“You don’t need to thank me. It’s a pleasure to be the person you want to rely on.”His gaze reminded her of the night, gentle and deep.“I want to be the first person you think of when you find yourself in danger and in need of help.”“...”Madeline had no idea how to reply, but the look in his eyes was sincere.It was evident that his feelings for her were no longer as simple as him ‘fancying’ her.Still, Madeline did not find Ryan suitable for herself. She had three kids, was married twice, and got divorced twice.As if sensing the awkwardness Madeline felt, Ryan smiled and changed the subject.“Let’s go eat dinner. I’ve booked a place.”Madeline nodded, internally thanking Ryan for realizing and changing the subject.On the other end, Lana threw her phone with the newly acquired picture at Naomi.A magnified image of Ryan holding a frightened Madeline just moments ago appeared before Naomi’s eyes.She remembered how much she wanted to kill this idiot when Jeremy had alm
Staring at Ryan’s outstretched hand, Madeline could not help but think of Jeremy.Just what did she need to do to completely cut this man out of her mind and life?Was she supposed to throw herself into a new feeling?“Life is hardly ever smooth-sailing, Eveline. Give yourself a chance to start over, and give the people who care about you a chance as well.”Ryan reached out to Madeline.However, before his hand could touch her, a mocking voice sounded in the air.“Tsk. There are so many guests waiting for you outside, Miss Montgomery, and you still have the time to waste it flirting with a man over here? I should’ve known that charity is always done for the sake of image.”Madeline and Ryan looked up to see Lana approaching them in a seductive evening gown.Standing beside her was Jeremy Whitman.Madeline had not seen the man again after she decisively broke it off with Jeremy by the seaside in April Hill.Yet here he was, attending the charity gala with Lana on his arm.Mad
Madeline remained cool. “Something must’ve happened in the middle. Don’t fret, I’ll go take a look.”Ryan followed after. “I’ll come with you, Eveline.”“Alright.” Madeline turned around.She had just taken a few steps when Eve from the jewelry department rushed over frantically with a shout. “Ms. Montgomery! Something bad has happened!”Madeline could guess that Eve was referring to the funds, but with Eve shouting, everyone in the banquet hall turned to look.“What happened?” someone asked curiously.Madeline was about to placate the guests when Eve frantically replied, “Someone stole from the charity funds, Ms. Montgomery. 30 million dollars have vanished into mid-air.”“What? Someone stole from the charity funds?”“How could such a thing happen?”“We have to find out who did it. How could someone be so heartless as to steal from funds raised for charity?”The guests were shocked and furious.Jeremy and Lana had just returned to the banquet hall when they watched the scen
Everyone in the banquet hall turned to look at Madeline.Suspicious and doubtful gazes roamed over her.“She was the one who stole the money?”“No wonder her worker came to stop her from calling the police. They were all in on it.”“I can’t say that I’m surprised, but I never expected this from Mr. Montgomery’s daughter, of all people. What a disgrace. How is he and Mrs. Montgomery supposed to rest in peace?” Hearing such disdainful comments, Madeline felt fury rise within her. Yet, she forced herself to keep her cool.However, she could no longer stand hearing people involve Sean and Eloise’s names.“30 million is nothing to me. Do tell why I would risk my reputation for such a small amount?” Madeline asked back, turning to that person in charge. “Nothing happened to my personal account, so there’s no way 30 million could’ve been transferred from the company’s account.”“Are you still going to deny it, Ms. Montgomery?” she sneered at Madeline, “It’s not my first time here. I
“You stole my fiancé, you wh*re!”Naomi slandered Madeline with horrid vulgarities. Her hatred for Madeline was evident from the look in her eyes.Ryan frowned and pulled Madeline behind him. “It’s no one else’s fault that we broke up, Naomi Lionel! You were the one who revealed how heinous a woman you were. I refuse to date a person like you, let alone get married to you.”Naomi continued to rage as her eyes fell on Madeline’s hand in Ryan’s and how he was defending her. “What’s wrong with a woman like me? How am I worse than this b*tch? She just got divorced and she’s already your girlfriend? That just means that you’ve been together before she got divorced!“Hmph! She acts like this dignified and kind lady when in truth, she’s the kind who’d even steal from charity funds! Eveline Montgomery, you’re nothing but a fake b*tch!”Ryan, who was rarely angered, was now enraged.However, Madeline held him back and replied calmly, “Ryan and I are an upright couple, Naomi. Don’t just
Lana’s expression shifted, and her heart grew uneasy.No way.Her plan was sound, and she had even used cash when she bribed Eve. How could she have miscalculated?Lana thought that Madeline was bluffing.She could not help but fan the flames. “Your accomplice has already admitted it, Eveline. There’s no use in arguing.”Madeline knew then that Lana was the person behind this entire play.However, she was Eveline Montgomery, not Madeline Crawford. There was no way she would just forgive and forget when someone was trying to frame her.“You’re right, there’s no use in arguing at all. Which is why I’m calling the police.” Madeline pulled out her phone and made a report in front of everyone.Still sitting on the floor, Eve’s eyes flashed to Lana before she quickly got up to keep acting. “You can’t call the police! How could you set me up, Eveline? You were the one who said you’d keep me safe even if they found out. How could you—”Instead of getting angry, Madeline smiled and con
The crowd began to berate her, saying, “How vile must you be to steal from the charity funds? She has to spend at least a few years in jail for this!”A few years? In jail?Eve’s heart raced at the words and she asked in disbelief as Madeline walked past, “Did you admit it, Eveline Montgomery?”Madeline halted to shrug hopelessly at Eve. “You already identified me, didn’t you? What more can I deny?”“...” Eve was stunned by Madeline’s expression of acceptance.Staring at Eve’s conflicted expression, Madeline continued, “Although the police did say that they haven’t found any evidence that I was the one who instructed you, so I might not be charged in the end. I’ll be out in a few days, but I can’t say the same for you…”Madeline paused intentionally as she stared at Eve’s frantic expression meaningfully.“The police found camera footage of you transferring the funds, so you most definitely would be charged. The transfer is quite the amount, so you might spend at least a decade i
Feeling the suspicious gazes of those around her falling on her, Lana knew that she could not run. Instead, she put on a wronged and lost expression.“I don’t even know you, miss. Please don’t accuse me of something I didn’t do!”“What do you mean you don’t know me? You were the one who waited by my office last Friday and called after me! You were the one who told me to work together!” Eve accused, getting progressively frustrated. “You were just using me to deal with Eveline Montgomery, weren’t you? How could you be so sinister?”Hearing this, Madeline turned to whisper to her secretary, Coco, who was standing by her side.Coco nodded and quickly walked off.Madeline looked up to stare at Lana but found her eyes landing on Jeremy who was standing behind the woman instead.Their eyes met and Madeline coldly averted her gaze.Lana’s composure had completely fallen apart by now as she glared at Eve to tell her to shut up. It only enraged Eve further.“What are you glaring at me f