The rain stopped.
Nora Sullivan nestled in William Shaw's arms like a bird, her gaze at Sarah Sullivan full of pride, flaunting, and provocation.
She hoped to see jealousy and pain on Sarah's face.
But she was disappointed; Sarah's eyes were calm and unruffled.
Pretending!
When Sarah gets back, she'll definitely cry until the heavens go dark while lying under her blanket. A wrist-cutting suicide attempt would make it even more perfect.
Nora thought darkly.
Even though Nora didn't witness Sarah's date with William personally, she was convinced by William's later descriptions.
Nora firmly believed that Sarah was deeply and irrevocably in love with William back then.
The deeper the love then, the more painful it must be for Sarah now being cut off from that love.
And as the victor, how triumphant Nora felt in her heart.
The reason Nora entangled herself with William Shaw in the first place was to provoke Sarah.
And also because William Shaw was truly excellent.
William wasn't wrong.
The Shaw Family is a renowned first-tier aristocracy in Huston, and William Shaw is elegant and handsome.
How many heiresses from wealthy families dream of him?
Missing out on William Shaw was undoubtedly a lifelong regret for Sarah.
How could she find a more respectable family than the Shaws?
A pipe dream!
What good is it to be pretty!
If you can't access high society, you're destined for mediocrity for life.
Moreover, you have such a disgraceful past!
Sarah, it's a stain you can never wash away!
A nightmare you can't escape!
It will shadow you, reminding you that you are forever unworthy of happiness!
With me, Nora Sullivan, around, you're doomed to a lifelong fate of misery and darkness, Sarah!
"I'm sorry sister, it's all my fault! I shouldn't have told William about your pregnancy out of wedlock and the stillbirth. My intention was to have William take better care of you, I didn't realize this scandal affected you so much!"
Nora Sullivan is quite the performer, harboring malicious thoughts while speaking so gently and innocently.
"Nora, you're not wrong! What's wrong are those immoral, unprincipled people who deliberately hide scandals!" William Shaw declared decisively.
William recalled those unpleasant memories, his expression turned sullen.
"Sarah, you deceived me so cruelly then! You made me believe you were an innocent and simple girl, so when I found out about your scandals, I was so anguished, so furious! I was disgusted! I wanted to vomit! I numbed myself with alcohol! Thankfully, Nora was there to comfort and guide me, helping me out of that unhappiness!"
...
One narcissist, one vile schemer.
Ordinarily, Sarah would be impatient with this pretentious couple.
But today, she patiently watched them flaunt their affection before her.
Because Sarah suddenly thought of a moneymaking idea.
Before, Sarah didn't care about money.
She didn't pursue material enjoyment, nor chase luxury brands; being content with simple meals, she had little desire for material wealth.
It wasn't until the issue with her foster father arose that Sarah realized the power of money.
If she had money, she wouldn't need to marry off to the Varley Clan to alleviate their misfortunes.
For money, she could endure William's self-praise, restraining herself from vomiting on the spot.
To be honest, Sarah only just realized how narcissistic and shameless Charles Shaw is.
Previously, Sarah only knew that Charles Shaw was thick-skinned, liked to fantasize, and was prone to unrequited feelings.
For example, she never dated William Shaw for even a day.
Yet William crowned himself as "Sarah's ex-boyfriend" on his own.
Going around saying how much Sarah loved him, devoted to him with unshakable promises.
After breaking up, how heartbroken and reluctant Sarah was.
Leaving Sarah utterly exasperated.
Sarah regretted more than once that she should never have cured that mute in the countryside.
If William had remained mute, he might have been more of a person, rather than being this dog-like now.
And Nora was even more ridiculous, convinced that William was a man she stole from Sarah, sparing no effort to use this to provoke Sarah.
Hoping Sarah would stir with jealousy, trapped by emotions.
Unaware that Sarah was actually very grateful to her.
Finally getting rid of the annoying and tiresome William Shaw.
Now her mind was at peace.
As for the issue with the child?
Sarah never saw it as a shameful thing.
She didn't regret being pregnant at 18 out of wedlock.
She didn't regret the pregnancy forcing her to drop out of school a month before the entrance exams.
She didn't regret bearing the child for ten months amidst gossip.
She only ever thought her child would be very beautiful.
Just always puzzled about who the bastard was that impregnated her?
Why does she lack memory of that period?
It seems like someone hypnotized it away.
If possible, she'd strive to be a good mother, but unfortunately, fate toyed with her, denying her the chance for familial bliss.
...
These thoughts Sarah wouldn't share with anyone,
Because those who trust you don't need your explanations, and those who don't will never be convinced, no matter what you say.
Before, Sarah was very annoyed by William's self-claimed title as her ex-boyfriend.
Now, she didn't mind playing the role of the abandoned resentful woman to satisfy William's ridiculous and perverse sense of vanity.
"Alright, I won't bother anymore. Since we broke up, I'll quietly retreat, wishing you and Nora a happy everlasting future."
Hearing Sarah say that, William's face lit up with satisfaction. However, the Nora Sullivan in his arms was very uneasy hearing that.
She simply didn't believe that venom-tongued brat would sincerely bless them, there were definitely hidden meanings in her words!
Happy everlasting… happy everlasting… a whore with a dog, happily ever after!
That brat surely meant that!
Nora Sullivan was certain.
Nora really wanted to tell William immediately.
But unfortunately, she played the innocent little white rabbit in front of William, how could she say such filthy words?
Nora regretted losing a chance to sow discord.
William pondered for a moment: "Since you've thought it through, that's for the best. No matter what, you're Nora's sister, even if not blood-related, the connection is still there, I don't want to be too estranged with you, unable to meet in the future. I can't give you love, but I can give you some other compensation, what do you say?"
William didn't know the true identities of Sarah and Nora Sullivan. In his eyes, Nora was a noble heiress, while Sarah was merely a countryside foster daughter.
Which was partly why he betrayed Sarah, feeling her status didn't match his own.
Sarah was waiting for William's words. She knew he was vain and liked to put on airs. No matter how vile an act, he needed a pretty facade.
Not only do whores like to posture, but so do scumbags.
A scumbag feels that if he gives you money, he owes you nothing, freeing him from guilt.
Sarah didn't care for William's love, nor did she need his guilt, but she did need his money.
"Give me 300 million as a breakup fee, and I promise never to bother you again. I'll wholeheartedly wish you a harmonious hundred years together, with three litters a year," Sarah said earnestly.
If William really gave her 300 million, she could repay the Varley Clan 40 million.
Preventing that old couple from guarding against her like a thief every day.
As for what's done with the remaining 200 million or so?
After being fantasized by this William for so long, shouldn't Sarah get something for emotional distress!
Nora Sullivan was so angry her face turned green. Three litters a year, did she think she was an old sow?