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
In the dimly lit room of their modest rental, Yeneth worriedly watched over Madeline."Madeline, are you okay?"Madeline may have been too emotional, her stomach feeling queasy the entire way back. She lay in bed, and her complexion started to improve a little."I'm okay," Madeline assured her. Noticing Yeneth's reluctance to speak, Madeline offered a comforting smile. "Really, don't fret over me. I wouldn't risk my health. I've got a little one on the way, after all." That seemed to ease Yeneth's mind, and they finally shared a meal together. While they ate, Yeneth broached the subject of their legal battle. "There's no verdict yet, but Mr. Sawyer said we can keep gathering evidence for the appeal."Madeline nodded in agreement. "I know." They needed to address the witnesses who had backtracked on their statements. Yeneth could not help but lash out at Lydia once more, calling her 'utterly shameless'.Madeline quirked a smile. "I've been thinking, there might be a way t