“Hmm? He’s still alive after losing so much blood? What an extraordinary body he has there.” Ryan’s words dripped with sarcasm. Madeline’s breathing grew erratic. Jeremy lost a lot of blood? How could that be? “Now that I think about it, he’s still fine even after being tormented by the poison for so long. Huh. Jeremy Whitman sure is determined.” Ryan’s voice drifted over. “But so what if he’s durable and strong-willed? As long as Eveline Montgomery is by my side, he will never live his life in peace.” Ryan Jones! Madeline clenched her jaw as her detest for this horrible and scheming man grew. Still, just what happened to Jeremy? Why did he lose so much blood? Madeline was worried. Coincidentally, she heard Ryan asking the other person on the line, “Which hospital is Jeremy at? Kindred? Alright.” Then, Madeline heard Ryan’s footsteps approaching the door. She did not linger any longer and walked toward the staircase where she saw Sean. “Dad.” Madeline intentionall
The driver turned to look at the rear-view mirror and panicked when he saw Madeline clutching her stomach with her brows furrowed painfully. “Where does it hurt, Eveline? Tell Dad,” Sean grabbed Madeline’s shoulder and asked nervously. Madeline bit her lip at the pain. “I don’t know. My stomach just hurts.” “Is there a hospital nearby? Quick, go to the hospital!” Sean’s eyes were filled with worry as he ordered the driver. “Kindred Hospital is nearby. I’ll bring you there!” The driver quickly turned the car around without a moment’s hesitation. Madeline leaned against Sean’s shoulder as mirth flashed through her seemingly tired eyes. The car drove into the hospital, and upon arriving, Sean carried Madeline out of the car. Then, he called out to Eloise. “There are a lot of people in the hospital, Ellie. Follow behind me, okay? Don’t walk too far.” Sean requested, afraid that Eloise would get lost with her current mental state. “I won’t run off. I’m right behind you.” Elo
“Linnie?” Jeremy was stunned and elated. He reached for Madeline instinctively, but he had only taken a step when he realized how much the injury on his calf hurt. Madeline’s heart lurched the same time Jeremy frowned at the pain. “Jeremy!” She ran toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging the man before he lost his balance and fell. “Am I dreaming, Linnie?” Jeremy lifted Madeline’s head by her chin, his deep eyes reflecting her enchanting appearance. Madeline shook her head. “You’re not dreaming, Jeremy. It’s me.” Jeremy’s knitted brows relaxed. He forgot about Eloise’s presence as his eyes were solely fixed on Madeline. Staring at her lovingly, he leaned down to capture her lips with a deep kiss. Stunned, Madeline closed her eyes reflexively and returned his gentle kiss… Embarrassed, Eloise turned around and walked to the door at the sight. She looked back again to see Madeline and Jeremy still holding each other intimately before she looked ar
The last thing Madeline expected was for Ryan to suddenly appear before her eyes. He clearly said that he had something to do. That was why he called the driver to send them out instead, so why was he here now? Ryan’s thin lips curled into a smile as he watched the colors drain from Madeline’s face. “You must be surprised, aren’t you?” He smiled. “I’m surprised too. Who would’ve thought that you’d be so smart?” “Ryan!” Jeremy ignored his injuries and rushed to stand in front of Madeline, suppressing the pain from his wounds as he protected her behind him. His sharp eagle-like eyes bore into Ryan. “Fight me like a man. Don’t threaten me with my wife’s safety.” “Your wife?” Ryan scoffed, his tone mocking. “You must’ve forgotten, Jeremy Whitman, but Eveline Montgomery is my wife. She has been for more than half a year.” Madeline had to admit that when she came to know that Jeremy was the one who set fire to Montgomery Manor and killed her parents, she was determined to sever
Jeremy stepped up to stop him, but the tearing agony from the wound on his calf shot up at the use of a little strength. It was not an easy injury to heal from, and blood began to seep out from it again. It dyed the layers of bandages bright red. Madeline’s heart lurched at the sight. “Jeremy!” Instinctively, she felt the urge to run towards him but Ryan tightened his grip around her shoulders. “Don’t you understand? The closer you get to him, the more pain he will suffer,” Ryan warned quietly into Madeline’s ear. Madeline balled her fists and bit her lip. “You won’t get away with this, Ryan. You’ll be arrested for this!” Ryan tugged his lips into a light and carefree smile. “Then, I’ll just have to make sure that I achieve my goal before I get caught.” Madeline glared at Ryan’s gleeful gaze. She had never felt so hopeless. “Don’t leave with him, Linnie.” Jeremy’s tone was borderline begging. Madeline’s eyes burned, and she did not dare look at the expression Jeremy wor
His response proved Madeline right. She rushed up to him in infuriation. “Is there even a shred of conscientiousness within you, Ryan? Does tormenting the people around me bring you glee? Just what did I do to offend you?” “Who said you offended me at all? In fact, I admire you a lot.” Ryan slowly got up, his lean figure and immense aura towering over Madeline’s petite frame. “The only mistake you made was falling in love with Jeremy Whitman.” He took off his glasses, the dark swirls in his eyes becoming more evident without a layer in between. “It must feel horrible to lose the person who matters the most to you, huh? Then blame the Whitman family.” Whitman family? Madeline did not understand. She wanted to know more, but Ryan did not seem to have the intent to explain further. He quirked the corner of his lips and stared at the sharp glint in Madeline’s eyes. All he wanted to do at that moment was to extinguish that light. “You overheard my call in the study this mornin
Instead of a show, the screen showed Eloise walking along a busy street. “Mom.” Madeline stared at Eloise who was all alone by herself and hated the fact that she could not pull her mother to her side. “My people are following your mother, so I can promise that she’ll be alright. However, if you upset me again, then I’ll remind you of what it feels like to lose your loved ones.” Ryan tightened the grip on his fingers as he threatened. Madeline furrowed her brows at the growing pain from her chin, her gaze slowly dimming as she stared at the display. Ryan watched the light dim in Madeline’s eyes and his lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Do you have anything to say, hmm?” “Don’t hurt my parents.” Madeline had to compromise, the willful glint in her eyes forcefully extinguished under Ryan’s ministrations. “I promise that I won’t meet Jeremy again.” “That’s it?” Ryan quirked an eyebrow as he waited for a better reply. Madeline clenched her jaw and balled her fists.
Watching Ryan’s face approach, Madeline’s mind was suddenly filled with images of Jeremy. She still remembered how she had promised him during the day, “Don’t worry about me, Jeremy. I’ll take care of myself.” Yet what was she doing now? Was she going to let Ryan have his way, then let him drive Jeremy mad? No way. She would not be a puppet that Ryan could play with however he wished. In the short span of a couple of seconds, Madeline’s mind flashed with numerous thoughts. Seeing that Ryan’s lips were about to touch hers, she took a step backward. Ryan’s eyes snapped open as his gaze darkened. He was just about to fly into a rage when somebody knocked on the door of the study.Knock, knock.“It’s me.” Adam’s voice sounded from outside. Ryan let go and gave Madeline a strange look before he turned to open the door. Madeline quickly picked her clothes from the floor and put it on, her heart still suffering from the aftershocks of what just happened. Ryan’s action