Chapter 3

A few parents who were close to Ashley immediately jumped in to back her up.

"Exactly. She acts so high and mighty all the time. Does she think her daughter's lunch is some five-star catered meal?"

"Kids from broken homes are always so selfish. I think Ms. Turner was right to call her out."

"Ashley, don't waste your breath on her. Your husband is an executive at a massive corporation, so why argue with someone from the bottom of the food chain?"

I looked at the messages on the screen, disgust curling in my chest as my fingers flew across the keyboard.

"The bottom of the food chain? A corporate executive? So that's where you get the audacity to steal from others? Since you all think stealing is perfectly justified, we'll settle this in person tomorrow. Then we'll see who really doesn't belong at this kindergarten."

After sending that message, I exited WhatsApp. Fury continued to churn violently in my chest, but I forced myself to calm down.

Ashley thought she could run the school like her personal playground just because her husband held some corporate title, to the point where even the teachers bent over backward to flatter her.

Did she honestly believe her meager background gave her the power to rule the world?

Walking out onto the balcony, I dialed my assistant.

"Look into who can access the kindergarten's surveillance footage. Also, look into the parents of a boy named Cody Brooks. I want a complete background check on his father. The more detailed, the better. I want to see every single card they hold."

After hanging up, I took a deep breath.

I'd always kept a low profile because I wanted Sophie to grow up in peace, even going as far as sending my driver to attend the previous parent-teacher meetings.

I never expected my discretion to be mistaken for weakness, leading them to think I was some pushover.

But since they were so determined to step all over me, then they'd better be ready for me to rain hell down on them.

…

Early the next morning, I arrived at the kindergarten gates with Sophie right on time.

Instead of heading to the classroom, I marched straight toward the principal's office. I wanted the principal to pull up the surveillance footage so we could get to the bottom of what happened yesterday.

Halfway there, Sophie suddenly tugged on my hand. "Mommy, I left my sketchbook in the classroom. Can I go get it?" she asked.

I nodded and let her go ahead while I waited for her in the hallway.

Minutes later, Sophie's heart-wrenching cries echoed from the classroom. My heart hammered against my ribs, and I sprinted toward the room, only to be met by a scene that made my blood boil.

Sophie was collapsed on the floor, her little face pale and drenched in tears. The chubby Cody was frantically ripping her sketchbook to shreds, making mocking faces at her with every page he tore. Ashley stood beside him with a dry piece of cheap bread, forcefully shoving it into Sophie's mouth.

"Eat it!" she hissed. "You little parasite. Aren't you super protective of your food? I'm going to make sure you get your fill today! You should be honored that Cody is even sparing your stuff a glance. How dare you try to hide from him?"

Sophie struggled desperately, coughing as the crumbs caught in her throat. Her little face turned red, and she could barely breathe.

Seeing her resist, Ashley brought her foot down onto Sophie's hand, which was bracing her on the floor, and ruthlessly ground the heel of her shoe right into it.

"Ah!"

A piercing scream escaped Sophie.

In that instant, the blood rushed straight to my head, and my sanity shattered. I charged into the room and kicked over a nearby desk, the thunderous crash startling everyone in the room.

Then, I grabbed Ashley by the hair, slammed her against the wall, and slapped her hard across the face.

I put every ounce of my strength into that blow, leaving Ashley completely dazed as blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.