Chapter 38
He paused for a moment. “Of course, I won’t pressure you. It’s entirely up to you,”
Elian gave a nonchalant “Yeah“, and swiftly moved past the topic. Clearly, he wasn’t keen on discussing it any further.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to see that girl again?” Elian suddenly brought up.
Mr. Ashcroft raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Why?”
Elian’s lips curled into a hint of a smile. “There will be a chance soon.”
Mr. Ashcroft gave Elian a curious look, his interest piqued. Elian said nothing more, simply taking a sip from his coffee cup.
Meanwhile, back at the Hawke family’s residence, Dorian had returned after seeing Miranda. The family gathered together.
Alden and Grace listened to what had happened, their expressions turning livid.
“If she’s determined to be so obstinate, we might as well pretend we don’t have such a daughter!” Alden declared coldly. “I refuse to acknowledge a daughter who disgraces us by becoming someone’s mistress and
who has such a malicious heart!”
Grace’s perfectly made–up face was equally stormy.
“I’ve said it before, nothing good can come from a family like that. Even if she carries our Hawke blood, she hasn’t inherited an ounce of our dignity. All that rebelliousness and shameless behavior must have been learned from the Zade family.”
Arabella quickly stepped forward to console Grace. “Mom, don’t upset yourself over someone like that.”
Her comforting daughter managed to soothe Grace’s expression somewhat.
“Thankfully, we had her take the fall for Bella back then. Our Bella is the true jewel of the Hawke family. We couldn’t let a single mistake tarnish her.”
Grace was relieved that the daughter she raised was so well–behaved, a testament to her own parenting.
“Bella is such a sweetheart, unlike that Miranda,” Grace said coldly. “If Miranda doesn’t want to return, then she shouldn’t! The Hawke family will act as if she doesn’t exist. Remember, you four, your only sister is Bella!”
Initially, when Alden and Grace had brought Miranda back, they had harbored hopes of making amends and reconnecting. After all, she was their flesh and blood.
But the Zade family’s demeanor and Miranda’s timid and often infuriating behavior since returning had gradually alienated them, making them increasingly distant and displeased.
The four brothers exchanged glances but remained silent, nodding in unison. They all sensed that Miranda had changed dramatically since her time behind bars.
Even though every encounter with her was fraught with confrontation, there was no denying that Miranda now was far from someone who had been in prison, and she even shone with a certain brilliance.
Her harsh words, while cutting, always struck a nerve, forcing them to reflect.
So, despite their past grievances, the brothers harbored a newfound, complex regard for Miranda.
Arabella’s face lit up with a satisfied smile at her mother’s words.
“Mom, you’re the best. I’m so lucky to be part of this family with you, Dad, and my brothers,” Arabella said, tears of emotion welling up.
Grace patted Arabella’s head. “Sweetheart, you’ll always be our treasure.”
1/2
09-20
Chapter
“Enough about her,” Alden said, waving his hand as if to ward off something unpleasant.
“In three days, the Lancaster Group is hosting a banquet. They’ve invited all the who’s who of the social elite. We have an invitation too. This event is important. It’s said that President Lancaster is introducing his daughter to society, throwing a welcome party for her.”
