We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Cedar’s POV

As expected, the ballroom erupted in shock.

“Anyone who dares call my son a bastard again will find themselves blacklisted by Sterling Design Group, Ridley announced, his glacial gaze sweeping across the room.

I watched as the crowd physically recoiled from his stare. Even Nathaniel Wright, who had weathered seventy years of business dealings in Chicago’s cutthroat design world, seemed utterly speechless when faced with Ridley’s piercing glare. Sterling Design Group could buy and sell Wright Creatives a hundred times over.

“Furthermore,” Ridley continued, his voice cutting through the hushed silence, “anyone who spreads tonight’s events beyond these walls is declaring themselves an enemy of the Sterling family.”

Another bombshell. I noticed several guests discreetly putting away their phones. Crossing the Sterlings meant professional suicide in Chicago’s design community.

“Well, well, let’s not dwell on misunderstandings,” Jonathan quickly intervened, his voice unnaturally cheerful. “The birthday dinner is ready. Please, everyone, take your seats. Ridley, Cedar, please join us.”

I had wanted to escape this nightmare, but Ridley had already seated himself at the table. Walking out now would seem ungrateful after he’d defended Oliver. With a stiff expression, I took the seat beside him.

Our table was filled with VIPs–Wright Creatives‘ most significant past clients. These people might be important to Jonathan, but on any normal day, they wouldn’t be important enough to share a meal with someone of Ridley’s caliber. They knew it too; I could see the excitement in their eyes at this unexpected opportunity.

“Mr. Sterling, we met at a charity auction a few years ago. Do you remember me?” a portly businessman attempted.

Ridley barely glanced up. “No.”

The businessman’s smile faltered but persisted. “I have a common face, so that’s understandable. Let’s get acquainted now–I’m William

Smith from-”

“I have no interest in making acquaintances,” Ridley cut him off, taking a sip of wine, his expression remaining glacial.

William’s face contorted in an attempt to maintain his dignity despite the public snub. Jonathan quickly jumped in to smooth things over, offering a toast to William and praising his development projects.

The other guests at our table, having witnessed William’s humiliation, kept their attention on Jonathan while stealing glances at Ridley.

Ridley showed no interest in the gourmet spread before him, occasionally sipping his wine. After several uncomfortable minutes, I shifted

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Chapter 99

closer to him.

“Thank you for defending me earlier.” I whispered. I’m sorry you got dragged into this mess.”

“I already have three children. One more makes little difference,” he replied nonchalantly.

But I knew better. If tonight’s events leaked to the press, Aria’s identity might be exposed. This man had protected his three children so

carefully–1 feared my problems might undo all that.

I should have found a better way to handle Nathaniel’s interrogation instead of creating this complicated situation.

“Cedar, stop daydreaming,” Jonathan called out. “Serve Mr. Sterling some food. He’s barely eaten anything.”

I nodded, selecting a perfectly seared lamb chop from the platter and placing it on Ridley’s plate. “The rosemary lamb is exceptional. You

should try it,” I suggested softly.

Ridley, who hadn’t touched his silverware all evening, picked up his fork and knife and tasted the lamb. “Indeed, not bad,” he

acknowledged with a slight nod.

“Have some more then. The duck breast with cherry reduction is excellent too, though quite rich–just a small portion should suffice. Would you care for the truffle risotto? And the Maine lobster bisque is outstanding…”

My guilt made me unusually attentive. Gradually, the ice in Ridley’s expression began to thaw, the coldness surrounding him dissipating. By the end of the otherwise unremarkable meal, he had eaten a substantial amount.

Selena’s POV

My face darkened with rage. How could Ridley possibly claim that brat was his child?

Impossible. Cedar couldn’t possibly have had his child.

But then… why did Ridley always protect her? And looking more carefully at the boy, he did resemble Ridley quite a bit…

Throughout dinner, Dad kept facilitating interactions between Cedar and Ridley. The shameless woman kept leaning close to him, serving

him food. Disgusting.

Sitting at a nearby table, I nearly broke my manicured nail in frustration.

“Mom, look at Dad,” I hissed to Elara. “He’s practically fawning over Cedar. So what if she seduced Ridley? If Ridley actually cared about her, wouldn’t he have acknowledged his son before the boy turned six? She’s just his plaything, but Dad can’t see that.”

“Even as a plaything, she’s a successful one,” Elara replied, her eyes dark with malice. “Bearing a Sterling heir, keeping it hidden for six years… Whether she becomes Mrs. Ridley or not, she can live in luxury forever because of that child.”

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Chapter 90

1 clenched my jaw, Are we supposed to just watch her live like royalty while we took up to her?”

“She’s only valuable because she caught Ridley’s eye. Let’s make him despise her,” Elara whispered, leaning closer to outline her plan in my ear.

When dinner was half over, I approached Cedar with a champagne flute and a fabricated smile.

‘Sister, it’s been so long since we’ve spent time together,” I said sweetly. “Let me toast you–I’ll drink mine completely, you can sip yours.”

Cedar remained guarded, not touching her glass.

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