Chapter 2

"Rebecca, I'm warning you. Stop being unreasonable. I just got a call from the admissions office. Someone reported that Amy's children falsified their enrollment records. Was that you?" Zachary questioned.

I looked at him and Amelia steadily.

"Yes, it was. Not only that, but I notified the principal and had all three of their enrollments revoked."

Zachary froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Rebecca, have you lost your mind? You notified the principal? That's the best elementary school in the city. Even with my academic qualifications, the principal barely gives me the time of day. Why would he listen to you? If you're going to lie, at least make it believable."

Amelia let out a breath of relief and pressed her hand to her chest.

"Rebecca, you scared me back there. I know you're mad at me, but you can't joke about our kids' futures."

Watching their little act made my stomach churn with disgust.

For eight years, I had protected Zachary so well that he had no idea that my company had fully funded the prestigious elementary school he admired.

He also had no idea that my company was the largest sponsor of the top research institute he worked for.

I couldn't be bothered to argue with him, so I pointed at the door, and said, "Take her and her three bastards and get out of my house."

Zachary flew into a rage and jabbed a finger at me. "Watch your mouth! What do you mean by bastards? They're Amy's kids! I live here, and I'm the man of this house. What right do you have to kick us out?"

I scoffed. "The man of the house? My name is on the deed. Did you even contribute a single dollar to this property? In fact, for the past eight years, every cent of your tuition and your living expenses came from me."

My words struck a nerve, and his face instantly flushed red.

"Stop throwing your money in my face! I'm a scientist. My mind is worth more than any price tag. Once my new project gets its funding, I could buy ten of these places without batting an eye! Come on, Amy. Let's go. I'm done with this dump anyway!"

He pulled Amelia along, called for the three boys, and slammed the door behind them.

Before leaving, Amelia turned back and shot me a triumphant look. Gone was the damsel in distress from moments ago as malice flickered in her eyes.

…

Early the next morning, I transferred Penelope to a better private academy.

As soon as I arrived at the office, my assistant, Linda Flint, knocked and stepped in.

"Ms. Tanner, Mr. Preston Zimmer from Creston Elementary School just called. He said that a man and a woman brought three children to the school this morning and caused a scene.

"The man claimed that he held a PhD and was working for a renowned research institute. He insisted that the school enroll the children."

I took a sip of coffee and asked, "How did Mr. Zimmer handle it?"

Linda struggled to stifle a laugh. "He had security throw them out on their ears. The man was still making a scene at the gates, raving about his connections in the Department of Education and threatening to have Mr. Zimmer fired.

"But per your instructions, Mr. Zimmer has already blacklisted all three children from every top-tier elementary school in the city."

I nodded, satisfied. "What about the research institute?"

Linda flipped open a file. "Mr. Winston Yates has been notified. We've officially pulled all funding for Zachary's team. Mr. Yates was alarmed and said he would handle it this morning."

I set my coffee cup down and looked out at the traffic below.

Zachary believed that his brain was priceless, but I wanted to see how much it would be worth without my money.

When it was almost noon, my phone rang. Zachary's name flashed across the screen.

I answered the call.

"Rebecca Tanner, what on earth did you do? Why did the admissions office say that Amy's children have been blacklisted from every school in the city?"