Yvonne continued, "Are you trying to keep Ethan hanging on while also being with Forrest, Madelyn? I'm curious, what's your true intention? Why not just be honest?"As Madelyn pondered the situation, she thought, 'Is this how Yvonne see it? Did Ethan feel the same way when he learned about Forrest and me last night?'Meeting Yvonne's gaze directly, Madelyn maintained her composure and responded, "Let me clarify a few things."She began to explain, "Who I spend time with and what I choose to do is my personal business. Ethan has been supportive before, and I'm grateful for that. However, it doesn't mean I'll simply go along with his feelings for me. If you all believe I should distance myself from him, I'm willing to do so." She added, "This is a matter concerning your family, and it's unrelated to me. If you insist on pressuring me to make a choice, I'll stand by the decision I've made now."Furthermore, Madelyn recognized her own responsibility toward Forrest. Yet, even if she did
Inside the library, Madelyn brought out a math paper she had created herself and handed it over to Forrest. The paper had simple problems and was just half a page long.Usually, finishing it would take around thirty minutes, which was just enough time for her to also commit the Etlinish words to memory and even tackle the Etlinish reading comprehension.Not wanting to make Forrest feel pressured, Madelyn refrained from hovering around to observe him work.After the passing of thirty minutes, whether he completed the paper or not, she would collect it.Giving the paper a quick look, Madelyn noticed that he hadn't written down a few of the most basic math formulas.Ultimately, he achieved a score of twenty points. She noted this in the upper right corner of the paper. Those twenty points were granted for his effort in attempting each problem.Madelyn sighed one after another, pondering, "Forrest, what on earth have you been doing these past two years?"Forrest cast his pen aside,
Zach's chilling aura brushed against them.Yvonne glanced disdainfully at Forrest and remarked, "Madelyn, weren't you supposed to be helping him with his studies? It looks more like you two are on a date. Don't tell me you've actually fallen for this bastard? Why don't you ever listen to what I say?" She was so frustrated that she almost stomped her foot.Noticing the test paper on the table, Yvonne smirked, "Twenty points? Seriously, Forrest? Your inadequacy is the same whether it's in the Arnold family or at school. You might end up being looked down by my brother throughout your life, like a stepping stone, without much future ahead."Forrest, hands in his pockets, toyed with his lighter and chuckled, "At least I'm not in a hurry to please others.""How dare you!" Yvonne suddenly approached him and raised her hand.A sharp sound echoed.SLAP!The noise drew the attention of a few library-goers."Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to me like that. Just a lowly ente
Madelyn spoke without holding back, unsure of how many ears were listening.While she didn't fully grasp what Forrest had experienced, she knew she must stand firmly by his side in this moment.Forrest had risked his life to save her. If he could selflessly protect her, why couldn't she find the strength to stand up for him? Especially now, when Yvonne had unfairly struck him, causing doubt to cloud his usually confident demeanor.With her books in hand, Madelyn exited the library alongside Forrest.Yvonne shouted, "Wait!"But their steps remained steadfast forward."Happy?" Zach's tone turned frosty, catching Yvonne off guard.His cold gaze bore into her, sending shivers down her spine. The once-warm library seemed to chill as Yvonne felt an icy atmosphere envelop her. It was a terrifying presence she had never encountered before."Wh-What do you mean?" She stammered.Zach said nothing and walked away, his pace swift.Yvonne had to hurry to keep up.When he got into the car
Madelyn asked, "Do you want to take a shower?"Forrest straightened up, his eyebrow raised in surprise. "What are you trying to do to me? Put away your dirty thoughts."Madelyn was speechless, thinking, 'What the hell is he thinking all day?'She went to her room and fetched a bathrobe for him. "It's brand new, never been worn."Forrest took it from her, "Oh, it's pink."After this, Madelyn went to freshen up herself. She had already showered at school earlier, but yesterday, she had refrained from doing so due to his presence. Once she had taken care of everything else, she left the bathroom for him.As she was about to close the door, Forrest's voice echoed, "I'll also aim for Ventropolis University."With a warm smile, Madelyn responded, "Got it. Sleep well, good night.""Good night."The next morning, Madelyn finished her preparations and found Forrest in the kitchen. He stood with a fry pan in one hand and another hand in his pocket, expertly cooking pasta.Seeing him co
It was raining in the photo, and Madelyn was surrounded by four or five men. Her clothes had been torn to shreds, revealing large patches of skin.The face in the photo was recognizable as hers. She couldn't deny it; the person in the picture was her. But she had no idea where this photo had come from.The situation escalated rapidly. The entire school now seemed to know about it. Everyone believed that she had been sexually assaulted by a group of men.On her way to the restroom, she noticed that people were keeping their distance from her, as though she carried a contagious illness."No wonder she was absent for three months... look at her, she's so filthy!"Despite these stories, Madelyn kept her composure and headed back to the classroom. She had just settled into her seat when Hailey asked her to go to the office.Entering the office, even the teachers regarded her with curious expressions.In a separate room, Hailey got right to the point. "You've heard the gossip going ar
Madelyn said, "Remember, I come from the Jent family, the one you all talk about having shady dealings, the one you hate."Advancing slightly, she lightly tapped the boy's cheek with the bank card, her voice icy, "Go ask your dad if he'd dare to challenge the Jents! And don't forget, those three girls who crossed me..." She paused for effect. "Where are they now?"Her words triggered a moment of realization among many as memories resurfaced about what had befallen those girls who had messed with her.The Linney family had teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, and Mrs. Linney had received a five-year sentence for her past actions. Michelle Linney had vanished from sight as well. Jenny Lupert and Lorrie Lamprey's families were in even direr straits. Rumors said that they were burdened with debts amounting to millions and had fled.Madelyn's words stirred a shift in many expressions. All of them inhabited the same privileged sphere; they understood all too well if any family's business
"I don't need to go back. I'm fine here by myself," said Madelyn confidently.In her painting, Madelyn depicted a field of sunflowers under a bright blue sky. The sunflowers reached toward the sun, full of hope and light.People's feelings often showed in their art. When someone was sad, their paintings might show a cloudy sky and a stormy night. And Madelyn's painting was full of the brightness she felt inside.Her painting was really good. With this talent, she could easily get into the art school she wanted.Hayson had told her not to paint, and Zach knew that too. He wondered how she could make such great art. Then he remembered that Madelyn never followed rules.Zach sat down on the couch and looked at the paper on the table. It was for a parent-teacher meeting notice and a camp application form. Madelyn had filled out everything, but she needed a parent to sign.Zach's eyes glinted when he saw this.Madelyn looked at her painting, feeling like something was missing. She st
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and