Jana frowned at me, then said coldly after a moment, "Sir, I don't know you. I have manners, but that doesn't mean I'll tolerate you repeatedly slandering my husband and son. Our company's legal department isn't to be trifled with either."
Leah huffed in disbelief. "Mom, what are you saying? You don't even recognize me and Dad anymore?"
The people around burst into laughter.
"Hey, girl, aren't you taking this act a bit too far? You'd better take your dad and leave before Ms. Webster goes after you. Brighton Group isn't something ordinary folks like you can mess with."
Even Leah's classmates began to look at her with disgust and disdain.
"Leah, how can you be so despicable? You always seemed so well-mannered, but who knew you were this vile deep down?"
Leah grabbed Jana's sleeve and pleaded, "Mom, what's wrong with you? Why are you saying you don't know us? Speak up for me and Dad! Can't you hear how terribly they're insulting Dad?"
Jana unceremoniously shook off Leah's hand. The latter stumbled backward two steps, her face filled with hurt.
At the same time, Barton interlocked his fingers with Jana's and shot me a look of undisguised provocation.
I instantly understood that he knew everything. I immediately reached out and grabbed Leah.
"Leah, since she doesn't acknowledge you, you don't have to consider her your mom from now on either."
As soon as I finished speaking, Jana furrowed her brows almost imperceptibly.
Moments later, my phone vibrated again.
"Lamont, I already explained it to you. I'm just playing mother to Trenton for one day. How can you not have empathy at all? If I acknowledged you as my husband, how would Barton and Trenton face everyone afterward?
"How could Trenton even go to school anymore? If you hadn't insisted on making a scene, none of this would've happened. Getting scolded is what you deserve. Now, take Leah home and reflect on yourself properly!"
I couldn't help but sneer. It seemed Jana had been sitting in the general manager's seat for so long that she'd forgotten who granted her that authority.
At that moment, the teacher organizing the field day came over to play peacemaker and announced that the fun run was about to begin.
As we walked toward the stadium, Barton brushed past me with a smug smile.
"Losers like you deserve to be dumped. Only a career-driven man like me is worthy of a successful entrepreneur like Jana. If you know what's good for you, take your daughter and get lost!"
I let out a cold laugh. A career-driven man?
Just moments ago, HR had messaged me back. Barton had only been promoted through Jana's backdoor connections and didn't even understand the most basic business operations in the company.
It seemed he only knew I was Jana's husband but had no idea that I was the true helmsman of Brighton Group.
The HR and legal departments had just confirmed that they had drafted the termination notice and divorce papers and were on their way by car.
The reason I stayed was to publicly tear off Jana's and Barton's hypocritical masks and seek justice for Leah and myself.
Jana and Barton were invited to the VIP viewing stand. School management and parents alike were flattering them warmly and obsequiously.
Jana held her chin high, looking aloof and superior. Every inch of her expression was beaming with self-satisfaction.
On the other side, Leah had already taken her position on the track. She managed a faint smile in my direction, and I waved to cheer her on.
In the blink of an eye, something unexpected happened. Trenton suddenly rushed onto Leah's track and stuck his leg out, causing Leah to trip and fall hard onto the ground.
I rushed over.
Leah's face was twisted in agony, her forehead dotted with sweat. Both her knees were bloody and mangled.
My heart clenched with pain.
Trenton, however, looked triumphant. He laughed smugly and said, "That's what you and your dad get for being so pathetic! Let's see if you dare to mess with us again!"
I was so furious I was about to punch him right then and there. But Jana blocked me, shielding Trenton and Barton protectively.
"Enough. It's just kids messing around. Are you really going to make a big deal out of this?"
My chest heaved with rage. "Just kids messing around? Take a good look at how much pain Leah is in! This is clearly intentional."
Barton chuckled leisurely as he pulled a stack of cash from his wallet and scattered it over Leah, though his gaze was fixed on me.
"You two are doing all this for money, right? Consider this compensation for the injury. Now, take it and get lost!"
The surrounding parents had already burst into laughter. They looked at Leah and me with contempt, blindly pandering to Jana and Barton.
"See that? This is what happens when you offend the powerful. You just have to suck it up."
"It's all because they provoked Ms. Webster's family in the first place. They brought this on themselves. Even if she broke her leg, it serves them right."
"Since Mr. Ritter already gave you the money, why don't you just get lost?"
Leah was receiving treatment from the school nurse. She looked to Jana for help, but Jana turned her head away.
Her gaze gradually dimmed as she took my hand. "Dad, you were right. From today on, I don't have a mother anymore."
When Jana heard what Leah said, she frowned almost imperceptibly and cast a reproachful look at me.
My gaze swept past her and moved to those who were stepping on us while flattering others, the very people who had spewed the cruelest curses at Leah and me.
I looked at each of them, calling them out individually.
"The Osborne family, in the aluminum business. The Dawson family, in the cement business. The Mooney family, in the bean processing business."
As I calmly and clearly named each one, those parents couldn't help but freeze, because I had gotten every single one right.
Brighton Group had its hand in a vast range of industries, and every single one of those families relied on the company's goodwill to make a living.
I announced in a firm, resonant voice, "As of today, Brighton Group is terminating its partnership with all of you."
They were first startled. But then, they burst into laughter and crowded around Jana.
"Everyone, look. This guy's snapped. First, he claimed to be Ms. Webster's real husband, and now, this is even more insane. He actually thinks he can speak for Brighton Group and terminate our partnership."
One scoffed and said, "Who the heck do you think you are? Ms. Webster hasn't even said a word, and you're losing your mind? Does anyone have the number for a mental hospital? Someone, get this man admitted!"
Jana's gaze grew darker, her face clouding over with menace.
She stepped forward and said to me in a low voice, "Lamont, I've already secured my position at Brighton Group. Do you really think you can stir up any waves? Are you still the one in charge? Just go home already."
I gave her a meaningful look. But instead of answering her, I turned to those who were mocking me and to Barton.
"Everyone has been mistaken about one thing. It's true that Jana is the general manager of Brighton Group, but I'm the one who calls the shots!"
Barton was first stunned, then laughed so hard tears came to his eyes.
"He's really lost it. After all these years at Brighton Group, I only ever knew Jana as the general manager and have never seen this lunatic around. He probably doesn't even know where the company's main entrance is."
I smiled and said nothing, as my people would be arriving soon.
Given Barton's position, he'd never made it past the tenth floor. So, how could he have ever seen me on the 35th floor?
Everyone else joined in the laughter, but Jane's gaze toward me had turned downright venomous. I knew it was because she was afraid.
Just then, Leah's phone rang. The moment she answered, she let out a piercing scream as if struck by a huge blow.
The phone was on speaker.
"Look at you, barely grown and already pulling scams with your deadbeat dad! Just how shameless can you get?"
I quickly hung up. Only then did I realize someone had posted today's events online. Some had even twisted the facts to slander Leah and me and leaked Leah's phone number and school.
I turned toward Barton.
He was smirking at me provocatively, mouthing, "My gift for you. Do you like it?"
Leah had already begun to tremble all over.
A torrent of online abuse flooded in, along with one harassing phone call after another.
Those parents, eager to show off in front of Jana, surrounded Leah and me. Harsh insults and vicious curses came out of their mouths.
"See? The public sees right through you. You and your daughter belong in the gutter!"
"You dare impersonate a Brighton Group executive? Just wait until they sue you into bankruptcy! The company's legal department is famously relentless. You won't even have a place to cry later, because you'll have lost your house!"
Someone winked and sneered. "That's easy enough. This guy looks like a pretty boy. Maybe he'll just crawl into some rich woman's bed. Then, he'll have a place to cry."
At that moment, two luxury black minivans came roaring in.
Someone with sharp eyes couldn't help but shout, "That's Brighton Group's logo! Senior management is here!"
Those sycophants puffed up with pride, stepping closer and closer to Leah and me. Their mouths opened and closed like venomous snakes baring their fangs.
"You and your daughter are done for now. Ms. Webster really doesn't mess around. This wasn't just an empty warning—she's playing for keeps. You're gonna lose your shirts on this one!"
Someone even raised their phone, staring at Leah and me with a predatory gleam in their eyes.
"Hey, everyone. We have the latest update on the 'mooching man tries to scam female CEO' saga, now trending at number one. Hit that follow button, and I'll go live for you.
"You won't want to miss how this business mogul tears that arrogant loser apart!"
Barton cast an affectionate glance at Jana, his face lighting up with surprise. When he looked at me, his arrogance and smugness were completely unconcealed.
Beside him, Trenton puffed up with pride.
