Today she ended up hailing a luxury ride from a rideshare app and was treated to some jaw-dropping gossip, which left her pretty amazed.


    She''d seen her fair share of wealthy folks living it up, but this degree was the first. In such a family, this silver-haired young guy hadn''t turned out terribly, which was a feat in itself.


    There was even something a bit innocent about him, she mused. Maybe he''d taken up rideshare driving to have someone to talk to.


    After all, chit-chatting with strangers was usually easy, but opening up to people one knew could be tough. Otherwise, why would he opt for online dating? It was just too bad he got a raw deal with that one.


    She nced up at the estate in front of her. The grand iron gates stretched about thirty feet across, and the entire estate was managed by an Al butler. Before she arrived, her face and information had been entered into the system, so as soon as she reached the gate, it opened automatically.


    "Wee home, ma''am," a sultry mechanical female voice greeted her, not quite matching the usual Al tone.


    The estate had three vis, one of which had been converted into ab. Crystal would be moving in soon, so the entire estate was redesigned as an eco-park, which was why Miranda chose a suburban location instead of the city center.


    The estate also boasted an anti-satellite system, keeping it invisible to satellites. All satellite images showed were a few vi models. It''s a no-fly zone for drones, which would be jammed if they entered the airspace.


    She had already informed Mr. Ashcroft about this. He could negotiate directly with the military, sparing her the need to deal with those folks. Meanwhile, Timothy and Beck were still in a standoff, which left her with some peace.


    Not long after she entered the estate, her phone rang-it was Mr. Ashcroft.


    "Hey there, kiddo, have you reached Virell? Where are you now?"


    Miranda could hear the warmth in Mr. Ashcroft''s voice and smiled. "Justnded and made it home."


    She continued walking down the tree-lined path, shadows dancing across her face, lending a mysterious beauty to her cool demeanor.


    Then she felt a bit uncosy;rge louses weren''t all perfect. Maybe she''d install some golf carts around someday the estate to avoid all the walking.


    "Ah, I told you to stay at Elian''s ce. It''s huge, and since no one''s there most of the time, it''d just go to waste otherwise. Plus, you''d save on buying a house," Mr. Ashcroft sighed.


    As he spoke, Miranda noticed some background noise on Mr. Ashcroft''s end, like a group of old men chatting away, but it was intermittent, so she figured he was watching TV.


    "Thanks, Mr. Ashcroft, but I feel morefortable in my own ce," Miranda replied as she entered the vi.


    "When will youe over and meet my old pals?" Mr. Ashcroft asked, sounding slightly tentative, as if worried she might refuse.


    "In a couple of days, once I''m settled in."


    Hearing this, Mr. Ashcroft chuckled. "Great, great, once you''re settled in. I''lle to pick you up myself!"


    Miranda paused for a moment. "I''lle to you instead."


    Having Mr. Ashcrofte to pick her up felt a bit disrespectful to his seniority.


    "Alright, alright! Just remember, Virell''s getting chilly, so keep warm, kiddo."


    She chuckled. "Thanks, Mr. Ashcroft."


    Over at Velvet Ridge in Virell, a couple of old men surrounded Mr. Ashcroft, their faces full of curiosity.


    "Is she the one who cured you?"


    "Really? She sounds so young!"


    "Can she really cure us too?"


    "Is she your grandson''s future wife?"


    Mr. Ashcroft grinned mysteriously as he heard their words. "You''ll see, this youngdy is something special."


    After all, Timothy and Beck had


    argued to the point of tattling on each other over Miranda. The two didn''t answer to the same authority and I didn''t hold back in their rivalry, leaving their bosses with headaches. But that was their problem, not his.


    "I can believe most of it, but as for her being your grandson''s future wife, I''m skeptical," one of the old men waved dismissively. "That boy, could any girl stand him? He''s fough and brash; not even men camhandle him, let alone women."


    Mr. Ashcroft remained silent. He couldn''t argue with that. Even though these two wasn''t officially a couple, he''d already treated Miranda as his daughter-inw.


    After hanging up, Miranda noticed dyed messages popping up due to the


    earlier poorwork connection.


    Hannah sent, [Sis! I''ll being to Virell to visit you soon!]


    Caius wrote, [If you need any help over there, just call me. I''m swamped at work


    and can''t get away right now. I''lle see you when I can.]


    Crystal typed, [Save me a big room for me.]


    Marion informed, [The people I arranged for you will arrive this afternoon.]


    Miranda replied to Marion''s message, [What people?]


    Marion responded a few minutester, [Security personnel.]


    Miranda sent a few question marks. She hadn''t asked for security.


    Marion stated, [It''s fitting for ady of the estate; anything less would be unbing.]


    Soon enough, she''d understand exactly what Marion meant by "unbing".