Margaret replied, "She didn't provide a name, but judging by her voice, it seemed like a young woman."Madelyn had always been accustomed to solitude and wasn't skilled in socializing. Therefore, Margaret refrained from accepting the invitation on Madelyn's behalf. She simply informed the caller that she would pass on the message.Madelyn opened the invitation card and took a look. Without even needing to read the name below, she could tell from the handwriting that it was from Mya.She thought, 'After all these years, her handwriting is still the same... A birthday party?'Zach entered from outside and asked, "Are you considering going? I'll go with you.""I'll decide later," Madelyn responded. She set down the invitation card with its elegant gold embossing. She checked the date and saw that it was scheduled for a week later.She thought, 'It looks like Kennedy is back as well. Apart from him, no one knows I'm back in the Venturia.'Madelyn returned to her room and changed out
Zach continued, "It's only fair that one pays for the life they took with their own life. There are certain things I haven't disclosed to you because I didn't want to taint the world as you know it. Hayson wasn't a righteous man, and neither am I..."Madelyn had always been striving for a pure life. She had been aware of what Zach was saying.Hayson had never been a virtuous person. When Madelyn's classmates at school bullied her, hit her, and insulted her, she couldn't bring herself to speak up. She endured the bullying because she was known as Hayson's daughter.Even if she did confide in Hayson about her problems, he would never empathize. He would merely instruct her to endure it and avoid causing trouble at school. Consequently, Madelyn could only suffer in silence.Slowly, Madelyn released her bite, leaving fresh blood on her lips. Zach's dark-striped pajamas were also stained with blood.She responded, "He faced retribution and died. What about you, then? Why don't you die?
Dalton was sleeping peacefully in Madelyn's arms. Whenever thunder rumbled, she would cover his ears to shield him from the startling noise.Zach approached the bedside and picked up the cup of water that had been partly consumed. Madelyn stopped him, saying, "The medicine that Dalton took is in there."Zach paused, brought the cup to his nose, and took a sniff. His face displayed a slight frown before he carefully set the cup back down. He then advised, "Try to avoid giving him medicine. It can have side effects and isn't good for his health."Madelyn replied, "Lower your voice. He just fell asleep."Tonight, Madelyn was finally able to enjoy a peaceful night's sleep. Zach lay beside her without any further interference.In the middle of the night, Madelyn was awakened by a phone call. Zach reached for the phone and left the room to answer it. Madelyn couldn't hear their conversation. The call ended relatively quickly, and she soon drifted back to sleep.The following morning, t
Kevin held a black umbrella as he followed Zach. Zach was dressed in a black coat over a black suit, exuding a chilling aura as he strode in. He still had his phone call with Madelyn.Kai entered the foyer alongside them. Once inside, Kevin closed the umbrella. A servant took Zach's coat as he removed it and hung it on a coat rack. Zach exchanged some words with Kevin before making his way to Madelyn, who was standing at the foot of the stairs.Madelyn was taken by surprise to see Zach. Her face remained neutral as he approached. She handed her phone, still on the line, to Margaret and turned away without making eye contact, heading back to her room with Dalton in her arms.Inside the room, Dalton had a flushed face and felt feverish. Kai, wearing a stethoscope around his neck, was examining him. Madelyn wondered if it had to do with their walk in the garden the night before.Initially, she had thought it was just a regular cough, but after two days, her concerns had grown, promp
Dalton, his usual playful self, decided to explore and, in doing so, got a firm grip on Zach's hair.Zach's stern voice rang out, "Stop moving around."The project director froze. The entire room remained silent, heads bowed, and no one dared to utter a word.Zach, known for his rigorous and demanding nature, was infamous for terminating employees on the spot.Dalton did not stop. It was an uncommon sight to witness the typically serious and professional Zach in such a humorous predicament. But the room's atmosphere was so tense that most individuals remained glued to their notes, unwilling to even glance at this lighthearted moment.Upon noticing the silence in the conference room, Zach frowned, "Continued!"Dalton, apparently influenced by Zach's tone, was about to burst into tears. Zach, reacting swiftly, passed the child to Kevin, who stood nearby.Now carrying a wailing toddler, Kevin had no idea how to soothe him. Their exit from the conference room was followed by immedia
The group dispersed.Seeing Kevin approaching, Blake's nervousness became apparent. She quickly spoke, "What they were gossiping about had nothing to do with me, Mr. Harrison. I'm the newbie here, and I have no idea what they were talking about."Kevin, a long-time associate of Zach's, had a presence that resembled his superior's. In the company, facing Kevin was almost as intimidating as encountering the CEO himself. His mere presence commanded respect and awe from everyone.Kevin, slightly irritated, asked, "Can you handle kids?"Caught off guard, Blake took a moment to process the question.Kevin's tone remained impatient as he repeated, "I asked if you could take care of kids. Didn't you hear?"Blake replied, "Of course! I can take care of kids of all ages."Kevin's phone buzzed incessantly. Dalton had cried so much that his voice was almost gone, but now he was quiet. Blake took the child, and Kevin left in a hurry. As soon as she held Dalton, he began crying again. 'Oh n
Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow in the car's interior. Madelyn couldn't believe that Zach would resort to using their child as leverage to get her to comply.Zach's words echoed in her mind, "If you don't come, he'll go hungry."The message had been relayed to her by the servant. Zach knew her well, knowing that kindness was often more effective with her than intimidation. But now, he was manipulating her by involving their child.Sighing, Madelyn retrieved a bag filled with baby essentials from the closet. She understood that Zach might forget the milk, but intentionally leaving out Dalton's diapers was perplexing. If he needed a change and there were no diapers, it would be inconvenient. Madelyn began to suspect that Zach might have omitted them on purpose.About an hour later, Madelyn arrived at the Jardin Corporation building, with Jordan waiting for her. The tall building felt familiar. She had not wanted to be here; she had hoped Zach would take Dalto
Madelyn held a fork, her eyebrows knit in silence. Without looking at him, she could still feel the intensity of his stare. She wore a beige sweater, her long hair pinned up with a few stray strands falling by her ear. The elegant curve of her neck gave off a gentle and friendly vibe. The aura she exuded was something other women from outside could never match for Zach.Zach knew Madelyn loved fish nuggets. Taking some from the takeout bag, he placed them on her plate."Can't you behave during meals?" Madelyn set down her fork and gently stopped his wandering hand on her chest.Zach said with a mischievous smile, "They have grown quite a bit."Madelyn recalled how he had always been so polite to others, and she wondered why he acted differently around her. It seemed as though there was another side to him, one that was unrestrained. She looked at him and asked, "Why not show more restraint?"He leaned closer, noticing her hair's fragrance. "Didn't you like it more when I was more