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Chapter_68
Sadie watched as Ronan and Leah made their way toward the entrance, a sense of unease creeping over her. The last thing she wanted tonight was to get caught up in the web of old alliances and rivalries, but it seemed that was exactly what was unfolding before her eyes.
The sight of the Potter family arriving with their usual air of authority only reminded her of how much had changed—and how much still remained the same. The luxury cars, the well-tailored suits, the overly confident smiles; it all felt like a cruel reminder of the world she had once been a part of but now struggled to distance herself from.
Ronan, in particular, seemed to have a way of asserting his presence, even in the most subtle of ways. His sharp eyes swept over the surroundings, and when he spotted the Rolls-Royce, his instinct to investigate kicked in. Sadie could feel his gaze even from a distance, but she kept her expression neutral, trying not to let the past dictate her reactions.
Leah, ever the curious one, had followed Ronan’s lead, stepping out with the kind of confidence that belonged to those born into wealth. The click of her heels was unmistakable, echoing through the driveway, and Sadie couldn’t help but wonder if Leah had ever really understood what it was like to lose everything.
Sadie’s attention shifted back to the looming White family mansion, its facade unchanged, even though it no longer held the same warmth it once did. Now, it was a hollow monument to the family who had taken it over—a stark contrast to the life her father had built for her.
As she made her way toward the entrance, a sudden tension tightened in her chest. This dinner, this reunion, felt less like a chance to reconnect and more like a carefully laid trap. Every step she took, every word she spoke tonight, would be scrutinized, twisted, and used against her if she wasn’t careful.
“Sadie, it’s been too long!” Kathleen’s voice rang out, filled with the same false sweetness Sadie remembered from years ago. “We were just talking about how much we missed seeing you.”
Sadie plastered a smile on her face, but the words felt like poison in her mouth. “Yes, it’s been a while,” she said politely. “I’m sure things have been going well for you all.”
Felipe, standing beside Kathleen with that too-friendly grin, extended his hand. “Come, come, don’t stand there. Let’s all catch up.”
Despite herself, Sadie hesitated. Memories of her father’s struggle to keep the Roth family afloat flashed in her mind, and the sight of Felipe—who had once been so eager to court the Roths for his own gain—made her skin crawl. She knew all too well the lengths people like him would go to in order to gain power and influence.
“Miss Roth, we’ve been waiting for you,” came a voice from behind her.
Sadie turned to find Vincent, one of the Potter family’s trusted associates, standing with an expectant look on his face. He was polite but firm, as if the formality of the situation required them all to play their parts.
“Mr. Clemens has arrived, and he’s waiting for you,” Vincent added, his tone just a shade too knowing.
Sadie’s heart skipped a beat. Micah. She had tried to push the thought from her mind, but hearing his name again, especially under these circumstances, only made the tension in the air thicker.
“Thank you,” she said, not allowing any emotion to show. She forced herself to walk into the mansion, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she tried to steady her breathing.
Inside, the scene was just as lavish as she had expected—too many faces, too much wealth, all converging in one place. It felt like a masquerade ball, but the masks weren’t made of glittering jewels or fine silk; they were carefully constructed facades, each one hiding a darker agenda.
As she stepped further into the room, she caught sight of Micah, standing at the far end with a drink in his hand, his posture casual but his eyes sharp. He didn’t seem surprised to see her, but there was something in his gaze that made her hesitate. Was he aware of her suspicions? Did he know that she had started to piece together the fragments of their past?
But before she could process the thought, a voice called out, cutting through the silence.
“Sadie, dear, you’ve made it!” Kathleen’s tone was sweet, but there was something almost predatory about the way she said it. “Please, come join us.”
Sadie forced herself to smile, but inside, her mind was racing. This night would be far from simple. The game was about to begin.
