Chapter 2Cross Me, Pay the Price

"You touch her again, and I'll kill you!" Adrenaline flooded my veins. With a savage roar, I broke free from the bodyguards, tackling Chad to the ground and landing a solid punch on his face. I raised my fist for a second blow.

Just then, the sound of frantic footsteps approached, followed by a teacher's panicked voice: "Mr. Thompson, over here!"

I turned to see the school principal, his face a mask of grim concern, hurrying over with several teachers in tow. When he saw the chaotic scene, his brow furrowed. "What is going on here? Someone separate them, now!"

The principal’s eyes fell on Michelle, crumpled on the ground, then on Cody, who was still crying and kicking. His face hardened as he addressed Chad.

"Mr. Miller, whatever the circumstances, Cody pushed Michelle off the podium, causing a fracture, and then assaulted her. This is entirely his fault." He stated firmly, "According to school policy, he must apologize to Michelle, and you, as his parent, are responsible for her medical expenses."

Chad just scoffed. "Principal Thompson, have you forgotten who Cody's mother is? Do I need to remind you? Vivian Vance, CEO of Valerius Corp. I guess those two buildings she donated to this school were for nothing!"

I frowned. Vivian had indeed donated the buildings, but she’d told me it was for Michelle’s benefit.

Chad took a threatening step forward. "You're asking her son to apologize? Do you want Valerius Corp to pull all future funding? Or maybe you want us to tear those two buildings down? Think very carefully before you speak again."

The principal’s face went white. He wrung his hands, forcing a placating smile. "Mr. Miller, please, let's not be hasty. I didn't mean it like that… Kids will be kids, they play rough. We can't take it all so seriously, can we?"

He turned to me, his tone instantly becoming harsh. "And you, sir! This is a matter between children. There's no need to blow it out of proportion."

Principal Thompson cleared his throat, his bias now painfully obvious. "Besides, for Michelle to win first place in this competition… are we sure there weren't some… underhanded means involved? After all, Cody trains so diligently. How could he suddenly lose to her?"

He paused, his voice gaining a self-righteous conviction. "I believe it’s possible Michelle cheated to get her result, and Cody, unable to stand such injustice, acted out of a sense of righteousness. A strong sense of justice in a child is a good thing, you know."

His words set my blood on fire. Before I could retort, the principal fixed me with a stern, lecturing gaze. "Sir, I think you need to focus on your own daughter. Good grades are important, but character is paramount! For a child so young to learn deceit and antagonism… it reflects very poorly on the school's reputation."

I hugged Michelle tighter, a sense of absurdity washing over me as I stared at the principal’s two-faced-grin. When Vivian had donated those buildings, I had explicitly told her to ensure the school never gave Michelle special treatment. I never imagined it would lead to this.

In my arms, my daughter trembled with rage, her voice choked with sobs. "I didn't cheat! I won the race myself!"

The principal’s face darkened. "Still talking back?" he snapped at her. "So young and already so defiant. Have you no shame?"

What a spineless, sycophantic worm. I was a fool to ever send Michelle to this school.

My eyes darted to a security camera in the corner of the field. "There's a camera right there. Pull the footage, and let's see who's really lying."

The principal's eyes flickered with panic before he bellowed for security. "Seize him! He’s causing a disturbance and slandering a student! This is outrageous!"

Two security guards immediately grabbed my arms. The principal leaned in close, his voice a low, threatening hiss in my ear. "Do you have any idea who you've provoked? That is the son of the CEO of Valerius Corp! They're a titan of industry in this city! Do you really think a nobody like you can afford to fight them? Apologize to them right now, and don't drag our school down with you!"

He pulled back and announced to the surrounding teachers and students, "Given Michelle's deplorable character and her parent's disruptive behavior, she is hereby expelled, effective immediately! We will not tolerate such conduct!"

I struggled wildly, but the guards and Chad's bodyguards held me fast.

Chad strutted over, his face a mask of triumph, and slapped me twice. The stinging pain was nothing compared to the humiliation. "Not so tough now, are you?"

The principal actually nodded in approval. "He deserved that! Someone needs to teach people like him a lesson about their place in the world." He glared at me. "Are you going to kneel and apologize to Cody or not? Look how you’ve terrified the boy. If this affects his mental well-being, can you bear that responsibility?"

I looked at the crowd of liars and cowards, then at my daughter's tear-filled eyes. Vivian, this bastard you've brought into our lives, this spineless principal you've bought with your donations… you've given me one hell of a surprise.

"Kneel?" I let out a cold, humorless laugh. "You just wait. None of you are walking away from this today."

My laugh enraged Chad. He kicked me squarely in the stomach. "Still talking tough? Kneel!"

A grunt escaped my lips as the air was forced from my lungs. Seizing the moment of distraction, I threw my weight to the side, knocking the guards off balance. As Chad aimed another kick, I twisted and caught his ankle, sending him tumbling to the ground.

"You're dead!"

My vision tunneled red. I lunged forward to finish it, but the bodyguards and security tackled me again, pinning me to the concrete with brutal force. This time, they were merciless, a knee digging into my spine, my arms wrenched behind my back.

"Make him kneel!" Chad screamed, his face twisted in pain and fury.

One of the bodyguards understood. He released his grip on my head only to slam it down with all his might.

My forehead hit the ground with a sickening thud. Darkness swarmed the edges of my vision.

They didn't stop. Once, twice, a third time… Warm blood trickled down from my brow, blurring my sight.

"Daddy!" Michelle cried, trying to scramble toward me, but Chad kicked her aside like she was a stray dog.

I bit down on my lip, the metallic taste of my own blood filling my mouth. As my consciousness faded, a single, crystal-clear thought burned through the haze.

These people… for what they owe me, for what they owe Michelle… they will repay it a hundred times over.