Chapter 257

Jimmie was back? Shanley’s tall frame stiffened slightly, his deep eyes instinctively glancing at Juniper. The girl’s lips were pressed into a thin line, her pretty face wrinkled in a slight frown, her expression unreadable.
“Understood,” Shanley replied, then turned to Juniper and said softly, “Let’s go, Juniper.”
Juniper didn’t move. She stood her ground, her clear eyes fixed on him.
“What is it?” Shanley asked, curious.
Juniper pursed her lips, her voice a little husky. “My bedroom door is broken, right? And my things can’t be taken out?”
“That’s right,” Shanley said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He took a step closer, lowering his head slightly to meet her gaze, his eyes warm and fond. “You don’t want to leave, do you?”
“I have this bad habit Juniper licked her lips, her expression serious. “Once I get used to a place, it’s hard for me to adapt to a new one. Changing places will affect my studies.”
Affect her studies? The girl who had skipped two years of high school and scored perfectly on every subject was claiming a change of scenery would affect her studies?
“What are you smiling at?” Juniper’s cheeks flushed a light pink, a hint of annoyance in her voice as she saw the smile on his handsome face grow wider.
“Nothing,” Shanley murmured, his eyes soft. He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, the corners of his mouth lifting.
“I understand everything you’re saying, Juniper. I’ll talk to Jimmie in a minute. I’ll get him to agree to let you stay here for a while longer.”
As for the future… after this little girl finished her exams, he had other plans in mind. “Okay,” Juniper nodded, her expression softening. “Let’s go then.”
Shanley smiled helplessly. If the girl was this attached to him, what chance did anyone else have? Melvin was just playing with fire by trying to get close. Once he joined the Orient Country Racing Association, he’d better behave and stay away from Juniper. Otherwise…
At the thought, Shanley’s gaze turned sharp and cold.
Inside the top-floor penthouse of Cloudscape Community.
“Juniper.” Upon seeing her, Jimmie stood up eagerly and walked towards her with open arms. “Come, give your brother a hug.”
The sudden embrace startled Juniper, causing her to take two steps back.
“Careful.” Shanley swiftly steadied her, pulling her into his arms to prevent her from hitting the hard wall.
Seeing his sister’s rejection of him and the intimacy between the other two, Jimmie’s expression grew thoughtful.
“You two
“She just got back. Don’t frighten her,” Shanley said calmly, releasing Juniper and turning to Jimmie. “If you think about it, you two have spent less than half an hour together in total. Even though you’re her brother, she’s grown up now. It’s natural for her to be a little shy.”
Jimmie considered Shanley’s words and found them reasonable. He kad been a worse brother to her than Shanley had. No wonder Juniper was closer to him and distant with her own flesh and blood.
But that was fine. Aside from the MV production, his recent work was
mostly
piched. He could spend
quality time with her now. He would make up for everything she had lost.
“Juniper, come sit with me.” Jimmie composed himself and patted the spot next to
him on the sofa. “I brought you presents.”
Juniper glanced at Shanley before finally moving to sit beside her brother.
“See if you like these.”
The moment she sat down, Jimmie eagerly produced a huge shopping bag filled with luxury goods. Bags, jewelry, designer clothes, accessories…