“What do you mean?” Valerie spat out, her eyes blazing with fury and panic. She immediately clutched Lucy, pulling the little girl tightly into her side, acting as if I were a wild animal poised to snatch the child away.
"It's quite straightforward, Valerie," I said, maintaining my cool, reasonable tone, allowing my eyes to drift over the wide-eyed, silently watching family members. "It will cause unnecessary rumors and drag family matters into the public mud if Lucy's sudden appearance is leaked to the media. The paternity questions alone will be a field day for the tabloids."
I leaned forward slightly, emphasizing my next point. "I don't want Lucy to be attacked and ridiculed by the media before she's even settled in. Therefore, the most sensible, least dramatic choice is for I to adop
