Chapter 3
The parents erupted in cheers.[]
“Finally, a teacher who tells it like it is!”
“This is Oak Lane. We have standards.”
“Why waste education on her kid? Just teach her to hunt rich men like mommy!”
Ashley was loving every second.
This is what you get. Once trash, always trash. You and your brat belong in the gutter“]
Their insults rained down. The crowd grew, everyone eager to join the attack.
Each cruel word made Ashley’s smile wider.]
Mrs. Thompson saw her chance. “Mrs. Walker, the principal has a small favor to ask. We’re expanding the school, and Walker Corp owns all the surrounding land..
Ashley waved her hand dismissively. “Consider it done. Jack will sign it over. You’ve earned it today.”
Mrs. Thompson beamed. “You’re too kind, Mrs. Walker.”
The parents pounced like sharks smelling blood
“My firm has worked with Walker Corp before. Keep us in mind?””
“Our company’s expanding too. We’d love to partner up.“]
“Here’s my VIP shopping card. Let’s stay in touch.”
They shoved business cards and credit cards into her bag, desperate for her attention.
Ashley soaked it up like a queen holding court.
She towered over me, voice dripping venom. “See this? This is real power.“]
“You’ll spend your life on your knees, begging for scraps. But me? I live in a world you can’t even imagine.“]
“Take your bastard and get out of my city. Next time, I won’t be so nice. I’ll bury her alive.“|
Emma pressed against me, shaking. “Mommy. Her voice cracked. “My ankle really hurts.”
Something in her tone made my blood run cold. When I carefully pulled down her sock, time seemed to stop
A deep, infected gash ran across her ankle. Someone had tied a wire around it, cutting deeper with every step she took.
Dark blood had soaked through her sock, staining her shoe,. The skin around the wound was swollen and hot.[]
I stared at my little girl–the same child who needed three bedtime stories to sleep, who’d cry if her toast was cut wrong.
She’d suffered through this all day without a word.[]
The world blurred as tears filled my eyes. Not sad tears. Tears of pure rage.
“Ashley.” My voice didn’t sound like my own. “Your son did this?”
She examined her manicure, bored. “Be thankful that’s all he did.”
The sound of my palm hitting her face echoed like a gunshot.]
All my fury, every ounce of a mother’s protective rage, went into that slap. Ashley spun, catching herself against the wall
I pulled back for another hit, but someone grabbed my hair, yanking hard.
Parents swarmed me, fists and feet flying.]
“How dare you touch Mrs. Walker!”
“Want to join your brat in the grave?“]]
“Trash raising trash. You both deserve worse!“]
Even Mrs. Thompson joined in, kicking me.
“Leave my mommy alone!” my daughter screamed.
Tyler knocked her down with a kick.
Mrs. Thompson patted his head. “Good boy, Tyler. You’ll get a special award tomorrow!”
He smirked. “Next time I’ll hurt her even worse.“]
From the ground, through bloody lips, I spat: “You’ll regret this.”
They howled with laughter.
“A whore making threats?”
“Mrs. Walker could crush you like a bug!”
“Pathetic! Just kill yourself already!”
They pinned me down, spitting and laughing.
Ashley dug her stiletto into my cheek.
“Regret? Please. I’d love to see you try.”
Right then, a fleet of black SUVS roared up to the school gates.
Men in suits poured out, moving with military precision.
