shuhaige
Chapter 312
Mirabella stroked her chin in thought before texting back, [I’ll take a look when I have some time.]
James replied, [Thanks, I really appreciate your help.]
Mirabella shot back a quick emoji, wrapping up their conversation swiftly.
No sooner had she snapped her phone shut with plans to catch some shut–eye, than it buzzed again. It was a message from Nick on Messenger.
LIN: [Done with the competition?]
Lying on her bed, Mirabella responded with a brief [Yep.]
LIN: [I’ve got a surprise for you. Swing by my place? I’ll have my assistant pick you up from the hotel.]
As Nick sent the message, his eyes glanced at the three large boxes on the floor.
Last night’s hefty bank transfer from Nick caught her eye. With a flick of her finger across the screen, she sighed and messaged him back, [Alright.]
Shortly after, Mirabella, clutching her purse, headed downstairs.
**
Thirty minutes later, Mirabella and Nick’s assistant drove through the gates of a stately European manor.
Multiple security checkpoints barred the entrance, only allowing access upon successful verification. The assistant, well–accustomed to this, swiftly navigated through, and they entered the villa grounds.
Mirabella eyed the modernized manor with curiosity. As she stepped out, the assistant bid her farewell and drove off.
Inside the grand foyer, Nick beckoned, “Mira, take a seat.” He then headed to the kitchen.
Mirabella didn’t sit. Instead, she examined the smart systems around the hall with interest. Detecting a stranger, a nearby robot rolled up, issuing a warning beep.
Raising an eyebrow, Mirabella pressed a metal button atop its head, silencing it instantly.
Nick returning with
asked skeptically, “You know how to handle robots?” Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Mirabella glanced at the now–docile machine, shrugged, and said, “First time seeing one. Just seemed like high–tech, so I poked its head.”
Nick didn’t dwell on it and handed her the drink. As Mirabella took the bottle, ensuring not to touch him and maintaining a distance of about three feet, she thanked him, “Thanks, Nick.”
Nick pursed his lips, then pushed the three large boxes toward her, “Check these out, see if you like them?”
Mirabella had just twisted off the cap and taken a sip when the sight of the three large boxes made her temples throb with apprehension. Surely they weren’t filled with fluffy toys?
She set the bottle on the coffee table and cautiously opened the boxes. Stacks of books, workbooks, and sets of test papers stared back at her, her face freezing in
disbelief.
Opening the other two, she found even more unique test papers and study materials. Words failed to describe her mood at that moment.
“Zach mentioned you like studying. I wasn’t sure if these would be useful, but if not, I can have my assistant find something else,” Nick said slowly, his tone serious as though he would dispatch his assistant on a new mission if she disapproved.
At the mention of Zach’s name, Mirabella’s lips twitched into a reluctant smile.