Chapter 69
She glanced at Arabella beside her, and the more she looked, the more Arabella’s face resembled that of her biological mother, Luna. This realization made her frown.
Deep down, she believed Arabella was the daughter most worthy of her love, yet something about the situation
irked her.
Seeing Arabella splurge on so many luxury items suddenly left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Back when Miranda was living at home, she never really bought her many clothes. Arabella would always pass down her own clothes to Miranda. At the time, she thought Arabella was being considerate.
But now she realized, as soon as Arabella handed down her clothes, she’d immediately buy new ones for
herself.
Miranda and Arabella were built differently. Miranda, who had always been undernourished, was skin and bones with a less refined aura. Wearing Arabella’s designer clothes was like trying to pass off fakes.
Back then, she even resented her own daughter for being so skanky.
But at the Lancaster Group banquet, seeing Miranda in a bespoke gown looking so poised, calling another woman “Mom“. Inside, she felt a mix of heartbreak and anger.
With another glance at Arabella now, who seemed only interested in buying luxury goods, her mood soured.
“You need to rein it in; you’re not a kid anymore. Even if the family is wealthy, you can’t just spend recklessly,” she admonished.
Arabella pouted. “Alright, Mom.”
“How are things with Theo lately?” she inquired.
Arabella admired her newly bought jewelry. “Good, same as always.”
Grace nodded. “You should work on your relationship with him. Your twentieth birthday is coming up soon. It’s time we finalize your engagement.”
Though there was already a verbal agreement between the families, they hadn’t officially held an engagement
ceremony.
Lately, the Blackwell family hadn’t been as warm towards them, so it was crucial to seal the deal quickly.
Arabella frowned. “Do I really have to marry him, Mom?”
After meeting Elian and Sebastian at the banquet, Theo seemed less impressive. She could surely marry into a higher social standing. Marrying Theo felt like settling.
Besides, she found Sebastian and Elian far more attractive than Theo.
Lately, she’d heard a lot about how influential Sebastian was in the elite circles. Compared to him, Theo was hardly worth mentioning.
So her feelings for Theo had cooled, far from the same as before.
“What else would you do? Both families have agreed, besides, you two have been good, haven’t you? Didn’t you insist on dating Theo back then? Your brothers were upset for quite a while before they came around.”
Arabella deflected, “Oh, Mom. I’m still young. I want to be a star. Getting engaged so soon isn’t good for my career.”
Grace thought about it and saw the point.
Arabella glanced at Grace’s expression and said deliberately, “Mom, there’s something I didn’t want to tell you, but Miranda has gone too far.”
09:24
Chapter 69
Arabella exaggerated how Miranda had badmouthed her and the Hawke family online to Grace
Grace slammed her hand on the table in anger. “That Miranda! She’s out of control!”
Arabella sighed softly. “Mom. I think she really resents us now. It’s my fault. She must be targeting the Hawke family because of me.
And now, she’s somehow become the Lancaster Group heiress. With the Lancaster family’s wealth, no wonder she doesn’t want to come back. She’s even forsaken her biological family.”
At that moment, Dorian came down the stairs and overheard Arabella’s last remark. He frowned and said coolly, “Don’t forget, you’re not the biological daughter either.”
His tone was laced with displeasure, which caught Arabella off guard.
Only then did she realize her slip of the tongue. Mrs. Hawke also picked up on it.
Arabella insinuated that Miranda chose the Lancaster family for their wealth over her real family.
Then what about her? Did she reject the Zade family for the same reason?
Her words inevitably sowed doubt in Grace’s mind as a foster mother. The once strong bond between mother and daughter now showed signs of strain.
Her expression soured. “Think before you speak next time,” Grace scolded mercilessly.
Arabella quickly nodded. “I got it, Mom. I misspoke.”
Arabella glanced up at her brother Dorian, but he didn’t linger on her. He went out as soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
Arabella felt a pang of fear and unease.
Why was her brother so cold towards her? Was it because of Miranda?
At the thought of Miranda, Arabella’s hate and resentment threatened to burst forth.
Miss Lancaster.
Why did that slut deserve everything?
