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
The Sanders Group was on a roll, its financing a breeze and its stock soaring after going public. At the year-end shareholders' meeting, grins were plastered on every face. Who would not be thrilled with a windfall?However, Hoyt was over the moon. With the company's stellar performance, he was already dreaming of orders doubling the next day. The thought alone was enough to make him chuckle.The ever-stoic Cilix cast a sidelong glance at Hoyt before addressing the room. "The Sanders Group's triumph wouldn't be possible without your backing. Next year, let's aim even higher together!"As he finished, Hoyt led a thunderous round of applause. Even Cilix, a man sparing with his smiles, let a rare one slip through.As the last echoes of applause died down, one person's clapping continued, slow and deliberate. Cilix turned to find Madeline standing at the conference room door, her hands coming together in a steady rhythm, her face unreadable.Cilix's brow creased with annoyance. "What