The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

The chill of the early morning air greeted us as we pulled into Highland Hills. True to my word, I had brought Amanda along and another helper named Pepper to handle my increasingly demanding workload.

Amir’s villa was locked up tight, but he had spare keys as the owner. Once inside, I instructed Amanda and Pepper to take some time to rest and recover from our long journey. Amir had cut short his vacation because Assistant Reynolds had an accident, and he was now in the process of finding someone new to fill that role.

Amir frowned as he accompanied me toward the guest room I had temporarily provided for my friend Jane to use.

“Did you let your friend stay here?” Amir remarked, his tone making it clear he was not pleased about this.

“Yes,” I replied.

“It looks like they cleaned the villa. I have to ensure nothing’s missing and they didn’t tamper with the security system.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “I trust those people, Amir! I added a security system here in the villa if that’s what you think.”

“You touched my security setup? Without clearing it with me first?” He couldn’t believe it, his eyes widening.

Putting on an innocent look, I avoided direct eye contact as I responded, “Come on! I didn’t mess with the original villa security measures. I… enhanced them a bit further.”

“Yeah, right! Your gestures say you’re lying! Anyway, I’ll come with you to the hospital,” he commented.

I shrugged. I knew Amir wanted to see for himself if it was confirmed that our mom had an identical twin. After all, he had known our mother far better than I had.

Amir continued, “Do you have any further updates about your friend’s condition?”

“I texted Trey. He’s the one who called me and the person assigned to guard Jane at the hospital, making sure no media can get through. The latest update is that my friend regained consciousness, but they couldn’t communicate with her properly. Chairman Cornell is on a trip from China, and I’m still determining his comment about Jane’s action.

“I’m sure the outcome won’t be good, especially with some people already gossiping about what happened. I told Jakob to ensure that no news about Jane gets published online. He’s still on guard.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Amir just shook his head. “You keep getting in trouble!”

After quickly changing into more casual clothes, we headed out. The driver took us straight to the General Hospital, and light was starting to appear on the eastern horizon as we arrived.

In a few moments, we reached the end of the hallway where Jane’s ward was. Even from the hallway, it was clear that chaos reigned, with numerous security personnel guarding her room.

“I think the Olsen family has arrived. Chairman Cornell may also be present,” I remarked to Amir, surveying the commotion.

“Madam Sarah!” a familiar voice called out as we approached the hallway’s corner.

I was surprised to see Josh and immediately recalled that he was Megan’s ex. Swiftly composing myself, I acted with casual nonchalance, well aware that he must not know of my knowledge regarding his true identity.

“Josh, what is happening? I just got back from a business trip. Trey informed me about Jane. But what precisely is unfolding in my friend’s ward? Why are there so many people present?”

“Madam Sarah, first of all, Boss Philip instructed me to watch for your arrival. He also ordered Trey to message you.”

My lips tightened as I realized why I hadn’t heard from Philip. Usually, he would constantly call and message me. My throat tightened as my eyes narrowed.

“What is happening?” I demanded.

“Mr. Olsen arrived with his mother to discuss their agreed-upon contract. Currently, Miss Jane remains unresponsive and has not spoken a word. That’s all I know,” Josh explained.

I reached out and grasped Josh’s hand, pleading, “Can you please ensure Jane overcomes whatever depression she’s facing right now?”

Josh nodded.

“Well, well… aren’t these Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Benner?” I hadn’t even noticed that Madam Olsen had already approached us, together with several individuals.

“I’ll go ahead, Mother! I have a meeting to attend!” declared the man with an imposing, bulky physique. This was undoubtedly the man Jane had been set to marry.

After Grandpa Mitchell revealed this woman’s real, unpleasant side-the reason Marcus was in our lives-it made sense that I didn’t think highly of her.

“I would have liked to say, ‘It’s nice seeing you, Madam Olsen,’ but such words would go against my true feelings, and it’s simply wrong to tell lies,” I said.

“So, is that why you choose to hide like your true nature?” she retorted with a disdainful sneer.

I responded with sharply biting words, my voice edging like a blade, “That’s better than betraying one’s flesh and blood, stealing wealth from one’s father. The most despicable, immoral act is stealing someone else’s identity.” I smiled blandly, taunting her.

Amir chimed in, “It’s fortunate that people’s characters can’t be photocopied. The Benners see right through you because your bad behavior stinks. Shall we start calling you Aunt Criselda?”

“Calling her ‘Madam Olsen’ is sufficient,” I corrected Amir. “Since Grandpa already forgets her, we don’t want to foster any false sense of familiarity. We’ll treat her like the stranger she is to Grandpa Mitchell.”

I could tell my comment stung her deeply. From the story Grandpa Mitchell shared, it was clear this woman was envious of our kind-hearted mother, whom Grandpa looked after. Madam Olsen visibly tensed, her jaw tightening with teeth grinding together.

In a casual tone, she said, “You’re such a bitch, Ms. Mitchell. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised why your in-laws despise you…” She paused, feigning an oops moment. “Oh, but I forgot, even your husband doesn’t love you. Not even your dad can stand you.”

If Madam Olsen had uttered those words to me before, those scathing words would have sliced my heart deeply, but I’ve already shed tears twice. At this point, I’ve come to accept the harsh reality. Indulging in self-pity gained me nothing.

I chose to stay silent, refusing to grant her the satisfaction of a response as she strode past me, purposefully knocking into my shoulder with hers. Amir shook his head.

Before I could muster any further reaction, Madam Cornell strode down the hallway, followed by Philip, who cast me a deep, penetrating glance, and Chairman Cornell himself.

My heart felt awful at the sight of him, but I pushed away any feelings I had for him, putting on a blank face to shield myself.

“And you came here just to spread gossip! You’re the vile one who encouraged Jane to do this unthinkable thing! You’re a murderer!” accused Philip’s mother.

“Mother!” Philip admonished her.

“Madam Cornell, what an… interesting choice of words,” I responded, trying to stay calm and not fall into her trap. “So bold that your tongue seems to have turned black from your audacity!” I raised an eyebrow, curious. “Aren’t you even a bit disturbed by how quickly you jumped to calling me a killer?”

She clenched her teeth before turning to Amir. “Mr. Benner, that woman is despicable! She’s manipulating men like you. She’s doing to you what she did to my son!”

Amir swiftly addressed the accusation directed at my ex-father-in-law. “Chairman Cornell, it appears your wife may have misplaced her manners back at your mansion. She chose an ill-suited moment in this very hospital corridor, with countless strangers walking around and unwittingly bearing witness.”

His words stung the Chairman, a man known for fiercely guarding his impeccable reputation above all else. Chairman Cornell’s eyes narrowed into slits as he shot his wife a withering glare-an unmistakable warning.

Madam Cornell visibly recoiled.

“Indeed, President Cornell, I respectfully suggest you consider relocating your mother, perhaps to a destination as distant as the moon. She seems to speak nonsense that no reasonable man could ever hope to comprehend.”

“This bitch!” Madam Cornell erupted, her face contorted with rage, but her husband swiftly raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap across her cheek.

“I warned you to cease!”

Philip’s fist tightened as if this behavior were routine for his father.

With a huff, Chairman Cornell stormed away.

“Honey, wait…” Madam Cornell’s voice rang out plaintively, and tears streamed down her reddened cheeks. Philip’s jaw clenched tightly as he followed his parents.

Philip’s actions leave me utterly stunned. But there is a better moment for inquiries.

‘There’s no time for emotions, Sarah…’

Turning to Josh, I refocused. “I need your help locating a certain Dr. Smith, an OB-GYN working at this hospital last year.”

“Hmm… I believe Boss Philip is also searching for that woman,” Josh responded thoughtfully.

“Philip?” I repeated, puzzled. I had no idea what machinations my ex-husband could have in mind concerning this Dr. Smith. A slight feeling of worry crept over me. “Can you try obtaining a photo of Dr. Smith for me?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

Having accomplished his purpose here, Amir also took his leave, though he left one of his trusted guards behind to stay with me. As I stepped into Jane’s ward, that’s when I learned the full extent of everything that had transpired…