Charlotte stepped back into James''s study. The cup from earlier was still tipped over, and theputer screen remained lit. She had to check-was there a second invitation?

She reopened the Pine Mist Ind Resort website-only to be met with a live broadcast screen.

She forgot about crying. Wiping her tears away quickly, she clicked into the stream.

The resort''s site was airing the Christmas g live from multiple camera angles. She could even switch between them.

Charlotte felt like a detective, scanning each feed one by one-until finally, in the lower right corner of the main feed, she spotted a familiar figure.

James.

He really had gone to the party.

Even after she''d torn that damn invitation apart, he''d still managed to get in.

Fury surged through her. She grabbed the nearby cup and hurled it at the floor.

The shattering porcin rang out like a scream.

So that was it? He liked her that much? Liked her so much that even just seeing her from afar, without a word, was enough?

How had she never noticed before-just how deep James''s feelings ran?

A knock sounded at the door.

"Charlotte?" came Mrs. Chancer''s voice. "Is everything alright? I thought I heard something break."

Charlotte quickly wiped her face. "I''m fine, Mom. I identally knocked over a cup. I''ll clean it up in a minute."fn3d25 This content belongs to FindN()vel/fn3d25

"Well, be careful. Baby''s asleep. Don''t wake him up.”

"I know, Mom."

After Mrs. Chancer left, Charlotte cleaned up the shattered pieces. Then, thinking fast, she retrieved an identical cup from the cab and ced it beside the mouse. She closed theptop.

Maybe she''d never be able to get Sarah out of James''s heart. Maybe no matter what she did, as long as Sarah existed, peace would be impossible.

So she''d have to end itpletely.

By any means necessary.

Harbour Crescent.

The music at the food festival continued to y, but there wasn''t muchughter. Though the crowd wasn''t small, just as she''d expected, most people were older drawin by nostalgia, not energy. No one was really in a celebratory mood.  s

Vivian watched the live stream, face tight with disappointment. Thements on

the Harbour Crescent feed were full of ridicule.

In contrast, the Pine Mist Ind stream was filled with praise.

Furious, she mmed her phone down on the table.

"Another failure," Leon muttered, clearly fed up. "Honestly, I''m starting to wonder if working with you was a mistake."

Vivian didn''t flinch. She smiled

coolly. "Leon, it''s toote to rethink

this. You''re already on board. Until

we reach the end, there''s no getting off And jumping ship? Well the sea''s full of sharks  s

Leon''s face darkened. "I let the

Merihan incident slide, but don''t

forget I''m still a shareholder at

Harbour Crescent You''ve already

cost me billions How much more do you want me to lose?"  s

Vivian''s smile faltered. She was just as anxious as he was-maybe more. If her grandfather had already heard about this mess, she had no idea what kind of punishment would be waiting for her.

"I''m telling you now," Leon said coldly. "If Harbour Crescent continues to lose

money, I''m out. I''m not throwing away another cent on your games.”

It was the first time he''d spoken to her with such open hostility.

But Vivian had expected it.

She didn''t panic. Instead, she pped her hands lightly.

The door opened, and a woman walked in.

Leon''s eyes widened.

"Who''s this?"

"Don''t say I never did anything for you," Vivian said with a coy smile. "It took a lot

to find her. Since you like this type so much, she''s yours. I''m sure you''ll make her fall for you."