CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74: SHE PUSHED ME

On the day of the parenting activity.

The hall was festively decorated, balloons strewn across the floor, with warm sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, bathing the versatile activity room, which was covered with soft imported artificial turf.

The air was filled with a sweet milky fragrance, and the snack table was laden with colorful and delectable macarons.

Most of the parents were dressed tastefully but understated.

The fathers mostly wore well-fitted casual suits or polo shirts, with the subtle sheen of watches peeking from their wrists.

The mothers wore high-quality silk dresses or cashmere sweaters, their makeup flawless, their smiles gracious, and each handbag they casually picked up was worth a city center apartment.

Jean held Jesse’s hand and walked into the kindergarten, attracting many curious glances. It was the first time Jesse’s parent attended a parenting event; usually, it was nannies and bodyguards.

She wore a T-shirt and jeans, canvas shoes on her feet, and carried a bag whose brand couldn’t be identified.

Standing among the parents, she seemed somewhat out of place.

Jesse was dressed like a little princess, her hair in a plump bun, adorned with a pearl hair clip, wearing a pink cake dress and light blue leather shoes.

The kindergarten teacher was new and came over with a smile.

"Jesse’s mom, you look so young, like you are just twenty."

"No wonder our Jesse is so adorable and pretty; she takes after her mom."

Her gaze swept over Jean’s wrist and neck, devoid of any jewelry, more understated than any other parent.

The more understated, the more extraordinary the identity.

She didn’t dare neglect, "Please come in with me, just in time to talk about Jesse’s performance in kindergarten."

This parenting event also had another purpose, which was to raise funds for the new semester’s overseas study tour for the children, a substantial expense.

According to other parents, Jesse’s family has many bodyguards and nannies, surely not short of money.

Even the principal said they could start with Jesse’s family and might raise all the money in one go.

A mere few hundred thousand to such wealthy businesspeople is like pennies to ordinary folks.

"Jesse, go play with the other kids, and Mommy will come find you later."

"Okay."

Jesse ran toward the toy area as Jean followed the kindergarten teacher into the office.

By the slide, children gathered to show off their novel toys.

A little boy wearing a small suit vest, robustly built, held a massive remote-controlled race car in his hand, his voice booming.

"This is the new car my dad bought from overseas last week, it runs super fast and can even climb slopes."

Jesse stood quietly aside, holding a digging spade.

She didn’t like race cars nor new toys; she had many but none given by her dad.

She had ones bought by her mom, aunt, and uncles...

The little boy noticed her gaze and sized her up before turning to look around, suddenly asking loudly.

"Jesse, where’s your dad? Why have we never seen your dad come?"

Jesse paused for a moment, softly said, "My mother is here."

The little boy pursed his lips, as if saying, "I suspected that," and raised his voice.

"Oh, I know, you don’t have a dad, right? My mom says kids without dads are wild children."

Jesse’s face flushed instantly, squeezing the doll in her hand, retorting, "I’m not a wild child, I have a dad."

"Then where’s your dad? You should call him over."

The little boy approached arrogantly, and several other children curiously looked over as well.

"My dad... my dad will be here soon."

Jesse didn’t dare look at the other children, lowered her head, her eyelashes fluttering wildly.

"Liar, you don’t have one."

The little boy confidently said loudly, then turned to the others to announce, "You all saw it, didn’t you? Jesse doesn’t have a dad, she’s a wild child with only a mom."

Jesse’s eyes turned red instantly, loudly refuting, "I’m not, I have a dad."

"Then call him over, look, that’s my dad."

The little boy proudly pointed at the tall man chatting with the kindergarten head not far away.

"My dad is the best, he’s a big boss, where’s your dad? We’ve never seen him, not even the teacher."

"My dad... he..."

Jesse’s lips trembled, tears welling up but stubbornly not falling.

Her temperament was like Jean’s, neither were people who easily cried.

"Hmph, just no dad, nah-nah-nah, wild child without a dad."

Pudge made a face, and the children around joined in, chanting, "Wild child, wild child."

"I’m not a wild child."

Jesse cried out, her voice filled with grievances.

Her nose turned red, and her delicate nostrils quivered uncontrollably as she inhaled.

Mom said, Uncle Paxton would be her dad today, and he would definitely fulfill his promise.

She bit her lower lip with her small teeth, turning to look at the kindergarten entrance, where many luxury cars were parked, only one security guard patrolling outside.

"Give me the spade in your hand, it’s my turn to play."

The little boy stepped forward, stomping his leather shoe, reaching to grab her spade.

Jesse didn’t give it to him, "I’m still playing, we agreed to take turns."

The little boy saw she wouldn’t let go, stretched out his chubby hand, forcefully pushing her shoulder.

Jesse stumbled back from the push, almost falling over.

Fortunately, she reacted quickly, nimbly sidestepping to avoid his wild swing.

The little boy, using too much force, stumbled as his plump body lost balance.

He exclaimed "Oh!" in surprise, his short legs tangled beneath him.

With a dull thump, he landed flat on the sand, and the red spade in his hand flew off with a clatter.

"It hurts...wah-wah...Dad."

He cried and howled, tears and snot covering his face, his voice loud enough for the entire kindergarten to hear.

Jean rushed out from the office upon hearing the noise, quickly arriving by Jesse’s side, worriedly asking, "What happened, Jesse, are you hurt?"

"Your daughter is fine, it’s my son who fell."

The tall man standing nearby bent down to pick up his son, wiping the dirt and tears from his face with a handkerchief.

Jean looked up, recognizing him vaguely, but couldn’t recall where they’d met.

"Arthur, what happened, tell Dad."

"She pushed me."

Arthur stuck out his little hand, pointing at Jesse.

"President Grant, apologies, it’s our kindergarten’s responsibility, not keeping an eye on the children well."

The kindergarten teacher apologized at the side; children fighting is a common occurrence, and neither parent could be offended.

Arthur Ashford?

Jean noticed the name written on the little boy’s backpack.

Justin Holden’s nephew?

She recalled, before going to prison, hearing Justin mention Zoe had a son, named this.