Stepping out of the detective agency, Madeline's phone rang. It was Dallas."Ms. Sanders, there's interest in the painting you left at the shop. Could you swing by?"Madeline did not hesitate, hailing a cab straight to Oralia."Mr. Scott, which painting caught the client's eye?" she inquired upon arrival.Dallas looked uneasy, letting out a sigh. "Ms. Sanders, you might want to check out the VIP room."With a puzzled frown, Madeline pushed open the VIP room door to find a man sprawled on the sofa."You're Madeline?" he asked lazily.Madeline nodded. "Which painting did you fancy?"She scanned the room, spotting several paintings—her paintings—that she had entrusted to Stephen to sell.Dallas quickly stepped in. "Ms. Sanders, meet Mr. Hector Ferguson, the second son of the Ferguson family."It clicked for Madeline.Without even a glance in her direction, Hector addressed Dallas. "Mr. Scott, since when did the Fergusons start slumming it? These paintings are an embarrassment t
Hector glared at Madeline and let out a disdainful huff. "So, you're as sneaky as she says!"She? Sadie?Madeline barely knew Sadie. Was Sadie jealous because of Stephen's kindness toward her?Madeline kept quiet.Hector plopped back into his seat, yanked a checkbook from his jacket, and flung it at Madeline. "Write any amount you want. Just drop the charges against Lydia."Madeline blinked, taken aback. Hector was there on a mission for Lydia.How did they know each other?It was news to her, but frankly, she could not care less. She was not about to play detective.'Drop the charges? As if!'She would rather Lydia rot behind bars forever.Without so much as a glance at the checkbook, she said, "Lydia's a lawbreaker, a life-taker. She deserves what's coming to her.""You're spouting lies! You think I don't see through your smear campaign?" Hector shot back, his face red with anger.Madeline let out a scoff. "Oh, Lydia's been playing the victim, has she? Why don't you ask h
Hector tilted his head up with a hint of arrogance. "Obviously. Remember, I'm Ferguson's second in command. Smarten up and fall in line."Madeline snorted, whipped out her phone, and video called Stephen.Stephen picked up quickly, looking like he was in a car on the move.He flashed a grin at Madeline. "What's up, Madeline? Need something?"Madeline returned a slight smile. "Actually, Mr. Ferguson, there is something."At the mention of 'Mr. Ferguson', Hector's heart lurched, and he shot her a look of disbelief."You..."Before he could finish, Madeline flipped the camera around.There was Hector, lighter in hand, about to torch a painting, then in full view.Stephen's brow creased instantly. "What's going on?"Madeline's laughed mockingly. "Mr. Hector Ferguson here thinks my artwork isn't fit for Oralia and is about to set it ablaze. What's your take on this, Mr. Ferguson?"Stephen's expression darkened. "Hand him the phone."Madeline paused, not handing her phone over to
Hector was fuming because he could not get Madeline to drop the lawsuit."Even my own brother is against me! Taking the side of a stranger and not giving me any respect!" he grumbled to himself.He had pulled some strings to meet with Lydia, promising her he would make sure Madeline backed down.Madeline had roped Stephen in, but Hector had botched it and was clueless about how to break the news to Lydia.He sighed heavily.After wrestling with his thoughts, he resolved to head back to the villa to consult his brother, hoping to convince him to lend a hand.Hector floored it, zooming off to the Ferguson family mansion.Upon Stephen's return with his grandparents, he found Hector glued to his phone, his expression darkening."Grandpa and grandma are here. Come on and help out."Hector sprang to his feet, steadying Sophia. "Grandma, the plane ride must've been exhausting. Have a seat, and I'll massage your shoulders."Sophia's face was devoid of a smile, yet her tone was soothi
On the day of the hearing, Madeline and Colt walked into the courthouse together.It was a high-profile criminal case, yet the courtroom was not packed.Since it was a state case, Madeline, along with Caleb, Yeneth, and a few others, took their seats among the spectators.Lydia was escorted to the defendant's stand, with only Skylar seated behind her.What threw Madeline for a loop was seeing Cilix there. Did he not usually steer clear of such bad vibes?The sight of Lydia's lawyer flashing a friendly smile at Madeline only deepened her bewilderment.Caleb's expression turned grim as he murmured, "That's Yardley. He's a big shot in the legal world, a real ace with criminal cases."The trial got underway without delay.Colt laid out the evidence and documents, charging Lydia with the premeditated murder of Bella and the botched hit on the Yates family, which amounted to charges of intentional harm, murder, and criminal conspiracy.Lydia faced the mounting evidence with a chilli
Madeline's face turned ghostly white as she glared at Cilix."You're lying! My mom would never take illegal drugs! Her records only show mental trauma. You and the Sanders family, you all cornered her bit by bit until she had nowhere left to turn. Now ,you want to pin the blame on her for taking her medication? That's low, even for you!"The judge rapped the gavel and barked, "Silence in the court!"Caleb quickly pulled Madeline back. "Madeline, stay composed. Don't let them get to you."Madeline clenched her jaw, her eyes snapping away as she stood and headed for the door.With Tanner and Zander backtracking on their stories, the case against Lydia was falling apart.With Sherah a no-show and Bella's old medical records coming to light, the whole murder-by-med-switch story was crumbling.Hanging around there was pointless.Yeneth felt torn. She was curious about the verdict but worried about Madeline.After a moment's hesitation, she decided to follow her out.…Stepping ou
Lydia stepped in front of Madeline. "Let's talk, Madeline."Madeline replied icily, "I've got nothing to say to a murderer."Lydia clapped a hand over her mouth, mockingly shocked. "Madeline, the judge cleared me. You can't just throw around accusations.""You know the truth, no matter what you claim," Madeline shot back.Lydia's laughter bubbled up again. "Don't you want to know how your mom's medical records got mixed up in all this?"Madeline's expression darkened. lYou've got five minutes. Spit it out.""Madeline," Yeneth said, tugging at her arm, a worried look in her eyes.Madeline stayed silent.Caleb led Yeneth away, leaving Madeline and Lydia alone.Madeline's face was a mask of detached indifference. Lydia, seeing that, only laughed harder.Lydia taunted, "You ever wonder why, with all your evidence and witnesses, you still lost? It's because our lawyers aren't playing the same game." Madeline retorted with a sneer. "Or should I say, they don't share the same mora
The slap left everyone dumbfounded, Trevon included, who stood frozen for a heartbeat.His gaze settled heavily on Madeline. "You're upset. I get it."Madeline exploded, her voice a mix of anger and disbelief. "Shut up! You get it? How could you possibly 'get it'? Because you got Lydia a lawyer, bribed witnesses for her?"Trevon's frown deepened. "I never—""You're so full of it, it's nauseating." Madeline cut him off, her voice laced with bitterness. "Why did I have to be so unlucky to cross paths with you two in this life?"Her laugh was bitter and mocking.It was as if the universe was laughing at Trevon's fakeness, still putting on an act in front of her even then.It was as if it was laughing at her own gullibility for ever thinking Trevon would care about her.She gave Trevon one long, deep look.With that one look, she turned and walked away, not looking back.Everyone around exchanged puzzled glances, too scared to even ask what had just happened.From her spot on th
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