Kiss My Revenge The Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 271

Miranda arched an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

Lavinia pulled her aside, settling down nearby. "Yeah. Somehow, the Hawke family's business is tanking, and Dorian seems totally checked out these days. He's made a bunch of bad decisions, dragging the company deeper into debt. If some sucker doesn’t bail them out soon, they’re looking at more than just bankruptcy."

Lavinia had a knack for seeing the bigger picture. Though the Hawke family's troubles weren’t yet public knowledge, she could already see the writing on the wall.

As she spoke, she waved over an assistant. "Go find out what’s going on over there."

The assistant nodded and hurried off.

Miranda took a sip of her wine, her peripheral vision catching a familiar face in the crowd—a waiter, though disguised. She simply sipped her drink again, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Soon enough, the assistant returned. "President Lancaster, the Hawkes are trying to introduce their sons to a bunch of rich CEOs’ daughters, but they’re all turning them down. Apparently, the girls are freaked out by his ‘sister complex’ and some just don’t want to compete with his sister for his attention. Others say, if the Hawkes treat their own daughter so poorly, what hope is there for a daughter-in-law? Anyway, none of them want anything to do with their sons, and they’re being pretty vocal about it."

The assistant pressed the lips briefly. "They’re busy trying to convince everyone Arabella isn’t part of the family anymore, that they’ve already kicked her out."

Lavinia chuckled at it, turning to Miranda. "See? I told you coming to this auction with me would be entertaining."

She knew Miranda had no love lost for the Hawke family, so she spoke openly.

"It’s a shame, though. The Hawke kids used to be the most eligible bachelors around in the circle. Now, no reputable young woman would give them the time of day," Lavinia sighed, a touch of nostalgia in her voice.

The auction hadn’t started yet, so the pair sat chatting.

"You see the way they’re looking at you now? I bet they’re kicking themselves," Lavinia remarked. "If only they’d treated you better back then."

Miranda smiled faintly. "Godmom, there are people whose regrets are worthless. And they’re those people. Because, regret or not, they’d make the same choices again if given another chance. You reap what you sow."