After Lucy finished speaking, Sarah didn’t reply for a long time. Just as Lucy was about to speak again, Sarah finally broke the silence.“Lucy, I think I’ve made myself very clear. I don’t have feelings for James anymore. We’re divorced, and I don’t want anything to do with him. Keep that in mind—if you bring him up again, you’ll regret it.”Sarah’s gaze was icy, piercing through Lucy with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.Lucy suppressed the anger bubbling inside her. She thought about what Charlotte had advised her and clenched her fists tightly to stay calm.“Even if it’s not for my brother, shouldn’t you go for Jane’s sake? Don’t worry, I’m genuinely inviting you. I just want you to see how well my new sister-in-law treats me so you can finally let go. If you come, I’ll believe you don’t care about my brother anymore.”Sarah froze. Jane was attending Lucy’s birthday party?Why would she invite Jane? Could Lucy have found out Sarah wanted Jane as a judge for the
After school, Mia rushed to find Sarah and noticed she seemed distracted."Sarah, what's wrong?" Sarah had always appeared calm and collected to her.Sarah smiled faintly. "Nothing serious.""You're lying. Is it about what everyone's discussing on the forum? Who would spread such rumors? Sarah, are the school leaders pressuring you?" Mia asked with concern.She'd heard plenty of talk, even from the faculty office."Nothing gets past you. The school leaders aren't pressuring me. Lucy invited me to her birthday party - Jane Lawrence will be there."Mia's face scrunched up. "She invited you to her birthday party? That's definitely suspicious. Sarah, don't go. If you want to meet Jane, I'll tell my brother. He can arrange it."She looked proud - to her, her brother could do anything."No need. I've already decided to go. Meeting Jane isn't just about the competition," Sarah declined. She didn't want to rely on Zachary every time.Mia's eyes widened. "Not just about the competition
Charlotte quickly took the gift from her. "Miss Sanders, welcome. Lucy is getting ready upstairs. Please, come in and make yourself comfortable."Inside, Sarah found the party already crowded. She had to admit Charlotte had done an excellent job hosting - just as good as when she used to plan these events when she was still married to James.The guests were all connected to the Chancer family, and many knew Sarah. Her entrance drew numerous glances and whispers.She ignored them, scanning the room only to find Jane wasn't there yet. With about fifteen minutes until the party officially began, she'd probably arrive soon. The other guests were already mingling and chatting.Sarah stood alone to one side until Mrs. Chancer noticed her and came over."I can't believe you actually came. I thought you wouldn't show up. Let me warn you - behave yourself today, or else!" Mrs. Chancer said with barely concealed hostility.With no familiar faces around, and Mrs. Chancer walking away, Charl
Mia casually quipped, “That doesn’t stop me from missing you, doesn’t it?”Zachary chuckled lightly. “That’s right, Mia.”Sarah couldn’t help but laugh at their exchange, her smile radiant like a burst of fireworks.The guests at the party were abuzz with excitement as they watched Zachary. Although the Chancer family’s guest list was filled with notable figures, very few truly prominent individuals attended, and someone of Zachary Reynolds' stature was almost impossible to invite.These guests had likely never encountered someone like Zachary before. Many spent their lives trying to break into high-profile circles, hoping for a chance to connect with a man of his influence.James hadn’t expected this himself. He sent invitations to all the major players out of habit, never thinking Zachary would actually show up.Seeing Zachary laughing with Sarah made James’s eyes burn with jealousy, his expression darkening into something almost frightening.Charlotte noticed his reaction and
Lucy approached Zachary with a glass of wine, attempting to clink glasses with him. But Zachary sidestepped her gesture and said calmly, “Apologies, Miss Chancer. I’m here because of Sasa.” Lucy’s face turned pale. Her free hand clenched her dress tightly while the other awkwardly held the glass, unable to move forward or retreat gracefully. Humiliation washed over her. She regretted approaching Zachary to start a conversation. Sasa. That intimate nickname stung deeply. And to think Zachary would publicly brush her off in front of everyone! Struggling to maintain her composure, Lucy pulled the glass back. “Please, Mr. Reynolds, make yourself comfortable.” With that, she retreated quickly, her embarrassment trailing behind her. Sarah couldn’t help but chuckle, her amusement spilling over. “Mr. Reynolds, that was quite the snub. I bet Lucy is seething.” Zachary shrugged indifferently. “I just told her the truth.” Mia chimed in teasingly, “I haven’t even mentioned
The screen lit up, showing a dimly lit scene where a man was tugging at a woman.Everyone froze in shock. Flashbulbs fired relentlessly as reporters eagerly captured what they assumed would be the next big scandal in high society.Lucy didn’t even turn around to confirm; the reaction from the crowd told her all she needed to know. Bursting with excitement, she pointed at Sarah and announced, “That woman in the photo is Sarah Sanders, Adams University’s school counsellor and my former sister-in-law! I’m exposing her for the shameless woman she is—cheating on her husband and seducing men!”She could already imagine Zachary’s anger as he pushed Sarah away in disgust. The vision thrilled her, and she turned to gauge Sarah’s reaction.But instead of fear or panic, Sarah sat there calmly, her lips curved in a faint smile. Zachary showed no trace of emotion, his face impassive as he watched the screen. Even Mia looked amused, her face lit up with excitement as if she were enjoying a show.
Mrs. Chancer’s fury flared as she stormed toward Sarah, her once-feigned elegance abandoned in favor of rage. Her twisted expression revealed nothing but hatred as she screamed, “You shameless woman! You dare to slander my daughter after all your disgraceful deeds?”The lavish effort she had put into this event—meticulously planned to elevate her family’s standing—was now reduced to a humiliating spectacle because of Sarah. Desperation overwhelmed her, and she lunged at Sarah, claws outstretched, as though to shred both her words and her face.Her outburst was a shocking departure from her usual demeanor as a refined matriarch. The other socialites in the room exchanged looks of disdain, appalled by her behavior.Charlotte, still maintaining a sliver of rationality, hurried to stop her. “Lucy! Come back!” she called.But it was too late. Lucy had already thrown herself at Sarah in a blind rage.“Get back!” Zachary’s icy voice sliced through the chaos as he swiftly pulled Sarah int
The journalists in attendance captured every word, their cameras flashing incessantly. As Mrs. Chancer glared at Sarah, the cameras turned to her, waiting for a dramatic statement.But before she could speak, a figure stepped in front of Sarah. With just a sweeping glance, Zachary Reynolds made the encroaching reporters retreat, their recording devices lowered in trepidation. His expression was dark, his gaze icy, and his restrained anger was palpable.“You’re mistaken,” Zachary’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. “The man in that video wasn’t there for Sarah. He was sent by Lucy to harass her. The conversation in the clip made that very clear. Do you take everyone here for fools?”James’s face fell. Though the video had only played for a few seconds before it was cut off, a snippet of dialogue had revealed the man blaming Lucy for orchestrating the incident against Sarah.Mrs. Chancer, however, was beyond reason. “Of course you’re defending Sarah!” she shouted hysteric
"I don't want to go to the hospital. Some painkillers will do," Sarah protested.Zachary's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "Has it always been this severe?""No, it usually doesn't hurt this much. I just skipped lunch and had too much coffee today," Sarah admitted sheepishly."You should have known better." His voice carried gentle reproach.She paused. "I did. I just got caught up in work and forgot to eat."The hospital's emergency entrance was quiet at this hour - no lines, just the on-call staff. Luckily, the gynecologist was available and quickly prescribed pain medication."Take these after meals, and don't skip any doses," the doctor instructed.Sarah nodded obediently. She wanted to explain that it wasn't usually this bad - skipping meals had just been a mistake.During the drive to her apartment, Zachary remained silent, his expression taut. Once they arrived, he grabbed the medication bag and strode toward the elevator.Sarah stared for a moment before hurry
The day before the competition, Sarah was busy at school all day.She worked with the events and planning teams to decorate the auditorium, even Professor Wells stayed late out of concern."Are the competition questions secure?" Professor Wells asked.Sarah nodded. "They're locked in the counseling room's safe, and I’m the only one with the key."Professor Wells looked relieved. "Good."After he left, Sarah double-checked all the auditorium equipment.By the time everything was ready, it was already 11:30 p.m. She let out a tired sigh. No matter how exhausting, as long as tomorrow's competition went smoothly, it would all be worth it.Back at the counseling room, she was gathering her things when her phone rang. "Mia?"Mia's concerned voice came through. "Sarah, why aren’t you home yet?""Don’t worry, I’m just wrapping up and heading back now. It’s late—go to sleep. You need to be ready for the competition tomorrow," Sarah said, her voice hoarse from fatigue.Mia yawned sleep
“Who said I wouldn’t participate in your university’s psychology competition?” A familiar voice rang out.Sarah’s eyes widened in shock as she turned around.The office door swung open, and Jane walked in with her assistant.Lucy Chancer stared in disbelief. “Jane… Jane Lawrence!”Jane ignored the stunned faces and walked up to the dean, shaking his hand. “Hello, I’m Jane Lawrence.”“Ma’am, what brings you here?” Sarah asked, still frozen in place.“We’ll discuss this later,” Jane replied, her attention shifting to Mrs. Chancer. “Madam, I’ve now confirmed that I will be attending the competition as a judge. This should no longer be considered an oversight, correct?”Mrs. Chancer’s face darkened. She exchanged a baffled look with Lucy. How had Jane Lawrence been convinced? Could it have been Mr. Reynolds pulling strings again?“Ms. Lawrence, you’re really agreeing to be a judge for the competition?” The dean asked, barely hiding his surprise.Jane nodded. “Yes, it’s confirmed.”
The documents on Jane’s bedside table, which she reviewed more thoroughly this time, included a detailed outline of the upcoming psychological knowledge competition, complete with proposed discussion topics. Her curiosity was piqued—perhaps engaging with this new generation of students could offer unexpected surprises.Meanwhile, back home, Sarah stared out her window, lost in thought. Jane’s words replayed in her mind. She had to admit, Jane was right. After years of studying abroad and participating in cutting-edge psychological research, Jane had become a trailblazer in the field. Her return to host forums in East Coast wasn’t just about solving academic problems; it also focused on analyzing and dissecting unique psychological cases, making her time exceptionally valuable.To persuade Jane to participate, Sarah would need to offer something even more valuable than Jane’s current priorities—something she didn’t have. With that realization, she knew she had to let it go.The next
Jane Lawrence gave a helpless smile. "Miss Sanders, I thought I made it very clear—I don’t have the time and won’t be attending the competition."Her assistant stepped in, blocking Sarah. "Miss, Professor Lawrence’s time in the country is limited. All her activities are pre-scheduled, and there’s no way to change her commitments to accommodate your competition.""Did you get a chance to review the files I gave you?" Sarah asked hopefully.Jane hadn’t expected her persistence. She nodded. "Yes, I’ve reviewed them. I must admit, the work from Adams University’s students is impressive. There are some very interesting ideas."Sarah’s eyes lit up, but Jane quickly tempered her expectations. "However, Miss Sanders, those files alone aren’t enough to justify altering my schedule. I returned to the country to participate in a symposium with East Coast’s psychology experts. Every issue we address there could provide crucial solutions for patients struggling with similar mental health challe
"Miss Sanders, this is a serious matter. Perhaps you should try to gather more information first. After all, there are still a few days before the competition," Dean said hesitantly. Although he was the dean of the universityl, the board of directors held the ultimate authority."I understand, Sir,” Sarah replied, her expression heavy with concern. The Chancer family had really pushed her into a corner this time.After leaving the principal’s office, she headed to the psychology consultation room, where Mia was waiting for her."Sarah, I’ve already heard everything. What should we do now?" Mia asked, worry written all over her face.Sarah gave a bitter smile. "The only thing I can do is try contacting Jane Lawrence again."She had included one of her own research papers with the materials she’d submitted to Jane, aligning with Jane’s latest research direction. But what if Jane hadn’t seen it?At 3 p.m., Lucy sat smugly in front of her computer, pleased with the heated discussions
“You—!” Lucy raised her hand in anger, ready to strike.Sarah took a step back, her tone calm but firm. “I’d think twice if I were you. Last time, I let you off the hook and didn’t call the police. If you dare lay a hand on me now, I’ll settle both old and new scores with you.”Lucy hesitated, her hand hovering mid-air, before finally lowering it. “The Chancer family does not welcome you!”Bang!The door slammed shut in Sarah’s face. She glanced at it briefly before turning to leave.Her next stop was to replace her lost phone. After getting a new SIM card and purchasing a new device, she immediately checked the school forum. The chaos sparked by that phone call was evident. The psychology students, practically fans of Jane Lawrence, were already planning to print banners to welcome her.Sarah tried calling Jane’s assistant again, only to receive the same response: “She doesn’t have time.”Even the academic papers she had submitted to Jane seemed to have vanished into thin air,
Sarah had a few suspects in mind. Lucy and Mrs. Chancer hated her the most, and while James seemed unlikely to stoop to such levels, she couldn’t rule him out completely. He had proven capable of shattering her past impressions of him.After the chaos at the party, Lucy had taken the day off and stayed home. Without hesitation, Sarah decided to head to the Chancer house.The maid who opened the door looked startled to see her, likely because Lucy and Mrs. Chancer had been bad-mouthing Sarah nonstop at home.“Miss Sanders, what brings you here?” the maid asked.“I’m here to see James,” Sarah replied directly.“Mr. Chancer isn’t home. Perhaps you can come back another day,” the maid suggested.A soft voice floated out from inside. “Who is it?”Charlotte appeared and froze for a moment when she saw Sarah. Unsure of how to react, she let out an awkward laugh. “Oh, it’s you. What brings you here?”“I don’t have time for small talk,” Sarah said bluntly. “I lost my phone at the party
"Alright," Sarah said, walking over immediately.Scarlett tossed her a carefully selected outfit and grumbled, “That scumbag! You’d better never see him again. The nerve to accuse you of cheating during your marriage!”“I feel like I’m finally seeing him for who he really is,” Sarah replied, her gaze hardening.Sure enough, Sarah's hunch was correct. The next day’s news didn’t mention anything about the birthday party. Instead, it only briefly touched on Lucy’s harassment incident, conveniently skipping over the rest.When Sarah arrived at school, she couldn’t find her phone anywhere.Just as she was about to go searching for it, Professor Wells appeared. “Sarah! I can’t believe you really managed to invite Jane Lawrence! Did you meet her already?”“What?” Sarah was baffled. “Professor, I saw her yesterday, but I didn’t get a definite answer!”Professor Wells frowned deeply. “How can that be? I called you this morning, and you told me yourself!”Impossible. Her phone had been m