When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 705

"Gianna is our daughter. Isn't it natural to spoil her a little? Especially since she just got slapped in public…" He spoke quietly, his voice so low that even Anneliese barely caught it.

Wendy tilted her head to avoid him. As she looked at him, the woman merely scoffed in response.

"Wendy, I'm just extending my love to everyone under my roof…" Adrian's explanation only made Wendy's expression turn icy. She stepped aside to put distance between them, the corners of her eyes and mouth twitching in fury.

Extending love to everyone under his roof? Their daughter had never once been truly cherished by her father. What was he talking about? It was ridiculous!

Anneliese felt the atmosphere grow awkward. At the same time, Gianna and Pepper—the actual mother and daughter—did not want Adrian and Wendy lingering together, so they walked over as well.

"Mom, did you and Ellie come to watch me compete?"

Gianna smiled, her expression overflowing with joy, and casually moved close to Anneliese, bending slightly to reach for Ellie's face.

But the little girl shifted and hid behind Anneliese instead, causing Gianna's smile to stiffen.

What made her even more embarrassed was what Wendy said beside her. "We came to watch Anne compete. She's the one who invited us."

Gianna lifted her head, a little hurt, and forced a pale smile as she looked at Wendy.

"I've competed in so many contests since I was little. Every time, I hoped to see you in the audience, cheering me on, being proud of me…

"I thought you didn't like joining in on the excitement. If I'd known you and Ellie were willing to come, I would have invited you instead…"

Her eyes were full of yearning, grievance, and confusion—a painfully vulnerable look of a child who has always longed for a mother's recognition and love but never received it, only to see her mother at the competition, yet not there for her.

Her display naturally made Anneliese feel awkward.

Anneliese pressed her lips together, while Pepper stepped forward, looking earnestly at Wendy.

For over twenty years, Wendy had quietly allowed her to believe she was her daughter. And standing beside Gianna in equal shock was, of course, Adrian. He looked at Wendy in surprise, then at the pale-faced Gianna.

"Wendy, how could you…"

Wendy didn't want to speak with him outside. Before he could finish, she grabbed Anneliese's hand. "Let's go. They've already prepared your spot. Ellie and I will walk with you. Come with us, Steven. I have something to tell you."

Steven, who had been standing silently nearby, stepped forward, picked Ellie up, and followed them into the venue.

Adrian was clearly sidelined. He wanted to follow, but Gianna's eyes were red as she looked at him. "Dad…"

Pepper looked at him too while comforting the heartbroken young woman.

"Adrian, Gianna is very upset. Why don't you offer her some words of comfort? She still has to compete later, and if this affects her mindset, it could be a problem. It's my fault, but Wendy's taking it out on her at this point."