"Exactly. He acts so superior all the time. What, does he think his kid's lunch is made of gold?"

"Children from single-parent homes really can be selfish. I think Ms. Walker handled it correctly."

"Mark, don't waste your time arguing with him. Your wife is a senior executive at a major company. People like you don't need to stoop to his level."

I stared coldly at the disgusting messages on my screen, then typed back.

"Lower level? Senior executive?

"So that is why you think stealing from someone is acceptable?

"Since all of you believe taking another child's belongings is reasonable, let's settle this face-to-face tomorrow. We'll see who actually has no place in that preschool."

After sending the message, I exited the chat.

Anger rolled through my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Mark was throwing his weight around because his wife held some corporate title. The teacher was obviously trying to curry favor with him.

Did he really think that tiny bit of background was enough to cover the sky with one hand?

I walked to the balcony and called my assistant.

"Find out who controls the preschool's security footage. Also look into Mia's family, especially her mother. I want every card they think they have."

After hanging up, I took a slow breath.

I had kept a low profile for Theo's sake. I wanted him to grow up quietly, without people treating him differently. I had even sent my driver to most parent meetings.

Apparently, my restraint had made some people think they could step on my head.

Since they insisted on testing me, I would tear open their little sky for them.

The next morning, I brought Theo to the preschool right on time.

I did not go to the classroom. I headed straight for the director's office, intending to have the security footage pulled in front of everyone.

Halfway there, Theo tugged on my hand.

"Daddy, I left my sketchbook in the classroom. Can I go get it?"

I nodded and let him go in by himself while I waited in the hallway.

Less than two minutes later, his terrified scream came from the classroom.

My heart dropped. I ran.

When I reached the doorway, the scene inside nearly split my vision red.

Theo was sitting on the floor, pale-faced and crying.

Mia, a heavyset little girl, was holding his sketchbook and ripping pages out of it while making faces at him.

Beside her stood Mark Donovan. He was holding a piece of cheap, dry bread and trying to force it into Theo's mouth.

"Eat it! Didn't you little brat like guarding your food so much? I'll make sure you get plenty today!

"My daughter wanting your things is a blessing. How dare you dodge her?"

Theo struggled and coughed. Crumbs lodged in his throat, turning his face red as he gasped for air.

When Mark saw him resisting, he lifted his shoe and stomped hard on the small hand Theo was using to brace himself against the floor.

The hard sole ground down brutally.

"Ah!" Theo screamed.

In that instant, all the blood in my body rushed to my head. Whatever remained of my reason snapped.

I charged in like a madman and kicked over the nearest desk. The crash startled everyone in the room.

I grabbed Mark by the collar, slammed him into the wall, and backhanded him across the face.

The crack of the slap rang through the classroom.

I had used every ounce of strength I had. Mark froze, stunned, blood already seeping from the corner of his mouth.

I did not stop.

I slapped him across the other side of his face.

"You touched my son! I'll kill you!"

My voice came out raw, my eyes burning red.

Mark finally reacted. Like a street thug, he shrieked and lunged at me.

"You bastard, you dare hit me? Do you know who my wife is?"

He grabbed a glass cup from a desk and hurled it at me.

I dodged sideways. The cup smashed against the wall, scattering shards across the floor.

Mark picked up a sharp piece of broken glass and pointed it at me. His eyes were venomous.

"My wife is Karen Blake, regional director at Apex Capital! Hit me again and I'll destroy you and your son. I'll make sure you can't live in this city!"

At that moment, Ms. Walker and several security guards rushed in after hearing the commotion.

Ms. Walker took one look at the scene and immediately pointed at me.

"Ethan, have you lost your mind? How dare you attack someone inside the preschool?

"Grab him! If anything happens to Mark, can you afford the consequences?"

The guards moved toward me.

Mark stood there with the glass shard in his hand, his smile twisted and smug.

"Scared now? Too late. I'm going to make you and your brat kneel down and lick my shoes."

I held Theo tightly in my arms and stared at him. The cold in my eyes felt like it could freeze the air.

I ignored the guards closing in on me and knelt to carefully cradle Theo's hand.

His soft little hand now had a deep shoe print across it. The skin was already swelling, red turning into purple.

Theo was trembling from the pain, but he bit down on his lip and tried not to cry. He only looked at me with frightened eyes.

The sight stabbed into my chest like a knife. I could barely breathe.

I stood, sweeping a cold gaze over Ms. Walker and the guards.

"Try touching me. Any one of you."

My voice was not loud, but the chill in it made the guards stop instinctively.

I took out my phone and called the police.

"Bright Horizons Bilingual Preschool, Southside campus. A man intentionally harmed a child and is threatening people with a weapon."

After hanging up, I turned back to Mark.

"You said your wife works where? Apex Capital? Karen Blake?"

Mark mistook my question for fear. He lifted his chin proudly, still waving the glass shard.

"Now you're scared? Let me tell you something. My wife's network in this city is beyond anything a bottom-feeder like you can imagine.

"Get on your knees and apologize right now. Maybe I'll let you keep breathing."

Ms. Walker chimed in with the same slimy tone.

"Ethan, I told you long ago that people should know when to bow their heads. Mark's background is not something you can afford to offend.

"Now you've made such a mess. Not only will Theo be expelled, you won't be able to find work anywhere in this city."

I looked at the two clowns and almost laughed from anger.

I did not bother arguing.

Instead, I called my assistant.

"Prepare every file we have on Apex Capital. Notify legal. We are pursuing criminal charges.

"Also, have the person in charge of Apex get to Bright Horizons within ten minutes."