Chapter 561
From the moment Jonas stepped through the school gates, Berlin could tell he wasn''t just any kid. Berlin knew Jonas was
destined for greatness; having a student like him was a source of pride! So, naturally, Berlin gave Jonas extra attention and care.
Years had flown by, and Jonas had racked up a string of impressive achievements at a remarkable pace. As his mentor, Berlin
was both stunned and overjoyed.
“Madeline''s been blowing up my phone, asking why you haven''t shown up yet," said Berlin with a sigh, leading Jonas outside
and chatting casually. "So, did you gain anything from your speaking engagement?"
Jonas nodded. "Yes, sir, | feel—"
Before he could finish, Berlin''s phone rang. With a helpless shrug, Berlin handed over the phone. "Ah, it''s Madeline again, a
veritable call attack! You talk to her!"
Taking the phone, Jonas said, "Madeline?"
"Jonas, is that you?!" came Madeline’s excited voice. "Oh, thank goodness you''re back. | was so worried. | thought Dad got the
time wrong. Hurry back, Mom''s made a feast!"
"We''ll be there shortly."
After hanging up, Jonas got into Berlin''s car, and they headed to his house. As soon as the car pulled up in front of Berlin''s ce,
a figure dashed out of the house before it could evene to aplete halt. Madeline was cheering ecstatically, "Oh, Jonas is
back. Fantastic!"
It was Madeline, now eleven, her long legs and slender waist hinting at future beauty. Catching sight of Madeline sprinting
towards him, Jonas quickly got out of the car and reached out to catch her. "Easy there, watch out."
Over the years, Jonas hade to treat Madeline as a little sister, watching over her with care.
Indifferent to his warning, Madeline jumped into his arms, tilting her head with an outstretched hand. "Jonas, I''ve missed you! Did
you bring me a present?"
“Of course." Jonas pulled a teddy bear from his backpack, a souvenir from the airport. "Do you like it?"
Madeline gleamed brighter than the sun as she clutched the bear. "Anything from you, Jonas, even a needle, I''d adore!"
Jonas ruffled her hair affectionately. "You''re exaggerating, but I''m d you like it."
“All right, Madeline, stop clinging to Jonas. He must be starving after his flight. Let''s go inside for dinner, and you two can catch
up," Berlin intervened, ushering them into the house.
After a cozy dinner with Berlin''s family and some time spent chatting, Jonas wanted to head back to the academy.
Having not seen Jonas for days, Madeline pouted, unwilling to let him leave. With no other choice, Jonas patientlyforted her
until she fell asleep and then took his leave.
Berlin and his wife cherished the bond between Jonas and their daughter, having watched him grow up and treating him as part
of their family.
Time flew, and before you knew it, three years had passed. In those three years, Jonas aced his studies with ease, graduating
from Harvard with top honors, leading by a wide margin, andnding a position as a Brigadier General in the States Army.
At eighteen, Jonas stood tall and handsome. His 6''3" stature and rugged features set him apart. His rarely smiling face held a
gravity and authority that seemed beyond his years, his gaze intense and formidable.
With his new appointment on the horizon, Jonas brought a basket of fruit to say farewell to the Berlin family, havinge to
regard them as family.
As soon as he mentioned his departure, Madeline burst into tears, unable to ept his leave. Seeing her precious daughter in
tears, Berlin’s wife was beside herself with concern, crouching down to gently persuade Madeline not to be too heartbroken.
Jonas, however, didn''t coddle Madeline as he used to. Instead, he waited on the sofa for her to finish crying, then asked, "Are
you done crying?"Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.
With tears still streaming, Madeline was shocked to hear such stern words from Jonas. Angrily wiping her tears, she said,
"Jonas, what am | going to do without you? | can''t bear to let you go!"
Jonas’ sharp gaze met hers as he
spoke with seriousness, "Madeline,
you''re growing up. Y. reno ecintle!
} anyinare. Spt e waterworks;
its unbing. Focus on your
studies, follow in my footsteps, and
be an exceptional woman!"
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.
Madeline knew he disliked her tears and nodded. Her voice sounded small but determined. "Jonas, | promise, no more tears. I''ll
work hard to be outstanding and stand beside you one day!"
Satisfied, Jonas nodded. "That''s more like it. Keep it up, Madeline!"
He got up to leave. "| should head back now. Remember what you promised, Madeline."
As Berlin’s wife saw him off, Madeline watched Jonas'' retreating figure, her determination solidifying as she whispered to herself,
"Jonas, I''ll stand by your side. I''ll be outstanding and strong!"
From that day on, Madeline''s
demeanor changed; she was no
longer fragile or tearfh\not axip id
KrerddlFinto her studies,
but she also enrolled in evening
sses and came homete. She
had visibly lost weight from her
dedication. Please read the original
content at .
Krista, her mother, was filled with both pride and sorrow. She was happy that Madeline had matured but pained to see her work
so hard. Madeline wasn''t fazed by the hardship. She had a goal: to stand beside Jonas, excellent and peerless.
Meanwhile, in Canada, Anna, who
now went by the name of Grace, was
zing through her academic
courses at an astonisaig pace At!
ths rendenayeldt thirteen, she
possessed a photographic memory
for numbers. Through her relentless
efforts, she had managed to skip two
grades, leaving behind the ssroom
shes with Cindy, who always
seemed to be on her case. Please
read the original content at
.
Cindy, in fact, was two years Anna''s senior. She had harbored a grudge ever since Anna had inadvertently stolen her thunder.
Cindy''s envy simmered every time she saw Anna, and she constantly looked for ways to make trouble for her.
Now that Anna, or Grace as she was known, had moved up two grades ahead, Cindy felt a profound sense of injustice and
resentment. Anna''s excellence only fueled Cindy''s jealousy, making her wish that Anna had never existed in their world.