Chapter 12

"A designer?"

Nathan's expression darkened slightly as he studied Caleb intently. "What's her name?"

"Our mom isn't famous enough for you to recognize," Caleb deflected smoothly before flashing an innocent smile. "Mister, do you have a girlfriend?"

Nathan's eyes narrowed.

'A girlfriend? There's a woman living in my penthouse, but I've never acknowledged her as such.'

Caleb continued cheerfully, "Want us to introduce you to our mom? She may not be famous, but she's amazing! And gorgeous too - just look at us! You can imagine how beautiful she must be!"

Nathan pressed his lips together in silence.

'These children are exceptionally good-looking. Their mother must be attractive too.'

'Yet something about them feels... familiar. Especially the girl's face.'

Caleb's smartwatch buzzed. Glancing at Liam's caller ID, he excused himself. "Need to use the restroom."

At the bathroom entrance, Caleb answered. "Liam?"

Liam's excited voice came through from the hospital lab. "Got the DNA results. He's our father!"

Caleb's grip tightened on his watch. "No wonder we look alike. But why is he with that witch?"

"Remember what Godmother told us?" Liam explained. "Mom was framed six years ago and kicked out. Dad doesn't know we exist - probably because of that woman."

Caleb's expression turned stormy. "She thinks she can keep our father? Over my dead body!"

As Caleb turned, someone shoved him hard.

"Watch where you're going, you little brat!" Laura Scott brushed imaginary dirt off her designer dress - a limited edition piece she only wore for special occasions.

Then she froze.

The boy looked exactly like a younger Nathan Goldmann.

Caleb stood calmly. "You're the clumsy one, lady."

"Who... who's your mother?" Laura demanded, a sinking feeling in her gut.

'Could this be some woman's illegitimate child with Nathan? But he's never shown interest in anyone except that one night six years ago...'

'No. That Vanderbilt bitch only slept with him once. The odds are impossible.'

'Unless... with Evelyn back in Zlokova...'

Caleb scoffed. "As if you deserve to know."

Laura grabbed his arm viciously. "Your mother clearly failed at raising you properly!"

Caleb's gaze turned icy - an exact replica of Nathan's infamous glare. "Did yours teach you to bully children?"

"Is your mother Evelyn Vanderbilt? That scheming whore?" Laura spat.

At the insult, Caleb bit her hand hard.

"Ah!" Laura shoved him away in rage.

Caleb collapsed dramatically, bursting into tears. "Help! This lady is attacking children!"

Waiters rushed over at the commotion, finding a sobbing child and a furious woman.

"She pushed me and called my mom horrible names!" Caleb wailed between fake sobs.

The manager hurried to inform Nathan, who immediately strode toward the scene with Quincy. Daisy arrived moments later.

"Liam!" Seeing her "crying" brother, Daisy charged at Laura. "Why did you hurt him?"

"You little vermin!" Laura raised her hand. "I'll teach you some manners!"

Daisy deliberately stepped into the slap's path, falling to the ground with a red mark blooming on her cheek.

Gasps erupted. Laura paled. "She... she ran into it!"

Then she froze completely.

Nathan stood there, his expression thunderous.

"Mr. Goldmann, I—"

Nathan ignored her, kneeling to examine Daisy's cheek before wiping Caleb's tears. Their distress inexplicably twisted something in his chest.

"Apologize. Now." His voice was deadly calm.

Laura trembled. "What are these children to you?"

Nathan's jaw tightened.

'They're strangers. And yet...'

"That's irrelevant. You will apologize, or I'll make sure Vivian learns exactly how her mother behaves in public."