Chapter 1

"Mommy, the performance is about to start. We need to check in first," Violet said.

My heart instantly melted at Violet's soft and sweet voice.

Just as I was about to take her over, Colin Blanchard blocked my way and looked at Violet with utter disdain.

"So, this is the child you had out of wedlock with that broke-ass jock. Just as expected, she looks as shabby and poor as her father. Tammy, you must regret these past five years, don't you?

"Chelsea is covered head to toe in luxury goods now. I give her one million dollars per month for living expenses. If you'd passed the final test back then, you'd be married to me now."

I shielded Violet and warned Colin coldly, "Move aside."

But he simply let out a contemptuous laugh and said, "Ella Blanchard—the daughter I had with Chelsea Wright—has been learning piano since she was little. So, she's bound to take first place today.

"Dressed like that, you look worse than our housekeeper. I bet your daughter learned piano from an online tutorial. I suggest you save yourself the embarrassment!"

With a cold expression, I took Violet's hand and pushed Colin aside.

"Are you deaf or something? I told you to move aside."

The moment I said that, a socialite suddenly barged in and snatched Violet from my grasp. Then, she slapped her hard twice.

"You little brat! How dare you steal my daughter's dress?"

The dress Violet was wearing was a unique piece I'd designed myself and sewn stitch by stitch with my own hands. So, how could it be something she stole?

The socialite kept cursing while slapping Violet across the face and body.

"You little wretch. You stole my daughter's dress at school and made her so sad that she cried all night. And now you have the nerve to cry?"

When I saw Violet crying her eyes out, I flew into a rage and rushed over to rescue her.

But Colin's bodyguards stopped me.

By then, I finally got a clear look at the socialite's face.

It was none other than Chelsea, the very woman who had married Colin five years ago.

The moment Chelsea spotted me, she let out a mocking laugh.

"Well, well, who do we have here? Tammy Delgado, you couldn't become Colin's wife five years ago, so now you've followed him here to beg for his forgiveness? Well, let me tell you—it's too late. His heart belongs only to me now!"

Colin deliberately kissed Chelsea in front of me. "You're worth more than a thousand women put together."

I ignored the repulsive couple, as my only concern was Violet.

She was less than ten feet away, yet I was pinned down by the bodyguards. All I could do was helplessly watch her cry out for me.

Just then, Violet suddenly grabbed her collar and struggled to choke out a few words, "Mommy, I feel awful."

Then, she collapsed to the ground without warning.

She had congenital asthma and was having an attack after being provoked by Chelsea. Her face instantly turned crimson from the strain.

My eyes turned bloodshot as I roared in fury, "Let go of me! Let me go get her inhaler from my bag! My daughter has asthma. If she doesn't get her inhaler, she'll die!"

Chelsea laughed disdainfully and said, "This is what she gets for stealing Ella's dress! So what if she dies? Maybe that's best for a sickly little thing like her. Here's 500 thousand dollars. Consider it payment for the brat's life. Drag her away, strip her clothes off, and teach her a proper lesson!"