Oops, Your Father Works For My Family

Synopsis

My phone buzzes, shattering the silence. I am mid-presentation at the National Academy of Sciences. It is my mother. On the other end of the line, she is a mess, sobbing so hard that her words are just a jumble of panic. "Honey," she finally manages to choke out, "your brother... his fiancée... she called it off!" I drop everything and speed over to her family's house. The scene in the living room is worse than I imagined. My brother is trapped in the center of the room, looking like he's seen a ghost. A girl dripping in designer labels is practically poking him in the chest with pure disdain. "You?" she sneers, letting out a sneer. "Let's be real. I'm the heiress to Sinclair Holdings. My father just sank three hundred million dollars into your little research institute. And you think you're in my league? Get over yourself." Even her mother chimes in, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. "Ethan, sweetie," she says, patting the air condescendingly. "Olivia is destined for more. This is just a fantasy. It's best for everyone if you just accept that." My blood is boiling, and I am about to storm in there and give them a piece of my mind, but the name "Sinclair Holdings" hits me like a ton of bricks. Sinclair Holdings? Since when does the husband I get in a marriage of convenience have another kid? We only have one rebellious son, not a secret daughter. I step back into the hallway, my fingers flying as I dial his number. I plaster on my iciest, sweetest smile. "Darling," I purr into the phone the moment he picks up. "I'm a little confused. When, exactly, did you find the time to have a secret love child behind my back? And more importantly, why is she trying to torpedo my little brother's engagement?"