Classmate's Triumph and CEO's Regret

Jack whipped out his phone and dialed a number.

The call connected instantly, and he said sweetly, "Olivia, babe."

My stomach churned. Every time I called her, it went straight to voicemail, her texts claiming she was buried in meetings or too slammed to talk.

Yet she answered Jack's call before the first ring finished.

He spoke briefly and hung up, grinning at me. "My wife's coming. Don't you dare run."

Minutes later, a white BMW X7 pulled up. Olivia stepped out, her face a mask of cold authority.

Jack rushed to her side, playing the victim. "Honey, you're here. This psycho is causing a scene. Says our car is his, and he roughed up Emery."

Emery held up his wrist, showing faint marks. "Mom, he was so mean. He snatched my knife and squeezed my arm."

Olivia patted his back. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll handle this."

"That's the guy!" Jack scowled, pointing at me. "He is unhinged, and his daughter is no better. Make them disappear."

The parents jumped in, their accusations flying.

"He insulted Jack and hurt Emery."

"He's just jealous of your perfect family."

"And he has no respect for you."

Olivia's gaze landed on me. For a split second, her anger faltered, a flicker of guilt crossing her face before she masked it.

She approached, her voice icy. "Sir, there must be a misunderstanding here. But touching my son? That's unacceptable."

"And?" I crossed my arms.

She paused, her eyes flickering away. "Apologize, and we'll let this slide."

Jack wasn't satisfied. "That won't settle it. He humiliated me in front of everyone and hurt Emery. He has to pay."

He gestured at the crowd. "Look at all these people. If I let him go easily, they'll think I'm weak."

Those parents nodded eagerly.

"Spot on. We can't be too soft."

"Teach him a lesson, or others will try the same."

"We can't let him walk all over us."

"You hear that?" Jack pressed. "If we don't shut this down, every parent will question our prestige. Don't you care?"

"Shut up!" Olivia huffed, caught between a rock and a hard place.

Jack was stunned. "W-What's wrong?"

"Apologize? Sure, I can do that," I said.

Jack paused, surprised by my quick concession. His smirk returned. "That's more like it."

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. "Captain Guzman? I'm at my daughter's school. Someone stole my car. Can you swing by and take care of it?"

I hung up and met Jack's gaze. "My apology is on the way."

Jack laughed, his confidence unshaken. "Calling someone to roll logs? Nice try."

The crowd jeered, "Captain Guzman? Give me a break."