Sarah barely noticed the sting of alcohol on her wounds, her mind distracted by the conversation. She had almost forgotten the pain of disinfecting, too focused on the words just spoken.As Mrs. Wesley sat lost in thought, Sarah asked casually, "You mentioned earlier that Charlie had caused many deaths. What exactly did he do? Did he really kill people?"Mrs. Wesley snapped back to reality, her face filled with regret. She looked at Sarah apologetically. "I'm sorry, it's something from many years ago. He wasn't working at the Sanders factory then, he was..." she hesitated, her voice trailing off before offering Sarah a sheepish look. "Apologies, I don't remember all the details. Miss Sanders, are you particularly interested in this?"Sarah smiled faintly. "I just overheard and thought it sounded serious, so I couldn't help but ask."Seeing the defensive look in Mrs. Wesley's eyes, Sarah smoothly changed the subject. "What do you plan to do now?"Mrs. Wesley sighed heavily. "I have
Mrs. Chancer handed the gift box to Mrs. Sanders. "Take this with you. These are items I purchased overseas—things you can't find here. As for the matter you mentioned, I'll give it serious consideration. Don't worry, our goals align."Mrs. Chancer escorted Mrs. Sanders to the door, and just as she was about to close it, she bumped into her son, James.Mrs. Sanders gave James a complicated look, nodding slightly in acknowledgment."James, this is Mrs. Sanders visiting today," Mrs. Chancer explained gently.James smiled warmly. "Hello, Mrs. Sanders."Mrs. Sanders, with a hint of suggestion in her voice, said, "Mr. Chancer is truly impressive. Our Sarah doesn't have that kind of luck."Mrs. Chancer quickly interjected, "What good is saying that now? James is already married. Besides, our children's affairs shouldn't involve us. We should maintain our relationships as usual. After all, East Coast is quite small.""Of course," Mrs. Sanders replied with a smile. "I'll take my leave n
The next morning, Charlie handed over the last two thousand dollars he had managed to scrounge from his house to Manager Sullivan. After groveling and pleading, it took quite a while before Sullivan finally decided to let him off the hook.Sarah sat in her office, her eyes fixed on the computer screen displaying an email reply from headquarters. The report about the equipment malfunction had been approved, and the request for new devices granted. The board of directors hadn't opposed it, which came as a surprise.Outside the office, Charlie passed by the door, his mind still reeling from Sullivan's earlier warning."You've got one more chance. Sarah Sanders is sharp. If you fail again, pack your bags and leave!"He clenched his fist, determined not to fail this time.At six in the evening, Sarah was about to leave for the day when, to her surprise, Charlie was waiting outside, calling her over. "Hurry up and eat! My mom made dishes specially for you. I know I messed up last time,
"Zachary, you're here?" Charlie greeted with a sycophantic tone. Indeed, it was Zachary, who frowned slightly. About twenty minutes ago, Charlie had called him, claiming Sarah was in danger and that he needed to hurry over. Zachary had rushed here as quickly as possible, but now couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Why did Charlie's smile seem so... unsettling?"What's wrong with Miss Sanders?" Zachary asked, his gaze serious.Charlie, sensing he had played his cards right, pointed toward Sarah's room and said meaningfully, "Miss Sanders is in that room. She's in critical condition right now. Hurry, go save her."He even gave an expression that implied men would understand.Zachary's unease grew. He walked into Sarah's room, only to find her lying on the bed, seemingly unconscious."Sasa?" He rushed over, his voice full of concern.From outside the door, Charlie's voice rang out. "Zachary, time is money. I've given you what you wanted. Go ahead and take it."Zachar
Back at the Wesley place, Charlie shut the front door with a meaningful smirk as his parents had already gone to bed. He cleared the dining table and retreated to his room. Alone, his thoughts turned to what he imagined would happen between Zachary and Sarah, and he couldn't help but snicker to himself. This time, he felt he had finally done Zachary a favor by orchestrating the situation. After this, he was sure Zachary would owe him one, especially in his gambling endeavors.Once something happened between Sarah and Zachary, Charlie thought he would have significant leverage over Sarah—she wouldn't dare cross him, not even in front of the factory manager. Yet, the thought of their imminent encounter left him feeling an unexplained emptiness, especially since the woman he usually pushed around had defiantly returned to her mother's house after yesterday's beating. How dare she act differently when every other woman in the town bore their circumstances silently?Why was it acceptable
Charlie pulled her close. "When have I not thought about you? Anyway, I've got things to do tomorrow. I'll come see you again later." He got dressed as the woman watched him reluctantly. Just as he opened the door to leave, another woman suddenly appeared in front of him."Molly, I've come—Oh? What are you doing here? Isn't this Mr. Wesley? What are you doing at Molly's house in the middle of the night instead of sleeping at home?"She saw Charlie adjusting his clothes and knew exactly what had been going on."Cut the crap, I'm leaving now. If anyone finds out about today, you're done for," Charlie snapped.The woman wasn't intimidated. She dramatically fell to her knees, crying out loud, "Oh dear! Everyone come and see how this man is threatening me, saying he'll kill me! He's not sleeping at his home in the middle of the night but is here at Molly's—who knows what they were up to? Now that I've caught him, he's not retreating but threatening me instead! Everyone come over and jud
”Come on… Come on…” Charlie leaned over the long table, his eyes crazed as he watched the dealer's movements. The dealer placed his hand over the dice cup, his voice stirring the gamblers, "Any more bets? The odds are thirty to one now." As soon as he finished speaking, a burly man with a scruffy beard shoved most of his chips forward. "Damn it, I'm all in. Worst comes to worst, I'll con some more out of my old lady's funeral fund." Others, eyes reddened, quickly followed suit.Charlie clenched his yellowed teeth, tempted to go all in too. He glanced at Zachary, who had remained calm throughout, and rubbed his hands together with a sycophantic smile. "Bro, should we make a big play too?"Zachary gave him a brief glance. "What's the rush." Charlie had no choice but to curb his eagerness."Here it goes!" The dealer shouted, and the outcome was revealed, triggering moans of despair around them."Did we win? Did we actually win?" Charlie rubbed his eyes in disbelief, his smile wideni
"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
”Come on… Come on…” Charlie leaned over the long table, his eyes crazed as he watched the dealer's movements. The dealer placed his hand over the dice cup, his voice stirring the gamblers, "Any more bets? The odds are thirty to one now." As soon as he finished speaking, a burly man with a scruffy beard shoved most of his chips forward. "Damn it, I'm all in. Worst comes to worst, I'll con some more out of my old lady's funeral fund." Others, eyes reddened, quickly followed suit.Charlie clenched his yellowed teeth, tempted to go all in too. He glanced at Zachary, who had remained calm throughout, and rubbed his hands together with a sycophantic smile. "Bro, should we make a big play too?"Zachary gave him a brief glance. "What's the rush." Charlie had no choice but to curb his eagerness."Here it goes!" The dealer shouted, and the outcome was revealed, triggering moans of despair around them."Did we win? Did we actually win?" Charlie rubbed his eyes in disbelief, his smile wideni
Charlie pulled her close. "When have I not thought about you? Anyway, I've got things to do tomorrow. I'll come see you again later." He got dressed as the woman watched him reluctantly. Just as he opened the door to leave, another woman suddenly appeared in front of him."Molly, I've come—Oh? What are you doing here? Isn't this Mr. Wesley? What are you doing at Molly's house in the middle of the night instead of sleeping at home?"She saw Charlie adjusting his clothes and knew exactly what had been going on."Cut the crap, I'm leaving now. If anyone finds out about today, you're done for," Charlie snapped.The woman wasn't intimidated. She dramatically fell to her knees, crying out loud, "Oh dear! Everyone come and see how this man is threatening me, saying he'll kill me! He's not sleeping at his home in the middle of the night but is here at Molly's—who knows what they were up to? Now that I've caught him, he's not retreating but threatening me instead! Everyone come over and jud
Back at the Wesley place, Charlie shut the front door with a meaningful smirk as his parents had already gone to bed. He cleared the dining table and retreated to his room. Alone, his thoughts turned to what he imagined would happen between Zachary and Sarah, and he couldn't help but snicker to himself. This time, he felt he had finally done Zachary a favor by orchestrating the situation. After this, he was sure Zachary would owe him one, especially in his gambling endeavors.Once something happened between Sarah and Zachary, Charlie thought he would have significant leverage over Sarah—she wouldn't dare cross him, not even in front of the factory manager. Yet, the thought of their imminent encounter left him feeling an unexplained emptiness, especially since the woman he usually pushed around had defiantly returned to her mother's house after yesterday's beating. How dare she act differently when every other woman in the town bore their circumstances silently?Why was it acceptable
"Zachary, you're here?" Charlie greeted with a sycophantic tone. Indeed, it was Zachary, who frowned slightly. About twenty minutes ago, Charlie had called him, claiming Sarah was in danger and that he needed to hurry over. Zachary had rushed here as quickly as possible, but now couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Why did Charlie's smile seem so... unsettling?"What's wrong with Miss Sanders?" Zachary asked, his gaze serious.Charlie, sensing he had played his cards right, pointed toward Sarah's room and said meaningfully, "Miss Sanders is in that room. She's in critical condition right now. Hurry, go save her."He even gave an expression that implied men would understand.Zachary's unease grew. He walked into Sarah's room, only to find her lying on the bed, seemingly unconscious."Sasa?" He rushed over, his voice full of concern.From outside the door, Charlie's voice rang out. "Zachary, time is money. I've given you what you wanted. Go ahead and take it."Zachar
The next morning, Charlie handed over the last two thousand dollars he had managed to scrounge from his house to Manager Sullivan. After groveling and pleading, it took quite a while before Sullivan finally decided to let him off the hook.Sarah sat in her office, her eyes fixed on the computer screen displaying an email reply from headquarters. The report about the equipment malfunction had been approved, and the request for new devices granted. The board of directors hadn't opposed it, which came as a surprise.Outside the office, Charlie passed by the door, his mind still reeling from Sullivan's earlier warning."You've got one more chance. Sarah Sanders is sharp. If you fail again, pack your bags and leave!"He clenched his fist, determined not to fail this time.At six in the evening, Sarah was about to leave for the day when, to her surprise, Charlie was waiting outside, calling her over. "Hurry up and eat! My mom made dishes specially for you. I know I messed up last time,
Mrs. Chancer handed the gift box to Mrs. Sanders. "Take this with you. These are items I purchased overseas—things you can't find here. As for the matter you mentioned, I'll give it serious consideration. Don't worry, our goals align."Mrs. Chancer escorted Mrs. Sanders to the door, and just as she was about to close it, she bumped into her son, James.Mrs. Sanders gave James a complicated look, nodding slightly in acknowledgment."James, this is Mrs. Sanders visiting today," Mrs. Chancer explained gently.James smiled warmly. "Hello, Mrs. Sanders."Mrs. Sanders, with a hint of suggestion in her voice, said, "Mr. Chancer is truly impressive. Our Sarah doesn't have that kind of luck."Mrs. Chancer quickly interjected, "What good is saying that now? James is already married. Besides, our children's affairs shouldn't involve us. We should maintain our relationships as usual. After all, East Coast is quite small.""Of course," Mrs. Sanders replied with a smile. "I'll take my leave n
Sarah barely noticed the sting of alcohol on her wounds, her mind distracted by the conversation. She had almost forgotten the pain of disinfecting, too focused on the words just spoken.As Mrs. Wesley sat lost in thought, Sarah asked casually, "You mentioned earlier that Charlie had caused many deaths. What exactly did he do? Did he really kill people?"Mrs. Wesley snapped back to reality, her face filled with regret. She looked at Sarah apologetically. "I'm sorry, it's something from many years ago. He wasn't working at the Sanders factory then, he was..." she hesitated, her voice trailing off before offering Sarah a sheepish look. "Apologies, I don't remember all the details. Miss Sanders, are you particularly interested in this?"Sarah smiled faintly. "I just overheard and thought it sounded serious, so I couldn't help but ask."Seeing the defensive look in Mrs. Wesley's eyes, Sarah smoothly changed the subject. "What do you plan to do now?"Mrs. Wesley sighed heavily. "I have
Sarah's expression turned serious. Though she didn't fully understand their conversation, she suspected it might be connected to Zachary's investigation.Charlie knew he wouldn't get any money from Sarah, but with Manager Sun's deadline looming tomorrow, he had to find four thousand dollars tonight. He stubbornly retreated to his room to continue his desperate search.Before leaving, he couldn't resist one final threat: "Watch your mouth."Mrs. Wesler wiped blood from her lip. Her face was swollen and marked with slap prints. She tried to push herself up from the floor, but her body trembled from the beating. Unable to rise, she collapsed back down, weakly tapping the ground.Sarah approached and extended her hand. "Let me help you."Mrs. Wesler looked up with a complex expression but finally placed her hand in Sarah's. "Thank you."Sarah helped her to her room, then retrieved a medical kit from her suitcase.Mrs. Wesler stared curiously at the contents—iodine, disinfectant, ant
"Miss Sanders, this is a family matter. Mind your own business!" Charlie snapped. "She's my wife - I'll do whatever I want with her. If you want to stay here, go lock yourself in your room and don't look or listen. Or I'll beat you too!"Sarah approached him slowly, completely unfazed. "If you dare, do it now. I want to see if you have the guts to hit me."Charlie stepped back, humiliated and furious. Of course he wouldn't dare! Sarah was Melvin Sanders' cousin, and the whole factory belonged to her family.He fell silent as Sarah turned to the battered woman on the ground. "How long are you going to lie there?" she asked, her voice cold. "Are you waiting to be beaten to death? Do you want to spend whatever's left of your life under this man's fists, barely surviving? Or would you rather just die now?"Something flickered in Mrs. Wesler's eyes - a spark replacing the despair. She looked at Charlie, her gaze complex and searching.Charlie sensed the shift and grew uneasy. "What are