"Don't just stand there. Hop on the bike!" Forrest commanded.Madelyn pressed her lips together. "Actually, I'm not really in the mood to go out.""Still want to be cooped up at home? Come on, get on the bike, it's freezing out here!""Where are we going?""A nice place..."Reluctantly, Madelyn climbed onto his motorcycle. She had never been on a bike before.Forrest turned to look at her with a furrowed brow.Perplexed by his gaze, Madelyn asked, "What's wrong?"Forrest reached out, releasing her bun, and then placed a helmet on her head. He fastened the elastic band he had removed from her hair around his wrist.He instructed, "Hold onto me!"'What?!' Madelyn was taken aback.Perhaps due to his words or the chilly weather, a light blush dusted Madelyn's cheeks, and she softly grasped his clothing on both sides. "I'm ready. Let's go.""You really stubborn."Forrest reached back and grabbed her hands, guiding them to wrap around his waist. "Like this. Hold on and don't let
Forrest and Madelyn strolled into the bustling street market and spotted a monkey performing at the roadside. They paused to watch for a moment.Spectators were dropping money into a bowl, and when it filled up, the monkey picked it up and handed it to its owner. All the money found its way into the owner's pocket. Someone had a two-dollar bill in hand, and the monkey took it, giving a polite bow to the giver.Madelyn's interest was piqued. "Forrest, do you think it actually understands human speech?"Forrest shot her a look that said, "Are you serious?" and gently tugged her away.Protesting, Madelyn said, "What are you doing? I haven't seen enough!""What's so fascinating about a monkey act? Let's keep moving.""I want to watch a bit longer.""Not worth it.""But I've never seen anything like this before."Suddenly, Forrest halted and released her. "You really want to watch?"Madelyn nodded, insisting, "Just for a little while!""Fine, I'll give you five minutes. Otherwise
Yvonne propped her chin up with both hands, "So, this is your way of asking for a favor? Don't forget, you asked me to lend your precious sister a workbook! If you're not going to accompany me, I won't lend it to her. I can call my chauffeur right now and have him come pick me up.""Suit yourself." Zach was somewhat annoyed. He stood up, ready to leave.Yvonne panicked and immediately sat beside Zach, gripping his arm tightly to prevent him from leaving. Since her threats didn't work, she softened her tone, "Can't you just spend half a day with me? I'm feeling lonely this long break." She clung to Zach's arm, shaking it while acting coquettish, "Please! Zach!"Yvonne rarely called him by his first name. She usually addressed him as "Mr. Jardin" because he was about seven or eight years older than her.Forrest brought Madelyn to a place filled with food vendors, but the cleanliness wasn't great. Tables were covered in discarded plastic containers, and a few stray dogs were wandering
Madelyn didn't find the eatery unpleasant. She thought it was difficult to spot in a place like this.After only a little bit of time eating, the other people at the other tables were done with their food and left. Now, only Madelyn and Forrest were still in the restaurant.The person who owned the restaurant was an old man in his sixties. He had on reading glasses and seemed to be sewing something. He was having a hard time getting the thread through the needle. He went over to Forrest and asked, "Forry, could you help me? My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be."Forrest had just finished eating, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and got up, saying, "What do you need to sew? Let me check it out.""It's a piece of clothing. It got a hole from a nail last time, but it can still be fixed.""What about your wife?""She went out to walk the dog. She won't be back for a bit."Forrest took the place where the owner had been sitting, picked up an old, blue piece of clothing.Madelyn
Madelyn felt like Forrest had a point. She hadn't really planned on buying so many street snacks all at once. After thinking it over, she decided to hold off on getting more and focus on enjoying the ones she already had. She realized she might have gone a bit overboard with her shopping.In the midst of the bustling crowd, Madelyn couldn't shake the feeling that there were intense gazes fixed on her. But whenever she looked around, there was nothing there. She must have been imagining things.As the day started to turn into evening, the sky slowly got darker. Madelyn and Forrest left the market, feeling a bit disappointed that they hadn't been able to explore everything.Originally, Madelyn was supposed to head home, but she didn't really want to go back just yet. They found a spot outside a closed café in the park, finishing up the remaining snacks while watching the fireworks overhead.She turned her head slightly and glanced at Forrest, who was completely absorbed in the firewo
Forrest stayed quiet, his response already clear.Madelyn explained, "I went to the Arnold residence because I thought the Arnolds' influence might protect me."She pondered, 'The day Ethan brings his ex-girlfriend back from abroad will be my cue to leave the Arnold residence. At that point, Father will probably still believe there's a connection between Ethan and me, so he won't act against me immediately. But later, when he realizes I can't be a pawn to win favor with the Arnold family, he'll sacrifice me to benefit the Jent family.'Forrest gazed at her thoughtfully and remarked, "You're only half right!" He knew that Ethan genuinely cared for Madelyn. Otherwise, Ethan wouldn't have pushed him out of the Arnold residence.Forrest smirked slightly, thinking, 'Looks like George didn't spill all the beans about what happened between Ethan and his ex. There's no chance of them getting back together.'Madelyn looked at him quizzically, asking, "What do you mean?""You'll figure it
Madelyn replied with a hint of mockery, "Is there anyone who wouldn't be scared sitting next to a murderer?"Zach thought, 'So she does know fear. But if she truly knew fear, she wouldn't have been so defiant, going out on dates with other guys.'Madelyn contemplated, 'He's not defending himself. It seems like he did it. Well, what can't he do? Even if it's killing someone, he's capable of it, flawlessly.'She pressed on, "She was with you for a year. Aren't you sad? How could you do that to her? She genuinely cared about you.""Cared? Are you jealous?" He spoke in an even tone.Madelyn's gaze remained fixed on him, as if she was looking at an emotionless entity. With that question, she wasn't just inquiring about Julia; she was asking for herself too. She wanted to know how it felt to have taken the life of someone he once had feelings for. 'Did he ever regret it? Did he feel remorse for his actions? Did he ever truly care about Julia?'Madelyn took a deep breath. 'Never mind, h
Suddenly, a metal lighter extended from her side, causing Madelyn to jump and accidentally drop the sky lantern she was holding. She looked at Zach, who had appeared out of nowhere. Instinctively, she took a step back to create some space between them."Don't you make any noise when you move? What are you doing here?" she asked cautiously."Use this," Zach said, offering the lighter in one hand, while his other hand remained in his pocket.Madelyn hesitantly reached out to accept the lighter from his hand.But then, he suddenly caught her hand in a firm grip. With a swift motion, he pulled her back against him, her back against his warm chest.She struggled, "What are you doing? Someone might see us!"Zach's tall figure almost entirely shielded Madelyn, making it seem like he was protecting her. As he leaned in, his warm breath tickled her neck, sending a shiver down her spine as if an electric current had passed through that sensitive area."Let them see," Zach spoke from behin