Chapter 48 Saw Daddy
"Mom, I asked a guy walking by, and he said that Sophia and I have a dad named Winston. Mom, look, he looks just like me. Don't you know him?"
Oh no, even the kids know the last name now.
Alison tried to stay calm, thinking that kids are just kids. As long as she denied it, everything would be fine.
Holding each child's hand, she walked down the street, smiling. "Ethan, the man named Winston isn't your dad. He just happens to look a bit like you."
Ethan wasn't convinced. "Mom, you're lying to us, right? We want a dad. If we had a dad, no one would bully us."
Alison's hand suddenly stopped. She asked in surprise, "What? Has someone been bullying you?"
Sophia glanced at Ethan, and Ethan glanced at Sophia. The two of them stared at each other over Alison's head, neither willing to speak first.
"What's going on? Is there something you can't tell Mom?" Alison looked at their expressions and understood that there was more to the story. They didn't want to worry her.
"Mom, it's not like that. You're our favorite mom," Sophia quickly said.
"Then tell Mom, and I'll stand up for you."
Ethan shook Alison's hand. "Mom, the kids at kindergarten all have dads who pick them up. The other day, I told them I have a dad too, but they said Sophia and I are orphans and that we don't have a dad. They won't believe us unless our dad comes to pick us up."
Alison's heart ached, and tears welled up in her eyes. But she really couldn't find a dad for them.
"Sophia, Ethan, I'm sorry. Mom can't just make a dad appear. There are lots of people who look alike in this world. You've seen it on TV. Some people look similar even from far away, but they aren't related. So don't go looking for a dad anymore because you don't even know who he is or where he is."
"Mom, it has to be this Winston guy. He's the one," Ethan stubbornly pointed at Jack's picture in the newspaper, convinced that Jack was their dad.
Was this fate? The kids recognized their father at first sight.
Even though they were right, she couldn't admit it.
That night, after finally getting the kids to sleep, her mind was still in turmoil.
After changing into her stage costume, Alison headed to Rebel Bar.
Every time she performed, Jackson would silently watch from his usual spot in the audience.
He never asked why she left years ago, nor did he pry into her address or personal life.
But every time the performance ended and the applause began, he would appear in front of her, ready to take her home, and then leave.
But that night, when she took her final bow, his spot was empty.
Jackson didn't come.
The next morning, as soon as she arrived at the office, Alison was surrounded by a flurry of activity.
There was a press conference at six in the evening, and everyone was busy getting into their roles.
"Alison, does your evening gown fit?" a colleague asked.
"It fits," Alison replied without thinking. She hadn't even looked in the mirror but felt comfortable in it and didn't want to cause any trouble.
"Alison, get the materials ready for communicating with the guests at the press conference. We'll leave at one to pick them up from the airport, take them to the hotel, and then head straight to the venue," the foreign trade manager instructed efficiently.
"Got it," Alison responded.
Time flew by, and soon it was almost six. Alison got ready to pick up the guests.
Sitting in the car, Alison's phone rang. It was Aidan. He had called her multiple times that day, checking on her ankle and reminding her not to push herself if she couldn't walk. He would find someone to replace her if needed.
Alison knew Aidan had his reasons for being so attentive. But she decided to go anyway because she enjoyed the relaxed and pleasant interactions with guests, which helped her gain experience.
At the destination, Alison led the guests straight to the press conference venue. The place was crowded but orderly, with people directing at every entrance and exit.
YD Company was truly a leader in S City, influencing the city's business dynamics with every move.
In the dressing room, Alison changed into an orange evening gown that really suited her. Looking at herself in the mirror, she remembered Jack's comment at Chanel, saying she was too skinny and not his type. But she was the kind of person who never gained weight no matter how much she ate.
With light makeup on, Alison stepped out of the dressing room in her orange gown, only to be taken aback. Other colleagues were also wearing evening gowns to greet the foreign guests.
Her orange gown stood out among the sea of pale purple, making her particularly noticeable.
A female colleague admired her dress. "Alison, your gown is beautiful."
She hadn't intended to stand out, but now it was too late. The gown was on, and many people had already seen it.
This was definitely Aidan's doing, making her the center of attention without lifting a finger.
Alison picked up a cocktail and gracefully walked towards the guests. The press conference was about to start, and the hall was filled with low murmurs and smiling faces.
Her gown was like a beacon, making her easy to spot. Aidan was holding a glass, looking her way.
Alison smiled and stopped in front of the guests, engaging in polite conversation.
Suddenly, she heard whispers behind her. She instinctively turned to see what was causing the commotion.
Her gaze shifted to the entrance, where under the bright lights, Jack walked in with a woman on his arm.
Jack, in a sharp black suit, looked more mature than before.
The woman beside him, smiling like an angel, walked gracefully next to him. It was the same woman Alison had seen at Chanel the day before.
Remembering the woman's behavior in the fitting room, Alison's face flushed.
But now, the woman exuded a different kind of charm, captivating everyone around her.