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
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and