Zach's phone began to vibrate in the hushed hospital room. He retrieved the device from his pocket and saw that it was a call from Hayson. Stepping out of the room, he answered the call, his voice calm but respectful, "Father...""Madelyn got into trouble at school. Go see what's going on!" Hayson sounded a little angry."Madelyn? Okay... Got it." Zach's tone was soft, but his face was solemn. After Hayson hung up the phone, Zach realized he couldn't leave Jadie alone at the hospital, so he called Kevin."Mr. Jardin," Kevin answered promptly."How much longer until your meeting concludes?" Zach inquired."The meeting just ended," Kevin replied."Head over to Ventrocloud High School immediately.""Has Ms. Jent gotten into trouble again?""Once you've resolved the situation, bring her back to the apartment.""Alright, Mr. Jardin."'Not again. Ms. Jent seems to be a magnet for trouble. Dealing with her antics is becoming a recurring task. She caused a major deal to fall through
"I thought someone else would be here. Where's Hayson Jent, Mr. Harrison? His daughter beat my daughter up, and you're the one who showed up? Are we unworthy of him coming down here in person?""It's not like that. I was asked to come and resolve the situation. I'd like to apologize on behalf of Ms. Jent's behavior. Mr. Jent assured that we would do our best to address everything that has transpired."Kevin noticed that Madelyn had a deep scratch on her face and her disheveled appearance. The other three girls were also far from unscathed.Typically, it was Zach who appeared whenever Madelyn got into trouble, but this time, Kevin was the one who came. 'He must be with Jadie right now,' thought Madelyn. 'She got hurt, after all. Zach must be heartbroken.'"Compensate? With money? And you're saying Hayson cares about this? Ha! Azure Corporation is a pathetic enterprise. Tell Mr. Jent that unless he comes here right now and offers a personal apology, kneeling before me, I'll have my
The bystanders appeared stunned by the shocking revelation, and a tense atmosphere enveloped the conference room. Even Michelle struggled to comprehend the startling information. "Don't spew unfounded accusations, Madelyn."Madelyn looked at her and everyone's expressions indifferently.Both the Lampreys and the Luperts did not dare to say a word."Would you like me to go into more detail?" Madelyn asked."Shut up! That's enough! How dare you threaten me, Madelyn? How much did Hayson tell you?!" Mrs. Linney suddenly exclaimed."Oh God, it's true!" Jenny said as she covered her mouth. Her mom also covered her mouth and shot her a fierce glance.The Linney family was more powerful than the other two of the three families present. They were just there for support.Michelle looked at the person beside her in disbelief and said, "Mom, why don't I know about this? Is it true that a child died? How did you resolve this matter? Why would you drive while you were drunk, Mom? I... I don't
Ethan's assistant entered the principal's office and told them everything that had happened in the conference room, word for word. Everyone except for Madelyn was there. "...And that's what happened, Mr. Arnold."Ethan nodded, and his assistant stepped aside. Suddenly, the atmosphere became cold. The girls' mothers sat on the couch, not daring to speak. Ethan's aura exerted pressure on everyone present."I want to see signatures on those contracts in half an hour.""Yes, Mr. Arnold," said Leyton—Ethan's new assistant.The moment he had left his house, Ethan had made up his mind to reclaim what was rightfully his.'It's the only way I can protect her.'No one dared to speak at that time. The women did not know why Ethan would want to meet them, especially since they were not in charge of their husbands' companies."Mr. Arnold, I have no say in the company's business, but... May I know why you're terminating the contract?" One of the women asked in a weak voice."That's not a que
"Yes, Mr. Jardin..."Kevin didn't hang up the call. He slid the phone into his pocket instead.Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Zach walked over to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. Just as he was about to end the call, he could hear Madelyn's sobs through the phone.'So, there was another man besides her...' he mused."No one will bully you anymore... Stop crying..."Ethan's embrace was warm.And as he comforted her, her heart began to warm as well.He was the first person to offer her such solace.Zach would never comfort her in her times of sorrow and would only complain that her crying upset him. He would always tell her to go somewhere else if she wanted to cry."Can I lean on you for a bit?"Madelyn's voice trembled.Ethan smiled a little as he opened his arms to her. "Any time, any day. It'd be my pleasure."However, just as Kevin entered the room, he was met with the sight of Madelyn crying in another man's embrace. The unexpected scene left h
Madelyn knelt on the cold white ceramic title as the floor glimmered. Her gaze lowered, fixating on the reflection staring back at her. She gently stroked her hand over the scratching scar on her face, feeling a tingling sting.The study was awash with the smell of sandalwood and her nose felt a little uncomfortable.At this moment, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps and she immediately knelt straight up and clutched her clothes tightly. She knew what was coming for her next.Soon, the door was opened as Hayson walked in with Zach and Jadie following behind."Do you know what you've done wrong today?" Hayson asked.Madelyn lowered her head as Zach's silhouette enveloped her by the corner of the gaze. The atmosphere in the study was oppressive and made her breathless.She said meekly. "I shouldn't quarrel with my classmates."Hayson took the cane down from the wall and walked toward Madelyn as he faced the cane toward her.Madelyn was trembling in fear and as she heard
Madelyn walked out of the study and Rosario, who was waiting outside, immediately walked over when she saw someone come out of the room. "Madelyn... How are you holding up?"Madelyn's face was rather pale. "I... I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Rosario. Do you still have any painkillers?" Her voice was getting weaker and weaker, and as the last words left her mouth, Madelyn fainted altogether.Jasmine, who was hiding in a corner, saw this scene, and when she saw Madelyn faint, she did not step forward but instead turned and went downstairs.She saw the wounds on Madelyn's back. 'Isn't she his own daughter? Why did he beat her like that?'By the time Madelyn woke up the next day, it was already noon.She was lying flat on her stomach, and she could feel a chill on her back. When she saw her back exposed, Madelyn immediately pulled the blanket over herself, but it was quickly pulled away by someone else."Don't move. Unless you want me to reapply the ointment."Madelyn felt somethi
Not long after Zach left, Jasmine brought in some pastries. She took a look at Madelyn's wounds and said some words of concern before leaving.Even after taking the painkillers, Madelyn was still in pain and still could not sleep at night.She was woken up by a nightmare in the middle of the night. She was sweating profusely and since she was unable to move or turn around, her drowsiness was soon lost.With the passing of time, her chest started to hurt badly, so she used a pillow to cushion it.She was only eighteen, and her chest growing too big was not a good thing.When she looked at the time, it was only half past three.Madelyn woke up to go to the bathroom and unbuttoned her pajamas. As she looked at the crisscrossing wounds on her body, it was much better than before aside from a few spots that were still swollen red.She was sweating so much and with the summer heat, her entire body was sticky, so she took a simple bath, making sure to avoid getting her wounds wet.Aft