Chapter 7 The Kindergarten
Chapter 7 The Kindergarten
Christian covered the back of his hand and swept a cold gaze over Ethan.
“But adopting a child just to spite me? You’ve really outdone yourself.”
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Hannah froze for a long moment, unable to comprehend how he had reached such a conclusion.
After a pause, she spoke. “Mr. Ford.”
She didn’t want to escalate things and risk affecting Ethan’s school enrollment, so she suppressed her temper. “My lawyer has already filed the lawsuit. I hope you’ll cooperate and appear in court. I won’t take up any more of your time, Mr. Ford.”
With that, she took Ethan’s hand and left. She hailed a cab without looking back.
But through the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of that tall, imposing figure standing at the cafe
entrance.
She no longer wanted anything to do with that man.
Beside her, Ethan clung tightly to her hand. “Mommy, I was wrong. You can punish me. He’s your child, and you’ve been so good to me. I shouldn’t have hit him.”
As he spoke, his eyes welled up with tears.
He hadn’t cried when facing Christian’s intimidation or Chester’s taunts, but now his tears were falling freely.
Hannah panicked and hurriedly wiped his face.
“What are you talking about? You’re my one and only good son. You’re a little man. Aren’t you ashamed of always crying?”
Ethan was so startled that he let out a surprised sniffle, accidentally blowing a snot bubble.
Realizing it a second too late, his face turned bright red in embarrassment as he wiped at it clumsily.
But his voice was filled with excitement. “Then you’re my only good mommy, too!”
Hannah couldn’t help but laugh.
Soon, the car stopped in front of Whitmore Group.
At the reception desk, she explained her situation. The young receptionist glanced at Ethan behind her.
Ethan immediately announced, “Mommy, I want to sit on that soft couch!”
He bounced over to the lounge area, climbed onto the plush couch, and hugged a sunflower–shaped pillow, waving excitedly. “This is so fun! Mom, I’ll play by myself!”
Hannah felt a pang in her heart. “Alright, I’ll be quick. Don’t run around.”
Ethan bounced on the sofa and flashed her an “okay” gesture with his fingers.
With that, Hannah followed the receptionist to the HR department.
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Chapter 7 The Kindergarten
Since Hudson had personally interviewed her, the onboarding process went smoothly. An HR representative then guided her through her workstation and job responsibilities.
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Before wrapping up, the HR rep added, “Mr. Whitmore has high regard for your abilities. Besides your assigned tasks, you might also assist with some of his projects.”
Hannah wasn’t surprised. Given her unique status, still technically Mrs. Ford, Hudson was likely just keeping her close to stay updated on her divorce proceedings.
In truth, her getting this job had little to do with her actual qualifications.
Hudson was simply using her to undermine Christian.
After all these years of marriage, this was the first time she had leveraged Christian to get what she wanted.
Yet, her ultimate goal was to sever all ties with him.
How ironic.
“Thank you. I understand.”
Hannah set down her employee badge at her desk, confirmed her start date for the next day, and then returned to the lobby to take Ethan to his kindergarten interview.
She needed the job confirmation to get past the school’s application process. With that and a successful interview, she could secure Ethan’s admission.
Unfortunately, after the interview, the admissions officer, watching Ethan interact with the other children, asked, “Does Ethan have any special talents?”
Hannah had applied to several kindergartens, but this was the best one.
So, she played along.
“Ethan prefers building blocks. How about letting him try?”
The interviewer smiled. “Actually, we have a dedicated block design room. You can take Ethan there.”
Hannah, thrilled, thanked them and led Ethan to the room.
Ethan was anxious the whole way, too nervous to speak. Only when they reached the door did he cautiously ask, “Mommy, did I fail?”
Hannah shook her head. “It’s because you’re already excellent. The teacher just wants to see your special skills.”
“Really?” Ethan’s eyes lit up like diamonds in the sunlight.
Hannah’s mood instantly brightened. She gently ruffled his hair.
“You’re so outstanding that many preschools want you. I am still choosing the best one for you. Don’t feel any pressure. Just treat it as an experience.”
Ethan instantly puffed up with confidence. “Mommy, I’m going to blow their minds!”
He clenched his tiny fists, cheering himself on.
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Chapter 7 The Kindergarten
Hannah chuckled and led him inside, only to realize they had been tricked.
There were no building blocks. The room was an unfinished space under renovation, filled with construction tools.
If she still didn’t understand they had been set up, she would have been a fool.
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The school didn’t want to outright reject a child, so they were hoping she would cause a scene. If she protested, they could simply blame it on a “room mix–up,” and she would be labeled a troublemaker.
With that kind of record, no preschool would take Ethan in. Worse, if rumors spread, he would be branded a “problem child” that no school would accept.
Hannah clenched her fists.
No one else but Christian would go to such lengths to sabotage a child’s education.
What a b*stard! He’s so petty. I must have been blind to ever think he was honorable. If he really thinks this little trick will make me beg, dream on! I’m done being a helpless housewife!
“Wow, Ethan!”
She put on an exaggeratedly excited expression.
“It looks like the teachers really trust us! They want us to help design the room!”
If Christian wanted her to cause trouble so that Ethan would lose his chance at school, then he shouldn’t blame her for fighting back.
Thanks to her earlier encouragement, Ethan didn’t notice they were being deliberately put in a difficult position.
“Mommy, are we supposed to paint the room?”
He pointed excitedly at the foldable ladder. “There’s even a ladder! I want to use it! I want to paint the ceiling! I’m going to be a painter!”
“Great idea!”
She moved the ladder. “Ethan, I will hold it steady for you!”
Ethan hugged a tiny paint bucket and eagerly climbed up, instructing her, “Mommy, can you help me draw something?”
Hannah, after all, had graduated from a top design school. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to make a mess with her child.
“Of course!”
For all the years she had been Mrs. Ford, there was no housekeeper at home. She had handled all the cleaning and cooking herself.
A bit of manual labor was nothing to her.
In no time, she transformed Ethan’s messy lines into a perfect rainbow.
Chapter 7 The Kindergarten
The room filled with the joyful laughter of mother and son.
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Meanwhile, around the corner in the hallway, the interviewer, looking troubled, followed the principal. “That mother and son from the interview refused to leave, so they hid somewhere. We just didn’t check this room.”
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Chapter 8 They Are Overestimating Her
Chapter 8 They Are Overestimating Her
