A grin played on my lips. "We meet again, Dr. Whitmore."All the color drained from Preston's face. Things finally clicked for him."Do you understand that I can direct Harlan Group to call off the acquisition of your hospital?" I asked.His legs turned to jelly. Falling onto his knees, he started sobbing. "But Jeanine Colby, you're a Colby. How could you be the CEO of Harlan Group?"However, he immediately apologized and stopped his questions when he met my unforgiving gaze.Tara, who happened to come home, cursed like a sailor on her way in, "That bitch! I'll make sure to teach her a good lesson if I get my hands on her!"Noticing me, she immediately growled, "Jeanine Colby, how dare you show up again? I'm gonna kill you for real!"Then, she shuffled over to me, thinking I was all alone. She did not notice Preston, who was on his knees behind my car. Preston got up and slapped Tara before she could take a step closer to me. "Who are you calling a bitch?"Tara was already up
I heard the sounds of water dripping onto the floor. Preston had actually wet himself.Pinching my nose, I shot him a disgusted look and motioned at my bodyguards to bring him down. Meanwhile, Tara screamed and begged for mercy. Her shrill voice woke Emma up from sleep.Without hesitation, Emma broke free from the bodyguard's arms and jogged over to Preston. She pleaded with me, "Mommy, please forgive Daddy. I want us to live as a family.""He's not your father. He lied to Mommy and hurt Mommy. Look—he even beat me up. Do you still want to take his side?" I crouched and directed the question at the young Emma while staring into her eyes.This was the last chance I extended to Emma. If she picked me, I would guarantee that she would not see Preston again, and that she would live a comfortable life. If she chose Preston, I would show her no mercy.Her eyes darted between me and Preston. Finally, she said sweetly, "I want Daddy!"My expression crumpled. I replied sternly, "I got it.
I was both a lucky and unlucky woman. After graduation, I was hired by the Harlan Group, eventually fell in love with its CEO Victor Harlan, and married him.Unfortunately, Victor was infertile. Right as I got pregnant from IVF, he passed away, leaving the massive conglomerate in my hands.But I made it out alive. Now, as the powerful CEO of Harlan Group, I could finally enjoy my life.I wanted to spend some time with my daughter, Emma, on her birthday. So, I asked the bodyguards and driver not to come with me.Holding Emma's favorite mini cake, I waited at the entrance of the preschool.Without warning, a Land Rover dashed onto the pedestrian walkway and stopped right in front of the preschool entrance, forcing many parents and their children to stumble out of the way in fear.A woman in sunglasses and extravagant clothes stepped out of the Land Rover. She scanned her surroundings, her gaze finally resting on me. "Are you Jeanine Colby?" she questioned.I certainly had never
"Shame on you! I didn't know he bought you the lastest phone! I don't even spend that much money on myself!"A few dads in the crowd stepped up when Tara became ungovernable. "You beat up a woman and broke her phone when you showed up. I've called the police on you."Tara spat at the men who tried to intervene. "You must have fallen head over heels for that woman too! Why else would you help her?"Scanning my outfit, she commented in disdain, "Look at her clothes. She's practically decked in luxury items."Turning to the man, she asked, "Can a poor guy like you afford to pay for her lifestyle?"I trembled in rage, as Tara not only beat me up for no reason, but she also unfairly accused me of being a homewrecker.Staring her down, I demanded, "Who the heck is your husband?"If looks could kill, Tara Jameson would be dead by now.She placed her hands on her waist and stared haughtily at me. Snorting, she taunted me again. "Yeah, keep faking it. How dare you ask for my husband's
Tara was caught off guard for a moment. She approached me slowly and fixed her gaze on me. "What did you say? Are you Preston's boss?"I met her eyes fearlessly and nodded. "Yes, I am—"She cut me off with raucous laughter. Pressing a hand on her stomach, she cackled. "Oh, that's hilarious! You must have lost your mind after I gave you a good beating!"Wake up and look in the mirror! A woman like you can't claim you're the CEO of Harlan Group!"Scanning me from head to toe with disdain, she snapped, "Yeah, I know the CEO of Harlan Group is a woman, but… you? Hahaha!"That day, I was dressed in a quiet luxury tailored outfit with no obvious logos. I wasn't wearing any jewelry or clutching a luxury bag.Tara snorted. "Lie to yourself if you like, but don't do that to others."Carrying a look of contempt, Tara made her way to Emma."Don't touch my daughter!" My mind was buzzing. I tried to rush to Emma's help, but Tara's lackeys pinned me down."Emma, run!" I cried.Emma looked
Rising from my seat, I replied flatly, "Ask your wife about it."Preston turned to Tara. Before he could ask any questions, she had thrown herself into his arms with a pout. "Darling, you're finally here. That woman nearly ruined my face!"She raised her head to show him the scratches. "But don't worry—I taught that little seductress a lesson! I know it's not your fault, darling. These women just can't help themselves around you. You're simply perfect!"Even the policeman cringed at Tara's statement. He coughed softly to cut her off before getting Preston up to speed.Upon learning about the incident, Preston did not take a look at Tara. Instead, he set his tearful eyes on my daughter. One step after another, he approached Emma with open arms. Each step he took was slow and deliberate, stretching the short distance for as long as possible.I nearly drowned in my worries. Stopping him, I warily studied him. "What are you gonna do to my daughter?""Jeanine, please don't do this
I gave in and hopped into Preston's car because I didn't want to hurt Emma's feelings. Seated in the front passenger seat was Tara, who took a jab at me. "I thought you denied being a mistress? Why are you sitting in my husband's luxury car?"I shut her down coldly. "I made it very clear this afternoon that I was no homewrecker. I am loaded myself; there's no reason for me to be attracted to your husband."By the way, you need to compensate me for that broken phone. It's hard to get your hands on a latest phone now, even if you have all the money in the world."Preston's expression froze in the middle of driving, but he quickly collected himself.Tara harrumphed. "Hmph! Yeah, keep lying. That must be Preston's gift to you."I wanted to fire back, but Emma stopped me. "Mommy, can you please be quiet?"I watched Emma with conflicted feelings. She had been an easy child since she was born, but in the past few years, she was often impatient with me.I hadn't paid much attention to