"Gianna is our daughter. Isn''t it natural to spoil her a little? Especially since she just got pped in public..." He spoke quietly, his voice so low that even Anneliese barely caught it.


    Wendy tilted her head to avoid him. As she looked at him, the woman merely scoffed in response.


    "Wendy, I''m just extending my love to everyone under my roof..." Adrian''s exnation only made Wendy''s expression turn icy. She stepped aside to put distance between them, the corners of her eyes and mouth twitching in fury.


    Extending love to everyone under his roof? Their daughter had never once been truly cherished by her father. What was he talking about? It was ridiculous!


    Anneliese felt the atmosphere grow awkward. At the same time, Gianna and Pepper —the actual mother and daughter-did not want Adrian and Wendy lingering together, so they walked over as well.


    "Mom, did you and Elliee to watch mepete?"


    Gianna smiled, her expression overflowing with joy, and casually moved close to Anneliese, bending slightly to reach for Ellie''s face.


    But the little girl shifted and hid behind Anneliese instead, causing Gianna''s smile to stiffen.


    What made her even more embarrassed was what Wendy said beside her. "We came to watch Annepete. She''s the one who invited us."


    Gianna lifted her head, a little hurt, and forced a pale smile as she looked at Wendy.


    "I''vepeted in so many contests since I was little. Every time, I hoped to see you in the audience, cheering me on, being proud of me...


    "I thought you didn''t like joining in on the excitement. If I''d known you and Ellie were willing toe, I would have invited you instead..."


    Her eyes were full of yearning, grievance, and confusion-a painfully vulnerable look of a child who has always longed for a mother''s recognition and love but never received it, only to see her mother at thepetition, yet not there for her.


    Her disy naturally made Anneliese feel awkward.


    Anneliese pressed her lips together, while Pepper stepped forward, looking earnestly at Wendy.


    "Wendy, Gianna has been hoping for a day like this. Since you''re here, why don''t you fulfill her wish? Ms. ude, if no one else is here to cheer for you, I''m willing to do so."


    She was clearly implying that Anneliese had overstepped. She had essentially stolen someone else''s mother to be her cheerleader, while the girl''s own daughter was stillpeting.


    Meanwhile, Anneliese had no idea that Gianna had also signed up for thepetition before today.


    Had she known in advance, she would never have invited Wendy yesterday.


    Anneliese looked at Wendy, feeling she should exin herself. Otherwise, anyone who didn''t know might think she was deliberately trying to go against Gianna.


    "Ms. Chalmont, I didn''t know Ms. Malone would bepeting too. If you and Ellie would like to cheer for her, I''m more than happy to—"


    Before she could finish, Wendy smiled and interrupted her. "What nonsense are you talking about? Ellie and I are here for you."


    She squeezed Anneliese''s hand once more, then turned to Gianna. "I''ve told you before, Gianna. Since you and your mother have acknowledged each other, I''m your aunt now."


    At those words, Gianna''s face drained of itsst bit of color in an instant. She stared at Wendy in disbelief, never expecting her to reveal this so openly in public.


    For over twenty years, Wendy had quietly allowed her to believe she was her daughter. And standing beside Giannatin.equat shock was Of course Adrian. He looked at Wendy in surprise, then at the pate-faced Gianna.


    "Wendy, how could you..."


    Wendy didn''t want to speak with him outside. Before he could finish, she grabbed Anneliese''s hand. "Let''s go. They''ve already prepared your spot. Elle and will walk with you. Come with us, Steven. I have something to teft you."


    Steven, who had been standing silently nearby, stepped forward, picked Ellie up, and followed them into the venue.


    Adrian was clearly sidelined. He wanted to follow, but Gianna''s eyes were red as she looked at him. "Dad..."


    Pepper looked at him too whileforting the heartbroken young woman.


    "Adrian, Gianna is very upset. Why don''t you offer her some words offort? She still has topeteter, and if this affects her mindset it could be a problem. It''s my fault, but Wendy''s taking it out on her at this point."