Chapter 2

When I woke up the next day, it was already noon.

Georgina had gone to exercise with her trainer Jordan early, leaving behind a thoughtful note.

[Lucas, I turned off your alarm for you~ Rest well so you can be more disciplined and work hard to make money!]

By the time I got to the company, I got chewed out by my team leader for being late and lost my perfect attendance bonus.

Then the teacher called to say Mary had been bullied by her classmates!

Mary was crying for daddy. I could hear her clearly even through the phone. My heart ached with each sob.

But I really couldn't get away from work, and it takes an hour to get from the company to the school.

I had no choice but to call Georgina and ask her to pick up Mary and comfort her first.

She just responded lazily after hearing me out: "I know."

I emphasized that Mary had been bullied. She said she'd definitely go as soon as possible.

When I finished half my work, it was already six-thirty.

The teacher had called me at five-thirty.

When I called back, she told me to pay more attention to Mary, that she'd cried for a long time today, and that parents need to care more about their children.

After hanging up, I saw a post notification from Georgina from three hours ago.

She said she'd practiced continuously all afternoon, completely focused.

But I'd already asked her to pick up Mary!

My fist clenched as I gritted my teeth and looked at the next post.

[The trainer was so thoughtful, preparing supplements for Mary and me! Mary got bullied today. Drink more—if you exercise with discipline, you won't get bullied!]

[I deliberately waited a few hours before picking her up, just to make her understand that disciplined physical exercise is what's best for girls!]

The photo showed Mary's swollen eyes from crying, tear stains not even wiped clean.

I slammed my fist on the desk corner and turned to leave!

My team leader cursed at me. I shoved him aside!

Screw this job—nothing is more important than Mary!

This expensive supplement had launched three years ago and was reported by multiple parents for stunting children's development!

The parents jointly reported and sued. Soon after, they won the case and the supplement company left in disgrace.

All the evidence was clear as day!

Who knows where Jordan got such sketchy stuff!

I forwarded it to Georgina, telling her not to be fooled!

But she replied:

[This is something Jordan specially imported from abroad. What could be wrong with it? You're making a mountain out of a molehill!]

[Besides, Mary got beaten up by her classmates today and cried. Don't you think she's useless? If she were disciplined and strong like me, would she still get bullied?]

Mary quietly called me, saying she didn't want to drink the medicine—it tasted really strange.

She'd shared it with a classmate before, and the next day the classmate smashed it and accidentally scratched her!

It must be bad medicine!

But Mom insisted she drink it, saying this way she could beat up those classmates.

Hearing Mary's tearful voice, my heart felt like it was crashing into a wall.

I ran a dozen red lights before reaching home in just over ten minutes.

Several empty supplement bottles lay scattered on the table.

Dragging sounds and Mary's crying came from the room at the same time.

"Mary, if it weren't for your problems, would the teacher call and harass me so much? No ability but plenty of attitude—and you dare hide under the bed and play disappearing act!"

"Mommy, don't... wuwu..."

I ran to the bedroom door and saw Jordan restraining Mary's limbs while Georgina was prying Mary's mouth open, trying to pour the supplement directly in!

"Stop!"

I shoved Georgina aside, held Mary tightly, and smashed the medicine bottle on the floor!

Thank god, thank god...

"Didn't I tell you this stuff has side effects on children?"

"I've been disciplined with Jordan for so long—would he lie to me? You're the one fear-mongering, and you'll ruin Mary's whole life!"

She revealed the table behind her, pointing at several already empty bottles!

"Jordan is so good too—$888 supplements discounted to $200 per bottle for me! I've already given her so many. It's all for her own good!"

I suddenly felt ice-cold all over. Instinctively, I punched Jordan and ran downstairs carrying Mary!

By the time Mary finished having her stomach pumped, an hour had passed.

I coaxed her to sleep before I had time to check my phone.

Georgina had called me countless times and sent countless messages.

Telling me not to waste the supplements—they were expensive!

I didn't finish reading them. I just replied with one sentence.

[I'll have a lawyer draft divorce papers tomorrow. The child must go to me.]