Chapter 156
Yet somehow, he had walked right past Sarah to his sister instead. While dancing, he’d seen Sarah’s disappointed look but still avoided her. In fact, he had never once asked her to dance.
But in this photo, he saw a vibrant Sarah, her black velvet dress hugging her elegant curves. Only the hand at her waist was
Jarring to see.
“James? James, what are you thinking about?!”
The repeated calls finally brought James back to reality. He looked at Charlotte in confusion. “What is it?”
“I said you should calm your mother down.”
James turned to his mother, who was glaring at him angrily. “Mom, I won’t do it.”
Sarah avoided him like a mouse fleeing from a cat, especially now with Zachary constantly by her side.
“What’s the use of talking about this! If you really care about my well–being, go get that money back! That’s Chancer family
money!”
James remained silent and went upstairs.
The gala wasn’t even over when Zachary‘ words had spread throughout the East Coast, leaving wealthy young ladies angrily
throwing their phones in frustration.
In the ballroom, curious glances kept falling on Sarah, though she was used to it by now.
Besides, not all the stares were for her – Zachary walked beside her, his tall, straight posture naturally drawing attention.
Mia clung to her arm, matching her steps, while Zachary walked on her other side. Sarah felt like a prisoner being escorted.
Soon the gala ended. William took Mia home, Zachary went to see off the guests, and Sarah stood at the hotel entrance, shivering
in the bitter cold as she rubbed her arms.
It was past eleven, the coldest part of the night.
Just then, a warm jacket was draped over her shoulders.
“I’ll get the car,” Zachary said softly, walking away before she could respond.
Once in the car, Sarah finally felt warmer.
Zachary handed her a thermos. “It’s warm water.”
Sarah had barely taken a sip when he said, “You didn’t sing Happy Birthday.”
She nearly choked. “Why bring that up suddenly?”
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Chapter 166
And with so many people there and the lights off, how had he even noticed?
“It’s not a proper birthday wish without the song,” he continued.
Sarah pointed at his cufflinks. “The gift counts as my wish.”
“No, only singing counts,” Zachary said with a slight smile.
“No way!” It would be too awkward to sing alone to him now.
Zachary didn’t push further, focusing on driving instead.
+15 Bonus
“Mr. Reynolds, what exactly happened to Mia? Unless it’s a congenital condition, mental health issues don’t usually appear
suddenly. Something significant must have triggered this.”
Sudden memory loss was often a protective measure by the mind – the brain numbing itself, choosing to delete the most painful
experiences.
But these experiences aren’t completely erased from the mind, just buried in a deep corner. When faced with similar situations or another significant event, those hidden memories can resurface.
Zachary‘ grip tightened on the steering wheel. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Mia was kidnapped.”
Kidnapped?
Sarah suddenly understood why Mia always felt so insecure.
