“You’re trying to ruin this for me,” Ethan hissed as he pulled Claire aside, his polished mask slipping.

“I’m not,” she replied firmly. “I tried to call you. Twice. After the divorce was final, I learned I was pregnant. You never answered.”

“That doesn’t prove—”

“I didn’t chase you, Ethan. You made it clear your new world had no space for me. I wasn’t going to beg you to be a father. So I raised him myself. Oliver doesn’t need your wealth. He has love. He has stability.”

Ethan’s throat went dry. His empire, his image, his carefully curated perfection—it all suddenly seemed fragile.

From across the room, Victoria noticed the tension. She stormed over, her voice sharp. “What’s happening?”