Semua Bab Side Chick Era… Over: Bab 1711 - Bab 1720

The next day, when Wendy came by to deliver some documents to Sharon, she noticed the silk scarf tied around her neck and the bright red lipstick she wore—a shade bolder than anything Sharon would normally choose.Wendy hadn't returned to the Kalen residence last night and had stayed out, so she hadn't come to the office with Sharon that morning.Having been close friends for years, Wendy knew Sharon's style inside and out. Sharon had never been fond of bold, flashy lipstick.Seeing her like this, Wendy was momentarily taken aback. She studied the scarf carefully, tilting her head."Sharon… you've always hated wearing scarves. Why the sudden change today?"She murmured to herself, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "Is this scarf special? Or… did Thomas give it to you? That doesn't make sense… he should know you don't like scarves."Noticing Wendy staring at her scarf, Sharon felt a little awkward and quickly diverted her friend's attention."Wendy, make me a cup of coffee, will

Because of Victoria's disappearance, Sharon had kept her birthday low-key this year. She didn't invite a crowd of friends. Instead, she shared a quiet candlelit dinner with Thomas.On her birthday, Sharon gave Thomas the gift she had prepared for him last year. Friends like Wendy and John all sent their blessings, asking Wendy to deliver gifts on their behalf.Just as Thomas handed Sharon her birthday present in the restaurant, her phone rang.Seeing the caller ID, Sharon's expression deepened—it was Richard.She answered, "Dad."On the other end came Richard's gentle voice. "Sharon, are you out celebrating with friends?""Yes, Dad. You're calling suddenly—what's the matter?""Victoria has been found. When you have a moment, could you come home?"Hearing that Victoria had been located didn't surprise Sharon. If anything, she thought it had taken longer for them to find her than she had expected."I understand. I'll head back soon," Sharon said.After hanging up, she turned to

Victoria seemed to slowly come back to herself. She turned her head and glanced at Samantha."Samantha, you're here."That single look made Samantha feel strangely unsettled. She had the distinct sense that something about Victoria—once so poised and dignified—had changed.Considering what Victoria had just endured in the Delta, such a transformation was only natural. Yet, the hysteria or emotional collapse Samantha had expected never came.Victoria was remarkably calm. Even her gaze was deeper than before, as though veiled by a thin mist that made her true emotions impossible to read. Her entire bearing had shifted as well. In every movement, there seemed to be… an added trace of allure and seduction.This was an expression that would never have appeared on the old Victoria.Thinking of how long Victoria had been trapped in the Delta, Samantha almost instantly guessed what she must have suffered. Victoria was young, beautiful, and possessed a rare elegance no ordinary girl could

After hearing Victoria's story, Samantha felt a deep pang of sympathy. She gritted her teeth and exclaimed, "It's Sharon! Victoria, it's because of Sharon that you ended up like this!"But Victoria no longer replied like she used to, insisting this had nothing to do with Sharon. Instead, there was an icy chill beneath her eyes.She lowered her gaze, softening the sharp edge in her expression, and said, "Samantha, I don't want to lie to you or to Lex. Please tell him and Cole the truth about what happened to me. I'm glad to have known you three, but… after this, it's better if we don't meet again. I don't want this to affect your reputation."Victoria knew full well that this matter could never be kept secret.Even if Sharon didn't intentionally reveal it, the Malcolm family had scoured the world looking for Victoria. No matter how tightly the news was controlled, Lex would find out.Better to admit it now than wait for Sharon or Thomas to expose it. The more she hid, the more peop

Silas listened in complete confusion, unable to follow how the conversation had veered this way, somehow linking Chris to the matter. He gave up and stayed silent.Scott, however, had already pieced it together.Thomas had long anticipated that no matter who kidnapped Victoria, the blame would inevitably fall on Sharon. With Sharon's influence rising rapidly, anyone looking to undermine her power would see this as the perfect opportunity.And with Thomas's cunning and intelligence, he could have come up with a far more plausible, convincing explanation—but he didn't. Every word he spoke, no matter how lofty it sounded, was nothing more than a pretext, riddled with loopholes, designed to irritate and manipulate.It was a trap both sides understood perfectly.Since the Kalen family was being set up, Thomas's strategy was simple: fight fire with fire.But… why Chris?Could it be that seeing the Roy family's sudden cooperation with the Kalen family, Thomas wanted to sow discord and