"I feel the same way, Mr. Sumner," one of the parents said, her voice trembling. "I never expected my son to do something so cruel to a ssmate. Whatever it takes to make it right, I''ll do it—even if that means making my son kneel down and apologize right now!"


    Another parent spoke up. "Mr. Sumner, this is my failure as a parent. I want to personally apologize to you. I''m truly sorry."


    One by one, eight adults, all around Damon''s age or older, lowered their heads and offered their apologies.


    Damon watched them coldly, his face unreadable.


    Meanwhile, N continued ying with Mason as though she hadn''t noticed the scene unfolding.


    Mason, having recovered from his initial shock, remained silent. He calmly stacked his toy blocks, as if he hadn''t heard a word of their apologies.


    The children who had bullied him earlier huddled close to their parents, their faces pale with fear.


    Seeing their strict, distant parents suddenly humbled in front of Damon, they began to understand the gravity of the situation.


    Finally, Damon looked at them.


    "There''s been a misunderstanding. The reason Prospectus Technology terminated its contracts with yourpanies wasn''t due to personal grudges.


    "We simply realized how busy you all are. Managing your businesses must be exhausting, and you clearly have no time to care for your families. We decided to ease your burden a little," he said tly.


    Bullshit! Ease their burden?


    When Prospectus Technology canceled their contracts with them, Spencer had made it clear: thepany would never work with them again.


    He had also warned other firms against using their products. If anypany was caught working with them, Prospectus Technology would cancel their contracts with them as well.


    It had been a death sentence for their businesses.


    Realizing they had no other choice, the parents dragged their children over, scolded them, and forced them to apologize to Mason.


    Although their fury simmered beneath the surface, the parents maintained strained smiles.


    "Yes, yes, Mr. Sumner! You''re absolutely right. I''ll make sure to manage both my business and my


    family better from now on This will


    never happen again!"


    "I already gave my son a beating before bringing him here today. If I ever find out he


    bullies another ssmate, I''ll punish him every single time!"


    "Mr. Sumner, we truly understand our mistake. We''ve disciplined our kids. Please, just give us another chance-please don''t destroy our businesses!"


    Damon smirked. "You''re overreacting. I don''t have that kind of power-ruining someonepletely."


    "O-Of course, of course..." one of the parents stammered. "It''s just that times are tough for businesses right now. Prospectus Technology is our biggest client if you stop working with us, mypany will goo bankrupt within a month. Please, Mr. Sumner, have mercy!"


    The others jumped in immediately, all desperately pleading for leniency.


    Damon nced at the children, trembling beside their parents, their faces ghostly pale with fear.


    Deciding they had suffered enough,


    he finally spoke. "I''ll let it go this


    time. But if anything like this


    happens again you''ll have


    face


    the consequences of your own."


    "Yes, yes! Thank you, Mr. Sumner!" The parents quickly expressed their gratitude before turning to their children and forcing them to apologize once more.


    The children, already shaking with fear, stood before Mason on the verge of tears. Sniffling and sobbing, they apologized.


    Mason looked up, eyeing their tear-streaked faces and runny noses with faint distaste.


    He suppressed his disgust and said, "It''s okay. We''re ssmates. We should help and care for each other. I forgive you."