Before Celeste could finish her sentence, Mr. Sterling had already pped her across the face.


    Disbelief etched on Celeste''s face. "Dad?"


    Mr. Sterling fixed his gaze on her. "I don''t care whose foster daughter she is. From now on, you stay clear of her! Even your grandfather agrees. As long as she doesn''t cross the line with you, just let it slide."


    "But why? Grandpa always dotes on me," Celeste said, bewildered. "She hit me first! Why are you taking her side?"


    Mr. Sterling inhaled a deep breath. "That''s not for you to worry about. She''s not someone you can mess with. I''m only doing this to teach you a lesson. You know the Sterling name carries weight, and I don''t want any unnecessary stains on it. I''ve managed to cover up your past antics, but as for Miranda, don''t provoke her again! If she does start something, I''ll report to them. I''m doing this for your own good!"


    Celeste clenched her jaw, tears welling up in her eyes.


    "Of course, it would be best if you could make peace with her," Mr. Sterling advised.


    Celeste lowered her gaze, harboring a growing resentment.


    Making peace? Why should she? Why should she cozy up to someone like that?


    A flirtatious woman with loose morals and a questionable background, why should she have to befriend her? What is she?


    Though Mrs. Sterling remained silent, she was visibly upset.


    "Couldn''t you just talk it out? Why did you have to hit her?"


    Mr. Sterling sighed, "I just don''t want her doing anything that could harm the family. You know your daughter''s temperament."


    Celeste wasn''t the only one who got in trouble that day. Others who had shed with Miranda at the shooting range found themselves in hot water too.


    After getting roughed up by Miranda, they returned home only to face another round of beating. The young heirs were baffled, unsure of why they were being punished.


    It wasn''t until Miranda''s name was mentioned that the reason became clear. Their parents had explicitly warned them to steer clear of Miranda.


    But these young men weren''t exactly known for their obedience. In Virell,


    they had never feared anyone except for those two individuals. Why should they back down now?


    That night, their chat group was buzzing.


    sw ne


    Mr. Bartley wrote, [Who''s this Miranda? I got a beating when I got home because of her!]


    Brian chimed in, [Same here. They justid into me out of nowhere. What''s the deal?]


    Mr. Lancaster typed, [I was told to stay away from her. I got punished, but who''s picking on whom here? Can''t anyone deal with this Miranda?]


    n wondered, [Did she go and tattle on us to our families?]


    Brian rebuked, [That little snake, she''s the worst! I need to teach her a lesson!]


    Mr. Lancaster texted, [She''s pretty, but why''s she such a nightmare? Running to tattle, how low can she get?]


    Mr. Bartley stated, [Never backed down from anyone in Virell except those two, and now I''m supposed to avoid her? Not happening!]


    Brian echoed, [Me too, I can''t stand snakes like that! How can we teach her a lesson? I don''t hit women!]


    Mr. Lancaster replied, [Not like you could even if you freaking tried. Together, we couldn''t take her on.]


    The group fell silent. Yeah, they couldn''t beat her. And apparently, they couldn''t outsmart her either.


    How were they supposed to handle this troublemaker? The young elites found themselves deep in thought.


    Mr. Bartley sent, [Come on, guys, think of something! We''ve got to put her in her ce! (roaring.jpg)]


    That night, Miranda sneezed a few、


    more times. She nced out the window, puzzled. How many times was that now? She wasn''t evening down with a cold.