Ethan set aside his newspaper and got up from the couch. "We're only pushing the date of the engagement party. We can easily adjust the invitations," he remarked, directing a scrutinizing look toward Madelyn, as if trying to gauge her feelings.Evelyn sharply retorted, "Hold on, Ethan. I didn't ask for your input. Remember, you were the one adamant about this marriage. The entire Ventropolis is aware of it now. If you pull the plug on the engagement party at this stage, have you considered the talk that will follow? Or how Madelyn might be feeling?"It was rare for Evelyn to use such a stern tone with Ethan.Madelyn, feeling a lump in her throat, kept her eyes lowered. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke up, "...maybe Ethan's just not sure yet. His decision might be due to reasons we aren't privy to."She continued, "I get it; this is a big decision. For now, I'm cool with pushing it back. I'll talk to my father about it; he'll be fine.With a sigh, she said, "And with exam
Ethan's temper blazed. He sped to school, jamming the gas pedal down with every ounce of his vexation.Madelyn was baffled by the sudden shift in his demeanor. The air in the car was thick with tension."Out. Now."Madelyn unbuckled her seatbelt and silently got out of the car.As she walked further away, Ethan's eyes followed, seething with anger and jealousy. 'How could she betray me like this? Should I even consider forgiving her? How am I expected to just overlook this and go on? Despite everything, my love for her is undeniable, yet she's deceived me more times than I care to count,' he pondered.In a fit of frustration, Ethan's hand crashed against the car window. The impact was so forceful that the skin at the base of his fingers split open, letting a few drops of blood escape.For what felt like an eternity, Ethan's car stood idle at the school's entrance. Inside, he grappled with his tumultuous emotions, trying to calm the internal tempest. Clasped in his hand was a ring
However, as Leyton delved deeper, the complexity of the situation began to unfold, and the disparity between the Madelyn in the past and the girl he was investigating was jarring. 'Despite everything, she betrayed Mr. Arnold by having affair with Zach Jardin, and all seemingly to profit Azure Corporation,' he ruminated.But the more he thought about it, the more Leyton found the timing suspicious. 'Right before the engagement? All these revelations? It's too convenient, isn't it?'From his research, Leyton had in his possession solid proof of Madelyn's communications and liaison with Zach. Each piece was solid enough to have Madelyn condemned, yet Leyton couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, even though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.The very idea that Zach, heir to Hayson and trained by such a cunning man, would leave incriminating photos so easily accessible was puzzling. 'It's too easy. Why were these image files unprotected? What's even stranger is that the
Ethan forcefully pushed Madelyn away, causing her to stagger backward and fall, her hand landing on scattered glass shards. Pain surged through her as her palm began bleeding, the crimson hue staining her clothes and widening rapidly.A fleeting glimmer of regret appeared in Ethan's eyes, prompting him to move slightly toward her. But just as quickly as it came, the emotion receded, and he froze.Purposefully turning his back to her, he grappled with his internal conflict. Gazing out the French windows, he closed his eyes, and his voice, filled with restrained emotion, whispered, "You should go."He didn't want to cause her any more harm, but the sting of her betrayal was too fresh, too raw. In his mind, thoughts swirled. 'I loved her with everything I had, ready to lay the world at her feet. But she made a fool out of me, deceiving me at every turn. Did she laugh at my expense while with Zach, sneering at my naivety?'Madelyn endured the pain as she carefully extracted the glass p
In the Jent residence's study, Hayson hung up the phone and stared deeply at Zach. "How did you find out about Ethan Arnold wanting to postpone the engagement?"As Hayson delegated more and more responsibilities to Zach, he had come to realize that Zach's mind was especially shrewd. Zach was no longer the easily manipulated child he once was."The success of Madelyn marrying into the Arnold family also affects our company's interests. For Father's sake, I naturally have to pay close attention to Madelyn's affairs," Zach replied.Hayson was pleased with this response and had nothing more to say. "I'm glad you're thinking about the company. It shows that over the years, you've come to accept me as your father."A hint of something inscrutable flashed in Zach's eyes, gone almost as soon as it appeared, too quick for Hayson to notice.Hayson looked at him. "Have you planted someone on the Arnold family's side?"Zach nodded. "I placed someone there shortly after Ethan took over the co
"Are you leaving?" Madelyn's voice rang out.Ethan's eyes met hers, momentarily devoid of emotion. But as they trailed to her bandaged hand, a shadow of concern passed over his face. "...Our engagement will continue," he said slowly, choosing his words. "I was the one who proposed. To abruptly call it off now would tarnish my family's reputation. But," he hesitated, "I can't promise it will last indefinitely. From now on, your world is limited to school and home."Madelyn remained silent, her eyes fixed on him. Without a word, she moved to the table and gently placed the envelope she held onto its surface.In a calm tone, she said, "Your car broke down. It's in need of repairs. Your servant retrieved this envelope from inside." She paused. "Maybe consider drinking less. I'm heading to my room."She began to walk away when Ethan's voice stopped her. "Wait."Madelyn turned around. "Did you need something else?""Don't you want to know what's in there?" Ethan asked."It's your pers
Ethan's voice, tinged with regret echoed from behind, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have gone behind your back, nor should I have kept you in the dark. My fears got the better of me.""I was afraid that once I found out those things, you'd leave without hesitation, and I'd be powerless to stop you," he confessed, "I've never wanted to hurt you, not even with a harsh word... Madelyn... I love you! The more I love you, the harder it is for me to accept the truth I uncovered. I never intended for you to leave. Those words about canceling the engagement, they were just said out of anger."His voice broke slightly, "I... I only have you! Please don't go, regardless of whether it's true or not. I don't care anymore. I just want you to stay by my side. I don't want to lose you."Ethan had lost so many people in his life; he didn't want to lose the one person he cared about the most.Ethan enveloped her in a tight embrace, his voice trembling with desperation. "Tell me it's not true, please? E
Madelyn was transported back to a day of memory in her past life. A day when the name Cecilia Samford held profound significance. Their first meeting had been under Cecilia's orchestration at a café just below the grand Jardin Corporation building.During that time, Ventropolis had become a bustling hub of economic activity. Immense skyscrapers ruled the skyline, most of which echoed with the undertone of Jardin Corporation's dominance.The air was thick with heat, just as it was now. There was a slight, pungent smell wafting from the hot asphalt roads under the midday sun.Cecilia, at the time, had possessed wavy, vibrant hair that cascaded to her shoulders, secured in a simple ponytail. Every ounce of her screamed dominance and power.Facing someone like Cecilia, Madelyn couldn't help but feel insecure. Cecilia, after all, was the primary aide to her husband. A woman who seamlessly blended grace, assertiveness, and allure. Madelyn found herself wondering if any man could truly re