Earlier, when the men burst in, she'd noticed the iron door secured with chains as thick as an arm, fastened with a heavy padlock.Escape was impossible, especially with Mia in her current state.She sat quietly. Melvin would save her. Or Zachary... anyone. This time she was helpless, could only hope her brother would come.But why hadn't Zachary answered? Did he even know she was in trouble?In the next room, the leader took a call. After several quick "yes" responses, his expression turned vicious.He glanced at his men and approached.Clang!The lock hit the floor.Sarah stood defensively, shielding Mia. "What are you doing?""Going to teach you a lesson, pretty thing!" one man snarled as others rushed to grab Mia. Sarah blocked them."Why fight? She's going anyway - you can't escape."In the struggle, Mia's jacket fell. She woke with a shiver to find Sarah protecting her as men grabbed at them both."No! Get away! Get away!"The screaming irritated the leader. "Get tha
Mia was dragged out, the door slamming shut behind her with a heavy thud. Her screams gradually faded into silence.Moments later, a group of men brought in a camera, setting it up on a tripod aimed directly at Sarah.“You! How dare you?” she cried, her face pale as the horror of their intentions dawned on her. This was worse than the compromising videos Mrs. Chancer had shown or the footage Lucy had flaunted. It was the cruelest form of destruction.Who could hate her so much that they’d resort to this? Who would go this far just to ruin her?“Get away from me!” she screamed, charging toward the door in a frenzy.But the door was locked tight, bound by chains wrapped around the handle like a weapon cutting off her escape.Behind her, the men sneered, their eyes filled with filthy intentions. One of them chuckled, revealing yellowed, rotting teeth that smelled foul enough to make her gag.“Ugh...” The wave of nausea was overwhelming, and she nearly vomited.Her reaction seemed
Before Zachary could step inside, a man in a black suit emerged from the factory, carrying a woman in his arms. His expression was cold and unyielding.“Sasa!” Zachary called out urgently. “How is she? Is she okay?”Melvin’s bodyguards shoved Zachary aside, but Melvin simply gave him a cold glance. “She’s alive.”“I’ll take her with me,” Zachary said, stepping in front of him.Melvin scoffed. “How dare you say that? Where were you when she called you for help? Why didn’t you answer?”“I…” Zachary’s words caught in his throat. He had no excuse.A bodyguard passed by, carrying Mia in his arms.“You realize that the only person who can save Mia right now is Sarah. Do you still want to take Mia away?” Melvin’s tone was icy and sharp.“I’m sorry,” Zachary murmured, lowering his head. “It was my negligence.”“Then stop making empty promises in front of me. And don’t ever show your face to Sasa again!” Melvin snapped.He carried Sarah into his car, while his bodyguards blocked Zacha
If she hadn’t insisted on looking for Zachary, none of this would have happened. She wouldn’t have been hurt, and Melvin wouldn’t have had to worry about her.“Don’t say things like that. Just promise me you won’t do anything reckless again,” Melvin said firmly.He turned to leave, but Sarah called out to him. Her lips moved as though she wanted to speak, but no words came out.Melvin seemed to know what she wanted to ask. “He didn’t come. I called him, but he didn’t answer. Stop thinking about him.”He paused briefly before adding, “Yesterday, he went to the airport to pick someone up, then went out for a fancy dinner.”Sarah took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the floor.Dinner? Picking someone up?So he wasn’t busy. Then why hadn’t he answered her calls?She lost her appetite. After sipping a small spoonful of porridge, she put the bowl down and lay back on the bed. “I understand, Melvin.”“Sasa, don’t contact him anymore,” Melvin said, his tone laced with concern as h
Was it because of the person he picked up from the airport? Who was that person?“Sasa, I had something very important to handle that day, so I missed your calls,” Zachary explained.Sarah gave him a faint smile. “Something very important? What was it?”“A friend returned from abroad,” he replied.“Who is this friend? Who were you with?” Sarah pushed herself up slightly, confusion clear in her eyes.Zachary hesitated before saying, “Our families have known each other for generations. I’m sorry. If I’d known this would happen, I would have—”“Would have what? Been more careful? Spent less time with your childhood sweetheart? I get it. You can leave now.” Sarah’s gaze turned icy, her tone cutting.It all made sense now. James had been like this, and Zachary was no different.No wonder Melvin had always warned her that Zachary wasn’t trustworthy and had told her to stay away. Now, she realized she had been blind to the truth.Maybe Melvin had known about Zachary’s childhood sweet
Since the kidnapping, Mia’s condition had worsened—she didn’t speak at all anymore.After being discharged from the hospital, Sarah never brought up Zachary again, which surprised Melvin.Late at night, when the world was quiet, Sarah tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. This was different from when James had asked for a divorce. Back then, her emotions had been anger and defiance.But now, it felt like her heart was being ripped apart.As she lay there in pain, she heard faint noises coming from the room next door.What was Mia doing?Getting out of bed, she walked to Mia’s room. The door was ajar, and she saw Mia’s back as she slowly walked farther into the room.“Mia?” she called softly.Mia didn’t respond. Suddenly, the faint light in the room glinted off something cold and sharp. A chill ran down Sarah’s spine.Without thinking, she stepped into the room. As she approached Mia, her breath caught at the horrifying sight before her.Mia was holding a large kitc
"No! Mia, she..." Sarah knew something was wrong with Mia's condition. Over the past few years, Zachary had sought help from many people to treat Mia, but nothing worked.She couldn't give up, especially since Mia only recognized her during her episodes.Looking at Sarah's eyes, Melvin understood her decision. "I won't pressure you. Take your time to think it through."“Melvin, thank you,” Sarah replied sincerely.At the Chancer residence.James had been worried about Sarah. He didn't know she had left until he asked Dean Larson, who confirmed that Sarah had indeed left and taken time off.Putting his phone back on the table, James let out a sigh of relief. Charlotte walked out of the bathroom just in time to see James setting down his phone, and her thoughts immediately went to Sarah.The last time she took James to visit her parents, they were upset because he left abruptly.She couldn't understand why James still cared so much about Sarah's affairs, even though Sarah had sai
"Have you lost your mind? I suggested a psychiatrist because your emotions have been unstable lately. Do you really think this is normal?" James asked with furrowed brows.Charlotte looked up at James, seeing complexity in his eyes, but no love.She laughed bitterly, "Of course I'm not normal. You hide in your study every night, smoking and sighing. When I was cleaning your study, I found papers written all over with Sarah's name. And you've been secretly calling Sarah. Isn't that enough?"James froze, realizing she knew everything.He lowered his head apologetically. He had written Sarah's name while trying to think of places she might have gone after her disappearance. After racking his brain and coming up with only a few places, he'd found himself unconsciously writing her name over and over.Under the bright lights, Charlotte watched him with a pained heart.His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pulled Charlotte into his arms."I'm sorry. It's my fault for not being there
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