Riley sat in the cafe, her face stormy with annoyance. They had said thirty minutes, but an hour had ticked by with no sign of Madeline.It seemed Madeline was not taking her seriously at all! Just as Riley's patience was wearing thin, in came Madeline, taking her sweet time."Finally!" Riley snapped, her composure shattered, her hand thudding on the table.Luckily, she had reserved the place, so their spat had no audience except for the barista, who peeked over from the counter, then quickly pretended to be engrossed in his work.Madeline took a seat across from him with a serene grace, setting her belongings on the floor with a soft thud. "Got caught in a bit of traffic, sorry about that," she said, her voice devoid of concern. Her face still bore the marks of yesterday's injury, swollen and tender to the eye.Riley let out a derisive snort, his eyes darting to the bag by her feet, stuffed to the brim. Clearly, those were fresh purchases. She had not been delayed by traffic, she
As the phrase "walk away with nothing" echoed in her ears, Madeline grasped the true reason behind Riley's summons. Had there been a misunderstanding that she intended to split the assets with Trevon, prompting that attempt to leave her with nothing?With an icy chuckle, Madeline seized the document from the table and ripped it to shreds."You!" Riley shot up from her chair, fury written all over her face.As Madeline methodically tore the agreement into pieces, Riley's anger boiled over. She raised her hand impulsively. However, Madeline was quicker, grabbing her coffee and dousing Riley's face with it.Her eyes, steely and unyielding, fixed on Riley as she lightly touched her swollen left cheek. "What's the matter, aiming to ruin my looks?"Her face, a patchwork of healing bruises and distinct finger marks against her pale skin, looked fierce.Madeline's frosty demeanor sent a shiver down Riley's spine, and the intended slap faltered. Then, only the steady drip of coffee from h
The person in the bed was none other than Yanely.At Cooper's words, her sleepy mind snapped to attention, and she mumbled with a pout, "What does she want with you?"Cooper chuckled. "She's a client of mine, probably needs a massage."Get some more sleep. We'll go out dancing tonight."Yanely, still tired from the previous night's session, waved him off and drifted back to sleep.Cooper gave her one last look before leaving the room.Lydia's night was no less troubled. She had pressed Trevon to keep his promise, but he had only given her a deep, searching look."You've just been through a miscarriage, you need time to heal. I hope you'll have things figured out by the time I get back from my trip."Everything was so unexpected. Trevon had no regard for their past, not even for the life of their child, leaving Lydia in a complete state of panic.Lydia tried to slip out to find Riley, but Liam, the security guard, blocked her way. "I'm sorry, Ms. Sanders. You're not well enough
Cilix's voice was grave. "The contract was with some no-name company that went belly-up today. The bank's frozen all their accounts. Every penny's tied up in settling debts."Looks like Sanders Corporation won't be seeing a dime of that money."Riley had been cunning, picking a broken company to ink a deal with. She was done investing, just declared bankruptcy, and pulled out her cash. Skylar was stunned, collapsing on the couch, whispering, "How could she do this?" Lydia had just lost her baby, and Riley yanked her funding right after. That was heartless. Cilix saw her looking totally lost and got mad all over again. "Why did you have to drag Lydia's baby into this mess?"'Can't you guys get anything right? Why am I always cleaning up your messes?Back when Bella was around, I never had to worry about this stuff!' The more he thought, the angrier he got. Cilix slammed his fist on the coffee table, and the cups rattled like crazy.Skylar flinched, covering her face and scoo
Before Caleb's group could even step in, Yale's crew stepped in their way. The doctor's brow furrowed in protest, but Caleb quickly pulled him aside to avoid a confrontation. Liam and the other guards sensed trouble from Yale's group and braced themselves. Yale strutted up, hands casually in his pockets. "So, you're keeping my sister from leaving?" he challenged. Liam's reply was icy. "Mr. Gibson's orders are clear. Ms. Sanders is frail and needs peace and quiet." Yale let out a derisive snort. "Spare me the sanctimony. Boys, you know what to do." His men did not hesitate, launching into a scuffle with the guards. Liam and his partner, both ex-military, were tough but outnumbered, and the narrow hospital corridor did not do them any favors. They were backed into a corner in no time. Skylar seized the moment, slipping into the ward to whisk Lydia away. "Lydia, we've got to go," she urged. Lydia, initially scared by the commotion, was suddenly filled with relief at the si
He gave his apprentice a nudge. "Hurry up and get Ms. Sanders a glass of water.""Mr. Scott, just Madeline is fine," Madeline said.Dallas grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Still on restoration duty today?"Madeline nodded, already suited up in her apron and settling in front of the canvas. Dallas took a seat nearby, ready to lend a hand to Madeline's meticulous work.After a busy afternoon, they had only managed to complete a tenth of the task.The painting was in terrible shape.Exhausted, Madeline slumped into the chair, her face a shade paler than usual. Being pregnant, she tired easily.The assistant quickly fetched water for them.While Dallas sipped his water, he remembered what Stephen had said before leaving. "Ms. Sanders, Mr. Ferguson asked me to give you something."Hearing him still use such formal titles, Madeline sighed inwardly and took the item, then exclaimed in surprise, "Tickets to Mr. Yash Ferguson's lecture!"Yash Ferguson was a legend in the world of
The Sanders family walked in to find Edith, the picture of calm, seated on the sofa.Cilix let out a relieved breath. With Edith there, today's issues seemed more manageable.He was the first to greet her. "Madam Gibson."Edith nodded, motioning for them to sit. Her eyes settled on Lydia. "I heard you got out of the hospital yesterday. Tough of you to come see me today."Lydia blanched, her lips quivering, at a loss for words. Edith did not press her, simply gesturing for her to take a seat. Once Felicia had served everyone coffee, she took her place behind the old lady, standing still.Edith let them sip their coffee in silence, making no move to break it. Cilix and the others shared a look, finally giving Lydia a silent, encouraging glance.Lydia's eyes brimmed with tears as she hung her head, her body sagging. "Grandma, I'm so sorry," she whispered.Edith's brow creased with concern. "What's this all about, Lydia? Come on, sit up straight."She reached out to steady Lydia, b
Felicia's heart skipped a beat. What was Edith getting at? She could not possibly be caving to the Sanders family's demands, could she?The Sanders family was secretly thrilled, their faces barely containing their glee. Cilix, though, was a rock, his gaze steady and silent. However, Edith took a sharp turn. "However, I can't agree to your demands."The smile on Lydia's face seized up as she stared at Edith in disbelief. "Grandma...""Hold it right there," Edith interrupted, her hand raised. "I'm not fit to be called 'grandma' by you."Lydia's face paled, and she looked like she was about to burst into tears.Edith's voice was firm. "Save your tears. Did you think I've gone soft in my old age?"Back when Trevon had his accident, Edith had turned to the tarot cards for some hope. She was desperate then, with nowhere else to turn, she put all her hopes on that reading. She had hoped, given Trevon and Lydia's close relationship and their time together, that Lydia would agree to join
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