Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Ruby snuggled into Zander’s arms, her wide, curious eyes, dark and shiny, taking in the crowd around them.
When Zander told everyone she was his daughter, a cute, dimpled smile spread across her face.
She’d finally met her dad. And not just any dad; he was a super famous superstar!
Joanna hung back in the crowd, a sneaky smirk on her lips, cold as a winter night..
As a celebrity herself, she knew a bombshell like this could wreck Zander’s career in a flash.
She could already see his name trashed, his fame fading to nothing.
A sudden gasp came from the crowd. “Zander! Your daughter’s so adorable!“”
A young woman squealed, hopping excitedly. “This shuts down all those online trolls spreading lies about your love life!”
A guy nearby jumped in, his voice full of energy. “Those internet haters have no shame, talking trash about you!
“Good thing we know you’ve got a kid now. Let’s see them try to drag you down again!”
Zander gave a warm smile, nodding as camera flashes popped like fireflies.
He gently tucked Ruby’s face into his shoulder, his voice soft but clear. “My little girl’s still young. If you’re taking pictures, please respect her privacy.”
The crowd nodded and murmured in agreement.
After all, posting a celebrity kid’s photo online without permission could get you in serious legal trouble.
Joanna stood there, jaw practically on the floor. This was happening all too fast.
These people weren’t mad about Zander’s secret daughter–they were excited. This wasn’t the disaster she’d counted on.
The internet moved crazy fast, and news of Zander showing up with his daughter blew up on social media.
Hashtags like [A–List Dad], [Zander’s Kid Is Cute], and [Lucky Lady] shot to the top, with fans guessing wildly about the mystery mom.
Comment sections were packed with amazement and questions
Someone commented, “OMG, Zander’s daughter is adorable! Who’s the lucky lady he’s been hiding all this time?”
Another one chimed in, “He must be totally in love with her, taking all that online hate just to keep her a secret. That’s true romance!”
Joanna scrolled through the comments, her face turning pale as a ghost. A cold shiver ran through her.
She’d planned to ruin Zander with this move, but instead, she’d given him a PR win.
Not only had he squashed those “forever bachelor“/rumors, but he’d also made him look like a devoted, swoon–worthy dad,
Even worse, the internet was obsessed with this mysterious “Mrs. Gage,” acting like she’d hit the jackpot.
Joanna scoffed to herself, ‘Mrs. Gage? Sylvia? As if she deserves that!‘
Her teeth clenched, jealousy burning through her like a wildfire.
Sylvia stood quietly at the crowd’s edge, never expecting things to blow up like this.
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13:39 Thu, 12 Jun ▲ G
Chapter 27
She’d only asked Zander to pretend to be Ruby’s dad for the day, not to start a viral love story. She had no plans to step into the spotlight.
Ruby, clueless about the adult drama, soaked up the happiness of being with her “dad.”
Zander set her down, and the two ran down the hallway, Ruby’s giggles chiming like wind chimes in a summer breeze.
Sylvia watched her daughter’s bright smile, her heart warming. She started toward them, but a strong hand pulled her into the shadowy stairwell.
Byron’s face was dark with anger, his eyes burning with jealousy.
“So he’s the guy you’ve been sneaking around with?” he growled.
Sylvia yanked her arm free, her voice sharp. “Byron, what’s it to you?”
Byron’s piercing stare fixed on her, his jaw tight with rage. “You were messing around with him while we were married! You saying that’s none of my business?”
Sylvia’s anger flared at his accusation. She let out a sharp laugh. “You’ve got some nerve calling me out.
“Where were you when I was pregnant with Zack? Oh, right–off with Joanna, living it up overseas! You want to talk about messing around?”
Byron’s face twitched, his anger barely under control. His voice was cold as ice. “I was overseas for work. That’s all you should know.”
Sylvia’s heart ached, like a needle had pierced it, reopening old wounds.
She laughed coldly, “Right! I don’t need to know, because you’ve always looked down on me! You even said I wasn’t good enough to show up at Zack’s parent–teacher conference.
“Fine, I’m not good enough—but I’m still the one who gave birth to him!”
Her voice grew louder, years of bottled–up frustration pouring out like a broken dam.
She went on, “I worked my butt off taking care of your family, and for what? To be treated worse than a housekeeper!
“I was humiliated by your family, ignored by my own son–all because of how you treat me!”
She paused, and then finished it, “Enough! I’m done with all of it! You want Joanna? Go be happy with her!”
Sylvia’s voice steadied, her eyes flashing with cold determination./
Byron’s brows furrowed, his tone sharp with a sneer. “I looked out for Joanna because you owe her!
“If it wasn’t for you, she wouldn’t have been in that car accident, dealing with health issues ever since.”
“Crack!” The sharp sound of a slap rang through the stairwell.
Sylvia’s hand shook from the force of hitting Byron’s cheek.
She said, her voice shaky, “Byron, you’re throwing around accusations with no proof? Say that again, and I’ll sue you for slander! Where’s your evidence hit her?”
Byron’s face darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes.
He couldn’t believe it. The Sylvia who used to shrink in front of him had just slapped him and was standing up to him like this.
Everything felt different, leaving him shaken, and thrown off.
Just then, Joanna strolled over with Zack in tow, a slight smirk on her lips. She wanted Zack to see his parents‘ fight.
13:39 Thu, 12 Jun AG.
Chapter 27
“Sylvia, how could you hit Byron?” Joanna’s voice oozed Take shock, as if Sylvia had done something unforgivable.
Sylvia let out a short, bitter laugh, seeing through Joanna’s game.
She knew Joanna was counting on Byron hating her, but Sylvia was done falling for those cheap tricks.
To her surprise, Byron didn’t snap at Sylvia.
Instead, a hint of doubt crossed his face. He turned to Joanna, his voice low and serious. “Joanna, are you sure it was Sylvia who hit you back then?”
Joanna’s eyes flickered nervously, her words tripping over themselves. “I–I think it was Sylvia… but it was messy, and the lighting was bad. I didn’t see clearly…”
Zack, who’d been quiet until now, spoke up. “Hold on, that’s not what you said before, Joanna. You were totally sure it was Mom who hit you!”
Joanna’s face turned red, then pale. She tried to backtrack. “Zack, honey, I was in a car accident. My head was all foggy… I must’ve gotten confused…” Byron’s jaw clenched, annoyance flaring. “Don’t make accusations unless you’re certain. You know how serious this could be?”
Joanna shut her mouth, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Byron rubbed his temples, frustrated, and pulled Zack’s arm to leave.”
But Zack paused, an uneasy feeling growing in his chest. ‘Have I been wrong about Mom this whole time?‘
He slipped free from Byron’s grip and ran to Sylvia, pulling a delicate pearl necklace from his pocket and holding it out to her.
He said, “You sent those teddy bear cookies through Ruby–they were awesome. This is for you.”
He’d been carrying the necklace in his pocket, wanting to give it to Sylvia but too shy to do it.
Now, realizing he might’ve misjudged her, he found the guts to offer it as an apology.
“I bought it with my own allowance. Didn’t take it from the house,” he even explained.
