Vivian let out a bitter laugh.“You’re right. He doesn’t love me.”Mr. Wilson sighed, eyes clouded with disappointment.“Vivian, if you keep letting your emotions run wild, think about your parents. Don’t repeat their mistakes.”She lowered her gaze.“This is on me, Grandpa. I let my feelings take over. These past few months, I’ve been completely lost. I haven’t been myself.”“Then keep looking until you find your footing again,” he snapped. “I’ve spent years preparing you for this. Are you really going to throw it all away over Zachary?”Vivian looked up at him, hesitant.“Do you still believe in me?”“Of course I do.” His tone softened just a bit. “At the bidding meeting the day after tomorrow, I want to see the old Vivian again. Don’t let me down.”---At Pine Mist Island.As the last of the guests left, the banquet finally came to an end. Sarah told the staff to go home and come back tomorrow to clean up. By then, she was already halfway drunk, swaying slightly as she walke
At the Chancer Estate.James returned home exhausted. Rubbing his temples, he braced himself for a fight with Charlotte—but to his surprise, she was already asleep.He quietly pushed open the bedroom door. Their son was sound asleep. Charlotte lay beside him, her hand wrapped in bandages.Right. She had cut her hand on the sharp edge of the invitation earlier. And he—too consumed by anger—hadn’t even noticed at the time.A wave of guilt washed over James. He gently touched her forehead. When she’d fallen, her clothes had torn. In weather this cold, she could easily catch a chill.Just then, Charlotte’s hand moved, grasping his tightly.She opened her eyes, tears welling up.“James…” Her voice trembled, choked with emotion, as if she had a thousand grievances she was finally ready to say aloud.James’s guilt surged to its peak. She was right. Everything she’d said today was true. She’d borne his child, nearly died for it—and he had failed her.“I’m sorry, Charlotte. This is all
“Give me a break, James,” Vivian said coldly. “What did you do earlier at the gates of Pine Mist Island? What did you say to your ex-wife? You didn’t treasure her when you were married, and now you’re full of regret? Pathetic.” She hung up the phone, her face dark.From everything James had said, Vivian could tell—he was a coward. A complete coward.And because of that, her entire plan had fallen apart.Worse yet, that person had vanished. If they got caught…She bit her lip, uneasy. Her grandfather had probably already caught wind of what happened.It was past eleven. Guests had started leaving the party one by one, and by the time the staff saw the last guest out, it was already midnight.One final table of food remained. Sarah asked the staff to bring over another table to sit around.Scarlett and Steven were glued to each other, while Mia and Lucas sat chatting about gossip in the entertainment industry.Melvin had already left—he had an early morning ahead. Before leaving, h
James hit the record button again. “Vivian,” he said calmly, “the contrast between Harbour Crescent and Pine Mist Island was too much for you. You couldn’t sit still anymore, could you?”Vivian chuckled. “Mr. Chancer, what makes you so sure it was me?”He didn’t hesitate. “In the entire East Coast, who else would go to such lengths to dig up dirt on Sarah—and choose this exact moment to try to destroy her? I can’t think of anyone else but you.”Vivian laughed softly. “Trying to get me to confess, Mr. Chancer?”James paused, then gave a wry smile and switched off the recording. “You’re sharp, I’ll give you that.”“Enough with the nonsense,” Vivian snapped. “I didn’t call to chat. I’m offering you a deal.”“A deal?” he echoed.Vivian’s voice took on a teasing lilt. “I know Sarah’s biggest secret. It’s something Zachary has gone to great lengths to keep buried. Because he knows—once Sarah finds out—she’ll cut him off completely. That’s why he’s always so guarded around me. He’s afr
Dozens of miles away, on Harbour Crescent Island, Vivian sat seething in front of her screen. She had watched the entire scene unfold live.What was supposed to be a flawless plan had crumbled—all because of one tiny birthmark.Those reporters had already held a favorable view of Sarah. Their earlier questions had simply been part of their job. But now that they knew the video was fake, of course they’d rush to clear her name.Vivian was so furious she nearly smashed her phone. But as she picked it up again, something caught her eye—a glimpse of someone familiar on-screen.James Chancer.Back at the venue, the party had returned to normal. Mia looked around in confusion. “Where’s Lucas? Has anyone seen him?”“He was already gone when the power came back,” Zachary said, scanning the room with caution.“There!” Scarlett pointed toward the entrance.Everyone turned. Lucas was walking in again, still bundled up in his usual layers.“Where did you go just now?” Mia asked. “You just
"Watch your damn mouth! Shut up! If you want to see something like that, go home and watch it yourself!" Mia snapped angrily. "You all came here as guests, and Sarah's been nothing but generous to you—how dare you speak about her like that?"Some reporters lowered their heads in shame, but most were still hungry for a sensational headline.Mia wanted to say more, but Sarah gently stopped her. “Let me handle it.”“Miss Sanders,” a reporter asked, “as the organizer of tonight’s event, how could you let something like this happen backstage? What was your reaction when you saw the footage? Was this an accident—or did someone release it on purpose?”Sarah remained calm. “There must be a traitor among us,” she said evenly. “As for the video itself—I have no reaction, because the woman in it is not me.”Several reporters still looked eager to press further, but one glance from Zachary was enough to make them sink back into their seats.All eyes were on Sarah now, the spotlight casting h