Chapter 5 The sheer force of their entrance silenced the entire room . Edmund , nudged forward by Vanessa's pointed look , reluctantly approached the lead bodyguard . " Uh ... hi . Can I ask who you- " The man didn't even glance at him . His eyes stayed fixed on the entrance . My father walked in , flanked by two more guards . The second Edmund and Vanessa saw him , the color drained from their faces . Everyone else looked back and forth between Vanessa and my father , confusion spreading . Because just minutes ago , Vanessa's " billionaire dad " had been on a video call , claiming he was overseas on business . And now ? He was standing right in front of them . Dad's eyes found me - battered , bloody , barely conscious on the floor . His expression went cold as steel . His gaze swept across the room , landing on each person like a death sentence . Finally , it stopped on Edmund . " You're Edmund Hayes ? " Edmund's face lit up like he'd won the lottery . He nodded eagerly . " Yes ! Yes , Dad ! We've only met over video before - I can't believe I'm finally meeting you in person ! " " Video ? " Dad's tone was ice . He glanced at me , then back at Edmund . But Edmund was too caught up in his own delusion to notice . " You told us you were stuck overseas ! I can't believe you surprised us like this . Vanessa , babe , your dad's here - say something ! " He turned to his daughter . " Sweetie , say hi to Grandpa ! " The little girl toddled up to my father and chirped : " Hi , Grandpa ! " Dad didn't even look at her . His eyes stayed locked on Vanessa . " You're telling people you're my daughter ? " Chapter 9 Vanessa kept her head down , silent . Edmund's smile faltered . Panic crept into his voice . Vanessa ... what's going on ? " Dad's lips curled into a humorless smile . "You're calling me ' Dad ' when you don't even know who my ACTUAL daughter is . Interesting habit you've got there , Dr. Hayes . " "I only have one daughter . Her name is Gianna ! " The room exploded into hushed whispers . " Wait - what the hell is going on ? " " Who's actually the billionaire's daughter ? " " Please don't let it be Gianna . If it's her , we're screwed . " " Dude , I think Vanessa's been lying this whole time ... " Edmund heard every word . His unease twisted into full - blown dread . He whipped around to face Vanessa , voice sharp . " Vanessa . What . Is . Going . On . Have you been lying to me this entire time ?! " Vanessa finally lifted her head - and looked straight at me , eyes full of contempt . " Gianna , I have to hand it to you . You really went all out , didn't you ? " " Hiring all these actors ? Getting someone to play your dad ? That makeup job is decent , I'll give you that . But fake is fake- " " A crow can never turn into a swan ! "