Chapter 171

Friday arrived. Dominick collected Grayson from Vanderbilt Manor.

"Where are we going?" Grayson asked, surprised to see his father after days of absence.

"To see your mom's parents," Dominick replied.

"Huh?" Grayson’s face registered confusion. "Mommy has parents?"

"Of course," Dominick explained. "Dinner tonight."

"Does that mean I'll see Mom?" Grayson's voice held a hopeful tremor. It had been too long, his messages unanswered, replaced by the image of his mother with her other daughter. He felt a confusing mix of longing and resentment.

"Hopefully," Dominick said, unsure himself if Paisley would appear. He’d buried himself in work since their last lost connection, but his thoughts always drifted back to her. He clung to the hope that family ties, however strained, remained.

Julian, from the car, announced, "Dom, the gifts are already at the Sullivans'."

"Good," Dominick replied. "Go home, enjoy your weekend." Julian, worn out from keeping pace with Dominick's relentless work schedule, readily agreed.

As they reached the car, a voice called, "Wait!" A young woman, Ms. Claire Horn, Grayson’s tutor, hurried towards them, clutching a coat.

Grayson, pausing, introduced her, "Dad, this is Ms. Claire Horn, my teacher." Dominick remembered Lauren mentioning the new tutor.

Slightly breathless, Ms. Horn said, "Mr. Vanderbilt, I heard you're taking Sonny to dinner. It'll be cold; he should have this coat." Dominick observed her genuine concern for Grayson.

"Thank you," he replied, his deep voice and handsome features striking.

"N-no problem," Ms. Horn stammered, avoiding his gaze. Dominick acknowledged her with polite distance before entering the car.

Christina had initially planned a home dinner, but Gregory's alternative was a lavish five-star hotel, complete with a private dining room large enough for two substantial tables—the most opulent available.

"Why such a huge room? We're only hosting Mr. Vanderbilt," Christina questioned.

Gregory beamed. "The Jackmans are joining us."

Christina frowned. "Even with them, this is excessive. Mr. Vanderbilt might be displeased."

"Brittany didn't tell you?" Gregory prompted.

"Tell me what?!" Christina demanded, turning to Brittany. "Did you invite more people?!"

Brittany nodded, eyes shining. "Yes! The director and some of my production team."

"Why?" Christina sputtered.

Brittany smirked. "They've been scheming against me! That screenwriter, Nion, hasn't even shown up once! I want them to see who's backing me. After tonight, they won't dare mess with me again. This role is mine."

She carried herself with newfound confidence. If her father could leverage Dominick to pressure the Jackmans, why couldn't she use him to control the production team? Dominick's presence emboldened her.

"Mom, do I look okay?" Brittany asked, clutching her mother's hand. "My dress? My makeup?"

Christina’s gaze softened. "You look beautiful, darling. The prettiest girl tonight."

Brittany, despite her confidence, remained apprehensive about Paisley's arrival. "Mom, Paisley won't cause trouble, will she?"

Christina sighed. "It's all your father's fault! I don't understand why he set her up with the Jackmans tonight..."

Before she finished, a group arrived, including the formidable, and frankly unattractive, Baron Jackman. His gaze fixed on Brittany, making her instinctively hide behind her mother.

Gregory, ever the smooth operator, greeted Baron's equally imposing father with forced cheerfulness. "What an honor! It's great to meet you!"