Zachary waved his hand dismissively as he stepped into the kitchen. The medicine was already prepared. He poured soup into a bowl and brought it over together with the medicine.“Drink it while it’s hot. I added extra water, so make sure you finish it all.”Sarah stared at the bowl in front of her—a large soup bowl that was even bigger than her face. “That’s way too much.”Zachary had already brought over the pot. There was still another full bowl’s worth inside.“It’s for your health.” Zachary smiled gently.Sarah felt a tingling discomfort down her scalp. She picked up the spoon and started taking small sips. Sneaking a glance upward, she caught sight of Zachary’s deep, focused eyes, which only made her feel more uneasy.“Mr. Reynolds, it’s already late. You should get some rest.” She didn’t want Zachary watching her as she forced down the medicine.This time, Zachary didn’t argue. “Make sure to drink it all.”With that, he turned and left.The medicine was unbearably bitter
One test set missing?Sarah stared intently at the damaged safe. When she left last night, it had been securely locked, and the only key was with her.“What do we do now, Ms. Sanders?” The student beside her was on the verge of tears.The principal’s speech was nearly over, and it would soon be time for the judges to speak. Sarah made a quick decision. “Here’s what we’ll do—discard all these test questions.”“Discard them?! But the test sets have already been handed to the judges. Where are we going to find a new set of questions now?”Sarah pulled out a USB drive. “This drive contains a completely new set of questions. Originally, I set it aside because the difficulty level was a bit high. Now, take this and find two trusted people to help you. Make 500 copies as quickly as possible and bring them back.”The participants were already seated, and their phones had been collected. Once the new tests were printed, they could be distributed immediately without risk of further leaks.
Jane, Professor Wells, and the other judges were surprised when they received the new test questions—it was clear they were different from the set they’d been given earlier that morning.The participants were given only ten minutes to complete the test. To everyone’s shock, only forty contestants advanced to the next round.Mia was among the finalists, but Lucy was eliminated.Furious, Lucy yanked the crumpled test paper from her bag. Lindsey tried to console her, saying, “It’s okay, Lucy. It’s just a competition.”“Get lost! Stay away from me!” Lucy exploded, tearing the paper into shreds and throwing it to the ground.Annoyed, Lindsey walked away, muttering under her breath, “What’s her problem? She failed to cheat and now she’s blaming me.”The second round proceeded smoothly. Each time a video clip was played, the groups would start writing furiously on their sheets. The entire auditorium was filled with nothing but the quiet scratching of pens on paper.When the second roun
Just as Mia stepped onto the stage, Lucy suddenly stormed up and pointed at Sarah, shouting loudly, “I want to report something! Sarah helped Mia cheat! This is unfair!” Her words echoed through the auditorium, and the room fell silent. Zachary’s cold gaze swept over Lucy, while Sarah responded in a steady, icy tone. “Lucy, you can’t make accusations without proof.” “I have proof!” Lucy screamed, her voice frantic. Dean Larson exchanged a glance with Professor Wells, while Jane looked on with a cold, unreadable expression. Lucy continued, her voice filled with righteous indignation. “The original test questions were supposed to be a different set! But just thirty minutes before the competition, Sarah swapped them out. Isn’t that suspicious? And look at this!” She held up Mia’s bag and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper. “I found the original test questions in Mia’s bag!” Dean Larson turned to Sarah, his tone heavy. “Ms. Sanders, what’s going on here?” He was awar
Sarah’s gaze grew sharper as she locked eyes with Lucy. Her voice was steady but commanding. “Who told you?”Lucy avoided her stare, her eyes darting nervously. Still, she clung to her argument. “That doesn’t matter! The fact is, this test paper is from the competition! Don’t deny it. If you won’t admit it, we can have the events committee investigate to see who’s lying! You’re just helping Mia cheat because you’re close to her!”The crowd grew restless, their anger reignited. If Lucy’s claims were true, then Sarah had crossed a line, betraying the trust of the entire competition.The psychology department’s reputation had been built on the long-standing tradition of these annual competitions. And now, someone was accusing a faculty member of cheating in one of its most important events.But Sarah remained calm. She smiled faintly and raised a hand to quiet the room. “Everyone, please listen. Lucy is correct. This is indeed the first set of test questions—the ones prepared for toda
Sarah’s face was cold and composed as she gestured toward the screen. The projector lit up, displaying grainy, green-tinged footage from the office’s night-vision camera. Despite the low light, the scene was clear.After about ten seconds, the office door creaked open. Two figures snuck inside, moving cautiously. One of them was unmistakably Lucy.“Turn it off! Turn it off!” Lucy screamed, her panic evident. A moment ago, she had been full of bravado, but seeing the footage made her realize the truth—this had been a trap. Sarah had set her up from the start.The video paused, freezing on Lucy’s face in perfect clarity.“Lucy Chancer,” Dean Larson said, his face alternating between pale and flushed with anger, “so you’re the one who stole the test questions. And now, at the competition, you dare accuse others to cover your own actions?”The dean’s fury was palpable. In front of so many reporters, this wasn’t just embarrassing—it was a direct blow to the university’s reputation.St
“No! You can’t!” Lucy screamed as if possessed, suddenly scrambling to her feet. Her voice was shrill, almost desperate. “Dean! You absolutely cannot call the police! If you do, my life will be ruined! You can’t! I’m from the Chancer family! My brother is on the board of trustees—you can’t just ignore that!”Tears brimmed in her eyes, overflowing as she shook her head wildly. She couldn’t let this happen.She was the daughter of the Chancer family, a shining socialite of the East Coast. If she were arrested and sent to jail, not only would the other wealthy families shun her, but she’d become a target of mockery for everyone in her circle.Dean Larson hesitated, visibly torn. After all, the Chancer family held sway over the board.But Zachary’s icy voice cut through the tension. “Don’t worry, Dean Larson. The board isn’t blind to right and wrong. Besides, this matter involves Mia, and the Reynolds family will not let this go. Let’s follow Ms. Sanders’s suggestion.”“Mr. Reynolds!
The Infirmary.Sarah’s legs were badly burned, red and swollen, with blisters forming. Her arms bore smaller burn marks as well.Mia had wanted to come along, but Zachary sent her home, insisting she rest.As the doctor treated Sarah’s burns, she drew in a sharp breath. The pain was excruciating—not just searing heat, but a crawling, prickling sensation, as if countless tiny insects were biting into her skin. It burned and itched all at once, the kind of itch she desperately wanted to scratch but couldn’t without unbearable pain.“Don’t touch it,” Zachary said firmly, catching her wrist to stop her from moving.The doctor handed Zachary an ice pack. “Place this directly on the burn. Keep it against the skin for at least ten minutes.”Zachary took the ice pack but suddenly paused, glancing at the doctor. “Wait—can she still use ice for that... area?”The doctor immediately understood. “It’s fine. She likely won’t feel it there.”Sarah’s face turned crimson. Using her uninjured h
As they walked, Mr. Lambert briefed her about the factory. "Miss Sanders, the place has changed considerably over the years. Headquarters sent inspectors a few years ago, but no one has visited in the last three years. They haven't forgotten about us, have they?"Sarah smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Mr. Lambert. Sanders Group would never abandon any employee or facility. I'm here specifically to resolve these issues."Mr. Lambert nodded, though Sarah noticed his expression growing increasingly troubled as they approached the factory. Just before entering, he warned her, "The situation inside isn't good. I've worked here for decades and have some authority, but lately there've been all sorts of problems. Some workers are on strike, and even the manager is at his wit's end."Once inside, Sarah finally understood what Mr. Lambert meant.The factory manager greeted them with a group of workers holding protest signs. "You must be from headquarters. I hear you're Mr. Sanders' sister.
In early October, West Ridge had been experiencing harsh weather, though the locals were accustomed to it.A black sedan stopped at the village entrance where a middle-aged man with pleasant features was waiting.A stylishly dressed woman stepped out carrying her suitcase. After exchanging a few words with her driver, the car drove away.The man took her suitcase. "Miss Sanders? I'm your cousin's friend. You can call me Mr. Lambert.”"Thank you, Mr. Lambert.”He led her to a house. "You'll stay here for now. The villagers don't have many modern amenities or reliable internet. It's quite basic.""Thank you, Mr. Lambert.”Inside the courtyard, Sarah saw a man, a woman, and an elderly couple staring at her."This is our visitor from the city," Mr. Lambert explained to the Wesler family. "She'll be staying in your guest quarters for a few days."The Wesler family nodded as if used to such arrangements. The elderly couple silently went to prepare food.After putting her suitcase i
The nurse finished changing Sarah's medication and said warmly, "If today's tests look good, you can be discharged tomorrow.""Great, thank you."Alone in the private hospital room, the emptiness only amplified her feelings of isolation.With no one around, she repeatedly watched news footage of Zachary leaving the Wilson mansion, analyzing his expression five times over, trying to determine if his feelings were genuine or forced.She couldn't tell. At noon, Melvin arrived with lunch.Sarah noticed his furrowed brow. "What's wrong? Something's bothering you."Melvin forced a smile. "It's nothing. How are you feeling today?""The nurse says I can leave tomorrow." Sarah's voice was unnaturally flat. "If something's happened, don't keep it from me."Thinking of recent events, Melvin seemed to deflate. "Are you really okay, Sarah?""I'm fine, truly. Now please tell me what's going on."Under her persistent gaze, Melvin finally explained."There's trouble at the factory in West R
"Mia, have you forgotten? We've known each other longer than you've known Sarah, haven't we? We used to chat together, shop together, laugh together. Why did you start disliking me after Sarah came along? It hurts me too."Mia froze, not knowing how to respond. It was true - she had cast Vivian as the obstacle between her brother and Sarah.In all fairness, Vivian had always been nice to her. "I... it's all my brother's fault!"She threw down her utensils and ran to her room.Vivian concealed the laughter in her eyes. She'd always known Mia was easily manipulated.At the Chancer residence.James returned home exhausted from work. His mother was playing cards with several women in the living room."James, you're back?" His mother didn't look up from her game.James took off his coat and went upstairs, his mother's conversation with the other women following him."Have you heard? That Zachary Reynolds is engaged to Miss Wilson. The engagement party is in a month. That Sanders gi
Sarah noticed something off in Melvin's expression.“Melvin, what's wrong?""Nothing," he said, looking uncomfortable.Sarah coughed lightly. "You're hiding something from me. What is it? Is it about Zachary?"Melvin avoided her eyes, quickly getting up from beside the bed.“Melvin! Tell me what happened!" Something major must have occurred during the day and night she'd been unconscious."Sasa, just focus on recovering. Finish your chicken soup and don't worry about anything else."Melvin didn't want Sarah to know, but she held out her hand. "Brother, give me the remote."He quickly hid it behind his back.Sarah lunged for it. Afraid of hurting her, Melvin didn't resist too forcefully, and she managed to grab the remote.She turned on the TV. The earlier news was gone. She flipped through channels until finally catching a glimpse of Zachary on a financial news station."Reports indicate Miss Wilson and Mr. Reynolds reached an engagement agreement two nights ago. According t
Mia could see he was exhausted. “Zach, please cancel the engagement. If this was going to be the outcome, you should never have told me you loved Sarah in the first place."The matter was settled. Zachary looked at Mia helplessly.Mr. Wilson and their grandfather had already agreed. Canceling wasn't as simple as just saying so - it involved both the Wilson and Reynolds families."I can't," he sighed.Mia seemed to deflate, slamming the door again. "I don't need you looking after me!"When Sarah woke, her entire body ached. She'd slept for a full day and night, finally waking early the next morning.She wearily looked at the metal clock on her bedside table, ticking away with its hands pointing to five o'clock.Rubbing her throbbing forehead, she felt the IV needle taped to her left hand. Following the tube upward, she saw a glucose drip.Her throat felt itchy. She coughed lightly, which made her lungs hurt.She recalled the events of the past two days - the kidnapping, hours i
"How is she?" Zachary asked.Mia glared at him. "I thought you didn't care about Sarah at all. Surprising you'd even ask."Zachary frowned slightly. "Mia, tell me."Mia gave a mocking laugh. "If you really wanted to know how Sarah is, why don't you ask her yourself? One minute you're with Vivian, ignoring whether Sarah lives or dies, the next you're asking about her well-being. I can't tell anymore if you love her or not."She stomped her foot angrily. "You're nothing but a liar!" She slammed the door.Zachary stared at the tightly closed door with a bitter smile. He understood why Mia was angry - wasn't he himself resentful of his own choice?But things had gone too far now. He had no right to express regret, especially not to Sarah.Every moment in his study, he wanted to call Melvin to ask about Sarah, but his finger hovered over the dial button without the courage to press it.After all he'd said to Melvin before, calling or not calling were equally painful ironies.Thankf
"Sarah is at Adams entrance. Hurry."Melvin crushed the paper, his eyes cold as steel. "Find that car that stopped at Adams. Tear the city apart if you have to."Why would they release her before getting the ransom? No time to think - he rushed to Adams University.The campus was dark at eleven PM. The streets were empty, with not a soul at the school entrance - except for a figure lying on the ground opposite the gate.Sarah lay on the cold ground, her breathing shallow. Hours of rain had soaked her completely, as if she'd been pulled from water.A car screeched to a halt. Melvin jumped out and saw Sarah on the ground as rain continued to fall.He approached her fearfully, crouching down to check for breath against his fingertip. He felt the faintest sign of life.He exhaled with relief. "Open the door!"Melvin lifted Sarah and placed her in the backseat. The driver quickly shut the door."To the hospital!" Melvin ordered.Sitting beside her, he noticed how cold and pale she
Smoke swirled, blurring Zachary's face as he took a drag from the blue-tipped cigarette. He exhaled before saying quietly, "It's true."As the smoke cleared, Mia stared at him in disbelief. "Zach! This can't be true! You said Sarah was the one you loved - how could you suddenly get engaged to Vivian? And we still haven't heard anything about Sarah. Didn't you promise to protect her, to make her my sister-in-law?"Tears slid down Mia's face as she continued chokingly, "So all those things you said before were lies! You're a coward, a jerk! I see it now - everything you said was fake!"Mia kept talking while Zachary listened silently.He gave a self-mocking smile. Mia was right - he was a coward. Too cowardly to gamble with Sarah's safety, unwilling to risk even the slightest danger to her."I am."Mia laughed bitterly. "Great! You'd even call yourself a coward to avoid saving Sarah. Are you still my brother?""I'm sorry," Zachary sighed."Don't apologize to me. Sarah's the one y