The allure of a young girl, bnced delicately between innocence and maturity, was impossible to ignore. As Miranda made her way over, the other young members of the Lancaster family gravitated towards her, eager to say hello.
"Mira," the youngest among them eximed, eyes wide with admiration, rushing over to be near her. Her slightly older brother couldn''t hide his affection for his sister either. "Miranda."
Some of these rtives had witnessed Miranda''s bravery when she helped Anna, and their respect for her had only grown since then.
This admiration only added to the aura of poprity surrounding Miss Lancaster.
Mrs. Hawke couldn''t help but question, "President Lancaster, are you sure you''ve got the right person?" Alden ventured, "Yeah, President Lancaster, could there be a mistake?"
Dorian''s brows furrowed in confusion.
"What''s going on?" Alistair whispered to Dorian as he walked up to thetter.
Dorian replied coldly, "How the hell should I know?"
Lavinia''s elegant face turned serious. "What are you implying? I''d know my own daughter, wouldn''t I?" She turned to face the crowd, exuding an air of authority. "Today, as your host, I have invited you all to this gathering for one main purpose: to introduce my daughter."
She beamed at Miranda beside her. "Her name is Miranda. She is both beautiful and aplished, and as her mother, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have such a gorgeous daughter. I hope you will all look out for my dear Mira in the future."
Her words were perfectly paced, her tonemanding attention, ensuring everyone in the room heard her clearly.
The spotlight then shifted to Miranda, illuminating her with the grace of a true princess.
As Lavinia finished speaking, apuse filled the room, apanied bypliments and praise for Miranda.
Every face turned towards her was alight with admiration for her beauty and grace. Especially those with sons were already contemting alliances with the Lancaster Group.
"Rest assured, President Lancaster, we''ll certainly look after your daughter."
"Indeed. She is truly exceptional and beautiful."
...
Meanwhile, the Hawke family stood rooted to their spots, stunned.
There was nothing quite as humiliating as being proven wrong in public, and that was exactly how the Hawke family felt now.
The daughter they had disregarded was now being celebrated by everyone and acknowledged as the prized daughter of the Lancaster Group.
The stark contrast was hard to swallow. And now, that daughter was calling someone else "Mom". Arabe red at Miranda, seething with resentment.
How could a mere nobody suddenly be a princess? How could someone dismissed by the Hawke family bask in so much adoration?
The one dressed so beautifully and capturing everyone''s attention should have been her. Yet here she was, forgotten and ridiculed, like a clown who''d overstayed her wee.
Even her parents and brothers were looking at her. She couldn''t bear it; the daughter of the Hawke family, the title she took pride in, was nothingpared to the heiress of the Lancaster Group.
She feared that her family''s attention might be permanently shifted to Miranda and thus abandon her. Miranda''s gaze swept over Arabe; she offered a smile. It felt like a deliberate jab, a challenge. Sebastian was the first to approach, a smile ying on his lips. "So, the beautiful youngdy is Miss Lancaster. Well, that certainly saves us an introduction."
He directed thest part at Miranda, referencing their earlier conversation.
Perhaps it was his natural charm, but what might have seemed presumptuous from someone else seemed perfectly naturaling from him.
Lavinia''s demeanor towards Sebastian was especially warm. She said with a smile, "Seb, you must take good care of her."
Sebastian''s lips arched as he gazed at Miranda. "Of course."
Lavinia couldn''t help but smile at Sebastian''s words. Just then, another voice broke in assertively. "Ms. Lancaster, shouldn''t it be my job to look after Mira?"