Madelyn wondered, 'What's bothering him?' Slowly, Madelyn figured it out, but she did not bring it up and both of them just remained quiet.When they arrived at the school, Madelyn softly said, "I'll go now. Remember to have your lunch."Ethan responded, "Okay."Madelyn got out of the car. The car, which usually waited for her to enter the school, had already left.She arrived quite early today."Madelyn! Madelyn!" Mya rushed over while clutching her backpack. She was panting. When she got to Madelyn, she asked, "Madelyn, what's wrong? I called your name several times, but you didn't respond. What's going on?"Madelyn answered, "It's nothing."Mya said, "I thought you wouldn't come to school anymore since you got into the art college. I didn't expect someone as outstanding and impressive as you to be even more hardworking than me."Madelyn smiled slightly, "There's nothing wrong with learning more."Her exam results for Ventropolis College of Art had been released two days ago
"Did he really go after Yvonne that fast? For connections with the Young family? Or was it for money? And how is Yvonne now different from before? If he gets his hands on her, she's in big trouble," Madelyn thought.Zach stepped closer, brushing away the loose hair on Madelyn's forehead. "It's been so long. You don't greet me anymore?"Caught off guard, Madelyn could not react. A hint of a smirk appeared on Zach's face. His deep-set eyes showed possessiveness, a hint of wildness — feelings he seemed to hide. But Madelyn saw past his facade. Behind that smile was the real Zach, as dangerous as a wild animal. Taking a step back, she said, "I have things to do. I'll see you later."Mya looked at Madelyn's brother. When their eyes locked, his smile disappeared, turning into a sharp glare. Mya's skin prickled with unease. "Madelyn!" she called, hurrying to catch up. In a hushed voice, she asked, "Is Yvonne dating your brother?"'Is that really any of my business?' Madelyn wondered.Twi
Yvonne was baffled by her own feelings: she had fallen for a much older man despite her status and countless options. Men were falling head over heels to be with her, but Zach had captured her heart like no other. For the first time, she had experienced the pain of rejection. When not around him, her mind was filled with thoughts of him. If she did not keep herself busy, he became all she could focus on. She had hoped she could move on.'Is he into Jadie or Madelyn? Madelyn's set to marry my older brother. If he's really interested in Jadie... But what about the way he gazes at Madelyn? He doesn't look at Jadie like that. Maybe Zach sees Jadie as just family. If Madelyn goes through with the wedding, I might still stand a chance. The Arnold family's influence far outweighs Zach's. No matter Mom's opinion, I have a way of making things happen.'At Arnold Corporation, Leyton debated sharing crucial news with Ethan, worried Ethan might be too soft-hearted. 'With Madelyn's engagement cer
"Forgot who you're working for?" Ethan's voice was icy. Doubt flashed in his eyes, but he was firm in his choice. He knew the consequences of his decision today but felt he had no other option. "She'll get it," he told Leyton, then drove off from the office.Leyton pursed his lips, deep in thought. 'I hope Mr. Arnold doesn't end up regretting this. If Ms. Jent had other options, she might not have chosen to get engaged to him. She's just trying to escape her current situation. With her talent, she made it into Ventropolis College of Art. Someday, when she no longer needs him, he's going to really regret it.'The highway was a mess. There were two wrecked silver cars, but the driver who caused the crash was nowhere to be found. A police officer said, "Mr. Arnold, by the time we arrived, one of the cars had already exploded."Ethan, with wild eyes, grabbed the officer by the collar. "Who told you to chase her?"Other officers quickly stepped in to break them apart. One of them said,
Donna already knew the answer.An hour and a half later, the villa's front door swung open. The code? Her birthday.'See, he still remembers.'Upon seeing Donna, Ethan was filled with fury. But as he noticed the scars on her face and arms, along with the clothes from the psychiatric ward she was wearing, his anger slowly faded. He stared at her with a troubled look. "Who got you out of prison? I don't have time for your games."Ethan was about to leave when Donna's voice, filled with hysteria, halted him. "I was imprisoned because of a comment you made! Do you realize the torment I endured? They held me down, cutting me with sharp blades, leaving marks all over my arms and body. They labeled me as delusional, shameless, and so much worse!"After I said, 'We used to be together,' they turned against me. Everyone acted like they could push me around. I was brutally attacked, almost killed. If someone hadn't found me in the nick of time and put me in a mental hospital, I'd be gone by
After the exam, Madelyn waited at the school entrance, her umbrella shielding her from the rain that had dampened her long stockings. Ethan usually picked her up and was rarely late. When ten minutes passed without seeing him, she tried calling him. Her phone indicated that his number was out of service. With a shiver, she sent him a text but received no reply. 'We had our engagement photo shoot today. There must be a good reason for him being late.' She considered contacting Ethan's assistant, Leyton, but then remembered she did not have his number.As the rain intensified, Madelyn took shelter in a convenience store and pulled out her homework from her backpack. After a while, an employee approached. "Excuse me, it's almost eight. We're closing.""Sorry, I lost track of time. I'll head out."Madelyn quickly packed her things, amazed at how much time had passed. Outside, it was already dark. Apart from a few Ventropolis High School students leaving their evening classes, the street
Madelyn wrapped up her dinner swiftly and made her way upstairs.She couldn't afford any distractions now. With exams just around the corner in less than ten days, she needed to be on top of her game, even if she had already secured her spot at Ventropolis College of Art.A slip-up on this test wasn't an option.By 11:30 PM, having committed a series of Etlinish phrases to memory, she set her book aside. She was about to switch off the lights and sink into sleep when her cat leaped onto the bed, making itself comfortable by her pillow, its paws kneading rhythmically.Leaving a soft glow from the bedside lamp, Madelyn stroked its fur. "Even all grown up, you still bake cookies. Goodnight, Ginger."As she settled in with her eyes shut and hands tucked under her chin, sleep took her swiftly.It was half-past two when Ethan got back.Upon noticing the small wound on Ethan's lip, the servant knitted her eyebrow. "Mr. Arnold," she began, recognizing the type of wound and drawing from
Madelyn paused to take a sip from her glass. The weight of Ethan's words dispelled her sleepy haze, and her mind began to race.The soft ticking of the living room clock filled the brief silence. After a moment's reflection, she met Ethan's eyes, her lips pursed thoughtfully. "Alright then, should I move out?" she asked.There was an eerie calm to her demeanor, no trace of irritation discernible in her voice.She had observed, of late, that the warmth once evident in Ethan's eyes when he looked at her had dwindled. It was as though he now regarded her as a stranger, his gaze searching, almost as if he sought to peer into her very soul. This shift in his attitude hadn't come out of nowhere. His frequent late-night returns and prolonged absences were clues she couldn't ignore.Madelyn wasn't naive, nor was she oblivious on the matter. She had experienced what it was like to love someone deeply and unconditionally. She figured that he would not easily forget Donna, whom he had loved s