Chapter 2

Clara shrieked and struggled to pull away.

"Let go of me! You're hurting me! Ethan, look at this crazy woman!"

Seeing this, Ethan lunged forward and shoved me hard.

Caught off guard, I stumbled back a few steps, nearly falling into the dirt.

"Vivian, don't push your luck!"

Ethan pointed a finger at my face, his voice venomous. "Who do you think you are, putting your hands on Clara?"

"Let me tell you something. Even if Clara did hurt this horse, it's the beast's honor. Apologize to Clara right now, or I'll have my dad fire you!"

I steadied myself, looking at his arrogant, ugly face. The last shred of affection I had for him evaporated.

Eight years ago, I married Richard Vance, bringing a massive dowry with me.

Back then, Richard was just a small-time business owner on the brink of bankruptcy. Ethan was a weak, bullied kid.

I used the Sinclair family's resources to save Richard's business and help it grow.

I spent my nights tutoring Ethan, went to his school to stand up for him, and raised him from an insecure boy into the wealthy heir he claimed to be today.

For his sake, I even chose not to have my own children, loving him like my own son.

But now, for a vain, cruel girl, he was humiliating me in public and demanding I apologize to the person who tortured my horse.

"You want me to apologize?"

I let out a cold laugh, my eyes scanning Ethan and Clara before locking onto Zephyr's bleeding hoof.

"Fine. I'll make sure to settle this properly."

I pulled out my phone and dialed the emergency vet line.

"Dr. Evans, bring your gear to Arena Two immediately. Zephyr is injured. It looks like animal abuse."

An urgent confirmation came from the other end.

Clara's face paled slightly. She tugged at Ethan's sleeve. "Ethan, why is she calling a vet? It's just a scratch on the hoof."

Ethan patted her hand reassuringly and sneered at me. "Vivian, stop acting dramatic. It's just a horse. I can pay you back for it."

"Pay me back?"

I hung up and walked toward Ethan, step by step.

"This horse is Zephyr. He's a purebred Akhal-Teke stallion imported from Turkmenistan. His market value is eighteen million dollars."

"His stud fee is half a million dollars per session, and he's booked out for the next two years."

"Pay me back? With what money?"

Ethan's face drained of color. He knew exactly how valuable Zephyr was.

Last year, a Middle Eastern royal family offered twelve million for him, and I turned them down flat.

His father, Richard, had talked about it at the dinner table for a week.

The surrounding students looked at each other, whispering in shock.

"Eighteen million? Seriously?"

"No way... is that horse really that expensive?"

Clara bit her lip and pointed at me, screeching, "You're lying! You're just a stable hand, how would you know how much he costs? You're just making things up to scare us!"

"Ethan, tell her! The horse isn't that expensive, right?"

Ethan opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He knew I was telling the truth.

"Ethan, tell her who I am."

I crossed my arms, waiting.

I had called him "Ethan" or "my boy" since he was seven.

Whenever he was bullied, he would run into my arms and cry.

But now, hearing me address him, his face showed nothing but disgust and embarrassment.

"She..."

Ethan clenched his fists, his throat bobbing. He finally spat out, "She's just a worker here, Clara. Don't listen to her!"

"It's just a horse. My dad said this club will be mine sooner or later anyway."

"If I say it's worthless, then it's worthless!"