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
Sarah accepted the completed assessment, taking out a red pen to mark it carefully.Soon, she placed another test in front of Zachary, speaking softly, "Answer one question of mine for each math problem you solve."She picked up a timer.Though confused, Zachary nodded hesitantly.Sarah watched him bend over the paper seriously. The test contained standard calculus problems - not particularly difficult, but requiring careful attention to avoid mistakes."Did you have a girlfriend three years ago?" she asked.Zachary's pen trembled - he hadn't expected such a... direct question.After a moment's thought, he replied, "Yes."Sarah watched him complete the first problem, pressed the timer, and recorded the time.As Zachary started the second problem, Sarah spoke again. "Tell me, was your girlfriend Vivian?""No!" he answered firmly."Then did you know me?" she asked next.Zachary wrote the next line and said, "I'm done."He slowly put down his pen, unwilling to continue after
Mrs. Chancer pointed at Sarah's face angrily. "You b*tch! You're doing this on purpose. You know Charlotte is also a victim - it was all Vivian's doing! Why not prosecute her? Are you just picking on the weak?"Sarah scoffed, "Don't you know Vivian was the one who released the evidence against Charlotte? She's really the mastermind, isn't she? You're here confronting me but not her - who's really picking on the weak?""You-!" Mrs. Chancer’s face turned pale with anger. Sarah maintained her composure, looking at her coldly. "Please leave. You're not welcome here."As Mrs. Chancer left, she threatened, "We'll see about this!"In the psychiatric hospital, Lucy had just finished breakfast. After so many days there, she'd started to adjust. She'd lost all hope after her mother's repeated attempts to make her take the blame.She'd even begun to fear visitors, not wanting to hear more cold words from people she once trusted.Yet an hour later, she saw her mother again.She was sitting
Lucy sighed. She couldn't believe her mother would say this. Mrs. Chancer saw her determination, but Charlotte was carrying the Chancer family's heir - if she was sentenced, that child would be born with a stigma.Suddenly, Mrs. Chancer knelt before Lucy.I’ll do it!" Lucy said through gritted teeth.She thought she could give up everything for personal gain, but seeing her mother kneel down, she couldn't control herself.After the winter light festival, Sarah felt a strange ache in her heart that she'd never experienced before.She didn't know how to handle her relationship with Zachary. The coldness she'd maintained before seemed to have transformed after the festival into something caught between distance and warmth.She was driving across the city bridge connecting East Coast to Pine Mist Island. The bridge had been neglected for years since the island was abandoned.The bridge took about 10 minutes to cross. She hadn't even left Pine Mist Island when she noticed something
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