Chapter 1

After finally dropping down to 98 pounds, I took a photo of the scale and posted it on my Snapchat Story to celebrate.

The very next day, a student's mother showed up at my school to file a complaint.

"She knows damn well I've been struggling with postpartum weight gain! Posting a triggering photo like that is a direct attack on me! She’s just trying to show off and seduce my husband!"

She tried to force me to my knees to apologize in front of everyone, and she even wanted to slash my face, claiming she was saving other marriages from a homewrecker.

But what she didn't know was that I am the sole heiress to a multi-billion-dollar empire. Working at this private preschool was just my way of experiencing the real world.

1

"Brenda, it's just a photo of a scale. Aren't you overthinking this a little?"

In the hallway of the preschool, Principal Mrs. Gable, who had rushed over, was trying to diffuse the situation as politely as possible.

"I am not overthinking this!" Brenda's face was flushed with rage.

"Why else would she post something like that if not to thirst-trap the dads? I'm a woman, I know exactly what kind of cheap games she’s playing!"

I didn't want to make a scene, so I suppressed my anger and explained, "I was just tracking my personal fitness journey. It wasn't directed at anyone."

"If it made you feel uncomfortable, I can just block you from seeing my updates in the future."

Before the words could fully leave my mouth, a heavy slap stung my cheek.

The sheer force of it made my ears ring. I stumbled back several steps, barely keeping my balance.

"How dare you talk back to me!"

Brenda wasn't buying any of it. "Block me? You just want to hide your stories from me so you can keep targeting the husbands, right?"

"I've seen girls like you a million times. If you know what's good for you, you’ll get on your knees, beg for my forgiveness, and pack your bags. If you do that, I might let this slide."

"Otherwise, I will destroy you!"

A few bystanders and parents nearby were starting to feel uncomfortable.

"It’s just a picture of a scale. She didn't even show her face. Who could she possibly be seducing? Aren't you being a bit too sensitive?" one mom muttered.

"What do you know?" Brenda glared at her, her voice dripping with contempt. "You have zero sense of crisis. Your husbands will be stolen right out from under your noses by foxes like her!"

Then, she looked at the crowd like they were fools. "And what about you dads? Why are you so quick to defend her? Did you already sleep with her behind our backs?"

"Brenda, stop projecting your insecurities on everyone else!"

My blood was boiling, and I couldn't hold back my anger anymore.

"What? Did I strike a nerve?" Brenda sneered.

She turned back to Mrs. Gable, her tone turning into an outright threat. "We pay thousands of dollars in tuition every year to send our kids here. We don't pay you to hire sluts who corrupt our children and seduce their fathers!"

"Fire her today! Otherwise, I’m reporting this school to the board and the state licensing department!"

Mrs. Gable looked extremely stressed. "But Brenda, these are just wild accusations..."

"Actually... they might not just be accusations."

Just then, my co-teacher, Chloe Bennet, stepped forward.

She put on a conflicted, hesitant look. "Hailey does post a lot of provocative photos on her Snapchat... and she customizes the settings so only the dads can see them."

"She even tells the kids in class to go home and tell their dads that they want Hailey to be their new mommy..."

The crowd erupted into whispers.

I stared at Chloe in sheer disbelief. "Chloe! What kind of garbage is coming out of your mouth?!"

"I'm not lying..."

Chloe looked at me with a guilt-tripping expression. "I just can't bear to watch these poor families be lied to anymore."

My hands shook with pure rage. "Making up rumors is a crime! Do you have any proof?!"

Chloe and I had been co-teaching for over a year. I had always treated her like a sister. I often did her share of the work and always covered for her when she made mistakes.

I never expected her to drive a knife into my back like this.

2

"I don't have physical proof..."

Chloe looked down, her voice trembling as if she were the victim.

"You always delete those Snapchat stories after a few hours. I only found out because I accidentally saw your phone the other day..."

"And since you're the lead teacher, you control the classroom cameras. Every time you spoke to the kids, you made sure the cameras were turned off."

She shrunk back, acting terrified of me.

"But whatever... just pretend I didn't say anything."

Her act of "fear" only made the crowd believe her more.

"Oh my god, really? She looks so innocent. I can't believe she's actually like that!"

"Well, Chloe has worked with her for a long year. She wouldn't make something like this up."

"Disgusting."

The parents' gazes turned cold and judgmental.

"See? I told you my instincts are never wrong!"

Brenda looked like a victorious general. The look in her eyes turned wild and sadistic.

"Leaving a girl like this around is a hazard to society!"

"If you ask me, just getting her fired is too easy on her!"

She looked around, spotted the security guard's office, and dashed inside. A few seconds later, she walked out holding a sharp box cutter.

"She needs to be taught a lesson. Let's start by ruining that pretty face of hers so she can never use it to ruin another family!"

I didn't think she would actually go that crazy. My instincts kicked in, and I turned around to run.

But before I could take two steps, someone tripped me.

I fell hard onto the floor. I looked back and saw Chloe standing right there, a flash of malicious joy in her eyes.

Still, she played her part, crying out hypocritically, "Brenda, please don't do this! Don't be impulsive!"

"Even though Hailey did send some private, sexy photos to your husband... it’s not worth ruining her face over. Just let it go."

It sounded like a plea, but it was actually gasoline on fire.

Brenda’s eyes turned red with rage. She lunged forward, pinning me to the floor. She raised the box cutter high, aiming straight for my cheek.

She weighed over two hundred pounds. Pinned under her, I could barely breathe, let alone break free.

The crowd of parents just watched. Some even pulled out their phones, whispering that she was doing public service.

The cold blade grazed my cheek, leaving a thin, stinging line of blood. I closed my eyes in absolute despair.

Just then, a sharp male voice cut through the noise. "What the hell is going on here?"

Everyone turned to look.

It was my boyfriend, Logan Carter.

At that moment, I was incredibly relieved. I had left my lesson plans at home this morning and texted him to bring them over.

Taking advantage of Brenda’s distraction, I wriggled out from under her, stood up, and ran behind Logan.

"They're insane! They're making up lies and she has a knife! Call the police, Logan!"

Before Logan could process what was happening, Chloe rushed over.

"Don't call the police! Brenda didn't mean to do it, she’s just emotional!"

"But honestly, Hailey brought this on herself. She shouldn't have messed with Brenda’s husband..."

Logan’s face immediately darkened. He spun around and grabbed my arm. "Is she telling the truth?"

"Of course not!" I defended myself.

But Chloe cut me off. "Of course it's true! Why else would Brenda be this furious?"

"She's usually such a sweet, active parent in our school. She must have been pushed to her limit."

Logan's face turned from pale to green. He violently shook my hand off his arm and stepped back with disgust.

"No wonder... Every time I wanted to go out on a date, you said you were too busy with work."

"Turns out you were busy hooking up with the students' dads!"

"I did not!"

I clenched my fists, my heart aching. "I'm your girlfriend! You'd rather believe a random coworker than me?"

"I only believe the facts!" Logan sneered. Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulders and shoved me right back in front of Brenda.

"You brought this on yourself. Seducing a married man and hurting a mother... you deserve whatever punishment she gives you."

3

Brenda smiled triumphantly and raised the box cutter once more.

But right before she slashed down, she paused. "Actually, I'm a generous person..."

"If you apologize the way I want you to, I might just let you walk away."

"What do you want?" A dreadful feeling washed over me.

"Strip naked, get on your knees, crawl around, and scream 'I am a homewrecker' ten times. Do that, and we're even."

My eyes widened in pure disgust. "Go to hell!"

"Then don't blame me!"

Brenda sneered, and the blade dragged across my right cheek, slicing a deep, agonizing line.

The pain was blinding. Tears poured down my face.

My body shook uncontrollably.

Seeing her raise the blade for another cut, I had to buy time. "Wait! Wait! I'll do it! I'll apologize!"

Brenda stopped, her face twisting into a sick grin.

She took out her phone and started recording. "Go on then."

I forced down the humiliation. "Tell Logan to let go of me first."

Logan hesitantly released his grip on my shoulders, warning me, "Don't try anything stupid..."

The moment his grip loosened, I spun around and shoved him with all my might into Brenda. As they both stumbled and crashed to the floor, I bolted into the nearest empty classroom, slammed the door shut, and locked it.

I pulled out my phone with trembling hands and dialed 91