Zach stared at Randall with a cold look as he sat next to the trembling intern, Maybelline Forde. He approached with a stoic expression. The head of the Business Development Department came over, smiling, and said, "Ms. Forde, get up quick! Mr. Jardin wants to sit next to Mr. Burton."Maybelline seemed like she had found a lifeline. "O-Okay." But before she could stand up, Randall grabbed her. "Mr. Jardin's presence won't stop us from having a drink. You can't even handle alcohol; how are you going to seal a business deal? You must be fresh out of school! Come on... I'll teach you.""Mr. Burton, I don't need your help in educating our staff," Zach said as he gripped Randall's wrist, applying pressure.The atmosphere suddenly froze.Randall's wrist hurt, but he kept his cool, considering there were people watching. In the end, he compromised. He chuckled, "I was just kidding, Mr. Jardin. Don't take it seriously. Come, have a seat, let's have a drink together, we can discuss everythi
Kevin didn't know what Zach was up to, but Zach's actions at the casino today left him feeling puzzled. He thought, 'Mr. Jardin seems to be deliberately losing to Mr. Burton.'But no matter what Zach did, he always inspired an inexplicable trust in people. Even if it meant something as serious as a crime, Kevin had enough faith in him."Mr. Jardin?" Kevin looked at Zach, who seemed lost in thought. He wondered, 'Could he be thinking about Ms. White?' After a moment, he concluded, 'Well, it makes sense. Mr. Jardin and Ms. White have been close since they were kids, and that happened to Ms. White at the Young residence!'Tonight, Randall was still basking in his belief that he could outsmart everyone. Little did he know that his every move was being closely monitored by them.The deal they were negotiating with the Burton family's company was nothing more than a trap, leading Randall to his downfall.Kevin had been by Zach's side for many years, and he knew Zach well. He was ruthles
Kai left after dropping his remark. Zach stared at his departing figure and felt somewhat displeased.Hearing Kai's words, Jadie felt unease. "Zach... why were you talking about Madelyn? What happened to her?"Zach cleared his throat, feeling the pain in his stomach again. He didn't want anyone to see him in this miserable state.Back when Madelyn used to be around, he rarely felt this kind of pain. She would go to great lengths to make him drink less. She was practically glued to him all the time. Whether it was during work or social events, even if he had a drink with a potential client, she would scold that potential client to make sure he drank less. Sometimes, her actions even cost him potential clients, and Hayson punished her for it. And for every meal, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, she would personally bring it to him.Since Madelyn stopped pestering him, he always felt like something was missing.Zach replied, "It's nothing. Why aren't you resting at this hour?"Jad
The next morning, as Zach and Jadie shared the same car, Jadie sat grumpily in the passenger seat. They didn't exchange a single word during the entire ride.Zach rested his eyes, sensing the unusual silence. Upon arriving at the school gate, Jadie didn't utter a single word. She simply opened the car door and stepped out.Kevin reminded her, "Ms. White, your breakfast."Jadie ignored him and went straight into the school.Kevin, worried, said, "Mr. Jardin, Ms. White is still young. Maybe... you should try to be a bit more understanding?"Zach's eyes blinked open, and as he glanced around, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance.Madelyn was holding a paper bag filled with fried gnocchi from a roadside stall while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate. As she walked, a dog suddenly ran up to her and barked. Startled, she dropped her fried gnocchi on the ground. She panicked and even spilled her hot chocolate, then quickly ran into the school. A security guard promptly chased t
Back in the classroom, Madelyn had barely taken her seat when she noticed Jadie. She hadn't anticipated Jadie's discharge so soon. 'Well, the Math Olympiad is just around the corner,' she thought.Today marked Madelyn's return to the Math Olympiad team. If she managed to pass the test, all that remained was completing the remaining courses and patiently awaiting graduation, and most of what she wanted to achieve would already be halfway done.Madelyn went about her day as usual. In the afternoon, Mya asked her to have lunch together. On their way to the cafeteria, Madelyn felt that many people were looking at her. She noticed that the girls who were looking at her were holding some magazines. Madelyn didn't pay much attention to what others were doing. After lunch, she had to attend the Math Olympiad training class.Mya said, "Madelyn, don't you find them strange? It's like everyone is looking at you!"Madelyn had the same feeling, and she questioned, "Is there something on my fa
Donna, wearing knee-high boots, confidently strode toward the CEO's private elevator.The receptionist's new colleague asked curiously, "Who is she? Why is she dressed so strangely?"Long-time employees at Arnold Corporation were aware that Ethan had a high school girlfriend in the past. For some unknown reason, she had wanted to break up with the CEO. Then, in a mysterious turn of events, they were both involved in a car accident on the highway, which nearly took Ethan's life. That ex-girlfriend of Ethan was Donna.Arnold family had kept this incident quiet, and not many people outside were aware of it. Donna had somehow disappeared afterward.Donna and Ethan's relationship had been highly publicized in the past. Not only did the entire Arnold Corporation know of her existence, but even the Arnold family, despite their reservations about her, dared not do anything against her because of Ethan's protection. After all these years, she had returned.After an hour-long meeting, Leyto
Upon seeing Ethan outside the door, Donna placed the photo she had been holding down and stood up with a smile. "Long time no see!"Ethan's demeanor suddenly turned ice-cold, and he stepped closer. "Who let you in? I told you not to appear in front of me."Donna traced her fingers along the desk's edge as she approached him. "But it was you who desired to meet, wasn't it? Remember that night you spent with me."Ethan's response was curt. "That's enough, Ms. Jolie." He then turned to Leyton, instructing, "Have the security department escort her out and ensure she never enters the company premises again. Also, fire the receptionist who allowed her in."Leyton nodded and said, "Yes, sir."Clearly wanting to avoid any further interaction, Ethan left the office.As Ethan walked away, Donna called out, "Ethan, don't you want to know why I left in the first place?"Leyton glanced at Ethan then Donna. In Donna's eyes, he detected a hint of sadness.Ethan continued his departure without
Donna thought to herself, 'Why doesn't he keep his promise?'She had been alone in a foreign land when she received those photos from a private investigator. These images showed him intimately involved with another woman, prompting her to yearn for the truth.When she finally saw the photo on his office desk at Arnold Corporation, the undeniable proof shattered her world.Gazing at the imposing Arnold Corporation building, Donna struggled to contain the bitterness welling up within her. With a heavy heart, she left the scene behind.As she walked away, tears welled up unexpectedly, smudging her makeup. Lost in her thoughts, she walked aimlessly, oblivious to the curious stares and distancing gestures of passersby.A few minutes later, a black car pulled up in front of Donna, and a bodyguard in a black suit got out of the car."Ms. Jolie," he said, "Mrs. Arnold Sr. is aware of your return. She requests your presence. Please step into the car."Collecting herself, Donna entered th