Beep!A car honked and pulled up beside Madeline.The window rolled down, and there was Stephen's face."Madeline?"She stopped walking. "Mr. Ferguson, running into you here?"Stephen grinned casually. "Yeah, funny how that happens."Stephen was supposed to be in court but got tied up with some auction stuff. He was worried about Madeline ever since he heard about the appeal and had been meaning to call her.However, there she was, in the flesh.Stephen gave her a concerned once-over. "Don't stress about the case. Crime doesn't stand a chance against justice."Madeline managed a smile. "I know."'Why do you still look like the world's on your shoulders?'He bit back the question and said, "It's chilly out. Hop in, I'll drive you home."Madeline waved him off. "I can catch a taxi.""Get in, I've got something to discuss with you anyway," Stephen insisted.Left with little choice, Madeline climbed into the car.With a friendly smile, Stephen said, "We've had our deal for a
Xoan nearly leaped out of his skin. "Hey, you can't just throw accusations around."Madeline went quiet.In that era, in a society governed by law, the nation had been fighting and cleaning up for years, supposedly wiping out the underworld.Cimmerian Syndicate and hitmen. It all sounded like something out of a tall tale to Madeline.Xoan was at a loss for words. "Ever heard the saying? Where there's light, there's shadow."You're clueless not because they're non-existent, but because they're masters of hide and seek."Xoan only knew a little about them because he had been playing detective for ages.Madeline's expression soured.After a heavy sigh, she admitted, "I jumped to conclusions. You're spot on. Light casts shadows."However, with Lydia offering a reward, was she chummy with the mob or a hitman? Could that be another notch on her rap sheet?Madeline shook off the jumble in her head. "So, did you track down this 'Dark 153'?"A pause crackled through the phone. "What'
As Madeline arrived at the Luxuria Supper House with Stephen, they bumped into Yahir who was just leaving.Yahir's eyes lit up when he saw her. "Mrs. Gibson."Madeline frowned slightly. "Mr. Lewis, just Madeline is fine."It hit Yahir that she was no longer Trevon's wife. He should not be calling her Mrs. Gibson anymore.He sheepishly scratched his head. "I'm sorry. Old habits die hard."His eyes flicked between Madeline and Stephen, and with a teasing lift of his eyebrow, he asked: "Madeline, out for dinner?"Madeline nodded. "I should head in."Yahir nodded back quickly, flashed a grin at Stephen, and watched them head into the Luxuria Supper House.As soon as they were inside, Yahir whipped out his phone. "Trevon, you won't believe who I just saw."Trevon was also eating, though the meal his secretary picked out was doing nothing for him.He was just pushing his food around his plate. "Who?"Yahir blurted out. "Mrs. Gibson! Man! She's with Stephen. Looks like he's moving
Stephen quickly got up to grab some tissues.However, Andrew beat him to it, gently dabbing away Sophia's tears with a sigh. "It's just a sweet treat. If you like it that much, we'll get more. Look, you've gone and scared Madeline."Sophia hastily wiped her eyes. "I just got caught up in the moment. Madeline, don't mind me."Madeline just shook her head with a gentle smile, lips pressed together.Yash looked on, a bit lost, his eyes flitting from one person to the next, but he kept his thoughts to himself.Sophia finally took a deep breath and chuckled, "Oh, look at me getting all worked up. I almost forgot about dinner. Madeline, check out the menu, will you? Pick whatever you like, let's order some more."The table was already heaped with Madeline's favorites.Madeline smiled gently and whispered, "No need. This is more than enough, and I love everything here."Sophia's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Great! Pregnant ladies having cravings is totally normal, so don't hold back,
Trevon sat so close to Madeline it was like he was trying to share her shadow, even though there was a ton of room on the other side.Madeline rolled her eyes. Was he seriously going to bring up the kid talk there?If he tried, she was ready to launch her soup at him like a catapult.Stephen frowned in annoyance.Missing Madeline only when the divorce ink was dry? Where was all that concern before?Stephen made sure Madeline was comfortable, acting like Trevon was invisible.Andrew and Sophia caught the vibe but kept mum, just encouraging Madeline to dig in.Yash sensed the weird tension but did not have the backstory, so he just sipped his coffee on the down-low.Trevon, never one to sweat what others thought, was piling food on Madeline's plate like he was hosting his own dinner party.Before long, Madeline's plate looked like a food mountain.Madeline eyed the mountain on her plate and figured it would take her a week to scale it.Yash was starting to get the picture.Wa
Yash had thought long and hard about that.He had planned to choose a private disciple from among the many students.Ever since he got a glimpse of Madeline's incredible knack for art, he just could not see anyone else's work in the same light. Everyone else's stuff just seemed kind of plain compared to hers.He even ended up telling Andrew and Sophia about how awesome he thought she was.Andrew and Sophia were already fans of Madeline, especially after she swooped in to save the day during a live stream. They gave her props for that.The lunch was supposed to be about more than just grabbing a bite to eat. They wanted to chat about Madeline's art restoration.However, Madeline was not having any of it."Mr. Yash Ferguson, I really appreciate you wanting to help me out, but my mom's been my art coach since I was little. She always says our art might not be top-notch, but we've got this whole teaching tradition thing going on. I've already got a mentor, so I can't really take on
Even as she stepped out of the car, the driver's smile was still tinged with awkwardness. "Look, it's not easy driving around all day. Could you give me a good review?"Madeline was not really mad at him, and after showing him the five-star review screen, she exited the car.The driver rolled down the window and shouted after her, "Thanks a lot! Don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut from now on."He even mimed zipping his lips shut. Madeline rolled her eyes, then noticed Trevon had followed her out, trailing behind."You're not leaving?"Trevon replied, "I've heard Oralia has a lot to offer. Thought I'd check it out."She did not have a good reason to send him away.Inside Oralia, she told the receptionist, "Mr. Calnan, Mr. Gibson is here, looking to buy something. Could you help him out?"Nash Calnan nodded eagerly and approached.While they chatted, Madeline headed to the back.Seeing that Trevon had not followed, she let out a sigh of relief.Willa was already hard at work
After making sure Sophia was settled, Stephen drove to Oralia.The moment he stepped in, the delicious smell of food hit him. Nash filled him in that Trevon had treated everyone, all for the sake of getting on Madeline's good side.Stephen could not help but laugh, though he was slightly irked. He had heard Trevon was still there, so he pushed the door open and walked in.Trevon saw him, slowly set down the painting he was holding, and stayed silent.Stephen scoffed, "Mr. Gibson, you were the high roller at the auction just yesterday, snapping up paintings left and right. What brings you back for more? Can't seem to burn through your cash fast enough?"The others in the room caught the tension and shared a quick, knowing look before slipping out quietly.Trevon glared at Stephen. "Oralia's doors are open for business. Since when do we turn away customers?"Stephen could not help but reveal Trevon's true colors. "Look, Mr. Gibson, if you're just a customer, then keep your nose ou
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