Trevon stirred from his coma once more.It was the first time he had awoken since that fateful day.Had he not awakened, Daniel might have believed Trevon's previous revival was just a figment of his hope."Mr. Gibson, you're back with us," Daniel announced.At his words, Lydia, who had been napping, perked up and rushed over, her face alight with joy. "Trevon, you're awake!"Trevon paid her no mind, his gaze fixed on Daniel. "How long was I out?""Four days," Daniel replied, already pressing the nurse call button.Had the doctors not been so sure of Trevon's recovery, Daniel would have been on the phone with Edith, asking her to step in and take the reins.Trevon's brow creased with worry. "Did I miss anything important?"Daniel assumed he was worried about the partnership and lab work, so he mentioned, "Mr. Ferguson heard about your mishap and dropped by once. He said we'll hash out the collaboration details after you're back home. About the lab, Rhys hinted at some breakthr
"Mr. Gibson, are you really giving that necklace to Lydia? It was meant for Mrs. Gibson," Daniel asked, as he watched Lydia walk away with the shattered gift.Trevon reclined, his voice a mere whisper, "Give it to her. Whatever she's asking for, just deal with it."Lydia had played her card before leaving, calling in the life-saving debt to make a request of Trevon.He could not say no, but he had no intention of seeing Lydia again.Daniel gave a knowing nod.It was probably for the best. After all, he had always had a soft spot for Madeline, the esteemed Mrs. Gibson."Should we have another necklace made?"Trevon waved off the idea. "Madeline wouldn't want another. A ring, then. With a pink diamond."Daniel paused, then a smile cracked his face, "Got it. I'll find the largest pink diamond there is."Trevon fell silent, his eyes closing from exhaustion, yet a hint of contentment played on his lips.…In Redenbaugh City, Skylar had been on edge ever since she heard about Bell
Skylar had just ended a call when Cilix walked in.Thanks to Edith's hefty investment, the Sanders Group was unstoppable. Once it went public, its value was set to skyrocket.Cilix was riding high those days, his demeanor full of vim and vigor. He had even indulged in a few extra drinks at the gathering and was pleasantly buzzed.Skylar rushed over, barely catching her breath. "Cilix, you won't believe the news I just heard!"Cilix dodged her grasp with a smooth sidestep and asked, "What's up?"He flopped onto the couch.Skylar blurted out, "Bella's on her deathbed!"Cilix's frown was quick and sharp, a flicker of darkness crossing his eyes so fast it was nearly imperceptible."Are you out of your mind? Bella's recovering in the hospital. She's not dying."Skylar burst into laughter, spilling the news that Bella had dashed out of the hospital and gotten hit by a car and was fighting for her life in the operating room. Cilix's expression turned grave. "Is all of this for real
Bella lay motionless on the bed, an oxygen mask veiling her face, her breathing barely noticeable.The machines by her side beeped intermittently, the only sign she was hanging on.However, she was so frail, just skin and bones, like she could crumble any moment.Madeline's heart ached as she watched her.Bella had always been the belle of the ball, turning heads with her style and grace.However, her once radiant face was gaunt, the loss of volume making her look almost ghostly.Thank goodness, each time she came to, Bella had not caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. If she had, with her love for looking good, she would probably have shattered it right there.Her once shiny black hair became thin and dull.As Madeline ran her fingers through it, she felt the strands were as devoid of life as Bella seemed to be.Maybe, just maybe, it would be kinder for Bella to slip away. She would not have to deal with the loss of her parents, the mystery of her missing brother, or the
No sooner had Skylar's words hung in the air than Caleb's boot sent her crashing to the ground."Clean up your act," he snapped.It was the first time Caleb had ever thrown a punch—or in that case, a kick.Skylar, blindsided by the sudden attack, hit the dirt hard."What's your problem? I'm talking about Madeline here. Why are you getting mad? Don't tell me I'm right, and that you're the cheater?"I knew it! You're always running around, doing errands for Madeline. So, that's the truth between you two."Madeline, that's just low. Madam Gibson treats you like gold, and here you are, stirring up trouble."Instead of getting up, Skylar planted herself on the ground and started yelling."Everyone, come look! The homewrecker's throwing punches! Knocking up another man's wife, and a doctor no less. Shameful!"Caleb's face turned stormy in an instant.Madeline had had enough. She marched over and fiercely kicked Skylar.Pinned to the ground, Skylar could not dodge and took the blow
Cilix stared at Madeline in disappointment. "Madeline, what happened to you? You used to be such a kind and courteous kid. Now, you're all claws and teeth. I barely recognize you. You've let me down big time."Madeline could only scoff at his words, thinking it was the biggest joke ever."Oh, so you're here for my mom? Fine. She's in a coma right now, and the doctors say that she needs surgery. It'll cost a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I don't have that kind of cash, so how about you pay it off me?"Cilix's frown deepened.Skylar could not stay put any longer. She jumped to her feet and blurted out, "He's not even married to your mother anymore. Why should he pay her medical bills? Especially not a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. You're living in a fantasy."Skylar figured it was pointless to even bother with treatment, it was just throwing money away.Madeline ignored Skylar, her eyes locked on Cilix. "Dad, my real dad, what's your take?"Skylar was furious, desperat
Cilix noticed Skylar stalling and scowled. "What now?"Skylar flashed an awkward grin. "Go ahead, Cilix. I just need to use the restroom."Cilix glanced at the nearby restroom and his frown softened. "Make it quick."He took a couple of steps and spun around. "Don't you dare stir up trouble with Madeline again."Skylar nodded like her life depended on it. "Sure thing. I'm on it. You get the car running. I'll be out quickly."After Cilix had vanished into the distance, Skylar sauntered up to the Zwick family, her chin tilted up ever so slightly."You're the family of the lady who got tossed out of her car in that crash, right?" Susie glanced up to find a lady who looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine standing there. Her hair was perfect, not a strand out of place, unlike Susie's own wild, untamed tresses. The lady's outfit, the designer bag she clutched, and the shoes she wore screamed money. Susie could not help but feel envious.Susie sniffled and replied, "
Tanner's voice stopped David."Hold up, David!"David was clearly upset. "Tanner, are you seriously going to pass up a pile of cash when it's right under your nose?""Zip it," Tanner shot back, his gaze sharp with disappointment.Did David really think they were about to get a lucky break out of nowhere?That lady they had just met was surely up to no good. She was just trying to drag them into someone else's mess.Were they supposed to just dive headfirst into trouble?"So, we're just going to say no to the money?"Tanner gave him a look. "Take it? Of course, we're taking it. Why on earth wouldn't we? Mom's death can't be for nothing. We owe it to her to get some justice."In the heat of the moment, they all seemed to forget what they had said earlier about Yasmin already being dead by the time she was loaded into the ambulance.They huddled up and made a plan. Tanner and Susie would head upstairs first to scope things out.Finding Bella's hospital room was a breeze.They