The old rumors had long been dismissed as mere gossip, thanks in no small part to the Lancasters having vouched for Miranda. But now, hearing it from Arabe''s lips seemed to give the story a new, unsettling weight.


    Feigning confusion, Arabe asked, "What happened next? I''m just simply curious. We went to school together, and I never knew you yed games. I remember you once borrowed a ssmate''s phone to text your parents because yours was broken. They thought you stole money to buy a new one and came to school to give you a good beating."


    She paused, pretending to realize she''d said too much. With a half-smirk, she continued, "Oops, sorry. Just suddenly remember that, a funny memory."


    Arabe''s intention was crystal clear - to paint Miranda as a small-town girl from a poor background, someone who didn''t even have a smartphone back then. And worse, Miranda''s adoptive parents once came to school to discipline her, which was utterly humiliating.


    She was intentionally trying to link Miranda to the Zade family. No matter how polished Miranda looked now, she couldn''t shake off the filthy smell people from the gutter would have, and was raised by the Zades, far from any high society lineage.


    Arabe''s revtion caught the director and the host off guard. Everyone got dumbfounded, eyes darting around in surprise. Some widened their eyes, eager for the drama.


    Arabe looked at Miranda, feigning concern. "I hope you''re not upset I brought up your past?"


    Meanwhile, the live chat was buzzing with excitement.


    "What? Is Miranda''s high-society persona crumbling so quickly?"


    "Really? Did her parents really confront her at school? That''s just embarrassing."


    "They probably did that because she''s done stuff like this before. Clearly, she had issues."


    "If she could be the other woman knowingly, what else is she capable of? She must have stolen often, that''s why her parentsome to the school."


    "Isn''t Miranda the victim here? Her adoptive parents'' behavior has been exposed before. That kind of family who values sons over daughters isn''t great."


    "Growing up in that environment but still shining bright? Isn''t that something to admire? I can''t believe some people judge her past."


    "Let''s first figure out if the whole affair thing is true. It''s hard to trust her otherwise."


    "ssic passive-aggressive move: ''Hope you''re not upset?""


    "How fake Arabe is? She must be just jealous because Miranda''s winning."


    As the viewers kept discussing, the live broadcast continued. Since it''d been aired already, the director couldn''t just cut it off, and neither party seemed inclined to pause. So, the show went on.


    Sebastian frowned slightly, his gaze deepening as it was fixed on Miranda. Yet, Miranda seemed utterly unbothered, her expression calm andposed.


    A faint smile yed on Miranda''s lips. "I thought the Hawke family was somewhat decent."


    Her suddenment left everyone puzzled.


    Miranda looked at Arabe, her eyes cold but her lips curled into a smile. "So how did they end up raising such a bitch like you?"