Lahat ng Kabanata ng Side Chick Era… Over: Kabanata 1611 - Kabanata 1620

Sharon knew that even if she asked Kelly directly, the answer wouldn't differ much from what Victoria had told her. People like Victoria were clever—clever enough that she might conceal certain details, but she would never lie. Thinking of Kelly made Sharon's chest tighten with an unnamable emotion. Kelly's methods weren't particularly sophisticated, nor was she especially clever. Yet, both Carter and Thomas had intricate ties to her. The sensation was like a fishbone stuck in her throat—neither swallowable nor removable. If anyone could be called her fated nemesis, it might not be Victoria—but it was certainly Kelly. Sharon said calmly, "Everyone has a past. Thomas has one too. There's nothing unusual about that. And these matters are his private business—he's under no obligation to tell me." Victoria smiled lightly. "You're not wrong. But you don't know what kind of person his ex-wife is, nor the depth of their past together. If she's sensitive about anyone getting too cl

Thomas nodded. "Over the past year, you've shown remarkable ability within the Kalen Group. Your projects have progressed smoothly, and it's precisely because of that smooth progress that you've gained such strong support in such a short time." In just a single year, Sharon had not only established herself in the Kalen Group but had reached a level comparable to Rick, the family's future heir. By any standard, it was almost a miracle. Thomas continued, "The higher you climb, the harder the fall—and sometimes, it's impossible to get back up. Their tolerance of your growth serves a purpose. Everything has two sides. You've risen fast and earned significant support, but at the same time, your foundation isn't stable. There are hidden risks. "People have a certain mindset: ten perfect performances can easily be overshadowed by a single mistake. In ordinary companies, minor mistakes might be forgiven, but the Kalen family is different. You have enemies within. They won't let a chance

Sharon said, "From what I know, the head of the Lance family is a woman. And since you have met the Lance family head, the probability that this woman is the head herself is as high as eighty percent." A flicker of admiration passed through Jamie's eyes. He lowered his gaze to Sharon and said, "The Lance family head's name is Carmen Lilo. She's twenty-seven, a year older than you. Her résumé is impressive—like you, she skipped grades and, at twenty-four, already ascended to the position of family head. "She's a woman… leading an established family abroad, one that doesn't even carry her maiden name. That alone tells you everything you need to know…" Jamie fixed his gaze on Sharon and spoke each word slowly, with weight. "Her cunning and strategy are on par with any man. You should understand—women aiming for power have to work harder than men. Do you really think she's someone simple?" Sharon didn't believe for a second that Jamie was being charitable by warning her about C

Seeing the expression on Thomas's face, Carmen's eyes faltered. She had never expected to witness such a hint of gentleness on his face.Carmen stared at him, an unfamiliar emotion stirring in her chest.She had known Thomas for so many years—not only had they once been intimately married, but they had also fought side by side as partners. She had always believed she truly understood him.Yet in this moment, she felt a strange disorientation, as if the man before her were a complete stranger. A stranger so alien that she realized she might never have truly known him at all.Sharon, seeing that Thomas was unharmed, unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.Her gaze swept the garden, landing on a slender figure standing a short distance away.The woman wore a deep blue evening gown. Moonlight spilled over her, making her look like a ghostly orchid in a hidden valley.Standing in the shadows, Sharon could not discern her features, but she knew—this must be the person Jamie had mentio

Sensing her unease, Thomas lowered his gaze."That side is too… harsh on the eyes."Sharon understood immediately—he was talking about Victoria.Perhaps it was their natural clash of aura. No matter what Victoria did, Thomas never showed her any warmth or concern.Now, while everyone else was admiring Victoria's figure, Thomas found her "too much to look at".Sharon understood the situation in an instant. She turned to him."Let's head back."Thomas nodded, and the two of them left together.On the way back, he asked, "Sharon, did you figure it out?"Sharon nodded. "She came prepared."Thomas didn't look surprised. Instead, he smiled and asked, "How did you realize?"Sharon explained, "Even if Princess Sophia truly fell by accident, with so many staff around the pool, how could it have just so happened that Victoria rescued her? Today, everything about Victoria—the gown, the styling—was perfectly suited for falling into the water. She showcased her figure, yes, but there was