Tracy would not take a loss lying down. If only she had a way to fight it.To her, three million dollars was nothing.However, Lydia had backed Tracy into a corner at the Silver Leaf Studio, threatening her very life. She was caught between a rock and a hard place, forced to back down."I recall events like yesterday's auction always get plenty of press. Usually, they zero in on the auction itself and miss the fashion angle."Tracy squinted thoughtfully.Madeline suggested, "How about we buy a press release? Highlight all the designer outfits from the auction, especially Lydia's gown."Tracy got the hint and smirked. "A gown that's returned right after the show? It's like they're playing dress-up with no money to back it. I'm curious how the Sanders family will show their faces after this."It was a clever trap.Once the gown was the talk of the town, Cilix and Lydia would be forced to buy it back to maintain their dignity.They could not afford the hit to their reputation. No
Madeline first thought she was hearing things, but turning to Bella, she caught her mother's gaze, wavering and unfocused.Her eyes went wide, and in an instant, she was at Bella's side. "Mom, can you hear me? You're awake!"Madeline began sobbing, but in a heartbeat, Bella's focus faded, her eyes drifting shut once more."Mom?"Madeline's voice broke, calling out again and again, but Bella remained unresponsive.Desperate, she turned to Caleb. "Caleb?"Caleb frowned with concern as he tried to soothe her. "Let's not jump to conclusions. I'll get to the doctor."He hit the call button, summoning a nurse and asking for Bella's doctor. Then, with a stethoscope in hand, he began to assess Bella's condition, which seemed unchanged from before.Bella slipped back into a deep sleep, as if the earlier whisper of Madeline's name was nothing but a shared hallucination.The verdict from the head doctor echoed Caleb's own thoughts.Madeline gripped Bella's hand, struggling to accept tha
In Lydia's hospital room, Skylar was slicing apples for her daughter when her cellphone erupted with a series of dings.She set aside the knife and apple, checked her phone, and her expression soured.Lydia, savoring her apple, caught the shift in her mother's mood and asked, "What's the matter, Mom?"Skylar gripped her phone tightly, forcing a strained smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Just that investment I made tanked, that's all."Lydia rolled her eyes. "Mom, those investment schemes are nothing but scams. They prey on folks like you who aren't in the know. If you're serious about getting your finances in shape, I could hook you up with a financial planner. You pay him a cut for commission, and he'll handle your assets. It's all the rage overseas."Skylar dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. "Please, my savings are hardly worth the fuss of hiring some finance guys, not to mention the fees. It's just not worth it."She locked her phone and swiftly steered the conversation elsew
Daniel passed the phone back to Trevon after disconnecting. "Aren't you going to check on her? Mrs. Sanders sounded pretty worried."Without a second look, Trevon chucked the phone aside as he loosened his tie. "I'm not a doctor."He was not born yesterday.Lydia's wrist was not badly hurt. She could make it to an auction, so it was unlikely to be inflamed.He used to let Lydia's little games slide, but after last night...When he thought Madeline was in trouble, he was not just nervous or anxious—he was terrified. Terrified she would end up like his father, lifeless and still, never to breathe or move again. "Back to the old mansion."Edith had made a point of telling them to come home for dinner.Thinking of Madeline's recent cravings, Trevon had Daniel pull over at a roadside fruit stand.…Outside the Gibson family's old mansion, Madeline juggled two laptops.One was her own, and the other was the one Caleb had fixed after an unfortunate accident.Even though they we
Trevon tensed up as he retorted, "Dream on! This is the villa's entrance, and cars are always passing by. I'm just reminding you that you're a married woman!"Madeline arched an eyebrow and let out an amused chuckle. "Well, here's a reminder for you too, Mr. Gibson."She grabbed her notebook and, without a backward glance, headed into the old mansion.Trevon was on the verge of losing it, his anger boiling over as he tried to confront her. However, his rage found another outlet—a solid punch that landed on the Maybach with a thud.Inside the car, Daniel's heart raced with fear, worried that Trevon might wreck the luxury vehicle. He quickly got out and offered the strawberries he had bought as a peace offering.Trevon's smiled at the sight of the strawberries.What a waste! They were too tart for anyone's liking."Just toss them!"He strode off, face like thunder. However, after a few steps, he spun around, snatched the bag of strawberries, and without a word, followed into the
Clutching her laptop, Madeline stepped back warily.Trevon seemed off, and she could not quite read him.He caught her guarded look and chuckled, "What's wrong? Can't I go to my own room?"Technically, yes.Madeline had considered that when she agreed to spend the night. Normally, she would crash on the couch and Trevon would take the bed. However, without him working late in the study, she could not get any painting done.Trevon fiddled with his tie, failing to loosen it, and asked with a hint of annoyance, "Aren't you tired holding two laptop? Help me with this, will you?"She had helped him with such things before.Setting the computer aside, Madeline stood on her toes to reach his tie.Trevon did not bother to bend down, standing up straight, which only served to tick Madeline off even more.She briefly entertained the thought of strangling him for real.Just then, a knock at the door jolted her, and her hands yanked the tie the wrong way, tightening it around Trevon's ne
Trevon furiously glared at Madeline as she recoiled. "You need to chill out."Trevon squinted and leaned in closer, his breath quickening. "You try chilling out."Madeline was at a loss for words, pressing her hand against his chest, "Back off. I'm going to get Mr. Jones and we're getting you to a hospital."Her cool hand seemed to quell the heat raging through him, even if just a little. Trevon sighed in relief, the coolness a balm to his fevered state.The harmless prank had spiraled out of control, and Trevon found himself inching closer to Madeline.Her cheeks turned a rosy hue from his warm breath, and with a hint of urgency, she pleaded, "Keep it together and step back, will you?"She struggled to free herself from his hold and dashed for the door.Trevon, clinging to the last threads of sanity, did not pursue her, but watched with eyes ablaze as she reached for the exit, his throat working nervously. What was he to do about Madeline? He had not figured that out yet. M
Trevon's kiss was forceful, his hand boldly roaming her body as if he owned her. The drug messed with his head, but he felt more awake than he had ever been.Trevon's feelings for Madeline ran deeper than any fleeting effect of a drug. He yearned for her, truly and deeply, in a way that was nothing like his regrettable one-night stand with Lydia. As he stood close to Madeline, there was no resistance in his heart or body. There was only an aching need to be near her, a sensation he had never experienced before.They were married, after all. Intimacy should have been a given.However, Madeline's hesitation was clearly tied to his past mistake with Lydia. He had ended things with Lydia and was determined to make it up to Madeline.Lost in those thoughts, Trevon reached for the straps of Madeline's dress. However, Madeline was in a panic. She scrambled for something, and her fingers closed around the handle of a fruit knife. With a surge of desperate courage, she plunged the knife
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