into thin air.


    Austin watched as James ignored his suggestion, heading straight towards his niece, which left him puzzled.


    Then, Austin nced at Kitty, remembering how quickly she had recognized the guest from the Shepherd family, and shelved his doubts, figuring James must know Kitty and was going over to her.


    Kitty was still instructing the servant to take Mirabe backstage, her impatience evident to anyone watching.


    It was only when James approached that Kitty quickly masked her impatience, smiling and nodding in greeting, "Hello, James."


    James didn''t look at her but fixed his gaze on Mirabe, his expression unchanged, though the intensity in his eyes seemed to momentarily soften.


    Seeing James focus on Mirabe, Kitty was momentarily taken aback, then she asked, "James, this is my niece. Do you know her?"


    James narrowed his eyes, finally looking directly at Kitty, "And you are?"


    Kitty met James''s gaze, her breath catching, feeling as though she had been plunged into an ice bath, chilled to the bone.


    Rumor had it that the Shepherd family member was unpredictable and hard to approach, and it seemed the rumors were true.


    Taking a deep breath, Kitty managed to steady her voice, "I''m Kitty, my husband is with the ke family..."

 Chapter 1180

    After Kitty finished speaking, she looked down slightly, feeling her palms slick with nervous sweat.


    "Oh, a Song, is it?" James asked coolly.


    Kitty wasn''t sure why Mr. Shepherd repeated the question but nodded again, "Yes."


    "Very well," James''s voice softened even more.


    Standing nearby, Mirabe raised an eyebrow at him, staying silent, curious about the drama he seemed to be stirring up with his grand entrance.


    Listening to them, Kitty felt a strange tightness in her chest, unable to figure out what he was up to. After a moment, she sneaked another nce at him and saw his attention shift to the eldest sister''s daughter. She couldn''t read his emotion, but she instinctively frowned.


    Her thoughts drifted to Mirabe, whose features were strikingly beautiful, with long, alluring eyes that were even more captivating than Delh''s in her prime.


    Kitty had always disliked Delh and, by default, her daughter too, disliking their mesmerizing looks that seemed to steal everyone''s attention.


    A young girl was openly gawking at James, which only fueled Kitty''s annoyance. Clearing her throat, she said, "My niece from the countryside doesn''t know any better. I hope you won''t take offense, James."


    With that, she gave a subtle nod to a servant nearby.


    The servant got the hint and quickly said, "Miss Mira, let''s step out for a moment."


    He reached out to guide her away, as if to forcibly escort her out.


    But his hand grasped nothing but air.


    Mirabe, with azy tilt of her head and twirling her phone, finally spoke, "What brings you here?"


    "Just passing through," James replied, unfazed by his own flimsy excuse.


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched, "Quite the spot to just ''pass through.""


    The cold distance on James''s handsome face melted away as he nodded, "All set with your matters?"


    Mirabe shrugged, ncing around the quiet banquet hall, her eyesnding on Kitty and Austin, both wearing expressions of disbelief. She sighed, "I was almost done, but your entrance really shook things up.¡±


    "Is that so? My apologies," James paused, noticing the will in Kitty''s hand, and added, "Seems my timing was a bit off."


    By now, everyone could see the clear familiarity between James and Mirabe.


    "Since you''re almost finished, shall we grab a bite?" James suggested.


    "Sure," Mirabe nodded, slipping her phone into her jacket pocket, exchanged a brief word with As, and without another look at Kitty and Austin, headed out.


    James raised an eyebrow and followed her, their side-by-side figures effortlessly in sync, disappearing from view.


    Only then did Austin and Kitty snap back to reality, both stunned.


    They hadn''t expected Mirabe to know James Shepherd, let alone to have such a close rtionship.


    Austin felt a pang of anxiety, realizing things were spiraling out of control. Letting his niece leave now might lead to some serious fallout.


    With that thought, Austin took a step to follow, only to be stopped by As''s hand in the next moment.

 Chapter 1181

    Austin was feeling pretty frustrated and turned to As with a stern tone, "Move aside."


    As just gave him a sideways nce. That look, calm as it seemed, had an underlying threat that made Austin shiver instinctively. He''d forgotten that As wasn''t someone to mess with.


    Austin took a step back, not daring to push his luck any further.


    "You''ve got one day to sort out the assets that rightfully belong to ourdy''s mother," As said with a cool indifference.


    Austin, his face set in a grim expression, was about to protest, but As cut him off.


    "Of course, if you''re not willing to do it yourself, I don''t mind stepping in. But my helpes with a price so steep the Cunningham family won''t be able to handle it." As''s presence was so intimidating that no one doubted he meant every word.


    "Why should I? Who do you think you are?" Kitty chimed in, biting her lip.


    As''s gaze flicked to Kitty. "Don''t worry, you''re not slipping away either." Then, turning back to Austin, he added, "Remember, you''ve got just one day. Exceed that, and you won''t like what happens next."


    With that, he turned and left, his entourage trailing behind.


    Once As and his crew were gone, the previously silent ballroom seemed toe alive again as voices started buzzing.


    "Sorry, Mr. Cunningham, I just remembered something urgent at home. I need to leave."


    "We should head out too."


    "My apologies."


    The guests'' polite excuses filled the air as Austin and Kitty listened helplessly. They didn''t even get a chance to persuade anyone to stay, and in no time, the room was nearly empty.


    After all that drama, it was clear no one wanted to stick around. What was meant to be a family reunion had turned into a battleground.


    Who''d risk offending the Shepherd family? Their lineage was full of politicians, and by James''s generation, they''d gone global. Even if they weren''t in politics anymore, their status was more influential than anyone in Riverdale.


    Nobody dared to snub the Shepherd family.


    The Cunninghams were just unlucky. The daughter they had cut ties with turned out to be a sess, and now, the next generation had connections with the Shepherds. No wonder they were trying to bring her back into the fold, only to find out she was way out of their league.


    By now, everyone except Attorney Weeks had left.


    Kitty looked around the empty ballroom, feeling weak and pale. "How did her daughter end up connected with the Shepherd family?"


    Wasn''t she just a girl who grew up in the countryside and recently moved to the city for school? How did she suddenly know all these people?


    Kitty couldn''t wrap her head around it, feeling like her brain was about to burst with confusion.


    Austin, eyes red with frustration, turned to Kitty, "What kind of research did you even do?"


    If he''d known his niece was connected to the Shepherd family, he wouldn''t have made a move that offended them.


    Kitty, tired of his constant ming, shot back, "Emmitt, give it a rest. If my research had gaps, why didn''t you double-check? When you found out the kid was friends with the head of the pharmaceutical association, you should''ve looked into it more. What''s the point of whining now? You think I wanted this mess?"


    Austin felt the sting of her words, realizing he should have dug deeper when he learned about the child''s connection with the head of the pharmaceutical association. Now, it was toote to change anything.

 Chapter 1182

    As Austin and Kitty were both caught up in their own frustrations, Mr. Wright, thewyer who hadn''t yet left, turned to Austin and finally spoke up, "Mr. Austin, it''s probably a good idea to start sorting out Miss Delh''s inheritance sooner rather thanter."


    Hearing Mr. Wright''s voice brought Austin back to reality, realizing thewyer was still there. He was just about to respond when Kitty stepped in, "Mr. Wright, you''ve got some nerve, taking all that money from us just to hand over the will to an outsider."


    Kitty shot Mr. Wright a cold re. She had hoped that someone from the Shepherd family woulde and smooth over the whole mess with the audio and the will. But to her dismay, that person knew her elder sister''s daughter. Now, the story of the old man''s will would be all over their social circles before tomorrow even arrived.


    On top of the recording and the will, there was also the tale of how Kitty, Miss Cunningham, had taken Miss Mira''s ce to marry into the ke family. This would spark endless gossip and spection.


    Even though Kitty usually had a good reputation with the elite, there were always a few societydies she didn''t get along with. Tonight''s scandal would give them the perfect opportunity to drag her name through the mud.


    The image she''d worked so hard to build was on the verge of unraveling.


    Mr. Wright''s wrinkled face showed a hint of helplessness, "I''m sorry, I never expected that will to surface again."


    Kitty let out a scoff, "What good is your apology now? You''re an ungrateful traitor, forgetting who pulled you out of the fire back then."


    Mr. Wright lowered his head, letting Kitty vent her anger. Once she was done, he finally said, "Regardless, Mr. Austin, miss, it would be best to sort out and return Miss Delh''s share of the inheritance. It''s for the best..."


    Kitty retorted with a cold voice, "What a joke. Even if she has that will, it''s been over twenty years; it''s void by now. She thinks she can take advantage of my father''s illness to fight for the inheritance, but she''s in for a surprise. The Cunningham family won''t give her a cent!"


    Kitty was defiant, as if daring anyone to think the ke family, her husband''s side, was full of pushovers.


    She despised being told topromise, especially by someone she detested as much as her elder sister.


    Knowing Kitty''s stubborn nature, Mr. Wright sighed, deciding not to push further, "Just as long as you don''t regret itter..."


    With that, he gave a slight bow to both of them, apologized once more, and then slowly headed for the door. His hunched figure seemed even more forlorn at that moment.


    Kitty''s gaze was icy, "The older they get, the more cowardly they be."


    Austin, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, "Actually, Mr. Wright isn''t wrong. That girl has connections with the Shepherd family, and if they decide to back her, do you think..."


    Kitty interrupted, raising her hand dismissively, "Emmitt, you''re overthinking it. If the Shepherd family were really going to step in, do you think any of this would''ve happened tonight? Why go through all the trouble with the will and the audio?"


    The Shepherd family wasn''t like their typical wealthy ns; they never meddled in noble affairs, and Kitty couldn''t imagine James breaking his principles for a girl.


    "Putting the Shepherd family aside, there''s something off about my elder sister''s daughter herself. How did she get her hands on today''s audio? And how did she manage to send it to everyone''s phones? Haven''t you wondered about that?" Austin said, his voice heavy with concern.

 Chapter 1183

    As Kitty''s face hinted at her difort when the topic of audio maniption came up, she cleared her throat and replied, "That''s simple enough. Just hire a tech- savvy guy to handle it."


    Suddenly recalling something, Kitty quickly grabbed her phone and logged into her cloud storage. She was looking for a hidden file that used to have a dozen photos. Now, it waspletely empty.


    Those photos were of her older sister. Kitty had Jules print them out and send them to Mirabe by mail.


    Closing her phone, Kitty''s expression turned grim. Maybe Emmitt was onto something; her niece was indeed a peculiar person.


    Wondering if she still had the digital copies on herputer, Kitty rubbed her temples, feeling a wave of frustration. She turned to Austin, "Emmitt, I''m heading out."


    Austin was equally anxious about the night''s events. Once Kitty left, he quickly made his way back to the Cunningham house.


    *


    Meanwhile, after leaving the banquet hall, Mirabe and James took the elevator down to the second floor, where James had booked a private room.


    Sam had arrived about fifteen minutes earlier. When they walked in, he was tinkering with something at the table.


    "Jake, why do I always mess this up?" Sam barely looked up, noticing James first, then nced back down, making a casual remark.


    James caught sight of what his uncle was working on and cleared his throat, stepping slightly to block Mirabe''s view. "Oh, by the way, we''ve gotpany for dinner," he mentioned.


    Mirabe, curious about the secrecy, raised an eyebrow. Company?


    Hearing his nephew''s voice, Sam nced up again, spotting someone else at the door. He quickly grabbed a canvas bag from the chair, sweeping the scattered parts on the table into it.


    This kid, bringing someone along without a heads-up.


    After tidying up, Sam straightened up, his usual serious demeanor cracked when he recognized the young woman behind his nephew. They had met briefly at the security office before.


    James removed his coat and hung it up, then did the same with Mirabe''s. He pulled out a chair for her and, once she was seated, casually introduced her, "This is my Uncle Mike; feel free to call him Uncle Mike."


    Turning to Sam, he formally introduced Mirabe and then took his seat next to her.


    "Uncle Mike, nice to meet you," Mirabe greeted politely, nodding.


    Faced with a charming and polite young woman, Sam struggled to maintain his stern look. He coughed and offered a small smile, "Nice to meet you too."


    Remembering something, Sam awkwardly fidgeted with his hands on the table and shot James a stern look before sheepishly adding, "Sorry, I didn''t bring a gift for our first meeting. I''ll make it up to you next time."


    Mirabe shook her head with a polite smile, "Thank you, Uncle Mike, but¡ª"


    Before she could finish, James chimed in, "No worries about the gift, Uncle. Just add her on Messenger."


    Mirabe: "??"


    James, lounging back with one arm draped over Mirabe''s chair, casually pulled his phone from his pocket.

 Chapter 1184

    Before long, Sam''s phone buzzed in his pocket.


    James set his phone down and nced at Sam, "I''ve sent you Mira''s contact info on Messenger."


    The message was clear: forget about gifts, a direct money transfer or digital cash gift would suffice.


    Sam: "..."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, turning to give someone a side-eye-wow, that was bold. James, unfazed, casually brushed her hair back with a calm demeanor.


    Sam, having been unexpectedly showered with sweetness, took a moment to snap back to reality. He shook his head with a speechless grin, pulled out his phone, opened the contact card his nephew sent, and added the new friend. Mirabe saw this and quickly grabbed her phone to add the contact as well.


    Sam wasn''t one to be stingy, sending Mirabe a generous amount straight away. If his nephew thought highly enough of her to bring her along, she must be someone special.


    He liked her right off the bat, finding her far more genuine and down-to-earth than those high-maintenance heiresses.


    Mirabe, seeing the transfer on her phone, felt a bit overwhelmed, a familiar fear creeping in from handling suchrge sums.


    James, noticing, leaned in and whispered, "Go on, ept it. Uncle Sam''s not short on cash."


    Feeling like she was subtly being called broke, Mirabe: "..."


    After a brief pause, she epted the transfer with a quiet nod and looked up at Sam, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Uncle Sam. If you ever need a hand with anything, just let me know."


    Sam found this amusing; it was the first time someone had offered him help. He chuckled, saying simply, "No worries."


    Soon, James called over a server to order.


    Sam wasn''t much of a talker, but he got along well with Mirabe. During the


    meal, he even had a bottle of red wine brought over.


    James abstained, but Mirabe joined in with a modest ss.


    After all, she was the one who received the cash gift.


    Post-dinner, noticing his uncle''s face flushed from the wine, James made a call to his driver.


    "James, I''ll take the minister home now," the driver nodded to him.


    James replied with a nod, noticing a canvas bag left where his uncle had been sitting. "Hold on." He picked up the ck bag and handed it to the driver.


    The driver took it without question and quickly left the private dining room with the guest.


    Suddenly, it was just Mirabe and him in the room.


    James turned to Mirabe, noticing the rosy tint on her cheeks from the wine. His gaze deepened as he pinched her cheek gently, asking, "Feeling tipsy?"


    "How could I be?" Mirabe shot him a sideways nce, batting his hand away. Despite the flush, her eyes were clear and bright, not a hint of drunkenness.


    Seeing this, James sighed in mock disappointment, "What a shame."


    Mirabe ignored his gaze, checked her watch, and then reached for her coat, slipping it on slowly. "Let''s go; I''ve got somewhere else to be."


    "Where to?" James asked.


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed a bit as she casually buttoned her coat, replying, "The hospital."


    James looked surprised but didn''t press further, simply offering, "I''ll take you."


    Mirabe didn''t turn down the offer, softly agreeing as they left the private dining


    room.


    Before long, they were out of the hotel, with the car heading towards the city''s General Hospital.

 Chapter 1185

    The hospital had everything set up in advance.


    Mirabe headed straight to the ward. The patient on the bed had their eyes shut tight, with only the gently moving lines on the monitors showing any signs of life. Their chest barely moved with each breath.


    Mirabe approached the bedside, gave a quick, cool nce, then pulled up a chair. She reached out, her fingers finding Romero''s pulse.


    James, standing nearby, couldn''t hide his surprise after she finished checking. "I thought you wouldn''t bother," he remarked.


    Without looking up, Mirabe pulled a silver needle from her bag. "Death is just too dull," she replied.


    Isn''t it intriguing to see someone face their own grim fate?


    She had already inserted a needle and, after a moment, added lightly, "Besides, isn''t saving lives a doctor''s duty?"


    James shot her a nce. From anyone else, those words would sound ordinary. But from her, they felt eerie.


    "Is there still hope for him?" James asked.


    Mirabe tilted her head and inserted another needle. "Ever seen someone with severe Alzheimer''s? They can see and hear but can''t react to anything."


    Sometimes, living isn''t necessarily a blessing. In contrast, death might be a release.


    James got the message and didn''t press further, stepping aside to wait.


    About ten minutester, Mirabe removed the needles and checked the monitors again. Some of the readings that had been low were slowly climbing back to normal.


    She massaged her wrist and walked over to James. "Let''s go."


    James nodded and gently took her right wrist, massaging it with just the right pressure as they left the ward.


    They took the elevator down. Stepping outside, the brisk night air cleared away thest traces of alcohol from Mirabe''s system.


    Her wrist no longer ached, but James''s gentle massage continued. Mirabe fluttered hershes, sneaking a sideways nce at him.


    Under his open coat was a ck turtleneck, entuating his sharp features. From any angle, he was wlessly handsome.


    Indeed, good looks have a way of drawing people in, Mirabe thought to herself.


    In the parking lot, James opened the car door for her. After she settled into the passenger seat, he got in and started the engine. That''s when his phone rang.


    He checked the caller ID and answered quickly.


    "Hey, I heard from your uncle that you had dinner with that youngdy today," Emily''s warm voice came through.


    James replied with a nomittal hum, "Did you call just to ask about that?" "Did you drink too much?" Emily asked after a pause.


    Leaning against the door frame, James rubbed his forehead. "What do you take me for?"


    "Oh," Emily sounded a bit disappointed. "You know, I think people shouldn''t be too uptight."


    James: ".


    "1


    "If there''s nothing else, I''ll hang up now." James coughed lightly and ended the call before Emily could respond.


    He tossed the phone into thepartment beside him and drove away from the hospital.


    All the way home, Emily''s words echoed in his mind.


    Meanwhile, Kitty rushed back to the ke family home. The moment she got in, she headed straight to her room and powered up herputer.

 Chapter 1186

    Kitty had locked down herputer with a password, and some of her most important files were encrypted for added security.


    She quickly found a hidden folder, and after entering the password, her mood soured. The photos and audio files she expected to see were gone. If they''d vanished from a cloud service, she might''ve med it on the unreliability of online storage. But from her ownputer? That was a different story.


    Her fingers tightened around the mouse as she refused to give up, searching through every drive on herputer in hopes of finding the missing files. But no matter where she looked, they were nowhere to be found.


    Frustrated, Kitty tossed the mouse aside and pinched the bridge of her nose, sitting silently for a few minutes. When she finally lowered her hand, the light overhead was bright, but her eyes were cold and steely. She had clearly underestimated that girl, who had managed to pull this off without leaving a trace. No wonder there had been no reaction when she sent those photos; the girl had a trick or two up her sleeve.


    Just then, a knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She got up to answer


    it.


    "Mom, are you okay?" asked Yara, who had noticed her mom rushing upstairs as soon as she got home and hade to check in.


    By the time Kitty opened the door, she''d masked her emotions, smiling and shaking her head. "What could possibly be wrong?"


    Yara didn''t see anything unusual and smiled back. "d to hear it."


    Kitty took a moment to admire her daughter''s beautiful face, her simplicity graced with the elegance of a well-breddy. It was a stark contrast to Delh''s daughter, who seemed wild from head to toe. She couldn''t understand why anyone from the Shepherd family would associate with such a rough girl.


    Kitty''s eyes flickered as she casually adjusted Yara''s cor. "By the way, you visited the Shepherds a while back, right? Haven''t heard anything about you going over theretely."


    "I''ve been a bit busy. Why do you ask?" Yara replied, puzzled.


    Kitty kept her tone light. "Just curious." After a pause, she added gently, "Sometimes, girls need to take the initiative. Otherwise, the one you like might end up with someone else."


    Yara paused, "Mom, why are you saying such odd things today?"


    Seeing her daughter''s obliviousness to her advice, Kitty sighed inwardly, knowing Yara''s straightforward nature might not stand a chance against Delh''s daughter. "What I mean is, if you want something, you should go for it, even when ites to people," Kitty said, patting Yara''s shoulder. "Being too polite can sometimes be a disadvantage."


    Yara understood the hint, lowered hershes, and didn''t want to engage further with her mom''s so-called wisdom. She nodded politely, "I get it, Mom. You should rest early. I still have a paper to finish, so I''ll head back to my room."


    Seeing no point in continuing, Kitty let the topic drop. "Alright, don''t stay up toote yourself."


    "Mhm." Yara nodded slightly and turned to leave.


    The next morning, Kitty had just finished getting dressed and was heading downstairs when she got a call from the hospital. Her face lit up with joy after she hung up. She quickly told the chauffeur to get the car ready.


    As Kitty was changing her shoes in the foyer, the butler came in carrying several parcels. "Oh, ma''am, there''s also a package for you."

 Chapter 1187

    Kitty was in a real rush to get to the hospital. When the butler mentioned something to her, she just waved him off, saying, "Just leave it for now, I need to head to the hospital."


    The butler nodded respectfully and did as she asked. Once Kitty was out the door, he tidied up a few parcels into the hall closet before getting back to his own duties.


    About half an hourter, Kitty arrived at the hospital. Austin had gotten the news earlier and beat her by about fifteen minutes. He was already in the hospital room.


    Dr. Ray was there, exining, "Mr. Cunningham is no longer in critical condition and will soon be moved to a regr room."


    "Does that mean Dad''s going to get better?" Austin asked eagerly.


    Dr. Ray nodded, gesturing to the monitor''s readings, "In theory, yes. But we''re waiting on some detailed test results. I''ll let you know as soon as theye in." "Thank you, I really appreciate it," Austin replied, his voice full of gratitude.


    "You''re wee," Dr. Ray smiled. "It seems Mr. Cunningham has quite the resilience to pull through like this. It''s nothing short of a miracle."


    Austin''s eyes drifted to Donald, lying in the bed. Without his older sister''s daughter there to help, he''d prepared for the worstst night. Astonishingly, Donald had pulled through on his own.


    Austin let out a sigh of relief and soon showed Dr. Ray to the door. When he returned, the worry lines on his forehead had eased considerably.


    As long as Donald was okay, there was still a chance to sort out the asset distribution.


    When Kitty got there and heard the news, she also breathed easier. "Looks like Dad''s going to be alright." After a brief pause, she added casually, "Since Dad''s almost awake, let''s not bother with our eldest sister anymore."


    She was talking about what As had mentioned the night before-about Austin arranging to return their sister''s share of the assets.


    Austin looked conflicted but remained silent, recalling how thewyer had emphasized it twice before leaving.


    Kitty seemed to read his mind and said, "Thatwyer is just a nervous wreck. Are you really taking him seriously?"


    "It''s not that I fully trust what he said, it''s just... I can''t shake this uneasy feeling," Austin admitted, clearly troubled.


    "Don''t overthink it. Do you really think Dad, once he''s up, would let someone who''s been out of the picture for decades get a cut of the Cunningham family fortune?" Kitty asked dismissively.


    Austin mulled over Kitty''s words and saw her point. Donald wouldn''t even hand over full control to him, his own son, so their estranged sister had no chance. Donald would likely be the first to object before Austin even had to say anything.


    With that realization, Austin''s worries faded. He stepped out to call hiswyer, telling him to pause the asset sorting.


    Later in the afternoon, all of Donald''s (Romero''s) health readings came back normal. He woke up but couldn''t speak, which everyone thought was normal at the time.


    It wasn''t until a few dayster that they realized it wasn''t normal at all.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe didn''t tell Delh about attending Austin''s party. When she got back, she acted as if nothing had happened.


    With Donald (Romero) getting better, Austin didn''t have time to chase after


    Delh, so she stopped bothering him, which even surprised her a bit.

 Chapter 1188

    As gave Austin a day to get his affairs in order. Once that day passed, he sent someone to check on Austin, but they got the cold shoulder and were sent


    packing.


    So, he decided to call Mirabe.


    When he rang her up, Mirabe was being dragged through a shopping mall by Delh, who was eyeing some jewels. She slipped outside the store to take the call.


    As gave her a quick rundown about Austin, "Since he''s ying hardball, should we maybe..."


    He left the sentence hanging.


    Mirabe, lounging against the mall''s ss railing, casually tapped her fingers and said, "As, you do whatever you think is best."


    As, hearing this, rxed a bit. "You think the missus will be okay with this?"


    Mirabe nced at the jewelry store window, then looked away, her voice breezy, "It''s just business. Doesn''t matter who gets the short end of the stick."


    As chuckled, appreciating Mirabe''s straightforwardness, a refreshing change from Grady''s endless chatter about manners that everyone was sick of.


    They didn''t chat much longer and wrapped up the call quickly.


    Mirabe tucked her phone away, leaned on the railing for a little more until she saw Delh waving her back inside the jewelry store.


    Delh had a dozen pieces picked out, all from thetest collection. She grabbed a diamond ne and moved to put it on Mirabe, "Try this, darling."


    Mirabe, eyeing the bling with a grin that only those pinching pennies know too well, replied, "Maybe not, I''m already wearing something."


    As she spoke, she pulled out the ne she had on under her ck sweater to show Delh.


    "More is more when ites to jewelry..." Delh insisted, fastening the ne around Mirabe''s neck. After a quick look, she nodded approvingly, "Not bad, let''s try some others."


    Mirabe: "..."


    After trying on a few more and feeling a bit overwhelmed, Mirabe excused herself to step out for a breather.


    As she headed to the restroom, she thought to herself that shopping really wasn''t her thing.


    Wouldn''t curling up with a book be so much better?


    When she finally dragged herself back after about ten minutes, Delh had already paid, loading up a big shopping bag with over a dozen little boxes.


    Seeing the store manager''s grin that practically split their face, Mirabe resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose, wondering if asking for a refund would have her thrown out.


    Soon enough, Delh was leading Mirabe to yet another luxury store,


    bemoaning the trials of having a daughter who''d rather stay in than shop.


    *


    Kitty, on the other hand, was finally able to rx a bit with Donald''s health on the mend. She decided to drag him along on a shopping spree today.


    They''d been wandering around the mall for a while when Kitty spotted one of her go-to luxury boutiques. Through the window, she caught sight of Delh inside, picking out clothes.


    In a white fur coat, Delh looked every bit the picture of luxury, grabbing attention even from afar.


    Kitty frowned, her steps faltering as she recognized her sister, someone she hadn''t expected to see on this shopping trip.


    Standing still, her husband noticed she''d stopped and turned back, puzzled, "Why''d you stop?"


    Snapping out of it, Kitty looked at him, remembered something, and then took his hand.


    Goodnight, folks! I''ll adjust the update schedule tomorrow to avoid posting sote. Just needed azy day today, but I promise to catch up on the missed chapter tomorrow. TTTT

 Chapter 1189

    "I''m not really feeling the clothes at this store; let''s check out some other brands," Kitty said to Rorie, her face as calm as ever, not giving away any signs of


    difort.


    Rorie, sensing something a bit off about Kitty, shrugged it off and stepped back from the store entrance, agreeing without much thought.


    Kitty felt a wave of relief wash over her. She looped her arm through Rorie''s, casting onest nce at Delh inside the store before heading into the next


    one.


    Even in the new shop, Kitty found herself distracted, her mind reying the scene with Delh over and over. The joy of shopping was almostpletely overshadowed.


    While Kitty was trying on outfits, Rorie took a phone call. After hanging up, he looked a bit troubled, pacing the store as he often did when deep in thought.


    Kitty emerged in a new ensemble, ready to ask for Rorie''s opinion, but when she noticed his worried expression, she held back and walked over to him. "What''s up?" she asked.


    Rorie paused, turning to face Kitty. "There''s a bit of an issue at the investment firm."


    Kitty''s brow furrowed. The firm was something she had brought into the ke family when they got married, and Rorie had been managing it ever since. "Is it serious?" she asked immediately.


    "A couple of investors pulled out suddenly, but it''s not too big of a deal for now," Rorie replied, trying to sound reassuring.


    Kitty rxed a bit at his words. "As long as it''s not major, we can look for other investors to cover the gap."


    "Yeah," Rorie nodded in agreement.


    Kitty adjusted her outfit, thinking aloud, "Maybe you should go back to the office and see what''s going on."


    Rorie had the same thought but still said, "I''ll hang out with you a bit longer."


    "No worries, businesses first. You should go," Kitty gently nudged him, urging him to leave.


    Normally, she''d insist he stay, but today was different.


    Seeing her determination, Rorie didn''t argue further. He handed Kitty a card and made his way out.


    Kitty watched him leave, her gaze following him until he stepped onto the esctor and disappeared downstairs. Then she turned back into the changing room.


    *


    As Rorie took the esctor down to the second floor, his assistant called again. He walked over to the railing of the atrium to take the call.


    The call was still about the investment firm, and the assistant sounded more urgent this time. Rorie''s brow furrowed even more as he assured them he''d head to the office right away and hung up.


    Pocketing his phone, he was about to move to the next esctor when he


    nced up and froze. His eyes caught sight of someone in a white coating down from the third floor.


    Was that Delh?


    Rorie stood still for a moment, but by the time he blinked, the figure had vanished from the esctor.


    He shook his head, dismissing the thought and continued on his way.


    ...


    Delh, finally satisfied with her shopping spree, turned to hold her daughter''s hand, only to find herself grabbing at the air.


    Seeing her daughter''s hands full of shopping bags, Delh was taken aback. "Did I really buy this much stuff?"


    Mirabe smiled serenely, "It''s alright, you''ve got plenty of cash."


    Delh, sensing a hint of teasing from her daughter, was momentarily speechless.


    Clearing her throat, she noticed something else and turned back to her daughter, eyes settling on her casually pinned-up hair.


    Even though Mirabe was beautiful in every way, Delh thought she could look even more stunning.

 Chapter 1190

    Delh didn''t waste a second. She tugged Mirabe right into the swanky hair salon at the end of the hall.


    Mirabe, who was already kicking herself for leaving the house, had to endure five long hours of what felt like pure torture. By the time it was over, she was just d she''d survived it.


    "You look stunning, sweetheart," Delh said, arms folded, gazing at her daughter''s new hairdo with obvious pride.


    Mirabe''s once long, straight ck hair had been transformed into a chic, wavy French bob. Her bangs were stylishly curled, and the natural coffee-brown hue of her hair made her fair skin glow even more. With a slight arch of her brow, there was a newfound edge to her look.


    Looking at herself in the mirror, Mirabe wasn''t quite sure how she felt about it, despite the money spent.


    Her phone buzzed with a message. She nced down at a text from James and quickly typed back, "All done."


    She''d been chatting with James on Messenger to kill time during the seemingly endless hair session.


    James raised an eyebrow at her reply and typed back, "How about grabbing dinner with Marian?"


    Mirabe tucked a loose wave behind her ear, nced at Delh, who was busy at the cashier, and replied, "Nah, we''re heading straight home."


    James sighed at her response, "Alright... how about a photo to make up for it?"


    Mirabe chuckled and snapped a candid shot of Delh mid-payment, capturing the moment just right. She sent it off with a satisfied nod.


    James couldn''t help but grin at the picture.


    When Delh finished paying and turned back, she saw Mirabe smiling at her phone. "What''s got you grinning like that?" she asked.


    Mirabe shook her head, showing a transaction alert on her screen. She stood up, asking, "Can we head home now?"


    Delh''s smile twitched. She knew suggesting another shopping spree might not end well.


    By the time they got home, it was pushing 9 p.m. After dinner, Mirabe headed to her room.


    She quickly freshened up, then logged onto The Mirror website to check the responses to her ad about selling medication. There were plenty ofments, but none from the person she was waiting for.


    With a sigh, she closed the webpage.


    Her phone buzzed twice with a Messenger alert. After a moment''s hesitation, she picked it up and saw it was from Zane. Sitting up straighter, she replied, "I''m here."


    Zane quickly called her through voice chat.


    Mirabe picked up.


    "Hey, the Tech Institute just rang. They want our research group there tomorrow, so get ready, Mirabe," Zane''s voice buzzed with excitement.


    Mirabe held the phone, her voice steady as she asked, "Are they giving out our grant money in person?"


    Zane''s enthusiasm wavered, "I''m trying to talk business here."


    "Of course, Professor. I''ll be ready," Mirabe replied seriously.


    Zane, who had been ready with reassurances for nervous team members like Linden and Jessie, was thrown off by her calmness.


    Rubbing his temple, he realized this wasn''t the reaction he''d anticipated.

 Chapter 1191

    Mirabe hadn''t heard from Zane in a bit, so she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Professor?"


    As they say,parisons can be tricky. Zane cleared his throat, trying to y it cool, "Just giving you a heads-up. Let''s leave it at that for now. Get some rest and swing by my office at 9 AM tomorrow."


    With that, he abruptly hung up. He was worried he might let his excitement show. Mirabe lifted an eyebrow again and set her phone down.


    **


    Meanwhile, Rorie trudged back to the ke household, feeling the weight of the day. Kitty had been waiting in the living room, and as soon as she heard the door, she got up, "You''re back."


    Rorie just nodded, handing her his jacket.


    "How''s everything at thepany?" Kitty asked.


    Rorie slipped into hisfy slippers and walked further in, sounding tired, "A couple of clients pulled their investments. Not sure why."


    Kitty frowned, following him, "What''s up with them? Our investment firm is top- notch with the best profit shares. Pulling out is like saying no to free money."


    Rorie rubbed his temples and sank into the couch, looking utterly worn out.


    Seeing him like that, Kitty gestured to the butler for some hot milk and asked, "Is the client withdrawal hitting us hard?"


    "A bit," Rorie muttered, not diving into the details of thepany''s troubles. His mind was still on the meeting discussions and the possible sabotage.


    Kitty, sensing something was off, pulled out her phone to check the firm''s financials. Not being a finance whiz, she only got the basics.


    Not finding much, she nced at Rorie, who seemed lost in thought and not keen to chat. So she headed upstairs.


    Yara had always had a knack for numbers; maybe she could make sense of it all. Just then, the butler brought over the hot milk for Rorie.


    He took a few sips, set it down on the coffee table, and leaned back on the sofa. After about ten minutes, he stood up to head upstairs.


    The butler, tidying up a cab, found a package and, spotting Rorie on his way up, said, "Sir, this package is for thedy. She might have forgotten about it; could you take it up to her?"


    Rorie nodded, took the package, and went upstairs.


    When he got back to the room, Kitty wasn''t there. He casually tossed the package onto the ss coffee table and headed into the bathroom.


    After Kitty came down from Yara''s room and knew Rorie was back in theirs, she went back up.


    Once Rorie was out of the shower, Kitty shared what Yara had deduced from the data.


    "Yara thinks someone''s pulling strings behind the scenes?" Rorie set down the hairdryer, looking at Kitty, surprised.


    Kitty nodded, "You know how sharp she is with numbers. If she''s picked up on something, it''s worth checking out. You should get someone on it."


    Rorie narrowed his eyes, grabbed his phone, and called his assistant.


    Kitty watched him on the call, waited for a bit, and then quietly picked up a clean nightgown and went into the bathroom.


    When she came out, Rorie had finished his call. He nced at the package on the coffee table, "Oh, by the way, the butler said you''ve got a package."


    He pointed to the coffee table as he spoke.

 Chapter 1192

    Kitty had just plopped down in front of her vanity when she remembered the package that arrived yesterday morning. She''d been so swamped she almost forgot about it. "Hey, could you open it up and see what it is?" she asked casually.


    Rorie nodded and went over to grab the small box. It didn''t take him long to open it. As he pulled out the contents, he said, "Looks like some photos..."


    But his words trailed off as soon as he glimpsed the first photo, his face turning stormy in a sh.


    Kitty was applying a face mask and raised an eyebrow when Rorie stopped mid- sentence. "What photos?" she asked, curiosity piqued.


    Silence.


    She nced up at the mirror, observing Rorie''s every move and his shifting expression, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. That''s when it hit her¡ª she hadn''t ordered anything onlely.


    She got up quickly and walked over to her husband. "Rorie, what''s going on?"


    Rorie''s eyes were dark with anger. Before Kitty could even get a good look, he lost it, flinging the photos at her, sending them scattering across the floor.


    "Kitty, you''ve really done it this time!" His outburst made her flinch. Instinctively, she bent down to pick up a photo. The moment she saw it, her fingers trembled, and the photo slipped from her grasp.


    How could it be *that* photo?


    Her mind went nk as she stared at the other photos strewn across the floor, too stunned to pick them up and defend herself.


    Rorie, seeing her reaction, grew even more upset. "Who''s the guy in these photos?"


    When his using question finally registered, Kitty snapped back to reality. She looked up at him, desperate to exin. "Rorie, these aren''t real. Someone''s trying


    to set me up. After all these years, don''t you know me better than this?"


    Rorie let out a bitterugh, his voice dripping with anger and betrayal. "Fake photos, huh?"


    He snatched a few of the photos, holding them up to emphasize the crystal-clear, all-too-real images. "Do you think I''m an idiot?"


    Kitty shook her head, not even noticing the face mask slipping off as she pleaded, "No, it''s not true. It''s not me..."


    Rorie scoffed, disgusted, and turned away without another word.


    Kitty reached out, grabbing his arm in desperation. "Please, you have to believe me. These aren''t real."


    Rorie shook her off, not interested in hearing more, and walked out without looking back.


    Kitty followed him, but he ignored her and soon drove off, leaving her standing there.


    Feeling lost and hollow, Kitty wandered back to her room. Themotion must have been loud because Yara, who was working on her thesis in her room, popped her head out to see what was going on.

 Chapter 1193

    Yara paused for a moment before stepping into the room. Photos were scattered


    all over the floor like a mini tornado had hit. She was just about to bend down and pick them up when Kitty''s voice cut through the air from the doorway.


    "Yara!"


    Yara jumped at the sudden shout and stood up straight, turning to look at her mom at the door.


    Kitty rushed in, pulled Yara over to the doorway without a word, and stood protectively in front of her, eyes locked on her daughter. "When did you get here?"


    "Just now," Yara replied, her face full of confusion as she nced back at the mess. "Those photos are..."


    Kitty, seeing that Yara hadn''t noticed the photos, let out a small sigh of relief. "It''s nothing important. Did you need something from my room?"


    Yara hesitated, then asked, "Did you and Dad have a fight?"


    Kitty looked away, trying to brush it off. "Kids shouldn''t worry about these things. Go back to your room, okay?"


    "Did Dad leave?" Yara pressed on.


    Even though Kitty was stressed inside, she managed to keep her cool in front of Yara. She nodded, eager to wrap things up, "Your dad and I always get like this after a fight. It''ll blow over in a few days. I''m just really tired and need to rest."


    Yara looked at her mom with concern, wanting to say more, but she held back. "Alright, Mom. Get some rest. Goodnight."


    Kitty nodded, and once Yara was gone, she closed the door, leaned against it for a couple of minutes, and took a deep breath before heading over to the photos sprawled on the floor.


    Sitting down, Kitty felt all the energy drain from her. If she had known what was in that package, she would have never let Rorie see it.


    Rorie''s intolerance for any sort of drama meant it wouldn''t be long before he might bring up divorce.


    With shaky hands, Kitty gathered the photos, a sarcastic smile ying on her lips. If Rorie hadn''t been so hung up on her older sister all these years, none of this would''ve happened.


    If anyone was to me, it was her sister, who still messed with Kitty''s life even after being kicked out of the Cunningham family.


    Kitty clutched the photos tightly, eventually calming her swirling emotions. She turned her attention to the package, picked it up, noticing there was no sender''s info.


    Her face tightened as a note slipped out of the box. She picked it up, her heart sinking.


    The note read: A tit-for-tat surprise, do you like it?


    Putting two and two together, Kitty realized who had sent the photos. It was payback for the ones she''d sent to Mirabe.


    As anger mixed with regret, Kitty looked down at the stack of photos. If she hadn''t


    sent those photos, maybe none of this would''ve happened.


    She stumbled a bit, knowing some thoughts shouldn''t be chased too far, or they''d lead to a pit of regret.


    **


    The next day.


    Mirabe headed to school, strolling into Zane''s office right at nine.


    Linden, Jessie, and a few others were already there, chatting nervously. As


    Mirabe walked in, she caught their anxious vibes and couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "Are we really that stressed about visiting the Tech Institute?"

 Chapter 1194

    Linden cleared his throat and said, "You might not realize it yet, but the Tech


    Institute is packed with tech geniuses. Even though our proposal got selected, it feels pretty humble next to these experts."


    He paused, then added with a hint of awe, "Still, just getting a foot in the Tech Institute is a badge of honor in itself."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, pulled up a chair, and sat down. "Why not set our sights even higher?"


    Linden chuckled and shook his head, knowing his own boundaries. "You, my dear freshman, are truly the shining star of our department."


    Linden, along with Kason and Jessie, knew all too well that their project caught the Tech Institute''s eye solely because of Mirabe''s groundbreaking calctions. Without her, they, along with Mr. Zane, wouldn''t have been able to whip up the artificial life system framework so swiftly.


    "Everyone''s got their own strengths; you''re being too humble," Mirabe said truthfully.


    Linden was a whiz at biomimetic big data analysis, Kason excelled in gic sequencing, and Jessie had a knack for gic molecr structures. Sess wasn''t about being the strongest but about blending everyone''s talents seamlessly.


    After a bit more chatting, Zane walked in from his office and said, "Alright, team, let''s hit the road. The car''s waiting downstairs."


    They all followed Zane downstairs.


    Once the Tech Institute epted their proposal, Zane filed a report with the university. The unexpected attention from the Tech Institute had put the usually quiet Bioinformatics Department in the spotlight.


    To ensure smooth coboration, the university had the head of the International Affairs Office tag along to the Tech Institute.


    Besides Zane, Mr. Belcher had appointed others from the Biology Department to lead the team.


    When Linden spotted the person in the passenger seat of the business car, he frowned deeply. Before hopping in, he shot a nce at Mirabe.


    Because the person Mr. Belcher chose was none other than Mr. Calvin.


    Linden remembered the tension between Mr. Calvin, Mirabe, and Mr. Zane over some previous issue with Meg, making Mr. Calvin''s role in leading the team potentially tricky.


    Mirabe noticed Linden''s worried look but just smiled calmly and got in the car, unfazed by Mr. Calvin''s presence.


    Seeing her unbothered demeanor, Linden rxed a bit.


    Soon, the car was on its way from Prestige College to the Tech Institute''s base.


    The trip wasn''t short, taking about an hour and a half. Once in the car, Mirabe pulled up her hoodie, leaned back, and closed her eyes for some rest.


    Meanwhile, Linden was busy venting about Mr. Calvin to Jessie and Kason in their Messenger group chat, not paying much attention to his phone otherwise.


    By around eleven, they finally reached the Tech Institute''s base.


    At the entrance stood a towering three-meter robot, its sleek ck surface crafted from special metallic materials, and a metal sphere floating in its palm. The sphere slowly rotated, driven by a maic field.


    It was a stunning piece of high-tech marvel at first nce.


    Linden and the group, seeing such a robot for the first time, couldn''t help but be amazed.


    "I heard this robot''s got an intelligent system and can even go into attack mode," Kason remarked, peering out the car window.

 Chapter 1195

    Jessie''s eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously? That''s amazing!"


    "Well, the Tech Institute is packed with geniuses. Designing a robot like that is just another day at the office for them," Linden said with a shrug.


    "So, if they''re diving into intelligent systems, why create a separate division for artificial life systems? Shouldn''t they be more experienced by now?" Jessie wondered aloud, scratching her head.


    Kason shook his head thoughtfully. "Beats me. But there is a difference, you know? The biological data needed for artificial life systems is insanelyplex."


    Mirabe was listening, tapping her fingers lightly on her knee as she gazed out the car window. "The life system builds on the intelligent system but takes it a step further. It integrates human thought, pretty much making a clone of aplete person. That kind of massive project needs more than just a bunch of engineers."


    No research is a one-person show; it takes a team effort across different fields to make it work.


    Jessie, sitting right in front of Mirabe, swiveled around, resting her arms on the back of the seat. "I''ve always thought you knew a lot about artificial life systems, right?"


    Ever since their research team came together, Mirabe''s knack for steering discussions had shown her deep understanding. You couldn''t sketch out a system framework so quickly without it.


    Jessie''s voice wasn''t loud, but it carried through the car. As her question hung in the air, Calvin, sitting up front, perked up, eager to hear Mirabe''s response.


    Since the whole Meg incident, Calvin''s feelings about Mirabe were tangled. She was supposed to be in his department, but he had pushed her out. Her extraordinary talent was something the department hadn''t seen in years.


    It was a real shame to have lost someone like that... Calvin pushed down his frustration, ncing at the rearview mirror, waiting for Mirabe to speak.


    Mirabe met Jessie''s confident gaze and blinked. "Anyone can do it, if they just dive into some good books."


    Jessie raised an eyebrow. "Stop pulling my leg."


    Mirabe sighed, a small smile ying on her lips. "Honestly, I don''t have many hobbies. I just love reading."


    At this, Zane, sitting up front, turned and smirked at Mirabe. "Oh really? I''ve got


    a stack of materials. Don''t forget to grab them from meter."


    Caught in her own web, Mirabe''s confident fa?ade cracked for a second. "Oh,e on..."


    Jessie burst outughing at Mirabe''s flustered look.


    Zane chuckled to himself, turning back around. "Knew it, thought she could handle it."


    Calvin watched the group from the front seat, especially noting Zane''s smug expression, and felt a twinge of irritation. It seemed like Zane was showing off right in front of him.


    Tired of it, Calvin averted his eyes, ignoring the rearview mirror.


    Before long, the car cruised smoothly into the Tech Institute, parking in the designated spot. The group climbed out.


    Hank, the project lead for this branch at the Tech Institute, was already waiting. He gave a quick nce over Zane and Mirabe''s group, raising an eyebrow at the sight of two women, then rxed.


    Not recognizing Zane, Hank''s gaze settled on the school''s external affairs head and Calvin. He nodded politely. "Dr. King, Mr. Calvin."

 Chapter 1196

    "Hey, Hank."nDr. King and Calvin both nodded, giving a polite nod as well.nWeiyong skipped the small talk and didn''t bother introducing Zane and the students. Instead, he led everyone straight to theb.n"That guy''s pretty standoffish, didn''t even give us a nce," Jessie whispered to Mirabe as they walked.nMirabe, almost at the back with Jessie, raised an eyebrow and nced ahead. "It''s normal," she said casually, "he''s not here to chat with


    us."nResearchers often think they''re a cut above.nJessie pouted, "Still feels a bit off, since we''re here with a project."n"If it''s our project, they''ll have to change their tune eventually," Mirabe replied calmly, giving Jessie a reassuring pat on the shoulder.nJessie caught Mirabe''s drift, shooting her a knowing look. "You''ve got a point, sis."nMirabe smiled.nBefore long, they were led into a sprawlingb.nInside, researchers inb coats were busy, surrounded by cutting-edge biomimeticputing gear, way more advanced than anything Mirabe''s team had. The huge crystalline screen on the wall was downright impressive.nMirabe took it all in, slightly taken aback.nHank quicklyid out theb rules, then got right to the point. He turned to Dr. King, the school''s liaison, and asked, "Got the detailed proposal from your school? Hand it over."nDr. King nodded and signaled to Zane to pass it over.nThe proposal, penned by Linden and fine-tuned by Zane, was neatly tucked in Zane''s folder. He handed it to Hank with a respectful nod.nHank, heading up this branch project, started flipping through it right there. It wasn''t long, so he finished it quickly.nBut by the end, he frowned, closed the folder, and looked straight at Zane. "Didn''t I ask for a detailed proposal? This just skims the surface and leaves out the system core."nMirabe nced up at him.nZane paused, then quickly said, "This is as detailed as we can get for now since we''ve only wrapped up the first phase. Naturally, it''s just a broad outline."n"l need a step-by-step breakdown," Hank exined, "so our researchers can sync up efficiently and not waste time."nFor researchers, time is precious.nThey don''t want to squander it on endless adjustments, which could slow down the whole project.nZane looked at the proposal in Hank''s hands, but before he could speak, Calvin stepped in, "Sorry, Hank. If the proposal''s not up to scratch, we''ll tweak it again and try to meet your needs."nHank saw Calvin''s sincere approach and nodded, "No problem, we can revise it after today''s experiment."nCalvin grinned slightly, "Yeah, these kids are new to this kind of project. They''re still finding their feet, so it''s understandable if it''s a bit rough."

 Chapter 1197

    When Zane heard Calvin suddenly stand up and critique his student like that, he couldn''t help but frown. Still, with folks from the Tech Institute around, he had to swallow his irritation at Calvin''sments.


    Hank casually tossed the proposal onto a nearby table, suggesting, "Let''s start by loading the system framework into theputer, then we can dive into further testing." He pointed towards the mainputer.


    "Got it," Calvin said, turning to Zane with a nod, as if he was the main conductor of this whole operation.


    "Man, Mr. Calvin''s got some nerve, waltzing in here and acting like he''s the boss," Jessie couldn''t help but gripe to Linden and the others in a low voice.


    "And that proposal? It was solid! Just to suck up to the Tech Institute, they''re calling it shoddy. I swear, Mr. Calvin must be a mole from anotherb, talking trash about our school''s work like that!" Kason was fuming.


    Even if their proposal hadn''t hit the mark, it didn''t warrant belittling their own team in front of others. It felt like a p in the face to their school.


    "Let it go, don''t waste your energy," Linden said calmly. "Mr. Calvin''s just that kind of petty guy, always looking to put others down. Let''s focus on what matters."


    Standing far enough from Calvin''s group, they weren''t too worried about being overheard. Meanwhile, Mirabe stayed quiet, her eyes glued to therge crystal screen nearby, lost in thought.


    After a while, she asked Linden, "Hey, did we sign any cooperation contracts with the Tech Institute for this project?"


    Linden, puzzled by her sudden question, replied, "Not sure, but it seems like we haven''t."


    Mirabe nodded, "Gotcha."


    "What''s on your mind?" Linden sensed there was more to her question.


    She looked at him with a smile, "Your proposal''s really good, you know."


    Linden raised an eyebrow, "Are youplimenting me or teasing me? Hank just said it wasn''t good enough."


    Mirabe''s eyes sparkled with meaning, "It''s not about being good enough¡ªit''s about being cautious of people''s intentions."


    She never expected such sneaky tactics at the Tech Institute.


    Linden was about to ask more when Zane waved them over to run through the system data. The interruption made him pause, and he quickly joined the others. Once they settled at theputer, Hank, standing with his arms crossed, asked Calvin, "Mr. Calvin, did this team reallye up with that system?"


    Mr. Calvin, not entirely sure himself, was there to give the department some clout. He cleared his throat, "More or less."


    Hank, contemting the system proposal, surprisingly offered some praise, "Your biology department''s got some real talent."


    Mr. Calvin, caught off guard by thepliment, paused for a moment before replying, "Thanks, Hank. You''re too kind."


    Hank just smiled and let it be.


    After ncing over Linden, Kason, and the gang, his eyesnded on Mirabe''s


    Goodnight, goodnight-

 Chapter 1198

    Hank had a knack for artificial intelligence systems, so he wasn''t exactly a stranger to artificial life systems, even if they weren''t his specialty.


    He watched for a moment, hisid-back expression shifting to one of surprise. The way they were importing gic data, this approach to syntheticputation and modeling-no one had ever tried it before. Hank nced at Mirabe, thinking there was something intriguing about her.


    About ten minutester, in the center of theb, a holographic disy hooked up to aputer revealed a virtual brain simtion, gently pulsating. Alongside the pulsating brain, lines of code danced on either side before forming the words ''AL System.''


    As Zane looked at these words on the holographic disy, he felt an unexpected emotion welling up, like the dawn breaking with a promise of hope. Their bioinformatics department had been stuck in a rut for almost a decade, facing indifference and hurdles. The initial strides in this artificial life system hinted at the end of that silence.


    Even though they had just scratched the surface of the artificial life system, it was enough to catch the industry''s eye. Zane took a deep breath, turned to Hank, and said, "This is the framework for our first phase of the system. You can now connect it to a simtion intelligence drive and give it a whirl."


    Hank''s eyes had been glued to the holographic screen. It took him a second to snap back to reality, swallow his shock, and quickly say, "Alright, could you please step out of theb for a bit?"


    Without further exnation, he called over an assistant to escort Zane and the others to the lounge to wait. Zane, not wanting to press the issue, led his students out.


    Mirabe walked slowly at the back, taking ast look at Hank, busy with the tests, her face unreadable. She then noticed a document on a nearby table, paused, picked it up, and walked out. After she left, theb door automatically shut behind her.


    *


    Once Hank''s assistant had shown everyone to the lounge and left, Mirabe pulled out a chair and sat down, looking quite at ease. Linden had just sat down when he noticed the document in Mirabe''s hands and turned to her, "Why''d you take the n with you?"


    Mirabe shrugged slightly, saying, "They probably won''t need it anyway."


    Remembering Hank''s earlier critique of his n, Linden didn''t think much of it and responded with a wry smile, "Fair enough."


    "I''m still curious why they asked us to leave first," Kason said, puzzled. "I mean, the system''s our work. Don''t we get to stick around and see what happens?"


    "It''s likely because this project at the Tech Institute is confidential, so they asked us to clear out," Zane exined. It was standard for unreleased research to have confidentiality protocols, sometimes even requiring non-disclosure agreements. Zane wasn''t surprised by the Tech Institute''s approach.


    Kason adjusted his sses and sighed, "Well, alright."


    "Let''s just hang tight," Zane said, offering a reassuring smile to everyone.


    Meanwhile, Calvin had been chatting with Dr. King from the International Affairs office. Catching Zane''s eye, he offered some friendly advice, "Hank mentioned your n wasn''t detailed enough. Maybe use this downtime to dig deeper into that."

 Chapter 1199

    Zane couldn''t help but feel a bit uneasy after hearing thement, but he knew there was no point in arguing. Everyone had heard Hank''s earlier remarks. After a moment''s pause, he simply said, "Crafting a proposal isn''t something you can rush. We can work on it once we''re back."


    Calvin shrugged, "Do what you want. Just a heads-up, don''t let a weak proposal cost us a chance with the Tech Institute."


    "No need for Mr. Calvin to fret. Even if we miss out, it won''t be us taking the hit," Zane replied coolly.


    Calvin just chuckled softly, letting it go without pressing further.


    He doesn''t appreciate a good suggestion when it''s right in front of him.


    For a while, the lounge was dead quiet, everyone keeping to themselves.


    About thirty minutester, Hank''s assistant came in, friendly as ever, and said, "Hank''s still tied up, but how about we head to the cafeteria for lunch?"


    That''s the thing with experiments; sometimes they wrap up quick, other times they drag on for hours.


    Dr. King nced at his watch and said, "Looks like that''s our best bet for now." The assistant nodded, motioning for everyone to follow him as he led the way. Meanwhile, Hank was still busy at hisputer, running fusion tests. Their project was all about the third generation of underwater exploration robots. They were working on blending life systems with intelligent systems to make exploration a whole lot easier and hopefully achieve a significant breakthrough.


    Hank had poured his heart into the artificial life system. Even though the fusion tests were moving at a snail''s pace, the results were surprisingly promising.


    Artificial life systems had been a focus of research for years, with even the big- name international scientists struggling to make headway in Al. But these Prestige College students were showing some serious promise.


    Hank''s eyes lit up with excitement at the progress, thinking this could really shake things up in academia if patented.


    By 1 PM, Hank and his colleagues wrapped up the testing.


    "The system''s integration level hit seventy percent just in the first phase. Imagine what we can achieve with the next two phases," one colleague noted.


    "Let''s just go ahead and sign the coboration deal with Prestige College," another suggested.


    Hank looked around, thought it over, and nodded, "Looks like we''re all on the same page. I''ll go sort out the details now."


    "Hey, what about that proposal? We should have another look," a colleague asked.


    Hank nced at a nearby table, only to find it empty. He paused and said, "Looks like they took it. I''ll track it downter."


    With that, he quickly made his way out of theb.


    By then, Mirabe and the gang had already had their fill at the cafeteria. Calvin and Dr. King, meanwhile, had bumped into some friends and were chatting outside instead of heading back to the lounge.


    When Hank saw Calvin and Dr. King, he knew they were the key contacts, so he invited them straight to his office.


    In the office, Hank poured them each a ss of water and said, "Your system is impressive. We''d love to finalize the coboration as soon as possible."


    Calvin''s fingers tightened slightly around his cup. Even though he had kind of expected this, it was hard not to feel a mix of emotions.

 Chapter 1200

    Previous coborations between our department and the tech institute have happened before, but none have ever moved as quickly and decisively as this


    one.


    Hank''s eagerness to sign the partnership agreement can only mean one thing: they''re really impressed with Zane''s system.


    Calvin sipped his water, feeling a bit off. If they seal this deal, the Informatics Division will be back in the spotlight within the Biology Department.


    Dr. King, not expecting to seal the deal today, hadn''t brought the agreement papers with him. Clearing his throat, he said, "I''m all for signing the agreement, but I didn''te prepared. I''ll get it sorted and sent over as soon as I get back." Hank nodded, "That''s cool. Can we wrap it up in the next few days?"


    Dr. King turned to Calvin, "How about you, Mr. Calvin? Any issues?"


    Calvin looked up, "Oh, that should be fine. I''ll report back to Mr. Belcher once I''m back."


    "Great, it''s a deal then." Hank extended his hand to Calvin and Dr. King, "Looking forward to working together."


    Calvin forced a polite smile and shook hands.


    "By the way, you took the proposal earlier, right?" Hank asked, not forgetting the main agenda.


    Calvin nodded, "Yes, it''s with the students."


    After thinking for a moment, Hank added, "Alright, have my colleague review it againter. If there are any additions, let''s stay in touch."


    They discussed the partnership a bit more, finalizing the details. Calvin then left Hank''s office to grab the proposal.


    When he entered the lounge, he found Linden, Jessie, and Kason deep in conversation. They fell silent and their smiles faded as Calvin walked in.


    Calvin paused for a good five seconds before moving further inside. He nced at the students and focused on Zane, "The test results are in. Hank is really happy with your system and wants to sign the partnership agreement ASAP. Congrats, Zane."


    Though his tone was casual, there was a hint of coolness.


    Zane couldn''t hold back his excitement and stood up, "Are we really signing the partnership agreement?"


    "Yep," Calvin replied, trying to avoid Zane''s enthusiasm. "Hand over the proposal you wrote. I''ll take it to Hank now. They''ll reach out if there are any changes."


    Zane didn''t hesitate and had Linden pull out the proposal again.


    As Linden was handing it over, Mirabe looked up at Calvin and asked, "Are you sure we''re signing the partnership agreement?"


    Calvin frowned slightly, a bit irritated, "What do you take me for? Do you think I''d joke about something like this?"


    Even if there had been some friction before, he wouldn''t use such a critical matter for petty revenge unless he''d lost his mind.


    Seeing his reaction, Mirabe nodded, "Alright then."


    She thenzily looked away.


    Calvin sneered inwardly at Mirabe''s arrogant and impolite demeanor. No matter how talented, such a student wasn''t exactly pleasant.


    Soon after, Calvin left with the proposal.


    After he left, Linden hesitantly asked Mirabe, "Do you think there''s something fishy going on? Not quite convinced the tech institute would go for our proposal?"

 Chapter 1201

    Mirabe was still mulling over whether she might have made a mistake when


    Linden''s voice snapped her back. It took her a couple of seconds to respond, "Oh, no, they''re definitely going to go with this n."


    Calvin wouldn''t joke about something this serious.


    Maybe she was wrong, and the other party wasn''t trying to pull a fast one.


    Mirabe paused, a thought crossing her mind. She turned to Zane, "Hey, Zane, what are the requirements for applying for a patent?"


    Zane was familiar with Mirabe''s tendency to suddenly call on him. He quickly replied, "Funny you bring it up; I was already nning to start on the patent application once the tech institute gives us the green light."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, impressed by Zane''s attention to detail when it mattered.


    "Can we actually patent our project?" Jessie asked, clearly surprised and not really familiar with patents.


    "Yep, we can," Zane replied, giving Jessie a quick rundown on the benefits of a patent. "But honestly, at this stage, we''re not quite there yet. The system''s not fully developed, and it might not pass the review. We''ll take it step by step."


    Seeing Zane was on top of it, Mirabe didn''t push further.


    **


    Meanwhile, Hank, anxious about the project, had rushed back to theb after chatting with Dr. King, leaving his assistant to see the visitors off.


    Just as they were heading to the parking lot, Mirabe and the gang hadn''t even reached their car when a sleek sedan pulled up nearby.


    Hank''s assistant nced up, his face turning serious, and whispered to the group, "That''s Dr. Ray''s car."


    At the mention of Dr. Ray, Dr. King and Calvin quickly averted their eyes and gave Mirabe and the crew a look, silently telling them not to stare.


    This wasn''t Prestige College, and those elusive research titans weren''t for their gawking.


    Three people stepped out of the car, and even at a distance, you could feel the weight of their presence.


    Linden and Kason dropped their heads, not daring to look around.


    Mirabe wasn''t particrly interested in Dr. Ray, but with everyone so on edge, she couldn''t help but sneak a peek.


    After a quick nce, she looked away just as fast, lowering her head even more than her seniors.


    Ah, curiosity can be dangerous.


    Over at the tech institute, Dane noticed Elliot''s gaze fixed in a direction and followed it, spotting some unfamiliar faces, including a few young ones. "Someone you know?" he asked.


    Elliot hesitated for a moment before looking away, smiling slightly, "They''re from our school."


    Dane was a bit surprised, "Your school''s coborating on a project with us?" Elliot wasn''t entirely sure, "Could be."


    Dane nodded, not dwelling on it further, "Let''s head to my office."


    Elliot agreed, took onest nce toward Mirabe, then followed Dane away. Once they had disappeared, Hank''s assistant spoke up, "Alright, folks, I should get going too. I''ve let the security know, so you''re good to leave whenever."


    With that, he gave a slight nod and headed off.

 Chapter 1202

    With Dr. Ray''s pressure off their shoulders, everyone started to rx a bit.


    "Well, wasn''t today a stroke of luck, running into someone as big as Dr. Ray from the Tech Institute," Linden remarked with a sigh. "Too bad I didn''t get to see him."


    "Big shots like him aren''t meant to be ogled by everyone. Just meeting him is rare enough, don''t push your luck," Kason said, giving Linden a reassuring pat on the shoulder, taking it all in stride.


    Linden nced over at Mirabe, who seemed lost in her own thoughts, still looking down and not quite recovered from the whole ordeal. He gave a little cough, "Hey, Mirabe, he''s already gone."


    Kason chimed in, recalling howposed she seemed before things kicked off, "So, even our steady Mirabe gets a bit of stage fright, huh?"


    Mirabe, hands tucked in her jacket pockets, nodded without a hint of embarrassment, "Yeah, truth is, I''m pretty shy."


    Zane, standing nearby, shot her a curious look. Shy? If memory served him right, her bold negotiations with Professor Wade were anything but shy.


    "Alright, let''s hit the road and head back to campus," Calvin interjected impatiently, pulling open the car door and getting in.


    Seeing Calvin''s move, Linden and the others just shrugged and followed suit, not saying much else.


    Once everyone was in, the car pulled away from the Tech Institute. Not long after, Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket.


    It was a message on Messenger.


    Seeing it was from Dr. Elliot, Mirabe pinched the bridge of her nose and after a moment, replied: "Professor, I''m in ss."


    Elliot responded with a simple ''haha,'' then followed up with, "I''d recognize my students anywhere, even if they turned to ash."


    Mirabe: "..."


    Elliot, with a raised eyebrow, typed another message: "Is your department working with the Tech Institute on a project?"


    Figuring it wasn''t a secret, Mirabe replied: "Yeah, we''re working on an Artificial Life system."


    Elliot, catching onto the project, nced at Dane across from him and asked, "Isn''t there a project in ocean exploration that merges third-gen robots with Artificial Life and AI?"


    Dane nodded, "Yep, that''s the one. Why?"


    "Just curious." Elliot''s fingers tapped against his phone screen as his gaze hardened slightly, feeling a bit miffed. He sent Mirabe another message.


    "Am I missing out on something?"


    His department seemed sidelinedpared to the biology department, and he couldn''t help but feel a little left out.


    Mirabe, puzzled by her professor''s cryptic question, replied with: ''??''


    Elliot: "!!!"


    Mirabe: "Could you maybe exin a bit more?"


    Elliot: "Smile.jpg"


    Mirabe scratched her head, rereading the exchange, still unsure of what triggered his reaction. Knowing that saying too much could backfire, she sent back a simple smiling emoji.


    Elliot let out a soft, frustrated sigh.


    Dane poured him another cup of coffee, noticing his friend''s odd mood. "What''s up? You look a bit down."


    Putting his phone away, Elliot took a sip of coffee and said, "Ever had a prot¨¦g¨¦? You know, the genius type."


    Dane: "..."

 Chapter 1203

    So, this isn''t about being upset, but more like showing off, huh?


    Dane, who caught on pretty quickly, just shrugged and said, "I''ve got one apprentice who hasn''t done much aside froming up with a shape-memory alloy actuator. Honestly, it''s kinda frustrating."


    Elliot nearly spat out his coffee, rolling his eyes. "Come on, stop bragging about your apprentice."


    Dane shot him a sly look. "I''m not as impressive as you. I''ve only got one apprentice, while you''ve got three."


    "Correction, make that four," Elliot replied, trying to keep it cool. "I just picked up another young prodigy."


    Four to one, and just by numbers, he had the edge.


    Seeing Elliot''s smug grin, Dane quickly twigged that this new recruit must be the ''genius type'' he''d mentioned. After a beat, he said, "Well, congrats on that."


    Elliot wanted tough, but then remembered he still had to keep his new apprentice under wraps, and his smile faded.


    He sighed, steering the chat back to pressing matters, "Anyway, for this project, you really should get your apprentice back. Without his help, your Science Institute folks might struggle with the equipment."


    Talking business made Dane sit up straight. "I''ve thought about it, but I''m not sure I can convince him to return."


    Elliot shook his head, trying not to grumble, "Just give it your best shot. With him on board, the ocean exploration project will be much safer."


    "Yeah, I know." Dane nodded, then turned to Elliot, ¡°But what about you? Why the sudden change of heart?"


    Elliot knew Dane was asking why he''d decided to join the ocean exploration project. He just smiled, "You can''t shy away from risks just because they''re there."


    Hearing that, Dane fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment before saying, "The old experiment was really risky. I''m just d you made it through.¡±


    Elliot just kept sipping his coffee, staying quiet.


    Dane nced at him, sighed inwardly, and switched topics to lighten the mood.


    **


    Back at school, Mirabe and the crew had their hands full. Zane was knee-deep in writing up a project report for the department and the school.


    Mirabe was about to head out, but seeing Linden stressing over n revisions, with Kason and Jessie both pitching in, she decided to stick around.


    They headed to the study room together.


    The ce wasn''t too crowded, so their chatter wouldn''t bother anyone.


    Linden, Kason, and Jessie were deep in discussion about refining the n, while Mirabe grabbed Linden''sptop to check out the draft.


    "Hey Mira, got any suggestions?" Jessie asked, casually twirling a pen and ncing over at Mirabe, who was typing away on theputer. She leaned in for a closer look. "Are you tweaking it?"


    Mirabe kept typing for a couple more minutes, then hit save and looked up. "This n''s pretty solid already; no need for big changes, just a few tweaks here and there."

 Chapter 1204

    Linden perked up as he grabbed hisptop, scanning over the highlighted sections and the new details Mirabe had just added. His eyes lit up. "Wow, this looks way more polished now. You''ve got some serious skills, freshman."


    "It''s because your project outline was so well-done," Mirabe replied modestly.


    Jessie raised an eyebrow, reminded of how some folks in theb pretended not to know much to seem humble. Dropping her pen, she casually draped an arm over Mirabe''s shoulder. "You''re ying the humble card like a pro, aren''t you?"


    Mirabe just shrugged.


    "Is there anything you can''t do?" Jessie teased.


    Feeling a slight headache, Mirabe rubbed her temple just as her phone on the table buzzed. ncing at it, she picked up the phone, coughed, and said, "My friend''s looking for me; gotta run. Catch youter!"


    With that, she stood up, waved to the trio, and made her exit.


    Left behind, Jessie, Linden, and Kason exchanged nces and shook their heads in unison.


    Anyone else in her shoes would probably be the talk of the department by now, instead of ying it cool like she''s just starting out.


    Maybe it was some kind of quirky genius humor?


    The trio couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy.


    **


    After leaving the study room, Mirabe noticed the call had ended. As she made her way to the staircase, she hit redial.


    It was David on the line.


    "Mirabe, did I catch you at a bad time?" David asked, suddenly remembering she was still in college.


    "Not at all, what''s up?" Mirabe replied politely.


    "Are you free tonight? How about dinner?" David asked, having justnded and meeting up with his assistant.


    "I might not have much free time right now; my family''s visiting Riverdale," Mirabe exined briefly, adding, "Let''s n for another time when I''m free. Dinner''s on me then."


    Though a bit let down, David understood and said, "That''s alright. By the way, the association''s assessment ising up soon; are you sure you don''t want to check it out?"


    Mirabe wasn''t interested, "No, thanks."


    "Alright then." David wasn''t one to push. As he walked and talked, he almost didn''t notice a luggage cart barreling toward him.


    Just in time, Paul reacted quickly, pulling David aside and effortlessly stopping the cart with his foot.


    The person pushing the cart quickly apologized.


    Paul stepped back, dusting off his worn denim jacket, "No worries."


    David, still holding the phone, hadn''t resumed his chat with Mirabe. Turning to Paul, he said, "Thanks, Paul. Wasn''t paying attention there. Without you, this old guy might''ve been in a pickle."


    Paul nodded slightly, a man of few words, "Anytime."


    David exhaled and returned to his phone call, "Mirabe, I''ve got to go now. We''ll catch upter."


    Standing in the stairwell, Mirabe hesitated, not moving further down. Hearing Paul''s voice had given her a bit of a headache.


    Rubbing her forehead, just as David was about to hang up, she said, "Wait, I remembered something. Aren''t you into traditional remedies? I heard about a website selling a rare elixir that''s been lost to time. You might want to check it out."

 Chapter 1205

    David''s eyes lit up as soon as he heard about the ancient remedy. "A lost elixir?" he asked eagerly.


    Mirabe nodded softly. "I think it''s called the Lotus Elixir."


    "Lotus Elixir?" David echoed, holding his phone with a puzzled look. After mulling it over for a while, he shook his head. "I''ve never heard of it."


    The Pharmaceutical Association might have a treasure trove of old texts, but that didn''t mean they had every single ancestral recipe. It was normal for some remedies to slip through the cracks.


    Meanwhile, Paul, who was nearby, perked up at the mention of the Lotus Elixir.


    Unaware of Paul''s curiosity, David continued chatting with Mirabe, "Did you say where this medicine is being sold online?"


    "I just heard about it," Mirabe replied slowly, as other students began to fill the staircase. She continued her way downstairs.


    "Alright, I''ll have someone look into it," David nodded, ending the call after a moment.


    Lotus Elixir, Lotus Elixir... David murmured to himself, then turned to his assistant. "When you get back, see if you can find out where this Lotus Elixir is being sold online."


    "Got it," the assistant nodded.


    Paul''s curiosity got the better of him, and he asked David, "President, this Lotus Elixir, is it a medicine? The name doesn''t sound like the usual herbal stuff."


    David pocketed his phone. He''d been getting along with Paultely, so he saw no reason to keep things under wraps. "It''s supposed to be an ancient remedy, but I''ve nevere across it myself."


    As for its effects, he was in the dark, but since Mirabe had mentioned it was an ancient remedy, it seemed legit.


    Paul toyed with the cigarette holder at his waist for a moment before saying, "President, I won''t be able to join you for dinner tonight; I''ve got some things to handle."


    David just nodded, understanding that everyone had their own stuff going on. "No worries, businesses first. We can always grab dinner another time."


    Paul gave a slight nod in agreement.


    **


    After hanging up, Mirabe felt she''d aplished what she set out to do and tucked her phone back into her pocket. She quickly left the academic building and made her way to the school''s entrance.


    As had been waiting patiently at the entrance for quite a while. When he saw Mirabe, he called out, "Miss Mira," and respectfully opened the passenger door for her.


    Once in the car, As started the engine and began updating her as they drove away from Prestige College. "The Cunningham family should be returning all of your assets in the next couple of days."


    "Alright," Mirabe replied, unfazed. "Thanks for handling that, As."


    As gave a modest cough. "Just doing my job."


    He then briefed her on Kitty''s situation. After listening, Mirabe turned her gaze from the window and said softly, "Make sure they don''t bother my mom again."


    "I understand," As nodded.


    Twenty minutester, they arrived at the vi. As they got out, As picked up a document folder from the passenger seat and followed Mirabe.


    "Oh, and Miss Mira, Grady''s out of the country right now. Before he left, he asked me to give you these documents," As said, handing her the folder.


    Mirabe eyed the thick folder, unsure of its contents. She didn''t take it immediately and instead asked cautiously, "What''s in it?"

 Chapter 1206

    As picked up on the subtle change in Miss Mira''s voice as he handed over the envelope. "Honestly, I don''t know what''s inside. Grady just said you''d get it once you take a look."


    Mirabe sensed it was something troublesome, and she took a step back, her expression growing serious. "I''m swamped with schoolwork right now. I really don''t have time for anything else."


    As gave a sheepish grin. "Come on, Miss Mira, just take it. If you don''t, Grady''s gonna give me a hard time."


    Mirabe gave As a long look, hesitated for a moment, then finally took the envelope.


    As breathed a sigh of relief, quickly dropping the helpless act. "Alright, I''m off then."


    But just as he was leaving, something came to mind. He turned back. "Oh, and Miss Mira, maybe it''s best if Zach and thedy don''t see this."


    Watching As drive away, Mirabe nced at the envelope in her hands, opened it for a quick peek, then tucked it back inside. Just as she feared, it was bad news.


    With a sigh, she shoved the envelope into her backpack and headed into the vi.


    Inside, Delh had just hung up from a call with Austin and was chatting with her husband. As soon as she heard the door, she paused and waited until Mirabe walked into the room. "Mira, did you attend the Cunningham family dinner a few days ago?" she asked, hesitantly.


    Mirabe put her backpack down and nodded casually. "You found out?"


    "Austin just called," Delh said, walking over with concern written all over her face. "Why didn''t you tell me about something so important? What if they had treated you badly?"


    "It didn''t happen," Mirabe sighed, cutting off Delh''s worries. "I can handle myself."


    Delh knew her daughter had her own way of handling things. Reflecting on Austin''s tone during the call, she figured Mirabe must''ve held her ground. "Donald woke up," she mentioned.


    "Oh," Mirabe replied, unsurprised.


    "Now that he''s awake, you won''t need to care for him anymore, and we don''t need


    to worry about the Cunningham family causing any trouble," Delh added.


    "Yep," Mirabe agreed, ying the obedient daughter.


    Delh couldn''t help but shake her head at Mirabe''s seemingly innocent demeanor. That fa?ade could really fool people.


    Meanwhile, at the hospital...


    Romero woke up two days ago, and his health was bouncing back to normal, impressing the doctors with how fast he was recovering.


    Things seemed to be looking up, but Donald''s sluggish responses stood out as odd.


    With no clear answer from the doctors, Austin had to bring Conrad in for a consultation.


    Donald was now in a regr hospital room, fully conscious.


    Conrad checked his pulse and waved a hand in front of Donald''s eyes. Seeing the dyed focus, he turned to Austin. "His slow reactions are probably due to nerve damage from the meds."


    "Can we fix it over time?" Austin asked, anxious for a solution.


    Conrad shook his head. "Nope, we can''t."


    Austin nced at Donald lying in bed. "Is he going to be like someone with dementia now?"


    "Pretty much," Conrad replied, pausing. "But despite the slow reactions, Donald''s physical recovery is impressive. It''s the best oue we could hope for. Barring any surprises, he should have another five or six years."

 Chapter 1207

    Austin wiped his face, feeling the weight of it all. What was the use of living another five or six years if you couldn''t speak or act freely? It felt pointless.


    Conrad, not really noticing Austin''s expression, asked again, "Was it your niece who helped Donald recover?"


    Austin had already mentioned that the miracle worker was his niece, someone he had never actually met. Pulling himself back to the conversation, Austin offered a wry smile and shook his head. "No, it''s a bit embarrassing for the family, honestly. She refused to help her own grandfather."


    Conrad raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised, but he didn''t dwell on it. "Are there any other doctors in Riverdale who could have treated Donald?"


    Austin looked up, managing a weary smile. "No, Donald got through it on his own."


    Conrad found it hard to believe that Donald, given his condition, had survived without assistance. But seeing Austin''s serious look, he remarked, "Well, in that case, it''s nothing short of a medical miracle."


    Austin shook his head, thinking how he could do without such ''miracles''. Donald''s situation only gave the other family branches more excuses to grab for power.


    Just then, Austin''s phone buzzed in his pocket. He nced at the screen, noticing it was a call from a senior family member. With a slight frown, he excused himself from Conrad and stepped out of the hospital room to take the call.


    A few minutester, Austin''s expression turned stormy. Ending the call quickly, he phoned his assistant. "What''s going on? Why are several of our factories being inspected?"


    "I don''t know. It all happened so fast," his assistant replied, clearly stressed. "I''ve got people looking into it, but we don''t have answers yet. The factories are shut down, and we can''t ship out products. If we don''t deliver on time, the losses will be... massive."


    Gripping his phone tightly, Austin said, "I''ll see if I can pull some strings."


    After hanging up, he called a few of his contacts in official positions, but the news wasn''t promising. Someone was deliberately targeting them.


    Sighing in frustration, Austin thought of the ke family and decided to call Kitty.


    Kitty, already dealing with her own issues, snapped, "Sort it out yourself, Austin. Rorie''s not going to help."


    "Why not? He''s married into the Cunningham family. This should be a minor issue for the ke family," Austin insisted, massaging his temples.


    "There are... issues between us. Just find another way," Kitty said, not wanting to admit to any marital problems, and hung up quickly.


    Hearing the dial tone, Austin cursed under his breath. The factory shutdowns and delivery failures were more than just minor setbacks. They could potentially cripple the Cunningham family.


    How did things spiral out of control so fast?


    **


    After dinner, Mirabe returned to her room and noticed a notification on her phone. She raised an eyebrow and opened herptop.


    Logging onto The Mirror''s website, she ignored the avnche of messages in her inbox and headed straight for the marketce. Among the sea of bids, she recognized a familiar username.


    Crossing her legs, Mirabe thought about the principle of clear ounts, even among siblings. She opened a private chat with the username and typed leisurely, "Hey big bro, what''s your offer?"

 Chapter 1208

    Paul had been glued to hisputer screen, waiting for what felt like ages. When he finally saw a response pop up on the clunky old website, he clicked it open immediately. After a brief pause, he typed, "Rea?"


    Mirabe''s fingers shook a little when she saw those letters, but she quickly pulled herself together and shot back a question mark.


    Paul paused for a few seconds, then asked, "Who gave you the Elixir of Purity?"


    Mirabe tapped her response impatiently, "Are you buying or just here to waste time?"


    The impatience in her words was hard to miss.


    Paul felt a bit let down, but then remembered how Rea usually was and sent over a number.


    Mirabe stared at the digits on her screen, her cheeks twitching in disbelief.


    That stingy attitude of his was really getting worse. She recalled spending ten million just to snag the Lunar Lace from James, and now Paul was offering a measly one million for a finished product?


    Might as well be a bandit, she thought.


    Mirabe couldn''t help but scorn him in her mind as she quickly typed back, "Nothing under twenty million. Take it or leave it. No haggling, no small talk."


    Paul: "..."


    After sending the message, Mirabe promptly logged into the website''s hosting service, adjusted the pricing, and logged off.


    The rich, with their tacky ways, always so tight-fisted.


    Shutting down herputer, Mirabe leaned back in her chair with azy


    stretch, her eyes drifting to the backpack beside her.


    After a moment, she sat up and pulled out the thick stack of documents As had handed her that afternoon.


    It was all about the Davis family''s business dealings in the city.


    Flipping through the pages, the more Mirabe read, the more her head began to throb.


    Why Grady had given her this was beyond her.


    Just then, her phone rang from the desk. She nced at the caller ID before setting the documents aside and picking up.


    James was on the balcony, the night breeze ruffling his hair as he gazed into the distance. He spoke first, "Why''re you up sote? What''s keeping you busy?"


    Mirabe looked back at the documents, sighing heavily, "Ever feel like you''re being pushed into a business deal?"


    James raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"


    Mirabe pressed her fingers to her forehead, feeling a bit trapped, "It''s like


    identally having to inherit a billion-dor empire."


    "Are you showing off, Mirabe?" James chuckled.


    Thinking of how she''d stumbled across some folks'' bank details earlier, Mirabe clicked her tongue, "Not as loaded as some people."


    "Finding someone who''s about to inherit billions is no easy task," James mused. Mirabe: "...


    His shamelessness was reaching new heights.


    Yawning, she asked, "Did you have something to talk about?"


    James shifted, leaningfortably against the railing, his voice light, "Just


    wondering when I''ll finally get my act together."


    Mirabe: "Oh, just go to sleep. Dreams have everything you need."


    James''s lip twitched.


    "Oh, by the way, I might need you to deliver something for me tomorrow," Mirabe added, her eyes flicking back to theputer.


    "When?" James inquired.


    Mirabe thought for a moment, "Probably in the morning, but I''m not sure yet."


    "Alright, then I''ll drop you off at school on my way," James offered.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Alright then."


    ***


    The next morning, Mirabe woke up to see a bank transfer notification. It didn''t surprise her much.


    Along with it was an address for a delivery from an unknown number.

 Chapter 1209

    After reading the message, Mirabe got out of bed and headed over to herputer desk. She pulled open the right-hand drawer, which was crammed with all sorts of bottles and jars. Her fingers skimmed over them until she picked one and popped it into her backpack.


    Today was exam day in her department, so after a quick breakfast, Mirabe headed out. James''s car was already parked at the curb. She walked straight to it, opened the door, and slid inside.


    James rested his hand on the steering wheel, his eyes lingering on Mirabe''s hair for a moment before he finally said, "Morning."


    "Morning," Mirabe nodded, fastening her seatbelt. As she looked up, she caught him giving her a steady gaze.


    Mirabe: "..."


    "Your hair looks good," James remarked, raising an eyebrow.


    Mirabe shrugged, "Oh, it''s alright..."


    James chuckled, started the car, and soon they were cruising out of the neighborhood.


    "You mentioned you needed something delivered?" he asked.


    Mirabe nodded, then fished the bottle out of her bag and dropped it into the


    car''s console, pulling out her phone next, "I sent you the address on Messenger. Thanks."


    James gave her a side nce, "No need to thank me; we''re all friends here."


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, fiddling with her phone, but stayed silent.


    Twenty minutester, they pulled up outside the school. As Mirabe walked through the gates, James''s gaze lingered before he checked the bottle in the console and opened Messenger.


    The address was downtown, not far from the school. Maybe a half-hour drive tops.


    Soon, James turned the car around and headed towards the destination.


    **


    The address led him to a tiny courier station, which didn''t seem to hold any packages. If not for the sign, James might have thought he was in the wrong ce.


    Taking in his surroundings, James entered the station. A guy sat at the counter, wearing a ck hat pulled low, hiding most of his face.


    Sensing someone entering, the guy looked up. His eyes narrowed briefly when he saw James, but he quickly stood and asked politely, "Hey, who are you here for?"


    James noticed the guy didn''t ask if he was sending something, but rather who he was looking for. After a pause, he rattled off the numbers Mirabe had sent him.


    The guy''s face lit up with recognition, and he said, "Just hand me the item. It''ll be delivered to Riverdale by 1 PM sharp."


    Curious, James gave the guy''s hat a once-over. Sure enough, there was a small embroidered pattern-subtle, but noticeable if you looked closely.


    James cocked an eyebrow in mild surprise but didn''t ask questions. He handed over the item from his pocket.


    The guy nodded, took the item, and stowed it away. In this line of work, the rule was to keep things quiet-no questions, no curiosity.


    James left the station, got back in his car, and sent Mirabe a quick text to let her know the delivery was done. As he hit send, he nced out the window, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.


    Mirabe had her share of secrets.


    James chuckled to himself, fired up the engine, and drove off.


    **


    At exactly 1 PM, Paul got his delivery. He tore into the package and eagerly opened the medicine bottle.

 Chapter 1210

    As soon as the bottle was opened, a rich vani scent wafted through the air. Paul closed his eyes halfway, taking in the fragrance. After a moment, he gently put the cap back on, a rare smile of satisfaction ying on his lips.


    In this world, aside from Rea, no one else could craft such a potion.


    Paul''s grip on the bottle tightened a bit. As long as she was still around, all the hard work his ancestors put into discovering this life-changing elixir wouldn''t be for nothing.


    Soon, Paul snapped out of his thoughts and pulled out his phone to check his calendar.


    He nned to head back to his family''s ce in a couple of days. As for Rea... Paul sighed softly. He figured it could wait until after he delivered the medicine.


    Meanwhile, at school.


    After wrapping up her morning exam, Mirabe headed straight to the study room to get some reading done.


    Lisa popped back to her dorm for a bit and overheard the girls next door buzzing about a hot topic. Curious, she quickly logged onto the school forum.


    She soon stumbled upon a thread in the biology department section discussing a joint experimental project between theputer science department and the Technology Institute, which had already racked up hundreds ofments.


    Lisa, always one to be in the know, especially about her own department, skimmed through some of the chatter before switching to Messenger to find out where Mirabe was.


    Before long, she was on her way to the study room too.


    The ce wasn''t too packed, making it easy for Lisa to spot Mirabe tucked away in the far corner. She slipped in through the back door.


    "Mira," Lisa called softly as she settled beside her.


    Mirabe looked up slowly, unfazed by Lisa''s sudden appearance, "Hmm?"


    Lisa gave her a quick rundown of the hot topic from the forum, then showed her phone, asking, "Did you really join Mr. Zane''s research team?"


    Mirabe remained calm, unsurprised that the project was now public knowledge. She nodded, "Just filling in the numbers."


    Lisa chuckled, "I''d love a dozen of those ''filler'' spots."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "You came all the way here just for this?"


    "Not exactly. I just wanted to say ourputer science department is probably going to take off."


    Lisa rested her chin in her hands, continuing, "I mean, it''s a team-up with the Technology Institute. Even the other popr majors haven''t had such a chance in years. Our department is going to be the talk of the town!"


    Transforming from the least popr to the hottest major only needed one opportunity.


    "That''s great,¡± Mirabe nodded, turning her attention back to the book on the table.


    Seeing Mirabe so chill, Lisa''s own excitement simmered down. She cleared her throat andid her head on the table, going back to browsing her phone.


    Just then, two more people walked into the study room.


    It was Meg and Taylor.


    Meg, with a couple of books in her arms, scanned the room. She was about to suggest they sit in an empty spot in the third row when her eyesnded on Mirabe at the back. The smile on her face froze like a deer in headlights.


    But it was only for a second before she snapped back to reality, turning to Taylor. She was about to suggest they find another study room when she noticed Taylor''s gaze was already fixed on Mirabe, and he spoke up.


    "Hey, isn''t that Mirabe? Why don''t we sit over there?"

 Chapter 1211

    Meg clutched the book in her arms so tightly that her nails left marks on the cover, yet she didn''t even notice. She stood there, frozen, silent.


    Taylor, unaware of the tension between Meg and Mirabe, turned to Meg and said, "Professor Hammond asked us to keep an eye on Mirabe, the freshman. I''ve been too busy with my research to chat with her. Meg, since you''re in the same department as Mirabe, you two must get along pretty well, right?"


    Meg met Taylor''s gaze with a smile that was dangerously close to cracking. She pressed her lips together and replied, "We don''t really hang out much. We''re in different majors, so we don''t cross paths often."


    Taylor nodded in understanding. "Got it. By the way, have you checked the university forumtely?"


    Meg felt a pang of anxiety but tried to keep her voice steady as she answered quietly, "No, why?"


    Ever since the incident where she was publicly embarrassed for giarizing Mirabe''s idea, she''d buried herself in academic work, avoiding the forum to escape any reminders of the ordeal.


    "There''s a post about a biotechnology project being picked up by the Institute of Technology. You should take a look," Taylor mentioned.


    He wasn''t particrly invested in the project; his interest in Mirabe stemmed from other reasons.


    Seeing a hint of admiration in Taylor''s eyes made Meg feel uneasy. She nodded absently and said, "I''ll check it out. You should go mingle, I''ll skip it. I''ve got ab exam this afternoon and need to cram."


    She gave the book in her arms a reassuring pat.


    Taylor studied her for a moment, then nodded, "I''ll just say hi and be back."


    "Alright." Meg found a spot to sit down.


    Taylor nced toward Mirabe, his gaze lingering for a moment before he headed her way.


    Lisa was still scrolling on her phone when she noticed Taylor, one of the campus stars, walking over. She gripped her phone tighter and nudged Mirabe with her elbow.


    Caught off guard, Mirabe shot Lisa a look, then followed her gaze.


    By then, Taylor had reached them and sat down briefly in the row in front of Mirabe, offering her and Lisa a friendly smile before focusing on Mirabe. He nodded, "Mirabe."


    "Taylor." Mirabe nodded back, casually resting her arm on the book to cover most of its pages.


    Taylor didn''t pay much attention to her gesture. After a bit of chit-chat, he said, "I heard your department''s project got picked up by the Institute of Technology. That''s amazing."


    Mirabe gave a small smile, replying, "Lucky it caught someone''s eye, nothing more."


    Taylor chuckled. "You''re too modest. Your analytical skills are top-notch. Not many at the university can match you."


    He remembered Ben''s high praise of her, suggesting her cognitive abilities might be off the charts.


    Mirabe returned his smile with a polite one of her own.


    Realizing Mirabe wasn''t one for long chats, Taylor didn''t overstay. As he stood up, his eyes drifted to the book under Mirabe''s arm. Despite most of it being hidden, he could make out a few scientific terms.


    Curious, he asked, "Are you diving into some physics reading?"

 Chapter 1212

    Mirabe kept her cool, her hand resting on the book as she said, "Even though science is divided into specialties, there''s a lot of ovep, so it''s good to explore broadly."


    Lisa, sitting next to her, heard thement and gave her a knowing nce. If she hadn''t already known Mirabe was nning to double major, she might have been convinced by her words.


    Taylor looked at Mirabe, suddenly smiled, and said, "You''re right. I was being too narrow-minded."


    Mirabe didn''t add anything else, and Taylor soon moved on without giving it much thought.


    After Taylor left, Lisa leaned over Mirabe''s book and remarked, "Your physics books are getting more and moreplex."


    She used to understand some of it, but now... not a thing.


    With a sigh, Lisa joked, "Is this what separates a genius from a dunce?"


    Mirabe just gave her a reassuring pat on the head.


    Lisa let out a long sigh as Mirabe shook her head and looked away, just as her phone buzzed in her pocket.


    She pulled it out to find a message on Messenger.


    David: "There''s an association assessment tomorrow. You''re really noting, Mirabe?"


    This wasn''t the first time David mentioned the assessment. Mirabe quickly typed back, "I have school exams these days, so I really don''t have the time."


    Even if she did, she wasn''t interested.


    David: "It''s once a year, and if you miss it, you''ll have to wait until next year!" Mirabe''s cheeks twitched in annoyance, "Missing school exams isn''t just about waiting another year."


    Seeing her reply, David sighed and had his assistant type for him, "That''s really bad timing."


    Mirabe simply replied with a ''Hmm.''


    Meanwhile, the assistant turned to David, saying, "The vice president probably is genuinely busy. Missing college exams could mean zero credits, which might affect graduation."


    David nodded, waving it off, and took a sip of his coffee. Suddenly remembering something, he asked, "Oh, ask Mirabe if Devon has been looking for her?"


    The assistant nodded.


    David settled back in his chair, fingers absentmindedly tracing his coffee cup, "And what''s Devon been up totely?"


    "He''s been at the pharmacy concocting potions. I heard he even blew up a furnace this month," the assistant shared.


    Blowing up a furnace was pretty normal for pharmacists, especially beginners. David mused, "Is he working on a new potion?"


    The assistant shrugged, "I didn''t check on that."


    Just then, David''s phone vibrated. The assistant checked it and handed it over.


    It was a screenshot from Mirabe, showing a recent conversation with Devon after they had be friends.


    David saw his apprentice''s cocky reply, "Thanks, but I don''t need help," and rubbed his forehead in exasperation, "I went out of my way to introduce him to an expert, and he still refused. No wonder he blew up the furnace."


    Typical Devon.


    The assistant cleared his throat, "Devon takes a lot of pride in his work. Maybe he wants to seed on his own."


    David shook his head with a smallugh, "He''ll regret it soon enough."


    The assistant quietly observed David, having seen him praise Devon more than a few times before.

 Chapter 1213

    David thought for a moment before turning to his assistant, "Give Devon a ring and see if he can drop by."


    "Sure thing."


    Half a minuteter, the assistant nced over at David, speaking softly, "Devon said the assessment is tomorrow, so it''s probably not the best time for a visit. He''s noting."


    David heard this and was caught between feeling proud of having such a principled student and being frustrated by his rigidity.


    "Never mind, I can''t be bothered with him right now," David said with a wave of his hand.


    His stubborn apprentice was always like this during assessment season. It was nothing new.


    Meanwhile, after hanging up, Devon stared at the charred remains in the cauldron, running a hand through his tangled hair.


    For the tenth time today, he dumped the burnt residue into the trash bin at his feet.


    After giving the cauldron a thorough clean, Devon was about to start another attempt when he noticed he was running low on herbs. Massaging his temples, he headed out of the alchemyb.


    Soon, he was at the storeroom, handing his list of needed herbs to the storekeeper.


    While waiting, his eyes, shadowed with exhaustion and red-veined, and his stubbly chin, told the tale of a few sleep-deprived days. Devon was lost in thoughts of alchemy, his gaze distant, not even noticing when someone entered the room.


    The new arrivals were Conrad and Dane.


    Conrad hadn''t expected to see Devon. Noticing Devon''s scruffy appearance, a slight smirk tugged at his lips as he unusually initiated a conversation, "Fancy seeing you here, Devon. Picking up herbs too?"


    It took Devon a moment to look up, finally showing some expression on his rugged face, "Oh, Conrad, Dane, when did you get here?"


    Conrad: "..."


    Dane noticed Conrad''s slightly annoyed expression, aware of his usual annoyance with Devon. Clearing his throat, he smiled and tried to lighten the mood, "Just now. Devon must have been too caught up in his thoughts to notice."


    Devon nodded, "Yeah, I was thinking about something."


    Conrad, his disdain for Devon''s offhand attitude simmering beneath the surface,mented casually, "All set for tomorrow''s assessment, I assume?"


    Devon didn''t look at Conrad, replying with a casual ''It''s alright'' while mentally juggling the idea of tweaking his potion recipe once he got back.


    What irked Conrad the most was Devon''s arrogant air, acting as if he was the top talent in the whole association. If it weren''t for their master being the chairman, Devon wouldn''t be much at all.


    Determined to knock Devon off his high horse, Conrad nned to showcase who the real genius was in tomorrow''s assessment.


    Conrad turned away, ending the conversation there.


    Soon enough, the storekeeper handed Devon the herbs he needed. Devon took his supplies, gave Conrad and Dane a nod, and hurried off.


    After he left, Dane handed his own list to the storekeeper and turned to Conrad, "I heard Devon''s been hitting a walltely, struggling to whip up any decent grade-A potions."


    While crafting grade-A potions was tough, for someone like Devon, a seasoned alchemist, failing to do so could only mean his skills were slipping.


    Conrad raised an eyebrow, having been too focused on the Cunningham family and Donald to notice, "Really? I wouldn''t have thought it was that bad."

 Chapter 1214

    Dane shrugged and said, "He blew up a stove just a few days ago."


    Hearing this, Conrad thought about Devon''s messy appearance earlier, likely from pulling too many all-nighters. He chuckled and said, "Well, life isn''t always smooth sailing."


    Dane lowered his gaze slightly and smiled, agreeing, "True, it''s all about having real skills."


    Conrad found the underlying message quite insightful, and it lifted his spirits. "Once we''re done with the exams here, let''s find some time to hang out and swap some tips on pharmacology."


    Dane had been meaning to build a good rapport with Conrad, given that he was the vice president''s apprentice. He nodded and replied, "Sure, I''ve got some questions I''d love to ask you."


    Conrad, hands sped behind his back, nodded in agreement.


    The next day was the big exam for the pharmacists.


    The association''s annual assessment is a major event, reevaluating rankings and requiring thorough preparation from every pharmacist.


    Aside from specifying which ingredients to use, the exam had no strict rules, nor did it demand a specific medicine to be made, allowing for plenty of creativity.


    It was a bit like cooking, where you had to whip up different dishes from a set ingredient-same idea.


    This year''s exam ingredients were all organized by the vice president since David had been tied up with the medicinal nt basetely and couldn''t oversee it.


    On the spacious grounds of the pharmacists'' association, over a dozen stoves were set up, with all the necessary ingredients and equipment ready to go. The exam was done in batches.


    "Now it''s the junior pharmacists'' turn," David whispered to Paul as they arrived at the square. "The senior pharmacists will goter."


    Paul nodded, ncing at the pharmacists who looked quite professional as they prepared.


    The vice president, spotting David from afar, walked over, but frowned when he saw Paul.


    Bringing a farmer to such a serious exam seemed like a joke.


    "President," the vice president approached, not fully agreeing with David''s decision but holding back his criticism.


    David nodded, "You''ve been working hardtely."


    The vice president smiled politely, "Just doing my job." His eyes drifted back to Paul, and he asked casually, "By the way, have all the young Milran nts been saved?"


    David stroked his beard and nodded, "Yes, thanks to Paul. Without him, we would''ve faced a big loss."


    "I didn''t expect Paul to be so skilled in cultivating medicinal herbs," the vice president said, then asked, "Does Paul also know how to make medicine?"


    "I don''t," Paul shook his head, his eyes on the pharmacists at work.


    Watching their methods, he couldn''t help but grin, thinking that even ancient cooking wasn''t thisplicated.


    David, picking up on the vice president''s implication, looked at him and exined, "I invited Paul toe check it out. He''s never seen this before and is just curious."


    The vice president smirked, understanding David''s intent, "Alright, I''ll go see how everyone''s doing with their concoctions."


    "Go ahead," David waved him off. Once the vice president was out of earshot, David turned to Paul, who seemed captivated by the pharmacists, and called out, "Hey, you okay?"

 Chapter 1215

    Paul rubbed his chin thoughtfully, not bothering to turn and look at David as he asked, "Is this how you guys usually make your medicines?"


    David hesitated for a moment, then nodded, almost automatically asking, "Is there something wrong with this way?"


    "Not exactly wrong," Paul mused, "just seems a bitplicated, that''s all."


    David chuckled, exining, "We''re using ancient alternative medicine techniques. They make the medicines purer and more effective than what you''d typically find on the market, plus they''re gentler."


    Paul went quiet at the mention of ancient alternative medicine, wondering who had been leading whom down this path.


    After observing for a while, Paul felt his interest wane. He had a flight booked for 7 p.m. and hade to the association to let David know he''d be away for a few days. It just so happened there was an assessment going on, and out of curiosity, he decided to stick around when David invited him.


    Even though his interest had dwindled, he figured he''d stay for the whole thing.


    *


    By 2 p.m., it was time for the senior pharmacist assessment. The association had only five senior pharmacists, but this year, two intermediate ones were aiming for the senior level, bringing the total to seven participants.


    Devon dashed in just as the assessment was about to start, still d in


    yesterday''s outfit, with dark circles under his eyes and his hair tousled. He looked even more haggard than the day before.


    Conrad nced at Devon, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. Showing up like that for an assessment, didn''t he realize pharmacy work was exhausting?


    Conrad soon turned away, calmly rolling up his sleeves and organizing the medicinal ingredients on the table next to him. As he eyed the ingredients, a determined look crossed his face.


    He was set on outshining Devon in this year''s assessment.


    Wasting no time, Conrad picked up the ingredients and started grinding them into powder. Compared to the others, who were still mulling over what medicine to create, his actions were quick and decisive, like he''d already mapped out his n.


    Meanwhile, Devon was still hesitating, staring at the pile of ingredients. It wasn''t until fifteen minutes into the exam that he finally picked one up and began working.


    The ingredients for this assessment weren''t anything special; most were pretty ordinary. Though there were no strict rules about what to make, the limitations on ingredients made the assessment tougher, especially for senior pharmacists. Crafting an A-grade or higher medicine from thesemon ingredients was a real challenge.


    Except for Conrad, who seemed to have it all figured out, the other pharmacists looked like they were struggling, including Devon.


    Standing not too far away, the vice president kept shifting his gaze between Devon and his own apprentice. Watching Devon''s sluggishness, as if he was scared of messing up, he couldn''t help butpare him to Conrad.


    With a slight smirk, the vice president leaned towards David and remarked, "Devon seems off today. What''s up with him?"


    David kept his cool, though inside he was mentally cursing his apprentice. Clearing his throat, he replied, "He''s probably been going without sleep for a couple of days preparing for this assessment."


    Feigning surprise, the vice president said, "That''s some dedication. Looks like he''s pretty confident about this year''s assessment."

 Chapter 1216

    David waved a hand dismissively and sighed, "Look at him. Does he look


    confident to you? Honestly, I''ll be thrilled if he doesn''t just faint from exhaustion right there and then."


    His tone was dripping with disdain.


    "You can''t really say that. Devon''s got some real talent," the Vice President chimed in.


    David shook his head, "That''s just people blowing smoke."


    The Vice President pressed his lips together, choosing not to continue the debate, and instead nced over to where Conrad was. His eyes held a curious gleam.


    Earlier, his apprentice hade to him, promising that this year he''d clinch the top spot.


    He was eager to see if he''d deliver.


    Time flew by, and before anyone knew it, two hours had passed.


    The assessment was about to wrap up.


    Conrad turned off the burner, slipped on some oven mitts, and carefully removed the pot from the stove. After a few more minutes, he opened it up to reveal the charred remains inside, his eyes flickering slightly.


    Next to him, Devon also turned off his stove, not bothering to look around. He carefully extracted the product.


    Just two capsules, but they were glossy.


    Devon stared at the capsules, his brows knitting together. He already looked a bit pale, and the added gloom only made him look worse.


    Only two capsules had turned out right.


    When Conrad nced over, he saw Devon stashing the capsules into a box with a nk expression. Conrad''s eyes narrowed-only two?


    But soon, a smirk yed on Conrad''s lips. Given Devon''s state of mind, making even those two was probably a stretch.


    He shifted his gaze back to the medicine box in his hands, his fingers tightening around it. This year''s top spot was as good as his.


    Before long, the other pharmacists finished up too, cing their products in boxes that were promptly collected.


    Seven boxes made their way to David and the other Vice Presidents. The boxes weren''tbeled with names, but each had a unique mark to prevent any mix-ups.


    This was to keep things fair and square.


    As everyone waited for the results, they crowded around the President and the Vice Presidents, eyes tense with anticipation.


    Conrad stood tall among them, one hand tucked in his pocket, his fingers lightly brushing a porcin bottle. His face held a look of confident determination.


    As time ticked by, the Vice Presidents reviewing the products reached thest box. Their expressions shifted to one of surprise and delight.


    "This is another S-grade medication. Looks pretty good, and it''s for regting the internal organs. Quite intriguing," one of the Vice Presidents remarked quickly.


    "If I say this could take first ce, I doubt anyone would argue."


    "Let''s wait for the President''s final say."


    Hearing the chatter, David set down the box he was holding and, after scribbling a score on a nearby paper, picked up the much-discussed final box.


    As he opened it, he chuckled, "Let''s see this highly praised medication that''s supposed to be the grand finale, the first..."


    He didn''t finish saying "first ce" when his voice abruptly stopped, the smile on


    his face freezing as he swiftly picked up one of the capsules.


    His brows furrowed deeply this medication...


    The Vice Presidents around him exchanged puzzled looks, unsure about the sudden change in David''s expression.

 Chapter 1217

    Conrad stood not far away, watching David''s expression shift, and felt his heart


    skip a beat. He knew that the medicine David held was his, even though he wasn''t the one who concocted it. Conrad''s fingers tightened as he kept his eyes glued to David.


    "President?" the Vice President called out, puzzled.


    Davidposed himself, cing the pill back in the box where three othersy, and nodded. "This medicine is top-notch, definitely worthy of first ce."


    Conrad felt his tension melt away, breathing a sigh of relief. He realized he''d been too anxious. This was Grade-A stuff-how could David possibly see through it? Even if David had encountered something simr, it wouldn''t have been unusual. Conrad had triple-checked the pills when he got them from Sophia, ensuring he could present them with confidence.


    "I knew this would take first ce!" the Vice President chuckled.


    "So, is this Devon''s work?" another Vice President chimed in, immediately thinking of Devon.


    The other three Vice Presidents nced over at Devon and nodded. Everyone knew Devon''s skills-mention his name, and no one doubted it or thought of anyone else.


    Their chatter was loud enough to grate on Conrad''s nerves. Devon, always Devon! Despite both being top-tier pharmacists, everyone only remembered Devon. No matter what high-level concoction came about, Devon was the first on everyone''s mind. Just like now... Conrad took a deep breath, smirking inwardly.


    Let them fawn over Devon; they''d soon see how blind they were.


    Conrad''s mentor, Mr. Qin, noticed the marking on the box and pondered for a moment. "It might not be as clear-cut as that. There are seven participants in this year''s advanced assessment-any one of them could''ve done it."


    The Vice Presidents quickly caught on. "True, it could be anyone."


    The Vice President nodded and turned to the person handling the tally. "Let''s get everyone''s names out there."


    "Sure thing."


    The tally clerk quickly matched names to the marks on the boxes, sticking each pharmacist''s name on their respective box. As the names were announced, David, who hadmented only once, signaled for his assistant.


    The assistant leaned in, listening to David whisper a few words. His eyes widened briefly in surprise before he nodded and quietly slipped away without drawing attention.


    The names were now all out, clearly showing who made which medicine. When Conrad''s name appeared on the box deemed worthy of first ce, the room buzzed with surprise.


    "This wasn''t Devon''s?"


    "I thought it was Devon''s for sure. Who knew it''d be Conrad? He''se a long way sincest year!"


    "We always thought Devon was the gifted one, but we''ve been sleeping on Conrad. The medicine he made today is a cut above the Grade-A stuff from previous years."

 Chapter 1218

    As the vice presidents chatted, their eyes all drifted towards Conrad, a blend of surprise and admiration flickering in their expressions. To them, Conrad was capable, sure, but not quite a genius. Most of their respect came from him being Presley''s prot¨¦g¨¦.


    Yet today, the medicine he concocted blew them away.


    They looked at Conrad, then at the box with Devon''s name on it. It held an S- grade medicine too, but it just didn''t stack up next to Conrad''s.


    Of course, without Conrad''s topare, Devon''s was impressive, easily outshining the rest.


    "Vice President Qin, your apprentice must have been flying under the radar all these years, keeping his talents under wraps. If it weren''t for this medicine today, we wouldn''t have realized how strong he is."


    "Indeed, quite the surprise."


    Presley acknowledged thepliments with a modest smile, though the curl of his lips hinted at his pride. Clearing his throat, he confessed, "Honestly, I didn''t know my apprentice had improved so much until this batch surpassed even Devon''s."


    As he spoke, his gaze casually flitted over to David, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of embarrassment.


    After all, the annual assessments had always been a showdown between him and Devon. This year''s upset must be a tough pill to swallow.


    Yet, after watching for a bit, Presley noticed no change in David''s demeanor and just pursed his lips.


    Years of being president had surely taught him to keep his cool.


    Meanwhile, Devon made his way over, eyes locked on Conrad''s medicine box, his


    voice a bit raspy, "Mind if I take a look at Conrad''s medicine?"


    He wasn''t bothered about what others thought; his interest was solely in the medicine itself.


    Anything his master praised had to be exceptional.


    Presley nced at Devon, leaned back in his chair, and said generously, "Go ahead, medicine is all about learning from each other."


    David frowned slightly but didn''t say a word, pulling out his phone to shoot a message to Mirabe instead.


    With a polite nod, Devon cracked open the box, and his once dull eyes lit up with energy.


    This medicine... it was miles ahead of his own. Its quality was master-level. After a long moment, Devon reluctantly ced the medicine back.


    Seeing Devon''s reaction, Presley thought he was crushed, the smile on his lips widening, "Don''t feel too bad, Devon. You''re already top-notch."


    Devon seemed unfazed, apparently missing the vice president''s backhandedpliment, responding instead with a genuine smile and shake of his head, ¡°No, Conrad is truly exceptional. Losing to him, I ept it wholeheartedly."


    With medicine like Conrad''s, he feared it might take him years to reach that level. David still hadn''t heard back from Mirabe. He just nced at his clueless apprentice, shaking his head. This guy... his brain must''ve been fried in the forge.


    Presley, hearing Devon''s admission, felt a twitch in his cheek, suddenly unsure how to respond.

 Chapter 1219

    Presley cleared his throat, deciding not to further criticize Devon in front of everyone. Instead, he turned to David, saying, "Looks like Conrad has snagged the top spot this year. Even the president himself has given his nod, so there shouldn''t be any doubts, right?"


    David gave a slight nod, "The medicine is indeed the best out of all the entries, no doubt there. But..." He paused, looking directly at Conrad, "Did you really make this medicine yourself?"


    Conrad''s smug grin froze on his face as thepliment vanished into thin air.


    What''s David getting at? Is he questioning me?


    Meeting David''s gaze, Conrad felt a chill sweat break out on his palms. Quickly regaining hisposure, he replied politely, "I''m not sure what you''re implying, Mr. President. Everyone saw the process. If it wasn''t me, who else could have made it?"


    Presley caught on quickly, his eyes narrowing at David with a hint of anger. Before David could respond, Presley interjected, "Are you saying, Mr. President, that because this year''s top performer happens to be my student, you''re feeling a bit put out and looking to use him wrongly?"


    Even though Presley was surprised by his student''s ster performance, he knew the talent was there.


    David nced at Presley, not rising to the bait of his challenging question. Instead, he gestured for calm, "Just hold on a second."


    Presley''s frown deepened, "What are we waiting for?"


    Conrad, too, watched David with confusion, unsure of what he was up to. But as the seconds ticked by, unease settled in.


    Finally, David''s assistant rushed back, and David turned his attention to Presley, "I''ll show you something that''ll rify why I said what I did."


    As he finished speaking, the out-of-breath assistant handed a medicine bottle to David.


    David opened it and took a whiff. Those who knew their way around medicines could tell if it was the same just by the smell.


    After sniffing it, David''s face showed he was onto something.


    He shook his head and handed the porcin bottle to Presley.


    Presley hesitated a moment before epting it, and when he tipped out a pill and caught the scent, identical to the one Conrad had made, he was taken aback, "This medicine..."


    David pressed his lips together, speaking in a calm tone, "See? Looks like it was made by the same person as Conrad''s, doesn''t it?"


    Conrad''s head shot up at this, eyes locking onto the bottle in the vice president''s hand.


    Could this really be the same as mine? How could this happen?


    The other vice presidents and officers gathered around, passing the bottle from Presley andparing it with Conrad''s batch, inspecting it closely.


    It didn''t take long for everyone to agree they were indeed from the same hand.


    "Mr. President, where did this medicinee from?" one of the vice presidents asked.


    "It was given to me by a friend," David mused, deciding not to mention the recent addition of another vice president to the association.


    "Well, this is odd then, about Conrad''s medicine..." The vice president turned to Conrad, leaving the question hanging.


    All eyes were on Conrad, waiting for him to exin the situation.

 Chapter 1220

    Conrad felt the weight of everyone''s stares on him. He clenched his fists, then rxed them, trying to keep his cool. Ever since the group had jumped to their conclusions, his mind was racing, trying toe up with a n. He said, "Yeah, I did make this remedy myself. As for the bottle the president has, I''m not sure how you got it. My cousin asked me for a bottle a while back. She mentioned it was a gift for someone."


    This exnation seemed reasonable enoughing from the same source made it believable. Conrad hadtched onto this excuse after he heard David say, ''a friend gave it to me'' instead of ''crafted it,'' so he stuck with his story. He could only hope that David''s friend wasn''t the actual creator of the remedy.


    Presley nced over at Conrad. He didn''t look rattled, but Presley was suspicious, remembering how Conrad had suddenly approached him a few days ago to talk about the exam ingredients. After a moment, Presley turned to David and said, "Even if Conrad was desperate to win first ce, he wouldn''t stoop to using someone else''s remedy."


    Just then, David''s phone buzzed with a message. He didn''t rush to respond to Presley but checked his phone instead. It was from Mirabe.


    [Yeah, I gave a friend a few doses of that remedy. Why?]


    With a confirmed reply, David looked up and said, "Well, it''s quite a coincidence. My friend also imed she crafted the remedy herself, and she gave a few doses to a friend too."


    Conrad''s heart dropped at this, but he''d already spoken, and with all eyes still on him, there was no way he could backtrack now. Plus, he wasn''t sure if David was fishing for the truth. After a moment, Conrad said confidently, "The remedy for today''s exam was definitely made by me. Everyone was there, watching the whole process. How could there be any cheating?"


    "That''s true," a deputy nodded, "If there was any deceit, it wouldn''t have slipped by us. Maybe there''s just been a misunderstanding."


    Since Conrad was Presley''s apprentice, most people thought highly of him and were inclined to believe he wouldn''t cheat.


    "So, you all think Conrad crafted this remedy?" David asked calmly.


    Presley pressed his lips together, "It''s not about thinking; it''s a fact that Conrad made the remedy." He nced at Devon and continued, "President, I get that you want to stand by your apprentice, but let''s be fair."


    Conrad felt a bit of relief hearing his mentor back him up. At this point, he had to stick to his guns.


    Presley noticed David''s phone and realized they couldn''t keep dragging this out. He said, "Since this is just a misunderstanding, let''s move on. Let''s have the secretary announce this year''s exam results."


    Caught in the middle, the secretary knew something fishy was going on but couldn''t afford to upset either side. He stood there, unsure of what to do.


    David, amused by Presley''s call for ''fairness,'' nodded and said, "Fair and impartial, right? Okay, today I''ll make sure everything''s above board, so no one gets wrongly used."


    With that, he tapped his phone and called Mirabe.


    Presley frowned as he saw this unfold.

 Chapter 1221

    Presley had been subtly nudging David to dial it back during their chat. Causing a scene in front of the whole association wouldn''t do anyone any favors. But David, well, he just didn''t catch on and kept pushing.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had just finished her exam and was heading off campus when she saw David''s call. She popped in her earbuds and answered.


    David''s voice came through, a bit shaky, "Hey, Mirabe, you''re free now, right?" Mirabe rubbed her forehead and gave a soft, nomittal hum in reply.


    Ignoring the curious nces from the other deputy chairs, David quickly filled her in on the day''s events. "Could you swing by now?"


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks, surprised by the drama unfolding. After a moment''s thought, she agreed, "Sure, send me the location. I''ll head over."


    David exhaled in relief, sent her the location, and then looked around. His usual calm demeanor was reced with seriousness as he addressed the room of pharmacists and members. "In twenty minutes, the real creator of this medicine will be here. The truth will out."


    Conrad''s face fell, his mind spinning. If the person David mentioned showed up, his results would be voided, and his reputation in the association would be shot. He might even get kicked out.


    Panicked, Conrad nced at his mentor, Presley, who was seething. Presley had been so proud of him, even going as far as swapping ingredients to give him an edge in the assessment. But now, knowing Conrad had used someone else''s work, he was furious.


    Taking a deep breath, Presley turned to David, "President, surely you could¡ª"


    But David cut him off, "It''s all about fairness and justice."


    Presley was left speechless.


    David didn''t bother checking Presley''s reaction. Instead, he turned to Paul beside him. "Looks like I''ve given you something tough about today."


    Paul shook his head, his pipe in hand, "Not at all." He was craving a smoke but held back.


    David sighed and changed the topic, chatting for a bit before remembering, "By the way, you''re heading home soon. When do you think you''ll be back?"


    Paul thought for a moment and answered, "At least ten days, maybe up to two weeks."


    "That long?" David was concerned about the herb base.


    "Yeah, the travel isn''t easy," Paul paused, then reassured him, "Don''t worry. I''ve shown your guys at the base everything. They''ll handle it."


    David rxed a bit, "Leaving in such a rush, everything okay? If you need anything, just let me know."


    Paul smiled warmly, "Thanks, but it''s just a family member who''s sick. I need to go check on them."

 Chapter 1222

    Upon hearing the news, David''s concern was palpable. "Is it serious? What symptoms are we talking about here? I know a bit about medicine and might be able to find something from the association that could help you in a pinch."


    Paul appreciated the offer but waved it off gently. "It''s a chronic condition in my family, not something that can be cured easily."


    David recalled Paul mentioning his home was in a small, remote vige in the south, where medical facilities might not be top-notch. He suggested, "Maybe next time you could bring them to a big city for a thorough check-up. There might still be a chance for treatment."


    Paul knew David meant well, but he shook his head, sighing softly, "It won''t help."


    At that moment, David remembered Mirabe was about to show up. He added, "I know an amazing doctor. She''s incredibly skilled. I''ll introduce her to you when she arrives."


    Paul nced at his phone, noticing it was nearly five. "Maybe another time, I have to get going," he said to David.


    With a flight at seven, Paul needed to swing by the hotel to grab his luggage. Any dy, and he''d miss it.


    "Alright then, we can catch up when you''re back," David replied without pushing further.


    With a nod, Paul stood up. David asked his assistant to see Paul out, and without any fuss, Paul left with Grant.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe stepped out of school and into a sleek ck sedan parked at the curb.


    "All done with exams?" James asked, starting the engine.


    "Not yet, a few more to go, probably another two days," Mirabe shrugged as she zoomed in on the location David sent her on her phone. "But first, let''s make a stop here before heading home."


    James nced at her phone, a bit surprised. "The Pharmaceutics Association?" "Yep," Mirabe confirmed.


    "What do you need there?" James returned her phone, curious.


    Leaning back casually, Mirabe replied, "Just sorting out a little issue."


    James raised an eyebrow, intrigued.


    Mirabe chuckled, pulling out her phone again to open Messenger. She found Sophia in her contacts and sent her a quick message.


    Sophia, still at work, checked her phone and quickly replied, "How did you figure that out? I did pass the medicine to a friend at the association."


    Mirabe, idly tracing her phone''s edge, responded, "Not a guess. Seems like your friend got into a bit of trouble with my medicine."


    Sophia paused, her mind racing. Today was the association''s evaluation day, and it was likely Conrad used that medicine to cut corners. But this trouble... An unbelievable idea formed in her mind.


    "Wait, are you also part of the Pharmaceutics Association?" Sophia typed back quickly.


    Seeing the word ''also,'' Mirabe''s eyebrows arched with a hint of a smile, and she confirmed with a simple yes.


    Scratching her head, Sophia recalled sending Mirabe some pharmaceutical toolsst year, with the address being out-of-town. How had she suddenly be a member? And she had never seen a pharmacist in their twenties in the association.


    While Sophia was lost in thought, another message from Mirabe popped up, "Your friend used my medicine for the evaluation, and it''s been discovered."


    Sophia read it and smirked, "There''s no such thing as a shortcut. Getting caught serves him right."

 Chapter 1223

    Mirabe flicked her leg a bit, easily picking up on the disdain in Sophia''s


    message. Clearly, they weren''t exactly best buddies. Mirabe shrugged, realizing there was no need to be polite if they weren''t tight. She tucked her phone away, not bothering to respond.


    Meanwhile, Sophia was trying to figure out what the boss''s message was all about, feeling a bit uneasy. That idiot Conrad using the boss''s meds was bad enough, but if he had the nerve to im they were his, it would be a real mess if he ticked off her boss. With these thoughts swirling, Sophia quickly shed her whiteb coat, grabbed her purse, and told her colleague at the register, "Sorry, something urgent came up. Gotta dash."


    Not waiting for a reply, she hurried out of the pharmacy.


    ***


    Before long, James pulled up at the medical association. At the entrance, a security guard was on duty, barring anyone without proper credentials. Mirabe, having left the ID card David gave her at home, decided to give him a call.


    Just as she hung up, she looked up to see Grant and Pauling out. Her cheeks twitched, and she instinctively turned towards James. Talk about an unexpected run-in.


    James noticed the fleeting awkwardness in Mirabe''s expression and asked, "Everything okay?"


    "Oh, it''s nothing," Mirabe replied, shaking her head. She raised her hand to her right ear, trying to hide her face a bit, but quickly dropped it, standing tall and confident. No need to get flustered-Morgan wouldn''t recognize her now!


    By then, Grant and Paul had approached. Grant was chatting with the security guard but stole a nce at Mirabe and James, momentarily taken aback by their presence. After a quick assessment, he asked the guard, "Who are these two?"


    The guard, recalling Mirabe''s brief phone call, confidently replied, "They''re probably here to see the president." He wasn''t about to let them in without confirmation, though.


    Grant nodded, then checked the time and gave Mirabe another discreet look. Could she be the vice president? After a moment, he instructed the guard to open the gate, stepping out to greet her, "Are you Ms. Mirabe?"


    Paul, following Grant, was dressed in a suave grey-and-white outfit, his trademark pipe dangling from his waist. His gaze flickered over Mirabe and James, mildly surprised by theirmanding presence. He quickly averted his eyes and politely stepped aside for Grant.


    Mirabe, catching Morgan''s reaction out of the corner of her eye, turned to Grant and nodded, "Yes, that''s me."


    Recognizing her voice from their earlier call, Grant quickly introduced himself, "I''m the president''s assistant. We''ve spoken on the phone before..." He paused, adding, "I''ve got to step out for a bit, but the guard will show you in."


    With that, he gave the guard a few instructions and went on his way.

 Chapter 1224

    Mirabe and James quickly followed the security guard into the association. It wasn''t until they were out of sight that Grant finally tore his gaze away. He''d heard the new vice president was young, but seeing her in person was still a shock.


    Shaking off his surprise, Grant turned to Paul with a friendly tone, "Paul, ready to head out?"


    Paul nodded, taking a few steps with Grant before casually asking, "Who was that young woman?"


    "Oh, she''s part of our association too," Grant replied simply.


    Paul thought for a moment and then chuckled, "She looked quite young."


    Grant nodded, his thoughts wandering a bit. "Yeah, she''s probably the youngest here. The medicine that got swapped in today''s assessment? That was her doing."


    Grant was relieved he''d set that medicine aside; otherwise, today''s chaos might''ve been a whole different story.


    Paul was a bit taken aback. He hadn''t seen the medicine himself, but with all the rave reviews, it had to be something special. For someone so young to have such talent was impressive.


    Soon enough, Mirabe arrived at the assessment venue. David had been antsy since her call, but he kept his cool in front of everyone. As she drew near, he stood up to greet her, but his words caught when he noticed the man with her.


    He knew she was bringing a friend, but he didn''t expect it to be someone from the Shepherd family.


    David immediately shifted to a more formal demeanor, greeting Mirabe and then nodding to James, "James."


    James gave a polite nod back, "David."


    It had been over a year since Davidst saw James, back when he''d had some health issues. But with so many people around, it wasn''t the time to chat, so he quickly invited James to sit.


    The other vice presidents and officials, except for Presley, hadn''t met James before. They were puzzled by David''s respectful tone, so their eyes lingered on James with curiosity.


    James? From the Shepherd family in Riverdale?


    Their curious stares didn''tst long, though. James had an imposing presence that made prolonged eye contact feel intense, so everyone''s focus quickly shifted back to Mirabe.


    "Is this the alchemist you''ve been talking about?" Presley spoke up first, having gotten over his initial surprise at seeing James.


    "That''s right," David confirmed, picking up the medicine his assistant had retrieved from the vault. "I knew the medicine Conrad presented today wasn''t his own because this had already been logged in our stock two weeks ago."


    Presley lightly pinched the medicine, casting a nce at Mirabe. Hearing David''s exnation, hemented, "It''s not that I doubt you, but having such a young alchemist doesn''t inspire much confidence."


    What he really meant was, even if it was for show, they''d have been better off with someone who appeared more seasoned.


    Mirabe shot Presley a look and, not waiting for David to jump in, quipped with a grin, "What, feeling a bit threatened by someone younger and more talented?"


    Presley''s expression darkened¡ªno one had ever spoken to him like that before.

 Chapter 1225

    "Quick wit won''t change the facts," Presley chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Just because you im the medicine is yours, does that make it true?"


    "That''s a fair point," Mirabe nodded, her expression as serene as ever. "So, the only option is for the person who used my medicine to step up and recreate it right here."


    Conrad was clearly rattled by now. If he had to start from scratch, it would be a total disaster for him. He clenched his fists and red at Mirabe. "You must be kidding. I made that medicine. What gives you the right to demand I make it again? If anyone''s remaking it, it should be you."


    David nced at Conrad with a casual indifference. "Because Mirabe is the Vice President, isn''t that enough?"


    His words sent a ripple through the room.


    Not just Conrad, but the other vice presidents were equally stunned.


    "Vice President? David, when did we get another vice president?" one of the deputy vice presidents asked, astonished.


    And such a young woman at that?


    David had already arranged for the membership documents to be brought over- a printed copy he handed around. "Mirabe might be a nominal vice president, but she still has a voice in the club."


    Presley took the document and skimmed through it. The date showed it was filed a month ago. He looked up at David, raising an eyebrow. "Adding a vice president without any of us knowing? Isn''t it a bit much for you to produce a printout of an electronic document that seems tock authenticity?"


    Moreover, the position of vice president-is it something an outsider can just step into?


    Ridiculous.


    "Far-fetched?" David picked up the medicine bottle from the table. "Who among you could whip up something like this at twenty?"


    Presley tossed the printout back onto the table andughed. "Come on, President, there''s no need to pin Conrad''s work on an outsider and then throw in


    a nominal vice president to throw us off. You think we wouldn''t notice?"


    The other vice presidents exchanged looks, but none jumped into the fray.


    No one wanted to dive into this messy argument.


    David turned to Presley, unfazed by the challenge. "So, Presley, are you saying I, as president, don''t even have the right to invite someone into the club?"


    Presley pressed his lips together. "That''s not what I''m saying. You''re free to invite anyone, but shouldn''t positions like vice president be discussed with us first? Letting someone with no track record take up the role-what message does that send to the other members? Would they ept it?"


    "Oh, about that," David replied coolly, "I''d suggest Presley take a good look at Mirabe''s membership document. Check out the clearly marked position and authority before speaking."


    Presley didn''t bother picking up the document again, just shrugged with a touch of sarcasm. "After all, you''re the president. Whatever you say goes, doesn''t it? Why bother reading it?"


    With that, he effectivelybeled David as a president who bends the rules to suit himself.


    David''s face darkened.


    Meanwhile, as David and Presley exchanged words, Mirabe calmly picked up the medicine box from the table, eventually pulling out the one with Conrad''s name. She opened it, examining the four pills inside, a smirk ying on her lips.

 Chapter 1226

    Mirabe snapped the box shut and looked up at Conrad, who had just made a snide remark. "Did the person who gave you the form ever mention how tough it is to replicate?"


    Conrad stared back at her, icy and silent.


    After Sophia handed him the form, he had spent ages trying to crack it, but no matter how many tests he ran, he couldn''t nail it. That''s why he decided to use it in today''s assessment-he had nothing else.


    Mirabe smiled, her patience evident as she spoke again, "Tell you what, you can skip the whole brewing process. Just jot down the form."


    Conrad didn''t find anyfort in Mirabe''s suggestion. He sneered, "You must be joking. Write it down for you to swipe it?"


    A form was a brewer''s secret weapon; nobody would just hand it over.


    "Scared, or just clueless?" Mirabe paused, then grinned. "How about this? I''ll write mine down for you."


    The form was crucial, and with the right recipe, you could churn out endless batches of the brew.


    Conrad was caught off guard, staring at Mirabe in disbelief.


    Mirabe didn''t pay any mind to Conrad''s reaction. Shezily turned to David, "Got any paper and a pen?"


    David, puzzled by her intent, had someone fetch them for her.


    In no time, Mirabe scribbled down a list of ingredients, their quantities, and the method. Once done, she handed it to David, "Could you have someone give this a whirl?"


    David looked at her lively handwriting, a bit surprised, but soon focused on the instructions. His eyebrows shot up. "Is it really this straightforward?"


    Mirabe''s eyes twinkled. She hadn''t seen others brew, so she asked, "Simple, is it?"


    Her method could be even more straightforward, but she''d written a beginner''s version, fearing it might be too cryptic otherwise.


    David gave her a thoughtful look, questioning if their brewing methods were worlds apart.


    With a sigh, David scanned the room for someone to test the form when his eager apprentice, Devon, bounded over.


    "Let me try it," Devon said, his face a mix of curiosity and exhaustion.


    David hesitated, not sure if Devon was up for it. "You think you''re up to it in your state?"


    Devon nodded earnestly, "I can handle it. If it''s about proving whether Conrad made this, I''m the right guy for the job."


    After mulling it over, David handed the form to Devon.


    Devon skimmed the recipe, wearing the same expression David had earlier. He nced up at Mirabe, who met his gaze with a warm smile.


    Mirabe said, "If you hit a snag, just ask me."


    Devon merely nodded and headed off to start brewing.


    David casually mentioned to Mirabe, "That''s my apprentice, Devon. Remember


    I told you about him through Messenger?"


    He then picked up the brew Devon had crafted for the assessment and passed it to her.


    Mirabe examined it, raised an eyebrow, and remarked, "Not bad for a beginner."


    David chuckled, "He''s just a bit headstrong."


    "Being headstrong isn''t always a downside," Mirabe replied, then moved to sit by an empty spot near James.

 Chapter 1227

    David nced over at Mirabe and James but decided against disturbing them. Instead, he turned to Conrad and said, "You might want to take a good look and see if you really deserve to reap the benefits of someone else''s hard work."


    Conrad''s face shifted through a series of emotions, ultimately settling on regret. He stood there, unmoving, overwhelmed with remorse.


    David shook his head and looked away.


    Twenty minutester, Devon carefully turned off the stove and removed the concoction.


    Staring at the eight perfect capsules in the box, he felt a flicker of doubt about his own skills. Normally, it took him over an hour toplete a batch, and the process was painstakingly intricate. His best effort had only ever produced six capsules, and even those were just Grade A.


    Compared to what he had in front of him now, Devon suddenly felt a bit small.


    Soon after, Devon brought the capsules over to the group.


    David didn''t reach for them right away. Instead, he gestured for Presley to take a look first. "Presley, you mentioned you''d never seen such a young pharmacist, right? Let''s see what you make of medicine crafted from this young talent''s recipe."


    Presley was visibly surprised, his expression less than pleased.


    When Devon handed him the box, Presley had no choice but to take it. After a brief pause, he opened it and peeked inside. Just as he was about toment, Devon spoke up.


    "As we all know, even with an identical recipe, it''spletely normal to have some variations in traditional medicine," Devon said, taking a quick nce over at Mirabe. "But I have to admit, I''m not quite at Ms. Mirabe''s level yet."


    Presley was left without words.


    The other officials, eager to see the results, ignored Presley''s reaction and eagerly examined the capsules.


    "There are differences, sure, but they''re minor," one remarked.


    "Exactly, it''s clear they came from the same recipe," another agreed.


    The vice-chair, who understood more about pharmacology and recipes than anyone else, couldn''t remain neutral after seeing Devon''s work. From the moment Mirabe shared her recipe, the truth was in as day.


    Hearing everyone''s unanimous conclusion, David''s lips curled into a tight smile, his voice colder than ice: "Now that the truth is out, as per the rules, Conrad''s exam results are void. He''s demoted to a junior member, banned from taking any advancement exams for the next ten years, and stripped of all his privileges." Conrad looked at David, shocked. The demotion was one thing, but being barred from exams for ten years felt like a death sentence to his career.


    "All this based on a single recipe? I can''t ept that," Conrad protested through gritted teeth.


    "Can''t ept it?" David raised an eyebrow. "Alright, if you can produce the recipe, I''ll credit the medicine to you. How about it?"


    Conrad wavered, knowing full well he couldn''t produce it.


    "Looks like you''re stuck," David said with a light chuckle.


    Conrad opened his mouth to argue, but...


    Presley stood up, cutting him off. "Enough, Conrad. You should have considered the consequences when you pulled that stunt during the exam. The chairman is already showing leniency by not expelling you. Don''t push your luck."


    Then, turning to David, Presley offered a slight bow, his earlier defiance gone. "I apologize, Chairman. It was my failure in guidance."

 Chapter 1228

    Apprentices cane and go, but losing one''s standing? That''s just not on.


    Presley knew today''s drama needed to be nipped in the bud, no way could Conrad keep talking. After giving David a heartfelt apology, Presley shot Conrad a look that screamed ''warning.''


    Conrad just stood there, stunned, not saying a word. No one knew their mentor''s ways better than him.


    David had a slight smile tugging at his lips. Without even ncing at Presley or bringing up anything else, he told the staff nearby to rework this year''s rankings. Once everyone got their results, he let the crowd disperse.


    Soon enough, a few vice chairs left too. But as Presley made his exit, he threw a shadowy, unreadable nce at James.


    "What a day, huh? And we even had youe all the way here for this," David said to Mirabe and James, his face a picture of resignation.


    Mirabe just waved it off with a grin, her face glowing with indifference. "No worries."


    David checked the time and suggested, "It''s gettingte. How about dinner? We can chat while we eat."


    Mirabe had turned down David''s dinner invites a few times before. She tilted her head towards James. "You free tonight?"


    "Yeah." James nodded.


    Seeing this, Mirabe gave David a nod.


    David was thrilled and quickly called his assistant to book a table. After hanging up, just as he was about to leave, he noticed his awkward apprentice still lingering around.


    The kid looked like he wanted to say something but couldn''t quite bring himself to.


    David rolled his eyes.


    Following David''s gaze, Mirabe spotted Devon off to the side. She raised an eyebrow and said, "Why not invite your apprentice too?"


    "I''ll check," David said, clearing his throat and motioning Devon over.


    Devon was still clutching the form Mirabe had given him. Coming over, he nodded at her and offered the form back. "This should be with you."


    Mirabe didn''t reach for it. "Keep it. I don''t need it."


    Devon was taken aback. Forms were like gold dust to pharmacists, and he''d never seen one handed over so easily.


    Sensing Devon''s surprise, Mirabe added, "It''s just a guide. You don''t have to follow it to the letter or stick to one way."


    Devon''s scruffy face looked even more puzzled, as if a light bulb had just gone off in his head.


    David patted him on the shoulder. "Since Mirabe gave it to you, keep it. Want toe to dinner with us?"


    Devon snapped back to reality, nced at his rumpled clothes, and shook his head, feeling a bit sheepish. "I''ll pass, Master."


    Seeing the tiredness in his eyes, David sighed but didn''t push. He waved him off. "Alright, get some rest. Don''t overdo it."


    "Okay." Devon agreed, but as he turned to leave, he paused, looking back at Mirabe with a hint of nervousness. "Can Ie to you with pharmacology questions down the line?"


    As he asked, Devon felt a mix of nerves and his face flushed with warmth. He remembered how he had t-out refused help through a message from his mentor before, and thinking back, he couldn''t help but regret it a bit.

 Chapter 1229

    Mirabe nodded, seemingly oblivious to Devon''s nervousness, and simply said, "Sure thing."


    Devon''s heart did a little happy dance. "Thanks a lot."


    Mirabe smiled, "No problem."


    Not wanting to overstay his wee, Devon took the recipe and headed out.


    Meanwhile, after leaving the exam area, Conrad was called in for a chat with Presley. Standing in the office, Conrad waited as Presley stayed silent for what felt like ages, his face dark and brooding.


    Conrad hung his head, feeling a mix of regret and anxiety.


    "You really messed up," the Vice President snapped, clearly frustrated. "I thought when you mentioned those ingredients earlier, you were ready to show off your skills. Didn''t expect you''d just swap it with someone else''s work. Quite the move." Conrad''s throat felt tight, "I had no idea the President had that potion."


    If he''d known, he wouldn''t have taken such a gamble, even if it meant losing out on first ce this year.


    Now, instead of overshadowing Devon, he''d taken a massive tumble.


    Presley sneered, "Do you think David''s a fool? Hasn''t he seen more than you? You tried this stunt under his watch?"


    Conrad clenched his fists, keeping his mouth shut.


    The Vice President rubbed his temples and, after a moment, asked, "And what about that girl? You got the potion from her, yet you say you don''t know her? And you didn''t know she''s a nominal Vice President here?"


    Conrad''s eyes darkened at this, "The potion came from another source, but honestly, I don''t know her or her title."


    Even though he was angry, the Vice President stayed calm, narrowing his eyes, "You might want to consider if you''ve been set up."


    How could the potion you swapped just happen to be made by a Vice President who appeared out of nowhere?


    Such perfect coincidences don''t just happen.


    Conrad then thought of his cousin, who had given him the potion. Given their rocky rtionship and her possible grudge, it all started to fit.


    No wonder she was quick to drop the Keller family''s name; it was all a setup to bring him down.


    Conrad''s face turned grim.


    Presley nced at Conrad, saying, "Don''t me me for how I spoke in front of David. A Vice President pops up out of nowhere, and suddenly, you''re the one in the spotlight. Since you''re my apprentice, David''s real target might just be me."


    He wasn''t being paranoid; the day''s events were just too neatly timed, especially with this so-called Ms. Mirabe.


    The idea of someone so young crafting an S-level potion seemed far-fetched.


    Even if someone could whip up a recipe, anyone prepared coulde up with not just one but ten recipes.


    Conrad took a deep breath, muttering, "I was too full of myself today, not careful enough."


    Presley let out a smallugh, "What''s the point of saying that now?"


    Hearing this, Conrad''s gloomy expression turned into one of helplessness.


    Yeah, what''s the use? He''d been knocked down to a junior member, losing not just the right to craft potions but even the most basic rights in the association, practically an outsider now.


    Presley tapped his fingers on the desk, his eyes focused as if deep in thought. After a couple of minutes, he said softly, "You should leave the association."

 Chapter 1230

    Conrad stared at his mentor in disbelief, his voice shaky, "Master, what do you mean?"


    If he were to step down, he''d truly be left with nothing.


    Presley gave a little flick of his fingers and said, "Staying in the association as you are now is pointless. It''ll just bury your talents and make you aughing stock." "I..." Conrad stumbled, feeling like all his strength had been sucked out of him.


    The deputy head gave Conrad another nce, seeing the despair etched on his face, and shook his head. "The association''s been around for a century, and while it''s well-established in Riverdale, there''s always a bigger world out there. Once you leave Riverdale, you might find you''re not as significant as you think."


    Conrad was still reeling from the shock of being advised to resign. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts. He looked up, "Master, what are you trying to say?"


    The deputy head calmly picked up his phone, opened Messenger, and forwarded a contact to Conrad. "You''ve got potential. Maybe heading somewhere else will give you more room to grow."


    Hearing the notification from Messenger in his pocket, Conrad quickly pulled out his phone.


    "If you want to get stronger, contact this person and say I sent you," Presley said, his tone indifferent.


    Conrad nced at the contact card on Messenger, hesitated for a moment, then decided not to ask any more questions. "Alright, I''ll add him when I get back."


    Presley nodded, signaling with a wave that Conrad could leave.


    Conrad gave a respectful nod, turned, and walked out of the office.


    As he stepped into the hallway, he spotted Dane leaning against the wall nearby. Conrad paused, then headed over to him.


    Seeing Conrad approach, Dane straightened up and asked in a low voice, "Are you... okay?"


    Conrad gave a wry smile and shook his head. He knew Dane wasn''t there to mock him. "I''m alright, thanks for checking in."


    Dane patted his shoulder, offering a bit offort, then asked, "So, what''s the story with you and that Mirabe?"


    "Mirabe?" Conrad looked puzzled.


    "The deputy head today," Dane rified.


    Conrad raised an eyebrow. "You know her?"


    Dane paused, then nodded slightly. "Kind of. Last year, my dad invited her to treat an important guest at our ce."


    At the mention of a miracle doctor, Conrad remembered David talking about someone with thest name Howe. During the assessment earlier, he hadn''t made the connection.


    "Is she really that good?" Conrad squinted, curious.


    Thinking back to the illness that even his father couldn''t diagnose, which the young woman treated with just two prescriptions, Dane nodded. "Her medical skills are top-notch."


    "What about her skills in refining medicine?" Conrad was particrly interested in this.


    "I don''t know the details, but if the president brought her in as deputy head, she must be pretty good," Dane said slowly.


    Hearing this, Conrad thought back to his earlier conversation with his mentor. His eyes narrowed. If this deputy head was as capable as they said, his mentor should definitely watch out.


    He turned to Dane, "Dane, my mentor''s pretty curious about this deputy head. Could you share what you know with him?"

 Chapter 1231

    Dane''s eyebrows flickered slightly; he''d always had it in mind to get in with


    Presley, but the guy barely gave him any attention. Even when Dane handed over


    a family heirloom recipe book, all he got was a simple "thank you."


    Bringing himself back to the moment, Dane nodded and said, "But I really don''t know much."


    "No worries," Conrad replied, his hand gripping the phone in his pocket tightly, his eyes shadowed with concern.


    He hurried Dane back to Presley''s office toy out the situation, then excused himself and left.


    Conrad had just made it to the first floor and was on his way out of the lobby when he collided with Sophia, who was rushing in.


    "Are you guys finished?" Sophia asked breathlessly, her voice still catching up with her hurried pace.


    Conrad saw the anger simmering in Sophia and didn''t bother answering. Instead, he grabbed her arm and pulled her outside.


    Sophia squeezed her hand, and once they were outside, she easily shook off his hold.


    Conrad, not focusing on much else, red icily at Sophia. "You''re really ying both sides, huh? What''s in it for you to mess with me?"


    Sophia hadn''t been around earlier, but as soon as she got the message on Mirabe Messenger, she had a hunch about what went down. So Conrad''s usation didn''t throw her off.


    Sophia snorted, "Seriously? Did I tell you to swap the medicine? When you were pulling that shady stuff, did you even think about the fallout if you got caught?"


    Conrad let out a bitterugh, "Is this what it''s about? You knew this evaluation was important to me, but you still..."


    Sophia wasn''t interested in hearing Conrad''s justifications. She wasn''t there for him, so she raised a hand to cut him off, "Enough. You dug this hole yourself. No one else to me. Now, tell me, is the person who made this medicine still with the association?"


    Her office was a bit far from the association, and she''d been held up by traffic getting there.


    Conrad''s anger was all tied up in Sophia''s perceived betrayal. Her cool demeanor and questioning about someone else made him snap. He swung his hand for a hard p, no holding back, "Backstabbing traitor."


    The p was aimed tond, but Sophia intercepted by gripping Conrad''s wrist with even greater force, yanking him off bnce.


    Conrad stumbled forward, pain shooting through his wrist, forcing him to bend as his eyes met Sophia''s icy stare.


    It was freezing, like a deep winter chill.


    For the first time, Conrad was genuinely scared of this side of his cousin, both unfamiliar and intimidating.


    "All these years, I haven''t dealt with you, not because I''m scared, but because you''re not worth it, got it?" Sophia''s voice was surprisingly calm.


    Conrad shivered, unable to find his voice.


    Sophia''s lips twitched into a slight smile as someone exited through the main door. She released her cousin''s wrist, adjusted her scarf, and nodded with a friendly smile at the passerby.


    Conrad, gathering his wits, was left speechless.


    Once the people had moved on, Sophia turned her attention back to Conrad, "Can you answer my question now?"

 Chapter 1232

    Conrad''s face was clouded with anger. If it weren''t for the stinging pain in his wrist, he wouldn''t have believed that Sophia had just managed to pin him down. Taking a deep breath, he said icily, "Don''t ask me, I don''t know."


    Sophia, seeing his expression, turned on her heel and walked away-not towards the building, but straight for the association''s main exit. She should have known that even if she rushed over, there was no guarantee she''d run into the big shot. With a sigh of disappointment, she continued on her way.


    Conrad stood rooted to the spot, watching his cousin''s silhouette fade into the distance. His eyes were shadowed with a brooding darkness, yet he made no move to follow her.


    **


    Meanwhile, in a private room at a restaurant, David was chatting with James. "It''s been a year. How''s your health holding up, James?"


    James gave a slight nod, filling Mirabe''s coffee cup as he replied, "Thanks for your concern, David. I''ve been doing alright."


    David, though initially surprised, rxed when he nced at Mirabe. Of course, she was a miracle worker; he''d seen her healing skills firsthand. With a smile, he said, "Good to hear you''re doing well. I must admit, I''m still working on finding a remedy."


    At that moment, Mirabe was busy responding to a message on her phone. "Let''s meet another day," she typed back. Sophia had texted her aftering back empty-handed from the pharmaceutical association, asking to meet up.


    Hearing David talk about a remedy, Mirabe pocketed her phone and looked up, asking, "What kind of remedy are you working on?"


    "It''s for managing James''s health," David exined.


    Mirabe tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in thought as she nced at James. Did he really still need treatment?


    James, lounging casually in his chair, caught her gaze. Under the chandelier''s light, his features seemed even more refined and handsome. Beneath the table, he gently took Mirabe''s hand resting on his knee, lightly tracing her palm with his fingertips.


    Mirabe felt a slight twitch in her cheeks and turned her eyes away before addressing David, "He doesn''t need it anymore."


    She had already treated him with acupuncture. As long as he didn''t overdo things physically, his old issues wouldn''t resurface.


    David nodded, letting the conversation drift to other topics. Soon enough, the waiter arrived with their meals.


    Halfway through dinner, David took a phone call. When he returned, his expression was no longer as carefree, clearly something was up.


    Mirabe noticed and said, "If you have something urgent, feel free to go."


    David just chuckled and picked up his fork, saying, "It''s just a small hup with the medication supplies, nothing major."


    With that, Mirabe didn''t press further and continued eating. The three of them wrapped up their meal pretty quickly after that.


    *


    Once Mirabe and James were in their car, David got into his assistant''s vehicle, his face noticeably more serious. "Those supplies have always been kept in the warehouse. How could there be a problem?"


    The assistant, who had just returned from dropping Paul at the airport, shook his head. "The warehouse reported water damage."


    David frowned. "The rainy season around here is in May and June. Water damage now is practically impossible. Get someone to figure out who''s behind this mess."


    "I''ve already set things in motion, but three-quarters of the supplies are ruined. What''s left won''t cover the delivery due in two days," the assistant said, sounding worried.


    They''d never faced a situation like this before.


    David was quiet for a couple of minutes before asking, "Any stock left in the other warehouses?"


    "There is some, but not nearly enough to fill the gap," replied the assistant with a serious tone.

 Chapter 1233

    David rubbed his temples as he processed the news, then said, "Reach out to the contact at the international branch tomorrow. Let''s see if we can push back the delivery date."


    "Yeah, that''s about all we can do now," his assistant agreed, hesitating for a moment. "Hopefully, they won''t give us too much trouble."


    David gazed out the car window, his expression tense. He sighed, "Maybe."


    Sensing the mood, the assistant wisely decided to keep quiet and focused on driving.


    A bitter, David''s phone buzzed in his pocket. After a brief conversation, he turned to his assistant and said, "Head back to the association."


    The assistant nodded and quicklyplied.


    Within twenty minutes, David was back at the association''s headquarters. Several vice presidents were already there, eager to discuss the raw materials issue.


    David took his seat, speaking in a calm and steady tone, "I''ll handle the negotiations with our partners about the dy. But someone needs to check on the inventory. Who can do it?"


    The vice presidents exchanged uneasy nces, reluctant to step up. Taking responsibility, especially with the deadline looming, could mean taking the fall if things went south.


    After an awkward pause, Presley raised his hand, "I''ll go."


    David''s eyes settled on him.


    "I was part of this deal from the start. Now that there''s an issue, it''s my responsibility to sort it out," Presley exined, sounding logical andposed.


    David thought it over and nodded, "Alright, it''s in your hands, Presley. We''re counting on you."


    "Okay, I''ll get moving. I''ll have my flight booked for tonight." Presley stood, exuding determination.


    David stood as well, giving a few more instructions before everyone in the room dispersed.


    "It''s odd. Presley''s not usually one to volunteer for a sticky situation," the assistant whispered to David once they were alone.


    David narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, "He handled all the materials for today''s pharmacy assessment, right?"


    The assistant considered it and nodded, "Yeah. Does that rte to why he took this on?"


    David got up, heading for the door, and said lightly, "It''s unrted. But Conrad''s cheating in the assessment definitely ties back to him."


    The assistant suddenly understood.


    So that''s why Presley was acting out of character-trying to sidestep the me.


    What a crafty fox, always plotting.


    The following day.


    Mirabe had just arrived at school when Zane called her to his office.


    "Shouldn''t signing the contract be something you and the school handle? Why do


    I have to be involved?" Mirabe asked, puzzled.


    Zane was organizing some paperwork and exined, "The Tech Institute specifically requested you because they have some system issues they need to discuss with you directly."


    Mirabe wasn''t thrilled about the idea.


    Seeing her reluctance, Zane coughed and said, "Most people would jump at the chance to get into the Tech Institute, and here you are, not interested."


    Mirabe waved her hand dismissively, "I''m a techie. I should stick to tech stuff. Dealing with people is just a waste of time."


    Zane''s lips twitched, "No way around it. They want you specifically. If you don''t go, the deal''s off, and so is the bonus."


    Mirabe: "?"

 Chapter 1234

    Mirabe gave Zane a long, hard look, feeling a twinge of irritation. "Zane, it seems like you''ve changed."


    He used to be so down-to-earth, but now he couldn''t stop talking about bonuses, which was starting to get on her nerves.


    Zane brushed off herment. "So, are you in or out?"


    Mirabe sighed dramatically, as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. "Yeah, I''m in."


    The mention of a bonus had pretty much made the decision for her.


    "Great. Head over to the university admin office at one this afternoon and find Dr. King-you know, the guy who went with us to the tech institutest time. He''ll guide you from there," Zane instructed.


    Mirabe shed an OK sign but hesitated. "Just me?"


    Zane cleared his throat. "Mr. Calvin will be going too."


    "Oh," Mirabe replied, pressing her lips together.


    Zane noticed her reaction and felt a bit stuck himself. "The department needs someone to represent us."


    Mirabe nodded with a detached air. "Sure."


    Zane was left with a sense of unfinished business. "..."


    "Alright, if that''s all, I''ll be off," Mirabe said, ready to leave.


    Zane watched her go, aware she was bothered but unable to challenge Mr. Belcher''s orders. He sighed and waved her off without furtherment.


    That afternoon, Mirabe arrived at the admin office right on the dot.


    Calvin was already there, chatting with Dr. King. He nced at his watch as she walked in.


    Perfect timing, he thought with a slight frown, but he kept quiet in front of Dr. King. Instead, he said, "She''s here. Let''s get moving."


    Dr. King nodded, and soon they were all in the car.


    Mirabe popped on her headphones, diving into a game, tuning out the conversation between Dr. King and Calvin.


    A notification popped up on her phone after she finished a game. It was from Adler:


    Adler: "Heard some inside scoop-the medical research institute might start mass-producing a solution for experiments."


    Mass production meant they''d need a lot of test subjects. If it were for a standard drug, it wouldn''t be rming, but this was meant to mess with human physiology...


    Mirabe frowned and quickly typed back: "Are you guys out of your minds?"


    Adler, who was munching on something, quickly replied, "No, no, it''s them, not me! I''m not involved!"


    He already knew how much she despised that drug.


    Mirabe: "Hahaha."


    Adler winced, "Boss, are you... upset?"


    Mirabe gazed out the window, her eyes cold and distant. She only turned back when Adler''s message pinged again.


    Adler: "There are always sacrifices in medical trials; you get used to it over time."


    Adler, although working in a virologyb, couldn''t avoid the harsh realities of experiments either.


    From starting with animal testing to moving onto humans... He had seen the agony and desperation in patients who suffered from the drug''s effects.


    Mirabe: "Is this project backed by international medical groups?"


    Adler, usually engrossed in his research, wasn''t too clued in on the institute''s politics but replied, "Probably. Such drug developments usually involve coborations to steer clear of pitfalls."


    After sending that, Adler switched topics. "Oh, by the way, have you heard about this unique physiology? Supposedly stronger than a regr person''s, almost like an evolved being-rumored to be perfect for trials..."

 Chapter 1235

    Upon spotting the phrase "medical marvels," Mirabe''s eyes grew even colder,


    but that chill was fleeting. She quickly typed back, "Never heard of it. Where''d you hear such nonsense?"


    Adler replied, "Just some office gossip. People say it might be true, that the medical school is secretly searching for these folks. But, like you, I think it''s just nonsense."


    Mirabe just responded with a nomittal ''Hmm.''


    She soon ended the chat with Adler on Messenger, her fingers absentmindedly spinning her phone while her gaze wandered out of the car window, lost in her own thoughts.


    *


    An hourter, the car rolled up to the Science Institute.


    After getting out, Dr. King and Calvin were guided to an office, while Mirabe was called to theb on her own.


    Hank was there too, having left the signing of the partnership agreement to his assistant, since he had a bunch ofputational questions for Mirabe.


    On the crystal screen in theb was a simtion of brainwave activity. Hank, tapping away at the mainputer, asked Mirabe, "Yourputing model is pretty unique. I tried to break it down before but couldn''t. Why''s that?"


    Standing next to Hank, Mirabe gave the crystal screen a quick nce and replied casually, "Building aputational blueprint is like constructing a house. Taking it apart just tears the whole model down."


    Hank paused, turning to look at her, "So, this system isn''t made for repeated use? Can''t be used on other Al devices either?"


    Mirabe nodded, "Yep, break it down and it''s gone."


    Hank frowned, realizing that meant the system was stuck as-is.


    The hefty investment in the system would only work for this one robot-definitely not what he was hoping for.


    "Is there any way to fix this issue?" Hank asked.


    Mirabe stayed put, her tall, slender frame steady, her expression impassive as she said, "Nope, research on artificial life is pretty limited. It''s already a big deal our team managed to build this model. Beyond that, we''re out of our depth."


    Hank felt a bit bummed but thought about how this artificial life system was a groundbreaking development-it could definitely make waves internationally. They''d just have to take it slow.


    Hank decided not to push more on breaking down theputational method and switched gears to the gic database. "Also, when we try to replicate and integrate human genes, we can''t get a perfect match. What''s going wrong there?" After saying this, Hank stood up, offering Mirabe the seat to give it a go.


    Normally, he wouldn''t let outsiders touch their experimental data, but today he made an exception.


    After all, his assistant had put a confidentiality use in the partnership agreement.


    If any experimental data leaked, there''d be legal consequences. Mirabe didn''t sit at the mainputer. "I''m not really sure about this one." Hank was surprised, quickly saying, "Isn''t this your department''s specialty?" Mirabe turned to him, her voice steady, "Our team works together, and I''m afraid my skills have their limits. I can''t solve everything."

 Chapter 1236

    Inviting her alone to the Tech Institute was like barking up the wrong tree.


    Hank got the drift of Mirabe''s words almost immediately, and his brow furrowed a bit. He''d specifically called her in because, during theirst interaction, he''d noticed she was the linchpin of the team. Besides, after digging a bit, he found out she was a real jack-of-all-trades.


    Was she ying hard to get on purpose?


    Hank threw a bunch of questions her way, but Mirabe''s responses were always the same: "I don''t know, can''t help you there. If you want answers, you''ll have to ask my professor, Zane. He''s the one in charge."


    In the end, Hank didn''t get a single answer, and it had him boiling inside. He hadn''t expected the student he''d called in to be so sly,cking the straightforwardness he thought college students usually had.


    With no useful info in hand, Hank soon had Mirabe escorted out of theb. He didn''t stick around either, heading straight to the conference room, still wearing a scowl.


    His assistant had just wrapped up signing a partnership deal with Dr. King. Noticing Hank''s sour mood, the assistant greeted him with respect but wisely avoided any probing questions.


    Dr. King and Calvin both nodded a greeting his way.


    "Is everything signed?" Hank asked as he pulled out a chair and sat down.


    The assistant nodded, cing the agreement in front of Hank. Yet, Hank didn''t bother flipping through it. Instead, he nced at Dr. King and Calvin, unable to shake off his irritation. "Your students sure are something else."


    His tone was far fromplimentary, which made Dr. King and Calvin exchange puzzled looks. Mr. Calvin then took the initiative to ask, "What''s up?"


    Hank gave a wry smile and leaned back in his chair, "Oh, nothing. Just impressed by their eloquence."


    Calvin didn''t know what exactly Mirabe did in theb to rile Hank up, but he figured it was probably her brash attitude that got under Hank''s skin.


    With a cating smile, Calvin said, "Mirabe is young, and sometimes her words are a bit too straightforward. If she''s offended you in any way, please let it slide. I''ll have a word with herter."


    Dr. King frowned slightly at this.


    Hank waved it off, saying, "Forget it, it''s no big deal."


    Calvin felt a bit of relief seeing Hank''s expression lighten up after some small talk, and Hank wasn''t looking as grim as before.


    Mirabe really didn''t know when to hold back, treating the Tech Institute staff like schoolteachers and just saying whatever she pleased.


    Having to smooth things over for her, Calvin was mentally exhausted. What good is being a genius if you don''t contribute to the Tech Institute''s projects?


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had taken a quick restroom break and decided not to head back to the lounge. Instead, she wandered outside for some fresh air and made her way to a public bench by the flowerbed.


    Taking a seat, she pulled out her phone and started scrolling through the group chat of herb team.


    Linden and Kason often discussedb issues in the chat, and with time on her hands, Mirabe began offering practical solutions to everyone''s problems.


    She was dressed in a snow-white down jacket that day, the fur cor making her head look even more petite. Her slightly curled hair was tied up in a fluffy bun, making her quite the sight as she sat there.


    Up in Dr. Ray''s office on the third floor, a young man stood by the window, his eyes glued to the striking figure in white below.

 Chapter 1237

    Behind the guy, lounging on a casual sofa, sat Dane, still talking away, "You know


    I haven''t bugged you in years, but this project is huge. If you could help me sort out the equipment, it''d really boost the safety features. Come on, say you''ll do it."


    The person at the window didn''t even nce back, eyes glued to something outside. It wasn''t until he saw a white figure below lift its head that he turned slightly towards Dane, "Hmm?"


    Dane was taken aback, "!!"


    Noticing Dane''s slightly annoyed look, James finally seemed to catch on, asking, "What''s the Science Institute working on with Prestige College?"


    Thrown by the unrted question, Dane hesitated before replying, "It''s a branch of the marine exploration project. They''re trying to integrate a life system into the third-gen intelligent robots to give them human-like independent thinking."


    Ah, that makes sense.


    James thought for a moment, then nodded, "Alright."


    "By ''alright,'' do you mean you''ll help us with the gear?" Dane asked, a bit cautiously.


    James nodded, easy-going as ever, "Yep."


    Dane, who had a whole arsenal of reasons ready and had even considered ying the sympathy card, was suddenly speechless: "!!!"


    He couldn''t believe his ears; his mentor agreed just like that?!


    While Dane was still reeling, James added slowly, "But I''m not doing it for free."


    Dane snapped back to reality, nodding eagerly, "No problem at all."


    He wasn''t sure why his wealthy apprentice was interested in the Science Institute''s funds, but as long as he was helping, a littlepensation was fine.


    Anyway, the money he donated yearly was substantial; it was like moving funds from one pocket to another.


    In a hurry, fearing his apprentice might change his mind, Dane immediately called his assistant to draft the cooperation agreement.


    He''d only rx once the agreement was signed.


    James watched Dane''s frantic actions, shook his head with a slight smile, and nced back out the window. The chair, which had been upied moments ago, was now empty.


    Raising an eyebrow, James pulled out his phone.


    *


    Mirabe had been sitting outside for a while before heading back to the lounge.


    Just as she settled in, her Messenger pinged.


    James: "When are you heading out?"


    Mirabe blinked at the message, then shot back a "?"


    No sooner did she send it than her phone buzzed with a call, which she answered right away.


    "I meant when are you leaving the Science Institute," James''s smooth voice flowed through.


    Mirabe paused, nced at the door, and asked, "You''re at the Science Institute?"


    James: "Yep."


    Mirabe was a bit surprised but didn''t press further, "I''m not sure. I''ll leave as soon as the school signs the cooperation agreement. Shouldn''t be long."


    James''s fingers drummed lightly on the windowsill, then he proposed, "I''ll be about fifteen more minutes here. Want to head back together?"


    Mirabe considered it and agreed, "Sounds good. I''ll call once everything''s wrapped up."


    James gave an affirmative response.


    Just as Mirabe hung up, Dr. King and Calvin, fresh from signing the cooperation agreement, walked in.


    Dr. King opened his mouth, probably to say they were good to go, but Calvin jumped in first, "What did you do this time to tick Hank off?"

 Chapter 1238

    Calvin''s voice came out sharp and usatory, like he wasunching right into an attack. Mirabe shot him a sideways nce, her gaze cool and detached, clearly not interested in engaging with his outburst.


    Seeing this, Calvin shook his head, exasperated. "Do you really think signing a partnership agreement gives you free rein to do whatever you please? This is the Tech Institute, not Prestige College. Do you have any clue about the consequences of rubbing someone the wrong way here?"


    "Mr. Calvin," Dr. King chimed in, clearly disapproving of Calvin''s harsh tone towards his student.


    Calvin nced at Dr. King. "You don''t understand... but never mind, I''m too tired to spell it out."


    With that, he turned on his heel and left, not sparing Mirabe a second look.


    The air was thick with awkwardness. Dr. King, noticing Mirabe didn''t seem the reckless type, cleared his throat and offered a short exnation. "Hank looked pretty upset when he came by earlier."


    Mirabe''s lips curled slightly. "So, because he''s in a mood, he needs someone to vent on?"


    Noticing the chill in her tone, Dr. King added, "There must be some


    misunderstanding. Don''t let it bother you. Now that the agreement is signed, let''s head back to the university."


    "I''m good, I''ll catch a ride with a friendter," Mirabe replied nonchntly.


    Dr. King paused, surprised. "A friend? Here at the Tech Institute?"


    Mirabe nodded slightly, offering no further details.


    Dr. King, skilled at reading people, had sensed from their first meeting that Mirabe had a presence about her-a calm confidence that set her apart from the typical student.


    He decided not to press further. "Alright then, take care."


    Mirabe gave a subtle nod.


    Shortly after, Dr. King left the lounge and stepped out of the building. Outside, Calvin was loitering by a trash can, smoking. Seeing Dr. King emerge alone, he frowned.


    Dr. King paid no mind to Calvin''s expression and casually mentioned that Mirabe wouldn''t be heading back with them.


    Calvin, snuffing out his cigarette in the proper spot, asked skeptically, "She ims to have friends here at the Tech Institute?"


    "Yes," Dr. King nodded.


    Calvin didn''t seem convinced. "She better not stir up any trouble. She came with us, and even if she has friends here, she should return with us."


    "Got something against your department''s students, Mr. Calvin?" Dr. King asked with a hint of amusement.


    Calvin smirked slightly. "Not really, just can''t stand those who let being a valedictorian go to their heads."


    Dr. King pped him on the shoulder. "A bit of pridees with being a genius. Let it go; it''s not worth the worry."


    Calvin was left momentarily speechless.


    Meanwhile, over in Dr. Ray''s office, Dane''s assistant had just finished drafting and printing the contract. He walked in, intending to hand it to Dane, but James snatched it up. "Pen."


    The assistant blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before grabbing a pen from the desk and handing it over to James.


    Without bothering to skim through the contract, James signed his name on thest page, the whole process taking less than ten seconds.


    Dane, holding the contract and eyeing the signature, was still in a bit of disbelief. The ease with which the contract was signed almost made it seem unreal.

 Chapter 1239

    Dane was lost in thought when James got up from the couch, grabbing his jacket. "I''ve got to head out, Professor."


    Dane snapped back to reality, ncing at the clock. "Leaving already? Can''t you stay a bit longer? I was hoping to show you the new batch of equipment parts in the storeroom."


    James nodded, saying, "I''ve got something to handle, maybe another day."


    Dane didn''t push further. The contract was signed, so he wasn''t worried about James backing out. "Alright, we''ll catch upter."


    "Sure thing," James replied, and quickly left the office.


    Once James was out of sight, Dane turned back to the contract in his hand. After a moment, he looked over at his assistant. "Let Dr. Yang know we''re scrapping the Level II n. We''re going straight to Level I."


    The assistant, a bit taken aback, looked at Dane. "Isn''t the Level I n supposed to be really tough, ording to the system''s evaluation?"


    Dane just smiled and shook his head. "That''s because nobody could handle the core construction of the submarine until now."


    Thinking about James''s capabilities, the assistant seemed reassured and nodded. "I''ll talk to Dr. Yang right away."


    "Off you go."


    Dane waved him off.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was waiting in the lobby downstairs after getting a message. The staff, aware that she was a student from Prestige College working on a project, simply told her not to wander around before letting her be.


    She stood there, eyes on her shoes, hands casually tucked in her coat pockets, looking rxed and nonchnt.


    James came out of the elevator and spotted Mirabe right away. He narrowed his eyes a bit as he walked over. "Have you been waiting long?"


    Mirabe looked up at his voice, her eyes bright. "Oh, no, just a few minutes."


    James nodded, slipping his hand into Mirabe''s coat pocket to hold her warm hand. "Let''s go."


    Mirabe: "..."


    James led her toward the parking lot. They didn''t run into anyone on their way out, which surprised Mirabe a bit. "Do you work at the Institute of Technology?"


    "Not exactly," James said after a moment. "My professor works here."


    I see.


    Mirabe nodded, not probing further.


    "Is the coboration between your school and the Institute your responsibility?" James nced at her.


    Mirabe shrugged. "No, I''m just here to handle some technical stuff."


    "Still pretty impressive," James raised an eyebrow.


    Mirabe lifted her chin modestly. "It''s just alright."


    James just smiled.


    They soon reached the parking lot. Once in the car, James started the engine and asked, "Heading back to school, or...?"


    "Hang on, let me check." Mirabe pulled out her phone and texted Zane to exin the situation.


    Zane must have been tied up; it took him about ten minutes to reply, telling her to do whatever she wanted.


    Seeing that it was still early, Mirabe texted Sophia to set up a meeting ce, then told James, "Can you drop me at this address? I''m meeting a friend."


    She showed James the location Sophia had sent her.


    James nced at it and casually asked, "Is this the same friend fromst time? Adler?"


    Mirabe turned her phone, giving James a sidelong nce. "Hmm? Are you talking about Adler?"

 Chapter 1240

    "''"''I think so, but I''m not too sure about the name," James''s voice was as steady as


    ever.


    Mirabe pulled her coat tighter and simply replied, "It''s not him."


    James let out a small "oh" of realization.


    Mirabe gave him another nce, her look dripping with sarcasm.


    About forty minutester, they reached their meeting spot-a cozy little tavern with a charming vibe.


    James looked through the car window at the tavern. It was four in the afternoon, and the ce was empty, with no customers in sight.


    Mirabe unbuckled her seatbelt just as her phone buzzed with a message from Sophia, asking when she''d arrive.


    She quickly typed a reply and turned to James, "It''s just a girls'' meetup. It''d be awkward for you to tag along, so no need to wait for me."


    James nodded, pulling his gaze back, "Alright."


    Mirabe nodded, stepped out of the car, and disappeared into the tavern through its ss door.


    As she entered, a weing chime sounded, catching the attention of the cashier at the front.


    The tavern was small, with soft music ying in the background. Mirabe nced around, spotting no other patrons. Just as she was about to speak, the curtain to her right was pulled aside.


    A young woman hurried out, her words trailing behind her, "Sophie, my friend..."


    She paused mid-sentence, spotting Mirabe standing nearby. Her words came to an abrupt stop.


    Putting aside her striking looks, the fact that she appeared about twenty didn''t match the formidable figure Sophia had imagined.


    Sophia scratched her neck and, after a moment of hesitation, called out, "Boss?" Mirabe faced Sophia, not particrly surprised, "Have you been waiting long?" Sophia was still a bit stunned, "You''re really... the one?"


    "Or do you want to wait and see if someone else shows up?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk ying on her lips.


    Her presence was naturallymanding, and her words carried an undeniable confidence.


    Sophia cleared her throat. Even though she was older than Mirabe, she couldn''t shake off a sense of awe. She gestured toward the booth curtain, "Let''s go inside and chat."


    Mirabe nodded.


    Sophia stepped aside, letting Mirabe go first. Once inside, she instructed the cashier, "Could you get us some coffee, no alcohol-maybe some juice instead?"


    After giving the instruction, she joined Mirabe in the booth, closing the elegant wooden door behind her.


    Sitting across the low table, Sophia looked at Mirabe again, her voice carrying a hint of disbelief, "I honestly thought you''d be a middle-aged guy, maybe in his thirties or forties."


    Even though she''de to terms with Mirabe being a student, seeing her in person was still a shock.


    Mirabe nodded, calmly saying, "I''m sure you''re not the only one who thought that."


    Sophia touched her nose, wondering how someone so young could have such incredible medical skills.


    As memories stirred in her mind, she softly said, "Thank you for saving me from those people back then."


    A faint scar was visible on Sophia''s wrist as she rested it on the table. Mirabe''s eyes flickered to it briefly before she spoke in a rxed tone, "It was just a lucky break for you. No need to dwell on it."


    Sophia smiled, offering her thanks a few more times.


    Outside, the staff member knocked on the wooden door. Sophia gathered her thoughts, stood to open it, and took the coffee from her hands, closing the door once more."

 Chapter 1241

    "Hey, I brought you something." Sophia said, cing a steaming cup of coffee in front of Mirabe. She fished a small porcin vial out of her pocket. "I''m not sure if you''ll ever need it, but it''s good to have, just in case."


    As she spoke, she handed over the vial. Mirabe nced at her, took it, and popped the cork. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Is this from poppy stems and leaves?"


    Sophia nodded. "Yep, it''s a colorless, tasteless powder. Once it touches your skin, it seeps into your bloodstream and can temporarily paralyze the central nervous system. It''s not lethal but coulde in handy if things get dicey."


    Mirabe had a hunch why Sophia brought this along. After a moment, she corked the vial again and tucked it back into her jacket pocket. "I''ll hang onto it. Thanks."


    She figured Cassandra might find a use for it.


    Sophia visibly rxed when Mirabe epted the vial, relieved that her gift wasn''t turned down.


    "Oh, and about your friend from the pharmaceutical society, he hasn''t been giving you a hard time, has he?" Mirabe remembered the society''s exams and inquired.


    "Nope." At the mention of Conrad, Sophia''s demeanor cooled. "Don''t worry about him. He''s got himself to me."


    Mirabe nodded, deciding not to dig further, and took a sip of her coffee. After a couple of minutes, she casually mentioned, "I heard the medical research institute is on the hunt for folks with unique constitutions."


    Sophia''s eyes widened in shock, her hands trembling slightly under the table.


    Mirabe set her cup down, locking eyes with Sophia. "Just be careful."


    **


    As they stepped out of the cozy pub, the sky had turned a moody gray, and the air was heavy with fog-a sure sign rain was on its way. Mirabe gged down a taxi.


    No sooner had they hit the road than the heavens opened up. By the time they arrived at the vi, the rain wasing down in sheets.


    Mirabe entered the house, her down jacket soaked through, though her clothes underneath were still rtively dry. Delh, seeing her drenched, clucked her tongue and urged her to take a hot shower.


    Half an hourter, freshly showered and changed, Mirabe headed downstairs. She found her parents and Nick in the living room, deep in conversation. She paused, then joined them.


    Delh had a stack of papers in her hands, which she passed to Mirabe. "What do you think about this?"


    Mirabe had barely sat down when she was handed the papers. She could feel Delh''s pointed gaze on her. Instead of diving right in, she looked up and yed dumb. "Think about what?"


    Delh just pointed at the papers. "Take a look, why don''t you?"


    Mirabe finally dipped her head and skimmed through the documents. After a few minutes, she looked up with a grin. "This asset transfer looks squeaky clean. Mom, congrats on climbing thedder to bing a full-fledged richdy!" Delh: "..."


    Nick''s lips twitched-a ssic Mirabeeback.


    Delh rubbed her temples. "Cut the jokes."


    Mirabe straightened up, cing the Cunningham family''s asset transfer document on the coffee table. "Alright, Mom, your turn. I''m all ears."


    Her posture was the picture of obedience.


    Looking at her daughter, Delh suddenly found it hard to start. Finally, she sighed and asked, "So, what exactly did Grady tell you about the Davis family?"

 Chapter 1242

    If it weren''t for stumbling upon that asset transfer document in her daughter''s room today, Delh would''ve beenpletely in the dark about everything going on behind the scenes. The Cunninghams weren''t much of a worry, but her daughter''s constant mingling with Grady-that''s what kept Delh up at night.


    Mirabe thought her mom would ask about the Cunninghams, but instead, after a brief pause, she replied truthfully, "He never mentioned the Davis family to me."


    He had simply handed her a pile of documents rted to the Davis family''s


    assets.


    "So how do you exin this asset transfer document?" Delh pressed.


    If her daughter was clueless about the Davis family''s dealings, how did Grady''s crew get their hands on this transfer document? What a handful that girl was!


    "Just paying off some debts," Mirabe said coolly, leaning back on the couch without borating.


    Delh wanted to dig deeper, but Shawn, sitting next to her, gently stopped her. She nced at him and sighed inwardly. It''s always the closest ones that are the hardest to figure out. No wonder Grady''s been like a ghosttely.


    After dinner, Mirabe slipped back to her room, where a mountain of physics homework awaited her. Not long after, there was a knock at the door. She put down her pen, slowly walked over, and opened the door just a sliver, only to hear Nick''s calm voice.


    "Mom and Dad are in their room."


    Mirabe cleared her throat, stood up straight, and opened the door wider. "Nick, you''re still up?"


    "Yeah." Nick handed her a cup of ginger tea.


    Mirabe epted it without a word. Just as she took a sip, Nick''s casual voice broke the silence.


    "Are you nning to take over the Davis family''s assets in Riverdale?" Nick''s eyes were locked onto Mirabe''s face.


    Parents might be easy to fool, but not him.


    Mirabe almost choked on her drink, "Cough, cough..."


    "No need to be shocked. I know you''ve got your own ns, but the Davis family''s affairs are vast andplicated. One wrong move and..." Nick paused, "I just don''t want you tangled up in it."


    Though he wasn''t sure what Grady had told his sister, she was his only sibling.


    Mirabe could sense the gravity in Nick''s words. Holding the cup, she simply replied, "I know."


    Nick couldn''t quite read his sister''s mind. He ruffled her hair and added, "Get some rest."


    Mirabe nodded, "You too, Nick."


    Before long, Nick returned to his room, and Mirabe stood at the door, her eyes deep in thought, before finally closing it.


    **


    Two days flew by in a blur.


    Over at the pharmaceutical association, David had just wrapped up a call with a contact from an international medical institution. The past couple of days had been a whirlwind, dealing with a mess at the herb warehouse, and the stress was evident in his weary appearance.


    His assistant handed him a warm ss of water, "President, what did they say today?"


    David set the ss down, "They still won''t budge on the deadline."


    The assistant frowned, "President, something feels off about this. We''re one of the biggest suppliers of medicinal materials, and we''ve worked with them before. It doesn''t make sense for them to be so rigid."


    David''s eyes narrowed slightly, "That''s exactly what''s bothering me. What''s thetest on Presley? Have we uncovered anything?"

 Chapter 1243

    The assistant shook his head, "I''ve already tried calling, but it''s always Presley''s assistant who picks up, and the answers are fuzzy, no clear-cut conclusion."


    David listened and just murmured in agreement.


    Right then, David''s phone buzzed on the table. The assistant leaned over slightly to check it out and, as if on cue, said, "It''s Presley calling."


    David paused for a moment, then answered the call. Before he could even say a word, Presley''s voice came through loud and clear.


    "Chairman, where''s that herbalist fromst time from?"


    Presley was sitting in a wooden cabin at an herb farm, his eyes fixed on a nt in the garden that resembled bamboo leaves.


    "He''s from a vige down south, but I didn''t get the exact location. Why the sudden interest in Paul?" David asked, a bit puzzled.


    He knew Presley well enough to know he wouldn''t ask about a herbalist''s background just out of curiosity.


    Presley sat down at a stone table, sidestepping David''s question and instead asked, "Is the overseas side still refusing our request for a delivery extension, Chairman? What''s your take on this?"


    David hesitated slightly before replying, "You knew?"


    "I''ve been in touch with Dean''s secretary on the side, just getting the lowdown," Presley replied, taking his time.


    Reflecting on the past coborations that Presley had managed, David didn''t overthink it and simply said, "We can''t possibly gather the herbs in time. If negotiation''s off the table, then we''ll just have to breach the contract andpensate them."


    Presley responded with a touch of seriousness, "Compensation is minor, but the fallout from a breach could be massive. We can''t afford a big loss over something small."


    David rubbed his forehead, "In your view, is there any other way to fix this?" Presley''s eyes lit up slightly, as if he''d been waiting for this question, "Yes, we could try negotiating to use a different herb as a substitute."


    David immediately shook his head, "No, I''ve already brought that up with Dean, and he wasn''t on board."


    "That''s because, Chairman, you haven''t offered Dean what he really wants," Presley said softly, tapping lightly on the stone table.


    David''s expression tightened a bit, "What do you mean?"


    "Dean''s secretary mentioned he''s on the hunt for a rare herb. If we can offer that as a substitute, this whole mess could be sorted out easily," Presley exined slowly.


    "What herb?" David asked.


    "I don''t know the exact name, but Dean''s secretary sent me a picture. I''ll forward it to you."


    David agreed, then ended the call.


    About half a minuteter, David received a picture on Messenger. At first nce, it wasn''t a herb he knew, but it did look familiar.


    It had leaves like bamboo, and it reminded him of something he''d seen somewhere before.


    The assistant also took a peek at the picture, but not being well-versed in herbs, he didn''t recognize it either.


    Soon, David remembered spotting the herb at Paul''s ce, and he had even asked about its name back then.


    But he hadn''t gotten an answer.


    With his phone in hand, David snapped back to reality, realizing why Presley had suddenly brought up Paul.


    He quickly called Presley back, and as soon as the call connected, he got straight to the point, ¡°Have you been to Paul''s ce?"

 Chapter 1244

    "Yeah, I happened to spot a medicinal nt at his ce that was exactly what Dean''s been searching for," Presley admitted without hesitation.


    He paused for a second before adding, "I''ve already snapped a photo and sent it over to his secretary. I''m expecting a reply soon."


    Hearing this, David frowned. He recalled Paul mentioning that his nt wasn''t something just anyone could handle, and the way he cared for it suggested it was no ordinary nt. Presley''s decision to take pictures and send them without permission was bound to upset Paul.


    "You should''ve run this by me first. That nt is Paul''s private property," David said, clearly annoyed. How was this any different from stealing?


    Presley just shrugged off David''s words with a smirk, "How can a nt at the botanical base be considered his private property? Besides, we did pay him."


    Was it really worth all this fuss over a single nt? David seemed to be losing sight of what mattered.


    Not wanting to get into a squabble, Presley suggested, "He got paid, so he should do his part. Mr. President, you should really reach out to him and get him back here soon."


    David''s face darkened as he reluctantly replied, "Paul''s headed back to his hometown for some urgent stuff. He won''t be back anytime soon."


    Presley frowned, "Te can''t wait around forever."


    "Got it, I''ll handle it," David replied curtly before ending the call.


    Presley heard the click of the call ending and scoffed to himself. He pondered the situation with Paul for a moment, then dialed another number from his contacts.


    ...


    Meanwhile, David wasn''t looking too pleased. After holding his phone for ages, he finally tried calling Paul, only to get the ''out of service area'' message multiple times.


    Remembering Paul lived in a remote vige with spottymunication, David gave up on the calls and sent a text and a Messenger message exining everything.


    It was evening before he got a reply via Messenger.


    "I''m not selling that medicinal nt, and the base''s soil can''t grow another," Paul had written.


    David, who had been checking his phone constantly, called Paul back immediately upon receiving the message, but the line was still out of service. So, he sent a few voice messages through Messenger, but this time, no reply came.


    *


    A week quickly slipped by.


    At school, Mirabe had a free afternoon and was holed up in theb with Linden and the others, working on the next phase of the artificial life system project. Ben had been dropping by theb regrly, and Mirabe seemed to have gotten used to him, no longer feeling the need to hide.


    Ben would check her work every now and then, always amazed by her unique way of thinking. His interest in her was bing more apparent.


    "I swear, the way Mr. Ben looks at you is like... a wolf, yeah, that''s it, like a wolf," Jessie whispered to Mirabe, sliding her chair closer after Ben left theb, sharing her observation.


    Mirabe paused her typing, then nced up at Jessie, "So, you noticed it too, huh?"

 Chapter 1245

    Jessie grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she teased, "Well, with our Mira being so gorgeous and Mr. Ben being young and all, it''s no wonder he''s paying you extra attention."


    Mirabe just rolled her eyes, clearly not in the mood for jokes.


    "Just kidding," Jessie said, clearing her throat as she nced again at theb''s entrance. "But seriously, I think he might have some hidden agenda. Not like a guy trying to date a girl, but more like... I can''t quite put my finger on it."


    Sometimes, catching that particr look from him sent shivers down her spine. It was just in weird.


    Mirabe nodded, fishing a bottle out of her coat and popping a white pill into her mouth. The bitter taste snapped her to attention. She replied to Jessie with zero humility, "He''s probably blown away by my coding skills."


    Jessie smirked, "Yeah, you''re the best."


    Mirabe gave a small smile and decided not to talk about Ben anymore. Instead, she offered, "Homemade energy jelly beans, want one?"


    Jessie didn''t even hesitate, holding out her hand.


    After handing one to Jessie, Mirabe turned to Linden and Kason, who were both too wrapped up in their programming to notice.


    Seeing this, Mirabe shrugged and put the bottle away.


    "What''s in these jelly beans? They''ve got this medicinal vibe, but seriously, they


    do give you a kick," Jessie remarked, the bean still in her mouth, looking pleasantly surprised.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Everyone who''s tried them loves them."


    Jessie nodded and wheeled her chair back to herputer, diving back into her work on the database.


    Mirabe''s gaze softened briefly. Then her phone vibrated, interrupting her thoughts. She checked the screen and opened the messages.


    Y: "The chief has taken the medicine, and there''s an improvement."


    Y: "Uncle Wei might leave again in a couple of days, and I can''t stop him."


    Y: "Boss, I want to see the world too. Tell me how to get out of the Foggy Woods."


    Mirabe thought for a moment before typing back: "The outside world is dangerous. Better to stay safe with the n. Life''s too precious."


    Y: "..."


    As Ben returned from a call at the entrance, Mirabe caught sight of him out of the corner of her eye, and her smile faded. She tucked her phone away and got back to her coding.


    Ben''s eyes stayed glued to Mirabe''sputer. His curiosity finally got the better of him, and he asked, "You must have some experience with Al programming?"


    Mirabe''s hands moved leisurely, her voice rxed, "Picked up a few things from online tutorials."


    Ben was skeptical. When the artificial life systems project first kicked off, he hadn''t been interested. He figured if top international scientists hadn''t cracked it, how could a bunch of students?


    But the results were mind-blowing.


    Especially this girl, whose coding approach was unlike anything he''d seen- almost like she was ying with a cheat code. To say her work was groundbreaking would be an understatement.


    For a moment, Ben wondered if she had ess to some future tech, but after observing and digging a bit, he let go of that thought.

 Chapter 1246

    Ben''s face took on a more serious look as he mulled over the phone call he''d just had. After standing there quietly for a few minutes, he left theb and headed over to the admin building to track down Wade.


    In the office, Wade handed Ben a cup of warm water. "I''ve given your proposal a lot of thought, but I''ve decided not to be part of it."


    Ben studied Wade, his handsome features clouded with thought. "Why not?"


    Wade offered a diplomatic smile. "I''m just not really interested in researching human mutations."


    "It''s just about joining in on some drug trials and observations. It''s not like you''re diving into mutation research," Ben replied.


    Ben really valued Wade''s unique take on biochemical substances. But Wade was as stubborn as theye. Despite months of effort, Ben hadn''t managed to sway him.


    Now, the medical research institute was in a phase where someone like Wade was exactly what they needed.


    "I''m sorry," Wade politely declined again.


    Ben twirled the ck ring on his left index finger, paused for a moment, and said, "Alright, then. If you ever change your mind and want to join our project, just give me a shout."


    Wade gave a slight nod.


    Seeing this, Ben stood up. "I''ll let you get back to it. I won''t keep you any longer."


    Wade had been curious about the project Zane and the others were working on, but he decided against asking. "Okay."


    Ben gestured for Wade not to bother seeing him out and quickly exited the office. As soon as he stepped out, the smile he had worn faded into a frown.


    He really is a tough nut to crack.


    Ben''s eyes narrowed, a cold glint in them as he walked towards the elevator. Just before he pressed the button, he heard a voice call out to him from behind.


    He turned slightly to see who it was.


    "Dr. Ben, when did you get here?" Mr. Belcher approached with a friendly smile. Ben nodded in acknowledgment. "I''ve been around for a bit."


    Mr. Belcher''s demeanor was warm and inviting. "Are you rushing off somewhere?"


    Ben looked at Mr. Belcher, considering his words before replying, "Not really."


    Mr. Belcher''s eyes lit up with interest. "I''ve got a few issues I''d love to pick your brain about. How about we chat in my office?"


    Ben''s fingers habitually fiddled with his ring, and he agreed.


    **


    Mirabe came home from school. Delh and Shawn had already headed back to Ashford a couple of days ago. As Mirabe walked in, she saw Nick heading toward the door, still bundled up in his thick coat, looking ready to head out.


    "Nick, are you going somewhere?" Mirabe asked, blinking as she switched into her indoor shoes.


    Nick nodded. "Got a few things to handle. I might not be back tonight, so take care of yourself."


    Mirabe replied with an "Oh," not pressing for more details.


    Nick grabbed his car keys from the drawer, then turned to Mirabe, giving her hair a gentle ruffle. "Oh, and if I don''te back in the next few days, don''t worry. We''re swamped at the research institute with a project, and we''re short on hands."


    Mirabe, remembering how Nick had been roped into the med school by his mentor after returning from abroad, paused before saying, "I heard your institute''s working on a new drug to bnce trace elements in the body?"


    Nick''s fingers paused briefly before he pulled back his hand, his expression calm. "Who told you that?"


    Mirabe looked at him, sidestepping the question. "Are you part of it?"

 Chapter 1247

    Nick paused for a moment when she spoke, then shook his head, his eyes holding a mysterious look. "Nope, I haven''t touched potion development."


    Mirabe nodded and stepped aside. "You better get going, Nick."


    Nick gave her a curious look, but he was in a rush, so he decided not to dig deeper. Soon, the door clicked shut behind him.


    Mirabe snapped out of her thoughts and slowly made her way inside.


    In the kitchen, Marian was still busy cooking. Instead of heading upstairs, Mirabe plopped down at the dining table and pulled out her phone to text As.


    Maybe As was tied up with something, because there was no reply right away. Mirabe absentmindedly twirled her phone. When Marian brought out the food, she noticed Mirabe''s distracted look and couldn''t help but ask if everything was okay.


    Mirabe snapped back and gave Marian a reassuring smile. "You and your brother seem a bit out of it today," Marian remarked while serving the food, making small talk.


    Mirabe paused, her hand hovering over her fork. "Does my brother seem... different?"


    Marian thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Not really, but he''s been extra concerned about you. He made me promise to take good care of you."


    Hearing this, Mirabe''s brow furrowed slightly. "Did he say anything else?"


    "No, your brother''s always been a man of few words. That''s about it," Marian replied with a smile, then returned to the kitchen.


    Mirabe''s gaze hardened a bit as she checked her phone again, still no word from As. Normally, he''d reply right away... Lost in her thoughts, she barely touched her dinner before getting up from the table.


    As she walked past Nick''s room on her way back to her own, she paused for a second. Just then, her phone rang.


    Seeing As''s name, she quickly picked up. "Hey, Miss Mira here. Sorry, I was caught up with some stuff and missed your message. What''s up?" As''s voice came through.


    Mirabe walked into her room and closed the door. "Do you know where Nick went?"


    As hesitated for a moment, seemingly surprised. "Uh... Nick''s not home?"


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed. "No."


    "Can''t reach him by phone either?" As asked.


    Mirabe gave a quiet affirmative.


    "I''ll have someone check it out right away," As said after a pause. "Don''t worry, Miss Mira. Nick should be alright. I''ll keep you posted."


    "Okay." Mirabe''s reply was short, giving nothing away. She quickly ended the call.


    On the other end, As let out a small sigh of relief after the call disconnected. He put away his phone and turned to Nick, who was lounging on the couch. "Miss Mira''s not easily fooled."


    Nick, dressed in all ck, his pale skin catching the cold light from themp, was idly spinning a small scalpel in his fingers. "It''s fine, just need to keep it under wraps for a few days."


    As, though he didn''t know Miss Mira inside out, was sure she wasn''t someone you could easily pull one over on. "I''ll do my best. But I still don''t think you should go on tonight''s mission alone. If anything goes wrong..."

 Chapter 1248

    Nick cut As off mid-sentence, raising a hand to stop him. His voice was firm, "Look, ident or not, I have to go. Otherwise, joining the research institute would be pointless."


    As opened his mouth, knowing all too well how stubborn Nick could be, but ended up swallowing his words. "Just be careful, okay?"


    "Yeah," Nick replied softly, leaning back on the couch with his eyes closed, ending the conversation there.


    Seeing Nick''s resolve, As quietly left the room to start organizing his team for the necessary preparations.


    *


    After hanging up with As, Mirabe sat quietly for a few moments. She booted up herptop and shot a quick message to Adler on Messenger, "Anything big going down at the med schooltely?"


    Adler, already on his phone, quickly responded, "Haven''t heard a thing. Why the sudden interest?"


    Mirabe typed back, "Just curious."


    Adler ran a hand through his messy hair, knowing Mirabe wasn''t one to ask questions without reason. "Hang tight, I''ll see what I can find out," he replied.


    Mirabe ced her phone on the table and opened a program on herptop, typing in some codes at lightning speed. The screen shifted from ck to a satellite map, and she zoomed in on the red dot marking Nick''s phone location in the industrial outskirts of town. The dot hadn''t moved.


    She leaned back in her chair, remembering that thend where Nick was currently located had been part of the Davis family''s assets in Riverdale, information As had shared before. Clearly, As had been stalling during their call.


    Her focus stayed on the screen until her phone buzzed. Picking it up, she saw Adler''s message: "I asked around, nothing''s up."


    Mirabe traced the edge of her phone with her finger, quickly replying, "Alright, thanks for checking."


    Adler texted back, "No problem at all. Just let me know if you need anything else."


    Gotta keep the boss happy, he thought.


    Mirabe sent back a smiley emoji and closed the chat. She nced at the stationary red dot on herptop, then grabbed some physics papers from a drawer and began working through them slowly.


    Time ticked by, and just as she was finishing thest paper, the red dot finally began to move. She kept writing, asionally ncing at the screen to see where Nick was headed at this hour.


    About half an hourter, near midnight, the red dot stopped. A few minutes after that, it vanishedpletely.


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes, pulling theputer closer to zoom in on the area where the dot disappeared. There were nondmarks, a sure sign it was a location designed to be off the radar.


    There were maic field interferences and signal jammers.


    She pondered for a moment, fingers tapping swiftly across the keyboard.


    A ''Hacking Failed'' message popped up on the screen.


    Mirabe''s lips curled into a sly smile. Things were getting interesting.


    She exited the program and began entering another string of codes.


    *


    Meanwhile, elsewhere...


    "It''s no good, As. They''ve got signal jammers set up here," said the technician in the car, his expression serious as he worked on hisptop. "I''ve tried a bunch of decryption methods, but none can get past the interference."

 Chapter 1249

    As furrowed his brows, staring at the endless stream of code running on theputer screen. It was all Greek to him, so he lifted his gaze to the car window instead. The world outside was swallowed by darkness, except for a distant building casting a faint glow.


    "We''ve got to crack this, or we won''t know if Mr. Nick''s in trouble inside," As said, his voice cold and steady.


    The technician''s fingers danced frantically over the keyboard, the immense pressure evident in the beads of sweat forming on their forehead. "I''ll give it another shot," they replied.


    "Yeah, I know you can do it," As encouraged, his eyes shifting back to the building shrouded in night, a seriousness settling in his gaze.


    As he listened to the frustrated murmurs of his team, As''s mind drifted to Miss Mira. Herputer skills were top-notch; he''d seen them in action once. It was a shame he couldn''t loop her into tonight''s mission-she could''ve been a real game-changer.


    As let out a quiet sigh, wondering how Mr. Nick was holding up. If they couldn''t take down the medical research institute''s surveince, Nick might get caught, and that''d spell trouble...


    Just as his thoughts grew heavier, the technician let out an excited gasp. "The block''s been lifted!"


    As felt a wave of relief wash over him, his clenched fingers rxing. His eyes twinkled with a hint of joy. "Keep at it," he urged.


    The technician nodded, rapidly typing away to break into the institute''s surveince system. "It''s weird-I don''t even know how I managed to lift the block," they admitted, a trace of bewilderment in their voice.


    As paused, puzzled. "What do you mean?"


    "It just... happened, like magic," the technician said, doubt creeping into their tone.


    Even though they were confident in their hacking skills, they knew their limits.


    "Could we have been rumbled already?" As''s concern resurfaced.


    "No," the technician shook their head. "The institute wouldn''t just drop their defenses for no reason. If they''d spotted us, they''d be doubling down, not easing up."


    "Maybe there''s another hacker out there?" As wondered aloud.


    "Could be, but I didn''t find any signs of another yer in the game," the technician replied, though not entirely convinced.


    "Let''s not get sidetracked. Focus on disabling the base''s surveince and infrared scanners. I''ll try to reach Mr. Nick," As instructed.


    He tapped his earpiece, attempting to connect to Nick''s signal.


    *


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had lifted the interference, and the red dot reappeared on her map, creeping along slowly. She paused, examining its location-it was indeed the medical research institute.


    This quick check revealed a fortress of defenses and infrared surveince, making her frown.


    It was tighter than she''d imagined, every nook and cranny a potential death trap.


    Rubbing her temples, Mirabe suddenly realized why Nick had left those cautionary words before heading out and asked Marian to look after her. He''d seen thising and nned ordingly.

 Chapter 1250

    Mirabe had finally pieced together Nick''s intentions, and her quick temper started bubbling up. She didn''t really get why he was doing what he was doing, but it was clear he was missing a good old-fashioned talking-to from his parents.


    Taking a deep breath, Mirabe quickly whipped up a bit of code and slipped it into the research institute''s system. A few secondster, she pulled up the surveince footage. But, as luck would have it, Nick was nowhere to be found- he seemed to have mastered the art of staying in the cameras'' blind spots.


    Seeing the empty footage, her temper simmered down a bit. Just then, her sneaky little program gged someone trying to hack into the system, and it also caught a signal from amunication device.


    Mirabe couldn''t believe the audacity-these folks were practically begging to be caught. Feeling a headacheing on, she scratched her head, pulled out a pair of headphones from her drawer, and plugged them into herputer. Then she got back to work on herputer with lightning speed.


    Meanwhile, over on the other side, As was busy fiddling with the frequencies to connect themunicator. Suddenly, he heard a beep in his headset, signaling a sessful connection.


    As''s eyes lit up, and he whispered eagerly, "Mr. Nick, everything okay over there? Any trouble?"


    "No trouble yet, but if you keep poking around in the system, who knows."


    As was expecting Nick''s voice, so when he heard a familiar female voice instead, he waspletely thrown off. It took him a hot second to pull himself together. His first instinct was to check if his headset had gone haywire. Could it be a hallucination? How could Miss Mira''s voice possiblye through the headset?


    The tech team nearby noticed As acting strangely and paused their work to look at him. "What''s up, As? Is the connection failing?"


    The headset seemed fine, so As just shrugged it off, "Nah, my ears must be ying tricks. I swear I heard Miss Mira''s voice."


    Mirabe: "


    The technician raised an eyebrow, "You might just be stressed out."


    "Maybe." As put the headset back on, trying to shake it off.


    On the other end, Mirabe closed her eyes with a sigh, not wanting to waste any more time on this. She firmly instructed, "As, shut down yourmunication device and tell your team to stop hacking into the system."


    Hearing her voice again made As almost drop his headset in shock, "M-Miss Mira?"


    The tech team gave As a confused look, "???"


    Mirabe, still focused on her screen, replied coolly, "Tell me your ns."


    Almost instinctively, Asid out their ns for the night.


    "Alright, got it," Mirabe nodded, adding, "Follow my instructions."


    She didn''t wait for As to respond and promptly cut the connection.


    As''s headset went silent once more, but this time he was quick to act. Flipping off themunicator switch, he turned to the bewildered technician, "You can stop trying to hack into the research institute''s system."


    The technician''s eyes widened, "Why?"


    As coughed, not having had the chance to ask, and simply said, "Because Miss Mira said so."

 Chapter 1251

    The technician''s ears perked up in disbelief as As kept bringing up Miss Mira. He was about to chime in, but As, sensing his intention, raised a hand to halt him. Taking theptop from his knee, As confidently pressed the power button without a second thought.


    The technician was taken aback, too stunned to intervene. After a long pause, he voiced his concern, "But As, if we don''t take control of the institute''s surveince cameras, what about Mr. Nick?"


    As''s eyes narrowed as he processed the situation, replying, "Remember, Miss Mira and Mr. Nick are family. She wouldn''t take this lightly."


    With that statement, the technician fell silent. As closed theptop, pondering the mysterious appearance of Miss Mira''s voice over themunicator. "Think about it," he said, "if Miss Mira can talk to me through the headset, what level of skill do you think she has? Could you pull off such remote control?"


    The technician was left speechless, finally admitting, "I can''t even fathom what level that is. Even with another ten years of practice, I doubt I''d master that kind of remote control."


    He recalled the first time he managed to break through the institute''s interference, realizing why his countless decryption attempts failed until they suddenly worked. Admiration swelled within him; every hacker revered a true master.


    As shot him a nce, "Right now, we just need to sit tight and not stir trouble." The technician sensed a subtle critique in As''s words.


    Meanwhile, in the research institute''s second sublevel, Nick was a shadow in the corridors, dressed head-to-toe in ck. His cap was pulled low, and a ck mask concealed most of his face. Only those who knew him well could recognize him at a nce.


    Sublevel two was the pharmaceutical research hub, heavily guarded with security doors, cameras overhead, and hidden infrared sensors, making it feel imprable.


    Nick positioned himself by a security passage door, fingers brushing his earpiece as he tried to connect to themunication signal. Months of observation had made him familiar with the securityyout, and without a signal from As confirming control over the system, he couldn''t safely proceed.


    The persistent failure to connect meant the building''s signal jammers were still active. Leaning against the security door, Nick remained still, his eyes sharp and alert.


    Every five hours, the guards swapped shifts. If As hadn''t breached the system by then, Nick would need to switch to n B. ncing down the corridor, he knew it wasn''t shift change time, increasing the risk of n B.


    Just as he was hesitating, a robotic voice crackled through his earpiece, devoid of emotion. "You have five minutes."

 Chapter 1252

    Nick''s hand froze on his headset when he heard the voice, and in an instant, he went on high alert. "Who are you?"


    The voice was so mechanical that it was impossible to tell if it belonged to a man or a woman. Clearly, it was altered by a voice changer.


    As wouldn''t use something like that, so whoever was on the other end definitely wasn''t one of his own.


    Nick''s expression darkened even more.


    "The interference with the surveince will be lifted in four minutes and fifty seconds," the voice stated again, cold and robotic, without answering his question.


    Nick''s brow remained furrowed, his voice low and edged with menace, "Who exactly are you? Friend or foe?"


    Mirabe, meanwhile, seemed unfazed by the tension in Nick''s voice. Her sharp eyes remained glued to theputer screen, which disyed feeds from the entire research institute, all appearing normal under the cameras'' watchful gaze.


    Leaning back in her chair with aid-back air, Mirabe finally broke the silence, "Just someone who likes to meddle."


    Nick squinted, his mind racing.


    Whoever this was had easily hacked into hismunicator, indicating some serious tech skills. If they were an enemy, he''d have been caught ages ago.


    Pulling himself together, Nick didn''t waste any more time. He slipped out through the security door. As he emerged, the infrared cameras lining the corridor didn''t react at all.


    Normally, they''d kick in and start a face recognition scan as soon as someone entered.


    Nick hurried down the corridor toward theb at the end, moving smoothly as if the high-tech security systems were momentarily offline.


    Thestb was off-limits to most. Nick fished a card out of his pocket, which beeped when he swiped it. He then took off his gloves, pressed a prepped fingerprint cover to his thumb, and ced it on the recognition panel. A green light blinked on the lock.


    The door swung open.


    The whole process took less than three seconds.


    Watching the surveince screens, Mirabe raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.


    Nick quickly slipped into theb and shut the door behind him.


    There weren''t any cameras inside theb, so Mirabe couldn''t see what he was up to.


    Time was ticking away, every second more crucial than thest.


    Mirabe nced at the countdown timer for the interference-three minutes left ¡ªand lightly tapped her fingers on the desk.


    Then Nick''s voice crackled through the earpiece, "Can you help me crack aputer password?"


    Mirabe straightened up, "Sure, but you need to power up theputer so I can locate the signal and hack in."


    "Okay."


    As soon as Nick replied, a small program on Mirabe''sputer sprang to life, and she quickly pinpointed theputer''s signal.


    "Thisputer''s security is top-notch. It''ll take at least thirty seconds to crack it," Mirabe said, her fingers dancing across the keyboard.


    Nick nced at his watch, "Alright."


    With that, he turned his attention away from theputer and moved over to arge metal safe on the left.


    Nick narrowed his eyes, focusing as he gently turned the dial with a gloved hand.


    He tried a sequence of numbers, which promptly triggered a red exmation mark on the disy.


    Only two tries left.


    Seeing this, Nick pressed his ear close to the lock, concentrating intensely as he turned the dial again.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had already cracked theputer''s defenses.

 Chapter 1253

    Theputer, which had been in sleep mode, suddenly sprang to life without triggering any rms or self-destruct mechanisms. Nick was still trying to crack the safe, holding his breath as he did so. Unfortunately, his second attempt failed too, and his face showed his growing frustration. He had onest shot. If he blew it, not only would the safe lock down, but it might also set off the rm.


    Taking a deep breath, Nick geared up for his final try, knowing time was ticking away on the surveince system outside. Meanwhile, Mirabe, having hacked into theputer, casually browsed through it. As she looked over some files on potion forms, the warmth in her eyes slowly faded.


    With just a minute and a half left on the clock, something unusual caught Mirabe''s eye on the minimized surveince feed. She quickly switched back to the feed for the second basement level. Three people were stepping out of the elevator.


    "Someone''sing. You need to leave, now," Mirabe said, pressing her earpiece.


    Nick didn''t reply, still deeply focused on the safe. He couldn''t quit now; getting back in here would be next to impossible. Noticing his silence, Mirabe added, "The surveince jammer will deactivate in eighty seconds."


    Hearing this, Nick felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead and into his mask. Finally, with seventy seconds left, he heard a satisfying click as the safe door swung open. He let out a relieved sigh.


    Inside, the safe was divided into severalpartments, like a mini-fridge, each holding vials of potions in various colors. Nick''s eyes fixed on a blue potion on the third shelf. Quickly, he pulled open the drawer and grabbed nearly fifty vials of the potion. There was a sink nearby, where he dumped all the vials.


    Watching the blue liquid swirl down the drain, Nick''s lips curled into a slight smile beneath his mask. He turned on the faucet to ensure no trace was left behind. The mechanical voice in his earpiece chimed in again.


    "Forty seconds left. Three people are exiting the southwest elevator and heading your way. If you don''t leave now, you might get caught."


    Mirabe, glued to the surveince footage, spoke rapidly, "Got it," Nick replied, darting back to the safe and quickly opening the upperpartment. It was empty -no potions, no anything. Disappointment washed over him as he shut the safe and moved to theputer that Mirabe had essed. He hurried over.


    After skimming through a few files, he only found some potion research reports, nothing of what he was searching for. The mechanical voice buzzed again, prompting Nick to shut down theputer and make his way to the door.


    Watching the surveince feed, Mirabe saw the group approaching theb and Nick stepping out. Her voice carried a hint of urgency, "It''s toote; they''re here."


    Nick, hearing this, stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked up to see the grouping down the corridor. The three individuals, spotting Nick at the doorway, instinctively paused when their eyes met his.

 Chapter 1254

    At the front of the group, a middle-aged man snapped back into focus, zeroing in on Nick. Nick was decked out in ck from head to toe, his facepletely covered, standing right at the entrance to theb the heart of their research.


    The man''s face clouded over instantly. He marched forward, demanding, "Who the hell are you?"


    Two others were with him, one of them noticeably younger andgging behind slightly. Spotting the unfamiliar figure, he nced up at the cameras and infrared sensors overhead.


    As the middle-aged man closed in on Nick, a mechanical voice crackled in his earpiece-it was Mirabe. "You''ve got fifteen seconds before the jammer cuts out. Handle these three and get out."


    Once the cameras were back up, the guards would be on them in no time, and even with his skills, Nick would be hard-pressed to escape.


    Nick tipped his hat down, clutching the scalpel stashed in his pocket, ready to face the trio.


    Of the three, only the youngest was a stranger to him. The other two were researchers, hardly a threat. The leader, used to having bodyguards outside the institute and having dealt with criminal threats before, picked up on Nick''s dangerous vibe immediately.


    He stopped short, fishing his phone out of his pocket, scrolling through contacts as he sneered, "You''ve got guts breaking in here. You must be out of your mind."


    Seeing the phone, Nick lunged, booting it out of his hand. The phone hit the floor, smashing to pieces.


    The kick left the man''s hand numb, and before he knew it, he was mmed against the wall.


    Nick didn''t break stride, darting toward the corridor''s exit.


    But the young guy at the back was unfazed and stepped right into Nick''s path, standing firm in the middle of the corridor.


    He fiddled with the noticeable ck ring on his left index finger.


    Watching through the security feed, Mirabe''s eyes narrowed at the sight of Ben,


    and she warned through the earpiece, "Watch out for this one."


    Nick sensed something off about the man blocking his way but had no time to waste. He moved in to engage.


    Ben was no slouch, but against someone like Nick, with his vast fighting experience, he quickly started losing ground.


    Backing up, Ben licked his lips, his handsome but sinister face acknowledging, "You''re strong."


    Nick, his gaze icy, didn''t want to stick around. With another powerful kick, he sent Ben sprawling and bolted for the emergency exit.


    Ben caught himself against the wall, avoiding a messy fall. Holding back a cough from the blow, he watched Nick''s retreating figure. He reached for a weapon at his waist, but his hand brushed against something jutting out from the wall.


    Realizing what it was, he nced back-an unassuming metal button. Without a second thought, Ben pressed it hard.

 Chapter 1255

    Suddenly, a piercing rm rang out, echoing from the second basement all the way through every corner of the research building, loud enough to make anyone''s ears ring. As soon as the rm went off, the whole ce lit up like a Christmas tree, and the level-one security protocol kicked in automatically!


    Nick, who was just about to reach the safety door, froze and turned back. The overhead surveince cameras whirred back to life, their lenses started spinning slowly, the sound of infrared scanning mixing with the noise of the rm.


    "Move," came a cold, mechanical voice through his earpiece. Nick snapped his attention back, and just before the infrared beam could catch him, he slipped through the safety door.


    Leaning against the wall, Ben just let out a scoff, not bothering to chase after him. The institute''s security was tight as a drum-getting out was nearly impossible, even for someone with Nick''s skills.


    Ben shifted his gaze, eyeing thestb, and quickly went over to help two researchers to their feet. They were shaky and sore, feeling like their bones might just crumble. It took them a minute to gather their strength.


    "To theb, quick... Check theb..." the older researcher said, pushing his pain aside as he stumbled towards thestb. He swiped his card, and the door opened as soon as his finger touched the pad.


    Trailing behind, Ben narrowed his eyes, waiting until the researchers were inside before saying, ¡°See if anything''s missing in theb. I''ll go after him." The


    researchers were too focused on theb to think much about what Ben said, just waving him off.


    With that, Ben pulled the door shut for them and walked away.


    **


    Nick made his way up to the first basement via the safety passage, nning to stick to the stairs, but he was stopped short.


    "The first floor staircase is blocked. Take the elevator from the basement," came the voice in his ear again.


    Mirabe sat at herputer, her face serious, fingers flying over the keyboard as she worked on hacking into the institute''swork. She was in the zone.


    Nick didn''t hesitate when he heard the voice. He yanked open the safety door, and right away the infrared sensors locked onto him. The system didn''t recognize him, and in a sh, the floor''s auto-defense kicked in.


    Infrared beams zeroed in on Nick. He had no time to pause, flipping and dodging them, but another beam came at him from behind, making him sidestep to the left.


    The elevator was less than two meters away-close, but dodging those beams made it feel like a mile. Mirabe watched him struggle on the monitors, typing even faster.


    To get out of this, she had to take down the whole security system. The institute''s setup was a real headache, and she felt like she was training him to outsmart her.


    "Hang in there," she urged.


    Nick didn''t reply, totally focused on dodging the beams. He was a beat too slow, and one clipped his shoulder, tearing his ck shirt and leaving a stain of blood. But he didn''t flinch, just kept moving, and finally, after a tense ten seconds, he reached the elevator.


    The doors were open, waiting for him. He stepped in, a bit surprised but grateful.


    As the doors slid shut, the voice came back through his earpiece: "On the fifth floor, there''s a corner building that connects to the next one. You''ll have to climb across. It''s risky."

 Chapter 1256

    As the elevator chime faded, the button for the fifth floor lit up on its own. Nick nced up at the elevator disy, watching the floor numbers climb rapidly. The surprise in his dark eyes was hard to hide, but he quickly pulled himself together and asked, "You seem to know this research institute pretty well, huh?"


    How else would someone know about the connection to the next building on the fifth floor?


    Mirabe kept working without missing a beat and replied casually, "I might''ve peeked at the building''syout when I hacked their system."


    The architectural ns of the research institute were top-secret, ssified as Level S. Nick couldn''t help but smirk at her nonchnce.


    Even though her voice was filtered through a mechanical device, he could sense the unwavering confidence behind her words. Only someone truly self-assured could speak so casually about such a feat.


    In no time, the elevator dinged, reaching the fifth floor in just three seconds. Mirabe hadn''t disabled the security system yet and quickly instructed, "Stay in the elevator, don''t step out. Give me twenty seconds."


    With the building on high alert, if Nick stepped out now, he''d run into trouble just like he did on the lower level. The elevator was far from the connecting passage, and getting past the tight web of infrared beams was impossible.


    Nick replied with a simple "Got it" into his earpiece, holding his ground. Somehow, he just knew she wouldn''t let him down. This kind of trust was new to him and caught him by surprise.


    As the seconds ticked by, on the twentieth second, Mirabe hit the Enter key. Seeing the ''sess'' message pop up on her screen, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "All clear."


    Nick had been to the fifth floor a couple of times before. It wasn''t exactly familiar, but it wasn''tpletely foreign either. Hearing her voice in his earpiece, he stepped out of the elevator.


    True to her word, the infrared beams overhead were inactive. Without hesitation,


    he dashed down the corridor toward the corner building at the end.


    The rm continued to re, and he could feel the tension rising with every passing moment. Thankfully, there were no guards on this floor, and Nick reached the connecting structure without a hitch.


    The facade was all ss, and the buildings weren''t directly connected. To get across, the ss needed breaking. Worse, the only link between the buildings was two narrow beams, not sturdy enough to walk on without slipping. Falling from such a height would be fatal.


    That''s why Mirabe had warned him about the risk. But considering the armed guards below, Nick knew this was his only escape route, no matter how risky it


    was.


    Mirabe kept an eye on the guards swarming upstairs and typed furiously to reactivate the infrared on the fifth floor. "I''ll buy you some time. Move fast."


    Nick nodded, prepared for this. He pulled out his surgical knife, pressed a button, and a sharp de snapped out. The knife, specially designed for such tasks, sliced through the ss effortlessly, creating an opening big enough for him to crawl through.

 Chapter 1257

    At that moment, the fifth-floor security door swung open, and about a dozen guards, armed to the teeth, stepped out. But little did they know, Mirabe had already flipped the switch on the infrared system, which was now firing away at the unsuspecting group.


    The two guards at the front weren''t expecting the infrared to kick back on, mistaking them for intruders. They didn''t stand a chance and got hit square on, blood sttering as wounds carved deep into their chests and legs like a hot knife through butter. Even their high-tech protective gear was useless.


    The rest of the guards quickly scrambled back, retreating behind the safety door. The team leader, seeing his men down, scowled and quickly turned his focus down the corridor. He pressed his earpiece and barked orders to the control room, "Shut down the infrared and cut the power to the fifth floor!"


    The control room folks got on it, hustling to the electrical room. Once the power was down, anyone inside would have no chance of slipping through their grasp.


    Meanwhile, outside the research institute, As was waiting anxiously. When the building suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree, with rms ring, his heart skipped a beat.


    "Mr. Nick''s been found out," muttered a tech guy next to him, his voice tight with worry. "What are we gonna do?"


    The institute was a maze, and its security was top-notch, the kind you''d find in an international espionage thriller. If they got caught, getting out would be near impossible.


    As clenched his fists, his mind racing. Mr. Nick was like a young master to them, and the thought of something happening to him was unthinkable.


    "You stay put," As said, his mind made up. "I''m taking some guys to check out the institute. They''re all busy chasing Mr. Nick right now, so we should be able to slip in."


    The techie, clutching hisptop, nodded, "Be careful."


    "Will do."


    As hopped out of the car, signaling his team through his earpiece to move in. Inside the institute, the power to the fifth floor was cut swiftly. The infrared system went dead, and the surveince screens blinked to ck.


    Mirabe watched the screen, now missing the fifth-floor feed, her fingers frozen over the keyboard. She nced at the clock. One minute had passed, and she had no clue how Nick was doing.


    One minute to dart from the main building to the next, while risking a nasty fall, was no less perilous than those infrared beams. With at least a ten-meter gap between the buildings, it would take a good two or three minutes to make the climb.


    Mirabe, usually calm andposed, was now all business. She kept her breathing steady, listening intently for any rustle or whisper in her earpiece.


    She didn''t utter a word-talking now would just be a distraction. All she could do was sit tight and wait, unable to lend a hand in any other way.


    Nick, meanwhile, was making progress, about halfway there, with a third still to go before reaching the other building. Even when he got there, he''d need to cut through the ss to get inside.


    Back at the door, the guards, now without the infrared to worry about, flicked on their shlights and started moving quickly down the corridor.

 Chapter 1258

    The fifth floor was a secure zone, dedicated to storing equipment, with locks as


    tight as those on thebs below ground. The guards figured there was no point in checking every room, especially since they didn''t have clearance for that anyway, and they weren''t too worried about anyone hiding in there.


    So, they honed in on spots where someone might actually hide, weapons cocked and ready, poised to fire at the slightest hint of trouble. They soon reached the corridor''s end, but without spotting any intruders, they paused.


    The team leader, shlight in hand, swept the area while radioing the control center. "You sure they''re on the fifth floor? We haven''t found anyone," he asked.


    The control center, still struggling to fix the sabotaged surveince, replied, "Yes, they have to be there. The elevator only went to the fifth floor, and they can''t open the stairwell doors. The elevator''s their only option."


    With that, the team leader cut the call, squinting in thought. He signaled his team to continue searching while he stayed put, trying to figure out where the intruder might be hiding.


    Behind him was a wall of ss windows. If he had turned around, he would have noticed a ringly obvious hole in the ss. Nick had climbed out but attempted to reattach the ss, leaving visible scratches.


    Soon, the guards regrouped, shaking their heads, having found nothing. The team leader frowned, "Did they just vanish?"


    "Maybe they''re hiding in one of the equipment rooms?"


    "If they broke into the sub-basementb, they could crack these locks too."


    The team leader considered this and nodded. "I''ll update Dr. Ray. You go grab the spare ess card."


    He pulled out his phone, ready to make the call. Just then, a guard, about to leave, nced at the ss behind the leader. He did a double-take, pointing. "This ss..."


    The team leader, phone still to his ear, turned to follow the guard''s gaze and saw the scratches on the ss. Looking outside, he immediately ended the call.


    Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he ran a hand over the ss, catching on. With a push, the panel fell outward.


    Outside, it was pitch ck except for faint building outlines. The team leader aimed his shlight into the dark.


    Meanwhile, Nick was at the end of his escape route, steadying himself while slicing through ss with a knife.


    The shlight beam hit the ss, momentarily blinding the team leader. He paused but quickly continued.


    Spotting Nick, the team leader remarked, "Quite the escape artist, getting through there."


    But Nick was a fraction toote. With a slight grin, the team leader passed his shlight to another guard and slowly raised his gun, taking aim at Nick.

 Chapter 1259

    At that moment, Nick had already sliced through the ss with the knife he held. With a quick shove, he smashed the pane inward, sending shards falling as he leaped inside.


    Just as he made his move, the team leader on the other side pulled the trigger.


    A gunshot cracked through the night.


    The figures on the connecting beams vanished.


    The team leader, eyeing the shattered window, casually blew across the gun barrel and turned away, striding toward the elevator with purpose.


    "Send in the cleanup crew."


    His voice, light and airy, echoed sharply through the hallway.


    *


    Over at the research facility, As, who had snuck in with his team through the back door, heard the gunshot too, and his heart sank.


    They''d fired a shot; that meant trouble for Mr. Nick... With eyes zing red, As knocked out a guard with a solid punch.


    His team, having dealt with others lurking in the shadows, gathered around him, their faces equally grim.


    As clenched his fists tightly, an air of barely-contained violence surrounding him.


    Two secondster, he forced down his emotions, keeping his mind clear as he addressed his team, "Mr. Nick''s got skills; he must''ve dodged it. Based on the gunshot''s direction, some of you stay here to keep an eye on things, the reste with me to check next door."


    With that, he briskly headed towards the annex.


    His team followed without hesitation.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe, upon hearing the gunshot through her headset, shot up from her chair, a heavy feeling settling over her.


    It had been ages since she felt like this, as if something invaluable was slipping away.


    After lingering in silence for what felt like forever, a low cough broke through her headset, "How do I get out now?"


    Mirabe''s tense expression softened as she sat back down, "You... are you okay?"


    Nick, propped up in a corner with his night gear barely revealing any distress, simply said, "Not dead yet."


    Mirabe''s fingers trembled slightly, but she quickly pulled herself together andid out the escape n she had ready.


    "Alright." Nick steadied himself against the wall, his head heavy, his vision starting to blur, biting his lip as he made for the exit.


    The annex''syout was different from the main building, which now had all the guards, making this side rtively safe.


    At least for the next five minutes.


    As Mirabe watched the security feeds on herputer, about to warn that guards from the main building were heading their way, she heard Nick''s voice again.


    "We''ve met before, haven''t we?" Nick had made it from the fifth floor down to the third.


    To keep him from running into guards at the elevator, Mirabe had directed him through the fire escape, with the exit conveniently near the back door.


    Mirabe stayed silent, not replying.


    With no response in his ear, Nick just gave a faint, tired smile, his voice weaker, "Whoever you are, thanks for today."


    Mirabe still didn''t respond.


    Nick continued his slow descent, his breathing growing heavier, and by the time he reached the second floor, his steps were almost at a standstill.


    It was then he heard footstepsing from below, at least five people on their way up.


    Nick''s hand, clutching the knife, trembled. He lowered his gaze, a weary, bitter smile crossing his face.

 Chapter 1260

    Today felt like the end of the line for him...


    The footsteps below were closing in, and Nick was bracing himself for onest stand.


    But the moment he saw who wasing up, the scalpel slipped from his hand and ttered to the ground.


    It wasn''t just anyone; it was As.


    "Mr. Nick!"


    As''s voice was filled with relief as he leapt up the stairs. Just as he was about to ask what happened, his eyesnded on Nick''s soaked clothes and the droplets of blood dripping from his hand.


    As''s face turned white. "Mr. Nick, you..."


    Nick lifted a hand to cut him off, removing the earpiece from his ear and turning it off. "We need to go."


    As quickly moved to support him, and only then did he notice the back of Nick''s shirt was almost entirely drenched, leaving bloodstains on the stairs behind them.


    The wound was severe; a bullet had torn through his back, narrowly missing his heart.


    Nick was still barely conscious, leaning heavily on As''s shoulder. "Don''t breathe a word about tonight to Mira, not one."


    As''s hands trembled, but knowing Mr. Nick''s stubborn nature, he nodded tightly. "I understand. Please, save your strength. I''ll get you to a hospital."


    "If I don''t make it... As, tell Chester I let him down, couldn''t find any leads on Aunt Tung, and my sister... keep her out of this mess..."


    Nick''s voice faded, and his head slumped forward.


    Realizing how dire Nick''s condition was, As''s eyes burned red, the veins on his hands bulging with tension, but he didn''t dare waste a moment. He motioned for his men to help carry Nick on his back. Just as he was about to head down, he noticed the scalpel on the floor.


    He carefully picked it up, tucked it in his pocket, and told his team, "Someone stay behind and clean up all this blood."


    As managed to slip out the back door with Nick just before the guards arrived.


    They had already created an escape routeing in, so getting out was smooth, without alerting anyone inside the institute.


    *


    Meanwhile, on the other end, Mirabe heard As''s voice through her earpiece before the line went dead. Her fingers danced over the touchpad, pulling up the GPS tracker to watch the blinking red dot move. She should''ve felt relieved, but her heart wouldn''t settle.


    In such a dangerous situation, gunfire almost always meant someone got hurt. Mirabe clenched her fingertips, shut down herputer, and opened the desk drawer filled with bottles and jars.


    She grabbed three bottles and her set of needles, stood up, and headed out with purpose.


    Driving out of the neighborhood, Mirabe called As.


    It took a moment before As picked up, his voice as steady as ever. ¡°Miss Mira, we''ve left the medical college with Mr. Nick."


    Mirabe''s grip tightened on the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the road. "Is my brother okay?"


    As nced over at Nick, whose seat was soaked in red, his breathing barely perceptible. Remembering Nick''s instructions, he replied, "It''s nothing serious, just... a minor scratch."


    Hearing this, Mirabe''s expression darkened, and she pressed the gas pedal to the floor. "Where are you? I''ming now."

 Chapter 1261

    As gripped his phone tightly, lost in indecision, unable to find the words.


    Seeing his silence, Mirabe didn''t push him. Instead, she kept the line open, quickly tapping away on her phone. In no time, a map with a pinpointed location popped up on her screen.


    She nced at the mark and the direction of the moving red dot, piecing it together swiftly. "A holistic healing center?"


    As was momentarily stunned, not expecting Miss Mira to figure it out so easily. "You don''t trust my medical skills?" Mirabe teased lightly.


    It was then that As remembered Miss Mira''s medical prowess. She had once saved Donald from the Cunningham family, a case deemed hopeless by other doctors.


    Shaking himself back to reality, As knew he couldn''t hesitate any longer and nodded. "Yes, the holistic healing center. We''ve got our people there, everything was prepped before we even started..."


    Mirabe, eyes on the traffic lights as she kept her foot firmly on the gas, gave a sly smile. "You''ve done your homework, haven''t you?" sheplimented.


    As felt a shiver run down his spine. Was Miss Mira annoyed with him?


    "Do whatever it takes to keep my brother hanging on until I get there," Mirabe instructed before ending the call. Given her current distance, even at full speed, it would take her at least fifteen minutes to reach the center.


    *n


    Barely two minutes after the call ended, As''s car screeched to a halt at the holistic healing center. A doctor, already waiting in the parking lot, swiftly transferred Nick onto a stretcher.


    Nick, having lost too much blood, was already in shock. The doctor wasted no time rushing him into the emergency room.


    As stood vigil outside, watching as nurses carried in multiple blood bags, each one deepening his dread.


    A few minutester, Dr. Ray emerged from the emergency room, his gown sttered with blood.


    He approached As and spoke in a low voice, "Prepare yourself. The bullet in Mr. Davis''s chest is dangerously close to his heart. Some fragments have already cut into the atrium. Operating now is risky-he may not survive the attempt."


    After a brief pause, Dr. Ray continued, "But if we don''t act fast to remove those fragments, he won''t make it past ten minutes."


    Dr. Ray''s words carried a grim reality: either choice could be fatal.


    Hearing this, As''s eyes welled up. He couldn''t ept it. "Dr. Ray, you''re the best thoracic surgeon in the hospital."


    Dr. Ray shook his head, a pained smile on his face. "I''m sorry, this wound is just too severe. If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn''t have made it this far... You need to decide now: do we operate or not?"


    It was a heart-wrenching decision.


    As''s mind raced. He nced at his watch, remembering Miss Mira''s urgent words. Ten minutes had already slipped by since theyst spoke.


    "Mr. As, every minute we wait increases the risk," Dr. Ray pressed.


    As clenched his fists, meeting Dr. Ray''s gaze. "You said he mightst another ten minutes without surgery, right? Then do whatever you can to keep him alive."


    Dr. Ray looked puzzled. "You mean..."


    "I have a doctor friend who''s on her way. Please, just keep him stable until she gets here." At this crucial moment, all of As''s hopes rested on Mirabe.


    Since Miss Mira had insisted, he chose to trust herpletely.

 Chapter 1262

    Dr. Ray wasn''t too keen on just standing around and waiting, but seeing how much faith As had in his doctor friend, he nodded reluctantly. "Alright, I''ll do my best," he replied.


    If they ended up missing the crucial window for surgery because of their own dys, at least it wouldn''t be on him.


    Dr. Ray soon headed back into the emergency room. As kept his eyes glued to the door, silently urging Miss Mira to arrive as soon as possible. Time seemed to crawl, yet five minutes slipped by in a sh.


    The nurse had already stepped out twice to update them, warning that Nick''s condition was critical and that he might not hang on for another five minutes.


    After another two minutes, As couldn''t wait any longer. He pulled out his phone and dialed Mirabe.


    The moment the call connected, a ringtone echoed down the quiet hallway. Looking up, he saw Mirabe hurrying toward him, still in her home clothes. He quickly hung up.


    "What''s going on?" Mirabe asked, clutching her medical kit.


    "The bullet went through his back and pierced his chest cavity. Fragments are lodged near his heart. Dr. Ray''s hesitant to operate, but if we dy any longer, he might not make it," As exined rapidly while pressing the emergency room''s doorbell.


    Mirabe nodded, her expression more serious than usual, yet she was


    remarkablyposed. Seeing her calm demeanor, As felt his own anxiety ease a bit.


    The emergency room door swung open, and before Mirabe even stepped inside, the beeping of machines and Dr. Ray''s voice directing emergency measures could be heard.


    With a determined look, she brushed past the nurse and entered the room.


    Dr. Ray was performing CPR, and the monitor showed a tline. Mirabe took one nce, then swiftly pulled out several silver needles, stating, "I''ll take over." When Dr. Ray heard Mirabe, he paused and noticed her for the first time. The other specialists in the room also turned their attention to her.


    Seeing Mirabe''s youthful face, they couldn''t help but frown skeptically.


    Dr. Ray spotted the silver needles in her hand and was momentarily shocked. "You''re... a healer?"


    Without a word, Mirabe quickly inserted the needles into key points on Nick''s chest.


    The specialists watching found it hard to believe. "You''re wasting our time," one of them muttered.


    The monitor remained unchanged. If it didn''t show any improvement in the next two minutes, saving him would be impossible. And the man on the operating table wasn''t someone they could afford to lose.


    Dr. Ray, however, was intrigued by Mirabe''s technique. He gestured for the specialists to hold theirments.


    Suddenly, the monitor started to show slight blips. The readings were still shaky, but Nick was being pulled back from the brink.


    Dr. Ray nced at Mirabe in disbelief. Even with continued CPR, he wasn''t confident of such a result.


    Another minute passed, and as the monitor''s readings began to stabilize, Mirabe removed the needles. After checking the wound, she turned to Dr. Ray. "Let''s get him into surgery now."


    "The dy and the heart damage make this a long shot," Dr. Ray admitted frankly, "but we''ll do what we can."

 Chapter 1263

    Mirabe rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a small vial. She poured out a pill, crushed it into a fine powder between her fingers, and carefully sprinkled it over Nick''s wound. "You just focus on getting the bullet out," she told Dr. Ray, "I''ll handle the rest."


    Dr. Ray watched her with a bit of skepticism but nodded, realizing now wasn''t the time for questions. "Alright then," he agreed, picking up the scalpel. He cast a quick nce at the monitor showing Nick''s weak vital signs and sighed silently to himself. This was going to be a tough surgery.


    Everyone in the room, specialists and doctors alike, knew that Nick''s condition was precarious. His vital signs were so faint, it seemed almost reckless to operate, especially with the heart involved.


    Ignoring the specialists around her, Mirabe shrugged off her jacket and pulled out a few long silver needles. With quick, steady hands, she inserted them at key acupuncture points to aid Dr. Ray. By directing the vital energy around Nick''s chest, they hoped to sustain his life through this critical procedure.


    After five grueling hours, Dr. Ray finally extracted all the bullet fragments from Nick''s chest. Miraculously, the life support machine''s readings remained steady. Although still weak, Nick''s condition hadn''t worsened, which was nothing short of a miracle.


    The operation, which everyone had thought was hopeless, turned out sessful. As Dr. Ray finished thest stitch, he looked at the young woman beside him with genuine amazement. He had never seen anyone keep a person alive with just a few acupuncture needles, a technique far beyond his understanding of alternative medicine.


    Mirabe carefully packed her needles away. Once a nurse had cleaned and dressed Nick''s wound, she applied another dose of her powdered medicine and instructed the nurse to bandage it up.


    Remembering the powder she used before the surgery, which seemed to control the bleeding, Dr. Ray asked, "Does that powder have any hemostatic properties?"


    Mirabe lowered her gaze slightly, responding softly before checking Nick''s pulse again. Her serious expression finally eased a little. "Thanks, everyone," she said, nodding to Dr. Ray and the team before grabbing her needle box and jacket, and leaving the emergency room.


    Outside, As was waiting anxiously. As soon as he saw Mirabe, he rushed over. "Miss Mira, how''s Mr. Nick?"


    Mirabe, looking a bit shaky and pale, replied, "He''s going to be okay."


    As, who had been on edge all night, finally breathed a sigh of relief. "That''s a relief, really d to hear it..." Then he noticed Mirabe''s pallor. "Miss Mira, are you alright?"


    Having spent so much energy, Mirabe simply said, "I''m fine, just need to get home. Don''t mention any of this to my brother tonight."


    As paused, feeling a bit guilty. "I''m sorry, Mr. Nick asked me not to say anything."


    Mirabe waved it off, "I know. Just act like I was never here tonight."


    As As was about to speak, a nurse came out with a gurney, and he hurried to follow.


    Mirabe stepped out of the hospital into the quiet early morning of Riverdale. It was still dark and eerily silent at five in the morning. A chilly breeze swept through, and she pulled her jacket closer, ncing at her car, which had been ticketed and mped. Her head felt heavy with exhaustion.


    The security guard was nowhere to be found, and with a weary sigh, she massaged her temples, deciding against driving home. Instead, she fished her phone out of her pocket.

 Chapter 1264

    She scrolled through my contacts and naturallynded on James''s number. Mirabe paused for a moment, then hit the call button.


    About half an hourter, James showed up to find Mirabe curled up in a corner of the hospital lobby, her head buried in her knees, looking so small and vulnerable. He walked over and sat beside her.


    After what felt like an eternity, Mirabe finally looked up. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her face, still pale from the ordeal, hadn''t quite regained its color. "You came."


    James met her gaze, feeling his chest tighten with concern. "What happened?" Mirabe just shook her head.


    Seeing she wasn''t ready to talk, James didn''t push it. Instead, he reached out and took her hands, which were cold to the touch. He frowned slightly and wrapped his jacket around her.


    "Let''s go home," Mirabe murmured.


    She stood up, her legs wobbly and unsteady.


    James nodded, then gently scooped her up and carried her out of the hospital.


    By the time they reached the apartmentplex, Mirabe had fallen asleep. James nced at her, deciding not to take her back to her ce. Instead, he drove to his own home.


    She didn''t stir until he parked in the garage.


    Getting out of the car, James carefully lifted her. Mirabe barely opened her eyes, her voice was raspy, "Are we there?"


    "Yeah," James murmured, easing her head against his chest. "My ce." "Oh," Mirabe mumbled, too worn out to care, and closed her eyes again.


    James carried her inside and straight to the master bedroom upstairs. He sat by the bed for a while, watching her breathing slow and deepen before leaving the


    room.


    He quietly asked someone to find out what had happened.


    *


    Mirabe slept until past five in the afternoon. When she woke up, she took a moment to get her bearings in the unfamiliar room.


    Once her mind caught up with the events of the previous night, she blinked and slowly sat up. Her eyesnded on her phone on the bedside table.


    She picked it up, checked the time, then got out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the carpet.


    Just then, the door opened, and James walked in, carrying a cup of warm water. "Figured you''d be waking up around now."


    Mirabe looked at him, running her fingers through her hair. She decided not to dwell on why she hadn''t simply taken a taxi home that morning and instead called him to the hospital. Clearing her throat, she said, "Thanks for this morning."


    James handed her the cup, clearly in high spirits. "Happy to help my girlfriend. No need to thank me."


    Cradling the cup, Mirabe took a few sips to soothe her throat. "I''m hungry. Is there anything to eat?"


    "Yeah, there is," James nodded.


    Mirabe nodded back, noticing aputer on a nearby table, an idea forming in


    her mind. "Mind if I use yourputer for a bit?"


    "Go ahead," James replied.


    After thanking him, she went over, turned on theputer, and after a few minutes, closed it again.


    Soon, they headed downstairs.


    In the dining room, Mirabe sipped her soup while calling As.


    As, who had been at the hospital, said, "Mr. Nick''s condition is very stable right now."


    Mirabe nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Keep me posted on any changes." "Will do, Miss Mira. Take care," As replied.


    Noticing Dr. Ray approaching down the hall, As wrapped up the call quickly.

 Chapter 1265

    Dr. Ray, still clutching a pen and a notebook, gave As a slight nod as he walked past and entered the patient''s room. He nced at the monitor, where the vital signs were showing a steady improvement from just two hours ago. It was astonishing to him how quickly the patient was bouncing back.


    After the surgery, Dr. Ray had been worried about the critical recovery period, but now it seemed like there was nothing to worry about. Jotting down thetest data, he turned to As and said, "You can breathe a little easier now. Mr. Davis is on the mend. I bet it won''t be long before he wakes up."


    As felt a wave of relief wash over him and nodded, "Thanks for everything."


    Dr. Ray waved off the gratitude with a smile, saying, "We really have your friend to thank. Without her, we might not have pulled it off."


    As couldn''t help but feel a chill at the thought of what might have happened if he hadn''t reached out to Miss Mira the night before. If not for her remarkable skills, Mr. Nick might not be resting in that hospital bed right now. Remembering her request, he added, "Please keepst night''s events under wraps."


    Dr. Ray nodded, fully aware of the Davis family''s influence at the hospital, and reassured him, "Don''t worry, nothing will get out."


    As thanked him and added, "Also, let''s keep my friend''s involvement a secret, even from our young master."


    Picking up on the seriousness of the situation, Dr. Ray held back his curiosity about Mirabe''s skills and simply replied, "Understood."


    "Thank you," As said.


    After checking on Nick again, Dr. Ray left the room and headed to the hospital''s records department. This area was dedicated to archiving recordings of significant surgeries. Although he couldn''t delve into details about the mysterious young woman, Dr. Ray was eager to review the footage from the previous night''s surgery. Reviving someone teetering on the brink with just a few acupuncture needles was a marvel worth investigating.


    When he got to the records department, he asked everyone else to step out, keeping only the head of the department to retrieve and send him the video ofst night''s operation.


    "About that surgery video fromst night... I can''t find it, Dr. Ray. Are you sure about the timing?" the head asked, scrolling through the files without sess.


    "It was early this morning, around 1 or 2 a.m.," Dr. Ray rified.


    The head shook his head again, "Still nothing. Did we even have a major operation overnight?"


    Dr. Ray knew the operation had been kept under wraps, so he didn''t push further. Standing beside theputer, he was baffled, "Could you double-check? How could it not be there?"


    "It''s really not here," the head confirmed after another search.


    Realizing why the recording was missing, Dr. Ray didn''t ask him to search any further. With a twinge of disappointment, he left the department.


    The head watched him leave, curiosity piqued.


    **


    Meanwhile, after hanging up with As, Mirabe got a call from her senior, Jessie. Jessie had noticed Mirabe''s absence from school and the sick leave she had taken, so she called to check if she was okay.

 Chapter 1266

    Mirabe nced up at the man sitting across from her at the dining table, reassuring Jessie over the phone that everything was fine before hanging up. "Did you call in sick for me?" she asked, setting her phone down.


    James gave a soft nod, "You were out like a light."


    Mirabe nodded, feeling almost full. She leaned backzily in her chair, looking much healthier than she had that morning.


    "The medical research institute is in chaos," James remarked, watching her intently.


    Mirabe shrugged. "It can''t be that bad."


    "The system got hacked, core data''s gone, and I heard a batch of new drugs got destroyed too. Besides your brother, you were involved, weren''t you? You two are quite the pair," James tapped his fingers lightly on the table.


    "Don''t be ridiculous. I wasn''t involved," Mirabe denied without missing a beat.


    If she didn''t feel guilty, then the guilt was someone else''s to bear.


    James''s lips curled slightly, and after a brief pause, he asked, "What were you two after?"


    That question piqued Mirabe''s curiosity about Nick. What was he after that he would take such risks?


    Whatever it was, it nearly turned her into a sitting duck.


    Mirabe pressed her fingers to her temples, staying silent, refusing to answer.


    James had expected this, shaking his head without pushing further. He stood up, gathering the dishes to take to the kitchen.


    His bodynguage seemed slightly miffed.


    Watching him, Mirabe found herself getting up and wandering to the kitchen doorway. Leaning against the frame, she hesitated before asking, "Are you upset?"


    James ced the dishes in the dishwasher, hit start, and finally looked at her, saying in a low voice, "Who would dare be upset with you?"


    Ah, he was being sarcastic.


    Mirabe believed in not indulging men too much. She cleared her throat and nodded, "d you know."


    James: "?"


    Mirabe shifted her stance, lifting her chin a bit, her eyes boldly meeting his. James felt a twinge of concern about his future role in the rtionship.


    He chuckled out of frustration, ignoring the dishwasher as he stepped closer to her.


    The kitchen doorway wasn''t exactly narrow, but with the two of them there, it felt suddenly cramped.


    Facing James, their eyes locked, Mirabe felt her confident stance soften unexpectedly.


    Just then, the phone on the dining table rang, slicing through the silence.


    "I''ll get that," Mirabe said, ready to make a quick escape.


    But she barely took a step before James caught her arm, pulling her back, and in


    the next moment, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist.


    They were standing very close now.

 Chapter 1267

    "Decades of research materials gone, what do you think?" James raised an eyebrow.


    Mirabe smirked slightly, assuming he was talking about the destroyed analysis solution data. "If you''re not sticking to proper research and are chasing fantasies, that kind of stuff isn''t worth keeping anyway."


    James caught the sarcasm in her voice, found it a bit strange, but continued, "So, this doesn''t give you a reason to take risks with me."


    Mirabe touched her nose, sensing the conversation was going nowhere, "I''ll check who''s been calling me."


    James nced at her but let her go.


    Mirabe picked up her phone. The caller had already hung up. She scrolled through her messages and opened Messenger to text Adler.


    Adler quickly replied, "Got some insider scoop for you. The medical research institute got hitst night, the batch of analysis solution waspletely trashed, and all the data''s missing."


    Mirabe figured he was reaching out about this, so she typed back, "Gotta hand it to whoever did it, they''ve got guts."


    Knowing Mirabe was never a fan of those concoctions, Adler wasn''t surprised by her response and continued, "But the analysis solution is small potatoes. The cancer research data and other world-ss disease studies that were lost-that''s the real disaster."


    Mirabe leaned against the table, frowning slightly at Adler''s message. She had only hacked into the coreb''sputer on the sub-basement level, wiping out all the research on the analysis solution. She hadn''t touched the other data. And Nick... he''d be even less likely to be involved.


    Someone else must have seized the chaosst night.


    As Mirabe thought about it, she realized why James had mentioned the missing core data earlier; he must have been talking about this.


    She replied, "Inside job."


    Adler: "That''s what I thought too. Only someone on the inside could swipe everything, so they''re desperately hunting for the mole now."


    Mirabe squinted, wondering how Nick nned his escape, since he couldn''t show up at the institute for at least a few weeks. His injuries would give him away in a heartbeat.


    Mirabe quickly remembered something, "By the way, when you helped me snag the analysis solutionst time, you didn''t leave any traces, right?"


    Adler, full of confidence, sent a voice message, "Rx, it''s been ages, and they won''t suspect me."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Alright then."


    After the chat ended, Mirabe stood quietly for a moment, then looked back at James, "Could you get me some medicinal herbs?"


    "When do you need them?" James nodded.


    "As soon as you can." Mirabe had thought about asking the pharmacists to prepare the medicine, but since it was obviously for treating injuries, she decided against it.


    "Okay, send me the list," James said.


    Mirabe raised her hand and made a heart shape.


    *


    Medical Research Institute.


    Dr. Ray''s office.


    "Here''s the mostplete list of lost data we''vepiled so far," Wayne handed a list to Dr. Ray.


    Dr. Ray, in his sixties, looked at the list of over twenty items, especially the loss of the Human Gic Engineering Project data, and felt a pang in his heart, causing his blood pressure to spike again.

 Chapter 1268

    Wayne, noticing the situation, quickly grabbed some blood pressure medication from the drawer and handed it over. After taking the pill, Dr. Ray finally started to calm down, though his face was still a bit pale. He massaged his temples with his fingertips, then looked up at Wayne again, asking, "Still no clue on who swiped the data?"


    The office wasn''t just upied by Dr. Ray and Wayne; a few other researchers, including Ben, were there too, all eyes fixed on Wayne.


    Wayne gave a weary smile. "Nope, the whole surveince system got hacked. There''s not a single trace left."


    The Medical Institute''s whole mission is to serve humanity, and their research data is a treasure trove of years of hard work. Losing it is nothing short of a disaster for them.


    Manuel stood nearby, the middle-aged guy whose phone Nick had smashed the night before. He muttered through clenched teeth, "I''m positive it was someone on the inside. No outsider could waltz into thatb so easily."


    Thinking about the analytical solution they''d been working on for nearly a decade being wiped out, Manuel felt his heart sink.


    "You had a run-in with this person, right? Got any suspects?" Wayne asked Manuel.


    The mention made Manuel even more frustrated. "He was in disguise, couldn''t get a good look at him, and I wouldn''t recognize him."


    "The guy was tall, skinny, and pretty nimble. He seemed young too," Ben, who''d been quiet until now, chimed in.


    "Yeah, Xiao Yuan also tangled with him," Manuel recalled, then turned to Ben. "You chased him afterward, got any leads?"


    Ben fiddled with a ring on his finger, saying, "Not yet, but I''ve narrowed it down to a few names from the institute."


    Wayne asked Ben to share the names. Ben, prepared, pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Wayne.


    Wayne scanned the list, none seemed to fit, so he passed it to Dr. Ray. There were six names, and Dr. Ray studied them, paused for a few seconds, then crossed one out with a pen. "Check the files of the remaining five and find out where they werest night," he said, cing the list on the desk.


    Wayne picked it up, surprised to see Nick''s name crossed out, especially since Nick hadn''t been at the institute long. "Why not check Nick?" he asked.


    Dr. Ray noticed Wayne''s confusion and exined, "Nick wasn''t even in the country. How could he have stolen the data?"


    "Not in the country?" Wayne blinked in surprise.


    Dr. Ray nodded. "He''s from the T5 Institute, and there''s a neurology conference in the States right now, so I sent him there."


    Wayne recalled this. "Alright, that makes sense."


    "Exactly," Dr. Ray added. "Plus, Nick rarely visits here, so he''s not familiar with the ce."


    Wayne nodded. "I''ll get someone on it right away."


    Dr. Ray waved him off, his gaze drifting back to the list of lost data, looking as though the weight of the world had aged him ten years.

 Chapter 1269

    A bunch of folks wrapped up their meeting and quickly shuffled out of Dr. Ray''s


    office.


    Manuel was still caught up in his own world, sighing as he walked about the disaster that wiped out his solution and erased all hisputer data. He and a few other doctors had poured decades into this form, and they were just about to kick off real human trials when everything went sideways.


    While he remembered most of the basic data and had some backups at home, the intricate details of the form were all stashed on his micrputer. Trying to recreate the exact form in no time seemed like a long shot. What a mess.


    Ben had been sticking close to Manuel, and noticing his frustration, chimed in, "Hey, Manuel, I''ve got some notes on the solution over at my ce. They''re from when you and the team were working on the form. Pretty detailed stuff, might help you out."


    Manuel halted, "You''ve got notes? I need to see them, like, now."


    Ben nodded, "They''re in my office. I''ll swing by with them soon."


    Manuel lit up, "You''re a lifesaver. Actually, just bring them to theb. I''m heading down there now to get back to work on the form."


    Ben''s eyes flickered, and he nodded in agreement.


    Feeling a tad better, Manuel hopped into the elevator down to the basementb.


    Meanwhile, Ben headed back to his office, opened up his safe, and pulled out a set of handwritten notes from a document-filled folder. With a slight smile at the form scribbled on the pages, he locked up the safe and made his way to the basement.


    Since Ben didn''t have free ess to Manuel''sb, he buzzed the doorbell. After a moment, the door opened, and Ben handed the notes to Manuel, saying, "Here, take a look."


    Manuel nodded and started flipping through the pages.


    The notes stretched over several sheets, and it took him about ten minutes to skim through them. "These are well-organized, but... something feels off about some of the proportions," Manuel said, voicing his unease.


    Ben''s eyshes lowered a bit, but his face didn''t give anything away, "There shouldn''t be any errors. The form''s steps and ratios are pretty tricky, so it''s normal for memories to blur."


    Manuel mulled it over. Something still felt a bit off, but he didn''t have the luxury to be picky. "Let''s give this version a shot first. We can tweak it if needed."


    With that, he took the notes and went off to huddle with the other researchers.


    Ben watched them gather, the hint of a smile ying on his lips.


    That night, Wyatt delivered all the ingredients Mirabe requested, and it took less than two hours to get everything ready.


    With ingredients in hand, she headed straight back to her vi and into her potion room.


    An hourter, she emerged looking more than a little worn out.


    ncing at the clock, she saw it was already past midnight.


    Mirabe gave As a quick call and then drove to the hospital. When she arrived, As was already waiting at the entrance.


    As soon as she got out of the car, he stepped up and greeted her respectfully, "Miss Mira."


    Mirabe gave a slight nod and followed As to the ward.

 Chapter 1270

    The hospital floor was reserved for VIP patients, ensuring Nick had the ce all to himself. When Mirabe walked in, she checked his pulse, feeling relieved at its steadinesspared to right after his surgery. Finally, she could breathe a sigh of relief.


    "How''s he doing?" As asked, his voice tinged with concern as Mirabe pulled her hand back.


    Mirabe gave him a reassuring nod. "He''s stable, should be waking up by tomorrow."


    "That''s a relief," As replied, visibly rxed.


    Mirabe dug into her pocket and handed As a small bottle of pills. "I won''t be here tomorrow. Make sure he takes one of these dissolved in water every day."


    As nodded, tucking the medicine away carefully. "Got it."


    "Good," Mirabe replied softly, casting another nce at Nick lying in the hospital bed. "As, let''s chat outside. I have a few questions."


    As had a hunch about her queries, so once they were outside, he broke the silence. "Nick had a reason for heading to the research institute, but I''m afraid I can''t share the details."


    Mirabe paused, then asked, "Was returning for medical school part of his n?"


    As shook his head. "Not quite. He had other ns toe back."


    Mirabe nodded, mulling over something before asking, "Is Chester involved?"


    As lowered his gaze, offering no reply.


    Seeing his reaction, Mirabe decided not to push it. "Alright, I get it."


    As watched her, his heart torn between wanting to share and knowing he shouldn''t. After Nick''s close call, he realized some things were best kept from Miss Mira. She was better off managing the family business without theseplications.


    After delivering the medicine, Mirabe didn''t linger at the hospital and soon drove home.


    **


    The following day, just past 10 a.m., Nick finally woke up.


    As, remembering Mirabe''s instructions, stayed by his side. As soon as Nick stirred, As promptly called Dr. Ray.


    Dr. Ray examined Nick again, amazed at how fast he was recovering, and ordered the nurses to remove the venttor and other support equipment.


    After briefing As, Dr. Ray left without further ado.


    Nick, still groggy, never thought he''d open his eyes again. Even during Dr. Ray''s check-up, he was a little out of it.


    He tried to lift his hand to his chest, wanting to feel his heartbeat, but the effort was too much, and his hand dropped back down.


    Seeing this, As assumed he needed something. "Mr. Nick, do you want some water?"


    Nick turned his head slightly towards As, his voice strained, "Did you tell Mira?"


    As was taken aback that this was Nick''s first concern. He shook his head. "No, you told me not to before you went under, so I didn''t."


    "Really?" Nick''s pale face showed no color, each word pulling painfully at his chest despite the painkillers.


    As, noticing Nick''s difort, advised, "You should rest. Dr. Ray barely pulled you back from the edge. If anything happens again, we can''t keep it from Miss Mira."


    Nick closed his eyes, something on his mind. After a moment, bearing the pain, he asked, "The person who set up my escape from the research institute, where did you find them?"


    As, clueless about any such arrangement, was momentarily stumped. Regaining hisposure, he guessed it must have been Mirabe. "I don''t know. We couldn''t reach you at all while we were outside."

 Chapter 1271

    As responded with pinpoint uracy, never entirely sure if Mr. Nick was trying to catch him out, so he decided to stick to the truth.


    Nick, hearing this, shut his eyes again. As, noticing Nick didn''t press further, felt a wave of relief. Normally, it''d be easy to see through any pretense.


    Over the next few days, Nick''s recovery was surprisingly swift. Apart from looking a tad pale and sickly, you wouldn''t guess he had been gravely injured by watching him stroll around.


    One day, after Nick wrapped up a phone call, As handed him a ss of water and said, "Time to take your meds."


    Nick took the ss, downed the medicine in one go, and said, "As, book me a flight for tomorrow. The conference in the States wraps up in two days, and I need to be back before it ends."


    As looked concerned, "You''ve just started getting better; a long flight might be too much."


    "It''s alright, I know my limits," Nick replied nonchntly, though he felt his recovery was oddly rapid.


    Understanding Nick''s stubborn nature and knowing it was pointless to argue, As nodded, "Alright, then."


    Nick set the ss down on the coffee table, the bitter aftertaste of the medicine lingering, and casually asked As, "Was this medicine prescribed by Dr. Ray?"


    As kept his expression neutral and nodded, "Yes."


    Nick didn''t say anything more andy back down.


    **


    Meanwhile, over at the medical school.


    After several days of testing, Manuel and a few other researchers had sessfully recreated the solution.


    They were now conducting live tests.


    Live tests involved injecting the solution into the bodies of humans or animals to observe and gradually assess its effectiveness.


    "This batch seems a bit more potent than thest one we made," Manuel said, standing in front of the ss containers, watching the thirdb rat that had been injected with the solution.


    ¡°I agree. The rats weren''t this lively with the previous batch,¡± another scientist chimed in.


    Manuel nodded, finally breaking into a smile after days of hard work, "Let''s keep observing for a couple more days. If things stay stable, we can think about trying it onrger animals."


    "I think we might be ready for human trials," the other scientist paused, then added, "If the previous batch hadn''t been destroyed, it might have already offered hope to those testing it. Repeating experiments step by step could waste precious time."


    Manuel looked at his colleague with a serious face, "Even though things look good now, the form''s a bit different this time. If something were to go wrong..."


    He was cut off, "There won''t be any issues. Plus, the form only has slight tweaks, which we can adjust as we go."


    Manuel turned his attention to Ben and the other colleagues, "What do you guys think?"


    The others hesitated, but Ben spoke up first, "I''m also in favor of moving to human trials. Rat number three is doing better than before, showing the solution is safe."


    Since Ben''s insights had been invaluable, Manuel took his input to heart. After a few moments of thought, he nodded, "Alright, then."

 Chapter 1272

    Ben left the medical school, and once he got out of the dead zone, he whipped out his phone and made a call.


    "Yep, the drug''s about to go into human trials. I''ll shoot over a report once we''ve got some results," he said in fluent English, giving a quick update on the situation back at the school before hanging up.


    Feeling pretty good, Ben reached over and cranked up the car stereo, bobbing his head to the beat of some catchy tunes, just soaking it all in.


    Before long, his phone buzzed again.


    It was Lisa''s mom calling.


    With a nce at the screen, Ben hit the answer button, and Gracie''s warm voice came through.


    "Hey Ben, did you swing by the school today?"


    Ben replied casually, "Nah, what''s going on, Gracie?"


    "Oh, you weren''t there... It''s nothing major, just thought if you were around, you could remind Lisa to pop home for a bit. It''s been ages since herst visit."


    Hearing that, Ben drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, realizing he ought to catch up with his sister anyway. "Sure thing, I''ll be passing by the school soon. I can pick her up."


    Gracie sounded relieved, "If it''s too much hassle, it''s fine for next time."


    Ben reassured her, "No hassle at all. Lisa and I will head back togetherter."


    With that, he swung the car around and headed towards Prestige College.


    *


    About half an hourter, Ben pulled up outside Prestige College.


    He parked by the curb but stayed in the car, sending Lisa a quick text instead.


    After hitting send, he tucked his phone away, rolled down the window, and leaned back, resting his armzily on the door while his eyes drifted to the side mirror.


    There weren''t many cars parked nearby, but soon enough, a sleek ck sedan rolled into view, catching Ben''s eye.


    He gave it a quick nce but then lost interest, rolling the window back up.


    ...


    The guy in the car was none other than James, there to pick up Mirabe.


    After shooting Mirabe a message to say he''d arrived, James picked up a stack of blueprints beside him,pletely ignoring the outside world.


    The blueprints, sent by Dane from the tech institute, were for a gadget James was tasked with modifying and assembling.


    Just looking at the thousands ofbels crammed onto the pages was enough to make anyone''s head spin.


    As James stared at the ns, he felt a bit overwhelmed, like he''d just walked into a tricky puzzle.


    Rubbing his temples, he grabbed a pencil from the glovepartment and started sorting through the assembly process, bit by bit.


    His thoughts were interrupted when the passenger door opened, and Mirabe climbed in.


    As she buckled up, she eyeballed therge blueprints in his hands and raised an eyebrow, "Engineering stuff?"


    James put the pencil away and rolled up the blueprints. "Not quite, it''s a submarine blueprint from the tech institute."


    Mirabe blinked, "That''s some serious high-tech stuff."


    "All high-tech gear''s made by people," James replied with a sideways nce, casually shoving the rolled-up blueprints into a side gap, not caring as they slipped under the seat.


    Mirabe couldn''t help but chuckle, "I should''ve filmed that and shown it to the bigwigs at the institute. They''d love to see how you handle their precious designs."

 Chapter 1273

    James lifted an eyebrow slightly, "It''s just a piece of paper, nothing more."


    Mirabe clicked her tongue, realizing this guy must have some clout at the Tech Institute to talk so confidently.


    With a smirk, Mirabe nced ahead, immediately spotting the luxury car in front of them. Her sharp memory quickly reminded her whose car it was.


    Hadn''t Ben skipped school this afternoon?


    Mirabe squinted her eyes, curious.


    James caught a glimpse of her in the rearview mirror, staring intently at the car ahead. He joined her gaze and asked, "Is that someone you know?"


    Mirabe pulled her eyes away, pursing her lips, "Sort of. Was that car parked there when you showed up?"


    "Seems like it," James replied after a moment.


    Mirabe nodded, her interest fading as she adjusted her sleeves, "Alright, let''s get going."


    James nced at her once more, but let it be. He started the engine and soon made a U-turn, driving them away from the school.


    Meanwhile, Ben watched their car disappear, his eyes deep and unreadable. His fingers absentmindedly fiddled with the ck ring on his finger.


    He waited a few more minutes. With no sign of Lisa, his patience finally wore thin after James and Mirabe left.


    Picking up his phone again, Ben decided to call Lisa directly this time.


    The call connected immediately. He spoke sharply, "You''ve got ten minutes to get out here," and hung up just like that, giving Lisa no room to argue.


    Back in her dorm, Lisa stared at the phone in frustration.


    She paced the room for a while, but fear got the better of her. Grabbing her small backpack, she left the dorm.


    Practically jogging out of the school, she spotted the car parked by the curb. She bit her lip, gripping the backpack strap tightly. She tried opening the back door, but it wouldn''t budge.


    Standing there, she tugged a few more times. When Ben didn''t unlock it, she hesitated, then moved to the front.


    The passenger door opened easily, revealing Ben''s unreadable face.


    Lisa shivered slightly but got in, buckling her seatbelt. She sat as close to the door as possible, staying silent.


    Ben nced sideways at her, "Are you scared of me?"


    Lisa''s nerves were on edge, but she tried to y it cool, speaking loudly, "Scared


    of you? No way. Finals areing up, and I need to study. I don''t have time to go home."


    As Ben started the engine, he replied quietly, "You should have told Gracie that."


    Lisa turned, annoyed, to stare out the window. Her mother really... always sending Ben after her. She had no idea how intimidating Emmitt truly was.


    "Oh, by the way, I saw your ssmate earlier," Ben remarked.


    Lisa frowned, turning back. She wanted to ask who but instinctively thought of Mirabe.


    "I don''t get it. Why are you so hung up on a regr girl? What''s so special about her?" Lisa asked, still puzzled.


    Ben''s lips curled into a slight smile, "I don''t think she''s ordinary at all."

 Chapter 1274

    With an off-the-charts IQ and the crowd she kept around her... sheesh, she didn''t seem like your average girl at all.


    Ben leaned his head back, slouchedfortably in the car seat, and switched gears to a totally different topic: "I just finished fixing up my house in Clearview. I''ll hand you the keyster. You might want to invite your ssmates and friends over for a get-together."


    Hearing this, Lisa immediately caught on to the hidden message in his words. Offering a ce for a hangout was just a front; he was really nudging her to bring her friends, especially Mirabe, over.


    "Thanks, but no thanks," Lisa replied coolly.


    Ben didn''t seem bothered by her rejection. Instead, he smiled slightly, "I heard Gracie and Dad are thinking of heading abroad for the holidays."


    The mention of her mother made Lisa''s heart clench, "Ben, just spit it out. Don''t y these games with me!"


    She knew him too well; he had a knack for these maniptive mind games. Outwardly, it seemed like casual chit-chat, but every word carried an underlying warning.


    Ben clicked his tongue lightly, "You might not know, but some ces overseas are pretty unstable. Unrest isn''t umon, and innocent folks can easily get caught in the crossfire."


    Lisa''s eyes red with anger, "You''re unbelievable. My mom has treated you like her own for over a decade, better than she treated me, and you dare say something like that."


    "So, Gracie''s future is entirely in your hands," Ben said calmly.


    Lisa got his drift loud and clear. She bit down hard on her lip, and after a moment, said, "Don''t even think about using me to get Mirabe out. Not happening!"


    Ben pressed the gas pedal a bit harder, but his voice was as casual as ever, "Suit yourself. After all, you''ve only got one path to choose from."


    As his words sank in, Lisa went even paler, feeling like her blood was running backward. A wave of helplessness and despair washed over her. She knew Ben meant what he said.


    He was scary and relentless.


    Since stumbling upon his true nature, she hadn''t dared to get close to any ssmates. That''s why shecked real friends all these years, all because of him. More than once, she wondered if, had she never learned the truth about Ben, she might not have to live in constant fear.


    Meanwhile, James drove back to his ce.


    Getting out of the car, he scooped up some blueprints that had slipped under the back seat.


    Mirabe was busy texting on Messenger, looking like she had her hands full, so once they were inside, James, feeling a tad envious, thrust the blueprints into her arms.


    "Can you take these to the study?"


    Mirabe, interrupted, sent onest message to Cassandra before tucking her phone away, "Alright, sure."


    She took a couple of steps with the blueprints, then turned back to James, "Which room''s the study?"


    James pointed upstairs, "Second door on the left."


    Mirabe nodded, but as she nced at the blueprints, she couldn''t resist a


    yful jab, "What if I were a spy?"


    James raised an eyebrow, "I''ve got plenty more of these. If you want them, they''re all yours."


    Mirabe chuckled and headed upstairs.

 Chapter 1275

    Mirabe swung open the door to the study, stepping into a world of minimalist ck-and-white elegance. The room was spotless and inviting, with a whole wall of books neatly lined up like soldiers ready for inspection. But what really caught her eye was a peculiar little ornament on the central shelf-made of oddly shaped metallic pieces, it gleamed with a silvery light.


    She set down the blueprints she''d been carrying and wandered over to the disy, her eyes lingering on the ornament, her mind momentarily adrift. It didn''t look like anything practical-neither a gadget nor a weapon. Yet, its form was strangely familiar, echoing something she''d once seen in her family''s archives.


    After a moment lost in thought, Mirabe shrugged off the feeling and left the study. As she descended the stairs, she caught a whiff of activity from the kitchen, where the hustle and bustle continued. She gave a quick nce before settling onto the sofa in the living room.


    The image of the silver ornament still danced in her mind. Pulling out her phone, she shot a message to Cassandra on Messenger: "Can you sneak into the restricted area and snag a video for me?"


    Minutes ticked by with no reply. Unfazed, Mirabe dialed As. He picked up from somewhere outside the hospital, mentioning that Nick was set to be discharged the next day and would soon head off to an international medical conference.


    "Sounds good," Mirabe replied casually. "As long as he doesn''t overdo it likest time, he''ll be alright."


    As couldn''t help but smirk, detecting the subtle tease in her tone. Clearing his throat, he assured her, "Got it. I''ll keep an eye on Mr. Nick."


    With a nod, Mirabe wrapped up the call just as James announced dinner. "You''ve got quite the chef''s touch these days," she remarked, grabbing a rib. "Thanks for the praise," James replied, a hint of a smile ying on his lips.


    As she ate, James asked, "How''s Nick holding up?"


    Mirabe, her mouth full, mumbled, "Doing pretty well, I think." Her secret stash of medicine had surely helped.


    James nodded knowingly. "Oh, I noticed a silver ornament on your study shelf. Where''d you find that? It''s got a real artsy vibe."


    Mirabe chuckled. "It''s unique, alright."


    James grinned, "Found the design online, and just pieced it together myself."


    A wave of mixed emotions washed over Mirabe-part admiration, part disappointment. Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Cassandra.


    Y: "Emmitt, I don''t have a key to the restricted area. Why the sudden need for a video?"


    Mirabe replied with a simple, "Never mind."


    Y: "..."


    Deciding to drop the conversation, she tucked her phone away.


    After dinner, James didn''t wait for Mirabe to suggest heading home. Instead, he led her straight up to the study. "Help yourself to any book," he said, gesturing at the shelves.


    Mirabe nodded, her features softening under the room''s warm light, her eyes sparkling like stars. Watching her, James felt a rush of affection and, still holding her hand, gently pulled her into his arms.

 Chapter 1276

    Mirabe blinked, not quite processing what was happening when suddenly, the man''s face was just inches from hers, his warm breath brushing her cheek. In the next instant, he firmly cupped her head and kissed her deeply.


    Their breaths intertwined, soft and lingering. Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered slightly, a blush creeping onto her pale cheeks. She tried to step back instinctively, but stumbled over the armchair behind her, falling backward.


    James quickly tightened his grip around her waist, easing her fall while gentlyying her onto the armchair. He nestled his head in the crook of her neck, whispering with a teasing tone, "Didn''t know you were into this."


    Mirabe was momentarily speechless.


    James had a deep, knowing gaze. He chuckled softly, kissing her earlobe, then ran his hands down her arms, finally sping her hands, lightly tickling her palms before holding them firmly.


    Mirabe shivered slightly, trying to tell James to get up, but a series of soft kisses along her neck wiped away any coherent thoughts.


    The room felt warmer, the light casting a cozy, romantic glow over them, making the atmosphere intimate and charged with emotion.


    Who knows how much time passed before James''s remaining sense of restraint kicked in, and he finally put some space between them. Mirabe''s cheeks were flushed, making her look even more breathtaking.


    James felt his throat tighten. After a quick nce, he looked down, gently straightening Mirabe''s clothes that hade undone.


    Once he was done, he helped her sit up, clearing his throat softly, his voice still tinged with emotion. "Why don''t you read for a bit? I need to step out, but I''ll be back soon."


    With that, he gave Mirabe another quick kiss on the lips before forcing himself to stand and swiftly leaving the study.


    The sound of the door closing brought Mirabe back to reality. She touched her face, feeling the heat radiate off her skin.


    No wonder folks say men and women shouldn''t be alone together; it''s hard to keep things in check.


    Mirabe got up and wandered to the bookshelf, picking a book at random to read.


    Half an hourter, James returned, now in light-colored loungewear. Mirabe nced at him, her ears warming up at the memory of what had just happened. But when she shifted her gaze, she did it so naturally that any hint of embarrassment was nowhere to be seen.


    She lived by the motto, ''If you''re not embarrassed, then the awkwardness is on someone else.''


    James noticed her calm demeanor and just chuckled quietly, moving to sit at his desk. He spread out the blueprints Mirabe had brought earlier and focused on his work.


    The study was serene, neither of them speaking much, creating a perfectly peaceful scene.


    Before they knew it, it was already half-past ten. Mirabe started to feel drowsy, yawning several times, her eyes glistening with a sleepy haze.


    She set the book down, nced at James¡ªstill deep in concentration¡ªand, not wanting to disturb him, got up and left the study.


    After a quick trip to the restroom, she saw it was gettingte. As James put down his pen, she paused, stepping forward a bit without ncing at his blueprints, and said, "It''s gettingte, I should probably..."


    Before she could finish, James chimed in, "If you''re tired, feel free to rest in my bedroom. The sheets are freshly changed and clean."

 Chapter 1277

    Interrupted, Mirabe paused for a moment, lost in thought. James, with a slight raise of his eyebrow, brought out an excuse he''d been nning, "I just can''t help but worry about my girlfriend being home alone."


    Mirabe gave him a look that was a mix of emotions. "Having someone around doesn''t always mean it''s safer, you know."


    A grin spread across James''s face, and he stood up, walked over to Mirabe, and gently ruffled her hair. "Get some sleep; I''ll crash in the guest room next door."


    He wasn''t in a rush to push things forward, preferring to take his time.


    "You''re getting sneakier, you know that?" Mirabe said, clearly amused by his antics. It was obvious he had thought this through.


    "Well, in this dating game, you have to step up your efforts," James chuckled, thinking of the challenges ahead, like impressing her brothers.


    "Charming as ever, aren''t you?" Mirabe yawned. Not one to make a fuss, she waved him off, ¡°I''m heading to bed. You should get some rest too. Night!"


    With that, she turned and left the room. Watching her leave, James''s raised eyebrows hinted at his good spirits as he returned to his desk.


    The next day was a leisurely Saturday, which meant no school for Mirabe. She woke up in the morning, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar room, but soon recalled the events of the night before.


    She indulged in a bit ofziness, staying wrapped up in the nkets and ying a few games on her phone. Around 8:30 AM, she finally climbed out of bed, finding clean toiletries ready in the bathroom. After freshening up, she donned a jacket and made her way downstairs at a leisurely pace.


    James was already up, sitting in the living room. He wasn''t alone; Curtis and Wyatt were there, deep in conversation. As Mirabe descended the stairs, their discussion halted abruptly, their faces reflecting identical expressions of surprise. They clearly hadn''t expected to see hering from upstairs, especially looking so rxed and freshly awake.


    Whoa, what''s going on here? Wyatt and Curtis quickly masked their astonishment, exchanged a meaningful nce, and turned their attention back to James on the couch.


    "Wow, Ms. Mirabe, she... James, you?" Wyatt stammered, struggling to find the right words.


    James shot him a casual look, "She stayed here, and?"


    Wyatt was taken aback. She stayed here? How could James be so nonchnt about this? Isn''t Mirabe under twenty? How could he be so reckless?


    Curtis, although equally surprised, didn''t let it show as much. While he thought James might be pushing boundaries, he also saw it as a potentially good sign. Clearing his throat, he leaned in and quietly reminded James, "Hey, just remember, Mirabe''s still in school. Maybe take it slow, okay?"


    James looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"


    Mirabe, by now, hade closer and caught the end of Curtis''s sentence. Curtis, noticing her proximity, suddenly seemed a bit flustered, unable to meet her gaze, "Oh, nothing important."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, giving him a curious look. Wyatt, trying to regain hisposure, greeted her with a quick "Ms. Mirabe," and couldn''t help but nce at her cor, his eyes widening again.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1278

    Wyatt initially thought James was a straight-up gentleman, but now... well, turns out he was way off the mark.


    James, picking up on the side-eye from his crew, stood up and asked Mirabe, "Why not catch some more Z''s? You''ve got the day off from school."


    Mirabe shrugged, "Got anything to munch on? I''m starving."


    "Yep." James nodded and headed towards the kitchen.


    Seeing him go, Mirabe followed along.


    Left behind, Wyatt and Curtis exchanged knowing looks.


    "This is moving faster than I thought," Wyatt mumbled.


    Curtis kept quiet, his eyes trailing towards the kitchen. As a single guy, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy, but he was genuinely happy for James.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe took a bite of her croissant and nced over at Curtis and Wyatt. She turned to James, "Don''t worry about me; go do your thing."


    James handed her a ss of milk, casually asking, "Not busy. Got any ns today?"


    After sipping her milk, Mirabe replied, "Might head hometer."


    She had a pile of assignments from Dr. Elliot waiting. If she didn''t turn them in soon, she might have to pop into the Biology Department next week.


    James nodded, pondering for a bit, then suggested, "If you''re free, want to hit up an auction? Could be fun."


    Mirabe perked up at the mention of an auction, "An auction?"


    "Yeah, there''s an underground auction today. Lots of rare and cool stuff." James mentioned, recalling a rare medicine on the list, "There''s also some unique medicine you might like."


    "Oh..." Mirabe, not too keen on the medicine, was intrigued by the treasures.


    She figured Dr. Elliot''s assignments could wait a bit, then said, "Never been to an auction before; could be fun to check it out."


    James couldn''t help but smirk at her ''never been to an auction'' line-it sounded like a humble brag.


    "Cool, it starts at 1 PM. We''ve got time," he replied.


    "Sure." Mirabe nodded, focused on her breakfast.


    James watched her for a moment before heading back to the living room.


    Just as Wyatt and Curtis were recovering from the ''couple vibes,'' they saw James return and got back to business.


    They kept their voices low, so unless Mirabe was eavesdropping, she wouldn''t catch their conversation.


    "The bait''s been set; now we wait and see if he takes it," Curtis said, a serious look in his eyes.


    James tapped his knee, "We''ll see."


    "The auction''s security is locked down tight. If he shows, he''s not getting away," Wyatt said, narrowing his eyes.


    "Yeah."


    Curtis suddenly remembered something and nced at Mirabe, suggesting quietly, ¡°James, think we should bring Mirabe along? Herputer skills could be handy."


    Having someone like her on the team could be a game-changer. James shot Curtis a look, clearly unimpressed, "She''sing."


    "That''s awesome," Curtis coughed, used to the slight digs.


    With Mirabe, theputer whiz, on board, their chances of catching the thief if he dared to show up were much better.

 Chapter 1279

    Afternoon.


    The underground auction house on the north side of town.


    "You head to the private room; I''ll join you in a bit," James said, wrapped in a ck trench coat with a matching turtleneck underneath. He gave Mirabe a quick nce, leaving Wyatt to ensure her safety.


    Mirabe nodded and followed Wyatt up to the plush private suite upstairs.


    The room was cleverly designed for privacy; you could watch everything happening in the bustling auction below without anyone seeing in.


    Mirabe settled into a chair, her eyes scanning the lively scene below. Her gaze flitted over the security cameras strategically ced around, noting the tight security.


    It felt like a fortress against thieves.


    The auction wasn''t starting anytime soon, so Mirabe turned away, feeling a bit bored, and pulled out her phone.


    As soon as she unlocked it, a notification from Lisa on Messenger popped up, sent about ten minutes ago.


    Lisa was asking what her ns were for the day.


    Mirabe tapped back a quick reply.


    Meanwhile, Lisa, clutching her phone, let out a small sigh of relief when she saw Mirabe''s response. She quickly typed back, "No worries... If you''re busy, go ahead with your day."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then replied, "Just let me know if you need help. Don''t be shy."


    Lisa read the message, feeling a lump in her throat as her fingers tightened around her phone. It took her a moment to swallow her guilt before she replied, "Ugh, just my three roommates driving me nuts with their nonstop chatter. Thought maybe we could hang out."


    Mirabe was used to hearing Lisa''s gripes about her roommates, so she didn''t think much of it and just sent back an emoji.


    Lisa didn''t continue the conversation and sat there, lost in her thoughts. The door to the room was slightly ajar when Gracie walked in, carrying a te of fruit.


    "Why are you dressed so lightly?" Gracie asked, seeing her daughter in just a thin loungewear. She put the te down and hurried to the closet to fetch a thick down jacket, draping it over Lisa''s shoulders.


    Lisa seemed to snap out of her thoughts, looking up at her mother. "Oh, Mom, when did youe in?"


    Gracie took her daughter''s cold hands in hers, warming them as she spoke. "You''ve been acting odd since you got backst night. Did something happen?"


    Lisa''s face was pale, and she did look a bit off. She forced a smile, shaking her head. "No, but Mom, I heard from Ben that you and Dad are nning to go abroad for the spring festival?"


    "Ben''s your brother," Gracie corrected her gently, pulling up a chair to sit beside her. "Yeah, that''s the n, but it''s not just me and your dad; it''s a family trip."


    Lisa''s lips twitched slightly, and she held her mother''s hand tighter. "What''s so great about going abroad? Isn''t it nice just staying in Riverdale?"


    "Your dad wants to take us out for a bit of fun. He rarely gets a long holiday, and this year he thought we might as well travel abroad," Gracie exined.


    Lisa bit her lip, shaking her head pleadingly. "Can we not go?"


    Gracie was rarely confronted with such a plea from her daughter and was a bit taken aback. "Lisa, you..."


    Lisa knew even if she revealed another side of Ben, her mom wouldn''t believe her. She''d just think Lisa was being biased and immature.


    Taking a deep breath, Lisa earnestly said, "Some ces abroad are a bit chaotic and not safe."

 Chapter 1280

    Gracie chuckled at Lisa''s worry, "You and Emmitt might be stressing too much. He mentioned the same thing to me. How chaotic can a tourist city really get?"


    Lisa tightened her grip on Gracie''s hand, surprised by Ben''s words. "What else did Ben say?"


    "He didn''t say much, just handed me a card and told me to pick out a New Year''s gift when I''m abroad." Gracie''s expression softened. "Ben may not be my own, but he''s certainly thoughtful."


    "Thoughtful? He''s up to something! Mom, you''re falling for his act!" Lisa couldn''t help but let the sarcasm slip.


    Noticing her daughter''s sharp tone, Gracie feltpelled to defend Ben, recalling how Lisa''s prejudice began years ago. "Lisa, Emmitt isn''t like that. Maybe you''ve misunderstood him. I think you should..."


    Lisa, with a touch of sadness, pulled her hand back and looked away, cutting Gracie off, "Mom, I just need some time alone."


    Gracie opened her mouth to respond but only managed a soft sigh, standing up and adjusting her coat, "Alright then."


    The door''s soft click echoed as Lisa slumped onto the table, burying her head in her arms, feeling lost and overwhelmed.


    Ben had given her a no-win situation.


    A choice that hurt, no matter the path taken.


    If only she could escape it all, avoid facing anything.


    Lisa mused to herself.


    Meanwhile, as Gracie left Lisa''s room and went downstairs, she bumped into Ben returning from outside.


    Seeing her worried face, Ben paused thoughtfully before asking, "Marian, is everything alright?"


    Gracie attempted a smile, "It''s Lisa. She''s been holed up in her room all day. I can''t figure out her mood anymore. It''s exhausting."


    Ben nced up toward the second floor, casually spinning a ck ring on his finger, "Maybe it''s school stress. Try not to worry too much."


    Gracie sighed again.


    "I''ll go check on her." Ben''s voice was gentle, his demeanor calm and genuine.


    Gracie initially wanted to say it wasn''t needed, given Lisa''s bias against him, but seeing Ben''s sincere concern, she nodded, "Alright, please talk to Marian."


    Ben nodded slightly, agreeing, then made his way upstairs.


    **


    At the auction house.


    Wyatt had some snacks delivered, cing them on a small table next to Mirabe. Treating her as part of his circle now, he handed her the auction catalog.


    "Here are today''s auction items. See if there''s anything you fancy bidding on."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, slowly flipping through the catalog with about a dozen items, impressed by the treasures listed.


    Besides a few antiques only known from history books, there were priceless diamonds and jade pieces. But when she reached thest item, noted as the auction''s highlight, her curiosity piqued.


    Turning to Wyatt, she pointed at the final item with a hint of surprise, "Is this medicine actually worth more than the antiques?"

 Chapter 1281

    Wyatt''s eyesnded on the item Mirabe was pointing at, and he quickly exined, "Yeah, thisst item is said to have the power to bring someone back from the brink of death... you know, save someone who''s nearly gone."


    Hearing Wyatt''s earnest tone, Mirabe couldn''t help but smirk, "We''re in the modern age, and you still buy into fairy tales like that?"


    "It''s not about belief; it''s the backstory of this medicine that''s intriguing," Wyatt replied, a hint of mystery in his voice.


    "What backstory?" Mirabe set down the auction catalog and picked up her coffee cup, her curiosity slightly piqued.


    Wyatt nced through the curtains at the auction stage below before continuing, "Ms. Mirabe, since you''re a doctor, have you ever heard of the Stevenson family?"


    Mirabe had just taken a sip of her coffee and nearly choked at Wyatt''s words, spluttering, "Cough, cough..."


    Seeing her struggle, Wyatt reached out to pat her back, but just then, the door to the private room swung open. Instinctively, Wyatt looked up and saw his brother James walk in. He quickly retracted his hand and tucked it behind his back.


    His survival instincts were razor-sharp.


    James gave him a quick look before settling into the chair next to Mirabe. "What''s got you both so worked up?"


    "We were just talking about the star item of the auction," Mirabe said, regaining herposure.


    James raised an eyebrow, "You''re interested in that medicine?"


    "...A bit," Mirabe admitted, coughing again. She turned back to Wyatt, "What were you saying about the Stevenson family?"


    Wyatt cautiously nced at James, noting his unchanged expression, and continued, "They''re a mysterious family of miracle healers, rumored to have extraordinary medical skills¡ªcuring the incurable and even rumored to know the secret to eternal life."


    The idea of saving someone on death''s door and possessing eternal life would undoubtedly make headlines worldwide.


    Throughout history, countless people, especially those in power, have sought eternal life.


    After Wyatt finished, Mirabe asked again, "Do you really buy that?" Wyatt shook his head at first, then nodded slightly, "Notpletely."


    While the notion of eternal life sounds oundish and often feels like folklore, it''s not entirely without


    basis, so it''s better to keep an open mind. .


    Swnovel


    IM


    Mirabe turned to James, but before she could speak, he said, "Eternal life is pretty far-fetched."


    Otherwise, the world would be in chaos.


    "It''s not just far-fetched; it''s downright ridiculous," Mirabe said with a hint of


    sarcasm.


    Because of such unfounded rumors, the Stevenson family had to retreat into obscurity, and even after


    centuries, they couldn''t shake


    off


    these stories.  Swnovel


    Human greed, once awakened, knows no boundaries.


    James looked at Mirabe, sensing something different in her, a touch of unexined mncholy.


    Mirabe''s mood shifted quickly,


    and she soon asked, "So, this finayet


    star medicine is from this so-called Stevenson family?"  swnovel


    "Yep," James nodded.


    At that moment, the auction downstairs began, and the auctioneer''s voice echoed clearly into every private room.

 Chapter 1282

    Mirabe listened to the murmurs from outside, her slender fingers casually intertwined. After a beat, she asked with a touch of skepticism, "So, if everyone thinks the Stevenson family is just a myth, how can you be sure this medicine is from them?"


    "It was delivered by someone from the Stevenson family," Wyatt rified, trying to clear her doubts.


    Mirabe furrowed her brows slightly, "Really?"


    Wyatt, missing Mirabe''s unease, nodded and added, "We also had David at the Pharmacist''s Guild check it out. He confirmed it''s an ancient herbal concoction. The unique preparation method can''t be copied by ordinary pharmacists."


    As for its exact effects, there wasn''t enough medicine to run any trials.


    If the head of the Pharmacist''s Guild, who specializes in ancient remedies, vouched for it, there was no room for doubt.


    Mirabe''s expression stayed unreadable as she nodded, choosing not to say more.


    For a while, the auctioneer''s voice from outside was the only sound breaking the silence in the private box.


    After a bit, Wyatt, hearing Curtis''s voice through his earpiece, looked at his brother James and quickly stepped out.


    Now, just James and Mirabe were left in the box.


    "See anything you like?" James''s clear voice pulled Mirabe back from her thoughts.


    She looked at James, shook her head, and quipped, "Broke."


    James raised an eyebrow, "Well, I''ve got some savings."


    "Are you showing off?" Mirabe replied, her face expressionless.


    James: "..."


    Mirabe chuckled lightly, grabbed a pastry from nearby, and turned her attention back to the auction below.


    Halfway through the auction, Mirabe slipped out to use the restroom.


    When she came out, instead of heading back, she wandered towards the auction''s backstage.


    vel


    Not knowing exactly where the auction items were kept, she followed the areas thick with surveince cameras and tight security.  Swnovel


    The coverage was almost 360 degrees with no blind spots, so dodging them was out of the question.


    Aware of this, Mirabe activated a signal jammer as soon as she left the restroom.


    *


    Meanwhile, in the surveince room.


    Wyatt had returned there after leaving the box, keeping a close eye on the screens.


    Curtis was there too, sitting in front of the mainputer, arms folded, his gaze glued to therge monitor.


    Everything seemed normal on the


    screens, with their men guarding every exit, except for the treasure room on the third floor, which was conspicuously unguarded.  swnovel


    The auction had been going for over an hour.


    "Still nothing, Curtis. You think the guy who nabbed the ''Flying Horse'' has hung up


    his boots?" Wyatt was getting antsy.


    Curtis, his eyes never leaving the screen, his demeanor as cool as ice, replied,


    "No way. Stay patient and keep watching."


    Wyatt ran a hand through his hair, "I am patient, but all I see is the same old stuff."


    "Don''t rush it," Curtis remained calm.


    Wyatt


    haired at him, then dragged


    a chair over and sat down, resting


    his arm on the back, "Maybe should just camp out in the treasure room."  swnovel


    Curtis didn''t respond but suddenly straightened up, "Here we go."

 Chapter 1283

    "What''s up?" Wyatt noticed Curtis tapping away on his keyboard, coding like his life depended on it. He couldn''t help but steal a nce at the surveince


    screens.


    The feeds from the main entrances and exits looked as uneventful as a calm afternoon. But Wyatt knew better-sometimes, the quietest scenes hid the loudest secrets.


    He tapped his earpiece, instructing his team to keep a hawk''s eye on the vault. After a couple of minutes, he turned to Curtis. "Curtis, should I go grab Ms. Mirabe to lend us a hand here?"


    Curtis, still deep in his coding zone, almost messed up a line when he heard Wyatt''s suggestion. It wasn''t a harsh jab, but it sure hit a nerve.


    Before dialing Mirabe, Wyatt figured he''d check in with James. James, phone in hand, casually nced toward the lounge entrance and said, "She''s headed to the restroom. Let the others keep watch for now; I''ll bring her over once she''s back."


    Wyatt gave a quick nod and hung up.


    Turning to Curtis again, Wyatt asked, "Ms. Mirabe won''t be here right away. How soon can you clear the interference?"


    "Two minutes, give or take," Curtis replied, eyes glued to his screen. After a brief pause, he added, "Same interference trick-I''m sure it''s our guy."


    Wyatt nodded, fully aware that whoever was messing with the Shepherd family had iting.


    "I''m heading upstairs to check things out," Wyatt decided, not wanting to leave any stone unturned. He swiftly exited the surveince room.


    Two minutes could change everything.


    He soon found himself upstairs, where silence reigned supreme. The stillness was almost eerie, broken only by his own cautious footsteps. Wyatt''s eyes swept the area before settling on the storage room door.


    1.n


    This door wasn''t your run-of-the-mill smart lock. It was an old-school mechanical lock, the kind that- required a keen mind and a steady hand to crack. Mess up, and it would lock tighter than a drum.  swnovel


    Unlocking it was a five-star puzzle. Smart locks might be a joke to tech wizards, but this kind of lock was a different beast altogether. Wyatt had practiced countless times just to get the hang of it. He inspected the lock, finding no signs of tampering, and decided against going in He pulled back, abandoning his initial n to take a peek inside.  swnovel


    Wyatt radioed Curtis with an update and, not wanting to spook anyone, made a quick exit.


    *


    Mirabe was back in the lounge before too long.


    James was wrapping up a call as she walked in. "You''re back," he said, putting his phone away.


    Mirabe nodded, then drifted over


    to the ss window, peering down at the auction floor where ancient relics were being sold for


    made her let out a soft


    eye-watering sums. Those numbers a


    testament to the gap between such wealth and everyday life.  swnovel


    James noticed and said, "Not into antiques, huh? Curtis could use a hand with something."


    "Sure thing," Mirabe agreed without missing a beat.


    It wasn''t long before they found themselves in the surveince room at the auction house.


    Wyatt, just back himself, greeted them as they entered.


    Mirabe acknowledged with a simple hum, her gaze already locked onto the


    array of surveince screens ahead.

 Chapter 1284

    The surveince footage kept looping the same scene over and over. Curtis had thought he''d crack the code in two minutes, but he was running behind schedule and hadn''t managed to get the disrupted surveince back on track.


    When Mirabe''s voice cut through his focus, he felt a bit sheepish but immediately stood up, calling out, "Ms. Mirabe," and stepped aside. "There''s this interference signal I can''t seem to crack right now."


    Mirabe had already turned her gaze elsewhere and simply said, "Let me give it a shot."


    Curtis nodded, "Okay."


    Mirabe slid into the chair, her fingers dancing over the keyboard. In just ten seconds, shepleted Curtis''s decryption program and hit ''run.'' As soon as the program kicked into action, the surveince screen flickered and, finally, everything was back to normal.


    Curtis, standing behind her, was visibly thrilled, admiration written all over his face. A master at work is truly something to behold. "Ms. Mirabe, you''re incredible," Curtis said, his praiseing straight from the heart.


    Mirabe stood up, offering Curtis a modest smile before stepping aside. If you knew who was behind this interference, she thought, you might have a different tune.


    Curtis, meanwhile, was too busy to catch Mirabe''s expression. With the


    surveince restored, he was fully engrossed in searching for the intruder on the footage.


    Wyatt, on the other hand, left the surveince room again, ready to team up with Curtis to nab the culprit. Curtis scoured every corner caught on camera but couldn''t spot anyone fitting their description.


    "This is odd. The interference signal was clear as day, but we can''t find a soul," Curtis muttered to his colleague James, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    James kept his eyes steady on the big screen, his look as sharp as ever. "Keep at


    it."


    "I''m guessing they might have blended in with today''s guests. It might not be easy to pinpoint them right away," Curtis spected.


    Mirabe, lounging nearby, caught thatst part and nced over at Curtis. With her arm resting on the chair''s armrest and her fingers. twirling absentmindedly, she inquired with a touch of curiosity, "Looking for someone specific?"


    swnovel


    Curtis nced at James before turning back to Mirabe. "Valuable things have a way of attracting attention, and there are always those bold enough to try the luck at stealing treasures."  swnovel


    Mirabe touched her nose in agreement. Who wouldn''t be drawn to treasures?


    "But maybe," she ventured, thinking aloud, "not everyone''s here to steal. Some might just want a closer look."


    Curtis chuckled and shook his head. "Those whoe for the loot are driven by greed."


    Mirabe just sighed internally.


    "We once lost something... quite unique, and we haven''t gotten it back. The way today''s interference was handled is exactly how they took it," Curtis confided a bit more than usual.


    No one''s ever


    made off with


    something from the Shepherd family and lived to tell the tale. The hit to their pride was far more significant than the item''s worth. Even the


    lost item was exceptionally special.  swnovel


    Mirabe felt a headacheing on. She knew exactly what Curtis was talking about, but exining it wasn''t going to be easy.


    Just then, Curtis''s earpiece buzzed with Wyatt''s voice, pulling his attention away from Mirabe.


    Wyatt, having found no sign of their target at the auction, headed upstairs again. This time, he opened the treasure room''s door and found evidence that someone had already been there.

 Chapter 1285

    Before long, Wyatt returned.


    He didn''t bother with formalities, even with Mirabe still in the room, and went straight to James, "Someone did enter the treasure room, but weirdly, nothing seems to be missing."


    Wyatt was clearly frustrated, especially kicking himself for not checking the room the first time he went up. He might have nabbed the intruder by now.


    James squinted and asked, "Did they mess with anything?"


    "Doesn''t look like it," Wyatt shook his head, thinking aloud, "Maybe they ran out of time and bailed?"


    Curtis shot Wyatt a skeptical look, "Ever heard of a thief who just walks away empty-handed?"


    Even if they were in a rush, pocketing something should''ve been a breeze.


    "True, but I went over everything with a fine-toothb. Nothing''s missing, and the room was empty," Wyatt said, running his hand through his hair, speaking quickly.


    Curtis rubbed his temples, pondering that the only way into the treasure room was through the main door, which meant being caught on camera.


    Turning to Mirabe, he asked, "Hey, Ms. Mirabe, think you can restore the security footage?"


    Despite the live feed being jammed, the cameras should''ve recorded everything.


    Mirabe, who had been quietly keeping to herself, looked up at Curtis''s request, "I can give it a shot."


    Hope flickered across Curtis''s face. Having Ms. Mirabe at the auction today was definitely a smart move. With


    ech skills, restoringo


    footage should be a breeze, right?  swnovel


    Mirabe moved over to the mainputer, rolled up her sleeves, and dove into


    the system files, quickly typing out a small program.


    Her fingers flew over the keyboard Curtis watched, unable to keep pace with her programming speed, but he could pick out some of the repair Code sequences.  Swnovel


    A couple of minutester, a red exmation mark popped up on the screen, signaling failure.


    "It''s not working," Mirabe said, pulling back from the keyboard.


    Curtis was surprised, even Mirabe couldn''t crack it. Then again, if it was that


    easy, they would''ve caught the intruder ages ago.


    "Not being able to restore the footage isn''t the end of the story, Curtis. Remember the glow powder we sprinkled on the treasure room''s carpet? The intruder''s shoes must have picked up some of it. We just need to trace the glow powder, and we''ll find them," Wyatt said, lifting his chin confidently.  swnovel


    Mirabe nced at Wyatt, curious, "What''s glow powder?"


    "It''s a chemical powder that glows in the dark and is tough to wash off," Wyatt exined simply, "Lucky for us, the intruder left traces."


    Wyatt chuckled and turned back to Curtis, "Stick to the n when the auction wraps up."


    Curtis nodded, deciding not to push for the footage anymore. He quickly instructed his team to gear up.

 Chapter 1286

    The auction was winding down, and Curtis and Wyatt had already gone off to prepare for the big operation.


    "Should I have someone bid on that medicine?" James asked, his eyes glued to the surveince monitor, which showed the auction floor below.


    There, on the stage, sat the bottle of medicine everyone was buzzing about.


    Mirabe leaned back in her chair, feet nted firmly, her usuallyid-back demeanor a bit moreposed. She nced at James and shrugged, "Nah, not interested."


    "Really?" James raised an eyebrow, turning to her.


    "You know you''ve got more money than you know what to do with," Mirabe sighed, adding, "I''m pretty happy with the stuff I whip up myself."


    James was well aware of her skills and, seeing she wasn''t just being polite, nodded, "Alright, suit yourself."


    "Yeah," Mirabe murmured, pulling out her phone andzily scrolling through her messages. Something seemed to click in her mind, and she looked up at James. "By the way, have you ever met the person who owns this medicine up for auction? The ones they say are from the Stevenson family? I''m quite intrigued by them."


    After a moment, she added, "They''re supposed to be something special, right?"


    James shook his head, "Never met them. The medicine was delivered through a third-party service. These secretive families nevere out in the open, and even if they do, they keep a low profile."


    "So you can''t be sure it''s really someone from that family, can you?" Mirabe tapped her knee with her fingers.


    "Pretty much."


    With that, Mirabe didn''t press any further, her eyes drifting back to the screen.


    James, meanwhile, didn''t catch the deep, almost unfathomable look in her eyes.


    She hade to this auction to check out the treasures, but she hadn''t expected the medicine to be tied to the Stevenson family, which was why she had made a special trip to the vault.  swnovel


    The medicine she had found there was indeed from the Stevenson family, but she was certain it hadn''t been released by them.


    So, the person who brought this medicine into the limelight was a mystery, and it left Mirabe with an odd feeling.


    The Stevenson family''s medicine


    was known to be more effective than most because they had ess to a wealth of ancient and modern medical and alchemical knowledge, making some of their remedies incredibly potent.  swnovel


    Rumors about them weren''t entirely baseless.


    These half-truths and myths had forced the family into a secluded life, rather than openly auctioning their goods like today, and even revealing the origins.  Swnovel


    Everything about this situation felt off, as if someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.


    Lost in thought, Mirabe''s left hand unconsciously clenched into a fist.


    James finally noticed her unease and ced his hand over hers, "What''s on your mind?"


    The warmth of his touch snapped Mirabe back to reality. She turned to him, her fingers rxing, and shook her head, "It''s nothing."


    James left his hand where it was, understanding she didn''t want to talk, and turned his attention back to the screen.


    Ever since the Stevenson family came up, her behavior had been a bit off. He rarely saw her so unsettled.

 Chapter 1287

    Not long after, Wyatt strolled in from outside and noticed two people sitting close together, with James quite openly holding Ms. Mirabe''s hand.


    Clearing his throat, Wyatt sidled up to James and murmured a few words in his


    ear.


    James listened, then turned to Mirabe, "I''ll step out for a bit. Will you wait here for me?"


    "Sure," Mirabe nodded, "Go ahead."


    James gave a gentle nod, squeezed her hand lightly before releasing it, and then swiftly exited the surveince room with Wyatt.


    Just after they left, another person walked in.


    This neer was the manager overseeing the auction house''s surveince, also a tech whiz. He''d always held Curtis in high esteem, but after seeing Mirabe''s impressive skills earlier, he quickly found himself a new hero.


    So, upon entering, besides keeping an eye on the screens, he boldly asked Mirabe for someputer tips.


    Mirabe, perhaps a bit bored, patiently offered a mini tutorial right there.


    Meanwhile, James returned to the private room upstairs and stood by the window, gazing down at the ground floor.


    The auction had just wrapped up, and everyone was getting ready to leave when suddenly, the bright lights of the venue flickered off.


    Not only did the main hall go dark, but the lights in the dozen private rooms did too, plunging the entire ce into darkness.


    Panic and screams erupted all around, turning the scene chaotic.


    Many people whipped out their phones.


    James watched the scene unfold below with a calm demeanor, while his team, already positioned in the shadows, sprang into action.


    Two minutester, Curtis''s voice crackled through James''s earpiece.


    "James, we''ve checked everyone, and no one was found with fluorescent powder


    on them," Curtis reported quietly, a frown evident in his voice.


    James''s eyes narrowed slightly, "Did anyone leave midway?"


    "No," Curtis replied, shaking his head. They had everything set up to ensure no one slipped out early.


    Just then, Wyatt''s voice chimed in, "I haven''t spotted anyone acting out of the ordinary either."


    "I''m starting to think whoever it is


    vel


    knows our ybook inside out; otherwise, they wouldn''t have. slipped out so cleanly," Curtis said seriously.  swnovel


    "Even though I''m thinking along the same lines, it''s hard to believe our own folks would spill the beans. This is baffling," Wyatt vented, clearly frustrated.  Swnovel


    James had been stationed by the window this whole time, taking in their conversation, and after a moment, he finally said, "If someone could sneak into the treasure room unnoticed, it''s no shock they slipped out the same way."  swnovel


    Despite his words, Curtis and Wyatt were fuming inside; how many times had this happened already?


    This was a blow to their pride!


    "What''s the n now? Keep scouring the ce, or?" Wyatt asked again.


    James absentmindedly fiddled with something in his hand, then dered, ¡°No need to keep searching."


    "If they''re still here... missing this chance might make it harder to catch themter," Curtis''s voice carried a serious note.


    "If you can''t find them, let it go," James said nonchntly.


    Curtis and Wyatt were left speechless.


    "Oh, and make sure you keep hold of that bottle of medicine," James quickly added.

 Chapter 1288

    In the headset, Curtis and Wyatt were momentarily thrown off by the new instructions.


    "Why are we holding onto that bottle of medicine?" Wyatt asked, puzzled. "What are we supposed to tell the client?"


    James shifted his gaze from the bustling auction floor below and calmly replied, "Just tell them the medicine went missing."


    Wyatt was still a bit confused, but with James calling the shots, he had to go along with it. Considering the current chaos, losing something didn''t seem far-fetched. He nodded, "Alright then."


    "And pass this information to the person who brought the medicine. Also, try to find out where they came from," James added.


    Wyatt caught on quickly. So, James wasn''t really after the medicine itself; he was using this to dig into the Stevenson family''s background? After all, the medicine was supposedly from them.


    "Got it, I''ll reach out to themter," Wyatt said, feeling his curiosity about this mysterious family growing.


    James gave a slight nod and disconnected the call.


    Soon, the lights in the auction house flickered back to normal. James took onest nce at themotion below before turning to leave the private box.


    In the surveince room, Mirabe was coaching a junior manager on coding.


    Curtis walked in on this scene and immediately felt uneasy. Ms. Mirabe had never given him such hands-on guidance before!


    Why did this newbie get her expert advice on his first day?


    Curtis quickly walked over, respectfully greeting, "Ms. Mirabe," before turning his sharp gaze to the junior manager, "Don''t you have anything better to do?"


    Feeling the intensity of Curtis''s look, the manager stood up quickly, bewildered by what he had done wrong.


    Curtis nudged him lightly, "Get back to work."


    The manager was left speechless.


    Curtis then turned to Mirabe, his stern look reced by a hopeful smile, "Ms. Mirabe, maybe when you have some time, you could show me how to quickly crack interference signals too?"


    The manager, now realizing the situation, felt a bit disillusioned. Why had he ever looked up to Curtis?


    Mirabe nced at Curtis and


    replied without a hint of sympathy, "I''m afraid I don''t have any free time. It''s the end of the term, and swamped."  Swnovel


    "Oh... You''re that busy?" Curtis scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.


    Mirabe gave a soft nod, her phone buzzing in her pocket. She took it out and, without another word, headed towards the door.


    Curtis watched her leave, feeling a pang


    mom disappointment. At t


    voice broke the silence. belongs to swnovel


    , the junior malpet


    "She''s truly a genius. Makes me feel like everything I learned aboutputers


    was a joke," he sighed genuinely.


    Curtis was left speechless.


    As Mirabe stepped out of the surveince room, she saw James waiting at the end of the corridor. She walked over to him and asked, "Did you catch the person?  swnovel


    James slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked at her, "Nope."


    Mirabe just nodded, unfazed, "Probably got lost in the crowd. It was pretty packed."


    "Yeah, maybe," James agreed, then took Mirabe''s hand and led her outside.


    They headed straight to the parking lot.


    "Get in," James said, opening the passenger door for her.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at him.


    Seeing her expression, James exined, "Just waiting for someone to bring something."


    Mirabe adjusted her scarf, partially covering her chin, and replied, "Alright," before getting into the car.


    James smiled and closed the door gently for her.

 Chapter 1289

    After waiting a minute or two, Wyatt came striding over, a square box in hand. He handed it straight to James. "I''ll get in touch with the folks bringing the meds soon."


    James nodded, ncing sideways at the car door. "Keep me posted on any updates."


    "Sure thing," Wyatt replied, all respectful.


    James waved him off and circled around to the driver''s side, popping the door open and slipping inside.


    There was still a lot to sort out after the auction, so Wyatt dashed back to handle it


    all.


    *


    Once settled in the car, James passed the box to Mirabe.


    Mirabe eyed the box, her gaze flickering. After a moment''s hesitation, she took it. "What''s in here?"


    "Medicine," James said, clicking his seatbelt into ce. He turned to her with a knowing look. "I figured you might need it."


    Mirabe met his eyes, which seemed to see right through her. She stayed silent, shifting her focus to the box, her lips pressing into a thin line. This medicine was not something outsiders should get their hands on.


    She quickly opened the box, revealing a porcin bottle with a unique mark on the bottom. Her fingertips brushed the bottle before she removed the stopper.


    A gentle whiff of medicinal aroma drifted out.


    "This stuff, if given to someone on death''s door, works wonders, keeping them going for three days. For those critically ill, it buys them a bit more time," Mirabe exined, her voice soft.


    James was clearly taken aback. "It''s that potent?"


    Mirabe smiled, capping the bottle again with a soft sigh. "It sure is."


    For someone gravely injured, vitality is like a second chance at life. Calling it miraculous isn''t far off.


    And for those who are critically ill, the extra time can mean the world, especially for the wealthy. Even an extra hour can make a big difference in divvying up assets and influence.


    After all, those who can afford such a pricey remedy are usually people with power and status.


    James picked up on theplexity in Mirabe''s tone and nced at her.


    With her exceptional medical skills and ability to craft lost ancient remedies...


    Mirabe, as if unaware of James''s


    es''s ?kime


    scrutiny, ced the bottle back i


    the box. "I''ll take a closer


    this t belongs


    when I get back." Content k swnovel


    James nodded lightly. "Do whatever you think is best."


    Mirabe turned to him with a


    You''re handing me this


    med What about the it at the auction?" Const who


    belongs to swnovel


    "Such a miraculous potion being snatched by thieves isn''t too far-fetched, is it?"


    James replied casually.


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched slightly.


    So, what exactly did the thieves do wrong?


    She shook her head, dropping her


    gaze,


    eyshes lowering, and let


    the conversation drop. Her fingers stroked the box.


    belongs to swnovel


    Lost in thought, Mirabe soon pulled out her phone.


    She sent a quick message to Cassandra.


    It wasn''t long before she got a reply.


    Y: "Life Renewal Elixir? I thought that was long gone. What''s got you asking about


    it now?"


    Mirabe tapped out a response: "Because I just got my hands on a bottle."


    Y: "No way, right? Aside from you, no one else in the family knows how to make


    it."


    Mirabe: "That''s why it''s odd. By the way, where''s Morgan? Is he still with the family?"

 Chapter 1290

    Mirabe felt like her mind was tangled in a flickering thread, impossible to


    untangle or make sense of. Staring at her phone, she didn''t bother waiting for Cassandra''s reply before typing, "Don''t let Morgane out."


    Y: "Toote... He left three days ago."


    Seeing this, Mirabe rubbed her temples, typing back, "Got it. Just make sure to reach out to him and bring him back."


    Y: "Alright."


    After giving a few more instructions, Mirabe ended the chat. She looked out of the car window, her brows furrowing without her realizing. Maybe it was the box of medicine in her hand that stirred this uneasy feeling inside her. It had been ages since she felt such an indescribable anxiety. She could only hope it was just a trick of her mind.


    **


    Meanwhile, over at the Pharmaceutical Association, in the President''s office:


    David stared nkly at Presley, "Why did you agree to Dean''s request without checking with me first?"


    Presley, fresh back from the herb farm, wasn''t ruffled by David''s questioning. Instead, he wore his usual smug smile, "Would asking you have changed anything? Could you have sorted out the mess of not delivering the goods? Since you couldn''t, why shouldn''t I have stepped in?"


    David''s face darkened, "Don''t forget, I''m the President of the Association. Some decisions aren''t yours to make."


    "Oh sure, you''re the President, but what have you done for the Association all these years? Our standing in Riverdale has taken a nosedive, surely you''ve noticed?" Presley shot back sarcastically.  swnovel


    After a pause, he turned to David, "If you can''t bring any benefits to the Association, why should you hang onto that position?"


    David''s eyes narrowed. Ever since that batch of herbs was ruined, Presley''s attitude had soured. He''d always had ambitions, but now he was being tant about it. Suppressing his annoyance, David asked, "So, you really want my job that much?"  swnovel


    Presley chuckled, "Oh, I wouldn''t dream of it. But since you won''t call the farmer, I''ll have to. You want to be the gentleman, that''s fine, but I have to think about our reputation."


    With that, Presley whipped out his phone, found Paul''s number, and dialed it right in front of David.


    Seeing this, David lost his


    A wave of difort hit David. He strode over, snatched Presley''s phone, and after hitting a few buttons, said coldly, "Enough. Don''t sacrifice your morals for profit."


    "Morals?" Presley scoffed, "Isn''t growing herbs what the farmer is paid to do? We pay him; are we supposed to treat him like royalty just because he says it can''t be done?"


    What a fool, putting a humble farmer on a pedestal.


    Presley shook his head, done with the argument, "Anyway, I''ve already promised Dean. If that farmer can''t produce the nts, I''ll just hand him over."

 Chapter 1291

    After Presley finished speaking, he didn''t bother reiming his phone from David and just walked out of the office. His exit had an air of defiance, a far cry from his usual courteous demeanor.


    Once he waspletely out of sight, David, who had been standing tall, suddenly hunched over a bit, clutching his chest as his face turned pale.


    "Mr. President, are you alright?" The assistant quickly helped David into a chair, fetched a ss of water, and handed him some medicine from the drawer.


    David took the medicine, leaning back in the chair for a while until his color returned. He waved a hand dismissively, "I''m fine."


    Though relieved, the assistant still looked worried. "About Presley..."


    David closed his eyes briefly, then said, "Give Paul a call. Tell him we don''t need any more craftsmen at the base right now. Isn''t someone in his family sick? Let him take his timeing back."


    As for Dean, although there had been a few coborations with his group, Presley usually handled those dealings. David wasn''t entirely sure what Dean was about. But Presley''s behavior today was unmistakably odd.


    If it was simply about cultivating medicinal nts, they could''ve had another craftsman take over Paul''s project instead of insisting on Paul. Plus, Presley mentioned handing Paul over to Dean, which felt off...


    David lowered his gaze, his eyebrows knitted in thought.


    After listening to David, the assistant hesitated, then softly said, "Presley''s attitude was a bit much, but his point wasn''t without merit. Paul did sign a contract with us to cultivate medicinal nts-it''s part of his job."


    David shook his head, "You''re not thinking it through. Normally, that would be fine, but with the issue at the herb storage and Dean suddenly wanting a different herb as a


    backup, does that seem normal to you?"  swnovel


    The fact that the substitute herb just happens to be Paul''s makes it hard not to suspect something''s amiss. David wouldn''t be in his role if he only saw the surface of situations.  swnovel


    "Based on what you''re saying, could it be that Dean''s actually interested in Paul himself, not just the herb?" The assistant suddenly realized.


    David''s eyes were fixed on the door, his expression serious. "Maybe."


    The assistant looked at David, puzzled. "But Paul is just a regr guy from the countryside. Why target him?"


    "Probably for his knack with herbs," David guessed, deciding to tell Paul to hold off on returning for now. Whatever Presley might have agreed to, the association''s affairs shouldn''t drag an innocent person into trouble.  swnovel


    "Alright, I''ll give Paul a call soon," the assistant nodded.


    "Yep," David replied lightly. He then handed Presley''s phone to the assistant, instructing him to return it.


    Recalling Paul''s odd way ofmunicating, David called out as the assistant was leaving, "Oh, and if you can''t reach Paul on the phone, drop him a message on Messenger."


    The assistant nced back and nodded, "Got it."

 Chapter 1292

    After a little while, the assistant grabbed his phone and headed over to see Presley.


    "Do you feel like your boss has been losing his touchtely, maybe getting a bit indecisive?" Presley casually twirled his phone, ncing at Grant with aid-back tone.


    The assistant, head slightly lowered, chose to stay silent, not biting at Presley''s bait.


    A smirk yed on Presley''s lips as he continued, "David''s getting up there in age. He won''t be at the helm for much longer."


    "He''s still the president for now," the assistant finally chimed in.


    "People have to think ahead for themselves, don''t you agree?" Presley remarked, as if he hadn''t heard Grant, his words floating in the air.


    Grant''s fingers clenched slightly; he couldn''t overlook the deeper meaning in Presley''s words. After a moment, he nodded, "You''ve got a point."


    Presley''s eyes narrowed slightly, "I''ve always admired your knack for handling things."


    "Thank you for thepliment, Presley," Grant replied with a polite smile.


    "By the way, that guy, Paul, the pharmacist... How did you end up meeting him?" Presley switched topics, aware that Grant was the one who brought him on board.


    "We met online. The pharmacy needed a specialist, and he applied," the assistant replied honestly, holding nothing back.


    Presley nodded, his gaze inscrutable, "Do you know where he''s from originally?"


    Grant shook his head, "I''m not sure about that. Didn''t get into the details."


    Presley examined Grant for a moment but didn''t press further. He simply said, "Try convincing your boss to get that pharmacist back soon. It''s tough to keep our overseas partners waiting."


    After a pause, he added, ¡°Dean isn''t someone we can afford to cross. David might not get it, but you need to keep him reminded."


    Grant nodded with a quiet hum, not adding anything else.


    With his point made, Presley let Grant leave and turned to call his overseas contacts, asking them to be patient and hang tight.


    Monday rolled around.


    Mirabe walked into the ssroom and noticed the seat next to her was empty- Lisa wasn''t there.


    A bit puzzled, she shot Lisa a text to check in, but the morning slipped by with no response.


    By lunchtime, Mirabe decided to call Lisa.


    The phone rang for quite a while before someone picked up, and it wasn''t Lisa-it was her mom.


    "Lisa''s been down with a nasty cold and resting at home, so she hasn''t been to school," Gracie''s voice carried a hint of worry.


    With the phone in hand, Mirabe recalled the message Lisa had sent on Saturday saying she was a school, so she asked, "Gracie, was Lisa at home all day Saturday?"  swnovel


    Gracie nced at her daughter, who was asleep on the bed, speaking softly, "Yes, she came home Friday night and hasn''t left since. But she seems off. As her friend, has she mentioned anything happening at school?"  swnovel


    Feeling unwell?


    Lisa seemed perfectly fely.


    Thinking it over, Mirabe replied, ¡°No, she''s been really focused at school. She hasn''t mentioned any issues."


    Hearing this, Gracie sighed, "Maybe


    I''m


    Certhinking it. Thanks for


    Mirabe agreed with a quick "okay."


    in on Lisa. I''ll have her message you when she wakes up."  swnovel

 Chapter 1293

    After hanging up the phone, Mirabe didn''t give it much thought and strolled over to the cafeteria for a bite to eat. Once she''d finished her meal, she was nning to hit the library for some reading. But on the way, a message from Wade popped up on Messenger, asking her to swing by his office.


    Changing her ns, Mirabe made her way to Wade''s office. As she stepped in, she noticed a stranger sitting there with Wade.


    "You wanted to see me, Professor?" Mirabe gave Wade a quick nce and nodded slightly.


    Wade acknowledged her with a nod and gestured towards the stranger. "This is Mr. Belcher from our department. I don''t think you''ve met him yet, have you?"


    People like Mr. Belcher, who are department schrs or well-known professors, rarely teach, so many students might graduate without ever meeting them face-to- face.


    Mirabe turned to Mr. Belcher and offered a polite greeting.


    Mr. Belcher waved a hand, his usual stern expression softening a bit as he looked at her. "The system yourputer science department has developed is pretty impressive."


    Mirabe replied modestly, "It''s all thanks to Mr. Zane''s excellent guidance."


    "Zane, huh." Mr. Belcher nodded thoughtfully. "He''s got an eye for talent."


    Mirabe smiled but didn''t say more.


    "The folks at the Institute of Technology are really impressed with your system. Hank personally called to give hispliments and encouraged you to keep at it, aiming toplete the full system soon," Mr. Belcher mentioned, setting down his coffee cup.


    Wade, sitting nearby, turned to Mr. Belcher. "Is the Institute in a hurry?"


    "Maybe," Mr. Belcher mused, then directed his question to Mirabe. "How many people are on your team now?"


    Mirabe barely furrowed her brow at the question but answered Mr. Belcher anyway.


    "Only six people, including the professof? That''s a bit sparse," Mr. Belcher shook his head, no wonder the progress is slow, "Let''s bring in a few more folks from other departments to join your team."


    swnovel


    "That might not be ideal; they haven''t studiedputer science," Wade said,


    surprised by Mr. Belcher''s sudden suggestion.


    "So, the technical side will still be led


    by theputer science folks, while others handle integrating the biological data. With everyone pitching in, the whole system will be


    moreplete, and the project can wrap up sooner," Mr. Belcher


    exined calmly.  swnovel


    "I don''t think that''s necessary, considering the database..." Wade began, but Mr.


    Belcher cut him off.


    "Securing this project from the


    Institute wasn''t easy, and we need to give it our all. Adding a few more people won''t change anything," Mr. Belche insisted with a firm tone that left no room for debate. It was clear he''d already thought this through.  swnovel


    Wade frowned.


    "I''ve got a meeting with Mr. Hammond, so I''ll be off," Mr. Belcher stood up, not waiting for Wade''s reply, and left without another nce at Mirabe.


    Once the door clicked shut, Wade''s frown deepened. He realized Mr. Belcher had called Mirabe over to push for more team members.


    Wade rubbed his temples and asked Mirabe to take a seat. After a moment''s thought, he reassured her, "Mirabe, don''t worry. I''ll talk to Mr. Belcher. No one new will be joining your team."


    Mirabe looked at him, trusting he could handle it, so she wasn''t worried. "Thank you, Professor."


    Wade shook his head with a smile, "This is your department''s hard-earned sess, after all."

 Chapter 1294

    Mirabe sat quietly, fingers resting on her knees. After some small talk, she nced at Wade and asked, "Have you been burning the midnight oil again?"


    "You can tell?" Wade rubbed his face.


    "Late nights aren''t kind to the liver. Didn''t I tell you to get a check-upst time? You didn''t go, did you?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    Wade vaguely recalled that conversation and chuckled, "I''m feeling fine."


    "Seriously, it won''t take much time to get checked out," Mirabe insisted, her tone sincere.


    Wade appreciated her concern and nodded, "Alright, I''ll go once things calm down a bit."


    He''d been up to his ears with work after some crucial research data went missing from the medical school. There was a mountain of information to sift through.


    Seeing that Wade seemed to have taken her advice to heart, Mirabe decided not to push further. She thought she might whip up some herbal remedies for himter.


    That afternoon, Mirabe headed to the research building after her sses. Walking into theb, she found Linden, Kason, and Jessie looking pretty downcast.


    Dropping her backpack by her desk, she asked, "What''s up with you guys?"


    Linden adjusted his sses and sighed, "We heard they''re adding more people to our team."


    "The neers are students Mr. Calvin''s bringing in," Jessie said with a frown.


    "The higher-ups have no shame. They see our sess and shove people in, just to snag some credit," Kasonmented, too bummed to keep working on his code.


    Mirabe was surprised they found out so quickly. As she powered up herputer, she reassured them, "Don''t worry, no one else is joining our team."


    Jessie looked at her skeptically, "Mira, how do you know for sure?"


    Mirabe tilted her head, her white turtleneck snug around her neck, cheeks slightly flushed. She blinkedzily and said, "Because I''ll walk out if they do."


    Jessie''s lips twitched, not entirely convinced.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and added, "I''m not kidding. This team stays just us."


    Even if Wage couldn''t sort it out, she had her ways. If she could build the system she could dismantle it too. Anyone trying to y games with her needed to know if they were up to the task.  swnovel


    Mirabe''s confident tone seemed to ease the trio''s initial frustration. No one liked the idea of new members being foisted on them halfway through a project.


    Although Linden, Kason, and Jessie were older, they''d unconsciously started seeing Mirabe as the team''s anchor. Whatever she said, they trustedpletely.


    With that settled, they got back to work.


    Before long, Ben showed up at theb.


    Seeing Ben jogged Mirabe''s


    memory about the missing research data at the medical school, something James had mentioned.


    Nick had broken in that night and had a run-in with him. His skills


    weren''t top-notch, but he was


    definitely trained.  swnovel


    Considering Nick''s familiarity with the medical school and his skills, it would have


    been a piece of cake for him to take the data.


    Mirabe pondered over this.


    Sensing her gaze, Ben turned to her, a flicker of something in his eyes. He walked over and said, "I remember you and my sister are in the same department, right?"  fo swnovel

 Chapter 1295

    Mirabe let her mind wander for a moment before nodding absently, "Oh, Lisa, that''s right."


    Ben nced at the data on Mirabe''sputer, his fingers ying with a ck ring behind his back. "She''s been a bit offtely. I wonder if she''s dealing with some school stuff she''s not telling anyone about."


    Mirabe thought back to what Lisa''s mom had mentioned earlier, finding it pretty simr.


    After a brief pause, she suggested, "I''m not too sure. Maybe you could ask her roommates, Mr. Ben."


    Ben chuckled, "I just figured you''d know since Lisa talks about you all the time. Thought you''d be in the loop."


    Mirabe shook her head, tapping slowly on her keyboard, choosing not to dive deeper into the subject.


    Ben picked up on her disinterest and decided not to push it. From their interactions, he knew she was a very private person.


    She didn''t say much, kept her guard up, and wasn''t one to unt her skills.


    With someone like her, pressing too much could backfire.


    His sister''s protective nature over Mirabe suggested a strong bond, so he left it at that.


    Ben turned and walked away, leaving Mirabe glued to herputer screen.


    Once she was done with school for the day and had settled back home, Mirabe got a call from Lisa right around dinner.


    Lisa''s voice was thick and a bit shaky, "I''ll be resting a few days and then head back to school, Mira. No need to worry."


    Mirabe was lounging on the couch, a book on herp. She leaned back and asked casually, "You sound kind of out of it. What got you sick all of a sudden?"


    Lisa snuggled deeper into her


    nket, looking worn out, her lips pale and her eyes tired. She sniffled, "Probably from staying upte ying games and leaving my window open. The cold got to me."  swnovel


    This exnation didn''t quite match what Gracie and Ben had said. Pondering this, Mirabe mentioned, "Your brother was asking me today if you were having any trouble at school."


    Lisa''s hand shook, causing her


    phone to slip down into her nket. She quickly retrieved it, putting it back to her ear, her voice anxious, to "Why would he say that to you? Did he ask you to check on me?"


    swnovel


    Hearing the worry in Lisa''s voice, Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "He didn''t say much else, and he didn''t ask me to visit."


    Lisa had warned her a few times to steer clear of her brother Emmitt, though she never borated why.


    So now, was Ben interested in Mirabe?


    What could she possibly have that would catch Ben''s attention?


    Neither the school projects nor the medical stuff seemed connected.


    Mirabe found the whole thing intriguing.


    Meanwhile, Lisa was surprised Ben hadn''t urged Mirabe to visit,¨¥ thinking it wasn''t like him. Clutching her phone, she finally said,


    "Whatever he says, just ignore him. He''s got his own agenda."


    belongs to swnovel


    Just as she was about to continue, a knock on the door stopped her. She turned slightly to see who it was.


    The door opened, and Gracie stepped in, with Ben right behind her.


    Lisa''s eyes widened slightly, and without a word, she ended the call and tucked


    her phone under the pillow.

 Chapter 1296

    Gracie was too focused on the ss of water and medicine in her hands to notice her daughter''s subtle movements. She walked over to Lisa''s bed, took a seat, and asked with genuine concern, "Are you feeling any better?"


    Lisa pulled the nket up higher, trying to avoid looking at Ben standing behind her mom, her eyes dull and tired. "Still feeling awful. I just want some peace and quiet."


    Gracie set the ss down and touched Lisa''s forehead. No fever. A small relief. "If you''re really not feeling well, we should see a doctor. Don''t let it be something serious."


    "It''s just a little cold," Lisa replied, eyes closing to signal she didn''t want to talk about it.


    Gracie let out a small sigh and gestured toward Ben. "Emmitt dropped everything toe check on you as soon as he heard you were sick."


    Lisa smirked slightly, knowing her mom was charmed by Ben. She just mumbled a nomittal response before pulling the nket over her headpletely.


    Gracie nced awkwardly at Ben, puzzled about why her daughter, once so attached to her brother, now acted so coldly towards him.


    Clearing her throat, she couldn''t bring herself to say much in front of Ben. She noticed the fast-acting cold medicine he''d brought from the medical school on the nightstand. Tugging at Lisa''s nket, she said, "Take your medicine before you sleep."


    Lisa turned but didn''t budge, so Gracie nudged her again.


    Even with Ben turned away, Lisa could feel his presence and it made her uneasy. After a few moments of stubborn silence, Lisa sat up, swallowed the medicine with a gulp of water, andy back down.


    Gracie watched her daughter burrow under the covers again, sat quietly for a moment, and then tucked her in before leaving the room with Ben.


    Once outside, Gracie gave Ben a weary smile. "Lisa''s just going through a phase. Try not to take it personally."


    "It''s fine. Maybe there''s something I''m not doing right as her brother," Ben said with his usual calm demeanor.


    Gracie struggled to find the right words for her daughter, finally saying, "She''lle around eventually and see how much you care."


    Ben nodded, checked the time, and said, "Well, Marian, I should be going."


    "Not staying for dinner?" Gracie asked, caught off guard.


    "No, the research institute is keeping me busy," Ben replied inly.


    Seeing he was set on leaving, Gracie didn''t push it.


    **


    Meanwhile, Mirabe didn''t bother sending more messages after Lisa cut their call short.


    After dinner, as she was about to leave early, she bumped into Wyatt on his way


    in.


    James had tasked him a couple of days ago with finding out who was behind that mysterious bottle of medicine. Wyatt had gathered some leads and came straight over to


    report, not surprised to see Mirabe there.


    swnovel


    "The folks at The Mirror didn''t reveal who owns the medicine, but they did give me


    a name."


    Wyatt shared his findings sinctly.


    Mirabe, lounging on the couch,


    was a bit taken aback by Wyatt''set


    news. She nced over at James, surprised he had taken the initiative to investigate.  Swnovel


    Sensing Mirabe''s gaze, Jameszily


    feed his head, his sharp


    features softened by an air intrigue, and simply said,  swnovel


    Driven by curiosity, he had looked into it.


    uriosity."


    Mirabe just nodded with an "Oh," choosing not to call out his flimsy excuse.

 Chapter 1297

    James chuckled and turned to Wyatt, "What''s the name again?"


    "Cian," Wyatt replied quickly.


    When the name was mentioned, Mirabe''s cheeks twitched slightly, almost unnoticeably.


    "Cian?" James leaned back into the couch, crossing his arms and pausing for a moment. "Sounds a bit familiar."


    Wyatt nced at Mirabe before exining, "Regarding that mysterious illness you had, James, we dug around and found that this Cian might be linked to the Stevenson family. But... since Ms. Mirabe showed up, we haven''t pursued it further."


    The real reason was they couldn''t find Cian at all. Plus, with Ms. Mirabe having nursed James back to health, it seemed pointless to chase after someone who might not even exist. So, they let it go.


    If James hadn''t suddenly decided to track down the owner of the medicine, Wyatt would have almost forgotten the name.


    "So, does this person actually exist?" James recalled.


    "If The Mirror mentioned this name, then he must be real," Wyatt nodded. "But so far, I haven''t dug up any info on Cian."


    James squinted slightly at this and said in a calm tone, "If he were easy to find, he wouldn''t be from a reclusive family."


    "True, but it''s odd. If Cian doesn''t want to be found, why would he auction off the medicine and im it''s from the Stevenson family?" Wyatt wondered aloud.


    It was definitely a contradiction.


    "Maybe it''s a fake?" Mirabe, who had been quietly listening, shrugged and chimed in.


    Wyatt and James both turned to look at her.


    Mirabe blinked, "Just a wild guess." Her face betrayed nothing.


    Wyatt,


    agreement, "We can''t rule that


    er point, nodded in


    No


    in


    can be sure if this person is


    swnoget


    real."


    swnovel


    Someone who has never appeared publicly can easily be impersonated.


    James, lost in thought, gave Mirabe a curious nce.


    She mentioned the possibility of a fake, so... does she know something about the Stevenson family?


    And maybe, just maybe, she knows this Cian too?


    James tapped his fingers on his knee for a bit before speaking to Wyatt, "Keep looking into it."


    "Got it." Wyatt nodded, ncing


    between Mirabe and James..


    Realizing he was ying the the


    wheel, he quickly said, "Alright then, James, Ms. Mirabe, I''ll head out."  swnovel


    Being the third wheel is one thing, but being single too?


    That''s rough.


    Before James could respond, Mirabe yawned and got up from the couch. "Mind giving me a lift home?"


    Wyatt instinctively looked at James, as if seeking his nod of approval.


    James nced at Mirabe and nodded.


    Mirabe nodded back, picked up a book from the coffee table, and left the vi with Wyatt.


    Wyatt had driven over, and James'' ce was just a short two-minute drive from Mirabe''s.


    As they


    out of the car, Mirabe


    turned and asked, "Which manager


    at The Mirror were you talking about earlier?"


    swnovel


    Wyatt, still holding the steering wheel, paused at her question. Almost without


    thinking, he gave her a name.

 Chapter 1298

    After Wyatt introduced himself, he paused for a moment and then asked, "Have you heard of The Mirror?"


    "I''ve heard about it," Mirabe replied with a nod, not offering much detail as she pushed open the car door and stepped out.


    Wyatt watched her through the car window, tracking her until she disappeared through the grand entrance of the vi. Only then did he turn his gaze away, intrigued by her knowledge of The Mirror. It made sense now why she hadn''t seemed curious when James had brought it up earlier.


    Wyatt shook off his thoughts, started the car again, and drove off.


    The next day, Mirabe got a message from As letting her know that Nick was back from his international conference. Instead of going straight home from the airport, they swung by her school to pick her up, nning to head home together.


    Once in the car, Mirabe turned to Nick, who was seated next to her, and asked, "Nick, are you finally done with everything?"


    Even though it had been over a week since he''d been recovering from a serious injury, Nick still looked a bit pale. His naturally fair skin hid it from anyone who didn''t know better.


    Nick nodded, leaning back in his seat. "Yeah, like I mentioned on Messenger a couple of days ago, I got sent to that international medical conferencest minute. It''s finally wrapped up."


    Mirabe nodded, ying along with his story. "You still look a bit worn out. Now that you''re done, take some time to rest at home."


    "Sure," Nick said, his eyshes fluttering as he rxed his grip on the car door.


    Driving up front, As nced at the siblings in the rearview mirror. Watching them act out their little y, he thought both deserved an Oscar.


    Before long, Nick''s phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a call from the research institute. His expression turned serious as he answered.


    "Right now? Okay, I''ll be there soon."


    After hanging up, he tucked his phone away and turned to Mirabe. "I need to head back to the research


    institute. As will drop you home."  swnovel


    He asked As to pull over so he could catch a taxi.


    Hearing this, Mirabe frowned


    159


    slightly and said, "No worries. I don''t have much going on. We can drop you off first, and then I''ll head home."  swnovel


    As chimed in, "Miss Mira''s right. It''s just a half-hour drive or so. Not a big deal."


    Nick gave a knowing nce at As, suspecting he was concerned about his health. After a moment, he agreed, "Alright then."


    "Nick, you just got back. Why are they calling you to the research institute now?" Mirabe asked, curious, her hand resting on the car door.


    Nick remembered what the department head had said. "There''s an experimental surgery that needs my help."


    Mirabe''s brow furrowed again. If it was just paperwork, Nick could handle it, but surgery required stamina and strength.


    Given his current condition, he might onlyst half an hour in surgery. Any longer, and his recently healed wounds could reopen.


    If that happened, it wouldn''t just be about exposure; his life could be at risk, and no miracle would save him.


    With concern creeping into her voice, Mirabe asked, "You''ve just rushed back from abroad, and you have the energy for experimental surgery?"  Swnovel

 Chapter 1299

    *


    Don''t think Mirabe was overthinking; As, the one driving, was even more on edge.


    Mr. Nick''s health had barely held up during those couple of days abroad at the conference. Now, having flown back without a break, it wasn''t just surgery he couldn''t handle; even standing for too long could be risky.


    Nick adjusted his coat, not a hint of worry on his face. "It''s nothing, just a minor surgery. No biggie."


    Mirabe shot him a sideways nce. His casual attitude about his own health was concerning.


    "But Mr. Nick, you..." As couldn''t help but jump in, easing off the gas, almost wishing he could pull over and stop Nick from going.


    Nick kept his eyes on the road ahead, cutting As off. "Right now, I''m just a junior researcher. Even if it''s an experimental surgery, I''m only assisting."


    No matter where you work, seniority is always clear. Even if you''re from a famous international institute, in a new ce, you follow the new rules.


    As, checking the rearview mirror, started to say something but ended up just sighing softly, picking up speed again.


    He knew Mr. Nick too well; once he set his mind on something, no one could stop him.


    Seeing this, Mirabe didn''t bother arguing further. She just reminded him toe home early, then looked down at her phone as if everything was perfectly normal.


    Seeing her reaction, Nick felt a bit relieved, leaning back to catch some rest. Half an hourter, As pulled up in front of the research institute. His car couldn''t go inside, so after parking, he hopped out and opened the door for Nick.


    Once Nick got out, As shut the door, blocking the view from inside the car. He looked at Nick, "Mr. Nick, don''t push yourself too hard. Your health is the most important thing."


    Nick nodded slightly, "I know."


    "Stay safe. I''ll drop Miss Mira off and thene back to wait for you. Call me if anything happens," As reminded him.


    Nick gave a small nod.


    Soon, he walked into the research institute.


    As watched until Nick was out of sight before getting back in the car, starting the engine, and checking the rearview mirror. "Miss Mira, I take you home first."  Swnovel


    This time, Mirabe put away her


    het


    "Nond looked straight aheade


    need. Just find a ce to nearby."  swnovel


    As hesitated, then asked, "Waiting for Mr. Nick?"


    "Yeah, can''t just watch him work himself to death," Mirabe said lightly.


    As scratched his nose, instinctivelying to Nick''s defense, "Mr. Nick probably knows his limits..."


    "Yep, he''s definitely got a good sense of bnce," Mirabe nodded with a smile.


    She could have found an excuse to avoid it, but she chose to stay.


    As: ""


    Suddenly, he found Mirabe''s smile a bit unsettling.


    Meanwhile, Nick entered the


    institute and headed straight to the main building next to the research tower, taking the elevator up to the fifth floor.  Swnovel


    As he passed the chief''s office, he noticed the newly reced ss windows.


    Nick''s gaze shifted back to neutral, and soon he rang the doorbell of the chief''s office.


    A few secondster, the door unlocked, and he stepped inside.


    Inside the office were not just the chief but also two other department colleagues.


    "Mirabe, you''ve arrived," the chief said, setting down a report and looking at Nick.

 Chapter 1300

    Nick greeted the Section Chief with a nod and gave a friendly nod to the two colleagues standing nearby.


    The Section Chief nced at his watch and cut straight to the chase, handing Nick a data sheet. "So, Mirabe, you knowb number three recently developed a new drug, right? It''s already in human trials, and two out of the first group of subjects have had some adverse reactions..."


    He paused, his expression growing serious. "Lab three ns to conduct a detailed examination on the subjects, and our department needs to assist. With your background at the T5 Research Institute overseas, you''re the best person to lead this surgery."


    Nick furrowed his brow. Hadn''t he destroyed that batch of drugs himself? How were they still around?


    Just then, the Section Chief''s phone rang. He turned to answer it, cutting off any response from Nick.


    "Manuel''s pushing us to get moving, let''s head over," the Section Chief said, hanging up and heading to the door.


    Nick was still caught up in his thoughts about the drugs and didn''t move until a colleague''s pat on his shoulder snapped him back.


    "Nick?" the colleague said, scrutinizing him a bit. "You look a bit off."


    Nick managed a small smile. "Probably just jetg from the long flight."


    "You sure you''re good for the surgeryter?" the colleague asked with concern.


    Nick hesitated briefly before shaking his head. "Should be alright."


    "d to hear it. I reckon the surgery''s gonna take a while," the colleague muttered, walking ahead.


    Nick pressed a hand to his chest, feeling a dull ache that had started in the car. He kept pace with his colleague.


    "Oh, while you were away at the conference, something big happened here. A bunch of valuable research data got stolen. It was a massive hit," the colleague shared, sounding a bit like he was sharing a juicy piece of gossip.  swnovel


    Nick looked up, surprise crossing his features briefly. He recalled the person who had helped him escape that night. Could it have been them?


    "Isn''t security here supposed to be tight?" Nick asked, puzzled. "How did a theft happen?"


    "Probably an inside job," the


    colleague shrugged. "No one else could''ve pulled it off. Lucky you were


    at the conference abroad e


    be caught up in the mess."  swnovel


    Nick''s expression shifted slightly. "What do you mean?"


    "On the night of the break-in, a colleague had a run-in with the intruder. They matched six people here by height and build," the colleague exined.


    Nick quickly put two and two together. "So, I''m one of the six, huh?"


    "Yep," the colleague nodded. "That''s why I said you were lucky to be away. The


    other five are still locked up, likely having a rough time."


    Nick fell silent, fully grasping the seriousness of the situation. Research data, the culmination of countless hours of work, held immense value. If it got into the wrong hands, the repercussions could be catastrophic.  swnovel


    And those five researchers? Their ordeal was likely far worse than just having a "rough time."

 Chapter 1301

    At that moment, a colleague leaned in and whispered, "Oh, by the way, the original batch of forms from Lab 3 didn''t make it either. They gotpletely wiped out."


    Nick shook off his thoughts and asked, "If they were destroyed, how are there forms being used on the subjects?"


    ¡°Well, apparently, a well-known researcher had some manuscripts stashed away. Manuel and his team used those to whip up a new batch..."


    The colleague nodded, then stepped into the elevator as soon as the doors slid open, cutting the conversation short.


    Watching him go, Nick realized why there was such urgency to bring him back. He couldn''t stop that batch of forms from resurfacing after all.


    A sense of heaviness settled in Nick''s chest.


    Before long, they reached theb where Manuel and his crew were stationed. Besides Manuel, a few other professors were there, and Ben had shown up too.


    Everyone was decked out in protective gear, and there was someone lying on the examination table in the middle, clearly under anesthesia, just lying there quietly.


    Nick gave the person on the bed a quick nce.


    After exchanging a few words with Manuel, the department head gestured toward Nick and introduced him, "This is Mirabe from our department, who came from the T5 Institute."


    Manuel had heard about this young professor who returned from overseas. Although he had his doubts about Nick''s abilities, anyone from the T5 Institute was no lightweight, so he nodded politely to Nick, "We''ll be counting on you today."


    Nick nodded back, "No problem."


    Without wasting time on small talk, Nick and a couple of colleagues headed to the changing room next door to get suited up.


    Meanwhile, Ben, who had looked up when Nick was introduced, seemed a bit taken aback.


    "The T5 Institute is famous worldwide, their bio-research achievements are way ahead of what we do at our med school. What would make him leave T5?" Ben wondered aloud after Nick left.  swnovel


    He remembered that during a recent mole hunt across departments, Nick''s name popped up among six suspects based on height. But since Nick was off at an international conference, courtesy of Dr. Ray, he had no chance to be involved, so his name got cleared.  swnovel


    The department head smiled as he looked at Ben. It wasn''t the first time someone had asked that question.


    He exined, ¡°We had a researcher studying abroad who was an alum with him. They hit it off academically and got along well. It took over two years to convince him toe back."  swnovel


    Ah, makes sense.


    Ben nodded and dropped the subject, turning his focus back to the person on the experimental bed.


    Soon, Nick reappeared, suited up.


    He nced at the rack beside the bed, loaded with surgical tools and over a dozen syringes.


    Pausing for a moment, Nick turned to the colleague ready to assist and said, "Let''s get a couple more doses of epinephrine, just in case."


    Without hesitation, the colleague nodded and went off to fetch the meds.


    Ben, however, looked puzzled and asked, "Why the extra epinephrine?"


    Nick''s face was impassive as he adjusted his mask, "I checked the subject''s data. The heart''s BNP levels are on the low side."


    Ben nodded, recalling that detail too.

 Chapter 1302

    When the heart rate drops, giving a shot of a cardiotonic can really boost heart muscle contractions. Having some emergency adrenaline on hand is just ying it safe.


    Ben already knew his way around these meds, so after a quick think, he didn''t doubt anything. With Manuel calling him over, he decided not to quiz Nick further.


    Nick felt a wave of relief wash over him at that. Soon enough, a colleague brought back a couple of vials of the cardiotonic.


    Nick''s eyes sharpened as he grabbed the vials, casually tossing them into a nearby box, signaling he was ready to kick off the operation with Manuel.


    As he poised the scalpel to open the chest of the drug tester, his arm''s pull caused a sharp, tearing pain in his own chest wound.


    His hand gave the slightest tremor, but Nick quickly tightened his grip on the scalpel, keeping it steady. Out of everyone, only Ben shot him a quick nce; the rest were oblivious.


    It wasn''t long before they had the drug tester''s chest cavity open.


    Seeing the mottled brown patches on several organs, Nick frowned. This tester, suffering from multi-organ failure, had volunteered for the trial as ast-ditch effort.


    The drugs from Lab 3 were supposed to just break down a few special elements in the body to tweak human physique. This kind of corrosion in the organs wasn''t supposed to happen, not even as a side effect.


    Nick found it all very odd.


    But he didn''t have the time to dig into it. As the operation dragged on, the pain in his chest was getting more unbearable; he could feel his healing wound slowlying apart.


    Cold sweat trickled down his face, and a colleague nearby quickly grabbed a towel to dab it away.


    Noticing Nick''s unusually pale face, the colleague asked softly, "Nick, you okay?"


    With a mask on, Nick''s expressions were hidden, but he shook his head slightly, "I''m fine."


    Their exchange didn''t catch anyone''s attention, as Manuel and a few professors were busy jotting down data.


    To them, the tester was just a data source, with many conclusions to be drawn from these failed cases.


    Another hour ticked by.


    Nick leaned against the experiment table, his legs trembling without anyone noticing, his hands moving on autopilot, driven by sheero determination.  Swnovel


    His back and chest were soaked, but fortunately, he''dyered on extra protective clothing earlier, keeping things discreet.


    Finally, twenty minutester, the operation with Manuel and the team wrapped up.


    Nick, at his


    the fiaking point, finished


    stitch,


    set down get


    and his fingers brushed


    over


    box


    with the drug vials. Content Belongs


    to swnovel


    After a brief chat with Manuel, he headed to the changing room, walking tall and steady, giving nothing away.


    Manuel and the professors were still lost in their data discussions, paying little attention to Nick.


    Even Ben didn''t catch on.


    Nick slipped into the changing room, locked the door, and leaned weakly against it, clutching a vial of the


    in his left hand


    his


    belongs to swnovel

 Chapter 1303

    After a brief pause, with his mind a bit foggy, Nick bit his tongue hard to snap himself back to reality. With effort, he managed to pull a syringe from his pocket. His hand shook almost uncontrobly as he injected the adrenaline into his vein.


    Two minutester, Nick felt strength gradually seeping back into his body. But he knew it was just a temporary boost, courtesy of the adrenaline-it wouldn''tst long. He needed to get out of the research institute before the effects wore off.


    Voices floated in from outside, and Nick nced down at his disposable protective suit, slowly peeling it off. Underneath, there were faint traces of blood that had seeped through.


    Taking a deep breath, Nick decided not to remove the inner protectiveyer. Instead, he flipped up the cor of his ck turtleneck sweater, adjusted it a bit, and grabbed the down jacket hanging nearby, slipping it on. He balled up the blood-stained protective suit and tossed it aside before opening the changing room door and stepping out.


    His colleagues had already changed back into their clothes, leaving their protective suits casually draped over a nearby chair. Nick quickly scooped them up and tossed them into the trash can, earning a chuckle from his coworkers as they all headed out.


    The test subject from the experiment had been moved to an adjacent observation room, and someone was tidying up the shelves. Only Manuel and Ben were left in theb.


    Nick was about to say goodbye when Manuel approached him directly. "Mirabe, right? Don''t rush off just yet. We need to talk about today''s patient in my office."


    "Sorry, I might need to head out early," Nick said, fiddling with his fingers.


    Manuel frowned. A researcher should prioritize the institute''s tasks, he thought. "I won''t keep you long," he insisted. "We just need to wrap up the surgery data."


    Nick met Manuel''s firm gaze and, after a moment, reluctantly nodded. Satisfied, Manuel patted him on the shoulder and went to change.


    Nick''s expression stayed unchanged as he left theb, leaning against the wall, his eyes somewhat lifeless Since Manuel had only asked for him, his two colleagues and the


    chief soon left.  swnovel


    Manuel returned shortly, now in different clothes. His office was on the seventh floor, and they took the elevator up.


    The adrenaline would only keep Nick


    going for about twenty minutes. Yet, once in the office, Manuel got caught up reviewing documents with other professors, dying their discussion.  swnovel


    Time dragged on, and Nick sat slumped in a chair, his hand slipping off the armrest repeatedly. Ben, mid-conversation with Manuel, happened to nce at Nick and noticed his drained expression and ghostly pale face-a telltale sign of significant blood loss.


    belongs to swnovel


    Ben''s eyes narrowed with suspicion. Breaking off his chat with Manuel, he walked


    over to Nick. As he approached, a faint metallic scent hit his nose.


    Was that... blood?

 Chapter 1304

    Ben, who had a nose like a bloodhound, squinted slightly as he sidled up to Nick, taking a closer look at hisplexion. Yep, he wasn''t imagining it; Nick was ghostly pale.


    Nick was hanging on by a thread, his guard down a notch. By the time he realized Ben was close, it was a tad toote. As Nick looked up, their eyes locked, and he caught the trace of suspicion in Ben''s gaze.


    In that heartbeat, one thought red in Nick''s mind: Ben''s onto me.


    Nick''s nerves went taut. The guy in front of him was the only one he''d ever tangled with. Even though Ben wasn''t the strongest, his sharp instincts made him a formidable judge of character. And now, with Nick''s injuries leaking through his coat, the metallic tang of blood was hard to hide.


    If anyone found out about his wounds, he wouldn''t make it out of the institute today. It didn''t matter if he had anything to do with the missing data his colleagues were worried about the me wouldnd squarely on him.


    He couldn''t afford to blow his cover.


    Nick''s fingers clenched, his mind racing through escape ns.


    "I noticed you''re looking a bit pale. Are you hurt?" Ben asked, his toneced with the kind of concern you''d expect from a coworker.


    Keeping his cool, Nick replied casually, "You know how it is in research. Lack of sun gives us this lovelyplexion."


    Ben''s eyes flickered with doubt, but he smiled and said, "I just caught a whiff of blood, thought you might be hurt."


    Nick shifted slightly in his seat, letting his jacket cor fall open to reveal a ck sweater underneath, "Probably just some patient''s blood from a recent surgery," he said.


    Ben''s gaze lingered on the sweater for a moment, his voice light, "Ah, got it."


    Nick''s lips tightened slightly into a aposed line, opting not to drag the chat any further. Just then, the


    Chimed, slicing through the


    tension.  Swnovel


    Ben''s eyes darted to the door. Nick took a small, relieved breath.


    Over at the desk, Manuel had


    ???


    velmet


    already hit the button to open the door, and in walked Dr. Ray''s


    assistant. He nodded at Manuel and the professors in greeting content belongs to swnovel


    Manuel put his notebook down and asked, "Dr. Ray need something from me?"


    Shaking his head, the assistant turned to Nick instead, "Dr. Ray''s looking for Professor Holt."


    Ben raised an eyebrow, surprised, and nced at the assistant.


    Nick''s tension spiked, not eased. He pulled his jacket tighter. Why on earth was Dr. Ray looking for him now?


    Manuel, who''d been hoping to chat with the young T5 researcher, said, "Alright then, Mirabe, you better get going."


    Nick couldn''t figure out what Dr. Ray wanted, so he stood, nodded to Manuel, and followed the assistant out.


    The faint blood scent still hung in the air. Ben watched the door for a second before turning back to Manuel and the professors. The air seemed clearer now.


    Ben''s eyes swept over Nick''s empty


    chair, deep in thought. This guy from the T5 Research Institute-he


    seemed to be more than just your run-of-the-mill researcher.  swnovel

 Chapter 1305

    Nick trailed behind Dr. Ray''s assistant on the way to the office, his steps slowing as the heart stimnt''s effects started to fade. He figured he had maybe five or six more minutes before he''d bepletely spent.


    As they reached the office door, Nick bit his lip, trying to muster some energy. With a hint of curiosity, he asked the assistant, "Any idea what Dr. Ray wants with me?"


    The assistant gave Nick a quick nce, pulled out a key card, and swiped it. "Not entirely sure, but someone from the virus research institute dropped by. Dr. Ray just asked me to fetch you."


    Nick''s gaze sharpened at the mention of the virus research institute. Before he could ponder it further, the door swung open, demanding his attention. He shook his head, trying to stay sharp, and followed the assistant inside.


    "Dr. Ray, Nick''s here," the assistant announced quietly, then stationed himself by the couch where Dr. Ray sat.


    Three other people were in the room, none of whom Nick recognized. One


    seemed to be around thirty, the other not quite sixty. Nick''s eyes swept over them, drawing a nk.


    Collecting himself, he stepped forward but kept a respectful distance. "Dr. Ray, you called for me?"


    Dr. Ray smiled, gesturing for him to sit, and then turned to introduce the guests on the couch. "This is Mirabe from the T5 Institute."


    The two on the couch had their eyes fixed on Nick. The younger man, unable to contain his excitement, jumped up and approached Nick. "Nick, we''ve been waiting for you."


    Nick looked at him, puzzled. "You are...?"


    As he got closer, the young man caught the faint scent of blood, surprising him, though he kept a polite smile. Nick was momentarily taken aback.


    The young man took Nick''s arm and, with a cheerful nod to Dr. Ray and the other colleague, said, "We''ll be on our way then, Dr. Ray."


    Without waiting for a reply, he led Nick out of the room, urgency in every step. Their figures quickly vanished from the doorway, leaving the young man''s colleague to cough awkwardly and nce at Dr. Ray. "Sorry about that. Adler gets a bit impatient when research is


    §Ò§Ý§à


    involved."  swnovel


    Dr. Ray chuckled and shook his head. "It''s good for young folk to be eager."


    The colleague returned the smile, settling in for a more rxed chat.


    As soon as Nick and the young man exited the office, the grip on Nick''s arm loosened. "There are cameras," the young man exined. "Just


    hang in there a bit longer."  swnovel


    Nick gritted his teeth and nodded. Back in the office, the young man had mouthed


    two words: his sister''s name. That''s why he had gone along with him.


    They entered the elevator, and as soon as the doors closed, Nick, leaned heavily against the wall, his facade crumbling. Inside the


    elevator, there were no cameras.  swnovel


    Adler quickly steadied him, concern etched on his face. "You alright?"


    He couldn''t afford to mess up what the boss had entrusted to him. If things went south, apologizing wouldn''t be enough.

 Chapter 1306

    Nick mustered a faint smile, his face ashen as he swallowed back the metallic taste of blood. "I think I can hang in there a bit longer."


    "Save your breath," Adler said, trying to sling Nick''s arm over his shoulder. But he winced when he felt the wet, sticky fabric of Nick''s sleeve.


    Mirabe had sent him a message,ying out the grim details: shot in the chest, surgery just a week ago, barely snatched back from death''s door.


    Now, Adler cautiously supported Nick by the waist, letting him lean in. He didn''t dare touch anywhere else, worried about worsening the wound.


    The elevator quickly arrived at the parking garage. As the doors slid open, Adler hurriedly helped Nick out.


    His phone buzzed in his pocket just then.


    Juggling Nick''s weight, Adler couldn''t answer, nor did he dwell on how a call got through in a ce with blocked signals.


    They finally made it to the jeep. Nick, barely upright with Adler''s help, almost crumpled to the ground.


    Adler caught him just in time and managed to swing the car door open.


    Thankfully, the garage was deserted, giving Adler a moment to carefullyy Nick across the back seat.


    By that point, Nick was slipping into unconsciousness.


    Adler quickly checked Nick''s pulse-weak, as if it might stop any second. He shed his jacket and draped it over Nick, then rushed to the driver''s seat and sped off.


    Once they were clear of the research facility, Adler grabbed his phone, noticed the missed call from Mirabe, and immediately dialed her back.


    The call connected in a heartbeat. Before Adler could say anything, Mirabe''s cool voice came through with instructions.


    "Take a left at the next junction, pull over on the right two hundred meters ahead. I''ll be waiting."


    "Got it," Adler replied, instinctively nodding, and followed her directions.


    He floored the gas, and within two minutes, spotted her by the roadside, near a sleek ck sedan.


    He pulled up alongside her.


    Mirabe tucked her phone away and, as soon as Adler stopped, swiftly opened the back door,


    climbed in, and shut shet


    belongs to swnovel


    "Stay on that car ahead," Mirabe instructed, eyes fixed ahead.


    Her voice was steady, yet carried an undercurrent of urgency that made Adler tense up.


    Rubbing his nose, Adler refocused and confirmed, pressing the elerator to keep pace with the sedan.


    In the back, Mirabe had already lifted Nick''s jacket, revealing a white protective suit soaked in rming red.


    The severity of the wound was unmistakable.


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly, t


    but she kept moving, gently lifting the shirt to expose bandages, blood.


    darkened with dried content belongs to swnovel


    She took a deep breath, then n¨§t


    pulled


    ut her silver needles,


    them with precision into


    I points on Nick''s che


    swnovel


    Leaving the needles in ce, she began to press and massage other areas to bolster the faint signs of life.


    Just then, a small ss vial slipped from Nick''s jacket pocket and rolled onto the car floor.


    Goodnight, see you tomorrow~

 Chapter 1307

    Mirabe paused for a moment, then picked up the bottle. When she noticed thebel said "French," a soft chuckle slipped from her lips.


    "Quite the resourceful move," she thought, amused by the idea of a little liquid courage.


    She tucked the bottle back into his jacket pocket.


    ...


    Ten minutester, the car pulled up at the back entrance of the alternative medicine clinic. By now, it was 8 PM, and the ce was quiet except for Dr. Ray and a surgeon waiting for them. An hour before, As had made sure everything was ready for their arrival.


    Nick was quickly rushed into the emergency room, with Mirabe right behind him. Unlikest time, Nick''s survival depended solely on the unique acupuncture technique inherited by the Stevenson family. So, she only let Dr. Ray stay inside with him, while everyone else waited outside.


    Adler stayed too, parked on a bench in the hallway just outside the emergency room. His heart felt heavy, burdened with guilt. He had raced over to the medical school with Andy from the precinct as soon as he got Mirabe''s message, only to find out Nick was already in surgery by the time he arrived.


    So, he sat there, trying to be patient and not let any stress show on his face, knowing there wasn''t much more he could do but hope for a miracle.


    What he hadn''t anticipated... Adler leaned back, his gaze unfocused as he stared at the emergency room door. When he had helped get Nick out of the car, he had felt for a pulse¡ªbut there was none.


    The absence of a pulse spoke volumes.


    Adler''s throat felt dry. Though Mirabe hadn''t said who Nick was to her, their sharedst name made it pretty clear. It gnawed at Adler that he couldn''t even help his boss out in this way.


    As, standing nearby, asionally nced at Adler, grateful to the man who had helped Mr. Nick escape theb safely. Sensing Adler''s guilt, he took a moment, then approached him.


    "Thank you for getting our young master out safely today," As said, bowing slightly to Adler.


    Adler snapped back to the present, standing up quickly and offering a wry smile as he shook his head. "I just did what I could, but... I''m sorry, I couldn''t keep himpletely safe."


    As nodded politely. "There''s no need to me yourself; this is already the best oue."


    Getting him out of theb without any exposure was something none of them could have done on their own.


    Adler opened his mouth to respond


    but found himself speechless. The light above the emergency room was still on, and hope lingered in As'' eyes. Yet, the reality that Nick had arrived at the hospital without a pulse was something Adler couldn''t bring himself to say out loud.  swnovel


    As seemed to sense what Adler was wrestling with. His hands tightened at his sides before he


    looked back at the emergency room door with determination. "I believe Our Miss can save him."  swnovel


    If it worked once before, it could work again.


    1.n


    This was As''s deep, unwavering belief, and it left Adler momentarily speechless. He knew of Mirabe''s impressive medical skills, but bringing someone back from the brink of death seemed like a tall order, even for the most legendary doctors.  swnovel


    In the end, Adler stayed silent, keeping his eyes fixed ahead.


    Hope was vital, wasn''t it?


    What if it worked again?


    Time dragged on, and in the third hour, the light above the emergency room finally flicked off.

 Chapter 1308

    Outside the hospital room, Adler and As turned their anxious eyes towards the door as it creaked open. Dr. Ray stepped out, looking a bit out of it, pushing a hospital bed draped in a spotless white sheet, hiding whoevery beneath.


    As''s heart sank at the sight of all that white, his eyes narrowing in disbelief as anger welled up inside him. No, this can''t be real. Mr. Nick can''t just be gone. This has to be some kind of sick joke.


    As stood there, fists clenched so tight he was almost drawing blood. Beside him, Adler felt the weight of the moment, even though he had braced himself for it. It was still a punch to the gut. He looked away, gently squeezing As''s shoulder.


    As Dr. Ray approached with the bed, Adler rasped out, "I''m sorry for your loss."


    The words hit As like a ton of bricks, making him stumble back. He fought against believing it, but Dr. Ray''s expression left little room for doubt.


    Adler managed a pained smile, apologizing again, "I wish it wasn''t true, but... we have to ept it."


    Just then, Dr. Ray seemed to snap out of his own fog, looking up at Adler with confusion, "Why the condolences? The patient is still alive."


    Adler was stunned, and As could hardly trust his ears. They both stood there, frozen in shock, unable to speak or move.


    Dr. Ray gave them a quick nce before continuing on to the patient''s room.


    A minuteter, As found his voice and turned to look at Dr. Ray''s retreating figure. "Did he just say the patient is alive? Did I hear that right?"


    "Yeah... seems like it," Adler stammered.


    As''s face lit up. "I knew it! With Miss Mira here, there was no way Mr. Nick could be in danger."


    Overjoyed, As hurried after Dr.


    Ray, while Adler was left speechless, his mind racing back to when they first arrived at the hospital. There had been no pulse, and now somehow, Nick was revived. Maybe it was just a temporary shock from blood loss?  swnovel


    Adler shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. The important thing was that Nick was alive.


    Just then, Mirabe emerged from the rescue room, looking as pale as a ghost, almost more like a patient than Nick himself. Her face was so translucent, it startled Adler.


    "Are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face.


    Mirabe gave a weak shake of her head. The effort of saving Nick had zapped her energy, leaving her


    barely able to speak. Her steps were unsteady, like she might copse at any moment.  swnovel


    Adler, noticing her condition, quickly helped her to a nearby bench. Once she was seated, he crouched beside her, worry in his eyes. "Are you sure you''re okay?"


    Mirabe leaned back, eyes closed, "Just let me rest a bit."


    Her voice was so hoarse it was barely a whisper. Seeing this, Adler nodded, deciding to let her be, while keeping a watchful eye on her. He was dying to know what had


    happened but knew now wasn''t the


    time to ask.  swnovel

 Chapter 1309

    Ten minutes ticked by, and Adler watched Mirabe sitting there, slumped, eyes closed, her face a ghostly pale that made his stomach twist with worry. Then, her phone''s ringtone cut through the quiet of the night corridor-not loud, but sharp enough to be noticed.


    Mirabe didn''t stir, not even a flicker of a reaction. Adler hesitated, then moved closer and called her name twice, but she stayed silent, as if she were in a deep, dreamless sleep.


    Something felt off to Adler. Sure, her breathing was steady, which was a relief, but it was still strange. Just then, Dr. Ray returned from settling Nick back in his room, and Adler quickly filled him in on Mirabe''s state.


    Dr. Ray nced at her, remembering something she''d mentioned earlier in the ER, and reassured him, "She''s just worn out. Give her a day or two, and she should bounce back."


    "So, she''s okay then?" Adler let out a breath he didn''t realize he''d been holding. "Yes, that''s right," Dr. Ray nodded, though he did pause first.


    Feeling a bit more at ease, Adler''s mind wandered to his curiosity. "When she was rushed in, was it true she had no pulse or breath?" he asked.


    Dr. Ray took a moment. Everything had been such a whirlwind when she arrived, and since she wasn''t connected to any machines-just those incredible acupuncture needles-his focus had been entirely on that astonishing technique, rather than her vitals.


    ???


    He gathered his thoughts and exined, "Theck of pulse and breathing could''ve been due to temporary shock. Remember the time with Mr. Davis''s surgery? That shock was handled the same way, with her needles. So, your curiosity doesn''t surprise me."  swnovel


    Saving someone from the brink with acupuncture once made it seem like a second time might not be as difficult, given her unheard-of skill.


    Seeing Dr. Ray so unfazed, and knowing reviving patients from shock wasn''t exactly rare, Adler''s doubts slipped away, and he didn''t push further.


    Soon enough, Dr. Ray had a nurse move Mirabe to a room. With As around, Adler felt it was best not to overstay his wee and quicklyheaded out of the hospital. He needed to figure out a foolproof n for Andy''s questions Even though taking Nick was above board, he had to ensure no


    suspicion arose.  swnovel


    The next morning, Mirabe was still out cold, her face as pale as the night before, no sign of improvement. As had Dr. Ray check her again, and once more, everything seemed perfectly normal, no red gs.


    Dr. Ray found it odd but


    remembered what the young woman had saidst night and repeated it word-for-word to As. Hearing this, As could only breathe a temporary sigh of relief. With Mr. Nick still unconscious in the next room, if anything else happened to Miss Mira... well, he''d be at the end of his rope.  swnovel


    After Dr. Ray left, As stayed put beside Mirabe, making arrangements for someone to inform her school about her absence.

 Chapter 1310

    At noon, the phone on the table next to Mirabe''s hospital bed rang once more.


    As had juste back from the bathroom. He heard the ringtone, hesitated for a moment, but eventually picked up the phone. The caller ID said ''Min,'' which made him pause briefly, unsure whether to answer or not. He nced over at Mirabe in the bed, then decided to answer the call.


    If James wanted to find someone, it wouldn''t be much of a challenge for him.


    After answering, As promptly gave him the hospital''s address.


    About twenty minutester, James showed up at the hospital room door.


    Seeing him, As instinctively softened his usual tough demeanor and gave a slight nod, "James."


    James nodded back politely and walked over to Mirabe''s bedside. Her face was as pale as the sheets, which made him frown deeply. "Has she been out the whole time? What''s causing it?"


    As, with his head slightly lowered, didn''t borate much. "Dr. Ray said it''s due to severe mental exhaustion. She should wake up after a couple of days of rest."


    Should?


    James''s eyes narrowed a bit, then he pulled a chair over and sat down. He watched Mirabe for a while before gently holding her hand, which was still connected to an IV drip. Her hand was cool, noticeably below the normal human temperature even after holding it for a bit.


    James paused, then stood up to check her forehead, before turning back to As, "Is the low temperature normal too?"


    As was silent for a moment. That morning, when he heard from the nurse about Miss Mira''s unusually low body temperature, he had asked Dr. Ray, "Dr. Ray said it''s normal."


    Seeing this, James didn''t probe further. He withdrew his hand and sat back down, but his frown remained.


    Another day went by.


    Mirabe still hadn''t woken up, with no changes from the previous day ¡ª herplexion was still pale, and her body temperature was very low.


    On the third day, when they asked Dr. Ray again, he still didn''t have any answers. Even with daily nutritional fluids, the low temperature was too strange,pletely abnormal.  swnovel


    Nick, in the next room, although also not awake yet, had normal vital signs.


    Seeing this, James decided not to just sit around. He instructed Wyatt to bring David from the pharmaceutical association over.


    In the hospital room, David had just finished checking Mirabe''s pulse. He looked up at James with a frown, "Her pulse is a bit erratic, which is somewhat normal, but this low temperature is baffling."  swnovel


    Normal body temperature ranges from 36 to 37.8 degrees Celsius, and even people with a naturally low body temperature don''t drop below 34.5 degrees. But this is under 30 degrees... David had never seen or heard of such a case.  swnovel


    "Have you evere across anything like this?" James asked, his eyes darkening.


    David gave a tired smile and shook his head. He was already exhausted from dealing with issues at the association, and now he felt even more helpless.


    James''s gaze shifted back to the hospital bed, and he suddenly asked, "Would using the Stevenson family''s medicine help her?"


    David remembered James had once brought him a bottle of medicine to verify. It was crafted using ancient methods and was far more effective than ordinary remedies.


    "Wasn''t that medicine stolen from the auction?" David asked.


    He had even sent his assistant to bid on it, but then something unexpected


    happened, and the medicine was stolen. It wasn''t a secret in their circles.


    But now that James mentioned it... David caught on quickly, "Is the medicine still with you?"


    Goodnight-See you tomorrow-

 Chapter 1311

    James gave a nod of understanding.


    Seeing this, David paused for a moment before checking Mirabe''s pulse again. It took a while before he finally pulled his hand back.


    "Honestly, I''ve nevere across such an unusual body temperature. That medicine you showed mest time worked wonders for those on the brink of death, but with Mirabe''s situation, I can''t say for sure if she should take it or if it would even help," David said, his tone serious.


    If it were any other illness, he could easily make a call, but this one had him stumped.


    After a thoughtful pause, David continued, "Alright, I''ll head back and dig through some medical books to see if anythinges up."


    "That''s probably our best bet for now," James replied, his voice carrying a weight it hadn''t before. "I''ll be waiting for your update."


    David managed a wry smile, waved, and left the hospital room in a hurry.


    James turned his gaze back to the girl lying quietly on the bed, her breathing soft and steady like a fairy tale''s Sleeping Beauty.


    Downstairs, David''s assistant was waiting in the lobby. When he spotted David, he tucked his phone away and walked over.


    "You''re done already?" the assistant asked, surprised.


    He knew David was there to check on a patient, but he didn''t realize it was Mirabe.


    David nodded, his hands sped behind his back as he headed outside, "Back to the association."


    The assistant quickly followed, adding as they walked, "Oh, by the way, Paul is back."


    David stopped in his tracks, looking at his assistant, "Didn''t I tell you to reach out to him and ask him to hold off oning back?"


    "I tried, but his phone was off, and he didn''t reply to my messages," the assistant exined.


    David rubbed his forehead, looking every bit as worn out as he felt, "Where is he now?"


    "He mentioned he''d be at the pharmaceutical association soon," the assistant replied promptly.


    David''s eyes narrowed at the thought of Presley''s intentions, then instructed, "Alright, call him again. Tell him to meet me at the coffee shop near the association  swnovel


    "Got it," the assistant nodded, dialing the number.


    After the call, the assistant turned to David, "It''s all set."


    Twenty minutester, they arrived at the coffee shop.


    After checking inside, they were told no one named Paul had shown up.


    The assistant was puzzled, pulling out his phone again, "Paul should''ve beaten us here... I''ll give him a call."


    David nodded.


    Soon, the assistant ended the call, frustration clear, "Still can''t get through."


    David frowned, "He said he was almost at the association before, right?"


    "Yes, and kmade sure to tell him to


    meet


    knew


    bet


    here instead," the ant


    David wanted to k


    away from the association.


    swnovel


    It was all about keeping Presley in the dark about Paul''s return.


    After a moment, the assistant looked outside, "We can''t reach him, and who


    knows if he got held up... Should we wait here?"


    David squinted, thinking about Mirabe''s strange condition and how they couldn''t afford any more dys, "You stay here and wait for him. Once he shows up, get him out of Riverdale. I need to head back to the association."  swnovel


    The assistant nodded, understanding the urgency.

 Chapter 1312

    The next day rolled in, marking yet another passage of time at the hospital. James hadn''t left the hospital room for days, making sure to handle all necessary business with papers that Wyatt brought him.


    That morning, Wyatt, sticking to his usual routine, came by with more documents. After setting them down, he nced at Mirabe, still unconscious on the bed, and asked with a serious tone, "Still no change with Ms. Mirabe?"


    James, sitting by the window, was massaging his temples, looking noticeably thinner, the stress evident. "Any word from David?" he inquired.


    Wyatt shook his head thoughtfully, then suggested, "Should I try giving him a call?"


    James nodded slightly without breaking his rhythm. Wyatt stepped aside, whipped out his phone, found David''s number, and dialed. But the line just buzzed a few times before cutting off.


    Puzzled, Wyatt tried again, only to get the same result. "What''s up with that?" James asked, ncing over.


    Wyatt shrugged, a bit confused. "Not sure, the call''s just not going through."


    James narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering. Wyatt started scrolling through his contacts. "I''ve got his assistant''s number here; I''ll give that a shot."


    Dialing again, this time the assistant picked up swiftly. Wyatt didn''t waste time, "Can you tell me if David''s found anything that might help?"


    Grant nced towards Presley''s office and lowered his voice, "Sorry, there''s been a lot going on at the association. David might not have the time to treat your friend right now."


    Wyatt frowned, starting to speak, but then the call abruptly ended.


    "What''d they say?" James asked, his gaze steady on Wyatt.


    Wyatt hesitated for a moment, then replied, "It''s odd. Mr. Boyd''s assistant says they''re swamped, and he can''t continue with Ms. Mirabe''s treatment."  swnovel


    Wyatt recalled previous talks with David''s assistant, who had never been this curt before. James thought back to theirst visit to the medicine association with Mirabe, when tensions were high among the senior members over some exam issue. And Mr. Boyd did seem off yesterday...  swnovel


    "Could be some restructuring going on internally," James mused.


    "Restructuring?" Wyatt looked up, the oddness of Grant''s words clicking into ce. "You think Mr. Boyd''s in trouble?"


    "Maybe." James shrugged.


    Wyatt nodded, ncing at the bed again. "I''ll dig into it. We can''t afford for Mr.


    Boyd to be out ofmission with Ms. Mirabe still unconscious."


    "Alright," James replied, then added, "Any updates from Cian?"


    Wyatt shook his head, "No, it''s like he''s vanished."


    "Keep at it," James said, flicking his fingers lightly.


    With Mirabe still in aa and if Boyd couldn''te through, theirst hope might rest with the Stevenson family.


    Shortly after Wyatt left, the phone on the nearby table started buzzing. It was Mirabe''s phone. James walked over, picked it up, and seeing the caller ID, answered the call without hesitation.  S to''swnovel

 Chapter 1313

    Before James could get a word in, Catherine''s voice came through on the other end of the line. "Mira, have you been swampedtely?"


    Mirabe usually had a set time each week to call her grandmother, never missing a week. But Catherine hadn''t gotten a call in the past few days, so she was worried enough to reach out and check in.


    "Hey Grandma, it''s James," James spoke up after a brief pause.


    Catherine was a bit surprised to hear James''s voice instead, not quite expecting him to answer. But she quickly gathered her thoughts and after a bit of chit-chat, she asked, "By the way, James, where''s Mira?"


    James nced at Mirabe, who was lying in the hospital bed, his fingers tightening slightly around the phone. Keeping his tone steady, he said, "She''s been wrapped up in a school projecttely. Grandma, is there something urgent? Herb has some kind of signal blocking, so she didn''t take her phone with her."


    Upon hearing this, Catherine, though not quite up to speed on the whole school project and signal jamming stuff, got the gist of what James was saying, and her initial worry eased up quite a bit.


    She chuckled softly, "Oh, it''s just that she usually calls me around this time, and it''s been odd not hearing from her the past couple of days."


    James had an aha moment and quickly reassured her, "She''ll get back to you as soon as she''s free."


    "No worries, no rush. Just make sure she takes care of herself, even if she''s busy. Healthes first..." Catherine continued with a string of affectionate reminders.


    James stood there with the phone pressed to his ear, listening patiently, not a hint of impatience in sight.


    As the conversation was winding down, Catherine suddenly asked, "Has Mira not beening home at night?"


    James was momentarily thrown by the question but, after a bit of thinking, replied, "She''s been staying over at schooltely."


    Catherine''s smile faded at this, "If she''s staying at school, howe she can''t spare a moment to call? Is something wrong?"


    Catherine knew Mirabe well enough to know that no matter how hectic things got, she''d always make time for a call.


    James hadn''t expected Catherine to catch on so quickly. He tried to reassure her, "No, Grandma, you''re just worrying too much."


    "I raised that girl; I know her better than anyone," Catherine''s voice paused before she continued, "James,e on, tell me the truth, is something going on?"


    A flicker of hesitation passed over


    James''s eyes. Catherine''s words seemed to suggest she sensed something was up. Considering Mirabe''s condition, he knew he couldn''t keep this under wraps for long.


    swnovel


    He finally admitted, "She''s been in a deep sleep for three days now, hasn''t woken


    up. The doctors are stumped."


    Catherine paused for a moment before asking, "Is her body temperature unusually low?"


    James''s eyes widened in surprise, "You know about this?"


    Memories flitted through Catherine''s mind, and she responded softly, "I don''t know the reason, but when she was around three, something simr happened. She slept for five days straight, and we took her to every hospital we could find, but no one had answers."  swnovel


    Five days?


    James absorbed this and then asked, "And after that?"


    "We eventually came across a country doctor. He said she was fine and even gave us a piece of jade," Catherine paused and then added, "It''s the same piece I asked you to give to Mirast time."  swnovel

 Chapter 1314

    James heard Catherine''s words, turned back to Mirabe''s bedside, and paused for a moment before gently lifting a corner of the nket. He discovered a delicate ne around her neck. With a gentle flick of his finger, the pendant slipped out from beneath her cor.


    The pendant felt as smooth as cream, and a soft warmth radiated at his touch. James was taken aback; he hadn''t expected such an ordinary-looking pendant to have such an amazing effect. Even the finest pendants didn''t usually do that.


    "So, this pendant is helping her, huh?" James mused, tucking it back under Mirabe''s cor.


    "It should be," Catherine replied, trusting James instinctively. Her words flowed without hesitation. "Last time, just a couple of days after we put the pendant on her, she woke up."


    But once she woke, she had changed. She wasn''t quite the same as before, her reactions slower than other kids her age. Back then, neither Catherine nor her husband noticed anything off, assuming it was just aftereffects of her illness. It wasn''t until two yearster, when she fell into another deep sleep and woke up, that Catherine noticed the difference. It seemed like the person who woke up then was truly herself again.


    Catherine''s thoughts wandered, but she quickly snapped back and added, "Keep the pendant on her, and she should wake up in about five days."


    James nodded, his eyes fixed on Mirabe''s still-closed eyes. Today was the fourth day. He hoped she''d wake up tomorrow.


    Thinking about the changes Mira experienced after her previous deep sleeps, Catherine hesitated. She decided to be honest. "She might be a bit different when she wakes up this time."


    "Different?" James asked, puzzled.


    "Maybe not," Catherine muttered to herself. She didn''t exin further, asking only that James call her once Mirabe woke up. Not long after, Catherine hung up.


    Sitting on the porch steps, she nced back at her cluttered house before slowly getting up and heading inside to start her daily routine, grateful she had given Mira the pendantst year.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the basement level two of the medical school''s main building, in Laboratory 3, Ben extracted a semi-finished reagent from its container, cing it in a dry ice box. After a few seconds he lifted


    the semi-finished reagent into the air, where its pale blue liquid swirled with active bacterial cultures.  swnovel


    He handed the reagent to Manuel. "Take a look. This is the adjusted ratio based


    on the data from the subject we examined a few days ago."


    Ben''s eyes sparkled with excitement, though his mask hid his face. "Alright,"


    Manuel said with a nod, taking the reagent to another workstation.


    Ben followed, watching as Manuel mixed it with otherponents for a chemical reaction. These


    professors and PhDs would havet


    been stuck without his tweaks and data adjustments. If it weren''t for him, they''d be years away from developing a reagent to alter human cellr molecules.  swnovel


    Disdain


    he cod in Ben''s eyes, but


    he couldn''t help being thankful to


    the man who broke into the research institutest night. If that man hadn''t destroyed the reagents and research notes, Ben might still be stuck looking for another way out.  swnovel


    Goodnight, goodnight-

 Chapter 1315

    Before long, Manuel had sessfully mixed the semi-finished potion Ben had been working on with some other solutions. With a steady hand, he used a dropper to add two drops into a ss vessel set aside for testing. Inside that vessel? Just blood.


    Afterpleting this series of steps, Manuel stood off to the side, eyes fixed on the ss vessel, watching the chemical reaction with bated breath. If this potion, designed to enhance human cellr molecules, worked, it could be a game- changer for folks in certain specialized fields.


    A minute ticked by, and the readout on the detection instrument stayed t. No movement, no reaction.


    Manuel frowned, pacing in front of the vessel, hands sped behind his back. How could there be no reaction? Last time, the potion had a clear response with the blood in less than ten seconds.


    "Hang tight," Ben said calmly from beside him.


    Manuel nodded, trying to stay patient. Another two minutes slipped by, and then the data on the instrument began changing rapidly.


    Manuel adjusted his sses and moved closer to the bioputer, scanning the chaotic data that was wildly different from before. The printer beside him hummed to life, spitting out a detailed report. What once had over fifty parameters now showed less than twenty.


    He grabbed the printout, eyes darting over it quickly. The values were all over the cepared tost time. His brow furrowed, and he handed the sheet to the other two professors nearby. "Take a look at this."


    ¡°Is this..... the fusion and breakdown of over fifty elements into just eighteen?" one of them asked.


    "What would happen if we used this on a person?" the other wondered aloud.


    The professors exchanged bewildered looks, clearly thrown off by this unexpected twist in their research.


    Manuel raked his fingers through his hair, took back the printout, and after nce, shook his head


    a adding up. There''s gotta


    "This


    be a mistake somewhere."  swnovel


    Ben peered at the printout, a mysterious glint in his eye. "I follow


    the integrated data steps to


    the letter when mixing. We shouldn''t have any issues, right?"  swnovel


    As soon as Ben mentioned the data, Manuel moved over to a nearby table,


    picked up the internal phone, and dialed out.


    A momentter, he was connected. "Could you get... Mirabe, yeah, ask them to swing by my office?"


    A few days back, after surgery on a test subject, Manuel had nned to hash things out with Nick, but Dr. Ray had pulled him away in the middle of it all.


    "Mirabe hasn''t been around the med schooltely," Nick''s colleague on the line said, unruffled.


    Manuel paused, surprised. "Not at the med school? Where''d they go? Any clue when they''ll be back?"


    Ben perked up at the mention of the


    call, ncing over at Manuel. He''d noticed something was off with that guy from the T5 Research Institute-the way his hands shook during surgery, and the lingering scent of blood afterward...  swnovel


    Lost in thought, Manuel hung up the phone and turned back.


    Ben, snapping back to the present, casually asked, ¡°Thinking of running those numbers again, Manuel?"

 Chapter 1316

    Manuel gave a nod, "But the person from T5 Research, Mirabe, isn''t around." "Not around?" Ben raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.


    "Yeah, apparently, the virology team borrowed her, and she probably won''t be back for a bit." Manuel didn''t think much of it. In Riverdale, with its myriad research institutes, borrowing staff was just part of the norm.


    Nodding, Ben remarked, "Quite the coincidence that she''s not here."


    "Hm?" Manuel didn''t quite get what Ben was hinting at and shot him a curious look.


    Ben shrugged it off with a smile, "It''s nothing. Do we need to tweak the data again?"


    "Yes, even though Mirabe''s not here, her colleague put together a report that''ll being our way soon." As Manuel spoke, he shed his protective coat. "Let''s wrap it up for today. We''ll have a meeting in my officeter."


    Ben stood there, lost in thought for a moment, before casting a final look at theb equipment. He was thest to leave theb.


    As the group headed for the elevator, Ben deliberated for a second, then hit the button for the third floor.


    Manuel and the other professors nced at him, and with a courteous smile, Ben exined, "I need to grab something from the experimental surgery room and check on that subject."


    They nodded, not thinking too deeply about it.


    The elevator soon arrived on the third floor, and Ben stepped out with a nod.


    ...


    The surgery room had already been spic and span, with all the tools neatly put back.


    Ben took a quick look around before heading into the changing room.


    The trash bins were empty, and every cubicle was tidy and disinfected-nothing seemed amiss.


    Ben absentmindedly twirled his ring, unsurprised by theck of any clues, and was about to leave.


    Just then, a thought struck him, and he raised an eyebrow, making his way to the pharmacy.


    The pharmacy had a staff member on duty. Ben greeted them but didn''t step inside. "We did an experimental surgery a couple of nights ago. Do you still have the meds list from then?"  swnovel


    The colleague nodded, "Sure, let me pull it up for you."


    Ben shed a smile and thanked them.


    In no time, the colleague had the medication list from that night on the screen for Ben to see.


    Ben''s eyes scanned each line until he reached the cardiac stimnt entry.


    Total quantity: two, used: one.


    His brow furrowed. If he recalled correctly, they hadn''t used any cardiac stimnt that night, yet the record showed one had been used...


    Pondering for a moment, he asked, "Could there have been a mistake here? We didn''t use a cardiac stimnt during that surgery."


    The colleague leaned over to take a look, "Really? There shouldn''t be an error... Let me check the storeroom."


    Discrepancies in numbers could lead to headaches during inventory checks.


    Ben agreed and leaned against the door, waiting patiently.


    That night, they hadn''t initially nned for any cardiac stimnt, but two were addedst minute. It had seemed odd at the time, but the exnation from the T5 guy had put his mind at ease.  swnovel


    The scent of blood, the cardiac stimnt, Mirabe being away, and previously being on the list for a


    break-in... It all seemed a bit. T


    coincidental.  Swnovel

 Chapter 1317

    In no time, the colleague strolled out of the storage room. Ben snapped out of his thoughts and turned his attention to him.


    "Hey, Mr. Ben, lucky you showed up today; otherwise, I would''ve really messed things up. The adrenaline supply isn''t actually missing - I probably made a mistake when entering it into theputer," the colleague admitted, as he corrected the data on the screen.


    Ben raised an eyebrow, "A mistake, huh?"


    "Yeah, I''ve got to be more careful next time, or it''ll cause chaos," the colleague sighed, then looked at Ben again, "Is there anything else you want to check, Mr. Ben?"


    Ben gave him a quick once-over, seeing no trace of deceit, he shook his head, "Nope, that''s all. Thanks."


    "Anytime," the colleague replied, offering a tight-lipped smile.


    Ben soon left the storage room, sauntering casually towards the elevator. A small stock of drugs and an entry error right off the bat? He found that hard to swallow. Something fishy was definitely going on.


    As Ben stepped into the elevator, its doors closed, reflecting his sharp, handsome features against the metallic surface, as cold and unreadable as ever. Whether Nick was involved or not, there was an ''insider'' to be found in the institute.


    The next day, at the hospital.


    As soon as Nick opened his eyes, his pupils were unfocused, and the haze from before hisa slowly lifted, bringing rity back to his gaze. Above him loomed the stark white ceiling, and the distinct smell of hospital disinfectant hit his nose. His chest didn''t hurt, but the numbness from the painkillers was unmistakable.


    He was still alive.


    Nick turned his head slightly to see As leaning against the window, speaking into his phone, probably giving instructions over Messenger.


    Noticing Nick''s gaze, As paused, looked up, and a wave of joy swept over his face. He quickly put away his phone and approached, "Mr. Nick, you''re finally awake. Feeling ufortable anywhere?"  swnovel


    Nick barely opened his eyes, lips parting slightly, but words didn''te immediately.


    As quickly reassured him, "You just woke up, no need to rush to talk. Rest up and regain your strength."


    Nick closed his eyes again, recalling how he was taken from the medical school by a stranger who used his sister''s name.


    After a few minutes, his raspy voice finally emerged, "Where''s my sister?"


    Mentioning Miss Mira made As''s smile falter for a moment, but he quickly masked it and poured Nick a cup of warm water, "Miss Mira''s at school; she doesn''t know about your situation."


    Nick frowned slightly at this. If As had only mentioned the first part, he might have believed him, but the rest seemed like he was trying to cover something up.


    Nick knew all all too well about the tight security at the medical school. If the


    man who t


    took him was called by


    Mirabe, it meant she was fully aware of what was going on with


    him, including the time he was injured during a night break-in at the medical school.  swnovel


    Thinking it all over, the fog in Nick''s mind finally cleared, and everything clicked into ce. The person using a voice changer to contact him that night had been his sister, given her solidputer skills. And the medicine he''d been taking in the hospital had alsoe from her. Dr. Ray would never prescribe such herbal remedies.  swnovel


    Although he had been suspicious back then, he hadn''t confirmed it himself. Now...


    there was no need for further proof.

 Chapter 1318

    Nick brushed aside his thoughts, focusing on As once more. "How did Mirabe manage to get me out of theb?"


    Though he still looked pale and weak, his eyes had a sharpness that seemed to cut through everything.


    As met Nick''s gaze, his fingers tightening around the cup. He sighed inwardly, realizing there was no point in keeping the truth under wraps any longer. "It was one of Ms. Mira''s friends who got you out. She didn''t go into theb herself; she was waiting outside for you."


    Thest thing Nick recalled before cking out was the parking lot¡ªthe final stretch of his endurance. After a moment, he asked, "The injuries...?"


    "Ms. Mira took care of them," As replied honestly.


    Nick''s fingers twitched slightly on the cup. "Same asst time, right?"


    As hesitated, then nodded.


    With everything already spilled, hiding anything further was pointless. The truth would have surfaced eventually, whether from him or someone else.


    After a pause, As added in a hushed tone, "You were the one who kept it from Ms. Mira first, so she just went along with it, not wanting to stir the pot."


    Nick was silent for a beat. So, everyone was in on the act except him?


    As cleared his throat and stepped closer with a ss of water, offering it to Nick. "Here, drink some water, it''ll help."


    Nick said nothing, feeling a familiar pang in his chest. Taking a deep breath, he shifted the conversation back, "So, where is Mirabe now?"


    He hadn''t missed the brief tension that flickered across Uncle As''s face.


    "She should be at school around this time, where else?" As muttered.


    "Do you think I can''t tell you''re hiding something?" Nick asked, trying to push himself up from the bed.


    But as soon as he moved, he slumped back down, drained.


    et el?


    Seeing this, As quickly set the water on the nightstand and gently helped Nick lean against the headboard. "Ms. Mira really is fine," he insisted.  swnovel


    Nick leaned back, his eyes locked onto As. "I don''t buy it."


    As avoided Nick''s gaze, lifting the water again and motioning for him to drink.


    Nick didn''t budge, his stare unrelenting, making As squirm under the pressure.


    "Well, Ms. Mira might''ve used up a lot of energy saving you, so she''s been resting," As stammered.


    He remembered James mentioning that Ms. Mira was expected to wake up today, and figured it was better not to worry Nick, given his


    no


    condition.  swnovel


    "Resting? How long have I been out?" Nick asked, his brow furrowing.


    His lips were dry and pale, speaking with difficulty, even though he had barely escaped death for the second time.


    As replied, "Today''s the fifth day..."


    Nick paused, "So she''s been out for five days too, and still hasn''t woken up?"


    As pressed his lips together, nodding slightly.


    Seeing this, a wave of difort washed over Nick.


    Being a doctor, he knew all too well about his injuries.


    If surviving the first shooting was lucky, then the second time... calling it a miracle


    wouldn''t do it justice.


    When he injected himself with


    adrenaline, he was already hanging by a thread; even making it out of theb seemed like a


    near-impossible feat...  swnovel

 Chapter 1319

    Now, not only was Nick awake, but he could also feel his body in surprisingly


    good shape, hardly what you''d expect from someone who''d just been at death''s door. He had no clue how Mirabe had managed to pull him back from the edge, but it must''ve cost her a lot. As these thoughts ran through his mind, Nick''s hands tightened into fists. With a newfound burst of energy, he tossed the covers aside, determined to get out of bed.


    "Where is she? I need to see her."


    As quickly moved to support him. "Mr. Nick, take it easy. Miss Mira''s fine. She might wake up any minute now. She''s been through a lot to save you, so maybe you should..."


    Nick cut him off, gripping As''s arm and looking him square in the eye. "She''s my sister."


    Who else would be worried if not him? His eyes were bloodshot with concern. Just then, the door swung open, and a cool, unfeeling voice drifted in. "Oh, so now you remember I''m your sister?"


    Nick froze at the sound, quickly turning his gaze to the doorway.


    Mirabe stood there, wrapped in a loose ck coat that hid her slim figure. She walked in without a rush, stopping right in front of Nick, her face calm and expressionless.


    Sensing the tension, As softly called out, "Miss Mira," and instinctively backed away, giving the siblings space.


    Nick almost stumbled back onto the bed, "..."


    Mirabe looked at him, then surprisingly let out a small smile and pulled a chair over to sit. "Mr. Hough, you''re quite the big deal now, aren''t you?"


    Nick thought to himself, maybe it wasn''t toote to just crawl back into bed and pretend he was still asleep.


    After a long moment of silence, he finally slid back onto the bed, pulling the covers back over himself. "Sis, you''re here."


    Mirabe just looked at him, her expression unreadable.


    As had to bite back augh. If anyone else saw Mr. Nick like this, they''d probably be rubbing their eyes in disbelief. His tough-guy image was taking quite a hit.  swnovel


    Mirabe rubbed her temples, then reached over to check his pulse. "Are you feeling alright anywhere?"


    Nick shook his head. "No... but what about you? As said you''ve been out for days."


    As blinked in surprise. "??"


    Nick, not one to y fair, had clearly put As on the spot!


    After checking his pulse, Mirabe finally seemed to rx. She looked at him


    Nick had more questions bubbling up, but when he met his sister''s eyes, his curiosity faded away. Remembering something, he straightened up a bit. "That guy who helped me get out of the medical coffege, he wasn''t found out, was he?"  swnovel


    Mirabe gave a confident nod. "Don''t worry, he''s safe."


    "That''s a relief," Nick sighed.


    "Yeah," Mirabe said softly. "For now, you don''t need to go back to the research


    institute. No one suspects a thing. Just focus on getting better."


    Nick nodded, looking at Mirabe with appreciation. That night they broke into the research institute, her calm and precise directions over themunicator had shown him just how sharp she was. Even if i had been him calling the shots, he doubted he could''ve stayed soposed in the heat of the moment.  swnovel

 Chapter 1320

    Nick hadn''t chatted with Mirabe for long. After all, he was still on the mend from his injuries and soon drifted off to sleep.


    Once he was out, Mirabe got up, gave As a few quick instructions, and slipped out of the hospital room. Back in the next room over, she leaned against the door, feeling her legs go a bit wobbly.


    The Stevenson family''s real im to fame wasn''t their elixirs but their unique constitution and medical skills, especially a one-of-a-kind acupuncture technique. If someone who''d just died still had a flicker of life, a practitioner could use this technique to transfer their own life force into the other person, basically bringing them back from the edge. But of course, meddling with fate like that wasn''t without its hefty price. Still, given the Stevenson family''s unique traits, her days spent in a deep sleep had left her feeling just like someone recovering from a bad illness.


    James, who''d been waiting around the hospital room, walked over. Seeing her all worn out, he scooped her up, "You okay?"


    Mirabe rested her head against his chest and murmured, "Just starving."


    James looked down at her, noticing her face had gotten even more slender, and felt a pang in his heart. "I''ll get someone to bring some food over soon."


    "Mhm," Mirabe murmured, snuggling deeper into his chest.


    James tightened his hold, not putting her back on the hospital bed but settling on the couch with her instead. He wrapped her coat around her, "Get some rest. I''ll wake you when the food''s here."


    "Mhm," Mirabe tucked in closer, the cool, woody scent of him oddlyforting, chasing away the cluttered thoughts in her mind.


    When her breathing evened out, James fished his phone from his pocket and texted Wyatt to sort out some food.


    *n


    About half an hourter, Wyatt showed up at the hospital room, lugging two big food boxes. As soon as he walked in, he caught sight of the two curled up on the couch.


    Once again, as the single guy, he silently took another hit. He set the food boxes on a nearby table, then politely backed out of the room. Just as he shut the door, he spotted As heading their way. Over the past few days, they''d gotten pretty familiar, so he quickly pulled him aside, preventing him from knocking.


    As looked at him, puzzled.


    Wyatt slung an arm around his shoulder, steering him down the corridor, "Hey, As, got a partner?"


    As raised an eyebrow. "What?"


    He figured Wyatt was asking for trouble.


    "Ah, I can tell you don''t, so let''s not ruin


    "Come on, buddy, dinner''s on me today."


    sony mood for ourselves," Wyatt


    Swnovel


    As thought about smacking but decided to y nice instead. "Sure, there''s a seafood


    eline


    nearby. Since you''re set


    it''d be rude to say no."  swnovel


    Seafood?


    Wyatt stumbled but quickly let go of him.


    As turned to look at him, "What''s up?"


    "Nothing... just remembered I might''ve left something unfinished," Wyatt offered ame excuse.


    As cracked a rare smile, "You''ll work better on a full stomach. Let''s eat first."


    Wyatt, struggling to smile, thought: Might as well go back and deal with a lonely dinner.


    *n


    Back in the hospital room, James gently woke Mirabe to eat.


    Wyatt had brought over some healthy, stomach-warming porridge and very nd side dishes.


    Mirabe looked at the spread, sighed softly, and suddenly empathized with how Zach must have felt, eating nothing but veggies and porridge for two weeks in the hospital.  swnovel

 Chapter 1321

    James had just dished up a bowl of oatmeal, and with a teasing smile, he nced at the little girl who looked none too pleased. "Want me to feed you?¡± he joked.


    Mirabe, hearing his yful offer, quickly reached for the bowl, grabbed the spoon, and started eating without a word.


    James chuckled and settled down beside her.


    When they were almost done eating, James casually mentioned, "Oh, by the way, your grandma called yesterday."


    Mirabe paused, swallowing herst bite, and looked up at him, "What did you tell her?¡±


    "I told her you were caught up with a school project and would ring her back when you had a chance," James said, handing her a napkin.


    Mirabe nodded, wiping her mouth. "Alright, I''ll give her a call now."


    ¡°Okay.¡± James got up, fetched her phone from the nightstand, and handed it to her.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Mirabe said, dialing her grandma''s number.


    James started tidying up the table, his mind drifting back to what Catherine had said on the phonest night. People might change after waking up. But besides the girl''s slightly unreadable expression when she woke, nothing else seemed different.


    Mirabe''s call connected quickly. The conversation was as routine as ever, neither bringing up anything new. After a bit of chit-chat, Mirabe said, "Hold on, let me switch to video."


    Catherine''s tone changed, "Next time, okay? I''m outside, not really convenient for a video call."


    ¡°Outside? Not convenient?" Mirabe thought it odd. It was unusually quiet for someone who was outside. "Where are you?" Mirabe asked.


    "At the corner store near Granny Yellow''s, so not really a good time," Catherine replied, sounding normal enough.


    Mirabe ran her fingers over the phone, ¡°Alright, we''ll video call next time."


    Catherine sounded relieved, "Okay."


    Just before hanging up, Mirabe added, ¡°By the way, for Christmas, I''m thinking of bringing you over to spend it with us."


    Catherine''s voice caught a bit, and she wiped her slightly misty eyes, ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Great, it''s settled then. I''ll get a ticket to the city as soon as school''s out ande pick you up," Mirabe nned.


    Catherine looked up, knowing her Mira couldn''t see her, but she smiled, ¡°Okay, I''ll do what you say.¡±


    After they hung up, Mirabe leaned back in her chair, a small frown creasing her forehead. Something felt off with Catherine. Her reluctance to video call was one thing, but she''d agreed to Mirabe''sst suggestion much too readily. Normally, it would take some convincing.


    ¡°What''s on your mind?¡± James asked, noticing her thoughtful expression after the call.


    Mirabe twirled the phone in her hands, tilting her head towards James, "Did anything seem off when you talked to Catherine yesterday?"


    "Off?" James thought for a second. "She just asked me to look after you, nothing unusual in her tone." He shrugged, "Why, did she say something?"


    "Not exactly," Mirabe mused, "Just a gut feeling that something''s odd."

 Chapter 1322

    "Maybe you''re just being sensitive," James remarked with a teasing grin.


    Mirabe shrugged, "Maybe."


    She didn''t dwell on it. With only a couple of weeks left until school let out for the holidays, she could sort it all out then.


    James had caught snippets of Mirabe''s phone conversation and couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. "So, you''re heading off as soon as school''s out?"


    "Yep," Mirabe replied, not even ncing up from what she was doing.


    James reached over and yfully tousled her curly hair. "No other ns at all?"


    Mirabe ducked away from his hand, her response as sharp as ever. "Nope."


    James clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment. "You''re so heartless."


    Mirabe pocketed her phone and shot him a sly smile. "Why don''t youe home with me?"


    James thought about her intimidating brothers, and a look of mock dread crossed his face. "I feel like I''d be in trouble before I even set foot inside."


    Mirabeughed, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat. "You charmed my dad; my brothers should be a piece of cake."


    James sighed dramatically, taking her hand off his shoulder and holding it. "There''s an old saying-old ginger is spicier. Are you sure your dad''s a pushover?"


    Shawn might seem easygoing at first, but the moment someone got ideas about his daughter, they''d hit a brick wall. The path to winning his favor was anything but smooth.


    Hearing James''s concerns, Mirabe thought of her clever brother Zach, who always ended up outsmarted by their dad. She nodded in agreement. Her dad was no pushover-more like a wolf in sheep''s clothing.


    Meanwhile, at the medical school...


    An urgent meeting was underway. The hot topic? The recent theft of valuable data.


    The institute had lost a trove of critical information, and keeping it under wraps was no longer feasible. The day after the incident, the National Security Agency stepped in to help with the investigation.


    Today, the NSA had uncovered some leads, prompting this emergency gathering.


    Dr. Ray looked over at Agent Brack from the NSA, his expression tense. "There must be some mistake. Mirabe had neither the chance nor the motive for this."


    Brack took off his cap, setting it aside. In his forties, with a square jaw and amanding presence, he gave a nod to the person beside him.


    The person, in turn, pulled a document from a briefcase and handed it to Dr. Ray.


    "From what we''ve found, this individual only showed up on the final day of the overseas conference. For the first four days, he was off the radar, giving him plenty of time toe back, swipe the data, and return," Brack exined in a measured tone.


    Dr. Ray skimmed through the document and then looked up, conceding that Brack''s theory had merit. However, he countered, "If he returned to the country, there''d be immigration records. This document doesn''t have that, does it?"


    Dr. Ray wasn''t overly trusting of Nick; he just wanted to ensure they had solid evidence. Going after someone unlikely, while the real culprit was still out there, would be a major oversight.


    Reeling in a research scientist for the institute was no small feat, after all.


    "I''ve checked into Nick''s background. He''s from the T5 Research Institute and has been abroad. If he''s a spy sent by another nation, bypassing immigration records wouldn''t be hard. Plus, identity info can be faked," Brack added, a hint of a smile ying on his lips.

 Chapter 1323

    Dr. Ray paused for a moment, then handed the documents around to the folks gathered at the office desk.


    After a couple of minutes, he nced over at the professors and Wayne, asking, "What''s your take on this?"


    The group exchanged some puzzled looks, and it was Nick''s boss who spoke up first, "I just can''t see it being Mirabe. If he was the one who stole the documents, he could have vanished without a trace instead ofing back and walking right into a trap."


    Nick was the type to keep to himself at the research institute, always head-down in experiments, barely interacting with others from differentbs. So, the rest of them were a bit hesitant to voice their opinions.


    "Chief Shen''s analysis isn''t off the mark," Wayne chimed in slowly, "but since this involves national secrets, we can''t afford to dismiss any suspects."


    "Hey, Ben, didn''t you have a run-in with someone that night? What do you think?"


    Ben wasn''t supposed to be at this meeting, but given his involvement that night, Dr. Ray had specifically called him in. Holding the documents, Ben calmly looked up when a professor addressed him, saying, "When ites to physical features, Nick does fit the bill."


    He paused, then continued, "But I agree with Chief Shen. If Nick was the culprit, he wouldn''t havee back. Plus, I noticed a few days ago that he seemed to be injured, which would make pulling off the theft pretty tough."


    "Injured?" Dr. Ray''s eyes narrowed, clearly surprised.


    The night the documents went missing, the security chief had fired at the thief, thinking he''dnded a fatal shot. Yet, the person was never found. If the thief survived, the wound would have been on the chest.


    Ben nodded slightly, responding to Dr. Ray, "Yeah, during surgery that day, I noticed his hand was a bit shaky with the scalpel, suggesting the injury might be around the chest."


    For someone in medical research, figuring out where someone was injured wasn''t too difficult.


    Dr. Ray recalled seeing Nick that day. He didn''t look well, but since his colleagues from the virology department had taken him away, he hadn''t given it much thought.


    Brack noticed Dr. Ray''s thoughtful expression and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Got something on your mind, Dr. Ray?"


    Dr. Ray shook his head, staying silent for the moment.


    If someone got shot in the chest, near the heart, the thought of them flying long distances and performing nearly three-hour surgeries seemed far-fetched. But the chest injury was a suspicious coincidence.


    Moreover, the security chief hadter concluded that it was a coordinated theft, likely one person drawing fire while another nabbed the documents.


    Those documents were priceless. Losing them was one thing, but if they fell into foreign hands, it would be catastrophic.


    Better to err on the side of caution, like detaining those five suspect researchers at the security bureau, than to let any potential suspect slip by.


    Dr. Ray, deep in thought, asked Brack to hang on a moment. He then went over to an internal phone in the courtyard and made a call.


    Ben watched, his eyes slightly lowered, a nearly invisible twitch at the corner of his mouth.


    Not long after, the security chief showed up in the office. Dr. Ray pulled up Nick''s profile on theputer, disying his photo.


    "You fired at someone that night. Look closely and see if you can connect it to this person," Dr. Ray said, pointing at the photo.

 Chapter 1324

    The head of security nodded, his eyes fixed on theputer screen, narrowing slightly as he remembered spotting someone that night. When he had directed his shlight toward the figure, they had turned to nce back, allowing him to make a few gestures in front of his eyes.


    Everyone at the meeting was now watching him, waiting for his verdict.


    After a couple of minutes, the head of security looked puzzled and turned to Dr. Ray, saying, "It looks like him, but then again, it doesn''t."


    Dr. Ray''s eyes narrowed in thought.


    The head of security quickly added, "It was really dark that night, and the person was a bit away. They were in full disguise, so it''s hard to be sure. But if this person is the one from that night, they''d definitely have a gunshot wound through the chest."


    He gestured towards his heart area again.


    Dr. Ray paused, then asked, "What are the chances someone could survive a shot from you?"


    Given his position as head of security, his skills were indisputable.


    The head of security thought for a moment, "Pretty slim, but if they had an unusual physical trait, like a heart positioned more to the right, then maybe."


    Though, having a heart on the right side was rare.


    Just then, Brack, seated nearby, chimed in, "No need to guess blindly. Dr. Ray, why don''t you just have hime back? Or better yet, let''s not alert him for now. Just give us his address, and I''ll send someone to keep him from running."


    Brack reached for his phone but remembered the institute''s signal jammers and put it back.


    Dr. Ray considered Brack''s suggestion and found it sensible. He grabbed some paper and a pen from a drawer and wrote down the address Nick had left on his file.


    Soon, Brack''s team headed out with the address.


    The head of security also began to leave the office but stopped as something came to mind. He turned back and said, "Oh, Dr. Ray, remember someone broke into the pharmaceutical storage a couple of months ago? Any leads on that?"


    Before Dr. Ray could answer, Manuel jumped up and approached him, "Who was it?"


    "It wasn''t anyone from our institute," the head of security replied, pulling out his phone and erging a photo. "This is him."


    Manuel recognized the face but couldn''t immediately recall the name. "Isn''t this guy from the virology institute? Why would he take our Lab 3''s pharmaceuticals?"


    He remembered the solution had just been developed two months ago. It was scarce, just a few samples, and one had mysteriously disappeared, prompting an investigation.


    With recent data loss issues, Manuel had nearly forgotten about the incident.


    Hearing the words "virology institute," Dr. Ray frowned and asked to see the photo.


    The person in the photo was Adler.


    "How could it be him?" Dr. Ray was genuinely surprised.


    Manuel looked at Dr. Ray, "Dr. Ray?"


    Dr. Ray raised a hand, not speaking, as the fog in his mind began to clear after seeing Adler''s photo.


    Just a couple of days ago, Adler and Andy from the virology institute had shown up at the institute, urgently requesting to borrow someone.


    And the person they needed was none other than Nick.

 Chapter 1325

    Dr. Ray squinted, trying to make sense of the tangled situation, before looking up at the head of security. "You''re absolutely sure you''ve got the right person?"


    The leader nodded affirmatively. "Yes, after countless checks and searches, we confirmed it was this individual based on a strand of hair they identally left behind."


    Hearing this, Dr. Ray rubbed his temples, puzzled at how this mess could be linked to the virology institute.


    Nearby, Manuel pondered over the batch of medicine destroyed in Lab 3, his eyes widening with realization. "Could this person be tied to the missing documents from our institute too?"


    Ben raised an eyebrow, ncing at Manuel, then at the security leader''s phone. He recalled how a newly developed solution vanished justst month. And that person from the T5 Institute, who got whisked away by the virology crew that very day... Ben lowered his gaze, finding the whole scenario intriguingly messy.


    Someone else had conveniently popped up to clear his name. How interesting.


    Dr. Ray couldn''t afford to waste more time pondering. Without responding to Manuel, he turned to Brack. "Brack, could you get someone to round up another suspect?"


    Whatever the virology institute was scheming, crossing paths with his medical school was a step too far.


    Brack, already on the case of the missing medical school documents, wasn''t about to let any suspect slip by. He immediately ordered Adler''s apprehension.


    Shortly after, Brack left the office.


    The situation was getting deep, and Dr. Ray kept his exnations brief. Once Brack was out, he asked everyone else to leave, keeping only Manuel and Wayne behind.


    Manuel, unable to hold back his questions any longer, blurted out, "So, are our institute''s documents really stolen by someone from the virology institute?"


    Dr. Ray, with a serious look, leaned back in his chair. After a couple of minutes, he finally spoke. "We can''t rule out that possibility."


    He wasn''t about to jump to conclusions without solid proof.


    "But why would they want our documents? Are they nning some secret research?" Wayne, standing nearby, was utterly baffled.


    Their institute''s most secretive research was about mutants. Could the virology folks really be interested in that?


    "I''m not sure, but I''m heading to the virology institute now," Dr. Ray decided.


    He needed to figure out if this was an individual''s misdeed or if the institute itself had a hidden agenda.


    "I''ll tag along, Dr. Ray," Wayne offered.


    "Alright, but let''s keep things under wraps until we get to the bottom of it. Manuel, keep this hush-hush for now," Dr. Ray instructed as he stood up.


    Manuel nodded, "Got it."


    **


    Over at the virology institute.


    Brack''s team moved fast, showing up at the institute almost immediately after getting the orders.


    At that moment, Adler was still in theb.


    With agents from the national security agency present, Director Andy and the others were utterly confused after hearing the details.


    Especially Andy, who had just visited the medical school with Adler a few days ago. He scratched his head, looking at the security agents. "This has to be a mistake. Adler couldn''t possibly be involved in stealing from the medical school..."


    "Right or wrong,e with us to the agency, and we''ll sort it out," the officer said sternly, all business.

 Chapter 1326

    Andy and the director exchanged knowing looks, both painfully aware of the kind of ce the Bureau of Security was, where the tortures defied imagination and even the innocent could end up with tarnished reputations.


    Everyone knew Adler''s character, and using him of stealing documents was downright absurd. But with the Bureau''s involvement, the director suspected that the medical institute needed a scapegoat to satisfy the government since they couldn''t find the real culprit. Adler was conveniently in their crosshairs.


    Given Adler''s role as a researcher at their virology institute, a charge against him wouldn''t just be his problem-it would drag the whole institute into disrepute.


    "You can''t just arrest people without solid evidence," the director said calmly, unfazed by the officer''s intimidating demeanor.


    Security Bureau officers were notorious for their arrogance, and this one merely smirked, pulling out a phone from his pocket. "Looking for evidence? I''ve got it right here."


    He showed the director several documents provided by the medical institute''s security captain. As Andy and the director scanned the papers, the officer strolled over to the window, back turned to them, and tapped hispel mic, his voice cold and devoid of emotion, "Go ahead with the arrest."


    Despite his back being turned, his voice was loud enough to make Andy and the director look up. d in the dark uniform of a special department, he radiated arrogance.


    Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, the director and Andy felt a sense of helplessness. Just then, another officer came in, a researcher from the institute trailing behind him.


    "Captain, we''ve got a witness," the new officer announced.


    The officer, now identified as the captain, turned to face them. The director and Andy nced at the apanying researcher, frowning.


    "Kevin, what did you tell them?" the director asked.


    Kevin, a junior researcher, looked nervously at the director, his words stumbling out, "I didn''t say much. They asked about Adler, and I thought it was about the radioactive material research being leaked, so I didn''t hold back."


    Research on radioactive materials was a strict no-go in the institute, and nationally forbidden. Kevin, still bitter over Adler beating him for a promotionst year, couldn''t resist spilling the beans when the Bureau came probing.


    The director felt a headache looming. Whether Kevin''s ims were true or not, his loose lips handed the Bureau yet another reason for arrest. First, the theft usation, and now dabbling in banned substances¡ªit was chaos.


    The director wanted to berate Kevin for his rashness, for not understanding the gravity of the situation. How could he let this slip in front of the Bureau of Security?!


    The captain''s gaze flicked over Kevin, the whistleblower, beforending on the director with a mocking tone, "Radioactive materials? Seems like your institute has some serious guts."

 Chapter 1327

    Swanson felt the tension in the air as he said, "The department''s records on the radiation source were wiped ages ago. Kevin must''ve gotten it wrong."


    "Another mix-up? Swanson, do you think I''m clueless?" The Chief of Police gave a wry chuckle.


    The Director tried to exin, "You''ve got it wrong, that''s not what I meant..."


    But the Chief of Police had already lost patience and cut him off with a raised hand, "No need for more exnations. I''m taking him today, whether it''s for stealing documents or the radiation source. He''s a suspect either way, and it''s only right to bring him in."


    Kevin, who was standing nearby, suddenly realized things were spiraling out of control. He didn''t know anything about stolen documents and hesitated before blurting out, "I might''ve been mistaken..."


    The Chief of Police shot Kevin a cold look, then ordered his deputies, "Take him too, and make sure to secure the evidence."


    "Got it," one of the deputies nodded. Almost before Kevin could protest, they had him restrained and escorted out of the office.


    Swanson and Andy exchanged worried looks, their expressions growing grim.


    *


    Meanwhile, over in theb, Adler stepped away from the high-powered


    microscope and rubbed his temples. He walked over to a cluttered table, flipping through the stack of draft papers with a hint of frustration. Finally, he grabbed a handful, crumpled them up, and tossed them into the trash.


    A colleague noticed and shook their head, setting aside their work to hand Adler a few tissues. "Isting the strain isn''t a walk in the park. Take it easy; you need to be patient."


    Adler mumbled a thanks, wiping his forehead, "It''s not about patience. This strain is tough as nails. As soon as we iste its molecr structure, it just morphs into a new strain. I''ve never seen anything like it."


    The colleague''s expression turned serious, "You''re right. If this isn''t handled properly, it could spell disaster... Oh, didn''t you mention asking Emmitt about it? What did he say?"


    Adler coughed, "Emmitt''s swamped these days. He said he''d check the data and get back to meter."


    The colleague nodded, "Alright, we''ll wait for Emmitt''s..."


    Before they could finish, theb door swung open, cutting them off.


    Both Adler and his colleague stopped mid-sentence, looking towards the door.


    Adler frowned at the unfamiliar faces crowding the doorway. He nced back at the strain in the containment unit before addressing the neers, "Who are you? This is ab, and what we''re working on is dangerous."


    The lead officer shed a badge, "Safety Bureau. Which one of you is Adler?" Safety Bureau?


    Adler paused, then stepped forward, "That''d be me. What''s going on?"


    "Come with us, and you''ll find out," the officer replied. Two officers immediately moved in, grabbing Adler by the arms.


    Adler, more at home in hisb than in a tussle, didn''t stand a chance against the Safety Bureau officers. Within moments, he was bundled into a ck, nondescript


    van.


    They cuffed his wrists and didn''t even give him time to change out of his protective gear.


    The colleague, who''d just been chatting with Adler, rushed off to find the Director, only then discovering why Adler had been taken away.

 Chapter 1328

    "It''s justughable. How could Adler be used of stealing documents from the medical school?" Adler''s coworker shot back without a second thought when Swanson brought it up. He had been Adler''s partner for years and knew his character inside and out.


    Swanson rubbed his temples, weary from the situation with the radioactive materials, and asked, "Do you know if he''s been working on anything rted to radioactive materials?"


    "Radioactive materials? Aren''t those off-limits? Why would he be involved with that?" The colleague dismissed the idea as nonsense.


    "Well, Kevin imed he saw Adler going through some documents about them," Swanson exined.


    Hearing Kevin''s name, the colleague snorted, "Last year, when he didn''t get promoted to Senior Researcher, he med Adler for taking his spot. And now we''re supposed to trust his word? He''s just out to stir trouble and get back at him."


    Swanson gave a wry smile. "Now both Kevin and Adler have been taken in by the Security Agency. Even if Kevin''s just making things up, this situation seems to have solidified."


    In this cutthroat world, the weak often get trampled.


    "So, what do we do now? You know Adler and I were working on a critical virus strain project that can''t move forward without him. Plus, there''s that mysterious guy, Emmitt, backing him. If anything happens to Adler, our loss will be far greater than just losing a researcher," Adler''s colleague said seriously.


    The virology center had always been short-handed. Last year, Emmitt''s assistance helped dodge a major crisis, leading to Adler''s promotion. Not that Adler wasn''t capable on his own.


    Hearing about Adler''s mysterious Emmitt made Swanson''s headache worse. "Do you know the real reason Adler was taken?"


    The colleague just stared at Swanson.


    "It''s because of this Emmitt." Swanson had just learned from Andy that Adler''s Emmitt was someone from the medical school.


    Adler''s colleague was taken aback, asking almost instinctively, "So, who is this mysterious Emmitt?"


    Just as Swanson was about to reveal it was someone from the medical school, a knock on the door interrupted. He looked over, simply saying, "Come in."


    "The folks from the medical school are here."


    Swanson paused, then waved toward the door. "Got it. Please have them wait in the reception room. I''ll be right there."


    "Alright."


    Swanson stood up and left, telling Adler''s colleague, "The medical school people are here. I need to get a handle on the situation first."


    Adler''s colleague nodded, worry etched on his face as he left the office. He sought advice from the department head, who only shrugged helplessly. Getting someone out once the Agency''s involved was nearly impossible.


    Everyone was ying it safe; it was enough to not be the target, let alone expect any help.


    By evening, Adler''s colleague returned to his office and headed to the locker room


    to change out of his work clothes, ready to head home. As he hung his work clothes back in the locker, he heard a ringtone from inside.


    It wasing from Adler''s clothes.


    The colleague hesitated, then fished out the phone.


    The caller ID read ''Master.''


    He knew exactly who ''Master'' was. Thinking about what Swanson had mentioned


    earlier, he hesitated but finally decided to pick up the call.

 Chapter 1329

    The call connected.


    A clear, cool female voice came through. "I''ve sent you all the data forms. As for the issue about the pathogen strain endlessly dividing, I need to mull it over a bit more. I''ll get back to you once I''ve figured it out."


    Adler''s colleague was taken aback by the voice. Weren''t they expecting Emmitt? How did it turn into a young woman? His cheeks twitched, feeling something breaking inside. Unbelievable!


    After Mirabe finished speaking and got no response, she called out, "Adler?"


    Adler''s colleague snapped back to reality and quickly replied, "Uh... I''m not Adler. I''m his colleague."


    "Colleague?" Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Is Adler busy?"


    "No, Adler''s... in some trouble." The colleague, perhaps influenced by years of dealing with the elusive Emmitt, decided to be straightforward. "He was taken by the National Security Agency this afternoon, and we have no clue what''s happening now."


    No wonder he hadn''t replied to her messages earlier.


    Mirabe, who had been lounging against the headboard, kept her casual demeanor, but the mood around her shifted. "Why would the National Security Agency take him?" she asked.


    "You don''t know?" The colleague recalled what Swanson had mentioned earlier. Adler''s arrest was all because of this mysterious ''Emmitt.''


    Mirabe replied, "Because of the medical institute incident?"


    "Yeah, the records went missing, and then it got tangled up with the radiation data, so..." The colleague didn''t know much, as Swanson hadn''t filled him in on the details.


    Holding her phone, Mirabe nodded, "Thanks for the heads-up."


    "No problem. But now that he''s with the National Security Agency, who knows what''ll happen? I''ve heard they''re pretty ruthless," the colleague sighed.


    Mirabe knew all too well how intense the National Security Agency could be, having encountered them before. After a moment of thought, she said, "I have a way to get him out, but I''ll need your help."


    The colleague perked up immediately, "Just tell me what to do."


    "Not just you, everyone," Mirabe corrected.


    Thinking of how everyone was avoiding the issue earlier, even the director, he gave a wry smile, "I can help, but the others..."


    He didn''t finish, but Mirabe got the drift. Her gaze shifted to the door, which was now making noise. "I can research and analyze the pathogen strain structure for you."


    The colleague''s grip tightened on his phone, tempted by the offer. After a pause, he said, "Alright, I''ll talk to our director now."


    Mirabe wasn''t worried about their cooperation. She agreed and hung up.


    At the door, James entered, noticing Mirabe''s serious expression. He pulled up a chair next to the bed, ncing at the phone in her hand. "Who called?"


    "Adler''s been taken by the National Security Agency," Mirabe said, putting her phone away and grabbing theptop from the bedside table.


    James, knowing Adler had rescued Nick, leaned back in his chair. "Because of Nick?"


    "Yeah, he''s be the fall guy," Mirabe replied softly, her fingers flying over theptop keyboard.

 Chapter 1330

    The medical school''s data wasn''t swiped by Nick, so it seems the real culprit is just trying to stir the pot. Thinking they could pull a fast one ande out on top was downright reckless.


    Mirabe was tapping away at her keyboard, quickly breaking into the medical school''s system to dig up the surveince footage from that night. James watched her, his eyebrow slightly raised, and then said, "Don''t sweat the security agency; I''ll have someone keeping an eye on things."


    "Alright," Mirabe replied, not bothering with formalities. She knew the agency folks were pretty wary of James. With his people on the case, Adler would catch a


    break.


    James nodded, seeing she was deep in herputer work, and chose not to interrupt. Ten minutester, Mirabe shut herptop, thought for a bit, and then sent As a few messages on Messenger, giving him some tasks.


    *


    After dinner, around seven, As showed up. James was still hanging out in the hospital room. As greeted him with a nod and stood aside, ncing at Mirabe without saying a word.


    James shot them a sideways look, stood up from the couch, and said, ¡°You guys chat."


    Mirabe leaned back casually, nodding before saying, "Make sure you get some rest, alright?"


    James''s eyebrows went up. Was she up to something behind his back again? Seeing she wasn''t going to spill any more beans, he shook his head, "Alright, keep safe."


    Mirabe''s eyes darted away, "What could possibly happen in a hospital?" she retorted with a hint of defiance. James''s smile was enigmatic.


    Mirabe cleared her throat. Soon, it was just Mirabe and As left in the room.


    As finally spoke up, "The security agency folks hit up Mr. Nick''s other ce this afternoon and are still camped out there."


    Mirabe crossed her legs, tapping her finger absentmindedly, "Hmm, let''s not worry about that. What did we find out from the med school?"


    "It''s that guy Ben causing trouble. He might''ve found out about Mr. Nick''s injury, so he leaked info to the agency," As exined.


    Mirabe nodded, her gaze steady as she pondered, then asked, "Where is he now?"


    "He''s been holed up at the research institute and hasn''t left," As said.


    "Keep tabs on him," Mirabe replied coolly.


    As nodded, "Got it." He hesitated, gesturing to the next room, "Should we loop Mr. Nick in on this?"


    Mirabe waved her hand, "Let''s wait until it''s all wrapped up."


    "Okay, I''ll head down. I''ll let you know when Ben makes a move."


    "Alright."


    Once As left, Mirabe held her phone but didn''t touch it, just leaning back with azy, unreadable expression.


    *


    Later that night, around ten, Ben left theb, saying goodbye to Manuel and the others before taking the elevator down to the parking garage. The garage was quiet, with only a few cars dotted around.


    Rubbing his temples with one hand and fishing out his car keys with the other, Ben''s exhaustion was written all over his face. He sat in his car, eyes closed for a moment, then shook his head to clear it and started the engine.


    Soon, he was driving out of the institute. The night was deep, and the streets were mostly empty. Ben nced out the car window, then hit the autopilot button.

 Chapter 1331

    As soon as Ben pulled his hand back, he shifted in his seat, and his eyes flicked over to the rearview mirror. In that moment, he caught a glimpse of a pair of icy eyes staring back at him, making his heart skip a beat.


    Wait, there was someone in his car? How had he not noticed when he got in? Whoever managed to sneak in so quietly without setting off any rms was someone to be reckoned with¡ªa dangerous individual, no doubt.


    Theck of light inside the car made it hard to see the person''s face. "Who are you?" Ben asked, his voice steady but low, while his right hand discreetly moved towards his waist.


    The figure in the backseat remained silent, those piercing ck-and-white eyes fixed on the front like a grim reaper waiting in the shadows. The tension in the car was thick enough to cut with a knife.


    Ben was on high alert, his fingers brushing against the weapon at his waist. In the blink of an eye, he spun around, gun drawn, finger resting on the trigger, aimed at the intruder.


    Even without seeing clearly, pinpointing someone''s position in the dark was second nature to him. "Speak, who are you!" he demanded, his voice cold andmanding, the gun giving him a sense of control he desperately needed.


    The person in the back merely let out a soft, dismissive sound. Ben squinted, trying to focus. Was it a woman?


    "Isn''t it better to stay alive?" a calm, chilling female voice floated through the air, soft yetden with an undeniable threat.


    Ben''s eyes sharpened, a deep sense of dread creeping over him, urging him to pull the trigger. But in an


    instant, he realized his fingers wouldn''t budge. It was like his body was frozen, refusing to respond!


    "You..." Panic shed across Ben''s face. He tried to speak, but only managed to say "you" before his voice failed him altogether. This scenario felt all too familiar. Drugs, it had to be drugs! ''


    Only a powerful sedative could immobilize him like this. Ben quickly pieced it together, shocked that he could be caught off guard by something like this. His body was supposed to be immune to most drugs!


    The car glided smoothly down the road, autopilot engaged, leaving no need for manual control or worry about an ident. The mystery person in the back was Mirabe.


    A sly smile danced on her lips as her eyes flicked over the gun pointed at her, and with a casual motion, she took it into her own hands. The quiet car filled with the sound of a click as she disengaged the safety.


    Ben''s face drained of color, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead, as the barrel of the gun pressed against him. The chill seemed to seep into his very bones.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, her ck mask obscuring most of her face except for her deep, captivating eyes. She smirked and then pulled the gun away from Ben''s forehead.


    No, shooting him would be too easy. Ben remained rigid, fully grasping what it meant to brush up against the edge of death.

 Chapter 1332

    Before Ben could catch his breath, he was shoved back into the driver''s seat by someone in the back. As his eyes tried to focus on the road, a gunshot shattered the air. He barely had time to react before a force tore through him, from back to chest.


    Pain exploded within him, and all Ben could see was a neat round hole in the windshield ahead. The unmistakable mark of a bullet.


    His eyes widened in disbelief. Somehow, he regained enough control to move. His head drooped, and he nced down at his chest, where bright red blood was gushing out.


    Instinctively, Ben pressed his hand against the wound, feeling the warmth of his blood seep through his fingers as his face turned pale.


    The car came to an automatic stop. In the back seat, Mirabe nced at the bullet hole in the windshield, her expression unreadable. With a slight twitch of her lips, she opened the door and stepped out.


    The night breeze tousled her hair, her eyes sharp and clear against the moonlit backdrop. As Ben''s consciousness faded, his head leaned weakly against the door. Through the rearview mirror, he caught a glimpse of Mirabe''s silhouette melting into the night, like a shadowy specter, disappearing from view.


    Inside the car, Mirabe sat calmly. Up front, As was at the wheel. He had been trailing Ben''s car from afar, and the gunshot had nearly scared him out of his wits.


    Now, seeing Miss Mira unharmed in the mirror, As hesitated before stammering, "Miss Mira, do you really know how to handle a gun?"


    His words broke the car''s silence. Mirabe slowly turned her gaze from the window, her eyes still bright and clear. After a moment''s thought, she replied earnestly, "I yed with them when I was a kid, I suppose."


    As''s lips twitched. yed with them as a kid? Wasn''t that usually toy guns?


    Was Miss Mira pulling his leg again?


    Clearing his throat, As decided to switch topics. "About Ben..."


    "Oh, he won''t die," Mirabe shrugged. She hadn''t forgotten the security bureau''s


    methods offering Ben a taste seemed only fair, after all.


    After all, it was as if Ben had almost lost his second chance at life.


    As coughed, "Should I send the surveince footage to the security bureauter?"


    "Doesn''t matter."


    Mirabe had already restored some surveince footage from the


    medical collegest night. If al ne?


    wanted to y the thief crying thief, ''d give him a grand show.


    The gunshot tonight was just the icing on the cake to seal his fate as the thief.


    Fabricating a story about the wounded man being the thief from that night? Easy. Mirabe''s lips curled slightly.


    The next day at the Medical College.


    Dr. Ray''s office.


    Dr. Ray had barely settled in when his assistant burst in, breathless.


    "The virology institute folks are here to see me?" Dr. Ray asked, surprised. He''d


    just been there yesterday, and it hadn''t ended well.


    "Yes, Swanson''s here, looking pretty heated, said he wants to have a word with you," the assistant replied quickly.


    Dr. Ray frowned. Have a word with him? Must be joking.


    After a pause, he said, "Alright, bring him in." "Okay."


    Soon, the assistant returned with Swanson in tow. Swanson mmed a document down on Dr. Ray''s desk. "Spencer, take a look at this. I wasn''t going to bring it up, but your Medical College has been relentless. After mulling it over all night, we''re not taking the me for any of this."


    Year-end chaos is real, and my typing speed isn''t helping. I haven''t got much saved, nning an


    for more. Goodnight.


    all-nighter, so check bacPet

 Chapter 1333

    Dr. Ray shot a nce at Swanson, who was predictably bristling with aggression, before picking up the documents that had been carelessly tossed onto the desk. As he flipped through the first few pages, a subtle shift crossed his face.


    Swanson leaned casually against the office desk, stealing asional nces at Spencer. Despite feeling a bit shaky inside, he kept up a front of confidence. "Nick''s known Adler for quite some time and has done a lot for our department. This R-strain project is pretty unique and at a crucial stage. We''ve got confidentiality agreements with international research institutes, so when you sent him to the conference, I specifically asked him to handle some coordination, which led to a four-day dy."


    Swanson paused, his tone taking on a tinge of guilt. "I didn''t foresee those four days would cause him so much trouble. Spencer, let''s be straight here. If you doubt me, you can call overseas and check right now."


    Sticking to his professional ethics, Spencer stopped going through the documents. He had a vague idea about the R-strain project, knowing it was indeed a hush-hush matter concerning public welfare. But he couldn''t help asking, "Does Mirabe''s field really tie in with your virology institute?"


    He''d been itching to ask since Adler first dropped by to borrow staff, but each time, the opportunity slipped away. Swanson had prepped his answers, "How could it not be rted? The virus and neurons are..."


    Before he could finish, the doorbell interrupted. Swanson mmed up as the head of security rushed in. "Dr. Ray, we''ve recovered some surveince footage from that night."


    At this, Dr. Ray shot up from his chair, eyes locking onto the security chief with a sharp gaze. "Any new leads?"


    The chief nodded, pulling out his phone and opening the video he''d just copied from the surveince


    room, handing it over to Dr. Ray


    Swanson''s eyes flickered with


    interest, and he sidled over to stand next to Spencer, peering at the screen.


    As they watched the footage, Swanson''s previously jittery nerves settled. When Adler''s partner approached him yesterday, the offer had been tempting. After mulling it


    over half the night, he fived.


    Operating in secrecy wasn''t so


    tough; it was all about what was in it for you.


    A few minutester, after watching the video again, Dr. Ray, now with a grave expression, handed the phone back to the security chief. "Ben? I never saw thating."


    This was a shoeker. Just yesterday, the security agency folks had involved him in their meeting. If Ben was the culprit, it was a real twist. "Get on Ben''s background again," Spencer instructed, his eyeso narrowing as he directed the security chief.


    "Right," the chief replied, pausing to ask, "Should we loop in the security agency?"


    Spencer pondered for a moment, wanting to avoid any more mix-ups. He shook his head, "Let''s hold off a..."


    Before he could finish, Brack''s voice rang out from the half-open office door, "No need to wait. We can''t let anyone suspicious slip through."


    Dr. Ray looked up, momentarily stunned. Brack strode in, his presence strong andmanding.

 Chapter 1334

    Brack gave Spencer a quick nce, "I''ve heard there''s something fishy about Ben."


    Dr. Ray''s brow furrowed slightly at this. "So, Brack, have you sent someone to nab him?"


    "Do you think I''d be dumb enough to spook him?" Brack chuckled softly. "A senior researcher who''s been with the institute for seven or eight years? You think he''s got no one backing him?"


    "So what''s your move now?" Dr. Ray asked, turning to him.


    Brack settled into the couch, "Has he shown up at the institute yet?"


    "I''ll find out." Dr. Ray walked over to make a call on the direct line.


    Brack nodded in response.


    Swanson, observing from the sidelines, thought for a moment before sitting across from Brack. "Brack, with these new developments, shouldn''t we let Adler go?"


    Brack''s eyelids twitched a bit. "Why rush? We haven''t caught Nick yet, and there''s still a lot to verify."


    "Honestly, Nick''s out of the country right now," Swanson repeated what he''d told Spencer earlier. "I can''t spill the beans about the international project¡ªit''s top secret."


    "How convenient, leaving right now?" Brack was never one to buy into coincidences.


    Swanson offered a calm smile and handed Brack a paper from his document bag. "Here''s a travel log. You can check it in the system."


    Brack paused, took it, then ryed a series of numbers through the earpiece on his cor.


    Swanson listened, his eyes slightly lowered. He wasn''t sure about the log''s authenticity¡ªit was something handed to him after he agreed to help Mirabe''s


    side.


    In under two minutes, Manuel,


    having received the call, rushed into Dr. Ray''s office. He nodded at Brack before focusing on Dr. Ray, looking skeptical, "Dr. Ray, did you say Ben''s the one who took the documents?"


    Dr. Ray nodded softly. "Some surveince footage from that night has been recovered. Ben''s the main suspect."


    Though he didn''t outright use Ben, he was almost sure of it in his mind.


    Manuel instinctively defended Ben. "We were talking all night, then went to theb and bumped into the thief. Ben even fought him off."


    "What if they were partners?" Dr. Ray asked, ncing at Manuel.


    "Why would an aplice wreck something he worked so hard on?" Manuel began, then suddenly paused.


    He remembered that after the drugs


    were destroyed, Ben''s reaction wasn''t as upset as his or the other professors''. When theputer data was reported lost, Ben quickly produced a handwritten version.


    He had noticed some discrepancies in the datapared to the original but was


    more focused on recreating the drug, so he didn''t dwell on it.


    Later, thanks to that manuscript, the


    sto


    new drug was recreated pretty easily, and it was Ben who


    suggested testing it on humans right


    away But this new drug was quite different from what they originally developed.


    The more Manuel thought about it, the darker his expression grew.

 Chapter 1335

    After a moment''s pause, Manuel finally recounted the events of that night. "I was


    so caught up with things in theb, I didn''t really pay much attention to Ben. Later, he mentioned he was chasing someone and did disappear for a few minutes."


    For someone who knows the institute inside out, swiping some data in just a few minutes isn''t impossible.


    Dr. Ray''s expression turned serious. "Did he say when he''d be dropping by today?"


    Manuel shook his head. "I''m not exactly sure. Should I give him a call toe over now?"


    "No," Brack interrupted. "Someone that meticulous would get suspicious if we just call him out of the blue."


    Dr. Ray turned to Brack. "So, what do we do?"


    Brack tapped his fingers on his knee, his square face looking serious, momentarily stumped for a good solution.


    The room went quiet.


    Manuel, his mind swirling with thoughts about Ben, suddenly remembered the new drug form in theb. He looked up and said, "Maybe I have a way to get him toe to us."


    Since the new drug''s manuscript came from Ben, using it as bait probably wouldn''t raise any red gs.


    **


    Meanwhile, elsewhere.


    Ben had just woken up, looking pale. His mind was still stuck on the scene from the carst night.


    Beside the hospital bed stood a tall man, his face masked except for a pair of striking blue eyes.


    Seeing Ben open his eyes, the man didn''t say a word, just calmly injected a syringe into Ben''s forearm.


    As the clear liquid flowed in, Ben''s fingers clenched the nket involuntarily, like he was enduring some serious pain, only rxing when the man pulled out the syringe.


    After a few minutes, Ben slowly sat up, the nket slipping off to reveal his bare upper body. The gunshot wound on his chest had been treated and bandaged.


    His torso was covered with old scars.


    Ben lowered his gaze, his voice hoarse, "Thanks."


    The man gave him a nce, tossing the syringe into the trash. "Poppy roots have elements that can paralyze neurons. Did you run into a medicine expert?"


    Hearing it was poppy, Ben''s face darkened. No wonder he got caught off guardst night.


    He thought his body had built up a resistance to drugs, so how could he be taken down?


    "Not sure, it was a really young woman."


    The man tilted his head slightly, his usually calm blue eyes showing a flicker of interest. "A young woman?"


    "Yeah, I didn''t see her face." Ben''s eyes were clouded with gloom. He never thought he''d be outsmarted by a woman, let alone one he hadn''t even seen.


    Just then, a phone started ringing in the room.


    Hearing the ringtone, Ben knew it was from the research institute. He got out of bed, walked over to the wall, and picked up his coat, fishing out his phone.


    Seeing the call was from Manuel''s direct line, Ben''s gaze sharpened as he wondered what the call


    about. Quickly, he answ" was


    "Manuel, were you looking for me?"


    His voice was still smooth and polite, giving away nothing.

 Chapter 1336

    *


    In just a couple of minutes, Ben ended the call. He leaned against the wall, deep in thought for a moment, before his gazended on the first-aid kit sitting on the table nearby. Taking a breath, he made his way over to it.


    Inside the kit, there was one vial left. Ben paused, hesitating, before picking up the syringe. From across the room, a man watched his actions and casually remarked, "You''d better stay in."


    Ben didn''t lift his head, though his hand trembled slightly as he held the syringe. He steadied himself, injecting the medicine into his arm. "The new form''s making strides-I have to see it for myself."


    "Do what you want," the man replied, pulling up his mask and heading out. "Just be careful."


    "Yeah," Ben replied, closing his eyes. He felt a burning pain in his chest where he''d been shot, but the sensation gradually eased as the medicine took effect.


    As the man reached the door, he paused and turned slightly, "What about the person I asked about?"


    Ben opened his eyes, looking at the man''s back. "They''re hard to reach. I just need a bit more time."


    "You''ve kept me waiting too long," the man said softly, though his displeasure was clear.


    A shiver ran through Ben, and he murmured, "It shouldn''t be much longer now." Without another word, the man walked out.


    Left alone, Ben moved to the wardrobe, pulling out a fresh set of clothes. As he changed, he removed the bandage from his chest and saw, to his surprise, that the wound had already started to scab over.


    Forty minutester, Ben arrived at the medical school. He took the elevator straight to Manuel''s office. As soon as he stepped inside and saw others there besides Manuel, a sense of unease crept over him.


    At that moment, people in uniforms burst in through the door behind him, immediately surrounding Ben. They were Brack''s men.


    Ben lowered his gaze, then looked at Manuel and Dr. Ray, feigning surprise. "Manuel, what''s going on?"


    Manuel''s expression wasplicated as he asked, "Why did you steal the institute''s data?"


    Ben felt a knot form in his stomach, unsure where things had gone awry, but he kept hisposure. "Steal data? There must be some mistake."


    "The surveince footage from that night has been restored. You were the only person who went up to the seventh floor," Spencer said with a hint of distress. "You''ve been at the medical school for almost eight years. Why would you do this? Who are you working for?"


    Ben looked even more innocent, "I admit I went to the seventh floor, but I didn''t take anything. That night was chaotic, and I was worried about the data room."


    Manuel pressed on, "Then why did you create a misleading pharmaceutical manuscript?"


    "The manuscript is just part of my personal collection. Besides, the form has always been developed by you and other professors. How could deceive everyone so openly?" Ben''s argument was solid, leaving little room for doubt.


    Manuel was about to continue when Brack, clearly out of patience, stood up and


    cut in, ¡°Enough. Whether he''s guilty or not, we''ll find out through the


    investigation."


    With that, he ordered his men to take Ben away.

 Chapter 1337

    Ben furrowed his brow as two officers nked him, lifting his arms so he couldn''t put up a fight. Their grip was tight, tugging at the wound on his chest, making him wince and instinctively hunch over in pain. A nearby security captain caught sight of this and swiftly approached. "Hold on," he called out.


    The officers turned to face him. The captain walked right up to Ben and, without a word, pressed his fingers against Ben''s chest. Ben grunted and stepped back. Seeing this, the captain yanked down Ben''s shirt, revealing a gunshot wound on his chest, clearly a through-and-through from the back.


    "It was you," the captain asserted. The spot matched where he had hit an intruder that night, and the scabbing confirmed it. Ben locked eyes with the captain, suddenly understanding why the shot he tookst night wasn''t fatal. It was all a setup to pin him as the one who stole the documents. Even with shaky logic, the gunshot wound was enough to fool everyone for now. Plus, he''d been injected with some special base medication, speeding up his healing so the wound scabbed over quickly, making it harder to exin. No one would believe a gunshot wound could heal overnight.


    Soon, Ben was taken away. As Brack was about to leave, Swanson called after him.


    "Let him go?" Brack smirked at Swanson, "Isn''t your guy working on a banned project? Ignoring top-level rules like that, how can you expect me to let him go?"


    Swanson frowned, "It''s just a misunderstanding..."


    Brack wasn''t interested in hearing more, raising his hand to cut Swanson off, "Misunderstanding or not, letting him go isn''t an option. We''ve got plenty to handle at the bureau, so I must be off." With that, he walked out of the office. Swanson left the medical center looking worried shortly after.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe, not a fan of the hospital''s smell, arranged for her discharge that day. Not long after leaving, while on her way back, she got a message from her colleague, Adler Twirling the phone in her hands, Mirabe turned to the driver, "What would it take to get Adler out of the bureau?"


    James raised an eyebrow, "Others might have conditions, but for you, there are none."


    Mirabe looked away, "Can we swing by there now?"


    "Sure," James nodded. The car


    made a turn at the next corner, heading straight for the National Security building. Twenty minutester, they pulled into the security bureau. Mirabe had been there once before; it wasn''t familiar territory, but it wasn''t entirely foreign either. After getting out, she walked alongside James. The guards at the entrance nodded respectfully at him. Mirabe clicked her tongue at this.


    James shot her a sideways nce before pulling out a ck keycard, swiping it by the elevator door, which smoothly opened. The security bureau was on the third floor, along with the detention rooms. When they reached the third floor, the officers, already informed of James''s arrival, were waiting in the central hall.

 Chapter 1338

    "James, you''re here," the officer greeted, nodding respectfully while giving


    Mirabe a cautious once-over, surprise flickering in his eyes. James was never seen with a woman before.


    James gave him a cool look. "I''m here to take someone with me."


    The officer''s eyes darted away, his face scrunching up with awkwardness. "I''m afraid that''s not possible right now."


    "Why not?" James asked, a slight furrow forming between his brows.


    The officer lowered his gaze even more and exined, "Brack just got back and ordered no visitors."


    No visitors allowed, let alone taking someone away.


    James narrowed his eyes, exuding an aura of authority that needed no anger.


    Seeing this, the officer quickly backtracked, "Of course, if you want to visit, James, that''s no problem."


    James thought for a moment, then turned to Mirabe. "I''ll head to Brack''s office. You..."


    Mirabe, still looking pale and not quite recovered, waved a hand. "I''ll go see Adler."


    "Alright," James nodded, gently adjusting her coat, his voice soft. "Call me if you need anything."


    Mirabe nodded back.


    The officer, taking note of James''s care for Mirabe, realized she was not to be overlooked. Once James left, he said to her with respect, "Let me take you there now."


    Mirabe gave a polite nod.


    Soon, they were making their way to where Adler was held.


    As they walked, Mirabe casually asked, "My friend hasn''tmitted a serious crime, has he?"


    The officer, knowing only that Adler was a researcher suspected of stealing data, replied, "I wouldn''t call it serious."


    "If it''s not serious, why isn''t he in a regr holding cell?" Mirabe tilted her head, curious.


    The officer hesitated, caught off guard by the question, then admitted, "I''m not sure. That''s just how the orders came down."


    By then, they had arrived at the cell.


    Mirabe didn''t press further.


    There was no guard at the door. The officer used a maic card to unlock it, and with a beep, the door swung open. "If you need anything, just ring the bell inside. I''ll wait out here."


    Mirabe nodded her thanks and stepped inside.


    As she entered, the officer pulled the door shut behind her.


    The cell was small, with just a square


    , a chair, and a smalle


    bed. Mirabe spotted Adler


    the bed with his back to the


    Raising an eyebrow, she pulled the chair over to the table and sat down. "Seems like you''ve made yourself at home."


    The cool tone of her voice made Adler''s eyes snap open. He turned around, and seeing her, he jumped up from the bed, a grin spreading across his face. "Boss, how did you manage to get in? They actually let you in?"


    "There''s a little trick called pulling strings," Mirabe said with a leisurely smile.


    Adler''s grin wavered, almost forgetting her strong ties with the Shepherd family.


    "Weren''t you the one who said no one would notice your research on radiation sources?" Mirabe teased, her eyes glinting.


    Adler rubbed his face and coughed. "Yeah, didn''t see thating."


    Which is why you shouldn''t count your chickens before they hatch.


    Mirabe nodded and asked, "Nobody''s been giving you a hard time, right?"


    At that, Adler''s yful demeanor faded. "Not really, but this ce isn''t right for you. You should head back soon."

 Chapter 1339

    Adler always had aid-back way of talking, never too serious. Mirabe shot him a nce, "They didn''t rough you up, did they?"


    Adler shook his head, "Nope."


    He didn''t mention that he''d only been dragged into this room about ten minutes ago, and the person who brought him here had taken the chance to mock him pretty nastily.


    Mirabe nodded, trusting Adler''s words. After all, James had people watching over him, and given how much respect everyone here had for him, they wouldn''t dare to cross him.


    Adler pointed towards the door, insisting, "Seriously, you should head back. Don''te to ces like this again."


    Despite Adler''s urgency, Mirabe stayed put, lounging in her seat, her voice steady and rxed, "No hurry, we can leave togetherter."


    Seeing this, Adler got up from his chair and paced to the door. He peered through the ss panel but saw nothing, then turned back, "Honestly, they say once you''re in this room, getting out is tough."


    He knew the Shepherd family''s clout in Riverdale but also understood how tangled things could get. Plus, with the current political mess, it was easy to get caught in the crossfire.


    Struggles meant sacrifices, which was why Adler was pushing Mirabe to leave.


    The Security Bureau''s behavior was too cocky, clearly backed by some powerful force, even the Shepherd family couldn''t interfere casually.


    Mirabe got his worries and said, ¡°You haven''t done anything wrong, don''t sweat it."


    "Ah, it''s not really about being guilty or not..." Adler ran his fingers through his hair, struggling for words, "Anyway, with not many people around, you should make a quick exit."


    Mirabe was about to respond when the door creaked open.


    Adler instinctively looked up, spotting the person at the door holding a whip, and his expression shifted a bit.


    This guy had been itching to take a swing at him since yesterday, but someone had talked him down.


    Heter found out it was someone from the Shepherd family who had his back, which was why no one dared to touch him.


    But Adler knew that if he''d been in a regr holding cell, he might''ve been fine. But now, in this different ce... who knows?


    Mirabe didn''t notice Adler''s look she turned her head slightly, her eyesnding on the face of the man in front. Suddenly, a smile tugged at her lips, "Long time no see"


    The man leading the group, upon seeing Mirabe, seemed to dete instantly,


    his hand with the whip frozen mid-air, unable to move.


    He never thought he''d run into this intimidating woman. If only his


    buddy


    at the door had


    her, he wouldn''t have 6entioned


    in. in


    Carter felt a random ache all over. This really was... a long time no see, my foot.


    Then, Mirabe pulled out a chair from under the table, nudged it with her foot, and said, ¡°Care to join us for a sit-down?"


    Carter: "..."


    Adler, still worried, was a bit taken aback by how things were ying out, not at all what he expected, He


    turned to Mirabe and asked,


    almost without thinking, "Yo@two know each other?" ''


    Mirabe nodded lightly, her voice soft, "Let''s just say, we met under some unusual circumstances."


    Carter, feeling that ache all over again: "..

 Chapter 1340

    Adler gave his nose a thoughtful scratch, still puzzled over Mirabe''s phrase, "no fight, no acquaintance," but too shy to probe further. At the doorway, Carter took a deep breath, then spun around and walked off. There was no way he could take on the woman inside, and he knew he''d end up on the losing end. No point in sticking around!


    So, the group that had barged in with such bluster left quietly, not leaving a trace behind. The door clicked shut again. Adler stared at it for a moment, trying to wrap his head around the fact, "Did they really just up and leave like that?"


    He''d imagined all sorts of dramatic scenes in his head, but nothing had happened at all. Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce, "Would you rather they came back in for round two?"


    "A fight?" Adler''s lips twitched, "Did you actually fight them before?"


    Mirabe fished her phone out of her pocket, shaking her head with a modest grin, "Nope, do I look like I could take anyone on?"


    Adler heard her, and while her words made sense, the way those folks had bolted as if they''d seen a ghost was definitely intriguing. He dragged a chair over and sat back down, deciding against urging Mirabe to leave after everything that had just gone down.


    Ten minutester, the detention room door swung open again. This time, it wasn''t thew enforcement folks at the door. As soon as Adler saw it was James, he tapped the table to get Mirabe''s attention, "Time to go."


    Mirabe nced at Adler, then nodded, "Yeah, time to head out."


    Adler gave a little nod, sitting there with a smile, showing no sign he wanted to leave himself. Mirabe made her way to the door, "All sorted then?"


    James nodded, casually asking, "Nothing happened, right?"


    Mirabe chuckled, "Just bumped into an old friend."


    The officer at the door quickly averted his gaze. James raised an eyebrow, "Let''s get going."


    "Alright." Mirabe nodded, took a step, and then realized Adler was still sitting there like he''d lost his mind. She turned back, seeing him still in the detention room, looking a bit out of it.


    Mirabe rubbed her temples, calling out, "You nning to make this your new home?"


    Adler was still out of it, just staring at the door. "This guy''s in a daze," Mirabe muttered, then called him again, snapping him back to reality.


    He jumped up and hurried out, "I can leave too?"


    "If you want to stay here, I''m not stopping you," Mirabe said, already heading out with James.


    Adler touched his nose, wondering if this was what it felt like to have someone powerful on your side. Watching them walk away, he quickly caught up.


    In no time, the three of them passed through several checkpoints and reached the courtyard. While waiting for the elevator, another group. slowly made their way over from a nearby corridor, with Ben escorted in the middle.


    Mirabe stood facing the elevator, her head slightly bowed, eyes on the floor, not bothering with anything around her. Ben, meanwhile, was being tightly held by thew enforcement team, metal handcuffs clinking.


    He looked pretty downcast, his mood having plummeted since being brought back to the security bureau. As they reached the


    courtyard, his eyes <pnded on the three by the elevator. Spotting one of their profiles, Ben froze for a moment, caught off guard.

 Chapter 1341

    Just then, a colleague rushed over from the office area, quickly scanning the room before heading straight for James. "Hang on, James," he called out.


    It was Brack''s secretary, holding a piece of paper. As he approached, he said, "James, Brack needs your signature on this."


    "Hmm?" James''s gaze sharpened, curious.


    The secretary was quick to exin, "It''s just a formality. The folks from the


    virology institute are public officials too. With your endorsement, it''ll smooth things over with our department."


    Mirabe, overhearing,zily lifted her eyelids to nce at the paper in the secretary''s hand.


    James reached out to take it, and seeing this, the secretary promptly pulled a pen from his pocket and handed it over.


    After signing, James returned the endorsement, and the secretary visibly rxed. Just then, the elevator arrived, and he respectfully nodded to James, "Take care, James."


    James turned his attention back to Mirabe, took her hand, and stepped into the elevator.


    Adler hurried in after them. As the elevator doors began to close, he caught a glimpse of a group escorting Ben in handcuffs.


    He thought Ben looked familiar but didn''t have time to figure out why before the doors shut.


    Adler turned his gaze forward, noticing James and Mirabe holding hands beside him, and discreetly moved to the corner.


    Meanwhile, outside the elevator:


    "What are you staring at? Let''s move," one of the officers snapped impatiently, giving Ben a shove.


    Ben stumbled a bit, finally snapping out of it. He clenched his fists, suppressing the dark thoughts swirling in his mind.


    Seeing that woman here wasn''t a total shock.


    Because of that man.


    But the fact that someone from the virology institute was being vouched for by a Shepherd family member, with Mirabe also there...


    If the virology, institute had ties with the Shepherd family, the security bureau wouldn''t dare arrest them so recklessly. So... the person from the institute must know Mirabe, prompting the Shepherd family member to step in.


    And the person from the institute was nabbed by the bureau because of Nick.


    Nick, Mirabe, Shepherd?


    Ben suddenly shivered. If those two were connected, then his injuries and today''s twist at the medical academy made total sense.


    His chest ached faintly, leaving Ben a bit dazed. None of this was what he expected.


    **


    In the car:


    Adler sat uneasily in the back seat, hands resting on his knees. After a quick nce at the front, he asked quietly, "Leaving like this, is it going to cause you any trouble?"


    Mirabe nced up at the rearview mirror, "If there was any trouble, we''d already know about it."


    Adler rubbed the tip of his nose, "Thanks."


    Mirabe adjusted her coat, leaning backzily in the seat, "You were there because of my brother. If anything, I should be thanking you."


    At the mention of Nick, Adler quickly asked, "Your brother''s out of danger now, right?"


    Mirabe nodded softly, "He should be discharged in a few days."


    "That quick?" Adler was relieved but surprised.


    Nick''s injuries had been serious.


    Mirabe just smiled, letting it go without furtherment.


    Remembering something, she pulled out her phone, opened her notes app, and listed a bunch of medicinal ingredients. She took a screenshot and found Grant''s number in her Messenger contacts.


    She sent him the screenshot.

 Chapter 1342

    After firing off the screenshot, Mirabe shot over another message, asking them to rustle up those ingredients. She figured they were caught up in something since there was radio silence for a while. Unbothered, she slipped her phone back into her bag.


    ...


    Halfway through the trip, Adler decided to hop out of the car, not wanting to put James out by driving him all the way home. Initially, he intended to head straight back to his ce, but on a whim, he turned and made his way to the research institute instead.


    Swanson, who was still fretting over how to get Adler out of his predicament, was taken aback to hear he was already back.


    "How did you manage to get out?" Swanson asked, calling him into the office with a puzzled look.


    Adler paused, choosing to keep James out of it, and replied, "A friend pulled some strings and vouched for me, so they let me go."


    "A friend?" Swanson mused, immediately recalling the mysterious person who had been quietly pulling the strings behind the scenes. "Is it that Emmitt of yours?"


    Adler coughed and nodded.


    "Well, your Emmitt must be someone with quite the connections," Swanson said, surprised. He had asked Adler before, but Adler had always been tight-lipped. It was only through this recent incident that Swanson had indirectly gotten a hint of who might be involved. But he had never actually met the person.


    Capable and well-connected... Swanson pondered for a moment before continuing, "By the way, if it''s possible, could you invite Emmitt for a meal? He agreed to help us analyze the molecr structure of the virus strain, and we should thank him."


    Adler was taken aback, "You think he''d go for that?"


    "Why else would I cover for someone I don''t even know at the medical school?" Swanson gave him a knowing look.


    Adler was quiet for a bit, realizing the big boss had never brought up this matter. After a moment, he said, "I''ll have to ask, but don''t get your hopes up, Director. I doubt she''d be keen oning out."


    The Director might call it a dinner invitation, but it was clear he was hoping to recruit her. Though Adler hadn''t spent much time with Mirabe, he had a good sense of her personality.


    ¡°Alright, no pressure," Swanson smiled, dropping the subject, but added, "What were you doing looking into radioactive materials?"


    Adler scratched his nose, his gaze drifting, but he maintained a serious tone, "I swear I didn''t do that."


    Swanson chuckled, not bothering to call him out, "Alright, you can head back."


    Adler, sensing his chance, quickly made his exit.


    **


    Meanwhile, James had just pulled


    into the residential area, nced over, and saw Mirabe had dozed off again, her eyes shut tight, clearly in a deep sleep. After a bit of


    thought, he decided to head back to his own ce.


    When he parked, she was still out cold.


    James frowned slightly, reaching out to touch her forehead, cheeks, and hands. Her temperature was from when she was unconscious, but still cooler than normal. Since waking, she had been in this low-energy state, her face seemingly even more delicate.


    He gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, sighed softly, and


    watched her for a few minutes before stepping out of the car.


    Opening the passenger door, he carefully lifted her out. As he did, a jade pendant slipped from her neck.


    James nced down, tucked the pendant back in, and headed towards the entrance.


    As he stepped inside, he noticed a pair of women''s shoes at the door, pausing briefly before slipping into his own shoes and heading further in.

 Chapter 1343

    Emily had been waiting in the living room for over half an hour when she heard noises at the door. She stood up, starting to call out, but her voice trailed off as she noticed her son, James, making a shushing gesture. It was then she realized he was carrying a girl in his arms.


    Surprised, Emily approached them and, upon seeing the girl''s pale face, whispered, "Is she sick?"


    James nodded, offering no further exnation, and carried the girl upstairs. Emily followed closely, astonished when she saw him gentlyy the youngdy in his own bedroom, covering her with a nket as if she were a delicate treasure.


    Emily had rarely seen this tender side of her son, which only piqued her curiosity about the girl on the bed.


    After standing by the bed for a moment, James turned and gestured for Emily to step out so they could talk. They headed downstairs.


    James grabbed a couple of water bottles from the fridge. "Mom, what brings you here today?"


    Still preupied with the girl upstairs, Emily didn''t answer his question but asked instead, "So, who is she?"


    James took a seat on the couch and replied, "It''s nothing serious, just a cold. She fell asleep after taking some medicine."


    "Oh, I see." Emily nodded, understanding that some cold medicines can induce sleep. "You should take good care of her. People are at their most vulnerable when they''re sick."


    Vulnerable?


    James gave a nomittal hum. She hadn''t seemed all that vulnerable during their encounter the night before. In fact, he wouldn''t have known she was so adept at everything if he hadn''t been concerned.


    "By the way, where is she from?" Emily asked.


    James casually raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Haven''t you already done your research?"


    Emily''s eyes widened in surprise. Her son had caught on to her curiosity!


    Ignoring his mother''s mixed emotions, James switched the topic. "Youing over like this, is there something up?"


    "Oh, right," Emily said, her voice


    tinged with worry. "Your dad hasn''t check


    in with the family in a while.


    I have no clue where he''s off to this time." .


    James grew serious, pulling out his phone. "I''ll check on him."


    He dialed Curtis.


    Emily nodded, "It''s just unlike him to go this long without calling."


    As an archaeologist, Curtis often went silent for days or even weeks, but nearly a month had passed this time.


    After hanging up, James turned to


    Emily. "Curtis''s team also lost


    contact, but they mentioned they entered


    an area with poor signal a


    few days ago. There shouldn''t be


    any danger."


    Relieved yet not entirely at ease, Emily insisted, "We need to find him, no matter what."


    "I''ll handleat," James assured,


    lowering his gaze to type a message


    on b


    phone. Once sent, he looked


    back up. "Anything else?"


    Emily, who hadn''t even taken a sip of her water and was nning to wait until the girl woke up, was taken aback.


    "If there''s nothing else, you should head back," James said, already standing up and making his way back upstairs.


    Emily, usually gentle andposed, nearly lost her temper. Was this really how he treated his own mother?

 Chapter 1344

    James shrugged off the dagger-like res from behind and headed upstairs. He''d been at the hospital for days, and a mountain of tasks was screaming for his


    attention.


    When Mirabe stirred awake, the outside world was already cloaked in darkness, but the room was softly illuminated by wallmps, keeping the shadows at bay. The familiar woody scent filled her senses, gently shaking off the sleepiness.


    She slowly sat up, her eyesnding on a man seated at aputer desk nearby. The deskmp''s glow highlighted his deep-set features, giving him a serious yet calm demeanor. His light loungewear softened his otherwise aloof presence, and the room hummed with a quiet sense of peace.


    Mirabe''s gaze was a bit hazy. After a few minutes of stillness, she tossed off the covers, her bare feet sinking into the carpet as she made her way over to the desk.


    It was only then that James noticed she was up. He looked up and said, "You''re awake."


    Mirabe nodded, her eyes flicking over the blueprints scattered on the desk. "Still working on the tech institute project?"


    "Yeah, it''s a bit tricky." James set his pen down, got up, and walked over to her, touching her forehead. "Still cool to the touch."


    With a small frown, he went to the wardrobe, grabbed one of his jackets, and draped it over her shoulders.


    Mirabe tugged the jacket around her, its bulk making her face look even more petite. She replied, "I should be back to normal in a day or two."


    Compared to thest time she used that technique, her recovery was impressively swift this time.


    James didn''t pry into why she was feeling this way, simply asking, "Will this affect your health?"


    Mirabe''s eyes flickered, "Not if I get enough rest."


    James scrutinized her a bit more, not finding anything out of the ordinary, and said, "Then take a few more days off before heading back to school."


    Mirabe nodded, "Alright, you go on with your work."


    "It''s not urgent. Let''s grab some dinner first." James held her cool hand and


    suddenly remembered something. As they reached the door, he turned to her and


    said, "Could you lend me your jade pendant in a few days?"


    Mirabe made a small sound of


    vel


    agreement, not questioning his request, and nodded, saying


    casually, "Sure, I can give it to you


    now if you want."


    James chuckled, "A few days is fine."


    Mirabe: "Alright."


    They headed downstairs together.


    Emily was nowhere in sight, but arge, elegantly wrapped bouquet sat on the coffee table.


    Mirabe''s eyesnded on the flowers, her eyebrows arching as she clicked her tongue, "Looks like you''ve got a secret admirer?"


    James noticed the flowers too,


    guessing. Emily might have brought


    them over. He paused, then leaned a bit closer to Mirabe, teasing,


    "Jealous?"


    Mirabe pulled her hand away, yfully pushing his face aside,ughing, "Don''t


    get ahead of yourself."


    With that, she turned and made her way to the dining room.


    James watched her straight back, a smirk ying on his lips, knowing she was saying one thing but feeling another.


    He followed at an easy pace.


    Once and


    Settled at the dining table


    eating, James


    were from my mom. dropped them off this afternoon."


    up,


    Mirabe''s hand paused mid-air, but she kept her cool, nodding, "Oh."


    James raised an eyebrow and added, "For her future daughter-inw." Mirabe: "."


    Suddenly, the meal felt a bit hard to swallow.


    Mirabe pressed her fingers against her temple, trying topose herself.

 Chapter 1345

    After dinner, Mirabe settled into the couch, the TV still murmuring in the


    background. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a call from Lisa. Mirabe paused, her fingers hovering over the screen for a moment as thoughts of Ben crossed her mind, before finally answering.


    "Mira, I just heard you''ve been out sick too. Are you alright?" Lisa''s voice crackled through the phone, punctuated by a cough.


    Hearing the familiar, raspy cough, Mirabe lifted her gaze slightly. "I''m fine, but what about you? Still under the weather?"


    Lisa coughed again, then with a hint of frustration said, "I''m mostly better, but this cough is like a clingy ex-it just won''t leave me alone."


    Mirabe nodded knowingly, "Keep drinking that hot tea."


    "Yeah, yeah," Lisa chuckled, her fingers absentmindedly fiddling with a figurine on the table. Her once round cheeks had slimmed down quite a bit. "So, are you heading back to school tomorrow?"


    "I think I''ll take a couple more days to rest," Mirabe mused.


    "Alright," Lisa replied softly, her voice a bit strained. Her throat was scratchy, leading to more coughing fits, so she wrapped up the call quickly.


    cing her phone down, Lisa stood up and stepped out of her room, hand over her mouth as she tried to stifle her coughs while heading downstairs. There, Gracie and Thomas were deep in conversation, both wearing worried expressions. But as Lisa appeared, they pulled themselves together somewhat.


    "Mom, Dad, what''s going on?" Lisa asked, initially nning to grab some water, but their tense demeanor drew her in.


    Gracie nced at her, words catching in her throat. After a pause, she finally said, "It''s your brother Emmitt; he''s in trouble."


    Lisa froze, "Trouble? What happened?"


    Gracie''s eyes were rimmed with red, having always treated Ben like family. "Yeah, something about leaking ssified information. They''ve detained him in some high-security facility."


    Thomas remained slouched on the couch, his hand pressed to his forehead, looking like he''d aged a decade in mere moments.


    "So, what''s the situation now?" Lisa asked, her fingers tightening unconsciously.


    "Your dad and tried to find out


    more, but they said what he did was serious. The chances of him getting out are really slim..." Gracie continued, but Lisa''s focus drifted. The words ''chances of him getting out are really slim'' echoed in her mind.


    Years ago, Lisa had stumbled upon Ben dissecting a living person for one of his experiments. Since then she couldn''t see him as anything but a monster. His eyes had been so cold, like human lives were nothing but ants to him, only valuable for his experiments.


    She couldn''t understand how Ben could so carelessly disregard life without any repercussions. She had thought about exposing him, but fear held her back. She couldntrisk her family''s safety. Over the years, she tried to distance herself, but it fest impossible to truly escape him.


    Lisa coughed again, her throat feeling rough, yet oddly, she felt a sense of relief. People like Emmitt should have been stopped sooner.


    Lowering her head, a faint, indescribable smile tugged at her lips. Maybe it''s for


    the best that he stays locked up... At least now, she wouldn''t have to live in constant fear of waking up on his experiment table.

 Chapter 1346

    Gracie was still fretting when Lisa, trying to keep her cool, decided not to tarnish her mother''s rosy view of Ben. She softly said, "Dad, Mom, I''m heading to my room."


    Gracie paused, ncing at Lisa. Noticing her daughter didn''t seem worried, she instinctively turned to Thomas. His face had indeed darkened with displeasure.


    Gracie felt a pang of anxiety. She was aware of the friction between Lisa and Ben. Lisa''s usual fits of temper were one thing, but acting like this in front of her father was another...


    Before Thomas could blow his top, Gracie quickly interjected, "Lisa''s been feeling offtely. She''s probably just really concerned about Emmitt..."


    Lisa managed a sad smile, kept quiet, and slowly made her way upstairs.


    **


    After hanging up with Lisa, Mirabe opened her Messenger app. The message she sent to Grant earlier in the afternoon still hadn''t gotten a reply.


    Crossing her legs, Mirabe absent-mindedly traced the edge of her phone, wondering if she''d pushed the envelope with her frequent requests for supplies from the association.


    James walked over with a te of freshly washed fruit, setting it on the coffee table, then sat next to her. "What''s on your mind?"


    Mirabe turned to James, her eyes bright and thoughtful, simply stating, "Maybe I''ve been taking too much advantage."


    "Hmm?" James raised an eyebrow, not entirely following her, but said, "Depends on who you''re dealing with, I guess."


    Mirabe''s cheek twitched as she leaned over, grabbed a cherry from the table, and popped it into James''s mouth. "I think it''s best if you stop talking."


    James chuckled softly.


    Ignoring his amusement, Mirabe finished the fruit, checked the time, and stood up. "I''ve got some things to handle. Better head back."


    She still had some leftover supplies


    at home she needed to turn into medicine for Nick. Even though the medical school was temporarily covering for them with a virus, it was hardly a permanent fix. She O wondered what exactly Nick was searching for at the medical school.


    Seeing her get ready to leave, James didn''t try to stop her. He got up, grabbed his coat, and just said, "Alright."


    **


    Meanwhile, over at the pharmacy association, Grant had just left the storage room when he ran into Presley. He hesitated, his hand instinctively clenching inside his coat pocket.


    Grant quickly nodded at Presley, "Presley."


    Presley, acting as if he hadn''t noticed Grant''s gesture, stepped closer, eyeing the folder in Grant''s hand with a friendly smile. "You''re putting in somete hours, Grant, still working on those supply tallies."


    Grant''s gaze dropped, and he replied quietly, "Just doing my job. The sooner we wrap up the inventory, the smoother the end of the month will be."


    Presley nodded, his eyes returning to Grant''s face. "It''s crucial to get the count right. Any mix-ups, and exining to the chairman would be a nightmare."


    Grant said nothing, keeping his head down.


    Presley gave another smile, continuing, "So, we can''t afford to lose even a single pill from the storeroom."


    Hearing this, Grant looked up at Presley. It was a clear warning.


    Grant rxed his grip on his pocket slightly. After a moment, he assured, "Don''t worry, not a single pill will be missing."


    Presley nodded approvingly, always pleased with those who understood the stakes. Moving on from supply counts, he started on another topic. "By the way, about that honorary vice-chairman the chairmano discreetly brought in..."

 Chapter 1347

    Presley paused for a moment before saying, "Now that you''re the vice president


    of the association, it doesn''t make sense to just sit around. Get her to the association tomorrow."


    Grant was caught off guard. He remembered David specifically mentioning not to involve Ms. Mirabe, and he had seen the agreement they signed. So he said, "Ms. Mirabe is a student, and David had promised not to pressure her intoing to the association..."


    Before Grant could finish, Presley raised a hand to cut him off, "Many of David''s decisions were wed. If there''s an issue, it needs fixing. Just get her over here."


    Grant''s frown was slight but noticeable. In the end, he didn''t have much choice but to nod, "Alright, I''ll reach out to herter."


    "Good," Presley mused about the prescription that girl had writtenst time, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "Make sure shees."


    Grant replied, "I''ll try my best."


    Presley pped Grant on the shoulder, "Don''t let me down."


    With that, he pulled his hand back, nced at the closed medicine storage room door, and with a slight twitch of his lips, turned and left without going back inside.


    Once Presley was out of sight, Grant let out a deep breath. Watching the retreating figure, he sighed inwardly and fished out his keys to unlock and re-enter the medicine storage room.


    He ced a bottle marked as Grade S back into the cab.


    Presley had made it clear that not a single medicine in the storeroom should go missing, which was a warning not to take any, even for David.


    With a rueful smile, Grant closed the cab. The association''s dynamics had shifted, and he had to look out for himself; he had no other option.


    Presley''s methods were not something he could afford to challenge.


    Soon after, he left the storage room.


    Half an hourter, Grant drove over to where David was staying.


    "Hey, President, feeling any better?" Grant asked, concern etched on his face as he noticed David''s paleplexion. "I wanted to bring you the medicine, but I bumped into Presley."


    David, propped up in bed, waved a


    association had drained him, "It''s alright. I know what Presley''s like."


    Sive hand. The recent turmoil


    Grant still felt guilty, "You haven''t even officially stepped down, and he''s already pushing so hard. What


    will happen to your health wi


    the medicine?"


    Isn''t this just like slowly wearing someone down?


    David shook his head with a faint smile, "I''ll manage. I can hang in there." After a moment, he asked, "Has Paul found anyone yet?"


    "No, I can''t get through to him, and he''s not responding to messages," Grant said, frowning. He''d been trying to reach him almost every day.


    David coughed a couple of times before asking, "What did Presley say about it?"


    "He asked about Paul a few days ago but hasn''t mentioned it since," Grant replied honestly.


    Hearing this, David looked puzzled. Knowing Presley''s nature, he wouldn''t just drop the search for Paul without results.


    After thinking for a moment, David advised, "Keep an eye on who Presley is


    talking to. I''m worried Paul might already be under his thumb."


    Grant nodded, "Don''t worry, I''ll keep tabs on it. Oh, and President, Presley wants me to get Ms. Mirabe to the association."

 Chapter 1348

    Upon hearing the news, David sat up straight, a slight frown forming between his brows. "Why does he suddenly want Mirabe to visit the association?"


    Grant recapped what Presley had mentioned earlier at the association. "I think he might be upset because you brought in a deputy president. Maybe that''s bothering him?"


    David shook his head, his gaze intense. "If Presley was just irritated about me bringing someone into the association, he could have directly dismissed Mirabe. There''s no need for him to ask you to inform her toe by."


    Grant pondered for a moment, looking up at David. "Could it be that he wants Ms. Mirabe to whip up some medicine?"


    He recalled how Mirabe''s medicine from a recent assessment had left everyone at the association in awe.


    David was silent for a bit before saying, "Whatever his reason, don''t tell Mirabe about this. Pretend you never heard it. If Presley asks, just say she''s too busy."


    With the association in chaos and Presley having ulterior motives, there was no point in dragging Mirabe into it.


    Grant nodded and added, "Ms. Mirabe sent me a list of ingredients earlier. I''ve hesitated and haven''t replied to her yet."


    David nodded, "Just get her what she needs. I''m still the president, and my promises to her stand."


    "Got it."


    David gave a slight nod, signaling his assistant, andy back down.


    Seeing this, Grant decided not to disturb him further and turned to leave. After a moment, he suggested, "Should we have Ms. Mirabee over to check on you?"


    David had just closed his eyes but opened them again at the suggestion. "No need. It''s nothing serious."


    Grant started to say more but realized it was pointless. "Alright then."


    A little whileter, Grant stepped out of the room.


    Devon was leaning against the wall outside. When he saw Grant, he straightened up and nced into the "Did the teacher go back to p?"


    Grant nodded, feeling a bit guilty. "I couldn''t get the medicine for the president. Presley''s keeping a close watch."


    Devon''s lips curled slightly, his expression indifferent. "He''s just a heartless scoundrel."


    Grant sighed, "I have to head out, Devon."


    Devon nodded, still polite, "Thanks for checking in on my teacher."


    Since the turmoil in the association,


    hardly anyone visited David. It was a harsh reminder of how selfred people could be.


    Grant shook his head with a bitter smile, "The president''s helped me a lot over the years. I''m sorry I can''t do more."


    Devon smiled. Though he was focused on pharmacology, he understood people well. Grant not being swayed by Presley was already the best he could do.


    Soon, Grant was in his car, ready to leave when his phone rang.


    Presley was calling.


    Confused, Grant answered.


    After the call, Grant sat in his car, his expression serious. He then opened


    Messenger and checked his chat with Mirabe.


    Looking at her messages, he replied with a simple, "Okay."

 Chapter 1349

    The following day, after finishing her breakfast, Mirabe phoned Adler, asking him to gather the research materials for their meeting at his ce. But before heading over, she made a quick stop at the hospital to drop off the medicine she had prepared the previous night for Nick, along with giving him another round of acupuncture.


    "You''re doing well," Mirabe noted after feeling his pulse. "Just a few more days and you''ll be discharged." She pulled a delicate silver needle wrapped in parchment from her pocket, motioning for Nick to lie back and unbutton his shirt.


    "That''s what the doctor said too," Nick responded with a nod.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her pale fingers expertly handling the slender needle, and pressed a point on his chest. "This might sting a bit," she warned.


    With precision, she inserted the needle into the acupuncture point. Nick clenched his fists, suppressing a groan. It wasn''t just a little sting; it was quite sharp. But gradually, the initial pain subsided, reced by a curious sensation of energy flowing through him, leaving a tingling and slightly swollen feeling in its wake. After twenty minutes, Mirabe removed the needle. As she cleaned and disinfected it, she said, "This will be yourst acupuncture session. From now on, the medication should do the trick."


    Nick let out a relieved sigh, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he buttoned up his shirt. "Your technique seemed different today," he remarked.


    Mirabe simply nodded, not borating, and handed him a jar of ointment from her bag. "Apply this morning and night. It''ll help the wound heal quicker."


    Even though the medical school incident was pinned on Ben for now, Nick''s wound still needed swift healing.


    "Got it," Nick agreed, well aware of his sister''s effective remedies. Her idea of ''quick'' was usually an understatement.


    Checking her watch, Mirabe stood up. "I''ve got another appointment. I should get going."


    Nick just nodded, not prying further, and wished her well.


    Mirabe left the hospital and drove over to Adler''s ce.


    When she arrived, Adler had just finished organizing the research materials and had also brought over the cell samples for the project. His privateb, though not as fully equipped as a research institute, was sufficient for basic


    §Ú§Þ


    experiments.


    "Here are the materials I''ve put together," Adler said, handing Mirabe hisptop.


    The screen disyed detailed diagrams of cell structures,plete with annotations in English.


    "I''ll have a look," Mirabe replied, quickly skimming through the data.


    Adler, respecting her focus, started cing the pathogen samples under the analyzer. The device adjusted automatically, scanning the cells and transmitting the initial data to the bioputer beside it.


    In just over ten minutes, Mirabe finished reviewing the materials. Moving closer to Adler, she nced at the bio-data on the screen and asked, "Have you considered checking the cells'' origin?"


    Adler adjusted his mask, turning to her. "The origin?"


    "Yes," Mirabe confirmed with a


    nod. "The cells'' endless division and rbination into new pathogens likely result from interactions


    between fungal cells. To pinpoint the cause, we need to identify the variety of fungi involved."

 Chapter 1350

    Mirabe paused for a moment, then said, "From what I''ve seen in your documents, it looks like you''ve only listed a few strains of fungus. But from where I''m standing, there should be more than just those."


    Adler''s eyes lit up at her observation. This woman was sharp. He nodded, "You''re right, there are more than just those few strains. However, we haven''t been able to study the others yet."


    Mirabe''s expression turned unusually serious, "So, where did you get this stuff from?"


    She gestured toward the diseased sample in the ss container.


    Adler was straightforward, "We developed it with an international research


    institute, but some of the strains came from an infection zone overseas."


    He didn''t go into further detail, given the confidentiality involved.


    Mirabe was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Biochemical pathogens can infinitely differentiate and rbine."


    Adler''s eyes widened, "Biochemical pathogens? Isn''t that..."


    "That''s why I advise you to stop researching this. If someone gets infected, it could lead to a disaster beyond imagination," Mirabe said slowly.


    Adler stared at the ss container. He knew Mirabe''s warning wasn''t to be taken lightly, but halting a project might be even tougher than starting one.


    Seeing Adler lost in thought, Mirabe added, "I can help you analyze theposition of the strains, but that''s all I can offer. Whether you take my advice is up to you."


    She stepped aside after speaking.


    Adler watched her, standing there without a word, his thoughts a mystery.


    Mirabe didn''t say anything else and picked up herptop again. She had promised to help with the research and wasn''t one to break her word, even though she loathed biochemical pathogens.


    Most of the day, Mirabe was buried in analyzing structures, but progress was slow.


    *


    Around three in the afternoon, Mirabe received a call from Grant. He said the medicinal herbs were ready for delivery.


    "I''m not at the university right now, but you can give me an address, and I''ll have someone pick them up Mirabe suggested after a O


    moment''s thought.


    Grant paused briefly before saying, "Actually, there''s something I wanted to discuss with you."


    Mirabe replied, "Okay, give me the address, and I''lle byter."


    Grant felt relieved when Mirabe agreed. "Would you minding directly to the association?"


    He hesitated, then added, a bit


    "We''ve been swamperet


    person,


    if you coulde in


    it would be really helpful."


    Mirabe didn''t think much of it. Adler''s ce wasn''t too far from the


    pharmaceutical association, so she agreed.


    "Just give me a call when you arrive," Grant said quickly.


    "Sure," Mirabe replied.


    After they hung up, the smile faded from Grant''s face, and he was left wondering


    if what he was doing was right.


    He sat quietly in his office chair for a moment, then sighed heavily, stood up, and headed to Presley''s office.


    Presley was on the phone but


    quickly wrapped up the call when he


    saw Grant at the door. The first thing


    he asked was, "Did she agree toe?"

 Chapter 1351

    Grant looked down slightly and replied, "She said she''de by once she''s done."


    Presley, hearing this, nodded approvingly. "Good to know, Grant. You never let me down."


    Grant managed a small smile, though inside he felt he had no real choice.


    "Oh, by the way, I have something for you." Presley opened a drawer from his desk, took out a bottle, and ced it on the table. "David''s been under the weather. This should help him."


    Grant''s eyesnded on the bottle. He clenched his fingers, suppressing a wave of distaste, then picked it up, saying as politely as he could, "Thanks for your concern, Presley."


    "No need to thank me; I hope David gets better soon too." Presley''s smile was warm and seemingly genuine.


    Grant avoided looking directly at Presley''s face, replying in a measured tone, "If there''s nothing else, I''ll go wait for Ms. Mirabe."


    "Go ahead." Presley waved him off.


    Once Grant left, Presley pulled out a sheet of paper from the drawer, his lips curling into a smirk as he admired the lively handwriting.


    The allure of a secret form.


    Meanwhile...


    Mirabe was on a call and didn''t bother to keep it from Adler, so he picked up on the gist. He paused his work and looked at her. "If you have urgent things to handle, you can head out first."


    Mirabe slipped her phone back into her pocket, nced at the analysis on herputer screen, and kept typing, "No hurry, I''ll just finish this bit first."


    It was still early anyway.


    "Alright then." Adler didn''t push further.


    Despite the serious nature of her call, he was curious to see the analysis results before making any ns.


    After half an hour, Mirabe clicked save and stood up, gesturing for Adler to take a look. "This is


    part


    of the structural analysis ink


    I''ll


    more about itter."  fo


    Adler nodded, taking theputer.


    Mirabe checked the time and said, "Take your time with it; I''m heading out."


    Adler wanted to get up and see her off, but she stopped him.


    Soon enough, Mirabe left Adler''s ce.


    By the time she reached the pharmaceutical association, it was almost five in the evening.


    After parking her car, she headed towards the entrance and spotted Grant waiting at the security booth.


    "Ms. Mirabe, you''re here." Grant had the security guard swipe a card to open the gate.


    Mirabe nodded politely and walked in, not noticing the turmoil in his eyes.


    As they walked, Grant led the way and apologized, "Sorry you had toe all this way."


    "No worries," Mirabe shrugged it off, unfazed.


    Free medicinal ingredients were a good deal, even if it meant a few trips.


    They reached the elevator, which was on the ground floor. Grant swiped his card, opened the doors, and let Mirabe go in first.


    Mirabe, hands casually in her coat pockets, watched the elevator numbers


    climb. "You said you needed to see me?"


    "Ah, yes," Grant seemed a bit lost in thought. He nced at her,


    hesitated, and then said, "Actually...


    it wasn''t me who needed to see


    you."


    "The president?" she guessed.


    By then, the elevator had reached the third floor. Grant didn''t answer right away; instead, he stepped out, held the door for her, and waited until she exited before letting it close.


    After walking a bit down the hall, they stopped in front of an office door. Grant


    finally turned to Mirabe, "It''s Presley."

 Chapter 1352

    Mirabe didn''t know anyone named Presley, so she squinted slightly at the mention of the name. She remembered how Grant had been dodging her messages all day yesterday, and when he finally called today, he was hemming and hawing. He even used the excuse of needing some meds to lure her to the association, without exining a thing beforehand... It all seemed a bit too nned.


    Sensing Mirabe''s sharp gaze, Grant instinctively looked away, avoiding her eyes. He knocked on the office door instead.


    Only once he heard a voice from inside say, "Come in," did he turn the knob and push the door open.


    Mirabe stood there for a moment, thinking. "Is David not here?" she asked.


    Grant hesitated, finally managing a soft "Hmm," without going into details. "Please, head in first," he suggested.


    It wasn''t that he didn''t want to exin, but what good would it do? Even the president couldn''t handle Presley, and Mirabe was just a regr student. If things got messy with Presley, it wouldn''t end well for her. Better to go along with it than fight a losing battle.


    Catching a glimpse of Grant''s conflicted expression, Mirabe thought for a moment but didn''t press further. She stepped into the office.


    Grant closed the door behind her, silently hoping Presley wouldn''t stir up trouble. He leaned against the door, feeling a bit guilty. After a couple of minutes, he pulled out his phone and opened Devon''s Messenger. He sent a quick message:


    **Ms. Mirabe is at the association.**


    This was Presley''s second time meeting Mirabe. The first was during the pharmacy association''s assessment day, and she seemed to have some connections with the Shepherd family. She carried herself with a certain pride.


    Ignoring Mirabe''s cool demeanor, Presley shed a friendly smile, stood up from behind his desk, and gestured to a chair. "Please, take a seat. Let''s talk."


    Mirabe''s gaze brushed over Presley before she turned and sat down, skipping the small talk. "Why did you want to see me?" she asked.


    Presley didn''t seem bothered by her directness. He slowly picked up a French press, boiled some water, and started making coffee. "It''s nothing major. I just wanted to chat about some new rules and policies at the association."


    Mirabe leaned back, her dark coat making her seem even more aloof. Her fingers, resting on her knees, were delicate and fair. She flicked away an imaginary speck of dust and asked, "Oh? What kind of rules and policies?"


    Presley poured the coffee, then walked over to his desk, pulled out a document, and handed it to Mirabe.


    Mirabe nced at the document, her eyebrows arching slightly. After a brief pause, she took it.


    Presley sat back down, took a sip of his coffee, and spoke, "The contract Mr. Boyd signed with you before was a bit sketchy, pretty much just his personal deal."


    Mirabe skimmed through the document in half a minute, then looked up at Presley with a half-smile. "So, what''s the deal? You want me to sign a new one?"


    "Given your performance in thest assessment, you''re definitely qualified to be the official Vice


    President, Presley said slowly,


    pondering his words. "Besides


    wouldn''t you prefer to be more than just a Vice President in name?"

 Chapter 1353

    In Presley''s eyes, David had probably brought this young woman on board because of the valuable recipes she had. Not wanting to lose face, he gave Mirabe a fancy title as vice president, though it didn''t mean much beyond the name. It was a title without the perks and responsibilities that a real vice president would have.


    The paperwork Presley handed over to Mirabe outlined the association''s rules and also included a list of benefits for an actual vice president. These benefits were even more alluring than the ones Mr. Boyd originally offered, enough to make anyone think twice.


    Presley was pretty sure he could win her over. But just as he felt confident she wouldn''t refuse, Mirabe casually nodded and said, "Why wouldn''t I be willing?" If it wasn''t for the endless and free supply of ingredients, she wouldn''t care about the position, not even if they offered her the top spot.


    Presley was taken aback by her response, hardly believing his ears. After a beat, he replied, raising his voice a notch, "Do you even realize what you''re saying? Did you even bother to read the document? This is about being a bona fide vice president!"


    Was there really someone who wasn''t tempted by such a position? Was she out of her mind?


    Mirabe looked at Presley as if he were the naive one, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°Trading recipes for a vice president''s role¡ªseriously, is the association that desperate?"


    The benefits looked better than what David had initially offered, but they came with a catch: handing over ten ancient recipes. For any physician, recipes are closely guarded secrets, especially the ancient ones. Asking for ten was beyond bold-it was outrageous.


    Presley caught the jab in her words right away, his expression darkening a bit, but he kept it cool. "Trading recipes for the vice president''s position is a win-win deal."


    Mirabe''s smile was a bit forced. "Sorry, but I''ve never been one for fame and fortune."


    Presley saw through her indifference, his tone turning icy. "So you''re saying no to my generous offer?"


    "Obviously." Mirabe nodded, unshaken.


    Presley narrowed his eyes. "Do you understand what consequences might follow if you turn me down today?"


    Mirabe barely lifted an eyelid. "Oh, consequences don''t really bother me. Just curious, aren''t you just a vice president?"


    Presley''s face fell, especially after her jab at him being ''just a vice president.'' It hit a sore spot.


    "If you''re just a vice president, what gives you


    the right to talk Preset


    renegotiate contracts with me?"


    Sabe''s voice cut through again.


    After all, isn''t everyone just a vice president in some way? Even a nominal one.


    Presley red at Mirabe, unused to anyone speaking to him like this. Even David, always the gentleman, never dared. Was she acting so bold because of some tie to the Shepherd family?


    After a tense silence, Presley finally spoke, "Don''t refuse a good offer just to end up with a bad deal. This contract, you''re going to sign it, like it or not."

 Chapter 1354

    Mirabe tilted her head, a yful spark in her eyes. "Oh, what''s this? You nning to y tough?"


    Presley let out a cold chuckle. "I''m just saying, crossing the Pharmaceutical Association isn''t doing you any favors. You gave a form to Devon; surely you could provide a few more without much hassle. Why make it a bigger deal than it has to be?"


    Wouldn''t it be better if everyone just got what they needed?


    "And why should I hand over my forms to you? Is your face somehow more important than everyone else''s?" Mirabe scoffed, "Threats won''t work on me." Presley was taken aback by her audacity, feeling both frustrated and amused.


    Shaking his head, he thought it was beneath him to argue with someone so young. Calming down, he said, "This isn''t a threat. Handing over the forms is part of your job, especially since you signed an agreement with the association. You can''t afford the consequences of breaking it."


    The Pharmaceutical Association had plenty of ways to make someone disappear. Mirabe nodded. "This is the first time I''ve heard someone so openly im that stealing forms is a duty. Go on, I''m curious about these ''consequences.""


    Presley couldn''t help butugh. It was his first time dealing with someone so unfazed. But he had time; he''d get those forms eventually.


    For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Then, the office door burst open with a loud bang.


    Presley frowned and looked up to see Devon, smelling strongly of chemicals, stride in.


    "Ever heard of knocking?" Presley snapped.


    Devon, David''s apprentice, never sat well with Presley, especially since Devon had repeatedly outshone Presley''s apprentice, Conrad.


    Devon, more into pharmacology than small talk, seemed unfazed by Presley''s scolding. As he was about to speak, his eyesnded on a document on the coffee table.


    Narrowing his eyes, he snatched it


    up, skimmed through it quickly, and turned back to Presley, his face


    nk


    Presley''s temper red, and he mmed his hand on the desk. "Devon, watch your mouth."


    The nerve of this guy!


    Devon smirked, his scruffy chin dark


    with stubble, as he tossed the¨¥


    document back on the table. "Ms. Mirabe''s someone my mentor


    brought in. Trying to buy her off isn''t


    exactly ssy, is it?"


    Presley, feeling his pride pricked, red at Devon. "You trying to tell me how to do my job?"


    "Not at all," Devon said, smirking.


    After seeing the recent shifts in the


    association; he saw through


    vel


    Presley''s facade and didn''t care


    about offending him. "Just


    remember, don''t stoop too low, or


    you''ll end up regretting it."


    Then he turned to Mirabe, his icy demeanor melting away, his tone suddenly polite. "Hey, I''ve hit a snag with a new drug I''m working on. Mind giving me a hand?"


    Presley stood there in silence, fuming.

 Chapter 1355

    Mirabe was still mulling over Devon''s words, "My mentor''s not around." After a moment''s pause, she stood up, nodded, and said, "Sure, I can do that."


    Devon let out a sigh of relief. He wasn''t entirely sure what to make of Mirabe. When he first looked over Presley''s contract, he worried she might be tempted by Presley''s offer.


    Without sparing Presley another nce, Devon gestured towards the door and politely invited Mirabe, "Shall we head out?"


    Presley''s face darkened even more, if that was possible. "Devon, don''t push it!" he barked.


    Snatching someone away right in front of him? That was downright disrespectful, ignoring his role as vice president.


    Devon, seemingly oblivious to Presley''s outrage, kept his attention on Mirabe, signaling her to leave with him.


    Mirabe, hands casually tucked into her coat pockets, paused mid-step, then turned to Presley with a nonchnt look. "Not interested in the VP role, and definitely not in the president''s chair, either."


    With that, she turned and walked out. Devon was caught off guard for a second but quickly followed her.


    Presley watched them disappear through the door, his expression nk. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he sent his coffee cup crashing to the floor.


    The sound of the shattering cup mirrored his foul mood. He''d never dealt with someone so dismissive before.


    Outside the office, Dane was on his way to see Presley with some papers when he ran into Mirabe and Devon. He gave Mirabe aplicated look.


    He''d witnessed the whole association assessment and was genuinely surprised to discover she was also an alchemy expert.


    Back at the Reeves family, when she treated Owen, he thought she was just a skilled doctor. Her somewhat arrogant demeanor hadn''t left a great impression.


    Later, when his brother mentioned


    over the phone that she might be a formidable alchemist, Dane brushed


    it off


    elieving someone@so


    young could be that talented.


    Turns out, she was not only talented but also had a good rapport with the


    president. This realization left Dane feeling a bit uneasy.


    If he''d known about her skills earlier and tried towork, maybe he could''ve built


    a strong connection with David over the past two years.


    But hindsight is always 20/20.


    Dane sighed internally. Luckily, David was stepping down as president soon. If he''d gotten too close to David, with Presley''s scheming, staying in the association might''ve been tricky.


    With this in mind, Dane let go of his lingering bitterness. Heposed himself, didn''t greet Mirabe, and simply nodded at Devon before heading into Presley''s office.


    Devon wasn''t chummy with Dane, felt neutral towards him, but seeing him enter Presley''s office made him smirk.


    Looked like another one had fallen under Presley''s sway.


    *


    As Dane stepped into the office, he noticed the shattered coffee cup on the floor, momentarily surprised. He cautiously nced at Presley.


    Reflecting on his encounter with Devon and Mirabe at the door, he figured... maybe things hadn''t ended well?


    Realizing his timing might not be ideal, but knowing it was toote to turn back, he quietly asked, "Presley, everything okay?"

 Chapter 1356

    Presley gave Dane a quick once-over before settling back into his chair, his expression calm and collected. "What''s up? Why did you want to see me?" he asked, casually.


    "Nothing major, just brewed up a new batch of medicine and thought you might want to take a look," Dane replied, bending down to gather the shattered pieces of a coffee cup from the floor.


    Presley wasn''t really in the mood, but watching Dane''s careful cleanup, he managed to keep his impatience in check. "Maybe another time."


    Dane nodded and tossed the broken pieces into a nearby trash bin. "I just bumped into Devon and the others outside," he mentioned.


    At the sound of Devon''s name, a flicker of annoyance passed over Presley''s face. "People who don''t know their ce," he muttered with a scoff.


    "What''s his deal?" Dane asked, pretending to be puzzled.


    Presley rubbed his temples, silent for a moment. Dane stood there, unsure if he should break the silence.


    Finally, Presley dropped his hand, focusing on Dane. "Oh yeah, didn''t you say Mirabe and your dad are pretty close?"


    Dane was caught off guard by the question but nodded. "Yeah, they''re on good terms, I guess."


    Presley''s eyes narrowed as he continued, "So, do you think she''d hand over the recipe for that ancient medicine if your dad asked?"


    Dane was taken aback, his eyes widening. "Wait, the vice president wants the ancient medicine recipe?"


    Presley didn''t bother to hide his intent, looking at Dane directly. "Just tell me, can you get it?"


    Meanwhile, Mirabe and Devon headed downstairs. Grant was waiting in the lobby and approached them as they stepped out of the elevator.


    Looking a bit guilty, Grant avoided Mirabe''s eyes, speaking softly, "Ms. Mirabe, I hope Presley didn''t give you too much trouble?"


    Mirabe shot him a cool nce but didn''t respond. Devon, however, chimed in, "Grant, I thought you had prin@ples. Didn''t expect you''d end up doing Presley''s dirty work."


    The night before, Grant had checked in on David, and Devon had thanked him,


    hoping not everyone was in Presley''s pocket. But reality had hit hard.


    Grant gave a bitter chuckle and


    shook his head, offering no exnation. He pulled something from his pocket and handed it to Devon. "Please pass this medicine to the president."


    Apologizing to Mirabe with a nod, he turned and left.


    Devon, holding the medicine bottle, frowned. Opening it to inspect the contents,


    he felt a swirl ofplicated emotions.


    He''d overheard Grant''s conversation


    with his teacher the night before and hadn''t expected Grant to bring


    Mirabe to the association to (4)


    Even though Grant had texted him, the situation had shifted. A wrong was a wrong, and trying to fix it afterward couldn''t erase the scar.


    Mirabe''s eyes fell on the bottle in Devon''s hand. "What happened to David? Where is he now?" she asked.


    Her question brought Devon back to the moment. He looked at her, "My master''s resting at home."


    Recalling Presley''s attitude earlier, Mirabe pressed, "Has something been going on at the associationtely?"

 Chapter 1357

    Devon let out a heavy sigh, gesturing for Mirabe to step out first as he muttered, "It''s a long story... But Presley, he''s just bad news."


    Presley was indeed Presley''s name.


    Devon briefly touched on how Presley had coerced David into temporarily handing over the leadership role to him.


    After hearing this, Mirabe furrowed her brows and asked, "Is David unwell?"


    Devon nodded, looking worried, "His old condition red up again, and Presley even held back his medication... So, Master isn''t in the best mental state right now."


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes, thinking for a moment before saying, "I''ll go check on him."


    Devon knew Mirabe was good at making remedies but wasn''t sure about her medical skills. Since David hadn''t mentioned it, he assumed she just wanted to visit, so he replied, "Alright."


    Half an hourter, Mirabe arrived at David''s ce.


    It was a house with a rich history, nestled in the old part of town.


    But Mirabe didn''t take much time to look around and quickly followed Devon into David''s bedroom.


    "David just took some medicine and might not wake up soon," the butler, who had been looking after David, whispered to Devon.


    Devon nced at David, who was resting with his eyes shut, and frowned, "Did he take sleeping pills again?"


    The butler nodded, "He said he was feeling needle-like pains all over, and the painkillers didn''t work."


    Devon pulled out the medicine Grant had given him earlier, "I''ve got the medicine back."


    The butler''s face lit up, "That''s great news."


    Devon nodded in agreement.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe, listening to their exchange, moved closer to the bed. She first checked David''splexion and then gently took his hand out from under the nket to feet his pulse.


    She frowned as she checked.


    Seeing Mirabe''s actions, Devon immediately stopped his conversation with the butler and quietly walked over. Once she withdrew her hand, he softly asked, "How is he?"


    Mirabe tucked the nket around David before standing up straight, "His pulse is weak, like a candle burning out."


    Devon''s face fell, "How can that be? Master is just stressed because of the association''s issues. How could he be so worn out..."


    Mirabe nced at David, then her eyesnded on the medicine bottle in Devon''s hand. She didn''t answer his question directly but said "Let me see the medicine you''re holding."


    Devon quickly handed her the bottle.


    Mirabe took out a pill, sniffed it carefully, and had a sense of what was going on. She put the pill back in the bottle, "Has David been taking this medicine for a while?"


    Devon nodded and asked, "Is there something wrong with it?"


    Mirabe shook her head, "The medicine itself isn''t the issue. But taking it long-term can build up a slow-acting toxin, especially in someone whose body is already weak. This toxin slowly saps his vitality."


    Devon was taken aback, "A slow-acting toxin?"

 Chapter 1358

    Mirabe handed the vial back to Devon, saying, "Chronic toxins are tricky to spot, and by the time you notice, it''s usually toote."


    Devon clutched the vial tighter, struggling to believe there was an issue with the medication. His mentor was no novice in medicine, and it seemed impossible that he could have been consuming something harmful for years without realizing it.


    But if the medication wasn''t the culprit... why was his mentor''s condition getting worse, even after trying various treatments with no sess?


    Devon''s mind spun with confusion.


    Mirabe noticed Devon wavering between doubt and eptance. Her eyes wandered for a moment before she softly remarked, "Healers often find it hardest to heal themselves."


    Devon looked at Mirabe, not one to stick stubbornly to his own views. He hesitated before speaking, "So, my mentor... David..."


    "David''s been on this medication for too long," Mirabe exined slowly. "The toxins have spread throughout his system, and his vitality''s been drained too fast. If I''m right, he must''ve taken other meds before he got sick, which triggered the sudden toxin outbreak."


    Devon was unaware of this, and feeling anxious, he turned to the butler who hadn''t left yet, "Uncle White, do you know if my mentor has been taking anything else recently?"


    The butler thought for a moment before shaking his head, "I''m not sure. David was so busy with the association''s work before he got sick that he rarely came home."


    After a pause, he added, "I''ll grab the spare meds we have at home so you can check them over."


    With that, the butler rushed out of the room.


    Devon turned back to Mirabe, asking quietly, "Since it''s a toxin outbreak, wouldn''t detoxifying or taking an antidote help my mentor?"


    "For an adult, there might be a slim chance, but for someone older, it''s tough," Mirabe said with regret.


    Devon staggered back a step, his gaze heavy with sorrow as he looked at David lying on the bed, "So... there''s no way to save him?"


    "If the toxins hadn''t fully erupted, maybe there could''ve been a way to gradually treat him..." Mirabe


    trailed off, but the meaning


    clear. .


    was


    §è§Ú§Þ


    Devon felt a pang of difort. Until now, he''d assumed Presley had tampered with his teacher''s meds,


    leading to his decline after the


    medicine ran out. He hadn''t even


    considered chronic toxins.


    Just then, the butler returned with a medical box, cing it on a nearby table, "These are all of Donald''s medications."


    Mirabe walked over.


    The box held a dozen or so bottles, mostly vitamins and supplements, along with some for lowering blood pressure and blood sugar.


    After checking them, Mirabe said, "These are fine and wouldn''t harm David''s health."


    Recalling Mirabe''s earlier words, a thought crept into Devon''s mind, "Someone''s deliberately trying to ruin my mentor''s health."


    Mirabe wasn''t privy to the inner workings of the medical association, but given the situation, she didn''t dismiss the idea, simply saying, "Maybe."


    At this point, Devon''s thoughts instinctively turned to Presley, whose ambition and


    eagerness to rise in status were in for all to see.


    He had every reason to y dirty.

 Chapter 1359

    Just then, Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. Not wanting to wake David, she gave Devon a quick nod and slipped out of the room to take the call.


    Outside, she answered, "Hey, where are you?" came James''s cool voice.


    Mirabe nced casually at the potted nts lining the hallway. "I''m handling a few things at David''s."


    James, recalling Wyatt''s recent worries about some pharmaceutical issues, didn''t press further. "When do you think you''ll be done?"


    "Pretty soon. Did you need something?" Mirabe asked.


    "Yeah, we''ve got a lead on that person behind the drugs."


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed. "Is it that ''Cian'' you mentioned?"


    James replied, "Probably. We can talk more once you''re finished."


    "Alright, I''ll swing byter."


    "Sounds good."


    Mirabe ended the call, her brow furrowed for a moment before she tucked her phone away and headed back to David''s room.


    Inside, David was still asleep. Mirabe checked on him and said to Devon, "I won''t bother David now. I''lle by tomorrow to try some acupuncture."


    Her current needles weren''t right for David''s condition.


    Devon, unsure about Mirabe''s medical skills, trusted she wouldn''t risk her mentor''s health. "Alright, I''ll be here."


    Mirabe nodded and left, with the butler trailing her to see her out.


    Once she''d disappeared through the door, Devon returned to David''s side, pulling up a chair to check his pulse. But without much medical


    know-how, he couldn''t make heads or tails of it.


    He let out a wry smile and withdrew his hand, staying by David''s side until he


    woke up.


    **


    to her neighborhood, heading straight to James''s ce. Inside,


    Not long after, Mirabe drovet


    nd not only James but also


    Wyatt and Curtis.


    "Hey, Ms. Mirabe," Wyatt greeted her warmly.


    Curtis gave her a nod as well.


    Mirabe acknowledged them with a hum and turned to James, clearing her throat. "You mentioned a lead on ''Cian''?"


    She''d nned to investigate through The Mirror but got sidetracked by Nick''s situation. If James hadn''t mentioned it, it might have slipped her mind.


    James took her hand, noting it felt warmer than the previous day. As he guided her to a seat beside him, he exined, "This person might be linked to an overseas ops group,st spotted in Riverdale."


    Mirabe let James hold her hand and raised an eyebrow. "So, they''re in Riverdale now?"


    "Not sure. They were supposed to be there three days ago, but who knows if they''ve moved on," Curtis chimed in, sounding a bit frustrated.


    That someone could evade him in Riverdale hinted at their skill.


    "Three days ago?" Mirabe''s eyes narrowed. "So, we can''t track them now?"


    She suspected this person was a fake, using ''Cian''s'' name, and the situation was likely more tangled than it appeared.

 Chapter 1360

    As Mirabe faced Curtis''s hesitant confession, she couldn''t help but notice his downcast eyes. "Yeah..." he murmured.


    Wyatt, standing nearby, cleared his throat. "The real problem is, this guy''s slippery as an eel. Our team can''t get a bead on him. But given he''s from some secretive family, maybe he''s got some tricks up his sleeve?"


    Mirabe shot Wyatt a look, feeling the need to set the record straight. "We''re all just regr folks here. Special abilities? That''s a stretch."


    James raised an eyebrow at her remark, clearly intrigued.


    "Anyway, we''ve lost track of him," Curtis admitted, a hint of defeat in his voice. The mystery person was a master at staying hidden. They couldn''t even figure out if it was a man or a woman, let alone what they looked like.


    Curtis suddenly recalled something and quickly added, "I think he might be tied to the Pharmaceutical Association. We lost him near their building."


    Mirabe''s frown deepened. Why did everything seem to circle back to the Pharmaceutical Association?


    As she was lost in thought, James broke the silence, "What did David want with you today?"


    Mirabe took a moment to respond, as ifing back from a distant ce. "He''s under the weather. I just went to check on him."


    James nodded, "The Pharmaceutical Association''s been a hot messtely. Plenty of folks eyeing Mr. Boyd''s position."


    Mirabe turned to him, curious, "How do you know?"


    James gave a slight smile, "While you were out of it for a few days, I had David swing by the hospital. I kept tabs on things."


    Mirabe touched her nose, realization dawning. "So, David''s been set up."


    A slow-acting poison, nearly impossible to detect¡ªthis wasn''t something thrown together overnight. The intrigue and power ys were endless. Her earlier decision to steer clear of formally joining the Association seemed wiser than ever. Still, with Presley''s intentions today, Mirabe couldn''t shake the feeling that more trouble was brewing. Her head throbbed at the thought.


    She shouldn''t have been swayed by the free materials and those modest perks. Leaning back into the sofa, Mirabe kept her face nk.


    James, reading her mood, gently took her hand, lightly tracing her palm. "Don''t stress too much."


    Mirabe tilted her head, a grin breaking through. "Why worry when I''ve got you?"


    James, taking her words to heart, nodded yfully, "d you finally see it my way."


    Mirabe just sighed.


    Wyatt and Curtis, caught


    by this unexpected disy of affection, exchanged nces,


    feeling like they''d just walked in on


    something private.


    James continued to toy with Mirabe''s fingers, then fixed his gaze on Curtis, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "Keep looking for this Cian. Turn Riverdale inside out if you have to, but find him."


    "Got it," Curtis nodded, already set on that path even if James hadn''t said anything. After all, this


    personal. He felt he''d let a


    UM


    down. -


    Mirabe watched James, aware that his concern wasn''t really about her, yet she


    couldn''t shake the feeling of difort.


    Not long after, Curtis and Wyatt made their exit, leaving Mirabe and James alone.


    Mirabe curled up on the sofa, thoughts still lingering on Cian.


    James studied her for a moment before leaning in, "This Cian... do you know him?"

 Chapter 1361

    As James leaned in a little too close, Mirabe instinctively lifted her head. When her eyes met his deep gaze, her heart skipped a beat. "I don''t recognize you," she said.


    "You deny it awfully fast," James remarked with a raised eyebrow.


    Mirabe maintained a poker face, boldly repeating, "I really don''t recognize you." James chuckled. "You''ve got quite a few little secrets, don''t you?"


    Mirabe shot him a re, starting to wonder if this guy had too much time on his hands, poking his nose into everything.


    Seeing her reaction, James just ruffled Mirabe''s hair, realizing she wasn''t going to spill the beans. He decided to let it go for now.


    There''s always tomorrow.


    Plenty of time ahead.


    *


    Meanwhile, when David came to, he found Devon still sitting by his bedside.


    Devon was holding the bottle of medicine Grant had brought back.


    "You''re awake, professor," Devon said, noticing David''s eyes open. "How are you feeling?"


    David shook his head, slowly propping himself up on the bed. "How long was I out? When did you get here?"


    "Not even two hours," Devon replied, cing a pillow behind David''s back. "Oh, and Mirabe stopped by."


    "Mirabe?" David looked surprised. "Why didn''t she wake me? Where''s she now?"


    "She saw you were resting and didn''t want to disturb you. She stayed for a bit, then said she''de by tomorrow to try some acupuncture," Devon exined softly.


    "Why did she drop by out of the blue? Did you ask her toe?" David asked, puzzled.


    Devon took a moment, then filled him in about Grant calling Mirabe to the association and Presley''s motives.


    David frowned, surprised that his assistant had reached out to Mirabe, and even more so that Presley was after her medicine recipe.


    It must have been because of thest assessment at the association; the medicine Mirabe had concocted had certainly piqued Presley''s interest.


    Then, Devon opened his hand to show David the bottle of medicine, sighing, "Grant probably called Mirabe to see Presley to get his hands on this."


    But the medicine Grant brought back was dangerous.


    It was uncertain whether Grant knew or was pretending to be ignorant.


    David''s eyes settled on the bottle in Devon''s hand, and after a pause, he let out a weary smile. "That must have been hard on him."


    Seeing this, Devon felt he had to


    rify. "But... this medicine might be


    doing you more harm than good. Mirabe mentioned you''ve got chronic toxins in your body because of it."


    David was taken aback once more.


    "But the real danger isn''t this medicine, it''s the other drugs that activate the toxins in your body. So, professor, have you been taking anything elsetely?" Devon @sked directly, his gaze fixed on David.

 Chapter 1362

    David snapped back to reality, mulling things over before shaking his head, "Nope."


    "No?" Devon, though always a bit skeptical about Mirabe''s diagnosis, figured it was better to y it safe when it came to his mentor''s health. "Maybe you should give it another thought?"


    "Did Mirabe mention this to you?" David suddenly asked.


    Devon nodded, "Yeah, she said your health isn''t looking too good and that the chronic toxins are acting up."


    He held back from saying "burning the candle at both ends," not wanting to add more stress to his mentor.


    David went silent for a moment, his hand on the nket tightening a bit. After a pause, he looked up at Devon, his face expressionless, "I haven''t been taking any other meds."


    Devon studied David closely but couldn''t read anything from his expression, finally suggesting, "Maybe it''s a misdiagnosis."


    "Maybe." David nodded, adding, "I know my body well. It''s just some old nagging issues, nothing major."


    Devon agreed, considering his mentor''s medical skills were nothing to scoff at. Feeling a bit reassured, he nced at the medicine in his hand, contemting before saying, "Let''s skip this medicine, then."


    Better safe than sorry.


    "Alright," David replied softly, steering clear of further discussion on the meds or the association.


    After chatting a bit more, Devon noticed the fatigue creeping back onto David''s face and helped him lie down once again.


    Just as he was about to leave, Devon, with the medicine bottle in hand, remembered something and turned back to David, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask, how good is Ms. Mirabe at medicine?"


    David tilted his head, looking at Devon who stood silhouetted by the light, a hint of admiration in his tired eyes, "Her medical skills are way beyond mine. You should definitely learn from her."


    Hearing this, Devon''s heart sank. If Mirabe''s skills were indeed superior, then her diagnosis might be spot on.


    Master was definitely hiding something.


    Devon opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, instead saying, "Right, I will. You rest up, teacher."


    He left the room, his steps heavy and his eyes clouded with worry.


    Inside, Davidy wide awake, staring at the ceiling, a bitter smile ying on his lips.


    He hadn''t realized that the medicine


    he


    was


    Even if he knew, he tho


    just par for the course.


    it


    After all, it''smon knowledge that medicine often has its downsides, but they usually don''t hit you hard.


    **


    The next afternoon.


    Mirabe arrived at David''s ce with James in tow. The butler showed them into the living room.


    David was waiting there, and when they entered, he quickly got up, "Mirabe, James, d you made it."


    James gave a slight nod, "David."


    David smiled, inviting them to sit and chat, then asked the butler to brew some coffee.


    Once seated, Mirabe nced at


    slightace, her brow fu


    David''s


    The toxin had spread


    fast overnight.


    "Have you been taking that medicine again?" Mirabe cut straight to the chase.


    David''s hand rested on the chair''s


    arm, trembling slightly if you looked close enough. He shook his head, "No, my health''s been like this for a while now."

 Chapter 1363

    Even without a diagnosis, David knew his body was giving up on him. Medication or not, he felt his days were numbered. Mirabe wasn''t surprised by his


    candidness. Ordinary doctors might miss the signs, but David was all too aware. She offered gently, "How about I check your pulse first?"


    "Alright," David agreed, cing his hand on the table.


    "If you need anything, just let me know," James chimed in while Mirabe focused on David''s pulse.


    David nced at James, hesitated, then decided to speak up. "Actually, there is something. It''s about my apprentice, Devon. If anything happens to me, he''s on his own, and I worry about him. Could you look out for him if he ever needs it?" David''s wife had passed away early, and his son lived overseas with his family, so there wasn''t much to worry about on that front. But Devon, without any connections or support, was a concern. Despite Devon''s remarkable talent in pharmacology, if Presley took over as chairman, David feared he''d target Devon


    first.


    With Presley''s vindictive streak, Devon didn''t stand a chance.


    "Sure thing," James nodded, knowing that helping someone out was a piece of cake for the Shepherd family.


    "Thank you," David said, his eyes misty with gratitude.


    Mirabe finished checking his pulse, and the news wasn''t good. She hesitated but decided against saying much. Instead, she retrieved a small tin box from her bag, opened it to reveal silver needles and a loop of golden thread. "Let me give you some acupuncture."


    David had seen Mirabe''s golden thread work wonders at Mason''s house before, but his situation was different now. He shook his head, "No need, Mirabe. Don''t waste your energy. Even if Hua Tuo himself were here, he couldn''t save me."


    His voice was calm, havinge to terms with his reality.


    Van''t


    give


    Mirabe didn''t stop. "Even if I save you, this will make you feel better. Who knows, maybe it''ll you another year. Wouldn''t that be something?"


    David paused, "Another year..."


    "Every extra day counts," Mirabe replied softly, signaling the butler to help David into the bedroom.


    Besides, as long as David held his position as the president of the Pharmacists'' Association, she had ess to free medicinal herbs. And considering he was the apprentice of the esteemed elder of their lineage, she was determined to help.


    Once David was settled, Mirabe followed with the golden thread, but James caught her arm just before she entered the room.


    She stopped and looked up at him, noticing his worried expression. "What''s up?¡±


    James nced towards the bedroom, then back at her. "Are we looking at another situation likest time?"


    "Last time? Mirabe was


    momentarily confused but soon realized what he meant. She shook


    her head, "No, it''s just regr ok


    acupuncture."  ?wnovel


    Hearing this, James rxed and released her arm. "Some things are just beyond our control."


    He didn''t know exactly how Nick was saved thest time, but some mysteries were best left unsolved, even if they seemed obvious.

 Chapter 1364

    Mirabe''s eyes sparkled as she looked at James, shing him a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, I''ve got it under control."


    James, trusting her instincts, decided to leave it at that.


    Soon enough, Mirabe made her way into the bedroom.


    David''s butler, having helped David out of his shirt, was asked by Mirabe to step out. Though he was concerned for David, he knew there were important guests in the living room waiting for their coffee, so he obliged.


    *


    Now it was just Mirabe and David in the room. Acupuncture is a meticulous process that demands total focus, so neither of them spoke.


    Mirabe used a technique on David simr to the one she''d used on Mr. Owen before. Completely getting rid of the toxins wasn''t possible since they had be part of his system.


    Instead of trying to remove them, she aimed to transform them so they could coexist harmlessly with his body. If she could strike a bnce, living with the toxins would be doable.


    This method was untested by her, but she was willing to give it a shot.


    After half an hour, she had inserted all the golden needles into various points on David''s body, then checked his pulse.


    Even though his pulse was still a bit jumpy, it was better than before the acupuncture, suggesting the method was working.


    Mirabe breathed a sigh of relief and continued guiding the needles, moving them through his energy pathways. After another half hour, she gently removed the needles.


    Knowing the procedure was painful, she worried David might not handle it well, so she used a silver needle on his sleep point to help him rx.


    Just a minute after she took out the needle from his sleep point, David stirred awake, opening his eyes.


    He felt a slight tingling, but mostly


    he felt


    lief. Turning to t


    "Is it done? I already


    much better." Content be Teel so


    ¨¦t


    While cleaning the golden needles, Mirabe replied, "As long as you


    steer clear of any strong


    of any strong meds, you


    should be okay for now."


    It was her first time trying this method, so she wasn''t entirely confident in the


    oue and didn''t want to make any promises.


    David nodded, "Got it."


    Mirabe nodded back and ced the sanitized needles into the metal box.


    The box, with its ancient designs,


    caught David''s eye. Noticing the


    familiar patterns, his eyes widened. Despite feeling weak, he managed to


    sit


    Lap,


    excitement in his voice, "Can I see your needle box?"


    Mirabe turned to him, seeing his eager gaze on the box. Without a second thought, she handed it over.


    The needles needed a special box to stay intact, which is why she brought the whole thing instead of just the needles.


    As David studied the petal designs on the box, he looked at Mirabe, his voice a mix of shock and curiosity, "Is this...?"


    Mirabe smiled, nodding before he could finish, "Yes."


    David''s eyes widened further, words failing him.


    No wonder her acupuncture technique felt so unique, unlike any typical alternative medicine practitioner.


    Seeing the designs, his curiosity and questions finally had answers.


    If Mirabe was from that family, her extraordinary skills made perfect sense.


    David began to speak, "Mirabe, you..."

 Chapter 1365

    Mirabe had a pretty good idea of what David was getting at. Her eyes flicked over the tin box, and without bringing up the Stevenson family, she just exined, "I was just lucky to learn a bit of medicine from a master. This thing is a keepsake from my mentor."


    She wasn''t surprised that David recognized the pattern on the box. Being the president of the Pharmaceutical Association, he was well-versed in such things. Plus, he was an apprentice taken in by an elder from his n, so it wasn''t unusual for him to spot it.


    When David heard her exnation, he couldn''t help but think of himself. He too had studied under a skilled mentor, but his talents were limited, and he hadn''t quite mastered the art of medicine and pharmacy as well as he would have liked.


    Comparisons can be a bit of a downer. After a moment, David snapped back to reality, handed the box back to Mirabe, and sincerely said, "Don''t worry, I won''t breathe a word of this to anyone."


    Whether or not she was rted to a hidden family, just the rumor of Mirabe being linked to the Stevenson family could spell endless trouble for her.


    "Alright." Mirabe nodded, not saying much else. "Thank you. You should get some rest now. I''lle back in a few days to treat you."


    David agreed, and as Mirabe was about to leave, something else crossed his mind. He quickly called out to her, "No matter if you have ties to that family or not, steer clear of the association for now. No matter who calls you there, just don''t go."


    Mirabe looked at David, puzzled.


    Remembering a phone call he identally overheard from Presley, David added, "There''s a group hunting for people from that family, and they might be a big deal. Your medical skills and unique medicines make you a potential target."


    A sh of cold determination passed through Mirabe''s eyes. "I get it, thanks for the heads-up."


    Seeing that Mirabe was taking his warning seriously, David felt a bit of relief.


    Mirabe didn''t linger and left the room quickly. David watched the door, still looking worried.


    Lost in thought, he grabbed his jacket from beside him, pulled out his phone, and scrolled through his contacts to call his assistant.


    Even though Devon hinted yesterday that his assistant might have switched sides to Presley, David knew that wasn''t true.


    After working with Grant for over a decade, David knew exactly what kind of person he was.


    Grant must have been busy, as the phone rang for ages before he finally picked


    up right before it was about to go to voicemail.


    Before Grant could say a word, David jumped in, "I need you to the storeroom and get that bot medicine Mirabe brought to the association."


    of


    **


    In the car, Mirabe mulled over David''s warning, along with what she''d learned from James the day before. The fake ''Cian'' vanished near the Pharmaceutical Association, and there might be a link between these incidents.


    After all, for those folks, starting their search from the association would make it easier to track down their target.


    Mirabe rubbed her temples, then


    remembered something. She grabbed her phone and shot a message to Cassandra, asking where Morgan was these days.


    But whether it was a bad signal on Cassandra''s end or something else, her message showed as undelivered after a few minutes.


    Though Mirabe found it odd, she chalked it up to the shoddywork back home and patiently hit resend.

 Chapter 1366

    Minutes after trying to resend the message, Mirabe still got the same


    notification-it didn''t go through. With a light tap on her phone, she decided not to bother sending any more messages. She wasn''t too worried; Morgan might be straightforward, but he had a knack for staying out of trouble.


    James, who was driving, nced over at Mirabe, noticing she was lost in thought. "Still worried about Mr. Boyd''s health?" he asked, breaking the silence.


    Mirabe snapped back to reality at the sound of his voice. Putting her phone away, she shook her head. "Everyone has their time," she replied, a touch of resignation in her voice.


    "We do what we can," James said, his tone reassuring.


    "Yeah." Mirabe nodded, her eyes drifting to the scenery outside the car window. Suddenly, something crossed her mind. She took off the ne she was wearing, "Didn''t you say you wanted to borrow this the other day?"


    James nced over, noting that she was looking much better. He reached out, took the ne, and slipped it into his pocket. "I''ll give it back once I''m done."


    "Alright." Mirabe replied simply, not questioning his need for the ne.


    James didn''t offer any exnation but asked, "Where to now?"


    Mirabe checked the time on her watch. "Just take me to the hospital."


    James nodded, about to say something when his phone buzzed. It was Curtis calling. He picked up the Bluetooth headset, put it on, and answered the call. Curtis''s voice came through clearly.


    "We''ve got news on Trevor."


    James''s expression shifted slightly. "Really? Where is he?"


    Curtis mentioned a spot in the south, a remote mountain area. "The signal''s terrible. We only picked up a faint distress call, and now we''ve lost contact."


    James kept his eyes on the road, "Keep looking. I''ll join you soon."


    After ending the call, Mirabe suggested, "If you''re busy, just drop me off here. I can grab a cab to the hospital."


    James didn''t slow down, "It''s no trouble."


    Seeing his resolve, Mirabe didn''t argue further.


    A few minutester, James dropped her off at the hospital and drove away without going inside.


    When he returned to the Shepherd estate, Curtis and Wyatt were already waiting for him.


    "The helicopter ready?" James asked, his dark coat giving him a serious air, sleeves rolled up to reveal his slender wrists.


    "All set. We can leave whenever you''re ready," Curtis replied respectfully.


    James nodded, "Keep this under wraps. Don''t mention anything to Emily and Donald yet."


    "Got it,¡± Curtis and Wyatt both agreed.


    Soon, they headed to the helipad and


    settled the helicopter..


    the window deep in the mea


    settled back against the seat, staring


    out


    Wyatt handed him a bottle of water "No need to worry, James. Trevo should be okay. Our team checked the


    a and didn''t find and "


    James shifted his gaze from the window, acknowledging with a nod.


    "There''s something odd though. That ce isn''t on any map. It''s marked as an undeveloped forest, and the helicopter might get lost," Wyatt added, a hint of concern in his voice.

 Chapter 1367

    James''s expression softened, showing a flicker of worry. "How on earth did my


    dad end up there? Did they manage to uncover what the archaeological team was up to this time?"


    "Nope," Wyatt replied, shaking his head with a hint of frustration. "They''re keeping it under wraps,beled top-secret. The Archaeological Society is tight-lipped about the whole thing."


    Even the Shepherd family was left clueless. James squinted, realizing his dad''s mission was anything but ordinary.


    The Archaeological Society wouldn''t just wander into some regr old forest, especially not for a top-secret mission.


    "I did catch wind of something intriguing from someone at the Society," Curtis chimed in as he strolled out of the cabin. "Apparently, the bigwigs are on the hunt for a gadget that supposedly lets you travel through time."


    Wyatt looked up at Curtis, eyebrows raised. "Time travel? Have those guys at the Archaeological Society been binging on too much sci-fi? That''s just too far- fetched."


    It sounded more like a novel than reality.


    Curtis shot Wyatt a knowing look, his tone light but pointed. "Ever met anyone from the Archaeological Society who was, well, normal?"


    Wyatt scratched his nose, realizing Curtis was taking a jab at James''s father, though he couldn''t help but agree with the sentiment.


    "Anyway, I can''t buy into these wild stories. Just a bunch of scientists with their heads in the clouds," Wyatt scoffed.


    "Maybe," Curtis shrugged, then turned back to James, knowing full well neither of them believed in such fairy tales. Skipping the topic, he added, "But the spot where the archaeology team vanished is definitely odd."


    With today''s satellite tech leagues ahead of what it was decades ago, it was strange that even in a dense forest, there was no signal at all, especially since Trevor was equipped with thetest tracking gear.


    ces off the satellite grid are usually under special control, but this spot clearly wasn''t one of them.


    That''s why Curtis and Wyatt found it so baffling.


    James''s gaze drifted off, and after a moment, he spoke with determination, "No matter how weird it gets, we''ve got to find them."


    Meanwhile, Mirabe headed home after visiting Nick in the hospital.


    She had promised to analyze a virus strain''s cell structure for the virology department and nned to tackle


    that task with whatever tickle


    she


    had left today.


    She''d already been off school for over a week, and herb team, including Jessie Linden, had been asking when she''d be back. Plus, the Institute of Technology was on her case about progress.


    So, she was set on getting back to school the next day.


    After a hectic afternoon, by ten in the evening, Mirabe finally wrapped up the structural analysis chart.


    She shot the chart over to Adler''s email. After hitting send, she stretched her neck, took a breather for a few minutes, and then, remembering something, grabbed herphone.


    She tried messaging Cassandra on Messenger again.


    Same old story-message failed to send.


    Mirabe frowned, set down her phone, and her fingers danced back over theputer keyboard, switching tomand prompt.


    After a bit of digging into the family''swork, she discovered all the satellite info links were down.


    Mirabe''s eyes lingered on the darkenedputer screen, her fingers gently tracing the keyboard, puzzled by the whole situation.

 Chapter 1368

    If the satellite signal link was cut, that would exin why her message couldn''t get through. But, usually, they wouldn''t shut down the satellite signal, not even when she messed with her family''swork back in the day.


    Mirabe spent ages trying to figure it out, but eventually, she just shut herptop down, hoping nothing was seriously wrong. With a soft sigh, she lowered hershes, sat quietly for a bit, and then got up, heading to the wardrobe for a fresh set of pajamas before heading into the bathroom.


    The next day, Mirabe went to school to cancel her sick leave. Since she had sses in the morning, she skipped theb. Lisa had alsoe back to school a few days earlier. When Mirabe firstid eyes on her, she almost didn''t recognize her. "You look..."


    The once plump and adorable girl was now as thin as a rail, her face pale, her lips colorless, and she looked utterly drained of energy.


    Lisa slouched over her desk, managing a faint smile, "I guess I lost weight without spending a dime!"


    Mirabe''s lips twitched slightly, and she shook her head, reaching out to gently hold Lisa''s wrist. "Losing weight like this, aren''t your parents freaking out?"


    Lisa let Mirabe hold her wrist, a fleeting sadness crossing her eyes. "They''re too busy to worry about me right now."


    In truth, her coldness about her brother Emmitt''s situation had left her parents deeply disappointed, making them feel shecked any family loyalty.


    Mirabe frowned slightly and let go of Lisa''s hand, looking at her friend''s somber state. She asked, "Have you seen a doctor?"


    "No, I''m not a fan of hospitals." Seeing doctors in white coats always reminded her of Ben, and that conditioned fear kept Lisa away.


    "Are you taking any meds?" Mirabe asked again.


    "Yeah, I am. My cold''s actually a lot better, so don''t stress about it." Lisa replied, thinking Mirabe was just being caring.


    Mirabe nodded, her eyes narrowing a bit. "Still, you should get checked out at the hospital."


    "It''s all good, a couple more days on meds and I''ll be fine." Lisa smiled.


    Seeing Lisa''s resolve, Mirabe


    didn''t push it further. "Mind if I hang in your dorm around noon?" She


    paused, offering a casual excuse, "I need a ce to study."


    Knowing Mirabe didn''t live on campus and was quite far from school, Lisa didn''t think much of it and readily agreed.


    At lunchtime, after a quick meal at


    the cafeteria, they headed back to the dorm. The other roommates


    were there, and they felt a bit


    awkward seeing Mirabe. No one


    really said anything.


    Mirabe acted like they weren''t even there, following Lisa to her bed and sitting down.


    Lisa fetched a bottle of water for Mirabe, stifling a few coughs, and reminded herself she hadn''t taken her meds yet. She went to her bed and grabbed a box of medicine from a small bag hanging nearby.


    As she was about to take two pills, Mirabe nced over, stood up, and identally bumped Lisa''s hand, causing the pills to tumble to the floor.


    "Oops, sorry about that," Mirabe said, bending down to pick them up.


    Lisa just shook her head, unfazed. "No worries."


    Mirabe fiddled with the white pills, "Sorry, they got a bit dirty."


    "It''s cool, I''ve got plenty more," Lisa assured, showing her the medicine box before taking out another two pills.

 Chapter 1369

    Mirabe didn''t toss the medicine she''d picked up; instead, she gave Lisa a nce and casually asked, "Have you been taking this stuff the whole time?"


    Lisa grabbed a ss of water, took a sip to soothe her throat, and nodded. "Yeah, it seems to help with the coughing a bit."


    "If it''s not doing the trick, why not try a different cold medicine?" Mirabe tilted her head slightly, her voice soft, almost as if she mentioned it in passing.


    Lisa paused, realizing she hadn''t considered that. The medicine was something her mom had given her, and she hadn''t thought much about it. She quickly gave a wry smile and said, "It''s not that it hasn''t helped at all. Maybe it''s because I haven''t been taking it regrly."


    The heavy atmosphere at hometely had left her too distracted to look after her health properly.


    "Sometimes, skipping the meds might actually help a cold clear up faster," Mirabe suggested with a smile.


    Earlier that morning, while checking Lisa''s pulse, Mirabe noticed that Lisa was actually low on energy, not suffering from a cold. When someone stays energy- deficient for too long, their health can take a downturn, even if they''re usually healthy.


    Listening to Mirabe, Lisa nced down at the medicine in her hand and thought perhaps there was some truth in it. Her cough had only slightly improved, and her energy levels hadn''t picked up at all.


    She decided to put the medicine back in its box.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, pleased. Lisa seemed to be catching on without needing more advice.


    Just then, Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She flicked her finger and pulled it out to check.


    The screen showed a message on Messenger.


    She paused, then settled back on Lisa''s bed and opened it.


    It was a voice message from Niki, someone she hadn''t heard from in a while.


    Surprised, Mirabe quickly listened to the message and replied, "When did you get to Riverdale? I''m in ss right now but will be freeter this afternoon."


    Niki replied swiftly, "Got here this morning. It''s been ages since we caught up, Master Mirabe. If you''re free, want to grab dinner


    tonight?"


    Mirabe thought for a moment and agreed since she didn''t have any ns for the evening.


    Niki, relieved, had been hesitant


    to get back in touch due to some


    issues with his sons. Coming to Riverdale, he decided it was worth reconnecting.


    Luckily, she hadn''t avoided him because of the DaneAsher incident.


    Niki remembered James and sent another message, "How''s James doing


    Mirabe responded, "I''ll ask him."


    Niki replied, "Okay."


    Mirabe sent James a message, but he seemed to be busy since there was no reply for several minutes.


    Not wanting to push, and recalling a phone call she overheard him having in the car yesterday, she figured he was swamped and decided to decline Niki''s invite on James''s behalf.


    They agreed to meet at 6 p.m. at a downtown restaurant.


    After wrapping up the chat with Niki, Mirabe lingered in Lisa''s room for a bit before making up an excuse to leave.


    Once she was far from the dorm building, Mirabe pulled out the two pills from her pocket.


    With a thoughtful look, she gently crushed them into powder, identifying theponents, and a slight smile yed on her lips.


    This wasn''t cold medicine; it was clearly some kind of stimnt.


    With a flick of her fingers, the powdered medicine floated away into the air.

 Chapter 1370

    In the afternoon, after wrapping up her ss, Mirabe made her way to the science building. It had been over a week since shest visited theb, and the tasks had piled up. Without her helping hand, Linden, Jessie, and the rest of the crew had been struggling to keep up.


    So, when she walked in, they practically beamed with relief.


    "Mira, thank goodness you''re here! Any longer, and we''d all be tearing our hair out," Jessie joked, letting out a dramatic sigh.


    Linden nodded seriously. "Yeah, without Mirabe, we''re like a ship without a rudder."


    Kason, still ttering away at his keyboard, nced up and teased them for buttering her up. "Alright, enough chit-chat. We''ve got a deadline looming, and thest thing we want is Mr. Belcher sticking his nose in and adding more people to our team. That''s thest thing we need."


    "True enough," Jessie agreed, settling back into her chair. "Mira, you wouldn''t believe how many times Mr. Calvin tried to get to Mr. Zane while you were gone. Luckily, Mr. Zane stood his ground, and they didn''t manage to pull a fast one."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, intrigued.


    Jessie rambled on, only to suddenly remember something. "Oh, by the way, I heard from Mr. Zane that Professor Ben probably won''t be popping by anymore."


    "Yeah, I know," Mirabe replied casually, not at all surprised.


    Jessie blinked, taken aback. "You already knew?"


    Mirabe nodded, unfazed. After all, it was her doing thatnded Professor Ben in the hands of the authorities. Even if his connections managed to get him out, he wouldn''t dare show his face again.


    Seeing Mirabe''s cool demeanor, Jessie didn''t push further. Instead, she forwarded the system data they''d been working on to Mirabe''sputer.


    Even though Mirabe had taken a week off, she''d already mapped out the artificial life system. She''d just been holding back because of Professor Ben.


    ?


    By 5:30 PM, in just ny minutes, Mirabe had not only polished off the second phase of the system but also tweaked the work Linden, Jessie, and the others had done.


    After saving it and sending the final version to the team, she stood up. "I''ve got to run, guys. Check out what I sent, and hit me up if there are any hups."


    The three of them wanted to say something, but seeing she had urgent matters, they simply nodded.


    Once she left, the trio, who had braced themselves for a long night, opened the program Mirabe had sent. What they saw left them speechless.


    "Am I dreaming? She finished the whole thing in just over an hour?" Linden eximed, wide-eyed.


    Jessie rubbed her eyes in disbelief. "Wow, Mira''s a genius. I bet she was just holding back to mess with us!"


    Kason smirked. "No doubt about it."


    They exchanged looks, then shut down theirputers. Why slog through overtime when they could seize the night and have some fun?


    Mirabe left campus and headed straight to the caf¨¦ where she was meeting Niki. By the time she arrived, Niki was already there.


    "Mirabe d you could make it Niki greeted her with a smile as he stood up. Despite the gray in his beard, he looked lively and full of energy.

 Chapter 1371

    Mirabe nodded slightly, greeting politely, "Hey, Niki."


    Niki waved his hand, quickly inviting her to sit and filling her cup with more


    coffee as he nostalgically chatted about the past.


    Back then, because of an issue with his second son, Asher, he felt too


    embarrassed to discuss anything about medicine with her.


    "So, did youe to Riverdale because of a patient?" Mirabe asked, still


    holding Niki in high regard and brushing off past events.


    Niki nodded, being upfront, "Yeah, there''s someone at the city hospital with a rare condition. They asked me toe by and take a look."


    Mirabe cradled her coffee cup, lightly tracing the rim with her fingertips, and smiled, "Well, you''re a trailzer in alternative medicine."


    Niki chuckled, shaking his head, "Compared to your skills, mine don''t evene close."


    Such a talented young woman, he thought. It was a shame the Reeves family didn''t get the chance to learn more from her.


    Mirabe nced at Niki and humbly said, "You''re too kind."


    Niki just smiled, but then his phone rang. It was Dane calling.


    He answered briefly and hung up quickly. Niki''s expression hardened a bit as he put his phone away, then continued talking with Mirabe, "By the way, how''s James doing these days?"


    Mentioning James made Mirabe recall she hadn''t gotten a reply to her message from earlier. She paused before nodding, "He''s doing well."


    She wondered what on earth was keeping him so busy. As she thought about it, she pulled out her phone. No missed calls, no new messages.


    Lately, everyone seemed tied up with something, either not getting back to her or not reaching out at all.


    After their


    Nik Mirabe noticed


    taking a call during dinner, so they didn''t linger long before settling the bill.


    Stepping out of the restaurant, Mirabe was about to call a cab when she ran into Dane, who hade to pick up Niki.


    Niki hesitated for a moment, then turned to Mirabe, "Where are you staying? Dane can give you a lift."


    Dane, ncing at her, chimed in politely, "Yeah, I can drop you off."


    Mirabe, with her hands tucked in her coat pockets, felt the chilly wind tousle her hair. She gave Dane a


    bnce and declined, "Thanks,


    but I''ll just grab a cab."


    With that, she nodded at Niki and headed towards the street, her figure solitary andposed.


    Dane squinted, thinking how she was as distant as ever.


    Niki looked away, not paying much attention to his son''s expression, and said, "Let''s head home."


    Soon, they were in the car. As Dane started the engine and drove off, he nced in the rearview mirror, "Dad, you seem to have a good rapport with her?"


    Niki thought for a moment, replying nonchntly, "Not particrly. We just hadn''t caught up in a while."


    Dane, eyes focused on the road,


    noted his father''s casual tone, then added, heard from Emmitt that


    you used to sell her herbs at a


    discount and asked her to teach him some pharmacology."


    Niki frowned, surprised that his son had the guts to bring that up with Emmitt.

 Chapter 1372

    "Why are you bringing this up?" Niki asked, his voice steady, a man who always held firm to his principles. Even though Emmitt had been with the Pharmacists'' Association for years, Niki knew his son''s nature inside out.


    There had to be some hidden motive behind this.


    Dane grinned, trying to downy it. "Oh, nothing major. It''s just that this youngdy is something else. Dad, you might not know, but she''s now the vice president of the Pharmacists'' Association."


    Niki was taken aback for a moment, but recalling the medicine Mirabe had crafted, he quickly pieced it together.


    After a pause to gather his thoughts, he let out a sharp snort. "And? You want me to pull some strings for you? Have you already forgotten aboutst year when you used her form without asking?"


    Hearing the old story brought up again, Dane''s patience thinned. "How many times have I said it? If she shared the form with us, what''s wrong with me using it to produce medicine?"


    Was it really necessary to keep calling it ''stealing''?


    Dane thought his father was hopelessly old-fashioned, clinging to this outdated sense of honesty and integrity. Couldn''t he see the times had changed? Following those old rules would have had you booted from the Pharmacists'' Association ages ago.


    "You''re just like Asher, your thinking''s twisted," Niki snapped, his anger bubbling over.


    He had suspected Zach of having shady intentions, but Emmitt seemed no better. Dane sighed, shaking his head. Remembering Presley''s advice, he swallowed his irritation. "Alright, alright, I was wrong. You''re right, as always."


    Not wanting to dive into another pointless argument, Niki looked out the car window, seeking calm.


    Dane rubbed his temples and, after a moment, softened his voice. "Okay, Dad, there''s something I need to ask her, and I need your help to make the connection."


    As expected.


    Niki turned back with a stoic expression. "Don''t even think about it."


    Seeing his father dismiss him without a second thought, Dane felt his temper re. He pulled the car over, flicked on the interior light, and turned to face his father. "Can''t you at least hear me out before shutting me down?"


    Niki realized he might be overreacting and took a deep breath. "Alright, go on."


    "The Pharmacists'' Association is


    going through some changes. With my current qualifications, getting a promotion is tough. But there''s a chance now. If I can present a few ancient recipes, I might be in the running for deputy president."


    This was what Presley had dangled before him.


    Word was that David''s health was failing, and the president''s spot would soon be vacant. If Presley took the helm, the perks for Dane would follow suit.


    At thest assessment, Mirabe effortlessly whipped up a recipe, hinting she had more tucked away. And seeing as his dad had a good rapport with her, what harm could there be in asking for a little help?


    Listening to Dane, Niki felt his blood pressure spike. He pointed at his son, his voice trembling with anger. "Have you no shame? Do you think recipes are just handed out like candy?"


    Initially, Niki thought his son wanted to ask Mirabe for some of her crafted medicine. Little did he know, Dane had his eyes set on her precious recipes.

 Chapter 1373

    "I reckon a few recipes won''t mean much to her," Dane shrugged off the concern. After thinking it over, he added, "Hasn''t she taken advantage of our family a few times before? Asking her for those recipes isn''t too much, right?"


    Niki, upon hearing this, pressed a hand to his chest, trying to calm the turmoil within. "What did the Reeves family do to deserve someone as shameless as you?" he asked, disbelief etched in his voice.


    Seeing his father struggling for breath, Dane, not wanting to push him further, whispered, "Think it over tonight when you get home. We''re family, after all. You should be looking out for my future."


    With that, Dane avoided meeting his father''s gaze, turned away, and restarted the car. As they drove on, he nced in the rearview mirror and, clenching his jaw, added, "If I can''t get those ancient recipes, with Presley''s ways, it won''t just be me our whole family will be in trouble."


    Niki''s eyes widened, disbelief clouding his expression.


    **


    Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Mirabe returned home. For once, she didn''t dive into a book but instead sat on the living room sofa, phone in hand, lost in thought.


    With David''s health in mind, she tapped on her phone, bypassing Grant, and instead dialed Wyatt''s number.


    Wyatt picked up quickly, surprised to hear from Mirabe. His voice was cheerful


    as he asked, "Ms. Mirabe, what can I do for you?"


    Mirabe, loungingzily on the sofa


    with her legs crossed, her eyes half-closed, replied in an even


    conne


    "It''s nothing major, just need some herbs."


    Wyatt, hearing this, quickly responded, "I''m not in Riverdale right now, but send


    me the list of herbs, and I''ll have someone get them to you."


    "Not in Riverdale?" Mirabe''s


    fingers traced the edge of her phone as she agreed, then paused before asking, "Is James not in Riverdale either?"


    "Yeah, didn''t he tell you?" Wyatt replied without thinking, then immediately wished he could take it back After a cough, he quickly added, "We left in a hurry, mainly because the signal isn''t great here."


    "Alright, then. You''re busy," Mirabe said, not pressing further.


    Wyatt added, "When James gets a chance, I''ll have him call you back." Mirabe simply replied, "Okay," and ended the call.

 Chapter 1374

    Wyatt checked his Messenger app and quickly forwarded the image Mirabe had sent him to his team, making sure to give them clear instructions. James was a priority, no doubt, but he couldn''t overlook the futuredy of the house either.


    Once he was done, Wyatt pulled up an empty chair and settled in, eyes glued to the screen as he monitored the tracking updates. Every now and then, he tried to send out amunication signal. As the minutes turned into hours, the signal on the screen inched closer to their base.


    Night had fully set in when suddenly, Wyatt''s previously silent headset started crackling with static. His face broke into a smile. He jumped up, adjusting the frequency on his headset while striding outside, gesturing for some of his crew to grab shlights and follow him.


    They hurried to the edge of the uncharted forest, stopping at a marked spot, not daring to go any further. A few more tense minutes passed before Wyatt finally got a connection. He asked eagerly, "James, are you guys close? I''m waiting at the exit."


    A low ''yeah'' was all he got in return. Wyatt let out a relieved sigh and stood by quietly, waiting.


    Before long, under the cover of night, a group emerged from the mysterious forest, led by James, whose presence was asmanding as ever. Curtis and three others followed him, each carrying a member of the archaeological team on their back.


    Wyatt rushed forward, his eyes scanning the people they were carrying, especially the unconscious Trevor. His heart skipped a beat. "Is Trevor hurt?" he asked.


    "Yeah," James replied with a serious look. "Let''s get moving."


    Wyatt nodded and signaled for the men he brought to help out. Given the condition of the archaeological team, they wasted no time and headed straight back to the ne.


    Soon enough, the ne was airborne, heading back to the capital.


    Onboard, after checking on the injured team members, Wyatt made his way to the front cabin to check on James, who was slumped in a sofa chair. "James, are you okay?" he asked.


    James simply waved a tired hand. After over ten hours of searching, he looked worn out.


    Wyatt thought about asking what had happened in the forest to leave the team so battered, but seeing James''s exhausted face, he held back. Instead, he quietly slipped into the back cabin.


    "Curtis, where did you find Trevor and the others in such rough shape?" Wyatt asked as he sat next to Curtis, who was tending to his own injuries.


    Curtis was wrapping a bandage tightly around his raw, abraded wrist, seemingly unfazed by the pain. ¡°In a cave on a cliffside," he finally said.


    Wyatt nodded, understanding why they all had cuts and bruises. "What was it like in there? We had top-notchmunicators and even set up signal towers. Why did we lose contact as soon as we went in?"  s?novel


    Curtis shook his head, equally puzzled. "Aside from it being hard to navigate, it wasn''t much different from a regr forest. Maybe the signal was knocked out by some kind of maic interference?"

 Chapter 1375

    The maic interference in the area was so intense that even the most state-of- the-art signal boosters couldn''t cut through it. Curtis had spent the whole of yesterday mulling over this, and it was the only conclusion he could draw. These kinds of dense forests, which don''t even appear on maps, couldn''t possibly be man-made. Given today''s technology, there''s just no way to whip up a maic field like that. Even with another century of research, it might still be out of reach. So, aside from the natural maic interference from the terrain itself, there seemed to be no other exnation.


    Wyatt threw a nce at Curtis. He didn''t know much about maic interference, but he understood that natural maic fields weren''t something you could just disrupt on a whim. Looking over at the archaeologists still unconscious on the carpet, he asked, "What on earth were they searching for?"


    Curtis shrugged, his voice carrying a hint of disinterest. "No idea."


    Wyatt propped his chin on his hand, catching a faint floral scent drifting by. Leaning closer to Curtis, he took a sniff. "Curtis, you smell kinda nice."


    Nice? Curtis, who was only catching the metallic tang of blood, shot Wyatt a skeptical look. "You sure your nose is working right?"


    "I''m serious. It''s like a sweet floral scent," Wyatt insisted after another sniff.


    Seeing Wyatt''s insistence, Curtis lifted his arm and gave it a sniff himself. "I don''t smell anything."


    "Maybe you picked up some flower nectar in that uncharted forest, and now you can''t smell it on yourself," Wyatt suggested.


    "Maybe," Curtis replied, not making much of it, as he leaned back in his chair and fell silent.


    An hourter, they touched down in Riverdale. The doctors, already on standby, quickly whisked the archaeology team off to the hospital for treatment. Trevor was taken along too, and James, without even changing out of his clothes, tagged along.


    The archaeology team had suffered serious internal and external injuries, needing more than three hours of surgery Luckily, all of them pulled


    ret


    through and were no longer in immediate danger. Hearing the doctor''s update, James finally let out a breath he didn''t know he was


    holding, his tense brows easing.


    Looking at Trevor lying quietly on the hospital bed, James shook his head, emotionless. Emily definitely couldn''t find out about this.


    Wyatt walked in, knowing James hadn''t had a wink of sleep in over a day. "James, maybe you should head home and catch some rest. I''ll stay with Trevor. As soon as he wakes up, I''ll ring you."


    James, still seated by the hospital bed, didn''t budge. "It''s alright."


    Realizing persuasion was futile, Wyatt resigned, "Okay, I''ll go grab you some fresh clothes."


    "Mhm," James murmured, resting his elbow on the chair''s arm, fingertips pressing against his forehead as he closed his eyes to rest.


    Wyatt soon left the hospital, swung by James''s ce to fetch some clean clothes, and returned. After dropping off the clothes, he quietly stationed himself outside the room, not disturbing James.


    By the following afternoon, the


    archaeology team, expected to have woken by now, was still out cold. The doctors ran another round of thorough checks but found nothing wrong. All their vitals were normal, so the doctors weren''t overly concerned, suggesting they simply wait a bit longer. Yet, even after another night passed, none of them had stirred.

 Chapter 1376

    If it had just been one or two people who hadn''t woken up, that might have been brushed off as normal. But all four of them? Now that was downright peculiar.


    Despite running blood tests five or six times, the doctors couldn''t find anything wrong. Each time, they arrived at the same head-scratching conclusion. At that moment, in the hospital room, the doctor drew another round of blood and left quietly.


    Wyatt nced at James, whose expression was as cold as ice. Just as he was about to offer some words offort, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out and saw it was a message from one of his guys, letting him know the errand he''d asked them to run for Ms. Mirabe a couple of days ago was done.


    Wyatt replied with a quick "Okay" and tucked his phone away. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he smacked his forehead and turned to James. "Oh, right! James, Ms. Mirabe is a whiz with medicine. We should get her to check on Trevor."


    They hadn''t thought of calling Mirabe these past few days since the doctors kept insisting the patient was perfectly healthy. Wyatt had even let slip a message Mirabe had sent him earlier.


    Feeling a bit sheepish, he added, "Also, Ms. Mirabe messaged me a couple of days ago, and I, uh, forgot to mention it..."


    As he finished, the room seemed to drop a few degrees, and Wyatt found himself staring at the floor, avoiding James''s eyes. James shot him a nce but said nothing, pulling out his phone instead.


    Knowing Mirabe might be teaching, James opted to send her a couple of messages on Messenger rather than calling. Watching this unfold, Wyatt couldn''t shake the feeling that he might be shipped off to Africa to mine for a while.


    Sigh.


    **


    Mirabe saw the messages about half an hourter, just as her first ss ended. She stepped out of the ssroom, called James back, and upon hearing it was his dad who was sick, she didn''t hesitate. She requested a leave from school and headed straight to the hospital.


    When she arrived, Wyatt was already at the entrance, looking at her like she was a lifeline. "Ms. Mirabe."


    Mirabe gave a slight nod, asking a few questions about the patient as they made their way upstairs.


    Wyatt filled her in on the past few days. "All tests areing back clear, but he just won''t wake up."


    Mirabe listened intently but couldn''t pinpoint the issue right away.


    Wyatt, scratching his head in embarrassment, continued, "About the message you sent me... I meant for James to get back to you but Ipletely forgot."  fo


    Mirabe simply said, "Oh, it''s alright. No big deal."


    Wyatt rubbed his nose, realizing his oversight put him in a bit of a spot.


    Soon enough, they reached the patient''s room.


    Inside, James was seated by the bed. He looked up as they entered, "d you''re here."


    Mirabe nodded, moving closer to him. Her eyes fell on the


    middle-aged man lying silently on the bed. His defined features hinted at how dashing he must have been in his youth.


    "He''s been like this, hasn''t stirred once," James said, his voice calm, betraying no hint of worry or anxiety.


    Mirabe gave James a quick look, not saying much, and pulled overa chair to sit by the bed. She gently ced her fingertips on Trevor''s wrist to check his pulse.

 Chapter 1377

    The hospital room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Wyatt, standing


    nearby, barely dared to breathe, his eyes glued to Mirabe and his hands tightly clenched, showing just how tense he was.


    After what felt like ages, Mirabe finally pulled her hand back, looking a bit puzzled.


    "How''s it looking, Mirabe?" Wyatt asked eagerly.


    Instead of answering right away, Mirabe took out a silver needle she always carried and said, "Could you grab me a cup, half-filled with water?"


    Wyatt, a bit thrown by her request, quickly obliged. He walked over to the water cooler, grabbed a disposable cup, filled it with cool water, and brought it back.


    Mirabe pricked Trevor''s fingertip with the needle, letting a drop of blood plop into the water. She then stirred it with the needle. The water turned a faint red but didn''t look too different. Yet, the subtle scent that rose from it made Mirabe pause for a second.


    She snapped back, set the cup on the bedside table, and looked at James. "Has your dad been to any remote mountain areastely?"


    "Sort of," James nodded, keeping the archaeology trip under wraps. "What''s going on with him?"


    Mirabe paused, then said, "There''s this flower called lupine. Its pollen can seep through your skin, and if you breathe in its fragrance long enough, it can put you in a deep sleep."


    "The flower''s scent?" James''s eyes narrowed as he remembered catching a whiff of something floral in that mysterious forest, but he was too focused on the search to think much of it.


    Mirabe nodded, her eyes distant. "These flowers usually grow deep in the mountains, in ces most people never see."


    That''s why she was caught off guard.


    "Oh, right! remember smelling that scent on Curtis the other day," Wyatt chimed in, cutting through Mirabe''s thoughts. "Must''ve rubbed off when he was carrying Trevor."


    "But this pollen-is it really that dangerous? James''s been out for at least two days," Wyatt quickly added.


    Mirabe took a deep breath, wiping


    the needle with a tissue. "Normally, it''s not too harmful. But if it


    too long, it could be a probers


    "And my dad?" James asked, his handsome face showing signs of weariness.


    Mirabe nced at the patient again, paused, then said, "It hasn''t been too long. He should be able to clear it out naturally. No need to worry."


    James let out a sigh of relief. He trusted his girlfriend''s skillspletely.


    "Strange though, the doctors took his blood a bunch of times and found nothing," Wyatt muttered, starting to doubt theirpetence.


    Mirabe didn''t respond, just stood up and used the silver needle on a few points on Trevor''s head. After putting the needle away, she said, "I''ll write a prescription. When He wakes, make sure he takes it. And for the next three days, he should stay put."


    "Why''s that?" Wyatt asked, curious.


    Mirabe gave him a knowing look and simply said, "Detox."


    Wyatt blinked, a little taken aback. What kind of detox required someone to be housebound like that?


    "Good night, see youter," she added with a soft smile.

 Chapter 1378

    Mirabe didn''t pay Wyatt''s look any mind. She just pulled out her phone, opened a notes app, and quickly listed about a dozen ingredients she needed. After taking a screenshot, she sent it straight to Wyatt''s phone.


    Wyatt took a quick nce and nodded, ready to help. It was then that he remembered the other members of the archaeological team who were also out cold. ncing over at his brother, James, he said, "Oh, right, there are three others who might be in the same boat as Trevor."


    Hearing this, Mirabe simply replied, "Take me to them."


    Wyatt nodded, showing his respect.


    Before long, Mirabe was following Wyatt down the hall to the rooms where the other three were being treated. They had inhaled about the same amount of pollen as Trevor, but since two of them were in worse shape, Mirabe tweaked their prescriptions a bit.


    After giving the injections, Mirabe stepped out of the room and casually asked Wyatt, who was tagging along, "What do they do for a living?"


    "They''re with the Archaeological Society," Wyatt replied without skipping a beat.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow slightly. What were folks from the Archaeological Society doing in a ce like that?


    Thinking it over, she turned to Wyatt and asked offhandedly, "So, did they find anything good?"


    Wyatt shrugged, "Probably not, but I''m not really sure."


    Mirabe nodded, not pressing further.


    When they got back to Trevor''s room, he was already awake, chatting with James. But he stopped talking when they walked in.


    Trevor didn''t know Mirabe. Being an archaeologist, he was always out and about, and he hadn''t even heard that his son had a girlfriend. Seeing Mirabe there made him curious about who she was.


    James, picking up on his dad''s thoughts, said as Mirabe came closer, "Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Mirabe. She''s also the one who saved your life."


    Mirabe felt a bit awkward: "......"


    Trevor looked utterly stunned, momentarily forgetting his pain. "What did you say? Can you say that again?"


    Was he hearing things right?


    James had a girlfriend??


    Ignoring his dad''s disbelief, James added, "Oh, and don''t forget to sort out a proper gift for meeting her."


    Mirabe: "......"


    Trevor: "???"


    Was this really about a gift?


    James didn''t bother with his father''s shocked expression. He told Wyatt a few things and then led the


    still-dazed Mirabe out of vers


    room.


    A few minutester, Trevor''s cheeks twitched as he finally came to grips with reality. He turned to Wyatt still in disbelief, "James really hasa girlfriend?"


    Wyatt coughed, nodding respectfully, "Yeah, he does."


    "I always figured he''d be happy enough surrounded by his old relics," Trevor


    mused, feeling a mix of emotions.


    But that girl sure was beautiful.


    He wondered which family''s treasure had been imed so casually.


    Trevor shook his head, realizing he hadn''t even exchanged a single word with her. And just like that, she was gone??


    Meanwhile, James led Mirabe to


    the elevator and down to the parking lot. There, he finally let go of her han and asked, "Going back to campus, or what?"  fo


    Mirabe nced at James''s face and shook her head, "I took the day off, so no


    need to head back to school this afternoon."


    James nodded, reaching for his car keys.

 Chapter 1379

    Seeing the state James was in, Mirabe offered, "Let me drive."


    James looked like he hadn''t caught much sleeptely. Without a second thought, he handed her the keys, then settled himself into the passenger seat.


    Mirabe gave the keys a quick twirl around her fingers before sliding into the driver''s seat. Once the engine roared to life, they left the hospital behind in no time.


    About thirty minutester, Mirabe parked in James''s garage, turned off the engine, and nced over at James. With his eyes closed, he seemed to be catching some much-needed rest, so she let him be for the moment.


    Her gaze must have lingered on his face because it wasn''t long before he opened his eyes, and they seemed fully alert, without a hint of sleepiness.


    Mirabe coolly looked away, unbuckled her seatbelt, and gently said, "We''re here."


    James lifted an eyebrow, unbuckled his seatbelt, and stepped out of the car. They walked into the house one after the other.


    As Mirabe browsed a food delivery app on her phone, she said without looking up, "You should get some rest. I''ll wake you when lunch arrives."


    "Alright," James replied, removing his coat to reveal a thermal shirt underneath.


    After cing the order, Mirabe noticed a hint of antiseptic in the air, prompting her to ask, "Did you get hurt?"


    "Just a scratch," James shrugged it off. But after a pause, he asked, "Could you help me change the dressingter?" pointing to his lower back.


    Mirabe nced in the direction he pointed but didn''t say anything.


    Sensing her hesitation, James quickly added, "Just kidding, I can handle it."


    He gave Mirabe a quick pat on the head, retrieved a first aid kit from a cab in the side hall, and headed upstairs.


    Mirabe tilted her head, watching until James disappeared at the top of the stairs, then finally decided to follow him up.


    James went straight to his room, ced the first aid kit on the table, picked out some clean clothes and headed into the bathroom for a quick wash.


    Just as he was about to remove the bandage around his waist, there was a knock at the door.


    He paused, looked at the bathroom


    towesitated, then wrapped a


    d his waist before


    opening the door slightly.


    "Just checking if you needed help?" Mirabe asked, her face showing nothing


    but genuine concern.


    James coughed, feeling a bit awkward, "I''m okay for now."


    "Alright, just call if you need anything," Mirabe said, turning to leave.


    James''s cheeks flushed slightly, and after a moment, he gently closed the door.


    Being a gentleman isn''t easy.


    The sound of the shower filled the room.


    Mirabe sat at theputer desk, waiting for him toe out, while she took out her phone.


    She opened Messenger and sent a quick message to Cassandra.


    A couple of minutes ticked by, and just when Mirabe thought


    message might not go the the et


    reply popped up.


    Y: "The satellite base in the vige had a glitch. It''s too advanced for me to fix, so I just rebooted it."


    Y: "Didn''t expect the reboot to wipe all the previous data. Emmitt had a tough time fixing it."


    Y: "What''s up? Why the sudden message?"

 Chapter 1380

    Mirabe skimmed through a bunch of messages from Cassandra on Messenger, feeling her worries from the past few days melt away. No one understood the intricacies of the family''s satellite equipment better than she did. She''d been ready to make a trip back home if she couldn''t reach anyone, but now it seemed unnecessary.


    She quickly typed back, "Nothing major, just checking if Morgan''s made it back home?"


    Cassandra replied, "Nope, but just before thework went down, I got a message from him. He said he''s got some loose ends to tie up and won''t being back just yet."


    Mirabe squinted at the screen. Morgan, who''s hardly left home in decades, suddenly has things to handle? It made no sense. Her gut told her someone might be using the name ''Cian'' to lure him into trouble. Especially with the


    Pharmaceutical Alliance in chaos, and that fake ''Cian''st seen there, working at their herb base. She hoped nothing would spiral out of control.


    With a bit of a headache, Mirabe rubbed her temples and reminded Cassandra, "Try reaching out to him again, tell him to head back first."


    Cassandra answered, "Got it."


    Mirabe added, "Let me know once you get through to him."


    Cassandra: "Sure."


    As Mirabe was about to shut the chat, she remembered today''s events. Those folks covered invender pollen had likely wandered into the Misty Forest. After a pause, she sent another message, "Even with our high-tech gear, human interference can still mess things up. Staying alert is always wise."


    Cassandra, though a bit puzzled, was used to hearing simr warnings from the family head, and just replied with an "okay."


    Mirabe closed the chat, hershes drooping slightly. With so much uncertainty in the air, some things were best left unsaid.


    Not long after, the bathroom door swung open. Still lost in her thoughts, Mirabe absentmindedly traced the edge of her phone.


    "What''s got you so absorbed?"


    James strolled over, fresh from the shower, smelling of soap, his hair still damp and dripping. His eyesnded on Mirabe''s phone.


    "Oh, nothing," Mirabe snapped back to reality, gave James a quick nce, then stood up from her chair. Grabbing the first aid kit nearby, she said, "Let me patch you up.


    James, d only in a bathrobe with a sash tied at the waist, looked at Mirabe, "I can handle it myself, you know."


    Not knowing how bad James''s injury was, Mirabe rummaged through the first aid kit, quipping, "Quit fussing and let me see."


    James, fiddling with the sash, looked a bit conflicted, having let something slip earlier, "You sure about this?"


    Mirabe looked up, her eyes sparkling, "It''s just a little ointment. Not like it''s the first time."


    James: "..."


    Expecting some folks to blush is probably a lost cause.


    James turned, walked over to the bed, and let his robe slip off, tying it loosely around his hips, barely- covering his long legs. He nced back at Mirabe, thenzily


    sprawled on the bed.


    Mirabe, holding the gauze and ointment, was momentarily taken aback by his rxed pose: "???"


    Just three chapters tonight, I''ll make it up tomorrow. Good night, everyone!

 Chapter 1381

    Mirabe expertly ignored the fact that the man in front of her was shirtless, keeping her gaze steady on his waist. The wound there was pretty shocking¡ªarge area on his side was scraped raw, surrounded by dark bruises, clearly the result of some serious impact and friction. Throughout the entire trip back, he hadn''t shown even a flicker of difort. Mirabe gave James a sideways nce, impressed with his resilience.


    James, resting his chin on his hand, sensed Mirabe''s stare and lowered his head a bit. But all he could see was the top of her bowed head, her expression hidden from view. With a slight shift, one of James''s calves peeked out from under his robe without him realizing it.


    Just as Mirabe was getting ready to apply the ointment, she paused for a moment: ".


    Soon, a cool and slightly stinging sensation spread across his waist. James tensed, not from the wound''s pain, but from the feel of her fingers brushing against his skin. Mirabe noticed and hesitated briefly before continuing, her head still down as she said, "Just hang in there."


    James pressed his fingers to his temples and shut his eyes. If he hadn''t been keeping it together, he might not have stayed in that position for long. The room was quiet, and though applying the ointment took just a minute or two, it felt like forever.


    Mirabe drew back her hand, her face calm. She tossed the bandage onto the bed, "You can wrap it yourself."


    With that, she turned to leave. But as soon as she started to step away, her hand was snatched. Before she knew it, a strong pull sent her falling backward, and the next second, she was lying t on the bed.


    Mirabe''s eyes flew open, meeting James''s deep, unreadable gaze.


    "Who just leaves a wound half-treated?" James asked, bracing himself beside her, his whole body almost pressing against hers, his solid chest exuding strength.


    They were incredibly close.


    Mirabe suddenly felt her throat go dry. She nced away, her hand finding the bandage she''d tossed earlier. Reluctantly, she gavein, "Alright, get up, I''ll wrap it for you."


    Her voice was nonchnt.


    "Before that, we could do something else," James murmured into her ear. He brushed a kiss against her earlobe and took the bandage from her hand, tossing it off the bed.


    Mirabe''s face flushed as if it were on fire, especially when she felt the strength poised between her legs... But then, a series of soft kisses drowned out her thoughts.


    Who knows how much time passed before a sudden ringtone shattered the moment they''d been lost in.


    Mirabe''s mind cleared a bit, and she nudged the man on top of her, "The pizza''s here."


    "Forget it," James replied, his voice rough, his hands still holding her waist tight, not wanting to let her go.


    "I need to get back to campus soon," Mirabe said, ring at him, her bright eyes still shimmering with emotion.


    At the mention of ''campus'', a look of defeat crossed James''s handsome face, reminding him that his girlfriend was still a student.


    With a sigh, he tightened his arms around her, rolled over so she was on top, and pressed her head to his chest, staring up at the ceiling, "All I want to know is, when are you graduating?"

 Chapter 1382

    Listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat, Mirabe''s fingers curled slightly. Whether she admitted it or not, this feeling wasn''t half bad.


    After leaning against him for a bit, she suddenly lifted her head and said casually, "Let''s see how you do."


    "Let''s see how I do?" James looked at her, trying to catch the drift of her words. Was this the breakthrough he''d been hoping for all this time?


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but didn''t say anything else. On a whim, she leaned down and nted a kiss on his chest.


    The moment her lips touched him, James froze, the warmth from her kiss spreading all over, leaving him momentarily speechless.


    Mirabe rolled off him, nced back to see his bathrobe hade undone, and quickly turned away, clearing her throat. She grabbed her phone from the table and made a swift exit from the room.


    The click of the door jolted James back to reality. He touched the spot where she''d kissed him, a soft smile ying on his lips, feeling an indescribable joy. Despite theck of sleep over the past couple of days, he felt rejuvenated, no trace of fatigue.


    After lounging around a bit longer, James got up, noticed the slightly torn wound on his side, and shook his head, maybe understanding what it truly meant to be bewitched by beauty. He picked up the bandage from the floor, wrapped it around his waist a few times, and went to the closet to find something to wear.


    Soon enough, James made his way downstairs.


    ...


    Mirabe had just set the takeout on the dining table, wondering whether to call him for dinner, when she saw Jamesing down. She headed to the kitchen and brought out two sets of cutlery.


    They ate infortable silence, no hint of awkwardness between them.


    "Oh, by the way, Niki popped by Riverdale. He wanted to grab dinner with you a couple of days ago, but you were busy, so I let him know you couldn''t make it," Mirabe remembered as she looked up at James.


    "Yeah, I saw your message on Messenger after getting back from the Wildwood.


    Is Niki doing alright?" James asked.


    Mirabe finished herst bite of rice, put down her chopsticks, and replied, "He seemed pretty upbeat."


    As if on cue, her phone buzzed with a message from Niki. She checked it, her brow furrowing a bit. James noticed and asked, "What''s up?"


    Holding her phone, she replied, "Niki just apologized to me out of the blue."


    "Apologized? For what?" James asked, clearly puzzled.


    Mirabe shrugged, "I''m not really sure."


    She reyed theirst meeting in her mind. Besides him being a bit distracted after a phone call, everything seemed normal. She couldn''t figure out what warranted an apology.


    After mulling it over for a couple of minutes, Mirabe decided to message him


    back, asking if something was wrong.


    But no reply came.


    Though it felt odd, Mirabe didn''t want to push it, so she tucked her phone away. Once they finished eating, she cleaned the dining table and checked the time. "You should get some rest. I''m heading back to campus," she said.


    James didn''t have much to say, but he did ask her, "Hang on a sec."


    "Hmm?" Mirabe looked at him, curious, but saw he was already heading upstairs. She blinked, choosing to wait downstairs instead of leaving.

 Chapter 1383

    After a little while, James threw on his jacket and came downstairs, heading straight for Mirabe. "Ready to roll?" he asked.


    Mirabe shot him a sideways nce, "I can get to school by myself, you know."


    But James just took her hand naturally, their fingers interlocking snugly. "I''ve got some business at the school too. It''s on the way," he said.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it.


    James gave her hand a gentle squeeze, leaving no room for argument, and started leading her out the door. "I''m meeting someone at the Physics Department," he added, finally offering an exnation.


    Hearing this, Mirabe remembered the project at the Science and Technology Department and decided to drop the subject.


    Half an hourter, they pulled up to the school. James didn''t bother parking outside; he drove right in and dropped Mirabe off at the Biology Department before heading off to the Physics Department himself.


    Mirabe made her way straight to her ssroom.


    Lisa had been looking much better over the past couple of days. When she saw Mirabe walk in, she asked with concern, "You rushed out this morning, everything okay?"


    "Yeah, all good," Mirabe replied with a smile.


    Lisa nodded, relieved. "That''s great. I almost called to check on you, but I didn''t want to bug you."


    Lisa muttered a few more words before diving back into her books. But as her gaze wandered over Mirabe''s neck, she froze, blinking rapidly as if she''d just stumbled upon something unbelievable. "Mira, your neck..."


    She gestured at Mirabe''s neck.


    "Hmm?" Mirabe turned to Lisa, reaching up to touch her neck. "What is it?"


    Lisa covered her face, pulling out her phone and turning on the camera. She handed it to Mirabe, "Take a look."


    Mirabe nced at the screen, noticing the mark on her neck. Her cheeks twitched slightly before she casually handed the phone back to Lisa. "Oh, I adopted a cat," she said nonchntly, pulling her cor up a bit.


    Lisa''s lips twitched in disbelief. Could a cat really do that? She felt like she was being fed a tale as unlikely as being handed a bag of cat treats.


    Mirabe cleared her throat as her phone buzzed in her pocket. Without looking back at Lisa, she pulled it out.


    It was a voice message from Niki, who hadn''t been in touch for a while. Nearly sixty seconds long, it yed through her earphones as she listened intently.


    Once she finished listening, the earlier apology from Niki finally made sense.


    **


    Meanwhile, just after sending the voice message, Niki was startled when Dane, who had been standing outside, suddenly barged into the room.


    The door banged loudly against the wall, making Niki jump. He looked up at his eldest son, frowning, "Ever heard of knocking?"


    Dane eyed his father''s pocket and extended his hand, "Dad, I heard what you said. Hand over the phone."


    Niki stayed seated, "I''ve told you


    before, even if the Reeves family falls apart, we won''t stoop to underhanded tactics. If you''re hoping to use me to get the form from Mirabe, forget it."


    In just two days, Niki seemed to have aged years, burdened by a struggle


    between his conscience and guilt.


    "Dad, why are you so stubborn? I''m your son. Are you trying to drive me crazy?" Dane asked, rubbing his face in frustration. He couldn''t wrap his head around why a few simple forms were causing such a fuss.

 Chapter 1384

    Dane took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool as he said, "You can still take back the message, just give me your phone."


    Niki turned his gaze away, his hands buried deep in his pockets. After a pause, he looked back at Dane. "Listen, son, you need to hear me out. Presley might seem untouchable, but don''t forget Mirabe has her own powerful connections..."


    Niki spoke with a heavy heart, trying to get through to Dane, but Dane cut him off right away.


    "Enough, Dad. It''s the same old story. This is really about you keeping your pride intact, isn''t it? You call it being stubborn, but I''m just looking out for my future."


    Dane was sick of his father''s lectures. He shook his head and didn''t ask for the phone again. "Even if you spill the beans to Mirabe, what difference does it make? You clearly don''t get Presley. When he wants something, he gets it, no question."


    Niki looked at his son, feeling a wave of sadness. Who was this young man standing in front of him? He never thought his son would lose his principles like this.


    Dane didn''t want to see that disappointed look in his father''s eyes again. Tilting his head up, he added, "You were about to say Mirabe has the Shepherd family behind her, right? But what if even they can''t protect her?"


    Niki was taken aback. "What are you getting at?"


    Dane''s eyes narrowed, remembering what Presley had shared with him a couple of days ago. He sidestepped his father''s question. "You''ve been taking care of James''s health, haven''t you?"


    Niki was puzzled. He had never mentioned James''s health to anyone. How did Dane even know about it?


    "Where''d you hear that?" Niki asked.


    Dane casually adjusted his sleeve. "I''ve got my sources."


    Niki frowned, "And? So what?"


    "How can someone who can''t even keep himself safe protect anyone else?" Dane remarked coolly.


    Niki, hearing this, blurted out, "Are you crazy? Going after James..."


    "I don''t have the chops for that," Dane said with a slight smirk. "Who''d bother with someone who''s already got one foot in the grave? It''d be a waste of time."


    Niki was stunned. Could he be unaware that Mirabe had already taken care of James''s health issues?


    Niki opened his mouth to speak, but Dane wasn''t interested. "Dad, since you''re not willing to help, just take it easy and rest at home for a while."


    With that, he turned and walked away, not bothering to nce back at Niki, The door mmed shut leaving Niki to slump into his chair, feeling a mix of bitterness and resignation, ending with a soft sigh. He could only hope that James would show mercy to Dane in the future because of him.


    After leaving Niki''s room, Dane knew he had to exin things to Presley. He asked Marian, the family housekeeper, to keep an eye on Niki before heading to the Pharmaceutical Association.


    When he reached Presley''s office, a guest was already inside, so Dane had no choice but to wait outside. After about twenty minutes, Presley escorted the guest out himself treating them with noticeable respect, like they were someone important. Dane was a bit taken aback by this. He sneaked a quick nce at the guest, then lowered his head, stepping aside to give them


    space.


    Presley didn''t acknowledge Dane, just nodded at the guest. "Leon, don''t worry. I''ll


    handle what you asked as quickly as possible."

 Chapter 1385

    Leon gave a slight nod, exuding a cool, distant vibe that was especially striking in his deep, ocean-blue eyes. Presley thought about walking him downstairs, but Leon raised a hand to decline the offer. Even though Leon barely spoke, Presley didn''t mind one bit.


    He stood there, a mix of awe and respect in his eyes, watching Leon until he vanished inside the elevator. Once the elevator doors closed, Presley turned to Dane, his expression slipping back into its usual confident demeanor. ¡°Let''s talk inside."


    "Sure," Dane said, setting aside his thoughts and carefully trailing Presley into the office.


    Presley settled into a seat by the couch and motioned for Dane to join him. "Did you get the prescription?"


    "Not yet..." Dane admitted, eyes downcast. "Sorry, even my dad couldn''t get it from that youngdy."


    Presley had guessed as much but couldn''t hide his irritation. ¡°Such a simple task... Come on, Dane, you need to step it up."


    Dane nodded, his hands mmy with sweat. "I''m really sorry. I didn''t expect her


    to ignore my dad''s request. Could you give me a bit more time?"


    Presley tapped his fingers on his knee, lost in thought for a moment. He had banked on Dane because of his father''s supposed good rapport with the girl. Now,


    it seemed getting the prescription through him was unlikely.


    Lost in thought, Presley suddenly got up, walked over to a nearby safe, and punched in the code. The door clicked open, and he pulled out a long wooden box.


    Narrowing his eyes slightly, Presley shut the safe and handed the box over to Dane.


    Dane looked up, hesitated, then took it. "What''s this?"


    "Incense," Presley replied, taking his seat again. "Harmless to most, but tricky for someone with hidden health issues."


    Dane had already opened the box, but Presley''s words made his fingers twitch, and he quickly closed it. He understood exactly what Presley meant.


    Was he supposed to use this on someone from the Shepherd family?


    No surprise Presley had mentioned James''s health problems a few days back, which his dad had been managing.


    Presley shot Dane a look. "Just use this on James, and that prescription is as good as ours."


    Ever since thest association meeting, when James showed up with Mirabe, it was clear they had a close bond.


    Holding the incense box, Dane trusted Presley but was worried because the target was James What if something went wrong? He nced at Presley, hesitating, "But if..."  s?novel


    Presley interrupted him, knowing


    what was on his mind. "What are et


    you worried about? It''s just a regr fragrance. Unless you spill the beans, no one will notice a thing."


    Dane still seemed uneasy. "But it''s James we''re talking about."


    Presley''s lips curved into a slight smile. ¡°Look, James''s condition isn''t something


    that can be cured. We can trigger it whenever we want."


    Dane was taken aback, his thoughts stuck


    Jame how well Presley knew


    Pam


    s''s health issues, missing the Presley said ''we'' instead


    of ''I.''

 Chapter 1386

    Dane knew Presley had someone powerful backing him, but he hadn''t expected anyone who could even make the Shepherd family take notice. No wonder Mr. Boyd had been pressured into handing over control not too long ago.


    With a firm grip on the incense box, Dane turned to Presley. "Alright, I''ll give it a shot."


    After all, it was just ordinary incense. Once it was burning, it wouldn''t draw any attention. And even if someone did trace it back to the incense, it wouldn''t prove anything. Coincidences happen, right?


    Seeing Dane agree, Presley''s expression softened a bit. "To achieve great things, you need guts. If you''re going to be scared all the time, you might as well have chosen to be a simple pharmacist from the start."


    Dane nodded, his respect growing. "You''re right, Mr. President."


    At the mention of ''President,'' Presley raised an eyebrow but coughed slightly, trying to maintain a serious demeanor. "Let''s just keep that as a joke for now."


    After checking the time, Presley stood up from the couch. "Is there anything else you need?"


    Dane quickly got to his feet. "No, that''s it. I won''t take up any more of your time." Presley waved him off, indeed having things to do outside.


    Three days passed in a blur.


    In the hospital, James had just settled into a chair when he saw Trevor, who had been lying in bed, jump up and rush to the bathroom. Raising an eyebrow at the sudden movement, he waited.


    Two minutester, Trevor emerged, clutching his stomach and looking utterly exhausted. He crawled back into bed and leaned weakly against the headboard. "In all my years, I''ve never spent twenty out of twenty-four hours running to the bathroom."


    And it had been like that for three days straight.


    James casually crossed his legs, his tone light. "A bit of detoxing is good for the body and soul."


    Trevor''s lips twitched, convinced his son''s sharp wit couldn''t possibly havee from him.


    "What were you guys doing in those uncharted forests?" James asked, ignoring his father''s annoyed look.


    "Exploring, what else?" Trevor shrugged, keeping his expression neutral.


    James smirked. "Must be nice to have that kind of time on your hands."


    Trevor coughed. "You wouldn''t care even if I told you."


    "How do you know if you don''t tell me?" James tilted his head, eyeing Trevor. "Especially since you almost risked your life over it."


    Trevor awkwardly looked away. "It was a confidential mission from the


    association. But, like you see, no harm done."


    James chuckled softly.


    Trevor was left speechless.


    Their conversation didn''t linger on the expedition for long and soon shifted topics. However, they barely exchanged a few words before Trevor made another dash for the bathroom.


    "When you see your girlfriend next, ask her how long this ''detox'' is supposed tost," Trevor said upon returning to his bed.


    Speaking of which, James remarked, "That reminds me, we haven''t settled the


    medical bills for your team''s adventure yet."


    "Medical bills?" Trevor was puzzled. "What bills?"


    James calmly adjusted his sleeve. "My girlfriend doesn''t work for free."


    It finally dawned on Trevor.


    Just then, James''s phone rang. He


    took it out and before answering,


    said to Trevor, "By the way, the billing will be ording to the association president''s rates. Just


    transfer it to my ount, thanks, Dad."


    Trevor was left stunned.

 Chapter 1387

    *


    Ignoring his dad''s look, James got up and wandered over to the window to take a call. Trevor watched his rebellious son, feeling like he was swallowing a bitter pill. First, it was about a gift for meeting his future daughter-inw, and now it''s about her medical bills. When did his son get so nitpicky?


    The call was from Dane, and it wrapped up quickly. After a brief pause, James


    turned back to Trevor in the hospital bed, "Dad, I''m heading out."


    Trevor, having eavesdropped a bit, asked, "Is Niki not feeling well?"


    James nodded, "Yeah, I''ll check on himter."


    Trevor knew Niki well and advised, "Send him my best."


    "Will do." James pocketed his phone and left the hospital room.


    He took the elevator down to the parking lot, hopped into his car, and called Wyatt to prep a gift before driving off to Prestige College.


    By the time he reached Prestige College, Mirabe was just wrapping up in theb. She asked about his father''s recovery as she buckled her seatbelt.


    Recalling Trevor''s energetic dash to the restroom earlier, James said, "Pretty good, actually. He''s got a spring in his step."


    "That''s a relief," Mirabe nodded.


    "Yep." As he started the car, James added, ¡°Niki''s under the weather. I''ll drop you home first, then swing by to see him."


    Mirabe looked surprised, "Niki''s sick? That''s odd, he seemed fine when I saw him the other day."


    "Is it the season for colds? First David, now Niki?" she mused.


    "Not sure, probably nothing major." James hadn''t picked up any rm in Dane''s tone during their chat.


    Mirabe drummed her fingers on her knee, "Okay, I''ll skip the visit. Call me if anythinges up."


    Though she wasn''t keen on Niki''s kids, she respected Niki for his honesty. Dane had tried to snag her medical form through Niki, but unlike others, Niki came clean with her. That honesty earned her respect.


    James agreed and didn''t say more about Niki.


    Before long, he dropped Mirabe at her ce and then headed over to Dane''s spot.


    **


    Wyatt was already outside Dane''s vi, gift box in hand. Spotting James''s car, he


    headed over, "James."


    James gave a nod in greeting.


    Wyatt didn''t waste time and rang the doorbell.


    Inside, Dane heard the bell and nced at the incense burner on the


    coffee table, wisps of smoke act


    trailing


    up. Instead of sending Marian, he


    went out to greet James himself.


    ¡°James, d you could make it," Dane said, nodding respectfully to both James and Wyatt.


    James gave a slight nod, following Dane inside, "How''s Niki doing?"


    "Just a touch of the sniffles, but he''s dback after some r


    Hnced


    g you''re visiting pert


    right up," Dane chuckled.


    They stepped into the living room, where the scent of incense was just right, not overwhelming.


    Trailing behind, Wyatt handed the gift to Marian and took in the room, hardly noticing the incense aroma.

 Chapter 1388

    Niki jumped up to greet James as soon as he saw him walk in, his face lighting up with a barely contained joy. "James!" he eximed.


    "Hey, Niki," James replied with a polite nod, noting that Niki seemed to be in good spirits-not at all like someone who was under the weather.


    As Niki motioned for James to take a seat, he said, "I really should have been the one to visit you at your ce. I feel bad that you had toe all this way to see me."


    After speaking, he paused for a moment, then turned to ask Dane to check if dinner was ready in the kitchen.


    Dane, maintaining a neutral expression that gave nothing away, nced at James before heading to the dining room. In the past, he might have used this chance to chat and build rapport with someone from the Shepherd family, but now, after spending so much time with Presley, he figured the Shepherds weren''t all that special.


    Once Dane was out of the room, Niki turned back to James, lowering his voice. "By the way, James, are you feeling any better now?"


    "I''m much better, thank you for asking," James replied, returning Niki''s gaze with a polite smile.


    Niki nodded, still trying to puzzle out the meaning behind something Dane had said earlier, which had left him feeling a bit unsettled. He''d been wanting to catch up with James privately, but Dane had been keeping a close watch on him recently he couldn''t even leave the house or use his phone.


    He was surprised that James had gone out of his way to visit him today.


    Trying to ease his mind, Niki smiled again. "With Mirabe around, I''m sure everything''s fine. By the way, have you ever dealt with someone named Presley from the pharmaceutical association?"


    "Presley?" James echoed, shaking his head. "Doesn''t ring a bell."


    Niki added, "He''s a vice president at the pharmaceutical association; maybe he just slipped under your radar."


    "Perhaps," James said with a shrug, then casually asked, "What''s up with him?"


    Niki hesitated before saying, "He seems to have some connections, you..."


    "Dad, James, dinner''s ready. Let''s eat and chat," Dane called out, cutting Niki off as he returned from the dining room.


    Niki stopped himself, stood up, and signaled to James, "Let''s eat first."


    James nodded in agreement.


    Wyatt, observing the exchange, mulled over Niki''s mention of Presley. While James might not have recognized the name, Wyatt hade across it while digging into Mr. Boyd''s affairs. He''d O discovered that the chaos within the pharmaceutical association was linked to someone with thest name Qin, though he hadn''t looked


    too deeply into it at the time.


    Thinking about it now, it seemed unlikely someone could cause such a stir without some serious backing. Niki''s cautious demeanor suggested he was trying to give a warning.


    During dinner, Niki steered clear of discussing the pharmaceutical association, instead chatting with James about other topics. Everything seemed normal, just like any family dinner.


    ot


    After the meal, James didn''t linger long before saying his goodbyes. With Dane hovering, Niki didn''t push him to stay. Thankfully, Dane had been on his best behavior, putting a foot wrong in front of James. Yet, something about the whole situation felt off to Niki.


    Once their guest had left, Niki returned to the living room, his eyes fixed on Dane. Dane, keeping quiet, poured himself a ss of water and picked up an incense burner from the side table.

 Chapter 1389

    The incense on the burner had long since burned out, leaving just a pile of white ashes. Still, the air carried a faint trace of its rich scent. Dane emptied the ashes into the trash, tidied up the burner, and put it back in its ce. He nced around, then opened the living room''s doors and windows to let thest of the incense aroma drift away. Presley had assured him it was just ordinary incense, harmless to anyone healthy, but Dane couldn''t shake off his skepticism.


    After finishing up, Dane sank back onto the couch. Niki observed him quietly for a while before breaking the silence. "Dane, have youe to grips with everything these past few days?"


    Dane pursed his lips, wiping his fingers with a tissue. He figured Mirabe would soon hand over the form on her own, so he avoided arguing with Niki and simply replied, "Yeah, Dad, you have a point. I can''t afford to cross the Shepherd family."


    Niki sighed, sensing his son hadn''t let go yet. "Chasing after someone else''s form? That''s never a good sign. Trust me, distance yourself from this mess and steer clear of Presley."


    Dane rubbed his temples, tired of hearing his father''s warnings about Presley. He stood up, "Dad, you should get some rest. I''ve got things to take care of."


    He was about to leave the room when he remembered something. Turning back to Niki, he said, "Oh, by the way, Dad, since you''re wrapping up things at the hospital, I''ve booked a flight for you to head home in a couple of days. Sound good?"


    Niki frowned, about to speak, but Dane cut him off. "Great, that''s settled then."


    Dane''s voice carried a certain finality. Without waiting for any reply, he left the living room. Before heading upstairs, he made sure Marian was on top of clearing out all the trash from the house.


    **


    In the car, Wyatt answered a call. After hanging up, he nced at the rearview mirror. He''d already had his car taken elsewhere, so he was driving James''s. "James, just got a call from a colleague at the security office. Ben''s been bailed out."


    James, who had been resting his eyes, opened them slowly, "Bailed out? Who did it?"


    "Someone from the pharmaceutical association," Wyatt said, turning down the music, "Presley."


    James tapped his fingers lightly on his knee, "The same Presley Niki mentioned earlier?"


    "Yep," Wyatt nodded, "Should we have someone follow them quietly?"


    Since it


    Ms. Mirabe who


    originally had him thrown in tracing things back to her


    jail,


    be too difficult. Content be


    James''s eyes narrowed, aware of the recent happenings at the


    medical college. Getting some


    out like that showed serious@lout. "When did this happen?" Content Belongs to


    "Today, didn''t catch the exact time," Wyatt paused, pulling out his phone, "I''ll find out."


    James nodded slightly.


    Wyatt wrapped up the call quickly, "Paperwork was done around 1 RM, but it''s been six or seven hours since. Tracking him down now might be tough."


    James squinted, "Find him anyway."


    "Got it," Wyatt replied, fully understanding that James''s concern was also for Ms. Mirabe''s safety.

 Chapter 1390

    "Hey, should we let Nick, Ms. Mirabe''s contact, know about this?" Wyatt suddenly recalled, having previously swapped contact info with As.


    "Yeah," James replied quietly. There was nothing secretive about it, especially since the Davis family''s global connections were likely more robust than his own.


    A suspect used of stealing national research secrets shouldn''t have been let go in the first ce. Now that he''s out, staying in the country doesn''t seem likely. James nced out the car window, feeling a bit stuffy inside. He rolled it down, letting in the brisk air, which eased the heaviness in his chest a bit.


    At a red light, Wyatt hit the brakes and grabbed his phone to shoot a quick message to As on Messenger, giving a brief rundown of the situation. It seemed As was tied up, as he didn''t respond right away. Not wanting to pester him, Wyatt decided to leave it at that.


    Half an hourter, they were back in their neighborhood. As Wyatt was about to head out, he noticed James rubbing his temples, assuming he was still stressed about Ben. "Don''t sweat it too much, James. Ben''s got enough on his te; he won''t be causing any trouble," he reassured him.


    James gave a soft hum, waved goodbye, and headed inside.


    ---


    As soon as As got Wyatt''s message, he reported it to Nick. Nick had been out of the hospital for a few days. Thanks to some cover-up by the virus center, no one suspected anything when he returned to the medical school. He''d been swamped with research theretely.


    Just as he got home, As called. Frowning slightly, Nick pondered for a moment before asking, "Still nothing solid on Ben?"


    As shook his head, "Just surface stuff, not much help."


    "Alright, no need to rush. Just keep an eye on the immigration logs; he can''t stick around here anymore," Nick instructed.


    "Got it, I''ll handle it," As replied.


    He initially thought about suggesting extra protection for Miss Mira, but recalling Mirabe''s sharp skills and marksmanship, he hesitated. He might even get an earful for suggesting it.


    After hanging up, Nick stood quietly in the garden for a couple of minutes before turning to go inside. Just then, he spotted Mirabezily leaning against the door frame.


    Startled for a second, Nick collected himself and walked over. "When did youe out?"


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, waiting until Nick got closer before standing up straight. She nced at the phone he was still holding. "Just now. Who''s calling you at this hour?"


    Nick paused, remembering how his recent injury had upset his sister She could be pretty intimidating when angry, so he decided to be upfront. "As just called. Ben''s been bailed out."


    Mirabe didn''t seem fazed. She nodded, "Figured as much."


    Someone who managed to stay hidden at the medical school for over ten years must have some serious backing.


    Knowing Mirabe had her own insights, and seeing no trace of fear or worry on her face, Nick simply cautioned, "Just be extra careful these days."


    Mirabe gave him an OK sign and turned to head inside. "I''m off to my room, Nick. You should get some rest too."


    She had plenty on her te, with a department project due soon and needing to head back to school tomorrow, even though it was Saturday.

 Chapter 1391

    The next morning rolled around.


    Mirabe woke up to a message from James on Messenger, asking what she had nned for the day. She shot back a quick reply, letting him know she was headed to school, and that was that until he called just as she was about to leave.


    After hanging up, Mirabe tossed her car keys back onto the entryway table and stepped outside. There was James, leaning casually against his car door, dressed in a sleek dark coat with his hands tucked nonchntly in his pockets. He had this natural air of sophistication about him, and somehow, hisid-back vibe fit him perfectly.


    As she walked over, she gave him a once-over. "Dressed like that, are you nning to charm the youngdies at our school, James?"


    James took her bag with a serious nod, "Well, aren''t you a youngdy?"


    Mirabe mmed up, knowing full well she couldn''t win against him in these little verbal jousts.


    With a slight arch of his eyebrow, James opened the car door for her. As Mirabe slid into the passenger seat, she noticed the tired look on his face. "Didn''t catch much sleepst night?"


    James, still holding the door, shrugged, "Went to bedte."


    Seeing he was genuinely worn out, she shook her head, "You''re too young to be burning the candle at both ends."


    James chuckled, "Spoken like a true girlfriend."


    Mirabe gave him a sidelong nce, toozy to banter, and settled into her seat. James grinned and closed the door behind her.


    Soon enough, they were on their way to school. When they got there, James drove right onto the campus. Mirabe figured he was making a beeline for the Physics Department again, so she didn''t bother asking.


    They parted ways at the Biology Department. Mirabe headed straight for theb building.


    Inside, the other three team


    members were already there, and


    vel


    Zane was among them, checking the progress of their project''s artificial system on the mainputer. They''d made some headway a few days back, but their attempt to integrate it at the Science Institute had flopped, so they were back at the drawing board.


    "Mirabe, you''re here. Got any ideas for improvements?" Zane didn''t waste time


    on pleasantries, diving straight into the issue.


    Mirabe hung her bag on a chair and nodded calmly, "Yeah, I''ve got a n."


    Her words grabbed everyone''s attention, including Linden''s.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe exined, "We just need to tweak the virtual gene library a bit."


    It was partly on her for not running the numbers right. The system seemed basic enough to her, but


    she''d overestimated the Scienc


    Institute''s capabilities. They just couldn''t keep up with what she''d


    designed.


    It was a ssic case of old tech versus new tech; the integration failure wasn''t


    exactly shocking.


    Afterying it out, Mirabe started


    making adjustments on theputer. The n she cooked up the previous night involved


    simplifying a perfected system into which


    something less sophisticated


    was surprisingly harder than


    creating something entirely new.


    It took her nearly two days-right up until Sunday afternoon-to finally wrap it up.


    To the others, the new n looked more convoluted and not as slick as thest


    one.


    Zane scrolled through the updated blueprint with a skeptical look, and after a moment, he couldn''t hold back, "Mirabe, are you sure this is gonna work?"

 Chapter 1392

    Mirabe leaned back in her chair, rubbing her sore wrists, "If this doesn''t work..." she muttered, dreading another trip to the innovation center.


    Taking a deep breath, she spoke with newfound determination, "Zane, trust me, this will definitely work!"


    "Don''t you think it''s a far cry from what we had before?" Zane asked, his face a mix of doubt and grudging eptance. As much as he hated to admit it, he had to be honest.


    "That doesn''t matter," Mirabe said inly. "It''s like shoes; no matter how high- quality they are, if they don''t fit, they''re useless."


    Zane was at a loss for words for a moment, and finally said, "Alright, let''s give it another shot at the innovation center tomorrow."


    Mirabe nodded, checked the time, and stood up, gathering her things. "Professor, I''ve got to head out now."


    After her goodbyes, she nodded to Linden and a few others before leaving theb in a hurry. She had to stop by David''s ce for a follow-up and check on Morgan''s condition.


    ***


    Half an hourter, at the Watson residence.


    Mirabe pulled her hand back from taking a pulse, "Things are pretty stable. Just avoid getting stressed or angry, keep a calm mind, and who knows, you might even add a few more years."


    Devon, hearing this, felt a bit relieved. He helped David sit up and adjusted a pillow behind his back.


    "Your medicine has really worked wonders. I''ve been sleeping much better," David said with a smile, feeling a bit emotional. It was no surprise, given her family''s reputation for producing such effective remedies.


    Mirabe thought for a moment before saying, "I''ll write down the prescription for you, Devon."


    She asked Devon for some paper and a pen.


    Devon was momentarily taken aback.


    Not just him, David was also surprised, but he quickly collected himself and coughed, "Get her the things already!"


    His clueless apprentice was missing out on a golden learning opportunity!


    "Oh, right." Devon nodded quickly, grabbed a pen and notebook from a nearby desk, and handed them to Mirabe.


    As she swiftly wrote out the prescription, Devon suddenly realized, "The prescription? You''re really giving it to me?"


    Last time, due to a pharmacy assessment and some pressure, she had shared, the prescription with him. But this time, all it took was a


    word from the master, and she was


    handing it over just like th she was


    fett a whirlwind of emotions.


    Given how valuable the prescription was, she could have just made the medicine


    herself and brought it over.


    Without looking up or saying a word, Mirabe continued to write.


    Before long, she handed the paper~~ and pen back to Devon, "There are two treatment ns here. If


    anything''s unclear, just hit me up on Messenger."


    Hearing there were two prescriptions, Devon''s hands trembled as he took the notebook, swallowing hard, and started reading closely.


    The more he read, the more amazed he became. He looked up at Mirabe in awe before even finishing.


    Despite being in her twenties, her grasp of pharmacology and her skill in crafting thesebinations were remarkable.


    It went way beyond his understanding of traditional Western medicine, making his years of study feel almost pointless.


    Devon held the prescriptions delicately, suddenly wishing Presley were there to see this.


    If Presley could see the sought-after prescriptions being casually written and given away by Mirabe, his


    reaction would be something to behold.

 Chapter 1393

    Mirabe was blissfully unaware of the storm of feelings brewing inside Devon. After handing him the prescription, she turned her attention back to David. "Hey David, remember that picture of a herb you sent mest time? Is the owner looking to sell it?"


    David straightened up, a bit surprised by her question. He didn''t linger on why she referred to the owner that way, instead asking, "You''re interested in that herb too?"


    "Too?" Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly as she gave a nod.


    David recalled how the herb had been the catalyst for Presley''s antics, stirring up quite themotion in the association. With a soft sigh, he said, "It''s no use trying to buy it now-someone''s already taken it."


    "Taken?" Mirabe was puzzled. To anyone outside her family, the herb was nothing more than a weed.


    "Yeah," David nodded. The association was a mess, and he didn''t want to drag Mirabe into it, so he kept it brief. After a pause, he asked, "But what exactly is this herb for? I couldn''t find anything about it in the records."


    Mirabe''s fingers interlocked gently as she replied, "It''s a herb that ordinary folks wouldn''t need."


    David, aware of Mirabe''s unique family background, was curious but respected her decision not to borate further.


    "Is the owner still at the botanical base?" Mirabe asked, getting to the heart of her concern.


    "No, Paul sometimes goes back to his family home down south. He dide back recently, but then we suddenly lost contact," David exined honestly.


    He had worried that Presley might have tracked Paul down, so he had his assistant keep tabs. Yet, a call from his assistant a few days ago confirmed that Presley hadn''t found Paul either.


    "Still no contact at all?" Mirabe inquired.


    "Yeah, maybe he''s tied up with something or went back south again," David spected, then nced at Mirabe. "Are you after him because of that herb?"


    Considering how elusive Morgan was, Mirabe nodded in agreement with David''s words. "David, do you have his contact info?"


    "Sure, I''ll send his number to you on Messenger," David replied.


    "Thanks," Mirabe nodded slightly, deciding not to press any further about Morgan.


    Shortly after, Mirabe left the Wang residence.


    When Devon returned after seeing her off, he found David examining the two prescriptions Mirabe had left. He pulled up a chair by the bed, his voice tinged with astonishment, "Presley went to great lengths to get Ms. Mirabe''s prescriptions, yet she handed us two just like that."


    David passed the prescriptions to Devon, simply saying, "She has her reasons for giving them to Just


    focus on studying them "tent


    "Reasons?" Devon looked at his mentor, puzzled.


    David eased back onto the bed, his expression calm, "Xiaohe, I''m getting old and won''t be around much longer. The future of the association rests with you."


    Devon''s grip tightened, his eyes unexpectedly misty, "With Ms. Mirabe''s


    medicine, you''ll pull through."


    David smiled softly, saying nothing more.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe headed straight to her apartment.


    Once home, she pulled out her phone. David had already sent her Paul''s number,


    and she dialed it right away.


    As she thought, the call went straight to voicemail.


    After hanging up, Mirabe mulled things over before switching her phone to<pputer mode.

 Chapter 1394

    Mirabe thought she could track the location using a phone number, but to her surprise, she couldn''t trace anything at all. As her fingers tapped across the screen, she found it strange. People don''t just disappear with their phones, do they? After a few more tries, she got the same result each time.


    Moving away from theputer, Mirabe thought for a moment before opening Messenger. She sent a quick message to As, asking him to dig into Morgan''s recent movements. By the time she did, As had already driven up to the neighborhood and was soon inside the house.


    As walked in holding a box, and with a respectful nod, he greeted her, "Miss Mira," before handing it over.


    Mirabe paused and then took the box, curiosity written all over her face. "What''s this?" she asked.


    As just gave a sly smile and said, "Open it and see for yourself, Miss Mira."


    Feeling the heat of curiosity, Mirabe eyed him suspiciously. "It''s not another one of those extravagant gifts, is it?"


    The box wasn''t particrlyrge or heavy, but the fancy packaging did catch her attention. "Nope," As replied with a shake of his head.


    With that assurance, she ced the box on herp, unhurriedly unwrapped it, and lifted the lid. Her eyes widened in surprise-it was apact handgun.


    As cleared his throat and exined, "Grady thought it''d be good for your self- defense."


    Considering the recent issues with Ben, As thought it was a smart idea for Mirabe to have something to protect herself, just in case things went south.


    Mirabe stared at the gun for a bit, then closed the box again. It was so Grady- always unexpected with his gifts. "Pass my thanks on to Grady," she said, knowing there was no point in refusing.


    "Will do," As nodded, not lingering any longer. "I''ll get on that Messenger task and update you ASAP."


    "Thanks a lot, As," Mirabe said as she stood, nodding slightly.


    As left with a chuckle, shaking his head as he went.


    Once he was gone, Mirabe turned back to the box, pulling out the sleek, ck gun. She ran her fingers over the trigger lightly. It was a low-power model, just right for self-defense.


    Just then, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. ncing at the screen, she set the gun aside and picked up the phone-it was James.


    "Incense? What do you need incense for?" she asked, puzzled.


    James was slumped on his living room couch, rubbing the bridge of his nose, looking worse than he had thest few days. "Probably just a bit restless," he admitted.


    Mirabe couldn''t glean much from his voice alone. She moved to the side room, rummaged through a cab, and found a few sticks of Incense of Calm. "Okay, are you at home? I''ll bring them over


    Once she heard him confirm he was home, she hung up. She tidied away the box


    As had brought and headed out.


    Before long, Mirabe found herself at James''s vi. Seeing him, she frowned as she ced the Incense of Calm on the coffee table and sat beside him, holding his wrist gently. "You look pale. What''s going on?"


    Seeing such a rare serious look from Mirabe, James just coughed and kept


    quiet, not wanting to say much more.

 Chapter 1395

    After a bit, Mirabe finally pulled her hand back, but her brow was still knotted with worry. "Have you been taking any medstely?"


    "No," James replied, noticing her expression. "Is there something wrong?"


    Mirabe squinted slightly, staying silent for a moment. In theory, James''s old ailment shouldn''t have resurfaced because when she treated him with acupuncture before, she had sealed off the stagnant energy. Unless her method was undone, there shouldn''t be any issues. But now, without any medication, it was odd that the problem had emerged.


    Mirabe raised her head and cast a sideways nce at James. "Got a lot of enemies?"


    "Hmm?" James was puzzled by the sudden question.


    Mirabe clicked her tongue softly, not saying much, and patted James on the shoulder. "Remember to send me the money."


    With that, she didn''t wait for James''s response and got up from the sofa, striding towards the door.


    James was left speechless.


    Soon after, Mirabe came back, holding her set of silver acupuncture needles. "Let''s head upstairs; I''ll give you a few needles."


    James looked at Mirabe. Though she spoke nonchntly, he could sense the seriousness in her tone and nodded. "Alright."


    They went upstairs.


    Once James had stripped andy down, Mirabe began the acupuncture treatment. His condition had been triggered but hadn''t yet started to affect his bodily functions, which was a lucky catch. A couple more days, and things could''ve gotten tricky.


    Thirty minutester, Mirabe removed thest needle. "How do you feel?"


    "Much better." James slowly sat up, grabbing his shirt from beside him. "What''s going on with my health, then?"


    He had been feeling off the past few days but chalked it up to being busy and not sleeping well, which was why he''d called Mirabe for some aromatherapy advice.


    "Looks like your old issue might being back," Mirabe said,


    cleaning and putting away the- needles. She turned to face James, sharing her thoughts. "I think someone used a drug to trigger it."


    His condition couldn''t bepletely cured, though she managed to suppress it with the Stevenson family''s special acupuncture technique. But that didn''t mean it was 100% foolproof against@ retapse. If someone used a drug specifically targeting his condition, a re-up was possible. However, thanks to her acupuncture, even if it recurred, it wouldn''t be too severe.


    "A drug?" James''s brow furrowed slightly.


    Mirabe nodded. "Yep, think about whether anything weird''s been up with your


    diettely, or if someone''s got it out for the Shepherd family?"


    James thought for a moment. "My diet seems fine."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "It''s easier to dodge a bullet you seeing than a sneaky one."


    "Isn''t that why I have you?" James said, fastening thest button on his shirt and looking at Mirabe with a light-hearted tone.


    Mirabe, not engaging with his remark, grabbed her needle case and headed out.


    James followed her at an easy pace as they left the room.


    Downstairs, Mirabe nced at the aromatherapy kit she''d brought, resting on the coffee table. "You should hold off on using that for now. Some of the ingredients aren''t great for your current state."


    "Got it," James nodded.


    Seeing that he was taking her advice, Mirabe felt relieved and suggested, "Since someone''s trying to mess with your condition, maybe you can turn the tables on them."


    James gave his girlfriend a meaningful look, their thoughts aligning perfectly.

 Chapter 1396

    Time flew by, and before they knew it, three days had zipped past.


    Word of James''s illness reached Presley''s ears. After hanging up the call with his informant, he mulled it over for a moment before dialing Dane, asking him toe


    by.


    Not long after, Dane strolled into Presley''s office. "You wanted to see me, Presley?"


    Presley nodded, got up from his chair, and poured a ss of water for Dane before speaking, "I''ve heard that James''s chronic illness has red up again."


    Dane looked up at Presley, not entirely shocked by the news, but still a bit taken aback.


    "But to make sure this info is legit, I need you to do me a favor." Presley was a cautious guy; even when the news came from inside the Shepherd family, he needed to double-check.


    Dane quickly responded, "Do you want me to go to the Shepherd family and check it out myself?"


    Presley nced at him, then shook his head, "No, your dad would be the better choice. He can do it without raising eyebrows."


    Though Presley hadn''t directly dealt with James, he knew better than to


    underestimate him. Otherwise, the Shepherd family''s status in Riverdale wouldn''t be so untouchable.


    Hearing Presley''s words, Dane''s expression showed a touch of reluctance, and he said, "That favor... my dad might not be able to swing it."


    Presley frowned, "Why not?"


    "He''s wrapped up his business in Riverdale and booked a flight back today," Dane exined, ncing at his watch. "He should be boarding soon."


    Even though Dane wanted to curry favor with Presley, he was well aware of their circle''s rules and didn''t want to drag his dad into it.


    Upon hearing this, Presley''s expression cooled, "Oh, is that right?


    I was thinking about giving you


    leg


    up after this. Seems like you don''t need it."


    With that, he turned back to his desk, dismissing Dane with his silence.


    Dane stood there, clenching his hands, clearly torn and hesitant.


    After a moment, Dane took a deep breath and said, "I''ll call my dad now to see if he''s boarded the ne."


    Presley seemed to have expected this, looking up again, "I''ll be waiting for good news."


    With no other choice, Dane pulled out his phone and rang up Niki. Since he had booked the ticket, he knew whether his dad had boarded.


    A short whileter, Dane hung up and told Presley, "I''m heading to the airport to bring my dad back."


    Presley, having overheard the phone call, looked more satisfied, gave some detailed instructions, and then waved Dane off, "Go on, keep me updated on any developments with James."


    Dane nodded and quickly left to drive to the airport to fetch Niki.


    **


    When Niki was picked up, he looked puzzled and turned to Dane, "You rushed me to head back, and now you''re stopping me from leaving. You said there was something important-what''s up?"


    Dane, with a glint in his eye, grabbed his dad''s small suitcase, "Let''s chat in the car."


    Seeing this, Niki sighed and followed him back.

 Chapter 1397

    Once they were a good distance from the airport, Dane nced at the rearview mirror and said, "I heard James from the Shepherd family had a rpse of his chronic illness."


    Niki, sitting in the backseat, looked surprised for a moment before shaking his head. "That''s impossible."


    Seeing Dane''s skeptical expression, Niki confidently replied, "I''ve told you before, Dr. Mirabe is amazing at what she does. She got James back to good health ages ago."


    Niki had meant to mention this to Dane earlier, but Dane had been too impatient, so it slipped through the cracks.


    "What do you mean?" Dane asked, pressing the brake a bit too hard, causing the car to jolt. He quickly adjusted and asked again, "When you say ''back to good health,'' what do you mean exactly?"


    Niki, who had been thrown forward slightly from the sudden stop, settled back and patiently exined, "I mean Dr. Mirabe treated James'' condition so well that a rpse is very unlikely."


    Dane frowned, puzzled. If what his father said was true, why did Presley have information suggesting otherwise?


    Just then, Niki asked, "But Dane, where did you hear about this?"


    Dane snapped back to the conversation, quicklying up with a usible excuse, "I overheard Presley talking on the phone today. Given his connections, I thought it best to let you know before anything serious happens, which is why I suggested you hold off on going back."


    Hearing Presley''s name made Niki''s expression turn a bit serious.


    Dane nced at his father''s reflection in the mirror, tapping the steering wheel, and asked, "But with news this big, hasn''t the Shepherd family reached out to you?"


    "No," Niki replied, shaking his head.


    After a pause, Niki pulled out his phone, scrolled through his contacts, and called Mirabe.


    The call connected quickly, "Hey, Dr. Mirabe..."


    Dane noticed and kept quiet.


    After Niki ended the call, Dane finally asked, "So, is it true?"


    Niki held his phone in silence for a moment before saying in a heavy tone, "Drive me somewhere right now..."


    **


    Meanwhile, Mirabe put down her


    phone and nced thoughtfully at


    someone busy with theirptop


    "How did Niki find out about your


    se?"


    James paused his typing, thinking for a moment before replying, "Maybe Wyatt''s rumors reached him."


    Mirabe nodded, lounging back on the sofa. "He said he''de over to check."


    James looked at her, trying to catch the


    your meaning of her


    then set hisptop aside. "Do


    you suspect Niki?" Contidel.ne?


    words,


    "Not


    she hadn''t interacted much


    Mirabe said. Although


    Niki, she had a sense of, with gh


    character.


    If anyone was suspicious, it was more likely his son.


    Mirabe shrugged and pulled a small bottle from her pocket, tossing it to James.


    James caught it and saw it contained a pill.


    "Let''s y the part to the fullest," Mirabe remarked casually.


    Even though she didn''t doubt Niki, she couldn''t say the same for those around


    him.

 Chapter 1398

    James caught on to what Mirabe meant right away. Without asking any more questions, he poured the pills into his palm, picked up the ss of water from the coffee table, and downed the medicine in one go.


    Mirabe clicked her tongue, teasing, "What if it was poison?"


    James ced the ss back down, looked at her, and with a soft smile, pointed to his heart, "You wouldn''t."


    Her eyes followed his finger, and a blush crept up her cheeks. She thought, maybe she should''ve prepared a poison after all!


    ...


    Before long, Dane pulled up outside James''s vi.


    As the car came to a stop, Niki looked out at the gate, then turned to Dane, "Dane, I''ll go in alone. You should head back."


    Dane was just about to unbuckle his seatbelt when he heard this. He hesitated, then turned to his father, "But..."


    Niki cut him off, "It''s best if you don''te with me."


    Dane paused for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, call me when you''re done."


    "No need, I''ll grab a cab back," Niki said, shaking his head as he stepped out of the car.


    Dane watched his father walk towards the gate, his eyes narrowing slightly, and then drove away.


    Once Dane''s car disappeared down the road, Niki turned back and pressed the doorbell.


    In no time, Wyatt came hurrying out. Seeing Niki, he gave a slight nod and opened the door, "Niki, d you''re here."


    Niki nodded and followed Wyatt inside, eager to get the lowdown on the situation.


    Wyatt''s face was clouded with worry, and he sighed, "You''ll understand once you see James."


    Niki felt a twinge of worry himself as they quickly entered the living room.


    James was slumped over on the couch, looking as pale as a ghost, his lips a sickly white, clearly in bad shape.


    Seeing this, Niki skipped the pleasantries and went straight to his side, "James, mind if I check your pulse?"


    James nodded, seeming too weak to speak, and extended his hand.


    Mirabe, watching from nearby, touched her nose, ying along with the charade.


    Niki sat down, ced his fingers on James''s wrist, and as he felt the pulse, his frown deepened, "Why is it so erratic?"


    The pulse was worse than it had been during the worst of times two years ago.


    He pulled his hand back, his mood somber, "James, this underlying issue... what triggered it to re up again?"


    "It just hit out of the blue a few days


    ago, no warning signs at all," Wyatt chimed in, his voice heavy with


    concern, "Niki, is there anything concern, you can do to manage James''s condition?"


    "I''m afraid my skills aren''t up to the task," Niki replied with a ru


    Smilking his head, then looked


    at


    abe, "Mirabe, have you run


    out of tricks too?"


    Mirabe shook her head, "My acupuncture techniques aren''t cutting it anymore.


    I''ve tried everything else I could think of these past few days, but no luck."


    Niki paused, thinking it over, then said, "This condition didn''t just re up out of nowhere. If we can trace it back to the source, maybe we can figure out a way to manage it?"


    "But we''ve hit a dead end," Wyatt said, frustration clear in his voice, his fists clenched and veins popping in his neck.

 Chapter 1399

    Niki nced at Wyatt, opening his mouth, but noforting words came. Even Mirabe was stumped, so he feltpletely helpless too. The room was quiet, the silence only broken by the ring of a phone. It was Mirabe''s cell. Seeing it was a call from Zane at the school, she got up and stepped into the next room to take it.


    Niki''s eyes followed Mirabe until she was out of sight before turning back to James, guilt etched on his face. "Sorry, I''m not much help either."


    James, looking pale, replied softly, "Don''t me yourself. Some things are just beyond our control."


    "Any leads at all?" Niki asked, concern heavy in his voice.


    As they''d discussed earlier, illnesses don''t just appear out of nowhere, especially not something as unique as James''s condition.


    "None," James said, shaking his head. He picked up his coffee and gestured for Niki to do the same. "Thanks for making the trip here."


    Niki waved it off with a wry smile.


    "By the way, Niki, how''d you hear about James''s condition ring up?" Wyatt asked, ncing at James before posing the question.


    Niki was straightforward. "Dane mentioned it. He picked it up at the medical association."


    "The medical association?" Wyatt''s eyes narrowed in suspicion.


    James''s condition had roots in a mission years ago that nearly killed him, and the person responsible was never found. ording to Mirabe''s hunch, the sudden return of his symptoms suggested that someone was stirring things up again.


    Niki nodded, but due to Dane''s warnings on the way, he didn''t reveal exactly who passed along the info. Wyatt probed a bit more but didn''t push it.


    He didn''t want to doubt Niki''s


    want


    1.n


    character, but you can never be too careful. As they chatted, Mirabe returned from her call. With her back, they resumed discussing James''s condition, but after half an hour, Niki decided to head out.


    "I''ll walk you out," Wyatt said, standing to apany him.


    After sending a message off to As, Mirabe pocketed her phone. "I''ve got to run too."


    James looked at her sideways. "Just like that, leaving a sick guy behind? Doesn''t that prick your conscience?"


    Mirabe shot him a look, stood up, and said coolly, "Sorry, I don''t have one."


    James: "..."


    "I''m off." Without sparing him another nce, Mirabe, hands tucked in her coat pockets, strolled out at a rxed pace. As had just messaged her about finding some leads on Morgan''s recent activities and would be dropping off the files and surveince footage soon.


    With her mind on those matters, Mirabe took her time heading back to her apartment. Just as she was about to punch in her door code, As pulled up, parking his car at the curb and quickly heading over.


    "Miss Mira," As greeted with respect.


    "As," Mirabe nodded, "Thanks foring out."


    As shook his head with a grin, handing her a clear document bag with a USB inside. "I could only track Paul''s movements up until a week ago. After that, it''s like he vanished."


    His sudden disappearance was odd enough that As had dug a little deeper.

 Chapter 1400

    Despite all the hard work, they still didn''t find anything conclusive. When they tried to retrieve the surveince footage, they noticed signs of tampering. It took a lot of effort from the tech team to restore and recover it.


    Running a hand through his hair, As couldn''t help but ask, "Miss Mira, who is this Paul guy, really?"


    Mirabe was already flipping through the documents she pulled from the folder. She skimmed through them quickly, and only when she reached thest page did she look up to respond, "An old friend."


    Thinking back to the elderly man in the footage, who looked like the very picture of wisdom, calling him an old friend seemed urate enough. As didn''t ask further about how Miss Mira knew him.


    Instead, he pointed to a USB drive in the folder, "Oh, and Miss Mira, one of the surveince clips was restored by my team."


    Mirabe responded with a slight narrowing of her eyes.


    Morgan, besides mastering a smartphone, was clueless about advanced tech, let alone erasing surveince records. Gathering her thoughts, Mirabe put the documents back into the folder, "Got it, thanks, As."


    "No need to thank me, Miss Mira. Just doing my job," As said with a friendly smile, adding, "I''ll keep tabs on this Paul."


    "Alright," Mirabe nodded.


    "If there''s nothing else, I''ll head out."


    As had been pretty busytely. Since Ben got bailed out, he vanished without a trace, with no leads either at home or abroad.


    Given the mystery surrounding


    As couldn''t let his guard down until he was found.


    Watching As drive away, Mirabe entered her house. Marian was in the kitchen, cooking dinner. After ncing in, Mirabe took the documents and went upstairs.


    Soon, she plugged the USB into herputer. There were five videos on it, and she patiently watched each one. They were a bit long, so she yed them at a faster speed.


    After finishing thest clip, she reyed and paused on a specific frame. Paul had just entered a


    coffee shop, followed by a n


    guy


    wearing sunsses. Once inside, neither of them was seen leaving.


    The man with sunsses wasn''t captured from the front, and his slim build made it hard to guess his age.


    Thisst clip was the one As mentioned had been restored, marking thest ce Morgan was seen, near a pharmacy association.


    Resting her chin on her hand, Mirabe stared intently at the screen, deep in thought. Lots of people came and went in the coffee shop, but aside from Morgan, this guy hadn''t shown up again.


    After pondering for a moment, Mirabe reyed the video, capturing the clearest side profile of the man and saving it. She then sent it to her phone.


    With the screenshot saved, she shut down herputer, no longer interested in the videos. She slumped back in her chair, lost in thought, hardly moving.


    It wasn''t until Marian knocked, calling her down for dinner, that she


    snapped back to reality. M


    paused, picked up her phone,


    opened Wyatt''s Messenger, and sent him the screenshot she''d saved.

 Chapter 1401

    Wyatt had just dropped Niki off at his front door.


    "Zack, why don''t youe in for dinner before you go?" Niki hadn''t even gotten out of the car when he said this to Wyatt in the driver''s seat.


    Wyatt, who was checking his phone at the sound of a notification, looked up at Niki''s words, then politely declined, "No need, Niki, I''ve got something else on soon."


    Seeing this, Niki didn''t press further. "Alright then, maybe next time when you''re free."


    "Sure," Wyatt nodded.


    Niki then got out of the car.


    Wyatt watched him enter through the front door before turning his attention back to his phone, texting Mirabe in reply: "Are you saying this guy could be Cian?"


    But it seemed Mirabe wasn''t with her phone; a minute passed without a reply. Wyatt, curbing his curiosity, started the car''s engine and drove away.


    **


    Since driving Niki home, Dane had been sitting in the living room waiting. Hearing the sound of the door, he almost instinctively looked up.


    Niki entered with a troubled face, his furrowed brows indicating his mood at the moment.


    Guessing his father''s thoughts, Dane stood up to pour Niki a ss of warm water. "Dad, is the situation with Mr. Shepherd... that serious?"


    Niki,ing back to his senses and about to affirm, paused, changing his words at thest moment and shaking his head, "No, it''s not serious."


    After saying this, he concealed all signs of worry on his face, took the ss of water from Dane without another look, and slowly walked over to sit on the couch.


    Dane, watching Niki''s profile thoughtfully, knew his father well enough to recognize the signs of worry that he could hardly hide.


    Had his father outright admitted that James''s condition was serious, Dane would have questioned the


    truth behind his words. Howeve


    Niki''s evasiveness was a clear indication that there was indeed a


    significant issue.


    Moreover, his father had always been a man of integrity, hardly ever lying, especially not to him. Dane could usually tell at a nce whether he was speaking the truth.


    So, it was likely that James''s condition was quite grave.


    With a thoughtful look, Dane sat on the couch opposite Niki, nodding, "It''s good to hear James is alright. was worried we, the Reeves family, might have to take responsibility if anything happened to him. That''s why I even asked Presley this afternoon if there was any kind of miracle cure."


    "Mhm," Niki responded nomittally, holding his ss. But quickly, he looked up, surprised, "Miracle cure?"


    This further confirmed Dane''s suspicions. With a subtle look in his eyes, he continued, "You must have heard of the Stevenson family, right?"


    At the mention of the Stevenson family, Niki''s eyes widened.


    Dane looked away, his gaze falling on the tips of his shoes, and continued in a soft voice, "Presley imed to have medicine from the Stevenson family. Their medical skills are rumored to be unparalleled worldwide, so naturally, their medicine would be exceptional. For someone like Mr. Shepherd, I believe it wouldn''t be a problem."


    Niki was well aware of that family because the Shepherd family had been looking for the Massolio family for a couple of years without sess, leading many to believe they were just a myth.


    It wasn''t until recently, when rumors of the Stevenson family''s medicine surfaced again at an underground auction in Riverdale, that people began to question that belief once more.


    If the Massolio family''s medicine really existed, then perhaps there was hope for James...


    With a glimmer of hope in his eyes, Niki couldn''t hold back any longer and eagerly asked, "Ron, is what you just said true?"

 Chapter 1402

    Dane knew his father couldn''t resist asking. The corners of his lips twitched


    upward slightly, and then he nodded and said, "There shouldn''t be any mistake. I told you before, Presley has a widework, and he wouldn''t boast without reason."


    Upon hearing this, Niki''s excitement faded as he pondered over Presley''s character, and the hope that had ignited on his face began to dim, bit by bit.


    At this moment, him saying he has the Stevenson family''s medicine might not necessarily be a good thing.


    Niki hadn''t forgotten that the news of James''s recurring illness came from Aron, who had heard it from Presley.


    So, putting all this together, it was impossible to think Presley had no ulterior motive!


    Niki, havinge to a realization, suddenly looked up at Dane with a particrly serious gaze, "Aron, tell me the truth, was all this calcted by you and Presley in advance?"


    Deliberately passing the message to him, letting him know of James''s illness, and then informing him about the life-saving medicine in Presley''s possession, finally having him ry the message to James, all to achieve their real intention.


    Dane didn''t expect his father to react so quickly, his expression momentarily ufortable. Soon, he shook his head in denial, "No, Dad, you''re overthinking it. Who would dare to scheme against James?"


    "Aron, do you think your father has be senile? Can''t even figure this out?" Niki felt a pang of sorrow.


    No wonder he suddenly changed his mind today about letting him go back, it was all for his own selfish desires.


    "I really didn''t..." Dane started to object, but upon meeting his father''s clouded yet insightful eyes, he couldn''t continue.


    Turning his head away, after a few seconds of silence, Dane simply admitted, "Even if it was calcted, what about it? At the end of the day, it''s all because you forced us!"


    If he had helped him get the recipe from Mirabe earlier, none of this would have happened.


    Niki was taken aback, not expecting to be implicated himself, and murmured in response, "I forced you? How did I force you?"


    "You knew Presley needed the recipe


    from Mirabe, and not only did you not help me, but you also


    Dane


    What was I supposed to said, his expression turning sour.


    Hearing this usation, Niki felt as if his brain had exploded, his head buzzing with emptiness. If not for his hand propping him up on the couch, he might have copsed uncontrobly.


    After a while, he trembled his lips and said, "So, it''s all for the recipe in Mirabe''s hands, isn''t it?"


    Indeed, besides the recipe, what else would Presley not want to obtain?


    The rtionship between James and Mirabe, they indeed had devised a good strategy.


    Dane turned his head away, avoiding looking at his father''s pale face, and coldly said, "Yes, it''s just a few recipes."


    Just a few recipes... that''s all?


    Niki took a deep breath, leaning back, his eyes swelling with a hint of sorrow as he looked up at the ceiling.


    How could the Reeves family have produced such shameless, morally bankrupt individuals?


    With his emaciated fingers pinching together, Niki suppressed the difort in his chest and looked at Dane again, seeming to have aged several years, "Can you listen to your father and give up on this?"


    His voice was almost pleading.

 Chapter 1403

    Dane merely pursed his lips, his response almost instantaneous and without hesitation: "Impossible."


    He hade this far, even gone as far as to involve the prestigious Shepherd family; there was simply no turning back now-not that it was up to him anymore.


    For from the moment he epted that significant offer from Presley, his fate was sealed with no avenue for retreat.


    Should he abandon his course now, he would not only be offending Presley.


    Daneposed himself, no longer wishing to hear his father''s mood-dampening words.


    Standing up, he made his stance clear, "I don''t wish to argue about this anymore. No amount of talking will change things. Presley has the medicine. If we want to save James, then let Mirabe exchange the recipe for it."


    Dane spoke with a cold voice.


    Niki opened his mouth to speak, but seeing Dane''s determination, he understood no words could sway him. He stopped himself, closed his eyes, but then seemed to remember something just as Dane was about to leave, calling out to him once more.


    "Onest question, does James''s sudden illness have anything to do with you?"


    Dane''s fingers curled slightly as he turned to look at Niki, his expression serene, revealing nothing, "No, crossing James brings us no benefits. His condition... it''s just unfortunate timing, giving Presley an opportunity to demand the recipe."


    Niki looked at Dane''s calm demeanor, unsure whether to believe him or to deceive himself. Finally, he could only say bitterly, "Dane, I hope you nevere to regret your choices."


    "Never will." Dane clenched his fists, his face stern.


    With that, he strode out of the living room.


    Niki slumped onto the couch, the difort in his chest nothingpared to his disappointment in Dane.


    If only he hadn''te to Riverdale, perhaps things wouldn''t have escted to this point.


    **


    The next day, after a night of contemtion, Niki sent a message to Mirabe.


    Knowing she would still be in ss, he directly arranged to meet her at a restaurant near her school for lunch.


    Mirabe thought Niki wanted to discuss James''s health, so she went there at half-past eleven.


    Niki had reserved a private dining room.


    noticiner the waiter left, Mirabe,


    noticing Niki''s poorplexion, asked, "Are you feeling unwett? Shall


    I check your pulse?"  fo


    Niki just smiled and waved his hand, "It''s nothing, just didn''t sleep wellst night."


    After observing Niki for a moment, Mirabe finally said, "You really shouldn''t worry too much about James''s condition."


    At the mention of James''s health, a bitter smile appeared on Niki''s lips. He didn''t wait for Mirabe to continue, "Today, I wanted to tell you that there might be a cure for James''s condition."


    Mirabe''s fingers paused on her coffee cup, surprised. She waited for him to continue.


    "There''s a special medicine in Presley''s possession that could potentially cure James..." Niki paused, then ryed the rumors about the Stevenson family to Mirabe.


    After listening, Mirabe looked somewhat amused, her casual tapping on the table ceasing, "You mean to say, Presley knows someone from the Stevenson family?"


    Niki, recalling the implications of Dane''s words the night before, nodded, "It seems so."


    Mirabe burst intoughter, finding it amusing that so many people were pretending to have connections to the main party, which had never shown itself. Quite interesting, indeed.

 Chapter 1404

    Niki caught a smile on Mirabe''s face and was momentarily taken aback.


    It was an odd smile.


    Mirabe nced past Niki, leisurely picked up her coffee cup, and took a sip without asking much about the Stevenson family. "So, what does Presley want?"


    Niki didn''t expect Mirabe to see through the situation so quickly; he gave a wry smile before responding, "A prescription."


    Mirabe''s face didn''t show surprise upon hearing this; she had already guessed as much.


    "It''s a family misfortune," Niki continued. "My brother Dane... he''s currently working for Presley, and Presley is not a kind soul."


    In truth, Niki didn''t know Presley well, having met him only once or twice. But from the matter of the prescription, he could roughly tell what kind of person Presley was.


    Mirabe''s gaze was serene. "I know." After pondering for a moment, she looked up at Niki. "If I''m not wrong, the news of James''s recurring illness was also spread by Presley, right?"


    At this point, Niki had nothing to hide. "Yes."


    Mirabe nodded. She had heard from Wyatt about James''s secretive illness, and it seemed to be closely rted to Presley.


    Only someone deeply familiar with James''s condition and knowledgeable about pharmacology could silently draw out his hidden illness.


    As for the person behind Presley... Mirabe narrowed her eyes, indicating a bit of curiosity.


    Niki observed Mirabe, seeing her serious expression but unable to discern her thoughts. After hesitating for a while, he spoke again, "Now, only the Stevenson family''s medicine can save James, Mirabe..."


    Mirabe collected her thoughts and said, "Put it this way, if Presley truly knew someone from the Stevenson family, he wouldn''t covet my prescription."


    Niki was taken aback. He had been anxious about the prescription fromst night until now, never considering that if Presley truly had ess to the medicine or knew someone from the Stevenson family, why would he go to such lengths to scheme for Mirabe''s prescription.


    This was indeed contradictory.


    "But regardless, James''s health..." Niki opened his mouth, wanting to say something, when the door of the private room was pushed open, and a waiter came in to serve the dishes.


    Immediately, Niki stopped speaking.


    After the waiter left, Mirabe, as if she had already understood Niki''s


    CS, picked up a fork a


    "When


    do you n to go and said,


    Niki?"


    Niki was puzzled by Mirabe''s sudden question. "Not so soon."


    Mirabe took a bite of her steak and added, "You don''t need to worry about James''s health. I''ll find a solution. You should go back sooner."


    Niki didn''t start eating; his eyes fixed on Mirabe, he just gave a bitter smile and shook his head How could he not understand the implication of her words?


    Now that Dane had chosen to stand with Presley, how could he leave with peace of mind?


    He couldn''t bear to see Dane sink deeper into trouble.


    **


    After dinner, Mirabe returned to the university.


    Just as she arrived at the ssroom, Zane sent her a message asking her toe to his office.


    "Professor, you wanted to see me?" Soon after, Mirabe knocked on the office door.


    Zane looked up at the entrance, waved her in, then turned hisptop around so the screen faced Mirabe. "Come, take a look at this email."


    Mirabe stepped closer, raised an eyebrow at Zane, and then turned her attention to theptop screen. "What email?"

 Chapter 1405

    Zane was all smiles, "Do you know about the internationally renowned DO Group?"


    Mirabe had just grabbed her mouse to scroll through her emails. Hearing Zane''s words, she almost lost her grip. She looked at Zane again, "DO Group?"


    "Yes." Seeing Mirabe''s reaction, Zane figured she might not have heard of the DO Group and started to fill her in, "This DO Group owns the world''s most advanced artificial intelligence system, standing at the pinnacle of the inte technology pyramid..."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched slightly, realizing it was indeed thepany she recognized.


    "...In short, this group, providing full-intelligence security systems to several powerful countries, is quite impressive. They are now developing the fourth generation of Al robots. That''s why they are particrly interested in our research on artificial life systems, especially the information database you wrote about. And this email is from theirpany."


    Zane said, prompting Mirabe to continue reading the email.


    Just by listening, Mirabe had already guessed the gist of the email, and after reading it, it was indeed as she had thought.


    "How did they know we developed an artificial life system?" Mirabe put down the mouse, asking in surprise.


    "It''s strange to me too, somehow they just found me out of the blue and sent this email, asking if we were interested in a coboration," Zane exined slowly.


    In fact, the email had arrived a couple of days ago, but he only opened it today.


    At first, he thought it was a scam email. However, after seeing a contact number at the bottom, he somewhat impulsively made a call to inquire, only to find out the email was genuine.


    It was indeed from the DO Group.


    After listening, Mirabe simply gave Zane a look, "What''s your n?"


    "What n?" Zane was still in the thrill of being approached for coboration, not having thought about anything specific yet.


    Mirabe twirled her fingertip at her temple, simply saying, "The price can''t be low."


    "Price?" Zane paused, then quickly caught on, his cheeks twitching.


    How could he forget that her joining the research team was predicated on there being a financial reward?


    "Nothing''s certain yet. We have to


    wait at least until the project with the Technology Institute is over before we can consider a coboration. After all, this also involves patent rights," Zane added.


    "Oh, so aside from showing me this, is there anything else you wanted?" Mirabe asked, suddenly less interested.


    Zane: "..."


    Anyone else would be thrilled to be approached by an international conglomerate for a coboration, but this little one, aside from caring about the price, seemed indifferent to everything else. ''


    Zane sighed lightly, not mentioning the email anymore, and moved on to the main topic, "The system at the Technology Institute has been fully integrated, using the n you modifiedter."


    "That''s good," Mirabe nodded, not at all surprised.


    "Although the system has been


    integrated, there will definitely need to be adjustments to the detailster on. You''ll go directly to theboratory at the Technology Institute then," Zane continued.


    "Understood."


    Mirabe thought about the not-so-advanced technology at the Technology


    Institute and figured the adjustments would be more than just minor.


    **


    In the afternoon, after herst ss, Mirabe had just left the academic building when her phone vibrated in her pocket.


    It was a call from James.


    Walking outside, Mirabe answered the phone, and his cool voice came through first.


    "I''m waiting for you at our usual spot outside your department."

 Chapter 1406

    Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted slightly at the words, and with a quick affirmation, she ended the call.


    Not long after, she stepped out of her department and immediately saw a sedan parked by the campus road.


    At that moment, James, with his hands tucked into his coat pockets, waszily leaning against the car door, idly spinning his phone. Upon seeing Mirabe, however, he straightened up.


    "Isn''t it risky for someone rumored to be ill to show up at school?" Mirabe approached, eyeing him with a light tsk.


    James pocketed his phone and opened the passenger door, his smile ambiguous, "Need to earn a living, maybe find a wife."


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched, and she silently bent down to get into the car.


    James'' lips curled into a smile, his cold, handsome face softening as he closed the door and quickly got into the car himself.


    The car slowly drove out of Prestige College.


    "By the way, Niki came looking for me again at noon today." Mirabe''s fingers carelessly yed with the hem of her clothing, tilting her head towards the driver, "He said that Presley from the Medicine Association has a remedy from the Stevenson family that could cure your secret ailment."


    It took James a couple of seconds to respond with a puzzled, "Why didn''t Nikie to me directly?"


    "Presley wants the recipe I have," Mirabe shrugged, adding, "Probably the main reason your ailment red up this time is this."


    At a red light, James slowly pressed the brake, stopping the car, then said, "It''s not just that."


    The recipe was convenient, but it was likely more of a warning to him.


    After all, the person who had harmed him years ago had never been found, and now they were suddenly making a move, the intention wasn''t hard to guess.


    James rested his arm on the steering wheel, looking ahead, "They don''t want me interfering with the Medicine Association''s matters."


    Mirabe''s eyebrows raised in understanding, "Presley is afraid you''ll help David?"


    "Perhaps." As the green light came ¤Ç


    on, James started the car again,


    "David''s health probably won''t allow


    him to continue as the president of


    the Medicine Association, and naturally, others will covet his position."


    Mirabe nodded, her gaze falling outside the window. After a few more exchanges, she realized they weren''t heading towards the residential area and


    turned to ask, "Where are we going?"


    "Dinner." James had just finished speaking when his phone on the side rang. ncing at the caller ID, he picked it up.


    It was Wyatt calling.


    Seeing this, Mirabe didn''t say anything more.


    Soon, the car stopped outside a high-end restaurant, where a private dining room had been booked in


    escorted by the restaurant manat


    advance. They were directly


    to an exclusive room on the second floor.


    After ordering, Wyatt arrived shortly, nodding to Mirabe in greeting before addressing James without reservation, "Presley is indeed backed by a significant party, apany called Pioneer Group."


    "Pioneer Group?" James narrowed his eyes in thought, admitting he had never heard of thepany, "What''s their background?"


    While handing over the documents he brought to James, Wyatt exined, "It''s a headhunting firm from abroad, involved in all sorts of fields However, it''s very low-key


    within its industry, only known as ''an unremarkable smallpany"..."


    As they continued their discussion, neither noticed Mirabe''s expression briefly


    change at the mention of Pioneer Group.

 Chapter 1407

    James had just finished perusing the single-page summary of thepany profile and quickly ced it on the table. Leaning back in his chair with a casual air, he looked up andmented lightly, "The information on such an ordinary littlepany wouldn''t be this organized."


    Wyatt nodded in agreement, his expression grave. "I thought the same, so I had someone dig deeper. But thispany''s information security is extremely tight; there''s very little we can find."


    "As long as it has surfaced, there will be traces to follow. It''s only a matter of time before we uncover everything," James said, narrowing his eyes.


    "Right, I''ll keep someone on it. Oh, and there''s another thing. The medical association is having their president elections in a few days. Presley has also invited many leading figures in the medical field, and it seems they''ll be using a voting system," Wyatt added.


    "That soon?" James was slightly surprised. He had just been discussing the presidency with Mirabe on their way to the restaurant.


    At this moment, Mirabe also snapped out of her contemtion and looked towards Wyatt.


    "It''s no secret within the association that David''s health is failing, but Presley''s eagerness to take his ce seems a bit too conspicuous. If he really bes the president, who knows what will be of the medical association," Wyatt said, somewhat mncholily.


    "Then we just won''t let him take that position," James said coolly.


    Hearing this, Wyatt''s lips twitched slightly. "James, you''re not thinking of...?"


    James took a sip of his coffee, not answering Wyatt but instead turning to Mirabe, who was sitting across from him. "I remember you''re also a vice- president of the medical association."


    Wyatt''s head snapped towards Mirabe, his face incredulous.


    Vice-president?


    When did Ms. Mirabe be a vice-president of the medical association? Mirabe nced at James and said, "Don''t make trouble. I''m not interested."


    Her voice carried a distinct tone of disdain.


    Wyatt silently touched his nose, unable to hold back his curiosity. "Ms. Mirabe, you''re a vice-president of the medical association? You said before that you''ve never been to the association?"


    He remembered fetching medicinal herbs for her once and had specifically asked her about it.


    Mirabe responded nonchntly,


    hadn''t been before. Later, I


    d


    happened to meet Mr. Boyd, and he invited me to join. So, I became a


    nominal vice-president."


    Hearing this, Wyatt looked even more conflicted, feeling like James was bing


    less and less of a match for Ms. Mirabe.


    Mirabe didn''t look at Wyatt''s expression and just lowered her eyshes,


    indifferently sipping her coffee without saying more.


    Soon after, the waiter brought in the food. Wyatt, having said nearly all there was to say, tactfully left first.


    Once alone, James looked up. "Really not interested?"


    Mirabe sighed lightly, revealing her troubles. "To tell you the truth, I''ve got a


    stack of family estates waiting to be inherited in my desk drawer."


    James was puzzled.


    **


    Meanwhile, at the Boyd family home.


    Devon was presenting a medicine had concocted based on a prescription Mirabe had previo written to David. "Master, please take a look at this medicine."


    David''splexion had improved significantly over the past few days, allowing him to get out of bed and move around. After inspecting the medicine, he appeared somewhat gratified. "Though it''s not as pure as what Mirabe concocted, it''s quitemendable."


    Devon looked up with respect. "I can''tpare to Ms. Mirabe."


    "There''s noparison," David agreed.


    Devon was silent.


    At that moment, David''s phone, ced not far away, rang. Devon walked over to pick it up for him, his brows involuntarily furrowing when he saw the caller ID.

 Chapter 1408

    The next second, Devon''s fingers twitched, and he ended the call with a press.


    "Who was that?" David hadn''t seen Devon''s action and simply asked.


    Devon lifted his phone into the air briefly, "Probably a scam call."


    "Then it''s not worth worrying about." David didn''t give it much thought.


    "Yeah, I''ve hung up already." Devon ced his phone back down as if nothing had happened.


    David nodded, his mind drifting back to the association, then he turned to Devon, "By the way, Devon, what''s been happening in the associationtely?"


    Devon, relieved that his phone didn''t ring again, went to pour a ss of water for David before replying, "Master, you should be focusing on your recovery right now, no need to stress over these matters."


    David simply smiled and shook his head, "After taking Mirabe''s medicine, my health has almost fully recovered. I n to visit the association tomorrow."


    "Why the sudden visit?" Devon''s heart tightened again.


    Mirabe had warned that any shock could worsen his teacher''s health, especially if he found out about the re-election for the president position happening in the next few days, it could lead to trouble.


    "Just some matters to attend to." David''s gaze sharpened, aware that his time was limited and the association must not fall into Presley''s hands.


    Devon, not good at lying, hesitated before saying, "You could just call the other deputy presidents to handle it. Why go in person?"


    It was then David noticed Devon''s unusual behavior and asked, "Is there something you''re hiding from me?"


    Devon immediately shook his head, "No, what could I possibly hide from you?"


    Understanding his apprentice well, David quickly stood up from his chair and picked up his phone.


    As Devon was about to speak, David had already dialed his assistant''s number.


    The call connected in seconds.


    "President?" Grant answered, his voice tinged with surprise.


    David hummed in acknowledgment and went straight to the point, "What''s been happening in the associationtely?"


    Holding the phone, Grant hesitated.


    Although Devon had warned him not


    to mention the election in front of


    to mech secrets couldn''t be kept


    David,


    forever. David was bound to find out sooner orter.


    After much deliberation, Grant didn''t dare hide it and revealed everything about the election.


    He understood the saying, "Out of sight, out of mind," better than anyone. Despite Presley extending an olive branch to him, once he actually took the president''s


    position, Grant knew he''d live]. ne


    ruthlessly cast aside.


    be


    Rather than waiting for Presley''s scheme to seed, it was better to think of how to resolve the current situation.


    David''s expression remained unchanged as he listened to Grant, but he was struggling to suppress his surging emotions. After acknowledging, he ended the


    call.


    Devon, noticing David''s stillness after the call, quickly went over to support him, "Master, are you alright?"


    David merely lifted his hand, "It''s a big deal that Presley wants to hold a re- election for the president. You shouldn''t have kept it from me."


    Helping David to the sofa, Devon could only say, "What does the position of president matter? None of that is as important as your health, Master."


    David sighed softly, "Some things are a matter of duty."


    At that moment, Devon didn''t know what to say and paused before adding Presley is determined to win the presidency, even if you, Master, wanted to intervene, it would be difficult."

 Chapter 1409

    "I know." David''s gaze was deep, thoughtful for a moment, then he looked


    towards Devon and said, "Contact James for me, will you?"


    The forces behind Presley did not belong to any of Riverdale''s influential families,


    and allowing other powers to intervene would inevitably affect all the major


    families in Riverdale. This was no longer a mere internal issue of the


    Pharmaceutical Association.


    When interests are involved, who can remain indifferent?


    "You mean to ask the Shepherd family for help, right?" Devon quickly understood David''s intention.


    David nodded, "The Pharmaceutical Association has coborated with the Shepherd family not just once or twice. I believe the Shepherd family won''t just stand by idly."


    "True, but... James might be willing but unable to help at the moment," Devon sighed.


    David frowned slightly, "What happened?"


    "I heard from Dane that James''s chronic illness has rpsed, and it''s quite serious," Devon shared the news he got from Dane, which had also made him dismiss the idea of seeking help from the Shepherd family.


    David paused, he was aware of James''s health condition, "He seemed fine when I saw him a while ago?"


    "I don''t have all the details. Maybe I''ll call and ask tomorrow," Devon thought aloud.


    David looked troubled, "Why would his illness rpse at a time like this..."


    Without James''s help, what would be of Presley...


    David slumped back on the sofa, sitting in silence for a long while. He then took out his phone, scrolling through his contacts to call his friends in the medical field, one by one.


    **


    The next day, at the Pharmaceutical Association.


    Having just left the meeting room, Devon was pondering over what Presley had said during the meeting, his expression particrly somber.


    He walked downstairs and sat in the lobby, holding his phone and thinking over and over before calling Mirabe.


    Apart from asking about James''s health, he spoke more about the current situation at the Pharmaceutical Association.


    Mirabe could easily grasp what Devon was trying to convey through his hesitant words. After thinking it over, she said, "I''ll send a number over Messenger in a bit. Talk to Wyatt; he will help you."


    Devon didn''t know who Wyatt was, but hearing Mirabe say so, he knew it must


    be someone who could help, and he expressed his gratitude earnestly.


    He had witnessed firsthand his master''s futile attempts at calling his friends for


    help the previous night, realizing just how cold the world could be.


    Not long after hanging up, Devon received a phone number from Mirabe. After waiting for a few minutes, he finally made the call.


    The call was answered quickly.


    Automatically straightening his posture, Devon''s voice was very polite, "Hello, is this Mr. Wyatt? I''m a friend of Ms. Mirabe. She asked me to contact you..."


    Wyatt had already received a message from Mirabe, and he was nning to meet David today anyway, so he agreed to Devon''s


    request straightforwardly,


    suggesting they meet somewhere.


    Hearing the man on the phone speak this way, Devon quickly provided an


    address, "Alright, then see you in half an hour."


    After finishing, hearing Wyatt hang up first, Devon lowered his phone from his ear,


    his face lighting up with hope, and his spirits somewhat lifted.


    He exhaled deeply, put away his phone, and prepared to leave the association.


    Emerging from the elevator, Dane immediately noticed Devon sitting in a corner of the lobby, looking quite dejected. He pondered for a couple of seconds, then walked over to him.

 Chapter 1410

    Devon had just stood up when he saw Dane approaching, his frown deepening as his expression instantly turned chilly.


    "So, Devon, you''re here," Dane walked over with big strides, a seemingly friendly smile on his face.


    "What do you want?" Devon asked coolly.


    Unperturbed by Devon''s cold demeanor, Dane''s voice remained gentle, "I''ve been looking for you. Why haven''t you signed the consent form yet?"


    At the mention of the consent form, Devon scoffed, "My mentor hasn''t officially stepped down yet."


    "Whether he steps down or not isn''t important. David...he''s already out of the picture," Dane sighed with feigned regret. "Now, everyone in the association supports Presley taking over. Why insist on going against your own future?"


    Devon stared coldly at Dane, "Who said my mentor is out of the picture?"


    Dane merely smirked, treating Devon''s response as self-constion, andughed lightly, "I just wanted to give you a friendly reminder. Everyone''s standing with Presley now, you might find that no one will help you if you call them."


    Upon hearing this, Devon''s hands, hanging by his sides, subconsciously clenched into fists.


    He thought aboutst night, his mentor making so many calls, with hardly anyone willing to help. Presley must have been behind it.


    Seeing Devon''s restraint, Dane''s lips twitched slightly, "Smart people know how to read the room."


    "If you want to be Presley''spdog, no one''s stopping you. Don''te here to disgust me." Devon unclenched his fists, mocked Dane with a sentence, then walked past him, striding towards the exit.


    Watching Devon''s retreating figure, Dane couldn''t help but snicker.


    Such a clueless fool, still thinking he''s someone with the president''s backing?


    Shaking his sleeve, Dane turned coldly and took the elevator up to Presley''s office.


    "It''s fine if Devon doesn''t sign. Missing one person won''t make a difference," Presley leaned back in his chair, his voice indifferent not really concerned about Devon.


    Dane nodded, "Seeing him trying to put on a brave face, it seems he won''t find anyone to help."


    Presley was in a good mood today, idly tapping his fingers on his leg, "Who in Riverdale would bother interfering with the association''s business?"


    "Exactly," Daneughed. "Even if Devon went to the Shepherd family, it would be futile."


    Presley nced at Dane, a slight raise of his eyebrows, "Credit goes to you for that."


    If it weren''t for that incident, it would have been difficult to find an opportunity for James''s condition to re up at this time.


    Dane bowed his head slightly, respectfully saying, "It''s my duty to alleviate your concerns."


    Presley appreciated those who were tactful, but his thoughts soon returned to Mirabe''s prescription, his expression hardening again, "What did your father say?"


    "My father went to see Mirabe, but it seems she''s still unwilling to hand over the prescription," Dane said, worried Presley might be displeased, quicklyadding, "I doubt Mirabe''s medical skills could cure James''s condition."


    Presley squinted, dismissing the idea, "Absolutely not."


    "But," Dane remembered how Mirabe had cured Owen''s strange illness a long


    time ago, "if she really has the skills..."


    "There are no ifs," Presley interrupted.


    She''s not from that family; how could she possibly cure someone from the


    Shepherd family?

 Chapter 1411

    Dane was surprised to hear Presley so sure that no one could heal James''s condition. After a pause, he didn''t pry further, "If that''s the case, then it''s only a matter of time before Mirabe hands over the prescription."


    Presley hummed in agreement, knowing that securing the position of the president was the most important thing at the moment. Once he became the president, getting the prescription would not be toote.


    Just then, the vibration of his phone in his pocket broke Presley''s train of thought.


    He took it out and nced at the screen, his gaze slightly hardening. He didn''t answer right away but looked up at Dane.


    Seeing this, Dane quickly said, "I''ll leave you to it then," and walked out of the office, gently closing the door behind him.


    Presley shifted his gaze back and answered the call.


    **


    Meanwhile, Devon had arrived at the cafe where he was meeting Wyatt. Just as he sat down in the booth, Wyatt arrived.


    "Devon." Wyatt nodded politely at Devon and, sitting down, ced the document bag he brought on the table.


    Devon sat somewhat stiffly, "Ms. Mirabe said you could help me."


    "Yes." Noticing Devon''s tension, Wyatt exined, "There''s no need to be nervous. David and our James are well acquainted. Now that he''s in trouble, the Shepherd family certainly won''t sit idly by."


    Hearing about the Shepherd family made Devon immediately understand Wyatt''s background. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Is James''s health alright?"


    Wyatt smiled and shook his head, "Don''t worry, it''s nothing serious."


    Ms. Mirabe had asked him to contact this person, which meant he could be trusted. Telling the truth was not a problem.


    Devon, not foolish, sensed something from Wyatt''s words. He began to suspect that the Shepherd family member might not have had a recurrence of his mysterious ailment after all.


    Though he thought this, Devon didn''t feel it was his ce to ask directly and simply said, "I''m d to hear it''s nothing serious."


    Wyatt nodded and didn''t waste any more words. He took out the documents he had brought and handed them to Devon, stating inly, "Presley can''t be the president."


    Devon was momentarily stunned, then took the documents. As he started to read the first page, his expression changed, and his grip on the papers tightened involuntarily, "Presley has..."


    "The charge of illegal human detention alone is enough to trouble him, not to mention the countless lives lost due to drug experiments." Wyatt had been somewhat shocked himself when he received this unknown package of information that morning. Content b¨¦tongs to


    Devon''s face darkened notably. He dared not continue reading, having thought Presley was at most an ambitious individual, never imagining he was involved in such dark dealings.


    For years, no one had discovered this.


    Devon''s mind was in turmoil. If this information became public, what would


    be of the pharmaceutical association''s standing?


    "Mr. Croft, this information..." Devon started to say something, but Wyatt, as if he already knew, cut him off.


    "This won''t get out. The implications are far-reaching, and there are manyplicated aspects that need to be thoroughly investigated," Wyatt assured.


    Hearing this, Devon breathed a sigh of relief.


    He didn''t want the association''s century-old foundation to be ruined because of Presley.


    After a brief discussion of ns and arrangements, Wyatt left. He had to report back.


    **


    It wasn''t long before Wyatt returned to the residence where James was staying.


    Upon entering, he found Mirabe had just finished administering acupuncture to James, who was listlessly nestled on the couch.

 Chapter 1412

    Wyatt nodded at Mirabe in greeting before turning to his brother, James, "James, I''ve almost finalized the arrangements with the pharmaceutical association."


    James hummed nonchntly, his attention still partly on his phone as he typed away. Lifting his head, he asked Mirabe, "What would you like for dinner tonight?"


    "Ah, anything''s fine," Mirabe respondedzily, shifting her position on the sofa, legs crossed.


    James nodded and returned to his messaging.


    Wyatt cleared his throat, drawing their attention as he pulled documents from his briefcase, "There''s something else. Today, I received an anonymous package containing information about Presley."


    Mirabe nced briefly at the papers in Wyatt''s hand, her interest waning almost immediately as she looked away.


    Handing the documents to James, Wyatt continued, "I always thought only research institutes conducted experiments on living subjects. I had no idea Presley was also testing on people behind closed doors."


    Mirabe yed absently with the hem of her clothing, a slight smile tugging at her lips as if struck by a thought, "Desire is a chasm that can never be filled."


    Wyatt stared at her, perplexed. Although her expression remained unchanged, her words carried an unusual chill.


    "So young, yet you speak as if you''ve seen through the world''s fa?ade," James raised an eyebrow, tossing the documents onto the coffee table before taking Mirabe''s hand gently, "Mirabe, are you tired?"


    Mirabe gave James a sidelong nce, not withdrawing her hand but not engaging further either.


    Wyatt, observing their interaction, couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy.


    "Did the documents reveal who sent them?" James turned to Wyatt, his tone indifferent.


    Wyatt''s cheek twitched, "...No."


    He felt a wave of disdain wash over him as he spoke.


    Clearing his throat, Wyatt avoided James''s gaze, remembering something else. He turned to Mirabe, "By the way, Ms. Mirabe, the photo you sent me the other day ties in with my findings on aperson named Cian. It''s very likely they''re the same individual."


    "Photo?" James yed with the tips of Mirabe''s fingers, curiosity in his eyes.


    Wyatt quickly pulled out his phone, showing them the photo, "This person here."


    James nced at it, noting the photo was too blurry and the angle too obscure to make out any features, "Cian?"


    "Seems so," Wyatt replied.


    Mirabe wasn''t surprised by


    cs, here


    person is still untet


    d this


    Wyatt considered the information his contacts had provided, pausing for a moment before responding, "It''s unclear if the individual who met with Presley a few days ago was the same person."


    The mention of Presley again tightened Mirabe''s gaze, though she pressed no further, "Understood."


    After a moment, Wyatt left, leaving Mirabe and James alone in the living room.


    "Thinking about Cian?" James teased, ying with Mirabe''s fingers to draw her back from her thoughts.


    Mirabe always seemed slightly uneasy at the mention of Cian. Straightening up slightly, she shook her head, "Not really."

 Chapter 1413

    James raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear on his face.


    "Isn''t tomorrow the election for the president of the Pharmaceutical Association?" Mirabe asked, lifting her eyelids slightly.


    "Yes," James nodded. "What, suddenly interested? nning to go?"


    Mirabe''s gaze swept over the coffee table,nding on the documents Wyatt hadn''t taken with him, and said yfully, "Well, as the vice president of the association, I should have the right to vote, shouldn''t I?"


    James gave her a look, knowing full well that her interest in the association wasn''t just about voting rights, but he didn''t press further, simply saying, "Go ahead."


    Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment, then dropped her gaze, saying no more.


    **


    The next day, at the Pharmaceutical Association.


    Devon had just arrived at the association but was stopped before he could make it to the conference hall.


    "Devon, Presley said you''re not qualified to participate in today''s presidential election," said Presley''s assistant, blocking his way.


    Devon, who had barely slept the night before, looked somewhat haggard and listless. He turned to Dominic with a lightugh, "Is Presley afraid he won''t secure the presidency?"


    Dominic looked at Devon as if he were a fool. Everyone in the association


    regarded Presley highly, and shaking his head, he patiently exined, "You didn''t sign the consent form yesterday, which means you''ve automatically forfeited your voting rights."


    The thought of that consent form struck Devon as particrly absurd, "So, everyone entering the conference hall is in agreement with Presley bing president, is that it?"


    Dominic pressed his lips together, choosing not to respond, and stood at the door, clearly not intending to let Devon pass.


    Meanwhile, inside the door, two other individuals stood guard.


    Devon nced at them coldly, realizing that forcing his way through would be extremely difficult. He stood still for a moment, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.


    Two minutester, Devon turned and walked away.


    Watching him leave, Dominic couldn''t help feeling a bit surprised. After a moment''s thought, he turned and instructed the two security guards at the door, then entered the conference hall.


    By this time, the long table in the conference hall was already surrounded by many people.


    Presley was chatting amiably with someone when he saw his assistant enter. Their eyes met, and after excusing himself, Presley walked over to his assistant.


    "What''s up?" Presley asked, his voice low.


    The assistant recounted Devon''s visit, "I found Devon''s reaction a bit odd."


    "Odd?" Presley narrowed his eyes, "How so?"


    "Given Devon''s straightforward nature, it''s unlike him to leave so calmly," the assistant paused, then added, "Could he be plotting something?"


    Presley, however, wasn''t concerned, "What could he possibly plot? He''s just a nobody without any significant background or influence."


    The assistant thought about it and agreed; if Devon had the means to cause trouble, he wouldn''t have waited until today.


    "Still, keep an eye on him," Presley said, not underestimating Devon despite his


    words. "By the way, has David shown up at the association?"


    "No, I''ve had someone watching the


    main entrance the whole time. I guess David isn''t aware of today''s re-election. Given his frail health, any shock might be too much fophim," the assistant spoke calmly


    Presley, with his hands sped behind his back, fiddled with his


    watch and nodded, "Alright,


    goodwatch outside. Once the voting is over, everything will be settled."

 Chapter 1414

    The assistant hummed in acknowledgment and then stepped out of the conference hall once more.


    Presley turned around, preparing to sit down at the conference table, when his pocket vibrated with the sound of his phone.


    He paused for a moment, took out his phone, and saw an unknown number calling. Without much thought, he pressed the decline button.


    But just as he did, a message popped up on the screen with just two words.


    "Prescription."


    Presley''s pupils constricted at these words, and the first person he thought of was Mirabe.


    And looking at the number of the iing message, it was the same number he had just declined.


    Holding his phone, Presley stood still for a moment, pondering. With about twenty minutes left until the meeting officially started, he tapped the screen twice and hit redial.


    Soon, the call connected, and a clear, cold female voice came through:


    "I''m in your office."


    Hearing this familiar voice, Presley knew it was that girl.


    He opened his mouth, about to speak, when the next second, all he heard was the beep of the line being disconnected.


    The other party had hung up.


    Presley was ustomed to being ttered and rarely experienced such rudeness. However, thinking of the prescription in Mirabe''s hands, he quickly suppressed his displeasure.


    She must be seeking him out not just to get the medicine to save James but perhaps also to disrupt today''s presidential reelection.


    Presley could see through her intentions. A slight smile yed on his lips as he looked up at the people in front of the conference table and then strode out of the conference hall.


    He needed the prescription, and the presidency could only be his.


    *


    The assistant, seeing Presley suddenly emerge, asked in surprise, "Where are you going?"


    Presley raised his hand, "I''m heading back to my office. Keep an eye on things here and call me if anything happens. I''ll be back down in a bit."


    The assistant nodded in response, quickly acknowledging. Soon, Presley was taking the elevator up to the third floor.


    The second-tost office in the corridor was his. The door was closed Just as Presley was about to swipe his card to unlock it, he paused, remembering what Mirabe had said on the phone.


    In his office?


    Presley''s gaze narrowed slightly, but he proceeded to swipe his card on the door.


    The lock clicked open, and he pushed the door and entered.


    Upon entering, he saw a slim, tall figure standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, back to the door, wrapped in a ck coat exuding a cool aura.


    Presley, observing the figure''s back, spoke in a steady voice, "How did you get in?"


    After a half-minute pause, the cold figure finally turned around nonchntly, and Mirabe''s delicate features came into Presley''s view.


    "I can get in whenever I want," Mirabe said, a seemingly harmless smile ying on her lips.


    She walked a few steps forward and


    casually sat down on the couch.


    Presley, watching her unreserved demeanor, frowned slightly but decided not to


    waste words with Mirabe, "Where''s the prescription?"


    Mirabe crossed her legs,


    embodying a certain indolence. She tilted her head, looking at Presley, and instead of answering, she asked I''m quite curious, howe none of the people behind you have given you a few prescriptions?"


    Hearing this, Presley''s brow furrowed deeper, noticing that Mirabe''s attitude


    was clearly different from what he had expected.


    It was as if... she wasn''t here to beg for medicine, nor to interfere with today''s presidential election.

 Chapter 1415

    Presley mulled it over for a while before voicing the doubts in his heart, "You''re not here for a cure?"


    "Why would I ask you for a cure?" Mirabe flicked an imaginary speck of dust off her sleeve, as if she just realized what he meant, then added, "Oh, you mean the medicine for James''s secret ailment, right?"


    Presley pursed his lips, now more confused about Mirabe''s intentions, and for some reason, her manner of speaking irked him even more.


    It felt as though things were slipping out of his control.


    Just then, the ringtone from Presley''s cell phone in his pocket cut through the moment, making his nerves tighten for a split second.


    It was Dane calling.


    Presley nced at the screen and answered the call.


    "Vice President, I have news that James isn''t seriously ill, and his chronic condition hasn''t rpsed," Dane''s grave voice came through the phone.


    Presley''s eyes widened, and his grip on the phone unconsciously tightened. "Is that true?"


    If James wasn''t sick, then spreading rumors about his illness... was it a ploy to draw someone out?


    "It''s very likely."


    Hearing Dane''s words, Presley


    looked up at Mirabe, who sat


    unflustered and evidently prepa


    and Connecting it with what she had just said, his mind started to whirl.


    Once a w is revealed and several clues are linked together, the hidden truth bes much easier to deduce.


    Dane was still talking, but Presley was no longer listening, only the fact that ''James is fine'' filled his mind.


    After all these


    cautious years of being


    and never exposing


    vulnerability, he hadn''


    miscalcte this time. belongs to


    Presley ended the call and looked at Mirabe again, "James is fine?"


    Mirabe nodded, not bothering to hide anything, "If he were in trouble, do you think things would be this calm?"


    Presley staggered slightly, but quickly collected himself, "So, what are you implying now?"


    "Nothing much, just asking after someone," Mirabe replied lightly.


    "Asking after someone? Who?" Presley''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    "Where is the person backing you now?"


    garabe tilted her head, her


    gaze on Presley no longer light but sharp, as if prating all secrets.


    Facing Mirabe''s gaze, Presley felt a chill down his spine, even more intense


    than the feeling he got from seeing Leon.

 Chapter 1416

    Presley''s shock was only momentary. Regaining hisposure, he let out a coldugh, "You can enter my office as you please. Why would you need to ask me if you''re looking for someone?"


    His words didn''t deny the presence of someone powerful behind him.


    Mirabe put down her crossed leg and stood up from the couch, walking leisurely toward Presley. "When you partnered with Pioneer Corp, did you ever think about what would happen to you if things went south?"


    At the mention of Pioneer Corp, Presley''s pupils dted, clearly not expecting Mirabe to know about its existence. He looked at her coldly, pausing before saying, "I don''t understand what you''re talking about."


    A small smile yed at the corners of Mirabe''s lips, her voice light, "If secrets about Pioneer Corp were to leak from you, what do you think would happen to you and your family?"


    Presley''s fingers clenched, his expression darkening terribly, his eyes filled with intense killing intent, and he remained silent for a long time.


    He was unsure whether Mirabe was bluffing.


    He had researched her background before. Other than having a good rtionship with James from the Shepherd family, she didn''t have any particrly notable connections.


    As if unaware of the shift in Presley''s mood, and without waiting for his response, Mirabe slowly added, "Secrets and the whereabouts of a person, you should be able to weigh their importance, right?"


    "What exactly do you know?" Presley asked in a deep voice.


    "Quite a lot," Mirabe nodded.


    Presley looked at her, trying to discern something from her expression, but couldn''t find anything. After a while, he finally asked, "So, who are you really looking for?"


    Mirabe''s gaze sharpened slightly as she simply stated, "The person who gave you the medicine."


    Upon hearing this, Presley''s expression shifted slightly again, "You''re looking for him to treat James, aren''t you?"


    After a pause, as if piecing all the information together, Presley suddenly said, "James''s chronic condition has worsened significantly, hasn''t it?"


    Mirabe looked at Presley with a slightlyplex expression. She was still pondering how to keep her true purpose of finding Paul hidden, but he had conveniently given her an excellent excuse.


    Seeing Mirabe''s silence, looking as if he had hit the nail on the head, Presley became even more convinced of his guess.


    No wonder she came alone.


    Mirabe didn''t argue much with Presley''s words. "Whether it is or isn''t, it seems unrted to what I want to find out."


    Presley''s mind raced, "You want to know the whereabouts of the person who provided me with the medicine, fine. Exchange it with the


    prescription you have. Without that prescription, don''t expect to get any information from me!"


    Feeling as if he had regained some leverage, Presley nced at his watch, "I


    don''t have much time to waste here with you. Think it over."


    With that, he didn''t linger any longer, leaving Mirabe in his office as he turned and strode out.


    Mirabe squinted her eyes, her expression inscrutable.


    As soon as Presley stepped out of the office, his expression darkened.


    He quickly took the elevator down and headed to the conference room door, where his assistant was still waiting.


    "You''re down," the assistant noticed Presley''s grim expression and cautiously asked, "Is something wrong?"


    Presley was still holding his phone, lost in thought, then suddenly looked up at his assistant, "There''s


    something I need you to do for me right now..."

 Chapter 1417

    After Presley had given his instructions, he confidently entered the conference hall.


    His assistant turned and walked away, instructing the security to guard the door before leaving.


    *


    Before long, the meeting to re-elect the president of the association began in the conference hall.


    In front of the square table that could amodate thirty people, aside from a few renowned leaders in the medical field, the rest were senior members of the association and vice-presidents in charge of various departments.


    When David was in charge, most people respected him for his extensive connections. He not only had good rtions with several influential families but also had contacts within the government, which contributed to the association''s current status.


    Despite his significant contributions, his overly conventional approach to management sometimes affected everyone''s interests. Therefore, when Presley found an excuse to question David''s capabilities and forced him to temporarily relinquish his power, most people remained silent.


    The re-election of the president was naturally uncontested.


    Presley had already secured the position by promising benefits to the majority present before today. Today''s meeting was merely a formality to legitimize the oue.


    Soon, the vice-president in charge of the meeting announced that the voting could begin.


    Presley sat back in his chair, watching as people came up to vote for him, a slight smile ying on his lips, satisfied.


    After this formality, he would be in charge of the association.


    Even if the Shepherd family''s affair implicated him, James wouldn''t dare to touch him.


    Presley tapped his fingers on the table, his mood improving.


    After two or three minutes, most had cast their votes. Those who hadn''t voted were simply trying not to offend anyone and chose to abstain.


    "Presley has twenty-three votes. It seems the new president has been decided, and that is..."


    The vice-president was announcing the results, but before he could finish saying "Presley," the sound of an argument at the entrance interrupted him.


    Everyone''s attention turned towards the door.


    Presley frowned, his good mood vanishing instantly.


    Devon supported David as they walked in from outside, followed by a man named Wyatt.


    "Before you re-elect a president, shouldn''t you consult me, the current president who hasn''t yet resigned? David approached and stood in front of the conference table. His gaze might have been weary, but the aura of seriousness around him was strong.


    "The, the president, you''ve arrived..." The vice-president hosting the meeting was somewhat intimidated by David, stuttering as he spoke.


    David just raised his hand, slowly scanning the faces of everyone seated at the table, feeling a


    bittersweet emotion especially


    towards a few old friends renowned


    in the medical field.


    It seemed like a final lesson from fate on the fickleness of human nature before


    his demise.


    David mocked himself internally.


    "Master, are you alright?" Devon, still supporting David, noticed his hand trembling and quietly asked.


    David pressed Devon''s hand, signaling he was fine.


    At this point, Presley stood up from his chair, his expression back to normal. He


    didn''t speak but looked at the vice-president hosting the meeting.


    Receiving his gaze, the vice-president, thinking of the benefits Presley had promised, took a deep breath and turned to David, saying:


    "David, considering your ongoing health issues, the results of the new president''s election are already out and it''s Presley. This is the collective


    decision of everyone. Even if you wish to oppose, it''s already a done deal."


    BUMS

 Chapter 1418

    Devon heard the deputy chairman say that, and he let out a coldugh, "If you say my mentor can''t oppose it, what about someone else?"


    The deputy chairman was taken aback, not quite understanding Devon''s point. He wasn''t the only one; everyone else in the room felt the same confusion.


    At that moment, there was amotion at the entrance of the conference hall, and several officers in police uniforms strode in. "Who is Presley?"


    Seeing the officerse in looking for Presley, everyone exchanged puzzled nces before turning their attention back to Presley.


    Presley stood in front of the conference table, his hands constantly on the edge. His expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained hisposure and responded, "I am. May I ask what matter brings you here?"


    The lead officer walked up to Presley, first showing his badge, then said, "You are suspected of being involved in multiple missing persons cases. Pleasee with us."


    At those words, everyone in the room looked at Presley with inquiry, shock, and disbelief.


    Sensing the unusual gazes from all directions, Presley''s grip tightened slightly, but he maintained a humble smile without breaking, "Officer, could there be some mistake? As aw-abiding citizen, how could I be involved in missing persons cases?"


    Seeing how calm Presley was, the lead officer couldn''t help but sneer internally. If it wasn''t for the evidence they already had, he might have believed Presley was innocent.


    "Whether there''s a mistake, Mr. Presley knows best," the officer said calmly.


    Then he signaled to his colleagues, and immediately two other officers stepped forward, positioning themselves on either side of Presley as if to prevent him from escaping.


    Presley saw this, and the smile on his face vanished instantly. After all, he was the president of the Pharmacists'' Association and knew top people in the police department. These officers were showing him no respect.


    The lead officer, seeing Presley still standing there, extended his hand, his voice cold and official, "Please."


    "Why should I go with you over


    baseless usations?" Presley said emotionlessly, then turned to his assistant standing not far away, "Contact mywyer now and have him handle this."


    The assistant snapped back to reality, responded affirmatively, and quickly took out his phone to call thewyer.


    Presley then turned his gaze back to the lead officer, "Without showing any evidence, I''m afraid I cannot cooperate with your work. My fawyer will be here soon; you can discuss with him."


    Devon saw Presley not panicking at all at this moment, even calling for hiswyer, and couldn''t help feeling a bit anxious. He turned back to look at Wyatt.


    Wyatt just shook his head, signaling him to stay calm.


    Seeing this, Devon turned his gaze back, though worry still lingered in his eyes.


    Presley had never exposed any of the illegal things he''d done over the years, which meant the people backing him were not simple. If they couldn''t take him down in the end... that would be troublesome


    After speaking to the officers, Presley simply sat back down, as if he truly was innocent, showing no fear of resisting the officers.


    The lead officer, as if expecting Presley to react this way, turned to his colleague,


    "Call to confirm the situation with the Criminal Investigation Team."


    "Okay," the colleague took out his phone to call.


    Seeing this, Presley suddenly had a bad premonition.

 Chapter 1419

    Soon, a colleague finished the call, "The team on the other side has found the person."


    Presley''s ominous premonition grew stronger upon hearing this.


    "Alright, that means we can proceed with the arrest," the lead officer said, nodding.


    Presley looked up, then back at the officer. At that moment, his phone on the table began to vibrate intensely. Turning his head back and ncing at the caller ID, his expression changed, and he could no longer maintain hisposure.


    He pinched his fingers together. Withw enforcement present, he simply could not answer the call.


    Noticing the change in Presley''s demeanor, the lead officer nced at the phone on the table. "Why not answer the call?"


    Seeing the phone number had already made Presley restless. Hearing the officer''sment forced him to calm himself down, grab the phone, and directly press the hang-up button. "Just a scam call."


    The officer smirked, not having the time to listen to more excuses. He pulled out handcuffs from his pocket, cuffed Presley''s hands, and told the two colleagues beside him, "Take him away."


    The extraction was swift, and the others in the conference hall hadn''t even reacted yet.


    The leading officer walked outst, stopping in front of Wyatt to nod, "Mr. Wyatt, we''ll be taking our leave to report back."


    Wyatt nodded politely, "Alright, thank you for your efforts."


    The officer smiled, turned around, and left.


    Once the officers had left, the tense atmosphere in the conference hall dissipated. Everyone looked at each other, unsure of the specifics of Presley''s case, but the situation clearly wasn''t simple.


    What was supposed to be a standard election for the president ended up like this. The vice-president overseeing the meeting stood next to David, shocked for a moment before regaining his senses.


    He coughed, nced at David, and then at the other vice-presidents, unsure of how to conclude.


    After all, everyone had voted for Presley, and now he had been taken away by the police in front of so many people. It wasn''t just that he couldn''t be president now, but the reputation of the Pharmacists'' Association might also be at stake.


    The vice-president, feeling a headacheing on, pressed his temples and, seeing no one had any ideas, instinctively turned his gaze to David hoping he would step in, and quietly said, "Mr. President, given the situation today, what do you suggest?"


    Devon, hearing the other suddenly calling his mentor "Mr. President" again, couldn''t help but sneer, "What, now you want my mentor to take charge again at this time?"


    The vice-president''s face turned


    pale, internally cursing Devon''s sarcasm, but indeed, the


    association''s reputation was at stake Without arguing with


    evone


    he looked towards David, "Should we caffoff today''s election and discuss


    it another day, or will you continue to lead for now?"


    David, having experienced coldness and warmth from people over time, had already grown disillusioned. He shook his head, simply stating, "Continue."


    The vice-president was taken aback, not quite understanding David''s intention, "Continue? But the results of the voting were already clear when you arrived. How can we continue?"

 Chapter 1420

    David lifted his gaze, observing the few who had chosen to abstain from voting at the conference table, and after a moment of thought, he suggested, "Let''s have the six who haven''t voted yet cast their votes again."


    "Isn''t that a bit informal?" The Deputy Chair of themittee was somewhat opposed to the idea, subtly replying, "They''ve already chosen to abstain."


    Votes had been cast, and abstentions made. Continuing the meeting would only make the association aughingstock in the industry.


    Regardless of whether a president was elected today, due to Presley, it would be a joke.


    David opened his mouth to say something when a cold voice came from the entrance of the hall, "Choosing a president is a significant matter. It seems a bit off for me, as the vice president, not to participate in the voting."


    Hearing this voice, the Deputy Chair and others present instinctively looked towards the door.


    Mirabe, dressed in a sleek ck coat, walked in leisurely, her delicate face carrying an air of nonchnce. She approached David and nodded slightly, "David."


    David hadn''t expected Mirabe toe, and he smiled, "Mirabe, you''re here." Wyatt, standing nearby, also greeted Mirabe with a respectful nod.


    Mirabe hummed softly in acknowledgment, then turned to the Deputy Chair who was presiding over the meeting, "I''m not toote, am I?"


    The Deputy Chair, recalling thest pharmaceutical association examination where this woman had made an appearance, knew she was brought in by David as a nominal vice president with exceptional skills in potion making.


    He wondered what she intended by appearing now.


    After a pause, the Deputy Chair politely replied, "Not... toote."


    Mirabe nodded, not bothering to inquire about the current voting situation, and simply asked, "Am I eligible to vote?"


    The Deputy Chair was taken aback, nced at the others present, and realizing it would be inappropriate to deny her in front of everyone, especially since she was technically a vice president of the association, he nodded and answered, "Yes."


    "Alright then." Mirabe took a piece of paper and a pen nearby, wrote down a


    name, and handed it to the Deputy Chair, "I vote for him."


    The Deputy Chair looked down at


    the name on the paper and immediately shook his head, "You''re voting for Devon? He''s not on the list of presidential candidates, he''s not eligible."


    Devon, hearing Mirabe had chosen him, was surprised and looked towards her, about to say something when David nudged his arm, giving him a look that said to keep quiet.


    Devon: "..."


    "Isn''t Devon''spetence evident to everyone?" Mirabe lightly tapped the


    table, speaking in a calm and measured tone.


    "Devon is talented, but his temperament isn''t suited for presidency," the Deputy Chair spoke the truth. While Devon was indeed a standout in potion making within the association, hecked the qualities needed for the presidency


    "Exceptional individuals are exceptional in all aspects. Who starts off with a presidential temperament? Don''t you agree?" Mirabe said with a half-smile.


    At this, Wyatt couldn''t help but nce at Mirabe, seriously suspecting that Ms. Mirabe was seizing the opportunity to praise herself.


    The Deputy Chair looked at Mirabe, momentarily at a loss for words against her twisted logic.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, then turned to the others present, suggesting, "Why not leave the decision to everyone? Let''s see what the majority thinks?"

 Chapter 1421

    Upon hearing her words, the room fell into a moment of stunned silence.


    Aside from those who had attended the previous association assessment and recognized Mirabe, the majority present were unaware of who she was, let alone acquainted with her.


    Although most people were unfamiliar with Mirabe, some recognized Wyatt standing behind her, well aware that he represented the Shepherd family.


    Wyatt, who had been mostly silent, seemed to show a particr respect towards Mirabe upon her arrival.


    Therefore, the person who recognized Wyatt, upon noticing this detail, pondered over their rtionship. When Mirabe posed her question, he, after careful thought, was the first to stand and speak.


    "I agree."


    His words caused confusion among the others, especially those next to him, who asked in surprise, "Why would you agree?"


    The man sat back down, simply responding, "She must be rted to the Shepherd family."


    His voice wasn''t too low, and several people around him heard, prompting a shift in their expressions.


    Mentioning the Shepherd family, the foremost noble house in Riverdale, was bound to unsettle anyone.


    No wonder the girl, upon her entrance, boldly nominated someone not on the candidate list for president, backed by the Shepherd family.


    Some things required only a slight mention for the astute to quickly analyze the advantages and disadvantages.


    Consequently, people began to express their agreement one after another. This chain reaction led to more than half of those present voicing their support within minutes.


    The oue was predictable.


    Devon, pushed forward by Mirabe, watched the scene change before his eyes, feeling as if he was on cloud nine. He wanted to refuse, but the situation no longer allowed it.


    Moreover, with David pulling him aside, he didn''t even get a chance to speak.


    Mirabe, seeing everyone''s attitude,


    curved her lips into a smile, then turned to David without waiting for the final election result. "David, I''ve got some things to attend to. Let''s catch up another time."


    David, understanding she might be busy, nodded, "Sure, thank you for today."


    With a nod and a smile, Mirabe made her way out.


    Seeing this, Wyatt politely nodded at David and hurried to follow Mirabe.


    Those in the meeting room who supported the motion couldn''t help but sigh internally as they watched the two leave. The Shepherd family indeed supported Devon, and they had made no enemies.

 Chapter 1422

    As Wyatt started the car, he nced at Mirabe, noticing her fiddling with her phone, projecting images that seemed to float in mid-air, which made him touch the tip of his nose briefly before redirecting his gaze.


    Though curious about what Mirabe was doing, he tactfully chose not to disturb her.


    At the moment, Mirabe''s fingers were poised over her phone screen, her eyes fixed on a stationary red dot within the holographic projection, her gaze sharpening.


    Since intercepting an email sent by Dominic that led to this location, the red dot hadn''t moved.


    She hadn''t really expected to get any credible information about ''Cian'' from Presley, merely revealing her intentions to make Presley more vignt.


    As expected, while she was hacking into the entire pharmaceuticalwork, she intercepted Dominic''s encrypted email.


    Ordinary emails wouldn''t have caught her attention, but an encrypted one with the recipient''s details also hidden? That was unusual enough to raise suspicion.


    After reading the email, she was even more convinced that its recipient was the person she was looking for.


    In the midst of her thoughts, Mirabe''s phone rang. She nced at the caller ID, then put on her earphones and answered the call.


    "Miss Mira, we couldn''t find anyone," said As after a pause on the other end. "It looks like no one''s living there."


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes. The email had been read shortly after it was sent, so it was impossible that the ce was unupied. "Wait there, I''ll be right there."


    She quickly hung up the phone and also turned off the projection of herputer mode.


    Seeing this, Wyatt unconsciously stepped on the elerator.


    Minutester, the car entered a high-end residential area. Whatever Wyatt said to the security guard at the entrance, they were allowed through without having to sign in.


    "Ms. Mirabe, do you need any assistance?" Wyatt asked after parking the car in the underground garage, pondering for a moment.


    "No, it''s fine. You can go. Thank you," Mirabe replied while unbuckling her seatbelt.


    Seeing this, Wyatt decided not to probe further. "Alright, call me if you need anything."


    "Sure." Mirabe nodded slightly, then opened the car door and headed straight for the nearby elevator.


    Wyatt watched her disappear into


    the elevator, thought for a moment, then pulled out his phone to send message to his brother James, updating him on the situation before driving away.


    Mirabe went directly to the eleventh floor. As soon as she exited the elevator,


    she saw As waiting by the emergency stairs.


    "Miss Mira," greeted As as he approached.


    Mirabe nodded slightly, "As."


    "I just had someone check the surveince, and it didn''t show anyone entering or leaving," As said in a low voice as they moved


    rds apartment 01.


    Mirabe, hands in her coat pockets, listened without responding.


    Soon, As produced a card, swiped it at the door, and with a beep, the door unlocked.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at the card in As''s hand, paused briefly, then entered the apartment.


    The ce was a three-bedroom with modern decor, adorned in ck and white tones, giving off a cool and uninviting atmosphere, devoid of any signs of life.


    From the looks of it, it indeed seemed like a rarely inhabited space.


    Mirabe scanned the living room, then leisurely made her way toward the bedroom.


    As followed silently behind her. Despite having already checked and found no one inside, his eyes remained vignt.

 Chapter 1423

    As soon as Mirabe stepped into the master bedroom, a faint medicinal scent rushed to her nose. It was hard to identify the specific aroma, as it was a smell typically lingering on those who had been in long-term contact with medications.


    However, the presence of this scent in the room, although very faint, suggested that the person had not left long ago.


    Pondering, Mirabe walked further inside, towards the floor-to-ceiling windows. She pushed open the door and stepped out onto the balcony, surveying the surroundings briefly before turning back inside.


    "Miss Mira, I found a cellphone in the bathroom," As emerged from the bathroom, holding up the device. "It''s still working, but it''s locked."


    "Hmm?" Mirabe raised her head, her gaze momentarily freezing as it swept over the cellphone in As''s hand. She then took a couple of steps forward, her voice betraying no emotion, "Let me see."


    As handed her the phone.


    Taking it, Mirabe noted its all-metal body, devoid of any brand logo. Her fingers moved slightly, and the screen lit up, prompting for a password.


    Mirabe paused briefly before entering a six-digit code. As soon as she finished, the phone unlocked.


    As, who had been observing Miss Mira''s actions closely, was stunned to see her effortlessly unlock the phone with a random string of numbers.


    Areputer hackers really this impressive nowadays?


    To instantly figure out the password upon getting the phone?!


    As found it unbelievable and eventually couldn''t help asking, "Miss Mira, how did I you guess the phone''s password?"


    Mirabe''s lips twitched slightly, without looking up, she calmly replied, "I didn''t guess it. The location I tracked earlier was linked to this phone."


    Hearing this, As''s surprise gradually subsided.


    If the location had been tracked to this phone, cracking its password probably wasn''t a difficult task for her.


    Thinking this, As didn''t pursue any other line of questioning.


    After essing the phone, Mirabe immediately opened an app, and sure enough, there was an email from Dominic.


    She browsed through the phone but found nothing else of interest.


    After a few seconds of


    contemtion, Mirabe turned off the phone and scanned the room, knowing she wouldn''t find any more clues. She then said to As ''As, let''s go."


    As looked at her, unable to discern her thoughts, but nodded, "Should we have someone keep watch here?"


    Mirabe pocketed the phone, "No need, the person I''m looking for is unlikely to return here."


    "Alright." As knew Mirabe had her reasons and didn''t press further.


    Soon, they took the elevator downstairs.


    Once in the car, Mirabe took out the phone again, her eyshes casting shadows as she pondered.


    Why would Dominic''s email end up on Morgan''s phone?


    Logically, Morgan should have no


    connections with Presley, and e


    bet


    if there were any, he wouldn''t let


    associate with someone!


    Presley.


    Why then was a phone left in that house, as if deliberately ced for someone to find?


    Mirabe tapped the phone''s edge, feeling as if she was trying to disperse a fog in front of her eyes.


    ¨¥


    After a moment, she took out her own phone and opened Messenger, sending a message to Cassie: Have you ever heard the elders mention a traitor from the Massolio family?"

 Chapter 1424

    Perhaps Cassie hadn''t checked her phone until Mirabe had just gotten back home-that''s when she finally received a reply.


    Y: [No, it''s a secret matter of the n. The elders would never mention that


    traitor.]


    Y: [Why are you suddenly asking about this?]


    Mirabe slipped on her slippers and headed inside while typing a reply: [Just curious.]


    Cassie knew this person wasn''t the curious type. After a moment of thought, she said: [Is something wrong? Paul hasn''t gotten back to me either.]


    Mirabe went to pour herself a ss of water, then sat down on the couch without hiding anything: [Morgan has disappeared.]


    Y: [Disappeared? You can''t find him either?]


    Mirabe sent a brief affirmative, then after a moment of thought, she messaged again: [Do you think he disappeared to lure me out?]


    Y: [I doubt it, but what does this have to do with the traitor you just mentioned?]


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. This kid could be incredibly dense at times, but sharp as a tack when it mattered, [No connection, just worried Morgan might have encountered that traitor.]


    Seeing it was like that, Cassie felt the weight in her heart suddenly drop, [Then you needn''t worry. Morgan''s fighting skills are not to be underestimated.]


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched. Seeing she couldn''t get anything more from Cassie, she quickly ended the conversation on Messenger.


    Putting down her phone, Mirabe leaned her head back against the couch, her eyes quietly staring at the crystal chandelier overhead, lost in thought.


    **


    Meanwhile, at the international airport.


    Dressed in ck, with a hoodie over his head and a ck mask covering most of his face, Ben stood not far from the airport security checkpoint in front of a floor-to-ceiling window.


    Another man, also dressed in dark clothes, stood beside him.


    This man wasn''t as heavily disguised as Ben, his handsome face and deep-set features visible, especially his deep blue eyes, which were unfathomably deep. "Watch yourself," the man said, hands behind his back, his voice indifferent.


    Ben pulled his mask up a bit, but it couldn''t hide the resentment in his eyes, "Ruined by a woman, years of my ns. I can''t just leave, not like this!"


    The gunshot wound that pierced his chest, the whip scars he received at the security bureau, and the days spent hiding like a rat, all constantly reminded him that he needed to


    settle this score.


    The man standing opposite Ben faced his murderous aura without any fluctuation, casually saying, "Foolish."


    Ben lowered hisshes, his fists clenched.


    "Do what you must, I won''t interfere.


    But remember, if you don''t bring back the person I want, there''s no


    need for you toe back either," the man said coolly.


    Ben was stunned, the hostility he felt momentarily dissipated, his clenched palm sweating at the man''sst words.


    He looked up at the man, opened his mouth to speak, but the man didn''t give him


    a chance to talk, already turning towards the security checkpoint.


    The departing figure seemed ordinary, yet Ben could still feel that ruthless intent, not rxing until the manpletely disappeared from view.


    Taking a deep breath, Ben adjusted the hoodie over his head to cover his forehead and quickly left the airport.


    He gged down a cab outside, telling the driver, "To Prestige College."

 Chapter 1425

    Lisa had just returned to her dorm from the library when a girl from another dormitory came looking for her.


    "Who here is Lisa? Someone''s looking for you at the school''s east entrance."


    Hearing that someone was looking for her, Lisa put down her phone and asked with a puzzled look, "That''s me. Did the person say who they were?"


    The girl shook her head, "I''m not sure, I was just asked to pass the message."


    Lisa nodded in thanks and, after the girl left, she thought for a moment before heading out of the dorm.


    In a short while, she reached the school entrance.


    There weren''t many studentsing in and out at that moment, and the security guard was sitting inside the security booth ying with his phone. Lisa stepped out, looked around, and easily spotted a person standing not far away.


    Since the person was facing away from her and was covered with a jacket and a hat, Lisa couldn''t recognize who it was at first, only making out that it was a guy.


    She hesitated for a second before walking towards him.


    "Hello, were you looking for..."


    Before Lisa could finish her sentence, the person turned around. Upon meeting those deep eyes, her face instantly turned pale.


    The fear that had subsided over time was awakened once again.


    "Aren''t you... supposed to be locked up?" Lisa instinctively stepped back.


    Ben''s face mask was still on, and seeing the frightened look on the young girl''s face, the corners of his lips slightly curled up. His voice was neither salty nor nd, "Hmm? You seem to wish I were locked up? My sister."


    Lisa clenched her fingers, shaking her head continuously. Although she hadn''t been home for a while, she hadn''t heard anything about her brother Emmitt getting out.


    And now, seeing his overly cautious disguise, Lisa couldn''t help but feel an unsettling sensation inside, but she forced herself not to panic, "When did you get out? What''s the reason for suddenly looking for me?"


    Ben didn''t respond to Lisa''s question, instead, he gently twirled the ck ring on his finger.


    Seeing this, Lisa became even more tense, taking another step backward, "If you have nothing else, then I''ll head back inside the school."


    Ben''s behavior was unusual, and


    after Lisa spoke, she turned to walk back towards the school entrance.


    But before she could take any action, she suddenly felt a piercing pain on her neck.


    Lisa was stunned, and in the next moment, she lost consciousness.


    Ben twirled his ring, caught Lisa, and walked with her towards the taxi that was waiting by the roadside.


    Since there weren''t many students


    entering or leaving the school at this


    time, the few who saw them just


    assumed they were a couple


    embracing and walking together, not


    drawing any attention.


    In a short while, the taxi started and left the school.


    *


    When Lisa came to, it was already three to four hourster. When she struggled


    to open her eyes, she was greeted by darkness, unable to discern where she


    was.


    Her head felt foggy, and it took a minute or two for her consciousness to gradually return to the moment before she had passed out.


    Remembering Ben, Lisa''s heart was filled with spreading fear, and the strong smell of antiseptic in this dark space made her even more afraid.


    She didn''t know what Ben was nning, but it certainly wasn''t anything good.


    Trembling, Lisa felt for her jacket pocket, only to find her phone was gone.

 Chapter 1426

    There was no need to think about it; her phone was definitely taken by Ben.


    Lisa sat on the ground, feeling powerless, as if the coldness was about to freeze the blood in her veins.


    Just then, a soft click sounded, and the ring spotlight above her head lit up, instantly slicing through the darkness of the room.


    Lisa instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes, and only after she had adjusted to the light did she lower it to survey her surroundings.


    She was in a vast, sealed space, with arge metal bed in the center surrounded by some equipment she didn''t recognize.


    This ce was not unfamiliar to Lisa. It was the secret spot she had discovered


    belonging to Ben years ago.


    His biological researchb.


    Lisa''s face, already pale, lost even more color as she lifted her gaze towards Ben, who was slowly walking in from the doorway. He had shed all his disguises, his carefree demeanor now resembling a demon straight out of hell.


    As Ben approached, Lisa instinctively shivered and moved backwards, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Ben, what are you going to do? Why...why did you bring me here?"


    Ben looked down at Lisa from his towering height, then suddenly squatted down, chuckling lightly, "You''re my dear sister, what do you think I could possibly do to you?"


    Lisa bit her lip hard, utterly disbelieving his words.


    Ben''s lips curled into a smirk as he pulled out a smartphone from his pocket-it was Lisa''s. Twirling it in his fingers, he simply said, "You know, I''m quite interested in your ssmate."


    Hearing this, Lisa''s eyes widened in shock. She nced at the phone in his hand, quickly grasping the implication of his words.


    He wanted to use her against Mirabe!


    Those who had entered thisb in the past had never walked out alive.


    "Ben, please, beg you, leave my ssmate alone. She''s just an innocent, ordinary person, with nothing worth your research," Lisa pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears, wanting to grasp Ben''s trouser leg but ultimately not daring to.


    The word innocent" reced Ben''s casual gaze with a killing intent instant, "Innocent? Do you know why


    I was captured? It was all the!?!


    your ssmate''s handy work."


    "How could that be..." Lisa instinctively disbelieved.


    Ben scoffed lightly, then suddenly pulled down his shirt to reveal a scar from a gunshot wound that had long healed, "This gunshot wound is a gift from her." ¡°That''s impossible, you must be mistaken,¡± Lisa kept shaking her head in denial.


    If he had used anyone else, she might have believed it, but Mirabe? That, she refused to believe.


    Ben didn''t care w


    whether Lisa


    believed him or not. He adjusted his


    shirt, slowly stood up, and his


    menacing aura receded. He nced at Lisa "Actually, you should be thankful you have such a ssmate."


    Although Lisa couldn''tprehend the meaning behind Ben''s words, she understood his ruthlessness.


    After all, she was just his half-sister; otherwise, she might have already died on this metal bed years ago.


    Ben unlocked Lisa''s phone with facial recognition by waving it in front of her, "What are you going to do with my phone?"


    She pped herself mentally, then continued to type.

 Chapter 1427

    Lisa struggled to retrieve her phone but could barely stand up, eventually letting Ben use it at his leisure.


    Minutester, Ben suddenly turned around, aiming the phone''s camera directly at Lisa.


    Lisa''s pupils shrank, instinctively covering her forehead with her hand, "What are you doing now?!"


    There was nothing but cold indifference on Ben''s delicate face. After taking the shot, he put away the phone, ready to leave.


    But after taking a step, he turned back to Lisa, "Do you think your ssmate wille to save you?"


    Lisa clenched her fingers. She understood Ben''s implication and said in a deep voice, "We''re just acquaintances. Even if you send her the video, her first thought would be to call the police!"


    "Is that so?" Ben''s lips curved slightly, "Then let''s wait and see."


    With that, he walked away, paying no more attention to Lisa.


    **


    Meanwhile, Mirabe was sitting in front of herputer, chatting with someone.


    Her phone buzzed with a Messenger notification next to her.


    She nced at the screen to see a few pictures sent from Lisa, paused for a moment, and picked up her phone.


    After viewing the pictures, Mirabe frowned slightly.


    Without replying, she put down her phone and told her online friend she had something urgent, closing the chat window.


    Then she quickly opened a tracking app and located Lisa''s phone without much effort.


    A remote suburban mansion area.


    Mirabe stared at the address on herputer, her eyes slightly narrowed. After


    a moment of silence, she stood up, went to the closet, and put on a jacket.


    Just as she was about to leave, she remembered something and went back to her desk. She pulled open the bottom drawer and took out a gun that As had given her casually slipping it into her pocket.


    She greeted Marian, who was making dinner, and then left the house.


    Just after Mirabe''s car left the neighborhood, Nick arrived home. After noticing his sister wasn''t around, he went to the kitchen to ask Marian.


    "Ms. Mirabe said she had something to do and left, but she didn''t say when she''d be back," Marian replied.


    Nick nodded, his fingers caressing a vial in his pocket, but he didn''t say anything more and walked away.


    **


    At the Shepherd family''s old house.


    At the dining table.


    "James, did you talk to that girl about the matter you mentioned?" Emily asked, holding her fork without actually taking any food, just looking at her son.


    Jameszily lifted his eyelids, "No, she''s going back as soon as school''s out, no time."


    "It''s just a dinner together!" Emily was dissatisfied with her son''s evasive attitude and continued, "Don''t you want her toe over? Or do you intend to act like those spoiled brats in Riverdale, fooling around without taking


    responsibility?"


    James''s temples throbbed, and then he looked up at Emily with a slightlyplex expression. The words ''You should be saying this to thatgirl'' just couldn''te out.  fo


    Donald nced at his grandson and coolly remarked, "Maybe it''s because she''s not interested in him."


    "That''s very possible, given that the girl isn''t blind," Emily said deliberately.


    James: ""


    He might not be the biological child of this family.


    Unable to eat any further, James put down his fork, ignoring the personal attacks from his elders, and simply said, "Dad''s archaeological team has already returned."

 Chapter 1428

    As soon as Trevor was mentioned, Emily and Donald''s attention was immediately diverted.


    "Your dad''s back?" Emily eximed, both surprised and delighted, "Really? When I called him a couple of days ago, he didn''t mention anything about it."


    James remained cool, "Perhaps he wanted to surprise you."


    "As long as it''s not a shock, I''ll be thankful," Emily said with a huff, shaking her head. She couldn''t care less about dinner now and stood up to grab her phone to make a call.


    Donald gestured towards his grandson, "Always diverting the topic."


    James just smiled and leaned back in his chair. At that moment, his phone vibrated in his pocket.


    He paused for a few seconds before taking it out.


    It was a message from an unknown number, simply an address.


    James nced at it, assuming it was sent to him by mistake. He deleted it and put


    his phone away, then looked at Donald, "Grandpa, you guys enjoy your meal, I have to go."


    "Leaving already?" Donald was taken aback.


    "Yeah." James stood up, his smile tinged with a hint of resignation, "Off to take responsibility for your granddaughter-inw."


    Donald: "..."


    Without waiting for Donald to say more, James went to the living room to grab his coat and headed out.


    When Emily came back after making her call, she noticed one less person at the dining table, "Where''s James?"


    "He left," Donald spread his hands.


    Emily looked towards the door, "He left so quickly... I still had things to tell him."


    James drove away from the family home, his hand absentmindedly pressing against his chest as if recalling something, his lips curving into a smile. He then turned off the car''s music, pulled out his phone, and sent a message to Mirabe.


    However, the message went unanswered for a long while.


    James didn''t think much of it. After arriving back in his neighborhood, he didn''t head to his own building but parked outside the Davis family''s vi.


    Sitting in the car for a short while, he then got out and looked towards the vi. Apart from thendscape lights in the yard, the windows on the second floor were dark, evidently, no lights were on inside.


    James checked Messenger again, still no reply. He considered it for a moment before deciding to give her a call.


    Just then, noise came from the vi''s main entrance, and he paused, looking up.


    "What are you doing here?" Nick walked out, his expression t upon seeing the man standing by the roadside car.


    James, however, put away his phone, ignoring Nick''s unfriendly demeanor, greeted him politely with "Nick," and asked, "Isn''t Mira home?"


    Nick found it strange when asked, "Didn''t she go to your ce?"


    Don''t think he wouldn''t know about this guy always luring his sister over to his ce just because he often came homete.


    So, when he heard from Marian in the evening that Mirabe had gone out for something, he assumed she had gone to James''s ce again.


    James was taken aback by the question, then shook his head, "No, she hasn''t been to mine."


    "Is that so? My sister is quite attractive and has no shortage of admirers. Probably out on a date," Nick said nonchntly.


    James: "..."


    "I have things to do, please feel free," Nick said, and without waiting for a response from James, he turned back into the vi, mming the door shut behind him.


    James stared at the mercilessly closed door, sighing softly into the long road ahead.

 Chapter 1429

    James turned, opened the car door, and sat inside.


    Yet, he didn''t start the car immediately, instead, he slowly rotated his phone in his hand.


    Although he could tell Nick''s words were deliberate earlier, something about them felt off.


    Pondering, James reopened his phone, looked up Mirabe''s number, and called her.


    The phone connected quickly, but no one answered. It wasn''t until thest ring that James hung up.


    It was already past eight in the evening. Where could Mira be? She wasn''t responding to messages, not answering calls, even Nick had no clue.


    James felt puzzled and finally looked up at the vi before starting the car and driving away.


    An hour after he got home, James picked up his phone to call again.


    This time, the call wasn''t unanswered; after two rings, it was abruptly hung up.


    James frowned, his gaze falling on the phone screen; right then, a message popped up.


    It was from an unknown number, the content was an address.


    Identical to the message he had deleted earlier.


    Seeing this message, a slight heaviness settled in James''s heart.


    The call with Mirabe had just been disconnected when he received this address again, clearly, it wasn''t just a coincidence.


    Mulling over it, he dialed the number that had sent the message.


    The call was answered after just one ring, but the other person didn''t speak first. James, holding his phone, his eyes deep and cold, stayed silent for half a minute before he finally spoke, "Where is she?"


    Perhaps it was his initiative to speak that prompted a reaction from the other end, a light chuckle followed by a casual remark, "I thought James could keep his cool."


    James''s eyes narrowed slightly. Not


    many people had his private number, and the way this person addressed him made it clear they knew him. Moreover, by the tone... it was highly likely that Mirabe was in their hands.


    But before he could say anything else, the person on the phone continued.


    "I''ve already sent you the address.


    The girl''s fate is in James''s hands now. I''ll give you twenty minutes. If you don''t show up in twenty minutes, it will be goodbye."


    was a pause, "Oh, and I pres here


    I not to


    have an audience, James, you figure it out."


    With that, the call ended.


    Hearing the dial tone, the murderous intent in James''s eyes couldn''t be concealed. He stood up and strode outside.


    **


    Meanwhile, Ben ended the call, a cold smirk ying at the corners of his mouth. He nced at the gunshot wound still bleeding on his left arm, seemingly numb to it, not paying it much mind.


    Then he lowered his head and made another call, ordering his men to be ready in the shadows before heading to the basement.


    He pressed the lock on the door, and soon, it swung open automatically.


    Ben walked in.


    Right then, Lisa was leaning against the metallic bed, trying to wake Mirabe, who was lying on the bed in aa. Seeing Ben walk in again, her grip on Mirabe''s arm unconsciously tightened, heregs trembling uncontrobly.


    Despite her fear, she stood in front of the bed, her eyes firmly fixed on Ben, "Ben, don''te any closer."


    Ben''s gaze swept over Lisa indifferently, scoffing lightly as if he hadn''t heard her, and continued walking towards the metallic bed.


    Seeing this, Lisa grabbed a metal tray that was nearby and threw it at Ben.

 Chapter 1430

    Ben didn''t dodge the object thrown at him by Lisa. With a gentle lift of his hand, the object fell to the ground.


    Seeing this, Lisa looked for another weapon to defend herself, but in the next moment, Ben approached her, grabbed her neck forcefully, almost lifting her off the ground. "Are you challenging my patience?"


    Ben sneered, his eyes gleaming with a serpentine darkness, his voice colder than ice.


    Lisa''s face turned red, and as the grip on her neck tightened, the sensation of suffocation made her feel as if she might die at any moment. Just as her consciousness began to fade, the grip on her neck finally loosened.


    Lisa copsed onto the floor, her face pale and her body weak.


    Ben didn''t spare Lisa a nce. Instead, he walked over to theputer by the metal bed, first putting on a pair of white gloves from a drawer, then turning the machine on.


    The machine was connected to several cables, each with a different colored port. After some operations on the machine, Ben picked up the cables and walked back to the bed.


    Looking at the girl lying on the bed with her eyes closed, a surge of emotion swelled in Ben''s eyes, not hate, but a kind of madness, as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.


    Ever since he identally discovered her extraordinary talent forputational thinking in theb, he had been nning for this day.


    Without hesitation, Ben started attaching the cables to Mirabe''s head, one by one. With each connection, theputer emitted a beep.


    Lisa, hearing the sound, panicked and tried to remove the cables.


    Noticing her intention, Ben frowned, annoyed.


    He dropped the remaining cables, stepped forward, and knocked Lisa out with a swift move.


    Ignoring Lisa, Ben returned to the bedside, connected thest two cables to Mirabe''s head, and then sat in front of theputer.


    Taking a deep breath, he initiated the brain evaluation program.


    Ben watched theputer screen intently, observing the numbers climb from


    zero upwards: ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five...


    When it reached fifty, Ben''s expression was beyond shock.


    A renowned international scientist had only managed to reach a brainpower level


    of forty!


    Yet, this had surpassed fifty, and riend indicated it was still


    the


    Ben licked his dry lips


    vel


    eagerly anticipating the final data.


    If it reached one hundred percent brainpower, it would be an unprecedented milestone in the history of scientific research. The value of her brain for research was immeasurable.


    Thinking this, Ben felt his blood boiling with excitement.


    All his attention was on the


    vels


    supposed to be unconscious,


    suddenly opened her eyes.


    Mirabe''s eyes still carried an undissipated killing intent, and her memory had returned to the moment before she lost consciousness.


    She had tracked Lisa''s phone to this location, and as expected, had encountered Ben.


    After their confrontation, she hadn''t expected to be ovee by drugs.


    Ordinary drugs wouldn''t affect her much, but clearly, Ben had something special, something her resistant body couldn''t withstand.


    Then, feeling the sharp pain of electricity being conducted into her brain, Mirabe reached up and pulled out the cables from her head.

 Chapter 1431

    As the line was disconnected, the data progress bar on the nearby monitor, which had been rapidly climbing towards ny, came to a sudden halt and ceased to move further.


    Ben''s pupils contracted, his boiling blood as if doused with cold water. He lifted his head, only then noticing the girl on the bed had awakened.


    Had his drugsted only half an hour?


    Narrowing his eyes, Ben twirled the ck ring on his index finger, while his other hand swiftly drew a gun from his waist, pointing it at Mirabe, "I didn''t expect you to wake up so soon."


    Mirabe disregarded the weapon in Ben''s hand, smoothly rolling off the bed tond on her feet, her gaze sweeping over the monitor and once again gathering a murderous intent in her eyes.


    She had always wondered why Ben was interested in her, and now it seemed it was herputational talent disyed in theboratory that had caught his attention.


    Although she hadter tried to hide it, if one were to closely examine the databases she worked on, it would be hard to escape his notice.


    She should have known better and walked away the moment she detected the nauseating scent of chemicals on Ben.


    "You''re bold," Ben spoke again, the dark barrel of the gun still aimed at Mirabe''s chest, not underestimating her despite herck of weapons. "But unfortunately, you''re now in my hands."


    After speaking, Ben''s finger lightly squeezed the trigger, the sound sharply echoing in the vast, enclosed space.


    Mirabe, though pale, spoke with indifference, "Really? I think you''re the one seeking death."


    Ben then stood up from his chair, gun in hand, and stepped towards Mirabe, "Pride needs a foundation. Which do you think is faster, your skills or my bullet?"


    Mirabe stood still, watching Ben approach, the dark muzzle of his gun


    approssing against her forehead,


    yet she remained as calm asof it were merely a toy gun aimed at her.


    Ben, observing Mirabe''s utterck of fear, smirked with amusement. This girl


    was far more interesting than he had imagined.


    He wondered what kind of circumstances had forged such aposed and unppable demeanor.


    But no matter howposed she was, now that she was in his hands, he would eventually dull her sharpness.


    The two stared silently at each other for a long moment until Ben seemed to recall something. "Oh, I almost forgot. You''ve been quite close with James from the Shepherd family. Are you waiting for him toe?"


    Mirabe''s eyes slightly narrowed, still silent, waiting for Ben to continue.


    "Too bad, you probably won''t be waiting for him any longer." Ben shook his head slightly.


    Judging by the time, that man should have already arrived at the location he had sent him, perhaps already under control by his men.


    Mirabe detected the implication in Ben''s words, her nonchnt demeanor finally showing a slight change, "You dare touch him?"


    Perhaps feeling confident that everything was under his control, Ben openly admitted, "Strictly speaking, your appearance has been a pleasant surprise."


    After all, his original target was indeed a member of the Shepherd family, and this girl happened to be a way to get close to him, an


    nove


    unexpectedly valuable find


    With such a high level of intellectual capability, if he were to take her back to the


    base for research, creating a mutant would no longer be a fantasy.

 Chapter 1432

    Mirabe despised the way Ben looked at her at that moment; his greed and madness reminded her of some very unpleasant memories.


    The enclosed space was filled with the ufortable scent of antiseptic, and she had no patience left to listen to him beating around the bush.


    With a flick of her finger, the silver needle she had been holding at her fingertips shot out, grazing Ben''s wrist and causing a sudden sharp pain that made him tremble.


    At that moment, Mirabe''s eyes shed with lethal intent as she swiftly grabbed Ben''s wrist, the one holding the gun, with a quickness that left him no time to react.


    In an instant, the gun was in Mirabe''s hands.


    Ben''s pupils contracted at her agile movements, hardly believing the turn of events, feeling the lingering force on his wrist. "Why aren''t you affected by the drugs?"


    He had injected her with arge dose of a neurological agent, yet she still had the strength to fight back?


    "You must have a drug-resistant physique!" Ben eximed, both shocked and certain.


    Only someone with a resistance to drugs could be immune to them. No wonder she had woken up so quickly.


    High intelligence, unique physique, she perfectly matched the criteria the facility had been searching for years for their experiments.


    Mirabe, twirling the gun she had taken from Ben, did not answer his question but repeated her own, "Did you, touch, Min Yu?"


    Her voice was calm, neither angry nor annoyed, yet it inexplicably sent chills down one''s spine.


    "Even if I did..." Ben''s finger was on a ck ring, but before he could finish his sentence, a gunshot rang out, and a severe pain spread from his shoulder, disbelief on his face as blood gushed from the wound.


    Mirabe, looking at Ben, even though she knew James might not be in danger, was very angry at the moment, "Where is he now?"


    Ben, pressing on his wound, his face clouded, "If you want to know where Jamesis, try shooting here," he pointed at his heart, seemingly fearless, "If I die, he won''t survive either."


    Mirabe, expressionless, had not been emotionally moved by anyone in a long time. Her finger pulled the trigger, "Then you can die."


    As she spoke, the bullet hit Ben''s left wrist, disrupting his nearly sessful sneak attack with the ck ring.


    Ben''s face went pale, not anticipating this girl to be so ruthless, regretting underestimating her.


    Ben stumbled back, retreating to where Lisay unconscious.


    He nced at Lisa, about to make a move, when Mirabe raised the handgun


    again, bang, bang, two shots hit his legs.


    Immediately, Ben uncontrobly knelt on the ground.


    Mirabe approached, the cold barrel of the gun aimed at his temple.


    The sound of the trigger being pulled echoed in his ears, and at that moment, Ben truly felt fear, realizing Mirabe was serious about wanting him dead, no longer daring to


    provoke her with James, hver


    frantically said, "Lisa is my sister, if you kill me, aren''t you afraid of how she''ll feel..."


    He was cut off by Mirabe, "You


    call yourself a brother?" Sheughed


    lightly,paring him to her own brothers, "Don''t insult the term


    ''brother.""


    Ben stiffened.


    Mirabe''s gaze swept over the unconscious Lisa, suddenly lowering her gun,


    "But you should indeed be grateful you''re Lisa''s brother."


    Seeing this, Ben was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he saw Mirabe pulling out another needle.

 Chapter 1433

    Ben looked at the silver needle with a sudden ominous feeling rising in his heart. He even ignored the pain in his body and looked at her warily. "What are you doing? Don''t you want to know where James is?"


    The silver needle gleamed coldly under the light. Mirabe''s gaze was indifferent as she looked at Ben. "Underestimating someone can have dire consequences." With those words, she plunged the needle into a specific point on Ben''s head. After dealing with Ben, Mirabe didn''t give him another nce. She walked over to Lisa, checked her pulse, and, seeing she was mostly fine, felt relieved.


    Mirabe didn''t wake Lisa up. Instead, she scanned the enclosed room, her gaze finallynding on a smartphone lying on the table. She stood up and walked over to it.


    The phone, which Ben had turned off, was hers. Since they were in the basement, there was no signal when she turned it back on, but the Messenger app showed two unread messages.


    Mirabe opened Messenger; both messages were from James. Thinking back to what Ben had said, she quickly switched the phone toputer mode and entered somemands.


    Soon, a holographic projection screen disyed a red dot for the location, not far from their current location-about a ten-minute drive.


    Mirabe picked up her phone, no longer dying, and lifted the unconscious Lisa in her arms.


    Before leaving, she stopped by a data monitoring device, nced at the halted data, and with a few taps on the keyboard, the device screen went ck.


    After wiping all the data, she carried Lisa out of the basement.


    Since the ce was Ben''s private residence and unguarded, Mirabe left smoothly.


    The car sped towards the location marked on her phone.


    Mirabe''s expression remained unchanged throughout the drive, her foot pressing down hard on the elerator. She didn''t stop at red lights, driving the white van as if it were a sports car.


    On the other side.


    James arrived at the address sent by Ben. As soon as he stepped into the warehouse, he was surrounded by a group of armed men.


    The leader was a burly foreigner, his identity revealed by the ferocious tattoo


    peeking out from behind his ear, despite wearing a ck mask.


    James narrowed his eyes, feeling a sudden chill. It was the Cheetah, ranked fifth among international mercenary groups.


    Quite a big move.


    "Where is he?" James asked, his voice devoid of any emotion, his cold aura undiminished by the heavy weapons surrounding him, if anything, it intensified.


    None of those surrounding him dared to take him lightly.


    Rumors had it that this man''s skill with weapons was terrifying, making any weapon seem like a toy in his presence.


    Cheetah, understanding only basic English, didn''t know who James was asking about. Ben hadn''t informed him either.


    His main goal was to capture James, so when James asked about someone, he didn''t bother to exin, merely cracked his neck


    arrogantly made a ''kill''in


    Others might fear this man, but Cheetah didn''t. After all, his rank in the assassin


    world wasn''t for show.


    Seeing Cheetah''s gesture,


    something exploded in James''s


    chest. The murderous intent that filled the warehouse dropped


    P


    temperature to freezing. Ignoring the weapons aimed at him, he stepped towards Cheetah, "I''ll ask you one more time, where is he?"

 Chapter 1434

    The sudden surge of hostility from James startled the man known as Cheetah, prompting him to instinctively step back. However, he quickly steadied himself, and as James approached, Cheetah aimed his gun directly at James''s forehead.


    "Guns are merciless, you best not make any sudden moves, after all, the boss only wants you alive," Cheetah said in a deep voice.


    What he left unsaid was clear: alive, wounded, or crippled, it didn''t matter.


    James locked eyes with Cheetah, his gaze piercing into thetter''s green eyes. After five seconds, the murderous intent in James''s eyes subsided slightly.


    He isn''t here.


    If Cheetah''s actions were to be believed, his expression wouldn''t be as it was.


    Seeing this, James stopped asking about Mirabe and, undeterred by the gun at his brow, asked, "Who is your boss?"


    Cheetah understood the question and chuckled lightly, "You want to know who the boss is? It''s simple, juste with us quietly."


    "Is that so? Let''s make a bet, whether you stay, or I go with you," James said, his voice barely above a whisper. His hands remained in his trench coat pockets, as if it was the mercenaries who were in trouble, not him.


    Cheetah frowned at these words. Although he wasn''t afraid of the man before him, he was aware of his background. Seeing James''s attitude, Cheetah became more cautious.


    He gestured for his men to check the surroundings. This ce wasn''t their territory, after all.


    At that moment, the crisp ring of a phone broke the tense atmosphere in the warehouse.


    It was James''s phone.


    Cheetah''s gaze snapped back to James at the sound, while James calmly took out his phone. However, before he could act further, Cheetah snatched the phone away.


    Perhaps out of respect for James''s identity, he didn''t smash the phone but chose to turn it off, removed the SIM card, and snapped it in half.


    "Sorry, we''re just doing our job," Cheetah said as he let the broken SIM card fall to the ground.


    James narrowed his eyes.


    Then, one of Cheetah''s men returned, reporting that there was no one lurking outside.


    Cheetah didn''t let down his guard,


    however. After a moment of


    thought, he said, "We shouldn''t stet


    here long. Everyone, prepare leave."


    "Alright," his man nodded.


    "Also, make a call to Mr. Ben," Cheetah added.


    Upon hearing ''Mr. Ben,'' James nced at Cheetah, having a rough idea of who he might be. It was strange, though, as James and Ben seemed to have no connection, yet it was clear they were after him.


    Cheetah''s man attempted to call on his phone, but after several tries, he reported,


    "Mr. Ben''s phone is unreachable."


    Unreachable?


    Cheetah frowned but didn''t dwell on it. "Then forget about him for now. Let''s move."


    With that, he turned back to Ja


    casually twirling his gun and


    60%


    chuckling softly, "Everyone can talk big, can''t they?"


    James flexed his wrist and nodded, "So, it seems it''s you who will be staying."


    **


    In the car.


    Mirabe ended the call, her gaze piercing through the car window, a frost seemingly spreading across her brow.


    Although getting through to James''s phone meant the situation wasn''t too dire,


    her mood inexplicably refused to settle.


    It was as if a fire was burning inside her.

 Chapter 1435

    Within minutes, Mirabe''s car pulled up outside the designated old warehouse.


    She nced at Lisa in the rearview mirror before stepping out of the car.


    The night was dark, but light spilled from the warehouse, illuminating Mirabe, d in a sleek ck coat. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed two guards at the warehouse entrance. She approached silently, swiftly neutralizing them without a sound.


    They never understood what hit them.


    Tucking away her silver needle, Mirabe heard several gunshots from inside. She looked up and quickly entered.


    The air was thick with the scent of blood, and the sounds ofbat grew louder as she moved deeper into the warehouse.


    James was dodging bullets while grappling with a mercenary, moving almost like a shadow. To an observer, it might seem the mercenary had the upper hand, but in reality, only he knew he was being toyed with.


    His men had been significantly reduced without him noticing, and he started to suspect James was deliberately buying time.


    This couldn''t go on. This wasn''t their main base, and if James''s reinforcements arrived, escaping, let alonepleting their mission, would be difficult. Losing patience, the mercenary ordered his men to leave James barely alive. James, with his deep and emotionless eyes, dodged another attack, then in a swift movement, grabbed the mercenary''s wrist, positioning himself behind him. It was time to end this.


    The mercenary, his green eyes narrowing, felt his instinct for danger spike. He tried to break free from James''s grip.


    James''s lips curved into a slight smile as he tightened his hold. But then he paused, as if sensing something, and suddenly let go.


    This allowed the mercenary to regain control momentarily and he turned around, aiming a powerful blow at James.


    Hisrge frame gave him immense power, enough to gravely injure if not kill.


    But just then, a silver needle, flying with deadly precision, pierced through his palm. The mercenary froze, his palm mere inches from James, unable toplete s strike.


    Shock filled his eyes as he looked at the needle through his palm, feeling his strength ebbing away, his body growing limp.


    His men too found themselves weakened, unable to even hold their guns steady, dropping them to the ground.


    The mercenary managed to stay on his knees, noticing a new, deadly presence in the air.


    With great effort, he turned to see a stunningly beautiful young woman emerging from the shadows, her ck attire making her seem like a specter from the underworld.


    Struggling to maintain his bnce, he knelt on one knee, his injured hand resting on it, blood dripping down the needle. He didn''t care, his


    gaze fixed on the approaching figure.


    As she drew closer, he finally saw her face clearly - a young woman with sharp,


    yet beautiful features, her presence as intimidating as any top-ranked assassin.


    "Who are you?" the mercenary asked in broken English.


    Mirabe cast a cool nce at him, her eyes briefly showing surprise at the tattoo behind his ear.

 Chapter 1436

    It turns out to be someone from the mercenary group.


    No wonder Ben had mentioned earlier, ''Her arrival was a pleasant surprise.'' So, his target had always been James?


    No, it shouldn''t be Ben, but the person behind him.


    Mirabe gathered her thoughts, ignoring the cheetah, and walked in front of James, looking him up and down before asking, "Are you hurt?"


    James''s eyelids drooped slightly, and then he coughed twice while pressing his chest. His stern face indeed looked somewhat pale, but he shook his head and said softly, "It shouldn''t be a problem, luckily you arrived just in time."


    Seeing this, Mirabe''s eyebrows knitted slightly, and she directly reached out to grasp his wrist.


    James coughed a few more times, suppressing it, sounding like he had suffered some internal injuries.


    The cheetah, kneeling on one knee beside them, was astounded when he heard this cough. This man hadn''t even touched him with a finger!


    What''s with this pretense of fragility?!


    Mirabe released her grip from checking his pulse, and seeing James cough like that, she paused before reaching out to support him, "Your pulse is a bit erratic, but it''s not a big issue."


    James hummed lightly, naturally leaning on her.


    The cheetah saw this and was shocked: "!!!"


    James swept a cold nce at the cheetah, while hooking a finger around the hem of Mirabe''s shirt, asking, "These people..."


    Mirabe lifted her head emotionlessly, full of killing intent, "How do you want to deal with them?"


    James seldom saw Mirabe like this, which stirred something in his heart, spreading and fermenting suddenly, irresistibly. He held her hand again, thought for a moment, and then said, "Fighting and killing isn''t good."


    The cheetah was puzzled: "???"


    Mirabe, hearing this, fell silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "That''s true, we should be more zen about this."


    Then she turned to the cheetah, asking, "How much did they pay you?"


    The cheetah, still internally cursing this shameless couple, took a moment to catch up with her train of thought.


    After a while, he realized she was asking about the payment for this job.


    Feeling weak, with blood still dripping from his palms, the cheetah gritted his teeth and named a figure, "One hundred million."


    Mirabe looked up at James in surprise, "You''re only worth this much?"


    She remembered seeing a bank message by identst time, which was barely a drop in the bucket.


    James: "......"


    Mirabe then turned her gaze back to the cheetah, pondered for a moment, and retracted her imposing aura "How about this, two hundred million for your life?"


    The cheetah was stunned again, realizing then he said, "You''re willing to let me


    go?"


    Although he didn''t know how he had


    been tricked, it was clear he


    shouldn''t underestimate this


    woman, so he had no other choice at this moment.


    Mirabe nced at the cheetah, "We arew-abiding citizens."


    The cheetah: ".


    ......


    Ito


    Forcing down the surge of blood his throat, the cheetah asked in a


    deep voice, "How do I know you`


    won''t


    go back on your word after getting the money?"


    "So, you think you have another choice?" Mirabe said calmly.


    The cheetah''s shoulders slumped, and after a long while, he struggled to take out his phone from his pocket.


    Indeed, he had no other choice. Money could be earned again, but life, once gone, is gone forever.


    After the transfer, the cheetah looked at Mirabe again, "You drugged us, right? Can you give us the antidote now?"


    Being able to silently take him and his men down, it must have been some drug, if not something else.

 Chapter 1437

    Mirabe was texting on her phone, ignoring the Cheetah''s words about the


    anesthetic being of the neural type, which would wear off after an hour. The drugs, originally a gift from Sophia intended for Cassie, were unexpectedly used on these people instead.


    Cheetah, slightly relieved that it wasn''t poison but still skeptical, asked, "You''re not fooling me, are you?"


    Only after Mirabe finished sharing her location did she look up, her voice indifferent, "I don''t have the time to fool you."


    Cheetah was left speechless as Mirabe put away her phone and turned to James, "Let''s go."


    James, who had been standing by her side and saw the temporary task she had just posted online, raised an eyebrow. It was his littledy taking revenge for him.


    "Alright, let''s head home." James suppressed the emotions welling up inside him, coughed, and took Mirabe''s hand, leading her outside.


    Their figures, walking side by side, matched perfectly with no sense of discord.


    Cheetah copsed to the ground as he watched them disappear. It wasn''t surprising that the Shepherd family was powerful, but that young woman, with an aura as if she had weathered storms of blood, seemed even more daunting than mercenaries.


    Despite not seeing her in action, his instincts told him she was not to be provoked.


    Cheetah pulled out the long silver needle piercing through his palm, feeling somewhat fortunate. Had it hit his heart, not even billions could save his life.


    He didn''t know what awaited him. Mirabe had promised to spare him, but not to stop others from going after him. With numerous enemies and a bounty on his head, Cheetah''s fate was imaginable.


    **


    As Mirabe and James stepped outside, Mirabe withdrew her hand. and took out her car keys. The car lights shed on. Without looking at James she said, "You must have driven here. I need to take my friend to the hospital."


    Sensing her sudden coldness, James coughed heavily, a bad feeling rising within


    him. "I might need to visit the hospital too."


    Mirabe stopped, turned with a mock smile, "Still acting?"


    James remained silent.


    Shaking her head, Mirabe refused to entertain the man, especially after seeing his earlier exchange with Cheetah. Had she not intervened, would he have let himself be struck down?


    Anger growing, she opened her car door, ready to get in.


    James pulled her back, closed the door, and pinned her against it, "I was wrong."


    "What could James possibly do


    wrong?" Mirabe scoffed, attempting to push him away,


    held her tighter, causing


    to the


    frown, "Let go."


    James, however, was in a great mood, resting his chin on Mirabe''s shoulder, his


    voice cheerful, "I''m very happy right now."


    Mirabe retorted, "If you''re sick, go get treated."

 Chapter 1438

    James just smiled and kissed her neck, then ced his hand over her heart, "You can''t deny that this is beating for me."


    Mirabe turned her head away, ignoring the heartbeat emanating from her chest, "Don''t tter yourself."


    "But I am ttering myself," James whispered against her ear, "and you''re stuck with me for life."


    Mirabe''s heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening slightly, as clear and bright as a starry sky. James couldn''t help but get lost in them for a moment.


    The next instant, he cupped her face, dropping kisses more passionately than ever before.


    Nothing was more thrilling than mutual affection.


    Soon after, a car sped towards them from a distance.


    As soon as the car came to a halt, Curtis and Wyatt, who had heard about James''s incident, rushed over.


    "James, are you "


    Wyatt began anxiously but stopped midway upon seeing James holding Ms. Mirabe by the car door, their cheeks almost touching. Then, catching James''s cold gaze, Wyatt swallowed his words, thinking he was doomed.


    It seemed like another miner would be added to the workforce in far-off ska!


    Curtis, more observant, had already turned around, relieved to see James unharmed.


    Regaining hisposure, Wyatt cleared his throat, "If you''re alright, James, we''ll be off then."


    He was about to drag Curtis away when James stopped them.


    Without letting go of Mirabe, James simply said, "Could Wyatt take your friend to the hospital?"


    Mirabe nodded, "That works."


    "Alright." James took the car keys from her and tossed them to Wyatt, "You''ll drive Mirabe''s car. Make sure they get to the hospital safely."


    Wyatt caught the keys, stunned.


    James led Mirabe to his car, and they drove off, leaving Wyatt and Curtis watching.


    Scratching his head, Wyatt turned to Curtis, "What was that all about?"


    Always stoic, Curtis nced at the keys in


    nott''s hand and guessed,


    "Someone from Ms. Mirabe''s car s help." Content belon


    Realizing this, Wyatt hurried to the backseat and indeed found


    someone lying there. We host


    dy, he drove them to the hospital.


    **


    In the car.


    Once Mirabe calmed down, James asked about what had happened today.


    Mirabe, massaging her temples,


    about the cognitive value test.


    Gerything except the


    t belongs to swnwils


    After finishing, Mirabe looked at James, "I''m curious, what makes you so important to them?"


    "Them?" James quickly picked up on Mirabe''s implication.


    Mirabe''s lips curved slightly, but she turned to look out the window, her eyes almost cold.


    She had suspected the people behind Ben when he tested her cognitive abilities.


    Some people, no matter how much they want to avoid it, can''t escape their destiny''s path.


    Mirabe shook her head with a smile, finally not revealing who they were.


    Soon, they arrived back at their apartment building.


    After saying goodbye to James, Mirabe entered her home.


    In the living room, Nick had been waiting for her with matters to discuss.

 Chapter 1439

    "Mirabe, you''re back," Nick nced at Mirabe, his gaze sweeping over her before he casually asked, "Why sote today?"


    Mirabe didn''t take off her coat but instead pulled it closer around her neck. "Ah, there was some unfinished business at school, so it got a bitte."


    Hearing this, Nick didn''t doubt the truthfulness of his sister''s words. After all, he knew she wasn''t with that man. He nodded and then said, "Right, there''s


    something I want to show you."


    Mirabe walked over. "What is it?"


    Nick took out a vial and handed it to Mirabe. "This."


    "An analysis solution?" Mirabe looked at the pale blue liquid, "Is your medical school still working on it?"


    Nick shook his head. "No, the project was suspended after a data leak at the research institute. This vial was formted based on Ben''s data. They were going to destroy it, but I managed to take one back."


    Moving stealthily within the medical school, silently swapping data forms, and then openly using it on humans in theb, the intentions behind these actions were indeed intriguing.


    Mirabe pondered for a moment before saying, "I''ll give this vial to Adler, let him analyze theponents inside again."


    "Okay." Nick wasn''t the main researcher on the medication, so he brought the vial back for Mirabe.


    Mirabe pocketed the vial, and at that moment, her phone in her pocket rang.


    It was Wyatt calling. Mirabe immediately answered.


    "Ms. Mirabe, your friend has woken up," Wyatt stood outside the hospital room, paused, then added, "But I think she''s quite traumatized. After asking you, she begged me to take her back to school, though the doctor suggested she stay in the hospital for observation for a couple of days."


    Mirabe somewhat understood Lisa''s mindset, paused for a few seconds, then said, "If she wants to go back to school, then please trouble you to take her back."


    "Will do." Wyatt quickly hung up the phone and turned back into the hospital room.


    Mirabe put away her phone and told Nick she was going to her room before heading upstairs.


    Nick watched as Mirabe''s figure disappeared at the stairwell, then sat back down on the couch. Just as he picked up hisptop, also rang.


    his


    He hesitated for a moment before putting theptop down, seeing it was As


    calling, he quickly pressed the answer button, "As."


    "Mr. Nick, Ben has been found." As quickly reported the news he had received.


    Nick was momentarily stunned, "Gone mad?"


    "Yes, when they found him, he was


    out of his senses,pletely deranged. It''s unclear who did it." As expressed his surprise. He even had someone check, but they couldn''t find any leads.


    Hearing As say this, for some reason, Nick''s mind suddenly shed to


    Mirabe, especially since she had been out tonight.


    But he quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought.


    Mirabe''s character was too indifferent, as long as no one


    provoked her, she could probab


    live in


    her own world peacefully until old age.


    As briefly mentioned Ben''s condition before getting to the main point, "Asa is out."


    Nick''s expression immediately turned colder, "What''s he out for?"


    "I''m not quite sure. The people we had watching Ben at the airport happened to


    see him show up at the States airport," As quickly said.


    "Hising out isn''t good news. Have someone keep an eye on him." Nick''s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice carrying a weight of seriousness.


    As acknowledged with an affirmative.

 Chapter 1440

    Meanwhile, on the other side.


    In a mansion in a small town on the continent of M.


    Asa, the person As had mentioned, had just returned to his vi not long ago and was now sitting in front of hisputer. He logged into his email and was just about to open an email from Ben when there was a knock at the door.


    He paused, looked up at the door, and said, "Come in."


    The person entering was his assistant. "Sir, there''s been an incident."


    Asa''s features were strikingly sharp, and his sea-blue eyes always carried a hint of indifference, showing little interest in anything. Hearing his assistant''s words, his expression barely changed.


    "Speak," Asa said indifferently, his gaze returning to theputer screen.


    While listening, he began to read the email Ben had sent two hours earlier.


    The assistant, without hesitation, pulled out his smartphone, found the bounty task that was issued by someone unknown, and handed it to Asa. "You asked me to keep an eye on the Cheetah issue. There''s news that he was probably ambushed, and it''s likely that he''s now in grave danger."


    Upon hearing this, Asa put the mouse down, took the assistant''s smartphone, and after looking at it, his lips quirked up slightly, "A mercenary ranked fifth can''t handle a single job?"


    The assistant fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "Some threats are unpredictable."


    Asa chuckled disdainfully, "Fools always look for excuses."


    The assistant, embarrassed, lowered his head, not daring to say more.


    Asa threw the smartphone on the table, clearly not in the best of moods.


    The assistant became even more cautious. Although Asa seemed harmless and gentle, he was actually very unpredictable.


    Asa pinched the bridge of his nose, said nothing further, and then waved to dismiss the assistant,


    his han


    his gaze returning to theputer to continue reading the email.


    The email from Ben wasn''t actually sent by him personally, but rather it was automatically sent to Asa''s inbox as part of a backup program Ben had set up on a data analysis device. Whenever data on the device was backed up, it would


    wh


    automatically be sent to Asa.


    However, Ben rarely initiated backups over the years, so Asa opened the email with some patience and began to look through the screenshots attached.


    But after viewing the first, the


    second... and the third screenshot, Asa, who usually showed little- interest in anything, suddenly exhibited a strong emotion in his sea-blue eyes.


    He called the assistant back, "Wait a moment."


    The assistant paused, turned back, and looked at Asa cautiously, "Do you have


    any other instructions, sir?"

 Chapter 1441

    The assistant next to him hadn''t left yet. He rarely saw his boss with such an expression and couldn''t help but nce at theputer screen. However, he couldn''t make heads or tails of it and didn''t dare to ask more.


    Asa closed theptop, pondering over the situation Ben had been intely, and the recent news about the "incident" with the cheetah mentioned again by the assistant. He then told the assistant, "Go check if something happened on Ben''s end."


    The assistant nodded in acknowledgment.


    Thanks to his connections, the assistant brought the information he had gathered early the next morning.


    Asa had suspected something might have happened to Benst night, and now his suspicions were confirmed, so his expression was rather grim. "You couldn''t find out who did it?"


    The assistant shook his head. "Right now, all we know is that Mr. Ben is incoherent, practically incapacitated. As for what exactly happened, we can''t find out. I think someone doesn''t want us to figure it out."


    Asa''s eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment, he said, "You''re saying he''s incoherent?"


    "That''s what the undercover sources found out," the assistant paused before adding, "How about we bring Mr. Ben back? Maybe we could help him recover at the base?"


    "No need," Asa''s voice was cool. "He can''t be moved."


    Whoever had incapacitated Ben could have easily killed him, but they chose only to incapacitate him. This indicated that the perpetrator was utterly confident, and attempting to move Ben would likely be more trouble than it was worth.


    At that moment, Asa thought of someone and turned to the assistant, "Schedule a meeting with Santos for me."


    **


    At the school.


    Mirabe didn''t run into Lisa in the ssroom. After asking her dorm mate, she learned that Lisa had gone to the girls'' dormitory after lunch in the cafeteria.


    When she arrived, Lisa was lying on her bed, looking listless not from illness but from being heavily burdened with worries.


    Seeing Mirabe, Lisa seemed a bit ufortable.


    With other roommates around, Mirabe simply raised an eyebrow and said, "Shall we find somewhere to talk?"


    Lisa felt ashamed to face Mirabe, struggling internally before finally getting up from the bed.


    They went to the school''s sports field and casually sat down on some stone steps.


    Lisa hung her head, hands sped


    together, and after a while, she apologized with guilt, "Emmitt, he... he actually always wanted me to ask you out. I never thought it would end up hurting you."


    Mirabe stretched her legs out on the steps,zily ncing at Lisa, "And you skipped ss for this?"


    Lisa touched her nose, "I was too ashamed."


    "I''m fine, aren''t I?" Mirabe patted Lisa on the shoulder, "Don''t me yourself; it''s not your fault."


    Lisa gave a bitter smile and shook


    her head, "It is, it''s a big deal. If you hadn''t met me, Emmitt wouldn''t


    ¨¨ targeted you."


    belongs


    Mirabe sighed softly, truly a kind-hearted girl.


    "By the way, how did we escape yesterday?" Lisa had asked Wyatt the night


    before, but he imed not to know.


    "You probably don''t know, but your


    spread her hands, summariur


    brother went crazy," Mirabe


    sentence.


    in a


    "Crazy... What do you mean?" Lisa was momentarily stunned, "How could he go crazy?"


    Mirabe just patted her shoulder again and stood up, "Anyway, you don''t have to be afraid anymore."


    Lisa looked at Mirabe, not yet understanding the meaning of her words.


    It wasn''t until she went home for the weekend and saw Ben again that she understood.

 Chapter 1442

    On the weekend, Lisa had no ns to return home, but Gracie called and insisted shee back.


    When she arrived, her parents weren''t in the living room, and Marian was out, so she went straight upstairs.


    Just as she reached the top, she noticed Ben''s bedroom door was open, and voices could be heard from inside.


    Pausing for a moment, Lisa walked towards the room. Just as she reached the doorway, she saw a man she didn''t recognize.


    He appeared to be in his fifties at most, dressed in a neatly pressed suit that seemed to hail from the era of the Roaring Twenties. He was conversing with Thomas.


    Lisa wondered who the man could be, her gaze then fell on Ben, who was sitting on the bed. Instantly, she froze in ce, a reflexive fear climbing.


    Gracie, seeing her daughter, came out of the room without noticing her distress, simply saying, "Emmitt has been returned to us, but when your father found him, he was in this state. We have no idea what he''s been through."


    Lisa looked towards Ben from a distance. Although she couldn''t clearly see his expression, there was a noticeable difference in his demeanor.


    She suddenly remembered what Mirabe had mentioned a few days ago.


    At that moment, the man in the suit, after checking Ben''s pulse, took out a long box from the bedside table and began to extract several items from it.


    Lisa, curious about the man''s actions, quietly asked Gracie, "Mom, who is that?" "That''s an alternative medicine practitioner your father''s friend rmended. He''s said to be very skilled, so we invited him over to see Emmitt," Gracie replied.


    Lisa''s fingers twitched at her side as she asked another question, "Can... can Emmitt be cured?"


    Gracie shook her head, sighing softly, "We don''t know. We can only try."


    Hearing this, Lisa didn''t ask anything more, her gaze returning to the alternative medicine practitioner who was now taking out acupuncture needles.


    She didn''t know how Ben had ended up this way, but she believed that this was the best oue for everyone.


    Twenty minutester, the


    practitioner removed the needles from several points on Ben''s head. Thomas, sitting beside him, eagerly asked, "Mr. Santos, how is it?"


    Santos didn''t respond immediately, observing Ben''s still unfocused pupils, his


    brow furrowing slightly before he checked his pulse again.


    The pulse was as it had been before, unchanged and normal.


    A normal pulse in this context was actually the most abnormal sign.


    Santos released his hand, feeling a sinking sensation. In theory, his acupuncture skills should have been able to wake Ben, but there was no effect.


    If it was simply a physical illness


    vel


    causing Ben''s mental fog, acupuncture might not have immediate results, but his condition was clearly not just physical.


    It seemed someone hadpletely locked his neural system.


    Destroying someone without a trace, a skilled method... It appeared this person was not only an expert in acupuncture but also had connections with the Massolio family.


    Was it that person who had appeared?


    Santos''s eyes narrowed slightly. He disinfected and packed away the needles, looked at Ben, and simply told Thomas, "The situation isplicated."


    Hearing this, Thomas''s eyes suddenly filled with a glimmer of hope, "Does that mean, there is still hope for my son to recover?"


    Lisa, standing by, clenched her fingers tighter, involuntarily ncing towards Santos.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1443

    Santos mulled over the question, giving a nonmittal answer, "Perhaps."


    His acupuncture couldn''t solve the issue, but the person who administered it certainly could.


    However, Santos didn''t share this with Thomas.


    "Please, Doctor, you must save my son. He''s still so young..." Thomas''s eyes reddened slightly.


    Faced with Thomas''s plea, Santos showed no real emotion, but since he was entrusted with this task, he simply said, "Allow me to go back and study this further."


    After speaking, he picked up his belongings and excused himself to leave.


    Thomas hurried to follow and see him out.


    Standing at the door, Lisa watched them leave before lifting her head to look into Ben''s room, clenching her hands, never daring to enter.


    Because the word ''perhaps'' Santos had said lingered in her ears.


    If Emmitt truly could return to normal... Lisa took a deep breath, thinking of something, she suddenly pulled out her phone, opened Messenger, and sent a message to Mirabe.


    Mirabe was outside when she received the message, having just met with Adler. She quickly replied to Lisa, "You''re saying someone can cure Emmitt?"


    Lisa: "The doctor wasn''t sure, just said ''perhaps.""


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, replying, "Or maybe the person is a fraud?"


    Her treatment left Ben with no chance, keeping him alive only because he was Lisa''s brother.


    Seeing Mirabe say this, Lisa felt slightly relieved, but thinking about the doctor dressed in a suit, exuding an aura unlike any typical alternative medicine practitioner, she typed, "He looked different from the usual alternative medicine doctors, wore a suit, and had a very professional demeanor. He was rmended by my dad''s friend, shouldn''t be a fraud."


    Alternative medicine doctor?


    Professional demeanor?


    Mirabe tapped on the screen, casually asking, "What''s his name?"


    Lisa: "I''m not too sure about that, I heard my dad calling him Mr. Santos."


    Mr. Santos?


    Mirabe sifted through her mind


    anyon''t match the name to , so she didn''t inquire fel


    and


    soon their chat ended.


    *


    On the other side.


    After leaving the Champ family, Santos went straight back to his hotel.


    Just as he swiped his card to enter, his phone rang.


    Picking it up, he saw it was Asa, knowing he was asking about Ben''s condition, he pressed the answer button.


    "Mr. Santos, how did it go?" Asa''s cool voice came through first.


    "It''s hopeless." Santos spoke while pushing the door to the bathroom open and pulling out a box from under the sink.


    The box contained a bottle of liquid and a pair of tweezers. He filled a cup halfway with water and added two drops of the liquid.


    After stirring the water, he dipped his finger in it and lightly traced his facial contours.


    Hearing Santos''s words, Asa


    narrow eyes, "Hopeless? Even


    you


    cure him? Not even for a


    few minutes of rity? You''re from that family."


    Santos continued to work on his face in the mirror, pausing slightly at Asa''sstment, but quickly suppressed any difort and said lightly It takes the one who tied the bell to untie it. If you want Ben to regain consciousness, you''ll have to find the person who did this to him."


    Asa clenched his phone; if his people could find any clue, they wouldn''t have to owe Santos a favor.


    He pressed his temple, thinking of the unprecedented brainpower data in that email, he then asked Santos for a few more favors.


    He must find out whose data it was from and inevitably bring that person into their facility for research.

 Chapter 1444

    Santos couldn''t figure out why Asa insisted on Ben waking up, but he knew better than to ask; Asa probably wouldn''t reveal his reasons anyway. After thinking it over, he said, "I''ll do my best, but I have a favor to ask in return."


    "Go ahead," Asa said, weing the condition. It was a transaction, after all; no need for either party to feel indebted.


    Santos tapped his chin, where the edges of a silicone mask began to separate from his real skin. Removing the mask revealed a surprisingly young face.


    Asa looked at the face for a moment before saying, "Find the person who took Ben down and hand them over to me. How about it?"


    Asa lightly tapped the table, showing no hesitation in agreeing. His target was someone with an intellect developed beyond the norm; he wasn''t concerned with anyone else.


    Seeing Asa''s agreement, Santos thought for a moment and then suggested, "Maybe you should start with a woman."


    Asa was somewhat surprised. "You mean, the person who took down Ben is a woman?"


    "Yes, if I''m not mistaken," Santos replied.


    "Alright, I got it." Asa nodded. At that moment, he remembered something. He had asked Ben toe back to the base with him, but Ben had insisted on staying behind.


    It was because of a woman, wasn''t it?


    After hanging up the phone, Asa pondered and then instructed his assistant to investigate the woman who had caused Ben''s downfall.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Santos put down his phone and turned on the faucet, cupping cold water to rinse his face. After washing for a while, he looked up again.


    His face, from years of wearing a silicone mask, was unusually pale, and his facial muscles resembled those of someone with facial paralysis or a zombie; they showed no emotion, whether happiness or anger.


    Santos wiped his face, walked out of the bathroom, grabbed a can of beer from the fridge, popped the tab, and took a big gulp.


    Standing still for two minutes, something crossed his mind, and he looked at the bedroom door before walking over with his beer, opening the door.


    The bedroom wasn''t veryrge, containing only a bed and a chaise lounge. There was someone lying on the bed, seemingly asleep, who didn''t react to Santos''s entrance.


    Santos approached the nightstand,


    put down his beer, then opened the drawer and took out a scented candle, lighting it. The gentle


    fragrance of sandalwood mixed with


    a hint of medicinal scent began to fill the room.


    ?


    Santos nced at the person on the bed, then picked up his beer can, sat down


    on the chaise lounge, stretched his legs out, and leaned backzily, asionally sipping his beer.


    Not long after the candle was lit, the person on the bed''s eyelids twitched and slowly opened.


    Santos didn''t look at the person on the bed, as if he knew they had woken up, and said indifferently, "So, Cian is still alive."


    The person on the bed was just


    regaining consciousness, and it took


    a moment to process Santos''s


    words. He tried to move his hands


    butcked the strength to even lift them, let alone sit up.


    "What did you say?" A weak, hoarse voice came from Paul''s mouth. He stopped struggling, just turning his head to look at Santos sitting on the chaise lounge.


    Santos''s lips curled slightly, and he took another sip of beer, looking at the ceiling. "You don''t have to act so surprised. Didn''t you leave your family to find her?"


    Did he think Santos couldn''t see right through him?

 Chapter 1445

    Paul opened his mouth, "You know better than anyone, she''s been dead for a long time."


    Upon hearing this, Santos slowly rose from the chaise lounge, his gaze finally shifting towards Paul, "If this were the past, I might believe you, but now..."


    He gestured in mid-air with his hand.


    The capabilities of the Stevenson family, Santos knew better than anyone.


    Reviving that girl was not an impossible task.


    Seeing Santos react this way, Paul was unsure whether Santos had already found Rea, or if he was just saying these things to deceive him.


    After all, these days, he had tried every possible way to extract the truth from him.


    Sensing what Paul was pondering, Santos didn''t hide it. He shared his discovery about Ben today, "Morgan, tell me, in this world, besides Cian, who else could silently incapacitate someone with just a silver needle?"


    If it was only suspicion at the Champ family, now, after careful consideration, he waspletely certain it was that person.


    Hearing this, Paul understood that Santos hadn''t confirmed the person was still alive. He remained silent for a moment before saying, "There are alwaysmore mysteries in the world, more people with extraordinary skills. Even if the Tai Chi diagram was missing half, reversing Rea''s fate forcibly was impossible."


    The Shang n indeed had the power to defy nature, but this kind of power couldn''t be used at will. Lacking any condition could not only lead to failure but alsoe with a great cost.


    Santos, of course, knew about the


    missing parts of the Tai Chi


    diagram, which is why he believed


    Cian was truly dead untilst year when someone started asking about Cian online, raising his suspicions.


    After all, there''s no smoke without fire. No one would search for a dead person without reason.


    "No matter how much you try to make excuses, you can''t hide the fact that she''s not dead," Santos touched his face, a shadow in his eyes.


    Only by finding that person could he rid himself of this inhuman ghostly appearance.


    Paul opened his mouth to say something, but Santos had already stood up. He walked to the bedside took out a pill from his pocket, and forced Paul to swallow it, chuckling, "Morgan, you should be thankful you felt into my hands. If it were someone else, you wouldn''t have such a good fate."


    Paul red at Santos, "You traitor, you will not die a good death."


    "Is that so?" Santos crushed the now empty beer can in his hand with a hint of sarcasm, "Then I''ll wait and see, who will not die a good death, you or me."


    With that, he turned and left the room.

 Chapter 1446

    Asa leaned back on the couch, a thoughtful look on his face, "You do bring up a valid point."


    "Getting involved with the Davis family, should we inform Mr. Santos about this?" His assistant pondered the dilemma, adding, "Crossing the Davis family won''t do us any favors."


    The Davis family had been a dominant force in the state of M for many years, with an influence so profound it was beyond imagination.


    Just their financial power alone could monopolize the entire state. Although Asa''s organization was also at the peak of power, it was clear that an arm cannot twist a thigh inparison.


    Asa tapped his fingers on his knee, casually remarking, "It''s not us looking for the Davis family member, so it''s not about offending or not offending." After a pause, he seemed to recall something and asked, "Have we found out why Santos is looking for LIN''s sister?"


    "That''s the strange part. LIN''s sister grew up in the countryside and was only acknowledged by the family a couple of years ago. She seems to have had an unremarkable past," the assistant said, puzzled. "Maybe Mr. Santos is interested in her because of her medical skills?"


    After all,ing from that family, they were naturally interested in those with healing abilities.


    "Are we certain LIN''s sister was the one who took down Ben?" Asa inquired further.


    "Not certain, but it''s very likely," the assistant remembered another detail. "Also, LIN''s sister seems to have a significant connection with the head of the weapons agency."


    "Oh?" Asa raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly more intrigued, "Now, that does sound interesting."


    "The head of the weapons agency has always been known for his restraint and integrity, making it impossible to find any weaknesses in him for years. It''s surprising to hear a woman is now by his side," the assistant clicked his tongue lightly, pausing before adding, "But now, he might just have a vulnerability."


    Asa nced at his assistant nonchntly, "You think someone from the Davis family could be a vulnerability?"


    The assistant hesitated.


    Asa closed his eyes, falling silent.


    Ben was always cautious in his actions, but still ended up being outmaneuvered by that woman, a testament to her extraordinary nature.


    The whole countryside upbringing might just be a smokescreen.


    The assistant nced at Asa cautiously, hesitated, and then asked, "Should we inform Mr. Santos about this?"


    "Why not?" Asa responded without even opening his eyes.


    "I understand," the assistant nodded.


    **


    The next day, at school.


    Mirabe finished herst exam and was officially on winter break.


    She first visited Professor Wade''s office in her department. Seeing Wade, she almost jumped in surprise.


    "Professor you look... have you been


    to the hospital yet?" Mirabe


    noticed Wade''s jaundiced


    She had forgotten about it, intending to prepare some medicine for Wade but got sidetracked by other matters.


    Professor Wade had been swamped with international journal articles conducting experiments by day and revising his papers by night, leaving him no time to rest, "Just haven''t been resting well."


    Mirabe fell silent for a moment before saying, "Professor, would you let me take your pulse?"


    Wade looked surprised, "You know how to do that, studied some alternative medicine?"


    "Just a bit," Mirabe hummed.


    Wade chuckled, extending


    hand


    Contato check his pulse,


    "I''ve got a paper, take a


    SWO

 Chapter 1447

    Mirabe nodded, and after a moment, she retracted her hand, her mind already made up. She pondered for a bit and then said, "I have a friend who''s a member of the Herbalists'' Association. I''ll ask her to send you some herbal supplements to help you regte your body."


    Wade was even more surprised to hear that Mirabe had a friend in the Herbalists'' Association than to know she could read pulses. "Mirabe, you have quite thework, having a friend in the Herbalists'' Association and all."


    Mirabe just smiled modestly in response.


    Wade knew the supplements from the Herbalists'' Association were very precious and felt bad epting them. After declining a few times but seeing Mirabe insisted, he reluctantly epted.


    "I''ll go get my paper for you to see." Wade stood up from his chair, went over to hisputer to print the paper, and then turned back to Mirabe.


    He handed the paper to her.


    Mirabe skimmed through the paper quickly. It took her less than five minutes to read all four pages. Then she handed the paper back to Wade, "Your paper is quite good, but the points on infectious diseases might not be easy to pass."


    "It''s not easy, but someone has to write about it." There was a determination in Wade''s eyes.


    Mirabe saw that, so she didn''t offer more opinions, simply saying, "Professor, you''re a very principled researcher."


    Wade chuckled and waved his hand dismissively, remembering something, and then said, "Why don''t youe to be my assistant from next semester on?"


    The office door was open, and Calvin, who hade to see Wade, paused in his steps upon hearing Wade''s offer.


    His gaze towards Mirabe inside the office wasplex.


    This girl had once applied to their department, but he, biased at the time, had deliberately pushed her out.


    Now, because of a coboration project with the Institute of Technology, she had be a prominent figure in the entire Biology Department.


    It proved that a student from the humanities could excel in a science discipline.


    Calvin would be lying if he said he didn''t regret it. Having such a talented student under any mentor would bring prestige in the academic world.


    Inside the office, Mirabe heard Wade''s offer but directly declined, "Thank you for your offer, Professor, but I''m afraid I won''t be able to fulfill the responsibilities of an assistant due to time constraints..."


    Just managing her workload from the Physics Department was overwhelming; she


    had felt more than once like she had walked into a den of wolves.


    Wade could tell that Mirabe rea


    thoughtful person. Seeing her


    refusal, he didn''t press further,


    "Alright then, if you find yourself with free time, feel free to let me know."


    Mirabe nodded, and as she looked up, she saw someone standing


    the door, promptly standing up


    "Then, Professor, I''ll take mydeave since you''re busy."  fo


    "Alright," Wade responded.


    Soon, Mirabe left the office, merely nodding lightly without verbally greeting as she passed by Calvin.


    Holding a folder, Calvin, had it been in the past, might have already stopped her for a scolding.


    He entered Wade''s office with a calm expression.


    *


    After leaving the Biology Department, Mirabe headed to the Physics Department.


    Dr. Elliot had to leave due to an emergency but had left two textbooks of winter break homework for Teacher Robert to pass to Mirabe.


    When Mirabe received the books, the thought of giving up her second major surfaced in her heart again.


    "Mirabe, you keep it up. I''ve never seen Dr. Elliot prepare materials for a student with such diligence before," Teacher Robert remarked on the side.


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, "Thanks a lot."

 Chapter 1448

    Mirabe didn''t want to hear any more heartbreaking words, so she quickly excused herself and left.


    Just as she took the elevator down to the first floor, the doors opened, and she saw someone standing in front of the elevator, holding several cardboard boxes. The boxes were quiterge and stacked high, obscuring the person''s face.


    Mirabe nced briefly before looking away and walked out of the elevator. Just as she passed by the person, perhaps because they didn''t have a good grip, they shook a bit, and the top two boxes slid off, heading straight for Mirabe.


    Mirabe saw this and reached out to catch the two boxes.


    The person holding the boxes realized they had almost hit someone and quickly turned their head to apologize, "I''m so sorry, I have too many things, did I hit you?"


    "It''s okay." Mirabe shook her head and ced the two boxes back in his hands.


    "Thank you, thank you." The person said.


    Mirabe replied, "You''re wee."


    ze, holding the boxes, stepped into the elevator, but since his hands were full, he couldn''t immediately take out his ess card to swipe.


    Mirabe gave him a look, then, in a rare act of kindness, turned back, took out her card, swiped it, and asked, "Which floor?"


    "Fifth floor," ze said.


    He remembered that only a few students had ess to the fifth floor, and this beautiful underssman was a new face, so he quickly added, "I have a card in my pocket, you can..."


    Before he could finish his sentence, he heard Mirabe''s voice, "Done."


    After speaking, she stepped out before the elevator doors closed again.


    ze turned his head towards the now-closed elevator doors, then looked at the button panel. The light for the fifth floor was on, and he was momentarily stunned. Soon, the elevator reached the fifth floor, and ze, still puzzled, walked out with the boxes.


    He carried the boxes into Professor Robert''s office and was about to speak when Professor Robert asked him first.


    "By the way, ze, did you run into your junior sister?" Professor Robert casually asked.


    "Junior sister?" ze was stunned again, then remembered that his mentor had taken on a new student and had even asked them to add the junior sister on Messenger


    So, that kind-hearted beautiful girl was their never-before-seen junior sister?


    "I think I did run into her, but I didn''t know she was the new student mentor had taken on." ze scratched his head, regretting not having a longer chat with the junior sister.


    I heard she''s quite talented.


    "Do you know what two books mentor gave your junior sister?"


    vel


    Professor Robert continued unpacking the boxes, looking mysteriously at ze.


    ze hadn''t noticed any books in Mirabe''s hands, "Which books?"


    "Maic M-T Physics Comption."


    "Isn''t that material for postgraduates?" ze eximed in surprise.


    Professor Robert nodded, "That material is very precious, your mentor really values her."


    Hearing this, ze fell silent.


    Professor Robert lifted his hand and patted ze''s shoulder, "Don''t be jealous, Mirabe is really something."


    ze: "..."


    Suddenly, he felt inexplicably insulted.


    *


    Meanwhile, Mirabe walked out of the university gates and immediately saw a ck sedan parked by the roadside. She walked over to it.


    "Aren''t you really busytely?" Mirabe asked the man in the driver''s seat while buckling her seatbelt.


    Since the incident with the cheetah a while ago, this guy had disappeared for several days and only showed up today.


    James didn''t rush to start the car but instead reached over, took Mirabe''s hand, and simply asked, "Are you on break?"

 Chapter 1449

    Mirabe nodded, her fingers yfully entwining with his, "We''re almost done here."


    James''s eyes lifted at the corners, content to let her fiddle with his fingers. "When do you n on going back?"


    "In a couple of days, I want to visit Catherine first." Mirabe had nned this for a while, realizing she hadn''t called Catherine in days.


    James hummed in response, "I''ll prepare some gifts for you to bring to the olddy."


    "Sure." Mirabe knew Catherine was quite fond of James, so she didn''t refuse. "Let''s go grab some dinner." James squeezed her hand before letting go and starting the car to leave the campus.


    At that moment, Mirabe''s phone buzzed with a message.


    She took out her phone and saw it was from ze, a senior from the Physics Department she had added on Messenger. She straightened up a bit before replying, "I''ve already left the campus. Is there something you need, senior?"


    She remembered receiving a generous gift from him and hadn''t found the chance to return the favor.


    ze ran a hand through his hair and typed back, "So it was you who pressed the elevator button for me just now?"


    Mirabe hadn''t expected the person struggling with a bunch of boxes to be ze, "If there was no one else, then it must have been me."


    ze found his junior sister quite amusing, "I mentioned before about treating you to a meal, but something always came up. Are you free these days to catch up?"


    Mirabe was busy with preparations for her trip and figured she wouldn''t have much free time, so she replied, "How about we wait until the next school year starts?"


    Seeing her response, ze agreed and eventually asked for Mirabe''s phone number, telling her not to hesitate to reach out if she needed help with anything.


    Mirabe found it odd after reading his message, wondering what kind of trouble she could possibly get into.


    Still, she didn''t probe further and simply replied with a thank you.


    Putting away her phone, Mirabe''s gaze shifted to the car window, lingering on the rearview mirror for a few seconds before turning to James, casually remarking, You seem to be quite popr?"


    "Hmm?" James didn''t catch the hidden meaning in her words and looked at her curiously.


    Mirabe''s eyes returned to the rearview mirror, prompting James to nce at it too. A few secondster, he understood her implication.


    He took out his phone, sending a message on Messenger to have someone deal with the car following them. After sending the message, he turned to Mirabe, "I don''t know about being popr, but as long as you like me, that''s all that matters." C¨®ntent belongs to


    Mirabe was speechless.


    Some people, once they abandon their shame, never look back.


    Shaking her head, Mirabe adjusted her sitting position, her slender fingersdazily resting on the car window. "I''m suddenly very curious


    about how you''ve managed to live to this age?"


    Always finding himself the target of others.


    Hearing the phrase ''this age,'' James thought of the Davis brothers, who had once


    mocked his age, and his face darkened slightly.


    Yet, he didn''t respond, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, seemingly focused on driving.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, clicking her tongue lightly.


    The car fell into silence for a moment, neither of them paying much mind to the vehicle that had been following them.


    Soon, the car stopped outside a restaurant.


    Their private room was already booked, and under the guidance of a waiter, they headed upstairs.


    As soon as they entered the room, James told the waiter to leave and call only if needed, mming the door shut with a sound that seemed to carry a hint of aggression.


    Mirabe took a few steps inside before instinctively turning back to look at him, prompted by the sound of the door.

 Chapter 1450

    Just as she turned her head, she saw the man standing behind her like a ghost, very close, "You..."


    Before she could finish, James had already wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly into his embrace, his voice deep and gritted, "At your age?" Mirabe, still not quite reacting to the situation, was puzzled, "?"


    "Why aren''t you speaking?" James lifted his other hand, his thumbnding on Mirabe''s lips, gently caressing them before repeating the question, "My age, huh?"


    Mirabe smiled, "... You''re very young."


    "Evading the question," James lowered his head, nipping at her earlobe.


    Mirabe: "..."


    There''s a saying that fits, old men are trouble not worth messing with.


    "Old but certified," James slightly tilted his cheek, his lips very close to the corner of Mirabe''s, "Your disdain changes nothing."


    Mirabe looked at the man so close to her, his deep eyes filled with her reflection, and sighed softly. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, "By that logic... I might end up being older than you?"


    Two identities indeed.


    James''s heart raced, his attention captivated by her current action so much that he barely listened to what Mirabe was saying. He lowered his head, kissing her lips.


    Shortly after, a ringtone interrupted them, snapping Mirabe back to reality. She pushed against someone''s chest, "Your phone."


    Interrupted, James was in a less than pleasant mood. He slightly loosened his hold on Mirabe, took out his phone, and answered the call from Wyatt with a particrly icy tone, "You better have a good reason."


    Wyatt, on the other end, almost didn''t catch his phone upon hearing that menacing voice, stunned for a few seconds before hurriedly saying, "James, we haven''t found the person tailing your car. They''re very cautious, still unclear who is tracking you."


    "Got it." James hung up directly.


    Wyatt: "."


    What kind of luck has he been havingtely, always stepping onndmines?


    "Didn''t find the person?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow at him, having overheard Wyatt''s words on the call since they were so close.


    "Mhm, don''t worry about it." James once again cupped Mirabe''s face and kissed her, then led her to sit down and pressed the bell to call a waiter to order.


    While waiting for their food, Mirabe took out her phone and used the notepad topose two prescriptions, sending them directly to Devon.


    Asking him to concoct these two medicines.


    Since Devon had been appointed as the head of the Pharmacists Guild, he had been busier than ever, almost more so than when he was engrossed in studying


    pharmacology day and night.


    Receiving two more prescriptions from Mirabe, his feelings had evolved from


    initial shock to now admiration.


    He quickly replied with an okay to Mirabe.


    Worried she might forgetter,


    Mirabe also messaged Wade for an address, and after getting it, she forwarded it to Devon, "Please express these medicines to this ce when they''re ready, thanks."


    Devon: "Alright, I''ll send it to your friend in a couple of days after I''ve concocted them."


    After sending this, Devon thought for a moment and then decided to ask, "Um... Are you not worried about me making a mistake with the medicines?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, typing leisurely on her phone screen, "I trust my judgment in people."


    Otherwise, she wouldn''t have supported Devon for the head of the Pharmacists Guild.


    Seeing Mirabe''s message, Devon suddenly felt moved and remarked, "Actually, with your capabilities, you would be the most suitable as the Guild Head."

 Chapter 1451

    In a sudden twist of fate, her mentor fell gravely ill, and it was Mirabe who stepped in, pulling him back from the brink of death.


    Her subsequent arrangement for the presidency of the association was methodically executed.


    Presley''s capture, followed by leveraging the influence of the Davis family to elevate him to the presidency, ensured that not a single person within the association dared to voice dissatisfaction. Such feats required immense wit and intelligence, all of which Mirabe possessed in spades, making her the perfect candidate for president.


    Devon sighed internally, regretting that she had no interest in the position.


    Mirabe gently sipped her coffee, sensing another opportunity to showcase her brilliance. She texted Devon, "The presidency isn''t for me. I think the vice- presidency is quite nice, plus there''s room for a sry bump."


    Devon couldn''t help but smirk, fully understanding the subtext of her message.


    He chuckled softly, wondering how Presley would feel knowing that the presidency he had desperately sought was less appealing to Mirabe than a share of the profits.


    Shortly after their conversation, Devon made a point to call the finance department.


    *


    Meanwhile, at a hotel, Santos had just received information about the youngster being acquainted with someone from the Shepherd family.


    Initially, when he received the dossier from Asa, it merely stated the youngster was associated with the Davis family, with no mention of any other connections.


    Dealing with one Davis family was already challenging, let alone adding the Shepherd family into the mix. Santos touched his face, still concealed by a mask, and his eyes suddenly turned cold.


    It seemed he needed to meet this youngster in person.


    After standing silently in the hall for half a minute, Santos headed to the bedroom. Paul was still asleep on the bed, sedated.


    Santos didn''t bother waking him with incense. After a cold nce, he took out his phone and dialed, "Prepare for our return home, at thetest in two days, and arrange for the transfer back to the research base..."


    Hanging up, Santos''s emotionless masked face suddenly revealed a sinister feeling.


    After dinner, Mirabe and James drove back to their neighborhood.


    Upon arriving home, Mirabe called Catherine, but the phone rang for a long time without an answer.


    Asleep already?


    Mirabe hung up, nced at the time-it was just eight o''clock. Even in the countryside, it wasn''t consideredte.


    While she was pondering, Nick


    downstairs with hisptop,


    came


    l.ne


    "Mirabe, could you help me check


    if there''s something wrong with this


    code..."


    Hearing Nick''s voice brought her back to the moment. She put away her phone without further thought and took theptop from him.


    The two sat in the living room, discussing and tweaking theputer program,


    and before they knew it, more than an hour had passed.


    "By the way, Nick, I''m thinking of visiting Elm Creek to see Catherine in a couple of days," Mirabe stretched and said.


    Nick had just closed hisptop when


    he remembered that Mirabe''s school was on winter break. He


    looked at her, "It''s a good idea to visit. It''s not easy for the old Tady to be there alone."


    Mirabe nodded, humming in agreement. She took out her phone again to check, but there were no missed calls.


    "Let Uncle As apany you," Nick suggested.


    Mirabe didn''t object, "Okay. How long will you be busy with the institute?"


    "Until the end of the year, but I might not be


    thable to spend New Y


    with you this time," Nicki


    out

 Chapter 1452

    Mirabe tilted her head, her clear-cut ck and white eyes looking towards Nick, "Nick, are you going back to Chester?"


    "Uh-huh." Nick''s gaze slightly hardened, not saying much more.


    Although Chester had specifically instructed him to bring Mirabe back with him, just thinking about his parents... Let alone bringing someone along, he feared that the moment he opened his mouth to speak, he''d be booted out of the house.


    Mirabe was still pondering over the unanswered call, feeling inexplicably irritable, but it was toote now. She had to try again tomorrow during the day.


    *


    The next day, in the morning.


    After breakfast, Mirabe took out her phone and dialed Catherine''s number.


    The first attempt went unanswered.


    On the second try, just before thest rings, it was finally picked up.


    Mirabe opened her mouth to speak, but heard a voice from the other end first.


    "Are you annoying? Calling my mom because you want to keep scamming our family?"


    The one who answered wasn''t anyone else but her former foster mother Mandy, whose tone was particrly unpleasant, even carrying a subconscious resentment.


    Mirabe frowned but didn''t care much about what Mandy said, simply asking with patience, "Where''s Catherine?"


    "Why should I tell a thief like you?" Mandy scoffed coldly. She still couldn''t understand why Catherine decided to give a family heirloom jade to a foster daughter.


    It was one thing to give it away, but did that person cherish the gesture? Still, she left the Gilbert family in tatters.


    From the moment Mandy answered the call, Mirabe knew it was unlikely she''d get to talk to the olddy today.


    She hung up directly.


    Mandy, still wanting to say more, heard the sound of the call being disconnected and her already dark expression darkened further.


    What kind of ingratitude is this?


    Is this how youe back to ask about Catherine?


    It''s really a waste of all the times Catherine worried about you day and night.


    **


    Meanwhile, Mirabe, after hanging up, sat quietly on the sofa, wondering why Mandy was the one to answer.


    Mandy wasn''t someone who liked


    staying in the countryside, and it


    was unlikely for Catherine to go back to the Gilbert family for care,


    especially with Mandy''s bizarre words earlier.


    Mirabe''s brows knitted together, pondering for a moment, then she opened her phone to reschedule her flight, initially set for the day after tomorrow, to tomorrow morning.


    After changing her flight, she went upstairs, packed her luggage briefly, and carefully stored the medicine and perfume she had specialty made for Catherine.


    In the afternoon, James called Mirabe, asking her to pick up some items at the main gate.


    "Did you buy so much?" Mirabe looked at the seven or eightrge cardboard boxes at someone''s feet, a bit overwhelmed.


    "Uncle Marian has his share." James pointed out thebels on the packaging to Mirabe, ensuring she didn''t get confused and pick the wrong items.


    Mirabe crossed her arms, sighing lightly, "Must be nice to be wealthy, so generous."


    James raised an eyebrow, "If you want, what''s mine is yours."


    Mirabe touched her nose, giving him a look, "Stop flirting, please maintain your cool persona."


    James smiled, looking towards the main gate, seemingly asking casually, "Are you home alone?"


    "Not exactly, Marian has always been at home," Mirabe replied.


    Hearing this, James then picked up the cardboard boxes at his feet, "Let''s go, I''ll help you bring them in."


    Mirabe saw through his intentions but didn''t call him out.


    Together, they entered the house.

 Chapter 1453

    Mirabe asked James to take a seat in the living room while she went back to the storage room in the side hall on the ground floor.


    Marian, the housekeeper, brought him a ss of water and couldn''t help but take a few extra nces at James, finding him quite handsome. She was curious about his rtionship with Mirabe but felt it was not her ce to ask. After setting down the ss of water, she quietly left.


    Shortly after, Mirabe returned with a box of sandalwood incense. "Take this incense for Donald," she said.


    James took the box. "Speaking of which, Donald has been mentioning that you shoulde over for dinner at our ce."


    Mirabe sighed, "I''m afraid I can''t. I''ve already booked my flight back home for tomorrow morning. We''ll talk about it another time."


    James nodded, then asked with a hint of surprise, "Weren''t you scheduled for the day after tomorrow? Why the sudden change?"


    "I called Catherine, and she wasn''t the one who answered. I''m a bit worried," Mirabe exined, sitting down on the couch with a slight frown.


    James knew Mirabe had a special bond with Catherine. "Don''t overthink it. Catherine is strong; nothing will happen to her."


    Mirabe leaned back against the couch, her eyes fixed on the crystal chandelier above. After a while, she let out a sigh, hoping she was just overthinking.


    The two of them chatted a bit more, but James kept receiving calls and had to leave the Davis family home soon after.


    **


    The next day, Mirabe declined James''s offer to drive her to the airport, and it was Nick who ended up taking her.


    After checking in her luggage, Mirabe spoke briefly with before telling him to go ahead


    elmet


    her. She then made her way to the VIP lounge to sit down.


    With over forty minutes left until boarding, it was still early.


    Mirabe pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head and put on her earphones, ying thetest album from Leo at a not-so-quiet volume.


    The VIP lounge wasn''t crowded, just a few people scattered around, each engrossed in their phones.


    A cleaning staff member wearing a mask and gloves approached with a cart. She parked the cart on the perimeter and began dusting the area, which wasn''t very dirty.


    Mirabe, listening to music with her eyes closed, didn''t notice the cleaning staff drop something near her feet as she passed by.


    It wasn''t until As returned from checking in the luggage and picked up the item that Mirabe took notice. "Miss Mira, did you drop this?" he asked.


    Even with the music ying, Mirabe noticed As''s return. She opened her eyes to see him holding a small, gray pouch that resembled a coin purse.


    The sight of the pouch momentarily. startled Mirabe, but she quickly regained herposure, took off her earphones, and asked, "As, where did you find this?"


    "I just picked it up near your feet. Thought it was yours," As replied, squeezing


    the pouch, which felt crunchy, as if it contained something.


    He opened the pouch to find it filled with ''dried leaves,'' which he found odd.


    However, upon closer inspection and a sniff, he realized it wasn''t dried leaves at all but rather tobo.

 Chapter 1454

    "Who still smokes these old-fashioned cigarettes these days?" As eximed in surprise.


    Mirabe didn''t respond to As, merely moving her fingers to hold the cigarette holder in her hand, her gaze lowered. After a few seconds, she suddenly stood up, looking around.


    When she had arrived, the cigarette holder hadn''t been at her feet, which meant someone had deliberately dropped it there... and the only person who had passed by her was the janitor, Marian.


    After scanning the area, Mirabe''s gaze finallynded on the figure of Marian, pushing a trash cart away in the distance. She paused for a moment, then quickly said to As, "As, wait for me here, I''m going to the restroom."


    With that, she walked out of the VIP lounge.


    As watched Mirabe leave, a trace of confusion in his eyes.


    Something seemed off with Miss Mira, especially after she saw the cloth bag he had picked up; her behavior was noticeably odd.


    Although it was strange, As didn''t follow her, opting instead to sit down and wait on the lounge chair.


    *


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had left the VIP area, managing to follow Marian. However, she quickly lost sight of her due to the bustling crowd, and the person disappeared.


    Mirabe stopped where the person had vanished, her brows furrowed tightly, and her expression cold and stern.


    She looked around the vast airport lobby, trying to discern where the person had gone, and soon, she quickly walked towards the left, heading to the exit leading to the airport''s parking lot.


    Upon reaching the parking lot designated for staff, Mirabe saw the trash cart parked in a corner.


    The trash cart was there, but apart from her, the parking lot was eerily quiet, devoid of any other people.


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes, her fingertips holding a silver needle. After about half a minute, she suddenly turned around, and with a flick of her wrist, the silver needle flew towards a sedan parked not too far away.


    The needle shot towards the direction, and a figure swiftly dodged it.


    Mirabe looked emotionlessly at the person who finally stopped skulking in the shadows. The person appeared to be in their forties or fifties, a stranger she had never seen before.


    But upon closer inspection, something about the face seemed off.


    It looked fake.


    "You''re indeed not dead," the man''s calm voice came through, "Cian."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1455

    Mirabe heard the name ''Cian'' without any visible change in her demeanor, her eyes calm and untroubled.


    From the moment Morgan''s pipe appeared at her feet, she knew her past identity had been exposed.


    That''s why she knowingly walked into the trap, following the cleaner Marian to this ce.


    There are no eternal secrets in this world. Once she had stepped away from her identity as Cian, she had anticipated this day woulde.


    Mirabe gathered her thoughts, neither confirming nor denying her identity, she simply said, "Let me guess, you''re a traitor from the Massolio family?"


    The man opposite her clearly took offense at being called a traitor, his displeasure thick in the air. Yet, before he could speak, Mirabe''s voice came again.


    "Santos?" She tilted her head slightly, her tone spective but her certainty clear.


    Santos hadn''t expected Mirabe to urately name him, as they had never directly shed before.


    Even if they had met face to face, his current appearance was unlikely to be recognizable.


    After all, even an official like Morgan had failed to recognize him, falling into his hands.


    Santos''s lips twitched, no wonder this girl had once been the hope of the Stevenson family. Her sharp insight and skills were truly extraordinary.


    But s, she had fallen into his hands once again.


    Santos sneered inwardly, lifting his hand leisurely to adjust his sleeve as if engaging in casual conversation, he began to reminisce:


    "The Stevenson family possesses the world''s most advanced medical and technological knowledge, yet they choose to hide away in seclusion. Don''t you find thatughable, cowardly?"


    As Santos spoke, his tone wasced with resentment and dissatisfaction.


    Why should they hide like moles, not revealing their abilities?


    iming it would disrupt the world''s order was, in his view, nothing but an excuse for mediocrity.


    Taking a deep breath, Santos looked at Mirabe, his voice tempting, "Don''t you want to show off your skills, to be revered and respected by all?"


    "Oh, I don''t Mirabe''s expression remained unaffected, her voice as serene as ever, "Only those whock feel the need to unto


    abmselves, to prove their worth."


    Santos just shook his head, unangered, "Your pride will only bring you disaster."


    "Is that so." Mirabe shrugged, still holding the pipe, not bothering to engage further with Santos, "Where is Morgan?"


    "Finding him is easy," Santos said, ncing at his watch with a smirk, "Don''t worry, you''ll meet him soon."


    He counted down in his heart, waiting for the drug to take effect.


    Of course, Mirabe knew Santos


    had lured her here not just to express his frustrations. Her lips curved slightly, speaking


    indifferently, "You really think I''d fall for the same drug again?"


    Always the same colorless, tasteless drug, no new tricks. Did they really underestimate her that much?


    Santos wasn''t surprised Mirabe saw through this, instead, he arrogantly replied, "The same method caught you once, naturally, it can work a second time."

 Chapter 1456

    It wasn''t that the trickery of warfare was unfamiliar to Santos; rather, he had already upgraded his concoctions, making them more potent and domineering than those he had crafted three years prior.


    Why wouldn''t he be fully prepared when he personally decided to confront this youngster?


    Santos was confident about this.


    "Oh, let''s give it a try then," Mirabe said, nodding and slowly rolling up her sleeves.


    This ce was indeed perfect, secluded enough that any noise wouldn''t risk being overheard.


    Seeing her actions and her seemingly unaffected demeanor, Santos''s brow furrowed, though his expression was hidden behind the mask he wore.


    After about ten seconds, seeing that the woman remained unmoved, Santos finally realized his concoction might have lost its effect on her.


    With his thoughts rapidly shifting, Santos, fully aware of Mirabe''sbat prowess, snapped his fingers in the air. In an instant, a dozen henchmen emerged from the shadows into Mirabe''s view.


    Simultaneously, Santos swiftly closed the distance to Mirabe, his palm charged with absolute power aiming for her shoulder, the force of the strike palpable even in the air.


    Standing her ground, Mirabe merely curled her lips into a slight smirk. As Santos''s palm descended, she effortlessly shifted her stance, her hand moving seemingly slowly yet with incredible speed to grasp the arm extended before her.


    Santos''s advance was halted, yet he seemed to have anticipated this, not showing concern but rather a strange smile.


    At that moment, his other hand, previously hidden, moved; in the next instant, a silver needle from his fingertip pierced into Mirabe''s body.


    "Did you think I had only one n?" Santos withdrew the needle, its tip stained with a droplet of blood, and as he did, his lips curled into a smirk, his gaze


    returning to Mirabe''s face with a triumphant expression: "The real contingency n was this."


    Mirabe''s pupils contracted,


    disbelief apparent on her face. The hand that had been grasping Santos''s arm suddenly weakened, and the next moment, she lost consciousness and copsed.


    Seeing her fall to the ground, Santos''s eyes briefly shed with disdain. All that bravado, and yet she was once again in his grasp.


    He then ordered his men to take her away.


    Soon, Mirabe was bundled into a car.


    The parking lot returned to its previous state of tranquility, as if nothing had ever happened.


    **


    Meanwhile, As, who had been waiting in the rest area, checked the time on his watch. It had been twenty minutes since Miss Mira had said she was going to the restroom.


    She should have returned by now.


    As furrowed his brows, recalling Miss Mira''s reaction when she left, a sense of unease crossed his mind.


    After a moment''s thought, he took out his phone and dialed Mirabe.


    But the phone rang out without answer, and As realized something might have happened. Unable to sit still any longer, he hung up and quickly headed towards the restroom.


    After a thorough search of the


    felt both frustrated and guilty. Without further dy, he headed to the airport''s security office while instructing his people to watch all exits closely, ensuring no suspicious individuals or vehicles could slip by.


    Upon arriving at the security office, the airport staff, having received instructions from their superiors to fully cooperate with As, immediately pulled up the surveince footage for him.

 Chapter 1457

    As was almost a picture of frost at this moment, causing the backstage staff to stand by, trembling, not daring to get too close to him. Even speaking to him was done with utmost caution.


    The surveince in the airport lobby hadn''t been tampered with, so it didn''t take long for As to spot Mirabe''s figure in the footage.


    Following her path through several cameras, he finally pinpointed her location to the airport''s executive parking lot.


    As asked the staff to pull up the surveince for that area, but the screen was ck, clearly indicating that someone had covered the camera.


    A staff member quickly exined, "The internal parking lot''s surveince is generally not meant for public ess, so it''s not usually within our key monitoring scope. That''s why we didn''t notice the anomaly with the camera."


    His words were true. With hundreds of cameras throughout the airport, it was impossible to monitor each one constantly, especially not the internal parking lot.


    As''s gaze lingered on the surveince screen, his fist clenched. After muttering a thank you, he left the surveince room and headed to the parking lot.


    The internal parking lot wasn''t veryrge, and at the moment, there were about five or six sedans parked there. After a thorough check, As didn''t find anything.


    Theck of discovery meant that he couldn''t confirm whether Miss Mira had actually been there.


    As''s expression grew even darker. As he turned to leave, he had only taken a few steps when something caught his eye. Quickly moving towards the front right, he bent down to pick up a very thin needle from the ground.


    The needle was not ordinary, and As had seen Mirabe use it before, so he could almost immediately ascertain it belonged to her.


    Miss Mira was indeed in trouble.


    With the needle in hand, As felt thest flicker of hope dissipate.


    **


    Elsewhere.


    James was discussing business when his phone vibrated in his pocket a few times, which he ignored.


    It wasn''t until several minutester


    that Wyatt burst into the meeting


    kis


    room, urgency written all over face and made a beeline fordames, "James, there''s been an issue."


    James narrowed his eyes slightly, turning to look at Wyatt, "What happened?"


    Wyatt, still holding his phone, spoke in a low voice, "Didn''t you instruct to check on Ms. Mirabe''s grandmother yesterday? She might be at her end."


    James''s heart skipped, and his expression changed instantly, "What''s going on?"


    "It seems to be severe illness. We


    got news from the hospital; Catherine has been admitted for


    several days, and now she''s just


    hanging by a thread, could go moment..." Wyatt couldn''t bring himself to say the word ''die.


    Hearing this, James''s pen dropped onto the table, showing a rare loss ofposure.


    Catherine held a special ce in Mirabe''s heart, almost more significant than her own parents.


    He remembered how the youngdy had talked about wanting to visit her hometown to see Catherine a few days ago, her face softening in a way he seldom saw.


    If she knew Catherine was close to the end... James took a deep breath and stood up, "Prepare the helicopter."


    With that, he strode out of the meeting room.


    Seeing this, Wyatt quickly


    apologized to the still-dumbfounded business partner sitting on the sofa, not or a reply before


    hurrying after his boss James.


    ...


    The helicopter was ready shortly after Wyatt received the message from his men.


    Before long, James arrived at the helipad. Before boarding, he tried calling Mirabe again, only to be met with the same unanswered status.

 Chapter 1458

    James remembered that Mirabe shouldn''t have boarded her flight yet. When his call went unanswered, a slight frown creased his forehead, but he didn''t think much of it, assuming she had her phone on silent and missed the call.


    So, he didn''t try calling again.


    After a moment of thought, James said to Wyatt, "Could you pick up Mirabe from the airportter? I need to head to the hospital to check on Catherine first."


    Wyatt nodded, understanding the situation with the unanswered call, ¡°Sure, I''ll head straight there once I''ve picked up Ms. Mirabe.¡±


    "Alright." James boarded his flight with a heavy heart, hoping against hope that Catherine could hold on a little longer.


    At least... until Mirabe returned.


    **


    Meanwhile, As still hadn''t found Mirabe. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. Despite close monitoring and searching at every airport entrance and exit, there was no clue to be found.


    Half an hourter, As withdrew half of his people from the airport.


    Because after half an hour of searching with no sign of her, it meant only one possibility - she was no longer there.


    Indeed, Santos had managed to whisk Mirabe away from the airport without As noticing, striding confidently out.


    After leaving the airport, he didn''t linger in Riverdale but instead headed straight for a nearby city''s airport.


    Now being part of the Davis family, Cian needed to move quietly and cautiously to bring the person back to the base without raising suspicion.


    Once back at the base, even if the Davis family traced it back to him, they would be unable to do anything about it.


    After a three-hour drive, they finally arrived at the nearby city''s airport.


    Before getting out of the car, Santos took out a small bottle of liquid and


    al Silicone mask, recing the


    one on his face before proceeding into the airport with Mirabe.


    Since this airport wasn''t an international one, they needed to fly to another city to catch a connecting flight.


    Although it was more troublesome, it was the safest option.


    Their passage through the airport was already arranged, with Santos using staff corridors and avoiding cameras, leaving no trace behind.


    Soon, Santos''s men ced Mirabe in a staff rest room at the airport and then stood guard outside.


    Checking the time, Santos noted there was a bit over an hour until their flight.


    He nced at Mirabe, who wasid in a corner. To be cautious, he pulled over


    his small suitcase and took out a syringe and vial.


    After drawing the liquid into the syringe, Santos approached Mirabe and injected the substance into her body.


    Only after doing this did he finally rx, considering it necessary to be extra cautious against Cian.


    Santos then moved to the only bed in the rest room, where another person was lying - Paul.


    With his hands behind his back, Santos pondered for a moment before using acupuncture needles on specific points on Paul''s head Soon after he withdrew the needles, Paul, who had been unconscious, slowly came to.  s?novel


    However, even awake, Paul couldn''t muster any strength.


    Looking at the unfamiliar ceiling above, Paul thought for a moment he had died until he heard Santos''s voice, gradually bringing his scattered thoughts back to reality.


    "Do you know whom I''ve found?" Santos pulled a chair closer, his tone light, betraying his good mood.


    Paul, having been unconscious for a long time, looked pale. He turned to Santos, unable to utter a single word for a long while.


    Seeing this, Santos lifted his chin


    slightly, his gaze and gestures pointing towards Mirabe, who was leaning against the corner walf. His voice was airy, "There, the person you all risked your lives to save."

 Chapter 1459

    Listening to Santos'' words, Paul didn''t immediately catch on. It took him a moment before he tilted his head, following Santos'' gaze.


    What he saw was a young woman with her eyes closed, her head covered by a hat, a few strands of hair framing her forehead, yet her features were still


    discernible.


    Beautiful.


    As Paul''s eyes rested on Mirabe, pondering over Santos'' words, the expression in his eyes suddenly shifted. He averted his gaze back to Santos.


    The person they had fought so hard to save, could it really be Rea, that child?


    Paul''s hand by his side clenched as he whispered in disbelief, "She, she is..."


    Santos crossed his legs, leaning back in his chair with a slight push, and took it upon himself to clear Paul''s confusion, "Cian."


    "No, that''s impossible," Paul''s lips, pale and trembling, barely moved, "I''ve said it before, Rea is dead. She''s not Rea, she isn''t!"


    Santos merely nced at Paul with a light scoff, "Stop the act, she admitted it herself."


    Did he really think denying it would protect Cian?


    Naive.


    Santos shook his head, then added casually, "You should thank me, for this reunion."


    Paul''s fingers tightened even more. He didn''t want to believe what Santos was saying at this moment, but from the look in thetter''s eyes, he could tell he wasn''t joking.


    So, the girl was indeed Rea.


    Paul felt a mix of joy and overwhelming concern.


    He knew all too well what fate awaited those who fell into the hands of the


    Stevenson family''s traitors. Taking a deep breath, Paul finally spoke, "What have you done to her?"


    Santos tapped his finger on his knee,


    seeing Paul no longer hid his


    feelings, his lips curved slightly, not bothering to conceal the truth, "Just


    injected her with something to temporarily weaken her resistance."


    "Let the girl go, I''lle with you, to be dealt with as you see fit," Paul said, his


    voice no longer rigid but carrying a hint of pleading.


    He was already old, and Rea was still so young; she shouldn''t have to be their test subject again.


    Santos looked at Paul as if he were a fool, "Do you think that''s possible?"


    Not to mention the effort it took to bring her back to the base, but the knowledge


    of cutting-edge technology in her mind was enough to drive anyone mad.


    "Speaking of which, Morgan, you yed a significant role in making this happen," Santos nodded, adding lightly, "Perhaps when we get back to the base, I can ensure you leave with some dignity."


    At these words, Paul''s eyes widened.


    "You should know, the one who hurt Cian isn''t me, it''s you," Santos continued.


    These words, dropping like a bomb, struck directly at Paul''s heart, making his blood freeze; coldness was his only sensation now.


    Paul''s face turned pale, his hand hanging limply by his side,cking the strength even to lift.


    Some things don''t need to be spelled out to be understood, so... was it he who had harmed the child?


    Seeing Paul engulfed in self-me, Santos'' lips twitched slightly.


    Being isted from the world isn''t necessarily good, but it might not be bad either. Look, just a few words and he''s already drowning in guilt.


    Tsk.


    At this moment, Santos was merely an onlooker enjoying the drama, bis gaze fixed on Paul, not noticing that in the corner, the person who was supposed to be in a deepa had already opened her eyes.

 Chapter 1460

    "Really? Are you sure you actually seeded?" Mirabe''s cool voice suddenly filled the entire break room.


    Upon hearing her voice, Santos''s gaze sharpened, and he swiftly turned around.


    He saw that Mirabe had already stood up, her dark coat making her appear incredibly stern, and her eyes bright and clear, showing no signs of confusion, hardly what one would expect from someone who had been injected with a strong sedative.


    "You... you''re awake?" Santos could hardly believe his eyes.


    Fearing an ident, he had made sure to inject her with another dose of the medication.


    Yet looking at her now, Santos''s mind raced, a sudden thought striking him, "No, you''ve never been under the effect of my drugs from the start, you let yourself be taken away on purpose!"


    The n within a n, all to find Morgan.


    No wonder it had been almost too easy to capture her at the time.


    Santos''s expression darkened.


    Mirabe flicked off some dust from the edge of her coat, her demeanorzy and unconcerned, "It seems you''re not too dull to misunderstand reality."


    Meanwhile, Paul, who had been wallowing in guilt, turned his head upon hearing Mirabe''s voice. When he saw the familiar spark in her eyes, his eyes suddenly moistened.


    Though they were reunited in such circumstances, it was a relief to know she was still alive.


    Santos, seeing Mirabe approach, tensed instinctively, aware of the danger.


    He had not expected her to wake up, so he hadn''t had her restrained.


    Knowing Mirabe''s capabilities, he quickly reached out and grabbed Paul by the neck without Paul noticing.


    Immediately, Paul coughed a few times from the pain and difficulty breathing. Santos didn''t lessen his grip, his eyes coldly fixed on Mirabe, "Take one more step, and I can''t guarantee whether he lives or dies."


    Mirabe heard this but didn''t stop, her approach casual and unthreatened.


    Santos''s brow furrowed, but he didn''t show any sign of panic. He had a hostage, and his people were all outside; he wasn''t afraid of what this woman could do.


    However, just as this thought


    crossed his mind, the hand gripping Paul''s neck suddenly weakened and released, and he couldn''t muster any strength in his body.


    Santos''s expression shifted, as he slumped powerless beside the bed. Being quite knowledgeable about


    drugs, he knew this had to be thet


    work of some medication, but he


    couldn''t for the life of him figure out which one, given his resistance built up over years of exposure.


    Confused, Santos managed to nce at Mirabe, his usual calm reced by gritted teeth, "What did you use?"


    Mirabe approached, not even sparing him a nce, and checked Paul''s pulse.


    His pulse was weak, but not critically so.


    Mirabe breathed a sigh of relief, then took out a set of silver needles she carried with her, and after- inserting them into several points on Paul''s head, she asked, "Do you feel better now?"


    Paul nodded, "Much better, my head doesn''t feel as foggy anymore."


    Mirabe hummed softly in response, not saying much more, and helped Paul up from the bed.


    But as Paul''s gaze swept over Santos, he suddenly withdrew his hand, "You better leave now."

 Chapter 1461

    Paul knew it was impossible for there to be no one watching outside, and given his current state, he had no means to resist. Taking Rea with him would only make things more difficult, ultimately preventing either of them from escaping.


    He didn''t mind being captured, but Rea was still young.


    "Go," Paul said, struggling to raise his hand, trying to give Mirabe a push.


    "You''re not going anywhere today," Santos sneered, his people surrounded the ce, and even if they fell for Cian''s trick, escape was still out of the question.


    Mirabe nced at Santos with annoyance.


    She kicked him away, then once again helped Paul up, sighing softly, "Morgan, you''re still the same as ever."


    Hearing this, Paul''s eyes reddened even more.


    Mirabe helped him sit down on a chair, "Since I''vee, there''s no way I''d leave empty-handed."


    Looking at her, Paul saw her calm demeanor, and his underlying worries strangely began to dissipate.


    Concern leads to chaos, and knowing Rea''s character, she certainly wouldn''t act rashly.


    Santos, who was kicked to the ground, had his hand on his chest. He looked at Mirabe, who was now standing with her back slightly turned to him. His hand, slipping into his jacket, had already touched the gun.


    However, Mirabe, as if foreseeing his move, turned around and kicked his wrist just as he drew the gun, causing it to fly out of his hand and fall to the ground.


    Santos''s pupils shrank, watching as Mirabe picked up the gun, and he found himself unable to muster any strength. His phone fell out of his pocket, but he didn''t care, just coldly staring at Mirabe, "If you dare touch me, we''ll all go down together today."


    Paul, worried, called out to Mirabe, "Rea."


    But Mirabe just smiled, walked over to Santos, slowly crouched down, and with the gun''s muzzle, lifted his chin to look at his face, then spoke, "I''m thest person to be threatened."


    Santos''s eyes showed no fear, only madness, "Then let''s see if you''re tougher or the safety of all these people at the airport is more important."


    He was gambling with the lives of the passengers at the airport.


    Mirabe scoffed, "You''re overestimating yourself."


    She picked up the phone that had slid out of Santos''s pocket, which was hers.


    The phone was off, and she pressed and held the power button. As soon as it turned on, several notifications popped up.


    Missed calls.


    From James, Wyatt, and As.


    Mirabe skimmed through the calls; it had been four hours since she disappeared, and these calls


    were all from about four hours ago.


    It was normal for As to call, but what did James want?


    Pondering, Mirabe decided to call As back first to let him know she was alright.


    "Miss Mira, where are you now?" As finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked.


    Mirabe simply said, "I''ll send you my location."


    "Okay."


    Soon after As received a location


    sent from Mirabe via Messenger. After seeing it, he quickly said, "Stay there, I arrange for someone from our team to pick you up in about five minutes."


    The Davis family had a private jet line in the area.


    After hanging up the call, Mirabe calmly pulled another chair over to sit down,


    her fingers casually spinning the gun.


    Seeing this, Santos''s heart sankpletely. When he tried to speak again, his gaze fell on the nec that had slipped out from the cor of her shirt.


    His eyes suddenly sharpened.

 Chapter 1462

    The pendant hanging from the ne had a very unique shape, and Santos recognized it almost immediately.


    It was the greatest secret of the Stevenson family, the Yin-Yang symbol.


    Legend had it that bybining two pieces of jade, one ck and one white, and cing them in a special maic field, it was possible to open a portal through time, allowing travel to either the past or the future.


    However, the two pieces of jade had disappeared years ago, and now one of them had surfaced in Cian''s possession... No wonder she was still alive.


    Santos lowered his eyelids, concealing the unreadable spark in his eyes, and fell silent, as if conceding defeat.


    Mirabe didn''t notice his expression. While waiting for someone, she was about to return a call to James with her phone, but before she could dial out, a call from Wyatt came through first.


    Her fingertips paused for a moment before she quickly answered the call.


    As soon as the connection was made, Wyatt''s voice came through, "Ms. Mirabe, I finally got through to you. Have you justnded?"


    Hearing the urgency in Wyatt''s voice, Mirabe''s heart skipped a beat, and she asked, "Is it something with James?"


    "No," Wyatt, standing at the airport arrival gate, his gaze fixed inside, suddenly found his throat dry.


    He didn''t know how Ms. Mirabe would react to the news of her grandmother''s passing, but he felt obliged to inform her.


    After taking a deep breath, Wyatt continued, "It''s Catherine... she has passed away."


    Mirabe''s hand shook slightly, and for a moment, her mind went nk. After a while, her voice was eerily calm, "What did you just say about my grandmother?"


    Wyatt paused for two seconds, "My condolences."


    Clutching her phone, Mirabe''s hand tightened as if it would crack, "When did this happen? How did she... pass?"


    "An hour ago, illness," Wyatt slowly said.


    Hearing this, Mirabe''splexion turned pale.


    An hour ago, just one hour... If she hadn''t followed Santos, if she had been on the scheduled flight back home, could she have seen Catherine onest time?


    Or perhaps Catherine wouldn''t have died?


    A swarm of guilt-ridden thoughts flooded her mind. Wyatt was still talking, but Mirabe could hardly hear him, standing motionless as if she had lost her soul for a long white.


    Paul, noticing her state, was startled and asked softly, "Rea, what''s happened?"


    He remembered when her mentor had died years ago, she had had the same expression.


    Mirabe lifted her head,


    Veget


    suppressing all her emotions, and replied with a simple "It''s nothing," before standing up and walking to the door, which she opened.


    The men Santos had arranged to stand guard saw the door open not to reveal Santos but Mirabe, and almost simultaneously, they reached towards their waists.


    But before they could act, they copsed to the ground, just as powerless as before under Santos''mand.


    At that moment, the steward arranged by As hurried over with a few men, surprised at the sight of the people lying on the ground.


    The steward quickly approached Mirabe, who was standing at the door, and bowed respectfully, "Miss Mira, are you alright?"


    Mirabe ?imply raised her hand, her demeanor already back to normal, her voice betraying no hint of distress, "Please take my friend to the hospital, and could you arrange a helicopter for me now?"

 Chapter 1463

    Although the steward didn''t know what Miss Mira was going to do in Province Y,


    he nodded immediately, "Of course, I''ll contact the aviation authority right away to request a flight path."


    Mirabe nodded slightly, thanking him once more.


    Turning around, Mirabe re-entered the lounge, not even ncing at Santos, but speaking to Paul, "Paul, I have something urgent to attend to. I''ll arrange for someone to take you to the hospital, and I''lle visit youter in the evening."


    Paul, who had regained some strength, looked at Mirabe. Though she appeared normal, the sadness in the depths of her eyes did not escape him. He gently patted her arm without asking further, "Alright, you go ahead."


    "Okay."


    Mirabe left the lounge.


    Soon, Santos and his men were taken away, and Paul was transported to the hospital.


    *


    The Davis family''s steward was incredibly efficient; in less than ten minutes, the ne was ready.


    Mirabe boarded the ne and sat there motionless, her eyes staring out the window, vacant and lifeless. Her fingers had already pierced her palm, yet she seemed to feel nothing at all.


    Time passed quickly yet also seemed to drag on. A little over an hourter, the ne finallynded at the airport in Province Y.


    Mirabe then closed her sore eyes, stood up, and disembarked from the ne. Her slender figure carried an indescribable sadness, and the apanying steward dared not say much, only quietly following by her side.


    As she walked out of the airport, Wyatt was waiting at the exit. Mirabe had messaged him before boarding the ne. Seeing her, he hurried forward, "Ms. Mirabe."


    Mirabe nodded, her voice a bit hoarse, asking, "Where is my grandmother now?"


    As Wyatt led her to the parked car, he replied softly, "Her body has already been transported back to Elm Creek; it should have already arrived home by now."


    Hearing the word ''body,'' Mirabe''s hand hanging by her side clenched again. She gave a light hum, turned to the Davis family''s steward, and told him there was no need to


    follow, then fell silent again.


    Quickly, Wyatt drove Mirabe back to the town.


    Throughout the journey, he drove almost at top speed, reducing a trip that


    normally took two hours to just one.


    The car stopped at the entrance of an alley, where James, wearing a dark long coat, was waiting.


    Seeing the man standing there,


    Mirabe finally showed a flicker of emotion in her eyes. She opened the door and stepped out, standing in front of James. A cold wind brushed her face, making her shiver, ber patfor impossible to conceal.


    James, who had never seen Mirabe in such a state, felt a pang of heartache. He reached out to hold her cold hand, and after a while, he spoke, "Condolences."


    Mirabe''s fingers curled slightly, and even though enveloped in warmth, she felt only the bone-chilling cold. She opened her mouth to speak, "My grandmother, she..."


    James smoothed her fingers, simply saying, "Go see her."


    "Alright." Mirabe nodded, letting him lead her down the alley.


    Her mechanical silhouette made it almost impossible to reconcile with the person


    who never lost herposure, no matter the situation.


    Wyatt watched from behind, sighing deeply.


    *


    When Mirabe and James reached the entrance of the courtyard, the gate was not closed, a white cloth already hung upon it. She stood at the entrance, looking in from afar.


    The usually serene courtyard was now filled with many neighbors, a simple tent had been erected in the open space, under whichy a coffin.


    Summer, dressed in dark clothes with a ck armband on her arm, was speaking with the people in the courtyard. Seemingly sensing something, she suddenly looked up towards the gate.

 Chapter 1464

    When Summer saw Mirabe standing there, she wasn''t surprised at all. She paused for two seconds before heading towards the entrance.


    "This ce doesn''t wee you." Summer''s face was expressionless, perhaps due to the huge changes that had befallen the Gilbert family, she seemed much more mature now,cking the youthful pride and arrogance she once had.


    However, her dislike for Mirabe remained unchanged.


    Mirabe''s gaze swept over the ck mourning band on Summer''s arm, then looked at her calmly, "I just want to see Grandma and then I''ll leave."


    "Grandma?" Summer scoffed sarcastically, "Where were you when the dear woman was calling out your name day and night? You couldn''t even show your filial piety by being there for her in her final moments. What right do you think you have to see her now?"


    Mirabe''s fingers tightened, and a lock of hair fell across her forehead, but she didn''t bother to brush it away, maintaining her gaze on Summer, repeating, "I just want to see her and then I''ll leave."


    "That''s impossible. Stop dreaming." Summer was very firm, "If you had any conscience, you''d let her pass peacefully without disturbing her. After all, you''re not really one of us, a Gilbert. Whether you see her or not makes no difference."


    "I just want to look, then I''ll leave." Mirabe faced Summer''s difficulty without a trace of anger, her demeanor almost humbly unlike herself.


    James, standing nearby, felt a pang of pain seeing this. He stepped forward, his expression stern, "She''s just here to pay her respects to Catherine. Is the Gilbert family really going to be so heartless?"


    Summer met James''s cold gaze and almost instinctively looked away, unable to hold his stare.


    She knew who he was¡ªfrom the prestigious Shepherd family, a family they dare not provoke.


    If she refused Mirabe entry today, the Davis family might not react, but


    offending the Shepherd family could very well mean cutting off their own future prospects.


    Biting her lip, Summer weighed her options and eventually stepped aside to make way.


    James turned back to Mirabe, "Let''s go."


    Mirabe gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and stepped into the yard.


    As she and James entered, Mandy came out from the house and immediately


    frowned upon seeing Mirabe, "Who allowed you in?"


    Although Summer was also


    displeased about letting Mirabe in, reason made her quickly approach Mandy, grabbing her arm and whispering a few words.


    Finally, Mandy, holding back her irritation, said nothing more and walked away.


    Mirabe nced at Summer before heading to the bedroom where Catheriney.


    Catherine was dressed in her funeral attire, lying peacefully on the bed as if merely asleep.


    Mirabe walked over stiffly, watching for a long while before slowly sitting down beside the bed.


    This woman who had given her over a decade


    f warmth had passed


    away even though they had ns


    not long ago for Mirabe to stay


    with the Davis family for a while.


    Mirabe gently adjusted Catherine''s already neat clothes, her face pale andposed.


    She didn''t speak, just gazed unblinkingly at Catherine''s peaceful visage.


    Seeing this, James sighed softly, knowing that anything he said now wouldn''t be heard by Mirabe. He then turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind him to give Mirabe some space.


    Outside in the hallway, Summer was standing there. She saw Jamesing out,


    her eyshes fluttering down as she walked over to him.

 Chapter 1465

    "James," Summer greeted him proactively.


    James gave Summer a fleeting nce, his eyes as indifferent as ever, and did not respond.


    Summer was well aware of the temperament typical of the aristocracy and gently fiddled with her fingers, ncing at the closed door before speaking again, "May I have a word?"


    James stood still. "What is it?"


    "Yes," Summer nodded, and after a moment''s thought, she added, "About Mirabe."


    Hearing the mention of Mirabe, James''s expression shifted slightly, and he followed Summer.


    The old house wasn''t very soundproof. Summer led James upstairs but didn''t enter any room; instead, they stood in the hallway.


    Turning to face him, Summer was momentarily dazzled by the man''s handsome features, which, however, couldn''t stir any other feelings in her. Still, she envied Mirabe for having such a distinguished man so devotedly by her side.


    Collecting her thoughts, Summer averted her gaze towards the staircase and, after a while, slowly said, "James, haven''t you noticed Mirabe seems quite different from before?"


    James narrowed his eyes slightly. "What are you implying?"


    Summer just smiled and withdrew her gaze. "Nothing much, just a heads-up. Not everyone is as they appear. Who knows, she might turn into someone else entirely in the next moment."


    Though Summer''s words were cryptic, they weren''t too hard to grasp. James, unfazed, simply responded, "And what of it?"


    Summer''s smile remained. "Nothing really, just worried you might get duped by some trickster, especially since the world''s full of strange tales."


    "Interestingly, I have a penchant for the unusual," James said calmly, standing by the banister.


    Seeing that James was unaffected, Summer wasn''t surprised.


    Some things are better left unsaid, like nting a seed that will eventually take root and grow.


    ...


    James descended the stairs and was about to reach the door when Mirabe opened it. He looked at her and simply said, "Ready?"


    "Let''s go," Mirabe nodded, her demeanor as calm as when she had entered, seemingly unaffected by any emotional changes.


    The two of them walked out one after the other.


    Mandy was still standing in the yard. rabe emerge, and


    Seeing


    despite the anger inside, she


    Swed the taunt at the tip of her tongue out of respect for James.


    As they passed by her, Mirabe suddenly stopped, her eyesnding on Mandy''s face, "Catherine has been taking my medicine faithfully; why did her condition worsen?"


    Mandy, caught off guard by Mirabe''s question at such a time, retorted angrily, "Are you suggesting I''d harm my own mother?"


    "If she could have lived to eighty..." Mirabe stated tly.


    "You think you''re a miracle worker? Controlling life and death?" Mandy scoffed,


    "Maybe it was your medicine that hastened her departure."


    "Don''t let me find anything, or I won''t let you off," Mirabe said, before walking away.


    Fuming, Mandy turned to hurl


    insults, but upon meeting James''s


    indifferent gaze, the words choked in


    her throat. Only after the duo had disappeared beyond the gate did she finally burst out, "...What nonsense!"


    Summer came out, seeing her mother''s furious expression, she couldn''t help but


    ask, "Mom, what happened?"

 Chapter 1466

    "It''s all because of that Mirabe, she even doubted me, saying she won''t let me off even after finding out?" Mandy was getting more and more upset, "Just because shees from a wealthy family, has connections, and knows the Shepherd family, such an ungrateful person."


    Upon hearing this, Summer''s brows furrowed slightly, but she soonforted, "You shouldn''t be angry with that kind of person. It''s not worth it."


    Mandy shook her head, "She doesn''t see that it''s my Delh, I would never harm her!"


    Summer''s gaze flickered, simply saying, "Let her be, if we are upright, we shouldn''t fear a crooked shadow."


    After much soothing from Summer, Mandy finally calmed down.


    "My daughter is so thoughtful. After we''ve taken care of your grandmother''s funeral, don''t dy any longer. It''s time you went abroad. The Gilbert family will be counting on you from now on." Mandy held Summer''s hand, patting it gently.


    Summer''s eyshes fluttered down, hiding a fleeting scorn, and she nodded, "Yeah, I know."


    **


    On the other side.


    After getting into the car, Mirabe leaned against the seat, lost in thought, her face pale and unresponsive even as her phone rang in her pocket.


    As if she hadn''t heard it.


    James, sitting next to her, sighed softly, then turned to take the phone out of her pocket.


    Seeing the caller ID, he answered the call for her.


    It was Nick, who had learned about the afternoon''s events from As and was calling to inquire.


    After ncing at Mirabe, James informed him about Catherine''s passing.


    Nick was silent for a moment.


    When he went back to their hometown with Mirabest year, he had realized how important Catherine was to her. Now, her sudden passing must have been a huge blow.


    Taking a deep breath, for the first time, Nick spoke to James with seriousness, "Please take good care of my sister these next few days."


    James agreed, not saying much more, and quickly hung up the phone.


    Mirabe seemed toe back to herself, turned her head to James, and finally spoke, "Was that Nick?"


    James hummed softly, putting the phone down, then took Mirabe''s hand firmly, his voice low, "Let it out if you''re feeling bad."


    Mirabe forced a smile, merely saying, "Do me a favor."


    "You want Catherine''s medical records," James guessed, thinking back to what Mirabe had said to Mandy.


    "Yes." A hint of fierceness appeared in Mirabe''s calm eyes, "I don''t believe she just left like that."


    Talking about life and death is easy, but facing it is difficult.


    James nodded, "Okay."


    "Thank you." Mirabe closed her eyes after speaking.


    Seeing this, James took off his jacket and covered her with it.


    Despite the car''s heating being on high, her palms were still cold, which worried him.


    Soon, the car stopped in front of the hotel.


    James gave Wyatt a few


    instructions before getting out of the car, then went around to the other


    Sened the door, and directly


    lifted Mirabe out.  fo


    Taking the elevator up to the top floor suite, James swiped the card to enter, about to insert the card into the power slot, but Mirabe, stopped his hand at the next moment.


    Without the lights, the room was plunged into darkness.


    Mirabe''s trembling voice came through, Do you think I''m awful? had a feeling something was off when I called home a couple of days ago, but I didn''t take it seriously..."

 Chapter 1467

    "If I hade back when I first sensed something was wrong, maybe Grandma wouldn''t have passed away, and I could have seen her onest time."


    Mirabe buried her head in James''s neck, her voice hoarse with grief she no longer tried to hide.


    James tightened his arms around her, his chin resting on top of Mirabe''s head, slowly saying, "This isn''t your fault. Everyone has their time, and Catherine passed away peacefully."


    "No, you don''t understand. I could have... If I had just been a little earlier, maybe I could have seen her one more time. It''s all my fault." Mirabe murmured lowly.


    James felt a lump in his throat and simply said, "Let it all out. It''s going to hurt less once you do."


    Mirabe tightened her grip, leaning fully into his chest, no more wordsing


    out.


    James just stood there, silently holding Mirabe at the doorway, seemingly tireless.


    After a while, Mirabe suddenly lifted her head, reinserting the key card, and instantly, the room was bathed in light, dispelling the earlier darkness.


    "I''m a bit tired," Mirabe said, looking at James, her eyes dim and lifeless, her face so pale it was almost translucent.


    James''s heart clenched, and he replied softly, "Okay," before carrying her to the bedroom.


    Afterying her on the bed, James pulled the covers over Mirabe, preparing to stand up when his clothes were tugged at.


    He turned back to see the girl looking at him, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness, making James''s heart feel as if it had been pricked.


    He sat back down by the bed, his fingers gently brushing away the stray hairs on her cheek, "Sleep now, I''ll stay right here with you."


    Mirabe''s fingers slowly rxed, and soon she closed her eyes.


    James waited until Mirabe''s breathing was even before tucking the covers


    around her again and standing up to leave the room.


    His phone was on silent, someone had been trying to reach him.


    Stepping into the living area, James took out his phone; it was a call from Wyatt.


    His gaze hardened as he hit the callback button.


    The call connected quickly.


    "Did you find anything so soon?" James asked, his voice neutral.


    "No, we just managed to get Catherine''s medical records from the hospital," Wyatt replied, shaking his head before continuing, "It''s about Ms. Mirabe missing her flight today."


    James walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the city enveloped in night, "What happened?"


    "Apparently, Ms. Mirabe was kidnapped right before boarding the ne, which dyed her return," Wyatt quickly said.


    James narrowed his eyes, "Kidnapped? Who would do such a thing?"


    He had known it was unlikely for Mirabe to be out of touch without reason.


    "I''m not entirely sure," Wyatt


    admitted, having received this news


    the As, who also imed the details were murky.


    "Have someone look into it," James''s voice was low.


    "It''s already been arranged," Wyatt hurriedly replied, pausing before carefully


    asking, "James, is Ms. Mirabe alright?"


    "She''s a bit shaken. Take care of Catherine''s funeral arrangements," James instructed.


    Wyatt nodded, "Will do."


    Soon after, they ended the call, and James returned to the bedroom.


    The bedsidemp was still on. He nced at Mirabe before picking up theptop from the nightstand, pulling a chair closer to sit by her side.


    He worked while keeping Mirabepany.


    *


    Time flew, and three days passed. Today was the day of Catherine''s funeral.

 Chapter 1468

    Early in the morning, Catherine wasid to rest in the cemetery.


    All of Catherine''s rtives, as well as neighbors close to her, came to bid her one final farewell.


    Dressed in ck, Summer and Aiden led the procession, wearing white roses on their chests.


    Mirabe stood at a distance, watching the scene unfold with a serene expression, feeling neither pain nor sorrow.


    She, too, was d in ck, her pale, thin cheeks and slender figure making her appear as if she might topple over with the slightest breeze.


    James, who was beside her, nced at her and began, "If you want to go..."


    Before he could finish, Mirabe, as if guessing what he was about to say, interrupted, "Actually, it''s nice to just send Grandma off this way."


    She hadn''t made it in time to be there at the end, and now that Catherine was beingid to rest, she preferred to let her go in peace.


    If she did show up in front of Mandy and the others, it would likely lead to arguments.


    She had no desire to dispute anything with the Gilbert family.


    Seeing this, James simply agreed.


    ...


    Catherine''s funeral was a simple affair,sting less than half an hour. After everyone paid their respects, they went their separate ways.


    Summer took off the white rose from her chest and ced it on the steps in front of the tombstone. Her gaze briefly swept over the photo on the tombstone before she quickly looked away.


    Mandy, who hadn''t noticed Summer''s actions, also removed her white rose, nced at her watch, and said, "Let''s go, Summer, or you''ll miss your flight."


    Summer nodded but then paused as if remembering something and looked around.


    "What are you looking at?" Mandy asked, puzzled.


    "Nothing," Summer replied, turning her gaze back. "Just wondering why Mirabe didn''te to the funeral today."


    At the mention of Mirabe, Mandy''s expression soured. "The ingrate, better she didn''te."


    Otherwise, she feared she wouldn''t be able to resist publicly berating her.


    Summer pressed her lips together, saying nothing more, and turned to leave the cemetery.


    Aiden, who had been quiet until now,


    followed behind Mandy and


    Summer. The events of the past year had matured him, the once reckless and extravagant boy now more silent and reserved.


    After a few steps, he stopped and called out to Mandy, "Mom, go ahead without


    me. I want to spend a bit more time with Grandma."


    Mandy looked back at him, "This ce is filled with gloom, why stay any longer?"


    Aiden simply nodded silently.


    Summer also paused, looking back at Aiden. In the past six months, ber brother had indeed be more sensible, no longer picking fights with her. Despite the changes, she still couldn''t feel close to him.


    Checking her watch, Summer simply said, "Mom, I''ll go ahead then."


    Realizing Summer was leaving, Mandy didn''t linger on her younger son, telling him to take a taxi home before hurrying to catch up with Summer.


    Soon, Aiden was the only one left in the quiet cemetery.


    He hugged himself, feeling a bit scared but eventually turned back and found a ce to hide.


    *


    Not long after, Mirabe arrived at Catherine''s grave, staring at the photo on the tombstone that bore a slight smile. Her expression turned somewhat distant.


    Even after three days, the loss was still hard to ept.


    Mirabe looked up, standing quietly for a while before gently cing the flowers


    down. Straightening up, she softly said, "Come out."

 Chapter 1469

    Mirabe''s gaze didn''t wander; it remained fixed on the gravestone.


    About two or three minutes after her words fell, Aiden emerged from behind a nearby tombstone.


    He walked towards Mirabe at a leisurely pace.


    "Are you... okay?" Aiden asked, looking at Mirabe''s gaunt cheeks with hesitation.


    Given that the Gilbert family had gone bankrupt and her parents had divorced, he was supposed to hate her.


    Mirabe lifted her head to nce at Aiden. "Were you waiting here for me?"


    She had sensed a sneaky presence on her way over, but she hadn''t expected it to be Aiden.


    Aiden opened his mouth to deny it but swallowed his words at thest moment. He cautiously nced at James standing with a significant presence nearby and whispered, "I have something to tell you."


    "I''ll wait outside for you," James said to Mirabe in a soft tone.


    After acknowledging him, Mirabe turned around once James had walked away. "Go ahead."


    Aiden fidgeted with his hands for a while before finally speaking, "My grandma wanted me to pass on a message to you..."


    Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered slightly, and her already pale cheeks turned even whiter as the cold wind blew her hair into disarray and Aiden''s words continued to reach her.


    "...She said not to be sad and to stop dwelling on the past. You were always her most beloved granddaughter." When Aiden got to this part, he remembered how his grandma had still been lucid, telling him this with perhaps something more in her eyes.


    He didn''t fully understand why she insisted on emphasizing thatst part. After some thought, he figured the elderlydy probably wanted to express, before leaving, that she never considered Mirabe an outsider.


    Coming back to her senses, Mirabe felt the turmoil in her heart caused by the words ''from the beginning to the end'' gradually calm down. She looked at Aiden. "Thank you."


    Aiden awkwardly averted his gaze, then quickly added loudly, "Don''t get me wrong. Just because I''m telling you this doesn''t mean I don''t dislike you. Respect for the deceased is important, and I didn''t want to fail my grandma''sst request


    Mirabe''s gaze returned to the photo on the gravestone, a soft light passing through her eyes. "I know."


    She understood what Catherine''s ''from the beginning to the end'' meant.


    Aiden bit his lip, muttered, "Good that you know," and then ran off.


    Mirabe stood there, not moving her gaze even as Aiden walked away. After a long while, her lips moved slightly, and a soft ''Grandma, rest in peace'' dissipated into the air.


    She turned and walked out of the cemetery.


    James''s car was parked outside the cemetery As Mirabe walked out, he was standing by the car door on a call. He looked up, saw Mirabe, said a few words into the phone, and then hung up.


    As Mirabe approached, James held her hand for a moment and said, "Nick just called."


    Mirabe paused slightly.


    "He said Shayn and Marian caught the nine o''clock flight. They should bending at the airport in about an hour." James then took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. "They''reing to pay their respects to Catherine."


    Mirabe hummed lightly and then said, "I''ll go pick them up."


    Seeing her looking worse than she had in the past few days, James paused for a moment before saying, "Why don''t I go? You haven''t rested much these past few days. I''ll pick them up."


    Mirabe smiled and shook her head, insisting, "It''s okay."


    Unable to persuade her, James didn''t try further.


    Mirabe wrapped the coat around herself, nced back at the cemetery, and then said to Wyatt standing by, "Could you take that kid back home for me?"


    She was referring to Aiden, who was following behind.

 Chapter 1470

    Wyatt spotted Aiden from a distance and nodded affirmatively, "Alright, I''ll make sure he gets home safely."


    Mirabe nodded her thanks before getting into the car with James.


    Soon, the car departed from the cemetery.


    ...


    Aiden walked out slowly, regretting not bringing any money or his phone, unsure how to get home.


    Seeing Wyatt standing by the roadside, Aiden instinctively stopped in his tracks, intimidated by his presence.


    Sensing his wariness, Wyatt approached him, "Ms. Mirabe asked me to drive you home."


    Aiden, surprised, fidgeted with his fingers, not expecting her to be so kind and blurted out, "...She isn''t nning to prank me, is she?"


    Wyatt gave Aiden a once-over andughed, "I don''t see anything about you worth pranking."


    Aiden: "..."


    Thement wasn''t hurtful, but it was incredibly insulting.


    "Come on, kiddo." Wyatt hailed a taxi and gestured to Aiden.


    Aiden hesitated, but considering he had no money, he eventually followed Wyatt into the taxi.


    He took it as the meandy suddenly having a change of heart.


    *


    Silvermist Shores Airport wasn''t particrlyrge. When Mirabe and James arrived at the arrivals gate, there were hardly any people waiting.


    It was quite empty and cold.


    Shawn and his wife''s ne hadn''tnded yet.


    "Why don''t you go rest in the car?e over with Uncle Marian once they arrive," James suggested to Mirabe, concerned she might overexert herself.  fo


    "I''m fine," Mirabe said, her gaze fixed in the distance, "Don''t worry about me. I''ll be okay."


    James sighed softly, knowing her stubbornness, and didn''t press further. He led her to a nearby seating area and insisted she sit down.


    Then he went back to wait at the arrivals gate.


    After about twenty minutes, Shawn and Delh finally appeared. James waved at them.


    The couple was surprised to see James waiting and approached him. Shawn asked, "James, why are you...?"


    They had nned to call their daughter after arriving.


    James greeted them politely before exining, "Nick mentioned it, so I thought I''de pick you up."


    "I see," Shawn replied softly, "Thank you, it''s much appreciated."


    James smiled slightly, "Uncle, please, it''s the least I can do."


    "How''s Mira now?" Delh asked worriedly.


    Before she could finish, Mirabe''s voice came from behind her, "Mom."


    Delh turned around swiftly, and upon seeing her daughter''s pale, thin face, her


    eyes immediately welled up with tears, "My dear, you..."


    Mirabe managed a smile, "Mom, I''m okay."


    Delh felt a lump in her throat seeing that smile, wiped her tears, and hugged her daughter, "Don''t be sad, dear. Everyone faces life and death, and Catherine would have wanted you to be happy."


    "I know, mom. Don''t worry," Mirabe reassured her, patting Delh''s back. She had managed to control her emotions since leaving the cemetery.


    Shawn joined them, cing a gentle hand on his daughter''s head, embracing both his wife and daughter in a silentfort as a father and husband.


    This scene was quietly observed by Summer from a distance.

 Chapter 1471

    Summer had just entered the airport when she realized she had forgotten to give something to Mandy. After a quick phone call, she headed back to the exit to find Mandy.


    As she walked out, she unexpectedly came across a heartwarming scene of her foster parents and Mirabe embracing each other.


    Dressed in something other than her usual ck, Summer stood still, her eyes fixed on the family of three that seemed so out of ce to her. Her grip on her bag tightened unconsciously.


    It was indeed ironic. She had never seen the Davis family treat her with such warmth.


    To anyone unaware, they might think this family had always known their biological daughter had been switched at birth.


    A slight smirk yed on Summer''s lips, but she quickly dismissed any thoughts of family affection. She didn''t need it anymore.


    Her phone rang. It was Mandy.


    "Summer, are you out yet? I just brought the car around to the front," Mandy said, peering out the car window as she spoke.


    Summer, watching the Davis family walk towards the main gate, replied calmly, "Wait a bit, I''m not there yet."


    Mandy, now depending on her daughter, agreed without hesitation, "Okay, I''ll wait."


    "Alright," Summer hung up.


    Inside the car, Mandy put down her phone and, out of boredom, picked up a magazine to read until she heard a knock on the window. She then opened the door and stepped out.


    "What was it you had for me?" Mandy asked.


    Summer pulled her gaze from the parking lot and hummed in acknowledgment before taking out a card from her bag, "Here, take this card. The PIN is..."


    Mandy took the card, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Is this from them?" Summer''s expression remained neutral, "Yes."


    Hearing this, Mandy''s smile softened, "Once you''re there, make sure to learn well from the professor. Our family is counting on you now."


    Summer, used to Mandy''s changed attitude, nced at the time, not wanting to prolong the conversation, "I should go then."


    "Take care, and just send me a message when you''re about to board the


    connecting flight," Mandy said, looking every bit the caring mother.


    Summer waved nonchntly and turned back into the airport.


    **


    Meanwhile, James drove back to the small town.


    With a light drizzle falling outside, Delh, who had initially nned to visit the cemetery first, decided to wait on the hotel due to the


    nove


    unrelenting rain.


    The couple, concerned about how Catherine''s death might affect their daughter, kept engaging Mirabe in conversation to stabilize her mood. Seeing her gradually calm down, they felt slightly relieved.


    Mirabe''s phone buzzed. After checking Messenger, she looked up at her parents with a raspy voice, "Mom, Dad, I need to step out for a bit."


    Delh, instinctively gripping her arm, asked, "Where are you going?"


    Mirabe sensed her worry and softly replied, "Just next door. James needs to talk to me about something."


    Hearing it was just James, Delh slowly let go, "Then be quick."


    Mirabe nodded and stood up to leave.


    Her slender figure was a sight that tugged at the heartstrings. Delh sniffled and leaned against her


    husband''s shoulder, "How could


    Catherine just leave us? Mira was just saying we should invite her over for Christmas."

 Chapter 1472

    Shawn sighed softly, "Life, aging, sickness, and death are beyond human control. There''s nothing we can do about it."


    "Ah." Delh wiped the corner of her eyes.


    Shawn raised his hand and patted his wife''s shoulder. Then, something urred to him, and he said, "By the way, I think I saw Summer at the airport."


    At the mention of Summer, Delh was momentarily stunned, then lifted her head, "Could you have been mistaken?"


    Shawn shook his head, "I don''t think so. After all, she was part of our lives for over a decade."


    "Uh... Why would she be at the airport? Did she know we wereing?" Delh wondered, puzzled. As the eldest granddaughter, she should have been observing the week-long mourning period for the elderly family member who had passed away.


    Shawn thought about the direction he had inadvertently nced at and then said, "It doesn''t seem like it."


    Every time Delh thought about the things Summer had done in the past, she felt a blockage in her heart and didn''t want to mention her anymore, "Let''s just leave it. As long as she doesn''t bother our family again, she can do whatever she likes."


    "Right." Shawn nodded, no longer bringing up the topic.


    **


    When Mirabe went to James''s room, Wyatt had also returned.


    "Ms. Mirabe, the young boy has safely made it home," he quickly said.


    Mirabe nodded her thanks, then turned to James, "Did you get the medical records?"


    "Yes." James handed her the file, "Take a look."


    "I specifically asked Dr. Erik, and he said Catherine passed away from a heart attack, with no other cause," Wyatt said on the side, as Mirabe was browsing through the medical records.


    Mirabe''s expression was somber, and she didn''t speak, only quickly flipping through the medical record book. After finishing, she picked up the printouts from the machine tests. The results matched what was recorded in the medical book.


    However, there was one blood test report that was different. Mirabe pulled out the blood test report.


    "Is there a problem?" James asked, seeing Mirabe''s action.


    "The blood viscosity of a patient who suffered a heart attack wouldn''t be this parameter. It must have been the medication I prescribed for grandmother that was tampered with," Mirabe said slowly.


    The day she went to see Catherine


    for thest time, she had checked the medication box, which only had a few pills left that seemed fine. However, Mirabe always kept track of the medication she provided Catherine, and suddenly more than half was missing, which was clearly not normal.


    Moreover, even if her medical skills werecking, ensuring Catherine lived another decade or so wouldn''t have been a problem.


    It was precisely because she was aware of these circumstances that she


    suspected there was more to it.


    And now, it seemed she was right.


    Hearing Mirabe say this, Wyatt immediately eximed in disbelief, "Who would be so heartless to target Catherine!"


    James remained silent for a moment then said, "It''s a pity that by the time I got to the hospital that day, your grandmother was already unconscious and couldn''t say anything in the end."


    Mirabe suppressed the sourness rising in her heart, "If someone was determined to see her dead, even if she were conscious, she wouldn''t have known she was being harmed."


    Even if she did know, she probably wouldn''t have said anything.


    "However, the person who could have switched Catherine''s medication without making a sound must be someone very close to her, right?" Wyatt analyzed.


    If it was indeed someone close to her who had harmed her, Catherine''s fate was truly tragic.


    At that moment, Wyatt remembered


    something and added, "By the way, Catherine was cared for by her daughter Mandy recently. The neighbors mentioned that the


    mother and daughter were often heard arguing."

 Chapter 1473

    Mirabe listened to what Wyatt had said, replying with only a faint voice, "It wasn''t her who tampered with the medicine."


    Mandy, though selfish, wouldn''t do such a thing. Mirabe had already tested her


    that day.


    As for the argument... Mirabe suddenly took out the ne from under her cor, "They might have been fighting over this jade piece."


    James''s gaze slightly hardened upon seeing the jade piece Mirabe held, then he stepped forward, tucking the jade back into her cor, "This jade is the only thing Catherine left you, keep it safe."


    Mirabe nced at him, "Didn''t you take it for researchst time? Did you find anything?"


    "Nothing, it''s just ordinary warm jade." James''s expression remained unchanged, revealing nothing.


    "Oh." Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered down, but she quickly lifted her head again, suggesting, "Maybe we should start with Summer."


    Upon hearing this, Wyatt remarked, "Why not suspect the brother today?"


    He remembered the kid mutteringints about Ms. Mirabe being heartless on the way back, as if they had deep grudges.


    "He doesn''t have the guts," Mirabe shook her head, dismissing the idea outright.


    Aiden, though wasteful, at least had some morals and wasn''t irredeemably bad.


    The fact that he waited in the cemetery today to bring Catherine''sst words to her was telling enough.


    "I''ll look into Summer now," Wyatt quickly said.


    And with that, he was gone.


    Only Mirabe and James were left in the room.


    Mirabe walked absentmindedly to the floor-to-ceiling window, unaware of when the sky outside had darkened, mingled in the rain were fine snowkes, fluttering down, as if wanting to paint the world in pure white.


    The warm-hearted olddy who had given her warmth would never, evere back.


    James stood next to Mirabe, the girl''s tears on her cheeks stinging his eyes.


    "Do


    you think if I had taken that flight


    back, it


    ''t have ended up like??


    today?" Mirabe stared


    vacantly outside, "It''s all met


    James wrapped his arms around her, "It''s not your fault. Even if you came back


    earlier, your grandmother couldn''t have made it. It was her fate."


    "No, you don''t understand, I could have saved her..." Mirabe murmured.


    Hearing this, James suddenly gripped Mirabe''s shoulders and distanced them, his eyes drilling into hers with seriousness, "You couldn''t have. A life for a life, this isn''t the ending your grandmother would have wanted to see."


    Unfortunately, fate hadn''t given her that chance.


    Mirabe closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his waist, no longer speaking.


    James sighed softly at this, all his emotions turning into a sigh.


    **


    The next day.


    Delh and Shawn went to the cemetery early in the morning to pay their respects.


    Wyatt also found some information about Summer.


    "She came back half a month ago, but by the time she returned, Catherine had already been hospitalized due to illness. I heard from the hospital staff that Summer was the one who stayed by her bedside until the end."


    Wyatt paused, then continued, "While investigating, I found something strange. Summer''s whereabouts for the past six months have been a mystery."


    "A mystery?" Mirabe''s gaze fell on Wyatt.


    Wyatt nodded, "It''s like her tracks were deliberately hidden."


    A cold look shed across Mirabe''s eyes, and she suddenly stood up and walked outside.

 Chapter 1474

    Wyatt noticed Mirabe''s sudden movement and quickly said, "Ms. Mirabe, are you looking for Summer? Summer left Y province on a flight yesterday."


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks and turned around, her aura of solemnity seemingly skyrocketing with her, "She left?"


    Wyatt''s heart skipped a beat, nodding in response, "Yes, she''s already gone."


    Mirabe furrowed her brows, "Do you know where she went?"


    "She must have gone back to Ashford. Her ticket was to Ashford," Wyatt quickly replied.


    Upon hearing this, Mirabe took out her phone and called As, instructing him to find Summer and take her into custody.


    Thinking of Morgan made Mirabe''s fierce energy dissipate somewhat, and just before hanging up, she asked, "As, my friend?"


    "Paul has been discharged from the hospital, but he keeps asking for you. I gave him your number, didn''t he call?" As asked in surprise.


    Mirabe remained silent for a moment, then said, "Well, please help me send him back to Ashford..."


    After giving her instructions, she put away her phone.


    Mirabe stood there, her cheeks pale and gaunt, her eyes deep, like the calm before a storm.


    **


    Soon after, Delh and Shawn returned from visiting the cemetery, and after consulting with Mirabe, they decided to catch a flight back to Ashford that afternoon.


    Upon learning this, James had Wyatt change his ns to join Mirabe and the others.


    The flight at three o''clock got them back to Ashford by not yet six o''clock, but in the deep winter, the sky was already enveloped by night.


    Zach and Emmitt were already waiting at the arrival gate, and when they saw their parents and sistere out, they went up to greet them.


    After Zach greeted his parents, he turned his attention to his sister. Seeing her greatly thinned face he


    felt @pang of heartache and hugged her, "Sis, stay strong."


    Mirabe hummed softly. Aside from looking haggard, she seemed very calm, "I''m fine, thanks for your concern, Zach."


    Zach patted her back before letting go. It was then, seemingly for the first time, that he noticed James, nodding at him as a form of greeting.


    James was already used to Zach''s attitude.


    However, the next moment, he heard Zach''s voice, "Thank you for taking care of my sister these past few days."


    Although he didn''t like the guy, gratitude where gratitude was due was still necessary.


    "You''re wee, Zach," James nodded slightly.


    Hearing James''s voice addressing him, Zach felt as if he had swallowed a fly.


    He nced at his sister and parents, well aware of the good impression this man


    had on them, so in the end, he held back any furtherments.


    Emmitt, standing by, turned to Mirabe, his hands at his side clenched, and without the same gesture as Zach, he softly said, "My condolences."


    "Thank you, Emmitt." Mirabe nodded.


    "Hmm." Emmitt dared not look at


    vel


    Mirabe for too long, instead,


    taking the luggage from their


    parents and leading the way to the


    parking lot, "Let''s go home,"


    The group quickly left the airport and arrived back at the neighborhood an hourter.


    James rode with Emmitt, and although they didn''t talk much on the way, it wasn''t awkward.


    After getting out of the car, Delh, remembering something, walked up to James, her voice gentle, "It''s


    gettingte, and your house has


    probably been empty for a while, which might not be convenient. If you don''t mind, you''re wee to stay with us tonight."

 Chapter 1475

    As the words settled, Zach, who had just closed the trunk of his car, came over to interrupt, "Mom, there''s always the hotel. You worry too much."


    In the past, whenever he tried to get closer to his sister, his parents would find reasons to dislike it. It was so obvious what the Shepherd family''s intentions were, yet his parents acted as if they were selectively blind, even weing a wolf into their home?


    Zach felt extremely discontented.


    Delh merely nced at Zach, "Zip it." Then, turning to James with warmth, she said, ¡°Honestly, James, don''t mind the jokes from Zach here."


    Zach: "?"


    Couldn''t his own mother give him a bit of dignity?


    James offered a smile, politely declining Delh''s offer, "Thank you, Marian, but I''ve already had the house cleaned."


    Hearing this, Delh did not insist further, merely suggesting, "Then let''s have dinner before you go back, our homes are close by anyway."


    This time, James did not refuse.


    **


    At home, Marian had already prepared dinner. Mirabe had little appetite, merely sitting at the dining table, quietly listening to her parents and brother talk. Even holding her fork, she barely made a move.


    Seeing her like this, everyone understood she was feeling down and didn''t force her to eat, instead trying to divert her attention with different topics.


    After dinner, James didn''t stay long at the Davis family''s home, leaving after a short while.


    Mirabe returned to her room, and when she went to her closet to pick out clothes, she noticed arge cardboard box next to it.


    She paused for a second, then ced the clothes back, opening the box.


    Inside the box were several thick volumes of ssic literature and many tightly wrapped trophies.


    Mirabe''s hand trembled. She didn''t pick anything up from the box but slowly closed it again.


    The shippingbel was still on the box, dated two weeks ago.


    Two weeks ago... So, did she anticipate not being able to see them again, which is why she shipped all her things from her childhood home back?


    Mirabe tilted her head back, then reopened the box. Besides her belongings,


    there was nothing else.


    Feeling a wave of sadness, Mirabe resealed the box.


    Just then, her cell phone rang from her pocket, breaking the silence of the house.


    It was a call from As.


    Mirabe answered, "As."


    "Miss Mira, Summer isn''t in Ashford. She took a flight to the Statesst night; we were a step behind," As''s voice paused for a moment before continuing with a tone of embarrassment, "There''s another thing. One of the people you asked us to take care of the other day has escaped."


    As prided himself on never slipping up, yet this time, someone had inexplicably escaped, which was utterly baffling.


    He still hadn''t figured out how that person managed to escape.


    Mirabe''s expression was cool, not surprised by this oue.


    If Santos had been easy to control, he probably wouldn''t have made it this far.


    However, Mirabe was more concerned about Summer going to the States, "As, did you find out exactly where she went?"


    "No, we received the news toote So, her whereabouts after arriving in the States are unknown to us, and we have no leads," As''s


    embarrassment deepened


    There were only two possibilities for having no trace: either the person was no


    longer alive or someone powerful was covering their tracks.


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes, clearly understanding that Summer''s situation was thetter.

 Chapter 1476

    Catherine''s sudden illness and death, Summer''s abrupt departure abroad, the link between these events isn''t hard to trace.


    It was initially thought that Summer''s twisted mentality was due to a wed worldview, but now it seems that cold-heartedness is simply in her nature.


    Mirabe''s voice was somewhat cold as she said, "Continue to track her whereabouts for me."


    "Right away, Miss Mira," As replied. "And the escapee..."


    "No need to search any further," Mirabe cut in directly.


    By this time, Santos had probably already left the country. Even if he hadn''t, no one would recognize him with his ever-changing face.


    To search or not, it made no difference.


    **


    Meanwhile, Santos was indeed on a ne back to the States, his face hidden behind yet another prosthetic mask.


    "Mr. Santos, you really can''t go out on your own again. We were lucky this time, but if something had happened, the doctor would have been furious."


    The foreign man standing beside Santos had a clear look of relief mixed with fear.


    Santos leaned back in his seat, gently swirling his ss of red wine, casting a sidelong nce at the man, "Don''t worry, I''m hard to kill. Nothing will happen."


    "I''m just worried about the ''what ifs''..." the man was still apprehensive.


    Santos took a sip of his wine, his gaze full of nonchnce, "But, I must say, your timely arrival was fortunate."


    Otherwise, he feared he might have had to spend more time in the country before being able to leave.


    "It was mostly thanks to Mr. Asa''s assistance," the foreign man quickly added.


    "Asa?" Santos'' eyes narrowed slightly, but after a moment, he nodded, "Arrange a meeting with him for meter."


    "Of course The man nodded. He looked at Santos, who seemed ina surprisingly good mood, hardly the demeanor of someone who had narrowly avoided imprisonment.


    Pondering, he asked, "Why are you in such high spirits?"


    "Because I''ve found something," Santos replied with a lightugh.


    The man''s curiosity was piqued, "What is it?"


    Santos didn''t answer, instead finishing his wine in one gulp, and sighed,


    "Unfortunately, this might be a bit difficult to obtain."


    Seeing that Santos wasn''t forting, the man beside him stopped pressing, though he was still puzzled.


    Santos seemed unaware of the man''s emotional turmoil, turning his head to look out the window, his expression turning deep.


    The secrets of the Stevenson family, after all, weren''t something those people could easilyy their hands on.


    **


    The next afternoon, Mirabe went to meet Paul at the hotel.


    He had arrived in Ashford today with As.


    Sitting on the sofa, it took Paul a


    bitter


    while before he spoke with had


    smile, I''m sorry, my dear. If it hadn''t beer for me that day, you might have..."


    het


    Mirabe''s expression remained calm, knowing what Morgan was trying to say, she directly interrupted, "Paul if time could be reversed, I would still make the same choice."

 Chapter 1477

    Unfortunately, there''s no option to turn back time.


    Mirabe''s eyshes drooped slightly, pausing for a second before she changed the subject, "When do you n to return to the family?"


    Paul, habitually holding his long pipe but not lighting it, simply said, "I''ll head back in a couple of days."


    Mirabe nodded, "It''s better to go back early, it''s not safe out here."


    "What about you? Santos already knows you''re still alive; his people will definitely not let you go," Paul said with a serious expression.


    The corners of Mirabe''s lips lifted slightly as she spoke lightly, "If some people are unavoidable, then I''ll just wait for them toe to me."


    ¡°But.....¡± Paul opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Mirabe again.


    ¡°I used to think that one should livefortably, being azy fish isn''t bad,¡± Mirabe''s gaze shifted towards the window, her eyes carrying an unfathomable depth before she turned back, "but now it seems that idea was wrong."


    Paul looked at her, suddenly feeling a bit pained. The fact that she could say such words showed how much this incident had affected her.


    "Rea, the fate of the Stevenson family has always been tumultuous and out of our control. Now that you''ve escaped this vicious circle, why bother stepping back into it?" Paul sighed lightly.


    "I know what I''m doing." Mirabe''s eyes lost their coldness, and then she took out a bottle from her pocket and handed it to Paul, "Please give this to Cassie for me."


    Paul took the bottle without looking inside. Suddenly remembering something, he asked, "Did Cassie know about your situation all along?"


    Mirabe remained silent, and seeing this, Paul had his answer. He pocketed the bottle expressionlessly, not asking further.


    However, Cassie, far back in the family, felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine at that moment.


    His premonitions were always eerily urate.


    Mirabe and Paul talked about other things for a couple more hours before she left.


    As she stepped out of the hotel, a light rain began to fall. Standing at the doorway, her ck clothing and slender body appeared as fragile as paper, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.


    At that moment, a sedan pulled up at the entrance.


    The car door opened, and James stepped out from the driver''s side, holding an umbre. He walked around the car towards Mirabe.


    "How did you know I was here?" Mirabe was slightly taken aback seeing the man approaching.


    "I was worried you might be upset," James simply stated, extending his free hand to grasp Mirabe''s cold one.


    Mirabe, realizing the gesture, couldn''t help but shake her head with a mix ofughter and tears, "I''m not the type to dwell on things."


    "I know," James said, looking into Mirabe''s eyes with sincerity, "I''m just worried."


    Meeting his gaze, Mirabe felt a warmth in her heart. She curled her fingers slightly, gripping his hand back, "I''m okay."


    "Where do you n to go now? Home or...?" James inquired.


    "I''m a bit hungry," Mirabe mentioned, her appetite having been poor recently, almost never feeling hungry. But now, she suddenly felt like eating something.


    Hearing this, James led her to the car, then let go of her hand to open the door for her, "Let me take you out t for a meal. How about Knox''s Herb & Hearth?"


    The herbal cuisine there was mild and would be suitable for helping her recuperate.


    Mirabe agreed, bending down to get into the car.


    Half an hourter, the car pulled up outside Herb & Hearth.

 Chapter 1478

    When they arrived, they didn''t call Knox, but the steward inside recognized them both and directly arranged for them to be seated in a private booth.


    Vincent had returned to Ashford the second day of winter break to carry on his family''s legacy, spending almost every day at Herb & Hearth cooking.


    Hearing the steward mention Mirabe was there for dinner, he quickly set down the ingredients in his hands and headed to the booth.


    But the moment he saw Mirabe, Vincent was taken aback. "Boss, have you been dieting too hard?"


    Herplexion was poor, and her cheeks were so gaunt they seemed to be all skin and bones.


    He had never seen Mirabe look so haggard.


    Mirabe shot Vincent a nce, forcing a rather insincere smile, "What, isn''t being


    a chef enough for you, or do you have energy to gossip about others too?" Vincent: "..."


    As expected, the boss never lost in a verbal exchange.


    Touching his nose, Vincent didn''t dare to ask more. He nced at James beside her.


    Although James was sitting quietly, the aura emanating from him was somewhat intimidating.


    Seeing this, Vincent quickly averted his gaze, asking Mirabe what she would like to eat. After she ordered a few dishes, he hurried back to the kitchen.


    Being the third wheel wasn''t easy.


    Watching Vincent''s hasty retreat, Mirabe turned back to James, "You might have scared him."


    James, whose hand was under the table holding Mirabe''s, warming it, finally spoke with a hint of disdain, "Too young, can''t keep calm."


    Mirabe silently looked away.


    The age joke was a barrier some couldn''t get over.


    **


    After dinner, they left Herb & Hearth. On the way back, James'' phone rang several times, but he just nced at it and didn''t answer.


    Only when the car stopped outside the Davis family''s vi, and Mirabe was about to get out, did she turn back to James, "If you''re busy, you can go back to the capital early. I''m fine."


    James looked at her for a moment and then nodded, "Alright."


    Then, he remembered something, opened the glovepartment, and took out a


    small jewelry box, handing it to Mirabe.


    Mirabe''s gaze fell on the jewelry box James handed over, hesitated for a


    moment, then reached out to take it.


    Inside was a ne with a white jade pendant, both in color and texture, it was of high quality.


    "I''ve been thinking, maybe I should keep the ne you''re wearing for a while, what do you think?" James'' voice came again.


    Mirabe looked up at James, somewhat puzzled.


    James was calm, simply stating, "I''m worried it might bring back memories."


    Mirabe realized what he meant and shook her head, "It won''t."


    After saying this, her eyshes slightly drooped, casting shadows that covered the dark circles under her eyes, and her lips suddenly curved into a smile.  fo


    Her grandmother had told her not to be sad and to look forward.


    Nevertheless, Mirabe took off the ne around her neck, her fingertips gently touching the jade pendant, and then she handed the


    ne directly to him.


    James held the jade pendant a bit tighter, seeing that Mirabe didn''t ask further,


    he felt a slight relief.


    Mirabe gave him a look and said, "I''ll go in first."


    "Alright."


    James watched Mirabe''s figure disappear into the doorway before retracting his gaze, opening his palm to look at the fish-shaped pendant, his eyes deep.


    After a moment, he carefully stored the ne.

 Chapter 1479

    Mirabe returned home just as Delh came in from the greenhouse in the garden, looking a bit brighter. Seeing Mirabe''s improved mood also eased her worries.


    "By the way, Mirabe, could you invite James over for dinnerter?" Delh said while arranging fresh flowers in a vase.


    Mirabe, holding a ss of water, leaned against the table. "We''ve already eaten outside."


    Upon hearing this, Delh looked up at her daughter and asked, "Does that mean you went out with James this afternoon?"


    "Not exactly," Mirabe sipped her water, keeping a straight face. "We just happened to bump into each other and decided to grab a meal together."


    Delh was silent for a moment before putting down her scissors. "Are you and James...dating?"


    Mirabe fiddled with the bottom of her ss and hummed in affirmation.


    Although Delh had her suspicions, hearing her daughter confirm it stirred mixed feelings within her.


    It had been less than two years since Mirabe returned to their lives, and now she was of age to date... Delh sighed softly but didn''t say anything, simply patting her daughter''s shoulder instead.


    Mirabe had expected a lecture on love from Delh but was surprised to find her seemingly not opposed to the idea.


    Could Delh also be swayed by looks?


    Mirabe pondered quietly, then asked, "So, you''re not against it?"


    "I have my considerations," Delh smiled and shook her head without further exnation, "Besides, James is a decent man."


    Mirabe looked at Delh, then inquired, "Does Dad think the same?"


    "Oh him, he always ends up taking my advice." Delh saidnguidly, then turned


    her gaze away, picking up the scissors to continue trimming the flowers.


    Mirabe mused to herself, no wonder her father was so easy-going.


    At that moment, her phone buzzed in her pocket.


    It was a message from James on Messenger: "I''ll be heading back to the city tonight."


    Mirabe tapped on her screen to reply: "Safe travels, and congrattions on the job confirmation."


    James, driving to the airport, couldn''t help but smile softly at Mirabe''s message. He didn''t reply but instead turned up the music in the car.


    The cheerful music mirrored his mood.


    **


    Two dayster, Mirabe went to the airport to see off Paul.


    "Paul, when you go back this time, try not to travel again." Mirabe, still dressed


    in ck, took out a smartphone from her bag while speaking.


    Paul looked at the phone, puzzled for a moment, then took it and quickly unlocked it. "Where did you find this? I thought I''d never see it again after Santos took my phone."


    Mirabe adjusted her cor. "At the hotel. I''ve turned off the phone''s tracking."


    "Alright," Paul nodded, then brought up his Messenger QR code. "Scan this, so we can keep in touch easier on Messenger."


    "Sure." Mirabe took out her phone, scanned the code, and they were instantly connected as friends.


    Satisfied, Paul put his phone back in his pocket. "Oh, there''s one more thing I forgot to mention. The pot of bamboo mustard I brought with me was stolen."


    Mirabe gave him a look. "Why would you bring that thing along in the first ce?"


    "I heard the soil in this city is perfect for growing bamboo mustard, sod brought it with me. I didn''t expect someone would actually want it," Paul said, somewhat annoyed.


    He had managed to cultivate only two nts over the years. But then, he thought,


    let it go; it''s not like it was something precious.

 Chapter 1480

    Mirabe pressed her temples, sighing, "Try to invent fewer trouble-making concoctions."


    Paul cleared his throat, "You know I''m only interested in toxic nts."


    Mirabe shook her head, then nced at her watch, "Alright, let''s hurry up, or we''ll miss our flight. Just be safe."


    Paul gave a low ''hm'', grabbed his suitcase, and walked away. However, after a few steps, he turned his head, seeing that Mirabe truly showed no sign of sorrow, his face fell.


    His shoulders drooped as he turned back around, his silhouette looking rather pitiful.


    Seeing this, Mirabe let out a helpless sigh and quickly caught up to him, giving Paul a gentle hug, "Paul, take care of yourself."


    She spoke softly, with a seriousness she had never shown before.


    Paul felt as if his heart was pricked by a needle, ufortable yet somewhatforted.


    Comforted that she finally showed the emotional fluctuations of a normal person, though these emotions were too sad.


    Swallowing the bitterness, Paul patted Mirabe on the back, "It will be alright."


    Even if all of them were to meet a tragic end, he wanted her to be well.


    Soon, Paul passed through security, and Mirabe stood watching until he disappeared from sight, then turned and walked away, hero demeanor cold.


    **


    On the other side, in the Machinery Bureau of M continent.


    James satzily in his chair, idly spinning his pen, with a dozen


    department heads seated arvel I conference table


    the


    The meeting was as heated as an argument, with everyone looking furious and flushed.


    After two hours, James stood up impatiently, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "I didn''te here to listen to your nonsense. If there''s no n by tomorrow, don''t bother calling me."


    With that, he threw his pen on the table and left.


    The people at the conference table exchanged looks, their eyes full of dissatisfaction, but none dared to voice it.


    Until he was out of sight-


    "The director is increasingly disregarding us," someone couldn''t help but remark.


    "Well, who made him the only Emmitt here, capable of crafting unmatched heavy weapons?" another person scoffed.


    Though thement was sarcastic, it also carried a hint of irritation.

 Chapter 1481

    Wyatt followed closely behind James, "No, it''s strange. We lost her trail in South Carolina, as if she vanished into thin air."


    James''s lips curled slightly, "That mysterious?"


    Wyatt nced cautiously at his boss James before continuing, "South Carolina is at the heart of a power center, which suggests that the person covering for her must be no ordinary person."


    James was reminded of the odd words Summer had mentioned back home. A flicker of intrigue crossed his eyes as he spoke, "Have you checked her past records?"


    Wyatt paused, "Past records? You mean before Ms. Mirabe reimed her identity?"


    "Yes," James nodded lightly.


    "No, I''ve only looked into Ms. Mirabe''s past," Wyatt replied smoothly, "But speaking of changes, Ms. Mirabe has undergone the most."


    James''s eyshes lowered slightly as hemanded, "Look into Summer''s past records."


    "Alright, James," Wyatt agreed, but out of curiosity, he couldn''t help asking, "Why suddenly look into her past?"


    The two had exited the federal building by then, the bright sunlight reflecting off the agency''s emblem in the za, casting a golden glow, its wings poised as if to oversee everything with sharp vignce.


    James stopped in front of the car, finally addressing Wyatt''s earlier question, "I suspect she''s be a different person."


    With that, he opened the car door and got in.


    Wyatt stood still for a moment, trying to grasp the meaning behind James''s words.


    Be a different person?


    Can people change into someone else?


    Or did James mean this Summer was an impostor?


    Wyatt, puzzled, got into the car, nced at the rearview mirror, and saw James resting against the seat with his eyes closed. He decided not to voice his question, but after a pause, he still spoke up, "Are we heading straight back to the mansion?"


    James tapped his knee lightly and then opened his eyes, "To the mall."


    Wyatt''s face twitched, suspecting he had heard wrong, "The mall?"


    James hummed in affirmation, his gaze drifting outside the window.


    Christmas was only twenty days away.


    **


    Time flew by, and soon it was the end of the year.


    Mirabe had been staying at home, barely going out, except to take Zach''s dog for walks.


    On New Year''s Eve, after dinner,


    With


    sat in the living room.


    the New Year''s Eve special


    her parents and brother.


    Nick was abroad this year, and Leo was at the live site of the show, leaving only Emmitt and Zach at


    home. They were discussing


    economics, and although Miral


    was listening, her mind was elsewhere.


    After a while, she stood up, put on her down jacket, and took Zach''s dog, Husky Junior, out for a walk.


    Zach wanted to join her, but Delh held him back.


    "Let your sister go alone. You being there might just remind her of past sorrows," Delh sighed softly.


    Understanding her point, Zach reluctantly sat back down.


    Emmitt watched from the side, his heart slightly bitter. The year haddeft him more silent and reflective, his regrets unchanged.


    As Mirabe stepped out, the biting winter wind made her instinctively wrap her jacket tighter.


    This winter was exceptionally cold.


    Exhaling, Mirabe looked down at the energetic Husky Junior by her feet, her eyes softening.


    Crossing the garden, they quickly left the mansion behind.

 Chapter 1482

    The neighborhood was decorated beautifully, with rednterns hanging


    everywhere, creating a thick atmosphere of celebration.


    From 8 o''clock onwards, residents started setting off fireworks, as if they were greeting the New Year with the loudest of noises.


    Mirabe, walking leisurely through the neighborhood with her dog, saw their shadows stretched long under the streetlights. At that moment, her phone rang from her pocket.


    She paused, switching the dog leash to her other hand before taking out her phone. Seeing the caller ID, her slender fingers pressed the answer button.


    "What are you up to?" The man''s clear voice came through the phone. Despite the background noise of fireworks, it resonated clearly in Mirabe''s ears.


    Caught off guard, the energetic Husky slipped the leash from her hand and dashed forward.


    Regaining herposure, Mirabe chuckled and started after the dog, speaking into the phone, "Just taking Zach''s son for a walk."


    James, on the other end, heard the sound of her steps. "In the neighborhood?" he asked.


    Mirabe hummed in affirmation. The dog, named Leo, had run off so fast he was already out of sight. Calling his name a few times with no response, she felt a headacheing on.


    "Having a dog is indeed troublesome," Mirabeined, knowing no one would be out for a walk at this time. She decided to just wait under a streetlight for the silly dog to return on his own.


    James rarely heard herin. His face, usually so solemn, softened into a smile. "You find having a dog troublesome, what about a child in the future?"


    Mirabe was silent for a beat, then skillfully changed the subject, ignoring the absurd interjection. "Didn''t go to watch the New Year''s Eve special?"


    She could tell the environment on his end was quiet.


    "No," the man''s voice was light. He watched the girl standing under the streetlight, wrapped in a thick coat almost swallowing her whole, resembling a little penguin needing to be taken home.


    James''s gaze softened, the weariness in his brows seemed to dissipate in that moment as he slowly walked towards Mirabe.


    Still on the phone, Mirabe didn''t notice his approach and continued, "Well, you could catch this year''s show. My Leo also participated."


    Then she heard James''s voice, now close at hand, "Yeah, I know."


    It didn''t seem like it came from the phone but from right behind her-


    Mirabe suddenly looked up, turning around to see the man, cool as the moon,


    slowly walking towards her, as if draped in stars.


    She paused, phone still at her ear.


    James approached, looking at the dazed girl before him, and without hesitation, wrapped his arms around her. "Why the sudden daze?"


    Smelling the subtle woody fragrance on him, Mirabe finally snapped back to reality, slipping her phone


    into her pocket. "You... why are you here?"


    James didn''t loosen his hold, his cheek brushing against Mirabe''s, his voice maic, "Wanted to see you."


    Caught off guard by such words,


    Mirabe''s heart raced twice as fast. She lowered her gaze, seeing their elongated shadows merging under the light.


    "When did you get here?" she asked softly, arms lightly wrapping around his waist.


    James noticed her gesture, his eyes growing deeper. After a moment, he replied, "This afternoon."

 Chapter 1483

    He had only just arrived.


    After sorting out the mess at the Arms Agency, his first thought wasn''t to return to the Shepherd family, so he took a flightsting over a dozen hours to get back here.


    However, James had no intention of voicing this.


    Upon hearing what James had said, Mirabe raised an eyebrow, released him, and increased the distance between them, looking at him and asking, "Why didn''t you call me when you arrived this afternoon?"


    James met her gaze, her dark eyes sparkling with mirth, which made him cough slightly.


    At some point, Buster had run back, tilting his head to look at them, his amber eyes clean and pure, tail wagging happily.


    Mirabe picked up Buster''s leash, holding it in her hand, and asked again, "Have you had dinner yet?"


    James nced at the silly dog at the other end of the leash, and took Mirabe''s other hand, his voice tinged with mncholy, "No..."


    Mirabe had guessed as much. Annoyed, she took out her phone intending to order delivery, only to find that many ces were already closed, and those that were open had poor ratings.


    She gave up on ordering delivery and instead looked up at James, "How about going to my ce? There should still be some food left."


    "Maybe not, I fear being kicked out," James said with augh. After a pause, he suddenly remembered something and added, "I know a ce where we can eat."


    ...


    Soon, they walked out of the residential area with Buster, who was not small by any means.


    Near the residential area was a row of shops. Although most were closed, a few were still open.


    James took Mirabe to a dumpling restaurant. The owner was from out of town and hadn''t gone home for New Year''s, so he kept the business open, watching the New Year''s G with his family in the shop.


    The owner was surprised to have customers, especially a very attractive young couple, and the rule about no pets allowed was swiftly ignored.


    Thinking that no other customers woulde at this time, the owner didn''t say much. After asking what vor of dumplings they wanted, he


    \*


    went to the kitchen.


    As soon as the owner left, Mirabe looked at James with a smirk, "Mr. Austin, out


    for dumplings, who would believe it?"


    Buster quietlyy under the table, well-behaved.


    "I''m just an ordinary guy." James


    poly raised his eyebrows, leisurely


    pouring the youngdy a cup of buckwheat coffee, and said just that.


    Mirabe clicked her tongue lightly, only then noticing the evident


    weariness between James''s brows,


    and Couldn''t help asking at


    did


    youe from?"


    Even flying from Riverdale would only take a couple of hours, not enough to justify his tired appearance.


    "The States," James didn''t hide it.


    No wonder, Mirabe nodded. It would indeed be strange not to be exhausted after a dozen hours on a ne.


    Her heart warmed slightly, Mirabe lowered her eyshes, the bright lights in the shop casting a soft glow on her face, serene and gentle.


    Before long, the owner brought over a te of freshly cooked dumplings, perhaps because it was New Year''s Eve, he also offered two side dishes.


    Mirabe had already eaten, so she simply sat there quietly, watching James eat.


    Midway through the meal, her phone rang; it was Zach, asking why she hadn''te back yet.


    Mirabe nced at James and simply said into the phone, "I''ll be backter." Then she hung up.

 Chapter 1484

    James didn''t eat much. After putting down his fork, he casually asked, "Was that a call from your brother?"


    Mirabe nodded, paused for two seconds, and then added, "It''s okay if we head backte."


    Hearing this, the corners of James''s lips lifted in an almost imperceptible smile, his eyes dark and striking against his fair skin.


    He signaled for the waiter toe over so they could pay the bill.


    *


    When Mirabe got home, half an hour had passed. Her usually pale cheeks were now tinged with pink, especially her lips, which were as red and vibrant as roses blooming on a winter''s branch.


    Delh took a closer look at her daughter, feeling that the girl seemed somewhat different after just one outing. Her gaze suddenly fell on Mirabe''s neck, and she asked with a hint of suspicion, "Honey, did you wear a scarf when you went out?"


    Mirabe, without changing her expression, adjusted the scarf around her neck and replied, "Yes, I did."


    "Really?" Delh felt there was still something off.


    She couldn''t recall her daughter owning such a red scarf.


    "Yes, you probably just didn''t notice," Mirabe said as she walked to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of cold c. The icy beverage slid down her throat, soothing the heat within.


    Knowing her daughter always spoke the truth, Delh didn''t pursue the matter further.


    Seeing that Delh had no further questions, Mirabe finished her c and decided not to watch the New Year''s special on TV anymore, quickly retreating to her room.


    After freshening up, the sound of fireworks seemed to reach its peak outside Mirabe pulled back the curtains, gazing at the brilliant fireworks lighting up the night sky, feeling a bit dazed.


    It was as if she was transported back to the times when Catherine was still here.


    Every New Year''s Eve, they would cuddle together in the yard, setting off


    fireworks and watching them explode.


    Mirabe swallowed the lump in her throat.


    The countdown for the New Year echoed from somewhere, and at the stroke of midnight, her whispered, "Happy New Year, Grandma," was drowned out by the sound of


    fireworks outside.


    At that moment, her phone rang on the table. Mirabe stood by the window for a second before turning back to pick it up.


    "Happy New Year," James''s pleasant voice came through.


    Hearing his voice, the sour emotions that had started to well up inside Mirabe seemed to dissipate in an instant. Holding the phone, she replied, "Happy New Year."


    There was a knock on the door. Mirabe looked up, quickly hung up the phone, and walked to the door.


    Opening it, she found Emmitt


    standing outside, looking somewhat uneasy as he avoided meeting


    Mirabe''s gaze, simply handi"


    over a carefully prepared New Year''s gift and saying in a low voice


    "Happy New Year."


    Mirabe looked at the cautious Emmitt, her previous prejudices gone. Now, there


    was only remorse and a clumsy desire to make amends.


    She was silent for two seconds before extending her hand to ept the gift, "Thank you, Emmitt. Happy New Year to you too."


    Hearing his sister''s voice, which still carried a hint of distance, Emmitt sensed something was different. He mustered the courage to look up at Mirabe.

 Chapter 1485

    Standing by the door of the adjacent room, Zach leaned his head out just in time to catch a glimpse of Emmitt''s joy-filled profile. He couldn''t help but say, "Emmitt, I told you ages ago, Mirabe might hold a grudge, but she''s not heartless."


    If only he had taken the step forward sooner, all this awkwardness could have been avoided by now.


    Hearing his brother''s voice from behind, Emmitt straightened up, his face returning to its usualposed expression. He turned around, saying as if nothing had happened, "It''s gettingte. Goodnight."


    Zach''s gaze lingered on the slight smile ying at the corners of Emmitt''s lips, his eyebrows raised in a half-mocking, half-amused gesture.


    As if not noticing Zach''s expression, Emmitt calmly returned to his room. Once the door was shut, the smile on his lips deepened.


    His phone in his pocket kept vibrating, flooded with New Year''s wishes from friends and colleagues.


    Feeling cheerful, Emmitt responded to each message with a generous digital gift.


    **


    The next day, New Year''s Day, Mirabe went downstairs early to find her parents handing her a thick envelope.


    In addition to that, her Messenger was filled with simr digital envelopes, not just from rtives and friends, but also from school teachers, professors, and even some senior students from the physics department she hadn''t met in person yet. Looking at the long list of figures in her digital wallet, Mirabe couldn''t help but feel that hanging out with affluent people had its perks.


    Just the New Year money alone could cover a down payment for an apartment in Riverdale.


    After having New Year soup for breakfast, Mirabe took her dog, Baxter, out for a walk. Walking past the neighboring vi, she nced up briefly before quickly diverting her gaze.


    She had met James the night before, and he had rushed back to Riverdale overnight.


    After roaming around the neighborhood for nearly an hour, she handed Baxter over to the housekeeper and went to the living room.


    Emmitt and Zach were sitting there, discussing something.


    Mirabe quietly took a seat in a small corner of the sofa and pulled out her


    phone, noticing a few unread messages on Messenger.


    They were from Jenna, asking if she wanted to hang out.


    Just then, Zach''s voice reached her ears.


    "By the way, Mirabe, Zach is nning to set up the newpany''s office in the same


    district where you and Nick live


    Zach turned his head towards


    Mirabe, his face gentle behind his sses.


    Mirabe, who had been texting, looked up in surprise upon hearing Zach''s words and took a moment before asking, "A newpany?"


    "Yeah," Zach nodded. "I''ve been nning to establish a branch in Riverdale sincest year. It just so happens that Emmitt has a client in need of liquid assets, looking to sell theirpany."


    Hearing this, Mirabe paused her texting, pondering why the two had been discussing registration fundstely.


    After a moment, she replied cautiously, "Riverdale is a mixed bag, not the easiest ce to thrive."


    Although the Davis family had some


    ve


    influence in Riverdale, their main powery elsewhere. Her identity was already known to the Santos, and if Zach were toe to Riverdale, it might only expose him to danger.


    She could protect herself, but he couldn''t.


    "I wouldn''t rmend moving to Riverdale." After a thought, she added seriously.


    Her expression was solemn, showing no sign of jest.


    It was the second time Zach had seen his sister with such a serious demeanor. Thest time was when he faced a legal entanglement and retaliation; she had used the same expression to offer him advice.

 Chapter 1486

    Adjusting his sses on the bridge of his nose, Zach finally said, "But Zach is still just considering it."


    Mirabe raised her eyebrows slightly, simply uttered a soft "Hmm," and offered no further opinion.


    Emmitt, who was nearby, nced at the two of them, noticing how Zach seemed to really listen to Mirabe. Besides being surprised, he felt a tinge of envy.


    Envy for their ability to converse so effortlessly and without barriers.


    Mirabe didn''t notice Emmitt''s gaze; she lowered her head again, texting Jenna: "Got something on today, let''s meet up in a couple of days."


    She had promised Leo she would pick him up from the airport in the afternoon.


    *


    Over at the Powell family''s garden.


    Upon receiving Mirabe''s reply, Jenna texted back "Okay," then looked up at her cousin sitting across from her, "Cousin, when are you leaving?"


    Dn didn''t even lift his eyelids, continuing to type a string of code, and replied indifferently, "In a couple of days."


    Jenna sighed, slumping onto the table, "You''re leaving so soon. I was thinking of introducing a friend to you."


    Hearing this, Dn finally paused his actions, his deep-set eyes fixing on his cousin''s face, "Is this why you failed a course in your first semester of college?"


    Jenna was initially baffled, but once she caught on, her face instantly flushed red. "!!!"


    Such a sharp tongue, no wonder he''s still single!


    Shaking his head, the bright orange jacket Dn wore made his face appear even paler. He diverted his attention back to hisptop to continue programming.


    Ruffling her hair, Jenna said, "My friend is good-looking, has a great temperament, and was the top schr ofst year''s final exams. Got into Prestige University on a schrship. Honestly, introducing you to him, I''d feel quite embarrassed."


    Dn: ".


    "If you stood next to my friend, anyone with eyes would think you''re a frog aiming for swan meat," Jenna continued with a pout.


    To her, her cousin was indeed talented but too mboyant, which made his image a bit too shy.


    Jenna still couldn''t understand how someone so intoputing could deviate so much from the stereotypical nerd image.


    Dn''s temples throbbed. The money he gave herst night was indeed a waste.


    Not wanting to be further annoyed by the chatter, he closed hisptop, stood up without expression, and walked towards the house.


    Jenna propped her chin with her hands, shouting at her cousin''s retreating figure, "So, are you going to meet my friend with me in a couple of days or not?"


    "Not going."


    Dn''s indifferent voice came through.


    "Then you''ll surely miss out on making a billion." Jenna exaggeratedly huffed.


    Dn chuckled lightly, miss out on a billion?


    If he wasted half a day, he would lose far more than just a billion.


    Without turning his head or saying another word, Dn''s figure disappeared at the door.


    **


    In the afternoon, Mirabe drove to the airport to pick up Leo.


    Since it was the first day of the year, there were very few people traveling, so the airport wasn''t crowded. Leo having just disembarked, simply wore @mask without any further disguise and wasn''t recognized by anyone.


    He hadn''t reached the arrival gate when he lifted his eyes and saw Mirabe waiting there. Saying something to Collins, who was pushing the luggage, he quickly walked towards Mirabe, "Sis, have you been waiting long?"


    Apart from seeing her on television, it had been nearly half a year since Mirabe hadst seen the young prince. He seemed to have gone ce¡ìhis skin tanned slightly, giving him a more mature and steady appearance.


    "Leo," she called out.

 Chapter 1487

    Leo extended his arms and embraced Mirabe, his arms enveloping her slender frame in a way that was almost heartbreaking. "You''ve lost weight."


    "It''s probably just that I''ve gained weight in less noticeable ces," Mirabe replied with a smile.


    Hearing this made Leo''s throat tighten with emotion. He patted Mirabe on the shoulder and said, "I''ll be on vacation for a while, so we should definitely go out and have some fun."


    Collins, who was pushing the luggage cart behind them, caught up just in time to hear Leo''s n for a fun outing. After greeting Mirabe, he couldn''t help butment, "Sis, let me tell you, your brother is like a whimsical little princess."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched. "What do you mean?"


    "Skipping out on lucrative ad shoots and endorsements. You have no idea how much money he''s wasted," Collins began to calcte, gesturing a figure in the air, "It''s easily worth a three-bedroom house in Riverdale!"


    Mirabe stopped in her tracks upon hearing this.


    She had thought her bonus this year would be enough for a down payment in Riverdale. Now, someone was telling her that her brother had squandered an amount equivalent to a three-bedroom house?


    Mirabe sighed lightly before turning to Collins. "Do you think it''s toote for me to switch careers and join the entertainment industry?"


    Leo, standing beside them, was speechless.


    Collins chuckled, "I''d actually consider it, but I''m afraid of being used of wasting a talented individual''s potential."


    Leo felt it was imperative to keep his manager from further influencing Mirabe, so he quickly grabbed their luggage, "Collins, you should head back and rest. My sister and I will head home now."


    Without waiting for a response, he took Mirabe''s arm and swiftly led her ahead, leaving Collins standing there, puzzled.


    Wasn''t it just a convenient opportunity to give them a ride?


    **


    By five o''clock, the siblings had returned home from the airport.


    Dinner wasn''t ready yet, and Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She nced


    at her parents and brother talking in the living room before pulling out her phone.


    J: [Are you free? I need you to check out an app for me.]


    Mirabe nced at the message and replied that she was busy.


    J: [Dad, I know you''re free.]


    Mirabe: [......]


    J: [I''ve sent it to your email.]


    Thinking back to what Collins had said at the airport, Mirabe quickly replied: [I


    don''t work for free. Pay up.]


    J: [Talking about money hurts feelings.]


    Mirabe''s lips curled slightly as typed stoically: [Are you talking aather-son affection?


    t a son honor his nee


    J: [......Alright, you win.]


    Soon, Mirabe received a payment notification on Messenger. Seeing the six figure sum, she could only marvel at the straightforward generosity of the wealthy


    After epting the payment, she responded patiently: [I''ll check it on myputerter and give you a detailed look. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask


    J: [...]


    Feeling quite pleased, Mirabe put away her phone.


    Before long, Marian finished preparing the meal.


    The family, minus Nick, enjoyed a small reunion, and the atmosphere at the


    dinner table was warm and cozy.


    After dinner, Mirabe went upstairs.


    In her room, she powered on herputer.


    There was an encryptedpressed file in her email, which she quickly downloaded.


    Without bothering to ask for the password, Mirabe used a decryption software and unlocked the file in less than ten seconds.


    The file contained a program rted to a smart system.


    Looking at the program, Mirabe suddenly remembered Zane mentioning somethingst year about the DO Group extending an olive branch.

 Chapter 1488

    Fingers idly stroked the mouse before Mirabe logged onto Messenger on herputer and sent a message to J.


    "Yourpany ns to imnt simted human genomes into the fourth- generation robots?"


    Perhaps the other party was busy; it took over ten minutes to receive a reply.


    J: "Exactly. Based on the independent database you provided earlier, by incorporating real human genes, we can effectivelybine intelligence and life to develop the most independently thinking robot in the world today."


    Today''s market is filled with smart systems and chips, all pre-programmed by developers with a vast database, limiting manymands.


    Creating a robot with genuine human thought would be a groundbreaking achievement.


    J, envisioning the blueprint in his mind, felt exhrated, until Mirabe''s message sshed cold water on his face.


    M: "Oh, everything is possible in dreams (


    J: "......"


    Mirabe''s fingertips lightly rested on her chin for a moment before she straightened up and typed: "But you''re on the right track. In about fifty years, you might just manage to develop it sessfully."


    J: "How do you always know!"


    Mirabe''s gaze seemed distant, the not-so-bright light from the screen casting a mysterious glow on her face.


    She snapped back to reality, looked at the chat box on herputer without responding, but instead added: "Someone must have mentioned this model to you."


    J: "Yeah, a partner of thepany."


    Mirabe''s face showed no surprise, but there were some things she couldn''t meddle in, so she didn''tment further, only discussing a minor program issue.


    Soon after, she shut herputer, preparing to get up and wash up when her phone on the desk buzzed.


    Turning back, she saw it was Cassie reaching out, so she picked up the phone.


    "Congrats to me, I''m finally going to be free."


    Mirabe frowned, sitting back down, "What do you mean?"


    Cassie, lying on her bed, typed slowly: "The elders have agreed to let me out."


    Seeing this, Mirabe''s frown deepened, and after a moment, she sent a voice message.


    "Why did they suddenly agree to let you out?" Mirabe''s voice came through first.


    ins became more serious,"


    Hearing Mirabe''s voice, Cassie


    just said I wanted to go out, and they agreed."


    Mirabe''s gaze fell on the now-closedptop, "Did something happen in themunity?"


    "Nothing. kmean, I''ve been begging


    them for a year or two; they''re


    probably tired of me and ined.


    let me out," Cassie quickly


    Though the agreement came somewhat readily.


    Knowing Cassie wasn''t lying, Mirabe didn''t think further, only saying: "Alright,


    then you make your own decisions."


    Cassie, hearing this, got up from the bed, "What, you''re not going to look after me? Aren''t you afraid I''ll get lost?"


    "Are you dumber than a pig?" Mirabe retorted.


    Cassie: "How could you insult me like that!"


    "You realized it was an insult." Mirabe chuckled softly.


    Cassie: "......"


    Mirabe shook her head and hung up the phone, but remembering something, her expression slightly changed, so she lowered her head and quickly typed on the screen.


    "Oh, I forgot to tell you something important, my family is broke!"

 Chapter 1489

    She nearly forgot how skilled some people were at making a fortune.


    Mirabe pressed her fingertips to her temples, suddenly regretting not keeping Cassie''s messages locked away in the digital void.


    But then she thought it might not be toote to block her now.


    So, when Cassie sent a lengthy message bragging about making a fortune with her wit, she was met with ''The user has activated friend verification, you are not friends.''


    Cassie: "???"


    **


    Two dayster, Mirabe went to meet Jenna upon her invitation.


    She declined the suggestion to go shopping, and the two met at a downtown caf¨¦ in the afternoon.


    "Mira, you look so different, and you''ve lost quite a bit of weight!" Jenna, after ordering, waited for the waiter to leave beforementing.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her delicate features now more restrained, "Given your attention to detail, you shouldn''t have flunked any courses in the first semester, should you?"


    She had seen Jenna''s final grades screenshot on social media before.


    Jenna covered her face, feeling no shame when hearing this from her cousin, buting from a top student, it filled her with embarrassment.


    She coughed twice, making an excuse: "Well, failing courses is normal, it''s a rite of passage for modern university students."


    Mirabe just looked at Jenna with a half-smile.


    At that moment, the waiter brought over a coffee pot, breaking Jenna''s embarrassment. She cheerily poured coffee for Mirabe before changing the subject.


    Jenna was always one for gossip. Despite not having seen each other for a long time, her chatter was endless, "...Oh right, Mira, do you remember which university Summer went to?"


    Mirabe sipped her coffee, surprised Jenna would suddenly bring up Summer,


    and after a pause, asked, "Which university?"


    "The same as mine, and she even chose the sameputer science major Jenna pouted, continuing,


    it''s weird, she transferred after


    just half a semester."


    Mirabe already knew this from the information she had found on As, so she just nodded and hummed in response.


    "People say she transferred to an Ivy League school abroad and even changed her major. When she left, she looked so proud."


    Jenna clicked her tongue, remembering Summer''s facade that day, still finding it utterly hypocritical.


    Mirabe''s eyebrows slightly raised, calmly stating, "Those who get into Ivy League schools do have a reason to be proud."


    "But it''s strange, her scores when she got into Radiant Ridge College were at best above average. She didn''t have the credentials for an Ivy League, did she?" Jenna tapped her chin as she spoke.


    Mirabe nodded, nonchntly saying, "This is a world of money and power."


    "But the Gilbert family went bankrupt a long time ago, where did she get the money and power? Unless she found herself a wealthy patron," Jenna analyzed. "Perhaps," Mirabe''s voice was light.


    Finding a wealthy patron was unlikely, but with her experience of seemingly living through two lifetimes, finding another way out wasn''t impossible.


    She just wondered what role Summer was ying now.


    Mirabe''s eyshes drooped slightly, her fingertips caressing the coffee cup, her thoughts inscrutable.


    Jenna only mentioned Summer briefly, then moved on to gossip about rtionships, "Mira, you don''t have a boyfriend, do you?"


    Mirabe tilted her head, looking at Jenna, "Why, are you offering to set me up?"

 Chapter 1490

    Jenna giggled softly.


    "Let''s not," Mirabe said calmly, and then under Jenna''s puzzled gaze, she added, "I''m already taken."


    Jenna gasped in shock.


    She understood; it wasn''t just a boyfriend, but a significant other, the kind you end up marrying.


    "Have you, the academic achiever, already nned out your entire future?" Jenna finally managed to say, sounding almost wistful.


    It had only been half a year, and there was already a serious rtionship announcement.


    This made Jenna, still single, feel quite inferior.


    "I can''t speak for others, but at least I won''t fail," Mirabe repliedzily.


    Jenna pped herself on the forehead.


    That''s what you get for running your mouth.


    Soon, the waiter brought their afternoon coffee.


    The two sat in the caf¨¦, chatting leisurely for over an hour before paying the bill and leaving.


    "How did you get here?" Mirabe asked Jenna as they stepped out of the caf¨¦. "I took the subway," Jenna said, pulling out her phone, ready to call her cousin. Mirabe nodded, "Heading home or somewhere else? I can give you a ride." "Oh, it''s okay, I''ve messaged my cousin, he should be here soon," Jenna said with a smile.


    Seeing this, Mirabe waved her off, "Alright, then I''ll head off first."


    "Sure."


    Jenna watched Mirabe walk towards the parking lot until she disappeared from view. She then lowered her gaze, about to make a call, when suddenly someone stood in front of her, casting a shadow over her.


    Immediately, Jenna looked up to see it was Dn, her cousin, looking a bit


    confused, "Cous, how did you know I was here?"


    Dn gave her a disdainful look, "Are youing or not?"


    Feeling somewhat insulted, Jenna touched her nose, "...Let''s go."


    Considering her cousin''s attitude, it was probably for the best that he hadn''t met


    Mira today; it might have affected their friendship.


    Jenna hurried to keep up with Dn''s pace.


    **


    For the next while, Mirabe stayed


    at home, enjoying herzy


    thoroughly, until a call from


    university prompted her to prepare for the new semester.


    On the tenth day of the month, she booked a flight back to Riverdale for one in the afternoon.


    She arrived at 3:30 PM.


    James, who knew she wasing back today, was already waiting at the airport.


    Mirabe hadn''t even reached the exit when she saw a man standing outside the crowd.


    He wore a dark coat and a ck


    mask that covered most of his face, his features sharp andmanding, radiating an aura of deterrence that kept bystanders at bay, let alone daring to look at him directly.


    Mirabe passed through the exit, dragging her suitcase closer, "How long have


    you been waiting?"


    "Not too long," James said as he


    took the suitcase from  o naturally taking


    hers,


    adding, "You look much better."


    Mirabe hummed in response, following him outside while looking up at his


    profile, "Have you been very busytely?"


    At a nce, his brows were etched with exhaustion.


    "A bit, but it''ll ease up after this period," James exined.


    Mirabe nodded, "Busy or not, you must take care of yourself."


    James simply squeezed her hand slightly, acknowledging her concern.


    The car was parked at the airport''s temporary parking spot outside, and after


    cing the luggage in the trunk, they got in.


    Soon, they were driving back to their ce.

 Chapter 1491

    When they got back to the apartmentplex, an hour had already passed.


    Mirabe had dozed off in the car for a while, onlying to her senses when the car came to a stop. She lifted her gaze to look at the garage, then turned to look at the man in the driver''s seat.


    James didn''t speak. He unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but followed suit.


    James had already walked around the car to meet her. His mask had been removed, revealing eyes as dark as ink, but the look he directed at Mirabe was burning with intensity.


    In this moment, it was just the two of them.


    Mirabe coughed, the sleepiness not yet fully dispelled from her eyes, resembling azy cat. She opened her mouth to speak, "You..."


    In the next instant, her waist was suddenly encircled by James''s hand, pulling her into his embrace. A kiss, filled with passionate longing, descended, swallowing up the words in her mouth.


    After what felt like an eternity, James finally let go. Mirabe''s fair cheeks had turned a rosy hue. He took her hand and led her towards the house, saying, "Let''s rest for a bit. I''ll take you out for dinnerter."


    Mirabe: "Oh."


    Once inside, James guided her to sit on the living room sofa, then went to pour a cup of hot tea, which he handed to Mirabe before sitting down beside her.


    Mirabe held the cup, taking only a couple of sips before setting it down.


    Just as she was about to speak, James had already naturally wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. He rested his head on her shoulder, his voice enticingly murmuring in her ear.


    "Let me lean on you for a while." As James spoke, his lips brushed against Mirabe''s neck, his warm breath fanning her skin.


    Mirabe: "."


    James tightened his arm, adjusting until they found afortable position, and then contentedly closed his eyes.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, seeing up close the fatigue etched between the man''s brows, especially the dark circles under his eyes which were prominently visible.


    It seemed he hadn''t had a good night''s sleep in a long time.


    Mirabe allowed James to lean on her, pausing for a moment before she took out her phone from her pocket and quickly turned on silent mode.


    After doing this, she tucked her phone behind the sofa cushion and left it be. Unknowingly, Mirabe too drifted off to sleep after a while.


    The sky outside gradually darkened until it waspletely enveloped by the night.


    In fact, after Catherine''s death, Mirabe hadn''t really had a good night''s sleep for a long time. Today, however, she surprisingly slept very deeply.


    When she woke up, James was no longer by her side. Originally sitting on the


    sofa, she found herself lying down now, covered with a nket.


    Mirabe slowly sat up, then looked up at the clock on the wall. It was almost 9 PM.


    She had slept for almost four hours.


    Mirabe was slightly stunned, not expecting to have slept so soundly.


    Just then, her stomach


    embarrassingly growled. Coming back to her senses, Mirabe ran a hand through her hair, then set the nket aside and stood up from the sofa, walking towards the dining room in her fluffy slippers


    After looking around, she found that both the dining room and kitchen were empty.


    Mirabe turned to go upstairs, her foot already on the stair when her gaze caught the light on in the basement next to the stairs.


    Pausing, she retracted her foot and headed towards the basement.

 Chapter 1492

    The basement was spacious with a modern decor, including a study and a coffee room.


    The door to the study was ajar, light spilling from the crack, drawing Mirabe towards it. Inside, she saw the busy figure of a man.


    She knocked gently and then pushed the door open to enter.


    James put down the metallic piece he was holding and turned to look at Mirabe, "You''re awake."


    Mirabe nodded, her gaze briefly flitting over the items on the table, a hint of surprise crossing her features.


    The table was cluttered with weaponponents, and among them, a half- finished product stood out.


    "I''ve ordered dinner, it should be here soon," James said, removing his gloves and noticing Mirabe''s attention on the table behind him, "Are you interested in these?"


    Hearing his question, Mirabe diverted her gaze, disinterestedly replying, "Not really."


    James raised an eyebrow, "Then what are you interested in? Making money?" Mirabe gave him a silent nce, "Do I look that vulgar to you?"


    James chuckled, shaking his head, "Alright, my mistake."


    His phone on the table buzzed then, and he excused himself to take the call, stepping out of the room.


    Mirabe stood still for a few seconds, her eyes returning to the pile ofponents and a blueprintid out beside them.


    She moved closer, her surprise deepening at the advanced design of the firearm on the blueprint.


    Mirabe looked towards the door thoughtfully, then back at the half-finished product beside the blueprint, which seemed to be a third of the weapon''s frame.


    Judging by the scattered metallic parts, the person assembling this weapon seemed somewhat clueless.


    Leaning against the table, Mirabe reached out to fiddle with the intricateponents.


    Minutester, James returned from his call to find Mirabe still


    examining the area, seeming/one?


    ignoring theponents. "Dinner''s here, let''s go upstairs to eat."


    Mirabe nodded, not looking back at the table as they headed out together.


    The meal was delivered by Wyatt, who was slightly surprised to see Mirabe and James emerging from the basement.


    He knew James had been working on that weapon in the basement and hadn''t expected him to not avoid Mirabe.


    Although he trusted Mirabe''s


    bet


    character it was still a secret project


    within the agency, and the fewer


    knew, the safer it was


    Wyatt decided to discuss this privately with Jamester, for Mirabe''s safety as well.


    Pushing those thoughts aside, Wyatt greeted Mirabe, "Ms. Mirabe, happy New Year."


    "Happy New Year," Mirabe


    rested with a slight nod. I


    she didn''t wait to start


    picking up the fork immerget


    James pulled out a chair, noticing Wyatt still standing there. With a look, he conveyed his message.


    Understanding instantly, Wyatt hurriedly said, "I''ll leave you to it then."


    "Sure," James responded, finally sitting down.


    Wyatt thought to himself, James really wasn''t making single life any easier!


    Despite his internalints, Wyatt quickly made his exit.

 Chapter 1493

    Mirabe watched Wyatt''s hurried departure with a raised eyebrow.


    James served Mirabe a piece of fish, seemingly oblivious to her expression, and casually asked, "When are you heading to university?"


    "I have a meeting with my professor in the morning." Mirabe took a bite of her meal, still in a good mood, "I''ll also pick up the award money for the project we coborated on with the Institute of Technologyst year."


    James paused momentarily at her words, expressing his surprise, "It''s finished already?"


    A scientific research project, from its initiation to development, requires an incredibly long time toplete - a year, two years, or even five to ten years.


    "A master''s touch ensures speed is of the essence." Mirabe nodded, her delicate face beaming with her usual confidence, softening the sharpness in her features with a few loose strands of hair falling across her forehead.


    James nced at her thoughtfully, guessing she was eager to get the prize money.


    Mirabe coughed and continued to focus on her meal.


    After dinner, which was around nearly ten o''clock, Mirabe felt wide awake. She went to the living room to grab her phone, ready to head home.


    Her phone had been on silent mode. Upon activating the screen, she saw two missed calls.


    The unfamiliar number, with calls made two hours ago, was from the province of T.


    Mirabe merely nced at it before putting her phone away and grabbing her down jacket, turning to James who had just finished tidying up the kitchen, "I''ll be heading back now."


    James looked at her, rolling down his sleeves and also grabbing his coat, "I''ll drive you."


    Mirabe initially wanted to decline, but seeing his gesture, she eventually did not refuse.


    They walked out one after the other.


    *


    Before long, James had returned home after dropping off Mirabe. He then proceeded to the basement study to continue his work on the weapon''s structural design.


    As he put on gloves, ready to dismantle and reassemble the semi-finished framework on the table, his gaze lingered on the precision parts lying next to it, pausing momentarily.


    The parts on the table, previously scattered, were now somewhat organized, with several mainponents apanied by a few other small interface screws.


    James observed the seemingly chaotic yet orderly parts, standing still in contemtion for two minutes, his mind suddenly clearing without any particr direction.


    He picked up the tools beside him and began to assemble them slowly and methodically.


    Time flew, and by four in the morning, James had finally fitted thest piece in ce.


    Looking at the heavy weapon, identical to the one on the blueprints, the furrow between his brows finally rxed.


    With a profound look in his eyes,


    §ï§Ý§Ö


    James walked to the cab after a while, took out a ck silk cloth, and covered the assembled weapon before leaving the basement.


    The next day, Wyatt and Curtis arrived at the vi early.


    James, who had only rested for a few hours the previous night, sat on the sofa, clearly exhausted. He listened to the two men while massaging his temples.


    "The Department of Weapons is getting antsy. If we don''t assemble the K-1 soon, there might be trouble.


    I just got word that the stere


    have started delegating tasks," Wyatt said, cautiously ncing at James.


    Curtis nudged Wyatt with his foot, signaling him not to overdo it, as James hadn''t rested well because of this for some time.


    Catching the hint, Wyatt quickly changed his tone, "But there''s no rush on this matter. James, you really should get some rest."

 Chapter 1494

    Having finished speaking, Wyatt''s mind wandered back to the previous night,


    when he saw Mirabe and James emerging together from the basement. Hesitant at first, he decided to speak up, "James, there''s something I''m not sure if I should mention..."


    "Hmm?" James, who had been sitting there without looking up, responded.


    "It''s just...Ms. Mirabe is still in college. If she gets exposed to the secrets of the agency too soon, it might not be good for her," Wyatt said tactfully.


    The agency was just waiting for James to slip up. Although Ms. Mirabe was a member of the Davis family, the Davis family traditionally had no dealings with the agency. So, if someone with ulterior motives took advantage of the situation, it would be troublesome.


    "Wyatt is right. It''s also a matter of Ms. Mirabe''s safety," Curtis added, having discussed this with Wyatt on the way over. On the matter of secrets, he and Wyatt shared the same concern.


    After all, they weren''t married yet, and there were certain boundaries that should be maintained.


    Hearing their words, James paused for a moment before asking indifferently, "What time is it now?"


    Wyatt and Curtis exchanged nces, puzzled by James''s sudden question about the time. Checking his watch, Wyatt quickly answered, "It''s fifteen minutes to nine."


    James stopped massaging the bridge of his nose and stood up from the sofa, reaching for his coat.


    He didn''t address the issue they had just brought up.


    Wyatt had more to say, but seeing James''s actions, he touched his nose uncertainly, unable to gauge his thoughts. He quietly asked, "James, are you going out?"


    James looked up, his expression unreadable, "Yes, to Prestige College."


    "Prestige College? What are you doing there...Are you going to see Ms. Mirabe?" Wyatt realized as he spoke.


    James fastened thest button on his coat and then turned to Wyatt and Curtis, "Go check the basement."


    With that, he shifted his gaze away from them, not bothering further, and walked unhurriedly to the door.


    After hearing the door close, Wyatt and Curtis stood there, dazedlying back to their senses.


    "James asked us to check the basement, could it be that K-1 is already assembled?" Wyatt scratched his head, looking at Curtis.


    Curtis, without a word, turned and headed for the staircase leading to the basement.


    Seeing this, Wyatt quickly followed.


    When they saw the item covered with silk cloth on the table, they both clenched their fists.


    Curtis reached out and lifted the silk cloth, revealing a heavy weapon gleaming with metallic paint.


    Wyatt couldn''t help but exim, "James has already assembled it!!"


    Just a few days ago, he had said he had no clue, it couldn''t have been done this quickly.


    Curtis circled the table, inspecting the weapon from every angle, before saying, "It''s identical to the blueprint."


    "You should know who assembled it.


    It was only a matter of time for James Wyatt had no doubts about this, "wonder how powerful it will


    be when mounted on a heavy mecha."


    Curtis nced at Wyatt, "Considering what it''s needed for, what do you think?"


    Wyatt touched his nose, his gaze


    g to the weapon. A parly a


    that had engaged James for was bound to be powerful.


    "Everything''s ready now. The old heads at the agency are going to be disappointed again," Wyatt clicked his tongue, eager to see their frustrated faces.

 Chapter 1495

    Curtis carefully reced the ck silk cloth over the object, his demeanor always cool and reserved, unlike Wyatt''s lively nature. He simply stated, "Let''s not mention this to anyone until James says otherwise."


    Wyatt nced at him, understanding his intent, "I know, I''m not stupid."


    Hearing this, Curtis''s lips twitched into an emotionless smile, "You''ve had your moments of foolishness."


    Wyatt: "..."


    That was downright insulting.


    "Speaking of which, James assembling this thing so quickly, could it be because Ms. Mirabe joined us, so he wants to make time for romance?" Wyatt, leaningzily against the table and tapping his chin, threw out the suggestion.


    The sour taste of love in the air!!


    Curtis shot Wyatt a look of disdain, "A brain is a useful thing to have." Wyatt: "?"


    "Do you really think James just wanted us here to see the assembled weapon?" Curtis said, clearly annoyed.


    When they had mentioned Ms. Mirabe earlier, James had made noment, only leading them to the basement, which likely hinted at a deeper meaning.


    Wyatt paused, his gaze bing serious as he considered Curtis''s demeanor. After thinking it through, a realization suddenly dawned on him.


    His cheeks twitching, Wyatt''s eyes fell back on the object covered by the silk cloth, "Could this be Ms. Mirabe''s creation???"


    He then remembered Mirabe''s asional bursts of skill, growing more convinced of its possibility the more he thought about it.


    Covering his face with his hand, Wyatt realized that if the weapon was indeed crafted by Ms. Mirabe, then his earlierments in front of James werepletely misguided.


    He had wanted to see the astonished faces of the department heads, but instead, he was the one who ended up embarrassed.


    Curtis nced at Wyatt''s fluctuating expression. Although he seemedposed, his thoughts were simr to Wyatt''s.


    Taking a deep breath, Curtis swallowed his pride and simply said, "Be more careful with your words in the future."


    Wyatt quickly nodded, "I don''t know if James is angry, but I need to find a way to make up for my mistake."


    Saying so, he pulled out his phone.


    Curtis watched him, puzzled, but his expression grew thoughtful when he saw the content disyed on


    Wyatt''s phone screen. He too quietly took out his phone.  fo


    **


    Meanwhile, in the car.


    Mirabe was talking to James when her phone''s Messenger app chimed. She was already holding her phone and stopped talking to check the notification.


    Wyatt: [Messenger Transfer]


    Curtis: [Messenger Transfer]


    Seeing the two consecutive money


    transfers to her via Messenger,


    Mirabe was a bit confused. She


    looked up at James, who was


    driving, "Did Wyatt and Curtis strike it rich or something?"


    James nced at the rearview mirror, not quite understanding, "Hmm?"


    Mirabe shifted her gaze back to her phone, typing a message while speaking, "Each of them sent me fifty thousand dors, very odd."


    Hearing this, James had a rough idea why the two suddenly transferred money to the youngdy.


    He kept his eyes on the road, but the corners of his lips curled up in an indifferent smile, telling Mirabe, "They probably got a generous year-end bonus. Just ept it, don''t be shy, consider it a New Year''s blessing."


    Just as Mirabe was about to respond to the two and initiate a refund, she


    hesitated upon hearing James''s words, pausing mid-action.

 Chapter 1496

    Dropping a whopping fifty thousand just like that, I never pegged Wyatt and Curtis to be so loaded!


    Mirabe''s fingertips hovered in mid-air as she sighed, "This gift is too generous, I can''t ept it."


    They were approaching a crossroads, just in time for the red light.


    James slowly pressed on the brakes, and once the car stopped, he turned to look back at Mirabe with a serious face, "Trust me, you''ll be happier if you ept it."


    Mirabe''s expression wasplicated, "Have they really got money to this extent?"


    Seeing her not responding, James simply took her phone, epted the gift for her, and then handed the phone back to her.


    Mirabe looked down at the screen, which now showed a sessful transaction message. Her cheeks flushed with modesty as she said, "It feels strange epting such a big gift out of the blue."


    James raised an eyebrow, restarted the car, and without mentioningst night''s incident or offering further exnation, he simply said, "They owe you that much." Mirabe blinked, her typical way of indicating there was more to her words.


    Soon, they arrived at Prestige College.


    Since it wasn''t the official start of the term yet, the campus was quiet, with hardly a student in sight.


    Mirabe told James to head back first as she went directly to the administrative building, to Zane''s office.


    Upon arrival, besides Zane, Wade was also present.


    Wade looked much better than before, easing Mirabe''s worries. It seemed he had taken the medicine she had asked Devon to give him.


    Zane had already taken a substantial envelope out of his briefcase and handed it to Mirabe, "This is the prize money for that science experiment project."


    Mirabe epted the envelope with a beaming smile, "Thank you, sir. Please don''t hesitate to include me in such projects in the future."


    Between the New Year''s gift from Curtis and Wyatt and now the project prize money, today was indeed a good day for earnings.


    Zane''s lips twitched at her smile, then he said somewhat irritably, "And what about the unpaid ones?"


    Mirabe''s smile rapidly faded, and she seriously corrected herself, "Forget those, I should focus on my studies for now."


    After all, she was pursuing dual degrees!


    Zane shook his head, knowing she would say something like that, "The prize might not be much, but it''s recorded in your file. This wilbbe beneficial for your future."


    Mirabe waved her hand, tucking the envelope into her bag.


    Records or not, it didn''t matter; she could always go back to inheriting a billion- dor family business.


    "Right, the first thing I called you


    here early for is to ask you to quickly draft a research paper on life


    sciences, I need to submit it to


    SSCI..."


    But Mirabe interrupted Zane before he could finish.


    "Sir, why


    thing? The seniors like Jessie


    can


    hat we skip to the second


    handle the paper. I have no experience; I''m not up for it."


    Mirabe waved her hand, her face almost spelling out ''too much hassle.''


    Zane choked a bit, then turned to look at Wade with a sense of frustration, "See what I mean, Wade? This kid is just hopeless."


    Mirabe: "..."


    Wade chuckled, "Maybe Mirabe has her own considerations."


    "She''s just beingzy," Zane saw through his student''s facade long ago.


    Mirabe pressed her temples, somewhat helplessly, "Could you at least save me some face?"

 Chapter 1497

    "Having this on your resume is a matter of prestige, do you want it or not?" Zane turned to pour Mirabe another ss of warm water, "You have three days to finish your paper and submit it to me."


    Seeing that she couldn''t refuse, Mirabe sighed, "Okay."


    Zane chose to ignore the student''s despondent expression and continued, "The second thing is, remember I mentioned the DO Grouppany before? They''re likely to send someone over in a few days to discuss further coboration with us."


    Upon hearing this, Mirabe responded with little enthusiasm, "Professor, you could handle the discussions with them. I''m not very good atworking."


    Zane''s cheek twitched slightly at her response, a ssic case of understatement, "I didn''t ask you to negotiate with them. They sent over a database for us to review first."


    After a pause, Zane added, "However, what the DO Group is interested in is the life system project we did for the Institute of Technologyst year. We need to visit the Institute first to sign an authorization agreement."


    Mirabe, understanding the use of patent rights, didn''t ask further. As long as she didn''t have to talk to the people from DO Group, she nodded and said, "Alright, send me the information, and I''ll look it over."


    Seeing her agreement, a sly glint crossed Zane''s eyes.


    He had been worried she wouldn''t participate in the project and had hardly slept the past few days. He walked over to his desk, took out a prepared USB drive from the drawer, and handed it to Mirabe.


    Mirabe, looking at the USB drive Zane handed over, suddenly suspected she might have been tricked.


    Still, she reached out and took it.


    "The content is quite extensive, involving numerous biomimetic algorithms and cellrputations. It''s even moreplex than the information system at the Institute of Technology," Zane exined.


    "This project, oncepleted, will drastically change the future prospects of our department," Wade, who had been quietly listening, put down his cup of water andmented.


    Zane turned to Wade, his face showing gratitude and respect, "Speaking of which, we owe a lot to you forst year''s Institute project. Without your private assistance, our department might still be.


    Wade raised his hand to interrupt Zane, "It''s all thanks to your hard work."


    Zane smiled. Wade was revered in the institute not only for his capabilities but also for his broad-minded and amiable nature.


    Without further ado, Zane checked the time on his watch and said, "Mirabe, you and Wade chat for a bit. I''ll go see Mr. Calvin in his office, and we can all have lunch togetherter."


    With that, Zane grabbed some documents and hurried out of the office.


    Once Zane had left, Wade turned back to Mirabe, "I received the medicine your pharmacist friend tover before the New Year. After taking it, I felt much lighter


    Mirabe knew from this that Wade hadn''t been to the hospital yet and seriously suggested again, "Still, you should go for a check-up at the hospital."


    Wade understood Mirabe''s concern and smiled, "Don''t worry, I''ve already made


    an appointment with the doctor for the day after tomorrow."


    Mirabe nodded, believing that good people deserved long lives.


    The conversation shifted to other topics.


    **


    Meanwhile, Zane had gone to Mr. Calvin''s office.


    As the school term was about to begin, Calvin was also quite busy, running


    between various departments inside and outside the institute.


    He had been waiting in his office for a few minutes for Zane, who was a bitte for


    their scheduled meeting, making Calvin slightly impatient.

 Chapter 1498

    So when Zane entered the office, Calvin''s expression wasn''t exactly pleasant. "Zane, you''rete. I have to head to the Dean''s office soon. I''ve already scheduled the time."


    Zane detected Mr. Calvin''s displeasure in his tone and quickly exined, "Sorry, I got held up by a phone call for two minutes."


    Calvin pressed his temples and stood up from his chair, deciding not to dwell on the issue of beingte any further. "You mentioned something about an authorization document over the phone. What''s the situation with that?"


    Zane took out the draft authorization contract he had brought with him and handed it to Calvin while exining, "Our department is likely to take on a new project, rted to artificial life systems again, so we need to have an authorization contract signed by the tech institute."


    Upon hearing this, Calvin almost immediately grasped Zane''s point. He took the authorization contract, nced at it briefly, and then ced it on the table.


    His focus shifted to the new project Zane mentioned, "Where did this new projecte from? Is it with the tech institute again?"


    "No," Zane shook his head, not concealing any details. "The DO Group approached me, showing interest in the system my student developed."


    "DO Group?" Calvin found the name somewhat familiar but couldn''t recall whatpany it was at the moment.


    "It''s the Dimon Corporation, known as pioneers of the smart era," Zane briefly introduced.


    Calvin''s face instantly wore a look of disbelief, "How did such an intepanye to coborate with your department?"


    If it were a coboration project with theputer science department, he would believe it. Zane''s department, though rted toputational biology and somewhat linked toputing, was not in the same field at all.


    Seeing Calvin''s expression, as if ''unworthy of coboration with a big corporation,'' Zane felt a bit displeased internally.


    However, Zane didn''t show it on his face. He straightened his back and said, "Not to mention imnting biological chips in intelligent robots, even imnting chips in humans is a theory that scientists proposed decades ago. So, isn''t it normal for the DO Group to seek us out?"


    Calvin found himself speechless against Zane''s argument and after a while asked, "Since they approached your department, it must be a good thing. How far has it progressed? Why haven''t I heard you report this before?"


    "It''s still in the negotiation phase, so I''ll need Mr. Calvin to make a trip to the tech institute to finalize the authorization document. That will allow us to proceed," Zane said calmly.


    If it weren''t for his lower standing andck of authority to directly approach the tech institute, he wouldn''t want to bother Mr. Calvin.


    After all, Calvin had always looked down on their sub-department and there was also the worry that he might obstruct the process.


    But since the research project was a major affair for the department, Zane wasn''t worried about Calvin causing trouble openly.


    Calvin fell silent for a moment, then picked up the authorization contract again and asked, "Is it urgent?"


    "If Mr. Calvin has time in the next few days, the sooner, the better," Zane replied.


    Before applying for the patent, there was no rush, but now that the patent had been filed, it was best to have the tech institute sign the authorization contract as soon as possible.


    Calvin looked at Zane, pondering


    something, then said, "Alright, I have


    Hank''s number from the tech


    Vl


    institute. I''ll ask him when he''s


    avable. But you''ll need to submit a


    detailed n for the new project


    afterward."

 Chapter 1499

    Zane was already in the process of preparing his proposal, so when Calvin


    brought it up, he readily agreed, nodding, "Then I''ll look forward to the good news from you, Mr. Calvin."


    Calvin hummed in acknowledgment, "If there''s nothing else, that''ll be all for now. I have to head to the dean''s office shortly."


    "Alright, Mr. Calvin, you go ahead with your busy schedule. I won''t keep you any longer." Zane politely nodded, then turned and walked out of the office.


    Calvin watched him leave, standing silently for a few seconds before lowering his gaze back to the contract in front of him, his fingers tightening slightly.


    He knew that Zane''s sess today was not without the influence of that student. If it hadn''t been for his initial bias, causing him to overlook her, Mirabe wouldn''t have ended up in his department.


    If she had been in his department, perhaps his mentor rating would have increased a levelst year.


    Every time Calvin thought about this, he felt a tightness in his chest, especially now that Zane''s department was securing one project after another. It was hard not to feel envious.


    However, despite the frustration, Calvin took out his phone and called Hank.


    The call connected immediately.


    Hank''s voice came through first, "Hey there, I was just thinking of giving you a call, and here you are calling me."


    Hearing Hank speak like that, Calvin was momentarily taken aback, forgetting to mention the contract immediately and instead politely asked, "What''s up, Hank? If there''s anything you need, just let me know."


    Hank wasn''t at the tech institute today; he had just finished a meeting and was sitting in his car.


    He looked outside the window and got straight to the point, "About that coboration project fromst year, we need to sign an additional usage authorization contract. Do you have time tomorrow morning so we can finalize this?"


    Calvin hadn''t expected Hank to be calling about the contract as well, and immediately nodded, even though Hank couldn''t see, "Sure, you set the time and ce, and I''ll be there."


    "Alright, I''ll send the details to your phone in a bit."


    Hank appreciated straightforward people. After hanging up, the smile on his lips indicated his good mood.


    Meanwhile, Calvin, after receiving the details from Hank, turned to message Zane.


    He informed him that they would be signing the authorization contract the next day.


    **


    At noon, after having lunch with Zane and Wade, Mirabe took her leave first.


    She caught a taxi back to her apartmentplex.


    Once home, she took out the USB drive Zane had given her and


    plugged it into herputer. As she reviewed the files, she thought to herself that it was indeed


    However, the content was not too different from what she had discussed with J before.


    Mirabe continued to browse through the files. After finishing, she sat silently in front of herputer, her fingers idly tapping on the desk.


    Integrating artificial intelligence with artificial life to be used in robots without altering the current trajectory of this era proved to be a challenge.


    Especially since this was entirely different from the applications at the tech institute.


    Mirabe pursed her lips, removed the USB drive, and then opened a document. She started typing on the keyboard, but even after a while, she couldn''t produce a single line of text.


    Truth be told, this was her first time attending university and her first attempt at


    writing such a paper. She waspletely at a loss for words.


    With a deep sigh, Mirabe picked up her phone, scrolled through Messenger, and eventually opened the chat with the guy next door, typing slowly, "Have you ever written a paper before?"

 Chapter 1500

    James was on his phone when he saw a message from Mirabe pop up on Messenger. His fingertips paused for a moment before replying with a question


    mark.


    Seeing this, Mirabe typed back, "Judging by that, you''ve never had to write one, have you?"


    James: "..."


    Mirabe: "Ah, the troubles of a true genius."


    James''s lips twitched, and he decided to call Mirabe through a video call.


    In a few seconds, the screen showed Mirabe lying despondently on her desk.


    James chuckled upon seeing her, "Shouldn''t writing essays be a piece of cake for a top student like you?"


    Holding the phone in one hand and propping her head up with the other, Mirabe saidnguidly, "I absolutely loathe flowerynguage. Writing an essay feels just as dreadful as losing a life to me."


    She was convinced Zane was out to get her.


    James raised an eyebrow slightly, "I''m afraid I can''t help you with essays since I''ve never had to write one myself."


    He was met with another long sigh in response.


    "However, if you''re really struggling, I could introduce you to someone who can help organize your thoughts," James suddenly offered.


    Mirabe lifted her eyelids slightly and nced at the screen, "Who?"


    James''s well-defined features appeared on the screen, without any beauty filter, as handsome as ever.


    His lips curled into a smile, and after a few seconds, he said in a calm manner, "Your future mother-inw."


    Future mother-inw...


    Mirabe immediately sat up straight, expressionless, "Suddenly, I think you''re right. Writing an essay should be pretty simple for a top student like me. I''ll hang up now if there''s nothing else."


    Her finger swiftly pressed the end call button.


    On the other end, James: "..."


    Mirabe twirled her phone, remembering Nick often wrote essays, and then she dialed Nick.


    The phone rang several times before it was picked up.


    "... You need to write an essay? I''ve got a few essays on myputer you could use as references."


    Nick hadn''t returned from abroad yet, and it was alreadyte at night there. He had answered the call simply because he couldn''t sleep.


    Hearing this, Mirabe, still on the phone, got up, walked out, and entered the next room. Seeing theputer on the desk, she powered it on.


    After browsing through, she finally, found those essay drafts, "Alright Nick, you should get some rest I''ll just take a look and learn from them, I promise not to leak your drafts."


    Mirabe pulled up a chair and sat down.


    Nick chuckled, "Those have already been published, so there''s no issue with confidentiality."


    Mirabe was already reading one of the drafts, which was clear, concise, and full


    of strong arguments, obviously the work of a top student.


    She couldn''t help but praise Nick for his excellence.


    After blowing some smoke, Mirabe hung up and continued with the essays.


    She skimmed through the essays


    quickly, finishing several lengthy


    ve


    drafts in no time and roughly forming an outline in her mind. She took the mouse, ready to close the document.


    However, as she was about to exit, her mouse identally clicked on the browsing history, unintentionally opening a document from the history.


    Mirabe blinked.


    She wasn''t one to pry into others'' privacy, but a quick nce at the


    document''s content caught bet


    causing her to pause the


    eye,


    closing it. Content belo motion of

 Chapter 1501

    Hunter?


    She remembered the n leader''s name seemed to be Hunter when he was abroad.


    Could the person in this file Nick had be the n leader?


    Mirabe''s fingers lightly brushed the mouse, reading through the document. There wasn''t much detail, but the part about this person named ''Hunter'' disappearing from the medical school was quite intriguing.


    Regardless of whether this person was the n leader or not, it seemed clear that this was probably the main reason Nick had returned from overseas to attend medical school.


    Mirabe pondered for a moment, then restored the document to its original state and shut down theputer.


    She got up, left Nick''s room, went downstairs, and poured herself a ss of water.


    As she thought over the matter, Mirabe drank the water in one gulp, then took out her cell phone and opened Morgan''s Messenger to make a voice call.


    She was in luck today; the call connected shortly after.


    "Rea, what''s up?" Paul was in the garden, watering his collection of toxic nts.


    Leaningzily against the arm of the sofa without sitting down, Mirabe''s gaze drifted to the garden outside the floor-to-ceiling window. "How''s the n leader doing?"


    Hearing her suddenly ask about the n leader, Paul''s movements paused, his expression puzzled. "She''s doing fine. What made you think of her all of a sudden?"


    "Oh, I just remembered her chronic illness. The medication you brought backst time, did it work?" Mirabe asked with an unchanged expression.


    Paul''s attention was caught by hertter question. "So, you knew I was at the Pharmacists'' Guild and deliberately leaked the news so I''d buy the medication, right?"


    Caught off-guard, Mirabe was speechless.


    But Paul continued, "Rea, can''t you change this habit of tricking people you know?"


    The mention of him buying medication was one thing, but the prices were outrageously high!


    Mirabe moved the phone away from her ear, holding it up high. "Hey, is the signal bad over there? I can hardly hear you."


    Paul: "?"


    Checking thework signal on his phone, which was full, he replied with a frustrated tone, "Alright, it''s not like I asked for a refund."


    Mirabe then brought the phone back to her ear. "Seems like the signal is better now."


    Paul: "..."


    After clearing her throat, Mirabe continued, "I remember the n


    content out a few years ago, and


    leader


    that''s when she got her illness, right?"


    Paul pondered for a second before replying, "No, you''re mistaken."


    His voice didn''t reveal much, and Mirabe couldn''t gauge the truthfulness of his words. "Is that so?"


    "Yes," Paul responded lightly,


    pausing before adding, "The


    Stevenson family''s fate has always


    been fraught with misfortune; no one ends well. The n leader was born bearing more burdens than anyone, her body already ravaged by illness early on."


    Mirabe''s expression turned somewhat solemn. After a moment, she spoke softly, "I don''t believe in fate."


    A dull pain throbbed in Paul''s chest as he looked up, replying, "Rea, take care of yourself."


    "Not just me..." Mirabe''s voice trailed off, her eyshes fluttering down, leaving her words unsaid.


    Paul could easily discern the


    unspoken sentiment, a bitter smile


    tugging at his lips before he swiftly


    changed the subject. "By the way, Cassie got out. He said he wanted to see you; not sure if he called you?"


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched, suddenly recalling the two missed calls from the night before.

 Chapter 1502

    "...I didn''t get his call," Mirabe replied, her face devoid of emotion.


    She wasn''t worried about Cassie getting lost. In fact, the guy seemed to have the luck of the devil himself; worrying about him was less of a priority than worrying about her own finances.


    They were at odds.


    "Oh, keep an eye on your phone. That silly boy has only been out in the world once, hasn''t seen much. It''d be embarrassing to lose him," Paul said.


    Mirabe pinched the bridge of her nose, responding in a rather perfunctory manner, "If there''s nothing else...Paul, I''m going to hang up now."


    Paul opened his mouth to say something but ended up just saying, "Okay."


    He ended the call and stood silently in the garden for several minutes before putting down his watering can and walking out of the garden.


    Paul went to the family head''s main house but didn''t find anyone there. After a moment''s thought, he went to the chapel behind the main house.


    Inside the chapel, there were quesmemorating the ancestors of their family, and the incense burner on the altar still had three sticks of incense burning, clearly just lit.


    Paul walked up to the altar, reached out to touch the incense burner, and suddenly, a door in the stone wall to his right slowly opened. He stepped through.


    After descending a long flight of stone steps, not knowing how long he''d been walking, he suddenly emerged into arge stone chamber.


    There wasn''t much in the chamber except for a stone table in the center. Standing at the table was a person with long hair simply tied up, their figure slender.


    Paul nced at the figure, then walked over.


    Nellie''s gaze was fixed on the stone table, and as Paul approached, she pressed a button on the table''s surface. Suddenly, the entire chamber seemed to undergo a transformation.


    The ceiling was enveloped by a starry sky, as if they had entered a virtual world.


    Nellie, looking at the realistic stars suddenly pulled up a self-mocking smile and said, "Morgan, what do


    you th


    about me destroying this


    ce?"


    Paul looked up at her in astonishment. "Why?"


    Nellie''s young yet weathered face was almost numbly expressionless. "Tired."


    Paul knew that ever since she


    returned years ago, covered in wounds, she had be much


    more silent and withdrawn, neven et


    leaving the house. Though he


    dn''t


    know what had happened, it must have been a bad memory_


    "You decided to let Cassie leave, thinking you had made up your mind then," Paul


    said softly, his fingers resting on the stone table.


    Nellie was silent for a long while, not picking up on Paul''s words. Instead, she turned to look at him and asked, "What did youe to find me for?"


    "Rea just contacted me, asking about your health."


    Nellie''s expression finally changed slightly, her gaze softening. "That child has suffered a lot. I just hope things will get better for her."


    Paul nodded. "They will. But it''s odd she suddenly asked about your health condition, wondering what she''s probing for."


    "Probing?" Nellie was puzzled. "What did she say?"


    "Not much. She''s always been hard to read. Maybe she''s just worried about your health," Paul replied.


    Nellie''s gaze became pensive, silent, lost in thought.


    **


    After hanging up the call, Mirabe returned to her room to continue working on her thesis.


    Just as she opened a new document, her phone''s Messenger pinged again.


    ncing at the screen, she saw it was a message from the guy next door. Picking up her phone, she tapped open the message to find a business card being shared.

 Chapter 1503

    Mirabe: "Who''s this?"


    James: "Our mom."


    Mirabe: "..."


    Resting her hand against her forehead, Mirabe soon noticed a red dot under her contacts list, indicating someone had added her as a friend.


    After a brief pause, she clicked on the notification. In the new friend''s chat, the nickname disyed was precisely the one James had shared earlier.


    Mirabe: "..."


    Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Mirabe epted the friend request.


    Seeing the system''s message that the friend request had been sessful, she thought for a moment before sending a system default smiley sticker as a


    greeting.


    Emily had only met her future daughter-inw once and remembered her as an extremely polite and warm-hearted girl.


    Hearing that she was struggling with her essay, Emily patiently sent several messages, summarily sharing some writing tips.


    "If you''re still not clear, let James bring you over to our ceter, and Marian can teach you."


    Finally, Emily sent another message.


    Mirabe ran a hand through her slightly messy hair, thinking about the hundred ways a boyfriend could meet his demise... She politely replied to Emily with a "Okay".


    Upon receiving the youngdy''s response, Emily immediately called her son, insisting that he find time to bring Mirabe over for dinner at the family house.


    James raised an eyebrow, "She agreed?"


    Emily responded with slight irritation, "The girl has a good temper."


    James was silent for two seconds before agreeing.


    After hanging up, he sent Mirabe a message on Messenger, only for it to be met with a red exmation mark.


    "The recipient has enabled friend verification, and you are not yet friends. Please send a friend request first..."


    James: "..."


    **


    The next day, at 9 a.m.


    Calvin arrived on time for his meeting, but Hank hadn''t yet arrived.


    He sat in a private booth waiting.


    It wasn''t until 9:30 that Hank hurried in, "Sorry, I got held up on the way."


    His assistant stood by, vigntly scanning the surroundings.


    Calvin had noints, just smiling and shaking his head, "No problem, I''ve only just arrived a little while ago myself. Hank, would you like anything to drink? I can call the waiter over."


    Hank waved his hand, "No, thanks. I have another appointment soon, let''s get straight to business."


    Seeing Hank was busy, Calvin didn''t waste words and promptly took out the authorization contract Zane had given him the day before, "Alright, just need your signature here."


    As he said this, Calvin passed the contract to Hank.


    Hank''s eyebrows slightly furrowed as he took the contract and skimmed it. He then put it down without signing, asking, "You brought thepany seal, right?"


    "Yes." Calvin was slightly confused by Hank''s insistence on having the seal the day before.


    Hank nodded and then signaled his assistant with a look, "This authorization document isn''t right; we need to follow our tech institute''s standards."


    "The document isn''t right?" Calvin was momentarily taken aback, his mind growing more muddled. He had specifically confirmed beforeing that there was no issue with the authorization contract


    Hank hummed in affirmation.


    The assistant then handed Calvin a prepared authorization document.


    Calvin nced at Hank before looking down at the document in his hands. The more he read, the more his expression changed.


    Without even finishing, Calvin looked up, bewildered, "Hank, is there a mistake with this authorization document?"

 Chapter 1504

    The so-called authorization document was supposed to grant the Science Institute the rights to use the results developed by their department, wasn''t it?


    How did it be that the Science Institute only authorized their department to discuss the project as a topic and forbade its use for any other purpose?


    Calvin felt a sense of disbelief rising within him. Could it be that Hank was trying to im the results for himself?


    "Wrong?" Hank seemed oblivious to the astonishment on Calvin''s face. His fingers casually rested on the desk, and his voice suddenly took on a heavier tone:


    "The project was always a confidential project of our Science Institute. Getting the authorization for your university to discuss it as a project topic took me several attempts at convincing our senior leadership."


    His words implied a ''what more could you possibly want'' attitude.


    Calvin was always good at reading between the lines. It was clear to him that Hank wanted to take credit while appearing as the good guy in front of everyone. Yet, he couldn''t expose him, nor could he afford to offend him.


    Calvin pinched his fingers, still trying to secure as much leverage for his department as possible, "Although the project belongs to the Science Institute, the system was developed by our department, so..."


    He was cut off by Hank raising his hand, "Since it''s a coborative project, our Science Institute holds the absolute primary usage rights. Are you trying to argue with the state, Mr. Calvin?"


    Given the Science Institute was a state entity, Calvin saw Hank bringing up the state and immediately put on an apologetic smile, "You misunderstand, Hank. That wasn''t my intention. It''s just this authorization document... Maybe I should take it back and discuss it with Mr. Belcher before signing?"


    "I don''t have that much time," Hank said coolly, his expression turning slightly displeased.


    However, after a moment''s thought, he continued patiently, "Mr. Calvin, you are a reasonable man. This is just a simple authorization document. There''s no need to make such a fuss, right?"


    "This..." Calvin hesitated, the difficulty apparent on his face, "How about I call Mr. Belcher right now?"


    Seeing this, Hank nced at his wristwatch and said, "Alright, but make it quick. I only have five minutes before I have to leave."


    "Okay..." Calvin nodded, rising from his chair, and then took the authorization document outside to make the call.


    Hank remained seated, unmoved.


    Meanwhile, his assistant, after seeing Calvin step out, pondered for a moment before whispering, "I wonder if Mr. Calvin is savvy enough."


    Hank''s lips twitched into a smirk, "Don''t worry, he''ll sign when hees back."


    The assistant looked at him,


    understanding that Calvin wasn''t et


    exactly a man of principle;


    otherwise, he wouldn''t always be seeking to curry favor with Hank.


    Such a person surely knew how to read the room.


    On the other end.


    Calvin dialed Mr. Belcher''s number, his gaze fixed on the authorization document in his hand, "...That''s the situation. Once this document is stamped, Zane and the others will lose their autonomy over it."


    Losing autonomy meant they could no longer freely use their developed technology without risking legal trouble.


    Calvin''s eyshes fluttered down as he thought about the information he received from Zane yesterday-how the DO Group also happened to be interested in their life data syst¨¦m. So, without waiting for Mr. Belcher to respond, he continued, "But if we don''t stamp it, it might be difficult to exin to the Science Institute, since it''s a national project."

 Chapter 1505

    Mr. Belcher pondered for a few seconds upon hearing the proposal and then said, "Since Zane and his team can use it for their research discussions, go ahead and sign it for them. It''s not a big deal."


    In reality, Mr. Belcher could clearly see Hank''s intention, but he did not want to offend the tech institute over a mere authorization document. He considered this as simply doing a favor.


    Upon hearing Mr. Belcher''s agreement, Calvin''s lips curled into a smile. He respectfully acknowledged and then hung up the phone.


    He quickly returned to their reserved section of the caf¨¦.


    "What did he say?" Hank asked calmly as Calvin sat down.


    Calvin smiled, pulling out the department''s seal from his briefcase, "Mr. Belcher said it''s fine, and asked me to sign it for you right away."


    The assistant sitting nearby nced at Hank, unsurprised by the oue.


    Soon, the seal was stamped on thest page of the authorization document.


    Calvin handed one copy to Hank''s assistant and after exchanging a few words with Hank, he seemed to remember something, "Oh, by the way, I heard the DO Group is also very interested in the life data system."


    Hank, who was about to leave, stopped at Calvin''s words, turning to him in surprise, "The DO Group? How did they find out about the life data system?"


    Calvin took a sip of his coffee, "I''m not entirely sure, but it seems like they intend to test it on their fourth-generation robots."


    Hank knew that the DO Group had been developing fourth-generation robots since the tech institute had previously coborated with their R&D department, so he had a slight idea.


    Seeing Hank deep in thought, Calvin then asked, "But didn''t the DO Group approach your institute? I always thought you knew about this."


    Hank''s lips formed a casual, light smile, "I hadn''t heard about this until now."


    With that, Calvin didn''t press further, looking at his watch, "Don''t you have something urgent? I won''t keep you any longer."


    Something shed in Hank''s eyes as he stood up, "Alright, I''ll be going then. We''ll catch up another time."


    "Sure." Calvin nodded slightly and stood up as well.


    Hank waved his hand, indicating there was no need to see him out, and quickly left the caf¨¦ with his assistant.


    Calvin watched Hank leave and then settled back into his seat, not in a rush todeave. He picked up the authorization contract given by Zane, his gaze turning cold, and the next moment, he tore the contract.


    **


    Once Hank got into the car, he pondered over what Calvin had mentioned earlier. After a while, he looked up at his assistant driving and said, "You can go to the Intellectual Property Office and coordinate with Grayson."


    The assistant nced in the rearview mirror, "Aren''t you going?"


    Hank hummed in affirmation, "I need to head back to the institute. Hand over the documents to Grayson and mention speeding up the patent process, ideally getting everything sorted within the next two weeks."


    "We''ve prepared the documents thoroughly. Even going through the review process should be quick," the assistant, experienced in patent applications, reassured.


    Hank''s gaze was inscrutable, "The sooner, the better."

 Chapter 1506

    Mirabe had been sequestered away for the past few days, diligently working on her thesis. Despite losing some hair over the ordeal, she finally had a draft ready.


    After reviewing it onest time, she found it satisfactory and sent it off to Zane''s email.


    Stretchingnguidly, Mirabe rose from her chair just as a knock sounded at her door.


    It was the family housekeeper, Marian, knocking.


    "Ms. Mirabell, there''s a friend here to see you."


    Leaning against the doorframe, Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted in surprise. "A friend?"


    Marian nodded, describing, "The rather handsome gentleman who visited before."


    At that, Mirabe immediately knew who Marian was referring to.


    "He''s just waiting by the front door," Marian added quickly.


    "I understand, thank you, Marian," Mirabe said, turning back to her room to change out of her pajamas before making her way downstairs at a leisurely pace.


    There, at the front door, stood James, dressed in sleek ck attire, his head bowed and hands casually pocketed.


    Sensing someone approaching, he looked up, the aloofness on his striking face melting away upon seeing her.


    As Mirabe opened the door, she greeted him with a tone devoid of emotion, "What''s the matter, James? Expecting a personal escort?"


    James sighed lightly at her greeting. "My mom always says you have such a good temper."


    Mirabe nodded, genuinely agreeing, "Marian is indeed very straightforward."


    The corner of James'' lips twitched. "Dinner at my ce tonight?"


    Mirabe nced at himzily.


    "Emily mentioned you had agreed," James added calmly.


    Remembering their conversation on Messenger, Mirabe brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, "Alright, let me change."


    Turning to head back inside, she paused after a few steps and looked back. "By the way, does Marian have any preferences?"


    She couldn''t very well show up with just a bottle of wine, could she? That might just get her kicked out on the spot.


    James raised an eyebrow, "I''ve already prepared something for you."


    Mirabe nodded, "Okay."


    As she walked back inside, she took out her phone.


    **


    At six in the evening, Emily emerged from the kitchen, her gaze


    asionally drifting to the from ne


    door


    ghtly nervous about officially


    the young woman soon.


    Trevor came over for a drink and, seeing his wife''s nervousness, chuckled, "Don''t


    worry, I''ve met her. She''s quite impressive in many aspects."


    "That goes without saying," Emily replied, but then she eyed her husband


    suspiciously, "When have you met her?"


    Trevor had not told Emily about his hospital stay due to an


    archaeological dig identst year and, realizing he had misspoken, quickly made up an excuse, ?t was just a chance encounterst year."


    Emily, epting this exnation without further suspicion, reminded, "Did you


    prepare the gifts I asked for? We mustn''t skimp on the first meeting."


    Trevor breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Don''t worry, everything''s ready."


    Emily hummed in acknowledgment.


    Just then, there was a sound at the front door.


    Emily, checking her neatly pinned-up hair to ensure it wasn''t out of ce, hurried towards the entrance.


    Yel


    James entered first, holding a gift box. Emily approached, ignoring the item her son was offering and instead looked directly at Mirabe behind him, "Mira,e in.


    James was left puzzled.

 Chapter 1507

    Emily had meticulously dressed herself today, her presence exuding a strong, genteel air of literary grace.


    However, upon seeing Emily''s familiar face, Mirabe was momentarily taken aback, "Marian, you..."


    She had encountered thisdy before at James'' doorstep, where she imed she was looking for her son, even mentioning his name was Holmes.


    Holmes...


    Mirabe''s gaze shifted abruptly back to James, standing next to Emily, their resemnce unmistakable.


    A barely visible shiver ran through her cheeks.


    Guessing that Mirabe still remembered her, Emily cleared her throat and suggested, "... Let''s talk inside."


    Mirabe obediently nodded, following Emily.


    James, feeling somewhat overlooked, raised an eyebrow in thought, trailing behind with a gift box in hand.


    Once in the living room, Trevor stood up, greeting Mirabe with a smile, "Mirabe''s here."


    "Hello, Uncle," Mirabe nodded slightly, her gaze then falling on Donald beside Trevor, pausing for a moment before calmly addressing him, "Grandfather."


    Despite being eighty, Donald was in high spirits, radiating vitality.


    He waved Mirabe over with a beaming smile, "Come here, my dear granddaughter, let Grandfather have a good look at you."


    Mirabe, struggling to control her reaction, thought, Here we go again with Donald.


    Emily and Trevor, oblivious to the subtle tension between the elder and the younger, simply took it as Donald being pleased with his granddaughter-inw.


    Dinner was ready in the kitchen, and Emily suggested, "Let''s eat first, we can talk over the meal."


    The group proceeded to the dining room.


    Donald seated Mirabe next to him, chatting away during the meal. Perhaps out of happiness, he even asked Trevor to open a bottle of red wine.


    Mirabe joined in with a few sses, her fair cheeks gaining a rosy hue, yet her eyes remained clear, seemingly unaffected by the alcohol.


    Meanwhile, Donald began to feel dizzy shortly after the meal and was helped back to his room by the servants to rest.


    Seeing Mirabe''s flushed cheeks, Emily worried she might be drunk and brought her a ss of honey water, asking, "Do you feel unwell anywhere, dear?"


    Mirabe shook her head, thanking her. Although not a heavy drinker, she could handle a few sses.


    Relieved that Mirabe didn''t seem intoxicated, Emily sat down beside her and, after a moment''s thought, asked, "How''s your thesis going?"


    Holding the ss, Mirabe''s slender, pale fingers were


    noticeable, "Thanks to Maria


    detailed guidance the other day, I''ve finished and submitted one."


    Emily smiled warmly, "We''re all family here; no need for formalities."


    Mirabe lowered her head, silently sipping her honey water, her demeanor growing even more demure.


    Seeing this, Emily inwardly marveled at her son''s fortune in finding such a well- behaved girl.


    After some more conversation between the two.


    James, having discussed some matters with Trevor upstairs, came down to the living room and, upon seeing Mirabe, said lightly, "Mom, it''s gettingte; I should take Mira back."


    "So soon?" Emily looked up at the clock on the wall, which showed it was exactly nine o''clock, then suggested to Mirabe, "We have plenty of rooms here; why not stay the night and go back tomorrow?"


    Mirabe blinked, not having declined yet when she heard James'' voice again.

 Chapter 1508

    James'' mother-inw has a curfew at her house-anyone not home by ten o''clock gets a talking-to. James said this matter-of-factly.


    Mirabe''s cheeks twitched slightly.


    Emily had said this youngdy seemed so well-behaved. "Well then, Mira,e over to Marian''s ce whenever you have time."


    She patted Mirabe''s hand and did not insist on her staying longer.


    James nced at Emily''s gesture. "We should be going then."


    Mirabe stood up, nodded to Emily, said goodbye, and followed James out.


    As they stepped outside, the cool night air brushed against them, making Mirabe instinctively wrap her coat tighter around herself, somewhat dispelling the effects of the alcohol.


    James looked at her. "Cold?"


    Mirabe shrugged her shoulders, her voice a bit slurred, "It''s alright."


    James took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "You''ll warm up in the car."


    Mirabe looked down. "Oh."


    Seeing this, James raised an eyebrow. "You drunk?"


    Mirabe quickly lifted her head, her eyes misty but trying to feign sobriety. She cracked a smile, "Joking, how could I be drunk."


    James took Mirabe''s hand, agreeing with her, "Yeah, you''re not drunk."


    Mirabe frowned. "I really am not!"


    They had reached the car park by now. James opened the passenger door, his hand preventing the door frame from hitting her as she got in.


    However, Mirabe, refusing to get in, held onto the door, and her jacket slipped off her shoulders to the ground, seemingly unnoticed by her as she reiterated, "I, am, not, drunk."


    It was James'' first time seeing the youngdy so insistent, a demeanor more fitting her age. He bent down to pick up the jacket, putting it back on her. "I know."


    "Patronizing." Mirabe pushed


    away James and got into the camet


    herself struggling a few times


    before managing to grab the seat


    belt but failing to buckle up.


    James, now truly realizing she was drunk, smiled, helped her with the seat belt,


    covered her with the jacket again, and then closed the car door.


    Circling around to the driver''s side, he got in.


    Soon, the car left the Shepherd family''s ancestral home.


    By the time they reached the neighborhood, Mirabe had fallen asleep against the seat.


    Her phone rang several times along


    the way, and by thest call, James


    had parked outside the Davis family''s house. He took out her phone from the jacket pocket.


    He answered the call.


    It was Marian who had called several times. James spoke briefly with her before hanging up.


    Shortly after, the front gate opened, and Marian hurried out.


    James got out of the car, walked to the passenger side, and gently carried Mirabe out.


    Marian nced at the youngdy, worried. "Did she drink a lot?"


    "Just a few drinks, she''s probably not used to it," James said nonchntly, carrying Mirabe inside the vi.


    Marian followed without asking further.


    Inside, Marian led James to Mirabe''s room, watching him ce her on the bed before speaking. "Ms. Mirabe should be okay, right?"


    James, while pulling a nket over Mirabe, reassured, "She''ll be fine, don''t worry."


    Marian, reassured atst, looked at James again, cleared her throat, and said, "Thank you for bringing our youngdy home. I can take care of her from here."


    "It''s no trouble at all," James replied, knowing it was best he leave. He stood to go, but Mirabe suddenly turned over, the nket slipping off a corner.

 Chapter 1509

    Seeing this, James disyed remarkable patience as he bent down to tuck her in. As he withdrew his hand, the next moment, it was caught by Mirabe, who pressed it against her chest, whispering, "...Don''t leave."


    The murmured voice, like that of an abandoned child, instinctively made one''s heart ache.


    James''s fingers tightened slightly. Although he didn''t catch her exact words, he could guess their meaning.


    He sighed softly and sat back down by the bed, then looked up at Marian and said, "I''ll wait until she falls asleep before I leave."


    Marian nodded in understanding and soon left the room with discretion.


    Suddenly, it was just the two of them left in the room.


    James shifted his gaze back to Mirabe, noticing her furrowed brows. He gently smoothed out the tension between her eyebrows with his other hand until her breathing became even and her expression rxed. Only then did he retract his hand.


    **


    The next morning, Mirabe woke up early.


    Staring at the ceiling, her mind was nk for a moment.


    Not until the memories of the previous night returned did Mirabe blink and ponder. Although she wasn''t quite sure how she got home, nothing exceedingly improper seemed to have happened in her recollection.


    Mirabe let out a heavy sigh, though she had to admit her tolerance for alcohol was indeed pitiful.


    Rubbing her temples, Mirabe got out of bed, grabbed a set of clean clothes, and headed for the bathroom.


    After freshening up, she went downstairs.


    Marian was in the kitchen making oatmeal. Seeing Mirabe up, she poured her a cup of hot tea, "Ms. Mirabe, you''re awake. Do you feel unwell anywhere?"


    Mirabe thanked her while holding the cup, "I''m fine, thank you for your effortsst night."


    Marian shook her head with a smile, rifying, "It wasn''t me. Your friend was the one taking care of you; I didn''t do much."


    Hearing this, Mirabe fell silent for a few seconds before asking, "I didn''t go on a drunken rampagest night, did I?"


    "There was none of that," Marian replied.


    Mirabe breathed a sigh of relief.


    However, Marian soon added, "But you were holding onto your friend''s hand all night, and he didn''t leave until after 1 a.m."


    A twitch appeared at the corner of Mirabe''s lips. She had held onto James''s hand without letting go?


    Marian must have been mistaken!


    She couldn''t have done such a thing!


    Mirabe walked away with an impassive face, holding her cup of tea, refusing to acknowledge such an embarrassing behavior.


    At that moment, her phone rang from her pocket.


    The sudden sound made Mirabe''s temples throb reflexively. After a few


    seconds, she slowly took out her phone.


    Seeing it was a call from Zane, her tension eased as she answered the call.


    "Mirabe, your paper was quite


    impressive I''ve already submitted it to the SSC, and we should hear back about the review in about five days. But I think it stands a great chance of being epted," Zane''s cheerful voice came through.


    Good thing she hadn''t believed his nonsense about not knowing how to write papers. The one she sent him yesterday was indeed brilliantly written, on par with those published in SSCI journals.


    With her eyshes lowered, still caught up in Marian''s words, Mirabe


    responded to Zane without much emotion, "That''s great."


    Zane''s mouth twitched, choosing to ignore Mirabe''sck of


    enthusiasm as he continued, "Oh, and I forgot to mentionst time, the patent for the system you worked on has been approved. You should receive the patent certificate in a few months."

 Chapter 1510

    Mirabe''s attention was finally drawn back when Zane mentioned the patent. She sounded slightly surprised, "That fast?"


    If her memory served her correctly, from review to receiving the certificate, it should take at least a year or two.


    "Who doesn''t have connections these days?" Zane''s face was still beaming with a smile.


    He was already handling correspondence with the person in charge at DO Group. Once Mr. Calvin brought back the authorization letter, they could schedule the coboration.


    Even through the phone screen, Mirabe could feel Zane''s good mood and couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow and casually congratte him.


    "By the way, have you looked over the documents I sent you?" Zane brought up the matter at hand.


    "I nced over them," Mirabe replied slowly, "They do seem a bitplex and profound."


    Hearing Mirabe''s evaluation, Zane paused for a moment before asking, "Do you think this project is very challenging?"


    Holding her phone, Mirabe saw Marian calling her for breakfast and turned to walk to the dining room, replying to Zane, "It''s manageable, depending on the actual needs of DO Group."


    "The actual needs?" Zane didn''t quite grasp what she meant.


    Mirabe slowly stirred her bowl of oatmeal, hummed softly, and didn''t exin further, "Let''s discuss the specifics after you''ve talked to them."


    Seeing this, Zane nodded. Just then, his phone vibrated, showing an iing call.


    Zane nced at it, seeing it was Mr. Calvin calling, and promptly told Mirabe, "Alright, let''s leave it here for now. I need to take this call, and we''ll touch baseter if there''s anything."


    With that, he tapped his phone and answered Mr. Calvin''s call. Mirabe raised her eyebrows and put down her phone.


    After a moment, she picked up her phone again, switched it to airne mode, and looked up to tell Marian, "I''ve got a headache. I''m nning to rest at home today, no going out or seeing anyone."


    **


    After Zane took Mr. Calvin''s call, he drove to the university.


    By the time he arrived at around ten o''clock, he dropped his briefcase off at his


    office and then made his way to Mr. Calvin''s office without stopping.


    Mr. Calvin was on the phone when Zane arrived, waiting until the call was finished before entering.


    "Mr. Calvin," Zane greeted him politely with a nod.


    Calvin hummed in acknowledgment, then without much ado, pulled open a drawer, took out the authorization letter, and ced it on the desk, "Here''s what you wanted."


    After saying this, he moved back to hisputer and started typing, seemingly very busy.


    Knowing that the semester was about to start and the department indeed had a lot to handle, Zane wisely chose not to disturb him further.


    He picked up the authorization letter from the desk, ready to leave.


    However, as he turned and took a few steps, ncing down at the authorization letter, he abruptly stopped.


    Looking at the content of the authorization letter, Zane''s brows furrowed tightly. This was not the authorization letter he had provided.


    Turning back, Zane approached the desk again, disregarding everything else, and directly said, "Mr. Calvin, this authorization letter''s content... Why isn''t it the one I gave you before?"


    Facing Zane''s question, Calvin didn''t even look up, his gaze fixed on theputer screen, "This is the correct authorization letter. Mr. Belcher personally approved it."


    Zane paused, Mr. Belcher


    personally approved it? But the project is a research achievement of our department. Now, this


    Qu


    authorization letter only gives us the right to discuss it, not ownership. That doesn''t make any sense, does it?"

 Chapter 1511

    At this moment, Zane''s mind was buzzing, and by the end of his speech, his face had turned a bright red.


    Having typed thest word, Calvin finally lifted his head, his expression clearly showing impatience. "Zane, what are you trying to prove here? Or do you really think your students'' shabby data system is something to brag about?"


    With a snort, Calvin stood up from his chair, leaning forward with his hands braced on the desk, looking at Zane, he continued:


    "Besides, the Tech Institute is a top-secret agency. The fact that they''ve granted you permission to work on a project is already a privilege. What more could you possibly want?"


    Zane was at a loss for words from Calvin''s aggressive questioning, struggling to gather his thoughts.


    He said indignantly, "That''spletely beside the point. Why should my students'' research have no ownership? Even if it''s a confidential cooperation project, that doesn''t mean you can just take their work as your own, does it?"


    How is this any different from a bandit looting?


    How could Mr. Belcher agree to sign this authorization?


    "What do you mean by ''taking as your own''? Zane, can you think before you speak? This project is the Tech Institute''s to begin with." Calvin shook his head, then tried to reason with him, "Don''t bite the hand that feeds you. Some things are not as you wish them to be."


    Seeing Calvin''s indifferent face, Zane clenched his fingers tightly, as if he was about to crumple the authorization letter in his hands.


    He realized that Calvin simply did not care about the ownership of the project, and might even be stirring the pot.


    After all, he was not a good person by nature.


    Taking a deep breath, Zane suppressed his anger, maintaining a calm demeanor as he said, "Yes, I understand the unspoken rules of the industry, but Mr. Calvin, what I want to tell you is that this authorization letter is legally ineffective."


    At these words, Calvin''s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, "What do you mean?"


    Zane''s gaze fell on the authorization letter in his hands, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes as he tossed the letter on the desk before answering Mr. Calvin "Because my students'' research is protected by patent rights, even if you signed this authorization letter, it''s


    meaningless."


    At this moment, Zane was immensely grateful, thankful that Mirabe had reminded him about the issue of patent rights; otherwise, they might have suffered a significant loss this time.


    Calvin''s eyes narrowed, he was obviously aware of what patent protection meant, "You applied for a patent?"


    "Correct, the review has already passed, and we''re just waiting to receive the certificate in a few months." Zane''s lips curved slightly.


    Fortunately, software copyright is somewhat special, protected by patent from the day of application If it were any other invention, even if the preliminary review was passed, it would still require the actualo certificate to have legal effect.


    Calvin could tell that Zane was not joking, his expression finally showing a slight change, "Why didn''t you mention applying for a patent to me?"


    "So I could give Mr. Calvin a heads up to align our stories with the colleagues at


    the Tech Institute?" Zane couldn''t contain his sarcasm.


    Calvin''s face darkened immediately; after all, he was the department head, "I''ve said it before, things don''t always go as we wish. Since you''ve applied for patent protection, you should have at least informed me that day. It wouldn''t have led to offending people at the Tech Institute."

 Chapter 1512

    Zane couldn''t help but find the situation increasingly amusing as he listened. "Mr. Calvin, don''t you think what you''re saying is quite funny? To put it in perspective, the honor of this project belongs to our entire biology department, and on arger scale, it brings glory to the university."


    Indeed, as a part of the official institutions, wasn''t Prestige University, the top university in the country, also directly under the government''s jurisdiction?


    Both being under national governance, where does the question of offending or not offendinge from?


    If there was any question of offense, it was probably more about not being able to exin things privately.


    Calvin, with his hands braced on the desk, no longer appeared as assertive as before. Watching Zane, it seemed as though their roles had reversed, with Zane suddenly having the upper hand.


    Silence fell for a long while.


    The quiet of the office was eventually broken by the ring of a phone.


    It was Calvin''s mobile ringing.


    Zane''s demeanor had returned to normal. ncing at the mobile on the desk, he spoke in an unhurried tone, "Mr. Calvin must be quite busy, so I won''t take up more of your time."


    Having said that, he headed towards the door. Just as he was about to leave, Zane suddenly turned around and called out, "Oh, almost forgot. I would still need you, Mr. Calvin, to have your colleagues at the technology institute re-sign that authorization document."


    Calvin''s expression grew even darker.


    Zane calmly averted his gaze and left.


    However, as soon as he stepped out, his calm was reced by a look of worry.


    Although he had already filed for the patent, the implications in Mr. Calvin''s words suggested that if the technology institute were to learn of the patent issue, it could lead to endless troubles.


    A research project isn''t scary; what''s terrifying are the people behind it who covet the research.


    Mr. Calvin did say something true: not everything can go as one wishes.


    Mr. Belcher, having offered their


    restituendings to the technology


    institute as a favor, certainly


    Wnt offend the institute over a


    minor patent issue.  fo


    After all, the patent application could still be withdrawn before the certificate was obtained.


    With a heavy heart, Zane returned to his office, thinking of the earnest effort those students put inst semester, and clenched his fist once more.


    No matter what, he couldn''t let the fruits of those kids''bor be someone else''s!


    **


    Back in the office, Calvin ended the call, his gazending on the authorization document Zane had left behind, his expression somber.


    He truly hadn''t expected Zane to outsmart him this time, silently applying for a patent with the documents.


    Calvin closed his eyes momentarily.


    Last year, Hank had frequently


    asked him for documents, and he had vaguely guessed that Hank wanted to apply for a patent. Now, Zane had managed to pass the preliminary examination first...


    After a moment of contemtion, Calvin reopened his eyes, picked up his mobile,


    and dialed Hank''s number. His finger paused before pressing the call button.


    The call was picked up after just two rings, not by Hank himself, but by his assistant.


    "Mr. Calvin? Is there something you need from Hank?" The assistant''s tone was polite on the phone.


    With a stern face, Calvin only asked, "When will Hank be avable?"


    Sensing that Calvin had something important to discuss, the assistant nced at his watch. "Hank just entered theb; it''ll likely be three or four hours before he''s avable."


    After a pause, the assistant added, "If it''s something urgent, you can tell me, and I


    can pass the message to Hank."


    Calvin hesitated, "It''s not exactly urgent..."

 Chapter 1513

    Hank''s assistant heard the words and said, "Since it''s not urgent, I''ll have Hank call you back once he''s free."


    "Thank you, I appreciate it," Calvin politely responded. However, before hanging up, he couldn''t resist asking, "By the way, I wanted to inquire about the patent status of your system..."


    The assistant wasn''t surprised by Calvin''s question, considering he had provided a lot of the information, though it wasn''t explicitly stated, it was an open secret among them.


    The assistant then replied, "We submitted all the documents a couple of days ago, and we expect toplete the initial review process within a fortnight."


    Calvin, understanding the situation, realized why Zane had already passed the initial review¡ªit was because Hank had just submitted the documents, a step behind.


    Noticing Calvin''s silence, the assistant called out, "Mr. Calvin?"


    Calvin snapped back to reality and decided to inform the assistant about the patent situation.


    Upon hearing Calvin''s news, the assistant frowned instinctively, "Already passed the initial review? How could your institute do this? Aren''t you taking the project''s confidentiality agreement seriously?"


    Listening to the assistant''s reproach, Calvin internally criticized the assistant''s audacity but also acknowledged their right to be so, quickly apologizing, "I just found out about this myself. The professor mainly responsible for this project hadn''t mentioned it to me before."


    The assistant pinched the bridge of his nose, aware of how much Hank valued this patent. Knowing this news would undoubtedly infuriate Hank.


    Without saying another word, the assistant hung up on Calvin.


    Calvin, hearing the call end, felt a headacheing on. He could imagine the strain on the previously maintained rtionship, likely due to this issue.


    All because of Zane.


    Back at the tech institute, shortly after hanging up with Calvin, Hank''s assistant received a call from an acquaintance at the patent office.


    After listening, the assistant asked, "Isn''t the certificate not yet issued? Is there any way to resolve this?"


    "It''s out of our hands now. The opponent has already passed the review Moreover, the copyright for such works is protected byw from the day of application and is irreversible by human action."


    Holding the phone, the assistant felt overwhelmed.


    Before he could respond, the voice from the other end continued, "If you''re really


    looking for a solution, there might be one."


    The assistant''s eyes sparkled with hope, "What solution?"


    "Have the applicant withdraw the application."


    "That might be a bit difficult," the assistant sighed, knowing the real situation behind the patent could lead toplications if it became public.


    "I''m sorry, then. There''s nothing more I can do," the acquaintance said, showing regret before ending the call.


    The assistant took a deep breath and headed towards theb.


    Upon entering, he saw Hank and a few colleagues busy optimizing the system''s performance.


    Seeing this, the assistant held back his words, waiting for a better moment.


    Two hourster, Hank finally took a


    break, removing and cleaning his sses before noticing his assistant and asking, "Did you need to talk to me?"


    BUMS


    The assistant nodded, ncing at the others still present and chose to stay silent.


    Hank, sensing the matter''s sensitivity, put his sses back on and said, "Alright, let''s talk in my office."

 Chapter 1514

    Assistant trailed behind Hank, and the two quickly made their way out of theb.


    As they waited for the elevator, Hank nced up, his gazending on the elevator doors. He casually remarked, "Is there news from the Patent Office?"


    The assistant nced at Hank cautiously before hesitantly saying, "Well, there is news..."


    Seeing his assistant''s hesitancy, Hank narrowed his eyes. "Preliminary rejection?"


    "It''s not exactly a rejection, but..." the assistant began, just as the elevator arrived, cutting himself off.


    Hank, seeing this, remained silent. As the elevator doors opened, he stepped forward, only to see someone already inside.


    "Dane," Hank greeted Dr. Ray respectfully with a nod.


    Next to Dane stood a man with a fiercely imposing aura. Hank only took a quick nce before shifting his gaze away.


    "Ah, Hank," Dane nodded, pressing the button to keep the elevator doors open, "Are you heading up or down?"


    Hank replied they were going up and stepped into the elevator, choosing to stand away from the young man next to Dane, closer to the elevator wall.


    Soon, the elevator doors closed.


    Hank pressed the button for his office floor.


    Dane turned his attention to Hank, not speaking to the young man beside him anymore. "The project your department is working on is quite impressive."


    Hank hadn''t expected Dane to be


    aware of his work, given their


    difference in status. He modestly replied, "You tter me, Dr. Ray. It''s all thanks to the collective effort of our department."


    Dane, with his hands sped behind his back, emanated an authoritative presence. "I heard from your department head about the patent application. How''s it going? Approved yet?"


    Hank, who hadn''t heard the full story from his assistant, hesitated before answering, "We''ve just submitted the paperwork, so we''re still waiting."


    Dane hummed in acknowledgment. As the elevator reached their floor, he simply stated, "Patents are crucial. They represent technological achievements."


    Hank nodded, understanding the weight of his words.


    Dane then exited the elevator with the young man, leaving Hank and his assistant alone.


    With Dane gone, the assistant''s tense demeanor rxed. Curious, he asked, "That young man with Dane,


    I''ve never seen him before. He''s not one of our tech staff, is he?


    Hank half-closed his eyes, pondering for a moment before responding, "That''s Dane''s only student."


    The assistant looked up in surprise. "Dane''s student... Isn''t that the person who designed the alloy memory drive a few years back?"


    "Yes," Hank confirmed, having only met the man once before. "He must have an interesting background. If we run into him again, remember to be polite."


    The assistant quickly agreed, recognizing the young man''s imposing aura as something beyond ordinary.


    Soon, the elevator reached the floor of Hank''s office, and they walked out.


    In the office.


    Hank took off his coat and hung it on a nearby rack. "So, what''s the problem?"

 Chapter 1515

    The assistant nced at Hank before rying everything Calvin had said on the phone.


    After listening, Hank''s brow furrowed deeply, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger, "He applied for the patent in advance?"


    The assistant''s head hung a bit low, "Yes, we''re just waiting for the certificate to be issued. And since the copyright for software begins from the date of application, our authorization letter to Mr. Calvin is legally ineffective."


    Hank''s expression darkened. Dane had just brought up the patent issue. Without it, wouldn''t their department be aughingstock?


    Seeing Hank silent, the assistant hesitantly spoke again, "I asked Grayson. Now, unless Prestige College withdraws their application, the patent rights won''t likely fall to our tech institute."


    "What''s Mr. Calvin''s stance?" Hank asked instead.


    "He didn''t say much. I even think he might have known all along but chose now to speak up," the assistant shared his suspicion.


    Hank turned on hisputer on the desk, stating indifferently, "If he had known, he wouldn''t have prepared all those documents for us."


    "So, what do we do now?" The assistant looked at Hank. "Getting Prestige College to withdraw their patent application seems unlikely."


    Hank quickly typed a password on his keyboard, logging into his email. Upon seeing a new message, his expression shifted from cold to pleased.


    Without looking up, he told the assistant, "Nothing is impossible. Arrange another meeting with Mr. Calvin for me."


    The assistant, though surprised by Hank''sck of anger over the patent issue, saw him engrossed in hisputer and didn''t inquire further, simply responding affirmatively.


    **


    Meanwhile, Dane brought James into his office and poured him a ss of water before pulling out a blueprint, "This is the blueprint for the Moonlight Yacht. Take a look."


    James set down his water ss, unfolded the blueprint, and after a quick nce, said, "Some configurations need improvements. The old yacht''s design can''t meet the required speed and power."


    Dane nodded, "I thought so too. But you''re the best at configurations. Take this blueprint with you, and jot down any suggestions."


    James looked at Dane nonchntly, raising an eyebrow, "You''ve forgotten I''m no longer a researcher here."


    "That''s what you think. Your files and ID card are still in the records room. Want me to fetch them for you to see?" Dane said, somewhat irritably, "And how often have


    10


    sought your help in a year? This


    would take as much time as a


    bathroom break for you."Content


    Dane couldn''t fathom why he had been so eager to be his teacher back in the day.


    Other people''s apprentices were all so respectful, but his... was a whole other story.


    Sighing internally, Dane didn''t wait for James to refuse, quickly rolling up the blueprint and forcibly handing it over, "It''s decided then."


    James: "..."


    Dane coughed, adding, "I know you''re busy, so I won''t keep you any longer. You can go."


    James: "..."


    Soon after, James left the building expressionlessly, blueprint in hand.

 Chapter 1516

    Wyatt was waiting downstairs, his eyes quickly picking up on the bundle of papers James was carrying, a sure sign that Dane had once again demanded a lot from his student.


    He coughed into his hand, not daring to ask anything, but hurried to open the rear car door for him.


    Once both were seated, the car pulled away from the tech institute, and after a moment, Wyatt ventured to ask, "James, where to now?"


    James, having tossed the blueprints onto the adjacent seat, was drumming his fingers on his knee and didn''t respond. Instead, he took out his phone.


    He dialed Mirabe.


    The phone rang a few times before it was finally picked up.


    Before James could speak, the noisy background filled with loud rock music from Mirabe''s end came through, prompting him to ask, "Are you out?"


    "Yeah, it''s a bit noisy here, maybe I''ll call you backter?" Mirabe said, twisting slightly to lower her voice.


    "Okay." James agreed but couldn''t help asking before hanging up, "Are you alone?"


    "No," Mirabe nced at the person beside her, "I''m with a senior from my department."


    A senior, huh.


    James''s gaze hardened slightly as he replied, "Alright, just make sure youe back soon."


    Mirabe responded affirmatively and quickly ended the call.


    James: "?"


    Wyatt, driving, suddenly felt a chill in the car, especially down his spine, as if a familiar murderous aura was weaving through the air. He nced in the rearview mirror.


    To anyone else, James looked as usual, but Wyatt, who knew him well, was certain this was far from normal.


    However, he kept quiet, knowing all too well the severe consequences of stepping


    on andmine. He never wanted to experience that again in his lifetime.


    **


    On the other end, after hanging up, Mirabe turned her attention back to the stage performance in front of her.


    "Little sister, is something bothering you?" ze, sitting beside her, turned to ask, "If you have something to do, we can leave."


    Mirabe shifted her gaze back to ze and smiled, shaking her head, "It''s nothing."


    ze nodded but seeing Mirabe''sck of interest in the y, stood up, ¡°This y isn''t worth our time. Let''s go, I''ll take you out for dinner."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Sounds good."


    They quickly left the opera house. Right next to it was a restaurant, just a few minutes'' drive away.


    Before entering the restaurant, Mirabe nced at the sign.


    What a coincidence.


    "This restaurant''s menu is excellent,parable to a Michelin-starred chef''s." ze had already made a reservation and was leading the way as he spoke.


    Mirabe nodded, appearing very demure.


    They took their seats in a booth by the window on the ground floor and ordered their meal. Then ze looked up at Mirabe and said, "It''s strange, little sister, howe?''ve never seen you at the academy before?"


    Given Mirabe''s stunning looks, in a department like physics where men were the majority, she should have been one of the most talked-about neersst year.


    Mirabe, holding her coffee cup, pondered how she had received red


    envelopes from ze during the bet


    holidays and decided not to hide it,


    replying, "My major isn''t in physics."


    ze''s face showed surprise, "Not majoring in physics?"


    Mirabe nodded, "I''m in the biology department."


    Hearing biology made ze even more astonished.


    "


    He had inquired about her from Dr. Elliot before, but he had always refused to


    discuss anything regarding the little sister.


    So, this was the reason for his silence?

 Chapter 1517

    ze''s expression was a bit strained.


    He had no doubt about his mentor''s critical and sharp eye for talent; to have gone out of his way to recruit a junior from another department, she must be quite exceptional.


    Mirabe, unaware of ze''s thoughts, noticed his stunned expression and couldn''t help but cough lightly, "Senior brother?"


    ze finally snapped back to reality, "...Junior sister, you''re double majoring, right?"


    "Um." Mirabe gave Dr. Elliot some credit, not going into detail about how she didn''t actually want to, but ended up being roped into it anyway.


    Hearing this, ze''s expression grewplex, "You haven''t been attending sses in our department, have you?"


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have been unaware of her.


    Mirabe nodded, somewhat helplessly, "I really don''t have the time."


    After all, she was someone who fought every day for schrships.


    ze was silent for a moment before asking, "And the professor has no objections?"


    But all he received in response was a long sigh from his junior, "Ah! Not yet."


    Mirabe spread her hands, wishing Dr. Elliot would challenge her, but she never got the chance.


    Seeing the junior sister''s resigned expression, as if she was actually looking forward to being critiqued by the professor, ze''s lips twitched, "..."


    He suddenly doubted whether their mentor and the person his junior sister spoke of were the same person.


    Their mentor was known for nitpicking, certainly not someone who would let his students self-direct their learning.


    Mirabe coughed, lowered her head, and continued sipping her coffee, looking demure and obedient.


    ze thought to himself that even the strictest person might not find it in them to be harsh with such a junior sister.


    But he wondered about her actual capabilities.


    Soon, the waiter brought their food to the table.


    The two of them ate while chatting.


    ze had a schrly appearance, and his conversation revealed him to be a person of great cultivation.


    Mirabe had a very good impression of her senior brother.


    When they were almost done eating, Mirabe excused herself to the restroom. Upon returning, she headed straight to the cashier and pulled out a card.


    The cashier, upon seeing the card, immediately stood up with surprise, "You are..."


    Before he could finish, Mirabe raised her hand, and the cashier promptly swallowed the rest of his words.


    When Mirabe returned, ze was bragging to their other two junior brothers about finally meeting their junior sister.


    Seeing the envious tone of his juniors somewhat soothed the blow he felt from his interaction with the junior sister.


    It seemed that seeing the reactions of others made everything more bearable.


    ze stood up to pay the bill, but Mirabe opened her mouth to stop him, seeing him walk away quickly, she let it be.


    At that moment, her phone rang in her pocket, and she took it out.


    It was an unknown number.


    Her fingers gently brushed the phone screen before she pressed the answer button.


    Despite her expression remaining unchanged as she listened, her eyes lost all warmth.


    In¨¦


    After hanging up, she switched her phone toputer mode, her fingertips quickly tapping in the air, and a shing red dot appeared on the screen in an instant.


    ze, informed at the front desk that the bill had already been settled, turned back, remembering their mentor mentioning that their junior sister''s family wasn''t well-off, "Junior sister, I thought I was going


    to treat you to..."


    His words trailed off as he caught sight of the virtual disy above his junior sister''s phone, his eyes widening in shock as he abruptly stopped speaking.

 Chapter 1518

    ze rubbed his eyes, always feeling like he was seeing a mirage. How else could he exin the high-tech scene disyed on the phone?


    Mirabe didn''t notice ze''s expression. After locking the location based on the iing call disy, she exitedputer mode.


    She put away her phone, the coldness in her eyes quickly hidden away, and then looked up at ze, "Senior, what did you just say?"


    "Nothing..." ze tapped his forehead, still immersed in the scene he had just witnessed, "Your phone... it looks very advanced."


    Mirabe knew what ze wanted to ask but simply responded without changing her expression: "It was just a phone projection app."


    A projection app?


    ze, thinking back, felt it didn''t quite seem like that.


    Mirabe wasn''t in the mood to care about her senior''s thoughts at the moment. She stood up and quickly said to ze, "Senior, thank you for inviting me to the y today, but I have some urgent matters to attend to and must leave now. We''ll get together another time."


    ze could tell that Mirabe indeed had something urgent, so he nodded, "Little junior, don''t worry about it. If you have urgent matters, go ahead."


    He paused, then added, "Or if you''re going somewhere, I can drive you there. It might save some time."


    Mirabe thanked him again, "No need, I''ll just take a cab."


    Seeing this, ze did not insist, "Alright."


    Mirabe nodded slightly and walked briskly towards the exit, her silhouette graceful, her coat fluttering behind her with the wind.


    Watching his junior sister walk away, ze suddenly felt a sense of admiration.


    Despite noting from a wealthy family, his junior sister''s demeanor was in no way inferior to those high-borndies.


    Bright and straightforward, without pretense, she was indeed likable.


    **


    Mirabe walked out of the restaurant and hailed a ride on Uber.


    Once in the car, her gaze remained calmly on the passing scenery outside the window, her eyes clear, neither happy nor angry.


    It wasn''t until her phone rang again that she brought her gaze back,


    nced at the caller ID to see its


    ber as it was


    the same unknown number


    before.


    She didn''t pick up, instead directly pressing the hang-up button.


    The person on the other end didn''t expect the call to be disconnected and his face, already menacing, darkened further.


    Seeing this, a subordinate asked, "Can''t get through?"


    At this, a teenager sitting in a corner nearby stopped doodling on the ground and looked up at the two men.


    "It''s not that I couldn''t get through. The person on the other end hung up directly," the man said with a frown.


    The subordinate squinted, "Didn''t you say that the person had agreed toe?"


    Holding his phone tightly, the man was about to speak when the clear voice of the teenager came over.


    "Don''t worry, my sister will definitelye. She didn''t answer your call because she can''t be bothered to waste words on you."


    The teenager, probably around


    fourteen or fifteen, had exceptionally handsome features, especially his which were notably clean and


    clear.


    The menacing man, upon hearing the teenager''s words, turned back to look at


    him.


    The teenager shrugged his


    shoulders, changed his sitting


    posture to cross-legged against the wall corner, and nonchntly said, "Maybe my sister is already close to arriving."


    The man''s gaze hardened, feeling that the boy''s words were unreliable, "Apart


    from your sister, where are your family members?"


    "Oh, I don''t know," the teenager said with a pout.


    The man: "..."

 Chapter 1519

    The man frowned and gave the young man a closer look. After a moment''s thought, he reopened his phone and dialed his subordinate, who was waiting at the prearranged meeting spot. "Keep an eye out; the person might be arriving soon."


    However, no sooner had he issued his instructions than the young man beside him let out a light sigh, "I said she''s about to arrive, not at the location you directed her to."


    The brooding man looked up again, his phone still off the hook, "What do you mean?"


    The young man cracked a harmless smile, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, my sister''s quite good withputers. Tracing your phone''s location to find this ce shouldn''t be a problem for her."


    The man was speechless.


    Damn it.


    The brooding man pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling his temper nearly bursting at the seams, yet he still instructed the person on the phone to stay vignt.


    After hanging up, he turned to his aide beside him, "Take a few people to the main entrance on the first floor."


    His aide quickly agreed and left the room.


    The young man watched towards the door, his youthful face showing no fear, instead, there was a clear look of anticipation and excitement in his eyes.


    Seeing this, the brooding man was speechless again.


    Was this the folly of youth, or was it the fearless born of ignorance?


    *


    Mirabe paid for her ride and walked through the bustling old street lined with shops, eventually arriving at the end of the road where an ancient European-style mansion stood.


    The iron gate had a security booth, requiring identity verification to enter. Standing by the booth were several men in ck suits, clearly not your average security guards.


    Mirabe nced over them indifferently before walking towards the entrance.


    As she approached, the men scrutinized her, seeing a young woman in her twenties, they didn''t immediately connect her with the person they were expecting, "This ce isn''t for loiterers, best leave now."


    One of them said with a cold face.


    Mirabe casually tucked her hands into her coat pockets, her delicate facial features exuding an air of nonchnce, "Aren''t you waiting for me?"


    Hearing this, the man widened his eyes, seemingly in disbelief, "You..."


    Mirabe was too impatient to listen to his ramblings and cut him off, "Where is he? Just take me to him."


    The man was taken aback, having never encountered someone more arrogant than them.


    Especially such a young woman!


    The group exchanged looks before quickly leading Mirabe through the gate. They took the elevator to the third floor. Perhaps it was Mirabe''s extraordinary aura, but they subconsciously refrained from giving her a hard time.


    Reaching the door of the lounge, the leading man knocked first. After hearing a response, he pushed the door open.


    Inside, the young man who had been idly drawing circles against the wall corner instantly looked up at the sound of the door opening, his gaze fixed unwaveringly towards the entrance.


    His hands clenched tight, he appeared a bit nervous.


    He had yet to see her current appearance.


    By then, Mirabe had already entered, catching sight of the young man in the corner at a nce.


    Observing his foolish gaze fixed on


    her, she moved her lips without emotion.


    Though no sound was made, the words ''idiot'' were clearly understood by Cassie.


    Cassie''s cheeks twitched, but soon, he cracked a smile.

 Chapter 1520

    Her brother¡ªno, her ancestor, though looking quite unfamiliar, still behaved with the same old form.


    Cassie had intended to get up from the floor, but on second thought, decided to continue shrinking in the small corner, her young face disying a pitiable and helpless expression.


    Mirabe saw this and was puzzled: "???"


    Seeing Mirabe brought in by his subordinates, the man in charge, whose patience was nearly exhausted by Cassie''s antics, couldn''t hide his shock.


    It turned out exactly as the young boy had said, not going to the previously agreed ce over the phone, buting here instead... This indicated that the visitor was no ordinary person.


    The man in charge calmed his swirling thoughts, his fierce and hostile gazending on Mirabe''s face, "You''re this kid''s sister?"


    Mirabe had stopped looking at Cassie and nced at the man, showing no fear,


    "What has he done that you''re keeping him here?"


    The man''s anger surged at the mention of the issue.


    He almost gnashed his teeth as he said, "He came out of nowhere, causing trouble in our casino, leading to a loss of nearly fifty million in just an hour. We were already being merciful not crippling him on the spot!"


    Hearing about the fifty million, Mirabe''s temples throbbed fiercely. Cassie really was challenging her patience.


    "So, what do you want to do?" Mirabe asked.


    The man coldly nced at Cassie in the corner and said, "Simple, you have topensate for all the losses of the casino. Only then can I let him go."


    Mirabe was silent for a moment, "How much?"


    "Fifty million." The man stated a figure.


    Mirabe: "..."


    Damn, her schrship was only fifty thousand, why on earth would he be worth fifty million?


    Taking a deep breath, Mirabe looked at the man, without any anger, "Sorry, I take back my question."


    The man didn''t understand what she meant by that.


    Mirabe pursed her lips, her voice emotionless, "Please, just cripple him now, thank you."


    Ah, such a nuisance, not eliminating him would be against all reason.


    Cassie: "?"


    The man in charge and the others present: "?"


    The man snapped back to reality, now annoyed, "So, you''re not nning to pay


    and deliberately said that to mock us?"


    "You''ve misunderstood, I have no money." Mirabe stated bluntly.


    "No money? Who are you trying to fool?" The man scoffed coldly. He had seen all sorts of people, and this girl didn''t look like someone without money at all, "Besides, your brother himself said you''re wealthy."


    Hearing this, Mirabe''s gaze swiftly returned to the young boy in the corner.


    Cassie quickly lowered his head in fright.


    This guy had changed everything about himself, except for his miserly nature.


    Seeing this, Mirabe simply


    pressed her temples and then looked back at the man, scoffing, "Your underground casino is meant for entertainment. You lose money and want someone else to take the me, it doesn''t work like that."


    She knew Cassie all too well and could guess why he had gone to the casino to cause trouble.


    "So, you''re not nning to pay for his release?" The man''s eyes shifted, revealing a cold harshness. He


    signaled to the subordinates at the


    door with a nce.  fo


    Immediately, several subordinates walked in, surrounding Mirabe.


    Mirabe stood her ground, merely lifting her eyelids indifferently, "How long do you intend to keep up this act?"

 Chapter 1521

    As the conversation dropped, the few surrounding her paused in bewilderment.


    The man in charge also nced at Mirabe, and it was only then that he realized the young woman hade alone, yet exhibited no fear whatsoever, as if she didn''t consider them a threat at all.


    Such presence...


    "Who exactly are you?" The man in charge didn''t dwell on the meaning behind Mirabe''s words but narrowed his eyes, quickly pondering whether she hailed from any notable families in Riverdale.


    Mirabe didn''t respond, her eyes shimmering, casting another nce at the boy in the corner.


    Feeling the murderous intent, Cassie''s scalp tightened, and he quickly scrambled up from the ground, "Alright, sis, don''t be mad. I''ll handle this."


    Hearing the boy''s words behind him, the man in charge reflexively turned his head, only to suddenly feel weak, copsing to the ground shortly after.


    Not just him, but the subordinates around Mirabe also fell to the ground, weakened.


    Seeing this, the eyes of the man in charge widened in horror,pletely at a loss as to how the situation had taken such a sudden turn.


    It was only when he saw the boy who had been cowering in the corner approaching with pping hands did the man in charge seem toe to a realization.


    The person who dared to disrupt their operation couldn''t possibly be harmless; they had all been deceived by the boy''s appearance...


    Cassie didn''t even nce at the man''s expression, jogging over to Mirabe, trying to please her with a grin, "...Hehe, sis, that medicine you brought backst time really works wonders."


    Mirabe stepped aside with disdain, "Get lost, who''s your sister."


    "It''s you, it''s you, it''s definitely you!" Cassie said earnestly.


    Mirabe turned away with a scowl, walking off.


    Cassie touched his nose and hurried to follow her, but just as he was about to step forward, his pant leg was grabbed.


    It was the man in charge, who had almost exhausted all his strength, "What... did you do?"


    Cassie turned back to look at him, still with a harmless expression, ¡°Ah, don''t worry. My sister and I are the good guys. The effects of this


    muscle rxant onlyst for half an


    hour."


    Hearing the boy refer to themselves as ''the good guys'', the man in charge nearly spat out blood.


    Disrupting his operation, posing as innocents, and drugging them, yet these


    people still imed to be the good guys?


    The audacity of these people...


    Cassie kicked the man''s hand away, took a step forward, then turned


    back as if remembering something, adding, "Actually, I prefer using poison, the kind that''s colorless, tasteless, and kills instantly."


    The man in charge: ".


    Cassie didn''t bother with the man whose expression went through several changes, and seeing that Mirabe had already reached the door, he immediately chased after her, "...Hey sis, wait for me.


    The room was left with just the people on the ground, none of them speaking, nor


    did any of them reach for a walkie-talkie for backup.


    It seemed they were all immersed in the boy''sst words.


    **


    Mirabe and Cassie exited the room, finding the corridor outside unguarded. The two openly took the elevator down.


    A few bouncers were in the lobby downstairs, but upon seeing Mirabe and


    Cassie, they merely nced at them without stopping their exit.


    In their eyes, these were just two frail individuals, and the only logical exnation was that the matter had already been resolved, and their superiors had released them.


    Thus, the two effortlessly walked out of the dark market''s old street.

 Chapter 1522

    Mirabe hailed a cab from the roadside. After ensuring Cassie got in, she took her seat.


    As soon as they were settled, Cassie''s voice filled the space, "Sis, you''re not doing so well, huh? Don''t even have your own car."


    A twitch ran through Mirabe''s temple as she fought to keep her cool and gave the driver an address.


    Then, she pulled out her phone, switched it to desktop mode, and erased any traces of her dealings in the underground market before tucking it away again. Cassie, sitting quietly beside her, watched until she was done, then slowly produced a card from her pocket and shyly pushed it into Mirabe''s hands. Mirabe nced at the card, then back at Cassie with a questioning look.


    "It''s for you to buy a car," Cassie said with a grin.


    The young man''s fairplexion, ented with dimples as he smiled, made him look like a wolf cub seeking approval.


    A softness flickered in the depths of Mirabe''s eyes. Ultimately, she didn''t y coy and epted the card, slipping it into her purse. After a moment, she added, "From now on, any money you get goes to me."


    Cassie''s smile twitched, "Are you really that broke?"


    Mirabe, keeping her face straight, yed along, "Yeah, I''m genuinely broke. Even had to rely on schrships for college."


    Cassie might not fully grasp Mirabe''s current situation but felt it couldn''t be as dire as she described.


    It was only upon returning to the upscale neighborhood and seeing the supposed "poor" sister''s luxurious mansion that Cassie felt utterly bamboozled.


    He might not have been formally educated, but as a savvyizen, he knew well enough¡ªpeople living in mansions weren''t poor.


    As Mirabe used her fingerprint to unlock the door and noticed Cassiegging behind, she turned back, "Cassie?"


    Snapping back to reality, Cassie felt like he''d been duped, "Give me back my card."


    "Am I not your sister?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    Cassie, conflicted yet not daring to deny it, eximed in frustration, "!!!"


    Leaning against the doorframe, Mirabe tilted her head, "So, are youing in?"


    With a huff, Cassie didn''t reply but his steps into the house spoke volumes.


    Mirabe watched his retreating figure with a shake of her head, then closed the door.


    Passing the garage, Cassie caught sight


    pal of the sports cars d inside, his expression, el


    once more.


    He realized he''d been naively fooled by Mirabe''s pretense.


    Following Mirabe inside with a


    scowl, they were met by Marian, the housekeeper, who, noticing the handsome young guest, curiously approached but refrained from prying. After offering Cassiea ss of water, she discreetly left them alone.


    Now it was just Cassie and Mirabe in the living room.


    Holding the ss, Cassie took another look at Mirabe andmented, "You look different, almost unrecognizable."


    "This is the real me," Mirabe''s eyebrows lifted slightly.


    Aware of the unique aspects of Mirabe''s family, Cassie couldn''t help but let out a soft sigh.


    Mirabe nced at him with disdain, "So young and already sighing like an old man."


    Used to her variousints,


    Cassie instead began surveying the room''s decor. Spotting a robot not far off, he set down his ss and went over. After a brief interaction with the robot''s control p, his interest waned.


    Returning to his seat, Cassie remarked, "I thought that robot was a new addition."


    "It''s so outdated, not advanced at all."

 Chapter 1523

    Mirabe lounged on the sofa, smartphone in hand, tapping out a message.


    Hearing Cassie''s words, she just looked up at him, "No, I''ve been out of the game for years now."


    Cassie fell silent for half a minute before finally saying, "Stepping away from it all was indeed the right choice."


    Having a top-notch skill isn''t always a good thing; the adage about the dangers of possessing a gemes to mind.


    Mirabe paused her typing, caught the meaning in his words, and just smiled, replying, "There wille an end to it someday."


    Cassie was momentarily taken aback, and when he looked back at Mirabe, she had already lowered her head again.


    After sending her final message, Mirabe put down her phone, "By the way, where''s your luggage?"


    "At the hotel," Cassie answered honestly.


    Mirabe nodded, "Which hotel? I''ll have someone pick it up for you. You''ll stay here for the next few days."


    "Staying here... would that be inconvenient?" Cassie hesitated to ask.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "You''re my brother; what inconvenience could there be?"


    Seeing this, a smile spread across Cassie''s face instantly. On his way over, he had wondered if his sister, having a new family now, would still acknowledge him as her brother.


    It turned out he was worrying over nothing.


    She was still his sister.


    Just then, Mirabe''s voice carried over again, "After all, you''ve already paid your rent; can''t have you sleeping on the streets."


    Cassie: "..."


    His heartfelt emotions were misced.


    A glint of amusement passed through Mirabe''s eyes. After asking for Cassie''s


    hotel address, she made a call to As to retrieve the luggage.


    Once that was settled, she stood up to show him to his room upstairs.


    Having known about Cassie''s departure from the n, she had already asked Marian to prepare a guest room next to hers temporarily.


    "What are your ns moving forward?" Mirabe opened the curtains of the room and turned back to look at the young man surveying his surroundings.


    "No ns for now. The n leader


    gave me an indefinite leave, quite generously this time, without a set time to return," Cassie said as hey to downfortably on the chaise


    lounge.


    "Indefinite leave?" Mirabe''s brow furrowed slightly. She knew all too well the n leader''s aversion to the outside world; for years, she never allowed Cassie to leave.


    This sudden permission for him to leave, with no rush to return, seemed odd.


    Leaning against the window sill, arms crossed, she asked, "Were there any changes in the n before you left?"


    Cassie looked up, Mirabe''s


    reflection in his bright eyes. He sat up and shook his head, "No, I remember you asked me before, and I specifically observed the n leader and the elders, didn''t notice anything unusual."


    "Is that so." Knowing he was not good at lying, perhaps she was overthinking.


    "Sis, are you worried about something?" Cassie tilted his head to look at her.


    Mirabe snapped back to reality, meeting the young man''s clear eyes.


    She just smiled and changed the


    subject, "Since the n leader isn''t keeping you on a tight leash


    anymore, would you like to go to school?"


    The mention of schooling reminded Cassie of the years dominated by a room full


    of Sanskrit scriptures, instantly darkening his expression as he said, "Not really."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "I think you do."


    Cassie: "..."


    "Get some rest. I''ll arrange a new identity for you," Mirabe left him with those words and walked out of the room.


    Cassie: "..."


    He wondered if he had just escaped the tiger''s den only to fall into a wolf''s den!

 Chapter 1524

    **


    The next day.


    Calvin went to see Hank, choosing the same spot where they hadst met.


    "...about the patent matter, I only found out after Mr. Zane from our department mentioned it¡ªthat he had already gone ahead and filed the application."


    Calvin''s lips curled into a bitter smile as he exined.


    Hank tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his face not showing the annoyance Calvin had anticipated, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.


    "Mr. Calvin, you shouldn''t be too hard on yourself. The actions of the teachers in your department are understandable," Hank said lightly.


    Calvin chuckled awkwardly, finding no words to respond.


    "However...to do such a thing without any heads-up does impact everyone''s rtions," Hank''s gaze fell on Calvin, his voice quite soft.


    Calvin felt a jump in his heart, knowing that even though it wasn''t their side''s fault, he still lowered his stance, nodding repeatedly at Hank, "Yes, you''re right, Hank. This action indeed hurt the harmony."


    Hank''s lips twitched slightly, picking up his coffee cup and sipping leisurely, "We at Dane value the patent for this project greatly."


    Calvin was momentarily stunned; he naturally knew of Dane.


    A top researcher who had made numerous contributions to the nation, but he hadn''t expected him to be interested in this.


    Calvin felt overwhelmed, cursing Zane in his heart. If only he had spoken up sooner, it wouldn''t have led to such an awkward situation.


    Taking a deep breath, Calvin apologized again, "Given the current situation, I really am..."


    Before he could finish saying "powerless," Hank''s assistant, who was standing by his side, interrupted.


    "Right, I remember the patent certificate hasn''t been issued yet, is it possible to withdraw the application?"


    Hank''s assistant asked Calvin in a somewhat uncertain tone.


    Calvin looked at the assistant; he had considered this before, but asking Zane to withdraw the


    application, especially with his attitude that day, seemed impossible.


    Not only impossible, but it might even lead to seeking help from Wade, making the situation even uglier.


    And if Zane made a big fuss, escting it to the Prestige College administration, his position as department head might well be over.


    Calvin pinched the bridge of his nose, eventually saying, "Withdrawing the application might not be feasible, as the school has also filed a report."


    Hank nced at Calvin, seemingly having anticipated this, he put down his coffee cup and calmly said, "Not withdrawing the application might not necessarily be a bad thing."


    Upon hearing this, Calvin suddenly looked up.


    Hank curled his lips, speaking unhurriedly, "I''ve already been in touch with the person in charge over at DO Group."


    Almost the instant Calvin heard this, he understood Hank''s implication...


    *


    Calvin and Hank didn''t chat for too long, soon after, they both left the coffee shop.


    Outside, the weather was turning gloomy, and it started to rain while Calvin was driving back to the college.


    However, he didn''t turn back home and instead headed to the college.


    At this time, in the office, Zane was still organizing materials, with the new


    semester starting in a few days, he had been extremely busy.


    Just as he ced a stack of documents back into the cab, he heard a knock on the door.


    Zane looked up to see Mr. Calvin standing at the doorway, he paused for a second, but quickly regained hisposure.


    "Mr. Calvin," Zane greeted him with a neutral tone.


    Calvin, seemingly oblivious to Zane''s


    attitude, stepped in, his gaze sweeping over the bookshelf next to


    him before casually retracting it, "I need to talk to you about something."

 Chapter 1525

    Zane watched Calvin quietly, his stance resolute. "If you''re here about the patent issue, Mr. Calvin, then there''s nothing to discuss. There''s no way I''m giving up the patent."


    Calvin nced at Zane, "I didn''t ask you to give up the patent."


    Zane was momentarily taken aback; this didn''t seem like Mr. Calvin''s usual demeanor.


    Calvin turned and walked over to a lounge chair nearby, resting his hand on the armrest. "I''ve already negotiated with Hank. He''s agreed not to pursue the patent issue any further."


    Hearing this, Zane instinctively furrowed his brow.


    What does he mean by not pursuing it?


    The system was clearly developed by his student. It sounded as if they were being used of stealing the results.


    Suppressing his difort, Zane asked, "And? There must be other conditions."


    Calvin crossed his legs, leaning back lightly against the chair, and simply said, "You mentionedst time about organizing the n for DO Group. Have you done that?"


    Seeing Calvin abruptly switch the topic to DO Group, Zane immediately felt a bad premonition, "Not yet. Why do you ask?"


    Calvin gestured to the chair next to him. "Don''t be nervous. Sit down and we''ll talk. I''m not going to hurt you."


    Zane''s fingers tensed at his side, and he didn''t move to sit. "Just say what you want to say. There''s no need to beat around the bush."


    "I heard from Hank that DO Group''s manager will be dealing directly with the Tech Institute from now on," Calvin said slowly.


    Upon hearing this, it felt like a string in Zane''s mind had snapped in an instant.


    It took him a while to gather his thoughts. "Why would it change to dealing with the Tech Institute?"


    Calvin looked at Zane, somewhat puzzled. "How would I know? It''s normal for DO Group to contact Hank since they''ve worked with the Tech Institute before."


    "Even if they have worked together before, the person they''ve been in contact with was me..."


    Zane was cut off by Calvin''s coldughter, "What, do you think I''m ying tricks here?"


    "That''s not what I meant," Zane gritted his teeth.


    Calvin''s eyes flickered, "How you and DO Group''s managermunicated is beyond me, and frankly, I''m not interested. I''m just here to convey Hank''s message."  fo


    Zane, seeing Calvin''s indifferent attitude, felt his frustration reach its peak.


    He wasn''t foolish; he could clearly see Calvin''s intentions.


    This was a threat to exchange the patent for the DO Group project.


    To keep the patent, he would have to give up the DO Group coboration. Otherwise, he would neither secure the patent nor the partnership.


    Seeing Zane''s silence, Calvin added, "DO Group working directly with the Tech Institute shouldn''t cause you any loss. You''ll continue to prepare your documents as usual and follow Hank''s instructions. Don''t be too stubborn; consider this a good deed."


    Zane couldn''t help but view Calvin''s words as ironic. "Why should I?"


    The patent was his student''s work, and he was the one in contact with DO Group. Now, inexplicably, it was supposed to be handled by the Tech Institute...


    What was even more ridiculous was that they were expected not only to have no objections but also to work for the Tech Institute.


    Calvin didn''t want to discuss these futile matters any further. Standing up, he said, "Alright, I''ve said what I needed to. Think it over. I''ve got


    other matters to attend to. I''m leaving."


    Without waiting for Zane to respond, he walked out.

 Chapter 1526

    Zane stared at the doorway long after Mr. Calvin''s figure had disappeared, before finally retracting his strained gaze.


    Powerlessly sitting in the chair, he couldn''t understand how such a joyous asion had turned sour.


    How was he supposed to exin this to his student?


    Zane lifted his head, his face the picture of dejection.


    At that moment, his phone rang from his pocket.


    It was a call from Mirabe.


    Holding the phone, Zane took a deep breath, suppressing all his emotions before answering.


    "Professor, I''ve briefly organized the information from DO Group and will send it to your email shortly. You can follow my thoughts when discussing with their head."


    On the other end, Mirabe''s calm voice came through.


    Hearing this, Zane felt even more bitter. After a while, he hummed softly, "There''s no rush, you don''t have to hurry."


    "I always work efficiently." Mirabe raised an eyebrow, saved the document on herputer, and then opened her email to send the file directly, "Done, you can check it when you have time."


    "Alright." Zane heard the notification for his email.


    "Did your thesis pass the review?" Mirabe casually added.


    After all, it was her debut work, so it warranted a symbolic concern.


    Zane lowered his eyes and simply said, "It should be soon, don''t worry, your thesis will definitely pass."


    Mirabe nodded, not noticing anything off about Zane. Thinking of Cassie, she asked, "By the way, Professor, do you think any high school in Riverdale would ept a student who has been homeschooled?"


    "Homeschooled student?" It took Zane a few seconds to understand, "You mean someone who didn''t attend high school but studied at home?"


    Mirabe touched her nose, "Yeah, something like that, but the person is a bit slow, I think any regr public high school would do."


    Zane couldn''t think of


    Hearing this,


    any at


    let


    moment and said,


    swno to get


    ask around and I''ll tell


    "That''s fine, Professor, I won''t disturb you any longer." Mirabe thanked him.


    "You''re wee." Zane smiled and hung up the phone.


    But as soon as the call ended, the smile on his lips disappeared.


    After sitting quietly for two minutes, Zane opened his email again to review the document Mirabe had sent.


    He had always known Mirabe was a student with limitless limitless potential this


    a study had outlined


    everything he had mentioned he didn''t quite understand before.


    This dedication... was bothforting and distressing.


    Zane put away his phone, having made up his mind.


    Mirabe''s thesis had already been submitted, so there absolutely couldn''t be any issues with the patent.


    Otherwise, it would have a huge impact on his student''s reputation.


    **


    On the other side, after hanging up the phone, Mirabe shut down herputer and stood up to leave her room.


    She had only just reached the staircase when she heard Marian praising Cassie from downstairs.


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, she shook her head and continued walking down.


    "Sis, are your done with your work?" Cassie was teaching Marian how to invest in stocks. Seeing Mirabe, he


    put away his phone and sat up straight.


    Mirabe nced at him, "Stop messing around with those dubious schemes all day."


    "Making money to support my sister, how could that be considered dubious?" Cassie corrected.


    Marian gave Cassie a thumbs up for his smooth talk, thenughed and walked away.


    Mirabe was long immune to Cassie''s ttery, she checked the time and then said, "Come with me for a bit."

 Chapter 1527

    Cassie, upon hearing this, cast a wary nce at his sister. "Go out? For what?"


    He still remembered her mentioning finding him a school yesterday.


    Mirabe was busy texting on her phone without looking up. "You''ll know when we get there."


    Cassie touched his nose, feeling a bit uneasy. "Can I not go?"


    Mirabe just nced at him and, without a word, turned and walked outside.


    Seeing this, Cassie dared not object and quickly got up to follow Mirabe.


    Soon, Mirabe parked the car outside the police station.


    Cassie looked at the police station sign through the car window. Although he didn''t understand why his sister had brought him here, he didn''t dare to ask too many questions and quickly got out of the car.


    As was already waiting at the entrance of the police station. When he saw Mirabe, he came over and nodded respectfully, "Miss Mira."


    His eyes curiously swept past the young man behind her.


    He was quite handsome, and standing there with Miss Mira, they indeed looked like siblings.


    Mirabe nodded, greeted As, then pointed at Cassie without much exnation, "Cassie Davis."


    As looked at Cassie, smiled kindly at him without asking further, and then handed over the family register he had just retrieved from his bag, "Miss Mira, this is what you wanted."


    Mirabe took the family register, flipped through it briefly, then closed it. "Thank you for your efforts."


    As shook his head with a smile, "It''s nothing. The staff inside have already made the arrangements; they''re just waiting to take the photo for the ID now."


    After saying this, he led the way.


    Mirabe had just taken a step when Cassie tugged at the hem of her dress. She turned around, "What''s wrong?"


    Cassie''s eyes, bright as water, nced at the family register in


    Mirabe''s hand, then back at


    face ''So, you brought me here to get a new identity, huh?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "What else?"


    Cassie coughed slightly, letting go of his sister''s dress hem, "The name Cassie


    Davis sounds a bit in, but I''ll just barely ept it."


    Mirabe gave him a look, not believing his feigned eptance if it weren''t for the slight smile on her lips.


    They quickly entered the police station''s fobby, where As took Cassie to have his photo taken and fingerprints recorded. Mirabe didn''t follow inside but waited outside.


    Standing in a corner, she took out her phone to check it.


    When she opened Messenger, she saw a friend request.


    Recognizing the nickname, a hint of surprise crossed Mirabe''s eyes, and she quickly epted the request.


    After a moment, Mirabe typed and sent two words: "Nellie?"


    Nellie: "Yes."


    The reply was brief, typical of the tribal chief''s style. Mirabe''s lips slightly pursed as she typed, "Are you well?"


    Nellie, her eyes softening, took a moment before typing back: "Very well."


    "That''s good." Mirabe pondered for a moment, then sent another message: "By the way, Nellie, Cassie is with me."


    Nellie: "I know."


    Mirabe tapped on the screen, adding: "I''m thinking of sending him to school, to live the life a person his age should have. What do you think?"


    Nellie looked at her phone, her heart suddenly feeling a bit bitter. She looked up, taking a while before replying: "Fine."


    Mirabe knew the tribal chief well; cold on the outside but warm inside. However, she was especially strict with Cassie, having been very strict with him since he was little and never allowing him to step outside.


    She had even once wondered if the boy was her own child.

 Chapter 1528

    Mirabe reined in her wandering thoughts, her gaze deepening slightly. Nellie''s easy agreement to her earlier, deliberate probing was clearly unusual.


    After a moment of thought, Mirabe typed out a message: "Nellie, is there something going on with the family?"


    Nellie covered her mouth and coughed a few times, waiting for her chronic condition to subside before she typed back: "What could possibly be going on with the family? Who could even get in?"


    Mirabe tapped her toes on the ground, her dark coat making her cheeks seem even paler as she simply said: "Don''t do anything foolish."


    Nellie knew that Rea had always been clever, "I won''t."


    After a pause, she sent another message: "Take good care of Cassie for Nellie, he''s been attached to you since he was little, and he always listens to what you say."


    It sounded almost like she was making arrangements for the future. Mirabe''s brows furrowed slightly, and she looked up at Cassie, who was still inside getting his ID made. In the end, she replied simply: "He''s my brother."


    Seeing this message, Nellie smiled and didn''t reply again.


    Instead, she opened a photo stored on her phone for many years. The resolution wasn''t high, but her gaze was filled with sorrow as she looked at it.


    *


    Mirabe put away her phone, her eyes narrowing slightly as if thinking about something.


    "Big sis, I''m done," Cassie said as he came over, tilting his head to look at Mirabe. Seeing her expression somewhat solemn, he asked, "What''s wrong, sis?"


    Mirabe snapped back to reality and met the boy''s concerned eyes. She just raised her hand and touched his head, saying, "Nothing, I''m thinking about whether you should start from 10th grade or 11th."


    Hearing this, Cassie''s ears seemed to droop instantly, looking dejected, "Can I not go to school?"


    "What do you think?" Mirabe said with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile.


    "Ah!" Cassie let out a long sigh of despair, "I just want to make money, not study."


    Mirabe raised her eyebrows, knowing this kid was always lucky and smarter than most, "Making money and studying aren''t mutually exclusive."


    Cassie gave her a mournful look, clearly feeling betrayed!


    Mirabeughed and said no more, just extending her arm to drape over his shoulder as they walked outside.


    **


    Two dayster, Zane sent Mirabe a list of schools he had selected.


    "These schools are all quite good public Schools with high


    get in," Zane said, holding


    rates, but you''ll need est


    phone.


    "Okay, thank you," Mirabe replied, knowing the schools Zane rmended would be good.


    "I happen next


    have some time these days, and I know some of


    tomar can take your brother


    x them out."


    belongs


    Thinking it would be easier with someone familiar, Mirabe agreed: "That would be great, thank you."


    Zane smiled, "No problem, oh, and I also know someone at Parkside High School.


    I can take you there to have a try."


    Zane figured that with Mirabe being so exceptional, her brother probably wouldn''t be far behind.


    Hearing Zane mention Parkside High School, and knowing full well


    Cassie''s capabilities, Mirabin''t


    hesitate to cut him off:


    "No need, with his level, he''d probably only fit into middle school."


    Cassie, sitting beside her: "???"


    Hearing this, Zane''s lips twitched, "Alright then, let''s meet at our school at 9 a.m. tomorrow."


    "Sounds good."


    After hanging up, Mirabe turned around to see Cassie staring at her with a deep, mournful gaze.


    Mirabe: "... ..."

 Chapter 1529

    The next morning, Mirabe and Zane met at the entrance of Anderson Public School.


    "So, this must be your brother. He looks quite a bit like you," Zane said with a smile, ncing at the young man standing next to Mirabe.


    Mirabe raised her eyebrows slightly, noting Zane''s talent for making tantly untrue statements was as strong as ever.


    Cassie, standing beside them, immediately grinned, showing off his neat, white teeth, "Hello, teacher."


    "Don''t be nervous during the interview. Just approach it with a normal mindset," Zane said, nodding kindly.


    He always had a soft spot for well-behaved and sensible kids. However, he recalled how Mirabe had seemed obedient at first, only to reveal herself as a hidden troublemaker as he got to know her better.


    With a sense of nostalgia, Zane quickly led Mirabe and her brother into the school.


    School wouldn''t start for another couple of days, so it was quite peaceful.


    Zane''s friend, who was teaching the first year of high school, was who Mirabe had considered for Cassie after some thought, despite him being older for the grade. With absolutely no academic foundation, Mirabe would have preferred to start him in elementary school, if not for his age.


    After speaking with his friend for a moment, the friend pulled out a test paper he had prepared in advance and took Cassie to a small office next door.


    "Don''t worry, the questions for the first year won''t be tooplex," Zane reassured Mirabe, thinking she was anxious.


    Mirabe looked away, softly acknowledging. She wasn''t worried about the questions, but rather if Cassie would act out against the teacher, not wanting to study.


    "Has your brother really never attended school before?" Zane inquired, looking at her.


    "He was unwell, so we had a tutor at home," Mirabe offered the prepared


    excuse.


    Hearing this, Zane didn''t question the veracity of her statement, "He''s alright now, though?"


    Mirabe nodded, "Yes, thank you for your concern. He''s much better."


    Zane smiled, but then his phone rang, cutting the conversation short. He hesitated for a moment before answering, his expression a mix of nervousness and anticipation.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, rarely seeing Zane like this.


    After a few moments, Zane ended the call, almost beaming with joy He looked at Mirabe, his voice filled


    excitement, "That was from SC. Your paper got epted."


    Mirabe responded calmly, "That was quick."


    Zane''s mouth twitched, "This is your first paper, and it got selected for an SCI


    journal. Aren''t you the least bit excited?"


    Mirabe forced a smile, "I''m very happy, teacher."


    Zane decided not to dwell on


    Mirabe''s reaction, fearing he


    might end up giving her a length


    lecture. Instead, he shared the good news with Jessie and a few others.


    Seeing their excited reactions, Zane felt this was the normal response one should have.


    Mirabe, in his eyes, was not a normal student.


    Half an hourter, Cassie''s written test and interview concluded, and Zane''s


    friend, with aplex expression, returned to the office.


    Mirabe noticed the teacher''s face, her forehead twitching. She could guess the oue without asking.


    "How did the interview go?" Seeing the teacher''s expression, Zane felt a pang of worry and quickly asked.

 Chapter 1530

    Zane''s friend nced over his shoulder at the young man behind him, his voice suddenly tinged with a hint of bitterness, "Zane, are you just here to tease me?"


    Zane was momentarily taken aback, not quite catching his friend''s drift.


    Without further ado, his friend simply pulled out a scroll from behind and handed it to Zane, ¡°See for yourself."


    Zane slowly took the test paper and, seeing hardly a mistake on it, couldn''t help but look up, "Aren''t all the questions answered correctly?"


    Upon hearing this, Mirabe visibly showed surprise, having thought maybe it was a total flop.


    Zane''s friend took a deep breath before saying, "Take a closer look at the test paper."


    Following his advice, Zane lowered his gaze back to the paper and, after a while, his eyes finally caught the title at the top of the page.


    [Final Exam Math Mock Test (IV)]


    Final Exam...


    His friend was currently teaching freshmen, yet this kid managed to solve senior year problems. A smirk tugged at Zane''s lips as he suddenly understood theplex expression on his friend''s face.


    Zane turned back to Mirabe, asking, "Is your brother a bit slow?"


    Mirabe, meeting Zane''s slightly stern gaze, swallowed the word ''yes'', "Ah, he''s alright, I guess..."


    Zane: "..."


    Mirabe coughed and decisively took the test paper from Zane''s hand, and in less than a minute, she had gone through the entire thing.


    A senior year mock test, and all answers were correct.


    Thinking back to the look on Zane''s friend''s face, she looked up at Cassie, saying with a heartache, "Cassie, how could you cheat?"


    Cassie: "..."


    Zane and his friend: "..."


    With a sigh, Mirabe continued, "If you really don''t want to go to school, I won''t force you..."


    Hearing this, Zane''s friend couldn''t hold back anymore, "Hold on, isn''t your family paying enough attention to this kid? Hepleted this test under my supervision, without cheating."


    Mirabe''s following words stopped short, disbelief written all over her face.


    Could Cassie actually be a hidden academic genius?


    The teacher, seeing Mirabe''s ghost-like expression, was puzzled.


    Zane, snapping back to reality, said to Mirabe with a mix of annoyance and amusement, "It seems your brother''s current knowledge is actually being wasted in freshman year."


    "Yes, this testpiles the types of questions from the past few years final exams. Mirabe being able to do it easily means he can directly


    join the senior honors ss, Zane''s friend remarked.


    If he were the senior ss advisor, having such a student could set a new record for his performance this year.


    "Let''s see what the kid says about it," Zane suggested after some thought.


    His friend nodded in understanding and before leaving, he took a moment to


    remind Mirabe to pay more attention to her brother.


    Even if she wasn''t concerned, she shouldn''t hinder the child''s future.


    *


    Mirabe received the teacher''s admonition with a smile.


    The trio walked out of the campus.


    Reaching the parking lot, Zane turned to Mirabe, "How about this? I''ll directly contact a teacher from Parkside High School. Your brother should have no trouble getting into Parkside High School."


    Mirabe nced at Cassie.


    Cassie immediately straightened up, "I''ll listen to you."


    Seeing the siblings like this, Zane couldn''t help but chuckle and shake his head, then said, "If it makes you feel better, leave your brother to me. I''ll take him to Parkside High School right now."


    Cassie felt his sister''s patience was probably running thin, especially after having been lectured by the teacher just now, and quickly stood by Zane''s side, "Sis, I can go for the


    interview myself."


    ??Just another day typing on my phone, as myputer''s motherboard has


    issues and one of the SSDs also broke. I''ll get it back tomorrow and then I''ll write


    some more.

 Chapter 1531

    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. She realized she had never truly known how well he did academically, aware only of his reputation for


    underachievement throughout his childhood. It was a surprise to her that he could ace the senior year exam questions.


    But upon further reflection, she conceded that the young man wasn''t as dim- witted as she had once thought, finding a small sense of relief in his unexpectedpetence.


    In the end, Mirabe decided to apany him to Riverdale Parkside High School.


    The interview went smoothly, without any surprises. After deliberation by the faculty, Cassie was directly ced into the junior year honors program.


    Despite his ease with the senior year exam materials, considering there were only a little over a hundred days left until the final exams, it was decided that junior year would be more suitable for his current situation.


    As they left, the interviewing teacher almost seemed to beam with joy as he personally saw Mirabe and herpany out of the school, looking at Cassie as if he had discovered a treasure.


    Before parting, he even made a point of getting Mirabe''s phone number, as if worried she might change her mind about enrolling Cassie at Parkside High School.


    "The school stuff is all sorted then, I''ll be heading back," Zane said, checking his watch, before speaking to Mirabe.


    Mirabe nodded, offering her thanks. Considering the favor needed to be repaid, she added, "If you ever run into any trouble, you cane to me."


    Zane, mistaking her for being privy to some inside information, fell silent for a moment before replying, "Don''t worry, if there''s any trouble, I''ll make sure it''s taken care of."


    Mirabe cast Zane a nce, noticing the worry in his eyes, and couldn''t help but ask, "Is there something wrong at the school?"


    Caught off guard, Zane chuckled and shook his head, "No, what I meant was, I can handle it myself. I wouldn''t want my students to worry."


    Still sensing something off about Zane but before she could inquire further, he waved goodbye and headed to his car, "Alright, I''ll be off then."


    Mirabe watched his retreating figure thoughtfully before turning to join Cassie in the car.


    They hadn''t driven far from the school when her phone rang.


    ncing sideways, Mirabe picked up the phone and answered the call.


    "Are you at home or did you go to school?" came James''s cool, clear voice over the line.


    "Just left the school," Mirabe replied nonchntly, her fingers idly tapping on the steering wheel.


    "How about we grab dinner together?" James suggested as he ascended the stairs from the basement.


    Checking the time, which showed it was just past four in the afternoon, Mirabe agreed, "Sure, pick a ce."


    James provided an address, "See you in half an hour."


    With a hum of acknowledgment,


    Mirabe ended the call, nced at Cassie who waspletely


    absorbed in his game in the


    passenger seat, shook her head, but chose not to interrupt him.


    Soon, they arrived at the address given by James.


    A swanky club.


    After parking the car, the gaming enthusiast beside her finally looked up, nced outside, then turned to Mirabe, "Sis, what''s the n here?"


    "Dinner," Mirabe replied, unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out of the car.


    Cassie hurriedly stowed his phone away and followed her into the club''s grand lobby, his eyes roving curiously around.


    Ignoring Cassie''s country bumpkin demeanor, Mirabe gave the staff a private room name, and they were promptly escorted to a VIP room on the second floor.


    Once the staff member had left, Cassie flopped down onto the plush


    sofa in the lounge area, rolling aroundfortably, "The big city really is something else!"


    Indeed, dining here was an experience in itself.

 Chapter 1532

    Mirabe gave Cassie a sidelong nce, confirming her suspicion that he was still just a child, unscathed by the harsh realities of the world.


    Cassie tossed and turned for a while, noticing his sister loungingzily at the dining table, scrolling through her phone as if waiting for someone. He


    couldnously asked, ¡°Is someone elseing?"


    Without lifting her head, Mirabe hummed a response, "Your brother-inw."


    "Oh." Cassie remained sprawled on the couch, taking a moment before it dawned on him, his eyes widening in shock, "Brother-inw?!"


    Had he misheard?


    At that moment, the door to the room swung open.


    James entered, d in a dark trench coat, bringing a cool breeze with him. He only had eyes for Mirabe and failed to notice the figure lying on the couch beside her.


    "How long have you been here?" James approached, shedding his coat with the intention of cing it on the couch, only to meet Cassie''s gaze.


    James: "..."


    Cassie: "!!!"


    They locked eyes in silence.


    Realizing the situation, Cassie quickly sat up, a flush of embarrassment and annoyance crossing his fair face.


    James nced at Cassie''s face before calmly shifting his attention back to Mirabe, "And who is this kid?"


    Mirabe let out a sigh, after sending a final message in the group chat with Linden and others, she slowly lifted her head, "This is my brother, Cassie Davis."


    James raised an eyebrow, his tone surprisingly gentle, "Your brother? I''ve never heard you mention him before."


    Mirabe pocketed her phone, fabricating an excuse, ¡°Just a distant rtive''s kid.¡±


    By then, Cassie had stood up and Wover, pulling out a chair next


    a to assert his spece ext


    , grumbling, "Sis, I''m hungry."


    It had been only a few years since hest saw his sister, and now, unexpectedly,


    she had a husband... Cassie was inwardly rejecting this reality.


    James noted the boy''s actions with a sigh, another one to deal with.


    "I''ll have the food served," James offered gracefully, pressing the service bell in the room.


    Cassie grimaced, then whispered to Mirabe, "Sis, what''s his financial situation like? Can he provide for you in the future? He may be somewhat handsome, but he looks unreliable at first nce."


    James, with his keen hearing: ".


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, turning to reply, "If he can''t provide, will you?"


    "Of course, you''re my sister. It''s my duty to take care of you!" Cassie dered earnestly.


    Mirabe simply smiled and ruffled the young boy''s hair.


    Cassie''s frustrations melted away with that gesture, yet he harbored no fondness for anyone beyond his sister.


    During the meal, Cassie was attentive, constantly engaging Mirabe in


    conversation and ignoring the man seated across from them.


    Only then did he feel his sister''s love remained with him.


    When Cassie excused himself to the restroom towards the end of the meal, James wiped his mouth with a napkin and turned to Mirabe, sighing softly, "You know, you could tell the kid that not only can provide for you, but I could take care of several generations of his, without any problem."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at the man across from her, "So, James, are you unting your wealth now?"

 Chapter 1533

    James leaned back against his chair with a casual spread of his hands, "Can''t help it, that''s all I''ve got to show for myself."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched in annoyance. So what if he''s wealthy.


    "But you do resemble that distant cousin of yours," James added.


    "Really." Mirabe touched her face, thinking back to how Zane had said something simr earlier.


    But she and Cassie weren''t rted by blood.


    Perhaps their simr looks were due to their equally high attractiveness?


    James didn''t dwell on the topic, however, shifting the conversation elsewhere, "By the way, are you still on the trail of Summer?"


    Mentioning Summer made Mirabe''s expression turn noticeably colder, "She''ll end up in my hands sooner orter."


    James rested his hand on the table, his knuckles well-defined, as he looked at Mirabe, "She''s currently studying at Riverside University in M state, under Professor Joen, who''s a board member of the M state College Alliance."


    Mirabe frowned slightly at that. She had heard of Riverside University, an internationally renowned research institution with over a hundredbs.


    The university was very well-regarded for its student safety measures.


    No wonder As hadn''t been able to find her. They had been looking in the wrong direction from the start.


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes.


    "To get her out, we''ll need to wait for the right opportunity," James continued.


    "I know, I''m patient," Mirabe replied, picking up her cup of coffee but not drinking, "Thank you."


    She had thought that with the Gilbert family''s downfall, and Summer losing everything, she wouldn''t be able to bounce back. It seemed, however, that some people shouldn''t be underestimated.


    It was precisely because of the blood rtion with Catherine that she had thought this connection would be her undoing.


    A hint of irony shed through Mirabe''s eyes.


    At that moment, Cassie, who had


    gone to the restroom, came back et


    He noticed Mirabe''s mood


    off. Could it be this


    ovel:


    Se man had upset his sister?


    "Finished eating?" Mirabe set aside her thoughts and turned to ask Cassie.


    Cassie nodded, "Yeah."


    "Let''s go home then." Mirabe stood up and headed towards the exit.


    Cassie touched his nose and didn''t bother with James, quickly following his sister''s lead.


    As the trio left the club, Mirabe wrapped her coat around herself and looked at James, "Keep me updated on any news."


    She was referring to Summer.


    James''s eyes briefly hardened, but he nodded, "Will do."


    Mirabe smiled, waved, and then walked towards the parking area.


    Cassie gave James onest look, reluctantly admitting that the man''smanding presence was somewhat simr to his sister''s.


    **


    Meanwhile, at Riverside University in M state.


    "Ms. Summer, the results for the paper you submittedst time are out."


    Summer was reading in the library when her partner, Linda, approached her, her voice tinged with excitement.


    Summer paused in her reading, but looked up at Linda calmly, "Did it pass?"


    Linda nodded vigorously, "It did. I heard from Professor Joen''s


    assistant that the editor-in-chief of the scientific journal was very impressed with your paper. If all goes well, your article will be the headline of this issue."


    Summer was momentarily taken aback, somewhat disbelieving, "The headline?


    My article doesn''t deserve that, does it?"


    "Come on Professor Joen is well


    vel


    acquainted with the journal''s editor-in-chief, and you''re his student. How could it not qualify?" Linda said with augh.


    Summer''s eyes flickered, revealing a glimpse of her thoughts.

 Chapter 1534

    Linda pulled out a chair and sat down again, her gaze sweeping over the stack of books on Summer''s desk. She sighed with a hint of admiration, "Effort and results are directly proportional. You''re the hardest working person I''ve met. It''s only right you receive this honor."


    Summer looked at the admiration on Linda''s face and felt a pang of self-mockery. It had been too long since shest felt the sweetness of being praised.


    All because of Mirabe.


    Just the thought of Mirabe made Summer''s fingers instinctively clench. It took her a moment to suppress the intense loathing in her eyes before she engaged in brief conversation with Linda and then excused herself, iming she had something to attend to, and left the library.


    No sooner had she stepped outside than her phone rang from her pocket. Summer pulled it out, her face paling slightly at the sight of the number. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she answered the call, her tone as normal as


    ever.


    "...Okay, Professor, I''lle byter."


    After hanging up, Summer had initially nned to return to her dorm, but instead, she changed direction and headed towards the science building on campus.


    Upon arriving at theb, Joen was busy calibrating some scientific equipment. Knowing Summer had entered, he didn''t look up, simply speaking over his shoulder, "Have you been resting well these past few days?"


    Summer bit her lip as she looked at Joen''s back, nodding respectfully, "Yes."


    "Alright, go lie down in the pod," Joen said, not wasting words, as he sat in front of theputer, instructing his student.


    Summer nced at the experimental pod visible through the ss window, a familiar sight by now. She ced her bag down and walked into the ss room.


    Shey down on the small bed inside, and as soon as she did, restraints automatically secured her wrists and ankles. Then, the bed slowly moved into the research pod.


    Summer calmly watched the scanner above her head until she lost consciousness.


    **


    The new school year arrived quickly.


    Mirabe drove Cassie to school early in the morning. She had originally nned to rent a ce nearby for him, but he chose to live


    on campus instead.


    Mirabe didn''t insist in the end, dropping him off at school with a few words of advice before leaving.


    She then returned to Prestige College.


    After checking in with the academic office, Mirabe was called into Zane''s office.


    "I called you here to discuss your paper," Zane offered Mirabe a seat and poured her a cup of warm water.


    Mirabe looked at Zane, puzzled, "Isn''t the paper already approved? What''s the issue?"


    "It needs an author''s name for publication in the Scientific Journal. Last year''s research project was a coborative effort among four of you, but you wrote the paper. So, I wanted to ask what you think," Zane exined calmly.


    Upon hearing this, Mirabe


    pondered for a few seconds before


    asking, Tremember Linden, the


    senior student, is building his


    resume for a future in medical


    research, right?"


    Zane understood her implication, "So, you want to put Linden''s name as the author?"


    Mirabe nodded, "Linden is about to graduate with his master''s degree. An additional publication would be an opportunity for him."


    Zane raised an eyebrow, "It''s an opportunity for you as well, meaning a broader future."


    Mirabe just smiled, "I don''t need it."


    "Why?" Zane asked, puzzled.


    Mirabe took a sip from her cup and then said leisurely, "I have to return home to inherit a fortune."


    Zane: "...Take my advice, novels can lead people astray."


    Mirabe: "."

 Chapter 1535

    Zane automatically filtered out his student''s ''I''m not joking'' expression, only to


    sigh again, "Any other student would jump at the chance to take credit for this, but you''re pushing it away."


    Mirabe waved her hand, unabashed, "What can I say? I''m just that selfless!"


    Zane couldn''t help butugh at Mirabe''sment, "Alright, I get your point. I''ll talk to the otherster."


    Mirabe hummed in response, not dwelling further on the topic, "By the way, have you heard from DO Group recently?"


    She had received a message from ''J'' yesterday, asking about their artificial life system project.


    Zane''s gaze flickered, trying to keep his voice as neutral as possible, "They''re probably still considering. Haven''t heard from them since ourst contact."


    Mirabe nodded at his words, "They''ll get back to you, don''t worry."


    Zane, harboring his own concerns, didn''t ponder over Mirabe''s words much, fearing she might notice something. He then said, "With coborations in artificial intelligence and biology, there are plenty of options. You don''t need to delve too deeply into it, Mirabe. This project might even fall through in the end."


    Seeing Zane''sck of hope, Mirabe wanted to reassure him, but knowing he might not listen, she chose to drop it.


    Just then, a knock came from the door.


    Zane, eager to switch topics, breathed a sigh of relief at the interruption and called out, "Come in."


    Soon, the door opened, and Zane''s brows furrowed slightly upon seeing Mr. Calvin enter. He stood up, then turned to Mirabe, "Mirabe, you can head back first."


    His demeanor was no longer as rxed.


    Mirabe nced at Zane and nodded, "Okay, Professor."


    She got up and walked out, passing by Calvin without a greeting.


    Calvin simply frowned but wasn''t upset. He turned to Zane, "Have you thought about what we discussed the other day? It would be good to give Hank a response."


    Mirabe paused briefly at the door but, having no interest in eavesdropping, closed the office door behind her.


    With Mirabe gone and the office


    door shut, Zane sarcastically said to Calvin, I''ve already made the


    biggest concession by giving up on the DO Group project. I can''t agree to anything else."


    "Do you have to be so stubborn?" Calvin massaged his brow, "Making enemies at the tech institute doesn''t benefit you."


    Zane scoffed, won''t even start on the patent issue. Now, after taking our department''s project, you want my students to continue research for the tech institute? Mr. Calvin, if you were in my shoes, would you agree?"


    Calvin, unfazed by Zane''s questioning, replied calmly, "The project manager at DO Group is only contacting Hank now. What can I do?"


    "Sorry, but as a professor, I can''t be irresponsible to my students." Zane turned back to his desk, unwilling to continue this topic with Mr. Calvin.


    Calvin stepped forward, leaning on the desk, and suddenly said, "I heard your student submitted that paper to SCI."


    Zane, who was opening a drawer, paused abruptly and looked up sharply.

 Chapter 1536

    "Getting an article selected for the SCI speaks volumes about its potential,


    something you, Zane, must be more aware of than anyone else," Calvin said, his voice steady and unhurried.


    Zane red at Calvin, "How much did the Academy of Sciences offer you to make life difficult for a student at every turn?"


    It was either ckmail with patents or coercion with papers... Zane hade to fully understand that once certain desires were awakened, there was no stopping them.


    What he thought of as concessions only led to the other party''s further encroachment.


    Calvin didn''t care about Zane''s fury or even deem it necessary to answer his question, "Just like patents, retracting a paper is only a phone call away."


    Hearing this, Zane felt as if a huge boulder was pressing against his chest, making it hard even to breathe.


    He had no choice.


    Soon after, Calvin left Zane''s office with a slight smile on his lips, indicating his good mood.


    Once downstairs, he returned a call to Hank, "...the matter has been taken care of."


    Hank wasn''t surprised by the news, showing that this wasn''t the first time such a situation had urred.


    "Good, it just so happens that the head of DO Group will be visiting in a couple of days. I heard they sent some materials to a teacher in your department before. Have that teacher prepare a document," Hank instructed after a moment''s thought.


    Calvin, having Zanepletely under his control, agreed readily, "Sure, no problem."


    "Alright, then I''ll be waiting for your good news," Hank said before hanging up. Calvin pocketed his phone and turned back, making another trip to Zane''s office. Meanwhile, Hank sat in contemtion for a while before opening hisptop to send an email to DO Group to arrange a specific meeting time.


    **


    After leaving Zane''s office, Mirabe headed straight to the Physics Department. With the new term starting, students from both departments were reporting in.


    "Mirabe, you''re not busyter, are you? Dr. Elliot asked you to wait for him in his office. He''s at a meeting at the school administration building but should be back soon," Robert said while filling out a form and chatting with Mirabe.


    "Okay," Mirabe replied, recalling that Dr. Elliot had messaged her the day before.


    "Oh, and the physics problem book I gave youst holiday, have you finished it?" Robert asked, looking up.


    Mirabe, who was browsing through an academic journal, seemed puzzled at first; it took her a moment to remember.


    After Catherine''s deathst year, she had stashed the book in a box and hadn''t thought about taking it out again.


    Touching her nose, she mumbled, "...pretty much."


    Robert put down his pen, a bit surprised, "How did you find it? Were the problems difficult to understand?"


    Mirabe had only skimmed through a couple of pages. The difficulty level was manageable, so after a moment''s thought, she replied, "It was okay, not too esoteric


    Not too esoteric?


    Robert suddenly felt aplex mix of emotions. Was this the difference between


    a genius and an ordinary person?


    "Dr. Elliot''s other students, your senior ssmates, aren''t even at the level to tackle that problem book," Robert remarked.


    Hearing this, Mirabe''s heart skipped a beat.


    Then came Robert''s voice, tinged with mncholy: "Mirabe, I think you should consider transferring to our Physics Department. Honestly, the Biology Department doesn''t have as much potential as Physics."


    Mirabe: "..."

 Chapter 1537

    Mirabe chose to remain silent, opting to quietly sit and read her book instead.


    She was afraid that speaking up might only make things worse for herself.


    Not long after, Dr. Elliot returned from his meeting and invited Mirabe to his office for a chat.


    "Dr... Elliot, did you need to see me for something?" Mirabe asked, her gaze fixed on Elliot. His mournful puppy eyes instantly made her switch from calling him ''Professor'' to ''Teacher'', noticing a swift change to a more rxed expression on his face after the adjustment.


    Mirabe was speechless.


    She began to doubt whether this Dr. Elliot was the same stern and aloof person others had described to her.


    Clearing his throat, Elliot got straight to the point, "I''ve been struggling with a variable conversion method and can''t seem to get it urate. I''m not sure where the problem lies. You''re really good with mathematical calctions; could you possibly take some time to analyze it for me?"


    When Mirabe saw the worry shadowing Elliot''s face as he mentioned this issue, she paused for a moment before responding, "I can certainly analyze it, but I''m not sure how much help I''ll be able to provide."


    Elliot raised an eyebrow at her response, "Robert mentioned that you didn''t find the physics problem set he gave youst year too challenging. So, this variable conversion method should ideally not be a problem for you."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched in a grimace.


    She realized she really needed to stop boasting about her abilities.


    Karma was indeed swift.


    Seeing that Elliot was eager to get started, he nced at his watch and suggested, "Why put off till tomorrow what we can do today? How about we go check it out now?"


    Mirabe silently gave Dr. Elliot a look before inwardly sighing. Considering she had no sses that day, she nodded in agreement.


    Soon after, Elliot led Mirabe to the science building.


    On their way, they encountered other students from their department, most of whom were curious about who Mirabe was, given she was seen walking beside Dr. Elliot.


    Upon reaching the fourth floor, Elliot briefly introduced Mirabe to theyout of theboratories,


    expressing a tinge of regret that he hadn''t recruited this bright youngdy into the physics department from the start.


    When they entered theb, two other people were already there.


    One of them was ze, and the other had the look of a typical nerd.


    Upon seeing his teacher enter, ze quickly stood up from hisputer, "Dr.


    Elliot, you''re here... Oh, and you too, little junior sister."


    He had just noticed Mirabe following behind Elliot.


    Mirabe nodded at ze, "Hello, senior brother."


    ze smiled and then pointed to the nerdy-looking guy beside him, introducing, "This is Patrick."


    Dr. Elliot''s three students were ze, Patrick, and another named Yasaki.


    Upon hearing Patrick''s name, Mirabe politely nodded at him, her expression sweet, "Hello, senior brother Patrick."


    It was Patrick''s first time meeting Mirabe, and he was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting the new junior sister to be so attractive. Regaining hisposure, he nodded back at her.


    Seemingly unsure of what to say and feeling a bit awkward, he stood there quietly.


    "Patrick is a bit shy and usually doesn''t talk much. You''ll get


    Elliot exined on Patrick''s behalf.


    it as you spend more time to 6%


    Patrick coughed awkwardly, finding it even harder to join the conversation.


    Mirabe, however, smiled and nodded, "I understand."


    Elliot then gestured for ze and Patrick to continue with their work and led Mirabe to aputer desk nearby.


    Turning on theputer, heunched the algorithm simtor, "Take a look." Mirabe hummed in acknowledgment and approached theputer.

 Chapter 1538

    Elliot made room for Mirabe, "There are thousands of variable operation steps inside, it might get quiteplex. But take a look first, and if you find any issues, discuss them with the professor."


    "Alright," Mirabe responded.


    Elliot had other matters to attend to. After speaking, he opened the ss door of the small office inside and walked in.


    He wasn''t worried at all about the data on theputer being stolen or leaked.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and pulled over a chair to sit down.


    She began to flip through the operation steps in the simtor.


    Indeed, there were many steps. If one were to examine them one by one with the naked eye, it would take days, if not weeks, to check everything without rest.


    Mirabe massaged her temples, then quickly switched to the programmand panel and spent about fifteen minutes writing a small script.


    As soon as the script was ready, she hit run.


    Instantly, the thousands of variable operation steps in the simtor began to change and jump continuously.


    Mirabe didn''t bother with it further, simply crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair.


    ze looked up to see his junior sister sitting in the chair, doing nothing but staring at the screen, seemingly clueless.


    He knew what the professor had asked her to look at and thought maybe the professor was being a bit harsh on his junior sister. Still, with that thought, he rolled his chair directly to Mirabe''s side.


    "Junior sister, this method of variable transformation is indeed profound, but as long as we find the pattern..."


    ze stopped mid-sentence when he saw the rapidly moving data on theputer screen.


    Theb fell into silence for a moment.


    Patrick, who had been looking down at his notebook, also looked up at ze and Mirabe, puzzled.


    A few minutester, the progress bar of the small script on theputerpleted.


    Mirabe copied and marked a dozen or so problematic data points identified by the script, then looked


    up, "Senior brother, what were


    you


    saying about finding a pattern?"


    ze snapped back from his shock, realizing there was no pattern to look for.


    His junior sister had resolved the issue with a simple software script!


    No need for finding any pattern at all!


    ze forced a smile and shook his head at Mirabe, "Nothing... pretend I didn''t say anything just now."


    Mirabe gave him a curious nce.


    ze coughed, trying to cover up hisck of knowledge, "You know how to program, junior sister?"


    "Just a little," Mirabe modestly replied, fearing another encounter like with Professor Robert.


    ze felt his junior sister was being too modest and gave her a knowing look.


    Mirabe was puzzled.


    ze then turned his attention back to theputer, "These red marks are the problematic areas, right?"


    Mirabe nodded, "If all goes well, yes."


    ze took the mouse, clicked on


    one of the red marks, and after checking, indeed found some minor issues in the operation data that would be hard to notice without a


    close look.


    He clicked on a few more spots, each with more or less problematic areas.


    The more ?e saw, the more impressed he became, and he


    couldn''t help but say, "We''ve t


    looking for these variable


    transformation data issues for a good half month in ourb. I didn''t expect you, junior sister, to solve this big problem for us so quickly."


    His professor indeed had a sharp eye; each student he picked was more capable


    than thest.


    Hearing this, Patrick, who had been sitting on the sidelines, also stood up and walked over to take a look.

 Chapter 1539

    After reading it, the shock in his heart was no less than ze''s.


    Patrick always prided himself on his high-level cognitive abilities but suddenly felt that his brain wasn''t spinning as fast as the new junior sister their mentor had just taken under his wing.


    The idea of writing a small program to filter and screen had never urred to any of them.


    Even if it had, none could write such a program.


    After all, a program that filters through big data couldn''t just be any trivial piece of software.


    Facing theplex looks from her two senior brothers, Mirabe coughed and said, "I can only write some small programs to identify problems. You guys will have to do the data repair yourselves."


    "No problem, I''ll talk to the professor about it," ze said, not dwelling on the junior sister''s words. He stood up and knocked on the office door inside.


    Patrick silently gave Mirabe a nce.


    Even a small program would need to integrate mathematical operations to identify issues, right?


    Soon, Elliot came out from the small office inside. He quickly went through the issues identified by Mirabe, his eyes brightening as he did. He looked up at Mirabe.


    He was about to speak when Mirabe, seemingly anticipating his words, interrupted, "Professor, I''ve got some business with my biology department. May I leave?"


    Hearing the words "biology department," Elliot felt a pang of regret. He red at his student but ended up saying nothing, just weakly waving goodbye to Mirabe.


    "Goodbye, Professor. Goodbye to my senior brothers," Mirabe nodded to the three and headed out.


    It took a while for Elliot to look away, inevitably sighing lightly. When he turned his gaze back to his other two students, Patrick and ze, his expression instantly returned to its usual serious and cold demeanor.


    Moreover, there was an added look of disdain.


    The two: ".."


    Patrick''s gaze shifted to the


    include our junior sister in this year''s Riverside University academic


    exchange meeting?"


    Every spring, there would be an academic exchange meeting on mathematics and physics. It was attended by student teams from top international universities.


    The variable transformation library that Mirabe had helped them identify was precisely the core theme of this year''s meeting.


    Hearing Patrick say this, ze looked at him in surprise.


    Patrick had a clear understanding of things and then turned to look at their professor, continuing, "I think our junior sister must be very talented in algorithmic calctions. Professor, you must have known this, which is why you had her help us identify the problem, fight?"


    Elliot smiled, "Indeed, but I hadn''t nned on having your junior sister participate


    in the academic conference."


    Given that girl''s personality, she would probably refuse outright if asked.


    Elliot felt this intuition in his heart.


    After a pause, as if recalling something from the past, Elliot added, "Speaking of which, your junior sister won an internationalpetition a couple of years ago." Hearing this, Patrick also remembered the event.


    It was the first time in nearly a decade that their country had won an international championship, so the victory was used as an inspirational campaign, which was why he remembered it so vividly.


    What Patrick hadn''t expected was that the champion was their junior sister.


    "In that case, she is even more qualified to participate in the academic conference," Patrick said.


    Elliot, however, seemed a bit helpless as he waved his hand, "If any of you can convince her to go, I''ll give you a bonus."

 Chapter 1540

    Patrick and ze exchanged a nce, both slightly puzzled. Why did it seem like their junior sister transformed into apletely different person in their teacher''s description?


    She seemed quite approachable from their interactions.


    After a moment of thought, ze, not motivated by the prize, volunteered, "I''ll talk to her then."


    Elliot raised an eyebrow at him, "Alright."


    ze touched his nose, finding his teacher''s gaze somewhat odd.


    But he didn''t dwell on it, turning instead to sit down at theputer, beginning to address the issues Mirabe had identified with Patrick.


    **


    Mirabe left the Physics Department, not heading back to the Biology


    Department but instead walking towards the campus exit, nning to go home.


    Today was the first day of school, and there weren''t any sses.


    Before she reached the gate, her phone rang in her pocket.


    It was James, "Still at school?"


    "Yeah, nning to head home," Mirabe replied, her voicezy and rxed.


    "Wait for me at the gate for a few minutes."


    "Okay, sure."


    Mirabe hung up, continuing her walk at a leisurely pace.


    Alongside, a luxury white car slowly made its way towards the campus gate.


    Inside the car, Yara, utterly bored, lifted her head to look out of the window, her mother''s nagging voice beside her bing increasingly tedious.


    That''s when she spotted a girl walking on the sidewalk.


    Dressed in a white coat, with a tall and slender figure, the hem of her coat fluttered behind her as she moved. Even from the back, there was an elegant air about her.


    Yara''s eyes brightened slightly. She had only met Mirabe once or twice, but the impression was fairly deep.


    Not just because of her striking looks, but also because she was a new student under Dr. Elliot from the Physics Department.


    She recognized her at once.


    Yara asked the driver to slow down, "Stop the car near that girl in the white coat." The driver acknowledged.


    Her mother, Kitty, noticing her daughter''s gaze towards the


    window, also looked out. Without a


    clear view of the front, Kitty didn''t


    recognize Mirabe at first, "A ssmate of yours?"


    Kitty inquired.


    "Not really, a junior from another department," Yara replied softly.


    Hearing this, Kitty lost interest, turning her attention back to her phone without another word.


    The car soon pulled up beside Mirabe, and the driver honked.


    Hearing the sound, Mirabe paused and turned to look at the car beside the road.


    At that moment, Yara had already rolled down the window, leaning slightly out, "Hey, junior."


    Recognizing the somewhat familiar face in


    remembered who she was, "Set


    Ne car, Mirabe quickly


    Yara?"


    Yara smiled warmly, "Where are you headed? Let our driver give you a lift." "Thank you, but a friend ising to pick me up," Mirabe politely declined.


    Yara didn''t insist, "Alright then, let''s get together when we have time."


    Mirabe responded positively without looking further into the car.


    "I''ll be off then," Yara waved at her.


    "Sure," Mirabe nodded politely.


    As the window slowly rolled up, Kitty beside Yara lifted her head again her gaze faintly sweeping outside. Just as she was about to look away, her expression suddenly changed.


    It was Delh''s daughter.


    Rememberingst year''s events, Kitty''s fingers instinctively tightened.


    By then, the car had started moving again, and the figure of the girl outside gradually shrank and receded.

 Chapter 1541

    Yara noticed her mother''s gaze and couldn''t help but turn her head to look at her. When she saw the coldness on her face, it actually startled her. "Mom?"


    It took a moment for Kitty to snap back from the events of the past year, and when she met her daughter''s curious eyes, although she had managed to control her emotions, an unusualness was still evident.


    "That girl just now, are you close with her?" Kitty asked.


    Yara hesitated before nodding slightly, then quickly shook her head. "Not really close, we''ve just had a few interactions, that''s all."


    Kitty had already heard from her confidant, Jules, that her daughter knew Mirabe. Hearing her daughter''s words now, she took a deep breath and said, "You''re not in the same department, right? She must be approaching you on purpose."


    Yara looked at her mother, puzzled. "Approaching me on purpose? Mom, what are you talking about? Even though we''re not in the same department, it''s not strange to get to know each other through various coborative events."


    Kitty didn''t see it that way. She reached out to grasp Yara''s arm firmly, saying with a serious tone, "Regardless, you must avoid contact with that girl in the future. She will bring you harm."


    Especially after the incidents of the previous year, she harbored deep resentment towards Delh''s daughter, unable to uncover the power backing her, making her wary of provoking further trouble.


    Yara''s arm hurt from her mother''s grip, but she ignored it. "Mom, do you know Mirabe?"


    Kitty didn''t want to exin further, only reiterating, "Remember what I said, avoid her at all costs. She''s bad news."


    With that, she let go of her hand.


    Yara found this strange, but no matter how much she asked, Kitty refused to


    answer.


    "Some people are not worth your time or effort to understand; they bring you no benefit. What you should focus on now is your future, your lifelong happiness," Kitty said with emphasis.


    Mentioning lifelong happiness made Yara fall silent.


    "Yara, you should seize the opportunity with the Shepherd family," Kitty''s voice came softly again.


    Yara, however, was looking out the


    car window. They had just left


    Prestige College, and a


    was approaching, passing


    their


    car.


    Yara''s expression subtly changed.


    **


    James''s car had just stopped by the roadside outside Prestige College when


    Mirabe appeared at the campus gate.


    She walked over leisurely, opened the door, and got in.


    "James, you''re quite punctual," Mirabe said as she buckled her seatbelt, raising an eyebrow.


    "Picking up my girlfriend should never bete," James replied earnestly.


    Mirabe just gave him a sideways nce.


    As James started the car again, he asked, "Do you want to swing by and pick up your distant cousin?"


    "No need, he''s boarding at school now,es home once a week," Mirabe said, taking out her phone to send a casual message to Cassie on Messenger, asking if he was settling in well at school.


    He might be in ss at the moment and didn''t reply immediately.


    Mirabe didn''t press further, feeling she had fulfilled her sisterly duty.


    "What do you feel like eating tonight?" James nced in the rearview mirror and asked.


    Mirabe twirled her phone in her


    hand, thought for a moment, then


    tilted


    head to look towards the


    driver''s seat, "Has Chef Min been


    striking it rich again recently?"


    A smile tinted James''s handsome face as he nodded, "Thanks to my girlfriend''s


    luck, I did make a tidy profit."

 Chapter 1542

    Mirabe felt a twinge of envy upon hearing the news.


    It wasn''t just a small profit they were talking about but a significant one.


    James cleared his throat, "We''re out of groceries; let''s swing by the supermarketter."


    Mirabe''s voicecked emotion: "Oh."


    Soon, the car was parked in the supermarket lot.


    As they got out, James handed Mirabe a mask.


    "Quite prepared, aren''t we?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow at him.


    The ck mask covered most of his face, leaving only his deep, frost-tinged eyes visible. Even without seeing his full face, he exuded a charming and noble aura.


    With a soft click of her tongue, Mirabe efficiently put on her mask.


    James took her hand, and like any ordinary couple, they walked into the supermarket.


    After shopping, they returned to their apartmentplex.


    Once inside, James didn''t ask for Mirabe''s help but went straight to the kitchen.


    Mirabe stood at the doorway with her arms crossed, watching someone move around the kitchen with the ease of a professional chef. It was quite the sight.


    After a while, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out, nced at it, then turned and walked into the living room.


    Sitting on the couch, she first checked an email from "J" with an attachment, paused for a second, then slowly started to type a reply: "Whose brilliant mind came up with this idea? It''s absolutely genius!"


    J, on receiving the message, couldn''t help but smirk and replied: "Not sure about the genius part, but the content is indeed valuable."


    Mirabe leaned backzily on the couch, her expression a mix of confidence and boldness, "See? What are you waiting for then? Hurry up and coborate with this genius."


    Given Zane''s somewhat anxious look today, she, as a student, feltpelled to give them a push.


    "Actually, that''s what I wanted to discuss. I''ll be in Riverdale for a trip in a couple of days; how about we meet?"


    J had been eager to meet the person who only seemed to want to act as a mentor.


    Mirabe changed her sitting


    position, pondering that negotiations


    with acquaintances might


    J: "Didn''t dad say he was still studying? Howe he''s abroad now?"


    Mirabe, unfazed, replied: "Ah, I see the son never went to college. Ever heard of academic exchanges?"


    Jughed, not bothering to challenge her excuse: "Alright, we''ll talk some other time."


    Mirabe: "Sounds good, I wish you a sessful coboration!"


    J, looking at the messages, couldn''t shake the feeling that she seemed


    particrly interested in the partnership.


    Contemting this, he didn''t reply but instead called the local office manager to arrange a meeting as soon as possible.


    When Hank received the call, he was


    still at the tech institute and hadn''t left. Listening to the details of the meeting time suggested by the person from DO Group, he was in high spirits.


    "...Alright, see you at the tech institute at 10 a.m. the day after tomorrow. We''ll be waiting for you."


    Hank waited for the person on the other end to hang up first before he ended the call, his gaze returning to hisputer, a slight smile on his lips.


    He had thought it would take longer to get a firm response, but it seemed they


    had made a quick decision after reviewing the documentation Calvin had sent him.


    Hank clicked his tongue lightly, impressed. It appeared the students from Prestige College were quite capable indeed.

 Chapter 1543

    The next day, just moments after Zane arrived at the office, Mr. Calvin sought him


    out.


    Seeing Calvin now made Zane''s stomach turn. Gone was the polite demeanor he used to have, his face almost expressionless. "What do you need, Mr. Calvin?"


    Calvin seemed oblivious to Zane''s cold attitude and got straight to the point. "The head of DO Group has scheduled a meeting with Hank tomorrow morning at 10. You''ll need to bring your student along to the Tech Institute."


    At this, Zane frowned. "Why do we need to go there? Haven''t I already sent you all the documents my student prepared?"


    The thought of bringing Mirabe to the Tech Institute, only for her to watch her work being imed by others, gave Zane a throbbing headache. Without waiting for Calvin to respond, he said, "I can go to the Tech Institute with you, but I''m not bringing my student."


    Calvin, understanding Zane''s reluctance, shook his head. "Do you realize how many people dream of meeting the head of a majorpany like DO Group and never get the chance?"


    Zane was probably the most stubborn person among all the teachers, never able to read the room, always needing everything spelled out before facing reality.


    Zane pressed his lips together, staying silent. If it weren''t for Calvin''s interference, the head of DO Group would probably havee to the school instead of the Tech Institute.


    "Even if you feel it''s unfair, there''s no need to jeopardize your student''s future, right? It''s an opportunity for her to gain some exposure," Calvin said, trying to be patient.


    "Don''t make it sound so noble. You know exactly why I don''t want to bring my student there," Zane said with a cold face, his tone sarcastic.


    Calvin didn''t want to argue with Zane any longer, not wanting to spoil his mood. "I''ve said what I needed to say. It''s up to you to decide what''s more important: your student''s future or your stubborn pride."


    With that, he didn''t allow Zane a chance to respond and left the office.


    Zane, looking at the closed door, slumped back into his chair, feeling drained.


    He really didn''t know how to bring this up with Mirabe.


    After hesitating for a long time with his phone, he didn''t send a message but instead received a call from the chief editor at SCI.


    After the call, Zane''s face showed both joy and concern. After some thought, he finally sent Mirabe a message via Messenger.


    "Mirabe, you''ll need toe with me to the Tech Institute tomorrow."


    iet


    When Mirabe saw Zane''s message on Messenger, she had just finished her morning ss and was heading to the cafeteria for lunch.


    She raised her eyebrows slightly and replied


    going while walking: "What are


    going to the Tech Institute


    belive


    Didn''t that project endst wear?"


    Zane didn''t know how to start, his fingers tapping on the phone screen, not sending anything.


    Mirabe had walked a bit when she looked down at her phone''s Messenger chat, which just showed ''typing...'' status.


    With a twitch of her lips, she thought, How much does Zane have to say?


    Typing for so long and still typing?


    Pondering this, she proactively sent another message: "Zane, you know... you could just send a voice message."


    Zane, still figuring out how to reply and seeing the student''s message, felt a twinge of amusement amidst his dilemma, then replied: "No, 4 was just thinking about how to exin this to you."

 Chapter 1544

    Mirabe''s captivating almond-shaped eyes sparkled as she read Zane''s message. She sensed that Zane had been acting a bit offtely. Instead of continuing to text, she decided to call him directly.


    The call connected quickly.


    "Is everything okay, Professor?" Mirabe asked calmly, cutting straight to the chase without beating around the bush.


    Zane fumbled with his phone, finding it difficult to articte his thoughts, but he realized it was time to stop hiding the truth. "The head of DO Group has scheduled a meeting for tomorrow."


    Hearing this, and piecing it together with the message on Messenger, Mirabe seemed to have an inkling of what was happening. "Is the meeting at the Tech Institute?"


    Zane hummed in confirmation.


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly, and a breeze lifted the wisps of hair on her cheeks, giving her an indescribably rxed air. "Why?"


    The word "student" made Zane feel as if the temperature had dropped a few degrees.


    He coughed, avoiding mentioning how Calvin had ckmailed him with patents and papers, and simply said, "The head of DO Group has had previous coborative dealings with the Tech Institute. You know, Mirabe, we had already signed a cooperation contract with the Tech Institute for the artificial life databasest year, so..."


    Before he could finish, Mirabe seemed to understand his implication and interrupted, "So the Tech Institute wants to take over the DO Group project, right?"


    Zane hadn''t expected Mirabe to be so sharp. A bitter smile tugged at his lips. "You could say that."


    "Heh." Mirabe chuckled lightly and stepped into the school cafeteria.


    Zane felt a pang in his heart at her emotionlessugh, knowing that despite Mirabe''s easy-going nature, she possessed a pride typical of a genius.


    This was the main reason he hesitated to talk to her about the patent issue. There were too many unpleasant things in this world, and when you''re not in a position of power, you have no choice but to grin and bear it.


    Such is the harsh reality of life.


    "Listen to me, Mirabe. It''s okay if the Tech Institute takes over the project. We''ll have other


    opportunities in the future. Besides, I''ve negotiated with them. Even if we step back, we won''t lose any of the prize money we''re due," Zane hurriedly exined.


    After ordering her meal from Marian, Mirabe calmly said into the phone, "Oh, I see. Is there anything else you wanted to say, Professor? If not, I''m going to go eat now."


    Zane, who had a lot more he wanted to say, suddenly found himself at a loss for


    words. After half a minute of silence, he managed to respond, "...Okay."


    However, before hanging up, Mirabe asked, "What time should I be there tomorrow?"


    Her tone was as usual, betraying no sign of disturbance.


    Zane replied with a dry "Nine o''clock."


    "Alright." Mirabe ended the Messenger call with that.


    Zane put down his phone, his expression growing more worried.


    He couldn''t tell whether Mirabe


    had taken his words to heart orice


    she had other thoughts. Regardless, the visit to the Tech Instituteo tomorrow was crucial.


    *


    Mirabe sat down at a table in the corner with her tray of food, eating while she


    took out her phone to send a message.


    "Are you blind?"


    "If you are, I can offer you a cure for free."


    The recipient, J, had justnded and turned on his phone to find these two


    messages: "????? Have you lost your mind?"


    With a smile on her face, Mirabe''s fingers danced leisurely across the screen:


    "From today on, our father-son rtionship is severed."

 Chapter 1545

    Mirabe had just sent the message when she tapped her phone screen a few times. Secondster, she tucked her phone back into her pocket and quietly started eating her lunch.


    On the other end, J was panicking upon reading the words "cutting ties". He handed his suitcase to an assistant by his side and focused on sending a message: "Come on, Dad, even if it''s the death penalty, there should be a reason, right?"


    But just as he hit send, a red exmation mark immediately appeared in front of the message.


    J:""


    Unbelieving, he sent another message, only to receive a red exmation mark again.


    So, ''Dad'' was really cutting ties with him, and it wasn''t a joke?


    Seeing the shocked look on J''s face, his assistant couldn''t help but ask softly, "Is something wrong?"


    J was still immersed in the reality of being abandoned by ''Dad''. No matter how he tried to reconnect with Mirabe, there was no trace of her to be found.


    He and ''Dad'' had met online and had never exchanged contact information.


    As both wereputer hackers, he had easily hacked into the other''s phone, so they had always kept in touch through messages over the years.


    Now it seemed that it wasn''t because his skills were good enough to hack into ''Dad''s phone, but rather that ''Dad'' had intentionally left him a way to connect.


    Running his fingers through his slightly curly hair, J couldn''t figure out how ''Dad'' could change his tune overnight.


    They had a pleasant chat just yesterday!


    "Check thepany''s recent business transactions for me," J turned to his assistant, his voice serious.


    The assistant was slightly startled, then nodded respectfully and agreed.


    "Also, send me the address of the hotel you booked," J instructed as he strode outside.


    The assistant, following his pace, remembered something, "Hank from the Tech Institute invited you for dinner..."


    "Cancel it," J raised his hand, dismissing the idea without a second thought.


    His ''Dad'' was about to cut ties with him, so there was no mood for dinner.


    At that moment, the assistant didn''t dare to ask more, "Alright, I understand."


    **


    The next day, Mirabe arrived at the school promptly at nine.


    When she reached Zane''s office, Zane was talking with Mr. Calvin.


    Calvin nced at Mirabe, stopped talking, and then said in a calm voice, "Let''s go, don''t waste any time."


    After saying that, he walked outside.


    Mirabe was wearing a khaki trench coat today, with the sleeves rolled up to reveal her fair wrists. She saw Zane''s brow furrowed and earnestlyforted him, "Zane, don''t worry too much."


    Hearing this, Zane was somewhat moved, not even minding the informal address, "Alright, once we get to the Tech Institute, you don''t have to worry about anything. The professor will handle the


    Mirabe slightly raised her eyebrows but didn''t say anything more.


    Around ten o''clock, Calvin, along with Zane and Mirabe, arrived at the Tech Institute.


    Hank''s assistant had been waiting and arranged for them to wait in a standard lounge, "Mr. Calvin, please wait here. Once the representative from DO Group arrives, we''ll See about arranging for you to meet."


    Mr. Calvin smiled politely, "Thank you for your efforts."


    "You''re wee." The assistant left after closing the door slightly ajar.


    Once they were alone, Calvin turned to Mirabe, thought for a moment, and then warned, "I''ve heard the representative from DO Group this time is quite formidable. Remember to watch your wordster.

 Chapter 1546

    Mirabe lounged in her chair, utterly unfazed by Calvin''s words, not even bothering to lift an eyelid.


    Seeing Mirabe''s nonchnt demeanor nearly brought augh out of Calvin.


    He had forgotten that she was a student impervious to advice, not recognizing good intentions, and not worth the effort of a gentle reminder.


    Calvin coolly withdrew his gaze, choosing not to look at Mirabe any longer.


    The break room fell into a heavy silence. Zane cast a nce at Mirabe and then at Calvin, choosing not to speak.


    Previously, he might have yed peacemaker, fearing that Mr. Calvin would hold a grudge and make things difficult for students in the future. But now... any bridges that could be burned had already been torched, so it didn''t matter.


    However, Zane still harbored some concerns about the uing meeting with the DO Group executive. He could handle it, but he wasn''t so sure about Mirabe.


    After all, future prospects always outweigh everything else.


    Contrastingly, Mirabe simply took out her phone to check.


    **


    Hank personally waited in the parking lot to greet the executive from DO Group.


    Right at ten o''clock, a sleek ck sedan pulled into the tech institute.


    As soon as the car stopped, Hank approached. A tall foreigner in a dark suit, adorned with a DO Group emblem pin on his chest, stepped out from the driver''s side.


    The man then walked around to the rear passenger side, opening the door with respectful deference, waiting for his superior to emerge.


    Hank''s expression grew more solemn at the sight. He recognized the foreigner, having dealt with him in several business transactions before, a high-ranking official within DO Group.


    The respectful demeanor of the foreigner hinted at the importance of the person still in the car.


    No wonder their dinner invitation was refused the day before.


    As Hank pondered, the man inside the car finally stepped out.


    He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, strikingly handsome, wearing an unbuttoned ck suit jacket over a brightly patterned dress shirt, and a silver bracelet shimmering on his wrist.


    The man exuded more the vibe of a fashion week model than an IT worker.


    Hank contained his surprise, not at


    the man''s appearance, but at his young age. He stepped forward calmly, extending a hand, "Hello, I''m Hank, the project lead for this venture. Wee to our institute.¡±


    The young man nodded slightly, his slender fingers briefly touching Hank''s hand before withdrawing.


    Hank, undisturbed by the brief contact, gestured politely, "Shall we go inside to talk?"


    The young man hummed in agreement, walking alongside Hank.


    Soon, they arrived at the lounge, where Hank asked an assistant to prepare some coffee. He then smiled and asked, "May I know how to address you, sir?"


    A subordinate of J nced at him, answering in fluent English, "Mr. Monks."


    Hank nodded, the surname Monks was quite umon.


    J''s assistant had already taken aptop out of his bag, wasting no time in projecting the simted system content onto the screen in front, beginning to discuss the


    project details with Hank.


    Meanwhile, J sat quietly at the conference table, his fingertips idly tapping on the


    surface, his mind preupied with one question.


    Where had he crossed that guy?


    He had been pondering sincest night, even instructing his subordinates to


    review recent events, but nothing unusual had surfaced.


    This cold shoulder was utterly baffling to him.

 Chapter 1547

    Sitting across from J, Hank had been keenly observing his expressions, noticing a slight disengagement and growing increasingly anxious.


    The coboration with DO Group had already been reported up the chain ofmand, and a failure toe to an agreement would be a significant blow to his reputation.


    Clearing his throat, Hank addressed J, "I wonder, Mr. Monks, what are your thoughts on our Artificial Life Database project?"


    J, though lost in thought, had been listening to Hank''s words. He tilted his head slightly and replied, "I am quite intrigued by the developer behind your database. Is it possible to have a chat with them?"


    Hank wasn''t surprised by Mr. Monks'' request and fortunately had already


    arranged for Calvin to bring the team over, "Of course, please give me a moment."


    After saying this, he signaled his assistant with a nce.


    The assistant quickly left the conference room.


    The office arranged for Mirabe and her team was not far from the conference room, and soon, the assistant brought three people into the room.


    Calvin and Zane walked in front, with Hank''s assistant having sternly briefed them


    on decorum, which added ayer of nervousness to their demeanor.


    In contrast, Mirabe, who trailed behind, carried an air of calmness, her expression colder than usual.


    "Mr. Smith," Calvin called out in a low voice, his gaze inadvertently sweeping across the other two individuals in the room.


    Noticing the iconic pins on their chests, he quickly averted his eyes.


    Hank nodded in acknowledgment and turned to introduce them to Mr. Monks, eventually focusing on Mirabe, "This is one of the key members behind the database."


    Upon hearing this, Mr. Monks looked up at Mirabe with a hint of surprise in his eyes.


    Disregarding her youth, it was unexpected for a core member to be a woman.


    Before Mr. Monks could process his astonishment, he noticed Mirabe''s cold and proud gaze, almost as if it contained a hint of disdain.


    Mr. Monks was left puzzled.


    Mirabe indifferently shifted her gaze away.


    Hank, oblivious to the exchange of looks, reassured Calvin, "Mr. Monks would like to discuss the database with your team. There''s no need for your student to be nervous."


    Calvin nodded, about to speak to Mirabe when he saw her already pulling out a chair and sitting down at the conference table, her posture exuding an air of arrogance as if she were the most distinguished person present.


    Calvin frowned. In front of so many people, he couldn''t scold her for herck of manners and awkwardly looked away.


    Hank''s expression darkened, sharing Calvin''s sentiment.


    Mirabe,pletely unconcerned with others'' opinions, casually rested her hand on the table and looked at Mr. Monks with her peach blossom eyes, nonchntly asking, "You wanted to talk about the database?"


    Meeting Mirabe''s gaze, Mr. Monks felt an inexplicable pressure despite her being a young woman in her twenties.


    "Mirabe, mind your manners when speaking!" Calvin couldn''t help but remind


    her.


    Mirabe didn''t even nce at him,


    instead crossing her legs and leaning backzily, "Sorry, but as far as I''m concerned, this database is as good as dog food. There''s


    nothing worth discussing.


    Calvin almost cked out at her words, never imagining Mirabe would


    disregard the bigger picture and speak so recklessly.

 Chapter 1548

    "What on earth are you talking about?" Hank hadn''t expected such a scene either.


    Worried that Mr. Monks would get angry, he turned his head to look at Calvin, his tone very displeased, "Mr. Calvin, what exactly are you ying at? How could you say such things to Mr. Monks?"


    Reprimanded, Calvin was sweating profusely, inwardly cursing Mirabe countless times. He hurriedly apologized, "I''m terribly sorry, it must be because our students haven''t been exposed to much, to speak without thinking."


    Zane, listening by, was quite unhappy, "Mr. Calvin, perhaps it''s you who should watch your words?"


    Although he too was taken aback by Mirabe''s words, as her teacher, he felt the need to protect her reputation no matter what.


    Calvin nced coldly at Zane, "Don''t forget why you''re here."


    Zane stiffened, knowing that Mr. Calvin was warning him with the matter of patents and research papers. His fingers clenched then rxed, and finally, he just looked anxiously at Mirabe.


    Mirabe took in Zane''s reaction and Calvin''s attitude, guessing that Calvin must have some leverage over him, forcing him topromise.


    Even the project had be the property of the tech academy.


    At that moment, the person sitting opposite, J, spoke up, "Do you have some grudge against me?"


    "You''re rather overestimating yourself," Mirabe said dismissively, her tone undeniably scornful.


    At this, Hank, frustrated, massaged his forehead. He couldn''t care less about anything else and instructed his assistant, "Zach, quickly take her out."


    After saying this, he repeatedly apologized to Mr. Monks.


    The assistant was also nervous; he hurriedly approached Mirabe, extending his hand to grab her arm. However, upon catching Mirabe''s gaze, his hand unconsciously froze mid-air, as if he were immobilized.


    Hank called out to Zach again, who then seemed to snap back to reality. Yet, he never reached out to drag Mirabe away, only whispering to her, "Pleasee with me."


    But Mirabe remained seated, unmoved.


    J, on the other hand, wasn''t angry.


    Looking at Mirabe, he felt a


    strange sense of familiarity in the way she spoke. He raised his hand to stop Hank, who was still


    ve?


    apologizing, and said with a hint of confusion, "Have we met before?"


    Mirabe''s lips curled in a mocking sneer, devoid of any warmth, "With eyes so blind, how could we have met?"


    Eyes so blind... J''s pupils dted in realization, "You..."


    Mirabe didn''t give J a chance to speak, coldly interrupting, "If you want to talk about the database, it depends on whether you have the sincerity."


    With that, she stood up, not giving anyone else a nce, simply called out to Zane, and walked out.


    Her silhouette was sharp, exuding a strong presence.


    Zane snapped out of it, his emotionsplex, and hurriedly followed her out of the conference room.


    As soon as they left, the atmosphere in the conference room grew even more awkward, especially for Hank. He had never encountered someone so tactless, feeling a surge of anger burning within him.


    Taking a deep breath, Hank


    managed to suppress his anger, looking at Mr. Monks, he leaned in slightly, "Mr. Monks, I''m truly sorry about today''s incident. It''s our fault, the child is naive, seeking revenge over a trivial matter. Rest assured, we will handle it."


    J, snapping back from his shock, caught Hank''s mention of ''handling it,'' his eyes


    suddenly shing with danger, "Handle? Who do you n to handle?"

 Chapter 1549

    Hank locked eyes with J, feeling a sudden tightness in his chest, a suffocating pressure building up. He opened his mouth, slightly bewildered, "Mr. Monks, you..."


    By then, J had regained his usualposure, as if the intense nce exchanged moments before was merely an illusion. Resting a hand on his knee, he casually asked again, "That girl we were discussing, she''s still a university student?"


    Hank nced at J, puzzled by his renewed interest in Mirabe, but nodded in response, "Yes, so, being young, she might be a bit too proud. Please, don''t take it to heart."


    J squinted slightly, asking, "The major database for the Artificial Life System, was it her work?"


    Hank hesitated before nodding again.


    "So, if the database was her project, what does it have to do with your Tech Institute?" J''s voice was soft, yet probing as he looked at Hank.


    Caught off guard, Hank didn''t immediately respond. Calvin, noticing Hank''s hesitation, quickly exined, "Because Prestige College has a partnership with the Tech Institute, and this Artificial Life System was specifically developed for the institute."


    "Oh?" J''s gaze shifted to Calvin, noticing his earlier defensiveness, a slight smile ying at his lips, "And who might you be?"


    Calvin stiffened, and after a moment, replied quietly, "I''m the head of the Biology Department at Prestige College."


    Prestige College, huh?


    Having pieced together some clues, J fell silent, then stood up and headed for the door without a backward nce, the epitome of aloofness.


    Seeing J leave, Hank, unable to fathom the sudden turn of events, hurried after him, "Wait, Mr. Monks, there might have been some misunderstanding today..."


    Just as J reached the door and heard the word "misunderstanding," he paused slightly turning his head his tone indifferent, "I also believe it was a misunderstanding, Mr. Wei. Let''s pretend we never crossed paths today."


    His profile was almost chillingly expressionless.


    Hank was taken aback.


    Those words... did they mean no further cooperation?


    J had already stepped outside, and his assistant efficiently packed up theptop and documents, following suit.


    As the assistant passed by Hank, Hank couldn''t help but reach out, "Mr. Joseph, Mr. Monks might have misunderstood us. Could you please exin our side to him?"


    Joseph nced at Hank, perhaps out of past acquaintance, and offered a few more words, "Forget about the partnership, Hank. If Mr. Monks says it was a


    misunderstanding, then there''s no chance of revisiting it."


    "But we were getting along so well before. If it''s about that student, I can have her apologize to Mr. Monks," Hank quickly added.


    Considering his boss''s earlier reaction, Joseph simply said, "Perhaps, but a partnership is highly unlikely now."


    With that, he didn''t wait for Hank''s response and walked out of the meeting room.


    Hank stared towards the door, his expression dark,pletely blindsided by how a promising meeting had soured.


    Rubbing his throbbing temples, Hank turned to Calvin, his voice frighteningly cold, "Mr. Calvin, so this is the kind of student your college produces, truly adept at creating problems for me."


    Calvin, drenched in cold sweat, didn''t dare meet Hank''s gaze, "I''m sorry, Hank. I didn''t expect things to turn out this way. I''ll speak to her sternly and ensure she apologizes to Mr. Monks."

 Chapter 1550

    Hank had no interest in listening to Calvin''s ramblings. With a flick of his sleeve and a cold expression, he too left the meeting room.


    Seeing this, Calvin felt a headache brewing even more intensely. If he had known this would be the oue, he would have never brought Mirabe along.


    She was just too much trouble!


    Now, he found himself caught between a rock and a hard ce.


    **


    After leaving the meeting room, J quickly made his way outside, hoping to catch up with Mirabe to confirm his suspicions.


    However, once he stepped outside the lobby, Mirabe was nowhere to be seen.


    Joseph had caught up to him, and seeing his boss looking around, asked curiously, "Sir, what are you looking for?"


    J, feeling regretful, didn''t answer Joseph''s question. After a moment''s thought, he headed towards the parking lot. "Let''s go to Prestige College."


    The biology department at Prestige College-what was her name again? The department head called her Mirabe Hammond, didn''t he?


    He should be able to find her at the school, right?


    Joseph, unsure of his boss''s intentions, simply followed suit and responded affirmatively.


    They quickly got into the car.


    J''s gaze remained fixed outside the window until they drove out of the tech park. Then, he pulled out his phone and switched it toputer mode.


    He began to hack into Prestige College''s data system.


    Based on the information he had gathered earlier, J quickly found Mirabe''s basic information in the system.


    It included her family address and a photo.


    The photo matched the girl he had


    seen earlier, and the


    address...thanks to his excellent


    memory, he recalled that a couple of


    years@go, after losing a bet, he had arranged for a security system to be installed at that very address.


    C¨®ntent belongs to


    At the time, he had suspected it was her home, but then thought if it really was


    her ce, why would they need hispany''s security system? She could probably outdo their most premium package on her own.


    Looking at the address on the virtual disy, J could only think three words to himself: How foolish I am.


    The big shot had given him the address, and he had still denied it.


    What was even more pressing was that the person he had been calling "dad" turned out to be a younger woman.


    J was in a whirlwind of emotions. He had originally thought the person would be a greasy middle-aged man in his forties!


    Joseph, driving in front, nced in


    the rearview mirror and saw a lot of confusion. He eventually couldn''t help asking, "Sir, weren''t you very interested in the big database? Why suddenly decide not to cooperate with the tech institute?"


    J closed his phone, his expression turning nk, "They''re not worth it."


    He wasn''t naive. From being blocked yesterday to what Mirabe had said earlier,


    it was clear that someone from the tech institute was pulling strings from behind the scenes.


    Mulling over some thoughts, J squinted and asked, "Tell me, how did you end up contacting the tech institute?"


    Joseph tensed up, realizing some things couldn''t be hidden, "Actually, we initially contacted Prestige College through email. Later, the tech institute imed it was their proprietary project, so...I turned to them."


    Hearing this, J nced at the back of Joseph''s head with a sharp look, "They gave you a kickback, didn''t they."


    Joseph''s face paled. He didn''t dare to speak or admit anything.


    "Consider yourself resigned when we get back." J said tly.


    Joseph''s eyes widened in disbelief, struggling to ept what he had heard. After


    a moment, he said somewhat defiantly, "Just for this minor issue, you want me to leave thepany?"

 Chapter 1551

    In the corporate world, using connections to get things done is nothing new. Joseph hadn''t taken any bribes; he just reached out to Hank because they''d worked together before. Joseph couldn''t believe something so trivial could lead to him being forced out.


    "A small matter?" J casually brushed some lint off his jacket. "Do you know who wrote the development program for the first generation of robots?"


    Joseph wasn''t sure why his boss was bringing this up now, but he replied quietly, "Wasn''t it thepany''s mysterious founder?"


    J stared out the window with an indifferent look. "Do you really think our domestic Al research is ahead of what''s happening abroad?"


    "Of course not," Joseph responded instinctively. "Foreign countries are at least three to five years ahead in big data..." He trailed off as the implications hit him.


    They''d approached Tech Center specifically for the Al big database, and now J was bringing up the robot development program. Joseph wasn''t naive; he understood the deeper issues at y. If the Al database was written by thepany''s mysterious founder, he wouldn''t just face losing his job-his reputation could be ruined for good.


    A chill ran down Joseph''s spine. He realized Hank had really thrown him under the bus.


    Meanwhile, in the car, Zane sighed for what seemed like the umpteenth time. "Mirabe, I know you''re upset, but in the real world, folks without much power often get pushed around."


    Mirabe''s face was calm. She nodded slightly, lost in her thoughts and keeping silent.


    Noticing this, Zane continued, "If Mr. Calvin wants to talk to youter, juste to me. This mess started because of me. If I''d turned down the DO Group from the start, maybe none of this would''ve happened. If they demand an apology..."


    Mirabe cut him off, "They won''t."


    Zane was caught off guard, not quite understanding her confidence. "The DO Group won''t demand an apology," Mirabe repeated. In fact, they might soon be the onesing to apologize to the university.


    Zane raised an eyebrow, ncing at the rearview mirror. "How are you so sure?"


    Mirabe just gave a mysterious smile. "Just a hunch."


    Zane: "..."


    If she didn''t sound so dismissive, he


    might actually


    believe hel


    didn''t borate and instead started


    scrolling on her phone.


    Zane couldn''t quite figure out his student, but somehow, his earlier worries began to ease.


    Twenty minutester, they were back at the university. It wasn''t long before Mr. Calvin stormed in.


    After


    some heat from Hank,


    Calvin''s first move was to burst into


    Za mess you''ve created today?"


    office, fuming. "Do you realize


    Zane was ready for Calvin''s outburst, so he just shrugged it off. "Really? Well, it''s done now."


    Calvin was even more infuriated by Zane''sid-back attitude. "Zane, have you lost your mind? Do you even know what you''re saying?"


    Zane met Calvin''s gaze calmly. "I know exactly what I''m saying. But Mr. Calvin, do you remember where your loyalties lie?"

 Chapter 1552

    Calvin was so ticked off, he actually chuckled, "Are you seriously trying to tell me how to do my job? Just because you''ve got a couple of students who aren''t half- bad, you think you''re all that?"


    Zane pressed his lips together, "That''s your take, not mine."


    Calvin shot him a frosty re, skipping any more back-and-forth. "You need to call Hank and apologize right now. And your student needs to do the same."


    "That''s not happening," Zane''s tone turned icy. "We didn''t do anything wrong. Sure, Mirabe might''ve been a bit direct, but you know exactly why she was, Mr. Calvin, and so does Hank!"


    "So, you''re okay with throwing your student''s future under the bus, then?" Calvin shot back with a smirk, brushing off any other arguments.


    Zane''s calm exterior finally cracked, "Is bullying the only trick you''ve got up your sleeve?"


    Calvin ignored hisment, fishing his phone out of his pocket, "Are you making the call, or should I?"


    Zane''s face went pale as he watched Calvin fiddling with his phone, his hand clenching at his side.


    Calvin found Hank''s number but paused before dialing, ncing up at Zane, "Oh, and have your student here to apologize too."


    A lump formed in Zane''s throat. He had just promised his student she wouldn''t have to apologize. His fingers unclenched as he reluctantly admitted defeat, "I''m sorry, Mr. Calvin. I had the wrong attitude. I''ll apologize to Hank, but please don''t drag a student into this."


    Calvin''s lips twisted into a mocking grin, "Toote."


    With that, he had already dialed the Dean''s office, "Yes, please send a student over to Zane''s office immediately..."


    Zane watched, unable to stop Calvin from making the call.


    After putting his phone away, Calvin pulled a


    chair over and sat downne


    "Alright, let''s wait for your student to


    show up and apologize."


    A few minutester, Zane, his face flushed, burst out, "Calvin, do you really have to be so pushy?!"


    Calvin, back in control, casually brushed off his pants, "Everyone''s gotta own up to their mistakes."


    Zane was shaking with anger, about to retort when a knock on the office door cut him off.


    "Looks like your student knows she''s in hot water too." Calvin sneered.


    Zane figured it was Mirabe and was surprised she''d gotten there so fast. He had told her not to worry!


    Taking a deep breath, Zane went to the door and opened it, "Mirabe, you don''t have to... Benny, it''s you? Looking for me?"


    Recognizing the visitor, Zane quickly


    shifted his tone. Behind Benny two others, and the sight of them


    made Zane tense up. Conte belongs to


    Why was the head of DO Group at the college?


    Were they here to stir things up?


    A flurry of thoughts raced through Zane''s mind.


    Benny, the Director of


    were


    at Prestige College,


    istration at Prestige College,


    to Zane, "Mr.


    too busy right now, you''re


    are you?"


    Zane gripped the doorframe tightly, barely managing a smile, "...Not particrly busy."

 Chapter 1553

    "d to hear it," Benny chimed in, stepping aside to reveal the folks standing behind him. "These two are from the DO Group. They''re here to chat with you."


    Calvin, who''d beenfortably seated in his office, perked up at the mention of the DO Group. He quickly stood and headed towards the door.


    "The DO Group?"


    He hustled over to greet them, curiosity piqued.


    Benny caught sight of Calvin and gave him a friendly nod. "Mr. Calvin, you''re here too?"


    "Yeah, I''m here to talk to Mr. Zane," Calvin replied, his eyes briefly sizing up the two people behind Benny. He felt a flicker of surprise, puzzled about why the DO Group reps had shown up at the school unannounced.


    But Calvin quickly gathered himself, nced at Zane, and stepped aside. "Come on in, let''s have a chat," he said politely to Benny.


    Benny nodded in agreement.


    They all trooped into the office, with Zane and Calvin bringing up the rear.


    "If you want to smooth things over, remember to apologize first," Calvin whispered to Zane as they walked side by side.


    Zane, feeling a bit out of sorts, nodded absentmindedly at Calvin''s suggestion. "Got it."


    Their whispers were barely audible, but J, who was leading the way, cast a nce back at them.


    Once inside, Calvin invited J to take a seat and poured him a ss of water, his tone apologetic. "I''m truly sorry, Mr. Monks, for any trouble we caused at the Tech Center. Please ept our apologies."


    J held the ss without drinking, simply watching Calvin in silence.


    Calvin felt a bit uneasy under J''s steady gaze, a sense of pressure making him drop his eyes. He nudged Zane beside him, gesturing for him to say something.


    By now, Zane had pulled himself together and was ready to apologize, following Calvin''s lead. But then Mirabe''s words echoed in his mind: ''DO Group won''t demand an apology.''


    After a moment of hesitation, he looked up at J, realizing they didn''t seem to be there to stir up trouble. He steadied himself and asked, "What brings you here, Mr. Monks?"


    Calvin gave a loud cough, shooting Zane a warning look.


    He couldn''t believe Zane was ignoring his advice to start with an apology.


    Zane seemed oblivious to Calvin''s signals, standing firm andposed.


    J set down the water ss, stood up, and turned to face Zane. With genuine sincerity, he nodded, "I apologize for any distress caused to you and your students, Mr. Zane."


    This unexpected twist left Zane gobsmacked, and Calvin was just as taken aback.


    He''d assumed they were there to raise a fuss, never expecting an apology.


    "It was a mix-up on ourpany''s part at the Tech Center. We hope you won''t take it to heart, Mr. Zane. Please ept our apologies," J continued.


    "No, no, it''s alright... Actually, it was our mistake..." Zane stammered, unsure of his own words.


    In that moment, he felt like giving himself a reality check, wondering if this was really happening.


    "And about the project, we hope you''ll consider giving us another shot at working together. I''ll handle things personally from now on," J added, pulling a business card from his pocket and handing it to Zane.


    Zane took it, slightly dazed, and as he nced at the details on the card, his fingers trembled ever so slightly.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1554

    The CEO?!


    Zane swallowed hard. The CEO of DO Group not only apologized to him but also promised to personally liaise with him going forward... How did things take such an unbelievable turn? He could barely believe it.


    Next to him, Calvin couldn''t take his eyes off the business card, his expression even more shocked than Zane''s. He knew Hank mentioned Mr. Monks was a big deal, but he didn''t expect him to be *this* big of a deal. Why had the guy suddenly changed his tune so drastically? There was something Calvin felt he was missing.


    Just then, there was another knock at the open door, and everyone looked up. A woman stood there, tall and with a unique presence.


    J''s eyes lit up the moment he saw her. If it weren''t for everyone around, he''d have rushed over to greet her like a long-lost friend.


    Zane snapped back to reality and waved Mirabe in. ¡°Mirabe,e on in." If the DO Group folks hadn''t shown up, he would''ve sent Mirabe away, but now... Zane nced at J, who was staring at the door with a peculiar excitement, like seeing an old friend after ages. Zane found it odd.


    Mirabe walked in, ignoring J''s intense gaze, and nodded slightly at Zane. "Professor, you called for me?"


    Zane nced at Mr. Calvin, suddenly feeling more confident. "Yes, Mr. Monks came to the university to talk about a potential coboration."


    Calvin''s face went through several shades of embarrassment. Even though Zane didn''t mention the apology, it made him feel even more awkward.


    Mirabe shrugged, a hint ofziness in her eyes, as if she had expected this all along. "You guys can go ahead and talk."


    Zane looked at his student, who seemed unfazed even if the king himself walked in. Worried Mr. Monks might take offense, he cleared his throat and said, "You''ve been handling the main database, and Mr. Monks wants to chat with you."


    Mirabe finally looked at J. "What do you want to discuss?"


    J met her gaze; despite her youth, she had this powerful presence. His dad was still mad. J chuckled.


    ver


    awkwardly, ¡°... Whatever you want to talk about, we''ll talk about


    Mirabe: "."


    Their interaction was downright strange.


    Mirabe decided not to waste time and got straight to the point. "Did you bring the contract?"


    J turned to Joseph behind him. Joseph had been observing Mirabe and quickly opened his briefcase to pull out a prepped document.


    J skimmed through it and handed it to Mirabe. "Take a look. If it''s not right, I''l tweak it."


    Mirabe nodded, flipping through


    the page


    wet


    swiftly. In under a minute,


    she reached thest page.


    looked up at J. "The price


    low."


    "How about we double it?" J suggested without skipping a beat.


    Hearing this, Mirabe sighed inwardly at the extravagance, then handed the


    contract to Zane. "Professor, what do you think?"


    Zane took the contract, a bit


    bewildered, ncing between Mirabe and the document. He couldn''t quite wrap his head around how they''d jumped straight to signing a contract without much back and forth. As he read through it, the numbers left him stunned.

 Chapter 1555

    The price listed was definitely not on the low side; it was actually twice what Zane had initially imagined. Initially, he thought it would be around a million, but now, with the DO Group''s offer to double their initial bid, it was nearing eight million. Zane could hardly contain his excitement-it was electrifying.


    Seeing Zane''s dazed look, Mirabe called out, "Professor?"


    Zane snapped back to reality, cleared his throat, and tried to keep his cool. "Well, Mirabe, what do you think?"


    Sensing the moment, J quickly chimed in, "If that''s not enough, how about we double it again?"


    For J, it wasn''t about the money; he just needed to keep his dad happy.


    Zane gasped, hardly believing his ears. Was this for real?


    "Of course, this is just the starting fee. All future expenses will be covered by us," J reassured them.


    Zane''s mind was practically frozen. He instinctively nced at his student.


    A smile was already ying on Mirabe''s lips as she turned to J, "You mentioned wanting to talk about the big database earlier, right? I have a new n that''s even more detailed and refined than before."


    J was caught off guard, feeling unexpectedly honored.


    Soon enough, Mirabe was patientlyying out her n to J.


    Meanwhile, Calvin, who had taken the contract from Zane, was reading it intently. As he did, his face grew paler.


    Not only had the DO Group''s rep actively sought out coboration, but they had also willingly upped the offer multiple times. This was easily one of the biggest projects in recent years.


    Once pulled off, Zane''s reputation would surely skyrocket, especiallypared to Calvin''sckluster


    record over the past couple of years. A sense of urgency gnawed at Calvin.


    Zane cast a nce at Calvin, unaware of what he was thinking, and casually raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Calvin, do you still think my student and I need to apologize?"


    Calvin''s face twitched, and he eventually said, "Regardless, we need to exin things to Tech Center."


    He didn''t mention the apology again.


    Zane looked over at the DO Group''s rep chatting with Mirabe, then back at Calvin with a hint of sarcasm.


    "Mr. Calvin didn''t you hear Mr. Monks say this was all a big misunderstanding? If it was a misunderstanding, why should my student and I have to exin


    anything to Tech Center?"


    After a pause, Zane added, "However, I think it''s you, Mr. Calvin, who should be


    figuring out how to exin this to Tech Center."


    Calvin''s expression flickered, struggling to keep calm.


    He was the one who had leaked the DO Group''s project to Hank. If Hank found out the DO Group had approached the school with such a high offer... Calvin felt a chill, unable to imagine the fallout.


    Before long, J had Joseph print the revised documents, signed them effortlessly,


    and even asked Zane to add him on Messenger.


    Joseph, recalling the conversation with J in the car and J''s chat with Mirabe, realized J hadn''t been bluffing.


    After some thought, he bowed to Mirabe and apologized, "I''m sorry. It was my mistake that led to today''s mix-up. Please forgive my ignorance."


    Mirabe gave Joseph a curious look.

 Chapter 1556

    Mirabe got where they wereing from with the whole embarrassing situation; you know, those unspoken industry rules. But the attitude? Not so much. She lightly tapped her fingers on her knee, wondering if she really had a face that screamed "I''m super picky."


    "Well, since we''ve cleared things up, it''s all good," she said, waving it off, still feeling pretty upbeat.


    Even though Mirabe seemed chill about it, Joseph wouldn''t stop apologizing until J shot him a look that finally made him pause. Just as Joseph stepped aside, his phone buzzed. It was Hank. Joseph frowned, already knowing he''d probably have to quit when he got back. He ignored the call and blocked the number for good measure.


    Mirabe didn''t pay Joseph any mind. With the contract sorted, she got up, ready to head back to ss. But J stopped her, "Hey, how about grabbing lunch together?"


    Zane was about to put the contract away when he heard J asking his student out for lunch. He flinched and looked at J in disbelief. Was this guy interested in his student???


    While Zane''s imagination went wild, his student casually replied, "Do you really want to eat at the school cafeteria?"


    Zane: "!!!"


    J nced at Mirabe, having no problem with her suggestion. "Sure, but can you get me off your block list first?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and, without missing a beat, pulled out her phone, tapping a few times. "Done."


    J let out a sigh of relief and, pushing his luck, added, "Can you add me on Messenger too?"


    Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce, "Aren''t you a hacker? Why bother with all these ounts?"


    "I''m just worried you''ll block me again..." Jughed, a bit sheepishly.


    Mirabe chuckled softly and eventually showed him her Messenger QR code to


    scan.


    Zane, who''d been watching all this unfold, finally snapped back to reality and couldn''t help but ask, "Mirabe, do you and Mr. Monks... go way back?"


    Mirabe didn''t deny it, her voice calm as she replied with a simple "Yeah."


    So it was true!!


    Zane''s mind was blown. This news was even more jaw-dropping than finding out Mr. Monks was the big boss at DO Group. No wonder she wasn''t fazed when he first


    ve


    mentioned DO Group, and even when the Tech Center got involved, she stayed cool and dared to


    confront Mr. Monks in front of everyone, saying he wouldn''t dare


    demand an apology. It was all


    because they already knew each other!


    As Zane pieced it all together, he gave Mirabe a look that said, "You really kept this under wraps, huh?"


    Feeling the silent interrogation from Zane, Mirabe decided it was time to go, "Professor, we''ll head out now."


    Zane waved them off, a bit helplessly.


    In no time the office was just Zane


    and Calvin. Calvin''s mind was


    spinning. Realizing Mr. Monks and Mirabe were acquainted felt like a bolt of lightning on a clear day; he could hardly stand up straight.


    Just then, his phone rang, making him jump. It was Hank, turning to Calvin after not getting through to Joseph. But Calvin didn''t dare pick up, scared Hank might discover what had just gone down. He let the caffring out, feeling a tiny bit of relief but still deeply uneasy.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe didn''t actually take J to the cafeteria. Instead, they headed


    to a cozy restaurant just off-campus.

 Chapter 1557

    After they ordered their food, Mirabe poured herself a cup of coffee. Her porcin fingers wrapped around the cup gracefully, giving off a rxed and elegant vibe.


    Dn, sitting across from her, watched Mirabe intently. Even though it was their first official meeting, it felt like they''d known each other forever there was no awkwardness at all.


    With a grin, Dn finally broke the silence, "I always pictured you as a middle- aged guy in his forties."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with yful mischief, "Oh, really? Do you have something against women?"


    "Not at all, just caught off guard," Dn replied, clearing his throat as memories of the first generation of smart chip humans from a decade ago flooded back, stirring mixed emotions.


    His father was only around twenty now, meaning he was just ten back then. To have created suchplex programs at that age-his talent was just mind- blowing.


    They were ying in entirely different leagues.


    Pondering this, Dn asked, "With your amazingputing skills, why did you choose bioinformatics?"


    Wasn''t that a waste of her talent?


    Mirabe took a slow sip of her coffee, her confidence unshaken, "And how do you know I''m not even better at bioinformatics?"


    Dn''s lips twitched; she definitely had the same way of speaking as his father. "By the way, where are you from?" Mirabe switched topics casually.


    Dn recalled seeing Mirabe''s admission file at Prestige College and couldn''t hide his surprise, "Turns out we''re from the same city."


    "Is that so?" Mirabe had only ever chatted with Dn online; neither had ever snooped into the other''s private life.


    With the surname Montague being quite rare, Mirabe thought of Jenna and looked at Dn with a knowing smile, casually asking, "Does your family live at 116 Circle Avenue, by any chance?"


    Dn''s handsome face showed surprise at the address, "How''d you know that?"


    Mirabe smirked, "So, you really live there?"


    "Kind of," Dn nodded.


    Seeing his reaction, Mirabe had her suspicions confirmed.


    Jenna had mentioned introducing her cousin who worked inputing. It seemed like it was meant to be.


    Dn¡ªor J-stole a nce at Mirabe, wondering how his father knew so much. Was he interested in him? Had he looked him up on purpose?


    With these thoughts swirling, Dn found himself sitting up straighter and adjusting his cor. If you


    looked closely, his face was slightly


    flushed.


    If his father wanted to change the nature of their rtionship, he might actually be okay with that.


    Mirabe didn''t notice Dn''s


    change in demeanor, nor did sheet


    borate on her connection to


    Jenna. Soon, the food was served, and they ate at a leisurely pace.


    Afterward, Mirabe needed to head back to school.


    Dn walked her to the campus entrance. As they parted, he cleared his throat and said, "I''ll coordinate with your professor about the coboration project. There won''t be any more hups."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed, "Thanks."


    Dn nced awkwardly at the school gate and added, "I''m heading back to headquarters tomorrow."


    "Safe journey," Mirabe nodded, then added, "I''ll send something your wayter that you might find handy."


    Dn''s cheeks twitched, "Still calling me father? Aren''t you..."


    The rest of his words were too awkward to say out loud.

 Chapter 1558

    Mirabe gave Dn a gentle pat on the shoulder and said warmly, "Don''t worry, your dad''s already forgiven you." She stood tall, with a loving expression that carried a touch of parental authority.


    Dn was momentarily at a loss for words. "..."


    "Let''s get going," Mirabe said with a wave, then turned and walked into the school. Dn stayed put, watching until she waspletely out of sight.


    He thought to himself, if his dad was still his dad, then all those wild ideas he''d been having werepletely off base. Running a hand through his slightly curly hair, Dn felt a wave of relief that he hadn''t blurted out something outrageous. Otherwise, he might have been without a dad today!


    Joseph was waiting by the curb for Dn. As Dn got closer, Joseph opened the car door and asked, "Heading straight to the hotel? The regional managers are lined up for your video conference."


    Dn gave a nod, but a thought stopped him before getting in the car. He turned to Joseph and said, "Oh, by the way, here''s your chance to make things right."


    Joseph looked surprised, but then his eyes lit up. "Sure, what do you need?"


    Dn lowered his gaze and said, "Swing by the Tech Center and clear things up with Dr. Ray about the canceled coboration. We can''t let a few folks trying to steal others'' work mess up our rtionship with them, right?"


    Joseph quickly caught on to what Dn meant. "Got it. I''ll head over right away."


    He was already fuming at Hank, and this was his shot at redemption. If he messed this up, his career would be toast.


    Dn nodded, his expression now cool and detached, a stark difference from his earlier warmth with Mirabe. Trying to rip off his dad? That wouldn''t slide so easily.


    Dn smirked slightly, ducking into the car. Joseph joined him, and after dropping Dn at the hotel, he drove straight to the Tech Center without missing a beat.


    **


    At the Tech Center, Dane had just wrapped up a meeting when his secretary hurried over, speaking respectfully, "Dr. Ray, James is here, waiting in your office." Hearing this, Dane''s face lit up with a smile, and he waved the secretary off as he headed towards his office.


    The secretary, eager to ry more information, followed closely. "Also, Dr. Ray, Joseph from the DO Group is here to see you."


    Dane paused at the door, surprised, and turned to her. "They''re here for me? Did they say why?"


    The secretary shook her head. "They didn''t specify, just mentioned they wanted to apologize in person."


    Apologize?


    Dane was puzzled. As far as he knew, there weren''t any current projects with the DO Group. After a


    moment, he said, "Alright, keep them entertained for a bit. I''ll be there soon."


    "Understood," the secretary nodded and headed to the guest room.


    Dane redirected his curious gaze,


    pushed open his slightly ajar office door, and upon seeing James on sofa


    Why didn''t you drop me a


    message, James?"  fo


    James stood up, gave a slight nod, and said simply, "I was in the neighborhood."


    Dane raised an eyebrow, spotting a roll of blueprints on the coffee table. He walked over, picked it up, and skimmed through it, his smile widening.


    Rolling up the blueprints again, Dane asked James, "Are you busy this afternoon?"


    James, having overheard the earlier conversation, replied, "If you have things to handle, go ahead."


    Dane, not standing on ceremony, said, "Alright, hang tight for a bit. I shouldn''t be long."


    With that, he set down the blueprints and hurried out of the office once more.

 Chapter 1559

    Soon enough, Dane stepped into the reception room.


    Joseph stood up, giving Dane a polite nod. "Dane."


    Dane waved, motioning for Joseph to take a seat. He skipped the small talk and jumped right in. "What brings you here?"


    Joseph settled into his chair, pulled out a pre-prepared contract from his


    briefcase, and handed it over to Dane. As Dane flipped through it, Joseph began to exin the situation in a calm, measured tone.


    "...We didn''t anticipate the mix-up on our end, and we''re genuinely sorry about it. We felt it was important to clear things up with you."


    As Joseph spoke, Dane''s brow furrowed deeply. He set the document aside, admitting, "Honestly, I''m not entirely familiar with this issue."


    Joseph gave a small smile. "Dane, with everything you''ve got on your te, it''s understandable if you don''t have every detail at your fingertips."


    Dane thought for a moment and then suggested, "How about I get someone from the tech department to join us?"


    "Of course, it''s best to get everyone on the same page face-to-face." Joseph agreed, actually hoping Hank would be there too.


    Dane nodded, pulled out his phone, and called his secretary. After the call, he turned back to Joseph. "So you mentioned the project was already signed with a student team from Princeton University, right? But, as far as I know, the artificial life system''s data was part of a subsidiary project from our institute. Our team even filed for a patent. Princeton shouldn''t have the rights to use itmercially."


    Joseph responded, "I''m not familiar with the subsidiary project, but regarding the patent, I think you might be mistaken, Dane."


    "What do you mean?" Dane asked, puzzled.


    Joseph exined, "Princeton University filed the patent for the system. It was quite a coincidence, which is why we reached out to them initially."


    Joseph wasn''t twisting facts out of any grudge against Hank. Theirpany had been working on fourth-generation robots, and when they heard about the artificial life system from the patent office, they took a keen interest.


    Joseph had emailed Princeton University and shortly after, Hank had approached him, leading to the current situation.


    Looking back, Joseph realized he''d been Despite the patent being


    Weton, he''d trusted Hank''s


    that he could handle it.


    Now it was obvious that Hank wasn''t resolving anything; he was about to make a mess of everything.


    Joseph felt a chill of fear, grateful that his boss had given him another shot.


    Dane listened to Joseph, his brow furrowing once more.


    This didn''t match up with what he knew.


    A few days ago, when he''d brought up the patent with Hank, Hank had assured him it would be sorted


    But looking at Joseph, Dane


    knew he wouldn''t lie outright.


    There was definitely something fishy going on.


    Being in his position as Dr. Ray, Dane was adept at getting to the bottom of such issues.


    Just then, a knock on the door snapped Dane out of his thoughts.


    "Come in," he said.


    Hank soon walked in, not surprised but a bit puzzled to see Joseph sitting on the sofa.


    He''d already been informed by the secretary about Joseph''s visit.


    What Hank couldn''t wrap his head around was why Joseph, who''d


    been dodging his calls, sud


    showed up at the institute and wanted to see Dr. Ray.

 Chapter 1560

    Hank was feeling a bit rattled, but he quickly pulled himself together. After giving Joseph a polite nod, he turned to Dane and said, "Dr. Ray, you wanted to see me?"


    Dane pointed to the couch, exuding authority without even trying. "Have a seat."


    Hank muttered a quick acknowledgment and walked over to the couch. He sat down, sping his hands on his knees, his back straight as an arrow.


    "So what''s the deal with your department and Prestige University? Why''s there been a mix-up with Mr. Joseph?" Dane asked directly, his voice as calm and steady as ever.


    Hank was in the dark about Joseph''s current mood and what he might have told Dane. But one thing was clear: this was serious, and if he didn''t exin properly, things could get messy.


    After a moment''s thought, Hank stood up again and lowered his head slightly. "I''m sorry, Dr. Ray. I didn''t think this would make its way to you. I got so caught up in negotiating the deal that I overlooked keeping in touch with Prestige University, which led to this misunderstanding with Mr. Joseph."


    Joseph, hearing Hank''s vague attempt at an exnation, thought to himself that Hank was indeed clever, always knowing the right thing to say.


    But if Hank thought he could just sweep this under the rug, Joseph wasn''t about to let that happen easily.


    Joseph intertwined his fingers and sighed, "Actually, I should take some of the me here. When I first found out about the artificial life system being patented by Prestige University, I should''ve made sure you knew, Hank. That way, Prestige wouldn''t have jumped to the conclusion that your Tech Center was trying to swipe their work. I''m really sorry for that."


    After a pause, Joseph looked at


    Hank and added, "I know Hank well enough to say, even if it was for performance metrics, he wouldn''t stoop to taking credit for a bunch of students'' work."


    He finished with another soft sigh.


    By now, Hank''s face was a mix of red and pale, caught between embarrassment and frustration.


    Joseph''s words seemed to provide an exnation for Hank, but each piece of information was like a blow to him.


    A patent issue, an implication of stealing research.


    Dane had always been big on patents. Even though everything seemed good to go, Hank hadn''t expected Prestige University to beat him to it and secure the patent first.


    He thought he could handle it if he nailed down the contract with the DO Group, at least easing some of Dane''s dissatisfaction when he reported back. But now... not only was the project not nailed down, but it also caught Dane''s attention.


    C¨®ntent belongs to


    usations of research theft were super serious. If that got out, not only would


    their reputation take a hit, but all sorts of other problems could arise.


    Joseph''s words now implicated not just Hank, but the whole Tech Center.


    The more Hank thought about it, the more rmed he felt, his mind buzzing frantically, too scared to even nce at Dane''s expression.

 Chapter 1561

    Hank was feeling the heat. If he didn''t clear things up now, this misunderstanding was going to spiral out of control. "Dr. Ray, there''s been a mix-up. Actually..."


    Dane cut him off with a raised hand. "Let''s get to the point-what''s the deal with the patent?"


    Hank''s fingers fidgeted as he tried to figure out where Dane was headed with this. After a pause, he admitted, "The patent application didn''t go through."


    Dane''s eyes narrowed, locking onto Hank''s face. "Is it that the application didn''t go through, or has someone else already submitted it?"


    Even though Dane''s voice was calm, Hank couldn''t miss the edge in it. Realizing he couldn''t wiggle out of this, he came clean, "I didn''t expect Prestige College to beat us to it."


    Dane regarded Hank with a level gaze. "Hank, you''ve been with the institute for over twenty years. You should have a handle on some basic academic principles by now, right?"


    The head of the DO Group had dropped by today, supposedly to clear up the misunderstanding, but they were really looking for answers. This "misunderstanding" had put their Tech Center in an awkward spot.


    Hank''s face turned crimson. He wanted to exin further, "Dr. Ray, I..."


    Dane wasn''t in the mood for more excuses. He cut in, "I don''t need to spell out how serious it is to steal research. Figure out a way to handle the Prestige College situation."


    With that, Dane left the room without sparing Hank another nce.


    Hank sank back into the sofa, feeling drained. Dane hadn''t explicitly said how he''d be punished, but it was obvious Hank was now persona non grata.


    He''d been banking on the DO Group project to secure the open deputy director role for himself. Now, that dream was shattered.


    A wave of bitterness washed over Hank. It was all Calvin''s fault. If Calvin hadn''t brought up the DO Group, none of this would''ve happened.


    Hank''s eyes darkened. He was definitely going to settle this score with Calvin!


    Dane returned to his office, his mood still sour despite his attempts to keep it in check.


    "Professor, something on your mind?" James, who was already there, asked with


    rare concern.


    Dane let out a heavy sigh and dropped into his chair. "It''s just.


    those researchers... but forgetel


    too


    it''s


    embarrassing to even discuss."


    James raised an eyebrow but didn''t push for more details when he saw Dane''s reluctance.


    Dane picked up the blueprints and started discussing the main topic with James.


    After about half an hour, James nced at the clock and wrapped up their discussion.


    Dane, still wanting to talk, looked at his student with a hint of


    disappointment. "Leaving already? Didn''t you say you had the afternoon free?" .


    James stood up and nodded, his tone light: "Got to pick up my


    girlfriend. It''s about that timel t belongs to Shine


    Dane: "..."


    Was this kid unting his love life?


    ¡°Hold on, since when do you have a girlfriend?¡± Dane asked, genuinely surprised.

 Chapter 1562

    James noticed the surprised look on Dane''s face and said, "Having a girlfriend isn''t that unusual, right?"


    "For others, it''s normal," Dane blurted out. But for this student of his, it seemed quite unusual! He had once wondered if this guy might end up finding a boyfriend instead.


    James looked puzzled. "Huh?"


    Dane coughed and quickly changed the subject, "So, is your girlfriend from one of those prestigious Riverdale families? Would the professor know her?"


    "She''s still a student, so you probably wouldn''t know her," James paused for a moment. "But interestingly, your marine engineering department has a joint project with her school."


    Dane''s expression turned curious, "Your girlfriend goes to Prestige College?"


    The marine engineering department only had a few joint projects, and since there was only one coboration with a school, it wasn''t hard to guess.


    "Yeah," James nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Why, is there a problem?"


    "No..." Dane averted his gaze, feeling a bit guilty. What a coincidence.


    Fortunately, he hadn''t mentioned anything about Hank earlier. If James found out his girlfriend might have been wronged, it might be tough to get him to cooperate again in the future.


    "Alright, you should get going. I won''t take up more of your time," Dane waved him off, signaling for him to leave.


    James gave him a curious look.


    Dane pretended not to notice the student''s gaze, picked up the blueprints, and continued his study, already contemting how to address the Hank issue.


    At school, Zane was quite surprised when Hank called to apologize personally. In the morning, it had been the head of the DO Group apologizing, and now in the


    vel


    afternoon, it was someone from the Tech Center... Was today national apology day?


    Hank and Calvin werepletely different. Zane could argue with Calvin, but he didn''t dare to with Hank. He simply said, "Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, you don''t need to be too hard ono yourself. Besides, the DO Group already signed the contract with our school this morning, so there''s no issue of loss."


    Hank hadn''t known about this and felt quite uneasy when he heard that the contract was signed in the morning. He recalled trying to call Calvin earlier, who didn''t pick up, clearly guilty.


    Hank''s dislike for Calvin grew even more. After ending the call with Zane, he decided to call Mr. Belcher from the department.


    Meanwhile, Zane, after hanging up, immediately sent Mirabe a few messages on Messenger, sharing the news of Hank''s apology with her.


    Mirabe had just gotten into the car when she received Zane''s message, feeling a bit surprised as she hadn''t expected an apology from the Tech Center She quickly thought of Dn and figured it might be thanks to her clumsy son.


    Just then, her phone rang with an iing call. It was her friend ze.


    Mirabe sat up straight and answered, "Hey, ze."


    "Mira, are you still at school? I''m inviting you to dinner tonight, and I have something to discuss with you." ze had just finished up and was heading to the parking lot.


    "Oh, I just left school," Mirabe replied.


    "I''ve been so busy, I forgot to text you in advance," ze said, sounding a bit frustrated with himself.


    "No worries, I don''t have much nned for tonight. Just tell me where to meet, and I''ll head over." Mirabe nced at the man driving next to her and added, "By the way, I''m with a friend right now."


    "Bring your friend along!" ze, being the single social butterfly he was, didn''t mind at all. Mira''s friend was probably a greatpany too.

 Chapter 1563

    After hanging up the phone, Mirabe turned to James. "My friend invited me to dinner. Want to tag along?"


    James''s eyes got a bit more intense at the mention of a friend. He nodded, not turning down the invite but asked with curiosity, "When did you make a new friend?"


    Mirabe let out a sigh, a mix of happiness and a touch of sadness. "Honestly, I''ve gained not just a friend but also a professor."


    James''s lips twitched slightly. "Having a mentor in college isn''t a bad gig, right?"


    "You just don''t get it. It''s like a fish losing its sense of fun," Mirabe replied, leaningzily against the car door like a sly little fox.


    "Isn''t your fun all about making money?" James knew her habits better than she did.


    "Money''s just a thing. You''ve got to enjoy life while you can," Mirabe defended herself earnestly. "But yeah, having some savings is definitely wise."


    James raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by her low-key brag.


    Soon enough, they arrived at the restaurant ze had mentioned.


    They had just settled in when ze walked in.


    Seeing a handsome, charismatic guy beside Mirabe instead of the girl he had pictured, ze''s tiny hope fizzled out.


    "Hey, this is my friend, James," Mirabe introduced them quickly.


    ze thought the name sounded familiar but couldn''t ce it. He asked outright, "Hey, are you from our school too?"


    Bro?


    James''s face darkened. Didn''t he look way younger than this guy?


    Mirabe let out an unkind chuckle next to him.


    James shot her a look, and she quickly stifled herughter, though her lips stayed upturned.


    James: "..."


    "Nope," James replied tly.


    ze, not getting the hint, continued, "Your name rings a bell. Thought you were from our school."


    James just took a sip of his coffee.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe asked, "So, you said you had something to talk about. What''s going on?"


    "There''s an academic conferenceing up, and our team has a spare spot. It''s a rare chance. Want to join us, Mira?" ze asked


    Mirabe, no longer trying to


    remember where he''d hear ant


    James''s name.


    It sounded like a dull, tedious event to Mirabe. Without a second thought, she declined, "Thanks, but I probably don''t have the credentials for such a conference, so I don''t want to take up a spot."


    ze hade in with high hopes, thinking Mira, being so agreeable, would


    surely say yes. Her refusal caught him off guard.


    Quickly regaining hisposure, he continued to persuade, "It''s a team event, so you''re not taking anyone''s spot. Plus, the calction problem you helped us solve the other day is the theme of this conference so you''re more than qualified.


    Mirabe immediately thought of Dr. Elliot, who had insisted she visit theb that day. It seemed he had secretly set her up for this.


    "Sorry, buddy, our biology department has a research project on, and I probably won''t have the time. You can ask our department professor if you want to check."


    Mirabe shook her head again.


    Seeing her reluctance, ze''s face fell. He had bragged about this to the professor, and now, if he couldn''t deliver, he''d be in a real pickle!

 Chapter 1564

    "But Mira, the conference is packed with international big shots. It''d be a real shame if you didn''t go," ke insisted, hoping his persistence would eventually sway her.


    "That''s exactly why I can''t go and embarrass everyone," Mirabe repliedzily, nodding to humor him.


    ke was momentarily left speechless: "!!!"


    Mirabe chuckled, casually grabbing the coffee pot and topping off ke''s cup before smoothly changing the subject.


    Realizing he wasn''t making any headway, ke decided to drop the topic for now.


    After dinner, Mirabe and James headed out together.


    ke sat in his car for a bit, not starting the engine, instead pulling out his phone to fire off a message in their group chat.


    [Mira actually turned down the conference invite!!]


    The group had been set up ages ago by Elliot, and it only included a select few students. Mirabe wasn''t in it yet, mostly to keep the other students'' confidence intact.


    Elliot, seeing ke''s message, wasn''t surprised. He remembered the effort it took to convince her to pick up a second major.


    Patrick chimed in: [Do you think Mira''s just shy about going to such a big international event?]


    Elliot, lurking in the chat, rolled his eyes. Shy? More likezy.


    ke replied: [Nah, she really doesn''t seem interested.]


    Patrick: [There''s still time to sign up. Don''t rush it; just keep trying.]


    ke: [I''ll have to find another way.]


    Patrick: [Don''t forget the promises you made to the professor. Good luck.]


    ke: [......]


    He felt like the camaraderie in their group was already on thin ice.


    Running a hand through his hair, ke typed another message: [By the way, Mira brought a friend today. He seemed familiar, like his name was James. I swear I''ve heard of him somewhere.] ''


    Patrick: [Yeah, sounds vaguely familiar.] Though he couldn''t quite ce it.


    ke: [I suspect this guy might have something in mind for Mira!]


    Elliot, who''d been about to put his phone down, paused when he saw ke mention James. He quickly sent a voice message to the group: [Does he seem distinguished, and is he very good-looking?]


    Both ke and Patrick were startled by their usually silent professor suddenly springing to life.


    ke touched the tip of his nose, hastily replying: [Yeah, he seems pretty aloof. Professor, do you know him?]


    Dr. Elliot: [Nope.]


    The reply came almost instantly.


    ke found it hard to believe his professor''s denial, given his earlier reaction. But when he sent more messages trying to dig deeper, Elliot stayed silent, like he''d never said a word.


    ke: "."


    *


    Meanwhile, in the car, Mirabe got a message from Dr. Elliot.


    [Mirabe, do you know Dane''s student?]


    Mirabe read it, first responding with a question mark, then followed up with: [Who''s Dane?]


    Dr. Elliot: [He''s Dr. Ray from the Tech Center, and his student''sst name is Monroe.]


    Mirabe blinked and nced at the man driving, asking, "Is Dr. Ray from the Tech Center your professor?"


    "Hmm?" James was puzzled by her sudden question but nodded. "Yeah, why?"


    "No reason, just curious," Mirabe said, returning her gaze to her phone and sending Elliot a simple ''yes.''


    Seeing her response, Elliot snorted, then typed: [Mirabe, you''re still young with plenty of choices. Don''t get fooled by appearances.]

 Chapter 1565

    Dane, that old fox, always loved showing off his prot¨¦g¨¦ whenever he got the chance. Now that Dr. Elliot had finally snagged a standout student, thest thing he wanted was for them to get poached by Dane''s crew. That would really sting!


    Sure, Dane''s prot¨¦g¨¦ was impressive, but Dr. Elliot couldn''t shake his irritation. He fired off a few more texts to Mirabe, clearly agitated.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, sensing her professor''s strong aversion to James.


    "You''re giving me a weird look," James said, ncing over at Mirabe, who was sizing him up.


    Mirabe had already stashed her phone, leaning casually against the doorframe, propping her chin on her hand with an easygoing demeanor. She let out a soft sigh, "Good-looking people always seem to grab more attention."


    "That doesn''t exactly sound like apliment," James quipped, lifting an


    eyebrow.


    "Why wouldn''t it be? I''m being totally sincere!" Mirabe defended herself without missing a beat.


    James just chuckled, deciding not to call her out on it.


    **


    The next day at the university, Calvin had spent a sleepless night worrying about the DO Group mess. Relieved Hank hadn''t rung him again, he was instead summoned by Mr. Belcher.


    When he walked into the office, Mr. Belcher''s expression was anything but friendly.


    Calvin felt a knot in his stomach, "Mr. Belcher, you wanted to see me?"


    Mr. Belcher grabbed a pen from his desk and chucked it at Calvin, almost giving himself a heart attack after Hank''s callst night, "You''ve got some nerve messing with the Tech Center like that!"


    As soon as he heard the mention of the Tech Center, Calvin realized why Mr. Belcher looked so upset. He bent down to retrieve the pen from the floor.


    After a moment, he exined, "I''m really sorry, I didn''t expect the head of the DO Group to be acquainted with Zane''s student, which led to this whole misunderstanding."


    Calvin had spent the night


    wondering how it was possible that Zane''s student knew the head of the DO Group. At the Tech Center, they acted like strangers, but back at the university, they were suddenly best buds. It seemed too fishy not to be a setup.


    Calvin suspected Zane had orchestrated the whole thing, making Mirabe put on


    a show at the Tech Center, leading to Hank''s misunderstanding and now Mr.


    Belcher''s lecture.


    Such intricate scheming.


    With this in mind, Calvinid out his suspicions.


    He wasn''t going to take the fall for this one.


    Mr. Belcher listened and then let out a dryugh, "So you think you got set up too? Then exin why the DO Group initially contacted our


    department''s professor but


    vel.r


    switched to dealing with the Tech Center halfway through?"


    Calvin''s face tightened.


    "Cat got your tongue?" Mr. Belcher knew Calvin''s type all too well, and it wasn''t hard to guess his motives.


    He figured Calvin''s real aim was to butter up Hank while undermining the


    department''s professors out of envy.


    In the end, his scheming backfired on him.


    Mr. Belcher shook his head, tired of Calvin''s excuses, saying simply, "Alright, off


    you go. When you get back, hand over your work. The maintenance department would be more fitting for you."


    Calvin''s face went ashen at those words.


    The maintenance department was where folks got sent to do the grunt work around campus. After all these years of being a department head and making life difficult for students and professors, if he was demoted to the maintenance department, he''d not only be the butt of everyone''s jokes but would also face an incredibly tough road ahead.

 Chapter 1566

    Calvin felt a chill creep up from his toes as he faced Mr. Belcher, his voice edged with desperation. "Mr. Belcher, please, just give me one more chance. I''ll go apologize to Hank right now."


    "It''s toote for that," Mr. Belcher replied, a slight curl at the corner of his mouth, his tone utterly devoid of emotion.


    Calvin tried to interject, "But the whole Tech Center thing, you know¡ª"


    Mr. Belcher cut him off sharply, "Enough, Calvin. Last year, when that giarism scandal hit your department, I gave you a shot. Your repeated inability to handle things right has brought this on yourself."


    Really? He thought he could just shift the me?


    Mr. Belcher looked away, not even bothering to nce back at Calvin.


    Seeing Mr. Belcher''s cold demeanor, Calvin realized there was no room for negotiation at all. It wasn''t just about the demotion; it was more about Mr. Belcher needing to cut him loose to keep his ties with the Tech Center intact.


    Calvin walked out of the office, feeling utterly crushed.


    As he reached the elevator, the doors opened perfectly on cue, and he looked up to find Zane standing there.


    Calvin paused, a thought crossing his mind. As Zane stepped out of the elevator, Calvin suddenly asked, "Did Mr. Belcher call you over?"


    Zane stood tall, feeling a sense of vindication since his student had finally brought him some recognition the day before. "Yeah, why? Is there a problem?"


    Calvin tightened his fists at his sides, a storm of emotions brewing in his eyes. So Mr. Belcher had ditched him to promote Zane, huh?


    As the elevator doors began to close, Calvin swallowed his bitterness, casually pressing the button beside him, and replied lightly, "No problem."


    With that, he stepped into the elevator, his steps a bit quicker than usual.


    Zane turned, casting a curious nce at Calvin. Not unting his position today, huh?


    In the past, Calvin would often strut around like he owned the ce because of his department head status.


    Zane shrugged it off and headed to Mr. Belcher''s office.


    **


    nyeget


    The week flew by, and by Friday afternoon, Mirabe was driving pick up Cassie from school. Although he boarded there, he had weekends off.


    "How was it?" Mirabe asked, tossing his suitcase into the car more out of habit than genuine curiosity.


    "Kinda boring," Cassie grumbled, standing by the car door and watching his sister. "Sis, maybe I shouldn''t go to school."


    The rules were even stricter than at home!


    Mirabe closed the trunk and, as she walked back, simply patted his shoulder.


    "Try sleeping with an extra pillow tonight."


    With that, she got into the driver''s seat.


    Cassie let out a dramatic sigh and hopped into the car.


    Halfway through their drive, Mirabe got a call from Collins.


    Collins was in Riverdale on a business trip and had brought her something, suggesting they meet up for dinner.


    Mirabe didn''t turn him down, and they arranged to meet at a restaurant.


    When they arrived, Collins was already there. "Hey, little sister."


    Mirabe gave a slight nod. "Collins, it''s been a while."


    Collins smiled, but then his gazended on t the handsome young man with Mirabe, and he couldn''t tear


    his away. "And who might this be?"


    Noticing Collins''s expression, like he''d just discovered a hidden gem Mirabe felt a headacheing on. She could only say, exasperated, "Gollins, my brother is tone-deaf."


    In other words, don''t even think about it.

 Chapter 1567

    Collins couldn''t help but marvel at Cassie''s features, thinking to himself that this face was just made for Hollywood stars.


    He waved a hand at Mirabe and said with a grin, "Who cares if you''re tone- deaf? A good-looking face opens all the doors."


    Mirabe just rolled her eyes, "..."


    "Hey there," Collins continued, "have you ever thought about bing a star in the entertainment world?"


    As he spoke, Collins fished a business card from his pocket and handed it over with great enthusiasm. "Join me, and I promise you''ll be a top star in no time- give it three years!"


    Cassie stood there, staring at the card and the overzealous man, unsure if he should take it or not. Before he could make up his mind, Mirabe had already snatched the card from his hand.


    "He''s really not interested, Collins," Mirabe said with a sigh.


    If their family head found out she led Cassie into showbiz, she could expect a stern talking-to, or maybe even worse.


    "Seriously, no interest?" Collins looked genuinely bummed out.


    "I actually..." Cassie started, but Mirabe''s stern look shut him up.


    "He''s about to start his senior year in high school. There''s no time for this stuff," Mirabe said, pulling out a chair and sitting down.


    Collins let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah, I guess a career in entertainment could mess with his studies."


    Though a bit disappointed, he didn''t push it any further.


    Cassie, hearing Collins''st remark, perked up a bit. Not having to study sounded pretty good to him.


    As Collins poured himself some coffee, he suddenly paused, looking puzzled. "Hold on, howe Leo never mentioned he had a brother?"


    His eyes darted between Mirabe and Cassie. They did share a simr vibe, he thought.


    "Just a distant cousin," Mirabe said, using her go-to excuse.


    Collins nodded, buying the story, and handed Mirabe a paper bag he''d picked up from a chair nearby. This is Leo''s new album. He specifically asked me to give it to you


    Mirabe nodded, "Leo busy these days?"


    Collins took a sip of his coffee and nodded, "Yeah, he''s been jet-setting everywhere for gigs and appearances."


    "Young folks should hustle while they can," Mirabe mused.


    Collins raised an eyebrow, "If Leo had your drive, he''d probably be raking in double by now."


    Hearing this, Mirabe suddenly found her coffee a bit hard to swallow.


    Collins didn''t catch her reaction and turned his attention back to Cassie. "From my experience, if your brother got into the entertainment biz, with a bit of luck, he''d be a big deal."


    Luck...


    ¨¨t


    Mirabe''s face twitched, and she turned to Cassie, her tone serious "How out we arrange for you to


    take a break from school


    §à§Û


    tomorrow?"


    Cassie: "???"

 Chapter 1568

    Mirabe cleared her throat, "Just kidding, but seriously, keep hitting the books."


    Cassie replied, "Oh."


    It was no surprise; his sister seemed to love money more than she loved him.


    Collins, who knew Mirabe''s ways quite well, gave her a sideways nce. Why did he get the feeling she wasn''t really joking?


    After dinner, Mirabe gave Cassie a ride back home. They''d found him a ce not too far from his school.


    In the car, Cassie, feeling a bit restless, pulled out his phone. He fiddled with it for


    a moment, opened Messenger, and decided to add a new friend by entering a string of numbers.


    Once the search result popped up, he sent a friend request. It wasn''t long before it got epted.


    Seeing this, Cassie''s eyes lit up, and he dove into a conversation right away. Mirabe had one hand resting on the open window, the other on the steering wheel, as the night breeze brought in the chill of early spring.


    After a moment, she withdrew her hand to roll up the window, her gaze lingering on the rearview mirror for a second before she calmly pushed the button on the car door.


    They drove along for a while, and Cassie nced out the window. Thanks to his sharp memory, he noticed they were heading in the wrong direction.


    "Sis, where are we going?" Cassie blinked, ncing at Mirabe, who had said they were heading home.


    Mirabe''s expression didn''t change. After passing another car, she finally said, "You''ll have to catch a cab from here."


    Cassie blurted out, "What? You''re not taking me home?"


    "I''ve got some stuff to handle," Mirabe replied, not offering any further details.


    She nced in the rearview mirror again and soon pulled over to the side, "Out you go."


    Cassie shot his sister a look of mock betrayal. Women, he thought, could be so heartless!


    Reluctantly, he stepped out of the car. As soon as the door closed, Mirabe drove off without any hesitation.


    Watching his sister''s car fade away, Cassie thought, "Really?"


    So love does fade. She didn''t seem worried at all about him, this charming young man, possibly getting into trouble.


    Cassie sighed, standing there by the roadside like a little wolf cub left behind.


    **


    Mirabe took a spin around the outer ring road before easing the car to a stop at


    a construction site near the river.


    This area was still under


    development, so it was pretty


    deserted. The streetlight


    were


    and far between, casting a sparse and dim light.


    It looked empty and cold.


    Mirabe parked at the end of the road, where she couldn''t go any further. After a few quiet moments, she unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car.


    Just as she did, a van rolled up, its blinding headlights illuminating Mirabe''s car.


    The van came to a stop, and six or seven hefty guys, who definitely didn''t look like they were there for a friendly chat, got out.


    Mirabe leanedzily against the car door, her head slightly bowed Once all the men were out, she tilted her head, her expression eerity calm in the dim night.


    The man leading the pack squinted at her. He raised his hand to signal caution to the others and slowly began to close in on Mirabe.


    "You knew we were tailing you the whole time?" the leader asked, his tone matter- of-fact.


    He wasn''t dumb. Picking such a deserted spot meant she was waiting for them on purpose.


    Mirabe straightened up, her gaze sweeping over the group, and shrugged, "Kind of hard to miss."

 Chapter 1569

    The leader of the group was a bit taken aback this time. Their target was different than usual. But in the end, she was just a young woman. Besides a touch of caution, he wasn''t too worried about capturing her.


    Cutting to the chase, he asked, "Are youing with us nicely, or do we have to persuade you? Just so you know, it might get rough if we do."


    "Who sent you?" Mirabe asked casually, her fingers slowly rolling up her sleeves.


    The man let out a smallugh, "In our business, we don''t ask for names."


    Mirabe shook her head in mock sympathy, ¡°That''s tough luck for you, not even knowing who''s pulling your strings."


    The man furrowed his brow, confused by her words.


    Before he could give it more thought, in the blink of an eye, the girl who had been standing a ways off was suddenly right in front of him.


    Startled, he heard her voice, calm and steady, "Let me teach you something: not knowing who hired you could be a fatal mistake."


    Mirabe smirked, and with a quick, precise move, she jabbed a silver needle she carried into a point on the man''s back. He hit the ground before he could even react.


    Seeing this, the rest of the group looked shocked but quickly sprang into action, attacking Mirabe with everything they had, their movements aggressive and desperate.


    Five minutester, Mirabe calmly rolled her sleeves back down, ncing dismissively at the men now sprawled out on the ground.


    Completely useless, she thought. How do they even justify their jobs?


    Mirabe clicked her tongue in irritation, headed back to her car, and grabbed her phone from the console to check the time. She noticed a missed call from Nick earlier.


    Surprised, she started the engine and gave him a call back.


    The line connected quickly.


    "Hey, Nick, what''s going on?" Mirabe asked, her tone sweet and lighthearted.


    Nick replied, "Hey, Mirabe, are you over at James'' ce now?"


    "Nope, I just finished dinner with Leo''s manager and am heading back," Mirabe answered truthfully.


    Nick raised an eyebrow, "What did Leo''s manager want with you?"


    "Leo sent him with something for me. By the way, are you done with work? When are youing back?" she inquired.


    "I just got home," Nick said, sitting on the couch and rubbing his temples, looking visibly worn out.


    Hearing this, Mirabe assured him she''d be back soon and hung up the phone.


    Nick set his phone down, leaned back, and closed his eyes for a bit. Then, remembering something, he opened his eyes, picked up a nearby folder, and his expression turned serious.


    Why were those people digging into Mirabe''s background?


    Nick couldn''t figure it out. After a moment, he got up, went outside to the garden, pulled out a lighter, and burned the documents from the folder.


    Once the ashes were cleaned up, he headed back inside.


    Not long after, Mirabe arrived home.


    Nick was waiting for her, "I heard from Marian that your brother from back home is here now."


    "Yeah, he came over for school," Mirabe replied, her demeanor rxed.


    Nick nced at her but didn''t push¡¢


    for


    vel?


    "talls, simply suggesting


    ve dinner together


    "Sure thing." Mirabe nodded, then asked, "By the way, how''s Chester doing? Is


    he alright?"

 Chapter 1570

    "His health''s really picked uptely, thanks to your amazing herbal remedies," Nick remarked, reminiscing about the past. He added with a hint of curiosity, "You haven''t met Chester yet, but I bet he''d really take to you."


    Otherwise, he wouldn''t have taken the medicine Mirabe brought along.


    Nick sighed inwardly. Ever since Nellie passed, Chester had been like a shell of his former self,pletely neglecting his health. Sometimes Nick thought that if it weren''t for his sense of duty and revenge, Chester might not have made it this far. But now, seeing Chester care about his well-being was a promising sign.


    With these thoughts swirling, Nick nced over at his sister, a mix of feelings washing over him. Despite her enigmatic nature, since she''de home, subtle yet significant changes had been happening-changes none of the brothers could''ve managed.


    Unaware of Nick''s musings, Mirabe cupped her face with her hands and replied with confidence, "You know what they say, good looks are always likable."


    Nick couldn''t help but chuckle, wondering which side of the family she got her boldness from. Shaking his head, he shifted gears, "I''ll get As to arrange a few folks to keep an eye on you for a bit."


    "Hmm?" Mirabe looked at Nick, surprised he was already clued in about tonight''s incident.


    "I''m just worried aboutst year''s fiasco happening again," Nick referred to the time she was kidnapped at the airport.


    Mirabe caught on, calmly dismissing his concern, "No need, Nick. It won''t happen again."


    Nick hesitated but eventually let it drop. "Alright then, just be careful."


    "I will, Nick," Mirabe said, hershes slightly lowered, concealing her true feelings.


    She knew she had things to handle, and she''d been ready.


    The two didn''t chat much longer and soon retreated to their rooms.


    After taking a shower, Mirabe stepped out with wet hair, still dripping. As she towel-dried her hair, she thought of Cassie and reached for her phone.


    She dialed his number.


    The call connected quickly. Mirabezily slid open the ss door and stepped onto the balcony. "Home yet?"


    Cassie, on the other end, didn''t answer right away. He nced at the clock on his phone.


    It had been two hours and ten minutes since his sister had ditched him, and only now did she ask if he''d made it home. If something bad pened, it would''ve been toote.


    Love sure does fade.


    Cassie grumbled, "I''m amazed you even remembered me."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, casually teaning on the balcony


    railing, her eyes on the distant


    view "Did you bring a lot of medicine with you this time?"  fo


    "Why do you want to know?" Cassie shot back, defensive. "I didn''t bring any!"


    Mirabe: "..."


    "...I don''t want yours. What''s with the big fuss?" Mirabe retorted, feeling a bit exasperated.


    Cassie remained on guard, "You know how tightfisted you are."


    Mirabe: "..."


    Some people just belong on the blocked list.


    "Alright, get some sleep. I''m hanging up," Mirabe said, not wanting to drag the conversation out, and ended the call.


    She had forgotten that Cassie


    seemed to have a charmed


    life-mess with him, and you''re the


    one who ends up unlucky. Better to pity those who tried to harm him than to worry about his safety.

 Chapter 1571

    Cassie listened to the dial tone on the phone,pletely bewildered. It wasn''t like


    his sister to hang up without trying to get something out of him first. Scratching his head, he thought for a moment before pulling his suitcase out from under the bed.


    When he unzipped it, he found a stash of bottles tucked at the bottom-at least a dozen of them. With a reluctant sigh, he carefully picked out three that were the least potent. Lining them up on the table, he snapped a photo and sent it to Mirabe via Messenger: "These are the only three I''ve got. If you want them, I can spare you at most two! "


    Mirabe heard the Messenger ping twice. Standing in the cool night breeze, she took a moment before opening the message. A small smile crept onto her lips after reading it. Though most of the time that rascal was full of it, at least he had a tiny shred of decency.


    "Keep them with you, and I''ll hit you up when I need them."


    Cassie shook his head, muttering to himself about how his sister was a master at getting her way. She even wanted him to carry them around all the time!


    Mirabe put away her phone and headed back to her room. After drying her hair, she didn''t go to bed but instead reopened herptop. The group that had been tailing her tonight was nothing special, just the usual hired guns who''d do anything for a paycheck. Clearly, their employer wasn''t one of those big international


    yers.


    Overseas, Summer was leaning against the wall, slowly making her way out of Professor Joen''sb. Her face was ghostly pale, her lipscking any color. Her legs were shaky, barely able to support her. She leaned against the wall for a couple of minutes until the numbness began to fade, and she started to feel human again.


    Behind her, Joen came out of theb with a stack of printouts. Spotting Summer still nearby, he surprisingly offered a rare kind word. "I''ll give you a few days off. Go home, rest up, and take care of yourself."


    Summer looked at Joen, feeling no gratitude. She knew his concern was just for show. No one in thisb was normal, after all. She gave a slight nod, hiding any trace of dissatisfaction, "Thank you, Professor."


    Joen, absorbed in his reports,


    nodded and walked on. After a few steps, something seemed to ur to him, and he turned back to


    Foel.ne


    Summer. "Oh, I forgot to tell you, thetest issue of SCI just came out. A friend sent me a copy. If you want it, you can grab it from my assistant."


    Those words finally brought a glimmer to Summer''s eyes, and she nodded in agreement. Academic papers are like milestones, marking personal growth and strength, especially in a prestigious journal like SCI, which holds international acim.


    Taking a deep breath, Summer felt that her hard work over the past year was finally about to pay off, proving she was just as capable as anyone else. It wasn''t long before she reached Joen''s assistant''s office.


    Joen''s assistant, having received a text from Joen, was prepared for her visit. He handed her the journal with a smile and congratted her, "Summer, you''re really something. It''s no wonder you''re Dr. Joen''s student."


    Hearing hispliment, Summer didn''t immediately look at the journal in her hands. Instead, she offered a humble smile, "You''re too kind. It''s all thanks to my professor''s guidance."


    The assistant smiled back, and after a brief chat, he returned to his work. Summer finally lowered her gaze to the journal. Professor Joen had mentioned that her paper would be featured on the cover of this issue.

 Chapter 1572

    Summer was sure her paper deserved to be on the cover. But when she spotted the bold headline, her smile vanished. This wasn''t her paper''s theme.


    She nced over at Professor Joen''s assistant nearby and headed his way. "I think there''s been a mix-up with the journal," she said.


    The assistant stopped what he was doing. "No way! This is the right one. I flipped through it before you arrived, and your paper is definitely in there."


    Summer felt a jolt of surprise. The assistant, noticing her skepticism, grabbed the journal, flipped a couple of pages, and held it up. "Look, this one''s yours."


    Her eyesnded on the open journal. Sure enough, her paper was right there.


    "Being the second article shows just how important your work is," he remarked with admiration. He wasn''t just trying to butter her up; getting published in a journal like this was a big deal. No wonder Dr. Joen had taken on another student.


    But Summer was too caught up in the fact that her paper wasn''t on the cover to appreciate thepliment. A week back, she had casually asked her professor about it. He was tight with the journal''s editor. How did her paper not make the cover?


    Standing there, Summer felt dazed. She took back the journal, still feeling a bit off, and without a word, left the office. The assistant watched her go, confused. A paper in such a top-tier journal, yet she didn''t look pleased?


    *


    Summer rode the elevator up to the eleventh floor, where Joen''s office was. "What''s up?" Joen asked, puzzled to see her again.


    Summer pressed her lips together, trying to hold back her disappointment. She handed Joen the journal and quietly asked, "Professor, have you seen this issue yet?"


    ?


    Joen, who spent most of his time buried in Tab work, only asionally nced at academic journals. He took the journal. "I haven''t had a chance. Is there a problem?"


    Summer''s grip tightened on her fingers, staying silent. Joen noticed the cover analysis and, flipping through, was surprised to see Summer''s paper listed second.


    Understanding why Summer came to him, he cleared his throat. "Looks like they made ast-minute change, putting your paper second."


    "But... you said it would be first, didn''t you?" Summer knew she shouldn''t be confronting Joen, but she couldn''t help it. It felt like her rightful recognition had been swiped away. Who wouldn''t be upset?


    "The editor did mention that earlier..." Joen casually browsed through the first article. Although bioinformatics wasn''t his main field, he knew enough to get the gist. The first


    article was basic but had highly


    directional content, exining its top spot.


    "Summer, it''s not that you''re not outstanding. It''s just that this issue happened to


    feature a particrly unique article," Joen exined.

 Chapter 1573

    Joen''s message was clear: it was just in bad luck. Summer hadn''t even bothered with the first paper. She was already seething and feeling wronged after leaving her assistant, so focusing on reading was out of the question. Joen''s exnation only added to the heaviness in her chest, like she was carrying an invisible burden.


    What special article? They seemed like nothing more than excuses to sideline her. Noticing Summer''s frustration, Joen put the journal down and asked, "You haven''t checked out the first paper yet, have you?"


    Summer wanted to snap back, "What''s there to read?" But she held her tongue, not wanting to be impertinent in front of Joen. Instead, she muttered, "I skimmed it, didn''t really dive in."


    "Well, give it a proper look. Once you do, you''ll see why it''s at the top," Joen suggested, tapping his fingers on the table.


    Summer shot Joen a look before finally picking up the journal. But before she could even get to the main text, the author''s name below the title stopped her cold.


    Mirabe?


    Could it just be someone with the same name, or was it the Mirabe she knew? Summer wanted to dismiss the idea that it was her old rival, but remembering how Mirabe had always been in the spotlight since high school only fueled her frustration.


    She had zero interest in reading the paper. Instead, she turned to Joen and asked, "Professor, could I ask for a favor?"


    "Hmm?" Joen leaned back slightly in his chair.


    "Could you help me find out where this paper came from, through the SCI database?" Summer was anxious to get to the bottom of it.


    Joen gave her a curious look.


    Summer''s eyes darted as she exined, "I''ve seen something like this before and need to confirm if someone I know wrote it."


    Joen''s brow furrowed slightly, but he took out his phone to call a friend at SCI. The call connected quickly.


    "Yes, could you check the author of this paper for me?" Joen hung up and waited for his friend to dig up the details.


    Within minutes, his phone buzzed with a message.


    It was from his friend. Joen opened it and handed it to Summer. "The author''s from your country, a student in the biology department at Prestige College."


    Summer''s eyes flickered with a whirlwind of emotions. It really was that Mirabe! Back in high school she always seemed to overshadow her. Now, even though they were at different universities, their papers ended up in the same journal issue. Even the most over-the-top TV dramas couldn''te up with something this annoying.


    Right then, Summer''s resentment hit a boiling point.


    Joen''s voice broke through her thoughts, "Is this someone you know?"


    Summer bit her lip and nodded, "Yes."


    "That''s quite a coincidence," Joenmented.


    Summer lowered hershes to hide.


    ?


    the envy and resentment in her eyes, and with a tense voice, she said, "Professor, she''s that ''special someone'' I''ve told you about before."


    Joen''s expression shifted slightly, "You mean she..."


    "Yes, you might discover something unusual if you look into her background," Summer stated bluntly.


    If Mirabe was going to keep getting in her way, she could go to hell. Summer smirked to herself.


    Joen knew Summer wouldn''t lie to


    him, so he nced at the folder


    beside him. Their current research


    had stalled; maybe a fresh


    perspective could lead to a


    breakthrough.

 Chapter 1574

    Joen tapped his fingers lightly on the desk and suddenly remembered something. "Oh, by the way, the academic conference ising up soon. I think you should go and meet some people. It could really help your future."


    Summer felt a bit lighter at the thought.


    She knew about the conference, but having been at Riverside University for less than a year without any significant contributions, she didn''t feel she had the right to attend.


    After a brief pause, Summer nodded and said, "Thanks, Professor."


    "Yes, keep up the good work," Joen encouraged with a wave of his hand.


    Taking the hint, Summer left without bringing up her thesis again.


    **


    Monday rolled around.


    Mirabe had just finished lunch when she got summoned to Zane''s office.


    "Mirabe, I''ve got something to show you." Zane''s face was full of mystery as he pulled open a drawer in his desk.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, watching his actions. She casually asked, "Is it a bonus?"


    Zane, who was holding a magazine, paused at her words. "..."


    Is money all she thinks about?


    Zane handed her the magazine, sounding a bit exasperated. "Thetest issue of the SCI journal is out. I just got it and wanted you to see it right away."


    "Oh," Mirabe replied, her interest fading, but she still took the magazine.


    "Your paper is on the cover for analysis. Do you know what that means?" Zane asked, leaning against the desk, barely able to contain his excitement since he got the magazine.


    Mirabe flipped through the pages, seriously pondering his question before answering, "It means the department will give me a bonus, right?"


    Zane''s jaw dropped, and he was momentarily speechless,pletely taken aback by her response.


    After a moment, Zane collected himself, his excitement almost gone. "...Can we not talk about bonuses right now?"


    Mirabe shut her mouth, sensing that if she said anything more, Zane might just shut down.


    Zane decided to ignore her detingments and continued, "Papers selected by the SCI are among the top research topics right now. Not every paper gets the honor of being on the cover..."


    Mirabe listened quietly and then asked, "So, Professor, didn''t we agree that Linden''s name would be on the paper?"


    Zane had anticipated this question and replied, "I spoke to Linden. He appreciated the gesture but insisted your name be on it. So, wherd submitted it, I put your name."


    Mirabe rubbed her forehead; given the situation, saying more seemed unnecessary. She nodded and handed the magazine back to Zane,


    Yell


    "Got it, Professor."  fo


    Zane looked at Mirabe, feeling a mix of emotions. He felt that after ten years of


    bad luck, he''d finally hit a streak of good fortune.


    "Oh, and there''s a rumor you''re about to get a promotion?" Mirabe suddenly remembered.


    Zane snapped back to reality and smiled, "Not that soon."


    He didn''t deny it, though.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Congrats, Zane. Don''t forget to throw a party when it happens."


    Zane shot her a yful re. "You really know how to kill the moment."


    Mirabe stayed cool: If it weren''t for being broke, she''d be showering him withpliments.


    **


    Not long after, Mirabe left Zane''s office. As she reached the ground floor, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

 Chapter 1575

    Mirabe was making her way to the study hall when she casually pulled out her phone to check her messages. As she skimmed through the texts, her eyes narrowed just a bit, a mix of surprise and a cool, detached look crossing her face. She hadn''t nned on reaching out yet, but it seemed the other side was already making a move.


    Just as she was about to tuck her phone away, it started buzzing with an iing call. It was ze. "Hey Mira, you at school today?"


    Mirabe gave a soft, affirmative hum.


    ze, already well-versed with Mira''s ss schedule, asked, "Where are you? Patrick and I areing to find you."


    Mirabe blinked, a bit surprised they were together. "How about we meet at the library in a bit?"


    "Sounds good."


    ze ended the call and turned to Patrick, who was still busy typing away at hisputer. "Mira said to meet at the library."


    Patrick nodded, quickly saving his work. "Alright, I''m ready. Let''s head out."


    He unplugged his USB drive and slipped it into his pocket. It didn''t take long for them to arrive at the library.


    Mirabe was already inside, having secured a spot. Upon seeing them, she raised her hand in a casual wave. "Hey, ze, Patrick." She nodded, her hand resting on a journal that Zane had insistently handed her as a keepsake when she left his office.


    As ze settled into a seat, his eyes caught the journal, and he was a bit taken aback. "Mira, you read academic journals?"


    "Only once in a while," Mirabe replied, keeping it vague.


    Patrick, ever the journal enthusiast, chimed in, "Thetest issue of the top-tier journals just came out. It''ll take a few months to get here, but I''ll let you know when I snag a copy."


    Was that him offering to lend her a book?


    Mirabe felt a headache brewing. Lately, any kind of reading made her feel a bit paranoid! Without skipping a beat, she slid the journal she had over to Patrick. "Why don''t you check out this one? It''s thetest issue, right?"


    Patrick was momentarily stunned. He nced at the cover, then picked up the journal to check the date. Sure enough, it was the newest edition.


    Patrick''s excitement was palpable; these journals were hard toe by, not something you could easily borrow. He quickly looked back at Mirabe. "Mira..."


    Mirabe coughed, interrupting him. "I''ve already gone through it, Patrick. You''re wee to take it."


    Patrick was curious about how she got thetest issue, but he held back. Cradling the journal like a prized possession, he said, "I''ll return it to you once I''m done."


    "No rush," Mirabe nodded, steering the conversation away from the journal. She didn''t mention having a paper published in it. Instead, she asked, "So, was there a reason you guys wanted to see me?"


    Noticing Mira''s question, ze gave Patrick a nudge under the table, indicating for him to speak up.


    Patrick snapped out of his


    excitement, reluctantly setting the journal aside, and pulled a USB drive from his pocket, cing it in front of a


    Mirabe. "Mira, could you take


    look at this data when you get a chance? See if there are any mistakes."


    "The same one asst time?" Mirabe didn''t reach for the USB.


    "Yeah." Patrick adjusted his sses. "Honestly, this variable conversion algorithm is the theme of the


    uing conference. We want to


    make sure it''s polished so the


    professor doesn''t get embarrassed."


    Mirabe wasn''t too concerned about any embarrassment, but the mention of the


    conference put her on alert.

 Chapter 1576

    Patrick seemed blissfully unaware of the change in Mira''s expression, keeping his polite smile intact. "Oh, by the way, the professor mentioned you snagged first ce in an internationalpetition a couple of years back. That''s seriously impressive, Mira."


    Mirabe was speechless. He''d really done his homework, digging up stuff from years ago.


    ze chimed in, picking up where Patrick left off. "It''s a real bummer you''re not going to the uing conference, Mira!"


    Mirabe gave them both a look filled with mixed emotions. Their back-and-forth was almost like a rehearsed y.


    "Especially since the conference is at Riverside University. It''s such a renowned school; don''t you want to check it out?" Patrick added, confident that no one could turn down such an offer.


    "Riverside University?" Mirabe''s interest was piqued.


    What a coincidence.


    ze quickly nodded, catching her curiosity. "Yeah, didn''t I tell you before?"


    Mirabe''s expression remainedplicated. "You didn''t."


    ze scratched his head, realizing his sales pitch had missed the mark earlier.


    But that wasn''t the main issue now.


    "So, Mira, are you thinking about going to the conference?" ze asked, his voice lifting with excitement.


    Mirabe paused, then asked, "How long is it?"


    "The conference itself is only two days, but you''ll need about a week," Patrick replied.


    "That''s not too long," Mirabe mused, tapping her fingers on the table. "I''ll check with my friends and see if I can get the time off."


    "Alright." Patrick nodded, then offered, "If it''s tricky to get approval, I can chat with the professor and have him talk to your department."


    "Yeah, the professor would be all for it," zeughed. "He even joked about


    giving a bonus to whoever could convince you to go."


    Of course, ze wouldn''t dream of iming that bonus.


    Mirabe''s breath caught. "Why didn''t the professor just ask me directly?!"


    ze and Patrick were momentarily stunned.


    Mirabe''s expression was sincere. "I mean, it''s not about the bonus. I just love going to conferences!"


    ze and Patrick exchanged bewildered looks. "????"


    That wasn''t what you said before.


    A short whileter, feeling like she''d missed out on a fortune, Mirabe left the library in a less-than-pleasant mood. She nced up at the


    overcast sky and let out a deep sigh.


    Pulling out her phone, she messaged her neighbor, James, on Messenger: "Life is such a struggle."


    James, phone in hand, replied: "?"


    Mirabe quickly typed back, frustration evident: "I''m envious of the rich today!"


    James smirked and swiftly responded: "Messenger transfer."


    Mirabe blinked at the string of numbers on the screen, and before she could


    react, another message appeared.


    James: "Ms. Mirabe, I''m broke now."


    Mirabe: "..."


    Alright, rich folks sure know how to have fun.


    ...


    ze and Patrick headed back to theb.


    Elliot happened to be there, grabbing some materials. Hearing about Mirabe''s decision to attend the conference, he was surprised. "What did you say to get her on board?"


    ze thought back to the earlier


    leet


    Sation and said, "I think she


    changed her mind when she


    found


    fit was at Riverside University."


    Patrick, holding a magazine, nced at ze but had his own thoughts. Clearly,


    Mira had a change of heart when the bonus was brought up.

 Chapter 1577

    Elliot was taken aback by ze''s response, "Mira doesn''t really strike me as the type to be drawn to Riverside University."


    ze scratched his nose, "Well, either way, she''s on board now."


    Elliot nodded, deciding not to push further. As he was about to leave, his eyes caught the magazine Patrick was holding and paused, "Is that an academic journal?"


    Patrick nced down and nodded, "Yeah, borrowed it from Mira. It''s thetest issue."


    "Thetest issue?" Elliot''s curiosity was piqued, and he didn''t rush off, "Mind if I take a look?"


    Patrick handed over the magazine reluctantly, adding in a low voice, "She only lent it to me for a few days."


    ze blinked. He didn''t recall Mira mentioning any borrowing time limits.


    Elliot shot Patrick a look before flipping through the magazine. He stopped short when he saw the author''s name on the first paper.


    Was this written by his young student?


    Noticing Elliot''s odd expression, Patrick called out, "Professor?"


    Elliot snapped back, feeling a twinge of jealousy. He handed the magazine back


    to Patrick, saying, "Make sure you learn a thing or two from her!"


    With that, he left theb.


    Patrick stood there, stunned, "ze, did the professor sound a bit sarcastic to you?"


    "Yeah, kinda," ze replied, noting the professor''s use of ''your'' when talking about Mira.


    Patrick looked at the magazine in his hands, still open to the page Elliot had been reading.


    Now he got why the journal, usuallyte to reach their country, was with Mira so


    soon.


    ze followed Patrick''s gaze and, after a moment, let out a silent "Wow."


    **


    That afternoon, James showed up right on time to pick Mirabe up from school.


    "Did you run into any trouble today?" James asked, holding the car door open for her.


    Mirabe leanedzily against the door frame. She''d received a little pick-me-up earlier, so she seemed her usual self, "Nah, just the regr monthly drama for us girls belongs to


    With a shrug, she climbed into the car.


    James''s lips twitched slightly.


    They soon drove away from the school.


    Inside, Mirabe fiddled with her phone, asionally ncing out the window.


    There it was again¡ªa tail.


    Just likest night.


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes and put her phone aside.


    James had already noticed the ca shadowing them since they left. Seeing Mirabe''s gaze in the side mirror, he realized she was onto them too.


    He pushed the elerator, picking up speed. After switching on the autopilot, James grabbed his phone to text Wyatt on Messenger.


    "They''re after me," Mirabe stated calmly, taking her eyes off the window.


    James paused, "How do you know?"


    Mirabe leaned back in her seat, not bothering to hide anything, "I ran into them yesterday."

 Chapter 1578

    James furrowed his brows slightly, "What''s up with that?"


    Mirabe let out a long sigh, "Maybe it''s just because I''m too amazing. You know how it is exceptional people always attract a bit of envy."


    James nced at Mirabe. Only she could stay so chill in a situation like this.


    Seeing she wasn''t going to spill any more details, he didn''t push it. Instead, he turned his focus back to his phone, tapping away at his messages.


    Before long, the car looped around and pulled back into their neighborhood.


    Mirabe nced up at the grand entrance of someone''s mansion through the car window and raised an eyebrow.


    James broke the silence, "I''ve already given Nick a heads up."


    Surprised, Mirabe turned to James, "Since when did you and my brother Nick be such buddies?"


    As the gates swung open automatically, James drove in, answering with a smirk, "Maybe he figured out I''m the only guy who could make a decent brother-inw?" Mirabe''s expression was a mix of amusement and disbelief, "... You''ve got some nerve."


    James parked the car, unbuckling his seatbelt with a casual remark, "Am I wrong, though?"


    Mirabe felt like she''d met her match, so she just pretended not to hear, pushed the door open, and got out.


    James chuckled softly and followed her.


    Once inside, Mirabe had barely kicked off her shoes when her phone rang.


    It was ze calling.


    She picked up with a friendly, "Hey there, buddy."


    James nced her way before heading into the kitchen.


    ze, still a bit awestruck after seeing Mira''s paper in the SCI journal cleared his throat before speaking, "Oh, Mira, I forgot to mention earlier, make sure you get your passport sorted this week."


    Mirabe nodded, "Got it."


    "Yeah, the conference is at the end of the month, so we''re a bit tight on time. The USB Patrick gave you at lunch has loads of materials. Browse through them if you can. If not, don''t worry about it; this trip''s mostly forworking anyway," ze said with a chuckle?


    Leaning against the dining table, Mirabe raised an eyebrow at the thought¡ª ze was definitely setting her up for some work. She replied, "Alright, sounds good."


    James returned from the kitchen with a small basket of untrimmed green beans, cing it on the table without a word before heading back in.


    Mirabe, still holding her phone, nced at the kitchen and then back at the fable. Interrupting ze, who was ready to chat more, shesaid, "Hey, gotta go. Got things to do."


    ze, catching the hint, replied awkwardly, "Alright, talkter."


    After setting her phone down, Mirabe pulled up a chair and started trimming the beans with practiced ease. Once done, she carried them into the kitchen.


    Watching James, focused and skillful with the knife, was oddly satisfying.


    Mirabe clicked her tongue softly, setting the trimmed beans down, and lingered in the kitchen.


    "Finished your call?" James asked without looking up.


    "Oh, yeah." Mirabezily crossed her arms, thinking for a moment before adding, "My friend reminded me to sort out my passport."


    James seemed a bit surprised, "Your passport?" As if recalling something, he continued, "Are you heading to that international academic conference?"


    He remembered there was always a big conference around this time of year.

 Chapter 1579

    Mirabe nodded, "Oh, you know too?" Her voice was genuinely surprised.


    James looked up at her, giving her a knowing nce. Mirabe, feeling slightly judged by that look, thought, "..."


    Not one to dwell on awkwardness, Mirabe quickly changed the subject, "Hey, chef, hurry up with dinner. We''re all starving here."


    James shook his head, smiling slightly at her attempt to dodge the moment.


    After they ate, James led Mirabe down to the basement to show her something interesting. "What do you think of this model?" he asked, pointing to a metallic, wing-like contraption on the table.


    Mirabe gave it a quick nce before looking away, "Honestly, I''ve got no clue."


    James picked up the model, fiddling with the metallic feathers. "It''s pretty advanced, don''t you think?"


    Mirabe thought to herself, Obviously, it''s not from this era. "Where''d you dig this up?" she asked.


    James raised an eyebrow, "Who says I didn''t make it myself?"


    "Wow, you''re quite the genius, aren''t you?" Mirabe replied, her tone t and without genuine awe.


    James chuckled, setting the model down. "What do you think this wing would be perfect for?"


    "How should I know? I''m not an engineer," Mirabe said, pretending to be puzzled as she looked at him. "Remember, I grew up in the sticks. What do I know?"


    James wasn''t buying it. Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Wyatt calling.


    Seeing the caller ID, James''s eyes narrowed. He stepped outside to take the call.


    "James, those guys were after Ms. Mirabe. Just some low-level thugs, no big yers involved," Wyatt reported as soon as James answered.


    "Why were they after her?" James asked calmly.


    "Someone paid them big bucks to grab Ms. Mirabe. After that, someone else was supposed to swoop in and take her away," Wyatt exined, pausing before adding, "Curtis checked the employer''s contact info; the IP isn''t local, but it''s from a virtual number, so it might not be urate."


    James squinted thoughtfully, "Anything else?"


    "We set up a sting. Curtis is already engaging with the contact, and we should have some answers soon," Wyatt replied.


    "Got it," James said, ending the call. He thought for a moment before heading back inside.


    **


    Meanwhile, elsewhere...


    Summer had just finished her


    morning jog and was about to


    freshen up when her phone star


    ringing on the bed. She nced at it, then walked over and picked it up.


    Seeing who was calling, her brow furrowed slightly.


    After a moment, Summer answered, "Mom, what''s up?"


    Mandy started with a few caring questions before getting to the point, "Summer, about the money for this month..."


    Before she could finish, Summer cut in, "Yeah, yeah, I''ll send it over now."


    the phone away from her ear, opened her banking app, and transferred the money. Then she spoke again, "All done."


    Without hanging up, Summf nee


    As she spoke, Mandy''s phone pinged with a notification. Mandy coughed


    awkwardly, trying to exin, "I wasn''t asking for money..."


    Summer pressed her fingers to her forehead, her expression unbothered, "If there''s nothing else, I''ll hang up. I''m busy."

 Chapter 1580

    Mandy tried to brush off her daughter''s frosty tone and hesitated as she continued, "It''s about your dad, you know, the Carter family over there..."


    Summer''s eyes turned even colder. Thest thing she wanted was to hear anything about the Carter family. "Alright, just stop. I''m heading into theb."


    With that, she ended the call.


    Back when the Carter family went under, they all pinned the me on her. And now that she was doing well, they wanted to reconnect? Did they really think she was that naive?


    Summer scoffed, about to put her phone down, when it rang again.


    Thinking it was Mandy calling back, she didn''t even bother to check the screen. She just hit the side button and turned it off.


    She powered down her phonepletely.


    After all that, Summer felt a bit more at ease and headed into the bathroom.


    ** Meanwhile... **


    Wyatt casually spun a weapon in his hand, one leg up on a chair, leaning forward with azy gaze fixed on a middle-aged man sitting on the floor.


    The man''s face was filled with fear as he listened to the phone''s shutdown message, beads of cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He stammered, looking at Wyatt, "It... it''s off..."


    Wyatt narrowed his eyes, his voice edged with danger, "Off, you say?"


    The man flinched, quickly extending his phone, "You can check if you want. Really can''t reach her."


    Wyatt didn''t take the phone and instead nced over at Curtis. "Curtis, what about you? Did you find anything?"


    Curtis stared intently at hisputer screen, fingers flying over the keyboard. After a moment, he finally looked up. "Got it."


    Hearing that, Wyatt took his foot off the chair and strode over to Curtis. "Where?"


    Curtis zoomed in on the map on theputer, pinpointing the exact location. "It''s at Westbrook University."


    Wyatt raised an eyebrow. "Why there? Curtis, are you sure you didn''t mess up?" Curtis''s expression darkened. "..."


    Wyatt rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "In situations like this, unless it''s revenge, there doesn''t seem to be any other motive. But Ms. Emerson has always flown under the radar; where would she get enemies from?"


    "Well, that''s..." Curtis started to say but then paused, recalling something. He


    turned to Wyatt, "Summer."


    "Summer!" Wyatt echoed.


    Both he and Curtis hit the same thought at the same time.


    If anyone at Westbrook University knew Ms. Emerson, it would be Summer, and she had the motive.


    "I just can''t figure out why, if it''s really Summer, she''d go to such lengths to have Ms. Emerson kidnapped," Wyatt mused. "I don''t think it''s just about revenge. She knows it''s a tough game."


    "And don''t forget she''s got people backing her," Curtis added.


    "Thatplicates things," Wyatt ran a hand through his hair and grabbed his phone. "I''ll call James."


    Curtis nodded, leaning back in his chair, eyes drifting back to theputer


    screen.


    Ms. Emerson seemed to have more than a few secrets.


    Wyatt had a point; if Summer wanted payback, this wasn''t the time. Clearly, someone else was pulling the strings.


    And when you think about it, with Ms. Emerson''s close ties to t James, maybe those folks had an


    on James as their real target.

 Chapter 1581

    Wyatt had just wrapped up his call when he noticed Curtis zoning out at hisputer screen. He couldn''t resist breaking the silence, "Curtis?"


    Curtis snapped back to reality, shut hisptop, and nced at the middle-aged man sitting nearby. "I need to swing by the Weapons Bureau in the next couple of days," he announced.


    Wyatt met his gaze, and with years of partnership under their belts, they could practicallymunicate through a single look. After a moment''s pause, Wyatt nodded, "Alright, just watch your back."


    Curtis gave a nod, grabbed hisptop, and headed out.


    Once Curtis was gone, Wyatt called his team to deal with the middle-aged man. After dishing out instructions, he too made his exit.


    **


    Time flew by, and before she knew it, the end of the month was upon them.


    The day before her overseas trip, Mirabe dropped by Zane''s office to request some time off.


    When Zane heard her asking for ten days of leave, he nearly leapt out of his chair. "Seriously? That''s way too long! We''re knee-deep in crucial talks with the DO Group. You can''t be MIA!"


    Mirabe seemed to have seen thising and just sighed, "Professor, you must be swamped today."


    "Huh?" Zane was taken aback, not quite following her line of thought.


    "I sent you some codest night. It''s in your email. If the DO Group needs anything, just forward it to them," Mirabe exined with ease.


    Zane hurried to his desk, logged into his email, and¡ªsure enough¡ªfound the email from Mirabe.


    Setting the mouse aside, Zane looked back at Mirabe and asked, "You''re asking for such a long leave; there''s gotta be a reason."


    "I''m attending an academic conference," Mirabe said, without holding back.


    "An academic conference?" Zane was puzzled. There weren''t any department- organized conferences that he knew of.


    Mirabe nodded, "Oh, I might have forgotten to mention, I''m double majoring."


    Zane was floored. "You forgot to mention that?"


    Although Zane wasn''t a physics professor, he knew the sciences often ovepped. He suddenly recalled the annual spring conference held by the physics department.


    "So, your second major is physics?" Zane asked, still a bit incredulous.


    "Yep," Mirabe replied casually.


    Usually, only the top-tier students or those with a professor''s nod could attend such conferences. Yet,st semester, she seemed all in with their biology courses...


    Zane pondered this, feeling a twitch in his cheek, and found himself staring at


    Mirabe. "Who''s your advisor in the physics department?"


    Mirabe was startled by Zane''s intense look, taking a moment before she slowly replied, "It''s Dr. Elliot, I think."


    Zane was stunned. Dr. Elliot wasn''t just a Level I researcher; he was a fellow in the physics department. And this quiet student of his was under Elliot''s wing too?


    Zane felt a huge wave of surprise, simr to the time he learned Mirabe knew


    the head of the DO Group-both shocking and exhrating.


    Mirabe seemed unfazed by Zane''s bewilderment. "So, Professor, can I get the green light for my leave?"


    Zane snapped back to reality and gave Mirabe a pointed look. "You''re Dr. Elliot''s student; do I even have a choice?"


    If he dared to say no, Dr. Elliot might very well show up at his door.


    "Great, Professor. I''ll be off then," Mirabe said, making a quick getaway.


    Zane shook his head, marveling once more at his luck in having such an unassuming yet remarkable student.

 Chapter 1582

    As Mirabe stepped out of the physics department, the sky outside had taken on a moody gray, signaling that rain was just around the corner. At the school gate, Nick was already there, leaning casually against a post. He was just about to send a text when he spotted Mirabeing out, so he tucked his phone back into his pocket with a smile.


    "Hey, Nick, have you been waiting long?" Mirabe asked as she walked up to him.


    Nick, with his fair skin and an air that screamed old-money charm, chuckled softly. "Not really, I just got here myself."


    Mirabe nodded, moving towards the curb while fishing out her phone. "I need to send a quick text to... you know, the kid."


    Earlier, they had decided to invite Cassie to join them for dinner.


    Nick nodded, and soon enough, they were both in the car, heading towards Parkside High School.


    By the time they reached the school, a gentle rain had started to fall. As the car rolled to a stop near the entrance, Mirabe noticed a young boy standing awkwardly by the gate. He was caught in the drizzle without an umbre, his thin school uniform clinging to him as he shivered like a little lost puppy.


    Mirabe sighed, half tempted to pretend she didn''t see him. She pulled out her phone and dialed Cassie''s number.


    Cassie, shivering, fumbled with his phone. Just as he was about to pick up, the call dropped, and a car horn honked from the street.


    He looked up instinctively, spotting the rolled-down window of the car and his sister''s familiar silhouette. Cassie''s face lit up, and he scampered over through the drizzle.


    "You look like you can''t afford a coat," Mirabe teased as he climbed into the car, her tone a mix of concern and yful scolding.


    Cassie tugged at the hem of his damp school uniform, mumbling, "I was in a rush."


    "I think you forgot your brain in that rush," Mirabe shot back with a smirk.


    Cassie rubbed his nose, clearly used to her ribbing, and chose not to reply. Instead, he nced up at Nick, who was driving.


    But all he could see was the back of Nick''s head. Nick had been watching Cassie through the rearview mirror


    since he got in. The boy, lone


    around fifteen or sixteen, had clean, handsome face that didn''t quite fit the image of a kid from a small town.


    He seemed more like a kid from an upscale family, just like the first time Nick had seen his own sister.


    "Nick, you can just call him Cassie," Mirabe said, slipping back into her usual polite mode as she introduced them.


    Nick gave Mirabe a curious nce, amazed at how quickly she could switch gears. It was a new side of her for him.


    Turning back to the mirror, Nick greeted Cassie, "Hey there."


    Mirabe turned back to Cassie, who was trying to wipe off the rain from his clothes. She handed him a tissue from the glove box with a yful eye roll. "You can call him Nick like I do."


    Cassie, catching her look, straightened up with a matching smile. "Hey, Nick."


    Mirabe finally seemed satisfied, turning away as Nick watched the interaction with a slight grin.


    Before long, they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. Their table was already reserved, and the manager, waiting at the entrance, greeted them warmly while quietly instructing the kitchen to prepare their meal.

 Chapter 1583

    In the cozy living room, Nick found himself sitting across from Mirabe and Cassie. The two of them had such a striking resemnce, not just in looks but in their mannerisms and expressions, that anyone could easily mistake them for siblings, leaving Nick feeling a bit like the odd one out.


    This was Nick''s first real close-up look at Cassie. Aside from her undeniable beauty, her eyes were something special-clear, bright, and uniquely captivating, with an almond shape that was rare and enchanting.


    Looking into those eyes, Nick felt a flicker of familiarity, a hint of d¨¦j¨¤ vu he couldn''t quite put his finger on. Just then, the arrival of the dishes from the kitchen interrupted his thoughts, as the delicious aromas filled the room and shifted his focus.


    "How long is this conference of yours?" Nick asked Mirabe, picking up his fork.


    "The conference itself is just two days," Mirabe said with a nod. "But with travel, it''ll be around five or six days altogether."


    "That''s a bit tight," Nick remarked, sounding a tad disappointed. "Otherwise, you could swing by to visit Chester. You haven''t met him yet."


    Mirabe pondered for a moment before responding, "We''ll see how it goes. If time allows, I''d love to."


    She was quite curious about Chester, her elder rtive whom she had never met in person. Despite the distance, he always sent her generous holiday gifts, suggesting he was a kind-hearted soul.


    "Right," Nick agreed. "Riverside University is just about an hour''s flight from Chester''s ce, so it''s not too far."


    Cassie, who had been quietly munching away, perked up at this. Like a small- town kid visiting the big city for the first time, she asked, "What''s a conference?"


    Mirabe shot her a nce and exined casually, "Think of it as a big meeting."


    "Oh," Cassie replied, satisfied with the answer.


    In


    Nick watched their easy exchange and felt a slight pang of envy. Although he had spent over a year with his sister, their rtionshipcked the effortless familiarity Mirabe seemed to have with Cassie. It felt like there was an invisible wall between them.


    Originally, Nick thought this distance was normal, given that Mirabe grew up apart from them due to a mix-up at birth. But now, he realized there was indeed a difference.


    "By the way, Nick," Mirabe''s voice pulled him back to the present, "while I''m abroad, if this kid runs into any trouble, could you keep an eye on him for me?" Nick nodded, "Of course."


    Cassie''s heart skipped a beat hearing her sister''s words. Could she possibly know about his big life ns?


    He shot a cautious nce at


    Mirabe, but her expression was as calm as ever. Cassie rubbed his


    nose sheepishly and chuckled, "What trouble could I possibly get into? I''m quite the popr one at school."


    Mirabe simply turned back, mouthing two silent words: "Shut up."


    Cassie instantly ducked his head, focusing on his meal.


    Nick chuckled, reassuring her, "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure Cassie is well looked after."


    "Thanks, Nick," Mirabe smiled, then told Cassie to get his phone so they could add each other on Messenger.


    Even though she was sure Cassie wouldn''t get into any real trouble, it never hurt to be prepared.

 Chapter 1584

    When Mirabe saw the call from the family head, she quickly shifted her gaze and casually remarked, "Your phone''s ringing." The message was clear: Cassie should take it.


    Cassie got the hint, and his face fell immediately. He''d always been a bit wary of the family head. They were much tougher on him than on his sister, and since he wasn''t as sharp as she was, he''d been on the receiving end of countless scoldings over the years. He couldn''t fathom why they were calling him out of the


    blue now.


    Eventually, Cassie set down his fork, picked up his phone, and stood up. He gave Nick a nod before stepping out, answering the call with, "Nellie, you wanted to talk to me..."


    As Cassie''s voice faded away, Nick''s expression wavered momentarily. It took him a bit to pull himself together, hiding the bitter smile that crept into his eyes. He was really hung up on something, letting a familiar-sounding name unsettle him like that. Nellie had been gone a long time.


    Mirabe caught the change in Nick''s demeanor and, after a moment''s thought, set her fork down too. Casually, she asked, "Nick, are you nning to stay at the medical school for good?"


    Nick looked up, pondered for a moment, and said, "That''s the n for now."


    "Still not found what you''re searching for?" Mirabe inquired, keeping it light. Nick''s fingers paused slightly. He knew Mirabe was sharp. Even though she hadn''t asked about the previous incident, it didn''t mean she hadn''t figured out the underlying reason.


    "No, I haven''t," he replied.


    The medical school had scant information about the experimental subjects. To be precise, all the past records were locked down tight, making them nearly impossible to ess now.


    Mirabe thought back to the file she''d seen on Nick''sputer about Nellie and asked, "Is it research data you''re after, or something else?"


    "Mostly research data," Nick nodded.


    Mirabe took a sip of coffee and said, "If you need any help, Nick, just holler."


    Nick just smiled, "Will do."


    Before long, Cassie came back from his call, looking way more at ease than when he''d left.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "What was that about?"


    Cassie seemed a bit out of it, and after a moment, he replied, "Not much, just some casual check-ins."


    If it had been a scolding, he would''ye found it normal, but this sudden shift in attitude left Cassie feeling al


    sorts of uneasy. Was he secretly a


    ?


    glutton for punishment?


    Cassie scratched his nose and sat back down. Seeing this, Mirabe didn''t dig


    any deeper and simply said, "Make sure to call her now and then."


    Cassie nodded, "Got it."


    **


    The next morning, Mirabe headed to the airport.


    "Stay safe over there. If you need anything, reach out to Grady. I''ve given him your flight details, and he''ll be there to pick you up when yound," Nick instructed, standing at the security checkpoint with a tone that was a bit more serious than usual.


    Mirabe tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and nodded, "Alright, I hear


    you. You should head back, Nick."


    Not far off, ze and the others were already approaching to join them.


    "Okay," Nick replied. He didn''t linger, but as he turned to leave, he nced around the airport terminal one more time before turning back to his sister and asking, "Why didn@Jamese to see you off today?

 Chapter 1585

    "Really? Him? He''s probably busy," Mirabe blinked, surprised at Nick''s sudden mention of James. After all, Nick always seemed like he wanted to erase James from the map. Then again, it had been a couple of days since James had been around.


    Nick frowned slightly at her response. While his face showed no dissatisfaction, his tone took on a chilly edge, "The world isn''t short of busy people like him."


    Mirabe picked up on Nick''s hidden discontent and swiftly changed the subject. "Nick, you shouldn''t always be buried in medical school work. You need to give yourself a break every now and then."


    Before the conversation could go further, Nick, slightly annoyed, ruffled Mirabe''s hair. "I''m off."


    Mirabe waved her hand in the air with a sweet smile, paying no mind to her now messy curls. "Alright, take care, Nick. See youter, Nick."


    Not long after Nick left, ze and Patrick came over, bringing along someone Mirabe hadn''t met before. The neer had a stern look, not a hint of a smile, and gave off a rather unapproachable vibe.


    "Mira,¡± ze and Patrick greeted her one after the other.


    "Hey, Patrick," Mirabe nodded at them. She then turned her attention to the man behind them, suspecting this might be their mutual friend, Denny.


    "Nice to meet you," she called out.


    It was Denny''s first time meeting the Mira the professor often talked about, and surprise flickered in his eyes. Beyond her striking features, her impressive demeanor seemed a far cry from how the professor had initially described her. She didn''t seem like a child from a modest background at all.


    Suppressing his curiosity, Denny managed a slight smile, trying to appear less aloof. "Mira."


    Even though Denny was trying his best to be friendly, he still seemed distant to everyone else.


    "Don''t pay him any mind, Mira. Denny''s known for his poker face he''s just not great at socializing, not nearly as serious as he looks, zeughed, trying to lighten the mood.


    "I know," Mirabe nodded. His nature reminded her of Nick, so she didn''t feel ufortable.


    Patrick checked the time and said to the group, "Robert''s already waiting for us inside. Let''s head in."


    Soon, they all passed through security. At the gate, Robert was just about to call and check where they were when he saw them approaching. He waved enthusiastically.


    "Did you guys bring everything? Especially you, ze-did you double-check your materials before leaving?" Robert asked, giving ze a pointed look.


    Last time ze had gone to another university for a lecture, he''d forgotten his notes, nearly causing a disaster, and Robert hadn''t let him live it down since.


    ze cleared his throat awkwardly and quickly reassured him, "Checked everything, didn''t miss a thing."


    "Good, anyone else I wouldn''t worry about, but with you, I always expect his


    the unexpected," Robert shoecade


    head, feeling like he''d aged a decade from all the stress.  fo


    ze moved a little closer to Mirabe, trying to blend into the background.


    "This conference isn''t just about


    physics; there''ll be math students


    there too, so the discussions will cover a wider range of topics. Make sure to connect with the math folks ahead of time," Robert reminded them.

 Chapter 1586

    "Is there a Math Department? Howe I''ve never heard about it?" Patrick asked, genuinely surprised.


    ze and Denny exchanged puzzled nces, clearly just as baffled.


    Seeing their confusion, Robert looked at Patrick with equal astonishment. "You didn''t hear? Didn''t Dr. Elliot mention it?"


    Patrick shook his head, staying quiet for a moment before speaking up, "The professor just told us to focus on prepping for the conference discussions."


    Robert was taken aback. "Really? Something this important, and your professor didn''t say a word?"


    "Nope," Patrick replied sheepishly.


    Truth be told, their professor was the kind who would asionally throw challenging problems their way and then pretty much leave them to fend for themselves. He was so busy, he was rarely around.


    He hadn''t mentioned that students from the Math Department would be there not because he was trying to trip them up, but probably because it slipped his mind.


    After all, out of all his students, only Mira seemed to catch his attention. The rest were mostly left to figure things out on their own.


    When it came to opportunities like this, he was all about cranking up the difficulty level.


    Robert took a moment to gather his thoughts and then cleared his throat, taking the fall. "My bad, I forgot to mention it to him."


    Patrick and the others seemed used to such surprises and reluctantly assured him it was alright.


    Robert gave them a few more pointers and then turned to Mirabe, lowering his voice a bit, "Oh, by the way, Mirabe, Dr. Elliot specifically asked me to tell you to keep an eye on your friends and make sure they don''t embarrass themselves."


    Mirabe''s three friends were stunned. "Seriously?!"


    Ouch, that stung.


    Mirabe coughed, suspecting Robert was stirring up some trouble, firing up her friends''petitive spirit while dragging her into the mix as well.


    It was obvious he didn''t want her just sitting out.


    The adult world, she thought, was way tooplicated.


    They didn''t have to wait long before the airport staff announced boarding.


    Once on the ne, Mirabe, not


    Pane


    much of a talker, didn''t join in conversation. She just asked the flightattendant for an extra nket and closed her eyes to catch some rest.


    In reality, she''d only managed three to four hours of sleep the previous night, working on the DO Group''s database project. She had a hunch she wouldn''t have time to deal with it for a while, so she pulled an all-nighter to wrap up the remaining data.


    Meanwhile, over at the Defense Bureau...


    James had just wrapped up a meeting and was heading straight for the elevator


    without stopping by his office.


    Wyatt tagged along behind him. "James, heading out already?"


    James hit the down button for the elevator. "Yeah."


    "But the mayor of Blytheville is still waiting. Aren''t you gonna meet him?" Wyatt asked casually.


    The elevator chimed open, and James stepped inside, holding the door open with a long finger as he nced at Wyatt. "I don''t have the time right now."


    Wyatt scratched his head. "He looks pretty anxious."


    "If he wants to wait, let him wait," James replied, as cool and detached as always.


    Wyatt knew James had zero intention of seeing the mayor today, so he nodded, "Alright, I''ll go and send him off."


    "Okay." James withdrew his gaze and pressed the button for the parking garage.


    As the elevator doors closed, Wyatt turned and left. On his way to the reception room, it suddenly hit him what day it was.

 Chapter 1587

    Ms. Mirabe''s arrival was the reason James left in such a rush. Wyatt pped his forehead, realizing he''d been so caught up that he nearly forgot this crucial event. Suddenly, meeting with the mayor of Brooksville seemed far less appealing than joining James to wee Ms. Mirabe.


    Despite feeling a twinge of regret, Wyatt quickly headed to the reception room. The Brooksville mayor had been waiting for over three hours and jumped to his feet the moment Wyatt walked in. "Where''s Mr. Marsh? Is he done with his work?"


    Wyatt looked at the mayor, thinking about his unfortunate timing, showing up on the day of Ms. Mirabe''s visit. Suppressing a sigh, Wyatt kept a straight face and said, "I''m sorry, Mr. Marsh had to leave on urgent business. I suggest youe back in a couple of days."


    The mayor''s face went through several emotions, almost desperate enough to grab Wyatt''s hands. "But I have something very important to discuss with him. I can''t wait two days."


    Wyatt held his polite smile and apologized again, "There''s nothing I can do." After a brief pause, he added, "Or you could let me know what it''s about, and I can pass the message to Mr. Marsh."


    The disappointment was clear in the mayor''s eyes. He opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. "I want to speak with Mr. Marsh directly."


    "Then pleasee back in a couple of days," Wyatt replied, unfazed by the mayor''s visible distress. With that, he nodded slightly and left the reception room. The mayor''s spirits sank further, and he took a step back, feelingpletely deted. It took him a while to finally leave the reception room, his face clouded with worry. As he headed toward the elevator, he was so lost in thought that he identally bumped into someone.


    That someone was a department head who had been aware of the mayor''s presence from the start. Seeing the mayor so downcast, he thought for a moment before courteously inviting him to his office.


    Meanwhile, Grady had already


    calcted Miss Mira''s flight arrival time. He arrived at the airport two hours early, opting to pick her up himself rather than send his subordinates. The airport wasn''t too crowded, but a fair number of


    people were waiting at the arrival gate.


    Dressed in a ck trench coat and wearing sunsses, Grady exuded an imposing presence. Even standing casually, the intensity.


    aura caused people around him his


    instinctively keep their distance. Plus, with a subordinate dressed in ck by his side, they clearly weren''t to be messed with.


    Just then, Grady''s phone buzzed in his pocket: He took it out and saw Keir''s name on the screen. He instructed his subordinate to wait there as he moved to a quieter spot


    to answer the call.


    "Keir," Grady''s voice was filled with respect.


    "Have you picked up the kid yet?" came a deep voice from the other end.


    Grady nced at his watch. "Not yet. She should arrive around six-thirty."


    "Hmm," the man on the other end responded softly, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, he spoke again, sounding almost troubled. "Do you think she''ll be afraid when she sees me?"


    Grady cleared his throat, remembering how he once felt the same nervousness as Keir. He replied, "Miss Mira isn''t an ordinary youngdy; she probably won''t be scared of you."


    "Probably won''t be scared? So you''re notpletely sure," the man''s voice was so gentle, unlike his usual tone.

 Chapter 1588

    Grady found himself momentarily speechless, unsure of whatforting words to offer. He was taken aback by the thought that the usually decisive Keir could have such an awkward moment.


    "Maybe you coulde over and... quietly check things out?" Grady hesitated, almost saying "sneak."


    "Do I really need to sneak around to keep an eye on my niece?" Keir scoffed coldly before abruptly hanging up.


    Sneak? Quietly observe?? What augh!


    Hearing the abrupt end of the call, Grady sighed to himself. "Such a tsundere," he thought, slipping his phone back into his pocket. As he turned to head back to the arrivals area, he caught sight of a familiar figure not too far off.


    The person carried an air of cool elegance, and even with a ck mask covering their face, Grady recognized them immediately. He squinted, feeling a sudden wave of irritation. Miss Mira was still so young; why were there always people with questionable intentions hovering around her?


    His fingers twitched in his pocket, but instead of approaching, he pulled out his phone and made a call. The subordinate who had been waiting at the arrivals area discreetly moved away.


    James stood at the arrivals area, scanning the crowd before checking his phone. It was a message from Wyatt. After a quick read, he simply replied with "Got it," and left it at that.


    As he slipped his phone away, a shadow loomed over him. James looked up to find a man in a sharp suit, exuding a sense of danger.


    "James, our boss would like to see you," the man said, polite but firm, gesturing for him to follow.


    James''s eyes narrowed slightly, but then he noticed a subtle emblem on the man''spel. His initial cool demeanor softened. "Right now?"


    "Yes, please." The man nodded, extending his hand again.


    James nced at his watch, pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.


    He soon followed the man to a caf¨¦ within the airport terminal. After James took a seat, the man stood by and said, "Our boss is finishing up some business. He''ll be with you shortly."


    James gave him a calm look, seemingly unfazed. "Alright."


    His patience and calm demeanor were impressive.


    Grady''s subordinate observed this, silently agreeing with Grady''s earlier assessment: anyone interested in Miss Mira couldn''t be entirely trustworthy.


    So, one stood guard while the other waited, the atmosphere calm andposed.


    Time ticked by, and soon it was half-past six. Mirabe had slept through the


    thirteen-hour flight and woke up naturally as thending announcement came on.


    Next to her, ze and the others


    had already turned on their phones. Mirabe followed suit, and


    messages poured in, including


    inquiries from Nick and updates


    from Grady and James.


    She replied to each one before getting up and disembarking with her friends.


    "We''ll head straight to the hotel.


    After such a long flight, make sure to get a good night''s rest and adjust to the time difference. Tomorrow, we''ll meet with the other students from the math department," instructed Robert, their professor and team leader, as they moved through the terminal.

 Chapter 1589

    Mirabe was juggling conversations, listening in while texting Grady. He''d already sorted out their amodations and meals.


    When she heard Robert speaking, she nced up, "Professor, my family''s here to take me out for dinner. Is it okay if I get back to the hotel a bitter?¡±


    Maybe it was Mirabe''s trustworthy vibe that reassured Robert more than the other three students. After a quick thought, he nodded, "Alright, just keep in touch, okay?"


    As the professor in charge, he felt a significant responsibility for their safety.


    "Of course, Professor," Mirabe replied, diving back into her messages.


    ze and the others exchanged puzzled looks.


    "Wait a sec, Mira, you''ve got family here?" ze asked, surprised.


    Wasn''t it said that Mira came from a humble background?


    "Yeah," Mirabe answered absent-mindedly, glued to her phone and missing her friends'' curious expressions.


    It wasn''t until she wrapped up her texting that she noticed their odd looks.


    Mirabe touched her face self-consciously, "...What''s up?"


    Patrick cleared his throat awkwardly, shaking his head. He didn''t voice the group''s unspoken questions, instead, he smiled, "Nothing, Mira. Your family must be


    waiting. You should get going."


    Mirabe sensed something was off but decided not to push it since they weren''t sharing.


    A few minutester, they found themselves at the airport arrivals area.


    From afar, Mirabe spotted Grady in the crowd, his presence somanding that people kept their distance.


    She made a beeline with her suitcase, "Grady."


    Grady took off his sunsses, reaching out to grab her suitcase. "Long flight, must be tired?"


    "Not at all. Thanks foring to pick me up," Mirabe replied warmly.


    Grady smiled, then nced at Robert and the others behind her, "These must be your professor and ssmates?"


    "Yep," Mirabe confirmed softly.


    "Thank you all for looking after Miss Mira on the trip," Grady nodded slightly, his usual sharp demeanor softened.


    All those private practices of his ''be gentle'' expression were finally paying off.


    Even so, ze and the others couldn''t meet Grady''s eyes, feeling an instinctive sense of awe.


    Robert, a bit moreposed, having dealt with influential figures before, kept a calm demeanor,


    keptam demeanor, "


    kind. It was our pleasu00


    MS


    ze and Patrick discreetly gave Robert a thumbs-up.


    Robert, hiding his sweaty palms behind his back, barely held onto his smile.


    "I''ve set up a dinner at the hotel. Please join us," Grady offered, his invitation genuine.


    Miss Mira''s standing had to be acknowledged.


    Robert was about to refuse, but meeting Grady''s gaze, he heard himself say, "Sure, thank you."


    Robert: "!!!"


    Satisfied, Grady turned to make a quick call,


    giving some h


    then said to the group, "The car''s outside. Let''s go."


    "Oh, okay," Robert nodded.


    The group trailed after Grady out of the airport, still in a daze.


    When they stopped in front of a


    stretched limousine, they couldn''et


    of


    hide their shock, their faces astonishment and disbelief.


    We

 Chapter 1590

    Mirabe and Grady were chatting away when they turned to see Robert and a few friends lookingpletely baffled. "Friends? Professor?"


    The four snapped back to reality, their faces growing more and more bewildered, especially ze and the others.


    Owning a car worth a fortune, and calling it a modest lifestyle?


    They felt like their understanding of the world was being flipped upside down.


    "Hey, let''s hop in the car," Robert nudged ze''s leg, signaling him to stop staring.


    ze looked like he wanted to say something but ended up climbing into the car quietly.


    He figured he''d need to ask the professorter if he''d misunderstood what being broke meant. After all, it was the professor who''d made them think Mira was struggling to make ends meet.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, ncing back at the car, and she pretty much guessed why they were so bbergasted. She hadn''t expected Grady to go all out like this either.


    Once Mirabe and the others got in the car, she checked the time on her watch. Weird, wasn''t that guy supposed to be here already? Where on earth was he?


    Grady walked around from the back of the car and noticed Miss Mira still standing there, her eyes fixed on the airport entrance. He paused, walked over to her, and casually asked, "Why aren''t you getting in?"


    Mirabe hadn''t taken her eyes off the entrance, "A friend said they''d be here to pick me up, but I haven''t seen them."


    Grady gave a warm smile, "Why don''t you give them a call? Maybe invite them for dinner with us."


    "Alright," Mirabe nodded, pulling out her phone to make a call.


    "Okay."


    Grady stood beside her, hands behind his back, fingers slowly twirling the prayer beads on his wrist.


    After a moment, Mirabe lowered her phone, her eyes showing a hint of confusion. It wasn''t connecting.


    "What''s up?" Grady asked with genuine concern.


    Mirabe tried dialing again but had no luck, "Can''t get through."


    "Maybe it''s just a signal issue, or your friend got caught up with something How about this? You go on ahead and have dinner with.


    professor and friends. I''ll have our


    someone wait here. It''s a safe area, so it should be all good," Grady suggested.


    Mirabe nced at her friends sitting awkwardly in the car, and considering James''s background, she wasn''t too worried about him. She nodded, "Alright, thanks a lot, Grady."


    Grady said it was no trouble at all.


    Before long, the car eased away from the airport.


    ***


    Meanwhile, over at the airport caf¨¦, James checked his watch; it was past 6:30. His phone, resting next to him, had been showing no signal since he got there.


    Just then, the aide who''d been


    keeping an eye on him returned after


    a phone call, "James, you can head


    out now. Our boss is tied up and can''t make it. He said he''ll catch up with you for coffee another time."


    James lightly tapped his finger on the table. He''d been sitting there for nearly an hour, hisposed face showing no sign of irritation, as he took another sip of his coffee.


    After a while, he spoke calmly, "No rush, I''ve got nothing else on. I can wait."


    Grady''s aide felt a bit uneasy, "Our boss has already left."


    "No worries, your boss will probablye back," James said with a rxed tone.


    The aide suddenly had a feeling that


    getting James to leave might be moreplicated than expected. After trying to persuade him a more times and seeing James still sitting there unfazed, the aide decided to step outside to make a call and exin the situation.

 Chapter 1591

    When Grady got the call while sitting in the car, his face went through a whole spectrum of colors, finally settling on a shade of green.


    With Miss Mira right there beside him, he had to bite down on his temper. "If he wants to leave, let him. If he doesn''t want to stick around, that''s his problem!"


    It was downright embarrassing for someone of his stature, the head of a prominent family, to be dealing with such nonsense. If he went along with these shenanigans, he''d lose all his dignity.


    His subordinate, feeling the pressure over the phone, replied, "But if he just takes off and Miss Mira finds out what went down today... it won''t look good."


    Grady felt his patience slipping away. Was this going to be one of those situations where they ended up worse off?


    Taking a deep breath, Grady said quietly, "Talk to him properly. It''s no good for anyone to let this blow up."


    With that, he ended the call.


    Mirabe, sitting next to him, noticed his sour expression. She didn''t know what was going on but offered, "Uncle, if you''ve got things to handle, go ahead."


    Grady put away his phone, turning to her with a smile that seemed a bit forced, "It''s nothing urgent, just a minor thing. No need for me to get involved."


    Mirabe blinked, "You''re sure about that?"


    Grady''s smile deepened, "Absolutely sure."


    But not long after, his phone rang again. Despite his earlier im, Grady had to step out of the car.


    Mirabe watched him leave, feeling a mix of admiration and concern. Her uncle was really something, making time to pick her up from the airport despite everything on his te.


    **


    Grady, now known as ''truly kind,'' found himself back at the airport again.


    As he strolled into a caf¨¦, a server promptly delivered a freshly brewed coffee to his table, like it was all part of a well-rehearsed routine.


    "James''s reputation definitely precedes him. I''m seeing it for myself today," Gradymented, shrugging off his coat, still radiating a touch of menace.


    While others might be intimidated by this man, Grady was unfazed.


    James nced at the middle-aged man settling across from him and quickly pieced together who he was dealing with.


    Grady, the right-hand man to the head of the Davis family, a real powerhouse.


    "Mr. Davis, you''re too kind. It''s our first meeting, and I apologize for not bringing a gift," James nodded politely.


    "I''m not your elder," Grady corrected with a cool edge.


    James just gave him a polite smile.


    Grady found the smile annoyingly ambiguous, almost like it was a deliberate jab.


    Taking a deep breath, Grady reminded himself to stay calm. "So, why did you insist on us meeting here?"


    James ran his fingers along the handle of his cup and sighed, "Wasn''t it you who needed something from me?"


    Grady: "..."


    Seeing Grady''s face shift, James decided not to push him further


    MS


    added, "I know you urgently K-series weapons." belongs to


    Grady''s eyes shed with a dangerous glint.


    bet


    James met his gaze, his demeanor still calm and approachable, "It just so happens I have a batch in stock."


    ...


    Twenty minutester, Grady''s earlier anger hadpletely evaporated.


    With his coffee finished, he stood up, cleared his throat, and put on a stern face again. "One thing you need to understand, James, is that business is business. Let''s not mix personal matters into this."


    James stood too, nodding in agreement, "Of course. I''ll have the contract sent over tomorrow. It''s gettingte, and my girlfriend hasn''t been able to reach me. I bet she''s starting to worry."


    Grady: "???"

 Chapter 1592

    In the car, Grady sat with a scowl, still stewing over James''s parting shot at the coffee shop. He couldn''t help but vent to his subordinate, who was driving. "What do you reckon that kid meant with hisst remark?"


    "Was he trying to provoke me?"


    "It sure felt like it was on purpose."


    "Damn it, getting outsmarted by someone younger is just in embarrassing."


    The more Grady talked, the angrier he got. His subordinate, driving cautiously, nced at the rearview mirror, thinking to himself that during the meeting, Grady seemed to be getting along just fine with them. Realizing now that he had been set up seemed a bitte, didn''t it?


    Clearing his throat, the subordinate offered a quiet bit of constion, "Grady, as long as we stand our ground, the enemy''s bound to fall apart."


    Their Miss Mira would still be their Miss Mira.


    While Grady didn''t feel particrly reassured, his expression did soften a bit. "Don''t breathe a word about today to anyone, especially not Miss Mira."


    "Got it." The subordinate replied with a sheepish grin. He understood the hit to Grady''s pride in admitting that his n had backfired.


    Meanwhile, Robert, ze, and their group had just finished a meal at the swankiest restaurant in town. They were about to head back to their pre-booked hotel when Grady showed up. After finding out where they were staying, he upgraded them without a second thought to the best five-star hotel near Riverside University. The rooms? Presidential suites, naturally. The kind that sets you back six figures a night, nearly hitting seven.


    As soon as Grady left, ze couldn''t keep up his city-slicker act any longer. He rolled around on the living room sofa, eximing, "Oh my gosh, I feel like I''m dreaming."


    Truth be told, ze, Patrick, and the others came from prettyfortable backgrounds, but the sheer extravagance still left them awestruck. Patrick chuckled, nudging ze to keep his cool, "We owe this to Mira."


    Denny, though appearing calm as ever, couldn''t deny feeling a bit stirred. After pulling up a chair, he voiced the group''s shared curiosity, "Didn''t the professor say Mira came from humble beginnings?"


    Clearly, she was anything but.


    ze sat up from the sofa and


    whipped out his phone. "I snapperet to the professor now."them


    few photos earlier. I''m sending them


    With that, he opened their Messenger group and posted the shots of the luxury cars, tagging Elliot directly.


    ze: [Professor, any thoughts on this?]


    Elliot, who happened to be on his phone, saw the message pop up and promptly replied with a question mark.


    ze: [Professor, do you know how much this car is worth?]


    Elliot: [...What nerve did you hit now?]


    By now, ze was feeling pretty bold, typing away with newfound audacity: [With


    the customizations, it''s worth billions!!]


    Elliot: [...So?]


    ze: [Professor, do you know whose car this is? [Shocked]]


    Elliot stared at his phone, wishing he could mute this troublemaker. If only he were half as diligent as his other students, he could have published several papers by now. Just as Elliot was about to mute the groupchat, another message from ze popped up.

 Chapter 1593

    ze: "Check it out, that''s Mira''s family''s car!"


    ze sent this message casually, then snapped a few photos of the presidential suite from different angles, sharing them in the group chat.


    ze: "And get this, the six-figure-a-night presidential suite was booked by Mira''s family too!"


    The message was loud and clear: Mira''s family is loaded!


    Elliot saw the messages and was skeptical. He remembered his young apprentice mentioning something about a schrship issuest year.


    After replying with a simple "Ha-ha," he left the group chat and called Robert on Messenger.


    Robert, standing right behind ze, heard his phone buzz and saw it was Dr. Elliot calling. After a moment''s pause, he answered, and Elliot''s voice came through, fast and frustrated.


    "Robert, you need to keep an eye on those students, especially ze. They''re always bragging, showing off, it''s just too much..."


    Robert nced at the boastful ze, cleared his throat, and put the call on speaker. "Actually, ze wasn''t exaggerating. The pictures he sent are legit, and tonight, Mirabe''s family has arranged for us to dine at the fanciest restaurant in town."


    Elliot: "..."


    Was there something wrong with his hearing, or was everyone else losing their minds?


    Robert, noticing Elliot''s silence and unsure why Elliot thought Mirabe''s family was struggling financially, added, "The Davis family definitely doesn''t look like they''re short on cash."


    Elliot was taken aback. Would a wealthy kid really care about a little schrship money?


    But Robert wouldn''t lie, so... Elliot recalled how he had asked ze and the others to include his apprentice in their Messenger fundraising effortsst year. His ears turned a bit red, but he kept his cool and said, "When did I ever say the Davis family was poor?"


    ze, Patrick, and Denny exchanged bewildered nces. Their professor''s knack for bending the truth was impressive.


    He had definitely told them Mira''s family wasn''t well-off and to be careful about her pride when helping out.


    Robert noticed the students'' incredulous faces and rified, "I had you on speakerphone."


    Elliot: "..."


    In the next moment, knowing full well that if he wasn''t embarrassed, someone else would be, Dr. Elliot quickly hung up.


    Robert set his phone down, looked at the students, cleared his throat, and tried to exin for Dr. Elliot "Maybe your professor''s just busy and got a little mixed up."


    ze, Patrick, and Denny exchanged knowing looks. They realized this wasn''t about being busy or a small mix-up. They were just d they hadn''t brought this up with Mira directly, or that would have been the reat disaster.


    Still, having a fabulously wealthy Mira around was kind of exciting. It was something they could brag about for years.


    **


    Mirabe watched as Grady''s car


    drove away from the hotel. She turned back inside, heading for the elevator to head upstairs and fest. Lost in her thoughts, she pulled out


    her phone.


    It was silent, no messages or calls.


    Standing by the elevator, she didn''t press the button right away. Instead, she


    looked up James''s number, her eyes narrowing.


    Could he really be this busy?


    With a small hesitation, Mirabe reluctantly dialed his number again.

 Chapter 1594

    The call went through pretty quickly this time.


    Before Mirabe could even get a word in, she heard his low voice on the line, "Ms. Mirabe, decided to remember your boyfriend, did you?"


    Feeling a bit on the defensive, Mirabe just sighed, "... Your phone was unreachable."


    "That''s not true. Except for the two hours I was stuck in the airport caf¨¦ with no signal, my phone''s been working just fine for thest hour," James replied, letting out a sigh.


    Mirabe''s eyebrows shot up, catching onto what he said, "You sat in a caf¨¦ for two hours? Why?"


    "If I said it was a test of true love, would you buy it?" James was still in his car, his head resting against the seat, ncing at the grand hotel entrance outside.


    His words made Mirabe remember the two calls Grady had taken earlier. She rubbed her temples, "Where are you now?"


    "Haven''t had dinner yet," James dodged her question.


    Mirabe stood by the open elevator doors, watching as a fellow guest waited for her to join. But hearing James, she waved them off and headed back toward the hotel''s entrance.


    "Where?" she asked again over the phone.


    "Out front."


    Mirabe nodded, hanging up the call.


    She stepped outside, scanning the area until she spotted a ck car parked nearby. After a brief pause, she walked over.


    As she approached, the driver''s window slowly rolled down, revealing James'' handsome face.


    Mirabe gave him a quick nce, not bothering to ask how he found out which hotel she was at. "You''re not usually this obedient."


    James unbuckled his seatbelt, got out, and immediately pulled her into a hug, "Starving."


    Mirabe yfully pushed him away, "Serves you right."


    James chuckled, pulling her back in, "Alright, alright, just teasing."


    This time, Mirabe didn''t resist.


    After a moment, James let her go but kept holding her hand as they walked back into the hotel.


    "What floor?" James asked, looking at her with his finger poised over the elevator buttons.


    Mirabe mentioned the top floor.


    James raised an eyebrow, "Living the high life, huh?"


    "Not really, I''m broke," Mirabe shot back quickly, then added, "Was my call international?"


    James just sighed, pulling out his phone.


    After a moment, he put it away and, watching the elevator numbers


    climb, casually asked.


    your


    school got nned for tomorrow?"


    "Probably a visit to Riverside University," Mirabe answered, recalling Robert''s earlier mention.


    James nodded, "Stay safe."


    Mirabe caught the concern in his voice and just smiled.


    With a soft ding, the elevator reached the top floor.


    The doors opened, and they stepped out hand in hand.


    Grady had booked two rooms, with Mirabe having her own right next door to Robert and ze.


    Once inside, Mirabe soon got a message from Robert asking if she could drop by their room.


    After


    pro with a quick "sure,"


    looked over at James, "The


    r needs me for somethin


    II


    t belongs to swnowne


    "Alright, I''ll hang out here," James nodded, casually tossing his j over the sofa and undoing a g a couple


    as outtons on his shirt.

 Chapter 1595

    Mirabe silently reminded herself to keep her eyes to herself and discreetly shifted her gaze away before leaving the room.


    When she entered the suite next door, Mirabe couldn''t help but notice the strange looks Robert and his friends were giving her. Curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Why are you all looking at me like that?"


    Robert cleared his throat, snapping back to reality. "It''s just a bit embarrassing, you know, dining and staying in such a swanky suite."


    "Yeah, Mira, your family must''ve spent a fortune," ze added.


    Mirabe hesitated briefly, deciding to keep quiet about the hotel being owned by


    the Davis family. Instead, she said, "It''s the off-season right now, and a friend


    gave us a voucher. Would''ve been a shame to let it go to waste."


    Robert shot her a knowing smile, interpreting her words as a considerate gesture to ease any guilt they might feel.


    Such a thoughtful youngdy, they all mused.


    Mirabe cleared her throat and asked, "Professor, you mentioned in your message there was something you wanted to discuss?"


    "Oh, right. The head of the Math Department got in touch. They want to have a meeting tomorrow. Their hotel''s not far from here, so I suggested theye over around ten."


    Robert''s grin widened as he said thest few words. Why let one person unt when the whole Physics Department could? It was time to show the Math Department their understated charm.


    Mirabe nced at Robert, wondering why he was in such high spirits today.


    Robert then pulled out his phone and sent Mirabe the information from the Math Department. "Mirabe, just give this a quick look. The algorithms are prettyplex, so don''t stress if it doesn''t all click."


    Relieved she could remainid-back, Mirabe nodded. "Sure thing, Professor."


    After a few more words, the meeting wrapped up quickly.


    Mirabe headed back to her room with her phone in hand.


    The living room was empty; James was nowhere to be seen.


    She paused for a couple of seconds, her eyes drifting over a jacket on the couch beforending on the bedroom doorway.


    Just then, the doorbell rang.


    Must be room service.


    Mirabe turned around, collected the meal, and closed the door behind her.


    [.ne


    As she ced the meal on the dining table, James emerged from the bedroom in a bathrobe, his hair still damp, and a fresh, clean scent hanging in the air.


    Mirabe''s eyes flickered, making a conscious effort to avoid his chest, partially exposed by the


    "Your dinner''s here."ose fobe.


    James seemed oblivious to Mirabe''s reaction. After casually toweling his hair, he headed towards the dining area.


    Mirabe cleared her throat, speaking up as he approached. "I''m heading back to my room. Got some materials to review."


    She was about to leave when James gently caught her hand, pulling her closer. Mirabe: "."


    A momentter, she heard his teasing voice above her, "Care to join me for a bit?"


    Her gaze fell on his rxed cor,


    Let


    Sin she blinked, wondering if he was


    to entice her. After a pause,


    replied, "Well... alright."


    She calmly withdrew her hand and turned to pull out a chair.


    James smirked slightly, adjusting his cor to be a bit more modest, but he still exuded an undeniable allure.

 Chapter 1596

    Mirabe settled into her chair but didn''t bother with her fork. Instead, she pulled out her phone to check the slides Robert had just sent her. True to Mr. Smith''s word, the material wasplex, but it wasn''t anything she couldn''t handle. After a quick nce at the first couple of slides, she lost interest and set her phone aside.


    Resting her chin on her hand, shezily turned her head to watch James eat. Let''s face it, watching a good-looking guy was way more entertaining than looking at slides. James paused mid-bite, ncing up at her. "Am I really that good- looking?"


    Mirabe nodded without hesitation, "Yep, you are."


    When it came to speaking her mind, Mirabe was a pro. James raised an eyebrow, "I guess I should be grateful for this face of mine."


    Mirabe just grinned and shifted the conversation, "When did you get here?"


    "A few days ago. Something came upst minute." James put down his fork, his meal forgotten, and added thoughtfully, "Joen, the guy backing Summer, is from the Phantom Base."


    Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered downward, staying silent, but the air around her seemed to grow heavier. James had seen her express this kind of dislike before, but it was more intense this time. Afterst year''s drama with Catherine, Summer was definitely suspicious, but not enough to stir Mirabe''s emotions so much. As for Joen, she probably didn''t even know him, so the root of her disdain was pretty obvious.


    Some things, even if not outright known, were easy to guess.


    "Are you done eating?" Mirabe asked, drumming her fingers on the table, her voice a bit gruff.


    Realizing she wasn''t interested in the topic, James let it drop. He stood up and started tidying the table. Mirabe yawned as she headed towards the master bedroom, waving her hand dismissively. "I''m off to bed. You should get some rest too. Goodnight."


    She didn''t bother seeing him out, leaving him to his own devices in the spacious suite that could easily fit more guests.


    James heard the bedroom door close and couldn''t help but chuckle, shaking his head. He wasn''t sure whether to appreciate herck of caution or remind her that he was, after all, a grown man.


    The next morning, Mirabe had just finished her breakfast when she ~ received a text from Robert, asking her toe downstairs. She sent a quick reply, handed the room key to James, and headed down


    In the lobby, her three friends were already there, yawning and looking even more exhausted than the day before. "Didn''t you guys get


    matching dark circles under their eyes, a smirk ying on her lips.


    sleep Mirabe observed th k


    ze''s eyes were still a bit bleary as he waved at her, glossing over theirte-


    night antics. "Probably the jetg."


    Patrick, fighting sleep, gave


    Mirabe a quick grin before sinking into a nearby chair for a nap. Robert walked in through the revolving door, and upon seeing the weary group, he felt an overwhelming urge to give each of them a wake-up call. "Come on, guys! The math academy students will be here soon. Don''t you care how you look?"


    "Professor, maybe you should borrow some concealer from Mira for those bags under your eyes," ze mumbled, rubbing his nose.


    Robert: "..."


    Mirabe, caught in the crossfire: "..."


    Choosing to ignore ze, Robert''s expression softened as he turned to Mirabe. Unlike the others, she was genuinely endearing. "Mirabe, why don''t you join me at the entrance to greet them?"

 Chapter 1597

    After Robert wrapped up his chat, he and Mirabe headed back outside. They didn''t have to wait long before the lead professor of the Math Department and his students showed up.


    The Math professor took a quick look at Robert and then nced toward the hotel lobby, still wearing a look of disbelief. "Your department really knows how to splurge."


    He thought their hotel was already top-notch, but the Physics Department seemed to have outdone them.


    Robert had been waiting for this moment all night. He shed a broad grin and waved his hand casually. "Oh, it''s all thanks to my student. Didn''t cost a dime."


    The Math professor found Robert''s smug grin a bit annoying. So what if he had money?


    Whatever.


    Mirabe didn''t pay much attention to the yful exchange between the two professors. Her eyes paused for a moment on Yara, who was standing just behind the Math professor.


    Yara was just as surprised to see Mirabe there. As a freshman, Mirabe wasn''t supposed to be at such an in-depth symposium. But then again, being Dr. Elliot''s student had its perks.


    After the initial shock, Yara smiled warmly and gave Mirabe a nod. Her makeup was on point, and she had that elegant vibe of someone from a well-off family. "Mirabe."


    Mirabe nodded back politely. "Hi, Senior."


    The Math professor was a bit taken aback at their greeting. "Yara, you two know each other?"


    Yara nodded lightly. "When I visited the Physics Department earlier, Dr. Elliot introduced us. Mirabe is Dr. Elliot''s newest student."


    Her words surprised not just the Math professor but also the other students behind her. Nobody had heard that Dr. Elliot took on a new student. And Mirabe seemed like a total mystery. Usually, those who became students of someone as renowned as Dr. Elliot had some serious skills, and it was odd they hadn''t met someone like her before.


    Just as everyone was caught up in their own thoughts, Robert stepped forward. "Let''s not linger at the door. Let''s head upstairs; there''ll be plenty of time to get to know each otherter."


    With that, everyone shifted their focus and soon made their way into the lobby.


    ze and Patrick had already shaken off theirid-back attitudes and eagerly greeted the Math students, ushering them upstairs.


    Squeezing ten people into one elevator made things a bit tight, but it didn''t stop the friendly chatter.


    When they reached the top floor and opened the suite door, ze felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the wide-eyed expressions of the Math students.


    Sometimes, a littleparison did the trick.


    Mirabe settled into the farthest corner of the couch, shooting a sideways nce at the wide-awake ze, who wasn''t showing any signs of travel fatigue. Her lips twitched slightly.


    Alright, she had thought of giving everyone a little remedy to shake off the travel blues, but that seemed unnecessary now.


    After a quick round of small talk, the group dove into the main discussion.


    Mirabe''s involvement was minimal-apart from Dr. Elliot asking her to help troubleshoot some issues, she hadn''t really worked with her friends on their research. So, she was more of a listener in this symposium.  s?novel


    Even though it was, admittedly, a bit dull.


    Mirabe got up and wandered out to the balcony. The presidential suite was pricey not just for its luxury andfort, but because each view was breathtaking. From the balcony, you could see almost half the city''sndscape.


    It felt like the air itself wasced with the scent of wealth.


    Mirabe clucked her tongue softly. Chester was definitely rolling in it.

 Chapter 1598

    Wyatt had just dropped off some clean clothes and nced at James, who was lounging on the hotel sofa, flipping through TV channels with a rxed air.


    "James, are you nning on hanging out at the hotel all day?"


    "Yeah," James replied casually, not taking his eyes off the screen. After a couple of minutes, he finally looked over at Wyatt. "Do you need something?"


    Wyatt gave a slight smile, trying to keep things light. "Are you really gonna let those guys at the station pull strings behind the scenes?"


    James remained unfazed, his voice calm and steady. "The wider the, the more fish you catch."


    Wyatt scratched his head, thinking that made sense, but wondering how you could catch anything without casting the.


    "Alright, you can head out," James said with a wave of his hand, then added, "Oh, and make sure the Davis family gets that contract early."


    "Got it, I''ll handle it now," Wyatt replied with a nod.


    "Okay," James said, turning his attention back to the TV.


    Wyatt took onest look at James, feeling relieved that he hadn''t lost his cool over some fleeting crush. He turned and left the room.


    Heading down to the lobby, Wyatt pulled out his phone and started making a call as he walked outside.


    The hotel had one of those revolving doors, so he waited a couple of seconds before stepping in, just as the call connected.


    Speaking softly into the phone, Wyatt didn''t notice the two middle-aged men entering the revolving door from the street.


    These guys had an air of authority, especially the one in front. He walked with a calm confidence that suggested he was used to being in charge. It was clear he wasn''t just some ordinary guy.


    Wyatt exited the revolving door, brushing past them with just a ss pane between them, and ended his call.


    After a few steps, something clicked in his mind. He paused for a moment, ncing back. The revolving door kept spinning, obscuring his view of the lobby and its guests.


    Wyatt shrugged it off, figuring he was just being overly cautious, and continued toward the parking lot.


    "Are you sure the kid''s at the hotel?" the stern-faced middle-aged man at the front asked his subordinate.


    The guy behind him was the same one who''d been keeping tabs on James at the caf¨¦ yesterday.


    "No doubt about it, Miss Mira and her group haven''t left the hotel," the subordinate replied respectfully.


    The middle-aged man gave a slight nod and stayed silent.


    The elevator took its sweet time getting down to the first floor. When it finally arrived and the people inside stepped out, the subordinate held the door open, letting the middle-aged man enter first.


    Others waiting to go upstairs hesitated, put off by the subordinate''s sharp gaze.


    No one dared to enter the elevator.


    In Merrywoods, a ce brimming with tension and power struggles, people carried weapons like it was no big deal. Stepping out of line could make you disappear, so it was best to y it safe.


    The elevator doors soon closed.


    The middle-aged man stood with his hands sped behind him, eyes fixed on the elevator doors. His face showed no emotion, but his fingers tightened a bit with each floor they passed.


    "Ding"


    The elevator finally stopped at the top floor.


    The middle-aged man stayed put,


    not moving an inch. His subordinate,


    equally motionless, didn''t dare to move first. As the elevator doors started to close again, the subordinate couldn''t help but nce at the middle-aged man. "Keir?"

 Chapter 1599

    Jim took a deep breath and stepped out of the elevator, his stride steady andposed, revealing nothing unusual. Yet, the assistant following him couldn''t help but steal a nce at Jim''s back, sensing that today''s Keir was a little off from his usual self.


    When they reached the door to Mirabe''s suite, the assistant instinctively moved to press the doorbell but was halted. Jim adjusted his jacket, turned to the assistant, and asked, "Do Ie off as intimidating?"


    The assistant, avoiding direct eye contact, cleared his throat and cautiously replied, "You actually seem... friendlier than usual."


    "Good," Jim nodded, extending his hand. "Hand me the gift."


    The assistant quickly pulled out a neatly wrapped box from his pocket and ced


    it respectfully in Jim''s hand. Just as Jim was about to ring the doorbell, he paused and turned to the assistant again, squinting slightly with a hint of disdain.


    "You might scare my niece. Go wait downstairs for me," Jim instructed.


    The assistant thought, Keir, it''s probably you who''ll scare Miss Mira, but held his tongue and simply said, "Alright." He then headed back to the elevator.


    Jim refocused, exhaled, and finally pressed the doorbell. Although he''d seen photos of his niece online, this was the first time he would meet her in person. He hoped he wouldn''t make a poor impression.


    After about half a minute, the door slowly opened. Jim held his breath, ready to speak, but his expression shifted as he faced a young man at the door. "Who are you? Why are you here?"


    Jim was usually low-profile, rarely seen in public, so even among the elite, few recognized him. James, who had done some basic research on the Davis family, hadn''t linked Jim''s face to the head of the family.


    However, feeling themanding presence of the man before him, James narrowed his eyes slightly and politely inquired, "Are you looking for Mirabe?"


    Jim remained silent, sizing up James from head to toe. Then a thought struck him, and his expression grew a bit awkward. Could this be his niece''s ssmate?


    Inside, the faint sound of a TV suggested others were present. His niece was in town for a conference, and here he was, unexpectedly showing up, nearly intimidating her friend...


    Jim, who had never felt so embarrassed, visibly softened his demeanor. Just as he was debating whether to confirm or deny his intentions, a phone rang, rescuing him from the awkwardness.


    With a sigh of relief, Jim took out his phone. Upon seeing the caller ID his brow furrowed, and a serious look crossed his face. Ignoring the call, he politely told James, "Sorry, wrong room."


    With that, he turned and walked away briskly James watched him leave, contemting the situation Wrong room? It didn''t quite add up. WhenJames had mentioned


    Mirabe, the man''s reaction wasn''t that of someone hearing an unfamiliar name. Maybe he was another member of the Davis family. James pondered this as he closed the door.

 Chapter 1600

    "Keir, you''re here already?!"


    The subordinate, who had just taken the elevator down to the lobby a couple of minutes ago, almost thought he was seeing things when he spotted the boss at the elevator entrance.


    Jim gave him a sharp look. "Back to the Davis estate."


    The subordinate''s face turned serious. "Is something wrong?"


    Jim nodded, eyes as cold as ice. "Nobody needs to know I was here today."


    The subordinate was caught off guard. As he rushed to catch up with Jim, he whispered, "W-why?"


    Jim didn''t bother exining. As they passed through the hotel''s revolving doors, he added coldly, "Especially Grady."


    Hearing this, the subordinate''s mind immediately conjured up images of Miss Mira being startled by Keir''s abrupt appearance. Could that be why Keir left so quickly?


    He nced at Jim''s hands¡ªsure enough, the gift hadn''t been delivered!


    Scratching his nose, he suddenly remembered the group chat and fumbled for his phone. Oh no, he had just mentioned Keir''s visit to Miss Mira in there!


    He wondered if he could still retract the message. But it was toote-it had been over two minutes.


    To make matters worse, it wasn''t just about the message. Why on earth did Grady, who never said a peep in the chat, choose this moment to pop up?


    The subordinate felt a wave of panic. One moment, Keir was warning him to keep Grady out of the loop; the next, Grady was chatting away. This was a disaster waiting to happen!


    Rubbing his temples, he realized he needed to fix this before it spiraled out of control. Quickly, he swiped across his phone screen and exited the group chat. If he didn''t admit to anything, no one would know it was him.


    Meanwhile, Robert had been deep in conversation with the math department folks for over two hours, only wrapping up around noon.


    As soon as the meeting ended, Mirabe got up from the couch, ready to leave.


    But Robert called her back. "Meet at the hotel entrance at 2 PM. We''re heading to Riverside University. Don''t bete."


    Mirabe nodded, gave Mr. Wu an OK sign, and made her way to the door.


    Once the door clicked shut, the living room''s silence was broken.


    "Hey, Mr. Wu, is that student in your team here just to pad her resume? Did Dr. Elliot arrange this?" The math professor was known for his bluntness.


    During their earlier academic discussions, it was clear to him that she seemed distracted and out of her depth. Unable to hold back, he voiced his suspicion.


    Robert wasn''t thrilled. "Mirabe from our department needs no resume fluffing. She was top of the ss inst year''s finals, and excelled inpetitions..." But halfway through, Robert stopped himself. With someone so narrow-minded, exining further would just seem like making excuses.


    "Anyway, Mr. Johnson, please be careful with your words. Avoid making baseless assumptions it''s not good for the reputations of students or professors," Robert said, his tone firm.


    The math professor''s face turned a


    mix of embarrassment and


    frustration. Without another word, he gathered his students and ying the bureaucratic


    card doesn''t he realize how poorly


    his student performed? Is he really that clueless?

 Chapter 1601

    Once everyone had cleared out of the Math Department, Robert shot a re at the door and muttered, "Such nasty gossip, truly disgraceful for a teacher."


    ze rubbed his nose and quickly tried to calm him down. "Don''t let it get to you. Honestly, it''s partly on our professor. If we had thrown a wee dinner for Mirast year, maybe folks wouldn''t be doubting things now."


    Since the professor was out of earshot, ze felt safe passing the buck.


    Robert found ze''s argument made sense, but his frustration lingered. "I''ll have a word with your professor when I get back."


    The Physics Department always had each other''s backs and wouldn''t stand for anyone badmouthing them.


    **


    When Mirabe got back to her room, James was on the balcony chatting on the phone. As soon as he noticed her, he wrapped up the call and joined her in the living room.


    "All done?" James asked casually.


    "Yeah." Mirabe nodded, heading to the fridge for a bottle of water.


    "Oh, by the way, someone was looking for you this morning," James mentioned, casually spinning his phone.


    Mirabe wiped the corner of her mouth, surprised. "Someone was looking for me? Who was it?"


    James replied, "They didn''t leave a name, but it was a guy in his forties or fifties." A guy in his forties or fifties?


    Mirabe leaned back, racking her brain for anyone who fit that description. After a bit, she shrugged, unable to think of anyone, and said, "If it''s important, he''ll show up again."


    James nodded, then nced at his watch. "I booked us a table at a nearby restaurant. Should we head out for dinner?"


    "Sure, let me grab a jacket," Mirabe said as she headed to her bedroom.


    They ended up at a trendy local spot, oozing with vintage and artsy vibes-a real hit with the younger crowd.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and,


    once James finished ordering,


    quipped, "I always thought you


    quite fit the mold of a typical young person."


    Even though he looked young, he acted way more mature.


    James just poured her a ss of water, then looked up with a smirk, "Sometimes, I think the same thing."


    Mirabe shot him a nce; people with quirky minds often twisted others'' words.


    James caught her look and chuckled softly.


    Just then, Mirabe''s phone buzzed. It was Grady.


    She hesitated before answering, "Grady."


    Grady was in the hotel lobby, waiting for the elevator. "You''re at the hotel, right? Let''s grab dinner together."


    "No," Mirabe said, ncing at James, "I''m with a few friends at a popr restaurant nearby. We just ordered."


    She paused, then added, "Why don''t I send you the location, and you can join us?"


    James raised an eyebrow at her suggestion.


    Grady, still watching the elevator


    stick by, replied, "Nah, youet your party." Content kouet


    kids enjoy yourselves.


    yourselves. I won''t crash


    "That''s no problem; you''re young at heart too," Mirabe said, relieved, and threw


    in apliment.


    Grady chuckled, shaking his head.


    v


    As the elevator arrived and he decided not to go up, he said, "You


    guys have fun. I''ve got my own stuff


    to handle..." Content belon stuff


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1602

    Just as Grady was about to respond, he paused mid-step when he heard voicesing from the elevator. Turning around, he saw a group stepping out, and to his surprise, it was Robert and Mirabe''s three friends.


    Grady''s face was a mix of shock and confusion. "What''s going on?" he wondered. Hadn''t Miss Mira just told him she was having dinner with these very friends?


    On the other end of the line, Mirabe, blissfully unaware that her little lie had been exposed, said cheerfully, "Alright, Grady, you go on. We''re about to have dinner. Bye!"


    Grady just stood there, speechless, his cheek twitching slightly as he slowly pulled the phone away from his ear.


    Robert, spotting Grady as soon as he stepped out of the elevator, felt a bit intimidated by his presence but walked over politely. "Mr. Davis," he greeted.


    "Hello," Grady replied with a slight nod, his face giving away nothing. He nced at the group behind Robert and asked, pretending not to know, "Isn''t our Mira with you?"


    "Oh, she should be having dinner with her friends," Robert replied.


    Grady had already pieced it all together. He nodded to Robert, thanked him, and walked off, his expression nk. Clearly, someone had led Miss Mira astray.


    By two in the afternoon, the mathematics department''s professor arrived with a team of students to meet up with Robert and the others, ready to head to Riverside University. They gathered outside the hotel entrance.


    "Why are you missing a student?" the professor asked, ncing behind Robert.


    Just as Robert was about to answer, he spotted Mirabe getting out of a car across the street. Quickly


    Qging his response, he svel


    students are here."


    "All


    He pointed outside. The professor followed his gesture and, deciding not to press further, simply said, "Great, let''s get going."


    Yara, who had been chatting with a ssmate, had already seen Mirabe get out of the car. Her eyes kept drifting in that direction.


    Her ssmate noticed her sudden silence, "Yara, what are you looking at? We should be going."


    Yara snapped out of it, hiding her confusion with a smile. "Oh, it''s nothing."


    Maybe she was mistaken; it probably wasn''t who she thought.


    "Oh," her ssmate said, not thinking much of it, as they linked arms and followed


    the professor. "I''m a bit excited about visiting Riverside University."


    The university wasn''t far, so they decided to walk. Yara''s mind drifted back tost year when she had a chance to study there as an


    exchange student, but life had other


    ns.


    With a faint smile, Yara shook off her disappointment and nced back once


    more.


    Mirabe was trailing behind the group, looking rxed, like she was just another tourist.


    ze slowed his pace to walk alongside her, striking up a conversation, "Oh, by the way, Mira we ran into your uncle downstairs earlier He''s got quite the presence, like one of those crime bosses from TV shows."


    Mirabe, who had been focused on the ground, suddenly stopped in her tracks


    at the mention of her uncle.

 Chapter 1603

    ze noticed that Mira suddenly stopped in her tracks, and he called out with a bit of confusion, "Mira?"


    Mirabe looked up, feeling her facial muscles twitch slightly. "Did you just say what I think you did, my friend?"


    Grady was at the hotel earlier today?


    ze hesitated for a second, then cleared his throat, trying to exin, "Oh, I was just speaking generally. People in power often have a strong presence, you know?"


    Mirabe shook her head. "No, not that."


    "Huh? Not that?" ze was a bit lost, mentally reying his recent words. "You mean the part about running into your uncle at the hotel earlier?"


    Mirabe sighed, "... Yeah."


    "We just exchanged a quick hello. Your uncle didn''t stick around long, but he did ask about you before he left," ze admitted honestly.


    Mirabe covered her face with her hand, imagining the scene: telling her uncle she was out with friends, while Grady ran into one of those very friends. The embarrassment made her want to disappear.


    Great, her whole image is probably ruined now.


    Lying really doesn''t pay off; you never know when it might backfire.


    "Mira, what''s up?" ze still hadn''t pieced together the mini-disaster that had unfolded, looking at Mirabe with a puzzled expression.


    Mirabe dropped her hand and forced a smile. "It''s fine. My uncle''s not a monster."


    ze was left speechless, feeling an odd sense of unease.


    Over at Riverside University.


    "Summer, the campus is buzzing today. Aren''t you going to check it out? I heard students from other countries are visiting," Linda said as she entered the dorm room, impressed to see Summer still deep in her books.


    So dedicated.


    Summer wasn''t interested in the visiting students and replied calmly, "No, I''m good. The exchange program is tomorrow. I''ll have plenty of chances then."


    "I''m so jealous you get to be part of the exchange program," Linda sighed resting her chin in her hands. Some people just have all the fuck, she thought, though she couldn''t bring herself to envy Summer.


    Summer set her book down and looked at Linda. "I''m just helping out with the logistics. It''s not a big deal."


    Professor Joen had made an


    exception for her to be involved, but


    only in a support capacity. She


    wasn''t yet qualified for the actual academic discussions.


    "Still, it''s a great way to meet new people," Linda said wistfully.


    Summer just smiled, letting the conversation drop. She wasn''t looking for friends.


    Linda kept chatting away, but Summer, though slightly annoyed, kept her expression neutral.


    Then her phone rang, breaking the flow. "Sorry, I need to take this," Summer said with an apologetic smile.


    She picked up her phone, noticing the caller ID, and her eyes narrowed slightly.


    Standing up, Summer moved to the balcony, closing the door behind her before answering.


    "What is it?"


    Summer stood by the railing, gazing at the distant school grounds, her voice icy. "The person you''re after isn''t in the country," a gruff voice informed her from the other end.


    Summer frowned slightly. "Where are they?"


    "They''ve gone abroad for an


    exchange event at Riverside University in Merrywoods. We wouldn''t dare touch anyone from Riverside University, so you''ll have to wait for a better opportunity the man exined, flicking a cigarette butt away.


    He continued, "Besides, this person you''re after seems to be more than just your average student, don''t they?"

 Chapter 1604

    Summer''s eyes were as cold as ice when she scoffed, "What? Are you backing down just because it''s a bit tricky?"


    "Not at all. It''s just that we don''t have the nerve to cross the Shepherd family," the man replied,pletely unfazed by Summer''s sarcasm.


    Summer felt a wave of frustration. Thest few people she''d hired had mysteriously failed, nearly exposing her in the process. It was her fault for underestimating the situation, thinking she could easily extract someone given Mirabe and James''s special connection.


    But now, with the situation practically serving itself up on a silver tter... Summer''s lips curled into a sly smile. She brushed aside the question of why Mirabe was even allowed at the exchange conference and simply said to the person on the phone, "Since you''re not up for it, let''s just call it off."


    And with that, she hung up without waiting for a reply.


    If Mirabe was walking straight into trouble, that was on her.


    Summer let out a cold chuckle and turned back toward her dorm.


    Linda was still there, glued to her phone. Summer''s eyes flickered as she approached her. "Hey, Linda, you mentioned that campus is buzzing. How about we go check it out?"


    She needed to confirm whether Mirabe was actually on the list for the exchange conference.


    Linda was a bit taken aback by Summer''s sudden enthusiasm, but with nothing better to do, she agreed. "Sure, let''s go."


    "Great."


    Summer grabbed a jacket from her closet, and soon enough, she and Linda were out of the dorm building.


    The conference was set to take ce in a massive auditorium at Riverside University, capable of seating over a thousand people. But Summer wasn''t heading there. After a stroll with Linda, she made her way to the administration office.


    Dr. Joen had tasked her with helping at the conference, so it made perfect sense for her to pick up the student list from the admin office.


    Once she had a copy of the list, Summer left the office.


    Outside, she began to carefully go over the names.


    Linda, curious, asked, "Summer, are you looking for someone on that list?"


    Summer didn''t respond immediately; her eyes were scanning the names rapidly. And then, there it was-Mirabe''s name.


    Seeing it, Summer''s grip on the paper tightened.


    Her mentor, Dr. Joen, had only managed to get her in as a floor manager. So how did Mirabe get the nod to attend such a prestigious event?


    First, it was a paper; now, it''s an exchange conference. Mirabe seemed to pop up everywhere, like an unshakeable shadow.


    Jealousy flickered in Summer''s eyes.


    Linda happened to catch a glimpse of Summer''s expression and felt a twinge of unease. She had always known Summer as a hardworking,


    movie''d


    kind person. This was a side never seen before-a little intimidating.


    Sensing Linda''s gaze, Summer quickly lowered her eyshes, then looked back up with a smile. "I just wanted to see if there were any friends of mine on the list.


    Linda blinked, seeing no sign of the intimidating look she thought she''d seen.


    Maybe it was just a trick of the light?


    Summer calmly folded the list and


    tucked it into her jacket pocket. "Linda, just remembered Dr. Joen something from me.''ll have


    to go."


    U/


    Linda snapped back to reality and nodded quickly. "Oh, okay, you go handle that."


    Summer gave a slight nod and started towards theb building.


    As Linda watched her walk away, she felt a bit embarrassed and rubbed her nose.


    Must have been seeing things, right?

 Chapter 1605

    Robert and his friends had just rolled up to the impressive entrance of Riverside University. This ce, with its century-old prestige, wasn''t just famous for nothing. Even the initials of those French names carved into the entrance screamed grandeur, demanding respect right from the get-go.


    Mirabe clicked her tongue, not out of awe, but more out of curiosity-were those French letters actually ted with real gold? They sparkled like they were.


    ze nced back to see Mirabe standing there, arms folded, giving the Riverside University sign a cheeky grin.


    "Mira, what''s up?" ze awkwardly scratched his face, trying to figure out what was going on in her head.


    "Hmm?" Mirabe didn''t quite get what he was on about.


    ze chuckled, a bit embarrassed, "Oh, nothing."


    "What are you two whispering about? Come on, let''s get inside," Robert called out, waving them over as he reached the entrance.


    ze quickly nudged Mirabe to get a move on and join the group.


    There was a warm wee waiting for them at the entrance, and before long, they were shown inside.


    Riverside University was a whole different worldpared to Prestige College. Everything, from the surroundings to the academic zones, was neatly organized and well-defined.


    With over a hundredbs and cameras everywhere, not every spot was open for a casual tour. Mirabe, however, still had a soft spot for her own school, finding Riverside a bit too stifling for her taste.


    "Mira, feeling tired?" After almost an hour of wandering around, ze was still bouncing with energy.


    Mirabe shot him a nce, not wanting to burst his bubble, "I''m good."


    "If you''re feeling worn out, maybe we could ask a professor for a spot to take a breather," ze suggested, noticing Mira''sck of enthusiasm since they arrived.


    "No worries." Mirabe scanned the signs ahead and then changed her mind, "Actually, I need to hit the restroom."


    "Cool." ze nodded, knowing they weren''t at Prestige College, he added, "You sure you''ll be okay going alone, Mira?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, and with a yful seriousness, said, "I''m more worried about you following me into thedies'' room and getting booted out."


    "Pfft," ze''s lips twitched, "Didn''t peg you for being this cheeky."


    Yara, who was walking ahead, overheard and couldn''t help but giggle. She turned back with a smile, "I was thinking of heading to the restroom too. Let''s go together, Mira."


    Mirabe gave her aid-back nod, "Sounds good."


    The two of them made their way to the restroom.


    Yara was in and out quickly; she wasn''t there because she needed to be, but to keep Mirabepany.


    For some reason, she felt drawn to this girl, despite her mom''s strange warnings about staying away from Mirabe, which Yara had brushed off.


    She knew exactly what kind of person her mother was.


    After about five or six minutes, Mirabe came out, tossing her paper towel into the trash before heading over to Yara, "Sorry to keep you waiting."


    "No problem at all." Yara smiled warmly, not a hint of impatience on her face.


    As Mirabe met Yara''s bright eyes, she couldn''t help but think about it. Despite the Cunningham family''s infamous reputation, it was surprising they had a daughter who turned out so well.


    "By the way, where are you originally from?" Yara asked with genuine curiosity as they walked side by side.

 Chapter 1606

    "Ie from a small, out-of-the-way town," Mirabe said, her hands casually tucked in her coat pockets, giving off aid-back vibe.


    This was a stark contrast to Yara''s upbringing, filled with etiquette lessons from an


    early age.


    Yara didn''t mind, though. In fact, she felt a twinge of envy. "A small town sounds nice. Less hustle and bustle."


    Mirabe responded with a nonchnt smile.


    Their conversation meandered as they made their way to meet up with ze and the others. They were currently touring the perimeter of the research building at Riverside University due to ess restrictions. Soon enough, the professor led the group away.


    As they were leaving, Summer, approaching theb building from the opposite direction, noticed some figures departing but couldn''t pinpoint Mirabe among them.


    But her mind was elsewhere.


    Once inside theb building, Summer swiped her card and headed straight to the seventh floor.


    Joen had been holed up in theb since morning, still deep in his work when Summer walked in.


    "What brings you here today?" Joen asked, surprised to see her.


    Summer caught the curious look on Joen''s face. Ever since spotting Mirabe''s name on the exchange program list, she''d been mulling over how to ry the information.


    That''s why she went straight to theb.


    "Professor, I need to talk to you about something." Summer pulled out the list from her pocket, marked Mirabe''s name with a pen from a nearby table, and handed it over to Joen.


    Joen looked at the list, puzzled. "This is... Mirabe? Who''s that?"


    Summer clenched her fingers slightly and replied, "She''s the special person I mentioned before."


    Joen looked at her, still not quite getting the importance of the list.


    "Professor, this is the list of students in the exchange program," Summer exined calmly.


    Joen finally caught on. "The exchange program starts tomorrow, right? So she''ll show up here then?"


    "Yes," Summer nodded.


    Holding the paper, Joen put one


    hand on his hip, pacing a bit in


    After a moment, he turned


    Summer. "Are you sure she''s


    get something unusual about her?"


    Thinking about Mirabe from both her past and now, Summer nodded firmly. "Absolutely."


    Joen trusted Summer; she wasn''t one to make wild ims. He nced at the list again and said, "Alright, try to bring her to theb tomorrow."


    Summer hesitated. "I don''t think I can."


    They were at school, after all, with plenty of eyes watching. She couldn''t just whisk someone away.


    Joen walked into an office and came back with a syringe. "This will make her briefly unconscious. When she wakes up, she won''t remember thest hour."


    Summer took the syringe reluctantly, still uneasy. "But professor, this is at school."


    "Don''t worry. It''s just for some tests.


    We''ll let her go as soon as we get the data. Nothing will go wrong," assured her, sounding like he had done this many times before.


    "Alright, I''ll give it a shot," Summer said, slipping the syringe into her pocket. Not keen to linger, she added, "Professor, I''ll head back now."


    Joen, now taking a call, turned his back to her and waved a hand, signaling her to leave.

 Chapter 1607

    Summer let out a huge sigh of relief as she practically sprinted out of theb. Once she was outside, that crushing weight finally lifted, and she could breathe again. She slipped her hand into her pocket, clutching the vial tightly, her eyes suddenly burning with a fierce resentment. You couldn''t really me her for feeling bitter. Why should she be the only one stuck in misery while the real culprit got to enjoy everything that should have been hers?


    **


    The next day rolled around, marking the kick-off of the symposium. Mirabe, like her friends, was decked out in the official Crestfield College gear, looking all sharp and formal. Unlike theid-back vibe of the previous day''s tour, today they wore serious expressions. They were about to face off with top students from universities around the world, so first impressions were key.


    Soon enough, Robert led them to Riverside University''s massive auditorium, a space big enough to fit a thousand people. A few students were stationed at the entrance, greeting everyone. Summer was among them.


    She''d been eagerly waiting for Mirabe, hoping to catch a flicker of envy when Mirabe saw she was studying at Riverside University. So, when she spotted Mirabe approaching from a distance, Summer stood a little taller, her carefully crafted makeup adding to the air of pride she wore as a Riverside student.


    As Mirabe got closer, Summer rxed her fingers from where they rested on her stomach, ready to meet Mirabe''s gaze head-on. She expected to see surprise, maybe even a bit of shock. But what she saw was... nothing.


    Mirabe''s eyes were calm, showing no hint of emotion, like she was looking at somethingpletely uninteresting. Summer''s fingers instinctively tightened again. How could this woman stay so unruffled?


    Next to Mirabe, Patrick picked up on the slight tension and nced up. He noticed Mirabe''s eyes on one of the greeters, who also seemed a bit off.


    Patrick looked between them and asked, "Mira, do you know her?"


    Mirabe pulled her gaze away, unfazed. "No, I don''t."


    Patrick nodded, thoughtful, then suggested, "Let''s move on. Don''t let people who don''t matter get to you."


    Mirabe tilted her head, giving Patrick a sidelong nce, to which he replied with a knowing smile. Soon, they moved on.


    Summer stood there, her face cycling through different emotions, unable to keep up her act of pride.


    Some people just knew how to get


    under your skin.


    **


    "Mira, what was up with that girl? She seemed pretty hostile towards you," Patrick asked quietly once they were seated.


    Mirabe, still adjusting her zer sleeve, didn''t skip a beat as she replied, ¡°Just someone from my old high school."


    "Got it," Patrick nodded, not pressing for details on any past drama. He thought a moment and then


    warned, She might try to stir up


    some trouble. Watch your back during the symposium, especially since we''re not on home turf."


    It''s easy to dodge the obvious threats it''s the hidden ones


    thatch out for, especia


    you''re on someone else''s ground.


    bet


    Mirabe gave a small smile, "I know. Thanks for having my back."


    "We''re friends; no need to thank me," Patrick said, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat.


    Mirabe nodded, her attention shifting to the stage as the symposium kicked off.

 Chapter 1608

    Every year, the conference wasn''t just a battle of wits between universities; it was a stage to unt the students'' prowess. Way more intense than those high school speeches.


    Mirabe eyed the slides on the stage, letting out a soft tut.


    Thank goodness she was just along for the ride and not in the hot seat.


    Otherwise, she''d be going bald before her time.


    The morning zipped by in no time.


    Lunch was set up at Riverside University''s East Dining Hall. After wrapping up the morning session, a guide led the student crew over.


    And who else but Summer was their guide? Even though she almost lost it over Mirabe''s earlier attitude, she stuck to her duties.


    Summer led them to the dining hall and left without a second nce at Mirabe, as if they wereplete strangers, just like Mirabe had imed that morning.


    Watching Summer walk away, Patrick adjusted his sses. "They say women and petty folks are tough to get along with. Seems there''s a nugget of truth there."


    He''d sensed some serious attitude from her earlier, but now, she was unreadable.


    Mirabe, thedy in question, raised an eyebrow at him. "Patrick, I bet you don''t have a girlfriend, right?"


    "Mira, let''s keep it friendly and skip the personal digs, okay?" Patrick replied with a mock-serious tone.


    As long as he didn''t let it get to him, no one else could either.


    Mirabe mimed zipping her lips.


    Patrick chuckled, shaking his head, and got up. "What''s everyone craving? I''ll grab us some grub."


    "I''m in," ze chimed in.


    Mirabe squinted at the whiteboard with today''s specials from afar and rattled off


    a bunch of dishes without missing a beat.


    Patrick and ze were taken aback.


    "You can see that from here?" ze asked, surprised. Unlike Patrick, he didn''t need sses, but even he


    make out the menu from distance.


    Mirabe leaned on her hands. "I''ve got eagle eyes."


    ze felt a bit slighted but let it slide.


    Soon, the pair went off to get the food.


    Mirabe stayed behind with Denny, chatting about the morning''s


    Her phone buzzed a few tents.


    pocket, but she paid it no


    After lunch, she finally checked her phone.


    Four messages, all from the same number.


    her


    The familiarity of the digits made Mirabe''s grip tighten, her eyes shing with a dangerous glint.


    It took all her willpower to push down her emotions and regain her cool.


    But if you looked closely, her mood was still sour.


    Mirabe closed her eyes for a


    moment, slipped her phone back et


    into her


    pocket, and stood up. "Gotta


    hit the restroom," she told her friends.


    ze and the gang were still deep in conference talk and didn''t notice her vibe. They just waved her off.


    Mirabe left the dining hall, not heading toward the restroom but taking a detour down a side path.


    She didn''t even check the signs or ask for directions, already knowing the way to the address from the text message.

 Chapter 1609

    The scene was set at an artificialke on Riverside University''s campus, quite a trek from the dining hall. By the time Mirabe arrived, Summer, who had been waiting with dwindling patience, was on the verge of losing her cool.


    "I half-expected you to chicken out," Summer chuckled, her voiceced with mockery. With no prying eyes around, she dropped her pretense entirely.


    "Hand over the phone," Mirabe demanded, her gaze icy and unwavering.


    Summer couldn''t hide her delight at seeing Mirabe drop her usual indifferent act. "What''s with the change? Aren''t you always ying the saint, looking down on the rest of us?" she teased.


    Mirabe''s response was a withering re, but Summer wasn''t fazed. She knew exactly why Mirabe was rattled.


    Taking her time, Summer pulled out a bulky ck phone from her pocket. The sight of it sent Mirabe''s anger into overdrive, her eyes narrowing in a ze of fury. It was the phone Catherine had used before her passing, the one that had eluded Mirabe the previous year.


    Feigning ignorance to Mirabe''s fury, Summer tossed the phone lightly in her hand. "Feeling pissed? Dying to get your hands on this?" she taunted.


    "Do you have a death wish?" Mirabe''s eyes were slits, stray windblown hair brushing hershes, adding to her fierce demeanor.


    Summer, far from intimidated, found the situation even more satisfying. She relished seeing Mirabe lose her cool. The more riled up Mirabe got, the more amused Summer felt.


    With a smirk, Summer took a few steps toward theke, then paused to throw a parting shot. "Oh, almost slipped my mind. There''s a recording from Catherine on this phone," she said, feigning an offhand remark. "Or should I say, herst words?"


    Summer clicked her tongue, shaking her head as if in mock regret. "Too bad you''ll never hear it."


    With a swift motion, Summer hurled the phone into theke. A distant ssh broke the tension.


    Mirabe''s eyes widened, as though a string had snapped in her mind. That phone might have been thest piece of her grandmother''s legacy.


    With bloodshot eyes and no hesitation, Mirabe leaped towards theke But Summer had anticipated this. Just before


    Mirabe could dive in, Summer


    tackled her to the ground.


    Taking advantage of the moment, Summer plunged a syringe into Mirabe''s arm. "You brought this on yourself," she sneered as she pressed the plunger down.


    Satisfied with her work, Summer stood up, not sparing Mirabe a second nce. She pulled out her own phone, ready to call for help.


    But before she could even dial, Mirabe, who should have been knocked out cold, sprang to her feet.


    Startled, Summer dropped her phone, eyes wide with disbelief. "You..."


    Mirabe moved like lightning, her hand mping around Summer''s throat. "Trying to drug me? They didn''t mention I''m immune, did they?"


    Summer, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, didn''t process Mirabe''s words. As the grip tightened around her neck, her face flushed red and blue.


    She struggled in vain, her breaths growing shallow as the shadow death foomed. Just when


    thought it was over, the get


    on


    her throat suddenly eased

 Chapter 1610

    Fresh air rushed back into her lungs, and Summer had never felt more alive than she did at that moment. Clutching her still-burning throat, she gathered herself and shot Mirabe a defiant smile, pointing a finger at her. Her voice was hoarse as she shouted, "You wouldn''t darey a finger on me! Even if you hate me to your core, you wouldn''t dare to kill me!"


    She had forgotten one crucial thing: this was and ofws. Murder was illegal. So, Mirabe really had no way to harm her.


    Summerughed so hard that tears streamed down her face, even though she had been on the verge of death just moments earlier. Now that she grasped this truth, she feltpletely invincible.


    Mirabe watched Summer, who seemed slightly unhinged, with eyes that had shifted from burning with murderous intent to a calm indifference. She nodded, "Indeed, you''re right. So you shall live."


    To live a life worse than death.


    Mirabe flicked her fingers by her side, her expression remaining unchanged as she thought to herself. Summer was still gasping for air when she suddenly felt something bounce into her mouth. Before she could make sense of it, her throat reflexively swallowed. She could clearly feel that she had swallowed something foreign.


    Summer''sughter stopped abruptly, and she quickly pressed her hand against her throat, trying to expel whatever she had swallowed. But no matter how hard she tried, nothing came out. Soon, waves of pain followed-not intense, but as if radiating from every bone in her body.


    Mirabe calmly turned her gaze to the vast artificialke ahead. The surface shimmered, and as the wind picked up, a chill settled in. March in Merrywoods was much colder than in Riverdale.


    By now, Summer''s face waspletely pale, and she struggled to stay on her feet. She raised her head and spoke with difficulty, "Did you make me eat..."


    Before she could finish, she saw Mirabe leap into theke without a second thought. Summer stood hunched over, her face frozen in shock, like someone had hit the pause button. She couldn''t understand-was it really just about a broken phone?


    Patrick and ze waited in the cafeteria for twenty minutes, but Mira never came back, making them realize something was off. "Mira''s not picking up," ze said, hanging up for the fifth time but ready to dial again. Denny returned from the restroom, looking at Patrick and ze with a serious expression, shaking his head, "There''s no one in the restroom."


    "She must be in trouble," Patrick said with near certainty. Even though they hadn''t known Mira for long, they knew enough about her character. She wasn''t the type to be careless.


    "I''ll go exin the situation to


    Robert," ze decided quickly. "I''ll talk to a professor to help us look, Denny added. Patrick paused, suddenly recalling the girl from earlier who had seemed hostile towards Mira. He wondered if there was a connection and nodded, "Let''s keep in touch."


    ze and Denny nodded in agreement. The three quickly split up. Patrick headed


    to the administration office responsible for the exchange program, where a


    professor was still on duty.


    "You''re asking about Summer,


    right?" The professor immediately


    knew who Patrick was looking for based on his description, then pulled up Summer''s contact information from the system. Patrick took the number, thanked the professor politely, and was about to leave when he nearly collided with a student rushing in from outside.

 Chapter 1611

    The student didn''t even pause to apologize. Instead, they brushed past Patrick and hurried into the office, blurting out, "Professor, there''s been an ident. Someone''s fallen into theke."


    Patrick was about to step out the door but froze mid-step at those words. A chill of unease settled in his chest.


    The professor on duty immediately looked rmed and rose from his chair. "What happened? Is it one of the students from the exchange program?"


    "Yes," the student confirmed with a nod.


    The professor''s face turned grim. "Do we know how they are? Have they been pulled out?"


    The campus''s artificialke was pretty big. It wasn''t particrly deep, but for someone who couldn''t swim, it could be dangerous.


    Whether it was a local student or one from the exchange program, any incident like this was a big deal for the school. And with it being an international student... the professor felt his breath catch.


    "We''ve already sent a team to rescue them," the student said quickly.


    At the mention of "rescue," Patrick''s step faltered slightly.


    The professor rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit shaky. "Let''s go, quickly."


    They dashed out of the office, so focused on the situation that they didn''t even notice Patrick standing there.


    Patrick clenched his fists, hesitating only a moment before deciding to follow them. He prayed silently that the person in the water wasn''t Mira.


    Minutester, Patrick arrived at the edge of the artificialke, jogging to keep up. By then, thekeside had calmed down, and the crowd that had gathered was starting to disperse. It was hard to believe anything had just happened.


    Patrick caught the arm of thest student leaving, asking in his best French what had gone down.


    "... They''ve been taken to the


    hospital. It was a female student et


    from China, but I don''t know her


    condition," the student replied before moving on.


    Patrick stood there, his mind echoing with one thought: unknown condition.


    A female student from China-who else could it be but Mira, the one who had vanished?


    With urgency pushing his feet, Patrick broke into a sprint towards the campus exit.


    As he ran, he called ze and Denny, bringing them up to speed on the situation.


    Out on the street, Patrick anxiously


    tried to g down a taxi. Whether it was in bad luck or drivers


    rovelet


    steering clear of a foreigner, no one stopped.


    Just as he was about to lose hope, a ck sedan pulled up beside him.


    The window rolled down, rolled down, revealing


    La


    8ce and a polite voice asking, "Where are your ga


    "Where are you headed? I


    can give you a lift." Content Belongs to


    Patrick recognized the driver as the one who had picked them up from the airport. Without a second thought, he jumped in.


    He quickly gave the driver the hospital address he''d learned.


    "What happened? Who''s in the hospital?" the driver''s voice sharpened with


    concern.


    Patrick didn''t hold back,ying out the situation.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the car shot forward, elerating like a missile.


    It wasn''t a sports car, but it moved with astonishing speed.


    Patrick gripped the handle, his face pale, heart pounding as if it might burst out of his chest.

 Chapter 1612

    The drive to the hospital felt like it flew by, taking half the time it usually would.


    When Patrick stepped out of the car, his legs were so shaky he could barely stand. One of Grady''s guys, noticing Patrick''s wobbly state and worried about Miss Mira''s safety, mumbled a quick apology. Without another word, he hoisted Patrick up by the cor and carried him forward like he weighed nothing.


    Dangling in mid-air, Patrick was left speechless. "..."


    He couldn''t help but wonder if ze''sparison of Mira''s family to the infamous Emmitt gang was spot on.


    Before long, Grady''s man reached the emergency room and finally set Patrick down.


    Feeling a bit awkward, Patrick steadied himself and immediately made his way to the nurse at the front desk. "Excuse me, a student who was rescued from drowning was just brought in. How is she doing? Is she still being treated?"


    The nurse looked at him a bit perplexed. "We haven''t had any drowning cases today. Are you sure you''re at the right hospital?"


    "That''s impossible. She was definitely brought here," Patrick insisted, knowing he had double-checked before leaving the school.


    "I''ve been on duty all day, and there really hasn''t been any drowning case brought in," the nurse reiterated, even flipping open the logbook for Patrick to see.


    Patrick peered at the logbook, bewildered. "How can that be?"


    Meanwhile, Grady''s man, looking even more serious than during the ride, stepped outside to call Grady.


    Caught up in his discussion with the nurse, Patrick didn''t notice the group of people emerging from the corridor''s other end.


    Mirabe, in conversation with a police officer, spotted Patrick. After a quick chat in French with the officer, she walked over to him.


    "Hey, friend," Mirabe called out.


    Patrick, his face flushed with embarrassment, heard Mirabe''s voice and thought he was imagining things.


    When Mirabe finally reached him, it dawned on him that she was really there. Apart from her wet hair and clothes, she seemed perfectly fine.


    Patrick''s nerves finally unwound. "Mira, I was so worried... I''m just d you''re okay."


    "Sorry for the scare," Mirabe said, her tone apologetic. She had


    thought the whole ordeal would be


    over in a few minutes, but it didn''t go


    as


    moothly as nned.


    Patrick shook his head, noticing her drenched clothes. He quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "How did you end up in the water?"


    After asking, he found it odd since the nurse had just said no ambnce had brought in a drowning victim. What had actually happened with Mira?


    Mirabe lowered her gaze for a moment and checked the time. "It''s a long story: You should head back to school. I need to go to the police station to give a statement. I might not make it to the afternoono conference. Could you let Robert know and excuse me?"


    The police officer was waiting nearby.


    Patrick realized things were moreplicated than they seemed and that she preferred him not to get


    involved. After a brief silence bet


    ??:


    ed any


    said, "Alright, Mira. If you need help, even if it means raising a fuss, we''ll make sure you get justice."


    Mirabe felt a warmth in her heart and nodded. "Thank you, my friend."


    Patrick gave her shoulder a light pat. "I''ll be heading out, then."


    "Okay."


    As Patrick stepped outside the emergency room, he saw the guy who had driven him there, busy on the phone.


    He paused, intending to inform him that Mira was fine.


    But after taking just a couple of steps, he overheard snippets like "grab the gear" and "take him down," which made Patrick stop in his tracks, confused. "What...?"

 Chapter 1613

    Patrick felt like his mind was ying tricks on him today, probably because his


    heart was working overtime. So, he brushed off the words he''d just overheard and cleared his throat a little too loudly, "Uh..."


    Before he could finish, Grady''s associate suddenly turned his head, eyes filled with a fierce intensity that swept across Patrick''s face, causing him to freeze up, mind nk.


    The words he meant to say got stuck in his throat, not a single syble escaping. Once the associate realized it was Patrick, his threatening demeanor immediately vanished, reced by the harmless, polite expression from earlier. "I''m sorry, were you about to say something?"


    Patrick was so stunned his mouth formed an ''O''. It took him a moment before he managed to stammer, "... Mira''s fine."


    He automatically lifted his hand to point towards the hospital. The associate nodded politely in thanks and quickly headed into the hospital lobby. Patrick rubbed his eyes. Today had turned out to be the most mind-bending day of his life.


    Mirabe had barely set foot in the police station when Grady showed up right after.


    "Miss Mira, are you hurt?" Grady asked, his brow furrowed. Even though he was trying to keep his cool, you could still feel the tension in the air.


    This made the rookie officer taking notes in the office tense up, his hand twitching near his belt, just in case.


    Mirabe''s hair was only half-dry, and she was wrapped in a coat borrowed from Patrick''s friend. Her face was a bit pale, but she didn''t look frazzled.


    She looked at Grady. "I''m fine, no need to worry."


    "How did you end up falling into the water at school? What exactly happened?" Grady had rushed over as soon as he got the call from his team, without having time to get the whole story.


    Mirabe kept her right hand tucked inside her still-damp jacket. The incident with Summer would make its way to the Davis family eventually.


    Her fingers lightly yed with the object in her palm as she casually said, "Just had a bit of a disagreement with Summer."


    She left it at that, not bothering to exin orin, like it was just your typical school drama.


    Grady''s face darkened at the mention of Summer''s name. Mr. Nick had just started to recover from his own kidnapping ordeal, and now this? Did they really think Miss Mira was an easy target, just because of the Davis family''s history?


    Did they think they could get away with it, no strings attached?


    Grady took a deep breath. He wasn''t going to be as sentimental as Zach and Debra, clinging to old ties.


    He turned back to Mirabe, "Is Summer at Riverside University now?"


    "No," Mirabe said, rubbing her nose, "She''s at the hospital."


    "The hospital?" Grady was momentarily caught off guard.


    With one at the police station and the other in the hospital, the gloom on Grady''s


    face lifted a little, "Miss Mira, did you... hit her?"


    If she did, that would actually be quite impressive.


    "No, I didn''t, Mirabe shrugged, shing a look that said, ''I''m a good student, how could I hit someone?'' "I e figured she might be having a mental breakdown, so I kindly sent her to the hospital for a check-up."


    .n


    Grady''s eyes flickered with a touch of amusement at this. Meanwhile, Mirabe had already resumed her chat with the rookie officer, discussing how victims of attacks by mentally ill individuals could stand up for their rights.

 Chapter 1614

    Grady lingered quietly for a bit before slipping out of the office.


    Outside the station, his crew was still on duty. When they spotted him, one of them quickly whispered, "Grady."


    Grady gave a slight nod, thinking for a moment before saying, "Head to the hospital and bring Summer out."


    The guy nodded, "Got it."


    "Oh, and while you''re at it, find a psych ward," Grady added, hands tucked behind


    his back, eyes fixed on something outside.


    Since Miss Mira said it was a mental issue, that''s where she should be, he figured.


    The guy shot him a quick look, unsure of the n, but guessed it had something to do with Summer, so he just followed orders.


    Not long after, he headed out.


    Grady waited outside until Mirabe came out, and then he personally took her back to the hotel.


    **


    Over at Riverside University.


    Joen was stuck in theb, waiting for Summer to show up with the person.


    By three in the afternoon, he''d heard nothing, so he decided to call her.


    As soon as she picked up, he snapped, "Summer, what are you doing? Where''s that person? Weren''t they supposed to be here by noon? Why aren''t they here yet?"


    Joen was really losing his patience, and it showed in his tone.


    When Summer didn''t reply, he lost it, "Are you mute or something? Say something!"


    Then, just like that, the call ended with a beep.


    Joen''s face turned dark.


    Did she just hang up on him?


    He tried calling her again, but her phone was off, unreachable.


    Pacing the office with his phone, he cooled down and realized something was off.


    Summer wasn''t the type to hang up; if something was up, she''d tell him.


    Joen paused, then called the admin office to check.


    What he found out almost made him blow a fuse.


    "What an idiot!" he muttered, rubbing his temples, before dialing another number. "Go to St. Mary''s Hospital and bring Summer back to campus... actually, take her straight to the research base."


    The person on the other end agreed.


    Joen hung up, hoping she wouldn''t end up with those who''d been watching her.


    Half an hourter.


    The person he''d sent to the hospital came back empty-handed.


    "Did you find out who took her?" Joen asked, gripping his phone.


    "The hospital said it was her family."


    "That''s bull. She doesn''t have family here," Joen cursed, knowing her background inside out.


    It seemed she was with those who''d been tailing her.


    Thinking of his research, Joen barked into the phone, "You need to find Summer and bring her back."


    Damn, she''s more trouble than she''s worth.


    **


    Meanwhile.


    Grady''s tossed his


    Ce stayed nk as he catching the light. Contemet


    phone onto the table, the dark beads of his


    He kicked his feet up on the table,, sitting there for a few minutes, lost in thought. Then he turned slightly, telling the person nearby, "Bring Summer here."


    The subordinate nced at him cautiously and nodded.


    In no time, they dragged Summer up from the holding room, dropping her unceremoniously on the floor.

 Chapter 1615

    Summer found herself crumpled on the floor, her hair in a wild mess and makeup smudged all over her face. She was shaking as she lifted her head, her eyes meeting Grady''s, who sat there, legs casually crossed, looking like he owned the


    ce.


    "Who the heck are you? And why on earth did you kidnap me?" Summer''s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension in the room.


    She couldn''t quite ce Grady, just a vague sense of having seen him before. Even in her past life, she only learnedter that the Davis family was loaded, but how they made their money was aplete mystery.


    Grady wasn''t shocked that Summer didn''t recognize him. They''d only crossed paths a handful of times, and she''d been pretty young back then. Forgetting him was understandable, and honestly, it was better that way.


    With a slight smirk, Grady uncrossed his legs from the coffee table, stood up, and slowly approached Summer. His boots were silent on the carpet, only stopping when he was right in front of her. He crouched down, his demeanor casual but his eyes piercing. "So, who told you to mess with our Miss Mira, huh?"


    Summer shook her head, instinctively scooting back. "Miss Mira? I don''t even..." Her words trailed off as Mirabe''s name popped into her head. She''d only had a run-in with Mirabe today. So, this guy had to be from the Davis family, right? Summer''s fingers clenched tightly. "Are you talking about Mirabe when you say Miss Mira?"


    Grady''s lips curled into a slow, deliberate smile. "Who else could it be?"


    As if recalling something, Grady flicked nonexistent dust from his pants, twisting the knife further. "But just imagine, if they hadn''t figured out the switch at birth, you''d have been our one and only Miss Mira."


    Summer''s face went pale at his words, her mind racing with thoughts she shouldn''t entertain. If the truth had stayed hidden, she would have been the cherished Miss Mira of the Davis family. If she were Miss Mira, she wouldn''t be in this mess, her fate controlled by others.


    Thinking about it drained every bit of strength she had, leaving her sitting there, lifeless.


    A henchman nearby caught sight of Summer''s defeated look and silently gave Grady a thumbs up. Grady really knew how to hit where it hurt.


    Grady stood and returned to the sofa. The henchman refilled his coffee cup.


    After what felt like forever, Summer snapped out of her daze. Looking up at Grady, who sat smugly on the sofa, she swallowed her pride and said, "You''d better let me go. We live in a society ruled byw. If my professor realizes I''m missing, he''ll definitely report you."


    "Your professor? Is he a big deal?" Grady asked, his interest piqued.


    "Absolutely!" Summer lifted her chin, trying to regain her confidence and dignity. "If you mess with my professor, no matter how rich the Davis family is, you''ll be facing bankruptcy!"


    Summer was well aware of the


    power behind Joen, something even the wealthy Davis family couldn''t risk crossing. In this world, money isn''t everything; power and influence matter. Without those, wealth is just an empty promise.


    At that moment, Summer wasn''t even a little bit scared. She knew if she disappeared, her professor would pull every string to find her.

 Chapter 1616

    Grady''s associate, standing nearby, shot Summer a bemused nce when she made her audacious im. Taking down the Davis family? Now that was a knee- pper if he''d ever heard one.


    Grady casually drummed his fingers on his knee, a hint of amusement ying on his lips as he asked his associate, "Alex, how long has it been since someonest had the nerve to threaten me?"


    "It''s been ages, honestly. Can''t quite recall," Alex said, clearing his throat. "But I do remember thest one who tried-they''re just a memory now."


    Grady raised an eyebrow, giving Alex a rare nod of approval. "Not bad, you''ve sharpened your tongue."


    Alex grinned sheepishly, "All thanks to you, Grady. Polite words for politepany, right?"


    Talk of violence was just so... uncouth.


    Summer, oblivious to their banter, cut in with a chilled tone, "There''s still a chance to smooth things over. I can act like none of this ever happened and keep my mentor out of it. But if I involve him, it''ll be toote for you."


    "Oh, is that so?" Grady remained lounging on the sofa, nodding towards the phone on the coffee table. "Why don''t you give her mentor a ring?"


    Alex nodded, scooping up the phone in no time. He powered it on, scrolled to thest number dialed, and hit redial.


    Summer recognized the phone in Alex''s hand as her own. Watching him, an unsettling feeling crept over her.


    The call picked up.


    Alex switched to speaker mode.


    "Hello?" Joen''s voice cut through first.


    "So, I hear your student thinks you can bring down the Davis family?" Grady spoke evenly, but each word carried a subtle menace.


    Joen, a well-respected researcher with clout in hisb, wasn''t


    fazen


    But the voice on the


    end


    held an authority that shoe


    fan authority that shomet


    It was the primal fear of a lesser being before a greater one.


    "The Davis family?" Joen clutched his phone tighter, quickly piecing things together, his voice instinctively respectful. "You mean the one connected to the Merrywoods Syndicate?"


    "If there''s another family by that name, I''d love to hear about it," Grady replied coolly.


    Joen''s expression shifted as his mind raced. Summer''s phone, but a call from the Davis family... the implications were ringly obvious.


    He''d heard it from higher-ups: steer clear of the Davis family. Their reach was unknown, and crossing them could spell disaster.


    Damn it, how did Summer get herself mixed up with the Davis family?


    Joen took a deep breath and promptly apologized, "I''m truly sorry if our university''s student offended you. Please ept our apologies."


    He deftly changed "your student" to "our university''s student," signaling he was washing his hands of the matter.


    Research could take its time, but there were some people you just didn''t cross.


    After considering his options, Joen decided to cut ties with Summer. She was just


    a data point in his research, after all.


    The data he needed was already in hand.


    Grady, unfazed by Joen''s response, turned back to Summer, asking with a leisurely tone, "Got any other mentors? I''ve got time, and loan call them all for you."

 Chapter 1617

    "Ha!" Grady couldn''t help but chuckle. If anyone was going to stir up drama, it was definitely Grady. He seemed to think the whole situation needed a bit more spice.


    Meanwhile, Summer stood there, pale andpletely stunned. From the moment Professor Joen spoke with such reverence, she was floored. She didn''t really get the whole Merrywoods power thing, but she knew Joen. He was a big shot researcher, a scientist with international acim. The thought of someone so respected speaking with that kind of deference...


    Not only did he use that tone, but he also quickly distanced himself from her, his student, as if acknowledging her could bring trouble. Summer had thought having Professor Joen in her corner would make the Davis family back off. Never in her wildest dreams did she think it''d be her professor backing off when faced with the Davis family.


    The Davis family, the Davis family... What kind of clout did they have?


    Summer''s mind was buzzing, and she clenched her hands tightly on the carpet. After a moment, she suddenly raised her head and quickly addressed the direction where Grady stood. "Professor, are you nning to abandon your research?"


    Grady still held the phone, and Joen hesitated for a moment on the other end when he heard Summer''s words. The Davis family wasn''t a group to mess with, but if they really wanted to protect someone, it wasn''t out of the question.


    Just then, Summer gritted her teeth and added, "Professor, don''t forget, today''s mess started because of someone!"


    Joen furrowed his brow, pondering the meaning behind Summer''s words. After a brief pause, his eyes widened as if he''d figured something out. The Davis family, with thatst name... Right, the special person Summer had mentioned also had thatst name.


    He wasn''t sure what connection that girl had with the Davis family. Joen rubbed his temples, quickly weighing the situation in his mind, and then said, "don''t know what you''re trying to say here. The trouble you''ve caused is your own, and I can''t help you."


    With that, Joen hung up. He wasn''t going to be threatened by anyone, not even Summer or the Davis family. There was nothing they could do to him. So after hanging up, Joen contacted the head of theb.


    Back on Summer''s end, she hadn''t expected Joen to deny everything, and despair spread across her face. "Looks like your professor has given up on you," Grady remarked with a faint smile.


    Summer''s face turned even paler. Grady had no intention of wasting more words and simply waved to Grady beside him. "Take her away."


    Grady nodded, took a couple of steps forward, and reached to grab Summer. Seeing this, Summer shrank back, screaming, "What do you want to do? You know this is illegal, right?"


    Grady looked down at Summer, as if she were a fool. Ah, she wasn''t even a tenth of what their Miss Mira was. Grady shook his head, ignoring Summer''s resistance, and easily lifted her.


    Summer had no clue what the Davis


    family intended, and in her panic, she cried out, "No matter what, I''m still the adopted daughter of the Davis family. Don''t you care about the years of family ties? This decade-long bond..."


    Hearing Summer mention old ties, Grady shot her a cold, emotionless nce. "Old ties? Who do you think you are?"


    Summer felt as though her heart was being squeezed by that murderous re. After a moment, she gritted her teeth and sneered, "I might be nothing, but what about Mirabe? What is she?"

 Chapter 1618

    A mysterious imposter had slipped into someone else''s life, soaking up the love and admiration meant for another. How could she possibly deserve it?


    "Do you really think she''s your Miss Mira?" Summer tossed her head back with augh, tossing caution to the wind. "A person who''s so different from before-are you all blind?"


    If some folks wanted to make her life difficult, she wasn''t going to let them have it easy either.


    Grady watched Summer with a calm, steady gaze. Summer, still grinning, kept a close eye on Grady''s nk expression. Seeing she couldn''t read him, she continued, "Even though it sounds crazy, I can assure you, this so-called Miss Mira is not the real Mirabe. She_"


    Before she could finish, Shay knocked her out cold with a swift punch.


    "Definitely nuts," Shay sneered, shaking his head. "Talking about hidden truths¡ª clearly delusional."


    Shay nced up at Grady, noticing his silence. "Grady, you''re not going to let this woman''s words get to you, right? She''s just trying to stir up trouble."


    Grady threw Shay a nce, "Are you saying you''re the only one with any sense?" "Nope, I''m the one without any sense," Shay shot back immediately.


    Grady turned away, uninterested in continuing the conversation.


    Shay cleared his throat, lifting the unconscious Summer over his shoulder, "I''ll get going then."


    Grady gave a slight nod, closing his eyes and leaning back into the sofa.


    After Shay left, it took a while for Grady to open his eyes again. He


    absentmindedly fiddled with the wooden bracelet on his wrist, his thoughts drifting far away, lost in contemtion.


    It wasn''t until his phone buzzed in his pocket that he snapped back to reality.


    "Keir," Grady sat up straight, his voice turning respectful.


    "I heard there was trouble with that kid at school? What happened?" Jim''s voice wasced with concern.


    Grady didn''t hold back, recounting the day''s events and his suspicions.


    Jim, who didn''t have much affection for Summer, his former niece, spoke icily, "So, those experimenters are after Mira again?"


    Grady nodded, "Yes."


    "Why are they targeting that kid?" Jim asked.


    "They''re likely after her for their experiments," Grady said, having gleaned some info from Summer.


    Jim took a deep breath, as if holding something back, "Get more people to watch over her these next few days. If ites to it, consider sending her back home early.


    Grady paused, recalling what As had mentioned about Miss Mira, and added, Maybe Miss Mira can look after herself. Didn''t you meet herst time, Keir? Surely you noticed she''s not like other girls."


    Keir, feeling a bit annoyed, kept quiet: "..."


    Jim pressed his fingers to his


    teledetermined not to lose face,


    and huffed, "Of course, she''s my niece-she''s not just anyon


    Grady''s lips twitched; was Keir just blindly boasting?


    "Alright, enough of this, I''m hanging up."


    Jim ended the call, feeling a bit frustrated. His own niece, and yet it seemed like


    an outsider saw her more often than he did!


    ** Meanwhile, back at the hotel. **


    Mirabe had been holed up in her room since returning from the police station,


    not stepping out even once.

 Chapter 1619

    Catherine''s phone, though they managed to find it, had taken a dip and refused to switch back on. Mirabe spent the whole afternoon trying to bring it back to life, but her efforts were in vain. It seemed like whatever secrets it held had slipped away with Catherine''s passing, never to be uncovered again.


    Frustrated, Mirabe tossed the screwdriver onto the table and slumped back in her chair, her bloodshot eyes losing their usual spark. What was the point of her knack for fixing gadgets if she couldn''t even get one phone to work? She closed her eyes, feeling a little sorry for herself.


    After a while, she took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and carefully put the phone back together, returning it to its original but still lifeless state. The recording Summer mentioned, the one that could have offered a glimpse into Catherine''s life, remained a mystery-perhaps lost forever.


    When James heard about the incident at school, he dropped everything and rushed back to the hotel. As he walked in, he saw Mirabe sitting there, motionless, looking pale and defeated. He paused, then walked over, ready to speak, when he noticed the phone in her hands. Wasn''t that Catherine''s?


    James, seeing how upset she was, gently asked, "What happened? Is that Catherine''s phone?"


    Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered, realizing she wasn''t alone. She wiped her face and looked at James, managing a bitter smile. "Am I useless? I can''t even fix a phone. It''s the only thing Grandma left behind."


    James felt a pang in his chest. He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and pressed her head against his chest. "It''s not your fault. Maybe this phone''s fate was just meant to be."


    Mirabe held the phone tightly, murmuring, "What''s fate? A tragic end? Or an unbreakable cycle?"


    James held her close, his eyes deep and unreadable, as if he''d heard her but didn''t know how to respond. After a long pause, he finally said, "Don''t overthink it. Things are okay as they are."


    "Maybe," Mirabe replied softly, trying to let go of the thoughts she couldn''t untangle. Life''s about moving forward, after all.


    They stood there quietly for a moment until a knock broke the silence.


    James let go, ruffled Mirabe''s hair gently, and said, "I''ll get the door."


    "Okay." Mirabe nodded, slipping the phone back into her pocket.


    **


    At the door stood Robert, a few of Mirabe''s friends, and some ssmates from the math


    department. They were momentarily


    caught off guard when a young man answered.


    ze, who had previously met James over dinner with Mirabe, was the first to recover. He cleared his throat and said, "Hey, we came to check on Mirabe. How''s she doing?"


    James nodded slightly, keeping a polite demeanor. "She''s doing alright."


    "d to hear it." ze peeked past James into the room, letting out a sigh of relief.


    James opened the door wider, inviting them in for a chat.


    ze quickly thanked him.


    Robert, walking beside ze, gave him a questioning look, silently asking who this man was and what


    was going on. Content below


    ze nced back, subtly shielding his mouth with his hand, and whispered,


    "Mira''s... friend."

 Chapter 1620

    When Robert heard ze, he couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. "Are you leaving out a word in your exnation?"


    I mean, if they were just friends, would they really be so casual abouting to the door without a second thought?


    ze paused, clearly confused. "Missing a word? What word?"


    Robert, recognizing ze''s eternal bachelor vibe, just gave him a look that said, ''Figure it out yourself, buddy.''


    ze was left scratching his head. Was Robert''s look a subtle jab at him?


    He shrugged it off and caught up with Robert, still puzzled. Meanwhile, ze was so lost in thought that he didn''t notice Yara behind him, looking like she''d just seen a ghost.


    Ever since the door opened and she saw James''s face, Yara had been acting a bit off. Yesterday, at the hotel entrance, she thought she saw him but brushed it off as a coincidence. Now, seeing him up close, she knew she hadn''t been mistaken.


    Yara slowed her steps, ncing back slightly.


    ze might not have caught on to Robert''s words, but Yara sure did. So, was there something going on between Mirabe and that guy from the Shepherd family?


    "What''s up, Yara?" her ssmate asked quietly, noticing her odd expression. Yara snapped back, offering a smile and a shake of her head. "Oh, nothing."


    The group quickly moved into the living room.


    Mirabe pulled herself together as everyone entered, her face a bit pale but her demeanor back to its usual self.


    "Professor, friends... Yara," Mirabe nodded in greeting.


    Yara''s eyes were on Mirabe. "You doing okay, Mirabe?"


    "I''m fine, thanks for asking," Mirabe replied, her voice still a bit hoarse.


    Yara nodded, looking relieved. "d to hear it."


    Mirabe leaned back in her chair, pressing her fingers gently to her temple.


    James, who had kept his distance, nced at Mirabe before heading to pour her a cup of hot water. He handed it to her and then stepped away.


    Mirabe held the cup effortlessly, listening to her friends chat about the afternoon seminar.


    asionally, Yara would nce at Mirabe, her eyes showing a touch of somethingplicated, making her eem a bit distracted even


    during the seminar discussion.


    Yara didn''t hang around for long, aware she had to get back to her ssmates to work on a revised presentation. Time was tight, and an all-nighter seemed likely.


    "Didn''t you guys already have a decent presentation? Why the sudden change?" Denny, one of Yara''s friends, asked, surprised as she stood up.


    Yara sighed, her face showing signs of worry. After seeing other e universities'' presentations today, ours seemed tooplex. So we talked with the professor about making a new n."


    That''s the way it goes with


    prestigious college


    seminars everything''s about the


    school''s reputation. Prestige College might not always be the best, but they can''t afford to fall short.


    Mirabe got Yara''s point and turned to Robert. "Is the presentation you gave us


    the same one Yara''s team is working on?"

 Chapter 1621

    Robert nodded, "Yeah, why, got any other thoughts?"


    Hearing their exchange, Yara turned her gaze to Mirabe.


    "Nah, Denny''s buddy nailed it. Other than the process being a bit of a hassle, everything else is spot on," Mirabe chimed in honestly.


    "Yeah, advanced math isn''t exactly a walk in the parkpared to physics. Aplicated process is just part of the deal," Robert replied with a grin.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, thinking it was onlyplicated because the right method hadn''t been found yet. But she decided to keep that to herself, considering she wasn''t from the math department anyway.


    "You''re right, professor," Mirabe nodded, ying along.


    Yara''s friend, who had tagged along, shook her head with a smirk.


    She figured this girl was just trying to make her mark. Anyone could throw around the phrase "the process isplicated." She doubted Mirabe even grasped what was in their math department''s presentation.


    "Yara, let''s head back before we end up pulling an all-nighter on this project," Yara''s friend suggested, her expression neutral.


    She simply didn''t want to waste time on more pointless chatter.


    "Sure thing." Yara turned to Mirabe and the others, giving a polite nod. "We won''t keep you any longer."


    Mirabe nodded back, getting up to see them off, but Yara waved it off with a friendly smile.


    At the door, Yara nced back but didn''t spot the person she was hoping to see. Feeling a bit down, she quickly turned away and left with her friend.


    As soon as the door shut behind them and they walked a few steps, Yara''s friend quipped, "Don''t you think Mirabe has a funny way of talking?"


    Yara, a bit lost in thought, tilted her head, "Funny how?"


    "It''s kinda hard to put into words, just a bit pretentious, maybe." Her friend shrugged.


    "I don''t see it that way," Yara instinctively defended Mirabe. "She''s straightforward, not one for games."


    Seeing Yara''s reaction, her friend held back but added, "You''re just too nice. Some folks aren''t always what they seem. A little caution never hurts."


    They reached the elevator, and Yara pressed the button, saying, "We''re not even in the same department. There''s no need to be on edge."


    "You never know, you might end up crossing paths more often," her friend pointed out.


    "I know you''re looking out for me. I''ll keep it in mind," Yara said, linking arms as they stepped into the elevator.


    It was odd how people kept warning her about Mirabe. Her mom had mentioned it, and now her


    ssmates seemed to have a


    simr vibe... Yara lowered hol


    her gaze fixed on the floor, though


    someone else''s image lingered in her thoughts.


    **


    Not long after Yara left, Robert and his friends decided not to overstay their wee.


    "Mirabe, take care. About what happened at Riverside University today, I''ve talked to the


    administration. They promised to sort it out, so there''s no need to worry," Robert reassured.


    Thinking about the incident, Robert felt a mix of anger and relief. Thatke could''ve been dangerous. If anything had happened, how would he exin it to Mirabe''s family or Dr Elliot?


    "I get it," Mirabe nodded, seeing the concern on Robert''s face. She thought for


    a bit and then tried to ease his mind, "Professor, I''m actually a pretty decent swimmer."

 Chapter 1622

    Robert couldn''t help but smirk. "Is this really about swimming skills?"


    He shot an exasperated nce at Mirabe. "Haven''t you heard the saying ''it''s the good swimmers who drown''?"


    Mirabe gave Robert aplicated look. "Professor, I didn''t expect this from you."


    Wishing she''d drown, seriously?


    "Judging by your mood to banter, you must be ready for tomorrow''s conference," Robert remarked, casting a sidelong nce at Mirabe.


    Mirabe instantly pressed her fingers to her temples. "Professor, I can''t. I''m dizzy. You haven''t been in that water-it''s like the Arctic out there. I''m sure I''m catching a cold."


    Robert: "..."


    Nearby, ze and the others were cracking up at Mira''s theatrics.


    Ignoring Mirabe''s dramatics, Robert stood up. "Tomorrow morning at eight- thirty, meet in the hotel lobby."


    With that, he headed for the door. Kids these days seemed so diligent on the surface, but it was all just a facade!


    **


    The next day.


    Mirabe and her group met up with the math department outside the hotel.


    Compared to the lively physics department, the math folks, including their professor, looked like they''d pulled an all-nighter, with matching dark circles under their eyes.


    Anyone would think they''d spent the night clubbing.


    "Did you redo your presentation?" Robert asked, staring unblinkingly at the math professor''s panda-like eyes.


    The math professor, feeling a chill run down his spine, replied, "Of course! Our student team is the best!"


    Robert gave a dismissive chuckle.


    Your team is the best? He thought with a smirk. Got any valedictorians? Competition champions? Anyone featured on an academic journal cover?


    Robert shrugged it off and led everyone towards Riverside University.


    *


    "Do you guys feel like there are a few cars tailing us?" ze had been watching


    the cars behind them for a while.


    They were walking to the university,


    and ever


    time they turned around, those cars were still there, creeping along, making it hard not to be Suspicious.


    Patrick, not as observant as ze, turned his head at thisment.


    When he noticed the familiar license te on one of the cars, Patrick instinctively shrank his head.


    His mind shed back to yesterday when he''d been picked up like a chicken and carried off.


    After a moment, Patrick said, "You might want to ask Mira."


    ze nced at him, puzzled. "Why ask Mira?"


    "Because those are Mira''s bodyguards," Patrick revealed, not wanting to be the only one shocked by this revtion.


    "Bodyguards?" ze touched his nose, turned to look at Mira walking behind them, then nced back at the neat line of seven or eight cars


    on the road.


    Quite the impressive entourage.


    ze: "!!!"


    This was something straight out of a TV drama!


    Could Mira be some heiress living the simple life before inheriting a billion-dor empire?


    ze was floored by his own thought.


    Seeing his expression, Mirabe was equally puzzled. "What?"

 Chapter 1623

    Mirabe''s cheek twitched. "Friends, huh?"


    ze cleared his throat, casually nodding towards the street.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and nced over. With just a quick look, she sighed,


    "I wonder which big shot owns that fancy car parade. So jealous."


    ze: "..."


    Patrick: "..."


    Did she really just say that?


    Acting oblivious to her friends'' reactions, Mirabe strolled along at her own pace. Before long, they reached the school.


    Once seated, Mirabe, feeling a bit bored, pulled out her phone. The conference hadn''t kicked off yet, and she was just there for the ride, not expected to share any thoughts.


    Her friends, on the other hand, were a bundle of nerves.


    Soon, a professor from Riverside University came over, asking them to take the presentation materials to the back.


    Patrick quickly fished a USB drive from his bag. Robert, standing next to him, took it, saying, "I''ll take care of this. You guys focus on your speeches."


    "Thanks, professor," Patrick nodded with gratitude.


    "Stay cool, no need to stress. I believe in you," Robert smiled, offering a bit of encouragement before heading backstage with the professor.


    Backstage was buzzing with professors from different schools chatting away.


    A math professor had arrived a bit earlier than Robert and had already handed the USB to the professor handling the projector. "Hey, Mr. Robert, any ns after the conference? When''s your flight back?"


    Robert nced over, handed off his materials to another professor, and replied, "We''re flying out the day after tomorrow, with tomorrow free."


    "Just one day off? Your department''s tight-fisted, not giving the students more of a break," the math professor remarked.


    Robert wasn''t one to let suchments slide. He chuckled, "Our students are so into studying, a break makes them restless. Can you believe it?"


    Math professor: "..


    Seriously, who is he taking a jab at?


    Another professor joined the conversation, and Robert seamlessly chatted with them.


    The math professor rolled his eyes, checked the time, and decided to hit the restroom.


    As he left the backstage area, he bumped into someone at the door.


    Something ttered to the ground.


    Rubbing his sore shoulder, the math professor looked up at the other person, who didn''t even bother to


    ligize, just shot him a cold look


    he was the one in the wrong.


    With a frown, the math professor noticed a USB drive on the floor. He picked it up


    and handed it over. "You dropped this."


    The person paused, snatched it without a word of thanks, and strode inside.


    The math professor felt like he''d swallowed a flypletely irritated.


    Who acts like that? So rude!


    He rubbed his shoulder and made his way to the restroom.


    swny


    A few minutester, after returning from the restroom, he scanned the backstage for the person who bumped into him but didn''t spot them. .


    By now, the conference had started, pulling his focus back.


    *


    Up front, the conference kicked off with Patrick and his group making their presentations.


    The venue was brightly lit, with the stage lights dimming only when the student team''s prepared materials were being projected.

 Chapter 1624

    At that moment, after Patrick wrapped up his speech, he nced over to Robert, who was half-hidden behind the stage. Seeing Robert sh him an OK sign, Patrick confidently gestured toward the center stage projection screen.


    "This is the simtion algorithm our team at Prestige College has developed."


    As he finished speaking, the spotlight dimmed, and the projection screen lit up. Patrick scanned the room filled with academic elites, keeping his hand pointed at the screen behind him. He continued, "This algorithmbines polymer variable conversion with the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics..."


    He had barely gotten a few sentences out when he noticed puzzled looks spreading across the audience and heard whispers rising.


    Patrick felt his heart skip a beat and turned to look at the screen behind him. Instead of their simtion algorithm, the screen was now a mess of pixted distortions, and the speakers were crackling with static. It seemed like the yback file had gone haywire.


    Patrick''s face fell. How could their simtion video have gone so wrong? He had checked everything thoroughly before leaving the hotel that morning everything had been fine!


    Now, curious and amused eyes were fixed on Patrick-some were enjoying the spectacle, others were just in confused.


    Patrick stood frozen on stage, his mind racing, unable to find the words to handle the unexpected chaos.


    In the audience, ze and Denny were equally stunned. They were more ustomed tob work than dealing with tech hups in front of a crowd, leaving them utterly clueless.


    Next to them, Mirabe nced up at the stage, then decisively stood up.


    ze snapped out of his daze, grabbing Mira''s arm, "Mira, where are you going?" Denny also turned his attention to Mirabe.


    Mirabe remained calm, her expression unfazed. After a moment of thought, she reassured her friends, "Stick to the n and keep the presentation going. I''ll head backstage and see what''s up."


    "But what about our simtion video..." ze said, biting his lip with worry.


    Mirabe gently freed her arm and gave ze a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It''s okay. We''ll have the video sorted out soon."


    Looking into Mirabe''s steady eyes, ze found his own chaotic thoughts beginning to calm down.


    "Alright," ze nodded.


    With a slight nod of her own, Mirabe headed backstage.


    ze watched as Mira disappeared from view, then took a deep breath. After exchanging a look with Denny the two of them stood up and


    walked onto the stage, yel


    Prestige College meant they had to push through, even if things went awry.


    *


    Meanwhile, Robert had already rushed backstage after seeing the mess on the


    screen, eager to figure out what had gone wrong.


    "The file source is corrupted," said the professor handling the video yback, still clicking away at the mouse in a futile attempt to fix. things. Unfortunately, he wasn much of a tech whiz, and the


    problem remained unresolved.


    Robert''s expression turned grim. "It can''t be corrupted. We double-checked


    everything beforeing here-there weren''t any issues. How is it malfunctioning now?"


    The professor, just as frustrated


    with this unusual glitch, replied with


    a tone even more irritable than


    Robert''s, "How should I know? plugged in your sh drive, and this is what happened. Maybe your sh drive just decided to act up."

 Chapter 1625

    "I didn''t mean it like that. Our files don''t just get messed up for no reason," Robert said, trying to keep his cool. He''d taught plenty of sses but had never faced anything like this before.


    The timing of the video file''s corruption was just too perfect to be a coincidence.


    No way was this just a random glitch.


    "Instead of griping at me, why not see if there''s a backup? If you can get that up and running, your school won''t look too bad," the professor snapped.


    Robert''s face fell at the suggestion.


    Sure, there was a backup, but how was he supposed to whip it out right then and there?


    Fly back to the hotel like some superhero?


    The professor was clearly being sarcastic.


    Robert clenched his fists, ready to respond when he heard Mirabe''s voice behind him.


    "Let me take a look."


    Robert turned, eyes widening a bit as he saw Mirabeing over. "Mirabe, what are you doing here?"


    Mirabe just nodded at him, dragged a chair over with a screech, and sat down at the table.


    Before the professor in charge of the video could say a word, she reached over, pulled theptop closer, and started typing.


    Robert watched in disbelief. Could she really fixputer files?


    The professor, catching on, lunged to take back hisptop. "Who are you? Who said you could touch myputer?"


    But before he could grab it, Robert instinctively held him back. "She''s one of our students. She''s just checking out what''s wrong with our video. She won''t mess up yourputer."


    "Are you nuts?" The professor yanked his hand away, thinking Robert was just stalling. "I already said it can''t be fixed!"


    Just as he finished his protest, Mirabe hit the enter key. "There, it''s done."


    The video on theputer was no longer a jumbled mess but the simtion footage her friends had created.


    The professor''s face went pale, as if he''d seen a ghost. He hadn''t even noticed how she worked theputer, yet here was the video, all fixed up.


    Ignoring his shock, Mirabe opened the projection software and dropped the restored video in.


    Outside, ze and the others, who''d been trying to keep things from falling apart, saw their video light up the screen again and let out a collective sigh of relief.


    Sure, the first few minutes had been a train wreck, but with the video


    back on track, the three of them started to rx and got back into the groove of their presentation.


    Mirabe returned theptop to the professor, cing it almost exactly where it had been before.


    The professor stared at the screen, his anger about Mirabe''s bold move suddenly stuck, unable to go up or down.


    "Mirabe, what was wrong with the video?" Robert asked, focusing on the issue


    at hand rather than questioning herputer prowess.


    "It was infected. A Trojan messed it up," Mirabe exined calmly.


    "That''s nonsense! Myputer doesn''t have a virus!" the professor shot back immediately.


    Mirabe didn''t bother responding. Instead, she nced around the room, walked over to the projection equipment, and pulled out a mini USB drive connected to theptop. "It was probably this."


    Sorry, just three chapters today. I''ll update tomorrow around 5 p.m. to make up for


    the missed days.

 Chapter 1626

    "What''s this?" Robert asked, grabbing the item from Mirabe''s hand and giving it a once-over. "A USB drive?"


    Mirabe''s expression remained cool and collected as she nodded. "Kind of. When you plug it into the projector, it triggers a malware program that messes up the presentation files."


    Robert felt his frustration bubble up. "Who would be so nasty to pull a stunt like this?"


    Wasn''t this just a clear attempt to embarrass their school in front of all those prestigious colleges?


    "No way! How could something like this end up in our school''s projector?" The professor from Riverside University stood up again, reaching for the USB drive.


    Robert held onto it. "Someone must''ve nted it on purpose."


    He was convinced that no one from their school would do something so reckless there was nothing to gain, only trouble.


    The professor shot Robert a grateful look, understanding he was giving Riverside University some leeway. He then said seriously, "We''ll definitely get to the bottom of this!"


    He stepped aside to call the school''s security team.


    Meanwhile, a professor from the Math Department, who had been eyeing the device, chimed in. "I just remembered when I went to the restroom earlier, I bumped into another professor who was carrying the same thing you''re holding, Mr. Robert."


    When they collided, the other professor had dropped his USB drive, and the Math professor had kindly picked it up for him.


    So, the Math professor had a clear memory of it.


    "Are you sure? Can you point him out?" Robert asked urgently.


    The Riverside University professor, overhearing the exchange, turned to listen.


    "I''m sure, but I didn''t see him after I got back from the restroom," the Math professor replied, looking serious. Who would''ve guessed that the person he bumped into had bad intentions?


    "I''ve already asked our team to check the surveince footage," the Riverside University professor said.


    Robert sighed, feeling a headacheing on.


    Mirabe nced at Robert. This situation didn''t involve her anymore, nor


    follow-up. "Professor, I''ll head out now," she said.


    eed to worry about the


    Robert nodded. "Alright, you can go."


    Thankfully Mirabe had been there to fix the video files just in time, saving their reputation. Otherwise, Prestige College might''ve been the butt of jokes at this year''s conference.


    As Mirabe was about to leave, the Math professor called out to her. He had initially thought she was just thereto build her resume, but now he saw her differently.


    Clearing his throat, the Math professor asked, "Could you also take a look at our department''s PPT files?"


    He was worried they might be corrupted too.


    "Once the malware is gone, everything should be fine," Mirabe assured him politely.


    The Math professor let out a sigh of relief. "That''s a relief."


    Mirabe nodded and left.


    **


    When Mirabe returned to the conference hall, Patrick and the others were wrapping things up.


    They came down from the stage, their palms slick with cold sweat.


    "Mira, what went down backstage?" Patrick asked, taking off his sses and cleaning them with his shirt.


    "Someone nted a virus to mess up the video files," Mirabe said, keeping it brief.


    ze nearly jumped out of his seat at the news. "Seriously? Who''d be so evil to sabotage us like that?"

 Chapter 1627

    "The school is checking the surveince footage, but they haven''t found anyone yet," Mirabe said as she grabbed a water bottle from the table, twisted it open, and took a few sips.


    Patrick frowned. "I doubt they''ll figure out who''s stirring up trouble."


    Whoever had the nerve to mess with the seminar probably covered their tracks well.


    "Good thing the video started ying again. Otherwise, we would have really embarrassed ourselves today," ze sighed with relief.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and said, "Life throws curveballs sometimes. Didn''t you guys handle it pretty well?"


    "Ugh, my hands were all sweaty," ze admitted, still feeling jittery from the whole ordeal. He''d never been in such a cringe-worthy situation before.


    "You''ll get used to it," Mirabe said,zily shrugging it off.


    ze, feeling like he was developing a serious case of social anxiety, shook his head. "No way, I''m not going to any more conferences like this. My heart can''t handle it."


    "Pathetic," Patrick muttered, giving ze a look of disdain.


    Soon, it was the math department''s turn to present. Mirabe nced at Yara and the others on stage, then turned back to her phone. It had buzzed a few times, but she hadn''t had the chance to check it.


    It was a message from the young officer she''d met at the police station yesterday, letting her know that Summer had gone missing from the hospital. The police were searching, but no luck yet.


    Mirabe thoughtfully rubbed her phone screen and replied to the officer, telling him not to worry about it.


    Just as she was about to put her phone away, a message popped up on Messenger. It was from Grady.


    [Mira, what time do you wrap up this morning? I''m at the school too.]


    After getting some info from Summer yesterday, Grady felt uneasy about Riverside University Even though he mentioned the Davis family name to Summer''s professor, he knew those research fanatics might go to any lengths. So, he made up an excuse about an investment to visit the school.


    Mirabe was a bit surprised, but after thinking it over, she replied: [Around eleven-thirty.]


    Grady was lounging on the couch, not really listening to whatever Mr. Hammond was saying across from him. After messaging Mirabe back, he finally looked up.


    "The construction of your research building is good, and the funding won''t be a problem."


    Mr. Hammond''s smile widened at this. Even though Grady seemed a bit intimidating, money talks.


    Grady nodded slightly, deep in thought, and then set his cigar back in the ashtray.


    "I heard there''s a troubled student at your school?"


    Mr. Hammond was caught off guard


    by the question, wondering how


    Grady knew about it. The rumors about the troubled student had started spreading yesterday


    vely


    afternoon, and they were stilb investigating.


    "There might be some misunderstanding," Mr. Hammond replied cautiously, trying to figure out Grady''s angle.


    Grady slowly rotated his phone, taking his time. Just as Mr. Hammond''s nerves were about to crack, Grady finally said, "Anything that threatens student safety needs to be taken seriously."


    As he spoke, Grady''s eyes sharpened, filled with intensity.


    A chill ran down Mr. Hammond''s spine, and under the weight of Grady''s gaze, he quickly nodded "Yes, Mr. Davis, you''re absolutely right. The school definitely needs to beef up its security."


    Only then did Mr. Hammond realize why Grady was really there. The funding was


    secondary; the real reason was to issue a warning.

 Chapter 1628

    Grady didn''t stick around long before he gracefully excused himself from Mr. Hammond''s office, mentioning he wanted to have a look around the school.


    Mr. Hammond had initially offered to show him around, but Grady turned him down politely, so he had no choice but to have someone else ready to assist if needed.


    Once Grady was gone, the smile faded from Mr. Hammond''s face, revealing the beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.


    Picking up the check from his desk, he was struck by the thought that there were still good-hearted people out there. I mean, who just donates a whole research building on a whim?


    His mind drifted back to what Grady had said earlier. He grabbed the phone and called his assistant, "Any updates on that student who fell into theke yesterday?"


    The assistant had just returned and replied with respect, "I went to the hospitalst night, and they said Summer had already been picked up by her family. We can''t get in touch with her, and neither can the police. As for any mental health concerns, the hospital hasn''t given any assessments."


    Mr. Hammond frowned, "So Summer''s gone off the radar?"


    "Yes, her school records are really sparse, no details about her parents or home address," the assistant said, sounding puzzled.


    Normally, records wouldn''t be this iplete.


    Mr. Hammond rubbed his temples, aware that Summer''s thin file was because she was specifically admitted by Dr. Joen.


    He wouldn''t normally approve a student without the proper paperwork, but Dr. Joen was an exception.


    Joen wouldn''t take on a student with mental issues, so something else was going on here.


    The more he thought about it, the more it bugged him. "Does the student who fell into theke have any significant background?"


    "I''m not sure, but the team leader from Prestige University was pretty firm about getting an exnation from us," the assistant said calmly.


    "Of course, their student''s near-ident here deserves an exnation," Mr. Hammond mused, then asked, "Is Dr. Joen in theb today?"


    "I''ll check," the assistant replied, pulling out his phone.


    A short callter, the assistant informed Mr. Hammond, "The doctor''s in theb. Would you like to speak with him?"


    Mr. Hammond nodded and reached for the phone.


    Soon, Joen was on the line, "Mr. Hammond, what can I do for you?"


    Mr. Hammond cleared his throat, "I wanted to ask about your student Summer. We can''t seem to reach her."


    Joen seemed to expect this, "She''s gotten involved with someone she shouldn''t have. You can just wipe her from the school records like she was never here."


    Mr. Hammond felt a pang of unease.


    He knew Joen''s connections could easily protect a student in trouble Yet here was Joen, not only unwilling to protect Summer but


    eager to distance himself.


    This meant the student who ended up in theke had quite the backstory.


    Mr. Hammond couldn''t help but


    think of Mr. Davis, who had just


    It seemed unlikely Davis would randomly bring up a student with mental health issues.


    Could he have been here because of the student who fell into theke yesterday?


    Joen noticed Mr. Hammond''s silence and prompted, "Mr. Hammond, is there anything else you need?"

 Chapter 1629

    Mr. Hammond''s mind snapped back to the present. He was about to share his thoughts with Joen but hesitated, realizing Joen might be swamped. "No worries, Doctor. You carry on," he said, deciding it was best not toplicate things.


    Joen simply acknowledged with a nod and hung up the call.


    After handing his phone back to his assistant, Joen took a moment to himself instead of heading straight back to theb. After a brief pause, he turned to his assistant and said, "Could you find out when the conference wraps up this morning? Also, see if the student who had the ident yesterday has shown up. If she''s here, ask her to swing by the dean''s office."


    The assistant nodded, though curiosity got the better of him. "Doctor, why do you need to see that student?"


    "Summer''s my student, and after what happened yesterday, I need to clear things up," Joen replied confidently.


    The assistant understood the reasoning but found it odd that Dr. Joen, known for his fiery temper, would personally handle this. Still, not wanting to press further, he left the office.


    Joen''s gaze lingered on the doorway, deep in thought, as if he was nning something significant.


    Meanwhile, Grady was taking a leisurely walk through Riverside University''s campus, with Shay, his bodyguard, by his side and a professor leading the way.


    Shay had a discreet earpiece, asionally whispering updates into it. "Grady, our team is set. Once the professors leave at noon, we''re good to go."


    Shay maintained a cool, professional demeanor, speaking so softly that only Grady could hear, keeping the professor ahead blissfully unaware.


    Grady raised an eyebrow, absentmindedly ying with his wooden bracelet, his focus ahead, exuding aid-back vibe. "Keep everyone sharp," he advised. "Got it," Shay nodded, eyes gleaming with the excitement of the impending task. They weren''t here for charity. They were here to settle a score.


    Grady shot Shay a warning look. "Keep it under the radar. Finish up and leave quietly."


    "No worries, Grady!" Shay grinned.


    When it came to stealthy operations, he and As were a formidable team.


    The conference was winding down.


    Mirabe


    w kid just texted Grady to


    check


    when


    bet


    whereabouts on campus professor from Riverside


    University approached Robert.


    After a brief chat, Robert turned to Mirabe. "Mirabe, the university wants us to


    head over there."


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, still clutching her phone. "Is it about


    yesterday''s mishap? Or have


    they


    figured out who messed up the video file?"


    "They''re addressing the pool incident from yesterday," Robert exined, nodding towards the waiting professor.


    Mirabe considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, let''s go."


    "We''ll tag along," her friends chimed in, sharing a look and speaking in unison.


    Robert shook his head, weighing the


    situation. "It''s better if you guys stay


    put.


    school wants to talk to


    Mirabe specifically. A big group might not be the best idea."


    ze and the others reluctantly agreed.


    Shortly after, Mirabe and Robert followed the professor, leaving their friends behind.

 Chapter 1630

    As they were walking, Mirabe nced around and asked the professor leading the way, "Is this the way to the admin office?"


    Robert, who wasn''t really familiar with Riverside University, shot her a curious look. Why was she asking that out of the blue?


    With her focus on the professor guiding them, Mirabe didn''t catch Robert''s silent question at first.


    The professor, who happened to be Dr. Joen''s assistant, turned slightly and gave a polite smile. "No, the admin office isn''t this way. We''re actually heading to the department office where our doctoral advisor will meet you personally."


    "Our doctoral advisor?" Mirabe zeroed in on the important part. "Who would that be?"


    "That''d be Dr. Joen," the assistant replied, his voice carrying a hint of pride when mentioning Joen.


    Mirabe wasn''t fazed at all by the mention of Joen. She knew Summer''s n had been to bring her to Joen, though the n had faltered because the substance hadn''t affected her.


    "But wasn''t the school supposed to exin something to my student? Why''s Dr. Joen involved?" Robert asked, clearly surprised since he knew of Joen''s reputation.


    "Well, you see, Summer is one of our doctoral advisor''s students," the assistant exined briefly.


    The teacher-student connection justified Joen''s direct involvement, making it seem normal while also showing respect to others involved.


    Mirabe gave Joen''s assistant a calm look.


    The assistant kept walking, not offering more details.


    Robert, keeping up with them, began whispering to Mirabe, filling her in on Dr. Joen''s impressive background, his voice filled with admiration for this giant in the scientific world.


    Despite his enthusiasm, Mirabe remained unruffled, asionally responding with a simple "Oh."


    After a few of those "ohs," Robert felt his excitement about meeting such a renowned figure start to fizzle out.


    "Why do I get the feeling you''re not interested in Dr. Joen at all?


    pretty big in the research He''set


    Robert murmured. Content Belongs to


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Well, my professor''s a pretty big deal in the research world too."


    Her point was clear: with such a mentor, why should she be interested in someone else?


    Robert found himself momentarily speechless; her reasoning, oddly enough, made sense.


    He rubbed his nose, feeling his remaining excitement settle into calm.


    Before long, they arrived at the department office with Joen''s assistant.


    Joen had just


    Of Duilding and walked into t


    s reception room


    and Robert had


    in.


    With a steady gaze, Robert nodded at Joen, treating him like any other professor. "Hello, Doctor."


    Joen nced at Robert, noting his


    demeanor, but didn''t linger


    e nodded, then turneger


    on it. He


    his


    attention to Mirabe.


    The young woman''s striking looks and natural grace made her stand out.


    A flicker of surprise crossed Joen''s eyes. He gestured toward the sofa, "Let''s take a seat and chat."


    Robert nodded, signaling to Mirabe to rx, and they both settled on the sofa.


    Joen didn''t sit down just yet. Instead, he leisurely walked to the water dispenser and poured two cups of water.

 Chapter 1631

    The assistant was about to take on the task of serving drinks, but when he saw Joen raise his hand, he held back and quickly stepped away. Joen ced two sses of water on the coffee table in front of Robert and Mirabe, then sat down. His face softened with a rare, gentle smile. "I''m really sorry. I didn''t expect my student to act so recklessly."


    If the assistant had still been there, he would have been shocked by Dr. Joen''s uncharacteristically kind demeanor.


    Robert, used to dealing with Dr. Elliot''s sternness, stayed calm with Joen. He simply said, "No one saw thising. But shouldn''t your student apologize to Mirabe in front of everyone?"


    Joen''s expression changed slightly at Mirabe''s name. "Yes, an apology is necessary. But Summer isn''t on campus, and we can''t seem to get in touch with her."


    Robert frowned. "What do you mean you can''t contact her?"


    Did she take off? Or were they just avoiding giving them an exnation?


    Joen rested his fingers on his knee, his skin unusually pale from years in theb. His gaze settled on Mirabe as he said cryptically, "Maybe she''s already facing the consequences of her actions."


    Robert was thrown by this vague reply.


    Mirabe lounged back in her chair, seemingly unaffected by Joen''s look, like she didn''t quite get what was going on. She kept quiet, her eyes drifting to the ss of water on the coffee table, lost in thought.


    "I''m not sure I follow, Doctor?" Robert asked, trying to clear up his confusion.


    Seeing Joen''s focus on Mirabe, Robert turned to her, noticing her gaze on the water ss. Was she thirsty but too shy to take it?


    Robert cleared his throat and handed one of the sses to Mirabe. After that, he looked back at Dr. Joen.


    Mirabe, reluctantly taking the ss, seemed puzzled: "?"


    "Maybe you should ask your student," Joen suggested, his gaze moving past Mirabe, still full of patience and politeness.


    Robert was more puzzled. How did this turn back to Mirabe?


    He was about to speak when a phone rang, cutting him off.


    Joen''s phone buzzed. He nced at it and then hung up.


    Not even a minuteter, the


    assistant burst into the imel


    skipping the knock, clearly.


    hurry.


    Joen noticed his assistant''s anxious look and narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"


    The assistant rushed to Joen''s side, bending down to whisper quickly in his ear.


    After hearing the news, Joen''s expression turned serious. "We need to go."


    Without a word to Robert, he stood up and quickly left the office.


    His hurried exit suggested something big had happened.


    Robert stared at the door, trying to make sense of it. "What''s going on?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, thoughtfully saying, "Sounds like theirb just blew


    up."


    "Theb


    lew up?" Robert looked at


    Mirabe. "What do you


    do know that Mirabenow

 Chapter 1632

    Mirabe gave a little smile and set her untouched ss of water back on the coffee table. She had a knack for picking up on things-her ears were just too sharp.


    Robert, about to say something, paused as they noticed Joen''s assistant rushing back in. "Sorry to interrupt, but Dr. Joen has an urgent situation to handle, so I''ll have to see you out," the assistant hurriedly exined.


    Robert caught the urgency in his voice and stood up, replying politely, "If Dr. Joen is busy, we''ll head out now. No need to escort us; we can manage."


    The assistant seemed relieved, not even bothering with a polite smile. "Alright then," he said.


    After guiding them downstairs, the assistant quickly turned back towards the research building.


    "Seems like something serious is going on," Robert mused, ncing back as they walked away.


    Mirabe nodded, fishing her phone out of her pocket. A message from Grady had juste in.


    Joen left the administrative office and headed straight for the research building. Upon entering hisb and seeing the wrecked equipment, it felt like his head might explode from the stress.


    He staggered back, nearly fainting from the shock. Those two pieces of equipment were his pride and joy, housing nearly twenty years of experimental data, the culmination of his life''s work. If they were gone, it was as if everything he had worked for was wiped out.


    With bloodshot eyes, Joen stumbled over to the micrputer, trying desperately to power it on, but the machine wouldn''t respond. That''s when he noticed the main unit, stripped down to its metal casing, with its hardware chip utterly destroyed.


    The damage was so extensive that even sending it back for repairs seemed hopeless. With the chip ruined, it meant the bulk of his life''s work had vanished.


    Joen''s hands shook, trying to understand how such devastation urred in the short time he was away. When the assistant returned and saw the scene, he gasped, fully aware of theb''s importance to Joen. He swallowed hard, not daring to step any closer.


    Clutching the destroyed chip, Joen''s eyes zed with anger. "Who could have done this?!"


    The assistant shivered, quickly


    saying, "The surveince in the


    building was taken out. Whoever did


    this was prepared and knew how to


    dodge the on-duty professor, which


    means they were familiar with the building."


    Joen suppressed the metallic taste of fury rising in his throat. "So, it was someone on the inside?"


    "That''s the most likely scenario," the assistant said, keeping his head down. "Plus, yourb has multiple security locks. Besides you, hardly anyone could get in."


    If it had been an outsider, they would have set off the rm just by touching the door, let alone destroying everything inside.


    Joen''s face darkened even more.


    The assistant nced at him and then said, "I''ll check the other floors, see if there''s anything else."


    Joen remained silent, his face grim, as the assistant quickly left the room.

 Chapter 1633

    Not long after, the assistant walked back in, looking anything but happy.


    "Thebs from the third to the fifth floor have taken a hit. The equipment''s damaged, but we might be able to fix it," he rattled off about the other floors quickly.


    What he didn''t say was that fixing everything might cost more than just buying new ones. The real issue wasn''t the busted equipment¡ªit was the data inside.


    Joen red at him, his expression icy. "So, you''re saying myb got hit the worst?"


    The assistant nodded, head bowed. "... Yes."


    Joen couldn''t hold back his temper any longer and smashed a cup to the floor. "Fantastic! It''s like they had it out for me!"


    The assistant felt his nerves tighten, knowing how scary Joen could be when he was angry.


    "Please, try to stay calm. The university''s locked down all the exits. Whoever pulled this off in such a short time probably wasn''t alone. Plus, the cops have sent some tech wizards to sort out the surveince footage. Maybe we''ll catch them soon."


    Joen clenched his jaw so hard it was like he was trying to grind his teeth to dust. "Catching them won''t bring back my research data, will it?"


    Decades of hard work, gone!


    The assistant stayed silent, struggling to find anythingforting to say.


    Joen rubbed his aching temples, took a deep breath, and then walked out, face nk. "I need to see who messed with myb!"


    The assistant quickly followed, knowing Joen was heading to the surveince


    room.


    Once there, police techs were hard at work trying to recover the footage.


    Joen, noputer whiz himself, hovered behind them for a couple of minutes before asking, "How much longer till it''s fixed?"


    "Just a bit more," one tech said, not even looking up as his fingers danced over the keyboard.


    Hearing this, Joen''s scowl softened just a touch.


    He was hell-bent on making whoever wrecked his life''s work pay dearly.


    Minutes


    the proater, the screen showed the progr¨¨ss at ny-nine pet


    The tech, seeing this, finally leaned back, ready to call it a day,


    But instead of thatst percent ticking over, two shy letters popped onto the screen.


    [FU]


    The tech''s grin froze.


    So close to being done, and then this? Pure, unadulterated mockery!


    Joen stared at the letters, icy as ever. He didn''t need to be a tech genius to get


    the message. "Is it gone for good?"


    The tech snapped back to reality,


    frantically typing again, but he


    couldn''t fix it or even exit the


    vel


    program. The screen was stuck


    on


    those two letters, taunting them all.


    He cursed under his breath and gave up. "No luck. We''ve been outsmarted. They hacked us back."


    Joen''s face was stormy.


    First, they trashed the equipment in broad daylight, then the footage was unsalvageable, and now they were being openly mocked. Whoever did this was outrageously bold.

 Chapter 1634

    Joen was so mad he actually fainted. His assistant panicked and called an ambnce right away. Naturally, when another ambnce rolled into campus, the students were all buzzing, wondering if something big had gone down again, like the previous day.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe stepped out of the restroom. "Mirabe, you feeling alright?" Robert, who''d been waiting outside forever, asked with genuine concern when he finally saw her.


    "Yeah, maybe I caught a chill from falling in the water yesterday," Mirabe said, giving her stomach a little rub for show.


    Robert didn''t question it. He thought for a moment and suggested, "Maybe you should head back to the hotel and rest up. This afternoon''s seminar is just a load of formalities anyway."


    Robert''s such a good guy! Mirabe mused silently, then reassured him, "No worries, Professor, I can handle it."


    Robert gave her a once-over, "Alright, but let me know if you''re not feeling up to it."


    Mirabe nodded. It wasn''t really about the seminar; Joen''sb was in chaos, and the school might lock everything down. Leaving suddenly would probably make people suspicious.


    Soon enough, she and Robert met up with ze and the crew. Instead of heading to the cafeteria for lunch with them, Mirabe went to find Grady.


    With theb incident, the school had shut down all entrances and exits. Even though Grady was a VIP guest of Mr. Hammond, security was on high alert. Mr. Hammond figured it was best to have Grady escorted to the guest lounge, where he could rx, and had some food sent over.


    Grady had no ns to leave, so the setup was just fine by him. In the lounge, it was just him and Xiao Xie, no other professors in sight.


    "The campus is on lockdown," Xiao Xie noted, returning from the window and ncing at Grady, who looked as calm as ever, not a hint of tension despite being the brains behind the whole mess. Even Xiao Xie''s update didn''t faze him.


    He checked his watch and said, "Miss Mira should be here soon. Go wait for her outside."


    Xiao Xie nodded and headed out without a trace of worry. As he got downstairs, he spotted Mirabe walking in. His eyes brightened, and he gave her a respectful nod.


    At that moment, the lobby had just one security guard on duty, and no professors


    around. The guard assumed they were students and let them be.


    Mirabe and Xiao Xie got into the elevator. Xiao Xie pressed the button for their floor, nced at the camera, and reassured her, "Miss Mira, don''t worry. The school''s


    surveince is down."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "So, you guys were behind theb chaos?"


    Bold move, she thought. In broad daylight, no less.


    Xiao Xie was taken aback and looked at her in shock, "Miss Mira... how did you figure that out?"


    Did Grady spill the beans? But he was supposed to keep her in the dark about the whole school situation.


    Mirabe sighed lightly, then shifted her focus from the elevator doors to Xiao Xie. "If I told you I can see into the future, would you buy it?"


    Xiao Xie''s cheek twitched slightly.


    Mirabe chuckled and said, "I''m pretty handy withputers."


    Xiao Xie was left scratching his head, still not sure how her


    int. Just then, the elevator


    dinged, signaling they had arrived.

 Chapter 1635

    Mirabe stepped out of the elevator before Mike could even get his question out. Mike scratched his head, curiosity bubbling under the surface, but he pushed it down and hurried to catch up with her. Once he led her to the meeting room, he stationed himself outside to guard the door.


    "Grady," Mirabe greeted, settling into the chair across from him with a polite smile.


    Grady returned her greeting with a warm, kind smile. "Mira, did your professor have anything to say about youing here?"


    "No, nothing at all," Mirabe replied, her smile unfaltering. After a bit of small talk, she feigned innocence and asked, "So what brings you to campus today, Grady?"


    "Oh, just handling some minor business," Grady said smoothly, as if he were really here for work and not causing a stir at the research building.


    Mirabe tapped her nose thoughtfully. When it came to the art of conversation, she always considered herself pretty skilled, but Grady was clearly in a league all his own. She had to admit, he was a master!


    "By the way, Mira, have you figured out when you''re heading back home?" Grady changed the subject.


    "Our flight''s the day after tomorrow," Mirabe thought aloud. "Tomorrow''s a free day for us. I haven''t seen Chester yet, and I''m not sure how busy he is. It''d be great to finally catch up with him."


    Grady''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait a minute, you haven''t met Keir yet? Didn''t hee to see you a few days ago? Didn''t he mention he''s your Chester?"


    Mirabe blinked, taken aback. "Chester came to see me a few days ago? But I didn''t see him..."


    The gears in her mind started turning, and she remembered James mentioning someone hade looking for her but left in a hurry. Could that have been Chester?


    Grady''s voice broke into her thoughts. "That''s odd. Keir called mest night and said he''d met with you," he remarked, almost to himself.


    But then he remembered Keir''s quirky nature, and nced at Mirabe''s puzzled expression. It clicked Keir hadn''t actually met her. No wonder Keir was stumbling over his words when he mentioned Miss Mira on the phonest night. He was probably trying to keep up appearances.


    After piecing it together, Grady cleared his throat and quickly backtracked, "Maybe


    the signal was bad on our call, and I heard wrong."


    Well, he thought, gotta help Keir save face somehow.


    Mirabe watched Grady''s clumsy attempt to cover up, fighting back a chuckle, and decided not to call him


    out''ll shoot Chester a messageter, see if he''s free."


    "Don''t worry, he''ll definitely make time," Grady said confidently, vouching for his boss.


    If it were one of Miss Mira''s other brothers, they might genuinely be too busy.


    Mirabe nodded, taking the chance to ask Grady about Chester''s likes and dislikes. Grady, without much hesitation, spilled all of Keir''s quirks and preferences.


    "Oh, and Grady, why hasn''t Chester settled down yet?" Mirabe asked, remembering something Nick had casually mentioned before.


    Grady''s easygoing demeanor shifted a bit at the question, a flicker of seriousness crossing his face.

 Chapter 1636

    Grady quickly pulled himself together and sighed, "It''s all ancient history.


    Chester''s just the kind of guy who loves to reminisce. Otherwise, he''d probably have a bustling family by now, just like your parents."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "So Chester''s a bit of a romantic, huh?"


    Grady chuckled, not offering much more. "What''s got you so curious about Chester today, Miss Mira?"


    "I''m just intrigued by him," Mirabe said, tapping her knee thoughtfully. Chester had been a fixture on her phone for ages, so it made sense to learn a bit more about him.


    Grady grinned, "You''ll get to meet him in person tomorrow."


    "Yeah," Mirabe nodded, already nning not to show up empty-handed.


    They chatted a bit more until they heard voices outside, and then a young guy named Shawn came in with a food box.


    After setting it down, Shawn quietly left the room.


    Grady opened the box and handed Mirabe a fork. "Things can get a bit hectic around Merrywoods. Maybe tell your friends and the professor to stay put and not wander around too much."


    Mirabe thanked him, remembering the long line of cars she''d seen that morning on her way to school. She nodded, "Got it."


    Grady picked up a fork too but didn''t start eating. "But don''t worry. I''ve arranged for someone to keep an eye on things."


    Mirabe looked at Grady, her bright eyes sincere as she expressed her gratitude, "Thanks, Uncle."


    Grady shook his head with a smile, "No need to thank me, Miss Mira. It''s the least I can do."


    "And what about you, Uncle? Have you wrapped up your business here? When are you heading out?" Mirabe asked casually, picking up a piece of lettuce.


    "Probably this afternoon," Grady replied coolly, showing no hint of anything else. Mirabe nodded, "There was somemotion at theb building. I heard police sirens on my way in. Be careful, Uncle."


    Grady nearly choked on his food, "Cough... Miss Mira, you know about that?"


    Mirabe blinked innocently, "Actually, I know nothing."


    Grady thought, If it weren''t for that look, I might have believed you.


    Mirabe chuckled softly and went back to her meal.


    **


    After lunch, Mirabe headed out.


    As she made her way to meet some friends, she texted James on her phone.


    [What kind of gift is good for an elder?]


    James seemed busy and didn''t check phone until twenty minutester. [Who are


    to give it to?] Content you


    [To


    She


    with ze and the others. t quietly on the side, chiming y now and then.


    By now, Mirabe had


    James thought for a moment before replying, [I''ll bring you somethingter.]


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow,


    knowing anything from James


    would be top-notch. She typed back,


    Whool


    [Okay.]


    After wrapping up his chat with Mirabe, James called Wyatt.


    Wyatt soon walked into the office with a small metal box, "James."


    James took the box without opening it, instead cing it into a desk drawer.


    Wyatt nced at the box, curiosity piqued, "What do you need this for?"


    "It''s a gift," James replied, his demeanor asposed as ever, his voice calm and collected.


    Wyatt, knowing his boss well, made a guess, "Is it for Ms. Mirabe?"

 Chapter 1637

    James always turned into a fierce protector when it came to anything involving


    Ms. Mirabe, like a knight ready to fight for hisdy''s honor. Wyatt was long used to this.


    James nced at Wyatt, sidestepping the topic. Instead, he casually asked, "How old are you this year?"


    Wyatt blinked, puzzled by the sudden question, but quickly replied, "32."


    "32, huh..." James shook his head, drumming his fingers lightly on the table. "How about I give you a six-month vacation? How does that sound?"


    Wyatt''s face fell at the word "vacation." "No way, James! Did I mess something up? Just tell me, and I''ll fix it right away!"


    In James''s world, a "vacation" was more like banishment to the middle of nowhere.


    With a hint of disdain, James looked at Wyatt. "32 and still single?"


    Wyatt finally caught on: "..."


    So, James was both rubbing salt in the wound and throwing a bit of shade at him? Just then, a knock came at the door.


    Curtis walked in, carrying a pile of files. After nodding at James, he turned to Wyatt, who looked like he''d just swallowed a lemon. "What''s with you?"


    Wyatt, feeling a good friend should share in the misery, said seriously, "James, Curtis here is three years older than me and he doesn''t have a partner either."


    Curtis: "?"


    What was Wyatt rambling about today? Was he speaking some kind of gibberish?


    "I think he needs the vacation more than I do," Wyatt added, quickly stepping aside to avoid any potential bacsh from Curtis.


    Curtis sighed, exasperated. "Did you get your head mmed in a door?"


    Ignoring Wyatt, Curtis ced the files in front of James and got down to business. "James, these are the contracts Mr. Link signed on the sly. He ns to move that batch of weapons tonight."


    Wyatt''s joking demeanor vanished, reced by focus. "I thought that old fox would hold off a bit longer."


    "Blythe Town to the east has always


    been chaotic, so their urgent need for weapons makes sense. But I''ve heard there''s a new force there, taking over the nearby viges, which is why the Mayor of Blythe is anxious to deal with us," Curtis exined, eyes narrowing.


    "A new force?" Wyatt was taken aback. "Are they strong?"


    "My intel''s limited, so I can''t be sure, but they shouldn''t be taken lightly," Curtis replied coolly.


    "Not really our problem," Wyatt shrugged, then turned to James. "Since Mr. Link is making a move tonight, why don''t we take him down while we''re at it?"


    James leaned back in his chair, as;


    picked up the files, flipping through them briefly before letting them fall back onto the desk. "What time?"


    "The insider says ten o''clock tonight,¡± Curtis replied respectfully.


    James nodded, considering for a moment before instructing in a calm voice, "Go get ready."


    Wyatt and Curtis exchanged nces, nodded, and chimed in unison, "Got it."


    They quickly left the office.


    James''s gaze lingered on the contracts, then he picked up his phone and sent a message to Mirabe.


    [Something came up. I might be back at the hotel a bitte tonight.]

 Chapter 1638

    Over here, Mirabe nced at her phone and sent a quick "Okay."


    Nearby, ze and the gang were still tossing around ideas about where to go for some sightseeing tomorrow, taking a breather in the conference hall.


    Mirabe listened for a while, then tilted her head slightly and chimed in, "You folks aren''t too familiar with this area. How about I ask my uncle to set you up with a guide?"


    Patrick, remembering the intimidating vibe of Mira''s uncle and his crew, quickly waved it off, "Oh, no need to trouble yourselves, we can sort it out on our own!"


    ze, on the other hand, seemed puzzled and said, "I think having a local guide sounds pretty good."


    Patrick nudged ze with his foot and coughed, "We shouldn''t impose too much..."


    Before he could finish, Mirabe interrupted, already tapping away on her phone, "It''s no hassle at all. I''ll let my uncle know right now."


    Patrick watched in disbelief as Mirabe typed away: "!!!"


    Soon enough, Mirabe looked up, "All set."


    Patrick sighed, "... Thanks, Mira."


    "No worries," Mirabe grinned, "Happy to help."


    Patrick: "."


    Just then, Robert came back from the administrative office of Riverside University. He''d gone to check if they''d figured out who messed with their video earlier that morning, but the professors were all so swamped, they couldn''t spare a minute for him.


    "So, nothing on this morning''s incident?" ze frowned.


    "They''re probably too tied up with other stuff," Robert replied, not sounding too miffed, just lowering his voice a bit, "Theb had some kind of incident, and they haven''t got time for our little issue."


    "Theb had an incident?" Patrick was taken aback.


    Robert nodded, "Yeah, the cops are involved, and they''ve closed off several campus gates. Seems pretty serious."


    "Why shut the gates?" ze zeroed in on this.


    1.n


    "Probably trying to catch someone," Robert guessed. Though he hadn''t caught any gossip, he could pieceit together. Labs don''t just have incidents for no reason; it''s likely sabotage. Whoever dared to stir up trouble in a schoolb must have some serious guts.


    "I''m more worried about whether the afternoon.conference will wrap up early. There''s too many high-flyers here; folks like me don''t stand a chance," Mirabe said,zilytwirling her phone, looking allid-back.


    Robert''s lips twitched: "...Is this real-life humblebragging?"


    After the conference wrapped up in the afternoon, the previously closed campus gates swung open. However, each entrance now had two uniformed special officers standing guard.


    Mirabe watched from afar, her expression steady. With Grady personally at the school, she wasn''t sweating it, knowing he had everything under control.


    Before long, they all left the campus together.


    Just as they were heading out, Joen, finally catching up with reality, remembered some unfinished business from noon. He checked the time and called his assistant into the office, "Is the conference over?"


    The assistant, eyeing Joen warily, answered, "It should be done."


    Joen furrowed his brow, "Check if the students from Prestige College have left. If


    they''re still around, ask them to hang tight for a bit."

 Chapter 1639

    The assistant initially thought Joen was still worried about Summer, so he nodded and pulled out his phone. "I''ll call the registrar''s office to check with the professor."


    Joen rubbed his temples, trying to piece together the day''s events in his clearer mind. Over fifty pieces of equipment had been destroyed, the surveince footage was unrecoverable, and whoever was behind this seemed to be taunting them openly. Theplete absence of any clues made it clear that this wasn''t just an inside job by a professor.


    No professor on the inside could have covered their tracks so perfectly.


    Moreover, out of all thebs, his was the most thoroughly trashed, suggesting he was the real target. Joen couldn''t think of anyone he''d crossed recently.


    The assistant ended the call, snapping Joen back to the present. "Doctor, they said those students have already left."


    Hearing this made Joen''s temples throb even more. He''d hoped to get data from that girl, but now it seemed... today was turning out to be a real downer. Once she left the campus, the opportunity for testing was gone, especially since she was likely tied to the Davis family.


    Thinking of the Davis family, an idea suddenly flickered in Joen''s mind, like the mystery was about to unravel.


    Just then, there was a knock at the office door.


    "I''ll get it," said the assistant, heading over. Opening the door, he nodded quickly. "Mr. Hammond, you''vee."


    Mr. Hammond waved a hand and stepped into the office.


    Joen paused his thoughts and stood up to greet him politely. "Mr. Hammond."


    Mr. Hammond gestured for him to sit back down. "Doctor, are you feeling any better?"


    He was referring to Joen fainting from anger earlier that afternoon.


    Joen nodded, feeling slightly awkward. "I''m alright, thank you for your concern, Mr. Hammond."


    "That''s good to hear," Mr. Hammond said with a sigh of relief. "By the way, have you tallied up the losses from theb building?"


    "We''ve already got the figures. I''ll prepare a report and send it overter," Joen''s assistant chimed in quickly.


    Mr. Hammond nodded. Truth be told, his mood over theb incident was just as sour as Joen''s. The lost equipment was one thing; the real worry was the data and research.


    Even though most of the data was backed up, some crucial elements couldn''t be duplicated, which was the truly rming part.


    Mr. Hammond sighed and pulled a check from a folder, cing it on the coffee table. "Originally, this money was for a newb building, but right now, you should use it to fix the equipment."


    His eyes lingered on the check, and handing it over felt like a punch to the gut.


    Just that morning, he''d been thrilled about a benefactor funding the school, thinking they could ramp and enhance the facilities. Who


    would''ve thought that by after not


    they''d be dealing with a massive equipment wreck?


    Now, the funds they''d just received had to be used immediately, and it was beyond frustrating.


    Joen nced at Mr. Hammond and then took the check. Seeing the amount, he paused. "Mr. Hammond, how did you manage to get such a big sum so quickly?"


    "This funding it''s hard to say if it''s good luck or bad. A wealthy benefactor gave the check this


    morning to support the school


    nned to use it for the newb building, but with everything that''s happened, that project will have to wait," Mr. Hammondmented.

 Chapter 1640

    Compared to theboratory building, the equipment inside was the real priority. Even if Mr. Hammond felt the pinch from this donation, it had to be spent first.


    After hearing Mr. Hammond out, Joen felt a wave of mixed emotions. He nced at the check in his hand. "It''s rare to meet someone so generous."


    "Isn''t it?" Mr. Hammond said, taking the water offered by Joen''s assistant. "In all my years, I''ve never encountered such avish benefactor. So, Dr. Joen, I''ve been thinking we need to get your student back."


    Mr. Hammond''s voice turned serious as he spoke.


    Joen was caught off guard. "My student?"


    "Summer," Mr. Hammond replied, sipping his water.


    Joen frowned. "What does this have to do with Summer? I''m not following you, Mr. Hammond."


    Mr. Hammond quickly summarized his morning conversation with Grady. "I suspect this wealthy benefactor, with thest name Hawthorne, donated the money because of what happened yesterday."


    It''s almost routine for parents to spare no expense for their children.


    "Hold on, did you say theirst name is Hawthorne?" Joen''s eyes widened as he caught the crucial detail.


    Mr. Hammond paused, then nodded slowly. "Yes, why? Do you know them, Doctor?"


    Joen''s grip on the check tightened as rity dawned on him. It all made sense now. Apart from his recent run-ins with the Davis family over Summer, there was nothing else.


    With Summer caught up with the Davis family, she might have sold him out to protect herself, which exined the destruction in hisb today.


    Joen''s expression darkened. No wonder theb equipment on other floors wasn''tpletely wrecked, but his was hit the hardest. It was a clear message, a severe warning.


    The check in his hand wasn''t a


    his


    gesture of support; it was a deliberate p in the face. They could brazenly ruin hisb and then toss a check his way, dismissing him. It was contempt and a O reminder that the Davis family could do as they pleased, effortlessly.


    In this world, those with money and power are untouchable.


    "Doctor?" Mr. Hammond''s voice broke through Joen''s thoughts, startled by his demeanor.


    Joen''s mind was consumed by


    thoughts of the Davis family. After a moment, he snapped back, nearly crumpling the check in his hand. His finger rxed slightly, but his face remained grim. Even though he understood everything now, he couldn''t speak of it.


    No one would believe him anyway.


    Taking a deep breath, Joen


    swallowed his pride and said,


    "Summer probably won''t being


    vernot


    back. Since they sent a check, it


    means they won''t pursue


    yesterday''s incident further. You can


    retax, Mr. Hammond."


    Mr. Hammond studied Joen for a moment, then said, "That seems right, but we


    still need to address the situation with the student who fell into the water."


    Joen had heard enough. He stood up, saying, "You can deal with these things, Mr. Hammond. I have unfinished work in theb. I''ll leave you to it."


    Seeing Joen''s resolve, Mr. Hammond didn''t linger and soon left.


    Once alone, Joen clenched his fist, unable to contain his frustration any longer. He mmed the desk hard and tore the check to pieces in anger.

 Chapter 1641

    Caught between a rock and a hard ce, Joen''s actions were a textbook example of "cutting off your nose to spite your face." His assistant stood there, eyes wide, as Joen ripped up the check. It happened so fast, he didn''t even have a chance to intervene. "Dr. Joen, you..." he started, disbelief coloring his voice.


    Joen looked at the confetti of paper in his hands, momentarily stunned by his own rashness. But he quickly pulled himself together and said with a cool detachment, "Just note it down to be deducted from my ount."


    The assistant hesitated, nervously scratching the tip of his nose. "But sir, your ount doesn''t have that kind of cash flow," he mumbled.


    A million dors, gone in a blink.


    Torn to bits.


    Truly reckless.


    Joen: "..."


    Meanwhile, Mirabe and her crew were making their way to the hotel when someone suggested grabbing dinner together and maybe swinging by a well- known jazz bar nearby. Mirabe was busy texting, lost in her own world, so ze nudged her for her thoughts.


    Since Dn found out she was in Merrywoods, he''d been bombarding her with messages, trying to find a time to meet up. With the DO Group''s HQ also in town, she was juggling her schedule.


    Mirabe looked up to find everyone watching her and said, "I''ll pass on the jazz bar, but you all go ahead and have a st."


    "Why not join us, Mira? It''ll be a good time with everyone," ze said, sounding puzzled.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "It''s just not my thing."


    Before ze could push further, Patrick gave him a nudge. ze nced over at Patrick, who cleared his throat and said, "Mira''s in a different boat than the rest of us."


    ze blinked, still not getting it, "How so?"


    Patrick leaned in and whispered, "Mira''s got a boyfriend. You don''t."


    ze felt the sting of realization: "..."


    "Why not bring your boyfriend along, Mira?" ze suggested, tilting his head. "You''re abroad; it could be a nice little getaway."


    As ze mentioned the boyfriend, Yara, who was chatting quietly with a ssmate, gave Mirabe a quick look. Her grip on her friend''s arm <.


    tightened slightly at the word "boyfriend."


    Mirabe shook her head, a smile ying on her lips, "He''s tied up tonight."


    ze seemed a bit let down but didn''t push it, "Alright then."


    Mirabe nodded, "Have a great time, everyone."


    With that, she returned her focus to her phone, fingers dancing over the screen.


    Yara watched, her gaze dropping in thought. After all, someone from the illustrious Shepherd family wasn''t likely to join a bunch of students at a bar.


    She gave herself a small, self-aware smile.


    Before long, the group caught a cab to the restaurant. They snagged arge private room, perfect for over a dozen people, and in their high


    spirits, splurged on a couple of bottles of wine.


    Knowing her limits, Mirabe avoided the wine and stayed quiet through dinner, concentrating on her food and rarely joining in the chatter.


    By the time dinner wrapped up, it was just about 7 PM local time. Mirabe had set a meet-up with Dn around 7:30.


    Once the bill was settled, ze and the others ordered three cars to take them to the jazz bar.


    "Mira, how about I drop you off at the hotel first, then head to the bar?" ze offered after arranging the ride, wanting to make sure she got back safely.


    With aid-back ease, Mirabe


    tucked her hands into the pockets of


    her trench coat, her loosely curled


    hair flowing freely. "No worries, a friend is swinging by to pick me up."

 Chapter 1642

    As soon as she finished speaking, a shy, limited-edition sports car rolled up to the restaurant entrance. Out stepped a strikingly handsome man in a bright, trendy jacket. He unbuckled his seatbelt and got out, making his way straight to Mirabe.


    "Mom... Am Ite?" Dn almost blurted out by mistake.


    Mirabe couldn''t quite appreciate Dn''s over-the-top style. She rubbed her forehead, wishing she could just pretend they weren''t acquainted. "No, you''re just on time."


    "On time?" Dn looked confused.


    Mirabe cleared her throat, "I mean, you got here just in time."


    Dn looked even more puzzled. "Huh?"


    Ignoring him, Mirabe turned to ze and the others, saying, "Guys, I gotta go." ze nodded absentmindedly, his eyes still glued to Dn. "Oh, okay."


    Mirabe nodded back, then headed towards the sports car. Seeing this, Dn nced at ze and his friends, gave a polite nod, and quickly went to open the car door for Mirabe. Once she was seated, he closed the door and walked around to get back into the driver''s seat.


    The whole scene looked like the boss with her trusty sidekick.


    ze watched the car drive away, finally snapping out of it. "Mira must be the daughter of some big-shot tycoon!"


    "Quit dreaming," Patrick said with a smirk.


    "Come on, wouldn''t you feel cool knowing Mira, a tycoon''s daughter?" ze puffed up his chest, feeling a bit smug.


    Patrick just shook his head as their ride arrived. He nudged ze, "Alright, let''s get in."


    As they got into their car, some ssmates from the math department behind them sneered, "A tycoon''s daughter? That''s a bit much."


    Just because she stayed in a fancy suite, now she''s a tycoon''s daughter? Isn''t that stretching it a bit?


    Yara overheard and just smiled, shaking her head. "Never underestimate anyone."


    Anyone connected to the Shepherd family probably isn''t from an


    ordinary background, right? She


    thought she should ask her mom about it when she got home.


    **In the car. **


    Dn was about to raise the convertible''s top, but Mirabe stopped him. "When''s your flight back to the States?"


    Dn asked, curious.


    Mirabe casually rested her hand


    on the car door frame. The wind


    blew her hair back, adding a touch of carefree charm to her bright face. "Day after tomorrow."


    "That soon?" Dn was surprised. He thought she''d stay a few more days and had a bunch of tech questions lined up for her.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow at Dn. "What, gonna miss your mentor?"


    Dn''s lips twitched, his expression a bit tangled. "You, a woman, why do you always act like everyone''s mentor?"


    Mirabe shrugged, brimming with confidence. "What can I say? Talent speaks for itself."


    Dn: "..."


    He forgot how shameless she could be.


    "Actually, we have a load of tricky tech issues at work," Dn said with a half-smile. "We could really use


    someone with your skills."


    Mirabe nced at him with mock disdain. "Maybe you should try sleeping with


    your pillow a bit higher."

 Chapter 1643

    Dn clicked his tongue softly, "You''re really heartless."


    "I can be even more heartless if you want," Mirabe replied, her fingers flicking through the air, her voice as light as a breeze.


    Dn coughed, immediately backing down, "Alright, I''ll pay you."


    "Oh, I happen to be free tonight, so I suppose I could help you with some tech issues," Mirabe said, ncing at her watch.


    Dn: "."


    Typical genius boss behavior.


    Half an hourter, his shy sports car rolled up to the DO Group''s tech park.


    At the entrance, high-tech gadgets scanned Dn''s car, automatically letting them through.


    After parking, Dn led Mirabe into the headquarters, exining as they walked, "This is your first visit here, right? There are a lot of security protocols, so just stick close to me."


    Mirabe took in the ultra-modern lobby, feeling as if she''d stepped into a sci-fi movie. Everywhere she looked, there were high-tech gadgets, and her gaze paused on a disy robot for a couple of seconds.


    Seeing her interest, Dn said, "That''s the first-generation robot developed by DO Group. The system''s been updated for ages, so this one''s just for show."


    "Oh," Mirabe replied, shifting her gaze. She knew it was the first-gen robot, but she was curious about why its color had changed since shest saw it. She kept that thought to herself, though.


    "I''ll take you to the second-floor exhibit," Dn suggested, pointing to the spiral staircase and leading the way.


    Mirabe nodded and followed him upstairs.


    The second-floor exhibit was even more futuristic, with walls made of crystal-like screens showing multidimensional scenes, looking both sophisticated and impressive.


    Mirabe took it all in, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "You''ve really upped your software game over the past couple of years."


    Such technology was cutting-edge for this era.


    Dn chuckled, his gaze sweeping over Mirabe''s youthful face. "I owe it to the inspiration you gave me a few years back. Without it, we wouldn''t have achieved these


    results."


    A few years ago, she was just a kid, yet her understanding of software systems


    was mind-blowing, like she was a prodigy from another time.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "You''ve got plenty of talent yourself."


    Dn shook his head and moved to a sleek ckptop in the center of the exhibit, pressing the power button. "Let me show you a security program."


    Theptop booted up instantly, and he typed a few keys, pulling up themand program interface.


    Mirabe nced at it, her brow furrowing slightly, "This isn''t your design, is it?"


    Dn wasn''t sure how Mirabe


    instantly knew the program wasn''t his, but he replied evenly, "This is from a new project we took on. The client wants us to enhance the security features of this existing program."


    Mirabe stepped closer, her fingers gliding over the touchpad. After a moment, she withdrew her hand, stating calmly, "This security program is nearly perfect. There''s barely any room for improvement."


    Dn looked at Mirabe, "You think so too?"


    "Yes," Mirabe pondered for a moment before asking, "Has yourpany already taken on this project?"

 Chapter 1644

    "Not yet, I''ve just given a verbal agreement. The official contract signing is tomorrow," Dn said, still feeling unsure about the whole deal. That''s why he wanted Mirabe to check it out before he fullymitted.


    Mirabe thought for a moment and advised, "Honestly, I think you''d be better off not going through with it. It could cause some issues."


    She was quite familiar with this type of security software. While it was advanced for its time, it was still tooplex for Dn to handle modifications on his own.


    The mention of "issues" made Dn''s heart skip a beat. He knew Mirabe wasn''t one to make baseless ims; if she sensed trouble, it was almost a certainty.


    After a brief hesitation, he cautiously asked, "Even if we could tweak it, would it still cause problems?"


    "Yes," Mirabe replied, keeping her eyes on theputer screen without further exnation.


    The ancestral home of the Stevenson family had a simr security setup, although it was less sophisticated. Her hacking skills were sharpened by studying the advanced archives hidden in its secret chambers.


    Unable to read Mirabe''s thoughts, Dn simply nodded and said, "Alright, I''ll trust your judgment."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and looked at Dn, "You trust me that much?"


    Dn shrugged earnestly, "If I can''t trust my dad, who can I trust?"


    Not wanting to linger on that topic, Mirabe switched gears, "Didn''t you mention some technical issues earlier?"


    Dn''s face lit up, "Let''s head over to the tech department right now."


    It wasn''t every day that Mirabe offered her expertise, and he wasn''t about to waste any time.


    Soon, Dn and Mirabe made their way to the tech department.


    There were still some colleagues burning the midnight oil, curious about Mirabe''s presence but wise enough to keep their questions to themselves.


    Mirabe spent nearly three hours there, and by the time they left the DO Group''s main base, it was close to midnight.


    Dn naturally drove her home.


    Mirabe leaned back in her seat, rubbing her temples. The night felt unusually quiet.


    After a couple of minutes, she pulled out her phone, finding it oddly silent.


    Unlockingat, she saw only muted group messages on Messenger, with no


    personal messages or


    Calls. No wonder it felt so


    quiet.


    Where was James? He hadn''t made a sound.


    Considering whether to message or call him, Mirabe decided to send a text.


    But even after waiting a bit, there was no reply.


    Feeling inexplicably uneasy, she waited a few more minutes before deciding to call him directly.


    The response was that he was out of the service area.


    Narrowing her eyes, Mirabe ended the call and switched her phone over toputer mode.


    Dn nced at her but didn''t interrupt.


    It wasn''t until a blinking red dot appeared on the projection map in front of Mirabe that he looked over in surprise, "Pier 51? Do you have friends at the weapons bureau?"


    Mirabe looked up at him, "You know this ce?"

 Chapter 1645

    Dn nodded. "Yeah, this whole area is off-limits because of the Weapons


    Bureau warehouses. Regr folks can''t just wander in, which is why I asked if you know someone there."


    Mirabe turned off the holographic disy on her phone, lost in thought. That guy must still be busy.


    "Are you nning to head over there, boss? We can hang around the perimeter if you want," Dn asked again, his curiosity piqued.


    Anyone his father was so focused on finding had to be someone special.


    With that thought, Dn was about to turn the car around, eager to see what might unfold.


    Mirabe shot him a nce. "Take me back to the hotel."


    "Oh."


    Despite his curiosity, Dn changed his mind and turned off the blinker.


    A short driveter, they pulled up in front of the hotel. Mirabe waved at Dn as she got out.


    Once the car disappeared down the street, she turned and walked into the hotel.


    Back in her suite, Mirabe took a shower, letting her hair air-dry while she grabbed her phone from the coffee table.


    No missed calls or messages.


    What kind of business could be this demanding at such an hour?


    Feeling wide awake, Mirabezily settled onto the couch, picked up the remote, and turned on the TV.


    *


    Meanwhile, the fierce gunfire had finally ended, and the night resumed its deep, quiet calm.


    "James, Mr. Link''s men are all taken care of," Curtis reported, his ck tactical gear still carrying the scent of battle. He noticed the wound on James''s arm and his expression shifted. "You''re hurt."


    James simply raised his hand, his striking features showing no concern. "It''s nothing. What time is it?"


    Curtis sighed in relief and checked his watch. "Almost midnight."


    yel


    "Thatte already?" James frowned slightly, then peeled off his gloves, tossing them to Curtis before striding out of the warehouse "You handle the cleanup. I''m out."


    Curtis watched James leave in a rush, a bit surprised.


    When Wyatt arrived from Section One, he saw Curtis alone and nced around. "Where''s James?"


    Curtis turned back. "He''s gone."


    "Already? His arm got grazed by a bullet. Hope it''s not serious," Wyatt said, worry in his voice.


    "It should be fine," Curtis replied,


    having only taken a quick look at the


    wound. "Go inventory the


    warehouse. I''m heading to Mr. Link''s ce."


    "Alright." Wyatt nodded, not arguing.


    ...


    In his car, James casually wrapped his arm with gauze, then reached for his phone from the glove box.


    The signal had been blocked in their area, but once the car moved out of range, his phone buzzed back to life.


    As soon as the signal returned, Messenger notifications chimed in.


    James nced at the messages, and the cold tension in his eyes softened. Without replying, he floored the gas pedal.


    What should''ve been over an hour''s drive, he zed through in about forty minutes to get back to the hotel.


    After parking, James grabbed a


    spare set of clothes from the


    backseat and the gift he had Wyatt prepare earlier, then headed into the hotel. .


    It was past 1 AM, and the lobby was empty except for the hotel staff.


    The elevator ride to the top floor was smooth. Mirabe had given James a spare keycard earlier, so he quickly let himself into the room.

 Chapter 1646

    In the sleek, modern living room, the TV was still murmuring in the background, but the person on the couch had already snuggled up with a pillow, lost in dreams.


    James hesitated for a moment, instinctively softening his footsteps. He approached, switched off the TV, and casually ced the box he was holding on the sofa. Then he slowly crouched down in front of Mirabe.


    Shey on her side, her head nestled against the pillow, with her slightly wavy hair cascading down, obscuring half her face in a serene, lovely way.


    James reached out gently, tucking her hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered softly by her earlobe for a few seconds. Just as he was about to pull back and scoop her up to take her to bed, Mirabe''s eyelids fluttered open.


    James sighed inwardly.


    "When did you get back?" Mirabe asked, still drowsy as she gazed at James, who was just inches away. Her neck felt stiff after staying in the same position for so long.


    James remained crouched before her, noticing her difort. He reached out to gently massage the back of her neck, saying, "Just now. It took longer tonight than I thought. Sorry for making you wait."


    Mirabe rested her chin on the pillow, blinking slowly. "I get it. Making money''s worth thete nights."


    James chuckled softly, continuing his gentle massage with just the right pressure to make Mirabe feelfortable. But soon, she caught a faint metallic scent in the air.


    Frowning, she sat up and looked him over, "Are you hurt?"


    Though it sounded like a question, it was more of a statement.


    James propped a hand on his knee and sat down beside her on the couch. Without trying to hide it, he nodded, his voice tinged with fatigue, "Yeah, got a pretty deep cut on my arm."


    He shrugged off his jacket to reveal a ck shirt underneath. The sleeve was torn where a bullet had grazed him, with a few loops of white


    bandage haphazardly wrappeling


    around the wound, stained with blood.


    Mirabe nced at him, her expression neutral despite the casual way he seemed to handle the pain. A wave of irritation surged inside her. "Aren''t you usually


    tough? How''d you manage


    hurt?"


    Yn


    get


    James noticed her annoyance, and his smile grew wider. He lifted his arm a bit, "Even the best of us have our clumsy moments. Want to help me re-bandage it?" Mirabe gave his hand a light shove, not putting much strength into it. "Get lost."

 Chapter 1647

    The pharmacy near the hotel was open 24/7, just a quick five-minute stroll away. Mirabe picked up the medicine and was heading back when, right at the hotel entrance, she bumped into her three friends who had just returned from a night out dancing.


    The three friends, feeling inexplicably guilty, exchanged nervous nces. "Uh, Mira, what are you doing down here? It''ste, shouldn''t you be getting some rest?" ze asked, his cheeks still a bit red from the beer he''d enjoyed earlier. He tried to hide his face with his hand, feeling like his usual cool image was slipping.


    It wasn''t just ze who looked uneasy; Patrick and Denny, leaning on each other for support, appeared just as awkward.


    Mirabe, unfazed, simply held up the stic bag she was carrying. "Just went to grab some medicine."


    "Medicine? Are you feeling okay?" ze''s concern shifted instantly to her well- being.


    "Not really," Mirabe replied, choosing not to borate.


    ze seemed to catch on to something and let out a dramatic sigh. "Tonight''s just not kind to us single folks, is it?"


    He gets it!


    Mirabe was puzzled. "???"


    ze huped and pointed towards the hotel, "Alright, Mira, you should head back upstairs."


    Mirabe brushed off ze''s odd behavior and asked, "Looks like you guys had quite the party. Need me to fetch some hangover cures?"


    The three of them, all eager to maintain their cool facade, shook their heads and waved her off in unison.


    ze insisted, "We''re good, honestly. We didn''t drink that much, just a little buzzed."


    Patrick chimed in, "Yeah, we''re just the kind who feel it quickly."


    Denny remained silent, feeling his friends had said it all.


    Mirabe nced at the trio, all leaning on each other and flushed red. "..."


    If they could stand straight and talk, she might have taken them seriously.


    Before long, they were all in the elevator heading upstairs.


    Back in her room, Mirabe noticed James was missing from the living room, but she could hear the gentle sound of water from the bedroom.


    A few minutester, James appeared, wrapped in a loose bathrobe. His muscr chest peeked through, and water droplets trailed down his hair, giving him an irresistibly rugged look.


    Mirabe eyed him, "Are you a kid? You know you shouldn''t get the wound wet, right?"


    James, despite the scolding, was in high spirits. He sat down beside Mirabe. "Isn''t that why you''re here?"


    "Ha," Mirabe retorted, briefly


    closing her eyes. She reached out to adjust his bathrobe, which had fallen


    open, covering his legs more ve


    appropriately. "Quit being such a flirt."


    It waste, and he didn''t seem to care about being decent.


    James arched an eyebrow, a yful smirk on his lips. "Aren''t you the doctor? Why so shy all of a sudden?"


    She was going to have to remove his bathrobe to apply the medicine.


    "Even doctors have their boundaries, you know," Mirabe replied, keeping her cool.


    James chuckled, not wanting to call


    I.ne


    out her professional fa?ade. He leaned in, whispering, "So, Dr. Huo, should we do this here or head back


    to the bedroom?"


    Mirabe: "..."


    There are a hundred ways to handle a cheeky boyfriend!


    James cleared his throat, recognizing when to ease off. He adjusted his bathrobe


    to cover everything below his waist, then extended his injured arm to her.

 Chapter 1648

    James still had that bandage wrapped around his arm, but it was soaked and starting to unravel. Without even flinching, he began to peel it off himself.


    The wound wasn''t too deep, but it covered a sizable area, and the moisture made it look a bit gnarly. Mirabe frowned at the sight, trying to ignore that James was sitting there all shirtless.


    Catching her worried expression, James cleared his throat and said, "It''s just a scratch, really."


    Mirabe wasn''t in the mood to chat. She grabbed the hydrogen peroxide she''d picked up from the pharmacy and started cleaning his wound. She wasn''t exactly gentle, and James''s face twitched with each touch, but knowing his girlfriend was upset, he stayed silent.


    "All done. No water for a week," Mirabe instructed, tying off the bandage.


    "Yes, ma''am," James replied with a yful grin.


    Mirabe shot him a look. "If anyone else saw you like this, their eyes would pop out."


    James raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer, his voice teasing, "No one else gets that chance, only you."


    With his shirtless, toned chest right there, Mirabe''s cheeks warmed, and she instinctively leaned back. But in a swift move, his arm was around her waist.


    The warmth and strength of his touch seeped through her pajamas, and Mirabe blinked, thinking, here we go again. This charming man was at it again.


    James lowered his head, and his lips followed suit.


    ...


    After a while, James straightened Mirabe''s rumpled pajamas and kissed her forehead before pulling out a sleek box from under the couch.


    Mirabe''s cheeks were still flushed, her eyes a bit misty, and her voice was husky, "What''s this?"


    James''s gaze was intense. "Open it and see."


    With a soft "Oh," Mirabe opened the box. As she saw what was inside, her cheeks twitched slightly.


    Unfazed, James picked up what looked like a brooch and exined, "I got this from the ck market. It''s a brooch that doubles as a weapon with tracking and a self-destruct feature, perfect for your Chester."


    Even though the Davis family had stepped back from the underground scene, they still had plenty of old foes What better gift than a little protection?


    Mirabe coughed, surprisingly agreeing with James for once, "Yeah... something like this would be perfect."


    "But it''s a bit tricky to handle. I''ll show you how to use it, then you can teach your family," James suggested.


    Mirabe nced at him and agreed, "...Alright."


    If it makes him happy, why not?


    By the time James finished


    se


    exining the brooch''s features, Mirabe had yawned several times, her eyes fluttering shut, yet she still mumbled, "Yeah, I get it," and "I understand."


    Seeing that, James chuckled and shook his head. He set the brooch down and scooped her up from the couch.


    As soon as she was lifted, Mirabe''s eyes popped open, her sleepiness disappearing in an instant.


    James: "..."

 Chapter 1649

    The Next Day.


    Mirabe was up bright and early, buzzing with excitement at the thought of finally meeting Chester, who everyone seemed to be talking about. There was no room forziness today.


    After getting ready and slipping into a slightly more elegant dress, she stepped out of her room. Outside, James was already up, standing on the balcony with his phone pressed to his ear, still wrapped in his robe. He hadn''t bothered changing yet.


    Mirabe gave him a quick nce before moving her gaze elsewhere, heading to the bar to grab a bottle of mineral water.


    Once James finished his call, he lingered on the balcony for a moment before turning around. His eyes caught sight of Mirabe lounging around, and he walked over to her, "Up early, huh?"


    Mirabe nodded, taking another sip. "You''re up early too, aren''t you?"


    "Just what I''m used to," James said softly, his eyes lingering a moment too long on her lips.


    ¡°Oh, well, that''s a good habit,¡± Mirabe replied, choosing to ignore the slightly suggestive look in his eyes and straightening up a bit.


    James finally noticed her outfit-a light pink, Chanel-style jacket and skirtbo, her hair softly curled and cascading down her back. She looked every bit the picture of elegance and sophistication. It was quite the departure from her usualid-back style.


    However, his eyesnded on her legs, and a frown creased his forehead. "Aren''t you cold?"


    She looked stunning, sure, but the skirt was a tad short, drawing all kinds of attention to her long, slender legs. Even though they were going to meet the elders, James, in a serious tone, said, "I think you should change. This doesn''t really fit your usual vibe."


    Mirabe, clueless about his train of thought, nced down at her outfit, puzzled. "Isn''t it nice?"


    She figured the elders would appreciate the demure,dylike look.


    James shook his head, "It''s not that it''s bad. Actually, what you had on yesterday was pretty nice."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched in disbelief. "You''re suggesting I wear our Prestige College uniform to meet them?"


    James: "..."


    Awkward silence.


    Mirabe decided she''d heard enough of his fashion advice, shook her head, and turned to leave.


    James cleared his throat awkwardly.


    Just then, the doorbell rang. It was Wyatt, delivering some items.


    As Wyatt stepped in, he was met with James'' rather nk expression. "Is this a bad time?"


    "James?" Wyatt handed over the breakfast and a paper bag with clothes.


    James took them and promptly shut the door, leaving Wyatt standing outside, scratching his head in confusion.


    At nine, Grady arrived at the hotel to pick up


    family. Since the Davis


    was quite a distance


    away, he''d arranged for a private jet to fly them over.


    Mirabe watched the blue sky and fluffy clouds pass by outside the window, feeling a bit nervous, but her calm demeanor gave nothing away.


    Grady handed her a ss of freshly squeezed juice and sat across from her,


    smiling. "Chester''s going to be thrilled today."


    After mentioning this to Keir on the


    phonest night, Grady noticed a change in Keir''s tone-a mix of nostalgia and nerves. It had been a while since Grady had seen Ke like


    that, making him both happy and a bit surprised.

 Chapter 1650

    Keir finally started showing some genuine emotions, which was quite the surprise since he hadn''t even met Miss Mira yet. But somehow, he seemed really interested in her. Even back when Summer was around, he never reacted like this. It was enough to make Grady genuinely curious.


    Miss Mira definitely had something special about her. Her presence, her aura-it set her apart from your typical spoiled heiresses. Mirabe cradled her cup, her light pink dress entuating her fair skin, making her look even more radiant. Her bright, clear eyes sparkled as she replied sweetly, "I''m really looking forward to meeting Chester."


    Grady chuckled softly, but knowing the strict traditions of the Davis family, he took a moment to think before giving Mirabe a heads-up: "By the way, Miss Mira, the Davis family has some pretty strict rules. Just stick with me, and if anyone else tries to talk to you, feel free to brush them off."


    Even though the chances of anything happening were slim, Grady wanted to be cautious. Mirabe noticed the seriousness in Grady''s eyes and thought this must be how elite families roll. She nodded, "Okay, uncle."


    "Miss Mira, don''t stress about it. Just treat it like your own home," Grady reassured, worried he might havee off too serious. "It is your family, after all."


    Mirabe''s eyebrows arched as she gently traced the rim of her cup with her fingers. Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, "Uncle, there''s something I''ve been wondering for a while. Do you know why my parents seem to not want me hanging around you?"


    Grady was a bit surprised, "What do you mean?"


    "It''s just that my parents seem to be against me having contact with you," Mirabe exined the question that had been on her mind for ages. Even on phone calls, her mom, Delh, would subtly ask if she was spending time with Grady. It happened so often that Mirabe couldn''t help but think there was more to it.


    Grady hadn''t expected Mirabe to bring this up. He cleared his throat and said, "Well, it''s a bitplicated and not something that can be exined quickly."


    Mirabe blinked, sensing there was a juicy story behind this.


    f


    Grady thought about it for a couple of minutes and finally decided that keeping it under wraps wouldn''t help. Besides, Keir had shown a particr interest in Miss Mira, so he said, ¡°Miss Mira, you know Keir has never married, and the Davis family needs an heir."


    Mirabe''s imagination took off, and she suddenly looked shocked, "Could it be


    my parents are worried I''d end up as the heir for Chester?"


    If that were the case, her parents, Shawn and Delh, must really not care about money!


    Or rather, they truly valued other things over worldly gains!


    Grady looked at Mirabe,


    impressed by her quick thinking. Clearing his throat, he continued, "Well, that''s sort of the idea, but it''s not about worrying Chester would choose you. It''s more about an agreement your parents and Chester made a long time ago."


    Grady had been saved by Jim as a teenager and stayed by his side ever since, so he knew almost everything about the Davis family, especially the heir situation. After the incident with Nick and understanding Summer''s true nature, they started grooming Nick as the heir,pletely ignoring the old


    agreement. It was as if the


    agreement had never existed.

 Chapter 1651

    This agreement came back into y once Miss Mira returned.


    Mr. Austin Emmitt had his own business, which was doing quite well. However, managing the expansive Davis family empire was beyond his capabilities. Zach, the second son, pursuedw and had no intention of leaning on the family for support. Expecting him to carry on the family legacy was out of the question.


    Nick was being groomed as the heir, but he and Keir both knew that he wasn''t interested in taking on the role. Meanwhile, Leo was fully engrossed in chasing his dreams in the entertainment industry. Asking him to take over the Davis family would be as futile as donating the whole estate to charity.


    That left only Miss Mira. She was sharp and had a knack for surprising others with her hidden talents. Her personality meshed perfectly with those who had lived life on the edge. If it hadn''t been for the events of the past couple of years, they might have all been fooled by her sweet demeanor.


    Grady sighed to himself and quickly refocused on Mirabe. "Your parents might have wanted to keep this agreement under wraps, but I think you ought to know," Grady paused. "They promised Chester that theirst child would be adopted by him."


    Hearing this, Mirabe, though she had her suspicions, was still taken aback when it was confirmed. No wonder Shawn and Delh were always cautious around Grady.


    Then something clicked for Mirabe. "So, calling me Miss Mira has something to do with this?" she asked. Being the fifth in line, ''little miss'' would have made more sense, but ''Miss Mira'' seemed a bit out of ce.


    Grady cleared his throat and nodded, "Yeah, that''s the reason."


    Mirabe blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. She never thought she''d be someone who could inherit a billion-dor estate without


    bit surreal. Grady, unaware of her internal musings, worried she might feel burdened by this and badded, "Of course, adopted or not, you''ll always be the Davis family''s one and only Miss Mira."


    even trying! The feeling was a g


    Those words touched Mirabe. Inheritance wasn''t the issue; the real deal was that she, Mirabe, was a wealthy woman.


    After a moment, she pulled herself together. "You''re right, Uncle. Whether I''m adopted or not doesn''t really matter. We''re all family, blood ties and all."


    Grady nodded, not surprised by her response. If she''d been adopted and raised by them from an early age, they wouldn''t have to overthink


    things. But now that Miss M"


    an adult with her own mind, there was no need to stress over the adoption matter. Blood ties are unbreakable.


    An hourter, the ne touched down at the Davis family''s private terminal. As Mirabe stepped off, she saw about a dozen armored SUVs lined up on the runway, each with someone in ck standing by. The whole scene was oozing with authority and power, looking quite grand.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, thinking even a presidential motorcade.might not be this


    extravagant. Walking beside her Grady noticed her expression. She


    showed neither fear nor awe treating the attendants as if they were just regr folks. Thisposure was exactly what one would expect from a true heir.

 Chapter 1652

    Grady took a moment to gauge the situation, then made his way over to the first car and opened the back door for her. He added with a touch of seriousness, "Merrywoods is quite different from back home. The factions here are strictly divided, and things can get a bit tense. That''s why we''ve got a convoy following us."


    Mirabe nodded, signaling she got the gist. "Understood."


    She ducked into the car, and Grady shut the door, giving Reid beside him a quick nod before hopping in the passenger seat himself.


    The convoy slowly began its journey, smoothly pulling away from the airport. Mirabe''s car sat snug in the middle, a strategic move to ensure protection from all sides in case anything unexpected cropped up.


    After a few moments of watching the world whiz by outside her window, Mirabe pulled out her phone and powered it up. Instantly, messages pinged in, asking if she''dnded safely.


    With a hint of mischief, Mirabe typed back: [Don''t mess with me. I''ve got a billion-dor inheritanceing my way.]


    James: [Seriously?]


    Mirabe: [0]


    James chuckled at the emoji and shot back: [Well, whatever the richdy says goes. Guess I''m relying on you from now on.]


    Mirabe rolled her eyes, typing: [The richdy says she''s not interested.]


    James sighed dramatically: [Looks like we''re not quite there yet in our rtionship.]


    Mirabe: [...]


    James: [Hurry back and take care of your boyfriend.]


    Mirabe thought for a moment, then replied: [...Buzz off!]


    Jeez, all these crazy thoughts in one day!


    Keeping a straight face, Mirabe closed Messenger and rolled down the window. The cool air rushed in, helping to cool the blush thathad crept up her ears.  fo


    Dang, if this keeps up, she might just lose her cool! Just then, Grady''s phone rang


    up front. Seeing the caller ID, he quickly picked up, "Keir."


    "Are you there yet?" Jim''s stern voice came through.


    "Yes, we''re in the car. You''ll see Miss Mira in about half an hour," Grady replied, sitting up straight and respectful.


    Jim didn''t sound thrilled about being thest to see his niece and hung up with a huff.


    Hearing the call end, Grady could almost picture his boss''s proud yet slightly miffed expression.


    Smirking a bit, he couldn''t help but look forward to Keir''s face when he finally met Miss Mira. It promised to be quite a scene.


    With that thought, Grady instructed the convoy to pick up the pace a little.


    About half an hourter, they rolled into the Davis family estate. Stretching over thousands of acres, the first grand iron gate visible from the window was a testamento true luxury and elegance.


    Mirabe couldn''t shake the feeling of being a small-town girl stepping into the big city.


    And she was the textbook definition of a small-town girl.


    Just a few minutester, the cars pulled up to the Davis family''s main residence-


    avish, castle-like mansion that oozed European charm and opulence.


    Before she could even step out, someone waiting outside quickly approached, respectfully opening her car door.


    Mirabe touched the tip of her nose, grabbed the gift bag beside her, and stepped out.


    The person who opened the door


    was the main house''s butler, probably in his sixties, dressed impably in a ck suit with a bow tie-a ssic Western formal look.


    He discreetly observed Mirabe as she emerged from the car.

 Chapter 1653

    Miss Mirabe had always been the talk of the town, wrapped in all sorts of rumors that painted her as almost mythical. When the butler finally saw her in person, he was at a loss for words. Sure, she was striking and had a hint of resemnce to Keir, but other than that, she seemed like any other high-societydy. There wasn''t anything that stood out as particrly extraordinary.


    Realizing he might have set the bar too high, the butler shifted his gaze. Meanwhile, Mirabe, unfazed by his reaction, stepped out of the car and took in the sight of the grand mansion. With a soft sigh, she did what any young woman would do.


    She pulled out her smartphone.


    Mirabe opened the camera app but hesitated before snapping a picture. She turned to the butler and asked politely, "Mind if I take a photo?"


    The butler was about to say, "That might not be appropriate," but Grady, walking ahead, turned back with a grin and said, "Usually, it''s a no-go, but for you, Miss Mira, we can bend the rules."


    The butler promptly closed his mouth.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, quickly found the perfect angle, and snapped a photo. She casually shared it on her social media, skipping a caption but adding a cheerful emoji.


    Once done, she tucked her phone away.


    "Just one photo? Why not a few more?" Grady asked, surprised.


    He remembered how the butler''s daughter would sneak plenty of shots whenever


    she visited. Yet here was Miss Mira, satisfied with just one. Mirabe simply smiled and said mysteriously, "Sometimes, less is more. One photo does the trick."


    Grady, puzzled by the younger generation''s ways, just nodded and motioned towards the entrance. "Let''s head inside."


    "Alright."


    Before long, Mirabe was following Grady and the butler into the mansion to the grand hall, Jim had been nervously sipping cup after cup of coffee while he waited. Though he sat in his usual spot with an air of authority, his tightly gripping hands on the mahogany armrests gave away his nerves.


    As the car rolled up, he got even more anxious. He quickly turned to his aides, asking if his outfit was casual enough or if he looked too stern.


    His aide''s face was a mix of emotions; it was the first time he''d seen the boss so visibly uneasy. It was nothing like his usual self.


    For a moment, he wondered if


    someone had switched out Keir. But knowing it was all because of Miss Mira he could somewhat rte. After all, he was curious about her foo.


    "My gift?" Jim suddenly remembered, straightening his clothes again.


    His aide quietly nudged the beautifully wrapped gift box on the coffee table closer and whispered, "It''s right here."


    Jim: "."


    Jim cleared his throat, keeping a straight face as he said, "Of course I knew that, just checking."


    Aide: Right, that excuse is as believable as a kid''s.


    Just then, footsteps echoed from


    the doorway, growing louder. Jim immediately sat up straight, ending the chat with his aide. First impressions with his niece had to be perfect.

 Chapter 1654

    As soon as Mirabe stepped through the door, she was hit with the sight of extravagant decor andvish furnishings, reminding her once again of her modest roots. She''d always heard about her family''s financial struggles and had convinced herself that living simply could be an adventure in itself. But now, after seeing all this grandeur... Who was she kidding? Having money was definitely better!


    As she mused over this, she followed the others into the grand hall, her eyes quicklynding on the middle-aged man seated at the head of the room. Dressed in a dark, casual suit, he sat with amanding presence that radiated the aura of a seasoned leader, quite different from the gentle and kind-hearted Chester she had pictured in her mind.


    Mirabe blinked, trying to reconcile the image. Grady had already approached Keir and gestured towards her, "Keir, this is Ms. Mirabe."


    Jim''s fingers tightened around the armrest, but for the sake of his niece, he kept his cool, merely casting a nk nce at Grady. Seriously, an introduction for his own niece?


    Mirabe stepped forward, nodding politely, "Chester."


    Jim quickly swallowed his annoyance at Grady, stood up, and approached Mirabe, his stern face melting into a warm, practiced smile. "Ah, my dear, you must be worn out from your journey."


    Indeed, she was a true Davis family member, her features almost a perfect blend of her parents'' best traits. But there was something more¡ªan undeniable charisma that outshone even her parents. Though she hid it well, Jim''s keen eyes didn''t miss it.


    Mirabe knew she was being sized up by Chester, but confident in her image as a graceful and well-mannered youngdy, she assured him she wasn''t tired and handed over a gift. "Just a little something for our first meeting, I hope you like it, Chester."


    The butler, seeing this, instinctively moved to help Jim with the gift. But before he could, Jim had already taken it, grinning, "Anything from Mira, Chester will adore."


    Surprised, the butler took a step back. Jim, holding the gift, gestured to the nearby sofa, "Come on, have a seat, let''s chat."


    Mirabe nodded and, with a natural ease, walked over and sat down. Jim gently ced her gift on the coffee table as if it were made of gold, then picked up a present he had prepared, sitting beside her. Chester also has something for you. Let''s see if you like it."


    "Thank you, Chester." Mirabe took the box, surprised by its heft. Her eyebrows shot up as she slowly opened it, nearly blinded by the


    fist-sized diamond inside. Wo


    the


    Davis family sure knew how to do luxury-always more and more extravagant.


    Mirabe looked up at Jim, "Chester, this is way too much. I can''t ept it."


    Jim''s face fell slightly, "You don''t like it?"


    Mirabe coughed awkwardly, "It''s not that..."


    But before she could finish, Jim cut in, "No worries if you don''t like it, just keep it


    as a decorative piece."


    Mirabe was left speechless.


    Jim then pointed to the ornate box


    se diamond, "Open the


    gift there even more."


    To be continued...

 Chapter 1655

    Mirabe caught the confidence in Chester''s voice, as though he had a sixth sense about her preferences. She couldn''t help but touch her nose a bit sheepishly before she slowly peeled open the box''s secondyer.


    Insidey a sleek, golden card.


    It was just like the ck card Shawn had handed her when she first rejoined the Davis family a couple of years back.


    Seeing the card, along with Chester''s demeanor, gave Mirabe the uncanny feeling that her meticulously crafted persona was starting to crack.


    Just then, Chester''s voice broke through her thoughts, "Good thing I checked with Zach about what you like beforehand; otherwise, I''d be in quite a pickle today."


    Jim''s eyes betrayed a trace of relief, thankful for his foresight. It would have been quite the blunder if he, as the elder, had flubbed the gift on a first meeting.


    Mirabe''s lips twitched, half-amused, as if she could visualize aedic scene ying out in front of her. "Oh... Chester, what else did Zach mention?"


    Her voice, soft and sweet, had an undertone sharp enough to make Zach shiver if he were present.


    "Your Zach is always a bit nervous around me, so he just mentioned a few of your hobbies," Jim said, blissfully unaware he''d just sold his nephew down the river.


    Mirabe''s grin widened.


    Her Zach was quite the character. Scared of Chester, yet still feeding him wrong info-definitely in need of a wake-up call.


    Meanwhile, miles away, Zach


    sneezed unexpectedly, and his right eyelid twitched. Rubbing his nose, he couldn''t shake the feeling that


    unpleasant was brewing.


    kn


    Mirabe took a deep breath, gently closing the box with the diamonds and the golden card, her expression a mystery. "Thank you, Chester. really do like these gifts." Jim felt a wave of relief wash over him at his niece''s ''genuine'' joy. "That''s all that matters."


    ¨¦n¨¦


    "Yes." Mirabe''s eyshes fluttered lightly. She had to like them; who knew what surprises lurked if she didn''t?


    "By the way, Chester, I heard you stopped by the hotel a couple of days ago. I was tied up and missed you," Mirabe smoothly shifted the conversation.


    Jim, who had just begun to rx, felt his face freeze at her mention.


    He shot a nce at Grady standing nearby, catching his barely hidden smirk. "..."


    This Grady, Jim thought, was not on his wish list today.


    Jim held his poker face, though inside he squirmed. "No worries, I was just there for some business."


    Grady discreetly looked away. His master''s talent for lying without a flinch was as sharp as ever, just more polished with age.


    Mirabe nodded, choosing not to burst Chester''s bubble. But as her eyes flicked over his face again, her brow creased ever so slightly.


    Hadn''t Grady said Chester was on the mend? Outwardly, he seemed fine, but his energy felt delicate, like an old oak hollowed out by bugs appearing robust on outside but so fragile a light breeze could topple it.


    Mirabe had the urge to check his pulse, but now wasn''t the time. She decided


    she''d wait for the right moment when he wouldn''t notice.

 Chapter 1656

    As Mirabe mulled over her thoughts, the butler returned from a phone call. He shot a nce at Keir, then leaned in to whisper something to him.


    Jim listened, furrowing his brow briefly before casually saying, "Not interested."


    "Got it," the butler nodded, expecting that response. "I''ll let them know."


    Jim waved him away.


    Watching the butler leave, Mirabe, always polite and thoughtful, said, "Uncle Chester, if you have things to do, feel free to go ahead."


    "No, not at all," Jim replied with a warm smile. Even if he were busy, it wouldn''t hold a candle to the joy of spending time with his niece.


    "Okay," Mirabe said softly, gently running her fingers over the gift box she held. Just then, a servant brought over a ss of water. She epted it with a polite "thank you."


    As she took a sip, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message on Messenger. Knowing it was rude to check her phone in front of her elders, Mirabe resisted the urge.


    It wasn''t until ten minutester, when the Messenger call tone chimed, that she finally pulled out her phone. Seeing the caller ID, a flicker of surprise crossed her face, though it seemed she half-expected it.


    "Uncle Chester, I need to take this call," Mirabe said, standing up with her phone.


    "Of course," Jim replied gently.


    With a nod, Mirabe stepped out into the garden corridor before answering. By then, the call had ended, so she quickly dialed back.


    The line connected swiftly. "Nellie, is there something you need?" Mirabe asked, her eyes wandering over the garden.


    Nellie''s breathing was light on the other end. After a pause, she finally spoke, "Rea, where are you right now?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, nced back into the hall through the ss door, and simply said, "I''m at Merrywoods for a school exchange event."


    "Ah, that makes sense. The picture you posted didn''t quite look like anything from around here," Nellie''s voice was a bit hoarse, her fingers gripping the phone so tightly she hadn''t realized.


    Mirabe nodded, "Yes, Nellie, your sharp eye caught it right away."


    A deep bitterness shadowed Nellie''s eyes. How could she not recognize it? How could she ever forget? This ce had been her sole motivation for years, despite knowing she could never return...


    "Nellie, you didn''t just call about the photo I posted, did you?" Mirabe asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice, as if unaware of the emotions beneath.


    Nellie knew Rea was perceptive. Taking a deep breath, she replied, "I was just curious about the location in your photo."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, knowing the family matriarch wouldn''t resist asking. She cleared her throat and sighed lightly, "To be honest, Nellie, this is where my Uncle Chester lives."


    Nellie was taken aback by this revtion, her voice instinctively rising, "What did you say?"


    Twenty minutes ago, when she saw the photo Rea posted, she couldn''t help but wonder why Rea would post a picture of that ce. She even questioned whether the secret she held in her heart had been


    discovered by the young girl, prompting her to take and share that


    photo to catch her attention.

 Chapter 1657

    Mirabe waspletely unaware of the emotional storm her words had stirred up in Nellie. She nodded patiently, repeating, "This is where my Uncle Chester lives."


    When Nellie heard those words again, she couldn''t help but catch her breath. She was at a loss for how to describe the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.


    Never in a million years had she expected such a twist of fate. That Rea, this child, would be connected to that man.


    She knew Rea now went by Mirabe, but she''d never linked her to the Davis family... Nellie''s lips twisted into a bittersweet smile. Maybe this was fate ying its hand?


    She closed her eyes for a moment and murmured, "Seems like your Uncle Chester''s quite the wealthy guy."


    "Isn''t he just?" Mirabe chimed in, unable to resist adding, "Oh, my Uncle Chester is loaded, but who knows who''ll end up with his fortune one day."


    Nellie was caught off guard again. After a pause, she asked, "What do you mean? Shouldn''t it be... shouldn''t it be his kids who inherit?"


    Mirabe nced around the grand hall and sighed, "Well, my Uncle Chester''s had a pretty rough ride. No kids, no wife, living all alone in this big ol'' mansion. Don''t you think it''s a bit sad, Nellie?"


    Nellie felt a pang in her chest, like a heavy weight pressing down. "He never got married or had children?"


    Mirabe detected the tremor in Nellie''s voice through the phone, confirming what she''d suspected all along.


    So, the person Nick had been digging into was indeed the family patriarch, and from their recent chat, it wasn''t hard to guess there was some hidden past between Nellie and Uncle Chester.


    One had never married, and the other seemed to live as if a part of them was missing.


    It was tough to believe there wasn''t some connection between them. Mirabe pondered this, then softly replied, "No, he didn''t."


    Even though Nellie already knew the answer, hearing Rea say it out loud made something inside her snap, as if a tightly wound string had finally broken.


    Her phone slipped from her fingers, hitting the floor with a tter.


    Nellie stood there, oblivious, her frail frame looking like it might crumble at any moment. It took her a while to bend down and pick up the phone. The call had ended, probably from the fall.


    In a daze, Nellie stared at the phone, ultimately deciding not to call back.


    She let out a deep, weary sigh.


    Mirabe noticed the call had ended and waited a couple of minutes. Realizing


    Nellie probably wouldn''t call back, she tucked her phone away.


    She then pushed open the ss door and stepped back into the hall.


    **While Mirabe was on the call, the butler returned.


    Seeing that Miss Mira was absent from the room, he didn''t ask questions. Instead, he quickly said, "Keir, that guy Leon is still waiting outside. He wanted me to pass on a message to you."


    Without Mirabe in the room, Jim''s demeanor was rather stern, his eyes fixed on the butler.


    "He said he has news about the person you''re looking for," the butler said in a low voice.


    Jim''s eyes red with a surge of emotion, and his hand on his knee instinctively clenched. "Did he say anything else?"


    The butler shook his head. "He just told me to give you that message, nothing


    more."


    Jim''s face darkened noticeably at that moment.


    Grady, standing nearby, furrowed his brow. ncing at Keir, he offered, "Keir, let me go talk to him."

 Chapter 1658

    Jim paused for a moment, then stood up from the couch. "No, I''ll go."


    "But..." Grady hesitated, about to suggest that the visitor might have an agenda, but when he caught Keir''s eye, he swallowed his words. "Alright then."


    He knew the weight Keir carried in his heart. Even if the visitor was trying to stir up old memories, Keir would probably still meet them.


    "Okay." Jim nced out the window at his niece ying outside and added, "Keep an eye on her for a bit; I''ll be right back."


    He turned to the butler, instructing, "Take him over to the building next door."


    The butler nodded promptly. "Yes, sir."


    By the time Mirabe returned to the hall, Jim had already slipped through the side door leading to the adjacent building.


    Mirabe took a quick look, then shifted her gaze away.


    "Miss Mira, how about a little tour? Chester had to step out, but he''ll be back soon," Grady offered, motioning upstairs.


    "Sure thing," Mirabe replied with a smile, trailing behind Grady as they climbed the stairs.


    They took their time ascending to the second floor.


    With her hands tucked in her pockets, Mirabe absentmindedly fiddled with her phone, still mulling over the family head''s issues. She looked up at Grady and asked, "Uncle, I sent Nick with some herbal remedies for Chesterst time. Has he been taking them?"


    Grady slowed down, caught off guard by the question. After a brief pause, he said, "I think he has, but Keir''s daily care is mostly handled by the butler. I''ll check with him."


    "Alright," Mirabe responded softly.


    "Is something up, Miss Mira? Is Keir not well?" Grady, aware of Mirabe''s medical skills, doubted she''d bring it up without reason.


    Mirabe nodded, choosing not to


    hide the truth. "There are some


    concerns." Grady''s expression


    changed instantly, his voice


    §Õ§à!


    dropping with worry. "Is it serious?"


    Noticing Grady''s concern, Mirabe thought for a moment before replying, "I''ll need to give him a proper check to be sure."


    Though she had her suspicions, she didn''t want to jump to conclusions before confirming.


    Grady was quiet for a bit, then said, "Honestly, Keir seems better now than he did a few years back."


    After Nellie disappeared, Keir became a shell of himself, weighed down by family obligations. It wasn''t until Miss Mira returned a couple of years@go and Keir saw her on a show with Leo that he seemed to perk up.


    With the herbal remedies from Miss Mira, Keir epted them without fuss, and they really did help his health. Even though he hadn''t seen Miss Mira in person, he kept an eye on her from afar.


    Keir was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve, and even if he had feelings for someone, he kept them close to the chest.


    Listening to Grady, Mirabe''s eyes wandered to the observation deck at the corridor''s end, her gaze sharpening. "Some things only look good on the surface."


    Like an apple that looks perfect on the outside but is rotten inside.


    Grady opened his mouth, but words failed him, unsure how to continue or what to ask.


    Mirabe pulled her gaze back and gave Grady a reassuring wink. "Don''t worry, Uncle, I''ve got this."


    Her Chester was still young, and even if his health was shaky, it wouldn''t lead to anything drastic out of the blue.

 Chapter 1659

    Grady''s heart, which had been teetering on the edge, found its anchor the moment it locked onto Mirabe''s eyes. He recalled how Mr. Nick had struggled with severe insomnia following a kidnapping, only to be cured by Miss Mira''s touch. And thest time Nick found himself in a tight spot, she was the one who pulled him back from the brink.


    Just then, Mirabe''s voice cut through his thoughts. "Even if my skills fall short, there''s definitely someone who can help," she said with a knowing smile.


    "Someone else?" Grady asked, momentarily caught off guard. "Who?"


    Mirabe''s smile turned mysterious. "Only a heart can heal another heart''s wounds."


    A remedy from the heart... Grady was taken aback. Keir''s heartache was Nellie, but Nellie had been gone for some time. Grady nced at Mirabe, a suspicion lingering in his mind-how could she possibly know about Nellie?


    **Meanwhile,**


    Jim watched as the butler ushered in two guests, his expression stern, exuding the authority of a true patriarch. Beside him stood a trusted confidant, ever watchful for his safety. Asa gave Jim a slight nod. "Mr. Davis."


    The middle-aged man beside Asa offered a polite nod as well. Jim, seated at the head of the table, waved a hand dismissively. "Let''s skip the small talk. Get to the point."


    It was Asa''s first face-to-face with the head of the Davis family. Unfazed by Jim''s chilly demeanor, Asa offered a polite smile. "I''ve heard you''re looking for someone, Mr. Davis. Maybe I can help."


    Jim''s eyes narrowed slightly, but his face remained impassive. "Oh? You''ve been doing your homework see." Asa handed over the gift he brought to the butler, his chiseled features set off by striking ocean-blue eyes. "When you''re keen to make friends, you to dig a little deeper."


    "Not interested," Jim replied curtly, not even feigning politeness. "And it seems you haven''t done your research properly. I don''t take kindly to being manipted."


    He was referring to the attempt to trade information for an audience.


    Before Asa could respond, the middle-aged man next to him spoke up, "Calling it maniption is a bit harsh. Mr. Davis, meeting us shows the information we have is valuable to you."


    Asa frowned, shooting a sharp nce at the middle-aged man. Is he trying to mess this up?


    The man seemed to catch Asa''s drift but stood his ground, his stance firm as if he had some unseen backup Jim''s demeanor shifted instantly upon hearing the man''s words, a chilling aura filling the room. He chuckled darkly, "Are you trying to provoke me?" Content b¨¦tongs to


    Jim''s confidant swiftly moved, delivering a hard kick to the man''s knee, forcing


    him to kneel on the carpeted floor with a pained cry.


    The confidant looked down at the man, his voice cold and mechanical. "Mind your words in this house."


    To act so brazenly in the Davis home-did he think he was some honored guest? Foolish.


    The confidant smirked slightly, then returned to Jim''s side.

 Chapter 1660

    The middle-aged man on the floor was struggling to shake off the pounding pain, but his right knee, still reeling from that brutal kick, just wouldn''t cooperate. He nced up at the man sitting at the head of the table, disbelief written all over his face. They had waltzed in here with an air of confidence, never expecting the other guy to be so unbending, even going as far as to get physical. The current head of the Davis family was every bit as cold and hard as the rumors made him out to be.


    Asa, noticing hispanion might let slip something else reckless, stepped forward a bit. "Apologies, Mr. Davis. My buddy here tends to be a little too blunt for his own good. I hope you can let it slide." The middle-aged man balled his fists, realizing he had no choice but to swallow his pride and apologize too.


    Jim sat there, emanating the same powerful presence as always, not saying a word, just fixing his gaze on Asa. The silence in the hall was so intense it felt like even the air had thinned out. After a tense two minutes, Jim finally spoke, but he only said three words: "Five minutes."


    Though he didn''t say much, everyone knew what he meant. Asa had only five minutes to make his case. For Asa, that was plenty. He leaned down to help the middle-aged man to his feet and said, "Mr. Davis, I didn''t get to introduce him earlier. This is Mr. Santos."


    Jim hadn''t heard of anyone named Santos, so he stayed quiet, waiting for more details. Once Santos was steady, Asa let go and turned to Jim again. "I heard you''ve been looking for a woman named Hunter. Turns out, Mr. Santos here knows her."


    Jim''s expression changed at the mention of Hunter. His hands, resting on the armrests, trembled.


    ever so slightly. How many year


    had it been since hest heard that name? So long that the person it belonged to felt like a distant memory.


    Pulling himself together, Jim asked Santos, "You know her?"


    Santos, leaning forward with his hands on his thighs, kept a calm but slightly wooden look. After getting roughed up earlier, he''d toned down his attitude. "Yeah, I do. Her real name isn''t Hunter, it''s Nellie."


    Nellie? Jim paused, finding it hard to believe Hunter would use a fake name. Santos, noticing Jim''s skepticism, pulled out his phone, flipped to a photo, and held it up. "Maybe this will help clear things up.¡±


    Jim''s associate took the phone and respectfully handed it to Jim. As Jim''s eyesnded on the screen, his usually stern face showed a flicker of emotion. Seeing this, Santos knew Nellie was the one Jim had been looking for. A slight smirk appeared on his face as he added, "The Stevenson family folks rarely use their real names in public, so it''s no surprise Mr. Davis was fooled."


    But Jim wasn''t paying attention to Santos''s words anymore. His mind was fully upied with the image on the phone. The photo was high-quality, definitely not an old snapshot.

 Chapter 1661

    Years back, Hunter disappeared without a trace. Jim scoured every inch of Merrywoods but came up empty-handed. Eventually, the heartbreaking news reached him: Hunter had been killed and was gone for good.


    Jim couldn''t bring himself to ept that Hunter was truly gone, so he never stopped searching.


    Later, he stumbled upon a list from a medical school with Hunter''s name on it, revealing that she was part of a tragic experiment where all participants perished.


    The incident was such a colossal failure that the authorities wiped out all records to keep it under wraps. No matter how hard Jim tried, he hit a dead end every time.


    Despite never giving up over the years, Jim had reluctantly epted that Hunter had fallen victim to those ruthless experiments.


    But now, looking at this photo, Jim felt something stir inside him, like his long- numb heart was waking up.


    If this picture was really from years ago, it wouldn''t look like this now.


    Jim finally met Santos''s gaze. "What''s your connection to Hunter?"


    The surname was rare but not unheard of.


    Even though Santos had left the Stevenson family, he wasn''t about to spill the Massolio family secrets to a stranger. He simply said, "Wee from the same ce."


    Being from the same neck of the woods naturally suggested they knew each other.


    Jim kept his voice steady, avoiding the question of whether Hunter was alive. Instead, he asked, "Where is she now?"


    "I''m afraid I can''t say," Santos replied calmly, adding, "Since Nellie doesn''t want Mr. Davis finding her, she must have her reasons."


    Jim wasn''t bothered by Santos''s response; instead, he felt a sense of relief. His stern face revealed nothing.


    After a moment, he spoke quietly, "So, what''s your endgame here?"


    In this world, nothing''s free, and Jim didn''t believe these two showed up without an agenda. Santos nced at Asa, then said, "We just want to be friends with Mr. Davis, nothing more."


    "Oh? That''s refreshing," Jim chuckled, gesturing to his butler. "Fetch my special coffee leaves for our guests to take home."


    The butler nodded and quickly retrieved two boxes from the storage room.


    Jim watched as the butler handed over the coffee, then savored a sip from his own cup. "This coffee''s quite a ride-bitter yet sweet just like the highs and lows of life."


    Santos frowned, ready to speak, but Asa shot him a look.


    "Thanks for the gift, Mr. Davis. We''ll be on Our way. Next time, we''ll properly when you have time," Asa said with a polite nod.


    He got the hint that Jim was politely showing them the door.


    Santos realized lingering would do no good, even if he had more to say.


    Jim wasn''t an easy man to deal with.


    They left, guided by the butler.


    Outside the vi, the butler politely closed the door behind them and headed back inside.


    Santos watched the butler walk away, his gaze icy. He wasn''t used to being treated like this.


    "One day, this ce will have a new owner," Santos murmured with a cold chuckle.

 Chapter 1662

    Asa gave Santos a sidelong nce but kept quiet, his attention drifting to the main building of the Davis estate. The doors swung open as a handful of staff hustled in and out, moving things around.


    Pausing to think for a moment, Asa turned back to Santos. "Seems like we picked the wrong time to drop by."


    Santos raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, really?"


    "The Davis family looks like they''re busy hosting other guests today," Asa said


    with a casual shrug.


    Santos eyed Asa, trying to piece things together. "Do you think Leon has someone on the inside with the Davis family?"


    Asa''s eyes, a deep ocean blue, sparkled with amusement as he adjusted his sleeve nonchntly. "Just a hunch," he replied.


    Judging from what the butler mentioned and the flurry of activity at the entrance, it wasn''t hard to connect the dots. Plus, Jim''s surprisinglyid-back attire for such a formal family meant he wasn''t dressed to meet them specifically.


    Santos nced at the main building again, though he wasn''t all that interested in the Davis family''s affairs. "Well, at least we learned something today."


    Understanding the link between Nellie and the Davis family was a useful card up their sleeve. With Cian''s ties too, it was like everyone was caught in the same web of fate.


    Santos let out a sly grin.


    Asa''s eyesnded on Santos''s knee. "Got a bit carried away today, Mr. Santos?"


    Santos''s face flickered with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. Ever since he left the Stevenson family, apart from dealing with Cian, he hadn''t been publicly slighted like this.


    The Davis family definitely had a reputation that preceded them.


    Jim, though, seemed to have some health issues. Asa hadn''t gotten too close, but Jim''s unsteady presence didn''t quite match the image of someone used to living on the edge.


    Just as Santos was about to bring this up with Asa, his phone rang. He checked the screen and saw Joen''s name shing. Intrigued, he took the call Noticing this, Asa opened the car door and hopped in.


    Santos kept the conversation with Joen brief, setting up a meeting spot before ending the call. He stood therefor a moment, phone in hand, before joining Asa in the car.


    **Meanwhile, back inside the hall.


    "Keir?" Jim''s trusted aide noticed his unusual silence and expression since Asa and Santos left.


    Curious, the aide called out.


    Jim snapped back to reality at the sound of his aide''s voice and said, "Find out everything there is about this Santos. I want a full dossier."


    The aide nodded, eager to get on it.


    Recalling the tidbits Santos had let slip, Jim added, "And dig into the Stevenson family as well. I want every detail."


    "Got it." The aide had expected this, having worked with Jim for decades and knowing some of the backstory.


    Hunter was a puzzle that Keir couldn''t quite solve.


    Jim gave a nod, dismissing his aide.


    Once alone, Jim sat quietly for another ten minutes, lost in thought before finally getting up and heading outside.


    The butler, ever observant, quietly trailed behind him back to the main building.

 Chapter 1663

    Jim had just settled back in the living room when Mirabe and Grady made their way downstairs. The mansion was enormous, and after a casual half-hour stroll, they had only managed to explore a third of it.


    As they approached, Grady noticed a rare sparkle of joy in Keir''s eyes- something he hadn''t seen since Nellie passed away. Even though Keir had been happy to meet Miss Mira earlier, this joy seemed deeper, more genuine. Grady nced thoughtfully at the butler, wondering if this unexpected happiness was tied to someone Keir had just met. Unaware of Grady''s thoughts, Jim waved his niece over, inviting her to sit. "So, what do you think, kiddo?"


    Mirabe blinked in awe. "It''s magnificent!"


    This was the essence of high society. Walking through the house, she felt even the air was infused with the scent of wealth.


    Jim chuckled, "If you like it, Mira, why not stay here in Chester for a few more days?"


    He thought about suggesting she move in, but knew his brother might not be thrilled with that idea.


    Mirabe sighed, "I''m afraid I can''t. I have to go back with the professor and the others tomorrow."


    "Is that so..." Jim''s voice carried a hint of disappointment. After a pause, he suggested, "You''vee all this way; maybe Grady could talk to your professor and get you a few extra days?"


    Jim felt a natural fondness for Mirabe, a bond he attributed to their family ties.


    "Yeah, Miss Mira, it''s not every day you get to visit. Why not stick around a bit longer?" Grady added, still pondering what Mirabe had said about Keir''s health.


    Seeing the concern on Grady''s face, Mirabe took a moment before saying, "Alright, I''ll call my professorter."


    She was still uneasy about Chester''s health, so a few extra days wouldn''t hurt. Jim''s spirits lifted when his niece agreed, though he couldn''t help feeling a bit put out, casting a sidelong nce at Grady.


    It seemed Grady had more influence over his niece than he did.


    Hit by a sudden wave of jealousy, Jim cleared his throat and said with mock seriousness, "No problem Grady can ask for you. He''s got plenty of free time, and asking in person is much more sincere."


    Grady:


    What was Keir talking about? A simple phone call would do!


    Mirabe started, "No need, I can just call¡ª"


    But Jim interrupted, raising a hand, and turned to Grady, "Grady, why don''t you


    head out now? It''s no trouble for you today."


    Grady, unsure of how he had offended Keir, simply replied, "...Not at all."


    Jim nodded, ignoring Grady''s confused look. Then, remembering something, he added, "By the way, I know you haven''t taken a vacation in ages. Let''s give you a few extra days off to rx."


    Grady: "..."


    So that was the point? Grady''s expression turnedplex, imagining the council elders witnessing Keir''s childish antics. They''d surely be wide-eyed in disbelief.

 Chapter 1664

    With a sigh, Grady epted his fate and started to walk out. As he did, he exchanged a knowing look with the butler at his side.


    The butler caught the cue and followed him out of the main hall.


    Just as they reached the door, Grady stopped, turning slightly to face the butler. "Uncle Frank, what did those people want with Keir?"


    The butler didn''t hold back andid out the details.


    Grady''s eyes widened in shock. "Are you telling me Nellie might still be alive?"


    "It seems so," the butler nodded. Despite how unbelievable it sounded, he knew those visitors wouldn''t havee to deceive Keir on a whim.


    Grady''s expression shifted to one of realization. "No wonder..."


    No wonder Keir seemed different aftering back.


    But if Nellie was alive, why had she stayed hidden all these years? And why did she fake her death to the Davis family back then?


    Grady couldn''t wrap his head around it. He felt the need to dig deeper, especially regarding Santos and Asa.


    The issue of Nellie was sensitive within the Davis family, known only to a few trusted insiders. For Santos and Asa to suddenly bring this news, their motives had to be anything but simple.


    Grady narrowed his eyes, choosing not to press further. He simply waved a hand in farewell, "Got it, Uncle Frank. I''m heading out."


    The butler nodded respectfully, watching him leave.


    Once Grady was out of sight, the butler returned inside to instruct the kitchen to start preparing lunch.


    **After parting ways, Santos and Asa grabbed a cab to a private club where they were set to meet Joen.


    When Santos arrived, Joen wasn''t


    there yet, so he waited for about ten minutes until Joen finally showed


    up. "Sorry, got caught up on the


    way," Joen said, entering with a


    touch of urgency. He was polite with Santos, a stark contrast to his aloof manner at the university


    "No worries," Santos replied, putting down his phone without a hint of impatience over Joen''steness.


    Joen shrugged off his coat and hung it on a nearby rack before plopping onto the sofa, fatigue clearly etched on his face.


    Santos gave him a quick look, skipping the small talk. "Dr. Joen, is there something urgent you needed to discuss?"


    Joen, knowing Santos didn''t care for chit-chat, nodded right away. "Yes, theb equipment at our university broke down. I was hoping to borrow a few of your people, if that''s possible?"


    Santos was surprised by the request. "Was there an ident in theb?"


    "No," Joen sighed, rubbing his temples. "It was deliberate sabotage."


    Santos''s surprise deepened. "Deliberate sabotage? Who would dare mess with the campus?"


    Joen, still reeling from the incident, didn''t answer directly. Instead, he pulled out a small, clear stic bag from his pocket and handed it to Santos. "Can you see if this data


    Chil


    can be fixed?"


    Santos opened the bag and poured the shattered pieces of the chip into his hand, examining them closely before shaking his head. "It''s beyond repair."


    Joen''s face fell with disappointment. "Not even the slightest chance?"


    "The chip''s conductor is damaged beyond repair," Santos confirmed after a thorough inspection.


    With Santos''s verdict, any hope Joen had fizzled out. If Santos couldn''t fix it, there was no way it could ever be repaired.

 Chapter 1665

    Santos carefully ced the fragments back into the sealed bag, noticing Joen''s increasingly troubled expression. After taking a thoughtful pause, he asked, "What exactly happened?"


    Joen leaned back against the sofa, eyes fixed on the ceiling, and decided there was no point in hiding it anymore. "I identally rubbed someone the wrong way, and now they''re getting back at me. Over fifty pieces of ourb equipment have been tampered with or damaged."


    Santos frowned, understanding the seriousness of the situation. Damaging that many pieces ofb equipment was no joke. Aside from their cost, the research data they held was priceless.


    "If they got destroyed, the losses would be off the charts."


    "Who would be gutsy enough to mess with so much gear? Did you catch anyone in the act?" Santos paused and then added, "Don''t they know you''re connected to our base, Doctor?"


    Joen felt a wave of frustration at the mention of this. He still couldn''t wrap his head around how the Davis family managed to sneak into theb unnoticed. Despite the school''s surveince and police investigations, there wasn''t a single lead.


    Even if he pointed fingers at the Davis family, without evidence, it would be pointless and might even backfire, bringing more trouble his way.


    After all, if they were bold enough to confront him openly at school, dealing with him was probably a piece of cake for them.


    So, he had to suck it up and keep quiet.


    Joen wiped his face and admitted, "It''s the Davis family."


    He couldn''t tell the school authorities, but Santos was part of the base. No matter how brazen the Davis family was, they''d think twice before crossing the base.


    "The Davis family?" Santos''s eyebrows knitted together, and his tone shifted to a more serious one. "How did you end up tangled with the Davis family?"


    With


    "It all started with a student I was mentoring. She mentioned knowing someone with a peculiar condition By chance, this person came to a schoot conference, so I asked her to bring them to theb. But..." Joen shook his head in exasperation, "She turned out to be more trouble than she was worth. Who knew she''d be linked to the Davis family?"


    When Santos heard about the connection to the Davis family, he immediately thought of someone. "Hang on, the person with the unique condition, was her name Mirabe?"


    Joen was caught off guard and instinctively asked, "Yeah, do you know her?"


    Santos''s eyes red with a mix of recognition and hostility. Not just know her- he''d nearly fallen into Cian''s trap because of herst time.


    Joen was startled by the intensity, feeling as if the room''s temperature had dipped. "Mr. Santos?"


    Santos''s expression softened, and when he looked at Joen again, his demeanor was back to normal. He simply remarked, "Her condition is indeed special. If it was easy for you to bring her to theb, that would''ve been unusual."


    "What do you mean?" Joen asked, confused.


    Santos thought back to the incident fromst year. "She''s immune to drugs. Your


    anesthetics wouldn''t have any effect on her."


    Joen realized why Summer''s attempt had flopped-it was because of this.


    "You mentioned she was at a school conference, is she still around?" Santos inquired.


    "The conference wrapped up


    yesterday. I''m not sure where she is now, but I doubt they''ve left Merrywoods just yet." Joen nced at him and added, "I can ask one


    the professors to see if they know where she is."

 Chapter 1666

    Santos didn''t have a reason to turn him down. His eyes twinkled a bit as he casually said, while Joen was reaching for his phone, "I''ll get my assistant to send some tech folks over to the universityter."


    Joen felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he unlocked his phone and heard Santos'' offer. "Great, thanks," he replied. He had been worried that Santos might refuse, but it turned out they both had something to gain, so everything bnced out nicely.


    Joen quickly dialed the professor at the university, asked a few questions, and then waited for the response. It took a while, but he finally got the info he needed.


    "They said there''s a flight leaving Merrywoods at 3 PM tomorrow," Joen informed Santos, rying the professor''s message.


    "Three in the afternoon?" Santos squinted slightly. If Cian managed to get back home, capturing her would be a lot tougher. They had to make a move before she left Merrywoods.


    Given her cautious nature and her ties to the Davis family, figuring out how to catch her would need some careful strategizing.


    With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Santos decided it was time to go. He stood up, telling Joen, "Dr. Joen, I''ve got a few things to wrap up, so I should get going."


    Joen stood too, nodding knowingly, "Alright, let''s grab dinner sometime soon."


    "Sure thing." Santos grabbed his coat and limped out of the room.


    Joen watched him leave, a bit curious about his limp, but he shrugged it off and called his assistant instead.


    **Meanwhile, at the Davis household...**


    After lunch, a servant showed Mirabe to a room upstairs. The ce was huge, and it had everything she could need. The walk-in closet was packed with the season''s newest outfits, all untouched and ready for her.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow in surprise, and then her phone buzzed. Seeing her about to take the call, the servant quietly stepped out, shutting the door behind her.


    The call was from James. "Did you call because you''re feeling the heat?" Mirabe teased as she lounged on the balcony, gazing out at the lush garden with a smug smile.


    James, still at the hotel, let out a small sigh, "I actually like dealing with high- pressure situations."


    Mirabe chuckled, swinging her leg, "Always so sure of yourself, aren''t you, big brother?"


    "Big brother?" James'' voice took on a teasing edge.


    Mirabe cleared her throat, getting back to the point, "Anyway, I''m noting back to the hotel today. I''ll be hanging out with Chester for a few days."


    James wasn''t surprised, "I kind of expected that."


    "Why don''t you head back home then?" Mirabe suggested. They had initially nned to fly back together, but with her staying put, ns had to change.


    "No big deal, I''ll just cancel my ticket." James wasn''tfortable leaving Mirabe on her own, even with the Davis family nearby. He preferred to keep an eye on his girlfriend himself.


    Especially since Merrywoods was unlike home, and having a girlfriend with a knack for unpredictability meant being extra careful. The


    recent incident at the university only added to his hesitations.


    Mirabe blinked, "You know, clingy boyfriends lose their edge sometimes."


    James gave a dryugh, "Not being clingy doesn''t do much for my edge either, right?"


    Mirabe was momentarily at a loss for words.


    He''d flipped the script and now he was the one doing the teasing!

 Chapter 1667

    "I''m busy now, gotta go," James said and abruptly ended the call.


    Mirabe, left hanging on the other end, raised an eyebrow. Was this James''s quirky way of demanding attention? Running her fingers through her hair, she mused that confronting him wasn''t a viable option¡ªshe likely wouldn''t win that


    battle anyway.


    With a sigh, Mirabe opened her social media feed to kill some time. After browsing through a few posts, she stumbled upon Cassie''stest update. She frowned at the post. At this hour, shouldn''t he be in ss?


    Pausing for a moment, she left a briefment: "Skipping ss?"


    Minutes ticked by with no response, and when she refreshed her feed, Cassie''s update had vanished. In fact, all his posts were gone, suggesting he''d switched his settings to hide them from certain people.


    Mirabe''s face clouded over. Was Cassie trying to test his limits?


    Pondering her next move, she decided to call As to get the lowdown on Cassie. Before heading to Merrywoods, she''d asked As to keep a discreet eye on him, worried he might get into trouble.


    "He''s in the entertainment industry?" Mirabe was floored by what As told her.


    "Yeah, he joined a talent show. I haven''t dug too deep, but since you left for Merrywoods, he hasn''t shown up at school," As exined inly.


    "I see, thanks so much, Uncle As, for keeping tabs on him," Mirabe said, rubbing her temples. She had suspected school wouldn''t be able to rein in Cassie''s wild spirit.


    "Happy to help, Miss Mira. It''s no trouble at all," As replied.


    After thanking him again, Mirabe hung up. She twirled her phone


    absentmindedly but decided against calling Cassie. After a while on the balcony, she stood to head inside but paused as her eyes caught a scene in the garden below.


    Chester, now in casual attire, was


    watering the garden nts with watering can. His practiced movements made the


    look effortless and persole scene


    natural.


    Crossing her arms, Mirabe finally noticed the variety of nts in the garden. She thought for a second, then made her way back to her room.


    Not long after, she was downstairs, heading toward the garden.


    Even though her steps were quiet, Jim, who was bent over tending the nts, sensed her presence before she got close.


    When he looked up and saw Mirabe, the brief chill in his expression melted away. "Not taking a break in your room?"


    Jim stopped what he was doing and stood up straight.


    "Yeah," Mirabe nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the patch of greenery. "These don''t look like your everyday garden nts."


    Jim was caught off guard by his niece''s keen observation. He smiled, his thoughts wandering as he replied, "They''re medicinal herbs."


    He continued watering the herbs, his actions deliberate and gentle.


    Mirabe watched him, her expression unreadable. "I can tell these nts are getting some top-notch care."


    She toyed with the idea of snapping


    a picture of the herbal garden to


    ve


    post online, thinking it might ruffle Nellie''s feathers, given her stubbornness rivaled that of someone from the olden days.


    "By the way," Jim said, ncing at his niece, "Grady mentioned you know a thing


    or two about medicine and potion-making?"

 Chapter 1668

    Mirabe paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts as she nced over at her uncle, Chester. She figured it was as good a time as any to check his pulse, something she''d been meaning to do for a while.


    With a nod, she said, "Back in the countryside, I picked up some old-school remedies from an herbalist. I remember you''ve got some lingering health issues. How about I check your pulse once we''re done here?"


    Jim was about to brush it off, but when he saw the sincerity in his niece''s eyes, he found himself agreeing. "Alright."


    After they wrapped up working in the garden about half an hourter, Jim handed the watering can to a servant and turned to Mirabe. "It''s been ages since someone just sat and talked with me like this. I''m really d you''re here today," he said with a soft smile.


    Mirabe got it. Being childless and managing a huge family estate on his own must be quite lonely.


    "You should take a break every now and then," Mirabe suggested, walking alongside him. "My folks always talk about you. You shoulde visit when you can."


    Jim just gave a small smile. "If the chancees up."


    Mirabe nodded and waited for Jim to sit down. As she rolled up her sleeves, she said, "Let''s check your pulse now."


    She motioned for him to ce his hand on the coffee table beside him. Jim did as asked, and while she felt his pulse, he mentioned, "By the way, that herbal stuff you sent with Nick really helped. I''ve been feeling much better.¡±


    Mirabe frowned a bit, realizing that Chester''s condition was moreplicated than she''d thought. But if Chester was willing to fight, a mix of acupuncture and herbal remedies might just turn things around.


    She pulled her hand back and looked at Jim, noticing the concern in his eyes. "Is it bad?" he asked.


    Mirabe took a moment, then decided to be straightforward. "It''s not great. Your chest went through a lot, and you haven''t been taking care of yourself. Your health is more fragile than most. If I''m right, you often have chest pain, sometimes with spasms. The meds gave you were meant to help, but you haven''t been taking them regrly, have you?"


    Jim was silent, taken aback by her insight. His silence spoke volumes.


    The room was quiet for a while before Jim asked again, "Is it really that bad?"


    He knew his own condition. If he hadn''t seen that photo of Santos today, he might still be dismissive. But the thought that Hunter might still be alive had sparked a new hope.


    "Yes," Mirabe confirmed, her tone serious.


    Jim''s face turned somber. He had more pressing matters now. Taking a deep


    breath, he asked sincerely, "Can it be treated?"


    Mirabe was a bit surprised. She had been thinking about how to boost his will to


    live, and his question showed he was ready to fight.


    Not sure what had brought about this change, but it was definitely a good thing. Mirabe thought for a moment and said, "I''ll start with some acupuncture sessions over the next couple of days."


    She had her acupuncture needles with her in Merrywoods but hadn''t brought them to the Davis estate. They were still at the hotel.


    With a quick swipe on her phone, she sent a message to James via Messenger. After sending it, she looked back at Jim. ¡°Uncle, can deliveries be epted here?"

 Chapter 1669

    "Picking up a package?" Jim paused, looking a bit puzzled. Handling deliveries wasn''t exactly his forte. After a moment''s hesitation, he said, "Let me check with the butler."


    Mirabe nodded, understanding the situation. The Davis family estate was known for its tight security. It wasn''t just any delivery person who could approach ¡ªany outsider might be considered suspicious.


    Jim waved over the butler, who quickly approached. "Mira has a package to receive. How do you usually handle deliveries here?"


    The butler, nodding respectfully, replied, "We ce them in a secure locker outside the estate. They''re checked before being brought inside."


    He then looked at Mirabe, realizing she had a package on the way, and offered, "We have a specific address for deliveries. I''ll jot it down for you."


    Mirabe nodded, "Thanks."


    "My pleasure." The butler gave a slight bow and went off to write down the address.


    **The Next Day.**


    Around nine in the morning, Mirabe was chatting with Robert and the gang in their group chat when a call came in on Messenger from James.


    "Ms. Mirabe, your package has arrived. Could youe out to sign for it?" his clear voice came through.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, "Did you deliver it yourself?"


    James, in a stylish ck trench coat, leaned casually against his car door. His strikingly handsome face turned towards the grand gates of the Davis Estate as


    he replied, "Yep, a boyfriend this considerate is hard toe by."


    Mirabe chuckled, a hint of a smile on her lips, "I''ll be right out."


    James: "Alright."


    Mirabe ended the call and got up from the sofa. With Jim off handling business next door, it was just her, the cleaning crew, and the butler in the hall.


    She had spotted a motorcycle in the garage the day before and asked the butler if she could borrow the keys.


    The butler hesitated, then


    suggested, "That bike''s a bit special. How about I have a driver take you instead? Mirabe felt a twinge of regret The motorcycle looked vintage with a rugged charm that promised an exciting ride_


    She didn''t push it, nor did she ask for a driver. Instead, she borrowed keys to another car.


    A few minutester, Mirabe drove out. The guards at the gate, tipped off by the butler, opened the gates as soon as they saw her.


    She parked by the roadside and walked over to James. "Not busy today?"


    James pulled a slender silver needle from his pocket and handed it to her, nodding seriously, "Decided to take it easy."


    Mirabe: "."


    She realized some people had a knack for being cheeky.


    James, seeing her momentarily speechless, chuckled and shook his head, "I have


    a meeting nearby, so I thought I''d drop this off for you."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms, "Quite the coincidence."


    James reached up, gently tucking her loose curls behind her ear, his fingertips brushing her earlobe as he nced towards the gates, "You should head back."  fo


    "Alright, I''ll call youter." Mirabe nodded.


    "Okay."


    James got into his car. Mirabe waved at him through the window, took a few steps towards her in


    car, and was about to get in when


    her phone buzzed in her pocket.


    She paused, pulling out her phone. Seeing the caller ID was her friend ze, she


    was momentarily surprised but quickly answered the call.


    Before she could say anything, ze''s urgent and flustered voice came through, "Hey, someone''s after you!"

 Chapter 1670

    Mirabe''s eyes lifted slowly, her voice low and steady as she asked, "Hey, where are you, my friend?"


    "I..." ze began, but something seemed to happen on his end. There was a sudden burst of noise, and then the line went silent.


    Mirabe pulled the phone away from her ear, staring at the screen showing the call had ended. She tried to call back, but it was already switched off.


    Frowning, she quickly dialed Grady''s number. The phone barely rang before he picked up.


    "Miss Mira."


    Mirabe didn''t waste time with pleasantries. "Uncle, I think my friend might be in trouble. Could you help me check if they''re still at the hotel?"


    She needed to get to the bottom of this.


    Grady''s tone shifted to serious immediately. "Alright, I''ll call Reid right away." "Thanks, Uncle."


    After hanging up, Mirabe turned to James, who was still parked nearby. He rolled down the window and asked, "What''s up?"


    Mirabe''s face was tense, a hint of something dangerous in her eyes. She nced at James, her grip still firm on the phone. "My friend might be in a jam. He said someone''s trying to get to me."


    James knew how close Mirabe was to her friends. "Don''t sweat it. If they''re after you, they won''t harm your friends until they find you."


    Mirabe nodded as her phone buzzed again. It was Grady calling back.


    "Someone slipped past Reid''s crew and took your three friends. We''re tracking them down, but we haven''t figured out who did it yet."


    Grady sounded apologetic. "I''m sorry, Miss Mira. It''s my fault your friends got caught up in this."


    Mirabe''s eyes grew colder. "It''s not on you. They''re targeting me." Even with extra protection, those behind this would find a way through.


    "They''re after you?" Grady was taken aback. "Any idea who it might be, Miss Mira?"


    "Sort of," Mirabe smirked slightly and asked, "Uncle, is Robert still at the hotel?"


    "Yeah, he''s been there the whole time, so he''s safe." Grady paused, adding, "I''ll find out where your friends are ASAP."


    Mirabe squeezed her phone lightly, already piecing things together. She turned down Grady''s offer, "Thanks, Uncle, but no need to worry. I know where they are. I can handle it."


    Their target was her, so finding her friends wouldn''t take much effort.


    Grady wanted to insist it wasn''t that simple, but before he could, Mirabe had already said goodbye and ended the call.


    Feeling guilty, Grady still ordered his team to dig into it right away.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe cast a nce towards the Davis family''s direction, then turned away, quickly heading to James''s car. She opened the


    Ser door and hopped in.


    James, sensing the urgency, didn''t bother asking where they were headed. He


    started the engine, and the car swiftly turned around, speeding off.


    Once inside, Mirabe fired off a


    quick message to Chester,


    Vel


    exining she had to dash off for an


    emergency, then switched her


    phone toputer mode.


    As she suspected, it didn''t take long to pinpoint ze and the others'' exact location.

 Chapter 1671

    Mirabe''s almond-shaped eyes narrowed, a fierce glint shing through them, but it quickly faded away. She leaned back in her seat, turned off her phone, and asked the man next to her, "How fast can we get back to Westbridge?"


    James, already having messaged Wyatt to prep the ne as soon as Mirabe checked the location, replied, "About an hour and a half."


    Mirabe lightly tapped her fingers on her knee, murmured a soft


    acknowledgment, and closed her eyes. She hadn''t dressed warmly when she left, and now her face looked both pale and cold.


    James nced in the rearview mirror but stayed silent, instead turning up the car''s heat.


    Twenty minutester, they pulled up at the airport.


    Wyatt was waiting at the entrance. As they got out of the car, he approached with a nod, "James, Ms. Mirabe."


    Mirabe gave a nod in return.


    Noticing her cold hands, James squeezed them gently and draped his jacket over her shoulders. He then turned to Wyatt, speaking calmly, "Stay here and sort things out."


    "Got it," Wyatt nodded, his eyes briefly flickering over Mirabe''s face. He didn''t know why James suddenly needed to rush back to Westbridge, but he guessed it was rted to Ms. Mirabe.


    Wyatt wisely held back from asking further questions, took the keys James tossed to him, and watched them head into the airport.


    As they boarded the ne, Mirabe got a call from Robert.


    "Hey, Mirabe, I can''t reach your friends. Have they been in touch with you? They''re supposed to head to the airportter, but they''re nowhere to be found," Robert''s worried voice came through.


    Mirabe settled into her seat in the cabin and replied with her usual calm, "Professor, no need to worry. They''re probably just out shopping and will be back soon."


    Her steady tone always had a calming effect, and Robert''s initial anxiety started to ease. While Merrywoods could be a bit chaotic, ze Patrick, and the others were just out for a stroll and weren''t likely to run into trouble.


    With that thought, Robert didn''t press further, saying, "Alright, I''ve got some things


    to sort out here, so I''ll hang up now."


    "Sure thing."


    Mirabe put away her phone, her gaze turning to the window. She wasn''t worried about her friends


    being in danger, she knew their adversaries were just trying to draw her out.


    An hourter, the ne touched down in Westbridge.


    As soon as Mirabe got into the car and turned on her phone, a message from


    an unknown number popped up. It was brief, just two words: [Waiting for you.]


    Mirabe nced at it briefly before deleting the message without a second thought.


    Curtis, their driver, had already started the car and asked quietly, "Back to the hotel?"


    James looked at Mirabe, noting her slightly lowered head as she tapped a few times on her phone screen. Her voice soon followed.


    "This ce."


    As she spoke, the dashboard screen transformed into a detailed star map with precise coordinates.


    Curtis, observing the map, couldn''t help but marvel at Mirabe''s tech skills. Any ce with inte was her yground.


    In mere seconds! Curtis noted the


    ve


    map''s location, realizing it was quite far from the hotel where Mirabe and James had been staying. From what he knew, it was part of Westbridge''s more tumultuous area. "We''re heading to the unrest district?" Curtis asked gravely as he set the car in motion.

 Chapter 1672

    The Chaos Zone got its name for a reason. It was a wild,wless ce where all sorts of unsavory characters gathered. Shootings and robberies were just a part of daily life, making it a ce you really didn''t want to be unless you had to.


    When Curtis pulled up at the airport, he didn''t have a clue that they were heading into this notorious area. He had only brought a small crew along, not nearly enough for the kind of risks they''d be facing.


    James, calm as ever, just gave Curtis a quick look and said, "Half an hour."


    Curtis nearly stomped on the brake instead of the gas when he heard that. "James, there''s no way we can make it in less than fifty minutes!"


    They were starting from one side of the city and had to get all the way to the other, not to mention the roads were a mess, and they needed a special pass just to enter the Chaos Zone!


    Even though he had the pass, Curtis was no pro driver, and thirty minutes seemed impossible.


    James didn''t respond, just silence filled the air.


    Curtis sighed, ruffling his hair in frustration, then buckled down and got the car moving faster once they were out of the airport. He wasn''t a racecar driver, but he pushed the car like one, his nerves on edge. Luck was on their side, though-they didn''t run into any trouble and made it there in exactly half an hour.


    They rolled up to a run-down old house that had clearly seen better days.


    Curtis parked and stared at the crumbling mansion. Ivy was crawling up the sides, threatening to cover the ce entirely, and the windows looked ready to fall off any second. It was more of a haunted house than a mansion, and it seemed abandoned.


    He couldn''t help but wonder why Ms. Mirabe had chosen this ce, but he kept his questions to himself.


    tead, he sent a quick text to the


    team, reminding them to stay alert.


    In the back seat, Mirabe shrugged off her coat and passed it to James. Her


    eyes danced with a mysterious light that was hard to pin down.


    "You stay here. I won''t be long," Mirabe said, reaching for the door.


    Before she could step out, James caught her wrist. "I can''t let my girlfriend go in there alone."


    Mirabe paused, giving James a sly smile. She flipped her grip, pulling him closer, and nted a firm kiss on his lips.


    James was caught off guard. The kiss was brief but left him momentarily speechless. "Wait for me," Mirabe whispered before letting go and stepping out.


    The door clicked shut, snapping James out of his daze. Watching her walk toward the mansion, he shook his head with a smirk. She always managed to surprise him.


    S.n


    Curtis, who had watched the whole thing from the front seat, was still trying to wrap his head around it. Even though he was single, he figured guys were supposed the shots. Who knew James had such a soft side? Curtis''s perception of his tough, no-nonsense boss was taking a hit.


    James, unfazed by Curtis''s silent musings, waited until Mirabe disappeared from view. Then he pulled a ck mask out of his pocket, slipped it on, and exited the car.

 Chapter 1673

    Curtis quickly followed suit and hopped out of the car. "James, you heading in there?"


    James, with a casual air, unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled them up, showing off his fair wrists. He replied with aid-back tone, "Just felt like taking a walk."


    Curtis, suspecting he was witnessing yet another disy of James''s effortless charm, felt a slight twitch at the corner of his lips. This wasn''t just any neighborhood¡ªit was a rough one, where even a casual stroll could spell trouble. Watching James head east along the street instead of toward the small manor, Curtis rushed to catch up, only to be stopped by James''s raised hand.


    With a resigned shrug, Curtis got back in the car. Ever since James had bounced back from his mysterious ailment, his agility and strength were back to their prime, so Curtis didn''t worry too much about his safety.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe pushed open the rusty iron gate of the manor, surprised to find it unlocked. As she stepped into the courtyard, the air was thick with the musty scent of neglect. Dried leaves crunched under her feet.


    She nced at therge sycamore tree, now just a hollow, lifeless trunk, and a smirk of disdain flickered across her face. Did they really think they could trap her here again? Did they underestimate her that much?


    With a cool indifference, Mirabe turned her attention to the front door. Like the gate, it swung open with a gentle nudge. Light spilled in, chasing away the shadows, and mingling with the mustiness was a faint, barely-there fragrance.


    If you weren''t paying close attention, you might miss it entirely. Mirabe''s lips twitched ever so slightly.


    Inside, she found her three friends hanging in mid-air, tied with ropes secured to the second-floor railing. The house was old, and the wooden railing looked like it could give way at any moment.


    ze, having finally spat out the rag that had been gagging him, looked both relieved and anxious upon seeing Mirabe at the door. Ignoring everything else, he shouted urgently, "Mira, get out! They''ve got guns!"


    His struggle made him sway precariously, and the railing creaked ominously. ze''s face turned pale, and though he tried to act unafraid, his expression gave him away.


    Patrick and Denny, also dangling there, looked just as uneasy.


    Mirabe stayed calm, her gaze steady as she looked up at the middle-aged man at the second-floor railing. Her voice was steady, "Santos, are you looking for trouble?"


    Even though the man wore a stranger''s face, she saw through the disguise. That unsettling gaze could only belong to Santos.


    fazed that Mirabe


    Santos wasn''t fa


    had recognized him. They had faced off before. With a shake of his head and a tsk, Santos drew a knife, its de@linting dangerously. He toyed with the ropes binding ze and the others. "Who do you think''s really in trouble here?" Content b¨¦tongs to

 Chapter 1674

    Mirabe''s eyes swept over Santos'' actions, and a sly smile yed on her lips. "Seems like you didn''t do your homework on your opponent," she teased.


    Santos frowned, trying to decipher her words, but before he could, an intense, deadly vibe hit him. Instinctively, he shifted his body just in time.


    But not quite fast enough. A sharp, needle-like pain jabbed into his temple. His eyes narrowed as he pressed his hand against the spot, a mix of shock and pain flooding his system.


    He nced back to find a slender silver needle lodged in the old, weathered wall behind him. Lowering his hand, he noticed a smear of red on his fingertips, and a shiver ran down his spine.


    From that angle, with such force... If he hadn''t reacted quickly and been in disguise, it could have been much worse than a graze-it might have hit him square in the forehead.


    Santos quickly scanned the area below, but Mirabe was gone, vanished into thin air.


    His heart raced. He knew Mirabe was skilled, but he hadn''t expected her to be so unaffected, striking and then disappearing so effortlessly...


    Her resistance to danger seemed to have leveled up.


    Suddenly, a soft noise came from behind. Santos spun around, locking eyes with Mirabe. Her gaze was icy and unyielding.


    "Pulling the same trick again? Who do you think you''re underestimating?" she taunted, her eyes flicking to the knife in his hand. As she spoke, her fingers moved ever so slightly at her side.


    In an instant, Santos felt a tingling sensation in his palm, and the knife slipped from his grasp, ttering to the floor.


    His expression shifted, but he didn''t show panic. Instead, he let out a coldugh. "To handle you, this method will do just fine."


    As he spoke, gunmen emerged from the shadows, their weapons trained on Mirabe. Santos ignored the knife on the ground, pulling a small porcin bottle from his pocket. "I''m a man of principles," he saido casually. "Take this, and I''ll let these three go."


    He paused, letting the weight of his words


    have to take it. In Merrywoods, three lives are just a blip. Easy to Brush


    liken Stok in. "Of course, you


    off."


    Two more gunmen aimed their weapons at ze and the others, who were


    precariously dangling over the railing.


    Mirabe was backed into a corner.


    She nced at Santos and the ominous gun barrels, weighing her options for a few moments beforez responding, "Alright, let them down, and I''do what you say. Otherwise... you know my capabilities. Worst case, we all go down together."


    Her tone was casual, as if the stakes meant nothing to her.


    Santos knew better. He''d seen her fierce side before.


    After some thought, Santos nodded to one of his men. With a shared


    understanding, the man began pulling ze, Patrick, and the others up one by


    one.


    Once they were up, their ropes remained tied, but Mirabe didn''t press for their release. This was enough for her.


    At least it eased one worry.


    "If you try anything funny, they won''t make it," Santos warned, passing the porcin bottle to his associate to administer to Mirabe.

 Chapter 1675

    As Santos'' crew marched towards Mirabe with the meds, a deafening st rang out from outside, rattling the house to its core. Everyone''s faces shifted in sync with the shock.


    Amid the chaos, Mirabe sprang into action. She smoothly kicked a gunman behind her to the ground, then spun around to snatch a gun from another who was too slow to react. A quick twist, and the weapon was in her grip.


    Santos and his crew were caught off guard. As gunfire erupted, more of his guards hit the floor. Santos himself barely dodged a bullet, diving out of harm''s way.


    "Damn it!" he cursed under his breath, awkwardly ducking further shots. He grabbed ze by the neck, yanking him forward as a human shield. "Try anything, and he''s done for," Santos threatened.


    Mirabe had just taken down another gunman. At Santos'' threat, she turned her head casually.


    ze, caught in a chokehold, was flushed and far from his usual charming self. Mirabe''s eyes, usually calm and misty, narrowed sharply.


    She strode towards Santos.


    Santos, seeing her approach, tightened his grip on ze and took a couple of steps back. He knew Mirabe was a force to reckon with; a hostage might not be enough to stop her.


    But it didn''t matter. He figured it was all about to wrap up.


    As Mirabe closed in, Santos smirked and suddenly released ze, shoving him hard towards the railing. With a swift kick, he sent ze Stumbling. The decaying rail couldn''t hold, and ze teetered on the edge. A fall from the second floor, over ten feet, could be lethal or at least cripplingly painful.


    Mirabe didn''t see thising. She lunged forward, grabbing ze''s shirt just in time. Now he dangled dangerously in mid-air.


    Shey t on the floor, her arms scraping against the stone and leaving bloody streaks on her pale skin.


    "Mirabe..." ze gasped, ghostly pale. "Is this it for me?"


    "If it is, make sure you grab that prize from the Professor for our friend. It''s all yours..." ze


    muttered, trembling with hihet


    shut.


    "Shut up," Mirabe snapped, gritting her teeth as she pulled him up with all her strength.


    But Santos wasn''t done. As


    Mirabe hauled ze up, he flicked a hand releasing a cloud of white powder into the air. It settled on Mirabe''s hair, arms, and face.


    The powder seemed to vanish quickly, absorbed into her skin.


    Mirabe''s body tensed, her grip on ze slipping momentarily. But she quickly shook it off, refocusing her strength to pull him up again.


    Still, if you looked closely, you''d see her strength was noticeably fadingpared to moments before.

 Chapter 1676

    Santos watched the scene unfold, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He had to hand it to them; it was impressive how someone with such unusual resilience could still keep going in a situation like this.


    What a shame, though. If Cian hadn''t stepped in to save that student, Santos might have had a shot at getting out of here in one piece today.


    With a smirk, Santos drew a gun from his belt, aiming it at ze, who was hanging in mid-air. "Don''t waste your time. You''re at the end of your rope, and either way, it''s a dead end. I''ll make it quick for him."


    Just as he began to pull the trigger, a cold voice cut through the tension, "Quite the bravado."


    In that moment, Santos felt a sharp pain in his wrist, and the gun ttered to the ground. He nced down to see a gaping hole in his wrist, blood welling up almost immediately.


    Instinctively, he mped his other hand over the wound and quickly looked up to see where the voice hade from.


    A tall figure stepped out from the second-floor balcony, his face hidden behind a ck mask. His presence was intimidating, radiating a menacing energy that chilled anyone to their core.


    It was then that Santos realized his men were all down, and those stationed outside were probably no better off...


    His eyes narrowed in instinctive recognition of danger. With a quick nce at Mirabe, he vaulted over the broken railing, dropping down to the first floor.


    James watched him, casually spinning a silenced pistol on his finger before pulling the trigger just as Santosnded.


    The silent shot found its mark, hitting Santos squarely.


    He let out a grunt, barely hesitating before rolling out of James''s sight, ignoring his


    wound as he sprinted toward the escape route he had nned.


    James didn''t bother chasing after


    Instead, he hurried to Mirabe, reaching out to pull ze to safety. ze,pletely shell-shocked, sat there helplessly after the rescue.


    Ignoring ze''s state, James turned his attention to Mirabe. But when he reached out to help her, she stopped him.


    "Don''t touch me," Mirabe rasped, her voice hoarse as her strength ebbed away, her fingers barely able to twitch.


    Santos hadn''t just sent gunmen after her... Mirabe looked at James with difficulty, her words strained, "You can''t touch me, the drug...''


    The scent in the air was just a distraction; the real threat was the powder on her.


    Even though she had some resistance to drugs, her foes had clearly spared no effort.


    James took in Mirabe''s pale face and the wound on her arm, his gaze darkening as he understood her warning.


    He shrugged off his jacket, gently


    into


    draping it over her before lifting het his arms. As he nced down, her eyes had already fluttered shut.


    His grip tightened, a fierce resolve settling in his eyes.


    He should never have let her go in alone. He should have taken care of the


    outside threats and gone in with her.


    At that moment, Curtis, having heard


    ?ne


    the gunfire and explosions from outside, rushed into the mansion. Seeing James on the second floor,


    he quickly made his way up.


    As he saw Mirabe cradled in James''s arms, Curtis felt his heart clench with


    worry. "James, is Ms. Mirabe...?"

 Chapter 1677

    "She''ll be alright." James had pulled himself together and turned back to ze and the others with a calm demeanor. "Make sure everyone gets back to the hotel safely," he instructed.


    Curtis nodded respectfully, "Of course."


    Without hanging around, James carried her downstairs with a sense of urgency.


    Curtis, tucking his gun back into his waistband, walked over to ze and the others, untying the ropes that had held them captive.


    Finally free, the group seemed to snap back to reality. The bodies of the gunmen Mirabe had deftly taken down still littered the floor, their weapons scattered. A shared question lingered in the air: Who exactly was their Mira?


    Even as they climbed into Curtis''s car, the mystery of Mira''s true identity remained unsolved.


    An hourter, Curtis dropped them off safely at the hotel and drove off. His tough exterior and intimidating vibe kept ze and the others silent during the ride, too nervous to ask questions.


    Once Curtis left, the tension eased a little.


    "I hope Mira''s okay," ze said with genuine concern. He couldn''t shake the


    image of Mira risking it all to save him. Without her, he might not be standing here.


    Patrick echoed his worry, recalling the earlier chaos, "I heard her mention something about medicine."


    "Let''s hope Mira''s alright," Denny added with a serious tone.


    Dusty and disheveled, they looked like they''d been through the wringer, but none


    of them felt any bitterness, despite their kidnapping being linked to Mira.


    As they headed back inside, they bumped into Grady in the lobby.


    Grady, who had been trying to track down ze and the others since his call with Mirabe, was there waiting. He was visibly surprised to see them return so soon.


    Remembering Mirabe''s words from their conversation, he nodded at the trio before asking, "What happened earlier? Is my mistress alright?"


    ze and the others exchanged a look, recognizing Grady as someone close to Mira, and quickly filled him in on how she had saved them.


    Grady''s expression shifted slightly. "Is my mistress hurt?"


    ze was startled by Grady''s sudden intensity, stammering, "M-maybe. We don''t really know the details."


    "Where is she now?" Grady pressed, unfazed by the possibility of intimidating them.


    ze replied, "You could ask Mira''s boyfriend. He''s the one who took her."


    Grady hesitated at the mention of a boyfriend but quickly nodded, "Got it, thanks for letting me know."


    With that, he strode out of the hotel, phone in hand, ready to call Reid and get James''s contact info.


    Meanwhile, James was outside the emergency room, the light above the leaned


    door glowing steadily. The


    against the wall, still as a statue.


    It wasn''t until his phone buzzed in his pocket that he snapped back to reality.


    Seeing an unknown number, he declined the call.


    Goodnight, and happy Children''s Day!

 Chapter 1678

    Just as James ended the call, the unfamiliar number rang again almost immediately. This time, he hesitated for a moment before answering.


    Hearing the deep voice on the other end, James calmly gave the hospital''s address. The caller, wasting no time, hung up as soon as they had it.


    James pocketed his phone and turned his gaze back to the emergency room doors. He was wearing just a thin shirt, seemingly unfazed by the cold. About ten minutester, Grady arrived, feeling a bit uneasy seeing James soposed.


    "What''s the situation with Mira?" Grady asked, clearing his throat.


    James, with his handsome features, remained polite, though there was a slight furrow in his brow. "The doctors are still running tests. We''re waiting for the results."


    Grady nodded and decided not to press further. He paced back and forth in front of the emergency room until finally, the light above the door went out.


    The door swung open, and a nurse wheeled out a bed. Grady''s eyes fell on Miss Mira, whoy there with her eyes closed as if she were merely asleep, her face pale. His expression darkened as he turned to the doctor. "How''s mydy doing?"


    The doctor, sensing Grady''s authoritative presence, replied with courtesy, "We''ve done a thorough examination, and she''s not in any immediate danger."


    Although this should have been reassuring, Grady remained tense. "Then why is she unconscious?"


    "We need to wait for the detailed


    blood work to find out," the doctor exined, then turned to James.


    Vol


    "Mr. Turner, you mentioned something about substances clothing. We''ve collected samples and will inform you as soon as we have the analysis." James nodded, "Thanks, Doctor."


    "No problem."


    After exchanging a few more words, the doctor hurried off with the data sheet, leaving the nurse to silently wheel Mira to a room, clearly intimidated by James and Grady''s presence.


    Once the door closed, Grady nced at Mirabe again before shifting his focus to James. He gestured to a nearby chair. "Want to sit and chat for a bit?"


    James nodded and settled into the chair, as if he already knew what Grady was going to ask. "The person who did this got away. We don''t know much about them, but they''re badly hurt."


    Grady leaned back, his expression fierce, and after a moment of


    silence he spoke, "I really appreciate what you''ve done, James. The Davis family will handle the rest from here, so you don''t need to worry.


    It was frustrating. This was their Miss Mira, yet James always seemed to be in the mix. Even though James had brought her back, Grady had already nned to arrange a generous thank-you gift.


    James understood the implication behind Grady''s words. He nced at the girl on the bed and said, "No need to thank me. Mirabe is my girlfriend, so it''s no trouble."


    Grady''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Did this guy have no shame? James, noticing Grady''s expression but choosing not to escte the


    vel


    situation given Mirabe''s uncertet


    condition, said, "I''ll look after things


    here at the hospital, so you can rx. But today''s events definitely need your attention."

 Chapter 1679

    James was seriously worried that Mirabe''s prolonged unconsciousness might


    lead toplications. He''d known for ages that her body had a knack for resisting medication, so your run-of-the-mill drugs might not cut it for her. But if someone had brewed up a special concoction just to keep her down, it surely wouldn''t be your standard stuff.


    Grady, oblivious to James''s worries, was feeling the weight of frustration, like he was outyed in a game he didn''t even know he was in. Just as he was about to speak up, the door swung open, and in came a doctor clutching thetest blood test results. The room felt chilly, but the doc brushed it off and said, "The blood test results are here. Aside from a weird blip in the IgM levels, everything else looks normal."


    Grady, putting everything else aside, jumped up. "What do you mean by this IgM anomaly?"


    "Here''s the deal," the doctor exined, "everyone has antibodies, like those you''d find in a routine check-up. If you''re hit with a bug, the IgM levels usually shoot up, showing a positive. But the odd thing is, thisdy doesn''t seem to be infected."


    Earlier, while checking with the instruments, the doctor had noticed something peculiar-some values in her blood seemed to be in flux. It was like there were other hidden elements in her blood.


    With this in mind, the doctor pulled out an unused syringe from his pocket. "I need to draw another blood sample."


    Grady took the report, unable to make heads or tails of the numbers, but he got the gist of the "normal"bels. He finally let out a sigh of relief.


    Once the doctor had drawn another blood sample, Grady asked, "If the numbers are mostly normal, she should be okay, so why hasn''t she woken up?"


    The doctor couldn''t give a straight answer, "Maybe she''ll just wake up on her ownter."


    Grady felt like punching a wall; such a vague reassurance was as good as saying nothing at all. But he held back. Soon, the doctor left the room.


    Pacing back and forth, Grady was mulling over how today''s mess was partly on him. He turned to James, "If Miss Mira wakes up, give me a call right away. I''ve got somethings to sort out."


    Even though Grady wasn''t thrilled with the guy, he knew Mira was safer with James keeping an eye on her. He was dead set on catching the jerk behind all this.


    Grady''s face was stone cold, eyes burning with determination. James nced at him and nodded, "Oh, one more thing, Mira asked not to tell Shawn about what happened today before she passed out."


    Grady paused for a moment, then nodded, "Got it."


    With that, he strode out, leaving a gust of brisk wind in his wake.


    James turned back, pulled a chair up to the hospital bed, and sat down, gently holding Mirabe''s hand, which felt warm to the touch. Maybe... she really would be okay.


    James pulled out his phone and called Curtis. "Any luck finding the person?"


    Curtis knew exactly who James was talking about. "Nope, I''ve had folksb through every inch of the ce, but it''s like they vanished into thin air."


    James''s eyes narrowed. He knew that shot hadnded near the person''s heart; even if by some miracle they survived, dodging Curtis''s search seemed impossible. This turn of events... was definitely


    intriguing.

 Chapter 1680

    "Keep searching," James said with a calm determination, his eyes fixing on Mirabe''s face. "Turn the world upside down if you have to, but find him."


    "Yes, sir," Curtis responded. Even without James''s orders, he was already on it.


    Of all the people to mess with, they chose Ms. Mirabe-definitely not the smartest move.


    After ending the call, Curtis sent some of his most reliable operatives to the chaotic zone. Someone with such a severe injury wouldn''t have gotten far.


    *Meanwhile, in a mansion at the center of the turmoil.


    "You sure are tough," Asa remarked, wearing gloves as he skillfully removed the bullet from Santos''s chest with forceps. "Just a hair more to the side, and not even the best surgeon could have saved you."


    Santosy there, drenched in sweat, the mask on his face starting to slip from the moisture. But that wasn''t the main issue. What mattered was that the surgery had been done without anesthesia.


    His body didn''t respond to anesthetics.


    Surviving that ordeal without a peep was nothing short of incredible.


    "Thanks," Santos whispered, closing his eyes and gritting through the pain to get those words out.


    Asa''s eyes lingered on the mask, a mix of surprise and understanding. No wonder Santos always seemed so stoic-it was a mask all along.


    Returning to his work, Asa stitched up the wound, offering a casual, "You''re wee."


    Half an hourter, he pulled off his gloves and the bloodied gown. "You should be up and about in a week."


    A week? Santos frowned, thinking about the woman who''d already been exposed to his concoction. "I heard you have something that speeds up healing?"


    Asa, having just opened a water bottle, raised an eyebrow at Santos. "I do, but it has some pretty serious side effects. Are you sure?"


    "Yes," Santos answered without a second thought.


    He''s learned long ago that extraordinary things oftene with a price.


    A little damage was nothing to him. Seeing Santos''s determination, Asa didn''t press further. He nodded, pulling out his phone to make a call. "Okay, I''ll have it sent over."


    "Thanks." Santos gazed at the ceiling. This injury couldn''t just be for nothing, right? After Asa finished his call, he mentioned, "My guys will drop off the drug soon. If your body can handle it, you might be up by tonight, and back to normal by tomorrow."


    "I know," Santos replied coolly.


    Asa didn''t delve into what Santos meant by "I know," simply smirking. "I''m curious, why did you nab those students? What makes them so important that it got the authorities involved?"


    "The students aren''t special. I just needed to draw someone out."


    With Asa''s knack for uncovering information, Santos didn''t see the point in making up stories.


    "Oh? Who''s so important that you''d go to all this trouble?"


    Asa hadn''t specifically dug into Santos''s business, but he did have people keeping an eye on his activities.


    Santos''s eyes sparked with a thought. He turned slightly towards Asa.


    "Rememberst year when you asked me to treat a guy named Ben? The person who hurt him is the one I''m after."


    Goodnight.


    With a new month starting, I''m determined to keep striving. As always there''s a giveaway at the beginning of the month. Just drop ament to join in. Thank you for sticking around¡ªtruly, thank you.

 Chapter 1681

    Asa definitely remembered that whole situation. The main reason he sent Santos to treat Ben was because of some impressive brainpower data that came through from Ben''s side. Sadly, they never managed to track down where exactly that data originated from.


    But now, Santos was bringing it up again, and Asa''s curiosity got piqued. "Hmm, so what''s up with that?" he asked, his interest clearly sparked.


    Santos didn''t fully get why Asa was so set on bringing Ben back to his senses, but since Cian had ties with the Davis family now, he figured having another person in the mix might help keep things under wraps.


    "She wouldn''t just disable someone without a good reason," Santos muttered, trying to push past the pain in his chest.


    This meant Ben must''ve done something tond himself in hot water back then. Asa was quick on the uptake. Ben might be a bit of a mess-up, but when it came to research, he was all in. And whoever Santos was after surely wasn''t just anyone.


    Asa narrowed his eyes, wondering if the data Ben received had something to do with the person Santos mentioned. "Who are you looking for, exactly?"


    Even though Santos was nearly out cold, he managed to catch Asa''s question and whispered back, "Mirabe."


    "Mirabe?" Asa asked, the name ringing a bell. He quickly connected the dots. "Is she the sister from the Davis family?"


    He remembered asking Santos to fix Ben up, and in return, Asa helped Santos find out who had knocked Ben out ofmission. So Mirabe''s name wasn''t new to Asa, especially since she had a close connection with James.


    Santos didn''t say another word before finally passing out. Seeing this, Asa decided to call it a day, telling others to clean up the room before he stepped out.


    As he made his way downstairs, his assistant came in with a sense of urgency, nodding respectfully at Asa. "Sir, there are quite a few people, both openly and sneaking around, trying to track down Mr. Santos as if they''re digging for treasure."


    Asa flopped onto the sofa, stretching out his long legs, his chiseled features keeping that cool, detached vibe. "Let ''em look," he said nonchntly.


    "Got it." The assistant ced a ss of water on the coffee table in front of him. "I''ve made sure all traces of Mr. Santos are wiped clean. They won''t find a thing."


    Asa drummed his fingers on his


    knee, not worried in the slightest et


    about Santos being found. After a moment, he added, "Check out what happened today."


    The assistant nodded in agreement and quickly left the room.


    Asa gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows, his deep blue eyes reflecting emotions


    that were hard to read. He knew exactly what Santos was up to.


    A slight smirk tugged at Asa''s lips, sensing that Merrywoods was about to get pretty interesting.


    **The afternoon flew by.


    Mirabe still hadn''te to by evening.


    The hospital doctors had run a bunch of blood tests, but aside from some changes in her antibodies, everything else was just like the first test.


    Even the blood specialists were scratching their heads.


    James had asked the doctors to check Mirabe''s coat for any biochemical traces, but nothing turned up.


    When James got this news, he felt even gloomier. He knew Mirabe''s medical skills were top-notch, and the fact that no drugs were detected meant whatever it was, it had to be something really unusual.

 Chapter 1682

    The effects of that special medication were a mystery known only to a select few.


    While it might not technically qualify as a poison, its knack for keeping someone in a deep, prolonged sleep was definitely cause for concern.


    James was done waiting. That evening, he called up David from the Pharmaceutical Association to fill him in on Mirabe''s situation.


    "There are indeed some drugs that slip under the radar of standard medical equipment. Tell you what, I''ll grab the next avable flight and head over," David said without missing a beat when he heard the news.


    Mirabe had once saved his bacon. Without her, he might''ve been pushing up daisies by now.


    James knew David wasn''t in the best shape these days. He nced over at Mirabe, lying there in the hospital bed, and with a serious look, he replied, "Thanks. You don''t need to worry about a thing; I''ll have someone pick you up."


    "Alright," David agreed, not wasting any time. Every hour counted when it came to Mirabe''s condition.


    Just as James was about to hang up, David''s voice came through again.


    After a brief pause, David added, ¡°Mirabe... she might have ties to the Massolio family. A lot of folks are on the hunt for them, so tread carefully."


    James''s grip on the phone tightened a smidge, but he kept his cool, answering steadily, "I''m aware."


    David assumed Mirabe had already told James about it and didn''t pursue the topic further.


    The call ended.


    James stood by the window, his thoughts spinning. He had long suspected that Mirabe''s extraordinary skills might be linked to the elusive Stevenson family. Only a family shrouded in such mystery could cover their tracks so well.


    Could it be that whoever targeted Mirabe today was after her because of her true identity?


    He let out a deep breath and made another call. After giving out some instructions, he returned to Mirabe''s side.


    Her phone was on the bedside table,


    and right then, it lit up with a


    from Cassie Davis. James


    recognized the name and,


    tera


    moment of consideration, picked it up.  s?novel


    Before he could even say hello, a young voice chirped through the dine, "Sis, are you mad at me? I didn''t


    to ghost you. School''s been


    mean to


    crazy with exams, and I left my phone behind..."


    Once the boy finished, James replied, "Your sister can''te to the phone right now."


    Cassie, caught off guard by the unfamiliar voice, nearly jumped out of his skin. "Who are you? Why''re you picking up my sister''s phone?"


    "It''s James. We ate togetherst time," James answered calmly.


    Cassie quickly pieced it together. James was the older guy trying to charm his sister.


    Cassie felt a headacheing on, concern evident in his voice, "Why can''t she take the call?"


    "She''s busy," James said, his tone giving away nothing. "I''ll make sure she calls you back when she''s free."


    ¡°Okay..." Cassie replied, feeling a bit better but still curious, "What''s she so busy with?"


    Busy enough to have someone else answer her phone? If he had tried touching her phone before, she would''ve raised hell.


    Before James could field more


    Vol


    questions, a knock at the door


    echoed through the room. ze and


    Patrick walked in, just back from running an errand.


    "Is Mira still not awake?"

 Chapter 1683

    ze''s voice wasn''t particrly loud, but it came through the phone clearly


    enough. Cassie frowned at what she heard. Mira still not awake? Mira? Was he talking about her sister?


    James nced at ze and his friends, shaking his head slightly. ze noticed James was on the phone and immediately quieted down, putting the stuff he''d bought on a nearby table without saying a word.


    James walked over to the window with his phone, addressing Cassie''s earlier question. "She''s caught up with school stuff. But if there''s something important, I can pass on a message."


    Cassie found it odd that a simple phone call would need a message ryed. Her gut told her something was off, and her yful mood vanished. "Hang on, I heard someone over there say my sister isn''t awake yet. Is something wrong with her?"


    James was surprised by her intuition but kept his tone steady. "No, nothing''s wrong."


    Cassie wasn''t buying it. Her instincts were usually spot-on, and she was sure the guy on the phone wasn''t being truthful. No way she misheard.


    A sense of unease crept over Cassie, even changing her voice. "Something''s happened to my sister, hasn''t it? Don''t try to lie to me."


    James was taken aback by her certainty. After a moment of silence, he decided toe clean. "She might have been drugged and is currently unconscious."


    "Impossible! My sister wouldn''t just pass out from some drug," Cassie said almost instinctively. With her sister''s resilience, how could she be knocked out by drugs? Did they really underestimate her that much? "Why do you say that?" James asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    "She... well, normal drugs wouldn''t work on her," Cassie stammered, quickly changing the subject. "Can you tell me exactly what''s going on with her?" James sensed there was more to her words, like she knew Mirabe''s condition well.


    He looked back at ze and the others gathered around the hospital bed, then stepped out of the room. Outside, not wanting to miss any opportunity, James briefly recounted the day''s events and the doctor''s findings.


    Cassie listened, her youthful face suddenly looking much older and more serious. She''d often overheard the elders and leaders discussing why the Stevenson family stayed hidden from the world. Theiro miraculous medical skills, advanced technology, and certain unique abilities were always coveted by outsiders. Years ago, her sister had fallen into the hands of those lunatics. So, had they found her again? Cassie''s eyes narrowed as she tossed the jacket she had draped over her arm onto a nearby chair. If those people were involved, her sister was indeed in danger.


    Regaining herposure, Cassie asked, "How long has it been since my sister fell unconscious?" James checked the time, unsure why she was asking, but answered quickly, "Over six hours."


    Cassie frowned. Over six hours


    already... She decided against


    changing clothes, yanking open the locker room door and heading out. "Send me the address. I''ming over right now..." But halfway through, Cassie remembered her sister was abroad. She groaned in frustration, correcting herself, "Do I need some kind of documents to travel internationally?"


    With only a ck-market ID, how was she supposed to get proper documents in


    time?!

 Chapter 1684

    As James listened to Cassie''s rapid-fire words, a hint of suspicion started swirling in his mind. He hadn''t dug into Cassie Davis''s background specifically, but he''d done his homework on Mirabe ages ago, and not once did the name Cassie Davis pop up in the family tree. Even back when she lived out in the countryside, there was no mention of anyone by that name.


    James stood with one hand casually tucked behind his back, the hallway lights casting a stark shadow across his chiseled features, making him seem even more distant and cool. He soon replied to Cassie, "No need for ID."


    Cassie, still a bit flustered, felt like the older guy on the other end of the line was treating him like some na?ve country boy. "Look, I might not have traveled abroad, but I know the basics!"


    "I''ve got special connections. Just drop me your location, and I''ll sort out someone to pick you up," James replied, not bothered by the young man''s prickly tone.


    Cassie rubbed the tip of his nose, realizing he didn''t have the luxury of time to sweat the small stuff. After rattling off an address, he hung up.


    Just as he stepped out of the room, the makeup artist, who was ready to prep him for the stage, noticed Cassie hadn''t changed his outfit yet. "Hey, why aren''t you changed? We''re running out of time, and you''re up soon."


    "Sorry, something important came up. I''m pulling out of thepetition," Cassie stated, not a trace of hesitation in his voice.


    The makeup artist was taken aback. "This is the semi-finals! You''ve got so many fans waiting to see you perform. If you back out now, it means throwing away thepetition..."


    "Sorry," Cassie cut in, "there will be otherpetitions, but I only have one sister."


    With that, he turned on his heel and left, not looking back. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the makeup artist quickly whipped out a phone to call the manager.


    Cassie swung by his ce for a quick stop, rummaging through his treasure chest to fish out a small, blue porcin bottle. Holding it, he felt a pang of regret¡ªthis was his emergency stash.


    Just as he tucked the bottle into his pocket, his phone buzzed again. James''s ride had arrived downstairs.


    Cassie hurried down, met the driver, and climbed into the car, heading straight for the airport. At the airport, Cassie was ushered through a special passage, just as James had promised¡ªno ID or passport needed.


    But when he saw the ne he was about to board, his eyes widened with genuine surprise, the kind you''d expect from a small-town kid. A regr private jet wouldn''t fazed him, but this was


    unmistakably a military ai


    Cassie clicked his tongue, realizing he''d seriously underestimated the clout of this mysterious old man named Montgomery.


    Carefully, Cassie boarded the ne and immediately noticed an elderly gentleman already seated inside. The man looked like he was pushing seventy or eighty, with white hair and a beard, and he had a Oplexion that suggested he wasn''t in the best of health. Cassie guessed he probably didn''t have many years left.


    The elderly man was none other than David. He had boarded first and had been told they were waiting for someone else, so he was a bit surprised when a young guy walked in.


    Cassie approached, giving David a polite nod before taking a seat across from him. David sized up


    Cassie, noting the young man et


    striking looks and easy demeanor, which naturally made people warm up to him. Though David didn''t know who Cassie was, consid¨¦ring the reason for their flight, he ventured a guess, "Young man, how are you rted to Mirabe?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1685

    Cassie looked up, a bit taken aback that David knew his sister too. With a friendly nod, he said, "Mirabe''s my sister."


    David gave Cassie another once-over, a light of recognition in his eyes. "Ah, that makes sense. You two do look quite alike."


    Apart from the eyes, the arch of their brows, and the shape of their noses, even their vibe was strikingly simr, like they were cut from the same cloth.


    Cassie had often heard people say he resembled his sister, but the truth was, he was just an orphan with no real family. Nellie had found him and taken him in.


    That''s why he felt like he didn''t have any special talents, always considering himself the least remarkable in the family.


    Cassie chuckled, deciding not to correct David. Instead, he asked out of curiosity, "So, how do you know my sister, sir?"


    "Your sister treated me once," David said, admiration in his eyes. "If it weren''t for Mirabe keeping me going, I''d probably be pushing up daisies by now."


    Cassie blinked and replied honestly, "You''re pretty lucky then."


    "Absolutely," David nodded. "She''s been a huge help to me."


    Cassie mumbled under his breath, "Probably charged you a pretty penny too."


    That money-loving sister of his.


    David didn''t quite catch what Cassie said. "What was that, son?"


    "Nothing..." Cassie replied with an awkward grin, steering the conversation elsewhere.


    By then, the ne had already taken off. It was on a special route, at least twice


    as fast as a regr flight, cutting their travel time by more than half.


    What should''ve been a ten-hour journey was over in just five.


    They touched down in Merrywoods right at the crack of dawn, around 4 AM.


    David, who


    wasn''t in the best shape


    to begin


    when theynded. His steps wobbly.


    , looked even g


    Seeing this, Cassie thought for a moment, dug through his backpack, and offered David a small pill. "Sir, I''ve got an energy booster here. It''s pretty effective, give it a shot." At first, David was about to pass, but the faint herbal scent caught his attention, and he focused on the pill Cassie held out.


    In a sh, he took the pill and brought it to his nose for a sniff.


    The gentle aroma seemed to instantly perk him up, melting away a lot of his weariness.


    This wasn''t just any candy; it was a traditionally crafted energy pill.


    David''s eyebrows shot up, and he looked at Cassie. "This isn''t candy."


    Cassie, a little surprised, didn''t dwell


    it


    d said, "I just tossed in some


    on when making it. It''s not that


    ferent from candy..."


    He figured calling it medicine might make the old man suspicious or uneasy.


    But when David heard "homemade," his expression shifted. "Homemade? You made this?"


    Cassie nodded, "Yep." He paused, "If you''re not into it..."


    Before he could finish, David popped the pill into his mouth.


    Cassie was a bit stunned. "Huh?"


    As he chewed, David couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy. Talent clearly ran in the family.


    How old was this kid? Yet here he was, crafting such refined remedies.


    At that age, David was still slogging through medical texts and learning herbs. Comparison can really be a downer.

 Chapter 1686

    After David took the medicine, he felt a burst of energy kick in. As he followed the person who picked him up at the airport, he chatted with Cassie, "Do you know anything about medicine too?"


    Cassie let out a soft sigh, "Just a little bit."


    In his family, Cassie was often seen as the one with the least talent. Since he was a kid, he showed no knack for medicine. After a few years of trying to teach him with no sess, the elders eventually gave up on him.


    But Cassie didn''t mind. He was never really interested in medicine. Instead, he had a knack for messing around with various herbs, getting really good at making antidotes and even poisons. Sometimes, his sister couldn''t even figure out the toxins he brewed up.


    David nced at the young man walking beside him, his thoughts swirling. He was getting wary of the phrase "just a little bit." It reminded him of Mirabe, who often downyed her skills. Those who imed to know "just a little" usually ended up being way more knowledgeable than anyone else.


    He figured this young guy might be the same a hidden genius! So, David simply sighed and decided not to probe any further, knowing it would only make him feel more out of depth.


    Soon enough, they hopped into Curtis''s car. Instead of heading to the hospital, they drove to a private estate in Merrywoods that belonged to James. After wrapping up a call with Cassie and considering safety issues, James had already checked out of the hospital.


    The vi was lit up like a Christmas tree. When David and Cassie walked in, James was lounging on the sofa in the living room. He stood up when he saw them, nodding slightly, "David, thanks for all your help."


    He also nodded at Cassie in greeting.


    "No problem," David replied, shaking his head. He didn''t waste time on small talk. "Take me to see how Mirabe''s doing."


    James nodded and led the way upstairs.


    Cassie trailed behind, watching David''s back. It suddenly clicked why David had seemed so odd when he gave him the pill earlier. This guy was an expert in alternative medicine, here to treat his sister. Cassie felt a bit awkward, rubbing his brow.


    Why did he say they were just sugar pills?? Once they got to the room, David sat by the bed, gently taking Mirabe''s hand to check her pulse.


    Cassie studied his sister''s face closely, a peculiar look crossing his eyes. This felt all too familiar.


    After a few minutes, David''s expression turned puzzled.


    Seeing this, James asked, "How is she?"


    David pulled his hand back and looked at James. "Her pulse is normal."


    "Then why won''t she wake up?" James''s eyes narrowed. Last year, when Mirabe treated Nick, she''d also been out cold for days, but that was under unusual circumstances.


    This time, she''d been drugged, so it didn''t seem normal.


    "There could be a number of reasons..." David mused, pulling out some acupuncture needles from his bag. I''ll try using acupuncture to stimte her points."


    "Alright."


    James trusted David''s skillspletely. In the world of alternative medicine, David and Niki were highly respected. He trusted David''s judgment.


    Cassie, still mulling over his sister''s condition, snapped back to the present when he saw David getting ready to use the needles. He quickly intervened, "No need for


    acupuncture."


    David paused, looking at Cassie, and so did James.

 Chapter 1687

    Cassie repeated, "We don''t need needles. There''s only one way to wake my sister up quickly."


    "What way?" David asked, eager to find a solution.


    Ever since he''d tried that so-called candy Cassie gave him, David was sure Cassie was some kind of expert. Without even checking the pulse, Cassie already had a n.


    Cassie scratched his head, thinking for a moment before saying, "We need a special kind of incense. Burn it for two hours, and that should do the trick."


    If he was right, his sister''s current state was her body''s self-defense kicking in because of a drug. Whoever drugged her must''ve used something specifically designed for her, which is why she ended up in aa. But they didn''t ount for her unusual constitution.


    "Special incense?" David knew that aromatherapy could be healing, too.


    This traditional method was pretty safe, maybe even more reliable than acupuncture. This young guy was definitely skilled.


    "Yeah," Cassie nodded, not realizing all the assumptions David was making. "The thirty-five herbs aren''t hard to find, but I don''t know how to make them into incense."


    His sister used to burn incense to help her body adapt to new medications and build immunity. But aside from mixing up poisons, he never learned how to make incense.


    "I know how to make incense," David chimed in.


    Cassie''s face lit up with relief. "That''s awesome... But making incense is pretty taxing. Are you sure you''re up for it, Grandpa?"


    David chuckled, "Don''t worry, old Donald here can handle it."


    Every day he was alive was a gift from Mirabe, and he intended to make the most of it.


    Cassie nced at David, deciding to skip the formalities. "Alright, I''ll put together a form soon."


    "Okay," David said, looking back at Mirabe on the bed. "So, is Mirabe okay like this?"


    "She should be..." Cassie replied, a


    bit unsure since he didn''t know exactly what drug she''d been given. Given her constitution, she should be able to process it.


    Cassie didn''t say much else, unsure of the


    intact herbs needed for t e or their amounts.d


    He


    out his phone and texted Nellie.


    He was usually pretty lucky; Nellie replied in seconds.


    [Why do you need this?]


    Cassie: [It''s for Rea. She''s in trouble and got drugged.]


    Nellie''s brow furrowed instinctively. Instead of typing back, she sent a voice message.


    Cassie quickly stepped out of the room to answer the voice message, "Nellie."


    "What''s going on with Rea? What happened?" Nellie asked quickly.


    Cassie lowered his head, looking at his shoes. "I don''t really know what happened, but I think someone is trying to get her."


    Nellie already had an inkling. She


    pressed her fingers to her


    then


    t them fall, deep in thought.


    "So you''re with Rea now?" with Rea now?"


    "Yeah," Cassie nodded.


    "Are you at... the Davis family estate?" Nellie probed.


    "No," Cassie didn''t want to admit to being tied to James. "Rea''s out of the country


    for a conference. We''re at a friend''s ce."

 Chapter 1688

    Nellie paused for a moment when Cassie asked for her help. Her emotions were all over the ce, but she managed to keep them to herself. After taking a deep breath, she finally said, "Alright, I got it. I''ll jot down the recipe and the steps for making the fragrance."


    Cassie chimed in, "Thanks a lot, Nellie."


    Cassie''s voice had that youthful rity with a touch of respect that made Nellie''s throat tighten a bit. Before hanging up, Nellie added, "Try not to stick to Rea too much."


    Cassie felt a twinge of irritation but didn''t let it show. Instead, she asked, "Why not?"


    "Do you think you''re as capable as your sister Rea?" Nellie shot back, her tone icy.


    Cassie felt a bit hurt and tried to defend herself, "Well, I''m not as good as her, but I do have my moments..."


    "Can you dodge danger like she can?" Nellie''s voice dripped with sarcasm.


    Cassie scratched her nose, getting the hint right away. "So, you''re saying I''m just dragging sis down?"


    "d you get it," Nellie replied tly before ending the call.


    Cassie was left staring at her phone, thinking, "So, love really can just fade away, huh?"


    **A short whileter, Nellie sent over two photos.


    One was a list of ingredients, and the other detailed the quantities and how to make the fragrance.


    Cassie quickly forwarded the list to James. Once he got it, James had someone gather the ingredients.


    Since nothing was particrly rare, Curtis managed to bring everything back in about an hour, despite it being the middle of the night. Cassie couldn''t help but be impressed with James. David, who''d already memorized the instructions Cassie gave him, looked at Cassie and suggested, "Since you know how to make it, why don''t you give me a hand..."


    But


    Sie waved her hands, cutting


    him offe No way, I''d probably mas


    up and make it toxic instead


    t belongs to


    David saw her point and didn''t push it, "Alright then."


    With that, he got to work on the fragrance.


    the


    bet


    Making the fragrance was just as mentally taxing as making medicine, so Cassie stayed nearby, keeping an eye on David.


    Thankfully, David was doing well, and after about an hour, the incense was ready.


    By then, morning light was starting to peek through.


    David lit the incense and ced it on the small coffee table by the bed. "Is this all we need to do?"


    "Yeah," Cassie nodded. "If all goes well, my sister should wake up in a few hours."


    James, who had been quietly watching, finally seemed to rx a bit. He nced at Cassie, deep in thought.


    Noticing his gaze, Cassie turned to look at him, but he had already looked away.


    Cassie shrugged it off and turned to David, "stay here with my


    You should get some rest, "


    60gged it off and turned t


    ¡°Alright,¡± David, feeling the fatigue, nodded.


    James, acting like he hadn''t noticed Cassie''s deliberate tone, helped David to the


    guest room next door.


    When he returned, the door to Mirabe''s room was already closed.


    Seeing this, James stayed calm and headed downstairs.

 Chapter 1689

    Curtis was hanging out downstairs, waiting.


    "James, how''s Ms. Mirabe holding up?" he asked quietly, casting a nce up the stairs.


    "We''ll have to wait and see," James replied, sinking into the sofa. He looked exhausted, his eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night.


    Curtis nodded. "Ms. Mirabe''s tough. She''ll pull through."


    She''s a force to be reckoned with; it takes more than this to knock her down.


    James loosened his cor and rubbed his shoulder before focusing back on Curtis. "Still no luck finding him?"


    Curtis lowered his head, feeling a bit ashamed. "No... We''vebed the whole area, and there''s no one matching the description you gave-alive or dead. I suspect he''s not in the danger zone anymore."


    James squinted, his sharp face showing hints of tiredness. After a pause, he said, "Well, they came prepared. It''s no shock we can''t track him down."


    Curtis listened, his head hanging even lower. "I''ll keep digging into their background."


    James gave a slight nod and, as if remembering something, opened his eyes again. "Start with Joen."


    Curtis knew Joen was Summer''s professor at Merrywoods and a junior research fellow at Phantom Watch. Joen had been the one to hide Summer when Curtis was hot on her trail.


    If Ms. Mirabe was in the crosshairs of those from the base, things were about to get tricky.


    Curtis pushed aside his spections, promised to follow up, and quickly left the estate.


    Meanwhile, Santos checked out the scar on his chest. In just a day, the wound had healedpletely, leaving behind only a pink scar.


    To anyone who didn''t know better, it wouldn''t look fresh at all.


    It should''ve taken three or four months to heal like that.


    "You''re the fastest healer I''ve ever seen using that serum," Asamentedzily from a nearby chair No wonder Santos held such a high rank at the base; he clearly had some special qualities.


    "Maybe it''s Leon''s serum that did the trick," Santos said as he slowly got dressed.


    Even though the wound looked healed, it was just a deception. Each time he moved, the muscles in his chest screamed with a tearing pain.


    Asa drummed his fingers on his knee, watching Santos get dressed at a snail''s pace. "The folks outside probably haven''t cleared out yet."


    "Doesn''t matter," Santos replied, unfazed about being discovered. Once dressed, he headed to the bathroom.


    Asa raised an eyebrow.


    Ten minutester, Santos stepped out, but his face was no longer the same as before.


    He appeared to be in histe


    twenties, with strikingly pale


    and features that weren''t skimet


    handsome but carried a certain refined charm.


    Asa gave him a few curious nces. "Is this what you really look like?"


    Asa had noticed the skin mask but had never guessed Santos was so young.


    Santos, used to wearing the mask for so long, had a face devoid of expression. He nced at Asa, his lips pressed together. "Yeah."


    Over the years, only Asa had seen his true face.


    n¡ã


    To leave safely, Santos couldn''t risk using


    to whold face. Without the t choice but to reveal his reax be fort


    to whip up another mask, he


    no

 Chapter 1690

    Asa was finding the whole situation more and more intriguing. If his memory served him right, this guy had been around the base for a good twenty years or so. Yet, he looked so incredibly young?


    Santos seemed not to notice Asa''s curious expression. He just said, "Thanks for the past few days. I should be heading out. If you ever need anything, just give me a shout."


    This was like a promise wrapped up in gratitude.


    Asa gave a slight smile as he rose from his chair, "No trouble at all. I''ll have someone see Mr. Santos out."


    Santos mulled it over for a moment but decided not to refuse. He already owed a favor, and ying it modest now wouldn''t be wise. "Thanks."


    Before long, Santos was on his way, driven off in a car.


    Asa stood on the balcony of the second floor, watching the ck car disappear from view, his face unreadable.


    "Sir, why did you help Mr. Santos like that?" his assistant asked quietly from behind.


    Saving his life was one thing, but purposefully steering away those who were after him? That was certainly not Asa''s usual approach.


    Asa finally pulled his gaze back, tilting his head slightly. His sharp features looked even more defined. After a pause, he replied nonchntly, "It''s been a while since anything caught my interest."


    His assistant was left puzzled, but seeing that Asa wasn''t keen on exining further, he didn''t dare ask more. "Should we have someone keep tabs on Mr. Santos?"


    "What do you think?" Asa gave him a cool nce.


    The assistant quickly lowered his head, "Got it. I''ll make sure someone follows him discreetly."


    Asa turned and headed back inside.


    Meanwhile, after leaving the chaos behind, Santos had the car drop him off in a busy downtown area. It was still early, and the streets weren''t crowded.


    He crossed the street and made his way to an SUV parked by the curb. Santos opened the door and climbed in.


    The driver, sporting sunsses and baggy clothes, had a fierce tattoo on his neck that gave off a tough vibez He just nced at the rearview mirror and started the engine without a word, showing no curiosity about Santos''s situation.


    Santos, used to the driver''s ways, waited for the pain in his chest to ease a bit before asking, "Did you bring what I asked for?"


    The driver, resting his arm on the window frame, repliedzily, "It''s in the box in front of your seat."


    Santos reached over, opened the


    glovepartment, and took out a small, password-locked box. He opened it just enough to peek inside, then quickly shut it.


    The driver smirked, uninterested, and asked, ¡°Heading back to the base, or somewhere else?"


    Holding the box, Santos looked out the window. Just as he was about to answer, the driver''s voice cut in again.


    "We''re being tailed?"


    The driver suddenly seemed excited, sticking his hand out the window with a daring snap of his fingers Then, without warning, he floored the gas pedal, and the SUV shot forward.


    Santos barely had time to brace himself. The sudden eleration threw him back


    against his seat, the pain in his chest making his head spin.


    Anyone else in New York, burning the midnight oil and ordering takeout pizza to keep going?

 Chapter 1691

    The car sped along the road for a bit before slowing down again. Each bump made Santos look paler, and if you looked closely, you''d notice a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.


    "What a drag," the driver muttered, clearly unimpressed.


    They''d been trailing someone, but halfway through, the pursuit was abandoned. It was almost too easy to give up. Santos leaned back in his seat, ncing at the rearview mirror. Despite the lingering pain in his chest, he didn''t seem bothered. "Did they give up?"


    "Yeah, they backed off on their own," the driver replied, running a handzily through his hair.


    The traffic light ahead turned red, and he hit the brakes, catching a faint medicinal smell in the air. He turned to look at Santos, finally taking in his appearance. With a raised eyebrow, he remarked, "Your disguise this time... is pretty convincing."


    "Yeah, it is," Santos replied, a bit stiffly. Thankfully, his face was a mask, hiding any embarrassment. Clearing his throat, he added, "Drop me off at Riverside University."


    The driver just shrugged it off, not minding being treated like a chauffeur, and started the engine again.


    An hourter, they pulled up by the curb outside Riverside University''s main entrance.


    "Thanks for today," Santos said as he unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door. His foot was just about to touch the ground when the driver''sid-back voice halted him.


    ¡°No need for thanks. We''re square now," the driver replied, casually adjusting his sleeve.


    Santos turned to look at the driver, noting the indifference on his face. Remembering the man''s cold demeanor, he pushed down the frustration that bubbled up. Without another word, he turned away and got out of the car.


    As soon as the door closed, the SUV zoomed off without hesitation. Standing there with a box in his hands, Santos took a deep breath and pulled out his phone to give Joen a call.


    Not long after, Joen''s assistant hurried out from the university to meet him.


    "Our professor isn''t around these days. He asked me to help you with checking theb equipment," the assistant exined while leading Santos to Joen''sb.


    The assistant found it odd. Santos was supposed to be inspectingb gear, yet he only brought a small box that didn''t look like any toolbox he''d ever seen.


    Santos didn''t pay much attention to the assistant''s puzzled look. Instead, he scanned theb. The damaged equipment was stacked in a corner, and his eyesnded on a storage freezer nearby.


    Pausing for a moment, he said, "I''ll call you if I need anything."


    Understanding that tech folks often had their quirks, the assistant nodded. "Sure thing, I''ll be right outside."


    Santos waved him off.


    Once the assistant closed the door, Santos walked over to the storage freezer and opened it. Just as he thought, it had basic experimental reagents, including the ones he needed.


    Focusing intently, Santos grabbed a few vials and a disposable syringe. After expertly mixing the reagents in the right proportions, he opened the small box he had brought along.

 Chapter 1692

    Inside the box was a tiny, light brown sugar glider. The moment Santos opened the box, the little creature made a beeline for him and ended up perched right on his shoulder.


    Seeing this, Santos gently stroked the glider''s head, then picked it up, holding it in mid-air. "Alright, little one, time to show what you''ve got."


    The glider kicked its legs as if trying to escape from his grasp. Santos couldn''t help but smirk. In no time, he injected a prepped vial of serum into the glider.


    After he was done, he ced the glider back in the box. With a snap of his fingers, he locked the lid, a cold, predatory grin ying on his lips. No one slips through his fingers.


    **By around nine in the morning, Mirabe finally stirred awake. As she opened her eyes, she saw Cassie snoozing, sprawled over the edge of the bed.


    Mirabe nced over at him, then sat up, catching a whiff of lingering herbal scents in the air, and raised an eyebrow. The kid had clearly learned a thing or two from hanging around her.


    Looking around the unfamiliar room, she quickly got out of bed, feeling the plush carpet under her bare feet. She gently covered Cassie with the nket and quietly slipped out of the room.


    As soon as she stepped into the hallway, James appeared at the top of the staircase.


    Their eyes met.


    James paused briefly, his gaze dropping to her bare feet before he strode over. "You''re up. How are you feeling?"


    "I''m okay..." Mirabe started to say, but before she could finish, James had already scooped her up in his arms.


    "The floor''s cold," James said, pulling her closer to his chest, his chin resting on top of her head. "Sorry I wasn''t there sooner." The apology in his voice stirred something warm inside her. She ced her hand over his, murmuring softly, "I know what I''m doing. I wouldn''t let anything happen to me."


    James wasn''t sure whether to be frustrated or amused by her words. With a sigh, he said, "Mirabe, your boyfriend''s not exactly a pushover."


    His voice carried a hint of deep frustration.


    Mirabe stayed quiet for a


    moment. It definitely wasn''t the right time to admit she''d gone in alone because she worried someone might mess up her n to rescue her friends.


    After a moment of thought, she said sincerely, "I just think a boyfriend''s safety shoulde first."


    After all, Santos was infamously crafty and skilled with potions. Even


    efket


    ames''s abilities, hiddene


    s were always tricky dodge.


    "So, bottom line, you think I''d slow you down, huh?" If James didn''t


    Ker so well, he might''ve been


    thrown


    by her reasoning.


    Mirabe chose silence as her answer.


    swe


    James shook his head, carrying her to a room at the end of the hallway.


    Once inside, Mirabe looked up, cautious. "I''ve had enough sleep."


    Ignoring her, James tucked her into bed and settled in beside her. "I''m beat. Haven''t slept all night."


    Mirabe: "..."


    Well, that''s one way to make her feel guilty.


    With a soft sigh, Mirabe found afy spot and reluctantly closed her eyes.


    After a while, James opened his eyes again, looking down at the girl nestled against him, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

 Chapter 1693

    When Mirabe woke up again, the afternoon sun was already streaming in, and the spot beside her was cool to the touch. Clearly, her bedmate had been up for a while.


    Rubbing her aching head, she quickly sat up. She noticed a set of light-colored women''s clothes neatlyid out on the chair next to the bed, alongside a pair of slippers waiting for her.


    Mirabe paused briefly, then tossed the covers aside, slipped on the slippers, and grabbed the clothes before heading to the bathroom. After freshening up, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Herplexion looked healthier and more flushed post-bath, a stark contrast to the pallor she had before.


    Dressed and ready, Mirabe stepped out of the bathroom only to find James by the floor-to-ceiling window, phone in hand, probably typing away. He exuded aid-back yet tranquil vibe that caught her attention.


    With a slight raise of her eyebrow, she slowed down in drying her hair. Beautiful scenes like this always seem to capture the eye.


    Noticing Mirabe''s gaze, James lifted his head, putting his phone aside as he walked over to her. "Are you feeling alright? Any difort?"


    Mirabe nced at him, noting that this was his second inquiry, but she answered patiently, "No, I''m good."


    Relieved, James scanned her now vibrant face and smiled, "d to hear that."


    He led her to the vanity, casually picking up a hairdryer to dry her hair. Mirabe rested her chin on her hands, watching him work in the mirror, a wave of introspection hitting her. "If the Riverdale socialites could see this, don''t you think they''d be a bit..."


    James gently ran his fingers through her soft curls, cutting her off. "They''d be envious of you, that''s for sure."


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow.


    "Besides," James added, "no one else is going to see this but me."


    "You''re really full of yourself," Mirabe teased with a sidelong nce.


    James chuckled, setting the


    ???


    hairdryer aside once her hair was dry. He picked up a brush, leisurelybing through her hair. "Oh, by the way, David dropped by


    Mirabe could guess why David was here and gently pulled away from James. ¡°I should go say hi to David."


    She hadn''t seen David in a while and was curious about how he was doing.


    James set the brush down with a sigh. "He''s downstairs."


    Mirabe nodded, and they headed downstairs together.


    Downstairs, David was chatting with a rather glum-looking Cassie. As soon as he saw Mirabeing down the stairs, he stopped mid-sentence and stood up, "Mirabe, you''re up!"


    Cassie''s face lit up, and he called out, "Sis!"


    After greeting her, Cassie shot a re at James, clearly peeved that James had whisked his sister away while he was napping.


    Mirabe approached, nced at Cassie, and then nodded politely at David, "Thanks foring all this way."


    David waved it off with a smile, "I''m retired


    hoy not much to do at ? Feeling better?" Cont


    But how about you,


    Mirabe helped David back into his seat before replying, "I''m fine, thank you for your concern."


    "Good to hear," David sighed, adding, "We have your brother''s medical skills to thank; he knew exactly what to do."

 Chapter 1694

    Mirabe listened with a wry smile, giving Cassie a knowing side-eye. It was like she was silently saying, "Really? Even trying to pull a fast one on the old guy now?"


    Cassie was at his wit''s end. "Seriously?!" He''d already exined to the old man over and over that he didn''t have a clue about medicine, but the old guy just wouldn''t buy it. What more could he do? David, oblivious to Cassie''s frustration, turned his attention to Mirabe. "Speaking of which, Mirabe, what kind of drug hit you? Why were you out cold for so long? Your pulse seemed perfectly normal when I checked earlier."


    David had been racking his brain all morning, even calling his apprentice to dig through all the medical books at the association, but came up empty-handed.


    "It was a special sedative," Mirabe replied, her eyes as chilly as ice. "Just a tiny bit can knock someone out."


    Santos was always careful with his concoctions. When she stepped into the mansion to save her friend, the faint scent in the air was just a ruse, harmless to anyone who caught a whiff. It was meant to trick her into thinking she was immune to his drugs, lulling her into a false sense of security.


    The real deal cameter when she was off guard, and he dusted the powder on her. The mix of powder and the decoy scent absorbed into her system, ying right into Santos''s hands.


    But Mirabe''s eyes briefly flickered with a cold smile. No matter how clever Santos thought he was with his drugs, she could handle it.


    "Was it custom-made just for you?" David asked, almost instinctively jumping to that conclusion. After all, Mirabe had connections with the famous Hart family, and there were plenty who would have a bone to pick with them.


    Mirabe pulled herself together, her expression cool and collected. "Maybe."


    David''s face turned more serious. "Who''s out to get you?"


    James didn''t look directly at Mirabe, but he was all ears, waiting for her answer. Mirabe just shrugged it off with a casual grin. "Probably just some folks with too much time on their hands."


    David had a hunch that Mirabe knew more than she was letting on, but maybe she was trying to keep him out of it for his own good. Just as he was about to press her, Mirabe smoothly changed the subject. "Hey, while we''re here, let


    m¨¦ check your pulse again."


    David let out a gentle sigh and held out his hand. "I''ve been sticking to your herbal


    n, and I''ve been feeling pretty good these past six months."


    Mirabe ced her fingers on David''s wrist, and after a moment, nced at Cassie before pulling back. "I''ll do some acupuncture on youter."


    David nodded without giving it much thought.


    Cassie, catching a warning look from Mirabe, was left scratching his head. "What now?"


    What did he do wrong this time? After Mirabe finished with David''s acupuncture, Cassie quietly pulled her aside. "Sis, what was that all about?"


    Mirabe grabbed his ear with a firm tug. "All those years in med school, and it''s like you learned nothing?"


    "Ow, ow! That hurts!" Cassie''s face twisted as he slipped away, covering his ear. "What''s your deal? Aren''t you supposed to talk, not hit?"


    Mirabe snorted, unfazed. "I''m no gentleman."


    "What did do to tick you off?" Cassie felt like his poor heart


    couldn''t take much more. "Sis, t


    forget, you woke up so fast this time thanks to me!"

 Chapter 1695

    Mirabe gave him a sideways nce, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, thank you so much."


    Cassie just stood there, speechless. Women could be so sarcastic sometimes.


    "Giving medicine to someone whose body is nearly worn out can actually do more harm than good," Mirabe said, her tone turning serious. "Even the most harmless drugs can be risky."


    Cassie suddenly got why his sister had tugged on his ear earlier. He cleared his throat awkwardly and tried to justify himself, "I just thought the old man looked a bit down."


    "Try using your head for thinking," Mirabe said with a hint of disdain.


    Cassie didn''t dare argue and lowered his head, feeling guilty.


    "David is a disciple that the Second Elder took under his wing. Even though he doesn''t have much time left, he''s still connected to us," Mirabe sighed softly.


    "Wait, what?" Cassie looked up, genuinely surprised. "He''s the one the Second Elder mentioned on his deathbed?"


    "Yes," Mirabe confirmed. That was the main reason she went through the trouble of saving David.


    Cassie was quiet for a bit before asking, "You gave the old man some acupuncture, right? He should be okay now, right?"


    "With your sister on the job, what do you think?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk ying on her lips.


    Cassie let out a sigh of relief. "That''s a load off my mind. Otherwise, I''d be in deep trouble."


    Switching to more serious matters, Cassie''s face took on a more serious look as he turned to Mirabe again. "Sis, did those peoplee after you this time?"


    Seeing the worry in her brother''s eyes, Mirabe felt her care for him was justified. She smiled slightly and said casually, "Yeah, but don''t worry. I''ve got your back."


    Cassie felt a wave of emotion. His sister really did care.


    He regretted not bringing her more self-defense gadgets.


    "But, Merrywoods isn''t the ce for you. I''ll arrange for you to head back home morrow," Mirabe said, herid-back tone making it clearthis was a decision, not a suggestion.


    Cassie''s warm feeling vanished. "So, you think I''m just a burden?"


    Mirabe nodded, "d you know."


    Cassie was left speechless.


    "Have you been in touch with Nellie?" Mirabe asked, changing the subject.


    "Yeah, I needed her perfume form to wake you up. I''m not as talented as you," Cassie grumbled.


    Mirabe ignored his sulking and pondered for a moment, then asked, "Did Nellie say anything else?"


    "No, she just asked about how you were doing and nothing else," Cassie


    shrugged, leaving out the part about arning to stop hanging


    around her.


    Too embarrassing to admit.


    Mirabe nodded, her mind racing. Maybe she hadn''t used a strong enough dose on Nellie before.


    Cassie nced at his sister cautiously, not keen on heading back so soon. "Sis, since I''m already here, why don''t we head back togetherter?"


    After all, he had dropped out of a reality show and promised his school he''d only show up for the final exam.


    For someone like him, sneaking abroad was no small feat.


    Going back so soon felt like a waste.


    "What do you think?" Mirabe smirked.


    Cassie rubbed his nose, trying to negotiate. "I can look after myself! I promise I won''t be a burden."


    He paused, pulling out his phone from his pocket. As he unlocked it, he continued, "Oh, by the way, sis, I made a small profit with mytest investment..."

 Chapter 1696

    As Cassie wrapped up his sentence, Mirabe''s phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out and nced at the notification of a hefty deposit, letting out a soft sigh. Then, with a warm smile, she looked up and yfully wrapped her arm around her brother''s neck. "It''s okay tog a bit sometimes."


    Cassie just shrugged, "..."


    He knew he couldn''tpete with such a big number.


    **Later, around five in the afternoon, Mirabe headed to the airport to see ze and the others off. Their tickets had only been extended for two days, and with school projects looming, they couldn''t hang around Merrywoods any longer.


    At the security checkpoint, ze turned to Mirabe, concern etched on his face. "Mira, take care of yourself..." His voice trailed off, remembering how she deftly handled a gun during that kidnapping ordeal.


    Mirabe chuckled, understanding the mixed feelings behind his words, and simply nodded. "I will."


    ze hesitated for a moment, then gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "No matter what, stay safe."


    Mirabe nodded again, reflecting on the past few days and how they must have impacted her friends. "Security here is solid; nothing like that will happen again," she reassured.


    She was right. The threat from Santos wasn''t local, and their aim had been to draw out members of the Massolio family, not to harass a bunch of students. Her friends had bright futures and would be protected by their school, so she wasn''t too worried.


    ze got the message that Mira was trying tofort them. With a nod, he decided not to say more and soon passed through security.


    Mirabe stayed behind, watching their figures fade from sight before turning towards the airport lounge.


    The lounge was pretty empty; Cassie and James were chilling, seemingly having a nice chat. Mirabe raised an eyebrow as she strolled over. "When did you two be best buds?"


    Cassie, sporting a baseball cap, beamed up at her. "Brother-inw promised to take me to pick out a gun."


    Brother-inw?


    In the


    this kit time she''d been gone,


    been won over?


    Mirabe shot James a


    "You''ve got skills


    look.


    James adjusted his ck mask, revealing deep, twinkling eyes, and sighed, "I


    can''t help it, love me, love my dog."


    Mirabe was momentarily speechless, so she nudged Cassie with her foot. "You should have some principles."


    Cassie bounced up, surprisingly moving closer to James instead of Mirabe. "Give back the million I sent you yesterday, then talko principles."


    Mirabe: "..."


    "Brother-inw, when are we going?" Cassie was fully embracing the "whoever feeds me is my parent" philosophy.


    Mirabe: "."


    James caught Mirabe''s exasperated look and said, "That depends on when your sister has free time."


    "Oh, I''m not free." Mirabe decided the kid shouldn''t be spoiled.


    But the young one, eager for


    I wouldn''t back down. He


    t his phone, determingl


    He


    "No, you are free!"


    As that all-too-familiar chime rang again, Mirabe was left speechless.


    Ah, the simple joys of a child''s world.

 Chapter 1697

    Mirabe let out a soft sigh, not even bothering to check her phone. She saidzily, "I''ve thought about it, and I can squeeze in some time. Let''s go."


    "Alright," James nodded, like he was used to her whims, and naturally took her hand as they headed out. "There''s an exhibition tonight. If we grab dinner first, the timing will be perfect."


    "Sounds good," Mirabe agreed without a second thought.


    The two of them walked together, their tall figures and clothes swaying stylishly in the breeze, making quite the striking pair.


    Cassie watched them go, feeling a bit dazed, like he''d just been outsmarted somehow. He scratched his head and hurried to catch up.


    The trio left the airport and headed straight to a swanky club restaurant. Since they''d booked a table in advance, they were whisked up to a private room as soon as they arrived.


    James''s phone buzzed. He said something to Mirabe and stepped outside to take the call.


    Mirabe nced after him, then took off her jacket and hung it on a nearby rack. She reached for the two fancy menus sitting on the sideboard.


    One menu was in English, and the other in a foreignnguage. She handed the English one to Cassie and started browsing the foreign one. "Order whatever you want. Your brother-inw''s not short on cash."


    Cassie felt a little awkward. Calling him brother-inw himself and hearing it from his sister felt oddly different.


    He opened the menu but didn''t really look at the dishes. Instead, he nudged Mirabe with his elbow and whispered, "Sis, what''s the deal with that old guy?" "Old guy?" Mirabe raised an eyebrow, giving him a sidelong nce. Cassie coughed, looking ufortable. "I mean, brother-inw."


    "Didn''t he say he''d take you to pick out a rifle after dinner? You''ll find out then," Mirabe said casually, turning back to the menu.


    She paused for a moment, as if something hade to mind, and looked back at Cassie. "Why the sudden interest in rifles?"


    Cassie just shrugged. "You once promised to get me one, remember?"


    Mirabe looked away, putting on a serious face. "You must''ve misheard."


    Cassie: "Ha ha."


    Mirabe: "..."


    She was starting to wonder why she had such a brother.


    Not long after, James returned from his call, ing the siblings


    engrossed in their phones. He raised an eyebrow and sat down next to Mirabe.


    "Have you ordered yet?" he asked.


    Mirabe noddedzily.


    James draped his arm over the back of her chair, casually twirling a strand of her loose hair with his fingers. "The guy who kidnapped your friends probably isn''t dead."


    Mirabe looked up, but her expression remained calm. "I figured. He''s not that easy to get rid of."


    James''s eyes flickered with interest at her words. "But who is this guy? Curtis can''t seem to track him down."


    Mirabe leaned back, not holding back the truth. "I don''t know his usual alias, but he''s with the Phantom Watch."


    She didn''t know what Santos went by outside, but she was sure his identity wasn''t just one thing.


    After a pause, Mirabe added, "His real name is Santos."


    As soon as she said it, Cassie, who


    had been quietly listening,


    who did you say?nly


    looked


    "Sis


    up, his expression shifting.

 Chapter 1698

    Santos? Really? Wasn''t he the so-called traitor of the Stevenson family? Even though Cassie was still young and had never met Santos herself, she''d heard the elders mention his name in hushed tones. Years ago, his betrayal nearly brought the Stevenson family to its knees. Since then, many have been on the hunt for their whereabouts.


    I mean, who wouldn''t want a piece of that pie if it meant immortality, right? But seriously, immortality? It''s such a wild rumor, yet so many buy into it. If it were real, the second elder and her sister''s mentor wouldn''t have met such tragic ends.


    Hearing Santos''s name sent a flurry of thoughts through Cassie''s mind, and she couldn''t shake off a creeping unease. Mirabe cast a quick look at Cassie and said nonchntly, ¡°Kids shouldn''t ask too many questions.¡±


    Cassie set her phone down on the table, saying, "I''m not a kid anymore. I know about Santos..." She trailed off, ncing at James, and mmed up again. Secrets of the Stevenson family were not for outsiders to know.


    James caught the change in Cassie''s demeanor. Though the name Santos didn''t ring a bell, the Stevenson surname was unmistakable-a family whispered to have the power to bring back the dead. But James was more intrigued by Cassie''s instinctive reaction than the name itself.


    Could this young guy have ties to the Stevenson family? Maybe he was part of it? Otherwise, why would he show up when Mirabe was knocked out cold? James reined in his wandering thoughts, turning to Mirabe. "I''ve heard of the Stevenson family. Is he one of them?"


    Mirabe shrugged, neither confirming nor denying, "Maybe he was once." James raised an eyebrow-''was'' being the operative word. It seemed there was more to his girlfriend''s connection to the Stevenson family than what David had hinted at. "Why is he after you?" James asked, pouring coffee into Mirabe''s cup.


    "Ever heard of the Massolio family doctors who supposedly bring people back to life?" Mirabe shot back with a question of her own.


    It sounded casual, but James mulled it over for a moment before replying, "Sure, there are many things science can''t exin, but no medical skill can change fate."


    Mirabe chuckled softly, "Exactly."


    Greed is an endless abyss, after all. James peered at Mirabe, her face appeared veiled in mystery, like someone who''s weathered many. storms Suddenly, he reached out and held her hand, his grip warm and reassuring.


    "The reason you couldn''t pin down master


    Sis that he''s a


    disguise. The face you saw


    his real one," Mirabe exined, addressing James''s earlier query.


    "Is that so?" James hadn''t seen thating.


    Mirabe sipped her coffee and continued, ¡°That shot you took-iit had hit anyone else, it might''ve been fatal. But for someone who knows every vital point in the human body, even a tiny miss can mean survival."


    Besides, Santos wasn''t just any run-of-the-mill guy. His body had probably been modified ages ago. If he could be taken down that easily, he wouldn''t havested this long.

 Chapter 1699

    After the three of them finished dinner, they headed straight to the Central Tower. The Central Tower was where the Weapons Bureau held its trade exhibitions. Even though the headquarters wasn''t there, it was andmark everyone


    recognized.


    The building''s exterior was designed to be bold and striking, especially at night when it was all lit up. The lightning-shaped emblem at the top gave off a fierce and powerful vibe. Cassie looked up at the building, eyes wide, like a country kid visiting the big city for the first time. He stood there, frozen, unable to move.


    No wonder his sister used to sneak out all the time and then act like it was no big deal. In hindsight, it seemed a bit unfair!


    Mirabe and James were walking ahead, but when they noticed Cassiegging behind, Mirabe turned back, seeing him transfixed. She rubbed her temples, a bit amused.


    "Want us to get you a chair so you can sit there and stare all night?"


    James nced back at Cassie too, but Wyatt came over to whisper something in his ear. He then turned to Mirabe, "I''ve got some stuff to handle. You two head up and wait for me."


    Mirabe, knowing how busy folks with money always seemed to be, waved him off with a smile. "Go on."


    James and Wyatt soon walked off together. Before leaving, James made sure someone would guide Mirabe and Cassie inside.


    Cassie finally snapped out of it, rubbed his nose, and whispered to Mirabe, "Now I get why you used to sneak out all the time."


    Mirabe shot him a sidelong nce.


    "If it were me, I''d want to stay out in the world too," Cassie sighed, taking in the sights.


    Mirabe listened without saying anything for a while. The glow from the entrance lights added a soft, dreamy look to her face, making it hard to read her emotions. "You want to be out here forever?" she asked, her hands tucked in her pockets.


    Cassie nodded without a second thought. "Yeah, I do. Sure, some parts of the outside world are a bit behind, but there''s something charming about that."


    Being isted isn''t always a paradise; it can feel like a huge cage. It traps your spirit, making life dull and repetitive until you quietly fade away. That wasn''t the life he wanted.


    Despite his young face, there was a maturity about him that seemed beyond his years. Maybe talking about this had dimmed the sparkle in his eyes.


    Mirabe noticed his expression, nodded, and said, "Alright, I hear you. I''ll make sure Nellie hears exactly what you said today."


    With that, she continued walking.


    Cassie was taken aback for a moment. Kids'' emotionse and go quickly, and once he understood what she meant, he hurried after her, a bit panicked. "Hey, you can''t do that!"


    If Nellie found out, his carefree days might be over!


    Soon, the person in charge of the exhibition respectfully led Mirabe and her brother into the lobby on the first floor. As they walked, he gave them a quick rundown of the exhibition hall. "...The trade fair kicks off at eight upstairs, and since we''ve got some time, I''ll take you up now."


    The Weapons Bureau''s trade fair was all about arms dealing, attracting both official and unofficial parties from various countries, making the atmosphere especially tense. The air seemed to carry the scent of gunpowder.


    Inside the elevator, Cassie finally let out a quiet breath. Even though he wasn''t scared of those intimidating figures outside, the cold stares were unsettling.

 Chapter 1700

    In the elevator, the coordinator noticed the young man''s fidgety behavior,


    guessing he might be a bit on edge. He turned to Cassie with a reassuring smile, "We''ve got special suites for the event. Don''t worry, young master, you''re safe here. Nobody would dare cause trouble."


    Despite their youthful looks, the two were with James, so the coordinator wasn''t about to take any chances or show anyck of respect.


    Cassie rubbed her nose, feeling a bit defensive. "I''m not scared," she insisted.


    The coordinator just chuckled softly in response.


    Cassie: "..."


    Just then, the elevator chimed.


    The coordinator held the door, letting Mirabe and Cassie step out first. He trailed behind them, guiding them to a plush private suite where he served up some juice and snacks, then slipped outside to stand guard.


    The suite itself was a perfect blend of understated elegance and luxury, boasting a floor-to-ceiling window with a sweeping view of the bustling convention hall below.


    While the hall had plenty of seats for regr attendees, the special suites were reserved for those with noteworthy backgrounds.


    Cassie took a quick peek over the balcony before heading back inside. "Man, it''s packed down there."


    "Yeah, that''s pretty standard," Mirabe replied absentmindedly, still glued to her phone.


    Cassie grabbed a pastry from the table, munching as he spoke, "Is my brother-in-w really going to let me pick out any weapon I fancy from the convention?"


    If that were true, he''d definitely aim for the priciest one.


    Mirabe just smirked, "Keep dreaming, kid."


    Cassie: ¡°.......¡± Ignoring him, Mirabe sent off a message she''d been typing.


    She stayed on Messenger, tapping her fingers on the table in a steady rhythm. On the fifth tap, right on cue, her phone rang.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and answered, "Nellie."


    Cassie almost choked on his pastry at the name, "Cough, cough..."


    Mirabe gave him a quick nce and nudged the juice his way. "... Yeah, he''s with me."


    "That boy is always so reckless. Don''t spoil him too much," Nellie''s voice was firm on the other end.


    "I hear you," Mirabe said with a knowing smile.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Nellie paused for a moment before asking, ¡°How long have the symptoms you mentioned been present?"


    Mirabe had expected this question, her expression turning thoughtful. "Judging by the symptoms, it''s been at least five or six years... maybe longer?"


    Nellie''s breath caught. Five or six years meant the optimal time for healing had passed, and things would only get worse. "Is there no way to treat it?"


    Mirabe sighed, "Exactly. I wouldn''t have reached out if I had another option. But he''s my only Chester... and he''s so young."


    Nellie didn''t doubt Mirabe for a second. Her own face was already pale, and now it seemed almost ghostly.


    Rea, being the most gifted healer around, couldn''t help? The situation must be truly dire.


    A metallic taste rose in Nellie''s throat as she fished out a handkerchief, pressing it against her mouth to keep any sound from escaping.

 Chapter 1701

    Mirabe noticed the silence on the other end and called out to Nellie again.


    Nellie took the handkerchief away from her face, her voice as steady as ever, "I''ll look through some medical books for you. Just let me know if you need anything."


    "Alright," Mirabe replied with a decisive tone. "Thanks, Nellie."


    Nellie felt a slight pang at Mirabe''s words. "It''s no trouble."


    "Take care of yourself," Mirabe added before ending the call.


    Standing in the garden, Nellie lowered the phone from her ear. The cool breeze brushed past her, making her frail figure seem like it might be carried away at any moment.


    After a long pause, she lowered her gaze, tucked the stained handkerchief into her pocket, and turned to head into the hidden room.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had just set her phone down when Cassie, who had been holding his breath, finally exhaled loudly. "What did Nellie say?"


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, sensing his concern. "She didn''t tell you to go back."


    Cassie rubbed his nose, curiosity piqued. "I heard you say Chester''s sick? What kind of illness could even stump you?"


    "What do you think is the hardest illness to cure?" Mirabe asked, tapping her fingers on the table instead of answering directly.


    Cassie, who wasn''t really into medical stuff, shrugged. "What illness?"


    Mirabe just smiled and took a leisurely sip of her juice, leaving him hanging.


    Cassie''s curiosity was about to get the better of him when the door to the private booth opened, interrupting him as James walked in.


    "Getting bored?" James asked, settling down beside Mirabe.


    Mirabe shrugged slightly, took another sip of her juice, and replied, "Not really, just checking things out."


    After all, the downstairs area was filled with formidable figures from all over the globe, a rare gathering


    indeed, James noticed her calm


    demeanor and raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his tone. "The trade fair isn''t just about guns and ammo; there are protective devices too."


    He recalled that thest protective device he assembled was inspired by this girlfriend of his, who imed she hadn''t seen much of the world.


    Mirabe simply nodded, still not showing much interest.


    Cassie, on the other hand, looked intrigued. "If I find something I like at the trade fair, will you get it for me?"


    "Sure, if it suits you," James replied without missing a beat, showing his generosity.


    Cassie shot Mirabe a triumphant look. "See, brother-inw said yes."


    Mirabe just nced at him, too indifferent to respond to such a simple request. With her juice. finished and feeling a bit full, she stood up. "I''m going to the O restroom."


    With that, she left the booth.


    The attendant who had been stationed outside the door gave her a respectful


    nod. "Where are you headed?"


    Mirabe gestured towards the signs in the hallway.


    The attendant quickly caught on. "The restroom is at the end, just turn right."


    Mirabe thanked him and made her way toward the restroom.


    As she turned the corner, a tall man engrossed in a phone call almost walked right into her. Realizing the near-collision, he looked up. Upon seeing Mirabe''s face, there was a brief pause in his emerald eyes before he politely said in French, "Pardon me."

 Chapter 1702

    Mirabe barely gave the man a second look as she breezed past him, continuing down the hallway without breaking stride.


    The man noticed, his eyebrow lifting ever so slightly, but he didn''t bother to stop or turn around. He rounded the corner and slipped back into his own private room, ending his phone call as he went.


    Inside, two others were waiting.


    "Leon, have you thought more about our partnership?" a middle-aged man seated at the head of the table asked, his voice courteous yet firm as he addressed Asa.


    Asa settled into his chair with an air of easy indifference. "I''m in no hurry," he said casually.


    The middle-aged man frowned slightly, his fingers pressing into the armrest with a hint of impatience, though he kept his cool.


    "As long as you provide us with the gic enhancement tech, a long-term partnership will be nothing but beneficial for you," he pitched again.


    Asa lounged back in his seat, legs crossed in aid-back manner. He didn''t bother looking at the man, instead gazing out towards the balcony. "The auction''s started," he pointed out.


    The host''s voice from downstairs drifted into the room, prompting the middle-aged man to drop the topic for now. While a deal with Asa was crucial, today''s focus was on the auction''s weaponry.


    Asa shifted in his seat, his mind wandering back to the girl he''d bumped into at the restroom. Though he''d only seen her in documents before, her striking features were unforgettable.


    Mirabe, found three years ago after a quiet life in the country, had transformed drastically. The way she''d almost collided with him, her quick reflexes and nimble dodging, weren''t what you''d expect from just anyone.


    A yful grin tugged at Asa''s lips. He wasn''t all that keen on the auction''s weaponry, so he turned back to the middle-aged man. "I''m up for a partnership, but there''s a catch-I want someone."


    Santos might think he could use Asa for his own ends, but Asa wasn''t naive. Meanwhile, Mirabe was back in her room.


    Cassie was at the balcony, watching the heavy artillery being disyed below, suddenly getting why the old man agreed so quickly. The auction was all about heavy-duty weaponry, not your everyday self-defense gear.


    He chuckled at the thought of strutting out with a cannon, imagining the authorities mistaking him for some sort of viin.


    Mirabe joined Cassie at the


    balcony, her eyes sweeping over the heavy weaponry below, genuinely


    taken aback. She was well-versed in firearms, but these industria@grade cannons were a first.


    Even the holographic archives from her ancestors hadn''t shown such firepower. Then again, if her ancestors had mastered everything, the Massolio family would be unbeatable, right?


    "Pretty dull stuff, sis," Cassie sighed, pouting.


    Mirabe kept her eyes on the disy, clicking her tongue in feigned disapproval. "The prices, though-they''re something else."


    Each weapon fetched millions, shedding light on someone''s overflowing bank ount. Talk about a money-spinner! Cassie pulled a face, feeling a bit sheepish, and turned to head back inside.


    As he did, he noticed someone standing on the balcony across the way, radiating


    a sense of authority. Clearly, they weren''t just anybody.


    Cassie spared them a quick nce before slipping back inside.

 Chapter 1703

    The folks in the booth across the way couldn''t help but notice Cassie and Mirabe. They were taken aback by the sight of two young Western faces. Especially since that booth was always reserved for someone pretty important from the Bureau of Defense. Over the years, nobody had ever been spotted in that booth, not even James himself.


    Murray took a moment to mull it over before murmuring to his trusted aide, "Go find out who those folks are in the booth across from us."


    Being seated in that booth likely meant they had some sort of unique rtionship with the person from the Bureau. If they could strike up a friendship, future deals might just get a whole lot easier.


    The aide nced outside, but Mirabe was already gone from the terrace. He nodded and quickly headed out.


    Back in his booth, Murray instructed another aide to head downstairs and chat with the event staff to secure one of the featured weapons. Once his orders were given, he turned to Asa, "Should I set it up for my secretary to swing by Leon''s tomorrow to sign the contract?"


    Capturing someone was a piece of cake for Murray.


    Asa lifted his gaze slightly, "Just a heads-up, the person I want is from the Davis family."


    "The Davis family?" Murray''s eyebrows shot up. "You mean the Davis family from the Alliance Guild?"


    Asa adjusted his sleeve casually, "Yep."


    Murray''s eyes narrowed at this revtion. He knew Asa''s target wouldn''t be just anyone. He''d even considered someone from the royal family but hadn''t expected it to be someone from the Davis family. Even though the Davis family had been slowly stepping back from the gray areas over the years, their influence was still nothing to sneeze at. Plus, there was that old beef with Jim.


    Murray chuckled coldly, "So what if they''re from the Davis family? Think I''m scared?"


    Asa''s eyes glinted with a dark amusement, "I''ll be waiting for your good news."


    "You send me the details, and I''ll make sure they''re delivered to you in no time," Murray stated matter-of-factly, like it was no big deal.


    Asa liked Murray''s confidence, "Alright."


    He grabbed his phone and sent


    Murray the info on Mirabe that his assistant had emailed him. Just as Murray was about to check his. email his aide returned with some intel, so he held off on reaching for his phone.


    The aide approached and quietly shared what he''d found, "Can''t pin down their background, but they arrived with James."


    Digging up useful info on the Bureau''s turf was tough, but the aide had managed to snag an important tidbit.


    After a pause, he added, "Rumor has it one of the girls might be James''s girlfriend."


    "Girlfriend?" Murray was genuinely surprised.


    "Seems like it," the aide nodded.


    Murray rubbed his chin, deep in thought. Everyone in the know was aware that the head honcho at the Bureau was famous for his ascetic lifestyle. No woman had ever been seen by his side, despite many families in Merrywoods trying to introduce their daughters, only for none to pique his interest, fueling rumors about his preferences.


    Recalling the brief glimpse of the girl he''d seen earlier, Murray remembered she


    was stunningly beautiful, even from a distance.


    Asa, overhearing their not-so-quiet


    exchange, kept his eyes lowered, lost in his own thoughts, choosing to keep silent. He''d been wrestling with some creative blocktely. Maybe a good rest tomorrow would help him. break through it.

 Chapter 1704

    At this point, Murray stopped chatting with his confidant and waved him off, signaling it was time to leave.


    Due to this brief interruption, he didn''t check the email Asa had sent him. He decided to deal with Asa''s issue after the trading session wrapped up, assigning tasks to his team as needed.


    **In the private suite.**


    James nced over as Mirabe returned, sliding a te of pastries her way. "How are you feeling?"


    Mirabe let out a soft sigh, picked up a pastry, and popped it into her mouth. After a pause, she spoke her mind, "This ce is a whole other level of extravagance."


    Cassie, sitting nearby, couldn''t help but smirk. That was so something his sister


    would say.


    James chuckled and handed Mirabe a cup of coffee, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe you''ve underestimated the Davis family''s wealth?"


    "Totally, I was way off," Mirabe thought back to when she first reconnected with the Davis family.


    Ordinary, struggling parents and five freeloading brothers-until life took a wild turn, proving the saying: life is full of surprises.


    Mirabe stuffed another pastry into her mouth, oblivious to the crumbs on her lips. James noticed and gently wiped them away with a napkin.


    Mirabe didn''t feel the slightest bit embarrassed and kept on munching.


    Cassie watched their cozy interaction and suddenly felt like a third wheel in the suite.


    Just then, Wyatt walked in from outside.


    "James, I''ve modified those gun models. We can test them out now," Wyatt nodded.


    Hearing this, Mirabe raised an eyebrow, easily catching the drift.


    James turned to Cassie. "Let''s go, time to pick your gun."


    Cassie, eager to escape the lovey-dovey vibe, sprang up from his chair as soon as James finished speaking. "Let''s go! I''ve been itching to get started!"


    Mirabe shot him a nce. "Real mature."


    Cassie stuck out his tongue yfully.


    -Soon, the group left the suite and took the elevator down to the basement.


    The basement housed a dedicated shooting range, split into simted and live ammo sections.


    Mirabe and the crew headed straight for the live ammo area.


    On the workbench, there were fivepact pistols, each sleek and easy to carry.


    Cassie hurried over, eyes wide with excitement, eager to grab one.


    But just as he reached out, his hand was smacked away.


    Cassie winced and turned to Mirabe, "What was that for?"


    "Do you even know how to use it?" Mirabe asked, unimpressed.


    "I don''t know yet, but I can learn," Cassie replied with a huff.


    Mirabe shed a knowing smile. "Sure thing."


    Cassie: "..."


    Wyatt, witnessing the exchange, stepped up. "These guns aren''t loaded. Ms. Mirabe, let me teach your brother."


    Mirabe,cking the patience for teaching, waved her hand. "Go ahead, as long as you don''t mind if he''s slow."


    Wyatt took her seriously,


    acknowledging that handling guns wasn''t an easy skill to master. He patted his chest confidently. No worries, I''ll make sure he gets it."


    Cassie, feeling unfairly judged, "?"


    Mirabe nodded and turned her attention back to the pistols on the workbench. She picked one from


    center and tossed it to "This


    one."


    swnov


    James noticed her choice and raised an eyebrow.


    The KH911 a model with minimal


    vel


    recoil but powerful long-range capabilities, required precise


    handling¡ªa five-star difficulty rating for beginners.


    Was she setting her brother up to fail?

 Chapter 1705

    Mirabe casually reached for another gun on the table, lifting it up like she was aiming at some invisible target in the air. Catching James''s eye, she casually exined, "If you''re gonna learn, might as well make it a challenge, right?"


    Cassie, standing nearby, immediately felt her earlier annoyance at being called slow disappear. Sure, he wanted to pick his own gun, but he trusted his sister''s expertise. Whatever she picked was the best choice for him, no doubt. After all, how could someone clueless handle something tricky?


    Cassie quickly urged Wyatt to take him to the shooting range. Wyatt, knowing the kid had never held a gun before, figured they''d start in the simtion room to get himfortable. But Cassie wasn''t having it.


    With no other option, Wyatt led him straight to the live ammo range. He was ready to teach patiently, determined to make sure the kid learned, no matter how long it took. After all, Ms. Mirabe herself had asked him to!


    Mirabe watched them leave, then spun the gun in her hand with aid-back ir, looking effortlessly cool.


    "Wanna have some fun?" James asked, raising an eyebrow and nodding toward the range.


    Mirabe shrugged, clearly not interested. "Nah." Basic pistols didn''t excite her; they were more like toys.


    She ced the gun back on the workbench. Noticing herck of interest, James signaled to an attendant to bring in something different.


    Soon, the attendant returned with two rifles. Mirabe''s eyes lit up at the sight. She picked up one, her fingers gently tracing its body. "Is this the upgraded MR sniper rifle?"


    James, not entirely surprised by her knowledge, nodded. "Yep, the old modelcked sensitivity, so we redesigned it with a modr setup."


    Mirabe noted how the new design not only improved sensitivity but probably amped up the power too. "Did you make these changes?" she asked, lifting the rifle stock.


    "Sure did," James replied, grabbing the other sniper rifle. "I''ve even tested its firepower."


    "Looks like today''s gonna be fun," Mirabe said, genuinely impressed by the technical expertise. "Let''s give it a whirl."


    James grinned, all in. They headed to the training room on the left.


    The room was decked out with all the gear they''d need. James handed Mirabe some noise-canceling, shock-absorbing earplugs. "Fancy a littlepetition?"  fo


    Mirabe turned to him, eyebrow arched. "What''s on the line?"


    James rolled up his sleeve, showing a bit of his wrist, his voice smooth and


    teasing. "If I lose, you get to ask for anything."


    "Typical yboy move," Mirabe scoffed, though with a hint of a smile.


    "Or would you rather a million bucks?" James teased, his tone yful.


    Mirabe paused, feeling a bit challenged. She cleared her throat, popped in the earplugs, and moved up to the firing line, smoothly lifting the rifle to aim at the target monitor.


    Once James had his earplugs in ce, she fired without any adjustments. A momentter, the system announced a bullseye, dead center.


    Mirabe rested the rifle on her shoulder and turned to James, her eyebrow


    slightly raised in victory.

 Chapter 1706

    James couldn''t help but notice Mirabe''s ster performance and sighed inwardly. His girlfriend never failed to amaze him-what was he going to do with her constantly raising the bar?


    He walked over to the control panel and hit a button to adjust the moving target. Instantly, it began to zip side to side with surprising speed. Mirabe clicked her tongue in response, recognizing James was ready for a real challenge.


    James picked up the gun, switching the sniper scope to no-scope mode with a smooth motion. With a casual smirk, he fired, and sure enough, the machine confirmed a bullseye.


    Mirabe looked at the scoreboard and couldn''t resist giving James a thumbs-up, mouthing, "You''re the best, big guy!" She realized she''d missed a chance to unt her own talent for blind shots. What a missed opportunity!


    James set down the gun and took off his earplugs, turning to Mirabe with a mysterious smile. "You''re pretty impressive yourself."


    Mirabe shrugged as she removed her earplugs. "So, does this mean we''re tied?"


    "Call it a win-win," James replied with a raised eyebrow.


    Mirabe yawned, agreeing with his take. They decided to skip any more shooting challenges and quickly left the training room.


    As they stepped out, they ran into Wyatt, who emerged from the next room looking a bit shell-shocked. Spotting Mirabe, his expression was a mix of surprise and confusion. Wasn''t she supposed to be a novice? How did she get the hang of shooting in just one go? And her speed in assembling and disassembling guns was on par with a pro.


    Mirabe noticed Wyatt''s curious look. "What''s up? Having trouble teaching?"


    Wyatt''s lips twitched. It seemed Ms. Mirabe had a bit of a blind spot regarding her brother''s capabilities. Clearing his throat, he said, "No, your brother picks things up incredibly fast. He nailed it in one try." He mused that in another field, this could be a case of the student surpassing the teacher.


    Mirabe forced a satisfied smile. "d he didn''t make me look bad."


    Wyatt thought to himself, "The world of these high-fliers is just beyond me."


    Just then, the guy who had earlier escorted Mirabe and James to their private room approached them.


    "James, someone''s trying to dig into Ms. Mirabe''s background," whispered, shooting a


    he


    Content bence nee


    BS Meone''s trying to dig into


    He had just received the update and figured it was best to inform James.


    James narrowed his eyes.


    Mirabe was equally surprised. She had scanned the attendees today and hadn''t spotted any familiar faces.


    "Who''s asking about Ms. Mirabe?" Wyatt asked, puzzled.


    "It''s Count Murray''s crew," the man replied with respect.


    Upon hearing Murray''s name, Wyatt instantly understood their curiosity about Mirabe.


    He turned to James. "I guess Murray caught a glimpse of Ms. Mirabe in the private room."


    Considering Murray''s status, he''d


    been ced in an upstairs private et


    room. It made sense he might have noticed Mirabe.


    Trying to figure out who the woman with James was seemed logical.


    Wyatt suddenly remembered something. "Oh, and I recall that Murray and the Davis family aren''t exactly on friendly terms. They had some business skirmish a few years back..."

 Chapter 1707

    James threw a quick nce at Wyatt, "Not on the best terms, huh?"


    "Exactly. I remember it was quite the scandal back then. But Murray''s not bold enough to pick a fight with the Davis family; he''s just not up to it," Wyatt replied, a hint of mncholy creeping into his voice.


    With the futuredy of the houseing from such a high-powered background, James''s path to marriage seemed like a minefield.


    James sped his hands behind his back, his long fingers sharply defined. Finally, he turned his focus to the person in charge nearby, "What''s Murray after today?"


    Wyatt felt a jolt of anxiety when James brought this up. He had a hunch that James was about to do something rash, driven by emotion.


    "It''s NF01," the person in charge responded quickly, then hesitated before adding, "But Governor Carter''s here for NF01 too, and they had a bit of a run-in at the meeting."


    James narrowed his eyes, his voice steady and cool, "Give it to Carter."


    Wyatt had that ''I knew this would happen'' look on his face. The person in charge didn''t dare question the boss''s call. After all, a sale was a sale, so he nodded, "Alright, I''ll go let the manager know."


    The person in charge left promptly.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at James, "Aren''t you worried about stirring up trouble?"


    "Not really," James shrugged it off.


    "Reckless as always," Mirabe clicked her tongue, then nced toward the live ammo training room, "I''ll check on the kid."


    "Alright."


    Once Mirabe was in the training room, Wyatt rubbed his nose, "The Earl''s ce is probably going to blow up."


    The Cole family, thanks to their close ties with the current royal prince, had seen their status skyrocket, almost matching the other top five forces in Merrywoods.


    Though their weapons bureau wasn''t intimidated by the Earl''s estate, tensions were running high and the ministers, who''d just settled down might seize the chance to stir the pot again. James remained unfazed, "Not my problem.


    Wyatt coughed, realizing he''d forgotten how James never flinched at threats. Since the order went to Carter, the Earl''s estate would likely assume Governor Carter was behind it all. With those two factions shing, they''d be too busy to dig deeper into the details.


    **Murray''s Private Room.**


    "The order went to Carter''s side? Why?" Murray''s face turned a shade of green as


    the secretary delivered the news.


    He''de specifically for the NF01, and now that it had slipped into Carter''s


    hands, how was he supposed to exin this mess?


    "The person in charge said Governor Carter pre-ordered it," the secretary exined, trying to keep his tone neutral.


    Murray couldn''t hold back, mming his hand on the table, "That''s nonsense. If Carter had pre-ordered, Minister Fang would''ve given me a heads-up."


    The secretary managed a wry smile, "But they''ve already signed the contract; there''s no undoing it now."


    "Damn it," Murray muttered,


    clenching his fists, baffled at how things had spiraled out of control. With Asa still there, Murray took a deep breath, forcing his anger down. He turned to the secretary, "James was here today, right? Set up a meeting with him for me


    The secretary nodded quickly and left the room.


    Asa uncrossed his legs and stood up, "Thanks for inviting me to the trade show today, Earl. I should be heading back."


    Murray, no longer in the mood to entertain Asa, stood up as well, "Alright, let''s catch up over dinner with Leon sometime."


    "Sure," Asa nodded, raising a hand to signal that a formal goodbye wasn''t necessary.


    Once Asa had left, Murray''s face darkenedpletely. He paused in thought before instructing his confidant, "Find out what Carter did to snag my order."

 Chapter 1708

    Not long after, the secretary came back.


    "Count, James wasn''t anywhere to be found."


    "Nowhere?" Murray''s cigar, unlit, snapped under the pressure of his fingers.


    The secretary lowered his head. "Yes, I didn''t even catch a glimpse of James''s assistant."


    Murray sat there, his expression a puzzle. After a moment, he tossed the broken cigar aside. "James is always a wildcard, even ignoring calls from the royal family. Not surprising he wouldn''t see me."


    If James wouldn''t see Murray, he definitely wasn''t going to see Carter.


    "So, what do we do now?" the secretary asked, carefully watching Murray.


    Murray got up, clearly done with waiting for the trade meeting to wrap up. With a cool demeanor, he headed for the door.


    The secretary quickly followed suit.


    They made their way to the first floor in no time, and as they stepped out of the lobby, the driver already had the car ready.


    The secretary opened the car door, and just as Murray was about to get in, he caught sight of a grouping out from a nearby entrance. He paused instinctively.


    Leading the group was a striking young couple, their presence asmanding and crisp as a snow-capped peak. Even royalty might fall short of their charisma. The secretary followed the Count''s line of sight. "That must be James, right?"


    The secretary had never seen the elusive head of the weapons bureau, nor had many others with high status. His guess came from recognizing Wyatt by James''s side.


    Murray nodded. "That''s right."


    The secretary quickly averted his eyes, not wanting to stare. "Should we go over and say hello?"


    Murray''s eyes lingered on Mirabe for a moment, instantly recognizing her as the girl he''d seen earlier in the exclusive suite. After a brief pause, he said, "No need."


    Since James wasn''t in the mood to meet anyone, approaching him now would just be awkward and possibly annoying.


    Ine


    "Find out who that girl is and prepare a gift for her," Murray instructed after a moment''s reflection. After all, who doesn''t appreciate a thoughtful gift? The secretary nodded. "Got it."


    "Good." Murray finally bent down and settled into the car.


    The secretary closed the door, gave a quick nce at the distant group, then got into the passenger seat himself.


    The car soon glided away smoothly.


    Once they were clear of the central tower, Murray, eyes shut, recalled


    Asa''s issue. He pulled out his phone and forwarded Asa''s email to the secretary.  ?wnovel


    With tonight''s ns not going as hoped, he wasn''t inclined to go.


    through the email''s details


    "Make


    sure you handle Asa''s request quickly," he added.


    The secretary in the front seat heard the email notification and checked the


    rearview mirror. "Of course, sir. You can count on me."


    Murray trusted the secretary''s skills, so he just nodded and closed his eyes again.


    His mind was tangled in how he''d exin the night''s events to Prince Lockie.


    **The Next Morning.**


    **


    Mirabe woke up early to find several notifications on her phone.


    She opened them one by one.


    They were all from the same contact.


    Tori: [I''ve gone through every medical book. There''s no clear method to restore


    vitality, but these might be worth a shot.]


    Tori: [Image]


    Tori: [Image]


    Tori: [The patient''s condition is pretty severe, so you should start treatment ASAP.]

 Chapter 1709

    Mirabe finished reading the message, her almond-shaped eyes twinkling with a hint of mystery. She tapped out a quick reply on her phone: "Okay."


    After she sent it, the other end stayed silent.


    She tucked her phone away, got up, and did a quick morning routine. Today, she needed to head back to the Davis estate.


    As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she spotted Grady in the living room. His face had a look she''d never seen before-cool and distant. Opposite him sat James, and from where she stood, the tension between them was as thick as fog, like an electric charge crackling in the air.


    Mirabe thoughtfully touched her nose and walked over. "Uncle, didn''t you go backst night?"


    She plopped down next to James, breaking the silent face-off between him and Grady.


    Grady was caught off guard.


    The winner was clear.


    A slight, knowing smile tugged at the corners of James''s mouth.


    Grady could see the challenge in James''s smile, but with Miss Mira right there, he couldn''t call him out. Instead, he cleared his throat and said, "I wasn''tfortable leaving you alone."


    Especially after his folks discovered that the people behind the attempted


    kidnapping of Miss Mira''s friends might be linked to Phantom Watch, Merrywoods'' main base. Letting his guard down wasn''t an option.


    If anything else happened, Keir would have his head for sure.


    Mirabe knew exactly what Grady was worried about.


    With Santos''s skills, he would''ve found out about her ties to the Davis family, so Merrywoods being in chaos wasn''t a shocker.


    And the Davis family was probably already under a microscope from those folks.


    Mirabe''s eyes darkened. Since her th Santosst year, she''d


    run-in


    seen


    sing. It just a


    than she thought.


    No matter what, she wouldn''t let the Davis family get caught off guard. Just then, Cassie wandered downstairs.


    The young guy still had that sleepy look as he yawned his way into the living room.


    He hadn''t met Grady before. A quick look was all it took for him to hurriedly avert his eyes, sleepiness fading fast.


    The man looked as fierce as the third elder.


    Cassie sat on Mirabe''s left, leaned in, and whispered, "Sis, who''s that? He


    looks pretty intense."


    Grady, with his sharp ears, raised an eyebrow.


    Mirabe cleared her throat and gave Cassie a quick intro, "...Just call him Grady."


    Once Cassie realized this was


    someone from his sister''s family, he straightened up, shing a polite


    smile "Hi, Uncle Grady, I''m Cassie


    Davis, the brother my sister picked up along the way."


    Grady remembered As


    mentioning that Miss Mira had taken in a younger brother while she was in the countryside. Seeing him in person was a bit surprising.


    The kid had this pure and innocent vibe, especially with those bright, clear eyes that seemed untouched by the world''s messiness.


    He had a natural charm.


    And sitting next to Miss Mira, there was an odd resemnce between them.


    If he didn''t know Zach wasn''t the kind to have flings, Grady might''ve wondered if the boy was Zach''s secret son.


    Grady collected his thoughts, nodded at Cassie, and tried toe across as a friendly elder, "Hello."


    Cassie beamed, showing off his pearly whites, then turned to Mirabe, "Sis, are you heading out now?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1710

    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, casting a sideways nce at Cassie. "What? What kind of scheme are you plotting now?"


    "You''ve got it all wrong. What mischief could I possibly be up to?" Cassie cleared her throat. "I just don''t want to be apart from you, that''s all."


    Last night, they had decided it would be best for Cassie to stick close to James for the next few days, mainly to keep him safe.


    "Is that so?" Mirabe''s eyes twinkled with teasing amusement. "Can''t wait for me to hit the road, huh?"


    Cassie quickly straightened up, eager to defend herself. "No way! Without my sister around, even the food loses its vor."


    "Ha."


    Mirabe didn''t bother to call out the young man''s transparent facade.


    Cassie thought to himself, "These days, nobody seems to believe the truth."


    Sitting across from them, Grady caught their conversation and chimed in, "Miss Mira, there''s no harm in taking the kid back for a few days."


    The Davis family had its fair share of rules, but nobody in the main house dared to voice any objections.


    Mirabe shook her head with a smile. "This kid''s used to the freedom of the countryside. He''d probably feel more at ease without constant supervision." Grady nced at Cassie once more but decided not to push the matter further. By lunchtime, Mirabe and Grady returned to the Davis family estate.


    "Where''s Keir? Is he upstairs?" Grady asked the elderly butler after taking a look around the empty living room.


    "Keir got a call-seemed urgent¡ªand left about an hour ago," the butler promptly replied.


    Hearing this, Grady pondered for a moment before asking, "Did Keir go out alone?"


    "Cole went with him." Grady felt relieved, knowing that Cole''s skills made him a formidable protector.


    Turning to Mirabe, Grady was about to speak when something else popped into his mind. He switched gears, "Oh, by the way, there''s a car race this afternoon. Fancy checking it out, Miss Mira?"


    He knew about Mirabe''s impressive racing skills; people with such talent usually had a genuine passion for the sport.


    However, Mirabe wasn''t particrly interested in watching the race. During the drive back, her mind was preupied with how to tackle Chester''s health issues.


    While she had exaggerated some details to Nellie earlier, the truth was that Chester''s vitality was dwindling fast, and without prompt action, he could face sudden health crises.


    And her acupuncture techniques


    alone weren''t enough to fully restore Chester''s health. Considering this, Mirabe asked, "I''ll pass on the race. But, Uncle, is there a herbal market around here?"


    Grady was momentarily taken aback. "A herbal market?"


    Mirabe nodded. "A ce that sells medicinal herbs."


    Grady seemed to recall something from the past and quickly replied, "Yes, there


    is. But, Miss Mira, are you looking for herbs... for Keir?"


    "Yes," Mirabe replied softly.


    Grady wanted to ask more about Keir''s condition but held back because of the butler''s presence. Instead, he said, "You''re not too familiar with this area. How about you write down the herbs you need, and I''ll go get them for you?"


    Mirabe shook her head politely. "It''s important to pick herbs at the right time and some have specificz requirements regarding their age. It''s easy for someone unfamiliar to get mixed up. Just give me the address, and I''ll go myself."


    Most of the herbs she needed weren''t particrly rare, but a few required seasonal distinctions.


    For instance, the same herb harvested in the summer versus the fall can have different effects, which would influence the final medicinal product''s efficacy.


    To be on the safe side, she preferred to handle the purchase herself.

 Chapter 1711

    Grady was caught off guard by Mirabe''sment, especially when she mentioned the importance of the right season for foraging. It reminded him of the times years back when Nellie would share simr insights with him. Different seasons meant different results when gathering herbs, she''d say.


    Grady shook off his daze, realizing he wasn''t exactly an expert on herbs. He offered, "How about I take you there?"


    Mirabe smiled warmly, "No need, Uncle. Just lend me a car, and I can drive myself."


    Grady waved off her suggestion. "I''ve got nothing better to do right now. I''ll join you."


    Seeing he was set on apanying her, Mirabe didn''t put up a fight. The two of them soon headed out.


    As they drove past the mansion gates and looped around the grand fountain, they came face to face with a line of sleek, ck sedans approaching from the opposite direction. Grady''s demeanor shifted to one of caution.


    The lead car honked a few times, prompting Grady to frown and hit the brakes. In the backseat, Mirabe, who had been casually scrolling through her phone, nced up.


    Men in ck suits emerged from the sedans, lining up beside the leading vehicle. Shortly after, the rear door of that car swung open, and out stepped a man in his sixties, slightly overweight and holding a rosary. He approached them at a


    leisurely pace.


    Grady unbuckled his seatbelt, turning to Mirabe, "I''ll be right back," before getting out of the car.


    "Mr. Jaime, what brings you here today?" Grady greeted the man with a nod, keeping his cool.


    Jaime, fiddling with his rosary


    beads, didn''t answer right away. He looked over at the car behind Grady, though the tinted windows revealed nothing. Turning back to Grady he finally spoke, "I heard Keir''s long-lost niece is visiting?"


    Grady''s brow furrowed a bit at Jaime''s mention of "niece." "You''re always well- informed, Mr. Jaime. Yes, Miss Mira has indeed returned."


    Jaime seemed unfazed by Grady''s slight correction. A faint smile yed on his lips. "Seems my trip wasn''t for nothing."


    Grady''s eyes narrowed slightly. Mr. Jaime''s visits to the family estate rarely spelled good news. Clearly, today he had his sights set on Miss Mira.


    Jaime continued, "I''ve heard Keir''s niece is quite impressive, a true heir in the making. It''s about time I met her."


    Grady kept his expression neutral. "I''m afraid you might be disappointed, Mr. Jaime. Keir''s not here, and Miss Mira isn''t avable to meet guests right now."


    "Why not? We''re family, after all," Jaime insisted, clearly determined.


    Grady could tell Jaime wasn''t leaving without a fuss. After a brief pause, he said, "Feel free to make yourselffortable. I''ve got some things to take care of, so I''ll be on my way."


    With that, Grady nodded, turned back to the car, and drove off.


    Jaime watched the car fade into the distance, his expression unreadable. Just a mere servant of the Davis family, acting like he was something more. Jaime scoffed quietly then strolled toward the mansion.

 Chapter 1712

    As Jaime stepped into the main hall, he caught the butler''s words, "So, the girl''s not here?" He squinted slightly, clearly not buying it.


    The old butler nodded with respect. "Yes, sir. But Miss Mira only stepped out a few minutes ago. You probably passed by Grady''s car just now."


    Jaime thought back to when he was outside, remembering Grady''s car. He hadn''t seen inside clearly, but there was definitely someone in the back seat.


    That must have been Keir''s little niece.


    Jaime twirled a rosary bead between his fingers. No wonder Grady was so cool about it when Jaime mentioned wanting to meet the girl-he didn''t even flinch.


    "Where''s Keir off to?" Jaime switched the subject.


    The butler dipped his head slightly and replied calmly, "I''m not sure, sir. If you need something urgent, you might want to call Keir."


    Jaime nced around the room before sinking into the sofa. "No big deal. I''ve got nothing pressing today."


    He was determined to meet Jim''s niece today, the one everyone was so protective about.


    The butler hesitated, about to speak, but Jaime waved him off. "Go on with your chores. I''m fine here."


    With that, Jaime leaned back and closed his eyes, looking every bit the master of the house.


    Seeing this, the butler excused himself to the garden and discreetly called Grady.


    The call connected quickly. The butler peeked toward the living room and filled Grady in about Jaime hanging around the vi.


    Grady''s voice was calm. "If he wants to wait, let him. He''ll leave if no one turns up."


    "But Mr. Davis seems pretty set on waiting for Miss Mira and Keir to return."


    "I got it," Grady said before ending the call. After a pause, he nced at the rearview mirror and fired off a couple of texts.


    Not long after, Grady''s car pulled up at the end of a quiet street, stopping in front of a little herbal shop.


    Mirabe nced at the sign, raised an eyebrow, and hopped out of the car. "This ce has the best stock around," Grady said as he caught up with her. Mirabe gave a nod and headed inside.


    The shop was spacious but eerily quiet, with only the drowsy shopkeeper behind the counter.


    Grady knocked on the counter,


    snapping the shopkeeper out of his


    daze. He blinked and then broke


    into


    a grin. "Well, if it isn''t an old friend.


    Long time no see!"  fo


    Grady, with his sharp memory, nodded back. "We''re here for some herbs."


    The shopkeeper eagerly stepped out


    from behind the counter, bursting with confidence. "Tell me what you need I just restocked, so you should find everything here."


    Aside from his unforgettable presence, Grady''s wealth was equally memorable¡ªa walking fortune, if you will.


    Selling just one order to him could keep this little shop afloat for three years, easy.


    No wonder his left eye had been twitching all day; it was a sign of good fortuneing his way.


    The shopkeeper''s grin stretched so wide it almost reached his ears as he brewed his special Pu''er coffee, reserved for his most esteemed guests.


    Mirabe nced at him, then pulled out her phone, opening a document with a list of herbs she''d made on their way there. She handed it over. "Could you gather these for us?"


    "Absolutely!" the shopkeeper replied eagerly, taking the phone. But his smile


    faltered when he saw the list packed with regr herb names.

 Chapter 1713

    The shopkeeper squinted at his phone, wondering if his eyes were deceiving him. Where was the rare, precious medicine he was promised? Was this it? Really?


    Mirabe caught his bewildered look and asked, "What''s up? Is it not avable?"


    Pulled back to reality, the shopkeeper looked up, his face showing a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Is this everything you need?"


    "Yeah, why? Is there a problem?" Mirabe asked, genuinely curious.


    "Uh, no..." His cheek twitched as he nced at the list on her phone again, quietly admitting to himself that relying on superstitions was pointless. The old saying about a twitching left eye bringing fortune was clearly nonsense.


    With a sigh, he said, "Give me a sec, I''ll get everything for you."


    After speaking, he took out his phone, snapped a picture of the list on Mirabe''s screen, and headed back to the counter, not forgetting to grab his freshly brewed coffee.


    Mirabe watched him, speechless. This shopkeeper was quite the character.


    Ten minutester, he returned with a clear stic bag and dropped it on the counter. "All set."


    Mirabe eyed the no-frills packaging, amused. Well, this was definitely a no- nonsense approach. She liked that.


    She opened the bag and checked the contents. To her surprise, the seasonal herbs that required careful selection were spot on.


    "Don''t worry, buy from me, and you won''t go wrong," the shopkeeper boasted, chin up with pride. He was nearing fifty but barely had any wrinkles, looking more like thirty-five or thirty-six.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and gave him a two-word nod of respect, "You''re experienced."


    "Youngdy, you''ve got a sharp eye." He gave her a thumbs-up, then took a closer look at her, "Do you know herbal medicine?"


    "A little," Mirabe replied modestly.


    The shopkeeper looked pleasantly surprised, "It''s rare to see someone your age with that kind of knowledge these days."


    Mirabe nodded, "So, how much for these herbs with a discount?"


    The shopkeeper was caught off guard. In thirty years of running this shop, he''d never been asked for a discount like this. Clearly, small talk wasn''t always the best move.


    He turned back, picked up his calctor, and said firmly, "Sorry, it''s a small business, no discounts... It''s $2,853 total. Card, cash, or mobile pay?"


    Mirabe nced at him, "No chance for a little discount?"


    The price was fair, but it never hurt to try. Who knows, it might work.


    The shopkeeper''s smile was slipping, his resolve firm, "Sorry, no discounts!"


    He wished he could charge more, but the herbs were already priced tightly.


    Seeing this, Mirabe''s eyes showed a hint of disappointment, but she didn''t press further. She pulled out her phone, ready to pay.


    "I''ve got this," Grady, standing beside her, stepped in, handing over a card. "Use this one."


    The shopkeeper''s eyes widened at the sight of the limited edition gold card, envy creeping in again. He fetched the card reader.


    Just as he was about to swipe, he paused, looking up at Grady, "Sir, how about this: the herbs are on the house today if you could do me a small favor. Could you introduce me to that miracle doctor?"


    "Miracle doctor?" Grady asked, puzzled. "What miracle doctor?"


    "The one who prescribed


    for you over a decade ago," the


    shopkeeper exined. "To be


    honest, a friend of mine is sick, and I was hoping the doctor could help."

 Chapter 1714

    Grady had a knack for medicine himself and could still recall those few


    remarkable prescriptions Grady brought over years ago-forms so intricate that only a true expert in alternative medicine could create them. So when he bumped into his old pal today, the pharmacy owner naturally wanted to reconnect.


    Grady got the hint and, after a brief pause, said, "Sorry, the healer isn''t with us anymore."


    Even though someone had hinted recently that Nellie might still be alive, there was no telling if it was just a trap.


    "Really?" The owner was caught off guard, "Not around anymore?"


    Grady nodded, not offering any more details.


    The owner felt a pang of regret hearing this, but given the healer''s reputation and age from over a decade ago, it was likely he had been quite elderly then. Now, so many yearster, it wasn''t surprising if he had passed away.


    "Thanks for letting me know," the owner said to Grady.


    "No problem." Grady pressed his lips into a thin line as his phone rang. Seeing it was Cole, he grew serious, nodded to Mirabe, and stepped outside to take the call.


    The owner was just about to swipe the card when it was snatched away.


    "Tell me your friend''s symptoms, maybe I can help," Mirabe said in aid-back tone, her slender fingers holding the gold card.


    "You?" The owner was taken aback.


    Mirabe nodded, "Yep, me."


    It wasn''t about the money; it was about a healer''s duty to help others.


    ...


    A few minutester, Grady came back from his call.


    Mirabe put down her pen and slid a note over to the pharmacy owner. "If it doesn''t work, feel free toe back and ruin my reputation."


    The owner looked at the spirited


    handwriting and its contents, his et


    shock deepening. He nced up at Mirabe, ready to say something, but she waved him off.


    So, he kept quiet. Grady nced curiously at the note in the owner''s hand but couldn''t make out what it said.


    Mirabe handed the card back to Grady and picked up the stic bag from the counter, "Let''s go, Uncle."


    Grady snapped back to reality and nodded, "Alright."


    They left the pharmacy together.


    The owner stood there, stunned for a moment. Once he gathered his thoughts, the first thing he did was save Mirabe''s number from the note into his phone.


    He then studied the prescription on the note, finding it more and more incredible. From just the brief symptoms he described, she could nail down the patient''s condition so


    urately. How could some ve


    like


    this be ''just slightly knowledgeable about medicine''? And she looked barely twenty!


    Such skill, such a gap in abilities, truly made him feel humbled.


    The owner sighed inwardly.


    Quickly, he scrolled through his contacts and dialed a number.


    **Meanwhile.**


    Grady had just reached his car when another call came in. The guild needed him urgently.


    After he hung up, the seriousness on Grady''s face was almost tangible.


    "Uncle, if you''ve got something important, go ahead. I can get back on my own," Mirabe said calmly.


    "How could I do that?" Grady unlocked the car, "I''ll drop you off first, then take care of my stuff. It won''t dy anything."


    But just as he said that, his phone rang again. Grady rubbed his forehead and decided to ignore it this time.

 Chapter 1715

    Mirabe casually reached over and snagged the car keys from Grady''s hand. "I''ll drive your car back, so you won''t have to worry about any safety issues."


    Grady''s car was a fortress on wheels, decked out with top-notch bulletproof ss and the best safety features you could ask for. Even if it got sideswiped, the damage would be nothing more than a light scratch.


    Grady gave Mirabe a knowing look, picking up on her unspoken message. After a brief pause, he said, "Alright then, if you run into any trouble, just give your uncle a call."


    Mirabe nodded in agreement.


    Grady made a quick call, and within moments, one of his men-who had been tailing them for protection-pulled up in another car.


    "Alright, I''m heading out," Grady said, nodding to Mirabe as he got into the vehicle.


    Mirabe twirled the car keys in her hand and hopped into the driver''s seat, but she didn''t head straight back to the Davis estate. Instead, she cruised around the city until she found an old market where she could pick up a y pot for brewing herbal remedies.


    Chester''s health had taken a nosedive, so strong medications were out of the question. A gentle, herbal brew simmered in a traditional y pot was just what the doctor ordered for his recovery.


    After paying for the pot, she headed out, noting the market''s narrownes that left no room for cars. She''d parked just outside on the street.


    As she was about to leave, cutting through a narrow alley, Mirabe abruptly stopped in her tracks.


    "Come on out," she said, standing firm with her eyes locked straight ahead, her voice steady andposed.


    No sooner had the words left her mouth than six burly guys stepped out, surrounding her.


    The few passersby who witnessed


    the scene quickly scurried away, not daring to get involved. Mirabe


    sized up t


    the men with an unruffled


    expression and switched to fluent


    French, "You''ve been tailing me all this time. What do you want?"


    The men looked taken aback, clearly not expecting her to have clocked them so easily.


    But what could an unarmed woman


    do against six men? "You''reing with us? Someone''s eager to meet you,"


    u," said the leader, casually twirling a military knife, its de


    glinting ominously.


    "No, thanks," Mirabe replied, her voice as calm as ever.


    The man sneered, "I suggest youe along quietly. It''d be a real shame if such


    a pretty girl got hurt, don''t you think?"


    "True enough," Mirabe conceded, carefully setting the y pot down. Then, with deliberate calmness, she rolled up her sleeves, revealing a slender, pale wrist. "But it''s really your loss."


    With that, she sprang into action.


    The men barely had time to blink before one of them found his arm twisted out of ce and his knees crashing to the ground.


    Her speed was blinding, catching thempletely off guard.


    "Damn it," cursed the leader, narrowly dodging her strike. He hadn''t expected the woman the Count wanted to be this formidable.


    He yanked out a gun from his waistband. "Try that again, and see what happens."


    To ensure he had the upper hand without actually harming Mirabe, he fired a shot at the ground, shattering the y pot.


    The sound of the pot breaking was like a snapped wire in Mirabe''s mind, leaving her momentarily stunned.

 Chapter 1716

    Mirabe had driven all over town to find that perfect y pot, only to have it smashed to bits by these guys? Seriously?


    She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. But just a momentter, the fire in her eyes was unmistakable. Forget staying calm! She swung her foot, catching the guy with the gun right on the wrist. Pain shot through him, and he dropped the gun with a tter.


    His face twisted in shock, and before he knew it, Mirabe kicked him in the chest, sending him flying backward and crashing to the ground. There was no way he was getting up anytime soon.


    The rest of the crew didn''t fare much better. In no time, they were all on the ground, groaning in agony. The fear in their eyes was palpable as they looked at Mirabe.


    Who would''ve guessed that this seemingly delicate woman could kick like a wrecking ball? Every blow felt like it was knocking their insides around.


    And the kicking? That was just the beginning. She had taken apart their guns like it was nothing. Her skills were downright scary! Mirabe stood over the shattered remains of the pot, her face a mask of fury. She stared at the mess for a solid thirty seconds before slowly turning her head.


    The six guys lying on the ground went dead silent, like they were suddenly at death''s door.


    Without a hint of emotion, Mirabe said, "Five minutes."


    All of them shivered in unison. Finally, the guy who had broken the pot managed to speak up, "I''ll go get you a new one right now."


    Despite the pain, he hauled himself up and limped off toward the market. They had followed Mirabe here, so they knew the route she''d taken.


    Five minutester, he came back, panting and holding three y pots. "Here you go, boss. These are for you."


    Mirabe''s expression finally softened. She took one of the pots, satisfied, and started to leave. But after just a few steps, she paused and slightly tilted her head.


    The men, who felt like they''d just dodged a bullet, almost copsed again at her movement.


    "Boss, we were just following orders today," the lead guy blurted out, terrified she might change her mind and finish them off. "It was the Count who sent us. We don''t know anything else." Mirabe''s eyes flickered with surprise.


    She had assumed Santos was behind this. But why would the Count''s people be


    after her, especially since she was new to Merrywoods?


    Mirabe narrowed her eyes


    thoughtfully. Not able to piece it t


    together, she decided to let it go, simply saying, "You''d better keep today''s events to yourselves."


    In Chester, her reputation as ady needed to stay intact.


    The men nodded eagerly.


    Mirabe turned away and left for real this time.


    Once she waspletely out of sight, the men finally felt like they had truly escaped death.


    "Emmitt, why''d you tell her the Count sent us?" one of them asked.


    The lead guy looked at the scattered gun parts. "Do you really think an ordinary woman could handle us like that?"


    They might not have been the absolute best, but they were definitely top fighters. Yet in front of her, they were like sitting ducks.


    He was sure she hadn''t even used her full strength.


    If she had it wouldn''t have just been dismantled guns and them sprawled out on the ground. That woman hadn''t even considered them a challenge from the start.

 Chapter 1717

    The man let out a heavy sigh as he crouched to gather the scattered gun parts from the ground. "She''s part of the Davis family, so finding the Count''s ce would be a breeze for her. Rather than trying to hide, it''s better to juste clean."


    The others went silent, absorbing his words. Coming clean might just be their ticket to staying alive. Their loyalty to Count Murray only went as far as their survival.


    "And remember, not a peep about today''s fiasco to anyone. If Count Murray inquires, just say the Davis family had airtight security, and there was no way for us to make a move." The man stressed his point.


    He wasn''t entirely sure why the girl had given such a warning, but staying alive meant ying it safe.


    Before long, the group headed back to report.


    Count Murray''s secretary was in charge of the task to capture Mirabe. When he heard the mission had flopped, his face twisted in frustration. "You botched such a simple job? What are you even here for?"


    "Sorry, but the Davis family had someone tailing her constantly, so we never got a chance."


    Rubbing his forehead, the secretary didn''t doubt their exnation. After a pause, he said, "Keep an eye out for another chance."


    "Got it."


    Just then, the secretary''s phone rang. He lifted a hand, signaling silence before answering.


    The call was from the detective he''d hired to dig into the girlfriend of someone important at the weapons bureau.


    After a quick chat, the detective emailed him some findings.


    The secretary opened the email, and his eyes widened as he sat up straight.


    In


    How could it be? How could the weapons bureau guy''s girlfriend be this girl? How could she be tied to the Davis family? His mind was buzzing. Recalling Count Murray''s orders, he quickly rang the detective back. "Are you sure about the info you sent?"


    The detective, who worked for the Merrywoods Investigation Bureau, had ess to solid intel. Annoyed, he replied, "If you think it''s wrong, hire someone else. But even our director would tell you the same."


    Picking up on the detective''s irritation, the secretary rified, "Apologies, I didn''t


    mean to doubt you. The info just caught us off guard."


    Who would''ve guessed the person


    Count Murray wanted to connect with was also someone Leon was interested in, and from the rival Davis family no less? The whole


    situation seemed ridicul whole


    coincidental.


    Troubled, the secretary hung up.


    Count Murray was still trying to snag a shipment of weapons he missed out onst night. He hoped to use James''s mysterious girlfriend as a link, but now that n seemed shaky.


    Clutching his phone, the secretary thought for a moment, then turned to his subordinate, who lingered in the room. "By the way, the Davis family didn''t catch wind of you today, right?"


    The subordinate''s heart skipped a beat. He nervously clenched his fists but quickly masked his anxiety, shaking his head. "No, they didn''t."


    The old market had no cameras, and as long as they stayed mum, the secretary wouldn''t catch wind of the slip-up.


    The secretary exhaled a little, relieved. "Alright, I get it. You can head out now."


    If they hadn''t ticked anyone off yet, there might still be a chance to turn things around.


    The subordinate, biting his lip, decided to keep quiet and left the room.


    Oblivious to the subordinate''s inner conflict, the secretary got up, ready to brief Murray at the Count''s mansion.

 Chapter 1718

    The Earl''s Manor.


    When the secretary showed up, Murray was already busy entertaining an important guest, so he had no choice but to wait in the downstairs parlor, trying not to disturb the proceedings.


    In the coffee room, Murray gently refilled the coffee cup of the blonde man seated at the head of the table. "I''ll have another go at negotiating with the Weapons Bureau."


    The blonde man''s skin was pale, almost ghostly, and he shot Murray a nce that was tinged with sarcasm. "You really think there''s any wiggle room left?"


    Murray felt a cold sweat trickle down his back and he lowered his head slightly. "I believe the Weapons Bureau won''t dare refuse us."


    "Us?" Lockie''s lips, devoid of color, curled slightly. "What respect can a man who''s on death''s doormand?"


    Murray looked up, clearly worried. "Your health..."


    Lockie suddenly broke into a harsh cough, the kind that brought just a hint of color to his pale cheeks, but it only made him look more delicate, like he was on the brink of copse.


    Seeing this, aplicated expression shed across Murray''s face.


    Given the prince''s current state, he knew he had to start considering other options. It was bing painfully clear that despite Lockie being the legitimate heir, his frail health would likely prevent him from ever taking his rightful ce.


    Over the past couple of years, watching Lockie weaken, Murray had often regretted cing his bets on the wrong side.


    Lockie finally settled down, the coughing subsided. He tucked away his handkerchief and said, "Don''t worry. I''m not kicking the bucket just yet."


    Murray hesitated. "Isn''t there anything the First Base can do?"


    Lockie just shook his head with a wry smile. "We''ll just have to leave it to fate."


    Hearing this, Murray''s heart sank even further.


    l.ne


    If even the First Base couldn''t cure the prince, then it was grim indeed... Lockie stood up, smoothed his coat, and looked at Murray with a nonchnt air. "Since you seer confident, I expect to see some real results in two days."


    He was referring to the batch of weapons they failed to secure atst night''s auction.


    Without waiting for Murray to reply, he walked out.


    Murray stayed put, lost in thought, his expression shifting with unspoken


    concerns.


    As Lockie exited the manor and settled into the car, his trusted aide in the passenger seat turned to him. "By the way, Prince, Bowe just called. He mentioned a friend has a remedy that might be worth trying for your condition."


    Lockie''s face remained impassive, having grown weary of the constant cycle of hope and disappointment. He leaned back, eyes closed, visibly drained. "Thank the professor for me. I appreciate his efforts."


    The aide quickly realized that James wasn''t nning to try this new remedy.


    Recalling Bowe''s words, he added, "The professor noted it''s a traditional remedy from the East, like herbal medicine. He''s been digging into this for years. He wouldn''t suggest it without some confidence."


    After a pause, Lockie waved a hand, his voice void of expectation. "Alright. Let''s give it a shot."


    The aide breathed a sigh of relief.


    After all, what if it actually worked?


    Back at the manor, Murray''s secretary waited until Lockie had left before heading to the coffee room.


    Upon entering, he found Murray standing by the floor-to-ceiling window. He paused, then approached quietly, "Earl, there''s something I need to discuss with you."

 Chapter 1719

    Murray turned around slowly, "Couldn''t dig up the info?"


    The assistant nced at him, shaking her head gently, "No, we did find it..."


    Noticing her hesitation, Murray narrowed his eyes, "What''s going on?"


    "Well, the girlfriend of that important person and the one Leon is after-turns out, they''re the same person."


    Murray was caught off guard, "What? The same person?"


    The assistant nodded, quickly pulling out her phone, and opened an email from


    the investigator before handing it to Murray.


    Murray frowned a bit before taking the phone.


    After a pause, the assistant added, "Count, you should also take a look at Leon''s email."


    She brought it up again.


    Both emails had photos of the same person, with nearly identical details.


    After checking them out, Murray''s expression darkened, "So it really is the same person."


    "Yeah, who''d have thought it would be such a coincidence," the assistant said, remembering she hadn''t gotten a good look at Mirabe''s face the night before, which is why she was so surprised by the detective''s report today.


    After a second, the assistant mused, "I wonder if Leon knows. If he''s clueless, it''s one thing, but if he''s aware, then..."


    She left the thought hanging, but the meaning was clear.


    If Leon knew and set this up deliberately, it was a clear sign of bad intentions.


    After all, you don''t want to mess with someone from the Weapon Bureau.


    Murray handed the phone back to the assistant, strolled over to the coffee table, and sat down. After a long pause, he said, "Whether Asa knows or not, for him and me, it''s been a transaction from the start."


    Nothing''s ever free in this world. The assistant sighed, looking at Murray, "So, what do we do now, Count? Prince Lockie probably came about those weapons too. Offending the Weapon Bureau over a woman right now might not do us any good." C¨®ntent


    Murray''s face stayed cold, but he was thinking about how crucial the deal with Asa


    was.


    Compared to having an exceptionally strong army, a woman didn''t really matter. Especially given Lockie''s health; who knows how much time he''s got left? The priorities were obvious.


    Still, they couldn''t openly tick off the Weapon Bureau... Murray squinted, remembering something, and said, "Get a few more invitations ready, and send them to the Davis family and the Weapon Bureau."


    He paused, "And make sure Leon shows up at my birthday party."


    The assistant immediately caught on to the Count''s n, "But the Davis family never really gets along with us. They might note, and even if they do, they might not bring that girl."


    Murray flicked his fingers nonchntly, "Opportunities don''t just happen; you make them. Set up a meeting for me with Jaime."


    The assistant''s eyes lit up, nodding quickly, "Got it."


    The Davis family, with its long history, naturally faced internal conflicts.


    Especially under Jim''s tough leadership, which not only took the family out of shady dealings but also made them incredibly wealthy.


    But such changes stirred up internal divisions since change always affects personal interests, and many weren''t happy with how he ran things.


    Jaime was one of those people.

 Chapter 1720

    "Luckily, I had my team pull back before causing a stir," the secretary suddenly sighed.


    "Hmm?" Murray nced at him.


    The secretary quickly gave a rundown of his team trailing Mirabe. If they''d made a move today and seeded, it would''ve been fine. But if they failed, the Davis family could easily trace it back to the Earl''s estate, and sending an invitation might tip them off.


    "You said she had quite a few bodyguards with her?" Murray asked.


    The secretary nodded. "Our intel says the Davis family is keeping a close watch on her."


    Murray crossed his arms, a yful smile spreading across his face. "Well, this is intriguing."


    With both Asa and James involved, and the Davis family on high alert, this girl must be something special too.


    Before long, the secretary was ready to leave. Just as he was about to step out, he hesitated but finally said, "By the way, the prince''s condition seems to be getting worse. Shouldn''t you start nning ahead, Earl?"


    You know what they say, a wise bird picks a strong branch.


    "Mind your words," Murray shot the secretary a nce. "What if Lockie''s health suddenly improves? Nothing''s certain."


    The secretary, recalling the situation they''d been monitoring, simply replied, "It''s unlikely he''ll bounce back. Regardless, it''s wise to n ahead."


    Even the top scientists have said his body is at its limit, and not even the best doctors could save him. There''s really no ''what if'' about it.


    "I''ve got it under control." Murray leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes.


    Seeing this, the secretary didn''t say another word and left quickly.


    **Mirabe had driven back to the Davis family estate.


    Jaime had left an hour earlier; he


    was sent away on purpose. Mirabe wasn''t interested in


    anyone else, so when the old butter mentioned Jaime, she just listened quietly. After all, she wouldn''t be staying long.


    Noticing Mirabe''s indifferent demeanor, the old butler, who had initially nned to discuss some family matters with her, decided


    against it. "If you needing


    Miss Mira, just call me. I''ll take my leave."


    Not being raised in the main house, after all, he thought as he walked away. Mirabe didn''t notice the butler''s expression. She pondered for a moment, then took out her phone and sent a message.


    [I was cornered by people from the Earl''s estate today.]


    James, who wasn''t too busy, saw the message from his girlfriend. He squinted slightly, didn''t reply, and instead called her directly. "Did they make a move?"


    Mirabe sighed softly, holding the phone, and said, "No, I''m generally quite peaceful. Wouldn''t making a move seem a bit violent?"


    Why bother using her hands when her feet could do the trick?


    James, used to Mirabe''s way of speaking, said resignedly, "Why does it feel like trouble starts brewing the moment I''m not around? Should I just tie you to my side with a rope?"


    Mirabe shrugged, pretending to be distressed. "Maybe I''m just naturally drawn to trouble?"


    All I want is a quiet life, but life seems to think otherwise.


    James straightened up, dropping the joking tone. "Maybe the Earl''s estate is targeting me."


    Mirabe crossed her legs casually. "That might not be the case, but I doubt things will be calm for a while. Be careful."


    Whether the Earl''s estate was after her or James, it marked the beginning of chaos. Especially with Santos, who had been eerily quiet these past few days, as if he had given up searching for her. That was very unusual.

 Chapter 1721

    James let out a soft sigh, savoring the rare moment of sweetness from his girlfriend. The hard edges of his face softened noticeably as he asked, "When do you think you''ll be heading back?"


    Mirabe leaned back into the cozy couch, her bright eyes fixed on the vintage chandelier above. She blinked thoughtfully and said, "I have a feeling it won''t be any time soon."


    Even though she had originally nned to stay for just a week, ns often had a way of changing unexpectedly.


    Just then, her phone buzzed with an iing call.


    It was Grady.


    ncing at the screen, Mirabe said, "I''ll have to catch up with youter. Something''se up."


    "Alright."


    James listened to the call end before lowering the phone from his ear. The warmth


    in his expression vanished, reced by a sharp, icy demeanor.


    Wyatt, who had just stepped into the room, felt the sudden chill. "...''


    Was it toote to quietly back out?


    James shot Wyatt a sidelong nce, making him flinch. With no choice, Wyatt braced himself and stepped further inside. "James."


    "Hmm." James turned his gaze away, the chill dissipating as quickly as it had appeared, like it was never there in the first ce.


    Wyatt rubbed the tip of his nose and cut to the chase. "Just as we suspected, Santos isn''t dead. On the day Ms. Mirabe was unconscious, he showed up at Riverside University. Curtis pulled the surveince footage, and we got a clear shot of his face."


    As he spoke, Wyatt pulled out his phone and showed James a photo. "But he looks really young in this, probably another disguise. Based on his records, he should be at least in his forties."


    "It''s odd. He doesn''t look like someone who''s taken a life-threatening gunshot," Wyatt remarked with a click of his tongue.


    James nced at the photo. The guy did look quite young, no older than twenty- five or twenty-six.


    His eyes narrowed slightly, but he


    wasn''t particrly surprised. "There''s a drug that can make wounds heal visibly fast. It''s not surprising he''s back to normal."


    Wyatt remembered hearing rumors about such a drug and scratched his head. "Wouldn''t that be like a miracle cure?"


    James''s lips pressed into a thin line. "The more unnatural something is, the more likely it has serious downsides."


    "True enough," Wyatt agreed with a nod.


    James didn''t linger on the topic, instead asking, "Where is Santos now?"


    "He''s back at the first base. We can''t get inside, but we''re sure he hasn''t left," Wyatt replied promptly.


    No matter how someone changes their appearance, certain physical traits remain constant. Even if Santos disguised himself as a woman, James''s team could still spot him.


    James casually twirled his phone with his long fingers. "Keep an eye on him."


    "I will," Wyatt nodded and added, "Coincidentally, the first base is sending technicians to Riverside University to repair damaged experimental equipment. Once we get our hands on the base''s ess passes, our people can slip in."


    Targeting Ms. Mirabe was as good as targeting James. No matter what base it


    was, any hint of threat needed to be snuffed out early.


    The idea of shaking up Merrywoods'' core was pretty thrilling.


    Wyatt rubbed his hands together. Chaos was good; chaos meant profit.


    **Meanwhile, back with Mirabe.


    After ending her call with James, she quickly answered Grady''s call.


    Before she could say anything, Grady''s slightly frantic voice came through.


    Mirabe listened intently, her expression turning serious. She stood up from the couch and


    headed towards the door, "vel


    me


    the location, I''ll be there right away."

 Chapter 1722

    The old butler watched as Mirabe made her way to the door, curiosity getting the better of him. "Miss Mira, heading out again?" he called after her.


    Mirabe, fresh off a phone call, gave him a polite nod, skipping the exnations. She made her way to the foyer, grabbed the car keys she''d left on the cab, and headed out.


    It wasn''t long before the roar of a car engine echoed from outside.


    The butler stood there for a moment in the courtyard, shaking his head before retreating back into the mansion.


    **Meanwhile, over at the Davis family''s private hospital.**


    Grady hung up the phone and turned to Dr. Ray. "Let''s hold on a bit longer."


    Dr. Ray frowned. "But Keir''s hanging by a thread. His heart''s already taken a hit from a bullet before, and he hasn''t exactly been careful with his health. Now with another bullet wound in his chest... We can''t keep pushing off the surgery. He doesn''t even have a whisper of a chance."


    Grady''s fists tightened, his eyes burning with worry. The urgency of the situation was not lost on him.


    A second surgery at the same spot was risky, and even though he wasn''t a doctor, he knew the odds were slim. But that whisper of a chance... it was a risk he couldn''t afford.


    Gritting his teeth, Grady pressed on, "Let''s wait a bit longer. Dr. Ray, please do whatever you can to keep Keir alive. Thank you."


    He remembered how Miss Mira had pulled Nick back from the brink justst year. Maybe Keir could have that same stroke of luck. Dr. Ray sighed, "Alright, I''ll give it my all. But there''s something you need to know. Keir''s blood type is rare, and he hasn''t stored any blood here in years. We''ve got one pack left, but it''s far from enough."


    Dr. Ray hesitated before adding, ¡°Even if we manage to get the bullet out safely, he could still bleed out."


    In other words, that whisper of a chance was more talk than reality. Truly saving him would be a monumental task.


    With that, Dr. Ray headed back into the emergency room.


    Grady slumped against the wall, berating himself for forgetting about Keir''s rare blood type.


    Beside him, Cole cursed under his breath, giving himself a sharp p. "It''s my fault. I should''ve taken that bullet for him."


    Grady turned to Cole, noting the


    blood dripping from his left hand et


    "They


    were ready for us. Don''t beat


    yourself up. Go get that hand looked after." .


    BUM


    Cole clenched his jaw and made his way to the nurse''s station.


    Once he got patched up, he''d find out who was behind the attack.


    Ten minutester, Mirabe drove like the wind to the hospital.


    "Uncle, what''s going on?" she asked as she walked in, her eyes darting to the lit- up operating room sign.


    Grady looked at her with a glimmer of hope, but the blood issue weighed heavily on him. "Keir''s in bad shape."


    Mirabe''s brow furrowed, worry etching deep lines on her face.


    Just then, the operating room doors ng open, and Dr. Ray rushed slipping away. Is the doctor


    "Keir''s


    out.


    you mentioned here yet?"


    Before Grady could say a word, Mirabe stepped forward, her voice steady and


    clear. "That would be me. Let''s go."


    Dr. Ray''s eyesnded on Mirabe, momentarily taken aback by the young


    woman standing before him. "You?"


    "Yes, me."


    a mix of elegance and resolve.


    Mirabe''s features were


    wasting any time, she got


    t for the operating room.


    Dr. Ray, despite his surprise, knew there was no time to lose. He followed Mirabe back into the emergency room.

 Chapter 1723

    As soon as they stepped into the emergency room, the monitor let out a long, ominous beep. The once-wavy heart rate line had ttened into a straight line. The assistant doctors exchanged worried nces and reached for the defibritor, ready for another go at jump-starting the heart.


    Mirabe, with a quick nce at the monitor, stopped their actions. Instead, she swiftly retrieved a set of acupuncture needles and deftly inserted them into strategic points on the chest. The assistant doctors froze, clearly taken aback by her unconventional approach.


    One of the doctors snapped out of his daze and turned to Dr. Ray. "Dr. Ray, this person..."


    Dr. Ray''s eyes were glued to Mirabe''s every move. Having dabbled in alternative medicine before, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let her handle it."


    While he didn''t fully understand the young woman''s methods, he trusted the Grady family''s judgment, who had insisted on her presence. With this endorsement, the assistant doctors held back their objections.


    Truth be told, he found it hard to believe that a few thin needles could restart a heart. If that was all it took, what was the point of all this equipment? But just as that thought crossed his mind, the heart rate monitor flickered to life with a faint, albeit weak, pulse.


    The assistant doctor''s eyes widened in disbelief. It was faint, but the heart had started beating again, seemingly without their machines.


    Mirabe left the needles in ce and checked over Jim''s wound. After feeling his pulse, she stood up straight. The situation was bad, but this bullet wasn''t as deadly as the one Nick tookst year; there was still hope.


    Relieved, Mirabe slipped off her coat and said in fluent French, "I''ll handle the surgery to remove the bullet. Please get a blood


    transfusion ready." Dr. Ray shook off his shock, offering a wry smite. "There''s no blood left."


    Mirabe paused, looking up at Dr. Ray. "No blood?"


    "Yeah," Dr. Ray nodded, his eyes drifting to the nearly empty blood bag nearby. "Keir''s got a rare A3 subtype, a gic mutation. Only one known in the world."


    They had been on a global hunt for a matching blood sample, but nothing matched the unique Davis family type. Long ago, Dr. Ray had advised storing Keir''s blood regrly. But for some reason, the Davis heirter refused to keep storing it, leaving them with just onest bag, now used up.


    Mirabe noticed the empty blood bag and frowned deeply. Blood is the body''s lifeline; without a timely transfusion, even if she managed to stabilize Chester''s vitals, he''@ eventually sumb to blood loss.


    Mirabe clenched her fingers, knowing time was running out. She grabbed an unopened syringe, drew half a vial of her own blood, and said, "I''m his niece. Test my blood to see if it''s a match."


    Dr. Ray took the syringe, knowing the chances were slim, but with no better options, he agreed, "Alright, give me a few minutes. I''ll get the results as fast as I can."


    Mirabe nodded, "Thanks."


    Without wasting another second, Dr. Ray hurried out of the emergency room. Mirabe turned her gaze to Chester on the bed, silently praying her blood would be the miracle they needed.

 Chapter 1724

    In no time, Dr. Ray came back with the test results. His expression was still tense. Mirabe just needed one look to know it wasn''t good news.


    "The blood types don''t match. We can''t use your blood for Keir," Dr. Ray exined with regret. He cast a nce at the monitor showing a faint life sign, concerned. "If we go ahead and perform surgery to remove the bullet, there''s a risk of hemorrhagic shock. But if we don''t act fast..."


    He might not make it another half hour.


    Dr. Ray didn''t need to finish the sentence. Mirabe, being a doctor herself, understood the gravity of the situation without him having to spell it out.


    "Let''s do the surgery," Mirabe said, her voice steady and calm.


    Dr. Ray opened his mouth to protest, "But¡ª"


    Mirabe raised a hand, knowing exactly what Dr. Ray was about to argue. "I need chilled saline and liquid nitrogen. Can you get those ready for me?"


    Dr. Ray''s eyes widened in surprise. "Are you thinking of using a cryotherapy technique?"


    "Something like that," Mirabe replied, her gaze lowering as she picked up a scalpel. "I''ll take full responsibility for the risks. You just need to get me what I asked for."


    Seeing her steady hands and confident demeanor, Dr. Ray realized he didn''t have


    a better n. He turned to an assistant nearby and quietly gave some instructions. Then he moved to stand beside Mirabe, ready to assist her.


    Three hourster, the operation wasplete. Jim was moved into a sterile room, encased in a metal chamber with only his head exposed. The monitors showed all his vital signs below normal, but his life force, though faint, was stable enough to not be in immediate danger.


    It was nothing short of a miracle.


    "I heard about this advanced cryotherapy method from a top research facility, but it was meant for use minutes after cardiac arrest to preserve the body. I never thought it could be applied to a living patient," Dr. Ray mused, stilt in


    disbelief, standing outside the sterile room.


    He had assisted Mirabe


    throughout the surgery, and her technique left him in awe. In his over forty years in the field, he''d never seen anything like it. If he had been the one performing the surgery, it would have taken him at least twice as long, and he might not have seeded even then.


    Such talent at her age was unheard of in the medicalmunity.


    Yet, Dr. Ray couldn''t help but wonder. He turned to Mirabe, curiosity piqued,


    "Ms. Mirabe, are you from that leading research facility?"


    The medical team there was renowned globally, producing numerous groundbreaking studies in recent years. Watching Mirabe''s methods today, Dr. Ray couldn''t help but make the connection.


    Mirabe''s face was a bit pale. Her deep, almond-shaped eyes seemed devoid of warmth as she answered simply, "No."


    "Really?" Dr. Ray was taken aback but then thought that the world was vast, and perhaps other experts existed with such revolutionary skills.


    "This isn''t cryotherapy either," Mirabe corrected him.


    Dr. Ray looked at her, even more intrigued by her response.

 Chapter 1725

    Mirabe didn''t get into the nitty-gritty; she just asked, "Can I use your hospital''s biologyb for a bit?"


    Dr. Ray picked up on her reluctance to dive deeper and wisely didn''t push her for more. He nodded, "Sure thing. Mind if I ask what for?"


    He knew that while Keir''s surgery had gone well, they weren''t out of the woods yet. If someone stays in a cryogenic state too long, their immune system and cells start breaking down. Without warming them up and getting them the right blood within a day, things could still go south.


    Mirabe''s eyes seemed to wander before she finally said, "Artificial blood."


    "Artificial blood?!" Dr. Ray''s eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Keir''s blood type is rare, plus artificial blood tech isn''t there yet. There are big issues, and even if you whip some up, you can''t just use it on a patient."


    "This isn''t doable!" Dr. Ray shook his head firmly.


    He got that she was desperate to save a loved one, but making artificial blood wasn''t a realistic option. Especially with a unique blood type, even if you had twenty-four months, it might not be enough, let alone twenty-four hours.


    "I''ve got my own ways. Don''t worry about it; I just need ab," Mirabe said, catching sight of Grady hurrying down the hallway towards them.


    In no time, Grady was standing in front of them, peering through the ss into the hospital room. "How''s Keir doing?"


    "Chester will be alright," Mirabe reassured softly.


    Dr. Ray let out a sigh and agreed to her earlier request, "Alright, I''ll sort out a space for you."


    Mirabe nodded, "Thanks."


    Dr. Ray waved it off, "No problem."


    The whole hospital was under the Davis family''s name, so ab wasn''t a big deal. Mirabe nced at Grady, whose eyes were red from worry and gave his shoulder aforting pat, repeating, "It'' be okay."


    Grady turned to meet her steady gaze, and his worry seemed to ease a bit.


    He nodded, "Yeah."


    Mirabe quickly followed Dr. Ray out.


    **Once in theb, Mirabe turned down any offers of help, opting to work solo.


    She took a look around at the equipment, knowing she''d never actually used these tools before. But that was fine; she was a fast learner.


    Pulling out her phone, she switched it toputer mode, her fingers flying over the virtual keyboard as she typed in some code.


    Numbers and characters danced across the projection screen, and after a few minutes, it morphed into a familiarputer interface.


    Mirabe paused, taking in the unchanged screen, before opening an encrypted storage drive.


    After keying in the password, the drive opened easily but waspletely empty.


    Frowning, she ran a program to check for hidden files, but it confirmed that nothing was there. More urately, the entire data source had been wiped clean.


    A sinking feeling hit Mirabe.


    ¨¦t


    While artificial blood tech was still shaky and prone to rejection, it wasmon in the future. But why had hermunity''splete technical records been destroyed?

 Chapter 1726

    Without the right technical resources, she couldn''t conduct the experiment at all. If blood wasn''t supplied within twenty-four hours, Chester would still be beyond saving. Mirabe pressed her fingers against her temples, frustrated for the first time that she hadn''t studied more medicine, leaving her helpless in situations like this.


    Just then, her phone buzzed. A voice call wasing through. It was from Willow. Mirabe took a deep breath, switched off herputer, and answered, "Nellie."


    "Rea, did you just ess the database?" Nellie''s phone was still shing warning alerts.


    "Yeah, that was me," Mirabe admitted. She hadn''t bothered to hide her tracks when she hacked into the family''s database earlier. After a brief pause, she added, "Nellie, why has all the data in the database been destroyed?"


    Nellie coughed a few times, her face looking paler and weaker, taking a moment to catch her breath. "Those were things that disrupted the bnce of this world. Destroying them isn''t a bad thing."


    Mirabe was quiet for a couple of seconds. "So, you let Cassie out on purpose."


    Nellie forced a bitter smile, knowing she couldn''t hide anything from this kid. "Neither of you should be stuck here, nor should you carry the Stevenson family''s fate."


    "You''ve been tied to this so-called fate your whole life. Do you have any regrets?" Mirabe asked, her voice calm, like she was just making small talk. But it made Nellie on the other end suddenly tear up.


    Regrets? How could she not have regrets? But some responsibilities were hers to bear. It was her destiny, her duty. There was no escaping it.


    Nellie pushed down the dull ache in her chest and switched the topic, "Why did you suddenly ess the database? Is something wrong?" Mirabe''s eyes fell on Chester''s blood sample on theb table. "I need to run an artificial blood experiment."


    Nellie was sensitive to the idea of artificial blood, her grip on the phone tightening. "Why do you need to do this experiment?"


    Mirabe hesitated for a couple of seconds, then decided toe clean. She briefly exined Chester''s current situation. "...I''ve got only twenty hours left."


    Upon hearing this, Nellie felt like her mind had blown up. The data had beenpletely destroyed. No matter how good the tech skills were, it couldn''t be brought back.


    Nellie''s hand trembled, barely holding onto the phone. Then, quickly she thought of something, her eyes lighting up with hope. "Right, Cassie, Cassie''s blood can match with Jim''s."


    She spoke quickly, unconsciously mentioning a name she hadn''t used in years.


    Mirabe''s eyes widened. "Cassie can? Howe..."


    "Saving him is the priority," Nellie interrupted her.


    At this point, Mirabe didn''t press further. "Alright."


    "Hold on, if their blood can''t merge, there''s another method to make it work, but it still needs testing. Lonly know the basic steps. Whether it can be developed, Rea, depends on your luck."


    Nellie took a deep breath, as ifforting herself, with a wry smile. "But... maybe you won''t need that step."


    Mirabe''s gaze lowered, asking one more question, "ording to your second method, if... could someone else''s blood work?"

 Chapter 1727

    "No way." Nellie paused, adding, "In this world, only Cassie can help, no one else."


    Mirabe''s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was more to Nellie''s words. If it was about a direct blood rtion... Could that kid be rted to her Chester? "Nellie, what about Cassie''s background?"


    "Now''s not the time to discuss this," Nellie replied quietly.


    Mirabe understood her well enough not to push further. "Got it."


    The call ended soon after.


    Nellie clutched her phone, her pale face clouded with aplicated expression. After a long pause, she let out a soft sigh.


    Some things can''t stay hidden forever. She just hoped the kid wouldn''t hold it against her in the future.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe called James.


    "Can you do me a favor?"


    James picked up on the seriousness in her voice. "What do you need?"


    "Help me get my brother here as quickly as possible." Mirabe felt a wave of relief.


    Relief that the kid was in Merrywoods; otherwise, it might have been toote to help Chester today.


    "Alright," James agreed. "Is something wrong?"


    Mirabe acknowledged with a hum and cleared her hoarse throat. "Chester''s been seriously injured."


    James remembered howst year, she fell into a deep sleep for days after saving her brother Nick. His expression darkened. "Did you do it again?"


    Mirabe rubbed her forehead with her fingertips and coughed, "Performed a surgery?"


    James furrowed his brow, asking, "Are you wearing the ne?"


    Mirabe touched her bare neck, hesitant to admit she lost it a few days ago. "...Yes."


    "Got it. See you in an hour."


    With that, the call ended.


    Mirabe: "..."


    Soon after, Mirabe received a few images from Nellie.


    They were handwritten instructions for preparing a blood fusion serum.


    .n


    After reviewing the steps, Mirabe''s brows knitted together. If she remembered correctly, this seemed a lot like the stuff they worked on at the First Base.


    Had Nellie been to the First Base?


    What was she doing there? And this blood fusion serum wasn''t just a rough idea as she had suggested earlier. It was detailed, detailed enough to suggest she had Studied it closely.


    Mirabe pondered, feeling this likely had something to do with Chester.


    An hourter, James arrived at the hospital with Cassie.


    Seeing Mirabe''s pale but otherwise stable condition, James let out a breath of


    relief. "How''s Uncle doing now?"


    "Stable, for now," Mirabe replied with a wry smile.


    "He''ll pull through."


    "Yeah."


    Mirabe nodded, turning her gaze to Cassie, but before she could speak, the boy''s voice came first.


    "Sis, if there''s anything I can do, just let me know."


    The boy''s eyes were clear and earnest. Mirabe ruffled his hair affectionately. "Alright."


    Soon, Mirabe drew Cassie''s blood for testing.


    The results came back quickly.


    Ipatible.


    But his blood type was the rare Rh-null, also known as golden blood.


    When Mirabe saw this result, she suddenly understood why Nellie said Cassie''s


    blood could be used for fusion.


    Because golden blood can be


    2 by any rare blood type, yet


    receive transfusions from


    any other blood type.


    In theb, individuals with such blood are referred to as universal donors.


    Mirabe tore up the test result and headed to theb, following Nellie''s instructions to prepare the fusion serum.

 Chapter 1728

    Creating the serum wasn''t as straightforward as it seemed. Mirabe had practically barricaded herself in theb and hadn''t stepped out since she started.


    It wasn''t until 11 a.m. the next day that she finally emerged, clutching a vial of transparent serum.


    Dr. Ray had popped in several times, and upon seeing Mirabe atst, he quickly asked, "So, how did it go? Is it ready?"


    "It''s done," Mirabe replied, her voice a bit raspy, her eyes rimmed with fatigue.


    Dr. Ray let out a relieved sigh. "Keir''s condition is really shaky. If we don''t get his body temperature back to normal soon, even if we manage a timely blood transfusion, he might face some seriousplications."


    "I know," Mirabe nodded.


    Dr. Ray''s gaze fell on the vial in her hand. "Is that the blood fusion serum you were talking about?"


    "Yeah," Mirabe confirmed, pulling out her phone to text Alex to get ready for a blood donation. Without wasting any time, she headed towards the ward.


    Dr. Ray ran a hand through his hair, feeling like his medical knowledge was being constantly turned on its head these past couple of days. Using cold saline as a temporary blood substitute was one thing-there were studies on that¡ªbut a blood fusion serum? That was pushing the boundaries.


    Dr. Ray quickly caught up with Mirabe.


    Mirabe first checked on Chester in the ward, then moved to the next room.


    A nurse was drawing blood from Alex, and she had already collected about 500 milliliters.


    His face was paler than usual, and he looked visibly worn out.


    "Hey, sis," Alex greeted from the bed, managing a faint, good-natured smile.


    Mirabe nced over his pale face and then at the blood bag, nodding slightly before pulling up a chair to sit beside him. "Does it hurt?"


    "If I say yes, will you be nicer to me?" Alex joked with a grin.


    His lightheartedment broke the tension in the room. Mirabe


    watched him quietly, surprising ne


    holding back from her usual yful smack, "Sure."


    "You''re being so gentle all of a sudden. It''s kinda weird," Alex remarked, scratching his head, feeling both surprised and pleased.


    Was he secretly into tough love? Mirabe gave him a sidelong nce, "Stop talking nonsense."


    Alex immediately fell silent.


    As more blood was drawn, he started feeling dizzy, and his strength began to fade.


    Another five minutes passed, and Alex''s eyes were barely open, yet he stubbornly kept quiet, enduring it all.


    "We can''t take more; he might go into shock," the nurse warned, concerned.


    Even adults struggle when they lose over a liter of blood quickly, let alone a teenager.


    "I''m okay," Alex insisted, struggling to keep his eyes open. He knew his sister''s loved one desperately needed blood, and what they had


    wasn''t enough yet.


    "We really can''t take more," the nurse pleaded, turning to Mirabe. "It''s too risky."


    Mirabe remained silent, her


    fingers clenching on her knee. After


    another five minutes, she finally


    stood up and gently removed the


    needle from Alex''s arm.


    "Sis... I can keep going," Alex murmured, his consciousness fading, driven by sheer determination.


    Mirabe''s throat felt dry. She gently pulled the nket over her brother, whispering, "You''re my family too."


    There was no reason to save one life by putting another in jeopardy.

 Chapter 1729

    Cassie was out cold, so he didn''t say anything else. Mirabe checked his pulse again and, once she was sure he was stable, she turned to the nurse beside her. "Could you keep an eye on him, please? Thanks."


    The nurse nodded, and Mirabe gave a quick nod back before hurrying out with the blood bag in hand.


    When she got back to Jim''s room, Dr. Ray had already taken out all the equipment, just like she asked.


    "The patient''s temperature is creeping up; we need to start the transfusion right away," Dr. Ray said, ncing at the monitors.


    Mirabe had already hung the blood bag and was injecting a fusion agent into it with a syringe.


    Dr. Ray watched, still not entirely convinced. "Are we sure this is gonna work?"


    Sure, universal blood is like gold dust, but the previous tests had shown it didn''t y nice with the patient''s blood.


    If this new fusion agent could really fix that mismatch, it''d be the talk of the medical world.


    "Maybe," Mirabe said, pausing for a moment before pushing the needle into Jim''s artery.


    The blood started to flow slowly into his body.


    Dr. Ray, standing nearby, nervously wrung his hands. If the blood didn''t mix well, it could lead to a serious hemolytic reaction, causing kidney failure or even immediate shock.


    Jim, being the Davis family heir, was already hanging by a thread; a bad reaction could be the end of him.


    But a few minutes passed, and no rms went off. Instead, the monitors showed his stats were picking up.


    Did it actually work? Dr. Ray''s eyes went wide. "Wow, this is unbelievable!"


    Mirabe didn''t pay any mind to Dr Ray''s surprise, as if she''d expected this oue. After a moment, she adjusted the transfusion speed to slow it down a touch.


    Dr. Ray finally snapped out of his shock. Noticing Mirabe''s calmness, he cleared his throat to regain hisposure.


    was shown up by this young


    He, with all his years of exper


    woman''s coolness under pressure. If others saw this, it''d be a tad embarrassing.


    Dr. Ray rubbed his forehead and looked at the blood bag again, a serious expression returning. "The 1200 milliliters we''ve got might not cut it. To hit the bare minimum, we''d need another 1000."


    He knew the donor was just a teenager; taking that much blood was already pushing it. Any more could be dangerous.


    Thinking it over, he added, "Since this universal blood can save Keir, I''ll give the blood bank a call and check for more stock..."


    Mirabe cut in, "Thanks, but that won''t be necessary."


    During her tests, she discovered that Cassie''s blood had some unique element.


    She hadn''t dug too deep into it but knew that once Nellie''s fusion agent was added, it blended perfectly with Chester''s blood.


    When she tried her blood with the agent, it didn''t work.


    So, it looked like only that young boy''s blood could do the trick for Chester.


    Dr. Ray hesitated, his hand hovering over his phone, "Are you sure? If we run out


    of blood, all our efforts might be for nothing."

 Chapter 1730

    Mirabe''s eyes glinted briefly, but she didn''t bother exining why other rare blood types couldn''t be used. She simply said, "This is enough blood for now. I''ll handle the rest myself."


    Dr. Ray gave her a quick nce, then looked over the blood bags before nodding. "Alright, just let me know if you need anything else."


    After all, someone who could whip up a serum overnight that could blend blood types probably had abilities beyond any of their hospital''s experts.


    "Thank you," Mirabe nodded, her gratitude genuine.


    "No need to thank me, Ms. Mirabe," Dr. Ray shook his head, then added, "I''m quite interested in the serum you''ve developed. If it could be widely applied in medicine, it would be a tremendous blessing for people with rare blood types."


    Mirabe caught the drift of Dr. Ray''s words. She smiled, but it didn''t quite reach her eyes. "The serum is intended for special cases and might not be great for the human body."


    "That''s true; no serum can truly rece human blood," Dr. Ray said wisely, deciding not to push the subject further.


    Mirabe acknowledged him with a soft hum.


    It wasn''t that she was unwilling to share the serum''s form, but doing so would bring trouble to Dr. Ray. If a hospital casually reproduced something from the First Base, it would be more of a curse than a blessing.


    Time ticked by steadily, and three hourster, Mirabe emerged from the hospital room. She hadn''t slept all night and had barely eaten in the past two days, so her face had visibly thinned, and herplexion was pale and weary.


    Grady had been waiting outside the room. Seeing here out, he walked over quickly, "Miss Mira, how''s Keir?"


    Mirabe pressed her lips together, her voice hoarse, but she managed a light tone, "He''s fine."


    Grady felt a wave of emotion rise in his throat, nodding with a slight catch in his voice, "That''s good, really good."


    Mirabe murmured a soft acknowledgment. "Can I go in and see him?" Grady asked, taking a deep breath.


    "You can, but given Chester''s condition, he might not wake up soon."


    Although she had pulled him back from death''s door, his injuries were severe and the extreme measures used to save him meant his recovery would depend on Chester''s will to awaken.


    "I understand," Grady replied with a bittersweet smile.


    Keir had suffered such life-threatening injuries, and being saved was already a miracle. Even if he stayed unconscious, it was within expectations.


    Soon, Grady donned sterile clothing and entered the room.


    Mirabe didn''t follow. She shook her drowsy head and got ready to check on Cassie.


    But as she turned, a wave of dizziness hit her, causing her to stumble forward. In the next


    yel


    moment, a strong arm caught her waist, pulling her into a firm chest.


    The familiar scent reached her nose, and Mirabe closed her eyes in relief.


    James looked down at the unconscious girl in his arms, feeling both tenderness and exasperation.


    Had he been a minuteter, they might have had another patient to deal with.


    With a soft sigh, James scooped her up and headed to the on-call


    she


    doctor''s office, relieved to learn ne


    wasjust exhausted. Once reassured, he carried her to a nearby hotel.


    "Ms. Mirabe, what''s going on here?" Wyatt asked, seeing James return with Mirabe in his arms.

 Chapter 1731

    "Completely wiped out."


    James gently nudged Mirabe''s head onto his chest, guiding her straight to the bedroom. Wyatt hesitated in the living room, unsure whether to leave or stay. He decided to wait around.


    When James finally emerged from the bedroom, Wyatt seized the moment. "James, got a delivery from the Count''s ce."


    James casually rolled up his sleeves and nced over. "Oh, really?"


    "It''s an invite to a birthday shindig. Looks like Murray''s rounded up all the bigwigs and bluebloods from Merrywoods." Wyatt had wasted no time digging into it once the invite hit his hands.


    Given the recent end of the trade fair and the specific interest shown in Ms. Mirabe, Wyatt couldn''t help but be a tad suspicious. The Shepherd family, after all, hadn''t exactly been chummy with the Count''s estate, let alone RSVP to a high- society bash.


    Pondering it over, Wyatt added, "I reckon Murray''s keen to butter you up for that order batch."


    James plopped down on the sofa, leaned back with a casual air, and said, "Nah, pass."


    "Gotcha." Wyatt, expecting as much, moved on. "Oh, and Curtis has managed to sneak into the first base."


    A flicker of interest crossed James''s face.


    "But that ce is on lockdown tighter than a drum. We''ve lost touch with Curtis since he got in." Wyatt sighed, a hint of exasperation creeping into his voice. "He''s ranked seventh among hackers, yet not a peep from him all day."


    "If it were Ms. Mirabe, she''d probably have cracked theirwork before breakfast."


    Wyatt didn''t mean to knock Curtis, but sometimes, you had to call it like it was.


    James shot Wyatt a knowing look. "Tell Curtis to stay sharp. The first base is no yground."


    "Will do." Wyatt straightened up, nodding. "I''ll swing by the hospital to check on Ms. Mirabe''s brother."


    "Alright."


    **By the time Mirabe stirred awake, it was already ten at night The room was wrapped in a cozy darkness, the curtains drawn tight, letting no light intrude.


    She slowly sat up in bed, rubbed her temples, and flicked the light switch on the wall. As soon as the room brightened, the door creaked open.


    "You''re up."


    James strolled in and perched on the bed''s edge. His eyes lingered on Mirabe''s now more slender face, and he couldn''t help but sigh softly. Life without her around was no fun.


    Feeling his gaze, Mirabe instinctively touched her face. "Is there something on my face?"


    James'' gaze remained steady as he gently pulled her hand to his chest. "Nope."


    With her chin resting on his shoulder and her body wrapped in his embrace, Mirabe blinked. "What''s up?"


    James kept his silence, holding her close.


    Mirabe: "..."


    After a moment, a rumbling sound broke the silence.


    Mirabe: "..."


    James finally eased his hold, giving her an amused look.


    Mirabe turned her head away, expressionless. "Guess I''m starving."


    "Haven''t eaten in two days? You must be trying to achieve godhood," James teased, shaking his head


    Without giving her a chance to


    respond, he scooped her up and


    carried her out.


    On the dining table outside, a spread of restaurant dishes awaited, still warm.


    James set Mirabe down on a chair, and as he nced down, he noticed her slightly open cor. Her delicate neck was bare.

 Chapter 1732

    Mirabe felt James''s eyes on her and instinctively shifted a bit to the left before ncing up at him.


    "The ne," James said, leaning casually on the chair with a yful tone, "Are you wearing it?"


    Mirabe just stared for a moment. Lying never ends well; it has a way of catching up with you. She cleared her throat, sat up straight, and replied with surprising ease, "Well, I might''ve lost it when I was helping out a friend the other day."


    It was odd, really. Being as alert as she was, she should''ve noticed it slipping off. But when she woke up and found it missing, she couldn''t recall how it happened.


    Thank heavens it wasn''t the heirloom from her grandmother; she''d have been beside herself.


    James looked at her, recognizing her attempt to stayposed, and sighed softly. He ced a clean set of utensils in front of her. "Alright, let''s dig in."


    Mirabe blinked, then added, "Honestly, I have no clue how I lost it."


    James nodded, pondering. "No worries. I''ll get you another one in a few days."


    After discovering that the pendant Catherine left had some special significance for Mirabe, he had it looked at by experts. While nothing unusual about the material was found, he learned that others were on the hunt for a pendant with the same design.


    After mulling it over, he had a few warm jade pendants crafted, hoping they might have the same effect. He still hadn''t cracked the mystery of Mirabe''s strange low-temperature sleep fromst year, so the pendant from Catherine was crucial.


    Mirabe quietly nced at James again, then picked up her chopsticks and started eating.


    After dinner, she went to her room for a shower, finally feeling more at ease.


    James was on the couch, texting Wyatt. When Mirabe emerged, dressed and ready, he sent onest message and put his phone away. "Heading back to the hospital? he asked. Mirabe nodded, "Yeah, I''m worried about the kid."


    "Aside from being a bit weak from blood loss, he''s okay. Wyatt''s looking after him, so don''t fret, everything will be fine," James reassured her as he stood up. "Come on, I''ll walk you there."


    Mirabe gave him a look but didn''t say no.


    The hotel was just a short walk from the hospital, about seven or eight minutes, so they decided to stroll over rather than drive.


    It was already midnight, and the streets were practically deserted. The streetlights cast their long shadows, giving the scene a cozy, peaceful vibe.


    Out of nowhere, a few headlights sliced through the calm, and the roar of fast- moving cars quickly broke the night''s silence.


    Three ck sedans zipped past Mirabe and James, heading straight for the hospital.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow and nced ahead, but the cars were gone in a sh.


    The street settled back into its midnight tranquility.


    **At the hospital.


    The three ck sedans pulled up to the entrance. From the lead car, someone hopped out and swiftly opened the back door.


    "Mr. Davis."


    Jaime stepped out leisurely, dressed


    in a sleek ck suit, casually


    spinning a rosary in his hand. He nced at the hospital entrance, a slight smirk on his lips, and strolled inside with his crew following closely.

 Chapter 1733

    As soon as they stepped into the hospital, Jaime''s aide was ready to lead him to the elevator for a trip up to the eleventh floor. That''s when a man appeared from the nearby corridor, stepping in their way.


    "Cole? What''s going on?" Jaime''s aide asked, clearly annoyed.


    Cole''s left arm was in a sling, wrapped in bandages and a splint against his chest. Despite his injuries, he carried an undeniable air of authority.


    Ignoring the aide, Cole focused on Jaime. "Didn''t expect to see you here sote, Mr. Jaime. What''s the asion?"


    Jaime''s aide frowned, ready to speak up, but Jaime lifted a hand, signaling him to fall back.


    "I heard Keir was seriously hurt, so I came to check on him," Jaime said, his hand resting behind his back, his expression as friendly as ever. "Is he doing alright?"


    Cole''s face showed no change as he gave a polite nod. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Jaime. Keir''s stable. The doctors have advised rest, and he''s already asleep at this hour. Perhaps another visit time would be better."


    "Oh, is that so? I heard Keir was in pretty bad shape," Jaime replied nonchntly, fiddling with a rosary, making it clear that he knew more than he let on.


    Cole managed a tight smile, standing firm. "I think you might have heard wrong. Keir did get hurt, but nothing too serious."


    Jaime''s eyes flicked to Cole''s injured arm, a slight smirk ying on his lips. "If it''s nothing serious, why can''t I see him? Unless there''s something you''re trying to keep under wraps?"


    Sensing Jaime''s less-than-friendly intentions, Cole knew saying more would just fuel the fire. With a steady gaze, he said, "If you insist on going upstairs, I''m afraid that''s not going to happen."


    "What kind of attitude is that?" Jaime''s aide had had enough, his hand inching towards his waist. "You''re just a servant. How dare you block our way?"


    "I''m just following Keir''s orders. He doesn''t want to see anyone," Cole replied, unflinching. "If someone tries to force their way in, we''ll have to to handle it ording to the Davis family''s rules."


    "Quit hiding behind rules," the aide started, but Jaime interrupted with a cough. Maybe I''m just too worried about Keir. It''ste, and I shouldn''t disturb him. I''lle back tomorrow."


    With that, Jaime didn''t leave room for more conversation. He shot a sideways nce at his aide and turned to leave.


    The entire exchange took less than three minutes from start to finish.


    Cole stood his ground, watching Jaime and his aide walk away, his face etched with concern.


    As long as their master was okay, things were manageable. But if something went wrong, Jaime''s camp would surely stir up trouble. Tomorrow promised more chaos.


    Cole took a deep breath, then grabbed his phone to shoot a message to Grady.


    *Outside, as Jaime stepped into the night, his aide looked back, puzzled. "Boss, are we just leaving like that?"


    Jaime''s eyes glinted with satisfaction. "Yeah, seeing him isn''t the point. The real issue is that Keir might really be in trouble this time."


    The aide caught on, his eyes lighting


    up. As he hurried down the steps


    and opened the car door, he


    murmured, "Exactly, or Grady


    wouldn''t have Cole standing guard."


    "If it were just a minor injury, would they be so cautious?" the aide added. "Maybe


    this is our chance."


    Goodnight. The author hides face and sneaks away.

 Chapter 1734

    Jaime lingered at the car door for a moment, casting a cool nce over his confidant. "Mind your words."


    The confidant was momentarily caught off guard, but as soon as their eyes met, he got the message. "I overstepped."


    "Remember, the Davis family holds decorum in high regard," Jaime said, giving his confidant''s shoulder a meaningful pat.


    With that, he bent down and slipped into the car.


    Rules are made by people, but the person making them isn''t always the same.


    The confidant nodded slightly, closed the car door, and joined him inside.


    The car started up quickly, just as it had arrived, and the three vehicles sped out of the hospital in a neat line.


    As they approached the intersection, the confidant, still mulling over Jaime''s words, gazed out the window.


    On the sidewalk, a couple was walking by. The woman, closer to the buildings, was hard to make out, but the man on the outer side had a striking presence, and something about him seemed vaguely familiar.


    He reminded the confidant of the arms bureau guy he''d seen at an underground marketst year.


    In a split second, the confidant hit the brakes hard.


    The sudden stop jolted Jaime forward, and once he settled back, he frowned towards the front. "What''s going on?"


    The confidant''s eyes were still glued to the street, but by now, he could only see the two figures disappearing around a corner. Hearing Jaime''s displeased tone, he quickly exined, "Mr. Davis, I think I just saw someone from the arms bureau outside."


    As he spoke, the confidant rolled down the window and pointed outside.


    Jaime nced out the window but only caught a fleeting glimpse as the figures vanished around the bend.


    He turned back and eyed his confidant. "Do you really think someone from the arms bureau would be wandering around here at this hour?"


    The confidant scratched his head, responding almost automatically, "The silhouette seemed familiar."


    "There are plenty of people with simr builds," Jaime remarked, closing his eyes again. "Drive."


    The confidant quickly restarted the car.


    Thinking it over, it made more sense.


    The arms bureau agent was notoriously elusive, rarely seen in Merrywoods. It was unlikely he''d be casually strolling down a street like this at night.


    Maybe the confidant had been mistaken; after all, he hadn''t seen the man''s face clearly from such a distance.


    The confidant shook his head and refocused on driving.


    **Meanwhile, Cole had just wrapped up a call with Grady and was heading back to the hospital room when he looked up to see Mirabeing in from outside. His eyes lit up immediately.


    Cole hurried over and gave Mirabe a deep bow. "Good evening, Miss Mira."


    Mirabe paused, looking at the


    earnest young man in front of her, who seemed about twenty-five or twenty-six, and couldn''t help but smile wryly. "And you are..


    Cole remembered Miss Mira hadn''t met him before. He bowed again and introduced himself, "Miss Mira, my name is Cole. Just call me Cole."


    Mirabe cleared her throat. "No need to be so formal."


    "Oh, but there is," Cole replied with a pained smile, his voice tinged with guilt. "If it weren''t for you, Miss Mira, Keir wouldn''t have pulled through. I couldn''t have forgiven myself."


    Since the incident, all Cole had heard from the doctors was that there was no hope. It was Miss Mira who had turned the situation around, turning despair into hope.


    Cole now viewed Mirabe almost like a miracle worker.

 Chapter 1735

    Mirabe wasn''t exactly sure how Chester had gotten hurt, but she didn''t push for the details. Instead, she turned her focus to Cole''s arm. "Is your hand alright?"


    Cole felt a wave of warmth from her concern. "It''s no big deal, just a little scratch. Thanks for asking, Miss Mira." To prove his point, he gave his left arm in the cast a reassuring pat, though the pale look on his face told a different story.


    Mirabe looked away, pretending not to notice his difort, and said, "I''ll head upstairs to check on Chester first."


    Cole let out a small sigh of relief and nodded quickly. "Okay, Miss Mira." He hurried over to the elevator, pressing the button to go up.


    Soon after, Mirabe and James stepped into the elevator. As the doors closed, Cole''s respectful gaze was finally shut out.


    Mirabe rubbed her temples, feeling a slight headacheing on.


    Next to her, James chuckled softly. "When''s Miss Mira going to show some concern for her boyfriend?"


    Without a change in her expression, Mirabe gave him a gentle nudge with her foot. "How about I show my concern with a kick?"


    James just shook his head. "You''re as heartless as ever."


    The elevator chimed, announcing their stop on the eleventh floor. They exited together.


    Mirabe first went to check on Chester. After taking his pulse, she felt relieved. Things were looking better than she had feared.


    Then she made her way to Cassie''s room.


    Even though Cassie had donated over a liter of blood, his body was bouncing back quickly. He''d only been out for three hours before waking up. Despite being a bit pale, he was full of energy. When Mirabe walked in, he was sitting cross- legged on the hospital bed, engrossed in a video game with Wyatt.


    The two were having a st. Mirabe watched them, a teasing smile on her face. "Looks like we didn''t take enough blood."


    Cassie looked shocked. "!!!"


    Oh great, he thought, I''m in trouble now.


    Wyatt hadn''t expected Mirabe and James to show up. He coughed, put away his phone, and stood up, nodding in greeting.


    Cassie quickly tossed his phone aside and admitted, "Sis, I messed up."


    Mirabe hooked a chair with her foot and sat downzily. "Oh, the hero of our


    blood drive, what could you possibly have done wrong?"


    The tone of his sister''s voice sent a


    chill down Cassie''s spine. It


    reminded him of every time he''d


    been in trouble with the elders,


    always preceded by this sarcastic tone.


    Cassie rubbed his head and cautiously said, "You did promise to be nicer to me in the future."


    "Of course, Mirabe nodded, then


    turned to Wyatt. "My brother loves gaming. Could you set up some ydates for him over the next few days?"


    bet


    Cassie''s eyes widened, and he shook his head vigorously. "No, I''m not y into ying. With all this


    blood


    loss, I''ll get dizzy if loverdo it."


    With that, he flopped back onto the bed, pretending to be weak.


    Wyatt''s lips twitched.


    You didn''t look dizzy when you were ying just now, he thought.


    "Don''t worry, some liver and onions will help with the blood loss," Mirabe said, her smile widening.


    Cassie could only stare, speechless.


    "Alright, keep having fun." Mirabe pped her hands, stood up, and made her way to the door.


    "Hey, sis..." Cassie sat up quickly, but seeing Mirabe leave without looking back, he turned his hopeful gaze to James. "Brother-inw?"


    "Your brother-inw doesn''t have much say at home either," James sighed softly and followed Mirabe out.


    Cassie could only sit there, feeling utterly defeated.

 Chapter 1736

    The following morning, Jaime found himself back at the hospital, this time with a posse of elders from the Davis family in tow. Word had only just reached these elders about Keir''s grave condition, and the urgency of the situation had them rushing over without a moment''s dy.


    Jim, the current head of the Davis family, was pivotal to the family''s future. With no wife or named sessor, the stakes were high, and everyone was beginning to have their own agendas. Nick, groomed to take over, had the skills but was bogged down by some serious mental hurdles, making him less than ideal to lead the family. And then there was Miss Mira, who''d been making waves recently, but really, how formidable could a country-raised girl be?


    The group piled into the elevator, heading straight up to the eleventh floor. Jaime was puzzled about why Grady hadn''t arranged for someone to stop them at the entrance today. But as soon as the elevator doors slid open to reveal a lineup of armed guards, his questions were answered. The whole floor was locked down; Keir''s condition must be touch-and-go.


    With a hand casually tucked behind his back, Jaime traded knowing nces with the elders before stepping out of the elevator. They barely made it a few steps before being halted.


    "Apologies, Mr. Jaime and esteemed elders, but Keir requiresplete rest and isn''t seeing visitors," Reid announced, his tone a stark contrast to Cole''s icy demeanor the night before, nowced with a courteous smile.


    One elder, visibly worried, asked, "So, what''s really going on with Keir?"


    Reid kept his smile in ce. "Keir''s stable, but Dr. Ray insists on strict rest. I''ll make sure he gets your messages."


    The underlying message was clear. "That''s not good enough," another elder shot back. "We''re here not only to check on Keir but to discuss.


    some pressing matters. If he ne


    stable, we won''t take much of his time."


    "We need to see for ourselves that Keir is truly okay," chimed in another elder, determined. ¡°We''re not leaving until we do."


    Jaime couldn''t help but smile at how


    the elders were cranking up the


    pressure on Grady. Even if they didn''t get to see Keir, Jaime''s objective was being met. The Davis family was overdue for a leadership change.


    Reid stood firm, brow furrowed, as he listened to the elders'' ostensibly noble intentions. He saw through their facade-they were just here to confirm if Keir''s condition was beyond hope. Once they knew Keir was still out ofmission, the power ys would begin? Did they really think the Davis family could hold its ground in Merrywoods without Keir''s strength?


    These myopic fools wereughable. Reid''s eyes flicked to Jaime, suspecting that


    the news of Keir''s injury had been deliberately leaked by him.


    "Alright, let''s not jump the gun," Jaime finally piped up, perhaps catching Reid''s pointed gaze. "Where''s Grady? Why isn''t he here?"

 Chapter 1737

    Reid''s gaze turned steely, his voice losing its earlier warmth. "Grady''s tied up with some urgent stuff right now."


    There had been some chaos in the southern sector that morning, and Grady needed to be there pronto. Jaime was probably pulling strings behind the scenes.


    With Grady out of the picture and Keir''s recovery up in the air, Reid knew he had to tread carefully to keep any mischief at bay.


    "Oh, really? He''s got time to juggle other things at a moment like this?" Jaime said, feigning surprise.


    Reid didn''t take the bait.


    Jaime chuckled, turning to the elders standing with him. "Looks like Keir''s not too banged up; otherwise, Grady would''ve shown up by now."


    That only made the elders more determined to see Jim.


    "Reid, move aside. We''re seeing Keir today, no two ways about it," one elder dered, dropping any pretense of politeness.


    With Grady away, they felt no need to hold back. The elders started to push forward confidently.


    Reid tilted his head a smidge, and his men instantly lined up, blocking the corridor. Their weapons were up, ready for action.


    The elders felt the sting of this defiance.


    "How dare you!"


    Just a servant, acting all high and mighty? "To see Keir, you''ll have to get past us first." Reid sneered.


    He and his crew were decked out in matching ck tactical gear, the air around them thick with tension, like a storm about to break.


    "Keir treats us with respect. Who do you think you are?" one elder shot back,ughter tinged with disbelief.


    Reid didn''t flinch, refusing to engage further.


    They only took orders from Keir and


    Grady, not worried about stepping on the elders'' toes. Furious, the


    elders thought about pushing


    through but hesitated, eyeing Reid''s men and their ready weapons.


    Beside them, Jaime''s lips curled into a subtle, knowing smile.


    Grady''s team was doing exactly what he expected. Let them rile the council; when the dust settles,


    40


    we''ll see how Jim''s side handles the fallout.


    The standoff dragged on in the hallway for a tense five minutes.


    Just as Jaime was about to st


    Sin


    and y peacemaker, the elevator behind them chimed.


    That ding and the doors sliding open seemed louder than ever in the charged atmosphere, drawing everyone''s gaze.


    As the doors parted, two figures stepped out.


    One was a young woman clutching a medical report, seemingly deep in


    conversation with Dr. Ray beside her.


    Feeling the tension and the eyes on her, she slowly lifted her head.


    Dr. Ray, spotting the crowd and especially Reid''s men with their weapons, was visibly startled despite having seen simr scenes before.


    His face nched a bit.


    The woman talking to Dr. Ray was none other than Mirabe. After giving the gathered crowd a calm once-over, she stepped out of the elevator.


    Dr. Ray, still feeling the weight of the moment given the formidable crowd, instinctively followed Mirabe as she moved.


    Reid''s icy demeanor melted into respect when he saw Mirabe. He approached her and dipped his head slightly. "Miss Mira."

 Chapter 1738

    As Reid called out, "Miss Mira," everyone in the room, including Jaime and several elders, turned their attention to Mirabe. Their expressions were a mix of surprise, curiosity, and appraisal. Jaime, in particr, seemed more intrigued by Mirabe than even the elders were. Just two days ago, he''d gone out of his way to visit the Davis family estate, only to find she wasn''t there.


    Jaime squinted slightly, watching the young woman who stood unfazed despite the crowd. It was unexpected. He''d assumed she''d be a timid, inexperienced girl, freshly returned from the countryside, but she surprised him with her calmposure. Even Dr. Ray, a seasoned doctor in his sixties, couldn''t match her serene demeanor. It was impressive.


    Jaime toyed with his prayer beads, realizing he needed to dig deeper into this girl''s background. Ignoring the curious stares from the others, Mirabe nodded slightly at Reid and asked, "What''s going on?"


    Reid nced at Mirabe, recalling Grady''s instructions before he left to follow Miss Mira''s lead while he was away. He quietly exined the elders'' insistence on seeing Keir, without bothering to introduce them or Jaime.


    After listening, Mirabe lifted her head and coolly scanned the elders and Jaime, sensing their hostility from the moment she stepped out of the elevator. It seemed like a ssic move from the wealthy and powerful: "kick them while they''re down."


    Mirabe sighed inwardly, confirming her belief that keeping a low profile was the only way to survive in this world. "Chester needs rest. He''s not seeing anyone. Just follow through on that," she said, her voice icy, not even bothering with formal greetings for the elders. The message was clear-do whatever it takes. Reid''s eyes brightened as he nodded, "Got it, Miss Mira!"


    With her backing, they wouldn''t be held ountable by Keir if they had to fend off the elders. Mirabe nodded slightly, then turned to Dr. Ray beside her, "Let''s go. I have another n you might want to consider..."


    Dr. Ray blinked and quickly caught up with Mirabe, "Alright." Reid''s men, who had been lined up, promptly parted to make way for Mirabe and Dr. Ray, their attitudes entirely respectful, just as they would be towards Keir.


    This scene darkened the elders'' faces with displeasure. Someone not yet officially recognized by the family was treated with more respect than they were. It was & deliberate slight. To make matters worse, the girl hadn''t even


    acknowledged them with a greeting, tantly ignoring them-it was excessively rude and arrogant. Their initial impression of Mirabe plummeted.


    "Hold on there is this how your parents raised you, to ignore your elders?" one of the elders demanded, stepping forward to confront Mirabe. But as he took that step, Reid discreetly intervened, causing the elder to stumble back.


    "What''s this, a rebellion?" The elder red at Reid, seething with anger. Reid, now feeling backed by authority, smiled calmly, "Second Elder, maybe you didn''t hear what Miss Mira just said?"


    Good night- The end.

 Chapter 1739

    Reid turned to the second elder before addressing Mirabe. "Miss Mira, you should head out first. I''ll take care of things here."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow at Reid but gave a quick nod. "Alright."


    In no time, she and Dr. Ray vanished from everyone''s sight. Reid''s focus shifted back as his team resumed their positions, effectively blocking the passageway. The second elder''s face scrunched up in displeasure. "What''s going on here?"


    "Please, take it easy," Jaime chimed in, resting a calming hand on the elder''s shoulder. He nced in Mirabe''s direction and added, "Miss Mira is young and just got back. It''s understandable if she''s not fully acquainted with our ways yet. No need to get worked up."


    Though it seemed Jaime was defending Mirabe, his words subtly pinned the me on her.


    With a disdainful snort, the second elder remembered that this so-called Miss Mira was from the countryside. "Miss Penelope is around the same age, but she doesn''t act so high and mighty."


    It''s true; where youe from often shapes who you are. Is she really worthy of being called Miss Mira?


    "Well, it''s not exactly apples to apples," Jaime chuckled. "They didn''t start from the same ce."


    One was raised within the Davis family, and the other was brought back from the countryside. How could youpare the two?


    The second elder turned to Reid again. "Are you really going to stand up for this country girl, Miss Mira, and make things difficult for us?"


    Reid stood his ground, unwavering.


    The second elder, realizing they wouldn''t see Keir today, nodded with a smirk. "Fine, but don''t say I didn''t warn you."


    With that, he turned and left. The rest of the elders saw no reason to stick around and quickly joined him in the elevator.


    Jaime, thest to leave, gave Reid a knowing look. "Miss Mira''s already ruffled a few feathers. Her journey ahead won''t be smooth."


    Reid watched Jaime closely, his brow furrowing slightly.


    Jaime, with a sly smile, twirled his


    rosary


    ele as he stepped into the


    elevator. Once the doors shut, Reid shook off Jaime''s unsettling grin.


    His eyes darkened as he ordered his team to stay put, then went to find Mirabe.


    **As Jaime and the elders went downstairs, they soon parted ways.


    Jaime lounged in his car, one leg casually crossed, watching the cityscape blur past with a satisfied grin.


    After a moment, he turned to his trusted driver. "Has Miss Penelope returned yet?"


    The driver nced up in the rearview mirror. "Not yet. There''s a new


    faction causing a stir in the soul new


    and She''s still dealing with them. It might take a while."  fo


    Jaime nodded thoughtfully. "Give her a callter and update her on Keir''s situation."


    The driver looked a bit confused. "If Miss Penelope manages to handle that faction, it could really boost her standing in the Davis family. If she hears about Keir, though, she might rush back."


    "If she doesn''te back, someone else might take what''s hers," Jaime remarked coolly.


    This niece Jim found has a presence that matches Penelope''s. Even if we don''t know her full potential, it''s better to be safe than sorry.


    The elders might underestimate her, but Jaime wouldn''t. In the Davis family, underestimating anyone is a mistake.


    Just like with Nick years ago. Everyone thought he was easy prey, but he turned out to be a real powerhouse.

 Chapter 1740

    One Nick was already a handful, and the thought of another was enough to stir up chaos in the Davis family, leaving the power dynamics up in the air. That''s not what Jaime wanted. Even if Jim''s niece was just an ordinary person, with no special skills, it was wise to stay ahead of the game.


    Jaime''s eyes sparkled with a knowing, cold smile. His right-hand man quickly caught on to who Jaime was hinting at and nodded. "Got it."


    "Good."


    Jaime leaned back in his chair, letting silence fill the room. Just then, his phone buzzed.


    It was an unknown number. Jaime never bothered with those and dismissed it without a second thought. But the persistence of the caller was clear when the phone rang again momentster. This time, Jaime hesitated briefly before picking up. "Hello... Yeah, see you soon."


    After hanging up, a subtle change washed over Jaime''s expression. His confidant asked cautiously, "Mr. Davis, who was that?"


    "The Earl''s estate, Count Murray wants a chat," Jaime replied, pondering this unexpected invitation.


    The confidant looked puzzled. "The Earl''s estate? We''ve never been on the best of terms with them. What''s he after now?"


    "No idea," Jaime said, squinting a bit as if trying to see through the mystery.


    "So, you n on going?" The confidant had overheard Jaime agreeing to the meet-up.


    "Yeah, let''s see what he''s cooking up," Jaime said, unconcerned about any potential threat. Even with old grudges, no one would dare to act out in the open. There had to be a reason for this meeting.


    "But what if it''s a trap..." The confidant began, but Jaime cut him off. "It''s fine." He rattled off a different address.


    "Alright then," the confidant conceded, steering the car around at the next intersection.


    ...


    Twenty minutester, they pulled up at the agreed spot with Count Murray, a private club.


    When a waiter led Jaime into the room, Murray was already there, a few minutes early.


    "Mr. Davis," Murray greeted, still seated, motioning towards the sofa across from him as an invitation for Jaime to sit down.


    "Count Murray," Jaime nodded slightly.


    After his confidant gave the all-clear that the room was safe, Jaime took a seat, cutting straight to the chase, the asion for thiso


    3ing?"


    Murray chuckled, pouring Jaime a cup of coffee himself. "I was hoping we could be friends."


    "Oh? That''s a new one. Everyone knows there''s been tension between you and the Davis family," Jaime said, matching Murray''s smile with one of his own.


    "Tension isn''t a vendetta, wouldn''t you agree, Mr. Davis?" Murray said, lifting his chin a bit. His secretary stepped forward, handing Jaime a contract. "Consider this an olive branch from the Earl."


    Jaime took a moment to nce at Murray, then epted the document. As he


    scanned through it, shock flickered across his face. "This..."


    Murray sipped his coffee, "Baycliffe might be a bit chaotic, but its potential is something you''re well aware of, right, Mr. Davis?"


    Jaime clutched the contract, fully aware of the situation in Baycliffe. The discovery of treasures there had drawn a lot of attention. The Davis family had initially wanted in, but Jim had put his foot down, making it a taboo topic.


    s?novel

 Chapter 1741

    In reality, most of the council elders had been quietly questioning Jim''s decision for quite some time. After all, everyone looks out for their own interests, right?


    Jaime took a deep breath. Now that the Earl''s estate had approached them with a joint development contract, how could anyone resist such a tempting offer? If he could get involved, it would boost his standing within the family significantly. With this thought, a wave of excitement washed over him, but he kept his cool and simply asked, "I can''t quite figure out why your Earl''s estate wants to partner with me."


    "Because you''ve got the chops for it," Murray said, raising an eyebrow. "I''ve had my differences with your family head, but that doesn''t mean we can''t have a good working rtionship, Mr. Davis."


    Jaime got the hint loud and clear, but he knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. "What''s the catch?"


    Partnerships are all about mutual benefit, after all.


    Murray chuckled, cutting straight to the chase. "My birthday party is in a couple of days. I''d like you to bring someone along."


    "Who?"


    "Mirabe."


    Jaime was taken aback. "Why do you want her there?"


    "It''s not like I need her for anything specific," Murray put down his coffee cup, looking intrigued. "I''m just curious about what makes her stand out enough to catch the First Base''s attention."


    "First Base?" Jaime was momentarily thrown off.


    He hadn''t really paid much attention to Keir''s niece and had no clue why First Base was interested in her.


    "Looks like you''re in the dark too," Murray said, easily reading Jaime''s reaction.


    Jaime gathered his thoughts and replied, "To be honest, Miss Mira just got back a couple of days ago and hasn''t even officially shown up in the family yet."


    "Is that so. But this ''Miss Mira'' title?" Murray, not exactly clued-up on high society etiquette, could tell from the title that she had some status. Jaime shrugged it off, "It''s just a title, nothing more."


    This put Murray at ease. Given her ties with the Weapons Bureau, if she also had


    a high standing in the Davis family, he might have to reconsider his partnership with Asa.


    "So, are we good to go on this partnership?" Murray brought the focus back to business.


    Jaime looked at the contract in his hand.


    Jimid up with serious


    injuries and his future uncertain, this was


    ¨¤ golden opportunity. After a bit


    of thought, he nodded, "Deal."


    "You''re a straight shooter, Mr. Davis." Murray paused, making sure everything was clear, "Keir doesn''t have any special attachment to this girl, right?"


    Jaime smirked, "That''s nothing for you to worry about. Even if he did, he wouldn''t have the energy to protect her."


    Murray sensed there was more beneath the surface, "What do you mean by that?"


    Jaime just shook his head and stood up, "I''ll bring her to you the day after tomorrow."


    After all, Miss Mira wasn''t fully recognized yet, and she wasn''t Keir''s biological daughter. Even if Kei were still around, he wouldn''t go to war with Murray over a young girl.


    Soon, Jaime and his right-hand man left the private room.


    "This Jaime could really be an asset for us," Murray''s secretary remarked quietly.


    "Absolutely," Murray said, stretching his neck, "Going after those with a hidden


    agenda is the easiest way to hook them."


    "True that," the secretary grinned.

 Chapter 1742

    Murray mulled over Jaime''sst remark and said, "By the way, check if anything''s up with the Davis family."


    The secretary nodded, "I''ll get right on it."


    "Alright." Murray waved him off casually.


    Meanwhile, back at the hospital.


    In the hospital room, Mirabe was still busy with Jim, giving him a shot. It took about half an hour to finish up.


    After checking his pulse and confirming that Chester''s condition had stabilized, she finally felt a wave of relief.


    She stepped out of the room.


    Reid, who''d been waiting outside, rushed over as soon as he saw Mirabe, "Miss Mira."


    Mirabe looked a bit worn out, but nothing too serious. She nced down the hallway, "Everyone''s gone?"


    "Yeah, they''re all out." Reid nodded, then asked, "When do you think Keir will wake up?"


    "His injuries are pretty severe. Whether he wakes up or not depends on his willpower," Mirabe replied with a tired smile.


    She could mend physical wounds, but those emotional scars buried deep were beyond her help.


    Reid clenched his fists, "Keir''s gonna make it."


    "He will," Mirabe assured.


    Reid rxed his grip, then suddenly kneeled before Mirabe, eyes full of regret, "Miss Mira, I''m really sorry."


    Mirabe was caught off guard.


    Reid lowered his head, "When the council and Mr. Jaime were here, I shouldn''t have put you in the spotlight, making you a target for their ridicule. That was my bad."


    Miss Mira had done so much to save Keir, yet Reid''s impulsive move to elevate her status in front of Jaime and the others had unwittingly thrown her into the family feud, potentially making her a target for their hidden plots.


    Even if he had the chance to do it over, Reid would probably make the same choice. The chaos within the Davis family had already made Miss Mira''s position a tough one.


    Seeing Reid bow his head, Mirabe understood his intentions. With a soft sigh, she helped him up, her voice steady, "If you call me Miss Mir¨¤, then I have to live up to it."


    Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Being Miss Mira wasn''t a walk in the park.


    Reid''s guilt deepened, "I''m really sorry."


    Mirabe''s gaze was calm, "Even if you hadn''t done that today, their mockery would havee eventually. It was just a matter of time."


    Reid wanted to say more, but facing Miss Mira''s calm gaze, he swallowed his words. He simply said, "I get it."


    Even if Miss Mira wasn''t holding him ountable, he was ready to face any consequences.


    "By the way, why isn''t Grady around today?" Mirabe asked.


    "Grady''s probably been sent off on an errand. He might not be back for a couple of days," Reid replied


    thoughtfully. After a pause, he added "Miss Mira, don''t worry.4 I''ll make sure there are more people watching over you discreetly."


    "


    Mirabe gave him a knowing look, "That''s not really necessary..." This wasn''t protection; it was like putting a target on her back. Pressing her fingers to her temple, Mirabe sent Reid off and headed to Cassie''s


    room.


    *Cassie looked up as Mirabe walked in, his eyes tired and red, "Sis, I really messed up."


    His sister was relentless; she''d had people keep him up all night ying games.


    He hadn''t slept a wink, and he was still recovering! Mirabe shot Cassie a stern look, motioning for the others to leave the room. Once they were alone, she pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of his worn-out face.


    Cassie was stunned, "Sis, what are you doing!"


    "Oh, just sending it to Nellie, so she can see how ''happy'' you are," Mirabe said


    lightly.


    II

 Chapter 1743

    Cassie covered her face for a moment, then peeked over to check out Mirabe''s phone screen, only to be met with nothing interesting.


    "Did you really send that photo to Nellie?" she asked.


    "Do I look like I''m kidding?" Mirabe shot back, her phone in hand as she sauntered over to a chair by the big window and plopped down.


    Hearing this, Cassie quickly flipped on her phone''s camera. Seeing those dark circles under her eyes, she was instantly hit with a wave of despair. "Oh no, oh no... I''ll never be Nellie''s favorite pretty face again."


    Mirabe just rolled her eyes. "..."


    How could someone be sopletely shameless?


    Ignoring Cassie''s melodramatic groans, Mirabe leaned back, rxed. On her phone''s Messenger app, there was indeed a sent picture, but it wasn''t the one she''d just snapped of Cassie.


    In less than a minute, a reply popped up on Messenger.


    Nellie: [Did my advice not work?]


    Nellie had been holding back from texting Mirabe for days, worried that she might notice something was up, and any questions could lead to answers she''d rather not face.


    Seeing the picture Mirabe sent, Nellie''s hands trembled as she clutched her phone. She never thought she''d see Jim again in such a way.


    Fifteen years had passed, and time had only refined his features, making him seem moreposed. His serene demeanor made it difficult to reconcile with the decisive man she remembered, yet somehow, he fit perfectly with the image in her memory.


    Nellie leaned her head back, fighting to keep the tears at bay.


    Just then, Mirabe''s message came through: [Not a failure, it''s just that Chester has lost his will to live.]


    Nellie: [Lost his will to live... what does that mean?]


    Wasn''t he the one who took responsibility more seriously than anyone else? How could someone from a sprawling family like the Davis''s lose the will to live?


    Mirabe paused, then typed back: [When someone''s spirit breaks and they lose what keeps them going, not even a miracle could save them.]


    Nellie''s face went pale, thinking about Jim''s character. A dull ache surged through her chest. There


    were things she couldn''t bear to


    think about, but once they started brewing, they threatened to topple the resolve she''d maintained for so many years.


    Nellie opened the photo again, her fingers grazing the screen as if she could touch the person inside.


    Rea had asked her recently if she had any regrets. She wanted to say yes.


    But right now, she suddenly didn''t want those regrets anymore.


    Taking a deep breath, Nellie put her phone away and turned back into her room. Her eyes scanned the room before she walked to the dressing table, pressing a hiddenpartment on the side. It popped open, revealing a small drawer.


    Inside was a key. Nellie hesitated for a moment, then took the key without a second thought.


    She left the room, heading to the


    door at the end of the right-hand et


    corridor. The wooden door was locked, its lock thick with dust, clearly untouched for a long time.


    With the key in hand, Nellie quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside.


    A few minutester, she emerged, holding a few items. Just as she was relocking the door, a voice sounded from behind her.


    "Heading out?"


    Nellie nced up, then turned to face the speaker. "There''s something important I need to take care of."


    The voice belonged to Paxton, who looked at the items in Nellie''s hands and seemed a bit relieved.

 Chapter 1744

    He figured she''d never have to dig out her old identity papers again. Something must''vee up to make her break that promise.


    Paxton didn''t press for details. He just said, "Go on. We old folks here will keep everything under control."


    Nellie was quiet for a bit before nodding, "Thanks."


    "It''s been tough on you all these years," Paxton sighed. If it weren''t for her role as the leader, she wouldn''t have ended up like this.


    Nellie turned away, keeping her emotions in check, and said, "I''ll head off now."


    "Alright."


    Paxton nodded, watching her leave until she vanished from sight, then slowly brought his gaze back.


    Meanwhile, Mirabe noticed Nellie hadn''t replied, so she put her phone away. She turned her attention to Cassie, who was sprawled out on the bed, saying nothing for a moment.


    Cassie, feeling uneasy under her gaze, asked cautiously, "Why are you looking at me like that?"


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow and lowered her legs. "No reason."


    "I don''t buy it," Cassie muttered, feeling like his sister was brewing some grand scheme.


    Mirabe brushed off his suspicion and changed the subject, "What''s going on with school?"


    "Those assignments are a breeze. I talked it over with Mr. Hammond, and I''ll just study at home and go straight to the finals," Cassie shrugged.


    With finals about a month and a half away, Mirabe nodded, "Sounds good."


    She thought for a moment, then texted Nick, asking where he got the study materials he''d given her a couple of years back.


    Cassie should focus on what students should do, she figured. Three boxes of tough study materials were absolutely essential. Unaware of the avnche of working his way, Cassie took the


    talk


    chance to ask, "Hey, can we?


    about something?"


    Mirabe didn''t even look up, "Shoot."


    "Uh, could you maybe get those Emmitts to stop ying games with me?" Cassie looked pained.


    They were more of a burden than a help. He could''ve yed better with his eyes closed.


    Mirabe finally looked up, surprisingly agreeable, ¡°Sure.¡±


    Cassie blinked, taken aback by how easily she agreed. It wasn''t like her at all.


    After getting Nick''s response, Mirabe smiled, feeling pretty good, "You get some rest. I''m off to see Dr. Ray."


    Cassie, suddenly feeling a sense of doom, thought, ¡°...¡±


    Nick, after wrapping up his chat with Mirabe, called his old assistant overseas.


    He told him to get the study


    materials ready ASAP. After giving


    instructions, he dived back into instructions;


    work, needing to look up some.


    documents, and then went with


    colleagues to the advanced research library.


    Sincest year''s document theft incident at the medical school, he was cleared of suspicion. With his recent contributions to theb''s research, his researcher status got a little bump up.


    Before, he could only ess the regr library, but now he had the green light for the advanced research library.


    This was his seventh trip to the advanced library today, and thanks tost year''s incident, the door now needed multiple verifications to open.


    Security was tight. There were even 360-degree surveince cameras inside the library.

 Chapter 1745

    Nick adjusted his sses and started digging through the files with his colleague. The beauty of having paper records is that they act as a backup in case digital data ever goes missing. That''s why the massive archive room was packed with decades'' worth of records.


    Each year''s documents were neatlybeled, making them pretty easy to sort through. Nick''s eyes scanned the shelves until he stopped at the section marked for fifteen years ago. He shifted slightly, noticing his colleague bent over, looking through some files below. Casually, he twisted the bezel on his watch, waited a couple of seconds, and smoothly pulled out one of the sealed bags from the shelf.


    The watch was a special gadget Mirabe had modified for him. It had a built-in signal jammer that could disrupt signals for two minutes. Nick had tested it a few times, and it was top-notch, even better than thetest jammers on the market. It allowed him to create a brief window where no one would notice anything out of the ordinary.


    With quick hands, Nick opened the sealed bag. Fifteen years ago was a year loaded with records-around forty to fifty bags, nonebeled with their contents. With time being tight, he could only go through a couple of bags each visit. Up until today, he had managed to sift through just half of that year''s records.


    Today, though, the bag he picked had fewer documents. As he flipped to thest few pages, Nick''s expression shifted. He''d finally found what he was looking for. His fingers tightened slightly, and he started skimming through the pages at lightning speed.


    Just then, his colleague straightened up, still focused on the papers in his hands, and said, "Nick, I found an experimental report from a couple of years ago. Think it might be useful?"


    The colleague turned around, and Nick had already slipped the documents back into the sealed bag, looking up with a calm demeanor. "That was quick."


    "Yeah," the colleague said, ncing at the sealed bag Nick held but thinking nothing of it, and handed over the file he''d found.


    "Let me take a look." Nick scanned through it rapidly and nodded. "This must be the report the chief was talking about."


    "That''s what I thought too," his colleague smiled. "Since we''ve got it, let''s head out." "Sounds good."


    Nick handed back the file. As his colleague turned away, Nick quietly returned the fifteen-year-old


    et yel


    document to its spot. They both left the archive room shortly after.


    As they walked out, the interference signal was lifted. In the monitoring room, no one noticed that the archive room footage had been offline for those two minutes.


    After wrapping up his work for the day, Nick got home and picked up his phone to call Jim. To his


    surprise, it went straight to


    voicemail. Feeling a bit puzzled, he tried dialing Grady instead. This time, the call went through immediately.


    "Mr. Nick, you were looking for me?"


    Nick acknowledged and exined the earlier call issue, "...Uncle, are you with Chester? Could you pass the phone to him?"


    Grady paused before responding, "I''m not at the Davis estate right now, Mr. Nick. If there''s something urgent, I can ry the message."


    Catching the unusual tone in Grady''s voice, Nick furrowed his brow and asked, "Did something happen?"


    Grady, holding the phone tightly, nced at the chaos outside and decided toe clean. "Keir was seriously injured and hasn''t woken up yet."


    Nick''s eyes widened in shock.

 Chapter 1746

    "When did this happen?" Nick asked, caught off guard by theck of news.


    "Just a couple of days ago," Grady replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion. The whirlwind of events over the past few days had left him with no time to catch a break, the weariness clearly etched on his face.


    A dangerous glint appeared in Nick''s eyes. "Who attacked Chester?"


    "An assassin group," Grady said.


    Nick frowned. "That group has always kept a respectful distance from the Davis family. How dare they cross the line?"


    "They were hired by someone. My men managed to catch one of them, but before we could get anything out of him, he took poison and died," Grady exined, rubbing his temples as if to ease the tension. "This isn''t a simple case. I''m still digging into it."


    Messing with the Davis family was no small affair.


    Nick narrowed his eyes, making a swift decision. "I''ll head back to Merrywoods tonight."


    With Chester in trouble, the elders would probably jump at the chance to create chaos within the Davis family.


    "What about your medical schoolmitments?"


    Recalling the documents he''d seen earlier in the day, Nick replied, "I''lle up with an excuse to leave."


    Grady considered it and nodded. The Davis family needed someone solid to keep things steady, and having Mr. Nick back would be reassuring.


    "Alright, I''ll make sure someone picks you up from the airport."


    Nick nodded. "Oh, and Grady, about Mira..."


    Grady anticipated his concern. "Don''t worry. I''ve already arranged for someone to keep Miss Mira safe."


    With that assurance, Nick felt a weight lift off his shoulders.


    The call wrapped up quickly, and Nick wasted no time packing his bags.


    **The next day, in Merrywoods, Nick''s assistant promptly delivered the high school study materials to the hospital.


    Cassie tore open the boxes with excitement but was stunned to find three entire boxes filled with review materials.


    "All this study material?" Wyatt, who was keeping herpany, was equally floored by the mountain of exam prep books.


    Cassie''s face twitched as she


    recalled her sister''s questions about school that morning. It clicked her sister had set her up! Cassie felt like she''d walked into a wellid trap. Her sister was truly cunning!


    "Wyatt, since we both have ''cloud'' in our names, could you do me a favor?"


    Cassie pleaded, trying to look as pitiful as possible.


    Wyatt''s instincts red this couldn''t be good. "Uh, what is it?"


    "I want to go home. Like, now."


    Wyatt''s lips twitched, and he shook his head. "I can''t help you there. That''s a tall


    order." He paused, then added, "Maybe ask James."


    At the mention of James, Cassie


    help but vent. "Seriously, as


    of James, Cassie


    doesn''t have any


    that just embarrassing"


    "Ahem..." Wyatt nced towards the door, suddenly quiet.


    all!


    "My sister with her devious ways, aside from being pretty, she''s wed in every other way..." Cassie


    grumbled, noticing Wyatt''s frantic gestures. "Wyatt, what''s up with you?"


    Wyatt: "..."


    Well, he had tried his best.


    Hopefully, Cassie wouldn''t end up in too deep.


    Wyatt straightened up immediately, nodding respectfully towards the door, his


    voice full of respect, "James, Ms. Mirabe."

 Chapter 1747

    Cassie stiffened, slowly turning her head to see a couple standing at the doorway, not sure how long they''d been there: "..."


    "Oh... my... God!"


    Mirabe leanedzily against the doorframe, a teasing smile on her face.


    "Heartless? Nothing but ws?"


    Cassie snapped to attention, quickly trying to defend herself. "No, sis, you must''ve misheard. I was just saying you''re the most beautiful!"


    "My hearing''s just fine," Mirabe said, pretending to clean her ear. "Seems like you''ve got quite a few thoughts about me."


    "Not at all." Cassie shook her head so vigorously it was like a bobblehead, almost ready to spill her heart out to prove her innocence.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, letting her gaze drift over the three boxes of study materials scattered on the carpet, not saying a word.


    Seeing this, Cassie quickly grabbed a book. "I''ll just get back to studying..."


    Wyatt, standing next to her, sighed softly, clearly aware of the pecking order.


    Mirabe didn''t step into the room but instead shot a nce at the man next to her. Before she could say anything, he chimed in.


    "What does status even mean? Is it more important than having a girlfriend?"


    James''s voice was smooth andid-back, like a gentle breeze.


    Mirabe stared at him for a moment, then gave him a thumbs-up.


    Can''t out-flirt that guy.


    James chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Mirabe''s hair.


    Cassie, sneaking a peek at the scene from the doorway: "!!!"


    Shameless flirt! Just then, a phone rang.


    It was Mirabe''s.


    She pulled it out, noticing it was an unknown number from the local Merrywoods


    area.


    Mirabe thought for a second, then stepped out of the room to answer.


    The caller was the old butler from the Davis family estate. "Miss Mira, do you have a moment?"


    Mirabe recognized the butler''s voice. "Hmm" The butler nced over at Jaime, who was sitting in the


    side room. "It''s about Mene


    your uncle I mentioned the


    day. He says he needs to see you. He''s at the house waiting.


    Mirabe had been at the hospital for the past few days and hadn''t- been back to the Davis estate, but she remembered the butler mentioning this uncle.


    10¡ã


    After a quick thought, she said, "Alright, I''ll be there in half an hour."


    From the hospital to the estate, she figured it was better to see what was going on rather than avoid it.


    The butler on the other end sounded


    relieved. Although he didn''t know


    why Jaime was so insistent on


    meeting Miss Mira, at least she


    hadn''t t-out refused, keeping


    things polite.


    After hanging up, the butler returned to the side room. "Mr. Davis, Miss Mira said she''ll be back in half an hour."


    Jaime set down his coffee cup, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.


    He hadn''t expected her to agree so easily toe back; he thought it might take a bit more persuading.


    But being sensible was good; he wasn''t ready to resort to other methods just yet.


    Jaime''s lips curled slightly as he told the butler, "Alright, I''ll wait."


    ...


    Meanwhile, Mirabe put away her phone and turned to James. "I have to head over to the Davis estate. Can you keep an eye on things here for me?"


    Though Reid had arranged for the entire floor to be tightly secured, having Emmitt from the armory around made her feel more at ease.


    James looked at Mirabe. "Is something up?"


    Mirabe shrugged. "Just dealing with an uncle."


    James nodded quickly. "Okay, you go ahead. Call me if you need anything."


    Mirabe gave him a quick mock salute, turned, and left.

 Chapter 1748

    At the airport, Nick had just stepped off the ne, and Reid was right there to meet him.


    "Hey, Mr. Nick," Reid greeted, nodding respectfully before grabbing Nick''s suitcase.


    Nick, looking sharp in his sleek ck suit, carried himself with a tall,manding presence. He had this cool, aloof vibe about him. As they walked toward the exit, he asked, "Has Keir woken up yet?"


    "Not yet," Reid replied with a bit of a grin. "We''ve got Miss Mira to thank for Keir still hanging in there. Without her, well..."


    Nick knew all too well about Mirabe''s medical skills, and that knowledge eased his mind a bit. "With Mira there, I''m sure Chester will pull through."


    "Absolutely," Reid nodded.


    Miss Mira had quite the reputation for turning around cases that stumped the hospital''s best doctors. With her on their side, it was just a matter of time before Keir would be back on his feet.


    They reached the parking lot, and Reid stashed the luggage in the trunk. Once in the car, he checked the rearview mirror, started the engine, and asked, "Mr. Nick, do you want to head to the Davis estate or go straight to the hospital?"


    "Let''s hit the hospital first," Nick answered without a second thought.


    "You got it," Reid replied. Just as he turned the car, his phone buzzed.


    Noticing it was one of his team, he slipped on his Bluetooth earpiece and answered, "...So, Mr. Jaime''s at the main house? And Miss Mira''s already back?"


    Nick, sitting in the back, caught snippets of the conversation. Once Reid hung up, Nick asked, "What''s the deal?"


    "Mr. Davis went to the main house, iming he needs to see Miss Mira. She''s already returned. A few days back, he stirred some of the elders to make a fuss at the hospital. I''m worried he''s up to something," Reid exined, frowning.


    Nick knew Jaime as a sly character, always plotting something. After a moment, he decided, "Let''s swing by the Davis estate first."


    Even though Mirabe was incredibly capable, she might still fall prey to


    Nickaime''s crafty schemes


    to make sure she was


    alright. "Alright."


    Meanwhile, Mirabe had just arrived back at the Davis estate.


    The old butler was already at the door, waiting. "Miss Mira."


    Mirabe gave a slight nod, dropped her car keys on the foyer table, and followed him into the sitting room.


    Jaime was in the middle of a phone call. Seeing Mirabe walk in, he didn''t bother to pause, continuing at a rxed pace as if she was the one who needed him.


    "Miss Mira, why don''t you take a seat for a bit?" the butler suggested, ncing at Jaime.


    He then brewed a fresh cup of coffee for her.


    With her usual easygoing nature, Mirabe settled on the sofa, patiently waiting.


    Five minutester, Jaime wrapped up his call. Turning around, he found Mirabe sitting there, looking quite at ease, not at all what he expected.


    Something flickered in Jaime''s eyes as he sat down. "Let me introduce myself. I''m Jaime, your third cousin once removed."


    Mirabezily drummed her fingers on her knee, tilting her head slightly, her eyes giving off a nonchnt glint. "Oh, just get to the point."


    Even though Jaime was in the ''power seat, he felt an odd pressure under her gaze. This niece of Jim''s... Jaime squinted, pushing aside his difort, andid a


    gold embossed invitation on the coffee table. "Make sure Keir gets this."

 Chapter 1749

    Mirabe nced at the invitation lying on the coffee table but didn''t bother picking it up. Instead, she kept her eyes on Jaime, waiting for him to continue.


    Jaime noticed that Mirabe wasn''t even interested in looking at the invitation, nor did she ask any questions about it, which made him frown. Finally, he broke the silence, "This is an invitation from the Earl''s estate, specifically asking Keir to attend the party tomorrow."


    The mention of the Earl''s estate made Mirabe''s expression shift subtly. Just days ago, someone from the estate hade to "invite" her. Now, with an invitation sent to the Davis family, it seemed like Chester''s invitation was just a cover¡ªshe was the real target. With Chester out ofmission due to his injuries, she was the logical stand-in.


    This must be why Jaime had the old butler call her back to the main house.


    Mirabe pursed her lips slightly, then nodded, "Alright, I''ll pass the invitation to Chester."


    Jaime was taken aback; her straightforward response threw off the borate exnation he had prepared. He had dug into Jim''s situation thoroughly. Although Jim was unfortunately still alive, he was unconscious, and Jaime nned to use this to pressure Mirabe into going in Jim''s ce.


    He didn''t expect her to agree so easily, not following the usual back-and-forth.


    "Can Keir actually make it tomorrow?" Jaime asked, clearly skeptical.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow, countering, "Did the Earl''s estate say attendance was mandatory?"


    Jaime was at a loss for words.


    Seeing him stumped, Mirabe smirked, "Since it''s not required, Keir can choose not to go." She made a point to call Chester by his first name, Keir.


    "Absolutely not!" Jaime snapped.


    He suddenly recalled Mirabe''s


    ul


    simple upbringing-maybe she didn''t grasp the importance of the Earl''s estate or the weight behind the Earl''s invitation. With this in mind, Jaime exined, "You probably aren''t aware of what the Earl''s estate stands for or how significant the Earl''s invitation is. It''s not


    something you can just brush off."


    Mirabe nodded casually, "Aren''t you part of the Davis family too? Why not go yourself?"


    "I..." Jaime began, but he faltered.


    After a moment, he continued, "The


    invitation is for Keir, not for a


    secondary family member like me to stand in for the head of the family. Are you joking?"


    Jaime chuckled dryly, struggling to keep his cool, and added, "I''ll chalk up yourment to your age andck of understanding. Don''t go embarrassing the Davis family."


    "Okay," Mirabe repliedzily, sipping her coffee.


    Watching this, Jaime felt like he was trying to punch a pillow-soft and giving,


    leaving no impact on her, only adding to his frustration.


    He took a deep breath, trying to keep


    hisposure, and decided to be


    vern


    direct: "Someone has to attend the Earl''s birthday party tomorrow.. know Keir can''t go, and such important events require the main family, not secondary members. Since everyone calls you Miss Mira, you need to step up. Right now, there''s no one more suitable than you to represent the Davis family without breaking protocol."


    Finally, he got to the heart of the matter.


    Mirabe clicked her tongue lightly in thought, set down her coffee, and was about


    to respond when a cold, firm voice cut in- "Who said there''s no one else besides Mira?"

 Chapter 1750

    As the words echoed in the room, Jaime''s eyes narrowed slightly, and he instinctively nced up.


    Nick strolled in, carrying an aura as brisk and cold as a winter breeze. His demeanor was icy, like an Arctic cier, and his eyes held a chilling intensity. He stopped in front of Jaime, locked eyes with him, and said with an edge, "Aren''t I the one more qualified?"


    Jaime froze, caught off guard by Nick''s sudden return, especially at such a critical juncture. Nick had always been groomed as the heir, well-respected within the family, making him the obvious choice to attend the Earl''s birthday g instead of Jim.


    Darn it, was he here to throw a wrench in Jaime''s ns? Mirabe noticed Jaime''s expression shifting rapidly, her curiosity piqued.


    She got up, genuinely surprised, and looked at Nick. "Nick, when did you get to Merrywoods? Why didn''t you drop me a line?"


    Nick''s eyes softened when he looked at his sister, a hint of affection breaking through his cool facade. "I just got in. Left in a rushst night, so I didn''t get a chance to let you know."


    Ah, that exins it. Mirabe nodded, figuring he must have caught wind of Chester''s trouble, which prompted his hasty return to the Davis family.


    Nick gave his sister''s hair a gentle ruffle before shooting a cold nce at Jaime. "No worries, with me around, no one''s going to push you around."


    Mirabe: "."


    Jaime: "?"


    Seriously, who''s pushing who around here? His heart was on the verge of bursting from frustration, couldn''t they tell?


    Nick bent down, picking up the invitation from the coffee table. His long fingers unfolded it slowly, and spotting the Earl''s distinctive seal, he folded it back up.


    "I''ll be going tomorrow," Nick told Jaime, leaving no room for argument.


    This unexpected twist left Jaime simmering inside. He couldn''t find a way to refuse without revealing his own ns. He''d need another strategy.


    Jaime took a deep breath, stood up from the couch, and said, "In that case..."


    "Can Nick bring a plus one? I''ve


    never


    Mirabe cut in, taking the inviel


    en the Earl''s estate,"


    from Nick. "I''d love to see what it''s like."


    Hearing Mirabe''s eagerness to go, Jaime swallowed the rest of his words and said, "Sure, that''s doable."


    Nick turned to his sister, his


    expression a bit puzzled. She''d already snagged that guy from the Shepherd family; did she really heed to see more? "Are you serious about going?" Nick asked.


    Mirabe nodded earnestly, "I''m not joking."


    Nick wasn''t sure what she was up to, but he went along with it, "Alright then."


    Jaime, tuned into the siblings'' chat, missed the look on Nick''s face. So when he heard Mirabe was going to the Earl''s estate, he felt relieved. Whatever happened, it was her decision to go. Anything that happened would be on her


    He hadn''t forced her! Jaime quickly found an excuse to leave the Davis family.


    Once he was gone, Nick turned to Mirabe, "Sis, why do you want to go to the Earl''s estate?"


    Mirabe blinked, replying with sincerity, "I really want to see more of the world."


    Nick: "..."


    He almost bought it.


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