"So, what's the plan for the missing fifteen million dollars?" Madeline questioned.Riley's complexion turned a shade paler. "More than fifteen million dollars? You think you deserve it? Three years and nothing to show for it, yet you dare bring up money?"Madeline responded with a crisp edge to her voice, "Why should I feel ashamed? Mom, you haven't produced anything for decades, but that hasn't stopped you from spending, has it?"Daniel nearly burst out laughing at the exchange. 'Mrs. Gibson is truly his absolute favorite!' he mused.Riley's face contorted with rage. "Are you out of your mind? How dare you talk back to me like that?!"Madeline cocked her head."Am I wrong? Isn't that your own logic, Mother dearest? Well, it's not quite right since you're off on the timing. I'm curious, how much did you spend each month before you had Trevon?" Madeline asked earnestly.Daniel chimed in, "Mrs. Gibson, that's not a fair comparison. The value of money was a hundredfold what it is
Madeline's eyes clung to him a moment longer before she turned away, her voice shaky. "W-why did you take off your top instead?"Trevon saw the hint of red on her ears and raised an eyebrow. He let his pants drop to the floor and stepped behind her, his voice low and husky in her ear. "How was I to know you'd be so eager?" His breath tickled her ear, sending her heart into a flutter. Instinctively, Madeline turned her head, trying to dodge him. Trevon, however, wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close as if to hug her. Goosebumps spread across Madeline's skin, and she tried to slap him without a second thought. Trevon caught her hand and drew it to him. His other hand snaked around her waist, drawing her into his embrace. "What's the matter?" he asked. The heat from his hand on her waist felt like a burning flame, and Madeline squirmed to get free. However, she was trapped, their bodies pressed together, and any movement from her only intensified the contact with Trevon,
The mention of dinner made Daniel nearly lose it. He glanced at the pile of paperwork on his desk. Were they not swamped with work for the day, with no time for breaks?Daniel had been cracking the whip, getting everyone to pull together the reports, all set for a night of overtime.Then, the boss decided to call it quits at seven. Where was the fairness in that?Trevon's brow creased just a bit. "If you're up for overtime, I won't stop you."To Trevon, it was just a matter of finding another driver.Daniel masked his irritation. "Mr. Gibson, any preference for where we eat? I'll book us a spot."Trevon fiddled with his tie, which felt like a noose. "Madeline, fix this for me, will you?"Madeline, mid-rant to Yeneth on her phone, got up with a huff. "Why bother with a tie after hours?"Trevon quirked an eyebrow. "Then, help me get it off. Dinner's on me."That was what saved him from a Madeline-style execution.Daniel chimed in quickly, "Mrs. Gibson, what are you in the mood
"Did York take it well?" Madeline inquired.Yeneth could not help but smirk as she showed Madeline the text from York.[You're breaking up with me because I asked you to look after my grandfather? That's who you are? Alright, then. Enough drama, just get to the hospital and help my mom after work.][Yeneth, what's this? Are we really done?][Done is done. Let me tell you, living together is no different from a second marriage in my book. Don't even think about coming back to me!][Mom says if you can't be bothered to help, then at least cough up some cash. Pay for my grandfather's medical bills, and all is forgiven. You'll still have a shot with the Lawsons.]Madeline looked confused. "Are the Lawsons loaded or something?"Yeneth just scoffed.They had been close to tying the knot, so of course, she had been to York's place.The Lawsons were just a typical family out in the sticks. The only thing they had going for them was that York had made it to college.Madeline wondered
Madeline was too slow to stop him.She was not serious about following the streamer. It was all for a laugh, to lighten Yeneth's mood.However, Trevon had overreacted."Hand it over," Madeline demanded.Trevon gave her a look. "So you can spend my money on tips? Do I look like a sucker?"Madeline was taken aback. "Your money? That's mine," she shot back.Trevon scoffed and turned to Yeneth. "You waste time on this at work?"He called out to Daniel. "Daniel, tell Camden to crack down on discipline at Skylandia. No more phones on the clock. About that overtime schedule he mentioned? I'm on board."Yeneth and Madeline were speechless as they exchanged looks. Yeneth looked desperately at Madeline, silently pleading for her to intervene.However, before Madeline could say a word, Trevon cut in. "Thinking of joining the Skylandia project?"Madeline bit her lip and stayed quiet.All the way to the Luxuria Supper House, Yeneth begged Trevon to reconsider his decision. However, Trevo
"Trevon, try a shrimp."Lydia, noticing Trevon's gaze fixed on Madeline, interrupted with a hint of annoyance to snap him out of his reverie.Trevon gave the shrimp a cursory glance, his frown barely noticeable.It hit him that Lydia really did not get him.They had been together for over two years, and even though they were not always side by side, they had shared plenty of meals. However, Lydia still had not picked up on the fact that he was not into shrimp.It was not that he did not like them—he just could not be bothered to peel them.However, Madeline always knew to peel the shrimp and pass them to him, ready to eat. She had an uncanny knack for nailing his likes and dislikes, never missing a beat.How had he never picked up on that before?Lydia's shoulders drooped in a silent show of defeat. Sadly for her, no one around the table seemed to notice.Riley, the only one who would have cared, was too busy doting on Sadie."Dad and Mom are still globetrotting, and they'll
Trevon's frown deepened as he declined. "Art isn't my thing. You Fergusons are the experts here."Was that not the truth?Even Stephen thought it was pointless to drag Trevon into that.However, Riley would not drop it, constantly nudging the topic back to Trevon.The room was a mix of reactions.Trevon looked like he was about to lose his cool, but he kept his composure for the sake of manners.Lydia's face was a storm of emotions. She had hoped that her pregnancy would soften Riley's view of her, and it did, but only for a day.With Sadie around, did Riley even remember Lydia was carrying her grandchild?Madeline, seemingly detached, helped herself to another serving of rice.Trevon was speechless as he thought, 'Since when was she such a hearty eater?'Lydia's complexion shifted out of nowhere, and despite her best efforts to hold back, she let out a sharp yelp."Ah!"Trevon frowned."What's the matter?"Lydia shot him a look, her eyes brimming with unspoken torment. "It
Sadie clung to Stephen's hand and pleaded, "Stephen, you've got it all wrong. I wasn't... It's just that Mrs. Yagle, well, there's something about her. Come on, Trevon's taken. Why would I want to marry him?"She gritted her teeth in denial, her voice a mix of defiance and charm. "I'm not crazy enough to sell myself short."Stephen's stern look softened, and he playfully flicked her forehead. "For a second there, I thought you'd lost your head over Trevon.""As if! You're way hotter than Trevon!"Stephen was not swayed by her sweet talk. He warned her again, "Keep your distance from Trevon. Grandpa and the others have plans for your future, and you're not to mess things up, got it?"Sadie made a face but nodded in agreement.Seeing Stephen relax a bit, she ventured a quieter question. "So, why are you so chummy with Madeline, huh?"Stephen's face took on a thoughtful cast. He remembered asking Caleb after the auction if he had really stopped bidding on that painting just to let