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
Jasmine was on the verge of breaking down, seeing Zach's silence."Don't you know how many lives he's taken? Don't you also want him dead?"She continued, "Why are you hesitating? Is it because of Madelyn?"Jasmine laughed sadly."Hah. I should've guessed! Zach, you've fallen for Madelyn!" she said.Zach's eyes turned cold."I won't let your matters disrupt my plans. It isn't just about the Jent family now. If you really want Hayson Jent dead, let your wounds heal first, then come and talk to me!"Zach walked out and slammed the door shut.He returned to his room next door. Standing at his door, he immediately noticed a slight noise coming from his room.He opened the door and walked in. The noise was coming from his bathroom.Zach narrowed his eyes.A few minutes later, the shower sounds stopped, and someone opened the bathroom door. Jadie walked out in a white towel, with her long hair draped over her shoulders. Her skin was flushed, and her eyes glistened, making her look
Madelyn had her hair casually pinned up with a few strands loosely falling by her ears. She wore a white cashmere nightgown and a hoodie with two long rabbit ears on the hood.Zach looked at her with a dark and unreadable gaze.Madelyn had drunk a lot of water. She set the cup down and prepared to go back to her room. As she turned around, she saw him looking at her. She was worried that he would lose his temper and do horrible things to her again.Zach stared at Madelyn.A voice in his head reminded him, "That's what Hayson did to Noelle back then! He's a piece of scum!"The voices rang in his mind."How many lives has he taken? He's a monster!""Is it because of Madelyn Jent?""Hah! I should've guessed!""Zach, you've fallen for Madelyn!"'Fallen for her? Never. She's just a disposable pawn to me,' he thought.Madelyn swallowed hard. Just as she tried to quickly walk past him, he suddenly grabbed her wrist.His gaze on Madelyn was totally different from the usual.Before