After dinner, Ethan and Madelyn went for a walk. They watched lovey-dovey couples stroll by, but between Madelyn and Ethan, there was an unusual silence, a strange atmosphere.Finally, she couldn't hold back and blurted out, "What happened to your legs?"Ethan lowered his gaze as his expression slightly changed. "It was a car accident," he replied, brief and to the point.Madelyn nodded and said, "Well, be careful when driving in the future." Her words filled with genuine concern."Alright."Madelyn's maternal instincts kicked in again. "You've walked with me for so long. Aren't your legs tired? How about we find a place to sit? If you're uncomfortable, you must tell me."Ethan smiled. "Alright."Madelyn bit her lip as she thought to herself, 'You basically say "alright" to everything!'She dared not meet his gaze anymore, so she turned and pointed to a spot, her expression stiff, "I want to have that."With Christmas approaching, the glace fruit seller dressed up as Santa Cla
"But..." Madelyn hesitated, her eyes fixed on Ethan who was pulling out a small black velvet box from his pocket. With a careful touch, he unveiled a pendant in the shape of a crescent moon – its translucent whiteness seemed to emit an otherworldly glow. The silver chain it hung from sparkled like distant stars.Drawing closer, Ethan's hopeful expression met resistance as Madelyn gently pushed him away. "It's too precious," she murmured.Ethan looked disappointed as he said, "I designed this necklace for you. Today marks not only your birthday but also our first official meeting. Could you not turn a friend down?"The necklace was undeniably flawlessly crafted, so intricate that no one could resist its charm.Ethan's gaze was intense. Despite her reservations, Madelyn found herself unable to refuse. Finally, she relented, her voice softening, "I just... I don't have anything to give you in return.""Having you here today is gift enough for me."Tightening her grip on her dress, M
Madelyn mused, 'Zach's willingness to go to any lengths to achieve his goals is almost frightening.'However, a glimmer of optimism surfaced as she considered, "Yet, with Ethan's support... Maybe I can study overseas after high school. It seems like a better plan. I won't have to wait for Ventropolis' annual foreign exchange program.""Ethan..." Madelyn's uncertainty grew as she grappled with how to broach this topic. Her rapport with Ethan was still developing, and she wasn't sure if she could rely on him for help.Ethan raised an eyebrow, "Yeah?"Madelyn's words stumbled out hesitantly, "I... um..."Just as Madelyn was about to voice her thoughts, a blinding light suddenly engulfed them."Look out, Mr. Arnold!" Leyton swiftly turned the steering wheel, and George held tight to the handle above the passenger seat.Madelyn saw it too – a huge truck, heavy as anything, barreling straight at them.Right before the crash, Madelyn prepared for the worst, squeezing her eyes shut, un
As Zach's car pulled closer, Jadie's eyes widened as she saw Madelyn, with a man she seemed to have met from somewhere."Zach, let's pull over. That's Madelyn," Jadie said.When Madelyn saw an Audi with a familiar license plate, her face turned pale in an instant.Just now, smoke had started billowing from the Cayenne. Madelyn quickly got out, but her legs gave way as soon as she touched the ground.Leyton quickly used a fire extinguisher to put out the smoke, while Ethan went to check on Madelyn."Are you hurt? Can you get up?"Madelyn was fine, thanks to Ethan shielding her during the incident. She didn't want to admit that it was fear that had caused her legs to give way. She couldn't shake thoughts of the person behind the accident.George wiped a speck of blood from his forehead as he said, "Looks like she got really scared."Ethan's eyes flickered with a chilling determination, but he spoke gently to Madelyn. "Don't worry, I'll handle this. Let me help you up."Madelyn a
"Leyton, did you manage to see that truck?" Mr. Arnold asked.Leyton looked down, saying, "I'm sorry. I couldn't get a good look at it."Ethan's tone turned icy in a flash. "I want the one responsible caught in three days."Leyton nodded. "Yes, sir."Jadie came over and held Madelyn's hand, showing concern. "Madelyn, are you okay? Zach and I were planning a birthday party for you at home. If it weren't for Rosario, neither of us would have known. I missed your last birthday, but not this one. I even got you a gift. But you weren't around. Maybe we can celebrate the next one together."Madelyn's expression turned distant, and she pulled her hand away. "You don't need to go through all this trouble. You and Zach should head back. We'll manage things here on our own."She sensed Zach's unwavering gaze on her, but she avoided meeting his eyes completely.Zach chimed in, his voice firm. "Let's not involve Mr. Arnold in our family issues. Remember what your dad said? You're supposed t
"Jadie, head upstairs and rest," said Zach.Jadie glanced from Zach to Madelyn, then replied, "Alright. Madelyn just went through a car crash, so let's give her a break, okay?"Jadie wasn't comfortable leaving Zach alone with Madelyn.Every now and then, Jadie found herself wondering if Zach genuinely loved her. If he didn't, she couldn't help but question why he was so nice to her. But he had never actually said he loved her, which made her feel insecure about their relationship.Jadie went upstairs.Margaret noticed the tense atmosphere and stammered, "Sh-Should I leave too?"Zach shot her a cold glare, and she hurriedly fled the scene.Now, it was just him and Madelyn in the living room.An oppressive feeling hung in the air, making it a bit hard for Madelyn to catch her breath."Am I just talking to myself here?" Zach approached her, his demeanor cold. Even without looking at him, Madelyn could sense his anger.This was a stark difference from the Zach who seemed genuinel
Madelyn met Zach's intense gaze. It was as if he was taking pleasure in her pain, finding some sick joy in it.Zach was waiting for her to beg for mercy, but despite the torment she was going through, she refused to give him the satisfaction.Her unyielding demeanor irritated Zach. "So, you've forgotten how to beg now?" he taunted.Madelyn knew Zach too well. She understood that if he truly meant harm, he wouldn't be foolish enough to act right here and now.Maybe the events of that night had ignited something in him, a desire to see her break and plead. But Madelyn was determined not to let that happen.Tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks and making her look pitiful. Anyone who saw her like this would surely feel sympathy.With a push, Madelyn managed to create some space between them. "I'll never beg you, Zach Jardin, even if it means giving up my life. You'll face the consequences for your actions, even if it's in hell." She couldn't help but silently curse,
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow in Madelyn's room. Her long hair was all messy as she stood there. Her gaze seemed hollow.On the bed, her phone kept flashing with bright light, accompanied by a ringing tone that echoed through the room. The caller ID showed: Ethan.Madelyn watched as the call was rejected by itself, time and time again, only to start ringing once more. She didn't pick it up. After a while, she eventually walked over, switched it off, and tossed it aside. Resting in one corner of the room was the crystal crescent pendant necklace.The following morning, Madelyn descended the stairs to find Hayson, Jasmine, Zach, and Jadie already having breakfast.At the dining table, Hayson seemed oblivious to anything unusual. He was engrossed in discussing company matters with Zach, just like any other day.Listening to their talk, Madelyn realized that Hayson had gradually delegated most of the significant responsibilities of his company to Zach. Man