Chapter 42
Since Miranda got out of jail, everyone could tell she was different.
But today’s Miranda…
They’d believe she was a princess if someone told them. Even when she did nothing but stand there, she radiated a stunning aura.
Arabella, who had been smiling moments before, lost her smile the instant she saw Miranda. Her face turned pale, and her eyes clouded over with gloom. What was she doing here?
Alden and Grace looked equally surprised.
“Is that… Miranda?” Mrs. Hawke asked hesitantly.
It wasn’t long before someone approached Miranda.
A young gentleman from a wealthy family walked over, holding a glass of wine, creating a scene straight out of
a movie.
“That’s the eldest son of the Everhart family.”
“Mr. Everhart making the first move? That’s rare.”
“Hello, Miss. May I have the pleasure of knowing you?” the young man smiled politely, nodding slightly.
Miranda looked up at the voice.
The man in front of her was tall, wearing a high–end charcoal suit, with a pair of frameless glasses that added to his intellectual charm. He seemed to be around twenty–five years old.
She nodded politely. “Hello.”
Good–looking men and women were always a sight to behold.
Sebastian Everhart, despite being from a prestigious family, was known for his low profile. His family hailed from Virell, a name associated with nobility.
It was said that Sebastian had high standards, so his approach was particularly attention–grabbing.
And this scene didn’t escape another man who had just entered the venue.
Mr. Ashcroft noticed Elian, who had been accompanying him, suddenly freeze, his gaze fixed in a specific direction. He followed Elian’s line of sight but couldn’t see much from a distance.
Still, he sensed that Elian was feeling some sort of way.
“I’m Sebastian,” Sebastian smiled gently, his eyes lingering on Miranda. “May I know your name, Miss?”
And as Sebastian made his move, other eager young men backed away.
Before Miranda could respond, Arabella’s low voice cut through the air.
“Miranda, what are you doing here?”
Trailed by two young ladies who were on good terms with her, Arabella approached slowly.
Sebastian’s brows furrowed slightly at the sight of the Hawkes‘ arrival, but seeing as they seemed to know each other, he said nothing.
The four Hawke brothers and Alden and Grace watched from a distance, refraining from approaching. In a setting like this, they couldn’t be seen associating with Miranda.
Arabella had volunteered to see what was going on, claiming she’d try to talk some sense into Miranda. Alden
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and Grace had even praised Arabella for her thoughtfulness.
Miranda’s gaze swept over Arabella with a cool detachment.
Arabella apologized to Sebastian with an insincere smile. “Mr. Everhart, I’m sorry. This is an old classmate of mine. I saw someone I knew and came over to check. I apologize for interrupting.”
Sebastian barely spared Arabella a glance before his interest waned.
He had encountered many heiresses from wealthy families, and Arabella didn’t pique his interest in the slightest.
Arabella’s face stiffened at Sebastian’s indifference, but she quickly recovered and turned to Miranda, lowering her voice as if speaking kindly, “You shouldn’t be here. If people find out you’re a sugar baby, they’ll look down. on you. This place is for real ladies of society.”
She feigned sincerity. “I’m telling you this for your own good, regardless of what you’ve done. If you cause a scene, everyone will know.”
Arabella’s words painted her as if she were genuinely concerned about Miranda. Yet it was clear she was trying to let everyone know Miranda was just a woman kept by some man, a lowlife of no standing.
Indeed, those who had initially viewed Miranda with admiration now looked at her differently.
While the elite circles had their share of affairs and single men attending with dates, a sugar baby was different. That role was despised and looked down upon by high society ladies.
A young lady standing next to Arabella couldn’t hold back. “Arabella, why waste words on this trash? She’s not fit for this place, no need to be so nice. Just tell her to get lost before she ruins the party.”
“Exactly, how did someone like her end up at the Lancaster Group’s banquet?” another young lady sneered.
Before arriving, Arabella had shared some unpleasant stories about Miranda with them, portraying her as a shameless gold digger.
Sebastian frowned but kept his eyes on Miranda. Watching her remain composed, a faint smile playing on her lips, he decided to see how things unfolded.
“I find it curious,” Miranda’s lips curled slightly, “how you always manage to sniff me out wherever I am.” Her gaze was icy as she looked at Arabella. “Honestly, I’m also worried about catching rabies.”
The insult was clear; Miranda was calling Arabella a mad dog, and everyone understood.
Arabella’s face turned an ugly shade, struggling to maintain her composure while feigning innocence. “How could you be like this? I’m trying to help you. Might as well see who you really are, do you think coming here makes you a swan among ducks? With your status, you’ll only become a laughingstock.”
Miranda’s lips curled up as she slowly enunciated each word, “Who told you I’m someone’s sugar baby?”
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