Jessica followed closely behind John, sensing the storm brewing within him. His broad shoulders were rigid with suppressed anger as they entered the dressing room. The scene before them made her blood run cold.

Adam stood poised to strike Elise, his hand raised menacingly. The air crackled with tension.

John's fury erupted like a volcano. He rose to his full height, his presence dominating the space. Every step he took toward Adam echoed with purpose.

Adam's face drained of all color, his bravado vanishing instantly.

Eva, however, remained defiant. "So you're Elise's little plaything?" she sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "You look like you come from money. Why would you degrade yourself with trash like—"

The sharp crack of John's palm meeting her cheek silenced her mid-sentence. The force sent Eva sprawling across the floor, where she remained in a stunned heap.

John's terrifying demeanor froze everyone in place. His forbidding presence made them afraid to even breathe too loudly.

"You hit my mother?" Jerry shrieked, his small face contorted with rage. "I'll kill you! My daddy will destroy you!"

John turned his attention to the boy. Jerry immediately shrank back, terrified by the intensity in the man's eyes. He scrambled toward his father, seeking protection.

But Adam was paralyzed with fear, unable to shield his own son.

"James, come here," John called, his voice deceptively calm.

James hurried to his father's side, his small frame trembling slightly.

"What did he do to you?" John asked, his eyes burning with savage intensity though his tone remained gentle.

James recounted the events obediently, his voice steady despite the circumstances.

"Bring me the trash can," John instructed.

James complied without hesitation.

"Now place it over his head," John directed.

James hesitated briefly. His upbringing had taught him respect and restraint, not retaliation.

John placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Sometimes, son, you must fight fire with fire. Bullies only understand strength. Show him you won't be victimized."

James squared his shoulders. With newfound determination, he shoved the trash can firmly over Jerry's head.

Jerry's immediate wails filled the dressing room. Accustomed to getting his way, he'd never experienced such humiliation. He screamed for his father's intervention, but Adam remained frozen.

Seeing her son tormented, Eva scrambled to her feet and lunged toward James.

John moved with lightning speed, positioning himself as a shield between Eva and his son.

Adam finally sprang into action, grabbing Eva and pulling her back.

"Stop this madness!" he hissed at her.

"Are you insane?" Eva shrieked, struggling against his grip. "Our son is being attacked! How can you stand there and do nothing? What kind of man are you?"

"That's William Levine," Adam whispered urgently, the name hanging heavy in the air.

Eva froze, the blood draining from her face. Even though she moved in different circles, everyone knew the Levine name. The family's influence reached every corner of high society.

Recognition dawned as she studied William's features. She'd seen his face in business magazines and society pages.

Dread washed over her as she remembered every vile word she'd spoken about Elise. She'd called William's son a bastard...

The truth struck her with brutal force. Elise's son was William Levine's heir! Everyone knew William had a son, though the mother's identity remained shrouded in mystery.

Most assumed it was Victoria Stuart...

But it was Elise Scott all along! Terror gripped Eva's heart, silencing any further protest.

The other parents trembled visibly, realizing the gravity of the situation. They remembered how their own children had participated in bullying James...

The consequences were too horrifying to contemplate.

As Jerry's cries continued to echo through the dressing room, James finally released the breath he'd been holding. A weight lifted from his small shoulders.