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
After the doctor left, Charlie yanked out his IV and clambered off the bed, urging Zachary, "Let's get out of here. This place just drains you dry."Zachary, indifferent since his injuries were feigned, asked, "Your injuries alright?"Charlie, ever so casual about his resilience, boasted, "Ah, I've been roughed up worse before. Just give me a couple of days to rest at home, and I'll be as good as new."With unresolved matters and a longing to see Sarah, Zachary reluctantly set aside his desires. "Then you head back. Call me if you need anything."Charlie, sensing something off, gently tugged at Zachary's suit and noticed his white shirt stained with fresh blood. "Zach, you're hurt!"Zachary's lips were pale, his voice dry. "Yeah.""I'll get the doctor to bandage you up," Charlie said, moving to leave."No need," Zachary stopped him quickly, not wanting to expose his whereabouts by registering at the hospital."What about your wound?""I have a first aid kit at home. It's just
Zachary dragged the unconscious Charlie to the clinic, exacerbating Charlie's injuries as his back scraped against the small stones on the road.When Charlie woke up in the clinic, his howls filled the room. "It's killing me! Where's the doctor? Give me some anesthesia. I'd rather be out cold!"The nurse, irritated by his constant demands, was about to lose her patience when Zachary entered the room. Seeing him, Charlie momentarily forgot his pain and burst into tears. "Bro, did you save me? From now on, you're like a brother to me."Zachary responded indifferently, "Just focus on healing."As the nurse changed Charlie's bandages, she couldn't help but blush at Zachary's rugged, yet undeniably handsome appearance, even slightly disheveled from the fight."Damn it, get out! Are you doing this on purpose, you wretch? Trying to kill me?" Charlie slapped her, swelling her face, as he misunderstood her distracted clumsiness for malice.Zachary frowned, saying nothing. Although he disl
With an agile flip through the air, Zachary caught sight of Charlie sneaking a peek from behind a haystack, his sleazy demeanor perfectly deserving of a beating. The thought of what this scoundrel had done to Sarah intensified Zachary's fury, already heightened by the fierce combat.On the other side, the casino manager watched in rage as his men were effortlessly knocked down by Zachary. Cursing loudly, he shouted, "Damn it, what's the story with this kid?"Seeing some of his underlings still looking for an opportunity to strike, his anger boiled over. "Are you all brainless? Attack him all at once; I refuse to believe he can fight off everyone!"Those still standing and those who had managed to get back up exchanged glances and charged at Zachary with renewed ferocity.Zachary's sharp eyes flashed with disdain. Without moving, his fist met an attacker's face at an extraordinarily tricky angle.The attacker's pained expression froze mid-air, and when he hit the ground, dust flew
Charlie's voice cut off abruptly as he stared in horror behind Zachary, his body beginning to tremble. Before he could speak, the casino manager had already set up a blockade on the road and rushed over with his men, ambushing them from both sides."Charlie, you think you're pretty clever, conniving with outsiders to cheat me out of my money?" the casino manager sneered, twirling an iron rod menacingly.Charlie's legs gave out, and he fell to his knees, stuttering, "Bro, what are you talking about? How could I dare cheat you? I don't have the guts.""Stop lying to me," the manager bellowed, pointing the iron rod toward a visibly unmoved Zachary. "This pretty boy, you've been colluding with him to cheat on my turf. Sick of living, are you?""No, it's all a misunderstanding! We were gambling fair and square, no cheating!" Charlie was terrified, fearing a brutal beating was imminent.The manager scoffed, "You think I'm blind?"Sweat poured down Charlie's forehead as he desperately l
”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,