A Stranger on Her Stage

The call was picked up almost immediately.

A woman's voice, crisp and commanding, laced with a trace of fatigue that quickly melted into tenderness, came through. "Cedric? What's up? Is Noelle causing mischief again?"

Her voice was like a balm, and I could feel the tension drain away from me.

My voice came out rough. "Honey, we're at the TV station... Someone's picking on Noelle."

Silence fell on the other end, followed by the sound of papers being shuffled and her tone turning steely, filled with a chilling resolve. "Send me your location.

"Don't worry. I'm about to find out who has the nerve to mess with my family in this city."

The phone call ended, and a wave of relief washed over me. I took a deep breath, regaining my composure, and joined Noelle in the lounge, where we lost ourselves in the world of Lego.

Jennifer returned with a newfound assertiveness in her gaze. She stood at the doorway, an eyebrow cocked in challenge. "Made up your mind yet? Give me the child, now.

"I'll go public and acknowledge her."

My voice was steady. "That's the last shred of respect I'm willing to extend to you."

I remained seated, calmly snapping a Lego brick into place for Noelle. "And Jennifer, this is your final chance. Apologize to Noelle and me, clear up the lies spread online, or face the fallout. Trust me, you're not ready for it."

For a moment, Jennifer paused, then laughed as if I had told a joke. "Fallout? You really think you can challenge the Shaw family's power?"

Elliot snickered from the sidelines. "Cedric, let's be real. You're not climbing any ladders here.

"Think about the child's future, and the money you'll get. Isn't that why you're here? For the Shaw family's riches and prestige? Everyone wins."

"Really?"

I checked my watch nonchalantly.

"Time's up."

No sooner had the words left my mouth than a stir echoed down the hallway. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, faces etched with a mix of terror and reverence. The deliberate click of high heels grew louder, each step resonating like a heartbeat through the throng. A team of bodyguards in black swiftly took charge, pushing back the onlookers with their phones at the ready.

A statuesque silhouette framed the doorway, her black business attire cut with precision, her hair swept up in an elegant twist. Her features echoed Jennifer's, but where Jennifer held a flicker of warmth, this woman radiated a commanding chill that seemed to pierce the very air.

She was the embodiment of regal power, honed from years atop the corporate ladder, a queen in the cutthroat realm of commerce.

She was the Shaw Group's true sovereign, the Shaw family's crown jewel: Melanie Shaw.

At her arrival, Jennifer was rooted to the spot, her sunglasses slipping from her grasp.

"Sis? What brings you here?"

Elliot, too, was petrified, barely daring to draw breath.

He had never laid eyes on Melanie herself, but her name was legendary throughout the capital. She was the one even Jennifer, with all her poise, deferred to. She was the heartbeat of the Shaw family's empire.

Melanie spared Jennifer not a single glance.

She strode through the throng, her icy facade dissolving into a cascade of warmth as she approached me. Her hand brushed my cheek with a feather's touch before she lifted Noelle into her embrace, her other hand linking with mine.

"Sorry for being late, Cedric. Traffic was a nightmare."

Noelle clung to Melanie, her small finger accusingly aimed at Jennifer as she said, "Mommy! It was that mean lady! She called me a bastard and tried to take me away! You have to stand up for Daddy!"

Mommy?

The word struck Jennifer like lightning, reverberating with a shock that left her reeling.

Her eyes widened in shock, flicking back and forth between Melanie, me, and Noelle.

"Sis... Sis... What did she call you?"

Melanie turned slowly, positioning us protectively behind her.

Her gaze cut through the air like a knife, landing on Jennifer with a smirk that was utterly chilling, her voice quiet but crystal clear. "Jennifer, four years and you've really upped your game.

"Bold enough to pick on your brother-in-law and niece?"