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
Ryan took a handkerchief and wiped Madeline’s lips in what seemed to be a caring manner. “Don’t frown all the time. Smile a little.” Madeline did not know how she was supposed to smile, but Ryan seemed adamant about seeing one on her face at that moment. She forced the corners of her lips to curl and gave Ryan a small smile. Ryan was elated. “There we go. Now you’re looking more like my wife with how well you’re listening to me.”“Ryan, bring me to see—” “Eveline.” Sean suddenly entered the room.Madeline looked up and was surprised to see Eloise following behind him.“Mom?!” She watched as Eloise looked up and smiled at Ryan.“Don’t worry, Eveline. Your mom came back last night after Mr. Jones’ men went to look for her. You fell asleep early yesterday, so I didn’t wake you up,” Sean explained to Madeline. It turned out Eloise had already returned last night and Ryan was merely making fun of her moments ago. Ryan met Madeline’s gaze and smiled. “You guys should talk. Th
Ryan pulled Madeline back, though she was not interested in what Ryan wanted to show her. All she wanted to know was if Sean and Eloise were alright.However, Ryan did not seem to have any intention of letting her go. He linked his phone with the display on the car and a scene began to play out before her eyes…The three of them were seen on the display, discussing their plans to escape not too long ago in her room. The video was clear and so were their voices.Madeline felt the bottom of her feet go cold as the chilly sensation spread through her entire body.She turned to look at the confident man and questioned in disbelief, “You put cameras in my room?”Ryan smirked nonchalantly and met Madeline’s terrified gaze. “Evidence shows that you didn’t learn from your mistakes.”Madeline did not expect Ryan to be privy to her every move, even those that took place in her room! A chill shook through her. She raised her arm to hit Ryan, only for him to grab her wrist easily.Ryan’s
“You’re finally begging me now?” Ryan asked joyfully. “I’ve reminded you more than once not to test my limits, haven’t I? I’m not Jeremy Whitman and I won’t let you do as you wish. Listen to me and I’ll promise to keep your parents safe.”Madeline nodded as tears clouded her vision. “Okay! I understand, I really do. Just call the ambulance, Ryan, please! I’m begging you, please!” Madeline pleaded, moments away from kneeling.Ryan smiled as he enjoyed the look of tears streaming down Madeline’s face and reached out to caress her brows that were drenched by the rain. The look in his eyes warmed and took a loving turn.“Listen to me, Eveline, and I can promise to fulfill your every wish.”Madeline nodded rapidly through her tears. “I’ll listen! I’ll listen to everything you say, Ryan! I really will! I won’t say the wrong things anymore and I won’t meet Jeremy again. I also won’t try to escape anymore, I promise!”Ryan curled his lips in satisfaction and took out his phone to call a
Sean’s chest tightened when he heard Madeline’s heartbreaking pleas.“Don’t cry, Eveline. Dad will be alright.” He comforted her, his gaze exceptionally calm. “I refuse to believe that this man can really do whatever he wants!”Sean glared fearlessly at Ryan.“Stop talking, Dad. There’s nothing below him, he really will…” Madeline shook her head furiously as if her life depended on it. Fear filled her heart as she looked back at the sinister man with red eyes.“Let my dad go, Ryan. I promise that I’ll persuade him to stop going against your wishes! You won’t have anything to control me with if something happens to my parents, Ryan!”Madeline begged the man frantically and ended up threatening the man instead.Ryan seemed to sway at the sight of tears and the rain mingling and falling off Madeline’s face.“I can let him go if that’s what my wife wishes. However, he must learn to remember who he is and so do you. Try and become my enemy and the only ones who will suffer are all of
Dripping wet, Madeline sat on the bench in the corridor and waited for the results on Eloise and Sean’s condition.Ryan walked over and placed a jacket over her shoulders. Feeling the man’s warmth and taking in the scent on Ryan’s body, Madeline shivered subconsciously. Ryan was surprised and satisfied with Madeline’s reaction. She was starting to be wary of him. Her fear would aid in his plan. “Your parents will be fine. You, however, will be down with a cold and fever if you keep sitting here,” Ryan chided her gently. “Will they really be fine?” Madeline asked in disbelief with a tone of caution.Ryan pursed his lips into a slight smile. “They will be as long as you listen. I promise.”Madeline clenched her fists and unfurled them.“Go back with me.” Ryan’s tone was much gentler now.Knowing that declining was not an option, she glanced at the emergency room and stood up.Ryan wrapped an arm intimately around Madeline’s shoulders.There was no doubt to the passersby th