Chapter 2

The crowd broke into an uproar.

"No wonder… The Yorks are one of the greatest aristocratic families! Their status is just below the Campbells!"

"I've heard the CEO of York Group is handsome and devoted to his wife. After getting married, he hardly goes out for business or social events and only focuses on his family. No one even knows who his wife is."

"So, it turns out Ms. White is the wife. No wonder she carries herself so well. Any man would want to protect her."

"She's hit the jackpot, hasn't she?"

Chester York was indeed the CEO of York Group, but after he took over, the company nearly ran into the ground.

Back then, my family had been pushing me hard to get married, so I picked him—handsome, decently educated—and married him without much thought.

Before the wedding, I made him sign an agreement. As long as he behaved himself and stayed a proper husband to me, Nadia Campbell, I would make sure the York family wouldn't have to worry about money ever again.

On the other hand, if he ever betrayed me, he would walk away with nothing.

It was obvious the people here were out of the loop. They had no idea that York Group was already a shadow of what it used to be, yet they were all scrambling to flatter Ms. White.

In less than a minute, I had pieced together most of what had happened. Still, Hazel came first. I couldn't just stand there and wait for the police to arrive.

Hence, I stepped forward without hesitation. "I'm Hazel's mother. Could you tell me what exactly my daughter did to make you punish her like that?"

Ms. White sized me up and down, then let out a cold snort. Her voice dripped with mockery.

"So, you're the woman who seduced my husband and gave birth to that illegitimate child! Everyone, give me a hand and drive this bitch out!"

With the three muscular bodyguards around me, none of the older folks around us dared step forward. They only stood at a distance, pointing and shouting their insults.

"How do you still have the nerve to show your face, homewrecker? You're shameless!"

"And you even brought these filthy men to threaten our pure and proper Ms. White? Have you lost your mind?"

"Mr. York is famous for doting on his wife. If he finds out you're here, he won't let you off! Now, get away before it's too late!"

There was no time to argue.

Seeing that Ms. White had no intention of handing over Hazel, I told my bodyguards to go inside the kindergarten and find her.

The security guards at the entrance couldn't stop them, as they were no match for the young men I had brought. All they could do was stand there as my people pushed past and went in.

Meanwhile, Ms. White grabbed me and forced me to stay where I was. I had no choice but to speak up to the crowd.

"I'm Chester's legal wife. Hazel is our daughter," I said. "See that building next door? I own it. My name is Nadia Campbell. I saw in the parents' group chat that you were hurting my daughter, so I rushed over right away."

I turned slightly to the crowd. "She's twisting the truth and making things up, while you're all just standing there, believing every word she says without critical thinking. What a bunch of fools!

"I don't know if my daughter's even alive right now. You'd better let me go so I can find her. If anything happens, my family will hold all of you accountable!"

The crowd looked at each other, unsure who to believe. Their expressions shifted, and no one dared to speak anymore.

Ms. White wasn't backing down. She put on a confident front. "What proof do you have that you're her? A CEO like her is busy every minute of the day—why would she be here at a kindergarten gate to pick up her child?

"Besides, I've worked next to that building for years, and I've never once heard she has a daughter!"

I didn't bother arguing with her.

At that moment, I got a message from my bodyguards. "Ms. Campbell, we've searched the entire place. We couldn't find Ms. York."

How could that be?

The thought of Hazel lying somewhere alone, too weak to shout for help, and watching her blood spread beneath her…

I couldn't hold back anymore. I shoved through the crowd, desperate to rush into the kindergarten and find her. Yet, the moment I turned around, Ms. White had swiftly locked her elbow around my neck.

"I've always hated homewreckers to the core. Both you and your bastard child deserve to die!"