"Alright."

Juniper nodded, her red lips parting slightly. "I'll try to swing by if I have the time."

"Awesome!"

Jenna beamed, and before darting off, she shoved a heavy bag of treats into Juniper's arms. "Thanks again for the case files!"

With that, she sprinted away.

Juniper glanced down at the massive stash of snacks, an involuntary smile lifting her brow.

Now this was a gift that spoke directly to her soul.

Swinging the bag happily, she strolled toward the campus gates, only to nearly collide with Yolanda Sherwin.

Guilt-ridden and terrified of retribution, Yolanda stumbled back two steps, staring at Juniper with wide, panicked eyes.

Ever since Nadia had been hauled away, Yolanda had completely lost contact with her.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that Nadia was likely gone for good.

For days, Yolanda had been living in a state of sheer terror, waiting for the moment Shanley and Juniper came to settle the score.

Oddly enough, nothing had happened.

Juniper stared blankly at Yolanda for a few seconds before walking right past her, not even sparing her a second glance.

"?"

Yolanda turned, staring at Juniper's retreating figure with a deep frown.

Could Nadia have been right? Was her grandfather truly her ultimate shield?

Juniper must be backing off out of respect for her family's patriarch.

That had to be it.

At that thought, Yolanda exhaled a massive breath of relief and sauntered off, happily humming a little tune.

Back at the Cloudscape Community.

Fresh out of the shower, Juniper lounged on the sofa and glanced at the man typing away on his laptop.

It only took one look for him to abandon his work.

Shanley grabbed the hairdryer, walked over, and gently began drying her hair.

"Tomorrow is Saturday. Want to head back to the family estate for dinner? He leaned down pressing a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth "They hired a new culinary team. The food is incredible."

"I don't have time tomorrow." Juniper leaned lazily against his chest, a mango- flavored lollipop tucked in her cheek.

"What's on the agenda?" Shanley frowned slightly. "Hanging out with Luella?"

Why wasn't Jimmie back yet?

With him gone, Luella was monopolizing Juniper's time, leaving him feeling thoroughly neglected.

"A classmate from the med program is using my case files for a competition. I need to go support them."

"Classmate?" Shanley's eyes narrowed, immediate alarm bells ringing in his head. "A guy or a girl?"

"?"

Juniper tilted her head, studying his handsome face as Luella's recent words echoed in her mind.

'Your man needs to be reined in, Juniper. He gets jealous over the air you breathe.'

She was right. It was time for a lesson.

"A guy. Why?" she replied, her tone deliberately casual and ambiguous.

"Heh."

A dark smirk curled Shanley's lips. He set the hairdryer down, his gaze turning intense and predatory as he stared the young woman down. What do you think

Catching that dangerous gleam in his eyes, Juniper immediately tried to slide away.

"I ate way too much at lunch. I should probably go get a workout in."

The next second, Shanley wrapped his arms firmly around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

"I had a big lunch too. We can work out together."

Before she could protest, he scooped her up into his arms.

He carried her straight into the bedroom, pressing her into the soft mattress, forcing her to look up at his towering figure.

"Let me go, or you'll regret it," she warned, her lovely face shifting into a cold glare. "Oh? And how exactly will I regret it?"

Without a second thought, Juniper brought her knee up, aiming straight for his groin.

Moving with lightning speed,

Shanley dodged the blow flawlessly. He stared down at the girl-who was grinning like a sly little fox feeling a

mix of frustration and utter helplessness. "You were actually going to do it?"

If he hadn't moved, she would have incapacitated him.

"What did you expect?" Her red lips curved into an arrogant little smirk. "If you can't

even take me in a fight, you don't deserve to be my man."

"You're asking for trouble, Juniper." Shanley narrowed his eyes, talking tough,

though the absolute adoration on his face betrayed him completely.