Chapter 33
Sylvia’s heart dropped when she heard Ruby was in a fight. She hit the gas, her car racing toward the kindergarten.
The school day was over, and in the courtyard, a group of older kids had Ruby surrounded, their voices loud and taunting
One kid yelled, “Ruby, you’re just a bad kid! Why else wouldn’t
have a dad?”
Yara, wearing a pink princess dress, stood with her chin up, mocking Ruby.
Ruby’s eyes glistened with tears, but she held them back, her voice fierce. “Who told you that? I have a dad, okay?”
Yara put her hands on her hips, smirking. “Oh, come on. If you had a dad, why’s his name blank on your family info form?”
Yara had a grudge against Ruby, especially since she’d heard Ruby was getting close with Zack lately. It drove her nuts.
She’d rounded up her friends to gang up on Ruby, and spotting Ruby’s half–empty family form gave her the perfect way to corner her in the yard.
Ruby bit her lip, wanting to shout that her dad was a huge celebrity. But her mom’s warning echoed in her head, and she stayed quiet.
The preschool teacher stepped in, trying to break it up. “This is Ruby’s personal business. No more talking about it–go back to your classrooms!”
Yara wasn’t backing down, her voice full of attitude. “Why’re you defending Ruby? She’s a bastard! Are we wrong?”
“I have a dad!” Ruby’s small fists clenched, her voice breaking with pain. Tears filled her eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling.
Sylvia’s words stuck with her: even–when people got it wrong, she couldn’t reveal her dad’s name.
The teacher’s head was spinning. Kids these days were tough–one angry parent could file a complaint, and Yara had a bunch of kids backing her up.
She’d already called Sylvia, hoping she’d get there soon.
Sylvia’s car skidded to a stop at the preschool gate, She ran inside, her eyes finding Ruby, trapped in the crowd of kids.
Her face tightened, and she almost rushed over, until she noticed a boy nearby, and for some reason, she froze.
It was Zack, there looking for Ruby.
Usually, Ruby was the one running to Zack’s classroom after school, but today, when Zack didn’t see her, he came searching.
Zack’s eyes locked on Yara, the one leading the pack.
Yara was Joanna’s niece. Back when Joanna was around, Zack used to hang out with Yara and thought she was pretty cool.
But now? Seeing her in action left a bad taste in his mouth.
Sylvia, spotting Zack, held back from running to Ruby. She wanted to see what Zack would do when Ruby was being picked on.
Ruby loved playing with Zack, and he called her his best friend. But words were easy. Actions were what counted.
Zack didn’t step in to defend Ruby right away, and Sylvia’s heart sank a bit. ‘Is he just going to stand there and watch?‘
Zack pulled out his little phone and called Chase, his dad’s assistant. “Mr. Ridge, can you get me a phone number?”
“Whose number, Zack?” Chase asked, sounding concerned.
“I need Zander Gage, the superstar,” Zack said, his words clear and firm. “Mr. Ridge, I know you can make it happen.”
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Chapter 33
Jun MV
Seeing Ruby get bullied, he’d wanted to jump in. Actually, he’d have thrown punches for her.
But he knew fighting wouldn’t solve it or stop the teasing for good.
The teacher was protecting Ruby for now, keeping her safe.
If he wanted to kill the rumors about Ruby’s dad, her real dad needed to show up.
Zander was Ruby’s father. Zack didn’t care if he was a big–time celebrity or not.
There was only one thing he knew: His daughter was in trouble, so he should step up.
Chase sent Zander’s number over in a flash.
Zack didn’t wait. He dialed.
Across town, Zander had just finished an interview. His phone buzzed with an unknown number.
He hesitated for a second and picked it up.
“You’re not Ruby’s dad anymore, are you?” A young, accusing voice came through. “Ruby’s getting bullied at preschool, and you’re not even there!”
The mention of Ruby brought her cute, chubby face to Zander’s mind.
Pretending to be Ruby’s dad for Sylvia was supposed to be a quick favor, but it had surprisingly shut down the online gossip about him.
Now, hearing Ruby was being picked on, his chest tightened. He didn’t hesitate. “You’re one of Ruby’s classmates, right? I’m heading over now.”
From a distance, Sylvia overheard Zack’s call and was caught off guard that he’d contacted Zander. A slight smile tugged at her lips.
She thought to herself, ‘So, Zack didn’t jump in to save Ruby right away because he was working on a smarter plan. The kid’s sharp.‘
“Stop fighting! Ruby’s dad is on his way,” Zack said as he hung up and walked over to Ruby.
“No way, Zack! You’re buying this liar’s story?” Yara grabbed his arm, pouting hard. “I saw her family form–her dad’s name was blank! You think I’m making that up?”
Zack shook her off, stepping next to Ruby and taking her hand firmly. “I said her dad’s coming, and he will.”
Ruby’s eyes sparkled, full of hope. “Really?”
Zack grinned and nodded. “Trust me, Ruby. Your dad’s going to show up.”
Across from them, Yara’s face flushed with anger.
Zack used to be her friend, but ever since Ruby arrived, he’d been pulling away.
“Oh, you’re so sure her dad’s coming, huh?” Yara scoffed. “Fine, we’ll wait right here and see if this mystery dad even shows!”
The other kids buzzed with excitement, and even the teacher leaned in, curious.
Since Ruby started at the school, no one had ever seen her dad. Sylvia was always the one texting or calling.
Soon after, a sleek Rolls–Royce Phantom pulled into the parking lot.
Heads turned, kids‘ eyes widening. One whispered, “Is that really Ruby’s dad?”
Yara laughed loudly. “No way! Do you know how much that car costs? Even Auntie Joanna can’t afford one that nice, let alone Ruby’s fake dad!”
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