Chapter 511 Field Day (Part One)

• “Mommy!” From far away, Leonard spotted her and waved, yelling with pure joy. If the teachers hadn’t roped off the activity area, he would’ve sprinted straight into her arms. “Whoa, Leo, is that your mommy? She’s gorgeous!” “Yeah…like an angel!” “Your father looks so badass—like a king!” A few classmates chattered, voices tumbling over one another. They’d long been won over by Leonard’s sharp mind and treated him like a little prince. So of course they were curious about his father and Jovienne. Seeing them today, they were blown away— The man was tall and handsome, with a strong, kingly air in his features. The woman was refined and lovely; even in the most body-hiding tracksuit, she couldn’t hide that effortless grace. The two walked in hand in hand, and every head in the place turned. “Oh, it’s Hendrik!” In no time, someone in the crowd recognized him. Hendrik heard them. He just flicked a look their way, a silent order to zip it. The last thing he wanted was to be gawked at like a zoo exhibit in his son’s school. Of course, there were plenty of society wives off to the side too. They clustered together, eyes burning with envy at the striking couple, gossip spilling out: “I heard Leo comes from a single-parent home. So where did that drop-dead gorgeous dad pop out from?” “You heard that too? Look at his mom—she’s got that pretentious, flirty look. Doesn’t seem like a decent person.” “Exactly! Bet she snagged some rich guy to play house and put on a show!” Their whispers ran hot. Hendrik’s gaze cut their way like a blade. They choked on their breath. Damn. This man’s aura was next-level. Even dressed casual, that hard-edged power in his eyes didn’t go away. Not one of them dared spit out another word; they shrank back and looked away. “Looks like I need a chat with the principal.” To avoid special treatment at school and to keep schemers from targeting Leonard, they’d listed only Jovienne as guardian at enrollment. But somehow, these people twisted that into something “shameful.” Give me a break. Parents with standards that low shouldn’t be wasting a seat here. “Dear parents, our field day begins in thirty minutes. Please head to the designated area and rest for a bit.” At that moment, Ms. Chen, who was in charge of the event, caught Hendrik’s face darkening and quickly grabbed the mic to make the announcement. The X–St. Chuan Elementary School was the top-tier grade school in Sparaville, with the best educational resources. Naturally it drew kids from the upper class. Officials, tycoons, CEOs… Pull anyone at random and their background could flatten you. And among them, the most eye-catching was Hendrik. If they hadn’t done their homework quietly and learned that Jovienne was Mrs. Xenakis and Leo simply took his mother’s surname, this would’ve blown up big. “What did you just say?” Jovienne had been focused on their kid and hadn’t caught what he muttered. She asked as they walked. “Nothing.” Hendrik shot one last cold glance toward the retreating group and forced down his anger. Oh, he wanted to do something about it. But wrong time, wrong place. He’d wait till field day was over, then tally the bill—one by one. Leonard hadn’t heard every word of their jabbering, but the mom he hated most—Jasper’s mother—was in that pack. He could guess the rest. Because his IQ was off the charts, he often beat Jasper in tests and contests. That already got under her skin. She’d even spread rumors in the parent circle that he was a b*stard. He could swallow that. But if she ran her mouth today in front of his father and Jovienne… then he’d settle old scores and new ones together.