Around 9:30 that evening, Zach relaxed on the couch in the living room, eager to hear Jordan's news about Madelyn.Jordan started, "Here's the scoop. Ms. Jent chatted with that girl briefly before stepping out of the car. But when she came back, her demeanor had changed."Zach looked at Margaret with a serious face. "What about you? What do you think?"Margaret laughed lightly. "Mr. Jardin, you might be overanalyzing. In two days, it's the birthday bash for a friend of Ms. Jent. The painting? She made it as a gift."Zach asked, "Is the friend's last name Harper?"Margaret just shrugged. "Maybe, but I'm not certain."Zach stood up from the couch. "Got it," he said and headed upstairs.In the study of his master bedroom, he paused by the large windows, gazing at the sky filled with stars. Picking up the phone, he dialed a number.Kevin answered instantly, "Mr. Jardin."Zach said, "Look into it. Around noon today, find out who left the company to meet Madelyn."In a well-lit off
"She's--"Luke interrupted her with a sarcastic laugh, "Got it. She's the little sister of Jardin Corporation's top dog. And how's that your business? If she genuinely cared, she'd be here by now. Thinking the Harper family can rival the Jardin heiress? Wishful thinking. Honestly, after everything with the Harpers, I've had enough."Mya had not realized she had brought trouble upon herself, and now her dad was caught up in it. The makeup artist quickly applied makeup as she sat at the vanity. Afterward, she was led to a changing room and dressed in a used wedding gown. Changing into the gown, Mya noticed the many dark bruises covering her body.'When are you coming to help me, Madelyn?'In college, Mya became friends with Luke, a student always tight on cash.Now, Mya sat alone in the lounge, hugging herself, feeling lonely and ignored. The hushed voices of Luke and a woman making out nearby deepened her sense of isolation.As the clock struck noon, the banquet began. Even with h
After Blake punched Luke, he started bleeding from the corner of his mouth, which sent the party into chaos. Blake quickly grabbed Mya, pulled the ring off her finger, and threw it at Luke, but it bounced off and landed somewhere else."This cheap ring's your idea of love?" Blake snapped. "Luke, you and your freeloading family should just leave."Seeing the guests' shocked reactions, Luke said, "Blake, enough! Don't cause a bigger scene.""What if I want to make a scene? What're you going to do about it? Try and hit me?" Blake challenged.Mya tugged at her arm. "Enough, Blake.""Don't worry about him, Mya," Blake said. "Madelyn's on her way. And once she's here, all these cheaters will have to answer for what they've done. They'll give back every penny they took from the Harper family.""Is she really coming?""Yes.""Ridiculous! Even if someone important were here, this proposal is happening," a woman in a poorly fitting dress interrupted. She was Luke's aunt. "Get her out. Wh
"If the CEO of Jardin Corporation and Madelyn are coming, they'll be welcomed," Luke declared. "You said she'd be coming, right? Let's wait twenty minutes. If they don't show up, we'll start the party.""Alright, twenty minutes," Mya replied. "We aren't scared."Luke's aunt chimed in, "It's like we've never met important people before. What's the big deal?"A teenage boy sitting nearby turned to his sister and asked, "Do you think Mya knows the woman from the Jent family? I've never heard Mya mention her.""I don't know, so quit asking!" she replied, clearly irritated."Did you sneak into Mya's closet and wear her clothes again? I've told you, those outfits look good on Mya, but on you? Not so much," he said."Ugh! You're always talking about Mya. If you like her so much, why don't you just make her your sister and leave me out of it?" she retorted.The waitstaff at Supreme World set the table and cleaned everything up fast. Luke wanted fresh dishes. Only two minutes of the twen
The hotel manager noticed a commotion and was surprised by what he saw. Spotting Kevin, he quickly asked, "What are you doing here, Kevin?""I'm with him," Blake chimed in.Upon hearing this, the manager signaled the hotel's security to release Blake, who then ran to stand by Kevin's side. Blake looked up at Kevin. "Ms. Jent didn't mention you'd be here." Seeing him was unexpected, but then again, it did not matter.Kevin's presence radiated authority. It was no secret in Ventropolis how influential Jardin Corporation was. Yet, seeing Kevin at this event took many by surprise. After all, Jardin Corporation was a titan, making the Harper family seem ordinary compared to their immense influence. Many wondered about the reason behind such a dominant figure associating with the Harpers.Without saying a word, Kevin briefly looked at Blake.He then addressed Mya, "Ms. Jent will be a bit longer. In the meantime, Mr. Jardin asked me to come early to present the birthday gifts." Kevin sig
The bodyguard took the golf club from Zach and set it aside. Madelyn put on her Bluetooth earpiece, and instantly, she heard Blake's argumentative voice. 'Wow, she's really loud.'"Do you have any shame? These gifts are obviously for my cousin, Mya. Trying to snag them before the wedding's even a sure thing? Think you deserve them? You all act like ungrateful, shameless jerks. You're just like bullies and thieves!"One of the ladies defiantly pointed at Blake and snapped, "All these will be ours soon anyway; so why not take them now?""Fine! Take them if you dare!" Blake retorted. "But if you do, I'll break your hands."Kevin gave Blake a thoughtful look, his eyes deep in thought. He admired her courage."Let's take what belongs to us," the lady challenged.An old lady gazed at the jewelry, thinking, 'These are worth so much money... More than I could ever spend in a lifetime.'"How long's the sentence for robbery, Blake?" Kevin asked.Blake replied, "Between three and ten year
"Why isn't Madelyn here, Kevin?" Mya asked.Kevin replied with a hint of nonchalance, "Ms. Jent's downstairs, playing golf with Mr. Jardin. If you want to see her, go on down. Mr. Jardin said his company's taking care of the situation at the birthday party."Mya said, "Thanks for letting me know."Kevin nodded, "No problem."Luke called out, trying to make things right, "Mya..."Lifting her dress slightly, Mya shot him one last look, "I told you you'd face the consequences." She walked off, leaving a chattering crowd behind.Luke's family swarmed him, bombarding him with questions, "What went down, Luke? Why did Mya bolt? You know, our families had your back, helped with your college needs, and in return, you promised us a house.""Are you guys still getting hitched?""Man, Luke, I was waiting for a house before getting married. Now, without one, what do I do?""And these gems? They were supposed to be a safety net for my daughter's future. Luke, you better not bail on us."F
Madelyn repeated, "Thank you."As Madelyn approached, the bodyguard who had been blocking Mya stepped aside. Mya eagerly embraced Madelyn, causing her to stagger. She pressed her face against Madelyn's shoulder, sobbing loudly."You were gone for so long, and you didn't even contact me. Did you know I almost died?" Mya asked, her voice serious.Madelyn's gaze landed on the dark bruises on Mya's neck and back. Blake had filled her in. "I'm so sorry, Mya," Madelyn whispered, her voice laden with regret. "I wish I'd been here sooner."Mya shook her head gently, "You're here now, and that's what matters. Plus, you brought gifts. I've forgiven you.""Promise me you'll be careful. Don't let anyone hurt you.""I promise. With you here, I feel protected."The Harper family sponsored Luke for school because he did not have much money. When Mya ran into him at Ventropolis University, it was by accident. In college, when bullies picked on Luke, Mya defended him. From then on, Luke cared a