My Adopted Sons Became My Daughter's Bullies

When my daughter is born, I decide to raise her with one goal in mind. Making sure she will always have someone in her corner. Adeline Vale is gentle by nature, so I take in four boys and raise them alongside her, intending for them to become the brothers who will always protect her. For ten years, I have spared no expense on their education and training. I give them opportunities most people could only dream of, and they grow into four ruthless, highly capable young men. With her four brothers watching over her, Adeline grows up safe and sheltered. Or so I think. Then one day, I receive a terrified call from her. "Mom, please… Help me. They cornered me in the bathroom. They're trying to rip my clothes off…" By the time I reach the school, I find her huddled in the corner of a bathroom, half her uniform torn apart. And outside the door are the four sons I raised with my own hands. They're standing around another girl, watching as though none of this has anything to do with them. That's when I learn the truth. Marielle Sloane is the woman all four of them have become obsessed with protecting. And Adeline's only crime? She argued with Marielle. Even when they see me, not one of my sons looks ashamed. If anything, they seem annoyed that I've interrupted them. Evander Vale steps protectively in front of Marielle. "Mom, Adeline started it. She insulted Marielle and deliberately upset her. If she still hasn't learned how to treat people with respect, then someone needed to teach her a lesson. I was only doing what you should've done." Stellan Vale is even colder. "Why did you even come, Mom? We only had a few people scare Adeline. She wasn't actually going to get hurt. Did she seriously need to run crying to you over something this small?" I stare at the four men I've spent ten years raising, and fury burns through me. So this is what happens when you give ungrateful people everything. Fine. If they can't remember who gave them everything they had, I'll remind them. Starting today, I'm not just cutting them off. I'm taking back every last thing I've ever given them.