She looked nervously at Zachary. Had she mistaken?"Yes, you can go now."After the nurse left, Sarah glared at Zachary. "You... you just...""What did I do? You heard what she said?" Zachary gave her a knowing look.He even licked his lips, making Sarah turn away in embarrassment, pulling the hospital blanket over as she rolled to face the window.How mortifying - being caught like that, and now the nurse thought they were a couple.Her face felt hotter than her fever.Worse still, Zachary moved to her other side, still smiling.Knowing she could barely move, she swung weakly at his shoulder, the slap echoing surprisingly loud in the quiet room."Why didn't you dodge!""Didn't hurt at all,” Zachary smiled softly, then stepped away to answer his phone.His expression darkened after hanging up.Sarah noticed the change. "What's wrong?""They've taken Grace Harrison’s daughter." Zachary's face was grim.Sarah froze. Lucy had just been arrested, and now Grace's daughter was
Charlotte watched James's reaction with barely concealed anger."You're the shameless one! We came here to make peace. Isn't money what you want? Weren't the millions and the villa enough? Name your price to let Lucy go!" Mrs. Chancer glared at Sarah."That settlement was what James owed me. And no, I won't make a deal.""You think your refusal matters?" Mrs. Chancer stepped forward, sneering. "Don't think the Reynolds will protect you forever. Someone like Zachary could never love you. He's just playing around - don't flatter yourself. He hasn't even gone public about you.""What exactly are you saying to my girlfriend?" A cold voice cut through the room.Zachary walked in with breakfast, set it down, and moved to Sarah's side. He looked at Mrs. Chancer with contempt. "The Chancers seem overconfident lately. How's that Vista International deal going?"James flinched. Vista was a Fortune 500 company expanding into their market. They'd initially partnered with Reynolds Enterprises
James caught Zachary's expression and fell silent, Charlotte’s words bringing him back to reality.In his anger, he'd almost forgotten who he was dealing with."Sarah, I can make Lucy apologize and compensate you. Name your price - I'll try to meet it."Sarah looked at James coldly, her voice icy. "No need. Please leave."James's face fell. Charlotte and Mrs. Chancer paled - they hadn't expected such firm resistance."Fine, have it your way. Don't come crying to us later." Mrs. Chancer shot Sarah a venomous look.Outside the hospital, James brooded over his humiliation. "We knew she wouldn't agree to a deal. Why did we even come?"The visit had been his mother's idea. She glared at him. "Are you blaming me? I'm just trying to help! I thought since she used to love you so much, a few kind words might work. Who knew she'd land such a powerful man? She already looked down on us - now we're nothing to her."Mrs. Chancer kept muttering as they walked. "What luck, snagging the Reynol
James finally looked at Charlotte. She’s right, what was wrong with him?Why was he so obsessed? He loved Charlotte - the woman he'd always wanted was right beside him. What else could he want?He pulled Charlotte into his arms, breathing in her light jasmine perfume.Suddenly, a memory flashed: Sarah walking into their room, quietly bringing him tea, her hair still damp from the shower, water droplets on her nightgown making her look irresistible.He saw himself coldly taking the tea, ignoring her.Sarah playfully leaning her head on his shoulder, deliberately letting him smell her hair. "Do you like my new shampoo?" she'd asked excitedly.He'd pushed her away emotionlessly. "Don't bother me. Learn your place," before heading to his study."I'm sorry," James blurted out.Charlotte startled, thinking he was apologizing to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tearful. "James, I don't blame you. I love you so much. Please don't let me down."James snapped back to reality
She was just a university counselor who'd moved on after her divorce.Suddenly, she laughed at herself. When had she become so insecure? She used to be confident and vibrant like Mia, but now...Zachary sat down, putting the apple back in her hand, looking directly into her eyes. "This isn't a game. I'm serious. I thought you could feel that."His gaze burned with intensity. "Sarah, tell me, what kind of person do you think you are?"Sarah stumbled over her words. "I...""What kind of person?" Zachary kept staring, as if trying to burn through her defenses."Like James's mother said - a divorced woman with a bad reputation." Sarah laughed bitterly.Zachary shook his head, his eyes turning cold. "Do you believe that?"Believe it?Why should she?James was the one with the bad reputation.Society was always harder on women. Divorced women faced more prejudice than men. When Mrs. Chancer said those things, she'd wanted to ask if she wasn't a woman herself."Of course not," Sar
"Ahem, Mia..." Sarah said awkwardly.The voice on the phone cut off abruptly. Seconds later, Sarah's phone rang."Sarah, are you feeling better? I was just joking earlier, don't take it seriously," Mia said timidly.Sarah laughed softly. "Much better. The fever's gone.""That's good, that's good. I'll hang up now."After her IV finished and she'd eaten her porridge, she took a nap. When she woke, she found Zachary dozing, his chin propped on his hand.He must be exhausted after bringing her here at dawn and watching over her so long.His sleeping face looked softer, less sharp. His eyelashes were long and thick. She reached out to touch them - so soft.She traced his nose, his cheeks, his lips that had kissed her several times.She'd wanted to do this since that night when he'd touched her lips.Suddenly his eyes opened. As she tried to pull back, he caught her hand. "Weren't you asleep?" she asked, breathing quickly."Light sleeper." He'd been awake since she opened her eye
In the study, the tense atmosphere made Zachary uncomfortable. William sat at his mahogany desk, working on his art, not even glancing up.After what felt like forever, he finished and set down his brush. "What's been keeping you so busy lately?""Just business matters.”"Business? Seems more like romance. I don't oppose relationships, but you should know about this woman's history." William looked concerned.Zachary smiled wryly. "Grandfather, I know Sarah better than anyone. Don't listen to gossip."William chuckled. "How would you know?"Zachary shrugged. "If nobody had complained to you, why this sudden summons?""Indeed, someone sent me some troubling emails."Zachary remained silent. William probably didn't believe the rumors. He was likely just testing him."Your personal life is your business. Make your own choices. You can go." William waved him away.After the academic scandal, Sarah signed with the Psychology Journal, publishing her research.This caused quite a s
James took a deep breath. "Yes, they took her daughter.""What now?""Head back first."James was at his wit's end. At home, his mother would question him endlessly, and even if he stayed away, her calls were constant.Worse still, he'd discovered the Reynolds were making moves, even targeting Chancer company stocks.Everything seemed inevitable. He put down his phone.At the university counseling center, Professor Wells brought flowers, and Dean Larson offered congratulations. Sarah's paper in the Psychology Journal was a milestone for the university.As she carried the flowers out the main gate, Scarlett and Steven joined her."Sarah, let's go to the resort!" Scarlett waved some tickets excitedly.Sarah knew the place - Scarlett had mentioned it at least five times before. The resort was less than a year old but already popular with VIPs and international guests.Sarah glanced at Zachary, knowing he must have arranged the tickets.Seeing her hesitate, Mia pulled her toward
The scenery here had a unique charm. The entire villa complex was surrounded by lush greenery that blended naturally with the surroundings. The designer's bold vision was enough to make anyone feel a sense of wonder.The driver turned off the engine and said dutifully through the rearview mirror, "Miss, we've arrived. Would you like to get out?"Vivian stared silently at these homes that even a fortune couldn't buy, then nodded.The driver got out and opened the rear door for her.Stepping onto the ground in her high heels, Vivian noticed the uneven cobblestones covering the entrance to the villa and immediately thought the designer must have been out of their mind.She tried taking a few steps and nearly twisted her ankle.With no choice left, Vivian had to take off her shoes and carry them, continuing forward carefully.She couldn't help wondering if she had made a mistake. How could Zachary possibly live in such an odd place?However, halfway there, she saw a black Range Rove
The vineyard manager frowned when he heard this, walking over to ask, "What did they say?"Seeing his manager, the worker quickly embellished the conversation, raising his fist indignantly. "Sir, don't worry. If they dare cause trouble, we won't back down. We'll make sure they regret coming here."The vineyard manager, "..." What a jumbled mess—he could barely understand what the worker was saying.Still, Vivian had a point. Even if they chose not to continue the partnership, there was no need to burn bridges completely. That wouldn't benefit him either.With this in mind, the vineyard manager calmed down his overly excited worker. "That's enough. Send them a message and tell them five o'clock this afternoon, River Café. Don't be late."Finally meeting the vineyard manager, Vivian got straight to the point, "Mr. Mendeson, I won't play games with you. Before deciding to work with you, the Wilson Group researched your public information. I have some understanding of your character. B
At the front desk, Sarah watched seven or eight people standing in line, all holding identical discount vouchers. This was likely a company team-building activity.She listened to their chatty discussions, which included some crude language as they made no effort to hide their rough backgrounds."This place is so luxurious! The company really splurged to send us somewhere this fancy. I've never stayed in such a nice hotel in my life.""Me neither, but let's not forget why we're actually here and pretend we're just on vacation!""Oh, come on, who's going to forget?"Sarah's ears perked up. These people's conversation seemed suspicious, almost as if they wanted others to notice them.After about fifteen minutes, when everyone ahead had finally checked in, Sarah presented her VIP custom invitation and completed her member registration. She lay on the spacious bed in a room with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered views of the beach and ocean.It was noon, and sunlight spilled onto
"Mr. Sanders, I believe I was very clear in my email. With the current uncertain situation, cooperating with me is the most rational choice," Zachary said seriously.Melvin burst out laughing. "I might have believed you if you'd said this a few years ago, but times have changed. Zachary, do you remember what you promised me before? Have you kept any of those promises? Neither three years ago nor now have you delivered."When Melvin mentioned three years ago, Zachary's eyes filled with gravity and shame. No one understood better than they did what had happened—that horrific scene was too painful to even think about.He moved his lips. "People can't always live in the past."Even he couldn't believe his own words.Melvin said with self-mockery, "Listen to yourself. How absurd that sounds. People indeed can't live in the past forever, but Sarah has been trapped in that darkness for three years. Do you dare to face it? To uncover it?"After being wounded, a bleeding injury slowly form
Vivian exhaled deeply and said anxiously, "Grandfather, what happened last time upset Zachary, and he won't see me now. But I'll handle it properly."Old Mr. Wilson gave Vivian a meaningful look. "Good. I certainly trust your abilities."After seeing Old Mr. Wilson into his car, Vivian returned to her office and made a mysterious phone call, giving some instructions.After hanging up, her face broke into a satisfied smile, as if she was already enjoying the sweet taste of victory.At the Sanders Group."Smack." Sarah hit Melvin hard on the head.Melvin winced in pain. "Are you doing this on purpose? Taking personal revenge? I haven't even bothered you lately."Sarah shrugged, looking innocent. "Didn't you say your right eyelid keeps twitching? The left means money coming, the right means trouble. I'm just using an old folk remedy to ward off the bad luck."Melvin couldn't help rolling his eyes. "I don't know if the bad luck is gone, but I almost got a concussion from your 'remed
"Don't any of you have something to say?" Old Mr. Wilson sat in the chairman's exclusive seat, leaning back with an expressionless face as he surveyed the room.Some shareholders had come just out of respect for Old Mr. Wilson. They exchanged glances for a moment before Mr. Jefferson finally broke the silence, "What if we lower our prices or add more package deals?"As soon as he finished speaking, several members of the company's management team eagerly agreed. "Mr. Jefferson makes a good point."Old Mr. Wilson twirled the dragon-headed cane in his right hand, his expression revealing neither approval nor disapproval.Vivian, who had remained silent since the start of the meeting, finally spoke up, "I don't think that's appropriate."She looked at everyone present, her tone serious, "First, the Sanders Group's revenue has already exceeded the projected line by over a billion. If we lower our prices, even if we attract more customers, the overall result will be the same."By this
Vivian never expected that despite her orders to keep the detained shipment a secret, the board of directors would somehow catch wind of it.As soon as the meeting began, the middle-aged man sitting in the first seat on the right frowned and questioned her, "Ms. Wilson, are you hiding something from us?"Mr. Jefferson had the largest shareholding in the Wilson Group after Vivian and her grandfather. Compared to others, his words carried more authority.Naturally, Vivian had to show him some respect, given that she was the younger generation."Mr. Jefferson, by seniority, I should call you Uncle. You've watched me grow up. Do you think I would hide anything from you?" Vivian decided to play dumb first. She was certain these people had only heard rumors and hadn't yet gathered evidence.This was indeed the case. Mr. Jefferson narrowed his eyes, his expression unchanged, speaking in a tone that was half-joking, half-threatening, "Ms. Wilson, please don't say that. When it comes to bus
Charlotte ignored her, still peering behind the caretaker.The caretaker patted her chest and smiled as she approached. "Are you looking for Mr. Chancer? He went back to work. He asked me to take care of you. I thought you might wake up soon, so I went out to buy some nutritious soup for you.""You're saying he left? He left before I even woke up?" Charlotte struggled to open her dry lips, her voice raspier than ever before.Hearing this, the caretaker quickly set down the thermos and handed her the cup of tea from the table. "Please drink some water to soothe your throat, but don't drink too much. You've just given birth, so try to stay in bed and rest as much as possible."Charlotte found the water being offered to her ironically bitter.She had endured excruciating pain to give birth to James's child, yet he couldn't even spare a simple "thank you" for her efforts. Was this the marriage she had schemed so hard to get?Did she regret it? If someone asked, she might answer yes, b
"Answer me. Do you most hope it's heads or tails?" Sarah's voice carried an undeniable authority.The woman finally spoke. "Tails."Before Sarah's hand moved, the woman hurriedly corrected herself, "No, no, no—heads."Her indecisiveness reminded Sarah of her former self. Choosing between reason and emotion was often the hardest decision. It had once taken her several days to make up her mind.Sarah opened her palm. The woman's eyes widened, staring as if trying to burn a hole through Sarah's hand. But quickly, she discovered that Sarah's palm was completely empty. There was no coin at all.No heads or tails—there wasn't even a coin to begin with.Seeing the woman's confused expression, Sarah smiled and said, "In the moment I opened my hand, your heart already had the answer. I can't tell you how to solve your problem, nor can I make the decision for you. But you should know that you only have one life, while love can be found more than once. The fact that you're troubled by this s