Trevon, fighting off a wave of nausea, dialed a number."I need Madeline's medical records from the hospital today."Once he had given the order, he knew it was not the time to seek out Madeline, so he retreated to his room to rest.The nausea was relentless.He had just missed Madeline and Yeneth's chat about Lily Mora."The company wants to offer you the role of a featured artist. What's your take, Madeline?"Madeline's brow creased in thought.Ever since the incident, she grew wary of the Skylandia project, and especially Lydia.Madeline assumed her minor contracting role kept her well away from Lydia's reach. However, Lydia's latest move was unexpectedly underhanded.Becoming a featured artist would mean falling under Lydia's command—the art director she wanted to avoid.Madeline was not naive. She had never been part of the corporate world, but she was not clueless.Lydia had to despise her after what happened, and would surely make her life difficult.That kind of str
Trevon's voice was surprisingly gentle.Before Madeline could respond, a wave of nausea hit her hard, and she bolted for the bathroom to throw up.Trevon turned pale and clenched his fists tightly, barely managing to stop himself from vomiting.Why did he have to feel her nausea as if it were his own? He would rather deal with physical pain than that invisible, gut-wrenching sensation.After what felt like an eternity, Madeline's stomach finally settled. She wiped her mouth with a tissue that had mysteriously appeared before her. Looking up, she offered a weak but heartfelt "Thank you" to Trevon, who had braved the unpleasantness to bring her the tissue.Discomfort crossed Trevon's face as he replied coldly, "Just don't make me watch."Madeline was left speechless.She had to admit, the man had a sharp tongue. His handsome face and long legs must have blinded her in the past.Madeline had just finished sprucing up the bathroom when she returned and dropped the bombshell."We g
A collective sigh of relief swept through the project team.It was not long before the Skylandia project team made a flourishing announcement.[Thrilled to have Lily Mora join the 'Skylandia' team.]Lily Mora's response was equally gracious.[Happy to clear up the misunderstanding. Excited to collaborate!]There was Bernard, quietly hitting 'like' on her post, as if his silent endorsement meant everything.Yahir was at it again, stirring up chaos before he dialed Trevon's number."You're in my debt now, buddy. How do you plan to make it up to me?"Trevon was already distracted. His productivity tanked due to the emotional turmoil Madeline put him in.He tossed the paperwork aside and asked over the phone, "What's it gonna take?"With a sly laugh, Yahir replied, "Come on. We're the champs. What are we doing holed up in this backwater town? Rent me a floor in the Redenbaugh City office building downtown. It'll give me a reason to come back and hang out with you."Trevon mulled
Annoyance flickered in Lydia's eyes.Wren was such an idiot! Did she not realize the cameras recording their every move, ready to broadcast their secrets to the world?Lydia plastered on a reassuring smile. "Calm down. You know Mr. Gibson is my boyfriend, and he can easily hook you up with a new job. However, if you start job hunting right after the 'Skylandia' fiasco, won't people suspect you screwed up and had to quit? Just hang tight for a bit. Let the rumors die down, and I'll find you a great gig."Wren, desperate, pressed, "How long are we talking?""Give it three months, tops. People forget quickly, especially online."Tears welled up in Wren's eyes. "I can't wait that long. I've got rent to pay and food to buy. I won't survive a month without a paycheck."Lydia raised an eyebrow. "You don't have any savings?""Not a dime."Wren was the epitome of living paycheck to paycheck, always leaning on credit cards to get by. A month without cash would spell disaster for her cred
The message came with a photo attached.When Madeline opened it, she saw a young man with striking features, his brows knitted and lips sealed in a standoffish pose.However, to Madeline, he seemed kind of familiar, and she warmed to him instantly.The message was from Aaron Hunters, Skylandia's business guy.Aaron had added a note.[Meet Bernard, the leader of the Raimundo Team. He personally requested for you to complete this drawing gig.]It took a moment, but then, it clicked. Bernard was the guy from the press conference. His support had sparked a flurry of likes online.It turns out he had really given Madeline a leg up."Okay, but I recall 'Skylandia' has a bunch of roles to choose from. Which one is Bernard thinking of using?" Aaron paused, then added, 'Bernard wants to discuss it with you directly. Would it be okay if I gave him your number?]Madeline, who kept a separate phone number for work, quickly agreed. Soon after, Bernard sent her a message.[Hey there, Lil
Lydia stormed off to find Camden, but he threw up his hands in defeat. "What am I supposed to do? The Raimundo Team picked her, and Mr. Gibson gave the thumbs up. If you think you can do better, go talk to Mr. Gibson."Lydia left the room fuming. By the time she reached Trevon's office, she had swapped her anger for a look of hurt innocence."Trevon, maybe it's time to let someone else step in as the head of art," she suggested.Trevon, already feeling under the weather, scowled at her arrival. "What now?"Lydia could hear the annoyance in his voice and played up her distress. "I messed up, and I'll take the heat for it. I'm fine with Lily Mora doing the illustrations for the spokesperson."She paused, sneaking a peek at Trevon's reaction before adding, "However, you know, with six spokespersons, isn't it a bit much for just Lily Mora to handle? I thought we could spread the workload around and let a few others take a crack at it, but Camden just laughed in my face when I brought
Camden had no complaints. The deal was set.Madeline, too, saw no issue when she heard the news.A smaller number of paintings meant that the team could focus on excellence. That suited her just fine.Using Bernard's styled photo as a reference, Madeline started her preliminary sketches. Drawing was a breeze for her, a calming influence that steadied her spirit.The only real struggle was dealing with her pregnancy nausea. She wondered when it would stop.…After clocking out, Trevon mulled over his concern momentarily before dialing Madeline's number.His unease about her condition made him anxious.However, after a single ring, he hung up and called Felicia instead.Felicia was busy with dinner preparations when she saw Trevon's call and answered promptly. "Mr. Gibson, dinner's ready. Are you off work?"Trevon hesitated before replying softly, "I've got things to do today. I won't be coming home."Felicia responded with a simple "Oh."After a brief silence, Trevon inquire
Madeline gripped the doorknob tighter, inhaled deeply, and steadied her voice. "I'm okay. It's just a little cold. I'll be fine in a few days."Trevon let out a disdainful snort. "You think I'm doing this for fun? Grandma's the one who's worried. She gave the word, so we're going."Madeline scrambled for an excuse but came up empty.She reluctantly replied, "I can go alone since you're swamped with work. I wouldn't dream of bothering you."Trevon glared at her. "Quit your babbling. Wash up, and let's hit the road!"Madeline remained silent.They ended up in the car, driving toward Sunshine Medical Center."Drop the sour face. Without Grandma's call, do you think you'd even be attended to at Sunshine Medical Center with your status?"Madeline rolled her eyes. "I'm not impressed. I don't even want to see a doctor. Let me out."She reached for the door handle again, but Trevon caught her hand and asked sarcastically, "Are you still afraid of doctors at your age, Madeline?"Madel
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