“Did you do this graffiti?”

Edith looked up, taking in the lush green bamboo and the stark ck–and–white of the pandas. Her colorful brushwork stood out, far too vivid to blend in.

She guessed, “You figured it out from all the paint on me, didn’t you?”

Of course, it was Justin–his powers of observation had always been razor sharp.

But Justin shook his head. “No, I recognized your style.”

He studied the mural, watching light and shadow y across the wall in the golden haze of sunset, making the colors glow even brighter.

Then he nced down at her hands–slender fingers, now caked with paint. The pigments had started to dry and harden under the sun, leaving little ky patches on

her skin.

He felt a mix of admiration and concern.

“These hands… they’re truly remarkable.”

Justin rarely handed outpliments so freely.

Back at Northcrest University, Edith had been showered with praise from all sides, but she’d always chalked it up to people just being nice. She wasn’t one to let it go to her head. Buting from Justin, that one simple sentence carried real weight. For once, Edith felt that her hands really were something special.

The exhaustion and sweat of the day suddenly seemed worth it.

Her iphone /ibuzzed–a WhatsApp notification.

It was a payment from Charlotte, with a short note: “Edith, here’s the fee we agreed for the iproject/i!”

Justin nced at the screen, then shot her a sly look. “Charlotte? That doesn’t exactly sound like a boy’s name.”

Edith iechoed /ihis confusion. “Right? She’s a girl… I have no idea why Connor said she was some ‘pretty iboy/i‘.”

Edith was puzzled, but Justin wasn’t.

Typical Connor–always up to something.

17:39

Justin raised his eyebrows, amused. If Connor wanted to stir things up, he’d better be ready for the fallout.

He started the car, and as they pulled away, the mural on the Riverbend Zoo wall shimmered in the fading light, growing more distant with every mile.

“So, what are you nning to do with your fee? Should we go celebrate tonight, since younded your firstmission?”

Justin’s tone was casual, but Edith could tell he was already mentally picking out a

restaurant.

Sheughed softly, watching the fiery sunset blur past the window. “It’s just a small job–nothing worth celebrating.”

Justin turned, his profile golden in the evening light. “Doesn’t matter. As long as it isn’t ordinary for you.”

Edith blinked, caught off guard.

She realized Justin seemed to know her better than she knew herself.

This payment–truth be told–was her first–ever earnings from painting.

The thought felt almost surreal.

She’d gotten into Northcrest University with top marks, and even after graduating, she’d never made a cent from her art.

Beckett used to say there was no need for her to work. The Vance family didn’t need her ie, he’d insist. Instead of putting herself out there, he thought Edith should just stay home and lead the life of a properdy.

Whenever job offers came her way, Heather would reject them on her

behalf–sometimes even getting worked up about it, as if offering Edith a job was some kind of insult ito /ithe Vance family name.

In their eyes, a Vance daughter–inw belonged at home, raising children and running the household.

But Justin understood her–sometimes better than she understood herself.

She nced over; Justin had already turned his gaze back to the road, eyes fixed ahead.

With a rush of excitement, she blurted out, “How about I use my first paycheck to

treat you to dinner?”

17:40

Justin grinned, his elegant fingers tapping a happy rhythm on the steering wheel.

b3/3 /b