Chapter 251

Daphne had invited the city's top media outlets to her extravagant birthday celebration. At the peak of her fame, every journalist had arrived, eager to capture the socialite's latest triumph.

She'd planned this moment meticulously - a perfect opportunity to cement her status. Then Daniel Mercer walked in, dropping a bombshell that shattered everything.

The room exploded with flashing cameras, reporters scrambling for the scoop.

"Ms. Sinclair, is this your secret lover?"

"So your university admission was funded by your construction worker boyfriend?"

"Was your wholesome public persona just an elaborate act?"

Daphne hadn't anticipated this disaster. Her carefully constructed world was crumbling. "No more photos!" she screamed, panic rising.

Her gaze accidentally lifted to the mezzanine level. There, leaning against the gilded railing, stood Nathaniel Falcon - tall, imposing, observing the chaos with icy detachment.

Her blood ran cold.

This couldn't be happening. Nathaniel couldn't discover her secrets. Not like this.

"Party's over!" she announced, turning to flee.

Daniel grabbed her wrist. "Running away, Daphne?"

"Let go!"

"How long did you plan to hide your pregnancy from me?"

Daphne froze. How could he possibly know? "That's insane!"

Daniel produced a medical document. "Your OB-GYN report. Still denying it?"

She'd visited the private clinic last week. But how had he obtained her records? Snatching the papers, she hissed, "Where did you get this?"

"My source isn't important. What matters is you're carrying my child."

"Shut up!" Her voice cracked. "This baby isn't yours!"

It had to be Nathaniel's.

And Nathaniel was watching from above. She couldn't let the truth surface now.

"Daphne, the dates match perfectly. That night I brought your tuition money. You were so... appreciative. We didn't use protection."

"Stop talking!" She was hyperventilating now.

"We've been intimate for years. You gave me your virginity before freshman year. Or have you forgotten?"

Game over.

Daphne didn't need to look up to feel Nathaniel's piercing stare. She could practically hear the shattering of her carefully crafted image.

Her nails dug into her palms. "Daniel, I'm begging you - stop!"

The cameras kept flashing. Reporters swarmed like vultures.

"Daphne, when's the due date?"

"A construction worker's baby? What will your high-society fans think?"

"Planning to dump him now that you're famous?"