LOGINThe aluminum tray held a few scattered bits of meat. Like most meals here, the food was made to fill stomachs, not to taste good.Almost everything on the tray was something she would never eat outside.Vivian found an empty corner far from the other inmates and stared down at the meal.A scoop of overcooked cabbage mixed with slivers of tough pork. The “meat” strands were so thin they were practically invisible.A pile of soggy boiled vegetables, a spoonful of mashed potatoes that looked gray instead of white, and a lump of dry, flavorless turkey loaf sat on the tray.Disgust twisted her expression.She picked up her fork, ready to force herself to take a bite and froze.What was that?She leaned closer.On one of the wilted lettuce pieces lay a tiny white maggot. It wasn’t moving anymore, but the sight alone made her stomach flip.So disgusting.She slapped a hand over her mouth, gagging.Just as she was about to retch, a hard kick slammed into the back of her chair. She t
Charlotte froze when she saw Leon walk in with another woman in his arms. He barely spared her a glance, his eyes full of contempt, while she stared at him in anger.“Who is she? You…” Charlotte demanded.Leon’s voice was calm, almost bored. “Does it matter who she is? And honestly, it has nothing to do with you anymore, does it?”Charlotte nodded quickly. “I understand.”She grabbed her bag and left without looking back.Upstairs, Leon slid an arm around Mandy’s waist. Irritation flickered in her eyes, but she didn’t dare push him away.“What’s wrong? Locked up for so long and you still haven’t learned to behave?”Mandy stayed silent. His grip tightened, making her flinch in pain.“Useless.” Leon shoved her aside with disgust.…Vivian had been thrown into the most crowded cell in the facility. She had arrived late the night before.No one knew how terrified she’d been when she first stepped inside.The woman on the top bunk lifted her chin. “Newbie. Go wash my clothes.”
Charlotte hurled her phone across the room. She didn’t want to admit it, but she had to: there weren’t many people left in East Coast who would lift a finger for her.James had already blocked her. Her father was drowning in work and had no time to deal with her.Then a thought struck her.Someone she wasn’t close to, but had met a few times. Someone who had once chased Sarah with embarrassing devotion, only to be played for a fool. Someone who should be consumed with jealousy now that Sarah and Zachary were together.Most importantly, he had just returned from Country H yesterday. The timing was perfect.With the online storm worsening, Charlotte who was accustomed to praise and admiration, couldn’t stand another second of the vicious comments. After a sleepless night, she grabbed her keys and drove straight to find Leon.She had already rehearsed the perfect story in her head. As long as Leon was willing to help, public opinion would flip instantly.Traffic surged along the ex
The manager immediately brought out their best design. “Miss Sanders, you can try this one.”But Zachary shook his head. He had already made his choice.“Bring out the Spring/Summer 1994 piece for her.”The 1994 haute couture gown was something other people could only dream of touching. It had been showcased on the brand’s fiftieth-anniversary exhibit. But since Zachary Reynolds was asking for it, they had no choice but to present it.The manager carefully lifted the gown from its storage box. It had been meticulously preserved, the fabric still pristine.The dress itself was simple and elegant, yet it perfectly highlighted the wearer’s figure and temperament.Sarah accepted the gown. The silk felt cool and fluid, like water running through her fingers.She stepped into the fitting room. When she walked back out, Zachary’s eyes froze on her as if he’d forgotten how to breathe.The manager took a deep breath. At that moment, a hidden door inside the boutique opened and a man ste
Charlotte froze at those words. “What… what are you trying to say?”Sarah didn’t flinch. “You still don’t get it? Whether it was divorcing me or marrying you and divorcing you, all of it happened because of him. I figured that out the day we split. Why are you the only one still refusing to see it? The man you love is nothing but trash.”She gave Charlotte a firm shove.Charlotte stumbled several steps before she caught her balance. When she lifted her head again, she realized Sarah wasn’t standing on the same emotional level anymore.Just like Quincy after the kidnapping incident—Sarah’s words were the truth she herself didn’t want to face.Those slaps didn’t just shock her. They hurt.Sarah didn’t bother to look at her again. She pulled a handkerchief from her purse and calmly wiped her palm. “Stop barking everywhere you go like a stray dog. Think about the way you strutted back into the country, full of pride. Just don’t get the wrong idea. I haven’t forgiven a single thing yo
“Charlotte, stop talking nonsense.” Sarah’s voice was cold and steady. “Do you honestly think I don’t know why James divorced you? You gambled with your own son’s safety to manipulate him. That is why your marriage collapsed.”That scandal had already exploded across the entire East Coast.Charlotte had become the target of public disgust, and Sarah knew exactly what kind of shame and denial she was drowning in.Because the truth—the thing everyone mocked her for—was the one thing Charlotte refused to accept.So she pinned the blame on the person she already hated the most.“You bitch! You still won’t admit you love James?” Charlotte shrieked. “Don’t pretend to be some saint. I know you’re the one who ruined my marriage!”Sarah let out a sharp, humorless laugh.Looking at the woman in front of her felt like watching someone unravel in real time.Mrs. Garnett hadn’t expected her daughter to spiral like this.If it were just Sarah, fine—but Zachary was standing right there. They







