Marion chuckled briefly, setting his phone aside as he returned to reviewing his business portfolio. Marion loved making money, but he wasn''t exactly a money-lover. To someone with his skills, money was merely a tool - a way to measure his worth.


    He could earn it effortlessly. So, what mattered more to him was whom he was making money for and what value he brought to the table.


    He chose to stick by Miranda willingly. After his release from prison, it was Miranda who took him in, entrusting him with everything she had. There was no way he''d consider jumping ship easily.


    Yet, in the past few months, countless offers hade Marion''s way. Headhunters from multinational corporations around the globe offered enticing packages, but Marion turned them all down.


    Maximus faced simr pursuits. Manypanies and multinationals sought to hire Maximus as their legal advisor or even as their personalwyer.


    After all, having an unbeatablewyer was like a soldier having a gun - invincible. So, the invitations Maximus received were no less than Marion''s.


    Both were once high-profile figures, and even after serving time, they still had influential figures eager to extend them an olive branch.


    Yet, to everyone''s surprise, Maximus chose to serve as a legal advisor for a mere entertainmentpany. And Marion, once courted by major corporations, was content running an entertainment mediapany at Zephra.


    So, what was it about Zephra?


    Miranda''s day was as typical as yesterday, heading to school while her assistant Wendy called to check in on her.


    Since Miranda had decided to return to school recently, Wendy was enjoying a paid vacation alongside her.


    After Miranda''sst TV appearance nearly caused a media frenzy, thepany''s agent advised against overexposure to maintain an air of mystery. Besides, Miranda had some personal matters to attend to, so a break seemed fitting.


    "Mira, did you see the post Arabe made today? She''s such a maniptor! I can''t believe so many fans and online folks are starting to sympathize with her. Are they blind or what?


    And those three from the Zade family are spreading rumors about you. While most people have good sense, some are easily swayed by gossip."


    Wendy was fuming, clearly upset. As Miranda drove, she replied, "Oh, really?"


    Miranda''s seemingly indifferent tone deted Wendy''s fervor.


    "Why hasn''t someone dealt with people like them? By the way, when are youing back?" Wendy asked.


    Miranda parked her car outside the school. "I''ll return once I''m done here."


    Wendy responded, "Yeah, a few film studios and scriptwriters have reached out. They''re keen on having you after your break. Yourst movie, City Secrets, is about to release, and there''s a lot of buzz. They''re eager to sign you for the next one.


    "No rush, I''ll let Mr. Smith handle my work schedule," Miranda replied, pausing briefly. "Didn''t you mention a friend who''s unwell? How''s your friend doing?"


    Wendy hesitated, her voice softening. "Still the same."


    Miranda set the handbrake and got out of the car. She offered, "If there''s a chance, I''d like to meet your friend."


    Wendy paused before responding. "Alright, if you don''t mind, I''ll take you to meet her next time."


    After hanging up, Miranda nced at her phone. She didn''t even need to search; Arabe''s trending post popped right up.


    Arabe had penned a small essay.


    "I know you all hate me. I''m the bad


    guy who took someone else''s ce. But have you ever thought about how cruel this is for me? The parents and brother I''ve known for twenty years aren''t real. One day, a girl showed up at my house iming to be the real daughter. Do you know how painful that is? Even though my parents and brothers said they''d treat me like their own, I''m still scared. If it were you, would you return to such an original family? Remembering every moment with my family hurts like hell."


    The entire piece was a tear-jerking narrative, painting Arabe as a victim.


    While it sparked outrage, it also garnered sympathy from some fans, who began speaking up for her. The inte was a powerful tool for maniption.


    Miranda wasn''t surprised. Arabe, in her current situation, could only y the pity card to win public sympathy. But more people and disillusioned fans weren''t buying it.


    "Wow, I feel a strong sense of maniption here. What is she, a green tea bitch?"


    "For those defending Arabe, pretending to be a saint is something unsavory."


    "So, Arabe stole someone else''s life for twenty years, and now she''s ming the person for showing


    up?"


    "Here''s the deal: may your daughters


    be swapped at birth and let


    someone else''s morally


    questionable child take her ce Then, when your foster daughter


    grows up, let her inherit your assets."


    "Shouldn''t you apologize to Miranda and return everything to her now? Why all the tears? And how are you still hanging onto the Hawke family like a leech?"


    "Guys, I''ve binge-read a couple of novels about swapped identities, and I can already predict the plot twists.


    "Arabe is actually pitiful. It''s not her fault. But why is everything being med on her? Is the real daughter that important?"


    "Arabe, speak up on your main ount."


    ...


    Miranda strolled along, scrolling through her phone.


    It seemed the Hawke family hadn''t hired any PR teams to manage the situation for Arabe this time.


    In the past, any negative press about Arabe would be swiftly cleaned up by Dorian''s PR team. Who knew if the Hawke family had run out of steam or simply decided not to act this time.


    Lately, Arabe''s name has been popping up all over the inte.


    But what really caught her eye was a trending topic linking her to some wild rumors about Theo calling off an engagement, a scandal involving his mistress''s abortion, and


    suspicions of him cheating with Arabe.


    Miranda raised an eyebrow. Wow, that was some juicy gossip, huh?