Chapter 29 Playing His Real Father

Susie raged in disbelief, "In New Jersey’s social circles, those who can command recognition are few, and even fewer can write a check for over a hundred million dollars on the spot. Gladys, are you sure she wasn’t just trying to scare you? With her background, she’d be lucky to be anyone's mistress."

Angela married Carlos for a surrogacy deal, and although she became his wife in name, he divorced her once he regained consciousness.

She was a cast off, her reputation well known in the social arenas. Above all, the affluent and eminent were superstitious, wary of a woman who had been married to a sick man.

Gladys protested, “Then how do you explain the house? A total of 170 million dollars paid in full and registered in her name! Owning that property means she won’t worry about livelihood ever again!”

Susie dismissed her concerns, "Foolish girl, how can she compare to you? You’re married to the heir of the Green family, destined to inherit the scope of their empire. Why envy her? You’re the legitimate Mrs. Green. She’s nothing but a discarded wife spurned by the Murphy family. When you marry into the Green family, isn’t your value far beyond 170 million dollars?"

"Why wouldn't Jacob buy me a 400 square meter mansion?" Gladys felt overshadowed and somewhat discontented. "Mom, what if she really did hook up with someone powerful? What do you think—whose son is Eddie? Could he be the child of some mysterious big shot? The man who appeared with her at the property sale office today, not only did he look distinguished, he seemed very wealthy too!"

Susie replied, "What you're saying... I want to meet her. Your father's birthday is coming soon, isn't it? Let's invite her over. I want to see for myself what she's become!"

Gladys asked, "Should I invite her?"

Susie answered, "I'll do it."

Gladys said, "She won't come. She's severed all ties with the Parker family!"

Susie declared, "She has to come! She still pays respects to her mother's grave every year. If she doesn't come, I'll relocate her mother's grave to some desolate mountain!"

*****

The next day.

Angela's phone buzzed, indicating an incoming call from Susie. The name flashed on her screen—Susie Parker. Angela felt a pang of surprise and wariness.

She had severed all ties with the Parker family long ago, and Susie's sudden invitation to her father's fiftieth birthday celebration couldn't be taken lightly.

As Angela contemplated whether to answer the call, a flood of memories rushed back. The Parker family, once a part of her life, had become a chapter she was determined to close. The scars from past experiences had shaped her decision to distance herself from their influence.

The thought of attending Marshal's birthday party didn't sit well with Angela. The invitation seemed laden with potential complications and ulterior motives. Susie's gesture was puzzling, and Angela couldn't help but wonder about the intentions behind reaching out after so many years.

But Susie said, "Angela, I know you hold a grudge against me, against your father, but he's turning fifty now. He's personally inviting you to celebrate with him, you can't just snub him, can you?"

Angela responded, "He hasn't acknowledged me as his daughter for a long time. Why should I bother going?"

Susie countered, "If he didn't acknowledge you as his daughter, would he have invited you to his birthday?"

Angela fell silent.

Susie added, "While you're at it, bring Eddie along, and Eddie's father! Eddie has grown so much, and we haven’t even met his father yet!"

Angela suddenly realized. It was a trap waiting for her!

The day at the property sale office, the extravagant house that Carlos bought for her must have attracted the Parker family's attention. They must harbor suspicions about Eddie's paternity and many speculations about Carlos's identity.

Despite the small circle of high society, Carlos was always mysterious and low profile, rarely seen in his true self.

Gladys not recognizing Carlos was within expectations.

The Parker family surely misunderstood, thinking Eddie was that man’s son and suspecting she had captivated some rich magnate.

Angela said, "I'll come if I'm free."

After hanging up the phone, Angela saw Eddie standing at the door, holding his tailored Woodberry School uniform.

"Eddie?" Angela was surprised. "Is your uniform ready?"

Eddie, holding the uniform, walked in and said, "Yes, I’ll report to school next Monday."

He hesitantly asked, "I heard you on the phone just now with that woman, what did she want?"

That woman was how Angela and Eddie referred to Susie. That man, was how they referred to Marshal.

Since Angela didn’t acknowledge her father, naturally Eddie didn't acknowledge these grandparents; therefore, they were referred to as "that man" and "that woman."

Angela explained, "She called me, wanting me to bring you... and your father to that man’s birthday banquet."

Eddie abruptly said, "Let's go!"

Angela exclaimed, "Why should we?"

Eddie said, "They’ve treated me as an illegitimate child since I was little. Now I have a father; I want him to go with us and show everyone who dares to call me a bastard!"

Angela asked, "You want your father to go with you?"

Eddie nodded, "Yes!"

Angela questioned, "How could he agree?"

Carlos remained oblivious to Eddie's true parentage. His actions toward Eddie were driven solely by the commitment he made to Angela regarding Sidney's care, and he diligently honored that promise.

However, Eddie, unaware of the circumstances surrounding his paternity, refused to accept Carlos as his father. This mutual lack of willingness on both sides to recognize the familial bond created a complex dynamic between them.

Eddie insisted, "I'll ask him to pretend to be my father. He’ll agree."

Angela couldn't help but feel torn between laughter and tears. Carlos was indeed Eddie's biological father, yet he had to play the role of "biological father"—how bizarre.

Eddie declared, "I'm going to find him right now!"

He ran towards the study. He heard from the servants that Carlos had returned and entered the study with Sidney.

At the door of the study, Eddie knocked lightly.

Carlos's voice came through, "Who is it?"

Eddie answered, "It's me."

"Come in."

Eddie pushed the door open and saw Sidney slumped over the desk, grimacing at a pile of homework.

Carlos was supervising his son's homework. Who would imagine that the high and mighty Carlos, with his fortune in the billions from Magic Strategy, would also be a doting dad, worried about his son's schoolwork at home?

Carlos inquired, "What's one-fifth of twelve?"

Sidney dumped all the pencils from his pencil case onto the table, not enough to make twelve. He opened the drawer and placed a few of Carlos's expensive fountain pens next to them, making up the dozen, and began to earnestly divide them into five equal parts.

Carlos’s lips were tightly pressed, showing signs of irritation.

He turned to Eddie, "What do you need?"

Eddie glanced at Sidney struggling with the pens and said, "I can help Sidney with his homework."

Carlos was taken aback.

Eddie's exceptional academic prowess was evident when he not only scored a perfect mark on the challenging scholarship exam at Woodberry School but also demonstrated a proficiency in subjects beyond his grade level.

Mike, noting the difficulty of the exam and the high failure rate, highlighted Eddie's remarkable achievement.

Furthermore, Eddie asserted confidently that he could teach Sidney, showcasing his self-assuredness and belief in his capabilities. This confidence suggested that Eddie possessed both the intellect and teaching skills to educate others.

But Carlos raised an eyebrow, "What's your condition?"

He knew Eddie wouldn't offer to help Sidney with homework for nothing; there had to be some quid pro quo.

Eddie stated, "A man invited my mom to his birthday party, can you go with us? I want you to play my dad."