Chapter 2

Jasmine's face turned from pale to green. She dug her nails into her palm, forcing out a wronged smile.

"Sarah, I know you resent us, but back then, I had no choice..."

"If Liam hadn't left, his future would have been ruined. I was just trying to help him."

As she spoke, her eyes welled up, and she gazed tearfully at Liam.

Liam's heart immediately went out to her. He pulled Jasmine into a hug, then turned, glaring at me fiercely.

"Sarah, stop being so sarcastic! If it weren't for me, you'd still be a faded, frumpy housewife with nothing!"

"I'm willing to acknowledge Noah, that shows I'm being generous! Don't be ungrateful!"

He grew more agitated, spittle nearly flying into my face.

"The car you're driving? Did your poor husband buy it? Could he afford it? You're still spending my money!"

"I'm telling you, I'm taking this kid with me today! And you, you're coming back with me too!"

"My money?"

I felt like I'd heard the funniest joke, and I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Liam, three years ago, you took the two million dollars my parents gave me for a house, plus all my savings from five years of work. Shouldn't we settle that score?"

At the mention of money, Liam's face instantly twisted into a foul expression.

He squeezed my wrist with such force that I heard a crisp crack.

"You dare bring up money? That was for my startup! For our future!"

"What does a woman like you need so much money for? Isn't it all just going into that car now, to make your toy boy look good?"

I gasped in pain, cold sweat beading on my forehead. Seeing me bullied, Noah's dark eyes instantly turned cold. He struggled free from my arms and, like an angry little beast, bit Liam's hand.

"Bad man! Don't bully my mommy!"

Liam yelped, violently shaking his hand. Noah stumbled from the force, almost falling.

My heart clenched. I quickly caught my son, shielding him behind me.

Liam stared at the deep teeth marks on the back of his hand, his eyes red with fury. He raised his hand, ready to strike Noah.

"You little punk! Just like your mother, an ungrateful little monster!"

His palm never landed. A sudden force grabbed his arm.

Mr. Miller, the company's security chief, arrived with two other guards, sternly holding Liam back.

"Sir, please show some respect! This is company property, not a place for you to cause a scene!"

Liam struggled, cursing loudly. "Who do you think you are?! Trying to interfere with my family matters? I'm her husband!"

Jasmine shrieked, pointing her finger at my face.

"Sarah, you vicious woman! You actually called security to hit the child's biological father! Is your heart made of stone?!"

She cried dramatically, like a damsel in distress, as if I were the villain.

I couldn't be bothered to waste any more breath on them. I pulled out my phone and aimed the camera at their ugly faces.

"I've already called the police. Keep making a scene, and you'll be arrested."

Seeing my phone camera, Liam and Jasmine's arrogance instantly deflated.

Liam shot me a hateful glare, lowering his voice in a threat.

"Sarah, just you wait! I'm telling you, I've done my research. Your husband, Julian, is just a regular college professor!"

"I'm putting it out there right now. Tomorrow, I'll go to his university. Let's see what a poor professor like him can do against me!"