Chapter 5

“Feeling down, Scarlett? David just doesn't believe you.” Addison leaned closer, her eyes openly provocative.

“You and that worthless child of yours… you don’t mean much to David, do you?”

In an instant, it clicked. It was her!

I suppressed an almost overwhelming rage and asked, “Was it you? Did you put seafood in the meat pie?”

“It was me, so what? I…”

Before Addison could finish, I slapped her hard across the face.

My palm was numb and trembling, but I didn't feel it, only staring intently at Addison, wanting to tear her apart.

I could tolerate her usual targeting of me. I had decided to leave, and I would tolerate what I could, refusing to get entangled with her.

But Stockton was my bottom line!

Addison didn't expect me to strike. She froze for a full two seconds, clutching her face, her beautiful features contorting into a snarl.

She raised her hand to strike back, but when she caught sight of someone behind me, her movement abruptly stopped.

“David…” She changed her expression in a second, putting on a tearful, on the verge of crying look, and threw herself into David’s arms.

“I saw Ms. Scarlett lingering downstairs, so I thought she was worried about Stockton and came to persuade her, but then she suddenly hit me…”

“A vicious woman like her, who would even harm her own child to compete for attention, how could she truly care about Stockton? She just wants an opportunity to put on a show of maternal love.”

David hugged Addison, comforting her. His gaze, usually cold, turned icy as he looked at me. “Slap her back. This time, I won't hold it against you!”

He trusted her that much…

Time and again, without even asking, he powerfully stood up for her.

The words “put on a show of maternal love” echoed in my mind. My heart felt like it was being torn by a blunt knife, making my fingertips recoil.

“David, why don’t you ask me why I hit her?” I spoke slowly, every word deliberate and serious.

“Your mistress just confessed herself that she swapped the meat pie I made for Stockton and added seafood to it!”

“Scarlett, your lying skills are truly as despicable as your character,” David scoffed coldly.

“Although Addison is innocent and a bit mischievous, she always knows her boundaries and treats Stockton like her own child. How could she do such a thing?!”

He stopped listening to my explanation and had his bodyguards restrain me.

At David’s instruction, the bodyguards swung their arms, slapping me repeatedly across the face.

My cheeks burned, quickly swelling, my mind went blank, and my ears rang incessantly.

“You’re reluctant to do it yourself, so I have to get others to do it,” David said, walking up to me after the tenth slap. He looked down at me.

“This is a warning to you. I will return what you did to Addison tenfold. Don’t let me see a next time!”

Pain spread from my cheeks, but more than that, it was humiliation and disgrace.

I collapsed onto the ground, utterly exhausted, watching David’s retreating back and Addison’s secretly smug eyes. My chest felt like it was stuffed with expanding cotton, and my eyes stung with tears.

Don’t rush… I can leave in just one more week…

Once I’m away from these rotten people and rotten situations, I can live my own life…

Stockton woke up that evening.

Seeming to know I would be leaving soon, he insisted on being discharged against the doctor’s advice and presented me with his third wish.

He wanted to go to the amusement park I designed with me.

This amusement park was the first major project I was responsible for after joining the Williams Group, and it was a sore spot for me.

I poured my heart and soul into this project, drawing blueprints day and night, but the final credit was given to Addison, who just used it to pad her resume.

So, after the amusement park was built, I never visited it once.

But with my departure imminent, I naturally wouldn't refuse Stockton.

I spent the afternoon with Stockton at the amusement park, taking many photos of him and even showing him the hidden features of various rides.

He was, after all, a seven-year-old child. His cool demeanor quickly melted away, his eyes bright and smiling.

It wasn't until night had completely fallen, and Stockton was tired from playing, that he sat down to rest in a small pavilion. I bought him an ice cream, which was usually strictly regulated.

Just as I was about to tell him it was time to go home, the pavilion's beam suddenly snapped, and it instantly collapsed.

“Stockton!”

My pupils constricted, and my heart seemed to stop along with time.