Daddy's Secret Empire

Since I was running late to pick up my son, Kyrie Stone, from school, I did not have time to change out of my work clothes from the construction site inspection. Right at the preschool entrance, I ran into one of his classmates' parents.

The man, Adam O'Neil, looked me up and down and asked, "You're Kyrie Stone's father, right?"

I nodded politely, about to introduce myself. However, he suddenly scowled and snapped, "No wonder he acts so poorly behaved at school. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"

I frowned immediately. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

He scoffed, getting even more aggressive. "Nonsense? Kyrie shows up to school wearing weird clothes and brings all these ridiculous toys. It's distracting my daughter, Sarah, so much that her grades are slipping."

I was speechless, wondering how Sarah O'Neil's declining grades were Kyrie's fault.

When I stayed silent, Adam got even bolder. "Just look at those dusty clothes you're wearing. Do you even have the money to send Kyrie to an elite preschool like this, or are you just some laborer trying to keep up appearances?"

I thought Adam was insane. After all, Kyrie was attending our family-owned preschool.

How was that trying to keep up appearances?

I shot back, "Mr. Adam O'Neil, watch your mouth. Sarah's failing grades are her own problem, so stop blaming others for it. I suggest you take her to see a doctor and get her head checked."

I usually kept a low profile, but I was no pushover.

My response clearly caught Adam off guard. He pointed at me and shouted, "How dare you insult my precious daughter? Just look at yourself. You're dressed like some homeless bum. You're obviously just a construction worker!"

He added, "Kyrie is showing off at such a young age. If it's not to attract other girls, then what is it for?"

I was stunned speechless. These were just my outdoor work clothes for project inspections, yet to him, I suddenly looked like a homeless bum.

What made it worse was that several other parents nearby started chiming in to support him.

Someone said, "Mr. Stone, I'm not trying to be rude, but Kyrie's clothes are really too flashy…"

Another agreed, "Yeah, kids nowadays are so competitive. It really does set a bad example."

Seeing everyone siding with him, Adam grew even more smug. He looked me up and down with contempt and said, "You're always the one picking up your kid. Where's his mom? Are you actually one of those pretty boys kept by a rich woman?"

The moment he said that, the looks around us instantly changed. I could not help thinking they were just a bunch of pathetic mobs.

I said, "Are you people living in the Dark Ages? When your minds are dirty, everything you see looks dirty."

I grabbed Kyrie's hand and started to leave.

Adam suddenly yanked my arm and yelled, "Stop right there. You think you can just walk away after messing up Sarah's education? No way. If you don't give me a proper explanation, Kyrie is going to have hell to pay at this preschool!"

He threatened, "I'm telling you, Mr. Kenneth Griffin, the teacher here, is my friend and related to one of the shareholders. Getting you kicked out is as easy as snapping his fingers!"

I suddenly remembered how Kyrie had come home a few days ago, gloomy as he complained that the new male homeroom teacher did not like him.

I let out a cold laugh.

When did my preschool start hiring teachers through connections? I would have to look into this.

After all, a teacher with no professional ethics would only harm children and damage the preschool's reputation.

"Fine. I'd love to see how you plan to make my life miserable."

I shook off his hand and took Kyrie to the car.

Inside the car, Kyrie kept his head down. His eyes were red, yet he forced himself not to cry.

He asked, "Dad, did I do something wrong? Sarah said I'm a loser, and that I only wear suits to show off. But you bought me these clothes, Dad. I really like them."

Hearing those words come out of my five-year-old son's mouth felt like needles stabbing my heart.

I reassured him, "Kyrie, you didn't do anything wrong. Your clothes look sharp, and it's those nasty people who are in the wrong. Tomorrow, I'm going to put you in your most handsome custom-tailored suit."

After calming Kyrie down, I called my wife, Nadine Cooper. "Honey, today at the preschool—"

Nadine cut me off, clearly annoyed. "Elijah, for goodness' sake, give it a rest. I'm busting my ass for this family, so can you please not bother me with these trivial little things? I'm hanging up."

The line went dead with a beep.

I could faintly hear a man's voice in the background, and my gaze instantly turned cold.

This preschool was a property I had casually bought for Kyrie's convenience, registered under the corporation's name.

I was actually the only son of the Eyburgh Stone family, one of the most prominent families in the city.

Back then, my parents had looked down on Nadine's background. To spare her from being mistreated after marriage, I had given up inheriting the family business.

Using the first money from my college startup, I built my own company from scratch. Later, when my parents got older and saw that I could handle everything on my own, they handed the corporation back to me.

I never got the chance to tell Nadine about this. She still thought I was just an ordinary office worker.

I had planned to tell her on our fifth anniversary at the end of the year as a surprise. Coincidentally, her new company was part of my group, so I quietly promoted her to vice CEO.

However, it looked like the power had gone to her head, and she was bold enough to cheat on me.