Chapter 3: The Truth She Could Never Prove

Sabrina looked at the prison records scattered across the coffee table.

Every page reminded her of the nightmare she had desperately tried to forget.

She slowly looked up at Sebastian.

"I didn't do it," she said quietly.

Sebastian's expression remained unreadable.

"Everyone says that."

"I know."

"But I'm telling you the truth."

He crossed his arms.

"Then explain why you were sentenced to two years in prison."

Sabrina took a deep breath.

"I was framed."

Sebastian let out a cold laugh.

"Framed?"

"That's a convenient excuse."

"It's the truth."

"Can you prove it?"

She lowered her eyes.

"No."

"Then your truth means nothing."

His words cut deeper than any knife.

She had already lost everything because nobody believed her.

Now even her husband refused to trust her.

Arthur entered the living room just as the atmosphere became unbearably tense.

"What's going on?"

Neither of them answered.

Arthur noticed the prison documents immediately.

"Sebastian."

"My office. Now."

Reluctantly, Sebastian followed his grandfather upstairs.

Arthur closed the study door.

"Did you investigate her yourself?"

"No."

"Then why are you judging her based on someone else's report?"

"The court judged her."

"Courts make mistakes."

"Grandfather..."

"Listen to me."

Arthur's voice became unusually serious.

"I chose Sabrina because I know something you don't."

"One day you'll understand."

"Until then, I expect you to treat her with respect."

Sebastian frowned.

"What are you hiding from me?"

"Not hiding."

"Protecting."

"From what?"

"The truth."

Arthur refused to say another word.

Downstairs, Sabrina quietly cleaned the untouched tea cups.

She had grown used to doing housework.

Keeping busy was easier than crying.

One of the maids approached her cautiously.

"Young Madam..."

"Yes?"

"Don't be upset."

"Young Master wasn't always like this."

"He's carrying many burdens."

Sabrina forced a small smile.

"Everyone has burdens."

"Some people just hide them better."

Late that afternoon, Sebastian left for the company.

The mansion finally became quiet.

Arthur invited Sabrina to play chess in the garden.

"Your mother taught you?" he asked after watching her make a clever move.

She nodded.

"She said chess teaches patience."

"She was right."

Arthur smiled warmly.

"You're very much like her."

Sabrina looked surprised.

"You knew my mother?"

Arthur realized he had said too much.

"Only a little."

"She was a kind woman."

"How did you know her?"

Arthur simply smiled.

"We'll talk about it another day."

Sabrina became increasingly confused.

Why did everyone seem to know secrets about her life except herself?

That evening, Sebastian attended an executive meeting.

The conference room fell silent when his assistant entered hurriedly.

"Mr. Ford."

"We've identified the person who leaked the confidential files."

"Who?"

"Someone from the legal department."

"Bring him in."

An employee was escorted into the room.

Terrified, he immediately fell to his knees.

"Mr. Ford, please forgive me!"

"Someone paid me."

"Who?"

"I...I don't know his name."

"He contacted me anonymously."

"How much?"

"One hundred thousand dollars."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed.

"What else did he ask you to do?"

The employee hesitated.

"Speak!"

"He also wanted me to investigate your wife."

Sebastian's face darkened.

"My wife?"

"Yes."

"He specifically wanted her prison records."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

For the first time, Sebastian realized someone else was interested in Sabrina.

It couldn't be a coincidence.

Back at the mansion, Sabrina was organizing her small suitcase.

She owned almost nothing.

A few old clothes.

A faded photograph of her mother.

And one worn-out diary.

She carefully opened the diary.

Inside was her mother's handwriting.

"No matter what happens, never hate yourself for other people's sins."

Tears slowly filled Sabrina's eyes.

"Mom..." she whispered.

"I miss you so much."

Just then, a photograph slipped out from between the pages.

It landed on the floor.

Sabrina bent down to pick it up.

Her breathing suddenly stopped.

The old photograph showed her mother standing beside a younger Arthur Ford.

They were smiling together.

"Grandpa... knew my mother..."

"But why?"

Before she could think further, someone knocked on her bedroom door.

"Young Madam," the butler called urgently.

"Chairman Arthur has suddenly collapsed."

"The doctors say it's very serious."

Sabrina immediately ran downstairs.

Arthur lay unconscious on the sofa while doctors surrounded him.

Sebastian arrived moments later.

"Grandpa!"

The old man slowly opened his eyes.

His trembling hand reached toward Sabrina instead of Sebastian.

"Child..."

"There's... something... I must tell you..."

Before he could finish speaking, the heart monitor suddenly began beeping wildly.

The doctors rushed forward.

"Chairman is going into cardiac arrest!"

"Everyone, move back!"