Chapter 271
Miranda arched an eyebrow. “Oh, really?”
Lavinia pulled her aside, settling down nearby. “Yeah. Somehow, the Hawke family’s business is tanking, and Dorian seems totally checked out these days. He’s made a bunch of bad decisions, dragging the company deeper into debt. If some sucker doesn’t bail them out soon, they’re looking at more than just bankruptcy.”
Lavinia had a knack for seeing the bigger picture. Though the Hawke family’s troubles weren’t yet public knowledge, she could already see the writing on the wall.
As she spoke, she waved over an assistant. “Go find out what’s going on over there.”
The assistant nodded and hurried off.
Miranda took a sip of her wine, her peripheral vision catching a familiar face in the crowd–a waiter, though disguised. She simply sipped her drink again, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
Soon enough, the assistant returned. “President Lancaster, the Hawkes are trying to introduce their sons to a bunch of rich CEOs‘ daughters, but they’re all turning them down. Apparently, the girls are freaked out by his ‘sister complex‘ and some just don’t want to compete with his sister for his attention. Others say, if the Hawkes treat their own daughter so poorly, what hope is there for a daughter–in–law? Anyway, none of them want anything to do with their sons, and they’re being pretty vocal about it.”
The assistant pressed the lips briefly. “They’re busy trying to convince everyone Arabella isn’t part of the family anymore, that they’ve already kicked her out.”
Lavinia chuckled at it, turning to Miranda. “See? I told you coming to this auction with me would be entertaining.”
She knew Miranda had no love lost for the Hawke family, so she spoke openly.
“It’s a shame, though. The Hawke kids used to be the most eligible bachelors around in the circle. Now, no -reputable young woman would give them the time of day,” Lavinia sighed, a touch of nostalgia in her voice.
The auction hadn’t started yet, so the pair sat chatting.
“You see the way they’re looking at you now? I bet they’re kicking themselves,” Lavinia remarked. “If only they’d treated you better back then.”
Miranda smiled faintly. “Godmom, there are people whose regrets are worthless. And they’re those people. Because, regret or not, they’d make the same choices again if given another chance. You reap what you sow.”
“Their regret is only because they’ve lost something,” Miranda said, raising an eyebrow. “If they were still on top, do you think they’d feel sorry?”
Lavinia nodded. “You’re right.”
She felt a pang of distress that Miranda had learned such hard truths so young.
“I heard Arabella’s living with the Zades now. I can’t imagine it’s any better for her. They’ve got what’s coming to
them.”
Miranda pressed her lips, a glint of coldness in her eyes. “Yeah, they got what they deserved.”
Suddenly, a commotion broke out nearby.
“You ungrateful slut! After all I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?!” Mrs. Hawke’s voice was shrill, filled with resentment and despair.
The two exchanged glances and hurried over to see what was happening. By the time they arrived, a crowd had already gathered.
Turned out Mrs. Hawke had gone to the restroom and caught her husband making out with another woman!! Taking a closer look, she found the woman was none other than their adopted daughter who they’d doted on
10
16:45
for twenty years, Arabella!!!
The revelation was a bombshell, leaving everyone’s jaws on the floor.
Arabella, disheveled, hid behind Alden, desperately trying to explain. “Mom, this is all a misunderstanding.”
Alden was red as a lobster, his lips ghastly pale. “No, honey, let me explain. I just saw Arabella here and went to check on her. It’s not what you think.”
No woman could endure such betrayal, especially when the betrayal came from someone she had raised. At the moment, the so–called dignity was cast aside.
“It’s not what I think? Then what was your hand doing?! And Arabella’s vamp–like behavior–what’s that supposed to mean?! You bitch! For all the years I’ve raised you, this is how you repay me?! Seducing your father–Have you no shame?!”
Chapter 272
