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.
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
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
"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
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
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
“Miss, this isn’t a cheap watch. If you want it repaired, it’ll cost quite a bit. Do you want me to just fix the strap and the glass, or should I work on the case too?” The case only had a few minor scratches—nothing obvious unless you looked closely. Sarah’s index finger still throbbed faintly. “Fix everything,” she said. “How long will it take?” The shop owner hesitated before replying, “This is a German Lange watch. Some parts need to be ordered from Germany. Even here in East Coast, you won’t find replacements easily. Best case, a few weeks. Worst case… it might take a few months.” Sarah nodded. “Money isn’t an issue.” She pulled a check from her handbag, placed it on the counter, then turned to leave. She wasn’t entirely sure why she cared enough to fix the watch. But today, she’d finally figured out one thing. Those eyes… They looked just like Steven’s. And Steven was Scarlett’s boyfriend. ---As soon as Sarah stepped out of the car back home,
“Benjamin harassed me in public. I did what anyone should’ve done. What exactly did I do wrong?” Crash! Old Lady White slammed her teacup onto the floor, shattering porcelain across the polished surface. “You’ve certainly got a way with words!” she spat. Mrs. Blanco hesitated, then quickly chimed in, “Maybe Sarah just never liked Benjamin and decided to hit him. Now she’s turning the whole thing around, accusing him of harassment.” “That must be it!” Sydney echoed, eyes gleaming with malice. Sarah let out a cold laugh. “He’s already in custody. If you really believe he’s innocent, then go find the evidence. I won’t stop you.” “Enough with this nonsense!” Mrs. Blanco snapped, face twisted with fury. “You’re going to go down to the station right now and tell them to release him! Or do you want to turn this whole situation into a public scandal? You shameless, ungrateful thing!” “You’ve got it all wrong,” Sarah said, voice low and sharp. She met Mrs. Blanco’s glare
"Not necessary." Sarah brushed past her without a glance.Sydney stomped her foot in anger. How dare she ignore her!"Don't get cocky! Let's see how calm you stay when my grandmother brings the family lawyers!"Sarah stopped and turned back with a mocking look. "My attitude is none of your business. But I know you won't be smiling for long.""Sarah! What's that supposed to mean?" Sydney shouted.But Sarah was already in her car, leaving Sydney red-faced with rage.Three days after Benjamin's arrest, Old Lady White arrived at Melvin's house with the family lawyers and board members, including Shawn and Amanda.In the formal living room sat two senior partners from the family's law firm.Old Lady White sat with a dark expression, while Mrs. Blanco stood tearfully beside Amanda. Sydney stared at Sarah with wild eyes.Shawn stood to the side, his expression grave. Melvin positioned himself next to Sarah, watching her protectively.The senior lawyer spoke first. "This situation is
In the sitting room, Mia studied the new therapist. Something about him seemed different from the others.After a long silence, he spoke. "Hello, Miss Reynolds. I'm your new therapist."Mia gave the butler a look, and he tactfully left.She studied the man curiously, keeping her tone polite but distant. "Look, I know my grandfather sent you to treat me, but I should tell you - I already have a therapist. Don't waste your time. Keep your fee, but you can't help me. I'm beyond that."Unlike the others, this therapist didn't get angry. Instead, he looked at her with interest. He'd heard about the difficult Miss Reynolds before coming. Her file showed they'd tried every known treatment method with little success. Her current stability was credited to that famous Decker Competition champion."Miss Reynolds, I understand your position, but hear me out. Your grandfather clearly has reservations about Miss Sanders, or he wouldn't have brought you home and gone to such lengths to find you
Amanda seemed satisfied. Now that Shawn had promised to handle it, she could relax.At Sanders Group headquarters, a woman in a dress walked into the elevator. Oddly, no one stopped her.The elevator went straight to the 35th floor. She used her fingerprint to open an office door and walked in. “Melvin.”Melvin turned to face Sarah. "Sasa, what brings you here?""Can't I visit my dearest cousin?” Sarah glanced at the Sanders Group stock prices on his screen."Sasa, I heard about yesterday," he said worriedly. "Did Grandmother and Aunt make a scene at home today? Don't worry about them. Benjamin had no right to touch you - and when he gets out, he'll have me to deal with!""I'm fine, really."Sarah told him everything that happened. "But I need your help with something.""Name it."Sarah stood on tiptoe, whispering in his ear.Melvin smiled. "Look at my clever sister!""I'm counting on you!" Sarah beamed."Don't worry." A cold glint passed through Melvin's eyes. "I won't go
With reddened eyes, she clutched Old Lady White's arm. "Mother, how could Sarah be so vicious at such a young age? Sydney's grown up by your side, always such a good girl. You must stand up for her!""Hmph!" Old Lady White glared at Sarah. "Nonsense! Get Benji released immediately and apologize to your cousin!"A cold glint flashed in Sarah's eyes. "Releasing Benjamin? Not happening. And I won't apologize. If Sydney won't admit it, Benjamin will - there are ways to make him talk."Mrs. Blanco jumped up in outrage. "You'd force a false confession? Touch one hair on Benji's head and the whole White family will come after you!""Is that a threat?" Sarah's eyes narrowed.The tension froze as a strong voice cut through, "What's going on here?"Sarah’s uncle, Shawn, walked in frowning, taking in the scene - Sarah surrounded, Old Lady White's blazing eyes, Sydney's theatrical tears, and Sarah standing her ground."What happened?"Amanda quickly pulled her husband aside to explain.He
“Benjamin harassed me in public. I did what anyone should’ve done. What exactly did I do wrong?” Crash! Old Lady White slammed her teacup onto the floor, shattering porcelain across the polished surface. “You’ve certainly got a way with words!” she spat. Mrs. Blanco hesitated, then quickly chimed in, “Maybe Sarah just never liked Benjamin and decided to hit him. Now she’s turning the whole thing around, accusing him of harassment.” “That must be it!” Sydney echoed, eyes gleaming with malice. Sarah let out a cold laugh. “He’s already in custody. If you really believe he’s innocent, then go find the evidence. I won’t stop you.” “Enough with this nonsense!” Mrs. Blanco snapped, face twisted with fury. “You’re going to go down to the station right now and tell them to release him! Or do you want to turn this whole situation into a public scandal? You shameless, ungrateful thing!” “You’ve got it all wrong,” Sarah said, voice low and sharp. She met Mrs. Blanco’s glare
“Miss, this isn’t a cheap watch. If you want it repaired, it’ll cost quite a bit. Do you want me to just fix the strap and the glass, or should I work on the case too?” The case only had a few minor scratches—nothing obvious unless you looked closely. Sarah’s index finger still throbbed faintly. “Fix everything,” she said. “How long will it take?” The shop owner hesitated before replying, “This is a German Lange watch. Some parts need to be ordered from Germany. Even here in East Coast, you won’t find replacements easily. Best case, a few weeks. Worst case… it might take a few months.” Sarah nodded. “Money isn’t an issue.” She pulled a check from her handbag, placed it on the counter, then turned to leave. She wasn’t entirely sure why she cared enough to fix the watch. But today, she’d finally figured out one thing. Those eyes… They looked just like Steven’s. And Steven was Scarlett’s boyfriend. ---As soon as Sarah stepped out of the car back home,
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