Madeline cast her eyes down and spoke in a cool tone. "Did you come to see Lydia too?"Trevon paused, clearly caught off guard, then replied, "I came to pick you up."Madeline glanced toward the hospital and said, "If you want to visit her, I won't stop you. Grandma would understand."Trevon let out a quiet sigh. "Look, I'm here to get you. Are you done with everything?"Madeline bit her lip slightly. "Yes, I'm done.""Alright, let's head out. It's getting late, and it's the perfect time for dinner."With that, he opened the car door, signaling Madeline to hop in.Today marked her first day in the new house.Edith had insisted that the first day in a new home should be celebrated with friends and family, sharing a meal to bring warmth and joy. She even brought over the first housewarming gift from the Gibson family estate herself.Madeline appreciated the gesture and felt she could not turn it down. So, despite her initial reluctance, she ended up revealing the location of her
Outside, the world was a frozen wonderland, but stepping inside was like walking into springtime.Madeline swung the door open and was enveloped by a cozy, warm scent that made her feel like she was wrapped in sunshine. She laughed, unable to resist the charm.Felicia hurried over, relieving Madeline and Trevon of their bags. "Madam Gibson was fretting over you two, scared the snow would trap you out there. I told her not to worry, Mr. Gibson went out for you himself. However, you know her—still fretting."Madeline's smile did not waver.Edith was already beckoning her over. "Come and sit, dear. You never used to wander off, but now you're gone every other day."Madeline settled next to her, replying with a playful roll of her eyes, "Grandma, you're forgetting—I've got a job now."Trevon had a knack for timing. Just when Madeline thought she could catch a break, he dropped a new project in her lap: a painting of Skylandia. As if she was not swamped already.Edith, ever the mothe
All three of them froze in their tracks.Madeline's brow furrowed in annoyance. "What are you doing here?"Trevon's lips tightened as he offered, "Need a lift? I can drive you."She rolled her eyes. He was dodging her question, as usual. He had just stepped out of that house, and it was a safe bet he had snapped up the property next door. She had thought she would be free of Trevon once she was healed up and out of the Gibson Group's big old family mansion.However, no, he had to go and move into the house right next door. Seriously, the pads over at Angelic Garden Residence were way nicer.Trevon glanced at Yeneth. "Skylandia's got a big mission today. Shouldn't you be on your way?"Right on cue, Yeneth's phone blared."Where are you? Stop wasting time and get over here!"Yeneth let out a frustrated grunt, gave Madeline a reluctant tug. "Guess I gotta jet, Madeline. Catch you later."Madeline gave her a reassuring smile and a wave. "Take care on your way."Once Yeneth was ou
The 3D ultrasound was not supposed to be hard, except the little one was not playing ball, just lying there, not moving an inch.Madeline gave it a go, but with no reaction from the baby, she heeded the doctor's advice to get moving and climb some stairs.A little workout and a touch of sweat later, she was back, ready for round two.The doctor worked the ultrasound probe for what seemed like ages, then let out a resigned chuckle. "Looks like we've got a shy one here.""It's still not working?" Madeline could not hide her frustration."Nope," the doctor replied, shaking her head. "The little rascals got its backside up. Can't see the face at all."Her light-hearted comment made Madeline want to see for herself, but all she got was a view of a dark, indecipherable screen.After a few more fruitless attempts, the doctor suggested, "Why don't you grab a bite to eat and then we'll try again?"It seemed like the only thing to do.Madeline left the exam room feeling a bit downcast.
Part of Madeline wanted him to have seen the photo, and part of her did not. She was a bundle of nerves. Finally, she exhaled deeply. Forget it. He can look or not, she thought."Ready to go?" she said.Trevon got up, gathered the papers, and they headed out of the hospital. The entrance was crowded, and their ride was nowhere in sight."Take a seat," Trevon said, guiding Madeline to a bench. "I'll grab us some snacks."He tossed the checklist aside without a second thought.Madeline's irritation bubbled up from nowhere. She hugged her belongings close and said with an icy edge, "Forget it, I'm not hungry.""The check-up's over. You've got things to do, right?"She had that look on her face, like it was totally fine to just ditch him after getting what she needed.Trevon was clueless about what set her off this time, murmuring, "The doctor said you're anemic. I can't just leave you here alone."Madeline shot him a glare. "What's there to worry about? I've always handled doctor
After dropping off the local troublemaker at the nearest police station, Madeline was itching to get back to the hospital for a check-up.It was not the baby she was fretting over, but Lacee. They had both hit the ground hard, and Lacee had broken her fall. She was definitely injured to some extent.However, Lacee was having none of it, wrapping her arms around herself in a stubborn refusal. "I'm okay," she insisted.Madeline and Trevon shared a look. They could not push her, so they picked up some medication for her at the drugstore.Lacee snatched the medicine, shooting Madeline a quick, worried look. "Ms. Sanders, watch your back. Mrs. Lowe... She's got it out for your baby."Madeline's heart skipped a beat. So, it was her.The same woman who had taken her mother was after her unborn child.She pushed down the rising panic and turned to Lacee. "Aren't you supposed to be long gone from the Sanders family? I told you to take the cash and run."If Skylar figured out Lacee's i
Madeline thought Riley was heading their way, but to her surprise, she did not even give them a second look and just breezed by.She overheard Riley greeting a young guy, and they walked off, arm in arm.Trevon's expression soured in a flash. Madeline just raised an eyebrow, not in the mood to get involved.After clocking out, Madeline gave Xoan a ring.It took an eternity for someone to pick up on the other end.Madeline was feeling a bit irked. "So, what's the scoop on the Sanders family drama?"Xoan's voice came through, scratchy and strained. "Got some juicy bits. Sending them your way now."When Madeline heard a sharp yelp of pain from him, she frowned. "Are you feeling okay?"Xoan was quick to brush it off. "Nope, I'm good. I'm good."However, a chorus of heavy breaths came through.A voice from someone else chimed in. "He's alright, just had a close call with a beatdown."Xoan's voice followed, sounding totally ticked off.Madeline was taken aback and made a beeline
"Xoan's still got some tricks up his sleeve," Bennet remarked, pulling out another file."Tell her the story."Xoan's eyes lit up at that, and he eagerly spread out the papers in front of Madeline."The Sanders Group owns a bunch of factories, right? They all make fabric and clothes, but this one, Jasperia Textiles, it's got orders through the roof."Madeline knew all about Jasperia Textiles. Before the Sanders family had made their big move into fashion, Bella had poured her savings into that factory, even putting off school to make it happen. All the while, it was Cilix's name on the deed.Xoan continued, "I've been digging into their order books and shipping logs, but the numbers just don't add up. The orders claim double the stock that's actually hitting the factory floor.Xoan could barely contain his excitement. "Get this, the raw materials they're getting—cotton, silk, you name it—they're bottom-barrel stuff. They're nowhere near what they're supposed to be getting."Made
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