The kids in Beau's class were all envious of him.…Meanwhile, at Sunny Side Diner, Merida was devouring a stack of fluffy pancakes. She then picked up her glass and gulped down her orange juice.She ate with such enthusiasm that a nearby elementary schooler, wearing a bright red hoodie, grabbed another bite of his syrup-drenched toast and stuffed it into his mouth.Seeing that Merida had finished her breakfast, Elara handed her a wet wipe. "Come on, let's head to school."The brightness in Merida's eyes dimmed instantly at the mention of school. Elara, who was always sharp, immediately sensed the change in her daughter's mood."What's wrong?""Mommy, I don't really like school anymore."Elara asked, "Did something happen?"Merida shook her head. Lately, she just noticed that other kids didn't like playing with her as much. But she didn't want to worry Elara by telling her."It's nothing! Even though I don't like school that much anymore, I still have my good friends there. B
Beau kept a straight face and issued a stern warning to his group of friends. "None of you are allowed to play with Bambi!"The kids lined up in perfect formation and saluted him in unison. "Yes, sir!"Elara noticed Merida's expression shift as she looked toward the school gate."Merida?" she called softly.Merida tightened her grip on the straps of her backpack, forcing her voice to sound lighthearted as she said, "Mommy, I'm going to school now! Bye-bye!"She then spotted her usual playmate and ran over excitedly. "Shirley!"Shirley Moore glanced at her, then quickly looked away and sped up her pace.Merida caught up to her, eager to share the news. "Shirley, guess what? I changed my name! I'm not Bambi anymore—I'm Merida Jones now! I took my mom's last name.""Don't talk to me." Shirley veered to the side, putting distance between them.Merida stopped in her tracks, completely stunned. "Shirley, what's wrong?"Shirley hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice. "Beau
"You ungrateful brat! Put me down!" Beau screamed.Merida was furious, and she shouted back, "What did you just call me?"Beau yelled at the top of his lungs, "Grandma said our family wasted all that effort raising you! We're not siblings anymore!"You and that pretentious, fake woman are just sewer rats! We don't want to share a classroom with a rat!"Behind him, his little followers pinched their noses dramatically."Bambi! Let go of Mr. Beau!""Bambi smells so bad! She's gross!""My mom told me not to talk to Bambi anymore. She doesn't belong in our class!"Merida gritted her teeth and raised her other hand. Realizing she was about to hit him, Beau panicked and shouted to his friends. "Help me!"Yet, not a single one dared to step forward.Niamh leaned casually against her motorcycle while holding up her phone, recording every second of Merida lifting Beau effortlessly.She saw Merida raise her hand, about to strike Beau, and a grin spread across her face."Do it! Hit hi
Merida lowered her head, gripping the hem of her shirt with both hands. She didn't think she had done anything wrong, but her impulsiveness had caused trouble for Elara.Elara placed a reassuring hand on Merida's shoulder, standing as her invisible shield. "My daughter did not hit anyone.""She did!" Beau shouted, waving his arms wildly and pointing at Merida. "Bambi hit me! You're a terrible woman! A biased hypocrite! You must be blind if you didn't see her hit me!"Elara's voice was firm. "I demand to review the surveillance footage at the school gate. It's the students who slander and falsely accuse others that should be punished!"Her gaze toward Beau held the cold detachment one would have for a stranger.James spread his hands with a casual shrug. "The cameras are broken. Beau has been awarded All-Around Star for three consecutive years. He's Summit Academy's best student—I believe him."James then turned to the parents gathered around. "Did any of you see Merida hit Beau j
James' assistant rushed over while holding a folder. "This is Bambi Fisher's student file."James took it from her hands and tossed it carelessly to the ground. With his hands clasped behind his back, his expression remained indifferent and cold.Getting rid of this girl from Summit Academy was Ethel's decision. She had personally called him the night before.Since Merida had taken Elara's last name, Ethel no longer wanted the Fisher family's money wasted on raising another family's daughter.She was eager to have Merida leave the school, fearing that her precious grandson might be influenced by her and "go astray".Elara bent down and picked up the file. Merida watched as her mother crouched, and tears streamed down her face in large droplets.Elara dusted off the file and turned to her daughter with a smile, looking gentle yet resolute."Merida, don't be afraid. You are no longer the Bambi Fisher in that file. What's lying on the ground is Bambi Fisher, but the one standing ta
James was completely dumbfounded. Why were so many reporters suddenly gathered at the school gate?They were all crowding around Elara—had she called them here?However, how could a woman cast out by the Fisher family have the influence to summon so many journalists?Confusion flickered across his face as he said, "I didn't receive any interview requests. This is all staged! The footage you recorded isn't real!"He turned to the petite female reporter with an ingratiating smile. "Miss, please, come inside! I'll personally give you a tour and explain the rich history of Summit Academy!"The reporter completely ignored him. "We're not here to interview you! We just refuse to stand by and watch what you've done!"James frowned. "Then why are you all gathered at the school entrance?"The moment he finished speaking, he saw the petite reporter push through the crowd, rushing toward the journalists surrounding Elara.Rosalie's voice rose in alarm. "What's going on? Did Elara call rep
"Is this your daughter?" asked one of the reporters."Yes, she is. Her name is Merida Jones," said Elara.The reporter looked surprised. "Your daughter took your last name?"Elara nodded. "Yes.""Then may I ask about your husband…"Elara beamed. "I'm divorced. My ex-husband isn't worth mentioning."A reporter turned to Merida. "Merida, would you be willing to do an interview?"Merida nodded eagerly. "Sure!"The petite female reporter asked, "Why did you grab that little boy by the collar earlier?""He wouldn't let other kids play with me! Even my best friend wasn't allowed to talk to me! I was really angry."Merida looked down at her palm. "I didn't expect it to be so easy to lift Beau. He was so light!"The cameraman from Gingham TV had seen Merida effortlessly hoist Beau into the air earlier. He was intrigued. "Merida, let's do a test. If I put my camera on the ground, can you lift it?"A professional video camera weighed at least 40 pounds.He placed the camera on the g
"I've made up my mind," Elara said firmly. "Even if you change your decision now and allow my daughter to re-enroll at Summit Academy, you are still the biggest tumor and festering wound in this school!"I will never let my daughter stay in a school run by someone like you!"She didn't hesitate to condemn James in front of all the reporters.James' face turned red and then pale as his breathing grew rapid. He pointed at Elara and addressed the reporters."You all heard her! It's not me forcing her daughter out—it's Elara who doesn't want her to stay at Summit Academy! Make sure you report that correctly!"The school gate was already congested with parked cars, some belonging to parents and others to media personnel. No one even noticed when a few more MPVs pulled up.Inside one of them, Desmond snapped out of his thoughts and glanced out the window. The sight of the grand school gate made his eyes widen in shock."Why did you drive here?" he demanded. He turned back and saw th
Paisley stood at the center of the stage and bowed, thanking the audience. Meanwhile, the auditorium erupted in thunderous applause. Several parents who knew Rosalie turned to praise her."Ms. Fisher, you've done such a wonderful job raising her.""Paisley's dancing was beautiful. With her on stage, the whole performance became so pleasing to watch."Parents from the same class chimed in as well. "Rosalie made the right call by having Merida step down from the rehearsals. If Merida had performed, it definitely wouldn't have turned out this well.""Exactly. Rosalie really has great foresight."As they spoke, their glances drifted—intentionally or not—toward Elara.In the microcosm of the school community, parents were sorted by social circles. Even if they acknowledged Elara's competence, to them, she still had no real backing.And without that, she might as well have had nothing. In the world of elite parents at one of Capitol's top schools, Elara stood on shaky ground. Those ho
Rosalie let out a disdainful snort. "Does someone like Elara even deserve to step into the Fisher family's circle?"Her voice turned icy and shrill. "She's only dragging me down!"Luxury brands existed precisely to distinguish those who could afford them from those who couldn't. If commoners could easily buy Louis Vuitton or Hermès, how would the wealthy flaunt their status?Ever since Elara married into the Fisher family, Rosalie felt her own standing had been diminished. Now that Elara had been kicked out, Rosalie wouldn't give her another chance to mingle with high society.Harold lowered his voice. "Put in a good word for me with the Fisher family. Help me become Xavier's tutor."Though Beau had resumed his elite homeschooling, Xavier still attended the same classes—and far outperformed him. Harold had a strong premonition that the Fisher family would focus on cultivating Xavier.Though not Leonard's biological son, Xavier was his sole heir since Leonard had no children of hi
Rosalie took her seat beside Harold and immediately noticed him repeatedly glancing in Elara's direction."What are you looking at?" Her voice turned dangerous.Harold instantly trembled, quickly straightening his posture. "Nothing! I wasn't looking at anything!"Rosalie wouldn't let it go. "You kept staring at Elara! Why were you looking at her?"Flames burned in Rosalie's eyes as Harold hurriedly explained, "I just saw Xavier sitting in her lap and got curious! I never expected that child to be so close with her."He then gossiped with Rosalie, "Do you think if Elara dotes on Xavier like this, she might end up becoming Harvey's aunt?"A mischievous smirk spread across Harold's face."Only vulgar minds would come up with such vulgar thoughts!" Rosalie snapped.As a Fisher family member, her first reaction was utter disgust at such disgraceful speculation. How could she ever hold her head high in Capitol's elite circles if this happened?"How could Leonard possibly do such a t
Xavier eyed his surroundings warily, refusing to let anyone touch him as he walked between bodyguards. The backstage area bustled with people and large props. Some children wore exaggerated stage makeup and brightly colored costumes.Like a kitten caught in traffic, Xavier trembled with fear at the unfamiliar environment."Xavier!" Merida's loud, cheerful voice cut through the noise.Spotting Merida and Elara in the crowd, Xavier's dark eyes immediately lit up. He broke into a run toward them.Merida dashed forward too, leaping to meet Xavier. She scooped him up effortlessly, lifting him high into the air.Xavier soared upward, his face breaking into a smile at Merida's beaming expression.After spinning him around once, Merida carefully set him down—knowing more spins would make him dizzy."Xavier! I'm so happy you're here! Did you come to watch my performance?"Xavier nodded earnestly.His fingers reached out to touch the fringes on Merida's vibrant pink costume, his admirin
Rosalie's lips curled into a mocking smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Of course, you'd get selected no matter what you perform. I mean, having a school board chairman for a father does wonders."Nearby parents exchanged knowing glances.Elara asked calmly, "Ms. Fisher, did Harvey say something to you?""Not at all," Rosalie replied."Then are you just spreading rumors?" Elara continued. "My daughter's performance earned the arts department's approval. What does that have to do with the Fisher family?"Rosalie lifted her chin, her gaze turning condescending. Since Elara's divorce from Harvey, Rosalie had looked at her like royalty observing an ant beneath her feet."The arts teachers only approved it because Harvey's on the board."Elara simply smiled. Rosalie was clearly trying to pick a fight, but Elara wasn't interested in proving herself. She had no intention of arguing over whether her daughter's opportunity to perform was the result of favoritism from Harvey.Instead, sh
Niamh's mouth opened, her voice trembling as she muttered, "Why… Why would Harvey say that?"By pushing all the blame onto her, wasn't Harvey essentially sentencing her to death? It was no wonder Abel wanted to kill her! Niamh shivered violently, feeling as if her heart might split apart.Abel pointed at her face and growled, "After I break your legs, I'll drag you to the Fisher family to beg Harvey's forgiveness!""Dad! No! Harvey's lying! What he's saying isn't true!"She knew with certainty that Abel would truly break her legs. Disaster was coming for her!Benjamin interjected coldly, "What you should consider is why Harvey would say this. Regardless of the truth, when Harvey shifts all the blame to you, it means you've become worthless to him!"To him, you're just a scapegoat now!"Tears welled in Niamh's eyes. Had Harvey forgotten Dawn's dying words? How could he do this to her?"Dad, I've been framed!" Niamh murmured despairingly.Abel refused to listen. "I don't care if
The hospital room door suddenly swung open from the outside. Benjamin entered to find Abel pressing a pillow over Niamh's face.Without hesitation, he charged forward, shoving Abel away with his body. Abel stumbled backward onto the nightstand, still clutching the pillow in both hands."What the hell are you doing?" Abel roared at Benjamin as he looked at him, as if the younger man had interrupted him trying to discipline Nimah.Benjamin saw Niamh's eyes rolling back. Her face had turned blue, mouth gaping but unable to draw breath. He immediately administered chest compressions, reviving Niamh just in time.Abel threw the pillow at Benjamin. "How dare you push me?""You nearly killed her!" Benjamin snapped back.Spittle flew from Abel's mouth. "She's disgraced me personally and ruined our family's standing in Capitol society!"Benjamin retreated a step with a cold laugh. "Then go ahead and kill her!"Saving lives was instinctual, but now he regretted intervening. Had he stayed
"Wah!" Beau burst into loud sobs, his cries weak but desperate."I want Mommy! Daddy! I only want my mommy!"Harvey's handsome face froze over with icy detachment. Without another word to Beau, he turned and left the children's room.When the door closed behind him, Beau's wailing became muffled.…Harvey returned to his bedroom, but even in the quiet emptiness, he still couldn't catch his breath. A cold sensation crept up from his feet.Striding to the walk-in closet, he yanked open every drawer. He pulled out ties, watches, cufflinks, and pins, scattering them across the floor.Did Elara give him this one? Did she buy him that? Frustration crept in as he realized he couldn't remember.The gifts from business associates stood out clearly in his memory, but he couldn't distinguish which items came from Elara versus his stylist. With growing dismay, Harvey realized he'd never properly looked at any present from Elara—not even once.Now he couldn't recall which accessories were
Beau was laying on the bed. His large, pitch-black pupils occupied most of his eye sockets, leaving only tiny whites that emitted a faint blue glow in the dim room.Harvey opened his mouth, only to feel as if someone had stuffed a wad of paper down his throat. His voice caught abruptly. Yet Beau's gaze was still brimming with longing and expectation.The boy tightened his grip on Harvey's sleeve."She already divorced me..." Harvey said slowly.How could he possibly reconcile with Elara? He would never return to what he'd left behind. After all, when they signed the divorce papers, he declared Elara would be the one begging him!When they obtained the divorce certificate, the thought of turning back never crossed his mind! Even if Elara had pleaded with him, it would still be impossible!Yet for Beau's sake, Harvey decided to make his greatest concession."If your mother comes begging for reconciliation, I'll consider it." As he spoke these words, Harvey clenched his fist—the st