Chapter 23
Joanna’s eyes gleamed with ambition when she heard AIVLYS’s mysterious founder might be at the banquet.
Getting close to such a secretive big shot could launch her acting career to new heights.
She tried to get more info from the staff member, but he didn’t know much–not even if the founder was a he or a she.
Byron, unbothered, leaned back with his legs crossed smoothly, showing no real curiosity about the AIVLYS founder.
He glanced at Joanna. “Go get Zack.”
Despite his calm front, he loved Zack deeply and was set on
raising
As
his heir.
Joanna opened her mouth but held back her words.
If she could’ve dragged Zack back, she would’ve already.
His heart was caught up with Sylvia and that little kid Ruby, and he wasn’t listening to her anymore.
Still, she stood and left the hall.
As she went to find Zack, a stylish guy in his thirties caught her eye.
Dressed in a sharp, casual outfit, he radiated cool confidence with every move.
Joanna knew him right away–Finn Drake, AIVLYS’s lead children’s clothing designer.
“Mr. Drake, remember me?” Joanna flashed a bright smile, gliding toward him.
Finn’s face lit up with recognition. He’d always liked the up–and–coming star.
“Didn’t expect to see you here, Miss Moore. Small world,” he said with a grin.
Joanna leaned in, her voice light. “Mr. Drake, I heard AIVLYS’s founder is here today. Is that true?”
Finn nodded casually. “Unless something changes, yeah, that is true.”
“That’s great! Could you introduce us?” Joanna’s eyes sparkled, barely hiding her excitement.
A tie to AIVLYS’s mysterious founder, even just the look of one, could boost her status overnight.
Finn gave a friendly nod. “If I can, I’ll try to make it happen. Depends on what Boss wants, though.”
Joanna nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Drake.”
Her smile was victorious. As she turned to leave, a plan to pull Zack back took shape.
Zack stood alone at the playroom door, watching Sylvia and Ruby with longing eyes.
He wished Sylvia would call him inside.
But Sylvia ignored him. This ungrateful kid had hurt her too many times.
And he didn’t need her, anyway.
2
She remembered Zack’s birthday one year. She’d gotten up early, putting her heart into handmade gifts, only for him to rip them apart and smash her homemade buttercream cake on the floor.
1/3
14:18 wea, 11 Jun
Chapter 23
He yelled, “What kind of birthday present is this? It’s so lamel I don’t want a hick like you as my mom.
“I want to spend my birthday with Joanna. She’ll get me a remote–control plahe. Joanna’s my favorite!”
His words had cut her deeply, leaving scars that still stung.
Those memories tightened her chest even now.
She didn’t want Zack in the playroom, but Ruby kept glancing the door, her little voice full of concern. “Why’re you just standing there? Come hang out
with us!”
Zack’s foot inched forward a few times, but Sylvia’s cold stare pushed him back each time.
Hurt and frustration filled his small face, but he stubbornly stayed put. He couldn’t believe Sylvia had become so distant.
The old her would never have let him feel this unwanted or treated him so coldly.
“Zack, come on, let’s go back,” Joanna said, spotting him still hanging around.
Her brow furrowed in annoyance before she put on a sweet smile. “I’ve got a surprise for you! I’m taking you to meet a friend–AMVLYS’s top kids‘ clothing designer.
“He’ll make some cool outfits just for you. Sound good?”
She raised her voice, making sure everyone in the playroom could hear.
Zack’s eyes got big. “Joanna, seriously?”
He knew AIVLYS kids‘ clothes–super cool, always in TV commercials. Byron had gotten him some before.
Joanna tilted her chin with a smug grin. “Of course it’s real! When did I ever lie to you?”
Zack’s heart pulled. He started to follow her but couldn’t help looking back at the playroom.
“Ruby, want to come with us?” he called out.
Ruby, holding a fluffy teddy bear, blinked her big eyes. “Nah, I’m good. I’ve got tons of AIVLYS clothes at home!”
“Oh.” A hint of disappointment flashed across Zack’s face.
Joanna laughed quietly. “Who does she think she is? ‘Tons of AVLYS clothes‘–probably fakes from a thrift store!”
With that, she pulled Zack away.
“Mom, why didn’t she believe me when I was telling the truth?” Ruby asked, her voice small and sad as she looked up at Sylvia.
Sylvia was AIVLYS’s founder, and they really did have a closet full of beautiful kids‘ clothes at home.
Sylvia just didn’t let her wear them to school, worried other kids might think she was showing off.
“Ruby, don’t let other people’s words bother you,” Sylvia said, picking up Ruby.
Then she smiled and said, “It’s almost time–the show’s starting soon. Let’s head to the banquet hall.”
“Yay!” Ruby cheered, wrapping her chubby arms around Sylvia’s neck. Her bright eyes looked up. “Mom, when’s Dad coming back? It’d be so fun if he could hang out with us.”
Sylvia’s heart hurt, but she forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Ruby. You’ll see Dad soon.”
Chapter 23
She’d already set up for one of her patients to pretend to be Ruby’s dad for a quick visit–just enough to ease Ruby’s longing.
“Mom, you better not trick me this time!” Ruby said, her tone serious.
Back when they lived abroad, she’d always asked for her dad, but Sylvia always made excuses. Ruby wasn’t so easy to fool now.
In the banquet hall, Joanna led Zack to Finn, the designer.
She said with a smirk, “Mr. Drake, could you design a few custom outfits for this little guy? Money’s no issue.”
“Definitely,” Finn said with a nod.
Joanna’s smile grew, and just then, she spotted Sylvia and Ruby walking in. A sly spark lit up her eyes. “Sylvia, why don’t you bring your daughter over for some custom designs too?”
A single custom AIVLYS outfit could cost tens of thousands. Sylvia was just a doctor–Joanna was betting she couldn’t afford it, a perfect way to embarrass her.
Finn turned to Sylvia, froze, and blurted out, “Boss!”
