Chapter 3 The parents erupted in cheers . " Finally , a teacher who tells it like it is ! " " This is Oak Lane . We have standards . " " Why waste education on her kid ? Just teach her to hunt rich men like mommy ! " Ashley was loving every second . " This is what you get . Once trash , always trash . You and your brat belong in the gutter ! " Their insults rained down . The crowd grew , everyone eager to join the attack . Each cruel word made Ashley's smile wider . Mrs. Thompson saw her chance . " Mrs. Walker , the principal has a small favor to ask . We're expanding the school , and Walker Corp owns all the surrounding land ... " Ashley waved her hand dismissively . " Consider it done . Jack will sign it over . You've earned it today . " Mrs. Thompson beamed . " You're too kind , Mrs. Walker . " The parents pounced like sharks smelling blood . " My firm has worked with Walker Corp before . Keep us in mind ? " " Our company's expanding too . We'd love to partner up . " " Here's my VIP shopping card . Let's stay in touch . " They shoved business cards and credit cards into her bag , desperate for her attention . Ashley soaked it up like a queen holding court . She towered over me , voice dripping venom . " See this ? This is real power . " " You'll spend your life on your knees , begging for scraps . But me ? I live in a world you can't even imagine . " " Take your bastard and get out of my city . Next time , I won't be so nice . I'll bury her alive . " Emma pressed against me , shaking . " Mommy ... " Her voice cracked . " My ankle really hurts . " Something in her tone made my blood run cold . When I carefully pulled down her sock , time seemed to stop . Chapter 3 A deep , infected gash ran across her ankle . Someone had tied a wire around it , cutting deeper with every step she took . Dark blood had soaked through her sock , staining her shoe . The skin around the wound was swollen and hot . I stared at my little girl- the same child who needed three bedtime stories to sleep , who'd cry if her toast was cut wrong . She'd suffered through this all day without a word . The world blurred as tears filled my eyes . Not sad tears . Tears of pure rage . " Ashley . " My voice didn't sound like my own . " Your son did this ? " She examined her manicure , bored . " Be thankful that's all he did . " The sound of my palm hitting her face echoed like a gunshot . All my fury , every ounce of a mother's protective rage , went into that slap . Ashley spun , catching herself against the wall . I pulled back for another hit , but someone grabbed my hair , yanking hard . Parents swarmed me , fists and feet flying . " How dare you touch Mrs. Walker ! " " Want to join your brat in the grave ? " " Trash raising trash . You both deserve worse ! " Even Mrs. Thompson joined in , kicking me . " Leave my mommy alone ! " my daughter screamed . Tyler knocked her down with a kick . Mrs. Thompson patted his head . " Good boy , Tyler . You'll get a special award tomorrow ! " He smirked . " Next time I'll hurt her even worse . " From the ground , through bloody lips , I spat : " You'll regret this . " They howled with laughter . " A whore making threats ? " " Mrs. Walker could crush you like a bug ! " " Pathetic ! Just kill yourself already ! " They pinned me down , spitting and laughing . Chapter 3 Ashley dug her stiletto into my cheek . " Regret ? Please . I'd love to see you try . " Right then , a fleet of black SUVS roared up to the school gates . Men in suits poured out , moving with military precision ...