Madeline slipped away to the backyard, Trevon's declaration of "She will always be my wife" lost to the wind.If she had heard it, she might have lost it and sent him flying.She had wanted Trevon gone, and Stephen had saved her the trouble. No need to deal with him herself.Willa was so spooked thatshe could not even sip her boba tea without feeling like she was committing a crime, stealing glances at Madeline.Madeline's glare was fierce enough to make her think she was plotting a murder."Keep your head in the game. Fix this bit, and you're golden."Madeline's voice cut through the silence, catching Willa off guard. She was about to ruin the whole painting with a single stroke—a mistake that selling herself would not make up for.Willa dabbed at the sweat on her brow and stammered out an apology. "I'm so sorry. I'll watch myself, promise no repeats."Madeline gave a subtle shake of her head, a silent signal that she was not on board with the idea.It was not until the offi
Reese caught a glimpse of Madeline's belly and instantly got the picture. She was shopping for more than just a house."If you're thinking about the school districts, Meadowvale and Farrington Heights are the way to go. They have international academies starting from kindergarten."Stephen asked, "What's your take, Madeline?"Madeline was on board with the idea.They all headed out to check out some houses.Farrington Heights had its high price tag for good reasons. The homes had a desirable open floor plan, and the amenities were top-notch.Madeline was totally into it after the tour, but the place was massive, over two thousand square feet. With all the extra costs, it was looking like it would cost close to a million dollars.Just the down payment would set her back nearly 450 grand. With renovations and monthly payments, it was way out of her league.Madeline was in a bind. "Got anything smaller? Something like a thousand square feet might be just right."Reese scratched h
Madeline had run herself ragged all day, even house hunting, and she was beat.Back home, she freshened up and flopped onto her bed, too tired to move.Yeneth had been with Madeline earlier and had put off a ton of work. She worked late hours and had not returned.Madeline was sleepy and did not wait up, deciding to crash. However, the moment she closed her eyes, her phone buzzed.Seeing Yahir's name on the screen, Madeline hesitated but picked up anyway."Hello?"Yahir let out a relieved breath when he heard Madeline pick up the call."Mrs. Gibson... Sorry, I mean Madeline, could you please check on Trevon? He's totally lost it, can't even walk straight, and he's dead set on finding you. Nothing I say makes a difference. I'm at my wit's end here."Madeline listened in silence until he finished. "If he's not listening, just lock him in a room. He can't exactly break down the door, can he?"Yahir was taken aback. "Madeline, you two were married. He's really hurting. Can't you
The clock had struck midnight, but the Gibson Group's employee chat was alive with activity.The news reports were vague, and everyone was buzzing with theories about why Trevon had been rushed for emergency care.[I overheard the secretaries saying Mr. Gibson never came back after lunch. Maybe he got sick then?][No way, right? I saw him this morning when I dropped off some papers. He was chewing someone out, and seemed totally fine.][Does anyone actually know what's going on? Come on, spill the beans!]Everyone had their own guess.Yeneth peeked at Madeline with caution. "Madeline, should we give him a call to find out?"Madeline bit her lip, uncertain. She had been so firm just hours before, vowing to cut ties completely. Then, the thought of reaching out felt weird. However, her thoughts kept drifting to Edith.Trevon was Edith's everything. If anything happened to Trevon, it could break her. She was not even sure what was happening, too hesitant to even call and offer Edi
Yeneth's voice, laced with panic, cut through the chaos to Yahir. He spun around to see Yeneth clutching a limp Madeline, her eyes brimming with tears. He dashed over, his own heart racing with frustration, and steadied Madeline."Someone get a doctor, stat!"Madeline, her emotions having gotten the better of her, was already coming to by the time Yahir reached her. Her voice was raspy but firm. "I'm okay."She looked up rigidly, her eyes locking onto the gurney ahead, her voice a shaky whisper, "Trevon..."Yahir, realizing the mix-up, quickly interjected, "Hey, Madeline, that's not him."He gestured toward another OR. "Trevon's still in surgery. He hasn't come out yet."Madeline's long lashes quivered, and she suddenly felt life coursing through her veins again. It was all a big mix-up. He was alive.With a sigh of relief, her legs turned to jelly once more. Yahir and Yeneth were quick to steady her, guiding her to a chair."How's he doing? What did the doctor say?" Madeline a
Madeline's face tensed, but there was no time to move. Yeneth, powerless to do anything else, spun around and shielded Madeline in his arms.The glass crashed against her back with a thud."Ah!" Riley, furious and ready to launch another attack, was suddenly stopped by Yahir, who burst in and grabbed her."Mrs. Yagle, what on earth are you doing? Stop this madness!"Riley writhed in his grip. "Let go of me! I will end her today. If she gives birth to that child, we'll be the Gibson family's biggest joke!"She was still fuming from the last hospital incident with Madeline, which had caused Bella to tumble out of bed. Edith had made her stand for five grueling hours as punishment, leaving her feet painfully swollen.Then, just the sight of Madeline was enough to send her into a rage."Damn it!" She was so strong that Yahir struggled to keep his hold on her.A loud crash echoed from the sickbed, commanding everyone's attention. They all turned to see Trevon, his face ghostly pale,
Riley watched, stunned, as Trevon, usually the picture of calm, became a man possessed. He had been unflappable even when he woke up from the car crash, facing the possibility of paralysis without a hint of panic. However, then, he was coming undone, all because of Madeline?Madeline gently rubbed Yeneth's back. "Are you okay?"The thermos had hit her with a thud just moments ago.Yeneth winced, but insisted, "It doesn't hurt."Madeline gave her a look that screamed "Yeah, right."They were debating whether to head to the ER for a quick check-up. However, as they talked, Trevon, who had followed them out, grabbed Madeline's hand."Madeline." Madeline felt a wave of exhaustion. "Trevon, I've already spelled it out for you."Maybe me showing up today got you thinking the wrong thing. So let me set the record straight."I'm here because I'm a person with a conscience and a heart, not to hit on you or play some kind of cat-and-mouse game. Don't get it twisted."Her words felt like
"Any idea where?" Trevon's voice was low and serious.Madeline racked her brain. It was as if the answer was teasing her, just out of reach. With a sigh, she admitted defeat. "Nope, it's not coming to me."Trevon thought for a moment. "Well, if it looks familiar, maybe the person's from Redenbaugh City. We should take a closer look around there."Daniel gave a nod of agreement.Madeline bit her lip, on the verge of saying something but ultimately holding back. She had already committed to listening, turning back then would just be too much."Thanks," she said with genuine gratitude. "You've really helped me out. If you ever need anything, just say the word."She was tired of feeling indebted.Trevon looked at her, his wish clear in his eyes—he wanted her to stay with him. However, he knew better than to ask."Actually, there is one thing," Trevon said casually."Yeah?""How about helping out at Skylandia?" he suggested.Madeline was taken aback. After her divorce, she had le
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