Maybe it was because she hadn''t seen Marvin in days, but Ste suddenly found herself missing the boy terribly.


    She nced at the clock, hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to pick Marvin up from school herself.


    Ever since she''d run into Keen and Rachel Pearce a few times at the preschool gates, Ste had mostly left the pick-up and drop-off duties to the driver. Marvin had never onceined or seemed upset about it-in fact, his quiet understanding only made Ste''s heart ache more.


    Without even noticing when it happened, she''d started caring for Marvin as if he were her own child. True, it wasn''t quite the overwhelming love she''d once felt for Keen, but she was done with the kind of self-congrattory love that made everything about her feelings.


    With a bag of homemade cookies in hand, Ste was just about to leave the house when her phone rang.


    "Hello, is this Marvin''s guardian? There''s been an incident at school involving Marvin. Could youe right away, please?"


    Ste''s expression tightened. "I''ll be there immediately."


    She hung up and rushed to the preschool.


    As soon as she reached the office door, she heard a woman''s furious, tearful wailing from inside.


    "My poor baby! How could anyone treat you like this? Sheldon, sweetheart, don''t worry-your mother won''t let the bully who hurt you get away with this!


    And where is this brat''s mother? Why isn''t she here yet?!


    Let me tell you, unless you give us a proper exnation today, I''m not letting this go!"


    The woman''s voice was harsh and shrill.


    Ste stepped into the office just in time to see a woman in her thirties jabbing a finger at Marvin''s forehead, her face twisted with anger.


    Ste''s expression darkened. She strode forward and batted the woman''s hand away.


    "What do you think you''re doing?"


    Sheldon''s mother spun around, her eyes narrowing as she sized up Ste.


    She paused, a flicker of surprise in her gaze. "You''re Keen''s mother, aren''t you?" Mrs. Ayers-Sheldon''s mom-clearly recognized Ste. A hint of disdain shed in her eyes as she shot a nce at Keen, who stood silently in the corner, staring at his shoes.


    "I''ve seen the video and already talked to Sheldon. This had nothing to do with your son Keen," Mrs. Ayers said coolly.


    Sheldon was new to the preschool, so Mrs. Ayers didn''t realize Ste was Marvin''s guardian.


    Ste looked at her with icy calm. "I''m here for Marvin. No matter what Marvin may have done, it''s not your ce as an adult to stand here pointing fingers at a five-year-old."


    Mrs. Ayers looked puzzled. "Aren''t you Keen''s mother?"


    At that, the preschool teacher quickly stepped in. "Mrs. Ayers, Ms. Cameron is currently Marvin''s guardian. She''s responsible for him at the moment."


    Relief washed over Mrs. Ayers''s face, and the look she gave Marvin turned cold and dismissive.


    "Oh, so you''re just the nanny... Looks like you really can''t escape your ce in life, can you?"


    She hadn''t dared to go all out earlier, worried she might offend someone important. Now, seeing it was only Ste, her guard droppedpletely.


    Letting a woman like Ste act as guardian probably just meant the family wanted to ride her recent online poprity—maybe score some points with that “charity ambassador" title she''d picked up. But everyone knew Ste had no money, no connections, no family backing. If someone left a child in her care, the family probably wasn''t much to speak of-most likely a bunch of nouveau riche types.


    Emboldened by these thoughts, Mrs. Ayers puffed herself up, barking, "Well? Make that brat kneel and apologize to my son right now. Otherwise, you''ll be sorry!"