A shiver crept from the depths of the open freezer, wrapping around Madeline's heart like frigid fingers. The haunting memory of her strength ebbing away in the biting chill crept back into her mind.Her body shook with a slight tremor, the terror of a near-death experience blooming anew within her.With a startled gasp, she slammed the fridge shut and leaned against it, her breaths coming in ragged pulls.She had thought she was over the horror of being trapped in that icy tomb, but her trembling limbs betrayed her lingering fear.The shrill ring of her phone snapped Madeline back to reality.It was Edith."Trevon told me about the decision to put off the divorce. I know it's another sacrifice on your part."Madeline attempted a smile, but a twinge of pain stopped her short. "Grandma, I understand. I've spoken with Trevon too. We'll wait until things are more stable before we go through with the divorce."Edith let out a weary sigh on the other end."As long as you two have a
They silently held each other's gaze until the man in the purple suit caught up and gave Madeline a once-over."Hey there, gorgeous."Bernard could not help but roll his eyes before quickly snapping back to his icy demeanor.Madeline held back a laugh as the man slid into the seat next to her. "Name's Yahir, manager and the big boss of the Raimundo Team. It's a pleasure to meet you."She figured he was quite the charmer.Ignoring the offered business card, Madeline simply smiled and replied, "Nice to meet you."Then, pulling out a small notebook and pen from her purse, she handed them to Bernard. "Could I trouble you for an autograph?"Bernard did not blink as he continued gazing at Madeline.Yahir chimed in, "Whoop! Sorry, Miss. Bernard here doesn't do autographs off the clock. Maybe another time—"Yahir had not even finished his sentence when Bernard grabbed Madeline's notebook and scribbled his autograph with a flourish."Thanks."Madeline took back her notebook and glanc
Yahir felt like he put his foot in his mouth.Inside, Yahir was kicking himself for his blunder, but he kept his cool and smiled. "Mrs. Gibson, you're here for Trevon? Funny, me too."Madeline gave him a curious once-over.If he were Trevon's lifelong bud, he would know that Trevon was all over Lydia. There was no way Yahir would be that chummy without a reason.However, Madeline did not get along with trust-fund kids, so a little distance could not hurt.Madeline just smiled, letting the conversation drop.Out of nowhere, Bernard blurted, "What's with the mark on your face?"Crap.Yahir mentally facepalmed. "Bernard, ever heard of tact? Please just zip it like you usually do."Yahir tugged at Bernard's sleeve, but Bernard ignored him, eyes locked on Madeline, waiting for her to spill.Suddenly, all eyes in the elevator were on her.Honestly, they were all dying to know.Madeline lightly touched the mark on her left cheek. "This? Early this morning, I got a slap from Lydia'
Trevon opened the kit, glanced at Madeline's slightly chilled face, and pursed his lips. "I didn't mean to… I'll talk to Lydia's mom myself. You don't need to worry about this. I'll make sure they leave you alone. Just... Just let it slide this time, okay?"Madeline smiled. It was just a slap, after all. What else could she really have expected?"I'll get something for that bruise," Trevon added.Madeline cut in sharply. "No, that's alright, Mr. Gibson. If you feel bad about it, just an ice pack will do."Trevon raised an eyebrow, pulled an ice pack from the fridge, and handed it to her.When the ice pack was wrapped around Madeline's hand, she shuddered fiercely in an instant. She quickly pulled back, then reached out again with a clenched jaw.Trevon felt a pang of concern. "You..."He stopped himself.He recognized that reaction—it was PTSD. He had been the same way with cars for a long while after his own accident.Carefully avoiding her hand, he took a second look at the
"Trevon," Lydia called out, her voice a tender mix of sorrow and hurt.Her wrist was swathed in thick white bandages, looped around her neck for extra support, making her look even more delicate against the October chill. She was dressed in nothing but a light blouse, which made her seem all the more fragile and endearing.Trevon's eyes landed on her immediately, and he almost went to her but checked himself at the last second.Lydia's heart sank a little more.Only when they were close enough to speak without raising their voices did Trevon finally say, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting in the hospital?"Lydia hung her head dejectedly. "I... I just missed you," she murmured, knowing better than to make a scene out there.Trevon frowned. "Come on. Let's grab something to eat."He set off at a brisk pace.Lydia shot Madeline a challenging look and hurried after him.Madeline laughed softly and trailed behind, casually taking out her phone to capture a picture of Trevo
Madeline hesitated momentarily. "Is he really that quiet?"Over text, Bernard was anything but silent.She had even silently critiqued him before, thinking how his chatty nature did not quite match his stoic face."He's the king of keeping it short. If he can stay silent, he will. If he can get away with a single word, that's all you're getting."Yahir threw up his hands and continued, "I mean, even I can't get more than two words out of him, and I never shut up."Madeline let out a snort of laughter. So, Yahir was aware of his chatterbox tendencies.Trevon was seated right behind Madeline. The back of the chair hid her face from him, but he could sense her cheerful spirit.It reminded him of how buoyant she was when he first got out of the hospital—all patched up and new.However, their easy banter had dwindled to almost nothing somewhere along the line.Madeline had turned into a woman of few words, just like Bernard. Ever since Lydia returned, Madeline had grown prickly, as
A waiter approached the group with a warm smile. "Miss, I'll place the order for you."Lydia, though irked, could only shoot Trevon a look of longing and stay silent. Trevon, however, seemed oblivious to her, his attention fixed on Madeline.Madeline was the picture of poise as she ate.Her bowl was filled with a generous serving of beef, courtesy of Bernard's attentive offerings.She only intervened when the pile grew too high.Bernard had always been reserved, but with Madeline, he was a different man.As Trevon mulled over Bernard's earlier remark about beauty, a surge of irritation welled up inside him, and he abruptly set down his cutlery.Yahir blurted out, "Trevon, lost in thought? Not hungry? Pass that beef over to me! I can't get enough of it!"Trevon slid the beef across the table with a look of distaste. "This place is just so-so. Next time, I'll have someone bring in some prime cattle from Sheffield.""Ah, now you're talking!" Yahir said between mouthfuls. "Make su
The gazes, whether of surprise or scrutiny, all fell upon Lydia.Lydia appeared oblivious to any difference, only smiling at Trevon. Trevon's brow creased ever so slightly.Before he had a chance to utter a word, Madeline chimed in, "I've slimmed down a bit recently. Would you mind taking my measurements again?"The toll of her pregnancy was more than a little noticeable. She had not been sick much, but her appetite had vanished, shedding a few pounds off her frame.The manager was quick to respond, ushering two saleswomen to attend to Madeline's request.Madeline seemed utterly unconcerned, giving off a 'whatever suits you' vibe, which made Trevon's frown deepen.After all, she had used a contract to strong-arm him just the day before.Lydia gave his sleeve a gentle tug. "Trevon, what do you think of that blue gown with the stars?"He gave it a brief look. "If it catches your fancy, try it on."Sensing his half-hearted response, he motioned to two saleswomen. "She's nursing a
That batch of red wine did not look too strong, but it packed a punch.As the trio kept drinking, they slowly started to feel the buzz.Yeneth, glass in hand, her cheeks a rosy red, ranted, "Don't employees' lives count for anything? Overtime, day in and day out! It's enough to wear out a horse!"That darn Camden, always harping on about performance, about profits! Is game development just about the bottom line? What happened to the heart? Rubbish!"For a moment, she thought she saw Camden's face, and in a fit of anger, Yeneth tried to slap it away, nearly tumbling into her wine glass instead.Madeline, startled, rushed to steady her.Yeneth, still wobbly, stood up on her own, fixing Trevon with a steely gaze and said icily, "You're just another greedy capitalist."Trevon sat there, calm and collected, but his delayed movements and the occasional glint of bewilderment in his eyes betrayed his inebriation to Madeline.When Yeneth spoke up, he turned his head slowly, locking eyes
Madeline, caught up in the conversation with Caleb and Yeneth, turned around in shock at Trevon's question.He had just declared he would not touch a drop, and he was suddenly reaching for the wine?However, she let it go without a question.The red wine was smooth and inviting. If he felt like drinking, why not?Trevon grunted a greeting into his phone. "Mr. Caleb Jabs."Caleb snapped out of his reverie, returning the greeting with a subdued nod, his gaze deepening.Yeneth, caught between awkwardness and concern, glanced at Caleb. She was about to speak when a glamorous doctor in a white coat appeared beside him on the screen.The doctor, Camila Jervis, peered at the screen, her smile teasing. "Mr. Caleb Jabs, are you chatting with your girlfriend?"Two women were on the screen, leaving it unclear whom she meant.Caleb shook his head, offering no explanation, and instead asked, "Dr. Jervis, what's up?"Camila arched an eyebrow, not prying further. "The professor's ready to s
Yahir sipped his cola, feeling utterly dejected.He had bolted from the Lewis family feast, even at the risk of getting caught, just to pocket two bottles of Lafite.They were not the prized '1982' edition, but they were still pretty decent.His mom's constant marriage talk was a drag, but her taste in wine was impeccable. He was all set for a night of no-holds-barred drinking with Trevon.However, Trevon dragged him over to Madeline's, and under the pretext of her pregnancy, confiscated all the wine.Then, it sat tauntingly in the wine cabinet.Yahir gazed at it, each bottle seeming to whisper seductively."Come on, come have a taste."It was pure torture!He took another swig of cola."Whoa!"Yeneth's shout came out of nowhere.Yahir choked mid-sip.The cola fizz popped like fireworks in his throat, sending him into a coughing frenzy, his face flushing a deep crimson as the soda splashed across the floor.Madeline jumped at his coughing spectacle, hastily grabbing a tis
Madeline swung open the kitchen door to find Yahir wrapping his arms around Yeneth from behind, as if he could not bear to let her go.Her mind, already a whirlwind of thoughts, was completely thrown."What in the world..."Madeline was puzzled as she returned from the kitchen. She had only stepped away to make a call, and then Yeneth and Yahir were locked in an embrace.Yeneth tried to explain, "Madeline, this isn't what it looks like. I was just—"However, Yahir clamped a hand over her mouth, grinning at Madeline. "We're just playing around, Madeline. Hey, do you have any wine glasses? We need four. Let's celebrate!"Trevon stepped out from behind Madeline, his composed facade unbroken. "Lost your head? She's pregnant. Think she can drink?"Yahir smacked his forehead. "Oh, man. I totally spaced on that."Once Yeneth wriggled free, she took a deep breath and delivered a sharp kick to Yahir's leg. "Get off me!"She kicked with all her might, hitting Yahir's shin and sending a
At that moment, Trevon seemed to freeze, then he straightened his posture. "Madeline, Liam's role is to be your close protection, to ensure your safety."Madeline had faced too many close calls, and he could not shake his concern for her.However, she was fiercely independent. If it were up to him, he would keep her tethered to his side.Madeline let out a derisive snort. She knew Xoan well enough to know he could dig up information on Yoana, but not with such speed and precision.Xoan claimed Liam was the one who had lent a hand.Madeline knew Liam. That had Trevon's fingerprints all over it."Do you really think I've become so dim-witted from pregnancy that I can't think straight?"Trevon looked at her, a mix of frustration and affection in his eyes.She had once been so sweet and compliant. Then, she became so sharp and quick-witted, a match even for him.However, he preferred her that way."Madeline, I'm just looking out for you."Trevon had an insatiable need to know ev
"Madeline, I've got the scoop on Yoana," Xoan said.Madeline was taken aback. "So soon?"Xoan let out a sly chuckle. "It wouldn't have been this quick, but Liam lent us a hand."Madeline stole a quick look at Trevon, then cast her gaze downward.Fifteen years back, Yoana was forced out of the Sanders Group—a victim of Cilix's cunning plot.It was not just a simple resignation as Bella had naively believed. Yoana was secretly saddled with a mountain of debt.Cilix did not stop there. He tarnished Yoana's name throughout the industry.She could not land a respectable job to save her life.Her personal life was total chaos.Her husband, Jim Livingston, who was once a low-level office worker, had dived into business on the back of Yoana's earnings and made a pretty penny.However, when the bill came due, Yoana hit a wall. Jim had sent all his cash back to his folks, leaving peanuts behind.Yoana was floored. A decade of hard work, and not a dime to show for it.When she begged
Madeline swung the door open to find Trevon on her doorstep, her eyebrows knitting together in a frown.Before she could get a word out, Yahir popped up from behind him with a grin. "Happy New Year, Madeline!"He waved a container of homemade goodies.Those two had nearly fought that morning, and then they were as chummy as can be—though Trevon looked like he would rather be anywhere else. However, he bit his tongue and kept quiet.With the Gibsons and the Lewises all cozied up for a New Year's feast, what on earth were those two doing there?Yahir's face fell. "Madeline, you've got no idea. My mom's a force of nature. Can you believe she's still dragging me to blind dates on New Year's Eve? I just had to bail."Madeline could not help but think about Liliana's earlier enthusiasm for rallying the troops and was at a loss for words."What about you, Trevon? What brings you here?" Madeline asked.Trevon pursed his lips. He was looking a little quiet too.Edith had been on his ca
Madeline walked into her house and immediately sensed something was up. She nudged the door wider and there was Yeneth, sparking an involuntary grin on her face."I thought you were going to be hibernating today?"Yeneth had been swamped with the Skylandia project, barely getting any sleep. She had texted Madeline about sleeping in on her day off.With a shrug and a smirk, Yeneth said, "Guess I'm just wired to work. Woke up at the crack of dawn, hung around in bed not to wake you, and by the time I showed up, you were already out and about."Madeline shut the door behind her, musing aloud."I've been turning it over in my mind. All this press and pest hunting is kid's play for the Sanders Group. To really take them on, we've got to… Yank the carpet out from under them?" Yeneth's smile was the answer Madeline needed as she shared her strategy."How's that sound?"Yeneth's thumbs-up was quick, but her frown came just as fast. "Fashion's a shark tank, and jumping in now? That's r
Madeline's request left Yoana taken aback.A wry smile crossed her face. "What can I possibly help you with at my age?"Madeline grasped her hand with conviction. "No, Mrs. Reed, you're the only one who can do this favor for me."Yoana looked down, her expression unreadable, and whispered, "You're giving me too much credit. Besides, with my background, there's no way I can go back to working with the Sanders Group. I have a couple of pairs of baby shoes here. Take them as a baby shower gift for your little ones."Madeline realized Yoana had gotten the wrong idea, thinking she was there about the Sanders Group or Cilix, and felt a twinge of disappointment."Mrs. Reed, please don't reject my request just yet. I'm planning to start my own fashion label. Everything Is underway, but I'm still missing one crucial piece—a designer."Madeline shared her vision.Yoana's eyebrows shot up in surprise when she heard Madeline's vision for her new company."That sounds just like the Sanders