Chapter 60

**Sarah**

I accompanied Philip to Serenity Pines Estate.

Philip had rearranged our meeting schedule due to our shared involvement in investigating the tragic fire that had engulfed the witch's residence. As we arrived, I noticed two investigators at the villa engaged in a tense conversation with Megan.

Megan's surprise was palpable as her eyes met mine, a flicker of disbelief crossing her features. Clearly, she hadn't anticipated my presence at the villa, and the realization seemed to catch her off guard.

"It's you! You're the reason my home burned down!" she immediately yelled at me.

'Whaaat?! Is she serious? What did I do?'

I responded calmly, "Megan, be careful with your accusations. Remember, I can sue you for defamation. And are you absolutely certain that I'm the one responsible for the fire at your villa?"

"Of course! No one else would do that to me but you!" she snapped back.

"Megan, don't just accuse Sarah," Philip interjected.

The woman's teeth clenched and her fist tightened, a testament to her frustration, mainly since it was Philip who stood in defense of me.

"Calm down, Ms. Thompson. We're here to investigate what happened," one investigator explained before turning to me. "Ms. Mitchell, it's good that you're here. This item was found in a public restroom and was reported to us because it seemed suspicious."

His colleague placed a bag on the table and opened it, revealing a short wig, glasses, and a familiar-looking dress. It was my dress from the days when Philip and I were still bound in marriage. The garment had remained stored in the wardrobe, untouched for a considerable duration.

"Are these familiar to you?" the second investigator asked.

"Aside from the dress, the wig and sunglasses are unfamiliar," I replied.

"Sarah is the owner of this dress," Philip stated.

I noticed Megan's smirk, fueling my suspicion that she was involved in the fire at her home.

The investigators exchanged glances before one of them addressed me, saying, "Ms. Mitchell, we've conducted a preliminary investigation and interviewed the group responsible for burning Ms. Thompson's villa. They claim this is what the person who hired them was wearing."

Philip's expression darkened as he inquired, "Did you show them Sarah's picture? Did they confirm it?"

I'm uncertain about what indeed occupied his thoughts.

The second investigator responded, "Unfortunately, they couldn't get a good look at their client because they were concealed behind a wig and sunglasses."

Another investigator chimed in, adding,  "Ms. Mitchell, we've discovered this dress is couture, custom-made to fit you perfectly. It's a unique piece, tailored specifically for you."

"But it's conceivable that someone took this dress from my dresser," I argued. "I haven't resided permanently at Serenity Pines Estate for a year now, and even during Philip and my marriage, there were frequent visitors."

Philip interjected in my defense, "Gentlemen, consider this: there are household staff who clean the villa. It's plausible that someone took the dress to frame my wife. We can't even be certain if Sarah is the mastermind, as the group you apprehended doesn't recognize their employer."

"Philip, are you insinuating negligence in managing the villa? That's the only explanation for how someone could have stolen Sarah's dress!" Megan retorted.

"Indeed, and that's precisely why you're here, Megan," I provoked, feeling the need to confront her.

She bristled, demanding, "You-! What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Megan, I heard that your deceased helper was the one from Cornell Mansion," I stated.

Megan cleared her throat, visibly tense. "And what of it? Is it my crime to employ someone associated with the Cornells?"

"Gentlemen, it's a well-known fact that workers from Cornell Mansion frequently tend to the upkeep of Serenity Pines. It's conceivable that one of them might have accessed my wardrobe and falsely implicated me as the patron of the group responsible for the tragic events at Megan's home. I'd stake my life on the certainty that I'm innocent," I declared.

"That's impossible! You're angry at me, Sarah!" Megan's voice rang out in disbelief.

"Megan, I'm not angry at you," I assured her, my voice catching as I feigned tears.  "Gentlemen, I even extended the courtesy of allowing Ms. Thompson to reside in my villa." I lamented. How could she accuse me of such a grievous deed?"

"Ms. Mitchell, are you the owner of this property?"

"Yes! Philip gave this to me as part of alimony," I casually said. "Aren't you surprised? Ms. Thompson is accusing me of burning her house while she lives here in my villa. Surely, no one in her right mind would do such a thing if she suspects someone!"

Megan cleared her throat. I sensed her panic. "T-this is not part of your alimony? Philip?"

"Megan, you and Mom were both present when I made it clear that Sarah was the rightful owner of this villa. You heard me say it; you were part of that conversation," Philip clarified, his gaze sharpening with suspicion. It was evident that he, too, harbored doubts about Megan's claims.

"N-no! What I mean-"

"In that case, I must ask you to leave, Megan. I'm so hurt" I cried dramatically. "I opened my home to you, Megan. I trusted you. And now, to be accused in such a way... it's simply heartbreaking. How could you, Megan? How could you?"

The scoundrel came up to me and pulled me into a hug. "Hey, babe, don't cry Maybe you're just freaking out a bit about asking Megan to leave. She doesn't have anywhere else to crash."

I whispered, ensuring only Philip could hear me. "Please, let go of me. I don't need your comfort."

But he persisted, tightening his grip. As I glanced at Megan, her jealousy was palpable. It was evident in her eyes that she harbored ill will towards me, glaring daggers as Philip held me close.

"Ms. Mitchell, please compose yourself. We're examining every possibility, including other potential adversaries of Ms. Thompson," one of the investigators interjected, trying to calm the situation.

With tears still streaming down my face, I addressed the investigators, "But I haven't done anything, Sir. I'm only twenty-two and innocent! Just because I'm in a May-December relationship with my husband doesn't mean I would resort to arson against Megan's villa."

The brute clenched his jaw, his words a low growl, "Did you just insult my age? I'm not old!"

I brushed off his comment and turned back to the investigator. "When did they claim I met with the individuals who set fire to Megan's villa?"

"Yesterday morning, after Ms. Thompson visited you in the neighboring villa," came the reply.

"I didn't leave my villa all day, gentlemen. You can review my home surveillance footage; I was there the entire time."

"But surveillance can be manipulated!" Megan interjected, her voice sharp with accusation.

"It wasn't me. There's one more thing to consider-the yellow dress. I've been wearing black for months and never worn anything bright yellow."

Megan pursed her lips, seemingly caught off guard, leaving me to wonder if she was losing her grip on reality or simply oblivious to my recent preference for black attire during our encounters.

"Ah, but that's your dress!" she exclaimed.

"Yet that doesn't mean I'll be donning it," I countered, flashing a mischievous grin at Megan. "Much like this villa, I may be the owner, but you're the one residing here. Perhaps you were also the one who donned the dress?"

Megan's anger flared. "How utterly despicable! Are you suggesting I would set fire to my villa? Philip?"

Philip sought to soothe her. "Megan, Sarah's merely jesting. You're still welcome here, of course; don't worry."

Approaching, Alex handed the investigator a USB. "Here's the surveillance footage I managed to retrieve. It appears the maid who recently went abroad was the culprit behind Madam Sarah's missing dress."

"There's evidence?" All eyes turned to Megan, who tearfully muttered, "How could that woman set fire to my villa?"

As Megan's accusations shifted in light of the new evidence, I couldn't shake the suspicion of her involvement in the unfolding events. Yet, her motive concerning the deceased maid remained unclear.

Yet, my concern for Megan had dwindled to apathy. Her actions and motives were beyond my control, so I avoided her drama.

Heading to the kitchen for water, I discovered broken items strewn about, likely the result of her inability to accept Philip's presence with me last night. Disgusted, I shook my head. Peering out of a small window, I spotted Josh, the bodyguard, walking towards the back of the villa.

My wariness heightened, and I headed to the bathroom, hoping the small window there might reveal Josh's intentions.

I was incredulous at what I heard.