"Yes," Juniper confirmed with a nod. "Dr. Zigmund and I are acquaintances. We've known each other for a long time. Isn't that right, Dr. Zigmund?"
"Yes, yes, of course!" Dr. Zigmund nodded frantically, his face a mask of misery. "Master, this is all a misunderstanding. I didn't mean to…"
He trailed off, mortified. There was no explaining his way out of this. Could he just kneel and beg for forgiveness?
"I haven't said anything," Juniper replied with a slight smirk, her eyes scanning the living room, clearly looking for someone.
"Looking for Shanley?" Hannah guessed, immediately sending someone to find him.
"Come on in, it's too hot outside." She happily led Juniper inside, with a dejected Dr. Zigmund trailing behind them.
Once they were seated, Hannah couldn't help but gloat a little. "So, what do you think now? Not only is Juniper a medical genius, but she's also Shanley's future wife. And you wanted to introduce him to another girl? Could she possibly compare to our Juniper?"
Future wife? Dr. Zigmund's head shot up again, his heart pounding. So his Master really was Shanley's girlfriend. What a coincidence!
"Introduce him to another girl?" Juniper sipped her coffee, then glanced quizzically at Dr. Zigmund.
"A misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding!" Dr. Zigmund quickly explained. "I originally thought you and Shanley would make a perfect couple, Master. I was planning on playing matchmaker for the two of you! Who knew it was already fate, a match made in heaven, destined to be..."
"Is that the only reason?" Juniper stared at him coolly as he rambled on, one eyebrow raised. "It wasn't just him you were interested in, but his money as well, right?"
"Ahem!" Caught, Dr. Zigmund's old face flushed. He couldn't admit it, but he couldn't lie and deny it either. All he could do was laugh awkwardly to cover his embarrassment.
"Be serious," Dr. Zigmund said, clapping Harold on the back. "Your grandmaster is here too."
"Huh?" Harold looked over and saw his sister's nonchalant expression, then glanced at his professor's terrified demeanor. He immediately guessed Dr. Zigmund had gotten on Juniper's bad side.
"What do you mean, 'huh'?" Dr. Zigmund felt like he was about to have a heart attack. This was not the time to provoke his Master further.
"Oh," Harold drawled, a smirk playing on his lips. "Juniper, my dear sister, how long have you been here?"
"Are you trying to get us killed?" Dr. Zigmund gasped, nearly fainting on the spot.
What did Harold just call her? Juniper! Sister! Even he didn't know his Master’s first name, and Harold had the nerve to act so familiar? The idiot! Was he out of his mind?

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