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Chapter_69
Sadie felt a wave of discomfort wash over her as she was pushed into the mansion. The familiar faces—Kathleen’s overbearing smile, Ronan’s cold stare, and Leah’s judgmental gaze—made her feel like an intruder in a life that no longer belonged to her. The mansion, with its ornate decor and luxurious aura, only served as a reminder of what had once been hers, and now was not.
As they entered, Kathleen’s voice followed, dripping with fake sweetness, “I hope you’re not too uncomfortable, Sadie. You know, we’ve all been so concerned about you.”
Sadie couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly at the hypocrisy. Kathleen had never cared about her—only about maintaining appearances and leveraging whatever connections could benefit her. The way she had spoken to Sadie just now, as if pretending to be concerned, was a perfect example.
“Thank you, I’m fine.” Sadie responded as gracefully as she could, trying to suppress the bitterness rising within her. She knew better than to show any weakness in front of these people. The last thing she needed was for them to see her vulnerability, especially in front of someone like Leah, who already made it clear she was ready to pounce on any opportunity to bring her down.
“Sadie, I must say, it’s quite the surprise seeing you here. Not that I mind, of course,” Kathleen continued with a warm laugh, leading the group into the large dining hall. “You must be comfortable in such luxury, considering your… connections now.”
Sadie didn’t bite. She remained silent as she was wheeled to a seat at the grand table. Her eyes quickly scanned the room. She recognized most of the faces—former business associates of her father, some still clinging to their old alliances, while others had moved on to better opportunities.
Ronan took a seat nearby, his gaze never quite leaving Sadie. It was as if he were silently evaluating her every move. Leah, on the other hand, leaned in toward her mother, whispering in an agitated tone, “I don’t understand why you invited her, Mom. You know this isn’t the time to bring her here. What if she messes everything up?”
Kathleen shot a pointed glance at her daughter. “Leah, dear, don’t be foolish. This is all part of the plan.” Her voice was low but firm, as if she were preparing for something big. “The more Sadie is involved with the Clemens family, the better it will be for us.”
Leah wasn’t convinced, but she kept quiet as they took their seats, and the banquet began in earnest. Food was served, wine flowed, and the conversation shifted from pleasantries to business—an atmosphere Sadie knew all too well.
As the evening wore on, she couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight was not just about reconnecting with old acquaintances. It was about testing her, pushing her to react, to slip up in some way. The undercurrent of tension was palpable.
But Sadie had no intention of playing into their games. She would keep her cool, maintain her composure, and leave before things got too complicated. She had been through worse, and she wasn’t about to let these people see her falter now.
Just as she was about to take a sip of her drink, Kathleen’s voice broke through the murmur of conversation. “Sadie, you must tell us—how exactly did you land such a prestigious position with Mr. Clemens? I’m sure everyone here would love to hear the story.”
Sadie’s grip tightened on her glass, but she didn’t let it show. “It’s simple enough,” she said with a calm smile, choosing her words carefully. “I’m just doing my job.”
Leah scoffed audibly, “Oh, please. Don’t play modest. You’ve clearly caught someone’s eye.”
Sadie’s eyes flicked to Ronan, who was watching her with a strange intensity, and then to Vincent, who seemed to be keeping a close eye on the room. It was clear that Leah’s words weren’t just aimed at her. They were meant to provoke, to create a rift, and Sadie wasn’t sure if she was meant to be the target—or if they were all just pawns in a larger game.
Kathleen shot Leah a sharp look, as if scolding her, before smiling back at Sadie. “Don’t mind her, Sadie. She’s just a little jealous of your success. Isn’t that right, darling?”
Leah glared at her mother but said nothing, leaving the tension hanging thick in the air.
Sadie kept her face neutral, but inwardly, she was counting the minutes until she could leave. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could tolerate this circus before she lost her patience entirely.
“I appreciate your hospitality,” Sadie said, her voice steady, but her heart was already set on the exit. “But I think it’s time I took my leave.”
Kathleen’s smile faltered for just a moment, but then she recovered. “Of course, Sadie, you’re always welcome to stay longer.”
But Sadie knew better than to linger. There was nothing here for her anymore, not the way there once had been. Tonight, she wasn’t a Roth, nor was she a Clemens. She was simply Sadie—the woman who had learned the hard way that family wasn’t always blood, and connections weren’t always worth the price.
