Chapter 139
“Angel, hold on. Explain yourself. Are you saying that little girl is Byron’s daughter?” Liana grew agitated and rushed after her up the stairs.
Angel turned back with a sneer. “Mom, just stop asking and go back to gossiping about Sylvia with Joanna.”
With that, Angel took Ruby by the hand and led her straight into Zack’s bedroom.
Liana’s face flushed crimson with rage as she stormed upstairs, cursing Angel. She shoved Zack’s bedroom door, only to find it was locked from the inside.
“Zack, it’s me, your grandma. Open the door now,” Liana called out urgently from the doorway.
“No way, Grandma. I’m playing with Ruby,” Inside the room, Zack pouted angrily. He’d just overheard Liana saying bad things about his mom, and it really upset him.
Liana’s expression shifted rapidly. She grabbed her phone, stepped aside, and quickly dialed. “Byron, what on earth is going on? Is Ruby really your daughter with Sylvia?”
Byron was in a meeting when he picked up his phone, his tone cool and detached. “Yes. We’ll talk about this later.”
Liana froze momentarily at Byron’s confirmation, then a sharp, calculating gleam flashed in her eyes.
She had always yearned for a granddaughter, and she couldn’t believe her wish had finally come true. But at the thought that this was Sylvia’s daughter, Liana’s face grew dark.
Joanna went upstairs to Liana and said warmly, “Mrs. Blair, why don’t we go shopping together? I recently spotted a lovely scarf that would perfectly complement your elegance. Let’s go take a look.”
“You’re always the thoughtful one, Joanna,” Liana said with a beaming smile.
Joanna helped Liana downstairs. Liana picked up her purse, just about to leave with Joanna, when peals of children’s laughter rang out from upstairs.
Looking up, Liana saw Zack and Ruby come running out of the bedroom.
Zack excitedly grabbed Ruby’s hand and said, “Come on, Ruby. Let me show you my playroom. I’ve even got goldfish in there.”
“Slow down. Be careful not to trip,” Angel called after the two kids, following closely behind them.
Liana watched as Ruby bounced into the playroom, her eyes softening with affection.
Though Ruby was Sylvia’s daughter, the Blair blood in her veins meant she would always be Liana’s granddaughter.
“Joanna, why don’t you go shopping alone? I’m going upstairs to check on Ruby.” With that, Liana completely ignored Joanna and headed straight back upstairs.
Joanna’s face darkened with barely concealed fury. Even though Sylvia wasn’t here, Joanna still felt like she’d just lost a round.
Liana walked into the playroom and saw Ruby hugging a giant teddy bear. Smiling warmly, Liana approached and said, “Ruby, do you know whom? I’m your grandma. From now on, you can call me Grandma, okay?”
Ruby hmphed and stuck out her tongue at Liana. “No way. You’re mean. I just heard you saying bad things about my mommy.”
Liana felt awkwardly put on the spot. Trying to recover, she said, “Ruby, why don’t you ask Zack? When he was little and misbehaved, did I ever give him a spanking?”
Ruby stuck out her tongue at Liana. “Nope. You’re not my grandma, and you can’t spank me.”
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Chapter 139
Utterly exasperated by Ruby, Liana stormed out of the playroom.
When Liana got downstairs, she saw Joanna was still there. Suddenly, she thought going shopping with Joanna might be a good idea, better than sulking.
at home.
“Mrs. Blair, shall we go shopping after all?” Joanna suggested sweetly.
Liana had made up her mind, but when she heard the children’s laughter from upstairs, a smile crept onto her lips. Almost without thinking, Liana turned to Joanna and said, “Joanna, I’m not going after all.”
Though slightly annoyed by Ruby’s tantrum, Liana couldn’t help but feel her heart soften at the thought of Ruby’s adorable face.
Liana turned to the kitchen. “Guys, make some more of those snacks kids love, cookies and maybe some fruit skewers.”
She thought, ‘Come on, how hard can it be to win over a little girl?‘
Joanna stood just outside the dining room. Upon hearing this, her face instantly darkened.
At the thought that Sylvia would soon lose everything, Joanna’s mood instantly lifted. After all, Dillan had already barred her from returning to the company.
Since Liana wouldn’t go shopping with her, Joanna decided to spoit herself with a shopping spree instead, a perfect way to celebrate her successful entry into the business world.
The next day, sensational news broke across every major media outlet in Silverton. Multiple international superstars descended on the city, heading straight for Cerulean Entertainment.
“Wow, Cerulean Entertainment really has serious clout. They actually got John Miller, that tough guy. Rumor has it they’re about to sign a deal with him.”
“Not just John Miller, they’ve even got George Malcolm, last year’s a–lister.”
“Guess what? At the airport, I saw not just those two but also Anna Bell, the rising star and new Best Actress.”
Dillan pulled out all the stops for this signing ceremony. The company was decked out in festive decorations, with posters of international superstars plastered across the grand lobby.
The signing ceremony went off without a hitch, with the international superstars swiftly signing the contracts,
But just then, Dillan realized with a jolt. The company’s official seal was in Sylvia’s possession. Just as he was about to call, Sylvia walked in.
“Sylvia, stamp the contract now,” Dillan ordered.
Indifferently, Sylvia picked up the official seal and stamped the contract. The contract officially came into effect.
Dillan promptly transferred the signing bonuses to each international superstar’s account as stipulated in the contracts.
Joanna stood to the side, her heart racing with excitement. ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe it. After years in showbiz, this is my first time getting this close to international superstars,‘ she thought, secretly thrilled.
“Sylvia, we’re done here. You can go,” Joanna prompted.
Sylvia nodded slightly. Before leaving, she turned to Anna and the others and said, “Since it’s rare for you to visit Dranlord, I’ll take you out later to try some authentic local food.”
Joanna’s face darkened instantly. She quickly interjected, “Sylvia, Dillan’s already set up their interviews at the hotel. Can you just let the company handle this for now?” With that, Joanna shot Dillan a pointed look.
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Chapter 139
Dillan snapped, “Sylvia, this is none of your business now. What makes you think these international superstars would ever listen to you?”
Sylvia retorted, “They won’t listen to me? You think they’ll listen to you?”
Sylvia no longer cared to pretend. She’d bled Dillan dry. Every cent of it came from the Moore family. She sneered, turned on her heel, and walked away.
“Ms. Sullivan, I’m coming with you.” Anna gracefully caught up with Sylvia, linked arms with her with a bright smile, and murmured, “Ms. Sullivan, r’d love to try the authentic fish here.”
The burly guy, George, followed close behind and, in slightly broken Dranlorish, said, “Ms. Sullivan, I study the cookbook. I like spicy food.”
John, known for his icy demeanor, unexpectedly followed with an almost ingratiating tone. “Ms. Sullivan, I’d love to try some local snacks. Got any recommendations?”
y with Sylvia?
The scene unfolding before them utterly dumbfounded everyone present. ‘Wait? Since when are these international superstars so chummy v they wondered.
Hopping mad, Dillan practically stomped his feet and shouted at them, “You’ve got it all wrong. I’m the boss here.”
AD
