The living room of the William estate was grand, with high ceilings, expensive chandeliers, and plush furniture that spoke of old wealth.
Max William sat comfortably on his luxurious leather sofa, a glass of whiskey in hand.
Around him were a few men, all sharply dressed, their expressions a mixture of respect and intrigue.
These were Max's old associates—business partners, some of them shady, but all powerful in their own right.
The men praised Max for his supposed humility and fairness.
"Max," one of them said, lighting a cigar.
"It takes a big man to set aside status and allow your son to marry a servant's daughter. You're truly a pioneer of equality."
Another added,
"It's rare to see someone in your position care about more than just money or appearances."
Max leaned back, a faint smile on his lips. His tone was smooth and practiced, like a politician delivering a speech.
"Gentlemen, the world is changing. Status and wealth mean little if we can't embrace the idea of equality. People should be judged by their character, not their background."
The men nodded, some clapping him on the back in admiration.
But beneath Max's polished words lay the truth. His mind was consumed by greed, and every decision he made was calculated for financial gain.
This marriage wasn't about equality or fairness—it was a strategic move. Max had uncovered something valuable about Sarah's lineage, and he intended to use this marriage to his advantage.
The men continued their praise, oblivious to Max's true motives.
He raised his glass, his smile never faltering, as they toasted to his "nobility."
---
Meanwhile, in another part of the estate, Sarah stood by one of the large windows, looking out at the sprawling gardens.
Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions.
She hadn't forgotten the humiliation from the previous night, nor could she shake the feeling of being trapped in a web of manipulation.
But what fueled her the most was her suspicion and hatred. She glanced toward the courtyard, where she spotted Eithan talking casually with one of the estate's staff.
Eithan was cheerful as always, his carefree nature evident in the way he carried himself.
He seemed oblivious to the tension brewing around him. But to Sarah, his very presence was a reminder of her pain and loss.
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
"You," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible.
"You killed him. I know it."
---
Sarah's mind drifted back to Ibram. He had been her lover , a guiding figure who had once saved her from a life of despair.
She owed everything to him, and his death had shattered her.
Though she lacked solid evidence, she was convinced Eithan was responsible.
And it wasn't just Eithan. She harbored resentment toward everyone in the William family:
Ruhr, for her detached demeanor. [ self proclaim ]
Adi, for his unwavering loyalty to the family. [ self proclaim ]
Josh, for dragging her into this mess. [ self proclaim ]
George, for his silent compliance and mysterious thing . [ self proclaim ]
Tara, for her influence and control. [ self proclaim ]
Rocky, for being the family's enforcer. [ self proclaim ]
They were all complicit, in her eyes, in the chaos and pain that surrounded her life.
---
Sarah didn't realize she was still staring until Eithan turned and noticed her.
He smiled, his usual friendly expression, and started walking toward her.
"Sarah!" he called out, waving.
"I was wondering where you'd disappeared to."
Sarah's heart tightened, but she forced herself to remain calm.
As he approached, she crossed her arms and looked at him coolly.
"What do you want?" she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
Eithan stopped a few feet away, a hint of confusion crossing his face.
"Nothing, really. Just wanted to see how you were doing after… everything."
She scoffed, turning back to the window.
"I'm fine. You don't need to pretend to care."
Eithan frowned, his cheerful demeanor faltering for a moment.
"I'm not pretending, Sarah. I know things have been rough, and I just… I wanted to make sure you're okay. And now you are going to be my sister in law. "
Sarah shot him a glance, her eyes filled with suspicion.
"Why do you care?— Huh! Maybe I will !"
Eithan took a step back, startled.
"What are you talking about?"
"No just forget about it ," she said, her voice low and full of venom.
---
After Eithan left, Sarah took a moment to compose herself. The brief confrontation had left her slightly shaken, but she quickly reminded herself of her mission.
There was no room for weakness now—not when she was surrounded by people she needed to manipulate for her revenge.
As she left the balcony, she spotted Josh in the hallway.
He was leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Josh," she called out, her voice soft and sweet, the complete opposite of the edge she'd shown Eithan.
Josh looked up, his smirk widening.
"Well, if it isn't the beautiful Sarah," he said, slipping his phone into his pocket.
"What brings you wandering these halls? Missing me already?"
Sarah gave him a small smile, tilting her head coyly.
"Maybe," she said.
"Or maybe I was just looking for someone to talk to. This house can feel so… overwhelming at times."
Josh straightened, his usual playful demeanor slipping into something softer.
"You can always talk to me," he said, stepping closer.
"I mean, I'm pretty much the fun one around here, right?"
Sarah laughed lightly, a sound that was as practiced as it was pleasant.
"You are," she admitted.
"You're always so… carefree. It's refreshing."
---
Josh rubbed the back of his neck, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. For all his usual confidence, moments like this left him flustered.
"Uh, well, you know," he said, trying to sound casual.
"I just like making people happy. Especially you."
Sarah's eyes sparkled with feigned warmth.
"That's sweet of you, Josh," she said, stepping closer. She reached out and placed a hand on his arm, her touch light and deliberate.
"You've always been so kind to me."
Josh froze for a moment, his heartbeat quickening.
"I—uh—well, you're easy to be kind to," he said, his voice cracking slightly.
Sarah suppressed a smirk.
She could see how easily she could twist him around her finger, how eager he was for her approval.
But she kept her expression soft, her eyes filled with a fake sincerity.
---
"You know," Sarah said, letting her voice drop to a more vulnerable tone,
"sometimes I feel like I don't belong here. Like everyone's looking down on me."
Josh's playful expression faded, replaced by genuine concern.
"Hey, don't say that," he said, his tone serious.
"You're amazing, Sarah. If anyone's looking down on you, they're just idiots. And you know what? Forget my dad. He doesn't know what he's talking about."
Sarah looked up at him, her eyes wide and sad.
"Do you really think that?" she asked softly.
"Of course I do!" Josh said, his voice rising slightly.
"You're smart, and beautiful, and you're, like, way better than half the people in this house."
Sarah smiled, a small, almost shy smile that she knew would make Josh feel like he'd said exactly the right thing.
"Thank you, Josh," she said.
"That means a lot to me."
Josh's confidence returned with a vengeance. He puffed out his chest slightly, grinning.
"Anytime, Sarah. I've got your back, always."
---
The seriousness of the moment didn't last long. Josh couldn't help but revert to his usual teasing self.
"So," he said, smirking again.
"Does this mean you'll finally admit you're falling for me? Because, you know, I'm a pretty great catch."
Sarah rolled her eyes, though her smile stayed in place. "Don't push your luck, Josh."
"Come on," Josh said, leaning in slightly.
"You can't deny it forever. I mean, look at me—charming, handsome, hilarious. What's not to love?"
Sarah laughed lightly, shaking her head.
"You're impossible."
"And you love it," Josh said, winking.
---
While outwardly Sarah played along with Josh's antics, inwardly