Chapter 3

The man—my father, Julian Vance—finally looked at me properly.

His gaze was as sharp as a scalpel, as if trying to drill a hole right through my face.

"Whose kid is this? Where is security? Get her parents to take her away!"

His tone was dripping with annoyance and cold detachment.

A young man who looked like an assistant quickly ran over, trying to take my hand.

"Hey there, sweetie, you can't run around here. Where are your parents?"

I shook off his hand and stood my ground stubbornly, staring straight at Julian. "He is my daddy!"

The crew began whispering to one another. The gossiping, curious stares made me incredibly uncomfortable.

Julian clearly felt the shift in the room. He stood up, took a few long strides, and stopped right in front of me, his tall shadow completely eclipsing my small frame.

He crouched down to eye level, his gaze utterly devoid of warmth.

"Kid, this isn't a very funny joke. Tell me, who sent you here?"

"My mommy's name is Aria Sterling."

I stated the name clearly and directly.

I saw the pupils of Julian’s eyes contract violently the second the words left my mouth.

For the first time, a crack appeared on that cold, handsome face that looked so much like mine.

He fell silent for a long time—so long that I thought he might just stay frozen there until sunset.

The live chat in front of my eyes had completely exploded.

[Look at him! He's panicking! His hands are literally shaking!]

[Aria Sterling is his ultimate trigger! I knew it!]

[Why is he still acting tough? This little girl is literally his clone! The eyes, the nose—they are identical!]

Julian’s gaze swept over my face inch by inch, as if desperately trying to confirm something.

In the end, without saying a single word, he scooped me up into his arms, turned around, and walked straight toward his luxury trailer parked nearby.

His embrace was wide, but incredibly stiff. It wasn't soft and warm like Mommy’s at all.

"Director Vance?" the assistant called out from behind, utterly confused.

"Wrap it up for today. Everyone is dismissed."

He threw the words over his shoulder without looking back, then slammed the trailer door shut behind us.