Chapter 17

Even after hearing another woman call the child she had birthed as her own son, Layla wasn't angry. Her expression remained calm as she replied, "He did well today. He got all the Math Olympiad problems correct. If he prepares well for it, he can aim to win first place in the Math Olympiad." Clarissa looked at Layla's calm demeanor, as if the child in question had no connection to her whatsoever, and she couldn't help but smirk. "Ben has inherited his dad's genes. He has an IQ of 140. He can definitely win the gold medal in the Math Olympiad." Layla replied nonchalantly, "Good luck, then." "Ms. Jenkins, shall we exchange WhatsApp contacts for easier communication in the future?" Although Layla understood Clarissa's true intentions, exchanging WhatsApp contacts was a common request from parents, so she had no reason to refuse." She opened her WhatsApp QR code. "Scan mine." Clarissa scanned her code and sent a friend request, which Layla promptly accepted. Shaking her phone, she said, "Ms. Jenkins, I need to take my son for lunch now. Let's keep in touch on WhatsApp." Layla noticed how she repeatedly referred to Benjamin as her son, but remained unfazed and nodded. Benjamin peered up at Layla, who didn't react at all to someone else calling him their son. He angrily clenched his little fists, tugging on Clarissa's hand, and said affectionately, "Mommy Clarissa, stop talking to her. Let's go." Hearing the long-anticipated address, though with her name attached, Clarissa was still thrilled. She immediately gave Benjamin a big hug. "Baby, Mommy will take you for a feast. Say goodbye to Ms. Jenkins now." One was called "Mommy," while the other was called "Ms. Jenkins." Clarissa's emotions were perfectly calculated. Witnessing this mother-and-son display, Layla couldn't deny the pang of pain in her heart. That was the child she risked her life to give birth to. And he was now calling someone else "Mommy." Ever since she had left the Parker family, Layla had been forced to accept the reality that her son would no longer have anything to do with her. He would have a new mother and would no longer need her. Layla watched this scene with an indifferent expression, her lips even curling into a cold smile. Seeing that she remained unbothered, Clarissa smirked. Just then, a man in his thirties approached Layla. "Ms. Jenkins, I'm Simon's dad. I wanted to ask how he did today." Glancing at Simon, Layla spoke gently, "He's a very obedient child and listens attentively in class, but he doesn't seem to enjoy the Math Olympiad. I suggest transferring him to a regular class if it's really not suitable for him. There's no need to force him to do something he dislikes." Something like the Math Olympiad could only yield results if one truly enjoyed it. Otherwise, it was just torture. Simon's father nodded in agreement. "You're right. His mother insisted he join this class, saying only the gifted class would lead to success." "Every child has a unique path to growth. I believe Simon will find one that suits him best." "Alright. I'll discuss it with his mother. Ms. Jenkins, let's exchange WhatsApp contacts for easier communication in the future." Layla took out her WhatsApp QR code and handed it to Simon's father. As the two stood side by side, looking down at their phones, a child suddenly ran past Layla and accidentally bumped into her. Layla stumbled forward, and Simon's father instinctively caught her, asking, "Are you okay, Ms. Jenkins?" Witnessing this moment, Clarissa quickly took out her phone and snapped a picture. She glared coldly at Layla, saying inwardly, "Ha! Layla, I'll make sure you're kicked out of this school by tomorrow." In the car, Benjamin was still angry about Layla's attitude toward him. Clarissa pinched his cheek playfully. "Don't be mad anymore. You know that's just how she is. Remember when you had chickenpox with a high fever of 40 degrees? We called her, and she didn't even come to see you. "Instead, she stayed at the hospital to take care of some other child. She doesn't even treat you as her son, but I'll treat you well." At the mention of that memory, tears welled up in Benjamin's eyes. He would never forget being three years old, sick with chickenpox and a high fever, desperately missing his mother who was outstation. He begged his grandmother to call her, but no matter how many times she tried, she never came back. Later, he saw on TV that she was at the hospital with another child. She even said that she was worried about contracting his virus and passing it to the other child. She had rather taken care of someone else's child while neglecting her own. How could a mother be so heartless? Thinking about how Layla was so kind to her daughter but so cold to him, Benjamin fumed with anger. Seeing that her words had an impact, Clarissa smiled smugly. "Alright, baby. Let's go enjoy a good meal, then I'll take you to the playground to have some fun." At the mention of food and fun, Benjamin quickly forgot about his earlier unhappiness. The two were out until late before finally returning home. When Clarissa was about to open the front door for Benjamin, the door swung open. Seth stood there, exuding a chilling presence. Clarissa smiled, as if pleased with herself, and said, "Seth, Ben wasn't happy after school today, so I took him out to cheer him up. Don't blame him. It's all because Layla ignored him. He's just a kid; of course, he'd be upset when his own mother ignores him." Her words subtly shifted the blame onto Layla. She expected Seth to be angry, but instead, he grabbed Benjamin's hand and let him inside. He then said, "You don't need to pick him up anymore. Please leave." Startled by his cold demeanor, Clarissa angrily dug her nails into her palms. She was right at his doorstep, yet he still shut her out? Refusing to give up, Clarissa pleaded, "Seth, I'm a bit scared to drive late at night. Can I stay over and leave tomorrow? Besides, Ben isn't feeling great, and I'd like to accompany him a little longer." Without hesitation, Seth pulled out his phone to call his assistant. He said, "Send Ms. Price home." Then, without sparing Clarissa another glance, he led Benjamin inside and slammed the door shut. Staring at the closed door, Clarissa stomped her feet in frustration. She wanted to confront Seth and ask him what he was thinking, but she also knew that pushing him might make him resent her more. Her status as his "savior" wasn't as solid as she thought, and she feared that by angering him, she might even lose her title as his fiance. Just then, Clarissa's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, a dark glint flashed in her eyes. The next morning, Layla arrived at the school early. After settling Daisy, she sat at the podium organizing her lesson materials for the day. As the children entered the classroom and greeted her one after another, she smiled in return. Suddenly, a woman stormed in furiously and approached Layla. "You're Layla Jenkins?" Layla nodded. "Yes, I am. How can I help you?" The woman gritted her teeth. "I'm here to teach you a lesson, you whore!" Before Layla could react, the woman raised her hand and slapped her across the face.