At a swimming competition, someone put leeches in my daughter's swimsuit. When I dragged her out of the swimming pool, her body was covered in bite marks, and the pool ran red with blood. The culprit, meanwhile, was grinning like it was all a joke. He and his daughter slapped me across the face ten times and forced us to get on our knees and apologize. "Some charity case thinks she can compete with the heiress of Kingston's richest family? This is what you get. One word from me, and you'll be kicked out of the city." I raised an eyebrow. "I thought my daughter was the sole heiress of the Grant family. And since when did she become a charity case?" I wiped the blood off the corner of my mouth and dialed my wife's number. "I heard the Grant family has an illegitimate child. Is that true?" A strange woman answered the call. "Who are you? Some tabloid reporter? Stop pestering Ms. Stone. Or Vista Holdings will sue you into the ground!" I froze for a second. "We've known each other for thirty years, and Julia Stone hasn't even saved my number?" The woman on the phone kept ranting, but my eyes were locked on the emerald pendant resting against the man's chest. I recognized my family heirloom instantly. And the girl beside him was wearing a pink diamond bracelet. It couldn't have been more obvious. If I hadn't come home early this time, I might never have discovered that Julia had been cheating on me. The most ridiculous part? That illegitimate child was the same age as my daughter. So, she's bored with the comfort I provided. Then I'll let her learn the cost of betraying me. I hung up without another word. Seeing this, the referee smirked. "What, figured out calling for help won't work? This is Mr. Wilson Jones, husband of the CEO of Vista Holdings. Be smart, and pull your daughter out of the competition now." Parents watching nearby chimed in. "He's right. A kid on financial aid tries to steal the spotlight? Well, everyone knows Kelly Jones is the favorite to win." "I don't want my kid to swim in the same pool as Tessa Grant. What if she catches some diseases from her?" They looked at Tess with disgust. She trembled helplessly in my arms and clutched my hand, shaking her head in panic. "Dad, I didn't do anything wrong. I heard the winner gets a hundred dollars. I just wanted to win so I could buy you a gift. And if I win, I can get into a school for athletes. They cover food and housing, so I won't have to spend our family's money anymore." I stared at her pale face, feeling heartbroken. Three years ago, I went abroad for business. Before leaving, I had explicitly told Julia to give Tess 100 thousand dollars a month as an allowance. And three years later, my daughter was risking her life for a hundred bucks! Before she could finish speaking, a pair of goggles flew straight into her face. Kelly snarled, "Tessa Grant, you knew my mom already booked the most expensive hotel in Kingston for my celebration party, and you still dared to compete with me?" Tess curled up in pain. Wilson exchanged a look with Kelly, and a cruel smile played on his lips. "Since your daughter wants attention so badly. I'll let her have it." He signaled with his hand. The reporters behind him immediately raised their cameras and started to snap photos of Tess like crazy. One of them said excitedly, "An elementary school student uses leeches for performance enhancement in a desperate bid for attention. This will make tomorrow's headlines." My voice cut through the clicks of the cameras, cold as ice. "If any outlet publishes a single photo, I'll make sure it disappears from Kingston for good." Sensing my tone, the reporters froze. Tess was sobbing uncontrollably, desperately covering her private areas. "Daddy, it hurts so much…" Frantically, I pulled up her sleeve. The leeches had burrowed deeper, leaving bleeding holes all over her skin. I could only imagine how unbearable the pain must be in her most sensitive areas. My hands shaking, I made another call. "Madam Chase, Tess is injured. Bring Kingston's best medical specialists to the aquatic center immediately. Also, freeze all of Julia's access and bring her to me." The sound of a car door unlocking came through the phone. "Understood. I'm on my way."
Before I could put down my phone, Wilson knocked it out of my hand. He lifted his chin arrogantly, eyes full of contempt. "Calling for backup? You have no idea who you're dealing with. Now get down on your knees and apologize to Kelly. Or you and your daughter aren't going anywhere today." I let out a cold laugh. "You hurt my kid, and now you want us to apologize?" Kelly crossed her arms, completely unapologetic. "Everyone at school knows that if you cross me, you'll have to get on all fours and be my pony while everyone watches." She turned to Tess and gave her an evil smile. "And your daughter was my favorite pony." Haunted by the memory. Tess clutched her head, her face twisting in pain. I gently rubbed her back. "It's okay, sweetie. Daddy's here. Hang on a little longer. The doctors will be here soon." Wilson sneered. "Doctors? Well, let me show you what I can do." At his signal, every road leading to the aquatic center was sealed off. No vehicles could get through. Tess started to spike a fever. Every second we waited, the leeches burrowed deeper. Something inside me finally snapped. I stepped forward and slapped Wilson across the face hard. "You pathetic clown, don't push your luck. Every major private medical institution in Kingston answers to the Grant family. What gives you the right to stop my daughter from getting help?" Dead silence. I looked around, my voice steady and clear. "I am Felix Grant, the one truly at the helm of Vista Holdings. If there is any medical professional here, please help my daughter. You'll be rewarded handsomely." But the crowd seemed glued to their seats. No one moved. Wilson finally snapped out of it, clutching his face and roaring in fury. "Don't just stand there. Get this bastard!" A dozen burly bodyguards came forward, overpowering me in seconds. Wilson stared at me with pure hatred. "Make him kneel and bow his head." Bang. Bang. Bang. My head was slammed against the marble floor again and again. Something warm and wet trickled into my eyes, blurring my vision. As he watched me being tormented, Wilson made a phone call. Hearing the panic in his voice, his assistant immediately transferred the call to Julia, who was in a meeting. Wilson said in a wounded tone, "Babe, someone's picking on us. He said he is..." Before he could finish, Julia exploded. "I don't care who he is! No one can push my husband around. Do whatever you want to him. I'll be there to finish the job once my meeting's over." The parents watching nearby exchanged gleeful looks. "This Felix put on a good act, but Ms. Stone doesn't even know who he is." "He must've lost his mind, laying hands on Mr. Jones. Everyone knows Julia worships her husband. This is about to get ugly." Tess scrambled on her hands and knees to Kelly. "I'm sorry. I'll be your pony for as long as you want. But please, let my dad go..." Kelly kicked Tess to the ground. Her hard shoe heel ground against Tess' face. "Begging now?" She sneered. "Too late." Just then, a voice cut through the chaos. "Stop it!"
An elderly woman with silver hair slowly walked in. Madam Chase had served as the Grant family's steward since my grandfather's time. In Kingston, everyone showed her respect. The energy in the room shifted the moment she walked in. When Wilson recognized her, he instinctively stood up and spoke politely. "Madam Chase, what brings you here?" She didn't even look at him and walked straight up to me. Her eyes were filled with guilt when she saw my injuries. "Mr. Grant, I failed you. I should have sent people to protect you." Before she could finish, she noticed the bleeding holes on Tess' arms. The usually composed elderly woman exploded. "Who did this?!" Wilson quietly took a step back. I grabbed Madam Chase's arm. "Where's the medical team? Why didn't they come with you?" Madam Chase hesitated, looking frustrated. "They were held back by Ms. Stone." She played a recording for me. Julia sounded indifferent. "Madam Chase, the teachers say Tess is doing fine at school. Just stay at the nursing home. We shouldn't tie up medical staff when there's no real emergency. I'll come pick you up in a couple of days, once Felix is back." Madam Chase is filled with remorse. "In the three years you were abroad, Ms. Stone sent me to a nursing home, using my poor health as an excuse. If I had discovered sooner what was happening to Tess..." My heart sank at her words. Julia hadn't just kept a boy toy and had a child with him. While I was abroad, she had been undermining my authority in the company. Back then, to protect her pride, I had never revealed her humble beginnings. I stayed in the shadows and encouraged her to build her own career. But she bit the hand that fed her. Seeing my gloomy face, Madam Chase added, "Don't worry, Mr. Grant. On my way here, I've notified the Grant family's private guards." That calmed my nerves a little. Anyone they deal with will either surrender, be broken, or die. Just then, a group of doctors came in. Madam Chase's face lit up. "Looks like Ms. Stone cares about you, after all." But to everyone's surprise, the medical team walked straight past us and surrounded Wilson instead. "Mr. Jones, Ms. Stone heard you were injured and sent us here immediately." Wilson froze for a moment. Then, after seeing the document a doctor handed him, his timidity vanished. He tossed the papers onto the floor in front of us. "Madam Chase, this is the board's latest decision. You are terminated for calling in a medical team on your own authority." Madam Chase's eyes narrowed. She snorted. "You don't have the authority to make that decision." Wilson smirked and said with contempt, "Let's be honest, you're nothing more than a lapdog. Julia can let you go whenever she likes." His eyes moved back and forth between Madam Chase and me, and then he started to smirk. "So that's it," he sneered. "I was wondering where Felix got his confidence from. Turns out you're his sugar mommy." Madam Chase shouted furiously, "Watch your mouth! How dare you spread lies about Mr. Grant!" Wilson let out a sharp laugh. "There's nothing I can't do. I can even kick you out of Kingston. No sweat." The large screen behind him lit up, displaying a photo of Tess. "As long as I put Tessa on the dark net blacklist, her life is over." I replied calmly, "Is that so? Then try me."
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