The group stared at Sadie curiously. "Wait, Sadie, are you truly saying you can''t cover tens of thousands?"


    "I read in the news that your dad''spany handles billion-dor projects. Didn''t you even donate a building? Surely this meal-"


    "Who said I can''t afford it?" Sadie interrupted firmly. "I''m just worried there''ll be too much wine, and no one will finish it." She scrambled toe up with an excuse.


    One of her ssmates grinned. "Don''t worry about that. The guys in our ss can handle their drinks. Let''s go with a bottle of red wine for each person to start!" Sadie was momentarily speechless.


    At that moment, she must have felt trapped, unable to back out without consequences. The thought of her true identity being exposed and her carefully crafted image as a wealthy heiress crumbling terrified her.


    If I hadn''t transferred to this university, she might still be livingfortably in her fa?ade. My presence disrupted everything, and now, even tears wouldn''t help her situation.


    Her identity felt like a precarious secret hanging over her, and the power to reveal it rested entirely in my hands.


    As long as I was around, Sadie would live in constant fear.


    Meanwhile, her ssmates continued tovish her with praise. Most of them came from modest backgrounds, so a bottle of wine worth tens of thousands was an extravagance. The boys weren''t the only ones enjoying it; even the girls joined in.


    Yael raised his ss toward me with a friendly smile. "Wee to our ss, Zoey."


    Remembering that this body couldn''t handle alcohol well, I took a tiny sip. "Thank you, but I''m not great with alcohol. Sorry."


    "That''s okay," Yael said, understanding.


    Unlike his ssmates, he didn''t fawn over Sadie. His focus was entirely on me.


    Earlier, I had wondered if he treated everyone this warmly. But now, I was certain-he had his sights set on me.


    It didn''t feel like love at first sight. To me, it seemed more like something premeditated. Did he already know who I was?


    "Zoey, my birthday is in a few days," Yael said, his tone casual yet hopeful. "I''m hosting a party at my ce, and I''ve invited our ssmates. Will you be free toe?"


    "Sure," I replied. "Send me the address. I''ll be there."


    That was a perfect opportunity to meet Whitney.


    Yael''s face lit up with excitement. "Really? Great! I''ll be looking forward to it."


    "Hmm."


    After dinner, someone suggested heading to a bar for the next round. Sadie, who had just finished settling the bill, visibly paled at the suggestion.


    The dinner cost over 700,000, and Sadie quickly declined the bar invitation, iming she had a prior engagement.


    Otherwise, she would have been expected to cover the next round as well.


    Right then, Ashley arrived in a luxury car to pick her up. Their ssmates watched enviously as she left.


    Little did they know that as soon as everyone was gone, Ashley''s cheerful demeanor vanished. "What on earth did you do to rack up over 700,000? Do you realize I''m out of money now?"


    Sadie replied coldly, "It''s just a few hundred thousand. Don''t forget I helped you make a fortune through my dad''s projects."


    He grumbled, "I''m not ming you, but I''m broke right now. What did you do to make your dad freeze your card and kick you out? Maybe you should apologize to him."


    "Why should I? I didn''t do anything wrong," Sadie snapped. "He just went home and divorced Philippa."


    Ashley''s expression shifted, his eyes lighting up. "Are you serious?"


    "Of course. He filed for divorce ten days ago. From now on, my mom will be the real Mrs. Gardner. My dad''s always favored me, so I''ll make sure he gives you some big projects in the future. That 700,000 is nothing." Ashley''s attitude softened. He kissed her cheek and said, "Sorry for being harsh earlier. I''ll take good care of you."


    "Hmm. Let''s go home."


    It seemed Sadie had learned to make empty promises


    With the coboration between Bill and Carter about to kick off, Bill would soon return to Snowville.


    I couldn''t wait for the day when Ashley and our ssmates realized Sadie was no longer the heiress of the Gardners. It would be a spectacle worth watching!


    "Zoey, need a ride home?" Yael''s voice interrupted my thoughts. He had drunk quite a bit but still sounded concerned. "My brother''s nearby."


    "No need. My family will be here."


    Right then, a sleek ck SUV pulled up to the curb. The window rolled down, and I felt a piercing gazend on me.


    "Mrs. Bolton, we meet again," Taylor said, his tone casual.


    Yael blinked in surprise. "Taylor, do you know her?"


    Taylor stepped out of the car and smirked. "Of course. She''s the wife of the Bolton Group''s CEO. It''s only natural."


    Yael turned to me, his expression a mix of shock and sadness. "You''re married?"All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I smiled slightly. "Yes, I am. I didn''t realize you were Taylor''s brother."


    "You''re so young," Yael muttered, disbelief coloring his voice. "How can you get married?"


    Just then, Carter''s car arrived. I smiled politely. "My husband''s here. Goodbye."


    The car door opened, revealing Carter seated in his wheelchair. His cold gaze swept over Yael, radiating an unmistakable air of authority. "Carter."


    He extended his hand, and I instinctively ced mine in his. With a firm pull, he lifted me onto hisp.


    As the car door closed, he tilted my head toward him and kissed me fiercely, his actions a clear message to the Carlyn brothers watching.