Chapter 305
“James, what’s your take on a gift for Ms. Mirabella?” Wyatt piped up before long, his mind already rifling through the inventory of James‘ valuables. He’d even considered the antiques in the storage room, but ultimately, he felt none of them were quite right.
Curtis glanced at Wyatt, suspecting the man might’ve been playing both sides despite also feeling the question was a good one.
James‘ mouth twitched, showing no desire to entertain Wyatt’s query. “Got too much time on your hands?”
Wyatt rubbed his nose. “Just curious, is all.” He followed it up with an awkward chuckle.
A thought struck Curtis, and he said out loud, “What about gifting Ms. Mirabella a house?”
Wyatt’s eyes lit up instantly, “That’s a brilliant Idea! Maybe the one next door so that they could be neighbors.”
Wyatt remembered the house next door seemed rarely occupied despite some recent renovation activity. Perhaps a generous offer would tempt the owner to sell?
“I could pop over tomorrow and see if they’re willing to discuss selling.” Wyatt said, his enthusiasm palpable at the prospect of having a top–notch alchemist for a neighbor. “It’s a win–win!TM
James listened to their exchange, massaged his temples, and, without a word, picked up his medicine bottle and stood up, heading upstairs.
Once James was out of sight, Wyatt turned to Curtis, dropping a bombshell, “You know, I think the most practical gift would be giving Ms. Mirabella our boss.”
Curtis was speechless. Wyatt had clearly lost his mind.
Time flew, and half a month had passed since the national competition. The international contest was finally scheduled for the end of the month.
The questions in the international competition were expected to be tougher than the national ones, so Mr. Hammond had sourced some practice questions for Mirabella and Vincent to work on. Mirabella spent the half–month leading up to the competition immersed in
problem–solving.
Meanwhile, the reality show Leo had signed up for, “Country Comfort,” had set its premiere date, nearly clashing with Mirabella’s competition schedule. One event was at the end of the month, the other at the beginning of the next, back–to–back.
The day to depart for the international competition arrived swiftly.
The international competition was taking place in Washington. Coincidentally, Mirabella’s
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Chapter 305
elusive relative, Nick, lived in that very city.
In the first two days leading up to her competition, Mirabella’s family had already instructed Nick to make sure he picked her up from the airport and personally escorted her to the hotel. Mirabella wasn’t keen on troubling him, but Delilah insisted, so she agreed.
Both Mirabella and Nick were sparing with words, so after adding each other on Messenger and confirming flight details, they didn’t chat much.
Only Mirabella and Vincent were representing Parkside High School in the international competition. This time, Mr. Hammond wasn’t leading the team. Instead, a teacher from Prestige College specializing in competition projects took charge.
The five students were to meet at Riverdale Airport. At the time Mirabella and Vincent arrived, the rest of the team was also just about there.
Their flight to the capital of the States was scheduled for 6 PM, with a fifteen–hour flight ahead of them. Due to the time difference, they arrived in the States at around 1 AM.
Stepping off the plane, Mirabella pulled a jacket from her backpack and wrapped it around herself–the temperature in the States was a good five or six degrees cooler than back home.
