Chapter 2

02

The next morning, I arrived early at Briarwood Elite Academy with Lily.

With a single phone call from my father's executive assistant, Lily's enrollment was fully restored.

After settling Lily into her classroom, I sat down in a quiet corner of the main lobby. Moments later, Garrett walked in, his arm wrapped around Rochelle's waist while holding the little boy's hand.

The proud, gentle smile on his face pierced my heart.

"What do you mean my son's spot is gone? How incompetent are you people?"

Garrett's furious shout echoed across the reception area.

Before I could stand up, Lily ran out from the adjacent hallway and wrapped her arms around Garrett's leg in pure delight.

"Daddy! You really came to drop me off! I'm so happy!"

Rochelle's eyes narrowed as she glared at Garrett.

"Babe, who is this little girl?"

Garrett's face twisted in panic. He kicked Lily away like a piece of filthy trash, turning to Rochelle with a groveling smile.

"Babe, she's probably just some stray kid without a father, latching onto anyone she sees."

Lily crashed onto the marble floor, her elbow scraping open and bleeding against the tiles as she sobbed in agony.

I rushed over, lifting my crying daughter into my arms. My eyes locked onto Garrett, trembling with fury.

"Garrett Cole! You're lower than a dog. It wasn't enough to cheat, but now you deny your own flesh and blood?"

My shout drew the attention of all the wealthy parents gathered around. Several recognized Garrett and began murmuring.

"Is that Mr. Cole's wife catching him in the act?"

A nearby woman sneered at me with open disgust.

"The lady standing by Mr. Cole is the real Mrs. Cole. She's the Mercer heiress who defied her family to marry him."

"The Mercer family never approved of them, but Mr. Cole worked hard for years to prove himself. I heard the Mercer patriarch is coming in person today to meet his grandson."

"Wait, so this other woman is a homewrecker trying to steal the legitimate child's spot?"

"Mistresses have no shame these days. To pull a stunt like this in public is sickening."

"Look at her little brat. She's got the face of a little vixen. She'll grow up to steal husbands just like her mother."

A plastic water bottle slammed against my forehead. The woman who threw it crossed her arms, glaring down at me.

"Mr. Cole's wife is a pillar of our high-society circle. She helped him build his business from the ground up."

"You cheap little side chick, did you really think you could spin a few lies and fool all of us?"

Lily looked up at me, tears streaming down her pale cheeks.

"Mommy, why does Daddy hate me so much?"

"Am I really a bad child?"

Looking into my daughter's terrified eyes, grief and wrath ignited within my chest.

No wonder Garrett insisted I stay home after giving birth, using my frail health as an excuse.

In his social circles, this fake heiress had replaced me entirely.

A bitter chill seeped through my veins. I fixed my bloodshot gaze on Garrett and spoke with icy precision.

"Garrett, I'll give you one last chance. Tell them who the real mistress is."