Chapter 2

As I was getting ready to leave, Jane called out to me, her expression complicated. "Conrad, I'll come back eventually. For now, please stop interfering with my family."

I scoffed and walked away without looking back.

In my previous life, I had believed Jane's empty promises so wholeheartedly that I convinced myself I was special to her. So, when she told me she wanted to have a child with Diego, I foolishly assumed it was just a phase and gave her the silent treatment.

After Jane became pregnant with Diego's child, I even threatened to take my own life unless she got an abortion. I was naive enough to believe I had a place in her heart.

Sadly, even with my last breath, I waited in vain for her to turn around and come back to me.

Now that I had been given another chance at life, I would never waste it on the same mistake again. Besides, I had a happy family of my own now.

Watching Tyler cross the finish line first, I couldn't help clapping excitedly.

"Some people just love going against everyone else," Diego remarked coldly.

Only then did I realize that his family had somehow taken seats right beside me.

"Conrad is really something, Jane. He knew Ansel was our son, yet he cheered for his opponent instead."

I casually scratched my ear, having no patience for a man who clearly enjoyed stirring up trouble.

When Diego saw the gesture, he froze. He looked almost humiliated. "Conrad, I imagine you had to go to quite a bit of trouble to sneak in here, huh? Security is pretty tight. This isn't somewhere you can just wander in."

He opened his wallet, pulled out a few bills, and tossed them at me. "I can't do much for you, but you're still Jane's ex. Take these."

I stared at him, stunned. It had been a long time since anyone tried to humiliate me.

But when I thought about it, something didn't add up. To give Tyler the best possible learning environment, I had personally interviewed every child and parent behind the scenes before admission.

During that process, I had never seen Diego or Jane. That could only mean they had gotten in through a shady way themselves.

I frowned and pulled out my phone. "Look into the family backgrounds of the students who enrolled recently, along with the staff who handled their admissions. I want everything in my inbox within an hour."

I could overlook a little mischief here and there, but when it came to the environment Tyler was growing up in, I would never tolerate anyone rotten getting through the cracks.

After hanging up, I turned toward Tyler on the podium, where he received his award. My expression softened. That little boy had been in poor health since birth, so Alaia and I spoiled him a little too much.

She was known for being ruthless and decisive in business, so she had poured nearly all her resources into the education sector so he could grow up healthy and happy.

When Tyler noticed me watching him, he beamed and waved. I was just about to wave back when Diego stepped in front of me.

"I heard that phone call earlier. Seriously? You think that was necessary? Everyone knows the owner of this kindergarten is Ms. Johnston, a major player in the business world. She's way out of your league.

"So, do yourself a favor and take the money and scram. If Ms. Johnston finds out some rando has been hanging around her kindergarten, you won't be nearly as lucky next time."

I said nothing and simply straightened my tracksuit.

After the parent-child sports day, Alaia was scheduled to give a speech for the upcoming charity fundraiser. She had repeatedly reminded me that Tyler and I had to wait for her so we could all go home together.

So, no, I wasn't going anywhere. If anything, I had to find out the rotten apple hiding in her kindergarten.