Chapter 240
Hannah never really liked the Hawke family. They were the epitome of high society, always marketing themselves in the most ostentatious ways.
And Dorian? He never left a good impression. In fact, all four of the Hawke brothers rubbed her the wrong way. They acted like Arabella was the center of the universe.
Sure, protecting the sister was understandable, but these guys took it to a whole new, brainless level. Plus, ever since Hannah discovered Miranda’s connection to the Hawke family, her dislike for them intensified.
Her admiration for Miranda was so deep that she was practically itching to confront the Hawkes on her sister’s behalf.
Dorian’s face had turned a sickly shade, but perhaps in an effort to avoid conflict, he chose not to argue with Hannah. Instead, he turned to Miranda, his voice laced with concern. “Are you okay?”
Seeing Miranda’s lack of reaction, Dorian added in a serious tone, “I happened to be passing by and saw Adam causing you trouble.”
Miranda looked at the cup of coffee in front of her, a slight smirk playing on her lips.
Hannah glanced at Dorian, and for the first time, she thought she sensed a hint of unease in the young CEO.
Dorian paused for a few seconds. “Arabella has left the Hawke family.”
Miranda raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Oh, and why should that matter to me?”
She fixed her gaze on Dorian and continued, “And tell me, Mr. Hawke, are you so free these days? ‘Happened to be passing by‘? Or did you happen to stage Adam’s little performance?”
The idea that Dorian would just randomly appear here was beyond belief. Everyone knew someone like him, a wealthy heir, preferred exclusive clubs, his office, or high–end gatherings.
He wasn’t the type to wander aimlessly around the streets. Besides, Miranda had done her homework. She knew his habits well, especially when she asked William to direct the Zade family trio to confront the four brothers for money.
Unless there was some special reason, Dorian would never be in a place like this. Dorian’s slight change in expression, which signified that he wasn’t planning to explain, confirmed her suspicions.
She chuckled dryly. “So it is true, huh? Don’t you think these tactics are beneath you?”
Her words darkened Dorian’s already sour expression.
“Regardless of what you think, I don’t want to see you hurt,” Dorian replied coolly.
Miranda shivered with mock disgust, goosebumps rising on her arms. “Sorry, you just made my skin.crawl.”
Dorian was silent.
“You can save that line for Arabella. It’s nauseating when you use it on me,” Miranda said, visibly repulsed.
Hannah stayed quiet, simply enjoying the drama unfold. Dorian glanced at her, but his words were aimed at Miranda. “Can we have a proper conversation?”
Hannah knew what he meant. He wanted her to leave so he could talk to Miranda alone. But she wasn’t going anywhere, looking at Miranda instead. She only listened to her sister.
“Sure, we’re having a conversation right now, aren’t we?” Miranda smiled. “Whatever you have to say, say it here. I’m curious to hear if you can actually speak like someone civilized.”
Because in her eyes, the Hawke family were more like beasts than people; animals weren’t the civilized type,
after all.
Dorian understood the insult behind her words, but aside from a slight frown, he didn’t react.
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Chapter 240
“Hannah is my sister, not an outsider. You’re the only outsider here. Surely you realize that?” Miranda added, seeing Dorian hesitate.
His eyes darkened. “Arabella has left. We were all deceived by her. We’ve realized the truth now, it’s all a misunderstanding. Our parents regret their favoritism towards Arabella and negligence on you. With Arabella, the person you hate the most, gone… maybe you could come back and visit?”
Dorian’s words were clearly an attempt to lower himself, to appease her. Especially standing there, impeccably dressed in designer wear, he looked like a man reluctantly taking a timeout.
Miranda was slightly taken aback. She hadn’t expected Dorian to swallow his pride so quickly, even trying to
win her over.
Not long ago, he was the epitome of arrogance. But now, his demeanor only disgusted her more.
“You think saying it was all a misunderstanding will erase everything you’ve done?” Miranda scoffed. “How about I slap you around a bit and tell you it’s all a misunderstanding? No, that’s too mild. Maybe I should beat you half to death, have you locked up for a few years, and then say it was all a misunderstanding?”
Dorian’s fists clenched, and his face grew pale.
“Doesn’t that sound absurd when you said those words?” Miranda challenged. “And Arabella leaving your family is irrelevant to me. I’m not interested in your internal affairs.”
What she was interested in was seeing them all behind bars, with the heaviest sentences possible.
“As for those I despise,” Miranda continued, her lips curling into a cold smile. “Arabella is secondary. I detest you enablers more. Every vile act Arabella committed was with your help. You don’t seriously believe that kicking Arabella out cleans your slate, do you?”
Under Miranda’s pointed words, Dorian’s gaze grew colder, more shadowed.
“In reality, you’re all part of the same filth. But you’re worse than Arabella. At least she’s obviously trash from a glance, while you lot are the rot wrapped in pretty packaging. Touch you and it reeks. Don’t you agree?”
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