The Skylandia crew paused their bustling work as she entered, all eyes on her.Madeline brushed past the onlookers, her gaze cutting through the crowd until it locked onto Lydia, who sat there with an icy stare. She strode over with purpose.Lydia's heart sank as she caught sight of Madeline's stormy face. "Madeline..."Before she could get a word out, Madeline's hand cracked across her cheek. The slap rang out, leaving the office dead silent. Everyone was too shocked to even whisper, hands clamped over their mouths.Lydia clutched her face, her eyes wide with shock. She never saw it coming—not here, not in front of everyone."Madeline, what the heck?"Madeline's laugh was cold as ice. "What am I doing? Maybe I should just lay out all your dirty little secrets, huh?"The crowd perked up, eager for a juicy story."You!" Lydia's voice trembled under the weight of all those staring eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about. You're making this up!"She should not have bother
"I said I'd quit, didn't I? So why is Madeline still on my case?" Lydia cried out. "She slapped me right there in front of everyone. How am I supposed to look my coworkers in the eye now? I'm totally humiliated!" Tears streamed down her face as she spoke.Trevon did not even look up until he was done with his paperwork. "Madeline showed up at the office?" he asked, finally giving Lydia his attention. Lydia was fuming. Was that all he cared about after her tearful tale?Trevon cracked a slight smile and said coolly, "Didn't you ask to keep it from Madeline for now? Besides, you're heading off to Itania soon. You won't have to deal with office folks much longer. Just tie up any loose ends with your work and have Camden find someone to take over your duties."Lydia was floored. She had expected Trevon to be upset, to give Madeline a piece of his mind for causing a scene, but he seemed totally unfazed. He was different now."Trevon, there's something I need to talk to you about," Lydia
Madeline's fingers trembled as she held the invitation. Trevon was throwing a birthday party for Lydia himself? What was he playing at?He was telling her they would not split up, yet here he was, planning a secret party for Lydia, showering her with affection. How could anyone be so two-faced and nauseating?The memory of Trevon's touch from that night sent a wave of queasiness through Madeline, and she bolted for the bathroom. She retched until there was nothing left, but the sick feeling wouldn't fade. And it wasn't just her stomach; her whole body felt wrong.The touch that had once made her skin tingle with embarrassment now filled her with disgust. She hated his touch, and even more, she hated that it had once made her heart skip a beat. She turned on the shower, letting the scalding water cascade over her...Once Madeline had regained her composure and stepped out of the bathroom, her clothes were drenched, and her skin was flushed from the intense scrubbing, some spots even
Messages from Aaron and Yeneth pinged onto Madeline's phone back-to-back.Aaron: [Hey, how's the scene coming along? If you can, dial up the details. We need it to be top-notch for the showdown.]Yeneth: [Lydia's scene is in, and it's pretty slick. What's your status? You've gotta outdo her!]Madeline kept it brief, shooting back just an "Ok" emoji.Yeneth could tell Madeline was playing her cards close to her chest, but she could not help feeling a bit relieved. [We weren't even going to wait for you, but Lydia's the one who piped up. You don't think she's up to something, do you?]Madeline, not one for many words in a message, actually responded, [Guess I owe her one, then.]She took a moment to eye her nearly complete masterpiece, her face a mask of cool determination.Lydia was angling to make herself indispensable to Skylandia.Madeline was having none of it.She really did not need to flaunt her stuff in front of her. Madeline would make sure she got a front-row seat to
It was Lydia. Madeline was not in the mood to talk. She hit 'end call' without a second thought.Lydia just would not quit calling. It was like she would keep at it forever unless Madeline picked up.Finally, Madeline hit the answer button, a bit miffed. "What's up?"Lydia's voice, full of self-pity, came through at once. "Madeline, why were you ignoring my calls?""Just spit it out, will you?"Lydia was taken aback by Madeline's blunt talk, almost wanting to end the call right there. However, she had a plan and kept her cool. "You got my birthday invite, right? You better be there.""Considering the mess you're in with the Skylandia project, you're still up for throwing a bash?"A pause from Lydia, then a light chuckle. "Maybe Trevon set it up knowing I was down. Don't sweat it, Madeline."Hearing the triumph in Lydia's voice, Madeline's lips curled into a slow smile. "Worry not, I'll be there."Lydia had not expected such an easy yes, and it threw her off. Before she could s
Madeline was not new to the Crystal River Clubhouse. It was the usual hangout for the rich kids of Redenbaugh City.Today, Trevon had reserved the whole place just for Lydia's birthday party, and the bill for that alone was through the roof—over ten million.Starting at the entrance, the place was decked out with flowers, pink roses rippling in the autumn wind, creating waves of breathtaking beauty. She knew pink roses stood for being touched, a love declaration, symbolizing first love.Trevon was celebrating the sweet memories of his first love with Lydia. A tribute, a remembrance. So what was with his constant promises not to divorce her? Was he just trying to keep her calm, to prevent her from causing a scene, not to mess with what he had with Lydia? She had already let go. Why was he still messing with her feelings?Lydia, in her dress and diamond tiara, looked stunning, like a princess. His princess. It was a gesture that was truly awe-inspiring. It was the kind of thing that
It was the story of Trevon's car wreck from three years back.Phrases like "severe crash," "unconscious," and "vegetative state" stood out starkly.Next to the text were two photos. One showed Lydia at the airport, poised to leave the country, and the other was her international plane ticket.The crowd was thrown for a loop by these jarring images, unsure of their significance.A few quick thinkers blurted out, "Hold up, are you telling me Lydia booked it out of the country the moment she heard Mr. Gibson was in a crash and went comatose?""And she's got the gall to flaunt their romance here?""Man, if Mr. Gibson got wind of this, would he still roll out the red carpet for her birthday?""Seriously, how can she even talk about love? It's like that saying, 'When trouble hits, love flies out the window.'""You're way out of line!""Ahem, you know what I mean!"The conference room was buzzing with chatter as everyone pointed fingers at Lydia.Lydia's face turned ghostly white a
It all happened in a flash. By the time the crowd caught up, Lydia had already taken a dive, crashing with a loud "bang" in the middle of the hall, leaving everyone around her stunned and speechless.Madeline instinctively shielded her stomach and stepped back.Skylar, oblivious to everything else, dashed to Lydia's side. "Lydia, Lydia, are you okay?"Lydia was in pain all over, her face, her body, everywhere.Ignoring her pain, she clutched Skylar's hand. "Mom... hurry..."Skylar's mind went blank, but Lydia's plea snapped her back to reality. "Yes, yes, we need to get you to the hospital."Lydia shot her a fierce look, her voice low and strained. "Blood..."Skylar paused, then it clicked: Lydia was determined to see her plan through, to set Madeline up. How could she fake bleeding without anyone catching on though?As Skylar hesitated, the crowd closed in."Are you alright?""Someone call 911, quick!"With a grimace, Skylar ripped open the fake blood bag hidden on Lydia. A
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