Madeline's head turned slowly, her eyes darting between Skylar and Riley. One bore a grudge deep enough to chill bones, the other scorned her for abandonment. Words of defense would be like shouting into the wind—pointless. Why bother playing their game? One was dead set on snagging a spot in the Gibson family, the other obsessed with the dream of a grandchild. She might as well wish them luck—they would need it."Mr. Security Guard, that's quite the grip you've got," Madeline said coolly, pulling her gaze away. The guards flinched and loosened their hold. "Our apologies, Mrs. Gibson." Now that they'd let up, they couldn't very well keep pinning her down. They let go and even took a couple of steps back, almost sheepishly.Madeline didn't waste a second. She bolted upright and took off. "She's making a break for it! Grab her!" Skylar's voice pierced the air. The guards hesitated, their reluctance giving Madeline her chance to slip away.Riley's voice cut through the commotion, icy a
"Mr. Gibson, we've got a problem."Trevon had been deep in talks about a new deal with Stephen when Mr. Harris burst in, phone in hand. They were supposed to hit up Lydia's birthday party today, but Stephen had called an audible, demanding a sit-down on the deal today of all days.Trevon was not keen on the party anyway, so he had rolled with it. He had made it clear to Mr. Harris - no distractions.Mr. Harris leaned in and spilled the news in a hush.Trevon's face creased with concern, and he was on his feet in a flash. "Mr. Ferguson, something's come up. We'll have to call it a day."Stephen's eyebrow arched. "I'm off to the States tomorrow. If we don't lock this down now, it'll have to wait till I'm back."Trevon's lips thinned, but his mind was made up. "We'll sort out the deal. I'll come to the U.S. and we'll talk."Stephen looked taken aback but stepped aside, making no move to stop Trevon as he strode out.Once Trevon was out of sight, Stephen turned to his secretary Cha
Caleb, clearly annoyed, said, "Madeline's not feeling great. I'm gonna take her to get patched up."Skylar spat out bitterly, "She doesn't even have a scratch. What's she need patching up for?"Cilix chimed in, "We've gotta clear this up. You don't want to be blamed for something you didn't do, right Madeline?"Caleb furrowed his brow and looked down at Madeline, concern etched on his face.Madeline's eyelashes gave a tiny flutter as she murmured, "Caleb, let me down."She was curious to see how Cilix would sort this mess out.With no other option, Caleb gently set her in a chair and had a nurse fetch some ointment, which he tenderly dabbed on her wounds.Skylar snorted, tossed out the phrase "dainty princess" like it was an insult, and strutted back to Cilix's side.As Caleb treated Madeline's scrapes, he whispered, "Anything else hurts? I could get my uncle to check on you, you know?"Madeline gave a faint shake of her head.Just a sore face and knees, nothing more."Maybe
Madeline barely gave Trevon a glance before her eyes landed on Riley.Riley's eyes flashed with shock, and he snapped, "What's with that look? Don't you think you deserved that? You're plotting against Lydia, but the worst thing you did was to ignore the Gibson family's legacy! Two slaps is letting you off easy.""Today, you're going to kneel and pray for the kid!"Madeline let out a soft laugh. "Me, a killer, praying for blessings? You're not worried that'll jinx the kid's chances of a do-over?"Riley paused, his face darkening again.Skylar burst into sobs. "There! You've confessed! Trevon, you heard her! You have to get justice for Lydia's baby!"Trevon's frown deepened.He ignored Skylar's tears and fixed his gaze on Madeline, his voice low and serious. "What are you talking about?""Mr. Harris, take Mrs. Gibson home," he ordered.Mr. Harris hurried over to Madeline, reaching out to assist her.Madeline stepped aside, dodging his touch.Skylar's voice pierced the air, "N
Lydia's tears fell steadily. "You're not the one bleeding, so of course you can't feel my pain!""Do you have any idea? When I was bleeding, I felt my baby slipping away from me, little by little. It's a pain that rips your soul to shreds!"Lydia clutched at her chest, as if the pain was too much to bear.Trevon frowned slightly, a sign that he couldn't truly grasp the depth of her anguish.Lydia's eyes were stormy with grief and anger, a stark contrast to the calm concern etched on his face."Try to stay calm, Lydia. You need to think about your health," he urged softly."Name your price. Whatever compensation you want, it's yours."Her gaze snapped up, fierce and unyielding. "I want Madeline to pay—an eye for an eye!""I shed lots of blood; I demand she does the same!"He had never seen her so raw, so untamed. He understood though—losing a child could push anyone to the edge.Yet, he had to be the voice of reason."It was a tragic accident, Lydia. You can't pin this on Mad
Trevon stepped out into the cool night air, leaving the hospital behind him.Mr. Harris was there to meet him, "We've managed to keep a lid on the birthday party and Miss Lydia's tumble. Mrs. Lowe was making a scene, demanding justice against Mrs. Gibson, but she calmed down and was sent home.""Mrs. Yagle left a word for you. She wants you to wrap things up here and then swing by the old house."Trevon gave a noncommittal hum, sliding into the car and massaging the tension between his eyebrows. "Where's Madeline?"Peering at him through the rearview mirror, Mr. Harris replied, "Mrs. Gibson slipped away while Mr. Jabs was getting his car."Trevon's frown deepened.Mr. Harris hurried to explain, "She hitched a ride with Mr. Ferguson to the Crystal River Hotel."Trevon's face darkened. "Why's he butting in?"Mr. Harris did not have an answer. From what he had heard, Stephen had merely helped Madeline with a hotel booking and then took off. Probably just lending a hand.Trevon's
Trevon left the hotel and drove back to the Gibson family's stately home.Riley was slumped in the living room, struggling to keep his eyes open, when he finally saw his son stroll in."What took you so long?"Trevon dropped onto the couch without a word, "Out with it. Why did you call me back here?"Riley's brow furrowed as she shot him a piercing look. "What's this 'I don't know' act? We're talking about Lydia's miscarriage. What's your game plan here?"Trevon glanced up, his voice cool and detached. "Like I said, it's none of your business. Drop it.""It is my business!" Riley's voice spiked with intensity. "Don't think you can fool me with your schemes.""You're planning to pay off the Sanders family, aren't you? As some kind of settlement?"Trevon remained silent.Riley slid into the seat beside him, her tone incredulous. "Have you lost your mind? This is the Sanders' mess, not the Gibsons'. If anyone should be coughing up cash, it's Madeline. Our family's money shouldn't
Downstairs, Riley was wide awake, Trevon's words echoing in her mind. Without hesitation, she picked up the phone and called her go-to lawyer.The lawyer listened and then confirmed, "That's right. Without a prenup, the law says the couple should split everything down the middle."Unless...""Unless what?" Riley pressed."Unless one spouse decides to walk away from the assets, agreeing to it in a divorce settlement," the lawyer explained."So, if the divorce papers state that she’s giving up her share, they won't need to split anything else?" Riley clarified."Exactly," the lawyer confirmed.Riley's laugh was sharp, tinged with resolve. "Fine, draft me that divorce settlement."The lawyer hesitated, then asked carefully, "Mrs. Yagle, who is this settlement for, if I may ask?""Mind your own business," Riley snapped, and ended the call.Madeline had no clue about Riley's scheme. She would better sign the papers without a fuss, or she would be in for a nasty surprise.Unaware