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Chapter_94
Sadie’s mind swirled with complicated thoughts as she straightened up, holding the ring. She studied it for a moment, turning it over in her hand before handing it to Arianna. The act was polite, almost mechanical, but underneath that politeness, a certain bitterness lingered.
The years of rivalry with Arianna, once a distant memory, had resurfaced tonight in full force. Sadie had always been able to respect Arianna’s openness—her boldness in seeking what she wanted—but it was Leah’s behavior that had truly struck a chord with her. To see how easily Leah had fallen into disgrace, how her mother had played the fainting card once again, stirred something deep within Sadie. It wasn’t just pity for Kathleen or Leah, but a sharp reminder of the manipulations and false facades that had surrounded her for so long.
As she handed the ring to Arianna, a cold thought crossed her mind: human nature was a constant, ever-shifting force. And it wasn’t just the Potters who were capable of scheming and playing games. It was something almost innate in people—using others, using situations, to their own advantage. Sadie, for a moment, wondered whether she had ever been any different, or if she, too, had fallen into the same patterns.
The auction continued, but Sadie’s attention was no longer on the items or the proceedings. She was thinking of the years of manipulation, the shifting allegiances, and how everything—every decision, every word, every action—had led to this moment. She caught a glimpse of Micah, who was already preparing to leave, his face unreadable. He had handled the situation with the Potters expertly, using his influence like a sharp blade, but she knew this was just another piece of his larger strategy. She couldn’t help but admire his ability to control, to shape the narrative, but she also felt a growing wariness.
As they walked towards the exit, Sadie noticed the looks people were giving her. Some sympathetic, others judgmental, but all of them scrutinizing her every move. Micah, though, remained oblivious to the undercurrents around them. He was focused, composed, and completely in control of the evening.
Sadie, however, felt the weight of the room’s gaze on her. She understood now—there was always a narrative, a story that people were eager to tell, and she was no longer sure if she was the hero or the villain in this chapter. There was something deeply ironic about the whole situation. As much as she had hated the way Kathleen had manipulated her emotions and her circumstances in the past, she couldn’t help but see the same play being carried out tonight—but this time, with her as the one being judged.
Human nature, indeed.
