But Sarah leaned against him, poking his face with her finger. "Hey? You're Mr. Reynolds! Why do you have two noses?"She tried to focus on his nose but couldn't control her vision, growing dizzier. She collapsed against him. "Zachary likes me.""What did you say?" he asked softly, his eyes full of tenderness as he steadied her.No matter what he asked, Sarah just giggled.He'd been drinking too, but wasn't as drunk as Sarah. Still clear-headed, he arranged for staff to take the other three to their rooms. He wanted to get Sarah to bed too - it was past one AM and getting cold.He helped her to her room and tucked her in. As he turned to leave, she grabbed his hand tightly."Don't go, don't go..."Zachary's heart ached. He sat on the bed's edge. "Okay, I'll stay.""Zachary, Zachary, Zach..." she mumbled, tossing restlessly. He adjusted her covers. "I'm here. What is it?""Like..." Sarah murmured.Zachary leaned closer. "What did you say?"He heard her whisper his name repeat
His eyes softened, taking in the faint perfume lingering in the room.He lay back on the bed, surrounded by Sarah's scent on the sheets.Sarah's heart raced as she stared at her panicked reflection, her face flushed. Trying to remember last night brought only blanks.She splashed cold water on her face, finally calming down.Quickly dressing, she discovered red marks on her neck!What would Scarlett and Mia say when they saw? And Steven would never let her hear the end of it!Her damp hair matched her disheveled state. She wanted to escape but couldn't avoid Zachary's gaze.She couldn't calm down, her cheeks burning hot enough to fry an egg. She'd spent the night in Zachary's arms.Leaving the bathroom, she found Zachary still in bed, watching her with an amused smile.As she tried to flee, he caught her wrist."Why are you running?” he whispered teasingly.Sarah frowned. What was he doing? Looking up, she met his deep brown eyes, full of warmth."I was drunk last night! I
Before Lucy's sentencing, her lawyer presented a psychiatric evaluation diagnosing her with severe paranoid delusion and bipolar disorder.Instead of prison time, she was committed to a psychiatric facility for treatment and monitoring.After the verdict, Sarah met with Grace.Grace laughed bitterly. "I knew it wouldn't be that simple."Sarah shook her head. "We did everything we could. Even in a psychiatric hospital, she'll have to live as a patient and undergo treatment. That might be harder for her.""Miss Sanders, did you send my daughter to her grandmother's?" Grace asked anxiously.Sarah nodded. "Yes. Behave well and you might get parole. I'll keep an eye on your daughter and help if needed."Grace nearly cried with gratitude. "Miss Sanders, thank you."At City Psychiatric Hospital.A police car delivered Lucy. A black Mercedes waited outside as James entered the director's office.Thirty minutes later, the beaming director showed James out. Police escorted Lucy inside,
"I'm here to discuss donating new medical equipment to the center," Zachary looked at James. "Mr. Chancer, are you here to collect Lucy, or just visiting?"James lowered his eyes. "Just visiting my sister.""Finished then?" Zachary said coolly.James gritted his teeth. "Yes. Your timing is perfect, Mr. Reynolds.""Then you should leave." Zachary glanced at the director.The director quickly said, "Mr. Chancer, we'll take good care of your sister, don't worry."James saw the legal team among Zachary's group. If they discovered anything suspicious, he'd never get Lucy out.He nodded to Lucy but noticed she was staring at Zachary.Lucy blushed at the sight of him. His refined looks and elevated status had fueled countless fantasies of them together.These feelings showed as she approached him. "Mr. Reynolds, I...""Director, we have business to discuss. Perhaps show Miss Chancer to her room?" Zachary said coldly.Lucy froze. The director motioned for staff to lead her away, but
Some patients shouted at her, "Are you the new horse? I'm a white horse - what breed are you?""There's someone behind you, you know. She's clinging to your back."Just hearing this covered her in cold sweat. Even in her room she found no peace - all the patients were screaming. She felt close to breaking.She told the doctors and nurses countless times she wasn't mentally ill, but it was useless.Her psychiatric evaluation showed bipolar disorder and paranoid delusions, so the nurses treated her like any other patient.That night, after violently injuring a nurse, Lucy was put in a straitjacket. With her hands bound, she was miserable.She'd never experienced anything like this. Why were the doctors and nurses treating her this way when her brother had arranged everything?She couldn't stomach the medication or even the food.In the cafeteria, she flipped her tray, spilling food everywhere, then shoved away the orderly who came to clean up.A doctor approached with medication
Sarah knew exactly how bad Lucy's situation was.While James had sent people to care for Lucy, Zachary's staff ensured she was treated like any other patient.Working in her office, Sarah was puzzled when a courier called her name.Opening the package, she found a photo Zachary had secretly taken last night - her sleeping peacefully while his hand stroked her hair.Blushing, she tucked the photo in her drawer just as a text arrived from Zachary: "Got it?"She replied, "Yes, why send it by courier when..." we'll see each other after work."Couldn't wait." Sarah felt warmth spread through her chest. They were acting like college sweethearts - childish but happy.Was this what the honeymoon phase felt like? She'd never experienced it. With James, she'd performed a one-woman show. This was so much sweeter.That evening, Zachary came as promised.Mia bounced into the car, having noticed the pink bubble around them.Zachary handed ice cream to both her and Sarah. "Oh, I got one too
"You're hurt,” he said softly, his voice tinged with concern.Dark, heavy clouds split open with a blinding flash of lightning, thunder rumbling. Sarah flinched and pressed herself into Zachary's arms, trembling.She had always been terrified of thunderstorms.Zachary held her close, one arm wrapped around her waist, his other hand gently stroking her hair.She didn't notice the flicker of guilt and subtle anxiety in his eyes.Sarah breathed in his comforting scent, feeling completely secure. He must be apologizing for not reaching her sooner during the storm.The next morning, the night's rain had completely vanished. Golden sunlight radiated intense warmth, as if the previous night's tempest had never occurred.Sarah opened her amber eyes to find the bed empty. The pillow was still warm - he had left quite some time ago.Dressed and ready, she walked into the kitchen. Breakfast was already prepared, a small note beside her plate."Good morning, I've gone to work."Below the
The girl nodded silently.Sarah was leaving her office when James called. She didn't want to talk and immediately hung up.Mia and Zachary had already departed for the auction. Sarah knew the walk from campus to her apartment was brief.As she approached her building, a car pulled up. The window lowered, revealing Charlotte, who called out urgently: "Miss Sanders, grandfather has collapsed!"Sarah's heart raced. "What?!""Get in!"Without hesitation, Sarah jumped into Charlotte's car. Perhaps those persistent calls from James had been about this emergency, though she'd dismissed them earlier.At the hospital, James stood slumped against the doorway while nurses moved in and out of his father's room.She approached him, brow furrowed. "What happened to your father?"James looked haggard, a flash of unease crossing his eyes. "The butler called. I'm not entirely sure."Charlotte watched their interaction, her fists clenched, her mind seemingly elsewhere.A nurse emerged, report
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
Melvin's expression grew unusually serious, a rare sight for him. It was clear he was holding back his anger.“Sasa,” he said, his voice low, “I don’t think you should go this time either. Even if you want to go back… I’m afraid there are people who don’t want you to.”Sarah’s face paled slightly. “Melvin, are you talking about…” She didn’t finish the sentence — she didn’t want to say that person’s name in front of him.But how could Melvin not know who she meant? His face became even more stern.“Sasa, honestly, neither of us needs to say the name out loud — we both know exactly who we’re talking about. I’ve told you before, I’ll always protect you. No matter who tries to hurt you, I’ll stand by you.”His eyes were sharp. His voice was calm but full of strength.“And you’ve done nothing wrong,” Melvin continued. “Some people are just too greedy. That’s why they keep setting traps, again and again, willing to do anything to get what they want. But I’m not that kind of person. I’l
James walked back home, looking completely defeated, only to find his mother in the middle of a phone call.Ever since he discovered that his mother had some kind of secret connection with Mrs. Sanders, he had been extra cautious about any of her phone conversations. And today, sure enough, he happened to overhear her mentioning Sarah.“This time, Sarah won’t be able to get away for sure. We’re allies, I wouldn’t lie to you.”“Don’t worry, just leave this matter to me. Mrs. Sanders, once your son gets control of Sanders Group, don’t forget…”Mrs. Chancer casually glanced toward the doorway — only to spot her son standing there. She immediately cut herself off, “I’ll talk to you later. James just got home.”After hanging up, James walked in, pretending like he hadn’t heard anything. “Mom, who were you just talking to on the phone?”Mrs. Chancer brushed him off lightly, “Don’t overthink it. Just a friend of mine… my card-playing buddy.”James obviously didn’t believe that excu