She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 340

What should have been a pinnacle moment during the award ceremony felt rushed and lackluster, completely out of sync. with the show's high standards and massive popularity.

The main reason was that Lorelai had a meltdown backstage, crying and throwing things wildly, causing chaos behind the

scenes.

The production team couldn't risk having her come up on stage to accept the award. Even if they let her, she surely wouldn't comply.

So, they had no choice but to ask the Pittman family to take her away. The host then announced that Lorelai was too tired and had fallen asleep, asking Paityn to accept the award on her behalf. Athena, wanting to shield Josie from excessive attention due to her recent fame, had Maria take the sleepy Josie back to the hotel. Athena herself, wearing a mask, went up to accept Josie's award.

With neither the champion nor runner-up present, the audience's enthusiasm dwindled. The hosts, abandoning their pre- prepared questions, quickly wrapped up the formalities and declared the talent show officially over. Despite this, the ratings for the episode broke records. The entire internet was buzzing about the competition between the two young talents and their connection to Paityn.

But Paityn didn't care about any of that.

Alina wasn't there, and her mind was elsewhere. After presenting the awards, Paityn hurriedly muttered, "I need to check on the children." Then she quickly left the stage.

She rushed back to the hotel. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Damon waiting.

Damon, also masked, nodded at her.

Paityn, with a cold expression, opened the door silently for him to enter, then closed it behind them. She took off her sunglasses and mask, twisted open a bottle of water, and asked icily, "What do you really want?"

Damon removed his mask, his eyes filled with the passion she hadn't seen in years. "I watched Josie's performance tonight. She's more talented than I ever imagined. Her image, stage presence, psychological composure, and ability to handle the moment were all incredible. There's no way I'll let such a genius go to waste.

"No matter what you decide, I'm going to Kitmore City tomorrow morning to inform the Donovan family about Josie's true identity. I'll ask them to let me take Josie under my wing for her development."

"You must be dreaming." Paityn cut him off, sneering. "The Donovan family cherishes Alina like a treasure. They won't let you get close to Josie, much less allow you to claim her."

"Why wouldn't they?" Damon retorted. "I'm not trying to take Josie away or sever her ties with the Donovan family. I just want to mentor her, to turn her into a superstar. It's beneficial for Josie, and it's beneficial for the Donovan family. Why would they say no?" Paityn didn't even know how to respond. "All of that is just your wishful thinking. What gives you the right to force your will on Alina and the Donovan family?"

"You're right," Damon replied calmly. "That's why I'm going to discuss it with them."

Paityn was speechless.

love-struck girl she once was, Paityn still

a comeback. "And if they refuse, what will

do?"

they truly care about Josie, they'll agree," Damon replied. "If they don't, I'll consider

Paityn stared at him in shock. "You've never raised Alina for even a single day. She

1/8

699

Chapter 840

Damon said calmly. "You can't leave the Pittman family and raise Josie yourself. But if I gain custody,

but Paityn couldn't find a

details after I meet with the

If she finds out Josie is your child, will she let

my

spent the past few years praying and staying out of both business and the company, Besides, our son is already a failure and

43

her head and said, "You're still so

in saying that now?" Damon replied. "Josie is your child too. You should focus on how you'll

tomorrow," he added before pulling on

one hand as she felt a splitting headache coming on,

despicable as Damon was,

what should I say? What if the Donovan family refused our proposal? What would

in thought, the bedroom door opened, and someone stepped

she asked in

"I heard everything

blank as a wave of immense fear

thought, "This is bad... really

slim and elegant even in her late fifties, walked gracefully toward Paityn, her high heels clicking softly on the carpet. Holding a designer handbag, she said in a calm yet imposing voice, "Josie is really your and Damon's child? Oh, your illegitimate child?" Her voice held such authority that Paityn instinctively

you have proof that she's your biological daughter?" Saanvi asked, her

Paityn stammered, almost trembling. "I have pregnancy records, birth certificates, and pictures and videos of me with Alina when she