Chapter 6

Jace's expression darkened slightly when he sensed that something was off. "Are all these people here to adopt Yanny?"

There are way too many of them.

No matter how beautiful Yanny is, it shouldn't be this crazy.

Gabriel Shane, the eldest of the three boys, opened his phone and checked X.

He laughed coldly at the trending topic. "They're not here to adopt Yanny—they're here to cash in."

It turned out that Yanny’s looks had caught the eye of an award-winning director. The director had publicly sought her contact information, hoping to cast her as the daughter of the male lead in a disaster film he was preparing.

Everyone in Michigan knew just how influential the director was.

Not to mention, the film's male lead was another award-winning actor.

Collaborating with an Academy Award–winning actor right from the start meant that her future was immeasurable.

The trending topic had completely exploded now.

Yanny was no longer just a little girl in need of help. She was a rising star with boundless potential, with the spotlight shining on her!

A surge of anger welled up inside Jace. "If these people aren't here to adopt her, they shouldn't be here! If they’re just taking her home for profit, who can guarantee she’ll have a good life?"

Andrew calmly watched the group of people walking into the orphanage with selfie sticks in hand. They looked like tourists, flashing practiced smiles at their phone cameras.

His gaze darkened slightly, and he suddenly took a step forward and headed inside.

His three sons froze for a moment. “Dad? Where are you going?”

His voice was clear and resolute. “To take her home.”

Yanny, curled up in the arms of her teacher, sobbed so hard that she could barely breathe and felt dizzy.

She couldn’t understand why she wasn’t Andrew’s daughter.

Logically, there shouldn't be a mistake, so why wasn't she?

She just couldn’t figure it out.

Had her mother lied to her all along?

Her teacher gently wiped away her tears and snot with a tissue, soothing her. "There, there, Yanny. Let's not cry anymore. You’re breaking my heart. I know you’re sad, but if you keep crying, your pretty face will get all smudged.”

Yanny felt utterly heartbroken. Her chest ached in waves, and she could barely breathe.

She lifted her tear-stained eyes and looked at Auntie pitifully. "Will I never have a dad again?"

Her teacher’s expression shifted slightly as she squeezed Yanny’s hand. “How could that be? You’re the smartest child in the orphanage. You learn faster than the other kids. You’ll definitely have a dad someday, and he’ll be even better than your last one. Trust me, okay?”

Yanny didn’t feel comforted.

What good would the best dad do?

She only loved the one dad who looked just like her.

Seeing that she didn’t speak, her teacher knew she was still sad. Just as she was about to comfort her again, a commotion erupted in the hallway.

“Friends in the livestream, I’m already in the hallway! Shall we go find Yanny right now?!”

Yanny froze for a moment and looked toward the door, where she saw several people holding selfie sticks and phones and scanning the area.

Suddenly, one of them locked her gaze firmly on Yanny. "Found her!"

Startled, Yanny tried to stand up, but before she could, the group rushed over, pointing their phone cameras straight at her. "Oh my gosh, sweetie! You’re Yanny, right? You’re even prettier in person than in the photos—what a little beauty!”

Despite their words, they weren’t really looking at her.

They were observing her through the livestream camera.

Confused and a little scared, she glanced at her teacher.

The teacher immediately shielded her behind her back, her voice sharp with caution. “Where did you come from? Who let you in here? Don’t you know the rules? Filming is prohibited here. Turn off the livestream immediately!”

The streamers exchanged glances and forced smiles. "Please don't get so worked up. We’re here to adopt this child and see who connects with her best so we can take her home and care for her properly. Isn’t she an orphan?"

Hearing this, Yanny’s heart sank.

They’re here to adopt her?

She lifted her tear-filled eyes and looked at the shrewd-looking adults, shaking her head in refusal.

She didn’t want them!

They didn’t look like good people.

Sensing her reluctance, her teacher put on a stern face and lied, "Yanny is currently undergoing a paternity test. Her maternal grandparents will likely be here to pick her up any minute now. Please turn off the live stream immediately. If there’s anything to discuss, let’s talk outside. Don’t discuss this in front of the child!”

The streamers curled their lips, their faces betraying a look of disdain.

A man strode forward and shoved the teacher aside.

She lost her balance and fell right out of the camera’s frame.

In an instant, Yanny was surrounded by them.

Frightened, she shrank back. "Don't come any closer!"

But the male streamer eyed her from head to toe with a sinister grin, making her feel deeply uncomfortable. "Yanny, you're so pretty. Are you still a child without a home? Will your family ever come to pick you up?"

Another female streamer held her phone close to Yanny’s face. "Yanny, we have two kids at home. If you come live with us, you’ll be our youngest, and I will love you so much! You know what? A big-time director has his eye on you. You could become a huge star someday! Once you become a child star, I will be right by your side, taking good care of you. How wonderful would that be?"

A man shoved the woman aside, his face full of disdain. “What are you saying? Do you really want to adopt Yanny? I think you just want to cash in on her future fame. You want her to be a child star so she can make money for your family!"

He pointed his phone camera at Yanny and said earnestly, "Yanny, listen to me. As long as you choose me, I'll treat you with all my heart. I'll love you just like my own daughter. I’ve looked into it, and only families who can't have children are allowed to adopt. You’ll be my daughter very soon!”

But despite his words, they were all holding up their phones as if their faces were cameras. Their gazes didn't even land on Yanny's face.

The other streamers were upset. They stepped forward to confront the man. “Hey! What do you mean ‘your daughter’? We came here too—you can’t make us come all this way for nothing! We want to adopt her as our daughter, too!"

"Don't fight over her! My family has the best resources. I can afford to raise her. She’s going to be a star someday! I can send her to piano and dance lessons. Can you do that?"

The argument grew fiercer, and they started throwing punches.

Yanny watched the scene in shock, but it became increasingly clear to her.

These people didn’t really want to adopt her.

They didn't want to be her mom and dad.

She didn’t want this!

The social worker, blocked outside and unable to get in, shouted, "Stop it! Stop arguing! Adoption has strict procedures—you can’t just come here and take her away! Please leave immediately! You’re scaring the child!”

The adults paid no attention and continued to hold their phones up in front of Yanny. "Yanny, listen to me! Choose me! We already have a child, but don't worry. I've always wanted a second one. If you come live with us, you can take piano and dance lessons. You could become a big star and make a lot of money!”

A woman shoved Yanny aside, saying, "How shameless! Yanny, look at me. I’m pretty, and my family is wealthy. I’ll always support you in your career. Choose me! I really like you!"

"No, no! Choose me! Choose me!"

Yanny was surrounded by them, her little face pale. Looking at their eager, almost distorted faces, her eyes wide, she asked in a soft voice, "Are you only trying to adopt me for the money?"