"See her out!"


    Miranda was furious just looking at her and ordered the staff to escort Sheryl off the property.


    Fuming but utterly powerless, Sheryl clutched the trash bin to her chest, walking toward the exit under the mocking stares of the crowd.


    As she passed Juniper, she paused for a fraction of a second, shooting her a deeply resentful re.


    Juniper Payne, right?


    Just wait. She would get her revenge for today''s humiliation eventually.


    Once Sheryl was gone, Shanley turned to Felton, his voice dripping with ice. "Cancel the Schwartz Group''s coborations with the Yardleys for the next quarter."


    Cancel?


    The guests were stunned into silence by the ruthless decision. Canceling a full quarter''s worth of business would be a massive financial hit to the Schwartz Group itself. But for the Yardley family, it would be a catastrophic, apocalyptic blow.


    Shanley was making it crystal clear: Juniper was his heart. If anyone dared to bully her, he would scorch the earth to destroy them, even if it meant taking a loss himself.


    "Ms. Payne has such an incredible presence. She''s a perfect match for Mr. Schwartz!"


    The shrewd socialites in the room instantly read the room, stering warm smiles on their faces as they showered Juniper with praise.


    "Absolutely. I had only heard rumors about Ms. Payne before, but seeing her today proves the praise is well-deserved." Someone else chimed in, not wanting to be outdone in the ttery. "With elegance and ss like that, you won''t find anyone in all of Era City whopares."


    "A golden couple, truly. It makes you envious just looking at them."


    Listening to the relentless sucki up, Juniper suddenly found her juice much less appetizing.


    "The chefs have prepared an excellent spread. Please, enjoy the food," Miranda announced, sensing Juniper''s distaste for the overly manufactured social scene.


    "Of course."


    The crowd understood the subtle dismissal and quickly dispersed.


    "Juniper, I''m so sorry you had to deal with that mess during the holidays." Miranda took Juniper''s hand, looking genuinely guilty. "It''s all Hayden''s fault! What kind of guest list did he approve? Bringing that kind of headache to our door! I''m not letting him eat dinner tonight."


    Miranda paused, deciding that wasn''t harsh enough. "You know what? I should make him sleep in the guest room for a month! And Shanley can go sleep on the couch with him!"


    One attracted crazy stalkers, and the other had terrible judgment in guests. They both deserved it.


    "Honey, I—" Hayden Schwartz started, his voiceced with caution as he tried to defend himself.


    Miranda shot him a lethal re, and Hayden instantly withered.


    Fine. The guest room it was. A month on a lonely mattress was still better than being entirely banished from his wife''s good graces.


    Shanley pressed his lips together,


    not daring to utter a single word of protest. Though he hadn''t done anything intentionally, his mere existence had attracted the drama, If suffering on the couch made his girl feel better, he''d dly take the punishment.


    "Miranda, I''m not mad." Seeing Hayden''s miserable expression, Juniper''s lips curved into a faint smile "There are so many women eyeing Shanley if I got angry every time one of them opened he mouth, I''d explode from the stress.


    Shanley?


    Hearing his first name fall from her lips with that specific, icy inflection sent a chill straight down Shanley''s spine.


    "Really?" Miranda let out a breath of relief, patting her hand. "You never have to worry about Shanley''s loyalty. He''spletely clean. I guarantee there are no hidden flings."


    "Honestly, a while back, people even rumored he liked men! Hahaha..."


    Hearing his mother''s mercilessughter, Shanley''s face turned a distinct shade of green.


    Who started that rumor anyway? He was going to murder them.


    "Alright, alright," Miranda said, forcing herself to stopughing, ker tone softening. "After today''s scene, everyone knows exactly where you stand. No one will dare gossip behind your back anymore."


    "The dinner won''t start for a bit. If you don''t like this kind of crowd, you can head up


    to your room and rest."


    ***


    Upstairs in the bedroom.


    Shanley turned on the climate control and personally helped Juniper out of her coat.


    "Thanks," Juniper said, tilting her head back. She stared at him with a half-smile, her voice a slow, deliberate drawl. "Shanley-"