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
Madeline whirled around. "What are you implying?"Hoyt let out a relieved breath when she paused. "Promise you won't come after me, and I'll spill everything."Fury blazed in Madeline's eyes as she glared at Hoyt.His confidence wavered under her intense stare. "I'm the only one who knows the whole story. If you don't agree, you'll be left in the dark forever."She isn't actually sick," Hoyt added, sensing Madeline's skepticism.Madeline fought back a tidal wave of anger, took a deep breath, and slowly returned to her seat. "Go ahead," she said, her voice steady but ice-cold.…After leaving the detective agency, Madeline felt lost, unsure of her next move.On a whim, she hailed a cab and headed straight to the club—Cooper's workplace.The Meridian Club was not as swanky as the Crystal River Clubhouse, but it was just as packed, maybe even more so. The crowd was mostly women, a mix of ages and styles.Madeline watched them, dazed, Hoyt's recent revelations echoing in her he
Everyone's eyes darted to the door, all wondering who had the guts to bug Trevon in the middle of a meeting.Trevon's face was stormy, his eyes slicing toward the door like daggers.He did not get a word out before the door swung open.It was Daniel.With all eyes on him, Daniel just nudged his glasses up his nose and stayed cool as a cucumber. "Mr. Gibson, there's something urgent."The rest of the room felt their hearts drop. If there was one thing Trevon could not stand, it was interruptions.Without a darn good reason, he would go through the roof.Daniel? He had only dropped a bombshell.Was he trying to stir up trouble? The so-called ace assistant, was he taking too big a risk?Sweat gathered on everyone's foreheads as they braced themselves, waiting for Trevon's explosion.Trevon's brow raised as he caught on to what Daniel was hinting at—something about Madeline—and his frown deepened.What kind of trouble could Madeline have gotten into that would make Daniel come t
Madeline had been talking in circles for what felt like forever before she finally pieced together that just a few days back, someone had been snooping around for info on Cooper, curious about his recent companions.Turns out, that nosy parker had been plotting to buy Cooper's freedom.However, Cooper was not having any of it.The guy kicked up a storm, but he got his comeuppance—a good thrashing and the boot, right out the door.Madeline's mouth hung open a touch.That was news.Jaxon chimed in, "I'd drop it if I were you. Cooper's pretty much royalty around here now. He's way out of your league."Madeline's expression darkened, her voice icing over. "That's none of your business. Can you just get him for me?"Jaxon's brow creased with concern. "Look, if you've got a crush on Cooper, I could set you up with someone else."She was known for splashing the cash, and not even a baby bump could dent her appeal.Madeline cut to the chase. "Just bring him to me, and I'll spring for
Madeline knew she was stepping out of line. She even toyed with the idea of telling Cooper about them being siblings, but she could not find the words. Cooper was not in the mood to play along and got up to leave. Madeline was desperate. "Don't get it twisted... The thing is, I—"She was cut off mid-sentence as the door to the booth flew open with a crash. Riley's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw Madeline. "Madeline, it's you!"A whirlwind of thoughts raced through her mind. The first was that Madeline had found out about her and Cooper and was going to use it to blackmail her.The second bombshell was that Madeline and Cooper had been secretly seeing each other, and there was a chance that the baby Madeline was carrying belonged to Cooper.Riley's face turned to ice. "How did you two get together?"When Madeline caught sight of Riley, she could not hide her disdain.Even if they had not been at odds before, how could she look pleased knowing she was caught u
Riley's expression turned stormy in an instant. She was being disrespected right after she had extended a courtesy!"So, this is what you meant by 'don't get the wrong idea'?"Cooper rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He had just managed to smooth things over with Riley, and he had not even reaped any rewards yet.Then, with Madeline stirring up trouble, he was at a loss as to how to calm the waters again.He briskly shook off Madeline's hand and said icily, "Ms. Sanders, please show some dignity. We're not acquainted, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't make my guest uncomfortable."Madeline's hand fell away, and even though she knew it was not Cooper's fault, a sharp pain still pierced her heart.Riley, sensing victory in her standoff with Madeline, lifted her chin with a smug air. "From now on, every time she shows up, kick her out! She's banned from the Meridian Club for good!"Madeline turned to Cooper, who just nonchalantly kicked at the ground, ignoring her
Madeline was baffled all over again.How could Trevon be so certain the baby was his? He was blackout drunk that night, and the next morning, he could not remember a thing.Riley's annoyance turned into a scowl. "You said nothing happened between you two, so how could it be your child?"Trevon did not waste his breath on an explanation, instead turning to Madeline with concern. "Are you okay? Can you walk?"Madeline was still reeling, but his voice snapped her back to reality.She noticed Trevon's hand was covered in blood, so mangled it was impossible to tell where the injury started.The floor was littered with the remnants of shattered glass cups—large shards and tiny fragments alike.He was ignoring the pain, the danger.The thought of an artery being sliced open sent a shiver down Madeline's spine, her voice trembling with tears. "Your hand... We can't wait, we need to get to a hospital right now."Madeline was beyond worrying about Cooper and Riley, urgently tugging Trev