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
However, it was not just about digging up the dirt. He had to stop that journalist, Colton Swanson, from Redenbaugh City TV, and snatch those papers right out of his hands.Yancy rang up with the lowdown. "That reporter, Colton Swanson. He's a newbie, only two years in. Here's the kicker—his old man's the big boss at the provincial police department."No bribes, no bullying.Cilix's head pounded like a drum. "Get PR on a game plan, stat."The reporter was his problem to deal with, face to face."Got it," Yancy said, and just before the line went dead, she could not help but add, "Hey, keep your cool, alright? Your health comes first."Cilix felt a flicker of warmth inside, and his face relaxed as he agreed, "Okay."Skylar caught the change in his expression and felt a heavy weight settle in her chest.She took a few deep breaths before knocking on the door. "Mr. Kelvin Lowe and the village chief are waiting for you."Cilix ignored her completely, brushing past her to see his v
A smirk played across Cilix's face.The Lowe family had always acted like they were his saviors, but all they had ever done was give him a bowl of rice when he was a kid.However, they still carried themselves with such arrogance.He glanced over at Skylar. "Set up a room for your parents, let them get comfortable."Mom and Dad, this place has it all. You can stay for as long as you like."Rosie's brow furrowed. "What are you getting at?"Cilix rose to his feet, towering over her. "I never meant to go after Hoyt. However, when someone shows up with evidence, in front of all the shareholders, I have to look into it. It's not a big deal. He just has to cover the shortfall, which really means taking a financial hit."However, after today's drama, Hoyt, as the plant manager, won't get off so easily. If we can't contain this mess, he's looking at jail time!"Rosie jumped up. "Wait... Jail time? Cilix, you've got to have a heart! Hoyt's been on your side. You can't just throw him und
"Enough screen time, Madeline. You need to rest," Trevon said, taking the tablet from her hands.Madeline massaged her tired eyes. "Did you have a hand in this mess?"Cilix was too skilled to just watch this disaster unfold. He would surely try to stop it before it got out of hand.However, that was wishful thinking.The online storm was raging out of control. Someone was definitely stirring the pot.Trevon's lips tightened, and he remained silent. He had enlisted the Gibson Group's help, but someone else had beaten them to the punch.The Fergusons had already greased the media's palms, ensuring the Sanders Group scandal was the talk of the town, and they were not about to let Cilix cool things down.He had only given a fraction of the effort the Fergusons had.Why were the Fergusons so intent on taking down the Sanders Group and Cilix?It had to be for Madeline's sake.The thought twisted Trevon's gut into knots. He was all tied up inside.Madeline noticed his odd look and
Trevon was fuming, even more upset than she was.He knew he had a hand in how things had spiraled. If he had not been so repulsed, if he had not ignored Riley's antics, Madeline's brother would not be caught up in that mess.The thought of a guy resorting to being a gigolo was downright humiliating.Trevon knew that Madeline was torn up about her brother, but the mess was made, and it was time to clean it up.He was seriously worried about Madeline as he said, "Don't stress too much about Cooper. Remember, you've got a little one on the way."Madeline shot him a withering look and huffed, "Since when do you yap so much? Get lost, will you?"Talk about awkwardness.Her brother was cozying up with her ex-mother-in-law.Just the sight of Trevon sent her mind into a tangle of dark thoughts, and all she wanted to do was hide her face and bolt.Trevon replied calmly, "I'll go now. The water for your foot soak is ready."Ever since winter hit, Madeline's feet were perpetually frozen
Without hesitation, Madeline said yes.She was an academic in name, but she felt she had not really given back to the world of traditional culture. With a chance to make a difference, she was all in.Baxter grinned. "We're setting up a cultural relics restoration project, not just for paintings. We'll have a bunch of live streams for it. We're a bit short on ancient paintings, though, so we'll be asking folks to send theirs in for some care and restoration."That was fine by Madeline. She was ready to stick to what she knew best and rock at it.The gig would kick off the next day with a live stream from the provincial museum, and Madeline was on board.No objections from her.With a smile, Baxter turned to leave and nearly crashed into a guy.The dude just gave him that icy smirk.Baxter shuddered. What was with that creepy grin?Only after leaving Oralia did Baxter turn to his assistant. "Who's that guy?""The Fergusons have a whole lineup of five sons. That one looks like H
The online news storm hit harder and faster than Cilix ever expected, and the PR department's emergency plan was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.Cilix could not even begin to guess how many were fanning the flames behind the scenes.The year's end was crunch time for performance, but that mess had the Sanders Group's clothing stores taking hit after hit.Orders nosedived. That morning, cancellations came in waves, a rate five times the norm, scraping the bottom of the industry barrel.If that kept up, the Sanders Group would turn into the industry's punchline.At least some deals with distributors were locked in and safe from the storm for the time being.However, even with that silver lining, the Sanders Group's stock price plummeted the moment the market's gates opened, and it was looking grim.If they could not turn that ship around...Cilix massaged his temples, feeling the weight of the world. "Any word from Colton?"Yancy's expression was as dark as the storm cl
'Forty-five million dollars? That's enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat. Does Hector really hold this woman in such high regard?' Brody thought to himself.Hector would flip if he knew that Stephen's orders were part of the reason Lydia could not leave.However, Brody was not about to make his own life difficult. He shrugged helplessly and replied, "Sorry, there's nothing I can do."Hector stormed out, his plans thwarted and his temper flaring.Brody let out a long sigh, picked up the phone, and made a call. "Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Hector Ferguson was here demanding Lydia's release.""Just ignore him," Stephen replied calmly."Got it."With the conversation over, Brody hung up, his gaze lingering on a painting before deciding to call Madeline.Madeline, on the other end, did not seem worried. "I'm aware. Just make sure Brody keeps a close watch on Lydia."Hector thought that was if they were overseas, where he could just throw some money around and take Lydia away? He clearly
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