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
Trevon got shot while saving Lydia? However, Daniel had been adamant that Trevon took a hit, and then Lydia was the one who saved him. Which one happened first?Madeline gripped her phone tighter, her voice icy. "Really? Well, if that fantasy makes you happy, then go ahead and believe it."With the evidence stacked against you, Trevon can't save you even if he wants to."You're not seriously hoping for Mrs. Jeppesen to slip into another coma, are you?"Oh? My bad, what was the name of the hitman you hired for Mrs. Jeppesen? Kyson? He's already behind bars."With a slight smirk, Madeline said, "Lydia, this time, there's no one to do your dirty work with Mrs. Jeppesen. What's your plan now?"She ended the call with a satisfied snap. She was sure Lydia got the message. Hopefully, she would make a move.Madeline dialed Sherah's number. "Mrs. Jeppesen, it's showtime."Skylar, hearing the commotion upstairs, took the chance to check in under the guise of bringing sweet soup, only to
Lydia shot to her feet. "No, I can't let this go!"Skylar jumped. "Lydia?"Lydia brandished her phone. "Mom, you heard her. She's laughing at me, and so is Madeline!"I can't let those two get away with this." She spilled the details of Madeline's taunting call to Skylar.Skylar was livid too, but she had not completely lost her composure."Lydia, ignore them and get moving. I'll handle that little snake Madeline myself.""No way! I'm not letting them get the last laugh!" Lydia's voice pierced the air.Skylar felt a jolt of worry. "Lydia, don't lose your head. You need to head to your uncle's place now."Getting away was the priority. Lydia's face was calm. "Mom, tell uncle to get ready. I'll be there by tomorrow at the latest.""And hey, don't we have some of that fancy soup mix at home? Get Lacee to pack some for me."Skylar's voice wavered with unease. "Lydia, what are you up to?"Lydia's laugh was light. "Just going to pay a hospital visit, that's all."Madeline was onl
Madeline had been in bed so long she felt stiff and achy. She rose and poured herself a glass of water. Glancing out the window, she noticed Trevon's absence and lifted an eyebrow. She was not exactly disappointed, just baffled by Trevon's recent antics.Lately, he had been finding new ways to bring her food. When she ate takeout with Willa and the others in Oralia, she barely managed a few bites before feeling starved. It made her unexpectedly look forward to Trevon's post-work meal deliveries downstairs.Trevon would not just drop off the food, he would stand there, waiting. He was clearly trying to melt her resolve.Madeline got it, but she was not sure if she should keep up the standoff. Despite her fussiness, Trevon had a knack for hitting the spot with his meal choices.Madeline rubbed her belly, wondering if the baby inside knew Trevon was its dad and was being extra agreeable.The thought made her chuckle. Her phone buzzed with a message from Yeneth, telling her he was stu
Lydia muttered a curse as she saw Madeline flee and immediately gave chase with the knife in hand.Pregnant and wounded, Madeline's movements were sluggish compared to Lydia's swift pursuit. Before she could lock the door, Lydia was upon her, slamming against it with brute force.Madeline's face went white from the impact, barely able to keep standing. Her arm was definitely hurt, throbbing with pain. However, no matter how much it hurt, she could not let go.Right then, that door was her only shield. The noise inside the room was bound to draw the neighbors' attention. If someone came, she might just make it.Lydia sneered and swung the knife at the door's glass, shattering it after a few hits.The sound of breaking glass filled the air. Madeline, terrified, saw Lydia's maniacal face through the broken pane. The knife, aimed through the gap, thrust savagely at Madeline.Madeline let go of the door and stumbled backward, retreating desperately. The chaos gave Lydia her chance, an
Lydia's trial was a no-brainer. Colt figured she would get slapped with a fifteen-year timeout, no surprises there. However, Madeline? She barely batted an eyelash. In her mind, Lydia getting a free ride in the clink for fifteen years was like a vacation she did not deserve.Colt just scratched his nose, keeping mum about it.Edith, ever the worrywart because of Madeline's tumble, would not take no for an answer. She had to crash at the Gibson Group's family mansion. Sure, Madeline's arm was in a rough patch, but other than that, she was peachy. The little bun in the oven? Fit as a fiddle. Edith, not buying it for a second, had Felicia practically frog-march Madeline over.Once there, Madeline's jaw dropped. The place was swarming with chefs—more than a dozen—whipping up dishes from every corner of the globe.Edith made a face. "Trevon just dumped them here one day, said it was to jazz up my meals."I was all heart-eyes at first, thinking I'd get to try some exotic eats."However