Chapter 2 The intruder

Serena looked at Leon's tiny fists flailing in the air. She pushed him back, and he lost his balance, falling to the floor and scraping his face.

A bright red mark instantly appeared on his soft cheek. He froze, as if he couldn't believe Serena had really done that to him.

Eliza rushed over and scooped Leon into her arms, gently stroking his scraped cheek with visible distress. "Mrs. Powell, how could you treat your son like this?"

"I was disciplining him. He's already twisting right and wrong at his age. What do you think he'll be like when he's older?" Serena looked down at Eliza. "And who are you to question how I raise my son?"

With that, Serena turned and walked away, ignoring Leon's cries behind her.

By evening, Victor came home and immediately noticed the red mark on Leon's face. His temper flared. "What happened? Who did this?"

Eliza gave a small shake of her head. "It's nothing, Vic. I accidentally hurt Leon."

Leon burst into tears and ran into Victor's arms. "No, Daddy, it was that wretch. It was Mommy."

Victor pulled him in close, gently brushing his fingers over Leon's swollen cheek. "Don't cry, Leon. I'm here. I will protect you. Let's not talk to Mommy anymore, okay?"

"Daddy, Mommy's a wretch. I hate her."

"Be good, Leon. Don't cry. Why don't you go rest in your room for a bit?"

Leon shook his head, clinging tightly to Victor. "I don't want to. Daddy, I'm scared. I don't want to be alone."

Eliza said softly, "Leon, Ollie's in your room waiting for you. He brought you new toys. Why don't you go play with him?"

Leon sniffled, his eyes still full of tears as he looked at Eliza. "B but I'm scared."

"It's okay, sweetie. I'm right here with you. Let's go find Ollie and play together, okay?" Eliza coaxed gently.

Leon hesitated for a moment, then finally gave a small nod. "Okay!"

After sending Leon back to his room, Victor pulled out his phone and dialed Kevin.

"Hello, Mr. Powell, how can I help you?" Kevin asked.

"I want Serena's current address. I expect it in ten minutes," Victor ordered.

"Yes, Mr. Powell. I'll take care of it right away," Kevin replied.

He was quick. Within ten minutes, Serena's address was sent to Victor's phone.

Victor, fuming, started the car. He slammed the gas pedal, and the black sedan sped off.

Serena was living in a luxury apartment complex. Victor stormed up to her door and banged on it hard. "Serena, open the door. Who gave you the right to hurt Leon? How could you be so cruel?"

It took a while before the door slowly opened. Serena stood there in a silk robe, her hair loose over her shoulders. "It's late, Mr. Powell. What do you want?"

Victor snapped, "Serena, what happened to Leon's face? You really did that to your own child? What kind of mother would do that?"

"Leon is my son. I have every right to discipline him."

"Discipline? Have you seen what you did to his face? Do you know how scared he is? He's just a kid."

"He's scared? That kid's got quite the nerve. If I don't teach him a lesson now, who's going to handle him later?"

Victor was shaking with rage. He pointed straight at her. "You're out of your damn mind. You don't deserve to be a mother."

Serena felt like she'd plunged into an icy abyss. She thought, "I don't deserve to be a mother? I've spent all these years pouring everything into Victor and Leon."