Madeline kept her composure, not taking his bait. Even if she was a bit naive, she knew that squabbling with Nina was a pointless waste of time.Trevon let out a mocking laugh. "I thought you were serious about working and that you had some sort of plan for your career. Looks like it was all just talk."Madeline felt a bitter sting in her heart. If he really knew her, he would understand that being a secretary was never part of her plan.Madeline smiled in contempt. "Mr. Gibson, you're really spreading yourself thin, aren't you? One minute, you're at the hospital with your ex-girlfriend. Next, you're fussing over your wife. With all this spare time, maybe you should reflect on our agreement and figure out how to sweep your extramarital escapades under the rug."Trevon pursed his lips, irritation flaring, "Why are we back to this? Lydia's fragile right now, emotionally and physically, after her suicide attempt."Going out for meals and shopping for dresses. Was that 'fragile'?Ta
Madeline later found out from Yeneth about Lydia being replaced."She had it coming. With Skylandia's heavy workload, she didn't prioritize it and stirred up too much drama. Not many know about the wrist-cutting. They think she's just out on sick leave. However, the grumbling's been loud, especially about redistributing her workload."That extra character demand meant that Madeline would be picking up the slack left by Lydia."You know what? Lydia talks a good game, but when it comes down to it, she hardly takes on any of the real work for you—just a single character design and one scene," Yeneth said.Madeline quirked an eyebrow. She found herself more drawn to creating scenes than characters. That was her true forte.Art like that was usually kept in-house for projects, so she had never gotten the chance to work on it.Madeline broached the subject with Aaron, but he did not give her an immediate yes.[Miss Mora, have you ever done any scene concept art before.]Madeline had
When Trevon and Madeline stepped into the hall, all eyes were drawn to them. They were a sight to behold in their chic, updated takes on classic attire.Trevon was the epitome of calm detachment, while Madeline radiated a serene grace. Together, they stood like a scene from a masterful painting, a picture of harmony and beauty.They made their entrance hand in hand, their shared smiles betraying none of the strife splashed across the tabloids.However, beneath the surface, Madeline's nails were sinking deep into Trevon's flesh.Unfazed, Trevon murmured, "Nine hundred thousand dollars a month just to hold hands. You're getting a sweet deal."Madeline scoffed silently.Right off the bat, Trevon had grabbed her hand, and despite her subtle attempts to wriggle free, the prying lenses of the paparazzi forced her to relent. Instead, she vented her irritation through her grip.That time, Trevon took it in stride, his hand a warm anchor, the picture of devotion.Lydia, trailing behin
Lydia made her entrance, her white gown sparkling with diamonds, catching the light in a way that made her seem like royalty.Her smile was demure as she said, "I couldn't help but express my fondness for the painting. I hope you won't find my interruption too forward."Stephen and Caleb, ever the gentlemen, assured her it was no bother at all, inviting her to join the conversation.Madeline saw right through her sister's display but said nothing, frowning ever so slightly."The Impressionist masterpiece Sunset in Venice or San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk by Claude Monet captures the breathtaking beauty of Venice's famed skyline. This piece captures the breathtaking view of the Grand Canal at sunset, showcasing Monet's mastery of light and color."Looking at the piece, one could only see a photograph, making it hard to tell if it was the real deal. However, if it were authentic, it would be a collector's dream. "An elderly man with white hair chimed in, "You've got that right..."
The moment Madeline finished, applause erupted from Baxter's entourage."Bravo!""Exactly!""Our culture is rich and timeless, beyond the reach of any ordinary nation or person.""To be ignorant of one's heritage yet speak of others… That's being foolish!"Lydia was taken aback. She had only meant to throw a few veiled jabs at Madeline, but with a few sharp words, Madeline painted her as a sellout—someone without a true appreciation for their own culture.Lydia's face was a storm of shock, anger, and irritation. "Madeline, you might not be my biggest fan, but do you really have to drag my name through the mud? I was just suggesting you travel abroad and see the world a bit. What's the big deal? I'm trying to help you, and you twist it into something ugly."Madeline's voice was ice, "Keep your 'help' to yourself. We don't need that kind of trouble."Lydia's face twisted into something almost unrecognizable. "You!"Cilix jumped in, trying to defuse the tension. "Come on. It's ju
Trevon watched the standoff between the two with a quiet intensity.Since it was Madeline's first time at an event like that, he thought she would be a fish out of water. However, she was cool as a cucumber.He mulled over how she had held her own at the company and realized that Madeline was more than just a whiz in the kitchen. She had a knack for just about everything.Lydia, though, was a different story. She could not keep her composure. Her face was pale, and her body wobbled like she was about to fall over.He just could not stand by and watch.Trevon sauntered up and handed Lydia a glass of champagne. "Fancy this painting? Want me to snag it for you later?"Lydia glanced at the champagne and chuckled quietly. "A gem like this? Who wouldn't be charmed? However, let someone else who really needs it have it."Trevon raised an eyebrow. "So, what's caught your eye? Go for it during the auction."Madeline smiled and kept mum. With Trevon stepping in, the conversation around t
Trevon's brow twitched. He nodded and kept walking. Lydia caught his hand and asked, "Trevon, can you really be this distant?" He did not have the heart to pull away as he murmured, "Lydia, let go! This isn't good for us."Trevon murmured, a mix of weariness and resolve on his face."I don't care. I just want to be with you," Lydia said with a hollow laugh.Trevon insisted, "I've been clear. The offer still stands. Think it over, then come talk to me."He tried to loosen her grip, but she clung on.They tussled quietly.Qasim, with his entourage in tow, caught sight of the scene, and his face darkened. "Mr. Gibson, what's going on here?"Trevon calmly slipped his hand out of Lydia's grasp. "We just bumped into each other."Qasim was not about to miss his chance. He stared at Lydia with an intensity that left no room for escape."Ms. Sanders, what's the deal with you and Mr. Gibson? Don't worry. If you're feeling wronged, just let it out. Even if I can't deal with him, Mada
Stepping out of the restroom, Madeline was not surprised to find Trevon waiting there in the deserted hallway."Time to head out. The auction's about to kick off."The crowd was already trickling toward the auction stage. Trevon's reserved spot was, of course, front and center.Madeline quickly looked around and found Caleb and his crew conveniently close by."Seen anything else that caught your eye, Caleb?" Madeline inquired.Caleb shook his head. "I've looked over everything, but that one's the best by far.""Guess we'll see soon enough," Madeline agreed, eager for another glimpse.Unbeknownst to her, Lydia overheard the exchange and smirked to herself. 'So, Madeline's got her eye on that painting? Well, she's going home empty-handed today!'Lydia slid back into her seat and leaned toward Cilix. "Dad, I went to apologize to Mr. Jurado. They're eyeing Sunset in Venice, but they seem short on cash. If we snag it and gift it to the museum, it'll definitely make them see us in 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