Chapter 1
1017 Words
“Sarah, how did the blind date go?”
As soon as Sarah Mitchell stepped out of the car in front of the town office, her family surrounded her. Her mother, Karen, took her bag, brushed the dust off her shoulder, then shot a look at Sarah’s older brother. “Can’t you see how exhausted your sister is? She just got back, and you’re already pestering her with questions!”
Hearing her mother’s concern, Sarah’s expression softened a little. But as her eyes landed on her mother’s hopeful smile, her face tensed up again.
She was the family’s only daughter, cherished beyond measure. Beautiful, with fair skin, doe-like eyes, and a gentle smile, her delicate features made it hard for anyone to scold her.
Karen, sensing the answer, tried to ease the mood, saying, “It’s okay, Sarah. There’s no rush. There are plenty of good men out there. And if we don’t find the right one, we’ll just bring him into our family!”
“Don’t worry, sis,” her brothers chimed in. “If no one shows up, we’ll take care of you for the rest of your life.”
“Don’t worry, Aunt Sarah!” her mischievous nephew piped up. “If you’re still single when I grow up, I’ll marry you myself!” The neighbors watching nearby chuckled at his antics.
Sarah’s family’s devotion to her was famous in town, sparking constant gossip among the locals.
“Why is she still single with her looks?” one neighbor whispered.
“Don’t you know Sarah?” another joined in, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
“She’s the only daughter in the Mitchell family! Five brothers and two nephews, and all of them are wrapped around her little finger. She can do anything she wants.”
“And you’ve seen how pretty she is! Not to mention she’s been a top student since high school, with the principal calling her the brightest prospect in town. The only problem…”
“What problem?”
“Well, she’s stayed here her whole life because of her family. No one here feels good enough for her. Today’s date wouldn’t have happened if she weren’t so desperate.”
The gossiping crowd quieted down as Sarah, unable to take any more, took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the town office.
The jarring sound of the door startled the young female employees inside, who turned to look at her. Standing in the doorway, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, Sarah looked radiant. Dressed in a light blue sweater with a white scarf, her delicate features were striking, and her large eyes sparkled with barely concealed anger.
The employees exchanged glances, a few trying to act unfazed but failing to hide their mocking expressions. “What are you looking at? We’re just telling the truth!”
“Going on all these blind dates, and nobody wants her—she’s practically a leftover.”
Sarah was well-known in town, and her beauty only added to her reputation as the “golden bachelorette.” Wherever she went, people paid attention, often leaving other women feeling overshadowed. Over time, this built up resentment.
Seeing the cold smirks, Sarah suddenly calmed down. Pointing to herself, she said icily, “Are you all jealous of me?”
“Jealous? Jealous of your little man-hunting tricks?” one of the women sneered.
“What’s all this racket about?” A middle-aged woman entered the office, dressed in a tailored suit with a serious expression.
The young women instantly fell silent, with one quickly smiling obsequiously. “Director, what brings you here?”
The woman was Sarah’s aunt, Director Hannah, and also the organizer of the town’s dating events. Today’s meeting had been arranged by her.
Hannah gave Sarah a sympathetic look. “Sarah, come with me.”
She avoided the tension in the room and guided Sarah to her office.
The young women watched enviously as Sarah walked away, unable to hide their jealousy. Sarah glanced back at them with a playful smile, saying, “Sorry, I get to pick first. You all just keep waiting, okay?”
The remark left the other women fuming, their resentment only deepening.
Once inside Hannah’s office, Sarah let out a sigh of relief. Hannah handed her a cup of hot tea, patting her hand comfortingly. “Don’t worry, Sarah. Don’t be discouraged. You’ll find the right one soon.”
Sarah took a small sip of tea, her eyes reddening slightly. “Aunt Hannah, at the meeting today, he actually said out loud that if anyone dared to date me, he’d make them pay for it!”
Seeing her distress, Hannah’s face darkened. “Sarah, we can’t match his power.”
The man causing trouble for Sarah was Tom Richardson, a man of considerable influence in town. Despite his wealth, his temper and arrogance were well-known, and Sarah’s family had always disapproved of him. Yet the Mitchells had done everything in their power to keep him at bay.
Sarah lowered her eyes, looking down at her tea, and asked softly, “So, does that mean I have no choice but to marry him?”
Hannah gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and shook her head firmly. “Absolutely not! You can’t marry just anyone. You owe it to yourself and your future to be careful. Tom is no good, and I’ve found someone who can keep you safe.”
Sarah looked up in surprise, taking a steadying breath. “Who?”
“A man from the city, John Crawford. He’s respected in his company and has the means to protect you.”
Sarah hesitated. John was a divorced man with children, something she’d never imagined for herself. But given her current predicament, there weren’t many options.
Seeing her uncertainty, Hannah sighed. “Sarah, he’s the only one who can help.”
Thinking of her family’s sacrifices, Sarah nodded slowly, her mind made up. “Alright, I’ll meet him.”
Just then, a voice echoed in her mind—
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