Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1771

"You act like you aren't exactly the same," Hannah pouted, looking genuinely a little wronged.

"I absolutely am."

Miranda admitted it freely. She walked over to Juniper's right side and gently grabbed her hand. "What do you want to eat? I'll have the kitchen prepare it."

"Braised Prawns."

"Perfect." Miranda smiled warmly. "What a coincidence, I was craving that too. I've already told the kitchen to get it ready."

"Oh, right. I found some amazing new snacks recently."

Miranda was just as obsessed with snacks as she was. She practically buzzed with excitement. "I bought a batch specifically for you. Want to take a look right now?"

"Sure."

Juniper nodded. Just as the two of them were about to get up, a voice interrupted them.

"Hector and Monique have arrived," the steward, Gino, announced.

Hearing this, Miranda pulled Juniper back down onto the sofa. "Hold on," she whispered. "Let's stay for the show."

"Oh."

Juniper quietly sat back down, placing her hands obediently on her knees.

She blinked her big, expressive eyes, looking incredibly adorable.

"Let them in." The smile instantly vanished from Hannah's face, replaced by a stern, formidable expression.

"Mom, Dad."

Hector Schwartz walked in with his wife on his arm, nodding respectfully.

Monique glanced at her mother-in-law, who was sitting in the center seat with a dark expression, and suddenly felt a wave of guilt.

"Mhm."

Hannah shot her a cold glance. "Tell the kitchen to serve dinner."

"Right away, ma'am." A maid quickly scurried off, noting the heavy tension in the room.

Hannah's mood was undeniably foul.

But it was perfectly understandable.

The scandal surrounding the Ainsworth family's daughter had blown up entirely. Everyone in Eclara City knew exactly what kind of person she really was.

Yet, not too long ago, Monique had actually wanted that girl as a daughter-in-law, specifically to cause trouble for Ebony Fox.

Honestly, whether it came to looks, elegance, or moral character, Ebony Fox was miles ahead of that arrogant little rich girl.

Tsk.

"Careful." Hector quickly grabbed a napkin to clean it up, then placed a fresh prawn on her plate.

Monique pursed her lips, a knot of frustration tightening in her chest.

It was always like this.

Hannah was all smiles and sunshine with the eldest son's family, but the second she looked at her, it was nothing but cold stares.

What?

Wasn't she a daughter-in-law too?

"How is Kurt doing abroad?" Hannah asked flatly.

Monique stayed silent. She was currently in a 'cold war' with her son.

They weren't speaking.

"He's doing drone test flights in the mountains," Hector chimed in, having kept up with the work. "His company's new batch of drones is purely functional, mainly designed for rescue operations—like forest fires, where they can be used to transport water."

The testing phase was extensive; Kurt would likely be roughing it in the mountains for two or three days.

"I see."

Hannah nodded slightly, then shifted her gaze back to the silent Monique. "I heard you wanted Annie Ainsworth to join our family?"