The two didn''t notice the change in Lysander''s tone. They continued joking around, half-seriously.


    "I already know you have a darling sister. Everyone knows how much you guys dote on her. Seriously though, she''s just not my type."


    "I can never mess with your little princess. To be honest, your sister is too spoiled for my liking. I''m more into the goddess type, you know? Like, doesn''t this girl have that kind of fairy-like vibe?"


    Both teammates had met Arabe before. She''d visited their club, trying to y games but often demanding they let her win, getting upset if they didn''t.


    So, Arabe didn''t have many fans in the club. Of course, there were a couple who liked her, but given the Hawke brothers'' fierce protectiveness, they were quick to let it go. Who wanted topete for attention with those overprotective brothers anyway? They were a handful.


    As the two teammates continued praising Miranda and joking about bing his "brother-inw", Lysander''s mood soured gradually. Especially since it seemed like they preferred Miranda over Arabe, which didn''t sit well with him.


    "You guys fall for someone just by looking at a photo? Shallow!"


    He mmed his keyboard and left the room. The two teammates exchanged nces, baffled about Lysander''s drastic reaction over some jokes they made.


    "You idiots, that girl''s like his sister''s rival or something. Probably over some drama thing," another teammate couldn''t just watch it, walked over and chimed in. "You guys just walked right into it!"


    The pair looked at each other, realization dawning. So that was why he was so upset. ssic overprotective brother syndrome.


    Miranda finally had a moment to check her phone and saw a bank transfer notification - five million dors.


    And a slew of messages from Elian.


    [Is that enough? Let me know if you need more.]


    [Busy?]


    [What are you up to?]


    [Wanna meet up? Talk about my grandpa''s condition.]


    Half an hourter.


    [Am I your lover? Afraid to text back because your hubby might find out?]


    [Honestly, I don''t even care if you reply.]


    [Seriously, just reply already!]


    Miranda was like, "..."


    Reading Elian''s messages, Miranda felt her lips twitch unwittingly.


    Was he like a puppy or something?


    After that one dinner following the screen test, Elian somehow managed to get some of her contact info


    and added her on social media. Ever since, he''d send her messages now and then, trying to keep himself on her radar.


    But Miranda couldn''t be bothered. Unless it was something really important, she rarely replied. She wasn''t glued to her phone like some people.


    She sent back a question mark. "?"


    Just as she was about to put her phone down, Elian replied instantly.


    "Don''t get the wrong idea, I wasn''t waiting for your reply."


    Miranda rolled her eyes, amused. Usually so cocky, who was he trying to fool now?


    "Where are you?" Elian shot another message.


    She smiled slightly and replied, "Let''s set a time."


    Elian responded immediately, "Sure."


    Miranda put down her phone, stretched by the window, and looked out at the bright, sunny day. A rare, genuine smile spread across her face.


    "Maybe the world isn''t so bad after all."


    Elian stared at their chat, his lips curling up.


    A few dayster, thanks to some viral photos of Miranda online, the buzz around the film she was involved


    in, as well as being a ma for topics, a few producers reached out with invites to various talk shows


    and programs. But Miranda had handed all her business dealings to Marion, so she left it to him to handle the negotiations.