Chapter 129
Miranda chuckled softly and addressed, “Yeah, that’s right.”
She could feel it now, how the sorrow that used to weigh on the old Miranda was slowly fading away. Every time she spoke to the Hawke siblings, that sadness seemed to be washed away, replaced by a sense of relief. In those moments, she felt herself growing closer to this new life she was leading.
The Zade family? They were here because she wanted them to be. It was her little “gift” to Arabella. She didn’t need to do much – just let them know that riding on Arabella’s coattails would bring them benefits. They’d come running on their own.
After all, they were always dreaming of their son making something of himself. No way they’d pass up an opportunity like this.
The Zades were traditional; they favored sons over daughters. Miranda had been treated like a burden, working like a mule for Adam. She was often mistreated by them, left to eat the scraps of their meals. That was why, by the time she returned to the Hawkes, she was all skin and bones, loathed by the family.
To them, Arabella was just a cash cow. They couldn’t care less if it meant for their son’s benefit. After all, Adam mattered more than Arabella ever could.
Arabella valued so much the title of being the Hawke family’s daughter, and the latter tried to keep her true identity under wraps.
In terms of that, Miranda was determined to reclaim what was rightfully hers for the original Miranda. For things belonging to her, she might not need them, but she wouldn’t let anyone else take them from her. It was a promise she made to the girl whose life she now lived.
Watching the live stream, Wendy seemed pleased. “Miranda, you’re right. Trash belongs in the trash heap. The Zades aren’t good people, and neither are the Hawkes!”
After a moment of thought, Wendy concluded irritably, “They’re just awful!”
Just then, Miranda’s phone started buzzing. She picked it up, recognizing the voice on the other end.
“So, when can I get my check–up?”
Whether it was her illusion, Miranda felt Elian’s voice seemed gentler this time, like a cool mountain stream brushing against her ear. It didn’t even feel like he was calling about a medical appointment – more like he was calling to an intimate chat.
“Got the money ready?” Miranda asked.
Elian curled his lips upward. “It’s on its way.”
“Alright, I’ll set it up,” Miranda replied, about to hang up.
“Wait,” Elian’s voice stopped her. He was still as roguish as ever, his voice carrying a lazy amusement. “Cheer
up.”
It was the kind of indulgence one’d use with a child, but with his own brand of arrogance. Miranda paused, a smile tugging at her lips.
“Got it.”
On the live stream, the Zades were locked in a heated exchange with reporters and fans, and even Arabella’s instruction of asking them to cause trouble at Lancaster Group had come to light, stirring up quite a storm online. For days, it dominated the entertainment headlines.
Yet, someone seemed to be trying to downplay it all, cooling the buzz, even deleting posts and reports. But soon enough, the stories would resurface as if sprung from Pandora’s box.
The show’s producers got caught up in the drama, and Arabella’s behavior on the show was scrutinized,
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Chapter 129
triggering debates across unrelated industries.
One plastic surgeon compared the Zades‘ features with Arabella’s bone structure, confidently declaring them related. This riled up Arabella’s fans, forcing the surgeon to flee social media under the accusation that he intentionally made that comment for being bribed.
“Just because they look alike doesn’t mean they’re family! By that logic, are you saying you resembling gorillas is hence related to them?”
“I’m warning those spreading rumors, Alistair doesn’t mess around!”
“Just a few words, and you buy it?”
“Is Bella’s lineage your decision? The Hawkes know better, don’t they?”
“Brothers, our girl’s being bullied – speak up!”
“Arabella’s fans are in denial; they’d argue even if the truth hit them in the face!”
“Are they Arabella’s fans, or just supporters of her title being the doted daughter of the family? Is it so hard to accept she’s adopted?”
Initially, Arabella’s fans refused to believe she wasn’t a true Hawke, accusing Miranda of spiteful lies and tagging Alistair to sue her and the production.
But Alistair remained silent. Instead, Mr. Grey stepped in, tagging Miranda in a post: “Feeling litigious.”
Given Maximus’s history of backing Miranda, it was clear he was warning potential litigants. “Sue Miranda, and you’ll face me.”
He even followed up with a meme, captioned, “Gathering evidence.”
This made many think twice before slandering Miranda, especially since those who attacked her offline were still facing legal repercussions.
Amidst the chaos where Arabella’s fans went berserk, cussing those saying Arabella was the Hawke family’s foster daughter, an anonymous user posted photos of Arabella meeting the Zades, along with shots of them at the police station and an interview with the trio.
Only then did Arabella’s fans start to quiet down. Yet, there was a group of fans who just couldn’t accept that Arabella was adopted. They insisted that it was all a fabrication, a result of some Photoshop magic.
They even accused the Zade family of seeking attention and trying to gain popularity. Some people went as far as to harass the Zade family.
Ethan and his family were not accustomed to such attacks, so they decided to reveal what happened at the police station that day.
They even presented the paternity test results. That finally silenced Arabella’s fans.
