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
Ryan could not help but laugh at Madeline’s reaction. “Do you think that I’m going to kill you?” He smiled. “How could I possibly have the heart to hurt you?”Did he not?Madeline found Ryan’s claim ridiculous.All this while, he had only been hurting her.Ryan patted the same spot again, and his tone turned gentle when he spoke, “Come back and sit.”Madeline looked at the pair of scissors in Ryan’s hand. She had no other choice but to listen.Ryan leaned toward her just as she sat. He began to thread his fingers through her still-damp hair.“You’ve been with Jeremy for so long. I’m sure the man loves you a lot with how he’s willing to give up his life for you.”Madeline did not understand what Ryan was trying to say, but she could feel his fingers intertwining with the strands of her hair.Disgust filled her. She wanted to escape, but all she could do was clench her firsts and force herself to ignore it.“I’m sure he’ll be aware of your every detail then, with how much he lo
“Jeremy.” Old Master Whitman’s tone was light as if he had no idea what happened lately. “Why are you calling me instead of spending your free time taking Eveline and the kids to play?”Jeremy could not even protect his wife now, let alone bring his wife and kids out to play.“There’s something I’d like to ask, Grandfather.” Jeremy controlled his emotions and kept his tone calm.Without hesitation, Old Master Whitman asked in a gentle and kind tone, “What do you want to ask me?”“It’s about the Jones family.” Old Master Whitman paused on the other end of the phone. “The Jones family? One of the four major rich families in Glendale, that Jones family?” “Yeah,” Jeremy confirmed. “Did something happen between us Whitmans and the Jones family? Do you perhaps know of their elder, the one who passed away 15 years ago?” Old Master Whitman paused for a few seconds.Jeremy found the reaction to be unusual. “Grandfather?” “Tell me first, Jeremy. Did something happen?” Old Master Whi
Having made her decision, Madeline went to look for Ryan.The man sat leisurely in the courtyard with a book in his hand and a cup of coffee.The afternoon sun splashed against his back, adding a warm tint to his fair and handsome features.Beneath his gentle and defined features was a completely different person, one that ran shivers down people’s spines.Madeline curled her fingers into a fist but walked toward him anyway.Ryan caught sight of her from the corners of his eyes and raised his bottomless eyes to look at her with interest. Madeline’s small and delicate features were reflected in his gaze.The man seemed proud of his handiwork as his eyes fell on her refreshing new bob cut. “How can I help you? Or perhaps, have you already decided?” Ryan closed the book as a confident smile graced the man’s gentlemanly features. Madeline walked up to him. Faced with the man before her, she was surprised to find a sense of uneasiness sparking in her chest. “Ryan.” “Hmm?” The