That night, the Chancer household was in turmoil over a rumor Lucy had heard.She quickly turned her phone screen toward the three people at the dinner table. "Mom! James, Charlotte, look at this!"The screen showed a man and woman dancing, embracing as her dress swirled around them.Though many others were dancing around them, James immediately recognized Sarah and Zachary.His fingers trembled slightly as he silently sipped his soup.Charlotte noticed his reaction and remarked thoughtfully, "It's not surprising, really. They're always together anyway."Mrs. Chancer angrily threw down her utensils with a cold snort. "I've been saying all along - Sarah divorced you such a short time ago and now she's getting cozy with the Reynolds family. You never believed she was unfaithful during your marriage, and you still gave her eight million plus a house and car. Go get it all back!"When Mrs. Chancer mentioned money, Lucy glanced secretly at James, hoping he'd reclaim it - after all, t
Yet somehow, he had walked right past Sarah to his sister instead. While dancing, he'd seen Sarah's disappointed look but still avoided her. In fact, he had never once asked her to dance.But in this photo, he saw a vibrant Sarah, her black velvet dress hugging her elegant curves. Only the hand at her waist was jarring to see.“James? James, what are you thinking about?!"The repeated calls finally brought James back to reality. He looked at Charlotte in confusion. "What is it?""I said you should calm your mother down."James turned to his mother, who was glaring at him angrily. "Mom, I won't do it."Sarah avoided him like a mouse fleeing from a cat, especially now with Zachary constantly by her side."What's the use of talking about this! If you really care about my well-being, go get that money back! That's Chancer family money!"James remained silent and went upstairs.The gala wasn't even over when Zachary’ words had spread throughout the East Coast, leaving wealthy young
She constantly felt someone was out to harm her, seeing everyone as a threat.But Sarah sensed there was more to it than just the kidnapping."After Mia was kidnapped, I searched for a long time. When I finally found her, she was like that day she had her episode - completely unhinged, not even recognizing me. She was broken for days, crying in terror every night," Zachary explained.Sarah's brows furrowed. "What exactly happened? Was Mia..."Zachary gave a resigned smile. "No, nothing like that. She witnessed them torturing people, heard the screaming, saw blood everywhere. She told her therapist that when she closed her eyes, all she could see was blood - the whole world turned red. Later, she had a complete breakdown, was unconscious for days. When she woke up, she'd forgotten everything. But she remained sensitive. I know she never truly recovered."So that was it...No wonder Mia was so timid. "Mr. Reynolds, Mia's mind must have instinctively chosen to forget that incident.
Lost in his impulse, forgetting about his mother and Charlotte, he rushed upstairs and pounded on the door.Sarah was removing her makeup, still in her evening dress, when she heard the knocking.Who could it be this late? Zachary? But he'd just left.Looking through the peephole, she was shocked to see James.Sarah immediately locked the deadbolt, ignoring him, but the knocking grew louder. She yanked open the door. "James, are you crazy? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?""Why did Zachary drive you home? What's going on between you two? Do you like him?" James was almost manic.Sarah replied coldly, "How is that any of your business? We're divorced!""Answer me! Do you like him?" James stepped closer, menacing."James, get out of my house! My life is none of your concern."But James continued, "Why did he publicly admit to liking you at the gala? I didn't give you all that money so you could go after Zachary! It wasn't meant to be your stepping stone!""Yo
"The police just came and took James away for breaking and entering!" Charlotte explained anxiously."But wasn't James home the whole time? How could he break into anywhere?""He was distracted all evening after dinner. Around eleven, he went out by himself. I asked, but he wouldn't tell me where he was going." Charlotte recalled James's disturbed state earlier and began to suspect something.Could he have gone to...?At the university, Sarah received an email from Jane Lawrence in Milan. Since Jane had reviewed her paper, they'd frequently exchanged emails discussing psychological research.This email was about publishing her paper. Jane believed her research could be published in the Psychology Journal. Sarah had considered this before but had abandoned her career and prospects after marriage, leaving everything unfinished.Now, with Jane's suggestion, she was reconsidering.She had barely written a few words when Lucy burst in with Mrs. Chancer and Charlotte following."Sara
Sarah exhaled, fixing Lucy with a deadly stare as cold as a frozen pool. "That was part of my divorce agreement with James. Watch your words, or you might not live to regret them!"She pressed the office intercom button. "Security, please come up.""What? Are you threatening to kill me? Fine! Mom, Charlotte, did you hear that? This witch just threatened to kill me!" Lucy screamed.Sarah stood up in disgust and slapped her. "Are you done?""You dare hit me?" Lucy glared at her, seething with rage."I'm trying to knock some sense into you. Now get out!"Mrs. Chancer covered her mouth in shock before launching into a tirade. "You worthless woman! How dare you hit my daughter! You'll pay for this!""You hit me!" She lunged at Sarah.Sarah stepped back and warned sharply, "Want to get arrested too?"At those words, Lucy finally backed off. Of course she didn't want to be arrested! Once was humiliating enough - she couldn't face it again.She'd already become a laughingstock among
Mia clenched her fists, her voice trembling, “It's Sarah...""Yes, it's Sarah. She reaches out to you, and you climb into the boat. The boat drifts on the sea, the wind carrying you far away. Can you remember why you're on the water?""I... I'm looking for someone.""Good. You found them - they're beside you now. There are two people with you: Sarah and the person you're looking for."Mia's brows furrowed. "No, there's only one person."Sarah paused but quickly adjusted, "Alright, you haven't found that person. Your boat continues drifting. You notice many boats appearing, all moving toward your small boat. What do you think they want?""To kill!" Mia's voice turned shrill. "They want to kill people!""Now you smell something fragrant coming from one of the boats. As they get closer, you realize they mean no harm. Instead, they kindly share their caught fish with you."Mia's fists loosened slightly. "Yes, I see it.""Sarah disappears. You're alone in the boat now. What do you
Since leaving the police station last night, James hadn't gone home. Instead, he'd come to the bar, at first just sitting and staring into space. As the crowd grew, he started ordering drinks.He knew without question who had called the police on him. But what he couldn't understand was: had Sarah really become so heartless?He could remember countless moments of Sarah's forgiving and gentle nature - no matter what he did, she would always help him kindly, never objecting.Perhaps he'd never known the real Sarah. He couldn't believe those eyes now held no trace of warmth, but reality forced him to accept it.He'd never felt so torn before, caught between Charlotte and Sarah.On the day of the divorce, he hadn't felt this way at all. He'd brought this on himself.At the entrance, a woman linked arms with her friend. "Scarlett, what have you been up to lately? We've invited you so many times - you're such a diva!""Tonight's on me! To make up for it!"As she walked in, she spotte
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