In reality, Noah would never do something that gross. He’d just spilled water on Xavier’s pants by mistake.
Pretending to wipe it off, he said, “Mom says being a stepfather is harder than being a real dad. Don’t be mad at me. I’ll wipe it clean for you.” The crowd almost burst into laughter.
Even the usually stern Clifford nearly lost his composure. But he kept his wits about him. Where had this child come from? Was he really Xavier’s son?
As Clifford was about to inquire, Malcolm, sitting next to him, looked shocked. “Zac, what did you call Uncle Xav?”
Zachary?
Noah dropped the act, his big eyes looking straight at Malcolm. “I’m not Zac; I’m Noah Lander. Mr. Xavier and Mom are together, so he’s going to be my stepdad soon.” Malcolm was stunned by this.
The boy looked the same so why wasn’t he Zachary?
He studied Noah closely. The only difference was that the boy in front of him seemed paler and didn’t speak as seriously as Zachary.
Upon hearing this, Clifford was even more puzzled. “And who’s your mother?”
“Yvette Snyder, Mr. Lane Senior,” Noah replied.
Clifford’s grip on his cane tightened, veins bulging. “Then, who are you? Who’s your father?”
Noah was about to answer when Xavier quickly picked him up. “I’ll take him outside.”
“Stop!” Clifford stood up and moved toward them.
Noah struggled as Xavier lifted him by the straps of his overalls.
“Mr. Xavier, I can walk on my own.” He strained to look at Xavier.
Clifford finally got a clear look at the boy’s face. The resemblance between Noah and Xavier when he’d been a child was uncanny. “Who… whose child are you?”
Noah sneered inwardly but replied, “I’m Claude and Yvette’s son.”
Clifford frowned in confusion. “Who’s Claude?”
“Claude is the most amazing man in the world—”
Xavier quickly covered Noah’s mouth. “Grandpa, don’t listen to his nonsense. He’s my son with Yvette,” Xavier said calmly.
A hush fell over the room as the words sank in. No one dared to utter a sound. Meanwhile, Yvette had been waiting outside for Noah.
When he didn’t return, she sensed that something was wrong. Shannon sent a maid to check, only to discover that the boy had wandered into the hall.
Yvette hurried inside, arriving just in time to hear Xavier’s declaration. Her heart tightened with anxiety.
When had Xavier found out?
Shannon also heard and rushed forward. “Really? I knew it! He’s my dear grandson, the spitting image of Xav when he was little.”
Her face beamed with joy, her gaze at Noah filled with affection.
Noah was bewildered. He had planned to reveal that Xavier was raising another man’s child. But now, everything had changed. He tried to speak, wanting to explain.
But Xavier gave him no chance. “Come on! Is this all because I didn’t buy you candy when we went out? How did I become your stepdad?” Noah’s eyes went wide in astonishment as he stared at Xavier in utter confusion. This jerk! Who wanted candy? What an awful, wicked father! “If the boy wants candy, give it to him. Why are you being so stingy?” Shannon scolded Xavier, unable to stand seeing her grandson upset. Clifford chuckled. “This boy really is the spitting image of Xav as a kid.”
Noah, fuming, bit down on Xavier’s hand.
Xavier winced but didn’t let go. As expected of Yvette’s son! It seemed like Noah was also fond of biting.
Everyone was congratulating
Clifford for having another
great-grandchild. Yet, in their minds,
they were already calculating the impact of this new addition to the family.
After all, they had to reassess how it would affect the division of the Lanes’ wealth. Zayden and Martene looked ashen, and Zoey’s face darkened as well.
Before they could say anything, Malcolm, seated at the head of the table, objected. “That’s nonsense! There’s no way you’re Uncle Xav’s son Mom said Uncle Xav could never have kids.”