Chapter 278
They now disregarded this once hotshot young lawyer everyone talked about in the circle, not even as gossip material did he hold any interest.
Wealthy folks were a dime a dozen, and stories of bankruptcy, debts, or jail time were as common as apple pie, which remained a common sight to them.
Besides, they never really liked the Hawke brothers who had always been a bit of an odd fit, constantly marketing themselves alongside their sister, which didn’t sit well with the crowd.
But there were a few who used to be on friendly terms with Alistair, and they couldn’t help but gossip.
“Word is NeuraCore is having a cash flow issue,” Mr. Porter remarked. “Apparently, they invested in a project that went belly up and dragged NeuraCore down with it.”
“Yeah, my dad mentioned it too,” chimed in Daniel. “There was already a big enough hole, and their chairman somehow made it even worse.”
Brian added, “They reached out to my family for help, but we turned them down. My folks warned me to steer clear of them.”
O
Alistair noticed Miranda glancing his way, his expression shifting, a hint of awkwardness in the
eyes.
She was surrounded by a group of well–heeled young men, the scene a sharp contrast to his past life. He used to be a high–flying gentleman himself, never giving much thought to his own sister.
Now, the roles had reversed. He quickly finished his business and turned to leave.
“Thought he was all high and mighty,” Hannah scoffed. “Now he’s just a rat.”
She remembered how arrogant the Hawke brothers were in front of her sister back in the day.
-The wealthy heirs around Miranda exchanged glances. Honestly, they couldn’t wrap their heads around the Hawke family, who was willing to dote on a foster kid to the extent that they didn’t even acknowledge their flesh and blood.
If Miranda were their sister, they’d definitely flaunt it off!
“Forget him, Miranda,” said Daniel. “What do you say? How about lending me a hand instead? Here, my credit card is yours for the taking!”
He barely finished before a hand snatched the card away. Daniel turned around. “Hey, that’s for Miranda! Why are you taking it?”
But upon seeing Sebastian’s face, he stammered, “Mr. Everhart?”
Sebastian’s smile was faint. He began, his voice cool, “No reason. I was just letting you know, I’m willing to pay double for Ms. Lancaster to teach me first.”
“That’s jumping the line!” Daniel pursed his lips.
Hannah glanced at Miranda, wondering when her sister agreed to this. Miranda frowned slightly. She hadn’t agreed to anything. Besides, Sebastian didn’t really need her help with shooting.
With Sebastian’s offer, Daniel let it go. The onlookers dispersed, returning to their own activities.
Once they were left alone, Sebastian spoke to Miranda, “It’s rare to see you here.”
Miranda understood the hint–Sebastian frequented this place.
“I don’t come by much. I’m not exactly lounging around all day; normally, there are lots of things to handle. I’ve got to earn a living.”
Between her public engagements, pharmaceutical work, studying medicinal herbs, improving what she’d
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Chapter 278
cultivated, and dodging those with designs on her, she was anything but idle.
Though Crystal helped with the pharmaceutical side, there were things only Miranda could accomplish. She sensed danger looming and needed to stock up on medication for emergency.
Sebastian adjusted his glasses slightly. “Last time, we were supposed to collaborate on that magazine shoot, but something urgent came up. I’m sorry for bailing.”
There seemed to be an underlying message.
Hannah quickly chimed in, “No worries! My sister and I managed the shoot. Instead, I need to thank you for the opportunity!”
Sebastian glanced at Hannah. “Is that so?”
Hannah paused. Was there something wrong with what she
aid?
Sebastian’s smile was subtle. “Quite the coincidence, as if someone intentionally disrupted it. Don’t you think, Ms. Lancaster?”
Before Miranda could respond, Hannah jumped in. “Yeah, it was way too coincidental!”
Miranda was at a loss, surmising that Hannah could make a great sidekick in a comedy duo.
Meanwhile, across the shooting range in the control room, Mr. Ashcroft sat with a middle–aged man in military attire.
“Mr. Ashcroft, you look much better than the last time I saw you. Seems like Zephra is treating you well,” commented the man in uniform.
Despite the age gap, both men sat with straight backs and strong postures. Just their silhouettes were as unyielding as oak trees.
Mr. Ashcroft smiled faintly as he replied, “It does indeed. Had I not visited Zephra, you wouldn’t have seen me in such good shape.”
The middle–aged man glanced at Mr. Ashcroft. “Seeing you well puts my mind at ease.”
