Whilevishing Juniper with praise, she didn''t forget to "scold" thegging Shanley.


    "Juniper, did this brat do something to upset you?" Miranda''s eyes darted between the two of them, immediately figuring out what was going on.


    Before Juniper could answer, Miranda continued, "That''s the way. You can''t be too nice to men. You give them an inch, and they''ll walk all over you."


    "Oh, I heard you know martial arts, right?"


    "Yes."


    "Even better!" Miranda leaned in close to Juniper, excitedly offering her advice. "Arguing is exhausting and a waste of energy. If you ask me, just get physical." If you can use your fists, don''t bother with words.


    Juniper was stunned into silence. Forget Shanley''s suspicions; now *she* was starting to wonder if he was Miranda''s biological son. The poor guy.


    Throughout the meal, Juniper was still sulking. Shanley had no choice but to spend the meal appeasing her, constantly cing food on her te and peeling shrimp for her until she was full and finally cated.


    After dinner, the family sat in the living room, chatting.


    "Juniper, I''m filming a new reality show soon. You shoulde visit the set when you have time," Miranda said, cing a fruit tter in front of her. "Our crew has so many handsome young actors. Real heartthrobs. If you like any of them, I can introduce you. Autographs, photos, even dinner, anything you want."


    As Juniper ate her fruit, a sarcastic voice cut in before she could answer.


    "Hah, handsome young heartthrobs? How handsome? And how... *young* are we talking?"


    The double entendre hung in the air, and everyone turned to stare at Shanley. That sounded suspiciously like a dirty joke.


    "What is wrong with you? What nonsense are you spouting?" Miranda pped her son on the arm before ncing furtively at Juniper. The girl was so innocent. She probably didn''t even understand what Shanley was implying.


    "Fine," Shanley said, shifting away from his mother as he continued to eat his fruit with a cold smile. "Go ahead, take her When Juniper falls for someone younger and more handsome, you''ll have lost your daughter-inw."


    "See? Now you''re all silent."


    Miranda''s smile vanished. That was true. How had she not considered that? The entertainment industry was full of handsome, charming young men, who were every bit as appealing as Shanley. She was lucky her son had reminded her


    Otherwise, she might have really


    chased away the daughter-inw


    she''d worked so hard to get.


    "Um, well..." Miranda rubbed her nose, embarrassed. "Actually, a lot of them just look good because of makeup and photo editing. In person, they''re not as good- looking as Shanley. No need to see them."


    "Miranda," Juniper paused, setting down her fruit. She looked up and met the older woman''s gaze, her voice gentle but firm. "I don''t just fall for any random person. You don''t have to worry."


    "Really?" Miranda was so surprised she nearly cried with relief. "That''s a weight off my mind."


    She was lucky her son was handsome and rich. Otherwise, he might have been just another one of those "random people."


    Shanley arched a brow in triumph, a quiet air of noble confidence radiating from him. As if Juniper would fall for someone else. Her standards weren''t that low.


    After all, once you''ve had a taste of the best, how could you ever settle for anything less?


    "Is the guest list finalized?" Shanley asked, steering the conversation back on track.


    If they kept going, his respected mother was going to think he was unwanted goods that she''d have to pay someone to take off her hands.


    "It is," Miranda sighed. The topic was clearly a headache for her. "I''ve confirmed the main celebrity guests, but I left the amateur casting to my assistant director." She''d heard the girl they picked was from a wealthy family and had a good


    education-from Era University, no less.


    What was her name again? Something with a ''Y''?