It took a while, but Lacee finally came over to Skylar, her voice gentle. "Mrs. Lowe, Mr. Sanders has left."She offered her hand to Skylar.Skylar swatted it away. "Get away from me, you faker! It's all your fault Lydia's locked up in that place!"Lydia was trapped, living a nightmare. Cilix seemed like he could not care less about her.What was going to happen to Lydia?Skylar was cursing under her breath, clutching her chest, coughing fits, seizing her.Lacee stared at her reddened hand, a hurt look on her face. "Mrs. Lowe, I swear I just stumbled upon that conversation about the mental hospital. You can check the bank cameras if you don't believe me. There were two ladies talking right next to me."Skylar eventually figured it out.Lacee was not the type to pull off such a stunt, not even if she was ten times bolder. It had to be Madeline, setting up the whole thing so Lacee would accidentally catch that conversation.However, Skylar could not let go of her resentment.If
The next morning, Hoyt was chowing down on the breakfast Bennet had snagged for them. "Bennet, you're a lifesaver. Just let me get back on my feet, and I'll make it up to you, promise."Bennet just chuckled and kept mum.Xoan limped in, snagged a fry, and plopped down at the computer, face blank as a slate.Hoyt dabbed at his mouth and frowned. "What's with the limp?"Bennet quirked an eyebrow. "Took a few hits."Boom!Hoyt slammed his hand on the table. "Who's got the nerve to mess with you? Point them out—I'll go give them a taste of their own medicine!"Xoan just snorted and kept his eyes on the screen.Bennet took a lazy drag on his cigarette and murmured, "I'd owe you one."The tinkling of wind chimes filled the room as Madeline strolled in, breakfast bag in hand.Madeline walked in to find everyone already digging into their food. She arched an eyebrow and chuckled."Looks like I'm fashionably late."Trevon had been adamant about walking her out, and it took some fanc
"Half the clothes the Sanders Group sells are just recycled second-hand gear. Oh, and remember that orphanage? Some of their 'new' stock came straight from there."The dye they were using was total junk. It was supposed to be top-notch, eco-friendly stuff, but it was all just nasty chemicals. I only swapped in the good stuff after I caught them red-handed."...Hoyt spilled the beans, nearly blowing the lid off Jasperia Textiles and the Sanders Group's shady dealings.Once he was done, he strutted off, munching on a fry.Bennet watched him go, muttering, "Greedy fat cats."They did not give a hoot about regular folks.Xoan scratched his head. "Madeline, you'd think with the Sanders Group using such crummy materials, there'd be some kind of scandal. How come I've never seen anything about it online?"Madeline smirked. "Cilix is a pro at sprucing up his and the Sanders Group's image. You think he'd let any dirt hit the web?""Let's just blast this info online, show everyone what
The villa district was usually a haven of peace, home to Redenbaugh City's elite. The only break in the silence was the occasional roar of a luxury car's engine.However, the quiet was shattered by a sudden outburst of wailing."That cursed Cilix! Your dad's long gone, and your mom's no help. If it weren't for the Lowe family throwing you a bone every now and then, you and your mom would've been out on the streets!""Now, you've scored big time and not only ditched us, but you go and accuse my boy of embezzlement!""He's your brother-in-law, after all!""You owe us an explanation today, or else... We'll take you on, old bones and all!"...Skylar was shaken up that morning, the sight of blood after a coughing fit sending her racing to the hospital.Then, without the test results, her anxiety was through the roof.She could not even bring herself to visit Lydia. She lay in bed with tears streaming down her face.Annoyed by the commotion outside, she snapped at Lacee. "What's a
Victor had thrown caution to the wind."Forget it, Cilix has gotten too big for his britches, and I'm just an old-timer he probably doesn't even think about anymore. I'm going to call him out in front of everyone today and get some answers."Does Cilix even remember the huge favor he owes to the village? Remember how he used to knock on our doors, begging for food? He promised he would make it up to us!"We didn't even ask for much, just helped him out with a meal. Then, he talked about starting a factory to make clothes. We were there for him, whether he needed manpower or money, weren't we?"However, what did he do? As soon as his company got off the ground, he shut the factory down. We, the people of the Lowe Clan Village, have poured our hearts into that factory for over twenty years. Now, he's just going to close it and leave us all high and dry?"Is this the thanks we get?"The other villagers chimed in."Exactly!""We want Cilix to face us! He owes us an explanation toda
Rosie did not even pause to think before she tried to slap Cilix. However, that slap did not land as easily as it would have on her own daughter.A bodyguard by Cilix's side caught her hand mid-air.Rosie's eyebrows shot up as she snapped, "You jerk! Blocking your own mother-in-law? Hey, everyone, check this out! Cilix here, after decking his brother-in-law, is going after his mother-in-law!"Cilix furrowed his brow, staying silent.A harsh voice cut through from behind him. "Isn't this enough drama for one day?"Rosie jumped, looking up to see a stern, serious face staring down at her. "Kelvin?"Kelvin let out a heavy hum, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Got nothing better to do than stir up trouble, huh?"Rosie tried to defend herself. "Cilix is the one who shut down our village factory! We just want some answers."Kelvin scoffed, "Answers? Looks to me like you're just trying to bail out your useless son!""I—""That's enough!" Kelvin cut her off, turning to the rest."I kno
Skylar went white as a sheet, nearly passing out with frustration.However, Cilix played along and said, "The missus hasn't been feeling great. She's got a bit of a short fuse. You know how it is, getting a little headstrong with family. Just a big misunderstanding."Skylar bit back her anger and took the fall.Dustin steadied Kelvin as they walked into the house. The folks from the Lowe Clan Village exchanged looks and trailed into the mansion.Just like that, Cilix had smoothed over the whole uproar with a mix of shrugging it off and soothing words.Madeline watched from afar, feeling a bit powerless. "These little spats don't seem to faze Cilix one bit."Hoyt's face was stormy, and he kept silent.He had not seen it coming—Cilix had already taken care of the villagers, giving them a way to earn their keep.They had only been kicking up a fuss because they were out of options, but since Cilix had thrown them a lifeline, who would want to bite the hand that fed them?However,
The question he asked was deeply sarcastic.How could a conscientious entrepreneur ever do something so heartless?Dumping wastewater into an underground river?It was not just any dirty water—it was the nasty kind from making clothes, full of chemicals. If someone had drank from it, they could have died.At first, there were not many reporters hanging around the villa.It was a fancy neighborhood, full of big shots. No one wanted to step on the wrong toes.However, Cilix had his people bring over the reporters from the company's basement.Once the media got wind of it, they all came running. Every major news outlet in Redenbaugh City was on the scene.After they heard the reporter and saw the photos and reports he was waving around, almost everyone was buying it. They started giving Cilix the side-eye, mixed with a good dose of anger.Water was everything. They could not live without it.There was Cilix, playing with people's lives like it was some kind of joke.He was alwa
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