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Chapter 4
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2024-11-10 12:46:50Eleanor and Richard Caldwell read through the impeccably printed letter resting on the table between them.
Gold embossed on ivory paper, it was from the Blake family, the wealthiest and most influential family in the city.
Their son, Alexander Blake, though recently confined to a wheelchair, was still hailed as the most eligible bachelor.
The letter's formality masked what was truly an opportunity, a marriage proposal that could secure the Caldwells’ reputation, possibly even repair the damage caused by Victoria’s recent scandal.
“This could be the answer we’ve been waiting for,” Eleanor murmured, her gaze intense as she scanned the letter for the third time. “It would bring stability to our name. Imagine... the Caldwells united with the Blakes.”
Richard, seated across from her, nodded with a sigh of relief.
The stress of recent weeks had deepened the lines on his face, and the prospect of finally securing Victoria's future, and the family’s reputation, brought a glimmer of hope to his otherwise weary expression.
“Do you think she’ll see it that way?” Richard asked, brows knitting with concern.
Victoria’s recent defiance was still fresh in his memory, and her unpredictability made this moment all the more tenuous.
Eleanor’s lips pressed into a determined line. “She won’t have a choice. After everything she’s done, this is the least she can do to restore what she’s cost us.”
Summoning Victoria to the room, Eleanor and Richard exchanged a final glance.
Moments later, Victoria appeared, a vision of poise and indifference. She carried herself with a cool, effortless grace, a hand grazing the back of the velvet chair as she looked between her parents, already wary.
“What’s this about?” she asked, her tone edged with impatience.
“Sit down, Victoria. We have some news for you,” Eleanor began, her voice holding a firmness that left no room for argument.
Victoria slid gracefully into the chair, crossing her legs elegantly. She gave Eleanor a mildly curious look, masking any hint of interest. “Go on.”
“It’s an offer of marriage,” Richard said, trying to keep his voice light. “From the Blakes. Alexander Blake, to be exact.”
Victoria’s cool mask fell for a split second, replaced by a flash of surprise. She raised a skeptical brow, a dry laugh escaping her lips. “You can’t be serious. Alexander Blake? The man in a wheelchair?”
Richard bristled, but Eleanor stepped in, her voice calm yet forceful. “Alexander may be confined to a wheelchair, but he’s still the heir to the Blake fortune and legacy. Marrying him would mean uniting our family with the Blakes, Victoria. It would repair your reputation and secure your future.”
Victoria scoffed, shaking her head. “So I’m supposed to chain myself to a cripple just to keep up appearances? Do you realize how absurd that sounds?”
Eleanor’s expression tightened, but her voice stayed coldly steady. “This isn’t about appearances, Victoria. It’s about responsibility. After your recent... escapades, the press and the public have taken note. Marrying into the Blake family would give you the stability you need, and the prestige.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed, the familiar glint of defiance sparking in them. “So, this is a punishment. You’re going to sell me off to save face. Is that it?”
“Enough, Victoria!” Richard’s voice cut through the air, sharper than either woman expected.
He leaned forward, his patience visibly thinning. “This is a chance to make amends, to show this family and the world that you’re capable of something greater than these scandals you keep bringing down on us.”
Victoria glared back at her father, her voice low and laced with bitterness. “And if I say no?”
Eleanor’s gaze was unyielding. “You won’t say no, Victoria. You don’t have that luxury anymore.”
Victoria clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms.
The very idea of being tethered to a life with Alexander, someone she viewed as no more than a trophy figure, broken and incomplete, was unthinkable.
“This is my life,” she hissed, her voice trembling with suppressed fury. “Not some game for you to play.”
Eleanor met her daughter’s defiance with a calm, piercing stare. “This is your life, Victoria. And right now, it’s spiraling out of control. You either marry Alexander and bring honor back to this family, or you face the consequences of your choices alone.”
For a moment, the room fell into silence, the tension thick as each family member weighed the gravity of Eleanor’s words.
Victoria’s mind raced, her options limited, her future no longer in her hands.
The frustration and humiliation burned within her, but the steel in her mother’s gaze told her all she needed to know, this was not a request.
Swallowing her pride, Victoria turned away, her voice a cold, defeated murmur. “Fine. I’ll think about it.”
As she walked out of the room, back straight and chin high, the bitterness simmered beneath her flawless exterior, already plotting her next move.
Sarah was passing the library’s towering mahogany doors when the hushed yet urgent voices of her parents, Richard and Eleanor Caldwell, stopped her in her tracks.
Their voices, normally muted behind the library’s thick doors, carried into the hall with an unfamiliar desperation.
Inside, Eleanor’s voice broke through, sharp and tinged with frustration. “We can’t keep covering for her, Richard. This latest scandal could ruin us. We’ve made every concession for Victoria, but it’s not enough. Nothing is ever enough.”
Richard’s response came, his voice deep and low, filled with a weariness Sarah had rarely heard. “I know, Eleanor. She’s pushing us into a corner. But we have a solution… a way to salvage everything.”
Eleanor’s sigh cut through the tension, “And what solution is that?”
There was a pause, the air almost crackling with the intensity of the words yet to come. “Sarah,” Richard finally said, his voice carrying a note of reluctant resolve. “We’ll offer Sarah in Victoria’s place to the Blakes.”
Sarah’s heart stopped. For a moment, the library’s opulent surroundings, the polished wood, the carefully arranged leather bound books, the crackling fire, seemed to fade around her.
She pressed her hand to her chest as her pulse raced, the reality of her father’s words hitting her like a punch.
Eleanor’s response was hesitant, as though processing the implications. “You mean… we send Sarah to marry Alexander?”
“Yes,” Richard replied, his tone hardening with the weight of his decision. “Victoria has made it clear she won’t be bound to him, and the Blakes don’t know Sarah as they do Victoria. In public, both of them carry our name, our reputation… the distinction is easily hidden.”
The words echoed in Sarah’s mind, each one a blow that left her struggling to breathe.
Her life treated like some pawn in a social game.
How quickly she’d gone from the quiet Miller daughter to a nameless Caldwell, forced into a life where her family saw her not as a person, but as a solution.
“Do you really think the Blakes will accept her?” Eleanor asked, sounding more cautious than doubtful.
“She’s proven herself to be adaptable, even in society. And, unlike Victoria, she won’t bring any scandal with her,” Richard replied, a glimmer of hope creeping into his voice. “Sarah’s steady, responsible… even humble. She’ll handle this with grace, and with her as their daughter in law, we secure our reputation, and our family’s future.”
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Eleanor hesitated before answering, the slightest crack in her voice betraying a hint of pity. “It’s a lot to ask of her, Richard. She’s only just begun to adjust here.”“Adjust?” he repeated, sounding almost amused. “This is her adjustment. She was born into this life, Eleanor, and maybe… maybe this is her true calling. We owe her parents nothing but gratitude for raising her well. Now, she must learn to fulfill the role she was meant to play.”In the silence that followed, Sarah’s hands shook, her grip on the doorframe tightening as she felt the sting of tears she refused to let fall.Her life, a transaction, a fix to save a family she’d only recently met.She’d known her place here was tenuous, yet hearing it spoken so coldly laid bare the isolation she’d felt ever since stepping into the Caldwell world.Then, Eleanor’s sigh reached her again, softer now, almost resigned. “And what if Sarah refuses?”“She won’t,” Richard said, his tone dismissive, as if he’d never even considered t
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Nights on the mountain were peaceful. Sarah would sit by the window, her face illuminated by candlelight as she read the few books they had at home.They were mostly second hand novels, dog eared and worn, but they were treasures to her.She would press her fingers to the faded words, tracing their outlines as if memorizing every curve, every letter.Her mother, Mary, would come in sometimes, her arms full of firewood, her face tired but warm.“Books are like windows,” Mary would say, patting Sarah’s hand. “Even if you can’t see everything yet, they’ll open up worlds for you someday.”Sarah believed her. She knew they didn’t have much, but somehow, her parents made her feel as if the world was hers to explore.She dreamed big, even though it was hard to imagine a life beyond the mountain.One day, when she was fourteen, she sat with her father by the river that ran through the valley. The afternoon sun cast golden flecks across the water, and they sat in comfortable silence, a picnic
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Within moments, the silver haired woman was seated at the kitchen table, a porcelain teacup steaming in her hand.James crouched outside, already working on the Bentley’s engine, while Mary laid out a plate of lemon cake and offered Margaret a warm smile.As they sipped tea, Margaret listened attentively, asking Sarah questions about her life, her interests, and the mountain that seemed to shape her very soul.It wasn’t long before Sarah was showing her a sketchbook she kept hidden in her room, each page filled with designs and delicate patterns she dreamed up in the quiet hours.They were tiny works of art, details of wings and leaves, petals unfurling like secrets she was only just beginning to understand.Margaret flipped through the pages with the same careful attention she’d shown the wire sculptures, nodding thoughtfully.“Sarah,” she said finally, her voice soft but serious, “I believe there is something extraordinary within you. Have you ever heard of jewelry design?”Sarah sh
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The crisp morning air was strangely still, as if the whole world was holding its breath.At the Caldwell mansion, sunlight spilled through floor to ceiling windows, casting a cool glow over the marble floors.Eleanor Caldwell sat poised on the edge of an ornate armchair, her knuckles white as she held the envelope in her hands.Across the room, her husband Richard paced in front of the towering stone fireplace, his brow furrowed, his eyes locked on the same envelope he held.Meanwhile, miles away in a quiet farmhouse nestled between rolling hills, Mary Miller stood by the kitchen table, her fingers trembling as she stared at the letter in her hands.James sat beside her, his hand resting atop hers.His face was lined with worry and the strain of sleepless nights, yet his gaze was steady, holding onto the hope that the results in Mary’s hands would only confirm what they had always believed.That Sarah was theirs.But neither household was prepared for the truth written in sterile, unf
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Eleanor stiffened, but Richard took over, stepping forward and handing a sheaf of documents to James. “These are notarized documents. We’re prepared to offer full financial compensation for Sarah’s education, her living expenses, and more if she comes with us. We intend to give her the life she deserves, and we expect your cooperation.”James looked down at the documents, his face hardening.He could see the unspoken truth in Richard’s words, the desperation lurking beneath their polished veneer.The Caldwells weren’t here because they wanted to right a wrong or embrace the daughter they’d never known, they were here because Victoria, their real daughter, had been a burden too heavy to bear.Whispers of scandal had reached even their quiet village.Victoria’s name had become synonymous with excess, with careless rebellion. It wasn’t Sarah they wanted, it was a replacement.James held the papers at arm’s length, his face tight with anger. “You think you can just walk in here with your
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Seb took a deep breath as he stepped out of his hospital ward, the cool air of the hallway a stark contrast to the stuffy room he had been confined to for weeks.His body had healed significantly, but there was still an ache in his ribs, a reminder of the reckless choice he had made that day.Yet, despite everything, she had visited him. Just once.At first, he had convinced himself she was just busy, dealing with her own injuries, maybe even shaken up by what had happened. But as the days turned into weeks, he realized the truth, she had chosen not to come.And maybe she was right to.After all, he had nearly cost her life once before. Saving her now didn’t erase that fact.His steps were slow as he made his way down the long corridor toward the exit, each one feeling heavier than the last.The nurses at the front desk gave him small nods, offering polite smiles as he passed, but he barely registered them.His thoughts were elsewhere, tangled between regret and reluctant acceptance.
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Cecilia sat stiffly in the waiting area, her nails tapping impatiently against the armrest of the chair.The minutes stretched into an hour, and yet there was no sign of Alexander.She had thought he would at least grant her a short meeting, even if only to scold her. But the silence, the deliberate, deafening silence, was worse than any confrontation.The whispers around her grew louder. Employees who once feared her were now openly staring, some even chuckling as they walked past.The great Cecilia, reduced to waiting like some nobody.Her jaw clenched, and she checked her phone again, nothing. Not a call. Not a message.This is humiliating.Swallowing the lump of pride stuck in her throat, she stood up, straightening her blazer. There was no use waiting any longer. Alexander had made it clear, he had no intentions of seeing her.Lifting her chin, she walked toward the exit, ignoring the murmurs and stares. But deep inside, fury simmered beneath her poised exterior.Fine, Alexander.
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She answered but remained silent, letting Cecilia break first.“You little snake,” Cecilia hissed. “You recorded me?”“What can I say? I like to be prepared,” Victoria replied, feigning innocence. “You were so quick to abandon me, I had to make sure I had a safety net.”“Delete it. Now.”Victoria chuckled, savoring the desperation in Cecilia’s usually controlled voice. “Why would I do that? You’re the one who tried to pin everything on me. Do you think Alexander won’t find out what you did?”“Victoria,” Cecilia's voice dropped into a dangerous whisper. “If you send that to anyone...”“What? You’ll come after me?” Victoria interrupted, her voice hardening. “Like you tried with Sarah? Or will you run, just like you did with Alexander?”Silence stretched between them.“I want a deal,” Victoria continued. “If you want this recording to stay buried, you better make sure Alexander’s focus stays away. I need to clean this up, and you’re going to help me do it.”Cecilia exhaled sharply. “What
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Sarah stepped into her office, the scent of fresh lavender lingering in the air.The space was just as she had left it, elegant, minimalist, and filled with sketches and gemstone samples neatly arranged on the shelves.It felt both familiar and foreign after the chaos she had been through.Taking a deep breath, she walked around her desk and settled into her chair. Without missing a beat, she picked up the office phone and pressed the intercom button."Get me all the documents that need my attention. I want everything on my desk within the next five minutes," she said, her voice steady and authoritative.The response came immediately. "Right away, ma'am."As she set the receiver down, Raven plopped onto the couch, stretching her legs over the armrest. She looked around, then raised a brow at Sarah. "So… what exactly am I supposed to do here?"Sarah glanced at her with amusement. "Nothing."Raven blinked. "Nothing?"Sarah shrugged. "Just chill, have fun. Maybe go through my snack drawe
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As soon as Alexander’s car rolled up to the Blake Group’s towering headquarters, Sarah took a deep breath.It had been a while since she was last here, and though she was confident in her abilities, she wasn’t looking forward to the inevitable whispers and judgmental stares from certain individuals.Raven pulled up right behind them, swinging off her motorbike in one smooth motion before striding toward them, helmet tucked under her arm.Her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings before she gave Sarah a subtle nod. “Ready?”Sarah exhaled, straightening her shoulders. “Ready.”Alexander, who had been watching her carefully, reached out and gave her fingers a brief squeeze before letting go. “If anything happens, call me. No hesitation.”Sarah rolled her eyes but smiled. “I’ll be fine, Alexander. It’s just work.”His expression remained unreadable, but Sarah knew him well enough to know that he wasn’t happy about this.Still, he didn’t argue further. Instead, he took her chin between his f
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The room fell into a heavy silence after Alexander and Sarah left.The only sounds were the rhythmic beeping of Seb’s heart monitor and the occasional shuffle of footsteps outside the hospital corridor.Mrs. Hargrove, who had been quietly assessing the situation, finally turned toward her son, her sharp gaze filled with both concern and disbelief.“Sebastian,” she said in a voice that was deceptively calm. “What exactly is your connection to that girl?”Seb’s lips curled into an exhausted smirk, but there was a hint of something else in his eyes, something unreadable.He shifted slightly, wincing at the pain, before replying, “That girl? You mean Sarah?”Mrs. Hargrove’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Yes. Who is she to you?”Seb let out a slow exhale, staring at the ceiling for a moment before finally answering, “She’s Alexander Blake’s wife.”The silence that followed was deafening.Mrs. Hargrove’s breath hitched.Mr. Hargrove’s eyes darkened.“You mean to tell me,” Mr. Hargrove fin
