Chapter 297: A Shocking Revelation

An event organizer approached and politely ushered Mary and Henry toward the stage, where Kristoff, Isobel, and Alexander were already waiting.

The moment the guests realized the celebration was about to begin, excitement rippled through the ballroom.

The image of Earth on the backdrop slowly illuminated, its blue oceans and swirling white clouds glowing against the darkness. Thousands of tiny stars flickered overhead, transforming the grand hall into a breathtaking vision of outer space.

Then came a low mechanical hum.

The spaceship began to glow. Blue and silver lights swept across its metallic hull, while wisps of white smoke billowed from beneath it, creating the illusion that the spacecraft was preparing for liftoff.

The children erupted into squeals of delight and they clapped their hands.

A countdown appeared on the giant screen.

TEN... NINE... EIGHT...

The shrill little voices joined the countdown with enthusiasm. Even the adults found themselves caught up in the excitement.

Alexander lifted his head from Isobel’s shoulder, his earlier distress forgotten. He pointed toward the spaceship and babbled excitedly, drawing a soft laugh from Isobel.

For a fleeting moment, even Mary forgot her irritation.

SEVEN... SIX... FIVE...

The lights around the spaceship pulsed faster. The simulated engines roared, and the white smoke thickened, swirling around the base.

FOUR... THREE... TWO... ONE!

A dazzling burst of light flooded the ballroom. Confetti exploded overhead, cascading down like cosmic stardust.

The children cheered, the guests applauded, and the emcee’s booming voice reverberated through the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the most exciting mission of the day! Today, our little astronaut is celebrating his very first birthday!"

The emcee paused dramatically as the lights converged on the stage.

"Let us give a huge round of applause to the star of our celebration—the one and only Alexander Dalton!"

Thunderous applause filled the ballroom.

Alexander giggled at the sudden commotion, clapping his little hands while Isobel held him securely. His back was on her so he could face the people.

The emcee waited for the applause to subside before continuing.

"And now, what would a first birthday be without capturing precious memories with the people who love our little astronaut most?"

He gestured toward the photographers waiting at the foot of the stage.

"May I invite the birthday boy’s daddy, mommy, and proud grandparents to gather for a commemorative family photograph!"

The announcement was met with another round of applause.

But beneath the cheerful atmosphere, a subtle shift passed through the crowd.

Several guests exchanged glances.

Others turned their attention toward Isobel, their curiosity no longer so easily concealed.

"Did he just call Isobel the mommy?"

"I heard it too. Does that mean she really is Alexander’s mother?"

"But I thought Alexander was Kristoff and Charlotte’s son. Wasn’t he born through a surrogate?"

"That’s what I heard. Charlotte was supposed to be his mother."

"Then why is Isobel holding him like that? And why does the child seem so attached to her?"

One woman leaned closer to her companion, lowering her voice.

"Could Isobel be the surrogate?"

"Perhaps. I heard she was an orphan before the Foster family took her in. Maybe she agreed to carry the child because she needed the money."

"Then why is Kristoff treating her like his wife in front of everyone?"

The questions multiplied, each whisper feeding the next.

Some guests studied Kristoff, searching his expression for clues. Others looked between him, Isobel, and Charlotte’s conspicuous absence from the stage, trying to piece together a scandal that suddenly seemed far more complicated than they had imagined.

After all, Kristoff Dalton was no ordinary man.

He was the only son of the powerful Dalton family, a man whose name alone commanded respect in business and social circles.

His former engagement to Charlotte was widely known, and many had expected the two families to become even more closely connected through their marriage.

Yet here he was, standing beside Isobel Lancey, while the emcee publicly introduced her as Alexander’s mother.

Was this merely a matter of surrogacy? Or was there something more between them?

Onstage, the photographers began arranging everyone for the official portrait, seemingly oblivious to the storm of speculation gathering below.

Isobel adjusted Alexander in her arms as the little boy reached for Kristoff.

Kristoff stepped closer, his expression softening as he looked at his son.

The photographer raised his camera.

"Everyone, please look this way!"

Flashes burst across the stage.

Just as the guests thought the moment would pass without further incident, a woman near the front of the stage could no longer contain her curiosity.

"Wait a minute. Didn’t the emcee introduce Isobel as Alexander’s mommy earlier? Was that a mistake, or is there something we’re not being told?"

Her question immediately caught the attention of those nearby.

Several heads turned toward the stage, and within seconds, the whispers spread like wildfire.

"That’s right! I heard it too."

"Then what exactly is Isobel’s relationship with Alexander?"

"Come on, don’t keep us in suspense! Tell us!"

"Please, we’re dying to know!"

The guests’ curiosity grew by the second. Some looked at Isobel, while others shifted their attention to Kristoff, eager to see how he would respond.

After all, if the emcee had made such an announcement in front of so many influential people, surely there was a reason behind it.

Mary’s heart lurched.

This was precisely what she had been dreading.

She hurriedly stepped forward, forcing a smile as she attempted to regain control of the situation.

"Now, now, there’s no need to rush into questions. Today is Alexander’s first birthday. Let’s not spoil the celebration with unnecessary speculation. We should focus on making this a memorable day for the birthday boy."

She spoke lightly, hoping the guests would take the hint and let the matter drop.

But beneath her composed exterior, panic was beginning to take hold.

Her eyes darted toward Kristoff.

Please don’t say anything.

If Kristoff revealed the truth here and now, the entire ballroom would learn that Isobel wasn’t merely a surrogate.

She was his biological mother.

And once that secret was out, there would be no putting it back.

Unfortunately for Mary, Kristoff had no intention of letting the matter kept hidden.

He stepped forward and took the microphone from the emcee.

The movement alone was enough to silence several conversations.

Kristoff Dalton was not a man who spoke carelessly, and everyone knew it. If he had decided to address the rumors himself, then whatever he was about to reveal was worth hearing.

Mary’s smile froze.

"Kristoff..." she began warningly, but he barely glanced in her direction.

He turned toward the audience, his expression calm and unwavering.

"There’s no point in keeping everyone guessing," he said. "The truth will come out sooner or later. I’d rather tell you myself than let gossip and speculation distort the facts."

The ballroom fell silent.

Mary felt her stomach tighten.

No. Don’t you dare!

Kristoff shifted closer to Isobel, his gaze briefly settling on the woman beside him before he faced the audience again.

"Since everyone is curious about Isobel’s relationship with my son, I’ll make it clear."

He paused, allowing the anticipation to build.

"Yes. Isobel Lancey is Alexander’s biological mother."