Madeline felt for Sherah's tough breaks. She had been through the wringer with domestic abuse and a son who was distant and unfeeling, leaving all her dreams in the dust. However, that was it."The only way to clear your name and start fresh is to testify against the person who hurt my mom and make sure they face the law," Madeline said."Or would you rather stay silent, go back to that wreck of a home, and live every day with the pain and the guilt eating you up inside?"Sherah shivered, tears streaming down her face.A nurse nearby could not stand to watch and moved to intervene, but Daniel stepped in to stop her.Madeline locked eyes with Sherah. "And don't forget, even if you keep quiet, do you really think Lydia will just let it slide?"Sherah went pale, haunted by memories of shattering glass, being hunted by Radd, and the choking smoke that filled her lungs. She knew she could not keep living like that.Madeline watched her, silent, waiting for her to decide. With a sudde
After her split with Trevon, he had set her up with a chance to study abroad at the Itania Flotenzo School of Art.That thought struck Lydia as a lifeline. "Right, right, I've got to get out of the country."They scrambled to pack, then it hit them – Lydia had never planned to travel abroad and had not even applied for a visa. Then, desperate to leave, she needed one pronto. Could she even get a visa at that point?"Don't worry, your dad can smooth things over with the immigration folks," Skylar reassured her.With no other options, Lydia had to hope that would work. However, she was not just sitting around doing nothing. She whipped out a second phone and shot a text to Kyson: "The target from last time is still breathing. Finish the job. Same pay as before."Message sent, she wiped the record clean in a flash.The following day, Lydia was off to get her visa sorted. She figured it would be a breeze, but the clerk threw a wrench in her plans. "Sorry, miss. Your school proof is n
Lydia could not help but feel a wave of relief that she had a backup plan and had already touched base with Hector.With their level of friendship, she knew that if she hinted at needing assistance to go abroad, he would be there for her in a heartbeat. Without a second thought, Lydia ended the call with Trevon.Talking to that useless guy was just throwing time down the drain. She opened up her chat with Hector, started to type a message, but then hesitated. Instead, she decided to post a status update that only Stephen could see."Trying to get abroad for further studies is such a struggle!"She added a few snaps of her visa application and her disappointed face after the rejection. That would surely get Hector to come to her aid, just like he always did.Meanwhile, Trevon stared at the disconnected call, smirked indifferently, and was about to get back to work when something made him pause.In the next instant, he was on the phone, calling Madeline. Madeline was in the middle
Hector had tried to talk to Yash before. However, he barely got a word out before Andrew, who was passing by, overheard and gave Hector a taste of his stick. He could not figure out why everyone got so worked up at the mention of Lydia.Obviously, Madeline must have bad-mouthed Lydia to the Fergusons, making them all turn against her. Well, if that's how it was, Madeline could go explain things to Yash.Madeline could not help but laugh out of sheer frustration. "Me? Make it up to Lydia? Have you lost your marbles?"Mr. Hector Ferguson, I'm about to get to work, so could you please leave?"She did not even feel like wasting her breath arguing with Hector. Why bother debating with someone who's lost their grip on reality?Madeline had better things to do. Hector slammed his foot against the table next to Madeline, sending the neatly arranged, drying brushes into a noisy dance."Don't play dumb when you know you're in the wrong."Like you're someone important!"Your mom was a tot
Madeline was, of course, about to stir the pot with Lydia. If she did not give her a nudge, Lydia would never do as she wanted.Lydia's icy voice answered the call, "What's up?"Madeline's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "So, Trevon tells me you're planning to jet off abroad?"Lydia's surprise quickly turned to anger. "He blabbed about that to you too?"She had barely hung up on Trevon, and Hector had not even gotten back to her yet—how did Madeline find out so fast? Did Trevon spill the beans to Madeline the second she ended the call? Trevon! Had he really lost all fondness for her?"What's it to you if he tells me? You think you can actually stop me from leaving the country?"Madeline's smile did not waver. "I might not be able to, but the law sure can. Once I file the appeal for the second trial and the court sends you the notice, you're grounded."Lydia felt a jolt of panic but kept her voice steady. "Big deal. If I'm not convicted, once the appeal's over, I'm outta here."
Hector had just slipped into fresh clothes when Lydia's call came through. He answered in a rush.Lydia's voice, raspy and worn, reached him. "Hector, I need a favor."Hearing the strain in her voice, Hector's concern spiked. "Lydia, have you been crying? Did Madeline pick on you again?"Lydia paused, a bit taken aback. 'Since when is Hector so perceptive?' she wondered. She did not need to drop any hints, and he was already onto Madeline.However, she kept that to herself and replied wearily, "Oh, you know. She's my sister. Bullying? It's complicated.""It's definitely her. I've always said she's too much to handle!" Hector interjected, teeth gritted. "So, what do you need help with?"Lydia was taken aback by his blunt take on Madeline, but she let it slide. The more Hector got the wrong idea about Madeline, the better it played out for her."Here's the thing. Remember how I said I wanted to study in Itania? Well, my application's been stuck in limbo forever. You've been to Flo
Andrew had kept mum the whole time. Once Hector was out of earshot, he huffed, "The guy's lost his marbles!"For once, Sophia did not rush to Hector's defense. She mused, "I used to think Hector wasn't as sharp as Stephen. I was planning to leave most of the trust fund to him. Looks like he won't be needing it after all."I'm thinking about setting aside half for Madeline. What's your take, Andrew?"Andrew had never been on board with giving Hector such a hefty slice of the fund.Boys need to toughen up, right? Sitting on a pile of cash and living off the interest—how dull is that?"Your call."If Hector got wind of that, he would be beside himself. His studio might have a rep, but the cash flow? Just so-so. Without the Ferguson family's backing, both out in the open and behind the scenes, he would have tanked years ago. Hector's designs? Out there. Sky-high dreams and all.However, catwalks and the real world? Miles apart. He could not live in style alone. So yes, he's strapped
Madeline stepped out of her car and spotted the man waiting by the curb. The chill in the air made his coat over his suit look even more dashing. If he had not been holding that huge food container, he could have been mistaken for a runway model, turning heads as people walked by.Madeline blinked, tempted to ignore him, but Trevon was already approaching. He held up the food container, "Yahir's place sent over some roast chicken, and grandma wanted you to have one."Daniel wondered, 'What's the point of having chefs in the mansion if we're getting takeout from Yahir?'Madeline bit her lip, hesitating over whether to take it or not.Trevon chimed in, "Grandma said you should swing by the old house when you get a chance."With an exasperated eye roll, Madeline shot back, "Tell the Skylandia crew to ease up on the demands, and maybe I'll find time to see Grandma."It was like Skylandia had snagged a workhorse in her, and the requests just kept on coming.Madeline had reached her l
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