Chapter 424 When It Comes to Ruthlessness, I Am Not One-Ten-Thousandth as Ruthless as You
Sarah's face was a picture of shock.
She stared at Oliver in disbelief.
It took her a moment to find her voice. "Oliver, you can't have forgotten how Lester's hand was ruined. You can't have forgotten that if you hadn't insisted on saving Ellie, Lester and his wife wouldn't have died so tragically, and Nicole wouldn't be an orphan. And now, you want to raise her and give her the Windsor name? Aren't you afraid that Lester and his wife will haunt you every night?"
"I haven't forgotten!" Oliver replied, his face expressionless as he stared straight ahead. "Maybe it's fate's way of making me compensate for Lester and his wife..."
Sarah interrupted him. "This isn't compensation! This is possession."
Her lips trembled uncontrollably.
Oliver didn't soften.
He knew Sarah would hate him, but he was willing to use such despicable means, even if it meant threatening her.
Sure enough, Sarah was utterly disappointed.
Back in Vesper City, he had been willing to kneel for Nicole, which had earned him some favor from her.
At that time, she thought,
He wasn't beyond redemption; he had a tender side.
But within days, he showed his true colors again.
Sarah's voice was filled with helplessness. "You haven't changed at all! You're still the same domineering, disrespectful Oliver!"
She choked up.
She didn't want to be alone with him, so she reached for the car door and got out.
Oliver didn't stop her.
It was evening, and the fiery red sun cast a dazzling light, turning the bustling traffic into a golden glow.
It also stung Oliver's eyes.
Sarah returned to the Moore Mansion.
As soon as the car stopped, a servant approached her. "Ms. Moore, Mr. Moore instructed that you go to the study as soon as you return."
Sarah nodded and walked towards the study.
Outside the study, she could hear voices inside, but couldn't make out what they were saying.
Sarah knocked on the door.
Inside, the study was filled with the aroma of tea. Jeremy was playing chess with Matthew on the small sofa, while Aaron watched and occasionally made a witty remark.
The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
Seeing Sarah enter, Jeremy immediately stood up.
He greeted her politely, his expression full of anticipation. He regretted their falling out and had come to the Moore family to start over with Sarah.
Sarah wasn't naive; she guessed his intentions.
The Moore family and the Lopez family had a long-standing relationship.
Matthew found it difficult to handle. He rubbed his chin and pretended to be troubled. "You young folks should talk alone! I have a lot of work to deal with."
Sarah didn't refuse.
As they left the study, the twilight had deepened, and Sarah's profile was bathed in a stunning orange glow.
Jeremy looked at her greedily.
He sincerely apologized to Sarah. "I was out of line last time. Sarah, I'm sorry! Considering how well we've gotten along over the past six months, I hope you'll reconsider our relationship and give me another chance... I'll do better in the future."
In the twilight, Sarah's expression was calm.
She smiled faintly. "Our breakup wasn't because of anything you did wrong. It's normal for you to think that way; most men do. But Nicole is a part of my life, and I can't give her up for a relationship... So, Mr. Lopez, the one who should apologize is I. I'm sorry."
Her rejection was very graceful.
Jeremy couldn't argue, but he didn't want to give up on Sarah. After their divorce, he had dated a few girls, but none were as gentle and lovely as Sarah, nor as beautiful.
He was about to speak.
Nicholas approached. He didn't look at Jeremy but spoke directly to Sarah. "Dinner's ready! Grandpa asked me to come get you."
Sarah nodded softly.
She said goodbye to Jeremy.
The Moore family didn't invite him to stay for dinner, and Jeremy didn't feel comfortable staying. He guessed that the Moore family was just being polite and not really trying to match him with Sarah, just being polite.
Jeremy left feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Nicholas watched his retreating figure and asked softly, "Don't you regret it? The Lopez family has a lot of influence in the cultural world, and Jeremy's future is promising."
Sarah walked alongside him.
After a moment, she replied softly, "No regrets. We're just not meant to be."
Nicholas smiled slightly.
After dinner, Sarah, burdened with thoughts, returned to her room alone.
She leaned against the door.
Her eyelashes lowered as she thought about Oliver and Nicole's illness.
She had been married to him,
She knew all too well how ruthless he could be!
If she didn't let him raise Nicole, he might really refuse to donate his bone marrow. He was the kind of person who wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. Sarah had suffered too much at his hands.
The moonlight was pale as water, and her eyes were filled with tears.
She didn't understand why he insisted on holding onto their past relationship when he had never cherished her when she was by his side.
Sarah didn't sleep well that night.
In the early hours, she finally closed her eyes and seemed to dream of Lester and his wife.
In the dream, Alyssa kept calling Lester's name.
In the dream, Alyssa came to the Moore Mansion and softly called Sarah's name. "Please take care of our child and raise her well. Lester and I will be forever grateful."
Sarah woke up with a start.
Her back was damp with cold sweat.
She couldn't fall back asleep.
Early in the morning, she went to the hospital, only to run into Dylan.
He was confronting Oliver at the end of the hallway.
Dylan grabbed Oliver by the collar, his voice restrained and controlled. "Oliver, will you only be satisfied if you drive her to death? What did she get from being with you for years? Illness, miscarriage, countless nights of tears. Sarah used to be so pure and sweet. Look at her now!"
"Yes! She's matured, she's elegant!"
"She's the kind of woman men like."
"But who forced her to grow up? Did she want to become like this? I'd rather she stayed by my side forever, and I'd take care of her for life."
"Taking Nicole away from her is like taking her life!"
Oliver shook off Dylan.
There was a hint of sadness in his eyes.
He knew he was despicable, but he was truly afraid. He feared that his body would collapse after the bone marrow transplant, that his life would be too short, that he wouldn't have time... time to properly say goodbye to Sarah.
Oliver smiled faintly.
He said, "You're right! I'm a despicable person who will stop at nothing to achieve my goals! But Dylan, are you any better? Did my sister suffer any less at your hands? Every action you took against the Windsor family pushed us to the brink."
He took a step back.
His expression was resolute. "If I don't get to raise Nicole, I won't donate the bone marrow! You know my character. If I can be ruthless to Sarah, what do you think I'll do to a child who isn't even related to me?"
Dylan sneered, ready to fight him.
Sarah spoke softly from the side, "Oliver, I agree!"
Oliver was stunned.
He turned to look at Sarah.
Her face was pale, and her expression was somewhat dazed. "Oliver, I agree! I agree to let you raise Nicole! Truly... when it comes to being ruthless, Oliver, I'm not even a fraction of what you are!"