Chapter 10
Gwen let out a cold chuckle and interrupted him, her tone calm but cutting. “Henry, you may not be my biological son, but you grew up under my care.
*All these years, I’ve never treated you unfairly. I’ve always done right by you”
Gwen’s gaze dropped to the red stamp in the corner of the painting, eyes turning icy. In front of all the guests, she asked plainly, “Many years ago, your father cheated on me while I was pregnant. The woman he had an affair with–was Anika.
“This was a family disgrace. Outsiders didn’t know, but you did.
“Today is my seventieth birthday, and you give me this painting? Is it supposed to wish me long life and happiness? Or are you hoping Ill drop dead sooner?”
Instantly, gasps erupted throughout the hall.
“No way! Liam really had an affair with Anika back then?”
Wait–so Henry’s not Gwen’s biological son? I always thought she was his real mom.”
Dorian finally realized Henry wasn’t Gwen’s biological child. That surprised him–Gwen had managed to keep the scandal under wraps all these years.
It was clear now that Gwen had never wanted to embarrass Henry in public. She’d protected his dignity all along.
But now, on her seventieth birthday, the stepson showed up with a high–society future son–in–law to present a painting by the woman who wrecked her marriage.
Anyone would lose it. No one could blame Gwen for going off.
Dorian couldn’t let Henry take the heat alone. In front of all these people, he took the blame. I’m sorry, Mrs. Jackson. This was my mistake.”
With that, Dorian rolled up the canvas into a tight bundle, ready to toss it in the trash.
“Don’t bother,” Gwen said calmly. She looked at Henry. Tm sure Mr. Barnes paid a good price for this. Henry, take this painting and burn it for your father sometime. After all, it’s from his old flame. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.
Gwen let out a mocking laugh and added in a dry, sarcastic tone, “Your father must be proud of your thoughtful gesture.” Henry’s face turned black, but he had no choice but to take the rolled–up painting in silence.
After that, Gwen went on as if nothing had happened, eating and drinking with ease. But Dorian and Henry remained uncharacteristically quiet.
After barely touching his food, Dorian asked Irene to leave early,
As Dorian took the keys from the valet and got into the driver’s seat, his face remained unreadable.
No sooner had Irene sat down in the passenger seat than Dorian asked, his voice low and strange, “Did you know?”
“What?” Irene blinked, clearly caught off guard.
Suppressing his frustration, Dorian repeated, “Did you know about what happened between your grandma and Anika?” Irene’s eyes turned red without warning, and before he could say more, she burst into tears.
Dorian froze, completely stunned. “Why are you crying?”
Between sobs, Irene snapped at him, “Are you accusing me? You think I set you up on purpose? Made you look like a fool in front of everyone?
“Dorian! Is that what you think of me? That I’m some manipulative, backstabbing bitch?
2/2
The more Irene spoke, the harder she cried.
Dorian was completely thrown. For a second, Irene reminded him of Amaris–and that terrifying thought instantly snapped.
him back to his senses.
He went over the whole thing again in his mind and realized… he really had jumped to conclusions. He’d wrongly accused Irene.
“You really didn’t know?” Dorian’s voice was calmer now,
Irene, still crying, snapped bitterly. “No. I knew. I did it on purpose. I wanted to humiliate you. Watching you get embarrassed made me so proud.
“I’m a terrible person, okay? I live for drama. I love attention.”
By now, Irene was crying so hard she could barely speak. Honestly, she’d never cried like this in her life.
But to make sure she could keep crying convincingly, Irene was even pinching her own thigh under her dress. God, that hurts like hell!‘ she snapped.
