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
Even though Richard doted on her, Lucy was still his real granddaughter. He could accept his granddaughter being taught a lesson, but he couldn't bear to watch her suffer indefinitely.Sarah stood up, rubbing her numb legs from crouching. "Grandfather, because you've been good to me, I can be lenient. But I'm not sure she'll change her ways."She had given Lucy multiple chances, yet Lucy kept stirring up trouble time and time again.Richard sighed, "Don't worry, once she's out, I'll confine her to the old mansion. I won't let her cause you any more trouble. If there's a next time, I absolutely won't have the nerve to come asking for mercy again."For an elder to plead on behalf of a younger generation was already quite humbling. The fact that he was asking Sarah made it an even bigger decision.If Mrs. Chancer and James hadn't repeatedly come to beg him, crying and showing him videos, he wouldn't have gotten involved at all.Sarah nodded. She could ignore James and Mrs. Chancer,
Mia angrily exclaimed, "The Chancers are so despicable! This must be James and his mother's doing again.""Oh well, never mind that. I'll just have to trouble Mr. Reynolds now," Sarah said with a smile, looking toward Zachary.Seeing her mood brighten, Mia quickly pointed to a box on the table. "Sarah, look at this!"Zachary nodded encouragingly - the box had a distinctly classic appearance.When she opened it, inside was a necklace."This is the necklace my brother got at the auction. Isn't it beautiful? It's called the Heart of the Volcano. I've never seen such a large red diamond!"Beyond the red diamond, what made this necklace special was its design - it was created by the late master jeweler Felman. It had once belonged to a financial tycoon, and now it had somehow appeared at an auction house on the East Coast."It's gorgeous."“Zac, hurry and put it on Sarah!" Mia urged.Zachary picked up the necklace and gently brushed aside Sarah's hair to fasten it. The red diamon
That morning, bombshell news shook the entire media world - James Chancer was getting married again after his divorce.The story had been trending since dawn. Sarah saw the news when she arrived at her psychology counseling office at Adams University.She had barely glanced at her phone screen when a woman entered her office.It was Charlotte!"Miss Garnett, the counseling office is only open to university students," Sarah said coldly.Charlotte smiled graciously, "Miss Sanders, there's no need for such hostility. I'm here to process Lucy's leave of absence.""If you're looking to process a leave of absence, the administrative office is in the second building after you exit this door. I need to work now," Sarah said expressionlessly, lowering her head to organize her things, ignoring Charlotte."Miss Sanders, I've already handled the paperwork. I just passed by to give you something." Charlotte took out a dark red invitation from her bag and placed it on Sarah's desk.The invit
He truly couldn't remember what Sarah's wedding dress had looked like, or how stunning she had been. All he remembered was her face flushed pink as she spoke those words, shy and adorable.His heart constricted painfully. Coming back to the present, he saw Charlotte looking at him with confusion. "James?"James quickly forced a smile, "You look beautiful."Late that night, Sarah had just picked up her phone when she received a call from overseas - it was Jane.“Jane?” she asked puzzled, sitting on the sofa and turning on the TV, which was showing the latest news.“Sarah, my senior colleague is returning to the country tomorrow. I've already told him about you and briefly explained your situation. You can contact him directly when he arrives," Jane's voice was gentle yet firm.The TV was broadcasting news about James and Charlotte's wedding: "According to reports, Dr. Scott Rogers, the psychology PhD from the M. Country, will be returning home soon and will attend this wedding..."
Lucy snorted coldly. She just wanted to confirm Sarah would appear at the wedding. She wanted Sarah to witness her brother marrying another woman with her own eyes - let's see her keep up her act then!Sarah entered the wedding venue, handed over her gift money, and found a random seat among strangers.After sitting down, she casually scanned the room for Scott, whose photo she'd seen in yesterday's news.Many guests were studying Sarah - quite a few had attended her wedding to James, and they couldn't help but gossip about an ex-wife attending her former husband's wedding.Lucy immediately nudged her mother, "Mom! She really came!"Mrs. Chancer glared, "I don't know what's wrong with your brother and his wife to invite her. It's bad luck!"The tables were laden with desserts. Sarah, focused on her search, was intercepted by James behind a pillar. "You really came!"Sarah tried to ignore him and walk past, but James blocked her path. "Don't go."Sarah glared at him, "Mr. Chance
The entire venue fell silent as everyone turned to watch. Scott looked at Sarah with confusion.The Chancer and Garnett families rushed over. James grabbed Charlotte's arm, "Charlotte, what's wrong?""James, she tore up our marriage certificate and our wedding photos - she deliberately scratched out my face."She produced the marriage certificate torn in half, while Mrs. Garnett held up the wedding photo with the defaced face.The crowd erupted in shock, suddenly remembering that Sarah was James's ex-wife."Well, what do you expect? An ex-wife coming to a wedding is obviously here to cause trouble.""But to do something like this at such an occasion - how shameful! No wonder James divorced her!""Look at the poor bride crying her eyes out, how pitiful."Charlotte continued sobbing, "Miss Sanders, I kindly invited you to our wedding. Why would you do this to me? You already took so much money and property in the divorce. James never mistreated you. If you're unhappy, you could t
Mrs. Chancer watched Sarah smugly, waiting to see how she would respond.Sarah pointed at Scott, "Dr. Rogers is a recently returned psychology PhD with many achievements and well-known papers and theories. As a counselor myself, of course I'm interested in his work."The man mentioned smiled faintly and stood up graciously, extending his hand, "Miss Sanders, pleased to meet you."Sarah shook his hand, "Mr. Rogers, sorry you had to witness this scene."Charlotte tugged on James's arm, "Let's set that aside for now. Since I invited Miss Sanders, I'm more concerned about the torn wedding photo and marriage certificate."After placing the first photo on the table, she produced a second one - this one was even worse, with the eyes blackened out and a lipstick X drawn across the mouth.Mrs. Garnett was indignant, "Sarah, how could you do something so terrible!"James frowned deeply, "Sarah, I never thought you were this kind of person.""It's simple to prove whether I went upstairs o
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