Madeline was calm and composed. Whatever Macie's plot was, her words had just thrown the fate of the orphanage onto Madeline's shoulders. If she refused to apologize, the backlash could be overwhelming."Stand up," Madeline whispered.Madeline reached down to help Jazzy up, but Jazzy stayed put, frozen with a fear of Macie that was palpable. The room fell into an uneasy silence, mirroring the hush that had settled over the children outside. It was as if they all sensed the standoff brewing inside, the threat of a home slipping through their fingers.With a soft exhale, Madeline knew she could not just stand by and watch. "Ms. Lynch, can I use your phone?" she asked.Trevon, who had been watching the scene unfold, could not help but feel a mix of irritation and smugness. He was irritated because Madeline knew well enough to ask for a phone to make a call. Why did she not call yesterday before things escalated?However, Trevon felt a smug satisfaction knowing that she eventual
Once again, all eyes were on Madeline.Alden's gaze followed, and when he caught sight of Madeline's stunning and otherworldly beauty, he found it hard to look away.Trevon's face grew stormy.Alden was the chosen heir of the Quigg family dynasty.His name carried an air of sophistication, matched by his calm and cultured demeanor. That very image had once fooled countless people. Even Tracy was so charmed that she would not consider anyone else for marriage.However, in time, Alden's true colors showed. He was nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing.With Tracy's support, he had taken the role of family heir, and from there, his true self emerged.It began with harmless flirting, but once Tracy was pregnant, he shamelessly took other women as lovers. Eventually, he grew so audacious that he brought them into his own home.His escapades knew no bounds.When Tracy came home to find a woman barely in her twenties, clad in her own silk nightgown, she was so shocked that she fainte
Alden froze, a cold dread creeping up his spine.Even without ties to the Lewis family, there was no way Alden would not recognize Trevon.He was a big shot in Redenbaugh City's elite circles.He had survived a car crash three years ago without a scratch and took over the Gibson Group with an iron fist, leaving everyone else in the dust.Alden had chuckled to himself when he saw the news a few days back, thinking Trevon was no different from him. However, when he was face to face with the man, he was scared out of his wits, especially with the Lewis family in the picture.If that she-devil from the Lewis family got wind of Jazzy's mess…Alden's face was like stone, and Macie mistook it for real anger.She went on a tirade, "Throw them out! Not just them—their whole family too! If they step into Redenbaugh City again, I swear I'll break their legs."Trevon's expression instantly turned dark.Alden flinched, and before anyone could react, he slapped Macie across her cheek."Eno
Alden felt like burying his face in his hands.He only wanted to get to know Madeline, to slowly work his way into her good graces. However, once he found out she was Trevon's wife, his little scheme evaporated.However, Blaine would not let it go and was looking at him as if expecting a gold medal.'Calling the cops, let Trevon be sent to jail, huh?'His face darkened. "Mr. Walker, let's not get things twisted. Mrs. Gibson was unfairly dragged through the mud over my family drama. She's the one who deserves an apology!"He was staring at Macie as he said it.Macie, livid and shaking with her eyes shut tight, yelled, "Expecting an apology from me? You'd have to walk over my dead body first!"Alden's head throbbed with the beginnings of a headache.Blaine opened his mouth to retort but a sharp look from Alden shut him down.The Quiggs just did not stack up to the Gibsons, especially with the real estate deal hanging in the balance.Alden bit back his frustration. "Mr. Gibson,
Madeline was not pleased.Trevon's statement seemed to disregard the adoption cancellation.However, there was no way Jazzy was going back with them.She gave Trevon's hand a covert squeeze, but he did not flinch, his gaze locked on Alden.Alden was on the fence. With Trevon around, snatching Jazzy away was pretty much off the table. It would just stir up more trouble.Leaving Jazzy...He blamed Maciefor that mess, for her insistence on kicking Jazzy out and causing that whole drama.At least Trevon had not pushed to cut ties completely.As long as the adoption was still on paper, Jazzy would not dare spill any secrets.Alden gave Jazzy a warm smile. "Looks like you and Mrs. Gibson get along, so stick around her for a bit. However, don't get cocky just because she's taken a liking to you. Keep it low-key, alright? Scare her and you'll have me to answer to.lI'll have the driver pick you up for dinner tonight. Your mom and I will be waiting. You love the videos I make, right?
Madeline was stunned by his outburst.Gazing into Trevon's red-rimmed eyes, she realized he had indeed been out all night searching for her. The anger that had been sitting heavy in her heart began to melt away."I... I never thought you'd come after me."They fought, and it was only natural for Trevon to ignore her calls. However, fear had gripped her, and in a moment of spite, she had refused to reach out.Once she cooled down, she still did not call, convinced no one would bother looking for her. Who was there to call, anyway? It felt like she was the last person on earth.However, hearing that Trevon had spent the night searching for her thawed the chill in Madeline's heart a little more.She really was a little love-starved, was she not? Clinging to even the smallest gesture of warmth.With a self-deprecating chuckle, Madeline offered an apology. "I'm sorry. I lost my phone and had no idea you were out there looking for me. I'm sorry for worrying you."Trevon's expression
Rosie responded quickly, "She got a fright. I had someone take her to get some rest.""Let's go check on her," Trevon suggested as he stood up.They followed Rosie to where Jazzy was staying. Since she had been adopted, there was not a room for her, so they had set her up in a makeshift space in a small storeroom.Rosie opened the door to find Jazzy in the midst of changing.Jazzy let out a piercing scream and dove under the blankets, her face in sheer panic as she kept screaming. Madeline quickly shut the door, blocking Trevon and Daniel from entering. As Jazzy's screams filled the room, Madeline and Rosie locked eyes, each recognizing the heavy concern reflected back at them. "Jazzy."Rosie softly called out to her, trying to move closer, but Jazzy shoved her away. Madeline frowned with worry. She gently pulled Rosie aside and asked, "Jazzy, you up for some boba?" At the sound of Madeline's voice, Jazzy's crying began to subside. She cautiously poked her head out from
Madeline stepped out of Jazzy's room, her face etched with concern.At 13 years old, Jazzy had found a home with the Quigg family, leaving behind the minimal comforts of the orphanage. Life was tough, leaving her frail and slight.Three years with the Quiggs, though, and she had grown into her tall and elegant beauty.Jazzy confided that after her fifteenth birthday, Alden's looks turned dark, filled with something that made her skin crawl.Then, as a high school freshman, Alden, fueled by alcohol, crossed a line, and everything fell apart.She would beg, fight back, but Alden was relentless.It all blew up three months ago when Macie walked in on them. Alden played it cool, accusing Jazzy of coming onto him.Jazzy was defenseless against the lie.Macie did not hesitate to send her packing, threatening to revoke the adoption over her supposed misconduct.The truth was plain, but their hands were tied.Months had passed since that last encounter, and without evidence, holding