Oh, that''s right. Ynda.


    She had told her assistant director that character was the number one criterion for selecting the non-celebrity guest. When she heard the candidate was from Era University, she''d approved. If she went to the same school as her future daughter-in-w, she couldn''t be all that bad, right?


    "Juniper, you have toe visit the set and give me some ideas," Miranda said enthusiastically. Juniper was sharp and clever; she was sure to have great suggestions. If she had the chance, she''d love to invite Jimmie and Juniper as special guests. It wasn''t about the ratings. She just wanted to show the world just how beautiful, sweet, and utterly lovable her future daughter-inw was.


    The next day, as soon as Juniper arrived at school, she heard the buzz. Ynda, a freshman from theputer science department, had been chosen to participate in Director Miranda''s new reality show as the non-celebrity guest.


    The entire campus was in an uproar. The director was Miranda, a legend that countless A-list stars were desperate to work with. Ynda was probably going to be a huge star.


    A crowd of students was already surrounding her, asking for autographs and photos.


    Ynda was going to be on Miranda''s show? That''s right. Miranda''s assistant director chose her. All the prep work was done, and filming would start next week.


    How long could someone like her keep up an act on a reality show? Still, it could be a good thing. The drama and controversy she''d inevitably create would be great for the show''s ratings.


    Juniper paid it no mind and continued walking toward theputer science building with her backpack.


    Ynda turned and happened to catch a glimpse of Juniper''s retreating back. She must have heard the chatter. Soon, Ynda would be famous across the country. So what if Juniper was the top schr, or a famous actor''s sister, or had a bunch of other mysterious identities? How many people actually knew who she was? But a show by Director Miranda was different. And since Ynda was the only non- celebrity guest, if she yed her cards right, she was guaranteed to capture the audience''s attention.


    A smug smile spread across Ynda''s face. Soon, the gap between them would be as wide as the heavens and the earth.


    Two dayster, Juniper received an invitation from Miranda to attend the opening ceremony for the new show "Hey Sis!" It was on the weekend and Miranda had sweetened the deal by mentioning


    the production had bought a


    e


    mountain of desserts. Fine, she''d go.


    Juniper wore a hat and a mask, met briefly with Miranda upon entering the set, and was then led to a spot behind the cameras.


    The assistant director asked hesitantly, "Miranda, who is this youngdy...?" Even though she was bundled up, the visible parts of her eyes and brows hinted at a rare beauty.


    "Her?" Miranda took Juniper''s hand, trying to contain her inner excitement. "I can''t say for now," she said calmly. "You''ll find outter."


    Later? The assistant director


    nced from Juniper to Director


    Miranda, his mind racing. Could this


    girl be Miranda and Mr. Schwartz''s


    secret daughter?! It seemed impossible for anyone else, but for Director Miranda, it was entirely usible. After all, she had hidden her marriage for years; what was hiding a daughter inparison?


    The assistant director''s eyes widened. Mr. Schwartz was famously handsome, and


    with Director Miranda''s genes... their daughter must be an absolute knockout.


    He stole another nce at Juniper, his thoughts spinning. She had to be unbelievably beautiful.


    "Don''t mind her, just let her do her own thing," Miranda said, setting up a small stool for Juniper and arranging snacks and desserts nearby. "Sweetie, I have to go get busy now, okay?"


    "Mhm," Juniper nodded obediently. "I''ll just leave on my ownter."


    After Miranda teft, Juniper found a


    quiet corner, crouched behind a camera, and watched therge monitors with interest while nibbling on her snacks. There were four pairs of guests participating, all of whom were fairly well-known figures from various corners of the entertainment world.


    The first guest introduced was a thirty-five-year-old actor named Ken Quinn. He''d been a child star, debuting at age eight, and had been working in the industry for twenty-seven years, earning a reputation for both his talent and character.