Carter stepped forward, feeling an unexpected surge of responsibility. He couldn''t just stand by and let Miranda be bullied, so he was about to speak up.


    "Who am I? I''m your maker. You can also call him that," Miranda said coolly.


    Carter blinked in shock as he stared at Miranda. Was she seriously trash-talking like that? So direct? So bold? Why did she have this strange obsession with calling people out like that?


    Celeste was furious, but against Miranda''s sharp tongue, she found herself at a loss for words. She lunged forward, raising her hand to p Miranda.


    But before she could, Carter caught her wrist.


    "Hey, let''s just talk it out, no need for violence," Carter urged. "She doesn''t actually mean she wants to be your maker, you know? It''s more like a, uh, hypothetical one."


    Miranda chimed in, "Exactly. It''s like when I say your mother''s out of the picture, it doesn''t mean she actually is, right?"


    Carter regretted his words instantly, almost on the verge of tears. Why did he have to open that can of worms? Was she really so unscrupulous? This Miranda, she was something else!


    Celeste''s eyes zed with anger. She raved, "You bitch! Does Eli know you''re like this? You two are just trash! I bet you''re just some sleazy girl who goes around seducing men. If he knew what you were really like, he wouldn''t want anything to do with you!"


    Miranda couldn''t be bothered to argue with Celeste. She simply called her "retarded" and turned to leave.


    She just disliked Celeste, because who would like someone who targeted them on the first meeting? Especially since Celeste had tried to mess with her online a few times. It was nothing serious, so Miranda didn''t feel the need to deal with her beyond a few choice words.


    The manager stood there, wide-eyed and speechless.


    Carter didn''t dare say a word either. Once upon a time, he wasn''t afraid of anything, but now he feared that if he said something, Miranda woulde up with an even sharpereback.


    Miranda''s way with words was far from polite, but it was so satisfying!


    "Who dared upset our little princess? See how worked up she is."


    A man''s voice,yered with a touch of reproach, sounded from behind them. Seeing who it was, Celeste immediately adopted a hurt


    Ditiel


    expression, her voice both pitiful and angry. "Mr. Bartley, it''s her! That''s Miranda!"


    Ever since Celeste had returned to Virell, she had exaggerated every story about Zephra and the online gossip about Miranda among the local socialites. As a result, the


    young men and women here


    viewed


    Miranda as some maniptive, attention-seeking drama queen who relied on underhanded tactics.


    Even though most of the stories were online, and they weren''t the ones directly involved, oblivious to the authenticity, they chose to believe the so-called "truth" from someone they knew.


    Because of this, Miranda''s reputation was in tatters.


    "Stop right there!" Hugomanded sternly, his face darkening. "I said stop!" Miranda didn''t even acknowledge him. But when Hugo shouted again, she paused, turning to the dazed Carter. "What are you standing there for? nning to stay and dine with them?"


    Carter snapped out of it and hurried after her.


    Beingpletely ignored only made Hugo''s expression grow darker. "Hold her down!" he barked.


    The manager quickly interjected, "No, no, let''s just talk about this, Mr. Bartley."


    He had hoped to calm things down, but the bodyguards were already advancing toward Miranda.