Jeremy’s sudden seriousness had Madeline feeling a little nervous.“What’s wrong, Jeremy?”“Ryan must’ve told you about me joining the IBCI, right, Linnie?” he asked.Madeline nodded, her eyes swirling in heartache for him. “He told me how you went undercover to put Lana behind bars.”“Then did he tell you what my conditions for working with the IBCI were?” Jeremy’s gentle gaze fell on Madeline’s small face.That was something Madeline did not know.She replied frankly, “He didn’t tell me.”“Of course not.” A smudge of self-deprecating scoff appeared on Jeremy’s chiseled features.“Jeremy?”“I had just found out the situation I was in when they first found me. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to protect you or take care of you again, so I demanded that the IBCI provide full protection over you and the kids. Especially considering how Lana Johnson has no baselines.“That was my condition for joining the IBCI.”Madeline’s eyes immediately reddened as she heard him explain.
Ryan was shocked at Madeline’s sudden visit. “Did something happen, Eveline? How can I help you?”Madeline placed her compiled and signed divorce papers in front of Ryan.“I’ve already compiled the documents, Rye. You just need to sign at the bottom.” Madeline handed him a pen. “I’m grateful to the IBCI for taking care of their worker’s family. However, my family should be Jeremy.”Ryan’s calm features froze for a second.“Jeremy already told me that his condition for joining this international criminal investigation organization was for you to protect me and the kids.”Madeline watched Ryan’s face for any shift in expressions.“Marrying me must’ve been an order from your superior, and now that the mission is over, I think we should end this relationship that was never meant to be at all. Thank you for protecting us over the past half a year, Rye.” Ryan listened calmly and took the divorce papers in his hand.“There’s no way the mission can be considered over the moment feelin
Ava’s expression turned heavy, and it was the first time Madeline had ever seen such an ironic, exasperated, and lonely expression on her friend.Madeline thought about her parents and how they had also hurt her so harshly before.Still, blood was thicker than water.Not to mention that Eloise and Sean truly regretted and felt bad about their actions after. However, they were now…‘Mom and Dad.’Madeline’s eyes burned as she thought of her late parents.Ava looked up to meet Madeline’s reddened eyes and thought of Eloise and Sean as well. She quickly changed the subject. “Let’s not think about sad things anymore, okay, Maddie?“Didn’t you say you want to buy Ryan a birthday present? Let’s go pick something out from a branded store. I want to buy something for Dan as well.”Madeline snapped back to reality and stared at Ava with a serious look. “There’s no reason why any mother wouldn’t love their child, Ava.”“I know what you’re trying to say, Maddie. I also want to believe th
Naya slowly sat down and allowed the clerk to put her shoes on for her.Not wanting to waste her time on Naya, Ava turned to leave only for Naya to taunt again.“Are you leaving, Miss Long? Are the things here too expensive for you to buy? That’s fine. Daniel and I are great childhood friends. I can lend you money if you can’t afford them now. Don’t keep wearing fakes, alright? Just imagine how shameful it would be if someone found out.”Naya’s expression was one of arrogant superiority as she showed off the bracelet on her wrist.Watching Ava stare at her silently, Naya raised her wrist. “Isn’t this bracelet beautiful? I mean, of course, it is. It’s a six-figure bracelet, after all. This is a limited edition Miss L.ady bracelet from two years ago. Not even money can buy you one now.”Ava smiled and praised as she watched Naya brag. “No wonder it’s so beautiful. It’s Miss L.ady’s limited edition.”With her ego fed, Naya stood up and walked toward Ava with her shoes put on.“You’
What? Naya’s expression shifted like Christmas lights, turning red and green.She stared at Madeline in disbelief and finally understood why Madeline was so certain.In the meantime, gazes of shock and admiration began to fall on Madeline.“So this was Miss L.ady’s top designer. She’s so pretty, no wonder her designs are so well-liked.”“I’ve bought quite a few of her brand’s accessories too. They have quite unique designs.”“I bought a lot from them too, until they changed the designer. Then I stopped.”Ava was proud of her friend when she heard the comments.On the other hand, Madeline began to feel shy. “Lie low, Ava.”Ava shrugged and stared at Naya in exasperation. “It’s not my fault she started it.”“...” Naya’s lips twitched. She opened her mouth to protest as she felt that her image was beginning to shatter.“So what if you were Miss L.ady’s top designer? That doesn’t give you the right to defame me! My father’s a well-known businessman in Glendale. We aren’t even s
She had lost enough of her dignity with the bracelet she wore being discovered fake. To have her unable to write a check now would only make it worse.However, with how much she had spent recently, she already reached the limit with the checks and could not pay for the accessories!Seeing everyone waiting for her to write a check, Naya grew more embarrassed and pulled out her name card before throwing it at the clerk. “Come look for me here tomorrow. I didn’t bring my checkbook with me today!”Flushed, she picked up her purse and left. Naya glared at Ava and Madeline just as she walked past them. She warned the former, “Just you wait!”With Naya gone, Madeline and Ava immediately felt more relaxed.Naya was two completely different people in front of the Graham family and moments ago.“You’ve got to hold tight to Dan, Ava. This Naya seems difficult to deal with.” Madeline reminded kindly, for she could tell from Naya’s actions. “That bracelet too. She knew it was fake all along.”
Dazed, Madeline stared at the dark red spots of blood on the tissue. Oxygen suddenly felt scarce, and her vision darkened. She could not see anything at all. Before her was endless darkness and she felt it slowly suffocating her, numbing her senses.He had not recovered yet. There was still poison in his body.He lied to her.“Linnie.”Jeremy’s voice sounded from outside, snapping Madeline back to reality.She stood up, her hands and feet feeling cold. She stuffed the tissue into her pocket. Wiping the tears off the corner of her eyes, she forced herself to smile and walk down the stairs.Meeting her was Jeremy in the white T-shirt she had chosen for him. It fitted perfectly on the man’s body.He walked toward her and curled the corner of his lips. “How is it? Do I look okay?”Madeline stared deeply at the man in front of her. The faint smile he was wearing brought her back to years ago when they first knocked into each other on campus.It had been years, yet hints of the man’
By the empty riverbank stood Ryan in a black suit, quiet as he stared at the body of water before him. The man exuded an aura of elegance.Madeline had Jeremy wait in the car as she approached Ryan from behind with the cake in hand.“I’m here, Rye. How’s your leg doing?”Ryan slowly turned around.The setting sun shone behind the man. There was a cold and dangerous look between his defined brows that Madeline had never seen before. Still, he gave her a warm smile.“Happy birthday.” Madeline handed the cake over. “I couldn’t think of what expensive gift you would need from me, so I made you a cake instead.”“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it later.” Ryan took the cake and stared at it. “Could you open it and light a candle for me? I’d like to make a wish.”“Of course.” Madeline opened the box and pulled out a slender candle, poking it into the cake.She had not brought anything to light the candle, but Ryan pulled out a lighter from his pocket and lit it himself.The glow of the setting