Chapter 448

Oliver recoiled, his entire posture changing in an instant. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

Isabelle's mother, Olivia Sinclair, fixed him with a stern gaze. "Explain yourself. This behavior is unacceptable."

The boy hung his head, his earlier bravado gone. Then, without warning, his lips twisted into a smirk as he shoved Isabelle with surprising force for a child his size. The impact sent her sprawling onto the coarse sand.

Isabelle's piercing wail cut through the beach air. Olivia's heart clenched as she rushed to scoop up her daughter, her hands immediately checking for injuries. Angry red marks were already forming on Isabelle's delicate skin.

On concrete, this could have been catastrophic. A dangerous mix of fury and protectiveness surged through Olivia's veins.

Her sharp eyes found the culprit hiding behind a woman who appeared too young to be his mother. The woman had striking features - large, doe-like eyes that might have been beautiful if not for their current hostile glare directed at Olivia.

Taking a steadying breath, Olivia approached with Isabelle still crying in her arms. "Excuse me," she said, keeping her tone measured. "Your boy just destroyed my daughter's sandcastle and pushed her down. He needs to apologize, and he needs proper discipline. This kind of behavior can't be excused by age."

The woman's brow furrowed. "I'm his adoptive mother. Oliver's never been a problem before. There must be a reason for this."

Olivia's lips thinned. So this was that type of parent - making excuses for unacceptable behavior. Her voice turned glacial.

"Multiple witnesses saw what happened. Look at these bruises. If this had happened on pavement, we'd be in the emergency room right now. Either you handle this properly, or I will."

Olivia's security team, sensing the escalating tension, moved closer, forming a discreet but unmistakable perimeter around the confrontation.

The woman paled visibly. "Are you threatening us?" Her voice rose shrilly.

Olivia's smile held no warmth. "Consider it motivation for good parenting. I tried reasoning first."

Fear flashed across both the woman and boy's faces. Oliver began sobbing uncontrollably while his adoptive mother's jaw worked silently, though defiance still burned in her eyes.

"He was homeless before I took him in," she spat. "We've only just started building a life together, and now we have to bow to your spoiled princess? Rich people always get their way, don't they?"

With that, she roughly pushed Oliver forward. "Apologize to her."

The boy shook his head violently, tears streaming down his face. "No! She said she'd have me thrown to the sharks! That's why I pushed her!"

In perfect synchronization, both the woman and child turned accusing gazes toward Olivia and Isabelle.