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
Madeline straightened up from her slouched position, her eyes locking with Trevon's. "What are you getting at?"Trevon let out a ridiculing chuckle. "You might fool everyone else, but not me. Your face gave you away when you inspected the painting at the auction. Caleb was acting off too. You kept blocking Caleb from placing his bids. Are you really going to sit there and tell me you had no clue the painting was forged?"Madeline's laugh was tinged with contempt. "Mr. Gibson, you're giving me too much credit. Even Mr. Jurado and his crew couldn't spot the fake. How could I?""No, you knew. I'm sure of it."Trevon's conviction was unshakable. Since the car crash, he learned never to underestimate anyone. He had seen enough of Madeline's artwork to recognize her talent—it was exceptional, even more so than some of the artists at Xystos Tech."Don't bother denying it. If you're innocent, prove it. Show me your messages with Caleb."Madeline's fingers twitched subtly as she lowered h
The car door slammed shut. The black Maybach zoomed off, only to stop again 50 meters down the road. Madeline's purse was tossed out, and its contents—a phone, folic acid pills, and more—spilled across the pavement. In her rush, she had left it behind.Trevon probably thought she did it on purpose, hoping for an excuse to get back in. Madeline strode over and picked up her things. The autumn wind was sharp, but it could not touch the chill in her heart. She looked at the deserted road with no cars in sight and let out a silent, bitter laugh. Inside the Maybach, Daniel spoke up. "It's not safe for a woman to walk alone at night. Mr. Gibson, we should go back for her."Trevon's expression was icy as he replied, "Just look at her. She's out of control. If we don't set her straight, she'll be walking all over me next!" Daniel replied, "She's just upset right now. Mr. Gibson, there's no need to take it to heart. Besides, being out on these streets at night is unsafe. Anything could
Trevon rushed to the hospital.Lydia, who had checked out to attend an auction, had collapsed and was then back in the emergency room. Her voice cracked through the phone, begging him to save her, though she left out the details.Trevon could not shake the worry, so he showed up.In the hospital room, Lydia was crying into her blanket—a heartbreaking sight.When Trevon walked in, she was stunned. "Trevon? Is it really you?"Ignoring the IV in her arm, she slipped out of bed, barefoot, and ran straight into his arms. "Trevon, it's really you! I thought you gave up on me too."Trevon tensed for a moment but quickly embraced her, gently guiding her back to bed.After getting the nurse to fix her IV, he soothed Lydia's worries.Lydia clung to him. "Dad's furious about the fake painting I bought. He's threatening to throw me out. Trevon, do you think he'd really do it?"Trevon could not hide his contempt for Cilix's reaction.All that over a painting? To say such things to his own
A bone-deep chill seized Trevon. His blood turned to ice, and his grip on the phone became rigid, almost paralyzed.After what felt like an eternity, he croaked out, "Why do you have Madeline's phone?""Madeline? Is that the owner's name?""I'm asking you, how did you get this phone?!" Trevon's voice thundered, startling the person on the other end."The phone was found on Green Jubilee Road. If you know the owner, you should come to the police station to claim it."Trevon's heart skipped a beat. "What are you saying? What do you mean it was found on Green Jubilee Road? Explain yourself."However, it was too late. The person had already hung up, rattled by Trevon's outburst.Staring at the disconnected call, Trevon's hand began to shake uncontrollably. He steadied it with his other hand and murmured, "Let's head to the police station."Daniel was just as panicked. The news report, the urgent voice on the call, and Trevon's look of dread—all signs pointed to trouble brewing.Da
"Ahh!"Madeline bolted upright in bed.In her nightmare, a shadowy figure in black chased her, and she could not shake him off no matter how fast she ran. Then, she stumbled, and the figure drove a dagger down toward her with a cruel smirk.The fear was still coiled inside her.Madeline rubbed her temples, trying to steady her pounding heart. The room brightened as the light flicked on. Bernard stood in the doorway, his face a mask of calm concern as he asked softly, "Maddie, you good?"Blinking away the sleep, Madeline smiled feebly. "I'm okay. It was just a nightmare."Bernard smiled slightly before he got her a cup of hot water."Thanks," she murmured.Bernard gave a weary shake of his head and settled onto a nearby stool, staying silent.Madeline took a sip of water. She sighed in relief and eased back against the headboard.Madeline was being followed, but Bernard had swiftly yanked her into a shadowy nook, narrowly dodging trouble.The distant wail of a police sire
Perched high in the tree, the girl's face was a blank mask. Her arms were outstretched like fractured wings, poised as though she might dive down at any moment.She appeared to be 16 or 17 years old, yet her eyes showed hopelessness. What had driven her to such depths of despair?Madeline had no time for such thoughts and called out to the girl. "Hey, there. Do you know where I can grab a bite to eat?"The girl looked down slowly, pointing in a direction.Madeline smiled brightly. "Mind showing me the way?"The girl paused before replying, "If I do, could you treat me to some boba?"Madeline's smile widened. "Absolutely."With swift grace, the girl descended from the tree. "Come on."Their walk was silent, Madeline keeping pace without urgency. By the time they reached the breakfast vendor, there were not many options left.Madeline got herself an oatmeal and offered the girl a bun.She shook her head. "I'd rather have boba."Madeline pressed the bun into her hand. "No worri