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Novel Catalog
Chapter 86: Is He Your Son
The importance of Nathaniel’s reputation far outweighed any personal feelings. The Rainsworth family’s standing in high society was a delicate thing, and no scandal could be allowed to tarnish it.
Elena, still furious, barely restrained herself. “Dad, please don’t be upset. I’ll handle it. I’ll get her to leave immediately.”
Stella, meanwhile, remained blissfully unaware of the commotion she had caused. She was only vaguely aware of the strange, judgmental glances she was receiving from the crowd.
Before she could process what was happening, Elena stormed over and slammed her phone onto the table in front of Stella. “Look what you’ve done!” she hissed.
Confused, Stella picked up the phone and her eyes widened as she saw the headline glaring at her. Her heart sank as the truth hit her: the news about her plagiarism had gone public.
She opened her mouth to explain, but before she could utter a word, Elena’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “If you don’t want to keep embarrassing yourself here, then get out right now.”
For the Rainsworth family, pushing out a celebrity was as simple as shooing away an annoying fly.
Stella, her face flushed with humiliation, was left to sit in the back of a minivan, staring out the window in disbelief. How had things gone so terribly wrong? She replayed everything in her mind, and it only took a second for the realization to strike her. Cecilia. It had to have been her!
Meanwhile, Vivian, who had seen the news article too, smiled triumphantly. It was exactly as she and Cecilia had planned. The timing of the announcement, designed to humiliate Stella, was perfect.
As she watched Stella being escorted out of the banquet, she texted Cecilia: Finally, that pretentious woman has taken a fall. Let her have her moment.
Vivian stood up, eager to enjoy the spectacle of Stella’s downfall. But just as she turned to leave, something caught her eye—a familiar small figure in the distance.
“Jon?” Vivian muttered, confused. What was Jonathan doing here?
Her confusion only grew as she saw several bodyguards closing in on him, clearly preparing to capture the boy. Jonathan, his short legs running as fast as they could, was no match for the bodyguards’ long strides. Despite his best efforts to escape, he was soon caught.
Jonathan scowled, frustrated. “You little rascal, I’ve finally got you,” Zachary said, his voice low and amused.
Jonathan, ever the actor, put on his best innocent face. “Could you ask him to put me down? I don’t know you.”
Zachary chuckled darkly. “You don’t know me? Weren’t you the one who spilled wine on me that day at the hotel and then tossed my clothes and phone off the building?”
Jonathan immediately denied it, his voice sweet but firm. “You must be mistaken. I’ve never been to any kind of hotel.”
Zachary wasn’t fooled. He knew Jonathan had caused trouble before. The boy’s innocent expression was just a mask.
Zachary approached him, raising his hand to smack the boy’s behind, but before he could follow through, a voice interrupted him.
“Stop!”
Zachary paused mid-motion, his eyes narrowing as he followed the sound.
Vivian, her expression filled with anger and urgency, stormed over to them. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Jonathan, for his part, had never expected to see Vivian here. The last time he saw her, he thought for sure he would be in trouble when he returned home. But right now, it was the present moment that mattered.
“Mommy, help me!” Jonathan called out, his voice shaky, though it was clear he was playing his part. “He hit me…”
Vivian’s heart melted when she heard him. For the first time, she saw the little troublemaker pleading for her help, and it stirred something deep inside her. She felt a mixture of elation and concern.
“Mommy…” Jonathan’s voice had a softness to it that melted her defenses.
Zachary stood frozen for a moment as he locked eyes with Vivian. His gaze flickered with confusion and something else—recognition, perhaps. Is she the woman I was once with? he thought, his mind racing. And this child… is he mine?
Vivian rushed over to Jonathan, her instincts kicking in. She reached for him, intent on taking him away from the bodyguard’s grasp. Zachary gave a small nod to his bodyguard, who then reluctantly let the child go.
As soon as Jonathan was in her arms, Vivian checked him over quickly. “Are you alright, Jon?”
Jonathan nodded, his face already back to its usual mischievous innocence. “No, thankfully you arrived quickly, Mommy.”
Vivian sighed in relief, her heart still pounding, but at least the immediate danger was over. She glared up at Zachary, who had finally come to stand in front of her.
“Is he your son?” Zachary asked, his voice calm but sharp, as if the question had been eating at him for some time.
Vivian looked up at him, her eyes filled with indignation. “If he’s not my son, are you implying he’s yours?” she shot back, her voice rising with each word. “Who do you think you are, just picking up my son like that? You were about to hit him earlier. Do you know that’s illegal?”
Zachary stood still, his jaw tightening as her words sank in. There was a deep unease in his gaze, but he didn’t respond right away. He was still processing everything—still trying to piece together what had happened, who Vivian was to him, and why she was carrying his child.
For now, the answers were as elusive as ever.
