Killian paused for a moment, but he quickly burst out mocking laughter, "Sierra, you're just a stubborn old mule. Stop faking it. I won't mistreat my own child, anyway."

He pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket and slapped it hard against my face, "Look at how shabby you and your daughter are! Take it and buy some decent clothes.

Don't embarrass me."

With that, He put his arm around Vivienne and strode away arrogantly.

I lowered my head, looking at my dust-covered orange vest, and silently cursed him for being a snob.

What Killian didn't know was that the short-sleeved shirt I was wearing underneath was a custom style by the top brand Cortieri‌, worth $150,000. The seemingly ordinary cartoon jacket on my daughter was also incredibly expensive.

In fact, there were many things that Killian had no clue about. I had remarried and had my daughter four years ago. There was absolutely no chance of me remarrying him. Besides, picking up trash right now was simply for the sake of an environmental protection campaign.

Just then, my phone's exclusive ringtone chimed. On the phone, a husky male voice came through, "Honey, you must work hard on the inspection tour. I have a private lounge there. You can take our daughter and go rest. Don't tire yourself out."

“Mhm.” I nodded.

"My work doesn't end until this afternoon. I miss you so much and can't wait to see you."

Hearing my husband’s spoiled, affectionate tone, a wave of sweetness surged in my heart.

Hanging up the phone, I led my daughter to the lounge. But before I could even open the door, I heard ambiguous panting coming from inside at the entrance. I carefully pushed the door open, only to find Killian and Vivienne locked in a tight, passionate embrace on the sofa. I hurriedly covered my daughter's eyes and ears.

Killian, embarrassed and enraged, grabbed a tea cup at hand and hurled it at me, "Who let you in? Is this a place a beggar like you can just waltz into? This isn't any place for the beggar like you to be."

The glass shattered against my forehead, raising an instant lump. The pain made stars dance in my vision.

Several project managers rushed over, apologizing to Killian in a servile tone, "We are so sorry, Mr. Killian. It was our negligence. We'll get her out of here right away."

They immediately grabbed my hands, trying to drag me out.

I angrily shook off their hands and ranted, "This lounge was prepared for me! Who gave you the nerve to kick me out?"

The lounge fell into a heavy silence. A moment later, they erupted into mocking laughter. Seeing that no one believed me, I was about to take out my phone to verify my identity. But Killian strode over, snatched my phone, and smashed it onto the floor.

"You must be daydreaming. This lounge belongs exclusively to the godfather, Nicolas Voss‌. I can only bring myself to stay here for a short time on official business. Who do you think you are? You think you have the right to come and go as you want around here?”

Several pot-bellied men looked me up and down. They asked, "Mr. Killian, who is she?"

Killian replied with a casual air, "Just a poor wretch who was tried in vain to change my mind."

Vivienne giggled at his words, tracing circles on his chest with her slender fingers, "Killian, how could you put him on the spot like that? You're so mean."

Enraged on by Killian's merciless insults and degradation, those managers treated me with loathing. Their vicious slander against me came in waves.

"I've dealt with trash like you a hundred times before. You are willing to do anything for money. Mr. Killian, if you don't mind, why not let me have a fun? It's been a while since I've had any action."

I clamped my hands tightly over my daughter's ears to shield her from the filth.

"You go too far! There's a child here!"

Despite my strenuous efforts, my daughter was still terrified and started crying in fear.

Killian sensed that something went wrong. He was displeased and roared, "Who told you to say such things? Do you have a death wish? "

Those men looked at each other and shut their mouths in confusion.

I have no time to bother with them. It took me so much effort to comfort my daughter in my arms. When I finally looked up, I found Killian staring at me with a complicated expression, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

Killian was just about to say something, but Vivienne interrupted him. She put on a mask of exaggerated gentleness and magnanimity.

"Sierra, you must be hard raising a child alone all these years. You know I am still recovering and I happen to need a nanny. Why don't you come to take care of me? I can pay you $4,000 a month. You can earn much more than picking through trash."

Hearing this, Killian immediately pulled her closer. "Vivienne, you are so gentle and sensible."

Vivienne leaned shyly against his chest. She over-the-top acting gave my goose bumps.

I brushed it off with disdain, "No thanks, I really like my job."

Then, I ignored Killian's darkening expression and directly turned to leave with my daughter. They're both crazy. I couldn’t take them on, but I could certainly dodge them.

Behind me came the sound of things being smashed, accompanied by Killian's furious roar. "Sierra, why are you letting yourself go like this? Get back here!"

I dismissed him and just slammed the door shut with all my might.

Walking out of the lounge, I couldn’t keep in contact with Nicolas immediately because Killian had smashed my phone. I had no choice but to find a shady spot to rest until Nicolas came to pick us up.

My daughter leaned against me, "Mommy, who are those people just now? Why are they swearing? When did Daddy come to pick us up?"

I softly kissed her forehead and explained, "They are all bad guys. Don't pay attention to them. Daddy will be here soon. We’ll wait a bit longer.”

My daughter nodded vigorously. Looking at her adorable face, I reached out and stroked her head.

“I’ll go buy a bottle of water. Stay put here and wait for me, will you?”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

A few minutes later, I heard my daughter's heart-wrenching scream, "Mommy! Mommy! Let go of me!"

I rushed back and found Vivienne choking my daughter's neck and violently slamming her against the ground. The scene before my eyes made me so angry I felt like I was about to burst.

I immediately rushed forward and slapped Vivienne hard across the face. At that moment, I was blinded by rage and completely lost my reason. I struggled to tear my daughter out of her grasp just as Killian came charging over.

Vivienne cried, clutching her swollen face as she threw herself into his arms and wailed, "Killian, I just saw her daughter alone and wanted to keep her company out of kindness. But she suddenly bit me. I just talked to her, but I didn't expect Sierra to slap me right away."

Looking at the red handprint on Vivienne's face and the bloody bite mark on her hand, Killian was burned with anger, his eyes were filled with a chilling frost.

"Sierra, just look at the kid you've raised!"

He ordered his underlings to hold me down, "Vivienne, beat her back."

Vivienne didn't hesitate to slap me hard.

"Mommy! Mommy!" my daughter cried out from behind.

Killian picked up my daughter, "Be good. I wouldn't have punished your mother if she hadn't been so rough. Don't worry, you are my daughter, and I will treat you well."

My daughter's cries cut through my nerves like a sharp knife. I stumbled and crawled toward her, but his underlings grabbed my hair and pinned me to the ground.

Killian looked down at me sideways, his eyes full of disgust. "A wretch like you doesn't deserve to be a mother. I'll take her with me. You will never see her again."

"Killian!" I screamed, grabbing his ankle. My nails dug deep into his flesh as I roared out the truth.

"Please. She is only three years old! She is absolutely not your child! She is Nicolas's daughter! And I…I’m Nicolas's wife!"

As my words fell, everyone around us was instantly struck with astonishment.