Miranda just stared at Juniper. Standing so close, she could see the young woman''s features even more clearly, captivated by a rare beauty and an elegance that defied description. More importantly, she was brave and had a strong moralpass. She couldn''t be more than twenty. Did she have a boyfriend?


    Then again, it wouldn''t matter. Not when her own son was so stubborn about not liking girls.


    It was such a shame. A talented, beautiful girl like this would have made the perfect daughter-inw!


    "Are you alright?” Juniper asked, frowning slightly as she noticed the woman staring at her with a faint, dazed smile. "Are you hurt anywhere?"


    "No, I..." Miranda finally snapped out of it, but before she could finish, a man''s anxious voice called out from down the hall. "Honey!"


    Juniper turned to see a middle-aged man in a ck windbreaker and a baseball cap jogging toward them.


    "Are you okay?” the man asked, stopping in front of the smiling woman and taking her hands in his.


    Juniper studied the man. Though she couldn''t see his face clearly, he carried himself with an air of importance. The woman, too, wore clothes that looked simple at first nce but were all from high-end luxury brands, her entire outfit easily worth


    a small fortune. They were likely a wealthy couple from Era City.


    "I was in a bit of trouble, but thanks to this youngdy''s help, I''m perfectly fine now," Miranda said, pulling Hayden closer and giving him a pointed, delighted look.


    Hayden''s eyes fell on Juniper, and they, too, lit up. What a beautiful girl! When his wife had been pregnant, he''d hoped for a daughter with bright eyes and a sweet, doll-like face. But they''d gotten Shanley instead. Not having a daughter had always been a quiet regret for both of them. It was clear his wife had taken a real liking to this girl.


    "Thank you," Hayden said with a slight nod, his voice soft and appreciative.


    "It was nothing," Juniper replied coolly. Seeing that the woman was now with family, she prepared to leave.


    "Wait, I didn''t get your name,"


    Miranda called out, taking off her own hat. "Hello, I''m Miranda Zuniga." Normally she wouldn''t reveal her identity so easily, but with this girl, all her defenses seemed to melt away.


    “Juniper Payne,” she replied, extending her hand for a brief, light handshake before pulling back. Her expression remained calm and distant, showing no flicker of recognition.


    Miranda was a little surprised by her


    reaction. The girl didn''t seem to


    know who


    she was. After all, she


    was an internationally renowned director. Even after two years of


    retirement her name was still


    famous. Anyone who watched


    movies would know her.


    "Is something wrong?" Juniper asked, finding the woman''s stare a little odd.


    "Oh, it''s nothing." Miranda smiled. “Thank you again for what you did. Why don''t you join us in our room for a drink?"


    “No, thank you,” Juniper declined politely. "My friend is waiting for me."


    "Alright then." Miranda''s


    disappointment was obvious. She


    and


    quickly took out her phone a opened WhatsApp. In that case, let''s exchange contact information. I''d like to properly thank youter."


    Juniper''s brow furrowed slightly. This sounded familiar. It was almost exactly what Shanley had said when they first met.


    She was about to refuse. It was just a small favor, after all. But Miranda sped her hands together and looked at her with pleading, puppy-dog eyes. “Please? Just add me. I promise I won''t bother you."