The Lancaster Group''s banquet was the talk of the upper crust, though a few whispers had slipped out beyond the velvet ropes.


    Specifically, there was chatter about Miss Lancaster''s stunning looks and how the Lancaster family adored her. Then there was the juicy tidbit about the Hawke family being booted from the event over their own daughter''s antics, which had made some rounds in the gossip circles.


    However, the four Hawke brothers were savvy enough to squash much of the negative press about their family.


    "Miss Lancaster, here''s thetest on the Zade family - the ces they''ve been and the people they''ve met," said William, handing over a folder as Miranda was engrossed in the script for City Secrets.


    The role wasn''t huge, but it was a paying gig, and Miranda was nothing if not professional when it came to earning her keep.


    She set the script aside and skimmed through the details on the tablet William provided. At the sight of the connections and dealings of the Zade family, a sly smile crept onto her face.


    "Leak a few ces where Arabe frequents. And don''t let the Hawke brothers off the hook either. Good siblings should face the music together."


    William nodded, clearly eager to carry out the task. "You got it."


    "Push Ethan''s creditors to be a bit more aggressive," Miranda added nonchntly, turning back to her script.


    "Sure thing." William then added, "By the way, the school administration is asking when you''ll be enrolling.''


    Miranda shrugged, "No rush. We''ll see."


    "Alright," William agreed.


    Later, Miranda made time to visit Cathy in the hospital, continuing her treatment regimen. Though Cathy hadn''t woken up, herplexion looked slightly better, showing some signs of vitality.


    "I''ll be back," Miranda promised softly to Cathy, who was lying there in the hospital bed.


    As Miranda left the hospital, she unexpectedly ran into Luna, who was dragging her son along.


    "You got into a fight again, didn''t you? Look at you! You''re breaking my heart!"


    The blond teen was clearly annoyed. "h, h, h. Can you shut up for once?"


    Luna didn''t seem fazed. "I''m worried about you, that''s all."


    The middle-aged man trailing behind them chimed in, "The boy''s right. You''re too naggy. Boys fight, that''s what makes them men!"


    Luna''s eyes suddenly lit up as she spotted Miranda. She rushed over, blocking Miranda''s path. "Hold it right there!"


    Miranda hadn''t taken more than two steps when Luna''s shambling frame halted her.


    Sizing Miranda up, Luna sneered, "What have you been up to, dressed so nicely? Good timing, your brother needs medical treatment. Pay his hospital bill."


    Miranda''s lips curled into a frosty smile. "Not my freaking problem."


    She turned to leave.


    Luna''s face twisted with anger. "Stop right there!"


    Miranda paused, nced over her shoulder at them, and said, "The hospital bill, right? Get your biological daughter to foot it. She''s your flesh and blood, isn''t she? Surely she wouldn''t let her own brother suffer. With how cherished she is by the Hawke family, I''m sure she could have you working there as a nanny, earning more than you ever have. And who knows, with all the rich friends Arabe has, she might even sort out your son''s future marriage."


    Luna seemed to consider this while replying, "That''s for sure."


    Then she quickly realized what she currently needed to do. "But you pay now for your brother''s treatment! Hurry up!"


    Miranda scowled, "What a family of trash, each one in their own bin."


    Luna didn''t understand the insult, but she knew it was one.


    "How dare you talk to me like that?"


    Miranda didn''t bother responding, instead continuing to walk away. Luna attempted to catch up, but Miranda was already inside the elevator, sliding on her sunsses and waving a dismissive hand.


    Luna was left fuming, shouting obscenities. "You ungrateful wretch! Don''t forget who raised you! Think you''re all that now, huh? My own daughter is so much better than you! Who do you think you are? Just wait! When my daughter inherits the Hawke family fortune, you''ll get nothing!"


    The blond teen sneered, "That freeloader''s sure acting high and mighty now. I wasted my time sucking up to her when I thought she was the real Hawke heiress. Turns out she''s lower than apdog to them." Ethan spat on the ground. "Sucking up to her was pointless. She''s not even yours. Good thing your real sister''s treated like royalty. These rich folks are idiots, treating the wrong girl well. But she''s right, your sister knows a ton of rich girls. Butter her up, and maybe she''ll hook you up with a girlfriend."


    The teen chuckled smugly. "Don''t worry, Dad. I''m a catch."


    Miranda was done with that family. The hospital was crowded, and she didn''t trust herself not to lose her temper.


    If the Zade family wanted to mess with her, she''d just redirect the trouble towards Arabe. After all, it was only fair. Arabe owed her that much for everything Miranda had gone through in her ce.


    After leaving the hospital, Miranda had a meeting with Maximus, who had been asking to see her. He was the hotshotwyer who had recently been making waves online for taking an audacious stand against the Hawke family.