Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

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Grayson had Finn buy a huge assortment of toys. Noah was only interested in the model rockets, cars, and ships, ignoring everything else.

After handing Noah over to Finn, Grayson buried himself in work.

Meanwhile, the entire VirtuFusion Group was buzzing with a level of excitement rarely seen. Everyone was saying, “Mr. Pierce brought his son to the office.”

Private messaging groups across the company exploded.

Employee A: [When did Mr. Pierce have a son that big? I never heard a thing.]

Employee B: [Right? If he never brought him here, how would we know?]

Employee C: [This is huge news.]

Employee D: [Oh, I missed it. Can someone who saw him confirm? Is it really his son?]

Employee E: [I saw him. He looks like a mini–copy of Mr. Pierce

Employee F: [That’s an exaggeration. I got a look too. There’s a resemblance, but they’re not identical. Maybe we’re all wrong. Maybe it’s not his kid at all.]

Employee G: [I think they look very alike. Has to be his son.]

Employee H: [What I want to know is… who’s the mother?]

Employee I: [Yeah. Who’s the amazing woman who secretly won over the icy Mr. Pierce?]

Employee J: [No wonder he had that Hayes heiress arrested for Harassment when she made that big scene. He’s already spoken for.]

Then, a new message popped up. [Could the mother be Ms. Hopkins?]

The response was immediate. [Oh, possible. I’ve heard she’s his rst love, his “one that got away“]

Eloise had already landed in Anedon and was busy with work, completely unaware that her precious son was causing a hurricane of gossip back at VirtuFusion Group.

The rumors eventually reached Leo, delivered by his secretary.

“What nonsense, Leo scoffed, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. “Impossible.”

He didn’t believe it for a second. ‘Grayson’s lived alone for years with no woman in sight. Where would a child have come from? I wish I had a grandson, but that’s just a dream!

Leo filed the news away as an amusing joke, nothing more. The hild is probably just a friend’s kid

For lunch, Grayson had Finn order a meal from a high–end hote, restaurant. He and Noah ate in the private lounge area of

his office.

“Is the food okay? If there’s anything you’d prefer tomorrow, let me know. I’ll have them get it.’ Grayson offered, cutting into

his steak.

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Chapter 22

Noah took a bite of his roasted chicken. “It’s fine. I’m not picky.”

“Really?” Grayson pointed his fork at a side of sauteed spinach of Noah’s plate. “Prove it. Eat the spinach.”

Noah’s face fell. ‘Spoke too soon.‘ He hated spinach more than anything.

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He eyed the offending greens, then looked pointedly at Grayson’s own plate, which conspicuously lacked any green vegetables. “You’re not eating yours either. Adults should lead by example.”

Grayson had no retort, since he couldn’t stand spinach either. It was baffling. His assistant knew his preferences, yet had chosen this.

Finn felt utterly wronged. He’d been instructed to order a “nutritious, balanced meal” suitable for a child. Sauteed spinach seemed like a perfectly healthy choice kids usually ate.

Later, when Finn cleared the plates, he noted the untouched spinach on both trays.

The rumor mill said the boy ks Mr. Pierce’s son. The inner circle of assistants know he isn’t. But how come they’re picky about the exact same thing?‘ Finn wondered, shaking his head as he cleaned up.

In the afternoon, Grayson had a meeting. He assigned an assistant to entertain Noah. The assistant took Noah on a tour of various departments.

A bold employee approached with a wide smile. “Hey there, little guy. Who are your mommy and daddy?”

Noah grinned back, showing a glimpse of a small canine tooth. “Take a guess.”

The employee’s smile faltered.

Others, abandoning subtlety, asked directly, “Is Mr. Pierce your dad?”

Noah’s grin remained. “Take a guess.”

The assistant watching over him stifled a laugh. ‘This kid is a little devil.’

?

After wrapping up her work in Anedon, Eloise found a momento call Noah.

When she learned he’d been taken to VirtuFusion Group, she fell a wave of dizziness. “You went to his office? Isn’t that… disruptive for Mr. Pierce?”

“I wasn’t disruptive,” Noah stated matter–of–factly.

“Did anyone ask you anything?” Eloise held her breath. “And why did they ask?”

Noah answered truthfully, “They asked who my parents are. The asked if Mt. Pierce is my dad”

Eloise took a deep, steadying breath. She’d known taking Noah the office would spark rumors. “What did you say?” she asked, her voice tight.

A mischievous chuckle came through the phone. “I told them to take a guess”

Eloise didn’t know how to react. But as long as he hadn’t revealed anything, she could breathe a little easier.

Noah didn’t look strikingly like Grayson; he took after her more The Pierce family likely wouldn’t suspect anything.

Eloise hadn’t planned to hide the truth forever. Initially, she hadn’t intended to tell Grayson at all, but for Noah’s sake, she was reconsidering.

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Chapter 22

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Noah knew Grayson was his father, and he clearly liked him. Eloise was starting to think about facilitating a proper reunion. She just wasn’t emotionally ready yet.

Recalling the pain she’d endured, she didn’t want Noah to go through anything similar.

Eloise and Noah chatted a while longer before hanging up.

Noah was using his kid’s smartwatch. The assistant who had been nearby overheard the one–sided conversation and thought the woman’s voice on the other end sounded lovely.

He wondered, ‘It’s so pleasing to the ear and comforting. And somehow… familiar. Where did I hear it before?‘

*****

After work, Grayson took Noah out for dinner. He chose a classic kid’s favorite: burgers, fried chicken, and fries.

Noah did love it. Eloise rarely let him have it, saying it wasn’t healthy. He hadn’t had any in ages, and he supposed a little bit probably wouldn’t hurt.

Grayson slid a chicken wing toward him. “Eat up. What are you waiting for?”

Noah took the wing and started nibbling. After a moment, he looked up. “Mr. Pierce, how come you’re not eating any?”

“I don’t eat junk food,” Grayson replied, sipping his water.

Noah stared at him for a beat. “So because I’m not your son, youre okay with feeding me junk food?”

Grayson froze. “No, that’s not what I meant. Don’t go telling your aunt.”

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