Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Sylvia looked up, her eyes landing on Finn, who was talking about Zack’s custom clothes.
“What brought you here from overseas?” she asked calmly.
Finn hurried over, putting on a fake pout. “Miss, you’re way too hands off with the business! This entertainment center’s executives are all wearing our designs. i heard about the banquet and thought I’d drop by.”
Sylvia’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Alright, my fault.”
With so many businesses to juggle, her time was spread thin, and she often couldn’t keep track of every detail.
Finn lifted Ruby off the floor, playfully pinching her nose. “Miss Ruby, you’re getting heavy!”
Ruby giggled, her laugh bright and cheerful. “I’m growing up! Of course I’m heavier now!”
Joanna, watching from a distance, felt her jaw drop, jealousy burning in her chest.
She’d never dreamed the mysterious big shot she’d been eager to charm was Sylvia.
Zack’s face showed the same shock.
The designer, who’d been so distant moments ago, was now practically gushing over Sylvia.
For the first time, Zack really saw her–the woman he’d written off as a farm girl, unfit to be his mom, now a huge figure others looked up to.
Finn turned to Sylvia. “I’ve got some new designs for Miss Ruby. Want me to send you the sketches?”
“Email them to me,” Sylvia said, taking Ruby from him.
Then, her eyes flicked briefly to Joanna and Zack, a sharp glint in them. “Finn, go take care of your work. You’ve got people waiting for their designs.”
Finn nodded and headed back to Joanna and Zack.
Zack’s mind flashed to Ruby saying she had tons of AIVLYS clothes at home. It was all true.
Joanna realized it too. She’d laughed at Ruby for bragging, but now her face burned, like she’d been slapped.
“Hey, kid, let’s talk about your designs. What style do you like? Sharp little suit or something fun?” Finn crouched down, his tone friendly.
Zack stayed quiet, then shook his head, looking at the floor. “Sorry, sir, I don’t want new clothes anymore.”
His excitement was gone.
Finn didn’t mind. He glanced at Joanna. “Miss Moore, that was our brand’s founder. Want me to introduce you?”
Joanna’s eyes widened, and she waved her hands quickly. “N–no, I’m good!”
She turned and hurried off, desperate to escape her embarrassment.
Finn gave her retreating back a confused look but shrugged and started to walk away.
Zack tugged at his sleeve, hesitating. “Sir, can you tell me about your boss?”
For reasons he couldn’t pin down, Zack suddenly wanted to know more about Sylvia, this “awful mom” of his. That was a feeling he’d never had before.
Finn grinned at Zack’s serious face, leading him to a nearby chair. “She is
one amazing woman. I watched her build AIVLYS into a global giant from
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Chapter 24
nothing.
“The guts it took? Most people couldn’t handle it…”
Zack listened, his young heart filling with awe, tears stinging his eyes. The woman he’d once found so annoying was powerful, incredible,
He wanted to tell Finn that this amazing woman was his mom.
But the words stuck in his throat, heavy and unmoving.
The stage lights brightened, soft musi
Byron sat in one of the front–row a
as the performance started. Guests took their seats.
presence strong, his face calm.
Hayden, the host, sat in the middle chair, the third still empty–saved for AIVLYS’s founder.
“Sylvia, over here!” Hayden spotted her in the crowd and stood, waving her over with a big grin.
Sylvia held Ruby’s hand and walked toward him.
Byron’s eyes sharpened, realizing Sylvia was here.
“You know Sylvia?” Byron asked Hayden, his brow creasing slightly, a touch of suspicion in his voice.
Hayden laughed, nodding. “Byron, looks like you do too. She’s the one I told you about. The woman I’ve got a crush on.”
Byron’s chest tightened. Hayden had once mentioned a woman who’d stolen his heart. Byron never guessed it was Sylvia.
Though Sylvia had been his wife for years, he’d never shared her role publicly or brought her to events, so no one in their circles knew she’d once been Mrs. Blair.
Sylvia’s eyes met Byron’s for a moment, but her face stayed calm, like he was just another face in the crowd. She looked away and sat in the armchair next to Hayden.
Byron’s jaw tightened, his hands clasping together as he leaned toward Hayden, his tone easy but curious. “I heard this seat was saved for AIVLYS’s founder.”
Hayden leaned in, lowering his voice. “Byron, you might know Sylvia, but did you know she’s AIVLYS’s founder?”
Byron’s breath stopped, his eyes darting to Sylvia in shock. ‘She’s the mysterious founder?‘
Hayden, clueless about Byron’s reaction, turned to Sylvia, chatting with her in a warm, easy way.
Their closeness stirred an odd irritation in Byron. He almost blurted out that Sylvia was his ex–wife, that Hayden should back off.
But he caught himself. They were divorced–her relationships were none of his concern.
From the back rows, Joanna’s jealous glare burned into Sylvia, while Zack bit his lip, his young mind spinning with confusion.
He couldn’t make sense of it. The “awful mom” he’d brushed off was so
stuck in the back.
powerful. She was now sitting right next to his dad, while his fa
Joanna was
The stage show ended, and the charity auction kicked off, with all the money going to good causes.
As the first item came up, Sylvia leaned down to Ruby, holding her close. “Sweetie, can you raise your hand for me? Let’s help some kids who can’t go to school, okay?”
“Okay!” Ruby giggled, eagerly waving her little hand.
Joanna, watching from the back, stared in shock. The item was a diamond–crusted golden vase with a starting bid of six million!
Joanna knew Sylvia was just some small–town nobody, and she was sure Sylvia would never dare to bid.
