Chapter 796

Juniper hadn't gone far when her heart suddenly clenched, a tingling numbness spreading through her entire body. She turned back, but Celine was already gone. "Juniper, what are you looking at?" Qadir asked curiously.

"Let's go," Juniper said, glancing at the mango cake in her hand and giving a faint smile. What a truly bizarre day. She'd met a strange 'big sister-child.'

At the coffee shop, Warren finished his meeting and returned to Celine's side.

"Have you been waiting long?" he asked softly. He had tried to rush, but it still took half an hour.

"Hee hee," Celine giggled, clutching her phone and staring at him adoringly.

"What's got you so happy?" Warren asked, intrigued by her good mood.

"Pretty... Sis," Celine answered earnestly, taking her husband's arm.

"Pretty?" Warren didn't quite understand, but he smiled. "Yes, our Celine is the prettiest of all."

Back at Cloudscape Community, Juniper was lounging on the sofa, bored. She opened the profile of her new friend, Celine. There were no posts, but the background was a photo of her crouching in a vegetable garden, picking cilantro.

Cilantro? Juniper chuckled. She couldn't believe she'd found someone else who grew it.

"What are you looking at?" Shanley asked, emerging from his shower. He paused when he saw the smile on Juniper's lips. She'd been so worried since learning about Ebony Fox's condition, but now she was actually smiling.

"Nothing," Juniper said, shaking her phone nonchalantly. "I just met a sweet girl who's an adult but acts like a child."

"In three days, I'll go with you to Liberty Island," Shanley said, sitting down and placing a hand on her waist. His tone was gentle. "We can go in disguise."

"No," Juniper refused, explaining carefully, "Warren already knows who you are, so the system must have your iris scan. No matter how you disguise yourself, you won't get through Liberty Island's security."

She had no desire to be chased by their people again.

"But—" Shanley tried to argue, but Juniper cut him off. "I have a plan."

She would treat the patient, get the medicine, and leave. Her identity as the head of Subterra Vanguard was still a secret. A disguise would be enough for her.

Shanley frowned. "Juniper..."

"Stop being so overbearing," Juniper said, impatiently pushing his hand away, her tone firm and serious. "If you dare show up there, I'll..."

Shanley's lips thinned as he stared at her, his gaze deep. "What will you do?"

"I'll leave you," Juniper replied without hesitation, and she looked like she meant it.

"Alright," Shanley said, his eyes downcast. He didn't press the issue. She seemed genuinely angry.

"I won't enter Liberty Island," he added, "but I'll wait just outside. If you're in any danger, I'll rush in, no matter the cost."

"Oh?" Juniper raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her face. "And what does 'no matter the cost' entail?"

"Setting off fireworks on Liberty Island," Shanley said, leaning in until their noses brushed. He smiled gently. "A spectacular display."

The implication was clear: he'd blow the whole island to bits.

Juniper stared into his eyes for a long moment before bursting into laughter "We have to protect the environment. No setting off fireworks unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Hah," Shanley's expression softened, a smile unconsciously gracing his lips. "Okay, whatever you say."

After they talked, a sudden quiet fell

over the living room. They continued

to gaze at each other, the

veľ

atmosphere growing intimate, the air sweetening around them.

"Juniper..." Shanley murmured, a smile playing on his lips as he slowly leaned closer.

"Close your eyes," he whispered hoarsely.

Juniper closed her eyes. Just as

Shanley was about to make his move, a voice broke the silence "Ms.

Payne are your still going to eat this mango take? Oh my

"

Seeing the scene before her, Dana gasped and quickly spun around.

"I didn't see anything," she stammered.