Chapter 1
I had just finished my work at the office and picked up my phone to scroll through Instagram.[]
As soon as I saw the post from my daughter’s kindergarten teacher, Sarah Miller, my eyebrows furrowed.[]
Both the black swan custom cake and the high–end children’s clothes worn by the little boy named Mike looked very familiar.[]
I called my husband, Brandon, and mentioned it to him.]]
On the other end of the line, he casually said, “The kindergarten Tina goes to is an elite one. Families who can afford to send their kids there are all well–off. Maybe it’s just a coincidence!“]
“Don’t worry about these little things. When I pick Tina up from kindergarten this afternoon, I’ll ask the teacher about it.“[]
I hummed in acknowledgment and asked, “Tina’s birthday was yesterday, and I wasn’t home to celebrate with her. Did she eat the cake I had ordered for her?“[]
My husband sighed and said, “She only had a few bites, then threw a tantrum and knocked the cake on the floor. It broke my heart.”
“Honey, please don’t buy Tina such expensive cakes in the future. It’s just a waste of money.“]]
“Also, those expensive shoes and clothes you buy for her… she won’t wear them for long. Kids grow so fast, and clothes get changed every season. Stop wasting money on them.“[]
“Anyway, I’ve got to go visit a client now. Talk to you later.“]
After hanging up, I felt even more uneasy.]
I opened Sarah’s Instagram again to look at the photo of the black swan cake and the high–end custom children’s outfit Mike was wearing.
To my surprise, Sarah had deleted the post.[]
My frown deepened, and I called Sarah.]
When she answered, she politely said, “Ms. Morgan, is there something you need? Tina did very well today at kindergarten. She just had lunch and is already taking a nap.“]
I exchanged pleasantries and said, “Ms. Miller, I just saw the Instagram post you made. The cake and the clothes Mike was wearing looked really nice. Could you take a few more photos for me? I’d like to get the same kind of cake and outfit for my daughter.”
Sarah hesitated for a moment before saying, “Ms. Morgan, I’m really sorry!“[]
“Mike’s mom called earlier and asked me to delete the post. She doesn’t want her son to stand out too much at kindergarten.“[]
That made me even more suspicious.
Mike’s mother definitely seemed to be protesting too much.
Chapter 1
She didn’t want her son to be too high–profile at kindergarten, yet she had specifically ordered a million–dollar cake and sent it to the school for Mike and the other kids to share.[]
I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it.]
In the evening, I left the company early and drove home.]
When my colleagues saw me leaving early, many of the senior staff members looked surprised.[]
Recently, the company had been growing rapidly, and I had been so busy that I’d practically turned my office into a second home, eating and sleeping there.[]
Behind my back, many people at the company had given me the nickname “Iron Lady,” as I was known for working tirelessly.
In my career, I’ve been very successful. In just a few years, I’ve turned my parents‘ inheritance into several times its original value, and many big names in business speak highly of me.[]
But in terms of being a wife and mother, I’ve been somewhat of a failure.[]
I’ve neglected my husband and daughter, and haven’t spent enough time with them.[]
Today, I decided to leave early and prepare a hearty dinner for my husband and daughter to make up for my absence and spend some quality time with them.[]
When I got home, Tina had already finished school.[]
She was eating instant nobdles in a hurry as if she hadn’t eaten all day.
Seeing this, I froze for a moment, then grew angry.]]
I turned to our maid, Nancy, and said in an annoyed tone, “Nancy, the child is hungry, and this is what you gave her?“[]
Nancy’s face showed a flash of panic, but she quickly smiled and said, “Ms. Morgan, Tina kept asking for instant noodles after school, saying she wanted to try what it tasted like.”
“Tina, tell Mommy–did you ask for the noodles?“]
Tina, seeming a bit afraid of Nancy, timidly nodded.[]
