Chapter 3

That evening, I went as usual to the beauty institute. My modeling coach was already waiting for me.

After a moment’s hesitation, she finally asked, “Do you really plan to return to modeling?”

I smiled. “Not just me, but my three children as well.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, three little heads peeked out from behind me.

I added with a laugh, “Please arrange training for them as well.”

After a crash course, my children walked the runway with impressive poise. The coach could not stop marveling, exclaiming how they were born to be supermodels just like me.

However, before the joy could settle, a strong hand yanked me off the runway.

It was Jared, with a flustered Natalie right behind him.

His face was cold, his eyes burning with fury.

“You dare to train as a model again? And you brought the children?”

I brushed the dust off my clothes and gave a mocking smile as I looked at the couple before me.

“You have your little seaside hobbies. Why shouldn’t the children have hobbies of their own?”

His jaw tightened, his expression darkening further.

“Clarissa, don’t forget. They’re my children! I will never allow them to follow your path, nor will I allow you to return to the runway!”

I already had custody in hand, so there was no need to argue further. Meeting his gaze, I answered calmly, “I’ll decide the path for me and the children.”

The firmness in my eyes seemed to unsettle him. For a moment, he was silent, then he let out a cold laugh.

“Fine. I’ll watch and see just what tricks you think you can pull.”

Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out behind us. Natalie was on the ground, clutching her ankle, while Anna stood nearby.

With a pitiful voice, Natalie said, “Clarissa, just for this competition, you actually told your daughter to push me?”

I laughed without mirth. “A six-year-old child? Do you really believe that?”

However, Jared’s veins bulged in anger. He grabbed me by the collar and hurled me to the floor. “Are you insane, Clarissa? If anything happens to Natalie’s foot, I won’t forgive you!”

The blow left me dizzy, darkness clouding my vision. My children rushed to my side in panic, but Jared only lifted Natalie into his arms and summoned the only emergency medical team.

He never spared me another glance.

Just before I lost consciousness, my phone buzzed with a message from Natalie.

It was a video of Jared carefully massaging her ankle, arranging treatment with anxious care.

I pulled my lips into a weak, bitter smile and closed my eyes, refusing to watch further.

As the competition drew near, Natalie’s updates appeared daily.

Every post carried the same theme. It was of Jared by her side, eating with her, living with her, training with her.

On the day of the competition, Jared finally called me.

“Clarissa, everyone is waiting to see the former top supermodel. You’re not going to back out, are you?”

I pressed my lips together, my voice steady.

“I’ll be there.”

He sounded satisfied. “It’s not like you’re going to win. Just show up, that’s all.”

Then, with mocking emphasis, he added, “Oh, and bring those three little supermodel babies of yours.”

But he forgot to hang up. In the background, his friends jeered, “See? Your wife’s so obedient. Even if you told her to walk into fire, she’d do it!”

Natalie’s faint laughter carried through the line.

I let out a cold laugh of my own. “We’ll make sure both you and Miss Natalie remember us well.”

Backstage at the Supermodel Showdown, Natalie leaned on Jared’s arm and whispered, “I’m still a little nervous about Clarissa…”

Jared’s reply was firm.

“She’s no longer your opponent. Today, she’s nothing more than your stepping stone.”

However, before he could finish, a commotion erupted at the entrance.

Stage lights flashed in every direction, and all eyes turned toward the source.

I stood there, clad in Aeterna’s unreleased masterpiece, the Nirvana gown. My presence radiated power, a queen descending to her court.

Behind me, my three children were dressed in matching couture. They walked with flawless runway steps, their striking looks capturing every camera in the room.

As I entered, the host’s voice rang out in excitement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our special guest, Aeterna’s global ambassador Clarissa Middleton, accompanied by her three supermodel prodigies! She will also serve as a special judge for tonight’s showdown!”

Amid the thunderous cheers, I led my children down the runway.

As we passed Natalie and Jared, I did not slow my steps. I merely offered them a faint smile.

“The show is about to begin.”