Chapter 4

Instantly, every eye in the room snapped to me.

Chloe gasped, taking a panicked step forward. "Ethan! If you’re short on cash, you could have just asked! For the sake of our past, I would have given you a payout. But how could you resort to stealing? Give Leo his watch back right now!"

The wine-soaked jacket was starting to feel uncomfortable, so I calmly took it off.

Julian suddenly lunged forward, grabbing my wrist and hoisting my arm into the air. "Leo! Is this your watch?"

Leo squeezed his heavy frame through the crowd. "Yes! That's my watch! You dirty thief, how dare you wear it so openly? Do you have any idea how much that costs? You couldn't afford this in a lifetime!"

I pried Julian’s fingers off my wrist and casually shook my watch.

"It’s only ten million dollars. I’m actually getting tired of wearing it, but I guess you treat it like a holy relic."

Chloe shook her head at me in utter disappointment.

"Ethan, when did you become so vain and delusional? Take the watch off and give it to Leo! I can still stop him from calling the cops."

Julian laughed, resting one foot on a chair. "Ethan, crawl through my legs right now. Bark like a dog and scream 'I’m a thief and I’ll never steal again' until Leo is satisfied. Otherwise, with the value of that watch, you’re looking at ten years in prison."

Chloe chimed in, her voice full of pitying disgust. "Ethan, I didn't think our breakup would break you like this. But you did this to yourself. Just beg Leo for mercy. You’ll never see anyone in this room again anyway, so a little humiliation is nothing. Just crawl."

I looked at Chloe, utterly disgusted. My dignity meant absolutely nothing to her.

I adjusted the watch dial, completely unfazed. "This is my watch. Why should I give it to him?"

Chloe raised her hand as if to slap me. "Ethan! You’re still lying? You disgust me. Knowing you loved me for so many years makes me feel sick!"

Julian was grinning from ear to ear. "Once the Shaw family finds out you ruined their carefully planned gala, a few apologies won't save you. You better do what we say."

"Who's barking like a dog? I want to hear!"

A sweet, childish voice chirped from the edge of the crowd.

Julian glanced down at my daughter and waved his hand dismissively.

"Where did this little beggar come from? Security, throw her out! Don't let her ruin the Shaw family's party."

Leo took one look at her, and his eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

"L-Little Miss Shaw?! Where is your mother? Why are you here alone? Let me help you find your mom."

With that, he turned around and smacked Julian hard across the face. "Are you trying to get us killed? How dare you speak to her like that! Don't you know she’s the pride and joy of the Shaw family? Everyone dotes on her!"

My daughter pouted, looking at me guiltily. Her tiny hands twisted together as she looked around for an escape route.

I stepped forward and lifted her up by her collar. She wriggled in my grasp, yelling, "Help! I want Great-Grandpa! Great-Grandpa, save me!"

Seeing this, Julian tried to shove me away. "You thief! Not only did you steal Leo’s watch, but now you’re trying to kidnap Little Miss Shaw!"

"What's wrong with holding my own daughter?"

He turned to the crowd and scoffed.

"This guy has officially lost his mind. He’s trying to claim a relationship to anyone now. We won't let you take her!"

Just then, a powerful, booming voice echoed from the back of the room. "Who's calling for me?"

The crowd parted instantly. Julian rushed forward, his face instantly turning sycophantic.

"Old Mr. Shaw! This waiter stole Leo’s watch and was trying to kidnap your great-granddaughter. I was just putting him in his place."

"Oh? Since when does my grandson-in-law need an outsider to put him in his place?"

I held my daughter, who was still crying out to her great-grandfather for help, and gently patted her bottom.

"Even Great-Grandpa can't save you today."

Her expression flipped in an instant. She wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a big, sloppy kiss on the cheek.

"Daddy is the best! I love Daddy the most!"