"So you're feeling more confident now?"Sarah nodded, "The biggest obstacle between therapists and patients isn't usually the trigger or form of their episodes - it's trust. If a patient can trust their doctor completely and unconditionally, progress happens much faster. And I can see it now - she trusts me, depends on me even.""She can be childlike sometimes, but she's very sensitive to people's energy. She can feel that you're good to her.""No, it's more than that," Sarah's expression turned serious. "I can tell that our brief time together isn't enough to build this level of trust. There must be another reason - I just don't know what it is yet."Zachary’s hand trembled slightly, though his face remained neutral. "I trust you, Sasa.""By the way, what are you going to do about Lucy?""I've handed everything to the police - all the witness statements, physical evidence, and video footage. The school will handle the rest. James has been trying to pull strings, but no one dares
When Sarah left her bedroom, she found Zachary had already gone, leaving breakfast for two on the dining table.After washing up and eating breakfast, she applied burn cream to her leg while Mia was still sleeping.As she was pondering Mia's condition, her phone rang with an unknown number.She answered uncertainly, "Hello?"A soft laugh came through, followed by Jane's voice. "Forgotten my voice already? After yesterday's competition, I didn't get a chance to check on you. How's the burn?""Dr. Lawrence, it doesn't hurt much now, just still swollen. I just applied some burn cream. You're heading back soon, right?"Sarah remembered Jane was only staying for seven days, and today was the seventh day."Yes, flying out tonight. I have a panel discussion scheduled for early morning there.""So soon?" Sarah was surprised.Jane laughed, "Can't help it. There's so much to share from this trip, but the East Coast has many excellent psychologists and experts who've provided valuable in
This Mia was completely different from the confident, lively girl they'd met yesterday. Such a dramatic change in just one day."Could something have triggered this?" Jane asked quietly.Sarah watched Mia worriedly. "Yesterday when she saw my burned leg at home, she became like this. She was even more agitated then. She was terrified of everything, and it took tremendous effort to get her to sleep.""I think I understand. She must have been injured before. These are trauma responses, likely more psychological than physical. Past trauma being triggered, making her relive that environment and unable to escape it," Jane explained thoughtfully.But Sarah had a different concern. "If she's trapped in that past environment, shouldn't she be afraid of everything unfamiliar? Even with her brother, she shows some fear. But with me, she shows complete trust and dependency, even though we've only known each other briefly."She meant that Mia's trust and dependence on her didn't make sense.
She clung tightly to Sarah's arm, crying, as if this was her only source of security.Sarah let her hold on, wondering what Mia must have experienced to make her feel so unsafe."I'm here. Don't be afraid. I'm right here," she said softly.Mia gradually calmed down but kept holding Sarah's arm, her eyes darting around anxiously.Jane took a sip of coffee and checked the time. "Let me drive you both home - it's getting late.""Thank you, Dr. Lawrence.”Sarah and Mia got into Jane's car, and they quickly arrived at the apartment building.Before leaving, Jane told her: "My senior colleague will be returning to the country soon. He's a more experienced psychiatrist than I am. I'll mention you to him - he might get in touch.""Thank you," Sarah replied sincerely.As she closed the car door, Jane lowered the window for one last comment: "Your research paper is incredibly valuable. I've sent my questions and thoughts about it to your email. You shouldn't just be a counselor at Adams
“Mom! Our family only holds five percent of the school’s shares. The Reynolds family controls forty percent—nearly half. Do you really think the dean would risk offending them for us?” James’ tone was exasperated.And there was something he hadn’t mentioned yet: Lucy’s reputation at school was already terrible. She had been using the family name to bully other students for years, targeting anyone she didn’t like. Several promising students had even been forced to drop out because of her behavior.The dean had been tactful in his remarks, but the truth was clear. He had only tolerated Lucy’s actions because of the Chancer family’s influence. Now that the Reynolds family had stepped in, there was no way the school would continue shielding her.“As expected, everyone just bows to power and picks on the weak! What about my poor Lucy? What’s she going to do now?” Mrs. Chancer wailed, her voice shrill with despair.James’ tone turned cold. “Mom, you know better than I do what kind of rep
“You’ve completely disgraced our family! Especially with those ridiculous things you posted on the forums. I can’t help you anymore!” James’s voice was cold, his patience wearing thin. “James! Everything I did was for you!” Lucy shouted, her voice shrill with frustration. “That shameless woman cheated on you while you were married, yet you gave her so much money and even the house! She married you just for the money! I couldn’t stand her, that’s all! How dare she act so shamelessly and still take what belongs to our family?” “That’s enough!” James’ face darkened further, his anger barely contained. “This isn’t even about whether I can help you. Do you know who turned you in? It was the Reynolds family. No one can help you now. Reflect on your actions while you’re here!” With that, James turned and walked out without looking back. “Don’t go! James! You’re not allowed to leave!” Lucy screamed, slamming her fists against the door. Her outburst was short-lived as two officers q
Zachary continued answering softly, “Mia, it’s not too late. Look, I’ve brought you both out safely.”“Sarah, are you safe now?” Mia suddenly asked, her tone laced with unease.Sarah was taken aback but nodded reassuringly. “Yes, we’re all safe now.”“Good!” Mia pulled her bowl closer and began sipping her soup quietly.Zachary seemed momentarily lost in thought, his gaze distant.As night fell, Zachary tidied up and left. Mia went to sleep, but Sarah lay awake, unable to settle her mind.Her thoughts lingered on Zachary. There was no doubt—he was a perfect man.She could feel her feelings toward him shifting, evolving in ways she couldn’t control.The more she tried to distance herself, the more she found herself drawn to him.“Breaking news: Lucy Chancer, the daughter of the Chancer family, was caught cheating during Adams University's psychology competition by stealing exam questions and framing another student. After being exposed, she threw boiling water at one of the jud
James had just signed a contract at an upscale tea lounge, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The image of Sarah standing next to Zachary kept replaying in his mind, unsettling him.As he left the tea lounge, he noticed a long line of people outside a nearby dessert shop bustling with activity.His assistant caught his glance and explained, “Mr. Chancer, that’s Taste Avenue, a famous dessert shop here in East Coast City. People drive for hours just to line up for their treats. It’s become a must-visit spot, but their supplies are limited, so not everyone gets what they want.”Taste Avenue.The name stirred a memory.He remembered coming home from work one evening, finding Sarah excitedly showing off her latest purchase. The coffee table had been covered with desserts of all shapes and sizes.“James, look! This is their famous ice tart. I waited in line for three hours to get it. Come try a bite,” she said with a bright smile, holding the tart up to him.He had only glanced at her
Mrs. Chancer anxiously watched Charlotte lying unconscious on the bed, barely hearing anything the hospital director was saying.James had regained his composure after learning that Charlotte was currently stable. He politely responded to the director, "Thank you. Please don't let us keep you from your duties."After speaking, he glanced at the housekeeper.The housekeeper instinctively stepped forward and extended his right hand courteously. "Director, please, let me escort you back."Mrs. Chancer sat on the stool that James had pulled over, staring at Charlotte's pale face with lingering fear, unable to look away for a long time.It wasn't that she truly cared for Charlotte; she was simply afraid of losing her chance to hold her first grandchild.James placed his hand on her shoulder and gently urged, "Mom, you've had a shock. Charlotte is fine now. Why don't you go home and rest?"Mrs. Chancer was still somewhat angry with him. "I'm not leaving. What if you leave the moment I'
She bit her lip hard, regaining some clarity, then shouted toward the stairway, "Help! Someone come quickly! Save my baby!"Before she lost consciousness, several panicked figures appeared in her vision, rushing toward her.The ambulance arrived quickly. Everyone carefully lifted Charlotte inside, where doctors and nurses immediately began emergency procedures.The housekeeper went along in the ambulance to the hospital.On the way, he called both James and Mrs. Chancer, briefly explaining what had happened and giving them the hospital's location.After receiving the call, James put aside his work and rushed to the hospital as quickly as possible.Even though he disliked Charlotte, the child in her womb was his undeniable responsibility.Mrs. Chancer reacted as if the world was ending. As soon as she arrived at the hospital, she frantically found a doctor and grabbed his hand, refusing to let go. "Where is my daughter-in-law? Where is she? Is the baby okay?"The doctor she corne
Perhaps due to her extreme emotional state, Charlotte quickly fell asleep.She had a dream.In her dream, she had just gotten off a plane and spotted James in the distance, elegantly leaning against his car waiting for her. In that moment, his eyes were fixed only on her.Charlotte ran toward him happily, wanting to throw herself into his arms and hold him tight.However, halfway there, she saw another woman appear from the side who ran straight into James's welcoming embrace.She could clearly see that James's eyes were filled with affection, without sparing even a glance in her direction."No, this can't be real. Who is she?" Charlotte shook her head in disbelief as she walked closer step by step. When she saw the woman's face, she instantly fell apart."Sarah Sanders, why is it you again? Why do you keep haunting me? James is mine. Don't you dare try to take him away." Charlotte lunged forward like a madwoman, trying to separate them.A mist enveloped the couple, and the scen
The guard at the door was easy to convince. She made up a simple excuse about having a stomachache or needing to see a doctor.The police still sent someone to follow her to the building entrance. When they arrived, the officer blocked her path. "Ms. Garnett, please go back. Without approval, you can't see anyone except your doctor.""Not even my husband? My stomach hurts terribly. I need to see my husband to feel at ease," she pleaded.But the officer wouldn't budge. "Ms. Garnett, please return!"Just then, the officer received a phone call. After listening for a few moments, the officer stepped aside.Charlotte walked in confidently, wearing sunglasses with her head held high.The receptionist greeted her politely, "Miss, who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment?"Charlotte removed her sunglasses, frowning slightly with an annoyed tone, "I'm here to see your CEO, James Chancer. Do I really need an appointment?"The receptionist was new and didn't recognize Charlotte
As Mrs. Sanders kept talking, not only did Sarah stay silent — she actually started laughing.Mrs. Sanders frowned. “What are you laughing at?”Sarah’s gaze turned cold. Her voice was calm but sharp. “Shouldn’t matters between us younger people be handled by us directly? Wouldn’t it sound bad if word got out that you’re getting involved like this?”She paused for a second, then added with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Besides, no matter what, I’m still the biggest shareholder in Sanders Group. Firing an employee is well within my rights, don’t you think?”Right now, Sarah was actually glad Mrs. Sanders had finally dropped the act and shown her true colors. At least it saved Sarah the trouble of pretending to be polite.Mrs. Sanders still wore the kind, gentle smile of an elder, but her voice turned colder underneath. “So what, you’re using your position to pressure me now?”Sarah laughed softly. “You’re joking. How would I dare?”Without bothering to continue the
Later that night, Sarah went downstairs with her empty glass to get some water. But just as she passed by the living room, she overheard a conversation between Melvin and Mrs. Sanders.“You’re really impossible to talk to, you know that?” Mrs. Sanders sounded both angry and disappointed. “It’s not just me — everyone in the family has been trying to convince you. Sarah studied psychology, not business. She has no experience at all. The entire Sanders Group is depending on you.”Melvin’s voice, on the other hand, was clearly filled with impatience. “I’m pretty sure I told you a long time ago, stop bringing up anything about Sarah.”Mrs. Sanders snorted coldly. “How can I not bring it up? It’s just that you’re willing to work like a fool without asking for anything in return. If you’re just going to be a tool to manage Sanders Group for someone else, I really don’t understand why you’re doing all this.”She paused, then added, “By the way, your aunt hinted to me earlier — she wa
Melvin forced a small smile.He honestly didn’t know how his mother could scold him so viciously over the phone just a few days ago… only to turn around tonight and act like nothing had happened, praising him in front of everyone.Mrs. Sanders finally seemed to notice Sarah as well. She smiled politely and nodded. “Sarah, you’re here too? Come on in.”Many of the Sanders family elders were there tonight. When Uncle Shawn saw Sarah, his face lit up with joy. He quickly pulled her over to sit at the main table beside him.“Sasa, you must have had a rough time in West Ridge. Later, I’ll ask the kitchen to make all your favorite dishes, just for you.”Sarah’s heart warmed at his words. Uncle Shawn really did treat her like his own daughter.But when she glanced to the side, she noticed Mrs. Sanders looking at her coldly — like she was staring at an enemy.Tonight’s birthday banquet wasn’t just a family gathering. Even members of the White family were there.The moment Madam White
Zachary still didn’t respond.Vivian straightened up and slowly walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. Her voice was calm, but every word was filled with accusation.“Zachary, let’s not pretend. We both know perfectly well — while you were gone, Sarah disappeared too. Are you really expecting me to believe that the two of you weren’t together?”She paused, her eyes fixed on the distant view outside.“I always thought that since you agreed to get engaged to me, you’d take responsibility. I believed you wouldn’t be out there tangled up with her. Was I wrong?”Zachary let out a soft, mocking laugh.“You believed.” His voice was low and cold. “But just because you believe something… does that automatically make it true?”Vivian froze — then suddenly let out a loud, crazed laugh, like she had completely lost control.She turned around, her eyes burning as she pointed at him. “Then tell me! Tell me whether it’s true or not! Where exactly did you go? Who were you with?”She to
Vivian smiled sweetly, though her words were sharp underneath.“Like you said, I’m Zachary’s fiancée. Of course, I wouldn’t say anything reckless. Out of responsibility, since this contract was signed by both of us, I have an obligation to make sure things are handled properly.”Her words sounded kind and reasonable on the surface, but everyone in the room could hear the meaning behind them.Mr. Robertson, who had been quietly watching this back-and-forth, already understood exactly what kind of person Vivian was. But between Zachary and Vivian, it was clear where his loyalties lay — with Vivian.“Mr. Steven, why don’t we call Mr. Reynolds over?” Mr. Robertson suggested calmly.Steven’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Zach…”But before he could finish, a deep, cold voice rang out from the doorway.“Mr. Robertson, have you ever thought about the possibility… that these parts aren’t from Reynolds Corporation at all?”The conference room door swung open.Zachary walked in slowly, calm