Chapter 1
My daughter Sophie Young wore a short skirt to school, only to be secretly photographed.
The person who took the picture posted it in the parents' group chat.
She added: [She's so young and already dressing up provocatively. I wonder what kind of parents would let their kid act like this.]
Me?
I got violent tendencies, an anti-social personality, and bipolar disorder.
I replied: [What's wrong? My daughter is gorgeous. Jealous, you sneaky pervert?]
Toby Warren's mom, Linda: [What do you mean? Why are you coming at me like that?]
Me: [Nothing. Just admit it, she's pretty, isn't she? Don't you think so?]
The usually chill parents' group chat exploded into chaos.
A bunch of parents slid into my DMs, telling me not to waste my breath arguing with her.
Linda was infamous for stirring up drama. She was the queen of nasty comments in the group.
The last time the class switched seats and Toby didn't land the prime spot, she went off on the teacher and other parents, ranting for three days straight.
She only backed down when someone finally caved and switched seats with Toby.
She seriously thought Toby was a genius and everyone else should just make way for her precious boy.
Linda: [If she keeps dressing like that every day, how's Toby supposed to concentrate in class?]
[She's just a kid and already flaunting her arms and legs. How's she ever gonna turn out decent?]
Me: [What era are you even from, you old relic?]
[Why don't you just get your little piglet snipped? Maybe then he'll finally pay attention in class. Leave my girl out of it.]
Everyone in the group chat fell silent.
About half a month ago, I noticed something wasn't right with Sophie.
She used to be bright and cheerful, always laughing and messing around, but out of nowhere, she became quiet and withdrawn.
She told me, "Dad, there's this kid who keeps following me. I'm really scared."
The kid stalking her was Toby, a big, round, chunky boy.
At first, I told her to report it to the teacher.
But the teacher just said she should stop dressing up so much. Then she wouldn't attract so much attention.
So Sophie gave up her whole closet full of cute dresses, and ended up even more depressed and closed off.
But the stalking didn't stop. One time, that kid nearly followed her right up to our doorstep.
I gave him a real scare, telling him if he ever dared show up again, I'd stuff his head into his belly and kick him around like a soccer ball.
The chubby kid looked like he was about to pee his pants.
With my encouragement and a little coaxing, she finally started wearing her dresses again, and her smile came back, showing off her adorable snaggletooth.
Once she was in a good mood, her grades shot up, too. She totally crushed the monthly exam and took first place.
Just when I thought everything was finally going great, Toby's grades tanked.
He fell hard for Sophie, and kept stalking her and sending her love letters.
When Sophie ignored him, he'd act out and bother her on purpose, just to get her attention. School was the last thing on his mind.
Linda kept insisting it was all Sophie's fault, claiming she was "seducing" Toby.
After I kept pushing her buttons, Linda finally snapped.
Linda: [What are you trying to say? Listen, if Sophie hadn't distracted Toby, his grades wouldn't have been in the gutter right now.]
[Toby's destined for the top universities. I won't allow that little vixen to mess up his future. You'd better keep her under control.]
[And it's not just Toby. Do you even know how many kids your daughter's messing up?]
Sophie totally took after her mom. She was drop-dead gorgeous. If she wanted, she could easily be the school belle. So being the cutest girl in class was just a breeze for her.
My daughter was hands down the prettiest.
Me: [Oh, screw you. Your little piglet would get horny for a farm pig if you dragged one home. He'd be worked up all night long.]
Nothing beat the thrill of some good old trash talk.
The group chat blew up. Linda went full rage mode, spewing insults left and right.
As the group admin, I directly hit her with a sweet permanent mute.
I figured that was it.
But I had no idea Toby didn't just have a rude mom. His dad was an even bigger brat.
The next day, when Sophie came home from school, she was crying.
She was shaking all over, and the moment she saw me, she threw herself into my arms.
She said, "Dad, Toby brought a bunch of grown men with him. He tried to kiss me, and when I refused, he hit me. I was so scared, Dad. Please help me..."
Her beautiful eyes were blurred with tears, and she couldn't even open them.
Her once spotless white dress was filthy, and her delicate little face was all messed up from the beating.
My heart hurt so much that I could barely breathe. My blood was raging. I felt like I was about to burst apart.
I failed to protect her. This was all on me.
Later, I did some digging on Toby's dad, Frank Warren.
On the surface, he was just a butcher, but in reality, he was muscle for hire, just like I used to be.
But I never thought he'd actually have the nerve to send people after Sophie.