Chapter 4

Indignant, Maverick added, "Are all the men in the world dead? Why must you insist on fighting your sister for a man?"

I couldn't be bothered to waste another word on them. I picked up Blaire and turned to leave. Deep down, I blamed my husband, Ashton Cooper, even more.

If he hadn't insisted on having an online meeting and asked me to meet him at the party, I would never have run into those psychos.

I had only taken a few steps when someone grabbed me forcefully. Maverick roughly pulled Blaire out of my arms and handed her to Alicia.

Then, he made the decision on his own and declared, "Blaire will be adopted under Alicia's name. Once you return to the Grant family, I'll introduce you to another suitable match. You just need to marry him. No questions asked."

Frightened, Blaire burst into tears and reached out for me. "Mommy, I'm scared!"

Seeing her tear-streaked little face, I panicked. Without hesitation, I slapped Maverick hard across the face. "I have nothing to do with you or that family anymore! What right do you have to dictate my life?"

I pushed him away, trying to take Blaire back, but he grabbed my hand and warned me condescendingly, "Be sensible, Abigail. This is what's best for you!"

"Get lost! I know you guys are just trying to take my daughter away from me!"

In Alicia's arms, Blaire repeatedly hit Alicia's face with both hands, crying so hard that she could barely breathe. "Let go of me, you old witch! I want Mommy…"

My heart broke into a million pieces. Maverick held onto me tightly, rendering me immobile.

Malice burned in Alicia's eyes. She looked at the struggling Blaire, viciously pinched her, then suddenly loosened her grip.

Just like that, Blaire dropped to the ground. She curled up, clutching her arm, and sobbed in pain.

Alicia rubbed her stomach and put on an innocent look. "She kicked me. I couldn't hold onto her properly, so she slipped."

She then turned to me and lectured, "Abby, how can you spoil a child like this? She's four and acts like a mannerless brat. If you can't bring yourself to discipline her, I'll do it for you."

Cory looked at the crying Blaire with irritation and nodded in agreement. "Abigail, your inferior genes were already holding my child back, and now, you've also spoiled her.

"If you keep raising her, she'll be ruined sooner or later. An arrogant child this young should be taught a strict lesson."

A smug smile curled on Alicia's lips. She crouched down and slapped Blaire hard across the face. "Shut up and stop the waterworks! Apologize to me, and I'll forgive you."

Blaire wailed so hard that she almost passed out.

Seeing the glaring finger marks on her face, I couldn't hold back my fury anymore and shouted, "Her father is Ashton Cooper! Touch her again, and you'll pay with your life!"

The moment my words fell, there was a brief silence. Then, everyone burst into laughter.

"You're saying you married Ashton Cooper while raising an illegitimate child? Do you even think before you lie? Everyone knows he can't stand used women. How could he possibly marry you?"

Alicia laughed softly. She slapped Blaire again, then put on a kind, patient expression. "Just apologize, and this will stop. I'm only doing this for your own good, Blaire."

Blood seeped from the corner of Blaire's mouth. She replied hoarsely, "I didn't do anything wrong! It was you who pinched me, old witch!"

"How impudent of you to call me names," Alicia hissed, then slapped Blaire again.

Anger surged through me. My heart pounded violently, as if it were about to leap out of my throat. A wave of dizziness slowly took over.

"Let me go!"

I ignored the pain coursing through my body and desperately punched and kicked at Maverick. His brows knitted ever so slightly as he held onto my arm with a steel-like grip.

"From now on, Blaire will be Alicia's daughter. It's not your place to interfere with how she disciplines her!"

What a bunch of shameless nonsense. Rage overwhelmed me. My already weak body finally reached its limit, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood.

As my consciousness blurred, the sound of hurried footsteps came from afar. Then, I fell into a familiar, warm embrace.

"You people must have a death wish! How dare you do this to the Cooper family's daughter?"