Chapter 1156

The doctor's office.

Juniper sat in a chair, carefully reviewing Shanley's medical records.

Head trauma, fractured ribs, hairline fractures in both legs...

Injuries everywhere.

He hardly looked like a normal person anymore.

If not for his years of rigorous training and the protective measures he took in advance...

He probably would have been waiting in line at the gates of hell by now.

"Although there are micro-fractures, it's not terribly serious," the doctor said respectfully. "With some time to rest, he'll gradually recover."

"Mhm." Juniper closed the file after finishing. "Thank you all for taking care of him."

"It's our duty." The doctor was flattered, and knowing her identity made him even more respectful. "The other doctors just mentioned that Mr. Schwartz seems to have misunderstood his condition. He's in a bad mood and wants to see you."

"Okay." Juniper's lips curled, a faint smile flashing in her eyes.

The kiss worked.

That stupid man finally caught on?

A little while later.

Juniper returned to the hospital room.

The door pushed open.

As soon as Juniper walked in, the man immediately craned his neck and asked weakly,

"Where did you go?"

"Mr. Schwartz, you're so selfless. I just went to find a replacement for my 'ex' here," Juniper leaned against the doorframe, smirking.

"Cough, cough." Shanley's face turned ashen. It took him a good while to recover before he rasped, "Juniper, come here."

"No way, we're about to break up." Juniper deliberately adopted a sarcastic tone. "Shouldn't we keep our distance?"

"You heartless little thing, you tricked me." Shanley was both angry and helpless, his tone softening. "Come here."

"Tch." Juniper scoffed lightly, stepped up to the bed, and sat sideways next to him. Before the man could speak.

Juniper suddenly leaned down and rested her head gently against his chest.

Shanley stiffened, putting a hand on her shoulder and stroking her hair. He asked hoarsely, "Still mad at me?"

Juniper didn't answer. She bit down hard on his arm.

Very hard.

Leaving teeth marks.

It hurt, but for Shanley, it was mostly sweet.

Her venting meant she could still forgive him.

"I'm sorry." Shanley let her bite him, his voice thick with emotion. "The plan was viable but full of holes. J Sanctum Holdings saw through it, it' wouldn't just expose your identity, it would implicate the rest of our friends."

Her parents' situation would have become even more difficult.

So.

He couldn't gamble. He had to take a drastic risk.

"I lied to your just now, too." Listening to his heartbeat, Juniper's agitated mood gradually smoothed out

"Shanley were even this time. there's a next time—"

"There won't be." Shanley wrapped his arms around the girl, kissing ker hair, feeling a huge weight lift off his

UM

chest. "There will never be a next time."

Pretty boys?

Kids calling him godfather?

Ex-boyfriend, replacements?

He never wanted to hear those words again.

The impact was worse than the car crash.

"I heard from my parents that the plan was a success," Shanley changed the subject.

"Subterra Vanguard's people infiltrated Sanctum Holdings, and I got to see my

mom."

Juniper tilted her head up, gazing lazily at the man, and said slowly, "I told my mom I have a boyfriend."

"How did she react?" Shanley grew tense.

Her daughter had a boyfriend at just nineteen.

Any normal parent would be concerned, right?!

"At first, she laughed..." Juniper recalled seriously, speaking unhurriedly. "But after

hearing that, she couldn't laugh anymore."

Shanley pressed his lips together, feeling completely numb.