Chapter 1029

Sierra had secretly hired a man in his fifties to play her abusive, gambling dad.

Her hair was a mess, her clothes tugged and wrinkled in his grip. She put on her best desperate voice.” Let go of me! I just want to stay here and study! I don’t wanna ruin my whole life!”

The man growled, “What’s the point of a girl getting so much education? A woman’s real value is getting

married and having kids!”

Sierra widened her eyes in fear. “What are you trying to do? Are you trying to push me toward those

shady guys again? They’re all just like you–drunks, gamblers, and abusers! I don’t want to meet them!”

The man sneered, “Listen, sweetheart, someone’s already offered me six grand to marry you! Six

thousand bucks! Marry this guy, be a good wife, pop out some boys, and he’ll keep the cash rolling in.

Then I’ll finally live the good life, thanks to you.”

Tears slid down Sierra’s cheeks. “No! I don’t want that. I’m your daughter, not some money machine!”

“Shut it!” he barked. “Come with me right now, or I’ll beat you till you can’t stand!”

Around them, classmates gasped in outrage.

“You can’t do that!” someone shouted. “Even if you’re her dad, you don’t get to hit her! Leave, or we’ll call the cops!”

The man just smirked, all cocky. “Go ahead, call them. I’m her father. This is a family business. Police

can’t touch me.”

Zada’s face burned red with anger. “You’re disgusting! You’re nothing but a lowlife thug!”

The man didn’t even flinch. “I gave her life! She owes me!”

On the outside, Sierra looked like the perfect tragic victim. But inside, she was thrilled. The guy’s acting was on point–Oscar–worthy.

She darted a glance at Halsey, who stood next to Zada, quiet and watchful.

Sierra pinched her arm hard to squeeze out more tears. “Dad, stop! Let me go!”

Smack!

The man slapped her across the face, loud and sharp. Gasps rippled through the classroom.

Halsey’s brows furrowed. She stepped forward, voice steady and strong. “That’s enough! This is a school, not a place where you can do whatever you want. Leave. Now.”

Sierra bolted to her side, clutching her arm like a scared child. “Halsey, I’m so scared! Please don’t let him

take me home. If I go back, it’s over for me!”

She tried to cling to Halsey.

But Halsey pulled out her phone. “I’m calling the police right now.”

Sierra froze. “What?”

“Don’t you want to?” Halsey asked firmly. “This man barged onto campus, assaulted you in front of everyone, and threatened your life. Don’t worry. The police will arrest him. I’ll even get a lawyer for you.

With proof of his gambling and abuse, he’ll spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

Panic flickered across Sierra’s face. That wasn’t part of her plan! She had only wanted to get close to Halsey, not drag the cops into it. If the man got arrested, he might spill everything about their deal. That

would ruin her.

The man started to panic, too. “No! Don’t call the cops!”

Halsey’s voice turned icy. “We have laws in this country. Men like you don’t get to walk away free. You’ll

pay for what you’ve done.”