MasukLeon’s voice carried a cold edge. “I honestly thought you’d grown a brain, but you’re still as foolish as before. You wiped the cameras near the grave, but you didn’t think to erase the footage at the main entrance? Sloppy work. Still…” His tone shifted. “You’re forgetting what you’re holding.”The reminder hit Charlotte like a slap and then a wave of relief washed over her.Right.She had Sarah’s most important thing in her hands.Her confidence returned. She straightened her posture, her lips curling into a controlled smile.---Charlotte stood outside the towering Sanders Corporation building. She knew Sarah had been here ever since returning from the cemetery, refusing to leave until she forced her out.She marched to the reception desk. “I’m Charlotte Garnett. The person she’s been looking for. Take me to a private room.”The receptionist blinked in surprise, then quickly recovered. She exchanged a discreet look with her colleague and led Charlotte to a quiet, concealed mee
Sarah slammed her hand on the table. “It has to be her! What is she after this time?!”She was done. Completely done with Charlotte haunting her life like a curse that wouldn’t lift.But after that burst of anger, Sarah forced herself to sit down. She waited in silence, letting the storm inside her settle.Half an hour later, Zachary’s men returned.“Mr. Reynolds, she’s not at her parent’s place and she’s not at the company. We checked the street cameras as well. No useful leads—just proof that she left her neighborhood.”Sarah clenched her fists, worry twisting her gut. Zachary tapped her hand gently, signaling her to breathe.“I have an idea,” he said, a faint, dangerous smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. “If she wants to hide like a coward, then we’ll drag her out.”---Suburban houseThe moment Charlotte switched her phone back on, it lit up with her mother’s number. She answered immediately.“What? Your father was arrested? How—why? Who did this?” Charlotte stood
Charlotte’s smile twisted into something manic.Sarah, just you wait. With your father’s bones in my hands, let’s see how long you can keep that smug attitude.She could already picture Sarah’s fury, and the thought thrilled her.---The Next DaySarah stepped into the cemetery.The closer it got to the day she needed to leave for Horizon City, the heavier her heart felt.Her mother’s grave sat beside her father’s.But today, she wasn’t here to visit only them—she would soon be facing Mindy Hicks in Horizon City.Her emotions were tangled. That woman… might have been something more to her father.She set down a bouquet.“Dad, I’ll find the truth. No matter how hard it is, I’ll uncover everything.”A loud crack of thunder split the air, making her jump.The sky darkened so quickly it looked like it would collapse.Melvin had offered to accompany her, but Sarah refused. She couldn’t rely on others forever. She had to face some things on her own.A cold raindrop landed on her
After settling the online scandals, Charlotte went straight to find Leon.“Do you remember what you told me last time?” she asked, her tone low and urgent.Leon nodded. “Of course. Looks like you’re not completely useless after all.”“So what’s your plan?” Charlotte pressed. She didn’t want to wait one more second. She’d already forced herself to deal with Mr. Max for the sake of clearing her name online. If Leon didn’t act soon, all that disgust she endured would be for nothing.Leon’s expression darkened, he hated being rushed but he knew time really was running out. His original plan had already been delayed because of the holiday.“There’s something I need you to retrieve,” Leon said calmly. “Once you get it, take it to Sarah. Use it to get what I want.”Charlotte’s eyes lit up. “What is it?”Leon leaned back slightly, a faint curl on his lips. “Let me ask you this: what does Sarah value most right now?”Value most…?Charlotte repeated the words under her breath, brows kni
The moment she hung up, the doctor pushed open the door. Nervous, he walked over and slipped his phone back into his pocket.“Thank you, Doctor,” Vivian whispered.Her face was covered in handprint marks, and there were faint smudges of dried blood on her prison uniform. She looked pitiful, broken, bruised and fragile. Yet her delicate features were unmistakable, the kind of face that would make anyone soften instinctively.…The Garnett ResidenceCharlotte staggered through the door, exhausted, still wearing stilettos and an evening gown. She had just returned from Mr. Max’s party.Her father hurried over. “Well? How did it go? What impression did he have of you?”“He drove me home,” Charlotte said, and the moment she remembered his piggish face, her stomach churned.She rushed into the bathroom and scrubbed her hands over and over. The party had been her first time seeing Mr. Max in person.Overweight, oily-skinned, barely thirty but looking closer to forty. From the second
Vivian wasted no time.Her first call was to Leon.He picked up almost immediately, his voice lazy and indifferent. “Who is this?”“Leon, please… You have to get me out. If I stay here any longer, something awful will happen to me.” Her voice shook so badly she could barely control it.These past few days had been torture. She had never felt so powerless. She felt lower than a stray dog.Leon let out a sigh of impatience. “Vivian, get a grip. You’re serving life. You killed people. Who exactly do you think can save you?”“You can’t talk to me like this! Don’t forget that you were involved too!” she snapped, panic rising.Leon laughed coldly. “Are you threatening me? Let me remind you—I’m a citizen of Country H.”Vivian’s breath hitched. “I—I can give you every share I have in the Wilson Corporation. All of it. Just help me. Please.”“Your shares are worthless. The Wilson Corporation won’t survive much longer. But since we were allies once, I’ll give you some advice.” His tone t







