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
At last, they were on topic.Edith smiled. "So, what's your price?"Two million dollars and a mansion would not satisfy the Sanders family's hunger.Cilix's face soured as Edith looked like she had already guessed their plan."Why the harsh words? We're practically family, Madam Gibson."I didn't come to shake down the Gibsons for cash today. I just have a question for you."Skylar gave him a sharp nudge, clearly annoyed. They had agreed on getting the Gibsons to cough up some dough. Why the sudden change of heart? No money? That would be a huge loss for them.Cilix pulled back slightly, paying no mind to Skylar.Edith gave a soft laugh, acting as if she had not noticed their little spat, and said, "Speak your piece."Cilix's voice was heavy with seriousness, "As you know, the Sanders Corporation is about to hit the stock market, and every investment counts."Lydia had a miscarriage just yesterday, and Cranford Company pulled their funding from Sanders Corporation. Doesn't th