---- Chapter 3 Tara was caught off guard for a moment. She approached me slowly and fixed her gaze on me." What did you say? Are you Preston's boss?" I met her eyes fearlessly and nodded. "Yes, 1 am- " She cut me off with raucous laughter. Pressing a hand on her stomach, she cackled. "Oh, that's hilarious! You must have lost your mind after I gave you a good beating! "Wake up and look in the mirror! A woman like you can't claim you're the CEO of Harlan Group!" Scanning me from head to toe with disdain, she snapped, "Yeah, I know the CEO of Harlan Group is a woman, but... you? Hahaha!" That day, I was dressed in a quiet luxury tailored outfit with no obvious logos. I wasn't wearing any jewelry or clutching a luxury bag. ---- Tara snorted. "Lie to yourself if you like, but don't do that to others." Carrying a look of contempt, Tara made her way to Emma. "Don't touch my daughter!" My mind was buzzing. I tried to rush to Emma's help, but Tara's lackeys pinned me down. "Emma, run!" I cried. Emma looked at me hesitantly. She didn't move, just stayed right by the teacher. She held Ms. Bloom's hand and asked, "Ms. Bloom, is my mommy a bad woman who breaks families?" My body froze when I heard the words from her mouth. Was "Ms. Bloom" Tara's friend? Rosie Bloom tenderly caressed Emma's head. However, her words dripped with venom. "Yes. Your mommy is a bad woman. If you're a good ---- girl, go give her a kick now." Emma's eyes took on a look of determination. She let go of Rosie's hand and approached me. Unease filled the pit of my stomach. When Emma was before me, I forced a smile. " Emma, stand behind me. I'll protect you." Emma did not wait for me to finish before she kicked me on the knee. "You're not my mom! You're a bad woman!" Tara threw her head back from laughter while praising my daughter for doing the right thing. I stared squarely at Tara as my heart broke into pieces. Why did Emma, my baby, who I'd lovingly raised, behave like this? She was just a five-year- old! Seeing red, I charged at Tara and Rosie to beat them up, but Tara's lackeys held me back. My last strand of sanity snapped when Emma