Caius chimed in, "I''ve seen her a few times before. Her brothers spoil her endlessly. A former ssmate told me that anyone who crosses Arabe at school doesn''t end up well."


    Hannah scoffed, "What a shameless person."


    As they spoke, Miranda reached her car. She smiled. "When someone can''t keep up the act, they show their true colors. There''s an old saying: if she''s trash, she''ll always end up stinking."


    Caius looked skeptical. "Is that really a saying? Or did you just make that up?"


    Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Take a guess."


    Caius pressed his lips, awkwardly averting his gaze. Miranda just chuckled, getting into her car.


    She knew Arabe''s type all too well - a master of putting on a facade, pretending to be something she


    was not.


    As long as everything went her way, she could keep up appearances. But now, every nce from Arabe was filled with hysteria, jealousy, and resentment towards her.


    Once someone lost theirposure, they''d turn brainless, and couldn''t keep up the charade. It was all in the genes. The Zade family had a knack for being shameless, obnoxious, and boorish.


    Seeing Miranda about to leave, Caius hurried to say, "Drive safe! And thanks for everything this time." Hannah nodded enthusiastically.


    Miranda slid on her sunsses. "Didn''t you say you''re like a brother to me? No need to thank family." With that, she waved and drove off.


    Hannah nudged Caius who seemed lost in thought as he watched Miranda''s car disappear. "Caius, you okay?"


    Caius looked away. "She left so quickly, we barely talked."


    There was a note of wistfulness in his voice.


    Hannahughed. "It''s not like we won''t see her again. She''s part of the Lancaster family now. We can catch up anytime."


    Caius realized she was right.


    Hannah sighed, "Mira''s amazing. Seeing Arabe and Theo put in their ce was so satisfying!"


    Caius echoed her sentiment, his eyes reflecting a hint of different emotion. "Yeah, she really is something else."


    At the Hawke estate, Alistair was recounting the events at the shooting range to Dorian. Dorian almost thought he was joking.


    "She can shoot? And hit the bullseye every time?" Dorian frowned. "You''re kidding, right?"


    Alistair replied, "You can check the club''s rey if you don''t believe me."


    Dorian fell silent. After


    moment, he


    spoke again, "Where did she learn to shoot? Did she pick it up while she was in prison?" Even as he said it, he knew how absurd it sounded


    en


    Alistair, however, answered


    ? ?


    seriously, "Impossible. They wouldn''t let inmates near a gun, let alone practice shooting. Actually, since the day she got out, I felt she was different," Alistair said softly. "Haven''t you noticed? She''s more beautiful, confident, and people are drawn to her."


    What Alistair didn''t voice was how, in contrast, their foster sister Arabe seemed to lose her luster, making him more inclined to focus


    on his blood-rted sister, Miranda.


    en


    Dorian had noticed. After a few seconds of silence, he replied coolly, "You mentioned she considered


    Caius her brother?"