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
The bidding started at 450 thousand dollars, climbing by 15 thousand with each new offer. Before anyone knew it, the price had skyrocketed to a million and two hundred thousand dollars. Caleb was relentless, his hand shooting up time and again. Madeline, visibly worried, gave his sleeve a gentle tug. "Caleb..." Caleb flashed her a calming smile. "Trust me. I've got this under control." Immediately after, he upped the ante by another 75 thousand. Madeline's expression said it all. 'Control? Really?'She was about to protest when Trevon yanked her back. "Madeline, that's enough," he hissed, his voice a mix of warmth and annoyance that brushed past her ear. She tensed up, instinctively pulling away from him. "What do you mean 'that's enough'?"Trevon clenched his jaw. "We're in public. You're chatting up Caleb like you've forgotten you're Mrs. Gibson."Madeline bit her lip. She had reacted impulsively, without much thought."Fine, I get it."She settled back into her
Everyone thought fakes would be rare at an auction, but it was not out of the question.Madeline's gut told her something was off with that painting, probably because Bella had once shown her the ropes of art restoration, teaching her how to make a fake look like the genuine article.By some twist of fate, the painting up for auction was none other than her own 'capstone project'. Her signature mark was still there, cleverly hidden among the brushstrokes.Bella always said that a good forgery needed one deliberate flaw. That mark was Madeline's intentional slip-up.However, Bella had insisted all those paintings were destroyed. How on earth did that one end up there?Madeline's thoughts were a tangled mess, and she had not even noticed Trevon's return.Trevon was aware that Lydia had outbid Caleb for a coveted piece. Seeing Madeline's sour expression, he mistook her dismay for lingering anger over the incident.Trevon smirked mockingly. "You're getting all worked up over Caleb's
"An Edo period ceramic?"That particular piece featured a vibrant red glaze—a rarity indeed. Madeline, captivated by such an exceptional artifact, shared her knowledge."Edo period ceramics refer to the pottery and porcelain produced in Japan during the Edo period. This era was marked by peace, economic stability, and a flourishing of arts and culture under the Tokugawa shogunate.""Edo period ceramics are renowned for their high quality and artistic designs. Artisans paid meticulous attention to detail, creating intricate patterns and vibrant colors. These ceramics remain highly collectible and are admired for their beauty, craftsmanship, and historical significance."Madeline could not help but express her genuine admiration. "This ceramic is pure, its color bright and lustrous, its surface smooth, and it's in impeccable condition—a true gem among treasures."Her beautiful, sly eyes sparkled as she spoke.Trevon felt his pulse quicken. "Really? Why's that?"Madeline shot him
Trevon eventually won the Edo period ceramic double-eared vase for 10.2 million dollars. The foreign businessman kept upping his bid, but Trevon stayed one step ahead, adding another 100 thousand dollars each time, much to the businessman's dismay.Stephen's smile was genuine as he congratulated Trevon. As long as the piece was not leaving with the foreign bidder, it was a win for the Ferguson family.The businessman stormed off. Qasim hurried after him, likely to offer some words of comfort.Madeline's eyes widened in surprise. "Those businessmen are with the Gibson Group? Isn't it kind of rude to snub them like that?"Trevon was nonchalant. "Qasim was the one who insisted on dragging them along. They've got nothing to do with the Gibson Group."He got up, took Madeline by the hand, and made their exit.Madeline barely had a chance to say a quick word to Caleb, managing only a wave goodbye. She missed how Sadie, who was usually so aloof, watched Trevon with stars in her eyes.A
Madeline had enough of Lydia's nonsense and moved on. Maybe it was exhaustion setting in, but Madeline's legs felt like jelly, and there was a tightness in her chest. Despite her sharp words to Lydia, she could not shake off a sense of unease. Deep down, she knew Lydia was not entirely wrong. There was some truth in her words.Trevon was not one to play all sides. His decision to involve Cilix was a big deal. He barely glanced at Lydia, his eyes filled with a restrained, deep-seated emotion. Such feelings were not easily dismissed. Madeline let out a wry smile. Who was she to demand someone to forget their feelings? She had chosen to let go. It was time to stop caring. With a mental note to keep moving forward, Madeline followed the group into a private room.The donation was a big deal, and it deserved a proper sit-down. The auction house staff had everything arranged, with Stephen sitting off to the side, ready to act as a witness.Baxter had a straightforward plan to ho
Madeline's heart raced, and she turned to see what happened.Trevon was steadying Lydia, whose champagne glass was tilting precariously.A few glaring water spots were on the Sunset in Venice painting.Baxter looked like someone had punched him in the gut. "Bringing drinks near the artwork? What were you thinking?!"He would have given a student an earful for less. However, Lydia, of all people, was the benefactor, and he found himself at a loss for words to reprimand her.Lydia's complexion was ghostly pale. "It wasn't intentional. I..."Her grip on Trevon's shirt was desperate, a mix of anxiety and fear.All she wanted was a moment with Trevon. Ignored, she tried to fake her usual fragility, but the self-inflicted cut had left her genuinely weak. A sudden dizziness overtook her, and the champagne she held spilled out.Madeline's gaze softened as she relieved Lydia of her glass and passed it to a server. "Ms. Sanders isn't well. Trevon, please help her to a seat."Only then d
Baxter truly felt for Cilix.He knew the man had wanted to donate the painting, but no matter how much empathy he felt, a fake was a fake.It just could not be accepted as a real artifact. The whole point of a donation would be lost. Baxter rubbed his nose, a nervous habit, and offered a compromise."This painting is a copy, sure, but it's so close to the real deal that it could fool anyone. It's got some value for study. The museum could buy it from you instead, Mr. Sanders. What do you say?"Baxter hinted that the donation was off the table, and the price would be modest at best.Cilix's face lost some of its color as he smiled wryly. "If it's valuable for research, then I insist it goes to the museum. In the hands of a regular guy like me, it's pretty much worthless."Baxter winced. "Then, the donation certificate will have to be a plain one."Cilix dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "For a replica? It doesn't need a fancy certificate."Relieved, Baxter grasped Ci
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