The music awards were this weekend. If he released the story the day before, the traffic would be insane. In that moment, he had already decided which brand of sports car he was going to buy.


    ...


    Saturday, after school.


    Juniper had just walked out of the school gates when she ran into J.


    "Juniper!" J rushed forward eagerly, pulling a slice of tiramisu from her bag. "It''s your favorite mango vor," she said excitedly.


    “Thanks,” Juniper epted it, eating as they walked. "ss let out early?"


    "Yeah," J said, smiling contentedly as she watched her. "I turned in my test early so I could walk home with you."


    “Is that all?” Juniper took a bite. It was pretty good. A faint smile yed on her lips, but her eyes were sharp as knives.


    "No, not really." J was a little scared of this version of Juniper and confessed, "There''s just so much nasty stuff online, I was worried it would get to you."


    Especially that morning, a paparazzi had released photos of Mr. Tate and Juniper''s “head-patting” moment, paired with disgusting headlines. Things like “using her youth to seduce Mr. Tate" and "two-timing cheater." Some even imed Juniper had used illicit means to be the lead actress, ruining the music video Mr. Tate had spent years preparing. They spected it was so bad that it wasn''t even released domestically and was sent straight to an internationalpetition. As for winning... there was probably no hope.


    These rumors attracted many of Mr. Tate''s anti-fans and rivals'' supporters, who deliberately muddied the waters and tore Juniper to shreds online. Some even urged Mr. Tate''s fans to abandon him. Right now, thement section of his official ount was a war zone.


    "That''s it?" Juniper asked, munching on her tiramisu, her mood surprisingly good.


    "There''s a lot more..." J said, cautiously observing Juniper''s expression. "When the truthes out, it''s going to p them all in the face."


    "By the way," J blinked, asking seriously, "When is Mr. Tate going to announce your rtionship?"


    "Sometime soon, I guess," Juniper replied with a faint smile, her eyes darkening. She hadn''t cared much about the online drama, but


    they were dragging her brother into his


    it and trying to tarnish bro nowe


    reputation... She couldn''t let that stand.


    Still, she had no idea what her brother was nning. If he didn''t go public soon, hisment section would bepletely destroyed. How was he supposed to make money after that?


    "Juniper," J said, linking arms with her, her face beaming with an excited smile.


    "I can''t wait to see everyone''s reaction when the truthes out."


    "Oh?" Juniper pinched her cheek, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "You should be looking forward to what happens to them."


    After all, she usually didn''t bother to fight back. But when she did, she made sure they learned their lesson.


    ---


    Meanwhile, Ynda was lounging on her sofa, scrolling through the news on her phone, growing more delighted by the second.


    Mr. Tate''s fanbase was terrifyingly


    If Mr. Tate failed to even get a


    nomination at tomorrow''s music


    awards, Juniper would be


    he


    throw


    protect some worthless girl?


    Ha! She couldn''t wait to see tomorrow''s headlines.