HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 85: After the New Year (3)

Ayana Kingston.

Nowadays, if one heard the name, the title that would come to their name was one of the Youngest female billionaire in the world.

This was announced by Tales, a well-known and renowned American business magazine that focuses on topics such as finance, industry, investing, and marketing.

Even she, a newly global award-winning actress had yet to be recognized by the organization, yet her orphaned cousin had done so, with her pictures on their magazines and an award ceremony presented by their founder.

When Arabella had watched her cousin on the stage with recognized tycoons; both men and women on the television, she had nearly chipped her artificial nails in jealousy.

She had been working from morning to night on the film sets and trying to clinch sponsorship deals, yet her cousin only had to inherit a position that initially belonged to her father just to be recognized this globally.

On the side, Evelyn silently observed the series of bitterness on her friend’s face. She acted as if she couldn’t see such and averted her gaze elsewhere, to the window instead.

****

In the parlor of the Kingston mansion, the family of three were engrossed in the movie playing on the television.

A kiss in summer.

A movie that was a massive hit in the final few months last year, featuring Arabella as their female lead.

Ayana had no reaction or whatsoever as she watched Arabella as a different person on the movie. Jason was sleeping peacefully on her lap, his soft curls tangled between her fingers as she absentmindedly played with them, her gaze still fixed on the screen.

This new year, her goal was to be coming home early, even if it was a few times in each month. Jason’s words had deeply touched her heart in the last Christmas. She didn’t want him to grow up with memories of her as a figure trapped in work, barely present in his life.

Truth be told, Noah had always been the parental figure in Jason’s life. At first, it had been their Nanny, but as time went on, it was Noah who had stepped in to fill that role. On the other hand, Ayana had felt more like a distant, absent elder sister—always late to important days in his life and unable to fulfill her duties as the elder sibling.

This year, Ayana was determined to change things. She knew before long, Jason would enter puberty, a time when a strong adult presence was very crucial.

Noah, despite his own demanding workload at the N.K. company, had always found time for Jason....even for her as well.

He never made excuses and always did his best to fulfill his duties as their guardian. Ayana had always admired and appreciated him for that, but she also knew she needed to step up. This year, she must do better, not just for herself, but for Jason.

’’I am attending the birthday banquet this year, Ayana.’’

’’....!’’

Ayana snapped her gaze up at Noah who suddenly broke the tranquil atmosphere with his unexpected words.

The only birthday banquet that was approaching soon and she was aware of, were that of her relatives.

Her uncle’s wife, Lucinda’s forty-eight birthday.

Noah had never bothered with his family ever since he started living with them all these years. Why was it different this year?

Ayana observed the side of his face that looked indifferent while watching the movie.

’’Is there a reason?’’ She carefully voiced out her thoughts. Her first cousin wasn’t one to act without a reason. He might seem playful and immature at times, but each of his words and actions had their sole motives.

’’....I just wanted to attend....you know....everyone seems to have forgotten that I am the first young master of the Kingston family. I’ve heard rumors of many referring that guy as the first young master and not me, their actual son.’’

’’...’’

That ’guy’ should be her uncle’s adopted son, Liam Smith.

A pest that still lingered around her family in this life.

’’Petty of me, right?’’ Noah chuckled half-heartedly. ’’A thirty-year-old adult and grown man wants to remind people, particularly his family that he still existed and was doing perfectly fine.’’

How humiliating of him.

At this age, he was still bothered by the difference of his family’s treatment towards him and that so-called adopted brother.

Noah had tried to hide his insecurities, but he could no longer endure especially when he has been seeing online pictures of the family of four; all perfect-looking and with smiles like they had forgotten the existence of their first child.

’’.....’’

Ayana was unsure of how to respond to such words.

’’No one has forgotten you, Noah...’’

’’If you’re speaking as being remembered as the former guardian of the President Kingston and the heir, then indeed, who would forget about a person of such powerful figures?’’ Noah smoothly interjected, then turned to face her way with a mocking grin.

’’I bet on my company that some might have already believed that I’ve passed away. Perhaps they assume that the Kingston family might have held a quiet funeral for me.’’

’’....Matt used your former illness as one of the proofs to solidify his position as the heir of the Easmond family and to prove his genius IQ.’’ She reminded him. ’’His conference astounded quite a number of researchers.’’

Ayana recalled that research conference. It gained a lot of public exposure because of the nature of Noah’s complicated illness, and also the scandals of the former Young miss Easmond. Matt had even won award for the newest discovery and cure.

Apparently, there have been similar cases of Noah’s illness in quite a few numbers of people, but failure in producing a cure. One could imagine how the researchers regarded Matt like their savior.

Through the public conference, Matt had washed away his notorious playboy persona and gained worth more than the claimed former genius of the Easmond family.

Noah also remembered that time when some researchers had reached out to him for some questions and confirmation.

He turned back to the movie and sneered. ’’They still did not bother to visit me, Ayana.’’

His own innate family had not even made a single call to him. This was indirectly telling him that they did not believe in the rumors. Well...what should he have expected anyway?

’’That’s because they don’t believe in Matt’s claims until they see for themselves. This proves that many have not forgotten you Noah as the first young master of the Kingston family....and my elder brother.’’ Ayana added the rare title that she hardly used to address Noah.

’’.....’’ Noah looked back at her in silence.

’’You were also the former President of the Kingston corporation, Noah.’’ She reminded him. ’’Besides I, the current President Kingston and literal head of the Kingston family have never acknowledged the existence of your father’s adopted son. They are only treating him like a member of the Kingston family because I haven’t said anything and only ignored him till now. Do you want me to do something, Noah?’’ Ayana stared at him calmly.

’’Say the word and that adoption will be terminated permanently.’’