Chapter 964

For the first time in sixteen years, Juniper experienced the most blissful, fulfilling New Year of her life. She had her family, and she had the man she loved. She slept deeply and peacefully through the night.

The next morning, an aggressive knock shattered her dreams. Her eyes fluttered open. Instinctively, she reached out to the space beside her. It was freezing cold.

Where did he go?

"Miss!" Dana's sharp voice pierced through the door. "Mr. Schwartz says it's time to get up and have some breakfast. The guests are waiting."

"Guests?"

Juniper cracked the door open, her hair a chaotic bird's nest, staring at the maid in confusion.

"Yes!" Dana beamed, her tone dripping with dramatic secrecy. "He brought so many gifts, the living room can barely fit them all!"

After washing up, Juniper dragged herself out to the living room. There sat the man who had pitifully scrambled up her balcony trellis the night before. Now, dressed in an immaculate, razor-sharp suit, he looked like a perfect gentleman as he effortlessly charmed her three protective friends.

"You're awake?"

Shanley looked up, his gaze melting into pure affection the moment it landed on her. His demeanor was completely unruffled. "I made some Dolce for you. Chocolate- filled, your favorite."

*He's putting on quite the show.*

"Oh." Juniper walked down the stairs and took a seat right beside him.

"Careful, it's hot." Shanley immediately picked up the bowl, blew softly on a piece, and fed it to her.

Juniper opened her mouth and accepted it. Their movements were so entirely natural it looked like a routine they had practiced a thousand times.

The guys sitting across from them practically gagged at the overwhelming display of domestic bliss. She'd been away for exactly one day, and he'd already tracked her down. The man was worse than superglue.

"These are some New Year's gifts I brought for everyone," Shanley said smoothly, gesturing to the literal mountain of luxury boxes stacked in the corner. "Please, accept them."

"Oh?" Melvin grabbed a box at random. When he saw the price tag, he nearly dropped it.

That fox was really going all out for his first official visit. Rare jewelry,

prime real estate deeds, keys to luxury cars... Not only did the inner circle get gifts but every single member of the Subterra Vanguard base had received generous envelopes of cash. Contént

Rumors were already flying around the base that the "Boss's man" had arrived.

*Tsk, tsk, tsk.* A fox is always a fox. He really knew how to buy people's loyalty.

For the next few days, Shanley stayed at the base, spending his time doting on Juniper and systematically bribing the rest of the staff. Within forty-eight hours, more than half the compound was utterly devoted to him.

Even when he snuck up the balcony at night, someone would conveniently leave a ladder out for him.

One night, as Shanley scaled the wall to Juniper's room, the lights in the main hall flicked on.

"Tsk." Melvin crossed his arms, shaking his head. "We put him in the furthest guest room possible to keep him away from her."

"They're separated by several floors. Is he really not afraid of falling and breaking his neck?"

"Let it go," Harold said, taking a slow sip of his warmed liquor, a faint smile on his lips. "With him around, she's much happier."

Sure, they were her family. But Shanley's place in her heart was undeniably significant. When she

had lost her mentor-the darkeset

most@gonizing period of her

life Shanley had been the one by her side. För that alone, they had no right to complain about her closeness to him.

After that, Shanley casually started using the front door.

As the holiday season began winding down, Jimmie finally brought up the inevitable. "Courtesy demands reciprocation. His parents and grandparents are thinking of you. You should head back with him and pay them a holiday visit.

Jimmie lifted his chin gracefully. "We've already prepared the gifts. Premium specialties from every region."

The crew had practically turned the city upside down to assemble the perfect care packages.

"Alright." Juniper gave the gifts a cursory glance and followed Shanley out.

Soon, the sports car pulled up to the grand gates of the Schwartz Manor.

There was a very specific reason Hannah had chosen today for Shanley to bring Juniper home.