Chapter 496
Marlene's mother-in-law-Zayden's mother-was a low-class model who didn't deserve respect. But Shannon was different.
She came from the Guetta family and had Guetta Group backing her, along with her powerful and wealthy brothers. They had connections on both sides of the law. It wouldn't take much for them to get rid of someone. Marlene had always resented the fact that she wasn't Shannon's daughter-in-law. If she had been, Malcolm would've long since secured shares in Lane Group.
But despite the bitterness coursing through her, she couldn't show it. She gave Shannon a polite glance, then looked over at the elegant Zoey.
Zoey smiled at her. "Marlene."
Marlene nodded and walked away.
As Zoey watched her leave, she felt a surge of joy. It seemed she wasn't the only one who disliked Yvette. She must make a covert effort to become friends with Marlene.
Upon noticing that Noah wasn't around, Shannon asked Yvette, "Where's the child who came with you?"
"Noah went to the washroom," Yvette replied honestly.
Hearing this, Shannon looked toward the washroom's direction, showing no intention of leaving.
Meanwhile, Noah had no intention of using the washroom. He slipped out through the back door and made his way to the main hall.
There were many Lanes present. Several relatives had brought their children, so the maids didn't stop Noah.
Noah made his way in without a hitch. In the crowd, he spotted his bastard father getting scolded by an old man with a head full of white hair.
"That must be my great-grandpa," he muttered under his breath. "He's probably not a good guy, either."
His eyes drifted to Malcolm, who was sitting next to Clifford, eating fruits. Malcolm was dressed in an expensive suit. His pompous little air suggested that he was the undisputed ruler of the household.
"Little brat!" Noah thought. Zachary had already told him about Malcolm. Noah had also met Malcolm when he'd pretended to be Zachary at Lane Mansion before.
He looked around but didn't see his grandparents. He thought it was strange. He had planned to sneak into the hall and mess with Shannon.
As Noah wandered further in, some people began to notice him.
"Isn't that the kid Yvette brought back?" someone asked. Everyone around turned to look.
Xavier frowned when he heard that. Meanwhile, Noah had no intention of running. He wanted to be seen.
Clifford, with his failing eyesight, couldn't make out Noah's face from afar. Confused, he asked, "Whose child is that?"
Xavier heard someone say Yvette
had brought him, so he knew it was Noah. Before he could answer, Noah ran over to him and wrapped his arms around Xavier's leg. Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
"Mr. Xavier, my stepdad, I got lost! I'm so glad I found you!"
Stepdad!
The whole room was shocked and in disbelief.
Noah rubbed his snotty, tearful face on Xavier's pant leg. He figured embarrassing his bastard father would do just fine if he couldn't mess with Shannon.
After all, Xavier had been competing with him for Yvette's attention all these days. He resolved to make a fool of Xavier in front of everyone.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Noah cried out even louder. "Mr. Xavier, please take me to find Mom! She must be worried sick waiting for me." Xavier's expression was thunderous by now.
Everyone else was still in shock by
the way Noah called Xavier. So, the gossip about Xavier not being able to have children was true? It seemed like he was the stepfather to someone else's child now.
Just as Xavier was about to lead Noah out, the latter suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, no!"
"Mr. Xavier, my stepdad, I'm sorry! I didn't wash my hands after using the washroom, and I got some pee on your pants."
Everyone, including Xavier, was rendered speechless.