Chapter 4 The Outsider

Sarah said, "No. I just found out being healthier is more beautiful."

Soon enough, Sarah paid for her "health." 

The original Sarah's body was weakened from excessive dieting. After eating a bit more today, Sarah ended up with gastroenteritis and had to be hospitalized.

Butler Ted was genuinely worried about Lady coming back home. Mr. Holden might not have shown it at the moment, but it didn't mean he was genuinely patient. If an "outsider" disturbed him long enough, he would genuinely get angry.

After Sarah was discharged from the hospital, Butler Ted logically took her back to the Brown family, leaving them to look after her.

Sarah's parents had divorced when she was one year old. Mr. Brown remarried quickly and had another daughter with his new wife, naming her Viola Brown.

Viola was furious that Sarah had married Holden Smith, a man she admired but who had no interest in her.

Sarah, at least, was a pretty trophy wife, while Viola wasn't even that.

Viola flashed a sweet smile at Butler Ted. "Don't worry, Butler Ted. Since my brother-in-law is busy with work and can't look after my big sister, I'll take good care of her."

Butler Ted nodded. "Thank you, Miss Viola."

"It's no trouble at all," Viola said, continuing her act. "My big sister has always been delicate. I've always been willing to work hard and look after her."

Sarah smirked. "Wow, you're such a good kid."

Pretending not to hear the sarcasm, Viola asked, "When will brother-in-law come to our house? Will he come to take sister back once she's better?"

Butler Ted replied, "Young Master is really busy with work. Lady, if you need anything, you can call me."

As soon as Butler Ted left, Viola started pestering Sarah.

"Sis, I want this limited edition dress. It's only 480,000 dollars. Can you transfer 500,000 dollars to me?" Viola showed her a photo on her phone.

Sarah crossed her arms. "Do I look like 500,000 dollars to you?"

Viola was momentarily stunned.

Sarah's parents had divorced when she was young, and Viola's mother had joined the family early on. Sarah had always seen herself as part of the family. Despite being neglected, isolated, and even bullied, she never blamed anyone else. She always thought it was her fault, and she worked hard to please her father, stepmother, and stepsister.

So, even being married off to Holden as an ATM, she felt she was finally contributing to the family. Holden had money, so she thought it was fine to spend his money and use his cards.

During her school years, Ronald's kindness was one of the few warm memories she had.

Sarah, as the original character in the novel, was harsh and scheming toward the heroine Elisa but never mistreated the Brown family or Ronald.

Viola was embarrassed but hid it well. To get money from Sarah, she maintained her act. "It's just 500,000 dollars, big sister. The Smith family is so rich, you wouldn't mind giving me some, right?"

Sarah smiled. "You're smart, but you guessed wrong."

Viola flaunted various designer clothes to impress her friends, all funded by the original Sarah.

She would take Sarah's money and then complain to her friends about how Sarah didn't deserve her brother-in-law and was lucky to have married him.

The original Sarah always tried to please the family, but Sarah wouldn't.

This ungrateful little parasite wanted 500,000 dollars? Let her try earning that money on her own.

Viola didn't understand why Sarah suddenly changed. She bit her lip and said, "Fine, if you won't give it to me, I don't care anyway!"

Viola quickly ran to Sarah's stepmother, Monica Garcia, to tattle.

Monica had disliked Sarah ever since she married into the family. But she loved Sarah's father, Mr. Brown. If she didn't love Mr. Brown, how could she volunteer to be his mistress even before he divorced?

Sarah had always been pretty, no matter how much Monica dressed her in drab clothes and put Viola in the most expensive outfits, Sarah still looked like a porcelain doll, attracting sympathy.

When they first heard that the Smith family wanted to marry into the Brown family, Monica and Mr. Brown were ecstatic.

The Brown family had money, but their business had been struggling recently. The Smith family was a top-tier family, far above the Browns, even at their peak.

The idea that such a family wanted to marry into theirs was unbelievable!

Monica hurriedly dressed up her biological daughter Viola, making her look as pretty as possible. But the Smiths had no interest in Viola.

Butler Ted saw it clearly. His master wanted a beautiful, unobtrusive trophy wife. Viola wasn't pretty enough and seemed too clingy, which would surely annoy him.

After Sarah married into the Smith family, Monica and Viola were furious. They tried to squeeze money out of Sarah while encouraging her to chase her "true love." 

Everyone knew Sarah had someone else in her heart... including her husband.

Sarah had barely eaten anything due to her gastroenteritis. Now back home, she made herself a bowl of porridge, sat on the couch, and slowly ate while watching TV.

Monica looked at her stepdaughter and felt that something had changed about her.

Monica approached and asked, "Sarah, how are things with Ronald lately?"

"Ronald?" Sarah responded.

Monica nodded, "I know marrying the top billionaire isn't easy. You must have had a tough time with the Smiths. Ronald is a good boy; I still like him!"

Even though Monica was Sarah's stepmother, Sarah had called her "Mom" since they had lived together from a young age.

Sarah ignored her and continued eating her porridge. She wasn't working now. After studying abroad, she initially joined the Brown family's company. But after marrying Holden and receiving a hefty monthly allowance, she quit her job and spent her days scheming against the heroine Elisa.

Sarah wanted to do something of her own.

Seeing that Sarah ignored her, Monica said, "Oh, acting all high and mighty now, can't even talk to your own mom?"

"You're blocking my view," Sarah said coldly. "If you like Ronald so much, go find him. I'm married and need to keep my distance from men with girlfriends."

Monica was stunned. Hearing this from Sarah was shocking.

Sarah had always felt guilty for leaving Ronald to study abroad, thinking she betrayed her true love. Even after marrying, she still pined for Ronald.

Later, when Mr. Brown came home for dinner, he found the atmosphere different.

During dinner, Monica and Viola sat next to Mr. Brown, the three of them looking like a perfect family, chatting warmly. Monica served food to Viola and Mr. Brown, saying affectionate things.

Sarah sat alone in the corner, ignored by everyone, as if she didn't belong to this family at all.

Sarah smirked. She felt some of the things the original Sarah did were wrong, but the original Sarah was also a pitiful figure. For a small bit of warmth in her youth, she ended up in ruins and met a tragic end.

Viola spoke to Mr. Brown, sounding a bit aggrieved. "Dad, I asked my sister to buy me a dress, but she wouldn't."

Mr. Brown frowned deeply. "Sarah, Viola is your little sister. What's the problem with buying her a dress?"