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
Evelyn spoke sternly, "So many years have gone by, and our family has done a lot for an outsider like you."She examined Donna closely one last time. "I've said what I needed to say," she declared firmly. Then, she told Marta, "Show our guest out." Her voice was strong, and her eyes showed nothing but cold indifference and dislike for Donna.Evelyn really held a deep grudge against Donna. If it weren't for Donna, Ethan wouldn't have had such a tough time in school or made bad choices.Marta said, "Sure, Madam," and turned to Donna. "Ms. Jolie, please come with me."Donna, full of frustration, yelled at Evelyn, "Aren't you worried I'll tell him all of this? If it weren't for you, Ethan and I wouldn't be in this mess."Evelyn sneered, "Five years ago, I didn't let you step foot in my home. Nothing has changed now. I won't let you keep hurting my grandson."Donna was shown out of the Arnold house. Her proud attitude had crumbled, leaving her looking like someone who had lost everyth
"Boring, not interested," someone said.Another student chimed in, "If I enter showbiz, my dad would literally flip.""Isn't acting and singing all about entertaining others?" said another student.Hailey raised an eyebrow and glanced at the director next to her.The director, hunched and smiling, replied, "I know all of you come from well-off families. I'm just here to see if any of you are interested. No one's being forced into anything."When he spotted Madelyn sitting by the window, his eyes lit up. "You must be Madelyn Jent?"Madelyn paused, laying down her pen, looking puzzled. "Sir, do you know my name?"The director approached her eagerly. "How could I not? Ethan Arnold is backing this new film. If you're interested, I can cast you as the female lead. We can even tweak the script to your liking."Madelyn declined politely, "I'm sorry, but I'm not into acting. You should find someone else. Excuse me, I need to visit Mr. Newton's office for help with some math problems."