After Divorce Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant

"Oh Leonica, you did wonderful!" Cassandra exclaimed the moment she laid her eyes on her daughter for the first time in two days. "You handled those reporters like a true Romero." "Thank you mother," Leonica soaked in her mother's praise, pulling her into a tight hug before facing her father. "Hi dad."

"Leonica," Benjamin walked up to his daughter, placing his hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry for having put you through something like this."

Shaking her head, she offered him a smile. "Don't be dad. And besides, I choose to handle the press conference, it's the least I can do during this situation."

Hearing her words, Benjamin couldn't help but mirror his daughter's smile. "Thank you."

"What's family for. Shall we?" She pointed towards the door which led to a hallway leading to the main Hall where the party was being held.

As they walked, Leonica asked. "How's Irene fitting in?"

Cassandra scoffed. "That child is proving to be more of a pest than you'd think. Just the other day, she came back with a dozen shopping bags, and began ordering the maids around like she owned the place." Shaking her head, obviously not trying to hide her displeasure with Irene's existence, Cassandra added. "Why again are we letting her stay at OUR house? And why the need for this introduction party?"

"Mother," Leonica began, patting the woman on her shoulder as a sign to calm down. "You need to calm down. Besides, we discussed this, Irene needs this introduction party as a way to make her debut, thus helping us spread the news that the Romero family has finally welcomed their illegitimate child. It'll help clear any doubts the press may have had and furthermore, it'll help the Romero's gain some of the respect we've lost during this whole shenanigan."

"She's right." Benjamin agreed as they got closer to the entrance, spotting Melvin who had already been waiting for them. "This is the best way to handle this. Now, let's drop this matter. How's Owen and my grandson?"

"Owen's in Germany for movie shooting," Leonica answered as she waved at her brother. "And Ashley's doing fine."

"His health?"

"...Doctor Bailey said it had improved." She lied. Seeing her parents get worries over Ashley's health right now, with everything going on, is the last thing she wanted.

"That's good. But don't lower your guard. You and Owen should start making preparations for the wedding and another child as soon as possible." He said, but when Leonica remained silent, he glanced above his shoulder and added. "That is if you're over that ex husband of yours."

Leonica chuckled. "Things with Gabriel is in the past, father." She turned to Melvin who was walking beside her and asked. "Where's Leonardo."

"The Philippines," Came his answer. "He's there for a research."

"I see,"

The moment they stepped foot in the Hall, the people gathered turned their eyes towards the Romero's and began to murmur.

"Mr. Romero has finally arrived."

"Along with the First Lady, their son and daughter."

"Isn't that Leonica Romero, I heard she's the one who helped her family accept the illegitimate child."

"Ms. Romero has such an amiable personality."

parted from them, having his own

she took a glass of white wine from a nearby server. Then she spotted Gabriel and it was

as he approached them with a wide smile on his lips. "Ever so popular, even during times like these." He teased in Danish, his native language. "Hello Noah," Benjamin responded in Danish as he shook the man's hand and smiled. "I'm glad you could

his gaze to Leonica and Cassandra, the former giving him a court nod

him a gentle smile, equally responding in the

space behind them. "I don't see the star of tonight,

dropped at the question, but Leonica stepped in before it could be noticed. "Irene," She scanned

smile on her lips, she tipped her glass in Irene's direction when their

resemblance. A beauty she

a nod from her was all it took

to the child, beckoning her over when

a forced smile on

paused not sure if she should call Benjamin

this and briskly cut in. "This is Mr. Larsen, a business partner of

to him. "Hello,

go by that name?" Noah

things slow for now." Came Benjamin's reply, not bothering to translate for Irene who looked like a lost puppy as they conversed in the North Germanic language. "She seems lost, does she

said in English. Irene's eyes twitched, clearly offended by the older female's words, but she couldn't do anything, seeing as Benjamin had a look of

see. What

teach my dearest sister the ropes, even if she was previously a commoner." "Well, isn't that a blessing." He commented, laughing heartily. But it was different

what she wanted. Because the moment Irene makes a mistake and messes up, her accomplice was sure to show some type of reaction. That was her goal behind her constant taunting

assume I should speak

"Please do."

what

Irene was it?" The

into the family? Word has it that she had been married to Senator Richardson before he became Senate

our best to assist her. She is, after

reply had a smile gracing Irene's lips. He was going to aide her, she thought

however, disappeared the moment

Who was she to

to impress me, I look forward to the day when you'll stun the world once again, and of course, Irene." Noah turned his attention towards

bowed, wishing the man a good night before he disappeared into

go greet some other guest." Benjamin

you."

Leonica's, but much to her dismay, he said, "Please, don't disgrace the Romero name." And walked off. Irene was frozen in place, her eyes glued on her father's retreating back, a hand clutching at her dress at

Irene" Leonica spoke up, catching her attention. "I'll also