She was puzzled - why had Scott suddenly brought up parallel universes?Most people believed memory confusion existed due to interference from parallel worlds, but that explanation seemed like science fiction.From a psychological perspective, memory confusion typically stemmed from self-doubt.But there were exceptions, like major trauma or hypnosis.Sarah thought for a long time. She hadn't experienced any major trauma, but she couldn't be certain about hypnosis.Scott's voice came through again, "Parallel worlds in reality are hard to imagine, but think of them as parallel worlds in the mind. Each branch of time is a parallel world, and when stimulated, these branches can become tangled - that's memory confusion."He paused before continuing, "Of course, it's also possible there was no stimulus, but rather subconscious forgetting."Sarah understood what Scott meant. Subconscious forgetting was more frightening than trauma-induced amnesia - it was self-deception in its purest
Though he hadn't attended, plenty of people had brought him recordings.At the mention of this, Vivian grew even more furious. "Grandpa! Mr. Anderson always claimed he thought of you as a brother, and this is how he treats us! He played his part so well, bidding on almost everything at the auction, making it look flawless. I really believed he was just unfortunate not to win anything. He's truly cunning."Mr. Wilson gazed out the window, his voice calm. "Did you really think that old fox saw you as his granddaughter? We're businesspeople - never trust anything tied to profit. You've completely forgotten everything I warned you about."Vivian felt wronged but had to accept it. She knew she had been careless.Mr. Wilson looked at the proposal before him, his voice icy. "Redo this proposal. Harbour Crescent has nice scenery. Though it's not on the new shipping route, East Coast is promoting tourism. If planned well, it could rival Pine Mist Island.""Yes, Grandpa." Vivian clenched he
Charlotte's eyes welled up at her mother's words. "Mom, don't say that. James won't abandon me. He'll definitely save me."Even if James wouldn't save her, Mrs. Chancer surely wouldn't abandon her. She touched her stomach - if nothing else, they'd do it for the baby.The evening's peace was shattered when, just as Mrs. Chancer brought soup and Charlotte had barely taken two sips, the police came to take her away."What are you doing!" Mrs. Chancer screamed, grabbing Charlotte's arm.Charlotte hadn't expected this turn of events as she was led to the police car. At the hospital entrance, Mrs. Chancer angrily called James, then William.At Adams University, Sarah had just packed up to leave work when she encountered Zachary at the door. She was about to avoid him when she heard Scarlett's voice."Sasa! Don't go! Come with us to the winter light festival!"Winter Light festival?Sarah suddenly remembered the afternoon's heated discussions on the school forum about the winter light
She looked up at Zachary, who sat in front holding her hand. After all this time, they were holding hands again. She couldn't tell if the feeling in her heart was more bitter or sweet. Usually, Sarah would have pulled away without hesitation, but this time, for reasons she couldn't explain, she remained silent.For the first time, she wanted to follow her heart's true desires, just this once. She couldn't deny her feelings for Zachary - how she had hoped he would come find her, hold her hand just like this.His tall figure kept shifting left and right, shielding her from passing pedestrians. He was protecting her.Finally, they reached the riverside, where most couples had gathered to set their lights afloat on the water.Sarah found herself gently pushed to the riverside by the crowd, with Zachary staying close to protect her.She noticed the couples around them writing both their names and wishes on their floating lights, while hers only had her name."Wait a moment!" she sudde
"Charlotte's been arrested, and you're still here trying to convince me to take the blame?" Lucy said angrily.Mrs. Chancer’s face showed embarrassment at being exposed, but she remained firm. "Lucy, given how things have turned out, you need to be more understanding.""If Charlotte wasn't pregnant right now, I would protect you no matter what - you are my biological daughter after all. But the situation is different. She's carrying the Chancer family's only heir, and I must protect that child at all costs. Don't worry, even if you take the blame for her, your brother and I will do everything in our power to get you out."Lucy laughed bitterly. "Mom, you already said all this the last time you visited. Have you forgotten what happened then?"She found it ironic that since her detention and imprisonment, her mother had only visited twice - first to convince her to take the blame, which led to her suicide attempt, and now again with the same request.It had only been days since her
Sarah's expression softened as she looked at James seriously. "Although I did collect evidence of her crimes, she was arrested before I could take it to the police."In other words, Charlotte's arrest had nothing to do with her.James's eyes widened in disbelief.He couldn't believe Sarah wasn't behind the arrest. Then who could it be?"But besides you, who else would have reason to report her? Others wouldn't get involved," James said, frowning.Sarah gave a bitter laugh. "James, don't forget Charlotte has other enemies. Like Vivian, who wants to make her a scapegoat."James finally understood. Of course - Vivian! He remembered what Charlotte had said. Vivian was afraid Sarah would eventually discover her crimes, so she planned to make Charlotte take the blame.James sighed, speaking apologetically to Sarah. "Sarah, what Charlotte did was wrong, and Lucy wronged you too. Now Lucy's in a psychiatric hospital and Charlotte's in jail. For the sake of Charlotte's baby, could you wr
"Sign here."James Chancer’s cold, deep voice broke the silence as he slid the divorce papers across the table. Sarah looked up at him, managing a bitter smile.So this was it. No wonder he'd surprisingly called this morning to say he'd be home tonight, wanting to talk. She'd been happy all day, only to find out this was what he wanted to discuss... Three years of marriage, coming to an end.Sarah Sanders took the papers with trembling hands, her voice barely a whisper, "Do we really have to divorce?"James frowned as he studied the woman who'd been Mrs. Chancer for three years. She must have just finished cleaning - sweat still glistened on her forehead, exhaustion and confusion evident in her eyes behind those thick glasses. Gentle and modest, but utterly plain. This unremarkable woman had been Mrs. Chancer for three years.James put out his cigarette, his tone leaving no room for argument, "Just sign it. Charlotte's back, and I don't want her to get the wrong idea."Sarah felt
Sarah listened to the conversation outside the study, her eyes downcast.During her years as James’s wife, she had given everything to her mother-in-law and sister-in-law Lucy. When Lucy had her car accident, Sarah had stayed at the hospital for days. She'd always shown nothing but respect and care for Mrs. Chancer. Yet it seemed no amount of devotion could change how the Chancer family saw her.Shortly after, Scarlett Larson called, her voice tired, "Sasa, are you sure you won't come? You used to love hunting outdoors, and you'd get to race cars too."Sarah froze. Memories she'd buried deep came flooding back. Before marrying James, she'd loved hunting, racing cars, and good wine. Then she met James at the Larson estate and fell head over heels. After falling for him, she learned through others that James preferred gentle, trad wife. So she'd gradually given up everything she loved.Three years had passed, and she'd almost forgotten who she used to be.On the other end of the lin
Sarah's expression softened as she looked at James seriously. "Although I did collect evidence of her crimes, she was arrested before I could take it to the police."In other words, Charlotte's arrest had nothing to do with her.James's eyes widened in disbelief.He couldn't believe Sarah wasn't behind the arrest. Then who could it be?"But besides you, who else would have reason to report her? Others wouldn't get involved," James said, frowning.Sarah gave a bitter laugh. "James, don't forget Charlotte has other enemies. Like Vivian, who wants to make her a scapegoat."James finally understood. Of course - Vivian! He remembered what Charlotte had said. Vivian was afraid Sarah would eventually discover her crimes, so she planned to make Charlotte take the blame.James sighed, speaking apologetically to Sarah. "Sarah, what Charlotte did was wrong, and Lucy wronged you too. Now Lucy's in a psychiatric hospital and Charlotte's in jail. For the sake of Charlotte's baby, could you wr
"Charlotte's been arrested, and you're still here trying to convince me to take the blame?" Lucy said angrily.Mrs. Chancer’s face showed embarrassment at being exposed, but she remained firm. "Lucy, given how things have turned out, you need to be more understanding.""If Charlotte wasn't pregnant right now, I would protect you no matter what - you are my biological daughter after all. But the situation is different. She's carrying the Chancer family's only heir, and I must protect that child at all costs. Don't worry, even if you take the blame for her, your brother and I will do everything in our power to get you out."Lucy laughed bitterly. "Mom, you already said all this the last time you visited. Have you forgotten what happened then?"She found it ironic that since her detention and imprisonment, her mother had only visited twice - first to convince her to take the blame, which led to her suicide attempt, and now again with the same request.It had only been days since her
She looked up at Zachary, who sat in front holding her hand. After all this time, they were holding hands again. She couldn't tell if the feeling in her heart was more bitter or sweet. Usually, Sarah would have pulled away without hesitation, but this time, for reasons she couldn't explain, she remained silent.For the first time, she wanted to follow her heart's true desires, just this once. She couldn't deny her feelings for Zachary - how she had hoped he would come find her, hold her hand just like this.His tall figure kept shifting left and right, shielding her from passing pedestrians. He was protecting her.Finally, they reached the riverside, where most couples had gathered to set their lights afloat on the water.Sarah found herself gently pushed to the riverside by the crowd, with Zachary staying close to protect her.She noticed the couples around them writing both their names and wishes on their floating lights, while hers only had her name."Wait a moment!" she sudde
Charlotte's eyes welled up at her mother's words. "Mom, don't say that. James won't abandon me. He'll definitely save me."Even if James wouldn't save her, Mrs. Chancer surely wouldn't abandon her. She touched her stomach - if nothing else, they'd do it for the baby.The evening's peace was shattered when, just as Mrs. Chancer brought soup and Charlotte had barely taken two sips, the police came to take her away."What are you doing!" Mrs. Chancer screamed, grabbing Charlotte's arm.Charlotte hadn't expected this turn of events as she was led to the police car. At the hospital entrance, Mrs. Chancer angrily called James, then William.At Adams University, Sarah had just packed up to leave work when she encountered Zachary at the door. She was about to avoid him when she heard Scarlett's voice."Sasa! Don't go! Come with us to the winter light festival!"Winter Light festival?Sarah suddenly remembered the afternoon's heated discussions on the school forum about the winter light
Though he hadn't attended, plenty of people had brought him recordings.At the mention of this, Vivian grew even more furious. "Grandpa! Mr. Anderson always claimed he thought of you as a brother, and this is how he treats us! He played his part so well, bidding on almost everything at the auction, making it look flawless. I really believed he was just unfortunate not to win anything. He's truly cunning."Mr. Wilson gazed out the window, his voice calm. "Did you really think that old fox saw you as his granddaughter? We're businesspeople - never trust anything tied to profit. You've completely forgotten everything I warned you about."Vivian felt wronged but had to accept it. She knew she had been careless.Mr. Wilson looked at the proposal before him, his voice icy. "Redo this proposal. Harbour Crescent has nice scenery. Though it's not on the new shipping route, East Coast is promoting tourism. If planned well, it could rival Pine Mist Island.""Yes, Grandpa." Vivian clenched he
She was puzzled - why had Scott suddenly brought up parallel universes?Most people believed memory confusion existed due to interference from parallel worlds, but that explanation seemed like science fiction.From a psychological perspective, memory confusion typically stemmed from self-doubt.But there were exceptions, like major trauma or hypnosis.Sarah thought for a long time. She hadn't experienced any major trauma, but she couldn't be certain about hypnosis.Scott's voice came through again, "Parallel worlds in reality are hard to imagine, but think of them as parallel worlds in the mind. Each branch of time is a parallel world, and when stimulated, these branches can become tangled - that's memory confusion."He paused before continuing, "Of course, it's also possible there was no stimulus, but rather subconscious forgetting."Sarah understood what Scott meant. Subconscious forgetting was more frightening than trauma-induced amnesia - it was self-deception in its purest
"Vivian, can I go out for a while later? I promise I'll come right back. You know how grandpa hasn't let me leave the house these days - I'm going crazy!" Mia pleaded pitifully.Vivian nodded, "Alright, but remember to come back early.""Thank you!"Half an hour later, Mia appeared at the door of Sarah's counseling office at Adams University. Fortunately, Sarah had no clients at the moment.She immediately rushed to Sarah's side. “Sasa, I've missed you so much these past days! Did you miss me too?""Of course I missed you, Mia. But I haven't heard anything from you."Mia pouted, "Grandpa kept me locked up at home. I couldn't contact you."Sarah quickly invited her to sit down and asked with concern, "How have you been lately? Any nightmares?"Mia shook her head, "I haven't had nightmares recently, but I keep having strange dreams.""What kind?""I keep dreaming about going to an amusement park with you, and I see you and my brother..." Mia's face turned red."What?" Sarah wa
Her expression grew increasingly grave.But no matter how she pressed or what approach she took, Zachary wouldn't say another word. His fists were clenched tight, knuckles turning white.Sarah continued asking almost frantically in his ear, repeating the same questions over and over until finally, in their heightened emotional state, Zachary's eyes snapped open, bloodshot."There's nothing!" he growled.Sarah regained her composure. Though she hadn't gotten the final answers, she had learned something.Perhaps she and Zachary had known each other years ago, even before James. How had she forgotten it all?"Zachary, did we know each other before?" Sarah stared blankly.Zachary knew he hadn't revealed the crucial information. Instead of answering, he just shook his head."Zachary, why are you afraid to answer me?" Sarah no longer knew how to get the truth from him.Perhaps everything she had imagined was true, but Zachary didn't want her to know.There was a strong possibility
Sarah's eyes dimmed, perhaps because of Vivian."Sasa, I'm not better. How could I be when you haven't forgiven me?" he said with a bitter smile."So what brings you for consultation today? Heartbreak again?" Sarah studied her fingertips.Zachary leaned back relaxedly. "Heartbreak. The person I love doesn't want anything to do with me. What should I do?"Sarah blinked. "Thank you for helping with the land deal. Did Vivian blame you?"Zachary shook his head. "Even if she did, she wouldn't show it."Things weren't this awkward even when he first met Vivian at the airport. Now, though they could sit together and discuss business, it always felt like there was a wall between them.Whenever he faced Vivian, his mind would flash to everything she'd done to Sarah.Lately, he'd been having bloody nightmares - seeing Sarah lying in a pool of blood in an abandoned factory, himself helplessly trying to reach her but blocked by a cold transparent wall.In his ears echoed a woman's despera