Chapter 54
“Seriously? This is straight out of a soap opera. Hold on, Miss Lancaster has the last name Hawke too. Could she actually be the real daughter of the Hawke family? Why else would Arabella be so fixated on her?”
“No way. If she were their real daughter, they would’ve claimed such a talented kid ages ago. Unless they’ve lost their minds.”
“Exactly. I mean, just look at them together – the vibe is totally different. Miss Lancaster’s got that classic elegance you’d expect from someone raised by a big–shot family.”
“Lovely weather tonight, isn’t it?” Miranda switched gears.
Even though it was nighttime and they were at an outdoor party, surrounded by nothing but the glow of artificial lights.
Elian, however, was still caught up in Miranda’s earlier teasing.
“Answer me this first are you unhappy with what you saw?” His voice was low, laced with a hint of danger.
Miranda shrugged. “I didn’t really see anything.”
Elian’s lips curled into a roguish grin, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. “If you want, I could give you another chance.”
There was an unspoken challenge in his words, a raw, wild allure that was hard to ignore.
Hard to deny, Elian was basically a walking temptation. He could effortlessly draw people in with his charm.
Miranda frowned. “I’m a respectable doctor, Elian. What are you even talking about?”
Her feigned innocence only made Elian’s grin widen.
“Miranda, it’s not polite to flirt and then run away,” he enunciated each word gently, his breath brushing softly past her ears, his gaze intense.
Miranda cleared her throat, cleverly steering the conversation in a different direction. “Your grandfather’s illness is quite complicated.”
Though she hadn’t actually done anything, she felt a faint heat creeping up her cheeks. Elian, aware of Miranda’s attempt to change the subject, still took Mr. Ashcroft’s health seriously.
“Name your price,” Elian said, his gaze steady on hers, a hint of something more in his eyes. “Just help him get
better.”
Miranda stared ahead. “Prepare five million dollars, and I’ll consider it.”
Elian chuckled, knowing that Miranda’s nonchalant response was as good as a yes.
By then, the music from the party had started, and people were already gliding across the dance floor.
It was at this moment that Sebastian approached Miranda. He bowed slightly, offering a smile. “May I have this dance, my fair lady?”
The temperature around Elian seemed to drop as he fixed a cold stare on Sebastian.
Miranda returned the smile politely. “I’m afraid I don’t know how to dance.”
Sebastian glanced up, his eyes kind behind his glasses. “No worries, I’ll teach you.”
His gentle patience was hard to resist.
Miranda, already holding a rare fondness for this well–mannered man, decided to accept his offer out of courtesy.
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09.22
Chapter 54
She nodded slightly, raising her hand.
Just as she was about to place it in Sebastian’s, another hand intercepted. Elian smiled at Sebastian. “Apologies, but as they say, first come, first served. Surely, when it comes to dance, it should be my turn. Mr. Everhart, you agree?”
Sebastian met Elian’s gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Indeed, there’s an order to things. But Mr. Ashcroft, surely you know that one must also have respect and decency.”
His calm retort was a bold challenge to Elian.
Elian’s smile gradually faded. Their seemingly calm exchange was charged with an undercurrent of rivalry.
