Chapter 4

"Whose brat is this?"

Chloe’s venomous glare shifted from me to Leo.

My chest tightened.

"Don't touch my son!"

With a nasty smirk, Chloe actually reached her hand out toward Leo.

"A broke loser raising another broke loser. Perfect."

"Leo, run!"

I screamed, trying with all my might to break free from the bodyguards holding me.

But Leo didn't run.

Instead, he remained incredibly calm. He raised his wrist and pressed a button on his smart watch.

"Daddy! Someone is hurting Mommy! And an evil lady is trying to hit me!"

Immediately, a deep, commanding voice filled with concern came through the speaker.

"...Leo?"

It was Ethan!

Chloe’s face turned paper-white.

Like a rabid dog, she lunged forward, snatched Leo's watch, and threw it hard against the floor!

The brand-new smartwatch shattered into pieces.

"Calling for backup?"

She gritted her teeth, her voice dripping with malice.

"Go ahead and call!"

"Clara, neither you nor your little brat are leaving this room today!"

"I'll make sure you learn what happens when you cross me!"

"Mrs. Vance!"

Miss Avery, who had been silent, finally stepped in front of Leo, shielding him with her arms.

"Please show some respect! Leo is my student!"

"I will not let you lay a single finger on him in my school!"

Her bravery ignited the rest of the parents.

"Yeah! Just because you have money doesn't mean you can assault a child!"

"First she abuses her daughter, and now she wants to attack someone else's kid? She's insane!"

"Call the police! Let's all call the police! Let's see how tough she is then!"

The collective fury of the room completely stripped Chloe of her remaining sanity.

"You ungrateful peasants!"

She shrieked. Pushing Miss Avery aside, she raised her hand, her long red-painted nails aiming straight for Leo's face!

My heart stopped.

"No—!"

I watched her hand descend, completely powerless to stop it.

But just before she could make contact...

A voice as cold as absolute zero echoed from the doorway.

"Touch him, and I'll make sure you regret breathing."

Everyone gasped and turned toward the door.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea.

Ethan Sterling, surrounded by a dozen elite, black-suited bodyguards, strode into the room.

His cold gaze swept over Chloe before locking onto my swollen, red cheek.

A terrifying storm erupted in his eyes.

"Clara, who touched you?"