Chapter 169
Freddy was nursing a sore backside from the beating Byron had given him, limping noticeably,
“Freddy, are you hurt? Come on in and rest for a bit,” Sylvia called out, having witnessed the whole beatdown.
She feigned concern, though inwardly she was amused.
‘Serves him right,‘ she thought. ‘If he’d just pointed the finger at Joanna, he could have avoided all this.!
Sylvia’s apparent kindness made Byron’s eyes narrow again as he shot a glare at Freddy.
Freddy tensed, his backside throbbing anew as if from the phantom pain.
“No way! I’m not going in there!” Freddy, genuinely spooked by Byron, scrambled onto his motorcycle, twisted the throttle, and sped off
Freddy knew Sylvia was doing this on purpose, angry that he hadn’t ratted out Joanna.
He knew Sylvia was right, but Joanna had done him a favor once, and he couldn’t bring himself to betray that.
Byron gave Sylvia a long look. “If Freddy bothers you again, let me know.”
Sylvia nodded dismissively and, under Byron’s gaze, walked back into the villa, shutting the door behind her.
Byron froze, his expression darkening instantly. He strode over and rang the doorbell. “Sylvia, aren’t I supposed to pick up Zack?”
“Zack’s staying here tonight,” Sylvia’s voice came from inside. “He’s already asleep. We can deal with it tomorrow.”
With that, the lights inside went out.
Byron’s face was thunderous. He jabbed the doorbell repeatedly, but there was no response.
Clenching his jaw, he called Zack. “Zack, get yourself out here. I’m taking you home.”
“Dad, I’m asleep,” Zack mumbled into the phone before hanging up.
Byron pressed his palm to his forehead. ‘Asleep but still answering the phone? That little rascal is definitely messing with me.’
He sighed and dialed Ruby.
“Daddy, please don’t call me,” Ruby’s sweet voice chirped. “Big brother is sleeping, and I’m going to sleep too!” Then she hung up.
Byron’s frustration mounted. He glanced up and saw the lights on in an upstairs window. The two little ones were clearly visible, scampering around and playing, not a hint of sleepiness about them.
With a grim expression, Byron returned to his car, teeth clenched.
‘I have to find a way to get those two back home with me,‘ he fumed silently. ‘The more time they spend with Sylvia, the less they’ll want anything to do with their own father.‘
After the thrashing from Byron, Freddy stayed away from Sylvia for the next few days.
Sylvia enjoyed the brief respite, but her nerves remained on high alert. Joanna had previously manipulated Freddy into trying to run her down with his car. Now that Freddy was no longer willing to be her pawn, Sylvia knew Joanna wouldn’t just let it go.
Sylvia was on guard, but also somewhat expectant.
09:01 Tue, 1 Jul B
Chapter 169
If Joanna dared to make another move, Sylvia was determined to catch her red–handed and make sure she faced the consequences
That evening, there was a grand Chamber of Commerce gala.
As the owner of an entertainment company, Sylvia’s attendance was expected.
The event was held on the tenth floor of a luxurious hotel. Beneath glittering crystal chandeliers, a crowd of distinguished guests mingled, they conversations and laughter creating a vibrant buzz.
Sylvia wasn’t fond of such gatherings but, as a member of the Chamber, her presence was more or less mandatory
She found a quiet corner and settled in, pulling out her phone to review the recent financial reports from her film crew.
“Sylvia, fancy meeting you here!” a familiar voice called out.
Sylvia looked up to see Joanna, stunning in an elegant black evening gown, gliding towards her. She was flanked by several men who were laughing and chatting animatedly with her.
Sylvia frowned slightly but made no move to stand.
“Sylvia, aren’t you lonely all by yourself over here?” Joanna asked, a smug glint in her eyes as she gestured to her companions.
“Let me introduce you. This is Marcus Sterling, heir to Sterling Corp, and this is Richard Titan, of Titan Industries…” She went on, bearing as she named each one, clearly flaunting her connections.
“Gentlemen,” Joanna said sweetly, “my dear friend Sylvia seems a bit bored. Perhaps one of you would care to ask her for a dance?”
Richard, the scion of Titan Industries, replied coolly, “We’re quite content escorting Miss Moore, thank you. Besides, we don’t know this lady.”
Marcus of Sterling Corp chimed in with a sneer, “And I generally don’t make a habit of dancing with… well, strangers.”
Sylvia glanced at them coolly. “My apologies, I don’t believe I know any of you either. And frankly, your names don’t exactly ring a bell.”
Her words made their expressions sour instantly.
“Sylvia, if you don’t know them, you must be terribly out of the loop!“/
Joanna began, ready to list their credentials again, but just then, a stir near the entrance drew everyone’s attention. An elegantly dressed young man, flanked by a retinue of seven or eight bodyguards, was making his way in.
Joanna’s eyes lit up as she looked at the newcomer. She almost didn’t recognize him–it was Freddy Colon.
Gone were the casual street clothes. He was now impeccably dressed in a tailored, sharp sapphire–blue suit that highlighted his lean frame, his dark hair expertly styled. Though his features still held a youthful edge, he carried himself with an air of confident authority.
“Isn’t that Freddy? The newly named heir to the Colon fortune?” one guest murmured.
“Yes, I saw the Colon family’s press conference yesterday. Old Mr. Colon himself, who’s been unwell for years, made an appearance and personally confirmed Freddy as his successor.”
“Exactly! I never thought Mr. Colon would recover. I’d almost written off the Colon family, but it turns out they have far deeper holdings than anyone realized. All those hidden assets are coming to light now.”
Sylvia listened to the buzz around her and glanced towards the entrance. Indeed, it was Freddy.
The soft glow of the crystal chandeliers caught his features, softening the rebellious swagger he usually exuded and lending him an unexpected touch of refined grace.
Sylvia then recalled the Colon family’s press conference from the previous day.
09:01 Tue, 1 Jul B
Chapter 169
Following her earlier advice, old Mr. Colon had focused on his recovery and then held the conference.
His other, less deserving, relatives had likely expected to be named heirs. Instead, in a dramatic turn, Mr. Colon had presented Freddy, formally naming him in his will, while the other relatives and their mother were reportedly ousted from the family estate.
So, Freddy Colon was now officially part of the city’s elite, a sought–after young tycoon.
“Freddy, it’s been ages! Are you here looking for me?” Joanna called out, her face alight with a pleased surprise.
After all, Freddy owed her a significant favor, and she arrogantly assumed his presence here was on her account.
Freddy’s gaze, complex for a moment as it flickered over Joanna’s face, suddenly turned icy. “Looking for you?” he scoffed. “As if.”
He had spent a lot of time talking with old Mr. Colon recently, and the elder had imparted a great deal of wisdom about character and conduct.
Joanna’s previous attempt to have him run down Sylvia was proof enough of her malicious nature.
Mr. Colon had warned him repeatedly to steer clear of Joanna.
Furthermore, Mr. Colon had made it plain: the only person Freddy truly owed anything to was Sylvia.
Joanna’s expression faltered, shocked that Freddy would give her the cold shoulder so publicly.
Before she could react further, Freddy brushed past her without another glance and stopped before Sylvia.
“Sylvia, I’m here,” he said, giving her a respectful nod.
He then turned and snapped his fingers at the bodyguards behind him.
Each man held a black briefcase, and in perfect unison, they opened them for Sylvia to see.
The cases were filled with exquisite, one–of–a–kind jewelry, and the brilliant gems instantly caught the light, sending dazzling reflections dancing across the ballroom.
