Chapter 154


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    Summer was caught off guard when Mandy brought up thepetition again. There was a brief pause


    before she replied, “…I think she advanced to the next round.”


    Mandy’s brows knitted together in mild disbelief. “Her scores were good enough not to get kicked out?”


    After a moment of silence, Summer said, “I actually mentionedst time that her grades weren’t that


    bad.”


    Mandy vaguely remembered the conversation but didn’t dwell on it, quickly moving on. “The next round


    of the contest must being up, right? Make sure you go over the material your dad’s friend from the


    Education Association gave you.”


    Summer nodded, eyes cast downward. “Yeah, I will. I’m going to head back to my room now.”


    “Alright, off you go.” Mandy said with a dismissive wave of her hand.


    Delh and Shawn had been swamped with the renovations of their vi, leaving early and returning


    late. Concerned they couldn’t look after their daughter properly, they hired a part–time housekeeper,


    Marian, to prepare meals for Mirabe.


    That day, as Mirabe walked in the door after school, Marian had already finished cooking. Marian


    was taking off her apron as she said, “Mira, I’ve got to dash because of an emergency at home. Oh,


    and I picked up a package for you this afternoon. It’s in the storage cab.” Pointing towards the


    cab, Marian didn’t wait for a response before hurrying out.


    Mirabe set her bag down and nced at the storage unit but didn’t rush to check it out.


    The table was set with a homestyle spread–an all–American meatloaf, buttered green beans, mashed


    potatoes, and a bowl of chicken noodle soup–Mirabe pulled out her phone and dialed Zach’s


    number. Zach, who had beening home for dinner every night, would typically be home by now.


    The call connected quickly, and Zach’s voice came through, “Mirabe, I won’t be home for dinner


    tonight. Got to head out of town for a few days.”


    There was an edge of anxiety in his voice. Mirabe’s brow furrowed as she asked, “Is something


    wrong?”


    Zach seemed taken aback by her intuition. His tone darkened slightly as he replied, “Nothing serious.


    Don’t worry about it.”


    As airport announcements echoed in the background, urging passengers to board, Zach hurriedly


    added, “I’ve got to board now. We’ll catch upter.”


    Mirabe’s expression tightened. She didn’t press further, simply acknowledging with a, “If you need


    help with anything, let me know.”


    Chapter 154


    Zach chuckled, not taking her offer too seriously. “Sure.”


    The call ended shortly after. The background announcement Mirabe had overheard hinted at a flight


    to the States. She pondered this for a while before setting down her phone.


    Delh and Shawn came home earlier than usual that evening. Mirabe had just started eating when


    they walked in, deep in a discussion about the renovations. As they approached their daughter, they


    both fell silent.


    Mirabe gave them a quizzical look. “You guys joining…”


    Delh answered cheerfully. “We grabbed a bite on the way home.”


    Shawn echoed, “Yeah!”


    Mirabe just shook her head, slightly bemused.


    Delh tossed her bag onto a nearby cab and scanned the room. “Hey, isn’t Zach home yet?”


    Zach had beening home on time to keep his sisterpanytely. His absence felt unusual.


    “He had to go on a sudden business trip,” Mirabe replied sinctly, omitting the part that she


    suspected he possibly went abroad.


    “Another business trip, huh…” Delh murmured, her face showing no surprise, ustomed as she


    was to his frequent travels.