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
Madelyn curled her legs up as the light from the phone screen reflected in her eyes, looking at the words not knowing what to say to him.She then sent him some words of concern. [Since you caught a cold, rest up. Remember to stay hydrated and take your medications on time.][Will do.][Sleep early then. Good night][Good night.]Now that she looked back, she had nothing to meet Ethan for.From the very beginning, she simply wanted to save him and did not plan to have much more interaction with him.It was because... she had always planned to leave this place and start a new life in another.Perhaps she would never return to this place again.It was only by leaving this place that Madelyn could free herself from the Jent family, free herself from Cecilia... and start a life of her own.Ethan was not in her plans. If she were to have any deeper entanglement with him, she was afraid that it would only end up being more trouble.Madelyn let out a yawn as she suddenly felt sleep
"You're trying to negotiate with me now?" Hayson frowned.Madelyn said angrily, "It's you who went back against your words. Father... I'm already an adult. Can you stop deciding everything for me? I'm not your puppet!""Talking back now, huh!?" Hayson slammed the cutlery onto the table. "Did I raise you like this, to talk back to me, huh?! Don't you dare forget who's the one supporting you right now! Let's see you survive without spending a single penny of mine!"Madelyn's brow shuddered. "So, if I don't stay in this house and if I don't spend a single penny of yours, you'll no longer interfere in my affairs?""Hah, feeling tough now huh? The punishment last time wasn't enough, I see. If you want to die that much, then I'll see it done!" Hayson stood up and had already pulled his belt out.Hayson was a stickler to rules and protocol and this was the first time he had flared up like this against Madelyn.Jasmine immediately stopped him. "Hayson, what are you doing? Madelyn is just
Zach was contemplating where she might be hiding. However, before long, Jadie's voice broke the silence, directing Zach's attention to a figure standing near a large truck. "Zach, look! It's Madelyn," Jadie exclaimed, her voice tinged with both surprise and concern.Slowing down the vehicle, Zach saw Madelyn getting into the vehicle."Goodness gracious, why is Madelyn leaving with strangers? Has something happened to her? Should we contact the police?" Jadie's words tumbled out in a rush, her concern palpable.Zach averted his eyes, a contemplative silence enveloping him as he focused on the task of driving. "No need," he finally replied, his voice subdued."Are you saying we should we just leave her be like that?"Zach remained silent, his attention steadfastly fixed on the road ahead.As the truck accelerated, its tires kicking up a cloud of dust, the distance between them and Madelyn swiftly expanded. Jadie could sense the car picking up speed, and a part of her longed for Zac