Chapter 3

Before I could react, Rick rolled up his sleeves.

Several long red scratches stood out clearly on his arm.

I couldn't help being startled.

Only then did I realize that he, who always hated the heat, was wearing long sleeves today.

"Rick, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Stop playing dumb!" Rick sighed and lowered his head.

He muttered under his breath, his voice quiet but loud enough for everyone there to hear.

"You throwing fits at home, cursing me, hitting me—fine, I could let that go."

"But I never imagined you'd turn your claws on a child."

"You really are beyond saving. I can't shield you anymore."

I stared at him in disbelief, backing away again and again until I nearly fell.

He caught me.

"I'm sorry, Moira. I'm a lawyer!"

"My professional ethics won't let me help you deceive everyone!"

Those few words all but confirmed that I was a devil with violent tendencies.

The crowd around us stirred, and some even pulled out their phones to take pictures.

"There's a demon among us!"

"That someone like that gets to teach and raise children is more terrifying than a horror story!"

"Even her own fiancé came forward to testify."

"When did I ever hit you?! You're talking pure nonsense!"

My finger trembled as I pointed at the man I had loved for eight years.

"Moira!" Rick cried out in anguish.

"Are you really going to force me to produce evidence?"

My mind went blank, and I couldn't get a word out.

Rick took out his phone and opened a recorded phone call.

"They're so annoying, chattering and squawking nonstop all day long!"

"One minute peeing, the next pooping, then needing their noses wiped."

"I honestly wish I could sew all these kids' mouths shut!"

That was my voice.

Then he opened a video.

In the video, I had a plastic bag over a kitten's head, the bag pulled tight, and I was swinging it hard.

My laughter could be heard too.

"Hahaha! That'll teach you to yowl! Feels great!"

A wave of fear crept up my back, leaving me cold all over.

"Did everyone hear that?! She's a psychopath."

At some point, Job's mother had started a live stream on her phone.

"My son Job was beaten by her, scared so badly he lost his soul!"

"He ran a fever the whole night through!"

"I just heard that Job's mother is a single mother," Rick said to the crowd, full of feeling.

"It's not easy raising a child all on your own."

"When her child was hurt, she didn't hit back to get even, and she didn't demand some outrageous payout."

"All she wants is for Ms. Lawrence to help call her child's soul back."

As a renowned lawyer, Rick was at his best in a courtroom, stirring people up.

Some of the parents around us were even moved to tears.

"Single mothers really do have it hard."

"As a parent, I understand that love for a child all too well!"

Others were indignant.

"It's just a soul-calling, it won't cost her a scrap of flesh, and she still won't do it! She's not even human!"

"If it were me, I'd hit back tenfold, a hundredfold! And make sure she went to jail!"

My chest was so tight I could barely breathe, and the curses around me made it impossible to lift my head.

Suddenly several pairs of feet stopped in front of me.

It was that band of con-artist shamans.

"It's getting late." Job's mother shot the shamans a look.

The men closed in around me.

"Ms. Lawrence, hurry up and cooperate."

Principal Finch urged them on.

"There'll be even more people at dismissal time. It reflects badly on the preschool!"

"Let's see which of you dares lay a hand on me!" I roared in fury.

"I'll do it!" Ferdinand shoved the shaman aside.

He kicked me square in the knee.

I couldn't hold back the pain and dropped to my knees.

"The masters have their spiritual cultivation to keep, so they shouldn't have to trouble themselves with you—don't push your luck!"

Ferdinand clamped down hard on my neck and forced me down; I couldn't break free.

"Masters, I'll hold her down, go ahead and begin!"

My heart went dead and cold, and I closed my eyes.

From Job's mother's live stream came her voice: "Everyone, come and witness this together."

"What are you doing to my daughter?"

My eyes flew open—my parents had come to save me!