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."

Melvin whispered just before he parted from them, having his own set of guests to

surveying the interior of the room as she took a glass of white wine from a nearby server. Then she spotted Gabriel and it was clear he had spotted

so popular, even during times like these." He teased

hot is happening," He turned his gaze to Leonica and Cassandra, the

offered him a gentle smile, equally responding in the man's

course, but," Noah scanned the empty space behind them. "I don't see the star

visibly dropped at the question, but Leonica stepped in before it could be noticed. "Irene," She scanned the crowd, finding the girl quickly. "Ah, she's

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

can see the resemblance. A beauty

in his wife's direction, but a nod from her was all it took to have his

her over when she

poised steps, Irene approached, a forced smile

not sure if she should call

is Mr. Larsen, a business partner of

to him.

go by that name?" Noah asked

Irene who looked like a lost puppy as they conversed in the North Germanic language. "She

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

see.

here to 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

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

should speak

"Please do."

Benjamin, what is the

Irene was

"After Irene is brought into the fully brought into the family? Word has it that she had been married to Senator Richardson before he became Senate and had set up a few businesses for her. Surely you

still being discussed but of course, we'll do our best to assist her. She is, after all, my

her, she thought and glanced at Leonica, did she hear it? She wasn't so special after

however, disappeared the

Who was she to

was nice talking with you, Benjamin," He shook his business partners hand. "Cassandra lovely seeing you," Pecked the lady on her cheek. "Leonica, continue to impress me, I look forward to the day when you'll stun the

good

some other guest." Benjamin

join you."

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

spoke up, catching her attention. "I'll also take my