Chapter 486 No Meeting, No Mercy: The Everharts Fall with Oliver 1
After arriving in Harmony City, Sarah checked into the Presidential Suite at the Celestial Waters Hotel. Zoey had secured the entire top floor and arranged extensive security—over a hundred personnel guarding every entrance and exit.
"Everything's arranged, Mrs. Windsor," Zoey reported after finalizing the details. "I'll deliver your card to the Everhart residence tomorrow morning. I doubt they'd refuse, considering Mr. Windsor's influence."
Under the crystal chandelier, Sarah rubbed her temple gently.
"You probably think I brought all this security because I'm afraid," she said softly. "That's not it."
Zoey looked puzzled.
Sarah offered a faint smile. "With Oliver imprisoned, Octavius won't bother with a mere woman like me. Even Matthew won't waste effort targeting me now—he believes I'll eventually come crawling back to him. These security personnel are mostly for show. When you deliver my card tomorrow, make sure it's with considerable fanfare."
Zoey nodded in understanding, noticing how different Sarah seemed now.
That night, Sarah stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at Harmony City's glittering skyline, her thoughts with her distant husband. This mission could only end in success—there was no room for failure.
Victory or ruin. There would be no middle ground.
She stood there for a long time, tilting her head back slightly to hold back tears.
As Sarah had predicted, Octavius was indeed preparing to break free from Oliver's control. Zoey returned disappointed after failing to deliver the card.
"It's what I expected," Sarah reassured her. "Try again for three consecutive days. If they still refuse, we'll try something else."
Her composure impressed Zoey deeply.
After three days of rejection—Zoey hadn't even been allowed past the gates of the Everhart residence—she reported back to Sarah.
"Octavius has always been arrogant to a fault," Sarah remarked with a subtle smile. "Change your clothes, Zoey. Tonight, we're going gambling."
Zoey was confused. How could Sarah think about card games while Oliver suffered in detention?
Sarah didn't explain, merely smiling quietly.
As night fell, four gleaming black luxury cars departed from the hotel parking lot, arriving thirty minutes later at an elegant mansion.
Before exiting the vehicle, Sarah explained, "These century-old houses are worth over a hundred million each. Harmony City's elite women gather here to gamble and socialize. Mrs. Everhart is no exception."
Zoey finally understood, but worried, "What if we can't get in?"
Sarah smiled knowingly. "We will. These high-end properties all belong to Mr. Windsor, though Octavius doesn't know that."
Zoey was stunned.
The driver opened their door, and Sarah stepped out gracefully. Despite the winter cold and her pregnancy, she wore an expensive coat and stiletto heels, carrying herself with all the dignity befitting Oliver Windsor's wife. Zoey followed, along with four bodyguards.
The host greeted her, "Mrs. Windsor."
Sarah removed her coat, handed it to a bodyguard, and walked in with elegant poise. Speaking in the local dialect with aristocratic charm, she called out, "I heard you needed a fourth player. Am I late?"
In the lavish hall, Octavius's wife Calliope Lark sat with two other wealthy women, gossiping about Oliver.
"That Mr. Windsor won't be getting out anytime soon."
"Your husband finally has his chance, doesn't he? Remember how Octavius used to put on that fake smile whenever Mr. Windsor visited Harmony City? Must have been humiliating for you, Mrs. Everhart."
Calliope, uncomfortable with this reminder of past indignities, was about to respond when Sarah entered—dressed in expensive clothes, walking on stilettos, adorned with millions in jewelry, accompanied by her beautiful secretary and four bodyguards.
With Oliver's downfall, Calliope felt emboldened to dismiss Sarah.
Sipping her cocktail, she remarked coldly, "Mr. Windsor is in prison, yet you still have the mood for entertainment?"
Her companions snickered in agreement.
Sarah remained unfazed. She sat at the card table and opened her handbag. A photograph fell out—one that made Calliope's face instantly pale.
It showed a younger Calliope, once a high-end hostess, sitting on a powerful man's lap—a piece of history no one was supposed to know about.
The room fell silent as everyone glimpsed the image.
"Are you here to make trouble?" Calliope asked with a cold smile.
Sarah casually arranged her cards, her delicate hands accentuated by a dazzling 10-carat diamond ring. "I'm here to play cards with Mrs. Everhart. Isn't that welcome?"
Calliope froze, then slowly took her seat.
Sarah picked up the photograph and handed it to her bodyguard. "Burn this—consider it my welcome gift to Mrs. Everhart for our first meeting."
The bodyguard obeyed, reducing the photo to ashes.
Sarah turned back with a pleasant expression. "Let's play, Mrs. Everhart. No need to dwell on unpleasant memories. You mentioned Oliver being in prison—that doesn't affect our enjoyment. Men's affairs aren't our concern. We're here to play cards and perhaps share some gossip."
Calliope managed a strained smile.
The game began, with Calliope—distracted by the photograph incident—losing consistently.
Sarah won several hundred thousand dollars over four rounds, then graciously offered to return everyone's losses. The others accepted, but Calliope refused, her expression darkening.
After the other guests departed, only Sarah, Calliope, and their entourages remained in the mansion.
"Still claiming you didn't come to antagonize me?" Calliope asked bitterly. "This entire evening has been about my past. What exactly are you after?"
Zoey served tea, which Sarah accepted but didn't drink.
"Mrs. Everhart," Sarah said quietly, "if you hadn't made things difficult for me, I wouldn't need to make things difficult for you. Octavius may be riding high while my husband sits in prison, but I want you to understand—those compromising photos are just the beginning of what I possess."
She continued with steely resolve, "I won't release those photos. But if I don't meet with Octavius tonight, by dawn, I'll ensure the Everhart family joins Oliver in his downfall."
Calliope, not believing the threat, decided to call Sarah's bluff.
Sarah simply smiled coldly and turned to leave, her stiletto heels clicking sharply against the floor, her elegant profile illuminated by the chandelier light.
Panicking, Calliope blurted out, "Wait!"