Chapter 131
Chapter 131
Arabella’s eyes were filled with tears and red. As soon as she heard Grace’s words, she rushed forward desperately.
“No! No, Mom, Dad, I’ve always thought of you as my real parents. The Zade family never raised me, not even for a second–how could I acknowledge them? They threatened me, saying if I didn’t give them money, they’d spill the truth about me being a fake heiress, making everyone look down on me. I was terrified, terrified of losing you, so I met with them.”
Her tear–stained face was full of anguish. “It’s all their wishful thinking. It must have been Miranda who put them up to this. She hates us, and this is her way of getting back at us. Please, you have to believe me. I grew up as your daughter.”
Grace took a deep breath, watching Arabella cry like this softened her heart, if only a little.
“If you hadn’t done this, would she have anything to hold against you? You knew she resented you and us, yet you kept provoking her. Don’t forget, Miranda is also our daughter. Think before you speak!”
Arabella bit her lip, tears brimming in her eyes.
“She’s adopted by the Lancaster family, and you’re not? You better know your place!” Grace rarely spoke to Arabella in such a harsh tone.
But lately, every situation had made her more and more disappointed with this adopted daughter. Favoritism aside, no matter what, Miranda was still their biological child!
Now, Miranda’s brilliance and connections – it was all because Miranda inherited the Hawke family’s excellent genes, just like Dorian and the others.
Her four sons were all exceptional, and there was just something special about her biological daughter. In contrast, Arabella, who she once thought was exceptional, now just seemed ordinary.
Looking back, all the time and effort she’d spent raising Arabella had only turned her into a run–of–the–mill socialite.
But because Arabella was sweet, adorable, and the youngest, and she knew how to win their over, they had spoiled her since little. They paved her way for the future, letting her life be smooth sailing from the start. Yet, Arabella never really excelled in anything. The traits she once considered exceptional were lately overshadowed by other ladies. She even started to think Arabella wasn’t as stunning as Miranda anymore. Perhaps Arabella, being someone else’s child, didn’t inherit their family’s superior genes, and had to rely on cosmetic enhancements to look beautiful.
She worried that this adopted daughter might turn out to be a troublemaker, just like people said, a thankless burden. Seeing the Zade family’s influence, she feared their genetic traits might have seeped into Arabella. Although these thoughts hadn’t yet made her completely disappointed or resentful towards Arabella, the affection and favoritism were definitely waning.
A flicker of blood–red anger crossed Arabella’s eyes as she heard Grace’s words.
She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the bitterness in her heart. Despite this, she cried even harder, struggling to breathe between sobs. “I know, Mom. I never meant it like that. I wish she’d come back. I know she’s the real Hawke. I just can’t stand seeing her hurt you. She’d rather cling to her place as an adopted daughter with the Lancaster family than recognize you and return to the Hawkes. I’ve always considered myself part of the family. If you’re tired of me now, I’ll just leave.”
Chapter 132
Chapter 132
