Madeline turned around and walked out, leaving Jeremy in a daze behind her. It felt unreal. “What are you still doing standing there?” Winston advised, saying, “If you don’t want her to go, then don’t let go.” Those were familiar words. He too had once sworn to never let go. Yet now, there did not seem to be much he could do for Madeline apart from letting go.The early summer breeze swept coolly against his cheek as Jeremy followed quietly behind Madeline on the busy street, his eyes tracing her back figure longingly. Madeline stopped walking before he had his fill of her beauty. Jeremy’s footsteps came to a halt as well. He watched her turn around, and he watched the sun shine on her gentle features, engulfing her in a sheet of a warm glow. “What did you want to tell me, Linnie?”’ “I’ve decided that I won’t leave just yet.” Madeline’s tone was curt, but her eyes were frank. “I’ll wait until Grandfather’s situation stabilizes before I do.” Jeremy was shocked. He sho
Winston had advised Karen not to come in contact with Yvonne after the truth of her beating the old master came to light. However, not only did she ignore her husband’s wishes and continued to keep in contact with Yvonne, they had even come up with such a revolting scheme to hurt Madeline. Winston had never thought them more abominable. Karen stood by the door as she watched Jeremy and Winston help the old master lie down. Mulling over the thought, she decided she would talk to them after all. “Jeremy, Win, you must be tired with how busy you’ve been the past few days. I’ll take care of the old master.” She volunteered, looking like she was trying to redeem her merits. Ignoring her, Jeremy turned around and left. Karen called after him, “Jeremy, Jeremy, I’m still your mother. How—” “You claim that you know your place, so why did you do it? How could you join forces with your niece to harm your own daughter-in-law?” Winston accused angrily. Karen huffed in indignance. Realiz
Madeline had just gotten through the doors when Karen decided to unleash her fury. Calmly, she shot her a sharp gaze. “What are you even saying?” “Stop pretending, Madeline!” Karen pressed the bleeding wound on her forehead. “You were the one who hit me just now!” Madeline glanced at Karen’s forehead and frowned slightly when she caught sight of her bleeding wound. She replied, “I suggest you make a trip to the hospital immediately since something’s wrong with your head. Don’t just start framing people left and right.” She flung Karen’s hand off and walked toward the old master who had left his room. “You…” Karen’s expression paled. Reaching out to grab Madeline, she felt her head throb dizzily. “I’m here, Aunty Karen!” Yvonne ran in, pretending to have just arrived. Seeing Karen’s situation, she quickly ran over with a frantic expression to help her. “What happened to your head, Aunty Karen? Why are you bleeding so much?” “What do you mean bleeding? Ah… Blood!” Only then
“Made...line…” Madeline smiled. “If you wish, you can call me ‘Madeline’ as you used to, Grandfather.” The old master’s brows relaxed as a relieved and pleased expression washed over his hollow features. Jeremy watched the scene from afar, the corners of his lips tugging into a smile. However, as he stared at Madeline, all that could be seen in his eyes was heartache. ‘No, Linnie. ‘I never wish for you to be Madeline Crawford again. ‘You’re Eveline Montgomery, the pearl and heart of the Montgomery family. You’re no longer the Madeline who was used by the Crawford family.’Mirth bled into his peach-blossom eyes as he thought to himself. …Two hours later, Karen returned with a dressed wound and a considerate Yvonne in tow. Realizing that Madeline was not in the house, she walked up the stairs to change into a new set of clothes. Entering the room, Karen realized that her wallet and the jewelry she had placed on the vanity table were gone—including the jewelry box!
At that, everyone’s gazes fell on the female care worker. Yvonne’s heart thumped, remembering the scene where she had stolen the jewelry box and wallet before running down the stairs. She had coincidentally stumbled upon Old Master Whitman who was being pushed out from the guest room on the first floor. They had locked eyes when they saw each other.She had been too frantic that very moment to realize that there was a care worker behind Old Master Whitman. Thinking that she had been seen, Yvonne staggered two steps backward. “You know who hit me?” Karen asked, pointing at Madeline, “Was it her?”Displeased by Karen’s interrogation method, Jeremy was about to open his mouth when he saw the care worker look at Madeline while nodding.“Yes, it was this lady.” Both Madeline and Jeremy showed the same shocked expression at her response. Winston was stunned and pointed at Madeline. “Are you sure it was this lady?” The care worker took a closer look at Madeline’s face and rep
“I’m sure this has nothing to do with you. I believe you,” Winston told Madeline sincerely before turning to tell the care worker, “Don’t worry about it. If the police come and ask, just tell them the truth about what you saw.” The care worker gave Madeline and Jeremy a fearful glance before she nodded and left. Jeremy and Madeline were now alone in the room. His gaze was warm and confident as he took away the arm he placed around Madeline’s shoulder. “I believe you, Linnie.” Madeline smiled faintly. “I’ve had my fair share of these ‘conclusive evidence’ situations, haven’t I? I’m probably used to it already.” Used to it. Jeremy found the phrase extremely ironic. She had gotten used to being wronged, which meant she had suffered too many unwarranted slander and charges. Seeing the pain and regret in Jeremy’s eyes, Madeline turned around without a care. Jeremy did not want to disturb her, nor did he want Madeline to hate him anymore, so he stood quietly as he watch
Felipe’s peck was sudden, and as shocked as Madeline was, she could not help but remember that Jeremy was right behind them. Something told her that Felipe kissed her just for Jeremy to see, but she got in the car quietly without commenting on it. Felipe gave Jeremy, whose expression screamed of frost, a glance from the corner of his eyes as his lips curled into a mocking smile. He alighted the car and stepped on the accelerator. In the passenger seat, Madeline’s eyes could not help but stare at the diminishing figure from the rear-view mirror. Under the moonlight, the heavy loneliness and torment could not be more clear on the man’s face. He was evidently displeased, but he was also suppressing it. Madeline thought Felipe would send her back to Montgomery Manor, but the car had instead stopped at a single villa in the outskirts of town. As far as she could remember, she had never spent the night here before. Felipe brought Madeline to her designated room and had the
Putting her phone down, she turned to open the door. Meeting her eyes was Felipe’s lithe figure in front of her. Donned in a loose-fitting white sleeping robe, the man’s alluring clavicles could vaguely be seen through the thin material. Madeline felt inexplicably uncomfortable to see Felipe in such a sight even though she had not felt the slightest discomfort when she took off Jeremy’s shirt previously. The upper half of his body was even revealed when she dressed his wounds. “Did you come to say goodnight, Felipe?” She smiled, reining back her wandering thoughts. Felipe smiled lightly and walked in. Madeline was left with no choice but to let go of the door handle, which Felipe took and used to close the door behind him as he entered.The sound of the door closing fueled Madeline’s unease. “Is there something you want to talk to me about, Felipe?” Madeline gave a small smile, standing by the door. Felipe turned around. Reading the guarded look in Madeline’s glossy ey