Chapter 6

He greeted me with a warm smile, radiating youthful energy.

His body was covered in thick hair, exactly like the art teacher I remembered.

"Aunt Sophia, what brings you here?"

His gaze was bolder than before, as if he already owned me.

This confirmed my suspicion—this young man was far too audacious!

Trembling, I asked, "Ryan, tell me the truth. Is Mr. Anderson’s early admission to the Ivy League real?"

He chuckled darkly, ignoring the public setting, and began touching me.

The warmth of his hands felt exactly as I remembered.

"Aunt Sophia, you figured it out already? I thought it would take you at least two weeks."

Humiliation and anger washed over me. It really was this little bastard!

I immediately pulled away and snapped, "Ryan Evans, this is a crime. I could send you to jail!"

He shrugged casually. "Aunt Sophia, I’m not afraid of jail. But if Jacob finds out about this…"

He pulled out his phone and showed me a video—of him and me together.

I nearly fainted. This vile creature didn’t just assault me—he recorded it for his own pleasure.

"Aunt Sophia, you’re so desperate to get Jacob into the Ivy League because he stole your underwear, right?"

Finally, everything clicked.

Ryan was behind it all. He corrupted my son, lent him the iPad, and encouraged him to steal my clothes.

Then he casually mentioned the art teacher’s early admission offer to lure me in.

I had been played by this little brat from the very beginning.

I felt drained and collapsed into a chair. "Ryan Evans, what do you want?"

He licked his lips greedily. "Aunt Sophia, you don’t want Jacob to know about us, do you?

If he finds out, he’ll never focus on his SAT. His future will be ruined."

I nodded weakly. This monster went to all this trouble just to have me.

I could endure this for a month. I would pretend it was a nightmare.

Ryan grinned triumphantly and took me to a motel.

I felt utterly humiliated. I had fallen for a child’s scheme, and there was no way out.

I had to play along for now.

I stumbled home in a daze and cried until my eyes were swollen shut.

There was no early admission offer. Jacob would have to rely on his own efforts.

I decided to have an honest conversation with my son.

I hoped he could maintain his current grades and at least get into a state university.

The SAT could determine his entire future.

I refused to let him throw it all away over vulgar distractions.

Even if he hated me forever, it would be worth it.