Chapter 1

I was just leaving a charity auction when I unexpectedly saw my daughter, Keira Fraser, picking up trash by the side of the road. She was supposed to be in preschool.

I asked her what was going on, but she just shook her head with tears in her eyes, too scared to speak. Sensing something was off, I gently lifted her shirt and saw her arms and back covered in bruises.

My whole body trembled with rage. I quickly took a photo and sent it to the preschool parents' group chat, demanding, "Who did this?"

Almost immediately, a woman named Teresa Evans, listed as "Darius Fraser's mom", responded smugly.

"My son, Darius, did! She didn't call him 'Mr. Fraser' when she saw him, so I figured she might as well get a taste of the kind of life trash from the bottom should experience. What's wrong with that?"

Then, she added, "My husband is Bradley Fraser, the richest man in the country. Do you have a problem with that?"

Before I could even reply, Keira's homeroom teacher, Mariam Schultz, tagged Teresa and chimed in, "Darius really lives up to his status as Mr. Fraser's son. His way of teaching someone a lesson was totally appropriate.

"From now on, Darius is our class' leader. Anyone who disrespects him gets kicked out and punished. Picking up trash will be the standard."

Other parents started chiming in, praising Teresa like she was some kind of royalty. Some even said their kids were going to be Darius' loyal followers.

One parent even tagged me and said, "Getting disciplined by the wealthiest man in the country is a blessing. Don't be ungrateful."

I was stunned and furious. After all, Bradley was MY husband, and he had been bedridden and paralyzed for the past ten years. While holding Keira in my arms, I fired off a message to our corporate legal team.

"Find out exactly who's going around impersonating Bradley and flaunting his identity. And also, Keira was beaten up at preschool. I need a team over there now—I want these people to pay for what they did!"

Once that was settled, we drove straight to the preschool. The moment we arrived, I saw Teresa standing at the front gate, surrounded by a crowd of Keira's classmates' parents.

Someone exclaimed, "Teresa, you really know how to stay low-key. If this hadn't happened, we never would've known your husband is Mr. Darius Fraser!"

"I noticed your elegance at first glance! That's the kind of presence only true wealth can have!"

Another chimed in, "We came today just to back you up. Darius is the class' leader, and we can't let any random nobody bully him!"

"Exactly! If even Darius had to step in himself, then the other kid must be rotten to the core. I've already told my son to be Darius' loyal wingman and protect him at all costs!"

Even Mariam bowed and scraped in front of Teresa like a servant. She said, "Mrs. Fraser, we've already added your brilliant discipline method to our preschool's student handbook. From now on, anyone who disrespects Darius will be dealt with in the same way."

She continued, "And please let us know what Darius likes to eat. We'll make sure the school lunches are tailored to his tastes going forward."

Teresa soaked in the flattery like a proud peacock, basking in her newfound fame.

Before Bradley's illness, he was always tied up with work. Out of love and concern for him, I worked alongside him, pulling all-nighters, drafting proposals, and attending client meetings by his side.

We spent years fighting tooth and nail together to build Zenith Group into the top corporation in the country. But just as we reached the peak, Bradley collapsed from exhaustion and suffered a stroke. He hadn't stepped out of bed in ten years.

And now, the status and empire we built with our blood, sweat, and youth had somehow become Teresa's badge of honor.

I was beyond furious. But more than that, I was confused as to who had the audacity to impersonate Bradley, giving Teresa the guts to act like a queen and bully Keira to this extent.

The moment I showed up, the parents who had been sucking up to Teresa just seconds ago all turned cold. They frowned the instant they saw me and looked me up and down with disgust, regarding me like I was some kind of disgusting, unwanted filth.

Chapter 2

Then, Mariam marched straight over, her face cold and full of contempt. "Ms. Campbell, our preschool director, Ms. Ginny Barlow, asked me to inform you that Keira has been expelled, effective immediately. You better start teaching your daughter some manners before she bites off more than she can chew."

I stared her down and said in a cold voice, "Keira was assaulted on your campus and forced to pick up trash. Instead of seeking justice for her, you expelled the victim just to curry favor with the rich and powerful."

But Mariam didn't even flinch, replying with disdain, "This is a prestigious academy for the elite. Of course, we prioritize status. The Frasers aren't someone low-level trash like you can afford to offend!"

My face turned dark as I shot back, "You better find out who I am before you run your mouth."

Before Mariam could respond, Teresa suddenly stepped in front of me. With no warning, she slapped me hard across the face.

She hissed, "Who the hell do you think you are, screaming about status like it means something? Even if you're someone, do you think your status is higher than mine, the wife of the wealthiest man in the country?

The unexpected slap stunned me. Before long, the other parents immediately jumped in, pointing fingers and hurling insults.

"This is hilarious. She's talking to Mrs. Fraser, and she's still pretending like her status means something."

Another chimed in, "She clearly lives in a different world. She doesn't even understand what it means to be a real power player."

"Getting smacked by Darius should be an honor for her little brat. I don't get why she's so upset."

Their words poured down like acid, vicious and shameless. Someone even spat at me, saying I was filthier than garbage. I peeled off my soiled coat and tossed it into a trash bin.

Then, I turned and looked Teresa dead in the eye. I growled, "You let Darius bully Keira, and now you're putting your hands on me. Do you seriously think you're untouchable? Aren't you afraid of legal consequences?"

Teresa laughed like I'd just told the world's funniest joke. Do you think the law can touch me?"

She lifted her designer purse proudly and waved it in my face. "Do you see this bag? Bradley gave it to me. Just this scarf alone could buy your lives—both you and your daughter's!"

I narrowed my eyes and studied the bag. It was definitely worth a fortune, but something about it looked familiar.

So, I looked Teresa in the eye and said seriously, "Did you say your husband is Bradley Fraser? Great—call him here. I want to see him."

Bradley had been in a vegetative state for a decade, completely paralyzed and bedridden. Even with the best doctors I could hire, nothing could cure him. Keira was born through IVF, conceived using his preserved sperm, because I wanted to leave him a legacy before it was too late.

There was no way a man who couldn't even tend to himself had gotten remarried and had a five-year-old child. I wanted to know exactly who had the guts to impersonate Bradley and empower Teresa and Darius to trample over others like this.

When I said that, Teresa scoffed and let out a sharp snort, her face twisted with disdain. "Do you think someone like you—bottom of the barrel trash—deserves to meet Bradley? Do you really think you've got the right to demand to see him? Give me one good reason."

I looked her straight in the eye and said, "Because I'm Bradley's legal wife."

The moment those words left my mouth, the crowd burst into laughter.

Teresa sneered and glanced at the car I had parked behind me, then mocked, "I figured there'd be women trying to climb the ladder by latching onto Bradley, but you? Driving that ancient, beat-up local junker and daring to call yourself his wife? That's a new one."

She snorted and added, "Look at you—so pathetic. Do you think you even come close to being in the same league as me?"

Chapter 3

The parents turned their eyes toward my car and instantly burst into louder, more merciless ridicule. Someone mocked, "Oh my, I'd rather die than be seen driving around in that garbage heap!"

Another added, "The real Mrs. Fraser is standing right here, and she's still out here putting on an act. Talk about shameless!"

"Just look at her—poor and desperate. You can tell her daughter no better. The two of them were clearly born to be stepped on."

"I don't get why people like her force themselves into an elite preschool like this. It's disgusting!"

The car behind me was a birthday gift from Bradley ten years ago. It might have been a Redhawk model from a local automaker, but it definitely wasn't cheap.

It just looked modest and wasn't commonly seen, so most people didn't know its worth. Nonetheless, I never imagined that the car's understated design would become the very thing they used to discredit me.

Teresa shouted, "Today, I'm going to show you what happens when you pretend to be me—Mrs. Fraser!"

Before I could even explain, she bent down, picked up a loose brick from the sidewalk, and started smashing my car with full force. She didn't spare anything, shattering the windows and headlights, and even bashing the hood like it was personal.

The other parents quickly joined in, grabbing whatever they could find to join the destruction. Once the glass was broken, they climbed inside and began slashing the seats and tearing apart the interior like maniacs. Within minutes, the clean, well-kept car was reduced to a crumpled pile of wreckage.

"Look, there's stuff in her trunk!" one parent shouted in surprise after prying it open.

Teresa strutted over, casually pulling out a framed painting, and scoffed. "Does someone who drives junk like this really think she could fake sophistication with some fake art collection?"

Without hesitation, she ripped the artwork in half right in front of my face.

Everything in the trunk had just come from the charity auction—I hadn't even had time to bring them home yet.

Watching her tear through the delicate artwork without a second thought, I warned in a low voice, "Those weren't cheap. I hope you're just as generous when it comes time to pay for the damage."

Teresa laughed scornfully and snapped, "Do you think someone like you could own anything valuable? It's probably a bunch of worthless knockoffs—not even worth my lunch. And let's be clear—I'm Mrs. Fraser. Even if you sue me, no court would dare make me pay a dime."

Then, she went back to smashing the other antique pieces without a shred of remorse. With her taking the lead, the rest of the parents went wild, ripping and smashing every item I had just spent a fortune on.

They were like a pack of hyenas, completely lawless. I pulled out my phone and made a call, my voice icy.

"Why aren't you here yet? I want you in front of me within three minutes!"

Before the person on the other end could respond, one of the parents snatched my phone and slammed it hard onto the pavement. She spat, "Are you trying to call in backup? You're pathetic. Do you think some nobody from the gutter, putting on airs like you, actually matters?"

Another chimed in, "What's with the act? Are you running for a Best Actress award? Who do you think you are?"

"This is hilarious. What's she gonna do—summon a bunch of hobos to back up her sad little act?"

They laughed wildly, mocking me without restraint.

I stared at my shattered phone on the ground and said coldly, "I hope you're all still laughing in a few minutes."

Then, I turned to Mariam and asked, "Keira was bullied right under your nose. You knew about it and let it happen, didn't you?"

Mariam narrowed her eyes at me with open disgust and said, "So what if I did? A useless kid with a poor mother is nothing but society's trash. Darius was just making her clean up the trash. What's wrong with that?"

Chapter 4

The moment Mariam said that, the parents erupted into applause. "That's why Ms. Schultz is the best homeroom teacher. She's fair, sharp, and totally unbiased!"

Another said, "Exactly. This is an elite academy, not some place where street rats can just wander in."

One mocked, "Do poor kids even need school? They're either going to work with their hands or sell their bodies. Honestly, Keira looked like she was enjoying picking up trash—might as well start training her now! Who knows, maybe she'll find something more valuable than that junk car her mom drives!"

Teresa became even more arrogant, her voice full of venom. "People born at the bottom should know their place. Trash like you was born to crawl and get kicked around—nobody in this world will ever respect you."

Every corner of the crowd was filled with insults. The harsher their words, the brighter Teresa's smile became.

Mariam took the chance to flatter her once again, saying, "Mrs. Fraser, Ms. Barlow said if this whole situation ends in a way that pleases you, she hopes you'll return the favor.

"You know we're planning to expand the campus, and the surrounding land belongs to Zenith Group... So, we were wondering—"

Teresa crossed her arms and lifted her chin, acting like she ruled the entire city. "Relax. I'm satisfied with how you handled things today. When the time comes, I'll tell Bradley to give you all the land you want."

Mariam beamed like she'd just won the lottery. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Fraser!"

Other parents rushed in, too, voices eager and full of desperation. "Teresa, my husband's company used to work with Zenith Group, too. If possible, could we get some priority in future projects?"

Someone said, "My firm's shifting industries. I really hope there's a chance to collaborate with Zenith someday."

"Teresa, here's a no-limit shopping card from my department store. Please take it—we'd love to spend more time with your family!"

In an instant, they surrounded her, pulling out all the stops to flatter her. One even slipped a bank card straight into Teresa's designer bag.

Teresa basked in it all, radiating arrogance from head to toe. She slowly walked back to me, sneering.

She hissed, "You feel it now, don't you? The difference between people like us is bigger than between masters and their mutts! You? You'll never know what it feels like to be admired and worshipped like this. Not in this life.

"But me? I'm the wife of the wealthiest man in the country, so I enjoy honors you can't even dream of. You've got one day to disappear from this city with your garbage daughter. If I ever see Keira tainting Darius' sight again, I'll bury your little mutt alive."

Keira, trembling, clung to me in fear. "Mommy, my foot hurts so bad... Can we just go, please?"

I noticed that her voice was filled with terror and pain. Then, I gently took off her little leather boot, and what I saw nearly stopped my heart.

One of her toes was missing, and the wound was horrifying. Moreover, blood had soaked the inside of her shoe so badly that I could pour it out.

My chest felt like it was being crushed, and tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably. I couldn't even begin to imagine how my gentle, pain-averse little girl had managed to endure that kind of injury in silence for so long.

I glared at Teresa with fury blazing in my eyes. "Was this Darius' doing, too?"

Teresa barely glanced at me and said coldly, "What are you so worked up about? Your brat pissed off Darius. You should be grateful he didn't just kill her."

Before she could even blink, my hand whipped across her face with a loud, resounding slap.