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
Jazzy was escorted into the office.Madeline had pieced together the story from the chatty doorman.The orphanage was filled mostly with kids without families. However, Jazzy's story was even more heart-wrenching.She was kidnapped at three years old, and probably since she was a girl, she was not sold.She spent her days begging on the streets until the police found her. Back then, beggars like her were part of a grim operation, forced to give up most of their earnings, keeping just enough to survive.Jazzy was sharp. She worked her corner well and never skimmed off the top, which meant she grew up with little trouble.She was unlike some of the other kids they found, many of whom were maimed.Too young to find her real parents, Jazzy ended up at the orphanage.The head of the home, touched by her tough start in life, was determined to find her a loving adoptive family. That was how she landed with the Quigg family.The Quiggs had it good, and Jazzy seemingly did too, for a w
"The thing I can't stand the most is your act, playing the delicate, tempting vixen. Seducing anyone is bad enough, but your own father? That's low." Jazzy, clutching her cheek, stayed silent. Rosie Lynch's heart went out to her. "Mrs. Quigg, she's just a kid. How could you hit her?" Macie Williams let out a harsh laugh. "She's nothing but trash. She had it coming." Jazzy's face grew paler, her eyes reddened, and her lips were pursed.Rosie tried to comfort her, worried Macie might harm her, but Jazzy would not budge.Madeline moved in, took Jazzy by the shoulders, and returned her boba. "Take a sip. It'll help wash away the bitterness."Jazzy's hand shook as she slowly brought the straw to her lips.Madeline turned to face Macie, decked out in her Burberry coat and clutching a petite Hermès croc bag—the epitome of luxury.She was in her thirties—strikingly beautiful and oddly familiar.Madeline asked, "Mrs. Quigg, you claim you caught her in bed with your husband. Is tha