Ethan sipped his creamy oatmeal, pushing up the sleeves of his shirt and revealing a hint of a blue tattoo on his forearm. The intricate veins patterned across his skin, moving and curving as he ate, adding a touch of mystery and charm. "George, you're here. Got something to say?""Yeah, it's about Mrs. Arnold Sr...." George glanced at Madelyn briefly, seeming a bit uncertain about continuing.Ethan prompted, "It's alright."George had been pretty busy lately, handling things at the main mansion of the Arnold estate since the head butler there was on sick leave."Mrs. Arnold Sr. caught a cold recently and wants to see you, and also... Miss Jent!"Madelyn focused on her creamy oatmeal, keeping her head down. When she heard those words, her face froze in surprise. She thought to herself, 'Why does Ethan's grandmother want to see me? Is it just because she's sick, or is there something else?'Ethan tapped his finger on the table, looking thoughtful. Then he turned to her gently, "Wo
Madelyn had avoidant personality. Whenever she felt upset, she used to dodge her worries. When sadness or pain hit her, she would opt to be alone, seeking solace within herself. Occasionally, she even tried to forget, using that as a way to find some relief.She did want to confront her problems, but fear held her back. Social interactions and specific situations triggered her unease, so solitude became her refuge. Even when Ethan made efforts to draw her out of her cocoon, she found it difficult to step into the open.At the Arnold residence, apart from meal times, Madelyn mostly retreated to her room, engaging in activities she enjoyed – drawing, studying, and listening to music. She kept to herself and rarely interacted with others.In the Supreme World, Madelyn's golf instructor, Tiger, brought her a piece of cake. "Take a break and have something to eat."After setting her golf club aside, Madelyn sipped some water before accepting it from Tiger's hand. "Thanks.""I could tel
Madelyn nodded firmly. "I'm certain."Tiger crossed his arms and smiled, thinking that she finally smiled today."It looks like my friend didn't deceive me after all. But how do you know it's authentic?"Madelyn shook her head. "I don't have an explanation, but there's a familiarity in this painting that I can't ignore. I'm convinced it's real.""I understand." Tiger chuckled softly. "If you say it's real, then I believe you.""You're quite the savior for your friend. Not many would part with something so valuable.""It's not something that's mine to possess. If I accept it, I'll owe someone a significant favor. And favors have a way of needing repayment sooner or later.""True enough.""Did you save his life?"Tiger smiled, glancing down and shaking his head. "I won't talk further about that. Let's grab a meal. I've been away for a while, and I heard they've introduced some new dishes. Interested in trying them out together?"She replied, "Definitely."Madelyn didn't feel m
Madelyn understood that going head-to-head with Zach wouldn't yield any positive outcomes, especially given the possibility of someone witnessing them.Suppressing the strange fluttering in her chest, she inquired, "Since you're here for business, I wouldn't want to disturb you.""Couldn't you at least drop me a text?" His brows furrowed.Madelyn was momentarily taken aback. After a moment's pause, she retorted, "Apart from bothering me like this, do you have any other hobbies? You're well aware I don't appreciate it."As she spoke, Zach nuzzled her earlobe lustfully.The faint scent of a foreign perfume clung to his suit, a fragrance so potent it made Madelyn slightly uneasy.Zach's deep voice rumbled, "Then enlighten me, what do you like me doing to you? Do you enjoy when I kiss you?"With that, he took Madelyn's chin between his fingers and turned her head, capturing her lips in a bold kiss.He had a drink not long ago, so she could feel a bitter tang invading her taste buds
Zach said, "Come in."Madelyn didn't want others to see them in such an intimate position, and she wanted to stand up, but he wouldn't let her.Then Kevin came in. "Ms. Jent's clothes are all clean."Zach spoke calmly, "Just leave them."After putting the clothes down, Kevin left the room.Madelyn squirmed uncomfortably, "Please let go, I need to change."Zach gently held her slim waist, "Stay here with me for a bit."Madelyn turned her face to the side."Would you like some soup?" He held a spoon close to her mouth."I've eaten enough, you should have your meal.""Be a good girl, okay?" Zach's words sounded a bit stern.He looked at her for a moment, then finally let go of her waist.He gazed at her slender back. When he saw the faint traces of kisses there and the other marks he had left below her V-neck collar, he felt satisfied with what he had done.Madelyn could feel his intense stare.Zach said, "Since you're full, we..."Before he could finish, she used the chanc
"She took my spot?" Madelyn looked at him.Forrest gestured toward her calculus book, and only then did she grasp his meaning. She responded with a composed demeanor, "Jadie's grades are outstanding. Her inclusion in the Math Olympiad team is a result of her dedication and hard work in her studies. Also, the Math Olympiad team is based on merit, so those who perform exceptionally well earn their spots.""But you're better at math than Jadie, right?"Madelyn didn't want to delve into this topic. In reality, being part of the Math Olympiad team would contribute positively to her academic record and secure her admission to Ventropolis University. However, stepping away from the Math Olympiad team wouldn't alter her ultimate goal."Don't you like Jadie? Shouldn't you be happy for her success?""Who told you that?""Isn't it the truth?" Madelyn narrowed her eyes.When Jadie returned from abroad to Ventropolis High School, Forrest and her dating rumours had become the talk of both Ven
Madelyn kept her head down. She felt like there was an invisible weight on her chest. She wasn't sure if it was because she was overthinking or if it was because of the weather today.She knew she wasn't sad because she didn't get messages, but because she didn't feel comfortable in someone else's house.Even though the Jent residence wasn't great, it was still her home. The Arnold residence was not her home.This morning, Ethan had just asked Madelyn to go see his grandmother, but she had run away. She was pretty sure he must be mad.When she was at the Arnold residence, Madelyn always thought about things a lot when stuff like this happened.George said, "Sir, Miss Jent is here."Ethan responded with a nod. He was wearing a dark plaid sweater. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and lean-waisted.The Bentley halted at the entrance, and Ethan, holding a black umbrella, walked over and opened the door. Madelyn stood under the umbrella, and the rain started to subside.Ethan put his a
At nine o'clock, Madelyn got back to her room, took a shower, and got ready for bed.Suddenly, the phone charging on her nightstand started ringing.Wearing a soft white pajama set and drying her hair, Madelyn walked over and picked up the phone. As she read the message, her expression quickly turned serious. She furrowed her brow, placed the phone back down, and acted like she didn't notice.Zach persistently kept calling. The fifth call got disconnected automatically.Beep!A text message popped up on her phone.Madelyn opened it, and her heart skipped a beat. A shiver seemed to run down her spine, and her hands shook.The messages Zach sent were all explicit and obscene photos of them.Madelyn clenched her teeth in anger. When he called again, she paused before answering. "What do you want?"Zach's deep voice came from the other side, "What are you up to?""You sent me those pictures just to ask me that? Zach, don't you have anything better to do?" Madelyn shot back, whi