Chapter 127

Half an hour later, as the meal was winding down, Shanley had a mango pudding brought out for Juniper.
“Low sugar, no ice, extra mango.”
Jimmie, wiping his mouth, could no longer contain his curiosity.
“How do you know my sister’s preferences so well?” he asked. He, her actual brother, hadn’t even had the chance to learn them yet.
Juniper just blinked, saying nothing.
“A guess,” Shanley explained without missing a beat. “It’s what most young girls like.”
A guess? That accurate? Or did the girl he was smitten with just happen to have the same taste?
“You—” Jimmie felt something was off and was about to press further when Juniper suddenly spoke up. “I’m full.”
“Okay,” Jimmie immediately dropped his line of questioning, turning his full attention to her, offering water and a napkin. “Juniper, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
“Hmm?” Juniper replied, her bright eyes focused on the mango pudding. She really liked this flavor.
“With your university entrance exams coming up, I was thinking of arranging for someone to look after you. It would ease the burden on Saskia and let you focus on your studies,” Jimmie explained, carefully watching her expression. “The person is
“I’ll take care of Juniper,” Shanley interjected smoothly, elegantly wiping his hands. A faint smile played on his lips, his voice calm and steady.
“Didn’t you just say it was inconvenient?” Jimmie asked, turning his head.
“It’s convenient now,” Shanley said, clearing his throat. His eyes flickered up, his voice even and firm. “I’ve been thinking. Dana is getting older. She’s great with meals, but Juniper has exams to prepare for. There will be subjects she needs help with. If I’m looking after her, I can tutor her as well.”
Jimmie listened intently. It made sense. Shanley had a dual degree; his intelligence was off the charts. If he tutored Juniper, her grades would surely improve quickly.
“Also,” Shanley paused for a moment before continuing, “if I’m not mistaken, Juniper is moving to Cloudscape Community, right? I happen to have an apartment there, and I need to be in the area for work. Looking after her would be no trouble at all.” “What a coincidence,” Jimmie said, staring at Shanley. If he didn’t trust him so implicitly, he’d swear the man had an ulterior motive.
“Yes, quite the coincidence,” Shanley replied, his gentle gaze landing on the girl’s fair, beautiful face.
“Juniper, what do you think?” Jimmie asked her softly.
Juniper, full and relaxed, leaned back in her chair and lazily lifted her eyes.
“Dana can cook a wide variety of cuisines; you can have basically anything you want,” Shanley said, pouring the girl a glass of water. “She’s especially good at desserts. Her mango cake is to die for. If you stay with me, you can have whatever you’re craving, whenever you want.”
After delivering this, Shanley watched her with an intense gaze. He saw her eyes light up and knew his sugar-coated bribe had hit its mark.
“Fine,” Juniper said with a slight arch of her brow.
What did it matter where she lived? If there was good food involved, that was all that mattered.
She agreed. Just like that. Jimmie was bewildered; it all felt too easy. His sister was a very reserved person. Even with him, her own brother, he could feel a certain distance, a barrier. Was he imagining things? He felt that her attitude toward Shanley was different from her attitude toward him. She seemed more relaxed around Shanley.
Strange. Wasn’t this their first time meeting?
“Well then, I owe you one,” Jimmie said, his mind still swirling with questions as he raised his glass in thanks.