The swimming pool turned crimson. My son's body floated to the surface, covered in holes. Blood leaked from everywhere—his arms, his legs, places I couldn't even see yet. I dove in and dragged Leo to the edge. His swimsuit was writhing. Leeches. Hundreds of them. Someone had stuffed his trunks full of bloodsucking parasites before the race. The woman responsible stood poolside, laughing. Her son—the real culprit—slapped me across the face. Once. Twice. Ten times. "How dare a scholarship kid compete against the richest family in Manhattan?" She grabbed my hair, forcing me to my knees. "This is what happens when trash tries to climb above its station." Her smile was venomous. "One word from me, and you'll be exiled from New York society forever. Try me." I raised an eyebrow. Since when did the sole heir to the Sterling fortune become a "charity case"? I wiped the blood from my lip and pulled out my phone. Speed-dial: my husband. "Richard," I said calmly. "I heard a rumor that the Sterling family has a... bastard son. Is that true?" --- A male voice answered. Not Richard's. "Who the hell is this?" The assistant's tone was sharp. "Mr. Ashford doesn't have time for this. Vanguard Holdings will sue you into the ground if you keep harassing him." I froze. Ten years of marriage. He didn't even have my number saved. The voice on the other end kept yelling, but I wasn't listening anymore. My eyes locked onto the woman's wrist. A jade bracelet. Translucent green. My family heirloom. And the boy beside her—her son—was wearing the limited-edition watch I'd given Leo for his birthday. So that's how it was. If I hadn't come home early from my business trip, I never would've known. Richard had a mistress. And judging by the boy's age—exactly Leo's age—he'd been cheating since the day we conceived our son. He'd been eating at my table for a decade. Now he wanted to feast somewhere else. Fine. Let's see how he likes his last meal. I hung up. The referee smirked. "What's wrong? Realizing your little stunt didn't work?" She gestured toward the mistress with exaggerated respect. "This is Simone, wife of Richard Ashford, CEO of Vanguard Holdings. If you know what's good for you, you'll pull your son from the competition right now." The other parents chimed in. "Everyone knows Chase is the favorite to win. Why's some scholarship brat even allowed in the pool?" "Honestly, I'm worried my kid will catch something just swimming near him. Poor people carry diseases, you know." Their stares felt like knives. Leo trembled in my arms, his small body shaking. He clutched my sleeve, voice barely a whisper. "Mom, I didn't do anything wrong. I just... I heard first place gets $500. I wanted to buy you a present." His lips were white. "And if I get into the training program, it's free. Room and board. You won't have to spend money on me anymore." My heart shattered. Three years ago, I left for Europe to handle overseas operations. Before I left, I explicitly told Richard: give Leo a $50,000 monthly allowance. And now my son was competing for five hundred dollars. Before Leo could finish speaking, a swim goggle flew through the air. It hit him square in the groin. Chase sneered. "My dad booked out the entire Ritz for my victory party tonight. You really thought you could steal my trophy?" Leo collapsed, curling into a ball. Simone and Chase exchanged a glance. Her smile turned predatory. "If your son wants attention so badly, let's give him some." She raised her hand. A pack of photographers surged forward, cameras flashing. One of them grinned. "'Elementary School Swimmer Uses Leeches to Cheat—Story at Eleven.' This is gonna trend for sure." I stared at the flashing lights, my voice colder than ice. "Whichever outlet publishes a single photo will be erased from Manhattan by morning." The authority in my tone made every camera freeze mid-click. Leo's tears streamed down his face as he clutched himself, gasping in pain. "Mom... it hurts..." I pulled up his sleeve. The leeches had burrowed deep. Dozens of puncture wounds covered his skin. God only knew how much worse it was in the places I couldn't see. My hands shook as I dialed. "Arthur," I said quietly. "Leo's been injured. I need the best trauma team in the city at this location. Now." A pause. "And freeze all of Richard's access to company assets. Bring him to me. I don't care if you have to drag him." Arthur's voice was steady. "Understood, Miss Sterling. I'm en route."
Before I could lower my phone, Simone slapped it out of my hand. She tilted her chin up, eyes filled with contempt. "Still trying to call for backup? Pathetic." "You're not leaving until you and your brat get on your knees and apologize to my son." I laughed bitterly. "You attack my child, and you want us to apologize?" Chase crossed his arms, smug. "Everyone at school knows the rules. Anyone who crosses me crawls around the playground on all fours. Like a dog." He looked at Leo, his smile cruel. "Your son's the best at it, by the way. So obedient..." Leo whimpered and covered his head, his whole body trembling. I stroked his back, my voice soft. "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here now. The doctors are coming." Simone laughed. "Doctors? Let me show you what real power looks like." She snapped her fingers. Within seconds, every road leading to the venue was blocked. Barricades. Security. Nothing in or out. Leo's temperature spiked. Every second we waited, the leeches burrowed deeper into his flesh. My fury finally erupted. I slapped Simone across the face. "You gold-digging trash. You think you can block MY son from receiving medical care?" "The entire hospital network in this city is owned by the Sterling family. You have no authority here." I raised my voice, addressing the crowd. "My name is Victoria Sterling. I am the true owner of Vanguard Holdings." "If there are any medical professionals present, please help my son. The Sterling family will repay you generously." Silence. No one moved. Simone recovered from the slap, her face twisted in rage. "What are you waiting for?! Grab her!" Seven bodyguards rushed me. Within seconds, I was pinned to the ground. Simone's eyes gleamed with malice. "Make this bitch kowtow. Ninety-nine times. I want to hear her skull crack." Thud. Thud. Thud. My forehead slammed into the tile floor again and again. Warm blood trickled into my eyes, blurring my vision. Simone pulled out her phone, her voice sickly sweet. "Honey? Someone's bullying me. She says her name is—" Richard didn't even let her finish. "I don't care who she is. No one in this city can touch my wife and get away with it." His voice was firm, protective. "Do whatever you want to her. I'll handle the rest when I'm done with this meeting." The crowd whispered, delighted. "Did you hear that? Mr. Ashford doesn't even know who she is." "She's insane. Everyone knows Richard worships the ground Simone walks on. She's done for." Leo crawled toward Chase on his hands and knees, his voice breaking. "Please. I'll do anything. I'll be your dog. Just... don't hurt my mom anymore..." Chase kicked him in the face. His shoe ground into Leo's cheek. "Too late for begging now, loser." A voice boomed from the entrance. "STOP!"
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