Chapter 2

In a fit of rage, I shouted, "What nonsense are you guys talking about? Logan is the homewrecker here! That boy is the illegitimate child, not my Nancy!"

A few snickers rippled through the crowd.

A pot-bellied man swirled his drink and scoffed. "Everyone knows Mr. Stone and Ms. Gibson have been together for years. He's her right-hand man—it's common knowledge!"

Another woman chimed in. "They have a solid relationship. If you ask me, I bet this young man just saw her wealth and came here looking for a payout."

I turned to Claire and demanded coldly, "Claire, tell them who I am."

At last, Claire spoke.

With an apologetic smile, she stepped toward the guests. "Please excuse the scene. This is our male housekeeper. He's a bit into over-the-top power fantasy novels and tends to blur reality with fiction."

She turned to me, her gaze sharp with warning. "Take your daughter home, Joe. Don't make a spectacle of yourself here."

It felt like a lightning strike. I couldn't believe that the woman I had shared a bed with for 12 years would pin such a ridiculous identity on me, right in front of everyone.

Seeing that Claire was backing him up, Logan felt a surge of confidence and acted bolder.

"I get it, Joe. Being a single dad isn't easy. Still, you can't pull a stunt like this. How about this—you head back now, and I'll have the butler process an extra three months of salary for you."

Laughter broke out among the guests.

"So, he's just a delusional housekeeper. That's ridiculous! People will really do anything for money these days, huh?"

"That girl looks pitiful, though, with the kind of father she has."

"Kids raised like that always know how to play the victim. Don't be fooled. They're not as innocent as they look."

Logan smiled with satisfaction. He crouched down beside the boy, Caleb Stone, and said, "See this, Caleb? You have to study hard, or you'll end up embarrassing yourself like that man there."

Caleb lifted his chin, his eyes carrying a sharpness far beyond his years. "Hey, bastard. Why are you arguing with my dad?"

He reached out and shoved me. Caught off guard, I stumbled back a couple of steps, nearly losing my footing along with Nancy.

Caleb carried himself like a pampered young heir, full of misplaced confidence.

"My dad said I'll get to inherit Gibson Group one day. You scrawny, bastard girl—you think you can take away my dad just like that? One day, you'll end up just like your dad, working for others your whole life!"

The guests' laughter grew even harsher, with some even clapping in approval.

"Mr. Stone Junior here has ambition! He's going places for sure!"

Just then, a few hotel staff in uniforms passed by carrying trays. One of them was the manager who had received me.

The moment he saw me, he deliberately raised his voice and said to his colleague, "Well, if it isn't the gentleman who booked a birthday party package, only to find he didn't even have 500 dollars on his card.

"I said it back then—some people like to put on a show they can't afford. In the end, they can only leave in embarrassment."

A mocking laugh slipped from Logan's lips. "Couldn't even come up with 500 dollars? No wonder he's making a scene here."

The pot-bellied man from earlier staggered over, his gaze lingering in a way that made my skin crawl. His tone turned suggestive.

"You know, for someone working as a housekeeper, you're actually quite handsome. Your girl looks like a bright one too. Things don't seem to be working out for you here. Why not come with me instead?

"I'll give you three thousand dollars a month and cover the living expenses for both you and your daughter. What do you say?"