She returned it with one line crossed out: I am proud to have helped shape their future.

“You didn’t,” she said when I called.

She was right.

I removed it.

At a brief press conference, I apologized for the conduct of representatives associated with my foundation and pledged to follow the recommendations of the independent review.

I made clear that Chloe and Sophie had earned their scores under blind judging, and I declined to discuss their private family life.

A reporter shouted, “Are you their father?”