Chapter 4

Cyan was immersed in a book she was reading when she received an urgent call from Zendaya’s academy. The school informed her that her niece had been involved in an altercation, prompting Cyan to rush to the campus immediately.

Upon her arrival, she found Zendaya sitting defiantly in the guidance office. Opposite her sat a young girl who was weeping, her hair disheveled and her face streaked with tears.

"What happened, Ma'am Letty?" Cyan asked the teacher.

"Mrs. Samaniego, Zendaya got into a fight with one of her classmates. She accused this girl of stealing a box of chocolates that was a gift from her godmother," the teacher explained.

Cyan glanced at her niece. Zendaya sat with her arms crossed, a haughty expression on her face. Cyan redirected her attention to the other child, who appeared to be the victim of Zendaya’s temper.

"Is it true? Did you take Zendaya’s chocolates?" Cyan asked gently.

The little girl slowly looked up, revealing a small scratch on her cheek. She shook her head vigorously. "No, Ma’am. I didn’t steal them. I swear to God, I didn’t do anything wrong—"

"I caught you peeking at my paper bag, and I'm sure it was you!" Zendaya interjected, her voice dripping with venom. "You're just poor! You don't have money to buy your own! If it weren't for your scholarship, you wouldn't even be here. If you don't admit it, I’ll call my Daddy and have you kicked out of this academy!"

Cyan turned sharply toward Zendaya. She knew the child was spoiled, but she hadn't realized the depth of her arrogance and cruelty.

"Enough, Zendaya," Cyan said firmly.

"But it’s true! She’s poor, so she steals! Why are you taking her side? You’re supposed to be on my side!" Zendaya shouted. "That girl doesn't belong here! Poor people don't fit in here!"

"Zendaya!" Cyan barked, her patience wearing thin.

Tears welled in Zendaya’s eyes as she stood up and stormed out of the office. Embarrassed, Cyan turned back to the two teachers.

"I am so sorry for her behavior. I will make sure she understands this is unacceptable. I will also settle things with the parents regarding what she did to her classmate," she said, gesturing toward the scratch on the girl's face.

Ma'am Letty shook her head. "Don't worry about that, Mrs. Samaniego. I only called to inform you of the incident. We are already planning to settle everything. We will have this student apologize to Zendaya. If your husband wishes to revoke her scholarship, the school will comply."

Cyan’s eyes widened in shock. "No, absolutely not. They worked hard for that scholarship," she insisted firmly.

The Samaniego family was a major benefactor of the academy, which explained why the faculty coddled Zendaya. Their influence, combined with Zach and Laureen’s constant indulgence, had turned her niece into a miniature tyrant.

After speaking with the teacher and the other student, Cyan left to find Zendaya. Minutes later, she spotted her on a bench—but to her surprise, Laureen was already there.

As soon as Laureen saw her, she marched over and delivered a stinging slap to Cyan’s face. Caught off guard, Cyan couldn't dodge the blow. She held her throbbing cheek as she glared at the woman.

"How dare you make Zendaya cry? You humiliated her in front of her teacher and that useless classmate of hers!" Laureen hissed. "Are you really that stupid, Cyan? You clearly don't know how to raise a child, do you? If you're this incompetent, why don't you just quit being Zach’s wife and leave them alone?"

Cyan let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. "And then what? So you can take my place? That’s what you’ve wanted all along, isn't it? Well, I’m sorry to inform you, Laureen, but I plan on keeping you as a mistress for the rest of your life!"

Because Cyan didn't lower her voice, several bystanders turned to look at their direction. Laureen’s face flushed with humiliation, but she maintained her haughty facade.

"That’s not the issue here, Cyan! We are talking about Zendaya!"

Cyan looked at Zendaya before focusing back on Laureen. "I am being rational here. I requested the CCTV footage from the classroom, and that child did nothing wrong. Zendaya started the fight over a misunderstanding. The girl didn't steal anything from her."

Zendaya’s face went pale. She immediately retreated, hiding behind Laureen.

Cyan took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Let’s go back to the office, Zendaya. You need to apologize to the person you hurted."

"Are you insane?" Laureen asked, incredulous.

"What’s insane about it? I’m teaching my sister’s daughter a lesson, unlike you, who is busy poisoning her mind!" Cyan snapped.

Fury flashed in Laureen’s eyes. She raised her hand to slap Cyan a second time, but this time, Cyan caught her wrist mid-air and delivered a powerful slap of her own.

Years ago, Cyan had never allowed anyone to trample on her dignity. She had reached her limit with Laureen. She had endured two years of disrespect because she didn't want to upset Zach's daughter, but she couldn't stay silent anymore.

"You slapped me?" Laureen asked, stunned.

"Wasn't it obvious? If you touch me again, I’ll give you exactly what you're looking for!" Cyan hissed.

Suddenly, Zendaya lunged forward and shoved Cyan away. "You're mean! You hurt Aunt Laureen! I’m telling this to Daddy!" She screamed, her face drenched in tears of rage.

Laureen shot a lethal look at Cyan. "See what you've done? No wonder you can't win her over. You know nothing. Why don't you just do what you did ten years ago? Run away, Cyan. Back then, you dumped your responsibility on Chloe. This time, leave it to me—because I am much more capable of being a mother to Zendaya and a wife to Zach than you will ever be!”