Chapter 1021

Luella Langley was speechless.

"Oh, by the way," Juniper Payne added after a brief pause, "isn't it about time we replace the equipment in the Subterra Vanguard medical research lab? This money came in right on time."

"Right on time, indeed."

Luella's stomach was doing flips, but hearing Juniper so unfazed left her with no choice but to bite the bullet. "I'll coordinate with the reps from Sanctum Holdings right now. I'll let you know as soon as I hear back."

"Okay."

Ending the call, Juniper casually tossed her phone into her bag and lifted her gaze to the man sitting beside her.

Shanley Schwartz had his arm securely wrapped around her waist. His lips were pressed into a thin line as he stared out the window in total silence.

The sunlight caught the sharp, masculine angles of his profile, highlighting a jawline that belonged on a magazine cover. He was, without a doubt, a spectacular sight.

Blinking, Juniper leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Shanley stiffened slightly. His dark eyes shifted to the young woman's face, his voice coming out a husky murmur. "All done?"

"Yeah."

She nodded. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the gold medal she'd won in the long-distance race earlier and slipped it around his neck.

The gold medal looked utterly ridiculous against his tailored suit and crisp shirt.

"For me?"

Instead of getting annoyed, Shanley cradled the medal in his palm, treating it as if it were a priceless treasure.

"Mhm."

Juniper gave a little nod, then added nonchalantly, "I slapped Sheryl Yardley across the face today."

"You went easy on her."

Shanley already knew a bit about what had gone down at Eclara University.

He had originally intended to deal with the girl himself, but then he figured his girl might find it more therapeutic to take out the trash on her own.

If not... he really might have to reconsider his approach.

"Have your fun," Shanley said, threading his fingers through her silky hair. He raised a brow, his tone unyielding and deeply intoxicating. "Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."

"Feeling a little guilty, Mr. Schwartz?" Juniper tugged firmly on his tie, pulling him closer.

"Of course."

Shanley pulled her smoothly onto his lap, his hands settling securely on her hips as he leaned down to capture herlips. "I wouldn't dare do anything that might make me lose my wife."

"How about-"

Pulling back just enough to let them both catch a breath, he joked, "I just wear a

mask whenever I leave the house from now on?"

Juniper scrunched her nose and nipped affectionately at his lower lip.

When they pulled back, they shared a knowing, synchronized smile.

While the two of them flirted and bathed in their sickeningly sweet romanée in the back, Felton and Flint were suffering in suffering in the front, seats.

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They didn't dare look back. They barely even dared to breathe.

In their minds, they were praying for the sweet release of being thrown out of the moving vehicle.

***

The tennis tournament arrived in the blink of an eye.

Before the first serve even happened, the premeds were

practically popping champagnol net

the sidelines, loudly claiming the gold medal was already theirs.

Sheryl had caked on heavy makeup to hide the lingering handprint on her cheek.

Dressed in her pristine tennis whites and gripping her racket, she paraded around with an obnoxious "this is my court, bow down" attitude.

She was reveling in it.

"Just haters, Juniper. Don't listen to them."

Hattie and the class president led a group of computer science students trailing

behind Juniper, ready to cheer her on.

"What's the format for this tournament?"

Juniper asked casually, tearing her gaze away from the circus.

"It's a blind draw for the group stage to determine the top three, then a final bracket

to decide the placements."

Hattie flipped through the event program. "Juniper, you drew a student from the music department."

Music department?

Juniper paused, picturing the typical artistic students.

Well, she'd have to be careful not to accidentally launch the poor girl into orbit with a single swing.

She needed to save that kind of explosive energy... for Sheryl. Now that would be a show worth watching.