daddy,reporting : mommy' on the comeback!

"Why is this happening..."

Lia Shimmer stared in disbelief at the notice of her degree revocation.

Months ago, she was an outstanding student, winning international awards and bringing glory to her school. Now, accused of plagiarism, she was being expelled.

Her designs were all her hard work!

"Shimmer, I never thought you'd be like this. I considered you a good sister, but you copied my work and got me suspected by the school..." Her university roommate and close friend, Sharon Frost, said innocently yet with a smug expression. "Luckily, the school and dean cleared my name. You should leave the design field."

Lia Shimmer looked toward the source of the voice and felt a sharp pain in her heart to see Sharon Frost linking arms with Xander Yung, both dressed in matching outfits like a loving couple.

Lia Shimmer was stunned by the engagement ring on Sharon Frost's hand. "You two..."

Today was S University's anniversary. Lia Shimmer, Sharon Frost, and Xander Yung were invited as excellent graduates. Lia Shimmer had planned to confess to Xander Yung during the event but was instead notified of her expulsion and degree revocation due to alleged plagiarism.

She looked to Xander Yung for help. As the first to see her designs, he could vouch for her. Sharon Frost had praised her creativity in front of him. If he testified...

Xander Yung met Lia Shimmer's eyes, guiltily and evasively. Finally, he said firmly, "Shimmer, I know Frost's designs are good. Your talent and grades don't match hers. You shouldn't have copied her work, harming yourself and her. You should apologize to the dean; maybe he'll reconsider revoking your degree."

"My designs are original! Sharon Frost copied me! Why should I apologize?"

Lia Shimmer felt she'd heard the biggest joke in the world. Noticing Sharon Frost's slightly swollen abdomen, she realized why Xander Yung was lying.

"Dear, you're kind, but..." Sharon Frost smiled viciously and said to Xander Yung in a coquettish voice, "Though Shimmer is my sister, she must pay for her wrongdoings. If not punished, she'll become a cancer in the industry. What if she copies others again? How about this..."

She looked down at Lia Shimmer with a venomous gaze. "If you kneel and promise to quit the field forever, I might plead for you."

"You dream!"

Lia Shimmer fought back tears. "Sharon Frost, you're just jealous of my talent and achievements. Do you think framing me and getting me expelled will make you a better designer? I won't leave. I swear I'll clear my name within two years and become the top designer in the country!"

"Dear, you saw her refuse. Let's not plead for her."

Seeing Lia Shimmer's defiance, Sharon Frost's face darkened. She raised her voice mockingly, "I hope she can still find work in our field with her degree revoked and plagiarism stain."

Watching Sharon Frost and Xander Yung leave like a golden couple, Lia Shimmer felt a stab of pain. Then, she heard a scornful laugh behind her.

Her sister, Lia Moon, stepped forward in high heels, arm in arm with Xu Ming, Lia Shimmer's former fiancé. "Shimmer, you're such a failure, abandoned by men again! Thanks for giving Xu Ming to me..."

"No!" Lia Moon covered her mouth, then gleefully corrected herself, "I took him from you. A failure like you, just like your dead mother, has no right to give men to others."

Lia Shimmer was enraged at the mention of her deceased mother. "Lia Moon, don't push it!"

"Am I wrong?" Lia Moon sneered. "Your dead mother and brother must be restless in their graves seeing you like this." She moved closer to Lia Shimmer's ear. "Your dead brother cried for you before he died, how pitiful!"

Lia Shimmer woke up, looking at the clock-it was 3:45 p.m.

After missing a flight to the U.S. due to illness and losing a job interview, she had to look for work domestically.

"Miss Shimmer, though your abilities are good, our company can't tolerate plagiarism. Please leave."

Recalling her company's recent discovery of her alleged plagiarism and her subsequent dismissal, Lia Shimmer bitterly smiled. Over the years, she'd lost countless jobs due to this scandal.

She checked her phone for job replies and saw a news headline: "Famous designer Sharon Frost wins abroad, attends award ceremony with husband Xander Yung, sharing a sweet kiss."

Seeing their elegantly dressed figures, Lia Shimmer felt irony. She had also entered this competition, but the organizers, learning of her alleged plagiarism of Sharon Frost, withdrew her entry without letting her participate. They were catering to Frost, and the results were rigged. Frost must be very pleased now.

Closing the news, Lia Shimmer found a job rejection: "Your portfolio is excellent, but it doesn't meet our requirements. Please try elsewhere."

Recognizing the sender's name, Lia Shimmer panicked. During her interview, the boss had shown interest in her designs.

She called back urgently, thinking it was a mistake. "Hello, is this Tianyu Decoration Company? I'm Lia Shimmer..."

"Sorry, Miss Shimmer, your portfolio didn't pass."

Before she could finish, she was coldly interrupted. Lia Shimmer was stunned. "Can you tell me why? You said my portfolio was good."

The HR manager paused, then sighed. "Miss Shimmer, your portfolio is outstanding, and we're very satisfied. However, did you plagiarize Miss Frost's work? She's our top domestic designer, and she is respected in the industry. She seems to dislike you, and we can't risk offending her by hiring you. Sorry..."

Sharon Frost again!

Even after two years, she still wouldn't let go, constantly targeting Lia Shimmer to drive her out of the design field. But this only proved Frost feared her. Lia Shimmer was determined to stay in the industry; she didn't believe Frost could suppress her forever!

Hearing a knock, Lia Shimmer thought it was her delivery and rushed to the door, hair tied up and in slippers.

But she froze at the sight of a man in a black suit with a cold, handsome face like a god. He was impeccably dressed, with a slim, athletic build, shiny shoes, and a limited-edition Cartier watch. His expensive clothes seemed ordinary to him.

Behind him stood several equally well-dressed, sunglasses-clad bodyguards, expressionless and stern, like spy elites from movies.

The man seemed familiar, but Lia Shimmer couldn't place him. She asked tentatively, "Are you looking for someone?"

An elderly man beside him, looking like a butler, handed her a card. "Miss Shimmer, we're from the Holt Group."

Holt Group? Lia Shimmer's eyebrows shot up. Why would they come to her? Had she offended someone important?

Then a child's voice chimed in: "Mommy, I'm back. Did you miss me today?"

Lia Shimmer looked down to see a small boy with features resembling the man's, a pale, chubby face like a crystal bun. But his call to her was shocking. Embarrassed, she whispered, "Little boy, you must have the wrong person."

Ignoring her, the child squeezed in and looked around the empty room without any children's items. He pouted sadly, "Mommy, in just one day, you threw away all my things..."

Lia Shimmer swore she didn't know this little boy.

Moreover, her room only contained her things, no children's items, let alone thrown away.

But the boy turned to the man outside the door and said sadly: "Dad, this is where Mom and I have always lived. Back then, Mom thought you didn't like her and didn't want her anymore, so she took me away. But a few days ago, Mom slipped and bumped her head while taking a shower. The doctor said she had amnesia and even forgot me. That's why I had to look for you, accidentally ruining your wedding. Will you be angry with me?"

Lia Shimmer had found the man familiar but couldn't place him until she heard "wedding." Then it hit her: this man was Holt Deep, the president of Holt Group!

Holt Group was a commercial empire in S City and even across the country, with extensive business in real estate and high-end home products, serving as the economic pillar of S City.

Since she studied fashion design, she was well aware of this industry leader. She had even considered applying to Holt Group but gave up the written test for fear of being rejected due to her past.

But now, the key point was that Holt Deep supposedly had a child, and this child was calling her "mom"!

Lia Shimmer felt it was either a huge joke or a dream.

Holt Deep, the CEO of Holt Group, was engaged to Grace, the heiress of Chang Group. They were a perfect match, and not long ago, Grace had saved Holt Deep's life in a plane accident. They were planning to get married today, and the media was flooded with news of their wedding. But this child's appearance disrupted the grand wedding.

It was rumored that this child was Holt Deep's illegitimate son, demanding that Holt Deep take responsibility with a DNA test.

When Lia Shimmer saw the news this morning, she had thought about the many disputes in wealthy families, never expecting that such a dispute would find its way to her so soon.

"Mr. Holt, I'm not this child's mother. You must have the wrong person," Lia Shimmer explained patiently. "The houses in our neighborhood look alike, and the young master might have remembered the wrong door."

Holt Deep raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Even one's mother could be remembered wrong?"

Lia Shimmer was speechless. The boy seemed too smart to forget his mother.

The child insisted he was her son with Holt Deep, looking very sure of himself and acting like a real mother-son duo.

If Lia Shimmer were not clear-headed and aware she had never given birth or lost her memory, she might have been convinced.

But where was the problem? Had she offended this child before, leading to this prank? Or had she done something to make him grateful enough to bring his billionaire father to "propose"?

Lia Shimmer knew she was considerate to the elderly and caring for the young, so it was unlikely to be the former.

As for the latter, she had never met the child. What could she have done to make him sacrifice so much, even involving his father?

Lia Shimmer was puzzled, and Holt Deep seemed equally in the dark. They exchanged glances and then looked at the boy.

The boy stood firm, his voice firm yet childish: "Mom, I won't get the wrong person! You're the eldest miss of the Li family, surnamed Li, named Qianmo, 25 years old, a fashion designer who graduated from S University. Two years ago, you were framed for plagiarism and schemed out of your home by a bad aunt, suffering a lot. But from now on, Dad and I will protect you and won't let you be bullied anymore..."

No way! Is he her child?

After the boy revealed her detailed information, Lia Shimmer was shocked but quickly denied it. She wasn't that forgetful about having a child.

But she couldn't explain why the boy knew her and insisted she was his mother.

Seeing her denial, the boy pouted sadly: "Mom, is it because Dad forgot you and didn't come to find you for many years that you're so heartbroken you forgot us both?"

Admittedly, the boy was a great actor, worthy of a director's praise.

Lia Shimmer was almost moved but quickly came to her senses: "No."

"I know! Mom must resent Dad for leaving you and marrying another woman, so you don't want me either!" The boy burst into tears, crying dramatically: "Dad is marrying a stepmother, and Mom is going to marry a stepfather. Since you don't want me, I'll leave! I'll go beg on the streets and won't be a burden to you anymore..."

Saying this, he stomped his little feet and tried to leave angrily. Lia Shimmer quickly stopped him: "That's not what I meant..."

Seeing his stiff posture, she feared he might go begging and sleeping on the streets, so she comforted him gently: "If I were your mom, you'd be my little treasure. How could I not want you?"

"What about Dad?"

The boy's tears were still on his face, like dewdrops on a lotus leaf after rain. He blinked his watery eyes innocently: "Will Mom not want Dad?"

Lia Shimmer glanced at the man nearby, feeling无形pressure from his tall figure.

Hesitating, she saw the boy step back and say: "I know, Mom doesn't want Dad anymore. After not wanting Dad, Mom will find a new dad and won't want me either!" He pushed her away and continued his sad complaint: "I'll go beg and sleep under an overpass. I won't bother you anymore..."

Seeing the boy about to leave again, Lia Shimmer quickly said: "No, no. You're Mom's little treasure, and Dad is Mom's big treasure. Mom wants him too!"

The sound of leather shoes approached as Holt Deep came nearer. Lia Shimmer felt a massive iceberg moving toward her. Turning around, she saw him looking down at her and the boy with his impeccable, handsome face.

His deep, cool eyes reflected her and the boy, and his appearance was flawless from any angle. Lia Shimmer felt she couldn't withstand his gaze any longer.

Before he spoke, she quickly added: "But! As you said, Mom bumped her head and forgot you and Dad. You should give Mom some time to remember, right?"

The boy looked aggrieved as if he regarded her as an unfeeling woman. He asked hesitantly, " How long is a little time?"

This question stumped Lia Shimmer. She had only meant to keep the boy from running off, not truly being his mother.

She looked to Holt Deep for help, hoping he could resolve the situation. He paused, then said: "Two days."

Lia Shimmer inwardly groaned. President Holt, this isn't the way! It should be as long as possible to buy time, hopefully finding the boy's real mother within that time to escape this awkward misunderstanding.

But Holt Deep's two-day limit left no room for maneuver. If they couldn't find the mother in two days, the boy might cling to her again, giving her a headache.

Then she heard Holt Deep instruct: "Bring Doctor Smith here."

Doctor? Why a doctor? Lia Shimmer asked tentatively: "Who is Doctor Smith?"

Holt Deep looked at her expressionlessly: "For a DNA test."

Within ten minutes of Holt Deep's order, several people dressed as medical professionals appeared at Lia Shimmer's house. They wore white coats and light blue masks, looking quite professional.

The lead doctor was an elderly man with a venerable appearance. He collected hair samples from Lia Shimmer, Holt Deep, and the little boy, labeled them, and then left.

This was the most straightforward method. Lia Shimmer thought, If the test is needed, then so be it. I'm not the boy's mother. As the saying goes, true gold fears no fire. I don't believe this fake stone can be tested as gold.

Two days later, Lia Shimmer, dressed in formal business attire and carrying a portfolio of designs, stood outside the Shangyi Company building.

"Mom, Shangyi Company is hiring designers. You should apply here; maybe something good will happen," the boy had said seriously before leaving.

Lia Shimmer found it absurd that she'd taken a child's words to heart and come to apply. Before coming, she'd researched Shangyi Company online. It was a newly established decoration company in S City with rapid development. Having just gone public, it had allocated tens of millions of dollars for infrastructure and promotion. Due to its recent founding, there was a significant shortage of designers and department heads.

Initially, Lia Shimmer had little confidence. A large company would likely have high standards for employees. She lacked a degree and had a plagiarism stigma. However, the job posting stated they didn't care about background; if the design work was good, even a high school diploma would suffice. This intrigued her, so she gathered her past designs and headed to the company.

"Miss Li, we're very impressed with your work. If there's no problem, we can discuss the contract," the Shangyi Company manager said after reviewing her portfolio, eager to sign her.

"Really?" Lia Shimmer was astonished, still adjusting to the sudden good news after so many rejections.

At that moment, a secretary entered and whispered to the manager. The manager's expression changed. "Which Miss Shen?"

The secretary glanced at Lia Shimmer, then said in a hushed voice, "Miss Sharon Frost, the renowned fashion designer."

Lia Shimmer knew Sharon Frost wouldn't let her go easily, but she hadn't expected the woman to act so quickly. Just as she was applying, Sharon Frost showed up.

"Shimmer? I didn't expect to see you here. What are you doing? Applying for a job to clean?" Sharon Frost sneered, her appearance transformed from a humble village girl into a high-ranking international designer, dressed in luxury brands like a fashion queen.

Lia Shimmer suppressed her anger. "I'm applying to be a designer."

Seeing Lia Shimmer still dared to be a designer, Sharon Frost's face twisted. "You, a cancer in the industry, with no real talent, only plagiarizing others' work, still call yourself a designer?"

The design industry, which Lia Shimmer loved, was now mocked by someone who had plagiarized her work.

Lia Shimmer, though amiable, wasn't weak. "Who's the real industry cancer and who's plagiarizing both know. I'll return your words someday."

This caused a stir among the Shangyi Company staff, who began to point fingers and cast doubtful glances at Sharon Frost and Lia Shimmer.

Seeing the staff question Lia Shimmer, Sharon Frost snapped. "Lia Shimmer, admit what you've done! You plagiarized my work and tried to seduce my husband..."

Lia Shimmer was almost amused by this baseless accusation.

Before she could retort, a childish voice piped up. "My mom didn't plagiarize! You're the bad one who copied her work and falsely accused her..."

Recognizing the voice, Lia Shimmer turned to see the boy at the door, angrily eyeing Sharon Frost. "What are you doing here?"

Initially flustered at being exposed for plagiarizing Lia Shimmer's work, Sharon Frost quickly shifted to mockery upon seeing the boy, who called Lia Shimmer "mom." "Oh, so you've had a child. But weren't you unmarried? Who's the father? Is this child illegitimate?"

"Say that again," Lia Shimmer demanded, her calm shattered by the insult to the boy.

"Isn't it true?" Sharon Frost, feeling she had the upper hand, pressed on. "You were known for seducing men in school. As your friend, I shouldn't expose your scandals, but as a department head here, I can't let a plagiarist join our company."

Lia Shimmer was surprised. "You're a department head here?"

Sharon Frost smirked. "Poor Shimmer, struggling to interview here, while I became a head with just a call. That's the difference between us."

"Is that so?" Lia Shimmer coolly replied. "I feel sorry for this company, hiring a head like you. Don't you remember what you were like before?"

Sharon Frost's face fell. "No one will believe you. It was you who envied and plagiarized me!"

She then tugged the manager's sleeve. "Manager, this plagiarist was expelled from school. Why hire her? Get her and this illegitimate child out!"

As she spoke, a chilling voice came from behind. "Who did you call illegitimate?"