Just then, a phone call interrupted her thoughts.It was an unknown number. Madelyn did not know who the number belonged to, but she had a faint idea.For some reason, the unfamiliar string of numbers on the screen had turned into the words "Cecilia Samford."Madelyn gripped the hem of her dress. It was like she had forgotten how to breathe.She took the call and held the phone by her ear. Five seconds passed, and neither of them spoke. Madelyn could feel her heart pounding, "Hello? This is Madelyn Jent speaking. Who's this?"Madelyn heard the person on the other end of the line snickered. Then, they hung up the phone.The person's blatant mockery was like a slap in Madelyn's face.'Was that Donna Jolie? Didn't she return a long time ago? That day, when Ethan found me after I disappeared, what was that fearful and strange look in his eyes?' she wondered.Madelyn squatted down, and her long hair fell over her face. She felt a sense of powerlessness washed over her.Deep down, M
"Mr. Arnold."Ethan looked up with a dark expression, "What?""There are some documents that require your signature.""Leave them on the table for now."Leyton placed the documents on the table and unintentionally saw Ethan's phone screen. He had Madelyn's contact card open.'Could Mr. Arnold be upset because of Ms. Jent? I don't think anyone else could make him as emotional other than her. He could just call her if he misses her. There's no need for him to stay upset with her for this long. Unless... the two of them had a fight,' thought Leyton."Anything else?" Ethan asked in a displeased tone.Leyton replied, "I'm not sure if I should say it.""Spit it out!""Mr. Arnold, the entire senior management is on the edge because of Ms. Jent. I don't think you should bring your personal matters to work, sir," Leyton said calmly.Ethan smirked. He gave Leyton a frosty and annoyed look, "Are you teaching me how to do my job? I'm giving you your paycheck, not the other way around. If
Madelyn stared at her phone screen.'Should I tell him I won't be going home tonight?' she wondered.Madelyn was tired.'What are we right now? If Ethan can't forget about Donna and remain in contact with her, why is he with me? Is it to spite Donna for her abrupt departure back then? I'm not their tool,' she thought again.Madelyn could not stand Ethan's betrayal. However, she was worried she would face what she had predicted if she left the Arnold residence and returned to the Jent residence. She would fall back into Zach's hands and be humiliated by him.Right now, Madelyn only had two choices: play dumb and continue going to school while receiving the Arnold family's protection, or break up with Ethan and return to her harsh, former life at the Jent residence.Madelyn already knew her answer after considering all this.School ended at eight-thirty. A familiar car punctually pulled over outside of the school.Madelyn went to the backseat, and someone was already sitting ther
"I'm a picky eater. I want to have my cinnamon oatmeal now.""I'll make it for you," Madelyn said as she put down her backpack.Ethan grabbed Madelyn's hand and said to the old woman, "You're an old servant of the Arnold family, so you should know some manners. Besides, you'll get indigestion by having food this late at night. Marta, send her home.""Yes, sir," answered Marta."Hold on... Marta, do we have grated cinnamon?""Yes," Marta replied."I don't have a lot of homework today. I'll make some oatmeal for you. It should be ready in about 40 minutes."Evelyn chuckled and said, "Thank you.""No worries."'That's how the elderly are. The older they get, the less they sleep,' she thought.Madelyn went to the kitchen.Evelyn sighed, "You and her are like the oatmeal and cinnamon in here. When cooked together, the taste is the same. But if you add or remove something, the taste changes. Think about what I said. Tell her that she doesn't need to make the oatmeal. Madelyn has a
'Because I already know what I want. I want to accept the affection and protection he gives me. Humans are selfish creatures... I know what awaits me if I return to the Jent family without Ethan. That's why I can play dumb even if he still has lingering feelings for Donna. Currently, I need Ethan, whether it's using him or merely treating him as my emotional support. But I don't feel guilty toward him because I genuinely want to like him and be with him,' Madelyn thought.She lamented, 'But this is under the premise that I can accomplish my plans. Even if we part ways in the future, I won't need to rely on others. Equity was never a part of the equation. In the future, Ethan will only see the Madelyn I want to show him. Relationships and marriages are the same. One cannot stop the other if they want to cheat.'"No worries. I'll get used to it eventually. Besides, I rarely leave the house. I spend most of my time at school. If anything, I'll just ignore what others say."Madelyn acte
"Isn't this perfect! Let's clean her up. She can just serve customers naked. That will save us some trouble," the man said.Donna asked, "Are you guys maybe overdoing it a bit with the acting?" Before she could finish her words, someone slapped her right across the face."Acting? Who the hell told you we're acting? You borrowed money and can't pay it back, so it's only right we take you as collateral!"Donna looked terrified. She thought, 'It can't be... this is different from what that man said!'They taped her mouth shut. She didn't even have a chance to struggle as they dragged her onto the staff elevator, heading for a hotel room at Supreme World.Meanwhile, in a luxurious suite at Supreme World, Randall was drunk. He hooked his arm around Zach's shoulders. "Mr. Jardin... I feel so sorry for winning so much from you last time. Let's toast."Kevin interjected, "Mr. Jardin is dealing with a stomach issue. I'll take this drink in his place.""Stay out of this. I'm raising a toa
The night breeze rustled the heavy curtains as Madelyn emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying her hair. She walked to the bedside table, wanting to charge her phone. Its screen was marred by a crack. It had been working perfectly fine during the day, but now it was constantly disconnecting while she tried to charge it.Suddenly, the phone vibrated, and Zach's number appeared on the screen, causing Madelyn's heart to skip a beat. She didn't answer but watched as the call ended automatically.She thought he might give up, but he immediately sent several messages.[I know you're not asleep this early.][You're being naughty again.][Answer the phone, or I'll come to the Arnold residence myself.]Madelyn held her breath, and her heart raced. Soon, she received a video clip. It was a steamy, intimate video of them in his car.He messaged again, [You wouldn't want this to be seen by others, would you?]Madelyn felt a shiver run down her spine. She had no idea when he had taken that
"Miss Jent, didn't Mr. Arnold come downstairs with you?" asked the servant.Madelyn replied, "He's probably still asleep.""When I went to wake him up earlier, his room was empty."When Madelyn thought about how Ethan had gone out last night and hadn't returned all night, a hint of unease flashed across Madelyn's face. She said, "Maybe he had some work stuff to attend to, so he went out early.""I see."As Madelyn left, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease. 'I wonder if it's because of the exam tomorrow. I'm feeling a bit nervous.'At eight 'o clock, students started to arrive at Ventrocloud High School."Did you hear about the incident at Supreme World yesterday? Randall Burton was beaten to death.""I saw it; I was at Supreme World at the time. But I don't know who did it. Police cars and ambulances all showed up. I heard from the room service staff that there was blood everywhere on the ground. Randall Burton is likely to be disabled now.""I wonder who he messed with