Juniper stiffened slightly at her words.


    Smile? It was true. In the years her grandfather had been ill, she had almost forgotten how. But she was lucky. She had found the best family and friends. "Alright," Juniper said, gently pinching J''s cheek. "Come on, let''s head back." "Okay!" J nodded eagerly, packing her books and clutching the milkshake Juniper had bought for her as she trotted to keep up. On the way, she gave an update on her mother, who was recovering remarkably well thanks to Juniper''s medicine and the constant care arranged by Shanley. She might even be well enough to see them off on exam day.


    Juniper listened calmly, a sense of peace settling over her. She was d she had been able to save Saskia, that another tragedy had been averted.


    As they pushed open the door to the restaurant, they ran straight into Yelena and Ynda, who were about to enter.


    At the sight of Juniper, Ynda''s expression soured, and Yelena froze in ce.


    The recent online "nder incident" had ended with Mr. Tate filingwsuits. Many of the people who had spread rumors about him and Juniper received letters from hiswyers, forcing them to pay fines and issue public apologies.


    Yelena had been living in fear, terrified that Jimmie would trace the rumors back to her. But as time passed and nothing happened, she had begun to rx.


    Juniper stood her ground, one hand in her pocket, her cold gaze fixed on the two girls. Yelena and Ynda didn''t want to back down, but under Juniper''s murderous re, they felt a wave of panic and instinctively stepped aside.


    "Let''s go," Juniper said, patting J''s head. "Come over for dinner tonight. Dana''s making fish."


    "Yelena..." Ynda whispered, watching them leave with a look of disdain. "I bet Mr. Tate found out it was you, but he doesn''t dare do anything about it."


    "What do you mean?" Yelena asked, her eyes still on Juniper''s retreating back.


    "You''re a Wilcox," Ynda said pointedly. "The Wilcox family is a big deal in Era City, with connections in business and polities Jimmie might be famous, but he''s just an actor Do you really think he''d risk a direct confrontation with you?"


    "You''re right," Yelena said, her confidence restored. "If he tried anything, we could ruin him."


    The only problem was that Juniper knew the truth about her being an illegitimate child. She was a threat that needed to be eliminated, but Yelena bad to find the right opportunity, one that wouldn''t lead back to her.


    "How annoying," J muttered, huddling closer to Juniper. "Let''s go this way."


    Just then, a ck Bentley pulled up


    and stopped in front of them. The


    door opened and a man in his twenties with a tall, weft built frame and handsome features stepped out


    J''s face paled the moment she saw him.


    "What''s wrong?" Juniper asked, looking at her. "Do you know him?"


    "That''s Yelena''s older brother," J whispered. "Trent Wilcox."


    As soon as Yelena saw Trent, she obediently walked to his side. "Bro," Yelena said, immediately bing docile. She had always been afraid of him.


    Ynda had heard Yelena had an older brother, the heir to the Wilcox family, but she had never seen him before. She hadn''t expected him to be so attractive.


    "Mm," Trent grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze drifting past his sister andnding on Juniper.


    Juniper met his stare. A Wilcox, huh? What was he looking at?