Chapter 44
It wasn’t just Arabella who was stunned – everyone seemed to be in shock.
Alden and Grace, along with the four Hawke brothers, stepped forward, their faces mirroring the confusion of the crowd.
What? Why did Miranda just call President Lancaster “Mom“? What on earth was happening?
The two young ladies, who had been so eager to join Arabella in ridiculing Miranda, now turned their bewildered gazes onto Arabella, their expressions tinged with a hint of accusation.
Their voices were laced with anger. “Didn’t you say she was just some gold–digger?”
“Were you lying to us on purpose?”
The onlookers, initially here for a bit of drama, found themselves witnessing a spectacle far more entertaining than they had bargained for. But the joke was clearly on Arabella and the other two.
They had barged in, intent on humiliating Miranda, accusing her as someone’s sugar baby, only to discover they had been mocking the daughter of President Lancaster herself.
It was the kind of epic twist that rarely played out in the elite circles they frequented.
Lavinia frowned. “A misunderstanding?”
William just managed an awkward smile, feeling it wasn’t his place to jump into the conversation.
Miranda approached Lavinia with a calm demeanor. “This Ms. Hawk, as well as these two ladies.”
She glanced towards the other two, who had subtly distanced themselves from Arabella. She chuckled softly. “Ms. Hawk seemed to think my presence here was due to me being kept by some man, implying I’d been brought in by him.”
Miranda’s words were delivered with such grace and poise; she seemed unbothered by the earlier misunderstanding, showing no sign of holding grudges.
Such composure and elegance made the onlookers feel their previous speculation ridiculous. Her demeanor so unruffled, even when she was wrongly accused; the behavior was exactly what one would expect from a Lancaster – a family known for their stature and class.
No wonder the Lancaster family seemed so fond and proud of her. President Lancaster often spoke highly of his daughter for a reason – she truly deserved the praise she received.
The two young ladies managed awkward smiles.
“I’m sorry, it was a misunderstanding. If Ms. Hawk hadn’t been so convincing, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“Yes, exactly. It’s so amusing. I can’t believe I fell for it.”
Though they usually maintained friendly terms with Arabella, they knew better than to cling to her in a situation like this. Besides, it had been Arabella’s words that had led them to confront Miranda.
They wouldn’t be so embarrassed if it wasn’t because of Arabella.
Now that Miranda seemed to hold no grudge, they were quick to align themselves with her. After all, being in the good graces of the Lancaster heir was far more valuable than any association with Ms. Hawk.
If it weren’t for Arabella’s four brothers, they wouldn’t have bothered with her at all.
Lavinia sneered, “Throwing baseless rumors at my daughter, Ms. Hawk? It’s hard not to question what kind of upbringing you’ve had.”
The members of the Hawke family stood there, their shock evident, as Lavinia openly claimed Miranda as her daughter. Mrs. Hawke’s face turned an even deeper shade of discomfort, unable to hide her dismay at Lavinia’s words.
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Chapter 44
The crowd looked at Arabella as if she were a clown, their eyes filled with a scorn that Arabella could hardly bear, her facade of composure slipping.
Mrs. Hawke stepped forward to stand beside Arabella, forcing a smile. “President Lancaster, it’s all a misunderstanding. Bella isn’t the type to spread rumors. You’ve got it wrong.”
She was the head of the Lancaster Group, and as Arabella’s parent, she had to smooth things over. Though she spoke to Lavinia, her eyes were locked on Miranda, as if seeking confirmation of her identity.
The rest of the Hawke family joined them, looking expressly shocked as their gazes were fixated on Miranda, struggling to understand how she could possibly be the Lancaster heiress.
Their previous assumption – that Miranda was involved with a wealthy man – now seemed utterly ridiculous. Standing beside Lavinia, Miranda was a vision of elegance. Her gown highlighted her fair skin, and her striking features were further enhanced by her makeup, making her look even more breathtaking.
Even the priceless jewels she wore seemed secondary to her presence – Miranda herself had become the most dazzling aspect of the evening.
- i.
