Chapter 377
Despite all of Tessa’s protests, Sarah got called back anyway.
She arrived as if nothing had happened at all, her arms full of gifts and expensive supplements. While everyone waited, they’d all settled in the living room. When Sarah walked through the door, her eyes swept across each face. There was a flicker of surprise when she saw Camilla and Jasper sitting there.
But this time, she didn’t even bother with greetings. She strode straight over to Darwin and launched herself at him, her voice sweet and delicate. “Grandpa, I knew you were still thinking about me. I bought these presents ages ago. I’ve been hoping we could spend New Year’s together again. But I was afraid you might still be upset, so I didn’t dare show up. Please don’t be mad at me, okay p>
Just like that, she switched the whole conversation to herself, her affectionate act designed to tug at Darwin’s heartstrings.
Usually, whenever she behaved this way, any mistake she’d made would be wiped clean in Darwin’s eyes. But this time, he already had his doubts. Watching her act so innocent now just made him suspect she was even more calculating than he thought.
Darwin shifted a little further away from her, his body stiff. He cleared his throat, keeping things businesslike. “Sarah, Lance has something to ask you. How about you explain yourself first p>
“Lance?” Sarah looked baffled. She turned to look at him, then noticed Wallace slumped on the floor in front of Lance. She paused, a little thrown, then asked, “Who’s this? A friend of yours, Lance? I don’t think I’ve seen him before p>
Lance let out a cold laugh. “You know, you really are good at acting.” He stared at her innocent face, and the disgust he felt was almost overwhelming. All the messy memories from their childhood came rushing back, making his stomach twist.
Sarah put on a sincere face. “Lance, maybe I’ve done some things before that were out of line and you misunderstood me. But today’s New Year’s. Grandpa cares about these occasions more than anything. Can’t we let this go for just one day? Can’t I just let Grandpa have a good time p>
Her words immediately put her on the moral high ground, making it sound like Lance was being disrespectful.
Tessa, for one, was moved right away.
She walked over and wrapped a protective arm around Sarah, agreeing with her. “Lance, Sarah’s right. Whatever it is, does it really have to be dealt with today? Since we’re all here, why don’t we just have dinner together first p>
Tessa wanted to smooth things over, totally forgetting this all started because of her.
Lance just raised his eyebrows, not even hiding the sneer in his laugh. This time, Darwin didn’t try to defend Sarah at all. He came right out and asked, “Sarah, I want you to be honest. Did you set all this up? Did you send this man? Was the whole thing at the hospital with Tessa part of your plan p>
Sarah’s eyes widened, her pupils tightening. She looked lost. “Grandpa, what are you talking about? I don’t even know this person. Why are you asking me this out of nowhere? Did something happen? Who is he? Why is he in our house p>
“You’re sure you don’t know him? Because it seems like he knows you,” Darwin pressed, his voice cold as ever.
Sarah suddenly leaned closer, bending down to look at Wallace. She studied his face like she was trying to remember something, her eyes searching for any trace of familiarity. After a moment, she shook her head and looked straight at Wallace. “Do I know you p>
Wallace could tell she looked just as confused as he was.
Truth was, Wallace had been pushed into making trouble for Camilla, but it wasn’t by Sarah. Right now, though, he had no reason to expose the real person behind this. He’d been promised something in return, and until he got it, he had no intention of opening his mouth.
When he looked into Sarah’s clear, almost innocent eyes, he just shook his head. Before he even said a word, Sarah’s eyes filled with tears.
She turned to Lance, her voice shaking with hurt. “Lance, even if you hate me, you can’t just blame everything on me. You see for yourself. I’ve never met him, and he doesn’t know me, either. I don’t know what happened between you two, but just because something bad happened, you can’t automatically pin it on me. It’s so unfair. Is it that no matter what I do, you’ll never believe me? Do you really need me to die before you’ll finally believe I’m innocent p>
“Don’t talk like that. What’s all this about dying?” Tessa rushed to comfort her, her heart aching. “It’s no big deal, honey. Just a misunderstanding, that’s all. Now it’s cleared up, so don’t ever say something like that again, alright p>
Tessa stepped closer to hug her, but Sarah pulled away, clearly upset. “Maybe it’s a small thing to you, Tessa, but it isn’t to me. Everyone knows I was just the adopted daughter in the Charles family. The last time I got kicked out for no reason, people already started talking about me behind my back p>