Chapter 3

I didn't want to go, but then I heard Leo's shouts in the background, and my heart tightened. I immediately got up and rushed to the hospital.

No matter his issues, Leo is still the son I carried for nine months. And his outbursts have been slowly decreasing; he's capable of understanding reason now.

If it weren't for Mrs. Miller's constant interference, Leo's condition would probably have improved significantly by now.

When I arrived at the hospital room, I found Leo on the floor, crying his heart out, screaming "no little brother!" and "I hate little brothers!"

Derek was holding him by the collar, yelling at him.

I rushed over, pulling Leo into my arms. "Derek, what are you doing? The doctor said not to agitate Leo, have you forgotten?"

"Didn't you say Serena was so gentle and caring? Is this how she looks after Leo?"

I shot a chilling glare at Serena.

Derek let go, his face dark. "This is all because you spoil him! He just needs a good beating to learn his lesson."

"Serena was kindly buying him food, and he viciously kicked her in the stomach! What kind of monster will that child become when he's older?"

Before I could speak, Serena, feigning fragility, quickly interjected.

"Honey, I really was taking good care of Leo. But he's... developmentally challenged. I was just thinking, if he had a younger sibling, they could look after him later and also inherit AlphaCorp, bringing honor to your name."

"AlphaCorp is such a big company; we can't possibly leave it to Leo, can we?"

Only then did I notice the long scratches on Serena's face, her eyes bruised black like a panda's, as she glared at me with hatred.

Serena's provocations were always blatant.

After all, she wasn't just Derek's best bedmate, but also his most capable assistant.

She was a Harvard MBA grad, outwardly pure but with a seductive charm that made men drool.

She'd even sent me videos of them tied up with whips in bed, openly taunting me to learn how to "satisfy a man."

My arms instinctively tightened around Leo, covering his ears.

"Serena, you pathetic mistress, and your unborn bastard who doesn't know his place—how dare you call Leo 'developmentally challenged' and dream of inheriting my company? Not a chance."

Serena's face flushed red, and tears welled in her eyes.

"Ms. Hayes, I only said Leo was 'challenged' because I feel for Derek, working so hard, hoping for a helper later. How can you be so vicious, cursing my baby?"

I frowned, about to tell her she was delusional, when Derek's enraged voice cut in.

"Chloe, I think you've completely ruined Leo. He's inherited your malice deep in his bones."

"Tomorrow, I'm sending Leo to a special education school, and you can go with him to take care of him. Serena will take your VP position. She's all the help I need at the company now."

I stared at Derek in shock, biting my lip hard.

If I wasn't afraid of scaring Leo, I would have kicked him, slapped him senseless, and taught him what it meant to be a decent human being.

Before I could even speak, Leo suddenly shot forward like a little rocket, slamming his chubby head directly into Serena's stomach.

"I don't want to go to special school! That place is full of bad kids! I'm not a bad kid!"

Serena immediately cried out, collapsing to her knees, clutching her stomach and wailing.

I rushed over, pulling Leo into my arms, trying to comfort him.

Mrs. Miller had once threatened to send him to a special school after he bit her, claiming it was full of "tigers and snakes that eat naughty children."

From that moment, terror had taken root in Leo's young heart.

Derek instantly exploded in fury. He grabbed Leo by the back of his shirt collar and slapped him across the head.

"You little monster! How dare you lay a hand on Serena? I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

As his hand came down again, I spun, shielding Leo. The slap landed squarely on my head, my ears ringing violently.

Leo seized the opportunity and bit Derek's hand. Derek cried out in pain and flung Leo against the wall. Leo's forehead hit the wall, and blood immediately gushed out.

My pupils dilated. I raised my hand and slapped Derek across the face.

"Derek, you're doing this to Leo for some cheap woman? Are you even human?"

I rushed over and scooped up the unconscious Leo.

Seeing his son unconscious, Derek also calmed down, his face dark. "This child is completely beyond hope. All thanks to your wonderful parenting."

I cradled Leo's head, straightened up, and stared at Derek coldly.

"Derek, let's divorce. I'll take my twenty percent of the shares, plus another ten percent for Leo. That way, you won't be delayed in having your 'excellent son' with your little mistress."