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
Lucy regained her composure from her anger. "This video shows someone harassing me unsuccessfully - I'm the real victim here!"She quickly changed the narrative, casting herself as the victim, hoping to gain sympathy.Sarah understood her intention but chose not to expose her in front of so many reporters.Since there was nothing left for her here, she had no interest in listening to whatever Lucy and the Chancer family would say next.She scanned the room and finally found her target - Jane Lawrence.Jane stood elegantly in her formal dress, sipping champagne and watching the events unfold with a slight smile, as if the chaos had nothing to do with her.Sarah walked over, with Zachary following. Mia waved him on playfully, "Go on, Zac, keep Sarah company. I'm enjoying the show here!"Sarah approached Jane directly, extending her hand. "Ms. Lawrence, hello."Jane looked puzzled but took Sarah's offered hand. "Hello, and you are?"“Sarah Sanders. I’m a counselor at Adams Univer
Perhaps due to her extreme emotional state, Charlotte quickly fell asleep.She had a dream.In her dream, she had just gotten off a plane and spotted James in the distance, elegantly leaning against his car waiting for her. In that moment, his eyes were fixed only on her.Charlotte ran toward him happily, wanting to throw herself into his arms and hold him tight.However, halfway there, she saw another woman appear from the side who ran straight into James's welcoming embrace.She could clearly see that James's eyes were filled with affection, without sparing even a glance in her direction."No, this can't be real. Who is she?" Charlotte shook her head in disbelief as she walked closer step by step. When she saw the woman's face, she instantly fell apart."Sarah Sanders, why is it you again? Why do you keep haunting me? James is mine. Don't you dare try to take him away." Charlotte lunged forward like a madwoman, trying to separate them.A mist enveloped the couple, and the scen
The guard at the door was easy to convince. She made up a simple excuse about having a stomachache or needing to see a doctor.The police still sent someone to follow her to the building entrance. When they arrived, the officer blocked her path. "Ms. Garnett, please go back. Without approval, you can't see anyone except your doctor.""Not even my husband? My stomach hurts terribly. I need to see my husband to feel at ease," she pleaded.But the officer wouldn't budge. "Ms. Garnett, please return!"Just then, the officer received a phone call. After listening for a few moments, the officer stepped aside.Charlotte walked in confidently, wearing sunglasses with her head held high.The receptionist greeted her politely, "Miss, who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment?"Charlotte removed her sunglasses, frowning slightly with an annoyed tone, "I'm here to see your CEO, James Chancer. Do I really need an appointment?"The receptionist was new and didn't recognize Charlotte
As Mrs. Sanders kept talking, not only did Sarah stay silent — she actually started laughing.Mrs. Sanders frowned. “What are you laughing at?”Sarah’s gaze turned cold. Her voice was calm but sharp. “Shouldn’t matters between us younger people be handled by us directly? Wouldn’t it sound bad if word got out that you’re getting involved like this?”She paused for a second, then added with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Besides, no matter what, I’m still the biggest shareholder in Sanders Group. Firing an employee is well within my rights, don’t you think?”Right now, Sarah was actually glad Mrs. Sanders had finally dropped the act and shown her true colors. At least it saved Sarah the trouble of pretending to be polite.Mrs. Sanders still wore the kind, gentle smile of an elder, but her voice turned colder underneath. “So what, you’re using your position to pressure me now?”Sarah laughed softly. “You’re joking. How would I dare?”Without bothering to continue the
Later that night, Sarah went downstairs with her empty glass to get some water. But just as she passed by the living room, she overheard a conversation between Melvin and Mrs. Sanders.“You’re really impossible to talk to, you know that?” Mrs. Sanders sounded both angry and disappointed. “It’s not just me — everyone in the family has been trying to convince you. Sarah studied psychology, not business. She has no experience at all. The entire Sanders Group is depending on you.”Melvin’s voice, on the other hand, was clearly filled with impatience. “I’m pretty sure I told you a long time ago, stop bringing up anything about Sarah.”Mrs. Sanders snorted coldly. “How can I not bring it up? It’s just that you’re willing to work like a fool without asking for anything in return. If you’re just going to be a tool to manage Sanders Group for someone else, I really don’t understand why you’re doing all this.”She paused, then added, “By the way, your aunt hinted to me earlier — she wa
Melvin forced a small smile.He honestly didn’t know how his mother could scold him so viciously over the phone just a few days ago… only to turn around tonight and act like nothing had happened, praising him in front of everyone.Mrs. Sanders finally seemed to notice Sarah as well. She smiled politely and nodded. “Sarah, you’re here too? Come on in.”Many of the Sanders family elders were there tonight. When Uncle Shawn saw Sarah, his face lit up with joy. He quickly pulled her over to sit at the main table beside him.“Sasa, you must have had a rough time in West Ridge. Later, I’ll ask the kitchen to make all your favorite dishes, just for you.”Sarah’s heart warmed at his words. Uncle Shawn really did treat her like his own daughter.But when she glanced to the side, she noticed Mrs. Sanders looking at her coldly — like she was staring at an enemy.Tonight’s birthday banquet wasn’t just a family gathering. Even members of the White family were there.The moment Madam White
Zachary still didn’t respond.Vivian straightened up and slowly walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. Her voice was calm, but every word was filled with accusation.“Zachary, let’s not pretend. We both know perfectly well — while you were gone, Sarah disappeared too. Are you really expecting me to believe that the two of you weren’t together?”She paused, her eyes fixed on the distant view outside.“I always thought that since you agreed to get engaged to me, you’d take responsibility. I believed you wouldn’t be out there tangled up with her. Was I wrong?”Zachary let out a soft, mocking laugh.“You believed.” His voice was low and cold. “But just because you believe something… does that automatically make it true?”Vivian froze — then suddenly let out a loud, crazed laugh, like she had completely lost control.She turned around, her eyes burning as she pointed at him. “Then tell me! Tell me whether it’s true or not! Where exactly did you go? Who were you with?”She to
Vivian smiled sweetly, though her words were sharp underneath.“Like you said, I’m Zachary’s fiancée. Of course, I wouldn’t say anything reckless. Out of responsibility, since this contract was signed by both of us, I have an obligation to make sure things are handled properly.”Her words sounded kind and reasonable on the surface, but everyone in the room could hear the meaning behind them.Mr. Robertson, who had been quietly watching this back-and-forth, already understood exactly what kind of person Vivian was. But between Zachary and Vivian, it was clear where his loyalties lay — with Vivian.“Mr. Steven, why don’t we call Mr. Reynolds over?” Mr. Robertson suggested calmly.Steven’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Zach…”But before he could finish, a deep, cold voice rang out from the doorway.“Mr. Robertson, have you ever thought about the possibility… that these parts aren’t from Reynolds Corporation at all?”The conference room door swung open.Zachary walked in slowly, calm
Melvin's expression grew unusually serious, a rare sight for him. It was clear he was holding back his anger.“Sasa,” he said, his voice low, “I don’t think you should go this time either. Even if you want to go back… I’m afraid there are people who don’t want you to.”Sarah’s face paled slightly. “Melvin, are you talking about…” She didn’t finish the sentence — she didn’t want to say that person’s name in front of him.But how could Melvin not know who she meant? His face became even more stern.“Sasa, honestly, neither of us needs to say the name out loud — we both know exactly who we’re talking about. I’ve told you before, I’ll always protect you. No matter who tries to hurt you, I’ll stand by you.”His eyes were sharp. His voice was calm but full of strength.“And you’ve done nothing wrong,” Melvin continued. “Some people are just too greedy. That’s why they keep setting traps, again and again, willing to do anything to get what they want. But I’m not that kind of person. I’l
James walked back home, looking completely defeated, only to find his mother in the middle of a phone call.Ever since he discovered that his mother had some kind of secret connection with Mrs. Sanders, he had been extra cautious about any of her phone conversations. And today, sure enough, he happened to overhear her mentioning Sarah.“This time, Sarah won’t be able to get away for sure. We’re allies, I wouldn’t lie to you.”“Don’t worry, just leave this matter to me. Mrs. Sanders, once your son gets control of Sanders Group, don’t forget…”Mrs. Chancer casually glanced toward the doorway — only to spot her son standing there. She immediately cut herself off, “I’ll talk to you later. James just got home.”After hanging up, James walked in, pretending like he hadn’t heard anything. “Mom, who were you just talking to on the phone?”Mrs. Chancer brushed him off lightly, “Don’t overthink it. Just a friend of mine… my card-playing buddy.”James obviously didn’t believe that excu