Chapter 1166

At Cloudscape Community.

After twenty days of intensive recovery, Shanley was healing rapidly. He was already able to get out of bed and walk slowly with the help of a cane.

Hospitals had too many prying eyes. Before moving back to Cloudscape, he made sure to leak several "grim" photos to the media. The rumors of his death gained even more traction, with the press speculating that his passing was simply being covered up by his inner circle.

At that moment, the man who was supposedly dead was leaning against the headboard, staring gloomily at the girl on the phone.

"Thorne's research is moving incredibly fast," Luella Langley's voice echoed through the bedroom. "He's just one step away from finishing."

"But they're stuck on that final step, and Thorne is getting frantic. My mom said the project in Albia Country failed at this exact same point," Juniper said. She was wearing a slinky silk nightgown, leaning lazily against the window frame, looking effortlessly gorgeous.

Shanley felt his eyes heat up and swallowed hard.

"Maybe this project is just impossible," Juniper continued, her beautiful eyes lifting slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Our inside contacts at Sanctum Holdings sent an update," Luella reported. "Not even Dr. Sommers can crack this final phase. But if they can capture a specific test subject, they might be able to pull it off in a short amount of time."

"A test subject..." Juniper sneered, a cold laugh slipping past her lips. "He can try to catch her. Good luck with that."

"There's one more thing you need to know," Luella's tone turned grave. "Thorne was afraid your mom might pull a stunt, so he moved Mr. Blackwood to a hidden location."

The smile on Juniper's face vanished.

"Heh." A moment later, she turned around, scoffing coldly. "That's exactly Thorne's style. I figured as much."

"You figured?" Luella sounded surprised. "Do you have a backup plan, Juniper?"

"I do," Juniper said, her voice slow and lazy. "You'll see when the time comes."

"I want to know now." Luella was anxious; the timeline was too tight, the variables too loose. There could be countless unforeseen disasters.

"Hello?" Juniper frowned slightly, pulling the phone away from her ear on purpose. "Bad signal. Let's talk in person."

Before Luella could protest, Juniper ruthlessly hung up.

Luella stared at her phone. *Again with this trick? She's definitely up to something.*

After hanging up, Juniper looked over at Shanley. The man was staring at her with burning intensity.

"What are you looking at, Mr. Schwartz?" Juniper asked lazily, glancing down at her attire.

Shanley turned his head away, his throat tight.

Juniper walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him without another word.

Shanley was stunned for a second before his hands found her waist, pulling her flush against him and returning the kiss with equal fervor.

The atmosphere quickly heated up Breathing heavily, Shanley held onto a shred of his sanity and gently pushed her back a fraction. "What were you and Luelle talking about?"

"The rescue mission," Juniper said, tracing his jawline with her thumb, her tone serious. "I'm heading to Wraithfall Mountain tonight. The next time I see you have my

parents with me

"I want―" Shanley's hands tightened on her waist.

"No, you don't," Juniper cut him off mercilessly, leaving no room for argument. "I refuse to be fighting. Corva's and worrying about safety at the same time."

"Juniper..."

"If you don't listen to me, I swear I'll divorce you before we're even married!" she glared at him, losing her patience.

Shanley's expression shifted. He hesitated for a moment, then wisely snapped his mouth shut.

"Focus on healing," she added, her cheeks flushing a faint pink as she tugged at his robe's tie. "That way you can actually impress your in-laws."

"Stay safe," he murmured, pulling her back into his arms and resting his chin against her hair.

"You're so annoying," she mumbled, pouting slightly.

***

That afternoon, just as Juniper finished preparing her disguise, there was a frantic

knock on the door, followed by Dana's terrified scream.