Chapter 256

If Cybernetic Shadows couldn’t find J, they’d have to bow down to her.
At the mention of this, the members of Binary Oracle grew excited. It was true. They’d heard that J had revealed herself on her own terms, having nothing to do with Cybernetic Shadows’ efforts.
Juniper: [Good. You know what to do.]
With their boss’s permission, Binary Oracle immediately infiltrated the Cybernetic Shadows’ official website. A taunting message filled the screen: [Hey, kids. Your masters are here. Aren’t you going to come out and greet us?]
Cybernetic Shadows played dead. Finding J should have been a simple task, one they could have easily completed. But for some reason, their leader had forbidden them from looking into it. In the end, J had appeared out of nowhere, and now they were being humiliated by those dogs at Binary Oracle. It was a miserable feeling.
Juniper navigated to the Cybernetic Shadows website and raised an eyebrow. Her little minions were fast.
At the same moment, Shanley’s phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, and the content made his already grim face darken even further.
He looked over and saw the girl beside him smiling brightly. He nearly laughed out of sheer anger. The little traitor! For her sake, he had dropped the mission, which had led to this public mockery from Binary Oracle. And here she was… having a delightful chat about Melvin.
Just then, the car hit a bump.
“Drive steadily,” Shanley snapped, unable to direct his anger at the girl, so he took it out on Flint. “If you can’t drive, get out.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Flint, the innocent scapegoat, silently enduring the unjust blame.
Soon, the car finally pulled to a stop at Cloudscape Community. The door opened, and Shanley got out, storming inside in a silent fury.
Juniper, accustomed to him opening the door for her, sat in the car, puzzled, watching his retreating back.
“Flint, what’s wrong with your boss?” she asked with a deep frown.
Flint wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead. “He’s angry.”
“Angry?” Juniper blinked, not getting it. “Just because the car wasn’t steady? Is he really that upset over it?”
“Uh Flint stared at her, speechless. “It’s not my fault.”
Being stuck with these two was truly something else.
“Then it was Felton?” Juniper asked, looking at Felton in the passenger seat with a serious expression.
Felton and Flint remained silent.
they
“Let’s go,” a voice said. Just as the atmosphere turned awkward, the
angry man returned. Though he!!!
still upset, his tone was as gentle as ever. “Get out of the car.”
“Oh.” Juniper walked over to him and finally noticed how dark his
expression was. She blinked anne?
offered a quiet word of comfort. Felton and Flint didn’t mean it.
Felton and Flint? Shanley’s brow furrowed slightly. “Why do you think I’m angry?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
“Wasn’t it because the ride was bumpy?” she asked, tilting her head up, her face a picture of innocent charm.
Shanley pinched the bridge of his
nose, a laugh escaping his lips despite his frustration, He gently patted her head. Alright Since
you’re pleading their case, l’Ifforgive them this time.”
He’d deal with the other matter later. If Jimmie, her actual brother, couldn’t take her
away from him, an outsider like Melvin stood no chance.
Just as they reached the front door, Dana appeared, looking flustered. “Sir, Ms. Payne’s brother is here! He says he’s taking Ms. Payne with him!”