Chapter 445


    James aauntered over to the fridge and fetched a bottle of water, effortlessly twisting off the cap before


    handing it over to Mirabe. “They’ve got their own fish to fry,” he said, his voice taking on a nonchnt


    tone whenever he mentioned Wyatt.


    Mirabe let out a soft ‘oh, taking the water and sipping it gingerly.


    James found his spot on the couch, slouched back and sank into the cushions with casual ease. “Make


    yourself at home here,” he drawled. “Do whatever you please.”


    Casting him a sidelong nce, Mirabe offered a genuinepliment, “You’re quite the generous


    host, boss.”


    A wry twitch flickered at the corner of James‘ mouth before he steered the conversation in another


    direction. “You don’t strike me as the type to stay out without good reason. Trouble at the homestead?”


    Pulling a throw pillow to her chest, Mirabe propped her chin atop it and snuggled deeper into the


    sofa, her voice distant and soft. “We’ve gotpany at home.”


    A smirk yed on James‘ lips. “Seems like this guest of yours is someone of importance.” Mirabe


    waved a dismissive hand, desiring nothing more than tranquility. “Just let me catch some z’s.” With


    that, she closed her eyes, her serene expression betraying no sign of guard.


    James‘ eyes briefly swept over her, his lips curving slightly. He reached for a book on the coffee table,


    content to let the room settle into a peaceful hush punctuated only by the asional turn of a page.


    At one point, his phone buzzed with a message. He nced at the screen, then muted the device and


    laid it back down, inadvertently missing a call from Donald.


    Time trickled by, and Mirabe, who had only intended to rest her eyes briefly, slipped into a genuine


    slumber. It was her phone’s insistent buzzing that eventually roused her. Groggily, she fished it out and


    paused before answering the call, “Hello, Donald…”


    James, descending the stairs with a nket in hand, drew near just in time to catch the name ‘Donald‘


    as Mirabe spoke into the phone. He paused, taking a few measured steps to stand by the armrest of


    Mirabe’s couch.


    She wrapped up the call with Donald quickly, hanging up without much conversation.


    As James was about to speak, his gaze inadvertently swept over the phone in her hand, still lit with the


    recent call’s glow. When he saw the number at the top of her recent calls list, his expression took on a


    peculiar cast. He set the nket aside, asking casually, “Someone looking for you?”


    10-49


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Mirabe hummed a confirmation, then stowed her phone away and rose from the couch, stretching


    her armsnguidly. “I’d better head back,” she said.


    Leaving so soon? Won’t you stay a bit longer?” James‘ voice was gentle, but he made no move to


    insist.


    Mirabe adjusted her jacket, her demeanorzy, “Nah, I’ve got homework to tackle.”


    Realizing that she wasn’t going back on her decision, James didn’t press further. He escorted her to the


    grand iron gates of the vi, watching until she had disappeared inside her own ce before turning


    back to the quiet of the living room.


    Reflecting on the glimpse of the number he’d seen on Mirabe’s phone, James‘ eyes narrowed


    thoughtfully. He picked up his phone from the coffee table, finding several texts and a couple of missed


    calls, all from his ‘runaway‘ grandfather, Donald.


    After reading the texts, James refrained from calling back. Instead, his fingers traced the screen as he


    contemted for a moment, then sent a message in response. [You’re with the Davis family.]


    He chose an assertive tone, leaving no room for doubt.