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
"Six o'clock exactly! It was exactly six!" Charlotte insisted firmly."You're wrong. I went to the restroom at 6:10," Sarah stated matter-of-factly.Charlotte stared at her in disbelief, "That's impossible! The server told me you left your seat at six exactly."Lucy anxiously cut in, "Sister-in-law, maybe the server got the time wrong? Either way, she snuck into your lounge while you were in the bathroom."Charlotte shot Lucy a stern look - what a brainless thing to say. But since it was already out there, she steeled herself and quickly added, "Miss Sanders, I can't give you an exact time. After all, who checks the time when they go to the bathroom?"Sarah nodded, "True, they wouldn't. But this is your wedding day, and your makeup artist seemed quite certain about the timing?""I'm saying maybe the server got the time wrong, but you were the only one who left after I exited the lounge. The server saw you go to the lounge - that can't be a lie, can it? Among everyone here, I can'
James and Charlotte simultaneously glared at Lucy - so she was behind this."Sasa, I've made reservations at St. Ritz. The food here looks unappetizing. Let's go."He extended his hand to Sarah, who took it."You can't leave! This isn't settled!" Lucy shouted.Seeing them about to leave, she rushed forward.Zachary and Sarah looked at her impatiently, "Shouldn't you be in the mental hospital?"Fury flashed in Lucy's eyes, but she forced a smile."Mr. Reynolds, it's my brother and sister-in-law's wedding day. Won't you stay for the meal?"She tucked her hair behind her ear with feigned shyness, revealing an elegant ear with sparkling earrings catching the light on her cheek.Mr. Reynolds, why follow that worthless woman?Lucy waited quietly for his reaction, confident that if she could just interact with him, she could make him fall for her!But after a long moment, Zachary didn't even glance at her."You're in the way."She grabbed Sarah angrily, "You can't leave! You tore
Sarah pondered Melvin's words. What did he mean by "second time"? Was the first time marrying James?But she remembered her cousin hadn't strongly objected to that marriage initially. He only tried getting to know James after seeing her determination.So who was he really talking about?Melvin had taken the wine bottle, leaving just a little in her glass. She lifted it and downed it like he had.Back in her room, slightly tipsy, she checked her phone. Opening her chat with Zachary, she saw how brief their conversations had become over just three days - a few lines, with today's messages still unanswered."Are you there?""At work.""Miss me?"Every message spoke of longing, but met silence. She wondered if she'd somehow offended him.Sarah felt like she was reliving the past. These unanswered messages reminded her of her marriage - was history repeating itself?She'd only seen Zachary on the news these past days.Watching him looking tired on the financial news channel, she un
"I'm fine," Sarah forced a smile.Despite her best efforts, Mia's therapy showed no progress. Mia's connection to her seemed too deeply rooted. She couldn't figure out how to alter Mia's subconscious in the short term, and she'd discussed this with Scott.During their sessions, she'd found Mia easy to hypnotize, suggesting a generally malleable mind. Yet on this one issue, Mia showed incredible resistance, stubbornly pulling Sarah into that memory.After sending Mia to rest, Sarah sat alone on the couch, lost in thought for nearly two hours until Melvin returned.He was startled to see her. Holding up a wine bottle, he asked, "Care for a drink?""Sure."They hadn't sat together like this since her father's death when Melvin took over the company. After her marriage to James, they'd barely seen each other.Melvin had assumed Sarah was either acting out or avoiding painful memories, so he'd kept his distance. That is, until he saw her situation in the news.Sarah fetched two wine
James looked at her apologetically. He didn't understand how he'd lost himself in that final moment and called out... Sarah's name."I'm sorry." At this point, that's all he could say.Charlotte sobbed uncontrollably, her tear-filled eyes fixed on him. "James, why? How could you do this to me? Why did you call her name in bed? Do you regret marrying me? Regret divorcing her?""No, I've never regretted marrying you." James tried to hold Charlotte, but she shoved him away."If you don't regret marrying me, why did you call her name? Are you in love with her?" Charlotte's eyes blazed.James shook his head desperately, "Charlotte, I don't know what came over me. I wasn't thinking. I never meant to hurt you."Even he didn't understand his thoughts. When he heard Charlotte's whispers, he'd remembered Sarah's hatred toward him.Whether at Sarah's door or at the press conference after their divorce, he'd had many chances to see her, but her eyes remained cold and distant. It had been so
At the Chancer house.Charlotte emerged from her shower, now truly Mrs. Chancer.After her quick shower, she spritzed on cool perfume and hurried to choose an outfit from her closet.Since the incident, despite becoming Mrs. Chancer, some still mocked her - especially about being arrested at the press conference. It still stung.But none of that mattered now.James was her priority. She needed to win him over completely, bind him to her forever.She'd bought something special while shopping today, planning a "surprise" for James tonight. She'd waited for him to finish work, but grew impatient.Her heart pounding, Charlotte pulled out the garment, studying it for a long moment before falling silent.She gripped the barely-there, sheer nightgown tighter.She'd never done anything like this, but she had to try - for James's heart.Taking a deep breath, Charlotte steeled herself and put it on.She hurried to his study, carefully turning the handle."James." She dimmed the light
This time she used subconscious therapy again, but without including herself in Mia's mental landscape.Melvin had offered his office for Mia's therapy sessions. Sarah dimmed the lights.With Mia settled on the couch, just like at the university, they began."Mia, close your eyes. Imagine you're in a vast desert, surrounded by endless sand. In the distance, a tornado rushes toward you.""You feel gentle breezes, warm sunlight on your skin. You're comfortable, just growing tired, so tired you sink into the soft sand..."Mia's closed eyes relaxed, her furrowed brow smoothing.Sarah continued softly, "Deep in the desert, you see a camel. It runs toward you. Is it seeking help or trying to attack?""Attack. It wants to attack me.""Good. But you dodge it. Then hunters capture you. You scream for help. Someone comes. Who is it?"Mia's hands clenched. "Sarah.""No, not Sarah. Someone else. Who?" Sarah pressed.Mia's arms trembled with tension, but she insisted, "It's Sarah."Sara
He needed to take that step, to show Melvin he could protect Sarah."Could you take Mia with you?" Zachary asked seriously. "Her condition is more stable when you're around."Sarah nodded. She'd wanted to bring Mia anyway but wasn't sure if Zachary would agree."Okay. Melvin says we're leaving tomorrow morning. Bring Mia early, I don't think he'll refuse." Though Sarah wasn't entirely confident.Zachary kissed her nose. "I haven't kept my promise yet. I said I'd talk to Melvin, but now you're leaving before I could."Sarah cupped his face in her hands, smiling. "Maybe he's rushing because he knows you won't give up.""Sarah, trust me. I'll convince Melvin." He wouldn't surrender."I know."Zachary gazed into her eyes with burning intensity. "Sasa…” He stopped himself, swallowing his words.Before Sarah could ask, his lips found hers.He held her tight, as if trying to merge her into himself. There was a metallic taste between their lips.Sarah lost herself in this ocean of
Tears sprang to Sarah's eyes. "Zachary! What are you doing?"He whispered against her ear, his voice icy, "Why didn't you tell me? Couldn't you even make one phone call? Did you want to leave me?"Sarah looked at him, helpless but determined. "No, I don't want to go."Zachary released her and walked to the bed.Sarah sighed with relief, moving to sit on the edge of the bed, her emotions in turmoil."Then why didn't you tell me?"Sarah turned away, whispering, "I was afraid I'd cry."Without seeing him, she could be strong and brave, fearless.But one look at him made her want to depend on him completely. She wasn't even sure she could follow her cousin's wishes anymore.Zachary held her tight, breathing in the fresh scent of her hair, unsure whether to smile or maintain his stern expression.Finally, his cold facade cracked. Seeing her lips still red from his earlier kiss, he leaned in again.Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck, heat rising from her throat to her face unt
That short distance felt like miles. Knowing it would be hard to see Zachary again after she left, Sarah turned and buried herself in his chest one last time, savoring the moment.Back home, Uncle Shawn had left. Melvin sat on the couch, his face cold. Seeing her, he gave a bitter smile, "I know he was upstairs."Sarah dropped the pretense and sat beside Melvin, cautiously asking, "Why do you hate Zachary so much?""Hate? No, I despise him. I'm sick of him." His calm tone barely contained the underlying fury.Sarah was confused. In her memory, Melvin shouldn't even know Zachary. Where did this hatred come from?"Why?" she pressed.Melvin poured himself some tea, his gaze distant. "Sarah, Zachary's dangerous. Being close to him puts you at risk. You should end it before you're in too deep. Otherwise, you'll regret it."Sarah shook her head in frustration. "You can't just say he's dangerous without explaining why."Melvin slammed the table. "No explanations. We're leaving tomorro
Outside the police station, James watched Charlotte emerge, exhaustion etched on his face.The revelation still stunned him. He'd suspected everyone - Lucy, his mother - but never Charlotte. He'd been too confident in his understanding of her, too certain her kindness was genuine."James," Charlotte's voice quavered, her eyes red-rimmed as she reached for him. He stepped back, irritation clear in his movements."Just get in the car," he said flatly.During the drive home, Charlotte couldn't bear his silence. "James, please. I never wanted to hurt Sarah. I just wanted to... I mean, nothing really happened!""Were you behind those social media posts?" His voice was ice."I only shared the truth," she dabbed at her face with a tissue. "I know it was wrong. I won't do anything like that again. Everything I did was because I love you so much."James kept driving, his jaw set, ignoring her words.That evening, Sarah's phone lit up with a call from Mia."Sarah?" Mia's voice trembled.