Chapter 6 - THE VIDEO THAT WENT VIRAL
By sunrise, the ballroom video was everywhere.
Someone had recorded Victoria throwing money at Sarah’s feet.
Another guest had captured Leo running toward his mother.
A third video showed Julian threatening Victoria.
Millions of views followed within hours.
But the most damaging clip had been edited.
Sarah’s refusal to dance had been removed.
Victoria’s insults had been removed.
The video began with Sarah picking up a hundred-dollar bill from the floor.
Then it cut directly to Leo entering the ballroom.
A caption appeared.
MAID BRINGS CHILD TO BILLIONAIRE GALA AND CLAIMS SECRET CONNECTION TO OWNER.
Sarah stared at her phone.
“That isn’t what happened.”
Julian’s communications director nodded.
“We know.”
“The internet doesn’t.”
Comments multiplied every second.
Gold digger.
Scammer.
Set-up.
Poor kid being used for money.
Sarah locked the screen.
Leo was eating pancakes in the adjoining breakfast room.
He had no idea strangers were discussing him.
Julian stood near the window.
“Victoria’s team released this.”
“Can you prove it?”
“Not yet.”
Sarah laughed bitterly.
“That seems to be the theme of my life.”
Julian turned.
“I’m going to fix this.”
“No.”
Sarah stood.
“You’re going to find the truth.”
“I’m going to take care of my son.”
The words escaped before Julian could stop himself.
Sarah’s expression changed.
“He is not yours until the test says he is.”
Julian nodded.
“You’re right.”
Sarah softened slightly.
The laboratory technician arrived at nine.
The test was simple.
Cheek swabs.
No cameras.
No press.
Sarah signed the consent paperwork herself.
Leo giggled when the swab tickled.
“Is Mr. Vance sick?”
“No.”
Sarah forced a smile.
“We’re just checking something.”
Leo looked at Julian.
“Are you my daddy?”
No adult in the room moved.
Julian crouched.
“We don’t know yet.”
Leo considered this carefully.
“Would you want to be?”
Julian’s eyes filled before he could hide it.
“Yes.”
Sarah looked away.
The answer hurt in a completely different way from the rejection letter.
Later that afternoon, Sarah’s phone rang.
It was her landlord.
He sounded uncomfortable.
“Sarah, reporters are outside the building.”
“My other tenants are complaining.”
“I think you should stay somewhere else for a few days.”
Sarah closed her eyes.
She had done nothing wrong.
Yet she was losing her privacy.
Her job.
Possibly her home.
Julian overheard.
“You and Leo can stay here.”
“No.”
“Sarah.”
“I said no.”
Then her phone rang again.
This time it was Leo’s preschool.
The director sounded frightened.
“Someone tried to pick Leo up yesterday.”
Sarah’s blood turned cold.
“Who?”
“A woman carrying authorization paperwork.”
“What woman?”
The director hesitated.
“She said she was from the Sterling family.”
Sarah slowly looked toward Julian.
May you like
The game had just become a threat.
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