My husband, Samuel Crawford, made an excuse about attending a company business meeting and refused to participate in our daughter's school activity. He also suggested that we should not participate either.

Seeing my daughter's disappointment, I decided to take her myself.

As soon as we entered the school, I spotted Samuel sitting on the stage with his ex-girlfriend, Monica Sterling, and her son. They looked intimate, appearing every bit like a perfect family of three.

Samuel spoke confidently into the microphone about achieving family harmony and career success. Throughout his speech, he occasionally exchanged glances and smiles with Monica.

The audience applauded enthusiastically. Samuel's expression grew increasingly smug, and even the little boy beside him wore an arrogant look.

Soon the Q&A session came. I then grabbed the microphone and asked, "Mr. Crawford, when did you have a son? Does your wife know about this?"

As soon as I finished speaking, the students and parents seated below erupted in whispers, shooting judgmental and disdainful glances my way.

"Who does she think she is? So disrespectful."

"She's clearly jealous of Mrs. Crawford and desperate for Mr. Crawford's attention. With him running a billion-dollar company, it's hardly surprising that some women fantasize about becoming his mistress."

"Absolutely shameless."

When Samuel Crawford spotted me from the stage, a flash of panic crossed his face, though he concealed it well. Monica Sterling, on the other hand, could not maintain her composure.

She put on a show of indignation and hurt. "Sam, what exactly is she implying?"

I ignored her theatrics and kept my focus on Samuel. "Mr. Crawford, you still haven't answered my question."

Samuel instinctively adjusted his glasses before pulling Monica and her son into an embrace for everyone to witness.

"This is my answer to you."

Monica's eyes filled with emotion as she deepened the embrace without hesitation. The crowd below erupted with sounds of admiration.

"Now that's true love! He's flaunting their happiness in public!"

"Mr. Crawford is truly the perfect man! Who'd expect such a wealthy man to turn out to be so devoted to his wife and son!"

Their looks toward me grew even more contemptuous.

"Tried to stir up trouble and got put in your place, didn't you?"

"How dare she even compare herself to Mrs. Crawford? Everyone knows Mrs. Crawford holds an executive position at Luminous Enterprise and is Mr. Crawford's capable partner. Some opportunistic mistress could never measure up!"

Just then, my phone vibrated with a message from Samuel.

"Claire, don't misunderstand. I promised Monica I'd pretend to be Milo's father for a day. The boy has never had a father—it's quite sad.

"But you not only ignored my wishes, but you're even humiliating me in public. Stop making a scene."

I could not suppress a cold smile. He was merely a son-in-law who married into the Beck family, and whether he could continue living off our wealth depended entirely on my approval.

Luminous Enterprise was founded by my grandfather, and I now controlled 75% of its shares.

I quickly messaged the HR and legal departments at Luminous Enterprise. Today, I would strip him of his position as general manager in front of everyone!

My daughter, Kaylee Beck, angrily spoke up as she was unable to bear the insults directed at me.

"That's nonsense! Samuel Crawford is my father, and my mom is his real wife! That woman is the mistress!"

The others burst into laughter, their tones growing increasingly mocking.

"Like mother, like daughter. She's so young yet she's already trying to climb the social ladder with such devious intentions!"

"Mr. Crawford is publicly showing his affection. How could their family of three possibly be fake?"

Milo, who had come down from the stage, suddenly rushed over and glared at Kaylee. "Who are you calling a mistress? You and your mother are desperate to take our place, aren't you? How pathetic!"

As he moved to strike her, I swiftly blocked him. My gaze settled on Samuel's face a few steps away.

"Samuel, I'm giving you one last chance. Are you going to explain yourself or not?"

Samuel frowned at me before responding coldly, "I don't know you, miss. While I pride myself on my civility, I won't tolerate repeated slander against my wife and son. Our company's legal team isn't just for show!"

Kaylee puffed up with anger and disbelief. "Dad, what are you saying? You don't recognize me and Mom anymore?"

The crowd around us burst into laughter.

"Little girl, you're getting carried away with your act. Before Mr. Crawford takes more drastic measures, you should grab your mother and leave. Luminous Enterprise isn't something ordinary people like you can mess with!"

Even Kaylee's classmates began to show their disgust. "Kaylee, how can you be so revolting? You seemed so well-mannered, but you're actually so conniving."

Kaylee grabbed Samuel's sleeve, pleading to him, "Dad, what's wrong with you? Why are you saying you don't know us? Stand up for me and Mom! Can't you hear how horribly they're talking about Mom?"

Samuel roughly shook off our daughter's hand, causing her to stumble backward. Her face crumpled with hurt.

Meanwhile, Monica interlaced her fingers with Samuel's, giving me a blatantly provocative look.

I immediately understood. Monica knew exactly who I was.

I then quickly reached for Kaylee's hand.

"Kaylee, remember my words. From now on, you don't have a father anymore."

As I finished speaking, Samuel's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Moments later, my phone vibrated again.

"Claire, I've already explained to you that I'm just being Milo's father for one day. Where's your empathy? If I acknowledged your identity, how would Monica and Milo face everyone afterward? How would Milo continue to go to school?”

"If you hadn't insisted on making a scene, none of this would have happened. You deserve the criticism you're getting. Take our daughter home and reflect on your behavior!"

I could not help but smirk coldly. It seemed his time as general manager had made him forget who had granted him that power in the first place.

At that moment, the teacher organizing the activity hurried over to mediate, announcing that the fun run activity was about to begin at the sports field.

As we walked toward the stadium, Monica brushed past me with a smug smile. "Trophy wives like you are meant to be discarded. Only career-oriented women like me deserve successful entrepreneurs like Samuel. If you're smart, you'll step aside voluntarily!"

I let out a cold laugh. Career-oriented woman, she said?

HR had just messaged me confirming that Monica had been promoted through Samuel's connections and did not even understand the basics of her job at the company.

Apparently, Monica only knew me as Samuel's wife but had no idea that I was the true leader of Luminous Enterprise.

The company's HR and legal departments informed me they had drafted termination and divorce papers and were driving over now.

I remained here for one purpose. That was to publicly tear apart Samuel and Monica's hypocritical facade in front of everyone! I was out to get justice for me and Kaylee!

Meanwhile, Samuel and Monica were escorted to the VIP viewing stand, where school officials and parents fawned over them with flattery. Samuel tilted his chin upward with an air of superiority, every feature of his face radiating smugness.

At the same time, Kaylee had taken her position on the track. She managed a weak smile in my direction, and I waved back in encouragement.

In an instant, disaster struck. Milo suddenly rushed onto Kaylee's lane and deliberately stuck out his leg. Caught completely off guard, Kaylee fell forward violently!

I raced over to her.

Kaylee's face was contorted in pain as large beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead. Both of her knees were bloody and raw.

My heart clenched with anguish.

The culprit wore a triumphant expression. Milo laughed victoriously before saying, "That'll teach you and your mother to know your place! Will you still dare to challenge us now?"

Furious, I moved to slap him, but Samuel blocked me, positioning himself protectively in front of the mother and son.

"Enough. They're just children playing around. Are you really going to make a big deal of this as an adult?"

I trembled with rage. "Playing? Open your damn eyes and look! Do you see how much pain she's in? This was clearly deliberate harm!"

Monica laughed softly, pulling out a wad of cash from her purse and tossing it onto Kaylee. Her eyes, however, were fixed on me.

"Isn't money what you and your daughter have gone to all this trouble for? Here's compensation for her injury. Take it and get lost!"

The watching parents broke into laughter, looking at Kaylee and me with contempt while continuing to flatter Samuel and Monica.

"See that? That's what happens when you offend powerful people. You just have to swallow your pride no matter how much it hurts!"

"Those two brought this on themselves by provoking Mr. Crawford's family first. They deserve everything they're getting. It would be justified even if her leg was broken!"

"Mrs. Crawford has already thrown money at you—now hurry up and leave!"

As Kaylee was being treated by the school nurse, she looked to Samuel for help, but he turned away.

The light in her eyes gradually dimmed. She took my hand and said, "Mom, you were right. From today onward, I don't have a father anymore."

When Samuel heard Kaylee's words, his brow furrowed imperceptibly, and he shot me an accusatory look.

My gaze drifted past him toward those who were fawning over the powerful while cursing Kaylee and me with the most venomous words.

I looked at each one deliberately, calling them out by name.

"The Zimmerman family in the aluminum alloy business, the Muller family in the cement industry, and the Sacha family with their soy processing business..."

As I calmly and clearly identified each one, these parents were stunned into silence, because I had named them all correctly.

Luminous Enterprise's influence stretched across numerous industries, and all of these people depended on the company's goodwill to make their living.

I announced firmly, "Starting today, Luminous Enterprise will terminate all cooperation with you."

They were surprised at first, then burst into laughter while crowding around Samuel.

"Look at this woman! She has gone completely mad! First, she claimed to be Mr. Crawford's real wife, and now she is even more ridiculous pretending to represent Luminous Enterprise and canceling our contracts!"

"Who the hell do you think you are? Samuel has not even spoken yet, and you are making decisions? Does anyone have the number for a psychiatric hospital? She needs to be committed!"

Samuel's eyes grew darker, and his face was tense. He stepped forward and said to me in a low voice, "Claire, I've secured my position at Luminous Enterprise. Do you really think you can cause any waves?

"You don't have full control anymore. Go back home now!"

I gave him a meaningful look without answering. Instead, I turned to those who were mocking me, as well as Monica.

"You've all been mistaken about one thing. Samuel may be the general manager of Luminous Enterprise, but I am the one who makes the decisions!"

Monica was surprised at first, then she collapsed into Samuel's arms laughing until tears came to her eyes. "She really has lost her mind.

"I've worked at Luminous Enterprise for so long, and I only know my husband as the general manager! As for this lunatic, I have never even seen her before. She probably doesn't even know which way the company's front door opens!"

I smiled silently. My people would arrive at any moment now.

With Monica's position, she would never have access beyond the 10th floor of the corporate building. How could she possibly have seen me when my office was on the 35th floor?

Everyone joined in the laughter, except for Samuel. The look in his eyes could only be described as venomous.

I knew why. He was afraid.

Just then, Kaylee's phone rang. When she answered it, she suddenly let out a piercing scream as if she had received a terrible shock!

The phone was on the speaker. "So young and already trying to seduce men with those pitiful eyes. When the mother fails, the daughter steps up. How absolutely disgusting..."

I quickly hung up, only to discover that someone had posted today's events online.

Especially the moment when Kaylee looked toward Samuel—it had been maliciously misinterpreted. Someone had even published Kaylee's phone number and school!

My gaze swept toward Monica. She was looking at me with a provocative smile, her lips silently forming the words, "My gift for you. Do you like it?"

Kaylee had begun trembling uncontrollably as relentless abuse flooded the internet, with one cyberbullying call after another coming through.

The parents who were eager to impress Samuel surrounded us, spewing harsh insults and vicious curses.

"See? The public sees right through you. You mother and daughter belong in the gutter!"

"How dare you impersonate Luminous Enterprise executives! Prepare to be sued into bankruptcy! Luminous Enterprise's legal department is notoriously ruthless—you will have nowhere to cry because you will not even have a house left!"

Someone sneered with exaggerated expressions. "That's easy enough to solve. These two are so shameless, they will probably just crawl into some man's bed. Then they will have somewhere to cry!"

Just then, two high-end black business vehicles roared into view. Someone with sharp eyes could not help but shout, “That's Luminous Enterprise's logo! The executives are here!"

The sycophants looked even more smug, closing in on Kaylee and me step by step. Their mouths opened and closed like venomous snakes with gaping jaws.

"You two are completely finished now. Mr. Crawford is truly formidable, and his warnings were not just talk. He is taking real action! You will be sued for every last penny that you will not even have the shirt off your back!"

Others raised their phones, their eyes gleaming predatorily as they looked at us.

"Internet friends, we have an update on the trending mother-daughter duo who tried to seduce a corporate magnate! Follow quickly, I am livestreaming! Watch as the powerful tycoon tears these gold-diggers apart!"

Monica gazed at Samuel affectionately, her face full of delight.

When she looked back at me, the arrogance and smugness on her face were completely undisguised, while Milo beside her stood with his nose in the air.