Mr. Wilson pulled something from behind him and tossed it at her feet. "You mean this shadow you saw? Was it this?" Vivian stared in disbelief. "This…?" "From the moment you had your first nightmare, I had people watching the villa’s surroundings. Tonight, the so-called ghost you saw? It was just a piece of white cloth. "The person behind it got away, but they left this behind." His eyes were ice-cold. Then he scoffed. "Idiot. You’ve been played and didn’t even realize it. Do you actually believe in ghosts? You’ve thrown away every bit of education you’ve ever received." The tight grip of fear in Vivian’s chest suddenly loosened. She let out a breathless chuckle, which quickly turned into anger. "Who?! Who would dare mess with me like this?!" Mr. Wilson leaned back, watching her. "Find out for yourself. I’ll give you full authority to investigate, but don’t let it interfere with our plans. You’ve already slowed us down enough these past few days."
Mr. Wilson chuckled. "If we can’t finish the bottle, take the rest home for your grandfather." Vivian laughed. "Grandpa, what are you saying? Do you really think Grandpa William would drink someone else’s leftover wine?" "True, true. My mistake," Mr. Wilson admitted with a good-natured smile. "Then how about this—before you leave, pick out a bottle from my collection and take it back for him. That way, he won’t have anything to complain about behind my back." The meal had yet to begin, but the atmosphere at the dining table was warm and harmonious. Anne was busy serving dishes, while Zachary quietly observed the exchange between Vivian and Mr. Wilson. It was just a simple family dinner, so why go to such extravagant lengths? The Romanée-Conti on the table was no ordinary wine. Though its auction price had been around three million yuan, it was truly priceless—aged for years, often purchased as an investment rather than for consumption. So why had Mr. Wilson brought
The police had even found this woman’s fingerprints on the rooftop. And at the chocolate boutique, purchase records confirmed her order history. It was all too perfect. If Sarah hadn’t seen Vivian with her own eyes, hadn’t heard her cold confession that day—perhaps she, too, would have believed it. Mrs. Mendes let out a bitter laugh, her expression vacant. "I told you before—no one can fight against capital. People like us could struggle for a lifetime and still never reach their heights. For them, crushing us is as easy as stepping on an ant. "Even when the evidence is laid bare, they’ll always have someone ready to take the fall." Her voice was hoarse, empty. Perhaps, before, her reluctance to speak had been instinctive self-preservation. But now, when she had finally found the courage to seek justice—she realized how naive she had been. Sarah shook her head, her voice quiet but firm. "It’s because they are rotten to the core—so cruel they can erase a
Melvin shook his head. "It’s useless. The top wineries produce limited quantities of wine each year, and they’ve already been snatched up by suppliers. The contracts are signed before the bottles even leave the vineyards." The global wine market was massive, but true premium wine had always been in short supply. Beyond vintage limitations, quality was another key factor. "So what can we do?" Sarah asked. "There’s one last opportunity. In two days, St. Ritz Hotel is hosting a wine-tasting gala. It’ll bring together winery owners from all over. This is our chance," Melvin said seriously. Sarah nodded in understanding. The gala wasn’t just a major event for East Coast—top sommeliers and vineyard representatives from all over the country would attend. Among them would be powerful figures who weren’t afraid of the Wilsons. This was Sanders Group’s only shot. Otherwise, they’d have to abandon this sector entirely. St. Ritz Hotel, 7pm.The entrance road to hotel was line
Sarah’s arrival stirred a small wave of excitement throughout the banquet hall. "Oh my god, how does she still have the audacity to show up here? After everything that happened, she actually dares to come? Absolutely shameless!" "Exactly! That student jumped because of her! Even though people are trying to clear her name, who knows what really went on behind the scenes?" “Mr. Reynolds and Miss Wilson are practically engaged. Do you think she’s here just to cause trouble?" "Cause trouble? Please. What could she even do?" "I heard the Sanders are in trouble. They lost their wine suppliers, and she’s here to fight for a deal." As whispers and judgmental glances swept through the crowd, Sarah remained composed, unaffected by the scrutiny. Melvin, however, squared his shoulders, his cold gaze sweeping across those who dared to stare too long. He shielded her from much of the hostility, though he knew she didn’t care about their opinions. After a brief exchange, Melvi
"Oh, don’t get me wrong," the woman sneered. "I just wanted to see what kind of thick-skinned person would still dare to show up here. You caused the death of a student, you’re literally her murderer. What, did you come here hoping to win back Mr. Reynolds?" She clicked her tongue twice in mock pity. "Such a shame. You should take a good look. Mr. Reynolds isn’t into women like you. Open your eyes and see who’s standing beside him. That’s the perfect woman, his childhood sweetheart, the one he truly loves. You’re delusional if you think you have a chance. A murderer like you will always be despised. If I were you, I’d leave now before making a fool of myself." "Exactly! You should just get out of here before you make yourself sick watching Miss Wilson and Mr. Reynolds together." Sarah set her wine glass down with a soft thud, the sound heavy against the table. "That’s why you’re not me." Her gaze turned icy as she looked at the woman. "Judging from your tone, I can al
"And what if I did? Your mouth was spewing filth, so I simply helped you wash it out. Now, kindly get lost." "You f**king—!” The man’s face contorted with rage as he raised his hand, ready to strike. His arm cut through the air with force, the sound of wind trailing behind it. It was so sudden that Sarah barely had time to react. Instinctively, she squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact. But the expected pain never came. Instead, a sharp, agonized scream rang out. "Let me go! Who the hell are you?!" Sarah’s eyes snapped open. James had seized the man’s wrist mid-air, twisting it back with ruthless precision. The man’s arm bent unnaturally, like a twisted rope, his face contorted in pain. "And since when did the Fishers start running their mouths like this?" James said icily. "I’ll make sure to ask your father myself in a few days. "Now get lost!” The man, now realizing that James knew his father personally, instantly lost all his bravado and scram
Sarah took sip after sip of her wine, trying to tune out the whispers. But the more she tried not to listen, the louder their words seemed to burrow into her mind. She let out a bitter chuckle. Maybe they weren’t completely wrong. No matter what anyone said, Tina had died because of her. Sarah’s gaze darkened as she turned toward the center of the gala. The real criminals, the ones behind the racetrack incident, the ones responsible for Tina’s death, were standing in the spotlight, basking in admiration. Vivian Wilson, hand in hand with Zachary Reynolds, smiling effortlessly at the cameras, secure in her place next to him. Meanwhile, Sarah sat in the shadows, the target of endless gossip and malice. Then, suddenly— "Shut the hell up!" The voice rang out across the room, cutting through the whispers like a blade. "You’re all full of crap! Zachary Reynolds himself cleared Sarah’s name in a public interview. Do you think you know better than him? Are yo
The boutique owner instructed an attendant to bring out several dresses. Sarah examined them one by one before selecting one and stepping into the fitting room. The fitting room was small and dimly lit, with heavy curtains blocking the window. These dresses all looked similar on the hanger; she needed to see how they fit on her. Layer after layer, the process was tedious. By the time she peeled off her original outfit, sweat dotted her forehead. She slipped into the dress, the silky fabric cool against her skin. Just as she reached for the ties— The curtain behind her was yanked open. Sarah gasped. “Who’s there?!” She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, stepping back until her hand found the door handle. “Don’t move.” The voice came from behind her. Her heart raced. She turned her head just enough to see a man standing there. He wore a mask and gripped a knife, the blade glinting faintly in the dim light. “Who are you?” she demanded, tryin
Sarah tilted her head slightly, her smile laced with mockery. “All I know is that he somehow tripped and knocked himself out. You weren’t even here, yet you immediately assumed I did it. Why is that, Sydney?” “You—!” Sydney’s face turned red with anger. She scoffed. “So, you’re saying he harassed you, failed, and then somehow managed to knock himself unconscious?” Sarah beamed. “That’s exactly what happened.” Sydney opened her mouth to argue, but then—her eyes darted to a shadow in the corner. Someone was there. “Who’s there? Show yourself!” The moment Zachary stepped into the light, Sydney’s breath hitched. Of course she recognized him. “Mr. Reynolds…? Why are you here?” Zachary ignored her, his expression unreadable. “I have things to do. I’ll be leaving now.” Sydney's eyes flashed, and she quickly stepped forward. “Mr. Reynolds, can you help me take my cousin to the hospital?” Her voice was soft, almost pleading. A face like hers—pale as sno
"Ah!" Sydney let out a shriek, immediately crossing her arms over her chest to cover herself. She shot Sarah a furious glare, her face burning with humiliation. Then, she turned to Benjamin, looking utterly flustered. "I-I need to go to the restroom." She had barely taken two steps before twisting her ankle, nearly collapsing to the floor. Benjamin reacted quickly, grabbing her just in time. "Here, wear this." He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Sydney practically melted into his arms, sneaking a glance at Sarah as if embarrassed. But beneath her expression, there was a glint of something cold and calculating. "Benji, I'll go fix myself up. You stay here and keep Sarah company, alright?" Her voice was delicate, laced with hidden meaning. Benjamin’s gaze flickered darkly. “Alright, go on then.” The moment the door clicked shut, Sarah calmly took a sip of tea. Benjamin wasted no time. He moved closer, his fingers deliberately brushin
Sydney’s eyes flicked back to the diamond brooch with a mixture of greed and resentment. She sighed, her voice soft and pitiful. “Melvin treats you so well. I wish I had a big brother like him.” Sarah gave her a sweet, almost innocent smile. “Well… you might as well keep dreaming. Your mom can’t just pop out a brother for you. Unless… maybe your dad…” She paused dramatically, then widened her eyes as if she’d just said something scandalous. “Kidding! Just joking!” Sydney’s temples throbbed with anger. How dare she say that about my father? Sarah had never talked like this before. But that was fine. Sydney told herself that Sarah would get what was coming to her soon enough. While Sydney was still fuming, Sarah ducked into the fitting room to check the gown she was wearing. The stitching along the waistline had been tampered with. It looked fine now, but in about thirty minutes, the seam would burst wide open—humiliating her in front of everyone. Sarah’s eyes dar
Sydney smiled innocently, as if none of yesterday’s events had ever happened. Sarah frowned. “Grandor Theatre?” Why there again? The last time Mia had an accident, it happened at Grandor Theatre, and they never found the real culprit. Sydney beamed. “That’s right! Mr. Ferguson’s performances are legendary. So, are you coming? Aunt insisted on getting these tickets for you—she really wanted you to join us.” Sarah had never been to Grandor Theatre before, but with everything going on with Tina, she had been meaning to check it out. Not just to review the surveillance footage. She wanted to see what kind of act Sydney was playing, too. Sydney’s eyes flashed with excitement. “The show starts at four. Farewell My Love—you’re in for a treat.” She clapped her hands, then pulled Sarah toward the closet. “Go get changed! Wear something nice. Or better yet, let me help you pick something out.” Like she owned the place, Sydney strode straight into Sarah’s walk-in clo
Right in front of all these people, they dared to pull this stunt. Old Lady White shot Amanda a cold glare. “Or perhaps the Sanders never wanted us here in the first place? Let’s go.” Amanda rushed forward, trying to smooth things over. “No, this was our fault. Please don’t leave over such a small matter. It’s really nothing—if word gets out, people will only laugh at us.” Sydney cast Sarah a smug look before putting on a sweet, understanding smile and stepping toward Old Lady White. “Grandmother, Aunt, everyone is having such a lovely time. I don’t want this to ruin the mood. But she did hit me, and actions have consequences. How about this—she slaps me, so I get to slap her back. A small punishment, nothing more. Would that be fair?” Old Lady White pressed her lips together, then turned to Amanda. “Amanda, what do you think?” Amanda hesitated and looked at Sarah. “Sasa…” “I refuse.” Sarah’s voice was cold, sharp enough to slice through the tension in the room.
Sarah nodded but remained silent. She had no desire to acknowledge these people—people who had nothing to do with her. But for the sake of her aunt… After losing her parents, her aunt and uncle had treated her well. Even if Amanda subtly pushed her toward this group, though it made her uncomfortable, she didn’t let it show. Sydney stood in the center, surrounded by her younger cousins, clearly the beloved darling of the White family. Everyone fawned over her, treating her like a princess. “So, you’re Sarah?” Sydney said with a smug smile. “I’ve heard so much about you. Heard you got divorced and then started fooling around with Zachary? But now you’re broken up too. Don’t take it too hard. After all, we’re talking about Vivian here. Of course Zachary would pick her over you. I mean, a divorced woman? That’s just… embarrassing.” She covered her mouth, pretending to stifle a giggle. The people around her joined in, laughing, their eyes filled with ridicule. Sarah
But he still couldn't fully trust Vivian, despite his wavering heart."Michael, don't you believe me anymore?" Vivian asked, feigning disappointment.Michael, still thinking about what Zachary had said, asked again, "Just tell me honestly - did you do all this to marry Zachary? Your grandfather and his are discussing the engagement now, aren't they?"A cold glint passed through Vivian's eyes. She knew denying it was pointless - he'd find out when the engagement was announced anyway.Her patience exhausted, she said, "Yes, I already told you. Sarah was right - I love Zachary. So what will you do now? Tell the police the truth and send me to prison?"She burst out laughing. "Michael, you're so naive. Do you think the police would believe you? Do you have any proof?"Michael's face grew paler as Vivian continued, "Don't be foolish. You have no evidence, but I do. I have surveillance footage of you meeting Charlotte. When you two were planning everything, I made sure I wasn't involve
"Alright." Though Sarah didn't know what her aunt was planning, this was still Melvin’s mother.She'd seen plenty of her aunt growing up, but always felt their relationship was oddly warm yet distant.Something felt off - her aunt must be planning something big.At Wilson Industries, Vivian was eating when her assistant approached, whispering something in her ear. Her face immediately darkened. "Why am I only hearing about something this important now?"The assistant quickly explained, "They wouldn't talk until this morning."Vivian hurriedly finished eating and had her assistant drive her to the prison.In prison, as Michael was led to the visiting room, he couldn't guess who'd come to see him.When he saw who it was, all his former excitement and hope were gone, replaced by resignation. He didn't know how to face Vivian, whether to confront her about Summit Corp or ask if she really planned to marry Zachary.They sat facing each other, silent for a long while.Finally, Micha