The marriage I once took pride in now seemed to be full of flaws and cracks.

Before I could even recover from my shock, Caleb suddenly rushed over and slapped Nancy across the face. "Your dad hit my mom earlier, so now, I get to teach you a lesson!"

Nancy's head tilted to the side, a large red print forming on her fair face. She was taller than Caleb by a head and stubborn and competitive like most kids her age, so she instinctively wanted to fight back.

At that moment, Logan grabbed her hands and pinched her wrists, his voice sharp. "Girls should never be so aggressive! You need some manners drilled into you!"

Seeing Nancy restrained, Caleb seized the opportunity to attack her, showering her with kicks and punches. Kids had no concept of holding back. Soon, bruises appeared on Nancy's body.

Tears streamed down her pitiful face, but she stubbornly bit her lip, refusing to let even a whimper escape.

"Stop it!" I yelled, trying to pull Caleb away in a panic, but Logan held me back.

"Come on, they're just kids playing. Don't get involved. Caleb is smart enough to know his limits. It'll be fine!"

I couldn't stand it anymore. My voice came out in a desperate roar. "That's your daughter, Claire! How can you just watch her being treated like this? Do you even feel anything for her?"

All Claire did was turn her head away and avoid my gaze. Softly but cruelly, she said, "That's my son too."

At that moment, Caleb landed a heavy kick into Nancy's stomach. She doubled over in pain, her face pale.

"Nancy!" I screamed, my heart nearly stopping.

She tried to shield her stomach with her hands, but Logan pinned her in place, leaving her little chance to protect herself. In the meantime, Claire seized my arm.

Their actions only made Caleb more brazen. He raised his foot, aiming for the knee she had already scraped.

"Enough!"

I yanked my arm free from Claire, lunged forward, and pushed Caleb back, wrapping Nancy safely in my arms. She trembled in my arms, her tiny hands clutching at my shirt.

Her voice came out weakly. "Dad, it hurts so badly…"

Meanwhile, Caleb had stumbled into a nearby table when I pushed him away. He cried loudly from the shock.

Logan was heartbroken. "My boy! Hey, you! Caleb is the future heir of Gibson Group! How could you ever make it up if you hurt him?"

The sound of Caleb's wailing prompted Claire to raise a hand. "You're vicious, Joseph!"

Just as the tension reached its peak and a hand was about to strike me, a sound came from the entrance of the hall.

A middle-aged man in a black jacket walked in, radiating authority. His gaze was sharp and calm, yet commanding. A secretary carrying a briefcase followed closely behind him.

Mr. Zimmerman, who was also the vice president of Claire's company, instantly changed his expression, smiling obsequiously.

"Mr. Davidson, what an honor to have you here! Ms. Gibson, allow me to introduce you—this is Mr. Arthur Davidson, the man I've been telling you about! He was just transferred to our state this year."

Seeing the newcomer, Claire was so shocked that her face was drained of all color. "D-Dad?"

I carried the injured Nancy in my arms. Seeing the familiar face, I also called out, "Dad."