Betrayed Spotlight
Chapter 18: Another terrible encounter

Chapter 18: Another terrible encounter

Sarah was exhausted after her photo shoot, but she didn’t want to go home yet. The house felt too quiet sometimes, and Mason was always working late. She decided to stop by the mall to do some shopping. Maybe she would find something nice to wear for her next interview.

The mall was busy with afternoon shoppers. Sarah liked walking around and looking at all the stores. It made her feel normal, like any other person just running errands. She had put on sunglasses and a baseball cap, hoping not to be recognized.

She was looking at some dresses in a boutique when someone bumped into her from behind.

"Oh, sorry," Sarah said, turning around. Her heart sank when she saw who it was.

"Well, well, well," Hannah said with a fake sweet smile. "If it isn’t my dear step-sister."

Sarah’s stomach twisted. Hannah was the last person she wanted to see today.

She was wearing an expensive white dress that showed off how skinny she was. Too skinny, Sarah thought. Hannah’s bones were sticking out in a way that didn’t look healthy.

"Hello, Hannah," Sarah said calmly. She tried to walk away, but Hannah stepped in front of her.

"Not so fast," Hannah said, her voice getting louder. "I want to talk to you."

Other shoppers were starting to look at them. Sarah didn’t want to cause a scene.

"What do you want, Hannah?" Sarah asked quietly.

"I want to know about your supposed marriage to Mason Liu."

"That’s none of your business."

Hannah laughed. It was a cold, mean sound. "Oh, but it is my business. You’re my sister, after all. I just want to make sure you’re not lying to people."

"I’m not lying about anything," Sarah said.

"Really?" Hannah looked Sarah up and down with disgust. "Because I find it hard to believe that someone like Mason Liu would actually marry someone like you."

Sarah felt her cheeks burn with anger. "Someone like me?"

"You know what I mean," Hannah said cruelly. "You’re not exactly his type. You’re too... much. Too loud, too common and a singer."

"I’m not going to do this with you, Hannah. Not here." Sarah said calmly and tried to side step her, but Hannah stopped her.

"Do what?" Hannah asked innocently. "I’m just concerned about you. What if people find out you’re lying? What if they realize you’re just pretending to be married to get famous?"

"I’m not pretending," Sarah said through gritted teeth.

"Prove it," Hannah challenged. "Show me your wedding ring. Show me something that proves you’re really married to Mason Liu."

Sarah looked down at her hands. Mason never gave her any ring.

Hannah saw her looking and smiled triumphantly. "No ring? How interesting."

"I took it off for work," Sarah said instead.

"Sure you did," Hannah said. "What about his credit card? Surely your loving husband gave you access to his money?"

A smug smile appeared on Sarah’s face. "Actually," she said, pulling out the card, "he did."

She waved it in Hannah’s face. The black card gleamed under the store lights. Mason had imprinted Sarah’s name on it earlier. Sarah Liu.

Hannah’s eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed with suspicion.

"Anyone can get a fake card made," Hannah said loudly. "Especially someone desperate enough to lie about being married."

"It’s not fake," Sarah said, but she could see people starting to stare at them.

"I think you’re lying," Hannah said, her voice getting even louder. "I think you stole that card. I think you’re a thief."

"What?" Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. "Hannah, stop this right now."

But Hannah was just getting started. She turned to the other shoppers who were watching them.

"This woman is using a stolen credit card," Hannah announced. "Someone needs to call security."

"Hannah,," Sarah called her stupid sister’s name. How could anyone just steal such a credit card. Was Hannah that daft?

"You’ve always been jealous of me, Sarah. Always trying to take what’s mine. Now you’re stealing credit cards and pretending to be married to rich men."

The store manager, a young man who looked nervous, came over to them.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked.

"Yes," Hannah said before Sarah could speak. "This woman is trying to use a stolen credit card. I’m her sister, and I know she doesn’t have this kind of money."

The manager looked confused. He glanced at Sarah, and she could see recognition in his eyes. He knew she was famous, but he seems to not know about her marriage to Mason.

"Ma’am," the manager said to Sarah, "can you show me some ID to prove this card belongs to you?"

Sarah pulled out her driver’s license. It still had her old name on it - Sarah Chen, not Sarah Liu.

The manager looked at the ID, then at the credit card. "The names don’t match," he said.

"Because I just got married," Sarah explained. "I haven’t had time to update my license yet."

"She’s lying," Hannah said dramatically. "She stole that card from Mason Liu. She’s obsessed with him. She probably broke into his house or something."

"That’s ridiculous," Sarah said, but she could see doubt in the manager’s eyes.

"I think we should call the police," the manager said uncertainly.

"No, wait," Sarah said, she remained calm. "Just call Mason. He’ll explain everything."

"Call Mason Liu?" Hannah laughed. "Right. Like he would answer the phone for someone like you."

More people were gathering now, watching the drama unfold.

"Please," Sarah said to the manager. "Just give me a chance to prove I’m telling the truth." She knew what it meant to be accused of theft and she didn’t want anymore scandals. The media didn’t care if it was true or false.

But Hannah wasn’t done. Suddenly, her eyes filled with tears. Her whole expression changed from mean to hurt and vulnerable.

"Sarah," Hannah said in a broken voice, "why are you being so mean to me? I’m just trying to help you. Stealing is bad. Dad would be disappointed."

The tears started falling down Hannah’s cheeks. She looked small and fragile in her white dress.

"I’ve always loved you like a real sister," Hannah continued, her voice shaking. "But you’ve always been so cruel to me. You’ve always hated me because I’m successful too."

Sarah stared at Hannah in shock. The performance was incredible. Hannah looked like an innocent victim being attacked by a cruel bully.

"Hannah, stop acting," Sarah said firmly.

"Acting?" Hannah sobbed. "You’re calling me a liar now? In front of all these people?"

The crowd was clearly on Hannah’s side now. A thin, crying girl versus a taller woman who was being accused of theft. Sarah could see the judgment in their eyes.

Sarah’s heart sank even further as Daniel supushed through the people.

Daniel immediately went to Hannah and wrapped his arms around her.

"It’s okay, baby," he said softly, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "I’m here now."

"Sarah, why would you bully your own sister and make her feel worthless?"

"I did no such thing," Sarah said.

"Oh really?" Daniel asked. "You’re doing it right now. Making her cry in public, embarrassing her. You’re heartless, Sarah."

"I’m heartless?" Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. "T

"Yes."

Sarah looked at Daniel holding Hannah, and something inside her snapped. All the hurt and anger she had been holding back came rushing out.

"Oh, I see what this is," Sarah said with a grin. "You’re a simp, Daniel."

The crowd gasped. Daniel’s face turned red with anger.

"What did you just call me?"

"You heard me," Sarah said, her voice getting stronger. "You’re simping for my sister because you’re pathetic. You don’t even know what really happened, but you’re taking her side because she’s putting on a show."

"That’s enough," the manager said nervously. "I’m calling the police."

"Good," Hannah said through her tears. "Call them. Maybe they can talk some sense into her."

Sarah watched as the manager pulled out his phone. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Her own step-sister was trying to get her arrested for using her own husband’s credit card.

The minutes felt like hours as they waited for the police. The crowd stayed to watch the drama. Some people had their phones out, probably recording everything. Sarah knew this would be all over social media within hours.

When the police officers finally arrived, Sarah took a deep breath.

Since Hannah loved to play the pity card, then she would teach her how it was done.

"What seems to be the problem here?" the first officer asked.

"This woman is using a stolen credit card," Hannah said immediately. "She’s pretending to be married to Mason Liu, but it’s all lies."

The officer looked at Sarah. "Ma’am, can you explain your side?"

Sarah took a deep breath, sniffing. "That’s my husband’s credit card. My name is on it. These people are just trying to cause trouble."

"Your husband?" the officer asked. "Mason Liu?"

"Yes," Sarah said.

The officer exchanged glances with his partner. Sarah could tell they didn’t believe her.

"We’re going to need you to come with us," the second officer said, reaching for his handcuffs.

"Wait," Sarah said l. "Let’s call Mason. He’ll explain everything."

"Ma’am, please don’t make this harder than it needs to be," the first officer said.

The officer reached out to grab her, that’s when she heard a cold voice that made her heart skip a beat.

"And what do you think you’re trying to do?"

Everyone turned to see the source of the voice, only to see Mason standing at the edge of the crowd. He was wearing a dark suit and his expression was thunderous. His eyes swept over the scene - the police officers, the crowd, Hannah crying in Daniel’s arms, and Sarah standing there looking devastated.

The entire mall seemed to go quiet.

Sarah had never been so happy to see anyone in her entire life.

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