Chapter 4

After one project wrapped, Julian Brooks drove Leo and me home.

Since Julian joined me, he'd been living at the villa.

Ryan had expressed jealousy, but I told him to be more understanding, as Julian was his cousin.

Besides, if Vanessa could live with us, why couldn't Julian?

When we arrived, Ryan had just gotten off work and was preparing dinner in the kitchen.

He immediately rushed out, wanting to hug me, but I stepped away.

"Bad allergies lately. You've got a strong scent on you."

I offered a wry smile.

Ryan asked anxiously, "Is the set environment that bad?"

"Oh yes," I said.

"So many people are heavy smokers, it's so smoky and suffocating every day."

I chuckled lightly.

Ryan then knelt down, trying to pick up Leo. "Come here, son, let Dad give you a hug."

Leo said expressionlessly, "Dad, I'm really tired. I'm going to bed."

Then he walked off.

Ryan's face dropped a little, and he gave an awkward laugh. "Evelyn, look, the child isn't even close to me anymore."

"As long as you're close to me," I said, smiling.

Ryan didn't say anything more, instead turning to Julian. "Julian, let's have a drink tonight."

"Sounds good, Ryan," Julian replied with a smile.

He was a man who seemed very refined, and his modesty came from deep within.

His kindness towards people was also very genuine.

I said to Julian, "Come to my study, let's discuss the new project."

"Alright."

Julian nodded at Ryan and followed me to the study.

About an hour later, dinner was ready.

Our family sat at the dining table, but Vanessa Reed was eating in the kitchen.

I glanced at Vanessa's back and said, "Vanessa, why aren't you eating with us?"

"Evelyn, although I'm Ryan' s cousin, I' m still the nanny. I..."

I waved my hand, cutting her off. "Even as a nanny, you can sit at the table with us. We don't have so many rules in this house."

Vanessa then came over and sat beside Leo, constantly putting food on his plate.

Leo frowned. "Aunt Vanessa, you should use serving forks for that."

He pushed his plate forward, refusing to eat it, as if it was dirty.

I looked at him and said, "Go get another plate yourself."

Leo nodded, smiling, and immediately went.

Vanessa quickly apologized, "Evelyn, see? I don't know the rules."

"You'll get used to it," I said, smiling.

Later, a well-known screenwriter brought me a script.

The new script was a slice-of-life drama from a child's perspective, and the screenwriter suggested that Leo would be perfect for the lead role.

I agreed.

The web series took half a year to film.

After its release on major platforms, it instantly garnered immense popularity.

Especially Leo, who directly became America' s sweetheart, the nation' s son.

And all sorts of film offers came flooding in.

Leo was a sensation and even major directors started extending offers.

I accepted a film for Leo and invested in the production.

After the film was released, its popularity remained high.

Leo's acting skills were once again recognized.

Every time Ryan came home and saw Leo, his eyes were full of pride.

He'd always say, "That's my son!"

Vanessa would also exclaim excitedly, "Wonderful! Someone's bringing glory to the Thorne name!"

Ryan would frown and say, "Don't say that randomly, it's the Hayes family!"

Vanessa quickly apologized, "Right, right, my mistake."

I smiled at them and said, "We're all family, there' s no 'yours' and 'mine'."

However, Leo's rise had been too smooth; it was time for him to take a break and mature.

So, Leo personally announced he was temporarily withdrawing from acting to focus on his studies.

But to thank his fans of all ages, he announced a grand farewell party—with tickets given away through a lottery system.

The party would be held on the Lakeview Island in Sterling City.

This island had once been the economic backbone of my family, the Hayes family. The food court there had been incredibly successful.

But later, due to sewage issues and a company transition, I shut down the food court.

And when I decided to open the entertainment company, I developed Lakeview Island into a film studio complex.

On the day of the party, Lakeview Island was buzzing with guests, and Leo's fans were the most numerous.

Leo sang, danced, and played the piano on stage.

He showed everyone that he not only could act but had many other talents.

Holding the microphone, Leo told everyone in the audience, "I owe everything I am today to my beautiful mom, Evelyn Hayes, who raised me so well!"

Then, I also stepped onto the stage, and the applause from the audience grew even more enthusiastic.

But just at that moment, Vanessa Reed suddenly rushed onto the stage.

Holding a microphone in her left hand and a document in her right, she declared to the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have to reveal the truth! Leo is actually my son. Evelyn Hayes stole my son!"