Gold Behind the Curtain

The staff, done with caution, moved in to throw me out.

I broke free from their grip, my voice a low growl.

"Back off. Don't touch me. I'm here with Jim Lawrence, the billionaire. He's my dad!"

Laughter rippled through the onlookers. Henry, smirking, could not resist a jab.

"The billionaire's son? That's a Branford University grad who's practically running the Lawrence empire after just two years back home.

"The only thing you share with him is the last name, Lawrence. You, a chauffeur, pretending to be him? That's just delusional."

He sneered, "However, hey, as fellow alumni, maybe one day you can babysit for Clara and me."

I shot back with a sneer of my own.

"Assuming you can even have kids. And what's your big achievement? Winning over a wealthy widow?"

That struck a nerve. Henry's face twisted in anger.

He had been dying to give Clara a child, to cement his place in her family.

However, his past excesses had taken their toll, and even the most experienced doctor could not save him by then.

Enraged and humiliated, Henry barked at the staff.

"Are you deaf? Get him out of here, now!"

Without another word, they grabbed me and hauled me toward the door.

My son's tears erupted in fear, and I, desperate not to hurt him, fought to free us from their grip.

"I can walk by myself, just don't touch my son!"

However, Clara's face paled, and she blurted out in disbelief. "Jayden, what are you saying? He's your son?!"

"Yes, he's my son."

"You're married to someone else? No way! I don't believe you're over me!"

Her reaction threw me for a loop.

"Why wouldn't I be over you? We've been done for ages."

Clara was not buying it, her eyes locking onto my wrist.

Glancing down, I saw my sleeve had ridden up during the scuffle, exposing my watch.

Clara smirked as if she had caught me in a lie.

"Oh, Jayden, still playing tough. I just knew you couldn't forget me. Why else would you wear the watch I gave you?

"If you come clean now and ask for my forgiveness, maybe I'll consider giving you another shot."

'What she gave me?' I thought, annoyed.

The watch she gave me was a cheap fake, rusted and gone for who knew how many years.

This watch was from my wife, Rowena Smith, who knew I loved that collection. She designed it herself and had it custom-made half a year in advance, a one-of-a-kind in the world.

I was at a loss for words. "Take a good look at these diamonds. You think you can afford any of them?

"This is a gift from my wife, and it's got nothing to do with you."

The diamonds sparkled with an unmistakable high-end shine.

Then, Henry yanked the watch off my wrist, his sneer widening.

"Jayden, how on earth could you afford such a pricey piece? This place is crawling with the rich. You must've swiped it from someone!

"If you're broke and can't even buy a meal, just say the word. You can bag up the leftovers from the party later.

"You think you can get away with stealing? A kid raised by a thief is bound to end up in trouble, maybe even get knocked around," Henry sneered.

I felt a surge of anger at his words. "Henry, zip it! You have no right to talk about my kid like that!"

Henry was about to retort when something clicked. He stared at the child in my arms, recognition dawning on his face. "That's Rowena's kid! Jayden, what's he doing with you?

"Are you planning to snatch him? You're in way over your head!"