Inside the manor, the grand hall was brightly lit, with servants bustling about. Hannah and Miranda sat on the sofa, their faces etched with anxiety. The brat had called to say he was bringing Juniper back, but who knew if it was true.


    "Ms. Payne and Mr. Schwartz have returned."


    Just as they were wondering, the butler''s voice rang out, and both women shot to their feet.


    Seeing the two of them walking in hand-in-hand, Hannah let out a massive sigh of relief. Miranda''s face broke into a radiant smile, which vanished the instant her eyesnded on her son. "You have the audacity toe back?"


    Shanley froze as he watched his mother grab a feather duster from nearby.


    "Get over here, you little punk!” Miranda''s face was cold with fury. "Feeling bold now that your wings have grown? How dare you bully your girlfriend?"


    "He" Juniper started to exin, seeing that Miranda was serious.


    "Juniper, don''t you dare speak up for him," Miranda cut her off, pulling her to sit on the sofa with a warm smile. “Have something to eat first. I''ll handle this."


    "Shanley, get over here," Miranda said, her expression turning icy as she looked back at her son. “Recite the Schwartz family rule.”


    Shanley pressed his lips together and slowly recited, "Happy wife, happy life."


    "So you do remember..." Miranda brandished the feather duster. "You should be thanking your lucky stars you even got her. How dare you argue with her? Who gave you the nerve!"


    Shanley endured the tirade, feeling utterly wronged. Why was he so worthless in his own mother''s eyes?


    "What are you looking at? Was I wrong?" Miranda''s lecture gained momentum, and she raised the duster as if to strike him.


    "Miranda, you''re absolutely right,” Hannah added, noticing Juniper''s slight frown. She joined the fray. "How can a Schwartz man bully his partner? Hit him! And don''t hold back!"


    "Ye," Miranda replied, feigning a swing at Shanley.


    "Stop," Juniper stood up at the perfect moment and stepped in front of Shanley slig smile. "He didn''t bully me.


    had a small disagreemen


    “Really?” Miranda red at Shanley, but her expression softened into a gentle smile


    when she turned back to Juniper.


    "It''s all resolved now," Juniper exined again.


    "Since Juniper has spoken up for you, I''ll let you off the hook this time," Miranda said, her face still stern as she looked at Shanley,


    to hold backaugh. The fact that Juniper would protect him proved she still had feelings for him. That was all the reassurance she needed.


    though she was str Shanley,


    "Thanks, my wifey," Shanley blurted out, then immediately corrected himself when he met the girl''s started gaze. I mean, thank you, Juniper."


    His mother''s constant use of the word had made it slip out.


    "Pfft—” Miranda covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling into a smile. That little rascal. He sure knew how to seize an opportunity.


    At the dinner table, Miranda and Hannah took turns piling food onto Juniper''s te


    until it resembled a small mountain.


    "Thank you," Juniper said politely.


    Hannah and Miranda both nodded in approval.


    “Let''s eat,” Shanley said softly, noticing Juniper''s reserved demeanor.


    "Yes, Juniper, please eat."


    The two women''s attention waspletely focused on Juniper, treating Shanley beside them as if he were invisible.