Chapter 4

Leo, seeing me, cried out in surprise:

"Mom!"

He tried to break free from Scarlett's grip but was held firmly.

"Let me go! I want my mom! You bad woman!"

In front of so many people, Scarlett refused to release him.

The hand that had been clutching Leo changed direction.

By the time I realized what she was about to do, Leo had already cried out.

"Mom, help me!"

"She's pinching my hand, it hurts!"

I shot her a daggered look, and Scarlett also realized her slip-up.

Her grip loosened slightly, and Leo immediately stumbled towards my side.

I took out a tissue and gently wiped away Leo's tears, a wave of guilt washing over me.

If I had only realized something was wrong sooner, my Leo wouldn't have suffered so much.

Scarlett's face was terrible, but under my fierce gaze, she couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.

I stood up, my expression serious.

"I'm talking to you, Mark. Can't you hear me?"

"Answer me!"

"Who is Leo's mother?!"

Mark chose to play dumb, refusing to answer. Scarlett followed suit.

Did they actually think I was some fragile little thing they could walk all over?

The parents behind me started murmuring, the previously one-sided situation beginning to shift.

【Celeste has such a strong presence, there’s no way she’s a nanny.】

【Exactly, and Ms. Scarlett just pinched Leo. I wouldn't hurt my own child like that.】

【Leo’s eyes look a lot like Ms. Celeste’s, actually.】

【Someone's got a guilty conscience and is afraid to speak. Can't you see the truth here?】

I clapped my hands, and my bodyguards entered, moving swiftly.

They 'escorted' the pair off the stage, then, holding Leo, I slowly walked up.

"Leo, tell them who your mom is."

Leo blinked his big eyes and spoke.

"Celeste is my mom."

"Did Dad and Mom get a divorce?"

"No."

"Has Mom ever taught you what someone like Ms. Scarlett is called?"

Leo tilted his head, feigning thought, then pointed sharply at Scarlett.

"The other woman! Ms. Scarlett is the homewrecker who ruined Dad and Mom's relationship!"

Immediately, the commotion in the audience intensified.

Scarlett broke out in nervous cold sweat.

With that kind of weak resolve, she actually thought she could be my son's mother? Pathetic.

"Ms. Scarlett, aren't you going to explain yourself?"

Scarlett, suddenly targeted, flinched like a startled bird.

Perhaps to save face, she clutched her chest and began to sob dramatically.

Her pitiful appearance would make anyone feel sorry for her. Her acting was commendable. Even A-list actresses couldn't conjure tears on cue like that.

Being a teacher truly was a waste of her "talent."

"Leo, you can't disown your mother just because she's strict with you."

"Mom only wants what's best for you!"

"You don't understand Mom's good intentions, and I don't blame you. But how can you acknowledge a nanny as your mother!"

Her tearful accusations quickly resonated with other parents.

When it came to problematic children, only parents could truly understand.

They would do everything they could to ensure their children had a good future and a place in society.

I sneered, walking step by step towards Scarlett.

The closer I got, the more terrified Mark and she became.

Uncertain of my intentions, they grew noticeably more agitated.

I extended my hand, but Scarlett instinctively flinched, shielding her face.

"What are you scared of, Ms. Scarlett? I'm just reaching for the projector remote."

Scarlett lowered her hand, adjusted the unnatural expression on her face, and spoke calmly.

"Celeste, I was only doing you a favor by letting you be our family nanny. Don't push your luck. Don't forget your place."

I thought to myself, the heiress of Sterling Enterprises, reduced to a nanny. What a joke.

After grabbing the remote, I turned on the projector.

I logged into SnapChat on the computer, then opened an official government records site to check our marriage status.

My official marriage certificate.

It popped up, clearly displaying my and Mark's photos.

Bride: Celeste

Groom: Mark

Anyone with eyes could see who Mark's wife was.

Oh, and she'd also spread rumors in videos that I was his ex-wife.

I clicked on the divorce certificate section, which showed "empty."

Divorced?

Ex-wife?

Nanny?

My identity certainly was diverse.

I said nothing, but the blow to Scarlett's face was undeniable.

Slowly, I pulled a green booklet from my bag.

The cover, emblazoned with the words 'Birth Certificate' in bold, unmistakable letters, made Scarlett falter.

Projected onto the screen, beneath my son's full name, was the mother's name.

"Celeste" in large letters, which I manually zoomed in on.

"Ms. Scarlett, when did you change your name to Celeste? You didn't even inform everyone. As a teacher, deceit isn't a good trait, is it?"

"Or perhaps, Mark took you for plastic surgery, and before that, you actually looked exactly like me?"

Every word was a blatant jab at Scarlett and a searing indictment of Mark's infidelity.