After Tina’s case faded from the spotlight, a new storm erupted—Mia’s video spread like wildfire. The Reynolds’ eldest daughter had publicly defended Sarah just a day earlier, only to suffer a breakdown at the gates of Adams University. It was as if reality had delivered a brutal slap—straight across Mia’s face, and by extension, Sarah’s as well. People began questioning Sarah’s competence. While no one denied the prestige of the Decker Competition, many now speculated that Sarah was merely an academic—strong in theory but lacking real-world experience, nothing more than an armchair expert. From the beginning of the controversy until now, Sarah had yet to make any public response. Just then, Zachary’s assistant entered the office once again, this time with a fresh update. "Mr. Reynolds, this afternoon, Mr. Robinson privately met with Miss Wilson. We don’t know yet if it’s related to the contract." The Reynolds and Wilsons had always been evenly matched in the stock ma
Mrs. Mendes hesitated before continuing. "After Tina jumped, I was terrified—I didn’t know what to do except cry. Then she appeared. She said she would help me get justice. She planned everything—what to say, what to do. She was clearly helping me… Are you saying she’s the one who killed my daughter?" Sarah could see right through Mrs. Mendes’s thoughts—all she cared about was the money. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Sarah spoke again. "Mrs. Mendes, your daughter might have been killed by her. Worse, she might have been pushed off that rooftop while she was still alive. Do you still think she was helping you?" "That’s impossible!" The words pushed off the rooftop were too horrifying. She didn’t even dare to imagine it. She had never been a loving mother to Tina, but that was still her child. A living, breathing person. The thought of Tina standing on that rooftop, terrified and helpless, made her stomach twist. Even if she had yelled at Tina that day, she didn’
Toddler Tina wobbled toward her, her tiny voice asking if she could have a piece of candy. The teenage Tina was forced to accept hand-me-down clothes from distant relatives. Even when she accompanied her mother to the market, her gaze would linger longingly on the dresses in the store window. The price wasn’t high, but she never once asked for one. She had learned to be obedient. As an adult, Tina had grown into a graceful young woman, but she became quieter, more withdrawn. She buried all her thoughts deep inside. Yet, when she was alone, she would still glance at herself in the mirror, as if searching for something. All these memories had always been there—she had just chosen to ignore them. Each fragment had been locked away in the deepest corners of her mind, things she never wanted to bring to the surface. Because if she did, she would have to face the truth: she could have easily bought her daughter that candy. She could have bought her that dress. But she never did.
"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 left the Chancer mansion without looking back, wheeling her suitcase behind her. Outside, she found Scarlett leaning out of her car window, blowing her a playful kiss. "Get in, baby! Time to celebrate!"Though Scarlett called it a celebration, knowing Sarah was freshly divorced and likely down, she just took her to a music-themed restaurant. When she heard James's reason for the divorce, Scarlett couldn't help but scoff, "Charlotte Garnett again? What's so special about her that James is this obsessed?"Sarah stirred her coffee listlessly. "No idea..."She'd never actually met James's dream woman. Charlotte had already left for abroad when Sarah first met James. She'd only heard that Charlotte was gentle, accomplished, and understanding. When James had fought with his grandfather over her, Charlotte had been mature enough to convince James to let it go - which had led to Sarah's arranged marriage with James.Seeing Sarah's reluctance to discuss it further, Scarlett changed th
Sarah stopped in her tracks. Her expression remained calm, but she didn't take Charlotte's offered hand.As Charlotte's smile faltered, James stepped in to ease the tension, "Grandfather heard about us,” he said in a deep and restrained voice. “He wants you to join us for dinner tonight. Your phone was off, so I came to get you.""I see." Sarah checked her phone - it was indeed dead. She nodded. "I'll charge it and join you later."The message was clear- she wouldn't be going with them.James frowned. "I can wait while you-""No need," Sarah cut him off with a smile. "I'll make my own way there."When he fell silent, Sarah glanced at Charlotte. "And tomorrow at nine, if you're free, let's get the divorce papers finalized."For some reason, James felt unsettled. "Why the rush?"Sarah nodded firmly. “Cause it's urgent."James was taken aback, his expression darkening as he led Charlotte away.After a few steps, Charlotte whispered something intimately to James, then turned back
Lost in his thoughts, James felt a warm hand on his. He turned to see Charlotte looking at him with concern. "Are you feeling okay? Would you like some soup?"James shook his head.After greeting Richard, Sarah quietly took her seat, pointedly ignoring their interaction.Richard let out a scoff of disgust.Dinner at the Chancers' was traditionally eaten in silence. Sarah had little appetite but picked at her food to be polite.After dinner, Richard held her back. "I've heard about you and James. Don't worry, Sarah. You're the only daughter-in-law this family recognizes."He cast a cold look at Charlotte and James, their faces stiffening at his words. "If anyone should leave this family, it should be the homewrecker and this excuse for a man!"Sarah shifted uncomfortably.James's jaw tightened. Beside him, Charlotte clutched his hand, her eyes filling with tears, looking every bit the victim.Richard ignored them both, drumming his fingers on the table with a sigh. "Your father
Toddler Tina wobbled toward her, her tiny voice asking if she could have a piece of candy. The teenage Tina was forced to accept hand-me-down clothes from distant relatives. Even when she accompanied her mother to the market, her gaze would linger longingly on the dresses in the store window. The price wasn’t high, but she never once asked for one. She had learned to be obedient. As an adult, Tina had grown into a graceful young woman, but she became quieter, more withdrawn. She buried all her thoughts deep inside. Yet, when she was alone, she would still glance at herself in the mirror, as if searching for something. All these memories had always been there—she had just chosen to ignore them. Each fragment had been locked away in the deepest corners of her mind, things she never wanted to bring to the surface. Because if she did, she would have to face the truth: she could have easily bought her daughter that candy. She could have bought her that dress. But she never did.
Mrs. Mendes hesitated before continuing. "After Tina jumped, I was terrified—I didn’t know what to do except cry. Then she appeared. She said she would help me get justice. She planned everything—what to say, what to do. She was clearly helping me… Are you saying she’s the one who killed my daughter?" Sarah could see right through Mrs. Mendes’s thoughts—all she cared about was the money. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Sarah spoke again. "Mrs. Mendes, your daughter might have been killed by her. Worse, she might have been pushed off that rooftop while she was still alive. Do you still think she was helping you?" "That’s impossible!" The words pushed off the rooftop were too horrifying. She didn’t even dare to imagine it. She had never been a loving mother to Tina, but that was still her child. A living, breathing person. The thought of Tina standing on that rooftop, terrified and helpless, made her stomach twist. Even if she had yelled at Tina that day, she didn’
After Tina’s case faded from the spotlight, a new storm erupted—Mia’s video spread like wildfire. The Reynolds’ eldest daughter had publicly defended Sarah just a day earlier, only to suffer a breakdown at the gates of Adams University. It was as if reality had delivered a brutal slap—straight across Mia’s face, and by extension, Sarah’s as well. People began questioning Sarah’s competence. While no one denied the prestige of the Decker Competition, many now speculated that Sarah was merely an academic—strong in theory but lacking real-world experience, nothing more than an armchair expert. From the beginning of the controversy until now, Sarah had yet to make any public response. Just then, Zachary’s assistant entered the office once again, this time with a fresh update. "Mr. Reynolds, this afternoon, Mr. Robinson privately met with Miss Wilson. We don’t know yet if it’s related to the contract." The Reynolds and Wilsons had always been evenly matched in the stock ma
Before James could finish reading, his mother entered the room, her face clouded with worry. "James, I’m really worried about Charlotte. Why is it that even though she hasn’t been sent to prison, I still can’t take care of her? If anything happens to my grandson, I won’t let them off!" she said angrily, her frustration spilling over into a fit of coughing. James remained calm. "Mom, even if she isn’t in prison, she’s still under house arrest. That means that while she may be at home, it’s no different from being in jail. You can’t just visit her whenever you want." His mother glanced at his computer screen and immediately spotted Sarah’s name displayed in bold letters. With a cold snort, she scoffed, "That wretched woman has finally revealed her true colors for everyone to see. She’s nothing but a curse! First, she ruined Lucy, then Charlotte and my grandson. And now, she’s finally killed someone. Let’s see how she gets away this time!" James’s expression darkened slightly.
Although Mia still couldn’t fully open up, constantly keeping her guard up against the world, Sarah found she could at least communicate with her in simple ways—like asking her to draw. Patients with psychological disorders often struggle to engage in normal conversations during an episode, but they can express their emotions and needs through alternative means. One common therapeutic method is to have them draw, allowing them to convey subconscious feelings and emotions in the most direct way possible. Every psychologist learns this technique, and Sarah had excelled in this subject, earning a perfect score in her coursework. Mia hesitated for a moment before glancing at Sarah with a hint of uncertainty. Slowly, she reached for the pen on the table and began sketching on the blank sheet of paper. The most intense moment…? She struggled to recall such a moment in her life. But then—just recently—her brother had found the person he loved the most. That person was… he
"There’s no point in hiding anything now. Who came up with the idea of holding a banner and carrying your daughter’s photo in front of the school? And who told you to demand a million?" Sarah pressed forward, locking eyes with Mrs. Mendes. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," Mrs. Mendes said, lowering her gaze. "People like us—what else can we do but call the police? But they ruled it as a suicide. I didn’t believe it, so I went to your school to demand an explanation. As for the ten million? Forget that—I think you owe me compensation." Sarah didn’t buy a word of it. "The person who gave your son chocolate is the same one who gave you the idea, isn’t it?" Mrs. Mendes’s expression hardened. She clamped her mouth shut and refused to answer. "It doesn’t matter if you won’t talk. I can find out on my own." Sarah pulled out the chocolate Tommy had given her. "Do you even know what kind of chocolate this is?" "Luxury goods have one benefit—they can be traced. You probab
"He’s just a child! He doesn’t understand anything—don’t scare him!" "He’s a child, yes. He’s your son. But have you ever thought about this? Tina was your daughter. She was just a college student, not even out in the real world yet. If your son saw the bad guy, why are you stopping him from speaking? Do you know who it was?" Mrs. Mendes snapped, furious. "Know what? What nonsense are you spouting?!" Sarah unlocked her phone and placed it in front of Mrs. Mendes. "Look carefully. I’m calling the police." Her finger hovered over the emergency dial button, ready to press down. "Wait! Don’t!" Mrs. Mendes panicked and quickly reached out to stop her. Sarah lowered the phone. "Then let me talk to your son." "I…" Mrs. Mendes hesitated, seeming torn. "That day, when Mom went to buy groceries, I saw my sister following someone upstairs. That person must be a bad guy. Tina hasn’t come back yet—did the bad guy take her away?" The little boy’s voice was innocent, his words
"You have no idea how much those words might have hurt her. Maybe... maybe it was because of those very words that pushed her to—“ Sarah couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. Mrs. Mendes jumped up in rage, jabbing a finger at Sarah as she lashed out. "Shut up! What are you trying to say? That my daughter died because of me? Nonsense! Utter nonsense!" "Calm down. I need more details." Sarah frowned slightly. She had a feeling this wasn't as simple as it seemed. Mrs. Mendes wanted to throw her out, but then she suddenly remembered the compensation she hadn't received yet. Forcibly swallowing her anger, she held herself back. "What more details do you need?" "When you came back from grocery shopping and saw your daughter fall, did you see anyone coming out of the stairwell? Someone fleeing in a panic, or running away quickly?" Mrs. Mendes's face went pale. "W-what do you mean by that?" Her whole body started to tremble. "Are you saying... my daughter didn’t comm
As she spoke, Mrs. Mendes quickly made her son go to his room and lock the door.In that moment, Tina's eyes dimmed. She couldn't understand why a stranger in the counseling office could gently tell her not to be afraid, yet her mother, who always claimed to love her most, would treat her this way."I'm not dirty. The counselor said this illness can be managed." She looked at her mother with a last glimmer of hope.But Mrs. Mendes only responded with concern for herself, "Shut up! You got this filthy disease and still want treatment? AIDS can't be cured, and who do you expect to pay for treatment? We don't have a single penny. Don't be delusional!"At that moment, her look toward her daughter held no compassion - only anger and fear.Tina, already full of despair, lost even the small hope she'd regained from Sarah's words.Her barely rebuilt emotional walls came crashing down. Pale-faced, her lips trembling, she said, "Mom, I wasn't going to ask you for money for treatment, I jus