Elise smiled warmly.

She gave James two enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Her expression showed complete support, without any concern for appearances.

The teachers were organizing the parent-child groups.

They noticed one little girl didn't have both parents present.

Elite private schools like this typically required both parents for activities.

Before any awkwardness could settle, James spoke up.

"Can my mommy play with us?" he asked a teacher brightly.

"But your mommy is already here..."

"That's my mommy," James declared, pointing directly at Elise in the stands.

The teacher smiled indulgently at the child's imagination.

"Of course she can join," she agreed pleasantly.

She went to invite Elise, who happily accepted.

James was beaming with excitement.

Elise would stand in as mommy for the little girl.

The relay race was about to begin.

Though in different teams, Elise and James were close enough to talk.

"Are you good at running, Mommy?" James asked eagerly.

"Absolutely," Elise replied with confident pride.

"Where do you think you got your athletic genes from?"

"So I got them from you, Mommy!" James exclaimed, his eyes shining.

"That's why I won't go easy on you," Elise teased playfully.

"We're competitors now, after all."

"I'll give it my best!" James declared with determination.

The starting whistle blew sharply.

The relay race commenced immediately.

The atmosphere became instantly vibrant and energetic.

Elise focused completely, ready for her turn with the baton.

When her moment came, she grabbed the baton smoothly.

She sprinted forward with powerful strides.

She quickly gained ground on the runner ahead.

James had already completed his leg of the race.

He cheered loudly as Elise began running.

He didn't notice Victoria already running ahead of Elise.

Victoria wasn't particularly athletic.

Even with her head start, Elise was rapidly closing the gap.

Just as Elise prepared to dash past her, Victoria suddenly swerved.

She moved directly into Elise's path unexpectedly.

Elise, running at full speed, couldn't stop in time.

They collided violently.

Victoria fell heavily beneath her.

The crowd gasped in collective shock.

James looked horrified.

He started running toward Elise immediately.

But William reached her first.

While teachers and other parents hurried toward the two women, William was already helping Elise to her feet.

He scanned her from head to toe anxiously.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice thick with concern.

Elise shook her head and gently pushed him away.

She truly wasn't injured.

Victoria, however, moaned in clear pain.

"Ow..." she whimpered softly.

William finally turned his attention to Victoria.

Both her knees were badly scraped.

The sight was gruesome and bloody.

One teacher exclaimed urgently, "Quick, Mr. Levine! You need to take her to the infirmary!"

William reached out to help Victoria stand.

But as she tried to put weight on her legs, her knees buckled instantly.

When William attempted to support her again, Victoria groaned painfully.

"Ow..."

The teacher insisted immediately, "Mr. Levine, you'll have to carry her."