Sally’s face darkened in annoyance. She smacked him on the back of the hand with her fork. “Victoria and the kids are here—don’t talk like that.”

I could only shake my head at this family. Honestly, it’s a good thing they ended up with someone like Jared—a true Capricorn, the only grounded one in the bunch.

After dinner, I took Yvonne back to my apartment. She chatted away about all the funny things that happened at school, and it warmed my heart. Back in my previous life, Tracy was always taking her out to have fun, so her grades were nothing special.

The next morning, I grabbed breakfast downstairs with Yvonne. Just as we were about to walk through the gates of our building, a car suddenly swerved toward us, totally out of control.

Freaked out, I quickly pushed Yvonne to the side. The car slammed on the brakes, stopping just in time. My heart was pounding, cold sweat breaking out all over me. The first thing that popped into my head was the Chamberlain family.

The car door popped open, and out came a woman. My eyes widened in shock as I recognized her—it was Tracy. I couldn’t believe it.

“Tracy, what are you doing?” Yvonne, still shaken, stood her ground with her hands on her hips and yelled, “Don’t you dare hurt my mom!”

“Get out of my way!” Tracy looked crazed as she forcefully shoved Yvonne aside.

Seeing my daughter get pushed, I rushed over, helped her up, and pulled her protectively behind me, facing off with Tracy.

“Are you on something? What kind of crazy stunt are you pulling this early?” I was still shaken, half-convinced the Chamberlain family had sent someone after me. My anger flared up instantly.

Tracy didn’t even hesitate—she slapped me hard across the face, then jabbed a finger at me and shouted, “Victoria, was it you who told Jared to mess with my dad’s business?”

I froze, completely blindsided. ‘Wait, did something big just happen to the Darwin family?’ I thought.

“Watching my family go bankrupt, my parents get sick and end up in the hospital—does that make you happy? You’re downright vicious, getting back at me like this. You’re just despicable! If I wasn’t barely holding it together, I would’ve run you down without a second thought!” Tracy screamed, her voice raw, all that so-called elegance gone.

I was floored. ‘It’s only been a few months, and the Darwin family’s already gone bankrupt? I could hardly believe it.’

Before I could even catch my breath, Tracy suddenly turned and headed straight back to her car. I thought she was about to leave, but to my horror, she pulled out a fruit knife.

Panic surged through me—I went pale and hurriedly pushed Yvonne. “Run!”

Tracy had totally lost it—her eyes were wild and sunken, the stench of booze rolling off her as she charged at me with the knife. “I’m going to slash up that vixen face of yours! Let’s see if Jared will still want you then! Victoria, what are you even so smug about? All you’ve got going for you is that bewitching face!”

“Tracy, don’t you dare lose your mind!” I yelled, yanking Yvonne with me as we bolted. I shot a glare over my shoulder and shouted, “Get a grip!”

But Tracy was like a woman possessed, chasing after us relentlessly. Right then, Yvonne tripped over something, and I got dragged down with her. In that split second as we fell, I instinctively pulled Yvonne into my arms, trying to shield her. My back and the back of my head slammed hard against the ground, and a wave of dizziness washed over me.

Everyone around just stood there, totally stunned. Tracy rushed right up to me, her eyes bloodshot and crazed, completely out of her mind. She raised the knife and aimed it straight at my face.

I covered my face with both hands, desperate—there was no way to get out of the way.

Just then, a tall figure rushed over and shoved Tracy away. “Move!”

Yvonne, still shaking, suddenly cried out in surprise, “Nathan!”

I opened my eyes and saw a tall figure standing in the sunlight.

Yvonne got up and reached out to help me, her voice excited: “Mom, it’s Nathan! Our rescue is here—I called him!”

Feeling woozy, I managed to get to my feet. Nathan immediately turned to me, looking me over with concern. “Victoria, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

I shook my head, trying to steady myself. “I’m okay, just a little dizzy.”

“Nathan, Mom must’ve hit her head! She was trying to save me… Mom, are you going to get all silly in the head now?” Yvonne’s voice was shaky, on the verge of tears.

I quickly clapped my hand over Yvonne’s mouth. “Not a word of that bad luck talk!”

Tracy saw Nathan step in front of me and just started laughing like a lunatic. “Victoria, what else do you have besides men? One after another, they’re all falling head over heels for you. Bet you think you’re all that, huh?”

Nathan’s face turned cold as he barked, “Just shut your mouth!”

While I was checking on Yvonne, Tracy suddenly hurled the knife at me, screaming, “If I get locked up, you’re getting wiped out too!”

Before I could even react, someone’s arms suddenly pulled me and Yvonne into a protective hug.

The very next second, a janitor nearby swung his broom and smacked Tracy hard. She went down fast, and a few guys finally rushed over to help restrain her.

My head was buzzing, and as Nathan held me and Yvonne close, I saw pain flash across his handsome face.

Then someone yelled, “He’s hurt! Call an ambulance!”

Nathan’s body swayed, and I quickly pulled him into my arms, panic rising. When I reached for his back, I saw his shirt was soaked—my hand came away sticky and red, smeared with blood.