He then tried calling the household staff. A polite voice responded.
“Ma’am Issy hasn’t returned home in several days, sir.”
Ross’s expression darkened, his voice cold and measured.
“She’s an orphan. Where could she possibly run off to? And now, she’s using a little disappearing act to annoy me. Ridiculous! I bet she’ll be back begging me soon enough.”
A friend approached with a teasing smile.
“Your little… side thing is still in touch, huh?”
Ross glanced at Zamora without missing a beat.
“No. Ended long ago.”
“Good. Miss Zamora is the one who’s truly right for you,” his friend said softly.
Everyone knew about my existence; they just never wanted to acknowledge it. A poor girl without parents didn’t belong in their world, so I was simply ignored.
Ross masked his irritation and smiled.
“Meeting Zamora is the luck of a lifetime.”
Zamora’s cheeks flushed instantly, and the crowd laughed and cheered. The live-stream chat was full of congratulations and repeated “99+”s.
Then her best friend leaned over, whispering urgently. Zamora’s smile faltered.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
Her friend nodded.